With a small bag securely in his grasp, Hoseok began his journey back home from the pharmacy near his small Seoul apartment, where he used to live with his old mother until his college internship programme began.

As he walked, he took in the sights and sounds of our neighbourhood. The bustling energy of the city surrounded him, yet he felt a sense of tranquility, knowing that he now had what was needed to care for his mother's feeble health.

The bag swung gently at his side, the pain relievers and supplements safeguarded within.

He approaches his apartment building with anticipation about his mother's progress towards better health and well-being. Climbing the stairs to the second floor, he reached the doorstep.

Entering his cosy abode, familiar surroundings welcomed him, offering a sense of comfort and security. Hoseok carefully placed the bag on the small dining table in the living area near the entrance and found his mother cooking in the kitchen.

"Mom? Haven't I told you that I'll cook right after I arrive back?" He asked with raised eyebrows.

"You're home after a month, so I wanted to cook bibimbap for you," the mother replied while chopping the cucumber, making Hoseok sigh at her stubbornness.

The son looked at her worn-out features that once carried an entrancing charm. The thought of leaving her alone was filling him with a sense of guilt and worry.

After the death of his father, she became a strong pillar in his life. Providing love, support, and guidance throughout his whole life even when it was already difficult for herself to adjust to the human world.

"Mom, will you be fine? Because there are chances that I won't be back."

"Your chances of surviving there are much higher than Y/n. You're my hybrid, son! If I survived here, then you'll surely survive there," she said while still being engaged in her task.

"I know Mom, but just how much I am worried about Y/--"

The old gumiho lady coughed, which made her son even more worried about leaving her, "Mom! I know the polluted air here is not suiting you, but trust me! We'll leave Seoul after I graduate and find a job."

She smiled, her features getting traced with fine lines, "Go and bring Y/n back. We don't know what's happening to her right now, I will be fine till then."

Hoseok nodded.

"After finding her, sneak into the royal palace you will surely find a clue about how to bring her back to the human world," the mother advised in a faint voice.

Hoseok hummed in response, as a wave of anxiety and fear gushed over him.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow, after the sunrise."

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

At the Kim's Mansion

"Wah! I can't believe that I was the one to save her, but she never thanked me once and hugged you so tightly," Namjoon complained, as he walked back and forth in the Jin's room.

"Did you wanted a hug instead?"

"Why not? I-I mean of course n-not, but she should have thanked... at least."

Watching his brother's quirky actions, SeokJin chuckled.

"Stop laughing, Hyung. I know you were enjoying it too," Namjoon retaliated, to defend himself. Soon Jin's laugh faded as a playful smirk got plastered across his plump lips, "Maybe."

Namjoon's eyes widened in realisation, "Hyung do you-"

"Oh right, tell me what happened first other talks can be done later," SeokJin quickly added by cutting Namjoon off in the middle of his sentence.

"Hum, so I was following her as you told me to, but as we reached closer to Uncle Yeong's shop, I noticed two figures tailing her from behind. One was a bit more built and taller than the other, only their backs were visible as I was behind them. Their heads were covered with hoodies, but one thing caught my attention."

"What?"

"The more buffed-up one had a tattoo on his hand and fingers,"  Namjoon said in a low voice as seriousness flew in his eyes. While Jin nodded with frowned brows.

"Will you be able to recognize him, if you met him again?"

Namjoon nodded, "And I have a feeling that they're the same two foxes Y/n was talking about."

Jin inhaled a long breath as he leaned backwards, "It's possible. I highly doubt that it's someone from the royal court who is planning to harm us using Y/n, for political dominance."

"Our royal court?" Namjoon asked.

"Can be and cannot be," SeokJin replied.

"So you're implying that they know Y/n is a human?"

Jin nodded, making Namjoon heaved a sigh.

"Let's take the grand ball as an opportunity to find them, I'll send an invitation to every possible clan who hold grudges against us."

LATER THAT NIGHT

The sun was set, and darkness enveloped the hidden land of gumihos.

The moon shined brightly with an ethereal glow, casting its silvery light upon the landscape, transforming it into a realm of wonder.

The night sky adorned with shimmering stars, seemed to dance to a celestial melody.
A gentle breeze made the leaves rustle softly as if whispering secrets to one another.

Y/n stared outside the window, with thoughts that only her heart knew, her eyes focused on the fireflies dancing in the air, their tiny bodies emitting a soft radiance, creating a mesmerizing display of flickering lights.

The towering trees in the garden, adorned with delicate cherry blossoms, seem to possess a life of their own. They sway gracefully to an unheard melody, their branches reaching out like welcoming arms, inviting her to seek their earthy embrace.

A gentle breeze brushed her features and her mind drifted onto Hoseok. The time they spent together in karaoke, his addicting smile, the curing sound of his laugh, his lips, and their kiss that never happened.

Jin tried his best to fall into a deep slumber while lying on his cosy mattress, but his eyes remained on the indifferent being sitting gracefully in the upper part of his room. He stared at her back and her waving locks that looked enchanting in his eyes.

A tear of helplessness rolled down her cheek when the thought of being trapped here and being away from her mom and dad for eternity, crossed her mind.

Sniffling, she whispered to herself, "Mom Dad, I hope you're not worrying too much about me."

Not being able to bear the stinging feeling in her chest, She lay herself down on the mattress beside her and closed her eyes to fall into deep sleep.

Behind the closed door of Namjoon's room, he was dreaming of a person he never met, a face he could not picturise in his vivid imagination. But wanted to meet and cherish with his all heart and soul.

As the night deepened, the wind blew and carried the fireflies towards the castle.

The prince slept with innocence and grace and cuddled with loneliness that silently flew within the castle walls.

This night of the majestic realm was indeed a peaceful one and made everyone fall into a deep slumber, but just as the peaceful night, no one knew about the twist of fate written in their destinies would knock on their doorsteps in the coming days.

NEXT MORNING

The sun's rays gently caressed Y/n's face, making her awaken from a deep slumber. She opened her eyes, feeling the warmth and familiarity of SeokJin's room.

Y/n rose from her mattress and walked down the stairs, her eyes tracing Jin's form covered with a fluff blanket, its handcrafted design reflecting a rich white hue to the surroundings around him, from the sunlight escaping through the paper-thin door of his room.

She proceeded to open the door slowly and quietly and stepped outside, noticing the beauty of the world around her. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, and birds sang their morning melodies, their wings reflecting the hint of glitter.

Inhaling the fresh morning air, Y/n smiled before she stepped towards the bathroom.

Closing the bathroom door with her still sleepy senses, she turned around to do her morning routine but a shriek escaped her mouth instead.

.

.

.

"Aaagghhhhh!"

✧