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Ever since Chung Myung came two and half years ago, he brought many changes to Mount Hua for the first time in a hundred years. Of course it also comes with plenty of surprises, but after some time everyone adapts with how the change flows and finally accepts that Chung Myung is just a special case in his own way. After all his crazy antics, everyone, especially Yon Joong, Baek Cheon, Jo Gul, and Iseol who had accompanied him outside the sect, feel like there is nothing Chung Myung can do to surprise them anymore.
It was a fool of them to think there is a limit for things Chung Myung can do.
For example, bringing back a fifteen-or-so boy one day and telling them that he will make him his bride.
“Hyung-nim!!” a boy jumps on Chung Myung and hugs him from behind. “I finished my personal training. Let’s play!!”
“How many times I need to tell you, don’t yell at my ear.” Chung Myung’s voice sounds annoyed, but he let the boy have his way to climb on his back and circle his hand around his neck. Then, Chung Myung lifted the younger boy up on a back-ride before going with him into the forest.
No Yelling. No hitting. A bit nag maybe, but Chung Myung didn’t look mad at all. It still left all of the disciples in awe since they became unvolunteer spectators of this new routine. Mostly because it's hard for them to believe someone can jump on Chung Myung and still be alive. Not like Chung Myung will actually kill someone for it, but seeing not only the younger boy left without a scratch, the way Chung Myung deliberately let him be, has never happened before. At least, not as far as they know him.
Yon Joong still vividly remembers the commotion he made when he arrived with the boy, later introduced as Tang Bo. It was unclear whether he is really a part of the Tang family since even Tang Soso doesn’t seem to know about him. But Chung Myung said he will be the one who will talk with the Tang family’s lord when the time comes if they really have any question about the credibility of his identity. One thing for sure, it is his real name.
Tang Bo is a quiet boy. He is calm through all the questions and attention focused on him, especially since Chung Myung claims to take him as his bride. He only smiles at everyone’s curious looks and ends all the commotion with a few words.
“I will go along with everything Hyung-nim said.” and everything really ends just like that.
Tang Bo was taken in as a special guest of Mount Hua rather than a new disciple. With most of his background still surrounded with mystery, no one really speaks any complaints since it was none other than Chung Myung who brought him in. But everyone, not just the disciples need several days to accept that it was not a hallucination and the said ‘bride’ does indeed exist as a real, living human.
Now, almost a month has passed since everyone adapted with the new view of seeing the now youngest member of the sect. Except, the thing is that’s not as easy as they thought it would be.
When Chung Myung said he will make Tang Bo his future bride, it sure was a huge shock. But actually watching the contrast in Chung Myung behavior around Tang Bo is a lot more shocking in many ways. Or should they say, there is a clear difference to the point some of them wonder if Chung Myung has developpe a second personality.
“If you have time to make such a ridiculous story, you better use it to training!”
Jo Gul became the first victim of this curiosity. Asking Chung Myung directly will only give him a taste of his punch rather than an answer. Yon Joong already told him many times that his habit of blurting out in front of Chung Myung needed to be fixed soon if he didn’t want to get hit every time, but everyone knew that they all actually thought the same.
“Aren’t you a bit too harsh? They're just curious.” Tang Bo confronted Chung Myung one day since he was pitying those poor curious souls. He knows this situation is unavoidable since both of them don’t have much answer they could tell considering their complicated circumstances.
“What should they be curious about? I only need them to know that you are mine.”
Tang Bo blushed hard at the bold answer.
“Now, even I think maybe you really have developed a second personality.” Chung Myung enjoyed the joyful laugh of Tang Bo. “You've never been this bold before.”
“Did I? I learn from the best though.” He said and they laughed together.
“Okay, but seriously, I think it’s time for us to sit and talk with each other. I want to know more about them too.” Tang Bo rest his chin on Chung Myung’s shoulder, hair feels ticklish against the older teen’s face. “I’m happy you spent so much time together with me this past month, but if I will live here with you for the rest of my life then that means I need to be close with your disciples too.”
Pair of emeralds looking up to make eye contact. “Your family,” he added. “Please?””
If Chung Myung said he could kill to see those eyes again, he is not joking. He misses them. He misses the way Tang Bo looks at him, and only him, with bright deep green eyes and soft smile on his face.
After the disciples got their monthly allowance, Chung Myung took the other five, Baek Cheon, Yu Iseol, Yon Joong, Jo Gul, and Tang Soso with him to the town. “Let’s have dinner outside today.” is what he said. When they arrived at the reserved room on the second floor of a local restaurant, Tang Bo was already waiting for them there.
It was actually the first time for the disciples to meet and talk with the younger boy up close. Since Tang Bo came, he spent most of his time on personal training in a place separated from the others. He lives at the guest house, and even has his meal there. They can only see Tang Bo when he comes to find Chung Myung who supervised their training from time to time. He appears to be a cheerful youth who always wants to be pampered by Chung Myung. Unlike Chung Myung, Tang Bo looks more easygoing and friendly.
They should have known there is no way that someone who Chung Myung chose himself to be ordinary.
With only a side glance from a visible dark green eyes sent chills to their spine. As if they were judged by a large giant snake who can shallowed them up whole. Tang Bo welcomed them with a quiet nod and let them sit in front of him. His face changes as Chung Myung takes a seat beside him and the shadow on his face turns more affectionate. Looks like, Chung Myung is not the only one with a second personality between both of them.
“Let’s eat first.” lavish dishes and drinks spread all over the table. All of them eat without much of little talk here and there. Before long, the foods vanished one after another. Cups emptied and refilled with more alcohol. Throughout the dinner Tang Bo only listened to their conversation. Baek Cheon was just thinking if they had disturbed his time with Chung Myung until he put his cup down and suddenly proposed a game.
“How about we play truth or dare?” proposed Tang Bo with a cheerful voice. “I’m sure all of you have many questions for me.”
He is not wrong. They talk with Chung Myung since earlier but actually, they tried so hard not to ask anything about Tang Bo, afraid it will sour the mood of their little mad dog.
“I can try to answer anything you want to know aside from my origin and how I met with hyung-nim.”
They feel a bit disappointed since those are the questions they are most curious about. Even so, they won’t let a chance to get some of their questions answered go just like that. Jo Gul is the first who say yes and the game started as five against two.
#Question 1 (Baek Cheonl) : Do you like each other?
“What kind of question is that?” Chung Myung glare in disbelief.
“I think I want to ask that at least once.” said Baek Cheon when he got ‘are you serious?’ stare from the other four on his side. They let him have the first turn and he asked a stupid question instead.
Tang Bo, on the other hand, takes his chance to grab Chung Myung’s collar and press their lips together. His act caused loud gaps from its witnesses. Chung Myung lowered his head to give him an easier angle and closed his eyes as he let Tang Bo lead the kiss.
The other’s face already turned red like a boiled crab when their lips parted. Tang Bo looks satisfied with his work. He licked Chung Myung’s lips before releasing his hand that was wrapped around his neck.
“Does this answer your question?” He smiled proudly.
Everyone nodded without further word.
#Question 2 (Jo Gul) : What do you like about each other?
The question has sat on his mind since he heard about Chung Myung having a future bride. Chung Myung, who reject Soso’s marriage proposal, because he said he didn’t have any interest in marriage suddenly brought in someone to be his bride Naturally he wanted to know what he liked about his partner.
Tang Bo and Chung Myung look at each other. Tang Bo smirk and Chung Myung already know he will give an embarrassing answer.
“His body.” Tang Bo answered shamelessly. Tang Bo steals a glance at Chung Myung’s exposed neck and collarbone. He roamed his hand over the black fabric to feel the muscles and abs underneath.
When he was still Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Tang Bo loved to slip his hand under Chung Myung’s robe to feel his broad chest. No, not just the chest. The abs. Those muscles. That fine body he would love to explore with his own hand, every inch of it.. “His body is the best.” Did it make him look horny? Maybe. Will he touch it at the risk of a punch in the face? Gladly.
Chung Myung rolled his eyes and pinch the naughty hand before he tried to pull his clothes for real.
There are kids here.
Tang Bo pouted as his antics got disturbed. Chung Myung turned at the speechless spectators, poor taoist disciples need to watch such a scene. Next is Chung Myung’s turn to answer.
“His face.” he said as he lifted Tang Bo’s face with his finger. A pale. smooth face without any flaw. Soft, thin lips that love to talk non-stop. Pair of emeralds that only shine every time Chung Myung reflected on them.
Tang Bo’s face is what you can both call beautiful and handsome. Even back in his days, many ladies would steal a glance at him whenever he passed. As one of the strongest martial artists, excellent in both martial art and medical technique, supported with a prestigious family name on his back, Tang Bo is one of the most ideal husband material for any woman. The marriage proposal is still flowing in for him even when he already reaches the age of seventy. Of course the main reason is his eternal youth that was shown on his face. Not only once or twice Chung Myung needed to deal with the gaze of some ladies preying on Tang Bo, to steal even one chance to talk with him, either in a restaurant or at some gathering party.
So one time, he grabs Tang Bo’s face between his palm and forces their eyes to lock together. “Mine” He said out loud on purpose as he smirks proudly at the flock of jealous ladies in the back.
He didn’t notice how that one word made Tang Bo feel like he was on cloud nine.
#Question 3 (Yon Joong) : What do you miss the most about each other?
From very little information that Chung Myung tell about Tang Bo, he once said that the two of them have known each other for quite some time. Something happened, and they were separated. Chung Myung thought he couldn't see Tang Bo anymore. Then miraculously, Tang Bo appeared in front of him on his way back after visiting Shicuan.
The way they separated must not have been a fond memory for him. Yon Joong can see it in Chung Myung’s eyes when he brought back the younger boy in his arms. Tang Bo arrived with a sickly face and wounds all over his feet. He has a slight fever and seems like he has been starved. Chung Myung ran to take him to the medicine hall and never left his side throughout his recovery.
As far as they knew Chung Myung, no one ever saw fear in his eyes as vivid as that day. The boy slept for a whole day before the sect leader and the elders could talk with him and Chung Myung. After that Tang Bo always glued on Chung Myung’s side, while Chung Myung, rather than let him be, it's more likely he also wanted to keep Tang Bo close to him.
At Yon Joong’s question, Tang Bo and Chung Myung stay silent for a while.
‘What do I miss about him?’
Tang Bo is the first to answer.
“His smile.” The prettiest, the most precious. The one that made flowers bloom in his chest. The one that was lost in the war. The one he failed to protect in the end.
His greatest regret is to be mourned by Chung Myung. Tang Bo curses fate who let him see the swordsman cry for the first time when he no longer has strength to hug him back. When he can’t ease his pain anymore because he is the one who hurt him most. He never wished for him to feel so weak and heartbroken.
“Doesn't he have the sweetest smile in the world?”Tang Bo teases Chung Myung whose face instantly turns red from embarrassment.
No one dares to say that Chung Myung only smiles that sweet for Tang Bo.
No one dares to say that Tang Bo has the same smile every time he looks at Chung Myung.
They are what you would call ‘matched made in heaven’. How jealous could these two make them feel?
When they were in the war, as the pile of demonic human’s heads grew, it became harder to fake a smile than not smile at all. Chung Myung knew his cold face and bloodied robe only made his Sanghyung worry. Even so he can’t stop but feel further and further from being human for every head he cuts. So he stopped reporting directly and chose to spend most of his time taking part as frontliners.
He kill.
He kill.
and he kill.
One day he realized that his smile hadn't gone completely. It only changes from a human smile into a mad smile of a demon who cuts other brainless ones. It was such a wide smile, it's terrifying.
‘Hyung-nim! How many times have I said? You need to treat your wounds!’
Tang Bo, unlike anyone else, was never run from his side.
‘Didn’t I scare you?’ Sometimes, Chung Myung is scared of himself. ‘Why are you still here?’
‘Did you get bored having me by your side?’
‘.....no’
‘You have my answer then.’
Tang Bo laughed. It was weak and awkward. It was beautiful.
Death piled up under the feet can dull a person. But as long as the butterfly stays, the flowers will bloom even in the bloody garden. As long as Tang Bo there, Chung Myung won’t become the demon he feared.
Tang Bo and Chung Myung will exchange even the smallest talk every night. They laugh at the silliest joke one could make. Only to remind each other about them as human. Taking turns to rest under the watchful gaze of their partner.
After every fight, when the last enemy's head rolled down, Chung Myung would always look back to find Tang Bo behind him. And as always he will greet him with a smile no matter how tired he is. They smiled, for they’ve survived another day.
The world crashed down when Tang Bo died, and his smile disappeared for good.
The first thing Tang Bo grateful for after his return is seeing the old smile on Chung Myung's face as he watch over his new Mount Hua.
Chung Myung took a longer time to answer Yon Joong’s question. Maybe because there are too many things he misses from Tang Bo. Or maybe it's because saying it make him remember something he doesn't want to remember.
“.....his heartbeat.”
All of them miss the words because of how low his voice. Chung Myung didn’t say it for a second time.
*********
Tang Bo gets up and sits on his bed when he senses a presence standing outside his door.
“Can’t sleep?” No answer.
“Come in.” The sliding door opened, revealed a figure of a teen in his night robe and pillow in his hands. Tang Bo holds himself from teasing his tired lover despite how cute he is.
Tang Bo spread his arms to invite the guest for a hug. Chung Myung took the offer gladly, hands circling around his torso for security as he rested his head on the left side of Tang Bo’s chest.
thump. thump. thump.
Chung Myung can feel his consciousness drifting away as his heart beat matches the gentle rhythm of Tang Bo’s. Breathing deeper, plum-colored eyes flustered close as Chung Myung felt the warmth spread through his chest.
Tang Bo stayed silent throughout the night. He closed his eyes, but he didn’t sleep. For he was afraid Chung Myung would have another nightmare. Since he is back, Chung Myung has developed a new habit of hearing his heartbeat to calm him down from the trauma of unwanted memories. Tang Bo is more than willing to accompany him for however long he needs.
“Take your time.” Tang Bo kissed the top of his soft raven hair. If he notices any discomfort, he doesn’t say anything. Only tightening his hugs and making sure Chung Myung knows he is there.
“I will be here until morning comes.”
“And after that?”
“I will walk beside you under the sun.”
“What if it rains?”
“Then I will hold the umbrella for us.”
Chung Myung let himself breathe in Tang Bo’s scent. He smells like herbs with a bitter taste of poison. It's very different from the scent of plum blossoms of Mount Hua. Even so, Chung Myung still found a home in it.
Tang Bo is everything Chung Myung needs.
Chung Myung is everything Tang Bo ever prayed for.
Maybe the nightmare won’t go away anytime soon.
But new memories will always be ready to replace it all as long as they are together.
We just need time to be happy again.
I already am, the moment I found you again.