Seokjin felt as though he needed to be put behind bars. Taehyung was leading him somewhere, and going beyond the wall made Seokjin feel illegal. As the two men strode through the long grass, Seokjin felt as though he was in another dimension, never mind another land. He couldn't believe that such a place existed beyond the walls he grew up in. Taehyung was silent as he lead him through the mass of foxtail and grass, their robes gently rubbing against the plants.
Taehyung sighed as the rice fields stretched out before them once again. Seokjin was merely confused to why Taehyung took him there, but whatever was there was bothering him; sucking the life out of him.
Once again, Taehyung was face to face with the sleepy hut. The candlelight flickered from the inside and fireflies fluttered around them, giving off a lazy, green glow. Seokjin's confusion was only heightened as this hut looked so peaceful and calming. The whole scenery itself looked calm and happy- Seokjin himself would be pleased with living in such a scenery.
Seokjin's attention was brought to Taehyung, who was approaching the front door of the little hut. He knocked twice, and at once, the creaking of floorboards could be heard. The footsteps themselves sounded as light as a feather, but the floorboards made it seem like the entire house was warning the two men about something.
Agust opened the door. With the slightest creak, the intimidation seeped out into the air around Taehyung and Seokjin. Seokjin felt sick as the shadow of the smaller man appeared in the doorframe. Taehyung stood perfectly still as he has faced this feeling before, but Seokjin couldn't contain himself. He felt his knees go weak and his vision fading out before him. A pressure suddenly started to press against his head that was trying to force him into a kneel, but wasn't this guy just a rice farmer?
"Ah, Taehyung-ssi, you're back again? I didn't expect you to come back, especially with someone else,"
"Agust-Hyung, this is my Seokjin-hyung, Kim Seokjin. He took care of me growing up,"
Agust took a glance at Seokjin. He can tell by the minimal movement and his breathing that he was intimidated, which is something that Agust enjoyed. The utter calmness radiating from the smaller man shook Seokjin to his bones.
"Good evening, Seokjin-ssi, why do you look so scared?"
Agust's tone was sarcastic. If it were to be anybody else, Seokjin would have punched them in the face. Why was he so scared? He has never seen such a phenomenon; why does he look like a spitting image of Emperor Min? The scar that covered his eye made it seem even more eerier, as it seemed like the wound was trying to call out to him- trying to tell him a story of some sort.
"You were on my mind Agust-Hyung. We were sparing under the watch of the emperor today, but all I could think about was you."
Agust smiled. He softly rubbed his thumb against Taehyung's cheek with satisfaction.
"I'm glad that you've been thinking about me Taehyung. It seems that the both of you are very loyal members of the Hwarang. I'm very glad that I've already got you two on my side."
Taehyung furrowed his brows. Seokjin still remained silent.
"How come it only takes Seokjin-Hyung one visit for you to earn his trust?"
"Because I can tell that you two trust each other,"
Agust said this as he pat Taehyung on the shoulder. He urged the two of them inside for a cup of tea. Seokjin thought this was such a posh gesture, but his "posh" attitude doesn't make up for the fact that he lived in a creaky wooden house.
"So, is there anything you need? Why did you come back?"
"I want answers."
Taehyung was firm with his response. His posture was stiff and his eyes were locked with Agust's. It was like the two of them were in their own separate world whilst Seokjin was at a standstill next to them.
"You want answers? Or do you need answers?"
Agust's question made Taehyung sick. He wasn't here out of curiosity, he was here to ease the thoughts of the rice farmer so he could live as normal as a life he could as a Hwarang solider.
"I'd watch yourself Kim Taehyung. Your lives can only ever end in two different ways. One is death, and the other is victory. You have both sworn to protect the emperor and that means putting your life in danger if it means that his is in danger,"
For the first time, Taehyung observed that Agust had sorrow shimmering in his eyes. The way that his mouth rested at a downcurve expressed his pity towards the two of them. Agust's gaze was fixated on the men in front of him. Such handsome, beautiful men. These were the kind of men that melted the hearts of many, who caused envy throughout their village. For such beauty to be sacrificed for the sake of a tyrant was a sin that is unforgivable. He could not imagine their bodies, stone cold on the floor, beautiful still, even in death. Again he could not imagine how many hwarang there are, and how their lives are dictated by beauty and war.
"You want answers? What answers do you want?"
"I need to know why you look so much like Emperor Min Yoongi."
