home away from home (1)
pairing: luhan/xiumin (w suho)
rating: pg
word count: 1085 w.
summary: What if each country still had a royal family in the modern day era? Though they act as figureheads in a world of democracy, royals still exist in a world of palace politics and drama. Minseok is the cousin and best friend to the Crown Prince. He gets sent out to help relations with China to a lonely place without his best friend by his side.
notes: inspired by goong. prompt - minseok is a son of a royal family in korea and luhan is the prince of china or something. One day minseok is sent to china as an ambassador and they meet. and the meetings the 2 country happen and somehow along the way, they fall in love.
It's already been ten years since Minseok has laughed aloud. It doesn't matter all that much except to a select few because he's Prince Minseok of the Royal Kim's. It's not really his duty to enjoy life. It's his duty to wave and be polite and learn how the legal system works with no real power over it. The throne isn't his. It's already decided for his cousin Joonmyeon, whose father is the King. And though it should be Joonmyeon who should feel the most frustrated, Minseok finds himself feeling trapped and suffocated in a showy world of palace rules and pretension.
His younger sister is being married off to an obscure but wealthy Japanese royal in two weeks. It's ironic because, in the olden days, boys were the most prized children. Now, when modern day has turned the monarchy into an expensive game of house for the people of Korea to watch on their HD screens, it's girls who are valued for their political significance. The government plays matchmaker while foreign policies are hinted at in the throne room. Everyone wants a royal in their family, do they not? But no one actually wants to marry into a royal family. This is where boys lose their significance in the Kim household.
"Congratulations Prince Minseok."
There is a farmer here to appeal for a new legislature on irrigation laws. Minseok nods politely and signs off on his paper.
"We thank you" Minseok replies.
He doesn't know why he should. After all, it's his sister that's getting married. It's the President and his cabinet that is getting the perks of the favorable Japanese connection. They'd been on slightly awkward terms with them ever since Russia had come to visit Korea, their Princess Xenia staying at the palace near the Northern Door for a month with the excuse of studying the culture of beautiful Korea. Now, with this arrangement, with the marriage of Kim Seojin to Kawamura Kenjiro, the awkwardness would be dissipated and they would continue talks of novel trade across the Sea of Japan.
The farmer finishes with a bow and exits by shuffling towards the door backwards. It's an odd custom about never showing your back to a royal that has the farmer nearly stumbling over the threshold. Minseok bows from his chair to show an apologetic gesture to the older man. Minseok sighs as this makes the farmer bow even lower and prostrate himself. When the man finally leaves, Minseok fingers the legal document in front of him. His duty is to accept these with ceremony, giving the citizens a feeling of official acceptance even though Minseok is not the one to actually decide these matters. It's all a farce that is sponsored by the government. Minseok nods when his assistant tells him that the court proceedings have ended for today.
Minseok retires to his chambers where he finds Joonmyeon, playing with his antique, handmade teddy bear, Ralph.
"You're back!" Joonmyeon cries, throwing his arms around Minseok's waist in greeting.
Minseok stands stiffly, waiting for Joonmyeon to unravel himself.
"Yes. And I'm tired. So if the Crown Prince will let me rest..."
"Aw, come on. Don't be so mean."
Joonmyeon pokes Minseok's cheek with Ralph's paw.
"Ralph was bored all day too" Joonmyeon says playfully.
Minseok rolls his eyes but gives in. He doesn't find it proper to say no to the Crown Prince, even if he is a childhood friend and cousin. Despite appearances, Joonmyeon isn't an unthinking fool. When Minseok complies, Joonmyeon just wants to lay on Minseok's bed and chat, not wanting to tire Minseok further.
Minseok isn't really talkative, but he finds that his weary state relaxes his tongue. Before he knows it, he's telling Joonmyeon about the fabrication that is their family. Joonmyeon should be the last person to vent to, but Minseok knows that Joonmyeon is a fair and just discussion partner. Joonmyeon nods his head as Minseok finishes with a slight pout.
"We're all just a box of play things for the government. The people of Korea don't even know."
Joonmyeon tilts his head, pondering, and speaks softly.
"You know, if you think about it. The government is a farce too."
"Huh?"
"The government is put up by the people. It's run on taxpayer's money or money from private citizens, so without those citizens they wouldn't be there. In turn, we wouldn't exist either. So actually, it's by the citizens that we are at this ancient post."
Joonmyeon smiles and continues.
"If what you're saying is right, the people of Korea are literally paying to be lied to. Isn't that funny?"
Minseok gapes and Joonmyeon bursts out laughing at Minseok's comical expression.
"Minseok-ah, we are here for a reason. Though we're figureheads and only leaders of the nation in name, we are a source of comfort, I think. Though we can't pass laws, we provide the reassurance that people are being listened to. Though we can't directly help communities as a government, we can help support a cause. We are the collective face of the government for the people but at the same time, we are the representatives of the people in the eyes of the government."
Minseok looks down at Ralph, who now sits in his lap.
"Plus" Joonmyeon adds, "we're really good looking so the people love us."
Minseok gives Joonmyeon a deadpan look, but ends up smiling anyway.
"There it is" Joonmyeon says when Minseok finally grins. "I've been wanting to see that smile all day."
Minseok questions him because Joonmyeon doesn't get Minseok into a mood for nothing.
"There's been a request" Joonmyeon tells him and for once, he sounds genuinely apologetic. "Our relations with China are faltering. We need to send someone to the Palace. A representative."
"But-"
Minseok doesn't understand. If it's a representative they need to send, they will send one. There were plenty of people waiting for an opportunity like this.
"They found out that the Prince there has been interested in Korean culture for a while."
Joonmyeon winces as if the next sentences are physically painful to say.
"The King has chosen you to be the Prince of China's companion until our connections with China can be restored."
:: 2
++++
i'm not too happy with this,
but i felt like i've been sitting
on it for too long. :/
rating: pg
word count: 1085 w.
summary: What if each country still had a royal family in the modern day era? Though they act as figureheads in a world of democracy, royals still exist in a world of palace politics and drama. Minseok is the cousin and best friend to the Crown Prince. He gets sent out to help relations with China to a lonely place without his best friend by his side.
notes: inspired by goong. prompt - minseok is a son of a royal family in korea and luhan is the prince of china or something. One day minseok is sent to china as an ambassador and they meet. and the meetings the 2 country happen and somehow along the way, they fall in love.
It's already been ten years since Minseok has laughed aloud. It doesn't matter all that much except to a select few because he's Prince Minseok of the Royal Kim's. It's not really his duty to enjoy life. It's his duty to wave and be polite and learn how the legal system works with no real power over it. The throne isn't his. It's already decided for his cousin Joonmyeon, whose father is the King. And though it should be Joonmyeon who should feel the most frustrated, Minseok finds himself feeling trapped and suffocated in a showy world of palace rules and pretension.
His younger sister is being married off to an obscure but wealthy Japanese royal in two weeks. It's ironic because, in the olden days, boys were the most prized children. Now, when modern day has turned the monarchy into an expensive game of house for the people of Korea to watch on their HD screens, it's girls who are valued for their political significance. The government plays matchmaker while foreign policies are hinted at in the throne room. Everyone wants a royal in their family, do they not? But no one actually wants to marry into a royal family. This is where boys lose their significance in the Kim household.
"Congratulations Prince Minseok."
There is a farmer here to appeal for a new legislature on irrigation laws. Minseok nods politely and signs off on his paper.
"We thank you" Minseok replies.
He doesn't know why he should. After all, it's his sister that's getting married. It's the President and his cabinet that is getting the perks of the favorable Japanese connection. They'd been on slightly awkward terms with them ever since Russia had come to visit Korea, their Princess Xenia staying at the palace near the Northern Door for a month with the excuse of studying the culture of beautiful Korea. Now, with this arrangement, with the marriage of Kim Seojin to Kawamura Kenjiro, the awkwardness would be dissipated and they would continue talks of novel trade across the Sea of Japan.
The farmer finishes with a bow and exits by shuffling towards the door backwards. It's an odd custom about never showing your back to a royal that has the farmer nearly stumbling over the threshold. Minseok bows from his chair to show an apologetic gesture to the older man. Minseok sighs as this makes the farmer bow even lower and prostrate himself. When the man finally leaves, Minseok fingers the legal document in front of him. His duty is to accept these with ceremony, giving the citizens a feeling of official acceptance even though Minseok is not the one to actually decide these matters. It's all a farce that is sponsored by the government. Minseok nods when his assistant tells him that the court proceedings have ended for today.
Minseok retires to his chambers where he finds Joonmyeon, playing with his antique, handmade teddy bear, Ralph.
"You're back!" Joonmyeon cries, throwing his arms around Minseok's waist in greeting.
Minseok stands stiffly, waiting for Joonmyeon to unravel himself.
"Yes. And I'm tired. So if the Crown Prince will let me rest..."
"Aw, come on. Don't be so mean."
Joonmyeon pokes Minseok's cheek with Ralph's paw.
"Ralph was bored all day too" Joonmyeon says playfully.
Minseok rolls his eyes but gives in. He doesn't find it proper to say no to the Crown Prince, even if he is a childhood friend and cousin. Despite appearances, Joonmyeon isn't an unthinking fool. When Minseok complies, Joonmyeon just wants to lay on Minseok's bed and chat, not wanting to tire Minseok further.
Minseok isn't really talkative, but he finds that his weary state relaxes his tongue. Before he knows it, he's telling Joonmyeon about the fabrication that is their family. Joonmyeon should be the last person to vent to, but Minseok knows that Joonmyeon is a fair and just discussion partner. Joonmyeon nods his head as Minseok finishes with a slight pout.
"We're all just a box of play things for the government. The people of Korea don't even know."
Joonmyeon tilts his head, pondering, and speaks softly.
"You know, if you think about it. The government is a farce too."
"Huh?"
"The government is put up by the people. It's run on taxpayer's money or money from private citizens, so without those citizens they wouldn't be there. In turn, we wouldn't exist either. So actually, it's by the citizens that we are at this ancient post."
Joonmyeon smiles and continues.
"If what you're saying is right, the people of Korea are literally paying to be lied to. Isn't that funny?"
Minseok gapes and Joonmyeon bursts out laughing at Minseok's comical expression.
"Minseok-ah, we are here for a reason. Though we're figureheads and only leaders of the nation in name, we are a source of comfort, I think. Though we can't pass laws, we provide the reassurance that people are being listened to. Though we can't directly help communities as a government, we can help support a cause. We are the collective face of the government for the people but at the same time, we are the representatives of the people in the eyes of the government."
Minseok looks down at Ralph, who now sits in his lap.
"Plus" Joonmyeon adds, "we're really good looking so the people love us."
Minseok gives Joonmyeon a deadpan look, but ends up smiling anyway.
"There it is" Joonmyeon says when Minseok finally grins. "I've been wanting to see that smile all day."
Minseok questions him because Joonmyeon doesn't get Minseok into a mood for nothing.
"There's been a request" Joonmyeon tells him and for once, he sounds genuinely apologetic. "Our relations with China are faltering. We need to send someone to the Palace. A representative."
"But-"
Minseok doesn't understand. If it's a representative they need to send, they will send one. There were plenty of people waiting for an opportunity like this.
"They found out that the Prince there has been interested in Korean culture for a while."
Joonmyeon winces as if the next sentences are physically painful to say.
"The King has chosen you to be the Prince of China's companion until our connections with China can be restored."
:: 2
++++
i'm not too happy with this,
but i felt like i've been sitting
on it for too long. :/