Ship/Member: Vernon/Seungkwan Major Tags: N/A Additional Tags: Royalty, Magicians, Possible Unrequited Love, Childhood Friends Permission to remix: Yes
*** After closing the spells and potions shop for the day, Vernon sank into one of the chairs and squeezed his eyes shut as Joshua approached him.
“Has Seungkwan messaged you recently?” Joshua’s question broke the steady beat of rain hitting the windows. Vernon’s nails pressed against his arm, forming dents in his skin.
“No.”
Vernon had a video for when he missed Seungkwan: in it, the Royal Magicians – the R7 – greeted the citizens with customary performances during the New Year’s Gala to welcome in the new year and good fortune. Seungkwan dreamily told him once while spinning around the store that it showed magic in its purest form. He abruptly switched to pacing on the well-worn wooden boards, rubbing his neck, and questioning the citizens’ opinions of the R7 at times. Puffing up his cheeks, he asked how a face like this could be uptight and scary. Vernon wished he could steal him away and bring him back to their hometown.
Minghao, the stylist for R7 that Vernon had a few opportunities to talk to in passing, loved the Gala as there were little outfit boundaries as the R7 didn’t need to dress as practically. Vernon grumbled that night about how Minghao was a little too skilled. At that party, his best friend wore a sparkling cropped jacket and leather pants with an added touch of a chunky gold and crystal choker. He was breathtaking, and Joshua and his coworker Dino laughed at him that night about his inability to focus on anything else. Realistically, that was his reaction more often than not when he was in a room with his sun.
Seungkwan had the codename Silvertongue as a magician who could manipulate with his voice: seduce (Vernon would never inquire any further into this), persuade, destroy, and heal to name a few. Healing Vernon after he fell off a tree was how they first met all those years ago in their small island after all. Seungkwan then smacked him on the side of the head and yelled at him to be more careful. When he found out that Vernon was only one month younger than him, the small Seungkwan decided that they would be best friends. They became inseparable, and their families held parties together. Vernon liked to think back on those memories of homemade food from Seungkwan’s mother, bad makeup attempts by sisters on both sides, and teasing from Seungkwan’s sisters.
One summer, an old R7 member on a trip passing through their island found out about Seungkwan’s skill. A week later, he was compulsorily summoned to the capital. Vernon hated that day, seeing the panic in his eyes as his family could not afford to come with him. Determined to protect his friend at all costs, Vernon left his roots and came to the capital with him at the age of 16.
Vernon had no skill for magic, but knew his path had to be one that stayed close to Seungkwan’s. Thus, he found himself learning potion making and spell writing from a low-profile but renowned teacher. In these early days, Seungkwan lied in his bed, drained from training, while Vernon would shoot sporadic questions about how he used spells and potions. It eventually put Seungkwan to sleep, so Vernon would tuck him into bed and sleep on the opposite edge of the bed. He would wake up with his Boo in his arms in the morning.
At the age of 20, Vernon started as an intern at Joshua’s shop. At the age of 20, Seungkwan entered the ranks of the R7, the youngest age anyone joined the group that once seemed to be fairytale to them. When Seungkwan ran into the shop to announce the news, Joshua eagerly told Vernon that he would be promoted to fulltime quickly if Seungkwan advertised their shop.
It came to be that Seungkwan was made for the capital with the fame and the power. He lived for the liveliness, knew how to be unphased and gracious in person, and vent secretly after at Vernon’s apartment. They finally were able to live on their own, so Seungkwan made Vernon’s place his second home. However, he’d turn down any offer to move in together.
Vernon shaped himself to survive the capital and protect his love. He found a small group of friends in Joshua, Dino, and other magicians he met at the shop. He knew how to distract Seungkwan with talks they had since they were young – the pets they wanted (Seungkwan wanted an ice dragon while Vernon would be content with a cat), the movies that came out recently (that actor was only good for his looks), and where they would travel together (if Seungkwan ever had time).
As Seungkwan found his footing in R7, his work brought him away more frequently from the capital and from Vernon. Traveling together became more a dream than a possibility. A silver-tongued magician made him perfect to be a spokesperson and represent the country in international affairs. Seungkwan started to dye his hair blonde, red, and all the wild colors to keep up with the latest fashions. Other governments took a liking to the nation’s darling, especially a certain Prince Moonbin. The Prince was only a few days younger than Seungkwan and was royalty with the ability to use magic. It was clear from the tabloid pictures that the Prince was enamored with Seungkwan - even Joshua noted that Moonbin looked at Seungkwan the same way Vernon did. Seeds of fear and doubt began to sprout as Seungkwan’s visits and texts petered out. There were at least never any mentions of the Prince.
Vernon could maintain a façade, but his feelings showed in his work. There were minor errors in the ingredient addition and the wording, leading to Joshua’s hair turning orange and Dino gaining claws. Joshua called Vernon into his office as a friend, but it didn’t end very well when Dino ran in with the latest news headline.
From Island Secret to Prince Consort?
Moonbin proposed to Seungkwan at the start of November. It would be a Christmas wedding if Seungkwan said yes. Commenters and citizens said he would be crazy if he didn’t accept. They would be a perfect power couple, and Vernon had to secretly agree.
But after almost two months, no one had an answer to whether the wedding was happening. No announcements from the governments on either side. Nothing from Seungkwan. Joshua bent down to remove Vernon’s hand from his arm and gave his hand a comforting squeeze.
“What are your plans for this Christmas?”
“Heading back home,” Vernon tersely answered, “Seungkwan’s family invited my family and me to a Christmas party.” It was the first time in 8 years that he could make the journey home. He didn’t know if it was healthy but having some part of Seungkwan back in his life for a fleeting moment was desirable. Joshua packed a basket of potions for the families and handed it to him with a soft smile.
“It will work out.”
The air taxi made quick work of the distance between the capital and his home. His sister greeted him with the tightest squeeze, and his mom hugged him with an inscrutable smile. Vernon, drained, gave a weak smile and headed to hide in his room.
“Remember, party tomorrow at the Boos 12 PM sharp.” His mom called out after him, “They’re looking forward to seeing you again.” Vernon robotically nodded.
The next day, Seungkwan’s sister Sojeong greeted them at the door.
“Vernon! You’ve grown so much, Seungkwan was right though you know he’s just jealous that you’re younger and taller than him,” Sojeong warmly welcomed them into the Boo’s lively household. As Vernon handed over the basket to Seungkwan’s mom, she thanked him and pulled him into the living room.
The ocean blue couch that hadn’t changed from childhood had an occupant with a cat. Seungkwan, with freshly cut black hair, was scratching the cat’s head as he sang a lullaby. His mother coughed to notify her son of their presence, and Vernon and Seungkwan’s eyes met after an uncharacteristic two months.
[FILL]
Major Tags: N/A
Additional Tags: Royalty, Magicians, Possible Unrequited Love, Childhood Friends
Permission to remix: Yes
***
After closing the spells and potions shop for the day, Vernon sank into one of the chairs and squeezed his eyes shut as Joshua approached him.
“Has Seungkwan messaged you recently?” Joshua’s question broke the steady beat of rain hitting the windows. Vernon’s nails pressed against his arm, forming dents in his skin.
“No.”
Vernon had a video for when he missed Seungkwan: in it, the Royal Magicians – the R7 – greeted the citizens with customary performances during the New Year’s Gala to welcome in the new year and good fortune. Seungkwan dreamily told him once while spinning around the store that it showed magic in its purest form. He abruptly switched to pacing on the well-worn wooden boards, rubbing his neck, and questioning the citizens’ opinions of the R7 at times. Puffing up his cheeks, he asked how a face like this could be uptight and scary. Vernon wished he could steal him away and bring him back to their hometown.
Minghao, the stylist for R7 that Vernon had a few opportunities to talk to in passing, loved the Gala as there were little outfit boundaries as the R7 didn’t need to dress as practically. Vernon grumbled that night about how Minghao was a little too skilled. At that party, his best friend wore a sparkling cropped jacket and leather pants with an added touch of a chunky gold and crystal choker. He was breathtaking, and Joshua and his coworker Dino laughed at him that night about his inability to focus on anything else. Realistically, that was his reaction more often than not when he was in a room with his sun.
Seungkwan had the codename Silvertongue as a magician who could manipulate with his voice: seduce (Vernon would never inquire any further into this), persuade, destroy, and heal to name a few. Healing Vernon after he fell off a tree was how they first met all those years ago in their small island after all. Seungkwan then smacked him on the side of the head and yelled at him to be more careful. When he found out that Vernon was only one month younger than him, the small Seungkwan decided that they would be best friends. They became inseparable, and their families held parties together. Vernon liked to think back on those memories of homemade food from Seungkwan’s mother, bad makeup attempts by sisters on both sides, and teasing from Seungkwan’s sisters.
One summer, an old R7 member on a trip passing through their island found out about Seungkwan’s skill. A week later, he was compulsorily summoned to the capital. Vernon hated that day, seeing the panic in his eyes as his family could not afford to come with him. Determined to protect his friend at all costs, Vernon left his roots and came to the capital with him at the age of 16.
Vernon had no skill for magic, but knew his path had to be one that stayed close to Seungkwan’s. Thus, he found himself learning potion making and spell writing from a low-profile but renowned teacher. In these early days, Seungkwan lied in his bed, drained from training, while Vernon would shoot sporadic questions about how he used spells and potions. It eventually put Seungkwan to sleep, so Vernon would tuck him into bed and sleep on the opposite edge of the bed. He would wake up with his Boo in his arms in the morning.
At the age of 20, Vernon started as an intern at Joshua’s shop. At the age of 20, Seungkwan entered the ranks of the R7, the youngest age anyone joined the group that once seemed to be fairytale to them. When Seungkwan ran into the shop to announce the news, Joshua eagerly told Vernon that he would be promoted to fulltime quickly if Seungkwan advertised their shop.
It came to be that Seungkwan was made for the capital with the fame and the power. He lived for the liveliness, knew how to be unphased and gracious in person, and vent secretly after at Vernon’s apartment. They finally were able to live on their own, so Seungkwan made Vernon’s place his second home. However, he’d turn down any offer to move in together.
Vernon shaped himself to survive the capital and protect his love. He found a small group of friends in Joshua, Dino, and other magicians he met at the shop. He knew how to distract Seungkwan with talks they had since they were young – the pets they wanted (Seungkwan wanted an ice dragon while Vernon would be content with a cat), the movies that came out recently (that actor was only good for his looks), and where they would travel together (if Seungkwan ever had time).
As Seungkwan found his footing in R7, his work brought him away more frequently from the capital and from Vernon. Traveling together became more a dream than a possibility. A silver-tongued magician made him perfect to be a spokesperson and represent the country in international affairs. Seungkwan started to dye his hair blonde, red, and all the wild colors to keep up with the latest fashions. Other governments took a liking to the nation’s darling, especially a certain Prince Moonbin. The Prince was only a few days younger than Seungkwan and was royalty with the ability to use magic. It was clear from the tabloid pictures that the Prince was enamored with Seungkwan - even Joshua noted that Moonbin looked at Seungkwan the same way Vernon did. Seeds of fear and doubt began to sprout as Seungkwan’s visits and texts petered out. There were at least never any mentions of the Prince.
Vernon could maintain a façade, but his feelings showed in his work. There were minor errors in the ingredient addition and the wording, leading to Joshua’s hair turning orange and Dino gaining claws. Joshua called Vernon into his office as a friend, but it didn’t end very well when Dino ran in with the latest news headline.
From Island Secret to Prince Consort?
Moonbin proposed to Seungkwan at the start of November. It would be a Christmas wedding if Seungkwan said yes. Commenters and citizens said he would be crazy if he didn’t accept. They would be a perfect power couple, and Vernon had to secretly agree.
But after almost two months, no one had an answer to whether the wedding was happening. No announcements from the governments on either side. Nothing from Seungkwan.
Joshua bent down to remove Vernon’s hand from his arm and gave his hand a comforting squeeze.
“What are your plans for this Christmas?”
“Heading back home,” Vernon tersely answered, “Seungkwan’s family invited my family and me to a Christmas party.” It was the first time in 8 years that he could make the journey home. He didn’t know if it was healthy but having some part of Seungkwan back in his life for a fleeting moment was desirable. Joshua packed a basket of potions for the families and handed it to him with a soft smile.
“It will work out.”
The air taxi made quick work of the distance between the capital and his home. His sister greeted him with the tightest squeeze, and his mom hugged him with an inscrutable smile. Vernon, drained, gave a weak smile and headed to hide in his room.
“Remember, party tomorrow at the Boos 12 PM sharp.” His mom called out after him, “They’re looking forward to seeing you again.” Vernon robotically nodded.
The next day, Seungkwan’s sister Sojeong greeted them at the door.
“Vernon! You’ve grown so much, Seungkwan was right though you know he’s just jealous that you’re younger and taller than him,” Sojeong warmly welcomed them into the Boo’s lively household. As Vernon handed over the basket to Seungkwan’s mom, she thanked him and pulled him into the living room.
The ocean blue couch that hadn’t changed from childhood had an occupant with a cat. Seungkwan, with freshly cut black hair, was scratching the cat’s head as he sang a lullaby. His mother coughed to notify her son of their presence, and Vernon and Seungkwan’s eyes met after an uncharacteristic two months.