Short Stories-Kai Ships Only! Volume 3

Beomkai- Estranged

A frigid winter breeze swept through the church when the royal guard opened the doors for the devastated Choi family. Tears fell as the priest wrapped up his blessings. Church bells then rang out to a quiet kingdom, all mourning the loss of their King and primary heir.

Soldiers lined the cobblestone walkway to keep the press and the crowd at a respectable distance. Kai was one of the onlookers standing amongst the thousands of people watching the Queen and Prince on a giant projector outside the church. Because he was a special guest, he was directly at the front of the red velvet ropes. The only "commoner" to be so.

A high court judge next to him complained there was a soldier blocking his view. The soldier, hearing that, stuffed down his profanities by replacing them with requests for patience as the bells stopped ringing.

Kai shivered in his wool coat when another breeze swept through the plaza. His eyes then followed the wind's direction when the royals were almost by his spot.

Cameras flashed the length of the walkway while the Chois made their way to their car. Beomgyu adorned an all black suit with a matching fur trenchcoat. Snowflakes landed in his hair as he followed his mother outside. His eyes were puffy. He made sure to keep them behind a pair of sunglasses with his head down towards the ground. Only when he passed his "special guest" did he briefly look up.

They exchanged glances. Kai could feel his pain better than anyone else could. Not being able to do anything killed him inside. All he could do was watch him get into the limo like everyone else.

They were childhood best friends. Two inseperable little kids who grew up to secretly fall in love. Neither would ever admit to it because it was hopeless. One was Prince destined to marry a Princess. The other was a scholarship recipient who knew his time around old money was short.

Beomgyu's official royal duties started when he turned 18. For the first three months, not much changed in their dynamics. They still hung out at night after their mentors went to sleep.

Then, they graduated. Kai no longer had a scholarship and was forced to move back home. His schooling allowed him to get a good job to support his parents. While he worked, Beomgyu's royal duties begun in full. Two months was all it took for them to go from texting daily to once a week. By November, they didn't text at all.

One day, Beomgyu was asked if there was anyone special he wanted to invite to the Christmas Ball. He knew his mother anticipated a girl's name and he genuinely considered it to please her. But it was clear, there wasn't anyone else he wanted to see but Kai. To his absolute surprise, the blonde actually showed up.

It was awkward. He was bowed to and greeted with a title as if they were acquaintances meeting for the first time. Forced to play along, Beomgyu extended his hand to formally greet him back. Their tension was high. Butterflies erupted in his gut when their palms touched. Seeing the blonde's eyes practically glow made him realize they still loved each other after all this time.

Before Kai could get another word out, he saw a line of people behind him ready to greet to Prince. Disheartened, he bowed again and was forced to move on.

Everything in Beomgyu wanted to blurt out "wait!" but he couldn't. Abandoning his greetings was not what a royal does. The spark he felt left as quickly as it came. Before the night ended, he hoped to feel it again.

The hall was grand. Chandeliers, soft white Christmas lights and larger than life trees lined the golden walls. Snow frosted windows gave view of a glittery night sky. Kai stared at it while alone on a small balcony. He could hear laughter and conversation from those inside. The idea of socializing with them gave him anxiety. Only one person in there didn't and that person was slow dancing with someone else.

Beomgyu couldn't keep his eyes off of Kai while he waltzed with different partners. Girls kept coming. Music kept playing. A constant stream of half assed politeness made him want to scream for it to end. To top it all off, he watched one of their high school friends join the blonde during the final minute of the orchestra's song.

"May I join you?"

Kai knew that distinct voice from anywhere. He smirked towards the ground then teased "how have you been Soobin?"

"I've been busy. Just got back from the Bahamas. How about you?"

"Nothing as interesting as that."

"Yeah, it was fun. Merry Christmas by the way."

"Merry Christmas."

"You know something? I-"

"-sorry Soobin." Beomgyu smugly cut the taller off. "Would you mind giving us a moment?"

"Sure... it's a pleasure to see you again your Highness."

Kai went back to staring at the night sky. His smiled dropped when the Prince stood next to him. He felt uneasy, like he could vomit over the balcony at any moment. "Your Grace. Thank you for the invite. Your party is lovely."

"What are you doing out here? Aren't you cold?"

"My coat keeps me warm."

Beomgyu shivered in his royal attire yet he didn't dare leave. "You're welcome to join me inside. You are my guest you know."

"Is that a request or a command?"

"A request..."

"Then I politely decline. I really should be going anyways. Thank you again for the invitation."

"Kai... look at me."

Kai refused to. Instead, he looked behind him towards the doors he entered from.

Beomgyu wanted to cry. This time, his voice cracked as he whispered "Kai... look at me. Please..."

Kai nervously did. His heart wanted to explode when he felt their souls connect. "Y-yes?"

"Stay the night with me."

"Is that allowed?"

"I wouldn't care either way. Please. Stay with me."

Kai agreed to stay. When the party was over, he was dragged to Beomgyu's room. Years of unspoken love were released onto the sheets. Being with him was the best and the worst feeling he had ever had. Knowing it would have to end by sunrise made him worship each round like it was the last.

Beomgyu swore he saw God that night. His blonde may as well have been one with how much he called his name.

Dawn wasn't going to signify an end. The Prince was convinced it was just a beginning. When the golden rays peaked through, he didn't bother to ask if they were going to see each other again. He simply promised they would.

They dated in secret for an entire month. It was difficult but not impossible due to Beomgyu being second in line for the throne. Less responsibilities were placed onto him which allowed more freedom to see the blonde in private.

Then, everything changed. The King and the first Prince were killed in a tragic plane crash on the way to a humanitarian project.

In the blink of an eye, in the span of a second, Beomgyu lost his father and his brother, leaving him the only heir left for an empty throne. He was expected to take it the day after the church bells stopped ringing. Before the driver took off, he took one last look at the blonde and started crying again.

All Kai could do was watch the car speed off from a distance, knowing they would become estranged once more.