Title: Decerto: Road to Freedom
Chapter: 9/?
Fandoms: Super Junior, U-Kiss, SS501
Pairings: KyuHyun/Zhou Mi, Han Geng/HeeChul
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: Taking place six years before the events of Decerto, the story of how a human and a slave started a revolution.
It was the night before KiBum was due to leave for university, and as usual the two brothers weren't talking. There had been an explosive argument over lunch and neither of them were over it yet, KiBum spending the rest of the afternoon and evening slowly packing.
He was ready to go...but he still hadn't said goodbye to one person yet.
Waiting until it was dark enough to hide in, KiBum slowly made his way across the large practice field to the manor on the other side. The Jung manor. As far as he was aware Master Jung was still out, otherwise he wouldn't be brave enough to try this. Not after he was nearly caught a while back.
Finally reaching the manor, he found the window he was looking for way up on the second floor. He found three small pebbles lying around, testing to make sure they were light enough before throwing one.
It hit the window with a thwack, bouncing off and disappearing into the dark. KiBum followed it with the two other pebbles before stopping and waiting.
The lights in the room came on, a shadow moving to the window and peeking out through the curtains before disappearing again. It wasn't more than a few minutes before the nearest side door opened, a figure beckoning KiBum in.
KiBum walked to the side door, slipping inside and trying to make as little noise as possible. "Hi," he whispered, smiling. "Hope you weren't sleeping."
"Trying to, but not getting very far," the other said softly. "Come on, the guards are gambling in the cellar, we can talk in my room." Leading KiBum down the hall to a service stair well, the figure limped slightly as they made their way into the bedroom, the door closing and locking behind them. "I was wondering when you would be coming over, YunHo said you were leaving soon."
"Tomorrow, I wasn't going to leave without saying goodbye though." KiBum looked the older man up and down with worried eyes, unable to see that well in the dark. "Are you okay, YoungSaeng hyung?" He'd seen the limp.
"I've been worse," YoungSaeng said with a sad sigh, turning on one of the side lamps and sitting down gingerly on the bed. "I'm sorry I couldn't be at the funeral," he said, brushing his bangs out of his eyes. The bruise on his cheek and jaw were mostly healed, but still a touch yellow and green. "How are you holding up?"
KiBum sat down carefully beside him, respecting the snake's personal space. "...Not that well," he admitted, looking down. "I need a change of air, something productive to do. Maybe some time in the city will help."
"I hope so," YoungSaeng nodded. "You've seemed so unhappy the last couple of years. I can't imagine your father's death has helped. Are you still not getting along with HyungJoon?"
"I wasn't holding much hope of that changing," KiBum's lips twisted as he looked away. "He still treats me like a kid, maybe hates me. I don't know. He won't let me help out here and won't involve me in any of the house's decisions, but keeps making snide remarks about being left to take care of it by himself. I don't care anymore, I'm going to go to school like dad wanted me to."
YoungSaeng frowned slightly at that, watching KiBum. "But do you even really want to help? If HyungJoon wasn't taking over the house, would you?"
The younger brother's lips thinned slightly. "...I don't know. It...the whole fighting thing, it just seems wrong to me. I don't get how people can sit there and cheer as others die. SungMin, YoungWoon, JungSu...they're like family to me, I don't think I could ever send them to their deaths in those rings."
"I don't know either, but no one really asks a bedwarmer their opinion," YoungSaeng said. "But I doubt your brother hates you, maybe he resents you a little for being able to go off to school when he couldn't, but wouldn't hate you."
KiBum chewed on his lower lip. "I wish we didn't have to do this. I wish this whole stupid business didn't exist, that slavery didn't exist." He looked up at YoungSaeng. "I don't think of you as a bedwarmer, you're my hyung. You're the only one I feel comfortable talking to."
"I'm glad you feel comfortable talking to me, it's nice to have a friend," YoungSaeng said, corner of his lips curling slightly. "Things are the way they are though, and we have to fulfill our roles as best we can. You go to school and do your Dad proud. That's all anyone can ask of you now." He leaned forward to touch KiBum's hand lightly. "He's still your brother, try to remember that."
Blinking rapidly, KiBum ducked his head and nodded. "I will. Maybe we both just need some time apart. At least I know Kyu will look after him. I'll miss you hyung, though I guess you won't miss being woken up in the middle of the night huh."
"I'll miss you at least," YoungSaeng chuckled softly. "Time away from here will do you both some good. I hope you'll come back to visit once in a while."
"I'll try," Kibum smirked. Scooting closer, he leaned in to give the snake a careful hug, being very gentle in case there were more bruises hidden under his clothing. Which KiBum was sure there was, and it set his blood boiling just to think about it. "You be careful, okay?"
"I'll try," YoungSaeng echoed, returning the hug. "Good luck in school," he said, pulling back to smile a little at the younger human. "You need it."
"Probably," KiBum returned the smile. "When I come back I won't be a little kid anymore, I'll be a big fancy lawyer. Look forward to it!" He stood up.
"I will, and you can tell me all about your big city life," YoungSaeng said, leaning back against the headboard. "Do you need me to show you out? I doubt the guards are done with their dice games."
"I can find my way out, been here too many times to get lost," KiBum grinned. "Have a good night hyung, I'll see you around." He unlocked the door and carefully slipped out, closing it and navigating his way through the dark hallways back to the exit. Stopping by to see YoungSaeng made him feel better, and it helped that he could see the snake was still in one piece. He kept thinking about their conversation though, both what YoungSaeng had said about HyungJoon and his own realization that he really didn't want anything to do with the tournament.
The next morning, HyungJoon was waiting to see KiBum off, though by the look on his face, KyuJong had dragged him down. "Just call if you need anything," he said, watching the servants load up KiBum's bags into the taxi. "You have access to your account so you won't have to worry about money."
KiBum nodded, hands jammed into his pockets. "Yeah...you don't forget to call either, huh? Come see me if you're ever in the city."
"If I get time," HyungJoon said, looking over at KyuJong. "I want to go to the city tomorrow, take a look at what they have at the auctions. Clear my schedule."
"Yes sir," KyuJong nodded, standing close to HyungJoon as always.
KiBum bit the inside of his cheek, reminding himself this could be the last time he saw his brother in a while so picking a fight wasn't the best idea. "I guess...I'll get going. Good luck here, hyung. Take care of him Kyu, okay?"
"You know I will," KyuJong smiled warmly at the younger brother. "Study hard."
"Yeah, do good," HyungJoon said. "Be careful... don't get mixed up with the wrong crowd or anything. Make nice friends, okay?"
"Geez hyung, who do you take me for?" KiBum smirked slightly, the smile more natural. After a pause he stepped closer and pulled his brother into a hug. "See you around."
"Bye KiBum," HyungJoon said, returning the hug. "Don't come back smarter than me."
"I can't guarantee that," KiBum chuckled. Pulling back, he walked to the taxi door.
"Bye KiBum!" He heard a holler from the direction of the field, turning to see the fighters were waving.
"Bye guys!" He yelled back. Stay alive, he wanted to say, but couldn't voice it. Ducking his head, he climbed into the back seat of the taxi.
HyungJoon watched the taxi pull away, sighing heavily as he looked at KyuJong beside him. "Part of me feels like I just lost my brother."
KyuJong looked at HyungJoon, shaking his head. "He's not going that far, we can go see him whenever you want."
"Of course," HyungJoon said, turning to go back into the house. "Whether he really wants to see me is another matter though."
*************************************
By the time KiBum arrived at the university dorms, it was late in the afternoon. He spent the rest of that day unpacking and getting what supplies he hadn't picked up yet, keeping himself busy to avoid thinking too much. His roommate didn't seem to be there yet, which he was going to take as a blessing for now. There would be plenty of time for awkward introductions later.
Lying in bed that night, he wondered if he should call HyungJoon and tell him he had gotten to the dorms safely. But in the end he just closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.
He had class early in the morning, getting ready with a sense of impending doom. Sign Relations. He wasn't so sure if he'd be able to sit through this, already knowing his views on Signs were...different from most. Sitting down on his bed, he took out the map of the school, trying to figure out where the class was so he wouldn't be late on his first day.
The dorm room door opened with a bang, the person on the other side stumbling in and dropping two boxes, a violin case, and a duffel bag before toppling over and landing face first with a yelp. "Ow," the newcomer winced, lifting his head up enough to look around. "Right room... I'm in?" he asked, his Korean mangled.
Jumping at the loud noises, KiBum looked up from the map with wide eyes. "...What?" he asked after a moment, not getting what was being said with the other guy's heavy accent and the loud commotion. He stood up, going to help the stranger who he was going to assume was his roommate. "Need help?" He pulled the duffel bag off from where it was half on top of the other man. "This is room 250, I guess you're my roommate."
"Roommate?" The other blinked up at him, getting up to his feet. "Room... mate...," he repeated again before it clicked and he grinned, barely there eyes disappearing under the weight of his cheeks. "Yes! Roommate! Henry," he held out his hand.
Bemused, KiBum shook the other man's hand. Henry...well that was definitely not a Korean name. "Henry? It's nice to meet you." Though his name came out as 'Henli' more than anything. "My name is KiBum. You are student from America?" He asked in halting, awkward english; it had been a long time since that trip abroad.
Henry seemed to do a double take at that, his mouth opening. "You speak English? Oh thank god, my Korean is crap," he said with a sigh of relief. "Yes, America... well Canada specifically. How good is your english?"
And with that KiBum was regretting his decision to try out English, because this guy was speaking a little too fast for him. Chewing on the inside of his cheek as he looked around, he did his best to decipher what was being said. "English... My English is not good," he laughed nervously. "Not talk English for long time. But will...um...practice. Help with this?" He motioned to the boxes and things still scattered on the floor.
"No, no it's okay," Henry said quickly, pushing the boxes to one side. "I guess I'm over here? And hey, I'll help you with your English if you help me with my Korean okay?"
"Help with Korean? Okay, yes," KiBum chuckled, stepping back away from the door. "Maybe talk a little more slow?"
"I'll try," Henry said, plopping himself down on the free bed. "So, what are you majoring in?" he asked in English before trying it in Korean. "Uh... what... study?"
"Oh...Political Science," KiBum said in Korean, before saying in English. "Do not know how to say...in English. Be...uh..." He had to think about it before his expression brightened. "Lawyer. You?"
Henry pointed at the instrument case that had ended up upside down and squashing one of the boxes. "Music, play... violin," he said, trying it in Korean. "This is really kind of awkward," he sighed, laughing a little.
"Is okay," KiBum grinned. "Will practice, get good. You go to class in English?" It definitely was awkward, but he didn't mind it. Henry seemed like a nice guy.
"Some of them, yeah," Henry nodded. "Except my music class, but I don't really need to know what they're saying to play."
KiBum made a noncommittal noise, because he didn't really get that last sentence. Hopefully it wasn't a question. Blinking as he realized something, he glanced at the clock. "Oh...I go to class," he hopped to his feet, hurriedly trying to jam a textbook into his backpack. "Class start soon."
"Wow, already?" Henry was pulling a box over to dump the contents out on the floor. "Have fun!"
Slinging his backpack over his shoulder, KiBum glanced over at the pile of things on the floor. "Good luck," he grinned, pointing at the mess before leaving the room.
Talking with Henry had eased a bit of his nerves for class, but that came back soon enough as he approached the classroom. From the looks of it, it wasn't a big enough lecture room for him to get lost amongst the other students. Hopefully he would be able to hide in a corner or something.
That idea backfired when he walked in and saw most of the seats were taken already, except for those near the front. Sighing in defeat, he walked down the steps to the front of the class and slid into a bench, pulling out a notebook and pencil.
The minutes ticked by with no sign of the instructor, some of the students looking at their watches and talking quietly amongst themselves about ditching their first day already. That all stopped when the door at the front of the room swung open, a frantic and harried looking lanky man came in. "Sorry, sorry I'm late," he said, briefcase slung over his shoulder and stacks of papers in his arms. KuiXian?" he blinked and looked over his shoulder. "Hurry up, I need you."
"This isn't that light you know." A few shocked murmurs went up as the backtalker came into view. The collar around the other man's neck was just as clear as the scales framing his face. With a grunt the snake put the projector down on a table, angling it towards the large whiteboard at the front of the class. Blinking, KiBum sat up straighter and stopped doodling on the edge of his paper, placing the pencil down.
"Yes, yes, complain on your own time," the instructor said. "Pass these out," he shoved the stacks of paper into the snakes hand before finally giving his attention to the class. "Hello, my name is Zhou Mi, and this is an introductory course to Sign and Human relations. If you're in the wrong class, I suggest you move along before I waste any time speaking to you."
KiBum glanced around the class, seeing a few people near the back leaving. The professor's slave hummed to himself as he went up and down the rows, passing out the papers. Having a slave help out with the class wasn't an unusual thing really, but the snake didn't appear stressed in the least. He looked at least a year or two older than KiBum, the professor himself very young in his mid-twenties.
Taking the paper when it reached him, KiBum skimmed over the course introduction.
"Right then, now we can get to the fun part," Zhou Mi said, hopping up to sit on his desk. "Like I said, this is Sign and Human relations. The administrators believe this is a throw away class that is to be used to instruct people in the basics of Sign psychology. Or in other words, the best way to tear them down and break them into subservient mindless slaves. Unfortunately for them, that is not what this class is about at all. Let me introduce to you KyuHyun, my... snake." His head tilted slightly and he smiled. "KyuHyun is an Indigo snake, not venomous, but don't piss him off."
KiBum blinked repeatedly; this class wasn't starting how he thought it would at all. The snake was smirking lightly, returning to the professor's side. Whispers went up from the class, the other students apparently not expecting this any more than KiBum had.
"Yah, it's not time to talk yet," KyuHyun said, looking up at the human students. "Be quiet so your professor can continue."
"See?" Zhou Mi chuckled. "Now, if you want to look over your course summary papers in front of you, you'll see I have outlined what we'll be going over in this class. For the first half of the semester, we will look at where Signs come from, their history and the differences between the twelve types. The second half of the semester we'll be discussing Signs and their roles in society, how they live. We'll talk about their relationships with each other, as well as with humans."
Hopping off the desk, he slowly paced back and forth in front of the first row as he spoke. "This class is meant to broaden your mind towards Signs. To see them more than just slaves, or animals. At least, that is what I hope you will take away when the semester is over. If you feel that this class isn't what you had in mind, feel free to leave, and not come back. I only want those here who are willing to learn."
KiBum leaned back, watching Zhou Mi pace along the first row. Behind him he heard chairs scraping against the floor, and didn't look back to see how many people would leave. He just watched the professor and his snake, the Sign hopping up onto the desk Zhou Mi had just vacated and watching the class with an impassive expression.
Someone at the back of the class had their hand up. "Professor, why is this even important?" the student asked. "How is any of this going to be useful?"
Zhou Mi stopped and looked around slowly, a sad smile on his lips. "It's only as important as you make it. If you want to understand Signs better, then stay, and find out how useful it can be. I can't make that decision for you, or tell you if it will impact you in any way. But I hope it will."
KiBum couldn't help it; he put up his hand.
"Professor? Do you think slavery should be abolished?"
The professor's turned slightly to look at KiBum, his expression thoughtful. "An interesting question, but not one I'm willing to answer just yet. This class is to make you think for yourself. If I tell you what I think, that could very well influence you. That's not what I want." Turning away, he went to the board at the front of the room. "I want you all to keep that question in mind during the course of the class," he said, writing the question at the top of the board. "At the end of the semester, we'll all answer it together."
KiBum looked up at the question on the board, ignoring the hushed whispers behind him. He wrote the question down at the top of his notebook, highlighting it. He was curious what the answer would be at the end of the semester.
"I think you scared them enough," KyuHyun grinned, hopping off the desk.
"Hey, don't ruin my fun," Zhou Mi sniffed. "I only get to play the strict no nonsense teacher the first day until they get to know me." His attention turned back to the class with a grin. "So, let's get started shall we?"
A small smile curled KiBum's lips. Maybe he could get used to this class after all.
The first lecture of the semester was definitely not what anyone in the class expected, KiBum taking notes carefully of each point that was brought up. KyuHyun seemed to teach the class almost as much as Zhou Mi did, hushing the students when they got too loud and chiming in constantly as Zhou Mi taught. He spoke to Zhou Mi like an equal, like he was teasing a good friend instead of a master. There was also no use of the words 'master' or 'sir', KiBum watching their interaction with interest.
Finally class was over, chairs scrapping as the other students started to leave. KiBum packed up as slowly as he possibly could, watching as KyuHyun unplugged the projector and chatted with Zhou Mi in something that had to be Mandarin.
Zhou Mi seemed to be aware that they were being watched, glancing over to KiBum. Patting the snakes shoulder, he approached KiBum. "I know you... you're from the Kim house aren't you?" he asked, stopping in front of KiBum's desk.
Sitting up straight, KiBum nodded at that, surprised. He'd certainly presented himself as from the Kim house far less than the rest of his family. "Uh...yes sir. How did you know that?"
"Because one who grew up in the fighting business knows the rivals," Zhou Mi said, lips quirked. "That and you look exactly like your brother, who looks like his father. I was sorry to hear about his passing, he was a good man."
About to ask what house the older man was from (he had a hard time keeping up with all the other houses), KiBum quietened and looked down. "Yeah...he was." He glanced up at Zhou Mi after a moment. "You decided not to go into the business?"
"My father and I came to an agreement about it, and although I am not continuing his legacy, I'll make a name for myself in the fighting world," Zhou Mi said. "I hope you enjoyed the class, and will stay with it. This is only my third semester teaching, and so far I lose about half the class the first day, and then another half during the week."
KiBum stood up, seeing the rest of the class was already gone by then. KyuHyun was perched up on the edge of the desk again, watching them with slitted sapphire eyes.
"I'll admit that I had my doubts about this class...but I think I'll be here for the long run." KiBum smirked, holding out a hand. "It wasn't what I thought it was going to be. It's nice to meet you, and KyuHyun."
"It was nice to meet you as well," Zhou Mi nodded, taking KiBum's hand. "I'll look forward to whatever insight you may bring to the class."
Shaking the professor's hand, KiBum let go and slung his bag over his shoulder. "See you next class, professor." He turned and hurried up the steps to the exit.
KyuHyun watched him go, swinging his legs back and forth. "Think he's gonna stick around the whole semester?"
"I have a good feeling he will," Zhou Mi nodded, glancing over at KyuHyun. "He was one of the few actually taking notes."
"Always a good sign when they're paying attention," KyuHyun rolled his eyes, hopping off the desk. The snake was very different from when Zhou Mi had first bought him two years ago, walking around in his half form with an air of confidence. "Back to your office?" He lifted up the heavy projector.
"Yes, and then I have an investor meeting at the colosseum," Zhou Mi said, packing his briefcase back up. "And then we're still on for dinner yes?"
"If you're not collapsing from exhaustion by then," KyuHyun said, wrinkling his nose. "Don't overdo it, okay?"
"I'll be fine, you worry too much," Zhou Mi said, glancing at him with a sly smile. "You're the one who keeps me up too late."
"I don't know what you mean," the snake sniffed, heading to the door with the heavy projector. "You'd fret yourself to death without me to distract you."
"You just enjoy the distraction part," Zhou Mi chuckled, following after him. "Not that I'm complaining!"
"You better not be complaining," KyuHyun said, switching to Mandarin as they entered the hallways. It was habit now to keep from being overheard by the wrong person. He dropped back to follow alongside Zhou Mi on the way back to the human's office.
"Your distractions are the only things keeping me sane," Zhou Mi replied back in Mandarin. "Especially if I'm ending my day working at the games."
KyuHyun wrinkled his nose slightly at that, not replying as they walked. Finally arriving at Zhou Mi's office, he placed the projector down on a filing cabinet before going to close the door. "What about tomorrow? No games stuff tomorrow, right?"
"I don't think so, I'll have to check the schedule," Zhou Mi said, shoulders slumping. "Remind me again this is worth it," he said quietly, still in Mandarin.
Locking the door, KyuHyun turned around and stopped in front of Zhou Mi. He took the briefcase off the human, placing it down on the desk before framing the older man's face with his hands and pulling him into a soft kiss.
"It's worth it," he murmured against Zhou Mi's lips.
"It is," Zhou Mi replied, wrapping his arms around KyuHyun's neck. "It's worth it because I want to be able to do this out on the street, and tell you how I really feel without making sure I'm in the right language."
KyuHyun chuckled quietly. "I just want to have your arms around my neck without the collar in the way." He kissed Zhou Mi again, leaning the other man back against his desk. "You're doing great you know."
"Am I? It's hard to tell," Zhou Mi sighed, pulling away from the kiss to rest his forehead on KyuHyun's shoulder.
"You are," KyuHyun insisted, eyes half-open to look at Zhou Mi mere millimeters away. "You're making people think. Even if some morons don't want to listen to you now, you're making them think."
"A few kids isn't enough," Zhou Mi said, eyes closed. "I need to get it out to the people who make the decisions... the population. I have so much more work to do."
"But you're heading in the right direction, you knew it wasn't going to happen overnight. And you're not in this alone." He bit the tip of Zhou Mi's large nose lightly.
Zhou Mi squeaked at that, pulling back to rub at his nose. "That hurt," he pouted. "Thank you, for always keeping me on the right track. If it wasn't for you, I would have given up by now.... Actually, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have even tried."
"And if it weren't for you, I'd be dead right now, so stop moping," KyuHyun smirked, pulling Zhou Mi back by his shirt to kiss him deeper.
Well, Zhou Mi couldn't argue with such a persuasive argument. Letting his worries go for the moment, he returned the kiss happily. This was worth it.