[ Relief washes over when the attention is pulled off from him, leaving him with a dissonant feeling of listlessness mixed in. He likes the praise, the compliments, the offers, but he also felt suffocated. With only a little curiosity, Doyoon cranes his neck to try to get a peek before the noblemen make a path.
Blinking slowly, he doesn’t recognize the face or the voice that calls his name immediately. It takes him a moment, lips twitching from nerves alight—then it hits him. It’s the familiar, warm color of Kyuhyuk’s eyes that almost coaxes his name from Doyoon’s mouth.
But he catches himself. To talk to royalty casually in front of the council and noble families would mean the end of him. Lips press tighter before he answers in practiced tone and a bow. ]
... My lord.
[ Doyoon reels himself back, squashing those memories of the past. The man before him is no longer the weepy boy he would protect. Instead, Kyuhyuk has grown—even reigning a couple of centimeters taller... Then carrying the title of lord.
Doyoon never knew. He only ever saw Kyuhyuk as a commoner child just like him and wanted a playmate. ]
It’s good to see you’re well.
[ This is So Awkward. The questions are still coming—“So you two know each other! How?” Doyoon frowns, hesitating to answer because he knows there can be consequences to what he chooses to say and not say. ]
It's normal, and yet those words leaving Doyoon's mouth sound so foreign to him; accompanied by a deeper voice, and yet still familiar enough to make Kyuhyuk even more certain that it's him. Heart skipping a pathetic beat as finally being able to see the top of the other's head makes his skin threaten to flush. Having to steel himself to save face, but to especially keep from embarrassing Doyoon after having already called out to him so informally.
He hesitates, eyes burrowing into them both with curiosity. He's familiarized himself enough with the people surrounding them -- wanting to dig into every little detail of another person's life for the chance of ruining their reputation. Kyuhyuk holds so little trust with all these people that he instinctively reverts back to the withdrawn lord they've come to expect. ]
You as well. [ He begins, taking steps closer before he gestures toward elsewhere -- it's no where special, but it's a private corner in the estate leading out to the gardens. ] Would you follow me for a moment? There's something I'd like to discuss.
[ Doyoon nods and says his goodbyes to all of his possible sponsors, excusing himself with polite words, deep bows, and throwing Inha under the bus as someone they can inquire when she returns as he tapers back to Kyuhyuk's trail. Finally, he can relax, but those nerves reverb again as he assesses this new situation. Yes, he knows Kyuhyuk personally. Yes, he only has had fond memories of their childhood, but... That boy isn't the same as the man walking in front of him.
He keeps his eyes on the ground, chasing after the other man's heels, rather than taking in the sights of the royal gardens. Once he musters enough courage, he ends the silence and lifts his head. ]
... What is it you would like to discuss, your highness?
[ His heart is beating fast and, if anything, he feels like he's sweating even more than before. The crowd of strangers is one thing, but he's stuck between thinking Kyuhyuk wanted some privacy so they can catch up or... This is just business.
Or did he offend him somehow? He doesn't know??? Stay calm, Doyoon. ]
[ They're on their own, away from the crowds, and he's certain no one with a curious ear is trying to listen in on their conversation -- at least he hopes not.
Kyuhyuk lifts a hand, and then realizes of just how distant that seems. Like a true lord speaking to a commoner, silencing him them from saying any more, even if it is just Doyoon asking a question. ]
There's no need to speak so formally. We're alone now, Doyoon-ssi...
[ Sorry if that sounds ominous he's really not trying to come off that way. ]
[ Doyoon straightens up even more when Kyuhyuk raises his hand, staying quiet like a good commoner as his lord speaks to him. His lips press together as he scans the other man's expression—it's a genuine ask and pulls at him not to disobey, higher status or not.
For a second, he tilts his head to see if maybe a different angle would make him think differently. No, no. He can't mistake the hue of those eyes and the way his lashes frame them. Quietly, like he's scared of being wrong: ]
... Kyuhyuk?
[ No honorifics, just his name like they were kids. Please, ancestors, help him. ]
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no subject
Blinking slowly, he doesn’t recognize the face or the voice that calls his name immediately. It takes him a moment, lips twitching from nerves alight—then it hits him. It’s the familiar, warm color of Kyuhyuk’s eyes that almost coaxes his name from Doyoon’s mouth.
But he catches himself. To talk to royalty casually in front of the council and noble families would mean the end of him. Lips press tighter before he answers in practiced tone and a bow. ]
... My lord.
[ Doyoon reels himself back, squashing those memories of the past. The man before him is no longer the weepy boy he would protect. Instead, Kyuhyuk has grown—even reigning a couple of centimeters taller... Then carrying the title of lord.
Doyoon never knew. He only ever saw Kyuhyuk as a commoner child just like him and wanted a playmate. ]
It’s good to see you’re well.
[ This is So Awkward. The questions are still coming—“So you two know each other! How?” Doyoon frowns, hesitating to answer because he knows there can be consequences to what he chooses to say and not say. ]
no subject
It's normal, and yet those words leaving Doyoon's mouth sound so foreign to him; accompanied by a deeper voice, and yet still familiar enough to make Kyuhyuk even more certain that it's him. Heart skipping a pathetic beat as finally being able to see the top of the other's head makes his skin threaten to flush. Having to steel himself to save face, but to especially keep from embarrassing Doyoon after having already called out to him so informally.
He hesitates, eyes burrowing into them both with curiosity. He's familiarized himself enough with the people surrounding them -- wanting to dig into every little detail of another person's life for the chance of ruining their reputation. Kyuhyuk holds so little trust with all these people that he instinctively reverts back to the withdrawn lord they've come to expect. ]
You as well. [ He begins, taking steps closer before he gestures toward elsewhere -- it's no where special, but it's a private corner in the estate leading out to the gardens. ] Would you follow me for a moment? There's something I'd like to discuss.
[ Ugh... business... ]
no subject
He keeps his eyes on the ground, chasing after the other man's heels, rather than taking in the sights of the royal gardens. Once he musters enough courage, he ends the silence and lifts his head. ]
... What is it you would like to discuss, your highness?
[ His heart is beating fast and, if anything, he feels like he's sweating even more than before. The crowd of strangers is one thing, but he's stuck between thinking Kyuhyuk wanted some privacy so they can catch up or... This is just business.
Or did he offend him somehow? He doesn't know??? Stay calm, Doyoon. ]
no subject
Kyuhyuk lifts a hand, and then realizes of just how distant that seems. Like a true lord speaking to a commoner, silencing him them from saying any more, even if it is just Doyoon asking a question. ]
There's no need to speak so formally. We're alone now, Doyoon-ssi...
[ Sorry if that sounds ominous he's really not trying to come off that way. ]
Do you... happen to remember who I am?
no subject
For a second, he tilts his head to see if maybe a different angle would make him think differently. No, no. He can't mistake the hue of those eyes and the way his lashes frame them. Quietly, like he's scared of being wrong: ]
... Kyuhyuk?
[ No honorifics, just his name like they were kids. Please, ancestors, help him. ]