Chapter Text
“Honestly, I’m still not sure…”
“B-but you’re the only one who meets the requirements!” Seungkwan says, his voice tinged with desperation.
“What requirements? The thing I do best is help out here at the castle, that way I can stay close to you when you need me.” Joshua’s voice is as warm as ever, but his expression reveals how uncomfortable he is talking about this.
In contrast, Seungkwan’s features soften. “I really appreciate how you always look out for me, hyung. I know this is a big favor, risky and completely different from what you’re used to, but I truly believe you’re the right person for it.”
Joshua looks unsure. “I get that you want to help with what the king said, but…” His eyes lower to the floor. “I don’t think I’m the right person for this. If I go and end up staying at that base for a few months, I’ll probably just get in the way. Trust me, what if I go and find nothing? At least here, I can be close and keep an eye on you.”
The younger one takes his hand. “Joshua hyung, you don’t see it, but you’re incredibly smart and capable. I know that if you go to the army headquarters, you’ll help, no matter how. That’s just who you are. You always find a way to help whoever needs it. I’m not sending you away because I want distance! Believe me, that’s the last thing I want.” The younger omega speaks quickly, making the older one smile a little. “But I really mean it. Besides, there’s no one in this kingdom I trust more than you for this, hyung. I trust you and I know that whatever information goes between the headquarters and the castle will be safe in your hands. And if you do find what we’re looking for, I’ll be even happier knowing it was you who brought it to me.”
Joshua is about to say something else when the door opens. A beta woman steps inside and bows before the two omegas.
“Prince Seungkwan, I’m sorry to interrupt, but your father has summoned you to the throne room.”
The prince grimaces. “Is it urgent?”
“If I may say so, judging by the king’s tone, it did sound rather urgent, sir.”
The omega sighs, stands up, and looks at the older omega. “I’m not going to force you, hyung. But please, think about it. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it and support you, okay?” Joshua nods. Seungkwan just smiles before leaving the room, the beta following close behind.
Once alone, Joshua lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, unsure of what to do next.
🩵🩵🩵
Something that always relaxes him is being surrounded by nature, that’s why this garden became his favorite place ever since he was just a little omega living in the castle because of his mother’s work.
The omega is sitting in the middle of a flower field, his fingers gently brushing the petals from a flower beside him. He stays there, with only the wind as company, and the distant sound of birdsong in the background. With his eyes closed, he takes a few more seconds to enjoy the moment. He loves moments like this, moments where he gets to lose himself in the peace of the garden.
Although this time, peace isn’t completely present. With a sigh, Joshua opens his eyes and lies back on the grass, using one arm as a pillow behind his head. He watches the clouds for a while; the sun is setting, painting the sky with a beautiful orange. His head is full of thoughts, some even contradicting each other.
He loves Seungkwan. He’s like the little brother he never had. The instinct to care for him and protect him has always been there. His own mother once told him it was his duty to look after the young omega, no matter what. And he always had. His whole life, Joshua had put Seungkwan’s needs before his own. If the prince was sad, Joshua would be there to comfort him, even if he couldn’t handle his own sadness. Like that one time, when he was supposed to go on a short trip with his mother for three days. He was so excited to finally see something beyond the capital… but Seungkwan got sick, and Joshua didn’t hesitate for a second. So he canceled the trip without a word, even if it made him sad inside. His mother understood. She had been the same with the queen, Seungkwan’s mother, even in her final days. The prince, on his end, felt terrible that time. He begged Joshua to go, but neither he nor his mother could bear the idea of leaving the omega alone while he was sick.
Now, that same omega, the one he cared for, supported, and even helped raise wants to send him away. Well… not exactly that, but Joshua can’t help but worry. How will Seungkwan be if he’s gone for months? What if he gets sick, who will be there 24/7 in case he needs something? Who’ll comfort him when he’s feeling down? Who’ll stop him when he’s being reckless and stubborn? So many questions. Part of him knows he might be overreacting. The prince can take care of himself, he’s an adult after all. But another part of him doesn’t want to leave his best friend, not after what happened that one time…
Joshua shakes his head a little. Okay, he’s getting off track. The point is: leaving. Seungkwan wants him to leave and not just for a few days or weeks, but for months. And no one knows how many. It could be two… or six! That’s a long time. The only parts of the kingdom he knows are the capital and the castle. And now, he’s supposed to travel south to reach the army’s headquarters.
The prince explained the mission: he’s to pose as a simple royal messenger who joins the army to show that the royal family cares about its soldiers, inspecting the conditions, checking if the supplies and resources are enough. But that’s just a cover. The real reason for his visit is to secretly send information to the prince and the king about suspected infiltrators within the army, likely members of the rebellion that’s been in conflict with the royal family for a few years.
It’s a risky mission. Joshua is sure Seungkwan’s father, the king, had a hand in choosing him. The prince would never send him somewhere so hostile just for a mission. The king must have pushed for it.
Whatever the reason, the more Joshua thinks about it, the more downsides he finds. But deep down, he knows he can’t say no. Based on what Seungkwan said and what Joshua himself knows there really isn’t anyone else fit for the mission, unfortunately. He wants to stay and take care of his best friend. Still… part of him is curious. This would be unlike anything he’s ever experienced. Maybe something good could come from it… right?
He’s still lost in thought when he hears footsteps on the grass. A familiar, sweet citrusy scent reaches his senses.
“Hyung, I knew you’d be here,” Seungkwan says with a warm smile. “The meeting with my father finally ended. He said it was urgent, but of course, it was just boring stuff as always,” he adds, rolling his eyes.
Joshua sits up slightly, lifting his head to meet the prince’s gaze. He opens his mouth to say something, but Seungkwan cuts him off.
“And before you say it, I know, it’s for the good of the kingdom and I shouldn’t call them boring, but ugh admit it, sometimes Dad really overdoes it with those emergency meetings”.
He groans in annoyance. “Anyway, it’s over now, and I actually came to ask if you wanted to have some tea with me. They brought in flowers and herbs from a neighboring kingdom, so we could—”
“Seungkwan.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m going on the mission.”
Seungkwan freezes for a moment. Then he snaps out of it, eyes wide.
“What? Are you serious, hyung? You really want to go? Are you sure?”
Joshua lets out a small laugh. “Yeah… I’m not totally sure how things will go, but I’ll do it, for you, for the kingdom. If you think about it, it’s another way of protecting you, isn’t it?”
The prince crouches down to Joshua’s level and wraps his arms around him in a tight hug.
“Thank you, hyung! I mean it, with all my heart. And don’t worry, nothing bad will happen to you. I’ll make sure of it, I promise.”
Joshua returns the hug, placing his hands gently on the younger omega’s back.
Ah… what has he gotten himself into?