#prince!reader

You, on the other hand, are not hurting for friends. People like you. To a point, you’d say they gravitate toward you. One of those who seems to gravitate toward you more than he should is Sirius. 

“Oi! Prince!” his voice calls across the Transfiguration courtyard. 

You’re walking with Meredith and Abby to your next class. You have a few minutes to spare so you pause and turn to see Sirius jogging up to you. 

“Yeah?” 

“So, I know you’re a Prince, but if you were mine, I’d treat you like a queen,” he says once he’s next to you.

Cue eye roll. 

“I appreciate that, Sirius, but no thank you,” you say sweetly.

Then you continue walking with your friends, the girls sharing a knowing look. This wasn’t the first time Sirius has flirted with you and you doubt it’ll be the last. Relentless. That’s how you’d describe him. Relentless on trying to get to Severus, trying to mess with him. Severus would probably have a conniption if you went on a date with Sirius, not that it is any of his business who you go around with, but the Marauders are not nice to Severus. You chuckle to yourself at the Gryffindor’s sad attempts to piss off Severus. Sirius had yet to flirt with you directly in front of Severus and you weren’t about to bring it up to him. So his attempts were futile. 

“I still can’t believe you brush him off every time,” Abby sighs as you climb the stairs toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. 

“We both know he’s not genuinely flirting with me,” you say. “And even if he was, he’s been too cruel to Sev.”

“Right, like he hasn’t earned some of what they dish out,” Meredith says dryly. 

It isn’t a secret that Meredith and Abby aren’t the biggest fans of Severus. Abby’s muggleborn so when Severus called Lily a mudblood last year, she fully swore off trying to be kind to him for your sake. And Meredith stood by her. You keep telling yourself that he’s family and you know more about his homelife and bringing up than anyone else. Although, you sometimes wonder if you give him more leeway than he deserves. Every time, you shake the thought from your head. 

“What’d you think of the assigned reading?” you ask, entering the classroom and desperate to change the conversation away from your cousin. “Dementors?”

“Glad they are far, far away at Azkaban,” Meredith says with a shiver. 

“Personally, I hope I never have to meet one,” you add. 

“I think it’s going to be a long unit,” Abby says.

You and Meredith give her a confused look.

“Discussing creatures that suck happiness out of the air and eat souls? Not very cheery.” 

You chuckle. “Yeah, but we should cover the Patronus charm soon. That’ll be fun.” 

“Professor Fischer didn’t let them try it in class last year. Just the theory and ‘you can try it on your own time,’” Meredith says, mocking your professor’s voice.

“We’ll try it together then, yeah?” 

“Yes!” Abby eagerly agrees. 

You make eye contact with Severus from across the classroom. He nods and looks away. That’s the most you get from him lately unless you’re asking him for Potions help. The volume in the classroom skyrockets as the Marauders and other Gryffindors enter the room. Sirius winks at you as he passes you. You don’t react, just taking out your notes and textbook for the class. The Gryffindors were always the last into the classroom, so if they were here, that means Professor Fischer will be starting class momentarily. 

“You saw that, right?” Abby whispers to you and you know she’s talking about Sirius.

“Yes. It doesn’t mean anything.”

She raises her eyebrows as if to say ‘yeah, sure.’ Despite you repeatedly telling them that Sirius was using you to get Severus, they still think that Sirius is actually flirting with you, that he has feelings for you. You sigh heavily as the professor starts his lesson on dementors. 

After class, you walk out with the girls and head to your next classes, not lingering in the room. The Marauders are a bit more slow. Sirius watches you leave the room before even moving to gather his things; this also means that Severus is out of the classroom when Sirius speaks. 

“Another day, another rejection,” he sighs. 

“I thought that’s what you like about her?” Peter asks, slightly leaning against his desk as the boys wait for Sirius to be ready to go. 

He stands up and throws his bag over his shoulder. “Part of it. I mean, she’s gorgeous, sweet, kind, smart, funny, pretty, stubborn. Smells nice. Lovely smile.”

“Ah, we get it. You could go on forever,” James says, clamping a hand down on his shoulder. “Just like me and Evans. We’ll get there eventually.” 

Peter snorts. “Yes, of course.”

“Oi! What do you mean?” Sirius snaps, turning around.

“He’s saying that when a girl says no, she means it,” Remus says with a smirk. 

“Or…” James starts, “they just need time to come around. Get to know us a bit more.”

Remus and Peter make eye contact and roll their eyes. 

---

A few days later, you’re working on a Potions assignment with Severus in the library. He finished the assignment a while ago, but stayed to answer your questions. You have more than you’d like.

“I really should just be able to put bezoar as the answer to these!” you sigh. “It’s a goddamn cure-all!” 

“Do you have a collection of bezoars under your bed?” Severus asks, not looking up from his assignment.

“No.”

“Then you need to know other cures for poisons.”

You sigh again and flip a few pages in your textbook. You know Severus is right but it doesn’t make the assignment feel any less tedious and stupid. 

Then Sirius walks up to your table. He doesn’t seem to notice Severus as his gaze is trained on you. He has a singular rose in his hand as he leans against the table with his free hand supporting him.

“Prince, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to Hogsmeade next weekend?” he asks, holding out the rose to you.

You don’t take it, but you do give him a polite smile.

“Sirius, you know the answer’s no.”

He sets the rose on the table between your parchment and your book. “Think about it? Let me know if you change your mind.”

“I won’t change my mind.”

“But you’ll think about it,” he says with a hint of hope in his usually suave voice. 

You roll your eyes. He smirks and leaves the table, leaving you to turn your attention back to a now-gobsmacked Severus.

“You know the answer’s no? What the bloody hell was that?” he hisses, leaning forward.

“Don’t get worked up. Getting a reaction out of you is the only reason he’s been asking me out,” you say calmly. 

“How often has he asked you out?”

You shrug. “I don’t know. Probably every few days? But, really, don’t give him what he wants. He’ll get bored eventually and move on to something else.”

Severus makes a noise that sounds like a growl before dropping the subject. To you, Sirius’ flirting wasn’t all that horrible. It was mild, really. And even if it was just to get at Severus, it still feels nice to be flirted with from time to time. 

You forget about Sirius’ invite to Hogsmeade until Tuesday. He had left you alone all weekend, which you hadn’t expected. You’re sitting in the Charms classroom next to Meredith as you wait for Professor Flitwick to start the lesson. Sirius enters with the rest of the Marauders, but the other three boys go straight to their seats. Sirius strolls up to your desk with an easy smile on his face.

“So, love, did you reconsider my offer for this weekend?” he asks.

“Nothing’s changed, Black,” you say, not even bothering to look at him. 

His smile shifts into a smirk as he leans down to say, “Well, there’s still time. It’s only Tuesday.”

You raise your eyebrows in mild annoyance. He doesn’t seem to notice, but Meredith did, using her hand to block her smile. Sirius turns to find his seat next to Remus. Remus, already knowing your answer without having to hear it, has an amused look on his face. Sirius getting turned down when girls are usually putty in his hands is a much-needed change of pace in Remus’ opinion. Ever since Sirius set his eyes on you, he hasn’t paid as much attention to any other girl. Not like he used to. 

Somehow Sirius doesn’t realize that he’s now done something he’s never done before: flirted with you twice in front of Severus. In the library, you’d been at the same table as him and able to tell him to let it go, that it wasn’t worth getting worked up over. This time you are a few desks away from. Close enough for Severus to hear what Sirius said to you, but far enough that you don’t notice his knuckles turning white from gripping the desk. He manages to keep it together the lesson and the next. Then, he makes it his mission to find Sirius. 

The Marauders are lounging near the Black Lake when Severus spots them. Normally, he tries to avoid him so he has to gather some courage to even walk up to them. He keeps telling himself that he’s doing this for you, even if you say it’s no big deal. 

“Black,” Severus says firmly with some edge to his voice once he reaches the boys.

“Snivellus! What a surprise!” James exclaims, sitting up slightly with a mischievous glint in his eyes. 

“What d’you want?” Sirius asks, sounding bored. He knows they don’t have any prank for him planned at the moment, nor have they pranked him within the past two weeks.

“I need you to stay away from my cousin,” Severus practically snarls. “It’s fucking cowardly to try to torment me through her. Your problem is with me, not her. Leave her out of it.” 

The boys exchange confused looks, none of them saying anything. Remus clears his throat.

“Erm, who is your cousin?” he asks. 

Severus crosses his arms, casting an annoyed look at Remus. “You know who my cousin is.”

“No? ‘Fraid we don’t follow everyone’s bloodline,” James says. 

“Y/N.”

Sirius chokes on his spit before gasping, “Prince?” 

“You really didn’t know?” Severus asks slowly, his eyes flitting between the Marauders. 

Remus is trying to hold in his laughter because this revelation just made your denials even better. Sirius stares at Severus with an unreadable expression – there are so many thoughts swirling in his brain that he can’t settle on a single emotion. 

“Just… leave her alone,” Severus says.

With that, he heads back to the castle. He doesn’t quite believe that Sirius didn’t know. How could he not know? His friends know. Your friends know. Surely Lily told her friends as well, which would sadly include Remus and by extension, Sirius. 

“At least Evans isn’t related to anyone foul,” Peter deadpans once Severus is a good distance away. 

“She’s… No. There’s no way she’s related to him. She’s so… and he’s just… Ugh,” Sirius says, most of his thoughts fizzling before he can articulate them.

“What would Snively get out telling us that?” Remus asks.

“Maybe he’s trying to keep her to himself or something!”

“Right, because being attracted to his cousin is something he wants to admit to?”

“Shut up.” 

Remus barks a laugh. Peter and James echo it, the ridiculousness of the situation hitting them. Sirius has been pining for Severus' cousin without knowing it. He doesn’t understand how that’s possible. How are you related to him? 

Sirius gets up and walks away from his friends. They call after him but he doesn’t turn back. He needs to clear his head, sort through his thoughts to make sense of it all. He ends up inside the castle, aimlessly wandering the corridors without any rhyme or reason. Then he runs into you. Literally. His body crashes into yours as you turn the same corner. 

“Shit, sorry,” he says, holding out a hand to help you up after standing up himself. “I’m… sorry.” 

He hurries away from you. He doesn’t look back. Sirius’ one goal now is to get far away from you until he figures out how to process your relation to Severus. You watch Sirius practically run away from you with a baffled expression on your face. This boy had flirted with you shamelessly and with no one around, he’s sprinting away from you like you have the plague. It’s peculiar, but reinforces that he only flirts with you to get at Severus. 

Sirius ends up in the Astronomy Tower, leaning against the railing. How could he like you this much without knowing you are related to Snape? How had he not figured it out? You aren’t that similar; you tolerate him better than any other non-Slytherin. Except maybe it’s not tolerating if you’re family. Sirius shakes his head. You don’t have to like your family, he knows that. But you talk to Snape. You study with him. He acknowledges you in the corridors and the library. 

Being related to Snape doesn’t change who you are. You are still the wonderful girl that he adores. You are still gorgeous. You still crack jokes with your friends. You still know what you’re doing in class. You’re the same girl. 

It takes Sirius longer than he’d like to admit that he can get over it. He doesn’t accept it while he’s standing in the Astronomy Tower. It takes him seeing you in class a few times and hearing your voice carry across the room for him to realize that he really likes you. Nothing is going to change that. Sirius sees you in a whole new light and somehow you’re impossibly better. He sees you talking with Severus after Potions and he’s not turned away by it. The urge to approach you and pull you close to him is as strong as ever.

Sirius needs to figure out how to tell you that he’s actually interested in you for you, not for the entertainment of pissing off Snape. Although, he does have to admit, pissing off Snape would be a huge plus. He stands down for a little bit. His previous methods of flirting and asking you out didn’t work. He’d need to try something new. Something that wasn’t as Sirius. Maybe that’d get through to you. 

“Moony, got any ideas?” Sirius asks as he reclines on his bed, throwing a ball into the air and catching again. 

“Working on a charm to have that snake statue on the third floor squirt gobstone juice on Slytherins…”

“No, with Y/N. How do I get her to get that I really fancy her?”

Remus sends a lazy glance toward Sirius. “Isn’t that a question for Prongs?”

“Our methods haven’t been working. We think too much alike. You, you think differently.”

“Yeah, I don’t think with my dick.” 

“Hey!”

Remus laughs. “It’s the truth, Padfoot. Use that brain, put in some effort, make it personal.” 

“Personal…” Sirius murmurs to himself. That is something he can work with. It wasn’t like he hadn’t put effort into asking you out – some of his methods were extravagant in the past.

Sirius needs to brainstorm more. He knows he needs something specifically you. Something that will catch your eye and show that he really knows you and cares about you. A simple bouquet of flowers wouldn’t do. A serenade, a poem or a grand gesture are all no’s. Sirius needs it to be perfect so that you’ll say yes and give him an actual chance to prove himself. 

You feel like Sirius has started watching you more. He doesn’t ask you out or flirt anymore. He still says hi when he passes you in the corridor and sometimes he asks how you’re doing, but nothing more than short pleasantries. You don’t mind it. Your friends are intrigued by his change of behavior. Meredith thinks Sirius has moved onto someone else, but you can’t figure out who. Abby doesn’t have any idea either. 

“If he’s chasing someone else, why is he watching us?” Abby asks when you’re studying in the library. 

“Hoping for homework answers?” Meredith offers. She knows it’s a longshot, but still worth suggesting. 

“No. He’s too smart for that. And he has friends who could give him the answers,” you say. 

The three of you all look his way at the same time. He looks away as soon as he meets your eyes, turning his head to pretend like he is deeply involved in his friends’ conversation. Meredith and Abby giggle at that. You tilt your head. Curious. 

Another week or so passes and the treatment from Sirius remains the same. Polite but with a distance. You’re not sure how you feel about it. It’s nice at first, but now it feels strange. Did he finally succeed at pissing off Severus and now you were just another Hufflepuff? Abby and Meredith are still trying to figure out who Sirius has moved on to. 

You’re sitting alone in the library. You have your Potions homework out in front of you. Severus had originally told you he’d help you but bailed last minute. So you’re alone and despising Slughorn more and more with each passing minute. You hear footsteps approach you, but you don’t look up. The person pulls out the chair across from you and sits down. 

“Y/N,” Sirius says calmly with a small smile. 

Now you have to look up. After keeping his polite distance, he’s sitting with you, and looking at you with a soft expression. 

“Sirius,” you say back to him. 

He reaches into a bag and pulls out a neatly wrapped package that looks to be about the size of your Potions’ textbook. He slides it across the table. You look from the package to Sirius and back. 

“It’s for you. You can open it,” he says. 

“What is it?”

“It’s a gift. You open it to find out.”

“Why?”

“Why?” he repeats back to you. 

“Why did you get me a gift?”

He sighs and pushes the gift even closer to you.

“I’ll tell you when you open it.”

“With your reputation, opening this could be dangerous…” you say while thumbing the wrapping. 

Sirius watches you intently as you slowly peel back the brown wrapping. A grin slowly spreads across his face as he sees your face light up. He had given you a framed painting of a Chinese Fireball – your favorite dragon. It’s a beautiful painting with intricate details. You trace your fingers over the glass of the frame. 

“Every time I asked you out, I wasn’t thinking about… Severus.” Sirius tries not sound disgusted when he says Snape’s name. He clears his throat. “I, erm, I fancy you. I really do. I’d love to treat you to butterbeers or walk around the greenhouses with you or, hell, I’ll sit here and help you study for-” He leans forward to see what subject you are working on. “-Potions. Not sure how much help I’ll be, but Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms… But I know you don’t really need help with those subjects. I just want you to give me a chance. Please.” 

You can’t bring yourself to look away from the painting. 

“Um, Y/N? Did you hear me?”

You look up slowly. There’s a glassy look to your eyes that Sirius wasn’t expecting. He needs you to say something so he knows if he sorely messed up or did something right. Reading emotions is easier when tears aren’t involved. 

“How did you know?” you whisper; you fear if you spoke any louder, your voice would shake and the tears would fall. 

“That you like Chinese Fireballs? That’s easy. I’ve seen the way your face lights up when dragons come up and you’re the most passionate about them.” 

You open your mouth, close it and open it again. “And it was never about Severus?”

“Never.” 

“Then yes. You can plan a date and I’ll go with you.”

“Thank you. Thank you!” Sirius stands up, turns to leave but stops. “Saturday sound good?”

“Yes, Sirius. I’ll meet you in the bell tower.”

“Brilliant.”

---

You don’t tell Meredith nor Abby about your upcoming date with Sirius until Saturday morning. You knew that they would freak out and cause a scene. But when they see you getting ready, you can’t hide it anymore. 

“Who are you getting all prettied up for, darling?” Meredith asks. 

“I have a date. It’s no big deal.”

Abby perks up. “A date? With who? And why haven’t we heard of this before now?”

“Erm, it’s with Sirius…”

“Sirius? As in Sirius Black?” Abby asks.

You nod. You straighten your shirt and turn around.

“Yes. Do I look okay?” 

“You’re actually going on a date with Sirius? After all this time? What changed?” Meredith asks, leaning forward from where she sits. 

“I don’t know how to explain it. Something just shifted.”

You take one last look in the mirror before leaving your dorm. You go straight to the bell tower and you only have to wait a short time for Sirius to show up. You want to laugh at how excited he looks. Even with his wide smile, he still maintains an exceptionally suave look.

“You look absolutely lovely, Prince. Shall we start the best date of your life?” he asks, taking your hand in his and bringing it up to his lips kiss it. 

“Best date of my life? Let’s see what you got.” 

Still holding your hand, Sirius leads you out of the castle and off school grounds. You want to ask where he’s taking you, but you don’t. Something tells you that even if you had asked, Sirius wouldn’t have told you. This date is his. You know you have to trust him. 

Eventually, you come to a clearing that overlooks a larger field. Down in the field are sheep, cows and puffskeins. Like when he had given you the dragon painting, your face lights up. All the animals look so peaceful and content as they exist in their individual herds. Sirius stands next to you, watching your reaction carefully. 

“I figured we could eat lunch here and then if you wanted, go a little farther-” You look at Sirius with eyebrows raised. “There’s a hippogriff nest not too far from here. There’s usually a few flying around nearby if they aren’t in the actual nest. I thought you might like to see it.”

Your eyes widen, taking your expression from incredulous to wonder. 

“There’s a hippogriff nest near here?”

“Magical creatures all around Hogwarts if you know where to look.”

You look back to the field below. It’s a truly serene sight. Sirius, however, can’t take his eyes off you and the way you’re looking across the field. He can tell that you don’t get out of the castle much to explore; you’re a Hogwarts and Hogsmeade girl. You’ve probably never stepped foot into the Forbidden Forest. 

You don’t notice when Sirius disappears from your side until you hear the ttsss of a bottle opening. You spin around to see Sirius finish setting up a picnic with all of the fixings. He holds up a butterbeer for you to take. You make yourself comfortable on the blanket Sirius had spread on the ground and let Sirius make you a plate. Usually, you’d say you could make your own plate, but he is already putting all of your favorites on the plate. You didn’t consider that Sirius would know all of your favorite foods and desserts already. 

“How am I doing so far?” he asks as he hands you the plate.

 “No one’s ever taken me to see puffskeins or offered to show me a hippogriff nest. I mean, maybe if I asked Kettleburn, but…” You give Sirius a small smile. “This is nice. And the food looks amazing!” 

He returns your smile with a brilliant grin, like he just won a massive trophy. 

“You just have to ask the house elves nicely.” He takes a small sip of his butterbeer. “So how has your week been? Did you get that Potions assignment figured out?”

You did. You give Sirius a brief recap of your week, which was fairly uneventful. He listens intently, asking questions and responding politely in the correct places. When you ask him about his week, he delves into a detailed story about a prank he pulled with the boys that made a corridor unusable until Filch manages to clean it up. 

When you finish eating, Sirius is quick to clean up the picnic. You offer to help but he turns you down. Then he takes your hand again and leads you down the path before veering off to the side. You gasp when you see it. The hippogriff nest. There’s a baby hippogriff resting with its mother and in the sky, a few more hippogriffs are circling. 

“Merlin… this is… amazing…” you say breathlessly. 

“Yeah,” he says in a voice just as soft as yours. “Better if we stay back. You know, they spook easily.”

“Yeah, I know. They’re just so magnificent.” 

“Just like you.”

You blush, giving Sirius a shy look. He’s already looking at you like you’re the most precious thing on the planet. You’re certain that no one has ever looked at you like that before and it only makes your blush deepen. You stand in silence, staring at Sirius for a few moments, and then you look back at the hippogriffs. Your heart feels like it’s beating out of your chest, trying to escape. As you watch the hippogriffs for a while longer, Sirius can’t take his eyes off of you. He could watch you like his forever, he thinks. 

Eventually, the two of you head back to the castle, Sirius’ hand intertwined with yours. He walks with you as far as the kitchens. 

“I had fun, Sirius,” you say.

“I’m glad. I did too.” He pauses as he admires your face. “Maybe we can do it again sometime. Or something similar. Or completely different.”

“Another date. I… I think that’d be nice.” 

Sirius brings your hand up to his face and kisses it again before gently letting it go and disappearing back up the stairs. You head into Hufflepuff Common Room. Meredith and Abby spot you immediately and run up to you, demanding details of the date. You obliged them with a giddy smile that you can’t wipe off, even if you tried. But you don’t want to. The date was sweet. Sirius was sweet. 

It doesn’t take long for word to spread through the castle that you went on a date with Sirius. He has that effect. It also wasn’t like people didn’t see you leave and return to the castle holding hands with him, nor had people been ignorant to his flirting with you. Some people claimed that they called it; others were surprised that you finally said yes since you seemed so dead set on saying no each time.

Then there is Severus. He finds you in the library later in the week, after refusing to meet your eyes in classes. He’s fuming when he approaches the table you’re working at. 

“Why the hell would you go on a date with him?” Severus snarls, placing his hands firmly on the table. 

“Would you believe me if I said he asked nicely?” you reply, not looking up from your work. Severus had ignored you all week and this is how he says hello? 

“Black is a horrible person. You know this. He has made my life a living hell!” 

You sigh. “I don’t think he’s as bad as you think.”

“Y/N…”

“Don’t act like you’ve never done anything bad, Sev.”

“Nothing compared to what he’s done!”

“Do you remember Lily?” you ask, finally looking up at Severus and he recoils slightly at the expression on your face. “We used to be a trio. And now she barely talks to me because I remind her too much of you. You are not as innocent as you pretend to be.” 

“Do not bring her up!”

“I’m just saying, Severus. He was a complete gentleman and I think he genuinely likes me. Merlin forbid I actually give him a chance.” 

“He’s using you to get at me.”

“He says he isn’t.”

“And you believe him?”

“Yes! And whether you like it or not, I’ve agreed to go on another date with him. You can deal with it.” 

Severus gives a humph before storming out of the library. You watch him go with a slightly frown, but you don’t go after him. He’s your cousin. He doesn’t get to decide who you date. Not when Sirius just took you on the perfect date.

“Right. Right. Whatever your preference is. We want you happy more than anything, my child, but...it doesn’t look good for roses to rot so frequently.”

His wife added, “And frankly, it’s pissing off the neighboring kingdoms. Just choose someone and fall for them later.”

You rolled your eyes, “I cannot wed someone I have no interest in. They are my friends or people wanting to marry a prince. What about love, Father? Mother, what is I wanted to marry someone who loved me for me?”

The Queen spoke, “Then you must do it quickly. Your father and I have decided to throw a ball for you to find your spouse.”

“But, how--?” You began to sputter.

Your King, your father said, “We have invited all of the kingdoms as well as the whole of our own to make sure you have tons of options.”

You huffed and went to your room. You had to take your binder off, but also, you couldn’t stand to be around your parents right now.

On the other side of the kingdom, a musical young man by the name of Hoshi was washing the floor in too small brown overalls that had been ripped and repaired so many times. Sometimes they were caught on a stray nail, other times his step siblings would ruin them on purpose. However, it wasn’t like he could speak about it to anyone.

“HOSHI!!!” A regal voice called out to him. “Get your ass down here right now!”

“The young man hurried down the steps after making sure the area was marked as wet, telling the mice to stay out of sight.”

“Yes, sir?” Hoshi bowed to the blonde man who was his father in law.

Draped in a dark red suit, he twirled his hair and glanced at his poor excuse for kin, “You didn’t brush Lucky’s fur, did you?”

“I-I tried to, but they kept running away. I--”

“Excuses, excuses! Did you lure them out like you were taught? Stupi boy!”

“I’m sorry, Mingi!” He flinched. “I...I mean Ren. I’m sorry, Ren!”

The blonde rolled his eyes, “Geez! Why are you so useless?!?”

Soon enough, there was a clatter in the hallway followed by a shriek Hoshi and Ren raced out of the room and towards the source of the sound. Woozi was rubbing his hip in pain as Jun laughed at the top of the stairs.

“What is the meaning of this?” Their father asked.

“The top was wet and I slipped in the puddle.” Woozi whined.

All eyes set on Hoshi who responded, “I set up my drying rags on the border to make sure they didn’t fall. I did exactly--”

“Then why did you still hurt my darling? If he’s hurt, you will be taking care of him, intensively. Now do your work correctly, you insignificant piece of--”

Ding dong.

A rough his, and Ren left to answer the door. Jun and Woozi went to get bathed while the young man finished cleaning the area before drying it and then getting all the elements of breakfast together. He’d have to clean their rooms and set up their clothing for the day.

“My lovely boys, we have some good news! We have all been invited to the Prince’s ball! There is no doubt he’ll be looking for a spouse!” He said, holding them affectionately with their mouths full of break and cream as they were eating breakfast.

Then Ren continued, “The lady gave us 4 invitations, but we only need 3.”

“What about me?” Hoshi said shyly.

“...oh, right.” Jun said. “I’m sure Father didn’t miscount. Someone like you would bring us to shame!”

Woozi agreed, “you wouldn’t want to bring shame to the family of your poor deceased parents, would you? Reputation is important, you know.”

Someone with your stench and matted hair? We’d never be able to live that down!”

The three circled like sharks around fresh and bloody meat. They laughed and the two sons went to go change clothes since they were done eating and had new outfits to buy.

“Well, if you--” The step-child turned maid began.

“If I WHAT?” Ren stared him down. When there was no response, he simply huffed and straightened his cravat. “That’s what I thought.”

As the ball was so soon, Hoshi’s step-father and step-siblings were more irritable than usual. They had to have perfect hair and perfect lips, trying new skin creams and contacts as well. Woozi wanted to be blonde to meet the prince and hopefully become his husband.

“Blond hair will certainly help Prince Y/N to notice you,” Jun said. “He might mistake you for a baby chick because you’re so small, though. Won’t be able to keep his hand off of you.”

He laughed at his own joke, even though Woozi looked like he was going to rip his eyes out.

“Ow!” He then called out and kicked his leg. “Watch where you’re hemming!”

“Sorry!” Filthy black hair bounced to reveal a defensive smile.

Woozi’s cheeks got red with anger, so he shoved him back, “Don’t smile like that. It’s annoying.”

Later that night…

Finally, Hoshi had a moment to himself.  A cute little mousy, S. Coups and friends had a cup of tea and nightgown waiting for their friend. Joshua sat on Hoshi’s shoulder as he had just been freed from a trap by an exhausted tired helper.

“Ah, thank you S. Coups, Jeonghwa, Dino. You’re the most helpful mice a boy could ask for.” He said, setting Joshua among them.

After changing into the stained nightgown, he sighed and was glad the house was mostly quiet.

“What’s the sigh about? Dino asked.

“Why the long face?” Inquired S. Coups.

Another sigh, “Step-father told me there was a ball being held by the prince. I want to go, but I know he won’t let me. He even hid the invitations in his study, probably to hide them until the big day, and...to see the prince just once up close. One night of fun and to see his handsome face. I’d be ever so grateful.”

Joshua giggled, “How do you know the prince is handsome?”

“Well, all princes are handsome to someone, and I just know he’ll be handsome to me.” Hoshi replied with his head in his hands, looking at the flickering candlelight.

“What if you and the prince got to dance together?” Jeonghwa tossed the idea in the air.

The black haired man caught it instantly and ran with it, “Oh, I’d be the luckiest boy in the kingdom!”

The poor young man got up on two feet and began to dance around the room, night birds singing from the windowsill. A few grabbed a clean coat from the closet and helped along with the late night daydream. Joyous orchestral music played in his head as his partner asked him to dance. The two circling around the room as smiles were shared among all the creatures in Hoshi’s bedroom.

That is until a faithful creak on the stairs warned the guests of the imaginary ball to an uninvited party crasher. Quicker than lightning, the coat was stashed under the bed and the candle was blown out by Joshua. Hoshi jumped into bed, facing the wall and pretended to be asleep. He hid the candle blower to his chest to keep him from getting hurt.

A knock, “Ashton?” it was one of his step-brothers using the less than affectionate pet name, but the pounding in his ears made it hard to distinguish with certainty who it was.

A moment later, the door squeaked open and Hoshi shut his eyes tightly. Something rolled up was place on top of the pillow...footsteps...door closed shut...a creaky stair but now in reverse.

The young man let out a breath, letting go of Joshua who scurred over his savior to see what the gift was. Everyone was curious and started to murmer until Hoshi hushed them, using moonlight to make out the words. Then he gasped.

“It’s the invitation!” Quickly, he covered his mouth, hiding the scroll in his trunk at the foot of his bed.

Everyone was ready for the ball and even Hoshi raced down the stairs with invite in hand. He wore his birth father’s coat which he had kept and altered for such an occasion. Then Ren glared at him in the mirror’s reflection.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” He asked.

“T-To the ball with you.”

“Without an invitation? The blonde devil gave a cocky smirk.

Hoshi held up the scroll, “It was placed on my pillow, so I thought--”

“As if Father would let you come with us, Ashton.” Jun said. “And in those rags?”

“You look like utter garbage.” Woozi added.

Then a devious grin crossed the former’s face, “Why don’t we try our hand at some last minute alterations?”

Then the two began to claw and rip and tear the suit of the father Hoshi never knew. AT some point, even the invitation was taken from his hands. Red streaks and marks trailed down the suffering young man’s arms and legs. Ribbons. His clothing had been turned to ribbons of fabric all around him as he cowered on the floor.

The devilish trio weren’t done with their assault just yet as step-father Ren tore up the invite piece by piece in front of his very eyes.

“I don’t know how you thought you were going to get away with stealing from me and invading my private study, but let this be a lesson to you, Ashton. Don’t ever cross me again.” and the paper was thrown over black hair as if it were confetti.

The men left laughing, and Hoshi was left on the floor sobbing and found himself running to his mother’s grave.

Is tears watered the long dead flowers and helped to awaken his mother’s spirit.

“Dear, don’t you cry. Mother will wipe up the wettest eyes. Dearest, don’t you you weep, look into your heart and reveal the goodness you should keep. What does it want~?”

“I want to go to the ball.” He sobbed. “One night where *sniff* I’m not...I’m not forced to clean shoes or mend suits! One night of happiness.”

Wind twirled and picked up his form.

“Then my dearest, I will make your wish come true with a Bippity Boppity Boo. however, come back before midnight because that is when my magic will be through. I do believe what would be best is a bit of gold and blue.”

A crisp power blue suit fell onto Hoshi’s frame, golden Oxfords on his feet, and he looked up just in time to see his mice be turned into horses and a lucky pumpkin turn into the most ornate four wheeled carriage he had ever seen! The young man gasped as Minghao the owl gained human form to become his footman. The torn pieces of the invitation floated out of the home and became whole again.

“Oh, thank you, Mother! Thank you!”

“It’s the least I could do for leaving you with them.” She said, kissing his forehead.

And so off to the ball the crew went.

Bright lights. Loud laughter. Simple chatter. Prince Y/N was having none of it. Of course he was nice and polite and showed off his good upbringing to all that approached. He needed to excuse himself, requiring a moment to breathe as he took off his binder for a few minutes. The appointment would happen before the wedding, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to get rid of these fatter lumps on his chest.

Mingyu asked from the doorway, “Are you ready to return to the party, my prince? There are several suitors waiting to meet you. If you need more time, please let me know. They will wait for you, my prince.”

“No, no. I’m coming. Just give me a few minutes.”

Then his outfit was done up once more. Just in time, it seemed, as the horns announced another guest arrival. No name since they were rather late, but still. His very wide eyed arrival was nothing compared to his dapper suit the color of the sky. Very fashion forward, nothing you as the prince had thought of wearing. Minimalistic and sleek. Golden shoes on his feet.

You weren’t the only one who noticed as all eyes were on the young man who lit up the room. He did not approach anyone himself, but the Queen asked to dance with the young beauty. You knew she was probably asking about status and other unimportant things. Then again, she was very good at partnering with Father to help rule the kingdom.

You would trust Mother to find a great potential husband for her own son. Just as you turned around, an older man and two young men approached you and bowed deeply.

“Your highness, I am Choi Ren from the Pledis sector. These are my sons Woozi and Jun. Both are very eager to meet you.” He basically pushed his offspring towards the royal.

Each grabbed one of his arms and began to bicker over who he should spend time with first.

“Darlings, behave yourselves~” Ren said with a saccharine tone. “I’ll leave you be.”

The prince turned on his charm, “Well, gentlemen, it seems that I’ll have my arms filled with your handsomeness for the foreseeable future.”

“You talk so pretty.” Woozi swooned.

“Your face is so pretty too.” Jun said. “Like a girl--”

The brother wacked his back as the prince made a face, “Don’t say that!”

“What I get the same thing too, especially when I used to have long hair.”

The prince chuckled tensely, “I get that a lot.”

After the dance with the Queen and a few other kind fold who actual wanted to hold Hoshi in their arms for a few turns in the ballroom, the overwhelmed young man went out onto the expansive balcony for a breather. Sitting on a long bench and looking up at the stars.

“Oh, this is so much fun!” he said out loud to himself and casually walking to the bannister. “I do wish it would never end! I still haven’t met the prince, though. I would be an honor to dance with such a man.”

A high alto voice spoke behind him, “Excuse me…”

Hoshi turned around to see a soft and handsome face staring back at him. Who was this man?

“I’ve been wanting to dance with you all night,” the man said. “May I?” and held out his palm.

The lucky young man smiled and gave his hand, “You very much may.” simply wanting to dance with another kind stranger.

This mysteriously good looking man smiled and the two began to twirl to the distant orchestra which played a smooth and melodic waltz. The men gazed into each others’ eyes as if they held the universe, no their own universe in each orb. Not one moment did they look away.

“How are you enjoying the ball?” They asked in sync and laughed.

“You first,” the soft faced one said.

Hoshi replied, “It is the most magical night of my life! I’ve danced with so many people! My feet should be tired, but I am too happy to feel anything but joy.”

“I haven’t seen you around before.” He said sweetly.

“Well, I’m not really allowed to be seen much.” Hoshi bit his lip, “BUt let’s not talk of that for now.”

The kind dance partner nodded, “I do hope I get to see you more often after tonight. It’s been a tiring night for me as well. Some people have decided to call me Miss--”

“Even though you’re very clearly dressed like a Mister?”

“Yes!” He exclaimed.

Hoshi pouted, “Well, I believe the way one puts themself out there is the way they should be perceived. Sometimes perception is wrong, but there’s not much else you can do except talk to the person.”

“Then again, you can’t talk to every person in the world, also some may not want to be talked to anyways.”

“True.” The enchanted boy said. “But I get to talk to you. That’s all that matters to me right now.”

The first strike of midnight tolled, making Hoshi’s eyes go wide.

“I must go. I’m so very sorry. Oh, but I haven’t even seen the prince yet…” Hoshi said as he turned to go.

“The prince?” Y/N himself said to the young beauty clan in a blue suit.

The beauty that was running away at the moment. He at least tried to follow after him asking for a nam, a house, something so he could find his heart again. There was no doubt that Prince Y/N, that you had fallin in love during your time together.

Black hair bounced as the young man ran away, his shoelace getting caught on a broken part of the stairs, causing a golden Oxford to come flying off. Still, the man in blue ran, barely glancing back at his lost shoe.

You picked it up, however. Took it to your nearest guard Mingyu who was always nearby his trusted prince.

“Get Mother and Father. Tell them I have found the one I shall marry. We just...I just have to find him again.”

Back home just in time, Hoshi’s carriage returned back into a pumpkin. The horses back into mice. Footman Minghao reinstated to owl form. Rich looking suit of powder blue back into dust covered rags. The only thing left was a golden Oxford that the young man kept safe as a memento of the night.

And so the next day began with a bit more sunlight in his heart. He sang a bit louder while making breakfast and was in the back garden hanging up clothing to dry when Ren suddenly grabbed his arm.

“The prince is searching the entire kingdom to find someone he danced with last night at the ball and left a show, so I need you to stay out of sight. Wouldn't want you to bring shame upon us.”

So Hoshi was thrown into his bedroom with the door locked behind him

“Wait! Wait! It was me! Let me out!” He yelled and randing already raw fists against the door. “Please, let me out!”

But no reply other than a vicious scream to tell him to be quiet.

Prince Y/N arrived in much splendor. All eyes were on him as he approached the biggest house in the Pledis sector.

“Is everyone present among possible suitors?” Mingyu asked.

“Yes.” Ren said, shooting a warning glance to his children that didn’t go undetected. “Everyone.”

The one known as Jun was the first to try on the show, trying to stuff his foot inside, but it would not go in. his foot was way too big to properly fill it.

“My feet are swollen from dancing last night.” He tried to explain.

You shook your head, “I doubt a foot would swell so much in such a short period of time.”

As Woozi took his turn in the chair to try on the gold show, it was quite clear his foot was too small to wear the  shoe as intended.

“My--my feet were swollen last night from dancing. I assure you that I am the gentleman you are looking for, your highness.”

You looked down at the young sir, quite concerned, “If your feet swole so much, I suggest seeing a physician. Besides, the man I dance with last night didn’t complain about his feet.”

Again, the shoe was taken off and the man discarded. Prince Y/N sighed and said that the person he hat waltzed with must be at the next house. His knight Mingyu said there were no more houses.

The crash of a vase from upstairs. All heads turned to the source of the sound. Ren cursed the boy he had been forced to care for since his wife and Hoshi’s mother died. Why didn’t he stay quiet?

“Everyone?” You asked in your most princely tone.

“It was a mouse--” Ren began.

“Our maid--” Jun said.

“Our brother--” Woozi started.

Glares towards the shortest felt like daggers.

“He was ill last night and didn’t even attend the ball. You shouldn’t go up there. He might still be sick.” Ren put on his doting father facade.

You crossed your arms and smoothed the skirt you were wearing since wearing pants all night had made your legs start to chafe.

“I have the best doctors in the country. Let me see him, your brother maid.”

Begrudgingly, Ren went upstairs with the prince’s knight behind him, shoe in hand. The door opened and Hoshi was picking up the pieces of the broken case with his hands.

Was it really the prince himself I had danced with last night? Hoshi asked himself as he was brought downstairs to stare at the man.

“Sit.” Ren said, struggling to hold back his usual venom in front of company.

He did and the golden Oxford slid perfectly onto his foot with not too much extra space nor half of the foot hanging out. Not only that, but the mice S. Coups, Jeonghwa, Joshua, and Dino worked together to bring the other shoe downstairs as well.

“The other shoe as well!” Prince Y/N gasped. “You are him!”

“Could you not recognize my face?” Hoshi laughed, tying up his shoes.

The prince blushed, “Do forgive me, my love. It was dark and I needed a couple of drinks to get through the night.”

Hoshi smiled, “I forgive you.”

Prince Y/N then got down on one knee, “Will you also marry me?”

“Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!”

The prince and Hoshi shared a loving embrace and a beautiful kiss. Less than a week later, the wedding was held.