It was hard for Taehyung to continuously sneak out for his daily rendezvous with Yongho. He had to find time to complete his daily tasks, lessons, and training. He'd scale the wall and drop down, scraping his hands in the process. And Yongho would be waiting, satchel filled with what he'd managed to gather on the way.

Sometimes they would skirt the village, giving Tae a chance to see the life Yongho lived at home. If he happened to be greeted, Taehyung was introduced as Taeyang. Just as a precautionary action for their joint safety.

The days Tae liked the best were the ones the pair spent by the lake in each others arms exchanging the softest kisses and gentlest touches. Maybe it was the sun on his skin or the ghosting touch of Yongho's fingers on his wrist or in his hair. The soft whispers of Yongho's stories falling against his ear. The softness of his own voice as he relayed stories of his own.

Today was a quiet day. They were resting against a tree, Taehyung in the space between Yongho's spread legs, back against the elder's chest. Yongho was playing with his hair, twisting the long strands at his neck into braids like Songhi wore.

"My father is returning in four moons. I would not venture out til he leaves again."

"How long must I suffer without you, Tae?"

"Yongho, you mustn't despair. I'll meet you when I may, but now, I know not when he will leave."

Frowning deeply, Yongho tightened his hold on Taehyung's waist. "I will leave you messages, at the wall. And if you fall ill, I will be by your side. Songhi will tend to you and i will aid her."

"Would you that I fall ill so we should meet again, dear Yongho?" Tae giggled, turning his head to meet Yongho's eyes.

Yongho scowled at him seriously. "I would not, I only mean I will await your return."

Tae leaned upwards to press their lips together softly. "I want not that we should part, alas I fear my father."

"As you should and I." Yongho kissed the side of his lips and then his temple, resting his chin on the younger's hair.

The pair spent those last days before his father's return cheering each other up with silly actions and soft smiles. Taehyung felt the worry building in his chest. His father would have him with another. And Taehyung could only want Yongho, he wanted none other.

Yongho feared that Taehyung would have to accompany his father on his next trip. The worry of being forgotten almost consuming.

Their combined attentiveness to each others moods was uplifting. They were there to hold hands, embrace and comfort each other at the smallest frown.

As their last day arrived, they vowed within their heavy hearts to persevere, to smile for the sake of the other.

So Taehyung brought cakes from the kitchens and Yongho brought a book of stories.

They sat together, eating and reading and laughing as though they had no cares to speak of. Internally however, their dread of separation increased.

"Ah, I must return. Yongho, thank you for today." The words heavy and forced having choked his dry throat.

"I fear the same for myself, I shall miss you Taehyung. I will await you everyday."

Yongho stood, pulling Taehyung with him. "I shall walk with you to your wall."

And so they departed, hand in hand, arms swinging between them as they hiked the familiar path through the wood.

At the wall, Yongho let his hand drop to his side. "I will miss you Taehyung."

Taehyung nodded, eyes brimming with tears. He pulled Yongho against him and pressed their lips together passionately. Yongho's hands played with his hair, keeping him close.

Separating, Yongho pressed a soft and tender kiss to Taehyung's forehead. "Go,"

So Taehyung pulled himself up the wall and dropped over, feet kicking up the dirt around his feet. He pressed his hands against the rough stone wall, through the foliage and rested his head against it.

"I love you." He whispered.

On two sides of the wall, twin tears tracked down the cheeks of broken hearted boys, shattered at the indefinite separation.

The distance between them seemed to span the universe.