The sun was dipping low below the horizon, painting the forest with an orange glow over its natural greenery. The air was warm, the breeze blowing between the trees did nothing to cool the world it was traveling through. The tree coverage may have shielded the forest from the blazing sun, only letting a few rays inside where it broke through the branches, but there was no escape from the summertime heat.

Tiny feet walked along the forest floor, branches crunching beneath them. Innocently curious eyes looked around the expansive forest that opened up wide around the small person exploring its ever green world. A small smile graced the young boys lips as he followed the sound of laughing, giggles and playfulness. Something or someone was out in the woods with him, and their sounds of fun had intrigued the small child, having drawn him out of his backyard and right into the depths of a green sea of trees.

The small child had followed the sounds to an open area in the forest. He peeked around the tree he came to hide behind, big brown eyes staring curiously at the sight before him.

In the grassy green area, both men and women dressed in clothing looking as if made from the plants themselves, were giggling and laughing. Some were running around playing a possible game of tag, some were sitting around weaving together crowns made of flowers, others were prancing around looking as if they were dancing to their own little melodies. The child giggled at the hilarity he saw from these people, never had he seen grown men or women prance around in plants, well. . .aside from in plays done at the theatre. That was different, however, this was right in the forest where anyone could walk up and see them. That someone just happened to be a small child drawn to their merry making.

They must have heard his giggle, one by one, each of the older men and women disappeared into the forest. Surprised shrieks or gasps escaping from each person as they ran into the treeline. The young boy rushed out from the treeline and into the open area, his hands high in the air as he ran forward.

"Wait, don't leave. . ."

The small boy cried out, looking around to where everyone disappeared to. A heavy sigh escaped from the boys lips, his head hanging. He felt guilty for scaring them off like that. His eyes landed on a flower crown, left forgotten on the soft grass at his feet. Bending down, he picked up the flower crown and stared at sadly, feeling even worse now.

His head snapped up, eyes wide as he froze in place. The child's gaze landed on a male coming out of the treeline. The older males expression was one of hesitancy and curiosity. He too stared back at the child, his own wide eyed expression on his face.

"Hello. . ."

The child said, suddenly breaking the silence between he and the oddly dressed man.

"Hi. . ."

The returned response was slow, hesitant, almost as if the older man was trying to decide if it was a good idea to speak with the child. Seeing no harm though, the man took a couple steps forwards.

"I'm Changkyun, and you are?"

The child asked curiously, glad that someone had returned. Maybe he could get the guy to talk some, find out what everyone was doing. Maybe he could convince the guy to let him join, especially since it looked like so much fun.

"Hoseok. . ."

"Can you only say one word at a time?"

Changkyun looked curiously at Hoseok, hoping this wouldn't be the way the conversation was going to be. When Hoseok chuckled, Changkyun tilted his head looking like a curious little puppy.

"No. I mean, no, I can say more than one word at a time. You've just. . .taken me by surprise."

"Surprise? Oh, right. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare everyone away."

Lowering his head apologetically, Changkyun let a small frown cross over his lips. Hoseok watched Changkyun carefully, the small boy was so adorable, but he felt bad that he thought he had to apologize for them running off. He sighed and walked over to the small boy, resting his hands on his shoulders as he knelt down in front of him.

"Hey, you didn't scare us away. We can all be a little jumpy around humans."

Changkyun's head snapped up, his gaze locking with Hoseok's. His frown more prominent as he knitted his eyebrows together in thought. Hoseok quickly realized his slip up and sighed, hanging his head now.

"We are what you'd call fairies."

"But you're so big, and aren't fairies supposed to be only girls with short little dresses and wings?"

Hoseok busted out into laughter at Changkyun's description of what a fairy should be. Obviously the child was going off of what he had seen in movies and his storybooks. The false image that was given to the fae, but he found it better that way. They weren't found out as easily.

"Hmm, I can see why you would be confused. The fae come in both genders just as your kind does, and we don't wear short dresses."

Hoseok was having trouble holding back his laughter. The confusion that was screwed onto Changkyun's face was funny. The child was funnier than some of his friends could be, but that wasn't saying much. Some of his friends didn't have much of a sense of humor and took things far too seriously.

"Look, this is what we all look like. Normal sized and well...this."

The rather muscular fairy motioned to himself, using his own self as an example as to what they looked like. Changkyun was only able to nod slowly, like he understood exactly what the older male was saying. His eyes drifted to the flower crown he was holding, raising it only to look back at Hoseok, and once again back down to the flower crown. A smile crossed over Changkyun's lips as he raised the crown and placed it on top of Hoseok's head of black and blue striped hair. He giggled and nodded, happy with what he did.

"There, now you're a fairy."

Changkyun giggled, causing Hoseok to reach up and adjust the crown. A lopsided grin on his lips. This kid was far too much, but he was sweet and Hoseok hoped he would always stay that way.

"That I am. . ."

Hoseok spoke softly, slowly getting up off his knees and looking towards the sky. The sun would be setting soon, and he didn't think it would be good for Changkyun to be out alone out in the woods. Changkyun seemed to be able to sense the change in Hoseok and frowned.

"Can't we play for just a little bit? My home is just that way."

Changkyun pointed in the direction he had come from, keeping his eyes on the large fairy. Hoseok sighed heavily, but smiled.

"Of course."

Hoseok reached out and took the young boys hand. The two going off to play within the forest. It seemed like such a bad idea, but Hoseok went along with it anyways, so long as he got Changkyun home safely.

The two spent the last couple of daylight hours running through the forest in a game of chase, Hoseok pointing out certain plants and flowers to Changkyun. He explained their importance and what they could be used for, made sure he could spot the dangerous ones. They sat and ate wild berries on a log and talked about whatever they could think of. Of course, Changkyun only wanted to know more about the fairies and what kind of lives they lived. As the darkness took over the forest Hoseok made sure Changkyun got back to his home.

As Changkyun ran up the stairs leading to the back door of his home, he turned and looked towards the forest. Hoseok was hidden amongst the trees, watching Changkyun. He smiled and raised a hand, waving to the small child. Changkyun waved back, turning and opening the back door, running inside already explaining his exciting adventures from outside. His parents more than likely taking it as imaginative playing in their back yard, not too concerned. Hoseok lowered his hand, turning and heading back into the darkened forest, returning back to his home.

That entire next week, Changkyun was out in the woods as often as he possibly could be, visiting Hoseok and playing their forest games. He had grown attached to the older male, but their visits would soon become less and less. First it was every other day, and then it was every couple of days, until it stopped all together. Changkyun would continue to go out into the forest and wait for Hoseok to show up, but even he could only wait so long. Soon, he too stopped returning to the forest and found new friends to hang out with, human friends. His time playing in the forest nothing more than just a memory.

*** *** ***

Sixteen years later, a grown, 23 year old Changkyun stood on the edge of what remained of the forest. The part of the forest that belonged to his parents. He was dressed simply in a white turtleneck and black pants. His hands were stuffed into his pants pockets, eyes locked on the buildings that now occupied where most of the forest use to be. Three years prior he had learned that new homes had been placed where the forest use to be and his whole history with the forest flooded his mind. He let out a sigh as his thoughts were taken over by the fairy that had made his summer so fun, so magical. He wondered what had ever happened to Hoseok, if he was alright or if he had maybe moved onto another forest.

Changkyun's head drooped as he hung it, staring down at the ground. He was nearly toe to toe with a wire fence that showed just where the property line ended and began. The last flowers that bloomed were right up against the gate, but he knew it was only a matter of time before the winter frost took them and it wouldn't be till spring when they grew again.

Lifting his head when the sound of leaves crunching sounded somewhere behind him, his whole body froze. He wasn't sure if it was fear or anxiousness, but at the same time, whoever it was didn't make him feel threatened in any way.

"Changkyun. . .?"

Hearing the familiar voice, a smile formed upon Changkyun's lips. He tilted his head back, eyes raised to the sky, he slowly licked his lips as if they were suddenly dried and unable to be used. Looking back down, he didn't turn around to look to confirm who it was, he already knew.

"Hello. . .Hoseok."

Changkyun turned around, his eyes meeting the kind ones he remembered from childhood. Any anger of Hoseok leaving him, never coming back like he had promised, washed away. It was replaced with a happiness and warmth that he remembered the fairy bringing him. The two shared a smile as the winter wind blew around the two, nipping at their skin through their clothes, bringing on a sudden chill. The two moved at the same time, wrapping each other in a hug that was a long time coming. It was Changkyun who spoke, breaking their quiet, well needed hug.

"I missed you. . ."