Chapter Text
“Please…” Bong Hwan whimpers through the pain as he crawls desperately to where Cheoljong lies after being shot in the chest. There was a dark patch of blood forming around the wound on those beautiful crimson robes, steadily getting larger as Bong Hwan reached his hand as far as it could go. Please… Bong Hwan pleaded in his mind. Just let me at least make sure he’s alright! His fingertips brushed along Cheoljong’s lifeless fingers and for a brief second, Bong Hwan felt a spark of warmth. A surprised gasp left his lips at the feeling and Bong Hwan felt an inkling of hope he could fully encase his hand over Cheoljong’s. However, just as quickly as that warmth appeared, it was replaced by a rippling feeling of pain shooting down his entire body. A cry escaped his lips as Bong Hwan clung to Cheoljong’s fingers as the most excruciating pain he had ever felt in his life, was of his soul being forced out of this borrowed body. “No…Not yet,” he cried to no one before screaming as his soul was ripped free, sending him soaring up and away from Cheoljong’s body even as he continued to reach—
“ NO! ”
Bong Hwan shot up in his bed with a yell; hand still reaching out before he realized there was nothing for him to grab onto. His hand dropped to clutch the front of his shirt, curling his fingers into the fabric as the familiar ache made itself known in his chest. “Every damn night…” he cursed through his tears, feeling frustrated that he has to suffer nightmares every night. He already knew the outcome of that day. Cheoljong survived and went on to rule and change the world for the better. It was the happy ending he deserved. So why was Bong Hwan being plagued with these consistent dreams when everything was already over and done with? “Why?” he growled. "WHY?!" he screamed, throwing his pillow across the room.
It had been over a month since he had woken from his coma and returned to his own body. For a while, everything was fine. He got checked repeatedly by doctors for his miraculous recovery much to his great annoyance, but prideful on the fact his body didn’t lose an ounce of his hard earned muscle. Got paid a shit ton of money for being a whistleblower, and the Blue House basically begged for him to come back. Which he accepted only because there would be unlimited resources he could only dream of in the Joseon period and not because it was familiar or anything. His life was good. Perfect even. So why did it feel like he was just living off an echo of his past self? It was him, yes. He did all those things. Even all the bad stuff that was erased thanks to changing the fate of Cheoljong. But, Bong Hwan didn’t feel like he used to. He feels… disjointed and completely torn between who he used to be and who he currently is now.
Just how much of that whole experience in the past came with him? So much so, that the person Jang Bong Hwan knew for 33 years just didn’t feel like him anymore?
What was it that he felt was missing?
Bong Hwan wiped the tears off his cheeks and made his way to the bathroom. He glanced at the pale image of himself in the mirror, hating his sickly appearance and the dark bags that were forming under his eyes. He hated everything about his appearance as much as he hated having those damn dreams. Making a face in the mirror that reflected back at him, Jang Bong Hwan leaned down and quickly washed his face with ice cold water. When he glanced back up at the mirror after drying his face with a towel, he was shocked to see it was no longer his reflection; but that of So Yong’s. In the mirror, dressed in the white hanbok and looking like the ghost he had thought she was when he had first met her underwater, she stared at him. He stepped back in both fear and surprise, and in his haste to get away he tripped, falling to the floor as her sad eyes followed him in the mirror as he pressed his back against the wall. His vision blurred with hot tears as he stared at her, anger building up faster than he could control it in his chest.
“What?! What do you want?!” he shouted at her, his hands curling into fists. “You got what you wanted! Just leave me alone! Take these stupid dreams and memories with you! They were never mine to begin with!” She never responded to him, but Jang Bong Hwan never expected her to. It was all a figment of his exhausted mind, wasn’t it? Her gaze continued to stare at him, looking far more sad as Bong Hwan pressed a hand to his face, unable to look at her anymore. “I never wanted any of this…” he said softly, closing his eyes and letting out a sob. Why was he even yelling at her in the first place? None of this was her fault. He just…
He just didn't want the pain anymore.
“What you feel is completely normal.” Bong Hwan’s therapist told him as he sat across from him in that strangely comfortable chair. The man before him didn’t even look like he hit his 40s yet, but his eyes—while gentle and reassuring—looked like they had seen just about every lifetime there was. Bong Hwan couldn’t explain why he felt that way. He just did. “There have been many cases of coma patients living entirely different lives while under. Adjusting back takes time and with it, comes a lot of confusion and mixed emotions.”
Bong Hwan wanted to scoff at that. How many of those coma patients had their souls sent to the past with little to no warning? This was the kind of thing that only happened in dramas, not real life. “They’re just dreams…” Bong Hwan ended up muttering, refusing to tell this guy the entire story. Just telling him that he had nothing but recurring dreams of a King and Queen in the Joseon period. He wanted to stay away from a psych ward thank you. The man smiled that non-judgmental smile that was supposed to make people feel like they could tell them anything.
Jokes on him, Bong Hwan wasn’t going to cave that easily.
“Dreams or memories, whatever you wish to call them. They’re still your experiences.” Bong Hwan stared at this therapist for a moment, pondering on if he should or shouldn’t ask his next question. Ah, Fuck it.
“Let's say—hypothetically of course—that a coma patient had their soul sent back to the Joseon dynasty for example. Is it possible?”
“Well, in the mind of the patient anything is possible yes.” The therapist answered simply, making Bong Hwan sink back into his chair with a frown. Of course in the mind it was possible. He knew that already! That wasn’t the answer he wanted to know. He considered leaving before the therapist suddenly clapped his hands, startling Bong Hwan into sitting back down when he had decided to stand and leave. “Ah yes, I remember!” he proclaimed smiling, making Bong Hwan glare. “There was a past patient of mine who had that exact experience.”
“Really?” Bong Hwan asked, blinking in surprise as he leaned forward. Was there really someone else who went through what he did?
“She had a drowning incident saving a child from a public pool. The official report said that her foot got caught onto a stray rope that was drifting underwater from one of the boats and it dragged her under. However, she tells me that she was forced under that water by some invisible force. It dragged her so far down all she can remember from that entire incident was seeing a bright red eclipse. Next thing she knew, she was in the body of a woman who looked exactly like her. Only, she was in the Goryeo dynasty. So, do I believe coma patients can live out past lives? I believe it's very possible.”
Holy shit. There really was someone out there who went through what he did. They both had a water incident, albeit different and she was fortunate enough to stay in a body that looked just like her. Bong Hwan scoffed. Why couldn’t he be that lucky? “And… when she came back?” he found himself asking. The smile slipped off the man’s face for a moment and it told Bong Hwan all he needed to know. “Ah… not so happy then.”
“Not exactly.” The man said, his expression taking a more serious tone as he looked Bong Hwan in the eyes. “Whatever hardships she went through while under, she had forgotten it all. The pain was too much for her to bear a second time. Unfortunately, regrets and emotions can and will seep through. It wasn’t too long after she woke from her coma that she was also plagued with recurring dreams and nightmares. Same as you.” Bong Hwan blinked, shifting in his seat. How had he…? Ah. This guy was good. “On a plus side, she also did find her answers there.”
“Answers?”
“Human beings all grow up searching for something. Without knowing what it is, many don’t find it in one lifetime. However, because she had the chance to live not just one but two lifetimes, she was able to find happiness for herself because of it.” The image of his hand reaching for Cheoljong suddenly flashed into Bong Hwan’s mind, making him flinch enough that he had to close his eyes to shut it out. “Living two lives is not easy for one soul. But for those that do, I believe they have a better chance at finding the very thing they’ve been searching for than those that only remember one life.” Bong Hwan finally opened his eyes, feeling a comforting hand on his shoulder as the therapist handed him a tissue. He didn’t even realize he was crying again. “Don’t be afraid to look through your experience to find your own answers. You’ll find yourself along the way.”
Find his own answers? How exactly was he supposed to do that when he didn’t even know the purpose of traveling back in the first place? He chopped into a carrot with a little more finesse than was required. His main goal was to survive, adapt into the Queen’s lifestyle, and return to his healthy body. He even wished for it during the meteor shower! He paused in his chop and stared ahead as the image of Cheoljong clasping his hands together making a silent wish appeared into his head. What did Cheoljong wish for anyway?
“Hey, Jang Bong Hwan!” The voice snapped him out of his thoughts and made him realize that the carrot he was cutting was a little too diced up to even be used anymore. He tsked, pushing the pieces to the side, reaching for another one only to have a hand grab his wrist and prevent him from doing so. Bong Hwan's eyes narrowed to the man who would dare put a hand on him. Ironically, it was the new director. Whose name also happened to be Han, but he was definitely more of an asshole than a greedy slimeball. "Aren't you listening?" Director Han asked again and finally Bong Hwan ripped his hand free, turning to the director to face him fully.
"And what, pray tell, do you want this time?"
“You're supposed to prepare a meal for the executives coming to visit! They won’t accept just any food and you’re the best we got.” Director Han said, in that tone that would make any lesser man cower before him. But Jang Bong Hwan wasn’t some lesser man. He had went 'All-in' and helped a losing King win and change the world.
“Is that so?” he said, twirling his knife casually. “And why should I help you?”
“Why? What do you mean why? It's your job!”
Bong Hwan stabbed the knife hard into the wooden cutting board making the Director and everyone else in the kitchen gasp and jump. “My job? What? To please your people for you?” Bong Hwan said with a harsh tone. If this Director was correct, then these executives coming to the Blue House were going to have just as picky of a palette than the Grand Queen Dowager. He could very easily make a win for Director Han and the other knew it. But Bong Hwan was tired of politics. Why was he still working here anyway? While Director Han was trying to sutter through a reply Bong Hwan took over his outer apron and hat and threw them onto the counter, making his way out of the kitchen.
“W-Where do you think you’re going?!” Director Han shouted after him. “You leave now, you’ll never be able to find another job anywhere else!” This made Bong Hwan stop and turn to look at Director Han with the same look he had given to Queen Dowager Jo when she had attempted to grab his hair.
“Careful, I ruined your predecessor who tried setting me up and even tried to kill me. I could very well do the same to you.” Bong Hwan threatened, making Director Han take a step back in shock. Bong Hwan couldn’t help the inner satisfaction he felt before he motioned to the entire kitchen. “If you need someone to cook for you, trust those who are here. There are plenty of skilled chefs here! You fucking piece of shit! I quit!” He shouted for the last time before turning and making his way out of the kitchen with a satisfied smirk on his face as everyone could only stare back at him in shocked disbelief.
Oh did that feel good! He couldn’t help the little victory cheer that escaped his lips when he stepped outside, causing loads of looks. He didn’t have a care in the world as he headed home with the biggest grin on his face.
Jang Bong Hwan liked to think he had loads of brilliant ideas, and he did. Like the idea to start his own restaurant was brilliant and he was definitely a genius for it. Just… finding the perfect location was starting to become a pain in the ass. “Charge so much for such bad locations…” Bong Hwan grumbled as he scratched out an address on the paper he was carrying with a list of locations open for rent. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was looking for, but none of these places were it. Money also wasn’t an issue, he had loads of it, but the location was critical for what he had planned.
As he was about to consider taking a break for the day, the wind decided to pick up and blow the list out of his hands. “Wha- HEY!” he shouted before making chase, not paying attention to his surroundings as he chased after it. He bumped into someone hard and they both toppled over onto the ground. “Fuck!” he cursed, quickly looking up and seeing his paper flying ever far away. “Sorry! Super sorry!” he shouted to the man he knocked over, hardly glancing at him as he took off running again.
“What kind of rude person—” The man behind him shouted, but Bong Hwan didn’t hear the rest of what he said as he got too far. He dove around a few more corners until the paper got stuck against a building. He grabbed it quickly before it could get away again.
“Finally!” he said before finally looking at where he was. He was in front of what looked to be a closed down and for sale restaurant that appeared to be completely Joseon themed. “Oh?” he couldn’t but look closer, curious if the inside looked similar or if it was a mix of modern as well.
“Hey! What are you doing looking at my building?!” A strangely familiar voice shouted at him, making Bong Hwan turn. His eyes widened as his suspicions were confirmed and he immediately walked over to the older man, grinning like he was seeing an old friend. “Head chef!” he greeted casually, laughing as both disbelief and relief overcame him at the same time. Man Bok stared at him with a look of confusion.
“Do we know each other?” he asked, eyeing Bong Hwan as if wondering why he was speaking so informally to him. Bong Hwan just stared in slight surprise before he cleared his throat and forced out a smaller laugh. Right, of course. Man Bok wouldn't know him.
“Ah, not really.” Bong Hwan said awkwardly, switching to a more formal speech. “You just remind me of someone I used to know. My name is Jang Bong Hwan.” Man Bok frowned, but Bong Hwan motioned to the building behind them to change the topic. “This is for sale? How much? This place looks like the perfect spot for the restaurant I have in mind.” Man Bok placed his hands behind his back and eyed Bong Hwan with a disapproving look.
“Regardless of how much money you have, you’ll never be able to afford it kid.” he proclaimed confidently which made Bong Hwan’s smile twitch into a frown.
Still just as stubborn as ever I see. Bong Hwan thought before smiling again, trying to remain polite. “Regardless, I’m sure I can afford whatever price you have for it.” Man Bok forced out a laugh, scoffing at Bong Hwan as if he had just told him the moon would fall any second. Hey! Bong Hwan thought, his expression turning into a scowl as the older man continued to be stubborn. Was this pay back for giving him so much shit back then?
“I don’t want to sell this place to just anyone who waves money in my face.” Man Bok finally said, looking at the restaurant with a look of fondness. “It was my first and only restaurant, it got me through lots of tough times.”
“Why are you selling it then?” Bong Hwan asked, watching the expression on the chef as he looked back at him.
“Unfortunately people nowadays just aren’t interested in this old style anymore.” Man Bok said with a regretful sigh and Bong Hwan glanced at the building, noting to himself that with a few updates and a new paint job, the old building could very easily become brand new while keeping its old style appearance.
“I disagree.” Bong Hwan said, looking at Man Bok with a grin. “How about this? I’ll prove that I will not only take care of this building, but even improve and make it lively again.”
“And how will you do that?” Man Bok asked, eyeing him with suspicion.
“Cooking competition.” Bong Hwan answered easily. “Prove my skills to you are real and that I won’t make this precious building go to waste.” He hoped rather than expected that this Man Bok would be the same as the one from the Joseon period. Sure enough, the word competition lit a fire in his eyes. Bong Hwan knew he had him now and grinned as Man Bok stood up straighter, holding his head up high and looking at Bong Hwan with that familiar look of confidence.
“I accept.”
“Perfect! Now to get unbiased testers…” Bong Hwan said before noticing a group of three girls walking their way. Putting on his most charming smile he stepped in their path. “Ladies, if you aren’t too busy, would you mind judging a cooking competition? You’ll get free food out of it.” He said with a wink and smile, making all three girls blush and look at each other. Huh, they kinda looked like his Suk-ui’s he picked back then. But that was probably a coincidence. They agreed and he turned to Man Bok. “Shall we begin?”
Cooking was just another extension of himself that Bong Hwan was glad he never had to hide even when he was in the Joseon period. He twirled the knife in hand with ease and grinned as the girls clapped and cheered at his skill. Man Bok was clearly annoyed with his charm and set off to show off in his own way making the girls cheer again. Bong Hwan had to admit, this chef was just as amazing as the one back in the Joseon period. This was going to be fun!
The competition went off with a fast start, both of them showing off and cooking their dish in their own way. The girls watched with bated breath, eager to not only see how the dishes turned out, but to try them as well. Soon enough, they both placed their bowls in front of the girls, who each looked at each other with excitement, one even filming the whole ordeal on her phone. “Go ahead, try them and give your honest opinions.” Bong Hwan said while wiping his hands with a towel. Both he and Man Bok stood together waiting as each girl tried both of their dishes, looking at each other and whispering. It was some time before they finally decided and wrote down their answer on a white sheet of paper before keeping it faced down as they came back over to the counter.
“We made our decision,” one of the girls said, and she held up her sign first showing Bong Hwan’s name. “I liked your dish the most! It was super flavorful and rich!” she said with a pleased smile and Bong Hwan mentally cheered for himself. Man Bok cleared his throat next to him, clearly displeased. The next girl held up her paper, showing Man Bok’s name.
“Your dish reminds me of my father’s cooking. So you get a win in my book!” she said making Man Bok beam with happiness and pride. Bong Hwan nodded, liking her answer. Which left the last girl who looked to be the shyest of the three friends. She would be the one that would decide the tie. She bit her lip before squeezing her eyes shut and holding up her sign which showed Bong Hwan’s name, but, upside down.
Bong Hwan laughed as Man Bok muttered curses under his breath in disappointment. The girls clapped in congratulations and Bong Hwan turned to Man Bok. “Well? Did I prove myself?” The older chef let out a sigh before giving Bong Hwan a nod of approval.
“You clearly have the passion and drive to cook. I’ll sell you the restaurant. ” he agreed, his lips twitching into a please smile. (Although he tried to hide it.) Bong Hwan grinned and held out his hand instead.
“How about this? You help me run this place and we split the profits 50/50.” Bong Hwan said, keeping his hand held out as Man Bok looked at him in both surprise and shock. “What do you say? Partners?” Man Bok looked down at his hand before grabbing it and squeezing it tight.
“Deal.”
The girls cheered loudly, clapping as they shook hands before letting go. Bong Hwan took one long look around the interior, already making notes in his head about what needs to change and what needs to be updated. It was going to cost a bit of money and time before they could officially open it, but Bong Hwan wasn’t worried. This place was going to be perfect. He just knew it.
“By the way,” Man Bok started, catching Bong Hwan’s attention. “What did you want to name this place?”
“Name…?” Bong Hwan questioned, thinking silently for a moment before a thought so perfect appeared in his mind. “How about… The ‘No Touch’ Cafe?” he said, making Man Bok and the girls look at him with pure confusion.
“N-No touch?” Man Bok stuttered out the English in confusion. “What does that even mean for you to use that?”
“It means living a happy and fun life.” He answered cryptically, knowing they would never understand what he would mean by that. It was a running joke only he and Cheoljong would ever know. Everyone looked at each other as if Bong Hwan had lost his mind and Man Bok muttered something about ‘crazy youth’. He didn’t mind though, he just knew that this was just the beginning. He still didn’t have the answers he was looking for, and he wasn’t sure he ever would. The dreams would continue to haunt him until he did but Bong Hwan decided not to let it get him down anymore. He was in charge of his own life and he’ll find those answers his own way. Fate be damned.
One thing for sure, he felt a tiny bit more like himself than he had when he had woken up from his coma and for someone like Jang Bong Hwan, that was a win in itself.
“Now then…” he started, turning to face Man Bok. “What do you say about having a random menu?”