-Flashback-

The great hall glimmered like a sea of stars. Chandeliers swayed softly above, scattering light across rows of nobles in their richest silks. Music hummed low from the corner.

Three-year-old North stared with his mouth slightly open, curls brushing his forehead, cheeks puffed and pink. His little fists clutched at the hem of his tunic as his wide eyes drank everything in.

"We have arranged a special area and banquet just for all the children," the host announced, his booming voice echoing through the vaulted chamber.

All the children squealed, their tiny shoes clattering against marble as they were led toward the side hall.

"Keep an eye on North, Hill," North's mother murmured, brushing her fingers over her son's cheeks before straightening.

North grinned up at her and then turned, grabbing Hill's arm with both of his tiny hands. "Brother!"

"Yes, North," Hill said, already tugging him gently through the crowd.

"I want a big crown too," North declared earnestly, pointing toward the dais. "Like the one sitting on top watching us."

"Who?" Hill asked, confused.

"The ones on the big chairs with the big crown." North tried to mimic it with his little hands, raising them high over his head.

Hill laughed and ruffled North's hair. "You mean the majesties?"

North nodded furiously, eyes sparkling.

Both of them were ushered into the children's banquet hall, which glowed with its own chandeliers and long tables stacked with pastries.

"Can you bring it for me?" North asked again, tugging at Hill's sleeve.

"Hm..." Hill pretended to think. "The crown mother and father have will be passed on to me, so if you want one too then you have to marry a king."

"Marry?" North repeated, blinking.

"Yes." Hill smiled, barely containing his laughter at North's serious face.

"Then will you marry me, brother?" North asked solemnly, his little voice full of sincerity.

Hill choked. "No!"

"Why?" North whined, his tiny brows drawing together.

"You have to marry the king of another kingdom," Hill said, trying to sound wise.

North just frowned, still not understanding, and Hill chuckled at his confusion.

"Do you want cake?" Hill offered instead.

"Yes!" North beamed, bouncing slightly on his heels.

Hill crouched down to his eye level. "Then stay here, all right? I'll bring you a piece. Don't move."

North nodded brightly. Hill pinched his cheeks before slipping away toward the dessert table.

Left alone, North watched the other children run and chatter. His little hands fiddled with the hem of his tunic. That was when a scent caught his nose-something sweet and warm, like sugar licked by fire.

His nose twitched. He sniffed again.

The smell pulled at him, calling him. He glanced over his shoulder for Hill but didn't see him. Without thinking, North followed the scent through the hall, his small shoes padding softly on the floor until he reached a side balcony.

It was quiet here, moonlight spilling across marble. No one stood there but a single boy, taller than him, leaning against the balustrade.

The smell came from him.

North padded closer, curiosity overcoming any caution. He stopped just in front of the boy and tipped his head back to stare.

The boy noticed the presence and looked down. He was older, with dark eyes and a straight posture, and for a heartbeat he looked startled to see someone so small staring at him like that.

"You smell so good," North blurted before the boy could speak, catching him completely off guard.

"Do you have food?" North asked, still blinking up at him. "Are you secretly hiding it?"

The boy blinked. "...What food?"

"You're secretly eating something. It smells really good," North said seriously. "The smell drew me here."

"I don't have any food," the boy replied after a beat, his voice quiet but clear.

"Then what's this smell?" North asked again, nose twitching.

The boy's expression shifted.

He looked down into North's bright eyes and, almost without meaning to, a smile began to tug at his lips. "What's your name?"

"North!" North chirped happily.

"North..." the boy repeated softly, as if testing it on his tongue.

"What's your name?" North tilted his head.

"Johan," the boy answered.

Silence filled the space.

North's mind spun. "You have a big crown?" he asked suddenly.

"Crown?" Johan echoed, puzzled.

"Yes, the big crown." North stretched his arms high over his head again.

This time Johan understood and gave a faint smile. "Yes. I have one."

"Really??" North's eyes widened.

"Brother said I need to marry to have it," North explained. "Will you marry me?"

Johan blinked, caught completely off guard.

For a heartbeat, he simply stared at the tiny boy before him. Then a soft chuckle escaped him. "I can't."

"Why?" North frowned, a pout forming on his lips.

"Because you're very small right now," Johan said gently.

North sulked, looking down at his shoes, then back up at him. "Will you marry me when I grow up?"

Johan studied him, the strange, bold little creature who had followed his scent out onto the balcony. A warmth spread inside him.

Slowly, he nodded. "Yes."

North's grin split wide across his face. "Promise??" he said, holding up his tiny pinky finger.

Johan's eyes softened. He reached down, curling his own pinky around North's. "Promise."

Under the balcony's pale moonlight, their two hands-one tiny and soft, the other already strong-linked together for the first time.

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Author's note-

Ik it's a lil boring but bare with the author.