Gold over love

-Guys, do you see what I see? Hyunjin stopped walking and stared at a shelter at the peak of the snow mountain.

-Birdy, do you feel anything?

-No. Is either empty or there are humans inside.

-Let's check. Felix needs to rest somewhere warm.

They all climbed up and reached the door.

The doorknob was covered in a shiny gold that caught Felix's attention.

They knocked three times and the wooden door opened.

Felix dragged Changbin on the side as the man inside fell on the ground.

-What the- Changbin turned around furious until he realised Felix was the one who pulled him aside.

-That's King Midas. You would have been turned into a gold statue, the human replied innocently.

-You saved me?

Felix nodded with no hesitation.

-Again? I told you not to drink that much! a blonde boy came outside and bent down to help the man get up.

-No, don't touch him! Felix screamed in panic.

The boy didn't listen. Half of his body was already stiff and covered in gold. Yet he helped the man stand up.

-Let's put you in bed, father, he said.

-Father? Changbin asked.

-Come inside! I'll make tea, the boy turned to them.

...-My name is Yeosang, the boy brought hot tea to everyone and a blanket for Felix.

The latter stared at his eyes shamelessly. One looked like it was carved in gold, the other was brown.

-Oh, this? Yeosang touched his cheek under his eye. I still have one good eye, so it's not big deal, he shrugged it off.

-What are you doing here? In the middle of nowhere? Jeongin asked.

-We've been banished here. Obviously being next to father is not safe for everyone.

-What about your mother? Minho became curious.

-She's here.

-Here? In the house? Hyunjin looked around for any photo of sign of her presence.

-Yes. Father likes to keep her in his room.

-Keep her? Changbin smeeled something fishy.

-What about you? What brings you on the North Mountain?

-We're looking for someone.

-And something, Hyunjin completed Jeongin.

-Everyone is looking for something nowadays, Yeosang smiled.

-Don't you wanna sit down, Changbin chimed in.

-Oh, no! I'm good, Yeosang smiled at him.

-What were you saying? Jeongin ignored completely Changbin's warnings.

Jisung got up to look around and Felix followed him.

They found a door crested in gold and jewels. It was pushed open, revealing the man sleeping in his bed and next to it a golden statue of a beautiful woman with a horrified expression upon her face.

-Who may she be? Jisung admired her flawless face.

-She's Damodice, Felix answered terrified. I think- I think she is his wife. The real one. Not a statue.

Jisung turned in fear towards Felix.

-Got you!

The man arose from his bed and went to clunch on Felix, but Jisung went between them and got cursed with the gold fate.

-You're next, little Apollo! Come here!

Felix ran to find the others.

The moment he called for them, all took out their weapons to protect him.

-Father! What's going on?

-He's the boy she told us about, he pointed to Felix. Catch him!

-He got Jisung, Felix cried in Hyunjin's chest.

-What happened to Jisung? Minho screamed from the top of his lungs.

-He's gold, Felix shivered.-I'll kill you! Minho made his way through the gods and went for the King's neck until the blue fire came between them.

-As much as I would like to see this, I wanna understand what's going on, Changbin uttered.

-Damodice is gold too, Felix explained.

-Your wife? You cursed her too? Jeongin looked at the man in disgust.

-You Don't understand! It was a mistake! An accident. I can bring her back if I hand the boy to her.

-To who?

-To the witch. She came here a few minutes before you did and asked me to deliver the little Apollo to her.

-Hecate, Jeongin reached the conclusion.

-Again? Hyunjin turned to him.

-Father, they are Gods. Let them try, Yeosang begged.

-Can you bring her back?

-You can, Felix looked up at Hyunjin. You did it before. With Pygmalion and Galatea. With Orion. Try it.

-He's right. You are the most likely to succeed, Jeongin added.They all went to the King's dorm and looked at the two gold statues.

Minho approached Jisung and caressed his now cold cheek.

Hyunjin watched Minho wobbling around his lover like a lost puppy and caught a glimpse of a light inside his chest. Jisung had one too. A matching one.

-Hey! Your eyes ate glowing! Jeongin nudged Hyunjin. What do you see?

-Love.

He placed his hand on Minho's shoulder and before the older got to kill him he told him to kiss Jisung.

-Trust me, he added seeing the scepticism in Minho's eyes.

Hyunjin placed his other hand on Jisung's shoulder and looked away from the scene of the two sharing a kiss.

In a matter of seconds Jisung's body started glowing pink as the gold melted off his body. He took a deep breath and fell on the floor confused.

-Are you alright? Minho checked him in panic.

-I'm fine, Jisung smiled at him.

-So it works! the king yelled victorious. Let's bring my wife back. Come here, boy!

Hyunjin did the same with the pair, but nothing happened. He tried again and again and again, but nothing.-You said it would work! Midas got angry and went for Changbin this time. Surrender the boy or I'll turn this one as well!

-No, please! Felix stepped forward. I'll come with you! Let him go!

Changbin made eye contact with Jeongin and tilted his head towards Yeosang.

-Yeosang? Can I ask you something?

-Ye-yes?

-For how long have you been like this?

-Like this?

-You can't sit down or move half of your body, can you? Because your father cursed you several times. Like he did to your mother. It was no accident. He was well aware of the consequences.

-That's why it doesn't work, Hyunjin widened his eyes. You put magic above the love for her. Your power is more important than her. They sacrificed their bodies to stay with you here in exile! Yeosang doesn't stay here because of you. He stays here because of her. Yeosang, come here! Hyunjin reached with his hand for the boy to take it.

-Boy, stay where you are!

Yeosang looked at both sides and froze in his place.

-The scars will get deeper the longer you stay with him, Jeongin whispered. Trust me.

Yeosang went to Hyunjin and Minho managed to cut Midas' hand before he even touched Changbin or Felix.

-What did you do?

-Showed you how it feels to be missing some parts of your body, Minho replied angrily.

-Save your mother! Hyunjin placed his hands on their back and watched how Yeosang placed a kiss on his mother's forehead.

As she came back to life he as well became fully human again.

-Thank you! Yeosang cried. Thank you so much!

After that Yeosang and Damodice managed to escape and go on their way to find shelter in a village, away from the King.

The others started walking again until the dusk when Felix fell asleep next to Changbin's fire.

-Power over love... Minho spoke. Maybe we should-

-Don't. Don't go there, Minho! Not yet. Let's just enjoy what we have now, alright? Jisung cupped Minho's face in his palms.

-Whatever you say, my love.