Love With a closed heart

“Goodnight, Min-jun.” Said with some air of finality, another stern look as he made to leave the room. 

Entering the room, he noticed the king curled up with a smaller figure in his arms. Maybe the king wasn’t as uptight as he thought. Then again Min-jun had never met a royal without a companion for the night. Pleased with his newfound knowledge, he slipped back into his given room and took short naps till dawn came.

It wasn’t quite full light when he left his room to retrieve Min-jun, knocking softly and waiting a moment before he entered.”Good morning, Min-jun, I hope that you have not changed your mind overnight … shall I bring you breakfast or would you wish to accompany me?” 

“I must say thought that it was extremely quiet during the night. You really need more guards. Makes me think that your outlook on life is a lot more positive than I thought.” At the very least a noble would have one guard pace the halls at a time but Min-jun heard and saw a complete total of zero. It’s like you take advice from a blind man leading an elephant.”

“Goodnight, Min-jun.” Said with some air of finality, another stern look as he made to leave the room. 

Entering the room, he noticed the king curled up with a smaller figure in his arms. Maybe the king wasn't as uptight as he thought. Then again Min-jun had never met a royal without a companion for the night. Pleased with his newfound knowledge, he slipped back into his given room and took short naps till dawn came.

At the assurance of his trustworthiness, however weak it was, Hadi only nodded, lips quirked into a small, curious smile. “I suppose I must take your word for it, Min-jun.” He certainly wasn’t going to trust a man he’d just met, nevermind an assassin who had entered his temporary residency with the intention of killing the young king. “I admire an honest man, but of the moment, I cannot be expected to believe you.” 

“You’re fairly easy going for someone of your position.” A genuine smile played across his lips as he turned his attention back to the king. “I guess I can relate to that. War can sink its teeth into you and scar you but life isn’t war is it? There’s more things to do than cry.”

“Thank you.” He wasn’t sure if he’d been complimented or not but he nodded nonetheless. “It would not be healthy should I be absorbed in thoughts of war all the time, to be consumed in misery and hopelessness - so I am not.“ Mostly.

He saw the fragile beginnings of a leader and a kind person but not much beyond that. If this guy was going to run a kingdom, many things had to change. “So now you know that you need more guards and someone to teach you how to lie. Guards are more pressing though. You and I know that I’m not going to be the last assassin. I’d say staying away from windows would definitely increase your chances at survival.”

“Perhaps you will offer me lessons in lying at a later time, Min-jun.” He said nothing on his other advice, running a hand through already mussed hair attempting to think of some reasonable solution for the night. “I cannot have you staying in the library all night. You can borrow the rooms of my guest and they can sleep elsewhere, as they aren’t a wanted criminal and can do as they please.” Hadi was a bit annoyed with the whole situation at hand, hosting an assassin would had certainly considered killing him. Somehow this seemed more sensible than executing him. 

“Also to be fair I’m not wanted. I usually execute my jobs without a problem and with little human interaction. The only two people alive who have seen me without a disguise are you and the elf. I try not to make a point of my existence when I travel around. Half the time I wear various wigs and hop from brothel to brothel.” Surprisingly brothels were the kindest to him growing up and he learned various skills that he applied to his trade. The people he met there gave him valuable experience. “You’re going to have to get used to disguises too if you want less attacks on you.”

“Wait here, I will make arrangements.” With that he slipped from the room, eyeing the assassin and hoping that he wouldn’t escape in the short time it took to move Quinn from their room and into his own. Just for a night, it was promised, with no explanation as to why, and no questions were asked. Hadi returned in a minute or so, no guards in the hallway to intrude, and a horrible sense in his gut that he could trust this man, against all logic. He didn’t like that.

Before the king walked back into the room, Min-jun noticed somewhat distressed footsteps in the hall. That king moved faster than he thought. Looked like he had some muscle on him. As the king returned, Min-jun turned to face him again and couldn’t help but smile a little at the king’s apparent confusion. “You sounded fairly frantic there. You could have taken your time. I thought you were going to trip.”

Quinn’s room wasn’t far, books still open across their bed, clothing and strips of bandages scattered about. Their temporary eviction had been a very quick process, clearly, hardly any notice for them to tidy up. “Please don’t disturb too much.” It was a quiet hope. “And don’t try to leave, please, it’ll just be more work for all of us.” 

“Whoever was in here must be fun. I find that the cleanest rooms indicate little progress.” Which was true at least for him, growing up among common people. A mess showed effort, not that he particularly enjoyed living in a dump either.

At the assurance of his trustworthiness, however weak it was, Hadi only nodded, lips quirked into a small, curious smile. “I suppose I must take your word for it, Min-jun.” He certainly wasn’t going to trust a man he’d just met, nevermind an assassin who had entered his temporary residency with the intention of killing the young king. “I admire an honest man, but of the moment, I cannot be expected to believe you.” 

“You’re fairly easy going for someone of your position.” A genuine smile played across his lips as he turned his attention back to the king. “I guess I can relate to that. War can sink its teeth into you and scar you but life isn’t war is it? There’s more things to do than cry.”

“Thank you.” He wasn’t sure if he’d been complimented or not but he nodded nonetheless. “It would not be healthy should I be absorbed in thoughts of war all the time, to be consumed in misery and hopelessness - so I am not.“ Mostly.

He saw the fragile beginnings of a leader and a kind person but not much beyond that. If this guy was going to run a kingdom, many things had to change. “So now you know that you need more guards and someone to teach you how to lie. Guards are more pressing though. You and I know that I’m not going to be the last assassin. I’d say staying away from windows would definitely increase your chances at survival.”

“Perhaps you will offer me lessons in lying at a later time, Min-jun.” He said nothing on his other advice, running a hand through already mussed hair attempting to think of some reasonable solution for the night. “I cannot have you staying in the library all night. You can borrow the rooms of my guest and they can sleep elsewhere, as they aren’t a wanted criminal and can do as they please.” Hadi was a bit annoyed with the whole situation at hand, hosting an assassin would had certainly considered killing him. Somehow this seemed more sensible than executing him. 

“Also to be fair I’m not wanted. I usually execute my jobs without a problem and with little human interaction. The only two people alive who have seen me without a disguise are you and the elf. I try not to make a point of my existence when I travel around. Half the time I wear various wigs and hop from brothel to brothel.” Surprisingly brothels were the kindest to him growing up and he learned various skills that he applied to his trade. The people he met there gave him valuable experience. “You’re going to have to get used to disguises too if you want less attacks on you.”

“Wait here, I will make arrangements.” With that he slipped from the room, eyeing the assassin and hoping that he wouldn’t escape in the short time it took to move Quinn from their room and into his own. Just for a night, it was promised, with no explanation as to why, and no questions were asked. Hadi returned in a minute or so, no guards in the hallway to intrude, and a horrible sense in his gut that he could trust this man, against all logic. He didn’t like that.

Before the king walked back into the room, Min-jun noticed somewhat distressed footsteps in the hall. That king moved faster than he thought. Looked like he had some muscle on him. As the king returned, Min-jun turned to face him again and couldn’t help but smile a little at the king’s apparent confusion. “You sounded fairly frantic there. You could have taken your time. I thought you were going to trip.”

At the assurance of his trustworthiness, however weak it was, Hadi only nodded, lips quirked into a small, curious smile. “I suppose I must take your word for it, Min-jun.” He certainly wasn’t going to trust a man he’d just met, nevermind an assassin who had entered his temporary residency with the intention of killing the young king. “I admire an honest man, but of the moment, I cannot be expected to believe you.” 

“You’re fairly easy going for someone of your position.” A genuine smile played across his lips as he turned his attention back to the king. “I guess I can relate to that. War can sink its teeth into you and scar you but life isn’t war is it? There’s more things to do than cry.”

“Thank you.” He wasn’t sure if he’d been complimented or not but he nodded nonetheless. “It would not be healthy should I be absorbed in thoughts of war all the time, to be consumed in misery and hopelessness - so I am not.“ Mostly.

He saw the fragile beginnings of a leader and a kind person but not much beyond that. If this guy was going to run a kingdom, many things had to change. “So now you know that you need more guards and someone to teach you how to lie. Guards are more pressing though. You and I know that I’m not going to be the last assassin. I’d say staying away from windows would definitely increase your chances at survival.”

“Perhaps you will offer me lessons in lying at a later time, Min-jun.” He said nothing on his other advice, running a hand through already mussed hair attempting to think of some reasonable solution for the night. “I cannot have you staying in the library all night. You can borrow the rooms of my guest and they can sleep elsewhere, as they aren’t a wanted criminal and can do as they please.” Hadi was a bit annoyed with the whole situation at hand, hosting an assassin would had certainly considered killing him. Somehow this seemed more sensible than executing him. 

“Also to be fair I’m not wanted. I usually execute my jobs without a problem and with little human interaction. The only two people alive who have seen me without a disguise are you and the elf. I try not to make a point of my existence when I travel around. Half the time I wear various wigs and hop from brothel to brothel.” Surprisingly brothels were the kindest to him growing up and he learned various skills that he applied to his trade. The people he met there gave him valuable experience. “You’re going to have to get used to disguises too if you want less attacks on you.”

At the assurance of his trustworthiness, however weak it was, Hadi only nodded, lips quirked into a small, curious smile. “I suppose I must take your word for it, Min-jun.” He certainly wasn’t going to trust a man he’d just met, nevermind an assassin who had entered his temporary residency with the intention of killing the young king. “I admire an honest man, but of the moment, I cannot be expected to believe you.” 

“You’re fairly easy going for someone of your position.” A genuine smile played across his lips as he turned his attention back to the king. “I guess I can relate to that. War can sink its teeth into you and scar you but life isn’t war is it? There’s more things to do than cry.”

“Thank you.” He wasn’t sure if he’d been complimented or not but he nodded nonetheless. “It would not be healthy should I be absorbed in thoughts of war all the time, to be consumed in misery and hopelessness - so I am not.“ Mostly.

He saw the fragile beginnings of a leader and a kind person but not much beyond that. If this guy was going to run a kingdom, many things had to change. “So now you know that you need more guards and someone to teach you how to lie. Guards are more pressing though. You and I know that I’m not going to be the last assassin. I’d say staying away from windows would definitely increase your chances at survival.”

At the assurance of his trustworthiness, however weak it was, Hadi only nodded, lips quirked into a small, curious smile. “I suppose I must take your word for it, Min-jun.” He certainly wasn’t going to trust a man he’d just met, nevermind an assassin who had entered his temporary residency with the intention of killing the young king. “I admire an honest man, but of the moment, I cannot be expected to believe you.” 

“You’re fairly easy going for someone of your position.” A genuine smile played across his lips as he turned his attention back to the king. “I guess I can relate to that. War can sink its teeth into you and scar you but life isn’t war is it? There’s more things to do than cry.”

“I think,” said softer, breaking eye contact to set a bookmark in his most recent text (an Elvish history of their own ruling family), closing the book and standing, “that I am a man who is exhausted by a war I had no hand in. I have had enough arguing. If you so wish to speak, it can be done politely.” He hoped that such arrangements could be made for the morning, but he didn’t want to be lectured for putting things off in addition to what he’d already heard. “Over tea is preferable, unless you have other business here, assassin.” Of course, if that was true, Hadi would call for his guards - he wasn’t about to have a criminal wandering city streets and creating chaos. 

Min-jun swung his legs absentmindedly off the edge and looked back at Hadi. Why couldn’t he ever get a short target. Like a stodgy mean baron or whatever but no nearly every single one was this weirdly gorgeous prick. “You’re probably the softest official I’ve ever met. No wait, you’re one of two officials I’ve met. The other being elf dick. I usually don’t ‘meet’ anyone politically important.”

“You’re from mountains?” There was a curious lilt to his voice, with all the awe of a man who really was far too trusting of a stranger who’d fallen through his window.

“Sad and lonely orphan blah blah blah and now here I am, assassin and spy for hire. Why ask about mountains though? Wait- you’ve never seen mountains have you? I guess you wouldn’t have a lot of time to travel when you’re hanging out in libraries.” This was easily the most he had talked to someone in a while without needing anything. Min-jun was surprised he was capable of speaking openly. Nah that was just the void of authority in the room.

“Min-jun, if you are not here to kill me, I think it would be best we find something to do with you for the night.” The other details of his story did not go unnoticed but Hadi was beginning to wonder about his haphazard decision to trust the assassin. Probably best not to get too friendly with him, even if he could be of use, somehow. Later. 

Just to make his point, he started to pull out knives from his sleeves and set them down on the desk. “That’s maybe like- a third of my knives. I also have shurikens and whatnot.” If he was being honest that was probably more along the lines of half of his knives but he wanted to poke fun. Also he genuinely didn’t remember how many weapons he had on him. “I may be an assassin but I don’t go back on my word. Except maybe when I said I’d kill you but I just wanted to rid myself of the elf.”

“I think,” said softer, breaking eye contact to set a bookmark in his most recent text (an Elvish history of their own ruling family), closing the book and standing, “that I am a man who is exhausted by a war I had no hand in. I have had enough arguing. If you so wish to speak, it can be done politely.” He hoped that such arrangements could be made for the morning, but he didn’t want to be lectured for putting things off in addition to what he’d already heard. “Over tea is preferable, unless you have other business here, assassin.” Of course, if that was true, Hadi would call for his guards - he wasn’t about to have a criminal wandering city streets and creating chaos. 

Min-jun swung his legs absentmindedly off the edge and looked back at Hadi. Why couldn’t he ever get a short target. Like a stodgy mean baron or whatever but no nearly every single one was this weirdly gorgeous prick. “You’re probably the softest official I’ve ever met. No wait, you’re one of two officials I’ve met. The other being elf dick. I usually don’t ‘meet’ anyone politically important.”

“You’re from mountains?” There was a curious lilt to his voice, with all the awe of a man who really was far too trusting of a stranger who’d fallen through his window.

“Sad and lonely orphan blah blah blah and now here I am, assassin and spy for hire. Why ask about mountains though? Wait- you’ve never seen mountains have you? I guess you wouldn’t have a lot of time to travel when you’re hanging out in libraries.” This was easily the most he had talked to someone in a while without needing anything. Min-jun was surprised he was capable of speaking openly. Nah that was just the void of authority in the room.

“I think,” said softer, breaking eye contact to set a bookmark in his most recent text (an Elvish history of their own ruling family), closing the book and standing, “that I am a man who is exhausted by a war I had no hand in. I have had enough arguing. If you so wish to speak, it can be done politely.” He hoped that such arrangements could be made for the morning, but he didn’t want to be lectured for putting things off in addition to what he’d already heard. “Over tea is preferable, unless you have other business here, assassin.” Of course, if that was true, Hadi would call for his guards - he wasn’t about to have a criminal wandering city streets and creating chaos. 

Min-jun swung his legs absentmindedly off the edge and looked back at Hadi. Why couldn’t he ever get a short target. Like a stodgy mean baron or whatever but no nearly every single one was this weirdly gorgeous prick. “You’re probably the softest official I’ve ever met. No wait, you’re one of two officials I’ve met. The other being elf dick. I usually don’t ‘meet’ anyone politically important.”

It wasn’t long after that he spotted the library and the king sitting inside. Conveniently a window was ajar and Min-jun tread carefully towards it, hand at his side ready to grab one of his many blades. Then, he ungracefully slipped through the window and landed on his ass. “Shit, fuck me.” He looked up with his cheeked tinged with pink from pain and embarrassment, but mostly embarrassment, and quickly got up to his feet, looking for an escape.

Last time, the assassins had been a bit more careful in their attack. He recognized the threat, of course, scrambling to his feet with one hand on the table to keep his balance, alert, fearful, watching the man. Too aware of the knife tucked into his pocket and his absolute inability to defend himself with it. “I really really hope you aren’t here to kill me.” It’d just be awkward for the both of them. He’d seen the would-be attacker fall on his ass and the whole murder thing was supposed to be rather stealthy, wasn’t it? He could always scream to attract the guards in an instant, but for now, in this moment, he waited, heart fast in his chest. 

Min-jun saw some reflection of his own experiences in his target before him, though he kept his own more hidden. Clearly this was not the monster the shitty elf told him he was, he was a victim of war and violence and he was not taking it well. “You shouldn’t be hiding here. One, I had shitty intel and I found you, granted I’m good at my job but you’re still bad at hiding. Two, what royalty doesn’t have guards swarming the area? I don’t care if you’re trying to stay low I didn’t see a single guard. Three, grow a spine. I don’t see any fight in you. How are you going to fix anything if you’re just hopping from library to library in fear?”

“I am not hiding.” He was waiting. Studying. His words defensive, after this man had so thought to dig into him. “There are guards nearby.” And perhaps he needed more if this was how easy it was for rogue assassins to tumble into the place. Constructive criticism he would accept from the man who fell through his window. But the last point he made, Hadi’s gaze grew cold, voice stronger though his hands still shook where they rested on the desk, “I am trying. I do have a spine and I am working on peace. I am not afraid.” What a lie that was. But a king could never admit otherwise.

“Stop giving me weak answers, I don’t have any intention of killing you. You are responsible for your kingdom, so do more than hide and wait- you’re just giving the enemy the easiest time manipulating who you are. There are people in the other kingdom who genuinely believes that you’re a worse king than their own and fight because of that. People don’t know who you are so tell me, who do you think you are?” Okay so maybe he was being a little too aggressive about it but he wanted to seize the opportunity. It’s not everyday that you get to yell at a king.

It wasn’t long after that he spotted the library and the king sitting inside. Conveniently a window was ajar and Min-jun tread carefully towards it, hand at his side ready to grab one of his many blades. Then, he ungracefully slipped through the window and landed on his ass. “Shit, fuck me.” He looked up with his cheeked tinged with pink from pain and embarrassment, but mostly embarrassment, and quickly got up to his feet, looking for an escape.

Last time, the assassins had been a bit more careful in their attack. He recognized the threat, of course, scrambling to his feet with one hand on the table to keep his balance, alert, fearful, watching the man. Too aware of the knife tucked into his pocket and his absolute inability to defend himself with it. “I really really hope you aren’t here to kill me.” It’d just be awkward for the both of them. He’d seen the would-be attacker fall on his ass and the whole murder thing was supposed to be rather stealthy, wasn’t it? He could always scream to attract the guards in an instant, but for now, in this moment, he waited, heart fast in his chest. 

Min-jun saw some reflection of his own experiences in his target before him, though he kept his own more hidden. Clearly this was not the monster the shitty elf told him he was, he was a victim of war and violence and he was not taking it well. “You shouldn’t be hiding here. One, I had shitty intel and I found you, granted I’m good at my job but you’re still bad at hiding. Two, what royalty doesn’t have guards swarming the area? I don’t care if you’re trying to stay low I didn’t see a single guard. Three, grow a spine. I don’t see any fight in you. How are you going to fix anything if you’re just hopping from library to library in fear?”

It wasn’t long after that he spotted the library and the king sitting inside. Conveniently a window was ajar and Min-jun tread carefully towards it, hand at his side ready to grab one of his many blades. Then, he ungracefully slipped through the window and landed on his ass. “Shit, fuck me.” He looked up with his cheeked tinged with pink from pain and embarrassment, but mostly embarrassment, and quickly got up to his feet, looking for an escape.

Last time, the assassins had been a bit more careful in their attack. He recognized the threat, of course, scrambling to his feet with one hand on the table to keep his balance, alert, fearful, watching the man. Too aware of the knife tucked into his pocket and his absolute inability to defend himself with it. “I really really hope you aren’t here to kill me.” It’d just be awkward for the both of them. He’d seen the would-be attacker fall on his ass and the whole murder thing was supposed to be rather stealthy, wasn’t it? He could always scream to attract the guards in an instant, but for now, in this moment, he waited, heart fast in his chest. 

Okay so he fucked up bad this time but now looking at this so called monster, Min-jun felt that his suspicions were correct. The man before him didn’t look like he was possible of any harm beyond harming himself. The king’s reaction was clumsy, more like someone who didn’t know how to fight nor had the heart to. But shit that fall hurt more than the last time he got in a serious fight, Maybe it was the wound to his pride.

They’d never been one for decorating, floors and walls bare save a rug in their bedroom, or for cleaning, evident in their scramble to set a half empty mug of now cold tea in the sink. The only attempt at making the space into a home was Quinn’s garden; potted plants set on the floor, shelves, tables, countertop - greenery blooming wherever it could find space to grow. “If the plants bother you I could move them.” Eager to please. Eager to pay this month’s rent.

Alvie knew that they’d get along ok in the end. She could already feel it. Plus, the apartment looked fairly hospitable despite the short notice. There was work and love put into this home and she was excited to start her new life here.