Chapter Text
Yun Ho wasn’t dangerous, despite what his family and former friends told him. He enjoyed hugs, laughter, and being around his friends.
So what if he could control fire? That didn’t change who he was as a person.
At least, he didn’t think it did.
It happened during his thirteenth birthday. Admittedly, he was very excited when his cake came out—since he only got his mom’s homemade cakes once a year (twice if he considered Gun Ho’s birthday). But he didn’t expect his power to activate on the candles and for them to blow out of control.
No one really knew what was going on, not even Yun Ho.
Not when he grabbed his younger brother who was sitting beside him.
Not when all his other friends started screaming and panicking.
Not when his mom dropped the cake, causing the fire to spread across the yard.
He only realized what was happening when he stuck his hands out, begging with every fiber of his being for the fire to stop.
And it did.
His hands grew warmer as the fire disappeared, glowing a soft red that could've been mistaken for just normal redness in his hands.
He looked at them as all the other kids began to cheer, laughing and cheering about how the birthday boy had magic. Gun Ho was tucked against his side, giggling along with them all before one of his classmates started to cry.
He looked up to see his classmate that he had a crush on backing away from him, her eyes wide and glossy.
"M…Monster…"
Everyone stopped cheering as the girl ran to her mom. Yun Ho looked at his parents, then all the other parents.
They all looked at him, terrified.
"What…? No, I'm not a monster. I don't know what happened-"
"You started a fire…" One of the parents said, subtly trying to usher their kid away from Yun Ho.
"I didn't start anything…" Yun Ho felt pressure against the back of his eyes.
"Now, that's quite the accusation to be throwing around-" His father started, but was quickly cut off by the other parents.
It didn't take long before he couldn't hear anything over the yelling.
He let the first tear fall as he ran off to his room.
The rumors spread around his junior high like wildfire (no pun intended). Of course, since no one had any proof of it happening, it was nothing more than a rumor, but it bothered Yun Ho to no end.
He felt like everyone was looking at him all the time, watching and waiting for him to shoot fire from his hands.
He probably could've if he really tried, but honestly, he was too scared to.
Most of his friends at his birthday party didn't talk to him anymore. A few of them shot him fleeting glances and small smiles whenever they saw him, but none of them talked to him anymore.
It made school super awkward for him.
So he was honestly glad when he got the opportunity to go to his dream school for his last two years of secondary school. It was far enough away from his hometown that he didn’t need to worry about anyone hearing about it.
And he didn’t bother telling anyone until his second year of high school—nearly three years later.
His name was Song Min Gi.
Yun Ho noticed him a few months before he actually talked to the other boy. He had joined one of his dance classes about a few weeks after the class had started but he had immediately become one of the teacher’s favorites.
So he couldn’t say he was entirely surprised when he and Min Gi had been called out during his hip-hop class.
He was surprised that he hadn’t talked to the other sooner.
“Yun Ho, right?”
The ravenette turned, surprised that the other boy wasn’t much shorter than him. “...Yeah. And you’re Min Gi. You’ve been in this class for a few months now, right?
“Yeah. You’re actually really good. I’ve been meaning to say something for a while but you always have a big group of people around you…I guess I got kinda nervous about talking to you.”
Yun Ho couldn’t help but smile as the other boy’s face slowly began to turn red. “There was no need to be nervous. You could’ve hoped in the convo at any time. You can hop into the conversation at any time. The other guys aren’t scary.”
“...They just don’t seem as approachable as you.”
This time, Yun Ho blushed as he looked down at his phone. It was still fairly early in the evening. “Hey, where do you live?”
“Me? I live in Bucheon-si.” Min Gi rubbed the back of his neck when Yun Ho’s eyes widened. “It’s a good distance, but I heard they had a really good dance studio here. You live around here?”
“No. I live in Gwangju so it’s kinda close to the same distance from you, I think.”
"Two opposite directions, though. That's a shame. I was hoping to get to know you better."
Yun Ho checked the time. It was still fairly early in the afternoon. "We could grab an early dinner or something?”
“Are you asking me on a date?” Min Gi joked, laughing as he watched the taller boy’s ears glow red.
“If you want it to be one,” Yun Ho retorted. “Pick wherever you want. My treat.”
Safe to say, Yun Ho and Min Gi became fast friends after their first meeting. Everyone at the dance studio quickly dubbed the two “Gentle Giants”, and it was rare that you found one without the other.
All in all, Yun Ho thought his life was beginning to turn around. Although he was still scared of his powers, he was learning to control them. He didn’t want his parents to know, so he had to practice in secret, and he couldn’t do it very often.
At least, he thought it was a secret.
It was one day after he’d come home from dance practice towards the beginning of his third year. As soon as he walked in, he immediately felt that something was wrong.
He hesitantly took off his shoes, going to sit with the rest of his family. “...What’s wrong?”
“...We know it’s your last year in school and you’re practically an adult, but you still need to be careful with what you do around your brother,” his dad started.
Yun Ho raised a brow. “Around Gun Ho? What do you mean?”
“Playing with fire?”
“Playing with fire…?” The ravenette trailed off, trying to keep his expression neutral. He thought he’d been so careful with who was around.
“At your thirteenth birthday, all the parents were saying you controlled that fire. Was it true? Did you cause the candles to go out of control?”
“And ruin my own birthday? Why would I do that?”
“Don’t lie to us, Jeong Yun Ho,” his dad said with a stern voice. “There’s been a man going around talking about people with powers and how they’re dangerous-”
“You think I’m dangerous?” He felt his blood start to boil as he tried to keep his voice calm.
“Of course not, sweetheart. It’s just…with these powers of yours-”
“You don’t even know if I have them or not.”
“You haven’t denied it,” his father pointed out.
Yun Ho took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He felt the tips of his fingers grow warm. “I haven’t confirmed or denied anything, but even if I did have powers, I’m your son . You should have a little more faith in me and trust that I won’t become some dangerous criminal.”
“Do you have powers or not?”
“Why does it matter?”
“He does! I’ve seen him play with fire! It’s so cool.”
“Shut up, Gun Ho!”
“Don’t yell at your brother!”
Yun Ho and his dad almost got into a shouting match before his mother stepped in. “Yun Ho, dear…yes, you’re our son…but we have to think about the safety of our family-”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” This time, the ravenette did stand, towering over his mother. “Don’t tell me you actually believe that man in the news.” *****
“These powers are new to a lot of people, it’s only natural that everyone is concerned about what it might mean for our wellbeing-” His mother moved to grab his arms before she instantly recoiled.
“Mom?!”
“Stay away from her!”
Yun Ho backed away as he looked at his mom’s hands. He then quickly looked at his arms.
Handprints stained his skin where she had touched him.
“...You say you’re not dangerous, but you hurt her.”
He looked back at his dad. “It…It was an accident. I was upset and angry…I didn’t mean to-”
“Well, you did.” His dad’s voice was dangerously low. “Maybe that man is doing the right thing…”
Yun Ho felt his heart stop. “...What?” He looked between his parents. “...You don’t mean that, do you? You…You wouldn’t really sell me out.” He scoffed when neither of his parents respond. “...Fine.” *****
Without another word, he grabbed his dance bag, put on his shoes, and walked out the house.
It wasn’t until he was out of his neighborhood that he pulled out his phone, dialing a number without really thinking about it.
It didn’t even ring twice.
“Yun Ho? Is something wrong?”
The dancer tried to open his mouth, but all that came out was a sob.
“Yun Ho?! Are you there?”
“Min Gi…can…can I stay the night? I know it’s last minute but…something happened and I can’t go home.”
“Of course.” Yun Ho could practically hear the frown in the younger’s voice. “It’ll be kind of late by the time you get here-”
“It’s okay…I’ll figure something else-”
“No, Yun Ho…” He heard the younger sigh. “...I’ll be at the station when you get there.”
“You don’t have to.” He hiccuped. “I…I don’t even know why I asked-”
“No, you’re coming over because I’m inviting you. My parents will be okay with it.”
“...Are you sure?”
“Yes, Yun Ho. I’m sure. I’ll see you soon.” Min Gi hung up the phone before Yun Ho could say anything else.
The older just pocketed his phone before looking at his hands, then back towards the direction of his neighborhood.
He then took off down the street, leaving a trail of tears in his wake.