Time seems to stretch between them. The air crackles with unspoken words, bridges waiting to be crossed, and stories yearning to be shared.

Jh has so many stories to share, stories he could never write in his monthly letters to his old man and his hyungs.

“Yes. I'm home, Hj hyung.”

He is close enough to see the relief in their dark, almond-shaped eyes, roving over his form, assessing him.

“Jh-ya, you're back.”

A tiny figure waits at the open main door, looking around as if searching for someone. When the pair of eyes finally land on him, the figure straightens themselves, brushing at their robes of expensive silk, never breaking eye contact as Jh moves closer.

He pushes along familiar roads leading up to the gates of Verdigris House, taking in the sights and scents of the place he grew up in. A wave of emotions crashes over him, threatening to sweep him under.

He’s back. He’s really back.

Jh gets off when the carriage stops right before the red light district. The driver looks at him suspiciously, but Jh ignores him as he unloads his belongings. The man’s already been paid to drive him to his destination, there's no need to tell him why he's going there.

He looks out of the carriage windows as he takes in the familiar sights along the streets. It's as busy as he remembers, the hustle and bustle bringing life to this part of the town that is as familiar as it is nostalgic. It is the place he grew up, and little has changed.

+ but he says nothing. Jh wishes to kick his non-existent balls, if not for the warning look from his attendant.

“Take care of yourself, Jh-ya,” the Scarlet Consort says, smiling gently. Jh holds his breath as they kiss his forehead, a blessing of sorts, and tries not to flinch. It would be rude.

Now he has to leave all of that behind. But life must go on. At least he still has a home to go to, he can take over his old man’s duties and visit his hyungs at Verdigris House.

On the day of his departure, he bids the Scarlet Wing farewell. Mg is also there, lush lips set in a grim line, +

The handmaidens treat him well and he gets to eat good food, perform his chores and keep his head low while avoiding Palace politics. His pay is better too, as a poison-tester is always at high risk of death.

The thrill of the job is exhilarating, if not for that interfering Head Eunuch.

The bandits are arrested, the contract is void, and he doesn’t have to pay them a token sum out of his salary anymore.

Jh should have been relieved. Yet he finds himself reluctant to move as he slowly packs his belongings. He’s grown to like his master, the Scarlet Consort.

I was so confused, is he acting as an assistant manager in an IT company or an intern in an electronics company? They're completely different yanno 🤣