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The Fire Fish Festival was one of the more significant traditions, if not the most important one, for the people who dared to inhabit the Ice Lands, a remote yet vast location hidden away in between sky-high mountain ranges and lush forests. The country was as beautiful as it was deadly for unsuspecting travelers who didn’t take the proper measures to survive in that harsh climate, not to mention the indomitable creatures that enjoyed hunting their prey down the rugged landscape. Legend tells of a young mage who wandered the world and stumbled upon deserted, wilting soil, and the pity he felt for the few villagers that scraped by that pushed him to use the power of his loyal companion, the Fire Fish, to supply a breath of fresh air and life upon the forsaken land. It is the reason why to this day the harvests were bountiful even when the winters threatened to sweep away any hope of collecting them, or why any life has managed to thrive off in such an unforgiving place. Of course, there is no way to ascertain the veracity of this myth; however, it is widely believed that the mage in the story was none other than an ancestor of the Khun Dynasty, the royal family governing the Ice Lands for centuries. The festival was the way conceived to thank the Fire Fish and the mage for their selfless gesture, held on the summer solstice as it was the longest and warmest day of the year.
The weightiness of this festival was not to be understated, yet Aguero knew this year would be even more so. As the future heir to the throne, the idea of marriage was hung low on his head since he had reached adulthood, with no reason to believe it would be stopping soon. The prince was constantly forced to avoid obnoxious nobility who almost demanded he courted their spoiled kin. Needless to say his interest in any of them was below zero. In fact, a certain boy had already caught his attention for some time now.
Come to think of it, it was almost a miracle they had met. When he was around seven years old, Aguero had wandered into one of the many gardens owned by his mother, his curiosity carrying him further away until he had got lost. He had been lucky to find a golden-eyed kid with a better sense of direction than he (begrudgingly) did. It was only after he had led him back to the garden that the young royal realized he didn’t know his name. Bam, he muttered, and rushed back into the wilderness. However, he had not properly thanked the mysterious boy for the troubles, which is why the next day Aguero went to the same place an hour in hopes of seeing him again, a hand-painted, wooden blue turtle pendant as an offering. After waiting for a couple hours, and although there had been no logical reason for Bam to be there, he found himself unable to return until he had given him the gift. To his surprise, Bam did eventually turn up at what would become their meeting spot, away from malicious eyes and nosy ears.
Years passed in the blink of an eye; their bond would prove to be unbreakable with the passage of time, and his trusted confidante grew to be a strong, handsome and courageous man among many other qualities. Bam had stood by his side in the face of attempted coups, betrayals and general attacks to his person. His were the hands that held Aguero’s at the news of his mother’s passing at the hands of traitors of the crown, the same ones that lifted him up when Father officially bestowed upon him the right to the throne. It infuriated him that, despite the fact Bam had proven to be both a sharp strategist and a loyal ally to the country (and to him, personally), he was not taken seriously enough because of his closeness with a commoner. The same trash incapable of speaking their own mind in fear of his father’s retaliation or producing a single, useful thought.
No, he was going to do something about it as soon as possible. The plan was simple enough, and as Aguero watched the crowds come alive and flowing down the streets, the timing was perfect. He had dressed up particularly well for the occasion; he had always favored cold and blue tones, but not today. He ended up deciding on a carbon black corset over a wide linen shirt with a low neckline, slim black trousers and high heel shoes, all enveloped by a long, deep red cloak tied at the front by a silver chain. With various magical rings and piercings, sharp black eyeliner and smokey scarlet eyeshadow, he braided his hair and went to the ice palace.
The festivities hadn’t officially begun yet, but that didn’t stop people from playing traditional songs, dancing and drinking in the citadel all day, the cultural centre of the kingdom. According to tradition, the king would recite an incantation as the sun set to ask the spirit of the Fire Fish to ensure the protection and prosperity for another year, after which an impressive firework show inaugurated the bash. Since he was royalty, however, he was forbidden to participate directly with the villagers, instead being secluded inside a room in the ceremonial ice palace where the speech would be given. Shaped like a translucent goldfish, Aguero had to admit the design was fascinating; the usage of magical ice as structural enhancement was not unheard of between wealthy individuals, but a whole building? That was something else.
“Aguero…”
His head turned sharply in the direction of that silky voice; so lost in his thoughts the prince was, that he didn’t realise the person he was vying to meet had found him. What he also didn’t expect was, for lack of a better word, the vision that greeted him.
Bam wore a pristine white suit with golden accents resembling vines, matching a thin chain hanging from his chest pocket. It was not the only golden element he had on; his pearl earrings were embraced by a bit of gold too, and as he walked towards him they twinkled almost playfully. They were part of the ensemble of pearls artfully scattered on his tied-up hair. White eyeliner and transparent gloss wrapped up the look. Aguero had to mentally kick himself to recover his composure.
“Bam. Have you been enjoying the festivities so far?”
Bam didn’t answer him. His mouth was slightly agape, seemingly distracted by something on the floor. All the confidence he carried was swept away like footsteps on a sand storm.
“Um, yeah, of course. Everyone looks like they’re having fun.” It might have been a trick of the light, but Aguero could swear he saw a light blush on his cheeks.
He looked out the window. “The kingdom is currently going through a golden age. The people can see that, and their happiness is palpable. This kind of celebration is good for morale, if nothing else.” He took a step towards him. “Are you feeling well?”
Bam, who had been avoiding looking at his general direction ever since he arrived, was startled. “O-Of course, Aguero. I just… You look really good tonight.”
“Oh. Thank you, Bam.” It was his turn for his whole face to turn scarlet. “You’re not so bad yourself. Did Jinsung help you with the outfit or did you finally learn to combine clothes yourself?”, he teased.
“Hey! Not everyone has a personal stylist and couturier.”
“Yes, for example your father covers only the first occupation.” To his credit, he managed to make Bam choke a laugh before being playfully hit on the arm. It was at times like this when he realised just how much and little had they both changed simultaneously.
“But, I need to be honest.” He took another step. He was the same height as Bam, but with the shoes he was wearing that night he managed to be marginally taller than him. Loose strands of pale blue hair swayed as he lowered his head. “You have no idea how handsome you are right now.”
He felt as Bam’s hands wrapped around his neck, a smirk in place. “Is that so?” Oh, there was that confidence again, that attitude that had seduced him long ago. Aguero kissed him deeply, tasting the raspberry flavour of the gloss the brunette had put on with his tongue, while he slid his hand into his perfect hair to keep him close; the little gasps and moans he elicited from his lover were simply divine.
Rumours about the two of them being hopelessly in love for years were as old as the Fire Fish, but none of them had been ready to make it public. As much as it hurt them, Aguero had needed to strengthen his reputation and position in order to achieve his goals, and Bam had never liked being the centre of attention, and courting a prince as a commoner would undoubtedly put him in the spotlight. It would not be too troublesome were it not for the fact that the attention he’d receive would be mixed at best. Bam was the strongest person he knew. He also knew the constant pressure he’d face, always under the lenses of both nobility and common people, and so they kept their love behind closed doors, under the mantle of the night sky and longing gazes.
Not everything had been negative, though. If they hadn’t been as discreet as they had, Bam would not have risen above his station as easily; his accomplishments would have been discarded by mere favoritism. It was thanks to his potential that they could now be seen together in public, at least as a prince and his royal advisor. The truth was simply a bit more complex.
Bam was the first to pull back. He pressed his forehead against his as he panted. “If we keep going we’ll miss your father’s speech.”
A soft laugh escaped Aguero’s lips. “Under any other circumstance I would say ‘fuck him and his stupid speech’. Unfortunately,” he untangled himself from Bam’s warm embrace, instead holding him by the hands “I need to be quick if I want things to go smoothly.”
“Oh? What are you planning?”
“I’ll tell you in a second.” He loosened his clasp and, turning his back on the confused Bam, went to an ornate turntable, carefully placing the pickup needle onto the disc’s groove. Enchanting music poured out from the instrument, drowning the vivacious chatter from the masses outside. It was by all means a waltz, except that it was played slower and softer than the usual ones heard in balls, but beautiful all the same.
“Will you do me the honour?” Aguero invited, hand extended to Bam. He expected a sarcastic retort of sorts, but Bam just beamed at the proposition and took his hand and placed the other onto his waist. Aguero’s free hand found his shoulder and let himself be led by Bam. Ironically enough, he was better at dancing than Aguero, someone who had been given dancing lessons in every existing discipline from the moment he could walk upright. In fact, he was the one who had taught Bam everything he knew. It didn’t take him long for the student to surpass, however. As he watched the purest smile on the face of the man in front of him, the reason for the discrepancy was obvious; Bam was talented at most things, but dancing had really become a passion of his.
“I still remember the first time I taught you to dance.” Aguero reminisced. “You were so bad at it I couldn’t stop laughing at you.”
Bam closed his eyes, smile still in place. “Ah, yes. I stepped on your shoes so many times they must have been injured by the end.”
“If you did, I probably wouldn’t have felt it.”
“Why? Because they felt numb after all the stepping?” He looked genuinely worried, which was very funny to Aguero.
“Because that day I realised I was in love with you.”
Bam stopped in his tracks. Worry turned to shock mixed with warmth. “I would have never imagined it. I wish I could remember when I fell for you, but I’m afraid I can’t recall. It feels as though I’ve loved you my entire life.”
God, the way he had with words. Aguero would melt on the spot if he weren’t already accustomed to such honest displays of affection. “I knew then that I would never find someone like you. You gave my heart the warmth it needed to thrive, just like the Fire Fish and the Ice Lands, and saved me.”
Bam shied away his gaze; Aguero wasn’t prone to openly declare his feelings like that, and every time he did Bam became shy. “Are you saying I’m your goldfish?” He tried to tease, but his wobbly voice gave away how emotional he was feeling.
“No,” he took Bam’s face with both his hands. He needed to look at him. “I’m saying, do you want to make our relationship official? I don’t want to hide it any longer.”
“...I do.” His eyes sparkled under the candles’ light. “I want everyone to know we’re meant to be together.”
“I’m glad to hear t- hmpf” Bam’s lips shut him up pretty efficiently.