Trapped

chapter 29

The roof of the pavilion was sufficient enough to protect them from the sharp heat, and standing just in front of the building had allowed them to freely see across the well-trimmed green grass. Bows and arrows were long gone, forgotten. Wu Fan had left his somewhere in the archery park, knowing that King Jongin had given him and Kyungsoo time to meet and everything else was merely an excuse to do so. Kyungsoo realized that, too. He didn't bother to bring anything in his hands.

The old Jongin would not even dream to do such thing. He had changed, Wu Fan was aware of that. To the better, and another door had closed on him.

The horizon faded to red, its soft golden framed Kyungsoo's face serenely, like poetry. It would be comfortable enough for them to walk under the crimson sky, as since a while ago the warmth of summer had ebbed into a faint chill, but no one seemingly wanted to break the stillness of air around them.

"At that time," Wu Fan began, his playful smile faded and his face grew solemn. "If I pressed my will to you more, would you go with me?"

The question had been held for long flew from Wu Fan's lips before he could refrain himself. The thinking of him letting his happiness to slip away had haunted his mind for months. He could not close his eyes at night without thinking that he could've had Kyungsoo lying beside him on his bed, wrapping his arms around him and feeling the boy's warm breath under his chin. If he just took Kyungsoo with him, being a selfish man for once in his lifetime, he could have had Kyungsoo to love.

Kyungsoo went silent. He raised his eyes toward the sky, taking a calm, slow breath. The storm in his heart had passed, but the sadness, the bitterness, would be the kind of pain that didn't disappear. Every bit of the memories he had with Wu Fan was too precious to let go and be forgotten just for his peace of mind.

"Yes, hyung, I would." Kyungsoo's answer was just as calm. "You didn't have to press, as a soft nudge from you would have crumbled all my decision at once. I cherish you more than enough to not think about the consequences."

Wu Fan held his breath. Regret rushed into him, fast and bitter.

"I'm glad you didn't, hyung." Kyungsoo turned his head to look at Wu Fan, smiling.

"Kyungsoo... are you happy?" Wu Fan managed to ask. If he saw even the slightest of doubt on the boy's face, this time Wu Fan would not hesitate to steal Kyungsoo away and leave everything behind. A part of him wanted Kyungsoo to say that living in the palace had suffered him, and therefore it would be acceptable if he then would have to take Kyungsoo with him for the sake of the boy's happiness.

"Very much so." Kyungsoo's eyes softened. To see the man he truly cared, his heart swelled with love. A different kind of love from what he had toward King Jongin, but the feeling was not less. Hesitation filled Kyungsoo, making it hard for him to open his mouth and speak. "Are you...? Hyung?" He asked after a pause, his voice came out strained. Waiting for the answer restlessly, worry clutched at him. He prayed for Wu Fan's happiness in his heart before whispering softly, "Have you found someone?"

Wu Fan let out a small chuckle, patting Kyungsoo's cheek tenderly. "Yes, I am happy," he stated matter of factly. Seeing you makes me the happiest man.

"Yes, I have found someone. The perfect one for me." You are perfect.

Kyungsoo's face glowed at hearing the answer. He could not hide his relief; his eyes crinkled into blithesome lines, a broad heart-shaped smile clung on his lips.

Wu Fan felt as though his heart had forgotten to beat, before it frantically thumping to catch up its missing pounds. Indeed he had found someone; therefore he didn't find the need to look for anyone else. He would never be content to be with someone less than Kyungsoo. Anyone who was not Kyungsoo.