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"Oh nightingale, sweet nightingale~" He sang from somewhere in the garden behind her. She was only six and covering her face with her little hands as she stood against the pillar of the garden center. Her pale green and yellow dress flowed down and dusted the stone pathway, her little white dress shoes she loved so much completing her outfit. Her hair was in one long braid down her back, a pretty pastel green ribbon at the end. He, her guardian, was hiding in not so plain sight as he waited for her to finish counting.

"8...." She said out loud, her little voice making it to his ears. "9..." She pressed her lips together to hold in her little giggle.

"10!" She shouted and turned on her heels and ran around the garden. She looked around the fountain and pouted when she couldn't find him.

"Brigsby! Brigsby, Brigsby where are you?!" She called three times over. She wandered around, looking high and low. Her dress twirled around her as she spun around, looking all over for him. Her pout is ever present on her youthful face.

"Sweet Nightingale, why do you look so glum?" A new voice rang low through the garden. She looked around, her eyes wide with wonder. He stood by the fountain, tall and lean. His hands tucked inside the pockets of his perfectly pressed dark slacks. His black button up dress shirt and white blazer making him look much more regal than any simple prince from her story books. His blonde hair swooped back from his forehead.

"Master Namjoon!" She called out in a happy squeal as she ran toward him with all her might. Her arms flung open as she got close to him. He smiled, his dimples prominent on his gentle face. He removed his hands from his pockets and scooped her up in his arms.

"Hello my little Nightingale. Are we having fun in the garden today?" He asked, his voice deep and yet it held such warmth. She nodded happily as she giggled and swung her legs back and forth as he cradled her in his arms.

"Yes Master Namjoon, Brigsby is playing a game of hide and seek with me- but I can't find him." She said with a slight pout. The man smiled and rubbed his nose against hers.

"No worries my little Nightingale. Shall we look for him together?" He asked as he set her back down on the ground. She nodded repeatedly and he held his hand out for hers. She placed her delicate little hand in his and they walked together through the garden.

"Brigsby!" She called as her eyes scanned over the shrubs and beautiful flowers that were a rainbow of colors.

Namjoon knew where Brigsby was hiding, but pointing it out to her wouldn't be fair. She was growing and needed to learn to do some things herself now. Namjoon was patient, as was Brigsby. The two waited till her little eyes finally found the older man hunched down near the large tree with her favorite tree swing, he was there behind the hedges waiting for her. She released Namjoon's hand and ran to him.

"I found you Brigsby! I did it! I really found you!" She cheered with a bright smile on her soft sweet face. The two men walked with the girl back inside.

"Precious Nightingale, I've brought you a gift." Namjoon said as he tucked a strand of her hair back behind her ear. She giggled and smiled up at him.

"Really?" She had a look of wonder and hopefulness in her innocent eyes.

"It's in the Parlor, why don't you go see for yourself." He said to her, She took off like a bottle rocket, heading right for the parlor while the two men exchanged a smile and some words.

"How long will you be staying this time Master Joon?" Brigsby asked him. Namjoon's smile faded and he sighed.

"Not long enough. But she's coming into her own. I wanted to be here for one last birthday. I'll send gifts from here on out." He sighed once more. "This is the hard part Brigsby, but I trust you'll take good care of her till it's time." He said.

Nightingale | Hyung line FF✔Where stories live. Discover now