One Upon a Time

The grass and the trees in the park calmed Silvia’s nerves. Her first days awake were going much better than expected, considering she had started from literally nothing. However, the bizarre feeling of not knowing herself was a constant, and it was often joined by the sensation of something lacking. More specifically, someone. Even as she met knew people, Silvia felt as if a part of her soul was not there, as she was only half of a whole.

Lost in such thoughts, she didn’t even realize she wasn’t alone in the park. It was way too early to be on a walk with no goal, but Silvia was surely a morning person. Maybe the other girl was like her. “Oh, I didn’t mean to startle you. Just got a little lost in my own head here, sorry.” She smiled politely, hoping she wasn’t bothering the stranger. “I’m Silvia. I’m headed to Granny’s for work in a bit, but I enjoy some time in an open space before the day really begins.”

A small smile crossed Rosemary’s face, a part of her grateful it was just a girl, whom she didn’t recalled seeing around. “It’s okay, as long as you’re not a creep hiding behind a tree, is safe to say we’re good.” she said with a simple shrug. “Oh you’re working at Granny’s? I love that place for a go -to they have the best pancakes, ever!” she exclaimed turning towards the other fully. Her face was awfully familiar but couldn’t recall much. She was certain she’d never met Silvia, but why did it ring a bell? Somewhere in the news perhaps? Definitely not kindergarden.

“I’m Rosemary, pleased to meet you.” she said before looking at her watch, “If it’s open you think I could catch up for a milkshake or something? I mean if you want company too that is.” after all, it didn’t mattered how much she liked taking walks, always when it came with two or more made it even better. Reason as to why it was common to find Rosemary around with her dog as well.

OPEN: to anyone

LOCATION: town square. 

“I’m going to need you to kindly talk me down from making a life changing decision,” Lucy mused, taking a sip the peppermint mocha latte she’d purchased a little while ago. While it was reminiscent of swallowing toothpaste, she couldn’t resist getting into the holiday season, even if it was still a bit premature. “So, yesterday I went for a haircut and it was going, well, fairly normally until my stylist made the craziest suggestion –she told me I should consider going b l o n d e.” The brunette stopped, holding for dramatic effect. “Isn’t that the funniest thing you’ve ever heard? It’s so crazy that I just might…”

.

Rosemary stopped mid biting a piece of the cheesecake she made sure to get when the other came up to spark the girl’s curiosity. As she spoke, the vet nodded while taking one bite slowly trying to focus on the girl rather than the happiness this cake brought her. “Blonde?! Oh my!” the blue eyed widened her eyes, yes she thought it was going to be something more serious but this was true, there’s nothing more life changing than a whole new look. “I do see it in you, I think it will fit. However do you really want it? I mean you’re already rocking the whole brunette. It would be pretty cool though.”

@magicandlostmemories

where: within any gven sundae when: fabletown 

it was the intent behind it, the inquisitive want to pursue a connection that just wasn’t there when araminta’s steps in words trailed behind till they faded into silence. cutting off her own uncertain order. due to her sights laying hold of something, someone on the edge of her vision once the bell to the shop sang in greeting—brunette hair that her fingers had more than once ran through, that charming permanent half smile, eyes so deep she’d get lost, his voice— “ ah, I’m sorry. “ araminta’s smile curled her lips, all apologetic edges on display backing up till she allowed the person behind her to progress forward instead, impatient scowl matched with scowl aided by another emotion. irritation. glinda hadn’t thought of oscar earlier in the day, stuck as a lovestruck teen was she, even his name in her thoughts was uttered in a softness she did not accept the existence of, and when she did breach such dreams her skull burned in warning.  “ excuse me, I hope you don’t mind me asking but, um, what flavor would you recommend? “ a light laugh paired with a glance towards the list of names on display above the selections. “ I’m afraid I’m lost. “ in more ways than one.

During one of her free times the young woman decided to take a time for herself and get a little ice cream. As she waited behind the other woman she started to grow a little impatient which is why she turned to her social media, after all, Rosemary needed to update Toto’s instagram. Her favorite public photo album of her best friend. A smile crossed her features as she stared at the pictures fondly.

However how long was this woman taking for just an ice cream?

“Oh?” she questioned as she was brought back into reality by the same woman, she was outstandingly beautiful ! There was something just impressive almost royal-esque about her. Goals. Definitely goals. “It’s alright, they have a pretty extended menu it really makes you wish for more stomachs to fit more.” she joked with a small smile.

“My personal favorite is always cookies and cream, because like who doesn’t love cookies right? If you’re interested in classics, all the fruit flavored ones are a good choice you can also combine them, can have your personal pina colada.” Rosemary suggested while pointing at the flavors in display, “If you don’t want it too sweet, coffee flavor, the sundae, also the regular one are another good options, now if you have like a really sweet tooth, there are chocolate based ones that really work, as in, buttefinger and reese’s kind of sweet. I’ll go for the sundae if you’re too unsure. Does that help?”

Silvia felt bad that such a gentle guy had been through something so similar to what she faced now, but it was a small comfort to know she was not completely alone. “I believe I’ve had enough sleep for a lifetime, or at least that’s what they tell me.” She liked the nickname blue bird. It was weirdly specific and - something told her - strangely fitting.

“Well, official record says nobody has the faintest idea of what was wrong with me, or of how it stopped being wrong - at least enough for me to wake up. I guess you have a theory to refute, and I have one to create.” She laughed, trying to be as silent as possible considering their location. “All I know is I’m Silvia Neves, and I’m a heavy sleeper.” She joked, offering her hand for him to shake.

His question made Silvia raise her eyebrows, but she couldn’t help but smile. It was a scary prospect, leaving the hospital’s cold white walls to see what waited for her outside, but it was also a very welcome one. “Not yet, no. I have no idea what to expect after this…” She gestured vaguely to the room. “But I wouldn’t like to stay here too long.” She confessed. 

Then, gathering some courage, she continued. “Would you… Would you accompany me out there, if that’s not too much to ask?” She didn’t really know this man, but she didn’t know anyone else either, herself included. Her heart told her he was a good person, and she would feel way less lost in her new journey if she didn’t have to start it alone.

.

"Huhm...and what do you say?” he asked with arched brows and big eyes full of wonder, smiling gently only to stop yet again to listen to her. “Sounds like you’ve caused enough trouble without intending too, awesome.” he teased before nodding yet again before laughing at her introduction. The young man thought about it, that was a nice name, but he liked the one he gave her most.

“Silvia Neves aka Blue Bird, good to see you awake my lady” he said while taking the girl’s hand gently and offering a quick bow with his head, “I’m Daeyoung Yoo. . .or am I?” he joked before placing a couple of fingers over his mouth, furrowed his brows and looked around confused before offering a knowing smirk at the brunette. It was then he noticed something, the other hadn’t made a comment over his hair, which to be fair he was awfully grateful, he felt normal.

“Huh?” a surprise indeed, not only no one was coming for her but the whole town was a new landscape wasn’t it? He remembered his first night, he wouldn’t admit it but it scared him for a while, he couldn’t even imagine this child. Daeyoung looked back at Silvia, this girl really was something, asking a total stranger -a guy nonetheless- to give her company into the unknown world, he thought of all possibilities and he guessed that in the wrong hands she would definitely be easily taken advantage of. His conscious wouldn’t allow that to happen.

“You are quite a young lady little blue bird.” he said before shaking his head but then, jumped up straight, made a little courtesy before offering his hand to help the girl up. “It’ll be an honor to guide on your first adventure out there, if I may.”

SANGHYUK SAW AS UNDERSTANDING SLOWLY began to dawn on the barista’s eyes as he read from the screen, a very noticeable blush spreading across his face, pinkening the tips of his ears in such an endearing way Hyuk almost regretted teasing him. He did not have time to think any of the other’s embarrassment was due to being faced with a customer like himself either because the playful quirk on his lips returned as soon as he was done reading, as if nothing had changed. Hyuk smiled back, more sincerely; his intuition had told him Daeyoung was a good one from the start but it surely felt nice when he was proven right about it.

Hyuk chuckled at the other man’s theatrics when he moved away to prepare his latte  (  he has a nice voice,  he appraised in thought  )  , hiding a grin behind his sleeve. For someone working graveyard shifts in a cafe that barely got customers after ten, Daeyoung seemed to be in very high spirits, grinning and speaking so animatedly one would think being awake and at work so late was no bother for him at all. Maybe it wasn’t – Hyuk felt almost envious of so much productive energy, not feeling much capable of anything himself after such a tiring day at school and so many sleepless nights on a roll. It made him anxious to think of that, of how his insomnia could be affecting his work performance and worse yet, his creativity. He wasn’t one to let himself dwell on negative thoughts normally but the restlessness made it harder to policy himself. It was luck to have met Daeyoung that night, seeing that the other was proving to be Hyuk’s way-out of his gloomy head, even if only temporarily.

It did make Sanghyuk bashful, however, to have the barista going on and on about his work without even knowing that he was. He was not easy to fluster, but he’d never had someone praising his work to his face apart from the children he’d gifted with his books in the past, and their excitement, so touching for its genuineness, was also to be expected. To see someone, an adult man no less, talking about his work just as earnestly had caught Hyuk off guard in a much different way than he had caught the barista off guard earlier. Approaching the book carefully, as if not to disturb the stories lying dormant inside it, Hyuk brought it closer to himself to inspect it more closely. There weren’t many physical copies of any of his books out there since those cost more money to make than he could afford to spend in what was essentially a hobby of his – he rarely picked up his own copies from the shelves these days too, feeling disheartened to do so by his lack of progress in his current creative projects. He had no idea where that copy came from. Did it belong to the town’s library? To a child? Or did it belong to Daeyoung?

Running his fingertips over the embossed letters of his name on the cover, he traced the golden “S” of Sanghyuk with his thumb absently before shrugging in answer to Daeyoung’s question, lips pursed in mock indifference. The book was decent for having been one of his earliest projects… but not really what he’d taken interest in. Noticing his order was nearly done, Hyuk propped his arms on the counter again, typing more in his phone before sliding in over so Dayoung could read it, smiling as innocently as possible as he awaited a reaction.

.

The raven haired turned from time to time at his customer, smiling gently when the other approached the book, hoping it was for a sincere interest and not an attempt to take it away from him. He was so close to see the end after all, besides it was a beautiful book! The young man focused on finishing his order to give the other more time to communicate with him and when it was done a dramatic “Tah-dah!” was exclaimed as he approached the other leaving his drink in the counter.

Honestly? Where did this guy came from? Even the way he left his means to speak were endearing, but he kept his mouth shut for that, as a man he understood the annoyance it can be to be called ‘cute’. A gasp escaped his lips upon reading the topic of another book of the same author “A girl that becomes a star?! How cool is that though!” he exclaimed but, before he knew it, for some reason, it felt nostalgic. “It must be lonely to travel the galaxy by yourself though, man now I need to save to know she makes it home safe and sound--Oh wait I’m not done.” he added as he kept reading while mumbling a little melody. 

“Huh?” Daeyoung furrowed his brows, tilted his head before  looked back at the smiling customer. It was then realization came to be, his eyes widened and if possible he turned even more pale than before, “HUH?! What? Wait a moment! Wait a moment!” he exclaimed before an incoherent noise came out of his mouth as he covered his face. Because, obviously that would make it all the more private. 

The young coughed in order to use his lowest voice supposedly ‘calm’ voice, “I mean yeah, why spending time with talented baristas that make the best latte they will taste in their life to spark creativity when they could be working....on sequels? Like seriously? Are you going to leave all the poor souls reading your books, hanging?” he joked along with a little laugh.

𝙼𝙰𝙶𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙻𝙾𝚂𝚃𝙼𝙴𝙼𝙾𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂    .    original  starter    .

daeyoung’s  weight  crashed  onto  the  towering  man    ,    surprise  causing  haneul  to  buckle  𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃    .    it  shouldn’t  have  startled  him    ,    he  realized    ,    when  he  thought  about  it    :    this  occurred  on  the  daily    .    at  least  this  time    ,    the  bounding  young  man  has  the  good  idea  to  pry  himself  off  before  his  roommate  shoved  him  off    .    ❛    …    you’ve  already  got  plenty  of  energy  as  is    .    ❜    but  he’ll  admit    ,    the  difference  in  height    (    as  he  stared  down  at  the  raven  haired  man    )    amused  him  immensely    .    he  raised  a  brow    ,    snatching  the  fruit  the  foot  from  little  hands    ,    &    eyed  the  packaging    .    ❛    calculations  made  by  you                 risky    .    did  you  have  a  calculator  around    ?    ❜

@magicandlostmemories​

.

Silvia’s smile turned into a slightly confused frown as she realized what he meant. “Are you… Have you forgotten, too?” She didn’t have to specify what she had forgotten. It was simply everything. “It’s pretty scary, yes. I woke up knowing nothing but my own name, and these are my only clues.” She let him close her hand over the ruby and then gestured to her few belongings.

She nodded as he spoke, finally taking the necklace. Instead of putting it inside the handbag, though, she raised it up to her neck and put it on, letting the it stay hidden under her clothes. “I will try to be careful with it.” She smiled again, a bit sad as she thought that it must have been important, but she had no way to know. 

“Have you been here for a long time?” Here could be the hospital, the town, the lack of memory situation… Whatever he wanted to share. This guy was gentle and he didn’t seen to think she was too weird due to her conditions. Maybe, knowing a bit about him was a good way to start out.

.

Blue eyes looked straight to dark ones at his question, a rather saddened smile crossing his face. Being disoriented was the thing he remembered most before being brought to the hospital, he listened to her carefully and with curiosity yes. “You took one long nap little blue bird. I’ve seen many around town who would envy that considering how chaotic life can be.” he said with a smirk, before he looked down at his own pale hands, yet to be sincere he envied their connections and memories. 

“Official record says I hit my head.” he confessed before looking back at the young woman, arched his brows, widened his eyes and with a quick shrug and kind smile he whispered, “But how would I know if forgot that too huh?” he snickered before nodding his head.

To her last question Daeyoung couldn’t help but release a sigh and raise his voice a bit, “More than I intended at least!” earning yet another scowl from the passing nurses, but he still offered a gummy smile at the young lady. “To be honest, I did sneaked out a bit.” he confessed in yet another lower tone before squinting a bit, “Have you gone out already?”

@magicandlostmemories​​    (    𝙹𝙰𝙲𝙺  𝙵𝚁𝙾𝚂𝚃    )

it’s  become  something  of  a  reflex  these  days    ,    the  way  ewan  would  come  to  stare  at  daeyoung  with  an  expression  that  was  alike  one  of  a  scolding  mother    .    ❛    i’m  not  calling  you  a  liar    ,    ❜    𝐘𝐄𝐒  𝐇𝐄  𝐖𝐀𝐒    ,    but  that’s  an  outward  truth  he’ll  take  to  the  grave    ,    ❛    i’m  just  saying    :    what  a  big  coincidence  it  is  that  the  one  night  i  let  you  sleep  over    ,    i  wake  up  with  shit  drawn  on  my  face    .    ❜

IT TOOK THE BARISTA LONGER than Sanghyuk expected to notice him there, but he himself had gotten a little distracted too, feeling equal parts amused and amazed by the other man’s reactions to his work, the wide-eyed expressions and gasps ( and swear words that really should not be directed towards a children’s book, Hyuk thought with a nose scrunch ), how he unwittingly shoved the book further and further into his own face, making it clear he was enjoying it. It reminded Hyuk of his students: how they held picture books so close to their faces as if they wanted to dive into the pages, to become a part of the stories they we’re reading – it was touching to think he was perhaps able to evoke such feelings in others too, and that it was not limited to children either!

They were nearing the end of the book when the barista decided to put the book down… only to let out a loud yelp, jerking away from him so abruptly he nearly lost his balance, eyes fitting to the blonde with pure shock. Hyuk, having been expecting such a reaction, didn’t even flinch, sliding his elbow off the counter and stepping back so he could watch the barista – DAEYOUNG, the name tag on his uniform read – fumble to regain his composure, trying his hardest to remain straight-faced, his mirth only noticeable in the crinkle of his eyes. When the other man grinned, however, the blonde felt his own expression change as something akin to familiarity tugged at his chest. Did he know this Daeyoung person? He searched the other’s face: the eagerness in his stark blue eyes, the pristine white of his teeth, waiting for a memory to resurface… but nothing came to mind, only that eerie lingering sensation that something was wrong…

He shook his head, dispersing these thoughts. Now, that was definitely the lack of sleep taking its toll, he excused to himself, which also reminded him – Hyuk unlocked his phone and was greeted with the notepad app he’d left open with his usual order already typed in it, ready to go. But he felt compelled to say something more, his eyes flickering to the barista’s expectant face for a moment who was just now so filled with wonder and excitement, so he began typing on his phone again, with the expertly of someone who needs that to communicate every day. After adding an emoji for good measure, Sanghyuk looked up and showed the barista his screen with a cordial ( if not too cordial, almost teasing ) smile and a short, silent wave of his hand.

.

As his customer took an extra time to the cellphone, Daeyoung -apart from tilting his head and arching a brow- took this chance for a quick look around just to see how far his backpack was from his position, if he was quick enough like a bunny he might as well reach it and keep the book in there but he wouldn’t make it. How long had the blond been waiting anyway? Before he could even turn the other was finishing so he regained his composure.

“Uhm?” this was different, but he approached until he reached the counter and leaned in to look at his message. A furrow crossed his features over the last two sentences though, not out of anger but full embarrassment, one that due to his  abnormal pale skin was able to be noticed in his now pink colored ears. However he looked back at his customer, straight in the eyes he was no expert, but spending time with all kind of children whenever he had the time, really taught him a thing or two. While the eyes of the other were calm and had a sweet spark he understood one thing, he must be considered different than the others and one thing he learned amongst the children is it didn’t matter your so called disability, they were capable of the same things as anybody else.

“Alright young sir.” A smirk crossed his features and placed the book over the counter carefully -yet on purpose to see if it caught the other’s attention too- before adding his order in the system. “A vanilla latte on the way ~” he sang almost like in an opera performance, not as loud but sure with eager and passion. “The book is brilliant by the way.” he added as soon as he started working on his drink, “I think the magic of it comes from the illustrations mainly. A lot of people overlook at those kind of tales these days, label them just for children, when in reality we can find truth and values that as adults we forget in them.” he offered a gentle smile at the thought of the illustrations as well as the plot he just got into. In a moment of silence he focused on finishing his order. 

“Are you interested in the book?” he inquired, inwardly thinking that if he wasn’t he didn’t know what the smaller one was doing with his life !

for @magicandlostmemories​!

IT WAS JUST PAST MIDNIGHT when Sanghyuk slipped out of his front door, wallet and phone shoved in each pocket of his mustard yellow hoodie, keys dangling from his fingers. The crinkling of metal against metal was the most noise he’d made that entire day and it sounded particularly loud then, so he rushed to grip his keys in a tight fist. The last thing Hyuk wanted was to disturb someone’s sleep when he himself wished for nothing more than to be asleep right now. It wasn’t for the lack of trying that he wasn’t – but after tossing and turning in bed for nearly two hours to no avail, he’d forced his heavy eyelids open and kicked his blankets away; the man knew how to identify what were the first signs of a sleepless night by now, so he headed to the kitchen, hoping caffeine would keep the exhaustion headache he felt coming at bay… only to discover he was out of coffee powder.

Hence how Sanghyuk ended up wandering the lone streets of the town so late into the night, letting his feet drag him bleary-eyed and yawning to the Mad Tea cafe, the only place he knew to be open at these hours that served coffee. It wasn’t a long walk, just a few blocks from his place, so in the space between a slow blink and another he arrived at his destination. Pushing the door of the cafe open, he walked inside and, as expected, found it to be empty of customers, the only person there being the barista, who appeared to not have noticed his arrival, face hidden by a book… a book Hyuk recognized almost immediately, causing his mouth to part in a soundless gasp. He stared dumbfounded at the illustrations on the paperboard cover, the thin spine of the book, the pale hands that held it and the mop of black hair that rose from behind it – then, Hyuk rubbed at his eyes, sure he was just imagining things because he was tired, but no: when he looked again, the book in the barista’s hands was still a book by Kim Sanghyuk.

Hyuk ventured closer to the counter unwittingly, then closer, but to his utter astonishment the barista didn’t even flinch… That because he was too transfixed by the book to notice Hyuk, who now stood by the counter, fingers gripped tightly in his fist so they would not dare to make noise. Not the book. My book. It’s my book that he’s reading, he marveled in his head, eyes flickering between the book’s cover and the top half of the man’s face, a tiny spark of pride warming his chest, having never really seen someone reading those books before. The book I drew for children, too… . He bit his lip to keep an amused grin from spreading across his face. It was odd and unexpected, yeah, for a seemingly adult man to be so interested in a children’s book, but it was a little endearing too. Curious, he all of sudden found himself wanting to ask if the other was really enjoying it, what was that he liked about it, what about the illustrations – so personal to Sanghyuk it was strange seeing it in someone else’s hands – made him so incapable of averting his eyes from the pages, absorbed to the point he forgot his surroundings. Yes, at that moment with his tiredness all but forgotten, Hyuk found himself wanting to ask that person many, many things.

Yet, after short contemplation, all he did at last was lean his elbow on the counter as silently as he could manage and prop his chin on his hand so he could peek into the book contents and read along with the barista, their heads only inches from touching though Hyuk made sure to not hover too close as to not startle the other man too bad when he eventually noticed his presence there. He kept his phone in his other hand, the notepad app already opened with his order typed down on it. Hyuk figured, with a small smile pulling at his lips, that he had time for that later. All night, even, or until the cafe closed, whichever happened first.

.

Working at night was usually something a lot of people seemed to despise, however he didn’t hesitated when he applied for the job. Some nights Daeyoung was tired and wished for everyone to leave sure, but most of the times he actually enjoy it. He found it hard to go to bed right away, and by this time of the night people would be at their most peaceful moment, but most importantly, the moon was at it’s peek and no matter the phase, always shining brightly. 

This night however was extra slow, extra calm, and while he liked and appreciated that time, he was going to fall asleep at this point that’s why he remembered. The book called him like a moth to the light upon first passing by that morning, so , with the last customer gone and all this place for himself he couldn’t resist taking it out and boy, he should’ve wait for now Daeyoung was completely immersed in the book.

To everybody’s surprise, including himself , he enjoyed stories, hearing, living and definitely reading them, but this book was different he felt it in his bones . Reason? The illustrations were marvelous! You didn’t had to have a high IQ to understand and see that. He was completely immersed he didn’t heard when the door opened and much less that he was being observed. The now brunette furrowed his brows, and had his lips parted as he grew closer to the pages, upon turning one he gasped and couldn’t help to let go an excited , “Holy shit!” 

Alright he needed a time out, however as soon as he lowered the book someone who was way too close to his face was standing. The young barista barely had time to react, he let go a little yelp and jumped so abruptly he almost lost balance. “Hey--ah!” A nervous laugh escaped his lips but was replaced by trying to get air back to his lungs. “I mean, ahem.” he said straightening up and noticing the children’s book was still in his hand, looking at it and back at the customer he quickly placed it to his back and held his wrist with his free hand. “Welcome to the Mad Tea Cafe, how may I help you tonight?” he said leaning closer and offering a gummy smile with arched brows before he took yet another breath while looking slightly away. Trying to ignore the fact he just had the scare of a lifetime. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you walk in.” 

The air was chill, the park was lonely, it was a bit too early to get to work having bad dreams were the cause of it. The young woman walked around to make some time, touching the leaves of bushes as she went by, she stopped only when she had a tingling sensation running through her veins. 

As she inhaled deeply her racing heart relaxed and so did her muscles. However there it was another awfully familiar sensation, since a few weeks she’d been feeling strangely observed. Though she had no proof she took yet another breath, “May I help you with something?” she asked before turning back towards what she guessed would be a newcomer.