For mskatness

[zenfu]

Title: Break Down the Walls (2/2)
Pairing: KyuJong/JungMin
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU, Angst
Notes: Prompt: The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.
Summary: They were worlds apart: the noble in King’s Court and the thieves who defied it. But sometimes all it takes is a question and an inquiring mind to drive those worlds together.


Part one

HyungJoon and JungMin walked into the thieves’ hideout a month and a half after they’d met to find the three poring over maps again. HyunJoong’s leg had healed nicely and he was able to walk around without a limp, though he was going to have a nice scar when the scab came off.

“Hey,” JungMin waved, walking over. “What are you looking at?”

KyuJong looked up and smiled at them. “Come see.”

The two nobles looked over their shoulders. JungMin raised an eyebrow at the drawings on the hand-made map, and the places that were marked off. “What’s this about?” He recognized landmarks in and around the village, including the Palace.

“Here,” HyunJoong pointed, finger pressing into a landmark. “Here’s where we’ll go.” Squinting, JungMin realized he recognized the location. It was the manor of a very powerful House in Court that only came by a few days a week despite living so close to the Palace.

The redhead grinned after a moment. “Next target?”

“Why are we showing them this?” YoungSaeng asked.

“If they’re not going to stop us, don’t see why not,” HyunJoong replied, rolling up the map after a moment. KyuJong smiled up at JungMin and HyungJoon.

“Why would I stop you? It’s not like they actually need all their jewelry,” JungMin said, pulling up a chair and sitting down straddling it, his arms folded over the top. “Sounds like fun.”

KyuJong’s lips quivered in amusement. “It’s dangerous, you know. Especially with the punishment.”

“Makes it all the more fun,” JungMin grinned at him.

“He’s a masochist,” HyungJoon accused, pointing at the older noble. JungMin stuck his tongue out at him.

They sat there and chatted for a bit, before JungMin declared he was going to go get them lunch. All three thieves perked up at that; JungMin had been right in his guess that they hadn’t had much to eat before this.

Stepping out of the building and making sure his dagger was hidden in his tunic as always as he started towards the main square, JungMin heard footsteps behind him and grinned. “Get up here, I don’t even know why you bother hiding.”

KyuJong appeared beside him, amused. “Habit.”

“Uh huh.” JungMin grinned at the older man as they stepped out into the main square. “I was thinking about joining you guys, you know?”

The thief paused. “Huh?”

“On your next…mission,” the noble chuckled, looking back at him. “I took training, and I can be sneaky, I swear.”

KyuJong looked at him for a moment. “JungMin ah, we weren’t kidding about it being dangerous. And a guard could pick out your red hair for miles.”

“I know, and I can hide my hair,” JungMin shrugged. “It was just a thought. Palace life is boring and makes me want to jump off the roof.”

“You’re lucky to have the chance to live in the Palace,” KyuJong said quietly.

“Yeah, well, it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. At least you can choose who you want to marry,” he wrinkled his nose, thinking about his fiancée. “Let me try, okay? I want to try as much as I can before they chain me up for the rest of my life.”

KyuJong looked at him for a long moment before smiling slowly. “Okay,” he murmured. “You can come with us…”

“Great!” JungMin punched the air.

“If you can pass YoungSaeng’s inspection,” KyuJong finished, and the noble nearly fell over.

“Kyu, that’s mean,” JungMin whined. “He’ll never let me go.” He paused then. “On second thought, he might let me go just to get rid of me.”

The thief just laughed.

****************************************

Not surprisingly, HyungJoon had decided to sit this one out. “I’ll be here in case any of you get yourselves sliced open,” the young noble said with a long-suffering sigh as they were getting ready to head out.

“We’ll try and avoid that,” KyuJong smiled, watching JungMin as the noble covered his telltale red hair with a black cloth. “Everyone knows what we’re doing?”

“Yeah,” HyunJoong chuckled. YoungSaeng nodded, tying up his boots.

Soon they were ready to head out, HyungJoon waving them out. The group of four headed down the alleyways towards the edge of the village. The manor was a good half hour away at a brisk walk. As they made their way there, KyuJong and YoungSaeng made sure JungMin was fully aware of what he was supposed to do.

The idle chatter faded as they finally approached their target. JungMin shuffled around a little nervously; since it was only his first time, he had been assigned to guard duty rather than go all the way into the manor, but it was still nerve-racking.

KyuJong noticed the fidgeting and smiled at him, squeezing his hand. “Mask up,” he whispered, reaching over to pull the black cloth up over the lower half of JungMin’s face until only his eyes were visible, pulling the hood on the cloak up along with it. JungMin smiled at him, the only sign the slight crinkling around his eyes.

Once their faces were all covered, HyunJoong led the group along the edge of the wall, looking out for guards. It took a moment to locate a safe spot to get in; a hole for water to drain out of in the wall, large enough for them to crawl through but barred with metal. The oldest of their group crouched down in front of it and carefully got to work with a metal saw JungMin had seen him sharpening a few days ago. Most of the money they’d managed to scrape up had gone into equipment for their ‘escapades’.

It took a few minutes to get in, the group crawling through once two of the bars had been sawed off. JungMin looked around, noting how different everything looked in the dark. He’d only been here once or twice, on the rare occasion the House hosted a party.

“Stay close,” KyuJong whispered into his ear, muffled slightly by his mask, and then they were stealing across the shadows along the edge of the stonewall. It was a moonless night, making it easier to remain unseen by the guards that walked along the tops of the walls, facing outwards rather than in.

There was another set of guards at the main entrance to the manor, but they weren’t taking the main entrance. Instead, JungMin followed the others around to the side of the building, making sure to place his feet where they put theirs. There were trip wires hidden around, he could see a few, but knew there were more hidden from the weaving path they took.

They decided to get in through a cellar window, similar to when they broke into the Palace. This was no problem, once YoungSaeng had opened the window for them and they’d slid inside. Once there, KyuJong put one hand against JungMin’s chest to stop him from following further in.

“Stay here and guard the way out,” he whispered. “We might need to move fast.”

Pouting a little under the mask, JungMin nodded. KyuJong’s eyes crinkled slightly before he and the other two thieves were gone, leaving JungMin alone in the cellar.

Poking around absently as he waited for them to come back, JungMin wondered why the three were so obsessed with spreading a message. With their skills, they could have easily just stolen coins rather than bits of jewelry they wouldn’t be able to sell, and actually have enough money to feed themselves with. They were more than just thieves then, and it seemed at times like they had a lot more on their minds than just ridiculing the Throne.

He would have to ask one day. For now though, he focused on listening for any guards or servants who might appear, pacing around and occasionally leaning out of the cellar doorway, trying to listen.

Ten minutes later, the door creaked open and three figures slipped through. “We’re all set,” KyuJong whispered, eyes bright as he held up a small pouch. JungMin eyed it, wondering what it was, before HyunJoong took it from KyuJong and tucked it under his cloak.

They headed back up through the window, and along the path they’d taken to get back to the outer wall. JungMin relaxed a little. They were just about out, and nothing had happened so far.

They were halfway across the grass when his foot snagged on something he couldn’t see, and he staggered, snapping the trip wire in two.

A loud clang ran through the air, and shouts echoed it. He shouldn’t jinx himself.

The group broke out into a run then, JungMin following. They had been spotted, that much was obvious from the voices. KyuJong had just reached back to grab JungMin’s arm and pull him along faster when the arrows started to fly.

JungMin had never been shot at outside of practice before, and now he was less than prepared for it, without arm guards or anything. Ducking his head a little to keep from losing it, he sprinted along beside KyuJong. Damn the man’s long legs.

Not everyone had long legs though, and JungMin’s eyes widened when YoungSaeng stumbled, falling behind. KyuJong pushed JungMin towards HyunJoong and the wall, going back to help YoungSaeng.

Next thing JungMin knew they were at the wall, HyunJoong diving through the hole and rolling out of the way. Following him, JungMin took the offered hands and was pulled out the rest of the way, his momentum sending him rolling onto his back and out of the way as HyunJoong moved to help the other two.

There was a heart-stopping few seconds where there was no movement, no sign of them. Then hands appeared and HyunJoong grabbed them, hauling first YoungSaeng out then KyuJong right behind him. The voices hadn’t let up, and the gate was opening.

“Hurry,” HyunJoong insisted, and they got up. JungMin flinched as an arrow whizzed by, pain flashing up along his arm. He could feel blood, but it was only a graze wound, and if anything it spurred him on faster. KyuJong was slowing down, and the young noble pressed one hand against the thief’s back to keep him moving as they disappeared into the streets of the village a few minutes later.

They kept running even once they were in the streets, the group ducking from alley to alley. It looked like they were going to keep running all the way to the hideout, maybe take a longer way to get there in case they were being followed. Glancing behind them, JungMin felt certain they were in the clear.

It was then he heard the gasping note to KyuJong’s breath, noticing how the young thief was slowing down even more, and he realized something was wrong.

“We need to stop,” he called, the two in front not hearing him. JungMin repeated it lower, and YoungSaeng turned around, eyes going from him to KyuJong before widening in shock.

The group came to a stop, KyuJong gasping and leaning against JungMin beside him. His legs gave out and JungMin was just barely able to catch him, lowering him carefully to the ground. The long shaft of an arrow stuck out from his cloak.

HyunJoong swore, hands pulling the cloak back. The arrow was pinning it to KyuJong’s side though, a whimper of pain escaping him as the older thief pulled too fast. YoungSaeng took over, rolling back the edge of the cloak gently until they could see in the near-darkness of the alley where the arrow head was trapped in KyuJong’s side, sticky red spreading.

“We need to pull the shaft out, it’s gone too far in,” HyunJoong murmured. JungMin watched, skin pale as they stripped the end of the arrow of feathers. KyuJong shook in his arms, burying his face against JungMin’s shirt. JungMin wrapped his arms around the older man, doing his best to calm him.

They tried to be gentle while pulling it out, but KyuJong screamed anyways, doing his best to muffle the noises of pain in case anyone heard. Once the arrow was out, the bleeding got worse.

“Let’s get him back, HyungJoon will be able to help with this, right?” HyunJoong asked, looking up at JungMin who could only nod. They bundled up the edge of KyuJong’s cloak and pressed it against the wound to slow the blood, YoungSaeng showing JungMin how to hold it as the noble gathered KyuJong in his arms and stood.

The rest of the way to the hideout was short, but seemed to take forever. JungMin glanced down at KyuJong repeatedly, watching his skin grow paler and paler as he gasped against JungMin’s shirt. The noble managed to pull the mask off the lower half of his face to help him breathe.

Finally, finally they got back. HyungJoon opened the door for them, and balked when he saw KyuJong. “Uh. Okay. Give me a minute.” He flailed before quickly clearing everything off the table, rolling out a long sheet of cloth across it before motioning to JungMin to lie KyuJong down.

JungMin did so, stepping back. Suddenly KyuJong caught his hand and the redhead jumped, trying to move out of the way, but there was a terrified glaze to KyuJong’s eyes and he ended up moving to the older man’s uninjured side instead, holding his hand as HyungJoon inspected the wound.

HyungJoon did his best to numb the area before starting to work on it, but KyuJong still whimpered in pain, head tossing back and forth as he tried not to move. Finally he just passed out entirely, his hand going limp in JungMin’s. JungMin bit his lower lip and squeezed the hand lightly.

Finally the bleeding had slowed, and the wound was stitched up carefully before HyungJoon pressed gauze to it and bound his side up. “It’ll need to be changed regularly to stop infection from setting in, but he’ll be fine if he doesn’t do anything to pull the stitches.”

“Thank you,” YoungSaeng murmured in relief, coming up beside KyuJong and brushing the man’s sweat-soaked bangs to one side. JungMin watched KyuJong’s face, glad he was going to be okay.

They returned to the Palace much later than they’d expected to. It had been hard to peel himself from KyuJong’s side, wanting to make sure he was all right, before HyungJoon finally reminding him the sun was going to rise soon and they wanted to get back before then.

Only when JungMin was back in his rooms and looked down at himself did he realize it was a good thing he hadn’t run into anyone on the way back…his shirt was covered in KyuJong’s blood. Swallowing, he closed his eyes for a moment, the sound of KyuJong struggling to breath echoing in his ears before he shrugged out of his clothes and into something more fitted to sleep in, getting rid of the blood-soaked shirt so that no one could find it.

That was the first night he dreamt of KyuJong dying in his arms.

*************************************

KyuJong was conscious when they went to visit again two days later. The other two thieves had been taking good care of him, but HyungJoon wasted no time making sure the brown-eyed thief had clean bandages on and had been drinking plenty of water to get back the blood he’d lost.

“Been a while since I’ve been shot like that,” KyuJong chuckled tiredly. They’d set up a makeshift cot in the corner of the room for him, and he was on bed rest for the next few weeks.

JungMin dropped down beside him, pouting at him. “You’re a crazy person, you know that? Not even any armor or anything.”

“Armor is for you noblemen,” KyuJong smiled.

The redhead sighed and made a mental note to at least get them leather guards or something.

“Who was the one who set off the guards, anyways?” HyungJoon asked. YoungSaeng pointed wordlessly at JungMin.

“I didn’t know that wire was there, none of you were having any trouble with it,” JungMin protested.

“That’s because we lift our feet rather than drag them,” YoungSaeng said matter-of-factly, and JungMin made a face at the older man.

“We all got out at least,” KyuJong smiled, leaning against the wall.

“It’s going to be a boring next few days for you,” HyunJoong informed KyuJong once HyungJoon was done fixing the bandages and had stepped away.

“I’m hoping someone will take pity on me and keep me company,” KyuJong pouted with wide eyes. JungMin was surprised when the thief directed the look at him, and floundered for a moment.

“Doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” HyungJoon piped up. “I’ll go get supplies and food.”

“I’ll go too before you get lost again,” HyunJoong shook his head. “And mugged.” He followed the young noble to the door. YoungSaeng looked between them until HyunJoong gave him a pointed look, and the singer grumbled as he stood up and followed them out.

JungMin blinked, entirely surprised at how fast they’d all cleared out. “That was strange.” He looked at KyuJong and was surprised to see the thief laughing into one hand.

“YoungSaeng’s going to be annoyed with me later, I think.” KyuJong shifted to rest his back against the wall, wincing a little.

“Why?” JungMin asked, blinking at him, but KyuJong just smiled.

“So, tell me about your ‘boring’ life at the Palace,” KyuJong asked excitedly, and JungMin sighed before indulging the older man in stories.

The weeks that followed were much of the same. JungMin and HyungJoon would visit as much as they could, sometimes switching the days around so they weren’t disappearing from Court at the exact same time and gathering suspicions. Sometimes JungMin went out to pick up things for the group, but most of the time HyunJoong and YoungSaeng had taken it upon themselves to do that job, leaving JungMin alone to tend to a bored-out-of-his-mind KyuJong.

At first they’d exchanged stories, KyuJong telling JungMin about his family living in a village farther out, one riddled with famine until they finally packed up what little they had and moved here in the hopes of a better life. That better life had evaded them, and he’d lost his father and sister to starvation, his mother to those raiding any house they could in the hopes of discovering a piece of stale bread to eat. YoungSaeng and HyunJoong had taken him in after that.

“They’re together, you know,” KyuJong mused one day. JungMin stared at him. “They tried hiding it from me at first, but well, they weren’t the best at being subtle.”

“I didn’t notice,” JungMin frowned.

“Yeah, well…they weren’t the best at being subtle until two other men a village over were stoned to death for being with each other,” KyuJong said simply. JungMin winced. That would do it.

Any prejudices JungMin had had against commoners were completely annihilated after his time with the thieves, and then helping KyuJong recover. They were smart, funny, and very interesting. Once he’d realized KyuJong was able to and loved to read, but hadn’t the coin for books, he’d brought down a bagful of them from the Palace library. The way KyuJong’s face lit up was well worth lugging the heavy bag around.

Only one thing emerged from the meetings that JungMin wasn’t happy with. Each day he saw the twinge of discomfort and pain on KyuJong’s face, especially if he was being stubborn and trying to get up and exercise, the nightmares would visit him that night. In his dreams, he could never stop the flow of blood fast enough, and KyuJong would be still and unmoving in his arms as he tried to save him.

Snapping awake, JungMin climbed out of bed and went to splash his face with water. He sighed and leaned against the wall, hair slightly damp as he brushed it out of his face, thinking.

“When are you getting married?” KyuJong asked him out of the blue one day, playing a game of pick-up-sticks. It was strangely addicting, a game the commoner children played on rainy days that JungMin had never been introduced to.

Startled, JungMin’s hand twitched slightly and one of the other sticks rolled to the side. “…You did that on purpose,” he grumbled as KyuJong laughed and moved to take his turn, the noble folding his arms over his chest and sulking.

“Maybe,” KyuJong teased, eyes dancing. “Though I really am curious. When are you getting married? You mentioned an engagement before.”

“Yeah,” JungMin shrugged, watching as KyuJong eased a stick out of the pile without budging any of the others. “I really have no clue, my parents aren’t in much of a hurry. My older brother isn’t even married yet, he has to be married first or it would look badly on him.” Problem was, they hadn’t found a suitable bride for his brother yet, and so his own marriage would probably be delayed for a while.

“Strange,” KyuJong frowned as he placed the stick to one side. “You can’t choose who you want to marry?”

“No,” the redhead wrinkled his nose. “Have to marry someone on an equal or higher level, or something like that. My parents are hierarchy sticklers.” He worked to get one of the sticks out of the pile, tongue peeping out of the corner of his mouth.

“Do you love her then?” KyuJong asked, watching him. Once JungMin had one stick out of the pile, the thief leaned forward to take his turn.

“Again no. She’s a twit if I’ve ever seen one.” JungMin grinned up at KyuJong. “I’d much rather marry someone like you.”

KyuJong’s hand jerked to one side and half the sticks in the pile rolled out of place. He stared at JungMin for a moment. “Like me?”

JungMin smirked. “Well yeah. You’re not missing half your brain for one.” He laughed as KyuJong smacked his arm, face turning tomato-red. “What? It’s true!”

“You are horrible,” KyuJong grumbled, turning away from him. JungMin chuckled and picked up one of the sticks that had rolled clear of the pile.

“What? Your reaction was priceless,” JungMin teased. KyuJong sulked as he picked up a stick as well. “It’s true though,” the redhead continued, reaching out to try for a stick right in the middle of the pile. KyuJong looked up at him. “You’re interesting, and I wouldn’t mind learning more about you. You’re pretty darn cute for a guy, when you’re not covered in blood. And you would certainly have more to talk about than clothing styles and miniatu-MPFH!”

Before JungMin could react, KyuJong had grabbed the redhead’s collar and pulled him closer over the game, kissing him full on the mouth.

Eyes widening, JungMin was startled for a moment. Then KyuJong started to pull back, and that jump-started something. He didn’t want KyuJong to break the kiss.

Pressing forward, JungMin claimed KyuJong’s lips again, the thief pressed back against the wall as the noble pushed onto his hands and knees. The sticks dug into his shins but he didn’t care, one hand twining into KyuJong’s soft locks of hair as they wrestled for control over the kiss.

JungMin had snuck plenty of kisses, usually with giggling maids and waitresses, but they had been nothing like this. KyuJong wasn’t just going to sit there and let JungMin dominate him, fighting back with as much as he got and pushing his tongue into the redhead’s mouth. JungMin didn’t mind it one bit, scooting closer until his body was what pressed KyuJong against the wall, chests flush together with KyuJong’s hands scrambling for purchase against his tunic, slipping around to dig into his back.

The kiss was long and heated, finally easing up when both their lungs were screaming for air. Panting against KyuJong’s kiss-swollen lips, JungMin opened his eyes enough to look into the older man’s, KyuJong’s gaze hazed over.

“Wow,” was all JungMin could say for a moment. “You kiss a hundred times better than she probably could too.”

KyuJong laughed breathlessly, arms finding their way around JungMin’s neck. “You’re not that bad yourself.”

The young noble grinned before kissing him again. He had no idea what he was going to do about this strange development in their relationship, but that wasn’t stopping him from continuing to do what felt right.

When they finally did stop, it was only because HyungJoon walked in and started squawking to see JungMin practically holding KyuJong up against the wall, one of his arms around the older man’s waist and the thief’s hands under his tunic. Even once the pair managed to disentangle themselves, KyuJong the same color as JungMin’s hair, the youngest noble continued to point and sputter until JungMin picked up the sticks they’d been playing with and shot them at him.

Somewhere in the back of JungMin’s mind, he knew he shouldn’t be doing this. It was becoming clearer and clearer with time that KyuJong was becoming emotionally invested in the weird relationship they had struck up, that only the five of them knew about. That was dangerous; JungMin was engaged, and a noble, from an old-blood House to boot. He was expected to marry one day, his wife already picked out. To do anything other than what he was expected to do would bring shame upon his whole family, and put KyuJong in even more danger than his lifestyle already did.

But JungMin had never been one to follow the rules. It didn’t matter what they thought while he helped KyuJong walk around the hideout and remove his bandages for the last time. It didn’t matter when they fell into the cot one night, alone, mouths attaching to skin and clothing tossed against the wall. It didn’t matter when he woke up in a cold sweat, a scream of the thief’s name on his lips after watching KyuJong die once more in his dreams.

It didn’t matter when he found himself waking up beside KyuJong in the small, uncomfortable cot rather than his room at the Palace, twining locks of the soft hair between his fingers and wondering how he’d fallen for this man.

The season was changing, and the entire Court was remodeled to accommodate the nobles that would be flooding in for the autumn parties. JungMin found himself attending less and less, spending as much time as possible down in the village. He made sure the thieves had enough coin to keep them through the cold season, for both heating and food. Too many people froze down there, and he wouldn’t let it happen to them.

Unfortunately, JungMin’s repeated absence hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“I don’t care what it is you’ve been doing, but you need to get your head out of the clouds,” his father told him sternly, calling him into his rooms one night. “The other Houses are like vultures, and once they are all here, there can’t be any mistakes from us, understand? You will appear each day in Court, JungMin. You won’t be given a choice.”

JungMin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from snapping back, annoyed. The Court would be full for well over two weeks…how was he supposed to have any time to spend with KyuJong?

But he couldn’t tell his father he was seeing and sleeping with another man, a commoner to boot, so he just bowed his head. “Yes father.”

“Good.” The man looked over him. “You’re scheduled to meet with the tailors tomorrow to be fitted for new clothes, don’t be late.” He dismissed his youngest son, and JungMin left the room to retreat to his own, more annoyed than ever.

The next few days were busy preparing for the autumn festivities, giving JungMin no chance to sneak away to the village. Unfortunately, HyungJoon looked just as busy; his family wanted to set a good impression with the more powerful Houses, and he was swept up into the preparations whether he liked it or not.

But there were many times JungMin would find himself looking out the window at the village below, wondering just how his thief was fairing, if he wondered where JungMin was.

When the next chance to sneak away came, it came far too long for JungMin’s liking. What was worse, it was the last day before Houses were due to arrive, making it the last chance he would have until after the parties were over. HyungJoon wasn’t as lucky as him, still trapped in fitting, but had snuck a word to JungMin to give the thieves his regards.

Easing out of the Palace gates and pulling his hood up to cover his hair, JungMin headed down to the village, wondering how he was supposed to tell KyuJong he would be completely unavailable for three weeks if not more.

The main square was quieter, a chilly bite to the air today. Rubbing his hands together, JungMin looked for YoungSaeng and didn’t see the singer, figuring he was in the hideout.

YoungSaeng wasn’t there, and neither was HyunJoong. But KyuJong was. Turning to the door in surprise when it opened, his eyes lit up to see JungMin. The thief crossed the floor and pulled the young noble into a kiss.

“About time,” KyuJong murmured once the kiss was broken for air. “What took you so long?” His fingers twisted into JungMin’s shirt.

“You could say I was grounded,” JungMin wrinkled his nose, pulling KyuJong back into a kiss. This one didn’t let up as quickly, the pair stumbling over to a chair. Sitting down, the redhead pulled KyuJong into his lap, the older man more than happy to comply as hands twined into soft locks of hair and the rough material of their tunics.

It was a few minutes later before they were able to speak again, panting against each other’s lips. “So where’s the other two?” JungMin asked, running his hand along KyuJong’s back.

“Who knows,” KyuJong murmured. “I think they’re at one of their places, getting some quality alone time in. Leaving me here to fend for myself.” He pouted.

“Good thing I brought all those books for you then,” JungMin chuckled, kissing him lightly again. After a moment he pulled back.

“Kyu…I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back down here. Probably not for another month.”

“Eh?” KyuJong’s eyes went wide. “A month? Why?”

“It’s the stupid autumn festivities at Court, and my father’s going to lock me up in my rooms until I’m married if I miss so much as an hour,” JungMin grumbled, before wincing at the spark of pain in KyuJong’s eyes. He’d forgotten KyuJong didn’t like to bring up the marriage. “Joonie’s stuck too.”

“So this’ll be the last time I’ll see you for a month? Maybe longer?” KyuJong ran one hand along the front of JungMin’s tunic.

JungMin sighed. “Yeah.”

“How long are you here for?”

“I can stay here until dawn,” JungMin replied.

KyuJong nodded, before kissing JungMin gently. “Then let’s make the most of what time we have,” he smiled sadly.

And that was exactly what they did. Low whispers against soft skin as they moved from the chair to the cot, clothing removed as they rolled together.

JungMin thought he heard KyuJong whisper something against his shoulder, a shy confession, but he wasn’t sure what to say to it and so pretended he hadn’t heard.

Dawn came far too soon, and the sky was beginning to lighten. JungMin pulled KyuJong close and rocked him back and forth, kissing the side of his head. KyuJong wrapped his arms around JungMin’s waist so tightly the noble didn’t think he would ever let go.

“Time to leave,” he murmured finally, and KyuJong sighed, his brown eyes sad as he looked up at JungMin.

“I know,” he murmured, leaning up to kiss him softly. “So I guess I’ll see you…in a month?”

“Yeah,” JungMin smiled tensely, returning the kiss. It would kill him to be away from the older man for that long, of that he was sure…but they had no choice. He couldn’t get away from the Palace, and KyuJong couldn’t visit him without being caught.

JungMin pulled his clothes back on, KyuJong helping him with the buttons even though he really didn’t need the help. Each button was marked with a soft kiss, JungMin running his fingers through KyuJong’s hair as he watched.

Finally he was ready to leave, hugging KyuJong close one last time. “See you, make sure you stay safe,” he told the older man, placing a pouch of coins on the table, enough to see them through the month and longer if it came to it. KyuJong nodded, resting his head against JungMin’s shoulder and kissing his neck.

Slowly pulling away, JungMin gave KyuJong one last smile before turning and leaving the hideout, closing the door behind him.

*****************************

The days that followed were busy, and a flurry of faces and names that JungMin couldn’t really be bothered to remember for longer than the few seconds it took to return the greeting. Giggling noblewomen and boasting noblemen, it was all the same. He was treated with respect at first due to his House, but he knew they would talk about him behind his back soon enough, like everything else.

HyungJoon’s family was having trouble fitting in; even the lower Houses wanted to pretend they were higher in status than the newest House. So more often than not JungMin would see his younger friend sitting by himself in a corner of Court, fiddling with a piece of fabric from his suit, and no matter how much he wished he could go to him and just joke around like usual he couldn’t. His father was watching him like a hawk for any sign of misconduct.

His fiancée had switched seats to sit beside JungMin, and it was a good thing Court had evened his temper somewhat because otherwise he would have knocked her head off. Could someone be more of a bubblehead? Giggling about this fashion or that, mimicking the words of the more powerful women of Court like a parrot.

He wished it was KyuJong sitting beside him, sure the thief would probably get a kick out of how useless most of the conversation was. It baffled him when JungMin described it, but he’d always loved when JungMin imitated what went on.

Biting his tongue and nodding politely to whatever his fiancée was saying, JungMin tried to clear his head and actually focus. His thoughts always returned to someone in the village just below the Palace, wondering how KyuJong was doing.

Despite having more than enough to do, the days passed slowly. JungMin watched the calendar for when the nobles were due to leave, and the day he could finally escape from here. It was getting to the point where he wanted to leave and never come back, screw family pride.

They were in the middle of Court in the second week, just finished their evening dinner, when it all fell apart.

The doors burst open and all conversation ceased, the newcomers craning their heads in an effort to see what was going on. JungMin looked up as well, frowning; Court was rarely interrupted, especially in such a fashion. Anyone who wanted to come in and speak with the King did so through one of the servants, who came and left in as quiet and respectful a manner as possible…not slamming the doors into the walls such as now.

Two guards walked in with their heads high, dragging a third figure between them. Some nobles were whispering about how rude this all was, but their attention had been caught and curiosity piqued, as the guards dragged the limp man until a few paces in front of the throne.

“Caught one of those street rats sneaking around, mi’Lord,” one of the guards said, bowing respectfully. “Looks like we finally have one of the thieves.”

The man’s hood was torn back, and JungMin’s breath caught in his throat, heart stopping in his chest as KyuJong looked up at the King, one cheek bruised and cut and hair falling haphazardly into his face.

JungMin could only stare. KyuJong had gotten into the Palace. Not only that…he’d been caught. Why was he here? Was he here alone, or with the others?

Had he snuck in to see JungMin?

KyuJong’s eyes lingered on the King for a moment before flitting around the room, searching. He’d just found JungMin, the two looking at each other for a long moment, before the guard shoved his head back down.

“What do you want us to do with him, mi’Lord?” the other guard asked. “We’re certain he’s one of the thieves who’ve been plaguing us for months.”

All attention went to the King. JungMin and HyungJoon looked at each other, their faces drained of color. There was only one punishment left for someone who’d been found guilty of that many thefts.

“Throw him in the dungeons for now,” the King ordered, expression hard.

“He’ll hang in the gallows tomorrow at noon.”

The guards dragged KyuJong back out of the room, the thief not putting up a fight. Once the doors had closed, the nobles applauded the King’s decision, commenting on how important it was to set an example.

Only two people in the whole room remained silent, a fact that went unnoticed.

“It’s good that they finally caught one,” JungMin’s fiancée remarked, sniffing a little. “Commoners can’t be allowed to behave like that, right? And he smelled kind of funny.”

A spark of anger flashed in JungMin’s eyes, his hands curling into fists in his lap as he bit the inside of his cheek until it bled. No, he wasn’t going to let them take KyuJong away. He wasn’t going to let him go like that, with this stuck-up peacocks mocking his existence when he was a better man than any of them could ever hope to be.

JungMin lifted his head and his eyes met HyungJoon’s from across the room. The younger noble’s expression was solemn as he searched JungMin’s eyes before giving a small, barely perceptible nod.

It was time to stage an example of their own.

***************************

That night, JungMin and HyungJoon disobeyed orders and snuck out of the Palace.

It wasn’t to their surprise to find YoungSaeng and HyunJoong in the hideout, the singer pacing around and looking like he’d seen a ghost.

When the door opened, YoungSaeng whirled around with a hopefully expression, only for it to fall when he saw JungMin and HyungJoon. Then he looked confused. “I thought you two would be locked up in the Palace for another few weeks?”

“We’re supposed to be,” JungMin said, and it was the hard look in his eyes that got the thieves’ attentions. HyunJoong slowly stood.

“KyuJong snuck in and was caught,” HyungJoon said, and both thieves paled instantly.

“…Oh no,” YoungSaeng whispered, and sat down heavily.

“Where is he now?” HyunJoong snapped, going behind his boyfriend and massaging his shoulders.

“In the dungeons,” JungMin replied, taking up YoungSaeng’s task of pacing around. “He’s going to hang tomorrow at noon.”

“It’s not enough time,” YoungSaeng said, staring up at them. “We can’t break him out of there in a night, the security will be crazy, they’ll just catch us all.”

JungMin looked over his shoulder at him. “That’s why we’re not going to break him out of the dungeons. We’ll let things continue as they’re supposed to, right up until the gallows.”

YoungSaeng stared at him. “How’s that supposed to help Kyu yah?” he cried out.

“Wait, listen,” JungMin shook his head. “I know how to get under the gallows unseen, we can be waiting. The security in the dungeons will be intense, and it’ll be the same at the gallows, but then there’s the crowd. Have you ever seen guards try to keep a handle on things when crowds start to riot?”

HyunJoong frowned thoughtfully, his hands not stopping in their massaging motion. “Go on.”

“Joonie’s good with arrows,” JungMin said, looking to his friend who nodded. “He can cut the rope when the trap door falls. I’ll be underneath the gallows waiting, and you guys can start up something in the crowd. It doesn’t matter, shove someone or something. Get the guards distracted, and I’ll slip out with KyuJong.”

“How are you sure you can get out unseen?” HyunJoong asked. “It’s even more dangerous for you than for us, they’ll recognize you a mile away.”

“I’ll hide my hair and face,” JungMin rolled his eyes. “And once the crowd is riled up enough, it’ll be easy to get away. I can bring KyuJong to the edge of the village and get him up on a horse and away.”

There was silence after that.

“…He really won’t be able to stay here after this, right?” YoungSaeng murmured. “Not now that they have his face, and the crowd will see his face. It isn’t safe.”

“I don’t like the idea of sending him out of here alone,” HyunJoong frowned.

“That’s why I’m going with him,” JungMin said firmly.

HyungJoon squeaked, staring at him. “You didn’t tell me about this!”

JungMin sighed, leaning against the wall. “I know, Joon, I’m sorry. I can’t be here anymore. I can’t deal with Court, I can’t marry that woman, I can’t keep doing what they want me to do.” He glanced sidelong at his friend. “I’ll figure out something once I’m out of here, but I’m not spending one more day being their puppet.”

YoungSaeng and HyunJoong looked at each other for a long moment. “…So how many horses can you sneak out for us?” YoungSaeng asked finally with a small smile.

“You guys want to come too?” JungMin blinked owlishly.

“Of course,” YoungSaeng answered. “I’m not leaving Kyu yah alone in the hands of a spoiled noble.” He was smiling.

JungMin looked at him before grinning. “I’m sure I can manage another horse if you’re okay with riding double.”

“You’re all leaving me here?” HyungJoon whined pitifully.

HyunJoong chuckled. “We’ll need a pack horse,” he mused.

“Right,” JungMin grinned. “So if you decide to hop on board, Joonie, there’s your ride.”

The younger noble whined, but he didn’t say no to the idea.

“Okay, so, we need to plan,” YoungSaeng said, getting up. There was determination in his eyes as he pulled out a map and unrolled it across the table, pinning down the edges. “If we’re going to get through this in one piece, that is.”

“Always preferable,” HyunJoong chuckled, walking up to the table and wrapping one arm around YoungSaeng’s waist.

JungMin grinned at HyungJoon as they joined the two thieves at the table, and planned.

*****************************

The roar of the crowd was nearly deafening, even from JungMin’s hiding spot in a dark corner under the gallows. He could hear some shouting in approval, and it made him want to yell in their faces, those too scared of retaliation to support one of their own in what could be his final moments. Others screamed for the young man to be released, and he scoffed at them too, because for all their hard talk, the street rats were all that…talk. They wouldn’t step up to save their own mother if it meant risking their own neck.

The herald was calling a name, the one name JungMin would have given his own life to have never heard. And as the reason for the death penalty was given, there was the clink of chains as the condemned was guided up the steps of the gallows and towards the noose.

JungMin tried not to imagine what was going on above the gallows, the expression on KyuJong’s face as he was faced with the noose that would end his life. Had they covered his face yet? His arms were bound, legs too if the shuffling was any indication. No, they wouldn’t hide his face yet. Let him see the crowd, see them and hear them calling for his death, and see the noose in front of him before they put the bag over his head.

Drawing in a deep breath, JungMin adjusted his grip on the dagger in his hand, edge sharp enough to cut without pressure. He turned YoungSaeng crouching beside him, fingers tying the mask that covered the lower half of his face. The singer had insisted on coming with him, to make sure the job was done properly. There was no room for errors. If their identities were known, they would be the next to hang.

“Ready?” JungMin whispered, the word barely audible over the roar of the crowd.

YoungSaeng nodded wordlessly, attention drawn upwards as the thump of feet and clinking of chains passed overhead.

The herald finished his speech and stepped out of the way, the crowd roaring as they saw KyuJong’s face. Maybe a few of them recognized him. Maybe not. It wouldn’t matter once he was dead.

JungMin clenched his jaw. ’Come on Joonie…this is the one time you can’t miss.’

He and YoungSaeng listened to the rustle of chains, and fabric. The wood creaked as KyuJong was made to stand on the trapdoor. The bag slipped over his head, and the noose around his neck. The crowd grew louder.

Then the trapdoor opened.

THWACK!

No sooner had the rope snapped taut, KyuJong’s bound feet falling through the floor, had the sound of an arrow slamming into the wooden pole cut through the air. With a tearing sound the rope gave, and KyuJong fell through all the way, JungMin waiting to catch him and grunting as the breath was knocked out of him.

The bag and noose were torn from KyuJong’s face, as was the gag over his mouth. The second his mouth was free, KyuJong started to cough horribly, gasping for air. JungMin and YoungSaeng hurried to remove his bonds, between them both stripping KyuJong of ropes and chains within seconds. Once his hands were free, KyuJong pressed them over his neck, a painful welt becoming visible from the noose.

“Easy there,” JungMin murmured.

“M-Min?” KyuJong gasped, looking up at him once he could breathe somewhat. “Sa-aeng?”

“Thank yous later,” JungMin said, rubbing his back and pulling him forward onto his hands and knees, the space under the gallows too short to stand in. “We need to get out of here.”

There was the sound of stomping and shouting as the guards scrambled to get to under the gallows, then the roar of something else.

“There’s our distraction,” YoungSaeng said, watching through a crack in the wood as the crowd surged in on itself, pushing and shoving back. “Come on, before they-“

A guard burst through the wood and JungMin slid into place, his dagger finding it’s home in the man’s stomach. He pulled it out and shoved the guard to one side. “Let’s get out of here!”

KyuJong took the offered hand and followed after them, clumsy at first after being bound from head to toe. But once they had straightened from under the gallows and dived into the crowd, he got his momentum back and ran along beside JungMin, panting. “Where’s the other two?”

“They’ll be at the meeting spot by now,” JungMin said, shoving KyuJong on. The guards were pushing the crowd back, trying to get through to follow them, but the mass of bodies was stopping them.

“Thanks,” KyuJong smiled back at him, and JungMin returned the smile, adrenaline pumping through his veins as they ran.

Thankfully the chaos HyunJoong had started made it easy to get out. Before they knew it they were at the edge of the village, joining HyunJoong and HyungJoon who were untying the horses JungMin and HyungJoon had snuck out of the Palace stables. “Hurry,” HyungJoon grinned, tying his quiver to the packhorse before climbing onto it, and yelping when he was nearly dumped before he got his feet in the saddle.

HyunJoong tossed a gold coin to the street kid he’d asked to watch over the horses. “Scram before you’re caught.” The boy gave them a toothy grin before running away.

KyuJong had no problems hoisting himself onto the horse, JungMin not so lucky. “Your long legs are in the way,” he told the other man, KyuJong laughing before wrapping his arms around JungMin’s waist once the redhead was settled.

“Let’s go!” YoungSaeng exclaimed, HyunJoong’s arms around his waist as he picked up the reins to his own horse. About to do the same, JungMin felt KyuJong’s hands turning him half around in the saddle and then the thief was kissing him deeply.

“Thank you, Min,” he whispered when they broke the kiss.

The noble just smiled, kissing him back and cupping his cheek. “Ready?” he murmured.

“Yes,” KyuJong laughed, letting JungMin turn around again and re-securing his grip around the younger man’s waist, resting his cheek against JungMin’s back.

JungMin smiled as he nudged the horse’s sides and they made their way out of the village. It wouldn’t be easy, striking out on their own like this, but anywhere was fine with him as long as KyuJong was alive and smiling beside him.

He still hadn’t returned the quiet confession from weeks ago, but that was all right. They would have all the time in the world to think about that. All he was going to think about right now was the wind through his hair, the world out in front of them, and the man holding him so securely he would never have to worry about letting go again.