Liberty
Title: Liberty
Starring: Kyuhyun/Yesung, Ara
Rating: G
Genre: AU, Action, Friendship
Warning(s): None
Words: 5,758
In a tiny country in the middle of Asia, status meant everything to the people. The poor were laughed at and harassed on a daily basis by those who felt superior to them, but none were superior to the large Royal family. Though the most powerful in the country, many despised them for their greed and arrogance. There was hope however, the next heir to the throne appeared to be a kind-hearted young man, one that made Prince Kyuhyun roll his eyes in annoyance.
Cho Kyuhyun was a rich brat and knew this was what people thought of him, but true to his nature he didn't give a damn. He didn't give a damn about his Royal duties as the heir's cousin and found himself often breaking the rules just for fun, because being caged in the grand palace was suffocating to say the least. He didn't give a damn about keeping a low profile when he went into town either, whenever he had the chance to leave the palace he'd shake off his guards and roam the buzzing streets alone in search of a thrill. The cloak did more than protect his fair pale skin from the sun, it disguised him from the common people as he inspected goods at the market or sent judgmental looks at beggars.
Today Kyuhyun had once more fooled his loyal guards, seeking support against a low run shop as he tried to catch his breath, because running was never necessary in the palace and even the littlest bit of exertion had the Prince out of breath. He enjoyed the feeling however, the quick pounding of his heart against his chest told him he was alive and the adrenaline that came with escaping from the men who worked for his father made him grin widely. Life was good when he was mischievous.
However, life wasn't good for each and every mischievous person out there, and the guy who came running around the corner didn't seem to have much luck that day. The poor male tried to avoid the shop situated on the very corner of the street as he turned, oh, he tried not to painfully collide into the man standing right next to it, but he couldn't.
And so, that young thief named Yesung soon found himself tangled up with that person with a cloak hiding half of his face, and his stolen groceries scattered everywhere around them. He cursed, a tinge of dizziness making itself known as he sat up, looking down at the other male. "Did I hurt you?" Yesung asked, his voice sounding naturally low, but cut by heavy pants every second. His eyes seemed to want to look everywhere at the same time, which made him look terribly nervous about something.
"What do you think, you knocked me over!" Kyuhyun snapped angrily as he groaned and tried to lift himself from the ground. He stood and scowled at the dirt on his garments rather than the man who he had collided with.
When he was done patting the dust from his knees his eyes fell on the goods the man had been carrying. He knelt down and picked up a pineapple, eyeing it with little interest and holding it underneath his arm.
"I'll take this as a token of sincere apology" he said smugly, deciding today his lunch would be pineapple and perhaps one of the apples that lay at his feet.
For a short second, Yesung gawked at that stranger, who had just taken what he was planning on eating soon. However, the sound of yelps and yells beginning to echo up the street behind him quickly made him forget about that pineapple, which had been a bother to hold in his arms anyway. Instead, he grabbed some oranges and apples lying on the ground, planning on leaving without ever seeing that arrogant cloaked man.
Kyuhyun huffed as the thief ran passed him, not sparing him another look as the sounds from running feet and shouting men neared him. He stared at several buff men and raised an eyebrow when they spotted him and returned the judging look.
"Isn't that one of your pineapples?" asked one of the merchants to the other who narrowed his eyes and then nodded, cracking his fingers in a way that alarmed the Prince.
He scowled and was quick to turn and follow the man who had involved him in this mess. Now the men chasing him either thought he was the thief or a culprit when in fact Kyuhyun was neither, but knew that pointing this out would be futile. By the look on their faces they were more than a little agitated and Kyuhyun was in no state of mind to take blows for the man who ran several yards in front of him.
"Yah!" he called out to the other, raising the pineapple and contemplating on throwing it or not, but destroying goods was just as bad as stealing them. Kyuhyun had to get rid of this fruit and threw it back over his head without looking.
There was a loud yelp and several grunts behind him causing the Prince to look over his shoulder and slow his pace. He noticed the pineapple had hit one of the angry merchants and knocked him out, serving as a blockade that had the other men tumbling onto a pile. Kyuhyun halted for a second, letting a out loud laugh before he resumed chasing the thief who had caused him trouble on his day out in the market square.
Yesung had great stamina, he ran through the city daily and knew the small alleys that provided him with enough shadow to hide from anyone who followed him. He made a sharp turn to the left, leaped over a few crates and slipped behind them, kneeling down with his dark eyes and evenly black hair peaking out.
It didn't take long for Kyuhyun to appear, the male looking lost and frustrated. It made Yesung chuckle and give away his hiding spot with his cheerful laughter, but he couldn't help it, Kyuhyun looked so funny when annoyed and it served him right - the man stole his pineapple when he had been the one to steal it. Apparently Kyuhyun didn't know how difficult it was to steal food nowadays.
Kyuhyun spotted the thief instantly, eyes narrowing in dangerous slits as he gave chase once more. He had trouble keeping up, his body was weaker and his stamina was lower than Yesung's, so when the latter climbed up several crates and clung to an open window, looking down at Kyuhyun, all the Prince could do was glare up at him.
"Get down here!" he demanded, hands on his hips as he tried to catch his breath.
Yesung simply stared, smile in place as he lifted himself up onto the windowsill. Once he sat comfortably he swung one leg over the other and took one apple from the large pouch that hung from his belt.
"Why would I want to get down?" he asked before he took a small bite.
"You have to tell them you were the one who stole from them" Kyuhyun reasoned, eyes darting back and forth between the thief and the crates he had used to get to a higher place. He hesitated, knowing his arms hardly held the strength to pull up his weight like Yesung had done.
Yesung looked bewildered for a moment, but then his smile was back in place. "I wasn't the one who knocked out several merchants with a pineapple" he countered and threw his apple at Kyuhyun who caught it with difficulty. The Prince gritted his teeth when he looked back up to find the man gone.
"It was a good trick though, I have to remember that one!" Yesung's voice suddenly appeared once more and Kyuhyun tilted his head as far as possible, squinting his eyes at the sun that shone behind the man on the roof.
"You're a worthless thief if you learn mischief from a person like me!" Kyuhyun replied in an attempt to mock the other, but Yesung just laughed, nodding his head in agreement. It was clear to him that Kyuhyun was not a thief, perhaps not even one to often visit the market square. He had yet to find out the man who was chasing him was Royal however.
"I'm not worthless though, no one has ever caught me. Can you?" Yesung shot back with sparkling eyes, the cat and mouse game obviously giving him a thrill. He stepped back from the edge of the tall building, making Kyuhyun frown and drop the apple with a startled gasp as he watched Yesung run and jump to the house located opposite.
Kyuhyun stared up with wide eyes, breath held while wondering if the thief was still alive for he had seen him land ungracefully, stumbling and rolling out of his sight. As all stayed silent, the Prince struggled to climb up the house, using crates and the windows like Yesung had done. By the time he reached the top he was breathing harshly and rolled onto his back, grunting when he hit something.
"Ah! Aish, you caught me" Yesung exclaimed when Kyuhyun bumped against him, joining him on the ground as both tried to catch their breath while staring up at the clear blue sky.
The Prince snorted at him, wiping his forehead and nudging Yesung to roll away from him, but the thief just groaned at the jabbing elbow, too tired to move away.
"Worthless thief" Kyuhyun repeated in a mumble, sighing deeply, but chuckling at his own behaviour. What was he doing on top of a house that he climbed himself? What was he doing chasing this man and actually enjoying his company?
Yesung closed his eyes, grinning lazily at the chuckling youngster beside him. He didn't have many friends, friendship was rare to a thief who lived day by day. Chances were he'd die tomorrow or even tonight, perhaps he'd starve or dehydrate or get stabbed or worse. It wasn't safe on the streets, but his companion didn't seem to be aware of that, just yet. The merchants that chased them had no problem cutting off their fingers or entire hands for stealing, pleading wouldn't work either so all they could do was run.
Just when Yesung wanted to offer the other a cooler place to rest, there were loud voices from the alley below that alarmed him and mostly Kyuhyun, because this time it weren't the merchants, but Kyuhyun's guards.
"Kyuhyun-ah!" one of the men called out loudly and the rest chimed in, making the Prince on edge. Surely the guards wouldn't find him on this roof, but he had to get away just in case they decided to search for him on higher places.
Hastily he nudged Yesung again and again until the thief got on his hands and knees and crawled to the other side of the building, Kyuhyun on his tail. Together they neared the edge and halted, looking down and then at each other. Yesung smiled and stood, not bothering to dust himself off as he took several steps back, eyes fixated on the other building.
"Wait! You don't expect me to hop from house to house, do you?!" Kyuhyun hissed at him before the other could leave.
"Why not? There's no shade on top of this roof and those men seem to be desperate to find you, Kyuhyun-ah" Yesung replied and took a moment to stretch his arms and legs, flailing them wildly to get the adrenaline flowing from top to toe.
"Shut up, I ca- YAH!" Kyuhyun was interrupted when Yesung ignored him and ran passed him, small feet pushing off to make a great leap. He landed on the other side, safely though with the same lack of grace as before.
The thief laughed and sat up, rubbing his aching shoulder while motioning for Kyuhyun to come on over. The Prince shook his head and glared when Yesung shrugged. Clearly the thief didn't care whether the guards found Kyuhyun or not. It was a matter of freedom however, freedom Kyuhyun needed to feel alive. Yesung didn't understand when living in the city roaming the streets and apparently roofs as well. It was something Kyuhyun had never done and could never do, he told himself this as he stood and gave Yesung a hesitant look. Would he die if he jumped?
"Kyuhyun-ah!" the guards continued to call out, having yet to spot the royal on top of the roof on their left.
A thin layer of sweat had gathered on his pale skin, the cloak he used to protect and disguise himself with only made him hotter. It almost felt like the palace, suffocating him when all he wanted was to embrace life with all the ups and downs instead of being held in the cage where no one could bother him and no harm could be done. The Prince looked down at his hands and the dust that was sticking to him. There were a few scratches as well, nothing that truly hurt, but if the guards were to see him like this they would treat him as a dying man.
"Come on, Kyuhyun! Freedom is just one leap away!" Yesung called from the other side, hands near his mouth to make sure to break the other's trance.
Kyuhyun looked up from his hands, eyes uncertain, but widening at the other's words. Freedom, the thing he longed for the most. Yesung could offer him this and probably more, the life of a normal civilian with dirt, pain, hungry, thirst, discomfort and more uncertainties.
"I'll catch you, trust me!" the thief called out when noticing he had almost persuaded the other to jump as well.
"I will hurt myself" Kyuhyun replied though without concern, more like eager with his eyes on Yesung's trousers which were ripped.
"Of course you will, but I can patch you back up" Yesung reassured him and opened his arms, hands beckoning the other over.
The Prince looked around for a moment, eyes taking in the beauty of the city and nose inhaling all the scents of the goods, the dirt and his own sweat. He smelled badly and loved it, the rebel within him urging him on to get to the other side. With newfound courage the Royal stepped back, pulling back the hood of his cloak and allowing the sun to shine on his skin pleasantly.
Yesung stood waiting, eyes blinking at the man who got ready to run and jump. He smiled, a strange feeling telling him this man looked oddly familiar, but it wasn't until Kyuhyun ran and actually jumped that the thief got a better look at him. Now that Kyuhyun was up close and nearly in his arms, the thief gasped in realization.
"Pri-!" Yesung recognized the Prince and was caught off guard so when Kyuhyun stumbled against him they were both knocked over, Yesung hitting the roof with a loud oof! There was a pressing weight on top of his chest as he blinked up at the sky with a dazed look. The house was smaller than the one Kyuhyun had jumped off of, the length of the other building blocking out the sun and creating cool shadow in which they laid panting.
Kyuhyun gripped Yesung's shoulders tightly, head on the other's chest as he cautiously looked around. When he was certain he was still alive he laughed in relief and excitement, shifting on the other and straddling Yesung's hips once he sat up with a smug smile. The corners of his mouth fell again when Yesung continued to silently stare at him.
"What?" Kyuhyun asked breathlessly, heart pounding against his chest, his hair wild and clothes covered with dirt and dust.
"Nothing" Yesung replied softly, gentle eyes and smile directed the Prince's way. What a strange Prince, Yesung had never met a Royal who willingly mingled with the citizens or who would trust their life in the hands of a thief. It made the older one glow, eager to have befriended such a rebellious and important person.
"Come on, I'll show you my shack."
That night Kyuhyun slept on the floor, the only comfort coming from a thin blanket and a makeshift pillow that was an old backpack filled with the few garments Yesung owned. The Prince stared at the ceiling, looking at the stars in the dark night sky through the many small holes above him. Though it was hot during the day, the night felt chilly, cold even to the Prince who was used to his luxurious bed with thick woven bedspread. He shivered slightly, turning his head to watch Yesung who lay beside him, a decent distance though he lay close enough to see the other quiver.
Yesung opened his eyes when something fell on top of him. It was the cloth he had given Kyuhyun, wanting to offer the Royal as much comfort as possible though he was a mere thief without so much as a bed, the only furniture he owned was a small table that missed two legs which he used to hide his stolen goods.
"Aren't you cold?" he asked softly and turned around to face to Prince who shrugged nonchalantly with his arms tightly wrapped around his body.
No matter how many times the thief tried to throw the cloth over the shivering Prince, he always ended up rolled up in the fabric and at one point he gave up, sighing at the stubborn Royal.
"You have helped me enough as it is" Kyuhyun replied, determined to show the other he could survive through the night.
"Perhaps you're right, you owe me actually" Yesung said amused, chuckling when Kyuhyun snorted.
"How can I repay you?" Kyuhyun asked jokingly, but truly intending to help Yesung if he wanted him to.
The urge to ask for a fortune popped up in the thief's mind, but what would happen once Kyuhyun returned to the palace to fetch him pouches of gold? Surely he wouldn't return, the guards were probably still searching for him and Yesung realized the Prince couldn't stay with him forever.
"Just do as I say" Yesung told Kyuhyun and though he saw the confusion his words had formed, he motioned for the other to sleep and turned back around, closing his eyes with a small smile.
The next morning Kyuhyun stood inspecting the goods of a merchant, hood back over his head to disguise him even if only few would believe the dirty and smelling man was Prince Kyuhyun. He didn't want to take risks, well, not too many at once.
He stared at exotic fruits, stomach growling. He turned his head slightly, eyes locking with Yesung's shortly, the older one looking away as he continued to fill his pockets with mandarins and apples. After clearing his throat the old man behind the stall acknowledged Kyuhyun and was about to ask him if he wanted to purchase something when Kyuhyun shook his head and gestured for the other to be quiet.
"I would keep an eye on the one on the right, sir" he said with a soft, warning tone.
The old man frowned, looked over and saw how Yesung cheerfully bit in one of his apples, pockets bulged with similar fruit. Kyuhyun quickly stepped aside so the stall owner could pass him, the man's loud and angry voice calling out for the Yesung to pay this instant. The thief caught red-handed snatched a pineapple from the stall and ran. It had Kyuhyun chuckling, surely Yesung wasn't going to knock him out like he had done the day prior, right?
It would take a while before the older man would give up the chase, Yesung was too fast and though the man was only gone for several minutes it gave Kyuhyun enough time to carry a melon under each arm before fleeing the scene. They met in an alley not too far from Yesung's shack, the thief waiting for Kyuhyun and lifting the pineapple into the air like a trophy.
"This is so much easier with a companion" Yesung admitted as he emptied his pockets to take a look at today's loot.
"I could get used to this" Kyuhyun responded, proud smile in place as he rubbed his empty stomach and reached out for a mandarin, but Yesung's hand caught his wrist and stopped him in the process.
Confused the Prince looked up at the stern look on the other's face. He wondered if he had angered Yesung somehow, but all had gone according to plan, Kyuhyun was to pretend to be a helpful and aware passerby while Yesung did what he did best and if possible Kyuhyun could fill his pockets too. They had gotten away easily, so what was Yesung's problem?
"You have to return to the palace tonight" Yesung told him, something Kyuhyun had not expected the other to tell him.
"What? What are you talking about?" he asked nervously, pulling his hand from Yesung's grip.
"I know you're a Prince, the Royal guards were looking for you because you're Royal, not a thief like me" Yesung mumbled.
"So what? If I go back I'll be in big trouble, if I stay here I can live life the way I want to" the Prince looked offended that Yesung was aware of his identity but had chosen to stay silent about it.
Yesung shook his head, sighing deeply and blowing several strands of his fringe from his eyes.
"If you stay here they will search in every corner for you, probably arresting several people like me in the process as well. They won't stop till they have found you, you're a Prince, you're important" Yesung reasoned with the other, but sealed his lips when Kyuhyun glared at him.
"You have no idea what it's like to live in a palace" Kyuhyun began, voice bitter and look dark, "I'm not allowed to go anywhere without guards following me, I can't do whatever I feel like doing and God forbid if I want to go outside into the sun" the Prince nagged and removed his hood, showing the other his pale skin once more.
Yesung bit his lip, saddened by the fact he had to say good bye to Kyuhyun for he felt like they could be good friends if they were born of equal status.
"You can't stay here, you don't belong here" the thief said and collected several pieces of fruit before he gave Kyuhyun a small smile. "You won't survive, do as I say, okay?" he added and started running from the Prince in the hopes the other was unable to keep up and indeed, it took only fifteen minutes with lots of side alleys until Kyuhyun found himself all alone.
"Yah!" he bellowed as he twirled around in search for Yesung, but the longer he stared the more it dawned on him that Yesung had truly left him.
Now the hardships of his freedom would truly test him. Quickly he tried to find his way back to the alley where Yesung had told them to meet after robbing the merchant. With a frown he saw that the left over fruit was gone, other thieves or hungry beggars taking it when Kyuhyun chased after Yesung. He gritted his teeth, determined to steal new food, but he was inexperienced and hardly fast enough to outrun any of the buff merchants he met as he roamed the market square.
Furthermore night was falling and Kyuhyun rubbed his throat, begging the sky the gather its dark clouds and let them pour down on him so he could drink the rain. It was dry season however, meaning Kyuhyun didn't have food or anything to drink and by the time the sun had set the Prince felt miserable. Once more it dawned on him how he had been pampered, even outside of the palace. Yesung had fed him, gave him water and a place to stay overnight, but now he had truly nothing.
He was hungry, thirsty, exhausted and lost, his feet stepping sluggishly until Kyuhyun halted. Unconsciously he had found the main road and was facing the long path that lead to the gates of the palace, his home. The Prince tried to moisten his dry, chapped lips as he stared and felt himself longing for perhaps the first time in his entire life, he longed to be caged back up, to be pampered by servants who followed him everywhere ready to oblige to whatever selfish order he came up with.
It wasn't until he was several yards from the gates that guards appeared from the shadows and pointed their weapons at him. Kyuhyun sighed and lowered his hood, surrendering and allowing the men to guide him back to the palace. When he had to explain his behaviour, he made up a story about getting lost and spending the night outside in an alley. He didn't mention Yesung, fearing the King or his parents took it the wrong way and thought Yesung had kidnapped or harmed him in any way.
He looked as miserable as he felt and this gained him sympathy rather than a scolding which he actually deserved, but the Royals were so shocked and relieved that they allowed Kyuhyun to get cleaned up first; they could always scold him at breakfast the next morning. The Prince did as told, getting in a large bath where servants waited to clean him and they applied oil to his body that made him smell of herbs from overseas. He ate a lot, too much and more than Yesung ever would for one meal.
The thief had yet to disappear from Kyuhyun's mind. The Prince wrapped his silk robe tightly around his body, sitting down in his windowsill and looking out at the city beyond the gates, wondering what Yesung was doing. His eyes narrowed when a small figure moved in the distance, climbing over the gates with great agility and crossing the distance between the iron and the palace with outstanding speed. Kyuhyun stood, hands gripping the wood of the window with hopeful eyes.
"Yesung!" he called out happily when the thief appeared from the shadows underneath his window.
"Ssshhhh!!" Yesung looked up and grinned, waving a little before looking around cautiously. It took some time for him to climb into a nearby tree and leap over, but Kyuhyun caught him and pulled him inside, embracing the other.
"I had to make sure you got home safely" the thief explained as he embraced the Prince and reviled the touch of silk against his rough, dirty skin.
"I rather stayed in the city, with you" Kyuhyun replied as he pulled back, a look of betrayal on his handsome features.
Yesung shook his head, motioning at all the luxury surrounding the Prince and telling him Kyuhyun could never live without it all, no matter how long he'd spent living on the street. It simply wasn't his lifestyle and he shouldn't throw it away so easily.
"I'd swap places with you any time" Kyuhyun grumbled, looking hesitant however when remembering the state he was in once Yesung left him. "Okay, perhaps not" he mumbled honestly, feeling embarrassed that he was so dependent of his rich life.
"It's okay, I could never live in this place, I understand what you mean by being caged" the thief replied looking around and hearing shuffling of guards outside the door that made him lower his voice to a whisper.
"How about I sneak you out of the palace every now and then?" he asked with twinkling eyes.
Kyuhyun felt a grin spreading on his face and he nodded, looking out of his window and in the direction of the guards who Yesung had passed easily without getting spotted.
"I'm not sure I can leave without getting caught though" the Royal confessed and felt a hand on his back, patting him reassuringly.
"It's a risk you'll have to take, also you must be prepared for trouble every time you get back" Yesung informed him, eyes looking at Kyuhyun to see how badly he wanted to be free from his Royal duties.
"They will double the guards if they find out" the Prince reasoned with a troubled expression, but Yesung was left unfaced by it all.
"Hey, no one has ever caught me, I'll be able to sneak in and sneak you out too" Yesung said confidentially, grinning until Kyuhyun's smug smile made him roll his eyes.
"Fine, you're the exception" he mumbled, remembering how Kyuhyun had climbed the building and practically rolled on top of him yesterday. The Prince looked pleased to hear that and chuckled when Yesung embraced him once more before he had to go.
"Will you come for me next week?" Kyuhyun asked when Yesung perched himself on the window sill, calculating his jump to the tree beside it.
The thief looked over his shoulder, smile in place as he nodded. "It's a date, rebellious Prince" he promised the Royal and leaped to the tree, climbing down with several rustles of the branches and leaves.
Kyuhyun looked down when Yesung reached the ground, both men looking at each other with eager eyes. Kyuhyun felt his heart thunder against his chest as he watched Yesung maneuver over the field toward the gate and tried to find him even after the thief climbed over the gate. He stared out into the city with a longing look, sighing slightly though feeling better now that Yesung had proven the palace could no longer bound him.
When morning came and Kyuhyun had to kneel in front of the King to get scolded in front of the Royals he apologized for his reckless behaviour and when the King told him he was to never run away from the guards in the city, he agreed with a lowered head, showing submission as he smiled secretly, because no one had forbid him to climb out of his window and let Yesung lead him passed the gates. He stood and turned to his parents, his father looking displeased as his mother shook her head, but none except his sister could decipher the look in his eyes.
The next days passed slowly, too slowly in Kyuhyun's opinion. He hadn't left the palace ever since that day, trying to build up an obedient reputation that would soon be shattered, for tonight Yesung would come for him and take him away from the palace if only for several hours.
The Prince had clad in casual clothes and sat by the window, peering out at the horizon with the buildings and several lights of those who had yet to go to bed. There was a knock on his door that startled him terribly. He got off the windowsill and pretended to be busy staring at himself in the mirror when the door opened. He glanced at his visitor and frowned when the person who closed the door was in a similar attire as his own.
"Take me with you" his sister demanded, eyes determined and red lips pouty.
"Are you insane? I mean, I'm not going anywhere" Kyuhyun said and fumbled with his shirt, smoothing the fabric as he forced the lie through his teeth.
"Liar" she grumbled and stepped up to the window, blinking as she suddenly came face to face with a startled man who nearly fell back out if Kyuhyun didn't run up to him and grabbed his arms, hauling him inside.
"Yah! Look at what you do, you'll only cause trouble!" Kyuhyun snapped at his sister, pulling the shocked Yesung close as if claiming him.
His sister crossed her arms, slender eyebrow raised at the man in her brother's arms. "Surely you can share" she pointed out his possessive behaviour and giggled when a faint blush painted his cheeks.
"I'm not sure I can sneak two Royals out of the palace" Yesung admitted when he got comfortable in Kyuhyun's arms, enjoying the warm embrace and the pleasant sound the man's sister made. Kyuhyun's sister pouted once more, looking like a small child who didn't get what she wanted and was about to cry.
"Find your own escape, Ara" Kyuhyun told his sister sternly, watching her expression change to one of annoyance.
"Not fair" she pouted, but didn't force them to take her along when she watched Yesung and Kyuhyun jump and climb down the tree. She looked shocked and hesitant, the reaction Kyuhyun had expected from his delicate sister. He smiled up at her, telling her freedom wouldn't get handed to her that easily, she had to work for it.
"Or you wait until freedom runs straight into you" Yesung snorted beside the Prince, enjoying the fact Kyuhyun had called him his freedom, it made him eager and he grabbed Kyuhyun's hand with his own, tugging at the Royal for them to hurry.
"You better not tell mom and dad!" Kyuhyun called up at his sister, his loud voice alarming the guards who quickly chased after the cursing Prince and the laughing thief.
Ara watched nervously as her brother tried to escape, Yesung offering to push Kyuhyun up and half over the gate. Her hand reached up to her mouth when Kyuhyun climbed over and fell on his behind. She giggled and cheered for him when the guards tried to open the gate.
"Go, Kyuhyun! Be free!" she called out, laughing when Yesung had trouble getting down from the opening gate and choosing to jump on Kyuhyun who nearly tumbled over when catching him. They succeeded to run away however, the guards pursuing them in futile as they returned several hours later with empty hands.
Ara sat in the company of her complaining parents, small smile on her face as her father bellowed that he'd lock Kyuhyun in the cellar when they found him. Her father finally fell silent when his daughter chuckled.
"You will never be able to cage him" she told her father, her eyes sparkling with the same eagerness to leave the palace and hoping her father would not hate her for leaving the palace the next day.
Starring: Kyuhyun/Yesung, Ara
Rating: G
Genre: AU, Action, Friendship
Warning(s): None
Words: 5,758
In a tiny country in the middle of Asia, status meant everything to the people. The poor were laughed at and harassed on a daily basis by those who felt superior to them, but none were superior to the large Royal family. Though the most powerful in the country, many despised them for their greed and arrogance. There was hope however, the next heir to the throne appeared to be a kind-hearted young man, one that made Prince Kyuhyun roll his eyes in annoyance.
Cho Kyuhyun was a rich brat and knew this was what people thought of him, but true to his nature he didn't give a damn. He didn't give a damn about his Royal duties as the heir's cousin and found himself often breaking the rules just for fun, because being caged in the grand palace was suffocating to say the least. He didn't give a damn about keeping a low profile when he went into town either, whenever he had the chance to leave the palace he'd shake off his guards and roam the buzzing streets alone in search of a thrill. The cloak did more than protect his fair pale skin from the sun, it disguised him from the common people as he inspected goods at the market or sent judgmental looks at beggars.
Today Kyuhyun had once more fooled his loyal guards, seeking support against a low run shop as he tried to catch his breath, because running was never necessary in the palace and even the littlest bit of exertion had the Prince out of breath. He enjoyed the feeling however, the quick pounding of his heart against his chest told him he was alive and the adrenaline that came with escaping from the men who worked for his father made him grin widely. Life was good when he was mischievous.
However, life wasn't good for each and every mischievous person out there, and the guy who came running around the corner didn't seem to have much luck that day. The poor male tried to avoid the shop situated on the very corner of the street as he turned, oh, he tried not to painfully collide into the man standing right next to it, but he couldn't.
And so, that young thief named Yesung soon found himself tangled up with that person with a cloak hiding half of his face, and his stolen groceries scattered everywhere around them. He cursed, a tinge of dizziness making itself known as he sat up, looking down at the other male. "Did I hurt you?" Yesung asked, his voice sounding naturally low, but cut by heavy pants every second. His eyes seemed to want to look everywhere at the same time, which made him look terribly nervous about something.
"What do you think, you knocked me over!" Kyuhyun snapped angrily as he groaned and tried to lift himself from the ground. He stood and scowled at the dirt on his garments rather than the man who he had collided with.
When he was done patting the dust from his knees his eyes fell on the goods the man had been carrying. He knelt down and picked up a pineapple, eyeing it with little interest and holding it underneath his arm.
"I'll take this as a token of sincere apology" he said smugly, deciding today his lunch would be pineapple and perhaps one of the apples that lay at his feet.
For a short second, Yesung gawked at that stranger, who had just taken what he was planning on eating soon. However, the sound of yelps and yells beginning to echo up the street behind him quickly made him forget about that pineapple, which had been a bother to hold in his arms anyway. Instead, he grabbed some oranges and apples lying on the ground, planning on leaving without ever seeing that arrogant cloaked man.
Kyuhyun huffed as the thief ran passed him, not sparing him another look as the sounds from running feet and shouting men neared him. He stared at several buff men and raised an eyebrow when they spotted him and returned the judging look.
"Isn't that one of your pineapples?" asked one of the merchants to the other who narrowed his eyes and then nodded, cracking his fingers in a way that alarmed the Prince.
He scowled and was quick to turn and follow the man who had involved him in this mess. Now the men chasing him either thought he was the thief or a culprit when in fact Kyuhyun was neither, but knew that pointing this out would be futile. By the look on their faces they were more than a little agitated and Kyuhyun was in no state of mind to take blows for the man who ran several yards in front of him.
"Yah!" he called out to the other, raising the pineapple and contemplating on throwing it or not, but destroying goods was just as bad as stealing them. Kyuhyun had to get rid of this fruit and threw it back over his head without looking.
There was a loud yelp and several grunts behind him causing the Prince to look over his shoulder and slow his pace. He noticed the pineapple had hit one of the angry merchants and knocked him out, serving as a blockade that had the other men tumbling onto a pile. Kyuhyun halted for a second, letting a out loud laugh before he resumed chasing the thief who had caused him trouble on his day out in the market square.
Yesung had great stamina, he ran through the city daily and knew the small alleys that provided him with enough shadow to hide from anyone who followed him. He made a sharp turn to the left, leaped over a few crates and slipped behind them, kneeling down with his dark eyes and evenly black hair peaking out.
It didn't take long for Kyuhyun to appear, the male looking lost and frustrated. It made Yesung chuckle and give away his hiding spot with his cheerful laughter, but he couldn't help it, Kyuhyun looked so funny when annoyed and it served him right - the man stole his pineapple when he had been the one to steal it. Apparently Kyuhyun didn't know how difficult it was to steal food nowadays.
Kyuhyun spotted the thief instantly, eyes narrowing in dangerous slits as he gave chase once more. He had trouble keeping up, his body was weaker and his stamina was lower than Yesung's, so when the latter climbed up several crates and clung to an open window, looking down at Kyuhyun, all the Prince could do was glare up at him.
"Get down here!" he demanded, hands on his hips as he tried to catch his breath.
Yesung simply stared, smile in place as he lifted himself up onto the windowsill. Once he sat comfortably he swung one leg over the other and took one apple from the large pouch that hung from his belt.
"Why would I want to get down?" he asked before he took a small bite.
"You have to tell them you were the one who stole from them" Kyuhyun reasoned, eyes darting back and forth between the thief and the crates he had used to get to a higher place. He hesitated, knowing his arms hardly held the strength to pull up his weight like Yesung had done.
Yesung looked bewildered for a moment, but then his smile was back in place. "I wasn't the one who knocked out several merchants with a pineapple" he countered and threw his apple at Kyuhyun who caught it with difficulty. The Prince gritted his teeth when he looked back up to find the man gone.
"It was a good trick though, I have to remember that one!" Yesung's voice suddenly appeared once more and Kyuhyun tilted his head as far as possible, squinting his eyes at the sun that shone behind the man on the roof.
"You're a worthless thief if you learn mischief from a person like me!" Kyuhyun replied in an attempt to mock the other, but Yesung just laughed, nodding his head in agreement. It was clear to him that Kyuhyun was not a thief, perhaps not even one to often visit the market square. He had yet to find out the man who was chasing him was Royal however.
"I'm not worthless though, no one has ever caught me. Can you?" Yesung shot back with sparkling eyes, the cat and mouse game obviously giving him a thrill. He stepped back from the edge of the tall building, making Kyuhyun frown and drop the apple with a startled gasp as he watched Yesung run and jump to the house located opposite.
Kyuhyun stared up with wide eyes, breath held while wondering if the thief was still alive for he had seen him land ungracefully, stumbling and rolling out of his sight. As all stayed silent, the Prince struggled to climb up the house, using crates and the windows like Yesung had done. By the time he reached the top he was breathing harshly and rolled onto his back, grunting when he hit something.
"Ah! Aish, you caught me" Yesung exclaimed when Kyuhyun bumped against him, joining him on the ground as both tried to catch their breath while staring up at the clear blue sky.
The Prince snorted at him, wiping his forehead and nudging Yesung to roll away from him, but the thief just groaned at the jabbing elbow, too tired to move away.
"Worthless thief" Kyuhyun repeated in a mumble, sighing deeply, but chuckling at his own behaviour. What was he doing on top of a house that he climbed himself? What was he doing chasing this man and actually enjoying his company?
Yesung closed his eyes, grinning lazily at the chuckling youngster beside him. He didn't have many friends, friendship was rare to a thief who lived day by day. Chances were he'd die tomorrow or even tonight, perhaps he'd starve or dehydrate or get stabbed or worse. It wasn't safe on the streets, but his companion didn't seem to be aware of that, just yet. The merchants that chased them had no problem cutting off their fingers or entire hands for stealing, pleading wouldn't work either so all they could do was run.
Just when Yesung wanted to offer the other a cooler place to rest, there were loud voices from the alley below that alarmed him and mostly Kyuhyun, because this time it weren't the merchants, but Kyuhyun's guards.
"Kyuhyun-ah!" one of the men called out loudly and the rest chimed in, making the Prince on edge. Surely the guards wouldn't find him on this roof, but he had to get away just in case they decided to search for him on higher places.
Hastily he nudged Yesung again and again until the thief got on his hands and knees and crawled to the other side of the building, Kyuhyun on his tail. Together they neared the edge and halted, looking down and then at each other. Yesung smiled and stood, not bothering to dust himself off as he took several steps back, eyes fixated on the other building.
"Wait! You don't expect me to hop from house to house, do you?!" Kyuhyun hissed at him before the other could leave.
"Why not? There's no shade on top of this roof and those men seem to be desperate to find you, Kyuhyun-ah" Yesung replied and took a moment to stretch his arms and legs, flailing them wildly to get the adrenaline flowing from top to toe.
"Shut up, I ca- YAH!" Kyuhyun was interrupted when Yesung ignored him and ran passed him, small feet pushing off to make a great leap. He landed on the other side, safely though with the same lack of grace as before.
The thief laughed and sat up, rubbing his aching shoulder while motioning for Kyuhyun to come on over. The Prince shook his head and glared when Yesung shrugged. Clearly the thief didn't care whether the guards found Kyuhyun or not. It was a matter of freedom however, freedom Kyuhyun needed to feel alive. Yesung didn't understand when living in the city roaming the streets and apparently roofs as well. It was something Kyuhyun had never done and could never do, he told himself this as he stood and gave Yesung a hesitant look. Would he die if he jumped?
"Kyuhyun-ah!" the guards continued to call out, having yet to spot the royal on top of the roof on their left.
A thin layer of sweat had gathered on his pale skin, the cloak he used to protect and disguise himself with only made him hotter. It almost felt like the palace, suffocating him when all he wanted was to embrace life with all the ups and downs instead of being held in the cage where no one could bother him and no harm could be done. The Prince looked down at his hands and the dust that was sticking to him. There were a few scratches as well, nothing that truly hurt, but if the guards were to see him like this they would treat him as a dying man.
"Come on, Kyuhyun! Freedom is just one leap away!" Yesung called from the other side, hands near his mouth to make sure to break the other's trance.
Kyuhyun looked up from his hands, eyes uncertain, but widening at the other's words. Freedom, the thing he longed for the most. Yesung could offer him this and probably more, the life of a normal civilian with dirt, pain, hungry, thirst, discomfort and more uncertainties.
"I'll catch you, trust me!" the thief called out when noticing he had almost persuaded the other to jump as well.
"I will hurt myself" Kyuhyun replied though without concern, more like eager with his eyes on Yesung's trousers which were ripped.
"Of course you will, but I can patch you back up" Yesung reassured him and opened his arms, hands beckoning the other over.
The Prince looked around for a moment, eyes taking in the beauty of the city and nose inhaling all the scents of the goods, the dirt and his own sweat. He smelled badly and loved it, the rebel within him urging him on to get to the other side. With newfound courage the Royal stepped back, pulling back the hood of his cloak and allowing the sun to shine on his skin pleasantly.
Yesung stood waiting, eyes blinking at the man who got ready to run and jump. He smiled, a strange feeling telling him this man looked oddly familiar, but it wasn't until Kyuhyun ran and actually jumped that the thief got a better look at him. Now that Kyuhyun was up close and nearly in his arms, the thief gasped in realization.
"Pri-!" Yesung recognized the Prince and was caught off guard so when Kyuhyun stumbled against him they were both knocked over, Yesung hitting the roof with a loud oof! There was a pressing weight on top of his chest as he blinked up at the sky with a dazed look. The house was smaller than the one Kyuhyun had jumped off of, the length of the other building blocking out the sun and creating cool shadow in which they laid panting.
Kyuhyun gripped Yesung's shoulders tightly, head on the other's chest as he cautiously looked around. When he was certain he was still alive he laughed in relief and excitement, shifting on the other and straddling Yesung's hips once he sat up with a smug smile. The corners of his mouth fell again when Yesung continued to silently stare at him.
"What?" Kyuhyun asked breathlessly, heart pounding against his chest, his hair wild and clothes covered with dirt and dust.
"Nothing" Yesung replied softly, gentle eyes and smile directed the Prince's way. What a strange Prince, Yesung had never met a Royal who willingly mingled with the citizens or who would trust their life in the hands of a thief. It made the older one glow, eager to have befriended such a rebellious and important person.
"Come on, I'll show you my shack."
That night Kyuhyun slept on the floor, the only comfort coming from a thin blanket and a makeshift pillow that was an old backpack filled with the few garments Yesung owned. The Prince stared at the ceiling, looking at the stars in the dark night sky through the many small holes above him. Though it was hot during the day, the night felt chilly, cold even to the Prince who was used to his luxurious bed with thick woven bedspread. He shivered slightly, turning his head to watch Yesung who lay beside him, a decent distance though he lay close enough to see the other quiver.
Yesung opened his eyes when something fell on top of him. It was the cloth he had given Kyuhyun, wanting to offer the Royal as much comfort as possible though he was a mere thief without so much as a bed, the only furniture he owned was a small table that missed two legs which he used to hide his stolen goods.
"Aren't you cold?" he asked softly and turned around to face to Prince who shrugged nonchalantly with his arms tightly wrapped around his body.
No matter how many times the thief tried to throw the cloth over the shivering Prince, he always ended up rolled up in the fabric and at one point he gave up, sighing at the stubborn Royal.
"You have helped me enough as it is" Kyuhyun replied, determined to show the other he could survive through the night.
"Perhaps you're right, you owe me actually" Yesung said amused, chuckling when Kyuhyun snorted.
"How can I repay you?" Kyuhyun asked jokingly, but truly intending to help Yesung if he wanted him to.
The urge to ask for a fortune popped up in the thief's mind, but what would happen once Kyuhyun returned to the palace to fetch him pouches of gold? Surely he wouldn't return, the guards were probably still searching for him and Yesung realized the Prince couldn't stay with him forever.
"Just do as I say" Yesung told Kyuhyun and though he saw the confusion his words had formed, he motioned for the other to sleep and turned back around, closing his eyes with a small smile.
The next morning Kyuhyun stood inspecting the goods of a merchant, hood back over his head to disguise him even if only few would believe the dirty and smelling man was Prince Kyuhyun. He didn't want to take risks, well, not too many at once.
He stared at exotic fruits, stomach growling. He turned his head slightly, eyes locking with Yesung's shortly, the older one looking away as he continued to fill his pockets with mandarins and apples. After clearing his throat the old man behind the stall acknowledged Kyuhyun and was about to ask him if he wanted to purchase something when Kyuhyun shook his head and gestured for the other to be quiet.
"I would keep an eye on the one on the right, sir" he said with a soft, warning tone.
The old man frowned, looked over and saw how Yesung cheerfully bit in one of his apples, pockets bulged with similar fruit. Kyuhyun quickly stepped aside so the stall owner could pass him, the man's loud and angry voice calling out for the Yesung to pay this instant. The thief caught red-handed snatched a pineapple from the stall and ran. It had Kyuhyun chuckling, surely Yesung wasn't going to knock him out like he had done the day prior, right?
It would take a while before the older man would give up the chase, Yesung was too fast and though the man was only gone for several minutes it gave Kyuhyun enough time to carry a melon under each arm before fleeing the scene. They met in an alley not too far from Yesung's shack, the thief waiting for Kyuhyun and lifting the pineapple into the air like a trophy.
"This is so much easier with a companion" Yesung admitted as he emptied his pockets to take a look at today's loot.
"I could get used to this" Kyuhyun responded, proud smile in place as he rubbed his empty stomach and reached out for a mandarin, but Yesung's hand caught his wrist and stopped him in the process.
Confused the Prince looked up at the stern look on the other's face. He wondered if he had angered Yesung somehow, but all had gone according to plan, Kyuhyun was to pretend to be a helpful and aware passerby while Yesung did what he did best and if possible Kyuhyun could fill his pockets too. They had gotten away easily, so what was Yesung's problem?
"You have to return to the palace tonight" Yesung told him, something Kyuhyun had not expected the other to tell him.
"What? What are you talking about?" he asked nervously, pulling his hand from Yesung's grip.
"I know you're a Prince, the Royal guards were looking for you because you're Royal, not a thief like me" Yesung mumbled.
"So what? If I go back I'll be in big trouble, if I stay here I can live life the way I want to" the Prince looked offended that Yesung was aware of his identity but had chosen to stay silent about it.
Yesung shook his head, sighing deeply and blowing several strands of his fringe from his eyes.
"If you stay here they will search in every corner for you, probably arresting several people like me in the process as well. They won't stop till they have found you, you're a Prince, you're important" Yesung reasoned with the other, but sealed his lips when Kyuhyun glared at him.
"You have no idea what it's like to live in a palace" Kyuhyun began, voice bitter and look dark, "I'm not allowed to go anywhere without guards following me, I can't do whatever I feel like doing and God forbid if I want to go outside into the sun" the Prince nagged and removed his hood, showing the other his pale skin once more.
Yesung bit his lip, saddened by the fact he had to say good bye to Kyuhyun for he felt like they could be good friends if they were born of equal status.
"You can't stay here, you don't belong here" the thief said and collected several pieces of fruit before he gave Kyuhyun a small smile. "You won't survive, do as I say, okay?" he added and started running from the Prince in the hopes the other was unable to keep up and indeed, it took only fifteen minutes with lots of side alleys until Kyuhyun found himself all alone.
"Yah!" he bellowed as he twirled around in search for Yesung, but the longer he stared the more it dawned on him that Yesung had truly left him.
Now the hardships of his freedom would truly test him. Quickly he tried to find his way back to the alley where Yesung had told them to meet after robbing the merchant. With a frown he saw that the left over fruit was gone, other thieves or hungry beggars taking it when Kyuhyun chased after Yesung. He gritted his teeth, determined to steal new food, but he was inexperienced and hardly fast enough to outrun any of the buff merchants he met as he roamed the market square.
Furthermore night was falling and Kyuhyun rubbed his throat, begging the sky the gather its dark clouds and let them pour down on him so he could drink the rain. It was dry season however, meaning Kyuhyun didn't have food or anything to drink and by the time the sun had set the Prince felt miserable. Once more it dawned on him how he had been pampered, even outside of the palace. Yesung had fed him, gave him water and a place to stay overnight, but now he had truly nothing.
He was hungry, thirsty, exhausted and lost, his feet stepping sluggishly until Kyuhyun halted. Unconsciously he had found the main road and was facing the long path that lead to the gates of the palace, his home. The Prince tried to moisten his dry, chapped lips as he stared and felt himself longing for perhaps the first time in his entire life, he longed to be caged back up, to be pampered by servants who followed him everywhere ready to oblige to whatever selfish order he came up with.
It wasn't until he was several yards from the gates that guards appeared from the shadows and pointed their weapons at him. Kyuhyun sighed and lowered his hood, surrendering and allowing the men to guide him back to the palace. When he had to explain his behaviour, he made up a story about getting lost and spending the night outside in an alley. He didn't mention Yesung, fearing the King or his parents took it the wrong way and thought Yesung had kidnapped or harmed him in any way.
He looked as miserable as he felt and this gained him sympathy rather than a scolding which he actually deserved, but the Royals were so shocked and relieved that they allowed Kyuhyun to get cleaned up first; they could always scold him at breakfast the next morning. The Prince did as told, getting in a large bath where servants waited to clean him and they applied oil to his body that made him smell of herbs from overseas. He ate a lot, too much and more than Yesung ever would for one meal.
The thief had yet to disappear from Kyuhyun's mind. The Prince wrapped his silk robe tightly around his body, sitting down in his windowsill and looking out at the city beyond the gates, wondering what Yesung was doing. His eyes narrowed when a small figure moved in the distance, climbing over the gates with great agility and crossing the distance between the iron and the palace with outstanding speed. Kyuhyun stood, hands gripping the wood of the window with hopeful eyes.
"Yesung!" he called out happily when the thief appeared from the shadows underneath his window.
"Ssshhhh!!" Yesung looked up and grinned, waving a little before looking around cautiously. It took some time for him to climb into a nearby tree and leap over, but Kyuhyun caught him and pulled him inside, embracing the other.
"I had to make sure you got home safely" the thief explained as he embraced the Prince and reviled the touch of silk against his rough, dirty skin.
"I rather stayed in the city, with you" Kyuhyun replied as he pulled back, a look of betrayal on his handsome features.
Yesung shook his head, motioning at all the luxury surrounding the Prince and telling him Kyuhyun could never live without it all, no matter how long he'd spent living on the street. It simply wasn't his lifestyle and he shouldn't throw it away so easily.
"I'd swap places with you any time" Kyuhyun grumbled, looking hesitant however when remembering the state he was in once Yesung left him. "Okay, perhaps not" he mumbled honestly, feeling embarrassed that he was so dependent of his rich life.
"It's okay, I could never live in this place, I understand what you mean by being caged" the thief replied looking around and hearing shuffling of guards outside the door that made him lower his voice to a whisper.
"How about I sneak you out of the palace every now and then?" he asked with twinkling eyes.
Kyuhyun felt a grin spreading on his face and he nodded, looking out of his window and in the direction of the guards who Yesung had passed easily without getting spotted.
"I'm not sure I can leave without getting caught though" the Royal confessed and felt a hand on his back, patting him reassuringly.
"It's a risk you'll have to take, also you must be prepared for trouble every time you get back" Yesung informed him, eyes looking at Kyuhyun to see how badly he wanted to be free from his Royal duties.
"They will double the guards if they find out" the Prince reasoned with a troubled expression, but Yesung was left unfaced by it all.
"Hey, no one has ever caught me, I'll be able to sneak in and sneak you out too" Yesung said confidentially, grinning until Kyuhyun's smug smile made him roll his eyes.
"Fine, you're the exception" he mumbled, remembering how Kyuhyun had climbed the building and practically rolled on top of him yesterday. The Prince looked pleased to hear that and chuckled when Yesung embraced him once more before he had to go.
"Will you come for me next week?" Kyuhyun asked when Yesung perched himself on the window sill, calculating his jump to the tree beside it.
The thief looked over his shoulder, smile in place as he nodded. "It's a date, rebellious Prince" he promised the Royal and leaped to the tree, climbing down with several rustles of the branches and leaves.
Kyuhyun looked down when Yesung reached the ground, both men looking at each other with eager eyes. Kyuhyun felt his heart thunder against his chest as he watched Yesung maneuver over the field toward the gate and tried to find him even after the thief climbed over the gate. He stared out into the city with a longing look, sighing slightly though feeling better now that Yesung had proven the palace could no longer bound him.
When morning came and Kyuhyun had to kneel in front of the King to get scolded in front of the Royals he apologized for his reckless behaviour and when the King told him he was to never run away from the guards in the city, he agreed with a lowered head, showing submission as he smiled secretly, because no one had forbid him to climb out of his window and let Yesung lead him passed the gates. He stood and turned to his parents, his father looking displeased as his mother shook her head, but none except his sister could decipher the look in his eyes.
The next days passed slowly, too slowly in Kyuhyun's opinion. He hadn't left the palace ever since that day, trying to build up an obedient reputation that would soon be shattered, for tonight Yesung would come for him and take him away from the palace if only for several hours.
The Prince had clad in casual clothes and sat by the window, peering out at the horizon with the buildings and several lights of those who had yet to go to bed. There was a knock on his door that startled him terribly. He got off the windowsill and pretended to be busy staring at himself in the mirror when the door opened. He glanced at his visitor and frowned when the person who closed the door was in a similar attire as his own.
"Take me with you" his sister demanded, eyes determined and red lips pouty.
"Are you insane? I mean, I'm not going anywhere" Kyuhyun said and fumbled with his shirt, smoothing the fabric as he forced the lie through his teeth.
"Liar" she grumbled and stepped up to the window, blinking as she suddenly came face to face with a startled man who nearly fell back out if Kyuhyun didn't run up to him and grabbed his arms, hauling him inside.
"Yah! Look at what you do, you'll only cause trouble!" Kyuhyun snapped at his sister, pulling the shocked Yesung close as if claiming him.
His sister crossed her arms, slender eyebrow raised at the man in her brother's arms. "Surely you can share" she pointed out his possessive behaviour and giggled when a faint blush painted his cheeks.
"I'm not sure I can sneak two Royals out of the palace" Yesung admitted when he got comfortable in Kyuhyun's arms, enjoying the warm embrace and the pleasant sound the man's sister made. Kyuhyun's sister pouted once more, looking like a small child who didn't get what she wanted and was about to cry.
"Find your own escape, Ara" Kyuhyun told his sister sternly, watching her expression change to one of annoyance.
"Not fair" she pouted, but didn't force them to take her along when she watched Yesung and Kyuhyun jump and climb down the tree. She looked shocked and hesitant, the reaction Kyuhyun had expected from his delicate sister. He smiled up at her, telling her freedom wouldn't get handed to her that easily, she had to work for it.
"Or you wait until freedom runs straight into you" Yesung snorted beside the Prince, enjoying the fact Kyuhyun had called him his freedom, it made him eager and he grabbed Kyuhyun's hand with his own, tugging at the Royal for them to hurry.
"You better not tell mom and dad!" Kyuhyun called up at his sister, his loud voice alarming the guards who quickly chased after the cursing Prince and the laughing thief.
Ara watched nervously as her brother tried to escape, Yesung offering to push Kyuhyun up and half over the gate. Her hand reached up to her mouth when Kyuhyun climbed over and fell on his behind. She giggled and cheered for him when the guards tried to open the gate.
"Go, Kyuhyun! Be free!" she called out, laughing when Yesung had trouble getting down from the opening gate and choosing to jump on Kyuhyun who nearly tumbled over when catching him. They succeeded to run away however, the guards pursuing them in futile as they returned several hours later with empty hands.
Ara sat in the company of her complaining parents, small smile on her face as her father bellowed that he'd lock Kyuhyun in the cellar when they found him. Her father finally fell silent when his daughter chuckled.
"You will never be able to cage him" she told her father, her eyes sparkling with the same eagerness to leave the palace and hoping her father would not hate her for leaving the palace the next day.