((Pic drillll my boi GD))

Other people were scared of the darkness. To them, it was suffocating, and desolate. On the other hand, Shin craved it. It was comforting, like a blanket when it pressed in on him.

He was a big guy. Tall and broad-shouldered, he was built like a gladiator and caused as much fear as one. People who saw him in the streets whispered, and rumors circulated.

He'd been an underground fighter as a kid.
If you show any signs of aggression, he'll kill you.
Don't look him in the eyes, I hear that his gift allows him to freeze you with a single stare.

But they knew nothing. Even if they did know, he suspected their reactions wouldn't be much different anyway.

Today, he intended to go into the village and get out as quickly as possible. His aunt had wanted to make him his favorite breakfast before he left, and she was out of dill. He kept his head down and his hands tucked in his pockets as he walked down the dirt path. It was early in the morning, so the whispers weren't as loud as usual. That, at least, he was thankful for.

He made his way up to the usual spices and herbs booth, glancing up quickly. After he saw who was behind it, his lips quirked upwards in an almost-smile.

"Jarkov."

The man behind the booth grinned.

"Shin, my boy. How're ya doin'?"

Shin shrugged.

"Could be better, I guess."

Jarkov hummed in response.

"I mean, Previon." He stated, reaching behind himself and grabbing his popular spices to set out front. "It's a big deal."

Shin shrugged again.

Jarkov sighed.

"What'd ya need?"

"Ah...dill. One bottle, please."

Jarkov nodded.

"Alright. That's gonna be 7 bronzes."

Shin raised a brow.

"It was 5 bronzes last week."

Jarkov shrugged. "What can I say? Price is goin' up."

Shin sighed and dropped 7 bronzes into Jarkov's waiting palm. In turn, Jarkov handed him the bottle with a grin.

"Hey, kid, do me a favor."

"Hm?"

Jarkov's smile widened.

"Smile a little more when you get there. You could make some friends."

Shin shook his head with a small, barely-there smile as he turned away.

He had food waiting for him at home.

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The moment he walked through the door of the small cottage, the smell of fresh food mixed with the familiar scent od what he could only describe as "home" flooded his nostrils. His aunt was at the stove, a frying pan of eggs before her.

"Ai, Shin! Come here, joka, quickly! I need that dillweed!"

Shin walked over to his aunt with a quiet chuckle, placing the dill before her and kissing her cheek.

"Morning, aunt Chan-hee."

Aunt Chan-hee whacked him gently on the arm with her spatula, a small smile on her face.

"Good morning to you, too. Now, leave me be and go get your things."

Shin nodded, his good mood beginning to drop ever so slightly.

At the back, there was a room separated by a dark green curtain - that was Chan-hee's room. On the other side, was another room separated by a black curtain. That was his room.

He walked into his room and stood in the middle of it, taking it all in.

His bed in the corner.

His desk in front of it against the opposite wall.

His closet, filled with the clothes his aunt had made for him.

He'd miss everything. Every bit of it. Every last inch of this safe place that had been built for him since 6 years of age.

He sighed and grabbed his suitcase off the edge of his bed.

Joka! Food's ready!"

Shin cast one more look around his room before going back out to the main room.

This was his last mean with his aunt for a long while. And damn it, if he wasn't going to enjoy it.

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Here, my second present ;))
Enjoy!!!

Ciao,
Otaku