The moment he finds out his favorite uncle, Youngjae, had fallen sick, Junhong volunteers to deliver food and medicine all the way to the place where the woods ended. Himchan was cooking that time, one hand on his hip, the other mixing the contents in a pot over the fire. He sips from the ladle, furrows his eyebrows, then takes some chopped celery and drops them into the pot. Junhong used to be small and would tug at Himchan's apron impatiently when he was hungry; he was adorable. But Junhong still was adorable --- no matter how much he towered over Himchan, the elder would still pinch at his cheeks, ultimately making the teen feel like a little kid. (Embarrassing him a whole lot too.)

 

                "Needs more salt..." Himchan mutters to himself as he looks behind the pot and around the counters to find the goddamn salt.

 

                "Looking for this?"

 

                Himchan turns around in surprise to find Junhong, smiling, and holding out a saltshaker. Himchan sighs in relief and smiles back. "Yes. Thank you, son."

 

 

 

 

 

                The door pushes open, and Yongguk is entering the house, an axe safely over his shoulder. He's glistening with sweat, his hair damp and his clothes are sticking to his skin. Himchan crinkles his nose.

 

                "I'm back." He says, kicking backwards to shut the door quite loudly. He passes by to ruffle Junhong's hair (even though he was shorter than him) and peck Himchan on the cheek. Himchan is still frowning, with his hands over his chest.

 

                "What?"

 

                "Nothing." Himchan replies plainly, turning his back from Yongguk to continue cooking poor sick uncle Youngjae's food. He packs the loaves of bread and the bowl of soup neatly in a basket along with the needed medicine. "I just---I still think we shouldn't let Junhong go there alone."

 

                "I'm not five." Junhong pouts.

 

                "Yes, see, Himchan? He'll be fine. It's about time he do real man things." Yongguk reasons. He knows how badly Junhong missed Youngjae, as well as how much he'd been wanting to explore the outsides of this house. Junhong might grow up to be a strange one if not given this experience, especially since the family lived far away from town. "Besides, there's absolutely just one thing to be afraid of in the woods."

 

                If that was supposed to comfort Himchan, it fails to. He recalls just exactly what Yongguk meant. And it scares him even more because oh dear, what will that evil thing do to my baby Junhong?

 

                "What's that?" Junhong asks, in pure curiousity.

 

                "No! I mean, no, Junhong. I'll bring it to Youngjae myself." Himchan panics.

 

                Yongguk ignores him. "There's something in the woods---half-human and half-wolf. Let me tell you: he has the heart of the devil, and an appetite of a beast."

 

                Junhong nods, completely absorbed and highly interested by what Yongguk was telling him. Himchan wasn't amused one bit.

 

                "Just steer clear of the guy, and you'll be fine. Heck, if you don't sleep over at Youngjae's, you should get back here by later in the morning." The eldest shrugs, slipping off from his boots. Junhong shoots Himchan a look as if asking 'please Himchan please, can I go?’ And well, Himchan could never tell Junhong no. He always gave in at some point.

 

                "Fine. It's late, though. Please be extra careful."

 

                Junhong couldn't help but celebrate excitedly around the house, making Yongguk laugh and Himchan possibly near tears.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

                Junhong sets off bringing along the basket for Youngjae, and wearing an oddly bright-colored red hood Himchan made him wear. 'It's cold out.' he had told him. 'You might get sick.' It looked ridiculously infantile, in Junhong's opinion. He figures it's perfectly fine to have two dads, except Himchan acts too much of naggy mother.

 

                At this time, the woods were dark---almost too dark that Junhong could only see the outline of the trees, and the full moon hidden slightly behind the leaves. He doesn't even know where the right path is anymore, because as of now, the only senses he depends on are touching and hearing. Junhong wasn't as scared he ought to be.

 

                That is, until, he hears the rustle of leaves behind him. There was a quick breeze, as if someone dashed behind him. He stops in his tracks, taking a cautious turn. He picks up sounds of cracks of branches and crunches of leaves getting closer. He nervously gulps, wishing hard that it was a rabbit---or anything fluffy and cute and wouldn't eat his internal organs instead. However, there was a silhouette by a nearby tree. And Junhong was always the curious type.

 

                "Hello?" Junhong says, rather bravely taking steps towards the mysterious figure. "Who's there?"

 

                The person---or thing---chuckles. He steps into the moonlight, right where Junhong could see him. "Minestrone soup, right?"

 

                Junhong freezes. The so-called thing was actually a person. Well, kind of. Everything else about was human-like. He had brunette hair and tanned skin and tattered clothes. He would have looked perfectly normal. Except he had brown ears atop his head, a furry tail waving behind him, a glint in his silver eyes. He smirks crookedly, revealing a sharp canine tooth. "It's my favorite." He breathes in deeply, his eyes darting out at the basket Junhong held. Scared, he hides it behind his back.

 

                "I'm Daehyun." He says, pretending not to notice. The latter is still too petrified to move----just how dangerous was this person? Did he dare find out?

 

                Daehyun holds out his hand for Junhong to shake. "And you?"

 

                His head tells him 'no'. His parents had just warned a few hours ago exactly about this creature. He stiffly shakes his head. So in response, the werewolf retracts his hand. He inches close to the young one, merely whispering in his ear. "Should I give you a name instead?"

 

                Junhong shudders. Daehyun was too close. Too close. And he should probably push him away, but he doesn't, because he's frozen. His mind is going wild with his paranoia and bracing himself for however Daehyun plans to tear him apart and chew on his skin.

 

                "Red Riding Hood." He enunciates slowly. "That's what I'm calling you, since you're nameless." He backs away, much to Junhong's relief, and runs a hand on the red cloth.

 

                "Junhong." The younger replies quietly. Daehyun only looks at him.

 

                Junhong his lips, before taking a deep breath. "Junhong. That's my name."

 

                Daehyun nods thoughtfully. "Alright, Red Riding Hood. I see you're helplessly lost. Need any help?"

 

                "I-I'm not lost." Junhong denies. "I'm taking a walk."

 

                "Okay. Care to talk a walk with me, then?" He offers Junhong a hand again, but he knew better. Junhong only steps further back.

 

                "No. No walks." He tries to sound like he wasn't scared. To that, Daehyun cracks into a smile. He shrugs. "Alright, a talk then? Or no talks either?"

 

                The taller one furrows his eyebrows. He was tempted. Tempted to know and understand just what the hell Daehyun was and what his intentions were. "No nothing. I need to go. My parents told me not to---"

 

                "---trust strangers?" Daehyun finishes for him. "Or was it more like, strangers that resemble dogs?" He laughs at his own joke, then gently places a hand on Junhong's. Junhong decides to give in, knowing for sure he'll regret ever crossing paths with someone like Daehyun. They sit on the grass, and even as they struck a conversation, Junhong was cautious of leaving space between them. As soon as his aching curiosity was healed, he would get up and run away to Youngjae's warm and safe house.

 

                "Tell me about yourself, Junhong." He says. Junhong eyes him warily.

 

                "Come on, tell me anything. You don't have to tell me where you live. I don't have any weird intentions."

 

                Junhong sighs. "I like the color blue. I have two dads. I hate broccoli. I'm not fond of sunlight, but the moonlight is beautiful." He boldly turns to Daehyun. "And you?" Junhong was expecting to hear some gory stories of how he devoured his victims and all; just so he can prove his parents right. It would make a good story for when he comes back home. If he doesn't get killed, that is.

 

                The wolf boy smiles and nods. "I like blue too, but silver is my favorite color. My only parent---my mom---died when I was 3. I love broccoli. And yes, sometimes, the moon is my only friend."

 

                The younger stares at him, dumbfounded. Daehyun continues to speak. "I like running around the woods in the morning, when the shadows of the leaves make changing patterns on the ground. I like starting bonfires in the middle of the night, roasting marshmallows left behind by explorers. I like lying on my back on top a hill, counting the stars in the sky."

 

                "I'm just like you. Kind of. I feel just like you do. I act just like you do." He talks continuously, letting the light from the moon reflect on his eyes. His eyes were really pretty. It was of a different color; Junhong had never seen anything like it. "But everyone paints me the villian. I tried to be better at first, but in the end I just gave up, y'know? If they thought I was the villian, then I am the villian. So be it."

 

                "Why... Why are you doing this? Why are you talking to me?" Junhong asks meekly. Daehyun knits his eyebrows together, thinking of an answer. "I just... needed someone---anyone----to understand, I guess? You were the first one who didn't run away." He responds truthfully. "Or try to kill me, for that matter." He lets out a bitter laugh, to possibly cover up any drop of sadness he felt. Because he wasn't allowed to be sad. He was shown to the world as the bad guy, after all. Bad guys were never sad.

 

                "Have you...?"

 

                "Have I what?"

 

                "Have you, you know... killed anyone?" It was an awkward question to ask. Junhong feels like he shouldn't have asked it at all---Daehyun seemed like such a sensitive underneath all that supposed evil.

 

                Daehyun shakes his head. "Never have." He says, his eyes still glued on the moon. There's something about how Daehyun looked. He looked melancholic.

 

                "Junhong, how old are you?" He changes the mood of the whole conversation, lightening it up considerably.

 

                "Um, 16."

 

                Daehyun's lips curl into a sly smile. "I see. Any girlfriends?"

 

                "Wait, what!?" Junhong sputters.

 

                "Boyfriends, then? First kisses?"

 

                Embarrassed, Junhong pulls his hood over his head to hide his blushing face. "W-What kind of a question is that?"

 

                Daehyun laughs at that. "You're as red as your fancy costume, Red Riding Hood." He comments, grinning widely. "I'm kidding, sorry."

 

                Junhong is still frowning, holding tightly to each end of his hood. He was being made fun of. By a person he just met. He couldn't believe this. Suddenly, Daehyun turns slightly and places his hands flat on the ground on either side of Junhong, so that he's facing the younger. "Do you want one?"

 

                "What?" He practically squeaks out when Daehyun is as close to him that their noses touch.

 

                "Do you want one? A first kiss?"

 

                His eyes are piercing right at his. The intensity of his gaze is enough for Junhong's limbs to weaken and for his back to go slack. Junhong doesn't even need to say anything because the next thing he knows is that Daehyun's lips are on his and it feels pleasant, to say the least. Their lips fit perfectly against each other's. There was a somehow soothing and comforting thing about the contrast in Junhong's soft lips, and Daehyun's chapped ones. Daehyun pulls away to clearly see Junhong's eyes glisten, and his cheeks burn bright red. "You're a pretty kid." He compliments him, smiling a smile that turned his eyes into little crescents.

 

                Junhong looks down at his lap, not being able to bear being face-to-face with him. "Y-Yeah. You're not bad either... Daehyun."

 

                Then, Daehyun has a look of surprise on his face, and Junhong's taken aback by it too. He hears him laugh silently, merely above a whisper. "Wow," He begins. "When was the last time I heard someone besides me say my name?"

 

                "Your name is nice. At least it's not Red Riding Hood, right?" Junhong comments, smiling at Daehyun. The latter stands up, patting Junhong's head. "Yeah. Your new nickname is almost as cute as you."

 

                Junhong's cheeks turn pink at the compliment. "Do you flirt with every person you find lost in the woods? Is it a werewolf thing?"

 

                Daehyun gives Junhong a hand to help him up. "Nah. Just the insanely tall ones with blue hair and red capes. My type are broccoli-hating people named Junhong."

 

                Junhong's blush deepens.

 

                Meanwhile, Daehyun is staring off into distance, looking a bit forlorn. "Well, Red Riding Hood, I'm off."

 

                "Wait, what?" Junhong accidentally yells, embarrassing himself and coming off as desperate. "I mean---you haven't shown me the directions to my uncle's house." He quickly corrects himself.

 

                "I thought you weren't lost." He grins cockily. "Anyway, all you need to do is go straight from this path. When the path splits, take the one on your right side until you find the house. So yeah, bye now."

 

                Disappointed, Junhong evidently deflates. He mutters a 'thank you' and turns around, but before he can leave, Daehyun places a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, kid. You're real nice, okay? I like you."

 

                Junhong nods shyly, despite not really understanding where this was going.

 

                "If I could guarantee you this wasn't the last time I was going to see you, I would."

 

                "Last time? What do you mean---"

 

                "It'll be fine, Junhong. Just promise you'll remember me?" Daehyun cuts him off, as he smiles at him reassuringly. He passes a silver necklace to Junhong, and hesitantly, the younger takes it from him.

 

                "Yes." is all Junhong was able to say before his companion disappears into the darkness. Junhong thinks for a moment that he should follow after him, but the soup had probably gotten cold. He walks onward to the opposite direction, recalling all Daehyun informed him about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Days pass since Junhong's meeting with a certain wolf boy, and his visit to his favorite uncle. It had gone quite well, Junhong guesses. He made sure to feed his uncle well and help him with his medicines. He stayed for the night, just in case. When morning came, there seemed to be an improvement in his health. Junhong was glad to see that, and Youngjae was ever grateful to him and his family. Admittedly, Junhong was looking for him on his way back---if he'd been running around the trees like he said he liked doing. But he wasn't there.

 

                Eversince that day, he'd been making all sorts of excuses just to go looking for him in the woods. He went with Yongguk to cut for logs and carry them back home. He went with Himchan to town to buy from the market. But for all of those days and nights, he couldn't be found. It's as if he had disappeared completely.

 

               

 

 

                "Junhong, honey, are you okay?"

 

                Junhong looks up to see Himchan's worried face. Himchan places a plate of bacon and eggs (which was Junhong's favorite breakfast meal) in front of him, and takes a seat. "Is anything bothering you, dear?"

 

                Junhong heaves a deep sigh. "I'm fine."

 

                "No, you're not." Himchan replies. "You've been sad all week. You haven't been eating and you're getting thin! Please tell me, Junhongie."

 

                The other gathers the will to smile weakly. "I am. I promise."

 

                Himchan is still worried, it's obvious and Junhong can tell, but he smiles back. "Okay. Just tell me if you need anything, though."

 

                "Yeah. Thanks. I love you." Junhong reaches to place a kiss on Himchan's cheek---something he'd rarely done since he turned 16 and Himchan becomes considerably happier. Then, Yongguk rushes in through the front door, looking excited and shocked at the same time. "They got him!" He exclaimed.

 

                Himchan raises an eyebrow. "Got who?"

               

                "The monster in the woods!"

 

 

 

 

                Junhong could feel his blood run cold.

 

 

 

                "Really?" Himchan responds, equally shocked.

 

                "Yes! The half-wolf man. He's dead!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

                No.

 

 

 

                "He is? When was he killed?"

 

                "Hm, last week?"

 

 

 

                No!

 

 

 

 

                "Is that true...?" Junhong asks, barely above a whisper.

 

                "It is. We're all safe now." Yongguk replies. "Well, I'm going back. I just thought I should tell you."

 

 

 

                He hears Yongguk shut the door behind him, and replaying their words, he observes the necklace on his palm.

 

                "Where'd you get that?" Himchan asks.

 

                Junhong pretends to smile, but a tear slides down his cheek instead. "… A friend."

 

 

 

 

 

 

                I'll remember you. I promise.

 

               

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                That night, he excuses himself from the dinner table to stand idle outside. Outside, it was nice and cold. He had his hood on, but the night breeze seeped through all the layers of clothing he had on. He just needed some time to think. Although, he's not sure why he'd think being right in front of the woods would be a good idea. The woods were dark, and not to mention, empty.

 

                It became a habit for him for the next two years. Two years was a long time, but life remained the same for him. Not that he was complaining. Yongguk and Himchan were the best parents he could ever ask for; he'd always be thankful for them. But that didn't change that he had a thing of walking outside after dinner, just to stare in silence, until Himchan called him back in. He grew a few inches taller, and his face looked less young; however, he didn't transform from his baby face. Junhong got older and more mature, but he didn't forget. He never forgot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                "What are you looking sad for?"

 

 

 

 

 

                Jumping backwards in surprise, he spots a familiar boy leaning by a tree near their house. He looked like some bad wounds had just healed, but he was alive, nonetheless. Junhong was too taken aback yet relieved to have even said anything, but the clink of the necklace he wore spoke for him.

 

                "I thought you said that it would be the last time you'd see me."

 

                "No, I said I couldn't guarantee you I'd see you again." He grins, showing his sharp tooth, which by now Junhong had learned to find endearing.

 

                Junhong smiles, feeling his heart fluctuate with happiness as the other took steps closer to him.

 

                "I'm glad you remembered me, Red Riding Hood."

 

                "Could I forget the person who rudely took away my first kiss two years ago?"

 

                As a response, Daehyun gives him a kiss right on his lips. "Guess that's a good point."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                And so began the beginning---not the end---of Red Riding Hood's story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-------

A/N: i like daelo very much :(