Chapter Text
Everyone watched as his mother wrote on a piece of parchment. Her breaths were labored and her hand was shaking but she didn't stop. Han Yoojin wondered if it was this suspenseful at his own Naming Ceremony.
A Naming Ceremony was meant to celebrate having ownership of your own name, that it wasn't taken by a fae. On the very first ceremony, the person would be granted a name that they would protect the rest of their life. Han Yoojin was too young back then to truly appreciate it.
Her quill clattered to the floor and the parchment was passed to his father. He looked at it, engraving the name in his mind, then smiled. The parchment was passed to another. And then another.
Han Yoojin frowned and demanded, "Pass it to me! I wanna see."
His request was annoyed as people awed at a name that Han Yoojin did not get to see. He was prepared to throw a tantrum before an old woman handed him the parchment.
'Han Yoohyun' it read.
The full name would never be said aloud. Only through memory would it be remembered. Names have power after all. The poor baby wouldn't even know their own full name until they had grown. But now that Han Yoojin was an older brother, he could be the one to teach them.
"It's lovely." he said simply.
His mother passed over a small charm box, her arms were trembling. Han Yoojin put the name in the box and left the room. The name had to stay by the baby's bedside. Where it would be protected from any fae.
The baby's room was quite small. His parents weren't prepared for another kid, so they made do with cleaning out a storage room. The cradle sat near a small window and a wardrobe beside it.
On the wardrobe sat open iron scissors. To protect the baby from being stolen. Though Han Yoojin shook his head looking at it, his parents had gone overboard with the protection charms. He sat the box on the end of the cradle and closed the door behind him.
Then his mother let out a scream.
Han Yoojin stared from the hallway. All the inhabitants in the room, except the older women of the village, had been ushered out of the room. His father made eye contact and gestured him to come over.
A frown marred his face as he realized he would have to sit with everyone. If this was a Naming Ceremony before, he might have been allowed to stay in his room. However now that he was five Naming Ceremonies, and was able to read his own name, he was considered grown enough to sit among the adults.
Tea was sipped as his mother groaned and moaned in the other room. Some coddled and cooed at him. It only annoyed Han Yoojin, he was far too old for that. And of course, the villagers were passing gossip all the while.
"I am almost certain a deal was made."
"And how so?"
"She only wears gloves now. And she went with my cousin to the shops with her and she took them off for a second. My cousin is as set as iron that she was missing a finger."
Gasps came out and someone remarked, "Deals always leave their mark."
They all nodded and took it as a solemn truth. While, Han Yoojin couldn't help but be confused about what they were talking about.
"But why?" A voice whined out.
"Only faes know."
"She got married to that rich baron, didn't she? I mean she is quite plain. Who could-" She cut herself off and the room quieted as two older women exited his mother's room.
Han Yoojin tried to his best to observe for any tells. However, they both had stiff faces and stood still. Leaving nothing to be revealed.
His father stood and walked over. He bowed politely to them and asked, "How is it?"
They stayed silent, shared a quick glance, and gave a beaming smile. "It's a healthy boy!"
Han Yoojin was hoping for a sister. Someone he could look after and coddle. Though a brother wasn't too bad. He could help with the hard work around the house.
His father gave a deep sigh of relief, then gestured to the door. "May I?"
They stepped aside and let his father in. Han Yoojin frowned, he wanted to go in too! He stood up and planned to go straight to the door, but he was stopped by the older women.
"Why can't I go?" He pouted.
"He has to get his charm." One of the women replied. Her wrinkled finger pointed to his neck. There lay his own charm with the symbol of a flower. His parents had been convinced he'd be a girl. There was a reason he didn't wear it very often besides his disregard of fae.
Han Yoojin sighed very loudly but still went to sit down. He endured another round of gossip before his father walked out with a bundle in his arms.
Everyone gathered around to stare and awe at the small thing. But Han Yoojin didn't get to see! He tried to crane his head higher, yet there were too many heads and broad shoulders in the way.
His mother's door was left open and unguarded so Han Yoojin decided to visit her instead. She didn't seem to notice him walk in. She seemed worn out and was breathing deeply while staring out the window.
"Mother," He whined out as he stretched out on the bed. Her head turned to him. Her bitten lips stretched into a small smile. "Son," She responded affectionately and stretched out her arms to him.
He was initially worried with how weak she was, but couldn't resist the temptation of settling into her opening arms.
"Did you meet your brother yet?" She prompted.
Han Yoojin crossed his arms and frowned at the reminder, "Everyone's too big and no one is letting me see."
"How cruel," She remarked but it felt teasing to him. "You'll meet him soon enough. He'll be living here everyday after all."
"Everyday?" Han Yoojin couldn't help but exclaim. That felt like a long time. "…Like forever?"
"Yes, forever."
He didn't really enjoy the sound of that. He wanted to spend time with his parents and just his parents. They didn't really need anyone else.
"Does he have to?"
"Son," Her voiced put on a scolding tone. "Your a big brother now. Didn't you want to take care of him?"
"Yes, but….forever?"
"Forever."
That seemed like a lot of work. He didn't think being a big brother could be so hard.
"There you two are." His father walked in the room. The bundle still held in his arm. His father and mother shared a glance that always left Han Yoojin feeling sick.
Han Yoojin jumped out of the bed and ran eagerly to his father. "Let me see my brother!"
His father obliged his request and the bundle was finally lowered.
Two dull eyes stared at him. His face was quite blank. In fact, the charm with a symbol of a fire on his neck, seemed a lot brighter than him. His new brother just seemed to stare.
"I thought babies cried a lot?"
"We should be blessed that he hasn't." His mother replied though her eyes had started to close, weary from child birth.
His father noticed this and urged, "Perhaps it's time for bed."
"But don't we have to do the ceremony?" Han Yoojin interrupted. Every child had a huge parade, he had heard. Supposedly to better protect them.
"They can do it without us." His father dismissed. "We did the same thing during your birth. Besides your brother was hard on your mother."
Han Yoojin's further protests were ignored and he was urged to prepare for bed. Grown ups really didn't know how to have fun.
Han Yoojin couldn't sleep that night. After twisting and turning for so long he paused his futile effort and opened his eyes.
Staring at his ceiling he wondered what life would be with another kid.
That's when he noticed a light in the corner of the ceiling. He followed the gaze to light stemming from under his door.
Did his father forget to blow out the candles?
His feet were cold as he touched the bare wooden floors. Still, he continued to open the door. There the candles around the sparse room were all aflame.
The boy shook his head to himself. He would have to teach his little brother to not be like his dad. Speaking of….his brother was probably asleep now. It wouldn't hurt to check, would it?
What if he was having trouble sleeping as well?
He set to solve the problem immediately, grabbing one of the lit candles. It gave him a sense of responsibility. Maybe being a big brother wouldn't be so bad?
The door was quietly opened. Han Yoojin winced in anticipation of a creaking sound, Thankfully it was quiet. If his parents weren't asleep they would surely scold him for doing this. But he was doing it out of concern for his brother!
Then Han Yoojin stepped on something cold. Looking from the candle's light, it was the iron scissors.
His mom should've set them in a better place so they wouldn't have fell. Now the scissors were protecting nothing and were firmly closed.
Han Yoojin stepped over the scissors and walked up to the cradle.
The candle dropped.
Han Yoojin covered his mouth to silence his gasp.
There was something peering into the cradle.
No.
Someone.
The figure turned with the sound.
Han Yoojin immediately hid behind the wardrobe. Yet, he couldn't resist the temptation of staring.
The figure was wearing a dark robe that completely encased it. It hadn't move from the cradle. Han Yoojin couldn't believe it. Was it a fae? They were real? Would it take his brother?
Should Han Yoojin do something?
He was a big brother now.
With newfound confidence he ran in front of the cradle, "Stay away from my brother!"
The figure flinched in surprise and turned. It's eyes were a flaming red. Then with remarkable speed it jumped to the windowsill.
Before Han Yoojin could even grasp a hand out it had opened the window. It gave one more fleeting glance at him. A frown marred it's face and his mouth seemed to open to say something. Yet it stopped and jumped out of the window.
Han Yoojin stared through the opening but the fae was gone. He tried to calm his racing heart as he shut the window.
Yet, It jumped right back up seeing two dull eyes stare at him.
The baby wasn't crying. No frown, no sadness, there was absolutely no reaction.
Han Yoojin was petrified to death, while this baby was completely fine. He couldn't help the bitter huff that escaped. The baby seemed to finally reacted to that, but it was just two little arms attempting to cover his mouth.
"You just want me to be quiet?" He mused and pushed the hands back. His brother hands were soft. He lightly rubbed around the hands and a chain fell off.
His brother's charm had broken. Seeing how even the scissors fell off too, it was no wonder how the fae was able to come so easily.
Grabbing his fallen candle, Han Yoojin rushed to his room to grab his own charm.
He never believed that fae were real, seeing them as bedtime stories to fool children into behaving. However, his real encounter had changed his mindset.
But he didn't need his charm tonight. He'd tell his parents to make a new one for the baby in the morning. His brother still needed to be protected tonight.
The baby was awake and alert when Yoojin came back. Had he slept at all? Maybe the fae really did terrify him.
Reaching to put the his charm around his brother, he actually whimpered away. Han Yoojin furrowed his brow and moved even closer. The baby struck out and hit the charm away.
Why was he being so fussy? He went to pick it up and try again when he noticed marks on his arm. Where the charm hit, there were red scorch marks on the baby.
Han Yoojin stared deeply at his brother.
Two dull eyes stared back.
No, he wasn't his brother. It was a fae.
"Come on, wake up, wake up!" Han Yoojin shook his father awake. He couldn't hide the fear in his voice.
"…Son?" Tired eyes blinked up at him before they sharpened, "What are you doing awake?"
Normally, that stern gaze would be enough for Han Yoojin to stop but the situation was far more important. "Brother is a fae!"
"A fae?" His mother had woken up and sat up straight.
"Go back to bed." His father whispered gently, easing her back to bed. "I'll handle this."
Han Yoojin tugged on his father's shirt, "Come on!"
"This isn't something to joke about." His father warned while getting off the bed.
"I promise, I'm not."
He led his father into the room. There the despicable fae was awaiting them. Still forever staring.
"Look the scissors are closed!" He pointed out and got closer to the cradle. "…and his charm, it's broken!"
He passed over the necklace. There was one more piece of evidence but he really didn't wanna go near the fae. Han Yoojin settled for avoiding staring at it as he brought up its small arm. "Look at his arm. I touched him with my charm and it burned him."
"Han Yoojin."
The boy stiffened. His father had never said his name before. Saying names was forbidden in the village.
"You don't lie about the fae."
What?
Han Yoojin finally turned to look at the baby. His arms were spotless, the burn marks were gone.
"There really was-"
"Stop," His father commanded gruffly."It's normal to be jealous of having a brother. We won't stop loving you any less." A hand started stroking his hair. "But you can't do stuff like this. Our village is very….protective about these things. Try to get along with your brother."
Han Yoojin realized that there was no way to convince his father, at least not now. The fae had their tricks it seemed. "I'm sorry, Father." he said. He hugged his father in a plea for forgiveness that was easily accepted. While his face was halfway tucked into his father chest, he made sure to glare at the fae.
But the fae wasn't staring anymore. It had fallen asleep. But Han Yoojin could image it smiling to itself about the nasty trick it pulled off.
The winter season for Han Yoojin would be described as a war between brothers. And while his opponent was merely a babe, he was still loosing.
The boy would try to find ways to reveal the despicable fae but somehow it would never work. He didn't know much about fae other than iron harming them. He couldn't even ask his parents about them before they tense up. He would try all his ways to put iron around his neck.
His first attempt was trying to fix his brothers charm. His parents were delighted. They thought the brothers were finally getting along. But when Han Yoojin added spikes to the charm his parents shut it down immediately. They just decided that his brother would get his charm when Han Yoojin grew out of his jealousy. They sufficed keeping him protected by just carrying him around everywhere
There Han Yoojin finally experienced the envy they accused him of. He would never be allowed to be carried by his parents.
Still, he kept going. Attempt after attempt of trying to catch the evil fae.
His parents first dealt with each of his attempts with gentleness. Easing his concerns of affection, that he would never be replaced.
But now all that gentleness was gone. He had been grounded more times than he could count. His parents also found a new way to deal with him. Giving him so many tasks he didn't have time to catch the fae. It was odd to be so disliked when he was simply trying to protect his family.
Today, he was told to get firewood. A winter storm would be approaching, at least that was all the people in the village talked about.
The path to the woods was long and it was cold. He watched his footsteps as he walked. Seeing the little imprints he made in the snow.
"What is that old freak doing now?"
Han Yoojin paused his steps and looked up. Two ladies were watching an old lady who was muttering to herself.
"Another one of her spells, you think?"
"Oh fae help us all."
"And she wonders why no one visits her."
Now he was confused. He could've sworn he saw the lady in the blue dress go into the old lady's cottage a few nights ago. Why was she lying?
Han Yoojin shook his head. His father constantly complained about the village's petty drama and now he was getting swept up in it. He settled to ignore it and move one.
"…If she wasn't so obsessed with fae."
Wait.
A beacon of hope came to him in the form of an old lady. He waited for the two ladies to finally walk past before approaching the old lady.
"Um…Miss?"
A wrinkled face was shoved immediately into his gaze. Her eyes widened in shock. "You're marked with them."
He stepped back a bit."What?"
"You've met a fae." She said and didn't wait for a response before grabbing at his arm. "You're honey aren't you?" She nodded to herself. "Oh yes, I remember. Come, come." She dragged him into her cottage.
"Honey?"
"That's what the village calls you. Isn't it sweet?" She teased. He must've been making a disgusted face because then she said. "Ease up. It's much better than being called old freak."
"Could they change it to something else?"
Where did they even get that name? It sounded so ridiculous. Who would take him seriously?
"You could tell them your name instead." She said as she opened the cottage door. There were a lot of locks on and talisman on it.
Han Yoojin obviously couldn't do that! He ignored that comment and peered inside. There were even more talisman all over and the place was cluttered with various items.
She took him into a small kitchen with a little table sat inside. She made some tea while he sat down.
"So how'd you meet a fae?" She asked passing a cup to him.
He took a small sip and explained everything. The night he saw the fae near his brother. How his brother was a fae.
"Hmm.." She rested a finger on her chin. "I know I have a book about this." She muttered to herself and searched through a bookshelf below the window of the kitchen.
She actually believed him. He was waiting for her to dismiss it just like his parents. Another case of petty jealousy.
"How do you know so much about fae?"
"Don't you know why they call me old freak?" She grinned. "I know all too much about the fae that I must be cursed."
She then dropped a book on the table.
Han Yoojin furrowed his brows, "Chang-el-ing?"
"Changeling, a baby fae that gets dropped into a human family." She patted the book. "Read all about it."
He frowned, he couldn't read much. He was only five naming ceremonies. He really had only learned to read his name and a few other words. Still, he could at least skim it a few.
Changelings, faeries left in the home of humans. The fae, though there are exceptions, do not choose to raise their kids. Instead a fae will place their child in the womb of unsuspecting mothers. It is told that even the thought of a mother not wanting their kid could provide an opening for a changeling to come in. The changeling is usually unaware they are a fae but there will be easy signs: Lack of emotions, pain from iron, wary of faerie charms/protections. The fae can be easily killed at this point but if it grows it will eventually becomes aware of its existence. Resulting in a burst of power, different for each fae, that can be fatal to humans. Once awakened, the fae will kill its human parents then they leave to faerie land.
Preventative measures: Open Iron Scissors, Inside-out baby clothes, Bells, Protections Charms, Any usual means of keeping away Fae
Han Yoojin couldn't retain much. The next page seemed to go into the origin of faerie land but he couldn't really be bothered with that. He closed the book in frustration.
"Learn anything?" The old lady asked.
"No," he groaned. "I can't read any of it!"
"Well why didn't you just say so?"
She began to read the page and even explain any words he didn't know. While the book was provided a lot more information it didn't help give any solutions.
"But I tried those things. The iron hurt it! But then the marks were just gone."
"It's illusion magic," She said. "Some faes can do it unconsciously. That changeling must be powerful."
"But how can I get rid of it?"
"Nothing." The old lady settled herself on a chair. She made herself comfortable and had started to sew.
"Nothing.." He stared at the ground. Anything to not let her see the tears that had started to cloud his vision. His family would end up dying.
"It's not hopeless," She said, perhaps noticing that she had upset the child. "People will realize soon enough. This village goes crazy for faes. Your brother will be gone eventually."
"So I just have to live with that thing?"
She shrugged. "Only a deal can do."
It was a common saying that nothing else could be done. Han Yoojin had never looked too deeply into the words before. But nothing of course, but a fae deal will do it.
"I'll just make a deal then." he said.
"No." The old lady stood up and had even dropped her needle. "A deal is always a last resort."
"But-"
"You don't know what your messing with, boy. Those fae will trick you into a deal you never even asked for and you won't be able to pay the price."
The urgency in the way she was speaking was all to telling. He asked, "Did you make a deal, miss?"
She sighed and sat back down. "How many ceremonies do you think I am?"
Was this some trick?
"Seventy naming ceremonies." Han Yoojin replied.
She smiled weakly, "I'm twenty-eight naming ceremonies."
But- She had wrinkles. Her hair was white!
"Deals always leave their mark." Was all she said.
Han Yoojin didn't ask what deal she made or to explain herself. Instead, he picked of the needle and handed it to her shaking fingers. "Could you teach me?" he asked.
The grin was so wide he could see a few of her missing teeth.
The time he spent with the old lady was nice. But he completely forgot about that firewood he was meant to be getting.
"Where have you been?" His father asked. He was holding the fae close to his chest. The fae looked as dull as ever.
Han Yoojin withheld a glare as he dropped the firewood and replied. "It took a while."
A hand was brushed across his cheek before being hurriedly pushed back. "You're freezing!" His mother exclaimed. "Let's put this wood to use."
With the warmth of the lit fireplace he sighed contently. A bowl of warm soup was pushed into his hands. Without the presence of the fae, it would be considered perfect.
"Have we been too hard on you?" His mother asked, a frown marring her face.
"It's fine," he muttered. Not even staring at her as he scooped soup into his mouth.
"Son, don't you think it's time you learned to get along with your brother?" She urged. "I mean- This whole fae thing is ridiculous!"
"Look at this cute face." His father put on the grossest baby voice he ever heard. Those beady eyes could not be considered cute in the slightest. He even lifted the baby high. "Who could ever hate this little guy? Smile!" he teased the baby, tickling his chin.
The deadpan face just made it worse. It would take a miracle before that baby ever reacted to anything.
"He doesn't react much, does he?"
Han Yoojin lifted his gaze to his mother. Had his mother finally noticed that something was wrong?
"He'll get there." His father dismissed.
"Yes, I suppose." His mother nodded before turning back to her son. "You were quite the reactive baby. Tantrum after tantrum with you."
"Mother!"
She laughed. "I don't mean to poke fun. It's just perhaps hanging out with your brother will do him some good."
If only he could rid that thing. The old lady said he would be gone eventually. Han Yoojin just had to somehow wait it out. If only waiting wasn't so long.
How would he bare to live with a fae?
"Why don't you bathe him?"
His mother suggested it so eagerly while his father was gesturing against it. At least one parent still trusted him.
A swaddle babe was placed in his arms in front of the wooden tub so his mother must have won the argument. He sighed, and went to get a bucket of water.
While it was a fae, it was a good thing it was so unemotional. It didn't make a fuss while he poured the bucket on its head and was easily complacent.
It was so unresponsive that Han Yoojin startled when it made a 'guh' sound. It looked like it was trying to reach for the bucket.
"No bucket for you."
The baby looked so confused that Han Yoojin couldn't help but laugh. Seeing that look made him realize that the fae was really just a baby. It wouldn't know anything until it was grown.
Han Yoojin didn't realize he froze until fingers wrapped around his wrist. He stared at those fingers, they were puny from the water but they were also so small. Had he been too cruel to what was just a baby?
He wrapped a towel around the small thing.
It wouldn't hurt to care, at least to pretend, would it?
The fae would be gone soon anyway.
The Han brothers began spending all their time together. Becoming as close as can be. The parents welcomed their bond with ease and finally decided to give back Han Yoohyun's charm.
Han Yoojin wouldn't say he enjoyed his new company. But always having someone around was nice. The company seemed to enjoy him too, though that may be only since he was left alone.
When Han Yoohyun got his charm back he didn't react much. Han Yoojin wanted to see the illusion magic at work and there were definitely no marks. However if he held his gaze. the burn marks where the charm laid would show up.
They were bad. His palm was almost bleeding. Yet, the fae hadn't reacted at all.
Han Yoojin may have taken the charm and replaced it with some shiny beads that resembled iron. It wasn't that he cared. It was just a disturbing sight.
He kept the act up as he aged through the years. He even made sure to get a gift each year. Han Yoojin was the ever so caring brother.
And soon the reactions changed to his brother.
His mother got more and more disturbed by his lack of reaction. His father started to avoid him. It got to the point that Han Yoojin was the only one feeding him. Whispers from the village would start following him when he took his brother outside.
Now he was ten Naming Ceremonies. Each day he waited for everyone to realize what was brought in. That his brother was the fae the village feared.
He was feeding Han Yoohyun his breakfast when his mother called out to him. It was an odd occurrence, his mother would usually clean in the mornings to avoid having to acknowledge his brother. But here she was leaning against the corridor.
She whispered when he walked up to her, "Son, I think you were right."
"What?"
"That thing," Her face scrunched in disgust. "is a fae."
It was what he always wanted to hear. He stared at his brother, nonreactive to everything, who would finally be gone. Why was his heart pounding? Why was his stomach so queasy?
"The village has a plan. Don't worry." She tucked in a piece of his hair. "It'll be gone once the sun rises again."
He should be so happy.
"Why don't we go out to the market with your father?" His mother suggested. "We can be together just like we use to."
He could finally get what he wanted. Back to what it used to be.
"But what about brother?"
He blurted the words without thinking. His mother stared at him in shocked. "…What about it?"
Han Yoojin continued, "Well who will feed him?"
"The fae? Who will feed the fae?" His mother repeated his words back to him, showing how ridiculous it sounded. "We shouldn't concern ourselves with this. Father is waiting outside for us."
There was an easy, viable, path. He would go have a lovely evening shopping with his parents. The next day his brother would be gone. There would be nothing left of him except for the occasionally memory every now and then.
That could be nice.
"You're right." Han Yoojin said and his grin came even easier. "Let me just get my coins from my room."
His mother smiled back and agreed to wait outside for him.
He didn't dare look back at his brother as he walked away.
Shutting the door to his room, his grin fell. His heart beats were even louder, still he had to convince himself it was the right choice. He took a deep breath and opened the window.
He ran rushing to the village. One foot after the other, hurrying to his destination.
The door that was filled with talisman was knocked on repeatedly.
He didn't even wait for the door to be fully open before he panted, "T-tell me……all about fae deals."
Han Yoojin would have to learn all he could before he made one.