Chapter Text
“San!” Wooyoung cried.
The young witch burst out of the house after his fleeing friend, desperate to keep him from leaving. However, San had gotten too much of a head start, and as the sun began to set he disappeared into the forest. Wooyoung watched in horror as the shadows and foliage of the forest floor swallowed his figure from sight. He fell to his knees on the edge of the forest, not daring to follow after him, the cool night air drying the tears on his face. He heard someone else running towards him and looked behind him to see Yeosang approaching, panic clear on his face.
“Wooyoung… where is San?” He asked hoping that the answer would be different than what he was thinking.
Wooyoung just lifted his arm and pointed into the forest, already having lost track of where exactly San had entered.
“I…I couldn’t catch up with him in time to stop him.” Wooyoung said trying to keep his voice lever, but it shook anyway.
Yeosang took a shaky breath, obviously not getting the answer he was hoping for.
“It’s cold, we should get inside and tell the others, maybe Seunghwa or Hongjoong will be able to find him,” Yeosang said trying to soothe his friend.
“Why would they? They are the reason he left to begin with.” Wooyoung asked bitterly.
“Come on, no one thought he would leave like that,” Yeosang said still trying to calm him down.
“Are you sure? Because it seems like the only people in this coven who want San around is you and I. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they celebrated the fact that San probably just ran to his death.” Wooyoung bit back.
“Hey, don’t say that. You know that everyone in the Coven cares about San. We all care for each other. However, Hongjoong also has the responsibility of keeping us safe, both from outsiders and ourselves.” Yeosang said sternly.
“Whatever, I will come in, but I am not speaking to any of them,” Wooyoung said defiantly.
~~~~~
Hongjoong knew that the coven existed in a very tense balance, always at the brink of breaking apart like a dam with too much pressure behind it. He knew that when he allowed San, the newest member, to join that it added to the pressure. However, he also knew that he was selfish and needed all of them in his life, that he loved each of them too much to let them go. All that was needed was to keep a balance, to keep the pressure from growing too much. He knew it wasn’t fair to any of them for him to keep them from fully exploring their magic, to keep them from discovering every part of themselves. He also knew that if they did then they would draw too much attention, and the last thing they needed was for the town to find out what they were and start a witch hunt. At least that’s what he told himself, but deep down he knew that he was scared, because if any of them did something that broke the oath of the coven, they would have to leave. Or even worse, they could decide to leave on their own, deciding that they needed something more, something better than what he could offer them. So when he watched San storm away the door slamming behind him, leaving Hongjoong breathing heavily from all the shouting, he swears he could hear the sound of the dam cracking. He felt a sick feeling settle in his stomach, and as Wooyoung ran after him followed by Yeosang a few moments later he couldn’t keep himself standing upright. He wasn’t sure who it was who grabbed his arm, keeping him from falling full force to the ground, but based on the size it was probably Mingi.
“Why did I yell?” That was all Hongjoong was able to ask as he stayed kneeling on the ground.
The cold air of the spring night bit at his nose as it made its way in from the open door, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the entrance regret making a home in his chest.
“Hey, it’s okay. Wooyoung and Yeosang will bring him back, everyone just needs to calm down and then talk this out.” Yunho said kneeling in front of him, blocking his view of the door.
“I told him he was born evil, I don’t know if there is a way to come back from that.” Hongjoong choked out, feeling sick as he repeated the words he had thrown in Sans's face.
“Yeah, not your best moment…” Jongho muttered.
“Not the time Jongho,” Seunghwa stated flatly kneeling next to their coven leader on the floor.
“This is San we are talking about, I am sure if you just apologize and talk with him he will forgive you. Both of you were saying some pretty nasty things.” Seunghwa comforted him gently rubbing his back.
A few moments later Wooyoung and Yeosang walked back into the house. Hongjoong scrambled to stand up, an apology already on the tip of his tongue.
“San-” He started to say fresh tears gathering in his eyes, however, the words died in his mouth and confusion replaced the desperation as he noticed that San was not with them.
“Where is San?” He asked panic creeping up his spine.
Wooyoung just glared at him scoffing, “Why do you care? Shouldn’t you be glad that something so evil is gone?” He snapped at Hongjoong before storming upstairs to his room.
“Gone?” Hongjoong echoed, almost like he had never heard the word before.
“He went into the forest.” Was the only answer Yeosang provided before walking down the hallways to his room.
~~~~
Hongjoong panted as he slumped forward against one of the trees. He has been searching since sunrise for any sign of San in the woods, a scent, a footprint, torn clothing, anything. Much to his frustration he has found nothing, even when he had allowed himself to shift into his wolf form, he had come up empty-handed. It was almost like the forest had erased any trace of San existing at all, and it made Hongjoong want to scream. Wooyoung hadn’t looked at him, and the only thing he said was that he couldn’t sense San in the woods. Wooyoung refused to look or speak to him, and he didn’t blame him he wishes he could do the same to himself. Yeosang had given him a nod of acknowledgment and told him to be out of the forest before sunset. Hongjoong took note of the darkening sky and shouted as he punched the tree, breaking the skin of his hand open, as tears spilled down his cheeks again. He didn’t say a word as he walked into the house. Yunho and Seunghwa looked up at him hopefully, but one look at the coven leader told them all they needed to know. Seunghwa stood up and put his hand on Hongjoong’s shoulder, reaching down to take his bleeding hand in his own.
“Come on, let's get you cleaned up.” He said gently.
Hongjoong just scuffed and yanked his hand away.
“Just leave it, bleeding is the least of my concerns. Did anyone here have any luck?” Hongjoon asked flatly.
“... No, Mingi said he couldn’t even sense him anymore…” Yunho said breaking the silence that fell over the room after Hongjoong asked the question.
“So, he is dead then…” Hongjoong said, eyes hollow voice void of any emotion.
“And it’s your fault.” Came a fierce voice from the top of the stairs.
The three of them looked up to see Wooyoung standing at the top of the stairs, tears streaming down his face, and eyes filled with so much hate and disdain that they seemed to suck the air out of the room.
“Wooyoung-” Seunghwa went to scold but Hongjoong just shook his head.
“He is right.” He muttered, voice dripping with self-hatred.
“You don’t have the right to feel sorry for yourself.” Wooyoung spat before disappearing, the sound of his door slamming echoing through the house.
Just like that, the dam broke.
~~~~~
The next morning Mingi went into Wooyoung’s room to find it a mess, and most of his belongings missing, the Fae nowhere to be seen.
“He left last night around 3 in the morning,” Yeosang said from his doorway right across the hall.
“You didn’t try to stop him?” Mingi asked.
“Who am I to make him stay where he doesn’t want to be?” Yeosang asked.
“Did he at least say where he went?” Mingi asked.
“He said something about going to the city, that’s all I know,” Yeosang said shrugging and going back into his room.
“What’s wrong?” Jongho asked walking out of the bathroom to find Mingi zoning out, a frown on his face.
“Wooyoung left,” Mingi said.
“Can’t say I am surprised…” Jongho said softly.
“We are supposed to be a coven, a family…” Mingi said.
“Not all families are meant to stay together,” Jongho said.
“I thought ours was,” Mingi said sadly walking past him.
Jongho watched him walk away, going downstairs probably to inform Hongjoong of the missing Coven member.
“I hoped so too.” He muttered sadly.
If Hongjoong was shocked or saddened by the news of Wooyoung leaving he didn’t show it. All he did was nod and go back to staring out the window, watching the forest line. It wasn’t until dinner time that he seemed to tune back in with what was happening. Yeosang came down the stairs, two bags with him.
“Where are you going?” Yunho asked.
“Wooyoung joined to make sure I was safe, it’s only fair I go with him this time to keep an eye on him,” Yeosang stated.
“You’re leaving?” Seunghwa asked.
“I am. I will write you all when I find him, I will keep us both safe.” Yeosang said.
“Tell him I am sorry.” Was all Hongjoong could choke out before he disappeared into his room again.
~~~~~
It was a couple of weeks later that a letter appeared through their mail slot, fluttering softly to the ground. It was Jongho who found it and opened it upon recognizing Yeosang’s handwriting on the envelope.
I found him, we are both safe. We managed to find a little place in the city to live. Wooyoung made it clear that he doesn’t wish to return, but just give him some time, I am sure he will change his mind. I will stay here with him until then, please keep me updated and reach out if you guys need anything.
Jongho was glad to hear that they were both safe, but quite sad to find out that they wouldn’t be returning any time soon. He went to give the letter to Hongjoong, who has barely left his room since Yeosang left. He knocked on the door and when he didn’t get an answer he cracked the door open, to find Hongjoong laying in his bed empty eyes staring at nothing.
“Yeosang wrote to us, he found Wooyoung.” He said to the elder setting the letter on the table by his head.
“Please read it.” Jongho pleaded, reaching out to place a hand on Hongjoong’s arm, but the man moved just out of reach.
“Don’t… just… leave me alone….” Hongjoong muttered voice void of life.
Jongho didn’t say anything, just let out a small sigh nodding and retreating from the room.
~~~~~
Yunho was the next to leave, a few months after Yeosang. The tensions in the country were growing as more and more hate for magic spread, and witches and other beings were being harmed. He decided that Yeosang and Wooyoung could use some help. There was always safety in numbers after all. Plus being half-human made it more likely that anyone associated with him, as well as himself, would be seen in a more favorable light if they were ever found out. He had asked Hongjoong, who had agreed that he should go. It had taken a while but Hongjoong had finally started leaving his room and eating again, although he was a fraction of who he used to be. Jongho helped Yunho pack and wished him safe travels, Mingi hugged him goodbye, and Seunghwa gave him enough food to last the trip and more. Now it was just Mingi, Jungho, Seunghwa, and Hongjoong in the house. Hongjoong still spent most of his time in his room, reading as many books as he can. Seunghwa made sure the house was kept clean, even straightening up the now-empty rooms in case they came home. Mingi tried to hide how much he missed the others, but Jongho had seen the map he had enchanted to show the location of all the members. He even caught him asking the map a few times about San. Jongho found it hard to stay in the house, deciding that the lake across the meadow and down the hill was a much nicer place to spend his time. It was there he felt the most at peace, some of the weight that had settled over his heart lifting. It wasn’t until the first anniversary of San going missing that he saw the others again. They had gotten a letter a few days before they arrived announcing that they would be visiting, upon the request of Wooyoung. However, they made it clear that they would not be staying. When they got there Yunho and Yeosang greeted everyone, but Wooyoung refused to enter the house or look at Hongjoong. He greeted Seunghwa, Jongho, and Mingi however, asking how they had been. He didn’t enter the house as he said, instead, he took the bag he brought with him and went to the tree line. He took out the candles and incense he had brought, setting up a little shrine and asking the gods above to return San to them. He stayed out there all day and night, praying and begging for his friend to return, or at least give him a sign that he was safe wherever he was. He had fallen asleep on the ground in front of the candles, and when he opened his eyes he got choked up when he saw that there the incense he had been burning was a single Iris flower. He gasped and sat up, choking on a sob as he gently reached out and brushed his fingers along the soft petals. He got an answer, one that gave him what he needed most, hope.
This went on for another two years. Wooyoung, Yunho, and Yeosang lived in the city, only visiting on the anniversary of San’s disappearance. None of them would call it the anniversary of his death, although that’s what they all believed to be true, saying it out loud was too much for any of them to handle. Wooyoung’s cold shoulder towards Hongjoong continued until the third anniversary when he greeted Hongjoong with a small smile and a nod. Hongjoong looked shocked, but quickly returned the greeting, forcing himself not to cry. All of them went inside and ate a meal and talked before Wooyoung once again gathered his things and went to do his ritual.
“Is it… can I join you?” Hongjoong asked quietly, standing a few steps away from Wooyoung in the front garden, almost like he was scared that Wooyoung would yell at him.
Which in Hongjoong’s defense was still highly possible, and for a second Wooyoung considered telling him to go back inside. However when he looked at the coven leader, and saw how much he had changed, he felt a weight settle over his heart. The once fierce and lively eyes and mischievous smile were none, leaving a seemingly permanent frown and tired eyes.
“Yeah… I think that would be nice.” Wooyoung said giving him a small smile.
Hongjoong gave him a small smile, nodding his head and following Wooyoung to the edge of the forest, helping him set up the candles and incense, making sure that each one was fully lit before blowing out the match. The two of them kneeled next to each other and bowed to the ground, praying for their missing Coven member. As the sun was starting to set Hongjoong couldn’t help but realize how quiet it had become, almost like the world around them was holding their breath. Hongjoong lifted his head for just a moment, looking for any signs of danger. Instead, he gasped, as San’s familiar figure immerged from the darkness of the tree line.
“San?” He choked out, tears already dripping off his chin.
Upon the words falling past his lips, Wooyoung shot up, looking around frantically until his eyes settled on his friend standing a few yards away. Without another thought Wooyoung took off towards San, not caring if the foliage caught and tore at his clothes, or that he had twisted his ankle by getting up so quickly. He clung to San, hugging him so tight that part of him was worried about hurting the other, but the rest of him was too focused on making sure he could breathe past the sobs escaping his lips.
“You came back, you are okay.” He chanted between sobs and shaking breaths.
“San…” The broken voice of Hongjoong met their ears and Wooyoung pulled away just enough to see Hongjoong fall to his knees a few feet away, eyes wide and looking like he had seen a ghost, although to be fair it wasn’t far from what was happening.
“Wooyoung, Hongjoong? What’s wrong? I know I ran away for a little bit, but you guys are acting like you saw me die…” San said confused and very concerned about his coven mates who were currently still crying.
“A little bit? You call three years a little bit?” Wooyoung asked accusingly.
“Three years?” San exclaimed, Wooyoung’s words feeling like someone had thrown him into cold water.