Trust
Namjoon hadn't woken up ever since they got home, his body burning with a high fever as soon as he shifted back.
Now, he lies on his bed in the darkness, his body finally cooling down after three days. Three days since he had last seen EunAe, who insisted on staying even when he locked himself in his room.
His eyes watch her shadow dance outside his door as she paces back and forth, letting out a heavy sigh as he hears her footsteps fade away.
He should probably go talk to her. He's been putting it off long enough. It's not fair for the girl. After all, relationships are about trust, and he is determined to fight for the future of his partner. He will not let her slip away. But in order to do that, he needs to talk to her first.
With a groan, Namjoon slowly gets up, his body heavy like led with every move.
Using the wall for the support, Namjoon carefully makes his way to the living room, his feet dragging on the floor with every heavy step as he goes, eyes immediately drawn to the girl's form sitting on the couch.
Rubbing the nape of his neck, the boy awkwardly clears his throat, dropping his gaze to the floor as the girl looks at him.
Noticing his figure, EunAe offers a small smile, her eyes slightly crinkling at the corners as she closes her book and places on the table, eyes following him as he approaches, a slight frown on her face when he sits on the opposite side of the couch, keeping some distance between them.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Namjoon sees the girl open her mouth to say something, but she quickly closes it without saying a word.
The girl is tempted to ask if he is feeling better, but she's not sure she should, so in the meantime, they awkwardly sit on the couch until Namjoon breaks the silence.
"So....um....I.." He starts, scratching his temple, "I guess I should explain." He says glancing at her. When she doesn't say anything he proceeds.
"The truth is, I've always had difficulty shifting." He finally admits, gaze fixed on the floor as he talks, the girl nodding as she patiently waits for him to continue.
"Whenever I do shift," he says taking in a deep breath, his hands reaching up to pull down his hood, "this happens." He finishes, showing her the golden scales that are still visible on his neck, his brown hair an ashy white color, his warm brown eyes glowing gold. "I don't know why it happens but whenever I shift, I get sick and the shifting takes a toll on my body."
"I see." The girl says with a nod, her hand tentatively reaching out to touch the golden scales, her fingers hovering a few centimeters away before she draws her hand back, gently holding it on her lap.
"Are you scared of me?" Namjoon asks, fidgeting with his fingers as he waits for her answer.
"Should I be?" She asks raising a brow, the boy quickly shaking his head in response.
"No."
"Good." She says with a smile. "Because I'm not scared of you Namjoon."
Hearing her say that makes him sigh in relief, which does not go unnoticed by the girl.
"I'm sorry you found out this way." He says avoiding her gaze. "I wanted to tell you on my own and show you in time but, I guess it didn't happen the way I wanted to."
"Don't be sorry. It's okay." EunAe reassures.
"Really?" Namjoon says looking at her, his hands resting on his chin.
"Really. I know it was unexpected, but if you want to, you can show me again when you feel comfortable." She says.
"Thank you EunAe." Namjoon says managing a small smile. "I hope some day soon I'll be able to." He adds. "I don't feel comfortable shifting. I know shifting is a common thing for us but everyone has always been scared of me, or made fun of me, so I guess I just felt..."
"I understand." EunAe says offering him a smile, placing her hand in his, which he quickly takes and brings to his lips. "I know we met not too long ago, but if there's any way I can help, just let me know."
"Thanks. I'm also sorry about the quest." He says, but EunAe only laughs in response, shaking her head at the statement.
"Don't worry about the quest Joonie." She says ruffling his hair. "This is better than anything I could have asked for." She adds, her eyes showing nothing but genuine concern and warmth.
"Really?" He asks, frowning when he sees a golden light glowing around their hearts.
"I meant it." She says placing a hand on her heart. "We'll have plenty of time to figure things out so let's take our time."
"Would you like to stay at my place for the time being?" He asks. "To help figure things out?" He adds hoping not to come off as a creep.
"I would love to." She says almost immediately.
"Good."
"I just need to get a few things from my place." She says standing up.
"Do you need any help?" He asks following behind her, stopping when he reaches the doorway, the white piece of hair on his forehead reminding him that he still hasn't shifted back fully.
Noticing this the girl says, "if you want to, but I won't take long."
"I'm sorry EunAe. I'll see you in a bit."
"No need for apologies Joonie." She says chuckling. "I'll see you in a bit." She adds, waving her hand as she makes her way back to town, the boy returning inside with a sigh, his eyes heavy with sleep.
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"I'm back!" EunAe calls out as she enters his home, quietly closing the door when she hears soft snores coming from the boy.
He must have fallen asleep. EunAe thinks to herself, quietly tiptoeing around the house so as to not wake the boy on the couch.
Much to her surprise however, the boy wakes with a start, the sudden action sending him down to the floor, landing with a hard thud.
"Are you okay?" EunAe asks hurrying to his side.
"I'm okay." Namjoon says rubbing his lower back, smiling when the girl offers a hand to help him up. "Thanks."
"Here." She says handing him a glass of water which he gratefully takes.
"You brought your things already?" He asks.
"Yes. I left them in my room."
"Good." He says growing quiet, brows furrowed as he sinks into his thoughts.
"Joonie?" The girl calls out getting his attention. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah." He says nodding. "I just had an odd dream."
"Oh?" She says sitting next to him. "What was it about?"
"Well, I can't remember much, but I was standing on a field of gold. But I don't think I've ever seen a place like it before." He explains looking at her, the girl frowning as she thinks.
"Wait..." She says, an old story coming to mind. "Now that I think about it, in the stories of old, dragons are usually associated with treasure. Maybe the mountain you saw has something to do with it?"
"Not sure, but it's a possibility." Namjoon says slightly nodding his head.
"Do you think the quest is talking about a treasure?" She asks.
"Treasure?" He repeats slightly raising a brow, hand coming up to his chin as he thinks. "Hmmm...maybe? But what would we need treasure for?"
"Hmm...you're right." She says thinking again. "Maybe for future quests?" She questions, sounding doubtful as she says it. "But that still doesn't tell us where to find it."
"True. But it might might be worth looking into it." Namjoon says smiling at the girl. "It may not be much, but it's a clue to help us figure out the quest."
And just as they were about to give up on their quest, a new clue appears...
Hi lovelies! It's been a while. Sorry to keep you waiting and thank you for reading! Tell me, how have you been? Hope you are doing well~ 💛
~Van
(2021.02.19)