There was laughter followed by wolf whistles and drumming. The full moon brightens the night as the stars twinkled. The dance was held at the beach, and the celebration made sure to highlight the winners of the water race, who sat in line, on top of the stone shaped chair made for a King. Jeongguk felt a bit bitter, that he was not one of the people sitting there since this was his first Moon Harvest with the tribe, and maybe it would be his last, once his memories return.

His mind flooded with the dream, and the familiar male voice echoed and yet his mind failed to conjure a face. He takes a sip of his rice wine, and glances over where Tae-min and Na-Yeon were dancing around the bonfire, with the rest of the children, eating and roasting food. They had bundles of roasted rabbits, fish, corn, melons, and many berries. Jeongguk turns to the other side of the fire where the adults sat, chatting amongst each other- cooking and serving the meal. He took another sip of his wine, and shift his focus to towards the ocean, he could see it faintly, but he knew it was there due to the moon’s reflection and the crushing of the waves upon the shore. He was here with the tribe, and yet this was the first time he felt like he was not one of them. He was just a stranger they took in and nourished back to life, no matter what he convinced himself. The realization was like a punch to the gut, and it made him wish, he never came to this strange land with strange people. Even the thought of Ji-min could not cheer him up, and since he was nowhere to be found.

“Hello!” a voice came from behind him, as an arm wraps around his shoulder, making him lose his footing and stumbles forward. Jeongguk catches himself, turning around and seeing Yugyeom, Moon bin, and Jinyoung. They were the only people aside from Ji-min who treated him like he belonged. They were also members of the twelve chosen warriors that protect the Oracle.

 Jeongguk glances around for Ji-min, figuring if they are here then he must be too, and he was right. Ji-min was standing on the opposite side, with Hoseok, the leader of the twelve warriors, Jaebum, Changmin, and Sungwoon, the ones that are usually with him. His heart was lifted, and his worries instantly crushed, as he watched him from a distant.  He had on a pink loose shirt with white pants with sandals, and his hair gleamed in the twinkling lights of the moon and the fire. His whole aura set him apart from the others. He was leaned over talking to someone, a female. Jeongguk couldn’t see who but he had a good idea who it was.

“Why’re you standing here by yourself?” asks Yugyeom, bringing him back to reality.

“Huh?”

“Wow, you seem out of it,” adds Moon bin.

“Well, he couldn’t participate in the race,” says Jinyoung, “Who wouldn’t be?”

“Well, he is not one of us so why’re you so worried? He’s lucky, he doesn’t have to participate in those ridiculous games,” says Moon bin, as the others glared at him. His words were another punch to the gut, but he was right.

….

“I mean, it’s not like they mean anything,” he quickly explains, “There just games made by bored people.”

“It’s’ fine, you don’t have to explain,” says Jeongguk.

“Don’t listen to him, he’s an idiot,” says Yug-yeom, “Let’s go eat.”

Yug-yeom hands him a roasted rabbit meat skewer with pineapple, and he smiles, blowing on it before taking a bit of it. The meat melted in his mouth, and it was euphoric, absolutely what he needed after drinking on an almost empty stomach.

“The girls look beautiful tonight,” says Yug-yeom, “Any lucky lady you have an eye on?” Jeongguk chuckles, ignoring him, as Jinyoung and Moon bin, playfully push him away.

“One track minded as usual,” retorts Jinyoung.

“Oh please,” says Yugyeom, making his way back towards them, “Not all of us have Jaebum to cuddle with.”

 Jin-young glared at him, as his cheeks betrayed him when he turned red. The Moon Tribe took relationships as an open thing, it didn’t matter male or female. To them, love was love as long as it was not in the form of a game, the only way to truly be in a relationship is to court that person and get the blessing from the Oracle. It was a form of a union, nothing casual and not mention the whole tribe is in your business, which made Jeongguk wonder if he had the courage to ask Ji-min to dance? Dancing was another form of a statement of and interest, what would it mean? What if he creates trouble for him? What if it gets him banished? Or maybe he was just overthinking, his cowardness taking over. Dancing was dancing.

He glances over at where Ji-min was standing but was no longer there. He searches the place and notices him talking to the seven winners of the water race, who had exclusive right to ask anyone to dance including Ji-min. His stomach sank, at the thought of Ji-min dancing with others. He couldn’t handle it; he gulps down his cup of rice wine.

“Whoa! You’ll end up drunk,” warns Jin-young.

That’s what I want. His voice echoed in his mind but continued drinking. He was not trying to get drunk, but he wouldn’t mind, at least if he were to make a fool of himself. He won’t have any memories of it tomorrow.

***

Not sure how drunk or late it was, but Jeongguk found himself irritated, despite Ji-min not dancing to anyone, he couldn’t find any moment with him. No matter, how much he tried Ji-min was never alone. And to make matter worse, he was nowhere to be found, lost. Jeongguk glances over to his friends who were dancing with each other except for Jin-young who was dancing with Jae-bum. Hoseok was talking with an elder but Jeongguk cursed for losing sight of Ji-min. An hour or two has passed, and he still couldn’t work out the courage to seek him out and ask him to dance, instead, he wallowed in wine.

His cheeks were rosy pink from the alcohol he consumed, a bit tipsy but not drunk enough to act foolishly. Jeongguk felt a light brush against his arm, he turned to see who had touched him- it was Ji-min. Jeongguk turned to face him. He looked into his eyes, beautiful shade of dark and light, and he smelled heavenly.

“Come with me,” whispered Ji-min. Jeongguk glances around, no one was watching them, filled with curiosity, he watched as Ji-min, walked away, glancing at him. Go where? But he didn’t want to protest, instead, he cautiously followed.

Not sure where they were going, Jeongguk quietly and closely followed him, as the noise and drums of the party became a distant memory. Without warning Ji-min came to a halt, causing Jeongguk to slightly bump into him, startled.

“We are here,” says Ji-min, cheerfully as he quickly walks towards a swing underneath a large tree, with the waves crushing their feet. It was colder on this side, and the breeze felt like kisses on the cheek, and the taste of the salty air, made him feel nostalgic. Have I been here before? But that is impossible? Or maybe I played near the ocean, just like this before?  He wonders.

“Push me,” he heard Ji-min say, his soft lullaby-like voice snapping Jeongguk back to the present. He chuckles softly, as Ji-min sat on the swing, waiting for him to push him.

“So childish,” Jeongguk mumbles underneath his breath, as he made his way behind Ji-min, “Where are we?” He gently places his hand on his back, and gives him a push, as Ji-min swung back and forth, erupting in laughter. A sound so soothing, Jeongguk’s heart skipped a beat.

“My secret place,” replies Ji-min, laughing, as he kicks his legs to make himself swing higher, “I come here when I want to get away from everything.”

After swinging for a while, Ji-min told him to stop as he slowed down, and came to a halt. Jeongguk watches him as he scoots to the other side, and glances at him, “Sit with me.” Jeongguk sat down, his body completely aware of Ji-min, his shoulder pressed against his, legs touching. It was everything he dreamed of and more- beautiful and serene, only if he could keep his heart from exploding.

“You smell like wine, “Ji-min said softly, turning to him, his face was an inch or two away from Jeongguk, and it made his mind and heart swirl. Jeongguk swallowed, biting his lower lip.

“Sorry, I had too much to drink,” he says, embarrassed.

“I know, I was watching you,” replies Ji-min. His gaze intent and focused. “Why?”

Jeongguk chuckles softly, “I guess I didn’t have as much courage as I claimed to have.”

Ji-min smiles, turning forward, “I like that,” he says, slightly swaying them back and forth, “It means you’re not as reckless as you act.”

Jeongguk blushed, despite not sure if Ji-min was complimenting him or scolding him. He scanned his face, unable to get over it. His beautiful monolid eyes were surrounded by thick, black lashes with thin brows. His lips, were indescribable- so plump and luscious, in the shape of Cupid's bow. So kissable.

“You shouldn’t look at me like that?” says Ji-min, turning to him again, shocked at the close one-inch proximity. His mouth opened to speak but nothing came out, surprised. Jeongguk stared back into his eyes, loss at words as well. He wanted to savor this moment and get close to him as possible. But would kissing him be appropriate? Especially since he never confessed his feelings.

But to his surprise, Ji-min leaned forward, his eyes lit with fire and amusement. He was irresistible when he looked at him like that. His eyes daring him to make a move. Jeongguk swallowed hard, not sure if it was wishful thinking but he didn’t want the moment to end, not without making his feelings known. He had to know how Ji-min felt about him too, right now.

“Ji-min- “he says softly.

“I love you,” Ji-min cuts him off, taking him by surprise, his cheeks heated up. He felt overwhelmed at his confession; he couldn’t help but wonder if Ji-min had too much to drink as well. He wanted to scream with joy but managed a smile instead. Ji-min leaned to the side, on his arm that was holding the rope, making the distance between them.

“I love you…since the day we found in the Ghost Winds Forest,” he continues. He exhales, a huge smile on his face, “Surprised?”

Jeongguk gazed at him, truly shocked, “Why…How come you never said anything before?”

Ji-min slightly shrugs his shoulders, “I wasn’t sure if you felt the same, you seemed to sweet talk a lot, so I thought it was all a joke- “

“No,” Jeongguk cuts him off, “The things I said to you were never a joke. I meant everything I said. So, what changed your mind?”

“Hmm, when you went underneath the water for me,” he says, with a giggle, “I realized that I’ve never felt a pain like that before when I thought you drowned.”

“I’m sorry for teasing you like that,” Jeongguk says, as they gaze at each other.

“So, do you love me?”

“Of course, why else would I do crazy things like that,” he teases, wanting to ease the tension in the year, “I’m so happy you feel the same.”

Ji-min his head to the side, his look suddenly serious, “But if anything was to happen between us,” he says, biting his lower lip, “It has to be with the permission of the Oracle and Chief.”

 Jeongguk watched him, and he knew, Ji-min was different. He was the tribe’s hope and faith, so of course, they also had a say on who he chooses as his mate. His life partner. Suddenly, his excitement turned into fear. The tribe would never accept a stranger. If that happens, what then?

“If it is too much of a burden,” Ji-min, says his voice trailing off before speaking again, “If it is too much of a burden, you can forget what I said.” Was he reading his mind? Wondered Jeongguk. No that was not magic, that was Ji-min, feeling his hesitation, and reading into his silence.

Come Jeongguk. Speak. Explain that is not true. He is not a burden. Not in the slightest. He urged himself.

….

“No…it’s not a burden,” he finally speaks up, “You fought for me when you brought me to your people. Because of you, they took me in as their own. I don’t know who I am or where I come from. I have nothing to offer except my feelings, so you’ll never be a burden to me. You’re the reason for my existences, and if proving that to the tribe is what I have to do, then it is a challenge I am willing to accept.”

Ji-min smiled, watching him, his gaze intense, like Jeongguk has never seen before, and out of nowhere his eyes glistened turning blue, shinning. Jeongguk was stunned, he has never seen his eyes change a different color before, and a part of him was scared but also found them beautiful. Ji-min was different, not just from his tribe but from him.  

“What is it?” asks Ji-min, his eyes returning to the original color.

“Your eyes…just now turned blue…”

Ji-min’s red blush deepen, as his eyes widen. Why is he blushing? Wondered Jeongguk. Ji-min sits facing forward, staring out to the ocean, silent for what second before speaking,

“My eyes do that when I’m really happy,” he replies, quietly. Jeongguk watched him, trying to comprehend what he heard, and he couldn’t help but watch him in awe.

“That’s beautiful.”

Ji-min glances at him, almost surprised, “You don’t find it strange?”

“Of course not,” he says, “I flutter.”

“I don’t like it,” says Ji-min, turning away, “They gave away too much of my emotions.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, the oracle says my magic is connected to my emotions, I learned to control them, but my eyes are a natural response, I can't control them.”

Jeongguk chuckles, “That’s cute.”

“Cute?” asks Ji-min, confused, “What’s that?”

“Um…it’s just a compliment,” says Jeongguk, as they both gaze at each other. Jeongguk stares out the ocean, it was dark. He glances at Ji-min, who was busy mouthing the word cute underneath his breath. As he watched him, Jeongguk wondered if he should tell him about his dream from earlier? Would it change anything? He smiles, deciding against it. One thing at a time, he wanted to enjoy his time with Ji-min especially since they were both on the same page.

 .... 

"I like cute," Ji-min says, "Teach me more words like that." 

"Sure if you want," Jeongguk replies, with a soft chuckle.

A small, satisfied smile curved on Ji-min's lip, and at that moment, Jeongguk knew even though he might be lost, he had never felt at home like he was feeling now.