IX) Maze

(Everyone readjusting to their new path after the last reset.)

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Gon POV:

Gon awakes with a start - drenched in cold sweat, breath erratic, heart pounding. He takes a deep breath, eyes wide open in the dark, as he wills *reality* to settle back into his mind.

Yeong is all right. He has entirely recovered, thankfully; and he is by now fully back as Captain of The Royal Guard.

Gon takes another deep breath, focusing on his surroundings and on what he knows to be truth. Recuring nightmares are just part of his life; no matter the timeline, no matter the dream. He knows by now how to best deal with it all, right. Breathe. Focus. This is *now*. This is *here*. Repeat.

It's only 4:11, but Gon knows he won't be able to get back to sleep. He has a meeting with Minister Mo scheduled at 10.30. So, why not make the most of it, then.

Lady Noh is going to give him The Talk when he returns; but she will forgive him, of course. She is just as soft as she is fierce and strong - always; for him. She has recovered from his Uncle's passing quicker than Gon would have thought - and even though Gon knows it is in fact for him somehow, he is just grateful to be the one to keep her going, then. It had hit Gon hard, his Uncle being dead too already in this timeline - the same night; even without his brother's interfering. But at least, Gon had been able to find some solace in the fact that Prince Buyeong had gone painlessly in his sleep; and in the knowledge that his Uncle would still judge it a fair end, as none of his guards had gotten slaughtered because of him.

Gon takes a quick shower, puts the ceremonial vest on, and grabs the flute. He leaves a scribbled note on the nightstand: Back at 09.30.

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Gon's quest proves once more unsuccessful. Gon takes a short moment in the in-between, then sets his jaw and his shoulders, and reenters The Kingdom as Its King, in full possession of his self-control, and ready to face Yeong giving him That Look.

They never talk about it; it isn't necessary. In itself, it's nothing new - Yeong running The Check as usual whenever they had been apart for any length of time, no matter how short. Yeong's eyes though are even more piercing nowadays, X-raying right through Gon in search of one particular bit of information. And then comes That Look; and it's a new look Gon doesn't like at all (and totally different from The (judgmental) Look Gon is always very fond of; even though just as silent) - Yeong's face seemingly as stoic as ever to anyone else, but Yeong's eyes betraying the inner blow Yeong can't help but feel on Gon's behalf at understanding the trip into whatever parallel universe of the day having been yet in vain.

Over the past six months, Gon has found over a dozen versions of Tae Eul; but sadly, still not the one he's actually looking for. Gon takes the flute whenever his schedule allows it; and Yeong covers for Gon's absences as best as he can. But the obelisks open now into so many worlds, Gon has to map and name them, not to lose time visiting a wrong universe twice. He still doesn't leave for more than half a day at a time, though; not only because The Attack is still too fresh in everyone's mind, but also because his schedule is even more packed than usual with reassuring visits all over the country.

Gon has been able to locate Myeong Seung Ah though; not that it had proved a challenge, as she's working for his PR team in this timeline too. And she is definitely lovely; a fact Gon wishes Yeong would get to realize too. And not because Gon's heart breaks at each not Tae Eul he finds, and Yeong being happy would make Gon feel somehow better - happy by proxy; but simply because Gon wants Yeong to be happy: period. Gon has now seen a Yeong and a Myeong Seung Ah thrice as a couple after all in his search for Tae Eul (four times, counting Eun Seob and his Na Ri) - not that the fact that the two of them are always a pair whenever Gon sees them in another universe could and would persuade Yeong that the two of them do belong together; and so, unfortunately, Gon's attempts at meddling with Yeong's love life still stay ineffective.

(Gon has also seen two not-Tae Eul with doppelgängers of himself; and three with other versions of Kang Sin Jae. This is information Gon hasn't shared with Yeong; it means nothing after all, right? Gon though has asked Yeong to look for information over Kang Hyeon Min's life as a citizen of The Kingdom; and has been happy (no matter the (not) jealousy) to learn he is apparently doing all right, and being a detective too in his new present. If- *When* Gon finds Tae Eul? Well, if by chance she remembers Gon, then she remembers Kang Sin Jae too - and Gon has at least nothing too hard to hear to tell her about him.)

Not that Yeong isn't actively trying to cheer Gon up and soothe Gon's heartache from the repeated failed attempts at finding Tae Eul. Yeong has always been considerate, for sure. But lately, there are undeniably even more transparent little gestures than usual.

First, and original and oldest obvious sign, are the cookies. You bet Gon had always made sure the kitchen's cupboards would be regularly refilled with Yeong's favorite cookies, ever since Yeong's family had moved in; but somehow, those had always tasted better, whenever it had been Yeong (affectionately renamed 'Cookie Monster' on some of those occasions during their youth) offering them to Gon, as they had taken a break while playing in the gardens, and later on while training etc... And to this day, whenever Gon seems in need of a sugar hit, on their way back to The Palace, after some stressing event or tiresome meeting, a pack of those Yeong's still favorite cookies always seems to magically appear out of Yeong's pocket - Yeong keeping one half for himself, taking a bite first; and wordlessly offering the other half to Gon over the car seat - and Gon always takes it. (Gon had even taken it the one time Eun Seob had been the one handing it over - and even though Yeong had so evidently truly coached Eun Seob about everything, that cookie had never felt as tasteless as right then. The only cookie ever left uneaten had been the unopened one Yeong had had in his pocket (simply because there was always one in his pocket) when he had followed Gon into the past: Gon had burned that pack, along with Yeong's bloodied clothes.) Well, nowadays, the cookie-sharing ritual is a daily thing, instead of being reserved as a potentially necessary travel-snack, and disregarding the jar full of cookies always available right at Gon's desk.

Then, there are the suits. Gon definitely understands that it is not by coincidence that Yeong lately happens to wear his dark blue suits much more regularly than for the usual 'special occasion' - because in Yeong's mind, about every day at the moment *is* a special occasion. Of course Yeong knows Gon likes it when Yeong wears the suits Gon has offered to him. Of course Yeong knows Gon judges blue to suit Yeong best. And so of course Yeong makes sure to wordlessly shout and show he cares by simply over indulging Gon's aesthetic and possessive streaks. It is a gift of heartwarming and pleasing *familiarity*; no matter its more usual rarity prior Gon's current melancholia. Yeong would no doubt pass The Palace's door every morning in a silly clown costume if necessary, just to warm Gon's heart; but they both know that the suits are just better at that task, and so Yeong wears the suits.

What works best, though - always - are Yeong's smiles and Yeong's laugh. And speaking of that last, Gon is blessedly *spoiled*, lately. Not that Yeong forces himself to laugh even if he doesn't feel like it. It's actually the contrary: Yeong is *authorizing* himself to laugh freely whenever he wants to - even if they both know it to be of course because it is on Gon's behalf, too. But it is true nonetheless; and very precious to Gon's heart.

Kha Bi and Eun Bi are regular appearances at The Palace; generally on Monday's, after school. Gon has made up a short D&D campaign for them; and they love it - Kha Bi has even started planning a campaign of his own for next. Yeong is playing too: to please his siblings, to please Gon, but also for his own entertainment - as he so obviously enjoys it all just as much as when they had been children.

Yeong has also voiced several times a wish for Gon and him to practice shooting together (instead of simply honoring Gon's regular walking to the shooting grounds in order/invitation), and they have taken their horses out for a ride thrice over the last two months (only on Palace grounds, not for too long, and with Seok Ho Pil or In Young and another guard tagging along a few paces behind; but still, Gon deems it a win.)

So, yes. Yeong *is* now taking some time to have some fun - even if still only (for now) at The Palace (which means there are alert guards everywhere looking out for Gon) and under Gon's supervision (which means Gon is still also under Yeong's supervision), as discussed in the old timeline; but it's a start - and it feels particularly satisfactory - right, and good - on so many levels.

And it is even heartwarming when Yeong is not indulging Gon - because it still only shows how much Yeong cares indeed. When time had come for The Royal Guard annual special exercise, Yeong hadn't played at the attacking side (usually embodied by all the Captains) but as one of Gon's guards. And, of course, he had also made sure to wear his least dark blue suit for the occasion - making him an obvious target amongst the regular black suits everyone else wore. Everything had just screamed that, apparently, the goal of this year's exercise had been: Make sure to take Our Captain down right in front of His Majesty before pulling His Majesty into the getaway car. Repeatedly. For two hours long. They had never discussed Gu Dong Mae's report about the supposed attack; but Yeong had evidently been informed enough about Gon's reluctance at leaving him behind.

"I know what you're doing and I do not like it one bit", Gon had hissed in Yeong's ear before the first round. "Besides, I know it isn't real."

"I am well aware of those three facts, Pyeha. We're still doing it anyway."

Gon had sulked at Yeong for the rest of the day in retaliation. Being petty wasn't exactly kingly; but it had still felt difficult, no matter the knowledge that it hadn't been real. Yeong hadn't apologized (which had felt right; because he had done in truth nothing wrong to start with - on the contrary) nor even sought for truce, and had just let Gon sulk his fill; but Yeong had kept in Gon's vision range for the rest of the day, a fact Gon had been grateful for, sulking notwithstanding.

And then, Gon had gone to the kitchens and cooked dinner - for two, actually; and a grateful Yeong had just bowed and thanked him before taking a seat in front of Gon's olive-branch offering in the form of a steaming bowl, and had started comparing Aang's and Goku's fighting styles in length in return - the captivating and endearing analysis an olive-branch offering of his own.

/

Finally! Tae Eul! Finally!

Gon has found her!

And she remembers him!

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Tae Eul remembers everything, in fact. And once the surprise fades, Gon understands why 'Kang Hyeon Min' hasn't yet forced his way into The Palace demanding news about Tae Eul: because he truly is Kang Hyeon Min now - not simply by name; his whole past having been rewritten. Tae Eul had been the one taking Lee Lim in the in-between - and not the detective.

The fact that Tae Eul had been fluteless and in the in-between though when everything had been reset apparently means that her existence has changed the most out of any of them, and that she is aware of it; and Gon can't help but feel sorry - and guilty. It had been her choice; but it had been for him - and the price she had to pay for it now weights heavy on his shoulders too. Having been literally out of the world (and without the flute's protection) as The Republic's past had been remodeled, she had apparently lost her prior relationships - as she hadn't been present in that new but now true past to be technically able to bond with anyone. She still has her father - thanks to the biologically unalterable link, which just cannot be erased. She is still a cop. But it is not only Kang Sin Jae, as assumed, she lost with the reset; but also Eun Seob and Na Ri.

Gon can at least give her news about Kang Sin Jae - or better said, about the stranger she cares about nonetheless that is Kang Hyeon Min. And Gon can at least hold her close as she cries anew; but not from relief and happiness at Gon having come for her, this time - clinging to him for support and not from joy. It feels awful; but it feels somehow better still than feeling useless whenever he gets to see Yeong's similar ache over Eun Seob. Tae Eul lets him comfort her, at least; whereas Yeong pretends everything is fine before quietly leaving the room, that new flashing sad look Gon abhors in his eyes, on the rare occasions Eun Seob is mentioned.

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You bet Yeong realizes Gon has finally found Tae Eul the moment Gon gets back. That Look finally morphs into a simple nod and eyes radiating utter joy on Gon's behalf; and Gon can't help but smile back, no matter the cost.

/

Gon and Tae Eul's Friday evening to Saturday evening and/or Saturday evening to Sunday evening trips quickly become the norm.

Yeong really doesn't approve of the arrangement - and not simply because the week-ends are generally full-packed with events Yeong now has to find excuses to get cancelled; judging by the repeated occurrences of The Look (as silent and judgmental as ever), every time Gon gets back to The Palace after such an absence.

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Gon had told Yeong, the only time they had actually talked about it (the evening following Gon's finally successful worlds-travel), that Tae Eul had lost all her connections - as a way to explain also to Yeong why he couldn't give him news about Eun Seob yet, unfortunately. Two weeks later, with a conniving smile, Yeong had presented to Gon a sealed envelope including some sketched begin of a plan about how best to make Tae Eul exist in The Kingdom alongside Luna. And so, the more time went by without them ever discussing said plan, the more Yeong grew struggling with what he judged (as voiced, if only once) as Tae Eul's inexplicable reluctance at moving over even now that she had no attach left to her world besides her father, whom they would no doubt be able to visit regularly enough. Gon had retorted that Yeong couldn't really blame Tae Eul for not being ready at once not only to leave her home world behind but also to become The Kingdom's Queen while being at heart a Republican to boot simply to please Gon, as Yeong couldn't even find it in him to take Myeong Seung Ah out on a date if only once - and was that truly that much to ask? Yeong had glared at Gon for two days. Gon had pretended not to even notice any of it. Lady Noh had looked perplexed, to say the least; both at the unusual length of the silence, and at the total absence of teasing or whiny comments to break it.

"I didn't mean to overstep, Pyeha; I apologize. I just don't understand her", Yeong had finally let out with a worried (for him) and frustrated sigh, caving in on Friday, after lunch; knowing Gon would soon leave for the week-end again, and unable to let him leave without some kind of reconciliation; even though he still obviously disagreed with the situation as a whole.

"And I actually do mean to overstep, and I don't understand you, Yeongie; so you two should really be best pals", Gon had simply answered, squeezing Yeong's shoulder twice for good measure, definitely sealing the end of their not-quarrel with a warm smile.

Yeong had tilted his head; the gesture a begging in itself, even if the tone of his voice had kept as firm as ever, and his eyes as insistent (no matter the improvement at Gon travelling nowadays with a trained police officer as back up escorte at least, instead of wandering on his own while out of Yeong's reach). "Be careful, Pyeha. Please."

"I'll text you right when I get back," Gon had simply offered: they both knew being careful was an ever present imperative; just as they both knew they'd be willing to risk their lives anyway, if they deemed it necessary.

That week-end, the flute had taken Gon and Tae Eul into The Republic's past; and Gon had found himself saving a young Kang Sin Jae from a lifetime long coma. It had felt right, when realization at what had actually happened had hit. He hadn't told Tae Eul, though: that little boy wasn't her Kang Sin Jae after all.

.

Gon still hasn't a clue about why sometimes the obelisks open to a vast world of choices - multiple paths leading to so many portals; and why other times the flute just *takes* them to some place, or even some time, or both. He has been truly thankful though for their excursion into The Kingdom's past; seeing his Uncle once more, and having him meeting Tae Eul. Gon catalogs every trip, hoping it might some day make sense.

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When Tae Eul announces she has to work one Saturday to replace a sick colleague and so they should stay in The Republic, if Gon doesn't mind, Gon uses the hours he's on his own to go and see Eun Seob. Tae Eul has searched for him and Na Ri, of course - even if only to make sure they were all right. She hasn't actually met them (yet?); and Gon senses it is for her in fact too difficult. But Gon just needs to see Eun Seob with his own two eyes; not only for himself, but also for Yeong.

Gon finds Eun Seob with some different kind of confidence in the way he holds himself; working for The Republic's National Intelligence Security and looking effortlessly good and classy in a blue suit, of all colors. This Eun Seob looks so much more like Yeong than his previous self. And it is nice (because Eun Seob is obviously doing well and feeling perfectly fine); but it is strange, and somehow *lacking*. But then, Gon overhears him talk with his still just as precious Na Ri over the phone; and decides he doesn't sound that different after all. Gon can't help but smile.

Yeong is obviously touched, and so happy at hearing Gon retelling in details about how his older-twin-little brother is actually thriving. Gon proposes with a huge grin Yeong should tag along into The Republic next time; expecting an enthusiastic yes. But Yeong's face closes at once.

"Thank you, Pyeha. I mean it. I fear that it would be selfish, though; more than it would be wise. He's doing well; that's all that counts."

Yeong bows and clears the room; and Gon feels like kicking himself in the butt. Tae Eul and Yeong are so alike...

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Another week-end, the flute brings Gon and Tae Eul right back to The Kingdom Gon has just left, and Gon is flabbergasted. And not so much from Tae Eul's evident lack of lips reading abilities; but because he witnesses Yeong's and Myeong Seung Ah's hands meeting in a far too private way to be meaningless.

"Is there anything you might feel like telling me, Yeong-ah?" Gon asks Yeong, later on. "Anything at all?" - demanding, gaze pinning.

"Ah." Yeong just says as Gon's meaning hit right away (It is not like Yeong has that many secrets after all). "Well. Nothing you don't know about already, apparently, Pyeha."

"Care to explain why I had to discover such paramount information on my own?"

"I know said information means a lot to you, Pyeha; so I wanted to be sure, before ever telling you. Especially as it started after our last disagreement; and I didn't want you to think I was simply trying to make a point or something."

"Like I would ever believe you'd abuse someone's feelings just for the sake of making a point to me, Yeong-ah. I know you're dedicated, but surely, that'd be a stretch too far. So, let's focus on your first reason only. From what I saw, it seems to be going well?"

"It is still quite new, Pyeha."

"But it is going well?"

"It is going, Pyeha."

"Which is all I need to know; relax." Gon is feeling particularly happy, and particularly smug. "Weekly updates on the subject are from now on mandatory, Captain Jo. I just have to know when I'll be able to tell you: I told you so. And start on preparing for my best man speech."

"Pyeha..."

"Shhh. I'm not pushing - too much. Just... Be happy, my dear Yeongie. Be happy. That's an order."

"I am happy, Pyeha" Yeong simply states, smiling shortly at Gon with those openly soft eyes.

And it feels good - so very good; no matter the surprising but undeniable sudden pang Gon experiences at wondering, for the first time ever, whether the evident transparent affection on display in Yeong's eyes as they lock with his own has actually anything at all to do with himself, for once...

/

At some point, awaking once more from a nightmare past the middle of the night, Gon finally understands that when the flute chooses the destination, it is apparently because there is someone needing help - needing to be saved, even.

Some occasions may not be apparent right away; but maybe just delaying someone, even by a few seconds (for example by getting through a door right before them), might after all be enough to right a wrong in the end, who could tell?

But after two cars crashing right where a kid would have stood if not for talking to Gon; one heavy branch breaking and crashing down right where a middle-aged man might have been if he hadn't been asking them for directions they hadn't been able to give; and Tae Eul giving CPR in two different universes to an elder lady and a teenager in deserted streets until they had heard help arriving, Gon having located a public phone and called the alarm line: there was possibly a pattern...

And so Gon can't help but think that they probably should have stayed longer in that universe he wished he could forget they had ever stumbled into - the world where he rules as a tyrant. What if there had been someone needing help there too?

The idea only is enough for Gon to make his decision. If nothing happens: maybe his whole theory is wrong, or maybe it's too late by now to save whoever they could have saved, unfortunately. But if he is right, and that someone can still be saved? Of course Gon just *has* to go; and right now: what if there is no time to lose?

Gon dresses in black, cap and face mask included, grabs the flute, and is on his way, wishing the obelisks will open tonight to let him choose his destination.

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AN :

First - and always: Yeong is *A LOT* (TM). He definitely wears his heart on his sleeve all the time and I'm just - *SIGH SIGH DREAMY SIGH*. Also, I love (my) Yeong (dorky); and it always has to show. (On a side note: Of course Gon, Yeong and his siblings have in the meantime caught up on Avatar (ATLA) together...) But even more, I love (my) Yeong always being so genuinely happy simply about his Pyeha being happy. *INHUMAN SCREECHING* I don't think I can express THE MASSIVE AND MULTILAYERED FEELS I get just from Yeong professing to Gon those 4 simple yet all-encompassing words: "I am happy, Pyeha". I want my Yeong happy, 24/24 and 7/7, okay ! It still floors me though that even when Yeong is not only ensuring the possibility for Gon to be happy but also actually taking care of its continuity and even actively being the one making it happen thanks to eventual silly shenanigans, the only thing he cares about is still just that Gon is happy - and not even because he's orchestrated it, not even because it's on his behalf, in fact, too (even though those are bonusses, they are not the chore of it); but simply, and truly, because GON IS HAPPY. And so, don't get me started either on Gon's "Be happy, my dear Yeongie. That's an order." I am weak. The other one's happiness is just that paramount to their own happiness; and I'm just melting in the middle. Who does it like them, honestly? (So Gon, really, can't you open your eyes and realize that of course YOU are the one making your Yeong-ah that happy; so that he gets to tell those 4 words to you at least once each and every day - and make MY day in return. IS THAT TRULY THAT MUCH TO ASK! GRRR!) Thanks for putting up with me, everyone?

Then: Gon having nightmares about his precious Yeong after Cheonjongo feels nothing but ineluctable to me. And Tae Eul's losses and post-reset situation are honestly heartbreaking, but just make sense to me; and IMO that's why she's not around when Gon sees Eun Seob - outside, instead of at her home or Na Ri's or wherever... But do not mention Eun Seob if you do not want me to start ugly sobbing all over the place. MY POOR BABIIIIIIIIIIES ! (Don't worry too much, though: Yeong has one dream to make real and one asked (even if not answered, MY HEART) promise to honor to his older-twin-little brother after all; and so he is bound to cave in at some point, right!)

Also: The saving people across the universes thing is my way to explain the differences in the flute's apparent workings (even though I won't ever pretend to have a clue about how parallel universes traveling works at all...) And indulge in my little adaptations and rereading of some of the last bits in canon? (I'm sorry Tae Eul; but there is just *no way* Yeong would *ever* call his sacred Pyeha *that* and mean it... Idem with Yeong's and Myeong Seung Ah's fake blooming romantic relation: it's just for Gon's sake, and Myeong Seung Ah is only playing along...)

And so: (*rolling drums*) On our way to Tyrant-verse! Yeah! (Yeah?) Are you ready? (Not sure I am...)

(And as always, thanks for any feedback: it means the Manpasikjeok to me!)