#dryad mc

Day 15: The Fae

“He’s cute.” MC said.

Yoosung jumped, his wings fluttering with embarrassment.

“Wh…wha…he’s just a human, they’re all ugly, hmph.” He said.

MC laughed, she enjoyed teasing her friend. Yoosung had been sneaking away to spy on this particular human for months now. She couldn’t blame him, he was very attractive. With his red hair, golden eyes, and brown freckles. He spent most of his time alone, the others seemed to shun him for some reason. There was always a book in his hands and often ran into things. That’s how Yoosung had first seen him. The man walked into the tree the fairy was hiding in. The shock had dislodged Yoosung from his limb and he had been rather cross.

“Ugly huh? Well, if that’s how you feel, maybe I’ll introduce myself and take my chances.” MC closed her eyes, ready to recite the incantation that would allow her to grow and change her appearance to that of a human. All the Fae were able to do it. It’s how they remained hidden from humanity.

“Stop!” Yoosung grabbed her arm and yanked her back up to the safety of the branches. His blush suffused his entire being. “OK, you win. He’s…he’s cute. But it’s more than that. He’s smart, and sweet, and kind. He doesn’t even hate those that bully him.” He went on, a look of admiration and affection. He couldn’t take his eyes off of the man sitting at the base of the tree.

With a sigh MC hugged him. “So, what are you going to do about it?”

Yoosung was surprised by that. What was he going to do about it? What could he do? “Uh…well.”

“What do you have to lose?” she smiled and backed away, watching as Yoosung recited the incantation and grew, his wings receding into his body, his pointy ears rounding out, his amethyst eyes losing their tilt. He sat on the branch and nodded towards MC, still able to see her. She gave him a thumbs up as he deftly jumped off and quietly landed on the ground.

“Uh, hello.” He said. The red head didn’t seem surprised, he simply looked up, a knowing look in his amber eyes.

“Hello. Are you…my fairy godmother?” he asked.

Yoosung smiled and sat next to him, shoulders touching. “No, I’m afraid not.”

“Oh, well, hello anyway.” The man returned to reading his book, but he didn’t complain about Yoosung’s closeness.

After a few seconds of comfortable silence the man asked, “Is your friend coming down too?”

“No, she won’t be joining us.”

“I see. I’d like to apologize.” He said.

“Apologize?” Yoosung asked, eyebrows furrowed.

“For knocking you out of the tree that one time. I was going to apologize then, but it looked like you were trying to stay hidden.”

“I appreciate that.” Yoosung smiled. “So you’ve been able to see me all along?”

“Of course. But I thought I’d be polite and wait until you were ready to show yourself of your own accord.”

“Is that why you kept coming to this tree?”

“Yes. If I didn’t see you in it, I’d just go back inside.”

Yoosung laughed softly and lay his blond head on the man’s shoulder. He heard the man’s intake of breath and muscle tension, but then he relaxed with a soft sigh, even leaning his own head against Yoosung’s.

“You don’t seem surprised by my existence.”

“I was, but then I went home and researched. It seems that there  have been several sightings of fairies, dryads, and other Fae throughout the history of humanity. But most people these days don’t believe in them. Good thing too I suppose. If the world knew you were real, they would do everything in their power to capture and eradicate you.

Yoosung’s heart stopped a beat at the very real observation. “But…you’re not like that are you?”

“No. I’m very curious about you though, and your friend. She’s a dryad isn’t that right?”

“Yes. I see you have learned a great deal.”

“I’d like to learn more. Also…are you…I mean…do you…like me?” the man’s blush was almost as crimson as his hair, making Yoosung’s stomach bubble in a good way.

“Yes, very much.”

“I…thought so…but didn’t want to presume. Does this kind of thing happen often?”

“Not really. It isn’t strictly forbidden, but…it does cause problems.”

“I suppose it would. Still…I’d like to get to know you more.” Though he kept his eyes firmly on the pages of his open book, his body trembled slightly.

“I’d like that as well.”

From the branches above they both heard a very small yet heartfelt “Yay!”