Chapter Text
Seeing Hwi lying prone, a knife sticking out of his chest and curly hair a death veil over his slack features, is enough to lay bare all of Seon-ho’s choices. His friendship, dead and abandoned in a shack of dirt. His fault. Not merely his father’s – and isn’t it just amusing, to hear the man claim Seon-ho will blame only him. His father still does not know him, for all he has seen Seon-ho’s rage and vindication. For all Nam Jeon has twisted his son's need to prove himself, sharpening him into a back-bowed blade.
Hwi, dead. Severed from Yeon. Seon-ho cannot abide it any longer. He will free her, and himself. Run as far as he must. Rising up to change the world is meaningless if he loses Yeon too.
And he almost does. He can feel copper thick on his tongue, his own and the ghost of Yeon’s – his sister in all but blood. Men surround them, intending to tatter Seon-ho’s sudden awareness of what matters to him. He hates them for it, but he hates himself more.
But then he doesn’t lose Yeon. He doesn’t even lose himself. Rather, Hwi’s true family sweep in and win a victory Seon-ho could not.
And Hwi is alive.
Alive, for all his father’s efforts, for all Seon-ho’s ploys at pretending Hwi is merely a blunt instrument.
He doesn’t deserve to follow them. To beg forgiveness. But they do not tell him to tuck his cowardly tail between his legs and run back to his master – even when he trails so far behind all they need do is speed up to lose him. No, Hwi’s family is better than Seon-ho ever was. They wait for him. Yeon waits for him.
When they arrive at the shack that is made of wood, not dirt; not like where Hwi died (didn’t die), Hui-jae is there as well. She looks at him with pity-tinged fury, and he faces her long enough to be slapped with the force. He deserves it, and he will not ask for her forgiveness. Not before he has earned Hwi’s.
And yet he cannot face the man yet; not before Hwi has had his own moment with Yeon. He wanders off, finds a nearby river to settle by and he waits what he feels is an appropriate amount of time. Then he waits longer.
By the time he shows his face, everyone is gathered for a meal. He hesitates. Hwi catches his eye, and gives him a nod. They must have told him Seon-ho was here, so he had time to prepare. Yeon shuffles to make room for him, and he sits down quite awkwardly.
He does not shy away from eye contact, but he does not talk. Rather he shares in the moment – at least for a short while, until it is shattered.
An arrow strikes him in the shoulder, just missing his shoulder blade and burying in the meat. It's the only warning they get until the riders are on them.
“My father's men,” Seon-ho connects with bitter ash on his tongue. Of course they cannot be left in peace.
Yeon and Hui-jae's safety is priority, and Gyeol takes it upon himself to escort them to the small boat that can take them to safety. Seon-ho and Hwi hold them off, and just when it seems they have it handled, more show up. Hwi attempts to move forward, but Seon-ho blocks him.
“Go to them,” he says.
“Come with me.”
Seon-ho stares at him, uncomprehending.
“You've come this far. Don't leave us again.”
It's said in a way that brooks no argument, at least if Seon-ho wishes not to lose Hwi again. What a marvel Hwi is; merciful and kind. Seon-ho doesn't deserve him, so he promises himself to at least be on his side.
They run. Every once in a while they stop to fend off pursuing enemies, but Hwi's aim is not what it should be. Whether because of the knife his father had plunged into his chest or something worse, Seon-ho cannot be sure. But one thing is certain... They are overran.
By the time they reach the river, there is another group cutting them off – heading right for Yeon.
Desperation make both Hwi and Seon-ho foolish. They are both cut more than they can afford, bleeding stripes of red down frayed cloth. A horseman is heading toward Yeon, and Hwi shoots him, but it does not stop him.
The soldier reaches Yeon, grabs her hair… But then there is another arrow, this one lodging right in the man's neck before his sword falls, harmless.
A flurry of hooves can be heard, and suddenly, there are no less than ten soldiers arriving from the south. Hwi is holding himself up on his bow, breathing hard, and Seon-ho follows his disbelieving gaze.
Bang-won.
The assault that they were certainly losing is over before Seon-ho can dispatch even three more enemies. Yeon is being held tight by Hui-jae, for which Seon-ho is thankful. Hwi is standing by Seon-ho's side, though he looks likely to fall at any moment, when Bang-won's trots in front of him on his beautiful chestnut mare.
“Nam Jeon was quick to act when he knew I had dismissed you,” Bang-won comments, eyes for Hwi alone.
Seon-ho's bloody fingers twitch on his sword. He glances over at Hwi, who is likewise staring solely at Bang-won like the man carries the sun.
“You protected me. Us,” he sounds so surprised. Seon-ho isn't. Hwi is too precious of an asset for Bang-won to lose.
“Yes,” Bang-won answers anyways, eyes shifting to Seon-ho, though over his head. Like he's scarcely a speck of dust.
Hwi doesn't notice. Rather, he breaks out in a smile, one that is blessedly gone quick.
“Thank you. I... You saved my sister. I am indebted to you.”
“I repaid a debt.”
Hwi shakes his head, “You saved my life. My sister's. My friends. That is far greater than I can repay.”
“Hwi,” Seon-ho tries, able to tell the direction this is going in. But Hwi stops him with a stare, the only time he's looked at him since Bang-won saved them. It rankles.
“I owe you,” Hwi is breathless when he speaks again, and it's only then that Seon-ho realizes he is about to fall. When he does, Seon-ho is there to catch him. Bang-won escorts them back to the shack where Mun-bok tends to Hwi. He is the one to break the news.
“Poisoned?!” Seon-ho repeats, devastated and yet not surprised. Of course his father would do this; find a way to ensure that even if tricked, Hwi would suffer. Would die. The wrath in him is so great, he cannot stop the outburst – his knuckles scraped of flesh as he lodges his fist into a nearby tree.
“He needs better care than what I can give him here,” Mun-bok says with pushy insinuation, eyes tracing Bang-won's form from the side.
The air pings with the sound of Bang-won's opening fan. It sounds like an answer; and it is. Hwi is taken to Bang-won's estate, and he is cared for. Seon-ho is forced to wait outside the gate, while Hui-jae is allowed by Hwi's side.
It is only fair, and still Seon-ho simmers in bitterness. But he waits. And he will wait as long as it takes to see Hwi again.
What he does not expect is for Bang-won to approach him.
“You returned to him,” he states, tone surprised as he makes his way down the steps.
Seon-ho, already pacing, simply turns to him. He doesn't say anything in response for a moment, examining the man's stoic mask. He swallows, “And I won't leave him again.”
Bang-won hums. He looks Seon-ho up and down, clearly taking stock. He nods, “No. You won't, will you?”
Then he laughs, a low, embittered thing, “So I will get two for one, will I? Or is it three for one, with that Hui-jae and her network.”
Seon-ho freezes, teeth grinding down, “You don't want me.”
He means to say more, but Bang-won interrupts him with a tilt of his head, “No. I don't. But I want Hwi. And he won't leave you behind. Not anymore.”
They are both silent for a moment, assessing one another. Seon-ho closes his eyes for but a moment, a rumble of frustration building up in his throat but he refuses to let it budge. If this is the path he must walk, at least he will make it his own.
“I've made no secret of wanting my father dead. You've made no secret of how much you hate people like me. But you need Nam Jeon dead as much as I do. As much as Hwi does. So you will let us orchestrate his fall... You will help us make it painful. Lingering. And we will give you our swords. Our allegiance. And then you will let us go. Debts paid.”
Bang-won laughs at that, eyes running meticulously up and down Seon-ho's features. He steps closer. Seon-ho lets him.
“I will let you speak for Hwi simply because I know he would allow it. But if he does not want to leave after Nam Jeon is dead, then you will let him stay. Emotions are not things to be controlled, and I will not let you try.”
~~
Seon-ho's desertion of his father is kept as secret as is possible, but it is a failed goal from the start considering there are spies everywhere. By the end of the first year, Nam Jeon is fully aware his son is working for Bang-won. There is no stopping the rumors.
He's a slave you know they say. Born of a slave, always a slave. He is a lowborn greedy for power.
If Seon-ho thought he could escape the taunting of people around him by changing his loyalties, he was wrong.
But he has Hwi by his side, so the stares and whispers matter far less. And he has Yeon to visit whenever he has the time. Granted, she is living with Hui-jae, but they are close enough to the Ihwaru that it is no problem. She is safe there. Even Nam Jeon won't risk killing her there when his own skeletons would be exposed as well.
So for years, Seon-ho uses his wiles for Bang-won. The wordsmithing he learned under his father's political wing come in as handy as his sword-hand. He finds he does not mind the dirty work, or even the months spent away from the new capitol refining Bang-won's trade agreements. He is not alone. He has Hwi. He has Sung-rok, who Bang-won accepted as Seon-ho's retainer.
To find protection from an illustrious man such as Bang-won, Seon-ho is never quite comfortable. But Hwi is. Too comfortable. His friend, yes, his friend once again, spends evenings with strictly Bang-won. Evenings that turn into late nights. And Seon-ho wonders what they speak of. Philosophy, politics? Or perhaps there is less talking. Either way they are all too pleased to spend hours in each other's lavish company.
Seon-ho tries not to let it bother him, but it does. He worries he will lose the bet he pretended not to take with Bang-won when he agreed on the conditions of their loyalty. That if Hwi wants to stay, Seon-ho will not stop him. He is not sure he can actually do such a thing, and he would rather not fight with Hwi.
When Hwi invites Seon-ho to join them one night, he hesitantly agrees. Bang-won seems just as surprised to see him, and judging from Hwi's narrow-eyed smile, he fully intended for them both to be taken aback.
“It's about time you two are in the same room... Where's that special alcohol you promised, Bang-won?” Hwi asks, as though it is not at all unusual that he ambushed the both of them.
Bang-won stares before rolling with low rumbling laughter, getting out of his chair to reach for a bottle from one of his locked cabinets. Seon-ho doesn't sit quite yet, not until Bang-won has set out three cups and Hwi has poured each of them a portion.
Seon-ho holds his cup without drinking. Bang-won does the same. Hwi looks between them before offering a sigh, “Come now. You both have more in common than you think.”
Side-eyeing him, Seon-ho brings the cup closer without drinking, “Yes. You.”
That is all.
“And the need to rise above the expectations of your fathers.”
It's bold, not something Hwi should feel liberated to speak of. Bang-won and Seon-ho both glare at Hwi, distaste causing their lips to curl upward to show glimpses of their teeth. That makes Hwi laugh, glancing meaningfully between the two of them.
They look at each other then, and it is Bang-won who slips back so he is not sitting so straight. The lack of formality is an olive branch. One Seon-ho accepts by taking a sip of his cup and sitting back as well.
Conversation is easier then, but guided by Hwi. The tension they all feel does not quite dissipate, but Bang-won and Seon-ho come to terms with the same agreement they have outside this room. That Hwi is important enough to make compromises.
The next time the three of them meet, it is Bang-won who asks the questions. He does not hesitate to be bold, asking about Seon-ho's older brother. The one who should have carried Nam Jeon's name. Seon-ho surprises himself by answering truthfully.
“I miss him. I like to think my brother would not have been like our father. That our closeness as children would have stopped him from thinking I should wallow in the mud. But I am lying to myself. Even if he believed that, my father would have simply eliminated me earlier.”
Seon-ho's dark eyes are distant as he stares into the empty cup in his hand. He blinks, looking up, recalling just who he's speaking to.
“That might be the only thing you and my father agree on,” he muses after a beat, “Illegitimate children are always trouble, and should be controlled or killed.”
He is not wrong to call Bang-won out on his opinions; he does not conceal them after all. It is not asking for a fight, just stating the obvious.
Hwi clears his throat anyways, prepared to mitigate when Bang-won cuts in.
“Just because I do not believe illegitimate children should lead their family does not mean they are not worthy of living their own lives.”
In a display of respect he generally reserves for Hwi, Bang-won drags Seon-ho's empty cup close enough to refill, “As it stands, you are no longer in politics using your father's name. You have made your own authority, and were you to enter politics now, it would be as your own man. Not Nam Jeon's illegitimate son. Is that not better?”
He slides the cup with the very tip of his index finger, the scraping sound it makes echoing harshly in Seon-ho's ears. There is nuance here that is lost on Bang-won – the notion of wealth, and the fact that illegitimate children are left desolate without a right to their family's coffers – but Seon-ho can still recognize that Bang-won is making concessions. Perhaps speaking with Hwi has been enlightening. Seon-ho doesn't dare think his own actions have had any effect on the fifth prince's feelings towards illegitimacy.
He curls his fingers gently around the cup, not taking his eyes from Bang-won. He knows he should say something, at least to agree or disagree, but the words do not come. Rather, Bang-won smiles very nearly slyly, and then turns to Hwi, asking about something inconsequential. Seon-ho is fine with that; he has enough to think about as is.
~~
Their evening drinking sessions are interrupted by a long trip out of the city. Seon-ho and Hwi intend to go alone at first, but Chi-do and Sung-rok ultimately accompany them. It is more than tense, far worse than Seon-ho and Bang-won in the same room. Chi-do and Sung-rok do not share a thing in common beyond their efficient sword fighting, and their unequivocal loyalty to a single person. Though a different singular person.
“Please stop glaring at each other,” Hwi finally begs when they are around the fire the third night of travel, “It's so loud and I'm trying to eat.”
“Agreed,” Seon-ho sighs.
Rather than stop, Sung-rok decides that is his cue to leave. Seon-ho wishes he wouldn't act that way, and it is yet another bristling reminder of how Hwi feels when Seon-ho refuses to tolerate Bang-won's company. It's not quite the same, but it's close enough that Seon-ho speaks with Sung-rok about it.
“I'm not going to just start liking Park Chi-do simply because you ask me to.”
“I know that. But maybe stop seeing him as competition?”
Sung-rok stops cleaning his blade, lifting a brow, “Is he not? What, do you actually think this little alliance is going to last much longer? Something has to break, and it won't be Hwi or Chi-do. They have Bang-won and his men's ear. We do not. You'd best prepare for the worst.”
“It has already been nearly two years. No move has been made by my father, nor by the King. Not yet...”
“Yes not yet. Nam Jeon will strike soon enough, and who do you think he will punish first?”
Seon-ho bites his lip in frustration, “Of course he'll go after me! I am not so stupid as to not know that! But we aren't without our allies. Hwi won't abandon us. And if you stop making an enemy of all of his, they won't either.”
“Ya! I don't hate all of them,” Sung-rok snaps, characteristically sour but for a very different reason than usual.
Seon-ho smiles at that, tilting his head, “True. I saw you and Beom arm wrestling before we left. Who won, by the way?”
Sung-rok's eyes go wide, hand leaping up to play at an aborted swing, “Shut up.”
Genuine laughter peels out of Seon-ho, the depth of it startling him but he takes it in stride. Having said his piece, Seon-ho sharpens his sword beside Sung-rok and lets the moment end silently. The way Sung-rok prefers.
After their mission is over and they are on the way back, Seon-ho catches Sung-rok throwing Chi-do a new tassel for his sword. He had lost his in one of their many scuffles. Sung-rok doesn't stay to chat about it, but Chi-do does not throw it away either. Rather, he holds it in his palm, grazing a finger over it once before securing it around the sheath.
~~
Bang-won is in an inordinately good mood when they return. Good enough to take them all out to Ihwaru – even Sung-rok accepts the invitation. Though that might have something to do with the silent request in Seon-ho's eyes.
Yeon and Hui-jae greet them as they arrive. Both are decked out in their finest, but Yeon looks especially resplendent in afternoon-sun yellow. She fits right in amongst the beauty of Ihwaru, and has learned so much from Hui-jae and Iwa-wol that she speaks like a right noblewoman when the situation calls for it. Not that her accent has changed, which only serves to make her ability more endearing to the bendable ear.
“Yeonnie,” both Seon-ho and Hwi say, even the fond lilt of their tone similar. She looks between them with a graceful smile, but when she leans in for a hug it is with both their shoulders entwined in her tiny arms. Only then does she gift Hwi with a more personal embrace, and Seon-ho with a deeper smile.
Bang-won watches from a few steps away, and though Hwi is used to his gaze, Seon-ho is still not. He returns it, unable to keep the challenge out of his dark eyes. Bang-won devours that challenge and spits out a laugh-bright smile.
Seon-ho rolls his eyes, but there's a likewise smirk on his own face. He's tired from the trip, and even if his instincts lean toward being belligerent, he doesn't want to be. Not tonight at least.
Once they are sequestered away in their private room, Seon-ho challenges Hwi to a drinking contest; that way they both have a good reason to get the edge off. Bang-won joins them for their second round, and after that everyone but Sung-rok and Chi-do as well. Even Tae Ryeong drinks, though only after Bang-won demands it; and he does stop after the one.
Head properly misty but not foggy, Seon-ho gives himself to the plentiful conversations around him. Beom, Sung-rok and Chi-do are all talking about the folly of generals long since past. Tae Ryeong has Hwi's attention, and Mun-bok holds Yeon, Hui-jae, and surprisingly Bang-won under the spell of one of his terrible stories.
Whatever he says in his endearingly jagged accent makes Bang-won laugh so loudly the air feels cut, and rather than jolt against it, Seon-ho finds he is utterly soothed.
At some point, Yeon captures his attention and he ends up speaking strictly with her. Their voices are low, personal, and Seon-ho is glad to have this moment with her. Particularly since after, instruments are brought into the room and the dancing begins. As always, Hwi is the first to leap to his feet, and he drags Seon-ho, Hui-jae, and Yeon with him.
Even as his arms lift and his legs start to move of their own accord, Seon-ho thinks he's not quite drunk enough for this. But Hwi's good mood is contagious, and Yeon is carefree and twirling in her pretty dress... All is as it should be; that is, until he stumbles in his perhaps-more-tipsy-than-he-thought joy.
He almost crashes down, but instead there's a bolstering hand on the light blue cloth over his arm, cheek momentarily rubbing against silk. When his back straightens, he's staring into Bang-won's russet eyes. He expects to feel judgment or at least annoyance, but all to be found is mirth and a layer of something far more indecipherable.
“I am surprised,” Bang-won says with a honeyed tongue, “by how pleasing it is to see you so content.”
All Seon-ho can do is blink, mouth parted around a reply he can't even begin to fathom. Is Bang-won... complimenting him?
His fingers tighten on Seon-ho's arm, and still Bang-won doesn't look away. When Seon-ho lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, he can see the way it rustles the stray threads of Bang-won's half-loose bangs. Bang-won's eyes drop downward and flick back up, and Seon-ho's mind goes blank.
If Bang-won did not take the initiative to release him as Hwi comes his way to grab his other arm, Seon-ho would have stood there for untold seconds more, frozen. Hwi spins him away, but Seon-ho feels Bang-won's eyes linger, and he is decidedly unsettled.
Then Hwi is chuckling in his ear, holding tight to his shoulders as he shuffles around him. He is using him as a barrier against Yeon who seems intent on tickling him or something equally childish and delightful.
With this distraction, Seon-ho easily shakes off the sticky sensation of trying to make sense of Bang-won's words and touch. Rather, he helps Hwi avoid Yeon only to push him into Hui-jae, who takes it upon herself to accomplish Yeon's goal for her.
Seon-ho grins all the wider at the sight, Hwi pinned by Hui-jae's ferocious hands, his voice shrill and heartfelt. This is the sort of fun they had years ago, and have had since, but the gap after that dreadful military exam is nonetheless haunting in moments like this. It makes his mind wander to the fact that everything is different. Hwi especially, with his constant pain from Nam Jeon's poison, but when Hwi is here, with them, it's as though time lapses. Not wanting to think in that direction, Seon-ho plops himself down on the ground and reaches for his cup only to not be sure which is his.
Sung-rok is the one to hand him a full cup, and judging from the glimmer in his eye, his goal is undeniably nefarious. He wants Seon-ho drunker, to see him truly let go. Seon-ho gives a courteous toast, expression open and appreciative. While sipping, he speaks to Beom and Mun-bok, only for their conversation to be interrupted by the flop of Hwi's body quite nearly on his lap.
“Seon-ho!” his friend shouts, assuredly blissed out, “Want to play a game?”
“Another one?”
His own cheer is evident as he humors Hwi, folding an arm across his shoulder to help keep him up.
“Yes, yes, another one!” and he tries to explain the rules to some game that Seon-ho is quite sure they all already know. It calls for them all to sit in a circle, which means getting everyone's attention. Bang-won is the one to achieve that, his voice clear and finite.
After Hwi stumbles through another explanation, Hui-jae clarifies, “So we spin tales and call out the lies?”
Hwi gives an emphatic nod and a wide grin. Seon-ho's heart lurches. Whether it's intentional or not, his appreciative gaze slides to Bang-won shortly after, and he finds the admiration doesn't quite disappear as it should.
His expression falls, but Bang-won picks up the slack, his own features lifting even as he announces he will go first.
“The first time I went hunting, I was so nervous that I shot the hat off one of my father's men. But at the same time, I ended up hitting a bird sitting on a branch behind him.”
“Oh!” Hwi is the first to flail at an answer, “You weren't nervous! You intentionally hit the hat and the bird.”
Bang-won hums, “Of course you would be good at your own game, Hwi.”
Seon-ho rolls his eyes, “Of course you would show off during your first hunt, Bang-won.”
Bang-won tilts his head in welcome pride, “When given the chance to shine, I will always exceed expectations. You do the same, Seon-ho.”
Unable to deny that he at least tries, Seon-ho begrudgingly accepts the comparison. It is Hwi who takes it beyond that though, and he is dreadfully smug about it.
“Yes, you two have that in common! See, told you months ago you were more similar than you think. Keeps coming up, doesn't it?”
Seon-ho turns his head slowly, a threat in that stare. Hwi all but giggles and throws his arms around him so he's even closer, “Don't ever change.”
His breath tickles Seon-ho's bare neck, his long hair falling on the side farthest from Hwi. The cold teasing in Seon-ho's expression vanishes, and he finds himself reflexively snuggling closer. He even lifts one of his knees up so he can brace an arm on it, tilting his body so he and Hwi fit together better.
When he looks back at the group, no one is surprised by their intimacy. Rather, they take it in stride, and the next person – Mun-bok – picks up the game where Bang-won left off. But as always, the fifth Prince's attention lingers. But it is not a challenge, not this time. It is irrefutable approval. Pride, even.
That sensation from earlier crawls back up from where it hid in Seon-ho's stomach, but it is not uneasy this time. Rather, it tingles in a way that is heated. Seon-ho doesn't even hear Mun-bok's surely creative story, likely rife with lies and exaggerated truths, too stuck in Bang-won's bronzed trap of stare.
Hwi stays buried in Seon-ho's neck throughout Mun-bok's story, and then suddenly awakens with all the might of a drunkard's second wind. He doesn't peel himself entirely off Seon-ho, just enough to participate again. By that point, Bang-won has looked away, while Seon-ho has not. He traces strong features instead, not really processing why he's looking but doing it anyways.
Bang-won's skin is smooth but worn, as a warrior's always is. His chin is chiseled, and Seon-ho wonders what it would be like to touch. As soon as his mind twists, the unease starts up again. This time it roils too heavily for Seon-ho to process and push away.
He stands up so abruptly he startles even himself.
“Seon-ho?” Hwi asks, his name wrapped up in a near whine. After looking down at Hwi's forlorn expression, Seon-ho thinks he understands why he sounds so sad; the absence of Hwi's warmth on his side is stinging for him as well.
“I will be back...” Seon-ho says despite the compulsion to sit back down and tug Hwi close again. He just needs out of this room, for at least a little while.
He resolutely refuses to look at Bang-won before he slides the door just far enough that he can escape.