Crown Thief ch 26
Title: Crown Thief
Fandoms: SS501, Super Junior, JYJ, SNSD, Epik High
Chapter: 26/?
Pairing: HyunJoong/YoungSaeng, RyeoWook/Zhou Mi
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: Different lives converge in the city of Highport, where one innocent crime has the potential to destroy a kingdom.
Two weeks wasn't that long of a stretch of time, not really. To YoungSaeng, it seemed like a lifetime. Only catching snatches of sleep when he could, he spent most of his day and night caring for HyunJoong, bringing him what he needed, watching over him as he slept. It wasn't something he thought he would ever have to do, play nursemaid to an injured man, but he wouldn't complain about it in the least. Not when HyunJoong would smile softly at him, making it all worth it.
After two weeks, and a number of visits from RyeoWook, the healer deemed HyunJoong ready for walking. The first couple of tries had been less than successful, YoungSaeng holding HyunJoong steady as he tried to put weight on his legs. After an hour or so, HyunJoong had made progress and was making his way around the room.
"Remember what RyeoWook said, don't push yourself," YoungSaeng reminded him when he helped HyunJoong to sit up on the third day of practice. "He brought you this cane to use, and you will use it," he said, holding the cane out to him.
"I look like an old man." HyunJoong took the cane, nose wrinkling slightly. Putting pressure on his legs was still painful, and it wouldn't be the first time YoungSaeng hadn't been able to stop him from collapsing completely. But it was getting better, the mind-numbing pain had lowered to a dull throbbing.
It was a good thing too, because the knight was getting edgy from staying in bed for weeks. The only thing that made it worth it was YoungSaeng's company, and he told the man as much.
"Okay, here goes." HyunJoong's grip tightened on the cane as he carefully pushed himself up to his feet, wobbling and hissing quietly.
YoungSaeng watched him narrowed eyes, staying far enough away that he wasn't in HyunJoong's way, but close enough he could help him if he needed to. "Well, you're still standing, that's a good start," he said, taking a step back. "Now, can you walk towards me?"
"Let's see." HyunJoong leaned heavily on the cane. One leg was worse-off than the other, so he needed the support on that side more, shuffling a little. "This reminds me why I hate leg injuries more than anything else." Once he was steady, he took small shuffling steps towards YoungSaeng.
"Arm injuries aren't much better," YoungSaeng smirked. "At least you can feed yourself. I don't think you would have liked it if someone had to feed you like RyeoWook had to do with me."
"I could have had fun trying to pick up things with my mouth, wouldn't be the first time." HyunJoong made it a few steps before staggering a little, stopping for a moment. He was glad for his high tolerance for pain, breathing deeply in and out a couple times before starting to walk again. He reached YoungSaeng's side, pulling him closer. "Do I get a reward for not falling on my ass?"
"Hmm, I think you've earned it," YoungSaeng smiled, leaning up to give HyunJoong a light kiss. "You're getting stronger every day."
"About time too." HyunJoong twined his free hand with YoungSaeng's. "What do you think, too early to try the stairs?"
"Much too early," YoungSaeng nodded solemnly. "Maybe tomorrow."
"Excuse me, sir?" YeSung knocked lightly on the door, poking his head in and ducking it slightly. "Pardon the intrusion, but Lord Daniel is here for you."
"...Daniel?" HyunJoong frowned. He vaguely remembered the mage had stopped in while he was drifting in and out of consciousness that first week, checking on his condition, but they hadn't seen much of him. "Thank you YeSung, can you show him up?" He made his way back to sit on the edge of the bed, since he wasn't going to be able to make it down the stairs very fast.
"Yes sir," YeSung nodded before closing the door again. YoungSaeng sighed a little, looking down at the floor.
"Well, I'll go see how KyuHyun's doing," YoungSaeng said. "You need anything?"
"No, I'll be fine," HyunJoong smiled lightly, squeezing YoungSaeng's hand. "Being around them is still uncomfortable for you, isn't it."
YoungSaeng's lips pursed, holding back the words he wanted to say but now was not the time. Instead he just shook his head slightly. "It's not that, I just don't think this is something a thief should hear."
"He could be here just to say hi." HyunJoong shrugged, tugging him closer to kiss him lightly. "I'll send someone to get you when he's gone. Or maybe I'll try getting you myself."
"If you do, I'll tie you to the bed," YoungSaeng grumbled against his lips before pulling back. Just in time too as the door opened behind them, KyuJong coming in. YoungSaeng squeezed HyunJoong's hand lightly and then let go, moving towards the door. He kept his eyes down, not making eye contact with KyuJong as he left the room.
"How are you feeling HyunJoong?" KyuJong said once YoungSaeng was out of the room, walking towards the bed.
"Much better," HyunJoong smiled at KyuJong. "We were just practicing walking a bit, I might actually make it down the stairs one of these days. How have you and YooChun been?"
"Anxious, worried... bored, take your pick," KyuJong said with a dry laugh. "We have missed you though. It's nice to see you awake more than a few minutes at a time."
"It's nice to be awake more than a few minutes at a time. Are we having a meeting?" HyunJoong blinked to see YooChun following KyuJong into the room, followed by Daniel.
The mage's expression was grim, shadows under his eyes from lack of sleep. "And not a very pleasant one."
"Has there been any progress finding the killer?" YooChun asked, leaning against the wall. Daniel shook his head.
"Guess that was too much to hope," KyuJong sighed, glancing at HyunJoong before turning back to Daniel. "What of SiWon? Any news?"
The mage opened his mouth to speak, before faltering. The silence stretched, growing more tense.
"...Daniel?" HyunJoong eyed the mage, lips thinned. "What of SiWon?"
Daniel closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing quietly.
"...His squadron was ambushed at the border. No one made it out."
KyuJong's eyes widened, he felt his heart plummeting into his stomach. "But... no, he can't be... it's not possible. SiWon can't be dead."
"His body wasn't found," Daniel said quietly. "That we could tell. Some bodies were too disfigured to tell who they belonged to."
YooChun leaned heavily against the wall, eyes wide. "There was a search?"
"A large one. Nothing was found. He's gone."
HyunJoong's hand slowly clenched into a shaking fist. SiWon...they'd known the young King since they were little. He hadn't deserved this. What was going to happen now? Voicing that question, Daniel shook his head.
"As the only surviving Royal, SooYoung is remaining in power. But no one was prepared for this."
"How can you prepare for losing the King and then his son just a few months later?" KyuJong said softly, holding onto a back of one of the chars to keep upright. "I'm going to the castle, someone needs to be with SooYoung right now."
"I'll go with you," YooChun said, straightening. His skin was pale. "Is this war yet?"
"This is war," Daniel said grimly. "All three of you need to prepare."
"This just can't be a coincidence...all this happening," HyunJoong shook his head, jaw clenched. He felt so utterly useless.
"You're right, this seems far too convenient to be a coincidence," KyuJong agreed. "What are we going to do Daniel? How can we go into battle without a King?"
"I don't have the answer to that," Daniel said quietly. "We need to prepare...I don't think SooYoung's ready to lead us into battle."
"No..." HyunJoong shook his head. He looked at YooChun. "They need to hear about this in the lower ring."
"...I guess I'm making a stopover at the healer's." YooChun pushed away from the wall, looking at KyuJong. "I'll meet you in the palace."
KyuJong raised an eyebrow at that but he nodded. "Alright, be safe. Daniel, are you heading back? I'll ride with you. There is no way I'm letting SooYoung ride into battle, that's no place for her."
"Yes, let's go," Daniel nodded, stepping towards the door. "I don't think she'd be allowed to ride into a war...we need at least one Royal to stay alive." YooChun followed him to leave.
"I'll be back tonight, let you know if there's any more news," KyuJong said quietly to HyunJoong, glancing at him with worried eyes. "I know you'd rather go with us right now, and I wish you could. Heal quickly my friend."
"Be careful out there," HyunJoong said, watching them go. Once he was alone, he swore quietly, hitting the bed with one fist. It didn't make him feel any better. He should have been with SiWon, protecting him, as he'd sworn to do. Protect his king, his friend. Instead he was bedridden.
Not for much longer, he ground his teeth and pushed himself to his feet. Tightening his grip on the cane, he made his way slowly to find YoungSaeng.
YoungSaeng was just coming up the stairs then, seeing the other three leaving in a hurry and in sour moods. He frowned slightly when he saw the thundercloud over HyunJoong's head. "What's going on?" he asked, taking the stairs two at a time to get to the landing. "What happened?"
HyunJoong stopped, leaning against the wall as he waited for YoungSaeng to reach him. He pulled the thief close so he could reply quietly. "King SiWon's dead. The whole group he was with were killed by the border."
"...What?" YoungSaeng whispered in disbelief, his eyes narrowing. "How...? What's going to happen now?"
"No one knows. Princess SooYoung isn't fit to lead in a war, and we are at war now." HyunJoong pushed a shaking hand through his hair, grief, anger and frustration clear on his face. "It won't be long before the call comes to march."
YoungSaeng sighed heavily, resting his hands lightly on HyunJoong's chest before he opened his eyes and looked up at him. "I'm sorry... I know you were close with the King," he whispered softly. "Will... will you have to go?"
"I will." HyunJoong looked down at him. "I should have been there. Maybe I could have...I don't know. Maybe I could have at least gotten him out."
"Don't... don't think like that," YoungSaeng said firmly. "It won't do you, or him any good to think about what you would have done if you had been there. He told you to stay because what we were doing was important, and it is still important right?"
"It is...it's very important." HyunJoong gently took YoungSaeng's hand, curling their fingers together and holding the linked hands against his chest. "But I can't stay here and chase shadows anymore, not while I'm needed out there. They'll be sending boys and men from my home to war, I need to be there with them."
"You're needed here too," YoungSaeng whispered, holding on to HyunJoong's hand tightly. "I don't know what's going to happen here when you're gone... will they make everyone from the capitol go to war as well?"
"I don't know...I'd imagine so." HyunJoong sighed quietly, lifting their hands to kiss YoungSaeng's knuckles softly. "Every able-bodied boy and man. YoungSaeng...something's not right about this, we all know it. I need you to keep looking, keep searching for that man. We need answers." They needed a miracle.
YoungSaeng nodded, biting back what he wanted to say because he knew it wouldn't deter HyunJoong... HyunJoong wasn't able bodied at the moment, he still had a long way to go before he was healed. "You really think I was going to just give up because you're going to go off and play war?" he chuckled dryly.
HyunJoong's smile was slightly strained. "I know you wouldn't. I just needed to say something to pretend I have this all under control."
"You can't fool me, Lord HyunJoong," YoungSaeng said, leaning up to press a light kiss to HyunJoong's lips. "I'll find out who started all of us on this path, and make them pay."
"I know you will." HyunJoong returned the kiss softly. Feeling the pain in his legs increasing, he sighed, pulling back a little. "I'll need to practice walking more often."
"Yes you will, every day," YoungSaeng nodded, stepping back slightly so HyunJoong could move. "Let's get you back to bed. You're not running off to war right now anyway, we can worry about all of this when you can walk properly."
"Guess I have no choice for now." HyunJoong straightened away from the wall, holding onto the cane as he limped back to his room. "I'm glad the only one around is you, this is vaguely humiliating."
"Humiliating? Why?" YoungSaeng asked, opening up the door for him and watching him with an unreadable expression. "Because you have to rely on someone else?"
"No, just that I'm hobbling around with a cane like an old man," HyunJoong chuckled, heading back to the bed. "I like having your attention on me, it makes up for the frustration of not being able to do this myself."
"You're not an old man, and even if you were, you're still a hot old man," YoungSaeng said, waiting until HyunJoong was seated before taking the cane and setting it against the wall so it was within reach. "I like having all my attention on you as well, even if I've lost a years worth of sleep for it."
"That wouldn't be my fault, both I and RyeoWook have been telling you to sleep." HyunJoong carefully eased his legs back up onto the bed, wincing as he jarred them. Once he was settled, he held out his hands for the other man.
"And who would get your water in the middle of the night when you were thirsty?" YoungSaeng said, taking HyunJoong's hands and sitting down next to him on the bed. "Like I said, I like giving you all my attention. I'd rather it be a different kind of attention, but I'll just have to make do for now."
"Well I'm feeling better now, so you can get some proper sleep," HyunJoong wrapped one arm around YoungSaeng's waist, leaning in to kiss the corner of his mouth. "I can get someone to bring another bed in if you don't want to leave the room. Or you can share mine even."
YoungSaeng turned his head enough to give HyunJoong a proper kiss, humming softly into it. "I don't want to accidentally kick you in my sleep," he murmured against HyunJoong's lips. "That might even wake you up."
"Probably, a feat in itself," HyunJoong chuckled. He deepened the kiss, eyes closing. He'd missed being intimate with YoungSaeng, being awake for only a few minutes at a time had made more than light kisses impossible.
Eyes slipping closed, YoungSaeng let himself get lost in the kiss, missing it just as much as HyunJoong had, and probably more. His fingers reached up to trace along HyunJoong's jaw lightly before he pulled back with a groan of frustration. "You're not helping," he mumbled, toying with a lock of the knight's hair.
"Was I supposed to be?" HyunJoong murmured, amused. His fingers brushed against the nape of YoungSaeng's neck, the knight stealing a few more soft kisses.
"Someone needs to be," YoungSaeng replied, enjoying the small kisses far too much. "You're injured, in pain, and I'm not entirely sure climbing into your lap right now would be a very good idea."
"Probably not," HyunJoong sighed, opening his eyes to look at YoungSaeng. "Why do you have to be so logical."
"Because the next time I'm with you, I don't want you in any pain," YoungSaeng said softly, wrinkling his nose a little. "Well, not that much pain anyway."
"Oh fine." HyunJoong kissed the tip of YoungSaeng's nose before leaning back. "You're tired, get some sleep."
"Have to change your bandages, then food, then sleep," YoungSaeng said, though he wasn't in any hurry to move. "Now that you're feeling better... I may go down to see how HyungJoon is doing in a couple days. When you're not awake of course."
"All right," HyunJoong nodded. "You don't have to worry about whether I'm awake or not, I'll survive."
"Oh I'm sure you'd survive, but you'd be bored to tears," YoungSaeng said, finally sliding off the bed and grabbing the basket of supplies. "Who would entertain you?"
"YooChun and KyuJong probably, but they'd be nowhere near as entertaining as you," HyunJoong smiled widely, watching. He'd already gotten hit several times for trying to take over doing his bandages.
YoungSaeng sat down at the foot of the bed, setting the basket nearby so he could reach. "Of course I'm more entertaining, and cuter too," he winked up at HyunJoong as he started to undo the bandage on the nearest leg. "They'd probably come in and talk to you though, if I was gone."
HyunJoong shrugged. "They're going to have to get used to seeing you around. My friends aren't stuffy, they'll come around." He bit the inside of his cheek, ignoring the pain at the bandages being peeled off.
"It's not that they're stuffy, they just don't like me," YoungSaeng said, gently unwrapping the bandage. Even someone with a strong stomach couldn't handle the sight of the burned and puckered flesh, the smell, the feel of the sticky thick liquid that seeped from the wounds. But it was something YoungSaeng had lived through, and he handled it well as he could.
"And they have no reason not to like you. They'll come around." HyunJoong exhaled slowly, looking away from his legs. No matter how many times he looked at them, it still disturbed him. "How long did it take before your burns closed over properly?"
"I'm a little hazy on the details," YoungSaeng frowned. It had been a long time ago, and to a child, a week was like a month, and a month was a lifetime. "But I think it was about two months or so. You're healing just fine though, so don't worry," he said softly, opening up the jar of the ointment RyeoWook had given him. Using a spoon, he gently slathered the ointment onto the new bandages as he started to wrap the leg back up.
After the initial shock of pain, the ointment was cool and soothing for the burns, HyunJoong sighing softly and leaning back against the headrest. "I'm not sure if we have two months to wait...not with all this happening. There's no way to speed it up, is there?"
"Not that I know of," YoungSaeng shook his head. "Maybe when I go down to the outer ring I can ask RyeoWook if he has any ideas. You're due for a checkup anyway."
"Ah, right." HyunJoong blinked slowly, starting to tire. He watched YoungSaeng finish that leg and move on to the next. "I'll be glad when we can at least sleep in the same bed again."
"You're not the only one," YoungSaeng said, smiling softly as he continued his work. When he had finished, he made sure the bandages were secure and his legs were in a comfortable position before he scooted up towards the head of the bed again. "You should rest now."
"But I just woke up," HyunJoong sighed quietly. "Are you going to sleep too?"
"No, I have some things to do," YoungSaeng shook his head. "I'll wake you up in a couple of hours for a meal. You really do need your rest, it'll make you heal faster. Promise."
Frowning, HyunJoong reached up and lightly brushed his thumb against the shadow under one of YoungSaeng's eyes. "You will sleep soon though."
"Of course," YoungSaeng smiled, catching HyunJoong's hand with his own and lightly kissing one of his knuckles. "If I don't, RyeoWook will kick my ass."
"So will I, first chance I get," HyunJoong chuckled, before yawning. "I'll see you in a few hours then." He drew YoungSaeng down into one last kiss.
YoungSaeng returned the kiss gently, pulling back after a moment to smile down at him before sliding off the bed. "Rest well."
Fandoms: SS501, Super Junior, JYJ, SNSD, Epik High
Chapter: 26/?
Pairing: HyunJoong/YoungSaeng, RyeoWook/Zhou Mi
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: Different lives converge in the city of Highport, where one innocent crime has the potential to destroy a kingdom.
Two weeks wasn't that long of a stretch of time, not really. To YoungSaeng, it seemed like a lifetime. Only catching snatches of sleep when he could, he spent most of his day and night caring for HyunJoong, bringing him what he needed, watching over him as he slept. It wasn't something he thought he would ever have to do, play nursemaid to an injured man, but he wouldn't complain about it in the least. Not when HyunJoong would smile softly at him, making it all worth it.
After two weeks, and a number of visits from RyeoWook, the healer deemed HyunJoong ready for walking. The first couple of tries had been less than successful, YoungSaeng holding HyunJoong steady as he tried to put weight on his legs. After an hour or so, HyunJoong had made progress and was making his way around the room.
"Remember what RyeoWook said, don't push yourself," YoungSaeng reminded him when he helped HyunJoong to sit up on the third day of practice. "He brought you this cane to use, and you will use it," he said, holding the cane out to him.
"I look like an old man." HyunJoong took the cane, nose wrinkling slightly. Putting pressure on his legs was still painful, and it wouldn't be the first time YoungSaeng hadn't been able to stop him from collapsing completely. But it was getting better, the mind-numbing pain had lowered to a dull throbbing.
It was a good thing too, because the knight was getting edgy from staying in bed for weeks. The only thing that made it worth it was YoungSaeng's company, and he told the man as much.
"Okay, here goes." HyunJoong's grip tightened on the cane as he carefully pushed himself up to his feet, wobbling and hissing quietly.
YoungSaeng watched him narrowed eyes, staying far enough away that he wasn't in HyunJoong's way, but close enough he could help him if he needed to. "Well, you're still standing, that's a good start," he said, taking a step back. "Now, can you walk towards me?"
"Let's see." HyunJoong leaned heavily on the cane. One leg was worse-off than the other, so he needed the support on that side more, shuffling a little. "This reminds me why I hate leg injuries more than anything else." Once he was steady, he took small shuffling steps towards YoungSaeng.
"Arm injuries aren't much better," YoungSaeng smirked. "At least you can feed yourself. I don't think you would have liked it if someone had to feed you like RyeoWook had to do with me."
"I could have had fun trying to pick up things with my mouth, wouldn't be the first time." HyunJoong made it a few steps before staggering a little, stopping for a moment. He was glad for his high tolerance for pain, breathing deeply in and out a couple times before starting to walk again. He reached YoungSaeng's side, pulling him closer. "Do I get a reward for not falling on my ass?"
"Hmm, I think you've earned it," YoungSaeng smiled, leaning up to give HyunJoong a light kiss. "You're getting stronger every day."
"About time too." HyunJoong twined his free hand with YoungSaeng's. "What do you think, too early to try the stairs?"
"Much too early," YoungSaeng nodded solemnly. "Maybe tomorrow."
"Excuse me, sir?" YeSung knocked lightly on the door, poking his head in and ducking it slightly. "Pardon the intrusion, but Lord Daniel is here for you."
"...Daniel?" HyunJoong frowned. He vaguely remembered the mage had stopped in while he was drifting in and out of consciousness that first week, checking on his condition, but they hadn't seen much of him. "Thank you YeSung, can you show him up?" He made his way back to sit on the edge of the bed, since he wasn't going to be able to make it down the stairs very fast.
"Yes sir," YeSung nodded before closing the door again. YoungSaeng sighed a little, looking down at the floor.
"Well, I'll go see how KyuHyun's doing," YoungSaeng said. "You need anything?"
"No, I'll be fine," HyunJoong smiled lightly, squeezing YoungSaeng's hand. "Being around them is still uncomfortable for you, isn't it."
YoungSaeng's lips pursed, holding back the words he wanted to say but now was not the time. Instead he just shook his head slightly. "It's not that, I just don't think this is something a thief should hear."
"He could be here just to say hi." HyunJoong shrugged, tugging him closer to kiss him lightly. "I'll send someone to get you when he's gone. Or maybe I'll try getting you myself."
"If you do, I'll tie you to the bed," YoungSaeng grumbled against his lips before pulling back. Just in time too as the door opened behind them, KyuJong coming in. YoungSaeng squeezed HyunJoong's hand lightly and then let go, moving towards the door. He kept his eyes down, not making eye contact with KyuJong as he left the room.
"How are you feeling HyunJoong?" KyuJong said once YoungSaeng was out of the room, walking towards the bed.
"Much better," HyunJoong smiled at KyuJong. "We were just practicing walking a bit, I might actually make it down the stairs one of these days. How have you and YooChun been?"
"Anxious, worried... bored, take your pick," KyuJong said with a dry laugh. "We have missed you though. It's nice to see you awake more than a few minutes at a time."
"It's nice to be awake more than a few minutes at a time. Are we having a meeting?" HyunJoong blinked to see YooChun following KyuJong into the room, followed by Daniel.
The mage's expression was grim, shadows under his eyes from lack of sleep. "And not a very pleasant one."
"Has there been any progress finding the killer?" YooChun asked, leaning against the wall. Daniel shook his head.
"Guess that was too much to hope," KyuJong sighed, glancing at HyunJoong before turning back to Daniel. "What of SiWon? Any news?"
The mage opened his mouth to speak, before faltering. The silence stretched, growing more tense.
"...Daniel?" HyunJoong eyed the mage, lips thinned. "What of SiWon?"
Daniel closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose, sighing quietly.
"...His squadron was ambushed at the border. No one made it out."
KyuJong's eyes widened, he felt his heart plummeting into his stomach. "But... no, he can't be... it's not possible. SiWon can't be dead."
"His body wasn't found," Daniel said quietly. "That we could tell. Some bodies were too disfigured to tell who they belonged to."
YooChun leaned heavily against the wall, eyes wide. "There was a search?"
"A large one. Nothing was found. He's gone."
HyunJoong's hand slowly clenched into a shaking fist. SiWon...they'd known the young King since they were little. He hadn't deserved this. What was going to happen now? Voicing that question, Daniel shook his head.
"As the only surviving Royal, SooYoung is remaining in power. But no one was prepared for this."
"How can you prepare for losing the King and then his son just a few months later?" KyuJong said softly, holding onto a back of one of the chars to keep upright. "I'm going to the castle, someone needs to be with SooYoung right now."
"I'll go with you," YooChun said, straightening. His skin was pale. "Is this war yet?"
"This is war," Daniel said grimly. "All three of you need to prepare."
"This just can't be a coincidence...all this happening," HyunJoong shook his head, jaw clenched. He felt so utterly useless.
"You're right, this seems far too convenient to be a coincidence," KyuJong agreed. "What are we going to do Daniel? How can we go into battle without a King?"
"I don't have the answer to that," Daniel said quietly. "We need to prepare...I don't think SooYoung's ready to lead us into battle."
"No..." HyunJoong shook his head. He looked at YooChun. "They need to hear about this in the lower ring."
"...I guess I'm making a stopover at the healer's." YooChun pushed away from the wall, looking at KyuJong. "I'll meet you in the palace."
KyuJong raised an eyebrow at that but he nodded. "Alright, be safe. Daniel, are you heading back? I'll ride with you. There is no way I'm letting SooYoung ride into battle, that's no place for her."
"Yes, let's go," Daniel nodded, stepping towards the door. "I don't think she'd be allowed to ride into a war...we need at least one Royal to stay alive." YooChun followed him to leave.
"I'll be back tonight, let you know if there's any more news," KyuJong said quietly to HyunJoong, glancing at him with worried eyes. "I know you'd rather go with us right now, and I wish you could. Heal quickly my friend."
"Be careful out there," HyunJoong said, watching them go. Once he was alone, he swore quietly, hitting the bed with one fist. It didn't make him feel any better. He should have been with SiWon, protecting him, as he'd sworn to do. Protect his king, his friend. Instead he was bedridden.
Not for much longer, he ground his teeth and pushed himself to his feet. Tightening his grip on the cane, he made his way slowly to find YoungSaeng.
YoungSaeng was just coming up the stairs then, seeing the other three leaving in a hurry and in sour moods. He frowned slightly when he saw the thundercloud over HyunJoong's head. "What's going on?" he asked, taking the stairs two at a time to get to the landing. "What happened?"
HyunJoong stopped, leaning against the wall as he waited for YoungSaeng to reach him. He pulled the thief close so he could reply quietly. "King SiWon's dead. The whole group he was with were killed by the border."
"...What?" YoungSaeng whispered in disbelief, his eyes narrowing. "How...? What's going to happen now?"
"No one knows. Princess SooYoung isn't fit to lead in a war, and we are at war now." HyunJoong pushed a shaking hand through his hair, grief, anger and frustration clear on his face. "It won't be long before the call comes to march."
YoungSaeng sighed heavily, resting his hands lightly on HyunJoong's chest before he opened his eyes and looked up at him. "I'm sorry... I know you were close with the King," he whispered softly. "Will... will you have to go?"
"I will." HyunJoong looked down at him. "I should have been there. Maybe I could have...I don't know. Maybe I could have at least gotten him out."
"Don't... don't think like that," YoungSaeng said firmly. "It won't do you, or him any good to think about what you would have done if you had been there. He told you to stay because what we were doing was important, and it is still important right?"
"It is...it's very important." HyunJoong gently took YoungSaeng's hand, curling their fingers together and holding the linked hands against his chest. "But I can't stay here and chase shadows anymore, not while I'm needed out there. They'll be sending boys and men from my home to war, I need to be there with them."
"You're needed here too," YoungSaeng whispered, holding on to HyunJoong's hand tightly. "I don't know what's going to happen here when you're gone... will they make everyone from the capitol go to war as well?"
"I don't know...I'd imagine so." HyunJoong sighed quietly, lifting their hands to kiss YoungSaeng's knuckles softly. "Every able-bodied boy and man. YoungSaeng...something's not right about this, we all know it. I need you to keep looking, keep searching for that man. We need answers." They needed a miracle.
YoungSaeng nodded, biting back what he wanted to say because he knew it wouldn't deter HyunJoong... HyunJoong wasn't able bodied at the moment, he still had a long way to go before he was healed. "You really think I was going to just give up because you're going to go off and play war?" he chuckled dryly.
HyunJoong's smile was slightly strained. "I know you wouldn't. I just needed to say something to pretend I have this all under control."
"You can't fool me, Lord HyunJoong," YoungSaeng said, leaning up to press a light kiss to HyunJoong's lips. "I'll find out who started all of us on this path, and make them pay."
"I know you will." HyunJoong returned the kiss softly. Feeling the pain in his legs increasing, he sighed, pulling back a little. "I'll need to practice walking more often."
"Yes you will, every day," YoungSaeng nodded, stepping back slightly so HyunJoong could move. "Let's get you back to bed. You're not running off to war right now anyway, we can worry about all of this when you can walk properly."
"Guess I have no choice for now." HyunJoong straightened away from the wall, holding onto the cane as he limped back to his room. "I'm glad the only one around is you, this is vaguely humiliating."
"Humiliating? Why?" YoungSaeng asked, opening up the door for him and watching him with an unreadable expression. "Because you have to rely on someone else?"
"No, just that I'm hobbling around with a cane like an old man," HyunJoong chuckled, heading back to the bed. "I like having your attention on me, it makes up for the frustration of not being able to do this myself."
"You're not an old man, and even if you were, you're still a hot old man," YoungSaeng said, waiting until HyunJoong was seated before taking the cane and setting it against the wall so it was within reach. "I like having all my attention on you as well, even if I've lost a years worth of sleep for it."
"That wouldn't be my fault, both I and RyeoWook have been telling you to sleep." HyunJoong carefully eased his legs back up onto the bed, wincing as he jarred them. Once he was settled, he held out his hands for the other man.
"And who would get your water in the middle of the night when you were thirsty?" YoungSaeng said, taking HyunJoong's hands and sitting down next to him on the bed. "Like I said, I like giving you all my attention. I'd rather it be a different kind of attention, but I'll just have to make do for now."
"Well I'm feeling better now, so you can get some proper sleep," HyunJoong wrapped one arm around YoungSaeng's waist, leaning in to kiss the corner of his mouth. "I can get someone to bring another bed in if you don't want to leave the room. Or you can share mine even."
YoungSaeng turned his head enough to give HyunJoong a proper kiss, humming softly into it. "I don't want to accidentally kick you in my sleep," he murmured against HyunJoong's lips. "That might even wake you up."
"Probably, a feat in itself," HyunJoong chuckled. He deepened the kiss, eyes closing. He'd missed being intimate with YoungSaeng, being awake for only a few minutes at a time had made more than light kisses impossible.
Eyes slipping closed, YoungSaeng let himself get lost in the kiss, missing it just as much as HyunJoong had, and probably more. His fingers reached up to trace along HyunJoong's jaw lightly before he pulled back with a groan of frustration. "You're not helping," he mumbled, toying with a lock of the knight's hair.
"Was I supposed to be?" HyunJoong murmured, amused. His fingers brushed against the nape of YoungSaeng's neck, the knight stealing a few more soft kisses.
"Someone needs to be," YoungSaeng replied, enjoying the small kisses far too much. "You're injured, in pain, and I'm not entirely sure climbing into your lap right now would be a very good idea."
"Probably not," HyunJoong sighed, opening his eyes to look at YoungSaeng. "Why do you have to be so logical."
"Because the next time I'm with you, I don't want you in any pain," YoungSaeng said softly, wrinkling his nose a little. "Well, not that much pain anyway."
"Oh fine." HyunJoong kissed the tip of YoungSaeng's nose before leaning back. "You're tired, get some sleep."
"Have to change your bandages, then food, then sleep," YoungSaeng said, though he wasn't in any hurry to move. "Now that you're feeling better... I may go down to see how HyungJoon is doing in a couple days. When you're not awake of course."
"All right," HyunJoong nodded. "You don't have to worry about whether I'm awake or not, I'll survive."
"Oh I'm sure you'd survive, but you'd be bored to tears," YoungSaeng said, finally sliding off the bed and grabbing the basket of supplies. "Who would entertain you?"
"YooChun and KyuJong probably, but they'd be nowhere near as entertaining as you," HyunJoong smiled widely, watching. He'd already gotten hit several times for trying to take over doing his bandages.
YoungSaeng sat down at the foot of the bed, setting the basket nearby so he could reach. "Of course I'm more entertaining, and cuter too," he winked up at HyunJoong as he started to undo the bandage on the nearest leg. "They'd probably come in and talk to you though, if I was gone."
HyunJoong shrugged. "They're going to have to get used to seeing you around. My friends aren't stuffy, they'll come around." He bit the inside of his cheek, ignoring the pain at the bandages being peeled off.
"It's not that they're stuffy, they just don't like me," YoungSaeng said, gently unwrapping the bandage. Even someone with a strong stomach couldn't handle the sight of the burned and puckered flesh, the smell, the feel of the sticky thick liquid that seeped from the wounds. But it was something YoungSaeng had lived through, and he handled it well as he could.
"And they have no reason not to like you. They'll come around." HyunJoong exhaled slowly, looking away from his legs. No matter how many times he looked at them, it still disturbed him. "How long did it take before your burns closed over properly?"
"I'm a little hazy on the details," YoungSaeng frowned. It had been a long time ago, and to a child, a week was like a month, and a month was a lifetime. "But I think it was about two months or so. You're healing just fine though, so don't worry," he said softly, opening up the jar of the ointment RyeoWook had given him. Using a spoon, he gently slathered the ointment onto the new bandages as he started to wrap the leg back up.
After the initial shock of pain, the ointment was cool and soothing for the burns, HyunJoong sighing softly and leaning back against the headrest. "I'm not sure if we have two months to wait...not with all this happening. There's no way to speed it up, is there?"
"Not that I know of," YoungSaeng shook his head. "Maybe when I go down to the outer ring I can ask RyeoWook if he has any ideas. You're due for a checkup anyway."
"Ah, right." HyunJoong blinked slowly, starting to tire. He watched YoungSaeng finish that leg and move on to the next. "I'll be glad when we can at least sleep in the same bed again."
"You're not the only one," YoungSaeng said, smiling softly as he continued his work. When he had finished, he made sure the bandages were secure and his legs were in a comfortable position before he scooted up towards the head of the bed again. "You should rest now."
"But I just woke up," HyunJoong sighed quietly. "Are you going to sleep too?"
"No, I have some things to do," YoungSaeng shook his head. "I'll wake you up in a couple of hours for a meal. You really do need your rest, it'll make you heal faster. Promise."
Frowning, HyunJoong reached up and lightly brushed his thumb against the shadow under one of YoungSaeng's eyes. "You will sleep soon though."
"Of course," YoungSaeng smiled, catching HyunJoong's hand with his own and lightly kissing one of his knuckles. "If I don't, RyeoWook will kick my ass."
"So will I, first chance I get," HyunJoong chuckled, before yawning. "I'll see you in a few hours then." He drew YoungSaeng down into one last kiss.
YoungSaeng returned the kiss gently, pulling back after a moment to smile down at him before sliding off the bed. "Rest well."