When Our Countries Collide Chapter 1
Yoochun woke up in a very good mood; the weather seems to be better than what he expected. He stretched out his arms and yawned. Last night was a bit tiring. A very tiring yet greatly pleasurable night. He looked at his side and smiled, his companion is still on dreamland. He caressed his cheek and arranged a few stray hairs.
“Time for you to wake up sweetheart.” Yoochun nudge his companion. Today the Palace is celebrating his birthday, a festival he would gladly ditch just to spend more time with his lover but his advisers would grow molds on their mouths if he doesn’t show up.
Jaejoong stirred, he’s still tired and he wants to sleep more but they need to show up on Yoochun’s birthday festival or else they’re in trouble. “Happy birthday Chun.”
“Ah I’m the happiest guy on earth now. You’re the 1st one who greeted me.” Yoochun kissed him on his mouth.
“I cheated, I slept here.” Jaejoong tried to find his clothes, knowing Yoochun threw them near the bed.
“I don’t wanna go, let’s stay here.” Yoochun grabbed him by the waist and pinned him down.
“Ah! We have to go Chun. We have to.” Jaejoong repeated to emphasize his point.
“Aish,” Yoochun snuggled on his back and pouted. “Can I just announce a decree about not celebrating my birthday?”
“No. Don’t break tradition. Come on, up up.” Jaejoong struggled to free himself from his lover.
“O-kay!” Yoochun let go and stood up too. A few minutes later they’re out on the balcony of Yoochun’s room.
Yoochun’s ministers came in a few minutes later. Hankyung, Siwon and KangIn greeted their emperor a happy birthday and the high mage a good morning.
“How’s the feeling of aging your Highness?” KangIn smirked at Yoochun.
“Okay I guess, knowing that my ministers are still ahead of me by age. Are you still in the calendar KangIn*?” Yoochun wittily taunt back. (* it means if his age is still younger than 31)
“I’m not as old as KangIn.” Hankyung pointed.
“So am I, I am at the same age as your Highness.” Siwon saved himself too.
“That’s right KangIn-ah is the only one with a big age gap to his Highness.” Jaejoong cheekily agreed with Hankyung and Siwon.
“Yah! I’m already defeated Jaejoong, don’t be too harsh.” KangIn complained.
“Yes Jae, don’t be too mean on KangIn. His old weak heart may not take it.” Yoochun added more to KangIn’s injuries, making all of them burst out in laughter. They all decided to come down in the throne room to meet the other ministers and officials.
Minister Lee, the head of the ministers came in thinking he would be the 1st one to greet the emperor
But to his disappointment the three youngest ministers are already there with the high mage.
“My family wishes you a blessed birthday your Highness.” He greeted and bowed down.
“Thank you minister Lee.” Yoochun acknowledged his greetings.
Soon Generals JunJin, Hodong and Hwangbo entered the room and greeted Yoochun. After the pleasantries they all went to the balcony of the throne room overlooking the plaza, the media is there among the devoted people who came to greet Yoochun a happy birthday. As he did every year Yoochun gave a simple speech, thanking everybody for their hard work and wishing more success for their country.
Across the borders of Amihan where people are celebrating their emperor’s birthday, lays the Kingdom of Habagat. Their emperor Yunho sat beside his favorite and youngest brother Changmin.
“Why are you here? Don’t you have a country to run?” Changmin asked his brother who looked like he had aged 10 years over the couple of weeks that he- the youngest prince- had been confined in this royal hospital.
“Leeteuk can take over for me for a while.” Yunho said, not letting go of his hand.
“You’ve been here for days!” Changmin pointed out.
“I want to be with you!” Yunho screamed, they told him Changmin only have 3 months to live and he can’t accept it. He knows that Changmin is only pretending to be alright. He had heard his brothers screams and cries of agony when his sickness refuses to be controlled by the temporary medicine they have given him.
“I’m just one person brother, just one while a whole country depends on you out there.” Changmin tried to calm him down and reason out.
“They can survive without me.”
“While I’ll die even if you stay all your time here.” Changmin finished for him, he knew what’s coming. They had already told him.
“I won’t let you.” Yunho announced with determination.
“It’s incurable hyung, this is how an uncle and a cousin of ours died. No one was able to help. I’ve accepted it, you should too.” He rubbed his brother’s arms.
“No, they told me there might be a cure. They said Daesung, a cousin of our grandfather suffered the same but he survived.”
“I haven’t heard of him.”
“He was exiled, he chose music over the throne and his father could not accept it. He took refuge in Amihan and became friends with some of the mages. Our elders think the mages there helped him, saved him from his illness.”
“We don’t have diplomatic ties with them hyung, wouldn’t it be rude to suddenly ask them of things while we’re not even friends with each other?” Though the countries are beside each other, both are independent countries and even markets are not exchanged between the two.
“I’ll send Junsu. He could talk with them, we already have a plan.”
“Junsu?!” Changmin bolted up from bed, enduring the pain. “”Why Junsu?” Junsu is his bestfriend, he’s one of the ministers but he’s main job is on the weaponry division. So how come Junsu is the one they are sending?
“I volunteered.” Junsu poked his head in the room. “Sorry I couldn’t help but hear you outside.” Junsu apologized to Yunho.
“It’s okay, why don’t you guys talk privately?” Yunho stood up and went to the door. He knows how Changmin feels for Junsu, so at least he wants them so say goodbye properly.
“Why?” Changmin could not think of other things to ask.
“Why not?” Junsu smiled at him.
“Don’t, send someone else. Stay with me!”
Junsu shooked his head, “I want to do this. Our country isn’t doing too well-” Its true ever since the tyranny that occurred before Yunho’s reign the stability of their country shook. “-they need all the officials here. I work at the weaponries division; we’re not in a war. My job is not as important as the others.”
“But still-”
“Trust me. I’ll be back before you know it.” Junsu took his hand and rub his cheek on it.
Silence kept them company before Changmin broke it…
“I love you Junsu.” It was a statement that he had been keeping in for so long, for far too long.
“I know.” Junsu smiled.
“Then….”
“I’ll be yours when I get back.”
“Junsu-”
Junsu silenced him with a kiss. Bridnging the gaps they made to keep each other safe in fear of pain and rejection. Now what only matters is how they feel, not the present nor the future not even their own status and responsibilities.