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Cale repeatedly tapped on the windowpane as his legs dangled in the air. He contemplated turning off The Sound of the Wind and heading back down after receiving no response. But before he could do so, the curtains parted, revealing the dumbfounded Alberu.
Cale put on a sly grin. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Cale? What are you doing here?”
“What else? I’m merely visiting the Star of our Kingdom.”
“We saw each other at the celebration a few hours ago.” Alberu looked down. “And must you really have to come through the window every time?”
Cale shrugged. He gave the pane another tap. “It’s freezing out here, Your Highness.”
In the end, Alberu released an exaggerated sigh and opened the window for him.
Cale flew inside and casually waltzed into the Crown Prince’s bedroom like he owned the place. He was rather surprised that Alberu didn’t let out another deep sigh or comment anything along the lines of “You truly are disrespectful” considering that he suddenly came over this late into the evening.
They’d often have long chats whenever they were available. Of course, they could easily talk via a communication device but Cale much rather preferred seeing each other in person.
Thanks to him having the most free time between the two of them, he can come and go as he pleased. If Alberu was off attending a meeting or conference, Cale would simply pass time by lounging in Alberu’s room and eating the snacks he’d stocked up for the children. Cale figured that Alberu must’ve probably gotten used to it by now since he no longer seemed to mind whenever he returned to find him having a cup of tea whilst reading the books from his shelves.
After scanning around, his gaze landed on Alberu’s desk. “Working during your birthday as well? Our dear Highness is truly diligent.”
“I’m just finishing up.” Alberu returned to his seat and continued to assort through the pile of papers. It was as if he’d sensed Cale watching him closely that he asked, “What is it?”
“Nothing. It’s just that you look like you have a lot on your mind lately,” Cale pointed out. He strode over to sit across from him.
Alberu stared at him in stupefaction as he calmly pulled out two glasses and a bottle of wine that he’d hidden inside his coat and proceeded to pour each of them a drink.
Truth be told, Cale was probably the only one who could act so informally with the Crown Prince. “It’s been a while since we last drank.” He pushed a glass toward him. “The party may be over, but we still have a few hours before midnight.”
Alberu eyed the glass, reluctant to receive it.
“Hm?” Cale blinked at him. “Is there something wrong? Is the brand not to your liking?” He checked the bottle. He swore that he’d definitely gotten the exact red wine they had last time.
Just as he was about to take it back, Alberu stopped him, snatching the bottle from his grasp. “It’s fine. It’s the same as last time, no?” He set it down before drinking from his glass.
Cale beamed and drank from his as well. Warmth instantly coursed through him. Maybe it’s because he got so used to the bitterness that his expression remained unchanged. “What’s on your mind? Mind telling me about them, hyung-nim?”
Alberu huffed, “Marriage.”
Cale almost spat out his drink.
“My father is urging me to get married soon as he plans to pass the crown onto me by the next year.” Alberu went on. “I was supposed to get engaged once I’ve come of age, but I refused, saying that I plan to put the Kingdom first and that marriage shall be my next priority. I was about to get engaged again three years ago but with everything that happened, no one brought it up.”
Alberu poured himself another glass, filling it up completely, almost overflowing. “Father came up to me to wish me a happy birthday. I thought that would be the end of it, but he proceeded to introduce me to every single one of the guests and their daughters.”
No wonder he looked so upset during the celebration.
Cale’s mouth felt dry all of a sudden. “Did you fancy any of them?”
“No,” Alberu let out an exasperated snort.
“Not even a single one?”
“Mm.”
Cale had attended the celebration along with many beautiful women, but none caught Alberu’s eye. The relief that washed over him was reassuring enough. He thought of three possibilities. First, Alberu doesn’t want to get married. Second, Alberu has set his standards so high that they might have reached the heavens. Third, Alberu already liked someone else.
Alberu liking someone else… Cale frowned at the thought inwardly.
He was more in favor of the first one since Alberu was the type to always prioritize his duties over anything else. However, the perfect opportunity to tease fell directly on his lap. He couldn’t bring himself to let it go to waste.
Cale smiled cheekily, eyes forming like crescent moons. “Then, does Your Highness already have someone in mind?” The moment he said those words Alberu went stiff as a statue. Although disappointed, Cale knew he’d guessed right. “Hoh. You do? Tell me, who is it?”
Alberu said nothing, his cheeks flushing. Whether it was because of the wine or their topic of discussion, Cale didn’t know.
This was the first time they’ve talked about this sort of thing after all. Almost everything they’ve ever discussed was related to strategies and politics.
Cale couldn’t contain his amusement. “Come on. No need to be shy.”
Alberu kept drinking from his glass as if that was going to give him a reason to ignore Cale.
“Okay, okay. How about this, you don’t need to tell me who they are, just what they are like. How’s that?”
Alberu looked back at him in a way that Cale found mesmerizing. “They’re sharp and cunning,” he began. “A stubborn idiot who never rests despite always talking about living peacefully, and a reckless bastard who constantly puts themselves in danger. Although they’re extremely generous, they’re also extremely greedy.”
Cale was a bit baffled at the way Alberu spoke about his special someone, but at the same time, his descriptions sounded so familiar. Cale couldn’t quite put a finger on it.
Alberu continued, his voice carrying a hint of fondness, “They deeply care for those around them and would do anything to keep them safe. I admire that about them.” He traced the rim of his glass with his finger. “And most of all, They’re beautiful. The most beautiful person I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
There was a moment of silence. Alberu was the first to turn away.
“Wow. Your face looks so red right now, hyung-nim.” Cale gasped in awe. “You must really love them.”
Hearing the last sentence, Alberu acknowledged with a low hum as he finished the remaining wine from his glass in one go.
It took Cale a while before he finally averted his gaze from the flushed Alberu. He went ahead to pour himself another drink until he noticed the lightness of the bottle. Realization dawned upon him as he shook it around a couple of times.
…He hadn’t even had his second glass yet, but Alberu had already finished the entire bottle all by himself.
Cale whipped his head to see Alberu slumped in his seat, his eyelids shut, clearly wasted.
Cale could drink the whole night away and still be able to stand firm on his two feet without experiencing a single hangover symptom. However, this may not be the same case for Alberu. Now that he thought about it, Alberu has never mentioned anything about his alcohol tolerance in the past. He’d have a glass or two and that was it.
Cale walked over to Alberu after putting the bottle and glasses aside. “Your Highness? Your Highness?” He shook him by the shoulders. No response. He shook him again, harder this time.
Alberu groaned, crackling his eyes open.
“Your Highness,” Cale sighed in relief. “You’re drunk. Come, Let’s get you to bed.” He extended a hand toward him but to his surprise, Alberu grabbed his wrist instead.
“Dongsaeng.”
“Yes, hyung-nim?”
“I…” A hiccup. “I don’t want to marry anyone else but them.”
“Oh. Well, have you told them how you feel yet?”
“No. I don’t… I don’t know if they like me back.” Alberu slowly raised his eyes. “What should I do?”
Cale blinked. Oh. Was he asking him for advice? “I’m not really knowledgeable about these kinds of things,” he mumbled. Cale was far from the type of person Alberu should be seeking love advice from. However, he gave it a try. “The way you spoke about them seemed like you two are awfully familiar. So, you must know their interests. What do they like?”
“Money,” Alberu said. “And living peacefully without having to do anything.”
Cale couldn’t help but feel admiration toward Alberu’s special someone. To think that this person shared the same dream as he was somewhat relatable. He hoped to meet them if Alberu ever chose to introduce them to one another.
“Hm, money and peaceful life, great. You could no doubt provide those things. Now, have you ever tried asking them out on a date?”
“Not yet.” It was as though Alberu’s face couldn’t get any redder, he stumbled on his words, “Do you want to go on a date with me?”
Cale’s heart skipped a beat. Even then, he knew that those words weren’t meant for him. “Perfect. Just like that, hyung-nim. Tell that to them the next time you meet. They certainly won’t be able to resist your charms.”
“I just did.” Alberu stood up just fine, no dizzy shaking or swaying.
He then took a step forward, narrowing the distance between them, so abrupt that it left Cale with no time to react as their faces were only inches from each other. They were so close. So close that Cale could practically hear the rhythm of his breathing and make out every one of his lashes.
“Do you want to go on a date with me?” Alberu repeated. He pressed a light kiss on the back of Cale’s hand.
In that split second, Cale’s eyes widened. “…Your Highness?” Before could say anything else, Alberu cupped his face—kissing him.
The world screeched to a halt.
It took Cale a good few seconds before he registered what was happening. They were kissing.
Alberu drew closer until their bodies were pressed firmly together. It went from a few soft pecks to a deeper, more heated kiss. Little did Cale notice that they’d already sank to the desk with Alberu on top of him, pinning him down.
The bittersweet taste of wine on his lips along with the faint fragrance of his perfume lured him into a trance. It tempted him, cornering him with nowhere to escape to. Cale could do nothing but flail under his weight, desperate for a breath of air. Alberu was drunk. Maybe he’d mistaken him for his special someone. His words and kisses weren’t meant for him.
Their lips parted and waves of air immediately returned to his lungs. “Your Highness! What’s gotten into y-“
Alberu buried his face into the crook of Cale’s neck. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice like melody to Cale’s ears. “Cale. I love you so much,” he repeated, only this time, he called him by his name.
Cale melted—all the words he wanted to say in protest dissipating in an instant. Alberu was talking about him. The stubborn idiot, the reckless bastard, and the most beautiful person he’s ever laid eyes on. It was all him.
“Oh. You… you do?” Cale faltered.
“I do.”
Cale has heard the saying “Drunk words are sober thoughts” one too many times. Although he’s never experienced it himself, he knew that it was very much the truth. Could this be the same case with Alberu? Has he always thought about him this way? Holding him down and kissing him breathless like this?
Alberu pecked Cale on the neck as he carefully peeled his coat off. Cale let him do as he pleased. The arms that were originally trying to push Alberu away were now hooked around his shoulders, accepting him. How he'd longed for this sensation—to have Alberu within his grasp, crammed so close together that their mouths touch.
Alberu’s teeth eventually found their place on Cale’s neck, biting and sucking on it. His entire body jolted from both the dull pain and the cool fingers roaming his chest. Alberu had unbuttoned his shirt at some point.
Cale blurted a moan, “Ah, Your Highness…”
For someone who was drunk, Alberu seemed awfully alert as he pulled away to study him intently. Only then did Cale realize how embarrassing his position was. His chest lay bare, legs spread with Alberu in between them.
Cale panted shakily, “Alberu.”
The corners of Alberu’s lips curved into what Cale would make out as lustful and eager. “Yes?” He kissed him on the collarbone, slowly but surely making his way to his forehead.
Cale felt his cheeks heat beneath the sensation of his tender touch. “We shouldn’t-” Alberu interrupted him with yet another steamy kiss, tongues entwined, never wanting to let go.
Cale naturally let Alberu take the lead. Their mouths melded together—unrestrained passion and desire overtaking them completely. Despite being clothed from the waist down, Cale could feel Alberu’s erection rubbing against his inner thigh.
To think that they were both getting hard from merely kissing… It was incredible.
“Stop covering your face. I can’t look at you” Alberu seized Cale’s wrists. “You’re beautiful like this.” He licked his lips.
Cale wanted nothing more than to wipe that smirk off his face. Alberu was truly bolder when drunk.
Each of their moans sang pleasure. Alberu teasingly kept his hands occupied by touching every inch of Cale’s body shamelessly, from his waist and hips down to his thighs. It nearly brought Cale over the brink.
“Fuck, Alberu,” Cale barely managed to gasp out, his next words muffled with Alberu’s tongue swirling around his.
The heat of the moment gave Cale no openings whatsoever. He wasn’t used to this. Hell, he’s never even imagined himself being intimate with anyone. Well, maybe except Alberu.
He’d be lying if he said that he’s never wanted to pull Alberu by his necktie and press their lips together. He especially loved drinking with him and witnessing crimson gradually spread across his cheeks. Those vivid dreams of him having Alberu for himself and clutching him exactly like this constantly muddled his mind. He’d be unable to think about anything else for days on end. He’d tried to deny it, ignore it, and repress it by all means necessary. But every time he laid eyes on Alberu—those feelings would resurface once more.
Just then, the clock chimed. It rang in Cale’s ears, startling him out of his daze. It was already midnight. How long have they been kissing for his lips to go numb?
Cale tensed in an instant. Alberu who was busy nipping down on his neck was forcibly pushed away. “Stop this. You’re drunk, Your Highness. We shouldn’t be doing this.” Having been given more room to move, Cale propped himself up on his elbows, catching his breath, his head fuzzy and back stiff from laying in the same uncomfortable position for so long.
Alberu scrambled back, gaping at him, very much flustered, shocked, and frightened. “When did I…?”
Cale was well aware of how immodest he looked right now, no thanks to Alberu. But at least they finally came to their senses.
He struggled to sit up all the way, pretending not to notice Alberu’s piercing gaze eying him up and down. “You’re drunk, Your Highness,” he said as he buttoned his shirt halfway. Seeing that Alberu wasn’t saying anything, he cleared his throat. “L-let’s get you to bed now, shall we?”
The minute Cale stood on his feet again felt as though he was staggering on a ship while getting thrashed around by the waves. Despite his trembling legs, he still offered to support Alberu until they reached the bed considering that he was the soberest between the two of them. Alberu leaned his weight on him, his eyelids close. It took Cale much effort to tuck him in bed without falling over.
He was glad that they’d returned to his senses before the situation further escalated. They could’ve done something stupid while drunk—something they might regret by morning.
Even then, his mind was an utter, jumbled mess. “Holy shit…” He’d made out with the Crown Prince. His hyung-nim. In his bedroom. On his desk. While drunk and half-naked.
“Fuck.” He felt his neck, his fingers tracing over the hickeys and Alberu’s teeth marks. Everything was stingy to the touch. The only thing comforting Cale right now was knowing that the Vitality of the Heart would heal them in no time. It'd be bad if his family were to see the state he was in.
He hurriedly got dressed and redid his hair in a tidier manner before flying out of the room with haste. He could only hope that Alberu was the I-don’t-remember-a-single-thing-from-last-night type of drunk. Because if he were to mention even the slightest detail of what happened, Cale could quite literally combust from the shame. He was thoroughly convinced that he’d never look at Alberu the same way after the events of tonight. Even without his ability to record, forgetting that something like this ever happening was impossible!
He vowed that from this day onwards, he’d make sure Alberu never touches a single drop of alcohol ever again.
Alberu woke up the next day with a vague recollection of the night before.
He remembered drinking and chatting with Cale. But then there was a sudden jump in his memories. Cale was laying under him, his arms wrapped around his shoulder, moaning his name in quite possibly the most alluring way he’s ever yearned to hear in his life. And then another jump. Cale was sitting on his desk, panting heavily with his torso bare, hair loose, and neck tainted with bruises.
Was it just a dream? Had he truly gone mad?
Alberu risked a glance at Cale sitting across from him. He saw how swollen his lips were in his dream. How reddish and clear all those hickeys he’d left were.
Cale caught him staring from the corner of his eye. “What is it, Your Highness?”
Alberu was one of the very few people who knew Cale more than anyone. His acting was impeccable. A master of deception. He could fool an entire crowd if he wanted to. But he couldn’t fool Alberu this time.
He’d touched him the night before. The warmth of his soft, silky skin still remained on his fingertips. He’d kissed him, tasted his lips, and seen every part of him turn red.
The way his ears flushed at this moment wasn’t any different.
It wasn’t a dream. He hadn’t gone mad.
Alberu turned away, chuckling. “Nothing.”
He may need to have a nice, long chat with his dongsaeng soon.