Into The Mirror

Chapter 3

The walk back to the town centre was filled with small talk, as both Subin and Sejun learnt about the others personalities. However, they were aware that they both had to be careful about what they shared, but they seemed to click so well that it was hard to.

During their walk back to the market, Subin noticed that everyone was paying a lot more attention to him than usual, which had him very confused. Nobody paid him much attention since they had become used to his frequent visits into the town. Subin didn't, however, think that it could be anything to do with the man he had befriended who had scared away a thug just by revealing his face. It couldn't be anything to do with that, surely.

"Where the fuck have you been?" A very familiar voice pretty much yelled from behind them.

"Fuck." Subin whispered under his breath, turning around to face the person who he'd rather not see at that particular time.

"You better have a good excuse for this!" Hanse looked pretty mad, but it was hard for Subin to take him seriously, because he knew he could win any argument against him.

"In my defence, Seungwoo hyung let me. Blame him!" Subin used his puppy eyes to, in his words, diffuse the situation, and calm down the loud-mouthed human in front of him.

"Of course he did." Hanse pinched the bridge of his nose. "What bribery did you use this time?" Sejun snorted, seemingly amused by the whole situation, which made Hanse do a double take of him, only noticing who he was actually looking at on the second glance.

"Why are you with him? Subin, why would you trust someone like him? You clearly don't know who he is!"

Subin was confused. As far as he was concerned Sejun had saved , quite possibly, his life, so he saw no reason to he hostile towards him (well apart from the snarky comments - but he figured that was just part of him).

"What? What do you mean? He saved me! I don't know why you're being so mean." Their conversation was beginning to attract the attention of the people in the market, making Hanse look around almost nervously.

"Look. Let's just go back to the palace and he," He kicked his foot in Sejun's direction, "Can explain what the hell he's playing at." Hanse tried to sound diplomatic, while having a potentially dangerous man and a stubborn prince to deal with.

Sejun began backing away from the guard slowly, shaking his head. "I am not going anywhere near that place. Fuck that." 

He turned to walk away, but the crowd of people forming behind him made him stop. Sejun knew that it would be a better idea to go with the annoying guard and spoilt brat, but he really didn't want to face anyone else who recognised him. He was somewhat of a controversial figure within the local community, and well most of the kingdom, one might say.

He glanced back at the pair looking expectantly at him.

"This better be worth my fucking while."

~~~

Sure enough people recognised Sejun wherever he went, which was to be expected, even inside the palace walls there was quiet chatter among some staff who passed the three men. One of the guard at the gates gave him disgusted looks as he walked in, but the other didn't bat an eyelid at him. He expected at least a few of them to recognise him.

"Where is Seungwoo?" Hanse asked one of the guards.

"Either with prince Byungchan, or on the training field."

Hanse nodded, walking in the direction of the training field. Subin had fallen behind the guard slightly to walk with Sejun, almost like he knew something was going on. But Sejun wasn't really paying attention to where they were going, just taking note of all possible escape routes, and he pretty quickly realised there weren't many.

As they neared the training field they could see Seungwoo sparing with someone else, but as soon as they were in sight he noticed and stopped, quickly saying something to other person before jogging over.

He seemingly didn't see Sejun at first, as his expression changed from a smile (the way he usually smiled at Subin) to something Subin had never seen before. He had known Seungwoo for as long as he had worked in the palace - even when he was training to become one - yet he couldn't read the expression currently on his face.

"Hyung, what's wrong?"

"What is he doing here?" Subin had also never heard him speak like that, he could feel almost pure hatred in his voice.

"That's what I came to talk to you about." Hanse and Seungwoo seemed to be talking to each other with their eyes, because the young prince couldn't work out what was going on. Sejun was still stood next to him looking completely bored and like he really wanted to be anywhere else at that point.

Seungwoo turned to Subin, glancing at Sejun quickly before he spoke. "I think Byungchan wanted to speak to you, Subinnie." Subin knew they didn't want him there for some reason.

"Why? I know you're just trying to get rid of me!"

"Subin."

"Fine! I'm going."

Subin was honestly quite hurt that they wanted to get rid of him, especially when Seungwoo used that tone of voice on him. He wouldn't admit it but he was very sensitive when it came to how other people spoke to him. So when people raised their voices or spoke in an overly forceful way it made him want to cry, and he was struggling to stop himself as he walked to Byungchan's favourite place, where he knew he would be. 

~~~

I'm sorry this chapter is shorter than the last one, but please bear with me! I hope you enjoy, and please don't hesitate to comment any questions or theories about what's going on so far! 

Also, thank you so much for taking time out of your day/night to read this! Seeing the amount of reads go up everyday makes me so happy~

Have a good day/night 💛