Chapter Text
Once upon a time, in the tiny kingdom of Ssangmun-dong there lived a man called Seong Gi-hun. He was good-natured, kind-hearted, sweet, and well-liked by everyone who met him. But most of all Gi-hun was beloved among menfolk for his beautiful face, curvy build, and wild temperament. The lucky ones who've gotten to know him closer have given him the nickname Big Red Riding Gi-hun to honour his incredible skills. The ones who haven't had their chance silently envied the lucky fellows: as skilled as Gi-hun was, he was also picky and loyal.
Big Red Riding Gi-hun's repute went around Ssangmun-dong – in a good way, for he was truly beloved – and reached the neighbouring kingdom of the Island. And one day, a man in a fine suit stood in front of Gi-hun's modest house, and with a bow professed that king Oh Young-il, the ruler of the Island, would like to meet Gi-hun. If the stars aligned, king Young-il would wed Gi-hun to be his rightful spouse, the man declared.
Gi-hun had never left Ssangmun-dong before. Yet it was a great honour laid upon him, and so Gi-hun's mother made him put his best clothes on and gave him a basket full of soju to bring to the foreign king. "Take this to king Young-il to pay respects," she said. "But be careful and don't stray from the path on your way to the Island. Don't get involved with other men and be good to the king." Gi-hun promised and got on his way.
But the cunning ruler of Ssangmun-dong watched Gi-hun's departure with unease. No one knew his name nor had seen his face; the king of Ssangmun-dong went by his title of Front Man, face hidden behind a black mask, and he was fair and just, yet strict and reclusive. He couldn't forbid the best rider of the kingdom from travelling out, but didn't want to allow it either. And so the Front Man decided to stay ahead and went out to greet Gi-hun as he was passing by his palace.
"Good morning, Gi-hun-ssi," said the Front Man.
"Good morning, Front Man-nim," Gi-hun bowed politely, surprised that the ruler of Ssangmun-dong knew his name. Gi-hun didn't know even the Front Man secretly lusted for the peachy body of his.
"Where are you headed to so early?" asked the Front Man.
"To the kingdom of the Island to meet king Oh Young-il," Gi-hun replied, showing the basket.
"And what do you have in your basket?" behind the mask, the Front Man narrowed his eyes.
"Soju for king Oh Young-il, Front Man-nim," Gi-hun responded cheerfully. "King Young-il sent his messenger to let me know he might want to wed me."
"How kind of him," the Front Man said thoughtfully. "Well, why don't you also pick some kimbap to bring to the king? And I will make sure your travel is fast and safe."
Encouraged, Gi-hun went on to stop by a shop to get fresh kimbap for his visit. Meanwhile, the Front Man took off his mask to sneak out unrecognised, boarded his private helicopter and went straight to the kingdom of the Island. There he entered the king's palace and locked himself in the king's bedroom.
A bit later, Gi-hun arrived at the gate of the palace, and the guards let him in with a bow. Gi-hun ascended the colourful stairs and knocked on the door of the king's bedroom – knock, knock.
"Who's there?" a gentle voice asked from behind the door.
"It's me, Seong Gi-hun of Ssangmun-dong," Gi-hun replied with a polite bow. "I brought soju, kimbap, and my raw skill to greet king Young-il."
"Come on in," the voice invited.
Gi-hun entered the chamber. There, on the bed, sat a gorgeous man with soft brown hair, full lips, deep dark eyes, a kind smile, and a muscular build. Gi-hun felt his heart beat faster at the beautiful sight, and bowed to the king.
"Thank you for coming, Gi-hun-ssi," the man said, his dark eyes mustering Gi-hun with growing interest. "I'm king Oh Young-il. How about you leave the basket on the table for now and come forward with your raw skill so we can get to know each other closer?"
Gi-hun nodded and made his way to the bed. The king looked so handsome and seemed so kind, and Gi-hun couldn't wait to know him as closely and intimately as possible. But what he didn't know is that this was, in fact, the Front Man with his mask off and a clever plan.
They sat on the bed and looked at each other, desire growing stronger in both of them.
"Young-il-ssi, what great big eyes you have," said Gi-hun in a hushed tone, mesmerised by the hungry gaze.
"The better to see you with, my dear," replied the Front Man, placing a hand on Gi-hun's thigh.
"Young-il-ssi, what great big hands you have," said Gi-hun, heart beating faster.
"The better to hold you with, my dear," replied the Front Man, moving closer and pressing a delicate kiss to Gi-hun's lips.
"Young-il-ssi, what great soft lips you have," said Gi-hun, breath stuttering.
"The better to taste you with, my dear," the Front Man purred, sliding off both their clothes.
"Young-il-ssi, what a great big... ah... aaaahhh!"
***
In the end, Big Red Riding Gi-hun proved once more that his nickname was more than well-deserved. After a few rounds of riding, the king confessed that he was, in fact, the Front Man, and all this time he had been the ruler of two kingdoms, both Ssangmun-dong and the Island.
The king apologised to Gi-hun for tricking him and explained that he had been longing for him, yet didn't know how to approach him from behind the Front Man's mask. Gi-hun sulked at first, but the king was patient and persuasive, and so after another round Gi-hun readily and wholeheartedly forgave him.
The king went on one knee and asked Gi-hun to wed him. Without a doubt, Gi-hun said yes, and then the king went on two knees in front of his betrothed, which only convinced Gi-hun of his choice.
They celebrated a royal wedding and ruled both kingdoms together with fairness and kindness. The king forfeited his mask, allowing Gi-hun to see his husband's gorgeous face at all times. Gi-hun's incredible riding skills were only reserved for his beloved spouse now for all eternity, and the skills were put to test every single day, happily ever after.