XX) Progress (1/2)
(Life goes on - with its share of happy surprises and problematic revelations...)
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Yeong POV:
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"I can't see your face without feeling overwhelmed by love. And I'm sorry; because I know it has right now nothing to do with you. But it could, one day - if you let me? And I'm looking forward to it."
"Just like your mother said, son."
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"Were was he all that time? How come we didn't know about him?"
"Well, your brother is here now. That's the only thing that matters, right?"
"So, you reallly mean I have two Hyung? That's so cool!"
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"He doesn't really look like you, Oppa - and not because of his hair. His smiles are weird - not fake, but kind of sad?"
"Well; let's try to make his smiles less sad, then? Secret mission?"
"Yes! You can count me in!"
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"He's a gift - that's all there is to say. So. Do you want to meet your nephew or not?"
"Of course I do!"
"Then you're welcome. But poke around and you're out."
/
Busy months fly by.
Yeong's parents had reacted exactly as Yeong had thought they would, and had right away only focused on taking care of Seon Ho as best as they could. The twins had definitely been puzzled, but at once delighted. Any other stunned relative had quickly realized being inquisitive would always stay fruitless, and had been coming to terms more or less slowly with the unexpected addition to the family; but everyone had only been welcoming and kind to Seon Ho - no matter what they might internally make of his secret past.
On the other hand, unsurprisingly, paparazzi had started to appear around the family house, soon after Seon Ho had started to go out - he had wanted to feel useful and had actually taken on His Majesty's offer about working for Crown-related caritative instancies; which had of course led to people noticing the Captain of The Royal Guard's carbon copy suddenly appearing all around The Kingdom.
It is tenuous, but Yeong's family is at least used to public attention enough to know best not to answer nor comment, and to just wait stoically for the storm to pass. Theories are circulating like crazy, but there is in truth nothing to find after all - no matter how much people are trying to dig around. At first, most people had been more or less openly judgemental about Yeong's parents; which had indeed hurt Yeong, no matter the knowledge that his parents truly didn't care about it: Seon Ho is worth the trouble - is worth everything. But as Seon Ho is indeed never taking on an opportunity to critic his parents or appear as a victim, and is still actually living at the family house (not only as some protection from the media attention, but because he has evidently decided to let his parents and siblings dote over him all they want for the time being; a fact for which Yeong feels particularly grateful for, not only on Seon Ho's account but also on his parents's - he probably hasn't let them as many opportunities to dote over him as they might have wanted, and he suspects there are more photos of him hanging on the walls not only because he's the oldest, but possibly also as a mean to compensate for his physical absence; and even if he knows that they have always understood and respect his choices, and that they will always only support him, he's still glad about them having another son actually around), more and more people seem by the day enclined to let it all rest - or to start searching for other explanations: some people are by now even actually debating whether Seon Ho is or not Yeong's *clone* (after all, not even twins have moles exactly at the same places, right?; but then, surely, Seon Ho should be younger, because why would have The Crown meddled with genetics engineering of Its First Soldier before even being aware of his capacities indeed?), which definitely irks Yeong to no end, because he feels like he is once more cause for a black spot on His Majesty's Reign, and any call out of that kind actually get him glaring fiercely in return - Yeong's only breach in his otherwise strict definition of 'no comment' as in fact meaning 'no reaction at all'.
But, all in all, it's going well. Seon Ho is slowly but truly settling into his new life in The Kingdom. He is still quiet, and still mourning, but he is actually planning ahead, and letting people in. He has taken on a few pounds and looks not only healthier but generally stronger in his own skin - and less guarded, which means the world to Yeong, as it proves that Seon Ho isn't constantly expecting menace and abuse anymore. Yeong generally stays for dinner at the family house on quiet Mondays, when he brings the twins back home from their Palace visit. They often play a short game afterwards - be it cards, console, or boardgame (every boardgame by now equipped with a purple pawn for Seon Ho). There is not only safety; but also warmth, and laughter, and love. And then there is warmth and laughter and love the morning after too - when His Majesty asks Yeong for a very detailed report of his evening.
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The more time Yeong spends with Seon Ho, though, the harder it gets to ignore how much he is missing Eun Seob.
And so Yeong finally caves in, when he realizes that he doesn't actually have to interact with Eun Seob to respect his non-promise to come back - to The Republic, at least; if not to Eun Seob. He can just go have a look from afar, wearing a face mask or something, and finally honor the word he had not given but which had been pleaded for nonetheless, without messing with Eun Seob's new life yet cauterizing his own wounds by actually seeing with his own two eyes how well Eun Seob is faring indeed.
When Yeong asks His Majesty during lunch if he can tag along by his next trip, His Majesty just stares at him in shock - and then right away cancels his afternoon appointments while literally dragging Yeong by the arm and not letting go until they enter The Republic, evidently set on not allowing Yeong any chance to change his mind. And to be honest, Yeong is thankful for the push.
And so now, Yeong waits, pretending to read a book while leaning against a tree, eyeing the building he has been led to by His Majesty, who sits further apart on a bench on the square, pretending to read a newspaper but in fact keeping an eye on Yeong, back turned to the building in order not to get recognized by Eun Seob.
People start to get out, alone or in groups, their work day coming to an end. And suddenly there is Eun Seob, still vividly discussing with some colleagues, smiling as bright as in Yeong's memories. They stay nearby the building as they talk, and Yeong tries first not to stare at Eun Seob, and second not to smile from ear to ear when his eyes find His Majesty's. It is hard to keep inconspicuous. And fatally, Yeong fails. At one point, his gaze meets Eun Seob's - and evidently holds it for too long, as Eun Seob at once takes his goodbye, excusing himself from the group, and comes towards him!
Yeong springs back on his feet, ready to tactically retreat, but Eun Seob's voice stops him:
"Wait! It's you, right?"
What ?! Does Eun Seob *remember*?
Yeong's eyes at once find Eun Seob's again; and now Eun Seob is smiling - at him! - as he gets closer:
"Oh yes, it's you. Have you been dreaming about us too?"
Yeong is slapped silent again. Not really remembering, then? It also dawn on Yeong that Eun Seob hasn't been calling him by his name. And so Yeong truly doesn't know how he is supposed to act - an oddity in his neatly planned life, and clearly not a feeling he enjoys. Is *that* how it feels to fall upon his own double unprepared? (And Yeong is in fact prepared somehow; even if this isn't at all what he has been expecting...) Yeong might have been too harsh with Eun Seob when they had met, all in all. He sure must look like a dumb fool himself right now.
"Nari Nari thought it meant I should love myself more or whatever; but I love myself plenty as it is already, right? You had to be real."
A joking wink Yeong still doesn't know how to answer to, while Eun Seob just babble further with the evident assurance Yeong can only wish for at the moment.
"They say everyone has a doppelganger - but it sure isn't common to meet your own. So come on; won't you drop the mask? It isn't fair for you to stare when I can't, you know."
Okay. Right. That much, Yeong can do, certainly - just follow Eun Seob's lead until his own cognitive functions have reboot and he can actively participate in the conversation.
"Sure. Sorry."
"Wow! You even have the moles! That's crazy! No wonder that man thought I was you. Is that how you found me? He told you there was another you working around here? What took you so long, though - that was like ages ago?"
Okay. Good. Something to work with.
"Well. Yes, that's what happened. I thought little of it, at first; but I grew curious, obviously."
"Well, I'm glad you got curious, then. And you're free at the moment, right? Let's go for some coffee? There's a great place nearby. Nari Nari is still at work, we have about one hour before I should heed home?"
Yeong pretends to check his watch while glancing at His Majesty. He is graced with a true smile and gentle eyes as His Majesty nods him away, holding his phone up in a 'we keep in touch' gesture. Yeong takes a breath, remembering to himself that His Majesty is not a target here and actually knows his way around The (new timeline) Republic better than him, and that the police station is only two minutes away, as they've passed it by on their way to here. He gives a smile to Eun Seob in agreement:
"Sure. Let's go."
Presenting a hand:
"I'm Jo Eun Seob, by the way. Nice to meet you."
Yeong shakes it:
"Nice to meet you too. Please call me Yeong."
/
"How old are you?"
"Thirty two."
"Same! Don't tell me you're born on July 12th too."
"Noted. I won't tell you."
"Seriously?"
Yeong only zips his mouth shut with a smirk in response, and Eun Seob groans, before letting it go with a shrug.
"At least now I know you have a sense of humor, even if terrible."
Yeong can't help but grin wider.
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"Any siblings?"
"A younger sister and a younger brother."
"Me too! Twins, actually."
"Me too."
"No way! Your parents are all right?"
"Yes. Yours too?"
"Yes."
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"Well, I am married - as you probably already know; between the ring and my gushing around - but it's impossible not to gush about Nari Nari; she's just the greatest."
"Then I'm honestly happy for you both."
"Thanks. What about you? No ring; so, not married. But did you find your special someone already?"
"I'm not in any romantic relationship. I guess one might say I'm married to my work."
"Well, as long as you're happy about it."
"I am happy about it."
"Great."
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"So. No recurrent dream as far as you're concerned, judging from your reaction when I mentioned it?"
"No."
"That's probably better - I'm crying in your arms and sort of can't let go, in my dream; so let's hope it's nothing premonitary. But he: you're here right now, and that's real. I'm honestly glad I met you, anyway."
"Me too."
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"Where are you from? I can't place your accent."
"I grew up abroad. I don't come often to The Republic."
"You're doing it again! You're quite secretive, aren't you? I mean, there are tons of things I won't ever talk about, of course - if work-related: you know where I work; you understand. But you're truly expert at dodging questions aside and giving answers that aren't answers when you want to. I'm going to start to wonder if Yeong is actually your real name..."
"Yeong *is* my real name. And in case you wonder: I'm not from up North. But let's say sort of everything about me is kind of work-related?"
"I knew it. Security too, right?"
"Indeed."
"Not cyber though; you're field. And private; not governmental. That man I met must be your boss. What did he call me - oh yes, 'The Unbreakable Sword': that's you. A bit pompous as a job description; but I've got to admit, it does sound cool. How long have you been working for him?"
"It is my honour to have been in His (Majesty's went unsaid) service since I was four."
"Do you even hear yourself talk? Since your were four? In his service? Next you'll tell me you call him King Arthur! What is he; chaebol or something? Not that you can tell, of course."
"Of course."
"Damn."
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"Nari Nari isn't going to believe me without a picture; but I guess you'd rather not?"
"I'd rather not, indeed."
"Too bad. Coffee is on me; I insist. I'd like to keep in touch, though - from time to time? I mean; who wouldn't be interested in the welfare of a mysterious doppelganger?"
"It might take a while before I come back."
"Well, (scribbling on his napkin) Yeong, here is my private phone number. Let me know next time you're free and around - if you feel like it."
"I will. Next coffee is on me."
"See you, then. And well, you know: take care, Unbreakable Sword."
"You too, Eun Seob."
"Always."
That trademark cheeky grin flashes once more; and Eun Seob makes his way to the counter and takes his leave with a last wave.
/
Yeong still feels dazed, looking at the scribbled-on napkin on the table.
Eun Seob doesn't remember *taking a bullet* for His Majesty; he doesn't remember his Noona since childhood; but he remembers saying goodbye to him - and hoping for him to come back? Well, now that he knows that Eun Seob wants him in his life in this timeline too, you bet Yeong will make sure to prove to Eun Seob that his (65th) dream will never turn out to be a premonition - even if he won't ever know it was actually a memory.
Yeong takes out his new Republic phone and saves Eun Seob's number in its register. He takes the napkin too when he leaves.
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AN:
I just love them all ! AAAAHHHHH !
Then, you may call me lazy for the recycling of Woo Do Hwan's birth date and month (if not year, of course). I couldn't find Yeong's... (I think I remember it being mentioned in passing on my Tumblr but I can't find it? Feel free to correct me if you have official knowledge!)
And, in case you're interested in yet another silly headcanon: about the board games pawns? Seon Ho plays purple - as already mentioned, Yeong plays red (because he played red before meeting Gon and Gon had told him to continue that way - he preferred to play white anyway), Kha Bi plays yellow, Eun Bi plays blue, their father plays black and their mother plays green...
(And as always, thanks for any feedback, it means the Manpasikjeok to me!)