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Yeonjun tried to ignore the annoyance that simmered in the pit of his stomach as he moved along the slightly muddy path. He really didn't want to be here, especially because it was so early in the morning.
He tried to avoid touching any of the plants that bordered the path, as he walked deeper in the garden, but no matter how hard he tried, the hem of his pants still got damp from the morning dew that decorated the leaves of the vegetables.
Yeonjun tried his best to find the dill, his mind going over the description given by his grandmother, but he couldn’t remember anything. With a frustrated sigh he walked deeper, hoping that maybe, by some miracle, he would be able to find the herb.
As he walked, he let his eyes take in the views around him, and he slowly felt the annoyance seep out of his body.
It was beautiful.
The sun was barely rising over the treetops, it’s rays caressing the world gently. Just like a mother trying to wake her child in the morning. Just like his grandmother caressed his hair to wake him up this morning.
When the rays of the sun hit the drops of dew, they sparkled like tiny crystals, and Yeonjun felt like he was momentarily transported to a world that he could only find in the stories that his grandma used to tell him before bed.
His little quest was momentarily forgotten as he walked along the little dirt paths between the various vegetables, his eyes drinking in the sight. His feet carried him towards the end of the vegetable garden towards the flower garden that stretched on and on, as if it was trying to reach the dense forest that bordered the estate.
The closer he got, the stronger the various fragrances got, the different smells blending together to create a unique perfume that filled his nose, and lovingly caressed his senses.
His steps were slow, and he would stop every few seconds, just to observe a plant closely. Just to inhale the intoxicating aromas. He observed the way some plants seemed to drop, their petals closing as if they were going to sleep. But he also saw some flowers opening, coaxed by the warm rays of the sun that now shone brightly in the pale blue sky.
As he peered at a patch of white flowers that seemed to be slowly closing, lulled to sleep by the glow of the sun, he spotted in his periphery a garden swing that was surrounded by vines that climbed on every inch of its frame, slightly hiding it from sight. He walked towards it as if he was pulled by an imaginary string, and the closer he got the clearer it became. He let his eyes drink in the painting in front of him, his eyes moving along the climbing vines, tracing the beautiful flowers that were peering from between leaves, the purples and pinks of the flowers only starting to show now, the flowers unfurling to full bloom coaxed by the sunlight.
With careful steps, he walked through the grass till he was in front of it. He made a move to sit on the old swing but then his attention was caught by something glinting in one of the flowers that decorated the vines.
He moved like he was under some spell, his steps careful for no particular reason. When he was in front of the flower that seemed to have a gem hidden inside, he raised on the tips of his feet and peered inside it.
At first he didn't realise what he was looking at but then the image in front of him finally registered in his brain.
There, inside the flower, lay what seemed to be a tiny human. But it couldn't be a human. Because it had wings. Small delicate wings that were a pale translucent purple. The small wings fluttered once in a while catching the light of the sun, and shining so brightly as if they were encrusted with tiny gems.
And Yeonjun? Yeonjun felt like he was dreaming. He felt like he was stuck in a perpetual dream, where all the fairytales his grandma used to tell him were coming to life.
Before he could dwell more on this, a breeze ruffled the leaves, making the morning glory flowers swing gently. The movement resembled the gentle sway of a swing, and Yeonjun watched in amazement as the little creature snuggled further in the flower, letting out a small huff.
When the tiny figure settled down, Yeonjun let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. But this breath, as quiet as it was, reached the tiny creature, stirring it from its sleep. Yeonjun watched in wonder as the being blinked sleepily, a tiny hand going to rub at their eyes, as they tried to adjust to their surroundings.
And then their eyes met, and the tiny creature's peaceful face was overcome with fear, its features twisting as it watched Yeonjun closely.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you." Yeonjun's voice was barely above a whisper, but his words were carried by the breeze till they reached the other. Yeonjun watched as the frown slowly melted off, replaced with a wary but curious look. He felt warmth bloom inside his chest, so endeared by the tiny creature in front of him, and before he could stop himself he cooed at the tiny fairy that continued to scrutinise him.
Yeonjun watched as a dusting of pink started to colour the cheeks of the fairy, but before he could do anything, the tiny creature rose to its feet. His eyes followed the movements of the other, as he stretched his little limbs, running his hand through his long hair, which was decorated with small flowers of various colours. Yeonjun kept staring at the ethereal being that stood in front of him, mesmerized by the beauty of the fairy.
The wings on its back started to flutter and then the fairy started moving through the air gently, getting closer to Yeonjun’s face. Yeonjun tried to keep up with the rapid flutter of its wings, but he was soon distracted by the warm touch on his cheek.
The fairy was touching him.
His eyes crossed as he tried to glance at the fairy, and a clear sound drifted through the air, just like wind chimes in the breeze.
The fairy was laughing.
A bright smile stretched across its face and Yeonjun felt his heart thump loudly, his breath catching in his throat. The fairy continued to laugh, the sound clear and beautiful caressing Yeonjun’s senses.
Yeonjun felt like he was blessed. Blessed to see such a vision.
The fairy seemed to notice the stunned look on the human’s face, its laughter stopping abruptly as it got closer, his hands reaching to touch Yeonjun’s cheeks once again, with a curious tilt to his head.
“What’s wrong?” The words were uttered so softly that Yeonjun almost missed them, thinking that they were just a trick of his own mind, but then he looked at the fairy that was watching him expectantly, waiting for an answer.
“N-nothing...There’s nothing wrong.” Yeonjun wanted to curse himself for stuttering.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?” Now that he knew that the fairy could speak, he was prepared for it, but what he wasn’t prepared for, was the deep, smooth voice of the fairy, that wrapped around the words so beautifully.
“Because I have never seen a being as beautiful as you.” He ignored the blush on his own face, choosing to observe the reaction of the fairy.
The fairy shied away from his gaze, his head turning towards the side, trying to hide the blush that painted his cheeks red. The fairy played with a strand of it’s hair, pulling at one of the flowers slightly, refusing to look at Yeonjun.
“What’s your name?” The fairy turned towards the man, looking at him apprehensively. They looked at each other, caught in their own bubble. Yeonjun didn’t know how much time passed but the fairy seemed to have made up its mind, taking a deep breath before answering.
“Beomgyu.” This too, was said so softly that Yeonjun had to strain his ears to hear, but when he did, a beautiful smile spread over his face.
“Yeonjun. My name is Yeonjun.” he whispered, too afraid to break the spell around them.
They looked at each other, not knowing what to say, what to do. But in the end the spell around them was shattered by his grandma calling him, wondering why it was taking him so long to find the dill. Yeonjun felt the flames of embarrassment turn his cheeks a flaming red as the fairy giggled seeing that Yeonjun was empty handed.
“Come, I will help you find it.” Beomgyu didn’t wait for a response before moving in the supposed direction of the herb. He didn’t go far before he turned around looking back at Yeonjun, his delicate hand urging him to follow.
Yeonjun followed Beomgyu along the paths in the garden, and soon they reached a patch with various herbs, Beomgyu making a bee-line for the dill.
“Is that it?” Yeonjun’s voice was soft, but the fairy heard him, a small nod being the only confirmation that Yeonjun would get.
He lowered himself, gathering a few stems in his hands under the watchful eyes of the fairy that was now sitting on the ground next to one of the herb bushes. He rose to his full height once he was done, Beomgyu quickly taking flight to reach the same height as Yeonjun, making the other smile with happiness.
“I have to go back now..Thank you for the help Beomgyu.” The fairy watched him, watched as Yeonjun turned around ready to leave him behind in the vast garden.
“Will you come visit again?” The deep melodic voice made Yeonjun turn around to stare at the fairy that was looking at him with wide eyes and a minuscule pout.
"Yeah, see you soon Beomgyu!" Yeonjun didn't wait for a response, continuing on his way back to his grandma's house, so he didn't see the fairy flying around in loops. He didn't hear the giggles that spilled past plush lips.
But Yeonjun was happy anyways. He entered his grandma's house, throwing his slightly dirty shoes on the stone steps at the entrance before making his way deeper into the house. As he walked around the house, a smile made his features glow. The glow of his smile didn't dim even as his grandma questioned him. Even when he went back to his room, or when he had to help his grandma feed the animals.
Yeonjun kept smiling while thinking of the sublime fairy that he met.