And we come to the end. Since the last fic was kinda sad, this one is fluffier. Thanks for hosting this, it was a great experiment for me, writing for this ship.
Saeyoung ran through the woods. His father had set him to rake the excess hay to be used for the horses. He had gotten bored and sweaty and tired only an hour into the job. He leaned on the rake and stared up at the sky, watching the clouds float by. They looked so free, so happy, if only he could turn into one and fly away with them.
He sighed ant wiped his forehead, tying his kerchief around his head to keep his thick red sweaty locks from dripping into his eyes. As early as it was, the sun was already brutal. He worked for another hour or so, then stood and stretched his back. Cracking his spine and his knuckles. He could see that his father was far on the other side of the field. He gazed at the woods surrounding the field and without another thought, he dropped the rake, turned, and ran.
“Saeyoung! Get back here! Boy! I will tan your hide when I get a hold of you!” Saeyoung laughed at the threats. He knew his father would make good on it, but, he didn’t care. He was free. He would make the most of it.
He ran through the woods, not paying attention where he was, just wanting to get as far away from his father as he could. He finally stopped and leaned against a tree, trying to catch his breath. He fell to his knees and heaved. He had pushed himself too much, especially after spending hours in the sun. he should have grabbed his waterskin, but he had not been thinking straight. Maybe he could find the river.
When the rushing in his ears calmed, he heard a soft melodic voice. It was beautiful. He stood on shaky legs and walked towards the singing. As he grew closer, he could hear a soft strumming accompanying the voice. A small clearing materialized and he saw a small round hut with a thatch roof in the center. There was a small vegetable garden and some fruit trees to the side of the front door. There was a lot of underbrush growing around the house, but the garden was perfect, not a single weed grew there.
He cautiously approached the hut, looking for a window he could see in from. There were none. There were some finger width holes at the top of the walls that he could barely reach. So, he lay his ear against the wall and listened. The singing and playing continued for a good long while, and Saeyoung was enchanted with the low baritone. Suddenly it stopped and he could hear some moving around inside. He wondered if the person was alone. He thought about knocking on the door, but he felt like he had done something wrong and creepy for leaning against a stranger’s wall just to listen to their singing.
He heard the neighing of a horse and he pressed himself against the wall. Through it he could hear the front door open and someone walk in. he pressed his ear to the wall again, hating himself for being so nosey, but he had to hear that voice again.
“I heard you singing on the way in again. What have I told you about that? What if someone had heard you?” The harsh voice was too indistinct for Saeyoung to tell if it was a woman or a man. His heart sank, how could anyone scold someone with such a beautiful voice?
“I’m sorry mother, I’ll try to be quieter. It’s just, it calms me down when I get anxious, you have been gone for so long, I was almost out of water and food.”
“Oh, I know my darling, I understand, but, you must be stronger, it is very important that no one finds you. If they do, your father might learn of you and send assassins! I keep you here to keep you safe. You understand, yes?”
“Of course. I understand. And thank you mother, thank you for taking care of me.”
There was shuffling and Saeyoung imagined they embraced. The melancholy tone in the boy’s voice was heartbreaking.
“Here, I have brought you more food and water. I will go out into the garden now and pick some more fruits and vegetables to last you another week.”
“You will be leaving again?” the voice was tense and frightened. Saeyoung scratched at the wall, wanting desperately to put his arms around the boy, to comfort him, to take care of him. He’d never felt like this. It was as if there was an invisible tether that pulled him towards the singer.
“You know I have to. Don’t give me that sad face. I do this for you. How do you think I make money to keep you here? It’s not as if you help with that.” She was so harsh. Saeyoung could only hear a mumble as a response.
The front door opened and Saeyoung knelt, close to the ground. He inched his way around to try and get a glimpse of the woman. She wore a dark heavy cloak with the hood covering her head. Her hands were gnarled and ancient. He could not get a proper look. She filled a large basket then cleared some errant weeds that were just beginning to shoot up. Before long, she was back in the house.
“Here my dear. This should last you. I must be off right away so that I can get to the town before nightfall. I shall be back in a few days. Be a good boy, and keep your singing low. Or I may have to forbid you to do it at all.”
“No! Please! I promise I will.” He pleaded.
“Good.” The door opened and shut, before long, the sound of the horse faded away.
Saeyoung stood and went around to the door. He would be able to hear the horse if it came back. He hesitated only briefly before he knocked softly.
There was only silence from the other side of the door. He knocked again and pressed his ear to the door.
“Hello? I know you’re in there. I heard you singing. It’s very lovely. I just want to say hello.”
He heard a gasp from the other side.
“Wh…who are you? You shouldn’t be here. Go away.” He said, but the tone was not one of dismissal. In fact, there was desperation in it.
“I won’t bother you. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“My voice? It is nothing special.”
“Oh yes it is! It is beautiful and enchanting. What’s your name?”
“I shouldn’t be speaking to you. I will get in trouble.”
“Your mother is gone, I will hear if she comes back. Please. My name is Saeyoung. I live through the woods. I never knew there was a house here.”
“Saeyoung? That is a strong name. I like it.” Saeyoung could hear a smile in his voice.
“It is only polite to introduce yourself too.” He chided.
“Of course! My name is Saeran, I…I have lived here all my life. I have rarely been outside. What is it like? If you describe it to me, I will sing for you.”
“You spend all your time inside? How old are you?”
“21, I think, the days all blend together, but I believe that was the number on my last birthday cake. It was a surprise for me. It was so sweet, I enjoyed it very much.”
“I am 21 as well. Cakes are very sweet. I would like to make you one someday.” There was laughter from the other side. Saeyoung could swear that he was leaning with his ear against the door just like him.
“Will you? Will you tell me about the outside? I remember the bright blue sky, and fluffy clouds. Is it like that now?” he asked wistfully.
“Yes, the sky is very blue and the clouds are very fluffy. I am looking at one right now that looks like a pig we own.”
Saeran laughed, and it was the most incredible sound Saeyoung had ever heard.
“Why don’t you open the door and come see for yourself?”
“Oh, I cannot, it is locked by magic. I am not allowed out unless mother says I may go out.” Saeran sighed, dejected.
Saeyoung tried to turn the knob, and yanked on the door. He tried to kick it in, but it would not budge.
“What about the roof? It is only thatch, I could rip right through it.”
“No, I am encased in here. I have tried several times to try and get out. I have always failed.”
“I’ll get you out! I promise! I’ll find a way!”
Saeyoung could hear Saeran weeping. “Please, don’t cry, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad.” Saeyoung leaned his forehead against the door, his palms to either side.
“I am not sad, I am happy. I don’t know if you can do what you say, but for someone to care so much about me, makes me very happy.”
Saeyoung smiled. He had to break this spell, he just had to.
“I will be back ok? I will come back tomorrow! I will come back every day. I promise!”
Saeyoung was true to his word, he went back every day. Most days he left chores he was supposed to do and accepted the punishment his father decided to dole out. At a certain point, his father stopped trying to discipline him because it had no effect. He wondered where his son went every day, but he could not bring himself to care too much. If he became more of a drain than a help, he would just throw him out to fend for himself.
After months of trying, Saeyoung was still not able to break the spell and rescue Saeran. He had rolled a rock against the back of the house and standing on it, he was able to press his fingers into the slits at the top. Saeran would stand on his bed and would lace his fingers through Saeyoung’s. he was always happy to have him show up. His only friend. Saeyoung would spin tales of the outside world, making it come to life in Saeran’s imagination. And in return, Saeran would sing for him, choosing songs that made clear how he felt about him. He had never expected Saeyoung to actually free him, but he was happy to just have him try.
He strummed his lute and closed his eyes, letting his voice rise, sending it to Saeyoung, covering him with the sweet notes. Saeyoung slid down the wall and stared up, imaging the notes falling down over him. He smiled as he felt them settling down on his skin, soaking into him and becoming part of him forever. He looked down and gasped as there were now music notes darkly staining his skin. He lifted both arms and they were both similarly adorned. He could feel the notes settling on him now. On his neck, his back, shoulders, legs, everywhere but his face. He said nothing, letting Saeran finish on his own. He didn’t understand what had happened, but he knew it was important. He walked towards the front and he set his grip on the door knob. He concentrated with all his might.
“Saeyoung?” Saeran was calling him, but he was no longer where he thought he was.
Saeyoung turned the knob, and it moved. He let out a loud gasp as he finished turning it and pulled it open.
Saeran fell to the bed when he heard the door open, afraid that his mother had found out about his friend. He was terrified, tears springing to his eyes. When the door cleared the entryway, instead of his mother, he saw a boy about his height with red hair and amber eyes.
Saeyoung grinned and stepped into the gloomy hut. Saeran ran to him and crushed him in a tight hug. Saeyoung laughed and hugged him back. It was a few minutes before they pulled apart, staring at each other. Mint green eyes locked onto amber ones. One red head and one with bleached hair and pink tips. They realized who they were at the same time and flew apart. Saeran grasped Saeyoung’s hand and pulled him towards the standing mirror by his bed. They stood side by side. They were almost identical, except for their eyes and hair. And Saeran knew that his mother had caused those changes in him to try and hide his identity. He focused on Saeyoung, knowing that that was what he should look like. They turned towards each other.
Saeyoung had tears in his eyes and he caressed Saeran’s cheek. How could this be? Why was life so cruel? After all this time, after falling in love with this boy through the wall, he turned out to be his brother. How did you stop loving someone?
Saeran pressed himself against Saeyoung. He laced his fingers behind his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Saeyoung tried to resist, but he didn’t want to. He sighed into Saeran’s mouth and wrapped his arms around his waist. Saeran opened his mouth and Saeyoung slipped his tongue between his brother’s lips, tasting the sweetness of ripe berries on his tongue. They pulled apart only because they both needed air.
“I don’t care.” Saeran stated, his sweet voice a magical balm on Saeyoung.
They would have to leave, go far away, hide from prying eyes. But Saeyoung knew how to hunt, and grow crops enough to keep their bellies full. It appeared that Saeran knew how to cook and sew. They could have a good life together.
“Gather your things! I’m taking you away from here. Will you come with me?”
“Of course! It is all I have wanted since that first day.” He smiled. He flew from him and packed some clothes, his lute and some odds and ends. Saeyoung helped him and they walked out the door. Saeran slid his hand into Saeyoung’s taking strength from him in order to take that first step outside.
He felt the rush of air on his face, felt it ruffle his hair. He took a deep breath and followed his brother, his love.