(for rucababyotic) lend me your hand (and we'll conquer them all)
For: rucababyotic
Title: lend me your hand (and we'll conquer them all)
Genre: Romance, Fluff, Historical!AU
Rating: PG
Side-Pairings: Slight Xiumin/Luhan, Tao/Sehun
Length: 8,382 words
Summary: Kyungsoo meets Jongin, a knight with a big heart.
Notes: Thank you to rucababyotic for such lovely prompts! I really had fun doing this fic and I hoped I didn't stray too far from what you originally wanted. Hope that you'll enjoy reading this! And a great big thanks to mod S for being such an awesome beta and turning this incoherent mess into something that is readable. Thank you so much, dear! I don't how I could have done this without you. All the hearts for you ♡♡♡
Kyungsoo is eight when he first receives a wooden sword from his father and swaps the comfort of books for sparring lessons out in the field.
He does not particularly excel in the art of combat, with his small stature and brooding eyes, and falls far too quickly when training with the other boys from the manor. His teacher, much to his chagrin, seems to find fault in every move he makes, complaining listlessly about his speed, posture and lack of force when wielding a sword.
He watches with a twinge of envy when even Chanyeol, the clumsy boy with long, gangly arms, bests one of the older children he’s duelling. At night, Kyungsoo curls up in the comfort of his blankets and wonders to himself: what if I hadn't been given the wrong body at birth? He does not fight well, as the son of a Lord, an accomplished warrior, should be expected to, and he silently prays to the gods for help, his lips fumbling over the long words that he remembers hearing the priests chant during court rituals. Each afternoon, he finds his prayers unanswered as he leaves the training grounds battered, bruised, and utterly defeated.
His only source of comfort is the estate’s massive library, where he can slip himself into hidden alcoves amongst inked words with the musty smell of old manuscripts and feel utterly at home. He drops by after his training sessions to speak to the library’s keeper, a young man by the name of Ryeowook, whom he knows has a soft spot for him. Ryeowook never seems to mind his incessant stream of questions about the world beyond the manor’s walls and loves entertaining the young boy with stories of his own, childhood tales that he himself had grown up with.
Sometimes, when the lessons end on a particularly good note for Kyungsoo, he will permit Chanyeol to join him in the library to listen to Ryeowook speak. Other times, he, driven by envy and jealousy, refuses to speak with the boy for hours on end, leaving him standing in the empty hallways looking like a kicked puppy.
Kyungsoo, for all his tenacity, endures the lessons for over a year, until the summer of his ninth birthday. The blazing summer heat sweeps away the mildness of the spring breeze, making his tunic stick to his skin as he does the necessary drills, and the overbearing words of his teacher ring in his ears long after each session has ended. He refuses to go to the practice grounds after that, even when his mother bribes him with books and his father appears to personally cajole him out of what he sees as a child’s tantrum. Kyungsoo does not relent, and he can almost remember the heat of his father’s disapproving glare, the disappointment written clear as day on his face. With this, the possibility of him ever becoming a knight is dropped as quickly and quietly as it had begun.
- - -
Kyungsoo is summoned to his father’s chambers by a servant boy the spring of his sixteenth birthday. There had been much fanfare that morning when a horseman from the northern kingdoms had rode into the courtyard, bearing a message for the Lord of the manor and requesting an audience with him. Kyungsoo had sent out his manservant, Hyunsik, to find out what the fuss was about and he had returned an hour later with slivers of whispers he had heard being traded along the hallways about the possible contents of the letter the horseman carried. With scarcely any entertainment, the servants took great pleasure in discussing amongst themselves, privately of course, about the affairs of the court nobles, which served as a much-needed reprieve from their dreary lives.
Kyungsoo could not have known then, but the letter was to change his fate as he knew it. He listens with an almost foreboding sense of finality, as his father informs him of his engagement with a lady from the north, decided upon after many rounds of mutual negotiations, his mother smiling benignly next to him and looking as pleased as her husband does.
Sojin is her name, Kyungsoo learns, and her name, though pleasant-sounding, evokes the image of vines rushing up to trap his body, tightening around his pale neck until he can no longer breathe. He had been able to run away from the duties of knighthood when he was merely a boy, when his actions could be waved off as the temper-tantrum of a spoiled child, but he can no longer pull that off now. He is far too old for that and he knows too well the duties he has to fulfill. He is to marry a lady that he barely knows to secure and cement the power of his father, as the son of a Lord should, and that is one thing he cannot disappoint him with.
- - -
Lord Do announces the news of his son’s engagement two days later to the court. A month-long tourney, with jousting matches and duels, is to be held to celebrate this joyous occasion.
Kyungsoo’s mouth feels like ash when he accepts congratulations from the other noblemen.
- - -
“You seem exceptionally gloomy for a person who just got engaged.”
Kyungsoo turns at the voice in his doorway, his shoulders relaxing when he sees the familiar lines of Chanyeol’s armour. He had slipped away from the great hall after he received the necessary congratulatory toasts with a tight smile fixed on his face. The air inside seemed stifling. Once he reached his bed chambers, he had sent Hyunsik off for the night, content to just bask in the peace and quiet of his room, where he can finally be left alone with his own thoughts.
Over the years, Kyungsoo had grown out of his feelings of jealousy towards Chanyeol and made peace with the gangly boy, who had become one of his closest friends and confidantes, though he would never admit that publicly. Chanyeol, the son of a nobleman himself, was a free spirit and never let Kyungsoo’s status as the heir interfere in his careless ways around him. It was a quality that Kyungsoo learned to appreciate him for. Chanyeol, in turn, had become one of the strongest knights under his father’s banner.
“You know how I feel about this. Don’t even bother pointing out the obvious,” Kyungsoo drawls, sighing as he motions for Chanyeol to come into the room.
The knight steps in, gently pushing the door shut behind him. Walls have ears, as his father liked to warn him, especially for a court that thrives and lives on gossip, so it doesn't hurt for them to be careful.
Hyunsik hadn't bothered to light any candles when he left, and, standing in the gloom of his chambers, Chanyeol looked particularly tall, intimidating even. He crosses his arms across his chest. “Then you know why I have come and what I have to say.”
The younger boy whips around fully, his eyes positively blazing with barely suppressed anger. He does not have a choice, does Chanyeol not understand? His voice, when it comes out, is strained. “Then you know I cannot disappoint my father again. If this is the only way I can please him, so be it.”
He is caught by surprise when Chanyeol strides forward, a scowl on his face, and grabs his wrist with a tight grip. When he speaks, his words flow out as relentlessly as a tidal wave, his eyes never straying from Kyungsoo’s for long.
“You will not be happy, Kyungsoo. Surely you know that? This is not what I wish upon a friend. You have to speak to your father about this. I will go with you, even! There must be something he can d-“
Scowling, Kyungsoo shakes off Chanyeol’s hand. He turns back to the window, to the dark clouds rolling over the moon, blocking the last of its rays. “There is nothing he can do, Chanyeol,” he says, voice soft as a whisper. He looks down and watches as his fingers tighten around the soft material of his tunic. “If happiness is the price I have to pay, then this is it. At least I will be useful to my father.”
Chanyeol sighs and takes a step back.
“I only wish you will not regret this.”
“I won’t.”
- - -
The court descends into a state of chaos as they struggle to prepare for the upcoming tourney. Kyungsoo coops himself up in his chambers and watches with a look of barely concealed boredom as servants run around, cleaning up the manor’s many guest chambers and setting up tents in the surrounding fields. Chanyeol pops by sometimes after his sparring sessions, spotting new found bruises along his arms. The knights have increased their training, it appears, in preparation for the jousting matches and duels to be held. Who could forgo the honour and glory that comes with being crowned as the champion of the tourney?
Three weeks before the tourney is to start, knights from all over the realm begin to ride into the manor, the court welcoming them with the civility and generosity that is expected from a host. Most of them, Kyungsoo observes, seem to appear almost pompous-looking and arrogant, their armour polished to a blinding shine. Stable boys run around the courtyard, catching the reins of the knights’ horses and leading the animals to the stable. The higher-ranking knights are given rooms in the manor itself, while the lower-ranking ones have to deal with living amongst others in white tents set up around the estate.
Chanyeol refuses to allow Kyungsoo to 'rot' in the confines of his chambers, as he had so delicately put it, and decides to drag him out to watch the new arrivals settle down. Looking and feeling as forlorn as ever, Kyungsoo finds himself being pulled down the hallways by an overly enthusiastic knight, mouth chattering almost non-stop, much to his annoyance.
“You must meet Minseok! He’s brilliant, and do you know he comes from the east? The same kingdom as Lord Lu, apparently, and he serves under his banner. He’s young, barely twenty-two, I believe, but he has already proven himself to be one of the best. Even the son of Lord Lu seems to have taken a liking t-"
Chanyeol lets go of his hand to gesticulate wildly, almost hitting Kyungsoo in the face. Kyungsoo is quick to duck though and breathes a sigh of relief when he’s left unhurt. He gradually tunes out Chanyeol’s low voice, taking to simply nodding along as he walks a few steps behind. The knight has always been a bit obtuse, never realizing that Kyungsoo is no longer listening to him as he continues going off on his own tangent, listing one knight after another that he had met.
Kyungsoo used to enjoy tourneys before his father had forced him into those sparring lessons. The jousting matches and feasts were a spectacle to behold for any eight-year old child. Now he can barely go through them without feeling like a great, big disappointment. If only he had been good enough, he could be the one standing in the arena. He sighs, shuffles his feet along and looks up to check where Chanyeol is.
The knight is no longer a few steps in front of him as he expected, and Kyungsoo has half a mind to turn back to his room (it wouldn't be the first time he’s done that). That’s when he catches the sliver of armour disappearing behind the corner. Frowning, he hurries forward, making a sharp left turn as he had seen Chanyeol do, only to bump right into something hard, causing him to fall back to the ground with a bump. He yelps in pain and is just about to lash out at the person who made him fall when he hears a voice speak above him.
“I’m sorry! I did not see you there. Are you all right?”
The voice is deep and a tad bit husky, and the figure reaches out a hand in apology to help him out. Kyungsoo accepts the hand gingerly and is pulled up straight into the face of an attractive-looking male.
The boy that stands before him has chestnut brown hair, his bangs falling slightly into his eyes. His features are well-defined and, from where he stands, Kyungsoo spots a sharp jawline and bright eyes. He is much taller - almost a head higher than him. Kyungsoo’s eyes blink owlishly as he stumbles for a reply. “Y-Yes, I a-“
It is at this moment that Chanyeol suddenly appears, jumping manically into their view, a concerned look on his face. The boy immediately lets go of Kyungsoo’s hand, and Kyungsoo, to his surprise, is almost disappointed at the loss of heat.
“Are you alright, Kyungsoo?” Chanyeol asks. He sweeps his hands across the younger boy’s body, checking for any wounds. Kyungsoo watches as the boy’s eyes widen in recognition at his name, his face turning a little pale. Chanyeol’s hands are insistent, though, so he turns to swat them away. Scowling, he commands, “Stop touching me!” The knight pouts and drops his hands.
When Kyungsoo turns back to where the boy stood, he has already disappeared.
- - -
The next time that Kyungsoo gets to see the mysterious boy again is three days after the incident in the hallway. He is heading to the library to return some manuscripts he borrowed. To do that requires him to cross over to the northern section of the manor via a connecting hallway right next to the training grounds, where he spent a part of his childhood in absolute misery. The fields are filled to the brim that day with knights looking for a mere sliver of space to practice their drills or simply spar with each other.
He is almost halfway down the hallway when he spots a figure waving at him from a distance. Straining his eyes a little to see, he realizes, a few seconds later, that it is Jongdae, one of the knights under his father’s service. They met each other only a few years back when Jongdae, having worked his way up to knighthood, had been knighted. Jongdae, with his cheerful demeanor and charm, was easy to get along with. He was born from a lesser nobleman but was well-respected for his skills with a lance.
Kyungsoo waves back and mentally sobs when he sees Jongdae waving him over. He is not in the mood for conversation, but it looks as if he cannot avoid it. He strides quickly to the corner of the field where Jongdae is standing, passing several knights along his way and is quick to duck from any stray weapon flying his way. The knight offers him an easy smile in greeting, swinging his arm across Kyungsoo’s shoulder, as if they were the closest of friends. Kyungsoo only rolls his eyes at his antics.
It is then that Kyungsoo spots the figure standing a few steps left of Jongdae. The boy is small in stature, but he is dressed in armour that denotes his status as a knight. The emblem of the deer, its antlers outstretched, emblazoned on his chest plate, is the symbol of the Lu family.
“This is Minseok,” Jongdae, catching the direction of his gaze, stretches a hand towards the boy. “A knight from Lord Lu’s manor. Small in size but quick-footed and smart.”
Minseok laughs at Jongdae’s words, lips stretching into a grin. He seems to take no offence at the other knight’s jab at his height (even though Jongdae himself is not that far off) and bows slightly in deference to Kyungsoo.
“You must be Lord Do’s son then? It is a pleasure to meet you finally. Many of us have not seen you since our arrival a few days back. You must have been busy.”
Kyungsoo smiles uneasily in reply. Busy moping and sulking in his chambers, that is. He offers the same pleasantries back and watches, almost impatiently, as both knights are drawn into a conversation with each other about battle formations and jousting techniques. He wonders if it is polite now to take his leave and be done with any other form of social interaction.
It is when he is turning to glance across the field that he spots the boy from before, standing at the far end of the training grounds, swinging his sword around with precision and strength. His brown hair catches the sunlight and seems to glow under its rays. To his left, Kyungsoo notices, is another boy around the same age as him (with a horrendous middle parting it seems - whoever could have thought that that hairstyle was all right?), holding on to a sword’s sheath, which indicates his status as a squire. Strangely enough, his focus is not on his master, as it should be, but on another knight several meters away, one with cat-like eyes and a lance in his hand, who is surrounded by a few men, presumably his companions. His eyes seem to twinkle whenever the other knight lets out a soft laugh.
His interest takes the better of him and he tugs at Jongdae’s gauntlet until the knight’s attention is finally on him. Kyungsoo points at the boy in the distance, with his brown hair and bright eyes and asks, “Who is that knight over there?”
Jongdae squints into the distance, his eyes perusing the figure of the boy that Kyungsoo is pointing at. He shakes his head. “I do not know him.” Kyungsoo almost deflates at that, when Minseok, who has been listening, speaks up. “That is Kim Jongin, if my memory serves me right. A quiet knight from the south. He does not serve under anyone if I remember correctly.”
Kim Jongin. Kyungsoo rolls the words over and over again in his mind. He does not know why but he thinks he likes the way the name sounds when he speaks it.
Jongdae looks back at Kyungsoo and sees the small smile creeping onto the younger boy’s face and narrows his eyes. “And why would you like to know? I have never seen you so interested in someone else be-"
“Oh, look at the time, I have to go!” Kyungsoo jumps in, cutting Jongdae off. Jongdae’s eyes narrow suspiciously even further. He says an apology to Minseok, curses Jongdae inwardly for his quick instincts, and runs off back to the hallway.
His eyes still linger on the boy standing in the distance when he makes his way away from the fields.
- - -
The feast that his father holds in honour of the knights is ostentatious, with tables full of food laden in front of the nobles. The great hall itself is abuzz with activity when Kyungsoo finally slips into his seat at the high table, a polite smile fixed on his face. He is almost an hour late to the banquet, which is well into its final course for the evening and he can feel the heat of his father’s disapproving glare all the way from his spot at the end of the dais. Kyungsoo ignores him, quietly accepting a chalice of wine from a passing servant girl. He turns to taking sips of the wine to ease the displeasure bubbling within his stomach.
A quick glance across the hall reveals a gaggle of familiar faces. Jongdae, seated at the far end of the lower tables, has managed to gather quite a following around him and is eagerly collecting coins from his wide-eyed audience, many of them the younger recruits who have recently joined them. The older knight has always had a slew of tricks up his sleeves and is never one to lose out on an opportunity to make good money. On his left sits Minseok and he appears to be engrossed in a conversation with the knight that he saw Kim Jongin’s squire staring at. Next to him is Luhan, Lord Lu’s son that he had heard so much about. With his well-defined features and pretty face, it is not hard to see why he has been the center of attention of the court ladies since his arrival a day ago. He seems to be glaring earnestly at the cat-eyed knight from his seat, a fierce scowl planted on his face.
Chanyeol, who has just caught his eye, is seated on the left of the dais, all suited up in his armour, as befitting of a knight of his rank. He raises his chalice to greet Kyungsoo excitedly, almost spilling the contents of his cup, much to the horror of the poor elderly nobleman next to him. Kyungsoo rolls his eyes in response; Chanyeol and his gangly arms have been the cause of one too many accidents and most of the servants are already well accustomed to his clumsy ways. One almost wonders how he became a knight in the first place.
When he shifts his glance away, his eyes catches the sight of Kim Jongin sitting at the far ends of the one of the tables further away from the dais. His chalice lays untouched and although his plate has been piled with a few pieces of bread, he’s only taken a few bites. Kyungsoo watches as he pushes his plate away from him and refuses a servant’s offer to refill his chalice (he silently files Jongin’s every move into his memory) before stepping out of the great hall.
At the sight of his exit, Kyungsoo quickly stands up, whispers an excuse to his mother and follows after him. As he walks past the tables, he turns back to glance around the mass of people feasting on some exquisitely cooked turkeys and catches the eye of Jongdae, who has been watching his steps in interest. Kyungsoo blushes, looks down and quickly shuffles his way out.
He sees Jongin walk down the hallway right into a space at the end of the corridor which opens up to a balcony overlooking the courtyard. He’s leaning on the railings when Kyungsoo gets close enough to see him, and he curses inwardly when he stumbles over a crack in the ground, attracting the knight’s attention, who turns around with a quick flip of his head.
His eyes widen in surprise when he sees that it is Kyungsoo standing behind him, jaw dropping in shock. Kyungsoo stretches his hands out in an almost placating gesture, shaking his head earnestly. “I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you.”
The knight regains his composure quick enough to shake his head this time. “No, you didn’t! It’s all right.” His eyes shift left, then right, as if he expects something to jump out or for Kyungsoo to lash out at him but he doesn't say anything more. The two of them lapse into a moment of awkward silence.
Clearing his throat uneasily, Jongin takes a small step forward then. He opens his mouth to speak, and when he does, his cheeks are dusted light pink. “I want to offer an apology for knocking into you the other day. I didn't apologise to you as I should and for that, I am sorry.”
Kyungsoo squawks in surprise. He shakes his head, looking confused. “No, no, it’s all right. I don’t blame you for that.” Jongin smiles weakly, and Kyungsoo swears his heart melts a little at the sight of his crooked smile. The boy is apparently even more adorable up close.
“That’s really nice of you, considering how I just ran away that day.” He squeezes his eyes shut as if he’s seeking to banish the memories from his mind, looking embarrassed. “I’m too rude - I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Kim Jongin.”
Kyungsoo’s brain-to-mouth filter apparently fails him because the first words that come slipping out of his mouth are, “I know.”
Jongin tilts his head in confusion, and the older boy almost slaps himself in embarrassment. He can feel the beginnings of a blush creeping onto his neck as he tries desperately to remedy the situation, “I- I m-ean, I didn’t, I saw you and I was, I don’t know, I could have just asked someone?” His words end off as a small squeak and fade off into the ensuing silence.
Jongin laughs then, a sound that twinkles lightly in the air, and Kyungsoo finds himself liking his laughter; the way he puts his whole body into it, and the childlike naivety in his face. Kyungsoo offers a small heart-shaped smile in response and Jongin grins back too.
He then remembers that he had not yet offered his name. “My name is Kyungsoo. Do Kyungsoo.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t know it then, but Jongin’s eyes soften and his voice, when he speaks, is amused. “I know.”
- - -
They spend the rest of the evening talking. Kyungsoo learns all there is to know about Jongin: about how he is from one of the kingdoms in the south, about how the lord that he served lost favour with the king, and about how he left to seek a better future for himself. Kyungsoo, in turn, tells Jongin about his life, his love for the written word, and his fear of the future. He doesn’t know why but words flow out easily when he’s speaking with Jongin and the knight never judges, only listens. That is something he has never experienced before, this ease with a person. Even for Chanyeol, he had taken some time to open up to the boy.
Jongin is just about to start on another story about Sehun, the squire that Kyungsoo had last seen, when said boy himself pops onto the balcony. “I knew you would be here. Can’t you just not move for a se-" He stops himself when he sees Kyungsoo sitting right next to Jongin. The both of them had settled themselves against the railings right next to each other with their legs outstretched, all propriety forgotten.
Sehun’s face, that once held an annoyed frown, is now blissfully blank. He bows stiffly at Kyungsoo and looks at Jongin who is standing up, shaking the dust off his pants and tunic. “I have to go now,” Jongin says, his voice gentle. “It was nice talking to you.”
Kyungsoo smiles, nodding his head. It had been a pleasant night and he was sad to see Jongin go. Who knew what chance they had to speak with each other again?
“Me too. I hope to see you soon.”
Jongin nods and waves his hand listlessly, stepping off the balcony and into the hallway. Kyungsoo sits there for a few minutes and is just starting to stand up when Jongin pops into his sight again, his breath coming up in slightly quicker pants, as though he had ran back.
“Do you want to watch me train tomorrow?” he asks quickly, his eyes hopeful. From his position behind Jongin, Kyungsoo can see Sehun rolling his eyes and crossing his arms across his chest, looking almost annoyed but Kyungsoo could care less.
He nods his head and smiles. “That would be nice.”
- - -
Few dare to venture into the forest to the north of the manor, which has been designated as hunting grounds for the nobles. The occasional human presence there is that of the patrols who march stiffly with their lances, skirting the edge of the forest line.
Kyungsoo himself has been forbidden to enter the forest without an armed guard. He remembers flashes of green, the chirping of sparrows in the air and the fuzzy memory of joining his father on morning hunts when he was younger. He no longer does so.
After informing Hyunsik of his whereabouts, Kyungsoo ventures in the direction of the forest with as much courage as he can muster. Hyunsik had packed him a satchel with a water sack of his own and some apples to snack on when he is hungry. Waiting for him underneath an oak tree is Jongin, dressed in a simple tunic with his sword sheathed on his belt. His eyes light up when he spots Kyungsoo traversing past the manor wall, and he waves a hand in greeting. Kyungsoo gives a shy smile in return.
“I’m glad you came. I thought you might have found this a little weird,” he says sheepishly, scratching his head with an embarrassed smile on his face.
Kyungsoo shakes his head earnestly. “No, of course, not! It’s an honour.”
“Should we, then?”
Kyungsoo nods and follows Jongin gingerly into the forest. He seems accustomed to the path, as if he comes here often. They stop when they reach a small clearing.
“Do you come here often?”
“Sometimes. When the fields get too noisy.”
It is then that Kyungsoo realizes that Sehun, Jongin’s squire, is not with him, which is a strange fact in itself. A knight almost never goes anywhere without his squire, whose only duty is to serve his master well.
“Where’s your squire? Sehun, isn’t that his name?”
The knight scowls at the mention of Sehun’s name, rolling his eyes. “That idiot? Went to watch his Zitao, I suppose. Couldn’t find him this morning.”
“Zitao?” The syllables sound strange as Kyungsoo voices it out.
“Another knight. From the east, if I remember correctly. He serves under Lord Wu’s banner. That brat has been mooning over him since he saw him when we first arrived.”
The image of the cat-eyed knight pops into Kyungsoo’s mind and he connects the name quickly to it. Kyungsoo vaguely remembers a Lord Wu from the eastern kingdoms, known for his exceedingly good looks and wealth, and for being a close ally of Lord Lu. He chuckles lightly. “Sehun sounds interesting. I should like to meet him properly one day.”
Jongin frowns at this. “You will do well not to meet that bean pole. You are too good for him.” Kyungsoo blushes prettily at his words.
- - -
Jongin spends the rest of the afternoon practising his drills, while Kyungsoo sits under an oak tree, content to just be allowed to watch him train. The knight attempts to teach him some fancy moves when he's taking a break, and even though Kyungsoo seems to make a thousand mistakes with his every move, Jongin is always patient, gently nudging the other’s hand or foot in the right direction.
And when Jongin fights, it is truly a beautiful sight to behold. He fights as if he’s dancing, ever graceful, each step and move a deliberate action, never a mistake. There’s something utterly beautiful in his endeavours and Kyungsoo finds himself unable to pull his eyes away. Sometimes, when Jongin catches him watching, Kyungsoo averts his eyes and turns away as quickly as he can.
This springs a daily routine. Almost every morning, Kyungsoo meets Jongin at the edge of the forest and they go to the clearing together so that he can watch Jongin train. When they get tired, they drop by the nearby river and dip their feet into the cool spring water. Jongin points out the different animals and fish they see and they talk about everything, spanning from the universe to themselves, until the setting sun tells them that it is time to go their separate ways.
The world here is peaceful, Kyungsoo thinks to himself. There are no duties, no responsibilities, no disappointments, only Jongin. And Kyungsoo thinks he could grow happy in such a world.
- - -
“Have you ever fallen in love before?” Kyungsoo asks one afternoon, a week before the tourney is to begin. His feet, submerged in the river, are swinging to an unknown rhythm and occasionally sends droplets of water flying onto their faces
Jongin, snacking on one of the apples in Kyungsoo’s satchel, takes a bite of the fruit and looks up at the sky. “No, not really, I suppose?”
He turns his attention to Kyungsoo then. “Have you?” He sneaks in another bite. “How about the lady you are to marry? I’ve heard in the tavern that she is known to be the prettiest maiden in the north.”
“I’ve never met her. How am I supposed to know?” Kyungsoo huffs, pouting slightly.
They lapse into silence for a while, Jongin finishing the rest of the apple and throwing the core into the grass. “How do you suppose falling in love feels then?” Kyungsoo asks, his voice piqued with genuine interest.
“I don’t know. Sehun says it’s a bit like dropping into a hole and never really finding your way out. That love will make you go all crazy and insane. I reckon all he says is nonsense.”
He turns and focuses his eyes on Kyungsoo, offering him a wide, open grin. There is a lightness to his actions that Kyungsoo hasn't noticed before and the sun shines behind Jongin, framing his face in its golden rays. That’s when it hits him hard - Jongin is beautiful.
Without even thinking, Kyungsoo leans in and brushes his lips against Jongin’s. His eyes open wide at the realization of what he has done and he almost immediately regrets having done that. He pulls back, an apology on the tip of his tongue, but all he sees is Jongin staring at him with a blank expression on his face. Then the knight is leaning in again and they are finally kissing properly, lips pressed against each other’s until all they can hear is their mangled breaths. Jongin is the first to pull away, his cheeks flushed.
“Is this alright?” he asks almost shyly. His hand holds onto Kyungsoo’s wrist gently and his thumb unconsciously rubs at the pulse beating there.
Kyungsoo laughs, then breathes in and rubs his nose against Jongin’s. “Yes.”
- - -
Kyungsoo is clumsy when they kiss, not knowing how to move or where to put his hands, but Jongin is patient, and he brushes his lips against Kyungsoo's over and over again, then slips his hands down to circle around the smaller boy's waist and kisses him as if Kyungsoo is the most precious thing that he has ever held.
They kiss until their lips are bruised and they are breathless and have learned each other so thoroughly that it's hard to tell where one begins and the other ends.
They meet frequently after that. Kyungsoo still goes to the forest to watch Jongin train, but he also slips out at night sometimes to a clearing a little ways south of the manor to meet him. Jongin lies beside him on the grass, and he points out the constellations in the sky while Kyungsoo listens patiently until the knight is all drowsy and half-awake. He will watch the boy with fondness in his eyes before reluctantly waking him up to give them time to head back to the manor. Other times, Jongin gives him flowers he’s picked from the forest and he chooses the nicest one to put it on his ear, calling him the prettiest boy that he has ever seen. Kyungsoo kicks him when he does that but Jongin only ever laughs in response, and pulls the older boy closer, kissing him senseless.
Chanyeol is the first to notice that something is amiss; the frequent trips out, his absence in the chambers, and his evidently lighter mood. He demands to know what’s going on and pesters him for hours on end until Kyungsoo reluctantly agrees to bring him to meet Jongin one day. Chanyeol stares at Jongin for a full minute, leaning in closely to see his face (with Kyungsoo protesting in the background but being held back by his long arms - damn tall people, Kyungsoo thinks) before recognition shines through. He jumps back in surprise and points at the younger knight almost accusingly.
"You're the person who knocked into us!"
Jongin blushes at the words and scratches his head sheepishly. Kyungsoo retaliates by hitting Chanyeol on the head, startling the poor boy who spends the rest of the day whining about it. He takes to Jongin, though. His small smile of approval is all Kyungsoo needs. Jongin, who is humble and kind and unassuming in his manners, who fights with every ounce of strength he has but is never disgraceful towards his partner. They part on amicable terms, with Jongin heading in the direction of the tents and Chanyeol and Kyungsoo towards the manor.
Once they are out of earshot and safely in his chambers, Chanyeol pounces on him, springing on him a thousand and one questions and is only satisfied when he has wrung every detail out of Kyungsoo.
"I'm hurt that you did not tell me! How could you - I'm your best friend?" Chanyeol dramatically falls back on Kyungsoo's bed, his face scrunched up in mock pain.
Kyungsoo merely rolls his eyes and kicks Chanyeol in the shin. "I don't need to tell you everything."
Chanyeol gasps in horror, almost comically, his lips forming an 'O'. He regains his composure quickly enough, and his face grows serious.
“Just be careful, all right? I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Kyungsoo nods. Chanyeol has always been a tad over-protective.
- - -
On the day the tourney is about to begin, Kyungsoo barges into Jongin’s tent with a determined look on his face. Sehun rolls his eyes at Kyungsoo’s entry and mumbles something along the lines of how he’s going to go watch Zitao before he darts out of the tent.
“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at the d-humph!” Jongin is silenced by a pair of lips on his.
They pull back from each other a moment later, slightly breathless. Jongin gives him a loopy grin, looking extremely content, and pulls Kyungsoo in closer, hands wrapping around his waist. The smaller boy fits perfectly in his arms.
“Wait, Jongin. I have something for you.” He pushes himself away gently to dig into the small pouch tied around his belt and produces a leather band with a silver trinket on it. The trinket is in the shape of a trident and has been elaborately designed. “I’ve seen the ladies do this. It’s a token of good luck.” He blushes at his own words. “My mother gave this to me and I hope it will serve you well.”
Jongin smiles and brushes his lips against the trinket. “Thank you.” He then leans down and presses his forehead against Kyungsoo’s, holding him close, until they both dissolve into a litany of giggles.
- - -
Kyungsoo is relegated the position of honour next to his father at the dais, right in front of the arena. Day after day, he watches knight after knight clash against each other, all suited up in their best armour and armed with their sharpest swords. The match only ends when one of them finally yields to the other. A tally board has been set up at the side of the arena, detailing the victories and defeats of each knight, and the servants update the results almost immediately after every completed match. Yixing, the court healer, sits on a bench next to the board, ready to deal with any serious injuries that might occur during the course of the tourney.
His only interest in the matches comes when he recognises a few straggled faces amongst the challengers. Jongdae is one of the first to go up and he beats his competitors easily, despite his somewhat mediocre skills with a sword; his forte has always been with the lance.
Minseok easily makes it through the first few rounds. Chanyeol, whose strength serves him well, cuts through his first few opponents swiftly. Jongin is one of the last few to appear, his actions precise and practiced and he easily makes it to the next round. The pattern continues so on and so forth for the next few days. Jongdae does not make it past the fifth day when he faces Zitao, well known for his fighting skills, and Minseok bows off with a graceful defeat after duelling against Jongin on the sixth day.
Kyungsoo does not have the patience to watch all the matches. There are times when he slips into Jongin’s tent and sits there, watching Sehun fuss around the boy, tightening his armour, and polishing his sword. Jongin looks calm and peaceful in the dimness of the tent as he watches Sehun move, but his eyes grow sharper, more dangerous when he leaves, a sword in his hand.
Zitao is his next opponent, and it is a close fight that ends with the both of them almost tying. Kyungsoo spots Sehun looking concerned at the sidelines and wonders briefly who he is cheering for. Zitao only yields when a bug lands across his helmet, which scares him enough for him to drop his sword, earning great laughter from the spectators. Jongin attains a surprising victory.
Chanyeol is his last opponent and both are well-matched in terms of skills. While Chanyeol is older and has a little bit more experience, the fluidity of Jongin’s actions and footwork are, however, also not to be underestimated. The two lash out at each other, sometimes circling the other throughout the arena. Chanyeol manages to get a strike through with his sword, but Jongin is quicker and he ducks, tripping the older knight over. He yields a moment later.
“We have our champion!” Kyungsoo’s father declares with pomp. Jongin strips his head of his helmet and waves at the dais where Kyungsoo is standing, a wide grin almost splitting his face in half. Kyungsoo can’t stop smiling as he watches Jongin bask in the cheers of the crowd, cheeks flushed with victory.
- - -
Jongin is summoned to Lord Do’s chambers the next day, and when he approaches the room, he sees Kyungsoo sitting next to his father, fidgeting in his seat. He looks almost out of place in the formal setting of the room.
Lord Do is delighted to see the knight, a wide grin on his face, and Jongin gives the appropriate greetings in response. “Here we have our champion!” He laughs, mirth in his voice. “Your performance was exceptional, young man. I am a generous man and will not treat you unkindly. What do you wish for as a reward?”
Jongin tilts his head for a moment, and his eyes glance over to Kyungsoo. The older boy looks small sitting next to his father, and his large eyes blink owlishly at Jongin. He can ask for gold, a position at the Lord’s court, the best sword from their armoury even but all he remembers are the hours that he and Kyungsoo spent next to the lake, on the grass fields, and of him tracing the boy’s skin with his lips.
He drops his helmet to the ground, and kneels before the Lord. “My only wish is for the engagement between your son, the young Lord Do, and Lady Sojin to be annulled.” Kyungsoo gasps, eyes widening, just as his father stands up in shock.
“What are you saying?”
Jongin’s face is calm when he speaks. "I wish for the engagement between your son and the Lady Sojin to be annulled, so that he is be able to choose whoever he wishes to marry.”
Lord Do's face grows red in anger and Kyungsoo turns pale from his position next to him. The hand on his chalice tightens dangerously. “Surely you do not mean what you have said.”
“I do.” Jongin replies smoothly, without an ounce of hesitation.
His two words almost sends the older man into a frenzy. Jongin watches as he throws his silver chalice down in fury, venom lacing his every word. “You would pay the price for your words then, you fool.” His voice is chillingly calm when he speaks next, “Guards, send this insolent brat to the dungeons.”
- - -
Kyungsoo is sent out of the room after Jongin is swept out of the chambers. Sehun had been outside the room the whole time and watches with worried eyes now as the knight is led out with armed guards by his side. Kyungsoo gives a slight nod to reassure him and hurries down the stairs to the dungeons.
The dungeon, as its name suggests, is dark and all together foul-smelling. The guards bow in deference when he walks past them and they do not try to stop him. Kyungsoo is grateful for that.
Jongin has been chained up, his belongings stripped, and he sits forlornly in the corners of one of the cells.
“You are a fool, Kim Jongin,” Kyungsoo starts, his voice wavering as he approaches Jongin’s cell.
The knight looks up at the sound of his name and he shuffles in closer when he sees that it’s Kyungsoo, the manacles around his hands pulling slightly at his wrists.
“You should know better than to have said that! My father is not an easy man and he will not let this go easily. I will do all I can to intercede on your behalf.” His eyes are almost frantic. “You must apologise. Yes, an apology will be good. My father might be kinder on you if you do that. You m-” He turns to look up at Jongin and stops when all he sees is a wry smile on the other’s face.
Jongin’s voice in the gloomy silence is almost a whisper. “That is all I can do for you, Kyungsoo.” His eyes are bright in the darkness. “I hope this will at least help you a little.
Kyungsoo heart startles loudly at the knight’s words, eyes widening in surprise. What an idiot, he thinks to himself. But if Jongin is an idiot, he is no better himself then since the boy that he has fallen in love with is apparently a self-sacrificing fool, who is far too noble for his own good. He reaches between the bars for Jongin’s hands, lacing their fingers together. His words when he speaks it hold no bite.
“You really are a fool.”
- - -
Kyungsoo bursts into his father’s room, unrelenting, despite the protests of the guards. He hds hoped that his father would have calmed down by now and could thus be more easily persuaded into freeing Jongin. “Father, surely you can see that this is all a misunderstanding. You must let the knight go, he will retract his words and we w-" He starts almost immediately as he walks in.
“Kyungsoo, will you just take a seat first?”
Kyungsoo looks up in surprise at the much softer tone of his father’s voice but perches himself on the chair anyway. His father looks older, more tired, than he had did before. He takes a sip from the silver chalice on the table and sighs.
“Do you really not wish to be married?”
The boy gapes. He had not been expecting that from his father. Silently, he considers his options - he could lie and be done with it, but it will bring him nothing but pain and misery. At this point, he does not seem to have anything to lose. His only wish is for Jongin to be freed, to be next to him again.
“No,” he whispers, face burning.
His father closes his eyes. “Why did you not tell me sooner?”
“I couldn’t!” he almost shouts, lowering his voice when he sees the pain in his father’s eyes. “If this was what you wanted, I would have done it. I did not want to disappoint you again.”
He looks bewildered for a moment before understanding shines through his father’s eyes. “I have never seen you as a disappointment, Kyungsoo. Yes, I was upset when you refused to become a knight, but you are my son and I’m proud of you in other ways. Ryeowook tells me all the time about how intelligent you are as a boy, and I’ve never before felt so much pride hearing those words from him.” He sighs. “I’m sorry that you have felt that way all these years without me knowing.” He stands then, leaning against the table for support. Kyungsoo does not know what to say in reply.
“I will annul the marriage. The knight will be released.”
All Kyungsoo can do is whisper a quiet “thank you”. He turns back to give one last look at his father before slipping out the door.
- - -
Kyungsoo is right next to him in a moment when Jongin appears from the dungeons, looking exhausted. A night in the dungeons must not have been a pleasant experience.
He asks,“Are you all right?” Jongin nods his head in reply and pats off the dirt on his tunic Sehun, who has been standing behind him this whole while, bows a little to Kyungsoo. His eyes stop at the red marks on his master's wrists from the chains that had been put around his hands. “I’ll take him back first if you don’t mind, my Lord.” Kyungsoo bristles a little at the formality of his words but lets Sehun drag Jongin down the hallways towards the entrance. The squire must have been worried sick, having not seen Jongin for the entire night.
The younger boy’s face is exasperated when he turns back to look at Kyungsoo but his lips move quickly to form the syllables of a word. Later.
- - -
Jongin finds Kyungsoo in his chambers later in the evening. The older boy has sent Hyunsik off early for the night and heaves a sigh of relief when he is able to bury himself into Jongin’s arms.
“I missed you.”
The knight gives a small affirmative nod and leans his head against Kyungsoo’s shoulder, lips brushing gently against the pale length of his neck. Moonlight is streaming in through the open window and a light breeze settles in the room. Kyungsoo is the first to pull away this time.
They stare at each other for a long time until Kyungsoo grabs Jongin’s wrist and pulls him closer, whispering a few words into his ear shyly. A question. Would you stay? With me?
Jongin’s reply is a fond smile. He leans in and rubs his nose against Kyungsoo’s. No words need to be said.
Yes.
Title: lend me your hand (and we'll conquer them all)
Genre: Romance, Fluff, Historical!AU
Rating: PG
Side-Pairings: Slight Xiumin/Luhan, Tao/Sehun
Length: 8,382 words
Summary: Kyungsoo meets Jongin, a knight with a big heart.
Notes: Thank you to rucababyotic for such lovely prompts! I really had fun doing this fic and I hoped I didn't stray too far from what you originally wanted. Hope that you'll enjoy reading this! And a great big thanks to mod S for being such an awesome beta and turning this incoherent mess into something that is readable. Thank you so much, dear! I don't how I could have done this without you. All the hearts for you ♡♡♡
Kyungsoo is eight when he first receives a wooden sword from his father and swaps the comfort of books for sparring lessons out in the field.
He does not particularly excel in the art of combat, with his small stature and brooding eyes, and falls far too quickly when training with the other boys from the manor. His teacher, much to his chagrin, seems to find fault in every move he makes, complaining listlessly about his speed, posture and lack of force when wielding a sword.
He watches with a twinge of envy when even Chanyeol, the clumsy boy with long, gangly arms, bests one of the older children he’s duelling. At night, Kyungsoo curls up in the comfort of his blankets and wonders to himself: what if I hadn't been given the wrong body at birth? He does not fight well, as the son of a Lord, an accomplished warrior, should be expected to, and he silently prays to the gods for help, his lips fumbling over the long words that he remembers hearing the priests chant during court rituals. Each afternoon, he finds his prayers unanswered as he leaves the training grounds battered, bruised, and utterly defeated.
His only source of comfort is the estate’s massive library, where he can slip himself into hidden alcoves amongst inked words with the musty smell of old manuscripts and feel utterly at home. He drops by after his training sessions to speak to the library’s keeper, a young man by the name of Ryeowook, whom he knows has a soft spot for him. Ryeowook never seems to mind his incessant stream of questions about the world beyond the manor’s walls and loves entertaining the young boy with stories of his own, childhood tales that he himself had grown up with.
Sometimes, when the lessons end on a particularly good note for Kyungsoo, he will permit Chanyeol to join him in the library to listen to Ryeowook speak. Other times, he, driven by envy and jealousy, refuses to speak with the boy for hours on end, leaving him standing in the empty hallways looking like a kicked puppy.
Kyungsoo, for all his tenacity, endures the lessons for over a year, until the summer of his ninth birthday. The blazing summer heat sweeps away the mildness of the spring breeze, making his tunic stick to his skin as he does the necessary drills, and the overbearing words of his teacher ring in his ears long after each session has ended. He refuses to go to the practice grounds after that, even when his mother bribes him with books and his father appears to personally cajole him out of what he sees as a child’s tantrum. Kyungsoo does not relent, and he can almost remember the heat of his father’s disapproving glare, the disappointment written clear as day on his face. With this, the possibility of him ever becoming a knight is dropped as quickly and quietly as it had begun.
- - -
Kyungsoo is summoned to his father’s chambers by a servant boy the spring of his sixteenth birthday. There had been much fanfare that morning when a horseman from the northern kingdoms had rode into the courtyard, bearing a message for the Lord of the manor and requesting an audience with him. Kyungsoo had sent out his manservant, Hyunsik, to find out what the fuss was about and he had returned an hour later with slivers of whispers he had heard being traded along the hallways about the possible contents of the letter the horseman carried. With scarcely any entertainment, the servants took great pleasure in discussing amongst themselves, privately of course, about the affairs of the court nobles, which served as a much-needed reprieve from their dreary lives.
Kyungsoo could not have known then, but the letter was to change his fate as he knew it. He listens with an almost foreboding sense of finality, as his father informs him of his engagement with a lady from the north, decided upon after many rounds of mutual negotiations, his mother smiling benignly next to him and looking as pleased as her husband does.
Sojin is her name, Kyungsoo learns, and her name, though pleasant-sounding, evokes the image of vines rushing up to trap his body, tightening around his pale neck until he can no longer breathe. He had been able to run away from the duties of knighthood when he was merely a boy, when his actions could be waved off as the temper-tantrum of a spoiled child, but he can no longer pull that off now. He is far too old for that and he knows too well the duties he has to fulfill. He is to marry a lady that he barely knows to secure and cement the power of his father, as the son of a Lord should, and that is one thing he cannot disappoint him with.
- - -
Lord Do announces the news of his son’s engagement two days later to the court. A month-long tourney, with jousting matches and duels, is to be held to celebrate this joyous occasion.
Kyungsoo’s mouth feels like ash when he accepts congratulations from the other noblemen.
- - -
“You seem exceptionally gloomy for a person who just got engaged.”
Kyungsoo turns at the voice in his doorway, his shoulders relaxing when he sees the familiar lines of Chanyeol’s armour. He had slipped away from the great hall after he received the necessary congratulatory toasts with a tight smile fixed on his face. The air inside seemed stifling. Once he reached his bed chambers, he had sent Hyunsik off for the night, content to just bask in the peace and quiet of his room, where he can finally be left alone with his own thoughts.
Over the years, Kyungsoo had grown out of his feelings of jealousy towards Chanyeol and made peace with the gangly boy, who had become one of his closest friends and confidantes, though he would never admit that publicly. Chanyeol, the son of a nobleman himself, was a free spirit and never let Kyungsoo’s status as the heir interfere in his careless ways around him. It was a quality that Kyungsoo learned to appreciate him for. Chanyeol, in turn, had become one of the strongest knights under his father’s banner.
“You know how I feel about this. Don’t even bother pointing out the obvious,” Kyungsoo drawls, sighing as he motions for Chanyeol to come into the room.
The knight steps in, gently pushing the door shut behind him. Walls have ears, as his father liked to warn him, especially for a court that thrives and lives on gossip, so it doesn't hurt for them to be careful.
Hyunsik hadn't bothered to light any candles when he left, and, standing in the gloom of his chambers, Chanyeol looked particularly tall, intimidating even. He crosses his arms across his chest. “Then you know why I have come and what I have to say.”
The younger boy whips around fully, his eyes positively blazing with barely suppressed anger. He does not have a choice, does Chanyeol not understand? His voice, when it comes out, is strained. “Then you know I cannot disappoint my father again. If this is the only way I can please him, so be it.”
He is caught by surprise when Chanyeol strides forward, a scowl on his face, and grabs his wrist with a tight grip. When he speaks, his words flow out as relentlessly as a tidal wave, his eyes never straying from Kyungsoo’s for long.
“You will not be happy, Kyungsoo. Surely you know that? This is not what I wish upon a friend. You have to speak to your father about this. I will go with you, even! There must be something he can d-“
Scowling, Kyungsoo shakes off Chanyeol’s hand. He turns back to the window, to the dark clouds rolling over the moon, blocking the last of its rays. “There is nothing he can do, Chanyeol,” he says, voice soft as a whisper. He looks down and watches as his fingers tighten around the soft material of his tunic. “If happiness is the price I have to pay, then this is it. At least I will be useful to my father.”
Chanyeol sighs and takes a step back.
“I only wish you will not regret this.”
“I won’t.”
- - -
The court descends into a state of chaos as they struggle to prepare for the upcoming tourney. Kyungsoo coops himself up in his chambers and watches with a look of barely concealed boredom as servants run around, cleaning up the manor’s many guest chambers and setting up tents in the surrounding fields. Chanyeol pops by sometimes after his sparring sessions, spotting new found bruises along his arms. The knights have increased their training, it appears, in preparation for the jousting matches and duels to be held. Who could forgo the honour and glory that comes with being crowned as the champion of the tourney?
Three weeks before the tourney is to start, knights from all over the realm begin to ride into the manor, the court welcoming them with the civility and generosity that is expected from a host. Most of them, Kyungsoo observes, seem to appear almost pompous-looking and arrogant, their armour polished to a blinding shine. Stable boys run around the courtyard, catching the reins of the knights’ horses and leading the animals to the stable. The higher-ranking knights are given rooms in the manor itself, while the lower-ranking ones have to deal with living amongst others in white tents set up around the estate.
Chanyeol refuses to allow Kyungsoo to 'rot' in the confines of his chambers, as he had so delicately put it, and decides to drag him out to watch the new arrivals settle down. Looking and feeling as forlorn as ever, Kyungsoo finds himself being pulled down the hallways by an overly enthusiastic knight, mouth chattering almost non-stop, much to his annoyance.
“You must meet Minseok! He’s brilliant, and do you know he comes from the east? The same kingdom as Lord Lu, apparently, and he serves under his banner. He’s young, barely twenty-two, I believe, but he has already proven himself to be one of the best. Even the son of Lord Lu seems to have taken a liking t-"
Chanyeol lets go of his hand to gesticulate wildly, almost hitting Kyungsoo in the face. Kyungsoo is quick to duck though and breathes a sigh of relief when he’s left unhurt. He gradually tunes out Chanyeol’s low voice, taking to simply nodding along as he walks a few steps behind. The knight has always been a bit obtuse, never realizing that Kyungsoo is no longer listening to him as he continues going off on his own tangent, listing one knight after another that he had met.
Kyungsoo used to enjoy tourneys before his father had forced him into those sparring lessons. The jousting matches and feasts were a spectacle to behold for any eight-year old child. Now he can barely go through them without feeling like a great, big disappointment. If only he had been good enough, he could be the one standing in the arena. He sighs, shuffles his feet along and looks up to check where Chanyeol is.
The knight is no longer a few steps in front of him as he expected, and Kyungsoo has half a mind to turn back to his room (it wouldn't be the first time he’s done that). That’s when he catches the sliver of armour disappearing behind the corner. Frowning, he hurries forward, making a sharp left turn as he had seen Chanyeol do, only to bump right into something hard, causing him to fall back to the ground with a bump. He yelps in pain and is just about to lash out at the person who made him fall when he hears a voice speak above him.
“I’m sorry! I did not see you there. Are you all right?”
The voice is deep and a tad bit husky, and the figure reaches out a hand in apology to help him out. Kyungsoo accepts the hand gingerly and is pulled up straight into the face of an attractive-looking male.
The boy that stands before him has chestnut brown hair, his bangs falling slightly into his eyes. His features are well-defined and, from where he stands, Kyungsoo spots a sharp jawline and bright eyes. He is much taller - almost a head higher than him. Kyungsoo’s eyes blink owlishly as he stumbles for a reply. “Y-Yes, I a-“
It is at this moment that Chanyeol suddenly appears, jumping manically into their view, a concerned look on his face. The boy immediately lets go of Kyungsoo’s hand, and Kyungsoo, to his surprise, is almost disappointed at the loss of heat.
“Are you alright, Kyungsoo?” Chanyeol asks. He sweeps his hands across the younger boy’s body, checking for any wounds. Kyungsoo watches as the boy’s eyes widen in recognition at his name, his face turning a little pale. Chanyeol’s hands are insistent, though, so he turns to swat them away. Scowling, he commands, “Stop touching me!” The knight pouts and drops his hands.
When Kyungsoo turns back to where the boy stood, he has already disappeared.
- - -
The next time that Kyungsoo gets to see the mysterious boy again is three days after the incident in the hallway. He is heading to the library to return some manuscripts he borrowed. To do that requires him to cross over to the northern section of the manor via a connecting hallway right next to the training grounds, where he spent a part of his childhood in absolute misery. The fields are filled to the brim that day with knights looking for a mere sliver of space to practice their drills or simply spar with each other.
He is almost halfway down the hallway when he spots a figure waving at him from a distance. Straining his eyes a little to see, he realizes, a few seconds later, that it is Jongdae, one of the knights under his father’s service. They met each other only a few years back when Jongdae, having worked his way up to knighthood, had been knighted. Jongdae, with his cheerful demeanor and charm, was easy to get along with. He was born from a lesser nobleman but was well-respected for his skills with a lance.
Kyungsoo waves back and mentally sobs when he sees Jongdae waving him over. He is not in the mood for conversation, but it looks as if he cannot avoid it. He strides quickly to the corner of the field where Jongdae is standing, passing several knights along his way and is quick to duck from any stray weapon flying his way. The knight offers him an easy smile in greeting, swinging his arm across Kyungsoo’s shoulder, as if they were the closest of friends. Kyungsoo only rolls his eyes at his antics.
It is then that Kyungsoo spots the figure standing a few steps left of Jongdae. The boy is small in stature, but he is dressed in armour that denotes his status as a knight. The emblem of the deer, its antlers outstretched, emblazoned on his chest plate, is the symbol of the Lu family.
“This is Minseok,” Jongdae, catching the direction of his gaze, stretches a hand towards the boy. “A knight from Lord Lu’s manor. Small in size but quick-footed and smart.”
Minseok laughs at Jongdae’s words, lips stretching into a grin. He seems to take no offence at the other knight’s jab at his height (even though Jongdae himself is not that far off) and bows slightly in deference to Kyungsoo.
“You must be Lord Do’s son then? It is a pleasure to meet you finally. Many of us have not seen you since our arrival a few days back. You must have been busy.”
Kyungsoo smiles uneasily in reply. Busy moping and sulking in his chambers, that is. He offers the same pleasantries back and watches, almost impatiently, as both knights are drawn into a conversation with each other about battle formations and jousting techniques. He wonders if it is polite now to take his leave and be done with any other form of social interaction.
It is when he is turning to glance across the field that he spots the boy from before, standing at the far end of the training grounds, swinging his sword around with precision and strength. His brown hair catches the sunlight and seems to glow under its rays. To his left, Kyungsoo notices, is another boy around the same age as him (with a horrendous middle parting it seems - whoever could have thought that that hairstyle was all right?), holding on to a sword’s sheath, which indicates his status as a squire. Strangely enough, his focus is not on his master, as it should be, but on another knight several meters away, one with cat-like eyes and a lance in his hand, who is surrounded by a few men, presumably his companions. His eyes seem to twinkle whenever the other knight lets out a soft laugh.
His interest takes the better of him and he tugs at Jongdae’s gauntlet until the knight’s attention is finally on him. Kyungsoo points at the boy in the distance, with his brown hair and bright eyes and asks, “Who is that knight over there?”
Jongdae squints into the distance, his eyes perusing the figure of the boy that Kyungsoo is pointing at. He shakes his head. “I do not know him.” Kyungsoo almost deflates at that, when Minseok, who has been listening, speaks up. “That is Kim Jongin, if my memory serves me right. A quiet knight from the south. He does not serve under anyone if I remember correctly.”
Kim Jongin. Kyungsoo rolls the words over and over again in his mind. He does not know why but he thinks he likes the way the name sounds when he speaks it.
Jongdae looks back at Kyungsoo and sees the small smile creeping onto the younger boy’s face and narrows his eyes. “And why would you like to know? I have never seen you so interested in someone else be-"
“Oh, look at the time, I have to go!” Kyungsoo jumps in, cutting Jongdae off. Jongdae’s eyes narrow suspiciously even further. He says an apology to Minseok, curses Jongdae inwardly for his quick instincts, and runs off back to the hallway.
His eyes still linger on the boy standing in the distance when he makes his way away from the fields.
- - -
The feast that his father holds in honour of the knights is ostentatious, with tables full of food laden in front of the nobles. The great hall itself is abuzz with activity when Kyungsoo finally slips into his seat at the high table, a polite smile fixed on his face. He is almost an hour late to the banquet, which is well into its final course for the evening and he can feel the heat of his father’s disapproving glare all the way from his spot at the end of the dais. Kyungsoo ignores him, quietly accepting a chalice of wine from a passing servant girl. He turns to taking sips of the wine to ease the displeasure bubbling within his stomach.
A quick glance across the hall reveals a gaggle of familiar faces. Jongdae, seated at the far end of the lower tables, has managed to gather quite a following around him and is eagerly collecting coins from his wide-eyed audience, many of them the younger recruits who have recently joined them. The older knight has always had a slew of tricks up his sleeves and is never one to lose out on an opportunity to make good money. On his left sits Minseok and he appears to be engrossed in a conversation with the knight that he saw Kim Jongin’s squire staring at. Next to him is Luhan, Lord Lu’s son that he had heard so much about. With his well-defined features and pretty face, it is not hard to see why he has been the center of attention of the court ladies since his arrival a day ago. He seems to be glaring earnestly at the cat-eyed knight from his seat, a fierce scowl planted on his face.
Chanyeol, who has just caught his eye, is seated on the left of the dais, all suited up in his armour, as befitting of a knight of his rank. He raises his chalice to greet Kyungsoo excitedly, almost spilling the contents of his cup, much to the horror of the poor elderly nobleman next to him. Kyungsoo rolls his eyes in response; Chanyeol and his gangly arms have been the cause of one too many accidents and most of the servants are already well accustomed to his clumsy ways. One almost wonders how he became a knight in the first place.
When he shifts his glance away, his eyes catches the sight of Kim Jongin sitting at the far ends of the one of the tables further away from the dais. His chalice lays untouched and although his plate has been piled with a few pieces of bread, he’s only taken a few bites. Kyungsoo watches as he pushes his plate away from him and refuses a servant’s offer to refill his chalice (he silently files Jongin’s every move into his memory) before stepping out of the great hall.
At the sight of his exit, Kyungsoo quickly stands up, whispers an excuse to his mother and follows after him. As he walks past the tables, he turns back to glance around the mass of people feasting on some exquisitely cooked turkeys and catches the eye of Jongdae, who has been watching his steps in interest. Kyungsoo blushes, looks down and quickly shuffles his way out.
He sees Jongin walk down the hallway right into a space at the end of the corridor which opens up to a balcony overlooking the courtyard. He’s leaning on the railings when Kyungsoo gets close enough to see him, and he curses inwardly when he stumbles over a crack in the ground, attracting the knight’s attention, who turns around with a quick flip of his head.
His eyes widen in surprise when he sees that it is Kyungsoo standing behind him, jaw dropping in shock. Kyungsoo stretches his hands out in an almost placating gesture, shaking his head earnestly. “I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you.”
The knight regains his composure quick enough to shake his head this time. “No, you didn’t! It’s all right.” His eyes shift left, then right, as if he expects something to jump out or for Kyungsoo to lash out at him but he doesn't say anything more. The two of them lapse into a moment of awkward silence.
Clearing his throat uneasily, Jongin takes a small step forward then. He opens his mouth to speak, and when he does, his cheeks are dusted light pink. “I want to offer an apology for knocking into you the other day. I didn't apologise to you as I should and for that, I am sorry.”
Kyungsoo squawks in surprise. He shakes his head, looking confused. “No, no, it’s all right. I don’t blame you for that.” Jongin smiles weakly, and Kyungsoo swears his heart melts a little at the sight of his crooked smile. The boy is apparently even more adorable up close.
“That’s really nice of you, considering how I just ran away that day.” He squeezes his eyes shut as if he’s seeking to banish the memories from his mind, looking embarrassed. “I’m too rude - I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Kim Jongin.”
Kyungsoo’s brain-to-mouth filter apparently fails him because the first words that come slipping out of his mouth are, “I know.”
Jongin tilts his head in confusion, and the older boy almost slaps himself in embarrassment. He can feel the beginnings of a blush creeping onto his neck as he tries desperately to remedy the situation, “I- I m-ean, I didn’t, I saw you and I was, I don’t know, I could have just asked someone?” His words end off as a small squeak and fade off into the ensuing silence.
Jongin laughs then, a sound that twinkles lightly in the air, and Kyungsoo finds himself liking his laughter; the way he puts his whole body into it, and the childlike naivety in his face. Kyungsoo offers a small heart-shaped smile in response and Jongin grins back too.
He then remembers that he had not yet offered his name. “My name is Kyungsoo. Do Kyungsoo.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t know it then, but Jongin’s eyes soften and his voice, when he speaks, is amused. “I know.”
- - -
They spend the rest of the evening talking. Kyungsoo learns all there is to know about Jongin: about how he is from one of the kingdoms in the south, about how the lord that he served lost favour with the king, and about how he left to seek a better future for himself. Kyungsoo, in turn, tells Jongin about his life, his love for the written word, and his fear of the future. He doesn’t know why but words flow out easily when he’s speaking with Jongin and the knight never judges, only listens. That is something he has never experienced before, this ease with a person. Even for Chanyeol, he had taken some time to open up to the boy.
Jongin is just about to start on another story about Sehun, the squire that Kyungsoo had last seen, when said boy himself pops onto the balcony. “I knew you would be here. Can’t you just not move for a se-" He stops himself when he sees Kyungsoo sitting right next to Jongin. The both of them had settled themselves against the railings right next to each other with their legs outstretched, all propriety forgotten.
Sehun’s face, that once held an annoyed frown, is now blissfully blank. He bows stiffly at Kyungsoo and looks at Jongin who is standing up, shaking the dust off his pants and tunic. “I have to go now,” Jongin says, his voice gentle. “It was nice talking to you.”
Kyungsoo smiles, nodding his head. It had been a pleasant night and he was sad to see Jongin go. Who knew what chance they had to speak with each other again?
“Me too. I hope to see you soon.”
Jongin nods and waves his hand listlessly, stepping off the balcony and into the hallway. Kyungsoo sits there for a few minutes and is just starting to stand up when Jongin pops into his sight again, his breath coming up in slightly quicker pants, as though he had ran back.
“Do you want to watch me train tomorrow?” he asks quickly, his eyes hopeful. From his position behind Jongin, Kyungsoo can see Sehun rolling his eyes and crossing his arms across his chest, looking almost annoyed but Kyungsoo could care less.
He nods his head and smiles. “That would be nice.”
- - -
Few dare to venture into the forest to the north of the manor, which has been designated as hunting grounds for the nobles. The occasional human presence there is that of the patrols who march stiffly with their lances, skirting the edge of the forest line.
Kyungsoo himself has been forbidden to enter the forest without an armed guard. He remembers flashes of green, the chirping of sparrows in the air and the fuzzy memory of joining his father on morning hunts when he was younger. He no longer does so.
After informing Hyunsik of his whereabouts, Kyungsoo ventures in the direction of the forest with as much courage as he can muster. Hyunsik had packed him a satchel with a water sack of his own and some apples to snack on when he is hungry. Waiting for him underneath an oak tree is Jongin, dressed in a simple tunic with his sword sheathed on his belt. His eyes light up when he spots Kyungsoo traversing past the manor wall, and he waves a hand in greeting. Kyungsoo gives a shy smile in return.
“I’m glad you came. I thought you might have found this a little weird,” he says sheepishly, scratching his head with an embarrassed smile on his face.
Kyungsoo shakes his head earnestly. “No, of course, not! It’s an honour.”
“Should we, then?”
Kyungsoo nods and follows Jongin gingerly into the forest. He seems accustomed to the path, as if he comes here often. They stop when they reach a small clearing.
“Do you come here often?”
“Sometimes. When the fields get too noisy.”
It is then that Kyungsoo realizes that Sehun, Jongin’s squire, is not with him, which is a strange fact in itself. A knight almost never goes anywhere without his squire, whose only duty is to serve his master well.
“Where’s your squire? Sehun, isn’t that his name?”
The knight scowls at the mention of Sehun’s name, rolling his eyes. “That idiot? Went to watch his Zitao, I suppose. Couldn’t find him this morning.”
“Zitao?” The syllables sound strange as Kyungsoo voices it out.
“Another knight. From the east, if I remember correctly. He serves under Lord Wu’s banner. That brat has been mooning over him since he saw him when we first arrived.”
The image of the cat-eyed knight pops into Kyungsoo’s mind and he connects the name quickly to it. Kyungsoo vaguely remembers a Lord Wu from the eastern kingdoms, known for his exceedingly good looks and wealth, and for being a close ally of Lord Lu. He chuckles lightly. “Sehun sounds interesting. I should like to meet him properly one day.”
Jongin frowns at this. “You will do well not to meet that bean pole. You are too good for him.” Kyungsoo blushes prettily at his words.
- - -
Jongin spends the rest of the afternoon practising his drills, while Kyungsoo sits under an oak tree, content to just be allowed to watch him train. The knight attempts to teach him some fancy moves when he's taking a break, and even though Kyungsoo seems to make a thousand mistakes with his every move, Jongin is always patient, gently nudging the other’s hand or foot in the right direction.
And when Jongin fights, it is truly a beautiful sight to behold. He fights as if he’s dancing, ever graceful, each step and move a deliberate action, never a mistake. There’s something utterly beautiful in his endeavours and Kyungsoo finds himself unable to pull his eyes away. Sometimes, when Jongin catches him watching, Kyungsoo averts his eyes and turns away as quickly as he can.
This springs a daily routine. Almost every morning, Kyungsoo meets Jongin at the edge of the forest and they go to the clearing together so that he can watch Jongin train. When they get tired, they drop by the nearby river and dip their feet into the cool spring water. Jongin points out the different animals and fish they see and they talk about everything, spanning from the universe to themselves, until the setting sun tells them that it is time to go their separate ways.
The world here is peaceful, Kyungsoo thinks to himself. There are no duties, no responsibilities, no disappointments, only Jongin. And Kyungsoo thinks he could grow happy in such a world.
- - -
“Have you ever fallen in love before?” Kyungsoo asks one afternoon, a week before the tourney is to begin. His feet, submerged in the river, are swinging to an unknown rhythm and occasionally sends droplets of water flying onto their faces
Jongin, snacking on one of the apples in Kyungsoo’s satchel, takes a bite of the fruit and looks up at the sky. “No, not really, I suppose?”
He turns his attention to Kyungsoo then. “Have you?” He sneaks in another bite. “How about the lady you are to marry? I’ve heard in the tavern that she is known to be the prettiest maiden in the north.”
“I’ve never met her. How am I supposed to know?” Kyungsoo huffs, pouting slightly.
They lapse into silence for a while, Jongin finishing the rest of the apple and throwing the core into the grass. “How do you suppose falling in love feels then?” Kyungsoo asks, his voice piqued with genuine interest.
“I don’t know. Sehun says it’s a bit like dropping into a hole and never really finding your way out. That love will make you go all crazy and insane. I reckon all he says is nonsense.”
He turns and focuses his eyes on Kyungsoo, offering him a wide, open grin. There is a lightness to his actions that Kyungsoo hasn't noticed before and the sun shines behind Jongin, framing his face in its golden rays. That’s when it hits him hard - Jongin is beautiful.
Without even thinking, Kyungsoo leans in and brushes his lips against Jongin’s. His eyes open wide at the realization of what he has done and he almost immediately regrets having done that. He pulls back, an apology on the tip of his tongue, but all he sees is Jongin staring at him with a blank expression on his face. Then the knight is leaning in again and they are finally kissing properly, lips pressed against each other’s until all they can hear is their mangled breaths. Jongin is the first to pull away, his cheeks flushed.
“Is this alright?” he asks almost shyly. His hand holds onto Kyungsoo’s wrist gently and his thumb unconsciously rubs at the pulse beating there.
Kyungsoo laughs, then breathes in and rubs his nose against Jongin’s. “Yes.”
- - -
Kyungsoo is clumsy when they kiss, not knowing how to move or where to put his hands, but Jongin is patient, and he brushes his lips against Kyungsoo's over and over again, then slips his hands down to circle around the smaller boy's waist and kisses him as if Kyungsoo is the most precious thing that he has ever held.
They kiss until their lips are bruised and they are breathless and have learned each other so thoroughly that it's hard to tell where one begins and the other ends.
They meet frequently after that. Kyungsoo still goes to the forest to watch Jongin train, but he also slips out at night sometimes to a clearing a little ways south of the manor to meet him. Jongin lies beside him on the grass, and he points out the constellations in the sky while Kyungsoo listens patiently until the knight is all drowsy and half-awake. He will watch the boy with fondness in his eyes before reluctantly waking him up to give them time to head back to the manor. Other times, Jongin gives him flowers he’s picked from the forest and he chooses the nicest one to put it on his ear, calling him the prettiest boy that he has ever seen. Kyungsoo kicks him when he does that but Jongin only ever laughs in response, and pulls the older boy closer, kissing him senseless.
Chanyeol is the first to notice that something is amiss; the frequent trips out, his absence in the chambers, and his evidently lighter mood. He demands to know what’s going on and pesters him for hours on end until Kyungsoo reluctantly agrees to bring him to meet Jongin one day. Chanyeol stares at Jongin for a full minute, leaning in closely to see his face (with Kyungsoo protesting in the background but being held back by his long arms - damn tall people, Kyungsoo thinks) before recognition shines through. He jumps back in surprise and points at the younger knight almost accusingly.
"You're the person who knocked into us!"
Jongin blushes at the words and scratches his head sheepishly. Kyungsoo retaliates by hitting Chanyeol on the head, startling the poor boy who spends the rest of the day whining about it. He takes to Jongin, though. His small smile of approval is all Kyungsoo needs. Jongin, who is humble and kind and unassuming in his manners, who fights with every ounce of strength he has but is never disgraceful towards his partner. They part on amicable terms, with Jongin heading in the direction of the tents and Chanyeol and Kyungsoo towards the manor.
Once they are out of earshot and safely in his chambers, Chanyeol pounces on him, springing on him a thousand and one questions and is only satisfied when he has wrung every detail out of Kyungsoo.
"I'm hurt that you did not tell me! How could you - I'm your best friend?" Chanyeol dramatically falls back on Kyungsoo's bed, his face scrunched up in mock pain.
Kyungsoo merely rolls his eyes and kicks Chanyeol in the shin. "I don't need to tell you everything."
Chanyeol gasps in horror, almost comically, his lips forming an 'O'. He regains his composure quickly enough, and his face grows serious.
“Just be careful, all right? I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Kyungsoo nods. Chanyeol has always been a tad over-protective.
- - -
On the day the tourney is about to begin, Kyungsoo barges into Jongin’s tent with a determined look on his face. Sehun rolls his eyes at Kyungsoo’s entry and mumbles something along the lines of how he’s going to go watch Zitao before he darts out of the tent.
“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at the d-humph!” Jongin is silenced by a pair of lips on his.
They pull back from each other a moment later, slightly breathless. Jongin gives him a loopy grin, looking extremely content, and pulls Kyungsoo in closer, hands wrapping around his waist. The smaller boy fits perfectly in his arms.
“Wait, Jongin. I have something for you.” He pushes himself away gently to dig into the small pouch tied around his belt and produces a leather band with a silver trinket on it. The trinket is in the shape of a trident and has been elaborately designed. “I’ve seen the ladies do this. It’s a token of good luck.” He blushes at his own words. “My mother gave this to me and I hope it will serve you well.”
Jongin smiles and brushes his lips against the trinket. “Thank you.” He then leans down and presses his forehead against Kyungsoo’s, holding him close, until they both dissolve into a litany of giggles.
- - -
Kyungsoo is relegated the position of honour next to his father at the dais, right in front of the arena. Day after day, he watches knight after knight clash against each other, all suited up in their best armour and armed with their sharpest swords. The match only ends when one of them finally yields to the other. A tally board has been set up at the side of the arena, detailing the victories and defeats of each knight, and the servants update the results almost immediately after every completed match. Yixing, the court healer, sits on a bench next to the board, ready to deal with any serious injuries that might occur during the course of the tourney.
His only interest in the matches comes when he recognises a few straggled faces amongst the challengers. Jongdae is one of the first to go up and he beats his competitors easily, despite his somewhat mediocre skills with a sword; his forte has always been with the lance.
Minseok easily makes it through the first few rounds. Chanyeol, whose strength serves him well, cuts through his first few opponents swiftly. Jongin is one of the last few to appear, his actions precise and practiced and he easily makes it to the next round. The pattern continues so on and so forth for the next few days. Jongdae does not make it past the fifth day when he faces Zitao, well known for his fighting skills, and Minseok bows off with a graceful defeat after duelling against Jongin on the sixth day.
Kyungsoo does not have the patience to watch all the matches. There are times when he slips into Jongin’s tent and sits there, watching Sehun fuss around the boy, tightening his armour, and polishing his sword. Jongin looks calm and peaceful in the dimness of the tent as he watches Sehun move, but his eyes grow sharper, more dangerous when he leaves, a sword in his hand.
Zitao is his next opponent, and it is a close fight that ends with the both of them almost tying. Kyungsoo spots Sehun looking concerned at the sidelines and wonders briefly who he is cheering for. Zitao only yields when a bug lands across his helmet, which scares him enough for him to drop his sword, earning great laughter from the spectators. Jongin attains a surprising victory.
Chanyeol is his last opponent and both are well-matched in terms of skills. While Chanyeol is older and has a little bit more experience, the fluidity of Jongin’s actions and footwork are, however, also not to be underestimated. The two lash out at each other, sometimes circling the other throughout the arena. Chanyeol manages to get a strike through with his sword, but Jongin is quicker and he ducks, tripping the older knight over. He yields a moment later.
“We have our champion!” Kyungsoo’s father declares with pomp. Jongin strips his head of his helmet and waves at the dais where Kyungsoo is standing, a wide grin almost splitting his face in half. Kyungsoo can’t stop smiling as he watches Jongin bask in the cheers of the crowd, cheeks flushed with victory.
- - -
Jongin is summoned to Lord Do’s chambers the next day, and when he approaches the room, he sees Kyungsoo sitting next to his father, fidgeting in his seat. He looks almost out of place in the formal setting of the room.
Lord Do is delighted to see the knight, a wide grin on his face, and Jongin gives the appropriate greetings in response. “Here we have our champion!” He laughs, mirth in his voice. “Your performance was exceptional, young man. I am a generous man and will not treat you unkindly. What do you wish for as a reward?”
Jongin tilts his head for a moment, and his eyes glance over to Kyungsoo. The older boy looks small sitting next to his father, and his large eyes blink owlishly at Jongin. He can ask for gold, a position at the Lord’s court, the best sword from their armoury even but all he remembers are the hours that he and Kyungsoo spent next to the lake, on the grass fields, and of him tracing the boy’s skin with his lips.
He drops his helmet to the ground, and kneels before the Lord. “My only wish is for the engagement between your son, the young Lord Do, and Lady Sojin to be annulled.” Kyungsoo gasps, eyes widening, just as his father stands up in shock.
“What are you saying?”
Jongin’s face is calm when he speaks. "I wish for the engagement between your son and the Lady Sojin to be annulled, so that he is be able to choose whoever he wishes to marry.”
Lord Do's face grows red in anger and Kyungsoo turns pale from his position next to him. The hand on his chalice tightens dangerously. “Surely you do not mean what you have said.”
“I do.” Jongin replies smoothly, without an ounce of hesitation.
His two words almost sends the older man into a frenzy. Jongin watches as he throws his silver chalice down in fury, venom lacing his every word. “You would pay the price for your words then, you fool.” His voice is chillingly calm when he speaks next, “Guards, send this insolent brat to the dungeons.”
- - -
Kyungsoo is sent out of the room after Jongin is swept out of the chambers. Sehun had been outside the room the whole time and watches with worried eyes now as the knight is led out with armed guards by his side. Kyungsoo gives a slight nod to reassure him and hurries down the stairs to the dungeons.
The dungeon, as its name suggests, is dark and all together foul-smelling. The guards bow in deference when he walks past them and they do not try to stop him. Kyungsoo is grateful for that.
Jongin has been chained up, his belongings stripped, and he sits forlornly in the corners of one of the cells.
“You are a fool, Kim Jongin,” Kyungsoo starts, his voice wavering as he approaches Jongin’s cell.
The knight looks up at the sound of his name and he shuffles in closer when he sees that it’s Kyungsoo, the manacles around his hands pulling slightly at his wrists.
“You should know better than to have said that! My father is not an easy man and he will not let this go easily. I will do all I can to intercede on your behalf.” His eyes are almost frantic. “You must apologise. Yes, an apology will be good. My father might be kinder on you if you do that. You m-” He turns to look up at Jongin and stops when all he sees is a wry smile on the other’s face.
Jongin’s voice in the gloomy silence is almost a whisper. “That is all I can do for you, Kyungsoo.” His eyes are bright in the darkness. “I hope this will at least help you a little.
Kyungsoo heart startles loudly at the knight’s words, eyes widening in surprise. What an idiot, he thinks to himself. But if Jongin is an idiot, he is no better himself then since the boy that he has fallen in love with is apparently a self-sacrificing fool, who is far too noble for his own good. He reaches between the bars for Jongin’s hands, lacing their fingers together. His words when he speaks it hold no bite.
“You really are a fool.”
- - -
Kyungsoo bursts into his father’s room, unrelenting, despite the protests of the guards. He hds hoped that his father would have calmed down by now and could thus be more easily persuaded into freeing Jongin. “Father, surely you can see that this is all a misunderstanding. You must let the knight go, he will retract his words and we w-" He starts almost immediately as he walks in.
“Kyungsoo, will you just take a seat first?”
Kyungsoo looks up in surprise at the much softer tone of his father’s voice but perches himself on the chair anyway. His father looks older, more tired, than he had did before. He takes a sip from the silver chalice on the table and sighs.
“Do you really not wish to be married?”
The boy gapes. He had not been expecting that from his father. Silently, he considers his options - he could lie and be done with it, but it will bring him nothing but pain and misery. At this point, he does not seem to have anything to lose. His only wish is for Jongin to be freed, to be next to him again.
“No,” he whispers, face burning.
His father closes his eyes. “Why did you not tell me sooner?”
“I couldn’t!” he almost shouts, lowering his voice when he sees the pain in his father’s eyes. “If this was what you wanted, I would have done it. I did not want to disappoint you again.”
He looks bewildered for a moment before understanding shines through his father’s eyes. “I have never seen you as a disappointment, Kyungsoo. Yes, I was upset when you refused to become a knight, but you are my son and I’m proud of you in other ways. Ryeowook tells me all the time about how intelligent you are as a boy, and I’ve never before felt so much pride hearing those words from him.” He sighs. “I’m sorry that you have felt that way all these years without me knowing.” He stands then, leaning against the table for support. Kyungsoo does not know what to say in reply.
“I will annul the marriage. The knight will be released.”
All Kyungsoo can do is whisper a quiet “thank you”. He turns back to give one last look at his father before slipping out the door.
- - -
Kyungsoo is right next to him in a moment when Jongin appears from the dungeons, looking exhausted. A night in the dungeons must not have been a pleasant experience.
He asks,“Are you all right?” Jongin nods his head in reply and pats off the dirt on his tunic Sehun, who has been standing behind him this whole while, bows a little to Kyungsoo. His eyes stop at the red marks on his master's wrists from the chains that had been put around his hands. “I’ll take him back first if you don’t mind, my Lord.” Kyungsoo bristles a little at the formality of his words but lets Sehun drag Jongin down the hallways towards the entrance. The squire must have been worried sick, having not seen Jongin for the entire night.
The younger boy’s face is exasperated when he turns back to look at Kyungsoo but his lips move quickly to form the syllables of a word. Later.
- - -
Jongin finds Kyungsoo in his chambers later in the evening. The older boy has sent Hyunsik off early for the night and heaves a sigh of relief when he is able to bury himself into Jongin’s arms.
“I missed you.”
The knight gives a small affirmative nod and leans his head against Kyungsoo’s shoulder, lips brushing gently against the pale length of his neck. Moonlight is streaming in through the open window and a light breeze settles in the room. Kyungsoo is the first to pull away this time.
They stare at each other for a long time until Kyungsoo grabs Jongin’s wrist and pulls him closer, whispering a few words into his ear shyly. A question. Would you stay? With me?
Jongin’s reply is a fond smile. He leans in and rubs his nose against Kyungsoo’s. No words need to be said.
Yes.