Chapter Text
Fear can be one of the greatest motivators.
It can be if it doesn’t crush you first. Many crack, crumble, or freeze from fear. But others become strong. They become tough and transcend to a being of pure, shining, steel.
A status Minho always wished to reach. Nearly killing himself to achieve, until he finally thought he did it. He just began to truly believe it, but a single moment of letting his heart breath and feel , lead to all his work nearly vanishing.
When did it end? How long would he have to push and pull and break and shatter just to put himself back together and repeat?
But this was his life, as Prince and future King, this was his destiny. From the moment he turned fifteen, he was made all aware of how pertinent his role was. It was not just his and his family's status he had to protect, it was a whole kingdom he needed to protect.
Secrets . There were many that Minho protected. He buried them not only for the sake of his family or the kingdom, but for himself. If he could hide them away, banish them to the abyss and never let them see the light, he could live. Life would be just that bit more bearable.
So whenever that warmth, that itch, the feeling of a million fire ants crawling just beneath his skin, would begin to grow - he would breathe. Breath and shut it all out. Shut it out anyway he could.
He doesn’t need to know, doesn’t need to understand why he has this fire or what it all entails or means.
Around the castle he has few he can rely on, mainly his younger brother, Prince Jeongin. When Minho officially came into his political position and took more responsibility as Prince of Levanter at the age of sixteen, he understood just how much weighed on their shoulders. Of course they had counsels and advisors who carried a great amount of the administration, but at the end of the day, the real important matters that could change the fate of many were up to them to decide. For this reason, he carried as much as he could so Jeongin would not have to.
So he would not feel any guilt or take any blame if any were to come. Minho could bear it, he could take it all, all the burden.
It was why he was now in the castle library rereading strategy journals and ledgers from past leaders while Jeongin was running around with his appointed guard, Hyunjin.
“Min!” Jeongin comes suddenly running in, out of breath and looking around the library for a spot to hide.
“Hyunjin will come in here soon, tell him I’m not here!” He whisper shouts, bolting to the nearest hiding spot.
“Iyen-ah, aren’t you a bit old to be playing hide and seek with your friend?”
“SHH! He’s coming, don’t look at me, look at your book!” In perfect timing, as Minho turns back towards the door to see Hyunjin running in out of breath.
“Oh - Prince Minho. I didn’t think you’d be in here.” As he sees Minho, he straightens his back and dusts his clothes trying to make himself more composed. Then remembering himself and quickly bowing.
“Hyunjin-ah, don’t worry about me, continue on with whatever silly games I’m sure you and my brother are playing now.” He tells him still looking down at his book.
“Ah, okay… Ah! No, no, we’re not though! I mean… uh, I actually came in here to uh… borrow a book. Yes! I’ve been studying poetry and reading documentations as of late.” Hyunjins rambling as he moves to begin searching the books in the shelves along the vast walls. He’s nervous and Minho can’t seem to pinpoint why. Yes, Minho is next in line for the throne, and yes, he knows he could be seen cold and unpleasant. But he still had grown up with Hyunjin.
The three of them really grew up together, before the responsibilities that came with their status, they were kids together.
“Jinnie-“
“Ah! Here!” Hyunjin starts as he reaches to pick a book from one of the higher shelves.
“I read this one last summer actually, when spring was just ending and the air was beginning to warm. Innie refuses any readings I try to give him.. of course - you know how music enthralled he is.” He was gazing down at the pages, slowly walking towards Minho. Minho looked from the book in the boy's hand to Hyunjins soft expression upon reminiscing the words he’s once read.
“Prince Minho?” He suddenly looks up, meeting Minho’s eye and furrowing his brows as though he is pondering a thought. He sits down across the table from Minho and holds the book close to his chest as though it's a comfort for him to hold.
Relaxing his brows, he searches Minho's eyes for a moment before he asks his question.
“What is your last memory?”
“Pardon?” Minho is a bit dumbfounded by Hyunjins question, not expecting the other to voice such an odd thought.
The other simply looks down to his lap.
“I just- this book, it has me thinking lately. It’s a very thoughtful documentation on a certain art that I’ve been quite curious about.” He pauses for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip nervously before he continues.
“I fear I may be in my head too much lately and I’m spewing nonsense again but...” He moves to stand up and walk closer to Minho.
Minho glances at the area the younger Prince is still hiding at. Curious and cautious as to where Hyunjin is going with his questioning. Secretly wishing the younger Prince will come out already and drag his guard away.
There’s a few minutes of silence until Hyunjin can’t keep his worries in anymore.
“Well I worry, you know, you often seem…like you’re not here with us. They say people can wipe their own memories as a way of coping. Do you remember what today is?” He states softly, in almost a whisper that’s barely understandable.
“It’s Thursday.” Minho replies with a curious look to the other.
“It’s also the day Suengmin left… this day last year. He left, saying he’d come back later that night… but he never did, he hasn’t come back.”
“Right.” Minho freezes at Hyunjins sudden reminder.
“One year since that night by the river…”
“Jinnie, I get it.” The Prince replies, growing agitated. That night had in fact been one that Minho blocked out. He was never able to block out the ache and burn he still felt from the memory, only the contents of the events.
“I’m sorry Your Highness, I don’t mean to upset you but you’ve never spoken of it. For a whole year.”
With reason , Minho thought to himself. Slowly feeling the burn building in his chest, an itch within himself.
Minho stands and gathers the books he has laid out, bookmarking and stacking, tying them up with his ribbon. “This book! This book is very insightful on such matters of-“
“Hyunjin.” The guard who had now come around closer to Minho to show him the book, retracted.
Flexing and fisting his hands, he’s burning up now. Flashes of memories begin to swarm his mind. He sees it all again vaguely. The blur of a face and the cold touch of a hand. The sounds of a scream… and a faint call of his name…
Minho
Closing his eyes, he tries to shut it out. His palms are scalding and he feels he could puke flames if his throat didn’t feel so tight. He swallows the lump in his throat and takes a breath before speaking.
“I’m tired now Hyunjin, I will take my leave to my quarters.”
Just before he turns to leave, Hyunjin grabs his wrist and finds his eye. But immediately lets go as he feels the fire on the Prince's skin.
“Minho, I can’t say I feel I’ve ever received an answer from you on any matter. Matters especially such as that night, you’ve never answered me on that night! You think it hasn’t affected me too? How can you not- how is that fair?” Hyunjin pleads and questions become more desperate. He becomes more desperate to understand and fearful of failing to get an answer.
“You shouldn’t be involving yourself. You shouldn’t have even been there that night and you most certainly should not be speaking of it.”
“Minho-“
Minho
“Prince Minho.” He gives a flaming glare to Hyunjin, warning him to back down and drop the questions. His skin now burning. Then he remembers the younger prince is still within the library.
“You should find my brother, as his guard he should not be out of your sight this long.” Hyunjin keeps his focus on Minho’s eyes, studying the slight glow he sees threatening to breach.
Hyunjin has known Minho for as long as he can remember. As kids, he remembered Minho to be sweet and caring. Always there when he fell, always protected him, and treated him as a brother. Watching him grow into his position within the castle, Hyunjin slowly watched the companion he once knew fade. Fade into someone who shut off his emotions.
“Yes, Your Highness.” He says in a low voice. Minho only looks away from Hyunjins gaze and regards him with a slight bow of his head, grabs his books by their straps and leaves the library. Hyunjin leaves a moment later after gathering himself.
Jeongin stays a moment, still tucked away by one of the shelves, confused in many regards. What just happened? What were they keeping from him? So many questions raced in the younger Prince's mind, but all he could do was stay put.
As Minho makes his way to his room, his head throbs and he feels a slight buzz in his ears and arms. He tries to shake it all off, the unease he feels. Taking breaths to try to cool himself down but his hands still burn. Burning so hot that the ribbons he holds carrying the books begin to burn. Just as it snaps and the books begin to fall, his guard shows up at his side and catches them before they hit the floor.
The Prince looks over at the blond haired boy. Slightly older and definitely stronger. He gives the Prince a small smile and with the books held in one arm, he offers the other to Minho. As he takes it and he gives a tired smile to his guard who only gives him a look of pity. They walk in silence the rest of the way to Minho’s quarters till they bid their good nights.
“Prince Minho-“ The guard calls before Minho can close the door. “Tomorrow will be a beautiful day, let's take a walk in town, yes?”
“I’m afraid I have too much work to do so, Chan. Thank you for the offer.”
“Please.” He pleads holding the door to prevent Minho from closing it. “The sun will do you some good. It misses you and I fear it's jealous of all the time you spend with the moon.” He states with a charming grin.
“Chan-“
“We will leave first thing in the morning, and be back before noon. The morning sun is the best kind. She’s very forgiving.”
“And what apologies do I owe to the sun herself Chan?” Minho is unsure if it's his exhaustion that makes him play into Chans romanticization or his craving for a comforting thought.
“An apology for the neglect of her spirit, she does not take kindly to those who choose to avoid her as an attempt at deterioration.”
“Bang Chan-“
“Chan Hyung , don’t forget Little Prince.” He smirks before walking off. Minho raises his paw like fist at his fleeting frame, closing the door once he sees him turn around the corner of the hall. Many enjoy indulging in reading, Chan enjoys indulging in writing. Minho has known him for about a decade now, so he knows much of Chan's habits and quirks. Such as spewing cheesy literary phrases he writes up during his sleepless nights.
As he washes and gets dressed for bed, he looks closely at his face in the mirror. He runs his fingers over his sharp cheekbones, stroking down the bridge of his nose, and grazes his jaw. He then presses two fingers right up to his pulse point on his neck and counts the beats. After a few calming breaths he makes his way to his bed where he watches the moon out his window till sleep takes him.
“Where were you Minho?” He grips his hands tightly together, trying to keep them from shaking. He can’t let his father see, his father doesn’t deserve victory in this. In having this affect on him. He would know that he brings this fear out of Minho. “This was your responsibility Minho, and you just put us in an even worse situation, so where were you!”
In a tone he hopes is steady, he responds, “I should’ve been there, it was my mistake and it won’t happen again.”
“It better not, because we cannot have this carelessness Minho. I can’t have you be careless, not when you’re in line to be leader. This is embarrassing, you have to do better.”
Embarrassing, careless, do better-
It all rings in his ears as he bites the insides of his cheek, ignoring the taste of hot blood that scalds his tongue.
He opens his eyes, waking up before the sun is up. Memories, he tries so hard to forget, but at the end of the day it's these memories that remind him what he has to prove. He washes and dresses himself. Pulling on his hooded cloak, he sits at his desk by the window and looks out. Typically in the mornings, he’d go for a run and begin his combat training. Then check up on the young soldier trainees who train here, before moving out their stations across the region.
He’s lost in thought of all he will have to make up for after his morning out, until he hears a knock on the door and realizes too the sun is breaching the horizon. He stands to greet Chan at the door. When he opens the door, Chan looks at him with a bright smile before ducking his head to try to hide it.
“What’s with you” Minho remarks as he exits, pushing past a giddy Chan.
“Nothing, nothing. You just look so cute in the mornings Little Prince.” He states, jogging a bit to catch up.
“You're so weird, such a weird guard. Let’s just get this over with. I have many things to do.”
“Wahhh, you really are a sunshine you know?”
“Of course I am Bang Chan.” He states coldly, turning to the guard to give him a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
As they make their way out they pass the royal garden where they catch sight of the young prince sitting amongst the flowers with his guard. The two are sitting close, side by side, saying nothing and simply enjoying the morning air. They look so peaceful, he thinks. From how his guard turns to look at him, he realizes he mumbled the thought out loud. Chan reaches to hook their arms together as they continue their exit to the back gate of the garden.
The bustle of the streets is nothing out of the ordinary, however Minho had wished it would be less crowded considering their early embankment. They walk through the main village first, stopping at the shops to look around at the trinkets and hand crafted items. It truly is something Minho admires, he wishes he could come around more often. To see firsthand the talents and dedication of his people, he truly has pride in their spirit.
They walk to a little tavern out of the way of the busy streets and flocks of people. It’s quite cozy, Minho thinks to himself. Bushes of what looks like lavender line the dark wood building. There’s nearly no one inside, the only one being a man sitting by himself. All he can really make of him is that he’s got inky black hair that covers his eyes and broad shoulders.
The two pick out a table in one of the back corners to where now the Prince can only see the man's back.
“My friend offered to take us out to look around, maybe even lie in the fields. They’re quite beautiful in this region. It’s peaceful. You’ll like it.” Chan informs as he pour cups of water for them both.
“ What? What made you think I would want to frolic around some fields?”
“I suppose it was a bit wishful thinking. But sometimes we must do what we think is best, even if our child doesn’t see it the same.” The older jokes.
“You- Chan really-“
“Channie!” A deep voice calls out suddenly, immediately causing Chan to light up with excitement.
“Felix!” He calls back. As Minho looks back to the deep voice, he’s greeted with a sweet face of a boy who couldn’t be much younger than himself. A brightening smile is the first trait he notices, then the freckles, and finally the kindest eyes he may have ever seen. He wears a simple blue tunic covered by his chocolate brown apron which matches his hair that is slightly pulled back by a head scarf.
“Channie hyung, it's good to see you again so soon!” The bright boy beams once he’s in front of their table, reaching a hand out to smooth over the guards shoulder. He’s practically beaming with joy.
“Couldn’t stay away from you for too long Lix-ah.” The two smile at each other for another couple seconds before the prince clears his throat.
“Ah- Lino, this is Felix. Felix, this is Lino.” They exchange small smiles and soft greetings.
Minho thinks Felix studies his eyes a little too long.
“Well, you two came at the perfect time!” The sunshine boy snaps out of his curious daze and back to his blinding smile. “I just took my famous matcha almond croissants out of the oven, they’re warm and fluffy. Would you like to try?”
“We would love some!”
“No thank you”
The prince and guard speak at the same time.
Chan gives an awkward chuckle before continuing, “Ah- I would love a croissant Yongbok. My friend here is not too keen on sweets.” Gesturing to Minho who simply gives a tight lipped smile.
“I will have coffee please.”
“Sure, be right back.” Felix replies a bit awkwardly before walking to the back.
“Coffee is not breakfast.”
“Sugar is not breakfast. Pretty sure you know that as well, considering all I’ve ever seen you munching on is eggs and sausages.”
“Well…you know. We’ll just say today's my cheat day. Regardless, you really should eat something. You’ve been looking….unwell.” The last part he says a bit meekly, not sure how to say such without sounding insulting or triggering for the prince. Felix comes out then from the back with a tray holding their orders.
“Here you guys are!” Placing down the food and drinks he crouches a bit down to Chan's ear level to mumble a shy, “I really hope you enjoy it Chan.” Before he beams back up.
“Well let me know if you need anything! When you’re ready to head off, just give me a holler. I’ll just be prepping the afternoon menu.” The man who had been sitting a couple tables down gets up to exit just as Felix starts walking back, leaving the two to be the only ones in the dining area.
“Had you noticed that man?” The Prince asks.
“The one who just left? He was just having breakfast Minho. I didn’t get any suspicious character from him. Besides, Felix isn’t the type to have suspicious characters in his tavern.” The guard defends, eating the croissant Minho can tell is too sweet for his liking, but he continues eating as if it’s just what he was craving.
“I suppose…” He decides to drop it, perhaps he’s just looking for an excuse to see the now vanished mans face.
“Your father had mentioned a ball, have you any thoughts on it?”
After a beat of silence, Minho responds, “I don’t”
“Figured as much. You should care though, it’s your future Minho.”
“I understand Chan, but regardless of what I think, what happens will happen.”
Chan and Minho were very different people. They knew each other quite well, they both liked to think. While they got along for the most part, and were very similar in many ways, they varied in their ways of thinking.
“Don’t you think you have some control over that though? Over who you marry? Over how you choose to live?”
And this was one example. Minho was very realistic. Chan liked to dream. Minho learned long ago, dreams are really only ever that. A dream.
“Channie, I don’t have any feelings towards it. Besides, I lost that control when I was born into the royal family.”
“And Jeongin? You’re saying he can’t make his own choices?” Chan argued. They were still relatively calm in their tones. Chan was always quickest to anger, raising his voice first. Only because he has such passion. Minho would think to himself.
“I do this so Jeongin can have choices. You think I-“
“Ready?” He’s interrupted by Felix whose smile drops as he realizes he had walked in on something.
“Yes, Yongbok. Please, lead the way.” Chan says in a cool tone, hesitating to look away from the prince, who maintains a cool demeanor.
“Great, follow me!”
They stand to follow the freckled boy, who’s now interrogating Chan on his liking of the pasty and melts at the flowing compliments Chan mutters to him.
The Prince walks behind them, pulling his hood down a bit more to cover his eyes. He’s beginning to feel it. The hot irritation and anxiety.
Shouldn’t have left the castle. Father is probably looking for me now. How could I let Chan talk me into this. I shouldn’t be running through fields, I should be leading the morning trainings, reading the latest doctrines, wasn’t there a council meeting this morning? I should be doing more, be of use, not wasting my time here.
Lifting his eyes from the dirt path, he meets Felix’s. He’s looking back at him with that curious gaze again. Arm still interlocked with Chan’s who’s going on about some poem he recently read.
“Rino! Stay next to me or in front, you know the rules.” Chan calls.
He makes his way to Chans side, looking at their path ahead of them. Focusing on keeping his heart rate and the itch at ease. He can’t help but still feel Felix’s gaze. He also can’t help but scratch at the side of his left wrist, now red and burning.
“Lino” He mutters under his breath, fanning annoyance.
Two Days Prior
Chan leaves just before dawn to the main village, Horim. Walking up the hill, through the long grass still dewy, he sees him. The boy tending to his herbal bushes and whispering to the sprouting flower buds near his cozy lodge surrounded by cherry trees. He notices the visitor making his way over, and the two simply wave at each other before the other takes a seat on the porch waiting for the other to properly approach.
“Hi Yongbok.”
“Hi Channie.” They smile at each other a moment, taking in the presence of the other.
“I need your help with something.” Chan says softly, slowly approaching the other.
“Hmm… seems more like you need help with some one , right?” He quirks an eyebrow up at the other.
“Someone, yes…”
“Come inside Hyung, let's talk.”
Walking inside the lodge is actually a lot bigger than anticipated. It’s neat and cozy, and smells of fresh lilies. However, there is a strange noise filling the room, filling his ears as he steps in.
Looking over he sees where it’s coming from. A man asleep on the couch. His mouth slightly open, laying on his back, heaps of blankets covering him. Taking a step closer, he realizes he recognizes this man.
“Hannie?” He whispers.
“Yup!” The brown haired boy responds with excitement and a wide smile.
“What’s he doing here?”
“Well…oh! Hyung, he’d actually be really great to help too.”
“Lix, I haven’t told you what it is I need help with?” The beautiful boy only smiles almost impossibly brighter, inching closer and tilting his head to look at the other sideways.
“But haven’t you?”
Jisung had come here for simple rest and relaxation. After the year he had, he thought he earned that? Now though, as he lays on the couch bundled up in blankets and layers of cloth, he feels a sudden unease. The stare of someone unsettles him, the sound of footsteps that he recognizes as more than Felix’s draws him out of his sleep.
Under all the layers he’s able to find his hand knife on his waist, taking it in his hand slowly so as to not show signs of movement. Now feeling the stranger's presence closer, he detects their hand being raised and reaching over to his head. In one swift motion he grabs the arm above him and slices at the wrist in front of him.
He doesn’t register the face of the man, as he untangles himself and leaps off the couch, searching for Felix from his defensive position. There’d been a startled scream when it happened followed up by a hiss from the slashed man.
Looking back to the stranger, his frown falls as he comes to realize it's really no stranger at all. Instead, it's an old friend.
“Chan Hyung!” Now feeling the guilt and shock of his actions towards his old mentor.
“Yup, missed you too Hannie.” He says with a tight lipped smile and a chuckle, Felix now next to him with a rag.
“Hold it with this Hyung while I get some supplies to dress it.” He says before standing up and casting a scowling look at the offender.
“S-sorry, I thought you were an intruder or something.” Scratching at his neck nervously and stepping closer.
Upon his approach, he’s wrapped in a tight hug. “It’s instinct now, huh Hannie? Don’t worry about it, yeah? I really did miss you.” After a second, Jisung reciprocates the much needed hug with a long sigh of relief.
“Still… and I missed you too Hyung.” He responds in a low voice only for his friend to hear.
“Channie, let's get your wound dressed. Jisung, come, let's talk.” Felix lays a hand on Chan's back, waiting for him to let the other go so he can grab his hand and lead him to the table.
Felix holding Chan’s hand, the three sit and he begins cleaning the wound. Looking down he speaks first, “Han’s been here about a couple months now. How long would you say Hannie?”
“I can’t recall exactly but… 3 months now? Yeah.”
“So, are you still-?”
“No. That’s why I’m here actually. Finally started questioning what I was doing it all for, why I was okay with it all? Looking in the mirror and hating yourself at the end of the day was… I’m just- it was exhausting. Plus the last assignment I had, I got hit pretty hard, nearly died for the hundredth time, so came here to rest and re-group. Get out of the habit of attacking people upon waking up.” He finishes looking down at his hands with a shy smile.
“That’s good you’re not with them anymore. That work was never for you Hannie. I have to ask though, will the Idles come looking for you? Did you leave on good terms?”
“They’re the most killer assasination group in the West region, Chan. Of course they wouldn’t just let me go. I covered myself. I faked my death.”
“Hannie came here after nearly burning alive Channie.” Felix adds in a cautious tone, gathering the medical items to put back in his bag.
They all fell silent, until about a minute or so later, Jisung decided to speak up, “I was scoping out a blacksmith who was in deep debt with a myrth dealer-“
”Hey, Han, you don’t need to. I mean-“
”No, it’s okay. I want to tell you. Just rip the bandaid off right?” He takes a moment to prepare, Felix setting a cup of tea in front of him to give extra comfort before he continues.
“Anyway, the guy, he had got hooked on the drug and couldn’t meet the cost, so the dealer hired us to do the dirty work for him. Followed him late at night to a tavern. It was full, everyone pretty damn shitfaced and wallowing over the lost money from their shit gambles. I had been inside scoping him out for a bit. It was crowded and it started getting hot inside suddenly. A fight broke out, so I decided to wait outside. Suddenly as I was close to the door, there was a flash and all I could see was red, glowing flames. They- It was so fucking suffocating , I survived really only from instinct I think. I don’t remember much of how I got out. When I was out though, I was in agony at that point. They scorched every inch of my skin. I ripped the layers of clothes that I could off and threw them back inside. That included my coat that had the Idles symbol sewn inside. I don’t remember much of what happened after that. I woke up and was here, with Lix looking after me.”
It’s quiet a moment.
“I found him lying half in the lake just near. I had been harvesting some herbs nearby. I wrapped him in a blanket after doing a light coating spell, just to keep his insides from burning anymore… It took a while, but I was able to carry him back here and treat him. He was out for a week. I kept him under to save him the pain and so I could properly heal him and rid the scarring as much as I could.”
“Gods Hannie, I don’t- I can’t even-“
“You don’t need to, Hyung, it’s okay now. Lix is a Gods-send. I’m okay, really.” Jisung brushes his dark hair out of his face and gives his friend a kind smile, showing his content with where he is now.
“Why don’t you explain why you stopped by Channie-Hyung?” Felix speaks, reaching out to hold the olders hand.
After hearing Hans story, Chan is hesitant to how he should approach the topic of Minho. It could lead to some more scarring for him, he’s not sure if the other would be willing to help given the trauma he faced. Now wondering what Felix meant when he said Han could probably help. Chan worries it may just bring pain for Han.
“R-right, uhm, okay. To keep it short, cause I think it's best if I don’t reveal too much now, but I have a friend who’s in danger. I can’t tell what it is but it's not normal… what's within him.”
“That’s…um- Chan. Exorcisms aren’t really my line of work.”
“No, not like that. What I’m trying to say- its more like a power. It would really be better if I just showed you. Yongbok, you mentioned Han could help?”
“Did you?” The other speaks up with a curious look to Felix.
“Ah! I did, it’d be good for you. Hyung, you want to know the unknown, Sung and I can help you find out. Sung is good at watching people.” He finishes with an innocent smile.
“Lix-“
“Hush.” He cuts in. “Hyung, tomorrow morning, come to my tavern with your friend and I’ll lead you two out to the moon groves.”
“What’s at the moon groves?”
“That’s where Lix does his weird seance shit.”
“The moon flowers there help me power spells, it’s where I revived Jisungs half-dead self.” He remarks sending Jisung a smile but the most threatening eyes he’s ever seen.
“Okay, but what are you going to do there? He can’t know what we’re doing, it’ll scare him off. He already is closed off with me. I can’t get him to let me in for shit.”
“Jisung will be around the whole time watching, he can pick up on any odd behaviors or clues while we’re out and about. When we get to the fields, I’ll be more able to search him for the root of this… power . You and Jisung will need to distract and watch him though, because depending on how powerful it is, it could affect both him and I. Jisung, you should have some of those tranquilizers ready just in case.”
“Do you really think he has that much power Hyung?” He quips to the blonde.
“I’m not sure, but Yongboks right. I don’t want to put anyone in danger, so bring tranquils I guess. Okay, well then that’s the plan. I need to head back now, the Prince is likely up by now.”
“Ahhhh, the Prince! You guard the Prince, Hyung? Tell us what he’s like? Please?” Felix pouts and puts on his best plea face that Chan can’t refuse.
“He’s… stubborn and odd. Beautiful but frankly he can be… cold. It’s not his fault though, he’s only like that because of the world around him.”
“So he sucks?”
“Jisung! Well I’ve read a few of his doctrines and honestly I cannot wait for him to take the throne.”
“Only cause you heard he’s pretty.”
“As if you’re one to talk, you’re the biggest sucker for a pretty face.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll see you two tomorrow morning. Be on your best behavior tomorrow please?”
“Of course Channie Hyung!” Felix smiles.
“Don’t worry Hyung, I’ll be good while you and Lix are busy flir- AYE” He suddenly shouts as his chair is flown to the other side of the room causing him to fall, back hitting the floor. Chan sends a look to Felix, who only gives him a shrug and an innocent smile.
“Right, see ya.”
“Bye Hyung!”
“Later.” The other calls with a groan, still lying on the floor.
Once Chan left, Jisung got up from the floor, making his way to Felix and leaning against the table with his arms crossed.
“If necessary you can use your ability when he’s down, but you can’t use it while he’s awake. He’ll know and figure out something’s going on. Hence the tranqs.”
“That makes sense, do you think it will work on him though?”
Only Felix and the Idles knew of Jisungs ability. His ability to drain energy from others temporarily. For those of natural power like Fae, it would strip their magic but for those who were human, it acted more like a sedative. It strips their energy and ability for a while but he never gained any of it. He got no benefit from it really, except in situations where he needed to protect himself. Disarming and entering secured areas was what the Idles used his power for. To him, he thought of it simply as a void.
“I’m sure it will. Chan gets anxious about his friend's well-being, but I’m sure this one is simple. I doubt it’s as catastrophic as he makes it out to seem.”
“Gods, I hope so. I’m tired of chaos. I’m going back to sleep now.”
“Chan, you’ve noticed it, haven’t you? You’re with him at all times, you have to have.” Hyunjin whisper yells to the blonde haired guard seated next to him in the dining hall. With his eyes he guides the guards gaze to where the Prince is currently chatting with the troop leaders. Chan only regards him with a side eye that acts as a warning.
A moment later, Chan grabs the other’s hand and leads him to a small storage room, locking the door.
“Jinnie, be clear with me what exactly you’re alluding to with Minho.”
The storage room is barely spacious enough to fit the two. Though, with one being broader and shorter while the other is taller and slimmer, they actually slot in quite perfectly. Chan having to look up a bit to meet Hyunjins eye. With their close proximity, there’s no need for them to raise their voice much to hear one another.
“Well… first be clear what you know…” He replies with a suspicious look, pursing his pillowy lips.
“Jinnie…”
“Chan!… how do I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Jinnie, how do I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking you’re thinking? Ok- just- how about you show me with your hands and I’ll see from that.”
“Um, ok, weird but I’ll try.” The taller thinks to himself a moment before he grabs at both of Chan's wrists and brings them up between their two pressed bodies. Maneuvering the shorter guard's hands to press palm to palm, then clasping his own hands over. He slowly begins guiding his palms to rub together. When Chan is able to pick up on what the taller is asking him to do, they pick up the pace. Palms rubbing together faster for a few more seconds. Hyunjin stops their hands and pulls the shorters hand open, palms up.
“How do your hands feel?”
“Hot…”
“...Have you touched Minho’s recently? Or any part of him? How did he feel?” He asks cautiously.
In a low voice, the blonde replies, “Hot…”
There’s a beat of silence as the two try to gauge each other’s reaction and thoughts. To be sure they are interpreting the same way. After a few seconds, Chan speaks up in a soft and worried tone.
“I grabbed his hand the other night… it was searing …”
“Chan… there’s something I need to tell you. That night- the night Seungmin left, I- I followed him. I followed Minho when he went after Seungmin, when they went to the lake, and…and I-“
Just then the door swings open and the two are blinded by the sudden brightness of the hall.
“…Um” Jeongin stands still looking between the two, brows furrowed with confusion and mouth gaping trying to figure out what question to ask first.
The two guards now grasping hands from the shock of the sudden intrusion, pull apart and clear their throats. Trying to squeeze out the closet at the same time but this only causes the two to get stuck in the doorway. After a few seconds of pushing, pulling, and tugging at each other, they both stumble out to the hall.
“Iyen-ah, look we were just-“ The taller guard tries to explain but is cut off with the younger Prince holding his hand up.
Gazing up at the older he meekly states, “Jinnie-Hyung… you’ve been keeping something from me.”
The younger, now holding a gaze of seriousness and curiosity, begins moving closer to the other, tilting his head up, searching his hyungs eyes for… something, anything. Stalking closer and closer to the older, who makes slow steps back the closer the other gets, until his back is hitting the shelves of the closet he just exited.
“Uhm. No! Innie, I-“ He speaks, clearly flustered and shifting his eyes to Chan every second or so for help of any kind.
“Lies. You’re lying. You’re lying right now Hyung!” The young prince states wide eyed and pointing up at the other.
“No! Look, Innie, look just let's talk later okay?” Jeongin only steps back a few steps, crossing his arms, and glaring at his guard.
“It’s about my brother isn’t it? What you two were conversing so intimately in the closet just now!” He states in an accusatory tone.
“I.N!”
“Enough! Tonight we three will meet in the library, once Minho heads to his room for the night.” Chan says.
“Channie-Hyung, that’ll be in the middle of the night! He doesn’t head to his room till like 2 AM cause he’s a mad man!” Whines the young prince.
“You want to be part of the conversation Littler Prince, you’ll be there. That’s it. Now, no more talks of this till then.” With his final order, the blonde stalks away to find his own Prince.
The remaining two linger in the hall, each unsure what to say to fill the silence. The younger takes pity on his Hyung, who merely holds his eyes to the floor, fidgets with his hands, and shuffles his feet.
“Hyung, let's go to the garden. The paint supplies are still out on the table there, no?” The Prince states, walking closer and giving his guard a smile to show he’s not mad.
Hyunjin looks up to meet his gaze and equally offers a pleasant smile, nodding his head in agreement. Jeongin starts off towards the garden, not needing to look back to know that his guard is following.
It’s quiet in the tower. Only the two Prince’s rooms occupy this part of the castle. Their royal guards bunk with the other’s on the floor just beneath. Switching and rotating throughout the night/week to watch the Princes hall. Chan and Hyunjin, typically are not subject to having a night shift, becoming off-duty once they’ve escorted their Princes to their room. Though, they are still expected to be on alert in case anything was to come up throughout the night.
The older Prince typically stays up well into midnight at times. Whether he is working out battle strategies, reading up on the financial status of each region, signing and prepping documents, etc.
This night in particular, he has chosen to stay out in the training fields, practicing his archery. His guard standing off to the side, watching and waiting. He observes every small movement the Prince makes, every stroke his finger makes, every twitch of his lip. Checking and double checking, that he’s not crazy, he’s not feeding into false illusions.
That the Prince really is in danger, and needs his help.
The Prince notices his gaze, however. What is he trying to find?
It lights Minho’s skin on fire. It creates an anxiety that Chan can’t even tell he’s brought on since Minho masks it so well.
His anxiety builds, as the elders gaze continues to pierce through him. Making him extra aware of every breath he takes, every shift of tension in his muscle. Picking up his next arrow, he scratches at his wrist, beginning to notice his fingertips are heating up now.
They’re not just feeling heated, they’re damn near inflamed . If he trusted his tired eyes, he may believe they were flickering a slight glow.
Securing the arrow, he lifts the bow. Pulling it back to where the string and his fingertips just now slightly graze his cheek.
It’s burning his gut, his guard still not wavering his gaze, the Prince can’t ease his mind… his heart rate only picking up with each deep breath he takes. His palms are burning so hot, he begins to see a faint line of smoke coming from where they are now beginning to burn the wood of the bow.
Panic building, it releases another wave of heat through him. He shuts his eyes closed and lets go of the arrow, dropping the bow to the ground right after and quickly walking off the field and stripping his padding. The Prince doesn’t look back or make any comments to the guard, keeping his eyes forward till he finally reaches his bedroom door.
All he can offer his guard who has been trailing behind him is a weak, “Good night”, before he enters his room and shuts his door.
He’s shaking now as he makes his way to the washroom. Running the bath, he falls to the cool marbled floor. Squeezing his eyes shut, the sobs break out. He tries calming breaths, but no matter what attempts he makes, the tears and the choked out sobs won't subside.
Stripping off his clothing as quickly as he can and sitting in the tub, he curls his legs up and wraps his arms around them. That’s when he sees them again, his veins bulging but they glow reddish-orange. An almost sunset glow. Not only do they glow from his fingers to his forearm, but they carry up and all throughout his body. Looking down he sees it running down his legs. He might even think it glowed beautifully if it didn’t ache and itch so damn much.
The tears fall now mainly from frustration over his inability to make it go away. Make it all go away. Not just the itch under his skin, but the panic within his chest and mind.
He sits in the tub a while longer, until he finishes washing and heads to the comfort of his bed. Curling in on himself and drifting off to sleep.
After the odd behavior he witnessed from the Prince during his archery practice, Chan waits a while longer in front of the bedroom door before he finally makes his way out of the upper tower. Walking through the halls, he finally is approaching the royal library where he sees the two others waiting outside.
Looking at them through the window pane, he notices the tallers head laying upon the young prince's shoulder. His hair shorter after cutting it, only really reaching just the tips of his ears. The color a bluish-gray, that compliments his young, handsome features. Walking closer, he taps the glass with the knuckle of his finger to get their attention and motion for them to follow him in. Picking a table in one of the corners furthest from the entrance, he takes a seat and waits for the others.
“Gods, I told you Hyung, he’s inhumane staying up like this.” Groans the young Prince.
“Yes Innie, we’re all tired, but imagine how he’s feeling.” Chan's words come out more sorrowful than he had intended.
“Hyung, was he okay? Did something happen?” Questions Hyunjin.
“He was acting a bit strange just now, but nothing out of the ordinary for him as of lately. Anyway, there’s some people I think can help us. Some old friends of mine. I spoke with them this morning and they’ve already agreed.”
“Hey, Hyungs, did you two forget you guys still have me in the dark here?” Jeongin stands and waves his hands in front of the other two faces. Trying to gain their attention.
“Innie, we can’t really get too much into it now. Hyunjin and I haven't even really been able to discuss it since we vaguely talked about it in the closet earlier.”
“Minho is hot.” Hyunjin blurts.
“Wow.” The young Prince emotionlessly remarks, staring at the other in disbelief as Chan rubs a hand over his face.
“No- Innie, not like that. I mean- what I’m saying is his skin, his touch, they burn .” The guard clarifies.
“I think it’s when he gets anxious or irritable, that it flares up. I’ve noticed it more recently but thinking back, I think he always had some kind of… fire within him.” Chan adds.
“Have you ever noticed it, Innie?”
“What exactly are you referring to? You two are so vague. You think he’s got some sort of fire powers?”
“Oh! I’ve actually been doing some research on it, there’s a book here that I think can help us.” The taller guard gets up and quickly moves to the area he last remembered the book to be. Looking for a few moments he grabs the book.
“It’s more of a journal actually, but I found it a couple months back. It was written by a village girl, she was quite young. She details this heated power within her. Explaining when she first noticed it, how it felt for her, what caused it to flare up, what it did to her. How it grew stronger and stronger until she was unable to control it. Her family, the people closest to her, she- they were killed. But! The way she describes it, it sounds like what I’ve seen from Minho. She called herself a Sol being, she believed she was a fallen piece of the sun. Her powers were in essence a firestarter. Flames could light right from her fingertips, her whole arms! Jihyo- ah that was her name, fields, she could set fields on fire with one breath! She-!”
“Jinnie!” Chan stops him from continuing with a hand over his.
“S-sorry Hyung, it’s a lot I know, but you don’t know she-she,” He pauses a moment and takes a deep breath to steady himself. “He’s in danger. Whatever this is, whatever he is and whyever he’s like this, we need to help him before he does something. Hurts someone or hurts himself.”
“Channie-Hyung, you said you know some people who can help?”
“I did Innie, actually, I know someone who might be able to confirm or know what exactly this power is that he has. Given his own gifts …”
“Hyung! You’re too fucking vague, what are you even saying?”
“He’s a fucking witch Iyen-ah!” The frustrated guard whisper yells.
“He’s also your old lover is he not?” Hyunjin snarks, raising his eyebrows with a smirk on his lips.
“That’s it, we’re all tired, you two are being idiots now. I will take Minho to meet him, just us two. You two coming along will only overwhelm the situation.”
“Fine, that’s fine, just make sure you don’t lose focus with your boy toy around.” Jeongin teases, high fiving his guard with a laugh.
“Bed! Both of you!” Letting out a frustrated huff, Chan exits the library. The two giggle to themselves before also exiting. The taller guard escorts the young Prince to his room, bidding him sweet dreams with a soft head pat.
Friday -
"Who's this squirrel man in my way Hyung?" Minho questions Chan as he looks back at the boy in front of him. With how the other is staring at him with a disgusted look, Minho can’t help but give a chilling glare back.
Minho’s hood still being on, casts a shadow over his face and blocks his features from easy view. The man in front of him though, he can easily see all his features. The inky black hair that falls around his face, covering his forehead and hanging just above his eyes. Eyes that are equally dark and squinted with his frown, but they continue searching. Slightly lowering himself to tilt his head up for a better view of the face looking back at him.
“Jisung!” Felix exclaims in a low hiss, bringing him to stand up straight again.
“Jisung?” Minho asks.
“Han. Han Jisung.” He introduces himself, still keeping his eyes locked on the others.
“Han Jisung, anyone ever tell you it’s rude to stare?”
“Was I staring?”
“ Glaring , more like actually.”
“Doesn’t sound like something I’d do. Plus, I don’t think I really could with that hood covering your face.” Minho scuffs and looks to his guard with a quirked up eyebrow. He quickly steps in. “Han, this is Lino.”
“ Leno? ”
“ Lino .” The Prince corrects.
“You don’t look like a Lino.” Jisung states, squinting at the hidden face. Minho tilts his head away to better hide the view of his face.
“Lino, Han and I trained together at the academy. I was his crew leader at one point. Taught him all he knows on sword fighting and combat. Well, back when I had new strategies to teach him, now I think he could teach me a thing or two. He’s back in the main village staying with Felix for a bit.” The Prince looks to Chan as he speaks, once concluding he simply registers the information a moment. Nodding to his guard, he looks back to the inky haired boy and walks on. Felix quickly follows him to guide the way, leaving the other two behind.
“He’s a bit odd, Hyung.”
“ He’s the odd one Jisung? Gods how were you an assassin? You were so obvious!” The guard whisper shouts, already feeling worry and regret over his decisions.
“Why is he hiding his face, Hyung?”
“I think he just feels comfortable that way, you know? He, uh… doesn’t get out much.”
“Come on! It’s just up here!” Felix calls looking back towards them. The other two catch up quickly, just in time as the field comes into view. Sea of white peeking through the trees still in their way. Tall, dark green trees wrapping around the field of moon flowers.
"Beautiful huh Channie?", Felix says, turning to wrap his hands around Chan's upper arm. Minho notices, his eyes dropping to the small hands around his guard's bicep then back up to his guard's blushing face.
"Oh- mh, it is. I'd say, at night… the moon must believe it's seeing its reflection." He responds in a small, shy voice. Earning a bright smile from the other, squeezing his arm a bit and leaning on his shoulder.
From the side Minho watches with curiosity. How much of Chans life did he not know about? Has he talked about Felix before? Typically when they come into town, it's more for business matters, to visit the people and get word of the issues and frustrations they have. He wonders when they even met, how Chan would even have time to meet people now with his position as his guard?
Mostly, what Minho wondered was how the two felt for each other. Love was something that Minho refused to think too much into. Platonic and romantic feelings, he often had a hard time deciphering. He wasn’t even really sure if he believed in love, at least not in the same light many others did. The books he read ranged, many had happy endings, but many had tragic endings. Growing up and watching his parents' relationship wasn’t much help either. In fact, many relationships he witnessed growing up, he wanted nothing like it.
The castle wasn’t exactly a place where you could truly be with the one you decide to be with anyway, so of course actual love was so scarcely seen… And yet, Minho still thought of one instance he ever thought he did love.
“Maybe put some ice on it, yeah Lix?” Jisung calls from the side, snapping Minho out of his thoughts.
Felix only rolls his eyes, slowly losing patience with the other, “Come, I’ll set us up a spot”, he speaks, dropping his hands from Chan and beginning to step through the flowers. As he takes his first step through, the flowers glow and lean out to the side, creating a path for him to walk through without damaging the delicate petals. At the sight, Minho’s eyes widened. Jisung follows behind Felix. Minho puts a hand on Chan’s arm and looks over to him with a serious and almost threatening glare.
“What are we doing here Chan?” He asks in a low but strict voice. Minho has known quite a few witches, but he mainly studied and read about them. They were not as uncommon as many believed and Minho had quite respected and admired them. Although, he did not trust them, nor did he trust himself around them. Minho knew much about witches, like the fact that they can search ones soul and mind.
“Don’t worry little Prince, they won’t hurt you.” Chan responds in a whisper.
“Not what I asked. I asked, what are we doing here, Chan? Frolicking in some fucking flower field?” Minho was beginning to feel the anger and anxiety build up within him. He didn’t mean to snap exactly at Chan, but Chan knew him and his attention to his duties. His face remains neutral through his thoughts beginning to run through all the possibilities Felix could expose him.
“We’re here for you, Minho. You need to get out. Take a break.”
“What I need is for my guard to focus on his duties instead of his emotions.”
Chan takes a small step closer to him, searching his eyes. After a moment, in a frustrated tone, he says, “Sometimes Minho, I wonder where you are, where you went. It’s like you turned off your emotions. Like you’re just empty.”
Minho knows that Chan means it. At the end of the day, whether he liked or even allowed it, Chan was truly the one who knew him the best. It was not much, but it was more than others in Minho’s life.
What he also knew was that sometimes, Minho thought the same of himself.
Minho stays still a moment as Chan walks off towards the others. Taking a moment, then following not too long after.