The Days That Bind Us {N.Korea}

A dangerous state? The hermit kingdom? Of course Sun had heard his land called that; had heard himself called that and it was true. He had attempted to lock out his people so carefully when it came to the influence of the West and especially towards that nation who had turned his brother against him and filled his head with the idea that Im Yong-Sun was not to be trifled with. What sort of morality had America taught Im Yong Soo? Honestly? And to refer to him in such terms? Soo knew his name, why couldn’t he call him that.

His name was Yong-Sun or Sun for short and yet his brother would rather refer to him as the dangerous state of the North, the North Korean Empire. He was no empire! He was a state of dependence! He provided everything for his people and yes, he’d even bowed to help when they needed it! It wasn’t like he liked to see his people starving! Which was one of the many reasons why he’d come to bring Soo to his knees. He needed more land, but more than that he wanted to see a promise they’d made come to fruition.

To become a single land again. Korea longed for it. Their grandfather would want to see them united again. They’d had a plan, relationships had been improving, and then America had to go and whisper into Soo’s ear and then he let a little thing like Sun still possessing nuclear bombs and their manufacture get in the way. All negotiations stopped as if overnight and once more Soo isolated himself from Sun.

He’d brought invasion on himself. He shouldn’t have forced Sun’s hand and when he’d joined the Pact, there was nothing stopping him from his goal.

And how dare he think him such a monster. Any and all who lost their lives in this cause were not the subject of discrimination because they had the misfortune of being born in across the demarcation line, no they died because they were in the way. They tried to rise up and fight the inevitable. They were wiped out because they could not mind their own fucking business. Nothing and no one got in Yong-Sun’s way when he had a goal. He wanted Soo and he would have him. Still it was just so cute that the other thought he could hide.

Im Yong-Sun was much like Soo. People thought him insane and thought that such thing made him ignorant and dull-minded. Yet none of that was true. If there was anyone in North Korea who knew what was happening inside and outside his walls it was him. He had learned stealth from Vietnam and had a knack for technology just like he that was his south. He was not a fool; he was a genius. Dangerous he was, but so much more so than anyone ever knew.

Soo’s officials? Found, interrogated and disposed of. Finding a person’s pressure point was Sun’s specialty and all you had to do was mention, touch, or destroy it and how mouths opened like a blasted dam. He drank of secrets like a thirsted man; so it was true North Korea was a beast, but that was not the fault of the Kims—they were harmless puppies compared the darkness that years subjugation had bred in his mind. All he’d done to protect Yong Soo had infected him and like a disease spread. No one had ever tried to cure him. They used the blood to make him lethal. Everyone had helped to twist him into the monster Yoo’s kin had every right to be afraid of.

Polished black shoes left scuff marks on the tile as Yong-Sun sauntered into the small, dingy entrance of the hotel. His sleek black braid save that one errant curl that refused to be tamed along with his bangs cascaded down his shoulders. The moment the man at the front desk set his eyes on him in his olive uniform and metals how his face paled. Sun smiled politely.

He continued his lazy strut and leaned on the counter, “Annyeong (Hi),” he waved his fingers, “I think you can help me.” The man was frozen stiff, lips slightly parted, and absolutely silent. At least his eyes were centered on the nation. Yong-Sun, however, at his best was very patient and of course his present shocked the poor man. He reached up with his hand and grabbed the man’s chin. He jerked his head up and down and then pressed his fingers into his cheeks; this moved the manager’s lips. “Ye, how I can help you,” he spoke in a gruff voice to mimic the man.

“So polite,” Sun twittered and turned his head. “Mi-ja, Ji-hye, Tae-woo!” And just like that three people slithered from behind pillars. His people were always talented at stealth and it didn’t make matters better for the manager that he began to shake when he saw them. It did make Yong-Sun giddy, though. He pulled a piece of paper from his front pocket.

“Take me to him. After all you have a very lovely wife and I do so despise harming children.” He slid the item, a photograph over the desk, the image face up. He knew he’d done the right thing when man gasped and finally stepped back.

Minutes later found the now group of four standing in front of a door. This place was so humiliating to have Soo staying him and after he’d gone through all that trouble making sure his Blue House was unmarred. He squeezed the back of the manager’s neck. The manager knocked.

“Sir, this is In-sik from the front desk, I-I need to talk to you.”

“Bravo, bravo,” Sun whispered to him and then pushed him into arms of the three who had followed them. “See what else he knows, but make sure he returns to his family in one piece…and alive.” He’d made a promise after all.

As they silently gagged In-sik and drug him away, Sun leaned against the door frame and prepared block from closing on him once Soo discovered who was really on the other side.

Foot slipped between the door frame and the opened door, Yong-Sun took in Soo with honest awe. It was like opening a window after a storm and smelling the fresh air, hearing the birds sing, and seeing sunlight lighting all the green lands. Of course, Sun had known he was here, but knowing and seeing? He’d not seen him so close in years. He wanted to reach out and draw him into a hug, but he was stopped. For a scarce moment the grin on North Korea’s face fell at hearing the other’s voice. His face didn’t help matters either. He’d expected he wouldn’t be happy, but what other choice had he had? Soo didn’t want to see him before.

All Sun wanted was one small thing and its price wasn’t high.

Yet as said it was only a moment. He couldn’t let Yong Soo be aware that he’d hurt him so. It was understandable that he was sore at him. He tried to let it slide. “If I had just snatched you up, where would the fun have been? I miss our games, Soo.” He took a tentative step in. “Though speaking of finding you here, don’t you think it was a little rude to just run off? Your people think you’ve abandoned them.” He clucked his tongue. “I know different, of course. You are just as dedicated as me.”

His own curl located lower and further back on his head bobbed as he nodded in confidence that his assessment of his “brother” was correct. Appa had found Sun first followed by Soo and though they were called brothers even with their different physical appearances, Sun considered them perhaps brethren nations, but had always only wished to be Soo’s protector, his friend. How history and the West had ruined that! “It was very rude to run off. Especially with guests coming.” He opened his eyes. “Do you think I enjoyed seizing your lands? You must think so. I know you do.” He went from surprise, to gloom, to accusation. His eyes narrowed on him and his hand tightened on the frame.

“I have tried time and again to see you, Yong Soo. It is you who will not see me. You who listened to your stupid boss when I offered to join with you and not disrupt your government! I have been kind to you!” No longer was he hesitant. He pushed into the room and closed the door behind him before blocking it. “Cry little Korea…cry, cry like the weakling you were when Japan invaded us! Cry as you did to America when I tried to rejoin Korea! Cry like you do not for me! I had no choice but to do as I did.” He shut his eyes a moment and tried to regain his composure. How had it broken so easily? Why did Yong Soo have this power? It was him who turned on Korea and his own sibling nation. Not him. Sun had only ever wanted a united Korea.

Sun’s fists released and he took a deep breath. “Yong Soo, you chose to stop the negotiations with me. I’m only here because I miss you and I want you to come home. The Blue House is standing, untouched. We were meant to be together, Yong Soo…I long for that. For you.”