This chapter is dedicated to brightsadamapple for being my AWESOME bestie! And for helping me out with the my 'should I add a kiss scene here it no' decision! Ily bestie💖💖
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"Princess—", Win began.

"Call me Nym, Win. I would love that. I am not a Princess anyways", she shrugged.

"You're not a Princess? I didn't quite understand".

"Well, in Midaster, only the issues of a Magnifer are called Prince and Princesses. Bright just calls me Princess because he loves the Earthly way of Royal addressal. In short, he loves Earth and everything about it", she laughs a little.

"Bright loves the Earth". He said, but it sounded more like a question.

Nym laughed in a peal of sparkly laughter, making Win stare at her. The laugh was beautiful, but nothing compared to Bright's, he admitted. "Yes, he's weird. When we were kids he would go on and on about Earth".

"I see". He couldn't understand what to do with this information. But something bubbled in him. It was a good thing of course.

"Why isn't the Preserver from the Earth going on about his native planet?" She asked with an amused sparkle in her eyes. They look similar to Bright. But not quite. Bright's eyes are bigger and more enticing, of course.

He mentally smacked his head. What is wrong with him!

"I never really thought about the Earth. More like I didn't get enough time to. I was so engrossed soaking all these pieces of information— I don't know if it was a good thing or not", he shrugged with a tight-lipped smile.

"That's good though. It makes you feel less burdensome. I, too, didn't get a chance to think about Midaster, once I went to planet Beuren. It was beautiful", Nym said.

Soon Win found himself listening to Nym's stories of planet Beuren. He replied some polite replies to her at times. He looked at her face, as she blushed whenever Win complimented her and smiled when she shared the description of the planet.

He couldn't understand why wasn't he getting attracted to her. He knew he was all straight until University occurred, then why couldn't he just fall for her. Why was he involuntarily comparing her expressions, responses, smiles, and looks with Bright's?

"So, Win do you have a date to weekend's Ball?" She asked, twirling her hair on her forefinger and looking at him shyly.

"Not really. I and my friend decided to dance with all those who don't have a date", he answered whatever he had decided with Carmel.

"What about your lover?" She asked mildly surprised.

"I don't really have one", Win couldn't understand if he should be embarrassed by the fact or not, "being on Midaster, I didn't really get time to think about having one, to be specific. This is my second Life which is supposed to be sacrificed. I am not really all comfortable with this information. Besides, after the war happens and I survive I will definitely go back to the Earth", he laughs nervously. But wait, was he sure that if he survives he'll go back to the Earth? He had chosen it since day 1, but today, suddenly he's not so sure anymore.

"Oh", Nym answered smiling at him, "I would have loved to go with you if Bright wasn't the one I have to go with".

"You're going with Bright?" Win asked feeling weight down in his stomach. He feels like puking.

"Yes, he's the Prince and it's his first Ball anyway, he must be the starting one. Magnifer has already booked me", he laughed another sparkly laughter. And surprisingly it annoyed Win.

"That's... Wonderful", he forced out a smile.

"Not at all. Going with that nonchalant boy is no fun. You're much fun to talk with, even Mother Universe knows that".

"I don't think you're right about Bright. He's the most perfect company one can ask for. He's kind, compassionate, understanding, and every nice thing", He answered honestly, feeling a fuzzy feeling in his stomach.

"You've probably given tips for speaking great things about that glum-faced, aren't you?" She laughed again. Her laughter was suddenly the most annoying and taunting thing in the whole universe!

"I completely forgot, Nym. I had lessons to attend if you may excuse me", he bowed a bit, running back to the palace without noticing a shy smile that Nymphala gave.

•••

Bright was ignoring Win.

He was trying not to be too obvious about the fact and call him out, but he was getting afraid of what could be the possible reason behind this.

In the morning was the Planetary Geography class, the only class that has been continuing even though Flashers classes haven't started yet. It was a special class so it's always him and Bright. Bright would usually pinch or poke his cheeks when he would doze off while reading, but these days he isn't been doing it. During lunch, Bright made sure Joss or Carmel or Love sat between them and that they weren't sitting with their hips glued to each other. When Win went to talk, he would have made some terrible excuses and run away. He didn't even go to the Northern Tower.

Win grew sad and sadder with each passing day. What did he do to Bright that he was distancing himself from him, he couldn't put a finger on. He knew Bright was the most understanding and patient man. If he's mad or upset with him, it must be a very big reason.

Now that Bright was not near, he missed the usual warmth he was accustomed to getting. He missed him. Very much.

•••

The Ball night finally approached after a long, painful weekend. Win stood in front of his mirror wearing a designed tailored pink dress. He wished nothing to go wrong down, now that it was his first-ever Ball. He silently prays his school prayer, the one that he has been doing since forever, and walks out of the door.

It is going to be good, he hopes.

He finds Joss and Carmel down the stairs of the Flasher building. They are looking good too with that same tailored clothes one red another coral red. His eyes nevertheless, searched for Love and Bright. Love was nowhere to be found, but he did spot Bright at the corner, talking with Sir Sarawat.

He was in a royal blue tailored dress, looking absolutely stunning and handsome enough to take his breath away. He admits how perfectly the dress had made his fair complexion stand out. The way his hair fell over his face, with such grace. He was indeed the Prince of Universe.

Win blushed when Joss had tapped his shoulder to break his trance. It wasn't his fault though, he just couldn't look away from his friend.

"Are you alright?" Joss asked, wriggling his eyebrows while Carmel giggled, shaking his head.

"Of course I am." Win had smiled in reply. He looked back in Bright's direction to find him already looking at him, it was a strange look. The one full of longing and wistfulness.

"Do you know what happened to Bright?" Win couldn't help but ask.

"What do you mean?" Joss asked.

"He's been avoiding me", Win answered, looking away from Bright.

"What?" Carmel asked.

"Did you two fight?" Joss asked.

"We didn't even talk ever since Nymphala arrived in the palace", Win answered with desperation.

Joss' eyes turned wide as if got what's wrong with Bright. He just grinned and patted Win's shoulder.

"It'll be alright. If what I think is correct, he'll come around", Joss answered.

"You think so?" Win asked, there was a slight pout on his face.

"Positive", he raised his hand.

Love joined them after a few while in her red dress. She looks different with her hair. Win was sure she'll get loads of boys behind her today.

•••

With the majestic sound of Hutledos, a huge trumpet-like instrument, the Ball began. Bright entered the hall with Nym's hand in his. Win, who was staring at the huge place that was similar to those ancient Greek architecture, jolted his eyes down on Bright.

Bright looked really good with Nymphala who had worn a white dress. Not like those gowns on Earth. This one was pretty unique and Nym slew it off with her beauty and elegance. She had her hair tied loosely in a bun and tinkling flowers were tucked on the loose strands that fell on her shoulder. She was pretty, but Bright was beautiful.

Win, stared at him with a piece of Krystle pie in his hand, the one Joss had smuggled from the buffet table nearby. He was drunk in the view of the man ahead. Suddenly there was this desire to be in the place of Nymphala in Win. He wanted to be able to dance with Bright, looking at his eyes, sinking in them without a thought of coming out, ever.

He wasn't sure what was happening to him. But it feels so torturous and so good at the same time.

His eyes met Bright's. And he swears he forgot everyone else around him. It was just him and Bright. He could feel the warmth dripping from his brown eyes just like they did when he flew. As if they were communicating through their eyes.

With a final note of Gardle the small violin-like instrument, the eye contact broke and the dance came to an end.

Magnifer stood up with his speech which Win was too dazed to hear. His mind kept repeating the recent moment. It was so... He couldn't understand how to describe it. Romantic? No no no. It was something else. Something deeper.

The feast began after hours. The foods were definitely out of the world, literally. They tasted heavenly.

The dance began soon after. Win and Carmel danced with literally everyone except for Bright and Nymphala. Love was busy gossiping about Wing care with another Flasher and Joss was busy flirting with a boy at the buffet table.

After a few moments, Carmel, Joss, and Love drank until they started talking gibberish. Win stayed on the dance floor dancing to himself until his legs gave out and he went to sit on the benches.

"Care to have a dance with me, Preserver of the Universe?"

That annoying honey-coated voice made Win sit up straight. It was Nymphala.

"Oh, sure", Win nodded. How could he say no? Didn't he promised to dance with everyone? Shit, he mentally groaned.

His footings weren't perfect and were mostly mismatched unlike Nym's. It would be difficult to get up in tomorrow, he thought. Nym mostly laughed at how ridiculously they were dancing.

In the end, she reached up to his ears and said, "I really am a very straightforward person, Preserver."

"Uh...okay?" Win blinked.

"I really like you", she said looking at his face.

Win's heartbeat soared up, "you cannot."

"Why not? Do you have a lover?" She asked.

"Nym—"

"Give me a reason, Win".

"I...like someone," he blurted out.

No sooner had he said those than he felt his hand tugged away.

"Nymphala!" He shouted, not loud enough to surpass the Gardle sound.

Nym looked at Bright all shocked. "Your father is looking for you".

Without waiting to see if she went back to the table or not, Bright dragged Win away from the Ballroom.

Win had his wide eyes looking at Bright. The cold fingers that were gripping his wrist so brutally told Win Bright is very very angry right now. Win was practically running to catch up with the Prince.

The cold corridors echoed their steps and after what feels like an eternity, Bright pushed Win towards a wooden wardrobe, and a loud bang resonated in the empty corridor.

Win's heart was pounding like drumbeats and he could hear Bright's ragged breath as well.

A loud punch landed just beside Win's head, shocking Win to the core.

"Why was she so close to you?" His voice was cold, colder than that word. The way the alcohol reeked breath was getting stronger, Win felt Bright was inching closer to his mouth.

A soft dim light above barely highlighted their faces. Bright still looked handsome but dangerous, if he may add.

"She..." Win gulped, "was telling me... Some-something".

"Something what?" He practically growled making a shiver run down his spine.

"She-she. Bright you're not sober right now. Let's talk tomorrow", He said, blinking several times.

Bright's hot breath fell on his face, making his stomach flutter. He heard a soft whimper as Bright landed his head on his chest, panting.

"I love you, Win". There Bright said it. Win felt like the entire Universe stopped with his own breaths.

If his heart was thumping out loud earlier, right now it thumped vigorously practically threatening to jump out of his mouth.

"Bright...", He whispered.

Bright looked up, "I want to be selfish for once. I want to want you all for me". There was a raging storm inside his eyes. Win would get destroyed if he falls in it, but it was tempting.

"Bright, you're drunk", Win said. He wasn't even sure if it was him speaking right now.

"So? You can let her get closer to you but not me?" He growled with a low animalistic rage as he inched much closer. The intoxicating alcohol in his breath was tempting. The bow-shaped lips were glistening, probably with the remnants of alcohol. Suddenly Win has found his urge to taste alcohol somehow. He suddenly is so desperate to get drunk in Bright. Is this normal?

"Bright you're too close", Win whispered now that Bright was a breath away from his lips. Even the mere thought of Bright putting his lips on his excited him.

"I want you to remember", he spoke, "you're mine. No one else is allowed to get this close with you", he whispered, hoarsely, "that's an order".

Win visibly shivered at the voice.

And next thing he knew was Bright pressing his lips on him and pushing him further on the wardrobe. Win clutched Bright's tailored dress and squeezed shut his eyes because the feeling was intense and the look that Bright was giving made him shy.

Soon the latter has intruded inside his mouth running his tongue inside, sucking him, and tasting him. Bright indeed tasted heavenly, with lots of the priced liquor they had.

He shivered and moaned and sighed every time Bright's tongue brushed his mouth palette along with making his toes curl.

Bright kissed him like was no tomorrow. When he pulled away, both were completely breathless with flushed faces and swollen lips. Win's head was still reeling from intense kissing.

"Remember you are mine", Bright whispered before passing out on the floor, and Win slid down clutching his lips.

He just had his very first kiss. He didn't know how to face Bright tomorrow.

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THEY FINALLY KISSED AFTER 456438 YEARS 😭 I FEEL LIKE I HAVE WON SOME MARATHON RN.

I AM TOO HAPPY! ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ

Feel free to point out my mistakes, I haven't proof read it yet.

Anyways, thoughts?ಡ ͜ ʖ ಡ