Home

Some people make you feel so loved and safe that you instantly feel at home. They may not be there for you physically but they will be the people you want to return to. They will be your peace when things are at war inside you. Keep looking and never give up until you find your home.

                          —Mehak Gupta *plays 'Home' from Bright in the bg*

Minter's household seemed to be in chaos as Scarlet chased Cody around the whole house. This brother-sister duo was like five years old around each other. Two pairs of parents watched as these two picked up cushions attacking each other for god know's what. Cody finally let the girl win, wanting to see the adorable grin on her face. Swinging an arm around her shoulder, the mint-haired boy dragged her to the kitchen. Settling down, the brother picked up an omelet and bacon along with toast and eggs for the sister. Coffee was common for both. 

"Why did you wake me up at 7 am if you knew it's a weekend?" Scarlet pouted while stuffing her face with food. Cody scoffed, picking up tissue to wipe the crumbs off her face before answering, "You should ask your alarm clock about why it messed with my sleep?".

The girl whined, "But you could have let me sleep, Oppa!!". "Payback is a bitch, little one," said Cody as he ruffled her hair. This sure earned wide eyes, an awkward cough, and a snicker [from Scarlet's mother], but when had it all bothered Cody Minter anyway. As everyone finished eating and cleaning up, the sound of the doorbell was heard.

~~~×~~~ 

On the other side, the four boys finally reached the address. Asa double-checked since they were told about a big house but what stood in front of their eyes was a fucking mansion. He looked back at Kyle, who was helping with the luggage and also supporting a pale-looking Vantae. Kyle smiled in encouragement for the elder to go ahead. Taking a deep breath, Asa pushes the doorbell button, listening as footsteps were heard on the other side of the door. The door opened, showing the four handsome boys standing outside that got the butler stunned for a second. A female voice snapped him out of it as he bowed for his awkward behavior before inviting them inside, helping with the bags. A middle-aged woman skipped happily towards the visitors, wearing a warm smile with her husband following behind. Both the elders looked warm and gave off a very gentle parental vibe.

"Welcome kids, I'm Amie Jones-" Mrs. Jones stops mid-sentence as her eyes catch Vantae's condition. Comin closer to the boy, she gasps, "Oh dear!! The child looks so pale". She turns to Jamie, speaking softly, "Darling, please take him to the room upstairs." The boy nods as he takes his friend to their soon-to-be room with the butler's help. The couple and the two boys left, settle on the couch as the kind lady offers some beverages.

"Is the boy okay? What happened?" elderly concern could easily be sensed in Mr. Jones' question. Asa being a terrible liar he is, gets an internal panic attack. That was until Kyle's hand landed on his back as if sensing the angel's dilemma. "Tae isn't very fond of traveling long distances. He gets motion sickness", explained Kyle like it's actually the case.

"After he gets some rest, I'll send some soup to their room." Mrs. Jones muttered under her breath. Asa caught her words, feeling grateful that they met such helpful and kind people. He smiled appreciatively, "Thank you so much, Mrs. Jones. I can't describe how relieved I am". "Nonsense! Don't say thank you for such things." the lady chuckled, pinching the boy's cheek fondly. 

"You have such a beautiful home. Don't you think the tenants wouldn't be able to keep it that way? Plus, your children be okay with others living here?" Asa spoke with a little hesitation. "That's why we are looking for some who can treat it like a home. And about our sons, they are one of the reasons we want someone to be here. I and my wife are often traveling for business which leaves them alone here." Mr. Jones explained with a smile, earning a nod of agreement from Kyle.

"I hope we get along with them, Mr. Jones. If you don't mind, can I meet them?" Asa says with a bit of excitement. The young man had taken care of his little cousin and his friend since he was himself a kid. He had so much love in his heart even when he didn't get the same. "They are not home right now and they are not that young. The younger one is 17 and the older one is 23. You all are around the same age so I guess you will be okay." Mrs. Jones chortled.

"Well, that's right. But, you kids are moving homes, that too when the younger one is sick. Any particular reason?" Mr. Jones asked them with parental concern. Even if young people did move out, there were two high schoolers with them. Kyle put on a sad smile, his hand sliding to Asa's shoulder before answering, "We both are their legal guardians. The two younger ones don't have parents and we wanted to change that negative environment for them."

Mrs. Jones gasps as her eyes widen at the revelation. She pats Asa's back sympathetically, speaking the words of courage. A few more things were discussed before the two boys were sent to their room. It should have been rooms but just so you know, they both wanted to share. Kyle entered the room, followed by the older. The moment, the door closed, Asa sank against the floor, feeling exhausted. He cried silently into his knees, feeling drained of acting okay all day. A sob escaped his full lips as he couldn't shake off the fear of losing Vantae. The younger watched his Hyung tremble, his delicate body shaking with each heart-wrenching sob.

Kyle walked to the older, crouching in front of him slowly. He pushed his fingers through Asa's hair at the back of his head, stroking them tenderly. Asa looked at him with tears running down from his beautiful brown orbs to his smooth cheeks. His nose was slightly red as he let his head fall, sniffling continuously. The younger hooked his fingers under the older's chin, staring straight into the other's soul. His warm dimpled smile calmed Asa's heart as he felt Kyle wiping the tears off with his thumbs.

"I admit that you look really pretty with the red blush all over your nose and cheeks, but I also hate to see you cry. Why would you waste such precious tears?" Kyle expressed, softly caressing the other's cheeks. Asa's eyes widened, a gasp parting his lips, blushing hard as he hid his face behind his hands. "Hey! Who do you think you are hiding this cute face from?" he chuckled, removing other's hands to face the pouty male.

"W-Why would y-you say that? You even hated me when we first met!", older jutted his pouty lips. "Do that again and I will kiss you.", Kyle almost let out a laugh when the other male slapped his hands over his mouth. He continued, "And for the fact, I didn't hate you. It was just a joke. Plus, I was jealous that such an ethereal being existed without my knowledge". Asa felt so shy that he threw his arms around Kyle, hiding his face into his younger's chest. Kyle's laugh vibrated through his chest to the other's ears as he fell backward from the force. He enclosed his arms around the other, still chuckling as the memory of their first encounter started to occupy all of his thoughts.

~~~×~~~

10 years ago, a young Asa sat in their backyard with an eight-year-old Vantae, watching fireflies flying around their garden. The little kid snuggled into the older's embrace sleepily. Asa patted his back, humming a song in his sweet voice as he enclosed his wings around the distressed kid. The small boy had been having dreams about an angel girl since he turned the age and he would wake up wanting to see her. The older had a hard time putting him to bed, that too when there was no one else for the little guy. Asa's father didn't have any particular attachment to his own nephew and, how would he when he was dictatorial towards his own son. With no mother to shield him, the fourteen-year-old boy grew up with crushed confidence and a lack of parental love. It doesn't matter now because he has Vantae. The little boy would always defend his Hyung when needed. He worked as a ray of hope for the broken teenager. 

Asa walked back to his room, carrying sound asleep Vantae in his arms, ready to put him to bed. Tucking the boy in, he heard the door to the room opening. Without even turning his head, he gestured for his father to wait for him outside. He smiled at the bundle of happiness and kissed his forehead before walking outside. Mr. Keats leaned against the balcony with a stern expression causing his son's smile to drop instantly. He was already dreading the upcoming conservation as he held hands tightly in front with his head hung low.

"You have to move to the palace. The princess wants you to sing for her and only her." Mr. Keats dictated with no emotions whatsoever. Asa gulped, clearly understanding the underlying meaning of his words. His father meant for the young boy to win over the princess. Asa's heart turned cold at those damned words as his pure white wings slumped a little, eyes turning chilly. He nodded nevertheless, speaking feebly, "I will pack mine and Tae's stuff by tomorrow evening."

He was about to turn around when his father pulled him harshly by arm. The parent growled, "YOU ARE NOT TAKING HIM WITH YOU! YOU ARE GOING THERE FOR THE PRINCESS AND NOT THIS UNLUCKY BRAT.". This seemed to be the end of Asa's patience as he pulled his arm away, his wings spreading and eyes turning the brightest shade of blue. His voice sounded like the calm before the violent storm, "It's Tae or nothing for me. You don't love me, it's fine. I don't need it anymore. But try to separate me from him", he paused, taking a step closer to look the man in his eyes before continuing, "And you'll never be able to see us again. Never! Oh! and one more thing, you don't say anything about my brother." 

With that, he entered his rooms without turning back, closing the door softly, not wanting to wake Vantae. He caressed the younger's hair before he flew out of the window into the dead darkness of night. He never imagined that the darkness would be so peaceful with only the moon and him. Not actually paying attention, he didn't notice when he reached the border of Utopia, a beautiful garden again. The veiled wall separating his world from Abyss. Coming back to his feet, he sat down on the grass as he finally let the tears fall. Moonlight made the tears look like pearls, a blue luster encircling him. That's when he heard the crunching of dried leaves as if someone stepped over them. Wiping the tears, he turned his head to his side, meeting a pair of red dragon-shaped eyes. Those eyes seemed to shine from behind a tree just a few feet away.

Asa had never seen red eyes and these appeared to be more than just intriguing. In a trance, he took steps towards it, only to stop midway when his hand couldn't make it further the transparent barrier. With both his hands resting over the obstruction, Asa smiled softly at the mysterious pair of eyes. The eyes blinked a few times before a figure emerged whom the dragon eyes belonged to. A young boy came out into the moonlight with jet black wings spread, making him look too good to be true. The angel mindlessly watched as the male took steps towards him. He stopped just a few steps away, causing the other to bang a fist in frustration. Younger frowned, catching a hint of stray tears in other's eyes, but he wiped it off as soon as it appeared.

"What a waste for such beautiful eyes?" The young demon spoke a little playfully with fake annoyance in his tone. Asa flinched, not actually realizing the playful tone in his voice. Being already emotionally disturbed from the conversation with his father, he dropped his gaze to the ground. His voice wavered with emotions, "I k-know, right! But y-yours are really p-perfect."

The little demon scrunched his nose, "Wha- Why?". Not quite able to understand anything, Asa turned around, aggressively clearing tears off his face. All he wanted was to cuddle Vantae, listening to his childish questions and blooming I love yous. "H-Hey sunbae, I-I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. It was just a stupid joke. P-Please don't leave." Younger took a step towards the Angel.

** sunbae = an older guy; formally**

Asa chuckled sadly as he turned to face him, "It's okay. You can be truthful. Everyone says the same, except for my brother". "Then I must say, your brother is the only sensible person around you. And I am really an idiot to say that. You are really pretty, like REALLY pretty. I just didn't know if you hated us like others", Younger exclaimed with a sigh.

The angel's expression turned quizzical as he tilted his head, "Why would I hate you? I haven't even seen you before!". "Well! in case you didn't notice, I am a demon. Red eyes, Black wings, duh!! And sunbae, Angels and Demons hate each other.", the other drawled, rolling his eyes. Asa cringed at the honorific, "Can you just not call me that! And no. I don't hate you. I don't have a reason to". The younger smiled, his dimples showing as he spoke, "My name is Kyle, and thanks for not hating me", getting a gentle smile in return.

Something tugged at Kyle's heart as he remembered the older's tear-filled face from earlier. He scratched his head before nervously asking, "Hyung, Can I ask you something?". Asa nodded his head in a yes. "Why were you crying earlier?" asked Kyle in a small voice. 

Asa stiffened at the question, contemplating if he should be telling anything to the young stranger. He looked at the younger's face as he waited patiently for the older to make his decision, something inside him telling that he could trust. Groaning in confusion, he slammed his hand over the barrier. Kyle sighed, resting his hand against the older's as he whispered, "Wish I could cross this to be there for you", he leans forward to rest his forehead too. 

Asa felt his eyes stinging with emotions at those words. A stranger was trying to patch his wounds when the cause was his own father. He closed his eyes, trying to keep the waterworks in. Taking a deep breath with a little shaky voice, "I-I argued with my f-father. He wants me to l-leave for the p-palace and-", Asa hiccuped, tears making their way out. "And you don't want to go? For that one person who's not mean to you.", Kyle completed with a small smile.

The older nodded before he cried out, "I-I don't like girls! I hate the princess and would never sing for her! I don't want to. Kyle, he doesn't understand. He thinks I-I have some kind of disease like I am wrong for liking a boy". Kyle felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest at the older's broken sobs. It did seem weird to feel that way when you just met them a few moments ago, especially to the twelve-year-old demon who never faced the world like that. He extended his other hand and wiped the tears off the angel's face.

He took a step ahead, crossing the transparent obstruction to the crying older without another thought. He was able to put his arms around the older as the other cried into his shoulder, clutching onto his shirt. Emotions all over the place, not realizing that he went through the curse without any damage to embrace someone's scars.

Kyle held onto Asa tightly as he rubbed his back soothingly. The heartbreaking cries turned into small sobs and the sobs into sniffles. Asa was about to step back when the younger pulled him back, nuzzling his nose into his neck. "Don't. You smell like home. A little longer, please?", he mumbled softly. Asa's eyes widened, cheeks turning red as he stayed still. He let his wings disappear after a long time. His father would always tell him to keep his wings out as it was said to be a form of vulnerability.

A few moments of silence, and both the boys sat on the grass looking up at the moon. Kyle let his wings go to make the other comfortable in his presence. After an awkward beat, Asa spoke, "Thank you so much, Kyle. For being here. For listening. For the hug. I feel so much lighter now Guess, just needed someone to talk. Also, my name is Asa".  Kyle giggled, resting his head over other's thigh as he closed his eyes, "I have no idea whatsoever about how I am here but it's the best thing to have happened in the past few years".

As the night went on, the two got to know each other a little more before it was time to part ways in their own worlds. A beautiful friendship started as they turned into each other's escape, each other's Home far from the worlds that only knew hate. Love bloomed in both their hearts and even shined in their eyes, but they kept it hidden. Their worlds would have torn them apart if they got to know. So during the last ten years, between their thousands of night outs and hundreds of hangouts in the human world, they continued to be each other's Haven.

~~~End~~~