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Alberu Crossman was never fond of the colour red, it played with his emotions, baring fangs despite its lovable colour, resembling his snake of a family all to well with their pretentious smiles and fake support. His brothers, the second and third princes used everything at their disposal to overthrow Alberu's efforts and slim chances of claiming his rightful throne and his parents—all knowing about their schemes—turned a blind eye. Red was and will always be the colour of blood: thick, volatile liquid that were shackles for the crown prince in the form of family ties.
Although so, Alberu couldn't refuse how beautiful the colour was on a certain feeble human who referred to himself as trash. 'Trash? If Cale was trash, then real scumbags should be petrified.' Alberu thought, scoffing internally. The prince's eyes laid a second too long on the redhead's silky hair, the Sun intruding in from the room's behemoth window doing the colour justice by enhancing its vividness, it was a pretty shade of red, one Alberu cherished; it seemed as if Cale was glowing—no, his beauty was other worldly. Alberu's gloved fingers twitched, it ached and trembled to simply reach over and brush the lone strand of hair which escaped from the hind of Cale's ear. His body yearned to stand behind the man, gather those precious scarlet locks and to tie them in Cale's habitual fashion. Alberu's fingers would flirt around Cale's ponytail, his lips would descend towards the pale surface of his porcelain skin, then he'd lean down and kis—
"Your highness?" Cale called, raising a brow at Alberu's hazy visage that seemed, worryingly, too far from his usual mask of a princely smile.
"A-ah, yeah Cale?" Alberu stuttered and responded with a shaky exhale. 'Oh god, Alberu Crossman, you're in love.'
"What's wrong? I doubt you were listening to what I've been saying—"
"Oh, ah, yes I was just thinking about the stock of cookies that were coming in today, you've been visiting frequently, that's all. I'm sure Raon would be delighted as well," Alberu coughed, trying to mask the blooming warmth on his cheekbones, "They should be in by now, I won't take long to check," he stood and swiftly excused himself out of the door.
Cale frowned, "New stock of cookies?" He glanced over to Alberu's shelf where it hoarded tins and tins of cookies that seemed to be more important than actual documents and clicked his tongue, "Is he going through a phase or something? Even I don't need that much sugar daily." Leaning back, comfortably against Alberu's quality couch, Cale sighed, "Ah well, I wouldn't know the harsh responsibilities of the Kingdom's bright Sun, people binge when they're stressed, right?"
Choi Han always felt iffy towards the carmine shade of blood, its crimson glare mocked him with heart wrenching memories and its metallic stench knocked the air from his lungs; like a rough dagger, his ghastly past of Harris Village never failed to stab his already wounded heart. He felt icky, travelling in his red-soaked gear—which thankfully was a gloomy black—to find something, or rather someone, who could help him offer a proper burial to his beloved ones and provide him liberation from the manacles of mourning; and he did, in the form of a pale yet handsome face that was stark against ruby strands.
To this day, Choi Han never fails to catch himself admiring the sight of Cale's natural beauty, a fact the redhead himself was completely oblivious to. His scarlet locks drooped down onto one side of his slender shoulder as he offered a tiny, relaxed smile towards Raon in his arms. If one had blinked, they'd think their eyes were faulty, but Choi Han was keen, his onyx orbs drank the ethereal sight and his heart pulsed loudly, its jovial beats almost seemed too loud and too real—
Pat, pat.
Cale's warm palm rested on Choi Han's back which tensed at the electrifying contact. "Let's head in, Beacrox would be mad if we missed dinner," Cale said, his silky voice right beside Choi Han's reddening ears.
"Y-yes, Cale-nim," Choi Han gulped, his eyes trailed after Cale's retreating figure and the way his scarlet hair danced with the zephyr. "I wish I could embrace you from behind, or how I wish I could observe your shy reaction when I caress your charming strands with a kiss." Choi Han muttered, a low chuckle escaped his lips at his brazen thoughts, seduced by the alluring pigment, "Am I...towards Cale-nim? Maybe red isn't that bad of a colour after all."
Although Alberu and Choi Han were entranced by the colour red, they certainly weren't fond of the cherry-nuance caused by a fever on Cale. Choi Han furrowed his brows, his concern only growing at the sight of Cale struggling to find a rhythm for his breathing.
The three of them were in the royal library, searching for important information, only to abruptly stop when Cale had overused his 'record' ability that caused him to heat up instantly. Alberu had snatched the book out of Cale's grasp, "We will continue another time, you need to rest, Cale, this is an order." Alberu then sternly continued, "Choi Han, carry Cale to my chambers," leaving no room for Cale to refuse. Choi Han had bent down to lift Cale into his arms, breathlessly, he maneuvered the light body to Alberu's bedroom.
"Haah, the fever will pass, don't look so glum," Cale grumbled, glaring weakly at the other two, 'Why do they resemble kicked puppies?' Cale wondered.
"Just shut up and rest, idiot," Alberu sighed with fond exasperation, he gnawed at his bottom lip as his blue eyes glazed over Cale's flushed skin glistening with sweat.
"His highness is right, Cale-nim. Don't worry about anything else and just recover for now," Choi Han commented, wiping off the teardrops of salt from Cale's forehead with a damp towel. The noble always neglected himself first, it hurt Choi Han to see Cale in this state, that's why he decided he would always be right by his side, and maybe, just maybe, his resolve would ease the burden the feeble man carried on his shoulders.
"Fine, I'll gladly be slacking," Cale huffed, and burrowed himself deeper into Alberu's blankets, "I won't take responsibility for dirtying your covers, your highness," Cale teased, hoping to see Alberu's distorted reaction before he dozed off, but he was met with a strange expression instead, one Cale had yet to witness on the attractive man. He then stole a quick glance at Choi Han, and he too, was wearing his emotions on his sleeve; it was a motley of concern, tenderness and devotion. 'Why the heck do they look so...so...intrigued? No, that doesn't seem right. Ah to hell with it, my head hurts.'
Minutes have passed after Cale had fluttered his eyelids shut, but their expressions still fogged his mind, 'I'll just ask them later, sleep sounds wonderful right now—' His train of thoughts were halted by the feeling of something indescribably soft against the apples of his cheeks, unmistakably, they felt like pecks, and the only two people in the room other than himself currently were, '—Oh...oh. Is that why they both look as if they're ready to propose to me any second nowadays!?!'
"A-Alberu, Cale-nim looks even more flushed than before!" Choi Han shrieked, in a whisper, of course, careful to not wake the sleeping beauty.
"Quiet, Choi Han, you don't look better yourself." Alberu lightly scowled, a nuance of wine tinged the tips of his ears, "His fever probably worsened, this idiot."
It was hard for Cale to keep the corner of his lips from turning up, 'Who're you calling idiot, you're clearly the idiot here. Well, I suppose both of you are awkward idiots.' Cale, flustered, for once was grateful for his feverish glow; they didn't need to know the actual cause of Cale's rosier complexion.
Choi Han has seen the way Alberu yearns for Cale, it was sincere, raw and just so real, yet, instead of feeling envy or jealousy, Choi Han couldn't stop the intense homeliness threatening to spill from his chest. It was as if a wave of cozy flames had enveloped his heart, it felt warm, so lovingly warm. Mayhaps it was because he too, felt the same he does for Cale towards the charming crown prince, there was just this unexplained gravitational pull to protect and support and to love; Choi Han was never one to complicate things more than necessary. So he had pulled Alberu aside one day.
"Hey," Choi Han started, casually.
"Is that how you address your future king?" Alberu raised a brow, and despite the palace walls being so colossal, he chose to abut the spot right next to the swordmaster, their elbows brushed.
"Mm, I am your instructor, dear prince," Choi Han smirked, aware of the tension sparking between them. He turned to his side, and brought his palm to rest next to Alberu's head, his body caged the royal, loosely. Leaving a wide enough gap for Alberu to walk out, if he ever did feel uncomfortable with Choi Han's actions.
"Bastard, just kiss me already." Alberu complained, taking initiative to close the gap himself by hooking his arm around Choi Han's neck, he pulled him closer, their bodies plastered against each other, "Why do you look so shocked?"
"Hah, no, just...that went smoother than I had expected," Choi Han chuckled, he smiled into the kiss.
"You think I wouldn't notice how you stare at Cale and I?" Alberu sported a sly smile, "Well, now we just need to know how Cale feels...about us."
Choi Han paused, his face stayed buried within Alberu's marked neck and his lips tingled the prince's skin at every word, "Us? About we both, together?"
"Yeah," Alberu nodded, "You and I, with him. Him and us, we three, together."
Choi Han grinned, really, it felt as if there were fireworks exploding from his chest.
"Can I talk to you, Cale?" Eruhaben knocked the ajared door of Cale's room and without waiting for a response, he welcomed himself inside the grand floor, nodding his head to return Ron's reverent greeting.
"Eruhaben-nim, would you like a cup of lemon tea?" Ron asked with a benign smile, already pouring a serving from the pitcher.
"Thank you," Eruhaben accepted, he took a sip and turned towards Cale's questioning stare, "Tie my hair."
"Excuse me?"
Clack.
The sound of glass echoed throughout the peaceful room, "My hair, it's long, you're experienced with tying your own, right?" Eruhaben continued, so indifferently, since it was normal for an esteemed dragon to give an order.
Cale sighed, he stationed himself behind the ancient dragon who now sat by his vanity and gathered the long golden locks into his palms, his fingers skillfully wove between the strands, untangling any knots with the help of a clean brush, "So? What is it that you wanted to ask me?" Cale raised a brow, simultaneously braiding one side of Eruhaben's hair.
"Tch, as expected, you catch on fast," Eruhaben clicked his tongue, "Then I won't beat around the bush, Cale, what do you think of open relationships?"
Cale's fingers hesitated for a split second, before he carefully continued to tend to Eruhaben's hair, he now focused on the other half, "That's a very random question, sir. Is something the matter?"
"Just answer the question," Eruhaben sighed, he couldn't believe he was convinced enough to do this. Though, he'd be lying if he said he was completely uninterested about the redhead's answer. 'Just to soothe my curiosity about these idiots, it won't hurt to hear his response,' Eruhaben thought.
"Mhm, well, I don't particular care, I guess? Love is love, whatever shape, or form or how many the source, it's still a trustful and sincere emotion." Cale responded, by now he had finished with Eruhaben's half-up-half-down braid, ending it with a simple golden clip—that complimented his natural aura—to join both sections, "As long as the individuals are consented, willingly, and satisfied."
Eruhaben smiled, "What a Cale-like response." He shook his head, fondly, "The braid is wonderful, by the way, I might just have to ask you to do this more often."
Cale grumbled, "I guess you're done here, then?" It was refreshing to do someone else's hair instead of his own, not that he'd ever admit that aloud, though, but he certainly wasn't averse to the idea.
Eruhaben stared into Cale's burgundy orbs from the mirror, "Good luck, Cale."
Cale frowned, 'What nonsense could this dragon be foreshadowing now? An open relationship? Wait, could it have been—'
"Whatever do you mean, Eruhaben-nim?" Cale asked, tilting his head to the side, he resembled a lost kitten.
"Don't worry too deeply about it, everything will be fine since it's you," Eruhaben advised, walking out of the room. He passed by Ron once more, their eyes met and their thoughts were clearly reflected through their stares.
'Your young master is a dense brick, that unlucky bastard.'
'I'm afraid so, Eruhaben-nim.'
Alberu and Choi Han grew fond of the nuances of red, especially when it came to Cale's prettily flushed and bewildered face, earning recognition as their favourite shade of rose. It was certainly rare of Cale to show such a cute weakness, but it was precisely because it was them, only Alberu and Choi Han could make him feel shy.
The trio, as usual, were in Alberu's bedroom, shifting through mountains of paperwork—well, mainly Alberu since Choi Han was cloddish with these types of tasks and Cale found them too cumbersome to exude energy on—when unexpectedly, Choi Han had gently lifted a portion of Cale's hair to plant a kiss on the strands, his charcoal eyes, staring so intensely, trapped Cale's surprised gape. Choi Han tip-toed into the water.
"Ah, darn, so you made the first move after all," Alberu sighed, he stood from his desk to near them both.
"My apologies, your highness," Choi Han halfheartedly replied, "Cale-nim is just too hard to resist."
Alberu hooked his fingers under Cale's chin, "May I?" The prince asked, his voice mellow, soft, and tender, but without an ounce of waver. Cale blinked, his mind a tempest, words just didn't seem to formulate fast enough compared to his body's reaction, and with a nod from Cale, Alberu finally, after months and months of self-control, could lean down confidently.
'It's sweet,' Cale thought, his eyelids quivered downwards, 'So sweet, was a kiss supposed to be this indulgent? Or is this how Alberu tastes like—' Arms snaked around his torso from behind, the toned muscles belonged to Choi Han.
"Hey, sharing is caring, Alberu."
Alberu smiled into the kiss with Cale, he nipped at his lip before withdrawing, "Sure, instructor-nim, but first—" Alberu bent over Cale, reaching behind him for Choi Han, and stole a French kiss.
'Is that a tongue? Oh my god—' An obvious and bright hue splayed across Cale's face, Choi Han could see Cale's adorable reaction from the corner of his eye, he smirked and separated himself from Alberu.
"Cale-nim," He called out, his palm caressed Cale's intoxicated visage, a contrast against his calm and sly demeanor, noticeable but not unwelcomed. He swooped in for a kiss, Choi Han intended it to be a quick peck, but could not hold himself back at the small gasp Cale made.
'Ah, it's even sweeter, what the hell—' Cale trembled as Choi Han expertly explored his warm orifice. Choi Han pushed deeper, seemingly as if he was parched of water for so long, desperately, he devoured Cale's taste. Cale's back leaned against a sturdy and warm chest, Alberu supported Cale from behind, leaving small love bites around his pale neck, decorating the pure canvas with claret-hued marks.
"Haah, you both," Cale breathed out, trying to calm his heart albeit failing to do so. Cale knew for quite awhile, that the both of them were up to something, he had multiple ideas as to what, since they were painfully obvious, he had patiently waited until they were ready to pull him in. 'Though, I think I just wanted some time to sort out how I really feel towards the both of them, looks like my pondering was for naught.'
"Did we go too fast, Cale-nim?" Choi Han asked, his eyes exuded so much honesty and sincerity and care and just an unmeasurable amount of love—Alberu's own entirely mirrored his lover's, too.
"What am I supposed to do when you both look at me that way? As If I'm your everything," Cale sighed, but a small smile tugged at his lips.
"Because you are our everything, and we're yours." Alberu smoothly whispered, enjoying the way Cale tinted even further. 'He might actually get a fever at this point, from how hot— I mean warm, the air is.'
"Just shut up and kiss me, you bastard," Cale glared with a bashful scowl. Alberu chuckled, he moved in without hesitation, grinning at the touch of their lips once more, and at the warm hand that belonged to Choi Han which interlaced their fingers together, his hold tightened ever so slightly as if to say, 'See? Everything is fine and will be fine.'
Ah yes, this certainly was Alberu and Choi Han's favourite nuance of red.
Fin.