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Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Chapter 8: not crown prince anymore

WC: 4,156; Explicit

Chan struggles with his insecurities and gets to show off his magic skills.

❄◌✴︎˚Chan｡✴︎◌❄

It’s the first time Chan has slept through the night in a long, long time. Even before he almost died, he’d been dealing with insomnia in varying degrees since his father passed. He knew that was the point of sharing a bed with Hyunjin, but Chan hadn’t realized it would work so well.

Hyunjin.

The Seubalpae is currently tucked against Chan’s chest, an arm and a leg each slung over him, the picture of contentment. Chan wonders idly if this should feel more wrong.

Even without using his gift, Hyunjin just seems to make things more comfortable. Between the intimacy of laying in bed together, and the way it’s always easier to share secrets and stories in the moonlight, the questions about the Seubalpae’s relationship had just flowed out of him the night before. He’s been so curious, ever since that first meal they shared, after Jisung had come downstairs.

Based on what Hyunjin told him, he has nothing to worry about. Though there are several scenarios running through Chan’s mind that counter the surety with which Hyunjin told him that no one would mind their being in this predicament. This whole thing was meant to just be a way to help Chan sleep. Now that he’s up, the expectation of cuddles should be over. The longer he thinks about it, the more he feels like he should try to extricate himself from the sleeping man’s embrace.

“Mmm Channie?” Hyunjin mumbles against his skin. “What’s wrong?”

He hopes now that Hyunjin’s awake, he’ll move away on his own. Instead, Hyunjin squeezes him a bit tighter before bringing a hand up to stroke Chan’s cheek. That lavender mist fills the space between them, and Chan feels the knot in his chest loosen.

“I was just thinking about the others,” Chan says. He takes a deep breath and continues, “I know you said they wouldn’t mind this, but I can’t help but worry that you’re wrong. Obviously you know them better and everything, but…”

Hyunjin watches him, expression serious as he trails off. Then he’s moving back, away from Chan to sit up and face him. Even though it’s what he felt like should happen, Chan would be lying if he said it made him feel better. He sits up as well, but stays quiet.

After a sigh, Hyunjin tells him, “I understand your apprehension, but there’s nothing inherently wrong about cuddling, Chan. Have you never cuddled with a friend?”

Heat flares across Chan’s cheeks. Maybe he is sexualizing something innocent. Of all things Hyunjin, and the rest of them really, does not seem like one to be unfaithful or willing to do something that might harm the ones he loves. It wouldn’t be the first time, considering his mind went straight to the gutter when Hyunjin brought up sleeping together last night. He needs to have a more wholesome mindset. I’m not at court anymore. These men really don’t want anything from me.

“I guess I haven’t,” Chan says to his hands, shame keeping him from making eye contact again. “I suppose I forget how different your lives have been from mine. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

Hyunjin’s hand finds Chan’s; his thumbs rubbing soothing circles into his palms. “You don’t have to be sorry. I guess maybe we should’ve talked more before bed after all.” Hyunjin pauses, so Chan risks a glance up. He pouts his lips in thought for a minute before continuing. Adorable. “I understand if you don’t want to, but can you tell me about your friends back home, or growing up, if that’s easier for you?”

Chan sighs. How do you explain to someone so clearly loved and appreciated by so many that you’ve barely ever really had real friends. “I mostly spent time with different nobles’ children while they were at court, when I wasn’t in my private lessons or the throne room.” He hesitates before adding, “The Queen encouraged me to keep my distance, and I think the other children might’ve resented having to spend time with me.”

The sadness and pity are clear on Hyunjin’s face. “What about in more recent years?” he asks.

“Well as the crown prince, I’m very– I mean I was very busy,” Chan winces at the error. He’s not crown prince anymore. As far as anyone outside the eight of them in the cabin knows, Chan is dead. He realizes, however, that he’s okay with that; just a couple days in this afterlife have been great. He finishes answering the question with, “I didn’t really have time to cultivate personal relationships. Most of my social interactions had a number of strings attached.”

Hyunjin’s eyes start emanating that calming light. It’s odd, though, Chan can’t tell what emotion he’s trying to affect. He’s grown very accustomed to the lack of closeness to others, resigned to what he’s been taught is the life of a royal. He’s sure he isn’t any more sad or regretful than he’s been since the first question about friends. Then, he actually looks through the mist and sees Hyunjin’s eyes are a little glassy.

On instinct, Chan reaches out to cup his cheek as he asks, “Hyunjinnie, what’s wrong?”

Unfortunately, before he can respond there’s a soft knock, and Minho is opening the door, likely checking to see if Hyunjin’s up and getting ready for work. His eyes sharpen almost immediately, and Chan flinches back. Minho is at Hyunjin’s other side in a second. For some reason, his eyes are on Chan when asking, “Are you alright?”

Chan turns his gaze back on Hyunjin, eager to hear the answer. Then Minho snaps in front of his face and repeats the question. Incredulous, he asks, “Me?”

“Of course,” Minho says with a roll of his eyes. “What else would overwhelm him but your emotions?”

“I’m fine, Min–”

“Overwhelm him?” Chan is dumbfounded. “There’s nothing wrong, though? He already soothed me several minutes before he got upset. Hyunjin, if I did something–”

Hyunjin interrupts him now, simultaneously slapping a hand over Minho’s mouth. “You didn’t do anything, Channie, and it’s not what you think, Minho. I just went a bit deep on accident. We should probably get ready for the day.”

Chan sees his own frown reflected on Minho’s newly uncovered face. But Hyunjin insists, “Really, I’m fine, and Chan feels better now, right?”

Chan nods slowly, feeling like he should push more but at the same time, he knows it’s not his place. Minho shrugs before standing and pulling Hyunjin up to his feet.

Chan debates following them out, but decides to wait a couple minutes before emerging from the room. Hyunjin must still be in the bathroom nearest his room, so he forgoes washing up until everyone who actually needs to get ready for the day is through. He goes downstairs to sit on the couch until Seungmin encourages him to come eat some of the breakfast he and Felix prepared.

The Seubalpae chat sleepily, making plans for the day and discussing their trip to Changbin’s parents’ house. When Minho comes downstairs, he makes eye contact then cocks his head towards the couch in a silent invitation to come talk. Chan takes a couple deep breaths to calm his nerves and joins him. Despite his kindness, Chan struggles to shake the feeling that Minho would rather he weren’t here.

They sit on the couch with Minho just staring him down long enough that Chan feels like he needs to break the silence or just die from the awkwardness of the moment. “Is, um, is Hyunjin okay?” He asks.

Minho blinks at him slowly, and Chan wonders if coming over here was a mistake. Finally, Minho says, “Hyunjin is fine. I do think it’s important for you to know, though: when you share things with him, even when he doesn’t seem to be actively using his gift, he tends to understand the heart of what you’re saying.” He pauses, looking Chan up and down. “Even if you don’t.”

Chan latches onto that last part. With how confused he was at Hyunjin’s reaction, he wonders how much of his own feelings he might not understand. For all his time spent alone, Chan thinks he has pretty good self-awareness. It’s his understanding of others that’s lacking.

Before he can turn any of those thoughts into a coherent response, Minho clears his throat, suddenly looking a little less than comfortable. He continues, “He also knows his own heart very well. The rest of ours, too, in theory.”

“In theory?” Chan asks with a slight smirk. Something about the way Minho said it, begrudgingly so, that tickles him.

“Usually,” Minho snaps, but there’s no fire behind it. “Jury’s still out on this one, though.”

Chan can only guess at what he means, and with Minho, who he’s so unsure of things generally, he’s a little at a loss. So he just nods, waiting to see if he’ll add anything that will add clarity.

Instead, Minho pats his thigh and says, “Anyway. Rest up today. Depending on how anxious Sneezy is feeling to get to Bin’s parents’ place, there’s a chance that we’ll leave when we get home tonight.” Then he’s getting up and grabbing Seungmin, teasing him about the nickname Chan bestowed on him.

Soon enough, the Seubalpae are out the door, leaving Chan to ponder how to spend his day. Thoughts on what they might learn from Changbin’s parents, he heads outside. He’s never sung with the intent of using magic before and feels awkward wondering how he should start; normally the tunes just pour out of him when he’s alone and focused or feeling heavy emotions. It feels silly to start singing without purpose or an instinctive need.

What should I even sing?

He decides to sing the cleaning song that he made up yesterday, since he’ll be doing much the same thing today, just focusing on the upstairs. Within a minute, Chan has several woodland helpers surrounding him. The sight fills him with profound wonderment and joy. He really called them to him.

“Hello friends!” He greets them happily. “If you don’t mind, I’d love more help with the laundry today. We’re doing the bedding from my bed and a lot of towels, so it could take a while to do it on my own.”

The fox chirps in what seems to be agreement before gekkering to the rest.

“Thank you,” Chan tells them, then looks back into the cottage. “You can wait here, and I can bring stuff down. That way you won’t have to worry about the stairs.” He rushes inside, grabbing the basket he used yesterday then collecting the sheets and blanket from ‘his’ room first. He feels compelled to check the mirror first, needing to know what his eyes look like right now. Felix had told him it looks like they have green rings when he uses his magic.

Chan is happy to be alone when he gasps at his own reflection. He feels a rush of unfamiliar self-appreciation when he sees how the lush, forest green rings have overrun his irises. Something about the glow and the knowledge that they display his power makes him feel beautiful.

But he knows he can’t linger here; his furry friends are waiting to help him. So, Chan gathers the towels from this bathroom and the other, then heads back down. When he gets outside, the doe is back and she’s brought a friend. They block his way when he attempts to bring the basket to the tub to help with the washing. He ends up letting them carry the basket between them and turning back to the fox.

“Well, if you all will handle the laundry, I guess I’ll dust and do this morning’s dishes,” Chan says. He thinks about how the Queen uses her magic to make others do her bidding and believe her lies, and a pit forms in his stomach. He almost walks away but stops himself and crouches down to be closer to eye level with the animal. He asks, “I’m… am I forcing you all to help me against your will?”

The sound it makes can only be described as a laugh. It shakes its head. That makes Chan feel better. Maybe they just come because they’re willing to help. He thanks the fox and the chipmunks that accompany him inside. He starts up a new song as they gather small cloths and climb up among the Seubalpaes’ knick knacks to start the dusting.

Once again, Chan’s chores are done in no time at all. He helps the birds hang the bedclothes on the lines to dry, and while he’s out notices that some of the other animals have clearly been organizing some of the garden tools.

“I really feel like I should do something for you all,” Chan says with a sigh. He pets the doe between her ears. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything to offer.”

So he gives the only thing he can. He sits on a stump and sings some more. With everything done, the animals all just gather around to listen. That’s where they are when they hear voices approaching. Chan only falters for a moment, unsure if he should go back in to hide, but then he hears Changbin’s laugh. A few of the animals run off, but when Chan asks if he should continue, the doe at his side nods her head.

That’s how the Seubalpae find him: surrounded by woodland creatures, bright green rings alight in his eyes. He looks more at ease than they’ve ever seen him. Chan’s voice is clear and calming, absolutely lovely.

When they reach him, Chan smiles up at them, noticing Jisung is fast asleep, drooling a bit on Jeongin’s shoulder, as he welcomes them home. Jeongin heads inside with his passenger but the others sit amidst the fauna, some quietly reveling in the uncharacteristic willingness to coexist so closely.

Changbin, however, only seems to focus on Chan’s face, a look of wonder on his own. It makes Chan feel a bit shy, and he considers stopping when the song is complete, but then another voice joins his. Startled, Chan locks eyes with Seungmin. They finish out the song in perfect harmony, and Chan needs to sing more so that he can hear Seungmin’s lovely voice again.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ

After a while, the songs come to an end, and the animals disperse. The men all head inside, chatting excitedly.

“Chan, that was,” Changbin begins excitedly.

Felix finishes for him, “Amazing!”

“And they all helped clean again?” Minho asks, wonder plain on his face as the prettiest smile breaks across it.

For a second, Chan forgets why he ever found the man intimidating or unfriendly. He’s beautiful. Then he realizes that the question was directed at him. “Oh, yes. Yeah, they helped with everything.”

“Fascinating,” Minho says, turning to Changbin. “You can’t think of anyone who communicates with animals?”

“Oh, what about that girl,” Seungmin says with a light slap on Changbin’s arm. “Remember back when we helped your sister move? Her neighbor’s daughter got that funky looking bear to help you so I didn’t have to lift furniture.”

“How could I forget the moon bear!”

A bear helped move furniture? Despite all that’s happened the last few days, Chan isn’t sure he’ll ever get used to what magic can make happen. He tunes back in enough to learn that the bear was the family’s pet, bonded to the girl through her magic. Not too similar to his situation. Still, it is something.

Then Minho claps a hand on Chan’s shoulder, and he fails not to jump. Minho cackles and says, “Come on. If you really wanna earn your keep, you better start learning to cook so I don’t have to slave away at the stove after a long day at the mine.”

“Of course,” Chan says eagerly.

He does want to make life easier for the men who have saved his life. Learning to cook is an easy way to do so. Minho is a good teacher, too. He plays at impatience and indifference, but this one-on-one time shows Chan that it's possible that Minho is all bark and no bite.

Minho stills his hand with a soft touch. “We only chop like that if we’re interested in cutting the tip of our fingers off,” he snarks. But then he’s slotting himself behind Chan, curling his own fingers over Chan’s to correct him, guiding him to make a few more cuts. It’s little things like that, the softness with the sassiness that makes Chan feel welcome, like he belongs.

By the time the meal is prepared, Chan is feeling a new warmth when he looks at the formerly dubbed Grumpy. As they sit down to eat, Jeongin insists that he sits between him and Jisung so they can tell the telekinetic what he missed during his nap, including having Chan sing little snippets of the songs. When he does, he finds that both of them have lovely voices as well, joining in when they recognize the song.

“Maybe you all should’ve been a band instead of miners,” Chan laughs, though he means it whole heartedly.

“I mean, I do play a mean air guitar,” Changbin jokes, showing off his skills.

Felix grins, hands rubbing at Changbin’s impressive arms. “Don’t let him fool you, Chan. Our Binnie is very talented with his mouth, too.”

“Yah,” Changbin says, ears and cheeks flaring.

“What?” Felix asks with a glint in his eye that tells everyone giggling around the table that he knows exactly why Changbin spoke up. “You rap so well, and you can even beatbox. Seemed worth mentioning, since Channie thinks we could be a band.”

“Right, of course,” Changbin mutters. When Chan makes eye contact with him, he giggles a little, too. “Anyway, Chan we were talking today, and I think we’ll hold off until this weekend to go see my parents. Seungmin’s eyes were glowing along with his sneezes today, so we think he might be on the mend. If you don’t mind waiting, especially now that we’ve seen your magic, I don’t think it would be the worst thing to wait. I did get a letter out to them, though.”

“Of course. Whatever is best for you all,” Chan tells him before turning to Seungmin. “I’m glad you’re starting to get better.”

As shocking as the mystery of Chan having magic he shouldn’t be able to have is, he doesn’t mind not waiting to find out how it’s possible. Maybe it’s cowardly, but he can’t help but want to keep everything as it is now. Chan has had so much change in his life lately, and what he thought he knew, in such a short amount of time. He’s craving stability, and he’ll take it however he can get it.

“Chan?”

“Sorry, what?” Jeongin is looking at him expectantly, and Chan realizes he’s zoned out again.

“Are you alright?” Jeongin’s smile has dimmed a bit as his eyes search Chan’s face.

“Yes, I’m sorry,” Chan says, chagrined. He doesn’t want to burden any of them any more than he already has. I need to stay present. “Just a little lost in thought. What did you say?”

Jeongin’s ears take on a pink hue. “Nothing important. Just asked what your favorite fruit is. Lix said he might teach you to bake a pie tomorrow since you did so well with dinner tonight.”

Chan looks at Felix’s sunshiny grin, then back to Jeongin. He gives them a smile of his own. “That’s a great idea. I’ll do my best.”

“And?” Jeongin asks, eagerness returned to his expression.

Chan is dumbfounded for a moment when a pear floats behind Jeongin’s head. His eyes snap to Jisung who gives him a wink. “Right,” he laughs, “I actually really like pears, though peaches are my favorite.”

“That’s perfect!” Jeongin is too cute when he smiles like that. “There are some wild peach trees not too far from here.”

“Maybe your animal friends can bring you some?” Jisung suggests.

From there, they talk about favorite fruits and desserts, and Chan manages to stay in the moment the whole time. The Seubalpae tease and joke with him, treating him like he’s just part of the group. Hyunjin must’ve told them about their conversation the night before, because they all seem a bit freer with the causal touches and pet names.

Chan is happy that they aren’t afraid to be themselves around him, though he spends a good portion of the night blushing at all the innuendos Minho, Jisung, and Felix throw around. When Felix makes a joke about him and Hyunjin in bed together, Chan just about dies, but he can’t help but imagine what that would’ve been like.

“Stop messing with him, Lix-ah,” Hyunjin calls, looking quite red himself.

“It’s fine,” Chan finds himself saying, though he certainly made no active choice to do so. Seven pairs of eyes turn on him, and he’s sure he’s officially turned into a tomato. His voice loses its stability as he tries to explain himself. “I-I mean, I can take it – the jokes. It actually feels nice to be included. Plus, it is a funny thought.”

There are a few giggles at that, but Minho’s tone is sharp when he asks, “And what do you think makes it funny?”

“Min,” Changbin says.

A couple of the others start to say something as well, but Minho cuts them all off, and persists, “No, I really wanna know what he’s thinking.”

“I, um,” Chan stutters out, feeling like he made a mistake, but he’s not quite sure what it was. So, he does the only thing he can think to do and tells the truth. “The idea that Hyunjin would be with me like that. He has all of you already, and look at him, he’s clearly out of my league.”

“Out of your league?” Hyunjin sounds completely flabbergasted for some reason.

“I got this, Hyuni,” Felix interrupts. The man comes around in front of Chan and inexplicably cups both hands around his face, leaning in to look him dead in the eyes. “Darling, I don’t care what that wicked Queen has told you, you don’t need to be a prince for people to want to be with you. And you are very handsome. Whenever you doubt that, I want you to remind yourself that that bitch was so jealous of you being prettier than her that she literally got homicidal.”

“Lix, I’m not sure that–”

Despite the fact that it definitely wasn’t the nicest thing he’s ever heard, Chan is suddenly choking back a sob. It cuts off any other comments following Felix’s proclamation. From what they’ve said, he knows that Felix has seen a lot about his life in the last few days. Something about that knowledge in addition to his kindness breaks another piece of Chan loose.

“Oh Chan-ah, it’s okay,” Hyunjin murmurs. Chan can tell he’s using his gift again, the wave of emotion is receding. “Maybe it’s time to call it a night guys. Channie, how about you go get ready for bed?”

It’s the kind of thing you ask a child when you want to avoid a whole situation, but he doesn’t mind. He latches onto the idea, nodding and getting up from the table. He hears Hyunjin following him up the stairs, telling him that they can talk if he wants or he can help him go to bed.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I reacted like that,” he says, embarrassment fighting against Hyunjin’s soothing.

“You never have to apologize for being human, Channie,” Hyunjin tells him. “Triggers often surprise you. Sometimes it can be the simplest thing that sets you off, even if it doesn’t seem logical.”

Chan nods, not really comforted by his words. He knows it’s true, but that doesn’t make him feel any less ridiculous. It’s not very late, but he changes quickly and lays down. He doesn’t expect Hyunjin to get in bed beside him. He figured the empath would soothe him quickly and return to the others. Chan turns over to look at him questioningly, but Hyunjin speaks before he can ask.

“Just get comfortable. Let me help you sleep.” Hyunjin curls his body around Chan’s. Even without his power, the action itself sends a comforting warmth through him. It’s extremely rare for him to have someone take care of him like this. Even last night it had been up to Chan to initiate the contact, albeit by Hyunjin’s suggestion. Chan starts to tear up before he feels himself even out. A yawn escapes him as Hyunjin gives him a little squeeze. “No more thinking. I’ve got you.”

Chan is out within the minute. In his dream, he and the Seubalpae are gathered in a glade, all his forest friends mixed in among them as they sing together.

ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ

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