Night's Melody (YangJin)

((This was QUITE the challenge. I men, I'm used to writing the ass-ristocrat as the loser he is who needs a butt-whooping. But hey, that's just cause that's the way Kang Im created him, so support this musical bastard and the rest of the TAL cast in the original webtoon on Naver))

The air was frigid, but it wasn't anything Yangban wasn't used to.

It was winter, after all. The air grew colder as the environment rested for a few months. The aristocrat lived in the Jiri Mountains, where there was no modern accommodations such as heaters. Warmth came from the hot springs deep inside the earth, dug out by his students to create the living quarters they'd occupy while learning from him.

As such, he had no problems with staying outside as the noisy riffraff inside the house clamored about with Miss Ara.

A door opened, and light suddenly spilled onto his lap.

"...Do you mean to disturb me?"

A sheepish noise, like a youth's chuckle. "A-Actually, Yangban-Nim, I, uhm..." He turned his head to see the Second Kingling, holding a steaming mug on a tray as he walked towards the aristocrat TAL. "I, uh, made you some tea. It's cold out and well, I didn't want you to feel unwelcome after, uh, after that..."

After the unpleasantness that was him arriving to a house full of scum. As well as the pretend doctor setting off for what should've been a long journey, only to return that night utterly devoid of any drive. Not even enough to argue with the aristocrat.

"...At least you have manners."

Yangban knew the Second had fully been against taking in any more houseguests, but Yangban was higher than anyone in the house, except for Miss Ara. And now with hierarchy established, the Second King was willing to attempt peaceful gestures to be in his good graces. A smart child in that, but dumb in everything else.

The tea was steeped perfectly, to his surprise, the flavor rich but not overpowering. It was simple green tea, another surprise. "You have very poor taste."

"Ahaha, well, I'm a highschool student. I can't really afford much on my own, but I don't like asking Hyung for help." The Second King's smile twitched a bit, tough Yangban's sharp eyes could tell he was cold. "Uhm...Actually, Yangban-Nim? I...I was wondering if I could listen to your playing for a bit."

His eyebrow raised elegantly.

"Well...I used to listen to music with Granny, but she died several months ago. When I heard you playing the other night, I felt like I was put at ease by hearing it, since your playing is a lot like the kind of music she and I would hear on the radio." The Second was rubbing his arms together for warmth. "And...everyone seems uneasy right now, so..."

The aristocrat eyed him. Then, calmly, took up his flute from his sleeve.

He was aware of the young King sitting down with the cup between them as Yangban played a soft melody, the night air reverberating gently with the notes. Music had always been his ability's favorite outlet, and was an elegant power all its own.

The chatter in the house faded away to silence, though not an uneasy one. The Second King had shut his eyes and his head was tilted at a slight angle as he listened. In the darkness of night, the lightly red-pink sheen of his hair had become a much darker red, and the bags Yangban had noticed under the young King's eyes were more pronounced.

The wind changed direction, blowing tea-scented steam into the aristocrat's face.

He eventually lost track of playing, his breathing used to decades of extended play. His own eyes had shut, the serenity of the house undisturbed as his flute filled the air with calming notes. It wasn't at all like the mountains he called home, where his sounds reached deep into natural chasms that rang with music when he and his students practiced. The sound was in a small space that seem to saturate with his tones.

The door opened again, but the lights had been turned out. "Chun Ryang? My Dear?" The Beu Ne called softly. "It's nearly midnight. You should come in and rest."

"Ah! Sorry!" The Second King startled as Yangban lowered his instrument. "Thank you, Yangban-Nim, for playing so- The tea!"

The mug looked as cold as the night.

"I-I'm sorry. I can heat up a new-"

Yangban stood up, and lightly brushed his bangs away from his face. "No need, Second. I enjoyed it as well." The aristocrat then lifted his hand away from Yu Jin's beet red face, and calmly strolled into the house.