Chapter Text
The murmurs of the townspeople do not reach Jongin through the gauzy, blue-purple curtains. The chair is cushioned with the softest velvet and dripping with crystals which catch the sunlight and refract it into dazzling rainbow patterns along the walls, but Jongin's eyes are closed to the sight. His Highness is humming softly to himself, legs draped carelessly over the arms of his throne so that he sits sideways and his head lolls back. The slight jostles and slow going of his ride come to a sudden halt, and Jongin hears the royal fanfare of trumpets, signaling to the townspeople his presence, and huffs softly through his nose while the barest hint of contempt creeps into his expression. As if they can't already tell, what with the guards on either side of his palanquin and extravagant show of luxury. He maneuvers himself into a more proper position on the throne—relaxed, showy, but tense in the shoulders—just as his palanquin bearers tug the curtains back and finally, Jongin hears the gasps and whispers of his people as they take in the sight of their young prince.
Sit still, look pretty. The words have been etched in Jongin's mind since his first discipline classes at the age of three. He shows a soft, demure smile, keeps his eyes hooded, waves to the curious young boys and girls with thumbs in their mouths, clutching onto mother's skirts. The town has stopped all its normally bustling activities in lieu of greeting the royal procession, and Jongin mourns it to be so. How exciting it would be to roam the streets of unknown towns, exploring their landmarks, tasting their good food. Instead, all he hears are the same curious murmurs that he does everywhere else he goes.
"What a kind, gentle prince."
"He looks young; such is the luxury of wealth, I suppose."
"Does he speak?"
"It is perhaps below him, to speak to beach side commoners."
"How nice it must be, to not have a care in the world."
Caged. Jongin feels like a zoo animal, out of place with his flowing robes and smooth skin among people with practical clothing and burnt, prematurely wrinkled faces without a palanquin top to protect them from the sun. One of Jongin's advisors extends a hand to help him up from the throne, and Jongin takes his cue to stand up and slowly descend the steps of the palanquin, still keeping his expression serene.
"Your Highness," his advisor murmurs, and the townspeople move at once, obediently bowing low before Jongin waves a graceful hand through the air.
"If there is anything that troubles the people of Lotus Shore, it is the royal palace's duty to serve you all," Jongin recites obediently. One woman—clearly the mayor—steps forward to greet and bow to Jongin.
"Lotus Shore is humbled by your presence here, Your Highness. We did not presume you would go so far as to personally see a small town by the shore like us."
"Not at all," Jongin says, still reciting. "'Tis but a prince's duty."
"Your Highness, the townspeople are becoming increasingly worried about the presence of pirate ships along our seashore. Their flag flies high for all to see; they go by EXO."
"I hear your concern," Jongin says, instead of voicing the million questions that pop into his mind. "The royal advisors will deal with the situation immediately."
"Thank you, our good, kind prince." The mayor bows low once again before retreating a respectful distance. Jongin raises an elegant hand in farewell, and turns about to take his seat on the throne once more as the curtains are drawn for the sake of his privacy.
——
Through the outskirts of a paused, empty town, a commoner zips through the maze of street stalls and neighborhoods, then runs along a sandy stretch of land with even breath until the town is but a dot in the distance. Only then does he reach a rickety wooden rowboat, so old and chipped that it looks like it might not float. Still, the commoner pushes the boat until it bobs tremulously in the waves, then hops aboard. The boat is rowed further and further away from shores until it begins to approach the side of a much larger, impressively sturdy ship. The commoner's movements are fast and efficient as they reach the dangling ropes, hook either side up to the rowboat, and wait patiently for the men above to haul him aboard.
"Minseok," a man greets him. "Nice outfit."
"Helps me do my job, Yixing." Minseok hops over the side of the boat to make it easier for Yixing to pull it ashore. Footsteps sound from behind them, and Minseok is saluting even before he turns around. "Captain." He exaggerates a bow.
"Welcome back, Minseok." The captain's long, flowing hair sways gently in the direction of the wind. He stands straight and tall, expression giving nothing away, handsome even in boots and rugged clothing. "Your report?"
"His Highness is in town. A pretty little thing." The edges of Minseok's mouth begin to curl into a kittenish, mischievous grin. "I believe our dear captain would have been very much titillated." Yixing snorts in amusement. Sehun sighs.
"Anything else?"
"His Highness was made aware of our presence and our flag. There were no plans discussed about proceeding with the information."
"I see. They will most likely send reinforcements to their borders, then." Sehun shrugs. "Not to worry. We'll take action at midnight."
"Aye aye, captain."
"Please stop calling me that."
"Whatever you say, Sehunnie." Minseok drops the ridiculous act.
"Are you going to go back, Minnie?" Yixing inquires. "You can come with the rest of us, no need to stay undercover now."
"Agreed. You needn't spy anymore." Sehun turns around to head below deck. "Thank you for your hard work, Minseok."
"Make time for His Highness tonight!" Minseok calls after Sehun. "He's literally exactly your type!"
"Shut up!" Minseok and Yixing cackle.
——
"What are pirates?" Jongin asks his advisor that night as he pokes delicately at his dinner in the town's humble tavern.
"Not to worry, Your Highness. Your response was appropriate," his advisor says stiffly.
"But what are they?" Jongin presses. "As the crown prince, I have a right to know," he adds quickly. "In order to more effectively do my duty to protect my people."
"Your father will see to it that the situation is taken care of."
"I want to make myself helpful as well."
"Prince Jongin, it is not your place to meddle in such harsh matters. You are to be the benevolent image of our empire. Remember, your job is to simply—"
"Sit still, look pretty." Jongin sighs, and slumps his shoulders in defeat. There's a knock on the door, and a man walks in, bowing low in the presence of Jongin.
"Your Highness, your room for the night has been prepared. Should there be anything lacking, we are at your service."
"Thank you, sir. You may leave." Jongin's advisor answers before Jongin can, and reaches to drop a bag full of gold coins into the man's pocket. "I apologize for the dismal living quarters, prince. It is only for a night."
"No need," Jongin answers. "I like the change."
"A prince should not have to endure conditions like these. We will get you home as soon as possible, Your Highness." Home, Jongin thinks. Gray walls and long hallways, boring gardens with no excitement. Tall gates meant to keep out intruders and keep Jongin in place. He sighs.
"I would like to go for a walk after dinner."
"We can get the palanquin ready, if you wish," his advisor answers immediately.
"No. Just a walk. On my own."
"Such a request cannot be granted, Your Highness."
"I won't go far, only a few steps."
"It is not fit for a prince to go walking at night in a small town, let alone by oneself." Jongin gives it up as fruitless. His advisor softens, seeing the glum look on Jongin's face. "If you wish, we may explore the town tomorrow before we leave. There is time, while your father tends to diplomatic matters."
"Maybe." Jongin says softly. He stands up quietly. "I will retire to my room now."
"Then good night, and sweet dreams, prince. The guards will be outside your door, should you need anything."
No, Jongin thinks. They are there to keep me in my room.
——
The candle by his bedside has almost completely melted, but Jongin pays no attention to anything but the words on the page of the book in his lap. Amidst the numerous rules governing his life, at least Jongin can turn to literature, a quiet, unassuming hobby worthy of praise in his advisor's eyes. Yet Jongin thinks just the opposite—books are his only source of adventure, stories which draw him in so enticingly that he can't help but fight dragons, see the wonders of the vast world, and fall in love with these protagonists. There are scuffling noises outside his door, but Jongin only glances up briefly before returning his attention to the intense plot of his latest novel. Perhaps, if he can read fast, he can finish the chapter before the candlelight burns out.
His plans are effectively ruined as his door opens wide, without any sort of knock or greeting. Jongin jerks up in surprise, only to lock eyes with a stranger. A sheath of arrows is slung over one of his back; in the other, he holds an elegantly carved bow. His clothing looks practical, but his hair—Jongin watches the dim candlelight cast golden highlights on the raven black locks that hang free from any hair ties. If Jongin knew any better about the world around him, he would shrink back from the indecipherable eyes which study him, sizing him up to see if he is a threat. But ignorance is bliss, and so Jongin only stares with rapture.
"Ah." Another head peeks through the opening of the door, this time a man with big, almond-shaped eyes and a catlike smile. "Found him." The stoic man inclines his head slightly towards Jongin.
"Your Highness." Of course. Jongin needs no introduction, if his silk robes and exquisite belongings strewn across the room are anything to go by.
"Who are you?" Jongin asks softly, out of morbid curiosity.
"Unimportant."
"What are you doing?"
"Oh? What is this?" Minseok asks from the doorway, leaning against it with a rogue casualty. "His Highness is not even aware that as we speak, his town is being pillaged by pirates?" Pirates. Jongin's head tilts sharply to the side.
"My father said he would deal with the situation."
"I see the royal palace has changed little in my absence." Sehun's lips barely move as he speaks. "Their policies remain ever so dull."
"You work for the palace?" Jongin asks, surprised. "I've never seen you around." This earns a snort from Minseok.
"Missing in action," Sehun says simply, which explains absolutely nothing to Jongin.
"Are you a pirate?" Jongin inquires instead.
"Well, we're certainly not butchers," Minseok answers, looking amused.
"What's a pirate?" Jongin wants to know.
"Oh, my." Minseok's smile turns into a smirk. "He's knowledgeable."
"It's not his fault." Sehun's gaze has yet to move from Jongin, still casually sprawled across his bed, wide-eyed and unaware. "From what I recollect, the crown prince's sole responsibility is to sit still, look pretty." It's like a thunderclap strikes Jongin from the ceiling above him, and he is momentarily stunned. "And by the look of it, you are… extraordinarily good at your job, Your Highness."
"He's flirting with you," Minseok stage whispers to Jongin, who blinks confusedly. "Oh, please. You can't possibly be that dense. He just called you pretty!"
"Minseok, with all due respect, please go rob a house or something." Sehun pinches the bridge of his nose exasperatedly, the first sign of impatience that Jongin has seen.
"Where is my advisor?" Jongin asks. "My guards? How did you get in here?"
"Momentarily subdued. Don't worry, we don't aim to kill." Sehun glances behind him to check that Minseok has left. "I was looking for you."
"Me? Why?"
"Are you bored, Your Highness?" Sehun doesn't acknowledge any of Jongin's inquiries. "Do they not let you do anything in the palace?" Jongin draws up short to stare some more at this stranger who seems to know everything about his life. He nods, slowly. "A pirate goes on endless adventures," Sehun says. "One place after another." Jongin is immediately enraptured, holding onto Sehun's every word. "We spend our life on a big ship. We sail around the world and see new things every day. When we need supplies, we go on raids."
"Is it dangerous?" Jongin asks breathlessly.
"Sometimes. But that's what makes it fun." Sehun takes a step closer to sit next to Jongin on the bed. The prince lets him, turning slowly to face Sehun directly.
"But why not… spend your life on land?" Jongin wants to know. "The ocean is so big. Can you really sail around the world?"
"Many people don't understand our lifestyle. That's okay." Sehun looks out towards the hall. "But at sea, there are no rules. Nobody tells you what to do. No responsibilities. Pure freedom." Jongin sighs dreamily.
"That sounds amazing."
"It is."
"I want to go," Jongin says softly, wistfully. Sehun's life sounds like it has sprung right out of the pages of his book. "I'm tired of living like this."
"Then would you like to run away?" Sehun turns towards Jongin, eyes dark with sincerity.
"Run… away?" Jongin asks, taken aback.
"Join us. Become a pirate."
"But…" Jongin shakes his head slightly. "I am… a prince. My life… is here."
"That is true." Sehun nods. "Life at sea is not luxurious, or glamorous. And you would no longer be a prince. But Your Highness—do you really want to live the rest of your life in that castle? Waiting and waiting until you are to take the throne and understand the true nature of our world? Forced to marry someone you may not even love?" Jongin stares at him as the words hit home. "I took a leap of faith when I left the castle," Sehun whispers. "I have only regretted that decision once."
"When was that?" Jongin wants to know.
"Unimportant."
"If I leave…" Jongin begins, then hesitates. Sehun seems to read his mind.
"No. You cannot come back to pursue this life. That is the only rule."
Jongin purses his lips, thinking.
"How long… do I have to decide?" Sehun pulls out an elegant looking watch from his pocket.
"Two minutes. My time is almost up. We are scheduled to leave very, very soon." Two minutes. Jongin closes his eyes. He thinks about his life at the palace—sheltered, but comfortable and loving. He has no genuine wants, other than to explore. To abandon his responsibilities, his family, everything he has ever known… and yet, what does he know?
Sehun snaps his watch shut and places it back into his pocket. The long look that he gives Jongin is indiscernible, but the gentle palm that Sehun places against Jongin's cheek is filled with tenderness. Jongin jolts in surprise, meets Sehun's gaze in consternation. The point of contact burns through his skin and ignites something in his heart, a tug of familiarity that Jongin can't place, no matter how hard he tries.
"Goodbye, Your Highness." Sehun stands up and walks away. He's just about to exit the tavern when scampering footsteps sound behind him, then Jongin latches onto his sleeve. His eyes are alight with excitement.
"Take me with you."