Brave Heart

"Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country's cause." homer tracking: etdksoo nsfw|18+|rp account exclusive for Eutopia krp

[etxhakuravi-deactivated20160726]

Defensive Steel ||Kyungsoo

@etdksoo​

Dawn was Ravi’s favorite time of day. There’s was something sacred about being awake when the rest of the world was sleeping, when the violet sky is just turning toward the light. Sometimes if Ravi tried hard enough he could actually feel the shift of dark to light on an unspoken level all the way to his soul. It was as if he could still hear the sleepy yawn of night turning away before the rise of the sun and the sounds of nature began stretching like some languid well fed cats that drowned the fleeing night tide out. In the dawn there was a clarity and a sense of that first moment of light bringing him purity to start the day with.

What a day it was to be too…

Ravi stared down at the long sword before him on the on a bed of silk in the bath house’s empty stretching terrace. The honed metal and gilt hilt captured those first rays of dawn’s tentative light as an intermittent breeze fluttered across the utilitarian muslin of Ravi’s practice robes. The local village smith had claimed this steel was the very best money could buy outside the central village near the castle, not that Ravi put much stock in such a claim. Any merchant said that when coins were the name of the game. Ravi could only hope that Do Kyungsoo would forgive him if he had gotten a faulty useless blade.

Ravi could already use a dagger–but as weapons went, this was truly going to be his first foray in the the non-magical realm of swordplay. He was actually surprised the busy Kyungsoo had agreed to work with a raw beginner, for little more than a few free bath tokens. The guardian was doing him a huge favor and Ravi knew it. While he waited for the pleasantly friendly protector to arrive and one of the girls to bring him to the terrace, Ravi began with some push-ups, sit-ups, jumps, and twisting exercises–he planned to be nice and limber before the other arrived.

[etdksoo]

The bow and arrow strapped to his back is more of a sought out familiar weight as much as a reliable source of security in case he bumps into some rowdy pirates who are new in town and are looking for trouble. He knew he wouldn't need said weapons on his little lesson for today, the sword glinting under the sun reminding hin of that. The moment Ravi had asked him if he could teach him some self-defense he had immediately agreed, wanting nothing more than to help especially when it comes to keeping someone's safety in check. If there's anyone who knows the importance of safety, it would be him.

By now, Kyungsoo is almost positive he had already memorized the route to the bath house, and soon finds himself on the front door. The bell above the entrance jingles as he enters and he's immediately greeted by the women there. It makes him blush, shying away like always as he asked where Ravi was, and he's lead towards what looked like a terrace, spotting the man there. They had agreed to hold their little training during the other man's break time. What with the hectic schedule of being an owner of a business, it's definitely better to work during their free time. It's easier to move when your brain is free from worries, after all.

"Hey," Kyungsoo greets when he gets there, a smile on his lips and makes a small wave. "How are you doing? I hope you weren't waiting long?"

[megglesbagels]

Seriously tho, guys with a bow and arrow… I have no idea why that is so hot. But this is like the hottest picture I’ve ever seen of D.O.

I’m such a weirdo! :P

[etdksoo]

Loosing grip (past) --*

[etxbora-blog]

“Good side.” Bora scoffed at him. “I don’t think so. Not like my family hasn’t appointed a high guard on me already. They’re probably doing that because they don’t want to get killed by him.” It was no secret. She already has a guardian of her own. One she’s gotten since she was a young lady. The best of the best, as they say. Yet he was the kind of man that can easily be persuaded and she was still too stubborn to listen to him, thus needing another guardian to keep her from getting out of the castle in ungodly hours. “It’s not me who will choose anyway. It’s still my parents. So them, trying to be charming.. It ain’t working, honey.” Wagging her finger like a sassy little princess that she is.

She shrugged once he pointed out that she was better than most of the guardians in training. “I don’t wanna keep sitting pretty and unable to protect or do anything for myself. I refuse to rely on someone else as well, that’s why all of you have to train better. If I’m still better than any of you, there’s no need for you all to protect me because I might end up protecting you all. That’s really too manly for my image. I might not find a suitable husband in the future.” She playfully narrowed her eyes at Kyungsoo.

“Which I don’t mind at all. I don’t need a man from a noble family to act as my king. I can run the kingdom on my own.” And there was more than meets the eye and in between her words, no one can easily tell that she’s not planning on choosing a prince over the man she loves.

“Are you trying to ditch them to have more chit chats with me?” She folded her arms and tilted her head while looking over at Kyungsoo. “I think I prefer getting some stress out than stressing everyone here with my presence.” She laughs and nods, urging him to join her to train somewhere else. Not with the guardians in training but somewhere away where she could speak her mind freely and ease away the tension over Kyungsoo’s shoulders. She felt bad for him, honestly. He was more than good enough to be a guardian but he constantly pulls himself back from getting any better than he already is.

“It’s okay. We get lost sometimes. We need someone to shed some light for us to get ourselves walking back down the road we want once more.”

[etdksoo]

It still surprises him how the princess talk with so much pride, with a finality in her voice that no one would dare to question her judgement further. But then again, he shouldn't be surprised considering that she is a princess, one that oozes out confidence and grace like any other prince or princess would, except Bora is a little bit bolder compared to the others (not that Kyungsoo had met many princes or pricesses before). This kind of stubbornness makes him respect her more, liking the way she stands by her words without a bat of a lash, a firmness that he embarrassingly still lacks. It makes him wonder how her personal guardian is fairing around her, wonders if he's getting enough headache.

"But you're the Princess," Kyungsoo chuckles. "Everyone would want to get on your good side," he shrugs. Everyone knew that the Royal Family will be most likely appointed with a personal guardian from a very young age, and even then they're trained to be able to protect themselves. The idea of the prince or princess being more skilled than them in battle makes him flinch in shame, makes his chest pang with guilt. They were there to keep the royalties safe from harm at all times, but how will they do that if they're being emotional and moping like he is?

"Practicing does help me clear my mind, really, as weird as that sound at the moment," he replies, smiling sheepishly as he rubs the back of his neck. As much as he thinks he's convinced that his dreams of being a guardian is now a lost cost, he couldn't deny that he still feels lighter when his hand comes in contact with the bow, a sense of absolute contentment washing over him everytime his arrow hits the target. He still feels alive when hes2 holding the only weapon he had a lot of memories of his father with, and deep down, it makes him feel bad to even think about wanting to turn his back from it all. He sighs and falls into step beside the Princess.

"Yeah, I guess I needed that little pep talk from you, huh?" he chuckles, a sad smile on his lips. He still feels a little weird, an inkling of a thought about how he's better off doing something else yet knowing he wouldn't be able to imagine himself doing anything else. "I didn't just feel lost, I--" he sighs, "Things just doesn't feel right these days, you know? It's like I'm stuck somehow..." he trails off and runs a hand through his hair in frustration. "It's like the mere sight of the weapons makes me want to give up everything altogether, but at the same time, I really don't."

[ettaecyeon-deactivated20160512]

Careless

[etdksoo]

[…]

[ettaecyeon-deactivated20160512]

He could sense that lie anywhere, especially when it came from the other guardian. These jokes have become a matter of annoyance to him, but he can’t help but shrivel his nose and cross his arms. In that moment he pauses, arms pushing onto the branch, a foot balancing on another and the other pushed against the trunk, his head drops against the branch by his arm. His forehead rests on his forearm and he sighs, dropping himself back to the ground. Knees bent before lowering himself down, squatting. His head held in his hands and he slides the other’s sword out from his side, his right gripping tightly onto the hilt, lifting it before wedging it into the soil where he had landed. Both hands now hugging the hilt, his forehead against it and he remains squatting. 

A groan leaves his lips, and for a moment he had completely forgot about the child and his elderly companion, their thanks were given but his frustration sunk deeper into him than their words. He groans a little louder, and pushes himself up, the sword remaining wedged in the ground upright. He glances up at the other.

“We’ll see how long you can stay up there.”

His grip laces back around the other’s sword and pulls it free, the tip dragging alongside him as he trails back a few metres, lunging the sword into the trunk of another tree, he made sure it was wedged higher than what the other could reach. He turns back, to glance at the other, a smirk pulls across his face, satisfaction brushed against his brow. No further words were exchanged and he sits himself down, his own sword set by his side, the bow and arrows still hanging from his back and the other’s sword wedged between sap and bark above him. 

[etdksoo]

The silent treatment he received from the older male was quite unsettling, nonetheless he still went on to gently drop the kite he had retrieved, making sure the little kid will be able to catch it without much effort. He returns their gratitude with a kind smile and a nod, gestures that made tells them he's glad to be of helped before and watched the duo leave the scene. Hesitantly, he returns his gaze back to his fellow guardian, silently waiting for any kind of violent reaction from the man. He was even prepared to run after Taecyeon if the other male decides to get up and leave him, probably intent on ignoring him for the next hundred years.

Instead, he watches Taecyeon stab the tree with his sword, effectively blocking his only route to safely climb down and his eye twitches at the challenging smirk the older male gave him. It's definitely pay back for worrying him like that with his little stunt.

Slowly, he makes his way down, stopping just a little above the sword stuck in the bark of the tree. Reaching it and trying to pull it off the trunk is in no way possible (curse his short limbs), and it's not like he could use his foot to pull it off either. Jumping off is a possibility, of course, except he's still a little too high from the ground and his landing won't be a smooth one if he did decide to free fall. He could try another route. Moving around is relatively easier now that his hands are free, but he isn't sure if the rest of the branches are as sturdy as the ones he had climbed. The easiest way is definitely the one he had wormed into anyway. Kyungsoo gulps and gives Taecyeon a pleading look.

"Hyung, I was just joking earlier," he whines, pulling off a pout he hoped to look cute rather than awkward. He's gotta try to worm his way back to Taecyeon's good side if he wants to come back down to the ground. "I'm sorry. Please get the sword off the tree," cue in some puppy dog eyes he never was never able to do properly.

[etdksoo]

Loosing grip (past) --*

[etxbora-blog]

There was silence from her behalf, not that she would praise him as soon as he gets back on his feet. Instead, she would praise him once he manages to push himself to the edge where he can use his body and mind in sync.

“I thought you were going to put your skills and talents to waste, Kyungsoo.” She grabs the bow and arrow again and points it at the rest of the recruited trainees who flinches at how she seems to aim at each and every one of them without hesitation. “If you keep letting your mind wander around on things, you will never come at peace with your self. You will get killed without being able to protect yourself or any of the royal family.” She lowers her bow and arrow.

“Keep training.” She orders everyone calmly then to Kyungsoo, she tilts her head and places a hand over her hips. “I have no reasons on getting rid of you just yet but I would if I could. Only that I couldn’t.. yet.” Both of her hands on her hips already then. She huffs. “None of those guys would even dare try to compete with me! Only you have the guts!” Bora lowers her voice.

“Do you have any idea how stressful it is to watch the only person who has the guts to consider me as their equal on the battlefield suddenly slack off?” Bora goes on, glancing at her maids who seem to be too happy to see Bora get mad since she was always too graceful and calm.

“Those boys may have the balls and all but none of them can even take me on a fight!” She groans. “Princess!” Her maids call her in unison for her choice of words. “What?! I’m being honest. At least Kyungsoo knows.” Marching her way to resume monitoring the training from afar and avoid having everyone get all tensed up just because she was there.

[etdksoo]

The way everyone had seemed to freeze once Bora had briefly turned her attention to them is almost way too comical for him, making him chuckle light heartedly almost immediately before he breaks out in laughter, loud and onboxious. It's nice to feel like he's free again even if he still feels incompetent somehow at trying to reach his dreams, it feels nice. Even the way her maids had reacted is amusing. Maybe he did need that little pep talk from the princess, needed that harsh slap of realization. He's grateful. Who knew the princess would care enough for a mere guardian in training like him?

"Everyone's on their best behaviour when you're around because they want to get on your good side," he jokes, making sure none of the other trainees would hear. He'd rather not have any mislead arrow coming his way while his back is turned, after all. "While I'm just in for a good training session, and apprently you're better than most of us here, so it's only fitting." Not knowing how to refuse a royalty was a part of the reason why he indulged the princess on a friendly sparring. Bora was good with the bow and arrow, even better than half of the trainees there, and it was fun to practice with someone who's almost as skilled as his father. He learns more this way. Being able to do something the princess liked is only a plus.

"Speaking of which, would you like to practice together?" Kyungsoo asks, hoisting his bow over his shoulder, a sheepish smile on his lips. He could very well count on one hand the very few women he feels comfortable enough to be around with that he doesn't end up a stuttering and blushing mess, the princess being one of them. It's probably because in a way she had become a kind of mentor to him, or because his instincts told him he needed to be natural and comfortable around her to be able to protect her. Either way, it's nice to not be always on edge. "As an applogy for worrying you. I was just..." he pauses, looking for the right words to convey his feelings, but for the lack of a better word, he says instead, "Not myself."

[etdksoo]

Loosing grip (past) --*

[etxbora-blog]

Her gaze could pierce through his skin, right down to his sould just as her arrow pierced its way on the board. “Mental preparations? Why? Do you think an enemy would give you enough time to think when they’re about to kill you?” She had her chin up and her eyes never wavered. “Think fast or die without being able to do anything.” she shrugs, waving a hand at the others to continue their training.

“I don’t need your praises, I’ve heard more than enough. I’ve heard a lot of people say things to please me, but words from someone who will be guarding me with his life does not seem like flattery at all but a mere excuse for not doing any better at his job.”

Grabbing another arrow and holding her bow in place. She breathes as she begins to pull the string, the arrow released along with her breath. Matching the way she released both at once, as if breathing life into her arrow. She didn’t even have to tell him to look at the arrow and how she even managed to make another point that he needed to have himself to step up his game or he will be left behind.

“I’m going to ask you this just once, Kyungsoo.” Handing her bow to her maid while she spoke to him with so much authority behind her calm and relaxed posture. “Is this.. what you really want? To work on your skills and work for my family? Risk your life to keep us alive?” Taking a deep breath and running her fingers through her dark hair.

“If not, I’m not stopping you from leaving now. But let me remind you this as well.. You don’t only carry the honor to bring back to your family, but also the respect from the people in this kingdom as well. So think. Is this what you really want? Or would you rather go back home?”

[etdksoo]

The words that come from the Princess' mouth slices through his very being, the truth that rings with it hitting him harder than he thought it would. Nonetheless, he was able to keep his expression passive, almost seemingly uninterested as he instead stared at the target a few feet away, trying to keep any kind of eye contact, but even he couldn't deny the obvious flinch he had done at the fierceness of her voice. They both knew what he's thinking even when no sound comes from him, not even a bit of response, just blank staring and contemplation that makes his hand twitch around the bow he is holding.

It makes him feel ashamed of himself and the choices he had made so far. He used to have the excitement of a kid at the merr sight of his bow and arrow, eager to learn under his father's supervision and guidance. But after the hearing the news of his father's passing and being given of the man's weapons they have kept safe to be returned, all of his enthusiasm at anything remotely related to his dream of being a royal guardian just withered away, forgotten just like that. He remembered feeling hurt, betrayed and inevitably lost. To be honest he doesn't know what's been keeping him to try and train if he's slacking as much as he is, but there he is. At this point, he would probably be more helpful if he got a job in the field.

He wonders how his father would react, what he would say if he ever saw him now. The thought made him cringe.

"No," he replies after a while, shaking his head a bit. What he's saying no to, either to the idea of turning his back from all of this or something entirely personal, he isn't sure. It's probably both, he thinks. Kyungsoo looks up at Bora then, a look of a hundred emotions in his eyes. "I want to stay," there's still a lack of a certain finality in his voice, but it's definitely a start. He's going to owe the Princess a lot, he knows, what with how she had reprimanded him like he's a child. Nonetheless, he finds himself getting off the bench he's been sitting on, a tight grip on his bow before he situates himself in front of the target. He takes aim, like he how his father had taught him before taking a deep and calming breath. He counts the beat of his heart before finally, he lets go, the arrow piercing through the board, nice and clean.

Kyungsoo allows himself a small smile, a first in what felt like a long time.

[ettaecyeon-deactivated20160512]

Careless

[etdksoo]

[…]

[ettaecyeon-deactivated20160512]

His brow twitches slightly at the sight of the other purposely dodging his stone gaze. A sigh of vanity leaves his lips, his arms crossed and his neck craned up at the other making his way through the abundance of greenery to the kite. Chanting that the other would not fall, his brows knit together as the other pushes higher up. It was like attending the circus, only that he knew, these acts weren’t professionally trained or rehearsed. That’s what made him panic at the sight of the other stumbling. Instinctively, his arms come to play, and his legs pounce to a steadier stance.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

His voice raises, a serious tonality rings through the air and an arm clutches onto a nearby branch, swinging himself up, and he heaves in between the greenery. The other’s bow and arrow hanging from his back, paired with his own, the sword dangling by his side. At this moment, he would have looked like a crazy human chandelier with dangling weaponary sprouting from his uniform. The hurry and adrenaline had him rushing after the other, forgetting to strip the weaponary off himself before lunging for the tree. But it was a little late by now, he was afraid by dropping the bows and arrows and swords down from the height he is at, someone could get hurt or worse, damage the weapons. These things weren’t cheap. Guardians were entrusted with the responsibility of purchasing their own, and nothing pained him more than having to pay for a brand new blade or axe and risk starving for the week. The idea sends a frightened shudder down his spine and he releases a huff of regret.

He knew it wasn’t a good idea. He should’ve been the one climbing, he had more experience with climbing, being the son of the man that grew up in between these branches and making these greenery their home, he should’ve been the one to climb it. The other’s sword gets wedged in between a branch on his way up, his heel pushes back, freeing the blade from the clutches of evil and he looks up at the other, neglecting to realise the situation with so much worry evident in his eyes, he just wanted Kyungsoo to be safe.

“Hang on.”

[etdksoo]

With the short amount of time he has to think of such a plan, he's surprised himself that he had thought of anything at all. But then before he could even have the chance to ponder over the consequences of his actions, he's already set the plan into motion. He can already feel the rage Taecyeon is sure to unleash after this.

There's a particular branch just near the middle of the tree. It's sturdy and wide enough to support all his weight and is very visible from the ground. He starts his little show a few feet from it, pretending to have gotten his other leg stuck on a branch as he swayed and fell sideways, shifting his weight just in time so when he topples over he would be able to land on the next branch just directly underneath it, safe and unharmed. He's able to do just that, a small smile stretching across his lips at perfecting his impromptu trick, but before he could even give his spectators a victorious smile, the older guardian wasn't there anymore.

It was then that he hears a voice, one that's familiar and filled with worry that it made him feel guilty almost instantly. Kyungsoo looks down and saw Taecyeon trying to reach him whilst tugging the sword out from getting caught in between the branches, obviously in a hurry and panicked. He blinks once, already feeling worse now that he can see the evident worry and fear in the older male's eyes.

Shit

"I'm... I'm okay..." he finds himself saying, feeling uneasy for worrying Taecyeon like he did but he thinks it'll do the other guardian good if he tells him the truth. He knows he's already in trouble the moment he ignored the other's warning a while ago. He can't even bring himself to say he had been joking the whole time. Taecyeon would probably strangle him or something after this.

[etdksoo]

False alarm--*

It's only natural for Guardians to be vigilant and alert, to be able to read through people and sense danger even before they happen. It's one of the requirements of their job, what with being given the task of protecting the royal family and the kingdom, miscalculations and wrong judgement could mean one's life. It's through years of intense training did Kyungsoo learn to trust his instincts, and right now it's telling him something is not right, sending the warning bells in his head to ring almost instantly.

Nothing has happened yet, and upon first look the person doesn't exactly look dangerous at all. The pretty face doesn't help either, but he's learned not to trust someone's seemingly innocent face. There's something about the woman's aura that makes Kyungsoo uneasy, and it's not only because this potential threat is a woman. He hasn't seen her around the kingdom before either, so she's probably a traveler of some sort. It doesn't stop him from tailing closely behind her though, following her wherever she goes as he keeps his distance, making sure she doesn't sense his presence in any way. She seem to be headed straight for the castle too, and that only makes him all the more suspicious.

Kyungsoo lets his instincts guide him and keeps his weapon ready.

@etxle

[etdksoo]

Loosing grip (past) --*

[etxbora-blog]

It wasn’t like she wanted to be there but she had to see the trainees that would be keeping her and her family alive. She wasn’t planning on anything rash, but she ended up getting on some combat with them. None dared to touch nor hurt her in any way possible. She’s a girl, that’s one reason. The other reason was that she’s the princess. Just great.

But Bora never takes responsibilities too lightly. Whatever it was that was concerning their kingdom and her family. It was to be taken seriously. Only stupid people would put any of the two at risk. She never hides her identity in front of the trainees. Thus it has become a casual thing for the princess to show up and actually put them to place. If her skills were better, then it only meant there was no need for them to be put around any of the royal family members. Instead they would guard the walls of the castle instead. Which was plain boring. 

She stood from the high grounds with her two maids that follows her while she makes her rounds. “My bow.” She simply says. In no time she was in position, ready to aim her arrows. In a much farther distance. She knows who Kyungsoo is, she had met him a couple times before and they had their sparring session. He was simply out of will, and he never actually seemed to care that she was a princess. The one he should be protecting but that was what’s good about him. She can do things she wants. Try to be normal and that there was no such crown placed on top of her head.

She aims and hits the board perfectly and everyone stops to take a look on who it was who dared to disturb their training. Bora walks down towards them, holding the bow in her hand while her dress flows with the wind. “If you can’t focus and get your self together, I don’t think I could trust you with my life itself.” Grabbing the arrow from her maid and aiming for the board again, hitting another perfect shot and she glances at Kyungsoo. “Continue slacking off and all you will be guarding will be the outside walls of the castle.”

[etdksoo]

Kyungsoo feels her presence before he even saw her. It's a royalty thing he supposes, a requirement for any prince or princess to exude such presence, such authority no matter where they are. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel intimidated in the least, because he does. It doesn't help that the princess is great with the bow and arrow, doesn't help his already dwindling interest, but it doesn't stop him from looking at where the royalty had situated herself to do some practice shooting.

There's something about the way she carries herself while holding the bow, a confidence he had seemed to lost in what feels like forever. The sound of the arrow hitting the board stirs something inside him and he visibly flinches when she addressed him after, her words cutting through him and hitting close to home. Kyungsoo feels guilty, a realization that makes his skin crawl but disappears as soon as it came. At this point he wasn't sure if he's able to go that far anymore, isn't sure if he's good enough to take on what his father had left behind. But looking at the princess now, he knows he wouldn't have any regrets in giving his life in exchange for her safety. Besides, he doesn't want to end up guarding the castle wall.

"I'm not slacking off... I'm..." he starts as he avoids eye contact with Bora, focusing on the target she had hit instead. A spark of competitiveness bubbles up in his chest at the sight of the arrows resting at the very center of it. "I'm just getting some mental preparations, I guess," he says with a shrug. He should have been reprimanded for talking to a royalty that way but he isn't exactly doing anything wrong, he supposes, so he puts his mind at peace. "Awesome job on the bullseye though," he adds though he isn't really surprised anymore at this point. Bora's great with the bow and arrow, after all.

[etdksoo]

Our muses facing the end of the world.

There's a subtle vibration brewing under the earth that intensifies until the ground beneath his feet shook, cracking the surface and leaves nothing in its midst but craters and holes that ate everything in its wake. The glass on the table moves on its own and Kyungsoo catches it in time before it shatters onto the ground. They had lost count on how many earthquakes had passed, but it's definitely enough to change the alter the road they've walked on for decades.

The world is changing, that much he's sure as he shifts on the couch they're sitting on. The night is deep, but at this point they've given up on trying to keep track of the hours, instead they focus on the days which is easier to remember. He shifts on the couch, letting the rumble of the earthquake break the usual silence in the room and leans his head over Kaeun's shoulder. He's tired, as much as she is most probably, but it's hard to get some shut eye when you're in constant danger of being swallowed alive by the ground. His weapons are tucked away and forgotten until they need to hunt for food again. She hums and rests her head on top of his.

"Do you think there are those who are as lucky as us?" Kyungsoo hears Kaeun asks just as the wall to their left crumbles into a pile of dust, muffling her question slightly but he still heard it. Kyungsoo knew what she meant. Survivors. Were there any other survivors too? He hoped so. He hoped his mother did.

"Probably," he replies, coughing when he inhales a little dust just as another wall breaks in front of them. The roof over their head falls, raining down on them and miraculously avoids the couch where they're at. They're awfully calm, but with how frantic the days have passed are, the only strength they have lef is just enough to make lazing around comfortable. He sees a sliver of light in the horizon just as the shaking of the ground intensifies, his hand clutching the fabric of the couch so they wouldn't fall off.

The ground beneath them cracks harshly, breaking the couch in half and they yelp, Kyungsoo pulling Kaeun towards his side of the couch just in time so she wouldn't fall into the crack. It goes on like that, protruding parts of the ground appearing like dasies as the sun rises. The rumbling stops just as the sun has completely risen - a promise of a new day.

"Did we make it?" she asks and there's a brief moment of silence as he takes in their surroundings. Nothing is the same. He couldn't recognize a thing and he finds himself nodding at her question.

"Yes," he smiles. A first time in a while. "Yes, we did."

[ettaecyeon-deactivated20160512]

Careless

@etdksoo

A shriek echoed through the grounds of the kingdom, it was nearby and he could hear it resonating throughout the area nearby. His head turns immediately towards the other, Kyungsoo shared duties with him at the current hour, sustaining eye contact for a moment before signalling the direction that scream had come from. It was an infant, for sure. Perhaps the kid was hurt or stuck or worse, kidnapped. The thoughts that raced through his mind pounded weights of onto his soul. What if they didn’t make it time? Panic began to lace his every stride. They were breezing across the forest floor, wind against their faces and he halts at a little boy with tears cascading down his cheeks. An older man stood beside him, stroking his hair, whilst they stared up at something atop the tree.

He cranes his head to the tree, spotting a bright red kite, wedged in between the branches and a sigh of relief escapes his lips. For a moment he wanted to laugh at the immediate thoughts that raced through his mind. Optimistic as ever, clear sarcasm brushing against his ribs and he turns to the other, a little shrug works off his shoulders as to specify why they had exerted so much effort in getting here at top speed.

“We’ll get it down for you, don’t worry.”

A tug of his lips ran acorss his features, and he takes a step back. The kite was wedged up significantly high, the branches near the top were too thin to hold proper weight, and what more was that there was no substantial gripping on the tree to be climbed. Clearly mapping out a strategy to retreive the kite at maximum safety levels. He turns to the other, immediately shaking his head.

“No. Don’t even think about it. No.”

[etdksoo]

As much as Kyungsoo wanted to laugh out loud at how panicked they had been at the sound of the shriek, thinking something really bad had happened to one of the citizens, but turned out to be a child that got his little heart broken by his kite getting caught in a tree, he couldn't. Not when he nearly tripped in his haste to keep up with Taecyeon (long limbs does have its perks, much to Kyungsoo's dismay). It all looked ridiculous to him now, but can't really laugh in fear of offending the poor child. Maybe later when they've sort this thing out.

"Then how do you expect us to get that kite from here?" Kyungsoo asks, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. He understood Taecyeon's concern though. The kite is stuck at the very top, a taunting red in the sea of green. He's sure that the branches on that part won't be sturdy enough to support them both. Heck he's not even sure if they'll be able to get on the tree at all with not enough footholes and branches to get leverage from. They could get a ladder, of course, but they would still need to climb the rest of the way. And as much as Kyungsoo hates to admit it, he's smaller and shorter than Taecyeon so he's inevitably lighter. And even if Taecyeon insists to do it himself, he won't be able to catch the other male without breaking a bone himself if (and heaven forbid) he falls. It had to be him.

"I'll be fine. Here, hold my things," Kyungsoo says, stripping off his sword and bow and arrow before handing it to Taecyeon. He pats the kid's head in reassurance, giving him a small smile and a promise to retrieve his little kite, deliberately ignoring Taecyeon from behind him.

Climbing up the tree isn't exactly easy like they had predicted, but he got the hang of it along the way. He had slipped a couple times, but had managed to keep himself from falling flat on the ground. It took him a while to reach the top, bust as soon as he got there and was sure he's balanced himself well, he's untangling the string of the kite carefully as to not damage the kite from the protruding branches that surrounds it. He lifts the object up triumphantly when he's done, beaming down at the kid to let him know that his kite is safe and sees Taecyeon's glare from the corner of his eye. He gives the older male a thumbs up before he starts his trip back to the ground.

And that's when an idea hits him. Taecyeon's probably going to kill him after this, but he won't be Kyungsoo if he backed down just from that.

There's a rustle, some struggling that shook the tree so hard that its leaves falls off from the force. Kyungsoo shrieks a "My leg is stuck!" before a snap is heard and he's falling.

[etdksoo]

Loosing grip (past) --*

The days go by painfully slow for his liking, but he goes through with it on autopilot, like he always has for weeks now. Everything just felt too dull, looked too plain, and it does nothing to give him the motivation he had lost when he had heard of the news of his father's passing. He feels like a puppet, the strings attached to his limbs severed and is stuck in a knot, forcing him to move on his own or he would rot, alone and forgotten. He feels lost, sometimes stuck with no way out. These days he feels both.

Kyungsoo shakes the negative thoughts off of his mind and continues to stare at the weapon resting on the table in front of him. He had lost track of how long he had been staring, willing his mind to work but it refused to do so. The sigh he lets out after is long and tired, but it's the only thing he could do as he finally decides to finally grab the weapon and continue with his training. He's done all the chores anyway so there's nothing to do at home for him, and his mother not seeing him mope inside the house would be good for her sanity.

There was a short moment in his life when even the thought of practising makes him want to curl into a ball and stay like that until he feels ready enough to face the next sunrise. He owes it to Bora, really, his wonderful sparring partner who had found a way to whisk him out of his bubble of missery and got his limbs moving again. His skills are still as sharp as ever even after weeks of neglect, each target aimed and fired at, but the lack of drive and enthusiasm shows in how many arrows he shoots and how many times he lets his sword get thrown off. It's probably she's ahuffing and groaning at him everytime, but right now the clanking of metal and the thud of an arrow to a wooden board is just something that helps him clear his mind.

Kyungsoo keeps to himself when he gets there, playing with the bow in his hand to keep himself busy. He watches the other trainees practice with a blank face, each cut and swing of their weapon tugging at his heart with a longing he couldn't quite place.

@etxbora

[etdksoo]

Our muses will have a bath together.

Kyungsoo rarely gets sick, but when he does it hits hit him real hard, rendering him almost invalid and bed ridden until he's back to perfect health. It's probably from fatigue or something. He wasn't sure where he got the cold, really, but the next thing he knew he's already feeling queasy and passing out in the open due to high fever. It's probably bad from how awful he felt with his limbs feeling heavier than stone and his bones hurting to their very core. He hated being tied down to the bed like that, being helpless, but there's nothing he can do when all he had strength for is sleep. Kibum was there though, the one who nursed him back to health and probably the one who spotted him falling to the ground unconscious. He's grateful knowing the guy probably had more interesting stuff to do than take care of someone sick. He owes him big time.

"How are you feeling?" Kibum asks, pressing a hand on Kyungsoo's forehead to check on his temperature and notes that the fever had finally been broken. Kyungsoo's lying on his stomach, his cheeks squished on the pillow and replies with a soft "Good." He feels a whole lot better than he did days before. Albeit still a little weak, but at least he doesn't feel like passing out every second. He gives Kibum a small smile to prove his point which earned him a chuckle. "How about a warm bath so we can put some real food in you later?"

Kyungsoo nods almost instantly, thinking the cold water would do him good considering how much he had probably sweated out with the fever so he allows himself to be whisked away towards the bathroom, stripped down to his underwear and be lead to the tub. It's probably the after effects of getting sick, but he's feeling a little cuddly and the hand that clutches onto Kibum's shirt is enough proof. He's got his puppy eyes on, he knows, but he couldn't care less, not when he's already whined a soft "please, stay."

Kyungsoo wasn't sure what he had expected, really, but he doesn't complain when Kibum joins him in the tub and washes his hair for him, practically purring as the older male massaged his scalp. His eyes are closed, obviously comfortable and content in his place. It's like being with his mum again and the thought makes him smile lazily. "Feel good?" he hears Kibum ask, and with how his brain feels like jelly, all he could reply with is a jumbled nonsense that barely resembles a simple yes. It earned him a laugh from the older male, probably amused with how much of a child he's being at the moment, but he feels good so he ignores everything and fights the urge to actually purr.

[etdksoo]

My muse confesses their love to yours.

The words seem to hang in the air for a moment, Kyungsoo's brain taking its sweet time in understanding, and when it does his face turns all shades of red in record time as his mind goes completely blank. He opens and closes his mouth a number of times with no words or sound coming out, perfecting his fish impersonation.

Leave it to Kyungsoo to make a fool of himself right after someone's confession.

Kyungsoo avoids eye contact lest his face explodes from how red it was (he can feel his ears burning), but he figures she needed an answer of some sort, but how do you respond to something like this exactly? And now that he thinks about it, he wasn't sure what he's fussing about. She's younger so he should have been able to deal with this smoothly and shouldn't be freaking out like he is, but it doesn't stop him from doing just that, getting shy and more awkward than he already is. He never did know how to handle things like this before.

"You okay?" she asks after a while and Kyungsoo jumps slightly from surprise, much to his dismay and embarrassment. He gives her a nod though, albeit a shy one and lifts his head a bit to look at her, but before he could say anything else she beats him to it, "You don't have to answer right away you know. We can start by being friends."

Kyungsoo visibly relaxes at that. "Friends... friends sounds nice," he finally replies and she smiles, which he returns slightly that earned him a friendly hair ruffling. He internally whines because he's older, dammit, but with the way his brain is detached from everything else he would probably end up saying something weird so he kept silent and enjoys the small shower of affection instead.

[daenso]

[etdksoo]

My muse will have a nightmare about your muse.

It had been a peaceful and slow day, thekind that gives everyone a sense of laziness which leads them both to do justthat, lazing around the room and flipping through books they have found lyingaround to help pass the time. They must have fallen asleep at some pointthough, because he’s rudely woken up when a pair of hands grabs his arm all ofa sudden with a grip so tight, making him to automatically reach for the daggerhidden snug in the waistband of his pants out of pure instinct. He looks up,wide eyes meeting those filled with worry and fear. It takes a while for thesleep to completely ebb away, but he finally registers Jun’s face and lets thedagger go.

“I-is everything okay?” Kyungsoo asksworriedly, the scene making the warning bells in his head to ring incessantlyand the silence that ensues right after does nothing to calm his nerves. Hegrows worried by the second, but before he could say anything else Jun beatshim to it. “If ever you see a bear, run as quick as you can.” The finality inJun’s voice is thick. It makes him freeze in his spot, the mere mention of thebeast enough to scare him, making him wince slightly. He gives the other male aquestioning look, urging him to continue. There was a short pause before he finallystarts talking, telling him a tale that made all the hairs on his body to standon end.

It all happened too fast, but that’sprobably just his brain pushing out all the gruesome details. Even that hecould still remember how he had been ripped to shreds, Jun’s distinctdescription of how it all happened enough to clear out the picture in his head.It made him feel sick, his knees turning to jelly at the memory. He wasn’t theone to have the nightmare and he’s really shaken, but it doesn’t stop him fromrubbing comforting circles on Jun’s back, telling him that he’s okay and unhurt.

“How about some tea so you can relax abit?” Kyungsoo says before he’s off to do just that. The rest of the day isspent talking about other things just to get their minds off the dream. One thing’sfor sure though, Kyungsoo’s going to have some trouble sleeping that night.

[etdksoo]

Our muses are stargazing together.

"This is nice," Kyungsoo comments briefly, a small smile tugging on the corners of his lips, the evening breeze slowly turning out to be comfortable. He pushes the small bag of mallows closer to Romeo, a silent invitation for him not to hesitate to grab some more if he wants to before he lifts his head to look at the sky. He leans back a little, his backside resting on the trunk of the tree they've situated their little camp at.

The night is young, the air a little above chilly for their liking but the fire crackling in front of them is enough to fend off the cold of the evening, the same fire they're using to roast the mallows at the end of their sticks. It's still a little early, Kyungsoo assumes with how dark it already is, but here in the meadow one can't be really sure, but the sky is clear and thw stars are out for them tonight. It's such a refreshing sight after a week's worth of work.

It's relaxing, a sense of calmness washing over him as he lazily takes a bite off of his roasted mallows, the stickiness making it stretch out weirdly and creepily that he finds he doesn't really mind. "A jelly fish," he says, beaming like a child as he shows Romeo what's left of his food, wiggling it around as if to prove his point. It's weird, Kyungsoo is being silly and it's enough to make them both laugh out loud, the sound echoing around them.

They're free

For the time being, they're allowed to act like their age and be free.