My Serendipity

For: bumnew

Pairing: 2woo or Yadong (chose 2woo)

Prompt: Don't eat yellow snow

---

He loves being a teacher.

To be able to hone the diamonds in the rough, working with children who were once in the same place he was, wide eyed and dreaming of the world. He might’ve not been able to fully grasp his own dream, but being able to live in the world of music is enough for him.

‘Your voice’s a cave.’ His revelation surprised him and he turned to look at him who’s smiling softly. His tilting head is propped upon his right hand, his left hand reaching for a few cut veggies.

Woohyun gave him a look, not quite understanding his remark. ‘What do you mean by that?’

‘When you sing, I only hear you. Like being in a cave, I’ll be in total darkness, my senses detecting and feeling only your voice, and the way it envelops me, makes me feel like I’m in a present of true beauty.

You know it’s your voice that makes me fall for you, don’t you? ’

He stood rooted to the ground, because there are those few rare moments in life that can petrify you, turning you into a living statue, and hearing the man you love recite the poem-like confession, complimenting you on that other thing in life you treasure almost equally as you do him, came quite close to stopping his heart from beating.

He walks towards him, grinning, and Woohyun’s gaze was transfixed to the eyes that held the very key to his happiness. Enveloping his waist, pulling him tight against his body; Woohyun blinks when he kisses the tip of his nose, his little chuckling and warmth filling him up with the magical unknown.

‘Don’t ever lose that voice of yours, Woohyun.’

Don’t ever lose that voice of yours.

He was in heaven, seeing that glint in his eyes and his lopsidedly beautiful smile. Those whispered words make him feel like he was on top of the world. Woohyun hands wrapped around him as he hummed a melody, melting into the hug and the kisses the man planted on his neck and shoulder.

They were swaying to the song he was singing and Woohyun lets him lead them in a small circle, feeling as if he was the only valid thing in his world.

It was perfection.

It was his heaven.

But then the voice he could control easily became croaky, a burn in his throat pains him. The man he loves looks on distantly, eyes of love replaces with emptiness and he vanishes from his arm, the music and melody that flows through him, disappear.

Leaving him all alone.

Woohyun clasps his throat, willing for the pain to go away, willing for what evaporates to come back. Don’t ever lose that voice of yours.

It’s choking him, the echoes bringing him to his knees.

His breathing accelerates, fear killing him.

Your voice’s a cave, and its shadow is one he tries hard to escape.

 

‘Hey, hey, hey... It’s okay, it’s okay.’ Aching body feels soothed by a caressing hand; a gentle voice slowly pulling him out of the nightmare mixed with memory, his breathing is yet heavy, suffocated by the imagery of his worst nightmare coming true.

It takes him some time to compose his erratic system, teaching himself once again how to breathe in and out regularly. Woohyun winces as his opened eyes take in the light, his blurry slight slowly clarifying. His hand kneads small circles on the temple of his head then he heard a voice; a voice that snapped his mind straight into reality.

‘Are you okay?’

He sits up abruptly, startling the man into standing, ‘Who are you? Whe..where am I?’ He demands.

As he scans his surrounding, still groggy on the bed, he finally realises he is in an unknown room, a man he thought was his lover turns out to be a stranger, looking hesitantly beside him.

For a second, it looks as if he was frozen, staring and only staring silently at him who is a little bit frightened with everything. ‘Are..aren’t you going to answer me?’ His timid utterance shook him out of whatever stupor he was in, and as he smiles a smile that somehow assures him, Woohyun relaxes a little bit though his wariness wasn’t eliminated completely.

‘Sorry, I.. I found you unconscious in the woods earlier, so... I brought you here, to my home.’ Woohyun could tell he was trying hard to calm him, being slightly animated and overly bright.

He would’ve thought it was all an act to appease, but the decoration in his room tells him otherwise. ‘Do you remember what happened?’

What happened indeed? Woohyun brows are knitted by a frown, trying to recall a memory that seemed to be distant.

+++++++++++++++++++

 

Leaning against the tree trunk, his sobs rang through the forest, befitting the drumming of his constricted heart. He thought it would be a perfect getaway to be spent with the love of his life. Nothing else was supposed to matter. ‘Run away then... You do that the best Woohyun!’

They’ve gotten into a fight.

A fight instigated by Woohyun himself.

The other tried talking to him like how any rational adult should, but Woohyun, being the ticking time bomb of emotions, has to be too dramatic. Grabbing his phone and throwing it away (thankfully, to the security of the sofa), he made sure his lover knows how he felt, slamming the door before leaving, running straight for the woods.

And his feet took him to a familiar place, in the middle of a clearing, where a few fallen trees formed his secret hideout. An area he first stumbled upon many years ago as a child.

He had always felt secure there. His secrets and thoughts were constantly shared with the silent giants, becoming a habit he could never erase. They saw him laugh, they saw him cry. They shelter him when he needs to get away from the world and were always the first to hear his shouts of happiness or miseries.

They echo the beating of his heart and bear his soul; the forest holds his life’s story.

Even the story when he first fell in love, listening to his qualms and worries on how to tell him his feeling.

Even the time where he skips, he is sure, like an idiot. On that summer where he felt like he could fly straight into the atmosphere, on that summer where he discovered, he felt the same way too.

Thinking about those times make the bitterness a thousand times stronger. Every inch of his being yearns to be lost within his embrace and to just forget everything. But his heart wouldn’t allow him; his pride more resilient.

In times where everything breaks apart, shedding tears is about the only thing he is capable of doing. Crying and crying he did, till he was sure every drop of tears were squeezed out of him.

Twilight signals the arrival of night, and Woohyun was drained from his feelings, hugging his own legs while resting against the tree. Then something caught his eyes, distracting him from the war in his mind.

The falling of yellow snow.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++

 

‘This should help you feel a lot better. It’s my mom’s recipe, so I’m sure it’s half decent.’

The clanking of a bowl brings him out of his reverie and the stranger helped himself to the seat before him at the dining table. He was very insistent, stating that Woohyun needs to renew his energy to get better.

Besides, the smell of the brewing broth had reached the room he was in, making his stomach growl, unapologetically. So much for reservation, thought Woohyun. It doesn’t take much convincing; the kind stranger helped the weak man move to his dining room.

His sharp features contrasted completely from his bright personality. He was kind and gentle, and Woohyun can see he was being careful around the wary him. But some time has passed and he had long decided he could trust the man.

Who wouldn’t, when he is a bright, affable man that was practically the epitome of purity.

Woohyun thought he looked like a puppy, hungry for its owner approval as he looks on expectantly at his guest, wordlessly appeasing him to take that first bite.

‘Well...does it taste okay? The herbs should increase your body temperature. You’ll be in tip-top shape in no time.’ He states it brightly, the wide, friendly smile on his face never once faltering.

‘Yeah, it’s perfect.’ He slurps the broth diligently, munching on the bits of veggies and herbs that tasted savoury. Woohyun lifted his gaze to see the satisfied look on the other, understanding the sense of contentment one gets when your food is being enjoyed by another.

Cooking is a specialty of his too. ‘Thanks for your help by the way. You don’t have to do all of these and for a stranger, nonetheless.’

His eyes are drench with honesty, and for a second, he couldn’t believe that he is there, right before him. That smile and that voice, which was always a distant away is now reachable by just extending his arm.

‘Nah... I was just doing what anyone else’s would’ve.’ Yet he knows he would never miss this opportunity, just to be with him. No matter what the circumstances are.

‘You know, we haven’t even introduced ourselves to each other yet. I’m Woohyun, Nam Woohyun.’

He eyed the extended hand for awhile.

I know, his heart states the truth, but he doesn’t want to scare him off, so he kept it to himself and pretended, firmly taking his hand and shake it, as how one should when introducing yourself. ‘My name’s Dongwoo, Jang Dongwoo.’

To Woohyun, he is nothing but a stranger.

But to Dongwoo, Woohyun is anything but nothing.

 

Woohyun’s nose and cheeks turned red, his soft sobbing, not so soft any longer. And he can hear them, sees them like he always does, whenever his heart is writhing in pain or beaming with happiness. He can sense it all.

He senses him when he is nearby.

Hearing him makes him drop everything in hand and he runs as fast his feet could take him, even as his friends yell out to him, confused by his sudden escape.

The surprise though, isn’t a revelation; there are times he would disappear, going to god-knows-where in the middle of the forest. They know the forest held something special to him. What they’ve failed to know is that something is far away, in a land, unreachable.

 

Unreachable, or so he thought it was.

 

 

‘So, where should you take me first?’

He gazes his surrounding as if he is on foreign land, but he might as well be. Because the buildings are anything but usual, the geometrical architecture made him wonder why he hasn’t heard of this place previously, especially since it is within his vicinity.

Ma-Sum Art Village might not be a household name like Heyri’s Art Village, but Woohyun thought, it surely does give it a run for its money.

He walks in awe, admiring the way the lightings add to the mystics of the buildings. The heels of his boots clack loudly on the deserted brick lane as he turns and turns to capture his surroundings. He must’ve thought it amazing.

‘You’ll see... This village might be small, but it’s full of surprises.’ Dongwoo said rather mysteriously, the end of his lips rising just a slight bit, seeing Woohyun jumped with excitement like an innocent child in his own little adventure.

And he was glad for his reaction, the beautiful dimples and perfect lines that set upon his face brightened even the pair of wide eyes, filling him up with joy. The last thing he wanted to see is that face darkened with melancholy.

 

He was looking at his phone and the colours that had returned to his face were drained once again. He can sense the man was expecting for his call, a message, anything--as long as it is him reaching out. Night has come and he was away for quite awhile, seeing nothing must’ve been a huge disappointment.

An explanation would most definitely help, the fact all connection from his world is unreachable in this world, but Dongwoo thought of a better, albeit a selfish suggestion.

‘Should I show you around this area...before leaving? I mean, it is your first time here.’

It was a long shot and he thought, their time together will surely come to an end and he is left with only sending him away.

His memory of him cannot possibly be filled with despondency.

He didn’t expect he would agree and he knows it was because he was upset. For saying yes with that forced smile on his face, Dongwoo was silently grateful.

 

‘Woohyun-ssi, wait!’ His drifting mind barely stops the man, catching him just in time before he turns into a junction. ‘Close your eyes first.’

Woohyun cocked his brows questioningly, but the confusion was turned into anticipation, seeing the glint in the other’s eyes and hearing the excitement in his voice. ‘Trust me, you won’t regret it.’

He gasps in surprise; his already wide eyes were pushed wider. The bright lane is the complete opposite of the lax pathway he was on. People were scattered everywhere, some busy observing, others busy creating magic.

‘What is this place?’ He whispered breathlessly, because in all honesty, the place doesn’t look real to him. Once again, he turns and walks, making sure his sight perceived all that were to be seen.

At a first glance, it looks like a street -market, but the lightings were so stunning, beaming with just the perfect strength upon the pathway, making it look undeniably enchanted and classy.

Paintings were hung upon god-knows-what, making it looks as if they were floating. Sculptures and installations of varied subject captivate the sight of many, telling a story that can’t be made up by just any.

His chuckling reminded him he wasn’t alone, but all he could do is just stare; gaping upon what lays ahead. ‘It’s our very own open gallery. It’s neat isn’t it?’

Neat, he thought, was completely an understatement. His gaze fell upon an elderly gentleman chiselling away a huge chunk of wood, focusing on the eyes of the creature he was bringing to life. Then he saw the light installations that seemed to dance to a soundless rhythm.

Then something else captures his attention. Woohyun shakes his head, opening and closing his eyes to make sense of it. ‘Wait... Is that thing...?’ He couldn’t even complete the sentence, alternating his view from that of the painting to that of the man beside him.

A lie is necessary; minds coming from his world are not capable of grasping this, ‘Well, some artists use advanced technology.’

Woohyun looked on in disbelief, at how nonchalant his answer was. His sight unable to get away from the paintings of the different types of wild flower in a field, moving gently to the soft billowing of the breeze. Yes, moving.

He looked closely upon the canvas, scanning the of the brushes, and the unrealistic movements of the subject. ‘What kind of technology, are you lot using?’

Dongwoo chuckles quietly and pulls him away from being all over them; the artist already glaring at their direction. ‘It’s a secret.’ He whispered conspiratorially as he winked at the tilting man.

Woohyun chuckles at his playfulness, the ball of energy he is making him forget the knots that are yet to untangle deep within his heart. The man intertwined his hand into his, casually leading him away. ‘Come on... There’s plenty of thing to see.’

 

++++++ ++++++++++++++++

He hides whenever he brought it up, always keeping a distance between them.

He, who is so at ease with his feelings, freely showing it to just about anyone, is hiding them from the man he claimed he loves above anything else in this world.

It deeply saddened him. Sometimes he feels that Woohyun is too good for him. The kind hearted angel he is will surely only suffer with an awkward man like him.

He was never good with matters of the heart.

But Woohyun changed him, melting away his rigidity.

He makes him laugh, moving this cold heart of his with his efforts and sincerity. With his beautiful smile and warm hugs, he makes him feel an amount of love he had never felt for anyone else before.

 

A tear drop, and then two and then more, unwilling to stay contain any longer as his heavy heart aches and worries. His feet took him to anywhere and everywhere, in that dark, cold night, he was aimless.

 

He only wants to find him, to have him in his arms and that’s all.

 

Woohyun, where are you?

++++++++++++++++++

 

He cackles loudly and unreserved, not caring if he looks like an idiot in the process. Yet again, he’s pretty sure Dongwoo would’ve taken away the attention; the man has a big slice of watermelon sticking out of his mouth.

‘Enough, enough... I concur; you’re way funnier than me.’ Woohyun lifted his arms up admitting his defeat, though his laughter is yet to die down.

The stranger has somehow become his confidant; his good natured self and trustworthiness came easily. The concern he had buried deeply was unravelled by him by a few simple words.

‘It’s hard isn’t it, bottling it all inside.’

He isn’t sure whether it was his gaze, or whether it was an unknown affinity he felt for him in that moment, but the strings that tied up his heart became loose, and so, he talks.

It wasn’t direct, their conversation. He wasn’t saying or revealing any that would’ve given him an insight into his screwed up situation, yet his wise words were spot on, comforting him even.

The mood was going down as he considered his advice, but the other wouldn’t let him drown in its seriousness, and so, they decided to become a fool, to find freedom and joy in silly acts.

Bursting in laughter is always great, especially when you have good food and good company. Woohyun eyed the man before him, suddenly curious, ‘So, Dongwoo-ssi... you said you’re a writer?’

‘Yup.’

‘What exactly do you write about?’

‘People’, especially you, whispered his heart that wouldn’t be silenced. ‘...and this world.’ He shrugs it off, eating a spoonful of tiramisu. ‘Basically, anything in my life that captures my thought.’

Woohyun to, was lost in the taste of all the patisseries’ goodness, but he wanted to know more about the other. He wonders what kind of tale a man as enthusiastic as he could construct. ‘Talk to me about one of your works.’

‘Huh?’

‘Tell me your story Dongwoo. I want to know.’ He slurps the final remnants of his orange juice, looking expectantly at the man with a smile he hopes that can charm him.

They sit at a small table in a corner of the cafe, the smell of sweet deserts filling up the space; a gentle music playing at the background.

Dongwoo still couldn’t believe he is sitting across him. He still couldn’t believe he had held his hand and feel his warmth. The things he was only imagining are happening before him.

He wishes he could tell him that he was and still is his muse.

He wished he would know it wasn’t a story he fabricated, but an experience he went through.

He inhaled quietly and gazes at the unknowing him, ‘Well, I’m writing this story about a man who is in love with someone who lives far, far away. It’s about the imagined life he has with the person he loves, filled with his hypothesis and yearnings, of how it likes to be with that person, feeling their warmth and truly perceiving them--not just looking at a distant and wonders.’

Woohyun can feel a jolt ran across his senses, electrified by his deep, deep stare and his genuineness. For some reason he felt as if he was sharing a very private part of himself to him, something Woohyun feels he does not deserve.

‘Honestly, I don’t know how it will end. It’s still a work-in-progress.’ He chuckles to himself, looking away from him. It’ll always be, he thought, bitterly.

Woohyun was left speechless and for awhile, making silence shrouding them.

But thankfully, the man has a way of breaking away any awkwardness, suddenly proclaiming excitedly, ‘Oh, hey... I love this song!’

His outstretched hand came with a big smile, and honestly, Woohyun can’t really deny his wide-eyes and bursting energy. ‘Mind dancing with me?’

He stands, taking hold of his hand and Dongwoo swears he will make the most out of tonight. These moments are a gift to him.

After all these times, the ridiculous wishes he made without any hope of it materializing are finally coming true. Simple as they were, they meant the world to him.

And he also knows; it is coming to an end.

 

The moonlight shines bright above them, reflecting the beautiful emerald of the pond. Dongwoo has brought him there, good thing because the view is simply stunning. He feels serene there, listening to the bristling of nature.

He inhales deeply, willing for his mind to inhale every essence of the place. ‘Serendipity.’

He declared, smiling at his companion who looks on questioningly. ‘Meeting you, being here... feels like serendipity.’ Heck, it wasn’t the most usual of circumstance, having been rescued by the other and all, but he felt like it was fate.

This place, Dongwoo allows him an escape from a reality he fears. ‘Thanks.’ He said genuinely, facing him. He inhaled deeply, hands rubbing upon the arms that are cold from the breeze and just like so, his yearning for his warmth multiplied.

‘You miss him, don’t you?’ His sudden enquiry surprised him. ‘You know, you don’t need to run away from him. I know it’s hard for you, but just talk to him, he would understand you.’

There are times he felt it was all unsettling, how easily the other can read him, how he just knows him. I’m a good reader of people, he claimed. But he is just too good.

Easily he drew the confession out of him, of wanting to stay for a while longer to find peace in his mind. He knows what to say and always at the right time. It amazes him how he just knows what he likes, his favourite foods and music.

He accommodates him easily.

‘Woohyun, trust me. No matter what happened he would love you. Even if you lose that voice of yours, it doesn’t make you less of a person. You are brilliant in whatever you do.’

It doesn’t make any sense, how he knows what he’s feeling. It’s as if he can see right through him, as if he had known him all along. He hadeven asked him, but he just laughed it off.

His heart races a bit and Dongwoo can see wariness returning into his eyes. ‘Ho..how do you...?’ He had never said anything about his voice, about the root of his concern.

‘Don’t be afraid, Woohyun. I know you’ll be okay. You were always a strong person...’

 

He had eaten what he thought was ice-shavings. He protested, finding it ridiculous to eat such a thing on a winter night. ‘Just a spoon Woohyun... It wouldn’t kill you.’

And he saw him fidget, sensing something that wasn’t there, touching his forehead and grazing his hand. But Dongwoo knows he chose to ignore them, his sensations making no logical sense.

It is time for him to go.

 

‘He was there, your boyfriend... at the clearing you always go to when you need time alone. You can feel and hear him now, can you?’

 

Woohyun. He was confused, hearing but not believing the echoing sound of him calling. Woohyun.

But then there’s the touch, the caresses so familiar that it can only be him. He isn’t there, but somehow he can sense him, making his mind reeling. He thought it was all a twisted joke. ‘Dongwoo... what’s going on?’

Beads of sweats are forming on his forehead, and he knows he is probably dizzy, feeling frightened like how he was earlier on that evening.

 

The falling yellow snow captivates him, it lures him in and he knows he was investigating them.

He saw his eyes widen in genuine surprise as he puts his nose closer to the item, smelling something unexpected; a sweet, sweet scent.

‘No, no, no... Don’t!’ He shouts on the top of his lung for no reason.

Because he knows it travels through a vacuumed space, Woohyun is unable to hear any other sound but the bristling of fallen leaves; his tongue already tasting the deceivingly benign snow that would’ve probably spread a cotton-candy like sweetness across his taste buds.

 

The yellow snow, his world’s snow, became a gateway to the hidden realm. Sweet as it may be, it is poisonous in a certain amount to those who are not its occupant, and he was there just in time, saving the other from falling into his final rest.

He had his friend gathered the other world’s snow, white and pure. A key to send him back to his world. The ice-shaving he had given was really the snow from his world, doused with flavoured drinks.

And it is working as it should be, taking him away from him.

Dongwoo hands steadied him, holding him securely. It was only a short while, the time he was given to spend with him. But nonetheless, he is content.

Because he gets to talk to him and listen to his ramblings directly, finally understanding his warmth, so powerful, he realizes it emanates through him.

He can hear the beating of his heart and dances with him.

He even shared one of the poems inspired by him and listened to him say, it was beautiful.

They are linked in ways he never understood. Noises entered from his world, all sounds he had heard previously, but never taken an interest. He sees people walking past by; unaware of him who is invincible.

But it was his quiet little wish, his glinting eyes and bright, bright smile that stops him.

It was the teenager that seats amongst the rubble of fallen trees, who told proudly of his ambitions and his worries, uninhibited.

It was his unholy trust and pure honesty that captivates him.

Woohyun was unaware, but the silent giants of the forest weren’t his only listener.

 

‘Go back to him and be happy. Just how he had always made you feel...flying straight into the atmosphere.’

How could he know? Woohyun feels like falling asleep. His body, alert with fear becoming calm within his embrace. Leaning against the shorter man, whose hand caresses the head buried at the crook of his neck, he heard him whispers before drifting away, ‘Thank you for today.’

The tight, tight hold became loose and it feels like he is floating in air. He wanted to thank him too, but he only hears his disappearing final advice, ‘Don’t eat yellow snow again, Woohyun-ah.’

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

He stands still, not wanting to make any noise, which is useless really. Even if he were to shout at the top of his lung, he wouldn’t hear him. But it became a habit, whenever he is near him, he holds his breath.

The man scans his surrounding, almost searching. He looks well, red tinting his cheeks and nose from the cold. He looks alive, in every sense of the word.

Then he sees it, the small piece of paper he dropped at the trunk of a fallen tree he so loved leaning upon when he reveals his heart out to his surroundings. He smiles the smile that warms up everything and Dongwoo sensed that he knows he is there, watching.

‘Hyung...can we go now?’ A man envelops him from behind, his sing-song appeal, making him chuckle.

He had always thought his heart would constrict if he was ever to see him with his lover, but funnily enough, he shares his happiness. They are connected in ways he never understood.

Woohyun leans into the hug, turning to face his boyfriend who is pouting. ‘Since when are you good with aegyo?’

‘Since I have a dangerously greasy man as my boyfriend.’ He states with a playful grin. Woohyun loves how his cheeks would lift up when he smiles, making him look adorable. A complete contrast from the reliable man he is.

‘I have no idea it was contagious.’ He adds, looking accusingly at him, before laughing softly.

Woohyun feels his heart skipping a beat as the man closed in on the gap between them, gently taking his lips into a chaste kiss, making him feel like he was flying straight into the atmosphere. Even after all these years, he still makes him feel that way.

‘I love you Howon,’ said he as they broke apart.

His thumb is caressing his cheek and he pecks his lips for a final time before replying, ‘Love you too, my greaseball.’

Dongwoo watches over them as they get farther away from him. Before disappearing into the midst of the trees, he saw Woohyun looking back for a final time; that dimpled smile ghosting upon his face.

He picks up the white paper from the ground and feels genuine happiness. He may not have him in the end, but he has long past the stage of wondering. He thought the magic of his world was immune to its resident, but with his visit, he sees its beauty.

The words were simple and it was short, but it means the world to him.

I will remember you, my serendipity. Thank you for everything.

The smile on his face is inerasable, he walks the path he had walked many time, feeling limitless. Your serendipity is my gift, though temporary, it will live with me forever, thought he as he skips his way through the area.

And the writer scans his surrounding, observing the residents of Ma-Sum Village, the Hidden-Enchanted realm, looking for anyone or anything that could captures his thoughts, so he can jots down in his stories; a new story he was thinking of writing.

---

AN: Since it’s to do with AFF Secret Santa, I was hoping for a magical feel. Ugh...I’m really sorry if this is not what you’re expecting, but I really did give my best for this. I choose 2woo (of course), but since it was a choice between 2woo/YaDong--I thought I put Hoya in too..hehe.. I was really playing around, shuffling the characters here and there to choose which one should be who in this story. Because honestly, I even considered putting both 2woo and YaDong in but somehow, I feel like this is the best. I truly hope you can enjoy this, and sorry for making it long ...

StarlightSpirit: This was just... pure magic. It was beautiful to read, if a little bit confusing at times :P I just... I can't control my feels and I don't ship 2woo! This was absolutely beautiful and I am actually close to tears now. Wow. Amazing work.