The Red Caravan [8]
Nov. 1st, 2011 11:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
poppy_skyPairings: YunJae
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: boyxboy, no historical/geographic setting, AU, adult themes.
Summary: It's Spring time in the capital and everybody rejoices when the Red Caravan and its performers arrive, signaling the start of festival season, however, Prince Yunho is also in town, returning after three years battling in the Holy Land. What happens when the Red Caravan's most famous peformer, Kim Jaejoong, and Prince Yunho meet?
A/N: This is merely a filler chapter but I didn't want to keep you waiting too long. I'm not completely happy with the last bit of the chapter but meh... it's not really important.
Jaejoong’s eyes were closed as his fingers skidded over the small holes on the flute, playing a cheerful tune. The wind was strong despite the bright sunshine that day, blowing golden strands of hair on his face that made him stop his playing a few times to tuck the stubborn locks behind his ear.
“Well, aren’t you merry?”
Jaejoong took the flute away from his lips and turned around. Not surprisingly there was Yoochun, kneeling on the floor with his head sticking out of the flaps of the caravan. He had the bad habit of sneaking behind people but after years of living with the man one got used to it.
Jaejoong smiled. “Is there a reason not to be?”
“Not for you, you sly fox. Mesmerizing that poor prince with your charm…” said Yoochun theatrically holding one hand up to this forehead in mock faintness.
Jaejoong shoved Yoochun back behind the red canvas of the caravan but the curly-haired man appeared seconds later smiling as always.
“Yah! Don’t tease. It is sincere affection I feel for him.”
Yoochun crawled outside the caravan and sat next to Jaejoong, wrapping his arm around the blonde’s shoulders with a sigh. “And that’s what I’m most worried about. Promise me you won’t let him break your heart.”
“Promise,” Jaejoong said, knocking his head softly against Yoochun’s.
Yoochun untangled his arms from around his friend’s shoulders and clasped their hands together, intertwining their fingers together for good measure.
“Now, as my dearest friend, you must help me set the ropes for today’s performance.”
“Don’t remind me about it,” Jaejoong groaned but followed Yoochun towards the back of the stage regardless.
The golden afternoon sun beat on Yunho’s and Heechul’s backs as they made their way back into the city. The rays of light streaming from the sky were hot enough to sting naked skin but they paid no mind to the discomfort. Their bellies felt full with delicious food and their limbs heavy with the relaxation after the tense hunt.
“Let’s go somewhere before we go back to the palace,” Yunho said to Heechul as they rode side by side.
Heechul rolled his eyes. “Let me guess; the square?”
Yunho laughed sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck with a guilty smile.
“The things I do for you,” Heechul drawled in annoyance but did not argue further.
Commanding the servants to make their way to the palace without them they rode ahead of them speeding up towards the bridge and slowing down once they reached the tall city walls.
The crowds were slowly becoming thicker as they got nearer to the square. The sun was setting which meant the beginning of the night shows of the festival, including the red caravan’s performance. The heat from earlier clung to the earth, making the night pleasantly warm, and sweat pebbled on the horses necks.
Rounding the corner of the ancient commerce building that worked more for the benefit of the crown than of the many merchants in the capital they found themselves facing the square. They spurred their horses through the crowd of excited peasants chatting amongst themselves. Some looked up to the riders and noticed Yunho and Heechul, making way for them and bowing, but it was only a few so the royal men had to content themselves with the slow pace at which the crowd forced them to go.
“Let’s go next to the cathedral,” Heechul suggested and turned his horse around towards where the crowds were thinner.
Yunho followed suit thanking the heavens for his cousin’s quick wit. He had to be back at the palace soon since he had taken no guard with him and the longer they took to get there the least time he would have with his lover.
With less difficulty than before they reached the looming building of the cathedral. Yunho still felt a chill run down his spine whenever he was under the shadow of the imposing structure with its large windows of multicolored glass that seemed to be staring right through his soul, but the weight had lessened somehow after he admitted his feelings for the enchanting performer. He wondered if love really did triumph over everything.
Shaking away his ridiculous thoughts he focused on looking ahead were the red caravan’s stage was already visible. He noticed with a smile that Jaejoong was on-stage, talking with that guy Yoochun. He still did not like the curly-haired goof but he hid his dislike for the sake of his beloved. He was not there to pick up a fight.
The two friends seemed to be talking and it seemed that Yoochun said something funny because moments later Jaejoong was clutching his stomach with one hand and covering that sinful mouth of his with the other as pearls of laughter escaped from between his lips. Yunho smiled mesmerized at the beautiful sound while Heechul turned to look at him with a mix of light disgust and amusement at his behavior.
“You’re lost, my dear cousin, lost,” Heechul shook his head but did not manage to hide a small smile.
A man sitting on the border of the stage polishing a pair of blunt stage swords, Yunho recalled his name was Junsu, raised his head upon hearing Heechul’s voice and stretched his arm to tug at the blond performer’s boot. Jaejoong’s laughter ceased when he turned to look at Junsu questioningly. Junsu pointed towards the riders and then his eyes posed themselves farther away on the approaching figures of Yunho and his cousin. Junsu stood to put the swords away and slapped Jaejoong’s shoulder with mirth in his eyes while the latter smiled embarrassed.
Yunho dismounted his horse and approached the stage at a fast pace, not even waiting for Heechul to follow, barely noticing the sound Heechul’s boots made as they hit the floor. Jaejoong took a couple of steps towards Yunho, stretching his hand forward to pull the prince up to stand on stage, but before their hands could touch he was roughly pulled back and lifted up in air by what seemed to the prince like an invisible force. The blonde yelped and trashed around, cursing a pair of men standing on the side of the stage, laughing their asses off while clutching something between the two.
And that’s when Yunho saw it. There was a thin rope held tightly in their hands that went up to a pulley and came out of Jaejoong’s shirt on the other end. He was wearing a leather harness that Yunho managed to miss in his haste to get to his lover.
“Yah! Get me down!” Jaejoong shouted while tugging at the rope, failing to free himself.
Yoochun and Junsu dropped Jaejoong half a meter before holding the rope again, causing the suspended man to cry out in surprise. They only laughed harder as Jaejoong cursed the day they were born.
“Yunho, help me,” Jaejoong whined defeated as he swung from side to side pathetically.
Yunho who had already climbed onto the stage was trying to grab onto Jaejoong’s foot but he was still out of reach for him. He stood on the tips of his toes and barely touched Jaejoong’s boot with his fingers. A particularly harsh movement by Jaejoong had him dropping a few centimeters and Yunho was able to wrap his fingers around the blonde’s ankle. At that moment, however, Yoochun and Junsu decided to let go of the rope causing both the performer and the prince to come crashing down in a heap of limbs, groaning in pain.
“Wouldn’t you say, Your Highness, that it’s too public of a place for that sort of activities?” Yoochun teased, greatly enjoying the way the two men blushed when they noticed their positions.
Jaejoong was lying on top of Yunho, his knees on each side of the prince’s hips and his hands pinning Yunho’s shoulder’s to the floor. Their faces were inches apart and they scrambled to put some distance between them.
“And wouldn’t you say, you pair of jesters, that the fun is over?” a grave voice came from behind Junsu and Yoochun.
When they turned and spotted Changmin and that annoyed expression of his that seemed to be forever plastered on they smiled nervously. They tried to run away but Changmin grabbed them by the ears, dragging them towards him.
“Let go, Changmin! I swear it’s all Yoochun’s fault!” Junsu tried to defend himself, hands around Changmin’s wrist, trying to pry his sharp fingers from his ear.
Changmin smiled maliciously before letting the both of them go, knowing that they wouldn’t pull another one of their jokes while he was there.
“Traitor!” Yoochun charged towards Junsu as soon as he was released. Junsu was faster however, and ran away from Yoochun, his strange laughter trailing behind him as the curly haired man chased behind him.
Yunho was dusting off his clothes with his hand when Changmin’s voice made him look up at the man.
“I agree with Yoochun though, it isn’t safe to have you going around publicly like that. Get in the caravan, I’ll help around.”
Changmin started stripping off his heavy sorcerer robe and for the first time Yunho saw what he wore underneath; a simple yet elegant form-fitting black shirt with silver buttons on the front and a high collar that suited his long neck well, a pair of black breeches and boots. Even in simple clothes he had a great air of elegance and authority that he had only seen in men at court. He felt a hint of admiration for the sorcerer and wondered what his background was.
Yunho was brought back from his thoughts by Jaejoong’s hand slipping into his. He had wiggled out of the harness already and was now tugging Yunho towards the caravan.
“Let’s go,” he said softly.
Yunho looked at Heechul who mouthed a ‘go ahead’ while he approached the sorcerer. He nodded towards his cousin, an unsaid promise not to take too long, and grasped his lover’s hand tightly and followed after him.
Jaejoong climbed into the caravan and held the crimson canvas for Yunho to climb in as well. Once the prince was inside, Jaejoong dropped the fabric, closing the caravan from the world completely.
As soon as they were secluded from prying eyes Yunho pulled Jaejoong towards him and kissed the plum pout of his lips. Jaejoong moaned contently, wrapping his arms around Yunho’s neck and running his fingers through the soft hair on the prince’s nape.
Fully engrossed in their passionate kissing they stumbled and fell upon the mountain of cushions that served as make-shift bed for the members of the performing group. Jaejoong felt his back hit the cushions and seconds later Yunho fell on top of him with a pained groan when his knees contacted harshly with the wooden boards of the floor. He paid no mind to the pain though and resumed his assault on Jaejoong’s already reddening and kiss-swollen lips.
Jaejoong climbed higher up the pile of cushions, allowing the prince to rest his bruised knees on the soft cushiony surface. Yunho kissed him softly one more time, then pecked his lips and laid his head on top of Jaejoong’s chest, arms securely wrapped around the blonde’s waist. He sighed blissfully.
“I missed you.”
Jaejoong chuckled, cradling Yunho’s head between his arms.
“It’s only been… what? A day and a half?” he said, carding his fingers through Yunho’s hair in a soothing motion.
“Even a second without you is too long,” Yunho said, kissing Jaejoong’s belly.
“Cheesy,” Jaejoong retorted with a small laugh and a playful tug at Yunho’s hair.
Yunho hummed and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of Jaejoong’s fingers massaging his scalp. The soft light of the lantern on the caravan’s ceiling provided them with a soft light that made him feel drowsy. That combined with the physical exertion earlier and his lover’s ministrations had him concentrating hard on staying awake.
“Are you staying for the play?” Jaejoong asked.
“Can’t, I have to be home early,” Yunho said but wished he could when he saw the blonde pout. “What will you be this time?”
“An angel,” Jaejoong said, not even attempting to hide the annoyance in his voice.
“So that’s why you were hanging from those ropes earlier?”
Jaejoong huffed.
“I hate those things, they hurt down there.”
Yunho erupted into a fit of laughter that only earned him a weak slap to the head from Jaejoong.
“Yah! It’s not funny.”
Yunho wiped tears from his eyes and tried to stifle his laughter. Jaejoong was scowling at him, and he reached with his hand to smooth out the lines on Jaejoong’s forehead. The blonde did not relent and stuck his tongue out at the prince, the action backfiring when Yunho got on all fours and caught it between his lips, sucking it into his mouth and renewed their kissing.
“Come riding with me tomorrow,” Yunho requested once they parted for air.
“I don’t have a horse,” Jaejoong whispered between their lips, still too dazed to do much.
“I’ll bring you one,” Yunho spoke between kisses, too addicted to Jaejoong’s taste to halt his kisses in order to talk.
“Okay then.”
They continued lying like that for a while; content with enjoying each other’s company if only for a brief time. After what seemed like hours Yunho kissed Jaejoong’s cheek and made a move to stand.
“I have to go,” he announced.
“Do you really?” Jaejoong asked, hooking a leg around Yunho’s knee in hopes of preventing the prince from leaving.
“Yes, love, but we’ll see each other tomorrow,” Yunho said. “I’ll come at mid-morning so be ready.”
They kissed one last time, both of them making it last as long as possible.
When they parted Yunho placed his hand on Jaejoong’s crotch, making the latter choke on a moan and arch forward and into the warmth of Yunho’s palm.
“Don’t let the ropes damage my goods, okay?”
Jaejoong nodded, eyes glazed over, and Yunho smiled at him one last time before walking towards the caravan’s entrance climbing down and out of sight.
The ride back to the palace was relatively short, filled mostly with silence since both men were too exhausted to talk anymore.
Junsu and Yoochun had already come back from their playful chasing and were replacing the oil in the lamps on top of the stage when Yunho had gone to tell his cousin they were ready to go.
Heechul had been helping Changmin set props were they would be needed making Yunho wonder what kind of coaxing powers the tall sorcerer had because most of the time refused to even lift a finger when it came to helping out. War had made him more considerate but once they were back in the kingdom he reverted to his spoiled ways.
After that they had climbed on their horses and waved good-bye to the troupe, who waved back cheerfully and wished them a safe trip although the palace was not too far away from the square.
The sun has set already when they left the square. The air was filled with the buzzing of fireflies that appeared as soon as the weather became warm, illuminating the night with their soft light. There were people already approaching the caravan’s stage when they rode away, and Yunho sighed in relief, knowing that they left just in time to avoid the worst of the crowds.
The horses’ pace was sluggish, their hooves hitting the stone-paved roads with a lazy rhythm. The city was alit with life but Yunho could barely pay attention to what was around him, not even bothering to nod in acknowledgement to the people that bowed to them.
There was a small group of servants waiting for them at the palace’s entrance. Once they reached the large doors leading to the interior of the grand construction the servants greeted them; a pair of them taking the horses away to the stables.
The servants offered them dinner and a bath but Yunho declined for the both of them since Heechul had already gone ahead no doubt using the last of his energy to get to a proper bed. Yunho went to his own room, feet aching and mind wondering why the corridors were so damn long.
After undressing he climbed in bed, feeling his tired muscles weigh him down and his mind begin to shut down. He pulled his hand out from under the embroidered covers and stared at it, a smile drawing itself upon his face. It had been an unbelievable moment of boldness. He could still feel Jaejoong’s crotch under his palm, the beautiful sound he emitted playing over and over in his head, the thought alone making his member stir between his legs.
At last the aching of his bones and the drowsiness had him falling into a deep slumber filled with dreams of his beloved.
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: boyxboy, no historical/geographic setting, AU, adult themes.
Summary: It's Spring time in the capital and everybody rejoices when the Red Caravan and its performers arrive, signaling the start of festival season, however, Prince Yunho is also in town, returning after three years battling in the Holy Land. What happens when the Red Caravan's most famous peformer, Kim Jaejoong, and Prince Yunho meet?
A/N: This is merely a filler chapter but I didn't want to keep you waiting too long. I'm not completely happy with the last bit of the chapter but meh... it's not really important.
A magnificent stag grazed upon the young green grass in a meadow surrounded by forest. Its ears twitched, moving back and forth. Sometimes it would pause its eating to look around, nostrils flared to pick the telltale scent of a predator, nerves straining, ready to sprint if necessary. The huge beast had little to fear for its body was covered in hard muscle and its antlers could puncture even the lungs of a bear so its actions were merely precautions.
Still, nobody was safe in the wild.
Its head raised suddenly, muscles taunt and ears flapping around in the wind. There was the faint sound of a rock, a mere pebble, falling out of place, before the stag sprang from the meadow and ran towards the cover of the forest, followed closely by a group of large hunting dogs, yapping at it and taking audacious bites to its legs that fell short when the deer ran faster than the smaller beasts.
Behind them came a pair of horses, each with a bow-armed rider on their backs. Yunho’s and Heechul’s laughter was carried away by the wind, the adrenaline of the chase flowing through their every joint.
The peace of the meadow was disturbed by the men’s laughter, the sound of the brisk kicks of the stag as it ran and the howls and growls of the hounds.
The dogs led the stag around and into the grassy meadow again where the two men could take an easier aim. Heechul rode his hay-colored horse faster, outrunning Yunho’s black warhorse. He knocked an arrow, hitting the stag’s hip and slowing it down, allowing Yunho to make the killing shot.
The dogs could now reach the stag’s legs, biting harshly upon the limbs and avoiding the deadly kicks of the beast’s hooves when it tried to defend itself. They caught up with the wounded animal, starting to surround it by forming a semi-circle around it.
Yunho waited until the stag made a desperate attempt to fight off the dogs by turning around and facing them with its mighty antlers before preparing his own arrow and aiming. He released the arrow with an air-slicing sound, watching as it lodged itself right on the beast’s chest.
The stag let out a tortured whine as it fell down, legs bent. The dogs surrounded the dying animal, still barking merrily but stopped their biting, avoiding a weak thrust of antlers once in a while.
Yunho dismounted his horse, Heechul following not that far behind and took out his hunting knife. By now the animal’s nose was covered in blood that was most likely flooding its lungs. Climbing on top of the stag he grabbed the animal’s head, holding it steadily as he slid his knife across the deer’s neck. Warm blood splattered everywhere as the animal slumped lifelessly onto the ground while Yunho cleaned his knife on its fur.
“Nice shot!” Heechul observed as he stepped around the pool of blood to examine the spot where Yunho’s arrow had hit.
Moments later a group of servants and a couple of guards approached the meadow. About half of the servants grabbed the bloody carcass and took it away with orders to transport it back to the palace immediately for the head to be preserved and the flesh to be prepared for consumption. The others carried with them cured meat, rice buns, wine, pickled vegetables and fruits for the royal cousins. It was tradition that they took their midday meal in the forest after a day of hunting.
“Yours was pretty good as well. The poor beast would’ve been crippled for life if I hadn’t finished it off,” Yunho offered, signaling a spot under the shade of the trees for the servants to set their eating space.
“Hungry?” the prince asked as soon as a thick blanket was set on the ground. He sat down, inviting his cousin to sit down with him.
“Famished,” said Heechul, calling a servant for a cool goblet of wine.
They toasted to the success of the hunt and drank wholeheartedly from the cool drink. The food was set on metal platters in the middle of the blanket and both men helped themselves to several slices of the soft and mildly spiced meat and the freshly steamed buns. A wide variety of berries was set for dessert but they ate handfuls of them between bites of meat. They ate with their fingers and wiped them on the blanket bellow them.
“I heard your fiancée is paying us a visit,” said Heechul between bites. “When is she arriving?”
“In two weeks time according to my mother,” Yunho replied seemingly nonchalant but Heechul knew from the clench of his jaw that he was not all that happy about it.
Heechul finished the food on his plate and leaned back against a tree with a sigh, swirling his wine goblet around. “Does your beau know?”
Of course Heechul knew about Jaejoong. Yunho could not hide secrets from his cousin for long and he had been caught grinning like a fool in love more than one time. Heechul was surprised at first, then plainly amused. It became his entertainment for the last few days.
“I haven’t told him,” Yunho said in a soft voice. The servants were standing several feet away from them to give them privacy but it was still better to be safe than sorry.
“Are you going to?” Heechul asked casually.
Yunho swallowed a mouthful of berries. “Eventually.”
There was a moment of comfortable silence before Heechul started sniggering only to break into loud laughter that had him holding his stomach and falling to his side.
Yunho threw Heechul a weird look. “What’s so funny?”
“Just you and that gypsy. Of all the guys we went to war with, you’re the last one I would have imagined pulling something like that. I’d say it’s pretty hilarious.”
“What do you mean?” asked Yunho with a scoff.
“My dear cousin, before war and travel unwind you everyone could’ve sworn you would join a monastery with that correct and proper attitude of yours if only you weren’t heir to the throne.”
Annoyed, Yunho punched Heechul’s shoulder, but the latter only laughed harder.
“I wasn’t that bad!”
“Sure you weren’t,” said Heechul, wiping tears from his eyes.
Still, nobody was safe in the wild.
Its head raised suddenly, muscles taunt and ears flapping around in the wind. There was the faint sound of a rock, a mere pebble, falling out of place, before the stag sprang from the meadow and ran towards the cover of the forest, followed closely by a group of large hunting dogs, yapping at it and taking audacious bites to its legs that fell short when the deer ran faster than the smaller beasts.
Behind them came a pair of horses, each with a bow-armed rider on their backs. Yunho’s and Heechul’s laughter was carried away by the wind, the adrenaline of the chase flowing through their every joint.
The peace of the meadow was disturbed by the men’s laughter, the sound of the brisk kicks of the stag as it ran and the howls and growls of the hounds.
The dogs led the stag around and into the grassy meadow again where the two men could take an easier aim. Heechul rode his hay-colored horse faster, outrunning Yunho’s black warhorse. He knocked an arrow, hitting the stag’s hip and slowing it down, allowing Yunho to make the killing shot.
The dogs could now reach the stag’s legs, biting harshly upon the limbs and avoiding the deadly kicks of the beast’s hooves when it tried to defend itself. They caught up with the wounded animal, starting to surround it by forming a semi-circle around it.
Yunho waited until the stag made a desperate attempt to fight off the dogs by turning around and facing them with its mighty antlers before preparing his own arrow and aiming. He released the arrow with an air-slicing sound, watching as it lodged itself right on the beast’s chest.
The stag let out a tortured whine as it fell down, legs bent. The dogs surrounded the dying animal, still barking merrily but stopped their biting, avoiding a weak thrust of antlers once in a while.
Yunho dismounted his horse, Heechul following not that far behind and took out his hunting knife. By now the animal’s nose was covered in blood that was most likely flooding its lungs. Climbing on top of the stag he grabbed the animal’s head, holding it steadily as he slid his knife across the deer’s neck. Warm blood splattered everywhere as the animal slumped lifelessly onto the ground while Yunho cleaned his knife on its fur.
“Nice shot!” Heechul observed as he stepped around the pool of blood to examine the spot where Yunho’s arrow had hit.
Moments later a group of servants and a couple of guards approached the meadow. About half of the servants grabbed the bloody carcass and took it away with orders to transport it back to the palace immediately for the head to be preserved and the flesh to be prepared for consumption. The others carried with them cured meat, rice buns, wine, pickled vegetables and fruits for the royal cousins. It was tradition that they took their midday meal in the forest after a day of hunting.
“Yours was pretty good as well. The poor beast would’ve been crippled for life if I hadn’t finished it off,” Yunho offered, signaling a spot under the shade of the trees for the servants to set their eating space.
“Hungry?” the prince asked as soon as a thick blanket was set on the ground. He sat down, inviting his cousin to sit down with him.
“Famished,” said Heechul, calling a servant for a cool goblet of wine.
They toasted to the success of the hunt and drank wholeheartedly from the cool drink. The food was set on metal platters in the middle of the blanket and both men helped themselves to several slices of the soft and mildly spiced meat and the freshly steamed buns. A wide variety of berries was set for dessert but they ate handfuls of them between bites of meat. They ate with their fingers and wiped them on the blanket bellow them.
“I heard your fiancée is paying us a visit,” said Heechul between bites. “When is she arriving?”
“In two weeks time according to my mother,” Yunho replied seemingly nonchalant but Heechul knew from the clench of his jaw that he was not all that happy about it.
Heechul finished the food on his plate and leaned back against a tree with a sigh, swirling his wine goblet around. “Does your beau know?”
Of course Heechul knew about Jaejoong. Yunho could not hide secrets from his cousin for long and he had been caught grinning like a fool in love more than one time. Heechul was surprised at first, then plainly amused. It became his entertainment for the last few days.
“I haven’t told him,” Yunho said in a soft voice. The servants were standing several feet away from them to give them privacy but it was still better to be safe than sorry.
“Are you going to?” Heechul asked casually.
Yunho swallowed a mouthful of berries. “Eventually.”
There was a moment of comfortable silence before Heechul started sniggering only to break into loud laughter that had him holding his stomach and falling to his side.
Yunho threw Heechul a weird look. “What’s so funny?”
“Just you and that gypsy. Of all the guys we went to war with, you’re the last one I would have imagined pulling something like that. I’d say it’s pretty hilarious.”
“What do you mean?” asked Yunho with a scoff.
“My dear cousin, before war and travel unwind you everyone could’ve sworn you would join a monastery with that correct and proper attitude of yours if only you weren’t heir to the throne.”
Annoyed, Yunho punched Heechul’s shoulder, but the latter only laughed harder.
“I wasn’t that bad!”
“Sure you weren’t,” said Heechul, wiping tears from his eyes.
♥ ♥ ♥
Jaejoong’s eyes were closed as his fingers skidded over the small holes on the flute, playing a cheerful tune. The wind was strong despite the bright sunshine that day, blowing golden strands of hair on his face that made him stop his playing a few times to tuck the stubborn locks behind his ear.
“Well, aren’t you merry?”
Jaejoong took the flute away from his lips and turned around. Not surprisingly there was Yoochun, kneeling on the floor with his head sticking out of the flaps of the caravan. He had the bad habit of sneaking behind people but after years of living with the man one got used to it.
Jaejoong smiled. “Is there a reason not to be?”
“Not for you, you sly fox. Mesmerizing that poor prince with your charm…” said Yoochun theatrically holding one hand up to this forehead in mock faintness.
Jaejoong shoved Yoochun back behind the red canvas of the caravan but the curly-haired man appeared seconds later smiling as always.
“Yah! Don’t tease. It is sincere affection I feel for him.”
Yoochun crawled outside the caravan and sat next to Jaejoong, wrapping his arm around the blonde’s shoulders with a sigh. “And that’s what I’m most worried about. Promise me you won’t let him break your heart.”
“Promise,” Jaejoong said, knocking his head softly against Yoochun’s.
Yoochun untangled his arms from around his friend’s shoulders and clasped their hands together, intertwining their fingers together for good measure.
“Now, as my dearest friend, you must help me set the ropes for today’s performance.”
“Don’t remind me about it,” Jaejoong groaned but followed Yoochun towards the back of the stage regardless.
♥ ♥ ♥
The golden afternoon sun beat on Yunho’s and Heechul’s backs as they made their way back into the city. The rays of light streaming from the sky were hot enough to sting naked skin but they paid no mind to the discomfort. Their bellies felt full with delicious food and their limbs heavy with the relaxation after the tense hunt.
“Let’s go somewhere before we go back to the palace,” Yunho said to Heechul as they rode side by side.
Heechul rolled his eyes. “Let me guess; the square?”
Yunho laughed sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck with a guilty smile.
“The things I do for you,” Heechul drawled in annoyance but did not argue further.
Commanding the servants to make their way to the palace without them they rode ahead of them speeding up towards the bridge and slowing down once they reached the tall city walls.
The crowds were slowly becoming thicker as they got nearer to the square. The sun was setting which meant the beginning of the night shows of the festival, including the red caravan’s performance. The heat from earlier clung to the earth, making the night pleasantly warm, and sweat pebbled on the horses necks.
Rounding the corner of the ancient commerce building that worked more for the benefit of the crown than of the many merchants in the capital they found themselves facing the square. They spurred their horses through the crowd of excited peasants chatting amongst themselves. Some looked up to the riders and noticed Yunho and Heechul, making way for them and bowing, but it was only a few so the royal men had to content themselves with the slow pace at which the crowd forced them to go.
“Let’s go next to the cathedral,” Heechul suggested and turned his horse around towards where the crowds were thinner.
Yunho followed suit thanking the heavens for his cousin’s quick wit. He had to be back at the palace soon since he had taken no guard with him and the longer they took to get there the least time he would have with his lover.
With less difficulty than before they reached the looming building of the cathedral. Yunho still felt a chill run down his spine whenever he was under the shadow of the imposing structure with its large windows of multicolored glass that seemed to be staring right through his soul, but the weight had lessened somehow after he admitted his feelings for the enchanting performer. He wondered if love really did triumph over everything.
Shaking away his ridiculous thoughts he focused on looking ahead were the red caravan’s stage was already visible. He noticed with a smile that Jaejoong was on-stage, talking with that guy Yoochun. He still did not like the curly-haired goof but he hid his dislike for the sake of his beloved. He was not there to pick up a fight.
The two friends seemed to be talking and it seemed that Yoochun said something funny because moments later Jaejoong was clutching his stomach with one hand and covering that sinful mouth of his with the other as pearls of laughter escaped from between his lips. Yunho smiled mesmerized at the beautiful sound while Heechul turned to look at him with a mix of light disgust and amusement at his behavior.
“You’re lost, my dear cousin, lost,” Heechul shook his head but did not manage to hide a small smile.
A man sitting on the border of the stage polishing a pair of blunt stage swords, Yunho recalled his name was Junsu, raised his head upon hearing Heechul’s voice and stretched his arm to tug at the blond performer’s boot. Jaejoong’s laughter ceased when he turned to look at Junsu questioningly. Junsu pointed towards the riders and then his eyes posed themselves farther away on the approaching figures of Yunho and his cousin. Junsu stood to put the swords away and slapped Jaejoong’s shoulder with mirth in his eyes while the latter smiled embarrassed.
Yunho dismounted his horse and approached the stage at a fast pace, not even waiting for Heechul to follow, barely noticing the sound Heechul’s boots made as they hit the floor. Jaejoong took a couple of steps towards Yunho, stretching his hand forward to pull the prince up to stand on stage, but before their hands could touch he was roughly pulled back and lifted up in air by what seemed to the prince like an invisible force. The blonde yelped and trashed around, cursing a pair of men standing on the side of the stage, laughing their asses off while clutching something between the two.
And that’s when Yunho saw it. There was a thin rope held tightly in their hands that went up to a pulley and came out of Jaejoong’s shirt on the other end. He was wearing a leather harness that Yunho managed to miss in his haste to get to his lover.
“Yah! Get me down!” Jaejoong shouted while tugging at the rope, failing to free himself.
Yoochun and Junsu dropped Jaejoong half a meter before holding the rope again, causing the suspended man to cry out in surprise. They only laughed harder as Jaejoong cursed the day they were born.
“Yunho, help me,” Jaejoong whined defeated as he swung from side to side pathetically.
Yunho who had already climbed onto the stage was trying to grab onto Jaejoong’s foot but he was still out of reach for him. He stood on the tips of his toes and barely touched Jaejoong’s boot with his fingers. A particularly harsh movement by Jaejoong had him dropping a few centimeters and Yunho was able to wrap his fingers around the blonde’s ankle. At that moment, however, Yoochun and Junsu decided to let go of the rope causing both the performer and the prince to come crashing down in a heap of limbs, groaning in pain.
“Wouldn’t you say, Your Highness, that it’s too public of a place for that sort of activities?” Yoochun teased, greatly enjoying the way the two men blushed when they noticed their positions.
Jaejoong was lying on top of Yunho, his knees on each side of the prince’s hips and his hands pinning Yunho’s shoulder’s to the floor. Their faces were inches apart and they scrambled to put some distance between them.
“And wouldn’t you say, you pair of jesters, that the fun is over?” a grave voice came from behind Junsu and Yoochun.
When they turned and spotted Changmin and that annoyed expression of his that seemed to be forever plastered on they smiled nervously. They tried to run away but Changmin grabbed them by the ears, dragging them towards him.
“Let go, Changmin! I swear it’s all Yoochun’s fault!” Junsu tried to defend himself, hands around Changmin’s wrist, trying to pry his sharp fingers from his ear.
Changmin smiled maliciously before letting the both of them go, knowing that they wouldn’t pull another one of their jokes while he was there.
“Traitor!” Yoochun charged towards Junsu as soon as he was released. Junsu was faster however, and ran away from Yoochun, his strange laughter trailing behind him as the curly haired man chased behind him.
Yunho was dusting off his clothes with his hand when Changmin’s voice made him look up at the man.
“I agree with Yoochun though, it isn’t safe to have you going around publicly like that. Get in the caravan, I’ll help around.”
Changmin started stripping off his heavy sorcerer robe and for the first time Yunho saw what he wore underneath; a simple yet elegant form-fitting black shirt with silver buttons on the front and a high collar that suited his long neck well, a pair of black breeches and boots. Even in simple clothes he had a great air of elegance and authority that he had only seen in men at court. He felt a hint of admiration for the sorcerer and wondered what his background was.
Yunho was brought back from his thoughts by Jaejoong’s hand slipping into his. He had wiggled out of the harness already and was now tugging Yunho towards the caravan.
“Let’s go,” he said softly.
Yunho looked at Heechul who mouthed a ‘go ahead’ while he approached the sorcerer. He nodded towards his cousin, an unsaid promise not to take too long, and grasped his lover’s hand tightly and followed after him.
Jaejoong climbed into the caravan and held the crimson canvas for Yunho to climb in as well. Once the prince was inside, Jaejoong dropped the fabric, closing the caravan from the world completely.
As soon as they were secluded from prying eyes Yunho pulled Jaejoong towards him and kissed the plum pout of his lips. Jaejoong moaned contently, wrapping his arms around Yunho’s neck and running his fingers through the soft hair on the prince’s nape.
Fully engrossed in their passionate kissing they stumbled and fell upon the mountain of cushions that served as make-shift bed for the members of the performing group. Jaejoong felt his back hit the cushions and seconds later Yunho fell on top of him with a pained groan when his knees contacted harshly with the wooden boards of the floor. He paid no mind to the pain though and resumed his assault on Jaejoong’s already reddening and kiss-swollen lips.
Jaejoong climbed higher up the pile of cushions, allowing the prince to rest his bruised knees on the soft cushiony surface. Yunho kissed him softly one more time, then pecked his lips and laid his head on top of Jaejoong’s chest, arms securely wrapped around the blonde’s waist. He sighed blissfully.
“I missed you.”
Jaejoong chuckled, cradling Yunho’s head between his arms.
“It’s only been… what? A day and a half?” he said, carding his fingers through Yunho’s hair in a soothing motion.
“Even a second without you is too long,” Yunho said, kissing Jaejoong’s belly.
“Cheesy,” Jaejoong retorted with a small laugh and a playful tug at Yunho’s hair.
Yunho hummed and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of Jaejoong’s fingers massaging his scalp. The soft light of the lantern on the caravan’s ceiling provided them with a soft light that made him feel drowsy. That combined with the physical exertion earlier and his lover’s ministrations had him concentrating hard on staying awake.
“Are you staying for the play?” Jaejoong asked.
“Can’t, I have to be home early,” Yunho said but wished he could when he saw the blonde pout. “What will you be this time?”
“An angel,” Jaejoong said, not even attempting to hide the annoyance in his voice.
“So that’s why you were hanging from those ropes earlier?”
Jaejoong huffed.
“I hate those things, they hurt down there.”
Yunho erupted into a fit of laughter that only earned him a weak slap to the head from Jaejoong.
“Yah! It’s not funny.”
Yunho wiped tears from his eyes and tried to stifle his laughter. Jaejoong was scowling at him, and he reached with his hand to smooth out the lines on Jaejoong’s forehead. The blonde did not relent and stuck his tongue out at the prince, the action backfiring when Yunho got on all fours and caught it between his lips, sucking it into his mouth and renewed their kissing.
“Come riding with me tomorrow,” Yunho requested once they parted for air.
“I don’t have a horse,” Jaejoong whispered between their lips, still too dazed to do much.
“I’ll bring you one,” Yunho spoke between kisses, too addicted to Jaejoong’s taste to halt his kisses in order to talk.
“Okay then.”
They continued lying like that for a while; content with enjoying each other’s company if only for a brief time. After what seemed like hours Yunho kissed Jaejoong’s cheek and made a move to stand.
“I have to go,” he announced.
“Do you really?” Jaejoong asked, hooking a leg around Yunho’s knee in hopes of preventing the prince from leaving.
“Yes, love, but we’ll see each other tomorrow,” Yunho said. “I’ll come at mid-morning so be ready.”
They kissed one last time, both of them making it last as long as possible.
When they parted Yunho placed his hand on Jaejoong’s crotch, making the latter choke on a moan and arch forward and into the warmth of Yunho’s palm.
“Don’t let the ropes damage my goods, okay?”
Jaejoong nodded, eyes glazed over, and Yunho smiled at him one last time before walking towards the caravan’s entrance climbing down and out of sight.
♥ ♥ ♥
The ride back to the palace was relatively short, filled mostly with silence since both men were too exhausted to talk anymore.
Junsu and Yoochun had already come back from their playful chasing and were replacing the oil in the lamps on top of the stage when Yunho had gone to tell his cousin they were ready to go.
Heechul had been helping Changmin set props were they would be needed making Yunho wonder what kind of coaxing powers the tall sorcerer had because most of the time refused to even lift a finger when it came to helping out. War had made him more considerate but once they were back in the kingdom he reverted to his spoiled ways.
After that they had climbed on their horses and waved good-bye to the troupe, who waved back cheerfully and wished them a safe trip although the palace was not too far away from the square.
The sun has set already when they left the square. The air was filled with the buzzing of fireflies that appeared as soon as the weather became warm, illuminating the night with their soft light. There were people already approaching the caravan’s stage when they rode away, and Yunho sighed in relief, knowing that they left just in time to avoid the worst of the crowds.
The horses’ pace was sluggish, their hooves hitting the stone-paved roads with a lazy rhythm. The city was alit with life but Yunho could barely pay attention to what was around him, not even bothering to nod in acknowledgement to the people that bowed to them.
There was a small group of servants waiting for them at the palace’s entrance. Once they reached the large doors leading to the interior of the grand construction the servants greeted them; a pair of them taking the horses away to the stables.
The servants offered them dinner and a bath but Yunho declined for the both of them since Heechul had already gone ahead no doubt using the last of his energy to get to a proper bed. Yunho went to his own room, feet aching and mind wondering why the corridors were so damn long.
After undressing he climbed in bed, feeling his tired muscles weigh him down and his mind begin to shut down. He pulled his hand out from under the embroidered covers and stared at it, a smile drawing itself upon his face. It had been an unbelievable moment of boldness. He could still feel Jaejoong’s crotch under his palm, the beautiful sound he emitted playing over and over in his head, the thought alone making his member stir between his legs.
At last the aching of his bones and the drowsiness had him falling into a deep slumber filled with dreams of his beloved.
