World 3.18

"Ruru!! Hurry!!!"

The two bodies gasped as they took the pace towards the crowded people. It was an hour before the lantern festival. Wuwu pulled the Prince towards his pace as they both made big steps. 

"How much is this?" Wuwu grabbed a paper lantern as he smiled. The old woman grinned "10 golds for you, handsome man" she replied

Wuwu tapped Ruru's shoulders, the Prince who was enjoying the stars above gave Wuwu a cold gaze "What?" he frowned 

Wuwu smiled as he held out his palm to Ruru, the Prince looked at him and then to his palm and then to him again. They both stayed silent for a minute like there was a cricket sound.

"Gah! Ruru! I'm asking for golds…" Wuwu scratched the back of his head rapidly with annoyance on his face the soon he realized that Ruru didn't get what he wanted to say.

The other male flinched when Wuwu's hands crawled down to his pocket, aiming for his bag of golds, the male took one lantern after giving some gold back to the old woman.

"Let's go...hehe" Wuwu pulled Ruru once more, swaying their hands on the air. As they walked, Wuwu stopped again to look at the hair pins scattered on an open table, the designs quickly caught his attention.

The male scanned the hair pins and then he took a red crochet dragon, it was designed for a male. "Ruru. this one suits you!" he exclaimed, he ignored the Prince's cold eyes as he paid another gold for it. 

Wuwu reached for the Prince's head, tucking the pin in his bun. Good thing that it was night and Ruru was wearing a mask under his hood. "See! I told you" then he smile mischievously. 

"You!" Ruru snarled as he saw the other male took his bag of golds again, Wuwu threw the bag of gold on the air and then he catches it with a mischievous grin on his face "Ruru, I'm just helping you to spend your golds, you should be grateful " he said leaning closer to the Prince's ear. 

Ruru didn't know what to say to what he heard. He knew he could get no sensible reason from Wuwu. This is part of his naughtiness and mysteriousness. In fact, he envies the other male for being like this, he can smile every time, he can do what he wanted to do, no one would stop or hate him.

Sometimes he wished that he had just been born like Wuwu where he was free, no rules, no judgement and no ties. He wanted to escape everything, he tried it one time but it led him to suffering. 

The night was dark but it did not let alone the stars that kept shining. The village was lively and noisy, children were running around happily, some were preparing their own lanterns, the old ones were enjoying the view from the sky, waiting for the right time. The village was indeed busy tonight.

Ruru never saw his place like this, he never experienced going out and sneaking at night. As the Crown Prince, he was always the righteous one for others. Also his curse was the cause why he never did such things. Having Wuwu by his side in times like this are somehow assurance for him. Wuwu was very careful protecting him.

"Ru Xian!?" 

His head quickly turned to his side the moment he heard his name. He saw five fingers waving on his face "Geez!" Wuwu facepalmed "I've been calling you for so long" he complaint 

"I brought you here so you can feel how to be happy… but you ended up spacing out again" Wuwu added stamping his feet on the ground "You are the Prince, the palace will not kill you" 

Red leaked to Ruru's ears, he suddenly felt hot but it was ignored the moment they heard a loud rang from the village's main post. The people's attention was caught by it.

"Come with me!" Wuwu grabbed Ruru's wrist as he led him to a specific place where there are no people, it was an old tower. They hurried upstairs, letting their breaths carry them away.

Wuwu immediately slumped down the moment they reached the top, gasping with his sweating face. "Man! That was exhausting!" he exclaimed

Ru Xian on the other hand stayed silent, but he walked towards the balcony ledge the moment he saw how starry the night is. Wuwu gave him a surprise look after realizing that Ruru was strong enough to not get tired. 

The male quickly stood up. The moment he realized that there was not enough time, he ran beside Ru Xian "Do you like it?" he asked like he was so proud of himself picking the perfect place for Ruru away from the crowd.

Suddenly, the dark sky lit up. Different lanterns floated up slowly like it was asking for some directions. Ru Xian's eyes beamed in delight and surprise, it was the first time for him to watch such an event. It makes his heart fluttered and happy at the same time. 

Wuwu saw Ruru's reaction, somehow it was precious and warm. He took the Prince's right hand and place it to the other side of the lantern he's been holding "Let's light this one together" 

Ruru was surprised, his pupils dilated in so much flatter, they both lit up the lantern. It slowly parted away from them as it floated up further.

"Ruru, close your eyes and make a wish" Wuwu said the moment he let go of Ru Xian's hand

Wuwu excitedly closed his eyes very tight, aiming for his wishes, he mumbled some words vividly. It was cute for Ru Xian, he just watched Wuwu wished. Enjoying his side profile, the Prince smiled unconsciously. 

He immediately averted his sight the moment Wuwu opened his eyes "What did you wish, Ruru?" he asked circling around the other male

"It was a secret" but the truth is he never made one because he chose to stare at Wuwu the whole time.

"Ehhh??!" Wuwu replied, shrugging his shoulders down in dismay. "Now I want to take back my wish, I regret wishing to see you smile" he said uncontrollably 

Ruru was taken aback from what he heard, his eyes quickly turned to Wuwu for the minute. Someone wished for his smile. He didn't even realize that Wuwu was sulking beside him. He was speechless with his heart fluttering inside his chest. 

"Say Ruru, I dreamed of you the other day" 

The atmosphere tightened between them, Wuwu gazed into nothingness. The lanterns in the sky are slowly fading away, distance bringing it further. 

Wuwu lowered his head "I saw you smiling, it was the brightest one" he bit his lower lip "But it slowly disappeared...and it became your last smile" 

Ruru couldn't talk back, again this man beside him took his words away. He looked down, closing his fist. A sudden heaviness overtook his emotion after a few minutes. They both stayed silent. 

Wuwu swayed into the silent night. He remained on his stance, clenching the ledge with his fist. He saw Ruru's hidden memory, it was him.It was him who made Ruru smile back then, and he was the reason why it fades.

He knew that it was only a part of his mission, but somehow he felt pity for the Prince. He never thought that it would lead him to sadness. 

"Wuwu…" a calm voice called out

Wuwu's eyes automatically looked at where the Prince was standing. His eyes widened after seeing a different face, Ruru's glaring eyes were gone, it was a tender one instead. 

"I'm glad I found you again"

The urge inside Wuwu's body overtook him as he pulled the Prince towards him, enough to leave distance between their faces. Ruru was surprised to the point that he couldn't respond immediately. 

Wuwu's warm palms crawled to Ruru's waist, bringing him closer to his body. "Ruru, use me as long as you want" his eyes were sad 

"I am willing to sacrifice myself for your happiness" his hands went up to Ruru's cheeks, cupping it gently. As soon as he touched his skin, his eyes went down to his lips. Two heartbeats raced in so much pleasure.

The time between them stopped when their lips met, Ruru's heart pounded in his chest as his knees got weaker. He could only focus on how soft he felt against his mouth, it invaded all of his senses.

Their bodies glow in a blue light particles, it envelopes them like bounding two bodies to become one. A light from the tower lightens up the sky once more, showering them with soft small twinkling lights.

Wuwu quickly felt weak after giving his bid to the Prince, it was like something was pulling all of his strength. He gasped as they let go, and before he lost his consciousness he uttered

"I'm now yours…"

Before the full moon, two bodies were bound to each other. Sharing the warmth and one soul.