"You went to the southern kingdom?" Yunho's voice sounds incredulous from where he currently sits. He's right across the table from Mingi, long legs grazing his from time to time. Mingi is caught between wanting him to stop, and loving the brief physical contact.

Ever since Mingi had apologized to Yunho on Thursday for blowing him off after their kiss, and held hands with him on the bus, nothing major had really happened. Well nothing major except for the fact that Yunho had gotten a little bolder with his touches. When they sat together for breakfast, Yunho would make sure to sit next to him, arm rubbing with his. When they got off the bus and they walked to class, Yunho would linger close by and inconspicuously brush their fingers together. It was as if he knew Mingi wasn't one for public displays of affection, and acted accordingly. They'd never talked about their feelings since then, but Mingi liked that Yunho didn't pressure him into doing anything.

And now, as the soft sunlight shifts through the buzzing café that Saturday morning, Mingi wants nothing more than to stretch his hand out to hold Yunho's. But he knows he can't -- not in this sort of place -- so he settles on bumping his shin against Yunho's instead.

Yunho's poker face is excellent, but the flush tainting the lower halves of Yunho's ears is not. It reminds Mingi of fresh roses in spring, a pretty hue that suits his handsome face perfectly. It's a little easier now to admit that the elf is fucking attractive -- gorgeous even -- although Mingi wouldn't be caught dead saying that out loud. No way.

"Yep, yesterday night," San is saying, taking a hearty sip of his strawberry boba. The guy always orders the same flavour every time yet he never gets sick of it. "I thought it'd been a normal dream at first -- like all the other ones I had before -- but then I met him again in the Zeeta forest. I met Wooyoung."

Yunho's brows furrow in contemplation, while Mingi tries not to stare too much. This is supposed to be serious discussion about San's bizarre dream encounters, yet here Mingi is, unabashedly staring at the taller.

"Wooyoung as in...the prince of the southern kingdom?" Yunho asks, his chai latte forgotten in front of him. "The one called Sol?"

San himself stops sipping on his drink, and he looks down. "Yeah. He was the one I met last week Saturday, him and his aide called Yeosang. I got to talk to them this time around before I woke up."

Yunho leans in, and Mingi doesn't think he likes the look on the elf's face right there and then. "They didn't...hurt you, did they?"

San's eyes widen, while Mingi feels all sorts of baffled.

"Why would they hurt San?" Mingi questions. "Are they not spiritual elves like you are?"

"Yes, they are," Yunho nods, his features still disturbed. "But they have different...ways of living than the northern kingdom does."

"What does that mean?" Mingi immediately asks. He doesn't want to be all confrontational, but San is already bothered by his dreams as is, and he doesn't want Yunho to add on to his worries.

San's hand on Mingi's arm stops him from further ambushing Yunho with questions. The shorter then sighs, running his fingers through his hair. "For one," he starts, "Yunho's kingdom believes animals are sacred and don't eat meat. The Sol kingdom, however, perform many blood rituals with them."

"Oh." Mingi doesn't know what else to say.

"They're very bloodthirsty individuals," Yunho states. "Which is why my marriage to their crown prince raised many eyebrows. But my father the King figured that a wedding between the two kingdoms would strengthen our bonds, and give me a sense of responsibility."

"A sense of responsibility?" Mingi repeats, tone dripping in disbelief.

Yunho nods, fiddling with his black hoodie's drawstrings. Mingi has known the elf enough to realize he's feeling vulnerable and just needs a distraction. "He thought me becoming a husband would make me take my title more seriously."

San's features soften with sympathy. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Yunho. Did your mother not say anything?"

Mingi wishes San hadn't asked that, but at this point it's too late. Yunho's hands drop over the table, before clenching into tight fists.

"My mother is not alive anymore," he confesses.

Although Mingi had predicted this happening, he is at a loss for words. San looks worse, as he's always been a person that wore his heart on his sleeve.

"There is no need to feel guilty, or to feel bad for me," Yunho adds before either of them can say anything. "It's been a while since she passed away anyway."

"We can't help but care, Yunho," Mingi says. The taller looks shocked at his response, and while it stings, Mingi figures it was to be expected. He hasn't been the kindest person. "We've experienced how it feels to lose someone, so we know how much it hurts."

"Yeah, Yunho," San agrees. "And although we haven't known each other for long, I want you to know that you can absolutely count on us. Well, at least you can count on me."

"Brat," Mingi glares at the shorter, and San only giggles impishly at him. Like this, he looks like the long lost brother of a chesire cat.

"You are so easy to tease," San laughs, and Mingi huffs, threateningly holding up his fork. It's plastic, made exclusively for the red velvet cake Mingi had been eating, but he figures it's good enough for some stabbing. "He's also very cute when he's teased, isn't he, Yunho?"

Yunho looks like a deer caught in headlights as he rubs his neck, and Mingi knows that San did this purposefully. "I mean -- "

"Do not answer that," Mingi warns, but he's playful with it, letting his right leg graze Yunho's. Instantly the elf's ears are aflame, as red as the ring San displays on his palm that very moment.

Yunho's attention is immediately diverted to the piece of jewelry, which sucks because Mingi was kinda hoping to tease Yunho some more.

San leans over the table so no one else will overhear him. "I got it from Wooyoung. I mean, he gave it to me. Said he wanted to see me another time soon."

"It's a spiritual connection ring, like Star 1117," Yunho comments, voice hushed as well.

"A what now?" Mingi squints.

"It's the name given to my ring; the same name as my birth star," Yunho readily explains. Although his eyes are currently dark brown, they're still round and soulful, simply entrancing to look at. Mingi forgets he's outright staring until San clears his throat beside him, while Yunho shyly looks away.

"Why did prince Wooyoung give you his ring?" Yunho eventually questions, and Mingi fights the urge to trace his thumb over his features and commemorate them to memory.

"I'm...not sure," San says, hands guarding the ring as if it'd break under the faintest breeze. "Even his aide Yeosang didn't approve of it. He just said he wanted to see me again to get it back."

"You know how strange this is, right?" Yunho says. "How you're able to take something belonging to him and bring it to this world. And, the connection ring is red. Isn't it only supposed to look like that in the hands of Sol elves?"

This definitely traps Mingi's attention. "What do you mean by that?"

"...The ring isn't normally supposed to glow red like this," San responds, biting his lip.

"Yes, especially since you're a human," Yunho says. "And rings like these are not supposed to be exchanged, except..."

Mingi raises a brow. "Except what?"

"Except during courting. Mated elves will exchange their spiritual rings as a sign of devotion. But it is a very old practice that even my kingdom does not partake in anymore."

San's face turns as red as a stop sign, and Mingi would have found it amusing if not for the fact that he looks nothing less than frightened.

"So...he basically proposed to San?" Mingi unhelpfully adds, only to wince when San punches his arm. "Ow. What was that for?"

"He did not propose to me," San argues. His face is so red.

"Yes, he most likely did not," Yunho nods, "but that is how I interpreted it. We still don't know why the ring's gemstones are red, however."

"Maybe it's faulty," San suggests, but even Mingi doesn't find that too convincing. However, he's determined to help his friend out.

"Here, hand it over," he says, palm exposed. After some hesitation, San places the ring on top his hand as gently as he possibly can. The jewelry is extremely chilly to the touch, and Mingi doesn't know how San has managed to hold on to it for so long.

Simultaneously, the ruby gemstones transform into a dull grey.

"This is how they're supposed to look on people without royal elven blood in them," Yunho explains, taking a belated sip of his chai latte.

"I don't have royal elven blood, though," San says, quieter than before.

"Yeah. San's ears aren't all pointy like yours. No offense," Mingi crosses his arms.

"None taken," Yunho smiles, nose scrunched, and Mingi sorta hates how fucking cute he looks when he does that. "And yes, San's ears are rounded. Which makes this all the more strange."

"We can't tell Ms Song about this," San says, before dumping the ring in his shirt pocket. "She could try to have me studied, or assume that Wooyoung has something to do with why Yunho's here."

"She wouldn't do something like that. You know this, San," Mingi counters. Gia has known San since they were kids, took San in whenever his parents had fought even after Mingi's own parents were no longer in the picture. Mingi understands that San's only scared, but he still feels a bit defensive.

"I...I know," San mutters, his shoulders drooping with regret. "And I'm sorry. I just don't know what's going on."

"Maybe the ring is like that because you took it from our world to yours while dreaming," Yunho suggests. "I do not know how dreams work, but it's very plausible."

"Yeah?" San looks up. "You think that may be it?"

Yunho ushers him a slight smile, which Mingi realizes doesn't reach his eyes. "Maybe."

"Okay." San leans into his seat, a bit more relaxed now. He searches through his bag for his phone, and upon seeing it quickly sits upright. "Just got a text from the AP chemistry chat. Gotta head to school quick -- group project problems."

"Ew, chemistry," Mingi grimaces with a shiver.

San sticks out his tongue at him, then stands and waves at both him and Yunho. "See you guys later. Don't have too much fun without me."

"We'll definitely have sooo much fun without you," Mingi answers with a smirk, nudging Yunho across the table to further prove his point. "Won't we, Yunho?"

"I don't know if you're joking around with me or not," is what Yunho replies with.

Mingi's smirk drops while San chokes on his laughter. He quickly stops when several people stare in their direction though.

"Bye guys." San grabs his bag and heads out of the café, and Yunho stares at his form as he retreats.

It confuses Mingi greatly. "Yunho?"

"What if...what if San isn't human?" Yunho asks right then, eyes locking with Mingi's. "Do you think that could be possible?"

Mingi thinks about San's strange dreams, and how he was able to transport into another realm and bring an item from it. An item that glowed with his touch when it shouldn't.

"I've known San for almost my entire life," Mingi begins. "If he wasn't human, I think I'd be the first to know." He can't stop thinking about it, however.

He can feel Yunho watching him, knows the elf can feel his doubts.

"Do you want to take a walk with me?" Yunho questions right then.

"All of a sudden?" One of Mingi's brows arch, but he soon has a realization that Yunho's doing this to get his mind off things. He exhales. "...Sure, okay."

"Awesome." Yunho grins, revealing his white set of teeth. Mingi doesn't know if elves have dentists in their world, but if they do they're very skilled at their work. "I have a place we could go."

"Been doing some sleuthing on your own without me, huh," Mingi comments, stepping out of his chair. People are everywhere either chatting or on their phones, but the small unconfident part of him is still cautious of their stares, even when there are none.

No one is watching. No one cares, he thinks.

"Mingi?"

"Let's just go already." Hands shoved into his pockets, Mingi leaves the doorway. Yunho trails behind him in no time, and Mingi doesn't know if it's purposeful, but he lightly bumps their shoulders, his body so close that Mingi can smell that peachy shampoo he likes using.

"Yunho..." Mingi starts, but the elf sticks near him, mirroring his movements.

"Sorry." Yunho does not sound sorry. "But I know you like it."

Mingi fucking does, and that's the problem. "People are going to stare."

"If they do they'll just see two guys having a casual stroll down the sidewalk." At this, Yunho faces him and grins, all toothy and delightful. Mingi has the insane urge to pinch his cheeks right then.

"'Casual stroll'? Please, you're so cheesey," Mingi says, hands still in his pockets. His stomach does somersaults when Yunho's fingers lightly graze the fabric of his jeans, his intent clear.

"Care to hold my hand?" Yunho whispers just as they round a corner. "It's all warm and toasty just for you."

It's so sickeningly sweet to the point of being gross, yet Mingi's neck heats up considerably.

He almost gives in -- almost -- when he spots something in the distance that makes chills descend down his spine and nausea clamber up his throat.

Walking towards the nearest internet cafe is Jaejun and his posse, a recognizable scowl on his face as he says something Mingi can't hear from here.

Fortunately he hasn't spotted Mingi just yet, and even though he knows he has to leave now, his feet are stuck to the ground, dread filling his lungs with each intake. All he can think about then are the many instances Jaejun and his friends had called him slurs, degraded him and pushed him around. How several people had looked away because he was already considered an 'other' to them, and it was easier to not care when you weren't seen as a person in the first place.

All of a sudden, someone steps in front of Mingi, body shielding him from everyone else. From Jaejun.

Mingi doesn't realize he's shaking until Yunho hugs him from the side, his arms secure and protective around his waist.

"Come on, Mingi. Let's go," Yunho beckons, voice gentle and encouraging.

Mingi shakily nods and lets Yunho get him out of there and to wherever he wants to go, totally grateful to the taller. In fact he's more than grateful, relieved he won't have to deal with any bigotry today.

Yunho doesn't stop moving until they come across a playground that's excruciatingly familiar.

"I came here with Jongho once 'cause he had to go pick up his baby brother," Yunho states, before guiding Mingi to one of the swings. "The scenery's nice here, so pretty. It reminded me of the woodland back at home."

Before them is plethora of vivid green gardens and fallen autumn leaves, the bushes all beautifully trimmed and well tended to. A few children and adults move about, all in their own world and dealing with their own problems. The sky is a dazzling blue, the clouds the clearest white Mingi's ever seen.

Mingi grips the handles of the swing, letting himself sway slightly. "It is pretty. San and I came here a lot when we were younger. We met here, even."

Yunho watches him from his own swing, his blond hair golden under the sunlight. "Really? When did you meet?"

"I think we were six. At least, San was. I turned six a month later," Mingi reveals, studying the blue sky as he exhales.

Yunho smiles. "It must be nice to have a childhood friend."

"Not really," Mingi jokes. "Now you have someone who knows all about your most embarrassing memories."

"It still sounds nice," Yunho says. When Mingi looks at him, he chuckles.

"Dork." But Mingi's chuckling too. "What about you?"

"Hm?"

"Tell me about your childhood."

"Well..." Yunho swings a bit, contemplative. "My childhood wasn't anything extraordinary. I liked to play a lot, especially with my younger brother after he was born. And I loved it whenever my mother used to tell me stories about her life before she put me to sleep."

Mingi finds himself smiling. "Cute. Your mother sounds like a really lovely person."

"She really was lovely. ...Did your mother also tell you stories about your life? Or your aunt?" Yunho asks, then halts, quickly scratching the back of his neck. "Sorry if I spoke out of line."

"You didn't, don't worry," Mingi shakes his head. "But I'll have you know, I don't like talking about my parents much. Just like you don't really like talking about your father."

Yunho nods. "I understand."

"Just like your mum," Mingi begins, kicking away a stone, "they aren't alive anymore. Died since I turned eleven actually, so I got adopted by my aunt. It was due to a car crash by some drunk driver."

Yunho gulps, his Adam's Apple bobbing as remorse clouds his features. "I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be," Mingi inhales, facing the elf. "They weren't really nice -- treated me like utter shit even -- so I don't miss them all that much."

In the way something morbid can unexpectedly turn funny, Yunho snickers in disbelief. He then gasps.

"Dear Ynita, I'm sorry for laughing," he says, seeming totally appalled with himself.

Cute. Mingi grins and shakes his head. "Just...come and push me."

"What?"

"Come push the swing. I feel like flying today," Mingi tells the baffled elf. "I just thought of something. Can elves fly?"

"If we cast a powerful enough spell to do so, then yes," Yunho responds, already on his feet. His palms are large and warm on Mingi's shoulders, and right then the shorter doesn't care. He entwines their hands, and feels Yunho's breathing hitch behind him.

"Are you okay?" Mingi questions, mostly because he wants to be a cheeky fucker.

"Of course, Mingi." Yunho's hands linger in his, thumbs rubbing over his knuckles.

Mingi feels his worries decrease at the action. "...Are you healing me right now?"

"No. That is just you adoring my presence," Yunho simply replies. He barely reacts when Mingi jabs him on his chest. "Do not be rough, my dearest. I can easily push you off the swing right this second."

My dearest. Mingi feels his face heat up. Fuck.

"You are strangely silent. Have I made you speechless?" Yunho asks, his face right next to Mingi's.

"You wish," Mingi scoffs. "And start pushing me already."

Yunho laughs, patting down his hair. Mingi doesn't know why the elf is so touchy today, but he'd be lying if he said he dislikes it. "Your wish is my command."

And so, Mingi gets pushed, the wind in his hair and his chest as light as a feather. At first, he feels a bit ridiculous as he's an eighteen year old playing on the swings like a child, but he gets over it before long. How can he not when Yunho cheers him on with every push, the biggest grin ever on his face at witnessing Mingi absolutely enjoying himself?

Mingi is so happy that after they're done he drags Yunho into a secluded spot behind a few trees, and kisses him so hard that he nearly loses his breath.

Yunho quickly kisses him back, hands cupping his hips as he presses him against a tree, bodies moving in sync. His touch is shy and his tongue even more so, so Mingi eagerly takes the lead as he drags his fingers all over Yunho's torso, the elf's muscles tensing under his touch.

It's so addictive and Mingi knows he can't get enough, especially at the feel of Yunho's breathy moans against his ear when he sucks down the slope of his neck.

And it's dangerous, because Yunho won't be here for long anyway. Yunho will have to leave, and Mingi will be left alone. He'd always wanted the elf to go back when they first met, but now with each day that passes, he dreads that very moment he'll return more and more.

"Mingi," Yunho exhales, and Mingi allows himself to give in when the taller connects their lips again, quick and eager and intense: just the way Mingi likes it. It feels so good -- knowing he has this boy in his arms who he likes so fucking much. Who kisses him like he means it. Who undoubtedly cares for him.

Although Mingi knows it won't last, right now this is enough for him.

• • •

a/n: thoughts so far? and sorry for being so inconsistent with the updates, i've just been feeling very 🙃🙃😬 atm