Summary: A well-needed escape from his stressful life was in order, Wonpil decided to go to the mountains. What he found there was something entirely unexpected and magical.
A/N: Welcome to my fourth story in Frightful October, collaboration with @prettywordsyouleft . This weeks theme: Dark Depths.
Word count: 1,678
He was thankful when his schedule finally allowed some free time, the restraints of his full-time job were starting to wear him down and Wonpil knew he needed to get away and reset himself. Having planned a mountain hike had been on his bucket list for as long as he could remember, so when Brian suggested a certain place Wonpil jumped at the chance.
The fresh air had a distinct quality that couldn’t be replicated as Wonpil began his climb. Taking in a deep breath he closed his eyes, wanting to treasure every moment of being out here in the forest that he could. He wasn’t usually one for such physical activity but being surrounded by buildings, people and the smog, something about being in a clear environment awakened the senses in a way that nothing else could.
Wonpil had been walking for over an hour when he decided to take a break. Walking off from the hiking trail he found a large birch tree to rest upon, pulling his backpack off and diving into its contents for refreshments. Taking out the water bottle he quenched his thirst rapidly before satiating his hunger with the fresh fruits he had packed earlier on in the morning.
“That hit the spot.” He mumbled to himself, rubbing his now full stomach softly as his eyelids drifted closed. “Maybe just a little nap.”
He didn’t want to go off course for too long, yet his body had other ideas, the newfound place under the tree seeming to be the most comfortable of spots.
He wasn’t sure how long he had been asleep for, stirring awake at the faint sound of rustling leaves. He opened his eyes, his gaze drifting towards the sound, yet unable to see where it was truly coming from. The sun was still high in the sky, which he was grateful for. Standing up Wonpil stretched out his limbs high into the sky before shaking his entire body, the leaves that had stuck to him falling to the ground once more.
“Who are you?”
Wonpil jumped in fright, dropping his backpack to the ground as he turned towards the strange voice, narrowing his eyes in confusion when the forest before him was bare.
“What’s going on?” he muttered to himself, subconsciously reaching down to pick up his belongings. “Strange.” Shaking his head he placed the backpack on his back, readying himself for the rest of his journey up the mountain.
Just as he went to step away he was met with a cascade of water to the face, his hands instantly attempting to block the stream, spluttering when some entered his mouth. He paused momentarily when he heard that strange voice again, this time a childish giggle-filled his ears.
“Okay, whoever you are this is not funny!”
Wiping at his face with his sleeves he dried himself off in frustration as he continued to look around for the culprit. Still, he was unable to see a thing, but this time he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on end. He froze, his eyes growing large as he turned his head slowly to the left.
“Hi.”
“Aaahh!” he screamed, fumbling backward as he landed on the ground, hurriedly scooting away, his eyes never leaving you.
You smiled at his panic, amusement flooded all of your features as you waited for him to stop. It had been so long since anyone had traveled this way into the forest, and it was always your favourite thing to do, to trick the humans. What else were you to do? The animals weren’t nearly as fun to play with.
He had stopped moving, his body now half-hidden behind one of the many large trees within the forest, his apprehension towards you radiating off of him in waves.
“I’m not going to hurt you” your arms crossed along your chest as you slowly walked towards him.
Wonpil’s heart was beating erratically in his chest as he stood there, wanting to flee and yet he didn't want to lose sight of you, whatever you were. He couldn’t believe what his eyes were seeing; he had never seen anything like you before. Were you a woman? Or were you something else entirely? Part of him wanted to know more, he couldn’t lie to himself. You were beautiful. Your pale blue skin shone in the sunlight, little beads of water causing rainbows to form on your skin. Your hair was long and wavy in a deep shade of teal all the way down to your waist, which covered your barely clothed body.
“What are you?” Wonpil swallowed roughly as his curiosity won over, stepping out from the tree and towards you.
“I’m Y/N and you are?”
“Wonpil.”
You smiled victoriously. Humans were always so giving with information, their curious natures always winning out in the end, although he seemed a little more innocent than the last man you had come across. Maybe it was your old age, but the thought crossed your mind to be a little kinder to him.
“Hi, Wonpil. What brings you to this part of the forest?” you asked gently, closing the space between you as you approached him, your hand brushing down the length of his arm. He tensed under your touch, his breath hitched in his throat as your body pressed into him further.
“I needed a break, some time outdoors.”
“Ahh, I see. Has it helped?” you asked playfully, your head now resting against his shoulder, your large eyes looking up into his, batting them innocently. You could feel his heartbeat thumping loudly against your chest, his eyes washing over your voluptuous body before returning to your face, his gaze somehow changed within those few seconds.
“I think so.” He swallowed roughly trying to regain his composure as your hands drifted up to his chest before resting on the sides of his face, your smile wicked.
“The water up here does that. It’s refreshing don’t you think?”
Wonpil couldn’t speak, his mind too lost in thoughts of you as you pulled him closer, the space between you now non-existent as your body pressed into him firmly, he felt every dip of your body against his as he moved his hands to grip your hips, your skin a little colder than he expected. He nodded, a mumble of agreement leaving him as your lips found his.
Instantly he felt a charge course through his body, your lips awakening his senses in a way he never thought possible. His hands gripped at your hips tighter, the hunger for you within himself overriding his other senses as he pushed you closer to the water's edge, your hands running through his brown hair passionately as your tongue found its way to his. You moaned, enjoying yourself at the eagerness that filled Wonpil, you could feel the heat from his body radiating into yours as his lips found their way down your neck and devoured their way to your chest hungrily.
You giggled at the sensation “The water must be working.”
“It’s definitely doing something.” He replied, finally removing his mouth from your skin, his hair in all directions and disheveled as a lazy smile appeared on his face, contentment clear. “What are you? Will you tell me?”
“I don’t know if I should.” You teased, beckoning him to follow you with one finger as you stepped knowingly backward into the cool water, at home once again with the water surrounding you.
Wonpil followed without a second thought, the spell your body and lips had worked on him mesmerising him to no end. He wasn’t even sure why he was willingly following you into the water, not caring that he was still fully clothed, only caring about having you in his arms.
“Please, I need to know what has captured my heart so fully.” He confessed as he finally reached you within the water. Your hands found his face once more, pulling him as close to you as possible, his mirroring his earlier actions and resting on the curve of your hips.
“You are too kind Wonpil and for that, I will tell you.” You smiled gently, your eyes locking with his to read his reaction. “I’m a water nymph. Do you know what that is?”
He shook his head, completely lost within your gaze to fully grasp what you were saying.
“That’s okay. You won’t remember any of this anyway. Close your eyes.” You instructed and he complied almost instantly, his eyes closing in anticipation for what was to come as you stretched up with the help of the water around you, your lips kissing him softly this time as you pulled him deep within and under the waters depths.
Wonpil woke with a start, struggling to breathe as he opened his eyes to complete darkness. His hand fell to his chest, his heart racing within at the sheer panic that coursed through his body, especially as he didn’t know why. Had he really been asleep that long? He scrunched his eyes in confusion when he heard his phone going off and flashing in the darkness brightly.
“Hello?” he croakily answered the phone.
“Where have you been? We’ve been trying you for hours!” he heard Brian’s voice say on the other end.
“I fell asleep on the mountain. I didn’t even make it to the top. I’ll head home now, stop worrying.” He answered his friend’s questions before packing up his belongings dejectedly and shoving them into his backpack.
“How could I have fallen asleep? I swear something happened?” he asked himself as he turned to walk back in the direction to head down the mountain. Shaking his head to clear the confusion it was then he noticed the droplets of water that fell from his hair. “Weird.” He mumbled, ignoring it and continued on his long walk in the darkness.
If he only had turned around, he would have seen the mysterious and beautiful water nymph wading in the pool of water behind him.
