Ship/Member: Mingyu/Minghao, referenced Seokmin (sorry for always making him the other guy...😭)
Major Tags: Princess Diaries AU, nsfw mentionings, wanting what you can't have is very sexy (as long as you don't think about it too hard)
Additional Tags: N/A
Permission to remix: Please ask

The fountain scene-ish from Princess Diaries 2. I didn't get to the part where they both fall into the fountain, but we all know they kiss a little and end up in there and it is very, very not prince like and Minghao is very, very embarrassed and also really, really likes it. Poor guy. Good luck with that.

***

“You two make a lovely couple. It’s a shame you’re not attracted to him.”
- Chris Pine, or whatever his name is in Princess Diaries 2

Minghao smiles at Seokmin, nodding and telling him, “Yes, go have a drink with Jeonghan,” while cursing him in his head as he actually goes and does that, leaving Minghao and Mingyu to just stand there, in the middle of another garden party. Minghao’s grandmother loves to host, and especially now that Minghao is back in Genovia and is supposed to be gaining favor amongst the elite, there are many parties to attend.

Mingyu and Minghao aren’t actually alone. There’s plenty of people standing around elsewhere at the party. Just not, paying attention to them, which makes it feel like just them two. And it’s awfully uncomfortable to be standing in front of each other like this for the sheer fact that Mingyu and him aren’t good at…being alone. Well, being appropriate alone. Not in the way a prince should be when he’s with someone that is vying for his crown.

But Mingyu. He gets under his skin. Has somehow found a way to camp out there, made a home there. Minghao can’t seem to rid himself of him no matter how much he scrubs and washes and picks at himself.

“You two make a lovely couple,” Mingyu compliments.

The compliment catches Minghao off-guard, but he should have known that Mingyu didn’t mean for it to be a compliment. Not when he finishes it off with, “It’s a shame you’re not attracted to him.”

And that does it. The smug smile on Mingyu’s face. The way he turns on his heel right after he gets to take in Minghao’s shocked expression, feels the pride of knowing that he’s gotten under Minghao’s skin, again.

How fucking dare he. Not attracted to him? Not attracted to Seokmin? Mingyu thinks he’s the only attractive person in the goddamn world. Which is not true. Is he attractive? Sure. Yes. By objective standards, Minghao will not deny that. But is he the only attractive person? God he’s so full of himself.

Minghao does not chase people and he is not chasing Mingyu of all people. He’s just hastily following in step behind him, to defend Seokmin’s honor.

Mingyu leads them underneath an arched entrance to the much more secluded fountain area of the garden where Minghao can insult him with more privacy. “I will have you know that Seokmin is very attractive, one of the most attractive men I have ever met actually. And in bed he’s–”

“He’s what?” Mingyu whips around. Their noses are nearly touching.

Mingyu isn’t that much taller than Minghao and when he’s making himself small, as he often does, they’re always eye-level or Mingyu somehow finds a way to be looking up at Minghao instead. Eyes wide, glassy, his mouth– no, not that, Minghao shakes the memory away and refocuses. Right now, Mingyu is towering over him. His back straightened, chest out, and his eyes are tilted downward just slightly.

Minghao’s breath catches in his throat and his eyes land directly on Mingyu’s lips. It feels like he’s starting to drool (he’s not though, a prince doesn’t drool, that’s for dogs). He bites down on his own lip just to make sure though. And Mingyu catches on, of course he does. He’s smirking. God fucking dammit.

Mingyu leans down, his mouth close enough to brush against Minghao’s ear, but he stays just enough away so it doesn’t. It puts Minghao on edge. He wants Mingyu closer, he’s begging for Mingyu to come closer.

“Is he better than me?” Mingyu whispers, pretending to pout, like he’s actually questioning it.

Minghao’s mouth runs dry. He could and he should push Mingyu away. But it feels like then Mingyu wins. Like Minghao can’t take the heat. How can he rule when there’s someone out there that can make him feel completely off kilter? A good king wouldn’t falter like this.

The other option is Minghao can lean into it. If Minghao asks, he knows Mingyu will say yes. Minghao can have him the way he wants. On his back, panting and begging and asking Minghao for more and more and more and Minghao will deny and give as he sees fit. Always ending in giving.

One night was not enough. Minghao knows that deep down. Minghao still thinks about it when he’s alone, after all the royal training and classes and council briefings and PR visits to every school and public facility in Genovia. Minghao returns to his bedroom and thinks of Mingyu, always.

But that’s not really an option, not if he wants the crown, his birthright. Which he does. Of course he does. It’s his duty and his honor. So no, he can’t have Mingyu. Not again, not ever.

He does the next best thing instead. Something that will keep Mingyu close, but remind him that he can never get closer.

Minghao places a hand on Mingyu’s waist, under his jacket, the other on the back of his neck and tugs him down, gently enough to make it tender, hard enough to make Mingyu whimper. And Minghao can feel the heat from Mingyu’s body and the smile on his face now, thinking he’s got Minghao right where he wants him.

It makes Minghao do the same. It makes it even more delightful when Minghao does press his lips against the shell of Mingyu’s ear and feel him shiver. And once Mingyu’s hand finds its way from where they’re held tightly behind his back to Minghao’s waist, Minghao says, “He is. Much, much better.”

Minghao can’t have him and he can’t have Mingyu. Sometimes, they both need a reminder.