Chapter Text
Cheong Myeong was eleven when he met a snot-nosed sniffling brat huddled behind a tree- and for the first time in his life, he decided to show a semblance of sympathy.
(Later he decides this would be the last time he will ever do such a thing...)
The Mount Hua disciple was originally roaming the woods of his sect with a mischievous bottle of wine in hand, looking for the perfect spot to enjoy such a wonderful drink away from the prying eyes of his sahyungs.
He hummed languidly as he interweaved through the familiar trees of his home, eyes roaming as he searched for the perfect formidable tree branch to be able to lay atop and drink on.
After a few more steps, he was able to spot a good one- with the sun shining down and spacious enough to lay down on it.
He licks his lips in excitement.
Readily, he was about to jump up to it and begin his relaxation, but he paused when he heard a strange noise come from behind him.
"Hyuk!"
Confused, Cheong Myeong turns around.
"Hic… Hic!"
His brows pinched as he tried to strain his ears to figure out the sounds. Ultimately, curiosity takes over, and so the disciple abandons the tree in favor of wanting to figure out the source of the noise.
Cheong Myeong steps quietly and avoids stray twigs and leaves- just in case such noises would scare the source off. He continued to stray further into the woods, and as the disciple got closer, he then realized those noises were actually soft snuffling and heavings.
It was someone crying.
After coming to this realization, Cheong Myeong automatically assumed that it was another disciple- someone who probably got beat up too much and was all too discouraged by it- so they ran away to wallow in their defeat pitifully.
‘What weak brat couldn’t handle that dumb training?' Cheong Myeong scoffed as he continued to walk forward- this time more at ease as he realized it was just another person.
Cheong Myeong thinks people like them are ridiculous. Defeat is nothing to be ashamed of, and if you do nothing but whine and grovel in it instead of getting back up, you’ll just waste the opportunity to grow.
He eventually deduced the particular spot in which the crying individual was settled, and Cheong Myeong stalks up to the other side of the tree ready to find out which one of his seniors it would be.
But the moment he had finally reached what he thought was a Mount Hua disciple, he realized this wasn’t one of his sect siblings at all.
Instead, his gaze falls onto a young boy adorning a clad of green and tufts of brown hair, and soon Cheong Myeong’s eyes meet glossy ones that match the color of the individual's robes- glazed over from the tears that spill down the other’s cheeks.
His eyes were as if a large gem of Emerald were dropped into a shallow pond, the different colorful tones revealing themselves by shining amidst light refractions of water.
The boy before him immediately jumped at the sudden appearance of Cheong Myeong’s curious face, eyes widening that only made his green irises shine brighter. Reflexively, he squirmed to get further away from the stranger- only for his back to meet the trunk of the tree with a small thump.
Cheong Myeong doesn’t mind that he has scared the other and continues to scrutinize him- taking in his appearance.
‘Who is this kid? He isn’t from Mount Hua..?’
He places a thoughtful hand on his chin as he slightly leans forward to get a closer look.
“Hey brat,” Cheong Myeong greeted curtly as he gazed down at him. “What’s up with you?”
The boy sniffed and paused his crying to look blankly at Cheong Myeong. His brows scrunched and wrinkled in the middle as he tried to focus his blurry eyes on the other in front of him.
“...”
Cheong Myeong watches as his lip only quivered, which makes the disciple realize he might have made a mistake somehow.
“Uh-”
He tried tried to speak, but was immediately interrupted as the boy burst out crying again- but this time even louder.
Cheong Myeong stood there dumbfounded at the other’s outburst- perturbed as he scratched his cheek.
Perhaps he was a little too direct…
But all he did was just ask what was wrong with him! Is that not what you’re supposed to do so you can help figure out a solution?
‘Ugh… brats nowadays…' he finds himself thinking.
He pauses.
’Wait a moment… I’m still a brat myself… what am I even saying?’
In all honesty, as the youngest disciple to have entered Mount Hua as of late, Cheong Myeong never had dealt with younger children. And so he has absolutely no clue on how to deal with the crybaby whose wailing is starting to hurt his ears.
And even when he was this boy’s age, Cheong Myeong wasn’t the type to cry nonsensically like this. The most he ever did was pout or silently brood whenever he was upset in some way.
But this one he just kept crying damnit! And it seems like for no reason too!
Cheong Myeong rubs his chin, his brows pinched in concern as he tries to think of a way to calm this kid down.
Personally for Cheong Myeong, if he were crying, there is one thing that always made him happy...
‘Ah… yes this might work…’
Cheong Myeong brings out the bottle of alcohol that was in his hand and presents it in front of the young boy- waving it before the other which causes the contents to make a distinct swishing sound that indicates it’s a rather lofty amount.
“You want some?”
He gives the other a bright smile, trying to show that he means no harm and wants to put the other at ease instead.
To his utmost relief, Cheong Myeong watches as the boy once again pauses his crying. But this time instead of looking at him blankly, his face had contorted to one of disbelief.
Well- not quite the desired reaction he was going for, but at least he stopped his whining.
The boy gulps bouts of air and wipes away stray tears in an attempt to recollect himself.
“Should you be giving alcohol to someone my age?” the boy managed to raspily ask, heavy breaths interwoven into his sentence.
He swipes the snot that was dribbling down his nose and bites his lip. His face is now red and puffy, but his eyes still shine all too well as the green contrasts amidst flushed rosy cheeks.
Cheong Myeong hummed as he continued to stare down at the other.
“How old are you?”
“Seven…” the boy said quietly.
In response, the swordsman just gave a dismissive wave of his hand and scoffed.
"Pah- I have been stealing wine since near that age. You’ll be fine.”
And then once again, Cheong Myeong waves the bottle closer, and he watches as the other’s eyes dart back and forth following its movements.
“Come on, just take it!” Cheong Myeong continued to prod. “It is not often I share my drinks!”
‘My sahyungs would have definitely beat me if they saw me handing alcohol to a small brat. But oh well- sometimes you gotta do what you got to do.’
“…”
The other stared at the bottle for continuing brief moments, and with how intent he was looking it was clear what his mind was deciding.
The boy still had a scrunched facial expression, but ultimately he finally grabbed the bottle without a word- to which Cheong Myeong grinned in amusement.
(He doesn’t miss the way the grab was swift and accurate… This boy certainly was training to be a cultivator of sorts.)
Hesitantly, the younger opened the lid to the bottle and brought it up to his nose to take a whiff. After presumably deeming it safe to drink, he then shakily brought it to his lips and tilted his head back- taking in one big and quick swig from it.
Cheong Myeong's grin only grew wider seeing the guts this one had to take such a big amount for his first time drinking.
‘This kid got some real nerve!’
But then Cheong Myeong’s expression immediately fell when the other spat out the liquid and then went into a hacking fit.
‘Nevermind…’
The boy continued to cough and then used his sleeve to wipe his mouth.
“Ugh … this crap sucks…" he croaked out while trying to clear his throat. Tears pooled in the corner of his eyes- but not out of distress this time, but due to the strong and bitter taste that had overwhelmed him.
“Hey! It took a lot of effort to steal that,” Cheong Myeong yelped as he snatched the bottle back from the other’s hands. “How dare you waste it!”
“But this stuff tastes awful!” the boy complained, sticking his tongue out in disgust.
“Ayah! You brat! I give you alcohol to make you feel better and this is how you act!”
The boy frowned.
“There are better ways to cheer someone up…” he grumbled in response, looking a little unimpressed with the older.
“Like what?” Cheong Myeong scowled as he put his hands on his hips sternly. “You were crying and whining so loudly, and alcohol always made me feel better!”
The other just rolled his eyes.
“Oh, now you have an attitude! Maybe I should have just beat you until you stopped crying instead!” Cheong Myeong scolded as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I do not know why people bother with kindness first when hitting people is so much easier!”
At such harsh words, the younger boy's face contorted to a complicated expression as he then hung his head.
For some reason, seeing the other react like this to his yelling made Cheong Myeong feel guilty for saying something so harsh.
‘Ah wait… maybe I was a little too hard on him. He is still young.’
Contrary to popular belief amongst those within his sect, Cheong Myeong does have a conscience on occasion- and at this moment he felt the slightest bit of regret for being mean to the boy.
The disciple pursed his lips as he reached for the other to provide a comforting touch as an apology.
“Hey… I didn’t-”
“Hahaha!”
Cheong Myeong paused, his hand still in midair, as he stared stunned at the boy who just started bursting out laughing out of the blue.
His laughter was bright and loud, and his face was now devoid of previous distress and replaced with delight- and it’s all because Cheong Myeong said he would beat him until he stopped crying.
The Mount Hua disciple is confused and takes back his hand.
‘This one’s a nutcase…’
“You’re funny!” the boy said in amusement, giggles still escaping as he tried to cover them with his sleeve.
‘I didn’t even say a joke? Why is he laughing?’
“Uh, I wasn’t kidding around you know…” Cheong Myeong tried to explain as he shifted slightly to clasp his hands behind his back.
The boy still seemed to dismiss Cheong Myeong’s casual threat and simply grinned at the other anyway.
“I’ve never met someone like you before,” he relayed gleefully, eyes crinkling in amusement and mouth cracked wide open into a big smile.
As opposed to the other’s joy, Cheong Myeong frowned.
‘Was that a compliment..?’
After letting out a few more chuckles, the boy finally pushed himself off the ground to meet Cheong Myeong standing.
Given their ages, the top of the younger’s head only reached Cheong Myeong’s chin, so the disciple had to tilt his head to meet the other’s eyes.
Honestly, the boy seems rather small for his age. Cheong Myeong knows that he was definitely bigger than he was back then, but perhaps that was due to his body developing quickly to accommodate the routine of a swordsman.
“I’m Tang Bo from the Tang Family,” the boy relayed, a smile still plastered on his face as he bowed respectfully in greeting.
’Ah, the Tang Family. The green makes a lot more sense now.’
Cheong Myeong was still slightly puzzled by the other’s rather odd behavior, but Cheong Myeong still introduced himself anyway out of courtesy.
“Cheong Myeong, a 13th-generation disciple of Mount Hua,” he replied as he returned the other’s greeting with a bow of his own.
When the swordsman raised his head, he then took a brief swig from his bottle, finally being able to relish the sweet and burning sensation of alcohol going down his throat.
He sighs in satisfaction as he licks his lips.
“Are you sure you don’t want any?” Cheong Myeong asked, once again presenting the bottle to the boy he now knows is named Tang Bo.
“Eh..?” the boy reflexively backed away from the other. “I think I’ll pass…”
“You’re missing out!” is all Cheong Myeong said as he took another big gulp.
Tang Bo finds it is now his turn to be a little confused by the other’s actions.
He fiddled with his sleeves as inquiry graced his eyes.
“Um… if I may ask, is Mount Hua not a Taoist sect?” he questioned with a curious tilt of his head.
“Of course!”
“Then why are you indulging in alcohol?”
A perfectly reasonable ask, but Cheong Myeong does not appreciate so much prodding while he’s drinking.
“Pah- Are you a Tang member or a beggar?” Cheong Myeong snarked as he wiped his mouth. “Because you sure ask a lot of questions!”
Tang Bo frowned at the other’s blatant disrespect.
“When I stick a dagger to your back you’ll realize I’m not a beggar,” he scoffed.
Intrigued, Cheong Myeong lowered his bottle and stepped closer to the other, his gaze now sharper in interest.
“Oh? Are you asking for that beating now?” Cheong Myeong snipped.
Tang Bo stood his ground despite the other’s shift in tone.
“You shouldn’t be picking fights with someone my age,” Tang Bo admonished with a stern look. “It’s unfair isn’t it?”
“Once again, asking so many questions,” Cheong Myeong eyerolled as he folded his arms. “Did you forget you’re the one who said he would stick a dagger into my back? If anything you seem to be the one who wants to pick a fight all of a sudden.”
Cheong Myeong doesn’t care what age his opponent is. They could be seven like Tang Bo, or hundreds of years old like the Elders- but if Cheong Myeong thinks he could win a fight, he would fight.
And he would be very much intrigued to fight a Tang. He has heard about their unique martial arts with dagger, needle, and poison, but he doubts the other was well versed in it yet.
But still- he has never beaten up a Tang before. It would be nice to add to the roster one day.
Tang Bo blinked as he realized he did in fact, ask for a fight from the other first.
“Ah, you’re right. I didn’t mean it,” he said sheepishly as his shoulders slumped. “Don’t get me wrong, I would like to spar, but my father would not be happy that I had done such a thing while on a diplomatic trip.”
Cheong Myeong hummed- a little disappointed at the other backing out.
“Hm, maybe next time then yeah?” he said with a shrug.
Tang Bo shoots him an excited smile. “I would like that!”
‘This one… so much younger than me but thinks he is already qualified enough to spar with me,’ Cheong Myeong thinks.
This boy was certainly one of the most interesting individuals Cheong Myeong had met so far.
He is much younger than Cheong Myeong, yet he is unafraid of his threats- instead wishing to indulge in a spar one day with someone clearly older than him.
And also one moment he was sobbing his eyes out candidly, and now he was smiling and laughing without a trace of tears on his face anymore- and Cheong Myeong didn’t know why he had even started laughing in the first place, but as long as he’s happy now he supposed.
Oh, speaking of the other’s crying…
“Hey… what were you even wailing about earlier?” Cheong Myeong asked as he tilted his head curiously.
Tang Bo’s eyes widened at the question, not expecting the other to ask something like that despite it being a perfectly reasonable inquiry.
He goes back to fiddling his sleeve awkwardly, looking down as he does.
“Ah… I…”
Tang Bo hesitates as he shifts uncomfortably, continuing to avoid Cheong Myeong’s gaze.
“…lost…”
Cheong Myeong leaned down a little to try and get a better listen as the other was mumbling. He cups his ear and shoots him a look to emphasize how the other is hard to hear.
“Huh?”
Tang Bo takes in a breath.
“I am… lost,” he grumbled quietly.
Cheong Myeong blinked.
Tang Bo was crying so hard because he was… lost.
Cheong Myeong burst out laughing, which caused the other to jump.
“Hey! Stop laughing!” Tang Bo squeaked, not keen on the fact that he was being made fun of. “Your stupid forests are so big and the trees all look the same!”
However, Tang Bo’s protests are drowned out by Cheong Myeong’s barking laughter, to which the former couldn’t help but continue to flush in embarrassment.
Now it was Cheong Myeong’s turn to laugh at the other!
“Ah, Tang Bo, I hope you know you’re funny as well,” Cheong Myeong laughed as he placed a hand atop the younger’s head and messed up his hair.
Tang Bo squawked and swatted the other’s hands off his head in protest, which only caused Cheong Myeong to laugh even more.
“I hope you know you’re messing with the future Lord of the Tang!” Tang Bo humphed, cheeks puffing out in irritation.
“Wooow really? A stinking brat like you Lord of the Tang? Can’t imagine it,” Cheong Myeong grinned as he looked down at the kid.
“Well, you better! One day you’ll have to treat me with respect!”
Cheong Myeong only shakes his head and tuts at that.
Trying to imagine this kid who was moments ago crying so hard because he was merely lost in the forest with such a powerful position is entertaining to Cheong Myeong.
“Nope! Not gonna happen!” he said smugly.
Tang Bo made a face at Cheong Myeong’s stern denial.
“And why is that?”
The swordsman put a hand on his hip and jutted a thumb to his puffed-out chest, chin raised high in confidence.
“Because while you’ll only be an Lord of the Tang, I’ll be the Best in the World,” he declared.
Cheong Myeong says such words so earnestly that Tang Bo couldn’t help but forgo his original temperament to instead stare at the other in awe.
He has never seen the other fight before, but with the way Cheong Myeong’s eyes are so impassioned and his brows scrunched in determination, Tang Bo feels like the other could convince him of anything.
Tang Bo let the other's words linger in his mind.
This Cheong Myeong… he had only just met him but he had made Tang Bo feel so many new feelings he had never experienced before just by talking to him.
For a moment, he was quiet as he continued to mull over the other’s declaration. And then suddenly, an idea of his own stemmed from it.
“I… I’ll be the second best then!” Tang Bo announced after, trying to sound just as confident.
Tang Bo had never thought about trying to aim for such great heights, and yet talking to the boy had lit a fervent fire within him.
Cheong Myeong responded with a hearty chuckle, and Tang Bo continued to look at the other as if he had hung the very moon and the stars.
Back at the Tang Residence, there was no one as entertaining as Cheong Myeong.
And so Tang Bo thinks Cheong Myeong is fun.
And Tang Bo thinks he wants to play with him more.
“Ayah! Second best? Are you sure you can?” Cheong Myeong teased as he slowed down his chuckles. He is entertained by the other’s enthusiasm.
Tang Bo nods vigorously.
If being second best means he can be by Cheong Myeong’s side, then he’ll make sure he achieves it!
“I like you, kid, hope you know that,” Cheong Myeong smiled.
“I like hyung too!” Tang Bo grinned back.
While quite unexpected, Cheong Myeong finds himself laughing brightly at the sudden honorific.
He comes to find he doesn’t mind at all actually. This kid is one hell of an individual, and Cheong Myeong likes interesting people.
The disciple tilts his head back to finish the rest of his drink and lets out a noise of content after draining the last drop.
He looks down to inspect the inside of his bottle and shakes it. No noise came out which confirmed its content was all gone.
Finishing his drink made him realize that he had probably been in the forest for too long.
And that brat has probably been in here way too long as well.
“Well, this was fun Tang Bo, but I think you should get going,” Cheong Myeong eventually says.
Tang Bo pouted at that, but Cheong Myeong just ruffled his hair again to tear that expression off his face.
“Don’t be like that Tang Bo,” he huffed. “I’m sure your father is looking for you- just like how my sahyungs are probably tearing their hair out looking for me too.”
And with that, Cheong Myeong squats down in front of the younger and looks behind him.
“Hop on,” he said. “It’ll be quicker if we jump.”
Tang Bo understands the gesture and stumbles to get onto the disciple’s back. He struggled a little as he hadn't had too much experience with another like this, but eventually managed a suitable position.
Once somewhat on the disciple, Cheong Myeong hooks his arms beneath Tang Bo's legs while the latter wraps his arms around his neck.
In one quick movement, Cheong Myeong stands up and tightens his hold on Tang Bo.
“You good?” Cheong Myeong asked, wanting to make sure the other was comfortable.
“I’m good hyung!” the other nodded with a smile.
“Okay, hang on then. If you fall off, that's on you.”
Cheong Myeong’s remark only caused Tang Bo to stiffen and tighten the hold on the older.
“Ack! Don’t hang on so tight to the point I can’t breathe brat!”
“Ah, sorry!”
Tang Bo loosened his hold slightly but remained snug, and after a bit more shifting of his own, Cheong Myeong deemed Tang Bo was secure enough and then quickly jumped high into the air.
Tang Bo held his breath as they broke through the forest’s roof and into the clear skies. The younger now realizes that he has been out for a little too long because he now sees that the blue sky is turning orange- but he finds that he doesn’t mind that fact as he gasps at how magnificent it is.
Before him were open skies with the sun setting on the horizon and gorgeously painted colors that dazzled his eyes. And with how high up Mount Hua was, Tang Bo felt like he could raise his arms and touch the clouds that seemed so close.
Cheong Myeong glanced behind him to make sure Tang Bo was well adjusted now that they were high up, and let out a brief chuckle to see the stars in the other’s eyes as he was completely enamored with the beautiful scene before him.
They eventually begin to fall back down as per gravity, and Cheong Myeong skillfully lands on a tree branch. Then, they shoot toward the sky again and repeat the motion until they are finally nearing back to the sect’s main ground.
Each time they flew high and above the trees, Cheong Myeong could hear the other giggle in delight- his laughter tickling his ears.
Tang Bo finds he has never felt so exhilarated in his life.
After some time, Tang Bo and Cheong Myeong eventually make it to the front of the Sect Leader’s Quarters, in which conveniently the Tang Lord and Cheong Myeong’s sahyung, Cheong Mun, were conversing.
They seemed to be distressed about something given their pinched expressions.
When the two boys got closer, the two men paused their conversations when they heard footsteps approaching, and suddenly their faces changed when their eyes laid on the pair.
Two varying expressions followed, with the Tang Lord letting out a sigh of relief, and then Cheong Mun frowning and looking a little irate.
It was then made clear their previous expressions were most likely due to Tang Bo and Cheong Myeong’s disappearances.
“There you are Cheong Myeong-ah!” Cheong Mun scolded as he stalked up to the other.
Cheong Myeong knows he’ll get a punishment later, but he doesn’t quite mind as breaking the rules allowed him to meet Tang Bo.
“Sahyung, don’t look so angry!” Cheong Myeong began quickly as he met his sahyung's fiery gaze.
The disciple adjusted his hold on Tang Bo and turned to the side to present the boy.
“Look! Is this not the brat you were concerned about moments ago?”
The Tang Lord then walked up to the pair as well, his face eased as he realized his son was in safe hands. To Cheong Myeong’s delight, the Lord’s presence did not allow for Cheong Mun to be able to scold him yet.
“Ah thank goodness you’re here Bo-ya,” the Tang Lord says relieved. “I was worried.”
“I apologize, Father, for straying so far away,” Tang Bo said sheepishly as he lightly buried his face halfway into the crook of Cheong Myeong’s neck.
“Just… just don’t run off like that again,” is all he said while patting his son on the head.
The Lord then turned to Cheong Myeong, who was still carrying his son.
“Thank you, Mount Hua disciple, for finding and bringing my son back.”
Cheong Myeong only chuckled.
“No problem Lord Tang! It’s what any good person would do!”
Cheong Mun shot Cheong Myeong an unimpressed look, which only caused Cheong Myeong’s grin to grow wider.
The Tang Lord nodded with a grateful smile and then looked back at his son.
“Come, we must go now Bo-ya. I have finished business with Mount Hua’s Sect Leader,” he said as he offered out a hand for his son to grab.
Tang Bo still hasn’t left Cheong Myeong’s hold yet- clinging onto his back- and only tightened his grip after his father’s mention of returning.
The two men and Cheong Myeong were perplexed at the action, with Cheong Myeong turning to shoot the other a raised brow- only to be met with a frown from the other.
“Tang Bo…” Cheong Myeong trailed, feeling the arms squeeze him at the address.
‘Why isn't he letting go?’
Cheong Myeong tried to shake the other lightly to pry him off, but the other was holding on pretty well.
”Come on Tang Bo, you gotta get off me eventually you know,” Cheong Myeong said as he moved side to side to try and get the other to lose grip, but the action only made Tang Bo press closer instead- pressing his face into his neck, and crossing his legs around the other’s torso.
’Ah, what have I gotten myself into..?’
If the Tang Lord wasn’t before him right now, Cheong Myeong would have tossed the other off by now.
After a few moments of spinning around and trying to get Tang Bo to get off him, the young boy suddenly shifted his arms from around the other’s neck, to pushing himself up by Cheong Myeong’s shoulders so his face is now above the other’s head.
“Father!” Tang Bo suddenly exclaimed.
Cheong Myeong paused his shaking, and all eyes were on Tang Bo as the young boy took a breath.
The thing is, Tang Bo doesn’t want to return to the residence and leave Cheong Myeong just yet, that’s why he is latched on so adamantly.
Cheong Myeong had introduced him to so many exciting things and experiences- and Tang Bo wanted to stay by the other’s side for longer!
If anything… Tang Bo wants to be by Cheong Myeong’s side forever- and he wants his father to know!
As Tang Bo racked his brain for how he wanted to convey this to his father, he suddenly remembered something his father had told him a long time ago.
A term that fits exactly what Tang Bo wanted!
Something that guaranteed that Tang Bo would be able to be with Cheong Myeong.
“Father…” Tang Bo repeated, but this time more earnestly, his eyes shining with determination.
“I…”
“I want to marry this disciple!” he yelled as he held on tight to Cheong Myeong.
“…”
Everyone but Tang Bo opened their mouths in shock at Tang Bo’s declaration.
Even Cheong Myeong had his jaw hanging slightly and eyes wide in surprise.
‘Huh!?’
There was a brief pause as everyone tried to register what was just said.
’…He wants to what!?’
Cheong Myeong glanced back at Tang Bo who looked all too determined and all too passionate about the prospect.
’This kid is crazy!’
Before Cheong Myeong could scold him for being so shameless and also a little airheaded, Tang Bo’s father was the first to speak before anyone else.
“Bo-ya, I don’t quite think you are aware of what marriage means…” he began to say, which is what everyone else in the vicinity was thinking as well.
“But I do!” Tang Bo argued. Cheong Myeong had to adjust his hold again as Tang Bo had said this so passionately that he almost fell out of his grasp. “That’s when two people come together and then they are with each other forever!”
’Jeez- the first time I interact with someone outside the sect and I’m already getting marriage proposals…’
The Tang Lord pursed his lips at his son’s words.
Cheong Myeong finds himself a little apprehensive now as he looks at the Lord and his changing expressions.
’I hope he doesn’t take my head off for gaining his son’s interest… It’s all him, I swear!’
“Well… you’re not wrong I suppose,” he admitted. “But it’s more complicated than that, my Bo-ya.”
“How so?” the boy said with a raised brow, the stubbornness continuing to show as he clung to the idea.
“Maybe when you’re older I’ll tell you,” the Lord sighed. “But you cannot marry quite yet.”
Tang Bo pouts at that, looking terribly crestfallen.
“Does that mean I’ll never see hyung again..?”
Tang Bo managed to squeeze Cheong Myeong even tighter, to which the latter found it harder to breathe with each passing second but did not say anything.
“I- well… that’s not quite up to me Bo-ya,” the Lord replied.
“But-”
“Lord Tang,” Cheong Mun interjected. “I am sure I can speak to Sect Leader, and we can arrange something perhaps if Tang Bo is very adamant.”
“Not about the marriage thing,” Cheong Mun quickly clarified with a chuckle. “But just Tang Bo being able to visit Mount Hua frequently.”
Cheong Mun then turned to his sajae.
“And also if Cheong Myeong-ah doesn’t mind the idea.”
Cheong Myeong just shrugged.
“Eh, he’s fun. I wouldn’t mind,” he smiled lightly as he glanced back at the boy on his back.
Cheong Mun blinks, a little surprised at his sajae's amenity. He had never seen the other act so agreeably toward another, and yet here he was wanting to meet up with this other boy.
And Cheong Mun finds it more interesting that Cheong Myeong is favoring someone rather… clingy.
Whenever Cheong Mun tried to hug Cheong Myeong, he would only be met with a hit or a hiss.
He wonders what this Tang Bo has done to garner Cheong Myeong’s extension of friendship.
‘Am I jealous? Maybe… Ah Myeong-ah, let me hug you just once like Tang Bo can do. I am your sahyung who has raised you since birth!’
The Tang Lord cleared his throat which reels Cheong Mun out of his thoughts- to which the latter realizes he had been quiet for too long and left the others waiting.
“Ah, apologies. Well, if these two boys wish, and Lord Tang is agreeable with it, then we can most definitely arrange something,” Cheong Mun reiterates.
Tang Bo cheers which causes him to lean back, and Cheong Myeong gripped tighter onto the other and wobbles.
“Ayah! Be careful!” Cheong Myeong yelped.
“Hehe sorry hyung, I was excited…”
Cheong Myeong rolled his eyes, but the quirk of his lip showed that he was a little delighted at this decision as well.
Tang Bo finally loosens his hold and Cheong Myeong squats down to let the other onto the ground.
“Thank you, Father!” Tang Bo rejoiced as he hugged his father’s leg.
“And thank you as well!” Tang Bo also then bowed in gratitude when he turned to Cheong Mun.
“Of course, Tang Bo,” Cheong Mun nodded. “It would be nice for Cheong Myeong-ah to have some friends.”
Cheong Myeong just rolled his eyes.
He doesn’t need friends…
…But he wouldn’t quite mind Tang Bo to be one.
“Please send out a letter when a plan has been curated,” the Tang Lord said as he took his son’s hand and began to step toward the gates.
But he paused when he felt Tang Bo shake his hand from his grasp and watched his son run up to Cheong Myeong one last time.
The Lord couldn’t help but sigh. He had never seen his son so enthusiastic.
Tang Bo quickly embraced the older one, to which the other blinked in surprise but quickly returned.
“I hope I see you soon hyung!” Tang Bo says as he squeezes the disciple tightly.
Cheong Myeong lets out a fond sigh and pets the other’s hair.
“Go on Tang Bo-ya, your father is waiting,” he lightly prodded.
The other gave one final squeeze and then finally let go, a smile gracing his face as he waved goodbye and fell into step with his father.
After watching the pair disappear with his sahyung by his side, Cheong Myeong just huffed and crossed his arms- but he found himself still smiling even after he had turned and started to walk away from the gate.
‘What a leech.’