Youjin was a fun person to be around. Mingi too and whatever prejudices Hongjoong has had about faeries proved themselves wrong. At least if you were one of them, they did.

Youjin took them to a field in the South were multiple female fae with butterfly wings and long, delicate dresses were harvesting berries of all kinds. When Youjin made his appearance multiple of them started blushing and offering their goods to him shyly. Mingi also seemed popular and not just few of them were absolutely smitten with Hongjoong, cooing over his white hair and delicate face.

Hongjoong never thought of himself as beautiful. Beauty had no meaning in his small village. Physical strength and the ability to do hard work for a long time without tiring were the only things important. And in that Hongjoong never truly excelled. So of course he was surprised when these delicate and beautiful beings touched cool fingertips to his nose, humming in pleasing voices when he thanked them quietly for the berries.

Youjin watched him interact with them with a fond smile, discreetly retelling Hongjoongs painful story to the girls. They seemed devastated, all kinds of sympathetic and promised Hongjoong their help whenever he might need it.

Hongjoongs earlier fear was dissipating fast the longer he stayed in this peaceful place and a smooth calm took over his mind. Of course he was aware of the thick magic dancing around him, seducing his weak mind and tricking his brain. Fae did not truly look this ethereal and this whole land was only as fruitful and prosperous because of their powers.

But oh, it was as delicious as the berries on his tongue. Sweet and calming, muddling Hongjoong's mind.

Youjin took them on a trip again, swinging one arm around Hongjoong's shoulders in a friendly gesture. The other man was warm, maybe a bit more so than a human would be but Hongjoong found himself to enjoy his touch and leaned a bit into his side while munching on his berries.

"There aren't even so many people here but I constantly think to myself that you don't know all of them! I really want to know how much of them you manage to charm until you have to leave.", he laughed benevolently, also booping Hongjoong's nose. The human scrunched up his face.

"Why? In my home I don't even register as nearly as charming. What is it with you people and taking to the lost stranger?" At home he counted to the weaklings and slackers. His interests laid with the sciences and arts so he was absolutely not useful. He barely could do enough to stem their own sustainability. If it was not for his healthy father they would have probably all died already.

"Well, you're an exotic fella, of course the people have interest. Also you are way more cute and approachable than the other snow fae we are used to." Youjin nudged his head with his own, making Hongjoong smile. "And obviously everybody wants to help. We are no swamp fae, just curious woodland folk."

Youjin himself seemed like a peculiar fae to Hongjoong too. But with the way Mingi was excitedly showing him butterflies and flowers they cultivated themselves it just appeared that he had too much of a gruesome image of fae through fairytales and rumors.

Or maybe he was just succumbing to their magic again just like the last time.

They finally arrived at their destinantion after taking a few paths through the woods, repeatedly worrying over Mingi as the clumsy fairy kept stumbling over hidden (and not so hidden) roots.

Their path entered a small clearing, widening to a big space of bare and flattened earth from many people stepping on it all the time. Just a few steps from them there was a tree so old and powerful looking that Hongjoong was mightily impressed with it.

It was a gnarly acorn, with mutliple caves in it's stem where owls or woodpeckers might have made their homes. The trunk itself was twisted and curled, reaching with protuding branches like bizarre hands. It's aura was intimidating, seemingly looming and watching.

Hongjoong nearly scared himself to death when something moved in the corner of his eye, something that was not a humming Mingi brushing hail out of Hongjoongs hair.

Youjin cooed quietly, pressing Hongjoong closer to his side while his head turned to the newcomer.

"Why so sneaky? You know we mean no harm.", he called gently and Hongjoong lifted his head off Youjin's solid and reliable chest, sneaking a peek.

The fairy in front of them looked downright scary. His eyes were dark and unsettling, boring directly into Hongjoongs soul and with a whimper he hid his face again, his knees shaking from the sheer power the other excuded.

"Will you stop it? You're scaring him." Youjins arms grew tighter around Hongjoongs body, protecting him and inevitably exposing his back to the other man.

Hongjoong believed he heard faint thunder rolling.

However as Youjin relaxed a bit underneath him and Mingi dared to step out of his hiding place behind the likely older fae the noise stopped too.

Hongjoong peeked again.

The man - he was holding an massive wooden spear in his left hand - had his eyebrows drawn tight, his lips pressed into a thin line while he watched Hongjoong.

"He is the one you found?" It was a simple question and Hongjoong jolted as he recognized the voice. He was the one that has been singing, the one luring him in. He found it hard to believe such a broad and serious man had such an alluring voice.

Youjin nodded, petting Hongjoong's hair gently.

"Snowflake, this is Jongho, guard of the oracle and somebody who will help hunt your cateran down."

Hongjoong started pitying the poor guy.

"His name is Hongjoong."

Hongjoong bowed again, still suspicious of the boring gaze of the other man. What kind of fairy looked this savage? Instead of dainty wings and tender appearance this one seemed hardened and fierce, his dark wings seemingly made from leather too.

This was no ordinary fae.

Hongjoong peeked again, seeing Mingi greet the guy with a sunny smile and a handshake that the guard returned while rolling his eyes. Still his lips twitched into a fond smile.

"There, there, he means no harm. But as a guard he has to question strangers." Youjin's hand rubbed calming circles into Hongjoong's spine, caressing him gently.

"You're here for Yeo? I guess I can ask him to come out." Jongho turned to the tree and said something, some kind of foreign parole and for a moment nothing happened. Hongjoong had expected the ground starting to shake or wind coming up, but no, nothing.

Just another guy with a smile stepping out from behind the tree.

To Hongjoong's big surprise he looked entirely human. He had no wings or fae traits on him, just wearing the most simple of garments and smiling.

He was still stunning, his features clear cut and his hair framing his handsome face in warm brown locks.

"Hey, Youjin, Mingi. Hey, Hongjoong. It's nice meeting you."

Hongjoong gasped softly, worriedly searching Youjin's eyes. The other man immediately smiled down at him, touching his nose to Hongjoong's in a playful manner.

"He's fine, he's that tree. He knows everything."

Some oracle of sorts then. Hongjoong has heard some tales about them.

Fascinated he turned to the approaching man again, standing up a bit more indepentendly. Youjin's hand stayed splayed on his lower back, giving a sense of security.

"You came a long way. And I'm also sorry for your loss. Your brain is deeply hurt, having closed off enough for not even me to see past you wandering the woods."

Hongjoongs heart rate spiked up.

The oracle could not see into other realms it seemed, could not see through his lie. He nearly had to be thankful to this robber of his.

"I-I don't want to make any problems... I just hope something like that never happens to anybody else again and really want to go home."

It was sincere. He could not imagine how it truly must be to lose one's wings but he imagined it to be terribly painful.

Yeosang nodded, seemed to sense the truth behind his words and then waved a dismissive hand.

"There is a storm brewing. No, not Jongho." He smiled teasingly at the fae. "It comes with the elven court. Beware of the elven court. Their intentions with you are not pure. I don't see war yet, but that might change quickly."

Mingi looked worried, switching glances from Hongjoong back to Yeosang.

"I don't seek war! I seek justice but never war. If there is no justice without a war I can forgive and go home quietly."

He would not be able to keep up the lie if a war broke out because of him. No way. And it would also prolong his stay greatly.

Youjin pressed gentle fingers into Hongjoong's hip.

"We shall wait and see, lost one. As long as you're here you're under protection from out kings. They will do everything in their might to help you. Worry not."

And with those words Yeosang just... started dissolving into thin air, getting more and more tansculent, until he was not there anymore.

Hongjoong was left full of worries.