Work Text:
He sat in front of the king, back straight and poised as always and placed the cup of tea to his lips, about to take a sip.
“You are to take a wife”
His movements halted.
Chang had been called to the king’s quarters for what he’d thought as their usual afternoon tea.
A rare occasion really, when the king had some time to spare away from his ministers.
But when it came, it was welcome. It was the only time he could be with well, family. The only time he could be at ease in front of his father, away from prying eyes. It felt like everyone in the palace was constantly monitoring his every move, trying to spot a flaw; a mistake. A way to exploit him and his so called privileged birthright.
It had always been that way. He had been accustomed to the way things were by now, the way things have always been. He had gotten better at it through the years and was now much better than his younger self. He wasn’t afraid anymore, he could simply put on a facade and hide his emotions; his vulnerability .
But most importantly, he had Yeong-shin now.
The people that he truly trusted throughout his life could be counted on one hand, yet since Yeong-shin became his personal guard a year ago, the world inside the palace seemed safer somehow.
The two had become close quickly. Yeong-shin had proven his loyalty numerous times by saving his life, be it while fending off bandits when traveling, ill-intentioned individuals during his disguised secret ventures in the city or inside the palace.
Even now, he was standing guard a few paces away from him, outside the thin doors of the king’s quarters. It was like Chang could feel his presence, taking comfort in it.
The crown prince stood stock still for a few seconds. Holding the tea cup midair, he felt his eyes slightly widen. He must have misheard, surely.
“I’m sorry fa-- your Majesty, I must have misunderstood” he said while slowly placing the cup on the small table, willing his hand to stay steady.
“You heard me correctly. It is time” the king’s eyes betrayed signs of sympathy, yet his tone was firm and resolute.
“You are my son. You will succeed me some day, you need an heir of your own”
Chang knew this day would come eventually, but he never anticipated it would be so abruptly. It was like a slap to the face, grounding, bringing him back to reality. He lost focus of his father’s next words, as if it was a mindless voice in the background; something about the importance of this matter.
Everything became a blur.
He must have been truly foolish to believe that his recently found contentment of his everyday life could last that long; he almost laughed out loud at the thought.
He must have known somewhere in the back of his mind that his position could never possibly allow that.
Chang was dismissed shortly after, seemingly because of the king’s busy schedule. He bowed his head in a courteous way and made to get up. He turned around, refusing to spare his father another glance. Through the slowly opening sliding doors, he saw Yeong-shin already looking his way. The other man’s jaw was clenched tightly, with an unreadable look in his eyes.
He must have heard then.
Chang made his way down the hallway, with Yeong-shin a step behind him. Neither said anything as they crossed the long corridors and finally stepped outside.
Chang took a big breath; he’d truly felt like was suffocating right until this moment, but the calm breeze and vibrant colors of the autumnal trees somewhat cleared his mind. He sighed deeply again, his eyes fluttering closed for a short moment.
****
“Your Highness--” Yeong-shin started but was interrupted by the crown prince’s sudden words.
“Would you like to accompany me for a walk?” he asked with his usual tone, as if nothing was weighing on him. Yeong-shin knew better, though.
“Of course” came the immediate answer, however. It was probably the same response he’d give the Prince to anything he might ask of him. He could never seem to refuse him anything, even if the request was foolish or reckless.
It was no longer a rare occurrence for the two of them to disguise themselves as commoners and go out to the city at night. The prince would always be so excited, with a big smile on his handsome face whenever they would sneak out of the palace for even a few hours. The Prince loved to explore and learn new things, asking him about habits and traditions of the common people.
He was also equally interested in their troubles and problems, truly and deeply concerned. Always trying to make things better.
They started walking side by side under red and orange trees toward an unfamiliar path, Yeong-shin soon realized. Chang rarely ventured in this part of the royal grounds, this far behind the king’s palace. That meant that he did the same. As his personal guard he was always with him or at least somewhere within sight of the Prince. He was tasked with protecting him at all times and as demanding as that might sound, Yeong-shin actually felt uneasy if he was ever apart from him.
They had developed a close relationship and he sometimes felt like they had known each other forever. Before he met the Crown Prince he had nothing.
He was nothing . Just striving to survive, no purpose or calling to give his life meaning. Now though, he had someone important to him, someone worth protecting. Chang was nothing like any other nobleman he had ever come across. He was different; he cared about others, the fate of his nation, perhaps far too much.
Yeong-shin truly believed that one day, that man will bring about a better future for everyone. It was one of the reasons he’d devoted his life to the Prince.
After a while of walking, the two men reached a clearing. There was an old pavilion at the edge of a small lake.
The view was breathtaking. The former tiger-hunter looked over in awe, taking in the sight. He had never discovered this place since he’d been appointed as Chang’s bodyguard, one year ago, and it seemed as if no one frequented it often either, judging by the unkempt state of the little pavilion.
“Based on your expression, I’m guessing you haven’t been here before” the prince remarked, looking at him with a small smile, Yeong-shin had learned to decipher as fond .
“No, no I haven’t. It’s... beautiful” he gave a low chuckle in return, eyes drifting away. They reached the edge of the pavilion, admiring the view. “How come you never come here? I know for a fact that you haven’t in the past year” he wondered, now fully looking at the prince.
“I used to…when I was young” the Prince replied with a nostalgic smirk. “It used to be my little secret place, the one place I could hide from everyone, to be alone” Yeong-shin’s heart stuttered as he heard Chang’s voice get small, vulnerable .
The Prince looked out toward the lake, eyes unmoving from the waterlily-covered surface.
Yeong-shin tried to find something to say, perhaps to comfort him, but he didn’t know what.
“I wanted to bring you here though” Chang added after a long moment. “Ha, it strangely feels like I’m showing you a part of my past. A pathetic little part--” he muttered, mind caught up in some distant memory of the past.
Yeong-shin grasped the other man’s hands without thought. “Do not call yourself that” he told him urgently. “I am here now. I won’t let anything happen to you”
Chang’s eyes snapped to their joined hands and then back to his face, and Yeong-shin realized that they were closer now, too close.
He’d gotten carried away. He made to step back, but Chang stopped him, tightening his hold on his hands. “
“You heard it right? I am to marry” the Prince asked in a quiet voice.
Yeong-shin knew it was coming from the moment they stepped out of the palace, yet he still felt his heartbeat pick up at the words. He took a steadying breath.
“Yes I did. You must be overjoyed” he answered with a weak smile, trying to stay composed and proper. “I suppose the news came quite suddenly, but--”
“I don’t want to”
Chang’s face was set and he kept his gaze strongly focused on him. He was still holding his hands firmly, but his grip became even more rigid now, searching his eyes.
But Yeong-shin didn’t understand. Why would Chang not want to marry? Producing an heir in the future would help secure his position as the Crown Prince. It meant the King truly wanted him to succeed him and was supportive of his claim to the throne. It could even be considered as a sign of fatherly love. And he’d finally oppose the ministers that have been scorning him since his birth.
He’d thought that the Prince would be happy with the news, even if he’d reacted with shock and hesitation at first.
He, on the other hand, had felt a crashing feeling in his chest when he heard the sudden words of the King. As if an invisible weight had been added to his shoulders.
Yeong-shin had come to realize that his feelings toward the Prince had stopped being appropriate and duty-bound for a while now.
He was of course well aware of his position and had been trying to conceal his feelings ever since. But then, it would be just the two of them and Chang would laugh at a joke he made, and he’d try not to stare too long at that smile . Or when the Prince had had a bit too much to drink while on one of their secret visits to the city, and he’d look at him with open adoration in his eyes, only to fall asleep soon after on his shoulder. Yeong-shin would then lead him safely back to the palace, trying not to think too much about the way their bodies were touching or his hand at Chang’s waist, their sides flashed together.
He had decided that it was more than enough to be able to stay by the Prince’s side to be his friend, to watch over him.
“I--I don’t understand, my Lord” he said now, brows furrowed and fear slowly sinking in.
The prince must have found nothing but confusion and worry in his eyes and after a tense moment, proceeded to let go of him, a hint of hurt in his eyes.
Yeong-shin missed the touch immediately.
“Please your Highness, tell me what’s wrong so I can help. Is that not what you wanted?” he urged gently.
“No….no this is not what I wanted” the Prince looked up again, his eyes slightly glossy with a defeated look.
‘What do you want then?’ Yeong-shin asked patiently, eagerly awaiting his answer. He’d do anything for the man, whatever it was.
After what seemed like forever, Chang took a small step closer. With a determined expression, he abruptly embraced him tightly.
“You” he whispered in his ear and buried his face in Yeong-shin’s neck.
Yeong-shin stood still for a moment, too shocked by the other man’s actions and his declaration to return the embrace immediately.
Everything seemed unreal, like a dream.
The otherworldly beauty of the lake, the calm breeze blowing through the trees, but most importantly the Prince in his arms. It felt too good to be true.
He returned the embrace earnestly and stood back so he could look at Chang’s face again.
He slowly and gently placed his hands on either side of the Prince’s face, waiting to be pushed back.
It never came. If anything, the thumb caressing Chang’s cheek gently made the man’s eyes close tentatively, eyelashes fluttering against his pale face.
Could it ever be real? He knew he didn’t deserve to be touching the Future King, to be loved by him. But he didn’t care, not anymore.
He’d be selfish for once.
“I feel the same” were the fleeting words leaving his lips, before he surged forward and met Chang’s lips in a tender, feverish kiss.
Whatever came next, he wouldn’t let go. Not until the Prince did.