Chrysanthemum Terrace
Title: Chrysanthemum Terrace
Pairing: Hankyung/Heechul
Genre: Multi Chap, historical!au
Word Count: 3,239
Chapter: {3/4?} 1 2
Rating: NC-17
Synopsis: Two nations sick of war try to end things once and for all -- but what else will get caught in the cross-hairs?
“Zhou Mi, this really isn’t like you… Can you please tell me what’s wrong?”
The man had been sitting by the window all day, not even saying a single word to anyone, which was extremely unlike him. Heechul had no idea what was going on, and even if everyone else knew, no one would tell him anyway.
Zhou Mi sighed and finally faced him for the first time that morning. There were dark circles under his eyes, and it looked as though he hadn’t slept in days. His usual cheerful smile was replaced by a lurid grimace.
“I’m very sorry, Heechul, I really am…” He sat down at the table and motioned for Heechul to join him. “It’s just, I received terrible news last night.”
Heechul paused. “What is it?”
“My brother,” he said, voice fading. “His injuries from the fighting were too serious, his body couldn’t… couldn’t repair itself like they’d hoped it would…”
“Oh my…” Heechul looked down. “Zhou Mi, my condolences, I had no idea.”
“Spear to the torso,” Zhou Mi said through his teeth, seemingly finding it harder and harder to stay calm. “It didn’t hit a major artery so they thought he would be okay, but he bled out. He bled out and I wasn’t there to help him.”
“There’s no way any of this is your fault.”
“If only they would let me fight!” he yelled, pounding his fist on the table. “Maybe it could’ve been me instead, if they had let me fight maybe my brother would still be alive!”
“Why don’t they let you fight?” Heechul asked quietly.
“Because i’m too damn fragile! I’ve been a frail child since birth, I’ve never had good health, and going out there to fight would be a suicide attempt.” He put his head in his hands and motioned to the kettle on the table. “It’s why I drink tea all the time, you know. To keep me healthier, in hopes i’ll gain strength.” Zhou Mi’s anger had been replaced by looking extremely exhausted.
Heechul figured this was his cue to leave. He had no idea this had all went down, and if he knew beforehand, he wouldn’t have come. He put a hand on Zhou Mi’s shoulder, and he forced a smile. “I’ll leave you alone for a little while.”
“Thank you…”
When Heechul left the room, he heard the sound of glass breaking and what he could only assume were curses screamed in Chinese.
“I want to go home,” Heechul said softly, looking down and poking at his food. Han Geng raised an eyebrow, and Heechul just sighed. He wasn’t going to act it out for him.
He’d been here so long, it was beginning to feel lonely. Being able to only speak to one person was driving him crazy, and with the few words Han Geng taught him, it was still pretty impossible to get by. Not only was his existence here solitary, it was downright frightening. He was a slab of meat in the middle of a pack of dogs, and every moment he felt like someone would try to attack him. The stares of the other Hans were completely unsettling. He was even starting to fear Zhou Mi, which he believed wasn’t completely irrational -- one of Heechul’s own killed his brother, his brother by blood. If he were Zhou Mi, he knew he’d want revenge.
Suddenly, Heechul felt Han Geng take his hand and hold it comfortingly, and Heechul looked up at him for what felt like the first time all day. He knew he was really trying to comfort him, and so he feigned a smile and squeezed his hand.
--
“It’s about time we put that Goguryeo to some use, no?” Wu Chun said.
“Such as…?” Han Geng asked skeptically.
“Such as the reason I let you get away with not killing him in the first place,” he said. “Let’s bring him back to his territory and negotiate. I will not lose more men to their hands.”
“Think about this, though. They just unleashed a surprise attack on us, what makes you think they’ll want to sit down and be civil? I want to protect the lives of our people just as much as you do, but to be frank, I think the only way is to fight back.”
“I’m very surprised at you, Han Geng,” he laughed. “The pacifist wants to start a war!”
“Not a war, per say,” he insisted. “Just… defensive maneuvers. We need to let them know that we will not stand for this. Do you see Zhou Mi, how crushed he is over the death of his brother? I don’t want to see anyone go through that anymore. I’m not suggesting we take lives, i’m suggesting we use the factor of intimidation.”
Wu Chun raised an eyebrow. “So we go there with our bests weapons, puff out our chests and expect them to not attack us? That’s ridiculous.”
“Yet I think it’s worth a try.”
“You are not the leader, however. I am.” He stood up straight. “And I say we negotiate. I’ll humour you and tell the soldiers to bring their weapons, but they will not be used unless completely necessary. Understood?”
“Yes, Wu Chun,” he said, leaving the room.
Perhaps he was right. Maybe the Goguryeo leader would be willing to compromise, to create a treaty of sorts, but Han Geng just didn’t see that happening. He would’ve been open to that had the surprise attack never happened and made him bitter.
Zhou Mi’s brother was an amazing man, and an even better soldier. He wasn’t as close to him as he was to Zhou Mi, but from the times they had been together he took quite a liking to him. Of course he was feeling grief, but he was more concerned with Zhou Mi’s. He prayed that he’d get through this horrifying time, and hone the strength Han Geng knew he had.
The next morning, the men who were to set off across the border with Wu Chun and himself had already been selected. He was shocked to see Zhou Mi, standing stoic and emotionless in the line.
“What are you doing here?” he asked him frantically. “You’re not well enough, not yet.”
“Don’t be silly, i’m fine,” he said, completely avoiding any eye contact.
“I can’t let you do this, it’s too soon.”
Zhou Mi looked up and shot daggers with his eyes. “I am going with you, Han Geng.”
Surprised by his stubbornness he nodded quickly and moved on. It most certainly wasn’t worth a fight.
With all the men in line, the last thing to do was to fetch Heechul. He would be imperative to the whole operation, and although Han Geng was not looking forwarding to subjecting him to this, he knew he had to. Not only for himself and his own people, but for Heechul as well. This would be good for the both of them, he kept telling himself.
“Heechul,” he called, entering their room. He expected him to be still sleeping, but he was awake and pacing the room, staring out the window. “We… we have to go.”
“안다고,” he said, heading for the door as if he already knew the whole plan. Maybe he did.
Han Geng impulsively grabbed Heechul’s wrist, and for what reason, he didn’t know. If he was being totally honest with himself, he’d accept the fact that he wanted to kiss him, because what if this was the last chance? What if when they brought him back to the Goguryeos, he would stay there for good? Yet he couldn’t now… there wasn’t nearly enough time. So he settled for pulling him into a hug, a short but hopefully meaningful one.
--
This was it. After the months of being so far from his home, he was going back. He’d see his friends, his family, the village he always took for granted. Once again he could speak, and everyone would understand him. If everyone thought he talked a lot before, they’d get it double this time.
Despite his excitement, something was tugging at his heart a bit. Han Geng’s expression as he was leading everyone out was one of reluctance. Heechul found it hard to believe he’d be missed, because it seemed as though his presence was causing nothing but trouble, but the hug he gave him spoke otherwise. His mind immediately wandered to the kiss, the nights where they would lie against each other, but he reminded himself that now was not the time. Petty feelings couldn’t get in the way of the lives of the two villages. Besides, even if there weren’t other responsibilities in the way, it would never work. Logic said that the two were just too different.
But he pushed those thoughts away yet again and followed the crowd of Hans, almost feeling like one of their own as they made their way south, land becoming more and more familiar the farther they went.
“Alright, Heechul, listen up,” he heard Zhou Mi say, with an expression that meant he was all business. “This is where you become very important. Are you up to doing some serious negotiating?”
“Do I even have a choice?” Heechul asked.
“Well, not really,” Zhou Mi shrugged. “I was simply trying to be polite.”
“What do I have to do?” Heechul asked seriously. “I can’t make any guarantees but I will try my best.”
“Your leader, the one Choi Siwon… we don’t believe that he’d be willing to make any compromises with us. But if you try to sway him, maybe he’d let up. Are you in a position to do that?”
“Actually, i’m quite close with Siwon,” Heechul said. “Our fathers were good friends.”
Zhou Mi gasped. “That’s perfect then! I must tell Han Geng and Wu Chun!” He ran to them, leaving Heechul once again by himself.
He wondered if Siwon would listen to him. Sure, him and Siwon were in a sort of mutual respect because of family lineage, but Heechul knew about his innate hatred towards the Hans. Yet he wasn’t gonna tell Zhou Mi that this whole thing would probably fail, because he himself also wished for peace…
Heechul’s eyes wandered amongst the sea of people to the front, where Han Geng along with a few other men were leading. He prayed to anyone that would listen to keep that man safe, because he didn’t know what he’d do if he died by the hands of his people. Heechul didn’t know what would become of them when this all blew over. The realistic side of his brain told him they’d never see each other again, but the severely hopeful part promised reunion. It was so strange, that a person he was once so terrified of had become so important to him. He wasn’t a captor any longer, he was a protector. Because they had so many other more dire things at hand, Heechul wanted to slap himself for wanting just one more kiss before their string was cut.
--
After taking a deep breath, he set his foot down in Goguryeo territory. A cold wind blew across his face and it was eerie, because no one seemed to notice their presence yet. He looked towards Wu Chun who nodded at him, and on they marched.
He looked at Heechul who seemed nervous, and Han Geng couldn’t blame him one bit.
One person noticed them. Then another. A woman grabbed her child and ran. A young man grabbed a spear resting against a nearby shed. Finally, the Goguryeos knew they were there. They were immediately on the defense even though all they were doing was walking, walking without visible weapons.
From previous encounters, they knew where Choi Siwon was in residence. People stared and gaped and whimpered as they went, and Han Geng hated it, hated feeling like a monster. Because he wasn’t, right? His goal was to save people, not kill them. But these citizens didn’t know that. They were oblivious to everything other than what their ruler told them. He tried not to let it get under his skin.
He looked back, and Heechul was trying to hide his face. People were shouting things at him, and Han Geng could only imagine what. Traitor, liar, back stabber.
Choi Siwon lived in one of the only large buildings in the whole village. Standing before it was wondrous, and being in it was even more so. It was said that his wife designed the entire home, and it took seven years for skilled workers hand picked by her husband to complete it. Their wealth and royal blood truly showed.
A guard, trying his best not to look frightened, said something and Zhou Mi approached him with a bow, speaking in Korean. Zhou Mi then turned back to face his company. “This man will lead us to where we must go.”
After walking through halls decorated with paintings and relics, they reached a room where none other than Choi Siwon himself and his wife sat in glamorous thrones, looking fully prepared for their arrival.
“안녕하세요,” the Goguryeo leader said, and Han Geng remembered that Heechul taught him this word.
Zhou Mi walked forward once again. He bowed with just as much respect as he would to Wu Chun, and then seemingly explained their situation. He motioned for Heechul to come forward, and he sheepishly did so.
Suddenly, Choi Siwon started to laugh. Not a laugh of humour, but of bitterness. He stood up and approached Heechul, glaring at him. He grabbed him by the collar and yelled something in his face. Han Geng jumped and would’ve ripped the man apart had Wu Chun not grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back. Siwon seemed to notice this.
He walked towards Han Geng and lifted his chin and chest to show off his supposed superiority. The Han just stared at him, completely unphased and trying to hold back his anger.
“여보, 하지 마.” Everyone turned to look at Siwon’s wife. “앉다.”
Siwon shot one more glare and then sat back down on his throne.
After the ordeal of the first meeting, Zhou Mi explained that Choi Siwon had assigned them rooms to stay the night in so the discussions could continue in the morning. They were all lead to their room and Han Geng audibly sighed when he wasn’t put in the same room as Heechul. But then again, why would he have been?
After laying down in bed and staring at the ceiling for a good hour, there was a light knock on his door. He bolted upright and wondered who in the world it could possibly be. He creeped towards the door and, ready to fight off the attacker at any moment, opened the door.
“야!” Heechul whispered, trying not to laugh hysterically. “나야.”
Han Geng let out a sigh of relief and laughed at himself.
This was how it was supposed to be, he knew. Heechul’s head on his chest, laying by his side. He would probably never understand what it was that he made him feel, but he was okay with that. They didn’t need a word to say what they were, they just needed each other.
“I was so worried for you today,” he said softly, petting Heechul’s hair. He knew what he said wouldn’t be understood, but he didn’t care. Heechul’s eyes fluttered shut. “Helping us, you’ve gotten a horrible reputation, haven’t you? I’m so sorry…”
He wished they spoke the same language.
“If Choi Siwon hurts you --” Heechul popped up at recognizing the name. “I don’t know what i’ll do, Heechul. If anyone hurts you… No, I won’t let them. I’m gonna protect you, that’s the way it will be. You don’t have to worry.”
Heechul layed down again.
“I know you don’t need protecting, that you can take care of yourself. You must be strong since you’re a soldier, I know that. But I hope you understand that… you’re so special Heechul. Over the many months you’ve been with me, even though I don’t know what you say, I can just tell. Whenever you’re not with me I get so afraid, and when you’re with me all I want to do is hold you, and who knows what that means but I’ve decided not to question it. Maybe I love you? But how could I? Maybe you know what it is, but I just hope we can stay like this. You and me, protecting each other.”
Heechul faced him and drew patterns on his chest. He smiled and said, “Hello Han Geng.”
He laughed, amazed Heechul remembered after all this time how to say it. Heechul leaned in closer, and finally, after so long, they kissed once more. Immediately Zhou Mi’s words came into his head.
“You never know when you’ll be seeing someone for the last time.”
Han Geng kissed him like he’d never kissed anyone before. He brought Heechul as close to his body as he could, trying to memorize every part of his mouth. Heechul was just as enthusiastic, frantic, touching him everywhere he could. He couldn’t tell you how long they sat there, not being able to get enough of each other.
It didn’t matter, because really, he wished it would never end.
--
“I’m still baffled beyond belief, Kim Heechul.”
“Please, do tell me what’s so strange about wanting all this to end,” Heechul said, almost slamming his tea cup on the wood table.
Siwon huffed. “Don’t you see? These people are not capable of peace. I don’t know what ploy they’re trying to pull, but peace isn’t it.”
“If they’re incapable of peace, how come I’m still alive?”
“Because you’re that man’s pet,” he spat. “The one that almost killed me when I touched you.”
“They’re human, they have feelings too,” Heechul said sharply. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe that man cares about my well being?”
“What, did he rape you and make you believe he loves you?” Siwon sneered.
Heechul pounded his fist on the table. “Don’t you dare say that, Han Geng would never do that to anyone!”
“On a first name basis with your captor, I see.” Siwon took a deep breath. “Heechul, you’re like a brother to me. I want you to stay here, with your family, with your people. If you think that man is protecting you, you’re sadly mistaken. He’s doing nothing more than keeping tabs on his property.”
“I can’t stay here,” Heechul said. Just a while ago all Heechul wanted to do was go home, but now he realized he had more work to do with the Hans, to achieve their goal. “I’m going to help them end this feud once and for all. And if you won’t help, then we’ll do it ourselves.”
“You act like you’re one of them,” Siwon gaped. “I’m begging you to just stay here, Heechul. Don’t be known as the man who betrayed his country.”
“I won’t be known as the man who betrayed his country,” Heechul said, standing up. “I’ll be known as the man who saved his country.”
Pairing: Hankyung/Heechul
Genre: Multi Chap, historical!au
Word Count: 3,239
Chapter: {3/4?} 1 2
Rating: NC-17
Synopsis: Two nations sick of war try to end things once and for all -- but what else will get caught in the cross-hairs?
“Zhou Mi, this really isn’t like you… Can you please tell me what’s wrong?”
The man had been sitting by the window all day, not even saying a single word to anyone, which was extremely unlike him. Heechul had no idea what was going on, and even if everyone else knew, no one would tell him anyway.
Zhou Mi sighed and finally faced him for the first time that morning. There were dark circles under his eyes, and it looked as though he hadn’t slept in days. His usual cheerful smile was replaced by a lurid grimace.
“I’m very sorry, Heechul, I really am…” He sat down at the table and motioned for Heechul to join him. “It’s just, I received terrible news last night.”
Heechul paused. “What is it?”
“My brother,” he said, voice fading. “His injuries from the fighting were too serious, his body couldn’t… couldn’t repair itself like they’d hoped it would…”
“Oh my…” Heechul looked down. “Zhou Mi, my condolences, I had no idea.”
“Spear to the torso,” Zhou Mi said through his teeth, seemingly finding it harder and harder to stay calm. “It didn’t hit a major artery so they thought he would be okay, but he bled out. He bled out and I wasn’t there to help him.”
“There’s no way any of this is your fault.”
“If only they would let me fight!” he yelled, pounding his fist on the table. “Maybe it could’ve been me instead, if they had let me fight maybe my brother would still be alive!”
“Why don’t they let you fight?” Heechul asked quietly.
“Because i’m too damn fragile! I’ve been a frail child since birth, I’ve never had good health, and going out there to fight would be a suicide attempt.” He put his head in his hands and motioned to the kettle on the table. “It’s why I drink tea all the time, you know. To keep me healthier, in hopes i’ll gain strength.” Zhou Mi’s anger had been replaced by looking extremely exhausted.
Heechul figured this was his cue to leave. He had no idea this had all went down, and if he knew beforehand, he wouldn’t have come. He put a hand on Zhou Mi’s shoulder, and he forced a smile. “I’ll leave you alone for a little while.”
“Thank you…”
When Heechul left the room, he heard the sound of glass breaking and what he could only assume were curses screamed in Chinese.
“I want to go home,” Heechul said softly, looking down and poking at his food. Han Geng raised an eyebrow, and Heechul just sighed. He wasn’t going to act it out for him.
He’d been here so long, it was beginning to feel lonely. Being able to only speak to one person was driving him crazy, and with the few words Han Geng taught him, it was still pretty impossible to get by. Not only was his existence here solitary, it was downright frightening. He was a slab of meat in the middle of a pack of dogs, and every moment he felt like someone would try to attack him. The stares of the other Hans were completely unsettling. He was even starting to fear Zhou Mi, which he believed wasn’t completely irrational -- one of Heechul’s own killed his brother, his brother by blood. If he were Zhou Mi, he knew he’d want revenge.
Suddenly, Heechul felt Han Geng take his hand and hold it comfortingly, and Heechul looked up at him for what felt like the first time all day. He knew he was really trying to comfort him, and so he feigned a smile and squeezed his hand.
--
“It’s about time we put that Goguryeo to some use, no?” Wu Chun said.
“Such as…?” Han Geng asked skeptically.
“Such as the reason I let you get away with not killing him in the first place,” he said. “Let’s bring him back to his territory and negotiate. I will not lose more men to their hands.”
“Think about this, though. They just unleashed a surprise attack on us, what makes you think they’ll want to sit down and be civil? I want to protect the lives of our people just as much as you do, but to be frank, I think the only way is to fight back.”
“I’m very surprised at you, Han Geng,” he laughed. “The pacifist wants to start a war!”
“Not a war, per say,” he insisted. “Just… defensive maneuvers. We need to let them know that we will not stand for this. Do you see Zhou Mi, how crushed he is over the death of his brother? I don’t want to see anyone go through that anymore. I’m not suggesting we take lives, i’m suggesting we use the factor of intimidation.”
Wu Chun raised an eyebrow. “So we go there with our bests weapons, puff out our chests and expect them to not attack us? That’s ridiculous.”
“Yet I think it’s worth a try.”
“You are not the leader, however. I am.” He stood up straight. “And I say we negotiate. I’ll humour you and tell the soldiers to bring their weapons, but they will not be used unless completely necessary. Understood?”
“Yes, Wu Chun,” he said, leaving the room.
Perhaps he was right. Maybe the Goguryeo leader would be willing to compromise, to create a treaty of sorts, but Han Geng just didn’t see that happening. He would’ve been open to that had the surprise attack never happened and made him bitter.
Zhou Mi’s brother was an amazing man, and an even better soldier. He wasn’t as close to him as he was to Zhou Mi, but from the times they had been together he took quite a liking to him. Of course he was feeling grief, but he was more concerned with Zhou Mi’s. He prayed that he’d get through this horrifying time, and hone the strength Han Geng knew he had.
The next morning, the men who were to set off across the border with Wu Chun and himself had already been selected. He was shocked to see Zhou Mi, standing stoic and emotionless in the line.
“What are you doing here?” he asked him frantically. “You’re not well enough, not yet.”
“Don’t be silly, i’m fine,” he said, completely avoiding any eye contact.
“I can’t let you do this, it’s too soon.”
Zhou Mi looked up and shot daggers with his eyes. “I am going with you, Han Geng.”
Surprised by his stubbornness he nodded quickly and moved on. It most certainly wasn’t worth a fight.
With all the men in line, the last thing to do was to fetch Heechul. He would be imperative to the whole operation, and although Han Geng was not looking forwarding to subjecting him to this, he knew he had to. Not only for himself and his own people, but for Heechul as well. This would be good for the both of them, he kept telling himself.
“Heechul,” he called, entering their room. He expected him to be still sleeping, but he was awake and pacing the room, staring out the window. “We… we have to go.”
“안다고,” he said, heading for the door as if he already knew the whole plan. Maybe he did.
Han Geng impulsively grabbed Heechul’s wrist, and for what reason, he didn’t know. If he was being totally honest with himself, he’d accept the fact that he wanted to kiss him, because what if this was the last chance? What if when they brought him back to the Goguryeos, he would stay there for good? Yet he couldn’t now… there wasn’t nearly enough time. So he settled for pulling him into a hug, a short but hopefully meaningful one.
--
This was it. After the months of being so far from his home, he was going back. He’d see his friends, his family, the village he always took for granted. Once again he could speak, and everyone would understand him. If everyone thought he talked a lot before, they’d get it double this time.
Despite his excitement, something was tugging at his heart a bit. Han Geng’s expression as he was leading everyone out was one of reluctance. Heechul found it hard to believe he’d be missed, because it seemed as though his presence was causing nothing but trouble, but the hug he gave him spoke otherwise. His mind immediately wandered to the kiss, the nights where they would lie against each other, but he reminded himself that now was not the time. Petty feelings couldn’t get in the way of the lives of the two villages. Besides, even if there weren’t other responsibilities in the way, it would never work. Logic said that the two were just too different.
But he pushed those thoughts away yet again and followed the crowd of Hans, almost feeling like one of their own as they made their way south, land becoming more and more familiar the farther they went.
“Alright, Heechul, listen up,” he heard Zhou Mi say, with an expression that meant he was all business. “This is where you become very important. Are you up to doing some serious negotiating?”
“Do I even have a choice?” Heechul asked.
“Well, not really,” Zhou Mi shrugged. “I was simply trying to be polite.”
“What do I have to do?” Heechul asked seriously. “I can’t make any guarantees but I will try my best.”
“Your leader, the one Choi Siwon… we don’t believe that he’d be willing to make any compromises with us. But if you try to sway him, maybe he’d let up. Are you in a position to do that?”
“Actually, i’m quite close with Siwon,” Heechul said. “Our fathers were good friends.”
Zhou Mi gasped. “That’s perfect then! I must tell Han Geng and Wu Chun!” He ran to them, leaving Heechul once again by himself.
He wondered if Siwon would listen to him. Sure, him and Siwon were in a sort of mutual respect because of family lineage, but Heechul knew about his innate hatred towards the Hans. Yet he wasn’t gonna tell Zhou Mi that this whole thing would probably fail, because he himself also wished for peace…
Heechul’s eyes wandered amongst the sea of people to the front, where Han Geng along with a few other men were leading. He prayed to anyone that would listen to keep that man safe, because he didn’t know what he’d do if he died by the hands of his people. Heechul didn’t know what would become of them when this all blew over. The realistic side of his brain told him they’d never see each other again, but the severely hopeful part promised reunion. It was so strange, that a person he was once so terrified of had become so important to him. He wasn’t a captor any longer, he was a protector. Because they had so many other more dire things at hand, Heechul wanted to slap himself for wanting just one more kiss before their string was cut.
--
After taking a deep breath, he set his foot down in Goguryeo territory. A cold wind blew across his face and it was eerie, because no one seemed to notice their presence yet. He looked towards Wu Chun who nodded at him, and on they marched.
He looked at Heechul who seemed nervous, and Han Geng couldn’t blame him one bit.
One person noticed them. Then another. A woman grabbed her child and ran. A young man grabbed a spear resting against a nearby shed. Finally, the Goguryeos knew they were there. They were immediately on the defense even though all they were doing was walking, walking without visible weapons.
From previous encounters, they knew where Choi Siwon was in residence. People stared and gaped and whimpered as they went, and Han Geng hated it, hated feeling like a monster. Because he wasn’t, right? His goal was to save people, not kill them. But these citizens didn’t know that. They were oblivious to everything other than what their ruler told them. He tried not to let it get under his skin.
He looked back, and Heechul was trying to hide his face. People were shouting things at him, and Han Geng could only imagine what. Traitor, liar, back stabber.
Choi Siwon lived in one of the only large buildings in the whole village. Standing before it was wondrous, and being in it was even more so. It was said that his wife designed the entire home, and it took seven years for skilled workers hand picked by her husband to complete it. Their wealth and royal blood truly showed.
A guard, trying his best not to look frightened, said something and Zhou Mi approached him with a bow, speaking in Korean. Zhou Mi then turned back to face his company. “This man will lead us to where we must go.”
After walking through halls decorated with paintings and relics, they reached a room where none other than Choi Siwon himself and his wife sat in glamorous thrones, looking fully prepared for their arrival.
“안녕하세요,” the Goguryeo leader said, and Han Geng remembered that Heechul taught him this word.
Zhou Mi walked forward once again. He bowed with just as much respect as he would to Wu Chun, and then seemingly explained their situation. He motioned for Heechul to come forward, and he sheepishly did so.
Suddenly, Choi Siwon started to laugh. Not a laugh of humour, but of bitterness. He stood up and approached Heechul, glaring at him. He grabbed him by the collar and yelled something in his face. Han Geng jumped and would’ve ripped the man apart had Wu Chun not grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back. Siwon seemed to notice this.
He walked towards Han Geng and lifted his chin and chest to show off his supposed superiority. The Han just stared at him, completely unphased and trying to hold back his anger.
“여보, 하지 마.” Everyone turned to look at Siwon’s wife. “앉다.”
Siwon shot one more glare and then sat back down on his throne.
After the ordeal of the first meeting, Zhou Mi explained that Choi Siwon had assigned them rooms to stay the night in so the discussions could continue in the morning. They were all lead to their room and Han Geng audibly sighed when he wasn’t put in the same room as Heechul. But then again, why would he have been?
After laying down in bed and staring at the ceiling for a good hour, there was a light knock on his door. He bolted upright and wondered who in the world it could possibly be. He creeped towards the door and, ready to fight off the attacker at any moment, opened the door.
“야!” Heechul whispered, trying not to laugh hysterically. “나야.”
Han Geng let out a sigh of relief and laughed at himself.
This was how it was supposed to be, he knew. Heechul’s head on his chest, laying by his side. He would probably never understand what it was that he made him feel, but he was okay with that. They didn’t need a word to say what they were, they just needed each other.
“I was so worried for you today,” he said softly, petting Heechul’s hair. He knew what he said wouldn’t be understood, but he didn’t care. Heechul’s eyes fluttered shut. “Helping us, you’ve gotten a horrible reputation, haven’t you? I’m so sorry…”
He wished they spoke the same language.
“If Choi Siwon hurts you --” Heechul popped up at recognizing the name. “I don’t know what i’ll do, Heechul. If anyone hurts you… No, I won’t let them. I’m gonna protect you, that’s the way it will be. You don’t have to worry.”
Heechul layed down again.
“I know you don’t need protecting, that you can take care of yourself. You must be strong since you’re a soldier, I know that. But I hope you understand that… you’re so special Heechul. Over the many months you’ve been with me, even though I don’t know what you say, I can just tell. Whenever you’re not with me I get so afraid, and when you’re with me all I want to do is hold you, and who knows what that means but I’ve decided not to question it. Maybe I love you? But how could I? Maybe you know what it is, but I just hope we can stay like this. You and me, protecting each other.”
Heechul faced him and drew patterns on his chest. He smiled and said, “Hello Han Geng.”
He laughed, amazed Heechul remembered after all this time how to say it. Heechul leaned in closer, and finally, after so long, they kissed once more. Immediately Zhou Mi’s words came into his head.
“You never know when you’ll be seeing someone for the last time.”
Han Geng kissed him like he’d never kissed anyone before. He brought Heechul as close to his body as he could, trying to memorize every part of his mouth. Heechul was just as enthusiastic, frantic, touching him everywhere he could. He couldn’t tell you how long they sat there, not being able to get enough of each other.
It didn’t matter, because really, he wished it would never end.
--
“I’m still baffled beyond belief, Kim Heechul.”
“Please, do tell me what’s so strange about wanting all this to end,” Heechul said, almost slamming his tea cup on the wood table.
Siwon huffed. “Don’t you see? These people are not capable of peace. I don’t know what ploy they’re trying to pull, but peace isn’t it.”
“If they’re incapable of peace, how come I’m still alive?”
“Because you’re that man’s pet,” he spat. “The one that almost killed me when I touched you.”
“They’re human, they have feelings too,” Heechul said sharply. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe that man cares about my well being?”
“What, did he rape you and make you believe he loves you?” Siwon sneered.
Heechul pounded his fist on the table. “Don’t you dare say that, Han Geng would never do that to anyone!”
“On a first name basis with your captor, I see.” Siwon took a deep breath. “Heechul, you’re like a brother to me. I want you to stay here, with your family, with your people. If you think that man is protecting you, you’re sadly mistaken. He’s doing nothing more than keeping tabs on his property.”
“I can’t stay here,” Heechul said. Just a while ago all Heechul wanted to do was go home, but now he realized he had more work to do with the Hans, to achieve their goal. “I’m going to help them end this feud once and for all. And if you won’t help, then we’ll do it ourselves.”
“You act like you’re one of them,” Siwon gaped. “I’m begging you to just stay here, Heechul. Don’t be known as the man who betrayed his country.”
“I won’t be known as the man who betrayed his country,” Heechul said, standing up. “I’ll be known as the man who saved his country.”