Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He was late again.

Jonghyun sighed as he sank into the worn leather sofa in the library, The Little Prince resting open in his hands. It was the third time he had read it that year. The mansion he now called home had been passed down from his paternal grandmother — a woman he barely knew. Since his father’s death two years ago, Jonghyun had become the sole heir to the estate.

The house stood in solitude atop a forested mountain, miles from the nearest village. Silence reigned most days, broken only by the occasional wind that rattled the windows or the call of distant birds. His only true connection to the outside world was Lee Taemin — the son of a traveling merchant who passed by three times a week, bringing meat, wool, and warmth in the form of friendship.

—Jonghyun?– A soft voice called out — his mother’s.

–Your friend is here.

–Taemin? Finally!

He closed the book with a gentle thud, tucked it under his arm, hugged his mother, and hurried toward the front door, eager to see the boy.

Taemin looked pale, with a tired expression shadowing his usual brightness.

—Hey... are you okay?

—Ah... Just a bit tired. But I wanted to see you today–Taemin replied with a faint smile, embracing the older boy.

—You’re the best friend anyone could ask for. I even asked them to make that dessert you love.

Taemin smiled again, following Jonghyun into the mansion.

—Hyung, haven’t you read that book already this year?–he asked, eyeing the familiar cover in Jonghyun’s hands.

—Yeah, but that was back at the start of the year. Now that we’re more than halfway through, I thought I’d revisit it—Jonghyun said, smiling.

—I really like it too. Actually, I was hoping to borrow that book of yours — the one with the purple cover and gold details. I don’t know how long I’ll be alone, so I was looking for something long.

—The one about mythical creatures? I think it’s on the middle shelf.–He led the way to the tall bookshelf. A wooden ladder leaned against it, the only way to reach the higher volumes.

The library was lined with four rows of towering shelves, a worn leather sofa in the center, and a small table beside a brown armchair. Dust danced in the light that filtered through the tall windows.

—Found it!

Taemin beamed as Jonghyun descended the ladder and handed him the book. The velvety purple cover with its golden embellishments had always caught his eye.

—Thank you! –he said, hugging him tightly. – I promise I’ll bring it back soon.

But then, Jonghyun felt something strange — Taemin’s body suddenly lost its strength, sagging in his arms.

—Taeminnie?—Jonghyun held him up, eyes widening as he realized the boy had fainted.

~

When Taemin awoke, he found himself lying on the sofa, wrapped in a soft blanket. Jonghyun sat beside him, and across the room, his father spoke in hushed tones with Mrs. Kim.

—You’re awake! Feeling any better?—Jonghyun leaned over and hugged him gently.

—I think so… I must be a little sick. I’m sorry...– His voice was barely a whisper.

—Son? Thank goodness you’re awake. It’s getting late — we should go – his father called from the doorway.

—Can’t he stay the night? It’s already dark–Mrs. Kim asked gently.

—I don’t want to be any trouble. It’s alright. Let’s go, Tae.”

—Alright, Dad...– Taemin sighed as he got up slowly, then paused.

–My bag... where is it? I brought something for you, hyung.

—Here.— Jonghyun handed it to him. —It was on the kitchen table.

—Thanks. I wanted to give you this.

Taemin reached into the bag and pulled out a transparent bottle. Inside were black lilies with blue-tipped petals — striking and otherworldly.

—It’s a charm– he explained. —There’s a rumor going around the village — they say this flower keeps away the creature that’s been killing people.

—A creature? What are you talking about?

—I forgot to tell you!– he said, shaking his head. —There’s something... something out there. It’s been causing deaths, making people sick. It comes to you at night, in your dreams. First you start hallucinating, growing weak... and then it devours you, piece by piece.

—You’re sure this isn’t just a legend?

—I’m sure, hyung. Actually... that’s why I fainted. I’ve been seeing it for a few days now. That’s why I brought you this charm. It’s the only reason I’m still alive. The flower is rare — they say it keeps the creature out. But only as long as you don’t invite it in.

—Thank you, Taeminnie. — Jonghyun whispered, pulling him into another hug.

Their goodbye was brief.

And just like that, Jonghyun was alone again.

Chapter Text

It was almost midnight when the sound of horses was heard in front of the mansion, along with knocks on the door. A woman’s voice was calling for help.

Jonghyun heard the noise and noticed his mother’s voice speaking to someone, which made him come down the stairs to understand what had happened.

—Please, let him stay. It will only be for a short while, and I promise to come back for him later! – A lady dressed in elegant clothes pleaded, while a carriage stood parked at their door.

As Jonghyun thought of saying something, a pale boy with dark hair stepped down from the vehicle. His eyes were almost red and seemed to shine faintly, contrasting with his pale skin and red lips.

—Kibum, you’re weak, go back inside!–The woman cried in despair.

—He can stay! – Jonghyun shouted, watching his mother look at him in surprise. – I need some company, Mother…

His voice came out soft, which made her give in.

–All right, you can come in, boy. I’ll take care of you until your mother returns.

The woman thanked her many times before leaving.

—May I ask your name? – Jonghyun asked curiously as he led the boy to the guest room.

—It’s Key, my name is Key.

—That’s a different name, but it’s beautiful. – Jonghyun opened the bedroom door and lit the lamp. There was a large bed and a window.

–Well, this is the room. If you need anything, just let me know.–He smiled.

He left Key in the room and went to his own, but for some reason, he felt that something was watching him that night.

~

The sunlight weakly slipped through the crack of the curtain, warming the air of the room. Jonghyun opened his eyes, rubbed them, and sat on the bed, looking around.

The amulet that usually hung at the headboard had fallen, but he assumed it was because he had moved during the night. He decided to shower before going downstairs, then put on comfortable clothes and went down for breakfast. The guest was smiling as Mrs. Kim told the story of how she and her son had ended up living there—the same story she always told visitors.

Jonghyun’s father had died after getting lost in the forest during a hunt, when Jonghyun was still a baby. Since he was a wealthy and well-known man in the village, his death caused an uproar, and many men tried to marry his widow to gain her fortune. Two weeks later, Mrs. Kim packed her things, moved to the mansion her parents had left her, and started a new life from scratch, hiring tutors to educate Jonghyun at home. Because of this, there weren’t many children around to play or interact with—except for the wool seller’s son, Lee Taemin, who had always been his friend.

—Good morning, dear. – his mother greeted with a smile.

—Good morning, Mother– he smiled back. —And good morning, Key.

—Hello, good morning, your mother was just telling me how you came to live here—it’s a beautiful house.–Key smiled.

He held his coffee cup delicately, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt that left his collarbone slightly exposed.

Jonghyun also noticed a hat resting on his lap, guessing that he had plans to go out into the garden.

—My mother raised me here for as long as I can remember –Jonghyun said as he sat down beside Kibum. – “But it’s always just been the two of us and a few servants. Taemin visits sometimes—he’s the wool seller’s son.”

—Forgive my curiosity, but your mother told me about Roo – Kibum said, looking at Jonghyun. —She told me she’s supposed to arrive soon.

Jonghyun brightened with a smile.

—Oh, so it’s today! Well, Roo is a puppy I decided to adopt. She was far too small when our nearest neighbor came by to ask if we wanted her.

—So it’s a puppy – Kibum smiled. — I once had one too, a brown poodle. I don’t remember what happened to him… Mother said he got lost in the forest.

Just as Jonghyun thought of answering, one of the maids appeared, notifying them that the mousetraps had been placed where his mother requested.

—Problems with rats?

—It seems so. Last night I heard small noises in the hallway and something moving in your room. I thought of coming in, but it was subtle, and I didn’t want to wake you.

Jonghyun remembered the amulet—it had fallen.

—I’m sorry, I’m feeling unwell. Could I go out to the garden to get some fresh air? — Kibum asked, pressing the hat between his fingers.

—Of course. Jonghyun will take you there.

Jonghyun stood, and Key followed him until they reached the garden on the south side of the mansion. Key sat on a bench and put on the hat, which shaded his entire body.

—I like places like this. Flowers and nature bring me peace – he murmured.

– like it too, it’s a good place to read –Jonghyun said, sitting on a bench near the wall. –I’ve been reading The Little Prince.

—I like that one. The most recent I read was a romance. It might sound silly, but I like stories with happy endings.

—No, I understand you. I’ve been writing something like that myself…– Jonghyun admitted shyly.

—A romance? I didn’t expect that…— Kibum smiled, it was the first time Jonghyun had seen him smile.

—It’s a little different, but still.

—Maybe you can show me sometime –Kibum said, smiling again.

Spending the whole afternoon talking with Kibum, Jonghyun learned a few things about him: that he was a year younger, that he didn’t like to talk about his own life, that he moved often due to personal reasons, and that he always went to bed early, right after dinner.

That night, Jonghyun had a nightmare about something near his bed and felt a presence at his side, though he didn’t wake.

In the dream, it seemed like he was awake and that something stood beside his bed, but he couldn’t see what it was because of the darkness. Still, he felt a cold touch and a familiar scent.

When he woke up, he noticed the amulet was intact.