Magic Chapter 4
Tittle: Magic
Author:coffee_sky
Rating: G
Summary: What brings Minho to Taemin, and what they meant to each other.
It has been quite a pleasant time being there. Every single day, morning it is, fresh scent of freshly baked bread lingers around , into Minho's room, waking him up, from a dream to the reality of life. Minho used to hate it, waking up in the morning, but now he knows it has become the best part of the day that he wouldn't dare to miss. Tasty and hearty breakfast and morning breeze that never forgets to be breathe in, and of course, the most important thing that Minho cares the most right know, the smile. The smile of that person, who never cease to amaze himin any way, the one who is always there standing by the shore of the lake, waiting for him for daily morning walk. Despite of how gleaming the lake shine under the morning sunlight, to Minho his smile is the brightest of all the things in the world, Taemin.
Nathaniel, the boy who is so sweet, so precious to them sometimes, if the time and god permit, he would be a good companion of them with the morning walk. But nowadays, he is too busy with his adventure. Into the forest looking for a bear that is never there, heading for the river that he has been talking about on how fishes in it amazes him, or how cold and refreshing the water is. Sometimes he would come back home dripping wet acclaiming that it had been raining but the day was bright and beautiful. It's obvious and Taemin often scold him for playing in the river without his knowing. Giggling is the only thing the boy does, and Taemin would let him go just like that.
Today is indeed special. Minho and Taemin has a promise to be fulfil and they wouldn't dare to turn their backs against it or a heart will be shattered. A week ago, when they had a dinner together after being persuade by Old' Jinki for a family gathering he said, only to be an open door for another persuasion. And that persuasion was an innocent one, and it is today. They promised Nathaniel for an exciting adventure together. Into the forest.
Excited Nathaniel is in between Minho and Taemin, holding their hands dearly while leading the two adults into the forest. It is not an easy path because what Nathaniel does is climbing the stone up and down, and he even insist for them to walk on the fallen tree bark, and that is what the boy called an adventure. To Minho and Taemin surprise, it is very exciting indeed and they have to admit it that it's enjoyable to do these sort of acts what usually working adults label outrageous. Every time Minho about to slip, Taemin would pull him up and for Taemin, Minho is a good support for balancing his petite body. Nathaniel does it just like a wink of an eye. They are laughing and giggling a lot, Nathaniel's face shows a pure joy of having Minho and Taemin spending their time with him.
'You seems to be enjoying this a lot do you?' Taemin asks Minho with an amuse expression.
'Yes, I have to admit it. And you too, giggles a lot,' Minho replies.
'No I did not! I certainly am having fun but I do not giggle a lot' Taemin blushes as he states his point, protective on how he behave although there is really nothing wrong with it.
'Well, looks like someone doesn't want to admit the obvious,' Minho smile at Taemin wittily.
With that comment Taemin realizes that it is no use in arguing this man, he is one stubborn grown man and Taemin himself is not sure if he is also to be a person that should be categorized to be the one that is stubborn. Whatever it is, Taemin decides that he is not or will never admit it from his own mouth. Naughtily Taemin shove his tongue to Minho and run towards Nathaniel with his head full with focus on not getting his bosom fall hard on the forest floor.
It is almost noon and finally they arrive at their quite far away location which is the river. They admit it that they are tired but it all worth it for such an experience and of course for the beauty of what Nathaniel just showed them. The river is breathtaking, the water that flows, the sound of it, the scenery around it, so lush with greens, everything is just so wonderful and very beautiful. Now that they know Nathaniel had brought them all the way around on purpose making the walk long enough to tire them, no wonder they can hear the sound of water flowing all the time they were walking , they glance at him. And again, all Nathaniel does just giggles.
'I won't let you get away with this!' Minho said to Nathaniel to make threats, however his face doesn't. There is a naughty smile on his lips and he is making the eyes that tell Nathaniel to act quick and run away. The child understands this, and he swiftly starting to get away from Minho. Except that he goes into the water. Minho halts and starts to shake his head to the boy with an obvious reason, the boy is going to make him wet. Too late. Nathaniel scoop a handful of water with his palms and splash it on Minho, laughing so aloud showing all of his teeth and gums.
Taemin sneakily trying to avoid the water splashes from Minho and Nathaniel's little contest, he walks slowly as to find a hideout from the both of them. What Taemin doesn't realize is that there are two pairs of eyes looking at him right from his own back. And the owners of those eyes are looking at each other now while doing silly giggle, clearly plotting something. As Taemin walks slowly, little hand pulls Taemin's shirt from his behind. He tries to ignore it but it only leads to second calling. With regret, he blinks twice and turns his face around only to be startle with water splashed directly on his face. And this was done by Minho.
'You..' Taemin says and looks at Minho and then he shifts to Nathaniel. Before he knows it, another handful of water splashes from his right side. It's Minho and without a second later, again and this time from his left side, it's Nathaniel. Without a second thought, Taemin make a chase to both of them, of course with scoop of water in his hands. A war just started.
It has been forty minutes they played in the river and now every single of them are exhausted. Despite of the thick forest, it is not at all dark there. Sun rays peacefully lay on the forest floor and the occasional breeze that comes passing them by time to time, Minho closes his eyes and he finds himself trying to remember the times back then when he was in the bustling street or crowded train, to his surprise his imaginary is not going nowhere and to no avail, and he is thankful for that. Nathaniel fast asleep on the half immerse huge flat stone by the river side. Taemin is sitting next to Minho and they both place their foots in the water, waiting for nothing. Taemin's gaze is far and Minho couldn't help it but admire the petite boy's soft feature, his small face, feathery like eyelashes and fair skins of his, his plump cherry lips, everything that Minho could ever wish a goddess' mien. Maybe his gaze is too intense that Taemin looks at him back with a question in his eyes. Minho didn't stop looking.
'Hey what's wrong?' Taemin asks Minho with a smile on his face.
'Hm.. Nothing. It's just that I think you're pretty,' Minho says to Taemin with a shrug and poker face. Taemin laughs and hits Minho's arm.
'Stop that, okay. I'm still a man,' says Taemin with amusement in his tone.
'Yeah, of course you're a man, a pretty one though,' Minho says to Taemin and this earns another smack on his arm. Minho couldn't help but notice Taemin's embarrassment, his cheeks are fairly pink. Taemin looks hopelessly cute but this time Minho decided to keep it to himself. A smack from Taemin hurts, his petite body is an exception to his strength. And then, the unexpected question comes from Taemin.
'So, Minho, where are you going to live? Surely you couldn't stay in the inn forever, although it's going to make Ol' Jinki happy by just thinking about it,' Taemin ask Minho.
Taemin's question echoes in Minho's head. It made Minho realize that his duty is going to be over soon. And that means no more of these pleasant, dream like moments, no more breathtaking scenes, no more hearty breakfast and certainly no more adventure. No more. No more Taemin, Nathaniel. Minho's heart sank and he fight his urges to cry. He swallows hard and his facial expression change, the smile that plastered on his face all this morning up until now diminishes slowly leaving a sad face. Taemin realizes this, his feature changes to worries.
'What's wrong Minho?' Taemin places his hand on Minho's, hoping that there is nothing troubling the man. Minho's gaze drops deep into the river. Taemin waits for his answer patiently, knowing that Minho might need some time to regain himself. After a minute passes , Minho look at him and firmly holds Taemin's hand.
'There is something that I have forgotten all this time. I have to tell you something,' Minho's expression growing serious and Taemin worries more. Taemin didn't reply to Minho, he just stare into Minho's eyes hoping that Minho would utters what is wrong, he needs to know.
'Taemin, I want you to know how much I love being here with you, with Nathaniel. Nothing will ever replace the moments we have together, the fun, all the laughs and smiles that we share. If any beautiful things that I experience in my life, is nothing and nowhere but here and you. But my duty here, it's over and I have to return, back to where I came from, and maybe this time I have to go far away, further than where I have gone before, further away from here' Minho's grip on Taemin's hand weaken.
Taemin tries to find his way fighting the tears in his eyes, his feelings are not helping at all. Instead, the times of Minho there together with him and Nathaniel replay like an old film in his mind. The burden that he feels in his chest is to heavy that now he realizes, he wants Minho by his sides, he needs him. And Taemin didn't expect that he will be helplessly sad about Minho's leaving. Taemin's cheeks now stained with his tears by just thinking Minho will not be there with him and his little brother that fell in love with Minho's friendliness and childish side that brought joys days before.
'When?' Taemin looks into Minho's eyes.
'Soon, in a couple of days,' says Minho.
Tears on Taemin's cheeks pains Minho more. Taemin and Nathaniel are the last people he would want to see them crying right now. Slowly, Minho holds Taemin's face with the both of his hands and wipes the warm tears from Taemin's cheeks. When Minho looks again into Taemin's eyes, he couldn't help it, he couldn't resist himself, Minho leans forward and kisses Taemin's beautiful lips tenderly.
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Okay, I guess I am ending this. The next chapter would be the last one.
I hope you enjoy and I am grateful if you do drop a comment and tell me what should I do to improve.
Much love for you guys!