“ My dear, I promise that I will come back for you. I will be safe, and we will be together. “ 

 

 

The simple promise that kept Kim Jongwoon waiting for a year since his lover left. Choi Siwon, one of the king’s strongest generals had left to war since last year, left his lover behind waiting for him everyday. He planned to retire and leave the palace to be with Jongwoon after they won this war, and that became Siwon’s biggest push to survive everyday.

 

“ Hyung, it’s cold outside, please come in. “ Taller man put a blanket over Jongwoon’s fragile body as he helped the man walking inside from looking at the stars.

 

“ Sorry, Kyuhyun. The sky is clear tonight and the stars are shining beautifully, I hope Siwon would get to see such view from his side too. You know your brother loves gazing at the stars. “ Kyuhyun poured a cup of warm tea for his friend and chuckled 

 

“ More like he’s obsessed with the stars, he studied them and would talk to people until they leave him. No one other than you could handle him. “ Kyuhyun’s complained about his step brother jokingly 

 

“ We do share a lot of interest. Siwon is always passionate about his hobbies and new challenge. That’s what I like about him. I miss talking to him... “ His bright smile suddenly fell... it has been so long since he last seen his lover. Jongwoon heard the war became worse than expected and that got him worried everyday for his lover’s safety.

 

“ Hyung, he will be okay. You should just take care of yourself, you lost too much weight and you got sick too often now... “ Kyuhyun comforted his friend. He was worried because he knew Jongwoon had been fragile since they were kids but recently since Siwon left to war, Jongwoon couldn’t sleep and eat well and his health declined drastically 

 

“ I trust him. I believe he will keep his promise and come back to my arms. “ Jongwoon tried to smile. He believed in Siwon and he also kept praying for his safety everyday 

 

“ and you have to be healthy because hyung would be upset if he comes back to see you sick. Drink the medicine and go to bed. “ The younger offer the dark liquid medicine in a bowl to Jongwoon as the older nodded and forced himself to swallow the bitter liquid until the bowl was empty. 

 

He knew Siwon out there was fighting to get back to him and he had to do the same too. He just wished he wasn’t this weak and fragile, he would be fighting by Siwon and his father’s side if it wasn’t for this body.

 

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Young Jongwoon left a long sigh as he walked away from where he secretly watched and admire his father teaching young chosen kids to prepare for them to enter the palace. General Kim Youngwoon was known as one of the most powerful man during that era and he was responsible for training the next generation of talented and strong kid to protect the nation. His oldest son, however, unfortunately was born with weak body that could barely survive any disease. Jongwoon was sick a lot and despite his passion to be like his father, that would not be possible, it would just be an unreachable dream for the young teen. He could only watched them from a distance that his father wouldn’t notice and got his heart broken that he could never be one of those kids.

 

The teen walked to the lotus pond far from the training room so that he could take a deep breath and admire the nature instead. 

 

“ Why am I so useless, Ddangkkoma? Why can’t I be like them? I want to be a fighter too. “ he sighed and talked to the big tortoise nearby the pond that his family had raised for years. Jongwoon didn’t have a lot of friend because his parents didn’t want him to leave their house, they were afraid something could happen to him and he couldn’t blame them, he could only blame himself for being weak.

 

“ Why was I born when I had to be this weak...? “

 

“ You don’t have to be a fighter to be strong. “ A stranger’s voice startled Jongwoon that he almost fall to the water if it wasn’t for a pair of strong arms caught him on time 

 

“ Careful! “ the boy clearly younger than him told him in soft and gentle voice before letting him go 

 

“ W-Who...? “ Jongwoon knew this boy wasn’t one of his father’s students because he watched them train almost everyday if he wasn’t in bed being ill

 

“ Ah, sorry for being rude. My name is Choi Siwon, and I am starting to train here with general Kim starting tomorrow. “ the boy showed him the cutest smile with dimples showed on both cheeks which was so charming that Jongwoon swore he felt his heart beating irregularly when he stared too long 

 

“ I— I see... “

 

“ I know you, Kim Jongwoon. “ Siwon pointed at the older teen who looked at him with widened eyes 

 

“ Me? “

 

“ Yes! I heard about you from my father and mother! There were words going around about the Kim family having a talented daughter who had never showed her face to the world outside before but she possessed amazing talent to recreate high quality clothes that was even gifted to the princess and my dear mother. “ Siwon’s words made Jongwoon frown

 

“ They said I’m a girl? “ 

 

“ it’s just a silly rumor ! Don’t worry about it! “ the younger quickly denied

 

“ I don’t mind. I guess people think only girls should do these kind of pretty things. I like pretty things as much as I wished I could be a fighter like my father. “ Jongwoon sat down and ignored Siwon by playing the water with the tip of his finger 

 

“ Girls or Boys, sewing or fighting, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are talented and your works are gorgeous. “ Siwon sat beside him, looking at the gorgeous profile of sulking Jongwoon

 

“ I am weak. I’m trapped in this body that couldn’t even go out like other kids. “ 

 

“ Hey, you are not. You don’t have to be physically strong to be called strong. “ Jongwoon’s eyes moved to look at the younger 

 

“ What do you mean? “

 

“ strength comes from different way. In your case, you create beautiful clothes and with a needle, not everyone could do that and it’s your strength. “ Siwon looked serious when he said that and while Jongwoon felt touched, he decided to hide his embarrassment by laughing 

 

“ You are weird. “

 

“ I guess I am. “ Siwon laughed along with him before the boy introduced him to the big tortoise in front of them.

 

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“ Siwon. “ A strong voice shook Siwon from spacing out while looking at a torn painting of Jongwoon. He quickly rolled the drawing and kept it back safely as if the one treasure he would risk his life to protect there. 

 

“ General Kim. “ He stood up to bow to the older general which was also his mentor. The older man nodded as he entered Siwon’s t