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Gunwook’s back is broad. Matthew truly notices it when looking at the knight standing by the bow. He gazes upon the waters, which are calm in the summer breeze. Gunwook had said that their voyage would only take three days, four at most. Matthew knows that as the days ticked by he would only become more and more ill at the thought of his marriage.
“Don’t get seasick.”
Matthew turns to Taerae, his lord-in-waiting seeming unfazed by all the changes going on in their lives.
“How could I not with everything going on?” They were leaving their kingdom, their home, all for some other king they did not know.
“I see no reason in dwelling on what we cannot change.”
Taerae always liked to comport himself as if he had no cares or worries in the world. Matthew knew better than most that that was not the case, but he let Taerae act this way because it was better if only one of them was a nervous wreck.
“But truly if you’re feeling sick, you should go down to your quarters.”
Matthew nods, moving to descend the stairs by the bow of the ship. A rogue wave jostles the boat, and Matthew loses his footing, nearly flying head first into the bottom of the stairs. He would have if not for the knight, the one who had won Matthew’s hand for his king, and the arm he had firmly locked around Matthew. He rights him, hands returning to his side. Prim and proper and gallant. Matthew supposes that’s how a knight should be but there is a part of him deep inside that dislikes it. If not for him, he would still be home.
“Thank you.”
“Of course.” Gunwook stares off in the direction from which they came. “If there is anything I can do to accommodate you please let me know.”
Matthew scoffs under his breath. “Now you care for my opinions.” He had told his mother no to this betrothal, that surely the king could find someone else that suited him, but alas Matthew had to honour the agreement he and his mother laid. Whoever slayed the dragon, Matthew would marry.
Gunwook’s lips purse and the action causes Matthew to notice just how pink they are. The knight isn’t a sight for sore eyes at the very least. “I understand this is not at all favourable for you but I mean it when I say I will try to help.”
Guilt begins to creep in and Matthew bows his head at the knight. “I see. Thank you.”
The next day Gunwook continues to keep his distance, but still has a watchful eye on him. Matthew can see it in his periphery, in the times when he chances a glance to Gunwook and he sees the knight look away.
Despite this they do all their tasks separately. Gunwook eats before Matthew does, stays on the top deck while Matthew is downstairs and vice versa. He greets him as they pass each other by, and greets Taerae as well, but it does not go further than pleasantries.
That night Taerae goes down to their quarters and Matthew decides to stay on the deck, watching as the stars begin to dot the sky. Gunwook is near his typical spot at the bow, still as the air around them. While there is no breeze there is the constant chill that accompanies being out on the water.
“May I?”
The knight seems startled at Matthew approaching him, but nods nonetheless. He sits down next to him, peering over the edge of the boat into the deep sea below.
“It’s a beautiful night. The Moon is quite bright.”
Matthew hums in agreement, watching the reflection ripple in the calm waves, nearly full.
“I would like to know… What should I expect when arriving in your kingdom?”
Gunwook’s eyes are bright, even in the darkness of night. “It’s not too different from your own home.”
“I’m not too sure,” Matthew starts, lips curling. “Knights from where I am from don’t travel to foreign lands to steal princes away.”
Gunwook ducks his head, chuckling, and Matthew cannot help but think it is a pretty sound. “I suppose not. But truly, the court is quite similar.”
“I appreciate the effort in calming my nerves, Sir, Gunwook.”
“It is my duty, your highness.”
Gunwook tells them that since there were no issues in their voyage, they would arrive the next day. They share their meal together this day, a small improvement, and Matthew realizes he quite enjoys the knight’s presence.
In the evening, Taerae retires early once again, and he and Gunwook remain on the deck, sharing their supper together. Matthew had found a bottle of wine stowed away with the rest of his things, and poured a glass for Gunwook to share as a sign of goodwill.
“What is your king like?”
Matthew takes a drink first, and Gunwook mirrors him. It’s the first sign of trust between the two of them Matthew realizes, because surely he would not poison his own drink.
“He is a good leader. Very fair. Very kind.”
“As kind as you?” The words leave Matthew’s mouth before he can even think them through in his mind, but thankfully Gunwook smiles at him, and his words somehow do not feel so daring.
The more they drink the more Matthew’s face heats up, and more his eyes become transfixed on the way Gunwook’s cheeks tinge red. Their hands are only a hair’s breadth away, and Matthew reaches over to bridge the gap, to feel the warmth emanate from Gunwook’s skin.
“Do you feel it as well?” Matthew asks. “The want.”
Gunwooks looks at him then, eyes wide, lips parted, and Matthew can’t help himself. Gunwook’s lips taste like the wine they’ve shared, and his hand is steady on his back. Matthew is glad that the knight doesn’t turn him away, he’s not sure what he would do if he did.
Taerae finds them the next morning, in each other’s embrace, and clothing strewn about. He returns back down the stairs, scandalized, to “allow them to become decent.” Matthew knows he should feel some kind of shame, some kind of dread of having already broken an oath to his future husband before even meeting him. But all he feels is warmth in his heart and that same want from the night prior.
⚔︎
Matthew and Gunwook meet deep in the Morrois as they always do at this time of day. It’s been their routine for the past two years. A bitterness lingers in Matthew’s mouth at the fact that they must stay hidden in this way.
“Perhaps it would be smart if we no longer address each other in public.”
“No.” A simple answer. An answer Matthew wished would not lead to their ruin.
“It’s too risky.”
“I disagree. I’m sworn to him so I am sworn to you.”
“So this is out of obligation.” Matthew regrets saying it the moment it leaves his lips. Both he and Gunwook are in positions out of their control. He cannot fault him for something he would not want to be faulted for himself.
“I love you,” Gunwook whispers, lifting his chin so that he can look into his eyes. “I will always protect you. Always be at your side.”
Matthew lets out a breath but nods. He still has his doubts, inklings that someone has been watching them closely. “It’s all so much. Sometimes I miss home. And I love him, but not in the way I love you.” It’s not enough for him.
Gunwook still looks over his shoulder even though they are alone. They’re always alone this far into the woodland. But he does it everytime, just in case, before bringing Matthew closer to him. Maybe he feels the eyes on them too. “I know, but we’ll be careful. We’ve gone this long, no?”
⚔︎
After five years Matthew still desires Gunwook more than anything he has ever wanted in his life. He craves his warm embrace at night, to see him smile as the Sun begins to rise. Matthew thinks that perhaps there was no potion at all, and that his mother had Taerae tell him that to make him believe he loved Hanbin, and not be so miserable away from home. Because the love he had for Gunwook was still there, and could not be explained away as the work of magic and spells.
Matthew watches as Gunwook and Hanbin prepare to leave for their hunt, swords attached to their belts and armour gleaming in the light. He handed a rose to Hanbin and his husband took it and tucked it into the gap by the neck of his breastplate.
“Be sure to come back in one piece. I am not sure how long I can entertain all your counsel.”
Hanbin laughs, placing a kiss on his cheek. Matthew can see Gunwook watching them from the corner of his eye. “With your wit it would be weeks, perhaps even months.”
Matthew does not give Gunwook anything besides a wave.
When the two return it is on one horse instead of two, with Gunwook draped over the back of Hanbin’s destrier.
Beneath the linens of Gunwook’s bed, he recounts the tale of how he jumped in front of the boar to protect Hanbin, as any knight would do for their king.
“They are much faster than they look.”
Matthew laughs, moving the pad of his thumb over the apple of Gunwook’s cheek. He starts to blush and Matthew can’t help but be endeared by how his feelings show so clearly on his face. His embarrassment, his affection. It was one of the things Matthew had learned to love about him all on his own.
Gunwook kisses his palm, then his wrist, then pulls him closer, movements stiff and awkward from his reduced mobility. He kisses his cheek then, and would have kissed his lips as well if it were not for Matthew pulling away.
“You might get hurt.”
“I’m already hurt.”
Matthew sighs. “You might make it worse.”
Gunwook is nothing if not stubborn and rubs his nose down Matthew’s own. The feeling is familiar, they have done it so many times before. The way their lips slot together, move in tandem, is natural to them. Matthew’s hands finding their place by Gunwook’s waist is a well, but it’s a mistake this time. Gunwook winces at the touch, pulling back, and red begins to bloom on the cloth of his nightshirt.
“Sorry! I’m sorry!” Matthew whispers urgently, already leaving the bed to find the spare bandages.
Gunwook shakes his head as he sits up. Matthew returns with the roll and another shirt, and helps Gunwook remove his soiled one, throwing it to one corner of the room. “I should have listened to you.”
He makes sure his touch is light as he replaces the bandages by Gunwook’s side. The gash is thankfully not deep, but the knight still twitches as he peels off the layers of fabric.
“I can heal you.”
“He’ll know you were here.” Hanbin was always in the back of their minds, no matter what. “I’ll be alright.”
Matthew nods. “I know. You needn’t remind me how strong you are.”
When Matthew returns to his chambers Hanbin is fast asleep. He always is, face calm and peaceful, and a twinge of guilt hits him each time he comes back. Hanbin is good, just as Gunwook said he would be, but he does not hold his heart.
When the Sun is enough to wake the king, Hanbin announces that he is going to check on his sworn sword.
⚔︎
Hanbin clutches Gunwook’s bloodied nightshirt in a tight fist. Matthew wonders where his knight is at that moment.
“I had heard whispers and chose not to believe them but this… It smells like you.” His voice breaks at the end and Matthew has the decency to look away as the king begins to cry.
“I’m sorry.” The words are weak but they are all Matthew has to give him.
“How long?”
“Forgive me. And forgive Gunwook, please.”
“How long, Matthew?”
He cannot meet the king’s eyes. He fears all his pleas would become caught in his throat if he did.
“From before you and I met.”
Matthew can see the fight leave Hanbin’s body, and his lip wobbles as he declares their sentence.
“For the act of treason, you two will be put to death.”
⚔︎
Matthew sees the Sun set and rise alone twice in his cell. He cannot remember the last time he fell asleep or woke up without his knight. He wonders if Gunwook had already met his fate, or if he was still waiting in his own cold, damp room.
The jailer binds his hands and feet, walking him out of the cells and out to the execution grounds. Hanbin isn’t there, though Matthew wasn’t sure if he deserves the presence of the king in his final moments.
He steps up on the plate of his stake, waiting for them to tie him to his punishment.
But while the king is not present Gunwook is, cutting down the jailers and his ties, and rushing them to the edge of the Morrois.
It happens faster than Matthew can react, but the heat of Gunwook’s hand in his is enough to pull him down to Earth.
“How? How did you get out?”
Gunwook sheaths his sword once they’re deep enough in the woods, alone once again in the space safest to them.
“I jumped from the window.”
The laughs that bubble out of Matthew are partly from shock, and partly from relief. They no longer had any obligations, no need for fealty to the king.
And so they ran, their honour all gone, but they had each other. It is the only thing that matters to them now.