It was always strange for Jin, the transition back to his home life in Joseon from his time at school in Japan. The ease and familiarity of magic that was so natural at Mahoutokoro was less abundant in the dark, brooding corners of the Jeong household. Now that he’d graduated he supposed he ought to get used to a less colorful, less chaotic normal. Not that his last term there had been at all exciting.

After Ahn-Bo’s accident over the holidays, the werewolf hadn’t been allowed back for their final term. The loss was devastating, not only to Jin but to the magical community at large. He still didn’t know how Moon-ssi senior could possibly have given up his eldest son — the wonderful, bright, honest soul that he was— so easily. But he’d been glad for Abeoji’s mercy. At least now he knew Ahn-Bo would have somewhere to sleep at night, if nothing else. Things had begun to shift around here, obviously, since Ahn-Bo’s arrival however, and the novelty of routine in having adopted him formally was starting to break in. Jin had thought with one addition it would be the end of expansion for them and was settling in to being one of two— but apparently, he’d been quite wrong.

A gangly, awkward boy he’d never met was standing right in the middle of the Jeong courtyard wearing tatters and a look on his face that could make even the King’s eyes bleed. He was perfect in every way: symmetrical, smooth skinned, handsome beyond imagination, and tall despite it all. Jin wondered if the spirits had meant to create a creature so beautiful or if it had been a mistake, but there was no doubt in Jin’s mind that Abeoji had brought him here for a reason.

(Jin gave the clothes in his hand a small squeeze as his heart pinched. He didn’t make it his business to know what Abeoji asked of others but this appearance couldn’t be a coincidence. If the same concern lingered in the back of his mind about Ahn-Bo, he tried not to think too hard about it.)

Clearing his throat, Jin made his way through the doorframe and walked out to greet their new guest. His voice was soft, as if approaching a wounded animal, as Jin gave a short bow in greeting and introduced himself. He extended the offered clothes for the boy to take and then watched, carefully, before gesturing towards a large hanok to the left of the main establishment. It was where he and Ahn-Bo both resided and a room had been prepared. “If you’ll follow me, I can take you to a place to change.”

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