from time to time (you cross my mind) [fic]
pairing: chansoo
rating: pg-13
genre: romance
length: 2338
summary: fire prince chanyeol gets creative in finding ways to go to the earth kingdom on… “official business.” atla!au
originally written for onemorechansoo fic fest.
“...And so, with this final negotiation, we should have completed the Quadruple Alliance between the four nations. As you can see from this map…”
Chanyeol wants to die.
He’s been sitting in this meeting for almost four hours and if he doesn’t get on a ship before sundown, he won’t be able to leave for the Earth Kingdom until the next day. There’s no way he can delay this trip anymore. He wishes he can dismiss the meeting earlier, but it’s not really his decision. Other admirals and advisers are also present which means they all have to share their concerns before calling it to a close.
Chanyeol sighs loudly, earning a side glance from Jongdae, sitting to his right. He nudges him, a sign that most likely says, hold it together[a]. He grows more impatient by the minute, the setting sun casting shadows over the large room, along with Chanyeol’s hopes of getting on with his trip.
He has a perfectly good reason as to why he’s anxious to return to the Earth Kingdom. For one, as the crown prince, he acts as a diplomat and must maintain good relations with the Kingdom. Besides, it’s been weeks[b] since he’s last been there. He has to make sure he’s 100% up to date on all things Earth Kingdom.
He drums his fingers impatiently, willing this damned meeting to be over already.
“What do you think, Your Highness?” General Tsao says. Chanyeol snaps his head up, dozens of eyes on him.
“Uhm. Right. What do I think? I think…” he looks to Jongdae for help, but of course, he just gives him an amused look with his one eyebrow raised. Some friend. “I...agree with what you have previously said. General,” he attempts. It seems like a satisfactory response for the general. “Fantastic, then shall we move to close this session?”
“YES,” Chanyeol says rather enthusiastically. “I mean, yes. Please do so.”
The officials all finally began to rise from their seats and Chanyeol was more than happy to spring up from his place at the head of the room. He all but ushers the men out of the room, sighing with relief as soon as they leave.
“Anxious are we?” Jongdae muses. “If we leave now, we might just get there on time,” Chanyeol says, pulling his best friend along.
They board the ship with only a few hours before sunset left. Jongdae and a few crew members head below deck to prepare the evening. But Chanyeol remains on the stern of the ship, pacing back and forth as they sail toward the Earth Kingdom.
He doesn’t even remember when the moon took the sun’s place in the sky, but Chanyeol is feeling a little cold now and shudders slightly. Someone comes over and drapes a blanket around him and hands him a steaming cup of tea.
“I don’t understand why you’re so antsy. You literally saw Kyungsoo two weeks ago,” Jongdae says. Chanyeol spits out his tea. “It’s not about Kyungsoo, it’s about our...treaty negotiations,” his eyes shift nervously. Jongdae rolls his eyes. “Please, Chanyeol. I know what this trip is really about.”
Chanyeol avoids his eyes, opting to look out into the open sea. He knows he really can’t lie to Jongdae, but at the same time, he can’t let him know the truth. He drinks his tea with a firm line on his face while Jongdae just continues to laugh at him.
After what seemed like an endless journey, the familiar stone skyline of the Ba Sing Se comes to view. Chanyeol all but scrambles toward the exit of the ship, forever impatient to dock on the large port. The crew manager offers to help him take his things, but Chanyeol dismissively tells him to just send them to the palace. Pulling Jongdae along with him, they make their way for Ba Sing Se.
Naturally, dressed in royal robes with the Fire Nation insignia emblazoned on the chest, he sparks curiosity among the civilians, “Chanyeol, maybe you should have come with some guards or something,” Jongdae says worriedly. “Honestly, I can’t think about that right now,” Chanyeol replies. I’m not here to make an entrance.” He continues to barrel his way through the dense crowd toward the large palace.
Climbing the stairs which lead to the large door, Chanyeol suddenly stops. He takes a deep breath and pushes it open. The first thing he registers is that several pairs of eyes are on him, but the next thing he sees is Earth Prince Do Kyungsoo, sitting on the throne up front, widening his large eyes in shock. Chanyeol stares at him for a few moments. It really hadn’t been that long since they last met, but damn, it feels like it’s been forever.
“Oh...Your Highness,” a familiar voice says. He breaks contact with Kyungsoo to find the source. Kim Junmyeon of the Northern Water Tribe is bowing towards him with an amiable smile, while another water tribe member, Kim Minseok stands beside him. This seems to spur him into action, “Oh! Hello, Junmyeon! I...I am so sorry, was I interrupting something?” he splutters. “Oh, no, of course not, Your Highness. I did not know Prince Do was expecting Fire Nation company today,” Junmyeon replies.
“He wasn’t,” Kyungsoo says, rising from his seat and stepping down to the ground. “What are you doing here, Chanyeol?”
“Oh, that. Well, you see....”
“Your Majesty, did you forget?” Chanyeol looks to see Baekhyun, a close friend of Jongdae and Chanyeol and Kyungsoo’s trusted advisor, who seems to have been there all along. “His Highness was coming today to discuss some more treaty negotiations.” He says with a knowing smile. He winks back to Chanyeol who belatedly realizes Jongdae is standing behind him.
Kyungsoo raises an eyebrow in confusion because he definitely knows there’s no more negotiation[d] left. Junmyeon clears his throat, “Well, in that case, we don’t want to be in your way any much longer.”
“Oh, not at all, Junmyeon. Please, you’re welcome to stay for a little longer,” Kyungsoo says. Chanyeol lets out a whine caught in his throat but shuts up when Kyungsoo glares at him.
“No, really. We must get going,” Junmyeon insists. “It was good seeing you again, Your Highness.” The water tribe diplomat bows to him again.
The loud echo of the door closing rings in the room. Kyungsoo makes his way toward Chanyeol, who holds out his arms for him. Instead, there’s a sharp pain coming from his ear, “OW. What the hell, Kyungsoo?”
The shorter boy gives him a sharp look. “Chanyeol, seriously. Why are you here? You literally just came two weeks ago.”
Chanyeol smiles cheekily at him, “Take a guess.” The latter rolls his eyes. “This is risky, Chanyeol. You can’t afford to just take trips here on a whim, and not so often either.”
“It’s not on a whim, I’m here on official business.” Kyungsoo sighs. “There are so many things you could be doing; you’re a prince for Heaven’s sake. What if your father realizes you’ve gone again? What if he sends your guards down here to find you? What if my own father finds out--”
Chanyeol silences him with a soft press on the lips. “Maybe I just wanted to see you again.”
With a slight flush on his cheeks, Kyungsoo begins to protest again. “You...you really shouldn’t be doing this…”
"Look, I don't want distance to be a problem in our relationship. I'm willing to sacrifice a few tedious as hell meetings to come see you every now and then," Chanyeol says.
“We shouldn’t have to make that sacrifice…” Kyungsoo whispers. The taller boy smiles at him,
“Let’s just enjoy ourselves, for the little time we have together. At least until the next time.” The Earth prince smiles back at him and moves to embrace him again.
Suddenly, a cough sounded behind them, forcing them out of their reverie. They completely forgot about Baekhyun and Jongdae still standing in the same room as them. With flushed cheeks, Kyungsoo lightly pulls Chanyeol out of the throne room, laughing as they make their way into the Royal Palace.
_______________
Hardly a few weeks pass after Chanyeol’s last visit to the Earth Kingdom. Yet once again, he’s stealing his way through the deserted Palace halls, making his way to the ports. The captain is surprised to see the Crown Prince standing at the harbor,
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but we aren’t taking any ferries to the Earth Kingdom this week. The seas have been rather violent due to storms from the North.”
“But there are still ships going there, right?” Chanyeol counters.
“Yes, but they’re only cargo ships.”
“Doesn’t matter, you are still going to take me to the Earth Kingdom.”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but for your safety, wouldn’t it be better to just wait for the ferry?”
“There is important business to be conducted and it cannot wait. You will take me to the Earth Kingdom, otherwise I shall order you removed from your position,” Chanyeol threatens.
The captain sighs but allows the Prince to board the ship.
Arriving at the Earth Kingdom harbor, Chanyeol decides to remove his royal garb to take attention away from himself. He manages to make it through the city without any interruptions, save for the few people who whispered at the sight of a non-earthbender.
Rather than barging into the throne room, he respectfully finds a servant to lead him to Kyungsoo. He’s surprised to find himself taken to the garden rather than the throne room. But he remembers that Kyungsoo loves the outdoors.
He spots his lover sitting on a bench sipping tea with a few unfamiliar faces. He allows the servant to first announce his arrival rather than showing up on a whim.
“Chanyeol!” Kyungsoo’s face lights up, much to the latter’s surprise. The shorter prince waves him over, making room for him on the bench.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” he says with a bedazzling smile. “These are a few of my friends who are airbenders, Sehun and Jongin.”
The two young men in front of him bow politely, revealing some of their tattoos inked on their arms, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness,” the tan one says.
“Ah, yes,” Chanyeol replies.
“Kyungsoo has told us a lot about you, we didn’t know he actually called you over today,” the other boy says. Kyungsoo laughs in embarrassment.
They spend the next few hours chatting over tea until it starts to get considerably late, forcing the two airbenders to bid the princes goodbye. Chanyeol finally gets a chance to properly look at Kyungsoo, who is still smiling and looking more beautiful than ever.
“You weren’t really expecting me, be honest,” Chanyeol says.
“I had a feeling you’d be coming around sometime soon, it was about that time,” the Earth prince says, grabbing his boyfriend’s hand.
“How come I don’t get a scolding for ‘shirking from my responsibilities’?”
Kyungsoo raises an eyebrow, “Do you want one?”
Chanyeol guiltily shakes his head no. Kyungsoo laughs, “No, I won’t scold you, because you are right. What you said last time makes sense.”
“...What did I say last time again?”
“How it’s stupid that we only get to see each other once every few weeks or even months, and although we both have duties to take care of, people to see, nations to care about, distance should be the least of our problems between us,” Kyungsoo says with a blush on his cheeks.
Chanyeol grins, “I’m glad you can finally see that.”
Kyungsoo laughs again, and Chanyeol kisses him sweetly, the sun finally setting and the moon becoming the only source of light.
________________
Chanyeol feels like he’s dying.
He has gotten sick several times in the past, but it’s never been this bad. All of his royal healers have tried all kinds of remedies and concoctions but nothing seems to work. He finally turns to Jongdae to call a healer from the Water Tribe, because there’s no way he can spend another day sick in bed. He’s a prince, after all.
Yixing, from the Northern Water Tribe, arrives, immediately comforting Chanyeol to see a trusted friend at his side, “I will help to relieve your blocked chakra which should alleviate the fever, but more than that, it’s important you stay hydrated and bundled up.”
Chanyeol feels like he’s been asleep for weeks, but he still doesn’t feel any better. Jongdae has taken to be his bedside nurse, retrieving water and placing cool towels on his head. He feels himself calling out to someone, reaching out for something[g], but he can’t quite get it.
Finally, he knows what he’s calling for; he’s calling for Kyungsoo[h]. Somewhere in the back of his fever bridled mind he knows it’s a futile attempt, because Kyungsoo isn’t here, isn’t anywhere near here.
He feels a pair of cool hands grasping his while simultaneously placing cool towels on his forehead, “...Jongdae? That you?” he mumbles incoherently. The person doesn’t respond, so Chanyeol blearily opens his eyes. He thinks he’s hallucinating because there’s no way he’s here.
“K-Kyungsoo?”
Blinking more rapidly, he can definitely see it’s Kyungsoo, his love, sitting at his bedside.
“Hush, go back to sleep,” the familiar scold in his voice cannot deny that it’s him.
“How are you here?”
“Shh, I’m on ‘official business’,” Kyungsoo says with a smile.
“And what kind of business is that?” Chanyeol can’t help but counter, his spirits lifting more than a few healing sessions.
“Taking care of my idiot boyfriend who goes and gets himself sick,” the Earth prince says.
Chanyeol smiles to himself, “If I had known you’d come running to my aid, I should have gotten sick a lot earlier.”
“Shut up.”
He sighs contentedly, “Thank you, Soo.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“I love you.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t respond until after a few moments, “Go back to sleep, Chanyeol.”
“Tell me you love me too.”
Chanyeol is halfway into a dreamlike sleep before he hears a soft, “I love you too.”
rating: pg-13
genre: romance
length: 2338
summary: fire prince chanyeol gets creative in finding ways to go to the earth kingdom on… “official business.” atla!au
originally written for onemorechansoo fic fest.
“...And so, with this final negotiation, we should have completed the Quadruple Alliance between the four nations. As you can see from this map…”
Chanyeol wants to die.
He’s been sitting in this meeting for almost four hours and if he doesn’t get on a ship before sundown, he won’t be able to leave for the Earth Kingdom until the next day. There’s no way he can delay this trip anymore. He wishes he can dismiss the meeting earlier, but it’s not really his decision. Other admirals and advisers are also present which means they all have to share their concerns before calling it to a close.
Chanyeol sighs loudly, earning a side glance from Jongdae, sitting to his right. He nudges him, a sign that most likely says, hold it together[a]. He grows more impatient by the minute, the setting sun casting shadows over the large room, along with Chanyeol’s hopes of getting on with his trip.
He has a perfectly good reason as to why he’s anxious to return to the Earth Kingdom. For one, as the crown prince, he acts as a diplomat and must maintain good relations with the Kingdom. Besides, it’s been weeks[b] since he’s last been there. He has to make sure he’s 100% up to date on all things Earth Kingdom.
He drums his fingers impatiently, willing this damned meeting to be over already.
“What do you think, Your Highness?” General Tsao says. Chanyeol snaps his head up, dozens of eyes on him.
“Uhm. Right. What do I think? I think…” he looks to Jongdae for help, but of course, he just gives him an amused look with his one eyebrow raised. Some friend. “I...agree with what you have previously said. General,” he attempts. It seems like a satisfactory response for the general. “Fantastic, then shall we move to close this session?”
“YES,” Chanyeol says rather enthusiastically. “I mean, yes. Please do so.”
The officials all finally began to rise from their seats and Chanyeol was more than happy to spring up from his place at the head of the room. He all but ushers the men out of the room, sighing with relief as soon as they leave.
“Anxious are we?” Jongdae muses. “If we leave now, we might just get there on time,” Chanyeol says, pulling his best friend along.
They board the ship with only a few hours before sunset left. Jongdae and a few crew members head below deck to prepare the evening. But Chanyeol remains on the stern of the ship, pacing back and forth as they sail toward the Earth Kingdom.
He doesn’t even remember when the moon took the sun’s place in the sky, but Chanyeol is feeling a little cold now and shudders slightly. Someone comes over and drapes a blanket around him and hands him a steaming cup of tea.
“I don’t understand why you’re so antsy. You literally saw Kyungsoo two weeks ago,” Jongdae says. Chanyeol spits out his tea. “It’s not about Kyungsoo, it’s about our...treaty negotiations,” his eyes shift nervously. Jongdae rolls his eyes. “Please, Chanyeol. I know what this trip is really about.”
Chanyeol avoids his eyes, opting to look out into the open sea. He knows he really can’t lie to Jongdae, but at the same time, he can’t let him know the truth. He drinks his tea with a firm line on his face while Jongdae just continues to laugh at him.
After what seemed like an endless journey, the familiar stone skyline of the Ba Sing Se comes to view. Chanyeol all but scrambles toward the exit of the ship, forever impatient to dock on the large port. The crew manager offers to help him take his things, but Chanyeol dismissively tells him to just send them to the palace. Pulling Jongdae along with him, they make their way for Ba Sing Se.
Naturally, dressed in royal robes with the Fire Nation insignia emblazoned on the chest, he sparks curiosity among the civilians, “Chanyeol, maybe you should have come with some guards or something,” Jongdae says worriedly. “Honestly, I can’t think about that right now,” Chanyeol replies. I’m not here to make an entrance.” He continues to barrel his way through the dense crowd toward the large palace.
Climbing the stairs which lead to the large door, Chanyeol suddenly stops. He takes a deep breath and pushes it open. The first thing he registers is that several pairs of eyes are on him, but the next thing he sees is Earth Prince Do Kyungsoo, sitting on the throne up front, widening his large eyes in shock. Chanyeol stares at him for a few moments. It really hadn’t been that long since they last met, but damn, it feels like it’s been forever.
“Oh...Your Highness,” a familiar voice says. He breaks contact with Kyungsoo to find the source. Kim Junmyeon of the Northern Water Tribe is bowing towards him with an amiable smile, while another water tribe member, Kim Minseok stands beside him. This seems to spur him into action, “Oh! Hello, Junmyeon! I...I am so sorry, was I interrupting something?” he splutters. “Oh, no, of course not, Your Highness. I did not know Prince Do was expecting Fire Nation company today,” Junmyeon replies.
“He wasn’t,” Kyungsoo says, rising from his seat and stepping down to the ground. “What are you doing here, Chanyeol?”
“Oh, that. Well, you see....”
“Your Majesty, did you forget?” Chanyeol looks to see Baekhyun, a close friend of Jongdae and Chanyeol and Kyungsoo’s trusted advisor, who seems to have been there all along. “His Highness was coming today to discuss some more treaty negotiations.” He says with a knowing smile. He winks back to Chanyeol who belatedly realizes Jongdae is standing behind him.
Kyungsoo raises an eyebrow in confusion because he definitely knows there’s no more negotiation[d] left. Junmyeon clears his throat, “Well, in that case, we don’t want to be in your way any much longer.”
“Oh, not at all, Junmyeon. Please, you’re welcome to stay for a little longer,” Kyungsoo says. Chanyeol lets out a whine caught in his throat but shuts up when Kyungsoo glares at him.
“No, really. We must get going,” Junmyeon insists. “It was good seeing you again, Your Highness.” The water tribe diplomat bows to him again.
The loud echo of the door closing rings in the room. Kyungsoo makes his way toward Chanyeol, who holds out his arms for him. Instead, there’s a sharp pain coming from his ear, “OW. What the hell, Kyungsoo?”
The shorter boy gives him a sharp look. “Chanyeol, seriously. Why are you here? You literally just came two weeks ago.”
Chanyeol smiles cheekily at him, “Take a guess.” The latter rolls his eyes. “This is risky, Chanyeol. You can’t afford to just take trips here on a whim, and not so often either.”
“It’s not on a whim, I’m here on official business.” Kyungsoo sighs. “There are so many things you could be doing; you’re a prince for Heaven’s sake. What if your father realizes you’ve gone again? What if he sends your guards down here to find you? What if my own father finds out--”
Chanyeol silences him with a soft press on the lips. “Maybe I just wanted to see you again.”
With a slight flush on his cheeks, Kyungsoo begins to protest again. “You...you really shouldn’t be doing this…”
"Look, I don't want distance to be a problem in our relationship. I'm willing to sacrifice a few tedious as hell meetings to come see you every now and then," Chanyeol says.
“We shouldn’t have to make that sacrifice…” Kyungsoo whispers. The taller boy smiles at him,
“Let’s just enjoy ourselves, for the little time we have together. At least until the next time.” The Earth prince smiles back at him and moves to embrace him again.
Suddenly, a cough sounded behind them, forcing them out of their reverie. They completely forgot about Baekhyun and Jongdae still standing in the same room as them. With flushed cheeks, Kyungsoo lightly pulls Chanyeol out of the throne room, laughing as they make their way into the Royal Palace.
_______________
Hardly a few weeks pass after Chanyeol’s last visit to the Earth Kingdom. Yet once again, he’s stealing his way through the deserted Palace halls, making his way to the ports. The captain is surprised to see the Crown Prince standing at the harbor,
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but we aren’t taking any ferries to the Earth Kingdom this week. The seas have been rather violent due to storms from the North.”
“But there are still ships going there, right?” Chanyeol counters.
“Yes, but they’re only cargo ships.”
“Doesn’t matter, you are still going to take me to the Earth Kingdom.”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but for your safety, wouldn’t it be better to just wait for the ferry?”
“There is important business to be conducted and it cannot wait. You will take me to the Earth Kingdom, otherwise I shall order you removed from your position,” Chanyeol threatens.
The captain sighs but allows the Prince to board the ship.
Arriving at the Earth Kingdom harbor, Chanyeol decides to remove his royal garb to take attention away from himself. He manages to make it through the city without any interruptions, save for the few people who whispered at the sight of a non-earthbender.
Rather than barging into the throne room, he respectfully finds a servant to lead him to Kyungsoo. He’s surprised to find himself taken to the garden rather than the throne room. But he remembers that Kyungsoo loves the outdoors.
He spots his lover sitting on a bench sipping tea with a few unfamiliar faces. He allows the servant to first announce his arrival rather than showing up on a whim.
“Chanyeol!” Kyungsoo’s face lights up, much to the latter’s surprise. The shorter prince waves him over, making room for him on the bench.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” he says with a bedazzling smile. “These are a few of my friends who are airbenders, Sehun and Jongin.”
The two young men in front of him bow politely, revealing some of their tattoos inked on their arms, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness,” the tan one says.
“Ah, yes,” Chanyeol replies.
“Kyungsoo has told us a lot about you, we didn’t know he actually called you over today,” the other boy says. Kyungsoo laughs in embarrassment.
They spend the next few hours chatting over tea until it starts to get considerably late, forcing the two airbenders to bid the princes goodbye. Chanyeol finally gets a chance to properly look at Kyungsoo, who is still smiling and looking more beautiful than ever.
“You weren’t really expecting me, be honest,” Chanyeol says.
“I had a feeling you’d be coming around sometime soon, it was about that time,” the Earth prince says, grabbing his boyfriend’s hand.
“How come I don’t get a scolding for ‘shirking from my responsibilities’?”
Kyungsoo raises an eyebrow, “Do you want one?”
Chanyeol guiltily shakes his head no. Kyungsoo laughs, “No, I won’t scold you, because you are right. What you said last time makes sense.”
“...What did I say last time again?”
“How it’s stupid that we only get to see each other once every few weeks or even months, and although we both have duties to take care of, people to see, nations to care about, distance should be the least of our problems between us,” Kyungsoo says with a blush on his cheeks.
Chanyeol grins, “I’m glad you can finally see that.”
Kyungsoo laughs again, and Chanyeol kisses him sweetly, the sun finally setting and the moon becoming the only source of light.
________________
Chanyeol feels like he’s dying.
He has gotten sick several times in the past, but it’s never been this bad. All of his royal healers have tried all kinds of remedies and concoctions but nothing seems to work. He finally turns to Jongdae to call a healer from the Water Tribe, because there’s no way he can spend another day sick in bed. He’s a prince, after all.
Yixing, from the Northern Water Tribe, arrives, immediately comforting Chanyeol to see a trusted friend at his side, “I will help to relieve your blocked chakra which should alleviate the fever, but more than that, it’s important you stay hydrated and bundled up.”
Chanyeol feels like he’s been asleep for weeks, but he still doesn’t feel any better. Jongdae has taken to be his bedside nurse, retrieving water and placing cool towels on his head. He feels himself calling out to someone, reaching out for something[g], but he can’t quite get it.
Finally, he knows what he’s calling for; he’s calling for Kyungsoo[h]. Somewhere in the back of his fever bridled mind he knows it’s a futile attempt, because Kyungsoo isn’t here, isn’t anywhere near here.
He feels a pair of cool hands grasping his while simultaneously placing cool towels on his forehead, “...Jongdae? That you?” he mumbles incoherently. The person doesn’t respond, so Chanyeol blearily opens his eyes. He thinks he’s hallucinating because there’s no way he’s here.
“K-Kyungsoo?”
Blinking more rapidly, he can definitely see it’s Kyungsoo, his love, sitting at his bedside.
“Hush, go back to sleep,” the familiar scold in his voice cannot deny that it’s him.
“How are you here?”
“Shh, I’m on ‘official business’,” Kyungsoo says with a smile.
“And what kind of business is that?” Chanyeol can’t help but counter, his spirits lifting more than a few healing sessions.
“Taking care of my idiot boyfriend who goes and gets himself sick,” the Earth prince says.
Chanyeol smiles to himself, “If I had known you’d come running to my aid, I should have gotten sick a lot earlier.”
“Shut up.”
He sighs contentedly, “Thank you, Soo.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“I love you.”
Kyungsoo doesn’t respond until after a few moments, “Go back to sleep, Chanyeol.”
“Tell me you love me too.”
Chanyeol is halfway into a dreamlike sleep before he hears a soft, “I love you too.”