CREATURE → JIGYU

three

the boy looks at jihoon as if he has lost his mind, and jihoon thinks that he could be onto something. there's clearly a disconnect between them, so jihoon attempts to clear the air a little.

"this rock is your home?" he says, about to insist otherwise when the boy nods faintly.

"this forest is my home. the garden is not far from here. why... why are you here?"

jihoon points hesitantly to the trees in the direction of the trail he had been following before coming across the river. "i was just taking a walk when i found the river."

the other takes his hand from the river, and jihoon watches as the water seems to chase after him before retreating back, falling into its previous course downstream. it goes unnoticed by the stranger. 

"would you be pleased if i showed you where i live? so you know that i am not lost," he suggests, reading jihoon's thoughts aloud.

he's not quite sure if the boy is telling the truth, but at his insistence, jihoon begins to believe his words. "that would be nice. i just want to make sure."

a semblance of a friendly smile crosses the boy's features, and jihoon finds that he prefers that to the scared little pout he was given previously. the taller shuffles forward, standing once he reaches the edge of the rock where jihoon sits.

he stands as well but finds himself face-to-chest with the stranger. "oh," he breathes. "you... are very tall."

"and you are very short," he giggles, apparently amused when jihoon looks at him just to frown. 

hesitantly, the boy reaches out and takes jihoon's wrist, tugging him along so they can begin to walk along the river. "come along," he croons, letting their hands interlace. 

there's nothing jihoon can do but allow himself to be led by this stranger into the woods, a surprisingly clear path guiding them through the trees. his companion evidently knows the way, navigating the terrain expertly even as jihoon stumbles over a root. 

eventually, he is led to a small clearing where a single-room cottage sits, sunlight dancing along the walls and illuminating the ground of a large garden overflowing with plants and flowers contained by a fence. 

"woah," jihoon breathes. the scene is something out of a fantasy setting. he's never seem something like this in real life. "you live here?"

the boy steps forward, closer to the cabin. he turns to jihoon, seemingly puzzled. "do you not like it?"

jihoon's jaw drops, "this place is beautiful. i can't believe there's a whole cabin in these woods..."

across from him, the stranger fiddles with his fingers, looking around like a shy child. his cheeks are flushed with embarrassment, carefully avoiding eye contact with jihoon. he wonders what it is that is making him so unsure.

"i'm sure there are many homes more beautiful than this," he finally murmurs.

jihoon shakes his head, "i'm sure you are wrong."

he holds out his hand, "would you like to see it?"