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Sneaking out never got easier, but Bam welcomed the challenge.
It was a reprieve from everything being handed to him on a double-edged gold platter.
Today was his birthday, and for others, a celebration like this would be a freely spent day, a gap in the stress of daily life.
But ever since this morning, he had been finding it difficult to breathe.
Like most burdens that came his way, he first tried to bear it. Silently, of course- he didn't want to disturb anyone with his discomfort.
But rather than wane, the intangible but suffocating pressure only built and built and built until he broke out into a sprint to try and leave his parent's territory.
'It would only be a quick visit.' Bam bargained with himself. 'Just a breather.'
So he scaled the sturdy red-brick walls and hurried in the direction of the forest.
When he stumbled across the barrier that isolated Khun's land from the rest of the forest, it was akin to finally taking in clean air.
Bam sighed as he slumped down against the nearest tree.
"Bam?" A cautious query.
"Yeah, it's me, Khun," Bam answered, a smile coming on his lips at the sound of the fairy's voice.
Almost inaudible footsteps approached and Khun popped into view from around a tree with snow-white leaves.
Khun was peering at Bam suspiciously to which the brunet offered a sheepish smile.
A beat and then Khun was by his side, taking Bam's face in his cool palms and pressing their foreheads together.
Bam closed his eyes at the seeping coolness passing through his pores and soothing his spirit.
"You said you couldn't come today," Khun murmured, confusion clear in his voice.
"I'm not meant to," Bam conceded, reaching up to cradle Khun's left palm.
"Bad morning?"
"I'm not sure what's wrong," Bam explained, eyes opening to stare into Khun's deep blue ones.
"Aren't birthdays supposed to be huge deals for humans? How were you even able to sneak away?"
"I cheated. There's an illusion of me back there."
Khun fell silent. Bam glanced away, slightly ashamed of his childish flight. "Are you mad?"
"I'm actually quite proud of you," Khun answered. It made Bam snap his head up, just in time to catch the soft press of Khun's lips against his cheek.
Khun smiled. It was a wide grin that reminded Bam of ones on those porcelain cat statues his mother was so fond of. "I'm glad you're being more selfish."
"Selfishness isn't really a good thing, y'know?" Bam mumbled as he leaned forward to press himself into Khun's body.
Khun's hands reached out to cradle him. "Oh hush. I don't care much for the flexible morals of humans," Khun cooed, dropping a kiss on Bam's forehead.
Bam should probably have pushed his point more, but that would mean leaving Khun's warmth, and that wasn't happening.
He couldn’t get over how easy it was for Khun to give him affection. At home, the brand of love he was used to fell more under terse but proud smiles, and maybe on a good day, a stiff pat on the shoulder.
They stayed like that for some time. Then Khun pulled away with a coy smile, releasing his grip on Bam.
"You know, I did get you a gift for your birthday," Khun began.
"Oh?" The surprised sound slipped out before he could think better of it.
Khun looked very unimpressed with Bam's reaction. Eyes narrowed into a glare with a dangerous glint.
"Did you really think that I wouldn't get you anything on a day of celebration? What kind of partner do you take me for?" Khun demanded, sounding more than a little offended.
"No no no," Bam waved his hands wildly to try and placate the fairy. He shifted to close the distance that Khun had created. "It's not like that. It's more-"
"More what?" Khun asked, tone snappish.
"There was just no need for you to do that since being with you is always enough," Bam spewed out, a hopeful look on his eyes.
Khun scoffed at the statement, but Bam made out pink on his ivory-coloured cheeks.
Bam reached out and wrapped his fingers around Khun's hand face-down on the ground.
"Thank you," Bam said, putting all the sincerity he felt into his words.
"You haven't even seen it yet," Khun mumbled.
"I would love to see it now," He replied, gaze locked on Khun.
Khun lifted up his other hand, waving it around enough to summon a thick sparkly blue mist before he snapped his fingers and the blue cloud disappeared.
"For you," Khun presented the object to him.
It was a crown. One built out of vines, gold leaves, and a ringlet of blue jewels. Bam felt the aura emitting out of it. Charged with magic, it shimmered like something out of a fairy tale.
"What? You don't like it?" Khun asked, gaze wary for Bam's response.
Bam swallowed, the sensation uncomfortable with the dryness of his throat.
"It looks heavy."
"Heavy on its own or with the meaning you're projecting on it?"
That was the second surprise of the day.
Khun's eyes had a soft look. Something akin to pity that looked like understanding.
"Every year that passes by pushes you closer to that heavy weight of power. I don't understand the burden of responsibility as I have only ever lived for myself," Khun leaned forward to drop the diadem lightly on Bam's head. "But I do understand the pressure of expectations."
"This isn't a shackle locking you to me, Bam. It's just a gift from Aguero," Khun-no, Aguero- caressed his cheek. "Besides, it looks good on you. I knew it would."
The weight was much lighter than Bam had thought. He wondered if that meant something. Aguero had offered Bam a craft and his name; was that why his heart suddenly felt lighter?
I wouldn't mind being bound to you. Bam thought as he reached up to touch the crown.
"Thank you." Somehow his gratitude this time felt heavier, more substantial.
"Happy you liked it," Aguero rested back against the tree, reaching out for Bam. "Come on. We still have some time before you have to go back."
Bam happily obliged, his present still nestled happily on his head.