Chapter Text
“This isn’t working out. I think we both see that,” the old witch softly says, patting Wooyoung on the shoulder timidly.
Wooyoung nodded his head solemnly, holding back the tears brimming at his eyes.
He did understand. But, that didn’t make it hurt less.
This was Wooyoung’s tenth attempt at unlocking his specialty magic... His tenth eclectic witch... His tenth intensive training regiment... And, still, nothing.
Each eclectic witch claimed they had never failed at unlocking specialties before. And, yet, at the end of four or six or eight months of trying, trying, trying, Wooyoung would receive the same pitied stare and timid words.
This isn’t working out.
Most witches didn’t even need eclectic witches to help them unlock their specialties. Most specialties just came to witches when they were young. Like all his friends back home. Like his parents. Like his brother.
In an old city between the bookends of the sea and the forest, Wooyoung went to unlock his magic for the tenth time. But, this time, after the exact same failure as before, he’s run out of eclectic witches to be mentored from. His options were bleak: go to another country and find more witches to train him, or go home.. .
His family already saw him as a failure, a dark mark in their perfect life in their perfect house and perfect town. If he went back now, they would send him to the city with the non-magical beings and tell him to live a normal life.
Both options sound equally lonely to Wooyoung. At this point, all he had was his name, his cat, and a couple of dollars.
Wooyoung had no idea what to do and found himself being lured to the forest. He loved the forest more than anything. It always felt quiet and peaceful to be enveloped by the trees and grounded by the soil.
He had always wished he was a plant witch. Or a ground bender. It only made sense. But, alas, he had tried everything from incessantly talking to plants to wrapping them around his body to literally burying himself alive. And, of course those ideas worked as well as the eclectic witches brews and other tests - with no results.
On this bleak and gloomy day, Wooyoung listened to his soul and went to the forest to think through his options. Even if his magic wouldn’t unlock there, his mind would be calmed.
He walked along the normal trail. Then, the beaten trail laid by experienced hikers. Then, off any and all paths into the untainted underbrush. The deeper he went, the taller the trees rose, the more animals and unrecognizable plants emerged…
He found himself wondering if he should just remain here. In the middle of nowhere, and yet, surrounded by the universe itself. He even sat against a fallen tree and pondered how hard it would be to chop it into building blocks for a cottage.
Suddenly, a crash of thunder boomed across the sky, shaking Wooyoung to his core. He was about to rise up and vacate the forest immediately - he knew he wasn’t a weather witch ( he had tried staring at the sun enough to almost go blind, trying to get the sky to shift ).
But, two voices screaming at each other made him stay put. The pair seemed to be arguing and Wooyoung didn’t know what it was about, nor if their anger would be directed at him were he to show himself. So, he stayed smushed against the fallen tree.
“San! Listen to me!” the deeper voice yelled out of breath, as if running to catch up to the other.
“For Mages’ sake, Yunho… What do you want?” the other softer, but much angrier voice questioned.
Mages’ sake? There were witches in town other than the old eclectic witch and other elderly folks she had introduced Wooyoung to? Wooyoung peeks out from behind the tree and sees two young men standing 10 feet apart. They both wore witches cloaks - the ones you receive when you found your specialty - and they seemed to be glaring at one another with baskets in their hands.
“I know you still don’t believe me. Or trust me” the deeper voice - Yunho says. The shorter boy - San - sighs in obvious annoyance.
“Stop reading me - it’s invasive. And, it’s not true. Just, stop trying to make it a big deal,” San responds and again Wooyoung hears thunder grumble across the sky.
“I don’t know what more you want me to do! I already apologized a million times, but how can I get you to forgive me?” Yunho asks, obviously looking sullen and regretful.
“Stop mentioning it, then. Just, move on,” San icily replies, turning away from him.
Another loud crack of thunder booms. Wooyoung doesn’t know where the lightning is striking, but by the sounds of the thunder, it must be close. Wooyoung decides he needs to leave or he will end up like this tree, so he starts to get up and a few twigs under him crack.
“No, we need to talk -,” Yunho begs, but stops upon hearing the branches break. Both heads turn to Wooyoung’s direction and hold out their hands, magic swirling to life on each of their palms.
Oh shit.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t eavesdropping. Well, I was. But, I was in the clearing first when you arrived. I was just heading out. I’m sorry to interrupt,” Wooyoung stumbles through his words, embarrassed and flustered.
Both young men keep their hands up, palms swirling with magic.
“How did you get this deep into the forest?” Yunho questions.
“How can you even see us?” San asks at the same time.
Wooyoung gulps. How was he going to get out of this in one piece?
“You’re witches! I am too - well, I come from a witching family, at least, so that’s probably why I can see you? I-I I’m new to town and I was just apprenticing under an eclectic witch - Madam Jeon - to try and unlock my specialty,” Wooyoung says in basically a single breath. He sees them both blink, so he just continues talking.
“I just went off the beaten trail - I didn’t know I was very deep in the forest or if this is your territory or something. I was leaving anyway, but I will make sure to not come back. I’m Wooyoung,” Wooyoung concludes.
The pair eye each other and both slowly lower their hands, but Wooyoung still notices magic swirling in San’s lowered fists.
“The forest is its own - we would never claim it as our territory. We just haven’t seen anyone from town come this far in a while. One of our Covenmates is an eclectic witch - he trained under Madam Jeon too, many years ago. I’m Yunho and this is San,” Yunho responds first with a nod. Wooyoung finally takes a breath. Yunho believes him. Thank goodness.
“You are still unlocking your specialty? Aren’t you a bit … well, old? Shouldn’t it have happened by now?” San asks, still wary.
“I - well yes. I’ve tried every eclectic witch in the country, but haven’t been able to… well…. Madam Jeon was the last - but, she told me today I’m a hopeless case. I guess I’m a witch with no magic,” Wooyoung says with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood, rubbing the back of his head. He sees San’s magic dim at Wooyoung’s attempt at comedy.
Wooyoung was used to that. He knew many emotions over his lifetime. But, pity was his kindred spirit. Pity knew him like no other - it was the feeling that he received wherever he went and whenever anyone found out about his predicament.
“We’re sorry to hear about your struggles. It must be lonely moving from place to place and never finding success,” Yunho replies, something in his eyes showing he seems to know exactly what loneliness Wooyoung was feeling.
Wooyoung wonders if the young man can read emotions…
“Well, you must come to dinner and meet the only other non-geriatric witches in town. I know Madam Jeon makes great tea and the others are great at cards, but our Coven definitely rivals that fun. And, we are just past those trees over there,” Yunho says with a smile that melts Wooyoung’s heart.
Wooyoong is confused how one moment the pair were fully screaming at one another and now were smiling at Wooyoung with the most kindness he’s seen in a while.
“Oh - yes! You must! And, we can even introduce you to everyone, but especially to our eclectic witch, Seonghwa and our mind witch, Hongjoong. If Hwa doesn’t know what your magic is, Joongie might’ve read up 1000 different ways to unlock your magic or thought up 1000 more from scratch,” San says with a burst of energy. Any other day, Wooyoung would love to match that energy. He knows if he gave it time, he and San would be great friends.
But, Wooyoung still feels the pity seeping into his bones and the exhaustion of the day shaking him to his core. Yunho seems to pick up on his hesitation and clears his throat.
“Of course, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. No pressure,” Yunho responds.
“Mind reader?” Wooyoung asks, but immediately covers his mouth. It wasn’t polite to guess other witches’ magics like that, but Yunho lets out a laugh.
“Aura - but, I can mind-read if I’m touching the person,” Yunho says, flinching only minuscule-ly. Wooyoung remembers what San had screamed at him - Stop reading me - it’s invasive.
San immediately reaches out and grabs Yunho’s hand. Something must pass between the pair - an apology? -, because Yunho straightens up. Whatever was going on between them wasn’t fixed, but it wasn’t as broken as before.
“Like Yunho said, no pressure. But, you are welcome anytime,” San says with a small smile.
Wooyoung thinks over his options. Going back to his loft in the middle of town - a cold, dark, lonely attic - a place where he would inevitably have to make a decision on his next move. Or, he could push his decision back a night and forget about his worries for a bit. And, maybe even make some friends?
“I would love to join you for dinner. Thank you for your kindness,” Wooyoung says, returning a smile - something he feels he hasn’t done in ages.
The pair match his grin and start leading him deeper into the woods in the opposite direction from which he came. He follows and absorbs the stories and facts they are throwing at him about themselves, the forest, the town…
Wooyoung only then realizes the thunder had stopped almost abruptly once his conversation with Yunho and San had started.
The trees slowly dissipate into a small clearing where a comfortable cottage lies in the center with smoke emerging from the brick chimney and warm lights glowing from inside. Next to the cottage is a small well, as well as a garden shed. And, a pebble path meets them where they enter the clearing and leads them to the front door. The rest of the clearing is filled with bright green, lively grass - so tempting he almost wants to lay down in it.
“Welcome to our Paradise Cottage,” San says with a laugh, running along the path to the bungalow. Wooyoung swoons at the childlike innocence of the young man.
Wooyoung looks around the clearing once more before following, trying to commit the comfortable ‘paradise’ to memory. He had never felt more at home then he did right then, which was a weird thing to feel at a stranger’s home, so he promised himself he would never say it out loud.
Before he walks forward, something in a large tree to his left catches his eye. The tree was magnificent, yet strikingly haunting: it was a weeping willow with large branches sweeping out in all directions, leaves gently grasping the ground, but the tree also had a giant slash running down the center of the trunk, splitting it open. The gash, though evident, also seemed to be stitched back together with other smaller branches.
What was most curious though, was the young man with red hair sitting on the top branch staring directly at Wooyoung. Wooyoung can’t read the young man’s emotions - his face blank and inquisitive - they just stare at one another.
Both San and Yunho seem to pay no attention to the young man and continue walking towards the cottage. So, Wooyoung follows them.
He gives the young man one last glance and heads inside.
~
Dinner was a gasp of air after a hundred years under water. Wooyoung knew he was being dramatic, but something felt so right when he entered the home.
No, it wasn’t the giant foam ball hitting his face upon entry.
“I swear I was aiming for Yunho - I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” a voice asks at the end of the hallway - later identified as Jongho, the youngest of the witches. He feels bad the rest of the night and tries to make it up to Wooyoung by fluffing a pillow for him on the couch, giving him his favorite pieces of meat, refilling his drink as often as possible.
The rest of the Coven similarly welcomed him with open arms too - sans anymore flying objects.
Seonghwa and Yeosang - both the most beautiful witches Wooyoung had ever laid eyes upon - were in the kitchen preparing dinner, when Wooyoung and the others arrived. Both stopped in their work to welcome the young man, hand him some tea, and seat him in their living room to relax before dinner.
Wooyoung tried to offer help in preparing dinner and was stopped multiple times by the rest.
“You’re our guest. Please just relax,” Seonghwa responds with a smile that had Wooyoung’s heart bursting.
Wooyoung takes in the comfortable atmosphere of their home. There were knick-knacks everywhere, from snow globes to hanging mobiles. Every wall seemed to be painted a different color, paint chipping at the edges from a long lived and long loved home. Maps, paintings, and pictures adorned the walls and Wooyoung wanted to take the time to learn the stories behind each and every one of them.
But, something felt a bit off. Wooyoung couldn’t really explain it, but there were things that felt a bit off balance…
In the way that the window sills were vacant, but there were stained circles in the wood - did there used to be potted plants there before?
In the way there were six coat hooks on the wall in the entry hallway and a small nail left unattended - did there used to be a seventh hook?
In the way everything was mismatched in the house - no two mugs or plates looked the same - but, the seventh chair Jongho pulled from a closet to the dining table matched the rest of the set - did they even sell chairs in sets of seven?
In the Coven, there seemed to be something off too… something missing.
In the way Seonghwa hummed a song under his breath, but would stumble when Yeosang joined in, before continuing.
In the way Yunho and San still fumbled around one another, both obviously remembering their argument before Wooyoung arrived.
In the way Hongjoong - the last of their Coven - eyed the seventh chair at the table with an unreadable expression before glancing over at Wooyoung.
“Who is this?” the man had asked, looking away immediately to ask Yunho. Why is he asking Yunho instead of letting Wooyoung answer for himself?
“Hongjoongie - this is Wooyoung - he is new to town and was studying under Madam Jeon. We found him in the forest and invited him over,” Yunho explained. Wooyoung sees Hongjoong again give him a look, as if judging every inch of him.
“Was?” is all Hongjoong says in response.
Wooyoung opens his mouth to speak but Yeosang is calling everyone to dinner. Hongjoong doesn’t even spare Wooyoung another glance before heading to his seat at the head of the table.
The meal was amazing. Not just the food - Seonghwa and Yeosang were amazing cooks, but it was the first time in a long time Wooyoung had a great conversation while eating. The Coven included him, asking him questions, explaining jokes he didn’t fully understand, bringing him into discussion.
Despite the other’s engaging him in conversation, Hongjoong remained silent - observing the scene ahead of him and especially eyeing Wooyoung. While the others continued to be welcoming, something about Hongjoong was still standoffish and critical.
“How long will you be staying in town?” Yeosang innocently asks towards the end of dinner. Wooyoung gulps and puts his mug down.
“Not much longer, I suppose. Madam Jeon said she tried everything she could to unlock my magic and nothing worked,” Wooyoung says, staring down at his finished plate to avoid more pitied stares.
“Oh, well, there is a town not far from here you could try - Busan,” Seonghwa starts.
“Madam Park. Already studied under her two years ago. Before that, Sir Shim in Daegu. I’ve tried every Eclectic Witch in Korea,” Wooyoung responds.
“Except me,” Seonghwa responds. Wooyoung looks up hesitantly and nods. He finds Seonghwa watching him with curious and kind eyes.
“Well, yes. San mentioned you just finished your studies with Madam Jeon not too long ago,” Wooyoung whispers.
“I will admit I’ve never tried to unlock someone’s magic before,” Seonghwa begins and Wooyoung deflates.
“But, that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in helping. You know, those old witches like Madam Jeon are very old fashioned in their practices. I wonder if I could try some more updated spells and potions,” Seonghwa continues with a smile. Wooyoung feels his heart flutter again as Seonghwa’s eyes sparkle with intrigue at a new project.
“Hwa’s very good at potions - he even makes his own from scratch,” San chips in with a nod that raises Wooyoung’s spirits even more.
“And, maybe Joongie can do some reading into ancient unlocking spells. Maybe your magic is super rare or something?” Jongho wonders out loud. Ancient spells? Rare magic? Wooyoung takes a breath - overwhelmed by how caring the group was - no one had ever entertained the notion that he was anything other than a failure.
Wooyoung looks over at Hongjoong and finds the man rolling his eyes, getting up from the table, depositing his plate in the sink, and walking up the stairs out of sight.
“Or maybe not,” Yeosang says, snorting.
“Well, Wooyoung, you are welcome to come over whenever you want or need. I would be more than happy to try to help as best as I can,” Seonghwa says with another killer smile.
Wooyoung wants to respond yes, yes, one thousand times yes, but his eyes glance to the stairwell. He wouldn’t want to upset Hongjoong more than he already has.
“Joongie will come around,” San says with a determined nod.
And, with that, Wooyoung makes his way home with leftover bread for breakfast the following morning and his heart feeling lighter, lighter, lighter.
On his way out of the cottage, he decides to pass by the willow tree… to see if the red haired man was still there. He sees him on a lower trunk, eyes closed.
“Stay safe up there, okay? There was thunder earlier,” Wooyoung says. The young man’s eyes shoot open and peer straight into Wooyoung. He nods back at Wooyoung, but says nothing, as if in shock.
Wooyoung nods and turns away towards the forest.
“Will you be back?” he hears a deep voice ask from behind him. The red haired man. Wooyoung turns back and gives him a small smile.
“Yes, I think I will,” Wooyoung says before continuing into the forest.