Chapter Text
When the elders suggested it, Jin Guemryong almost couldn't believe his ears. It didn't help that the person actually involved in it isn't in the room with them, and he glances at Eunryong, seeing unmasked outrage on his face.
“I don't understand why it has to be Dongryong,” His brother says through gritted teeth, “He's still recovering from his injuries. From protecting the sect!”
Eunryong in the past would've let Guemryong handle this situation. He didn't like to argue with the elders and preferred to keep things simple, as his rational side had always shone brighter between the three of them. But the recent demon invasion had worn him down, and he's spent the last weeks anxiously caring for their youngest, willingly foregoing his morning training, and sometimes, even his meals.
“And his injuries show we're in need of allies who can fight with us in times of need.”
The other elders nods at the sect leader's words, and this stumps Eunryong, who looks upon Guemryong desperately for help. Guemryong doesn't move. He doesn't even speak because he sees the value in those words.
They've been sent on a wild goose chase, and the demons used the opportunity to infiltrate the sect, when the night hunt had gone too far away for them to return in time. Of course, if it wasn't for Jin Dongryong, most of Zhongnan would've perished— The first invasion had been a devastating blow, and this one wasn't any different. They've lost more than they're willing to admit. Elders, disciples, precious resources.
And he felt as though he is being forced to choose between his blood and his sect. Which probably wasn't far from the truth. Their father would've made the choice without a second of hesitation, but he's no longer here and Jin Guemryong is not a substitute for him no matter how much they pretend he is.
Maybe they weren't even being given a choice. They were being informed of a done decision.
“Mount Hua.. may not have the best reputation among our disciples, but this alliance would benefit both sects and Mount Hua never goes back on their words. Jin Dongryong will be safe with them, especially with..” Their elder then sighs, refusing to even say the name, although all of them knew who he speaks of.
Eunryong doesn't drop his defiant face so easily this time. Guemryong honestly wishes his headstrong attitude extends to all sect meetings, but he had always been quite protective of Dongryong. It has simply increased tenfold after their father's death.
“But why my brother? Surely there's better candidates?” He argues hopefully, vainly, despite already having an answer in mind.
The sect leader frowns, but not unkindly. Guemryong could almost see some pity in his tired eyes. “We cannot send a disciple with no status to their names, and we cannot send anyone who is still able to fight for the sect.”
“He can fight! He just needs time. Please, I know he just needs..” Eunryong exclaims helplessly, though he was lying. Everyone knows he was lying. When no one refutes him, Guemryong watches Eunryong's face crumple in despair, his shoulders slumping and he looks at the floor, silent.
“We hope you two understand our actions, and will be able to come to terms with this arrangement in due time. Zhongnan truly needs all the help we can get.”
Eunryong continues to be silent after they're dismissed, looking like he is at war with himself. Guemryong himself has some doubts in his mind. He stops his brother when Eunryong is about to enter his room.
“I want to see Dongryong,” Guemryong simply says. He hasn't seen Dongryong since that terrible night and he didn't know why. Maybe it's because Dongryong never requested him. Maybe it's because of the immense guilt he felt. Eunryong says nothing, but he shuts his doors and starts to walk down the corridor, to which Guemryong follows him. When they reached the infirmary, what they saw made Eunryong's anxiety act up.
“What are you doing?!” He screams, making Dongryong drop his sword out of shock. The young man turns to them, although he does not actually see them due to the long strip of fabric tied over his eyes.
Guilty yet stubborn, “I'm feeling a lot better, hyung!”
“No! Get back in bed!” Eunryong all but drags him inside, even kicking the wooden sword aside as he does so. At least whoever gave him this had the conscience to give him a wooden one. If he had hurt himself with a sword when he's supposed to be recovering.. let's just say Eunryong would not be forgiving anyone.
Despite many protests, Dongryong lets his older brother fuss over him. He sits patiently as Eunryong checks him head to toe and allows him to nag as much as he wants, making Guemryong feel just a bit envious.
“Any headaches? Pain?”
Dongryong shook his head. He doesn't seem to notice Guemryong's presence yet, thus he's relaxed around Eunryong. Guemryong's harsh behavior had let up quite a lot after their father's death, but sometimes he still sees the things that's been inflicted upon Dongryong and his heart twinges. He would never let it show though. Eunryong looks at Guemryong for a moment, and he shakes his head.
“I'm going to clean your wounds. Can I?”
Guemryong really tried to not react when Eunryong gently removed the strip of white fabric. He's listened to the medic's assessment of Dongryong's injuries— poison directly to the face, mostly aimed at the eyes. The poison hadn't been there for long when Dongryong was brought into the infirmary, meaning the doctors were able to flush it out before it ate away at his eyes, but that didn't meant irreversible damage wasn't done.
There's scabbing on his eyelids and the skin around that area. Most of his pupils have lost its colour, a murky grey veiled over them. His eyesight have definitely been affected too, as his gaze sweeps across the room and he still doesn't see Guemryong.
He took a deep breath to calm himself, and Dongryong's eyes finally snaps to his direction, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration. He hesitates for a moment, “..Hyung?”
“Dongryong.”
“Oh, he's actually here. That's why I felt another presence. You made me think I was being paranoid.”
“Aish, is that how you talk to your hyung?” Eunryong chastised with no real heat. “He asked to come see you, you know.”
Eunryong's words were not acknowledged by anyone in the room. Instead, Dongryong asks innocently, “Did something happen?”
That's honestly too straight to the point, and it hurts Guemryong, just a little bit. That he's somewhat another Jin Chobaek to Dongryong. And he hates what they'll say would prove Dongryong right because something did happen and they can't do anything about it. Just when their relationship has been looking upwards too.
Guemryong exchanges a look with Eunryong again. Neither of them wanted to be the bearer of such news. They didn't want Dongryong to feel like they were sending him away. But hearing it from them than from the elders would be better, and it gives Dongryong more time to process the situation he's in. Eunryong lowers his gaze and only holds Dongryong's hands tight, lips pursed into a frown. He does not say anything.
Jin Guemryong is the eldest, after all.
“You are to be married to the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.”
Dongryong listens expressionlessly as Guemryong explained everything. He doesn't blame the elders, but he criticizes their actions at the same time. He expects some degree of outrage from Dongryong as well after he finished talking. At his brothers, his elders, for not regarding his feelings at all.
But Dongryong simply folds a hand over Eunryong's, feeling over the rough skin of Eunryong's knuckles. His face is serene, not defeated, but at peace. “Okay,” was what he had to say.
And Eunryong doesn't look at Guemryong again. And Guemryong can only wonder if Dongryong can sense the bitterness in the air. They sit together in silence as Eunryong washes Dongryong's face with a warm washcloth. He ties his hair up and applies a soothing salve to the scabbed areas of his face, and his hand brushes against Dongryong's cheek almost lovingly as he lays him down to rest.
He doesn't sleep. No one leaves for their training that evening. Eunryong cracks a joke about disgrace this dishonour that, and Dongryong somehow laughs at that. Guemryong only looks at them, bemused yet fond of his only remaining family.
War does not regard anyone's feelings. He's to cherish them while he still can.
--
“Dongryong-ah, I have a gift for you.”
A few days before Dongryong's departure to Mount Hua, the three brothers were having dinner together when Eunryong got everyone's attention. He slides a lacquered box over to Dongryong, knocking on it two times to let Dongryong know where it is.
While the scabbing have cleared, Dongryong is unfortunately left with partial blindness. Sometimes he could catch glimpses of outline and strong light, but that's just about it. He didn't let any of it bring him down, though— Guemryong was honestly impressed by his tenacity. Dongryong insisted on continuing his training and meditating every night, sometimes successfully roping them along with him. He's gotten more sensitive to energy and movements, which is good, and he's even managed to block and push Eunryong back a few times during spars.
Dongryong, funny boy he is, takes the box and holds it at eye level with an appreciative exclaim, before asking, “What's this?” To which Guemryong scoffs.
“Guess,” came Eunryong's indulgent answer.
Smiling, Dongryong runs his fingers over the contents of the box, his fingertips twitching when they feel soft tassels and smooth jade. He carefully takes in every detail: the jades were shaped like rings and the top of both pieces had thin hooks attached to them. Guemryong, probably tired of waiting for Dongryong to figure it out, helpfully confirms the gift to be earrings.
“They're not what you usually wear though, Eunryong,” The eldest continues, “Did you buy them especially for Dongryong?”
If Dongryong could see his second brother's face, the was no doubt he would rethink leaving for Mount Hua. His lips smiles, so fond and adoring, accepting that Dongryong leaving is a reality. But his eyebrows raise and his eyes round, and he looks like he's about to cry.
Eunryong's behavior has become more erratic as the date draws near, and he flutters around Dongryong to ease his anxiety. It didn't help that they wouldn't be there for the ceremony, albeit they've heard it would be a small and rushed one, and honestly they should be there— except it was a marriage of convenience and Dongryong wasn't doing this because he chose to. Simply because it was the next best action for the sect they're born into.
(At least Dongryong's spouse-to-be hasn't been causing a ruckus in Xi'an as of late. If Eunryong were to get another batch of beaten up disciples in the infirmary, he would definitely smuggle Dongryong out of Zhongnan and run far away before letting him go get married to a hooligan.)
Even before Dongryong leaves, Eunryong is already grief stricken. Any loss Eunryong experiences he compares with death— their father, their peers, their brother— but Guemryong knows that's the force that drives him forward. When Dongryong leaves, he will throw himself into training like never before, and he will punish himself for letting Dongryong go. For not protecting him well enough.
Guemryong will be there for him, with him, when that happens.
“Those are father's rings. They were given to me when his assets were being divided. I thought making them into earrings would be nice for our Dongryong to remember me by.”
Guemryong scoffs again. “Just you? What about me, your eldest brother?”
“You should've prepared your own gift!” Eunryong huffs, turning his nose up and away from him to prove a point. Guemryong reached his hand over, already reeling back to whack, but luckily for Eunryong, he couldn't reach unless he got out of his seat. Even so, Guemryong swipes his hand through the air with enough force that Dongryong can hear, and Eunryong's eyes finally crinkle with joy, his sorrow forgotten just for a little while.
“I like them.” Dongryong suddenly said. “They feel like home.”
“You can't see it, but the tassels are pure Zhongnan blue. So listen up Dongryong-ah! Do not be consumed by Mount Hua's pinks, you must always have something blue on you so they know my handsome brother is from—”
Dongryong laughs, “No, no. Do you recall how I mentioned that I can somewhat see energy? These jades have the same energy as you two, hyung. With them, there will always be home with me. Thank you, Eunryong hyung.”
That was surprisingly sappy from Dongryong. Guemryong couldn't help but wince at those words, wondering if the slight burning sensation on his eyes was out of pure disgust or shock or something similar. It definitely wasn't because Dongryong admitted they were his family— because they are by blood whether they liked it or not. But it does feel nice to hear that, not that he'll admit it..
And Eunryong? Dongryong might as well punch him in the face and kick him in the shin. Because that would hurt less. His eyes glaze over and they take in how Dongryong looks at this moment, a simple ribbon covering his eyes, with the classic blue trimmed robes with delicate embroidery done in thin bronze. He's glad Dongryong's spirit hasn't been dampened by his untimely blindness. Dongryong still trains and spars with both his brothers, but Eunryong cannot lie and say he doesn't fear the worst.
People will not be kind to him. Without Zhongnan, without Guemryong and Eunryong— If he had been at an disadvantage, it would be even moreso now and after. People see third young master Jin before first disciple Jin Dongryong, and they will see the cloth around his eyes before his sword. And Eunryong dreads. Don't go, Dongryong-ah. Hyung will protect you. You don't have to leave.
“I love you. Hyung loves you, Dongryong-ah,” He says instead, “Never think otherwise.”
The hug startles Dongryong, but Eunryong couldn't help but throw himself at his brother. The tighter he held on, the harder he fought to keep everything at bay. In a sense he was holding on for Guemryong as well, because that guy would kick rocks before admitting anything. A sneaky glance confirms it— Guemryong had looked away from them with furrowed eyebrows and a scowl, but his fist trembles from where they clench around his chopsticks.
“Never once in my life.” Dongryong wraps his arms around Eunryong, resting his head on his brother's shoulder. “Never once will I ever.”
--
Eunryong helps him into the carriage.
“How do they expect you to climb mountains in this attire?” He clicks his tongue, displeased and worried sick. He brushes the nonexistent dirt off Dongryong's robes and fixes his hair, careful to not jostle the freshly pierced jade earrings. “They should've changed you into something more comfortable first. What are all these attendants and disciples for if they can't help you change back into your wedding robes after reaching Mount Hua?”
Rolling his eyes at Eunryong's complaints and fussiness, Guemryong continues to personally check every inch of the carriage and analyze every person who will be accompanying Dongryong to Mount Hua. He didn't need any verbal threats— his eyes promise a slow, painful death to everyone here if Dongryong were to be hurt or go missing.
“First disciple Lee Songbaek,” Guemryong finally says, coming eye to eye with the disciple in charge, “Make sure my brother stays safe. At. All. Costs.”
Lee Songbaek salutes. “Yes, great sahyung!”
As the carriage goes further and further away, escorted by many attendants and disciples, the first few drops of tears fell from Eunryong's eyes. He's been so desperately holding them back that he doesn't really register the wetness untill Guemryong takes his hand and almost shoves a handkerchief in his palm. It's a soft blue with near cloud embroidery, courtesy of second lady Jin. He wipes his face and blows his nose, the soft cotton a blessing on his skin.
The carriage is already out of sight, and the two brothers are left standing side by side silently, wondering when they'll see the youngest again.
At least until Eunryong screeched, “Wait! Did Dongryong give you this?! He didn't give me anything! Dongryong-ah!!” Guemryong could only shake his head and cover his face as Eunryong continues to wail.
--