Day 6: Where the faries dance PART 1
For: Everyone by: Hello-vixxo
Pairing: Hongbin/Suho
Length: 17,984
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Seeing invisible things was nothing new for Hongbin. But he never expected to get dragged into a whole new world.
Notes: Almost all creatures are based on Nordic Folklore! Sorry if it seems rushed at times and I hope you all like this!
Hongbin had always been able to see it. He saw the mist building in the fields, but he also saw the creatures dancing in it. Their long hair flowing as they threw their bodies around in a circle. When he was younger he was intrigued to walk into the field outside their house. His mother would always stop him before he got too the door. She wore a warm smile as she crouched down to look him in the eyes.
“The Fairies are dancing out there now sweetie. You cannot go to them, they would take you away from me and we wouldn’t like that would we?” She said in a soft voice and Hongbin would look at her with big eyes. She saw them too right? So he would believe her. He didn’t want to be separated with his mom.
Hongbin believed that his mother also could see the fairies but when he was older he learned that this was just stories she had heard when she was younger from her mother and she only used it to keep him from going out and play in the field when it was getting dark.
★☆★
Hongbin was sitting on the hard seats of the school bus, his eyes glued to the forest that was passing by outside his window. Besides him sat his best friend who was half asleep with the raven colored hair falling over his eyes as his head hung forward.
“Taekwoon, your neck is going to kill you if you sleep like that.” Hongbin said as he poked his arm. Taekwoon mumbled in his sleep and he opened his eyes lazily and glared at him.
“Spare your glares until we arrive at Hackyeon’s place.” Hongbin said, his mouth opened wide as he yawned. He can’t believe Hackyeon had invited his whole class to his house (Well it was more like a mansion) and take them hiking in the mountains as their last class trip before graduation.
He had decided this as Taekwoon had refused to come and visit him. Taekwoon sighed and placed his head back against the headrest.
“If you gone and visited him for a day or two we could have avoided this” Hongbin sighed, Taekwoon moved his hand and jabbed him in his ribs. Hongbin jumped and frowned at the other as he pushed his hand away.
He didn’t continue his one sided conversation instead he continued to stare out the window. Hongbin was used to these conversations and it may seem weird to some but it was comfortable. He understood Taekwoon very well in his silence and he would spare his words to when he really needed them.
The bus turned up on the driveway to Hackyeon’s house, it was a long narrow road going slightly uphill. It was rough as the bus jumped back and forth.
As they almost reached the top and you could clearly see the mansion, Hongbin looked out the window. There was a huge meadow besides the house and mist has slowly started entering it and from the woods they entered.
You could almost mistake them for real people, but there was a certain glow that lit them up. Hongbin knew that no one else on this bus could see them. And that was another reason why he knew. They weren’t human.
In the circle there always only females, but this time something was different. Hongbin’s eyes grew wide as he stared. Short blonde hair, white shirt with loose fitting white pants, he twisted his body as he danced around in the circle. He had Hongbin spellbound within seconds. And for the first time since he was a little kid he wanted to jump of the bus and join them.
“Something caught your attention?” Taekwoon’s soft voice broke him from his trance. He shook his head slightly before turning to face his friend.
Hongbin laughed nervously and the other raised a brow at him “It’s just so beautiful” he quickly came up with a small lie as he smiled at his friend.
“The way the sun sets over the forest and how the mist dances over the field.”
Taekwoon chuckled softly.
“It certainly is magical”
“My mother used to tell me when I was little that when the mist was out on a field it was because the fairies were dancing” Hongbin explained with a small smile “I like to imagine it sometimes”
“That’s new. Where did that story come from?” Taekwoon asked his eyes hinting just a bit of curiosity.
“I don’t know. My mother never told me.” Hongbin chuckled softly as he looked out the window with a small smile. His eyes immediately went to the man dancing around, Hongbin observed every move he made as he was drawn in again.
The bus stopped and he was pulled out of his thoughts once again, Hongbin sighed lightly as he stood up taking his bag that was safely stored under his seat. He walked out of the bus after Taekwoon and the two of them was immediately pulled into a bone-crushing hug.
“Taekwoon and Hongbin! Ah, I’m so happy you both made it here safely” Hackyeon shouted as he swirled around with Taekwoon and Hongbin stumbling after him.
“H-Hackyeon, we aren’t the only ones here” Hongbin hushed as he pulled out of Hackyeon’s crushing grip. The older backed away and looked around at the confused faces of the rest of the class.
“Aha, Sorry! I just got carried away!” Hackyeon laughed as he smiled brightly at the school kids.
“Well then let’s get you all settled in! Follow me kids!” He said cheerfully as he walked towards the mansion.
Hongbin sighed and looked at Taekwoon. The raven hair just smiled softly at him as he walked after the gray haired man that was talking to their teachers about something.
★☆★
Hackyeon provided everyone a separate room except for Taekwoon and Hongbin. Because all the rooms were occupied. Which both Taekwoon and Hongbin knew was not a big fat lie.
“Liar.” Taekwoon growled silently as they entered Hackyeon’s huge bedroom. Hongbin chuckled softly as he placed his bag on the floor.
The two of them would complain too Hackyeon a lot, Hongbin in particular. But it never bothered the older man and at times they did give him lots of love too. Which they knew he deserved for being such a amazing friend.
As they made themselves comfortable in Hackyeon’s room, Hongbin sat himself down in one of the large windows in the room. The windowsills broad had a soft cushion and the window was filled with pillows.
Hackyeon had learned one of the first times Hongbin came to visit he liked sitting in the window so he took the time to fix it up making it more comfortable for the younger.
Hongbin stared out over the field the fairies were long gone and so was the mist. But there in the middle of the field was a small ring of white mushrooms. He smiled as he looked over it. Fairies would sometimes leave a trace after their dance. Always in a ring, people didn’t care for it since science had explained it.
To Hongbin these circles meant everything, it was some sort of proof for him to know he was not crazy. That there wasn’t anything wrong with it, he had witnessed how they grew as they where dancing and he knew.
“Hongbin.” Hackyeon called softly and Hongbin turned his head to see him holding out a cup of hot chocolate.
“Why not coffee?” Hongbin asked as he looked at the older.
“This evening is just screaming for some hot chocolate right Leo?” Hongbin chuckled at the nickname Hackyeon had given Taekwoon many years back, when they were all quite young and Hackyeon thought he needed a new name. And so Leo was invented for him and it just stuck with him over the years.
“I wanted coffee.” Taekwoon stated and continued to sip on the hot beverage. Hongbin shook his head a little and Hackyeon grinned brightly.
Hongbin once again turned his eyes to the meadow outside though he knew he wouldn’t see anything, he still couldn’t help himself.
“Something always seems to catch your eyes.” Hackyeon said as he seated himself in the window opposite of Hongbin. He looked at the older with a small smile.
“You can borrow them for a day if you want.” Hongbin joked with a bright smile and the other laughed at him.
“I think I’ll pass.” He said with a small smile “You know… I believe that no person can see the world as another. We all look upon the world with different eyes.” Hackyeon said and Hongbin looked at him.
“I get this feeling. That the world you see is a scary one. Your just like a cat, you stare into empty spaces and I can feel my heartbeat speed up. Because I know that cat and I trust him well and he is staring so intensely at something. It’s freaky, but at the same time. I think how you look at the world must also be very beautiful. But I rather not find out” Hackyeon looked straight into Hongbin’s eyes and it kind of freaked him out how the other seemed to read everything so well.
“I like the way you look at people. It must be fun trying to imagine it” Hongbin said happily and Hackyeon chuckled.
Taekwoon had lied down on the bed and with a loud yawn drawn the attention to the other two.
“I guess it’s time we go bed” Hackyeon exclaimed as he pushed himself from the windowsill.
★☆★
They had stayed at Hackyeon’s house for four days now and were leaving later that afternoon. The previous days had been filled with hiking, kayaking and other activities that Hackyeon managed to get fixed (Hongbin seriously wondered how he had managed).
Hongbin was once again found sitting on the windowsill looking out over the meadow. The mist had started to creep out onto it.
Hongbin sighed heavily, they were leaving in three hours and so many of his classmates decided to go do one last event. Hongbin decided to stay at the house, he was so exhausted. He would probably need to stop in the middle of everything because he would be too tired to carry on.
Taekwoon decided to stay behind and keep Hongbin company and so did Hackyeon since he needed to organize their departure. Hackyeon was running around through the house checking all the rooms making sure nothing was left behind and that people had cleaned after themselves.
Hongbin looked out over the meadow as mist started to float over it again; he was surprised to see that only the one male had come out for a dance. Alone he danced around in a small circle, his body movements were like waves slowly creeping up the shore. He twisted and turned his body to a beat Hongbin couldn’t hear but he tried to imagine it. What beautiful tune the fairy must be dancing to.
A thought suddenly struck him. At first he tried to ignore it but felt himself fall deeper into it. He had always been drawn into the dances of the fairies but never like this. But he knows he can’t go to them. It would be all over if he did.
Somehow this time the thoughts didn’t stop and Hongbin sighed deeply. Taekwoon put down the book he was reading and looked at him.
“Something wrong?” he asked and Hongbin shook his head.
“Nah, it’s nothing. It’s just feeling a bit stuffy in here.” He sighed and looked over to Taekwoon who was sitting in a beanbag in the corner of the room.
“I’ll head out for a moment. I’ll be right back.” He said smiling softly at his friend raised an eyebrow as he left the room.
“Okay, see you soon.” Taekwoon lifted his book again and continued to read.
Hongbin walked out of the house, his feet steering him towards the field. He was walking on autopilot. He didn’t want to think about his decision, he was too curious. He couldn’t control himself anymore. He was already stuck in their spell.
As he walked up to the field he could hear the music in the background. The soft beating of drums and the flowing melody from the flutes. As he walked closer he could hear the low humming from the fairy as he danced, his eyes half closed as he twisted his body around. It seemed as he was flying as he took another step around and threw his arms around. It looked so controlled, so graceful but still so wild.
His blonde hair flew with the gentle breeze and the dancing. Tangling into the flowers he wore on his head. They were all in different colors but still seemed to be carefully chosen. His eyes were half open revealing his dark brown eyes. As he turned again his ears were exposed. They were pointy and golden rings bounced from his earlobes.
His body followed the rhythm of the music and Hongbin froze. He stood just meters away from him and that’s when he realized. He was caught in his spell, his body didn’t listen to anymore. He was completely frozen where he was standing.
“Fuck.” he whispered and lowered his head too look down at his feet as he tried to calm his hysterically beating heart and gather his thoughts. He couldn’t let himself be fooled by his tricks. It didn’t matter that he was super attractive on top on everything. He knew their tricks (Or so he thinks he does). He looked up to meet the fairies eyes filling himself with self-confidence.
The fairy continued to dance his eyes never leaving Hongbin’s and he came closer and closer. Reaching his hand forward and caressed his cheek softly. That’s when realization seemed to hit him as he stopped in his tracks and the music abruptly stopped.
“Can you see me?” he looked at Hongbin fear showing in his eyes.
“I’ve always been able to.” Hongbin answered as he tried to keep a neutral expression on his face.
“Impossible… I can’t-“the fairy spoke slowly and he lifted his hand from Hongbin’s face as he turned his hand over. In his palm dust started to sparkle and dance and it swirled upwards. Hongbin looked at it fascinated but before he could say anything the substance was blown in his face and everything went black as he hit the hard ground.
★☆★
Hongbins thoughts slowly returned to him and he relived his recent memories. Really if he wasn’t 100% sure that everything had actually happened it seemed like a dream or a very good movie. He groaned and he heard something rustling beside him.
“He’s waking up.” A voice whispered. It sounded like, Hackyeons? Hongbin was hit with a sudden headache as he tried to squeeze his eyes open.
“Hongbin? Hey man, how are you feeling?” Hongbin forced his eyes open to look at Hackyeon that was smiling softly at him. He was so damn close to his face. Hongbin mumbled something, he didn’t even know what he was trying to say as he lifted his hand and pushed Hackyeon away from his face.
“Ah, he seems fine!” a new voice that hadn’t even been with them at the mansion. Hongbin turned his head slightly to meet a blonde haired kid that was smiling brightly at him.
“Sanghyuk?” Hongbin whispered as he couldn’t really gather any strength yet.
“Yup! Who else?” he said cheerfully and Hongbin smiled a little as started to push himself into an upright position.
“Careful.” Taekwoon’s soft voice came from the opposite side from where Hackyeon was sitting and Hongbin turned his head to look at him and the raven haired man smiled softly at him as he helped Hongbin into a sitting position.
“What happened?” Hongbin asked as he looked around the room. He wasn’t in a hospital he could tell, it seemed to be one of the smaller rooms located in Hackyeon’s mansion.
“You tell us, we found you passed out in the field.” Hackyeon said with a concerned look on his face.
Hongbin sighed, he really can’t tell them what happened. It was a one-way ticket to become the crazy guy and locked up.
“I really don’t remember.” He lied and looked down on his hands. “I went out into the meadow but then, I really don’t seem to remember what I did that made me faint.” Hongbin laughed nervously as his friends listened to him.
“Told you we should’ve brought him to a hospital.”
★☆★
Hongbin looked at Taekwoon with a happy smile and hugged his friend.
“Hey! You finally made it! We graduated!” He said happily and the other smiled softly at him.
“It took you some time, Taekwoon!” Hackyeon said with a bright smile as they all sat around a table in the small apartment Taekwoon and Hongbin shared. Truthfully Taekwoon was older than Hongbin, but he never seemed make a big deal about being behind in class.
Well mostly because he had a huge car accident a couple years ago, which made him have to start in the same class as Hongbin that was two years younger. It was kind of weird in the beginning. To have someone older than you in class but Hongbin liked him from the beginning.
And that’s also how he met Hackyeon who had been in same class as Taekwoon before the accident. And thus their trio was created; well it didn’t stay a trio for that long.
“Ah! You are all so lucky I still have two years to go!” Sanghyuk complained as he stuffed his face with the snacks in front of him.
★☆★
Being alone at Hackyeon’s mansion was weird. Hongbin looked around as he placed his bag on the floor of the hallway. He was surprised to see that Hackyeon let him come before their planned party because he wanted to start preparing. Which was a lie
It’s been over six months since he saw that fairy and he had a lot of things to think about since then. He knew he was very attracted to the fairy and if his mind was ever going to calm down. He needed to do this.
He couldn’t leave it alone he had to talk to the fairy, he had to be with him and even if this world meant everything to him. He wanted to learn about the other world too.
He learned from a very young age to trust his gut and trust his heart and so these past months he had been thinking. Very hard about what he wanted to do and wanted with his life. So many questions in his head and no one from his world could ever answer them. So he knew whom he had to ask.
It had been quiet for the past days, no mist, no fairies, and no nothing. But that was fine. It let Hongbin take it easy and like he had told Hackyeon, prepare for the party.
It kept his mind occupied and not try to overthink his decision. But he had thought through this for many months and even now it was clear to him what he wanted.
Hongbin sighed as he looked around the mansion, it was huge. He chuckled as sat down in the TV room and switched on the television. He switched between the channels not finding anything to watch and finally he stopped on one of those sport channels. He spread out in the couch as he was watching some horse sport he guessed. They were jumping over trees and what not. It looked quite dangerous, he couldn’t quite figure out why they would even compete in that?
An hour later Hongbin was sitting up a huge glass of coca cola in front of him and his eyes glued to the television. It was still same horse competition on the television but this time they were indoors and they were jumping these huge jumps.
“Come on” Hongbin whispered as he looked at the screen intensely and as the bar fell to the ground he threw his hands up in a disappointed action. “DAMN! So close!” he exclaimed and went back to watching as the horse was galloping towards the last jump and the rider preparing herself and then they flew.
“Man, I never thought I would get so involved in a sport” he mumbled as the competition ended and Hongbin turned the television off. He sighed as he rested his head back against the couch.
It’s so lonely he thought as he sat there. He really felt so alone at that moment and he wished he had stayed with the others until they all left.
“I can’t regret that now” He laughed and stood up quickly from the couch. He needed to do something to tire himself out so he could go to sleep.
That’s when he heard it, the soft song that traveled through an open window and into the house. Hongbin turned his head too look out over the field and sure enough the mist was there and there was the circle with fairies also.
“Here they come.” He mumbled as he stood up and walked to the window. He looked out over the field and their happy dancing and there he was and Hongbin smiled unconsciously.
When he caught himself smiling a bright red color spread over his cheeks and over his ears.
He sighed deeply as he looked over the field and as he watched the male fairy dance he became even more determined to go through with this. His curiosity was growing larger by the second and without a second thought he went out into the hallway and grabbed his coat and pulled on his shoes before running outside.
He carefully approached the circle. This time there were so many more than when he just meet with the blonde one. He studied them carefully and listened to their happy song. He felt himself wanting to move closer but he reminded himself that it was only their magic. He wasn’t going to be fooled by their magic.
With careful steps he walked closer and he saw one of the fairies turn her head and eye him quickly. She pushed her feet to make the circle move closer and closer to Hongbin and he wanted to take a step backwards but he forced himself to stay where he was. He tried to dig his feet closer to the ground as the circle enclosed around him.
He heard a giggling that spread around the circle and he tried to keep his eyes steady but they started to follow the blonde around the circle. Before he knew it he was turning around following him, he blamed it on the magic. It probably was partly the magic but there was something else also. He felt his heartbeat speed up, a slight redness spread over his face and his eyes were locked with the blonde.
“Do it right this time ~”
“Take him for her.”
“He is perfect.”
“Do it.”
Voices sang out and Hongbin had no idea where they came from. But they kept repeating and he felt dizzier and dizzier as he spun around his eyes not leaving the blonde fairy. He took a step towards him. Then another, and another. He was so close and Hongbin held his breath as he held up his hand and dust started swirling around just like the first time.
But before he got the time to blow anything at him his sight started to darken and his vision went blurry. His legs felt weak and suddenly his body falling towards the ground. He reached out trying to grab whatever he could. He grabbed the fairy’s shirt and tried to keep himself up but he kept falling and everything went black in front of him.
★☆★
Hackyeon and Taekwoon were at the police station; Hackyeon had tears in his eyes as Taekwoon was soothingly stroking the elder over his back.
“You will find him right?” Hackyeon cried as the officer they were talking too tried to keep him calm.
“We will do our best.” The officer said with a calming smile. Hackyeon just continued to cry as Taekwoon embraced him.
“He probably just got lost in the woods.” Taekwoon said calmly as he hugged his friend. “Everything will be okay.” He said and Hackyeon looked up at him and nodded.
Hongbin’s eyes opened in a flash and he stared up into a roof that looked like… dirt? Like he was beneath the ground, there was many roots spiraling around and it seemed to keep the roof high and away from crushing him. He looked around he started to feel uneasy about this whole situation as the walls also covered in dirt, it was like a small cupola formed room.
There was a small stove standing at the end of the round room, a fire burning in it and a small pipe that was probably the chimney running up through the ground, leading to the surface. Hongbin assumed. He was lying on a bed with a wooden frame; it was formed after the rounded wall.
How old he thought as he looked around the room nothing seemed to be from this century. There was a small square table with two chairs and on one of the chairs sat a person. The blonde hair was falling over his face as he was dozing off. His breathing slow and was snoring silently. And with every huff of hair his hair moved with the warm air. Hongbin quickly sat in the bed throwing the blanket that was covering him on the floor.
He stared at the person that seemed to have been half dozing off as straightened his head up and looked a bit surprised to see him awake.
“Oh, you’re awake” he said, his voice was soft, sweet. Hongbin blinked a couple of a times, he was still taken aback by how beautiful that man - fairy was.
“Mm” Hongbin mumbled and looked down at his hands not being able to meet his eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“Well, I’m still alive so yeah” he laughed nervously and let his eyes wander around the room.
“I’m sorry…” the man said his voice shaky as he spoke. He looks tense Hongbin noted as the fairy continued
“I didn’t want to take you, I hate capturing humans. For me it has always seemed very wrong.” he sighed and he turned his eyes from the floor to meet Hongbin´s eyes that had turned to him.
“The past 100 years or so humans seemed to become more comfortable in their homes. Not many come to us, not many venture out into the fields.” He sighed deeply
“I was kind of happy, we can continue our lives without humans. Since they no longer seemed interested in the mist we bring or the songs we sing.” His eyes turned sad and he couldn’t meet with Hongbin’s eyes any longer.
“I was alone when you came the first time. There was no one to pressure me to take you but I knew they all are watching. So I thought maybe after all these years I have lived that I maybe could take a human without feeling regret” He laughed sorrowfully his eyes turning glossy.
“I kind of found some peace at mind knowing humans didn’t see me and wouldn’t know what happened to them. They would just think everything is a blissful dream before their lives are taken away from them. But you saw me and you knew. I couldn’t understand why you would walk out into the field if you knew” his expression turned angry this time and he stood up walking with fast steps towards Hongbin.
“But I knocked you out and your friends found you. But you returned. How stupid do you have to be? I wasn’t alone this time and the others. The others pressured me to do right this time. It even was the same human. Can’t fuck up twice or you might loose your head” He almost sounded hysterical as he pulled a hand through his hand and Hongbin swallowed hard.
“Do you know what happens with people when they’re caught?” He asked and sat down on the bed his eyes staring at him intensely.
“N-no” Hongbin stuttered he tried to look away with all his might but the reddish brown eyes had him completely frozen.
“Well, we don’t take them all. Some go insane as they dance and we’ll leave them to wander a new world. Others pass out when they dance with us. And if they are lucky enough not to fall dead they will wake up hundred of years from their original time. Doomed to walk a different world until they die.”
He seems to have calmed down Hongbin thought as the other was speaking, his eyes had softened and he wasn’t as frozen in those eyes as before.
“What do you mean? Time passes faster for humans?” He asked carefully and the fairy smiled softly.
“Time doesn’t flow the same in our world” he answered and tilted his head slightly, he blonde hair moving over his face.
“Time moves much faster there and so they’ll probably end up dead with no one that knows who they are, who they was or who they wanted to be. They no longer have an identity in your world. Because they are already dead.” he laughed darkly and leaned even closer to Hongbin.
“And those humans who we don’t send to the future well we keep them. They will go to our queen.” His eyes seemed to become even redder as he spoke.
“Our queen is quite fond of human men.” He said and Hongbin shoved himself backwards in the bed as he hit the bed frame behind him and the fairy looked at him with almost black eyes.
Hongbin felt trapped as the fairy moved in closer and he felt scared. So scared he had never been so scared before. Was this the end? Was this it? He closed his eyes and pulled his knees to his chest as he hugged them and tried to make himself as small as possible.
A laugh broke through the air, it was soft and sweet. Like music and Hongbin looked up carefully to see the dark eyes turned back to their red/brown color and the fairy was looking at him with an unreadable expression.
“You don’t have to worry… What’s your name?” He tilted his head as he turned his body around pulling his legs into the bed and crossing them. He put his hands on his knees and leaned forward a bit. He was quite scary.
“H-Hongbin”
“No need to worry Hongbin.” He smiled softly as he leaned back again and stretched out a hand. Hongbin looked at it carefully before reaching out his own and the fairy shook it lightly,
“You can call me Junmyeon.” he said and stood up from the bed and walked over to the table and sat down on the chair.
“I had to take you this time because of the others. But I managed to convince everyone to let me take care of you since you fainted before anything even started. Which would mean you are unworthy for the queen.” he placed his elbows on his knees and leaned his head in his hands.
“We kill the ones not worthy. And we would make sure it’s painful.” He said once again did his eyes start to shift color. A blood red color filling his eyes.
“Then why didn’t you let them kill me?” Hongbin asked and Junmyeon blinked slowly chuckled quietly.
“I guess I don’t know the answer myself yet. However, I have something to ask you” he said removing his head from his hands.
“I’ll listen.” He answered.
“With my power I have been able to temporarily stop time around you and I also have a way for you to return to your world. I would like you to return. I never wanted to take you here.” Junmyeon looked at him determination in his eyes but this question it was too easy for Hongbin and his own eyes burned with determination.
“Many months has passed since I saw you for the first time. Do you know why I wandered into the field a second time?” Hongbin asked and Junmyeon looked at him again with an unreadable expression.
“I thought it was our magic.” He answered and his head tilted to the side
“Partly, I’ve always been drawn to the misty fields at dusk. But I’ve always been able to see. No one else sees what I do and if I ever tried to tell anyone I would be deemed insane.” Hongbin sighed and smiled slightly.
“I had always resisted going to the fields. But I always wondered maybe they could tell me why? Why am I seeing all this? It is what I asked. But it wasn’t enough to drive me into the field.” Junmyeon raised a brow as he talked and his eyes shifted again and they were glowing red. Hongbin quickly stood up from the bed as he saw the explosion coming.
“YOU! You wanted to ask US questions? ARE YOU AN IDIOT? I should just throw you out!” He yelled as he stood up the chair falling behind him at the force and Junmyeon stormed forward grabbing Hongbin’s shirt.
“I would just return even if you return me.” Hongbin said calmly as he looked into Junmyeon’s angry eyes. It was scary how easy his mood would change but Hongbin was certain about this question. He would return a hundred times until he gets answers.
“At first I thought I wanted to ask questions, I still do but it’s not the only reason. Then I blamed the magic for pulling me in. But this time as I walked into your circle I knew the answer.” Hongbin put his hand on Junmyeon’s and inhaled deeply as the other slowly let go.
“I don’t want your answer. You should return to where you belong, to your friends, family, life.” Junmyeon said and turned away his head.
“But I can’t!” Hongbin growled clenching his fists. He looked to the ground and his hair fell over his face as he collected himself.
“It wasn’t the magic, it wasn’t curiosity. It was you!” Hongbin looked up.
“It wasn’t the magic that captivated me. It was you.” Hongbin stared into Junmyeon’s eyes that by the second his cheeks became warmer a reddish color spreading across them.
Junmyeon looked at him and he seemed so taken aback by what Hongbin said. Hongbin was even taken aback by it as he started to realize what it was he had just said.
He jumped back into the bed hitting the wall behind him and he threw the blanket over himself as his face continued to burn. Geez how could I say anything like that Hongbin whined to himself as he tried to think everything away. Did he always have to be so embarrassing?
A silent cough and the sound of feet over the floor and then a door shut. Hongbin listened for a minute or two more before removing the blanket from his head and peaked up. The room was empty and Junmyeon had left the room.
“I probably pissed him off so much. Fuck” Hongbin felt his eyes sting as he carefully stood up from the bed and placed the blanket back on it and tried to make it look kind of neat.
He started pacing around the room, trying to figure out what he could do.
He couldn’t go outside… No it was too scary. But it was too scary to stay in the room too. Junmyeon was probably looking for something to easily just slice him up and then probably cook him.
A shiver ran through his body as tears stung in his eyes. He fucked up, he fucked up.
Hongbin was freaking out he didn’t know what to do. He was dead meat!
The door opened and he stopped and looked up at Junmyeon whose face was a slightly more pink color than before. And he didn’t seem to have come back with a knife or anything. Hongbin sighed in relief as the fairy walked up to him and reached out his arm and in his hand was a single blue flower1. Its petals thin and small. But it was beautiful.
Junmyeon pushed the flower into Hongbin’s hand as he reached up to take it and the other turned his back to him.
“Thank you?” Hongbin asked carefully as he looked at the beautiful flower, he had no idea what kind it was or why it was given to him.
“You’re welcome.” Junmyeon mumbled.
“May I ask what flower this is?” Hongbin said carefully and a deep sigh came from Junmyeon.
“It’s a Scilla. Don’t you know about flowers?” He asked as he slowly turned around to face Hongbin.
“Ah, no. I only know a few flowers, the most common ones though.” He smiled carefully and the other nodded his head.
“Well then…” He inhaled deeply as the last tints of pink disappeared from his face.
“Are you sure you won’t return to your world?” His voice wavered a bit. Hongbin looked at him his eyes growing a bit wider but he smiled again.
“I’ve decided to stay here!”
★☆★
The three first days living with Junmyeon were awkward. They barely talked and Hongbin didn’t know what to do to relieve the tension in the air. He felt really bad about taking his bed also. Though Junmyeon did say he was okay sleeping in the spare one, which was an old, looking couch that was standing just beneath the main bed.
It was made out of wood and there were no soft cushions to sit on but a broad wooden plate with some stuffed fabric over it. You could remove the plate and there inside there was a blanket a mattress and a pillow. It looked so uncomfortable and Junmyeon looked so tired and in pain every time they woke up.
Even if it was awkward, breakfast time was one of his favorite times of the day. Junmyeon would always wake up before him and bake freshly made bread in a little slot over the fireplace that would act as an oven. Just as the platform above it acted like a stove.
The bread Junmyeon made was the best. Hongbin decided the first day he tried it, it was warm, and the edges slightly crusty and it was just perfect. And there was always a small fruit salad to the bread and freshly pressed juice. Hongbin may think that the house seemed very un-modern and it seemed like he lived in the middle ages.
But as Junmyeon had explained as he had carefully asked was that they used their magic for many tasks and so they have no need for the technology of Hongbin’s world. Even if some of the fairies decided to modernize their homes.
Hongbin didn’t dare venture outside just quite yet; he was scared of the world outside.
“We have many names. Fairies I guess you call us right?” Junmyeon had asked and Hongbin nodded as he looked up from the food on the table.
“Well for us, we would say Älva or Älvor actually if there are more of us.” Junmyeon smiled as he tried to explain the foreign words to him.
“Actually Älva is for the females around here. I would be called an Alv. But we are not so picky so we actually ignore it. So it doesn’t matter what you call us. You are free to call us whatever. But if any other creature tries we prefer Älva, Älvor.” He smiled grimly as he looked at Hongbin who laughed nervously.
“But like I said, no need for you to worry about that.” He smiled again and Hongbin nodded.
The forth morning came around and once again did the smell of freshly made bread made Hongbin wake up. He squinted one of his eyes opened to look over at the table. Junmyeon was nowhere to be found but there the bread was already cut up and there was a strip of smoke coming up from it.
Hongbin stretched out over the bed as he yawned loudly making some weird noises as the sleep left his body. He quickly sat up when he heard the door open and close softly. He looked towards the door and Junmyeon came walking in with a bucket of water. He was staring at Hongbin with a raised brow and his expression could be explained as a huge question mark.
Hongbin laughed nervously as Junmyeon placed the bucket of water in its place on a counter besides the fireplace. Hongbin had quickly moved from the bed to one of the chairs and sat down waiting for Junmyeon as he did every morning.
“You don’t have to wait for me.” He said as he placed a wood piece on the fire and put a pot with water on the stove.
“I was raised to always wait for everyone to sit down before eating.” Hongbin said with a small smile. This was the first time he actually spoke since the first day. It had been Junmyeon who held the conversations a float and Hongbin nodded or shook his head. Or tried to make sense by using hand gestures.
“Have your voice finally returned?” Junmyeon joked and Hongbin chuckled. It didn’t seem so awkward between them even if he was sure the other had heard his weird sounds as he was stretching just a couple of minutes ago. Junmyeon walked over and sat down and the two of them began to eat their breakfast.
“I thought I’ll show you the village today. You can’t hide in here all the time.” Hongbin looked up as he bit down on a piece of bread and chewed it slowly.
“Who says I’m hiding?” He said when he had swallowed.
“You always deny me when I ask, you are obviously hiding.” He answered with a small smile.
“Maybe I was just feeling unwell?” Hongbin argued, “I mean this is all very surprising and strange to me.” He continued and the other chuckled softly.
“Sure you were. I heard you singing the other day when I left for a couple of minutes.” he said and Hongbin felt his cheeks flush bright red. He lowered his head until he hit the table in front of him and looked down on his legs. He really should get rid of that habit.
“I wouldn’t be embarrassed if I was you.” Junmyeon spoke softly and Hongbin looked up placing his chin against the table instead red still flushed red.
“You got a beautiful voice.” he said and smiled brightly. That certainly didn’t help Hongbin’s redness as he felt his face burn even hotter and just wanted to sink through the ground as he hid his face in his hands.
Junmyeon laughed again as he stood up to go put away the boiling pot of water and poured it into another small tub and mixed it with some cold water.
“I’ll just take care of the dishes then we can leave.” Junmyeon said and Hongbin grumbled from his place at the table.
Hongbin raised his hand as he walked out of the house for the first time. There was a small garden outside and cut off by a white painted fence. It was nice feeling the sun for again and the warm wind that brushed through his tousled hair felt amazing. He smiled brightly as he turned his face to the sun.
“Don’t just stay there, follow me!” Junmyeon stood outside the wooden gate and was holding it open as Hongbin stared for a minute or two before hurrying after.
“As long as you stay close you’ll be fine okay?” He turned his head to look at Hongbin who was looking nervously around. He was walking as close to Junmyeon as he could. Even though he was uncertain around Junmyeon he was rather close to the fairy then accidently walking far off and some other fairy snatched him and killed him.
“Don’t look so frighten.” Junmyeon commented and Hongbin chuckled nervously.
“I’ll try.” He whispered.
“Did you seriously believe everything I told you?”
“Y-yes?” Hongbin looked at Junmyeon who stared at him for a moment before bursting out laughing.
“O-Oh I’m sorry.” He laughed as tears started to build in his eyes. Hongbin glared at him, had he honestly lied to him about being killed if he wandered around alone!?
“You’re totally safe. No one would dare lay a hand on you.” His voice dropped and he sounded serious again as he turned his head back around.
It was silent between the two of them and Hongbin felt even more uncomfortable. He looked around and saw people peaking out of their windows glaring at him or making disgusted faces. Hongbin frowned and reached out his hand and with his index finger he grabbed a hold on Junmyeon’s finger. Thankfully he didn’t pull away and Hongbin felt a little more confident as they walked.
“We’re here.” Junmyeon said as they turned into another garden also filled with beautiful flowers and Hongbin was taken away by how all the gardens they had passed seemed all to be so full of colors and blossoming so prettily.
Junmyeon walked up to the door and knocked on it lightly and a voice quickly answered. “Coming!”
The door opened and Hongbin noted that it looked much more modern than Junmyeon’s or actually more than anyone’s they passed. A round face peaked out and a friendly smile.
“Oh, Junmyeon!” the dark brown haired male said cheerfully.
“Hi Minseok.” Junmyeon answered as he stepped inside the house as the other stepped aside. The brunet turned and eyed Hongbin carefully and then turned back to Junmyeon.
“So he finally agreed to come outside?” he questioned and he got a grunt as his answer. This Minseok turned around and smiled brightly at him.
“Well come in, don’t just stand there!” he laughed as he walked inside and Hongbin followed and closed the door behind him.
The inside of Minseok’s house was brightly lit and Hongbin was surprised to see how modern it was compared to Junmyeon’s house.
“Woah.” he scanned the room to see fairly modern supplies from a well recognizable Ikea bed to the kitchen area.
“Why does Junmyeon have it so un-modern?” he asked as he walked around and looked over all the stuff.
Junmyeon turned his head towards Hongbin who met his glare and froze in position. Junmyeon was glaring at him for what felt like an eternity before snorting and sitting back in the couch.
“Not saying it’s a bad thing” Hongbin muttered and rolled his eyes as he turned to Minseok who was smiling kindly.
“I guess you can say he’s stuck in the past” He joked as he walked up to Hongbin, reaching out his hand.
“I need to introduce myself properly! My name is Minseok.” He introduced himself and as Hongbin shyly reached out his hand he grabbed it surely and shook it.
“Hongbin.” He said slightly flustered at the shorter males enthusiasm.
They spent the rest of the day at Minseok’s and it was really fun and nice. Junmyeon seemed quite off the whole day but Hongbin got along with Minseok just fine and he learned some new things.
“Hongbin” Junmyeon called later into the evening with a soft voice. Hongbin was sitting at the table with Minseok chatting away. It was so easy talking with Minseok especially when he was quite curious about the world that Hongbin had lived in.
Hongbin looked up at Junmyeon and he had stood up from where he had been reading in the couch.
“I need to fetch something before heading back so I’ll go first. You know your way back?” He asked and smiled softly. Hongbin raised a brow and wondered why his attitude changed so suddenly.
“Yeah.” Hongbin answered and the blonde hurried out the door.
“What’s with him” Hongbin muttered and Minseok chuckled silently.
“What?” Hongbin glared at the brunet that smiled at him.
“Nothing, by the way I’ve been meaning to ask, what that sticking out of your pocket.” Hongbin looked to his jacket and saw that he had placed the flower that he got from Junmyeon there. He picked up the flower and held it up and Minseok smiled.
“It’s a Scilla” Hongbin said as he looked at the flower “Or that’s what Junmyeon told me.” Minseok nodded and reached out and took it from his hands.
“I know,” he said and looked up with a smug smile, “do you know why he gave you it?” Hongbin looked at Minseok for a moment before shaking his head.
“I’ll give this one away to you. Make sure to ask Junmyeon next time.” He said brightly as he handed the flower back to him.
“You’re not so bad.” Minseok said and stood up. “That’s what it means. Does it make sense?” He asked and Hongbin stood up with a slight blush on his cheeks.
“I guess.” Hongbin said as he walked to the door. “Thanks for today Minseok!” he said as he hurried out the door.
Hongbin stepped inside Junmyeon’s house and looked around. Even if was un-modern and quite a surprise for Hongbin, he liked it. It made him feel at ease.
Junmyeon had not yet come back and Hongbin sighed as he looked around. His eyes fell on the couch in which Junmyeon was sleeping. He grunted disappointedly as he walked up to it and pulled out the blanket and the pillow and threw it on the bed. He closed it up and sat down on it to await Junmyeon’s return.
Junmyeon was meet with a cold gaze as he walked inside his house. The human boy was sitting in his wooden couch that he had been sleeping in the past two days. Junmyeon stopped as the door closed behind him. He carefully scanned the room to see that his blanket and pillow been thrown into the bed.
“What?” Junmyeon asked carefully and Hongbin stood up his expression didn’t change and Junmyeon felt somewhat worried about what the human was thinking.
“I cannot allow you to sleep in that thing anymore” He said and kicked his leg backwards on the couch.
“Don’t call it that” Junmyeon scowled and Hongbin glared at him.
“I don’t care that it’s awkward between us I’ve shared beds with classmates and people I barely know before. So from now on we’re sharing!” He said and a small smile twitched in his lips as he saw Hongbin’s face light up in red and he chuckled.
★☆★
As time passed it became more comfortable between the two of them. Hongbin was quite pleased to know that Junmyeon wasn’t sleeping in that horrible couch.
Hongbin noticed after the first night they slept together that Junmyeon wasn’t the perfect sleeping friend. He was constantly moving around mumbling and he doesn’t really remember but he thinks that the other slapped- punched him. And a clearly visible bruise the next morning was the evidence.
When Junmyeon had woken up he had quickly hurried out as Hongbin was carefully poking his cheek. The fairy quickly got inside again with a white rose in he quickly came forward and gave Hongbin the rose.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” he repeated as he carefully looked over the bruise. Hongbin just smiled at him and took the rose over to a vase that Junmyeon had given him. He was surprised to see that the blue flower Junmyeon gave him didn’t wither. He didn’t bother asking why because it was probably some of his magic.
He placed the rose there and turned back to Junmyeon.
“It’s okay, it didn’t even wake me up.” He said smiling but the blonde kept on apologizing. “Seriously Junmyeon, it’s okay I had worse” he said as the other kept on hysterically apologizing.
It took Hongbin a good 20 minutes to calm him down and at the same time Hongbin managed to convince him to get rid of that awful couch as he tried to go back to sleeping in it again.
It was mostly because they were sleeping together that the tension between them disappeared. Hongbin took wild guesses at how every morning would turn out. He had found himself on the floor; he had found Junmyeon on the floor. He found himself bruised and sore as if he had been into an intense fight. One time he woke up feeling really heavy and having a hard time breathing and discovered Junmyeon atop of him.
Hongbin also learned to deal with Junmyeon’s mood swings. Hongbin learned to tell by his eyes. The shifting colors could tell him when to be extra careful around the fairy. He never asked about anything either and when he tried once the eyes had turned bright red and he burst out completely furious at him.
Other times the eyes would be almost black and it was at those moments he was extra careful because he didn’t know what he said would bring out. Sometimes sadness clouded his face. Sometimes hatred, his face would light up at times. Like when watching the butterflies in the garden. Or when he saw the birds fly over the sky. And sometimes, Hongbin couldn’t read his face at all.
★☆★
“Where are we going?” Hongbin asked as he followed Junmyeon through the forest. He was walking close by the forest was dark and a shiver ran down his spine.
“I want to show you some things.” He said as they came closer to a clearing.
“Show me what?” Hongbin asked as he looked around. They entered the clearing a small lake on the opposite side from where they stood. Junmyeon stopped and waved Hongbin to come closer.
“The dangers of my world.” He said and Hongbin walked up to him standing close to the fairy as he was his only protection and if he was going to show him something dangerous he rather be closer than not.
Junmyeon extended his arm and pointed across the lake, Hongbin followed his finger and out to across the lake. There on the other side stood a completely black horse.
Head held high as it scanned into the forest. The coat glistened in the sun and seaweed was tangled in its mane and tail. He could tell how recently it had been submerged in water as water still dripped from it. Hongbin was taken aback at how beautiful this horse was. It was like nothing he had ever seen before and it almost screamed out to him.
“Don’t be fooled.” Junmyeon spoke carefully as he sat down tugging at Hongbin’s pants and he sat down beside him.
“It may look like a beautiful horse but it’s a deadly beast.” Junmyeon said as the horse turned its head and stared right at the two of them. Its eyes were cold and a dark blood red color. A cold wind blew at them and a shiver ran down his spine as the horse mouth opened. Its mouth was filled with sharp fangs and a blood-curdling screech echoed over the lake before it jumped into the lake, diving into the deep.
Junmyeon stood up again and sighed deeply.
“Bäckahästen.” he said as Hongbin also rose to his feet. “Or the brook horse. It’s one of the many dangerous creatures here. It uses its beauty to lure most often children onto its back. And then it will carry them to the deep to devour them.” Junmyeon looked at Hongbin that was staring out into the lake with big eyes and he felt himself frozen in fear. Junmyeon sighed before he carefully poked Hongbin in the ribs gaining the human’s attention.
“You don’t need to be afraid. It won’t attack.” He said softly and Hongbin nodded.
“Come.”
Junmyeon showed Hongbin around the forest that held much beauty, but still so much danger. And there were so many things he didn’t know about. He had been able to see everything but almost the only thing that would make themselves known was the fairies.
“She’s pretty.” Hongbin said as they were crouching down behind a stone. A woman sat on a stone further away humming some song.
“I told you not to be lured in by beauty.” Junmyeon sighed as he repeated what he told the human for what must be the hundredth time.
“I know I know, but I can’t help but think that.” Hongbin complained as Junmyeon placed a hand on his arm. Hongbin looked at him but he was staring at the creature in front of them.
“Skogsrået or also called skogsfrun. Forest wife, she may look like a beautiful woman now. But I assure you that when she turns around, her back is hollow and looks like the bark of the trees.” as he said so the woman turned slightly on the rock and
Hongbin could see slightly what he was talking about and it did indeed frighten him.
Pairing: Hongbin/Suho
Length: 17,984
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Seeing invisible things was nothing new for Hongbin. But he never expected to get dragged into a whole new world.
Notes: Almost all creatures are based on Nordic Folklore! Sorry if it seems rushed at times and I hope you all like this!
Hongbin had always been able to see it. He saw the mist building in the fields, but he also saw the creatures dancing in it. Their long hair flowing as they threw their bodies around in a circle. When he was younger he was intrigued to walk into the field outside their house. His mother would always stop him before he got too the door. She wore a warm smile as she crouched down to look him in the eyes.
“The Fairies are dancing out there now sweetie. You cannot go to them, they would take you away from me and we wouldn’t like that would we?” She said in a soft voice and Hongbin would look at her with big eyes. She saw them too right? So he would believe her. He didn’t want to be separated with his mom.
Hongbin believed that his mother also could see the fairies but when he was older he learned that this was just stories she had heard when she was younger from her mother and she only used it to keep him from going out and play in the field when it was getting dark.
★☆★
Hongbin was sitting on the hard seats of the school bus, his eyes glued to the forest that was passing by outside his window. Besides him sat his best friend who was half asleep with the raven colored hair falling over his eyes as his head hung forward.
“Taekwoon, your neck is going to kill you if you sleep like that.” Hongbin said as he poked his arm. Taekwoon mumbled in his sleep and he opened his eyes lazily and glared at him.
“Spare your glares until we arrive at Hackyeon’s place.” Hongbin said, his mouth opened wide as he yawned. He can’t believe Hackyeon had invited his whole class to his house (Well it was more like a mansion) and take them hiking in the mountains as their last class trip before graduation.
He had decided this as Taekwoon had refused to come and visit him. Taekwoon sighed and placed his head back against the headrest.
“If you gone and visited him for a day or two we could have avoided this” Hongbin sighed, Taekwoon moved his hand and jabbed him in his ribs. Hongbin jumped and frowned at the other as he pushed his hand away.
He didn’t continue his one sided conversation instead he continued to stare out the window. Hongbin was used to these conversations and it may seem weird to some but it was comfortable. He understood Taekwoon very well in his silence and he would spare his words to when he really needed them.
The bus turned up on the driveway to Hackyeon’s house, it was a long narrow road going slightly uphill. It was rough as the bus jumped back and forth.
As they almost reached the top and you could clearly see the mansion, Hongbin looked out the window. There was a huge meadow besides the house and mist has slowly started entering it and from the woods they entered.
You could almost mistake them for real people, but there was a certain glow that lit them up. Hongbin knew that no one else on this bus could see them. And that was another reason why he knew. They weren’t human.
In the circle there always only females, but this time something was different. Hongbin’s eyes grew wide as he stared. Short blonde hair, white shirt with loose fitting white pants, he twisted his body as he danced around in the circle. He had Hongbin spellbound within seconds. And for the first time since he was a little kid he wanted to jump of the bus and join them.
“Something caught your attention?” Taekwoon’s soft voice broke him from his trance. He shook his head slightly before turning to face his friend.
Hongbin laughed nervously and the other raised a brow at him “It’s just so beautiful” he quickly came up with a small lie as he smiled at his friend.
“The way the sun sets over the forest and how the mist dances over the field.”
Taekwoon chuckled softly.
“It certainly is magical”
“My mother used to tell me when I was little that when the mist was out on a field it was because the fairies were dancing” Hongbin explained with a small smile “I like to imagine it sometimes”
“That’s new. Where did that story come from?” Taekwoon asked his eyes hinting just a bit of curiosity.
“I don’t know. My mother never told me.” Hongbin chuckled softly as he looked out the window with a small smile. His eyes immediately went to the man dancing around, Hongbin observed every move he made as he was drawn in again.
The bus stopped and he was pulled out of his thoughts once again, Hongbin sighed lightly as he stood up taking his bag that was safely stored under his seat. He walked out of the bus after Taekwoon and the two of them was immediately pulled into a bone-crushing hug.
“Taekwoon and Hongbin! Ah, I’m so happy you both made it here safely” Hackyeon shouted as he swirled around with Taekwoon and Hongbin stumbling after him.
“H-Hackyeon, we aren’t the only ones here” Hongbin hushed as he pulled out of Hackyeon’s crushing grip. The older backed away and looked around at the confused faces of the rest of the class.
“Aha, Sorry! I just got carried away!” Hackyeon laughed as he smiled brightly at the school kids.
“Well then let’s get you all settled in! Follow me kids!” He said cheerfully as he walked towards the mansion.
Hongbin sighed and looked at Taekwoon. The raven hair just smiled softly at him as he walked after the gray haired man that was talking to their teachers about something.
★☆★
Hackyeon provided everyone a separate room except for Taekwoon and Hongbin. Because all the rooms were occupied. Which both Taekwoon and Hongbin knew was not a big fat lie.
“Liar.” Taekwoon growled silently as they entered Hackyeon’s huge bedroom. Hongbin chuckled softly as he placed his bag on the floor.
The two of them would complain too Hackyeon a lot, Hongbin in particular. But it never bothered the older man and at times they did give him lots of love too. Which they knew he deserved for being such a amazing friend.
As they made themselves comfortable in Hackyeon’s room, Hongbin sat himself down in one of the large windows in the room. The windowsills broad had a soft cushion and the window was filled with pillows.
Hackyeon had learned one of the first times Hongbin came to visit he liked sitting in the window so he took the time to fix it up making it more comfortable for the younger.
Hongbin stared out over the field the fairies were long gone and so was the mist. But there in the middle of the field was a small ring of white mushrooms. He smiled as he looked over it. Fairies would sometimes leave a trace after their dance. Always in a ring, people didn’t care for it since science had explained it.
To Hongbin these circles meant everything, it was some sort of proof for him to know he was not crazy. That there wasn’t anything wrong with it, he had witnessed how they grew as they where dancing and he knew.
“Hongbin.” Hackyeon called softly and Hongbin turned his head to see him holding out a cup of hot chocolate.
“Why not coffee?” Hongbin asked as he looked at the older.
“This evening is just screaming for some hot chocolate right Leo?” Hongbin chuckled at the nickname Hackyeon had given Taekwoon many years back, when they were all quite young and Hackyeon thought he needed a new name. And so Leo was invented for him and it just stuck with him over the years.
“I wanted coffee.” Taekwoon stated and continued to sip on the hot beverage. Hongbin shook his head a little and Hackyeon grinned brightly.
Hongbin once again turned his eyes to the meadow outside though he knew he wouldn’t see anything, he still couldn’t help himself.
“Something always seems to catch your eyes.” Hackyeon said as he seated himself in the window opposite of Hongbin. He looked at the older with a small smile.
“You can borrow them for a day if you want.” Hongbin joked with a bright smile and the other laughed at him.
“I think I’ll pass.” He said with a small smile “You know… I believe that no person can see the world as another. We all look upon the world with different eyes.” Hackyeon said and Hongbin looked at him.
“I get this feeling. That the world you see is a scary one. Your just like a cat, you stare into empty spaces and I can feel my heartbeat speed up. Because I know that cat and I trust him well and he is staring so intensely at something. It’s freaky, but at the same time. I think how you look at the world must also be very beautiful. But I rather not find out” Hackyeon looked straight into Hongbin’s eyes and it kind of freaked him out how the other seemed to read everything so well.
“I like the way you look at people. It must be fun trying to imagine it” Hongbin said happily and Hackyeon chuckled.
Taekwoon had lied down on the bed and with a loud yawn drawn the attention to the other two.
“I guess it’s time we go bed” Hackyeon exclaimed as he pushed himself from the windowsill.
★☆★
They had stayed at Hackyeon’s house for four days now and were leaving later that afternoon. The previous days had been filled with hiking, kayaking and other activities that Hackyeon managed to get fixed (Hongbin seriously wondered how he had managed).
Hongbin was once again found sitting on the windowsill looking out over the meadow. The mist had started to creep out onto it.
Hongbin sighed heavily, they were leaving in three hours and so many of his classmates decided to go do one last event. Hongbin decided to stay at the house, he was so exhausted. He would probably need to stop in the middle of everything because he would be too tired to carry on.
Taekwoon decided to stay behind and keep Hongbin company and so did Hackyeon since he needed to organize their departure. Hackyeon was running around through the house checking all the rooms making sure nothing was left behind and that people had cleaned after themselves.
Hongbin looked out over the meadow as mist started to float over it again; he was surprised to see that only the one male had come out for a dance. Alone he danced around in a small circle, his body movements were like waves slowly creeping up the shore. He twisted and turned his body to a beat Hongbin couldn’t hear but he tried to imagine it. What beautiful tune the fairy must be dancing to.
A thought suddenly struck him. At first he tried to ignore it but felt himself fall deeper into it. He had always been drawn into the dances of the fairies but never like this. But he knows he can’t go to them. It would be all over if he did.
Somehow this time the thoughts didn’t stop and Hongbin sighed deeply. Taekwoon put down the book he was reading and looked at him.
“Something wrong?” he asked and Hongbin shook his head.
“Nah, it’s nothing. It’s just feeling a bit stuffy in here.” He sighed and looked over to Taekwoon who was sitting in a beanbag in the corner of the room.
“I’ll head out for a moment. I’ll be right back.” He said smiling softly at his friend raised an eyebrow as he left the room.
“Okay, see you soon.” Taekwoon lifted his book again and continued to read.
Hongbin walked out of the house, his feet steering him towards the field. He was walking on autopilot. He didn’t want to think about his decision, he was too curious. He couldn’t control himself anymore. He was already stuck in their spell.
As he walked up to the field he could hear the music in the background. The soft beating of drums and the flowing melody from the flutes. As he walked closer he could hear the low humming from the fairy as he danced, his eyes half closed as he twisted his body around. It seemed as he was flying as he took another step around and threw his arms around. It looked so controlled, so graceful but still so wild.
His blonde hair flew with the gentle breeze and the dancing. Tangling into the flowers he wore on his head. They were all in different colors but still seemed to be carefully chosen. His eyes were half open revealing his dark brown eyes. As he turned again his ears were exposed. They were pointy and golden rings bounced from his earlobes.
His body followed the rhythm of the music and Hongbin froze. He stood just meters away from him and that’s when he realized. He was caught in his spell, his body didn’t listen to anymore. He was completely frozen where he was standing.
“Fuck.” he whispered and lowered his head too look down at his feet as he tried to calm his hysterically beating heart and gather his thoughts. He couldn’t let himself be fooled by his tricks. It didn’t matter that he was super attractive on top on everything. He knew their tricks (Or so he thinks he does). He looked up to meet the fairies eyes filling himself with self-confidence.
The fairy continued to dance his eyes never leaving Hongbin’s and he came closer and closer. Reaching his hand forward and caressed his cheek softly. That’s when realization seemed to hit him as he stopped in his tracks and the music abruptly stopped.
“Can you see me?” he looked at Hongbin fear showing in his eyes.
“I’ve always been able to.” Hongbin answered as he tried to keep a neutral expression on his face.
“Impossible… I can’t-“the fairy spoke slowly and he lifted his hand from Hongbin’s face as he turned his hand over. In his palm dust started to sparkle and dance and it swirled upwards. Hongbin looked at it fascinated but before he could say anything the substance was blown in his face and everything went black as he hit the hard ground.
★☆★
Hongbins thoughts slowly returned to him and he relived his recent memories. Really if he wasn’t 100% sure that everything had actually happened it seemed like a dream or a very good movie. He groaned and he heard something rustling beside him.
“He’s waking up.” A voice whispered. It sounded like, Hackyeons? Hongbin was hit with a sudden headache as he tried to squeeze his eyes open.
“Hongbin? Hey man, how are you feeling?” Hongbin forced his eyes open to look at Hackyeon that was smiling softly at him. He was so damn close to his face. Hongbin mumbled something, he didn’t even know what he was trying to say as he lifted his hand and pushed Hackyeon away from his face.
“Ah, he seems fine!” a new voice that hadn’t even been with them at the mansion. Hongbin turned his head slightly to meet a blonde haired kid that was smiling brightly at him.
“Sanghyuk?” Hongbin whispered as he couldn’t really gather any strength yet.
“Yup! Who else?” he said cheerfully and Hongbin smiled a little as started to push himself into an upright position.
“Careful.” Taekwoon’s soft voice came from the opposite side from where Hackyeon was sitting and Hongbin turned his head to look at him and the raven haired man smiled softly at him as he helped Hongbin into a sitting position.
“What happened?” Hongbin asked as he looked around the room. He wasn’t in a hospital he could tell, it seemed to be one of the smaller rooms located in Hackyeon’s mansion.
“You tell us, we found you passed out in the field.” Hackyeon said with a concerned look on his face.
Hongbin sighed, he really can’t tell them what happened. It was a one-way ticket to become the crazy guy and locked up.
“I really don’t remember.” He lied and looked down on his hands. “I went out into the meadow but then, I really don’t seem to remember what I did that made me faint.” Hongbin laughed nervously as his friends listened to him.
“Told you we should’ve brought him to a hospital.”
★☆★
Hongbin looked at Taekwoon with a happy smile and hugged his friend.
“Hey! You finally made it! We graduated!” He said happily and the other smiled softly at him.
“It took you some time, Taekwoon!” Hackyeon said with a bright smile as they all sat around a table in the small apartment Taekwoon and Hongbin shared. Truthfully Taekwoon was older than Hongbin, but he never seemed make a big deal about being behind in class.
Well mostly because he had a huge car accident a couple years ago, which made him have to start in the same class as Hongbin that was two years younger. It was kind of weird in the beginning. To have someone older than you in class but Hongbin liked him from the beginning.
And that’s also how he met Hackyeon who had been in same class as Taekwoon before the accident. And thus their trio was created; well it didn’t stay a trio for that long.
“Ah! You are all so lucky I still have two years to go!” Sanghyuk complained as he stuffed his face with the snacks in front of him.
★☆★
Being alone at Hackyeon’s mansion was weird. Hongbin looked around as he placed his bag on the floor of the hallway. He was surprised to see that Hackyeon let him come before their planned party because he wanted to start preparing. Which was a lie
It’s been over six months since he saw that fairy and he had a lot of things to think about since then. He knew he was very attracted to the fairy and if his mind was ever going to calm down. He needed to do this.
He couldn’t leave it alone he had to talk to the fairy, he had to be with him and even if this world meant everything to him. He wanted to learn about the other world too.
He learned from a very young age to trust his gut and trust his heart and so these past months he had been thinking. Very hard about what he wanted to do and wanted with his life. So many questions in his head and no one from his world could ever answer them. So he knew whom he had to ask.
It had been quiet for the past days, no mist, no fairies, and no nothing. But that was fine. It let Hongbin take it easy and like he had told Hackyeon, prepare for the party.
It kept his mind occupied and not try to overthink his decision. But he had thought through this for many months and even now it was clear to him what he wanted.
Hongbin sighed as he looked around the mansion, it was huge. He chuckled as sat down in the TV room and switched on the television. He switched between the channels not finding anything to watch and finally he stopped on one of those sport channels. He spread out in the couch as he was watching some horse sport he guessed. They were jumping over trees and what not. It looked quite dangerous, he couldn’t quite figure out why they would even compete in that?
An hour later Hongbin was sitting up a huge glass of coca cola in front of him and his eyes glued to the television. It was still same horse competition on the television but this time they were indoors and they were jumping these huge jumps.
“Come on” Hongbin whispered as he looked at the screen intensely and as the bar fell to the ground he threw his hands up in a disappointed action. “DAMN! So close!” he exclaimed and went back to watching as the horse was galloping towards the last jump and the rider preparing herself and then they flew.
“Man, I never thought I would get so involved in a sport” he mumbled as the competition ended and Hongbin turned the television off. He sighed as he rested his head back against the couch.
It’s so lonely he thought as he sat there. He really felt so alone at that moment and he wished he had stayed with the others until they all left.
“I can’t regret that now” He laughed and stood up quickly from the couch. He needed to do something to tire himself out so he could go to sleep.
That’s when he heard it, the soft song that traveled through an open window and into the house. Hongbin turned his head too look out over the field and sure enough the mist was there and there was the circle with fairies also.
“Here they come.” He mumbled as he stood up and walked to the window. He looked out over the field and their happy dancing and there he was and Hongbin smiled unconsciously.
When he caught himself smiling a bright red color spread over his cheeks and over his ears.
He sighed deeply as he looked over the field and as he watched the male fairy dance he became even more determined to go through with this. His curiosity was growing larger by the second and without a second thought he went out into the hallway and grabbed his coat and pulled on his shoes before running outside.
He carefully approached the circle. This time there were so many more than when he just meet with the blonde one. He studied them carefully and listened to their happy song. He felt himself wanting to move closer but he reminded himself that it was only their magic. He wasn’t going to be fooled by their magic.
With careful steps he walked closer and he saw one of the fairies turn her head and eye him quickly. She pushed her feet to make the circle move closer and closer to Hongbin and he wanted to take a step backwards but he forced himself to stay where he was. He tried to dig his feet closer to the ground as the circle enclosed around him.
He heard a giggling that spread around the circle and he tried to keep his eyes steady but they started to follow the blonde around the circle. Before he knew it he was turning around following him, he blamed it on the magic. It probably was partly the magic but there was something else also. He felt his heartbeat speed up, a slight redness spread over his face and his eyes were locked with the blonde.
“Do it right this time ~”
“Take him for her.”
“He is perfect.”
“Do it.”
Voices sang out and Hongbin had no idea where they came from. But they kept repeating and he felt dizzier and dizzier as he spun around his eyes not leaving the blonde fairy. He took a step towards him. Then another, and another. He was so close and Hongbin held his breath as he held up his hand and dust started swirling around just like the first time.
But before he got the time to blow anything at him his sight started to darken and his vision went blurry. His legs felt weak and suddenly his body falling towards the ground. He reached out trying to grab whatever he could. He grabbed the fairy’s shirt and tried to keep himself up but he kept falling and everything went black in front of him.
★☆★
Hackyeon and Taekwoon were at the police station; Hackyeon had tears in his eyes as Taekwoon was soothingly stroking the elder over his back.
“You will find him right?” Hackyeon cried as the officer they were talking too tried to keep him calm.
“We will do our best.” The officer said with a calming smile. Hackyeon just continued to cry as Taekwoon embraced him.
“He probably just got lost in the woods.” Taekwoon said calmly as he hugged his friend. “Everything will be okay.” He said and Hackyeon looked up at him and nodded.
Hongbin’s eyes opened in a flash and he stared up into a roof that looked like… dirt? Like he was beneath the ground, there was many roots spiraling around and it seemed to keep the roof high and away from crushing him. He looked around he started to feel uneasy about this whole situation as the walls also covered in dirt, it was like a small cupola formed room.
There was a small stove standing at the end of the round room, a fire burning in it and a small pipe that was probably the chimney running up through the ground, leading to the surface. Hongbin assumed. He was lying on a bed with a wooden frame; it was formed after the rounded wall.
How old he thought as he looked around the room nothing seemed to be from this century. There was a small square table with two chairs and on one of the chairs sat a person. The blonde hair was falling over his face as he was dozing off. His breathing slow and was snoring silently. And with every huff of hair his hair moved with the warm air. Hongbin quickly sat in the bed throwing the blanket that was covering him on the floor.
He stared at the person that seemed to have been half dozing off as straightened his head up and looked a bit surprised to see him awake.
“Oh, you’re awake” he said, his voice was soft, sweet. Hongbin blinked a couple of a times, he was still taken aback by how beautiful that man - fairy was.
“Mm” Hongbin mumbled and looked down at his hands not being able to meet his eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“Well, I’m still alive so yeah” he laughed nervously and let his eyes wander around the room.
“I’m sorry…” the man said his voice shaky as he spoke. He looks tense Hongbin noted as the fairy continued
“I didn’t want to take you, I hate capturing humans. For me it has always seemed very wrong.” he sighed and he turned his eyes from the floor to meet Hongbin´s eyes that had turned to him.
“The past 100 years or so humans seemed to become more comfortable in their homes. Not many come to us, not many venture out into the fields.” He sighed deeply
“I was kind of happy, we can continue our lives without humans. Since they no longer seemed interested in the mist we bring or the songs we sing.” His eyes turned sad and he couldn’t meet with Hongbin’s eyes any longer.
“I was alone when you came the first time. There was no one to pressure me to take you but I knew they all are watching. So I thought maybe after all these years I have lived that I maybe could take a human without feeling regret” He laughed sorrowfully his eyes turning glossy.
“I kind of found some peace at mind knowing humans didn’t see me and wouldn’t know what happened to them. They would just think everything is a blissful dream before their lives are taken away from them. But you saw me and you knew. I couldn’t understand why you would walk out into the field if you knew” his expression turned angry this time and he stood up walking with fast steps towards Hongbin.
“But I knocked you out and your friends found you. But you returned. How stupid do you have to be? I wasn’t alone this time and the others. The others pressured me to do right this time. It even was the same human. Can’t fuck up twice or you might loose your head” He almost sounded hysterical as he pulled a hand through his hand and Hongbin swallowed hard.
“Do you know what happens with people when they’re caught?” He asked and sat down on the bed his eyes staring at him intensely.
“N-no” Hongbin stuttered he tried to look away with all his might but the reddish brown eyes had him completely frozen.
“Well, we don’t take them all. Some go insane as they dance and we’ll leave them to wander a new world. Others pass out when they dance with us. And if they are lucky enough not to fall dead they will wake up hundred of years from their original time. Doomed to walk a different world until they die.”
He seems to have calmed down Hongbin thought as the other was speaking, his eyes had softened and he wasn’t as frozen in those eyes as before.
“What do you mean? Time passes faster for humans?” He asked carefully and the fairy smiled softly.
“Time doesn’t flow the same in our world” he answered and tilted his head slightly, he blonde hair moving over his face.
“Time moves much faster there and so they’ll probably end up dead with no one that knows who they are, who they was or who they wanted to be. They no longer have an identity in your world. Because they are already dead.” he laughed darkly and leaned even closer to Hongbin.
“And those humans who we don’t send to the future well we keep them. They will go to our queen.” His eyes seemed to become even redder as he spoke.
“Our queen is quite fond of human men.” He said and Hongbin shoved himself backwards in the bed as he hit the bed frame behind him and the fairy looked at him with almost black eyes.
Hongbin felt trapped as the fairy moved in closer and he felt scared. So scared he had never been so scared before. Was this the end? Was this it? He closed his eyes and pulled his knees to his chest as he hugged them and tried to make himself as small as possible.
A laugh broke through the air, it was soft and sweet. Like music and Hongbin looked up carefully to see the dark eyes turned back to their red/brown color and the fairy was looking at him with an unreadable expression.
“You don’t have to worry… What’s your name?” He tilted his head as he turned his body around pulling his legs into the bed and crossing them. He put his hands on his knees and leaned forward a bit. He was quite scary.
“H-Hongbin”
“No need to worry Hongbin.” He smiled softly as he leaned back again and stretched out a hand. Hongbin looked at it carefully before reaching out his own and the fairy shook it lightly,
“You can call me Junmyeon.” he said and stood up from the bed and walked over to the table and sat down on the chair.
“I had to take you this time because of the others. But I managed to convince everyone to let me take care of you since you fainted before anything even started. Which would mean you are unworthy for the queen.” he placed his elbows on his knees and leaned his head in his hands.
“We kill the ones not worthy. And we would make sure it’s painful.” He said once again did his eyes start to shift color. A blood red color filling his eyes.
“Then why didn’t you let them kill me?” Hongbin asked and Junmyeon blinked slowly chuckled quietly.
“I guess I don’t know the answer myself yet. However, I have something to ask you” he said removing his head from his hands.
“I’ll listen.” He answered.
“With my power I have been able to temporarily stop time around you and I also have a way for you to return to your world. I would like you to return. I never wanted to take you here.” Junmyeon looked at him determination in his eyes but this question it was too easy for Hongbin and his own eyes burned with determination.
“Many months has passed since I saw you for the first time. Do you know why I wandered into the field a second time?” Hongbin asked and Junmyeon looked at him again with an unreadable expression.
“I thought it was our magic.” He answered and his head tilted to the side
“Partly, I’ve always been drawn to the misty fields at dusk. But I’ve always been able to see. No one else sees what I do and if I ever tried to tell anyone I would be deemed insane.” Hongbin sighed and smiled slightly.
“I had always resisted going to the fields. But I always wondered maybe they could tell me why? Why am I seeing all this? It is what I asked. But it wasn’t enough to drive me into the field.” Junmyeon raised a brow as he talked and his eyes shifted again and they were glowing red. Hongbin quickly stood up from the bed as he saw the explosion coming.
“YOU! You wanted to ask US questions? ARE YOU AN IDIOT? I should just throw you out!” He yelled as he stood up the chair falling behind him at the force and Junmyeon stormed forward grabbing Hongbin’s shirt.
“I would just return even if you return me.” Hongbin said calmly as he looked into Junmyeon’s angry eyes. It was scary how easy his mood would change but Hongbin was certain about this question. He would return a hundred times until he gets answers.
“At first I thought I wanted to ask questions, I still do but it’s not the only reason. Then I blamed the magic for pulling me in. But this time as I walked into your circle I knew the answer.” Hongbin put his hand on Junmyeon’s and inhaled deeply as the other slowly let go.
“I don’t want your answer. You should return to where you belong, to your friends, family, life.” Junmyeon said and turned away his head.
“But I can’t!” Hongbin growled clenching his fists. He looked to the ground and his hair fell over his face as he collected himself.
“It wasn’t the magic, it wasn’t curiosity. It was you!” Hongbin looked up.
“It wasn’t the magic that captivated me. It was you.” Hongbin stared into Junmyeon’s eyes that by the second his cheeks became warmer a reddish color spreading across them.
Junmyeon looked at him and he seemed so taken aback by what Hongbin said. Hongbin was even taken aback by it as he started to realize what it was he had just said.
He jumped back into the bed hitting the wall behind him and he threw the blanket over himself as his face continued to burn. Geez how could I say anything like that Hongbin whined to himself as he tried to think everything away. Did he always have to be so embarrassing?
A silent cough and the sound of feet over the floor and then a door shut. Hongbin listened for a minute or two more before removing the blanket from his head and peaked up. The room was empty and Junmyeon had left the room.
“I probably pissed him off so much. Fuck” Hongbin felt his eyes sting as he carefully stood up from the bed and placed the blanket back on it and tried to make it look kind of neat.
He started pacing around the room, trying to figure out what he could do.
He couldn’t go outside… No it was too scary. But it was too scary to stay in the room too. Junmyeon was probably looking for something to easily just slice him up and then probably cook him.
A shiver ran through his body as tears stung in his eyes. He fucked up, he fucked up.
Hongbin was freaking out he didn’t know what to do. He was dead meat!
The door opened and he stopped and looked up at Junmyeon whose face was a slightly more pink color than before. And he didn’t seem to have come back with a knife or anything. Hongbin sighed in relief as the fairy walked up to him and reached out his arm and in his hand was a single blue flower1. Its petals thin and small. But it was beautiful.
Junmyeon pushed the flower into Hongbin’s hand as he reached up to take it and the other turned his back to him.
“Thank you?” Hongbin asked carefully as he looked at the beautiful flower, he had no idea what kind it was or why it was given to him.
“You’re welcome.” Junmyeon mumbled.
“May I ask what flower this is?” Hongbin said carefully and a deep sigh came from Junmyeon.
“It’s a Scilla. Don’t you know about flowers?” He asked as he slowly turned around to face Hongbin.
“Ah, no. I only know a few flowers, the most common ones though.” He smiled carefully and the other nodded his head.
“Well then…” He inhaled deeply as the last tints of pink disappeared from his face.
“Are you sure you won’t return to your world?” His voice wavered a bit. Hongbin looked at him his eyes growing a bit wider but he smiled again.
“I’ve decided to stay here!”
★☆★
The three first days living with Junmyeon were awkward. They barely talked and Hongbin didn’t know what to do to relieve the tension in the air. He felt really bad about taking his bed also. Though Junmyeon did say he was okay sleeping in the spare one, which was an old, looking couch that was standing just beneath the main bed.
It was made out of wood and there were no soft cushions to sit on but a broad wooden plate with some stuffed fabric over it. You could remove the plate and there inside there was a blanket a mattress and a pillow. It looked so uncomfortable and Junmyeon looked so tired and in pain every time they woke up.
Even if it was awkward, breakfast time was one of his favorite times of the day. Junmyeon would always wake up before him and bake freshly made bread in a little slot over the fireplace that would act as an oven. Just as the platform above it acted like a stove.
The bread Junmyeon made was the best. Hongbin decided the first day he tried it, it was warm, and the edges slightly crusty and it was just perfect. And there was always a small fruit salad to the bread and freshly pressed juice. Hongbin may think that the house seemed very un-modern and it seemed like he lived in the middle ages.
But as Junmyeon had explained as he had carefully asked was that they used their magic for many tasks and so they have no need for the technology of Hongbin’s world. Even if some of the fairies decided to modernize their homes.
Hongbin didn’t dare venture outside just quite yet; he was scared of the world outside.
“We have many names. Fairies I guess you call us right?” Junmyeon had asked and Hongbin nodded as he looked up from the food on the table.
“Well for us, we would say Älva or Älvor actually if there are more of us.” Junmyeon smiled as he tried to explain the foreign words to him.
“Actually Älva is for the females around here. I would be called an Alv. But we are not so picky so we actually ignore it. So it doesn’t matter what you call us. You are free to call us whatever. But if any other creature tries we prefer Älva, Älvor.” He smiled grimly as he looked at Hongbin who laughed nervously.
“But like I said, no need for you to worry about that.” He smiled again and Hongbin nodded.
The forth morning came around and once again did the smell of freshly made bread made Hongbin wake up. He squinted one of his eyes opened to look over at the table. Junmyeon was nowhere to be found but there the bread was already cut up and there was a strip of smoke coming up from it.
Hongbin stretched out over the bed as he yawned loudly making some weird noises as the sleep left his body. He quickly sat up when he heard the door open and close softly. He looked towards the door and Junmyeon came walking in with a bucket of water. He was staring at Hongbin with a raised brow and his expression could be explained as a huge question mark.
Hongbin laughed nervously as Junmyeon placed the bucket of water in its place on a counter besides the fireplace. Hongbin had quickly moved from the bed to one of the chairs and sat down waiting for Junmyeon as he did every morning.
“You don’t have to wait for me.” He said as he placed a wood piece on the fire and put a pot with water on the stove.
“I was raised to always wait for everyone to sit down before eating.” Hongbin said with a small smile. This was the first time he actually spoke since the first day. It had been Junmyeon who held the conversations a float and Hongbin nodded or shook his head. Or tried to make sense by using hand gestures.
“Have your voice finally returned?” Junmyeon joked and Hongbin chuckled. It didn’t seem so awkward between them even if he was sure the other had heard his weird sounds as he was stretching just a couple of minutes ago. Junmyeon walked over and sat down and the two of them began to eat their breakfast.
“I thought I’ll show you the village today. You can’t hide in here all the time.” Hongbin looked up as he bit down on a piece of bread and chewed it slowly.
“Who says I’m hiding?” He said when he had swallowed.
“You always deny me when I ask, you are obviously hiding.” He answered with a small smile.
“Maybe I was just feeling unwell?” Hongbin argued, “I mean this is all very surprising and strange to me.” He continued and the other chuckled softly.
“Sure you were. I heard you singing the other day when I left for a couple of minutes.” he said and Hongbin felt his cheeks flush bright red. He lowered his head until he hit the table in front of him and looked down on his legs. He really should get rid of that habit.
“I wouldn’t be embarrassed if I was you.” Junmyeon spoke softly and Hongbin looked up placing his chin against the table instead red still flushed red.
“You got a beautiful voice.” he said and smiled brightly. That certainly didn’t help Hongbin’s redness as he felt his face burn even hotter and just wanted to sink through the ground as he hid his face in his hands.
Junmyeon laughed again as he stood up to go put away the boiling pot of water and poured it into another small tub and mixed it with some cold water.
“I’ll just take care of the dishes then we can leave.” Junmyeon said and Hongbin grumbled from his place at the table.
Hongbin raised his hand as he walked out of the house for the first time. There was a small garden outside and cut off by a white painted fence. It was nice feeling the sun for again and the warm wind that brushed through his tousled hair felt amazing. He smiled brightly as he turned his face to the sun.
“Don’t just stay there, follow me!” Junmyeon stood outside the wooden gate and was holding it open as Hongbin stared for a minute or two before hurrying after.
“As long as you stay close you’ll be fine okay?” He turned his head to look at Hongbin who was looking nervously around. He was walking as close to Junmyeon as he could. Even though he was uncertain around Junmyeon he was rather close to the fairy then accidently walking far off and some other fairy snatched him and killed him.
“Don’t look so frighten.” Junmyeon commented and Hongbin chuckled nervously.
“I’ll try.” He whispered.
“Did you seriously believe everything I told you?”
“Y-yes?” Hongbin looked at Junmyeon who stared at him for a moment before bursting out laughing.
“O-Oh I’m sorry.” He laughed as tears started to build in his eyes. Hongbin glared at him, had he honestly lied to him about being killed if he wandered around alone!?
“You’re totally safe. No one would dare lay a hand on you.” His voice dropped and he sounded serious again as he turned his head back around.
It was silent between the two of them and Hongbin felt even more uncomfortable. He looked around and saw people peaking out of their windows glaring at him or making disgusted faces. Hongbin frowned and reached out his hand and with his index finger he grabbed a hold on Junmyeon’s finger. Thankfully he didn’t pull away and Hongbin felt a little more confident as they walked.
“We’re here.” Junmyeon said as they turned into another garden also filled with beautiful flowers and Hongbin was taken away by how all the gardens they had passed seemed all to be so full of colors and blossoming so prettily.
Junmyeon walked up to the door and knocked on it lightly and a voice quickly answered. “Coming!”
The door opened and Hongbin noted that it looked much more modern than Junmyeon’s or actually more than anyone’s they passed. A round face peaked out and a friendly smile.
“Oh, Junmyeon!” the dark brown haired male said cheerfully.
“Hi Minseok.” Junmyeon answered as he stepped inside the house as the other stepped aside. The brunet turned and eyed Hongbin carefully and then turned back to Junmyeon.
“So he finally agreed to come outside?” he questioned and he got a grunt as his answer. This Minseok turned around and smiled brightly at him.
“Well come in, don’t just stand there!” he laughed as he walked inside and Hongbin followed and closed the door behind him.
The inside of Minseok’s house was brightly lit and Hongbin was surprised to see how modern it was compared to Junmyeon’s house.
“Woah.” he scanned the room to see fairly modern supplies from a well recognizable Ikea bed to the kitchen area.
“Why does Junmyeon have it so un-modern?” he asked as he walked around and looked over all the stuff.
Junmyeon turned his head towards Hongbin who met his glare and froze in position. Junmyeon was glaring at him for what felt like an eternity before snorting and sitting back in the couch.
“Not saying it’s a bad thing” Hongbin muttered and rolled his eyes as he turned to Minseok who was smiling kindly.
“I guess you can say he’s stuck in the past” He joked as he walked up to Hongbin, reaching out his hand.
“I need to introduce myself properly! My name is Minseok.” He introduced himself and as Hongbin shyly reached out his hand he grabbed it surely and shook it.
“Hongbin.” He said slightly flustered at the shorter males enthusiasm.
They spent the rest of the day at Minseok’s and it was really fun and nice. Junmyeon seemed quite off the whole day but Hongbin got along with Minseok just fine and he learned some new things.
“Hongbin” Junmyeon called later into the evening with a soft voice. Hongbin was sitting at the table with Minseok chatting away. It was so easy talking with Minseok especially when he was quite curious about the world that Hongbin had lived in.
Hongbin looked up at Junmyeon and he had stood up from where he had been reading in the couch.
“I need to fetch something before heading back so I’ll go first. You know your way back?” He asked and smiled softly. Hongbin raised a brow and wondered why his attitude changed so suddenly.
“Yeah.” Hongbin answered and the blonde hurried out the door.
“What’s with him” Hongbin muttered and Minseok chuckled silently.
“What?” Hongbin glared at the brunet that smiled at him.
“Nothing, by the way I’ve been meaning to ask, what that sticking out of your pocket.” Hongbin looked to his jacket and saw that he had placed the flower that he got from Junmyeon there. He picked up the flower and held it up and Minseok smiled.
“It’s a Scilla” Hongbin said as he looked at the flower “Or that’s what Junmyeon told me.” Minseok nodded and reached out and took it from his hands.
“I know,” he said and looked up with a smug smile, “do you know why he gave you it?” Hongbin looked at Minseok for a moment before shaking his head.
“I’ll give this one away to you. Make sure to ask Junmyeon next time.” He said brightly as he handed the flower back to him.
“You’re not so bad.” Minseok said and stood up. “That’s what it means. Does it make sense?” He asked and Hongbin stood up with a slight blush on his cheeks.
“I guess.” Hongbin said as he walked to the door. “Thanks for today Minseok!” he said as he hurried out the door.
Hongbin stepped inside Junmyeon’s house and looked around. Even if was un-modern and quite a surprise for Hongbin, he liked it. It made him feel at ease.
Junmyeon had not yet come back and Hongbin sighed as he looked around. His eyes fell on the couch in which Junmyeon was sleeping. He grunted disappointedly as he walked up to it and pulled out the blanket and the pillow and threw it on the bed. He closed it up and sat down on it to await Junmyeon’s return.
Junmyeon was meet with a cold gaze as he walked inside his house. The human boy was sitting in his wooden couch that he had been sleeping in the past two days. Junmyeon stopped as the door closed behind him. He carefully scanned the room to see that his blanket and pillow been thrown into the bed.
“What?” Junmyeon asked carefully and Hongbin stood up his expression didn’t change and Junmyeon felt somewhat worried about what the human was thinking.
“I cannot allow you to sleep in that thing anymore” He said and kicked his leg backwards on the couch.
“Don’t call it that” Junmyeon scowled and Hongbin glared at him.
“I don’t care that it’s awkward between us I’ve shared beds with classmates and people I barely know before. So from now on we’re sharing!” He said and a small smile twitched in his lips as he saw Hongbin’s face light up in red and he chuckled.
★☆★
As time passed it became more comfortable between the two of them. Hongbin was quite pleased to know that Junmyeon wasn’t sleeping in that horrible couch.
Hongbin noticed after the first night they slept together that Junmyeon wasn’t the perfect sleeping friend. He was constantly moving around mumbling and he doesn’t really remember but he thinks that the other slapped- punched him. And a clearly visible bruise the next morning was the evidence.
When Junmyeon had woken up he had quickly hurried out as Hongbin was carefully poking his cheek. The fairy quickly got inside again with a white rose in he quickly came forward and gave Hongbin the rose.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” he repeated as he carefully looked over the bruise. Hongbin just smiled at him and took the rose over to a vase that Junmyeon had given him. He was surprised to see that the blue flower Junmyeon gave him didn’t wither. He didn’t bother asking why because it was probably some of his magic.
He placed the rose there and turned back to Junmyeon.
“It’s okay, it didn’t even wake me up.” He said smiling but the blonde kept on apologizing. “Seriously Junmyeon, it’s okay I had worse” he said as the other kept on hysterically apologizing.
It took Hongbin a good 20 minutes to calm him down and at the same time Hongbin managed to convince him to get rid of that awful couch as he tried to go back to sleeping in it again.
It was mostly because they were sleeping together that the tension between them disappeared. Hongbin took wild guesses at how every morning would turn out. He had found himself on the floor; he had found Junmyeon on the floor. He found himself bruised and sore as if he had been into an intense fight. One time he woke up feeling really heavy and having a hard time breathing and discovered Junmyeon atop of him.
Hongbin also learned to deal with Junmyeon’s mood swings. Hongbin learned to tell by his eyes. The shifting colors could tell him when to be extra careful around the fairy. He never asked about anything either and when he tried once the eyes had turned bright red and he burst out completely furious at him.
Other times the eyes would be almost black and it was at those moments he was extra careful because he didn’t know what he said would bring out. Sometimes sadness clouded his face. Sometimes hatred, his face would light up at times. Like when watching the butterflies in the garden. Or when he saw the birds fly over the sky. And sometimes, Hongbin couldn’t read his face at all.
★☆★
“Where are we going?” Hongbin asked as he followed Junmyeon through the forest. He was walking close by the forest was dark and a shiver ran down his spine.
“I want to show you some things.” He said as they came closer to a clearing.
“Show me what?” Hongbin asked as he looked around. They entered the clearing a small lake on the opposite side from where they stood. Junmyeon stopped and waved Hongbin to come closer.
“The dangers of my world.” He said and Hongbin walked up to him standing close to the fairy as he was his only protection and if he was going to show him something dangerous he rather be closer than not.
Junmyeon extended his arm and pointed across the lake, Hongbin followed his finger and out to across the lake. There on the other side stood a completely black horse.
Head held high as it scanned into the forest. The coat glistened in the sun and seaweed was tangled in its mane and tail. He could tell how recently it had been submerged in water as water still dripped from it. Hongbin was taken aback at how beautiful this horse was. It was like nothing he had ever seen before and it almost screamed out to him.
“Don’t be fooled.” Junmyeon spoke carefully as he sat down tugging at Hongbin’s pants and he sat down beside him.
“It may look like a beautiful horse but it’s a deadly beast.” Junmyeon said as the horse turned its head and stared right at the two of them. Its eyes were cold and a dark blood red color. A cold wind blew at them and a shiver ran down his spine as the horse mouth opened. Its mouth was filled with sharp fangs and a blood-curdling screech echoed over the lake before it jumped into the lake, diving into the deep.
Junmyeon stood up again and sighed deeply.
“Bäckahästen.” he said as Hongbin also rose to his feet. “Or the brook horse. It’s one of the many dangerous creatures here. It uses its beauty to lure most often children onto its back. And then it will carry them to the deep to devour them.” Junmyeon looked at Hongbin that was staring out into the lake with big eyes and he felt himself frozen in fear. Junmyeon sighed before he carefully poked Hongbin in the ribs gaining the human’s attention.
“You don’t need to be afraid. It won’t attack.” He said softly and Hongbin nodded.
“Come.”
Junmyeon showed Hongbin around the forest that held much beauty, but still so much danger. And there were so many things he didn’t know about. He had been able to see everything but almost the only thing that would make themselves known was the fairies.
“She’s pretty.” Hongbin said as they were crouching down behind a stone. A woman sat on a stone further away humming some song.
“I told you not to be lured in by beauty.” Junmyeon sighed as he repeated what he told the human for what must be the hundredth time.
“I know I know, but I can’t help but think that.” Hongbin complained as Junmyeon placed a hand on his arm. Hongbin looked at him but he was staring at the creature in front of them.
“Skogsrået or also called skogsfrun. Forest wife, she may look like a beautiful woman now. But I assure you that when she turns around, her back is hollow and looks like the bark of the trees.” as he said so the woman turned slightly on the rock and
Hongbin could see slightly what he was talking about and it did indeed frighten him.