NAM WOOHYUN

When Woohyun decided to ask for Sunggyu's help finding sunflowers, it was because he could tell that Sunggyu was competent. From behind his window, he oftentimes saw Sunggyu helping his father in the garden, doing various tasks; watering the plants, weeding the flower beds, or climbing trees to pick ripe apples. Sunggyu could do everything. And Woohyun was right! Just a few hours ago Sunggyu said he didn't know how they could travel to Wall Rose, but in the afternoon Sunggyu suddenly climbed into Woohyun's room through the open window, saying that they could go tonight.

"Right after dinner we'll depart," said Sunggyu, panting. His cheeks were red and his face was wet with sweat. It was evident that he'd ran all his way back to the Nams' manor. "Don't be late, I'll be waiting at the corner of the street near my house."

"I don't know where your house is," Woohyun snorted.

"Ah, right," Sunggyu groaned. "Then, how about near the big clock tower?"

Woohyun shook his head.

"Young Master Nam doesn't know?" Sunggyu uttered, restraining himself from shouting. "Young Master doesn't know the biggest clock tower in the district? The tower that is so high, Young Master could see it from afar?!"

When Woohyun only stared at him with no reply, Sunggyu sighed. "Alright, listen well. Once Young Master steps outside the house gate, walk down the main street, and don't take any turns. Right after the old church, turn left until Young Master sees a very big clock tower. Just wait around there, I'll come to Young Master."

Woohyun nodded.

"Good. Now I have to go home, see you tonight." Sunggyu then poked his head out from the window, and after he was sure there was no one around he climbed out. Unfortunately, he tripped over the window frame, launching himself out the window head first, and eliciting a squeal from his throat.

The noise startled Woohyun and he ran to his window. "Yah, are you alright?" he asked, sticking out his head.

"Hehehe… it's alright, fortunately the flowers below this window haven't been planted yet, so I didn't squash them," Sunggyu responded, chuckling.

Sunggyu was already in a sitting position, his face smeared with soil here and there, but otherwise alright. There wasn’t the slightest expression of pain on his face, and he was grinning widely; Woohyun was stunned.

Sunggyu always smiled. Or at least the Sunggyu Woohyun watched from behind the window was always smiling. Even when the day was scorching Sunggyu would be wearing a bright expression, patiently tending the flowers, never forgetting to water every single one. Sunggyu also smiled at the other workers who occasionally passed by. Sometimes the wind would even carry his cheerful whistling to the study room. But the Sunggyu in front of Woohyun always had a worried look on his, his brows constantly furrowed. That afternoon was the first time Sunggyu smiled directly at Woohyun, and Woohyun could feel the warmth seeping into his chest. It felt great when someone smiled at him. It felt great when Sunggyu smiled at him.

The corners of Woohyun's lips slowly rose, forming a small smile. Sadly, Sunggyu had left a long time ago, the only thing that remained was the cold ground he'd stumbled over.

Woohyun closed his window and turned away.

Dinner was the only time when all the members of the Nams gathered, minus Boohyun, of course, who since graduating from his military training had been living in the Capital as a military police officer in charge of protecting the King and his family. Only occasionally could Boohyun come home, typically when there’s a holiday. Those days when Boohyun is home are when Woohyun is the happiest. Boohyun accompanies him all day, and with Boohyun playing with him Woohyun forgets that he was ever lonely in the first place. When Boohyun has to leave and return to do his duty, Woohyun can’t refrain from crying, whining in an attempt to keep Boohyun with him. Boohyun always hugs him tightly and promises to come home more often, before leaving.

When Boohyun isn’t around, Woohyun is all alone, left to spend his time inside, reading the numerous books kept in the study. Mr. Nam is too busy with his work, gone from early in the morning until the sun sets. As for Mrs. Nam, forget her, she can’t even stand being in the same room as Woohyun. The only reason she sits together at the dining table is because Mr. Nam forces her to be there.

"A letter from Boohyun arrived this morning," Mrs. Nam suddenly said.

"Oh really? How's that kid?" Mr. Nam asked.

Woohyun raised his face from the soup he was enjoying, tuning into his parents’ conversation for the news from Boohyun.

Mrs. Nam wiped her lips with a napkin before she continued, her voice full of pride. "Boohyun is being promoted next month. Isn't our son the best? He's still young, yet he will have quite a high position soon."

"That's good," praised Mr. Nam shortly.

Mrs. Nam glanced at her husband. "What's wrong with you? You don't sound happy with the news."

Mr. Nam sighed, putting his spoon next to his bowl. "No, I'm happy he got promoted. It’s just… I'm afraid his friends will be jealous over his rapid career."

"Boohyun will be fine," countered Mrs. Nam. "He's friendly, and his friends would definitely understand since he’s so smart. He also works hard, so he was worthy of his promotion and high position. If you want to be afraid, just worry about this son of yours," replied Mrs. Nam nodding her chin toward Woohyun.

Woohyun quickly averted his eyes, looking down at the table. Even though he always stays silent, Mrs. Nam has no problem listing his mistakes one by one. It felt so unfair, Mrs. Nam loves Boohyun very much but she is always cold toward Woohyun.

"What's wrong now?" Mr. Nam inquired, knitting his eyebrows.

"Once again he argued with his teacher. If his teacher resigns, I won't find him another substitute again. He thinks he's clever, always disputing and rebelling against his teacher," Mrs. Nam grumbled.

Woohyun pouted. Ever day after his study session in the morning finished, his teacher would report his progress to Mrs. Nam. If he got good grade Mrs. Nam wouldn't say anything, but every time there was a slight mistake or a bad comment about him, Mrs. Nam would definitely scold him.

"Woohyun," said Mr. Nam, sighing, "you have to obey your teacher. You count, how many times you've switch tutors. Don't you get bored with rebelling against your teacher?”

"I was not rebelling," Woohyun tried to defend himself. "I just asked him how people in the past built Wall Maria, Wall Rose and Wall Sina. How did they manage to build such thick, tall and strong walls? My teacher told me to read a very thick history book instead of answering me."

"Then, read the book," said Mr. Nam, patiently.

"I did," answered Woohyun. "But the method was never mentioned, so I asked my teacher again. But he got angry and accused me if not reading the book like he told me to. Father, do you know how the walls were built?"

Mr. Nam seemed to think for a moment. "I don't know, it happened more than a year ago, I don’t think anyone remembers the precise way. I think the walls were built over time, not in just one night. People worked hard to erect them. How about we promise each other, if one day I know the method I'll tell you, but if you know it before me, you have to tell me. Okay?"

Woohyun nodded. Sure, he didn't get an answer from Mr. Nam, but at least Mr. Nam clearly admitted that he didn't know, unlike his arrogant teacher.

"Because you've promised me, now you have to study diligently and listen to your teacher," said Mr. Nam, advising his son.

Mrs. Nam snorted, still looking fed-up. She folded her napkin and raised from her seat. "At any rate, I won't find you a substitute teacher."

Woohyun really wanted to tell her that he didn't need such an arrogant teacher like the one tutoring him at the moment, who always boasted, telling people that he had a high intelligence and knew everything, yet couldn't answer Woohyun's questions. He almost said that he would prefer to study in Sunggyu's school as an alternative. But he quickly clamped his mouth shut since he wasn't sure if Sunggyu was going to school or not. Also, it was best if his parents didn’t know about Sunggyu, their meeting was supposed to be secret.

After dinner, Woohyun quickly returned to his bedroom. Once inside he pulled out the bag he had hidden under his bed. Earlier he had filled the bag with supplies like a blanket and some medicine. Woohyun also secretly took some food and bottles of water from the kitchen. After tying his shoes, and hooking the bag over his shoulders, Woohyun was ready to go. Actually, he could easily sneak out through the side door like he did when meeting Sunggyu in the old warehouse. Mr. and Mrs. Nam always rest in the study after dinner, and the maids would be in the kitchen having their dinner, no one would see him. But Woohyun was overflowing with adventurous spirit, he felt like he had to depart in more challenging way, so he copied Sunggyu's way, through the window.

Slowly Woohyun lifted his small body up to the window's frame and pushed himself out. He did it very carefully, not wanting to repeat Sunggyu’s mistake. Woohyun let out a soft cheer when his feet landed on the ground. Success!

But Woohyun couldn't celebrate his success for long, he had to go immediately. Bending forward, Woohyun walked along the walls of his house. When passing the windows of study room, Woohyun stopped for a while. He decided to peek inside, and he was right, just like usual Mr. and Mrs. Nam were there. Mr. Nam sat on the couch with a book in his lap and Mrs. Nam sat across from him, knitting. Occasionally they lifted their heads and smiled at each other. Woohyun stared at his parents with a longing look on his face, he also wanted to be inside, waned to sit on Mr. Nam's lap, wanted Mrs. Nam to smile at him, wanted them to listen to him telling them about his day. It felt warm inside the study with his parents sitting together.

The sudden sound of an owl snapped Woohyun out of his thoughts. He had to hurry. Woohyun threw one last glance at his parents before tightening his jacket around his body and running for the gate.

Just wait, he thought, after he brought the sunflowers back, after he brought Mrs. Nam her favorite flower she would smile at him and love him just like Boohyun.

The big clock tower that Sunggyu mentioned was indeed very big, Woohyun could easily see the high tower even before he took the turn after the old church. He sprinted to the tower, mildly panicking as he looked left and right for Sunggyu. That son of the gardener couldn't be seen anywhere. He was just a little late, right? Sunggyu wouldn’t abandon him, would he? Woohyun hoped he didn't go to the wrong place, what if there was another bigger clock tower? Woohyun never explored the district, he didn't know what building there were. Though, he had followed Sunggyu's directions properly, so it was impossible for him to end up in the wrong place.

Suddenly, rustling sounds could be heard from the bushes near the sidewalk, startling Woohyun. He jumped back, staring with wide eyes. Is is a cat? What if it’s a wild, mean dog? Woohyun squared off, ready to fly off if the thing that emerged was something scary. The bushes moved again and then a pair of feet appeared, followed by Sunggyu's face.

"Young Master Nam," Sunggyu shouted. His small eyes widened when he saw Woohyun's pose. "Wh--" Sunggyu stopped in the middle of his sentence, his expressing changing as he began to laugh. "Young Master, don't tell me, you were scared? Hahaha, it was just me."

Woohyun pouted, clearing his throat and straightening his back. "Y-yah, never show up in front of me like that anymore. I wasn’t scared, just surprised, and I don't like surprises," he retorted.

Sunggyu continued laughing and it angered Woohyun because Sunggyu was laughing at him. "Shut up," Woohyun barked. "Shut up this instant, and show me where we have to go."

"It's okay, calm down, Sungjong's family always has dinner later, we still have enough time," said Sunggyu in between his laughter that was slowly dying out.

"Sungjong? Who’s that?" Earlier in the afternoon, Sunggyu didn't tell Woohyun the details of their journey because of the limited time, so Woohyun knew nothing.

"Ah, just a friend of mine. We will ride in his father's cart. Come on, it's not far from here." With a smile in his face, Sunggyu reached for Woohyun's hand and started in the direction of Sungjong’s house.

Woohyun's eyes widened seeing his hand in Sunggyu's. It wasn't the first time they had held hands, Woohyun did hold Sunggyu's hand when they went to the old warehouse in the backyard. But at that time Woohyun did it with force, dragging Sunggyu to follow him. This time is different, Sunggyu is guiding him gently, his hand radiating warm against Woohyun’s.

Sunggyu turned his face, and he saw Woohyun was still staring at their connected hand. "Oh," Sunggyu released his grip on Woohyun's hand right away. "Sorry, Dongwoo used to hold my hand when we would walk together, so unknowingly I did the same to Young Master too. Sorry."

Woohyun opened his mouth, about to tell Sunggyu that he didn't mind, but Sunggyu had already turned around.

"Look, that's our transportation," said Sunggyu. He ran toward a cart that was attached to two horses. Woohyun tailed behind him, his now cold hand gripping the strap of his bag tightly.

Sunggyu climbed into the back of the wooden cart and instructed Woohyun to do the same. The cart wasn't very big and was filled with baggage, but there was still enough room for Sunggyu and him. Sunggyu crouched down in a gap between the two pieces of luggage and told Woohyun to sit beside him.

"Young Master, do you bring a blanket like I asked you to?"

Woohyun quickly pulled the blanket out of his bag and Sunggyu used it to cover both of them, pulling it over their heads.

"Now, hush and keep quiet, Let's pray that we won't be discovered in the middle of our journey," Sunggyu whispered in a low voice.

Woohyun glared at him. "When you said we were riding in the cart of your friend's father, I thought we had permission to do so!"

Sunggyu waved his hand. "Young Master really thought there would be someone who would give a ride to two kids who are leaving without their parents' consent? Moreover, didn't Young Master tell me to keep this journey a secret?"

Muffled sounds could be heard from outside the cart. Sunggyu put his finger on Woohyun's lips, telling him to not make a sound. Woohyun felt his heart beat quicken, afraid to get caught and have their journey fail before it even started. Luckily his fear didn't become a reality, slowly but surely the cart moved and they began their journey to find the sunflowers.

Beside him, Sunggyu smiled at Woohyun. Even in the dark under the blanket, Woohyun could see that Sunggyu's eyes were shining. This time Woohyun managed to return the smile.

beta by: Minsoph74