Harbor

Chapter 5: Festival Lights

The quiet hum of the clinic was broken by the sound of a car pulling up outside. Jong Seong arrived earlier than expected, his trademark grin already plastered on his face as he stepped out of the car, his arms laden with medical supplies.

"I brought the essentials!" he called out, juggling a box of medicines as he stumbled through the clinic door. "And just in time for the festival too. Talk about perfect timing."

Min Hwan looked up from his notes, smiling at the sight of his friend. "I thought you said you'd come next week."

"What can I say? I'm just that reliable," Jong Seong winked, placing the box on the counter. "And besides, I wasn't going to miss out on Seorak's festival. Heard it's legendary."

Outside, the village square was already buzzing with energy. The air was thick with the smell of grilled fish and jeon sizzling on hot plates. Villagers bustled around, decorating stalls and setting up tables covered in homemade food and traditional crafts. Children ran through the square, laughter and excitement filling the warm autumn air.

Jung Won, ever the social butterfly, had already immersed himself in the festivities. His voice rang out across the square as he helped set up lanterns, trading jokes and playful banter with the villagers.

"You better join in today!" Jung Won called out when he spotted Min Hwan through the clinic window. "It's a festival, not a funeral!"

Min Hwan sighed, glancing at Jong Seong, who was already giving him a knowing look.

"Come on, you've been hiding in here long enough. It's time to mingle with the locals," Jong Seong teased, grabbing Min Hwan by the arm. "We're not taking no for an answer. Right, Jung Won?"

Jung Won nodded enthusiastically. "If you want these people to see you as one of them, you gotta get in there and have fun!"

Despite his protests, Min Hwan soon found himself being dragged into the heart of the festival, flanked by Jung Won and Jong Seong. The village square was a sea of vibrant colors—lanterns hung overhead, casting a warm glow over the festivities. The sound of traditional Korean music echoed through the air as villagers danced and laughed, their movements carefree and joyous.

The first person to approach Min Hwan was Mrs. Park, her once stern face now softened with a warm smile. She handed him a plate piled high with food—kimchi, freshly caught fish, and a variety of side dishes.

"Doctor," she greeted him warmly, the earlier skepticism in her eyes replaced by genuine kindness. "You've done good by this village. Here, eat. We made enough to feed an army."

Min Hwan blinked in surprise, touched by the sudden warmth from Mrs. Park. He accepted the plate with a slight bow, "Thank you, Mrs. Park. This looks amazing."

"Of course it does! I made most of it myself," she boasted, before turning to join a group of villagers gossiping under a nearby tent.

As the evening wore on, the festival reached its peak. Music filled the air, lively and infectious. Soon, villagers were clapping their hands and moving to the beat, pulling in anyone nearby to join the dancing.

"Come on!" Jung Won shouted, his face flushed from dancing with the village children. "You can't just stand there and watch!"

Before Min Hwan could protest, Jung Won grabbed him by the hand and pulled him towards the dance floor. At the same time, Kyung Won appeared at his side, his usual calm demeanor cracking with a small, amused smile.

"Guess there's no escaping now," Kyung Won teased, his voice low and warm as he stepped closer to Min Hwan.

Min Hwan laughed, shaking his head. "Apparently not."

Kyung Won extended his hand. "Then, shall we?"

A warmth spread through Min Hwan's chest as he took Kyung Won's hand. The two of them moved slowly at first, but as the music swelled around them, their steps became more fluid, more in tune with the rhythm. The space between them seemed to shrink with every step, until they were dancing so closely that Min Hwan could feel the heat of Kyung Won's body against his.

The village square spun around them, but in that moment, it felt as though the world had narrowed to just the two of them—their eyes locked, their movements perfectly synced.

"You're a terrible dancer, by the way," Kyung Won teased, his voice a soft rumble as they swayed.

Min Hwan laughed, the sound escaping him before he could stop it. "I was going to say the same thing about you."

But there was no bite in his words—only the warmth of shared amusement, of a connection that was growing deeper with every passing day. For a brief moment, the rest of the village seemed to fade away, leaving only the soft glow of the lanterns and the quiet sound of their footsteps on the dirt.

Jung Won, ever the entertainer, had continued dancing with the village children, twirling them around as their laughter echoed through the night air.

Jong Seong, not one to be outdone, was in the middle of the square, surrounded by a group of elderly villagers who were clapping and cheering him on as he demonstrated some awkward dance moves he had picked up in Seoul.

"You look like a flailing octopus!" Jung Won called out, doubling over with laughter.

Jong Seong grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "At least I'm giving them a show!"

The two of them exchanged playful jabs before sneaking off together, their heads bent in quiet conversation as they disappeared down one of the village's narrow streets.

Later that night, after the festival had started to wind down, Min Hwan and Kyung Won found themselves walking side by side, the path leading back to Min Hwan's grandmother's house illuminated by the soft glow of the moon.

The night was quiet now, save for the distant sound of crickets and the occasional ripple of water from the harbor.

Kyung Won glanced over at Min Hwan, his expression thoughtful. "You looked like you were actually having fun tonight."

Min Hwan smiled, the warmth from earlier still lingering in his chest. "I think I was. This village... it's starting to grow on me."

Kyung Won's eyes softened, and for a moment, he didn't say anything. The silence between them was comfortable, the kind that spoke of unspoken understanding.

"You belong here," Kyung Won said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Whether you realize it or not."

They stopped walking, and Min Hwan turned to face Kyung Won. The soft glow of the moonlight bathed them both in a gentle light, and for the first time, Min Hwan felt like he truly belonged—not just in Seorak, but in this moment, standing next to Kyung Won.

Without thinking, Min Hwan reached out, his hand brushing against Kyung Won's. Their fingers intertwined, and the simple touch sent a jolt of warmth through Min Hwan's body.

Kyung Won didn't pull away. Instead, he squeezed Min Hwan's hand gently, his eyes searching Min Hwan's face for a long moment before he smiled—a real, unguarded smile that made Min Hwan's heart skip a beat.

"Let's go home," Kyung Won said softly, and together, they walked the rest of the way in silence, the cool night air wrapping around them like a promise of something more.