Osan (5/?)
Title: Osan
Genre: Alternate Reality
Length: 5/?
Disclaimer: I don't own DBSK. And the plot is not purely mine. I was inspired by King of Attolia, written by Megan Whalen Turner. I actually extracted some parts from King of Attolia, so I really don’t own this one.
Summary: Changmin once again comes to Jaejoong’s aid.
A/N: Osan, Busan and Naju are three different kingdoms. (I got these names from the names of some cities in South Korea.) The king or prince of a kingdom is usually called after their kingdom’s name. However, there is a second prince in Osan. The second prince is named Osanis because the first prince is still alive.
unbeta-ed
For lemonademelon
At a young age, Changmin and Jaejoong were trained by their grandfather. Everything their grandfather knew was passed on to both of them. Even so, Jaejoong is better than Changmin when it comes to swordsmanship. Changmin prefers books; it’s where he can beat Jaejoong, especially in history. Well, except on the story of the god of thieves. Jaejoong knew it by heart. He worshipped the god as if he was a thief himself. Well, he excels at that as well; once something is missing, Jaejoong will be the one who most probably stole it. You can’t retrieve it anymore if it’s offered to the altar of the god of thieves because that will be sacrilege.
When the news that the king of Osan is sick, Jaejoong wanted to go back home but his grandfather won’t let him. It was during this period that Jaejoong was kidnapped. Jaejoong defended himself when he was about to get killed by his kidnappers in the forest, resulting to Jaejoong killing all of them. Rescue arrived but was astonished to find Jaejoong alone, surrounded by the bodies of his kidnappers.
“I killed them.” Jaejoong whisphered again and again as he stared at his blood-covered hands, his whole body trembling.
Changmin immediately went to his side, enveloping him in his warmth.
“You’re left with no other choice Jaejoong.” Changmin whispered as he tried to comfort Jaejoong, wrapping him with the blanket they brought with them.
“What if they have their own families? What if they were just ordered to do this? What if they have children? What will happen to them? What will happen to me? I’m a murderer Changmin.” Jaejoong asked as he was assisted to the carriage, looking at Changmin, expecting him to answer his questions.
“You just defended yourself to survive. It’s not your fault.” Changmin answered as the carriage headed back to Naju.
After that incident, Jaejoong swore in front of all the people of Naju that he won’t be holding a sword anymore.
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The next morning, Yunho sat at the corner of the courtyard, surrounded by his servants as the training of the soldiers and palace guards took place in front of him. Jaejoong was nowhere to be found, to Junsu’s irritation.
Trudging from within the palace walls, Jaejoong emerged, followed closely by his servants. Yunho closely watched his brother, noticing how the bags under his eyes got bigger and darker.
“You’re late!” Junsu reprimanded as Jaejoong approached the center of the courtyard.
“Yoochun didn’t fetch me this morning, so you’ll have to excuse me. I didn’t know what time your training usually starts.” Jaejoong answered nonchalantly as he carelessly tucked his wooden sword under his armpit. He glanced around and was able to confirm that everyone in the courtyard stopped their training to listen to what’s happening. “Well, funny how you get angry at me for showing up late when your soldiers are not training themselves.”
Junsu glared around and the training resumed. He cleared his throat to get Jaejoong’s attention, “Yoochun would be teaching you the basics.”
At that, Jaejoong rolled his eyes and approached Yoochun, wooden sword still tucked under his arm.
“You know, if that’s a real sword, you could hurt yourself.” Yoochun commented as Jaejoong put on the thick vest used during training.
“I’m lucky it’s not right?” Jaejoong answered, a grin spreading across his face.
Yoochun wanted to hit him if only he’s not a prince. A sword is not a toy and it’s a soldier’s responsibility to take care of his own sword. The wooden sword that they are using for the training is as heavy as a real sword; the only difference is that it’s not sharp.
Positioning himself in front of Yoochun, Jaejoong patiently waited for Yoochun’s instructions.
“Hold your sword properly.” Yoochun muttered as he stood up, brushing the grass off his pants.
Jaejoong grabbed the hilt of his practice sword with one hand and held it in front of him. “Then?”
“That’s not a proper way to hold a sword, my prince. It’s like this.” Yoochun instructed as he showed Jaejoong how it’s supposed to be.
“Okay.” Jaejoong said but he didn’t do anything to change his hold on the sword.
“Sir, we won’t be doing anything else if you won’t hold your sword properly.” Yoochun said through gritted teeth as he tried to keep his temper under control.
“That would be fine with me. Let’s just spar so that we can get this over.”
“How can we spar if you don’t know how to hold a sword properly? Even if you’re a prince, I won’t hold back.”
“I’m glad to hear that, because I won’t be holding back as well.” Jaejoong taunted Yoochun more as he felt all eyes are on them.
Yoochun almost growled as he readied himself to attack but was stunned when Jaejoong was not there in front of him anymore.
“Too much in your mind Yoochun, watch your enemy closely so that he won’t get ahead of you. Blank your mind so that the enemy can’t read what you’re planning to do.” Jaejoong whispered close to Yoochun’s ear before he struck Yoochun from the back.
“Ow!” Yoochun tried to reach the part of his back that was hit by Jaejoong’s practice sword. Retreating, Yoochun looked at Jaejoong’s face to see a curious smile.
“Well Yoochun, do you need ice on that? I didn’t hit that hard. I just wanted your attention cause it seems that you were thinking of something else.” Jaejoong motioned for a servant but Yoochun quickly shook his head.
“Are you sure? We can stop now if you want.” Jaejoong said, putting down his practice sword, ready to take off his vest.
“No. I’m supposed to train you, my prince. That move doesn’t prove anything. You need to learn the basics.”
Jaejoong sighed at that. “Well, if you beat me, I’ll let you teach me.”
But before they can position themselves for another round, an announcer arrived.
“Naju has arrived.”
True enough, Changmin was walking towards the courtyard, alone.
“Osan!” Changmin called out to Jaejoong as he saw the on-going training.
“Changmin-ah~!” Jaejoong greeted as he dropped the practice sword and ran towards Changmin. “I’m glad you’re safe! I’m glad you’re here. Let’s have breakfast together!” Jaejoong excitedly said as he clumsily tried to remove his vest.
“You can’t do that Jaejoong.” Yunho interrupted their happy reunion. “You promised Junsu you’d train.”
“But Changmin is here!” Jaejoong pouted as Yunho approached to put the vest back on him.
“Yes, I can clearly see that.” Yunho said, irritated. “And what brings you here Changmin?”
“I’ve heard Jaejoong’s forced to train. So I came to stop this.” Changmin stated, eyes turning to slits.
“I didn’t force him. It was a bargain between Junsu and Jaejoong.” Yunho supplied as he tried pushing Jaejoong towards Yoochun for him to resume his training but Jaejoong was rooted on his spot.
“I know, and it’s improper for Junsu because he should be doing his job even if Jaejoong is going to train or not.” Changmin uttered as he pulled Jaejoong towards him, holding him around the waist.
Yunho narrowed his eyes at the action, not at the words that Changmin said. “You’re right. But still, Jaejoong agreed with the bargain and so, he must fulfil his end of the bargain.”
“You can’t make him hold a sword properly even if you force him all throughout the year.” Changmin declared. Jaejoong is so tense in his hold that all he wanted is to take him inside the palace.
“Tell me why. Why won’t he hold a sword? Then I’ll let it go.” Yunho glanced at a very tense Jaejoong, before turning his full attention back to Changmin.
“He…”
“Don’t!” Jaejoong interrupted Changmin, his hands covering his ears. “Don’t remind me! Anything but that Minnie.”
“But Jae, he won’t understand if we won’t tell him.” Changmin reasoned as he grabbed Jaejoong’s hands and pulled it away from his ears.
“There’s nothing to tell!” Jaejoong insisted, eyes pleading. Shaking his head, Jaejoong added in a whisper, “Please don’t tell Min.”
“Well, if you insist.” Changmin sighed in defeat. Facing Yunho, he said, “Let’s make a deal then. If Jaejoong defeats all those who wants to fight him in this courtyard, then, his training will stop. If not, then he’ll train.”
Yunho motioned for Junsu to approach. “What is your answer to that?”
“Fine with me.” Junsu answered.
People formed a circle in the middle of the courtyard for the deal. Changmin once again faced Jaejoong, “I know you can do this Jae. If I still can’t beat you, I’m sure no one here can. Remember, you won’t be holding a real sword and it’s only for today. Okay?”
“Fine. It’s your fault if these would take all day. I think everyone here would like to defeat me.” Jaejoong chuckled. “I say we’ll be eating lunch together instead of breakfast.”
With that said, Jaejoong fixed his vest and picked up his practice sword before proceeding in the circle.
“Who's first?” Jaejoong smirked, putting up his guard.
-tbc-
comments are <3
Chapter 6