He could heart his heart beating in his ears when the door opened.

Klonoa smiled as he always did when he entered the room. His eyes wandered around the crystal lined walls with wonder briefly before landing on him. No matter how many times they saw each other Klonoa always seemed to be excited to see him again.

" Huepow! " He greeted, and with a single word the young prince of the Moon Kingdom was certain that he was going to be sick. A good kind of sick. The warmth he felt in his belly spread through his body in a move that seemed to comfort and terrify him. While there was an ache there he also knew that he didn't want the feeling to leave him. Ever.

Huepow returned the smile, shyly. " Hello, Klonoa. Thank you for coming. " He knew that the trip was not a fast or easy one to make.

Rockets traveled between Lunatea and the Moon Kingdom of Cress daily, but each trip took several hours and a considerable amount of planning. There was the clearance, the packing, the arranging, and the general logistics of actually making it happen. Bureaucracy at its worst.

Klonoa dropped his bag beside the armchair that he settled in. It was adjacent to Huepow's with a coffee table adorned with cookies and freshly brewed tea between them. Klonoa almost went for one, but caught the look on Huepow's face, and the conflict in his eyes.

" Hm? " Klonoa frowned, and settled back in his chair instead. " What's wrong? Did something happen? "

The young Prince cupped his hands together in front of him. " Sort of. " He started tentatively, looking down at his hands rather than at his friend. " Klonoa … I … " Huepow's words were caught in his throat. He pressed his lips together in frustration. " … you're my friend, right? "

" Of course! " The boy seemed surprised that he even had to ask.

That made this harder, somehow. " I … needed someone to talk to about something. As a friend. " He explained. " I'm sorry for asking you to come all this way just for that, but I ne - want to talk to you in person. I … erm … also don't want this to accidentally get out, somehow, until I'm ready. "

A Messenger was too risky. Too impersonal.

" I understand. " Klonoa nodded. " I don't really mind the ride up. It doesn't make me sick. "

Huepow chuckled, relieved that his friend managed to break the tension so easily. That was the other reason he called him here as opposed to visiting him on Lunatea. Klonoa always came to visit him alone. Today, he needed to speak to him alone.

Huepow readied himself. He took in a breathe. He sat up straight. He tried to ignore the churning in his stomach. He also tried to ignore that little voice in his head begging him to abandon this completely. To insist that this was nothing and that everything was fine. To not ruin this thing they had.

He cast it aside. " My mother is stepping down from the throne. She hasn't really been the same since dad died, and the last few years have been really hard on her. She only held on this long because she wanted to be make sure I was ready. I … I think I am - "

Klonoa could barely contain his excitement. " You're going to become King!? " Huepow nodded his confirmation. " That's great! "

" But - " Huepow continued, his tone indicating that there was indeed a catch. " My mother's Council has their reservations. They will not agree to the premature transition of power unless I meet specific criteria to ensure the Kingdom's prosperity. "

" If you're King shouldn't the Council listen to you, not the other way around? " Klonoa asked, not out of malice but curiousity.

Huepow shook his head. " Even though he hasn't been around for almost a millennia the people of Cress are still terrified of Natabomb. He ruled the Moon and a great portion of Lunatea without compassion or empathy. The Council of Cress and the Five Kingdoms on Lunatea were formed to ensure that no one person would ever again have that much power. Though the Council is critical of my mother and I, they are working with the best interests of the people in mind. "

He shrugged. " Besides, I think that they're being pretty reasonable. I've already completed the majority of the tasks given to me to their satisfaction. There's just one more thing. "

Klonoa leaned in, and finally helped himself to that cookie.

Huepow took that as a cue and let it out. " They want me to marry Lephise. "

The boy nearly jumped out of his chair. " Lephise? The diva!? " Klonoa couldn't believe it. The last he heard, Lephise was on a World Tour across the Five Kingdoms. Though Lephise was from Cress she did not live there anymore or visit it often. " I didn't even think you knew her that well! "

" I don't. " Huepow lowered his eyes. " I met her five times. Only twice since the Council proposed this idea. They believe that a great way to usher in a new era. A very public royal engagement followed by a royal wedding and ascension. Iit be an opportunity to bring important leaders from Lunatea to Cress to see how much the Kingdom has grown. It would also be great publicity and get the public's interest. "

Klonoa was taken aback. " Publicity? "

" Tourism, actually. They believe that more people would come to the Moon if they thought they'd get a chance to see a fairy tale romance unfolding, or something. "

Now Huepow could hear unease in Klonoa's voice. He is clearly shocked by this turn of events. " Well … do you love her? "

Huepow shook his head. " I don't even know her. " He sighed. " On the Council's insistence we did go on a date the last time we saw each other. You know, to talk things over. Lephise told me that she didn't really have any feelings for me. That was one thing we did agree on. Still, she said she wouldn't fight an engagement or eventual marriage. As a child of the Moon Kingdom she felt that she didn't really have a right to deny the wishes her of King. "

" Of course she does! " Klonoa shouted so loud that Huepow was certain that he heard footsteps in the hall. Guards hovering around the door to ensure that everything was okay. " And you do, too! You shouldn't marry someone you don't love. It isn't fair to either of you! "

The Prince of Cress raised his eyes to look into Klonoa's. There, he saw an intensity in them that made him want to melt. Huepow knew that the Council wouldn't like Klonoa. He was never one to hold his tongue or repress his feelings. Huepow often felt suffocated by the formality and fake-politeness of his mother's court. He thought, perhaps, that he was so drawn to Klonoa because he felt so real.

" … thank you, Klonoa. " He said, honestly, and with a small smile forming. " I really needed to hear that. " He needed to hear how insane this all was from a real person. " I agree with you, which is why I told Lephise to forget about it and return to Lunatea. "

" What are you going to do about the Council? "

Huepow sighed. " They're being stubborn, but my mother is supportive of my decision. She said that she would wait as long as she needs to for me to find a suitable partner. "

Klonoa did not respond immediately. He seemed to be anticipating something, but that something did not come. Frowning, he decided to proceed tentatively. " Did you have someone in mind? "

Their eyes met. This time, Huepow's did not waver. " Yes. " He said, his voice barely above a whisper. This was one of the few times he allowed himself to admit it aloud. " … but they don't know it yet. I don't think I'm ready to confront them. "

" Why not? "

Now, Huepow looked away with a tinge of discomfort. " I ... " He paused to gather his thoughts and choose his words wisely. " I don't want to ruin my friendship with them. "

Klonoa rose from his seat. Huepow heard his footsteps but could not bring himself to look in his direction. He was trembling, certain that this was about to be the end of everything. He felt like he had gone too far. That he said too much. That, maybe, they had reached the point of no return.

The young prince tensed when he felt a gloved hand slide under his chin. Huepow was tense, but did not resist as Klonoa guided him back. Their eyes met once more. This close? The prince felt like he was going to melt. His face felt so warm. He was so close!

He couldn't say it.

He wouldn't say it.

He shouldn't say it.

" I … I love you, Klonoa. "

Klonoa didn't hesitate. " I - "

Huepow pulled away from his comforting hand. " Y-you don't understand … " He rambled. " I don't mean as a friend. I mean, you are my friend, but what I feel now … it's different. "

How could he even put it into words? " I can't even look at you without feeling all warm and bubbly. I can't stop thinking about you. I can't sleep at night. I worry that you'll go off and I'll never see again and … and … I can't take it! " He thought that getting this off his chest would make him feel better, so why was he crying!?

Huepow was going to continue. He was going to rant and rave and scream about his obsession until Klonoa fully understood just how he felt about it.

When he parted his lips to speak no words could get out, however. Klonoa swept in and seized his lips in a move that made the other boy's eyes grow big. Huepow squeaked helplessly, the sensation sparked by the kiss temporarily paralyzing his muscles. The other boy held onto his shoulders to keep him from sliding out of his seat prematurely.

Just as Huepow found the strength in his body to move his hands, it was over. Klonoa pulled away, and Huepow rested his trembling hands on the boy's forearms. Huepow was seeing stars. For a brief moment nothing else in this world existed except for them.

How long? About three seconds.

Klonoa couldn't stop grinning at the dazed expression on Huepow's face. " I do understand. "

Huepow felt giddy. Without any delay he leaned in to embrace the Hero.

Klonoa returned the hug, squeezing in beside Huepow on the armchair so they could sit together hip to hip. He seemed to be enjoying the warmth and contact. " I don't think we're getting married yet, though. "

" That's fine. " The Prince laughed. " Mother did not take kindly to the Council was trying to force me into marriage. She gave them a reprimand. They're still pretty eager to see me settle, but I don't think they'll have many objections to me taking my time with someone I really love. "

Huepow meant it. He knew that there were going to be fights ahead and reservations, and he didn't care. Klonoa had always been willing to fight for him in the past. Now it was his turn to return the favor.