GATEWAY 🝔 LEE JENO

🝔 1.17

"You said you only put a few around our street. So mind telling me why my face is plastered on the walls on the neighbouring streets. And even on the shop windows and public toilets!"

Sealing her lips Ga-eun clearing her throat strolling away from him. "Ga-eun!" he chased after the girl. Blatantly ignoring him she fastened her pace reflexively making Jeno do the same and latch onto her wrist. Innocently grinning, she smiled shamelessly gazing up at him in hope that he wouldn't be mad.

Nope

It didn't work. Jeno narrowed his eyes down to her not falling for her charms but he was impressed by her attempt. Sighing she mumbled a small sorry. "We took them all down already so don't be mad" the girl pouted. The boy looked between her sullen orbs and slowly nodded. "Fine but if you're going to do things like this please tell me beforehand"

"OK" she meekly responded and bit her lips feeling slightly guilty

🝔

Majestic nocturnal creatures came out from hiding to seek for food and life. The pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the night sky. Ga-eun wanted to finish up her work in the stables and quickly head inside for warmth as the whispering breeze hit her harshly sending chills along her limbs.

Fena was not helping a bit. As the winter breeze was silently making its way to her home this very night, the chestnut mare was not having it. Groaning Ga-eun wrapped another blanket over the stubborn horse to her satisfaction.

Far away she heard some wolves howling to the moon and owls ascending in the skies.

"Merida" a voice spoke from behind catching the girls attention. Though it wasn't her name she became quite fond of the nickname that Jeno has given her. Though he only uses it occasionally it became a reflex to answer him. Twisting around she looked at the boy who was standing in front of the stable doors. "What is it?" she questioned grabbing hold of all the items she had to take back inside. "Your mum told me to get you. She said dinner is ready"

Nodding the girl quickly walked over to him so that they could both leave. He waited as she quickly whispered a good night to both her horses before heading in.

🝔

"What's this?" Ga-eun eyed the two pieces of dessert placed on the table in front of both her and Jeno. Without a word her mother sat down gesturing to the two young ones to eat. Just by the tempting look, Jeno didn't hold back and instantly took a bite of the mirror glazed cake craving the taste.

The sweet exotic flavours exploded in his mouth sending him to a heavenly land. "How is it?" the older lady leaned forward yearning to hear his thoughts. "It's delicious. It's not too sweet and perfect. The small parts of the raspberry and the chocolate filling tops it off making the flavours unique and tasty" he smiled taking another bite.

Flattered by his compliments she backed away looking at her daughter with hope that she agrees with the boy. A warmth filled her heart after spotting the pleased look on her features. "It's amazing mum. It tastes really good but I think if you put some edible gold on top it would look more appealing as well" agreeing with her daughter she leaned on her chair with a proud smile. "Is this a new recipe?" Ga-eun questioned to which her mother nodded.

"I just needed to know if it was good enough to put it out in our shop," she replied. "Customers would definitely love it" Jeno complimented taking the last bite. The mother patted the young boy's shoulder as a thank you. "Would you like another one?" she leaned closer asking him. Mouth full Jeno tilted his head up looking a bit hesitant. Nonetheless, the mother noticed and smiled before standing up. 

Grabbing another slice she placed it in front of the boy who placed on a pleased expression. "Thank you" he sweetly responded eating the other one. "Do you like desserts?" the older lady asked. Clearing his throat Jeno nodded. "Yeah I got it from my mum" he remembered how his mother has a unhealthy habit of eating one desserts a day. "She also loved desserts" 

The older lady's smile deformed into a thoughtful one. Gulping down hard she shifted her gaze away from the boy feeling a pang of sorrow fill up in her heart. Her throat felt dry and clamped up unable to speak a word or think a thought. Luckily, she was brought out of her daze when Ga-eun spoke up.  

"Oh mum look!" Ga-eun stood up clumsily running away from the table. Jeno's eyes trained her figure to find a hawk perched on their open window. Gently stroking its features with her fingertips the girl detached a letter that was wrapped around it's leg.

This is how they communicate?

Shocked by what his eyes have feasted upon, they dilated naturally. Staring at the messenger hawk which happened to also be gawking right back at him with its head tilting each side every now and then, Jeno gulped lightly. A little wary that it would hurt him with it's heavy hard beak he snapped his head away averting his gaze to the half empty plate in front of him.

A euphoric gasp left Ga-eun's lips. Twisting on her heels she ran back towards the other two. "Mum, mum, mum" she sat down with a wide grin plastered on her face that stretched to her ears. Furrowing her brows, her mother held her hand up. "Calm down" she spoke out to which the girl did.

Inhaling deep she summarised what she just read

"Jisung is coming back"