"I just wanna love you, give me that chance."
I Just Wanna - Amber Liu ft Eric Nam

After Fluke got discharged, he spent two days with Prem at the palace. Prem talked about his fashion show and Fluke talked about his current love interest. The Royal Family is used to Prem's presence. Prem has been friend with Fluke since 2nd grade; therefore, he is pretty much a member of the family. Other Royals looked down on Prem's normal background; but, to the King and Queen, they are glad to have Prem around Earth and Fluke. They hope their sons learn about how normal people live; so the two Sons would not be spoiled.

On the third day, Prem left to his workshop to work on his next show. Fluke is alone again. Since his wound is not fully heal, he mostly stays in bed. He reads over some documents for the next fundraising he is responsible for. Then, he suddenly remember this morning his security guard gave him Ohm's file. He grabs the file and glances at it. Fluke doesn't read the file much because he wants to hear Ohm talk about himself and not through a background check. His eyes quickly locates the phone number. He grabs the phone by his bedside and saves Ohm's number as "Bear."

Here comes the hard part, what should he text Ohm?
"Hi, this is Fluke." Nah, boring! Fluke hits the delete button.
"This is your lovely Second Prince of Alethea, you are chosen to have my phone number." Yikes, too narcissistic!
"Hello handsome, it's Fluke, text me! 😉😘" Gahhh, too flirty!
Fluke frustratedly scratches the back of his head. He can't think of anything. Should he text Prem and ask for advice? "Wait!" The lightbulb turns on in his head. He quickly types "What would Spider-Man say if he meet Deadpool?" And send. Fluke smiles. Let's see if Ohm knows that it's him. After all, they watched 'Spider-Man Homecoming' together in his hospital room. They both have a common interest in loving Marvel universe. Fluke excitedly waiting for Ohm to text back.
(A/N: Anyone else a Marvel fan?)

1 hour.... 2 hour..... 3 hour..... passes by....

Fluke checks his phone for the nth time. Ohm hasn't text back at all. Is this the right phone number? No, he had checked it for like 10 times. Is Ohm not figuring out this is him? Should Fluke just say that it's him and not some stranger getting the wrong number? Gah! But this is a test also to see if Ohm remember him and his weird questions. He dated a dozen times and has never wait for a text back. People fights for a chance to text him; but, here he is frustrated.

Forget it! Fluke gets out of bed and decides to go for a walk to release his frustration.

When he is back, he checks his phone. There it is, the text he has been waiting for.

"Your Highness, I think we would have to wait until that day come. But I know what Iron Man would say." Oh, so Ohm knows it is from Fluke. He is happy that Ohm still remember.

Fluke quickly responds "What would he say?"

Ohm replies come in 2 seconds "I don't like you, 4000." Fluke couldn't help but smiles at that. All his frustration went out the window.
(A/N: Excuse my lame joke).

Before he could reply, Ohm's message comes again. "How are you Fluke? Is your wound getting better?"

"I'm fine! Dr. Satiwa had been checking on it everyday. How about you?"

"That's good to hear! I have been busy like always. But I just get off work. I have a week off.... Finally, some resting time." Ohm replies. Now Fluke knows why Ohm didn't reply his text right away. He had been frustrated for nothing.

"What are you gonna do on your days off?"

"Well, for now I will just rest. No specific plan. Why? You want to meet me? 😉😏"

Gosh! How is Ohm so flirty in text. He can't lose. Two can play this game. "Why not? You don't want to see the Prince? Many people want to meet me."

"As much as I want, but I would get tear up by the people of Alethea when they know the Prince come to meet me."

"Are you afraid? I didn't know you are such a scared cat. 🤔" Fluke teasingly replied back.

"Oh ho!!! Come closer and you will know if it's a cat or a lion." Ohm is enjoying this flirting game between him and Fluke. Honestly, he had never flirt or date before. All these just come to him naturally in his head. He has learn a new side of him. They continue texting each other. Everyday, talking about everything and anything, getting closer each day.
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It has been two weeks since that hiking date. Kao and Earth went out to a few more dates when their schedules allowed. They have known more about each other. Earth likes Kao. He likes how Kao always gentle with him, always pay attention to his mood, give him space when he needed. Sometimes, they barely talk during the date; but, the silent is not even awkward. They seemly enjoy the company of the other person.

Earth's father asked him yesterday about how his relationship with Kao is doing. Have Earth ask him to be his boyfriend yet? As the future King, nobody has the right or has enough bravery to ask him out. He has to be the one taking the initiative. His father said he asked his mother when they were on the second date; then, he proposed to her after 8 dates. Honestly, Earth thinks Kao would be a good partner to be with for the rest of his life. However, he has been hesitant because of the talk he had with Kao not long ago. They talked about Kao's love life.

Kao recently broke up with his ex-girlfriend. They dated for 2 years. The reason was because she felt like her status isn't good enough for him. Kao said that he is still getting over the breakup. Kao didn't hide his feeling. Instead, he honestly expressed it to Earth, like a friend. Earth doesn't want to ask Kao because he wants something more between them. He wants Kao to become his boyfriend when Kao actually like him, not because a future King has ask him out and Kao has an obligation to agree.

Earth looks at himself one last time in the mirror. He has another date with Kao today. Wearing a simple white t-shirt, black leather jacket, high-waisted jeans, and a pair of sneakers; he looks like any normal adult. Tonight, they are going to Shine River, a really famous dating spot. There is a secured place for the Royal Family to use by the riverside; thus, they won't have to deal with the public and reporters.

Earth arrived 10 minute earlier than the appointed time. Once again, Kao is already there. He is always early, a strict man who sticks to his rule no matter what. Earth also likes this part of him; it shows that he is a man of his word. Kao is standing by the riverside, his hands in his pants' pockets, his back faces Earth. Earth looks at Kao, still standing by the entrance. Even when Kao is by himself, he is standing so straight, on guard to the rest of the world. He looks lonely to Earth. He remembers about the conversation they had about Kao's family.

Kao is the only child. His mother died when he was 6 years old. He wasn't close to his father, a man who barely home either out to work or with his mistress. This was why Kao decided to learn martial arts and joined various types of military trainings. He wanted himself to become stronger, both physically and mentally. When Earth heard the story, he felt connected to Kao. He felt the loneliness in this man and in himself. Earth might have a lovely family. But, there are many things he had to sacrifice for his country. He can't do the things that he liked, he can't show his emotions, he can't be friends with anyone, he can't love freely. There are steps he has to take by himself in this lonely path.

Earth's thought is interrupted when he hears Kao's voice. "Earth! Are you alright?"

He was so deep in thought and didn't realize Kao had approached him.

"Yeah! I'm alright! Sorry, I was just thinking about something."

"Tough day?" Kao worriedly asks.

"Kinda. How was your day?" Earth asks while both of them heading toward the riverside.

"Just a usual training day with my unit. I overheard my subordinates complaining about my strict training again."

"I'm pretty sure you are purposely eavesdropping." Earth laughs while teasing Kao.

"No way! I just have really good instinct to walk by when people complain about me?"

"Hum! Then why I haven't seen you walk by?"

"Ohhhh are you telling me you are talking behind my back?" Kao raises his eyebrows

"Maybe." Earth winks while saying.

"Ouch! Your Highness, I'm hurt!" To exaggerate his point, Kao touches his left chest and bends his back.

Since both of them are standing close to each other, Kao's action causes his face to be right in front of Earth's face. Their faces are only a few centimeters apart. Earth's heart is waltzing inside his chest. Earth quickly looks away, fearing Kao would hear his heartbeat. Kao couldn't help but smile when he sees Earth is blushing. They stand silently next to each other, watching the river under the night light. The autumn wind blows by, carrying the scent of freshwater. Earth's hair is displace a little, but he didn't bother to fix it. He just stands there, enjoying the silence between them. The man beside him always make him feel safe even if he does nothing. After awhile, Kao breaks the silence between them.

"Earth, I know this is against the Royal etiquette; but, I honestly don't care about such thing when I'm with you. It's not that I don't view you as a Prince. It's just that I see you as who you are, without any title. I hope it doesn't offend you." Kao stops a little, before he speaks again. "After all the dates we have, I really like you. Will you be my boyfriend?" Kao is gently looking into Earth's eyes. He could see the sparkle in them.

Earth is surprised at what Kao is saying. The man in front of him is beyond word. Kao is a man of rules and etiquette. A person who would not break any rules. Yet, here he is, breaking etiquette when it comes to the heart. Asking Earth out, as a normal person. At this moment, Earth feels so normal. It's like he is a normal adult, goes on dates, and fall in love. He knows for sure that he likes Kao even more. But should he? Didn't Kao say he is still in love with his ex-girlfriend, did he?

"But, don't you still love your ex-girlfriend?" Earth couldn't help but ask.

"Honestly, I do. But I don't think it's like what it's used to be. I think it's more of me regretting for not treating her the way she deserved. Thus, I have this lingering feeling. Then again, it's a past I can't go back. What I can do is learn from it and put my heart in the present. I can't let the past stopping me from going forward. I wanted to move on and be honest with my heart. I can't promise you that I won't make you cry. I can't promise you that I will always protect you. I can't promise you to stop you from falling in your path. But I can make you smile more, I can walk by your side, I can help you stand up from your failure, as long as we are in this relationship. So, would you be my boyfriend?" Kao asks again, this time holding Earth's hand in his hand.

Earth couldn't help but cry. Once again, who said this man is cold. He is so romantic right now. Earth knows words can be make up. But he doesn't care when it comes to Kao. He is so happy that the man he likes, likes him back and want to be his boyfriend.

"Yes, I will be your boyfriend!" Earth smiles in his tears, which wiped away by Kao's gentle finger. He takes a step forward and lands a kiss on Earth's forehead.

Two lonely hearts are waltzing together. They put away all their titles and responsibilities, enjoying each other's company, chasing away their loneliness.