Chapter 1: In an ordinary village...
The little cottage was peaceful, a slight breeze flowing through the open windows, and the sun shining down on the garden in front, where the hens were calmly pecking at the food you scattered on the ground blindly, your eyes attracted more to the words drawn along the page.
You smiled softly, reading the end of the last chapter. A happy ending. You loved happy endings, they made you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside knowing after all the main characters went through, they got to spend the rest of their life together, happily in love.
As you had now finished your daily chores, you exited their pen and walked slowly back into the cottage, passing the horse and wagon, hearing a small tune play from the attic. Sighing, you made your way up the creaky stairs, the sound becoming clearer and clearer, the tune stopping and starting.
Peering around the door, you smiled at the familiar figure hunched over his work desk. He seemed to be grumbling to himself as he tinkered with his work.
For a moment you just stared. He would be going soon, and the house would only contain you once more. Only for a few days would he be gone, but it was always upsetting when he had to leave again.
"You gonna stand there and stare or are you going to be useful and help?" the figure spoke, startling you out of your thoughts.
"Sorry." you sighed, shuffling over to stand beside him.
He chuckled to himself, then looked up to you with a smile.
"Can you pass me a small spanner please?"
You did as he requested without a word, him mumbling a thank you as he got back to fixing his creation. The squeaking of the melody suddenly stopped and played softly, filling up the attic. He smile in triumph.
It was your cottage, little figures inside, spinning slowly while the song played around it. You recognised the figures to be your family.
Your brother had always been good at making things, he got it from your father. You remember all the times when you were little, sitting in the attic, listening to the soft instrumental lullabies they would create together and playing with the little wooden dolls they would make for you.
You however, had no idea how they could make such amazing creations. The last time you had tried, you had broken the entire thing. Anyways, reading was more your thing, getting lost into the imaginary worlds, and envisioning you were actually there, not just reading different words on a page. You got that from your mother.
A soft smile grew on your face, looking to your elder brother.
"Of course I like it, it's wonderful...Father would be so proud of you Cheol."
Your words seemed to make his face soften and his tense back relax. He nodded thoughtfully, his eyes drifting from you to his work on the table.
The church bell chimed, making Seungcheol look back up. Your heart tightened in your chest, the same feeling of sadness before rising again. It was time for him to go.
Checking his clock, he stood from his chair, grabbing two huge bags and making his way out to the cart, you following behind silently.
You distracted yourself by stroking Seungcheol's horse's mane, as he loaded his two bags into the wagon behind. He sighed, and from the corner of your eye, you saw him throw on his coat and hat, before looking to you.
You could feel his stare on you, but you didn't want to see the guilt in his eyes. He always felt guilty for leaving you behind alone, now father was gone.
"Right!" he clapped his hands together, and you turned to him, "I've chopped enough wood to make sure you have the warmth of the fire whenever you need, I've gotten all the food from the village you would need, you've got the hen's eggs of course-"
You stopped him before he could ramble on any further.
"I'll be fine, I know what I'm doing." you assured with a soft smile.
He sighed nodding, "Yeah, I know, you're old enough to look after yourself now..."
Stepping forward, you wrapped your arms around your brother, feeling his arms instantly return the hug. You hugged him tightly and you could feel his smile on your head.
"Love you kiddo..." he whispered.
You smiled against his shoulder, "I love you too Cheol."
After a few more seconds, you loosened your grip around him and stepped back slightly, Seungcheol pressing a kiss on your forehead, before mounting his horse.
"You will be careful won't you?" you asked, making him chuckle.
He nodded, before clicking his teeth and nudging the horse's sides with his feet gently. He set off, the cart following behind.
"I'll bring you back something special, yeah?" he shouted.
You waved until you could no longer see him, before turning to go inside.
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It was late in the morning, so you decided to go into town and replace your book for another. It was no use staying inside all day thinking about your brother's safety.
Out into the village, you went, the smell of freshly baked bread filling your scenes and the sound of the villages going about their day to day life.
You greeted people as you walked by, going further into the crowds.
You looked to your side and smiled. There sat Minghao next to the well, painting.
"Good morning Minghao." you smiled, walking up to the young man and sitting beside him on the well wall.
Minghao was a quiet man, mostly keeping to himself as he painted. Even though he was quiet, he was incredibly kind. You often talked as he drew.
"What are you painting today?" you asked, curiously.
"Just whatever comes from my imagination." he replied.
Looking to his art, you felt your jaw drop. He was painting a beautiful red rose, it looked magical. His art always was magical though, the way he captured the main points and then made it his style was so fascinating.
"It's beautiful..." you told him honestly.
You could see his cheeks turn slightly red form your comment.
"Thank you, but I've not yet finished-"
"Finished or unfinished your art will always be beautiful."
"Thank you." he smiled gratefully.
You smiled at him, "Well I'll leave you to finish. I'll be wanting to take a look at the finished product though."
He chuckled, "I'll make sure I show you."
Standing up, you said your goodbyes, before heading to the small building on the side of the village.
When you walked in, you were instantly met with Hansol sat on a stool, leaning onto the book case behind him, a book over his face. You shook your head, hearing the little snores coming from behind the book.
A head peeped around from the corner and you smiled.
"Good morning Jisoo." you greeted.
"Finished all ready?" he asked knowingly, walking around while carrying a small pile of books and placing them on his desk, "Didn't you only get that book a few days ago?"
You felt your cheeks grow warm and you awkwardly chuckled.
Jisoo chuckled, leaning back on his desk.
"So, where did you wander off to the past few days?" he asked, gesturing to the book held in your hands.
"A kingdom hidden away in the woods, with so many different creatures and inhabitants." you raved, "It felt like I was in a fairy tale."
Jisoo smiled, "Hm, sounds very exciting."
He stood from leaning and holding his hand out. You gave him the book.
"Well, pick your next adventure..." he smiled, holding out his arm to the small collection of books.
You grinned before, skipping to scan all the books. Smiling, you chose your book and turned to Jisoo with a big grin.
His eyebrow shot up as he saw the familiar cover.
"Didn't you read that a few weeks ago?" he asked.
"Yep, but it's my favourite." you admitted shyly.
Jisoo just chuckled softly, "Well then you may take it and get lost in it again."
You squealed, jumping to give Jisoo a hug. He seemed shocked but patted your back kindly.
A weird snore came from behind you and both you and Jisoo looked to the sleeping boy. Jisoo sighed, grabbing a cloth from his pocket and throwing it at the boy.
Hansol woke with a start when the cloth hit him, the book falling off his face and to the floor. He scratched his head with a yawn before facing you and Jisoo, who looked at him pointedly. Hansol's eyes widened.
"Morning sleeping beauty." Jisoo said sarcastically. You held in a snort.
Hansol blinked for a few seconds before smiling awkwardly. You couldn't help the laugh that escaped your lips. The poor boy looked terrified. Feeling Joshua looking at you, you turned to him. He looked at you with an eyebrow raised and you instantly stopped smiling and looked away.
Jisoo sighed beside you, rubbing his face, "I don't get paid enough for this..."
You and Hansol locked eyes for a second.
"Uh, I'll just go..." you spoke, inching closer to the door, "Bye!"
You heard both guys call out a bye as you quickly walked out. You couldn't help but laugh though when you were outside.
Sighing happily, you looked down to your book lovingly, when all of a sudden a bouquet of flowers were thrust into your vision.
Jumping, you looked up to see the smug smile of the one and only Kim Mingyu. You looked at him in shock as he wiped his empty hand through his hair.
"Flowers. For you..." he announced.
"Uh, thank you Mingyu." you said, awkwardly taking the flowers.
"You are very welcome." he beamed, showing his pointy teeth, his chest puffed out.
"Well, I'll be going now-"
"Wait!" he called, running in front of you. He let out a laugh, flipping his hair again.
"Would you like me to escort you back to your house?"
"No, I'll find my way home fine Mingyu." you told him, walking around him quickly to escape the man. Again, he ran in front of you, letting out a laugh.
"You are fast." he chuckled, placing his hands on his hips.
Feeling your patience coming to an end, you sighed to yourself.
"What do you want Mingyu?"
He straightened his coat and ran a hand through his hair once again and clearing his throat.
"Why don't you and I get to know each other a bit more? I'm so incredibly handsome and your so incredibly beautiful. I think we'd get on well."
"I'm sorry Mingyu, goodbye." you told him, running off before he could get a hold of you again.
Mingyu watched you run, a grin on his face.
"Why do you want to marry her so much?"
Mingyu jumped slightly, looking to see his friend Seokmin eating an orange thoughtfully. Mingyu cleared his throat.
"She is the only one in this village who is as gorgeous as me, we'd look so good together don't you think?"
Seokmin placed another orange slice in his mouth, and tipped his head confused.
"Yes, she is extremely beautiful, but isn't she- uh how do I put this, not interested?" he asked, looking up to his friend.
Mingyu looked at him with a sour look, shaking his head before walking away.
"Wait, Mingyu!" Seokmin called, shoving the rest of the orange into his mouth and chasing after his friend.
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"Getting to know each other, what a joke." you grumbled to yourself.
You looked at the flowers in your hand and grimaced, dropping them on the floor.
"And what are you doing dropping such beautiful flowers on the floor?" an arm went around your shoulders and you grumbled to the familiar voice.
"Mingyu gave them to me..."
"Oh, ew." Jun said disgusted, throwing the flowers the the guy on your other side.
Shaking your head at your friend's antics, you chuckled.
"Anyways, why is he still bothering you? Don't you think you've made it clear you don't like him?" Seungkwan asks annoyed, looping his arm through yours.
You sighed, "I'm not sure, but it is getting annoying."
"You know we can always go beat him up, maybe throw some mud on his hair-" Jun suggested and Seungkwan gasped.
"Yes! We can also throw cow dung at him!"
Laughing, you couldn't hep but think those plans a good idea.
"That would actually make my day." you admitted.
"Good we're doing it then." Seungkwan decided.
“You do what you like, but I have no part in any of it.” you said, as you three reached your small cottage.
“Really? I thought you would have loved to put mud in his hair.” Seungkwan asked curious.
“I just don’t want to, I don’t want anything to do with Mingyu.” you sighed, “You guys however, can do whatever you like.”
The frowns on the boys’ faces quickly turned into cheeky grins as they shared mischievous looks. You chuckled and shook your head fondly. They had always been trouble, ever since you all were younger they’d be putting water in someone’s shoe, or scaring people from around corners. They were known well throughout the village for their pranks, people almost feared them. Well except one, Mingyu.
You could tell they were already forming their plan, so you started towards your front door.
“I’ll leave you two then, don’t get into too much trouble!” You called jokingly.
They waved, before walking off and talking on whispers. Shaking your head again, you went inside.
BONUS: Mingyu and Seokmin were tending to their horses (more like Seokmin tending to them while he brushed his hair)when Mingyu heard someone shout out his name. He turned to be met with no one. He looked to Seokmin, with a tilted head. Seokmin shrugged, before turning back to their horses.
Not thinking to much of it, he went back to brushing his hair, looking to the mirror beside him and grinning at himself.
Mingyu turned again, only to be met with no one. Seokmin was talking to the horses so Mingyu just wandered to see if he could see anyone.
There were people about, only a few, none of which were paying attention to anything but their work. He looked left to right. No one. Just as he was about to turn around, a warm and sticky substance smacked against the side of his face. Mingyu screamed, raking the poo off of his face, gagging at the smell.
Again, more brown flashes hit his face, the smell surrounding him. He yelled and screamed as he felt his whole body being hit. He slipped and gagged, trying to get away, but ended up face down on the floor. He crawled to get to Seokmin, who was stood there stunned at the sight before him.
Scrambling, Mingyu managed to stand up, wiping his face with his sleeve, making the mess worse. He grabbed onto the mirror. He was covered in poo, and it was in his hair. His eyes widened at his reflection.
His scream echoed throughout the entire village, making it’s way to where you were sat reading.
You smiled to yourself, the plan had gone well.
Note: sorry this took a while for me to upload, but I wanted to make sure it would be something you guys would enjoy, and that I’m satisfied with. Also, if there are any mistakes let me know. Part 2 coming out soon.