Chapter Text
Heeseung was born during a storm that split the sky. Rain battered the kingdom. Thunder shook the towers. It was the kind of night bards would later try to romanticize, but there was no beauty in The Queen's screams.
She had been in labor for more than a day. The castle's finest midwives and maesters were gathered in the birthing room, their faces drawn tight with fear and fatigue. The Queen was drenched in sweat, cursing between ragged breaths. She didn’t care about anything anymore, She just wanted her baby out of her body.
Nestled in velvet since before his conception, a dragon egg began to crack. But nobody paid attention to it. Everyone was occupied to safely deliver the baby and save the queen.
The King was beside his wife the whole time. Holding her hands, accepting every curses and hits thrown at him. Never complained, only whispered his apologies, affirmations, and consolations to his queen. Kissing her hands gently with worry but he didn’t let her see through it.
When their baby finally arrived, his cry pierced the storm.
It was a prince.
With a pair of very strong lungs. It wasn’t the wail of a newborn—it was a roar. Raw. Commanding. The flames in the hearth flared as if in response. The midwives took care of him while the maesters tended The Queen before exhaustion took her. The King stayed by herself until the sun rose. When morning came, The Queen requested to see her son immediately.
Heeseung, that was the name they agreed on. Powerful and commanding.
She giggled when she saw her son, despite being drained. A hefty baby with a little tuft of black hair and rosy cheeks. No wonder she struggled, she said to The King. Her husband told her he might grow taller than him.
And then it happened.
Gasps echoed through their chamber as a thick coal shell finally split. A screech ripped through the air, and from the remnants of the egg, a small dragon emerged—soaked in egg fluid and blood, slick and furious. Before The King and Queen could react, the creature spread half-formed wings and launched itself across the chamber. It landed on the bed, near The Queen, curling tightly around the swaddled infant, steam rising off its tiny body. No command had been given. No ritual performed. It simply knew . The dragon had chosen.
A bold servant reached forward to remove the creature from the newborn. In an instant, a black flame burst from its throat. The woman fell back screaming, half her face scorched black.
Black fire . No one had seen it for centuries, since the last dragon who brought greatness and much as he brought destruction to the kingdoms.
After the incident, no one dared separate them again. At least not one without dragonblood. Only the King and Queen were allowed near the child. The guards posted at the nursery kept their eyes low. Even they feared getting too close. And yet, despite the chaos of his birth, Heeseung was a quiet baby. Serene, watchful, and unbothered.
Even on mornings after a long night. He would arise before his parents did, but the baby somehow understood, he was content with just his dragon company, babbled to himself while they waited for the king or queen to check on them.
The dragon they named Anogar never left his side. It was quite a grim name to name the little dragon, meaning ‘Blood’, but The Queen reasoned that it was quite a powerful name. The dragon hatched on the day Heeseung was born. The day she put her blood, sweat. and tears to birthed him into the world. She thought the name was fitting. Besides, Anogar's colours were dark red and black, except for his mesmerizing green eyes.
The same eyes as Heeseung.
The little dragon protected his bonded master like a wyrm guarding hoarded gold—just as in the nursery rhymes whispered by smallfolk. Anogar watched the world with slitted eyes, always curled around Heeseung, always ready to bare fangs at anyone who stepped too close. Some scholars, delving into dusty histories of dragon riders' bloodlines, whispered of deeper truths: that dragons were not merely beasts, but mirrors. That a dragon's nature echoed the soul of its rider. Even as babes, the creatures knew what men could not yet see.
And if the legends were true, then Prince Heeseung would bring many greatness, or destruction.
𓆩༒︎𓆪
Heeseung grew fast. Quicker than his tutors could keep up. At three, he could already recite the kingdom’s line of succession and identify every known dragon species in the royal bestiary. He spoke in full, deliberate sentences, and corrected his father's councilmen during feasts.
An overachiever, they called him. A prodigy. A prince destined for more than just a crown.
When he wasn’t in the library or shadowing his father during court sessions, Heeseung stayed in the castle grounds, always under the watchful eye of Anogar. The two were inseparable. Servants learned to leave a wide berth unless they wanted to risk a burnt sleeve—or worse. Sometimes, other lords' children would visit the castle and the toddlers would play but The Prince was mostly calm. Content with observing his peers rather than taking part in the little games they played. And none of the children would dare to force him, because Anogar, who towered over the other younglings like a brooding sentinel, scared them.
But Heeseung was never rough. He was fiercely protective, gentle with those he accepted. And always set his boundaries with the people he detested. And though he rarely laughed, when he did, it was always genuine.
After the traumatic childbirth of her son, The Queen swore that she would not be having anymore. Though, after she observed that her son was always alone, she started to second guess her decision.
Until, the wife of the right hand of the king, Lady Laena gave birth.
Lord Jaeyun was born on the day the snow started to fall. An omega. It was uncommon to see a baby designation since birth, but it happened quite often within the family with dragon blood. He was smaller than his older brother but twice as loud. The midwife, exhausted but smiling, handed him to the lady with a chuckle and said, "This one will never go unnoticed."
And she was right. Jaeyun cried when anyone tried to take him from his mother, even for a moment. He cried if his swaddle came loose and his feet got cold. He cried when he was hungry—screamed, really, like a performer demanding an audience.
A dramatic fussy little fellow that instantly piqued Prince Heeseung's interest.
The King’s family came to visit weeks later at the Royal advisor's manor at Summerfell. Heeseung was unsure at first. He didn’t often like new people. And Jaeyun was wailing because he was hungry. But when he calmed down, Heeseung finally took a closer look. He saw a baby with rosy cheeks, fluffy light hair, and wide round eyes blinking up at the light, and something shifted.
Heeseung was three years old. Quiet, serious, unattainable to most. But when he looked at Jaeyun playing with his little hands, his eyes lit up. Like he just found a new toy to be obsessed with. "I want to sleep next to the baby," he told his mother, pointing at the bassinet.
His mother laughed, gave his chubby cheek a little kiss. “You're too big for the bassinet now, My Dear.”
But Prince Heeseung was persistent, their parents eventually gave in and let baby Jaeyun sleep on a bed so Heeseung could stay at his side.
He spent the entire visit at Jaeyun’s side, silent and unmoving, watching over him like a knight might guard a sacred relic. When Jaeyun finished nursing and drifted to sleep, Heeseung leaned close, just to hear his tiny breaths. He patted his swaddled legs, caressed his thick hair, and even gave him kisses before they went to sleep. Their parents laughed, amused. Even Jaeyun's brother never earned that level of devotion.
"Heeseung might be in love," someone joked.
They all chuckled. But Anogar, curled in the doorway, didn’t. And so did Heeseung. Because for him, it wasn’t a joke.
It was the beginning of something much bigger. Something that no parent, king, or court decree would be able to stop.
Jaeyun's dragon hatched two months after he was born. A pearlescent blue creature with soft scales and large curious eyes, it was more akin to a pup than a fire-breathing beast. It chirped at everyone it saw, its tail flicking with excitement, and showed no signs of aggression.
Lord Rhaegar, The King's Advisor, was watching from his seat by the cradle, smiled wide when the egg cracked open and the tiny dragon scrambled over to his son. It nestled at Jaeyun's side without hesitation, a soft purr rumbling from its throat as it pressed close to the baby.
"Ellagon," The Lord named her, after an old word of their ancestral language, meaning ‘embrace’. In hope for the dragon to be gentle, bright, loyal.
While Anogar loomed like a sentry at Heeseung's feet, Ellagon melted into Jaeyun's arms like a living comfort blanket.
After Jaeyun was born, Heeseung became the unofficial prince of the Summerfell Manor, Lord Raegar’s residence. Whenever royal duties allowed, Heeseung would make sure he had time to visit Jaeyun. Always went straight to Jaeyun chambers when he arrived. Sometimes Daron, Jaeyun’s brother, would try to get his attention, dragging him toward the horse stable or the training yard. But Heeseung only humored him for minutes before drifting back to wherever Jaeyun was—sleeping, cooing, crying, it didn’t matter. Heeseung wanted to be there.
It became a routine: quiet weeks, slow court days, and by the evening a Royal carriage arrived at the Summerfell with an eager little prince who couldn't wait to shower Jaeyun with gifts. The King found it silly, Jaeyun couldn't even use them, he spent most of his time sleeping, nursing, or sucking his fingers. But The Queen found it endearing she had never seen her son being so fussy about other people before. And despite Jaeyun's lack of activities, Heeseung was always content to just watch him sleep.
“I shall guard him while he sleeps, mother. Milk and sweets can wait.”
They soon learned that Prince Heeseung would prioritize Jaeyun’s comfort over his likings. The days where Jaeyun’s teeth start to emerge, the baby had a fever and stressed out the whole manor. He cried night and day, refused to drink his milk and always wanted to be carried. Little Ellagon always perched near him, cooed and purred to calm him, her presence brought comfort to Jaeyun but it still wasn’t enough. Poor Lord Raegar and Lady Laena barely had any rest.
The King and Queen visited them on the weekend. Downpour filled the gloomy evening sky, Heeseung, who had been easily angered and threw tantrums the whole week, insisted on coming along. When they arrived, Jaeyun was wailing, he had refused to eat, didn’t want to be carried, but still, he cried when they put him on his parents’ bed. Ellagon snuggled beside him, nudging him with her snout to try to calm him. The poor baby strained his voice from crying so much and Lady Laena was on the verge of crying in despair, desperate for someone to save her and make her baby feel better.
What she didn’t expect was for her savior to came in the form of a little three years old holding a stuffed wolf, climbing on her bed in urgency with his red dragon trailing behind him.
Prince Heeseung laid next to Jaeyun and cuddled him. Rubbing his belly and patting his side while he sang his favorite nursery rhymes. And to every odds, Jaeyun cry slowly died down to a whimper before the baby eventually fell asleep. Safe and sound in Heeseung’s embrace.
No one would ever believe it if it wasn’t for their parents themselves who witnessed it. The court took note. So did the Queen.
Eventually, as the two boys grew to be more attached to each other, she made a quiet proposal to Lord Raegar’s family. When Jaeyun was old enough to walk and read, he should come to Silvercrest—the capital's great castle—to be fostered alongside Heeseung. Lady Laena will be her lady-in-waiting and their family should stay at Silvercrest.
"They could be great allies to one another," she reasoned. "It will prepare him for court life. They'll grow together."
It wasn't a lie. But everyone knew Heeseung was the real reason behind it.
At first, Jaeyun's parents hesitated. The capital was busier, harsher. The politics ran deeper, and danger was never far, but The Royal Family had always treated their family with respect for years and Prince Heeseung had never asked for anything. So, they agreed.
And just like that, Jaeyun was promised a place at Heeseung's side.
Not as heir. Not as a rival. But as something far more dangerous.
His favorite.
𓆩༒︎𓆪
As promised, Jaeyun came along to Silvercrest with his family when he turned four.
He arrived with his parents and brother, the royal procession winding through the gates in polished carriages, banners flying high. The capital castle stood tall on its sea-facing hill, all stone and light, with the ocean stretching endless behind it. There was a grand reception for his welcome. Courtiers lined the entrance, musicians played something cheerful, and a dozen servants stood ready with sweets and toys. But Jaeyun was small. Scared and unsure. The place was unfamiliar and the opposite of the tranquil Manor of their family. He clung to his mother’s skirts, peeking out at the tall walls and strangers with suspicious eyes.
Until he saw Heeseung.
Standing beside the King and Queen, dressed in soft black silks and flanked by the ever-watchful Anogar, Heeseung looked a lot more serious than a seven years old should be allowed. But when he saw Jaeyun, his face changed. He smiled. An innocent smile of a child and a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Jaeyun’s face lit up. He let go of his mother and ran with much excitement and bravery. Heeseung met him halfway, arms open, pulling the smaller boy into a hug that was firm and warm and oddly possessive for someone so young. “Heeseung!” Jaeyun giggled in his embrace. “I miss you very much! you haven’t visited me in quite a while,”
"Forgive me, Jaeyun. My studies had me occupied.” He muttered. “But now that you're here, I promised I'll spend all my time with you.”
Heeseung hoarded Jaeyun to himself instantly. After lunch, he showed Jaeyun his favorite parts of the castle.
Silvercrest was nothing like Summerfell. The grandeur was something Jaeyun imagined only existed in story books his parents read to him before sleep. There were marble courtyards, glittering fountains, and towering gardens of bright red fireflowers and silverleaf trees. Jaeyun loved the fountain most of all—splashing his hands in the water, tossing crumbs to the songbirds that nested nearby.
He was utterly fascinated by the size of the royal dragonkeep. Heeseung introduced him to his parents' dragons. A giant silver beast belonged to The King and a beautiful golden one belonged to The Queen. Jaeyun's father's bronze dragon would soon be staying on the dragonkeep too.
But what the boy loved most was the sea. Back home, the castle had been nestled in the quiet valley between forests. But here, at the top of the cliffs, he could see everything. The sea stretched forever. On windy days, the salt spray reached the castle steps. He’d press his face to the glass and dream of dragons dancing in the sky over the waves.
And the sweets—he was obsessed. Honeycakes, lemon tarts, fig rolls stuffed with cream. Heeseung watched him devour them with the fascination of someone memorizing everything.
Jaeyun's new chambers were placed right next to Heeseung’s. Ellagon had a sunlit nook with silk cushions. Maids and dragonkeepers were briefed strictly on how to handle him and what sweets to have on hand.
The first night of Jaeyun staying, Jaeyun's parents allowed him to sleep with Heeseung because they didn't want to be separated from each other. The Queen read him a bedtime story—one about dragon princes and shining skies. And when Jaeyun finally curled under the covers, Heeseung was already beside him, one hand resting on top of his.
Both parents shared a gentle look and didn't say a word.
With Heeseung constant reassurement, Jaeyun settled into life at Silvercrest with ease.
The two became inseparable.
The Queen or Lady Laena often found their sons missing from their chambers, only to find them asleep beside the other by the mornings in the other chambers, curled around each other like dragons protecting a flame. Eventually, they gave up on separating them and had a single, larger chamber prepared with twin beds, tucked close together beneath the eastern windows.
Jaeyun became Heeseung’s little shadow. He mimicked his words, his posture, even the way he tilted his head when listening to adults.
He also left cake crumbs absolutely everywhere.
Sticky fingers smeared across scrolls, chocolate smudges on the corners of dragon lore tomes, crushed honey tarts stuffed under pillows. Servants sighed, but smiled. Because where Jaeyun went, joy followed.
On one morning Jaeyun followed Heeseung to the council room. The elder was summoned by The King to learn a bit more about the Kingdom's economy. Jaeyun hadn't even learned about division yet, barely knew how to count to a hundred but still wherever heeseung went, Jaeyun would follow.
While Heeseung listened to his father's discussion with Lord Raegar, and the other council members about taxation. Jaeyun occupied himself by sitting quietly on his father's lap and munching on the treats served for the Lords.
Honeycakes, cheese, and fruits.
Once in a while he would obliviously ask his father for a drink or to wipe his messy mouth not realizing that everyone was distracted by his actions. His father lightly scolded him for making a mess and eating too many sweets but everyone else found it endearing.
The King even humoured him with light questions. “Would you like some milk to go with your cakes Jaeyun?” Amused by the boy's actions.
“Yes please!” Jaeyun gleefully answered with a mouth full of grapes.
He got an upset stomach later that night and he was forbidden to eat any sweets for a week.
But after that, The council would always prepare a plate full of Jaeyun's favorite treats and a cup of milk. Just in case the boy would barge in by following Heeseung. And he always did, much to the King’s delight.
Prince Heeseung, once quiet and distant, began to bloom.
He had always been an observer. Reserved. Careful. He spoke only when addressed and never asked for more than what was given. His eyes were sharp, always watching, but his expression was unreadable.
Jaeyun shattered that shell.
The little chattering prince was noisy and colorful. He bounced through the halls with Ellagon at his heels, firing off questions at anyone in range:
"What is that Grandmaester?"
“What is this, Mother Queen?”
" Why do birds sleep standing up Papa?"
"Do dragons have dreams, Heeseung?"
He had no fear of status. No concern for rank. He interrupted lords mid-speech to ask about their colourful shiny brooches and tugged on their sleeves to demand more cakes. The court should have been annoyed. Instead, they adored him.
Heeseung especially. He was there to guide Jaeyun navigating a busier life in Silvercrest.
When it was time for Jaeyun to get proper education, the boy was putting his tutor to have early grey hairs because of how handful he was. Too many questions asked but nothing substantial. Too many sweets break and once it was nap time the boy would be too tired to care anymore. The Maester showed his concern to The Queen, but she laughed it off because Jaeyun was only four. It was normal for children his age, Heeseung was the odd one.
Heeseung overheard the conversation happened in his mother's study while he was reading their family history book. Since then, he was actively involved in Jaeyun's studies.
Because for Gods only know reason, Jaeyun would always listen to him.
He had to bribe him most of the time, but made learning become interesting for Jaeyun. He gave Jaeyun a new stuffed toy if he finished his arithmetic in time. He brought him to the Silverbeach when he got a good grade in calligraphy. He gave him chocolate sweets when Jaeyun did well in music class. It was one of Jaeyun's favorite classes, because Heeseung shared the same class.
But Jaeyun's most favorite class was Dragon Care class. It was also the class he shared with Heeseung. And he always looked forward to spending time with Heeseung and their dragonlings after class.
At only seven Anogar had grown to the size of an elk, Heeseung had been trying to fly him multiple times but The King always managed to catch him before the boy could even order his command. And on the contrary, Jaeyun’s beloved lady—Ellagon—had only grown to the size of a pony for the last four years. Still big enough for Jaeyun to ride, but the she-dragon might struggle to keep her balance in the windy Silvercrest's sky. Jaeyun's parents never let him try anyways.
“When will you let me try to fly Ellie, Mama?” The young boy asked, with a mouth full bite of berries pie. They were having an afternoon picnic under a cherry tree with The Queen and Heeseung. “Daron said he will be having his first flight soon with his dragon,”
Lady Laena wiped crumbs remnants on her son's full cheeks. “Did he?” She was intrigued.
“U-hum!” Jaeyun nodded.
“Well, your brother’s definition of ‘soon’ is still a couple years away, so you will have to wait for more years then,”
Jaeyun stopped chewing like someone just pushed his ‘off’ button. Round sparkling blue eyes, starred at his mother in confusion. It tickled The Queen fancy, she had always adored the chattering boy.
She laughed, grabbed the boy by his middle, and pulled him on her lap, caging him with her arms. “Do you really have to fly with Ellagon, Lord Jaeyun? Poor Lady is only the size of a large pig, how could she possibly carry this much weight with her?” The Queen teased him by pretending to eat his belly.
Jaeyun giggles echoed through The Queen’s private section of the castle garden.
Poor boy almost choked on his pie.
The Queen patted his back as an apology and Heeseung was fast to give him a glass of water.
“You shouldn't play with someone with their mouth full of food, Mother.” He scolded. The young prince shook his head in disapproval, both mothers shared a look of disbelief.
The Queen bit her lips trying to conceal her laugh before she kissed her son as an apology. “My mistake Heeseung, it will not be happening again.”
“I sure hope so, it's dangerous Mother.”
The corner of Lady Laena's lips raised, she caressed Heeseung’s hair gently. “Well, thank you for your concern about Jaeyun, My Prince. I appreciate you for taking care of him so well, all these times.”
Heeseung's cheeks turned red from her words. He didn't say anything, The Prince rather averted his gaze and nodded curtly like he didn't care. Though, anyone could tell that it meant so much for the boy.
Prince Heeseung smiled more. He laughed more. Real, full laughter that echoed off the stone walls and startled even Anogar. He even ran through the castle halls, playing tag or hide and seek with the younger, surprising the servants and the nobles. But nobody intervened, because Jaeyun brought a new side to the quiet heir.
Sometimes, Daron would play with them. Taller than both boys and already in weapons training. Daron treated the castle with a mix of boredom and suspicion. He watched Heeseung closely, eyes narrowed when the Crown Prince brushed cake crumbs from Jaeyun’s chin or tugged him away from the stairs.
But Heeseung ignored it. Because with Jaeyun, he had everything he wanted.
And Jaeyun never once asked to be away from him.
𓆩༒︎𓆪
By twelve, Heeseung started to outgrow his childhood softness. His mind remained sharp, but his body had caught up—lean, fast, and already taller than most squires and boys his age. His first flight with Anogar had been at ten, the youngest dragon rider to ever done so, a silent takeoff that startled the entire keep at the crack of dawn.
He’d soared like he’d been born in the sky. Dancing on the clouds as the sun rose to shine the day.
The Queen nearly had a heart attack when she saw a large blood red dragon flying above her balcony with his son on top of it. But her panic slowly turned into a teary-eyed smile when she heard her son's laugh as he rode his magnificent dragon.
Silvercrest watched their future king in awe.
But Heeseung still had to recite the whole history book of their family as punishment for flying alone without permission.
The King gave him a new dragonrider robe for his accomplishment, though.
Year by year Heeseung’s development didn’t just impress people. He scared them.
He wasn’t only book-smart. He learned with frightening speed. Swordplay, strategy, dragon-handling, riding, court politics—whatever it was, he mastered it. And it wasn’t luck. It was determination, Intensity. Sir Willos, the kingdom's finest knight, trained him personally. And still, Heeseung managed to hold his own against men twice his size. He earned bruises. But he gave them too.
Alongside him trained three boys who would become known names in the realm: Jongseong, son of the richest lord in the kingdom. Sunghoon, the brooding heir to the North. And Riki, the youngest of the four who was the stormy southern lord's only son. The quartet became well-known in the capital—not just for their skills, but their silence. Their ambition. All three of them would be future leaders in their lands with Heeseung as their king.
Every afternoon, from the balcony above the training yard, Jaeyun watched. Wandering what it would be like to be part of the friend group.
Now nine, Jaeyun was finally allowed to begin weaponry lessons. Unfortunately, he wasn’t blessed with natural talent in swordfighting like Heeseung did. Swordplay was a disaster. And so was Jaeyun. He tripped over his own stance, dropped blades mid-swing, and once managed to accidentally whack himself in the shin so hard he limped for a week. Daron, who was one of the people who trained his brother personally, had laughed so hard he nearly fell off his horse.
Jaeyun cried and snitched to their father of course, the older boy was grounded for a week.
But Sir Willos saw something different. A steadiness in Jaeyun’s gaze. A patience that swordfighters often lacked.
He handed him a bow, and it fit Jaeyun, almost too well.
Within weeks, Jaeyun was hitting stationary targets with eerie precision. So the Queen summoned the best archer in the kingdom to train him properly. Morning after morning, Jaeyun stood in the archery fields, drawing and releasing until his arms ached. But it meant spending less time with Heeseung and Jaeyun hated it.
Heeseung had his sword brothers now. Jongseong, Sunghoon, and Riki, tall and skilled and quiet, just like him. But Jaeyun only had Ellagon. And even she hadn’t grown quite strong enough to carry him yet. She was as tall as a large war horse now, but her wings still wobbled too fast. The more they were occupied with their own studies, the less time they spent with each other. They used to do absolutely everything together, never without the other. But these days, Heeseung only spent time with him in the afternoon, before the quiet night took them to sleep.
Jaeyun detested it. He wanted all of Heeseung's attention to himself.
One late afternoon, Heeseung spotted him alone in the garden. The boy had been avoiding him since morning because Heeseung had declined his offer to sneak out to the astronomy tower the night before. He truly didn't want to decline him. He couldn’t. But after a long day of practice with Sir Willos, his energy had been drained. He had to watch the shine in Jaeyun’s pretty eyes dim as he told him that they should rest instead. He didn’t even have the power to say ‘no’ but the aftermath was still the same—Jaeyun ignored him.
The boy was seated under the wisteria tree, knees curled up, nose in a book about stars, nibbling on an apple. The petals swayed in the breeze, soft lavender against golden light.
Heeseung approached, boots silent on the grass. Jaeyun didn’t look up. But Heeseung knew Jaeyun felt him approaching, his shadow fell across the page.
The Prince exhaled, half in exasperation, half in regret. “You’ve been avoiding me,” He said, crouching down to Jaeyun's eye level.
Jaeyun didn’t answer. He took another slow bite of his apple, deliberately chewing as if the act itself were more interesting than the prince in front of him.
Heeseung lowered himself onto the grass beside him. “Why are you avoiding me?” Heeseung knew exactly why, still, he wanted to hear it from Jaeyun.
Jaeyun’s eyes flicked briefly toward him, then back to the book. “I’m not avoiding you.”
"But you're sulking." Heeseung stated. He leaned back on one arm, reaching out with the other to gently twine a strand of Jaeyun’s long, wavy blonde hair around his fingers.
It was one of his favorite things about Jaeyun. He liked everything about Jaeyun, but his thick soft hair was something he always adored. Jaeyun's hair grew really fast. Last year he asked the boy to let it grow longer. And like Jaeyun always did, he listened to Heeseung's words.
Now his hair had grown past his shoulder and no one was more delighted about it than Lady Laena. She loved to style it with braids and long ribbons that matched Jaeyun's jerkins or blouse tops. If Jaeyun let it, Heeseung wanted to try to style it too. Perhaps later when he no longer sulked.
“I’m not sulking. I’m reading." The boy finally answered.
“You are reading while sulking.”
A faint, stubborn furrow appeared between Jaeyun’s brows. “Maybe.”
Heeseung went quiet for a beat. He dropped his pride with a sigh. “I was exhausted, Jaeyun. Yesterday was a nightmare! Sir Willos had me sparring from dawn until I couldn’t lift my sword. And then Jongseong dragged me into another round with Sunghoon and Riki. I barely made it to my chambers alive.”
Jaeyun chewed on his apple, still not looking at him. "It’s okay. You’ve been busy. With your friends. With your practice. I understand."
Heeseung stared at him for a moment, then, in a move most unbecoming of a crown prince, slid closer and rested his chin lightly on Jaeyun’s shoulder. “I'm sorry.” he murmured with a pout. “I hurt your feelings.”
Jaeyun finally looked at him. Then he sighed and looked down at his book. “...I'm sorry too, for not being considerate. I guess—I'm just disappointed that we didn't get to spend time together as much.”
Heeseung straightened, brushing a wisteria petal from Jaeyun’s lap. “What if I make it up to you?”
Jaeyun's blue eyes flickered with curiosity.
“Come ride Anogar with me.”
Jaeyun hesitated, lips pursed, clearly debating whether to keep pretending to read the book. But Heeseung knew him too well, dragon rides were his weakness.
“…Just a short ride,” Jaeyun said finally, closing his book.
Heeseung’s grin was slow and triumphant. “A short ride to wherever you want. My Lord.”
A while later, Anogar soared into the sky, wings slicing the wind. Jaeyun sat in front, hands gripping the saddlehorn, his body caged gently by Heeseung’s arms. The heat of the dragon’s scales warmed their legs. Behind them, Ellagon flapped furiously, determined to keep pace.
The poor young she-dragon was in shock when she saw her bonded pair fly away with Heeseung and Anogar.
The castle shrank below, the city’s rooftops gleaming in the last light of day. They flew over the cliffs, the beaches, the glittering sea below catching the golds and oranges of the setting sun. Jaeyun’s earlier frostiness began to melt the higher they climbed. The laughter came quietly at first—a soft giggle at the sight of startled birds scattering—but soon it rang clear and bright, carrying on the wind as they swept over the city walls and toward the distant shimmer of the coastline.
Jaeyun’s laughter, a sound so bright it could have split the clouds, was definitely Heeseung's most favorite thing in the entire world.
By the time they descended toward the beach, the salty tang of the sea filled the air, and Jaeyun’s hair whipped around his flushed, smiling face. Heeseung leaned closer, watching the boy pressed against his chest. He whispered into the wind. “I’m truly sorry, Jaeyun. For last night, and for making you feel like you weren’t important. You are—You’re… my favorite person.”
Jaeyun glanced back at him, the last remnants of his sulk gone. Eyes wide full of hope. “Am I?”
"Yeah. Even when things start to change, remember that you will always be my favorite."
Jaeyun’s smile faltered. “Why do things start to change? Are you going somewhere?”
Heeseung wrapped his arms around the younger boy and smiled. “No, I am not going anywhere, unless you ask me to.”
𓆩༒︎𓆪
On the summer before Jaeyun turned ten, he woke up to the strange sound of scraping wood and the low thud of something heavy being set down. He blinked sleepily, sunlight filtering through the golden curtains of the shared room he had grown used to. But something felt off. It wasn’t just the noise, it was the absence.
He turned to the side, instinctively reaching out.
The bed next to him was empty.
No, it was gone.
Or to be more accurate, being taken away.
Sleepy-eyed, he sat up in bed to find servants moving things out of the shared room.
Two castle servants were carefully lifting the small, polished bedframe that had belonged to Heeseung, maneuvering it through the wide doorway with practiced ease. A third was folding away the familiar navy blanket that Jaeyun had seen Heeseung wrap around himself every cold night. The pillows had already been plucked away. The twin beds, the side table stacked with books about dragons and stars, the little shelf used to hold Ellagon and Anogar miniature figures, everything was gone. Packed away by the servants.
Jaeyun shot up, suddenly alerted. His breath catching. “Wait—wait! Stop!” His tiny feet hit the cold marble floor as he scrambled out of his own bed, arms flailing to signal the servants. His voice cracked with panic. “No, please don’t touch that! That’s Heeseung’s bed!”
The servants froze mid-step, startled by the sudden outburst.
Jaeyun ran to the nearest one, grasping at the bedpost as if trying to anchor it in place. His small hands trembled. “Where is he? Why are you moving his bed?!”
Before anyone could answer, a soft voice broke through the tension.
“Jaeyun.”
The Queen’s voice was calm, but firm. Jaeyun turned around, startled. She stood just inside the doorway, her elegant hands folded in front of her, her long gown trailing behind her like a silken river. The crown of motherly warmth in her gaze did little to quiet the pounding in Jaeyun’s chest.
“I don’t understand,” Jaeyun whispered, his voice tight. “Did heeseung—did he do something wrong? Is he being punished?”
“No, my dear.” The Queen stepped inside and gently motioned for the servants to continue. They bowed and carefully resumed their task.
She crouched before Jaeyun, lowering herself to meet his eye level. “Oh sweetheart, Heeseung hasn’t done anything wrong, he’s just growing up. You both are.”
“B–but he always sleeps there,” Jaeyun said, eyes wide and glistening. The Queen's chest tightened like she just did a heinous crime. “He always stays with me. I don’t like it when it’s quiet without him.”
“I know, sweetheart.” The Queen reached out and tucked a lock of Jaeyun’s soft hair behind his ear. “But Heeseung is twelve now. He needs his own room, his own space. Like you'd do someday soon. It’s part of becoming older. Have trust in me, you will be glad to not share a room with a growing teen in the future.”
The Queen lightly pinched Jaeyun's cheek to lighten up his mood. But Jaeyun’s lips trembled instead. “I–I don’t want him to go…”
Confused, he rubbed his eyes and stumbled out into the corridor. He didn’t understand the sudden change, so he ran. The Queen called out to him but Jaeyun kept running to the place he knew Heeseung would be in. He found Heeseung at the breakfast table, sitting with the King, Sir Willos, and his parents, already dressed in riding gear. Without thinking, Jaeyun marched up to the table, hands clenched at his sides.
His mother was surprised to see him still in night dress. “Jaeyun! I didn't expect you to wake up early—”
"Why are you leaving me alone?" Jaeyun ignored his mother and stood beside Heeseung's chair. Arms folded, like a little gentleman expecting his answer.
The room went quiet.
Heeseung froze. A flush rose to his cheeks.
He spared him a glance before resuming to spread butter in his bread. “I am not leaving you. I am here right now, am I not?” he said calmly.
Jaeyun stomped his foot. “But you moved your bed away! Why are you leaving me alone?!”
“Jaeyun.” His father warned in a low voice.
“Why didn't you tell me before? You promised you will stay with me to keep the nightmares away! now you—”
Heeseung finally looked up.
The prince’s face was unreadable, lips pressed into a thin line. He looked tired somehow, harsher than just the day before. “I just don't want to share a room with a child anymore,” Heeseung said flatly.
It felt like someone poured a bucket of water down his back. Jaeyun’s mouth parted slightly.
The King touched Heeseung’s arm gently. “Heeseung—”
Jaeyun didn’t say anything else. Too surprised. Too hurt. Too embarrassed. So he held back his tears, nodded once, and left. He didn't want to go back to his room because it would remind him of Heeseung or the lost familiarity. So he ran to the garden. Under a cherry tree where his dragon usually slept.
His mother found him not much later, crying. She sat down beside him and brought him to her embrace. “Oh, my sweetest boy…” giving kisses to his hair while her son cried on her chest.
Jaeyun's cry died down as his mother's scent calmed him. He looked up to his mother bashfully. “I'm sorry for making a scene Mama.”
Lady Laena sighed gently, brushing his cheek with her thumb. “This is not goodbye. He’s only moving to a different room down the hall. You’ll still see him at lessons, at meals, during playtime.”
“But not at night,” Jaeyun muttered, looking down.
She didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she placed her hand over his heart. “You have spent every night together since you were toddlers. I know it feels sudden and unfair. But this is part of growing. You’re not losing Heeseung, you’re just learning to be a little more on your own.”
Jaeyun blinked fast, trying to understand words that felt far too big for his little heart. His fists clenched by his sides.
“Heeseung didn’t ask for it,” she admitted softly. “But he understands why it’s happening. One day you might outgrow your friendship with him. Find new people, find your own mate . And it needs to start from being independent and learning to be just by yourself.”
A tear dropped in Jaeyun's rosy cheeks. His lips trembled and he pouted. His mother wiped it and cooed. “He wanted me to tell you gently. He didn’t want to see you cry.”
Jaeyun said nothing and hid his teary face in his mother's embrace instead. His mother kissed the crown of his head and hummed a song she used to sing to Jaeyun to calm him down when he was younger. They sat there in silence.
Just a mother and her son, basking in the warmth of the morning sun under a cherry tree.
When he finally calmed down, Jaeyun’s voice came out barely above a whisper. “Do you think I am allowed to visit his new chambers tonight?”
Lady Laena pressed a long kiss to his forehead. “Of course you can. And if you ever feel lonely, tell me. Or him. Heeseung will be there for you.”
Later that evening, Jaeyun found Heeseung alone in the fountain. Absentmindedly staring at the water splashing. Jaeyun approached him quietly, not sure if he was allowed to. He didn't want Heeseung to brush him off.
Heeseung seemed to notice his presence, his hands clenched but he didn't spare him a glance nor said anything.
The two stood there in silence. Didn't know what to do, they never had a real fight before.
After a long pause, Jaeyun spoke. "I'm sorry for my behavior this morning." he said, voice quiet. Heeseung still didn't look at him. So Jaeyun continued. "I was being overdramatic, I guess… it's just chambers, we can still play together at any time, right?”
Heeseung didn't say anything right after, and the air between them felt awkward and tense. So Jaeyun rephrased his words because he didn't know if Heeseung wanted to be his friend still. “—Of course only if you want to! We can still play together if you want to, please Heeseung… I'm sorry,”
And Heeseung looked at him then. Really looked. “Of course I want to.” The older exhaled and looked down in shame. “I didn't mean what I said at breakfast… I'm just, I'm growing Jaeyun. That's what my parents said when I told them that sometimes my body feels weird when I'm around you.”
Jaeyun tensed. He looked up at Heeseung for an explanation with his round glassy eyes. His mouth pouted a little. The older scoffed and looked away. “Stop doing that.”
Then, the younger stepped back. Looked more hurt than confused. “Do what…? Did I hurt you this whole time?” Jaeyun's voice was small, scared.
Heeseung clicked his tongue in frustration and pulled Jaeyun closer by his arms. He sighed. “I-i didn't know what to say to you every time you looked at me like a lost pup. So stop doing that.”
A beat passed.
Jaeyun looked at Heeseung with those eyes again. He tilted his head like a pup, before he threw his whole body to Heeseung, laughing. The older almost lost his balance but caught his footing just in time. Jaeyun hugged him tight.
“You’re such a silly, Heeseung.” Jaeyun released his hold. “My mother told me that growing apart to learn to be independent is part of growing up. I don’t mind us having different chambers, that only means we have more room to play now. It’s okay if you become busier too, as long as you still eat sweets with me."
Heeseung looked down at Jaeyun, still the same sweet boy with the prettiest smile, but older now. He realized that he wasn’t the only one who grew up, Jaeyun was growing too. More understanding, somehow more gentle and always focused on the positive sides of things. He seemed to gloss over Heeseung’s confession about how his body—his heart to be exact, felt weird the more he spent time with Jaeyun. But Heeseung wasn't going to press on it. They can talk about that on another day.
"I would never miss that," he finally said.
And just like that, the wound closed. Not quite healed, but overtime would. Perhaps with more sweets and cakes.
𓆩༒︎𓆪
Right after Jaeyun turned ten, Heeseung presented as an alpha.
He was thirteen then, and his body had started to shift into something sharper, broader, heavier with expectation. The moment it happened, the court buzzed. The Maesters nodded. The King and Queen smiled knowingly. Anogar roared once and flew three full circles around the castle tower. The castle tower bell rang to announce the new heir. Letters were sent to faraway lords, invitations to celebrate the future king in the capital.
Jaeyun had been happy for him. Proud, even. But with the change came other things, too. Painful change.
Heeseung's moods grew more unpredictable. He could be warm and glowing one day, distant and brooding the next. The King and Queen said it was natural. His parents explained it gently. Even Daron, always so cynical and blunt, ruffled his hair and joked, "Just wait. You’ll be worse when your time comes."
Jaeyun didn't laugh.
Heeseung, once his constant shadow, started to keep his distance somehow. He started exploring new circles. New people. Older teens with long limbs and perfect smiles and sharp voices. Beautiful people with beautiful eyes and soft lips. Are all adolescence like that? Jaeyun wondered.
So Jaeyun tried to make friends of his own. Because he didn’t want to be a lone pup waiting for Heeseung to spare his time for him. But everyone else was dim in comparison. Jaeyun didn’t understand why. The people he met were just as smart as Heeseung. Was as nice as him, if not more. They were tall and good at many things like Heeseung did. But none of them made him as comfortable as Heeseung did. None of them made his heart feel warm.
Heeseung still came back to him, by the end of the day though. Not always, but Jaeyun appreciated that he tried. Being The Crown Prince and the only heir to the throne meant Heeseung had a lot of duties to fulfil. Jaeyun knew Heeseung would only be busier as they grew up, so he was grateful that Heeseung spent his spare time with Jaeyun. Even when it was getting less and less.
Some evenings were still theirs. They sat by the beach and watched the stars blink to life. They ate sweets in secret, tucked in the quiet corners of the library. They played in the garden, their dragons twirling in lazy loops above their heads.
But Heeseung never stayed the night anymore. No matter how much Jaeyun begged, no matter how wide his eyes or how many times he promised to be quiet and not steal the covers, Heeseung always said no.
"I can’t," he said one night. "But I’ll sing until you fall asleep."
The next day, Jaeyun asked his mother why Heeseung was changing.
She brushed the hair from his forehead and said gently, "Sometimes people grew apart as they grow. Heeseung is going to be a king one day. He’ll have a consort. He can’t always be by your side."
Jaeyun said nothing for a long time. Quietly stared at his reflection in the mirror while his mother dressed him.
And then, with all the quiet grace that had come to define him, he nodded. He made peace with it.
If Heeseung was willing to give him just a piece of himself, Jaeyun would take it. Even if it meant loving him in silence. Even if it meant losing bit by bit.
He would stay, always.