Haru and Shion walked out into the royal gardens.
Haru's eyes lit up with wonder at the perfectly trimmed trees and shrubs, the gentle murmur of a small pond nearby, the fireflies floating here and there, and the lanterns strung up to light the path.
The garden blended plants with burgundy leaves and red blossoms with the simplicity of everyday greenery and the clear, azure water.
The black of the night and the glow of the lights – so close, yet somehow distant – intertwined together in those three colors.
It's so beautiful here… Haru thought, enchanted.
"Haru," when Shion spoke his name in that gentle tone, warmth spread through him like a tender shiver, "there's a place I want to take you. I often came here when I needed to think alone."
Haru nodded, half in wonder, half still unable to believe what was happening.
His face burned with blushes.
His heart was pounding like crazy.
The prince guided him along the stone path with soft certainty, and Haru admired the passing plants, his heart melted at the reassuring, caring hold of the prince's hand.
After a while, they reached a small wooden bench at the end of the gardens, surrounded by a ring of flowers with rose-colored petals, forming a sort of floral halo. Shion motioned for Haru to sit with him.
Haru sat first. He lowered his head, resting his hands on his knees, and, overwhelmed by emotion, softly curled his fingers.
"Haru," Shion spoke up again. The prince's usually steady voice now trembled with emotion. "There's something I need to tell you, something that's been weighing on me lately. I feel as if I've lost something very important, something connected to you. I can't clearly remember what it was, but… I miss it. I miss what I lost, even though it feels like I never truly had it."
Silence, heavy with feeling, hung between them.
"Sorry," The prince said again, turning his head away. "I'm probably just talking nonsense."
No, I know exactly how you feel. I know exactly what you're longing for, Shion.
You're not alone in this, but I don't want to tell you. There's no point in mourning what's already gone.
I finally understood that… maybe I needed a moment like this to realize it.
Unable to calm his heart or his emotions, Haru placed his hand over the prince's.
"Shion," Haru said softly, his voice brimming with affection. He had never spoken his name so warmly before. "Don't worry about it. You don't even know how much I understand you. Really. Maybe I can't put it into words, but…"
Haru pressed his other hand to his chest.
I want him to know. I want him to know how much I care.
I want a memory like the one he lost to take root in his heart just as it did in mine
That he'll think of it every morning when he wakes up.
I want our new memory to be like a bright, gentle light that reaches him before the sun even rises.
Maybe he lost that moment… but nothing is stopping us from making another.
Gari, if not for your advice… I probably couldn't do this.
"… I want you to know I'll do anything to make you feel heard and understood. We may not have known each other long, but I want to see past the empty curtain of your eyes. Ever since I first saw them, I… I…" Haru's voice softened.
…I fell in love with you at first sight.
But I couldn't admit it to myself, not until I realized how much it mattered to me that you will keep our first kiss in your heart. Only then I understood what I really felt for you...
... but I'm not ready to say it to you, Shion.
Not yet.
But I want you to remember what we share here tonight.
Haru lifted his large, honey-colored eyes, sparkling with love, to meet the purple-black depths of Shion's gaze.
Their lips were so close…
Shion felt Haru's quickened breath against him, and Haru felt Shion's.
Haru's heart raced, his cheeks burning even hotter with excitement and shyness.
For the second time, Haru kissed him.
This time, the kiss lingered a little longer. He was trying his best – it was only the second kiss he had ever given, but Haru kissed Shion as if there were no tomorrow.
Shion let him, gently, politely, holding back just a little, as if to say he cherished Haru's gift of love, but didn't yet know how to return it.
When Haru pulled away to catch his breath, he looked straight into Shion's eyes.
He still couldn't read them, but he knew one thing – deep inside, Shion felt the same marvel.
Their hands slowly, shyly intertwined, and Haru's heart told him how much love was hidden in that shyness.
Haru leaned closer and rested his head on Shion's shoulder.
"C-can I?" he asked timidly.
"Yes," Shion replied, his voice soft and moved.
They sat together quietly. The murmur of the stream, the flicker of the fireflies, and the warmth of their hearts spoke more than words ever could.
"Shion," Haru spoke after a while, "this changes everything, and nothing at the same time, doesn't it? To the world, we'll still be just the prince and the key, almost strangers…"
"Don't worry about that, Haru. If you want, we can meet here every night."
"I do."
Haru lifted his head to look at him. Shion melted into the glow of Haru's eyes, sparkling with love.
Am I dreaming? Shion wondered in amazement. For so many years I searched for the key… and when I found him, he turned out to be the most beautiful person I've ever met.
Forgive me, Haru, that my eyes and my face can't show what I really feel.
"Do you know what my curse really is?" Shion asked.
"Y-yes. Ayame told me. I met with her recently to ask if what I made a scene about last time really was a dream," Haru lied in a good favor.
"I see. I want you to know that when I feel your touch, the pain stops. My body feels light, normal, free from agony. But it only happens when I'm with you. That only makes me long for your touch all the more. Maybe I shouldn't, maybe it's improper for me as a prince to want something like this… but I don't care. You're the cure for my pain, Haru – yet that isn't the only reason I feel what I feel for you."
"Yes, I know," Haru whispered, nestling closer.
They spent some time in each other's arms and silence, gazing at the stars glittering above and listening to the rustling leaves in the dense, dark night…
That night, Haru fell asleep with a smile on his lips and warmth filling his heart, his soul, and his whole body.
Shion – sharing Haru's joy – couldn't help smiling to himself as well.
But just before he fall asleep, the prince's smile faded.
He knew what awaited them tomorrow…