Minseok is 8 years old when the baby deer stumbles into the clearing, legs wobbly and eyes wide - just as wide as Minseoks, but Minseok’s grin is even wider. 

“Hi baby deer.” Minseok waves, from his crouched position where he had been inspecting a colony of ants (from a safe distance of at least 5 feet, of course). The fawn’s ears perk, head raised fully as he stands stiff and staring at the little boy, but despite the strange creature, he doesn’t feel all that scared. If anything, he’s curious. What was this squishy creature looking at? And why was he here, of all places?

The fawn takes a careful step forward, head low and ears pressed back as he tip toes closer, eyes glued to the boys frame in case he made any sudden movements. But Minseok just sat, staring at the ants as they marched along on the dirt in their own little world. 

“Isn’t it cool?” He whispered, addressing the fawn as his eyes sparkled. “I like to watch them sometimes. Look.” He pointed, still whispering. “See how they can carry those huge chunks of food all on their own?” He asked softly, totally absorbed. “Isn’t it cool how something so small can be so strong?” He whispered, and the fawn came to settle beside him. 

Minseok talked about the ants for quite awhile - the fawn silently listening at his side and occasionally sniffing at Minseok’s clothes. Minseok giggled, his tiny hands reaching out to gently at the little fawn’s fur as it playfully sniffed and nibbled at his hair. “B-Baby deer you can’t eat that!” He giggled louder, falling back on the grass as the fawn continued happily trying to graze on the thin strands on Minseok’s head.

After some time together, Minseok decided his new friend needed a name.

“How about..” He said thoughtful, going through names in his head and shaking it occasionally. “Hmm. No matter which name I come up with, nothing feels right.” He sighed, thinking hard and lightly its fur as he thought. “..Lu.” He whispered, the fawn’s ear’s flicking up again. “Luhan?” He asked softly, watching the fawn closely. “Do you like that name?” He asked, recalling back to the Chinese class he had been given the privilege to take now that he was a third grader. He had learnt that Lu meant deer, and that Han meant dawn. 

“See, I think it suits you.” He explained excitedly. “Because you are a little deer, and your fur and eyes are as bright as dawn.” He grinned, nodding to himself. “I’ll call you Luhan.”

The little fawn mewled, leaning in to nibble at Minseok’s hair which he had become quite fond of, the other giggling and gently swatting him away. “Okay, Luhan.” He grinned, the name now final.

Minseok sighed, smiling softly at the fawn before he stood up. “I have to go now.” He told him softly, watching as the little fawn scrambled to stand up. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay Luhan?” He asked, immediately hugging onto the fawn’s neck and staying there a while. “We can watch the ant’s again tomorrow, and I can tell you all about school, and human stuff, and then maybe you can tell me all about deer things, and we’ll be best friends!” He grinned, finally letting the little fawn go.

“Bye bye little Lu!” He called, waving happily as he made his way across the meadow and towards his house in the distance.

Luhan stayed, staring quietly after him and wondering if perhaps it was wrong of him to have gotten so close to the little boy. But then Luhan remembered the little boy’s smile, and how bright his eyes had been, and how awe struck in wonder he had stared at the ants, and he relaxed. Because maybe it didn’t matter if they were a little different, and maybe it didn’t matter if they couldn’t communicate - Minseok had shown him affection, and Luhan had shown him the same right back. And maybe, Luhan thought as he pounced over broken branches and neared his den, that was all that really mattered.