XIV) Parallel world (2/5)
(Nam Seon Ho settling or not in The Kingdom, with Yeong's help.)
(Warning: Yeong is prudent - which means he has to take into account the eventuality of Nam Seon Ho being possibly suicidal at the moment, to say it outright. Nothing happens; but I felt like giving a warning anyway. (And please keep safe, everyone!))
(AN: Italics are text messages.)
.
Yeong POV:
They are in the guest bedroom (technically Yeong's bedroom, if he ever was to sleep here; not that Nam Seon Ho should be aware of that fact - Yeong can always sleep in Kha Bi's bed, no big deal). The bed is already made, and Yeong has just placed some fresh clothes at the end of it (Yeong has left two sets of casual clothes and one pair of sneakers here years ago, after having helped his parents in the garden and around the house, when they had moved in here while expecting the twins). His Majesty has by now taken over the kitchen - judging from the noises coming from it. It is not surprising; but it is heartwarming anyway, as Yeong checks the room as subtly as he can for any object that might get used in any dangerous way (he doesn't find any); then opens the window in order to close the blinds (which are thankfully loud enough when manipulated) before closing the window once more.
Yeong turns back to Nam Seon Ho - still hovering in the doorway (more or less unconsciously mindful of His Majesty apparently staying downstairs, and unwilling to leave the relative safety of being in the open for an enclosed space in case he might need to try to flee?) with that same somehow absent and vacant gaze since they've escaped that other palace - going through the motions on automatic pilot. He hadn't even seemed to notice the obelisks appearing out of nowhere in front of his eyes; hadn't hesitated nor tensed nor marveled at anything - not when Yeong had extended his hand in invitation after having walked through the portal first, not when Yeong had helped him onto DM and they had crossed the ethereal in-between, not when they had (re)entered The Kingdom (and Yeong had quickly sent a message to his parents, to let them know they were back and unharmed - his phone had pinged back right away, of course; but Yeong had judged it wiser to wait until being in a more private setting before reading their bound to be oh so relieved answer), not when Yeong had helped him off DM, and not when Yeong had swiftly manoeuvered him through any room downstairs in order to spare him from being left alone in His Majesty's vicinity as Yeong had run a quick check right after they had entered his parents's house, before taking him upstairs. All the while, Yeong had also done all the talking - which hadn't been much, in fact: only some quiet minimum explaining - sharing careful silent worried glances with His Majesty; but Yeong cannot tell what, nor even if, Nam Seon Ho had actually registered any of it. Well: Yeong will just start over when his second twin is ready to listen.
"Here", Yeongs says, handing the key to the room over to Nam Seon Ho. "Feel free to use it as you wish while we stay here - only you and me; only a few days. Just so you know, though: I could break through the door, if necessary; but I hope you won't, and I'll be grateful if you don't, give me any reason for it - all right?"
Nam Seon Ho seems surprised - even if Yeong cannot tell if it's at the caring and understanding gesture, at the subtle yet clear hint ('Not here. Not now.' unrepeated but echoing through the room anyway), or at the honesty about the actual lack of guarantee the key gives. He nods and takes the key, though - clutching it in both hands; even if still not walking into the room - and Yeong decides that it's a start.
"Let me show you around."
As he walks past Nam Seon Ho and out of the bedroom, Yeong takes back the bag he has brought along upstairs - containing his own clothes he had taken off before entering Nam Seon Ho's original universe. Nam Seon Ho follows Yeong further down the corridor; focusing mostly on the repeated noises coming from the ground level instead of noticing any of the photos hanging on the walls (a mix of pictures of the three children of the house posing behind birthday cakes and seaweed soup), apparently.
"His Majesty is cooking", Yeong explains; the frown on his double's face only growing deeper at the words.
Yeong stops walking and opens the last door - revealing the bathroom with toilet behind it.
"I need to refresh and change (no need to raise more unwanted questions than necessary by meeting Team 3 wearing a wig and a suit not tailored to his own size); but if you want to go first-"
"No." It comes out in a somehow panicked rush - contrasting with his his other parallel universe's self's behaviour until now. "You go ahead", Nam Seon Ho hurries to add, more calmly; and Yeong pretends there had been nothing to notice, then.
After all, Yeong just cannot even start to imagine, and even less know; so he's definitely not going to try to do either - and even less judge; nor push - be it that Nam Seon Ho doesn't want to get inside any room in general; or in the bathroom in particular. (Yeong had thought Nam Seon Ho might jump on the first occasion to clean up? But maybe Nam Seon Ho does feel dirty anyway - is so used to feel dirty anyway; no matter the amount of showering - or maybe even more right now because of the hint at showering? Maybe the paralysing spectre of His Majesty's presence is too close still - even if an entire floor separates them? Maybe it is a refusal of losing the last particles of his own world he still carries - his last link to the ones he lost there? Maybe it's even something else - something Yeong cannot even think of... Whatever it is; it is more than valid, anyway.)
"The door stays open", Yeong just says as he starts to free his hair from the wig, chasing any pin by touch alone - leaving Nam Seon Ho to decide for himself if it's for his benefit or simply in warning not to bolt; but letting him the choice to stay near or lock himself in the guest bedroom, as long as he's within view or hear range.
Nam Seon Ho turns around; but stays in the doorway.
Yeong hurries; eyes never leaving the thin(nest) version of his own back in front of him, and ears always alert for any unexpected noise from downstairs until he's done - not only with his shower and his clothes, but also with retrieving any medicine and scissors and razors and such from the bathroom cabinets while taking out two new toothbrushes (one white, one purple - the only available colours not matching the ones already in use at the moment), one new hairbrush (Yeong can make do with his fingers if necessary; but Nam Seon Ho's hair is even longer than Yeong's mother's hair), and another clean towel; not mentioning anything but letting it all stacked on open display, making it clear that Nam Seon Ho is welcome to use any of those - and leaving it to Nam Seon Ho to decide for himself when he might be.
"I have to call The Royal Guard. His Majesty shouldn't get back to The Palace without an escorte."
There is a flash of something in his second twin's eyes as he turns his attention back to him at the words - probably the idea of more people coming around is unwelcome. But again, Nam Seon Ho reacts to the honest warning, and nods. He seems to appreciate that Yeong apparently makes the effort to give him advance notice, at least; even though he cannot exactly control much of what actually happens.
"I'll stay upstairs until they're gone."
"Thank you."
Nam Seon Ho still doesn't enter his appointed bedroom, though. Yeong closes all the blinds in all the rooms - closing each room and taking the keys with him as he goes; then takes out his phone and starts the call only when back in Nam Seon Ho's vicinity - ensuring he hears what he says. At some point, Nam Seon Ho gives him a nod before sitting down on the floor, leaning against the wall cornering the stairs, head down and silent; and so Yeong gets back to His Majesty's side.
/
Yeong has eaten some already, with His Majesty; but he doesn't mind eating some more to put Nam Seon Ho further at ease, indeed. And so, right after His Majesty's departure, Yeong goes back upstairs.
He finds his second twin exactly in the same spot and the same position as before; and nothing indicates that he has noticed that Yeong reappeared - staring down - or possibly better said, into nothing. Yeong feels a surge of sympathy and sits down next to him (making sure they do not touch though), trying to offer at the minimum a silent comforting presence - instead of coaxing Nam Seon Ho into eating already as first intended. It just feels as if Nam Seon Ho needs quiet company more than food at the moment.
After some time, Yeong's watch beeps - twice: His Majesty is back at The Palace.
A short moment later, his phone pings: a message from His Majesty, no doubt.
"Excuse me; I have to-"
An half absent half authorizing nod cuts him off, so Yeong takes out his phone, wondering if it might be better to cover the screen for His Majesty's privacy's sake or to angle it more openly for Nam Seon Ho's nerves's sake. He doesn't have to make a decision, as Nam Seon Ho's gaze right away returns inwards - indifferent; uncaring.
Back at The Palace; as I'm sure you already know. Is he any better since I left?
He's still quiet. He lets me near; at least. I'll report every hour on the clock?
Thank you. (And because it is actually 'Thank you' - and not simply 'Yes' or 'Do' or anything alike - Yeong hears the heartfelt 'Yeongie' that would have been here if His Majesty had been talking to him instead of typing.)
No need, Pyeha.
Thank you anyway.
Yeong feels gentle warmth course through his veins at the unnecessary insistence but doesn't let himself bask in it as he turns the sound alerts to silent buzzes, then puts his phone away.
Silence returns and stretches for a while longer; until:
"What happened to them?"
It's neither a careful whisper nor a strangled sob; it is simply a sincere, serious plea about needing to know - even though it just sounds hollow and lacking and empty in a way which speaks volumes about how much it actually hurts to ask. Nam Seon Ho is not looking at Yeong; eyes still lost on the floor - on another space and time - but those first unprompted words show he *is* present anyway - here and now; and with Yeong.
And so Yeong tells what he knows (what His Majesty overheard); and shows him the death certificates on his phone - not at all because he wants to; simply because Nam Seon Ho needs him to.
Seo Hwi's is the one Yeong opens first before passing his phone over. Nam Seon Ho reads it over minutely in tensed, private silence, eyes focused but desperately fighting themselves to go on, and breathing getting more and more unstable as the reality of it all sinks deeper and deeper in, still. Then Seo Yeon's. There's a telltale particular hitch Yeong had been expecting, sadly, as Nam Seon Ho's eyes can't help but squeeze briefly shut too in helpless, useless, renewed anger and denial and agony at the added evidently unexpected blow at one particular piece of information. Both deaths had been sudden, on impact; which, all considered, might be somehow soothing to know. But Seo Yeon had been over 2 months pregnant when she had passed away. Nam Seon Ho soldiers on though; and finishes to read, before handing the phone back to Yeong. Yeong pockets it back; after having sent a quick 'Later' to His Majesty in both warning about his would-be-soon-delay yet reassurance.
Silence, again; as Yeong waits for Nam Seon Ho's breathing to turn somewhat even once more. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words after all.
Silence, still; a bit longer.
And then, Yeong decides the time has come to finally get some food into Nam Seon Ho's system:
"Let's eat", Yeong simply says as he gets back up on his feet - not exactly ordering; but making sure Nam Seon Ho understands he just won't relent until Nam Seon Ho indulges him. Nam Seon Ho goes and washes his hands in silent agreement before following Yeong to the kitchen.
Yeong motions for Nam Seon Ho to take a seat as he reheats some food and sets the table; but Nam Seon Ho apparently can't help but look at his plate with some apprehension when Yeong sets it down in front of him. So Yeong digs his own chopsticks into Nam Seon Ho's food, mixes everything for good measure, and takes quite a large bite from it for himself, before taking his seat at the other side of the table. Nam Seon Ho just stares at Yeong; until Yeong swallows. Yeong drinks some water out of Nam Seon's glass too; then out of his own, before pointing at his own plate:
"It's really good, and I'm still hungry - even if I ate some already, as I believe you are aware; so I'm going to eat, all right? But you can wait for a while; if you'd rather ('wait for any drug symptom to show' is heavily implied). Just reheat it yourself again if necessary whenever you're ready. ('I won't come near your plate before you're finished' going unsaid) You can use those chopsticks too (waving the pair in his own hand) if you prefer; you only have to ask."
And Yeong starts eating, facing Nam Seon Ho but not exactly looking at him, while Nam Seon Ho keeps vigilant track of his every move. Four bites later - already? finally? - Nam Seon Ho starts eating too. Yeong doesn't think though that it means his second twin has actually decided to trust him, actually. To be honest, Yeong strongly believes that Nam Seon Ho in truth might not really care much at that point about having possibly traded one hell for another. And even if he does; it is definitely going to take a lot more than a few hours, of course, for him to even start to even consider that this truly isn't simply a temporary reprieve or anything in that trend. But: one step at a time - as long as it's in the right direction. Nam Seon Ho allowed them to free him from his jail. Nam Seon Ho followed them into The Kingdom. Nam Seon Ho is eating. For now; that's all that counts. Yeong gives him a thankful nod and gentle eyes, even as he still hesitates before smiling encouragingly.
They eat in silence. Nam Seon is not only not in the mood for conversation, he's also simply and truly hungry - unsurprisingly, after having been unfed for days; and it evidently shows - no matter his emotional state - once he actually starts to eat. There had been about the double amount of food on his plate in comparison to Yeong's to start with; but he's already near finished, even though he started after Yeong, and now seems to slow down only in order not to finish before Yeong - so Yeong hurries to finish; then proposes some more when both their plates are empty. Nam Seon Ho empties his glass but declines the extra food; and Yeong doesn't insist. Nam Seon Ho shouldn't eat too much right away - and he probably knows his own limits from repeated experiences, sadly: so, if he says it is enough for now; then it is.
Yeong gets up in order to clean the table, while thinking about the best way to get Nam Seon Ho to get some rest, with any luck, now that his belly is full (even if Yeong knows his second twin is most probably not going to sleep much - if any - no matter his obvious and inevitable exhaustion due to his repeated lack of sleep over the last days: neither because he's processing parralel universes, nor because he's stressed and concerned about his safety in this new world he stumbled into - even though *he is* after all at the moment truly at Yeong's (meaning at His Majesty's) mercy; for better or worse - but because he's still in shock and raw and grieving, pass denial but so very far from acceptance; wrecked and torn inside out and apart.)
"I'm going back upstairs", Nam Seon Ho says though before Yeong mentions it.
"As you wish. I'll be there shortly." (leaving it to Nam Seon Ho again to take this as a caring sign or as a warning not to try anything that would require Yeong to break a door open - it is both, anyway)
Yeong quickly finishes his work in the kitchen (also adding the knives etc from the kitchen to the collection of slashing objects previously retrieved from the bathroom, in order to keep them all under lock in Kha-Bi's room for the time being); focusing on Nam Seon Ho's footsteps more than on the automatic gestures of his hands. Nam Seon Ho doesn't stop at the spot he has used to sit at by the stairway, nor by the guest bedroom - he walks right to the bathroom. The toilet flushes. Some water runs - too short for a shower, and several times: freshening up and brushing his teeth, then. Yeong hears the footsteps trailing the corridor in reverse, then the guest bedroom's lock clicking in place as Nam Seon Ho uses its key. Maybe he does mind about the possibility of having been drugged after all. It is in fact a good sign. There is even quite a loud noise following up - either the bed or the bookshelf has been moved to barricade the door. Even better, Yeong decides.
Yeong waits some before going upstairs too - calmly enough to make sure Nam Seon Ho understands he is not opposing in any way to his rearrangement of the furniture. Then, he goes to the bathroom; and checks the cabinets content once more as quietly as possible under the cover of brushing his teeth too (with the white toothbrush, as Nam Seon Ho has apparently claimed the purple one for himself). Nothing is missing (not that there were many might-be-truly-dangerous (with some imagination and some luck) objects left to choose from to start with after Yeong's initial raid). The new hair brush is still unused: Nam Seon Ho apparently hasn't felt like staying out for long after having eaten; but Yeong cannot tell if he hasn't taken it with him into his bedroom because he had known that Yeong would have asked for it back (it has a handle), or because he just couldn't care about any possible future painful tangles at the moment.
Yeong opens Kha-Bi's room (smiling while noticing the few additions since the last time he entered his little brother's space - His Majesty will be delighted to hear the Monsters Manual is full of colourful post-it marking pages, for example); then takes off his shoes and changes into his old clothes - for comfort; but even more importantly, in order to spare his (unique for the time being) dress shirt and suit for His Majesty's return. He finally takes a moment to read the messages from his parents, and look at the heartwarming pictures of their day (because no matter their worries they had had to put a mask on for the twins and carry on with holidays expected activities, indeed). And then Yeong is back in the corridor, keeping watch - sitting on the floor, leaning against the guest bedroom's door, focusing on any noise.
Yeong now sends an actual report to His Majesty:
He ate: one full plate. He drank enough water. He just went to bed - even though not to sleep, probably. But you should; and I hope you will. I'm watching over him, Pyeha.
His Majesty's response comes right away:
I know you are. (Yeong can hear the 'Unbreakable Sword' that belongs here.) And I will try to get some sleep. Continue to report once an hour anyway.
Of course, Pyeha.
But prepare him; and prepare yourself. The moment I come back: you sleep.
Yeong sighs, helplessly. He knows this is an order he will have no choice but to follow - if only because by the time His Majesty arrives, Yeong will be in need of some sleep, for sure. It doesn't mean though that Yeong likes it; and that's why his fingers are reluctant still to type the expected answer. His parents's house is relatively safe: it's not as if His Majesty is known to pass any time here to start with; and Yeong had got them to install an alarm system anyway right when they had moved in. But His Majesty will send the guards who'll accompany him here back to The Palace (and they won't be difficult about it, as they would assume Yeong to be on guard at His Majesty's side) - and Yeong just never likes His Majesty being unsupervised. Which is why His Majesty gives him notice to start with - no matter how inevitable the situation. And which is why Yeong will figure some way to work around it somehow. Yeong finally types and sends his usual acceptance - no matter the mission.
Understood, Pyeha.
He doesn't have to wait before His Majesty's (final) answer (for now).
Thank you. (Again; unnecessary. And Yeong can hear the 'my dear Yeongie' here; and lets its cosy warmth spread through his whole being this time.)
/
Yeong keeps mostly unmoving - not even making stretching exercices or any quiet training, knowing he will have to spare his energy for the coming time.
One hour later (message checking read right away):
He's still awake. Sleep well, Pyeha.
One hour later (message checking read right away):
He's still awake.
One hour later (message received but not read right away):
He's still not sleeping yet. I hope you are, Pyeha. I think he's crying.
Five minutes later (also received but still not read right away):
He is crying.
Yeong's phone buzzes, about fourty minutes later:
Still?
Yes, Pyeha.
(typing - deleted)
Twenty minutes later (message checking read right away):
I think he's fallen asleep.
Ten minutes later (message checking read right away):
He's sleeping. Do try to get back to sleep too, Pyeha.
One hour later (message received but not read right away):
He's still asleep.
One hour later (message received but not read right away):
He's still asleep.
Fifteen minutes later (message received but not read right away):
I think he's awoken.
Five minutes later (message received but not read right away):
He is awake. And crying.
Thirty minutes later (message received but not read right away):
No more crying. Still awake.
Yeong's phone doesn't buzz; but by his next message, about one hour later, as Nam Seon Ho gets busy reopening his barricade and Yeong springs back on his feet while typing, all previous messages have turned read:
He's getting up.
Nam Seon Ho unlocks the door and comes out of his bedroom. Yeong decides he will not mention to His Majesty that Nam Seon Ho's eyes look red and if possible even more dead than the day before - even though he's trying to hide it under a polite smile as he greets Yeong good morning; and under another still as he also apologizes for having kept Yeong from sleeping, evidently; before walking towards the bathroom, Yeong's clothes in hand. He turns back towards Yeong when he reaches it.
"May I close the door? I won't lock it."
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Yeong types further the moment the door closes:
Good morning, Pyeha. He's taking a shower. And he's talking - there were more words in the last three minutes than in the whole of yesterday combined.
Good. How are you?
Yeong feels warmed-up at the concern; even though it cannot soothe his ever worry about His Majesty's upcoming absence.
I'm fine; honestly. Just go, Pyeha. Please be careful.
Keep me posted. I'll come over the moment he sleeps.
Understood, Pyeha.
There is no 'Thank you' this time; Yeong's agreement being again the usual ending of their communication - and Yeong hopes it's a sign of normalcy settling back in. His Majesty never has to and simply shouldn't ever thank him; he's the one most thankful for His Majesty's trust after all.
AN:
Long time no see (sorry again), and this chapter is turning out to be even longer than I first thought, so I figured I should split it here? Next time, they'll talk and interact more ! :) (MY HEART !)
Also: I realize Gon is laying it thicker than usual with the multiple 'Thank you' and 'Yeongies' (and btw Yeong is right about hearing those, of course); but it's still in fact the same day since chapter 10's problematic discoveries (to put it mildly), so Gon is still quite shaken.
On a side note: it just makes sense to me that in written communication Gon never uses any personal nicknaming, whereas Yeong always throws in the official Pyeha (even more than when talking - even though he surely uses it more than enough too when talking to start with indeed...)
(And: Yeon wasn't pregnant from Seon Ho, of course...)
SQUEECHY HUGS TO YOU ALL !
(And as always, thanks for any feedback: it means the Manpasikjeok to me!)