(for everyone) hanging with the boys down (south)
For: everyone
Title: hanging with the boys down (south)
Pairing: Jongin-centric, Jongin/Sehun/Luhan
Word Count: ~4,000 words
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Summary: Jongin screws up a lot. But somehow managing to be the cause of a full-scale faerie war is beyond his comprehension.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for this prompt! I hope this is what you were hoping for and that you enjoy it! Also sorry for any mistakes T-T
A slam. A thud. Another thud.
“Get out, you worthless screw-up! I don’t need you to be ruining business ‘round here!”
Another slam. A sigh. A familiar sequence of sounds, for Kim Jongin. Also known as the story of his life. He raises himself up and trudges down the street. This was his third job this month, and of course, he got fired. It wasn’t his fault that the tray of dishes was already tilted because of its weight. And it just happened to accidentally fall over because of his elbow. All over an important business investor, that is. But really, is it all his fault? It still didn’t deter his boss from firing him anyway.
So now, he’s back on the street, unemployed, broke as fuck, and dignity trailing somewhere behind. Jongin has always lived this way; ever since his mom died when he was 15. His dad had left long before that. It had always been Jongin’s dream to go to music school and dance, but that was now an unattainable dream. He’s barely going to classes at the local community college, and the only way to attend university is if he received a full scholarship, because there’s no way he’d be able to afford it.
Sighing, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a measly 800 won. Looks like tteokbeokki for dinner. He makes his way to a nearby food stall and plops onto a stool. The piping hot steam warms him up, although it’s not enough for his shattered pride.
Suddenly, the scraping sound of the plastic stool dragging comes from Jongin's left side. He turns to see a familiar, chiding look.
"Don't tell me you got fired again," Taemin says.
"What do you think?" Jongin counters. Taemin tsks at him before stealing a piece of tteokbeokki from his bowl.
"Isn't this like the third job you've lost this month?” Taemin asks again. “How are you going to pay your bills?"
"Same as last month: figure it out." Jongin sighs for the umpteenth time that night.
"Dude, you can't live like this. I told you that you're welcome in my apartment; it'd be way less stress and half the money." Taemin says.
"Of course, I'd take you up on that," Jongin replies. "If not for the enormous debt I already owe you. I am not about to add onto it." Taemin now gives a sigh on his behalf.
They sit in silence for a few moments, finishing up the last of the tteokbeokki.
Walking away from the food stall, Taemin continues to pester Jongin about his money situation. He eventually stops listening, opting instead to put his earbuds in and block out the rest of the world.
“Okay, well, I see how it is,” Taemin pouts.
“Don’t worry, I’ll put your ‘advice’ to good use,” Jongin replies. Taemin scoffs at him.
“Whatever dude, be safe getting home. Don’t get kidnapped by any faeries!” He laughs.
Jongin rolls his eyes and continues on his path, giving a half-hearted wave behind him.
--
It’s a rather bad habit of Jongin’s to get lost in his own world. With music blasting loud enough that passersby wonder if his eardrums aren’t torn, he dances down the street, spinning on his heel, letting his feet take him where they may. It’s only inevitable that he would run into someone - or something.
“Ow, fuck!” A small figure cries out. Oblivious to the outburst, Jongin keeps on his way. The impish creature gapes in fury. It promptly runs after Jongin and attempts to get his attention by grabbing his jacket. The latter looks over to his side and notices the creature,
“Uhm….?”
“Excuse me, you just rudely ran into me,” the miniature human says.
“Oh, did I? Sorry.”
The thing splutters. “Sorry? Sorry? That’s it? You fucking trampled me!”
Jongin scratches the back of his neck, “Yeah, well, I’m just naturally clumsy like that. You’re not hurt right...whatever the heck you are?”
“No, I’m not hurt. And it’s not important what I am. What’s important is that you have not properly apologized,” The elfish being reiterates.
Jongin looks down at it, “I am truly, most, deeply sorry, you tiny, little...elf.”
“I’M NOT A FUCKING ELF,” but before the creature could continue on his angry tirade about the genetics of an elf, Jongin had already turned back on his way.
Huang Zitao watches the human walk away, or rather do some strange movements. There were sounds leaking from the pod-like plastic pieces and he moved in time to it. Intrigued, Zitao definitely has to tell the king about this boy. He hurriedly flits to a dark alley where he disappears, nowhere to be seen.
--
Oh Sehun is known to be the most intimidating being in the entire faerie realm. As king of the Unseelie court, he is notorious for having a cruel, unforgiving, and sadistic personality. Naturally, it comes to no surprise that his followers were just the same.
"Your Highness, I have something interesting to report,” Zitao says, entering the large room.
“What is it?” Sehun asks with disinterest.
“I crossed paths with a human who does not move normally, almost like water.”
“Whatever do you mean, Zitao?” The king asks again with growing irritation.
“I mean, I can't explain it. I can only show you,” Zitao says.
“Well then, shall we take a look at this human?” Sehun summons his all-seeing ball and asks Zitao to locate the object of interest. The latter searches almost all corners of the Earth before finding the boy.
Sehun looks closely and scoffs, “He is nothing more than a mere child.”
“No, sir, please watch for a while more,” Zitao begs.
Rolling his eyes, the faerie decides to humor him. His eyes narrow at the graceful movements of the boy, indeed like water, and the way he seems to have no control of his feet, gliding this way and that in time to the beat of whatever’s coming from his ears.
Zitao looks up at the king hopefully and smiles at the sight of his face glowing with amazement, “What do you think, Sir?”
Sehun immediately clears his throat, “Yes, he is quite interesting.” He considers this new information before coming up with a grand idea.
“Zitao. I want you to bring me the human,” Sehun says with a calculation look.
Zitao smiles with victory. “Of course, Sir. I will deploy my troops at once.”
--
The sight of his run-down apartment building comes into view. Jongin unplugs his earbuds and wraps them around his phone. Just as he is about to climb the stairs, he hears a rustle from the bushes. Caught off guard, he glances around his surroundings to see nothing. Shrugging, he takes one step before yet another rustle.
“Someone there?” He calls out. Moving to take another step, he’s suddenly grabbed from behind and thrust backward. Crying out, he is muffled by a fabric and then blindfolded.
“Gah! Let me go! Who the fuck are you, let me go!” Thrashing around wildly, he is lifted from all four limbs and carried away.
After what seems like hours, the blindfold is lifted from Jongin’s eyes. But all he sees is darkness. “Where am I? Why did you bring me here?” His cries are met with silence. He tries to move, but finds his hands are tied. “Can someone goddamn answer me?!”
An indiscernible figure appears in the obscurity. Jongin squints his eyes to see better,
“Who’s there?” The figure comes closer and Jongin can’t help but feel he knows the creature from somewhere.
“Hello,” the creature says with an evil smile.
Jongin scrutinizes the being again, “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“Perhaps,” it laughs, “But first, you are to be escorted to the King’s court.”
“King? What king?”
“You will soon find out.” It motions for Jongin to follow, but the latter finds he’s being dragged against his own free will.
He finally sees a speck of light at the end of the dark tunnel; he also notices he’s inside some kind of cave. Finally, the light spills out on all sides of Jongin and his eyes are momentarily blinded. Coming to his senses, he finds he is now in a large room. Another creature, similar to the one who brought him here, sits upon a decorated throne. He had an intimidating demeanor yet a bored visage, as if he had far better things to do than sit in his colossal palace with servants flitting around him. The thing that brought Jongin here bowed to the dude. He jabs him to do the same.
“Wait, who is that?”
“That is the King of the Unseelie Court, Oh Sehun. You must bow,” the creature says. Jongin hesitantly does so.
“Is this the boy who performs on the street?” The king asks in a booming voice.
“Yes, sir.”
"That's hella creepy, how do you even know that?" Jongin asks in a sardonic tone.
"You impress me very much. You will stay here."
"Um, firstly, I don't even know who you are- though I'm pretty sure a serial killer sounds about right - secondly, there is no way in hell I am staying here, so I think I will just take my leave then." As Jongin made to turn around, two burly guards bounded over, blocking the exit.
"Or not."
“You will stay here, as my entertainment,” Sehun says.
“Excuse me, I’m not a goddamn jester. I have a life to live, and bills to pay!”
“If you perform your service with me, I will repay you with all the assets you may need.”
“Wait, what,” Jongin gapes. “Are you actually serious?”
“I do not joke lightly.” Sehun speaks clearly.
“Well, then, in that case,” Jongin says reluctantly, “I guess I could stay here….”
And for the first time since Jongin entered the ominous cave, Oh Sehun smiled.
--
Do Kyungsoo runs as fast as he can down the wet hallways of the Seelie court palace. He nearly breaks down the king’s door before composing himself, and briskly walking in.
“Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion.”
“No need to apologize, Kyungsoo. What is it?” The kindly face of King Lu Han sends a gleam of light trickling into the otherwise closed-off area.
“I have received word that the Unseelie court has taken a hostage.”
“A human?”
“Yes, your Highness.”
“Give me details of this hostage,” Lu Han asks with concern.
“He is a young boy, an orphan and seems to fend for himself alone,” Kyungsoo says matter-of-factly.
Lu Han tsks in sympathy, “How does he manage?”
“Well, according to our sources, he works several jobs but does not keep them for long.”
“Well then, Kyungsoo, it is important we save him from the wrath of the Unseelie,” Lu Han says with resolve. “Make arrangements immediately.”
--
Jongin has never felt so humiliated in his life.
When the faerie king told him that he wanted Jongin as entertainment, he didn’t think he meant countless hours of dancing in front of a jeering crowd. He is so tired, and his feet are so sore he can’t even feel them anymore. If he dares to stop, the audience throws stones and trash at him.
“I thought faeries were supposed to be cute little pixies with wands,” he grumbles under his breath. He looks up at Sehun, who sits with a satisfactory look on his face. His lackey, who he found out is named Huang Zitao sits just below him with a similar look. Jongin feels his blood boil. He immediately stops his dance.
“Okay, look. I know we had a deal for me being your entertainment, but I literally can’t keep doing this.”
Sehun narrows his eyes at him, “If you dare to break our contract, I will not hesitate to end you.” An armada of faerie soldiers all come to gunpoint at Jongin’s throat. He raises his hands in surrender. “All right, okay. I won’t stop, your Highness.” He grits out the last statement.
Sehun gives a sadistic smirk as his new pet starts again.
Suddenly, the door to the court’s room slams open. Light seemed to peel away the grimy darkness of the palace and replaced with a brilliant gleam. A new faerie creature entered, dressed in a similar fashion as Sehun but wore a benevolent smile. A smaller faerie with glasses stood close behind and ushered in soldiers who ran to Jongin’s side, catching him as he fell in exhaustion.
“Lu Han,” Sehun says with tight lips.
“Sehun,” Lu Han replies. “It has been a while.”
“What do you think you are doing trespassing onto my territory?”
"We want the human,” Lu Han says.
Sehun lets out a derisive laugh. “I don't think so, I found him first.”
“I do think so. Hand him over.”
Sehun stands up threateningly, “Excuse me, he's my pet. Go find your own.”
Despite his magnanimous headache, Jongin speaks up, “Um, I don’t think I’m anyone’s pet.” His comment went unheard between the two creatures of royalty.
“No, I specifically want this one.”
Sehun has now gotten down from his throne and approaches Lu Han, “And what makes you think I’ll just hand him over?”
It is now Lu Han’s turn to smirk, “Really, Sehun. Have you ever been able to resist my demands?” Jongin didn’t think faeries could blush, but by the evident redness on Sehun’s face they could. Now if it was from anger or embarrassment, Jongin couldn’t tell.
Sehun grabs onto Lu Han’s front; the latter having to raise a hand to calm his soldiers from attacking, “You may have been able to force me to this hellish pit, but I won’t make the same mistake again. You’re really going to have to get through me this time.”
Lu Han smiles again, “I was hoping you’d say that, Hunnie.”
Jongin could feel the tension rising between the two creatures.
“Well, even if you want the human, he won’t live long enough for you to have him,” Sehun says with an evil smirk.
“That’s fine. You said I had to get through you first, right? Indeed, I won’t hold back.”
And before Jongin knew it, a hundred or so Seelie faerie soldiers begins to attack the Unseelie faeries. He looks at the two kings, still in a combative embrace and the look of shock on Sehun’s face is priceless. The latter lets out a cry of anger and shoves Lu Han back before yelling, “Attack you useless animals!”
In the grand scheme of things, Jongin really would have never thought there would be a faerie war over himself.
--
After getting moved to an infirmary within the Seelie court palace, Jongin lies on his back, staring at the ceiling. He occasionally hears thundering footsteps from above him and the walls surrounding.
A knock comes on his door, he calls out a "come in". One of the Seelie faeries comes in, the king’s courier he belatedly realizes, carrying a tray of what looks like food.
"How are you feeling?" It (he?) asks.
Jongin tries to sit up, but he forces him back down,
"Better, but I'm still so tired."
“Here, eat this. I had to steal some from a human place,” Kyungsoo says. He thanks him before taking small bites.
“This really sucks. I wish I could do something to help,” he says. Kyungsoo scoffs,
“You’re the whole cause of this war. There’s not much you can do to help.”
“Why do the kings hate each other anyway? There’s obviously some kind of history between them.” Kyungsoo sighs, but supposes he should humor the human anyway.
“The kings used to be good friends. Both of them lived in the Seelie court and King Lu Han was destined to take over the throne. However, the two friends had a large disagreement which caused them to drift apart. Apparently, Sehun was forced to go to the Unseelie court and somehow linked it to Lu Han and so, he resents him for that. He also somehow managed to grab control of the Unseelie throne after their previous king was killed. Lu Han has tried for a long time to try to convince Sehun that it wasn’t his fault, but he’s too far gone. The Unseelie court has transformed into a sadistic beast, but in reality, he’s lonely.”
It definitely explains Sehun’s demeanor toward Lu Han, and also why he wanted to keep Jongin around. But then, why try to kill him? And he’s not completely lonely, not with all his little lackeys constantly waiting on his hand.
“Can I ask you something that might sound totally stupid?” Jongin blurts out. Kyungsoo gives him a wary look. “What if I try to make Sehun and Lu Han make up again?”
Kyungsoo bursts out laughing, which makes Jongin frown. “I mean, I know it’s crazy, but…”
“No, it’s not just crazy, it’s fucking insane. You obviously have no idea what you’re suggesting.” Kyungsoo says bluntly.
“Okay, how bad could it be?”
“Jongin, faeries are not what you think. They are vicious creatures that truly only have their own best interests in mind. Trying to get Sehun and King Lu Han to even talk in the same room would get you killed faster than dancing for three days straight.” Kyungsoo says in his signature matter-of-fact voice. Of course, Jongin knows it’s dangerous, but he knows this is probably the only way to end the war. He waits for Kyungsoo to leave the room before formulating a plan that’s most probably the most stupid thing he’s done. After causing a war that is.
--
Slinking along the damp walls of the Seelie court palace, Jongin tries to make his way through the darkness to find the war planning room. He stops when he hears hushed voices behind a wooden door. Craning his ear to a small crack, he tries to listen in. He can’t make out more than “attack”, “large force” and “annihilate”. He’s just going to assume there’s a huge attack planned for tomorrow.
He’s determined to carry out his plot before that can happen. He waits until the voices stop talking and the wooden door opens again. Jongin peels himself to the wall and waits for the faerie to leave before he himself can go inside.
Peeking into the room, he sees Lu Han poring over maps and charts. Taking a deep breath, he ventures inside.
“Your Highness,” he begins and takes a low bow. The surprise is evident on the king’s face, “Oh, Jongin! What are you doing here?”
“I apologize for interrupting…”
“No, no! Not at all. How are you feeling?” Lu Han asks with a smile.
“Much better, sir. I was just worried about the war and all…” Jongin begins.
“There’s nothing to worry about, don’t worry. It will all be over soon.” Jongin winces at that information.
“Well, sir, I was just thinking...perhaps...maybe you and King Sehun could talk out your differences instead of fighting…” He really wants to slap himself right now.
Lu Han gives him an odd look, “Normally I don’t condone this type of conflict resolve, but desperate times call for desperate measures. We’ve been trying to avoid a war with the Unseelie for years. The tension has reached a breaking point.”
“But-” Jongin tries. Lu Han simply ruffles his hair and walks out.
He has to go to plan B.
Jongin stands behind the fleet of faerie soldiers, awaiting command from the general. He keeps running his oh-so-amazing plan through his head. This is going to work, he feels.
The soldiers start moving and Jongin springs into action. He follows the fleet to the entrance of the Unseelie court and sees Sehun dressed for war, leading his own army for an attack as well. He looks at the Seelie army and sees Lu Han in a state of shock; their plan is ruined. Nonetheless, he prepares for an attack as well.
Now’s my chance, Jongin thinks. And just as both leaders yell “CHARGE!”, Jongin runs as fast as he can in the middle of the battlefield and holds out both hands yelling, “STOP!”
The momentum of the armies cause them to stumble a little, but not for the two kings who continue barrelling towards one another. Jongin steps back at the last moment and watches the two faeries collide at full speed.
There is a collective gasp among all the faeries watching in the audience and the soldiers. Jongin looks around to see Zitao’s face in complete horror, while Kyungsoo is off to the side shaking his head in embarrassment. Jongin gingerly walks over to the two kings after the dust clears, but ends up shocked himself.
“Uh, sirs?” Both Sehun and Lu Han are laughing, as if whatever just happened was the funniest joke in the world. Jongin gives a quizzical look, “Are you two alright?” By now, they’re both rolling on the floor, wheezing out whatever tension remained.
The two couriers immediately come rushing to their respective king’s aid, faces complete with a look of concern. Lu Han brushes off Kyungsoo’s incessant coddling, “Oh, leave me be, I’m fine.”
“Don’t you have anything better to do than tending my every needs?” Sehun says to Zitao, but without his usual bark.
“Um, what exactly just happened?” Jongin speaks up.
“Why, you, foolish boy. You’re the cause of everything,” Lu Han says. Jongin winces,
“I know that, but you two were literally about to cut the other’s throats out, and now you’re laughing?”
“Indeed. It seems you were able to help after all,” Lu Han says with a knowing smirk.
“What exactly do you mean by that?” It’s now Sehun’s turn to smile,
“All you must know is that the war began and ended because of you.” He wraps an arm around Lu Han, who then wraps another arm around Jongin,
“You have forever changed the course of faerie history. We are forever indebted to you.”
“...I still don’t understand what this means….” Jongin says confusedly. The two kings sigh,
“Just know you’ve become a special part of this realm.”
--
Jongin packs away all his things - which he hadn’t even brought, it’s what’s been given to him as gifts - and sighs at the weird turn of events.
Zitao approaches him and offers to help carry some things while escorting him to the portal.
“This is even more weird because you’re actually helping me,” Jongin says.
“Well, yes. It seems you’ve influenced more than just the kings,” Zitao says.
“I still don’t get what happened, and Sehun and Lu Han won’t tell me.”
Zitao sighs. “Something along the lines of your humanliness causing something to transform in the air, so when the two kings embraced, it helped to clear their minds. Or something like that.”
Jongin nods his head in feigned understanding, “So they’re basically saying I’m like a blood brother type thing?”
“I don’t know what that is, but sure,” Zitao says, handing his things back to him. “Also, something is waiting for you back at your home. I have a feeling we’ll be meeting again.” Jongin gives him an odd look, but the courier turns back immediately. He climbs up the stairs of the cave and ventures back to his own home.
His run-down apartment looks nothing different than when he left it. He’s still wary when he reaches the stairs; however, he notices a large box waiting by his door. He picks it up and sees a note attached,
Jongin, thank you for your sensibility and noble idiocy in helping Sehun and I rekindle our friendship. We consider you one of our own now as well, so if you ever want to come back and visit, you’re welcome to. The box has all of Sehun’s promised assets for completing your service. I wish you the best of luck in music school.
Lu Han.
Jongin may have made some pretty stupid mistakes, but someway or another, it all turns out to be one heck of an adventure.
Title: hanging with the boys down (south)
Pairing: Jongin-centric, Jongin/Sehun/Luhan
Word Count: ~4,000 words
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Summary: Jongin screws up a lot. But somehow managing to be the cause of a full-scale faerie war is beyond his comprehension.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for this prompt! I hope this is what you were hoping for and that you enjoy it! Also sorry for any mistakes T-T
A slam. A thud. Another thud.
“Get out, you worthless screw-up! I don’t need you to be ruining business ‘round here!”
Another slam. A sigh. A familiar sequence of sounds, for Kim Jongin. Also known as the story of his life. He raises himself up and trudges down the street. This was his third job this month, and of course, he got fired. It wasn’t his fault that the tray of dishes was already tilted because of its weight. And it just happened to accidentally fall over because of his elbow. All over an important business investor, that is. But really, is it all his fault? It still didn’t deter his boss from firing him anyway.
So now, he’s back on the street, unemployed, broke as fuck, and dignity trailing somewhere behind. Jongin has always lived this way; ever since his mom died when he was 15. His dad had left long before that. It had always been Jongin’s dream to go to music school and dance, but that was now an unattainable dream. He’s barely going to classes at the local community college, and the only way to attend university is if he received a full scholarship, because there’s no way he’d be able to afford it.
Sighing, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a measly 800 won. Looks like tteokbeokki for dinner. He makes his way to a nearby food stall and plops onto a stool. The piping hot steam warms him up, although it’s not enough for his shattered pride.
Suddenly, the scraping sound of the plastic stool dragging comes from Jongin's left side. He turns to see a familiar, chiding look.
"Don't tell me you got fired again," Taemin says.
"What do you think?" Jongin counters. Taemin tsks at him before stealing a piece of tteokbeokki from his bowl.
"Isn't this like the third job you've lost this month?” Taemin asks again. “How are you going to pay your bills?"
"Same as last month: figure it out." Jongin sighs for the umpteenth time that night.
"Dude, you can't live like this. I told you that you're welcome in my apartment; it'd be way less stress and half the money." Taemin says.
"Of course, I'd take you up on that," Jongin replies. "If not for the enormous debt I already owe you. I am not about to add onto it." Taemin now gives a sigh on his behalf.
They sit in silence for a few moments, finishing up the last of the tteokbeokki.
Walking away from the food stall, Taemin continues to pester Jongin about his money situation. He eventually stops listening, opting instead to put his earbuds in and block out the rest of the world.
“Okay, well, I see how it is,” Taemin pouts.
“Don’t worry, I’ll put your ‘advice’ to good use,” Jongin replies. Taemin scoffs at him.
“Whatever dude, be safe getting home. Don’t get kidnapped by any faeries!” He laughs.
Jongin rolls his eyes and continues on his path, giving a half-hearted wave behind him.
--
It’s a rather bad habit of Jongin’s to get lost in his own world. With music blasting loud enough that passersby wonder if his eardrums aren’t torn, he dances down the street, spinning on his heel, letting his feet take him where they may. It’s only inevitable that he would run into someone - or something.
“Ow, fuck!” A small figure cries out. Oblivious to the outburst, Jongin keeps on his way. The impish creature gapes in fury. It promptly runs after Jongin and attempts to get his attention by grabbing his jacket. The latter looks over to his side and notices the creature,
“Uhm….?”
“Excuse me, you just rudely ran into me,” the miniature human says.
“Oh, did I? Sorry.”
The thing splutters. “Sorry? Sorry? That’s it? You fucking trampled me!”
Jongin scratches the back of his neck, “Yeah, well, I’m just naturally clumsy like that. You’re not hurt right...whatever the heck you are?”
“No, I’m not hurt. And it’s not important what I am. What’s important is that you have not properly apologized,” The elfish being reiterates.
Jongin looks down at it, “I am truly, most, deeply sorry, you tiny, little...elf.”
“I’M NOT A FUCKING ELF,” but before the creature could continue on his angry tirade about the genetics of an elf, Jongin had already turned back on his way.
Huang Zitao watches the human walk away, or rather do some strange movements. There were sounds leaking from the pod-like plastic pieces and he moved in time to it. Intrigued, Zitao definitely has to tell the king about this boy. He hurriedly flits to a dark alley where he disappears, nowhere to be seen.
--
Oh Sehun is known to be the most intimidating being in the entire faerie realm. As king of the Unseelie court, he is notorious for having a cruel, unforgiving, and sadistic personality. Naturally, it comes to no surprise that his followers were just the same.
"Your Highness, I have something interesting to report,” Zitao says, entering the large room.
“What is it?” Sehun asks with disinterest.
“I crossed paths with a human who does not move normally, almost like water.”
“Whatever do you mean, Zitao?” The king asks again with growing irritation.
“I mean, I can't explain it. I can only show you,” Zitao says.
“Well then, shall we take a look at this human?” Sehun summons his all-seeing ball and asks Zitao to locate the object of interest. The latter searches almost all corners of the Earth before finding the boy.
Sehun looks closely and scoffs, “He is nothing more than a mere child.”
“No, sir, please watch for a while more,” Zitao begs.
Rolling his eyes, the faerie decides to humor him. His eyes narrow at the graceful movements of the boy, indeed like water, and the way he seems to have no control of his feet, gliding this way and that in time to the beat of whatever’s coming from his ears.
Zitao looks up at the king hopefully and smiles at the sight of his face glowing with amazement, “What do you think, Sir?”
Sehun immediately clears his throat, “Yes, he is quite interesting.” He considers this new information before coming up with a grand idea.
“Zitao. I want you to bring me the human,” Sehun says with a calculation look.
Zitao smiles with victory. “Of course, Sir. I will deploy my troops at once.”
--
The sight of his run-down apartment building comes into view. Jongin unplugs his earbuds and wraps them around his phone. Just as he is about to climb the stairs, he hears a rustle from the bushes. Caught off guard, he glances around his surroundings to see nothing. Shrugging, he takes one step before yet another rustle.
“Someone there?” He calls out. Moving to take another step, he’s suddenly grabbed from behind and thrust backward. Crying out, he is muffled by a fabric and then blindfolded.
“Gah! Let me go! Who the fuck are you, let me go!” Thrashing around wildly, he is lifted from all four limbs and carried away.
After what seems like hours, the blindfold is lifted from Jongin’s eyes. But all he sees is darkness. “Where am I? Why did you bring me here?” His cries are met with silence. He tries to move, but finds his hands are tied. “Can someone goddamn answer me?!”
An indiscernible figure appears in the obscurity. Jongin squints his eyes to see better,
“Who’s there?” The figure comes closer and Jongin can’t help but feel he knows the creature from somewhere.
“Hello,” the creature says with an evil smile.
Jongin scrutinizes the being again, “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“Perhaps,” it laughs, “But first, you are to be escorted to the King’s court.”
“King? What king?”
“You will soon find out.” It motions for Jongin to follow, but the latter finds he’s being dragged against his own free will.
He finally sees a speck of light at the end of the dark tunnel; he also notices he’s inside some kind of cave. Finally, the light spills out on all sides of Jongin and his eyes are momentarily blinded. Coming to his senses, he finds he is now in a large room. Another creature, similar to the one who brought him here, sits upon a decorated throne. He had an intimidating demeanor yet a bored visage, as if he had far better things to do than sit in his colossal palace with servants flitting around him. The thing that brought Jongin here bowed to the dude. He jabs him to do the same.
“Wait, who is that?”
“That is the King of the Unseelie Court, Oh Sehun. You must bow,” the creature says. Jongin hesitantly does so.
“Is this the boy who performs on the street?” The king asks in a booming voice.
“Yes, sir.”
"That's hella creepy, how do you even know that?" Jongin asks in a sardonic tone.
"You impress me very much. You will stay here."
"Um, firstly, I don't even know who you are- though I'm pretty sure a serial killer sounds about right - secondly, there is no way in hell I am staying here, so I think I will just take my leave then." As Jongin made to turn around, two burly guards bounded over, blocking the exit.
"Or not."
“You will stay here, as my entertainment,” Sehun says.
“Excuse me, I’m not a goddamn jester. I have a life to live, and bills to pay!”
“If you perform your service with me, I will repay you with all the assets you may need.”
“Wait, what,” Jongin gapes. “Are you actually serious?”
“I do not joke lightly.” Sehun speaks clearly.
“Well, then, in that case,” Jongin says reluctantly, “I guess I could stay here….”
And for the first time since Jongin entered the ominous cave, Oh Sehun smiled.
--
Do Kyungsoo runs as fast as he can down the wet hallways of the Seelie court palace. He nearly breaks down the king’s door before composing himself, and briskly walking in.
“Your Highness, I apologize for the intrusion.”
“No need to apologize, Kyungsoo. What is it?” The kindly face of King Lu Han sends a gleam of light trickling into the otherwise closed-off area.
“I have received word that the Unseelie court has taken a hostage.”
“A human?”
“Yes, your Highness.”
“Give me details of this hostage,” Lu Han asks with concern.
“He is a young boy, an orphan and seems to fend for himself alone,” Kyungsoo says matter-of-factly.
Lu Han tsks in sympathy, “How does he manage?”
“Well, according to our sources, he works several jobs but does not keep them for long.”
“Well then, Kyungsoo, it is important we save him from the wrath of the Unseelie,” Lu Han says with resolve. “Make arrangements immediately.”
--
Jongin has never felt so humiliated in his life.
When the faerie king told him that he wanted Jongin as entertainment, he didn’t think he meant countless hours of dancing in front of a jeering crowd. He is so tired, and his feet are so sore he can’t even feel them anymore. If he dares to stop, the audience throws stones and trash at him.
“I thought faeries were supposed to be cute little pixies with wands,” he grumbles under his breath. He looks up at Sehun, who sits with a satisfactory look on his face. His lackey, who he found out is named Huang Zitao sits just below him with a similar look. Jongin feels his blood boil. He immediately stops his dance.
“Okay, look. I know we had a deal for me being your entertainment, but I literally can’t keep doing this.”
Sehun narrows his eyes at him, “If you dare to break our contract, I will not hesitate to end you.” An armada of faerie soldiers all come to gunpoint at Jongin’s throat. He raises his hands in surrender. “All right, okay. I won’t stop, your Highness.” He grits out the last statement.
Sehun gives a sadistic smirk as his new pet starts again.
Suddenly, the door to the court’s room slams open. Light seemed to peel away the grimy darkness of the palace and replaced with a brilliant gleam. A new faerie creature entered, dressed in a similar fashion as Sehun but wore a benevolent smile. A smaller faerie with glasses stood close behind and ushered in soldiers who ran to Jongin’s side, catching him as he fell in exhaustion.
“Lu Han,” Sehun says with tight lips.
“Sehun,” Lu Han replies. “It has been a while.”
“What do you think you are doing trespassing onto my territory?”
"We want the human,” Lu Han says.
Sehun lets out a derisive laugh. “I don't think so, I found him first.”
“I do think so. Hand him over.”
Sehun stands up threateningly, “Excuse me, he's my pet. Go find your own.”
Despite his magnanimous headache, Jongin speaks up, “Um, I don’t think I’m anyone’s pet.” His comment went unheard between the two creatures of royalty.
“No, I specifically want this one.”
Sehun has now gotten down from his throne and approaches Lu Han, “And what makes you think I’ll just hand him over?”
It is now Lu Han’s turn to smirk, “Really, Sehun. Have you ever been able to resist my demands?” Jongin didn’t think faeries could blush, but by the evident redness on Sehun’s face they could. Now if it was from anger or embarrassment, Jongin couldn’t tell.
Sehun grabs onto Lu Han’s front; the latter having to raise a hand to calm his soldiers from attacking, “You may have been able to force me to this hellish pit, but I won’t make the same mistake again. You’re really going to have to get through me this time.”
Lu Han smiles again, “I was hoping you’d say that, Hunnie.”
Jongin could feel the tension rising between the two creatures.
“Well, even if you want the human, he won’t live long enough for you to have him,” Sehun says with an evil smirk.
“That’s fine. You said I had to get through you first, right? Indeed, I won’t hold back.”
And before Jongin knew it, a hundred or so Seelie faerie soldiers begins to attack the Unseelie faeries. He looks at the two kings, still in a combative embrace and the look of shock on Sehun’s face is priceless. The latter lets out a cry of anger and shoves Lu Han back before yelling, “Attack you useless animals!”
In the grand scheme of things, Jongin really would have never thought there would be a faerie war over himself.
--
After getting moved to an infirmary within the Seelie court palace, Jongin lies on his back, staring at the ceiling. He occasionally hears thundering footsteps from above him and the walls surrounding.
A knock comes on his door, he calls out a "come in". One of the Seelie faeries comes in, the king’s courier he belatedly realizes, carrying a tray of what looks like food.
"How are you feeling?" It (he?) asks.
Jongin tries to sit up, but he forces him back down,
"Better, but I'm still so tired."
“Here, eat this. I had to steal some from a human place,” Kyungsoo says. He thanks him before taking small bites.
“This really sucks. I wish I could do something to help,” he says. Kyungsoo scoffs,
“You’re the whole cause of this war. There’s not much you can do to help.”
“Why do the kings hate each other anyway? There’s obviously some kind of history between them.” Kyungsoo sighs, but supposes he should humor the human anyway.
“The kings used to be good friends. Both of them lived in the Seelie court and King Lu Han was destined to take over the throne. However, the two friends had a large disagreement which caused them to drift apart. Apparently, Sehun was forced to go to the Unseelie court and somehow linked it to Lu Han and so, he resents him for that. He also somehow managed to grab control of the Unseelie throne after their previous king was killed. Lu Han has tried for a long time to try to convince Sehun that it wasn’t his fault, but he’s too far gone. The Unseelie court has transformed into a sadistic beast, but in reality, he’s lonely.”
It definitely explains Sehun’s demeanor toward Lu Han, and also why he wanted to keep Jongin around. But then, why try to kill him? And he’s not completely lonely, not with all his little lackeys constantly waiting on his hand.
“Can I ask you something that might sound totally stupid?” Jongin blurts out. Kyungsoo gives him a wary look. “What if I try to make Sehun and Lu Han make up again?”
Kyungsoo bursts out laughing, which makes Jongin frown. “I mean, I know it’s crazy, but…”
“No, it’s not just crazy, it’s fucking insane. You obviously have no idea what you’re suggesting.” Kyungsoo says bluntly.
“Okay, how bad could it be?”
“Jongin, faeries are not what you think. They are vicious creatures that truly only have their own best interests in mind. Trying to get Sehun and King Lu Han to even talk in the same room would get you killed faster than dancing for three days straight.” Kyungsoo says in his signature matter-of-fact voice. Of course, Jongin knows it’s dangerous, but he knows this is probably the only way to end the war. He waits for Kyungsoo to leave the room before formulating a plan that’s most probably the most stupid thing he’s done. After causing a war that is.
--
Slinking along the damp walls of the Seelie court palace, Jongin tries to make his way through the darkness to find the war planning room. He stops when he hears hushed voices behind a wooden door. Craning his ear to a small crack, he tries to listen in. He can’t make out more than “attack”, “large force” and “annihilate”. He’s just going to assume there’s a huge attack planned for tomorrow.
He’s determined to carry out his plot before that can happen. He waits until the voices stop talking and the wooden door opens again. Jongin peels himself to the wall and waits for the faerie to leave before he himself can go inside.
Peeking into the room, he sees Lu Han poring over maps and charts. Taking a deep breath, he ventures inside.
“Your Highness,” he begins and takes a low bow. The surprise is evident on the king’s face, “Oh, Jongin! What are you doing here?”
“I apologize for interrupting…”
“No, no! Not at all. How are you feeling?” Lu Han asks with a smile.
“Much better, sir. I was just worried about the war and all…” Jongin begins.
“There’s nothing to worry about, don’t worry. It will all be over soon.” Jongin winces at that information.
“Well, sir, I was just thinking...perhaps...maybe you and King Sehun could talk out your differences instead of fighting…” He really wants to slap himself right now.
Lu Han gives him an odd look, “Normally I don’t condone this type of conflict resolve, but desperate times call for desperate measures. We’ve been trying to avoid a war with the Unseelie for years. The tension has reached a breaking point.”
“But-” Jongin tries. Lu Han simply ruffles his hair and walks out.
He has to go to plan B.
Jongin stands behind the fleet of faerie soldiers, awaiting command from the general. He keeps running his oh-so-amazing plan through his head. This is going to work, he feels.
The soldiers start moving and Jongin springs into action. He follows the fleet to the entrance of the Unseelie court and sees Sehun dressed for war, leading his own army for an attack as well. He looks at the Seelie army and sees Lu Han in a state of shock; their plan is ruined. Nonetheless, he prepares for an attack as well.
Now’s my chance, Jongin thinks. And just as both leaders yell “CHARGE!”, Jongin runs as fast as he can in the middle of the battlefield and holds out both hands yelling, “STOP!”
The momentum of the armies cause them to stumble a little, but not for the two kings who continue barrelling towards one another. Jongin steps back at the last moment and watches the two faeries collide at full speed.
There is a collective gasp among all the faeries watching in the audience and the soldiers. Jongin looks around to see Zitao’s face in complete horror, while Kyungsoo is off to the side shaking his head in embarrassment. Jongin gingerly walks over to the two kings after the dust clears, but ends up shocked himself.
“Uh, sirs?” Both Sehun and Lu Han are laughing, as if whatever just happened was the funniest joke in the world. Jongin gives a quizzical look, “Are you two alright?” By now, they’re both rolling on the floor, wheezing out whatever tension remained.
The two couriers immediately come rushing to their respective king’s aid, faces complete with a look of concern. Lu Han brushes off Kyungsoo’s incessant coddling, “Oh, leave me be, I’m fine.”
“Don’t you have anything better to do than tending my every needs?” Sehun says to Zitao, but without his usual bark.
“Um, what exactly just happened?” Jongin speaks up.
“Why, you, foolish boy. You’re the cause of everything,” Lu Han says. Jongin winces,
“I know that, but you two were literally about to cut the other’s throats out, and now you’re laughing?”
“Indeed. It seems you were able to help after all,” Lu Han says with a knowing smirk.
“What exactly do you mean by that?” It’s now Sehun’s turn to smile,
“All you must know is that the war began and ended because of you.” He wraps an arm around Lu Han, who then wraps another arm around Jongin,
“You have forever changed the course of faerie history. We are forever indebted to you.”
“...I still don’t understand what this means….” Jongin says confusedly. The two kings sigh,
“Just know you’ve become a special part of this realm.”
--
Jongin packs away all his things - which he hadn’t even brought, it’s what’s been given to him as gifts - and sighs at the weird turn of events.
Zitao approaches him and offers to help carry some things while escorting him to the portal.
“This is even more weird because you’re actually helping me,” Jongin says.
“Well, yes. It seems you’ve influenced more than just the kings,” Zitao says.
“I still don’t get what happened, and Sehun and Lu Han won’t tell me.”
Zitao sighs. “Something along the lines of your humanliness causing something to transform in the air, so when the two kings embraced, it helped to clear their minds. Or something like that.”
Jongin nods his head in feigned understanding, “So they’re basically saying I’m like a blood brother type thing?”
“I don’t know what that is, but sure,” Zitao says, handing his things back to him. “Also, something is waiting for you back at your home. I have a feeling we’ll be meeting again.” Jongin gives him an odd look, but the courier turns back immediately. He climbs up the stairs of the cave and ventures back to his own home.
His run-down apartment looks nothing different than when he left it. He’s still wary when he reaches the stairs; however, he notices a large box waiting by his door. He picks it up and sees a note attached,
Jongin, thank you for your sensibility and noble idiocy in helping Sehun and I rekindle our friendship. We consider you one of our own now as well, so if you ever want to come back and visit, you’re welcome to. The box has all of Sehun’s promised assets for completing your service. I wish you the best of luck in music school.
Lu Han.
Jongin may have made some pretty stupid mistakes, but someway or another, it all turns out to be one heck of an adventure.