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“Finally… found you… finally…”
“Should you really be so out of breath for a future king? Or should I ask… should you really be away from the palace without any bodyguards when the King has just been murdered? And only to seek someone like me out? What gives me the honor, my Prince?”
Geonhak scoffed, still out of breath but standing up straight to look at the beggar who hadn’t even bothered to bow to him, instead sitting in front of a tree trunk at the edge of the forest.
“I can protect myself… Besides… I can’t have anyone listen in on this conversation, Seoho”, Geonhak mumbled, keeping his voice down enough that only Seoho would be able to understand him. Even though he was fairly sure they were alone, he just didn’t want to take the chance.
“Huh? That’s interesting… Are you going to ask me out? A simple member of the lower society?”, Seoho asked with a wide but mocking grin as his eyes formed little crescent moons.
Geonhak considered himself lucky that he had stumbled upon some valuable information a few days ago that made Seoho’s bluffing much more obvious. He could see how strained Seoho’s smile really was, how guarded his position had become as he stopped slouching, hands touching the ground to push himself up if he needed to run.
But Geonhak hadn’t come looking for him, only for him to run away instead, on the contrary, he needed Seoho at the palace and had to make sure he’d succeed in convincing him.
“Can I invite you for a quick lunch?”
His proposal must’ve caught him off-guard as his eyes widened in surprise. Seoho bit his lip, clearly trying to decide whether or not free food was a good enough reason to run into a possible trap. When his stomach grumbled, however, he was quick to jump to his feet, stumbling a little before catching himself.
“Let’s go then! I hope you’re taking me to a good place!”, Seoho said with too much enthusiasm, coughing quietly immediately in an attempt to cover up his embarrassment.
“I sure plan to… follow me”, Geonhak replied dryly but still offered Seoho a tiny smile.
As he made his way back to the city and through the streets, he pulled the hat he had previously taken off lower to cover his face, followed by Seoho who was keeping his distance, still hesitant to trust him fully.
They continued to walk in silence until Geonhak approached one of his favorite restaurants, looking up so the guards at the door would recognize him. Surprised but eager to serve him, they bowed deeply, making way to allow him entry to the expensive restaurant, but stopped Seoho the moment he hurried up the stairs as well, pushing him back. As a result, Seoho stumbled and fell to the floor, inhaling sharply as he took a harsh landing.
Geonhak was quick to turn around and walk back to Seoho, surprising the guards as he helped him to his feet. Though Geonhak made sure Seoho was alright and not hurt, he still kept his hands on his arms to steady him.
“This is my guest for today so you better not do that again…”, he hissed, his grip on Seoho tightening momentarily as he addressed the guards.
Apologizing in a hurry, the guards bowed several times and finally let both of them pass. Yet, they still kept an eye on Seoho, clearly curious why the prince would invite low folk into such an exclusive restaurant.
They were walking up to Geonhak’s personal table, followed by a waiter who was quick to bring them some starters to snack on. Geonhak wasted no time in ordering the main course, keeping an eye on his guest who was looking around at the posh interior. He didn’t seem to be in awe, however, instead it rather seemed like recognition was flickering in his gaze.
Only once they were alone did Seoho speak up, finally bowing slightly as he took his chopsticks and split them.
“Thank you for helping me out there, my Prince. Much appreciated and uhm… thank you for the meal.”
Geonhak nodded, watching closely as Seoho started eating, way too measured for someone who was supposed to be starving and begging every day for food. He had seen beggars before and unlike Seoho they normally threw themselves at their meals, wolfing down everything as quickly as possible.
Yet he waited until their main course had arrived, eating a bit as well before he lowered his chopsticks, catching Seoho’s attention right away.
“I’ve never seen a beggar with such good table manners…”, Geonhak inquired with a frown.
“Oh well, I haven’t always been a beggar, you know? I learned when I was a child”, Seoho answered a bit too quickly, avoiding his eyes and laughing as he played with his chopsticks. Geonhak wasn’t in the mood to beat around the bush.
“Back when you were still a mighty and respected dragon?”
Contrary to what Geonhak had believed, Seoho didn’t attempt to run away or deny anything when he was called out like that, instead calmly placing his chopsticks onto the table. When he met Geonhak’s eyes, there wasn't even a hint of nervousness found in his expression.
“You could say it like that, yes. The question is how you found out and what you need from me now that you know.”
“It’s a big feat to surprise a dragon, isn’t it? I found out by chance… reading through some old documents and other literature and stumbled upon a story about a dragon who decided to live as a human. But to avoid attention even further he chose to live as a beggar. His name was Gunmin but the stories say he changed his name as he went into hiding. Just out of curiosity I did some research and found someone named Gunmin who changed his name to Seoho hundreds of years ago”, Geonhak concluded, gaze unfocused after he had recalled everything he had found in his research.
He was torn out of his thoughts by Seoho’s clapping and immediately got irritated as he took in the pleased smirk on Seoho’s face.
“Why… Why are you grinning?”
“Just proud of your detective work! There’s nothing else to it… Except, I still fail to see why you approached me.”
“You abandoned the city you swore to protect”, Geonhak answered with a confidence he didn’t really possess and regretted it almost immediately as Seoho's grin morphed into a frown.
“Now this is where you are wrong, Geonhakkie… I didn’t abandon anything. The city just stopped needing my help and I’ve been laying low ever since. But I never left. I’m still here right now, aren’t I?”
Seoho’s response was calculated and icy, making Geonhak’s blood boil straight away as he glared at him. He didn’t understand how Seoho could sound like he didn’t care when he had made such an important promise to centuries of humans.
“How can you say you didn’t abandon us when other nations have been coming dangerously close to our borders and even tried to overwhelm us several times? Your knowledge could’ve prevented this! So could’ve your magic!”, Geonhak exclaimed, venom dripping from his words as his fingers dug into the tablecloth.
This time Seoho did stand up, walking around the table to stop right in front of Geonhak who had jumped to his feet as well without thinking. Whether it was to stop Seoho, beg him to stay or punch him out of anger, he didn’t know, instead staring straight at him as he waited for something, anything, to happen.
Seoho took in his appearance with a scrutinizing gaze before he leaned in to whisper into Geonhak’s ear. He couldn't help but tense at the sudden proximity even as he made no effort to push him away or step back, instead listening intently to what Seoho had to say.
“You’re mistaken. I never swore to stand by the side of the rulers constantly. I merely agreed to be available if asked. But over the years the royal family got more confident in their own abilities, asking me for my opinion less and less until they stopped completely and forgot about me. This is on you and those who came before you.”
Stepping back and settling down at the table once more, Seoho grabbed his chopsticks just in time before a waiter entered the room, looking between Geonhak and Seoho curiously. Geonhak was still standing, staring at where Seoho had just been, willing his heartbeat to slow down.
“Is everything alright in here, my Prince?”
“Yes… please bring us the dessert”, Geonhak answered after he cleared his throat, trying desperately to regain his composure.
“Very well…”
Sitting down once more, Geonhak kept quiet as he waited for their food to arrive, mulling over what he had just learned. If Seoho spoke the truth, he would help him win the wars that would surely arise, now that his father was dead. He didn’t have much of a choice but to invite the dragon into the palace. It would be better to have him around as much as possible as long as he would really keep his promise and help him.
Once their dessert arrived, Geonhak took a deep breath, building up all his courage as he looked up at Seoho who was already staring at him. A shiver ran down his spine when he realized he had been watched and yet, Geonhak refused to be deterred, voicing his request with as much confidence as he could muster.
“Seoho, come to the palace with me and help me, please.”
“Okay.”
“Wait, really?”, Geonhak asked, unable to hide his surprise at how easily Seoho had agreed.
“Yeah? I just explained it to you, didn’t I?”, Seoho giggled as he resumed eating his dessert as if nothing had happened.
“Is it… is it really that easy?”
Geonhak simply couldn’t believe that a literal dragon would agree to his wishes with no resistance whatsoever but Seoho only shrugged as he finished munching on the cake Geonhak had ordered for him.
“Not always, no. I only listen to kings and you haven’t been crowned yet but I’m bored, you’re cute for a human and I could use a proper bath and some regular food. With winter approaching, I don’t want to refuse if all of that is included in living in the palace.”
Geonhak, who was still flustered about being called cute out of all things, could only nod, a strange feeling spreading through his chest as he watched the way Seoho smiled, his eyes forming those God forsaken crescents again.
He wondered how much his life would change with a dragon living with him, especially since he would be crowned as king soon enough. It would be interesting for sure, with the dragon being someone like Seoho who seemed to always have a surprise up his sleeve.
Once they had finished their meal, they left together for the palace, walking side by side this time. Geonhak struggled to start a conversation and considering there were too many people around who could overhear them, he thus decided to keep quiet, wondering if he was the only one feeling awkward about the silence between them. If Seoho was feeling it, too, he didn’t give him any indication of it.
Thankfully the way to the palace didn't take long and they, after the guards recognized their prince, were let inside immediately and without question. As they approached the palace, the main entrance was opened and Geonhak’s mother came storming outside, clearly angered that her son had sneaked into town without any protection.
Geonhak was so focused on his mother’s ridiculous behavior that he missed the whirring sound of an arrow drawing near. He was pushed to the floor rather roughly by Seoho, surprising not only Geonhak, but also alerting the guards and his mother.
“What the-”, he cut himself off as he turned around, paling when he saw the arrow that was deeply stuck in Seoho's arm. Blood was already coloring his dirty clothes red and yet Seoho didn’t seem to notice at all, his eyes fixed on a tree just outside the palace’s walls.
Following his gaze, Geonhak spotted the hooded figure immediately and cursed, helping himself to his feet with gritted teeth.
“Guards! Up there on the tree! Get him!”, Geonhak yelled, breaking the spell on those around him who finally resumed their movements. His mother continued to dash over to him while the guards started running after the culprit who did his best to escape.
“Honey, baby… are you alright? Are you hurt? Tell me, please”, his mother demanded, as she fussed around him immediately, inspecting him for any injuries. He just shrugged her off, however, occupied with Seoho who finally grabbed his own arm, trying to stifle the bleeding.
He looked paler than before, biting his lip hard. When he realized that Geonhak and his mother were staring at him, Seoho forced a smile and shrugged with his healthy side.
“You don’t happen to have a physician at the palace, do you?”, he asked with a grin, already walking up to the main entrance as if he owned the place, not waiting for either of them to follow.
Geonhak couldn’t be fooled by his careless demeanor, however, promising his mother to explain the situation later before he hurried after Seoho, guiding him carefully to the physician's room.
Waiting anxiously for Seoho to be taken care of and with nothing else to do, Geonhak couldn’t refuse his mother an explanation this time after she joined him. Faced with what her son had discovered she sank onto a chair, staring at the physician’s door with wide eyes for a few seconds.
“So this boy is actually a dragon? That… I suppose it explains his quick reflexes to that threat. Geonhak, my child, are you… are you sure you want the throne right away? You know I could always reign on my own for a bit. It’s a big responsibility for one person, let alone for someone as young as you...”, she said and grabbed her dress tightly, face pale and eyes glazed over.
Smiling at her concern, he gave a short nod towards the door with his chin.
“I won’t be alone. We have a dragon now, remember?”
“I suppose… Will this… Seoho was his name, right? Will he be okay?”
Her question made his smile falter and Geonhak shrugged, staring at the door anxiously once more. Quite frankly, he wasn't sure, didn't know enough about dragons to give a confident answer even if he wanted nothing more than to convince her that Seoho would be just fine.
They must’ve waited for no longer than half an hour, considering no one had come looking for them yet, before the door was opened. Seoho was smiling, skipping over to Geonhak immediately to show him the bandage on his arm.
“Look! All better! Now stop looking so worried, will you? I could hear you breaking your head over this through the walls. It’s not that easy to kill me, so lighten up. There wasn’t even any venom in the arrow… how bori- ouch! What was that for?”, Seoho whined as Geonhak lightly slapped his head.
“Stop joking about such things as deadly as venom! This is serious, idiot…”, Geonhak replied without missing a beat.
They stared at each other, Geonhak trying hard to stay serious as Seoho pouted at him, until the queen laughed in delight, standing from where she had been seated to make a curtsy as she properly greeted Seoho.
Hurrying to bow in front of her and show the respect she deserved, Seoho pulled on his sleeve nervously, clearly caught off-guard by the queen’s actions.
“Thank you for saving my son, Seoho. Am I allowed to call you that? You are a dragon after all and much older than me…”, she smiled and raised an eyebrow as she took in the blush spreading over Seoho’s ears.
“Ahh, it’s perfectly fine, my Queen! I was just… I was just doing my duty…”, Seoho was quick to reply, yet yelped in surprise when the Queen grabbed his healthy arm to tug him along, leaving a baffled Geonhak to hurry after them.
“Let’s get you cleaned up! I’m sure you’d prefer warm clothes over what you’re currently wearing. Geonhak, will you get the maids?”
Before Geonhak could reply, Seoho already shook his head, the blush now slowly spreading to his cheeks as he looked down, fiddling with his fingers.
“I… I’d rather take a bath without anyone around. I can do it myself if you show me the bathroom.”
“Unacceptable! What if you end up fainting or anything like that. With all due respect, Mr. Dragon, but you’re still injured!”
They had stopped in front of a room Seoho assumed was the bathroom, and he sighed, realizing that arguing with her wouldn’t be an option. Having to come up with a solution quickly, his eyes fell on Geonhak and he grinned as he pulled him closer.
“Then… Can’t Geonhak stay in the bathroom with me and make sure I don’t faint? I’d be more comfortable that way”, Seoho begged with a pout, holding Geonhak close with an astonishing strength that Geonhak didn't expect as he tried and failed to get out of his grip.
He didn’t even get the chance to argue as his mother quickly agreed, ushering both of them into the bathroom and promising to get a maid who would bring fresh clothes for Seoho.
Geonhak cursed, leaning his forehead against the closed door as he listened to Seoho starting a bath and undressing behind him. Only when he heard him get into the water did he turn around, eyeing Seoho warily. He had almost completely sunken into the water, keeping his injured arm outside of the bath and yet Geonhak couldn’t help but worry as he saw the steam rising from the bath. It looked way too hot for comfort.
“What is it? You’re giving me a headache with all your intense thinking. Just ask whatever is on your mind, Geonhakkie”, Seoho turned around to him with a raised eyebrow and infuriating smirk in place. Geonhak refused to let it affect him.
“It's just… the water looks too hot.”
“For a human, yes. For a dragon, not really…”
Geonhak stared at him in confusion, shaking his head as he tentatively sat down on the floor beside the bath, glad that the steam was covering Seoho’s body.
“But aren’t you in a human body?”, he asked curiously.
“I am but that doesn’t mean my powers are gone, does it? And I can change my appearance at will”, Seoho explained as he turned to face away from Geonhak once more.
“Can you show me? Your real appearance?”
Seoho snickered at the wonder and eagerness in Geonhak’s voice but shook his head much to his disappointment. Letting Geonhak pout for a while, Seoho relished in the silence, waiting for the water to cool down a bit.
“I would transform but I’m too gigantic for such a tiny room”, Seoho responded eventually, carefully grabbing some soap to clean himself.
“Oh…”, Geonhak mumbled in defeat.
Sensing the sullen mood, Seoho rolled his eyes and handed Geonhak some shampoo without any warning.
“Wash my hair for me and I’ll show you something in relation to my dragon self, alright?”
Geonhak perked up immediately at this offer, and Seoho turned around with a smile, closing his eyes when Geonhak eagerly started to wash his hair, careful fingers almost lulling him to sleep as his body relaxed at the pampering. He took special care in removing all the knots and filth from his hair, letting his fingers glide through the long curls once he was done and rinsing the shampoo out with the water that had started to cool down enough for him to be able to touch it without any problems.
Leaning back once he was done, he watched as Seoho turned around with a calm smile holding out his hand for him to take. Geonhak did so and jerked away almost immediately before hastily reclaiming the hand that was covered in scales, afraid Seoho wouldn’t let him do so anymore if he hesitated for too long.
The scales were a brilliant teal, though they also shimmered like a rainbow in the light. In addition to the scales, Seoho had claws, sharp and yet not hurting Geonhak as he made sure to keep them retracted, ever so careful in watching out for him.
Inspecting his hand a while longer, Geonhak was interrupted by a knock at the door and had to let go of Seoho much to his dismay. With a sigh he accepted the clothes which the maid handed him but almost let go of them again as he turned around, and was met with lots of naked skin.
“S-Seoho!”, Geonhak's voice cracked to his horror, while he frantically attempted to cover his eyes. He groaned when Seoho only laughed at him and nonchalantly took the clothes. Geonhak couldn’t shake the mental image of all that skin no matter how hard he tried and it embarrassed him immensely.
“It isn’t like you haven’t seen a male body before, Geonhakkie… I didn’t think you’d be this shy still!”, Seoho giggled in delight but left Geonhak alone when he didn’t get a response to his teasing.
Silence overcame them as Seoho made sure to dry himself as best as possible, starting to get dressed before he approached Geonhak, who had turned around to give him some privacy, tapping his shoulder.
“I’ve got my pants on but I could use some help with the shirt, if you don’t mind…”, Seoho asked, and handed him the remaining clothes when Geonhak faced him once more.
Geonhak couldn’t refuse to help him but his blush didn’t disperse as he was met with unblemished skin. For someone who had spent such a long time outside on the streets where people were unforgiving to those less fortunate, it felt like a miracle that Seoho’s skin was unmarked. He would have suspected that Seoho had at least a few scars either from being hurt or working outside in difficult conditions but there was nothing of the sort, only a healthy tan, not unlike Geonhak's own, and he couldn’t help but wonder if it was dragon magic that kept it that way.
He couldn’t hold back from letting his fingers linger a little on Seoho’s body as he dressed him and if he noticed, Seoho didn’t say anything. Once he was done, Geonhak stepped back and Seoho thanked him, lifting his sleeve to his nose and taking in the clean scent.
“This is nice… Hey, Geonhakkie? They’ll be back, you know? The people who sent the assassin today. I’ll try to keep you safe as promised but you’ll have to be careful, too. Even I can’t guarantee to always be there. No matter how much I wish I could”, Seoho whispered with a sad smile as Geonhak nodded solemnly.
He was aware about the immense danger he was in and even though he appreciated Seoho’s help, he also wanted to be strong for himself, his family, friends and his kingdom. Geonhak wasn’t planning on being protected all the time, he didn’t always want to be on the receiving end but to give back as well.
“I understand… I’ll do my best to be more careful. Thank you for saving my life today, Seoho. I’m very grateful”, Geonhak answered, glad to see Seoho smiling earnestly again.
“You’re welcome. You could make it up to me by showing me my room though, you know? I’m a bit tired and would like to rest a little if possible.”
“Of course!”, Geonhak hurried to say, guiding Seoho through the corridors without any hesitation and looking for his mother who he was sure had already organized a room for their guest.
He was correct but to Geonhak’s surprise, she had chosen the room right beside his. He didn’t complain, however, seeing many benefits in having Seoho close by. Leaving him alone in his room after informing Seoho that he would only have to knock next door if he was in need of anything, Geonhak returned to his own bed to settle his thoughts in silence.
He’d had a long day and was fairly tired so it didn’t take long until his eyes closed on their own accord. After all, not many people could say they were lucky enough to come back victorious after hunting a dragon.