Chapter Text
People stared as they walked past, some bumping into him as he stood in the middle of the street, stunned. He tried to make sense of his surroundings, tall structures loomed over like towers, people dressed in odd clothing and those weird moving contraptions with what looked like wheels? A loud noise woke him from his trance which what seemed to be an angry man yelling at him.
“THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING? GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY KID OR I’LL RUN YOU OVER!” the man repeated.
He didn’t appreciate being yelled at so he walked over the contraption the man sat in and gave it a good kick. That made the man more upset and started shouting curses at him. Before the man could get out of his car, Jihoon felt an arm tug at him, dragging him into the crowd of people. They walked until they blended in and the angry cursing was no longer echoing in the streets. Jihoon yanks his arm, releasing it from the man’s grip.
“Oh sorry, did I hurt you? You really shouldn’t be standing in the middle of the crosswalk like that.”
The man looked genuinely concerned. He was tall, broad and well, perhaps a bit handsome.
“Where are your parents, kid?”
Jihoon gave him an upfronted look. “Excuse me, I am much much older than you mortal! How dare you refer to me as a child.”
The man laughs.
“Right… Also why are you barely wearing anything, you look like you came out from some play--- oh god where are your shoes? You must be freezing in the snow!”
“I don’t get co-“ before Jihoon could finish he found himself muffled as the man attempts to drape in him clothing. Jihoon tries to protest but the man is now on his knees attempting to put something on Jihoon’s feet.
“There. Lucky, I had my extra hoodie and gym shoes or else you’d be frozen. They’re kinda big on you but what can we do.”
Jihoon stares at his now clothed feet and this “hoodie” the man referred to. He looks up at his faded reflection from the glass window. He looks ridiculous but he guesses he should appreciate the gesture from the clearly confused human.
“Now then, do you need help finding your way home? I could take you to the police station?”
“What’s a police station?”
The man laughs again. “You’re a weird kid. Let’s go.”
Jihoon lets himself be led by the hand. He’s not sure where he is but this man surely does.
Jihoon sits in a busy room with men and women in blue clothing and hats. Several blocks radiating light fill the room which seem to keep the several people occupied. He’s not sure why he’s here but one of the people in the blue clothing and hat gestures him and Seungcheol to take a seat.
“So kid, where do you live?”
Jihoon pouts. Clearly they all think of him as a child. “Im not a kid.”
“Of course, you’re all grown up now arentcha? Anyway answer my question.”
Seungcheol gives him an encouraging smile and nudges him to say something.
“I live up in the mountains, far away from here. I’m not sure where here is though.”
“The country side, eh?” The man says. “First time in the big city?”
“No. I’ve seen cities before… just ones that look like this.” Jihoon frowns.
“I see. Where are you parents? Lost them in the crowd or something?”
Jihoon shakes his head. “I don’t have parents.”
The man frowns. “Caretakers then? Grandparents?”
Jihoon tugs at Seungcheol. “Can I just go home with you? I don’t think this man will understand.”
Seungcheol looks at him hesitantly.
Jihoon sighs. “Fine. I’ll figure this out myself.”
Jihoon gets up and makes his way to the door. He can do it, he’ll find his way home somehow.
Jihoon has a hard time walking in the shoes that are too big for him so he takes them off and carries them in his arms. A present is a present after all. He wanders around the city for a bit until the weather starts to shift. As night begins to fall Jihoon finds that the blizzard has discouraged people to be on the streets. He finds a quiet area with trees and bushes and sits by the stone edge. He doesn’t know where to start. This may be harder than he thought. He might need Seungcheol’s help for this. Jihoon eyes a stray dog playing in the snow and approaches it.
“Hi, I was wondering if you can help me?”
The dog gives him a quiet look then nudges his head on Jihoon’s hand.
Jihoon presents the shoes and the dog takes a sniff. The dog gestures to follow and Jihoon does.
Jihoon follows the dog to what seems to be a small village of strange brick, rectangular houses. There’s barely much to see from the snow. He’s a bit tired and his feet all dirty from walking. After awhile the dogs leads him towards a door.
“So, this is where Seungcheol lives. He must be wealthy judging from the size of this house.”
Jihoon tries knocking but no one comes. He tries a second and a third time, no response.
“Oh dear, how are you out in the cold like this?”
Jihoon turns around to find an elderly woman carrying several bags behind him.
“Do you live here boy? I have not seen you before.”
“I’m looking for Seungcheol. I think this is home. I’m his umm… cousin.”
The woman lights up. “Choi Seungcheol? Ah yes, he’s the handsome young man just the door next to me. Come, come let me get you to him.”
He watches as the woman unlocks the door. She then ushers him and the dog in.
“Here, let me help you carry your load.”
The woman happily smiles. “My you’re such a helpful boy, now aren’t you?”
Jihoon ignores the comment and enters a metal door that magically opens. He watches the woman press the odd markings on the wall and the door closes. He doesn’t sense magic but perhaps the elderly woman was a witch.
The woman leads him to one particular door amongst the several already existing. She gives it a knock and it opens. Seungcheol greets her and his expression grows to a surprise when he meets Jihoon’s eyes.
He rushes past her and presses his hands on Jihoon’s cheeks. He flinches from how cold they were.
“Oh my god Jihoon! You ran off and there was a blizzard and I was so worried cuz you were wearing so little oh my god you’re so cold where are your shoes why are you holding your shoes your feet must be frostbitten.” Seungcheol ushers Jihoon inside as he frantically thanks the woman.
Jihoon finds himself huddled in a blanket with what seems to be a delightfully warm cup something sweet. He watches Seungcheol going in and out of rooms making sure Jihoon is comfortable, constantly asking him if he needed anything. Soon Seungcheol settles down and takes a seat across Jihoon.
“I’m surprised you’re not frostbitten.”
Jihoon shrugs. “I don’t get cold.”
“Everyone gets cold Jihoon.”
“Not me.”
Seungcheol laughs. “Clearly. You’re a tough one. Anyway, how did you find out where I lived? Did you go back to the police station?”
Jihoon glanced at the dog sleeping next to him on the floor. “I asked Mingyu for help.”
“You know Mingyu?” Seungcheol frowns.
“Yes, I met him at the park.”
“Well that’s a weird coincidence.”
“Not really, he was just playing in the snow.”
“Mingyu was? In this weather?”
“Well some animals don’t get cold as much as others.”
“Wait.” Seungcheol frowns. “What do you mean animals?”
“Dogs? You know. Mingyu.” Jihoon gestures at his friend, still asleep.
Seungcheol stares at Jihoon with a puzzled look then lets out a bark of laughter.
“You mean the dog oh my god. Here I was thinking you met my friend. His name is Mingyu too.”
Jihoon rolls his eyes. “You’re so slow.”
“And you are a funny liar.”
Jihoon frowns. “I am not a liar.”
“Sure Jihoon. You magically found my home with the help of Mingyu the dog.”
Jihoon gets up and sighs.
“Do you have a plant?” Jihoon asks.
“What?”
“A plant Seungcheol.”
Jihoon spots a small succulent sitting by the window and takes it.
“Watch closely.”
Seungcheol looked confused but slowly the plant started to grow and several other plants started to sprout from the jar, breaking it and soil spilling onto the ground. Seungcheol stares at Jihoon in disbelief.
“Will you believe in what I’ll be saying from now on?” Jihoon smirks.