-Yongguk’s POV-

“Good fight Dae.” I said patting him on the back afterwards. “Yeah. Y-You too.” Daehyun breathed heavily out of breath. “Let’s take a break.” I joked. Daehyun flopped to the ground spreading his arms and legs out. I chuckled a little and joined Junhong under the tree he watched us from.

“Hey There.” I said sitting beside him. He played with a leaf moving it up and down. “Whatchya doing?” I asked. “I’m practicing other stuff that I can do with my powers besides controlling time. See? I’m moving this leaf without even touching it.” Zelo said.

He played around with it giggling a little. I couldn’t help but smile at how adorable he was. “Ha! Look! I’m doing it.” He laughed. “I see.” I nodded. “I just figured out how to do it today with this leaf. Hm, I what else can I try to move?” he said looking around him dropping the leaf.

“Oh! What about this acorn?” He said. He threw it up in the air and focused straight on it. The acorn didn’t fall back down and remained floating in the air. “Whoa.” I said actually quite amazed. “That’s cool. Zelo lowered the acorn to where it leveled up with us. Just then a squirrel jumped from the tree and tried to catch it but Zelo moved it.

The poor squirrel fell onto the ground. It got back up and tried to reach for the acorn, but Zelo moved it again. The squirrel leaped for it and Zelo moved it to the other side of the small creature. This happened over and over, the squirrel didn’t give up. I couldn’t help but laugh at the cute scene.

“Haha…Zelo, leave the poor squirrel alone before it gets angry.” I laughed. Zelo dropped the acorn and the little animal sniffed it before snatching it and quickly dashed back up the tree. “That was funny.” I told him.

“Ooooh~…We should do it to Daehyun.” Zelo said. I looked over at the tired out prince. He still laid in the grass in the same position with all of his limbs spread out.

“Or Tae and Min.” I said pointing the two out who stayed close together still scared from the story that Kris told last night. “What should we do?” Zelo asked me innocently. “We?” I repeated. He nodded. “We’re doing it together.” He smiled.

I felt my cheeks burn at his smile, but I did my best to hide it. I don’t know why, but they just did. Come on Yongguk, you’ve seen him smile before. “Ah! I am so hungry.” I overheard Daehyun say to himself. “I have an idea. Let’s do something with food.” I suggested.

Zelo smiled and nodded. “That’s a great idea!” he said. “I have some bread in my pack here.” The younger said taking out a half loaf of bread. “I was thinking fruit. You sure you want to use your bread? It’s not like we can find any out here.” I reminded. “I know. But it’ll be worth it. Besides, I eat too much bread anyway, I’m getting kind of sick of it.” He said. “Okay.” I smiled at him.

“Who should we go to first?” he asked. “Hm. Daehyun” I suggested. Zelo nodded. He lifted his hand and the bread levitated. The bread moved over to Daehyun right above his head. Daehyun sniffed his nose a little. His eyes snapped open. “Food?” We heard him say.

A smile grew across his face at the sight of the bread. He reached up to grab it, but the bread moved upwards. Daehyun sat up looking confused. He tried to take it again but missed by an inch. “What the?” he said standing up. Zelo and I snickered.

Daehyun studied the strange flying bread. He waited a couple of seconds then he grabbed it. But Zelo moved the bread in circles around Daehyun, and the prince went spinning around trying to catch the mysterious bread. Zelo and I tried extremely hard to hold back our laughter to not get caught, it was too hilarious.

Zelo finally placed the bread on the ground a few feet away from Daehyun. Daehyun immediately pounced on it but missed. The bread popped back up in the air taunting him. Daehyun just laid there. I covered my mouth trying to keep myself from busting out into laughter. “Okay, let’s go to Min and Tae.” Zelo said.

The bread journeyed over to the twins floating over their heads, who were sitting down. Their noses twitched. “Do you smell that?” Min asked. Tae nodded. The two looked up and found the floating over their heads. Their eyes sparkled. “It’s…flying bread!” Tae squealed.

Tae reached to get t but couldn’t catch it. Then Min tried but the bread moved up further. They both stood up and tried to grab it but the bread just moved up even higher. The two started jumping up and down trying to reach it, but failed.

Zelo circled the bread around the two, but instead of spinning in circles they ran outward trying to catch it but missed. The bread floated in the middle between them. The two spun around and focused only on the bread determined to catch it. We laughed a little being careful not to be too loud. The two charged at it coming from opposite directions.

Zelo quickly moved the bread out of the way and the two ended up clashing into each other. “Oooooooh~.” Zelo and I cringed.

Just then Zelo tapped my shoulder, “Look.” He said referring to Daehyun who finally decided to stand back up. Daehyun spotted the bread and ran towards it, at the same time the twins got back up and chased after the bread which zoomed right passed them.

We both finally busted out laughing watching the three chase after the bread without the intent of stopping. “This is too mean.” I laughed a tear streaming down my face.

Zelo finally placed the bread on the ground, but instead of pouncing the three fell to the ground worn out. “I think they’ve earned it.” Zelo laughed. He focused hard on the bread and divided it into 3 parts and Zelo placed on each of their laps.

“That’s gold.” I couldn’t stop laughing. “That was so funny.” The younger laughed whole-heartedly. I felt a warm feeling come upon me watching him laugh, he had a nice laugh and a cute smile to go with it. I blushed a little at the thought.

Maybe now is the perfect time to tell him. Should I? But what if it’s the wrong timing? Ugh! I can’t believe I’m actually thinking this…but how did Daehyun do it?

Well he pretty much forced Youngjae into it. But then again they were kids when they started liking each other. Plus it’s different personalities we’re dealing with. Also Daehyun almost lost Youngjae doing it. I unconsciously sighed loudly.

“Are you alright?” Zelo asked, interrupting my thoughts. “Oh…um, no…I mean, I mean…yeah, I’m fine.” I said scrambling for words. The younger just looked at me and chuckled. I looked away a little embarrassed.

“See? It’s not so bad.” I heard someone say. I looked up and saw that Himchan and Kris had come. “Hey Himchan. Hey Kris.” I greeted. “Hey Bang Yongguk1” Kris greeted putting emphases on every syllable, he’s a pretty cool guy. “Look who finally decides to arrive.” Jongup smirked.

Himchan just looked at him. “Greetings, Prince Kim Himchan.” Jongup bowed. Himchan only looked at him looking a little hurt. He winced a little at the introduction. Jongup, however, didn’t seem to notice did. But Kris did and tried to play it off a little. “What? I don’t get a special greeting?” Kris began walking over to Jongup.

“I wonder what’s the matter with Himchan.” Zelo said quietly not wanting the named one to hear. “Me too. I’ve asked him if something was wrong, but he said he was fine and that he was just thinking mostly about the war.” I said.

“Do you think it has something to do with Jongup?” Zelo asked. I nodded. “Yeah, it probably does and I don’t think Jongup knows it.” I said. “Should we do something?” Zelo questioned. “I don’t think that Himchan wants us worrying about him. So he’s not going to tell us anything. So we’ll just have to wait this one out until something happens.” I said.

Training ended early and so we returned back to camp. “You guys came back early.” Lee remarked. “Yeah, training got boring today.” Jongup said. I looked over at Himchan, it seemed as if everything Jongup said had some kind of effect on him. “And why is that?” I asked for Himchan’s sake. The younger just shrugged. “I guess I just wasn’t feeling it today.” He simply answered.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s fun or not, when it’s a war you’re training for.” Himchan said sounding irritated. I sighed, that wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for. “It can still be fun, instead of being strict and serious and Zombie like.” Jongup said walking like a Zombie.

“But it’s something that’s supposed to be taken seriously. You keep this up and you’ll end up dying out there.” Himchan said narrowing his eyes. Everyone froze and looked at Himchan. “Himchan…that was cold.” Daehyun said. I looked at Jongup, who actually looked hurt.

Himchan looked away shamefully holding his arm. “…but…it’s true…” I heard him say quietly. Jongup narrowed his eyes a little and brushed the elder off. “Ugh! Himchan you’re such a buzz kill. You need to have fun and relax a little.” Jongup smiled his playful smile. Himchan just walked away into his tent. Jongup shrugged it off and went on doing his own thing.

The day seemed to go by slowly, we still talked and enjoyed one another’s company, but the tension was still in the air from earlier. Strangely (or not), Jongup didn’t seem phased from before. He was still his Jongup-self. He hung out a lot with Jasmine.

“I wonder what’s going on with Himchan. He’s been locked up in his tent all day.” Daehyun said concerned placing firewood down to start a fire. I don’t know. Did you see Jongup earlier? He looked hurt after what Himchan said.” I said. Daehyun nodded and studied Jongup.

“I guess it’s hard to understand either of them. They know each other better than we know them.” Daehyun said referring to the fact that they grew up together. “Yeah.” I agreed. “Wasn’t Jongup Himchan’s very first friend?’ Daehyun said. I nodded. “You know what Himchan told me? Now that I think about it.” He said.

“What?” “Well, he told me that you should look back to the past to learn from your mistakes and also be grateful for the good times you’ve had also.” He said. “Mm hm…it makes sense.” I nodded. “But earlier Jongup had said that the past is the past and that it’ll only hold you back.” He went on. “That makes…sense too…” I said slowly. “…and when I told Himchan what Jongup said he looked stunned, but I sensed that he was somewhat hurt.” He finished.

I thought for a bit. “Do you think that Himchan feels like Jongup doesn’t really…care anymore about their past?” I asked him. The younger shrugged, “It’s a possibility.” He said. “Himchan likes to ponder on the past. Not about bad things but the good things.” He added. I sighed.

“I have no idea what’s going on between the two. Himchan isn’t going to say anything and Jongup…well, he has a different way of handling things so we don’t know what could be going on in his head.” I said sitting down on a log. “Do you thing…” Daehyun sat down next to me before finishing.

“…that we can ask Jayde? She knows.” He whispered. Jayde shot a look at Dae from afar. I elbowed his side. “Ow~…it was just a suggestion.” He said rubbing his side. “You know she’s not going to tell us.” I scolded. “It’s worth a try.” He muttered. I just shook my head. We watched Jongup and Jasmine play around with each other.

“Hhmmm…Do you think that Himchan finds Jasmine as a threat?” Daehyun suddenly asked. “What?” I said caught off guard by the question. “They’ve gotten pretty close and talk a lot. I think Himchan is jealous because Jongup found another buddy to mess with, but instead she plays along.” Daehyun said.

“I think Himchan understands that it’s just friendly, and that Jongup is his own person.” I told him shaking my head. “I doubt he’ll get upset over that.” “I don’t know. I think it’s true. I’d be jealous if I saw Youngjae playing with her like that over me.” Daehyun said. I just looked at him and said, “That’s because you’re Jung Daehyun. You even got jealous over Youngjae’s friends who he’s met way before he met you.” I reminded. He just smiled. Just then I noticed little Youngjae join the two.

Jasmine picked him up and rested him on her shoulder. “What was that again?” I asked teasingly. Daehyun straightened up. “I will be right back.” He said standing up, walking over to the trio. I laughed shaking my head.

A couple of hours later we set up a camp fire and Himchan finally joined us. “It’s about time. We had to make our own fire because you wouldn’t come out.” Jongup was the first to say something as Himchan sat down on a log beside him. Himchan didn’t respond and just ate his food.

“Oh! Shall we begin the story telling now?” Jasmine squeaked excitedly. “Yeah! More stories!” the twins cheered. “But the last story scared you two to death.” Lee said. “Well, partly to death.” He remarked. Zelo and Youngjae laughed a little, getting what the vampire was saying.

“Well….well, this next story will help us forget about the last one.” Min defended. “Or make you even more scared.” Lee remarked. “No Lee, it doesn’t work that way.” Tae said. “Does it have to be a scary story?” Jasmine murmured.

“Who’s gonna tell the story?” Youngjae asked. “Kris! Kris!” the twins voted in unison. “Does anyone else want to tell a story?” Kris asked. No one else volunteered. “Okay…I guess I can tell another one.” Kris smiled. “Yay!!” the twins cheered in excitement. “Okay, Okay hold on. Before you start the story I have to show you guys something.” Jongup said jumping up running towards the river.

Minutes later Jongup came walking back with a bucket filled with water. “There’s this trick I came up with myself.” Jongup said proudly, walking over to his spot. But on his way to his seat Jasmine stuck out her foot and Jongup ended up tripping and dropped his bucket of water. “Hey~.” Jongup. Jasmine giggled. “I had to get you back.” She shrugged innocently.

“It’s on now.” Jongup said. Meanwhile the bucket had flown in the air landing on top of Himchan’s head. Uh oh.

“Oh my gosh!” Himchan snapped angrily removing the bucket from his head. “Sorry, Himchan.” Jasmine giggled. “What’s your freaking problem?! Is that funny to you?!” Himchan snapped.

Jasmine flinched, “I…I’m sorry.” She stuttered. “Oh please.” Himchan snapped annoyed, as the water on him began to turn into steam. “Yah! Kim Himchan! What’s your problem? Chill.” Jongup butted in. “What’s my problem? What’s my problem?! Water got all over me because of her!” Himchan spat.

“Dude, she said she’s sorry. Chill, we’re just having some fun. What’s the matter with you? Stop being such a…such a hot head.” Jongup sounded annoyed yet somewhat playful. “It’s boring and no one wants to be around that, not me at least.”

Himchan jumped to his feet. I noticed the bottom of his lip quiver. Oh Jongup you shouldn’t have said anything. “Well, I’m sorry I’m such a buzz Kill! I’m sorry I’m boring to you and that you don’t want to be around me! It probably won’ even matter to you. But I am tired of you calling me boring, serious, and a downer! I’m sorry I’m not the same kid that you liked to hang out with years ago! You won’t have to worry about that anymore…” I noticed tears stream down his cheeks.

“…I’ve tried to be that interesting…but I won’t be a bother to you anymore…so I’ll just leave you alone for good.” He sniffled, his voice nearly vanishing.

Jongup sat there wide-eyed not believing what was happening. “Himchan.” Youngjae said calmly. “Himchan?” Zelo asked concerned. “Himchan maybe you should just calm down a little and think more rationally.” I spoke gently to him. But he ignored us and stormed off into his tent.

It was silent no one said a word. Jayde didn’t look too happy, well she hardly showed any emotion, but this time she showed that she wasn’t very happy. She wasn’t mad but just…disappointed. “We should go to him.” Min said. “No.” Lee said.

“But he’ll be lonely.” Tae said. “I said no!” Lee snapped and the two went silent. “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t ripped Jongup none of this would’ve started.” Jasmine sighed. “It’s not your fault.” Jongup said his voice hoarse and low. “Not completely…that is.” Jayde said narrowing her eyes at the female mage.

“So you’re blaming me?” jasmine said feeling hurt and guilty. “Partly…I don’t see the problem though…you did blame yourself.” Jayde said. Jasmine looked hurt by this. “Alright, let’s just, go to our tents before something else starts up.” I spoke up. Everyone agreed and headed towards their separate tents. “Where do I go?” Jongup asked.

“Um…you can stay with me in mine.” Jasmine offered. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about.” I heard Jayde murmur quietly. “here, use my tent I don’t use it anyway.” Kris said tossing him a bag. “Thanks.” Jongup said catching it. “I’ll help you set it up.” Kris offered, walking away with him. The rest of us departed and migrated over to our own tents.

“Do you think Himchan hyung is going to be okay?” asked a sleepy Zelo once he was comfortable in his sleeping bag. “I don’t know.” I said honestly, laying down beside him. “He looked like he was s-s-serious.” Zelo yawned. I smiled at his cuteness. “Don’t worry about it. Just get some sleep.” I told him. “But…I’m…I’m not tired.” He yawned some more.

“Yes you are. You’re even yawning.” I said. “No, I’m not.” He said opening his eyes widely. “Junhong~.” I said. He pouted a little. “Just go to sleep.” I said caressing his soft curly hair. “You won’t leave right?” He asked.

“Where would I go?” I assured him. “You won’t go anywhere without me…right?” He said his eyes threatening to close. I nodded as he closed his eyes. “Yongguk…” he continued to speak. “Hm?” “I didn’t hear you.” He said.

“Alright, I Promise.” I smiled shaking my head. “Good…” and with that he fell fast asleep. “I love you Junhong…” I whispered very quietly, wishing that he could have heard me.