Chapter Text
Dragon hybrid Jeongguk loves anything relatively shiny, expensive, or collectible. Necklaces, rings, trinkets, gemstones— you name it, he has it.
His small home is filled with little things from around the world. China cabinets and shelves are lined with anything from bottles and figurines to shells and coins. There are small relics and little cups on the shelves in front of his books and DVDs in the living room, as well as a multitude of different styled plates, coffee cups, utensils, and whatever else he can find in his kitchen. Most are from his own hauls in thrift shops and old houses, though some of his more precious items are from his family.
When Jeongguk received Minsoo from his younger sister, he had to cut back on spending. Trips to thrift shops and antique stores were cut in half, the money spent on baby items. It was a bummer at the time, but Minsoo has changed his life in more ways than one, and definitely for the better.
As Minsoo has grown older, they’ve started to bond over some of Jeongguk’s shinier items. Minsoo hasn’t quite developed the love for the more unique items yet. The ones in the living room always capture Minsoo’s eye though, the five-year-old running up to the cabinet yelling, “Appa!” and causing Jeongguk to shove his sandwich in his mouth, hoist Minsoo up, and retell the stories of how he received each item as Minsoo falls asleep.
Lately, more and more trinkets have been showing up in Jeongguk’s possession. It started one morning when Jeongguk’s friends stayed over at his home, something they often do when Minsoo requests to see his uncles. Jeongguk had awoken to the smell of unburnt breakfast and, when he stumbled into the kitchen, a plate already made for him. He didn’t think much of it at the time, still too sleepy from the day before to realize his friends were eyeing him and the culprit.
The gifts escalated steadily after that, mainly in the form of dinner plates being made when he wasn’t looking or his favorite dessert showing up mysteriously during dinner at his friends’. Sometimes he’d find antique rings in his pocket or on his dresser, gemstones on his porch, and once, even a keyring on his keys.
When he received a necklace on his birthday, the specific one he had been eyeing a few weeks prior, he knew he was being courted. Jeongguk hadn’t refused any of the gifts and this was the next step. It made his heart swell, knowing who and what it meant for their future.
For some supernatural species, courting has become an obsolete tradition. It’s ancient, time-consuming, and isn’t really necessary with the technological and magical advances throughout the years.
For other species, specifically dragon hybrids and fairies, the tradition is still alive and well.
Dragon hybrids are natural collectors and impressors, anything shiny or interesting immediately catching their eye. While in their human form, they retain certain aspects of their dragon side, such as their nails remaining the same color as their scales. Some keep their slit pupil and others their sharper teeth.
They strive to prove themselves, always aiming to be at the top of their class or workplace. They want to capture their future mate’s attention, prove they are able to provide for them and are able to take care of them if need be. Their possessions used to be an indicator of their ability to do so and it’s a trait they haven’t lost over thousands of years.
On the other hand, fairies are among the oldest of supernatural beings, harnessing the ability to manipulate most types of magic. They have evolved over time, of course, but most of their traditions still hold strong. They are ethereal, their features flawless and resembling their main magical element.
For instance, water fairies have a range of blue hair and wings, and always seem to shine with an iridescence similar to when the sun shines through water. Fire fairies are generally red, lightning yellow, and so on. Even to the lesser-known magics such as cyberkinesis, those beings gifted in all things electrical, their striking features stand out.
A fairy’s only caveat is they drop fairy dust while flying and when experiencing intense emotions.
If you are being courted by a fairy, you’ll know it because fairy courting is one of the more… expensive types of courting. Fairy gifts always seem to be as extravagant as the person giving them, the gift perfectly appropriate for the person receiving.
The problem is, per fairy courtship rules, whoever is courting him mustn’t tell him who they are until he is able to figure it out. It’s the same as dragon courtship rules, wanting to prove themselves and capture their potential mate’s attention.
And now, here they are. A few months later and Jeongguk is ready to confirm their courtship after returning the gesture in the form of one-on-one hangouts as friends (not dates), preparing meals, and basic flirting. He gets to work on forging what he needs to, the item taking a while to complete to perfection. He knows it’ll be worth it though, for the item will stand as a promise to take their relationship further.
It’s been a little while since he’s started receiving gifts, shiny things from small gemstones to figurines of his favorite gaming characters. Minsoo always marvels over every new item Jeongguk receives, though the concept of why Jeongguk receives them is still lost on the five-year-old.
Nevertheless, Jeongguk always accepts the boxes from the postman or from his friends, always feeling a pair of amber eyes on him the entire time he unwraps the golden paper. Eyes that feel as piercing as they are soft, gaze only wavering when he looks up to search for it.
Though, once Jeongguk figured out who it was on his own birthday, he started reciprocating because really, who wouldn't want to accept a fairy’s courtship? Especially a fairy as charming, handsome, and ethereal as Kim Taehyung?