Work Text:
1446, Joseon Dynasty
Jeonghan doesn’t know what he did in his previous life to deserve his master.
The Hong Family is nice, but the most generous is their only son. Hong Jisoo is nothing but a gentleman. The soft spoken scholar is humorous. His face? Oh, Jeonghan is willing to bet that even some male servants are fascinated by the charming smile.
Including him, but please never tell a soul.
The said master is now busy in the family library. Jeonghan quietly makes his present known.
“Apologies, My Lord. Are you requesting tea?”
“Ah, Jeonghanie, please close the door. Would you like to join me for a bit?”
The thing is Hong Jisoo is not only his master.
It started with a lingering stare, then some subtle touches. It took awhile until Jeonghan confronted him, which led into an intense kiss. Since then, they would act like lovers whenever circumstances allowed.
Jeonghan understands more than anyone that this affair is risky.
And the walls have ears.
People blame him. Afterall, he is only a slave. Punishment is non-negotiable. The last thing he sees before he loses his consciousness is Jisoo's blank face.
—
1910, Japan Annexation of Korea
Yoon Jeonghan knows he is better than this, but war is exhausting. If he has to choose between right and easy choices, what kind of decision will he make?
“Look at my eyes and tell me you didn’t do that!”
Jeonghan wishes he could do that.
“I wish it wasn’t you who discovered it.”
“Yoon Jeonghan!”
“Seungcheol-ah, they promised me freedom!”
“By selling your country independence?”
“It’s only some names.”
“You know you’re better than this.”
Hell, he fucking knows. He also knows what the righteous army does to the betrayers. The execution is fast, his partner's pained face is the last thing he sees before the bullet hits his skull.
—
2024, Seoul
“Yoon Jeonghan, meet your team! Here is Choi Seungcheol, the team leader. This is Hong Jisoo, your fellow editor. There are some interns too but I bet Seungcheol made them get some coffee again.”
Reincarnation is not a foreign concept, maybe not all people believe or moreover experience it. But Yoon Jeonghan is not like most people.
“Hello, I’m Yoon Jeonghan! I’m looking forward to working with you!”
He shows his best smile.
In this lifetime, he doesn’t want to die young or tragic again. He longs for a peaceful life. Getting along with his exes sounds like a solid idea. It would be perfect if he could love them again.