Hongjoong awoke to a splitting headache. In one moment he was still resting in sleep's soft embrace, the next excruciating pain made him sit up in alarm, letting out an anguished wail.

"Dear Luna, you scared him!"

Hongjoong screamed again - out of shock this time - and quickly pressed his back against the wall beside him, headache forgotten.

There were people in the same room as him, strangers!

And not just usual strangers as the delicate wings on the backs of his companions indicated.

Hongjoong shut his mouth and started staring at the two men with big eyes, hugging his knees protectively against his chest. The bed that he was resting upon was very soft and warm, he sincerely hoped these people would be nicer than the last guy.

The room around him distracted him and Hongjoong wanted to look around, explore around these very alive plants and beautiful flowers, but the two men in front of him were much more important for now.

One was terrifyingly tall. Hongjoong himself was on the shorter side so he often took sympathy to the small fairies travelling their lands. However that right here was a huge one. Were fae supposed to become that tall? Hongjoong doubted it.

The tall one had bright red hair und shimmering scales adorned his cheekbones and neck. The natural light falling in through the roof let them sparkle and shine in all colours of the rainbow and Hongjoong was in awe. His wings - the ones of a dragonfly, which seemed entirely too frail behind him - had the same kind of playfulness with the light. 

Contrary to his domineering height this fae looked much, much friendlier than the shorter male beside him. His face was handsomely cut as if of stone and a small smile adorned his full lips.

The other one however looked much more stormy, his silverish hair a bit more ruffled. His wings also, and they were similar to those of a bird, with white feathers radiating more into grey the closer to the stem they were.

Both of them were stunning, taking Hongjoong's last breath and again he got nervous, feared their intentions with him.

How did he get here, in this homey cottage? And where did the handsome stranger go?

"Hey, are you alright?"

It was the tall one speaking, his voice a deep rumble and Hongjoong curled a bit more into himself, stared with big eyes up at him.

"You- You are fae?"

"Rude.", commented the other one immediately, turning around on his heel and leaving the little hut. Hongjoong was left sitting helplessly.

"Poor guy, how much did you forget? I swear, if I ever meet one of these damned elves I will crush them beneath my boot." Tall guy crouched down and handed Hongjoong a leaf, mentioning for him to chew it.

Hongjoong knew that plant, knew it helped with nausea and did as he was told. A bitter taste spread on his tongue.

"Elves?"

Hongjoong had never met an elf before. They were said to be a highly secretive race, preferring to stay in their own villages instead of participating in trade. People did not like elves and elves did not like people. It was easy like that.

"Yeah. Somebody found you deep in the woods, absolutely lost and apparently some elf was trying to plunder you right then. Did he take your wings? Do you remember something?"

Ah yes, fae hated elves. They had a long rivalery going on, a constant battle who proved to be stronger and smarter.

But wait a minute. They thought he was a fairy? Again?

"Huh? Uhh no, I think-" He blinked, clearly confused and the other guy sighed, patting Hongjoongs naked foot.

"It's going to be alright. We can help you gain your wings back. Maybe it's better if you don't remember." He smiled softly, calming Hongjoong down more.

"You must be from far up north, right? You're lucky, we know a guy living up there. When he visits here next he can take you home."

Hongjoong's heart skipped a beat, knowing fully well, that the fae meant something else than his real home.

"Where am I right now?", he asked quietly, meekly, but he did unfold his body a bit, the leaf calming him down. The fae seemed satisfied with his caring skills.

"You are with the woodland faeries right now. We might not have snow people here all year around but when winter approaches, some of your kind always come here to stay a while. You can go home in spring."

As nice as the other was, Hongjoong was already panicking again. If he was in the fae realm that meant there was no way back. Getting here was a feat, just like the stranger at the lake had said, but there was no going back as far as Hongjoong was concerned. Nobody ever returned. The fae did not let people leave.

Fresh tears welled up in his eyes, painting his cheeks and the red haired fae immediately fussed over him. He was being awfully nice for a fae but that might be because they mistook Hongjoong for one of theirs.

"Why, why, what's wrong? Don't cry, I can get you more leaves, just wait here, and I'll-"

Hongjoong grabbed his worried hands dancing over his body, searching for pain and took them in his own. With all might he held onto them, grounding himself.

He needed to live. He needed to get back home safely. And if he could live pretending to be a fae, he would do so.

"It-It's fine. I just miss my home. My friends. My wings.", he croaked brokenly, smiling a wobbly smile. He noticed white hair falling in his field of vision as he dropped his gaze, decided not to comment on it.

Obviously that elf he met somewhere (could it have been the handsome stranger or somebody else?) did something to him, making him lose all colour in his hair. He must look like a snow fairy.

"I can't feel my powers anymore... I think he took my powers, friend.", he declared while still sobbing, his heart all over the place from homesickness, fear and sadness. He wanted to go home already.

"Luna, I hate these guys. You are so small and cute how could anybody do that to you?" Tall guy stood up only to sit next to Hongjoong on the bed, his clothes smelling like fresh grass and flowers. Awkwardly he patted the human's back, muttering promises of healing.

They were still sharing the silence, Hongjoong silently crying but glad that his lie went undetected. Maybe he would be able to return home.

Some minutes later the fae from before entered the room again, his loose garb fluttering in a invisible breeze. He came back with another fae, this one no less beautiful than the other two. Black hair complimented black crow's wings and his posture was regal. He was also wearing a filigree tiara that decorated his head with pretty gems.

"This is King Jinyoung.", introduced the silver haired guy seriously, even though his eyes also seemed concerned with Hongjoong's tears.

The human straightened a bit, furiously wiped his eyes and then bowed. At least he knew of fae etiquette. They sometimes visited their own high courts.

"Your Highness. I am sorry for interrupting your peaceful court like that. I beg for your assistance in going back home." His heart was beating frantically, pounding in his chest and he hoped with bated breath that he would not be exposed.

"That for sure, beloved snowflake. Feel at home until we can send you back. I already contacted the elven royalty so that we can settle this without bloodshed. Rest assured."

Code red. That was not good. He could not spark a war between those two only to be discovered.

Hongjoong quickly backpedaled.

"Uh... To be very honest, your Majesty I do not remember the face of my attacker. I probably will not be of much help, I apologize."

Tall guy petted his hair sadly and Hongjoong nearly started liking his soothing presence.

"That, my dear, is no problem at all. I will only ask you to accompany us as a victim of their violence, we have our own witness to them manhandling you. If you regain your memories until then it will be easier to find a culprit but even if we do not, you can be avenged. If you have more information on this feel free to pay a visit to my hut anytime." King Jinyoung smiled brilliantly and then excused himself.

Hongjoong exchanged glances with the two fae.

Apparently he was doing good so far. But only because they did not expect somebody able to lie in their realm. Not within fae.

A defeated sigh sounded from the silver haired fae.

"Fine. I'm Wooyoung. I and a friend will oversee your healing and flying abilities so we should probably be friends."

Hongjoong bowed quickly, murmured his name.

The other fae beside him gave him a big smile, his scales brightening with it.

"I'm Mingi! Nice to meet you, snowflake!"

Hongjoong could only stare in wonder.