[fic] fated (1/?)
Title: Fated (Time Travel, AU)
Author: pwnew
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Changmin/Yunho (Homin) some side pairings as well (no spoilers~)
a/n: no beta. open lj cut "read more" in new tab for white background
Summary: Yunho turns up in the early 19th Century. There, he meets the dashing young rake, Lord Shim Changmin. According to this handsome stranger they’ve known each other half their lives, and the costumed man seems determined to rekindle their old friendship...
Chapter 1
“They’ve done it again.”
“Who?”
Changmin jolts in pain when steaming liquid sloshes over the rim of the dainty porcelain cup. He halts himself on the way to the parlor to set the delicate china onto a side table. Blowing lightly at his rosy fingertips.
Kyuhyun gives him a bemused look, and takes another sip of brandy from his own tankard.
“The French. Have you yet to read the article? They’re still attempting a resistance in this day and age,” Kyuhyun smirks. He slips a cigar, and flashy lighting stick from his breast pocket. He carefully held the flame beneath the butt of the roll, waiting for the embers to heat the incased tobacco. “You do know what a newspaper is, don’t you? I heard it’s quite useful for those of us who wish to know...well...the news.”
Changmin laughs dryly, with a slight wince, and carefully takes a seat next to his friend, hiding his smirk behind his teacup. “If I valued your opinions, I’d ask for them.”
“You’re lucky I know your insults to be juvenile displays of affection, or I’m quite sure you’d be utterly friendless.”
Kyuhyun raises his eyebrows as his friend heaves an exaggerated sigh of annoyance. He waited for the other to let out all his pent up steam before he continued on.
“Oh, and did you hear? No, I suppose you haven’t; if you don’t even read the paper I doubt you’ve had time for gossiping Lords. Apparently, they found a man in the Contessa’s stables this morning. Gave the stable boy a right scare, apparently thought the man to be a violate drunk. His frightened squeals disturbed the horses, one of which gave the stranger a right knock in the head. ‘Nearly knocked his head clear off’, says dear Lady Perriot.”
Changmin gives a noncommittal hum as he took in the information, eyes half-lidded as he staves off another yawn. On the edge of his seat for his daily report, as usual. Kyuhyun huffed. He continued to watch his friend with calculating look from the other end of the parlors detailed coach. Let’s see how he reacts to this next bit, shall we?
“They say he was quite identical to the late, Lord Jung’s, eldest son.”
Changmin’s ears perk up, but he doesn’t want Kyuhyun to notice his interest. Instead, he turns his head, standing, and casually makes his way to his father’s desk, pretending to find interest in the navel maps laying there.
“You said some of the horses were startled at them...did he get hurt?”
Kyuhyun crosses his legs victoriously, satisfaction radiating off him in thick waves as he surveys the taller man from his relaxed position.
“Oh, no need to show such concern for the lesser class. I assure you the boy was quite fine; it is his job you know, to take after those gigantic hoofed beasts--”
“Not the stable boy.”
Changmin lowers himself into the towering desk chair, trailing a fingernail along Europe's western border. He shoots Kyuhyun an impatient look.
Kyuhyun smirks back. “You mean, was he Yunho? He takes another drag of the cigar, watching the smoky rings fade into the air before him. “That chubby cheeked, wide-eyed midget. With those crooked teeth, and fuzzy eyebrows, you knew when you were still strutting around in your nappy?”
Changmin’s lips twist at the hinted jealousy in the other’s tone. Kyuhyun hadn’t been raised with the proprieties of ‘sharing’, and had always been somewhat possessive of their shared company. He’d never shown favor towards the eldest Jung, having played second string to their friendship all those years ago as children.
Kyuhyun strode across the room to set his cigar in the ashtray beside the large wooden globe placed at the edge of Lord Shim’s mahogany work-desk. The shorter of the two flicked the sphere, and watched the countries fly past in leisure; savoring Changmin’s unaccustomed attentiveness to his usual gossip.
Changmin watched the world spin before him, suddenly struck with the dim memory of two children; one straight-backed and proper, dressed smartly in freshly laundered Sunday’s best; the other with a crown of birds-nest hair, tanned, golden skin, and a wide, mischievous grin.
They had been playing in this very room. His father’s elaborate study. As children the electiveness of the tools and utter ‘adult’ nature of the room held such wonder, it was inevitable the two would break in at some point; without supervision, of course.
~C&Y~
“Changmin! Changmin!”
“What is it, Yun?”
The chubbier of the two pulled at his younger counterpart’s hand in excitement.
“Look! Look! Your father has butterflies pinned to cards, just like he said. Do you remember? He said those species of butterflies were only found in Africa. Africa! Where they have tigers that constrict around people, and giant snakes that pounce at you from treetops!”
“Erm, I think you got that last part a wrong Yun, and I already know about the butterflies, I live here, remember? Speaking of, we should go Yun. If Papa hears we’ve been playing in his study alone...” Changmin trailed off worriedly.
“I’m sure it’s fine Min! Like you said, as long as we’re careful it should be fine, right?” Yunho grinned widely.
Even at such a young age Changmin found his cheeks heating in response.
His best friend was just so innocent, and so smiley all the time.
Yunho folded his arms behind his head and backed away from him, towards his Father’s desk.
“Did I ever tell you about the time Darcy challenged me to a battle of curses? The kid thought he could out-curse me. Ha! My uncles a sailor, I learned from the very best--Woah!”
Yunho lifted his arm to punch the air in emphasis of his assumed cursing prowess. Unfortunately, it was also at this moment that his tiny fist caught the edge of his father’s prized imported globe stand.
The globe slid from its spindle like it had been buttered, and crashed to the floor with a bang, splinters flying. It continued to roll until it hit the other side of the room with another short bang, a vibration shaking through the wall. A few of the rare specimens his father had hand-pinned fell to the floor in a echoing crash, glass erupting from the cracked frames. Tiny pieces sparkled along the floor mockingly. The precious African butterfly was torn in half, nestled innocently amongst the shards.
Yunho slowly removed his small hands from his covered eyes in wake of the prolonged silence. “Is it over Min?” Yunho was shaking visibly, while Changmin was currently frozen in shock. It had happened so fast.
As his initial reaction began to thaw, Changmin still wasn’t able to fully comprehend what had just occured. He gave the splintered wood where the globe had landed, and the scattered glass of the broken frames a dreaded look.
His father was going to kill him.
“I-I have to go tell P-Papa.” Changmin stuttered fearfully. He shook his head, his eyesight suspiciously blurred. He had to shake himself out of it, and be strong for the two of them, though they were both still startled at the sudden unexpected events. Yunho was about to present Changmin with another sweet, and this time, grateful, smile when he read the fear clear in the other’s expression. The older of the two breathed out slowly, feeling lost and young and much too old for his age all at once. He clapped his hands onto the younger’s shoulders, and leaned forward till their foreheads met. Yunho’s messy locks tousling Changmin’s carefully molded coif.
“No, Changmin.” Yunho asserted, eyes wide and weary before turning steely in determination. “It was my fault we went in here in the first place. I’ll go apologize to your father.”
Changmin could do nothing but grit his teeth as he watched his friend walk unsurely from the room to seal his fate. Still, Yunho kept his head held high, and made vain attempts to get his hair to lay flat when it would much rather defy gravity. Changmin’s heart felt heavy, a searing shame traveling throughout his thin, lanky body. He clenched his hands into small fists, carving little, red half-moon shaped indents, into his palms. He was such a coward; sure he was only seven years old, and the younger of the two, but the accident had been partially his fault as well. He wished he could have his older friend’s confidence, but he was still fearful of his stoic father, and would do anything to avoid inducing his crossness.
~C&Y~
Changmin rubbed blearily at his forehead. What had brought on such an old memory of his past?
Kyuhyun was still dithering on in front of him, a slight grimace on his usually lifted lips as he recounted details of his old friend.
“I know you must a least remember his name. For God’s sake, you were obsessed with the kid. Following him around all day and night; half of the ton were convinced Lady Jung had had an affair, and you two were estranged half-brothers.”
Changmin took a sip of his cooled tea. He stared at the tea dregs floating witlessly at the bottom of his cup. The flavor is strong; sweet and sour on his tongue.
Jung Yunho.
He licks his lips, a contagious smile easing onto his face.
“It really is unfortunate how things turned out.” There wasn’t a drop of sincerity in Kyuhyun’s speech, but Changmin wouldn’t expect any less.
Changmin slouches in the stiff wooden chair, catching his own dark look in the mirror beside the door, across the hall. He looked bored, as usual. Though it did nothing to distract from his regal features. His father’s long, straight nose and his mother’s wide mouth; lined with equally propionate lips. It was his eyes that often caught the most attention, wide and childish, as Kyuhyun often reminded him, it was useless to adopt his usual uncaring expression, as they usually revealed whatever he was thinking anyway.
His gentlemanly physique made him stand out amongst the ton and he often had far more suitors than most of the women, during the peak of the Season.
“If it really is Yunho...hmm. I wonder if he’s finally come to settle down, get himself a little Lady to tame.” Kyuhyun snickered, lifting a hand to cover his flashing teeth.
Changmin stood abruptly from his chair, with a light cough, reaching up to adjust the collar of his lapel. He walked to the door of the Shim estate, and stared at his much closer reflection, running a hand along his greased, shiny black hair, which was perfectly kept as usual. He inspected smooth and healthy looking skin, turning his head this way and that. The past pallor had become a light, natural tan, resulting from a healthy interest in sport; rather than the atypical farm-work. His new suit jacket had just been pressed, that, along with his beige leggings, adequately fitted to his long frame.
Changmin studies the enlivened curiosity staring back at him and curses himself under his breath. Changmin studies the enlivened curiosity staring back at him and curses himself under his breath. He sighs, tightening the high collar of his stark-white shirt once more, shooting a pointed look at the doors to the manor.
“And where are you off to, my good man?” Kyuhyun called. He had taken Changmin’s previous seat at the desk and was watching him through the mirror.
He turns to his grinning friend with a purposely bland expression, though it was useless, as the bright anticipation in his eyes was obvious.
“I thought I’d drop in on the old Contessa a visit. I’ve been craving a cup of one of her famous homemade blends.”
Before Kyuhyun could make another quip at his having just drank two cups of a superb and refreshing Earl Grey, Changmin took up his top hat and walking stick from the closet, and made his way to the Shim’s prized stables to have a servant aid him in saddling his favorite stead.
He had an old friend to visit.
----
a/n: so this fic is supposedly taking place around early 19th century; the British Regency period. Please note this fic is not focusing on being historically accurate (Changmin/Yunho/Kyuhyun/etc are South Korean, not British obviously). *messes up lj cut the first time ^^ here goes attempt number 2~
Author: pwnew
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Changmin/Yunho (Homin) some side pairings as well (no spoilers~)
a/n: no beta. open lj cut "read more" in new tab for white background
Summary: Yunho turns up in the early 19th Century. There, he meets the dashing young rake, Lord Shim Changmin. According to this handsome stranger they’ve known each other half their lives, and the costumed man seems determined to rekindle their old friendship...
Chapter 1
“They’ve done it again.”
“Who?”
Changmin jolts in pain when steaming liquid sloshes over the rim of the dainty porcelain cup. He halts himself on the way to the parlor to set the delicate china onto a side table. Blowing lightly at his rosy fingertips.
Kyuhyun gives him a bemused look, and takes another sip of brandy from his own tankard.
“The French. Have you yet to read the article? They’re still attempting a resistance in this day and age,” Kyuhyun smirks. He slips a cigar, and flashy lighting stick from his breast pocket. He carefully held the flame beneath the butt of the roll, waiting for the embers to heat the incased tobacco. “You do know what a newspaper is, don’t you? I heard it’s quite useful for those of us who wish to know...well...the news.”
Changmin laughs dryly, with a slight wince, and carefully takes a seat next to his friend, hiding his smirk behind his teacup. “If I valued your opinions, I’d ask for them.”
“You’re lucky I know your insults to be juvenile displays of affection, or I’m quite sure you’d be utterly friendless.”
Kyuhyun raises his eyebrows as his friend heaves an exaggerated sigh of annoyance. He waited for the other to let out all his pent up steam before he continued on.
“Oh, and did you hear? No, I suppose you haven’t; if you don’t even read the paper I doubt you’ve had time for gossiping Lords. Apparently, they found a man in the Contessa’s stables this morning. Gave the stable boy a right scare, apparently thought the man to be a violate drunk. His frightened squeals disturbed the horses, one of which gave the stranger a right knock in the head. ‘Nearly knocked his head clear off’, says dear Lady Perriot.”
Changmin gives a noncommittal hum as he took in the information, eyes half-lidded as he staves off another yawn. On the edge of his seat for his daily report, as usual. Kyuhyun huffed. He continued to watch his friend with calculating look from the other end of the parlors detailed coach. Let’s see how he reacts to this next bit, shall we?
“They say he was quite identical to the late, Lord Jung’s, eldest son.”
Changmin’s ears perk up, but he doesn’t want Kyuhyun to notice his interest. Instead, he turns his head, standing, and casually makes his way to his father’s desk, pretending to find interest in the navel maps laying there.
“You said some of the horses were startled at them...did he get hurt?”
Kyuhyun crosses his legs victoriously, satisfaction radiating off him in thick waves as he surveys the taller man from his relaxed position.
“Oh, no need to show such concern for the lesser class. I assure you the boy was quite fine; it is his job you know, to take after those gigantic hoofed beasts--”
“Not the stable boy.”
Changmin lowers himself into the towering desk chair, trailing a fingernail along Europe's western border. He shoots Kyuhyun an impatient look.
Kyuhyun smirks back. “You mean, was he Yunho? He takes another drag of the cigar, watching the smoky rings fade into the air before him. “That chubby cheeked, wide-eyed midget. With those crooked teeth, and fuzzy eyebrows, you knew when you were still strutting around in your nappy?”
Changmin’s lips twist at the hinted jealousy in the other’s tone. Kyuhyun hadn’t been raised with the proprieties of ‘sharing’, and had always been somewhat possessive of their shared company. He’d never shown favor towards the eldest Jung, having played second string to their friendship all those years ago as children.
Kyuhyun strode across the room to set his cigar in the ashtray beside the large wooden globe placed at the edge of Lord Shim’s mahogany work-desk. The shorter of the two flicked the sphere, and watched the countries fly past in leisure; savoring Changmin’s unaccustomed attentiveness to his usual gossip.
Changmin watched the world spin before him, suddenly struck with the dim memory of two children; one straight-backed and proper, dressed smartly in freshly laundered Sunday’s best; the other with a crown of birds-nest hair, tanned, golden skin, and a wide, mischievous grin.
They had been playing in this very room. His father’s elaborate study. As children the electiveness of the tools and utter ‘adult’ nature of the room held such wonder, it was inevitable the two would break in at some point; without supervision, of course.
~C&Y~
“Changmin! Changmin!”
“What is it, Yun?”
The chubbier of the two pulled at his younger counterpart’s hand in excitement.
“Look! Look! Your father has butterflies pinned to cards, just like he said. Do you remember? He said those species of butterflies were only found in Africa. Africa! Where they have tigers that constrict around people, and giant snakes that pounce at you from treetops!”
“Erm, I think you got that last part a wrong Yun, and I already know about the butterflies, I live here, remember? Speaking of, we should go Yun. If Papa hears we’ve been playing in his study alone...” Changmin trailed off worriedly.
“I’m sure it’s fine Min! Like you said, as long as we’re careful it should be fine, right?” Yunho grinned widely.
Even at such a young age Changmin found his cheeks heating in response.
His best friend was just so innocent, and so smiley all the time.
Yunho folded his arms behind his head and backed away from him, towards his Father’s desk.
“Did I ever tell you about the time Darcy challenged me to a battle of curses? The kid thought he could out-curse me. Ha! My uncles a sailor, I learned from the very best--Woah!”
Yunho lifted his arm to punch the air in emphasis of his assumed cursing prowess. Unfortunately, it was also at this moment that his tiny fist caught the edge of his father’s prized imported globe stand.
The globe slid from its spindle like it had been buttered, and crashed to the floor with a bang, splinters flying. It continued to roll until it hit the other side of the room with another short bang, a vibration shaking through the wall. A few of the rare specimens his father had hand-pinned fell to the floor in a echoing crash, glass erupting from the cracked frames. Tiny pieces sparkled along the floor mockingly. The precious African butterfly was torn in half, nestled innocently amongst the shards.
Yunho slowly removed his small hands from his covered eyes in wake of the prolonged silence. “Is it over Min?” Yunho was shaking visibly, while Changmin was currently frozen in shock. It had happened so fast.
As his initial reaction began to thaw, Changmin still wasn’t able to fully comprehend what had just occured. He gave the splintered wood where the globe had landed, and the scattered glass of the broken frames a dreaded look.
His father was going to kill him.
“I-I have to go tell P-Papa.” Changmin stuttered fearfully. He shook his head, his eyesight suspiciously blurred. He had to shake himself out of it, and be strong for the two of them, though they were both still startled at the sudden unexpected events. Yunho was about to present Changmin with another sweet, and this time, grateful, smile when he read the fear clear in the other’s expression. The older of the two breathed out slowly, feeling lost and young and much too old for his age all at once. He clapped his hands onto the younger’s shoulders, and leaned forward till their foreheads met. Yunho’s messy locks tousling Changmin’s carefully molded coif.
“No, Changmin.” Yunho asserted, eyes wide and weary before turning steely in determination. “It was my fault we went in here in the first place. I’ll go apologize to your father.”
Changmin could do nothing but grit his teeth as he watched his friend walk unsurely from the room to seal his fate. Still, Yunho kept his head held high, and made vain attempts to get his hair to lay flat when it would much rather defy gravity. Changmin’s heart felt heavy, a searing shame traveling throughout his thin, lanky body. He clenched his hands into small fists, carving little, red half-moon shaped indents, into his palms. He was such a coward; sure he was only seven years old, and the younger of the two, but the accident had been partially his fault as well. He wished he could have his older friend’s confidence, but he was still fearful of his stoic father, and would do anything to avoid inducing his crossness.
~C&Y~
Changmin rubbed blearily at his forehead. What had brought on such an old memory of his past?
Kyuhyun was still dithering on in front of him, a slight grimace on his usually lifted lips as he recounted details of his old friend.
“I know you must a least remember his name. For God’s sake, you were obsessed with the kid. Following him around all day and night; half of the ton were convinced Lady Jung had had an affair, and you two were estranged half-brothers.”
Changmin took a sip of his cooled tea. He stared at the tea dregs floating witlessly at the bottom of his cup. The flavor is strong; sweet and sour on his tongue.
Jung Yunho.
He licks his lips, a contagious smile easing onto his face.
“It really is unfortunate how things turned out.” There wasn’t a drop of sincerity in Kyuhyun’s speech, but Changmin wouldn’t expect any less.
Changmin slouches in the stiff wooden chair, catching his own dark look in the mirror beside the door, across the hall. He looked bored, as usual. Though it did nothing to distract from his regal features. His father’s long, straight nose and his mother’s wide mouth; lined with equally propionate lips. It was his eyes that often caught the most attention, wide and childish, as Kyuhyun often reminded him, it was useless to adopt his usual uncaring expression, as they usually revealed whatever he was thinking anyway.
His gentlemanly physique made him stand out amongst the ton and he often had far more suitors than most of the women, during the peak of the Season.
“If it really is Yunho...hmm. I wonder if he’s finally come to settle down, get himself a little Lady to tame.” Kyuhyun snickered, lifting a hand to cover his flashing teeth.
Changmin stood abruptly from his chair, with a light cough, reaching up to adjust the collar of his lapel. He walked to the door of the Shim estate, and stared at his much closer reflection, running a hand along his greased, shiny black hair, which was perfectly kept as usual. He inspected smooth and healthy looking skin, turning his head this way and that. The past pallor had become a light, natural tan, resulting from a healthy interest in sport; rather than the atypical farm-work. His new suit jacket had just been pressed, that, along with his beige leggings, adequately fitted to his long frame.
Changmin studies the enlivened curiosity staring back at him and curses himself under his breath. Changmin studies the enlivened curiosity staring back at him and curses himself under his breath. He sighs, tightening the high collar of his stark-white shirt once more, shooting a pointed look at the doors to the manor.
“And where are you off to, my good man?” Kyuhyun called. He had taken Changmin’s previous seat at the desk and was watching him through the mirror.
He turns to his grinning friend with a purposely bland expression, though it was useless, as the bright anticipation in his eyes was obvious.
“I thought I’d drop in on the old Contessa a visit. I’ve been craving a cup of one of her famous homemade blends.”
Before Kyuhyun could make another quip at his having just drank two cups of a superb and refreshing Earl Grey, Changmin took up his top hat and walking stick from the closet, and made his way to the Shim’s prized stables to have a servant aid him in saddling his favorite stead.
He had an old friend to visit.
----
a/n: so this fic is supposedly taking place around early 19th century; the British Regency period. Please note this fic is not focusing on being historically accurate (Changmin/Yunho/Kyuhyun/etc are South Korean, not British obviously). *messes up lj cut the first time ^^ here goes attempt number 2~