Hakyeon had soaked himself at the bath for about an hour to calm himself down. He would have gone to the lake to relax but he was afraid he would come across Taekwoon somewhere. So with new supplies delivered, he just tried to keep himself busy again. Sadly, his worries still lingered and he kept spacing out. 

By the time Taekwoon came home, Hakyeon had barely finished half of what he could usually do. There was a knock on his door and Taekwoon called him for dinner, but Hakyeon wasn't sure if he was ready to face him yet.

“Go ahead and eat. I’ll just finish something.”

Instead of leaving though, Taekwoon entered the workshop and watched him work. Hakyeon's hands slightly trembled as he felt conscious of the eyes watching him. 

"So this is what you do, huh?"

Taekwoon remembered Hakyeon's very first instruction to him when he first came. He wasn't supposed to touch the potions, but he raised a hand to trail a finger on one of the bottles. Hakyeon didn’t seem to mind this time. The liquid glimmered under his finger and Taekwoon just got more curious. He had seen a fair number of sorcerers and potions, but he had always been intrigued by everything Hakyeon did.

Raven was sitting quietly on a counter, carefully observing both of them, though more focused on Taekwoon, who in turn had his eyes fixed on Hakyeon

"What are they for?"

"Different things.” Hakyeon answered without looking at Taekwoon. “Mostly healing and energizing potions. Others for better memory, or strength."

"People would have thought enchanters would be making love potions."

"I can, but that's a horrible thing to do." Hakyeon felt sick because just as he said that, his eyes hovered over the bracelet on Taekwoon's wrist. The thought that ran in his mind was unpleasant. He wanted Taekwoon to stay with him so badly, but even if Taekwoon had no charm resistance, or even if those gems were rendered useless by his magic, Hakyeon did not want to use his charm on him. The fact that it even crossed his mind made him want to vomit.

"Do you make a lot of money with these?"

"I mostly trade them for other goods, like food and more ingredients. I don't need money because I never go out of the forest and it's not like the bears would take gold coins as payment for sharing their berries with me."

Taekwoon chuckled. "That makes sense."

"Although occasionally, when I do receive money, I send them to my family. There's a kind merchant who gives me extra for my trade and even runs the errands to deliver money and letters to my family."

"Oh?" Taekwoon's expression turned slightly hard as he inched a little towards Hakyeon. "Is it that Hongbin person?" The surprise on Hakyeon's face made Taekwoon more stiff. He glanced at Raven for a second and then turned back to Hakyeon. "I heard you talking to Raven last night. There's apparently a handsome merchant who trades with you."

"Ye-yes. That's Hongbin." 

"I'd like to meet him. It's been a while since I last saw a handsome face."

Hakyeon frowned. "Well, excuse my ugly face." He capped the last bottle and started taking off his working apron. He tensed up when Taekwoon slid behind him and helped him untie it

"I think you're more of pretty rather than handsome."

"Is that supposed to be some gender-related prejudice?"

"No. I didn't mean pretty like a girl. Guys can be pretty too. But I meant beautiful. Like... not just your face, but as a whole. Like a scenery. Something that anyone would just like to look at."

The flattery was greatly appreciated, but Hakyeon couldn't help but grow more anxious with every compliment from Taekwoon. He bit his lip and heaved a breath, trying to be as calm as he could be. Raven nodded at him as she stood and walked along the counter towards them. Hakyeon then took a few steps away and turned around to face Taekwoon with a serious expression on his face - one that Taekwoon instantly caught up on.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you sure your charm resistance is working?"

"Yes. Why?"

"So the things you say to me," Hakyeon felt like there was a lump in his throat - words forced out of his mouth in a shaky voice. "You're sure it's not because of the charm?"

"N-no," Taekwoon stepped closer, but Hakyeon took a step back, maintaining the distance between them.

"How do I know for sure?"

Taekwoon blinked at him, confused at the sudden confrontation. "I am pretty sure, but I don't know how to prove it to you? Maybe try to make me do something now, and if I don't do it then you can rest assured?"

Hakyeon shook his head and stepped back further. "No, that doesn't sound good to me."

"Why not?" Taekwoon stretched out a hand to hold him but then he held back seeing that Hakyeon was was getting more panicked each time he tried to approach.

"Because if it works on you, you'd feel horrible."

"It's okay," Taekwoon insisted. "Just try it. For your piece of mind."

"No, that's-"

"If he's already under the charm, it wouldn't make any difference if you try to order him now. But if he's really resistant, then you can calm down," Raven butted in. "There's nothing to lose, right?"

Hakyeon threw her a desperate look, begging to be saved, but she was just as stern. 

"The effect of the charm leaking is different than me actively trying to control him. That takes more magic and feels way more intrusive to humans." It probably was the only surefire way to know, but Hakyeon was too scared to actually do it.

"Hakyeon," Taekwoon called out and waited for Hakyeon to meet his eyes before continuing. "Try doing it. I'm telling you, it's going to be okay. Just trust me."

Hakyeon swallowed with difficulty. His left hand unconsciously went up to clutch his chest while he raised his other trembling hand towards Taekwoon. He could feel the magic at the tip of his fingers, at his disposal to command Taekwoon. He could think of all the things that could go wrong like they were flashing images inside his brain and he was getting dizzy, but the way Taekwoon looked at him gave him firm support to stay standing rooted on the floor. 

"Leave." His eyes glowed into the same bright yellow color with just a tiny spec of black that Taekwoon saw when they first met. His voice was anything but stable yet the command was loud and firm. "Leave and never return."

Hakyeon was struck with horror as he saw Taekwoon's whole face and neck instantly redden. 

Taekwoon turned towards the door for a moment. He could feel a strange heat in his body as Hakyeon urged him to leave. Raven growled and jumped off the counter, ready to chase him, but  then he turned back to Hakyeon.

"I would leave if you really want me to, but..." He took a step towards Hakyeon. This time Hakyeon was too shocked to move away, so Taekwoon continued walking towards him. He reached out a hand and waited for Hakyeon to take it. "I'd like to stay if you'd let me."

Hakyeon's whole body trembled as he took Taekwoon's hand. He expelled the breath he had been holding. Before Taekwoon could pull him close, his knees suddenly felt so weak and he found himself sliding to sit on the floor. Taekwoon clutched his hand and knelt beside him.

 Raven nudged his leg with her head as she purred. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Hakyeon turned his head to look at Taekwoon. His were eyes now back to their hazel brown color and b with unshed tears but his lips quirking up with a smile. Seconds later, he was cracking up with a tearful laughter.

"Okay. You're scaring me now," Taekwoon watched him worriedly, still holding his hand.

"I'm sorry," Hakyeon heaved. "I'm just so relieved. I thought you were really going to leave. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if it turned out I've unintentionally put you under the charm this whole time." He wiped the corner of his eyes with his free hand. There was a heavy weight that was suddenly lifted off his chest and now he could breathe.

Taekwoon scratched the bridge of his nose and tilted his head as he stared at Hakyeon. The hand he was holding still felt ice cold and sweaty, but Hakyeon's face had obviously been rid of the stress and tension that was present there just a moment ago. "I really don't understand why you got so worried about that." He stood up and carefully pulled Hakyeon with him. "Can you stand?" It was like a reverse dejavu of the first time they met, except that Taekwoon did not back away once he was sure Hakyeon was standing stably in front of him. Instead, he squeezed Hakyeon's hand lightly and kept holding on to it while they talked.

"Right?" Hakyeon laughed at himself. "I'm sorry. It's just that Hongbin told me his resistance gem gets overpowered by my magic, so I was worried if that happened to you too. I was dancing when we first met, after all."

"Really?" Taekwoon looked surprised. "I know it is possible, but most merchants have really effective gems too. I guess your magic is really that powerful. Wow..." He was very impressed, but he noticed Hakyeon just got more worried about it.

"Even so... Even if I was just bewitched or something and I came here against my will, don't you think I've had plenty of chances to run away if I wanted to? I've been leaving the house everyday and I have even reached the southern end of the forest, but I still come back here on my own. Every single day."

Hakyeon just silently gaped at him, and then pouted. Taekwoon couldn't help but laugh. "You didn't even think about that, did you?"

"No," Hakyeon let out a forced laugh. "I kind of feel stupid, but I could only think of how you easily get flustered and says things -- " He bit his lip when he caught on what he was about to say. Things that make my heart flutter. Things that I want to hear.

"Anyway," He knew Taekwoon was waiting for him to finish his sentence, but Hakyeon chose not to. He wasn't ready to say it just yet. "You don't feel anything strange, do you? You're totally resistant? You turned really red earlier, I was worried."

"Ahh, that..." Taekwoon slowly, unconsciously let go of Hakyeon's hand. A faint tinge of pink was creeping up his face again, but it was what Hakyeon recognized as his normal embarrassed reaction. "I..." He paused, knowing Hakyeon would probably freak out about it. "Promise to stay calm?"

It did not sound good to Hakyeon. The fact that Taekwoon wanted him to be calm meant that it was something he would not actually be calm about. His fingers felt jittery, so he picked Raven up from the floor and hugged her. She squirmed in his arms, but then settled when Hakyeon started her fur in between his fingers.

"Did something... happen?" Hakyeon asked nervously.

"I... kind of felt it. The charm..."

"Ohmygod," Hakyeon gasped. "Ohmygod, Taekwoon, I am so sorry! I didn't-"

"I told you to stay calm!" But Taekwoon was just as embarrassed and he was covering half of his face with his huge hand. "Don't worry about it."

Hakyeon lifted Raven higher, so he could hide his face behind her. "I'm so sorry. I really am!"

"Stop apologizing. I already told you it's okay. It's not as horrible as you said it is."

"It's not?" He peeked through the white fur and accidentally met Taekwoon's eyes, making them both more flustered.

"It's not. I wouldn't call it horrible at all." Taekwoon turned to his side and started walking towards the door. "Anyway, dinner is waiting. Let's eat."

"He was avoiding my eyes, wasn't he?" Hakyeon shook Raven in his arms as soon as Taekwoon was out of earshot. "Omygod, I knew it was a bad idea."

"What exactly was he supposed to feel that got you both beet red? When you tried it on me, I just felt mind blank without a memory of what you made me do."

"Humans don't just forget things. They are aware of what they are doing against their will. And... I was told they usually feel like the enchanter is directly touching them - Every inch of their body, including parts that shouldn't be touched. Me. Touching him. All of him. Taekwoon doesn't even like to be touched!"

"Well, he said it wasn't horrible and he did say it's okay with him if you touch him, didn't he? Can't you just leave it at that? I feel like we have other things we should be asking right now."

"You ask him then! You're always so calm and sassy and smart, aren't you?"

"I would, but I know you don't want me to get all his attention, do you? He finds me cute enough when I'm not talking." Raven jumped off from his arms and walked out.

"Hey!" Hakyeon ran after her and nudged her lightly with his foot. He was going to go off on her but Taekwoon suddenly reappeared by the door to call them again for dinner.

"Hurry up, I'm hungry." He picked Raven up and carried her all the way to the dining table.

Dinner started out quiet. Taekwoon was still being shy and was avoiding eye contact while Hakyeon was just not sure where to begin. So Raven took it upon herself to start the conversation.

"Where did you get that bracelet?"

Taekwoon's face lit up a little as soon as he heard the cat talk.  "It's my mother's. My father gave it to her for protection and then she gave it to me when I left my town." He answered as he stretched out a hand to pat her head. Even after living with them for about two weeks, he rarely heard Raven speak and it always fascinated him to hear her voice. 

Hakyeon frowned at her but she just gave him an smug look as Taekwoon continued petting her. You do it then.  

"Is it mined too? Hongbin's gem looks more like a ruby." Hakyeon finally started talking, purposely ignoring Raven's gloating smirk. Damn he didn't know a cat could smirk like that.  

Taekwoon shook his head, keeping his eyes fixed on Raven as he talked. "As far as I know, these used to be normal gems. They got it cast with some protective magic." Taekwoon opened his mouth to say more, but there was so much hesitation on his face and he ended up just waiting to be asked more questions.

"You said it's very effective. Is it the first time you got affected by the charm?" 

"Ye-yeah, it is. There some enchanters who tried to use their charm on me before but it didn't work. I never felt the leak the whole time I was staying here either." He let out a subtle sigh. "Truthfully, I -"

"How did it feel exactly?"

"Raven!" Hakyeon glared at her. Taekwoon coughed slightly, probably trying not to choke on his food. 

"What? I'm curious. It might be different from what you think he felt."

Taekwoon glanced at Hakyeon, but then quickly turned his gaze back to his plate. "When I was still hunting, I sometimes pretended to be enthralled to get close to my target. I learned how it's supposed to feel by asking other people how it was for them. They also said it was horrible and all that."

"And? You said it wasn't horrible?" Raven pried on.

"It's... not..." The blush was back on his face. He glanced at Hakyeon again, but this time he did a double take because he saw that Hakyeon looked really worried. So he took a deep breath and held his gaze, staring directly into Hakyeon's eyes. "Really, don't worry about it. I don't know if it's because I had resistance or maybe because I was the one who told you to do it in the first place. My limbs started moving on their own and I was taken by surprise. But after getting over the shock, I regained control of myself."

"I'm really sorry."

"You apologize too much. It's really unnecessary."

"Funny, that also what Hongbin said." Raven sat coyly as she stared back and forth Hakyeon and Taekwoon. She didn't fail to notice how Taekwoon squinted upon hearing Hongbin's name.

"I'm really curious about this Hongbin person."

Hakyeon frowned, "Sorry, but the handsome face won't be back for a while."

"Oh? Didn't he say he'd be back soon?" Raven teased.

"He just came here today, so he won't be back so soon!" Hakyeon snapped at her. "And if you're done with dinner, get out already. I'll clean up here."

Taekwoon reached out and lifted the cat from the table, ruffling the fur on her head. "What are you suddenly getting so snappy for?"

"Right? It's not like I did anything bad?" She reveled in Taekwoon's touch as he talked to her like a baby.

"You didn't! What could you possibly do wrong?"

Hakyeon gaped at the pretense of innocence. Cats were indeed as sly as people said they were, and Raven was no exception. Taekwoon was just as frustrating. Why did he have to like her so much? If he didn't know them, he would have thought she was Taekwoon's cat instead of his. He hissed and sulked and shooed them out of the dining table. 

He later found them both huddled together sleeping on the couch. He was still frustrated and maybe a tad bit jealous, but he also found the sight endearing. At the back of his head, he thought it looked like Taekwoon really belonged there with them. But he shook his head, along with his wishful thoughts. Taekwoon might not be affected by his charm, and he was oh so relieved about it, but it didn't mean that Taekwoon would actually want to stay with them for too long. There was still that worry that once Taekwoon recovered his lost belongings, he would pack up and leave.

 I'd like to stay if you'd let me.

Hakyeon smiled to himself as he remembered Taekwoon's words. He wished he meant it the way he wanted them to be. He also wished he had to guts to actually talk to Taekwoon aboout it, but it has only been two weeks since they met and Hakyeon felt like it would be too much for both of them. It could be that he was just being shallow about it. He might just be too thrilled with the thought of having human company, and any feeling he thought he was having was just out of prolonged loneliness from years of living alone.

If only Taekwoon would stay with him longer, then he would know for sure.

If only...

 ~

"Should I stay in for today?" Taekwoon suddenly said during breakfast one morning.

"I don't mind." Of course he didn't. Hakyeon wanted him to stop searching for the damn satchel all together. "But why? Did you give up on it?"

"Close." Taekwoon answered honestly. "I've found the bag, but everything inside it was gone. At this point, I barely have hopes of recovering everything."

"I'm... sorry?"

Taekwoon shrugged. 

"So... are you leaving without it?" Hakyeon couldn't stop his brows from furrowing.

"Maybe... You know, I realized I've been a burden to you for a few weeks now."

 "No! You're not a burden at all!" Hakyeon felt his heart drop, his chest suddenly hollow, and yet he could feel a loud beating somewhere in there, like there was someone screaming inside him to make Taekwoon stay. "I-- I like having you here! It's not troublesome or anything!"

"But I eat your food and sleep in your room, but I've never done anything to help you."

"You've been cooking for me!"

"So I was thinking if I could stay a bit longer and work for you. To repay you for your kindness."

"It's fine, really. You don't have to--" Hakyeon paused. "Wait, what do you mean work for me?"

"I don't know. I'll keep cooking. I'll clean the house, wash the linens. I don't have magic so I probably can't help you with your work, but I can run errands for you. I'll do anything."

Hakyeon blinked a couple of times, letting the words sink in. He then bit back a smile. Everything suddenly felt like they were in their rightful place and he couldn't get any happier.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes. Okay. You can stay."

Taekwoon was half grinning, although he still looked unsure.

"I need an extra hand with the candles now that there's high demand. Oh and you can go face the merchants when they come. They might be more friendly with you. They hate me, you see." There was so much Taekwoon could do that frankly, Hakyeon could do on his own, but he kept rambling anyway. He wanted to give more reasons for Taekwoon to stay.

"You're going to make him regret offering to help," Raven interjected. "He'll run away if you dump all the work on him."

"It's okay,"  Taekwoon just chuckled and reached out to scratch her chin.  It had become automatic for him to reach for Raven each time she spoke in front of him, which by now, had become quite often. Hakyeon even accused her of doing it on purpose to get in to his nerves. "I don't mind. I can stay as long as I'm needed."

"Really?" The delight on Hakyeon's face was unconcealed.

"It's the least I could do to pay you back."

"You really don't need to, but I'd greatly appreciate it."

The breakfast turned more cheerful after that. The day just got brighter for Hakyeon. He didn't care how many times Raven squinted at him.

-=-o0o=-

Taekwoon turned out to be a very capable helper, especially when dealing with the merchants. As predicted, they were more at ease facing a normal human rather than dealing with an enchanter. Hakyeon did not even bother stepping out whenever the merchants came. He just let Taekwoon talk to them and do the work.

He also taught Taekwoon to mold the candles before he could cast his magic on it. And sometimes, rare times when he ran out of ingredients for his potions, Taekwoon would run to the nearest town to buy whatever get needed.

When they weren't busy with work, they would set out early in a half-hearted attempt to look for Taekwoon's things. Raven still teased Hakyeon they were basically just going on dates, but Hakyeon wasn't even denying it anymore.

They also got more comfortable with each other. Taekwoon started talking more about himself, and Hakyeon found himself naturally clinging on to him at random times - the way he always wanted to do with a friend. Sometimes, Taekwoon would get stiff, and Hakyeon would casually let go to avoid making things uncomfortable, but more often that not, Taekwoon either smiled or barely reacted to his touch. Other times, it was Taekwoon who initiated the skinship, casually throwing an arm around Hakyeon's shoulder, or hitting his arm when Hakyeon joked around or snapped at Raven.

He felt like he was getting his hopes too high up, but at least for the moment, Taekwoon seemed like he did not have any plans of leaving, and Hakyeon was just happy with that. 

Then the day when Taekwoon could finally meet Hongbin came. And Hakyeon just couldn't stay in his workshop.

"I thought you didn't want to face them? Just go back to work. I can handle this," Taekwoon prodded him inside, but Hakyeon insisted on waiting at the porch with him.

"It's fine if it's Hongbin. He's my friend. I can face him. You go inside."

They both stared - more like frowned - at each other, standing their ground and not moving a muscle.

"If I were Hongbin, I'd really be flattered you guys are fighting over me." Raven rolled her eyes as she sat on the ledge.

"We fight over you anyway," Hakyeon whined at her. "You guys always team up against me. Sometimes, I wonder if you're not actually father and child."

Hakyeon regretted the remark when he saw the glint on her pitch black eyes. He just opened an opportunity for her to more. No, Hakyeon wouldn't let her.

"Well, you adopted me. So if you guys get-"

"Okay, hush!" Hakyeon said in panic. "I get it. You like him more than me now. Shut up."

Taekwoon chuckled. "What? You're jealous?"

"The question is, who is he jealous o-"

"Hongbin!" Hakyeon couldn't have been more thankful for the timing. He rushed out the porch, carrying one of his trading boxes with him.

Taekwoon stood back and watched the wagon approach.

"Hey," Hongbin greeted, his dimpled smile just as bright as ever.

"Hey yourself," Hakyeon smiled back. Usually, he would have stayed behind the ledge and keep his distance from the merchants, but he didn't want Hongbin to go any closer to Taekwoon, so he wanted to keep the transaction out of the porch.

Except that it was Taekwoon who approached them. And unexpectedly greeted Hongbin in a way Hakyeon could never have imagined.

"Kong?" He carried Hakyeon's other trading box and set it down on the ground beside the wagon. "Kong! It's really you!"

"Woah, Jung Taekwoon! What are you doing here?" Hongbin jumped off the wagon and grabbed Taekwoon's hand, pulling him into what Hakyeon would call as  the weird fraternal semi-hug where they bump on each other and slap their arms instead of actually huggging. He had seen it done by grown men when he was little, but he never really understood the point of it. ("If they want to hug, why don't they just hug?") That moment though, Hakyeon was grateful they did not actually embrace each other in front of him.

"When they said there was a handsome merchant coming, I didn't think it was you!"

Raven mewled as she watched Hakyeon sulk in the background, kind of forgotten while old acquaintances greeted each other. Taekwoon who was often quiet and reserved, was suddenly talking loudly and not even bothered by the skinship with Hongbin.

"Handsome what? Me?" Hongbin scratched his head in as he glanced at Hakyeon shyly.

And then Taekwoon grew alarmed by the blush on Hongbin's face. He followed his gaze and looked at Hakyeon, who was just watching them with a pout on his face.

"Aren't you guys going to tell me how you know each other?" 

"Ahh, I met him a few years back when I was peddling down south," Hongbin answered, walking to the back of his wagon to get Hakyeon's trade. "He was working for another sorcerer that I used to trade with."

Hakyeon quirked a brow. "You worked for another sorcerer?"

"Yeah," it was Hongbin who kept answering brightly, while Taekwoon suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. "But they both suddenly disappeared and I haven't heard anything about them. I never would have thought I'll see you here."

"And what of the sorcerer?" Hakyeon asked curiously.

"We just parted ways." Taekwoon shrugged nonchalantly, stepping forward to accept the goods from Hongbin take them back to the porch.

Hongbin took the second box and followed him. "Seriously though, what are you doing here?"

"My feet just brought me here." Taekwoon answered. "How have you been?"

"Pretty good," Hongbin said, putting his box down beside where Taekwoon left the other one. He glanced at Hakyeon again over his shoulder before turning back to Taekwoon. Their conversations started to become more like whispers as Taekwoon slipped back to his normal quiet voice. 

Hakyeon couldn't hear them anymore, which just made him sulk even more. He stomped his way in between them and grumpily picked up one box, just saying a quick goodbye to Hongbin before going inside the house. Not even Raven followed him, so he just got more frustrated. Other than Taekwoon and Hongbin being old acquaintances, he was also anxious about Taekwoon's past. He thought Taekwoon had opened up to him more at this point, but there was apparently still a lot that he didn't know.

We just parted ways.

Would he part ways with Hakyeon too?

It took several minutes before Taekwoon appeared at the door of his workshop with the second box.

"Hey..."

Hakyeon didn't answer.

"I've kept the food at the kitchen cupboard," Taekwoon put the half-empty box down in front of Hakyeon, who still wouldn't look at him. "Kong said he'll be back in two days."

Hakyeon put down his potion bottle and heaved a sigh. He tried (and failed) to finally look at Taekwoon without looking upset. "Why do you call him Kong?"

Surprised by the question, Taekwoon made an expression that Hakyeon could not quite describe, like he was confused but upset as well. "It's just a nickname. The sorcerer I used to live with called him that way, I really thought that was his name."

"He knew your whole name though."

"Because that's how I was introduced to him."

Who is this sorcerer? Why did you live with him? For how long? Why did you part ways with him?

Hakyeon wanted to ask so many questions but he was afraid to hear the answers.  A part of him also wondered if he had any right to demand for answers.

"So you were friends with him, huh?" Hakyeon forced a smile. "Well, I'm glad. You get along better with the other merchants as well."

"So you're letting me handle the trade with him too?"

"It's not like I'd stop you from meeting your friend." Hakyeon sighed as he resumed transferring a purple tinted liquid from one bottle to another and mixing it with the red one. He didn't even threw Taekwoon a glance after that, and it felt too awkward for the both of them. "I'm not doing candles today. You can go rest or walk around if you want to."

Taekwoon bit his lip. He knew Hakyeon was upset about something but he wasn't sure what exactly he was supposed to do. So in the end, he just left the workshop and sat by the porch.

Raven came in to watch Hakyeon work some time after.

"Traitor." Hakyeon growled at her.

"What did I do?!" 

Hakyeon really hated that faked naivety. "What took you so long to come here?! You really like Jung Taekwoon more than me now?"

"If I followed you right away, you wouldn't have a spy to know what Taekwoon and Hongbin talked about!"

Hakyeon paused. "You... listened to them?"

"Uh-huh."

Hakyeon sat on the table beside her and scratched behind her ear. "You did that? For me?"

"Of course. I may like Taekwoon, but I am a loyal cat. You are still my master." But then she pretended to be angry and wouldn't face Hakyeon. "But since you don't even trust me and called me a traitor, I don't see why I'll tell you what I heard."

Hakyeon bit his lip. "Don't be like that. Hey~" He her fur, using just a tiny bit of magic to make his hand feel more pleasant on her back. But just when she smiled smugly and opened to speak, Hakyeon suddenly stood up. "No wait. That's wrong. I shouldn't be sending you to eavesdrop on them. That's just really wrong."

"You sure you don't want to know?"

Hakyeon bit his lip. He wanted to know. So badly. But if didn't feel right to him. "Don't tell me."

Raven snorted. "It's not like they talked about anything important, but sure. Whatever suits you." She lied on her stomach and rested while Hakyeon went back to work. "Don't you think you should be asking about that sorcerer though?"

Hakyeon sighed again - he couldn't remember how many times he's sighed that day anymore. "I'm not sure I can handle the answers."

"Wow, you've completely fallen over him, haven't you?"

"You think?"

"I don't think so. I know so." Raven rolled her eyes. "Hakyeon, he's a former hunter. He lived with a sorcerer and they both just disappeared for an unknown reason, and now he's living with you. I'm not saying Taekwoon is out to kill you, because I like him and trust him enough as well, but if I were you, I would be asking some questions. You have every right to ask because he's living under your roof."

"You're probably right, but..."

"I AM right. You're too preoccupied by your jealousy of Hongbin and a possible ex-lover to care about your current situation."

"But you said you trust Taekwoon too," Hakyeon pouted. "I don't feel like I'm in danger at all. If it's about his past, I wish he would tell me on his own terms."

"God, you're hopelessly in love."

Hearing it said out loud made Hakyeon's heart beat faster. His face felt all warm and he knew he was probably blushing hard, but Raven did not even comment on it.

Hakyeon slumped against the table and buried his face onto his arms. There was no denying it now.

"I guess I am."

-=o0o=-

Their setup continued for another few weeks without much happening. It was mostly a bliss for Hakyeon. They were living the domestic life he had always dreamed of, although he never really imagined it to be with a guy like Taekwoon. He still didn't ask about Taekwoon's past, trusting that Taekwoon would eventually open up to him when he's ready, the same way he eventually warmed up and became more comfortable with Hakyeon.

He did notice some things that occasionally bothered him. Like the way Taekwoon would sometimes leave the house to walk around the forest alone and then come back in the evening just before dinner. Or how he spent too much time talking to the merchants. It was not strange per se, but he often felt like Taekwoon did not want him anywhere near the porch whenever they came, except for Hongbin, whom Hakyeon often greeted for a bit before retreating back into his house. Taekwoon usually took longer to speak with Hongbin before bringing the goods in. Hakyeon found it unnecessarily long, because Hongbin never really stayed for more than ten minutes whenever he dropped by, but ever since Taekwoon took over the trade, they would often talk for at least thirty minutes. 

Sometimes, Hakyeon would secretly try to watch them from his bedroom window on the upper floor. They often sat under the roofed veranda and out of Hakyeon's view, but if he was lucky, he'd get a glimpse of them sitting on the ledge board. He knew he was bordering creepy, but he justified himself by thinking he could have done worse by eavesdropping on them. There was no harm in watching them smile at each other from a distance.

"Why don't you just sit with them and talk?" Raven asked him one time.  

Hakyeon sighed. "I don't want to get in the way." He stared back out the window, watching Taekwoon who was leaning comfortably against the ledge. "If I go down there and just hear stories about their past, I'll get jealous, and Hongbin might get affected by the charm."

Without him nearby, their faces looked a lot more relaxed, their smiles still the same sweet smile they often had, sans the blush on their faces, especially on Hongbin's. Hakyeon had learned to set aside his jealousy over their friendship because he did not want to isolate Taekwoon like he isolated himself. Yet, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Hongbin and Taekwoon had a deeper, more genuine relationship than he ever had with either of them. 

"But you think of them as your friends, too, don't you? Both of them." Raven sighed at him. "How about you try making new memories with them. Maybe they wouldn't talk much about the past then."

"I'd rather not risk it."

Raven whimpered. "You know, sometimes, I think you didn't have friends not because people were scared of you, but because you were scared of yourself."

Hakyeon clenched his fists. There were hot tears prickling at the corners of his eyes but he blinked them back and breathed deeply.  He loved every bit of himself, but indeed, Raven was right. He was scared of his own magic and he always felt like other people would not love him the same because of it. He was glad to have Hongbin and Taekwoon as friends who never expressed any hint of fear towards him, but he did not trust himself to be in control of his emotions.

Without answering Raven, he stood up and just went down to his workshop to start making new candle mold designs. He stared at all his equipment and finished products as he sat on his working chair. There were all kinds of potions and all shapes of candles. The merchants were getting more orders from him because word about his goods had spread further than just the neighboring towns.  Hakyeon found himself wondering if those people who used his potions and candles would ever think of meeting him, or being friends with him after they benefited from his magic. 

Probably not, he thought bitterly.

"Hey," Taekwoon entered the workshop a couple of minutes later. At this point, he was way past the point of knocking on doors. He was carrying the trade anyway, so he couldn't have knocked if he wanted to.

"How's Hongbin?"

Taekwoon neatly set the box down on the supply table and then leaned against it as he faced Hakyeon. "You saw him earlier."

"Yeah, but I didn't get to ask." He could feel Taekwoon staring heavily at him, like he wanted to say something, but was holding back.

"Let's have tea, sometime," was his curt reply.

"You want to have tea?" Hakyeon raised his head and looked at him. "There are tea leaves at the cupboard--"

"No, I mean with Hongbin."

Hakyeon stared at him. It was basically the same thing Raven told him, but Taekwoon's words were firm, his eyes dark, lips tight, and gaze steady as he stared back at Hakyeon. It wasn't a suggestion, nor an invitation. It was like an order that Hakyeon was not allowed to refuse.

Just sit with them and talk. Make new memories. 

"Hongbin... He's..."

"He's asking about you too," Taekwoon cut him off. "It's annoying, having to answer on your behalf."

"He is?" Hakyeon perked up. "What's he asking about?"

Taekwoon just shrugged. "If you want to know, you talk to him directly. I'm not a messenger for some star-crossed lovers."

Hakyeon pouted at the sudden coldness and bit back a snide remark about the hint of jealousy on Taekwoon's tone.

"Anyway, next time he visits, let's have tea. Or let's invite him inside for a meal. Don't just show your face and then hide. He won't admit it but he's upset that you don't talk to him anymore, even though you said you're friends. Don't worry about the charm."

Hakyeon felt deeply moved once again. Hongbin was one of his first friends and he felt bad about how he had been acting because of his jealousy. 

"That sounds nice," Hakyeon pursed a smile. "Yeah, let's do that."

It wasn't like his fears and insecurities would just disappear with a word from Taekwoon, but at least he felt like he had a solid ground to stand on. If anything were to happen, he knew Taekwoon would be there to help him.