âYou seem different today.â Cale gently brushed his knuckles around her cheeks lightly, a worried looking crossing his eyes despite his stoic features. Her lover, despite known for his usually stoic and cold, was strangely gentle and open to her.
She nuzzles to his hand, âI do?â eye lashes fluttering as she peeked at him.
âYes, you do.â He tilts his head, âDid something happen?â There was a glint on his eyes. Something she was familiar of.
She giggled, âNothing happened, Young Master.â She took his hand from her cheeks and intertwined it, casually swinging their hands.
He lightly frowned, âI told you numerous times to just call me Cale.â
âOkay darling!â
Cale just sighed, but nonetheless a small smile grew as he looked at her cheeky smile.
âWhatever you want.â He bumped his forehead to hers before tugging her hand, âLetâs go. The kids are waiting.â
âMhm!â She nodded cheerfully and beamed a smile.
And as they walked, Cale failed to notice the shift in her smile.
âI would never let it happen again.â A dark look shadows her face, âNever again.â
It was obvious how Cale hated and cursed the Gods with every inch of his being. Especially the God of Death. The Young Master would curse and frown with that displeased look in his eyes every time the book of the God of Death opens or when a God has a message for him.
It was obvious how the Young Master Cale Henituse hates Gods and divine beings.
Asgakdbksks helloo, I was just scrolling and suddenly your blog pops up. Your fluff writings are soo wholesome. It makes my heart go fuzzy warm. my favorites are 'betrothed thought' and 'her'. By the way, if I may ask- when will you continue the cale x Isabella series. I can't wait for the next part. TvT
[⥠anon]
gekaudhjsis thank youuu anonnn đ«¶đ» im glad you like them đ„°đ
And for the update on lady henituse, i do plan on continuing it, i just dont know when đ
When the motivation strikes i guess TTT
(I do alrdy have some base for it and a whole thing planned)
The first fic you post is an angst and that was the FIRST thing you post after your break that i had to waitâŠđđ Why u gotta hurt me like that???lmao
âŠI have nothing to say for myself so Iâll just uhm- đȘđ¶đ»ââïžđ¶đ»ââïž
â summary » The God of Death gave Cale a goodluck charm. In the form of a ring.
â note » i just made this on a whim tbh TT. Also, its a world where cjs and lsh are alive and in the tcf world okay-
âHe-He said he has a gift for you, Young Master.â
Gift? Cale furrowed his eye brows, eyes glinting in suspicion at the small pouch in Cageâs hand.
âHoohh? The God of Death has a gift for our dongsaeng?â Choi Jung Soo wrapped his arm around Caleâs shoulder, a Cheshire grin sitting on his lips as he sent a playful look towards Cale.
Cale frowned, yet took the pouch from Cage. He shook it a bit, wondering whatâs inside before opening it. Opening his palm, he let whatever was inside to drop onto his hand.
It was a ring.
A ring Cale knew from his heart.
A ring that Caleâ Kim Rok Soo swore an oath to someone with.
He could hear Jung Soo inhale sharply as he himself felt his form go rigid. He could hear Choi Han muttering his name as Lee Soo Hyuk put a hand on his shoulder, hand trembling.
All four of them knew that ring.
Choi Han has seen it through Jung Sooâs memories, and Choi Jung Soo and Lee Soo Hyuk were there themselves when that ring was given to both people.
Caleâ Kim Rok Soo wore that ring.
Hell, he was wedded with that ring.
âA goodluck charm, he said.â Cage muttered, cautiously looking at Cale. Her eyes wandering to the three other people by his side.
Caleâs close friends and family knew of his life as Kim Rok Soo. Said man confessed everything a few days after the battle with the white star ended, a few weeks before another matter started with the hunters.
Maybe not everything though.
Seeing as though the others did not know the meaning of the ring that is in Caleâs palm right now.
Choi Han gulped, fidgeting in his position behind Cale as he muttered, âCale-nim..â
âHuman! What is that? Itâs a beautiful ring!â Raon flew around Caleâs shoulder, excitedly flapping his wings as he surveyed the ring.
âIt is, isnât it?â There was a small soft smile painting the commanderâs features, and the others know that there was something fragileâjust something as he said those words.
Was Cale aware of the expression, the lookâthe emotions in his eyes as he said that?
And as the others mulled it over, Cale went deep in his records.
âLetâs get married.â She declared after waking up from a week long coma after surviving an attack and healing from major injuries that almost took her own life, Kim Rok Soo wondered how and why did he fell in love with this crazy-but-lovable-woman.
Sighing, Kim Rok Soo nonchalantly replied, âSure.â
She beamed, eyes lighting up, âReally-â
Before he cuts her off, âAfter you recover.â Rok Soo gently caressed her cheek, fingers twirling her hair and tucking it behind her ear as he sat beside her bed.
She pouted, âBut Darling-â
âNo.â
âBut-â
âNo.â
âYou didnât even-â
âNo.â
âDarlingâ!â Her laughs filled the room, lighting up the atmosphere that was previously somber and depressing (Rok Soo remembers waiting everydayâevery second for a sign that she would wake up) but the again, she always had that effect.
There was silence, as Rok Soo gently held her hand and as she stared off at the wall, it was comforting. That was how they always were, sometimes, words werenât needed to express what they wanted.
Actions were more than enough.
âI love you.â
Well maybe, sometimes it wasnât enough.
She blinks, mouth agape and eyes widened as she looked at her lover in shock, âI- Rok Soo?!â
Kim Rok Soo blinks before nonchalantly saying as if he didnât just make her mind go on a rollercoaster with his sudden confession, âI said, I love you.â
She still stared at him dumbfounded, looking at him like he grew five heads so suddenly.
He frowned, âWhy arenât you saying it back?â
That seemed to bring her back as she stuttered, âI-I love you too..â red slowly dusted her cheeks down to her neck as she ducked her head in shyness.
Kim Rok Soo blinks at her sudden shyness, not really used to seeing her shy and flustered as its her whoâs usually the one who makes it so that heâs the one whoâs flustered instead.
He chuckled, after all. Its not everyday you see your usually playful and composed lover be shy and flustered.
Leaning towards her, he gently caressed her face before tilting it up and placed a gentle and loving peck to her lips.
âKim Rok Soo!â
âYouâre as red as a gochujang.â
âThat-thatâs because you s-suddenly did that!â
He shrugged in reply, âGochujang.â
And as Cale pulled himself back from his records, he didnât hesitate to put his ring back to where it belongs, noting how it still fits him perfectly around his ring finger, how itâs still snug and just- just secure.
âItâs my wedding ring.â He stated, tearing his eyes away from his ring as he looked at the others, each and every one of themâexcept for the three, Choi Han, Choi Jung Soo, and Lee Soo Hyukâwho knew of the truthâhad varying emotions displayed on their faces.
Perhaps they didnât expect that heâd be married back in his life as Kim Rok Soo.
â..when?â Rosalyn asked, eyes darting to Caleâs face and to his ring sitting at his finger.
âWhen I was 22. We were childhood friends, we grew up from the same orphanage.â
âI see..â
It was a bit shocking, of course. They didnât expect that heâd be married, considering the state of their world and all the monsters.
âWell,â Cale started, âWe can talk about this more later if you guys want. For now, letâs talk about the plan for tonight.â He moved to the center table where there was a map and proceeded to talk.
And as they talked about the plan, his family didnât miss the fact that the Young Master caressed his ring every so often.
A ring of yours.
A bloodied ring sat on the ground.
Kim Rok Soo stared at it blankly, making no move to pick it up. He missed the looks that Choi Jung Soo as well as Lee Soo Hyuk sent towards him, he missed the sad glances and the looks of pity that their team members were sending, he ignored the voice that was telling him that it was time to go, he ignored the hand shaking his shoulder, he ignored it.
He ignored everything.
Everything except the bloody ring on the ground.
And distinctly he heard someone yell, âWe canât find the body! Team leader-nim, we need more backup!â
No body..
They couldnât find the bodyâŠ
Kim Rok Soo felt himself go empty. He felt himselfâevery ounce of his being just shutting down, everything was just a blur.
â note » inspired by Horimiyaâs chapter 81; A Homely Sadist and The Son of a Baker. Itâs also the part II of âA Betrothedâs Thoughtsâ this time, itâs Caleâs version.
I donât understand my betrothed.
Why does she like hanging out with that crazy bastard clopeh?
Everytime I ask her why, she just replies, âBecause we have the same bias.â With a smug grin.
She likes my face.
Often times I would wake up to her gently brushing the tips of her fingers lightly to my cheeks, nose, forehead, lips, and my hair. She seemed to caress it gently like I was fragile. Sheâll give me a loving kiss on my forehead and a soft smile followed by words full of affection, âGood morning, Cale.â
It makes me⊠feel.
I love waking up to her.
I donât get my lover.
Why is she calling me a sacrificial bastard when sheâs the one who does sacrificial things? And when Iâd call her out on it, sheâs just look at me dumbfounded like I had grown two heads.
Why does she let those useless pathetic nobles insult her? Doesnât she realize that sheâs more? That thereâs more to her than what they think? She fought on the battlefield. Fought with me. Beside me.
Sheâs the Vice Commander.
Their Vice Commander.
My Vice Commander.
She has the authority to correct them.
Yet why?
However when I voiced it out she simply gave me a smile and said that it doesnât matter.
Why doesnât it matter?
Why donât you matter?
It brought a few arguments between us, but after hearing from her point of view I understood our mistakes.
Sheâs quite an idiot.
But sheâs my idiot.
I love her eyes.
Every time she looks at me, even just a glance, I love it.
Her eyes would sparkle every time I would appear from her vision, when she looks at meâstares at me with love, adoring, affection, gentlenessâ
Does she know how much I love it?
How much I love her?
I donât really get my lover.
But she understands me more than anyone does.
I love it.
I donât understand her.
She loves playing with my hair even though sheâs quite bad at styling it.
Whenever she would voice it outâ that sheâs embarrassed at her skills, the reply I would send to her would always sends her flustered.
Why?
I was merely speaking the truth.
âIt doesnât matter. Iâll love anything you do for me.â
âY-You canât just say that!â
Nonetheless, she seems happy.
So I was too.
Even though it was quite hard taking it off at night.
I donât understand my betrothed.
Despite her telling me countless times that Iâm the only one who understood her best.
But I love her.
Even when she hangs out with that crazy bastard clopeh.
Notes: Gender neutral MC || NECK KISSES!!! GIVING NECK KISSES WHILE HOLDING THE OTHER PERSON!!! GIVING NECK KISSES WHILE SLEEPY BUT WANTING TO SHOW YOUR AFFECTION EVEN IF YOU'RE TOO TIRED TO TALK!!! JUST!!! NECK KISSES!!! || Yes this is another morning where the first thing I do is dump my Cale brainrot on this app
Familiar arms wrapped around your waist and you smiled, turning your head to face Cale who was now nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck. You brought your hand up to lightly brush through his hair and he raised his head to look at you, eyes crescents as a result of him just having woken up and then bring it back down to rest on the arms that were secured around you.
You lean up to give him a kiss, his lips slow as he responds to it but you can feel the quirk of the corner of his lips that indicated his small smile.
You break the kiss to whisper a short "Morning Cale." to which he mumbles back a vague "Morning." in response before nuzzling his face back into the crook of your neck. The feeling of his breath on your skin and the deep breath he takes in, content and very sleepy, makes you laugh lightly at the ticklish sensation.
You try to turn your attention back to what you plan to wear for the day but the feeling of his head moving slightly and a pair of lips pressing softly against your skin behind your ear has you jolting slightly, a shiver running across your skin as you let out a small gasp in surprise. The feeling has you leaning back against him, subconsciously moving to make it easier for him to give you a few more kisses.
"Cale-" You aren't really sure what you want to say to him. It isn't as if you dislike it but there was always something that threw you off whenever Cale got like this.
The redhead hums with a grin as he recalls how receptive you are to his touch and his hands move a bit to let his fingers trail up your torso and then back down, drawing random shapes as his fingers play across your skin which have you freezing up slightly in his hold, a shaky breath leaving you.
His hands stop more securely on your abdomen, bringing you closer to him though there's still a slowness to his movements that lets you know that he's still all too tired.
He lays another kiss in the same place but this time moves his lips down to press against your neck. You're trying to steady your breathing but you already know that he's finding it all too fulfilling to have you shivering against him from something so simple though you would blame it on it being so early and you having only woken up a few minutes before Cale.
He continues to pepper the small kisses across you skin, all soft and loving, sometimes stopping to trail his nose lightly across your neck and chuckle when he can feel your skin heating up.
You've given up on trying to remember what you were doing before he'd come on to you with this sudden display of affection and let yourself lean into his touch.
A huff of disappointment leaves your lips when he lays one last kiss on your neck and pulls away, resting his chin on your shoulder.
You look back at him again, unsurprised to see that his eyes are closed while a content smile lit up his face which was all aglow now. The words to scold him were once again lost on you as your heart filled with affection for the man who took so much pleasure in being so soft with you.
You make to let out a half hearted sigh playfully and kiss his forehead. "I love you."
His eyes open to look at you, just barely, as his smile widens just that little bit. "Love you too."
This is such a win for him honestly because he too is excessively clingy though he refrains from acting on his constant need for your affection when he's particularly tired
Despite this, there's still nothing that will stop him from hanging around you and giving you subtile hints, that being looking at you for a little bit too long and sitting reeeeally close to you and trying to talk to you every 5 seconds which is unusual for someone like Cale who prefers to say as little as possible but if you also always want his affection?
This is perfect, he doesn't need to try and voice the fact that he wants to cuddle
He's indifferent to being seen being publicly affectionate as long as no one makes a big deal about it so he's entirely up for you randomly coming up and hugging him from behind if you're feeling lonely or just miss him in general when people like Choi Han or the kids are around but he would prefer if you didn't if, say, Hans was talking to him
He won't stop you and the affection is still welcome but you'll definitely hear his sigh when Hans starts talking too much about it and drawing everyone's attention which just makes it all a whole hassle
He's entirely up for it if you're both alone together in his room or something which is still wonderful because he doesn't like to leave his room often and would love nothing more than to sit around with you or sleep and cuddle with you
His heart jumps a little every time he feels you press a little kiss to his temple or cheek and the little smile that he gets on his face, content and adoring and reserved exclusively for you, whenever he feels the telltale movement of your hand near his face, brushing his hair away from his face so you can kiss him and he'll open his eyes to look up at you from his position lying down before leaning up to give you another kiss and pulling you back down with him so he can hold you
He wouldn't be more content at the end of the day when knowing that there's no way that you haven't pressed a kiss to every inch of his face
Some random Noble: YOUNG MASTER CALE PLEASE YOU MUST STOP THAT SWORDMASTER UNDER YOUR CARE HIS A TOTAL MENACE!
Cale confuse: Choi Han? Menace? That doesn't sound quite right [checks out what happened]
Choi Han when Cale arrived: [sunshines and rainbows, every thing looks fine] oh Cale-nim are you done with your business?
Cale: I heard you were causing trouble so I came, but it seems to be a lie. Anyways I'm almost done so you can accompany me now
Choi Han as soon as Cale turns his back: [looks at the nobles with murderous intent] okay Cale-nim I'll also gather the others! [returns to being an innocent puppy]
a/n: this has been nagging me since this afternoon and it wouldn't let me sleep until i write it
Warnings: Death, detrimental thoughts, angst? Some description of reader is mentioned, gender neutral reader
English isnât my first language so there will be grammatical errors
Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission
If there's something missing in the warnings let me know so I can add it
Any form of interaction toward the post is appreciated <333
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Cute nose, rosy cheeks, bright smile. Everything always starts out like that. The dream that comes to Cale every night whenever he has the time to sleep is always the same.
A personâs silhouette can be seen in front of him. Long hair that they refuse to cut because itâs too troublesome is slowly dancing with the wind.Â
Cale wanted to get closer but no matter how hard he tries, the person in front is always ahead of him.
These dreams are always the same. What happens and the setting might be different each time but itâs always the same person. The same distance between them that he canât close no matter how hard he tries. Â
He isnât that naive to not know that all of this is a dream. Everything he does is futile because what he sees isnât real.
But maybe itâs because this is a dream that he is trying harder. He thinks that through this dream, if he tries hard, something might change.Â
Something, anything, if possible everything.
Kim Rok Soo doesn't care one bit that whatever he does during these dreams wonât change anything when he wakes up. He canât care even if he has to keep dreaming about the same thing over and over again.
Because in this dream, in this abode his mind has created, they are alive and well.
In the world of dreams the person whoâs always in front of him is smiling and laughing.
Because here he wasnât late nor was he helpless.
Cale knows but he must be satisfied with that. The person living in his dreams looks so much better after all.
However, whether his name is Cale Henituse or Kim Rok Soo he will always be a greedy man.
Thatâs why he isnât satisfied with watching. He must interact, he must join them. He wants to be the reason theyâre smiling. He wants to hear their soft voice that used to rant about every little thing they think about.
And so Cale chased after them. And as usual he wakes up without making much progress.
Regret starts oozing in as soon as the ex-commander wakes up. Memories from the dream are still vivid as he tries to compose himself before Ron or the children come in.
Throughout the day Cale just tries to get by and get his work done as fast as possible. If Cale can pass on the work to someone else he makes sure to do so.
And the others let him be.
Not only does it not bother anyone or anything in the slightest but they know what their young master was feeling.
How could they forget the chilling screams that Cale let out that day. A rare sight of their calm and composed leader shedding tears as he holds someone near his chest as if to shield them.
They may not know who that person is. They may not know how the redhead is acquainted with them. But they know one thing.
Late. All of them were late that day.
 Nevertheless, thereâs still someone who knows who that is. The person that made Cale burst into tears and shouted as if he was a child. Why was that particular person so dear to Cale.
Choi Han knew the answer to the question everyone was silently pondering about. Still, the man kept silent and merely observed the others worry and care for the man they served.
Through his descendant, Choi Jung Soo, he saw all of it. How close was his liege and this person seem to be. How they seem to be the perfect pair. The Yin and Yang of the company. Two people that no one can separate.
He also saw how cruel fate ripped this person out of Caleâs embrace so harshly. Not a single one of them could do anything to prevent what was going on. Through anotherâs eyes, Choi Han saw how they still managed to smile as they spoke their final words.
âIâm sure youâll all be alright. Donât be too sad, one life is better than a couple hundred souls.â
Choi Han knew all of this. Thatâs why when he first discovered that person being in this world, he said to himself that this time must be different. With determination, he said that he wouldnât let what happened back then happen again.
But the house of cards was shattered before they could even begin building it.
Late
Too late
Were the words that often come in Cales head as he finishes his work of the day. Wind elementals and ancient powers try to distract them but they can only do so much when Cale is battling with his own mind.Â
As the transmigrator walk down the halls of the super rock villa he tries to keep a positive mindset. Remove the frown on his face and straighten his previously slouching figure. All of them can see that he is trying too hard to appear okay. Still no one commented on it nor did they try to accompany the man to wherever he seems to be going.
Because they already know his destination.
When everythingâs done and the people inside the villa are minding their business Cale Henituse always ventures to one secluded room. Once he does, the servants lingering in the room always scurry to give him privacy.
No one ever knows what will happen whenever Cale visits that room. Sometimes they would hear quiet sobs breaking. Other times it looks like the man was never in despair, but they know otherwise.Â
[I was never one to observe things thoroughly but has anyone ever told you that your eyes look like it's merging the sunset and the deep night together?]
He couldâve easily stopped the record that subconsciously began playing. Couldâve lessened the grief he was feeling, but he didnât. It was because he wanted to remember. He wanted to drown in the memories and records they have together.
The person he dreams of every night is now in front of him. Just a few inches away from him. He can even touch them if he extends his hand just a bit. But he didnât, or more like he refused to do so.
Cale knows that the one in front of him is the real deal. But he canât bring himself to do anything. They might be the one that Cale knew but they were so different.
Pale
So pale
Thatâs always the first thing that the young master thinks about whenever he sees them. The person laying down on the bed meticulously prepared under his orders looks peaceful, as if they were sleeping without a single care in the world.
And Cale hates it.
He wants them to open their eyes again. He wants them to look at him, tease him, just anything. Just stop sleeping and wake for once.Â
Even so Cale knows that is out of his hands. Thatâs why instead, he goes back to his room and sleeps.
At least there, in his dreams, heâll have the courage to go closer to them.
â warnings » no angst. Yep. Cursing/swearing. Thatâs all I think?
â note » the last part is inspired by @calehenituse-brainrotâs chapter âPickup linesâ
âCaaaaalllleeee~â He could hear him sing his name as his voice bounced off the walls. A small smile bloomed on his face before going back to his usual stoic act, âHere.â He beckoned.
A Cheshire grin crawled up on his face as Cale could see his bright eyes shine with glee, âI found Sayeru~â There was a bounce on his steps as he approached him, clapping his hands in excitement. And Cale, unknowingly let out a gentle soft smile, âYou did?â
âMhm!â There was a coy smile painted on his lips as his eyes went up In mischief, âSo..â he drawls, and Cale canât help but let a shiver run up his spine, âCan I play with him?â
âYouâre vicious.â Was his only reply.
But when he loves me..
âCale, have I ever told you how much I absolutely adore you?â
âYes. Youâve said it countless of times itâs ridiculous.â
âBut itâs the truth.â He had his cheshire grin as his eyes glints mischievouslyâ it was his same usual look said with his same playful tone and yet Cale canât help but fall deeper.
âStop playing.â Cale sighed, rubbing his temple as he ignored his blush, trying hard to fuel it down as he knew that the man was only joking, playing like how he is.
Cale ignored the slight throb in his heart.
I feel like Iâm floating..
âYouâre so pretty and handsome it fucking hurts.â
âStop it.â Cale sternly said, daring not to face him in fear that heâd see or maybe even hear his racing heartbeat that he knew his butlerâRon Molan hears based on the amused smile he has as he dressed him.
âWhat?â An offended look crossed his face as he pouts, âI canât compliment my Commander?â
Cale gulps at the fluttering feeling it brought in his chest at the word âmyâ. Albeit despite his reply Cale ignored him. As usual when he plays.
The click of a door was heard, Ron left as soon as he was done dressing Cale, his amused smile never leaving as he shakes his head before leaving.
Silence covered the room before he opened his mouth again, Cale sighed. Preparing to ignore the male once again but-
âI mean it.â His tone was genuine, as a rare gentle smile painted his features. Caleâonce again, he canât count the timesâfelt his breathe hitch. Looking at him through the mirror and their eyes met, Cale for a brief second let his eyes wander his form.
A smug smile almost showed on Caleâs face, pride beaming at his chest. Looking at his form through the mirror, Cale let his eyes feast on the male. Scanning his white outfit with black liningsâin partner with his own, Caleâs wearing a black outfit with white liningsâboth of theirs look similar to the military Commander and Vice Commander they wore before. But although black is their color, his Vice Commander was the only different.
He wore a white vice commander uniform, similar to Cale yet it wasnât. His was more regal, more refined, more royalty. His leaned more on the fancy designs while Caleâs military commander uniform was more simple, more elegant, enough to authorise who he is.
Put the two of them side by side, and one wouldnât believe it yet be in awe of their difference.
The people might call Alberu Crossman and Cale Henituse the Sun and Moon of the Roan Empire,
But everyone knows its himâhis vice commander whoâs the Sun and Cale the Moon.
Everyoneâanyone, who have seen the two together on the same battlefield would agree without a doubt.
Cale let a feeling bloom on his chest at theirâdare he sayâcouple outfit. It was similar to the military uniform they wore back then, but this time it screamed of power. Each of their outfit had their usual royalty scheme as gold linings as well as jewelries decorated the top.
Cale canât help but love the difference.
When he calls me pretty, I feel like somebody
âYou are genuinely attractive, Cale.â
And Cale snapped back to the present, feelingâuncontrollably his blush rising to his cheeks. His face was as red as his hair, which was tied up in a low ponytail courtesy of the former vice commander who tied it with a white laceâCale loves it.
Cale gulped harshly, straying his eyes anywhere but his, not knowing how to respond despite knowing that this wasnât the first time he had done thisâ this wasnât the first time the former vice commander had complimented him, praised him, worshipped his looks. And yet, there was this nagging feeling at his instincts that tells himâscreams at him that this is different.
That this time, itâs not like the other times.
And Cale admits, he didnât know what to do.
On normal occasions, he wouldâve ignored him, maybe even snorted at him followed by a âI knowâ in his usual tone.
But it was different.
But well, Cale liked different.
It just depends on what different.
Canât say he doesnât like this different though.
âWeâre going to be late.â He manages to croak out, clearing his throat and licking his suddenly dry lips. Cale looks at the mirror once again, only to find him staring right back. Cale flinched, wanting to look away again and yet he suddenly seemed frozen in place.
âDamn this.â He cursed in his head.
âThis bastard has the audacity to even smirk.â Cale clenched his teeth at the smirk sent his way, he sent his own small glare at him before huffing and walking towards the door.
And yet before he could even touch the handle, a hand grabbed his arm.
âYou look absolutely ravishing, Cale.â Followed by a peck right below his earâjust to his jaw.
And the former vice commander goes, humming tune as he left the Commander in the room, frozen in his spot with redness spreading down to his neck.
âThis-this fucker..!â
And even if we fade eventually to nothing..
âThat damn bastard thinking that he can do whatever the fuck he wants the audacity I should give him more work that fucking bastard.â Cale grumbled curses beneath his breathe as he drank the wine, ignoring the looks of Choi Han as well as the others sent his way.
Redness spread his cheeks, to the other people it might look like Cale is merely drunk, but to his family? They knew he wasnât.
Theyâre very well aware of Caleâs high alcohol tolerance, as well as the fact that the moment the doors slammed open and the former Commander walked in with the former Vice Commanderâpairing outfits as each of their steps radiating powerâCale had a stoic look on his face and his cold eyes scanned the room but his family knew betterânoticing the flustered look on his eyes mixed with annoyance. Walking at quite a hurried pace, his ears had a faint red color, and the former Vice Commander followed behind him.
The former Vice Commander wasnât far off from Cale, he was only lagging a mere step or two but they noticed the tune he was humming as well as his usual Cheshire grin seemed to be more mischievous than usual. His eyes were sparkling in amusement and Choi Han and the others thought they saw a hint of gentleness glimmer in his eyes as he stared at Cale. But as soon as they noticed it, it was gone.
And that led to the conclusion that yes, something did indeed happened.
Choi Han and the others either smiled or sighed at the scene.
âWhy canât they just get together already for fucks sake.â Bud clicked his tongue, downing another glass as he internally screamed.
Cale watched him devour the sweets and desserts like thereâs no tomorrow. Deadpanning at the numerous plates stacked up at the table beside him. âReally.. as soon as he entered he immediately went after the desserts.â Cale sighed exasperatedly, yet fondness couldnât be hidden from his look.
He could see the eyes of numerous ladies and men eyeing the Vice Commander eating the desserts, he couldnât help but snort at them.
âHeâd never look at youâmuch less spare you a glance.â His lips curled on a smirk, âHe wonât pay attention unless itâs something that interests him.â That goes on with people he isnât familiar with, it was the same thing that happened with the people they met before throughout their journey together. Of course, the family they have is an exception.
You.. you will always be..
âCale!â He turned his head at the sound of his name, raising a brow, Cale responded in a blank tone, âWhat-â
He was immediately met with the taste of sickeningly sweet dessertâone he knows is one of the maleâs favourite judging by taste and the look the former vice commander has.
âItâs too sweet.â Cale blankly states, all the while chewing and swallowing the cake. âThatâs why it delicious!â His eyes sparkled like jewels and his smile was more child-like. Cale said that, and yet he still opened his mouth and didnât protest when another fork of the sweet sweet cake was fed to him. As the former Commander chewed, he looked at his companion. Who fed himself another fork-full of cake and saw as he visibly beamed, another thought crossed Caleâs mind as to how this man in front of him had a duality that made him either flustered or brim with happiness.
He swallowed the cake, lightly grimacing at the sweetness which in no doubt is ordered by his Majesty Alberu Crossman knowing that the former vice commander had a sickening sweet tooth, well Cale wouldnât blame him as he too issued a letter to his sworn brother to increase the amount of sweetness.
As Cale leaned back to the wall, the former vice commander fed another fork to Cale, watching with glee as Cale ate it with no protest before scooping another fork-full and feeding it to himself.
Cale looked at the man, a gentle smile unknowingly forming on his face, bringing his handâhe reached out to pat the manâs head. A fluttering feeling blooming in his chest as the former vice commander seemed to lean more.
You will always be my favorite form of loving.
Bonus:
It was warm. Well that was a fact considering that Raon accidentally set fire on the curtain because of some experiment the trio children wanted to do. Cale sat on the chair, relief filling his being at the thought of his familyâthe children being okay. It definitely set off a panic in himâof course he didnât show itâwhen he heard there was a fire in his very own villa, but in the end it got resolve.
He lightly glared at the man across the room, clicking his tongue. âWhat?â Said man raised a brow with an amused smile.
âYou know what.â Cale grumbled, crossing his arms. While the children were panicking about the fire, this man was beside, laughing while holding a recording device. Not even bothering to put the fire out. âYou couldâve helped them.â He frowned.
âBut Raon had it under control, no?â He replied back cheekily, âHe is a great and might dragon after all.â Cale deadpanned at him.
Cale groaned, rubbing his face with his hand as he tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling. Silence surrounded the pair, neither of them were uncomfortable as this wasnât the first time both of them were together alone. Rather, it was comforting.
âCale.â
âYes?â
âYou know..â Cale sighed, preparing himself to another bullshit the vice commander may spout. Sensing the pause in his sentence, Cale groaned, âWhat is it?â
âThe fire may be outâŠâ He started, and even without seeing, Cale knows that pain-in-the-ass-but-heâs-a-pain-in-the-ass-that-Cale-loves-bastard has a shit eating grin plastered on his face.
Notes: In the end I still caved and wrote something for this. Not to be gross on main but I get the worst stomaches - so bad I just want to curl up and die at times. So this prompt spoke to my soul as I am suffering rn.
Ft: Cale
It couldâve been the river fish stew or perhaps it was the roasted rabbits - whatever it was, your stomach was not agreeing with it and it was making its protests known.
It was thankfully not bad enough for you to suspect foul play. You were not in immediate need of a restroom break nor do you feel the urge to purge yourself - yet. Small mercies. Even if it felt like someone took a dagger to your abdomen and wouldnât stop twisting.
Two knocks from the carriage you were escorting signalled the need for a stop and you relayed the information to the front to halt the procession. Just as you were about to rap on the door to enquire on their needs, the door swung open to reveal the annoyed visage of its master.
â summary » Choi Han saw Kim Rok Soo and a woman in the eyes of Choi Jung Soo. She wasnât his lover, but Choi Han who saw through Choi Jung Sooâs eyes would beg to differ.
â genre » tiny bit of angst? Fluff?
â warnings » angst? Aside from that none. I think.
Choi Han first noticed it. How his liege would act differently when heâs with you. It was only slight, barely noticeable. But for Choi Han who has lookedâserved under the former commander, knew better.
His liege would let down his guard with you, heâd relax, all his tension leaving his body at the mere sight of you.
Maybe, Choi Han wouldâve thought that perhaps his liege wasnât comfortable enough with them to let his guard down. But heâthey knew better.
His life as Kim Rok Soo didnât allow him to rest. And his life as Cale Henituse was on constant work. Working his brain as the Commander to have the minimum casualties in a war, to protect his family that no oneânot even one of them would get hurt, the way he made Alberu not the king, but the emperor of the roan empire. He worked, and worked, and worked, and worked. And unfortunately, even with everything over, Cale still has his guard up.
Heâd wake up on the smallest sounds, heâd sharpen his eyes whenever even a small danger not even directed towards them appeared, heâd immediately think of plansâ multiple plans if even thereâs a slight mistake.
His liege never seemed to not work his brain off, Choi Han thought.
He wasnât the only one who noticed, Ron, Raon, On and Hong, Rosalyn, and many other of their families.
And yet, when it comes to her, he immediately relaxed.
Choi Han didnât know, that soon heâd find the answer.
It came in the form of a memory.
Choi Jung Sooâs memory to be exact.
In his memory, Kim Rok Soo always had a girl with him.
Min Areum.
She was on the same team as Kim Rok Soo, a member of the team leader Lee Soo Hyuk.
And through Choi Jung Sooâs eyes, Choi Han could see the immeasurable amount of truth Kim Rok Soo and Min Areum had. The way they would both let their guard down around each other but at the same time being high alert, they trusted each other and had the back of the other at all times.
Choi Han couldnât find the words that would describe their bond.
Because in all honesty, their bond was something Choi Han has never seen before. It was genuine, strong, it was deep. There was a prominent like you couldnât cross between them, a line that will never allow you to get in between them.
And Choi Han who saw it through Jung Sooâs eyes thought that they were soulmates.
It was simply fascinating.
She wasnât his lover, but Choi Han, who saw them in Choi Jung Sooâs eyes would beg to differ.
Cale Henituse is Kim Rok Soo.
Kim Rok Soo was Cale Henituse.
Both are the same, Choi Han knew his liege never changed back when he was Kim Rok Soo and even as Cale Henituse.
But heâd like to think, that when he was Kim Rok Soo, and when Kim Rok Soo was with her.
Heâd like to think that Caleâ Kim Rok Soo did change.
Choi Han could see the difference.
So he knew, that the way Kim Rok Soo looked at Min Areum, was definitely not what a friendâs gaze looked like. Perhaps beside asking his liege if he was happy he was here, he also wanted to ask, âDid you love her?â And despite not asking it, Choi Han knew his liege did. That he still does.
For the little looks, the little smiles, the little touches, the little gesturesâthat every time he looks at something and it reminds him of her. Choi Han would see the softest, and gentlest expression Cale would have.
An expression only she could bring.
An expression only she could have.
She brought out sides of Kim Rok Soo that even Choi Jung Soo and Lee Soo Hyuk was shocked.
But Choi Han knew that all stopped when she passed away.
And then suddenly, The Kim Rok Soo Choi Han knew became all too similar to the Cale-nim he has now.
He said that Cale never changed.
But looking back at it, he wants to say that he did change.
Kim Rok Soo changed when she passed away.
And Choi Han who saw it through Jung sooâs eyes was a big difference.
And so the moment, the second, the minute he saw a girlâa woman talking to his liege, he knew who she is. The woman who stood beside Kim Rok Soo, the woman who Choi Jung Soo considers as a family, the woman who stood, and stayed.
Although her name wasnât Min Areum.
She was still her.
And Choi Han knew his liege wouldnât bother repeating the same mistake.
Choi han thought it was lovely.
She and his liege were two.
A pair.
They both had a trust that Choi Han and the others would never be able to break.
Choi Han thought it was beautiful.
The bond that she and Cale have, and despite her not remembering her life as Min Areum, Choi Han knew that although his liege was a bit sad, he knew he didnât mind.
Because Choi Han, who stood beside Cale and fought with him and for him, knew the gaze that he had the moment he knew she didnât remember him.
His liege was determined. More determined than Choi Han has ever seen.
And so, Choi Han concluded.
âIt seems like Cale-nim would scheme to make her his again.â
Because through the eyes of Choi Jung Soo, Choi Han was well aware of the slyness and schemes Kim Rok Soo did just to make the woman his. It wasnât in the bad way though, Kim Rok Soo schemed in a way that he was confident heâd make her fall for him.
And he did, but he only fell deeper.
Choi Han was quite sure, that his liege only fell deeper and deeper.
His liege would fall to the deepest of the abyss, but this time, Choi Han was sure that he wonât be alone.
He looks at the smiling pair, âBecause youâll have her now, Cale-nim.â He whispered to himself with a smile.
A past record.
âDonât..cry..â A bloodied hand lifted itself and placed it on his cheek, he nuzzled on her hand, ignoring the stench of blood as he shut his eyes tightly.
âR-RokâŠSoo..â Her breathing was shallow, Kim Rok Soo knew she was losing a lot of blood, And Kim Rok Soo also knows her time is coming. He knew the medic wouldnât come here in time, he knew it.
He knew.
She gave a weak smile at him, âDonât look at me like that..â Tears fell on her cheeks, itâs wasnât hers. âYou-Youâre making.. it hard to l-leaveâŠâ He let out a shaky breathe as he connected their foreheads together, fingers finding itself and intertwining with hers as he held her hand on his cheek.
He forced himself to open his eyes, but just as he was about to, a hand covered his eyes. âD-Donât..â Kim Rok Soo could hear her cough, he could hear the blood splatter on the ground, âT-The one who could never for..get..m-must protect.. himself..â his breathe hitched, his eyes shook hysterically as his throat tightened up.
âI donât want to remember.â
âI donât want to forget.â
Kim Rok Soo doesnât want to record thisâ heâd record everything- anything as long as itâs not this.
But Kim Rok Soo also doesnât want to forget this. This would be the last time heâd ever have his record of her, and even if itâs sad,
Kim Rok Soo would rather have that than none at all.
He knew this memoryâthis record would play and run in an endless loop.
Heâd suffer and grieve, heâd avoid this record but at the same time play it all over again.
Maybe heâd wish he never recorded this, but he also knew heâd rather have.
And so, Kim Rok Soo used his ârecordâ.
He shakily held her hand and gently let it down, and as soon as he got his vision, his eyes connected to hers.
He inhaled sharply, taking every inch of her form, every details, every injuries, everything.
âRok Soo..â She whispered, her voice barely a breathe. He gave her hand a squeeze in reply, never taking his eyes off of her, letting her know that heâs hereâthat sheâs not alone.
âLetâs.. meet again.. okay?â
âYeah. Yeah, of course we will.â He committed every inch of his being to her smile- the smile he knew would be the last. To her, and her, and her, down to her last breatheâKim Rok Soo focused himself on her.
