∞•∞•∞•∞∞•∞•∞•∞•

 

When Jonghyun woke up again, it was to the softness of a bed he never knew it existed, and to a welcome warmth that surrounded his whole being. He hummed in content, curling into a ball, only to have his forehead hitting someone’s thigh. He looked up with sleepy eyes, and Jinki smiled down at him sweetly. The Guardian was resting against the headboard with one book in his hand, while the other was buried in Jonghyun’s hair.

“Hello there my love,”

He hummed once again, taking Jinki’s hand from his hair for him to hold and nuzzle into. Jinki’s fingers were soft and smooth and they smell so wonderful, like he had been wearing a moisturizing lotion every night before bed.

“Jinki,”

He called out softly, and Jinki moved to place his book on the side table before he wiggled down until he was lying on his side, facing Jonghyun. The blanket was jostled around a bit by the movement, and Jinki fixed it back around his body with a sheepish smile. The taller man then caressed his cheek with knuckles first, bringing shiver to Jonghyun’s small body before he palmed the pale cheek gently.

“How are you so beautiful is a wonder to me,”

Jinki murmured low, and it felt strangely intimate that it brought shades of pink and red coloring his cheeks down to his neck.

“Says you,”

He jabbed weakly and Jinki chuckled, his blue eyes couldn’t seemed to leave his face.

“Jinki, where am I?”

“You are in the Dark Forest my love, where you rightfully belong.” Jinki trailed his knuckles down to Jonghyun’s jaw, down the side of his pale neck and shivered at the soft moan his caress brought to Jonghyun. His fingers looped onto the Aster necklace, thumbing the pendant with a smile.

“And thank you for taking care of my necklace, for always wearing it without fail. It’s the only way for me to know that you are safe and alive.”

Jonghyun’s fingers joined Jinki’s, and he mumbled his next words against Jinki’s skin.

“You knew it was me?”

“I’ve always knew it was you, but there’s rules I have to follow if I want the best for you and for us.”

The Guardian explained softly, although his eyes were stuck on Jonghyun’s red lips for a while now.

“And the rules are…?”

“I can’t make myself known to you unless the Calling comes. When this necklace glows blue, it means the time is here for me to claim you as my soulmate. That your time at the other side of the world is up, and you’re ready to come back home.”

“What…How do you know that, this Calling rings? And who decides about the right time?”

“No one knows still about how the Calling is decided, but the elders said that the Calling comes from the God above. When the pendant of our soul mate glows, we will see a vision of our soul mate’s whereabouts. That’s how I found you,”

Jonghyun chose to say nothing, only peering up to look into Jinki’s warm gaze. He shivered again when Jinki thumbed his lower lip, pulling it down with his thumb playfully before he followed the shape of his lips.

“What if,” Jonghyun paused when he accidentally nipped onto Jinki’s thumb as he spoke, before he continued to talk when Jinki decided he wouldn’t move his fingers until he finished listening to him. “What if, you come to me before the Calling?”

“Then, you won’t be able to recognize me. You won’t be blessed by the images, and even if I did manage to bring you back home, you won’t feel at ease. The Calling let you feel what I feel all this long, and that’s why we are so familiar with each other. Dark Forest has been my home for as long as I remember, and this feeling mirror to you when you received the images. That’s why you are able to feel at ease here even though all of these is very new to you.”

The white haired man nodded softly to the explanation. They continued to gaze into each other’s eyes, each second finding new thing to admire before Jonghyun too reached out, fingertips grazing Jinki’s cheeks before he fully cupped his smooth cheek, thumb caressing his cheekbones.

“You’re so beautiful, Jinki,”

“You haven’t seen yourself then,”

Jinki teased and he chuckled, moving forward to bring their faces closer through his blushing cheeks.

“Is it crazy to say that being close to you make me feel safe?”

Jinki grinned and shook his head, his cherry blossom hair waving around with the movements that Jonghyun couldn’t help but ran his fingers through the hair. And it was so smooth and silky to a human touch. It was impossible this ethereal being is his.

“No, you make me feel safe too. You put down the storm inside me, and I found comfort in you that I couldn’t find in another.”

 Jonghyun was never in the arms of another except his mother, and now at the thought of the woman had his eyes gloomed in sadness. Jinki frowned at the change in his soul mate’s eyes.

“What’s wrong my love?”

“I miss my mother.”

He whispered and Jinki smiled sadly, leaning forward to press a chaste kiss on the forehead.

“I know, and I understand. Take your time to mourn over her, I’ll always be here to catch you.”

What Jonghyun was about to say was cut off by the knock on Jinki’s door and the Guardian turned his head around to face the door.

“Yes?”

“The other Guardians are ready for you Jinki,”

Jinki hummed, pulling back from Jonghyun so he could sit up properly. His one hand was still in Jonghyun’s grip, so he supported his weight by one hand resting on the bed, leaning backwards a bit to get comfortable.

“Alright, thank you. I’ll be down in a minute.”

Jinki turned back to his angel and smiled down at him.

“What do you say about meeting the other Guardians?”

The younger answered by nuzzling into his side and Jinki grinned at the cute gesture. He leaned down to kiss Jonghyun’s cheek, eyes dancing in amusement at the shade of red coloring the cheek before he stood up.

“Let’s go and get ready then,”

Jonghyun stood up and waited while the Guardian went around rummaging his wardrobe. He took notice of the room for the first time since he opened his eyes. The floor was made of wood, but it was from a fine wood that it felt so smooth under his feet. The room was somehow in a shape of circle, with the door being the furthest from the bed. The wardrobe, the one Jinki’s currently rummaging in was situated at the feet of the bed. There’s a pretty rag being placed at the center of the room, and small coffee table with 3 chairs around it. Just the opposite of the door placed a full length of mirror, and he noticed the small decorations of flowers and leafs being pasted here and there.

“Alright, I found it.”

Jonghyun turned around in time with Jinki wrapping the snow white cloak around him, tying the rope in front of his chest to secure the cloak and preventing it from falling down. Jinki pulled on the hood so it covered half of his face, and he notice the embroidery on his cloak was the same with the ones on Jinki’s robe.

“We have the same embroidery,”

He claimed, fingers touching the delicate clothes while Jinki wore his own cloak.

“Yes, it shows that you are mine, and mine alone.”

He blushed at the remark, whimpering softly as if he’s asking Jinki to stop with teasing already. Jinki laughed and reached for his hand, their fingers interlacing naturally and Jonghyun couldn’t help but looked down in wonder at their connecting hands. He squeezed Jinki’s hand experimentally, only to receive a squeeze back and he giggled in delight at the gesture.

“Let’s go then,”

And he followed Jinki out from the room, heart soaring so high in the sky at his own anxiety. He didn’t know what to expect, but what he didn’t expect was stepping out to a veranda, facing the whole forest with so many, many beautiful creatures staring up at him and Jinki, wearing white silky robes that matched him and Jinki’s, but with their hoodies off and different colors of embroidery sewn on the clothes. He gasped softly at the magnificent view in front of him. They were standing at the highest tree, looking down at the clearance which was filled with Guardians and small little fairies.

He also took note in delight that the shiny flying little things he always saw in his dreams were the fairies, and some of them were waving at him with bright eyes and wide smile. He smiled and waved back with his free hand, earning him some excited squeals and giggles from the small creatures.

“As you all know,” Jinki started and Jonghyun focused back to the view in front of him. “We have been blessed with the vision of my mate two decades ago, and the only way I can reach him is when the Calling finally rings. And it rang last night, thus I ventured out with Taemin and Minho to ask for his hand.

Standing with me is my other half, Jonghyun, and it will be my greatest pleasure if you can make him feel more at home starting from today onwards. The village that we have been taking care of, they already betrayed us. They didn’t keep their promise to make sure Jonghyun is growing up happy, and for that, I had Taemin to take back all the blessings.”

At the mention of Taemin, his eyes naturally caught a sight of him, sitting with Minho and other Guardians. His joyful eyes lighted up when he realized Jonghyun was staring at him, and the white hair man offered him a smile in return.

“As the Highest Guardian of the Dark Forest, this is an order. We are to stop giving the village any further blessings until I said so, and one who disobey me will found themselves in consequences that they fear of.”

Jonghyun could feel the tension arise at the strict voice, before it’s all gone once Jinki finished his speech by wishing them a good day, and for them to enjoy the delicious meals prepared by the kitchen fairies. All of the other Guardians bowed down in respect to their leader before they started to disperse, continuing with their days.

Jinki turned to him with a grin.

“You want to look around?”

Jonghyun gasped at the offer before he pressed closer to Jinki’s side, his excitement was obvious in Jinki’s eyes at the thought of exploring the Guardian’s village.

“Yes please,”

He murmured softly and Jinki led them to the staircase that brought them to a lower level, where other Guardians started to greet him one by one. He noticed that the level below Jinki’s bedroom was huge, and it circled the clearance at down below. There were so many rooms in which the Guardian went in and out from, and he took note of a big, round wooden table situated not too far away from him, where some of the Guardians were reading the scrolls as if they were studying something. Jonghyun couldn’t understand why his presence made these beautiful beings so happy, but seeing the happiness and joy dancing in Jinki’s blue eyes were enough to answer his internal question. They were happy because their leader was happy.

Jinki continued to stay by his side, introducing him to the Guardians and the Fairies until they reached down at the clearance, where long picnic wooden tables that could fit almost 30 peoples each were lined up in five rows.

“This is where we usually have our meals, or celebrating any event. During the night time, when the moon was up and the forest was at its brightest, we will light up the bonfire here and sometimes they will start to dance around too.”

“Why only when the moon is up?”

Jinki hummed a song as he went to sit on the edge of the table, pulling Jonghyun in between his parted legs. His arms naturally found themselves around the tiny waist while Jonghyun’s arms looped around his shoulder loosely.

“Because we believed that the moon give us strength, and we usually will be at our maximum state of power during the full moon.”

Jonghyun pressed his own lips at the explanation and soon found himself getting distracted at the presence of flying fairies behind Jinki’s head. He giggled and started waving at the tiny creatures. He barely registered some Guardians coming up to them and start discussing with Jinki about their tasks and blessing, and decided to play with the fairies while he waited for Jinki to finish talking.

“Hi there,”

He mumbled and one of the fairies with blue hair squealed in delight before she slowly fly over to rest on Jinki’s left shoulder. Jonghyun instinctively pulled back a bit to take a better look at the fairy but the firm grip on his waist preventing him from even taking one step back.

He looked at Jinki who seemed obliviously to the situation and sighed fondly.

“Hi!”

The fairy chirped joyfully and Jonghyun internally squealed at the cuteness.

“Hello there, my name is Jonghyun,”

“J-Jong,..Jonghyun, um, Jonghyun…nie?”

The white haired man chuckled and nodded his head.

“Yes, you can call me Jonghyunnie too,”

“Oh, sweet! My name is Henry,”

“Henry? Then…you’re a boy?”

The fairy blinked at him in confusion and it seemed like his question didn’t make any sense to the magical being.

“Fairy doesn’t have gender, my sweet,”

Jinki’s voice interrupted him and they both turned to look at the Highest Guardian.

“Hello little Henry,”

Jinki greeted with a sunshine smile and Henry beamed too, flying up a bit to place a tiny kiss on Jinki’s left cheek before they went back down to stand on his shoulder.

“Hello my Lord, you look pretty with all the smiles and sunshines and flowers,”

Jinki laughed out loud, throwing his head back at the force before he cooed at Jonghyun.

“How could I not be happy when I have this magical angel in front of me?”

Jonghyun spluttered at the praise, the blush rising up again and he gripped the front of Jinki’s robe in protest.

“Jinki stop it,”

He whined when he saw that Henry too enjoy teasing him.

“And what do you mean by fairy doesn’t have gender?”

“It’s exactly what I said. Fairies don’t have genders, they also won’t be able to feel any lust or passion, and all of them wear dress. Their names don’t and will never dictate their genders.”

Jonghyun hummed in understanding, his forefinger reaching up to gently rub Henry’s small cheek, who straight up purred at the gesture.

“They are adorable,”

“And so are you,”

Jinki quipped playfully and Jonghyun had to hit him on chest to make him stop his teasing.

“Welp, my Merlin! I’m late for my meeting! Excuse me my Lord, I’ll see you during the dinner. And nice to meet you, sweet Jonghyunnie,”

The fairy fly up to press a tiny kiss on Jonghyun’s cheek as his goodbye, before he fly higher and entered one of the room that was built inside the trunk of a enormous big tree.

“Meeting? What did you guys do for living?”

He asked and moved to take a step back as Jinki stood up. The elder quickly reached out for his hand, fingers interlacing naturally as they walked out from the clearance to the land’s entrance gate and out into the forest.

“Hm, we watch over villages and provide them with blessings according to the schedules,”

“So you meant to say that my village isn’t the only one receiving your blessing?”

Jinki nodded and continued to lead Jonghyun deeper into the forest. Despite its name as the Dark Forest, it wasn’t dark at all. Instead, all the trees and flowers and the bees seemed to be very much alive, and he noticed that the flowers actually bloomed once Jinki passed by.

“Yes, but your village is the only who receive so many blessings that you will never experience any difficulty. For instant, even though the North village receives our blessing that its land will continue to proper and grow healthy, it doesn’t mean that the village won’t experience draught.”

They walked until they reached an earthy road that had been split into two, and Jonghyun followed when Jinki took the right one.

“So, these other villages who receive your blessings, what do you get in return? Do you…um have any other soul mate too?”

Jonghyun asked, his heart beating a beat faster at his own question. He knew Jinki would answer no, but still he needed to hear it from the man himself to shake away his insecurity and his dark thoughts.

He looked up to see Jinki smiling lovingly at him, his hand was let go in favor of Jinki wrapping an arm around his waist, a kiss was dropped on his white hair.

“No my love. There will be no replacement for your place, I only have you and will only have you for my lifetime.”

Jonghyun blushed a deep red, but there was no denying the happiness that was slowly filling his entire being. He hadn’t be able to feel this happy other than with his mother, and he was sure despite him already started to fall for this Guardian from the moment Jinki said his name, it was impossible for him not to fall deeper.

“Look at the front, my sweet,”

Jonghyun turned to look at the direction Jinki was pointing at, and once again he was mesmerized by the beauty of it. The rush of the stream was a music to his hear, green and yellow and oranges filled his grey eyes, almost enticing him into a heavenly daydream. The water was crystal clear as he could see the fishes swimming at the bottom of the lake. There were fairies playing around, some were sliding across the crystal water while some was playing hide and seek among the beautiful trees.

“Shall we go and sit by the tree?”

There’s no way he could say no to the invitation, and once they reached there, he noticed that the fairies were already flying away, probably wanted to give them some privacy. They sat down on the greeny grass, with Jonghyun seated between Jinki’s bent knees, his back resting peacefully against Jinki’s broad chest.

Jinki’s right arm found its place across Jonghyun’s stomach, while his left arm was left dangling on his bent knee. Jonghyun leaned back to rest his head on Jinki’s left shoulder and his eyes were shut instinctively once the Guardian went to nose his ear, nipping at his earlobe lightly.

"Jinki,"

 

Jonghyun sighed and the elder hummed in his ear, the Guardian seemingly in content for having his soul mate close to him after being separated for years.

 

"My Jonghyun, I have something to tell to you about your mother. But I understand if you don't want to talk about her yet because of the pain,"

 

At the mention of her mother, Jonghyun opened his eyes, taking in the breathtaking sight in front of him and shook his head softly. He looked down at Jinki's hand splayed across his stomach and reached out to play with his long fingers.

 

"No, mom was a very wonderful woman and I don't want the pain to stop me from talking about her. She deserves to be remembered for my lifetime,"

 

Jinki smiled faintly at the strong determination coming from his soul mate. He pressed a kiss at Jonghyun's temple and stayed there as he spoke.

 

"Minho told me that the burial is done. She was laid together with the other fallen Guardians, at the north of the Dark Forest, where the sacred land was being guarded from the first sunrise until next."

 

Tears threatened to fall again as he reminisced about his times together with his mother, and Jinki caught the first tear drop with his thumb. The younger turned to look at him in surprise, wide eyes staring at him and it hurt Jinki so much that he was able to see so much pain and grief clouding the grey eyes.

 

"I'm so sorry for being late. If only the Calling rings sooner, if only I reach out to you before the time, maybe I can still save her."

 

"No," Jonghyun shook his head softly and moved so that he was facing Jinki, the Guardian's arm falling around his waist naturally as if he couldn't stand them for being apart even it’s just for a second. "No my Jinki, you told me yourself that if you come sooner than the Calling, if you break the rules, then I won't be able to remember or recognize you. And I don't want that. You complete me in a way I thought I would never be, and it might sound ridiculous, but I can't lose you Jinki,"

 

He whimpered and Jinki was quick to gather him into his arms, giving him the blanket of safety and comfort as Jonghyun cried into his shoulder.

 

"It pains me, that I'm now living without my mom. But I know, she's in a better place. She worked so hard to make sure that I received the love I deserved, so she deserved this rest."

 

"Your mother was a wonderful woman, and I’m sure she’s smiling down at you right now, seeing her only precious son grew up and is loved by many."

 

Jonghyun smiled despite his tears, and when he moved to grab Jinki's robe tighter, the said man also moved to hug him closer. True to his mother's words, he was safe now with Jinki. She didn't need to worry no more, for Jinki would always be there to welcome him home.

 

∞•∞•∞•∞∞•∞•∞•∞•

 

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months and Jonghyun had learned so many things about his real world. Everything seemed to fascinate him to no end, and he already made friend with the youngest Guardian, Taemin. At times Jinki was needed for a long, long, boring meeting, Taemin would be there to bring him around and made sure he was having fun.

The first few weeks Jonghyun was there, he spent every morning with his mother, grieving over his loss and finding comfort in Jinki’s warm embrace. The Guardian stayed true by his side, never complaining when the white hair man wanted to visit his mother almost every day, and making sure he had a proper meal. Jonghyun could see that Jinki was trying hard to make sure Jonghyun never felt like he was alone in the Dark Forest. Day by day, slowly but surely, he started to open up. His smiles were plastered on his face more often than not, and he started to find the smallest delight in every little thing.

Like that one time Taemin came over to talk with him and they ended up tricking Little Henry into believing the troll was real. Minho was ecstatic to show him around, introducing him to his closest Guardians, Jongin and Kyuhun. But most of the time, Jonghyun spent it by Jinki’s side, watching in silence amazement as Jinki’s powerful voice commanded the entire village.

 

The Highest Guaridan also once brought him to the North Village, where he showed him how the Guardians did their jobs and how they blessed the village with a spell in their own mother tongues. Jonghyun's most favorite part in it was when he got to watch Jinki blessed the village, his red, alluring lips moving so fast as he read the spell out loud. His gold irises would shine brighter than the sun, and he looked so powerful and ethereal in his white robes that sometimes when he got a tiny taste of Jinki's power, it almost put him down on his knees.

 

He once wondered why Jinki was the Highest Guardian, but now he did no more.

 

He also made it a routine to visit the kitchen fairies and baked Jinki some cookies or cake whenever he finished his tiring work. He made friend with some of the kitchen fairies, and also bumped into Little Henry sometimes, where they spent an hour talking about different sweet fruits Henry found in the forest.

 

He lived together with Jinki, as he admitted with a blush, and they did sleep together on the same bed. Jinki would always make sure to hold him in his arms before his eyes were closed, kisses being placed all over his face and neck but never his lips. Sometimes, Jinki's gesture got him hot and bothered, and he was unfamiliar with the feelings but he would welcome it as long as Jinki was the one who triggered the feeling inside him.

 

But he also couldn't hide the disappointment clouding his eyes whenever Jinki refused to kiss him on the lips. The dull ache on his chest when Jinki pulled away every time he got close to his lips became stronger as days passed, and now he could barely stopped his tears from falling down when Jinki moved away from his lips. He wondered if it’s the Guardian's custom not to kiss someone on the lips, so he went to Taemin on one cloudy day to ask when Jinki was away for his meeting.

 

They sat together on the green grass at the side of the clearance, where he watched Taemin trying to settle something on his scroll.

 

"Taemin...?"

 

He called but the hesitation and fear were clear in his voice that it had Taemin stopped looking down at his scroll to give him the full attention.

 

"What's wrong Jonghyunnie?"

 

He bit his lower lips nervously, eyes down casted as his fingers played with the grass below him

 

"Um, I wanted to ask something a bit personal. And I totally understand if you refused to answer because of the privacy and all,"

 

Taemin kept his stare on him as if encouraging him to talk more and Jonghyun took his deep breath before he opened his mouth.

 

"Does the Guardian experience lust...or any ual feelings towards each other?"

 

He was sure his cheeks were flaming red right now but instead of making fun of him, the youngest Guardian only smiled kindly at him and nodded his head.

 

"We do actually,"

 

"You do?"

 

He asked with wide eyes, his curiosity was reaching up to the sky at the new knowledge.

 

"Yeah. We do experience those, and we do have ual with each other, but most Guardians will only engage with it once they couldn't hold themselves back anymore. Because for the Guardians, once we fall in love, we fall in love for our lifetime, we can't have another and we can perish without our other half. So most of them will try to not get too involve with each other because one, they were scared of the rejection and two, to choose a partner that can remains by our side forever require a great amount of thinking and effort from both sides."

 

Jonghyun hummed softly, and opened his mouth again before he decided to be a coward and stopped asking.

 

"T-Then, why won't Jinki k-kiss me on the lips?"

 

Taemin's full lips quirked up in response at his question, and Jonghyun found himself pouting at the teasing coming from Taemin. He was already dead embarrassed as it was, he didn't need Taemin to add more red on his cheeks.

 

"That, my sweet, you have to ask Jinki himself,"

 

Jonghyun pout turned into a frown and he shook his head like a rebel child.

 

"No, no no. You can't call me that, it sounds so wrong coming from you,"

 

He grumbled and Taemin threw his head back to laugh at him.

 

"That caught your attention? Not me purposely didn't answer your question?"

 

At being reminded of his unanswered question, he went back to pouting, sitting more comfortably on the grass, the white robes spread around him like a wedding dress.

 

"Will you give me any hint on the reason why?"

 

Taemin smiled easily, leaning forward to smooth his white hair down.

 

"If you ever think that he doesn't kiss you on the lips because he doesn't love you, then you were not listening to me,"

 

"I do listen to you!"

 

Jonghyun protested, petulant like a child and the youngest Guardian laughed yet again.

 

"Oh Jonghyun, we, Guardians are magical beings. We own powers to bring anyone blessing or curse. Our blood sings with hidden spell and our touch and presence can either bring comfort or nightmare to the receiving ones. Don't you think our kiss can change someone's life too?"

 

Jonghyun remained silent at the question, and Taemin continued to speak.

 

"The Highest Guardian's kiss will change your life Jonghyunnie. And I believe the reason he doesn't kiss you, yet, is because he wants to give you all the time in the world. Jinki will wait for you until you are ready, like he always did."

 

Taemin's voice was soft, like he was speaking to himself but Jonghyun could hear him all the same. He knew Jinki had been loving him since he was born, and the man himself expressed it quite well. But hearing it from other's perspective made him realized how much Jinki had been treasuring him for this past few months.

 

"May I ask, what have you done to my Jonghyun that has him fluttering like this?"

 

Jonghyun turned around at the new voice and a wide smile adorned his lovely face at Jinki announcing his presence.

 

"Jinki, you're back!"

 

He beamed, rising up to his feet to wrap his lean arms around the man's neck. Jinki accepted his eager hug with a low chuckle.

 

"It seems like someone miss me,"

 

He teased and Jonghyun whined in protest, papping Jinki's chest with his small fist.

 

"No teasing,"

 

He whined some more but made no move to escape Jinki's arms.

 

"Well, I should get going then. I have a problematic scroll to study,"

 

Jinki nodded and laughed at the frown on Taemin pretty face.

 

"Alright, tell me if you need any help okay?"

 

The youngest squeezed his arm lightly in gratitude.

 

"Will do,"

 

Jonghyun popped out from his hiding place to give Taemin a small goodbye wave.

 

"Bye Taeminnie,"

 

They watched Taemin retreated to one of the huge trees, before Jinki turned his attention back on Jonghyun.

 

"Now, may I know what you two have been talking about that it brings such beautiful blush on your face like this?"

 

Jonghyun pouted and playfully nipped at Jinki's palm when he cradled his cheek.

 

"I'll tell you tonight," Jonghyun whispered, his voice taking a serious tone that had Jinki went alert. Jonghyun was determined to ask Jinki why after he heard Taemin's explanation, and no force could stop him tonight. And he was going to get the kiss he so desired by hook or by crook.

 

"Alright. We'll have to retreat to our room a bit earlier than usual then."

 

The smaller man grinned and nodded his agreement.

 

"Now, what say you if we go and visit the morning market at the South Village?"

 

Jonghyun's eyes lighted up at the mention of the morning market. He had always wanted to go and visit one, but never had the chance to do so in fear of his safety.

 

"I'd love to!"

∞•∞•∞•∞∞•∞•∞•∞•

 

They arrived at the South Village with a snap of Jinki's fingers, causing him to stagger a little in dizziness. Jinki caught him with concern written all over his face, and he waved it off with a smile.

 

"I don't think I will able to get used to your teleportation skills."

 

Jinki kept him closed to his side as they entered the village, their pale blue robes with the golden embroidery differentiate them from other villagers.

 

"I told you it's not called teleportation,"

 

Jinki pouted at him and he laughed, squeezing his hand in apology.

 

"But you don't have a name for it, don't you?

 

He teased some more and Jinki chuckled, admitting his defeat. The morning market was in their sight now, and Jonghyun could see the villagers buying around and he could even hear the buzzing sound of people bargaining for a cheaper price. Jinki stopped them in favor of pulling Jonghyun's hoodie up, covering half of his face and also muttering a spell so that his beloved could still see well through the silk materials.

 

"No, most of the time we will just refer it as disappearing to or goes to somewhere."

 

Jinki paused as his eyes caught a sight of a very delicious and fresh strawberry from the closest store and Jonghyun turned to do the same.

 

"Isn't that strawberry?"

 

Jonghyun gasped and Jinki ushered them towards the store with a nod.

 

"Yes, you want to try them?"

 

The smaller gaped again, mouth opening and closing like a fish at Jinki's offer.

 

"B-But Jinki, it's expensive!"

 

Jinki chuckled at the adorable response. Jonghyun's eyes were so eager to taste the fruit that even his protest couldn't hide his excitement, and it was so, so adorable that Jinki just had to lean in and press a longing kiss on his forehead.

 

The smaller man blushed red at the gesture, but Jonghyun's grip on his robes told Jinki that it was a very much welcomed gesture.

 

"I'd fight the world for you. And I swear by the Merlin that even the strawberry can't stop me from showering you with love that you deserved,"

 

Jonghyun laughed at his teasing remark and both of them went straight to store. The seller took one look at them before he bowed politely at the Guardian.

 

"My Lord, it is my humblest pleasure to have you come visiting my old store,"

 

Jinki smiled kindly, his eyes crinkling with joy and Jonghyun was reminded of how sunshine should actually looked like.

 

"Hello. I'm here to show my beloved around. And he seems to have taken such a great liking to strawberry."

 

The seller eyes moved towards him and Jonghyun pressed closer to Jinki's side. He wasn't good talking with strangers. He even grown up talking with his mother only and this new situation was making him nervous.

 

His distress didn't go unnoticed by Jinki's eyes as the older wrapped his arm around Jonghyun small body, caressing his shoulder in comforting way.

 

"Hi there. You're quite a handsome one, don't you? Come here now, don't be shy. Try this strawberry and I swear the sweetness will haunt you in your dream,"

 

Jonghyun blushed at the friendly gesture and Jinki reached out instead, taking the strawberry from the seller's hand and feeding it to Jonghyun. It was only natural for the smaller man to open up and took a bite of the red fruit, the liquid flowing into his mouth and overwhelming his taste buds for the first time of his life.

 

"Jinki!" Jonghyun gasped, holding on to Jinki's hand that was holding on to the strawberry to take another bite. "Jinki it taste so sweet! I can't believe such amazing fruit existed!"

 

He claimed with exicted eyes and Jinki continued to feed him until he finished the fruit. Some of the juice was smeared messily at the corner of his mouth and Jinki wiped it away with his thumb, clean the leftover.

 

"Well then, please give me enough strawberries that can last for one night."

 

The seller nodded without questioning at Jinki's generosity as he scrambled to put the strawberries in the basket.

 

"Isn't that too much?"

 

"For you? Never. If I'm given the chance to fill up your belly for the rest of my life, then I'm sure I'll do the best,"

 

Jinki teased and Jonghyun laughed, hitting Jinki's arm playfully.

 

"Truthfully you wish for me to be fat, don't you?"

 

"Ah, seems like you can see through me very well. Task abandoned then,"

 

"My Lord, the fruits are ready."

 

"Very well then," the Highest Guardian reached for a pocket inside his silky robes, pulling out a few gold coins and passed them to the seller. "Just leave the basket at your window, and my friends will come and collect it by the sunset,"

 

"Of course my Lord. Thank you for gracing me with your mate and your presences."

 

Jinki tilted his head a bit as a goodbye, reaching for Jonghyun's hand again as they walked through the morning market.

 

"Now... What's next?"

 

"Um Jinki, is that cheese?"

 

"Cheese it is then."

 

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