Mod Post: Round 3 Lightning Drabble Round (Open to Everyone!)

[almostblue]

Hello!

The mod team (roebling and myself, almostblue) just want to say again that we are so incredibly grateful to everyone who has written, read, and commented for this third round of TBB. Thank you for your time and effort and talent! It's been amazing to see so much great enthusiasm and energy

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[littlefuji]

part 2/4

His search for the owners of the photograph takes him to a sleepy fishing village just beside the sea where he lives, to a family who makes a living from whatever they can obtain from the ocean.

Junhong feels uncomfortable when he knocks at their wooden door, clutching at the picture in his hand. A middle-aged lady greets him, surprised with his mop of bright green hair and aquamarine eyes. She doesn’t kick up a fuss, especially when she sees the old photograph and cordially invites the sprite into their humble home.

The family of four consisted of a couple with two children, a younger girl and a boy about Junhong’s age. The father had lost the photograph fishing in bad weather a while ago, and did not hide his surprise at seeing it again.

Everyone seems fascinated with his appearance, and they offer him a meal consisting of freshly-caught seafood to thank him for his effort. Junhong feels bad for balking at the luscious spread of his underwater brethren, but their rather attractive son steps in to save the sprite from embarrassing himself any further.

“Are you perhaps allergic to seafood?” Junhong nods a bit too vigorously and apologizes, eliciting laughter from the whole family. The human boy named Youngjae adds in a hushed tone, “Even if you aren’t, don’t worry. I don’t fancy it too much myself, and I live next to the sea.” Youngjae grins and pulls over a basket of fried seaweed. “Will this be alright?”

Junhong blushes and nods again, shoving a handful into his mouth.

---

The human family is close-knit and friendly, and the water sprite realizes that he likes them very much. In particular, Youngjae and the usually quiet sprite match together well, with nary a silent moment. Junhong can’t seem to get enough of Youngjae’s clear brown eyes, nor the cute dimples on his cheeks whenever he smiles at something Junhong says. He thinks that Youngjae is beautiful in a way the ocean can never hope to become.

Before he knows it, dusk has fallen and Junhong hastily peels himself from his seat in order to excuse himself. The family’s young daughter huffs and tries to keep him down, still in the process of tying Junhong’s hair into tiny braids. “Hush, Junhongie, I’m almost done!”

Youngjae is repairing a fishing net, his fingers working deftly. The brunette seems to take a moment’s pause to survey his sister’s handiwork. He makes eye contact with Junhong and breaks into a humorous smile. The bright-haired male feels his cheeks warming and quickly looks away.

---

It’s nightfall, and the sprite finds their little hut a little too drafty for his liking. He easily helps fix the gaps in the thatched roof that the family isn’t able to reach.

Junhong is pretty sure it is a valid excuse for his reluctance to leave.

---

On some of Junhong’s visits, the sprite ends up helping Youngjae in his daily tasks. On other, less busy days, they do absolutely nothing but lie on the beach and make trivial conversation. Despite his occasional secretiveness, Junhong feels fortunate that the human boy seems to like his company as much as he does.

Youngjae now basks languidly next to Junhong, warm ivory sand tickling their toes. The beach is almost empty, despite the beautiful sunset glazing over the lapping waves. Youngjae’s eyes are half-lidded in his relaxed state, and the sprite numbly thinks that it would be a perfect moment to lean over and join their lips together.

The green-eyed male jumps when the brunette suddenly rolls over in the sand to look at Junhong inquisitively. “You’ve got pretty cool hair and eyes, you know,” Youngjae comments lightly. “I mean, I’ve never seen such a vivid green on anyone before. What kind of hair dye do you use to get that color?”

“Hair dye?” Junhong tilts his head to the side and blinks, confused.

At his reaction, Youngjae barks out a laugh and slaps his friend’s shoulder. “C’mon, you’re so secretive. I promise I won’t imitate you.”

The taller boy sifts his fingers through the sand and smiles shyly, looking down. “You definitely shouldn’t. Your hair is nicer than mine will ever be.”

---