Safe Place || Lee Felix AU

Chapter 1 : Migyeong's best friend

Snack time in the hospital cafeteria was coming to an end. His chamomile tea was getting cold but Felix's focus was now shifted to Migyeong and he anticipated hearing her story. He was leaning on the table and close to her, confused at the beginning of her speech.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Migyeong chuckled, "It's a long story," Migyeong began, still smiling, "I have a childhood friend. His name is Han Jisung. We basically grew up together..." she sighed, a noticeable melancholy threaded in her voice as she remembered her young days with Jisung. She started talking, a flashback replaying in her mind.

"I clearly remember the day when we first met... we were only 7," Migyeong leaned back in her chair, her gaze falling down to her joined fingers as she continued, "It was a warm summer evening when I got scolded by my parents and, to cool down, I ran to the nearest park by my house. I was angry at my mom. I can't remember the reason she scolded me but I know I got even more furious when I entered the park and saw happy families where the parents laughed and played with their kids. I approached the first empty bench and just sat there for some time, watching those people. Suddenly, I noticed a small hand extended to me..."

. . .

"Hi, I'm Jisung," the boy said, "Do you want to play with me?" he asked.

He was dressed in cute blue overalls, the fabric on his knees dirty just like his hands. But young Migyeong didn't mind. He was the first person who approached her with a genuine smile on his face, the one that gave her attention and wanted to be with her. She smiled and nodded her head, taking his small hand and hopping off the bench.

"I'm Migyeong," she introduced herself as they ran to the sand pit.

Jisung closely observed the girl in yellow shorts and a floral t-shirt, noticing her messy hair and occasionally hearing her sniffle. They were making a sand castle, digging the sand with their hands and stuffing it in the small buckets.

"Hey Migyeong," Jisung started and she looked up at him, "Is there something bothering you? We're friends so you can tell me anything," he added and she looked at him confusingly.

"Friends?" she repeated and the little boy nodded, wearing a wide grin. It was the first time since someone called her their 'friend' and she couldn't help but smile herself, a warm feeling spreading through her belly.

"Yup, we're friends!" Jisung proclaimed, "And friends share everything with each other," his smile was adorable yet Migyeong's smile faded as she remembered what happened at home.

She turned her head away from him, burying her fingers into the sand, "My mom yelled at me..." she confessed, her voice quiet.

"Oh..." Jisung said and his smile dropped. He turned to the bucket with sand, continuing his work on the castle while talking, "Yeah, I know the feeling... My mom always scolds me when I get into trouble. Like, this one time when I ruined my new white shirt... She was so mad at me, shouting non-stop and telling me I'll wear the shirt to school tomorrow and that she won't buy me a new one. But later, she put the shirt to wash and gave me chocolates," he smiled again and Migyeong watched him, following his story, "I don't know why your mom yelled at you but it'll pass, don't worry... It'll be okay, trust me," he kept smiling, turning his gaze back to the girl, "Can you smile now?"

And she did. Migyeong felt some sort of comfort in his words and unknowingly smiled at the boy. He nodded in approval and they returned to digging up the tunnel and making the castle further. It was in that sand pit that Migyeong and Jisung became best friends, promising to always be there for one another.