CW: Explicit language, ableist language, mentions of PTSD symptoms.
The rest of winter comes and goes like this. Even the brutal cold is weak to the encroaching warmth and soon the snow melts, grass grows, and flora flourishes. The Black Forest teems with new life but Hanjyang is reluctant to stir. The coming of spring is not enough to ease the pain of a Bliss epidemic, and the bone-deep paranoia fueled by corpses hanging from the colloquially named โMotherโs Handโ, a man-made gallows to replace the Hanging Tree.
Thereโs perhaps one person in Hanjuyang who has truly embraced the Spring. And this person is none other than the Rat, dressed in a plain cherry blossom pink robe that at first glance appears quite luxurious. Of course, it is nothing but cheap goods, exchanged for a few gold coins, but with a dazzling smile and a pink ribbon in his tumbling hair, he looks brighter in spirits than anyone in this broken city.
โWhatโs got you in such a good mood?โ Dizzy, Rinโs usual fence, asks him as she tosses him a small tub of red rouge. She counts the coppers, biting one out of sheer habit, before stowing them away in her pocket.
โItโs spring,โ Rin hums, glancing at the nearest store front window as he applies the rouge to his cheeks. โWhy wouldnโt I be in a good mood?โ
Dizzy raises a brow and tosses her large bag of goods over a shoulder. Despite her small stature, sheโs able to carry the heavy bag without breaking a sweat. โYouโre dolling yourself up for a reason. And it ainโt โcus of spring.โ She pauses, eyeing the man from head to toe. โSay, is this a Rose thing?โ
โIโm not a Rose,โ Rin says flatly, moving onto his eyelid. โI got a man coming back from Reshun. I have to remind him what heโs been missing out on.โ
โWhat poor fucker got himself tangled up in you?โ
โHe should consider himself lucky.โ Rin puts the rouge away and turns to Dizzy, presenting his made up face.
The fence stares blankly at him for a while, before bursting into peals of laughter. โHeโll take one look at you and run back to the frontline!โ she howls, slapping her knee.
Rin scowls and swivels back to the window. Sure enough, he looks like a clown. At best, someone with a severe sunburn. Not exactly the look heโs going for.
The store door opens with a tinkle of a bell and out steps Daisy, plump and rosy, with a flour-stained apron tied around her warm person. โI saw you from inside the bakery and I was wondering if you were hungry.โ She pauses upon seeing Rinโs face. To her credit, she doesnโt laugh, but her smile becomes perturbed. โOh my. Maybe I can help with that, dear.โ
โPlease do,โ Dizzy smirks. โOtherwise, itโs a tragic waste of a nice robe.โ
โDonโt you have stolen shit to peddle?โ Rin snaps.
The fence drops her bag between her feet and leans against the bakery front. โThis is my lunch break. Speaking of. Daisy, you got any chestnut cakes today?โ
โNo chestnut cakes, Iโm afraid. Not this season.โ Daisy pulls out a clean handkerchief and gently dabs at Rinโs dissatisfied face. โI do have a fresh batch of lemon friands, if you are interested.โ
โCount me in,โ Dizzy says, enthusiastically. She watches the baker fix Rinโs makeup for a time before asking, โThis man of yours. Heโs an imperial soldier?โ
โHeโs more than that,โ Rin mutters, squinting as Daisy wipes the excess rouge off his eyelid. โBut he was forced into the war, like everyone else here.โ
โA Slummer, then?โ
โYou sound surprised.โ
โI always thought youโd bag yourself a clueless blueblood from the High District. You know. Wait for them to die before taking over their hefty estate.โ
Daisy suppresses a smile and Rin doesnโt even deign to answer the fence. Instead, he says, โMy manโs a Slummer. Through and through. And I have impeccable taste. Even if I did snare a blueblood, it would have to be someone worth ten estates.โ He smiles to himself, sweetly. โHe would have to be worth an empire.โ
Dizzy scoffs and picks up her bag. โWell, I hope he comes home with all four limbs attached. And if he doesnโt, I can give you a good deal on a wheelchair.โ
โCourtesy of the Clinic?โ Daisy says, glancing at Dizzy with a hint of disapproval.
Instead of answering, the fence quickly ducks into the bakery, shouting to the server, โGive me a dozen lemon friands! And one loafโno, two loaves of fruit bread!โ
When the baker has finished fixing Rinโs face, she steps back and smiles satisfactorily. โYou already have a fair complexion, there is no need to use much rouge. A small dab on the tip of your finger. One touch to each cheek should be enough. See?โ
Rin glances at the window and his bad mood brightens in an instant. The rouge brings out a subtle colour to his cheeks and accentuates his eye, giving him a warm, welcoming visage. Habitually, he raises a hand to his scarred cheek.
Daisy gently nudges his hand away. โThere is no need for that,โ she says, kindly. โHe loves you as you are.โ
โI know,โ the raven says, sincerely. โI feel itchy all over.โ Rin tugs at his robe and flips his long sleeves this way and that.
โYou are impatient.โ
โWhy arenโt they here already?โ
โThey would have arrived in Taecho this morning.โ
โDo you think heโll come back with his limbs attached?โ
The woman rests a hand on his shoulder, settling his taut nerves. โWhat matters is that he is returning. And you are here to welcome him home.โ
Itโs been three months. Not three months โalreadyโ, but three godsdamned long months that dragged on for what felt like years. Heโs afraid that his little lord has changed. Heโs afraid that his little lord wonโt look at him. Heโs afraid that his little lord will look at him and see every thought and worry that heโs stewed in for these three godsdamned months.
โIโm afraid,โ he blurts, and heโs not sure why heโs so moved by Daisyโs kindness. She doesnโt smirk or disparage him for admitting such a thing, so he keeps going, heart palpitating. โIf he comes backโฆless than he was. I donโt know what to do. Because itโsโฆwell, itโs my fault that he had to go.โ
If Daisy was curious about the circumstances, she doesnโt show it. Or maybe she already knows. The Faceless Devil was in the Blue Plains during that time. โHe will not return any less of himself,โ she assures Rin. โHe will come back changed, perhaps, as anyone would after battle. But know that it would not be your doing. You are not responsible for his choices.โ
โIt wasnโt really a choice,โ Rin protests.
โMen have more agency than you might credit them. Trust in your beloved.โ
โGou says heโs been doing nothing but healing. Got himself a fancy new monikerโโ
โSo I have heard.โ The bakerโs amusement is evident.
โIf you know, who else does? The Mother wonโt brand him a traitor, will she?โ
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
โWorry not, dear. The Otsukis will protect his identity.โ
โDea ktja lo atf yiefyibbvrโโ
Gjlrs kgjqr tfg rboa jgwr jgbecv tlr ajea obgw, fcnfibqlcu tlw lc tfg kjgw, qiert fwygjmf. Lf raliir jcv ojiir rlifca, raeccfv ys atf revvfc joofmalbc.
โTbe wera tjnf reoofgfv atfrf qjra wbcatr,โ tfg nblmf, jr ufcaif jr rtf, almxifr tlr fjg. โP jw rbggs obg cba gfjilrlcu rbbcfg. C rtjgfv yegvfc lr ojg fjrlfg ab yfjg.โ
Thereโs a hard lump in his throat, blocking his voice. And a heated prickling around his eye. Heโd never been more envious of Small than he is in this moment, embraced by his friendโs mother who could never be his own.
His own, who is long lost to Izayomaโs maw, and whose affections had always been like a slow-acting poison.
Rin indulges. Until Dizzy exits the store with an armful of baked goods and a friand shoved into her mouth. And when they part, he does so with great reluctance.
***
Moments before the first battalion returns from Reshun, the streets of Hanjuyang are packed with the anxious and expectant. Those from all three districts crowd together like the distinction of wealth had never existed, and itโs bright, disorienting, and oddly harmonious. Otsukis rub shoulders with imperials. Slummers are jostled with bluebloods, and neither care to yield to their prejudices. With the return of their children and lovers and parents from the frontline, there is naught else on anyoneโs mind.
Along with his Rat Gang, Rin sits on the rooftop of Daisyโs bakery, too nervous to eat the almond cake sheโd given them all for lunch. He leans over the parapet, neglected cake in hand, dangling as far as he can go without tumbling into the crowd below.
โOh, Rin! Please be careful!โ Small exclaims, grabbing onto the back of his robes.
But Rin doesnโt pay him any mind. Heโs too busy peering up the winding road through the Peopleโs District, seeking for a glimmer of blue.
โLeave him be,โ Sparrow says, perfunctorily. โIf he wishes to crack his skull, then who are we to deny him?โ Sheโs nestled in Buckyโs arms, reading a thick tome through her thick spectacles.
โWould you like another cake, my dear?โ Bucky asks, indulgently.
โNo, thank you.โ But Sparrowโs nullified and blushing prettily.
In the background, Rin audibly retches.
โLet him fall,โ Bucky tells Small, flatly.
Bellow shoves his third almond cake into his mouth and drinks deeply from a pitcher of cold lemon tea. โI heard we almost lost,โ he says, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. โAnd if it wasnโt for some imperial idiot healing our soldiers, we woulda been desiccated.โ
โDecimated.โ
โAinโt that what I said?โ
Rin sits back, much to Smallโs relief, and glances over his shoulder. His eye meets Buckyโs knowing gaze.
โThat imperial idiot wasnโt an imperial,โ he says, casting his eye back to the road. โHe was probably forced to fight. So he did, but in his own way.โ
โThatโs right,โ Small says, handing Bellow his handkerchief. โFor many of us, it was either the Motherโs Hand or the war. If it were me, Iโd find any way I could to help the Otsukis.โ
โMe too,โ Bell gruffs, and he stiffens when Small gives him a brilliant smile.
Recently, Bellow and Bucky had been initiated into the Otsukis and given their name. As Bucky predicted, Bellow was made tyro to Iris, and Bucky to the new Spymaster, and both have taken to their respective training well. And like that, the rest of the Rat Gang became the Otsuki Devils, with Nuwaโs death leaving its heavy shadow across their hearts.
โStill canโt believe you were a spy all this time,โ the Bull grumbles, rubbing the handkerchief over his face haphazardly before handing it back.
Small hums a laugh. โIโm not a spy, Bell.โ
โYeah, well, youโre sure good at keeping secrets. Pulled one over me, didnโt ya?โ
โIโm sorry. I wanted to tell you, I really did. But I knew you would come to us eventually.โ
โHm. That what you were then? A honeypot for the Devils?โ
Small sputters and turns red. โA-A what? I couldnโtโI mean, Iโm notโฆBell, thatโs not why Iโmโโ
โRelax, runt. I was joking. No way you coulda honeypotted me.โ
โIโd beg to differ,โ Bucky says coolly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Sparrowโs ear.
โYouโre one to talk.โ
As the Rat Gang continue to bicker and jest, Rin spots the first glint of blue armour rounding the bend of the road.
โTheyโre here!โ he cries, and heโs never been more afraid in his life.
***
โI say, Jun, are you quite alright?โ
The lord jolts awake in the swaying carriage, drenched in cold sweat. If not for the warm spring air drifting through the open windows, he would have thought it to be winter still.
Erie eyes his childhood friend with some scrutiny, dressed in his usual resplendent silken robe, opulently pattered with golden thread and every breadth of blue. The effect is stunning and disorienting, like peering into the every shifting sky and trying to catch a single shade.
Jun grimaces and dabs at his brow with his sleeve. As a healer, his is of simple dress: a royal blue robe with white lining, and the Healerโs insignia sewn across his heart. The comparison is like the dazzling peacock to the humble grey flycatcher.
โYou were mumbling in your sleep again,โ Erie continues, taking a swig from his wineskin.
On the small table between them is a generous spread of cold meats, expensive cheeses, and Northern sweet breads. Perfect fare for the travelling royal. Meanwhile, the soldiers lagging behind their procession are given hard tack and stringent cuts for their rations. As such, Jun’s appetite is non-existent, and he has nothing but an ashen taste in his mouth. He would have preferred to ride with the other Healers, but station dictates his place in the Crown Prince’s carriage.
โMy apologies, your Highness,โ Jun mutters, pushing himself upright. His limbs continue to tremble as he tries to chase out the lingering screams of the dying from his mind. โI have not been sleeping well as of late.โ
โWhen have you ever?โ the Crown Prince retorts. โIf it isnโt your studies then itโs bad dreams. I daresay the only sleep youโll ever get in this lifetime is when youโre dead.โ
โAre we close to Hanjuyang?โ
โNothing but fields and cow shit out there. We may yet see the night before we see Hanjuyang.โ
Jun nods and settles back with a sigh, sheer exhaustion overwhelming any sense of excitement he may have of returning home. He pulls out his gold coin and rubs his thumb over the polished side, every bump and groove as familiar to him as his belovedโs face. Soon, his anxious heart settles.
โAnyway, as I was saying before you dozed off on meโโ Erie says, leaning languidly against the carriage wall. โ–General Kuang Yan has reported a successful taking of the Kortua Pass. It seems as though our ostensible defeat weren’t for naught.โ
โOstensible?โ Jun furrows his brows. โIn what sense were the deaths of our men ostensible, your Highness?โ
Erie waves his friendโs concern away. โYes, yes. Your persistent protest against death during wartime is ever baffling and duly noted. I mean to say, Jun, before you so readily took offence, is that our defeat was predetermined by our great General. We have long sought Kortua Pass for its arterial significance to the rebellion. Cut off their main supply route to the West and victory is ensured.โ
โFor what reason would the General coordinate our defeat?โ
โIf you were paying any attention to Hak’s droll lectures, Reshun neighbours Vas Eshar.”
Jun lets out a soft ‘ah’ when he realises the prince’s meaning.
Erie continues to explain, nonetheless. “The rebels were already spread thin in their holding of Vas Eshar, let alone the pass. Our assault diverted rebel forces away from Kortua, leaving it vulnerable to attack. A simple but effective tactic.โ
โWe were a rather expensive distraction.โ
โPrecisely.โ
But the lord is not so convinced. โAnd you believe this? That our defeat was a victory in guise?โ Jun huffs a mirthless laugh and shakes his head. โThe General knows well how to appease the palace.โ
The prince stiffens and his tone becomes cold. Clipped. โNeed I remind you that not only am I the palace, but also the very empire you so easily scorn.โ
โ…My apologies, your Highness. I lack sleep and thus, good sense.โ
โEvidently.โ
โIf it is as the General reports, then we should celebrate upon our return. Perhaps, a reward for the families of those sacrificed in our great victory?โ
Even if the lordโs words were thinly veiled barbs, Erie grins and tosses Jun the wineskin. โA fantastic idea! This is why you are to be my Governor. Always thinking of the people, you are. No wonder they love you.โ
โโTheyโ, your Highness?โ
โYour father tells me the lowborn are quite taken to your lofty ideals. Keep them hooked and sated, and quash any thoughts of rebellion. Itโs ingenious. I wish the Empress would take heed of your actions.โ
Jun blinks at his friend, surprised.
Erie catches his expression and chuckles. โOh, donโt look at me like that. Think I agree with all the executions? Itโs all so morbid and depressing. But the Empress is determined to wipe out the rats. Iโve never seen her so enraged.โ
โHow would you handle the insurgency, your Highness?โ Jun asks, curiously. He takes a small sip from the wineskin and returns it.
โI think men respond better to coin than fear. If I were Emperor, I would offer a generous bounty for every rebel pate brought to my feet.โ
โWithout proof of their alliance?โ
โObviously, I would require proof.โ
โSuch as?โ
โSuch as. Testimonies. Incriminating letters. Ah. And the like.โ Erie waves his hand impatiently, clearly unable to respond sincerely.
Jun presses his lips together. โPate or hanging. I see no difference.โ
Erie rolls his eyes. โWhy must you be so contrary, Jun? I am simply offering a far less violent solution and yet you see the need to nitpick.”
“I do not mean to ‘nitpick’. I was merely saying that your solution is not dissimilar to Her Majesty’s–”
“Ever since our first assault on Reshun youโve been in such a dreary mood. What has gotten into you?โ
Jun clenches his jaw in mounting frustration. โPerhaps, your Highness, I find it inappropriate to wine and dine while our brethren die on the frontlines.”
The prince blinks and straightens up, cheeks flushed in nascent anger. โItโs not my fault you decided to rough it out on the frontlines. I got you a place in Tactical, remember? But you insisted on becoming a Healerโโ
โI know my choice. I do not blame you for it.โ
โThen whyโโ
โI saw them die, Erie,โ Jun says, quietly. He glances out the window. In the sliver between the thick velvet curtains, he sees the golden afternoon sun melting over the lush green landscape. Blossom trees line the road, scattering fragrant petals over their procession. โAnd those whose deaths I couldnโt witness, died alone and unseen. Can you imagine what that must be like? To have nothing but the vultures to accompany you into the underworld. How lonely it must be.โ
Erie stares blindly at the wineskin in his hands, for once without humour. โIt is simply the nature of war, Jun. They must die for others to live.โ
โI killed someone. A new experience for me. And one I shall not forget anytime soon.โ
The prince looks stricken for a moment, before quickly donning on a mask of false bravado. โWho hasnโt killed in wartime? Botan, that bastard, has killed scores of men at Ustos. In fact, he was commended by your brother. You should learn from that giant oaf. Does he philosophise after doing his duty? I should think not – and he is far better for it. You would be too.โ
โThese are not idle musings. And my dreams are not merely nightmares. I am sure I am being haunted by the one I murdered and by those I have failed. Forced to revisit the moment of their deaths in an endless loop. I fear they wish me mad or at the end of a ropeโโ
Erie grabs Junโs hand and shoves the wineskin into his palm. His icy blue glare is rending. Threatening. โRuminate no more on this. You would drive yourself mad.”
“A rather lenient punishment–”
“That is an order.โ
The lord stares at Erie glumly, before taking a big swig of wine. The strong liquor takes the edge of his angst, until he feels himself and his thoughts drifting, no longer moored to the past.
โI know not whether you believe the machismo you fervently display, your Highness. Or if you truly do care for your people.โ
โI should have your pate for sedition,โ Erie huffs, tossing a piece of bread at his friend. The latter lets it bounce off his forehead. โReally, Jun. One would think you were a devil in disguise.โ
โAnd what if I were?โ Jun challenges.
โThen I would know you were lying, because Fifth Lord Hwan Jun would never have the audacity to commit treason. For all your talk, you yet remain a Hwan and there is no escaping blood.โ The Crown Prince laughs at Junโs gloomy expression. โCome now. Did I criticise your pacifism? I find it truly inspiring. It is time our imperial capital had itself a Governor with vision.โ
โYes, my father has long lost sight of anything beyond his nose.โ
Erie huffs wryly. โHe has not responded to your letters?โ
โZev acknowledged my reports. Apparently, my father is busy attending to his ministerial duties.โ
โBlood you may be, Hwan Sun has all but disowned you. Will he be at your inauguration tomorrow?โ
Jun half-shrugs. A careless gesture heโd adopted from a certain rat. โIf he does, it would be as a minister of the Motherโs court.โ
โWhat did you do to warrant such a response?โ Erie gapes as a scandalous thought strikes him. โDid you father a bastard? You dog, Jun!โ
Jun’s eyes flinch wide in mortification. โAbsolutely not. I do notโin any case, not with a woman. IโI could neverโyour Highnessโ!โ
โNot with a woman? Donโt tell me it was because of that Rat!โ Erie curls his upper lip in disdain.
โNo, not at all,โ Jun says, quickly. โIt was my doing. I criticised my father’s governance and you know well how he dislikes being challenged.โ
โWell, Hwan Sun has grovelled his way to the Empressโ feet. Now you can govern Hanjuyang how you see fit.โ
โI admit, I do not find myself prepared for the role.โ
โIf youโre not prepared, then no-one will ever be.โ
โI do not mean logistically.โ
โAh. Scared, are you?โ
โAre you not? One day, you will be the Father. The Emperor of Four Territories and the Unknown Lands. Surely such a responsibility is daunting, no matter how prepared you may be.โ
Erie tilts his head thoughtfully, swiping the wineskin out of Junโs idling hand. โThe Empress will retain her throne for decades to come. I do not concern myself with anything past the morrow.โ
โWell. As it were, my inauguration is on the morrow.โ
โHah. Of course. Then I understand your fretting. But you have Mira and Teacher Hak at your side. And I am, of course, always at your disposal. Between the four of us, Hanjuyang will be under capable governance.โ
โYou would assist me?โ
โGladly. We are brothers since birth, are we not? Anyway, Iโd have cause to lodge at Hwan Estate henceforth for Lady Yujinโs spring soirees. They are infamously debaucherous.โ
Jun smiles faintly at Erie, though his heart remains unsettled.
Hours pass like this, sharing chatter and wine as they travel through the Chunsan countryside. And then, just as the sky turns blood red with the waning afternoon, Mira rides up to the carriage and knocks on the roof.
Jun pulls the curtains aside and his maidservant bows her head in greeting. โYour Highness. Young master. We have passed through the Southern gateโโ
โMira, I would borrow your horse,โ Jun says without pause, swinging the carriage door open.
โYes, young master.โ
In seconds, Jun gallops ahead with Miraโs horse as Mira takes her young masterโs seat in the carriage. The prince glances at her, dismayed, and offers her the wineskin.
โDo you think heโs ready, Mira?โ Erie asks.
โThere are times, your Highness, when I must keep my thoughts to myself.โ
***
A horse breaks away from the procession and gallops ahead as though chased by demons. Its rider hunched low and intent, blue robe flying out behind like a pair of wings. Even those waiting at the roadside can only catch a single detail: blazing golden eyes, brighter than the midday sun.
โLittle lord!โ
A single cry is all it takes to slow the galloping steed to a trot. A small figure leaps off a nearby roof, a blur of cherry blossom pink robes and raven hair and pale limbs reaching out for the shocked rider.
โRinnie!โ
Jun stands in his stirrups, arms reaching out for the falling body. When they collide, the horse neighs and rears back in agitation – but it is well-trained, and quickly regains its composure.
โAre you mad?โ The little lord pants in shock, forced back into his saddle from the weight of his precious cargo. Said cargo wraps his arms around his lover and laughs breathlessly, black hair tousled and cheeks as pink as his robes.
โThree months and thatโs all you gotta say to me?โ Rin yanks Jun close and smashes their mouths together. Heโs hungry, desperate, and yearning, and the little lord is no less intense in his response. Three months had been an eon, and though they may be changed in absence, their affections have only intensified.
When they finally part, the rest of the battalion has caught up to them, and the crowd swarms the road to welcome their soldiers home. Jun rides them out of the chaos to a quiet spot by Hanjuyang River. He dismounts and ties the reins to a tree, before holding his arms out for his lover.
Rin gladly obliges. He grins and falls into the lordโs strong, expectant arms, and they tangle together beneath the blossoming tree, with soft grass to cushion their twining bodies and the gentle susurration of leaves to mask their sweet words.
โIโm home,โ Jun murmurs against his love’s swollen lips.
โDonโt ever leave me again,โ Rin pleads, and it comes out as a whimper but he doesnโt care. His little lord is finally home.
Aww ;-; they’re so cute
HI I MISSED YOU THANKS FOR THE CHAPTER <33
DONBURIIII MISSED YOU TOO <3 Thank you for reading ^3^ I hope you’ve been doing good xox
finally reunited… but for how long?
MUAHAHAHAHAHAH >:D
I’ve missed you!!! I’ve missed Rinnie! I’ve missed our little lord!!! Mwah!!! bearhug
Aww Blu!! I’ve missed you too <3 I hope you’ve been doing well ^_^ *bighugs*
We’re doing okay. Chugging along, same stuff, different day! <3