The General and a Vagabond [Part 3]
Title: The General and a Vagabond [Part 3]
Pairings: HoMin, brotherhood!YunJae
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None. Well, a very brief swords clash.
Genre: Drama
Word count: 17,424
Summary: Yunho is a royal general in a break after winning a war.
[Part 2]
***
Yunho had been restless all day. When a letterman came in late afternoon with two sealed envelopes, a mix of dread and resignation dawned upon him.
Heaving a deep breath, he decided to open the bigger, official-looking letter first. The cold and impersonal message from the palace somehow managed to calm him even though he did not like the content. The High General finally called an end to his half-a-yearlong break and summoned him back to the army.
With a heavy heart, he put down the stamped parchment. He would soon leave this modest home, the grannies in the market, the neighbors offering their cooking, and the calming cricket sounds in the woods. Too bad, all good days were bound to end.
That brought his attention to the second, much smaller envelope. On the front side, scribbled in neat kanji, was the name of his best friend.
Yunho,
I dearly hope your leg is getting better and you found the peace your heart desires.
My brother, under the King’s personal order, there was a spy sent to watch your movements. There is no evidence of your planning against His Majesty but the spy reported to have seen you with a suspicious companion.
I trust your judgment and wish you be given more privacy. Still, His Majesty’s order is not to be questioned. My only hope is for you to be careful. Should anything transpire, please know that I will do everything in my might to ensure your safety.
Your bond brother,
Kim Jaejoong.
As if pounded by a decisive knock of hammer, Yunho found his heart skipped beating for a second before resuming frantically.
Him? Spied?
Somehow the news did not surprise him the way it should. Yunho had felt uneasy since the third or fourth months into his so-called break. He had blamed it on paranoia stemming from years of dipping feet in conflicts. So it turned out his instinct as a military official had not deserted him.
Until a few nights ago he wouldn’t mind being watched except maybe for his dignity at the thought of the King’s distrust. He did not do anything suspicious nor had he said anything degrading about the royal family. But then, the night on rooftop with Changmin happened.
Yunho paled. Did the spy overhear their conversation?
Absently listening to the bustle his aunt and sister made in the kitchen, Yunho decided he did not have much time. The young general strode into his room.
The window was open. Changmin was sitting on the ledge, one leg propped up. His gaze was thrown outside.
“I’m going back to the Capital tomorrow morning.”
The young vagabond turned to look at him. “So soon?”
“The High General acquires my presence.” Yunho moved to gather what little belongings he possessed. “Changmin, I’m a royal general.”
Changmin looked confused. “I know.”
“I may turn you in to the authority.”
Silence wrapped its fingers around the room. Yunho continued packing, not sparing the vagabond a glance.
“I know,” Changmin eventually said, quietly.
“Tomorrow is going to be a long day. I will need a full rest tonight.” Yunho fisted out a small bottle. “This herb will help me sleep well. I will not wake up even if there is an earthquake or…” He swallowed. “… or a person jumping out of the window.”
Changmin watched with wide eyes as Yunho downed the content in one go, lied on the bed and closed his eyes.
Yunho wanted him gone. Yunho gave him a chance to go, to seek safety, because Yunho was no longer the Jung Yunho who was clumsy in the woods. He had put on ‘the general face’.
Hours later, morning sunlight was supposed to hurt Yunho’s eyes but it didn’t.
The young general peeled his eyes open to see a figure sitting on the window ledge, in the exact same position he’d assumed since the night before.
“You’re still here.”
“Awake already?” The young vagabond sounded calm, though Yunho’s acute sight didn’t miss his slightly trembling palms.
“You didn’t leave.”
Changmin was watching well-grown cheonhwabun in the front yard with determined interest. “No, I didn’t.”
“Why?”
Changmin sighed before fixing Yunho a gaze. From his place, Yunho could make out dark shadows under the younger man’s eyes. Changmin did not sleep a wink last night. “You don’t know how many times over the night I considered just jumping outside and vanishing into the night.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I can’t.” This time, Yunho caught a hint of frustration in his tone. “It’s ridiculous but I’m scared. Each time I wanted to step outside, a picture came in my mind. A lonely vagabond ventures across the country with nowhere in mind. He never looks right or left because no friend is walking by his side. He only knows one friend whom he left behind without a proper goodbye. Day by day, that friend gradually fades into a distant memory. I’m scared, Yunho-sshi, one day the vagabond will wake up and ask himself whether that friend really existed.”
Heartache clenched Yunho like a vice. “Maybe it’s better that way, Changmin-sshi. That friend is dangerous.”
“Somehow, even that prospect doesn’t seem as scary.” The younger man’s lips stretched into a wistful smile. “I was only trying to carve that friend’s face into the vagabond’s heart. If the knife is sharp enough, if the scars are deep enough, maybe… maybe I can help the vagabond remember.”
Yunho held the other’s gaze. “You’re coming with me.”
The younger man finally looked away, counting how many yellowing leaves fall following the wind. His shoulders slumped in resignation. “Alright.”
“We have exactly six days before my presence is needed in the army. That’s enough time to bring you to Busan, the port city. From there, catch the ship to Naniwa. In Japan, you can get a new name, new life. Start anew,” Yunho said resolutely.
Surprised brown eyes shifted to meet his. “Yunho-sshi?”
“The King suspects me.” The young general breathed out. Their harsh reality echoed in the room. “Or rather, his spy reported of seeing me with a suspicious man. It’s not safe for Jihye and auntie if you stay here.”
Changmin bit his lip and lowered his gaze. “Of course. Their safety must be your first priority. I’ll pack up right away.”
The younger man hopped down the window and brushed past him but Yunho managed to catch his elbow. “Your safety is also my priority.”
To that Changmin gave a small smile. Yunho’s heart hammered in its ribcage. Cold sweat broke despite the morning chill.
Something big was bound to happen. He only hoped things wouldn’t go too awry.
None too long, the two of them had been ready to depart. They stopped upon the kitchen. “Auntie, Jihye.”
Both ladies turned around from the fireplace. Haewon raised an eyebrow upon seeing their bundles.
“Leaving already? Not even waiting for farewell party?”
Yunho waved the large brown envelope from the royal army. “The High General summons me.”
“Aish, that father of yours….”
“Changmin-sshi, do you need to go too?” Jihye’s eyes glistened. Over the time she had come to like their presence. Going back to living only with her aunt would be awfully lonely.
“Yes, Jihye-sshi. Yunho-sshi no longer stays here and it’s only proper for me to excuse myself. You and your family have been so kind in these past months. I owe you for your hospitality.”
“But you don’t have a home, do you?” Haewon frowned.
“Don’t worry, auntie. Changmin-sshi has a relative in Japan. I will make a detour to see him off at the port city before resuming to the Capital,” Yunho convinced them.
The two ladies had trouble letting them go but knew there was nothing they could do. After the tearful farewell, both men took Yunho’s horse off to the direction of Busan. They didn’t even spare time to look back, even though the house, the dojo, the farms and the woods had given them so many beautiful memories.
“You know, Yunho-sshi. You don’t need to do this.”
The young general rode on. “I want to.”
“I can make it to Busan alone. Just go straight to fortress city. If the spy sees us together…”
“He doesn’t know about you.” Truth be told, Yunho didn’t know to what extent the King had received information about Changmin’s true identity. From Jaejoong’s letter, he hoped that it wasn’t much. Not yet.
The first two days of their journey passed by uneventfully. Yunho was restless, though, and that made him jumpy at everything. Changmin stifled his laughter when the young general managed to send another poor beggar scurrying away with a glare.
“He didn’t do anything, you know,” the young vagabond said lightheartedly. A voice in his head was telling him to be careful but he dismissed it for the time being. Yunho had been wary enough for the two of them. “You don’t need to scare him away like that.”
“Better keep our guard up,” Yunho replied curtly, earning him another chuckle.
“We look more suspicious that way,” Changmin said. Yunho felt a hand peeling off his grip on the hwando. The sword bounced lightly in its fastened place against Yunho’s right hip. “There, better.”
Yunho felt there was no good in arguing. Changmin had more experience in getting unnoticed, after all. Yunho was usually calm, even when adversaries managed to close in on their fortress in a war. However, for some reason, his gut feeling told him that something was amiss.
Entering the fourth day of their journey, they managed to reach Busan, ready to walk a short distance to the dock. Salty breeze carried an air of freshness to their nostrils. Yunho couldn’t help but send a thankful prayer to the Deity. After this, Changmin would be transported to somewhere new. He would be safe. He could settle down, build a family, and live a full life without constant fear plaguing his steps.
Somehow, imagining that picture-perfect future made his heart clench.
He wanted that life too. He wanted to settle down, build a family, and live a full life without constant tension of being in the midst of raging war. He realized with a start that he wanted to be in a same picture with Changmin. Them, together.
The thought put a halt on his steps. Changmin, advancing a few feet, turned around in question.
“Yunho-sshi?”
The young general shook his head. “No, nothing. Let’s go.”
“Yunho-sshi, are you alright?” Changmin’s brows furrowed. Yunho realized again, he liked that look of concern on the younger man’s face, only if it were directed at him.
“Yes. Let me talk to the ship owner. I know one.” Yunho was thankful his voice didn’t shake. The sudden realization of Changmin leaving to another country, possibly not stepping a foot in Korea for the rest of his lifetime washed over him in waves.
He pictured himself between the palace walls, climbing steadily to the highest position possible before competing with Jaejoong to replace his father as the High General. One of them would be the right hand of the other. He would be burying his nose in maps after maps, mulling over strategies and keeping watch on the country’s defense. He would marry a fine lady and have a son or two. His children would grow to look at him with detached admiration.
There would be no one to laugh at him for not being able to use an axe, or not knowing the price of fish in the market. There would be no one to take him fishing while he was in dire need to sort out his thoughts.
“Yunho-sshi.” Changmin spoke up again. Before Yunho knew it, those searching eyes were already centimeters before his own. Changmin had a firm grip on his elbow. “Something’s wrong?”
“No.” Yunho shrugged the hold off before sauntering to the dock. He didn’t trust his own voice at the moment. Behind him, Changmin trailed on, deep in thought.
After exchanging pleasantries and arranging Changmin’s departure with a ship owner, Yunho found that they still had one hour before Changmin had to board. They walked idly around the dock, not knowing where to go.
Soon they reached a deserted part of the bay, a small clearing amidst clusters of bamboos. Hustle and bustle of nearby dock felt surreal. No other person was around, only the two of them struggling against silence.
“Yunho-sshi,” Changmin tried again because he really didn’t want his last moment with Yunho to end like this.
“You’re leaving me.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re leaving me,” Yunho repeated louder. “Aren’t I selfish? You will venture to an unknown country by yourself, yet I’m the one who complains. Say, Changmin-sshi, aren’t I selfish?”
“Yunho-sshi.” Changmin was alarmed. “What are you talking about?”
“The two of us!” Yunho hollered, suddenly unable to contain his feelings. He looked up and Changmin was startled at the agony on his expression. “It’s supposed to be a harmless break. You’re supposed to be a good memory to relive upon once in a while, a distant friend whose story I pass to my grandchildren when I am wrinkled and have nothing to fear. But I can’t. I don’t want you to become a distant memory.”
“Yunho-sshi…” Changmin realized he had called out the older man’s name countless time, each time fainter than the last. “You don’t know how much I feel the same. You’re the first person who’s willing to accept me. I don’t know how to pay you back.”
“I don’t want a payback. I want to follow you and be free.” Yunho knew he was being childish. He was burdening Changmin with the weight of his feelings. None of them could make a difference. Nevertheless, he couldn’t stand the thought of letting the younger man go forever without letting him know. “I want to live with you. I want you.”
Slowly, Yunho’s hand reached out to cup Changmin’s face as he advanced closer. The young vagabond stood as still as a statue. Familiar redness crept up his cheeks but instead of laughing at the comical expression, Yunho wanted to weep. Changmin was struggling with words, not knowing what to say at such abrupt exclaim.
“That’s a dangerous thing to say, General Jung.”
Instead, a new voice resounded. Their necks snapped up at the source of this interruption. Looking down at them, captaining at least a dozen of soldiers was the figure of Kim Jaejoong.
Yunho couldn’t throw off the look of surprise on his face. How could he miss the sound of their footsteps? He had been too emotional and let his guard down. Just when Changmin was so close to safety… He straightened himself and fixed the other general a leveled stare. “General Kim. Did His Majesty send you?”
“No,” Jaejoong replied curtly, eyes fixated on Changmin’s figure instead. “High General Jung gave me instructions to bring this son of traitor with us.” Yunho opened his mouth but was cut right away. “I believe you come here with every intention to turn him in, right, General Jung?”
Yunho immediately discovered Jaejoong’s intention. He had to have brought the small army to Busan on purpose, telling them that Yunho would meet them there after luring the target in. If he let Changmin be arrested, the soldiers would be his witnesses. His name would stay clean and he would even get honorary mention from the King.
‘Should anything transpire, please know that I will do everything in my might to ensure your safety.’
How very efficient and so much like Jaejoong.
Yunho’s eyes immediately wandered to Changmin. The vagabond was pale but otherwise there was only indifference. Without speaking, he knew that Changmin knew who this general was and why he did everything he did. He had spoken about Jaejoong enough times for Changmin to also trust this bond brother of his.
Changmin also knew, despite what Jaejoong said, Yunho had absolutely no intention to turn him in. Not initially, anyway.
Their eyes met and there was a flicker of question in Changmin’s brown orbs. Is this it?
Yunho also felt the weight of Jaejoong’s and the soldiers’ stares upon the back of his head. This was his call. His and Changmin’s destinies lied upon his shoulders.
Not breaking eye contact with the man who’d come to hold his affection, Yunho answered.
“No.”
The single syllable broke all hells loose.
Sounds of whooshing swords relieved from their sheaths rang in the air, but Yunho was ready. His hwando swished out to meet three others with a loud clash. Battling was familiar and easy, much more so than ambiguous feelings and fear of letting go.
Nearby, he could feel another fight taking place, no doubt between his bond brother and Changmin. Slashing another body, Yunho knew he should not worry. He trusted Changmin’s ability in swordsmanship and even though his skill didn’t hold a candle to Jaejoong’s, he also trusted his bond brother not to kill Changmin.
With that reassurance, he charged upon two more soldiers and relieved them of pain before they knew it. He was about to take the last remaining soldier when a pained hiss reached his ears.
Jumping last-second to a safer distance, Yunho’s eyes widened as he took in a long bleeding gash on Changmin’s right shin. The younger man was half-kneeling on the ground, his hwando thrown several feet away. The slash had torn right down to the leather of his shoe, revealing a glaring black trident just above his ankle.
With almost bored expression, Jaejoong swung his sword to place the tip inches before Changmin’s face. “Shim Changmin, are you done?”
Changmin kept silent, only throwing glares at his adversary. Jaejoong looked unperturbed. He signaled for his remaining man to stop maneuvering, sparing the fallen soldiers with barest of glance. Of course, he thought, they wouldn’t have stood a chance against a young general.
Knowing he wouldn’t get an answer from Changmin, Jaejoong shifted his gaze to Yunho. “Well?”
They were all waiting for his decision. So Yunho stepped forward until he was standing beside Changmin’s kneeling form and held out his sword on par with Jaejoong’s. “Never thought I would have to raise a sword against you.”
“Yunho.” For the first time, uncertainty crossed Jaejoong’s visage. “Is this your answer?”
“Yes.” Another syllable, and then their swords clashed.
Changmin watched with wide-eyed fascination as the two generals fought. Jaejoong’s remaining soldier had at first stepped forward to assist his captain, but was held back by the force of the combat. Changmin was not naïve enough to even think of meddling in the clash between two young, yet highly ranked generals. A swift observation revealed that the two were so attuned to each other’s movements. They must have spent endless time training together, Changmin mused, and then it dawned on him.
Yunho was fighting for him. Yunho was battling against his best friend since birth, against his own bond brother, for him, a son to a traitor who was not even worth saving, let alone dying for.
Looking from a new perspective, Changmin concluded that Yunho was on the verge of falling head-first to a fate he wouldn’t want to befall upon him, a fate from which he had been suffering for years.
The fate of a traitor.
Yunho, a prestigious, record-clean general was about to surrender himself into a national enemy.
Changmin would have none of that.
There was no way he could stop them right now. Stepping in would spell plain suicide. But since Yunho could be insufferably stubborn at times and, from his recount, Jaejoong possessed the same trait, there was only one way to end this.
Changmin counted one to three and yelled, “YUNHO-SSHI! ENOUGH!”
The unwelcome distraction pulled Yunho half a motion back. Jaejoong’s sword was ready, swung in unforgiving swish towards its intended enemy. But Changmin, based on sheer faith on the person who held Yunho’s trust, knew he had done the right thing.
Jaejoong would never hurt Yunho.
He waited and when the pain really came, he almost welcomed it.
“CHANGMIN!”
The end of Jaejoong’s sword pierced through Changmin’s upper chest. Warm liquid immediately poured from the wound, painting his upper attire deep red. Without a fight, the young vagabond slumped onto the ground, pants heavy and eyes barely open.
“NO!”
Yunho, obviously not foreseeing this, howled in anger and blindly charged forward. The younger general attacked like never before, his face twisting into wicked determination. Gone all the trace of the warm Jung Yunho, revealing the fierce general who led their country to victories in wars. His hwando danced an invisible pattern, cutting the wind into thousands pieces as his eyes focused on the target.
Not drawing his sword back from the wound he had inflicted, Jaejoong could only avoid Yunho’s wild attacks on nimble steps.
Yunho! Changmin wanted to call out, desperate that his voice refused to work. The pain gradually subsided, leaving lightheadedness and desperate need to sleep. This side of Yunho almost scared him. Is he really that blind? Couldn’t he see?
In a rush of rage, Yunho forgot about everything else. His nature as a swordsman took over, leaving him with desire to attack, attack, attack. Jaejoong met his challenge step per step, not backing away even though he was basically armless. He was calculating something but Yunho just couldn’t think beyond his anger.
Faster than eyes could see, Yunho’s sword trudged frontward and just as Jaejoong stepped backward, the older general’s movement slowed by a millisecond.
The miniscule miss was fatal. Without mercy, the long blade embedded itself in the older general’s left shoulder.
“GENERAL KIM!”
The entranced soldier quickly got in motion to help his fallen captain. Jaejoong glared at him instead.
“Get help!” The young general hollered. “Run to the quarter and call for another batch!”
The soldier looked uncertain, torn between accepting the order, aiding his captain, or securing the traitors before they ran off. Another glare from Jaejoong sent him scamper away to meet the demand. Without aiding, Jaejoong stood up shakily and stared at his best friend.
Unexpectedly, a breathless laugh escaped his mouth. “You make my life difficult, Yunho.”
As if awoken from a trance, Yunho stood immobile and wordless. His hwando was still lodged in Jaejoong’s shoulder. “Jaejoong…”
“Too bad I need to keep your sword until proper gauze arrives. Not keen on dying from blood loss.” The older general threw his own shoulder a distasted look before shifting his attention. “You too. Make sure to have a cloth ready before pulling off the blade. Otherwise the blood will be unstoppable.”
Remembering with a jolt that Changmin was hurt, Yunho moved to assist him, but the young vagabond jerked his chin in Jaejoong’s direction instead. Help him first, he mouthed.
To which Jaejoong raised an eyebrow. “How kind of you.”
While Yunho was working on bandaging Jaejoong’s shoulder with a piece of torn clothing, Jaejoong kept his eyes on Changmin’s. “You are his son.”
The young vagabond resisted the urge to look away from the general’s penetrating gaze. Instead, he met the challenge head on, even through hazy gaze. “I am.”
“It would be much easier if you just turn him in, Yunho.”
“Jaejoong, you don’t know the truth-”
“I know,” the older general cut. Two pairs of widened eyes stared at him. “Your father.”
No other words could be exchanged in fear of unseen ears. Nevertheless, the few words spoke volumes.
Yunho was beyond relieved. If anything, at least his bond brother understood.
“As a general, from the inside, it’s easier for you to make move,” Jaejoong continued in a matter-of-fact tone.
“I agree,” Yunho stripped the end of his makeshift bandage with his teeth. Tucking the end in, he whispered. “But it’s against my conscience to stab anyone from behind. Not even the King.”
“So you’re declaring an open war against His Majesty.”
“It’s not like I have the force or position to do it.” Yunho frowned. The idea was too naïve, even for someone with his level of justice.
“The Northern soldiers are loyal to you,” Jaejoong pointed out. “They’ve been agitated about the royal family for some time, too. One word from you and they will get into action.”
“They’re well-trained and loyal but still suffering from Bukhwajae war. Sending them now means unnecessary waste of lives.”
“I agree. We can’t do anything. Not now.” Jaejoong said. Pressing a hand against haphazardly bandaged wound, he shakily stepped back.
“Commander Kim Junsu would take your place as the general of Northern soldiers. However, having your name tainted doesn’t really help, Yunho.”
The younger general swept their current location. The three of them were the only living beings there. Tens of dead bodies littered around them. Yunho felt a sense of regret for ending their lives. The soldiers knew nothing and had come there on good will, at least in their perspective. They were sent to arrest a traitor.
Still, it was a matter of strategy. His options were either declaring open rejection towards the High General’s order, which he’d done, or following Jaejoong’s initial plan and sacrificing Changmin in order to secure his position, to attack the King later from the inside. Truthfully the latter bore higher chance of success but the mere thought of sacrificing Changmin had him grit his teeth.
He was showing a sign of weakness, he knew, but it was an option he wouldn’t take even in expense of his own life.
“You cannot stay in this country anymore as long as His Majesty is ruling. Back-up soldiers will soon arrive.”
“If you came alone instead of bringing soldiers, it would be easier, Jaejoong.”
Jaejoong snorted. “And risk the King suspecting me for siding with your companion there? Sorry, I prefer an option with better chance of winning. The High General won’t appreciate my doing anything suspicious, too.”
“Then do something. You have way with words.”
“Unthankful bitch.” Jaejoong laughed out loud amidst his panting. “If I hurry, I can still catch up with our only living witness and finish him before he reaches the quarter. I need to weave a tale about your leg injury’s crippling you and you’re too ashamed to face the High General. In your break you met a homeless monk and gave him a place to stay, in turn the monk suggested you meditate under some unknown waterfall in Tibet. How does that sound?”
Yunho raised an eyebrow. “You’re impossible.”
“Call me smart. You’re lucky the High General managed to kill the spy. Now if you excuse me, there is one last life to take away.”
Sheathing Yunho’s sword in his own empty scabbard, the older general turned around and ambled away, soon vanishing with admirable speed despite his injury. Yunho watched his bond brother’s departure in silence. A horde of thoughts were clashing in his head.
“Do you regret it?”
Small, breathy voice from behind woke him up from his reverie. Changmin was breathing harshly, blood seeping from the wound on his chest. His face was ashen pale but his eyes were intriguingly clear.
“CHANGMIN! Are you okay?” The young general hastily made to support the younger man into sitting position. Carefully he removed Jaejoong’s sword, trying to cause as little bleeding as possible.
Warily, the vagabond nodded. “The sword missed any vital organ.”
Yunho concentrated on giving the wound a first aid. The blood loss was unsightly but given some time to heal, Changmin’s life was not in grave danger. Torn clothing, a firm press, and several minutes later, the bleeding more or less stopped.
“Yunho-sshi?”
The return of honorific made Yunho flinch. He knew Changmin was waiting for his answer.
“No.”
Changmin stared up at him. “Why?”
“I choose you. Is that so hard to understand?” Yunho hoisted the fallen vagabond up in a half-embrace, making towards the waiting ship. Passengers and workers were milling around, unaware of the conflict recently taking place nearby. “Come, we have less than ten minutes to board.”
“But why?” Changmin was persistent. He couldn’t believe an honorable general like Yunho would sacrifice his family, wealth and position for him.
The ship owner accepted a fistful of extra coins and readily helped them up. He saw Changmin’s wound but decided against prying. Yunho quietly thanked him for his considerateness. “Maybe the same reason why you watched me sleep that night instead of escaping,” he said when they had settled down, away from other passengers.
The ship had sailed off when another small army came to the dock. Changmin looked at the specks of humans from behind a dusty window. “We owe Jaejoong-sshi a lot.”
“We do.” Yunho spared the window a glance before turning to look at his companion. Changmin was still deep in thought. Yunho enveloped a hand with his. “It may be disgustingly coward of me to run away like this, but we can’t act recklessly. Unjust as he is, the country needs a king. Otherwise there will be bloodshed for the throne.”
It was the truth. They both knew it.
“Let’s wait. The Crown Prince is a decent heir. Given the time to grow up and be wiser, he will become a great king. When he’s ready, we will have to come back to take action.”
Before the moment came, they might have to wait for years, even decades. Such bold plan required more than mindless courage and blind sense of justice. One wrong step meant unnecessary suicide. They had to plan carefully, involving only selected few in whom they could place faith.
“I only hope they do not give auntie and Jihye-sshi a hard time.”
“My father will protect them. Jaejoong will help us.” With a smile, Yunho took Changmin’s hand. “We have a big homework for years from now. While waiting for it, would you let this friend walk with the vagabond?”
Changmin’s smile was wide although he looked close to tears. “Call me hyung first.”
Yunho burst in laughter. “Oh no, not this again.”
“Then I demand you learn how to crop rice. And chop woods. And catch fish.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Yunho punctuated each affirmation with a hand squeeze. “I will become the most amazing farmer and woodsman and fisherman you cannot find a single thing to laugh at me for.”
The strangled half sob, half chuckle that echoed amidst the faint sound of ocean waves was the most beautiful thing Yunho ever heard. It reminded him of freedom so near, so long ahead.
Emotional fatigue and earlier blood loss finally pulled Changmin to sleep. The now former general carefully settled the sleeping vagabond on his lap, aware not to aggravate the injury. Rocked gently by the waves, Yunho let sweet oblivion claim him too.
When their eyes opened again, a new life was waiting.
FIN
Saturday, 24th of August, 2013, 9.58 AM
A/N: Leehom's Forever Love is really the root of this entire fic. My attempt on writing something simple, lighthearted and sort of mainstream xD
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