‧₊˚✧ It Takes a Village‧₊˚✧
↳ Getting Culture Shock from Your Hometown
feat: Sebek ❋ Silver ❋ Malleus
genre: fluff,
note: no pronouns were used for reader, established relationships, set before Book 7 (mostly because I haven’t finished it yet),
A lot of the scenarios are inspired and modeled after my experiences growing up, which is very Southeast Asia-coded. So, I apologise if this is not actually how you envision. Hope you still enjoy, though.
- You’d be absolutely evil if you didn’t even try to warn your uptight boyfriend.
I’d love you for that - Sebek has finally found his match as his own voice gets drowned out by the boisterous market vendors and customers, but he’s more surprised by the forward way everyone seems to address each other.
- “Sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m-”
- “Sebek, he’s not really my uncle. We call everyone that.”
- You would have to keep Sebek on tight hold because he’s a gullible green bean. The freshman burns in embarrassment at every “handsome boy” or “strong guy” comment calling out for his attention. He won’t lie, his ego is inflated quite a bit but it’s still strange to hear someone other than you call him that.
- On the other hand, he’s not too sure how to feel when vendors of all ages were calling out to you the same way. You may be used to it but Sebek isn’t, especially if he’s not used to calling you beautiful or cute himself yet.
- But, he could take this as a challenge to improve himself. For every compliment they give, he’ll give you tenfold. This he swears!
To your luck, it seems that the market the two of you were visiting was hosting a mini concert as music and lights filled a well-known open space near the market.
Visitors and locals young and old surrounded the space, either resting while eating their confections or grooving to the catchy tune of the music blasting through the speakers.
Then, a particularly famous song began to play, and Sebek flinched as the crowd suddenly burst in excited cheers and laughter, you included. Many women and men jumped to their feet, with some confidently running to the center of the space. You jumped to your feet as they did, but you chose to stand close to your confused boyfriend.
Sebek’s expression was a comedic masterpiece as he watched you and many others start this synchronized sequence of silly movement, identical to the minor beat. Those who didn’t join were still clapping in unison while joyously laughing.
What sort of local ritual was this?
The synchronous dance was short lived, and soon people were divided into those who resumed their previous activity or continued swaying to the melody.
You fell into the latter category, even reaching to Sebek hoping to persuade him to join you.
Sebek was shocked and a little offended. He was a man of great honor and pride. He’d rather be caught dead than to devolve himself to this undignified manner of dance, if you could even call it so. No, he would never stoop so low, even if the string lights gave off this tempting glow around you, your soft hand still reaching out to him while you looked at him so lovingly…
Well, the knight-in-training thought he could allow such exceptions once in a while, especially when you smiled so beautifully when he joined you on the dance floor.
Don’t let Sebek know, but he became sort of a local online sensation as someone slyly took a video of him smiling so softly at you after putting on such a grumpy persona.
Every reshare of this video was always paired with the caption, “Scary man turns into puppy for his lover”
- See, you can’t tell if your community is being especially friendly, or maybe it’s just that the beautiful young man next to you is just too irresistible to ignore.
- All the chatty aunties were cooing over Silver and even the laid-back uncles sitting around were praising the cut of Silver’s muscular figure.
- But, you won’t say anything because you just wanted Silver to smile and bask in the well-deserved praises.
- “The locals here are quite friendly to strangers like me, even offering small treats.”
- “Mhm, they sure are.”
- Silver is amazed by the seamless blend of close bonds and community from what he sees. Customers casually chatting with workers as children run around without worries in this homely environment.
- In comparison to them, Silver felt a little inadequate as he couldn’t express himself as openly as the locals do so easily.
- But maybe because they’re so open with everyone, he feels this sense of safety to try.
“So you’re not from around here, are you?” The kind woman asked the silver-haired man as her fingers deftly package and wrap some snacks you two picked out to share with others back in NRC.
“No, I’m actually from Briar Valley.”
“Hmm, that’s the fae kingdom, right?” The woman’s curiosity peaked. “Are you fae, then? I couldn’t tell.”
“Well no, I’m human. I was adopted by my father who’s from Briar Valley.”
“Just him? No one else?” The store owner asked without looking at Silver once, instead moving back and forth to get things done behind the counter, but her attention was still locked on him.
“There were a few others I grew up with, but my father was the one who raised me”
It was only then when the busy woman slowed down a smidge, pausing for a moment before untying the bag that held your snacks. You watched her tossed a few more small packets of snacks near her counter.
“These are very popular, share them with your father.” She looked sternly into your boyfriend’s iridescent eyes, the first time in a while since you’ve been in the store. “Make sure to visit him, okay?”
Silver wanted to protest, to correct the misunderstanding. The snacks the two of you picked out already included some for Lilia and he couldn’t possibly ask for more without paying.
It was up to you to intervene. “Just give up, Silver. You can’t change a woman’s mind.”
The store owner nodded. “Listen to the smart one. Just take it, I insist.”
With a sliver of guilt but a lot of warmth, Silver eventually accepted the kind woman’s offering before leaving the establishment.
What Silver didn’t see however, was you sneaking a few snacks and a drink onto the counter with adequate fare tucked underneath. You shared a look with the store owner before leaving, playfully staring her down to not to refuse your offering.
The store owner let out a laugh, thinking what a cute couple you were.
- Regardless of wherever he goes, Malleus sticks out like a sore thumb, a very intimidating sore thumb.
- Eyes naturally glance at him with curiosity throughout the market, amazed by the regal figure walking around, like a celebrity strolling around the local areas.
- If your hometown speaks another language, some of the market vendors would tell you not-so sneakily how attractive your lover was while Malleus was none the wiser.
- But, as curious as the humans were, they were quick to accept him as is, which shocked the fair-skinned fae. It wasn’t as though he was being avoided or judged, but rather the community took him and his inhuman appearance as typical. Undaunted by anything, the nosy sellers would joke and compliment him like any other walking around here.
- “What a handsome fae you are, you can be a model!” “And tall! He can reach the top of our tent, haha!”
- Malleus can tell his horns and ears are eye-catching to say the least, but everyone was quick to grow accustomed to his features, even warning him to watch his head should he bump into anything in this crowded alley.
- “Are those with my features a common prevalence in your homeland?”
- “No, you’re a rarity around here. But that doesn't mean you don’t belong here any less.”
- “Ah, so this is how a beautiful soul is cultivated,” Malleus thought, gazing softly as you and a kind merchant searched around the store for a shirt that could fit the future king.
The day was setting, and you and Malleus decided to rest at a popular park that was famous for its view of the town. You weren’t alone as both locals and visitors filled the space, either resting or making memories with their friends and families.
Then, you heard a whisper from a timid voice behind the two of you.
“Um, mister.” You turned around to see some local children looking curiously at Malleus.
“Are you fae?” The eldest boy spoke first, nervously clutching his jacket.
When Malleus calmly responded in affirmation, the other children lit up with excited smiles.
“You’re super tall, taller than my dad!” Another child exclaimed, “Are all fae tall like you?”
Malleus smirked rather haughtily. “Very few others, fae or otherwise, stand on par to myself.”
”I’m the tallest in my class!” The eldest boy blurted out, even puffing his chest and slightly leaning on his toes. “It’s because I drink my milk everyday. Do you drink milk?”
You abruptly nudged your lover before intervening. “Yes he does, which is why you need to drink milk and other healthy food to keep growing.”
A little girl, hidden behind the first two children, spoke out. “How long is your hair? My hair is really long too!”
She pushed her long braided hair to the front, comparing her neatly combed hair to Malleus’s direction.
“Your hair is quite long indeed, perhaps matching mine in length at first glance.” Malleus commented back, amused by the children’s competitive nature.
After sharing all of their thoughts, the curious children finally left when their guardians called them back, waving at the two of you before running out of sight. Now free, Malleus looked to you with curiosity of his own gleaming in his striking green eyes.
“The offspring of this land are inquisitive as they are fearless,” Malleus smiled in your direction. “I wonder if all children hailed from here shared these traits.”
Were you like them as a child?
You picked up on his unspoken question and replied with a cheeky expression. “Wouldn’t you like to know~”
Would he? Would he like to know if you were the type to run around so carefree and see the world with such interest and curiosity. If your future children would be like those endearing little ones just now…
