The Beauty and the Beast (Seventeen Meanie story)

Chapter 26 - Happy Ending

'They are here!'

All heads turned towards the staircase where two handsome men were walking down with their arms linked. Their faces were literally glowing of happiness and their eyes were shining.

Now seeing them, both human, next to each other, everyone could agree that they looked like they were actually made for each other. Mingyu was a few centimeters taller than Wonwoo, just the perfect height to fit the other boy in his arms if needed (so hopefully every day for the rest of their lives). Their prince was back, their one and only prince who finally learned to love and to be loved and whose ice cold heart was beating again.

As they stopped on the staircase to be able to look at everyone, Soonyoung rushed forward, continuing his duties and bowed in front of the couple. 'Your Highness~~~' he greeted. Mingyu let out a breathy chuckle and Wonwoo's lips parted in his surprise.

'Soonyoung? Is that you?' he asked.

'He surely is' a brunette male appeared behind Soonyoung and elbowed him in the ribs, making him hiss. Wonwoo laughed.

'And Seungkwan if I'm right.'

'You guessed it from his stupid face-' began Soonyoung, then before they could've started arguing, they both got pulled back by a stunning black haired man.

'We barely got our human forms back and you two are already embarrassing us' scolded them Jeonghan, shoving Soonyoung over to a shorter man who Wonwoo assumed was Jihoon. Jeonghan stepped forward and bowed to them too.

'Your Highness' he said. Everyone in the room followed his example and bowed in front of Mingyu. Once they paid their respect, Mingyu cleared his throat, the sound echoing in the silence of the room.

'Thank you, everyone' he said in a serious tone. 'It's great to be back and I'm glad to have you all back' he looked at all his staff members and friends. Their small white puppy, Sultan barked from Chan's arms. 'And... I owe everyone an apology for acting the way I did back then. I was being rude and selfish, and I deserved the punishment of the witch for what I've done. I-If it wasn't for this wonderful man next to me, we wouldn't be all here right now' he added and hugged Wonwoo's waist, making him feel shy as suddenly everyone cheered. The noise quieted down when Mingyu raised his hand, continuing his speech.

'And I just want you all to know that I'm really thankful for you all sticking with me throughout the past years. You are all awesome and I never realized that you were my true friends. I treated you all so badly, but you always stood up for me. I don't know how to thank you. And I totally understand if you would want to live your own lives and quit working for me after this, but-'

'You've gotta be fucking kidding me' spoke up Soonyoung. Mingyu raised his eyebrows and everyone hissed at the tone Soonyoung used on the prince. He stepped up on the stairs, stopping a few steps lower than Mingyu and Wonwoo and turned towards the rest of the staff.

'Obviously if we stuck around for the past years as fucking household objects, there's no way we are backing out now! You are not only our Prince and Master, but our friend, and we are staying with you until the end. Especially now that you finally learned your lesson' he reminded miscievously and winked at the couple. 'Am I right, staff?!' he raised his voice. Loud cheers and applause echoed in the castle.

'I mean, where would I get all the royal tea if not from here?!' joked Jeonghan, making them laugh.

'My family have been working for the royal family since generations, my ancestors would be so disappointed if I left' added Chan, scratching Sultan's ears. His seven friends who were wearing the same uniforms as him, all nodded frantically.

'And who else would I dress in these fancy clothes?' added Minghao throwing a silk scarf around his neck sassily and Jun nodded in agreement. Mingyu looked at Soonyoung with tears in his eyes.

'Thank you' he whispered. Soonyoung looked back at him seriously.

'I meant it. And don't be too hard on yourself. I think you were punished enough' he said. Mingyu sniffled.

'Idiot' he mumbled with a smile.

'I'm your hyung!' reminded him Soonyoung teasingly.

'And I'm your prince, have some manners' laughed Mingyu through his tears.

Wonwoo smiled watching their interaction, then Mingyu finally turned to him, getting himself together. The crowd went silent, everyone anticipating what's about to come.

'I need to say thank you to you' began Mingyu, looking into the older's eyes. Wonwoo gulped and smiled. Mingyu continued. 'Wonwoo, you were the only one who dared to come to the castle and who was able to look behind my awful appearance, to see who I really am. I owe you my life. We all do' he said and raised Wonwoo's hand to his lips to kiss it. 'The curse said I will stay as a beast until I find requited love. And I found it. With you. I love you' said Mingyu quietly. 'Thank you for having faith in me and coming back for me.'

'I love you too, Mingyu' said Wonwoo. 'And of course I came back. I couldn't imagine my life without you.'

'Well, in this case...' spoke up Mingyu and he slowly went down on one knee. Soonyoung and Seungkwan let out a small shriek at that and Wonwoo gasped. Mingyu smiled up at him. 'Are you willing to spend the rest of our lives with me... will you marry me, Wonwoo?'

Wonwoo was taken aback as he was trying to stutter out his answer.

'Consider it!!' shouted in Seungkwan, making the crowd chuckle.

'He needs someone to take care of him you know!' added Soonyoung.

'Just say yes!!' screamed Seokmin. Wonwoo looked at his friends and let out a laugh with tears in his eyes.

'Yes. A thousand times yes!' he said finally. Mingyu grinned, standing up and hugging Wonwoo, slightly lifting him from the ground effortlessly. Wonwoo let out a surprised chuckle, his hands resting on the taller's shoulders for balance. Mingyu then slowly leaned in, pressing a tender, lingering kiss on Wonwoo's lips. Wonwoo's heart fluttered as he kissed back, the world and the crowd's cheering around them fading into a blur. It was just the two of them.

Finally, the Beauty and the Beast found their happy ending.

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A/N: I think I finally managed to write a finale that I'm actually satisfied with. See you on Wednesday with the epilogue, and next weekend I'll be making a comeback with my new Jeongcheol & Seoksoo story!