Prompt: After the death of Zhao Yun's father, the king, Zhang Liao spearheads the prince's coronation.
"I want to thank you for accompanying me all this way, general."
Zhang Liao, trailed lightly by Zhao Yun next to him, stopped in front of the door when the young man spoke.
"You need not thank me. I'm merely fulfilling the duty to my kingdom by ensuring the safety of the royal bloodline." Zhang Liao stated in his typical stoic fashion.
"Right," Zhao Yun replied to his characteristically honest statement. "You'll be watching me out there right?"
"Of course, your highness," The general reassured.
"Good" Zhao Yun breathed, the apprehension weighing down on him loosening only slightly, "I'd be too nervous about this coronation if you weren't."
"Why do you say that?" Zhang Liao's response was delayed.
"I'm not really sure," Zhao Yun rubbed his neck in contemplation, "I guess it's just...well, as crown prince, I've been living under my father's shadow for most of my life."
The faintest showing of sympathy befell the general's face at the mention of the King. It hadn't been long since his majesty fell sick with a deathly illness and passed away in the night. Zhang Liao was sure that the prince was still saddened by it, and he wondered how he'd been coping now that the burden of the kingdom was being passed onto him.
"But my father is no longer here, and now I must become my own man...like you did. You're really the only one I can look to now."
Though the general and the prince were of a different status, Zhao Yun knew Zhang Liao's past. He knew about his history with his father...or lack thereof. In truth, he lacked a real family to call his own. Apparently he'd been disowned by his father - he once overheard him telling this to the late king, but he never found out the reason why it happened - and had been forced to fend for himself at a very young age, which made him perfect as a military recruit. He became a warrior in the king's royal armed forces, and by the age of 21 he'd risen to the rank of general. Zhao Yun had made him his acquaintance since he first appeared in the castle grounds, and since then had watched him grow into the highly respected general that he is now.
Zhang Liao was a mere three years older than Zhao Yun, but it never seemed that way to the prince. As a warrior and a leader, the general had grown and experienced more than a pampered noble ever would. Truthfully, Zhao Yun saw him as someone he could look to for guidance, but he knew him well enough to be comfortable around him. Because of that, Zhao Yun looked up to him like he would an older brother.
"I can't see why I'd be much help. Unlike your father, I'm no king." Zhang Liao said modestly.
"No...I guess not," Zhao Yun muttered, 'you're so much more than that,' he wanted to add.
Zhao Yun stepped closer to him, patting him on the shoulder. "Don't think about it too much. I'm just glad you're here is all," he admitted before stepping back, maintaining his youthful regalia with his distance.
"If it's all the same then, no matter what it is I provide it's an honor to be of service." Zhang Liao stated in a humble manner, giving a slight bow. "Shall we go now, young master?"
"O...of course, general." Zhao Yun stuttered, suddenly very self-conscious and nervous about entering the ceremony.
Zhang Liao approached the door, but turned back when he noticed the prince had not moved. "Are you coming, your highness?"
"I will. Just...give me minute."
The general met him with a concerned frown.
"I'm fine, go ahead." Zhao Yun insisted.
The general's stared at him as if he wanted to say something, but his face softened before he turned back to the door, opening it and disappearing behind its bright wooden frame.
Zhao Yun rubbed the back of his neck, curling up his sweaty fingers in his solitude. Predictably, he was anxious about becoming king, but not about living up to his father's name. His father's love for him was purely unconditional, and therefore platonic. Wherever his father was in spirit, he knew he would always be proud of him.
His mind was on general Zhang Liao. On the surface, they were merely friends by association with the late king, but being honest with himself, Zhao Yun always admired him. His fear was being a king undeserving of Zhang Liao's loyalty. He wanted the general to show him the same respect that he did his father. He wanted to be seen as a leader in his eyes and not just a political figure that needed protection.
Maybe then, Zhang Liao would find the same admiration in him that he did the general.
The prince bowed his head, closing his eyes as the royal crest was placed upon his forehead. He breathed in a sigh of anxiousness, feeling it's golden frame against his skin. The crown that endowed his father was handed down to him and would be destined to stay with him until death.
He opened his eyes, composing himself regally with every movement as he stood up straight. His royal blue gaze was met with the general's iron grey eyes as he stared back at him. Zhao Yun caught the approval behind his stoic glare. Noticing this sign of encouragement, Zhao Yun gestured his respect to Zhang Liao, finding motivation in the general's blessing.
Zhang Liao turned away from him, nodding to the priest at his side, before taking his place in the center of the line of soldiers at the top of the stairs. The priest took his place before Zhao Yun, clearing his throat to signal he was about to begin the ritual. Catching the gesture, Zhao Yun turned around as the priest began chanting a ceremonial prayer, facing the large crowd of people who had gathered in the room to witness the crowning of their new king. Their faces were much clearer in his vision now than when he first walked in. In line with his father, the people of his kingdom signaled their blessing to him. Upon the placing of his crown, he also received the blessing of general, the man he respected more than anyone else. His only mission was to return the favor by being a king that ruled in the people's interest. Nothing else mattered.
"May heaven's light guide you, King Zhao Yun!" Zhao Yun brought back out of his thoughts as the priest ended his speech.
The voices of the soldiers aligned behind them immediately followed. "LET THE GODS' MIGHT BE WITH YOU, KING ZHAO YUN!" The soldiers roared ceremoniously in perfect sync, their chants trailed by the people's enthusiastic applause.
Above the soldiers' glorious chanting, the new king could hear the general's voice the loudest, and it made his heart soar.
Author's Note: The one-shot that you just read is the first of a series of drabbles that I'm planning. Each one is a separate story set in a different AU, although some will be continuations of pervious entries. For anyone who may be reading this, you're welcome to put in a request for a prompt, but keep in mind I'm planning on keeping this story in the K-T range for the time being (however, if you would like something a little more rated M, I could make a separate series or add it to my "The Dragon and the Demon" one-shot series). I can't promise that I'll fulfill every request, but I'm open to ideas.
Anyway, I'd like to hear your thoughts about this in a review. Did you like it? Did you not like it? Do you like or dislike the idea of various AU stories? Do you like or dislike the idea of Zhao YunXZhang Liao? Do you want me to stop asking so many questions and just write the next chapter already?