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14 Years Ago 

Taehyun silently awoke in his bed, breathing in deeply as he opened his eyes. His eyes instantly sparkled, shooting up in his bed with a smile on his face. Finally, today was the day. Taehyun’s first long-term sea voyage with his father. 

To say he was excited was an understatement. Ever since his father first agreed to take him on his next sea voyage on the boy’s seventh birthday, he was bursting at the seams at the possibility. And finally, the day had come. He grabbed his packed bags from the foot of his bed, opening his door and running across the hall to his parents’ bedroom. 

“Father! Father! Wake up, it’s time to go!” He jumped on the older man’s chest, his father grunting in response as a smile painted his face. 

“Yes, yes. I know you’re excited, Taehyun. Why don’t you go downstairs and eat your breakfast first? We can’t leave on an empty stomach.” His father pushed the boy off of him, Taehyun nodding before jumping off, running to the door excitedly, bag at the foot of the bed long forgotten. 

💙

After Taehyun and his father finished their breakfast, they grabbed their bags and made their way to the lake near their house. Taehyun was practically vibrating with excitement in the carriage, stars in his eyes as he stared out the window. It was only a matter of time until he jumped out of the carriage and ran to the ship next to the dock on the lake. 

And so, they set off sailing, settling into the ship quickly as dark clouds formed across the sky. Taehyun paid it no mind, breathing in the fresh air at the bow of the ship. His father slightly squinted his eyes, humming to himself as he stared at the clouds forming. 

“Come on, Taehyun. Let’s go to the hull, it looks like a storm’s coming.” He commanded the boy, serious expression on his face. 

“Father…I think I see something in the water.” Taehyun bent over the port side of the ship, reaching his arm out as something illuminated over the water. 

He picked it up, hand dripping as he brought it closer to his face. A vermillion feather that shifted into brown near the bottom. His eyebrows furrowed silently, gazing at the feather with a glint in his eye. 

Then, the ship suddenly stopped. Taehyun immediately looked to the side, noticing the ship hitting a large formation of rocks. 

“Taehyun!” His father yelled, reaching out to the boy as he fell overboard. 

Taehyun’s eyes silently widened, looking at his father as he dove into the water. He instantly sank, water invading his lungs as black dots swarmed his vision. 

Then, fresh air invaded his lungs once again. Water spurted out of Taehyun’s mouth and made him cough loudly as he turned to the side to clear his airways. He took greedy gasps for air as he held his hand over his chest and opened his eyes widely. His body shook from the cold of the ocean as regained consciousness and his vision cleared. Vermillion and brown feathers graced his vision, the boy breathing heavily as they figure left his vision.

🩵

“Taehyun! Taehyun, can you hear me? Say something son, please!” His father called, tears in his eyes as he shook the boy. Taehyun instantly opened his eyes, gasping as he looked at his father. His father instantly relieved, smiling as he hugged his son. 

“Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?” He twisted the boy’s head to his side, gazing at the cut on his left cheek and wiping it. 

“I’m okay, father. Anyway, did you see the person who saved me?” Taehyun stood up, eyes wide as he looked around. His father’s eyebrows silently furrowed, the man looking around. When he didn’t see anyone else around, he stood up, helping Taehyun up. 

“Come on. Let’s go back to the ship. If you’re still up for our adventure, that is.” His father smirked at him, arm around Taehyun’s shoulder. 

He looked down at his sweater, a few small feathers sticking to it. 

The same feathers from before. It must be that boy. 

The boy looked off to the side where the figure left, a thoughtful expression on his face. He smiled, turning to his father and nodding silently. 

🩵

Present day

Taehyun sighed as he awoke, tear falling from his eye silently. 

That dream again. I don’t know what’s weirder: the fact that I’ve been having that dream for the past week or the fact that I still can’t find that boy that saved me all those years ago. 

Taehyun’s heart ached for a minute, before he willed it to settle down. Taehyun had recurring dreams about the boy who saved him ever since the fateful night. Over time, they became less frequent, but lately, they had started becoming more frequent once again, causing the boy to ache every morning when he awoke from them. They mostly entailed the same thing, the boy saving him over and over, with his glorious wings on display. Today was different though; today, not only did the boy save him, but he cried for the boy as well. 

“Oh no…please be okay. Please.” 

The boy started pressing on the other boy’s chest, before breathing life into his lungs once again. Tears fell on his cheeks as his hands slightly trembled. Taehyun couldn’t see it, but he could sense the boy’s nervousness over his unconscious state somehow. 

Then Taehyun awoke once more, as he always did. And the other boy flew away once more; but not before Taehyun caught a glimpse of the boy’s wings. 

He sighed out, frustrated at the cryptic dream he couldn’t figure out for the life of him. He arose from his bed, tying his silk bathrobe around himself before walking to his bathroom. 

🩵

When the boy got ready for the day and into the full swing of things, he headed to his personal library after breakfast. He grabbed a new set of books from the ones he grabbed the day before, carrying them to the closest table and setting them down. 

Taehyun hadn’t exactly been the “studious” type his whole life; the whole reason he began reading books was because of the fateful encounter that day. He searched endlessly for some kind of possible explanation as to what he had seen, but still came up with nothing in the whole fourteen years after the incident. To say he was frustrated was an understatement. How could a type of magical creature as beautiful as the one he saw be in none of the books from his kingdom? He knew everything there was to know about the different types, species, and histories of magical creatures in this world, so how could he have found not one trace of the one who saved him as a child? He knew magical creatures existed since the dawn of time; he knew magical creatures used to hide out in forests and other landscapes so humans wouldn’t attack them; he knew thirty years ago his father declared a law that said all types of magical creatures would be protected by the King himself and any criminal act against them would be punished as he saw fit, and that the law allowed them to live in the towns and cities in their kingdom. So how could he still not know who saved him fourteen years ago? 

He sighed out once more, eyebrows furrowed frustratingly as he shut the book harshly. 

Nothing again. When am I going to find any substantial fact about that boy? 

“Taehyun! Taehyun, hey!” 

The young royal looked to his side, soon meeting Soobin’s eyes. 

“Oh, hi Soobin-hyung. Did you need something?” He smiled tiredly, the fairy boy immediately noticing. 

“I was calling you for a while. Anyway, are you still looking for that magical creature that saved you when you were a child?” Soobin questioned, a slight smile on his face. 

“Yeah. Why, do you think you found something?” Taehyun’s eyes silently widened, glinting as he looked at his hyung. 

“Well…it’s not exactly something, but word on the street is that there’s been a sighting of some kind of winged creature in the ancient forest near the end of the outskirts of the city. It might be something to check out?” 

Near the outskirts huh? The trip by carriage would take three hours…and father would definitely want me to bring some guards with me.

“Yeah, Soobin-hyung. I think it’s worth checking out. Thanks for the heads up.” 

“Yeah, of course.” Soobin smiled, waving goodbye to him.

Taehyun smiled widely as he stood up from his seat, a determined gleam in his eye. 

🩵

Taehyun had known his best friends for almost eight years now. Taehyun first met Kai when he was thirteen; he was out exploring his city after one of his many voyages with his father when he met the boy. The other boy was selling fruit in the local market with his sisters, Taehyun had begun to grow hungry so he settled on having some fruit as he didn’t want to go back to the castle just yet. Kai instantly hit Taehyun up in conversation, the two bouncing off each other easily as they were the same age. From there, Kai introduced Taehyun to his two other best friends, Soobin the fairy, and Yeonjun, the only fox hybrid in their city. Yeonjun was three years older than Taehyun, and Soobin was two years older. 

Taehyun loved his three bestfriends more than anything, but he always felt like a part of their group was somehow missing something. He couldn’t quite place his finger on it; at least until he started having recurring dreams of that boy once more. That’s when it clicked. He remembers the first time he asked his best friends about him. 

“Have any of you ever heard of a species with red and brown wings?” Taehyun casually spoke as he gazed at the blue sky, big boba eyes staring into the clouds. 

They each silently furrowed their eyebrows , before turning their heads towards Taehyun silently. The prince continued to gaze at the clouds silently. 

“Never. If they did exist, I’m sure we would’ve heard of it by now.” Yeonjun spoke, serious expression on his face as he stared at the clouds. 

“They do exist though! I’m not making it up, I seriously saw one before! It saved my life!” Taehyun shot up defensively, facing his Yeonjun-hyung with a serious expression. 

“Well then, why haven’t we heard of it before? We’re not even human! If anything we would’ve learned about it when we learned about all the different species and creatures in school!” Yeonjun shot up as well, just as defensive as he faced Taehyun with a serious expression. 

They stood in silence for a moment, looking at each other with serious expressions on each of their faces. Then, Taehyun broke eye contact, sighing out heavily and laying back down. 

“I know what I saw. Even if I was only a child, those were certainly red and brown wings.” He slightly sulked, pout on his lips as he spoke. 

“Well then, I hope you’re able to find your mystery entity, Taehyun.” Soobin easily smiled as he continued to stare at the clouds, Kai nodding alongside him. 

And finally, that time may possibly be coming. At the ripe age of twenty-one, Taehyun might finally find his ‘mystery entity’. Of course, he reminded himself to be rational, that there might not even be a chance that it’s true and just a rumor. But, that little part in his heart hoped. It hoped so desperately Taehyun thought he would fall apart at the seams if he was disappointed. 

🩵

When they arrived at the forest, Taehyun gulped, before exiting the carriage with a determined expression on his face. 

The cursed forest. Legended to once hold the most dangerous mythical creatures, it was transformed into a regular forest by my father who protected such creatures. Now it’s a beautiful and peaceful place for people to explore and camp in. 

“Okay. You two will start on the beginning corners. Sounds good? I’ll start near the middle of the forest.” Taehyun easily delegated the tasks, pointing to his guards with a serious expression on his face.

They all easily nodded, running to their positions with serious expressions on their faces as Taehyun ran to the middle of the forest. 

After a couple of hours of searching, Taehyun was just about ready to give up.

Maybe it was just a rumor. I should’ve figured, no one would hide out in the forest for days on end. I guess I should start heading back to the carriage. 

Then, his eyebrows silently furrowed as he noticed something, bending down to the ground before touching it carefully with his fingers. The thick liquid coated his fingers, the boy immediately tensing upon realizing it was blood. He silently looked around, a tense expression on his face. Everything was quiet; a little too quiet for Taehyun’s liking. Then, a faint cry fills his ears, the boy immediately perking as his eyes widened. He silently gulps, making his way to the area the crying was coming from. 

He walks carefully, so as not to scare the injured person (or entity). He flinches, dropping to the ground silently as he picks up a stray feather. A single vermillion-brown feather. His eyes instantly widen, sparkling as his heart shakes in anticipation. 

No. No way…it can’t. I––

He walks closer to the crying in a sort of haze, cheeks pink and eyes wide. He silently drops the feather, hands immediately shaking as he gazes at the being before him. 

There he was. The entity who saved him all those years ago, in his full winged glory. His large wings spread out as he shakes from the injuries littered throughout his arms, face, and legs. Tiny horns graced his skull, a combination of gold, brown, and maroon. Taehyun steps forward in an effort to reach out to him, only for the entity to flinch back and immediately vanish from Taehyun’s vision. The prince looks to both sides of him, desperate expression on his face. No such luck. Taehyun sighs out, looking up to the sky only to notice the entity crouching on a tree branch, shaking heavily as he gazes at the other boy. The stars in Taehyun’s eyes increase silently. Despite only a single flap of his wings, the entity was already way up there. 

“I––I’m not going to hurt you. I promise. Please…come down. I––I can help you.” Taehyun throws out the words in an effort to comfort him, but it’s useless as the other just clings tighter to the tree. Taehyun didn’t notice this before, but even one of his wings was injured. 

His speed is remarkable. But…first, I need to find a way to get him down. 

Taehyun holds out his hand carefully, before extending his other arm behind him and sitting on the ground. He continues to look at the entity, before smiling surely. 

“It’s okay. I promise…I just want to help you. I––I don’t know…if you remember me. But…a long time ago, you saved me when I sank in the lake near my house.” His smile turned bashful, cheeks pink once again. 

The entity’s eyes widened, guard lowering as his body silently untensed. He didn’t think Taehyun remembered. 

“Oh! I have some food with me if you’re hungry. It’s just bread and cheese, but it’s better than nothing.” Taehyun fumbled through his bag, pulling out his food, along with a knife to cut it with. The winged entity’s stomach tightened silently, pupils widening at the thought of food. He hesitantly left the tree, looking at the prince carefully as he flew down in front of him. He looked in between the prince and his food, quickly taking the slice of bread and cheese from his hands. He sniffed it, before biting into it carefully, flavor rejoicing in his mouth. He quickly gobbled it down, not bothering to breathe in between his large bites. 

“More…please.” The entity’s voice was gruff, sounding like he was in desperate need of a cup of water. Taehyun silently smiled, cutting another piece of bread and cheese for the boy. 

“You know…if you come with me I can give you much better food than this. And I can treat your wounds as well.” He held out the food for the boy, a warm smile on his face. The entity took it, hesitant as his expression silently tensed again. 

“No. They would just…attack me again.” The winged entity spoke as he ate, a serious expression on his face. 

“I can assure you that no one would––” Taehyun shook his head, only to be cut off by the winged entity. 

“No! You don’t understand! I get that mythical creatures are protected now and all that, but that doesn’t mean everyone follows the law! People still attack me just from a simple glance! No law can protect me from this!” The winged entity lifts up his raggedy pant leg to reveal a burn scar, Taehyun gasping in response. Tears silently well in the prince’s eyes as he gazes at the scar, his fists clenching silently as a distraught expression forms on his face. 

“Who––how could someone do something like this?” Taehyun shakily questioned, tears falling from his eyes. 

The entity clenched his fists silently, looking away as he let go of his pant leg. 

“Because of what I am.” He faces the prince with a serious expression on his face. 

“W––What are you?” Tears illuminate Taehyun’s eyes. 

“A witch.” 

Taehyun’s eyes silently widened, breath catching in his throat as he stared at the entity. 

“An evil witch that was cursed to walk the Earth like this for my whole life.” His eyes silently glistened with tears. 

“A…an evil witch? But––but you saved me? How is that…possible?” 

“It doesn’t matter. I was born like this and I’ll die like this. And I’ll be the last one in the world to look like this.” He blinked his tears away, slight ache in his heart. 

Taehyun looks at the man silently for a moment, before looking down thoughtfully. 

“No. I won’t believe it. Unless you tell me yourself you’re explicitly evil, I won’t believe your words.” Taehyun stood up, clenching his fists as he faced the entity. The entity flinched, hurt expression forming across his face, Taehyun’s heart aching in response. 

“I––I…I’m… it doesn’t matter if I am or not! I was still cursed when I was born and I will be cursed till the end of my lineage. Because I was cursed to be born like this I can’t use magic, and cursed to be forever discriminated against. Because of the legacy my ancestors carried, everyone in my clan was slaughtered when I was a child. Because of the legacy my ancestors carried, I was forced to be discriminated against for simply existing . Because of this curse I sprouted wings when I was five years old and these horns grew on my head. Because of this curse the most evil witches sprouted crow’s wings and went extinct. This curse has haunted my species since it first came into power and it will continue to haunt us.” The entity emotionally spoke to the prince, tears sparkling in his eyes. 

Arms immediately wrapped around the entity’s bare waist, tears flowing out of Taehyun’s eyes silently as the other flinched in his hold. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry you ever had to go through something like that. I can’t even begin to imagine what that would have been like. I’m so sorry. You never deserved to go through something like that.” He whispered in his ear, an emotional tone in his voice. 

The entity’s eyes silently widened, tears falling to his cheeks. He silently wrapped his arms around the other boy, body relaxing as he breathed out, more tears falling from his eyes.

“Your wings are so beautiful. I don’t know how they could do something so cruel to someone like you.” Taehyun’s heart ached in his chest as his hold against the entity tightened. 

“Someone like…me?” He questioned, ache in his chest as he spoke emotionally. 

“Someone as amazing and kind as you. Who would save a complete stranger from death so easily.” Taehyun spoke surely, confidence in his tone.

The entity’s eyes silently widened, sparkling as his mouth slightly fell ajar. Taehyun left the hug, wanting to get a look at the entity’s face. He breathed out upon seeing his eyes sparkling with unshed tears, eyebrows furrowing worriedly as he laid both of his hands on his cheeks. 

“I’m sorry.” He whispered, closing his eyes as he laid his forehead on the entity’s. The entity closed his eyes as he sighed out, forehead rubbing against Taehyun’s. 

“What’s your name?” The prince questioned, whispering as he opened his eyes. 

“Beomgyu. Choi Beomgyu. I’m 22.” The entity whispered back, a nervous expression on his face. 

“Okay. Beomgyu-hyung…do you want to come back with us?” Taehyun spoke surely, determined expression on his face as he moved his hand down to Beomgyu’s neck.

“I can’t. I can’t…I can’t bear something happening to you…to anyone because they were around me. I won’t be the cause of another's misfortune. I can’t .” Beomgyu pleaded, shaking his head as he faced Taehyun. 

“We can protect you! I can protect you.” Taehyun pleaded back, eyes sparkling in determination. 

Beomgyu’s tense shoulders lowered, the boy breathing out silently. 

“Sir, I think we should give up. Honestly we would’ve found him by now if––” A guard walked up to Taehyun as he ran his hand through his hair, frustrated expression on his face until he gazed at the two on the ground. 

Beomgyu’s wings wrapped around Taehyun’s figure defensively, stepping back as he held his arm in front of Taehyun’s chest. Taehyun smiled silently; how could anyone hurt this man? 

“No, it’s okay, Beomgyu-hyung. He’s a friend. He won’t hurt us.” He whispered, the older untensing slightly at the statement. He unwrapped his injured wings from Taehyun’s figure, body still aching. 

“Oh. Um…should I get the carriage ready?” The guard spoke with wide eyes, trying to be casual, but anyone could tell he was flabbergasted. 

“Yes, please. And please call the special medic to treat him when we get back into the city.” 

The guard nodded, running through the forest back to the carriage. Taehyun smiled, standing up before turning to Beomgyu. He reaches his hand out, hopeful smile on his face. 

“Come with me, Beomgyu-hyung. I promise…I won’t let anything happen to you anymore.” 

Beomgyu looked at him, eyes silently glinting. His cheeks painted red, hand reaching out to Taehyun’s hopefully. Their hands soon connected, Taehyun instantly intertwining their fingers. He helped Beomgyu up, the boy grimacing as he groaned. He wrapped Beomgyu’s arm around his shoulder, before wrapping his arm around Beomgyu’s waist and helping him to limp through the forest. 

When they arrived back to their carriage, everyone was gathered and ready to go back home. 

🩵

When they arrived back to the city, the prince asked to be let off with Beomgyu, injuries worrying him greatly. 

“Driver, you can drive back to the castle by yourself. I’m going to see if Soobin-hyung has any quick-healing remedies for him first.” Taehyun smiled, hand intertwined with the older as he slightly tensed, groaning softly as he wrapped his arms around his bruised waist.

“It’s okay. I’ll be with you, I promise I won’t let anything happen.” He whispered to Beomgyu, a confident expression on his face as he smiled and nodded silently. The older slightly nodded, nervousness evident as he grimaced. 

They exited the carriage, hands intertwined as Taehyun smiled gently at the older. After the carriage left to go back to the castle, they started walking together; Soobin’s apothecary was only a short distance from where they stopped, but Taehyun wanted the townspeople to get a good look at Beomgyu and secretly glare at them if any of them even showed a hint of disgust; he was not going to let them disrespect Beomgyu in his presence, he wanted that to be clear from the get-go. 

They made their way through town, Beomgyu nervously looking at the people whispering on the sidelines about them. He assumed it was because of the color of his wings; they were modeled after an eagle’s yet that didn’t mean they were exactly commonplace. He assumed part of it also had to do with the fact that he was walking next to the only prince of their kingdom, with their hands intertwined on top of that. He silently willed his anxiety to calm, breathing out as the people and other magical creatures pointed to his horns and whispered about those as well. Taehyun squeezed his hand in affirmation, a confident smile on his face. 

“You’re doing great. Don’t pay any attention to them, just focus on my voice.” He whispered under his breath, just loud enough for Beomgyu to hear. He nodded silently, looking forward. 

He saw their looks of fear, anxiety, maybe a little amazement as well. His cheeks painted pink, biting his bottom lip as he continued to walk through the town with Taehyun. Despite it being 300 years since his species was wiped out, the fear they instilled was still evident in other magical creature’s expressions directed toward him. 

“We’re almost there. Hold on one more minute.” Taehyun looked at the townspeople, not sensing any malice apart from their surprised or wary expressions. He sighed to himself, before pointing forward with a wide smile. 

“There’s my friend’s apothecary. He can help, I guarantee. We’ll put some ointment on your injuries and then check with the doctor to see if you need further treatment.” 

Beomgyu nodded silently as they headed toward the building, nervousness evident in his demeanor. When they entered, Kai was at the front counter, Soobin presumably in the back preparing potions and other remedies. 

“Hey, Taehyun! Welcome back. How was… oh. Uhhh…um…oh my gosh. Uh, sorry. Uh–– hi. Um…ooh, those injuries look bad. I’m presuming you need a quick-healing remedy.” Kai’s eyes instantly widened as Beomgyu walked behind Taehyun, a nervous expression on his face. 

“Yeah, thanks Kai.” 

Kai turned around and went to the back, whispering loudly and inconspicuously. 

“Soobin-hyung!! You need to go to the front right now! ” 

“Okay, okay! Jeez, you’d think you’d have seen a ghost.” Soobin was pushed into the front suddenly, turning around to Taehyun and Beomgyu with a confused expression on his face.

His eyes instantly widened, glinting as he gazed at the injured figure next to Taehyun. 

“Oh. Uh…is this…” Soobin looked at Taehyun surprisedly, eyes slightly wary. 

“Soobin-hyung, meet Beomgyu-hyung. He’s the one that saved me when I was a child.” Taehyun introduced Soobin to Beomgyu, the entity fiddling with his fingers silently. 

“Ahh…I see. Um…first, let’s get you treated. Come to the back, I’ll help you.” Soobin smiled and nodded, a friendly smile on his face as he led Beomgyu to the back. 

“Here’s the quick-healing ointment, Soobin-hyung.” Kai nervously handed the older the jar, looking in between Beomgyu and Soobin silently. 

“Thanks, Kai. Can you get the bandages for me too?” Soobin questioned as he twisted the lid off the jar, a soft smile on his face as he closed his eyes. 

“Oh yeah!” Kai perked, running to their cabinet and tossing Soobin their bandages. 

Kai sat in the chair beside Beomgyu, looking at the entity with a small smile and glint in his eyes. Beomgyu eyed him up and down silently, confused as to why he was looking at him like that. 

“Kai, why don’t you and Taehyun get me some herbs at the market? Grassroot and Spellamiso, please.” Soobin pulled out his wallet, giving Kai a couple of gold coins with an easy smile on his face. 

“Okay! Taehyun! Let’s go to the market together!” Kai ran to the front, with the same smile on his face with an excited tone in his voice. 

And with that, he left just as fast as he came. Beomgyu silently relaxed, sighing out. 

Soobin dipped his long fingers into the cream-like ointment, before telling Beomgyu to straighten up. Beomgyu slightly flinched as his skin came into contact with the cold cream, before relaxing once more. 

“You’re much prettier than Taehyun described you to be, you know.” Soobin spoke with the same smile on his face, rubbing the cream into the bruises on his waist before wrapping them in bandages.

“Taehyun…described me to you?” Beomgyu questioned, eyebrows furrowing confusedly. 

“He described you to all of our friends. One day he just asked ‘have any of you ever heard of a species with red and brown wings?’ He’s been looking for you for a really long time you know.” 

“I…I never thought he would remember me. Much less try to look for me.” 

“You know he formed a hero complex because of you? You saved his life, so he was determined to find you and pay it back no matter what it took.” Soobin laughed, rubbing the ointment onto his arms and bandaging them. 

“It already feels like he’s saved me though.” Beomgyu spoke under his breath, looking down at his hands in his lap. 

“Mm. That’s the Taehyun effect. He could approach you and you’d instantly feel safe.” He applied the cream to his leg, before wrapping the bandages around it. 

Soobin held his hands in front of Beomgyu’s bloody wings, closing his eyes as a green glow formed on his hands. Beomgyu’s wing instantly healed, the boy’s eyes widening silently. 

“Why did you––w––why use magic on a stranger like me?” Beomgyu questioned, confused expression on his face. 

Soobin just smiled widely, tilting his head slightly. 

“Because you’re not a stranger anymore. You’re my friend.” 

Beomgyu’s eyes instantly sparkled, silently widening at Soobin’s statement. 

“Friend?” He spoke softly, in a sort of question. 

“Yeah. Just like Taehyun is. Just like Kai is…well, as soon as he has a proper conversation with you instead of gazing at you like a creepy stalker.” Soobin laughed, leaning against his table casually as he crossed his arms. Beomgyu laughed softly, smiling widely at his joke. Soobin’s eyebrows widened silently, so he could laugh.

“So…you’re a witch, huh?” Soobin tilted his head casually, smile still on his face. 

Beomgyu looked down to his hands in his lap silently, somewhat serious expression on his face. He nodded silently, eyes trained on his lap. 

“I’d only heard legends before…but I never thought I’d see one in real life.” Soobin trailed off, looking to the side as he spoke. 

“I’m the last witch left. I’ve lived alone ever since my parents died, so if you’re worried about anyone else showing up, you don’t have to.” 

“Oh. Uh, sorry. I…didn’t mean it like that.” 

“It’s…fine.” 

They sit in awkward silence for a moment, maybe two. Then, the front door to the shop opens once more and Kai and Taehyun make their way back with the herbs. 

“Are you done yet?” Taehyun smiled as he walked into the back room, tilting his head. 

“Yeah. His wings are healed, but his other injuries should take a couple of days to heal with the ointment. I’d recommend letting him see the doctor though, because I’m not able to sense internal injuries.” Soobin wiped his hands with a cloth as he spoke, a somewhat serious expression on his face. 

“I was planning to. Alright, we better get going. I wanna introduce him to Yeonjun-hyung before its too late.” 

“Okay. See you later!” Soobin waved to them, dimples popping out.

Beomgyu shyly waved goodbye to them as Taehyun led him to the front, small smile on his face. Soobin waved to him as he walked to the front of the shop, the same smile on his face. 

“Beomgyu! Come by the shop again, I’ll show you around town when I have some time off.” Soobin smiled widely, dimples fully showing as he faced Beomgyu. 

Beomgyu smiled widely, nodding in response. And with that, they left the apothecary with smiles on their faces. 

“Oh yeah, if you couldn’t tell, Soobin-hyung is a fairy, and Kai is an elf. And, Yeonjun-hyung, who we’re about to meet is a fox hybrid. He runs his own clothing shop, so I’m sure he can fix you up a nice pair of pants.” Taehyun smiled as he walked next to Beomgyu, pointing to a shop across the street. 

When they arrived at the shop, Taehyun entered with the widest smile on his face. 

“Yeonjun-hyung~ I have a surprise for you~” Taehyun spoke with a wide grin, evident in his tone of voice. 

“Mm? I’m in my tailoring room.” Yeonjun speaks back, just as a teasing tone in his voice. 

Taehyun smiles, turning to Beomgyu as he lifts his finger over his mouth, making a shhh! motion. Beomgyu nods silently, small smile on his face. They snuck to Yeonjun’s tailoring room, Taehyun screaming behind him as he worked on a suit. 

“Surprise!” Taehyun yelled, a mischievous smile on his face as Yeonjun jolted. 

“Jesus, Taehyun, give me a heart attack, why don’t you!” Yeonjun continued to work on the suit, needles still in mouth as he spoke. 

“Sorry, hyung, I couldn’t resist. Anyway, I have someone for you to meet.” Taehyun laughed, cheerful expression translated into his voice. 

Taehyun silently gestured Beomgyu to step forward, the man fiddling with his fingers as he smiled silently. Yeonjun silently turned to him, eyeing Beomgyu up and down silently as his mouth slightly grimaced. Beomgyu felt his heart sting, anxiety rising in his chest once more as he clenched his fist and looked away from his disgusted gaze. 

“So you want me to make new pants for him?” Yeonjun turned back to the suit, continuing to work on it with the same expression on his face. 

“Uh…well, yeah. But, Yeonjun-hyung, did you look at him? Did you see his wings? ” Taehyun questioned, incredulous look on his face. 

“Yeah, yeah. He’s the one who saved you when you were a child, right? Fine, I was wrong. Happy? I didn’t think he actually existed, but you proved me wrong.” Yeonjun continued to work, sassily rolling his eyes as he spoke. 

“You took the fun out of it. You were supposed to scream ‘Oh my god, he’s actually real! I’m so sorry for ever doubting you, Taehyun!’ Not…whatever this is.” The prince pouted, an unfair expression on his face. 

“Well, if you couldn’t tell, I’m a little preoccupied with work right now. Yes, I was surprised he was actually real for a minute. But I have bigger things to worry about. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my job. I’ll have his pants done in two days' time, so come back then.” 

“Well…okay. Come on, Beomgyu-hyung, I guess we should get going. We’ll get you settled in the castle and relax a little bit. And I won’t take no for an answer, so don’t even try to resist.” Taehyun smiled, gesturing for Beomgyu to follow him out of the shop. 

Once they left, they started walking toward the castle. 

“Wait, so. I think I’m a little confused. Did he look at me like that because he didn’t like my wings?” Beomgyu questioned, beyond confused expression on his face. 

“Oh, no! I’m so sorry if it looked that way. I can assure you it wasn’t because of your wings. Yeonjun-hyung’s a designer through and through, so whenever he sees clothes like yours he instantly forms that expression. I promise it has nothing to do with you. He wouldn’t judge you for that type of thing anyway. I know he seemed a little distant, but he gets like that when he has a deadline coming up. I’m sure he’ll be more friendly the next time we visit him.” Taehyun reassured Beomgyu, shaking his hand casually as he spoke to the older. 

And, as Taehyun guessed, two days later Yeonjun was much more friendly with Beomgyu. He gave him a couple of pairs of pants, including a vest with holes in the back to accommodate his wings. Beomgyu would soon learn that that was Yeonjun’s most-viable love language. 

💙

A couple of months passed after that day. Beomgyu started to work as Yeonjun’s apprentice in his clothing shop, making orders with guests and delivering special orders to other lands with his wings. Taehyun had visited them almost every day, always carving at least an hour out of his schedule to visit Beomgyu. 

While there were still lots of prejudices surrounding Beomgyu’s appearance, his friends soon learned that he was more like a ray of sunshine instead of the dark, evil creature most assumed him to be. He always somehow managed to cheer them up, no matter the circumstance. Even through his struggles, he always showed them a bright smile. 

Over time, Taehyun’s view and feelings for Beomgyu started to change; and, of course, vice versa. His cheeks easily heated up when Beomgyu made him laugh, joy bubbling up in his stomach whenever he simply thought of the older boy. Of course, the same went for Beomgyu as well. One could argue he was mesmerized since he first met the prince, but he simply felt like he was somehow destined to meet him. Like all of the bad days came together and God decided to gift him the wonder that was Kang Taehyun. 

And then, that feeling came crashing down with one simple incident. 

Beomgyu and Taehyun were out shopping in the market one day when it began. 

“Get out of town you witch! ” A man yelled from the ever-flowing crowd of the market, Beomgyu immediately flinching before setting the fruit he was looking at down. Taehyun immediately tensed, turning behind him and glaring through the crowd at the man continuing to walk with a smirk on his face. 

Taehyun started to walk up to him seriously, glare on his face as he caught up with the man. 

“What did you say?” He grabbed the man’s shoulder harshly as he forced him to turn around. 

“What? I’m not sure what you’re talking about, your majesty.” The man smirked at Taehyun slyly, ice running through Taehyun’s veins in response. His fist silently clenched, before Beomgyu pulled him back from the man’s gaze. 

“Just leave him, Taehyun. He’s not worth it.” He spoke seriously, diffusing the situation. The man’s eye silently twitched in response. He huffed loudly, walking away with his fists clenched. 

From there, it only escalated. Beomgyu suffered through death threats, humiliating pranks, and even public discrimination. He tried to ignore it, to just continue on with his work and live his life. But soon, his pot of anger boiled over, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. 

“Hey, witch! Look here!” His tormentor called from above, Beomgyu looking up confusedly. A bucket of dirty water poured over his head, Beomgyu silently grimacing in response. His head fell to the ground, fists clenching silently. His tormentor smiled as he came down from the building he was on, a proud expression on his face. Beomgyu silently looked at him for a moment, fists clenching as his anger took control of his body. He held his fist up, ready to punch him only to be stopped by someone calling his name. 

“Beomgyu-hyung!” Taehyun’s voice instantly filled his ears, anger completely dissipating from his body as he turned around to the boy. 

“Beomgyu-hyung, what happened?! Why are you all wet?” The boy eyed him up and down incredulously, before turning to the culprit with a glare, ready to punch him. 

“It’s fine! I’m fine, Taehyun, so let’s just get out of here.” Beomgyu diffused the situation, not wanting Taehyun to fight someone on his behalf. Taehyun hesitantly looked at the older boy, before eventually backing down, nodding silently in response. They started to walk away, Beomgyu smiling at Taehyun softly. 

“Hey, witch, wait!” The man further provoked him, Beomgyu tensing before silently turning back to him. The man ran up to him suddenly, a pocket knife sticking out from his hand. 

“Beomgyu-hyung, look out!” Taehyun pushed Beomgyu out of the way as he gazed at the pocket knife, weapon stabbing him in the chest deeply. Taehyun instantly fell to the ground, coughing blood and breathing loudly. Beomgyu fell to his side as he started to shake, clutching Taehyun’s injury tightly, eyes wide and panic flowing through his body. 

“No. No, no, no. Taehyun, hey. Taehyun, say something please. No, no, no. Please, no.” Beomgyu shakily grabbed Taehyun’s cheeks, tears falling from his eyes. 

“I––I guess I was finally able…to save you…hyung.” Taehyun shakily gasped out, smiling as he breathed heavily as he held his bloody hand over Beomgyu’s. 

“Y––You’re gonna be fine, Taehyun-ah. Someone call the doctor! You’re gonna be fine, I promise.” Beomgyu reassured the younger, slightly smiling as he nodded. 

Taehyun shakily breathed out, vision going blurry as Beomgyu whispered sweet nothings into his ears. He faintly felt a stretcher pick him up and whisk him away, presumably to take him to the doctor, eyes silently closing.

💙

When Taehyun awoke again, he was alone in his room, breathing in heavily as he groaned. Pain instantly bloomed through his chest, the boy rubbing it softly as he grimaced. He looked around his room tiredly, vision clearing as he got a good bearing of his familiar surroundings. 

“Beomgyu-hyung…” He whispered, voice rough as it sounded like it had not been used in a while. 

The royal doctor soon entered his room, a serious look on his face as he looked at his clipboard. He soon turned to his patient, a smile on his face upon seeing he was awake. 

“It’s good to see you awake, your majesty. How do you feel?” 

“A little tired. Where’s Beomgyu-hyung? Is he okay?” Taehyun immediately asked, sitting up as he slightly groaned, hand rubbing over his bare chest. 

“Um…I’m not sure, your majesty. You were transported by the city’s doctor, but no one else came to visit you besides Soobin-ssi, Kai-ssi, and Yeonjun-ssi.” 

Taehyun’s eyebrows silently furrowed, a somewhat confused expression on his face. 

“I see…how long has it been since the incident then?” He questioned next, somewhat worried tone in his voice. 

“A week, your majesty. The weapon that stabbed you was laced with poison, but it should be out of your system by now.”

“I see. Would you mind calling my friends? I want to see them.” Taehyun slightly smiled, the doctor nodding silently with a smile on his face. 

💙

“You gave me a heart attack. Never do that again, okay?!” Soobin immediately hugged Taehyun when his three best friends arrived in his room, a worried expression on his face. 

“I promise. Sorry.” Taehyun apologized, warm smile on his face. 

“As long as you’re okay. That’s what matters.” Yeonjun smiled gently, rubbing Taehyun’s hair teasingly. Taehyun closed his eyes, softly laughing. 

“Mm. So…is Beomgyu-hyung still sulking by himself?” Taehyun teased the older, easy smile on his face as he faced his three best friends. They all fell silent, lips curling from smiles into worried and hesitant expressions. Taehyun noticed it instantly, smile falling as he continued to look at his three best friends. They stood in silence for a minute, maybe two.

“Uh…Taehyun. We…we haven’t seen Beomgyu-hyung since the incident happened.” Kai spoke first, worried expression translating perfectly into his tone. 

“What? W––what do you mean? He’s not at your house, Yeonjun-hyung?” Taehyun questioned, beyond confused expression on his face. 

“When I came back from work that day…I found this letter on our kitchen table.” Yeonjun unfolded a piece of paper from his pocket, handing it to Taehyun. 

Hey guys. 

If you’re reading this, I’m probably gone. Don’t bother looking for me, you know it won’t work. If, by chance, Taehyun ends up reading this, I just want you to know one thing. I’m sorry. It’s all my fault this happened. I never should have moved out here with you. I was destined to be alone from the beginning of my life, and I’m destined to be alone at the end of my life too. If we never met this wouldn’t have ended up happening. I told you I won’t be the cause of another's misfortune. But that’s just what happened. So…I’m leaving. I can’t stay knowing I might hurt any of you. Forgive me. I hope you know how much I love you all, truly. Thank you for giving me such happy memories. 

Goodbye. 

Silent tears fell from Taehyun’s eyes, falling on the page. His lips silently quivered, fist clenching and paper crumpling. He threw it to the end of his bed harshly, running his hand through his hand as he continued to cry.

Soobin silently wrapped his arms around Taehyun, the younger immediately wrapping his arms around Soobin as he sank into the older’s chest. 

“It’s not…he…he can’t just leave. It’s…it’s not even his fault.” 

“I know…but this was the choice he made. He chose to leave to protect you…protect us. ” 

“That’s stupid! How can he protect us if he’s gone?” He yelled emotionally, more tears welling up in his eyes. It was clear as day how upset he was by this revelation. 

“We hear you, and we fully agree, Taehyun. But you read the letter…trying to find him won’t work. You know how sneaky he could be…if he doesn’t want to be found he’s nearly impossible to find.” Yeonjun grimaced, worried tone in his voice. 

Taehyun flinched, eyebrows furrowing silently. He was right; if Beomgyu didn’t want to be found it would be nearly impossible; say what you want about the man, but he knew how to disappear when the time came. Or, didn’t come. He slightly grimaced, before breathing in and looking at his friends with a determined expression. 

“Then, I’ll look for him. I have to do something! Even if it takes another 14 years. Even if it takes 100 years . I’m going to find Beomgyu-hyung again. No matter what.” He blinked away the tears brimming in his eyes, a gravely serious expression on his face. 

“Mm. But…Taehyun, you know this isn’t your fault, right?” Soobin sat on the edge of his bed, grabbing his hand emotionally. 

Taehyun nodded silently, looking away from Soobin’s gaze. 

“Yeah. I just…I can’t lose him again.” He looked at his lap, before facing his best friends tearfully again. They looked at him silently, before turning to each other and silently nodding. 

“Okay. We’ll help you. Seeing as you’re so determined, it’s not like we have much choice.” Yeonjun smirked, a teasing smile on his face. 

Taehyun smiled genuinely, tilting his head as he looked at his three best friends. 

“Alright. Let’s find Beomgyu-hyung.” 

💙

For all of Taehyun’s determination, the difficulty of finding Beomgyu was a million times more intense. When he first started, a couple of days passed with no lead. Then they bled into weeks, then months. Taehyun wasn’t one to immediately give up, but he knew dragging out a losing battle would just be worse. 

But then, it happened. 

After months on end of searching, he found him. His Beomgyu. 

“Beomgyu-hyung?” 

The figure flinched silently, tensing in response. The older hesitantly turned around to Taehyun, beyond guilty expression on his face. 

“I––I’m sorry. I––I can’t. I have to go.” He turned around again, tears glistening in his eyes as his cloak swayed.

“Beomgyu-hyung, wait!” Taehyun grabbed his wrist, the other flinching and wincing out. Taehyun’s eyes silently trailed down to his wrist, cloak still covering most of his arm. 

“Beomgyu-hyung, have you been getting hurt again? Show me your wrist.” The royal commanded, tearful expression on his face. 

“Don’t touch me!” Beomgyu yelled, a devastating tone in his voice.

“Show me!” He yanked the older around, cloak hood falling and revealing a burn scar beginning on his neck and ending on his right cheek. Tears fell from Beomgyu’s wide eyes, severely distraught expression forming on his face. 

Taehyun’s breath caught in his throat, eyes widening with tears as he gazed at the burn scar. 

💙

It all started that cursed day. After Beomgyu assured that Taehyun arrived back at the castle safely, he made his way back to his shared house with Yeonjun. The older was still at work, and Beomgyu still had a little while left on his lunch break. He immediately beelined for his room, grabbing his bag and packing every essential he needed tearfully. He began writing his letter to the others emotionally, tears threatening to overflow with every word he wrote. He couldn’t stay here any longer though. No matter what he tried to tell himself. 

He set his letter on the kitchen table, before grabbing some bread, and water and slipping them into his bag. He’d just have to hope his Yeonjun-hyung wouldn’t mind too much. Not that it mattered anymore anyway. He slipped out of the back door of the house silently, looking to both sides, before opening his wings and flying away. 

He flew. He flew, he flew, he flew. Without looking back. He didn’t know where to go, but he knew he couldn’t stay in that city for the rest of his life. Eventually, he stopped at a small village near the outskirts of the kingdom. He walked through the town cautiously, anxiety rising as he looked at the villagers silently. He immediately noticed a cloak stand, beelining to it with a small smile. 

“One large cloak please. And…do you know of any lodging close by?” He paid the man as he spoke in a whisper, somewhat serious expression on his face. 

“Hmm…the closest lodging would be west of here. There’s a port city 500 kilometers of here. If you’re up for the journey, you can probably get settled in there real fast.” He handed the man the cloak as he spoke, taking his money and giving him change back. 

“500 kilometers…okay. Thank you sir.” Beomgyu smiled, nodding to himself silently. 

Beomgyu shot up, serious expression on his face. When he came into view of the city, he flew down in a forest about 20 kilometers from the city, tucking in his wings and wrapping the cloak over his body, raising the hood. And with that, he entered the city with a newfound confidence. 

He walked through the crowd of people walking through the city, a surreal feeling surrounding his heart as not one of them spared him a glance. Without much fanfare, he first looked for inns and lodgings he could stay at. 

“Sorry, no more vacancies till next week!” 

“So sorry, we just gave out our last room.” 

“Sorry, most of our rooms are being renovated.” 

Well, no one told Beomgyu this would be easy. He sighed out, walking through a heavily populated street with a slight pout. 

“Help! Fire!!” Someone yelled, running past Beomgyu as the scent of smoke wafted through the air. Beomgyu’s eyes immediately widened, running to the scene frantically. 

He immediately ran to the scene of the crime, eyes wide as people ran out of the smoking building. 

“Are you okay?” He questioned a woman who ran by, coughing as she held her hand over her nose and mouth. 

“Yes, but the owner is still––” She was interrupted by a fit of coughs, running to safety as Beomgyu looked inside. 

He sighed out, throwing his cloak to the side and running in haphazardly. He held his hand over his nose and mouth as smoke immediately filled his senses, vision blurring as he looked for the owner. He ran to the back quickly, gazing at an unconscious pregnant woman on the floor. He immediately bent to her side, lifting out his arms to pick her up only to feel a piercing pain spread through his wing. He winced, looking back silently; some fire-filled debris fell on his wing, the boy dusting it off before going back to picking the pregnant woman up.  

He coughed loudly as he walked through the bakery, vision blurring as his breathing shallowed. He looked around silently, looking for the closest exit before a large flame burst out suddenly beside him, burning his neck. He grimaced once more, groaning in pain as his grip on the woman tightened slightly. He continued walking to the front, vision going black as he lost his grip on her body. He pushed himself forward, desperate to get her to safety before anything else drastically happened. Once in the footpath of the bakery, he set her down, promptly passing out afterward. 

💙

When Beomgyu awoke again, he was in some sort of infirmary. He groaned as he squinted his eyes open, face turning to the side as he was on his stomach. 

“Oh! Taesan! He’s awake! Taesan, get in here!” The woman beside Beomgyu speaks immediately, eyes wide with wonder. 

He silently looks at the woman, a slight glare on his face. He settles upon seeing it was the pregnant woman he saved earlier. 

“Hi…hi, can you hear me? Can you tell me your name?” The woman speaks, concerned expression on her face. 

“Mm…Beomgyu. Choi Beomgyu.” He whispers, voice still tired. 

“Beomgyu…well, I don’t know if you remember, but you saved me earlier. Me, and my baby. I–– I can’t thank you enough.” 

“So you’re gonna be okay?” 

“Yeah. My husband––uh, the doctor–– said my vitals look fine. And the baby is still healthy as far as he could tell.” 

“That’s good.” Beomgyu whispered under his breath, closing his eyes as he relaxed silently. 

“Uh, sorry to disturb a moment here. I just want to go over Beomgyu-ssi’s general condition.” The doctor spoke from behind them, Beomgyu twisting his neck harshly only to grimace and moan out. 

“You shouldn’t do that. You sustained a lot of damage from that fire. Your wing is in pretty bad condition too. I put some quick-healing treatment on it, but it’ll take a couple of days for it to fully heal. Until then, no straining your wing or your neck.” 

“Yes, sir. Also, do either of you know where my cloak went?” 

“It’s right beside you, actually. I’ll grab it for you.” The woman spoke, standing up from her chair and grabbing it from across Beomgyu. 

“Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it.” 

“Of course. Um, listen. If there’s… anything I can do for you, please let me know. I mean, you did save two lives. I––I want to repay you back in some way.” 

Beomgyu looked at the woman for a moment. Then, he slightly sighed out.

“Well…actually, I’m a traveler who just arrived in town. Do you know of any good places for lodging? All of the inns and lodges I checked with are full.” 

“Oh…yes, they certainly fill up quickly. If…you’re looking for a place to stay though, we could offer our house to you.” The woman smiled at her husband, Beomgyu’s eyes silently widening. 

“Oh, no. I couldn’t impose like that, I––” 

“But! In exchange, you have to help me around my bakery for the time you’re here. How does that sound? Room and board, plus free meals, as long as you help me.” She smiled, tilting her head toward Beomgyu. 

The man silently looked at her for a minute, before looking over to her husband with an exasperated smile on his face. 

“Uh…wouldn’t my…appearance be a problem though?” 

“Oh, no. No one here cares about that kind of stuff anymore. And if they do, I’ll beat them into the ground.” She smiled with a casual tone in her voice. 

“Um…well. If you’re sure then.” 

So, Beomgyu found himself living with them for the small amount of time he planned on being there. The key was consistently traveling between cities; barely leave any traces of yourself and it would be nearly impossible to find someone like that. That’s what he planned to do anyway. Before he knew it, a month had passed, and then two months. Beomgyu’s burns from the fire had turned into scars, the feathers were even re-growing on top of Beomgyu’s wing. Right before the woman gave birth to her child, she proposed a new offering to Beomgyu. 

“So, Beomgyu. I have another proposal for you. With the new baby, I’m sure I’ll be preoccupied. As such, will you officially run the bakery for me? I understand if you say no, but you’ve been such a great help for me these past two months.” 

How could he say no to that? His mother always valued helping other women out, and taught her son that lesson as well. 

He hesitantly smiled, nodding in response. 

“Okay.” 

The woman gave birth to her child, and Beomgyu officially took over handling the bakery. It went well for a couple months, until a certain traveler entered one day. 

“Ew, is that a witch? I thought they were extinct.” He whispered to his friend under his breath, disgusted expression on his face. 

Beomgyu’s fists silently clenched, before he unclenched them and handed an order to another customer with a warm smile on his face. 

“Bye, Beomgyu!” The customer waved goodbye, the man waving goodbye with a warm smile. 

He turned to the customer with a hesitant expression, the man looking around the bakery with his friends. But, soon enough, the man left with his friends, choosing not to buy anything. 

That night, before Beomgyu decided to lock up, the group entered the bakery once again, weapons in hand. Beomgyu instantly tensed, looking in between the smirks on their faces and weapons in hand. They immediately started destroying the decorations around the bakery, Beomgyu thrashing around to be free of two men’s grasps on his body. Tears fell from his eyes as they kicked and punched him, blood flowing from his mouth as he continued to thrash under their hold. 

When they finished, Beomgyu looked around the trashed bakery, face bloody and breaths heavy. He cried silently to himself, before starting to clean up the bakery silently. 

When he returned to his lodging, the woman was waiting outside the front door, bouncing her child up and down as she paced back and forth. He stepped forward to her, a somber expression on his face. 

“Beomgyu! What happened to your face? Are you okay?” She instantly noticed him, taking in his bruised and tired face as she held her hand out to him. 

“I’m sorry. I have to leave.” Beomgyu spoke softly, a numb expression on his face as he grasped his hand over her’s on his cheek. 

“But––” 

“If I stay, I’ll put your family in danger. I can’t do that to you all. But…still. Thank you. For your hospitality and everything else.” Beomgyu smiled gently, the woman silently biting her lip as she looked at him. 

“Okay. Promise you’ll visit again though. One day.” She looked at him somberly, tilting her head as she laid her hand on his cheek once more. 

“I promise.” He smiled somberly at her, not bearing to tell her he’ll probably never see her again. 

And with that, Beomgyu made his way to his next city, wind cooling the scar on his wing.

🩵

And it was in that very next city where Beomgyu encountered Taehyun once more. The older immediately recognized the younger walking through town, despite it all, the image of Taehyun was burned into his subconscious. He silently tensed, pulling the hood of his cloak closer and walking faster. The wind blew quickly from the west, knocking his hood off of his head as he silently flinched. He quickly pulled the hood back to his head, walking faster with his head trained on his feet. 

“Beomgyu-hyung?” Taehyun speaks, immediately recognizing the horns on the older’s head.

He flinched silently, visibly tensing in response as he stopped in his tracks. He stood silent for a minute, before breathing shakily. The older hesitantly turned around to Taehyun, beyond guilty expression on his face. 

“I––I’m sorry. I––I can’t. I have to go.” He turned around again, tears glistening in his eyes as his cloak swayed. It was too much for Beomgyu to handle all at once.

“Beomgyu-hyung, wait!” Taehyun grabbed his wrist, the other flinching and wincing out. Taehyun’s eyes silently trailed down to his wrist, cloak still covering most of his arm. 

“Beomgyu-hyung, have you been getting hurt again? Show me your wrist.” The royal commanded, tearful expression on his face. 

“Don’t touch me!” Beomgyu yelled, a devastating tone in his voice. He can’t see. Under any circumstances. Because Beomgyu wouldn’t be able to handle the expression that formed across his face if he did see. 

“Show me!” He yanked the older around, cloak hood falling and revealing a burn scar beginning on his neck and ending on his right cheek. Tears fell from Beomgyu’s wide eyes, severely distraught expression forming on his face. 

Taehyun’s breath caught in his throat, eyes widening with tears as he gazed at the burn scar. His hand trembled as he lifted it up to Beomgyu’s neck, the older’s lips quivering silently. 

“Don’t touch me.” Beomgyu stepped away, sour expression on his face as he shook his head. 

“But––” 

“No, you don’t understand. You were never supposed to see me like this. You were never supposed to see me ever again!” Beomgyu shakily backed away, tears in his eyes as he stared at the younger. 

“I––” 

“I only put you in danger! You can’t be around me! Even if… I always want you around me. I only bring misfortune to your life. You can’t be here. You have to go. You have to let me go. It’ll be easier for both of us that way.” He continued to shakily back away, taking in Taehyun’s distraught expression as he walked closer to the older. 

“Bullshit! I’m not losing you again, Beomgyu-hyung!” He yelled, tears falling from his eyes as he confidently walked up to the older once more. 

“I can’t! I can’t have you get hurt because of me again! ” Beomgyu shakily spoke, shaking his head emotionally as he continued to back away. 

“So you have to cut contact with everyone because you’re afraid of them getting hurt ? ” He refuted, serious expression on his face as he grabbed Beomgyu’s wrist once more. 

The older flinched silently, more tears welling up in his eyes as he gazed at the younger. 

“Beomgyu-hyung, you need to know something. Sometimes…people just get hurt, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing except be there for them. Do you know how I felt when I woke up and you weren’t by my side? I thought I would actually die. To think something could’ve happened to you while I was asleep almost killed me. But…when the others showed me your letter, it felt a million times worse. You don’t get to decide whether or not I get hurt. You can’t stop people from being hurt, no one can. But you can be there for them when they are hurt. That’s what matters the most.” 

Silent tears fell from Beomgyu’s eyes as he stared at the younger. 

“Now, come on. Let’s go home.” Taehyun pleaded, pulling Beomgyu’s wrist forward, only for the older to hold himself back. 

Taehyun turned around silently, a confused expression on his face as he gazed at the older’s hesitant expression. Beomgyu bit his bottom lip, gazing down at Taehyun’s hand before looking at the younger. Taehyun’s grip slightly tightened around his wrist. 

“Six months. Six months of endlessly searching. Six months of worrying about you every minute of every day. Six months of crying to myself when we came up with another dead end. Six months of the others worrying endlessly about you. Six months of my love growing every second of every day for you. And you’re still hesitant? I knew you were an idiot but I didn’t think it was this bad.” 

Beomgyu’s eyes silently widened, cheeks immediately painting red as his eyes sparkled. Taehyun stepped toward Beomgyu once more, eyes slightly pleading as he looked at the older. 

“Please. Just come home.” He spoke softly, eyes welling with silent tears. 

Beomgyu couldn’t pretend anymore. No matter how much he denied it, he wanted Taehyun. He wanted to stay by his side. There was no questioning that. 

He laid his hand on Taehyun’s cheek softly, before closing in on the younger and connecting his lips to Taehyun’s softly. Taehyun’s eyes silently widened, unconsciously pushing his lips into Beomgyu’s as well as a deep red blush formed over his cheeks. 

The older pulled away, cheeks still pink and a tender expression on his face. 

“Let’s go home.” 

Fin