FIRE

FIRE 01

"Fate had decided, my love... We will now walk our separate path. It is time to say goodbye." For once, the young man begin their clandestine engagement with a solemn tone. He felt, rather than heard, how the tress around them shook desolately as if protesting their parting on his behalf. He also accepted the whistling of wind as the silent voice of his own sorrow; a mourning he cannot express himself. But hadn't he had known? Yes, I had known this, always... He had known that they can't last, that this would one day (this day) be their end... All for one reason only.

They are simply who they are. Two Crown Princes can never be together. It was purely a blessing from the Gods themselves that they had even been allowed to love for so long.

However, their inevitable separation would take place the same moment the Academy deemed that it had fully fulfilled its promises; that they were ready for the duty awaiting them back home. True enough, his lover is ready now.

The man closed his eyes. He's proud yet regretful at the same time. He had prepared himself for this separation from the first day he gave his heart to him. Even before, whilst he was still fighting his feelings, he had prepared for this. How foolish was I to think the preparation would be enough? How could it be enough? Indeed, how so very foolish he was to think it could lessen the pain when the moment came... Because this goodbye, was monstrous. It cannot be eased, it cannot be erased, even with time he's sure that this wound will continue to sting. The cut's so deep, it had fully became one with him. And my love had not even left yet. He sighed. "I'm sorry. I do not mean to..." He slowly opened his eyes but instead of looking at his lover, he looked at the soiled grass beneath them. How could he waste their dwindling moment with his imprudence?

The other man reached forward to turn his head to look at him. "It is inevitable my love, that we part this time." The way his lover caressed his cheek was gentle and fond but despite the little tinge of regret in his voice, there was no trace of fear or pain in the other man's eyes. It suddenly pained him even more to think that perhaps their love meant nothing much for his lover. His lover pulled him closer then, smiling. "But fear not, my love." The man softly planted a rare chaste kiss on his forehead. "For we will cross path again... And I will have you in my arms again. Trust me, Crown Prince Jaejoong of Yani."

"But Yunho-" Jaejoong looked away again. He wore a sudden look of longing that's clouded with heavy resignation as he stared past the shred of lush greenery shielding their precious moment. He straightened his posture as he spoke, trying to reason with his lover as he tried to soothe himself as well. "Yunho, my love, we both know this will be our end. We are the crown prince of our kingdom. We have duties to fulfil... We are born with responsibilities to fare. As much as it pains me, and you know it does, what we have will have to end here."

"Do you not love me, Kim Jaejoong?"

Yunho's question, asked with such fiery anger, shocked the younger prince. He hurried to hold the older prince's face in his palms, afraid his lover would leave with such a lie. "Of course I do! How dare you Crown Prince Yunho of Bakura! How dare you doubt my feelings!" Jaejoong softened his gaze and voice, trembling as Yunho's large hand rest atop his. "Don't you dare question my feelings for you... Don't you dare, ever! Do you not know that there is no one before you who ever took hold of my heart? And that I will not love another after you, like how I love you? You showed me a love so intense I sometimes fear you and still I would offer you all of me time and time again without hesitation! Do not question my love, Yunho... Don't. Jung Yunho, I love you. I would give anything for you. I had given my all for you! These trees, they had been the silent witnesses of my affection for you. Have you forgotten my every confession here? Even Earth shamed knowing nothing could love you as much as I love you. Heaven itself I'm sure could not compete against this tenderness I hold for you. I bared my body only for you Yunho. I served you my heart without regret. And if only... If only my life was mine, I would abandon everything to be with you. But alas! I belong to my people, Yunho... We belong to our people, Yunho. If only we are not who we are... And if only, we are not-" Jaejoong sighed again, letting Yunho took hold of his hands.