Half Incubus Boyfriend: Taeyung (special preview)

The posters for the carnival were plastered everywhere. It seemed wherever you went, whether it was the cafe, the music store, or even at the bus stop, there was a poster for that carnival that was coming into town. Now, there was one posted just outside the door of work. It seemed odd to you that the niche little antique store you worked at would be a target of advertising for a carnival. Most of the customers were, well, they didn’t seem like carnival people. Although you have seen a lot of oddballs ass through.

Your boss, Robin, is a relative, how he’s a relative you’re uncertain. But he hired you on the spot, especially since he said this store was going to focus on rare and antique books. “I know you collect,” was all he said.

As strange as the hiring process was, and meeting a family member you’d never met before, you had enjoyed this job so much so far. Once a week Robin or his wife Eira brings in a new supply of antiques, mostly books, although there is the occasional antique statuette or painting. You then catalogue them, research, price according to Robin’s list, and display. If the books need cleaning you call in another employee who seems more into books than you are. It’s a good job, a wonderful job even, and you never thought you’d have that.

It was just a few days before the carnival was to open, but already it was set up just beyond town. At night it glittered upon the horizon, looking fantastical against the sunset. You were still toying with the idea of going. It could be fun, but you felt a bit nervous, especially since you’d probably have to go alone.

You were preparing a new window display, tossing the idea of the carnival around in your head. You’re standing on a ladder, hooking up a new chandelier to the top. You then look down, seeing someone is staring through the window, watching you. Your guts churn, anxiety builds. You don’t like to be watched, but being watched on top of a ladder is a whole new type of fear.

The young man outside smiles and waves up at you. He’s lovely, tall and a bit lanky, he has fluffy white hair that looks like a cloud resting on his head. You wave back then watch him anxiously as he comes into the shop.

“Good morning!” His voice is charming. “I don’t mean to bother you, so just keep working, I’ll look around.”

You swallow your heart back down into your chest. “Is there something you need?” Despite your best efforts, your voice cracks from nerves.

The handsome man smiles, and in the light of the shop you see his skin is strangely colored. Patches are white-pink while others are peachy nude. His eyes too are separate colors. One is deep amber, while the other is almost white blue. “I’m looking for something for my mom,” he says. “It’s her birthday and I wanted to get her something really special. Since you work here, well, you know all the secrets.”

Oh god, he’s handsome and loves his mom, surely that’s where the goodness ends. You climb off the ladder and smooth down your clothes, grateful the uniform apron hides your belly. “Well, is there anything in particular you want for her? Jewelry? Art?”

“She loves books,” he says, eyes darting around to the many shelves. “I was hoping you would have something that really...pops.” He looks directly at you, his eyes focused upon you and then he smiles. “Oh, I’m Taeyung by the way.” He holds his hand out. His nails are painted bright glittery red.

You cautiously take his hand and shakily introduce yourself. “It’s nice to meet you.” You take your hand back. “What kind of literature does she like? We’ve got all sorts of books, it’d be hard to narrow it down.”

Taeyung looks around again, seeming to trail when he’s in thought. “Anything really,” he starts to laugh. “I know that isn’t helpful.”

You shake your head, smiling softly. “No, it’s okay. Let’s start over here. These are some of the new books we’ve just gotten in.” You lead him to a shelf where you always display the new stuff. That’s when you notice something strange, there’s a book that’s out of place. In fact, it’s a book you’ve never seen before. It’s large with a black spine with gold hinges along the side. Of course, Taeyung reaches for it first and pulls it off the shelf.

You open your mouth to say something, but keep it closed instead.

“Oh wow,” he murmurs. He flips a few pages. “Oh wow!”

“We get a lot of strange things,” you try to cover. “So sometimes we get in books that may seem-” You stop when he grins.

“This is great!” Taeyung announces. “Almost perfect.” He holds the book in a way so you can see it, and inside is artwork and photos from old carnivals and circuses. “My family operates the carnival,” he says. “My mom would love this.”

You gasp softly. “So you work at the carnival.”

Taeyung smiles down at you. “I do. I’m actually going to have my own show starting here. I’m kind of nervous, but you probably don’t wanna hear about that,” he chuckles.

His shy expression, mixed with his uncertain smile makes your heart go pitter patter. “No, that’s great. Congratulations. What is it you do?”

“I sing,” he says shyly. His confident smile fades a bit more. “And I do magic.”

“So you’re a magician?” Your smile brightens. “What kind of tricks do you do?”

Taeyung sets the book aside then exposes his palms to you. He then fans his fingers out and down and flicks his wrists and he’s holding a bouquet in his hands.