Ravenwood Manor ӏ ATEEZ

YEOSANG

Ten years Yeosang had been stuck being Wooyoung's friend and getting dragged into muddy forests, bee filled fields and mosquitos infected woods without counting the numerous hours he had spent in detention because of his friend's dumb antics and pranks. For as long as he could remember, his mother had always called him an old soul, because as a baby he never cried, never got angry and had always been a more quiet and shy toddler. And then one day, his teacher, Mrs. Jeong had the bright idea of sitting him next to Jung Wooyoung in second grade and so, history was made.

Yeosang had lost count of how many times he had had to defend his friend to his parents and prove that their friendship was genuine and not so blackmailing child bullying of some sort. All his life he had been rather introverted, always listening to the loud extroverts telling their stories, tagging along in groups where he didn't have to say anything, watching the others grab everyone's attention during hangouts. The strangest thing about him ever since in recent years had been the change in attitude in the people that surrounded him. Yeosang had long entered puberty, but he had also recently entered into the ranking of "high school hotties" apparently. His fair skin and delicate features had captured the attention of the students of his school, many would glance at him in the hallways, taking pictures to share in group chats and such. But his looks hadn't been enough to balance his timid nature which apparently had only added to his general "aura" as he had been told.

But even so, ever since he could remember he was never known for his grand personality or achievements, and not once was he ever considered or thought of when people would party or schedule other school events. Through all of this, Yeosang never really thought he was missing out on anything. At first the influences of the movies he'd watch or his parent's lectures had him believing that you couldn't have a life without friends, that you weren't a complete human being, or a normal teenager at least. And although he had Wooyoung with whom he would spend all his days, he only had Wooyoung, unlike other people who were part of big groups that'd need two tables to fit everyone or two cars to get somewhere.

And as he spent relentless hours thinking about his life and reflecting on who he was, the blonde came to the conclusion that he was very happy as he was, and that maybe if he owned up to it more, people could start to see him and get to know him as a person. Wooyoung had been one hundred percent on board, always encouraging his best friend to open up more and freeing himself from the restrictions the boy shackled himself with. And so Yeosang learned what it was to live for himself, unafraid of how the rest of the world would perceive you and much to his shock and excitement, he had begun making friends, connecting with other students that shared his interests as well people with who he simply had a good time, no more over analyzing or behavioral rules he thought he had to follow.

Along with his change at school came his change at home. His parents had been worried at first, fearing they were losing the son they always knew, but they slowly came to understand he was only becoming more himself. Yeosang was relieved to finally exist because even at home he would never really be seen, but there had been one person who had seen him all those years ago, someone who decided that his tranquil nature wasn't boring and decided to bring him along anywhere he went. And two years ago, that one person had brought light and beauty in Yeosang's life in the form of Park Seonghwa, a senior student that the blonde had been struck by ever since he laid eyes on him.

Kind, gentle, funny, attentive, curious, tender, protective, everything that one looked for in a partner. Trusting Wooyoung had always brought Yeosang trouble which was why he had long debated with himself before actually telling his best friend about his crush on the elder, scared he would go running to tell him. But against all odds, the ravenette had kept his mouth shut. Unfortunately, Yeosang had failed to consider all possibilities that would come from spilling his secret, blackmail and manipulation which is why he wasn't surprised when Seonghwa had showed up at his door to make him go to tonight's stupid haunted house adventure. Whenever Wooyoung failed to make him do something his calling card had become Park Seonghwa and Yeosang had never been able to turn the elder away, which was probably the reason why the ravenette still used it quite often.

Seonghwa had left ten minutes ago when his father had called him in urgently to the hospital, again... But now that he was gone, Yeosang decided to go out to the park near his house where the people had set up booths, face paintings and other attractions such as medium tents and palm readers. The cold and crisp air called for jumpers and beanies and other cold weather accessories that made fall the best season. Without having to bundle under five layers, Yeosang could still dress more fashionable in this cool weather. With his blue jeans, white shirt and brown sweater, he put on his favorite boots and brown jacket before going out. The streets were empty, most of the town's people being at the park or at home, preparing for tonight's trick or treating.

The blonde boy toured the booths, drinking hot cider and sitting down on a bench, observing the kids playing make believe with their painted faces, or the couples going in and out of the scary house that had been set up a few days ago. Just as he was about to leave and go visit the other side of the park, a tall brunette holding hands with a smaller red-haired boy caught his attention.

"Jongho!" he called out, getting up to go greet his friends. "Hey there, Yunho"

"Yeosang! Fancy running into you here" he said.

"Yeah, where's Wooyoung? Doing reckon?" Jongho mocked, looking around for the ravenette boy.

Yeosang snickered and shook his head. "Nothing like that. He's at home getting everything ready for tonight's adventure"

"Adventure?" Yunho repeated. "Care to fill us in?"

The blonde chuckled nervously looking at the younger boy. "I can't say anything in front of the sheriff's son. Wooyoung would kill me"

"Oh, so it's not exactly legal, is it?"

"I'm not saying anything else that could get me incriminated"

Yunho smiled, wrapping his arm around his boyfriend. "Well can we come with? We didn't have plans for tonight anyway"

"I don't think Yeosang was heading that way, babe" Jongho giggled, looking at his boyfriend adorably. "Were you?"

"Not exactly" he admitted, swinging his arms awkwardly. "But I can always ask Wooyoung"

"Tell him I can bring a radio and a taser from my dad's office. No way will he say no to playing with law enforcement toys"

All three boys laughed together.

"Knowing Wooyoung, never" Yeosang said.

Jeong Yunho was Ms. Jeong's son, his second-grade teacher (that was now a high school teacher). The two had met when Yeosang had joined the school's dance club a few months ago. Yunho was tall and slender, with a perfect hip hop vibe that made his dancing incredibly entertaining to watch and very impressive. Yeosang had never hung out with him outside of school or club activities, but he knew the other well enough to spend time like this without being awkward. His boyfriend however was another story, Choi Jongho was the sheriff's son and similar to everyone in this town it would seem, he spent a lot of hours hanging around his father's office. At school the two had never talked, they had however gotten acquainted at the station where he and Wooyoung had spent a reasonable amount of time as well. With each visit the three boys had gotten to know each other and then when Yeosang joined the dance club, he had come to notice the red-haired boy was often sitting, observing. It had taken him longer than he cared to admit to understand the two boys were together but after that, his friendship with the younger had grown a bit further than just exchanging words at the sheriff's desk.

And so, the three walked around together for some time, Yunho had bought a cute bat headband, Jongho had won the apple bobbing contest and by the time they all split ways, Yeosang had bought just about everything he could seeing how he hadn't been able to say no to a single booth vendor.