Chapter Text
Beomgyu had known hardships. He had known loneliness, misery and devastating sadness. There have been moments in his paltry life where he thought he had faced the worst of tragedies - moments that Beomgyu could not dare to forget about even though there was nothing he wanted more. But this, perhaps, was the most terrifying moment of his life.
This bet - foolish, utterly ridiculous bet - made out of nothing but arrogance and the euphoria of being seen by the one he loves. How foolish was he to think that the Viscount would ever demean himself and fall in love with someone like him? Beomgyu knew that it was nothing but an urge to feel loved that drove him into making that initial bet, and a sense of dignity and martyrdom that made him name his conditions. As if retrospectively putting his brother first would wash away all the sins Beomgyu had already committed.
Beomgyu was not welcomed in this good society, this mockery of manners and this parade of good breeding. Winning this bet, as petty as it was, would allow his brother to find happiness and security; and most importantly it would allow him to sail home with no regrets. Oh, how he longed to feel the river's breeze on his face, sat under the shade of those beautiful trees on a bright day.
As Beomgyu mounted his horse, he tried not to look at the man beside him. He tried not to let his heart flutter, his resolve weaken. Beomgyu was nothing if not true to his words - he would win this bet, not for himself, but for his brother.
And oh how that thought filled him with misery.
He would not lie to himself by pretending that this was a decision that made him happy or relieved. All his life Beomgyu had learnt how to put the well-being and happiness of others over his own. When his father had married Lady Huening and taken her name as a small rebellion, Beomgyu had learnt to smile and hide his grief about his own mother. When they had been blessed with Kai and Lady Huening had turned her entire loving attention towards the little soul, disregarding Beomgyu's existence no matter how accidentally - Beomgyu had learnt to smile and love his brother more than himself.
When Lady Huening's noble family had reached out to them, years later, after his father was gone and Lady Huening was lost in a grief Beomgyu had learnt to hide all too well; it had been him who had stepped up and negotiated a contract that would protect his brother, no matter what. Kai would be loved and cherished, even if it was at the cost of Beomgyu himself.
Beomgyu had thought himself clever for these machinations. He had foolishly allowed himself to believe that nothing would have come in between his carefully constructed plans, Beomgyu had thought he had considered all the varying factors.
In truth, he had been nothing but an arrogant child.
For he had failed to take into account the biggest factor in all of this - Beomgyu's own selfish heart.
He had seen the Viscount once, raced against him underneath the early rays when the fog had barely parted enough to see the path. Beomgyu had danced and teased and ran with the Viscount.
Beomgyu had fallen hopelessly in love with Choi Yeonjun.
"You look scared," Yeonjun said, beside him, breathless, glowing, the physical embodiment of ethereal charm and beauty.
How could Beomgyu not have fallen in love?
"I wouldn't want to bruise your ego too badly," Beomgyu retorted. His face shaped itself in an imitation of a smile, but he wasn't sure if it reflected in his eyes.
"If you race like you had the first morning, I doubt I have anything to be worried about," Yeonjun teased him, pulling closer to him. "Of course, unless you want to rescind your words from earlier, so you can at least protect your dignity."
Beomgyu scoffed, "The only one here who needs to protect their dignity is you, My Lord. If your memory fails you, it was I who won that first race between us. And once again, I will be the one to win this bet of ours. Tell me, Lord Yeonjun, are you prepared to lose to me again?"
"Yeonjun," he said, with something akin to reverence. "I do not remember if I have asked you to address me by my name before. But I don’t believe I have, let me have the privilege of you calling me Yeonjun."
His breath caught in his throat. "That would not be appropriate."
"Are we not to be a family soon?" Yeonjun demanded. If Beomgyu looked away at the reminder, it was his own shame to bear.
"We are," Beomgyu admitted. "But we are not yet familiar enough for me to cross the boundaries of respect."
"No boundaries are being crossed if I am the one making the request," Yeonjun argued. "I understand your reluctance, however, and I will not be so inconsiderate as to force you."
Beomgyu nodded, his hands tightening around his reins. Above him, the sky darkened, the storm becoming more imminent. "We mustn't dally any longer," he said. "If we are to make good on the sunlight and on our bet."
For some reason, Yeonjun did not move. Beomgyu could feel the weight of his gaze on him. He knew there were words left unsaid. He knew that he did not want Yeonjun to lose.
"If I win," he said, breaking the heavy silence between them. "If I win, I wish for us to spend an afternoon together."
"It will not be proper." Beomgyu did not say that his heart will not be able to survive. He did not say that each and every moment spent with Yeonjun was one he cherished. Each second had him falling deeper and faster.
"It is my wish," Yeonjun reiterated.
"Only if you win."
"You will forgive me then, for leaving you behind."
With the blink of an eye, he had shot off, leaving Beomgyu to chase behind him.
Above them, the sky broke open, drenching them both as they raced for their lives.