Like War - Chapter One
"Like War" by heartshaker
Kyuhyun/Yehsung - Romance/Drama - PG-13
"Love is like war; easy to begin, but difficult to end."
With Cameos By
Narsha (Brown Eyed Girls)
Author's Note
Sorry! I had meant to post this up earlier this week, but having not written it down anywhere, I forgot all about it ;;
I realise this part feels a bit rushed, but the story is supposed to be as though Kyuhyun is recalling it, hence why it may seen like some details are missing (a normal person wouldn't remember every detail by heart, let alone half the descriptions I'm using ;; )
I did some revisions to try and make it not so rushed, but in the end, I still feel that attempt has been in vain ;;
At any rate, enjoy this chapter (as much as you can ;; )
Previous Chapters
Prologue
I.
"Love makes you do stupid things."
For Kyuhyun, their romance started from the moment he saw Yehsung.
It took several months of waiting, on Kyuhyun’s part (something he hated doing with a passion), until he could catch the other alone long enough to actually even breathe in his presence.
The other seemed anxious about the whole thing, having been the subject of Kyuhyun’s not-so subtle courting. In his hands, he nervously held a brooch that had been given to him just hours prior, with Kyuhyun giving him the excuse that he’d seen it while visiting the neighboring kingdom, and thought he might like it. The look in his eyes, however, said otherwise to Yehsung.
Yehsung wasn’t stupid; he was well aware of what the Crown Prince was doing. And while he was never one to shy away from the attention’s of others, this sort of attention was causing his wits to slip through his fingers. He knew it was wrong, very wrong, that he was even accepting these little gifts, but what could he say? This man was the Crown Prince; you did not refuse a gift from the Crown Prince. Even if you were somewhat uncomfortable with it.
Kyuhyun, on the other hand, knew that quite well. Which was the exact reason he did it. But still, he did worry; Yehsung made no part to return… whatever it was he was feeling. He needed to know.
All it took to loosen Yehsung’s resolve (and his lips) was a little bit of alcohol (He was not a heavy drinker, Kyuhyun found).
☁ ☁ ☁
( “What is wrong with you?! You’re engaged to Narsha! My sister!”
“Might I remind you that it is an arranged marriage, Yehsung?”
“Still! The point is that you’re marrying my sister, not me! You can’t go around kissing the brother of your fiancé, the brother of your future wife! Your future brother-in-law!”
“I wish I were marrying you instead!”
“…” )
☁ ☁ ☁
He had kissed him. And although he had resisted, Yehsung had returned it in the end.
They had fallen asleep together in his chambers after that. Nothing obscene or salacious. They had simply lain in the bed, his arm curled possessively around Yehsung’s waist.
But the following morning after that, Yehsung was already gone, forgetting nothing behind but the sash of magnolia white with which he had tied the outside of his robes together. It lay tangled with his royal blue satin sheets, a stark contrast of cloud white against midnight sky.
He took it and held it to his face; the scent fragrant of ginger made him akin to his twin sister, but what held him apart was the absence of the other heavy flowery perfumes his sister was so fond of.
Following that day was a month of heartache he never thought he was capable of feeling, misery like he’d never known before, and sitting through plans for the wedding ceremony and the banquet to follow afterward. Yehsung, he found out soon enough, had made hasty plans to go back to his home kingdom, despite pleadings from his elder twin to stay with her.
While he was hurt by the fact that he was informed of this 3 days after Yehsung had left, he realized that he hadn’t been anything to the other; why would he need to tell him if he left or not?
The thought left an acrid taste in his mouth.
Following that month, was another, then another, and another. For a woman who was his fiancée, Narsha wasn’t of the clinging sort, surprisingly. Sure, she would put her arm onto his now and again, but otherwise, she respected his want for distance. It helped, but Kyuhyun hardly noticed. He was still counting the days that Yehsung had been gone, and lamenting.
“Oh god, Kyuhyun, get over it already! What did you expect him to do, leap into your arms, declaring limitless amounts of eternal love and joy?” Heechul had told him, looking positively irate.
“I can’t… Every time I see Narsha, I’m reminded of him.. When I’m in bed, I keep wondering if he’s having as much trouble going to sleep as I am.” He said shamelessly, voice muffled into the pillow his face was smothered in.
“What kind of Crown Prince are you being? Really, if one of the people, or even one of the servants saw you like this…” Heechul muttered. Kyuhyun huffed, his eyes poring over the bolt of white silk in his hands for what must have been the hundredth time in the last five minutes.
“Why don’t you try doing my job for me then?”
“I would, if I could. The way you’re being right now, if your father dropped dead right now, the kingdom would fall to pieces!”
Kyuhyun didn’t reply, and after a long silence and still no reaction from the younger man, Heechul’s patience ran low, and he simply stormed out of his chambers. The room was silent for some time, until Kyuhyun sighed rather loudly.
“You don’t think I know that..?”