#SU Soulmates AU

[yo-snap]

New otp 💐 AU for you

You can plant anything you like, but if you pluck your very favorite flower, you will turn to stone. Only a gift of the flower from your true love/soul mate will bring you back to life.

[vcutparis]

if overthinking and constant spiralling of what ifs in my head was a crime. SNDJNBFHJDM MY HANDS GENUINELY STARTED SWEATING BUCKETS READING THAT PART MY GAWDBFJFN

i have genuine appreciation for madame dupont's character. she's like that one person in a foreign city who just appreciated you for even getting out of your bed. oh boy. i love her. (wipes tear)

ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤTHE CITY OF LOVE

ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎ Chapter Five: Consequences

ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ ㅤ‎‎‎‎‎< previous | next >

masterpost

៚ wc: 8k (total: ???)

៚ fluff, angst, fashion designer!hongjoong x model!reader (ft. personal assistant!seonghwa & photographer!wooyoung), slowburn, strangers to lovers, soulmates au if you squint, do french people actually say bonjour irl?

៚ playlist !

៚ During the high-stakes fashion casting, you impress the judges but are later alarmed to discover that the agency’s influential creative director is the owner of the sketchbook that not only did you accidentally take home, yet also used one of its designs as inspiration for your attire, leaving you fearful about the potential consequences for your budding career. As the weight of this realization sinks in, you can't help but worry how you would entangle the knots of the predicament you’re now under.

a/n: there’s a subtle dbh and lis reference somewhere in here

tags: @beabatiny

The days leading up to the casting were a whirlwind of activity. Madame Dupont worked diligently on your dress, transforming the sketch into a beautiful reality. Each evening, you found yourself in the cozy confines of her room, watching in awe as she expertly sewed the intricate lace details and made adjustments to ensure the dress fit you perfectly.

Tonight was now the last day before the casting’s designated schedule, and as usual, you were busying yourself with watching her add the final touches to your attire. “You see, dear, it’s all about the details,” she began, her fingers deftly threading a needle. “Every stitch, every seam must be perfect. It’s what sets apart a good dress from a great one.”

You nodded, fascinated by her skill and patience. She had described sewing to you as one of her hobbies that keeps her grounded, but seeing her in action, your viewpoint slowly started to shift into something deeper. Sewing no longer seemed to just have been something she could use to pass time—it was a profession she seemed to be heavily passionate about. “I never realized how much work goes into making a dress. It’s truly an art.”

Madame Dupont smiled warmly. “It is, indeed. And just like with any art, it requires passion and dedication. Much like your modeling, I imagine.” You’ve spent many hours like this with her during the past few days, sharing both anecdotes and advice. Madame Dupont regaled you with tales from her youth, often making you laugh with her witty anecdotes.

As a comfortable wind of silence surrounded the room, you couldn’t help but let your curiosity get the best of you while you were watching her work her wonders on the dress she had insisted on making for you. “Madame Dupont, I have to ask... is this hobby of yours rooted from something deeper?”

She gently set the halfway done piece of fabric down on her desk, turning on her seat lightly to face you. “You managed to see right through me, dear. Yes, it is.” Seeing how you leaned in closer as if attempting to imply you wanted to hear more of it, she chuckled. “Back in my youth, I used to love fashion. I’ve always seen it as not just a concept about making outfits and plastering them on models to showcase on runways, rather, a unique way to express one’s creativity and wide knowledge capacity of art. Intricate designs, especially those who hold a deep story within, never failed to attract me like a moth to a flame. So, when I stepped foot into college, I headed straight to the path of becoming an art student.”

Your eyes widened in surprise. You’ve always thought of Madame Dupont as a woman who had a lot going on with her life, but hearing this specific portion of it wasn’t something you could say you have expected. “Really? That sounds wonderful and admirable, Madame Dupont. No wonder you were so adamant on helping me out on my casting,” you lightly joked, making both your laughters blend in with each other. Eventually, though, your tone shifted into one that’s more serious and perhaps a little cautious. “But... why didn’t you pursue your dream?”

Madame Dupont sighed, a look of longing in her eyes. “My family and I weren’t financially stable enough to keep me walking on that path. At first, I thought of it as nothing but an obstacle, and I even tried juggling multiple part-time jobs at once just so I wouldn’t entirely lose my grip on the ambition I’ve been wanting to reach ever since I was young. But as time passed, I slowly started to realize it was impossible. I couldn’t keep balancing multiple occupations at once until I graduated, and the look of pain in my parents’ eyes whenever I tried to convince them we just had to work a little harder to achieve my dream became unbearable through every passing day.”

It was heavily painful to you hearing her words, not because you found yourself wondering how things would’ve turned out for her if she and her family were under different circumstances, but you could also relate to the experience of not being able to achieve lifelong dreams over inevitable events. There was a lot you wanted to tell her, but you kept yourself silent, allowing her to let it all out.

“I felt like such a fool back then, dear. Mourning the life I lost that was never mine to begin with... it was a really tough experience for me. When I had to give up on my ambition and settle on something we could afford and manage with, I couldn’t stop thinking, ‘What if the world was a little nicer to me? Would I have been able to permanently hold onto what I’ve always wanted?’ And even up till now, it’s still a recurring thought in my head. If things were fated to turn out how I wished them to, would I be in a studio instead of the confines of my room right now?”

You couldn’t help but resonate with her words further. Having experienced what she went through during her youth was something you could easily tell wasn’t easy to get over with, especially since you’ve already had to face a similar situation—the details weren’t spot-on, yet the idea was.

Before you could speak, she leaned forward to take your hand in hers, gently caressing it. “And that’s exactly why I didn’t hesitate to offer you a helping hand the moment you told me about your first step in your new potential career. Because if I couldn’t achieve my dream before, then I’m fine with settling on helping someone else achieve theirs.”

“Madame Dupont, I...” Tears started welling up in your eyes, but she was quick to gently wipe them away before they could fall down. Who would’ve thought her offer held such depth underneath? “This means the whole world to me, thank you so much.” Seeing how her eyes flickered to the fabric laid down on the table, you were quick to shake your head. “No, no, not that. I mean, it’s just that hearing you comfortably sharing your story with me when you haven’t even known me for longer than a month is just...”

“Oh, dear. Don’t you start crying now, or else I’ll stop making this dress for you,” she scolded jokingly, making a broken chuckle come out of your mouth. “But seriously, though, there’s no need for you to let out those tears. If anything, I should be thanking you. Because in a way, you’re letting me live out my lifelong dream. It feels like I’m actually sewing a dress for a model—which I am, technically.”

You smiled, feeling the weight of her words. “Thank you, Madame Dupont. For everything.”

She patted your hand gently. “Now, let’s finish this dress. We have a casting to prepare for, and I have no doubt you’re going to shine.”

After a short while, Madame Dupont finally finished adding the final touches to the outfit. You looked at it in awe, marveling at how perfectly it mirrored the design from the sketchbook. Madame Dupont carefully set down her sewing tools, her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and anticipation. “So? What do you think about it?” she asked, her voice soft yet eager.

“It’s so… I don’t even know what to say. It looks gorgeous and well-made, like it’s…” you trailed off, unable to both find the right words and to contain your excitement and gratitude. The craftsmanship was impeccable, each stitch a testament to her skill and dedication. You moved to hug her, and she was surprised for a second before wrapping her arms around you warmly. Her embrace was comforting, and you could feel the genuine affection she held for you.

“Why don’t you go try it on and see what it looks like?” she suggested, her eyes sparkling. She pointed you to the bathroom in her apartment where you could change, her expression one of encouraging support. You carefully took the dress, handling it with the utmost care as you walked to the bathroom. The soft fabric felt luxurious under your fingers, and you couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence for the garment. Slipping out of your clothes, you delicately put on the dress, feeling the fabric glide smoothly over your skin. It enveloped you in its lightness and grace and fit perfectly, as if it had been made just for you. Well, in a literal context, it was, but right now it felt deeper than that.

As you looked at yourself in the small bathroom mirror, you couldn’t help but smile. When you were ready, you headed back to where Madame Dupont was waiting. You stepped into the room with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, twirling around so she could see the dress in motion. The fabric swirled around you, catching the light in a way that made the lace details shimmer. “Does it look good?” you asked, your voice bubbling with excitement.

Madame Dupont’s eyes shone with pride and satisfaction. “Good? Oh, dear, it looks perfect,” she said, her tone filled with warmth. “You look like a model already.”

“Really?” you asked, your heart swelling with happiness and disbelief. The compliment meant the world to you, especially coming from someone as experienced as Madame Dupont.

“Go look at yourself in the mirror,” she urged, pointing to the full-body length mirror on her wall. You walked over to it, anticipation building with each step. As you stood in front of it and took in your reflection, you nearly squealed with delight. The dress was everything you had hoped for and more. It accentuated your presence, making you feel confident and beautiful. Even though you had worn styled outfits before, you had never felt so much like yourself until now. The dress felt so... you. It was as if it had been made not just for your body, but for your spirit.

The color palette complemented your essence perfectly, and the off-shoulder neckline highlighted your graceful aura. The lace details were delicate and intricate, adding a touch of sophistication and elegance. As you moved, the fabric flowed around you effortlessly, making you feel as though you were gliding. You felt like some sort of a princess from a fantasy movie, like you were living a faded childhood dream.

“Thank you so much, Madame Dupont,” you said, turning to her with a grateful smile. Your eyes were, once more, filled with tears of joy and appreciation, but you held them back, not wanting to ruin the moment. “I can’t wait for the casting tomorrow.”

Madame Dupont walked over to you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder. “You’ll do wonderfully, dear,” she assured you, her voice filled with reassurance. “Now, get some rest. Tomorrow is your big day.”

—

It’s now the day you’ve been waiting for. You woke up a few minutes earlier than your alarm, and a mix of nerves and excitement buzzed through you. Deciding to reach out to your parents for some much-needed encouragement, you initiate a video call. Almost immediately, they pick up, and you’re greeted with their wide smiles, their eyes twinkling with anticipation.

“Good morning!” your mother exclaims, her voice warm and cheerful. “Morning, darling!” your father echoes, his tone equally enthusiastic.

You can’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. “You two seem livelier than usual,” you say, raising an eyebrow playfully. Had they woken up long ago?

Your mother laughs softly. “Well, we can’t help it, especially since it’s your big day today.”

“Have you been waiting for me to call you the whole time?” you tease, a grin spreading across your face. It wasn’t entirely out of character for them to do such a thing. After all, they never fail to show their anticipation when it comes to you finally reaching everything you aim to achieve.

“How could we not?” your father replies, chuckling. “We’re just as excited as you are, if not more.”

Their excitement is infectious, and it eases some of your nervousness. Remembering the dress Madame Dupont made for you, you suddenly feel a surge of both pride and excitement. “Oh, wait right there,” you say, standing up from your bed. “I want to show you what I’ll be wearing today.”

You prop the phone on your desk and walk over to your closet. Carefully, you retrieve the dress from its hanger and hold it up to the camera. The intricate lace details, the soft pastel hues, and the delicate off-shoulder design all come together to create a masterpiece. Your mother gasps in delight. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s beautiful! It fits you and your vibe perfectly.”

Your father nods, his eyes twinkling with approval. “It looks stunning. That dress seems like it was made for you, huh?” he joked, but had his jaw nearly get dropped when you nodded in confirmation. “Wait, it was?”

“Yup. My landlord offered to sew it for me,” you explained, holding the dress closer to the camera to show them the hidden details. “Look at how well-crafted it is. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Once you saw them smiling and nodding and approval, you felt yourself become satisfied. You then carefully place the dress back on the hanger and return it to your closet. Sitting down again, you feel a bit more relaxed but still slightly anxious. “I’m still so nervous, though,” you admit, looking down at your hands.

Your parents exchange a knowing glance before turning their supportive gazes back to you. “Nerves are normal,” your father reassures you. “Just remember how hard you’ve worked to get here. You deserve this opportunity.”

“And no matter what happens and however things turn out, we are incredibly proud of you,” your mother adds. “Just go out there and be yourself. Show them the wonderful person we know you are.”

“I’ll do my best to keep that in mind.” You smile at them, then glance at the digital clock on your bedside table and realize it’s time to start getting ready. “I should probably start getting ready now,” you say, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement building up inside you.

“Good luck, sweetheart. We love you,” your mother says, blowing you a kiss through the screen as your father holds a thumbs-up to the camera.

“I love you both,” you reply, your voice softening with affection. “Thank you for always being there for me.” With a final wave, you end the call. Their words of encouragement echo in your mind, giving you the strength and confidence you need to face the day ahead. The nerves were still there—you’re entirely convinced they’re never gonna go away at this point, but compared to before, you’re pretty sure you’ve gained enough confidence for the casting right now.

Just as you were about to stand up and begin your morning routine, your phone, which you now laid down on your desk’s surface, rang with the sound of a message notification. Picking it up, a smile graces your lips as you read Seonghwa’s contact number.

Good morning! Today’s the day. Hope you still remember?

You let out a soft laugh of amusement. For the past few days, it’s been Seonghwa’s thing to keep in check with you and make sure you were still up for the casting. It was funny yet also endearing how he seems to really want you to attend. Did you really hold that much potential in his eyes? Whether you’ll get accepted or not would be the answer.

Can’t say I don’t.

I blame my constant palpitations on the casting, actually.

From the other side of the screen, there was Seonghwa, lounging on his office chair while he was occupied with both paperwork and conversing with you. He’s well aware he’s probably coming off way too paranoid by reminding you of the casting nearly everyday, but you were just a diamond in the rough he couldn’t afford to let escape from his grasp. Not when you have so much potential he could make the best out of.

Oops. Sorry… not sorry?

Also, I know I’m asking this a bit too late but

Can I ask what your name is?

You let out a hum of surprise. He hasn’t asked for that yet? Although you were sure you’d already mentioned your name to him at some point… Well, he wouldn’t be asking you this question had the truth been on your side, so maybe your memory’s deceiving you. After nearly a minute of contemplating, your fingers tapped the letters of your name on the keyboard, soon then sending it. His response caught you by surprise.

Even your name is pretty!

It’s also really cool :)

Chuckling, you quickly typed out a response—you still needed to get ready, after all.

You think so?

Thanks, Seonghwa.

Also, no emoji!

With that, you turned off your phone, placing it back on your desk before standing up and stepping into the shower. The day has yet to begin.

Meanwhile, Seonghwa, who is in his office on one of the higher floors of the building, stood up from his chair, stretching his arms above his head as he walked over to the large window. The view of the street below reveals a growing line of aspiring models, each one buzzing with anticipation. Some of them were personally casted by him, while others came on their own, drawn by the promise of a new opportunity. Despite their different paths, they all share the same goal: to make a name for themselves in the world of fashion.

As Seonghwa observes the scene, he can’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The casting is a significant event, not just for the models but for him as well. It’s a chance to discover fresh talent and bring new faces to the forefront of the industry. Just then, the door to his office swings open with a loud bang, and Wooyoung bursts in, his voice booming with enthusiasm. “Rise and shine! Get up, buttercup!” he exclaims, far too loudly for the early hour. Seonghwa turns around, raising an eyebrow in mild annoyance.

“Wooyoung, it’s not even past late morning hours yet and yet you’re already causing a scene. Must you be so loud right now?” he scolds, picking up a folder—again—and pretending to throw it at him.

Wooyoung laughs, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, I’ll keep it down,” he says, a grin plastered on his face. He doesn’t wait for an invitation and immediately lounges in Seonghwa’s chair, spinning around like a child.

Seonghwa just sighs, shaking his head as he turns back to the window. “You’re incorrigible,” he mutters under his breath, though there’s a hint of amusement in his voice.

After nearly ten dizzying spins, Wooyoung finally stops, looking a bit green. “Okay, that was a bad idea,” he mumbles to himself. He then drags the chair, wheels squeaking, over to where Seonghwa stands. Both of them look down at the line of hopefuls below.

“There’s a lot of them, huh?” Wooyoung muses, more to himself than to Seonghwa. “I can’t wait to see which ones will get in. It’s not up to me anyway, so I’ll just be watching from the sidelines with you, Hongjoong, and the casting directors.”

Seonghwa nods slightly, still gazing at the scene outside. “It’s always interesting to see who stands out,” he says quietly. “Each one of them has something unique to offer. It’s just a matter of seeing who can bring that uniqueness to life on the runway.”

Wooyoung hums in agreement, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a rare moment of contemplation. “Do you think any of them will surprise us?” he asks, glancing at Seonghwa.

“Always,” Seonghwa replies, a small smile appearing on his lips. “That’s the beauty of these castings. You never know who will walk through those doors and leave a lasting impression.”

Wooyoung leans back in the chair, crossing his arms behind his head. “Y’know, I’ve always wondered what it’s like to be in their shoes,” he says thoughtfully. “The nerves, the excitement, the pressure. It must be intense.”

“It truly is. We can only go as far as we can imagine,” Seonghwa agrees. “But that’s what makes it all the more rewarding. When they eventually succeed in their path and walk down those runways and see the admiration in the audience’s eyes, it’s all worth it.”

“Speaking of which, have you seen Hongjoong this morning?” Wooyoung asks, changing the subject. “He still seemed pretty down last night about his sketchbook when I took him out to eat.”

Seonghwa sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, he’s been really stressed about it. That sketchbook means a lot to him. Apparently, according to him, losing it feels like losing a part of himself.”

Wooyoung nods sympathetically. “I get that. I just hope he can find it or at least come to terms with it. He’s got so much talent, so it would really be a shame for something like this to hold him back.” He leans back in the chair, still gazing at the line of aspiring models outside. “So, about the girl from Rue de la Paix,” he begins, a hint of curiosity in his voice. “Did you ever get her name?”

Seonghwa glances over his shoulder, eyes narrowing slightly. “I did,” he replies cautiously.

“And what is it?” Wooyoung asks, leaning forward in anticipation.

“Why do you need to know that?” Seonghwa counters, turning fully to face his friend. There’s a playful yet protective edge to his tone, as if he’s guarding a precious secret. It wasn’t like he didn’t want to let Wooyoung know your name, he just liked to tease the younger man often.

Wooyoung shrugs, a nonchalant smile on his face. “I’m just curious. I want to know which one of the models attending today’s casting is her.”

Seonghwa doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he walks back to his desk, his mind clearly made up about not divulging the information. Wooyoung, undeterred, struggles with the chair’s wheels as he attempts to follow. The squeaky protest of the wheels against the floor echoes in the spacious office.

“Are you not telling me because it’s confidential, or because you just don’t want to?” Wooyoung presses, finally managing to maneuver the chair closer to Seonghwa’s desk—not before nearly stumbling over and falling down to the ground face-flat first.

“A little bit of both,” Seonghwa admits with a shrug, his lips curling into a faint smile. Wooyoung groans dramatically, leaning back in the chair with exaggerated disappointment. Seonghwa watches him with amusement, shaking his head slightly.

“Come on, Hwa,” Wooyoung whines. “Just a hint?”

Seonghwa’s smile widens, and he leans forward, resting his hands on his desk. “I’ll make sure to tell you when it’s her turn at the casting,” he says, a glint of teasing in his eyes.

Wooyoung instantly brightens at this, sitting up straight. “Really? You promise?”

“Promise,” Seonghwa confirms, patting Wooyoung on the back. “Now, get off my chair before I throw you out the window.”

Wooyoung laughs, pushing himself out of the chair with exaggerated reluctance. “Fine, fine. But I’m holding you to that promise,” he says, wagging a finger at Seonghwa.

Seonghwa chuckles, shaking his head as he watches Wooyoung retreat. “You truly are insufferable,” he mutters, though there’s a fondness in his voice that betrays his words.

Wooyoung winks at him, making his way to the door. “And don’t you forget it!”

As Wooyoung leaves, Seonghwa turns back to the window, watching as the line outside continues to grow. The anticipation is electric, each model radiating a mix of nerves and excitement. Today was going to be a significant day, not just for them, but for him as well. Eventually, he decided to settle back into his chair. The morning sun streamed through the glass walls, casting a warm glow over his sleek, modern workspace. He reached for the stack of portfolios on his desk, each one representing the dreams and ambitions of aspiring models.

He flipped open the first portfolio, revealing the work of Kara. Her portfolio was meticulously organized, with high-quality photographs showcasing her versatility. Kara had a striking look, with an elegant poise that shone through in every image. Her resume detailed her extensive experience in runway shows and high-fashion editorials. She had a background in ballet, which explained her graceful movements and impeccable posture. Seonghwa nodded in appreciation, noting her potential for the upcoming show.

The next portfolio belonged to Connor. His photos exuded a cool, polished charm. Connor’s piercing gaze and chiseled features made him a standout in the world of male modeling. His portfolio included a range of styles, from casual streetwear to sophisticated suits. Seonghwa noticed a particular emphasis on tech-inspired fashion, which intrigued him. Connor’s resume revealed his background in acting, adding another layer of depth to his modeling skills. Seonghwa could see Connor’s potential for both the runway and more conceptual shoots.

The third portfolio was that of Markus. His images radiated a raw, magnetic energy. Markus had a unique look, with a rugged edge that set him apart. His portfolio showcased a variety of high-impact editorial shots, where his powerful presence commanded attention. Seonghwa admired Markus’s ability to convey intense emotions through his eyes and body language. His resume highlighted his involvement in various social justice campaigns, which added a sense of purpose to his modeling career. Seonghwa made a mental note of Markus's potential for more provocative, statement-making pieces.

After thoroughly examining these portfolios, Seonghwa finally reached yours, which you had given to him yesterday. He opened it carefully, revealing a collection of images that immediately caught his eye. Your portfolio was a blend of ethereal elegance and down-to-earth charm. The photographs showcased a range of styles, from flowing, delicate dresses to modern, structured outfits. Each image highlighted your ability to adapt to different looks while maintaining a unique, captivating aura. Your resume, though less extensive than some of the others, reflected a genuine passion for modeling and a determination to make your mark in the industry.

Just then, Seonghwa’s phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at the screen and saw it was from you, asking if the casting had started yet and letting him know you were on your way. As if on cue, there was a knock on his door. One of the casting directors poked their head in, informing him that it’s about to begin before leaving shortly after.

It’s about to.

Why? Are you not here yet?

He then closed your portfolio with a thoughtful smile and slipped his phone into the pocket of his tailored pants. Rising from his chair, he made his way to the casting area, anticipation building within him. Once he reached his destination, he settled into a seat in the middle of Wooyoung and Hongjoong, along with a few other casting directors. The room buzzed with anticipation, a mix of excited chatter and the occasional nervous glance from the models waiting their turn.

As Seonghwa sat down, Wooyoung turned to him and Hongjoong with a playful grin. “Big day, right? Always exciting to see who might be the next big star.”

Hongjoong nodded in agreement, already expecting a lot for the day. “We’ve got a solid line-up today. I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform. It’s one thing to look good in photos and another to command the runway.”

Seonghwa leaned back in his chair, taking in the room’s energy. “You’re on point with that. It’s all about presence. You can tell a lot about a model by how they carry themselves.”

The casting director to Hongjoong’s left chimed in. “And it’s not just about walking. It’s the confidence, the ability to connect with the audience. We’re looking for someone who can truly bring the clothes to life.”

As they continued discussing their expectations and hopes for the casting, Hongjoong turned to Seonghwa. “By the way, is she here yet? The girl you casted in Rue de la Paix?”

Seonghwa took out his phone and read a recent message from you saying you were nearly there. He quickly typed a response, telling you to hurry, then put his phone away. “Almost. She’s on her way.”

The casting then began, each model stepping onto the runway with varying degrees of confidence. The first model moved with a fluid grace that was captivating. Her steps were measured, her posture impeccable, and the way she carried herself spoke volumes of her experience. The casting directors exchanged approving glances, making notes on their tablets.

Next was a male model whose cool, polished demeanor immediately caught the eye. His walk was deliberate, every movement exuding a calm, collected energy. The way he held himself, with just the right amount of charisma, showcased his versatility. He had a way of engaging with the audience, making each person feel as though he was walking just for them.

A third model brought a raw, magnetic presence to the runway. Her movements were powerful, almost theatrical, each step filled with purpose. The intensity in her eyes and the confident sway of her shoulders commanded attention, leaving a lasting impression on everyone watching. Seonghwa exchanged a look with Hongjoong, both clearly impressed.

Meanwhile, you were doing your best to hurry to the building without ending up looking disheveled. You reached the entrance, slightly out of breath, and quickly took out your phone to text Seonghwa, asking how to get to the casting area. Seonghwa received the notification and sighed in relief upon reading your message, quickly giving you directions. Inside, you found the waiting room and were relieved to see there were still three models in line before you. You took advantage of the time, lounging in the waiting room to catch your breath and fix yourself up. The anticipation built up as you watched the other models go, each with their unique style and presence.

Finally, it was your turn. As you stepped onto the runway, you felt a mix of nerves and excitement. The room seemed to hold its breath, and you could feel all eyes on you. You nearly let go of your resolve and began considering running away, but you couldn’t back down now, so even if the feeling of being perceived almost felt like claws scratching on your skin, you did all you can to hold out.

The dress Madame Dupont had crafted for you flowed elegantly with each step, its delicate lace details catching the light perfectly. You took a deep breath, centering yourself. Every step you took was purposeful, your head held high, shoulders back. You envisioned the path before you, focusing on exuding the confidence and grace you had practiced. Each stride was smooth, the fabric of your dress fluttering lightly with your movement, giving an ethereal quality to your walk. Your thoughts raced, reminding yourself to maintain your pace and rhythm. You could see the faces of the casting directors, their expressions ranging from curiosity to intrigue. This was your moment, and you intended to make it count.

Seonghwa then nudged Wooyoung, a proud expression on his face. “That’s her,” he said quietly.

Wooyoung turned, his mouth slightly ajar. “That’s her?” He watched you intently, a look of amazement on his face. Seonghwa nodded, proud of himself for recognizing your potential.

Hongjoong, however, seemed lost in thought. “That dress…” he whispered to himself, drawing Seonghwa’s attention.

“See? I told you she’d meet your expectations. Seems the casting directors are already fond of her as well,” Seonghwa said, pointing out how everyone else in the room seemed to have been quite intrigued.

Hongjoong shook his head slightly, “No, that’s not what I…” he trailed off, giving up and deciding to refocus himself on studying the way you moved with a unique sense of confidence he’s certain he hasn’t felt from the others who had just walked the runway you were currently standing on.

You finished your walk and stood at the end of the runway, awaiting feedback. One of the casting directors leaned forward, a warm smile on her lips. “That was quite impressive. Your walk exudes a natural grace, and you have a unique ability to connect with the audience. The way you carried that dress was truly captivating.”

Another casting director nodded in agreement. “Yes, I felt a sense of authenticity in your presence. It’s clear you’re not just walking; you’re telling a story. That’s a rare quality. Not to mention, your versatility is evident. You managed to make the dress come alive, which is exactly what we’re looking for. Your movements were fluid and expressive, and you conveyed an emotion that’s essential for our brand. We need someone who can bring that kind of depth and dimension to the runway.”

Seonghwa exchanged a satisfied glance with Wooyoung and Hongjoong. You had not only met but exceeded their expectations. As you stood there, absorbing the positive feedback, you felt a surge of confidence and pride, knowing that you had made a significant impression on the casting directors. You gave a polite nod and a soft “Thank you,” before turning away from the bright lights of the runway, and beginning your walk backstage. Your heart was pounding with a mix of relief and elation. The backstage area was a hive of activity, with models, assistants, and staff bustling around. You carefully navigated through the crowd, making your way to the waiting room.

Once inside, you found a quiet corner to gather your thoughts. The adrenaline from the casting still coursed through your veins, but you took a moment to breathe deeply, allowing yourself to fully process what had just happened. You have done it. You had walked the runway, presented yourself confidently, and received positive feedback from the casting directors.

Hongjoong, Seonghwa, and the casting directors gathered in a sleek, modern conference room for a debriefing discussion. The walls were lined with mood boards, sketches, and photos from the day's casting. The atmosphere was filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation as they reviewed the day’s candidates. Wooyoung, the brand’s vibrant and beloved photographer, sat among them. Though he wasn’t technically supposed to be part of these discussions, his charm and keen eye for detail, and, not to mention, how nearly everyone in the workspace was fond of him, had earned him a permanent spot at the table.

“Let’s start with the first model,” one of the casting directors said, flipping open a portfolio. “She had a strong walk and a striking presence. Her portfolio shows a lot of versatility. What do we think?”

Seonghwa nodded, glancing at the portfolio. “She definitely has potential. Her editorial shots are impressive, and she seemed confident on the runway.”

“Agreed,” another casting director added. “Her look is unique, and she knows how to carry herself.” They then moved on to the next model. “This one had a great energy,” they noted. “Her poses were dynamic, and she really engaged with the camera.”

“Yes,” Seonghwa said, smiling. “She has a lot of charisma. I think she’d be fantastic for some of our more lively, energetic campaigns.”

Wooyoung, lounging casually in his chair, chimed in, “I agree. She’d be a lot of fun to shoot. She has that spark.” As the discussion continued, they went through the portfolios and runway performances of several models, each time delving into detailed critiques and praises. They talked about their physical attributes, their runway presence, and their potential fit within the brand’s vision.

Finally, Seonghwa brought up your performance. “So, what do we think about the last model?” he asked, his eyes bright with anticipation.

One of the casting directors leaned forward, her eyes lighting up. “She was remarkable. Her walk was graceful, and she had an ethereal quality that was hard to ignore. Not to mention, her portfolio shows a lot of promise. She has this natural elegance that really stood out.”

Seonghwa’s smile grew wider with each positive comment, nodding in agreement with all of them. The casting director sitting across Seonghwa then noticed his growing smile and asked, “Do you know her personally by any chance?”

Seonghwa shook his head, still smiling. “No, but I met her at Rue de la Paix a while ago and persuaded her to attend today. I had a feeling she’d be a good fit.”

“Well, we’re glad you did that,” another director said, nodding in approval. “She definitely has potential.”

While the group was busy discussing, Hongjoong, who had been silent the entire time, was snapped out of his thoughts when Seonghwa nudged his shoulder lightly. “Hey, what’s on your mind? You look lost,” Seonghwa pointed out.

Hongjoong shook his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. “No, nothing,” he said, standing up. “I need to go to the restroom for a moment.”

As Hongjoong left, Wooyoung turned to Seonghwa, eyebrows raised. “What’s up with him?”

Seonghwa shrugged, equally confused. “No idea.”

Instead of heading to the bathroom, Hongjoong made his way to the waiting room. He knocked twice before entering and was greeted with the sight of you sitting in a corner, looking slightly nervous but composed. You immediately recognized him from the runway and sat up straight, greeting him politely.

You took a moment to take in his appearance and demeanor, noting the serene confidence he exuded. His features were striking, with a sharp jawline and expressive eyes that seemed to see right through you. His aura was both commanding and comforting, a perfect balance for a creative visionary. Yet above it all, one thing’s for sure—he was strikingly gorgeous. Is this how it feels being in an 80’s romance movie and seeing your love interest for the first time?

He then broke the silence by greeting you with a warm smile and introduced himself as the Creative Director of the brand. Upon this newfound information, you felt both nervous and excited as he held out his hand for you to shake. His grip was firm yet gentle, and you could feel the sincerity in his touch.

“You don’t need to introduce yourself,” he said, cutting you off gently just as he sensed you were about to speak. “Seonghwa has already told me quite a lot about you.”

“All good things, I hope?” You tilted your head, a playful expression on your face as you attempted to both lighten the mood further and relax your spirits. Fortunately on your behalf, the comment was enough to make him laugh.

“All good things, don’t worry,” he played along, easing your nerves. “I wasn’t able to give feedback along with the casting directors earlier, so I figured I���d do it now. You did an excellent job out there. Your walk was graceful, and you have a natural elegance that's very captivating.”

You felt your cheeks warm at the praise. “Oh, really? Thank you so much. That means a lot to me."

“Don’t thank me. You should be thanking yourself for being able to exude such an exceptional aura.” He smiled, then continued, “It’s up to the casting directors to decide who will be getting callbacks, but I’ll make sure to convince them to include you in the list—just in case. Though, from what I’ve seen, I’m quite certain they’re already planning on it.”

You felt a surge of gratitude and excitement. “Thank you again, really. I appreciate it.”

He cleared his throat, glancing at his watch. “I should probably get going. But before I leave, I just wanted to say it was a pleasure meeting you.”

As he turned to leave, he paused at the door and looked back. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, but my name is Kim Hongjoong,” he said before glancing at your widened eyes and gently shutting the door behind him, leaving you nearly paralyzed.

Kim Hongjoong?

The exact same name written on the sketchbook you accidentally took home with you on your first day in Paris?

Your thoughts began to swirl into a maelstrom of worry. How could this be happening? Not only did you have a renowned creative director’s sketchbook in your hands, but this very same creative director worked under the agency whose casting you had just attended. The coincidence was almost too much to bear. What if he found out you had his sketchbook? What if he thought you had stolen it?

Your mind raced with all the possible repercussions. You envisioned Hongjoong, upon discovering the mystery behind the missing sketchbook, being livid and assuming the worst of you. It might look as if you had tried to take his work for yourself or pry into his creative processes—which wasn’t exactly a far-fetched assumption, but that’s what makes things even worse on your behalf... It could certainly jeopardize your career before it even had a chance to start. He might inform the casting directors, and they could blacklist you from any future opportunities. The thought alone sent chills down your spine.

And then there was Seonghwa. You could picture his disappointment and frustration. He had gone out of his way to persuade you to attend this casting, believing in your potential. How would he react if he found out about the sketchbook? He might think you were careless or irresponsible. You had been so excited about this opportunity, but now it felt like it was slipping through your fingers due to a misunderstanding.

The weight of the situation was heavy, making it hard to breathe. You wondered how you were going to sort this out. Should you go to Hongjoong immediately and explain? But what if he didn’t believe you? What if he thought it was just a convenient excuse? The thought of facing him, knowing what you knew now, was daunting. But then, what other option did you have?

Your mind kept circling back to the same questions. How could you have known that the man whose sketchbook you had mistakenly taken would turn out to be so crucial to your career? You replayed the events of that night over and over, trying to pinpoint how things had gone so awry. It had been an innocent mistake, yet the consequences seemed potentially devastating. What if this one mistake ruined everything you had worked so hard for? What if your dreams of becoming a model in Paris ended before they could truly begin? The uncertainty of the future loomed over you like a dark cloud, making it difficult to focus on anything else.

It didn’t help that the outfit you wore was inspired by one of what’s now revealed to be Hongjoong’s sketches. The realization hit you like a ton of bricks. Could that be the reason he had gone out of his way to approach you here? You tried to convince yourself it was just a coincidence, that he had been too genuine while complimenting you earlier for it to be otherwise. But the doubt lingered, gnawing at your mind.

A fashion designer of Hongjoong’s caliber would undoubtedly recognize his own creations. There was no way he wouldn’t. Did he already know? If he did, wouldn’t he have addressed it immediately? But then again, what if he was waiting for the right moment? Perhaps he wanted to see if you would chase after him the moment he told you his name and bring it up yourself. The uncertainty made your stomach churn.

You recalled the way he had looked at you, the intensity in his eyes. It wasn’t just the usual scrutiny of a casting director. There was something more, something you couldn’t quite place. Was it curiosity? Or was it simply professional interest in a potential model? Each possibility seemed equally plausible, yet you couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it.

What if he had recognized the dress immediately but chose not to say anything? Maybe he was testing you, waiting to see if you would come forward with the truth. The thought made your heart race. You felt caught in a web of your own making, the threads tightening around you with each passing moment. How could you possibly explain the situation without it sounding like an excuse or a lie?

Your thoughts spiraled further into confusion and anxiety. If he knew about the sketchbook, what did he think of you? Did he believe you were trying to pass off his design as your own? That was far from the truth, but would he give you the chance to explain? The idea of being misunderstood by someone so pivotal to your career was terrifying.

And then there was the matter of the compliments he had given you. They seemed genuine, heartfelt even. But now you couldn’t help but question their sincerity. Had he been playing a part, trying to lure you into a false sense of security before confronting you? Or were his words truly a reflection of his professional opinion, unaffected by the sketchbook debacle? The more you thought about it, the more tangled your emotions became. You felt a mix of admiration and fear toward Hongjoong. Admiration for his undeniable talent and fear of his potential judgment. His opinion held immense weight, and the possibility of disappointing him was almost unbearable.

You wondered if you should come clean about the sketchbook before he had a chance to bring it up. But the timing seemed impossible. How could you just casually walk up to him and confess to accidentally taking his sketchbook like it wasn’t most likely a treasured item of his? And what if, by some slim chance, he really hadn’t noticed the dress’s origins? You would be drawing unnecessary attention to it, possibly creating an issue where there was none.

Your thoughts were a chaotic swirl of what-ifs and maybes. Each scenario you envisioned seemed fraught with peril. The fear of ruining your budding career loomed large, casting a shadow over your every thought. The dress, which had felt like a beacon of hope earlier, now felt like a burden, an uncomfortable fabric attaching itself on the surface of your skin, a reminder of the precarious position you found yourself in.

You wished you could go back to that moment in the cafe, to the moment before you had mistakenly picked up the wrong sketchbook. But there was no undoing what had been done. All you could do now was navigate the consequences, no matter how daunting they seemed. Your worries wouldn’t leave you alone and it definitely doesn’t seem like they were planning to anytime soon—an unrelenting presence that made it hard to think straight. You felt a deep sense of dread at the thought of facing Hongjoong again. What would you say? Would you even be able to see him again, that is?

The moment Hongjoong opened the conference room door, he saw that no one was there anymore. The room was eerily silent, and the chairs were neatly pushed under the table. He realized he had taken too long and the debriefing session had ended without him. Letting out a sigh, he decided to head back up to his office.

As he stepped into the room, he was greeted by an unfortunately familiar yet chaotic sight: Wooyoung was laughing loudly while being pushed around in Hongjoong’s chair by Seonghwa. The sight of Seonghwa struggling to control the wheeled chair with Wooyoung gleefully directing it like a makeshift chariot brought an exasperated groan from Hongjoong.

Seeing Hongjoong from the corner of his eye, Wooyoung quickly looked at him and pointed at Seonghwa with a mischievous grin. “See? Pushing a shopping cart or a chair can be fun if you put your mind to it!”

Hongjoong sighed in frustration, “Seonghwa, quit feeding into Wooyoung’s antics before one of the wheels falls off my chair.”

Seonghwa, still smiling, immediately complied despite Wooyoung’s whining complaints. Wooyoung reluctantly got off the chair, still chuckling, while Seonghwa straightened his shirt and ran a hand through his hair. As Seonghwa moved the chair back to its rightful place behind Hongjoong’s desk, he asked, “What took you so long anyway? And why do you look so… wow. This is the first time I’ve seen a smile on your face this week.”

Hongjoong, now sitting on the couch, shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m just happy about the results of today’s casting.”

Wooyoung raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “That’s like, really strange, because I’m sure you had a bothered look when you stepped outside of the conference room to go to the restroom. Like, really bothered.” Before Hongjoong could respond, Wooyoung continued with another question, “Speaking of, what took you so long anyway?”

Hongjoong leaned back, looking at Wooyoung with a raised eyebrow. “It’s none of your business.”

“You can’t just—” Wooyoung cut himself off, taken aback for a moment, then considered Hongjoong’s words. He finally nodded and said, “Yeah, you’re right, that’s... definitely not my business.”

Seonghwa, still curious, turned to Hongjoong, “Seriously though, what’s got you in a better mood?”

Hongjoong glanced at Seonghwa, then looked out the window thoughtfully. “I just had a moment of clarity, I guess. Today’s casting was better than I expected.”

Seonghwa nodded slowly, not entirely convinced but willing to let it go for now. “Well, that’s good to hear. We did see some promising talent.”

Hongjoong’s mind wandered back to the casting, especially the way you had walked down the runway with such grace and confidence. There was something about you that stood out, something he couldn’t quite place but felt drawn to nonetheless. The memory of your performance brought a subtle smile to his lips. Wooyoung, sensing there was more to Hongjoong’s mood shift, couldn’t help but press a little further. “Come on, there’s gotta be more to it than that. Did something happen when you stepped out?”

Hongjoong shook his head, maintaining his composed demeanor. “Just appreciating the talent we saw today, Wooyoung. Nothing more.”

Wooyoung shrugged, realizing he wouldn’t get more out of Hongjoong for now. “Alright, if you say so. But I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

All Hongjoong could do was smile. “I’ll be keeping an eye out there, too. Not on you, though.”

🪞 — lividstar.

[kkami-writes]

waiting for us ― a skz social media au.

pairing. OT8 x fem!reader synopsis. At age 16 you either get your soul mark (in the form of your soulmates name somewhere on your body) or you become a blank, someone who doesn't have a soulmate. You've long lost any semblance of hope or comfort in the magic of soulmates, despite the fact that you have 8 of them. genre. soulmate!au, college!au, social media!au + written parts, angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, smut cw. swearing, mentions of sex, sexual innuendos, skz should be in horny jail, eventual smut (MDNI), domestic abuse, sexual assault/harassment, implied/referenced self-harm, suicidal tendencies/thoughts, implied/referenced past suicide attempt, male x male relationships (skz are soulmates), polyamory, kms/kys jokes, mentions of homophobia + transphobia, lots of written parts, reader is really bad at feelings, ulzzang pics (this is more so to focus on the fashion), appearance of junhao, yeji and hyunjin are siblings, more to be added status: ongoing! / taglist: CLOSED! wanna support my work? consider buying me a coffee.

yn's accounts | the boys chapter one. go to horny jail chapter two. sus chapter three. welcome home cheater chapter four. you come here often? chapter five. sk8er boi chapter six. just a coincidence chapter seven. soulmate tingle chapter eight. down bad chapter nine. avoidance chapter ten. feminine urges chapter eleven. the whole circus chapter twelve. fairy boy chapter thirteen. apologies chapter fourteen. simp behavior chapter fifteen. not slick chapter sixteen. scooby doo chapter seventeen. screwed over chapter eighteen. back off hoe chapter nineteen. the gig chapter twenty. the plan™ chapter twenty one. yn chapter twenty two. a chance chapter twenty three. good morning chapter twenty four. totally subtle chapter twenty five. opening up chapter twenty six. howls moving castle chapter twenty seven. a deal chapter twenty eight. girls daye chapter twenty nine. girl dinner chapter thirty. the clit chapter thirty one. knight in shining armor chapter thirty two. masterpieces chapter thirty three. #NPP chapter thirty four. beach episode chapter thirty five. in the rain chapter thirty six. rumours chapter thirty seven. laser tag chapter thirty eight. cat cafe chapter thirty nine. bruises chapter fourty. sunrise

waiting for us masterlist part 2!!!!

[looneyleyle]

mi media naranja ~ p. gavi

synopsis: the private but not secret relationship of a guy and a girl <3

warnings: my spanish 😭 im not quite fluent so beware of errors!

notes: first off, most of the pictures i used are not my own! credits to their owners. second, the accounts pedroplays and pabs.gavs are their private instas, just wanted to clear up any potential confusion

insta au!

user.yn

♡ 💬 ➢ les gusta a hey.its.bff, sister.name, pabs.gavs y otros

user.yn recientemente ☼ (recently)

ver comentarios

hey.its.bff gorgeous gorgeous girl ↳ user.yn @/hey.its.bff you should visit sometime

sister.name miss you lots ↳ user.yn @/sister.name i miss you more

pedroplays alguien no puede callarse pq estás aquí (someone can’t shut up about you being here) ↳ user.yn @/pedroplays hmmm quien podría ser... (hmmmm who could it be…) ↳ pabs.gavs @/user.yn obviamente es lamine (obviously it’s lamine)

user.yn

♡ 💬 ➢ les gusta a hey.its.bff, pabs.gavs, pedroplays y otros

user.yn alguien me sugirió que viniera a un partido, supongo que estuvo bueno ◡̈ (someone suggested that i come to a game, i guess it was fine)

ver comentarios

hey.its.bff best weekend w the best girl <3 ↳ user.yn @/hey.its.bff so glad you came, ily

pabs.gavs sólo bueno? :( (just fine?) ↳ user.yn @/pabs.gavs marca un gol la próxima vez y veremos si mi opinión cambia (score a goal next time and we’ll see if my opinion changes)

culersporpablito

♡ 💬 ➢ les gusta a user915 y otros

culersporpablito gavi y una mujer besándose en la calle cerca de las ramblas, foto por un culer (gavi and a woman kissing in the street near las ramblas, photo by a culer)

ver los 176 comentarios

user823 ¿¿él tiene novia?? ¿quién es? (he has a girlfriend?? who is it?) ↳ user756 no sabemos, pero ellos han estado juntos desde sus días en la masia (we don’t know, but they’ve been together since his days in la masia)

user089 que afortunada, cómo convertirse en ella 😭 (how lucky, how to become her 😭)

ferrantorres

♡ 💬 ➢ les gusta a pablogavi, user.yn, pedri y otros

ferrantorres 🦈⚽️

ver comentarios

pedri goleadorrr (goal scorer)

frenkiedejong bon día 💙❤️ (good day)

marcguiu9 😍😍

user.yn que impresionante bebe (impressive babe)

pabs.gavs

jaja eres tan graciosa cariño 😐 (haha you're so funny darling)

deja de coquetear con mi compañero. (stop flirting with my teammate.)

y si no? qué pasaría?(and if not? what would happen?)

para. (stop.)

eres lindo cuando estás celoso (you're cute when you're jealous)

cállate mujer (shut up woman)

pablogavi

♡ 💬 ➢ les gusta a pedri, user.yn, fcbarcelona y otros

pablogavi ¡otra gran victoria por tres puntos! força barça! (another great victory for three points!)

ver comentarios

pedri vamos hermanito 🔥 (let's go bro)

_ferminlopez sigue hermano 👏 (keep it up bro)

user.yn mi favorito 🫶 (my favorite) gustado por pabs.gavs

pabs.gavs

♡ 💬 ➢ les gusta a pedroplays, user.yn, hectorelhermoso y otros

pabs.gavs contigo para siempre amor (with you forever love)

ver comentarios

user.yn ayeee quién es la chica? es muy guapa 🤩 (who's that girl? she's gorgeous)

user.yn mi media naranja 🍊🫶 (my soulmate)

pedroplays que asco 🤢 (how gross) ↳ user.yn @/pedroplays pablito todavía te quiere, no te pongas tan celoso (pablo still loves you, don't be too jealous)

[sun-and-moon-mushroom]

So, here’s my take on a soulmate AU:

Airplane-Shooting-Towards-The-Sky lives in a world where soulmates are real, so of course he wants to give his protagonist one, even though he’s never met the person who will make his own soulmark burn. He has a problem though — he also wants to write a harem for his protagonist and it would take all the drama out of it if his main character had a favourite! He comes up with a solution though, because in this world, soulmates aren’t necessarily romantic (although they often are), just people with their fates intertwined. There have been cases of soulmates who never got along, historical accounts of great rivalries, so why not make the soulmate of the protagonist one of the major villains?

Shen Yuan is one of those people lucky enough to have a soulmate, although his family often joke that he’ll never meet them if he never leaves his room. He’s obsessed with a truly terrible webnovel with surprisingly interesting monsters, and a protagonist that he loves (in a completely platonic way). The protagonist is actually the reason he started reading the book in the first place — he came across some fanart of him online and was struck by how similar the soulmark sitting on his exposed chest was to his own, almost as if they matched. It’s not the exact same, but soulmarks never are, each reflecting the one they mark while representing what links them. When it’s revealed that the main villain of the first part of the book, the one who spent years tormenting the protagonist before pushing him into a hell he spent years trying to escape… he’s disappointed somewhat. Sure, Luo Binghe has his harem, his hundreds of wives but… he couldn’t help but wish that he’d had a better soulmate.

Shen Jiu realises the mistake he’s made accepting a new disciple just because Ning Yingying had asked for it when he feels the soulmark hidden underneath his skin burn the moment the little beast gets close. It’s nothing he can’t tolerate, even as he watches as the boy gasps from the pain. He’s felt much worse when the brand was lowered over his own mark to make it ‘match’ the false one given to Qiu Haitang as a child to ensure her family’s status remained unquestioned. Even with the scar mostly erased by his level of cultivation, traces of it still remain. He refuses to care for this child — he’s lived his entire life perfectly fine without a soulmate, and the little beast will be better off the same.

Luo Binghe wipes tea off his face with his new disciple robes, already dirtied so soon after he got them, as the pain in his chest subsides. He doesn’t know what it was, he wasn’t sick or injured or anything like that. It almost felt like what he’d heard some people describe meeting your soulmate to be like — but Luo Binghe has never had a soulmate. The closest he has is an odd birthmark on his chest, but everyone knows that a soulmark is something else completely (when Su Xiyan sealed away his demonic heritage, she also sealed his soulmark) (when he stands on the edge of the Endless Abyss he’ll feel that burning pain again and know what it is).

[sorryimananti-romantic]

Horizon

faerieprince!san x oc

royal/fantasy au, soulmate au

Take Me Home spinoff (can be read as a standalone)

series lore

genre and warnings: fluff, angst, mild smut/suggestive, time travel/time loop, tragedy, violence warnings, mention of death/su!cide, past traumas, idk if i missed sth

synopsis: the eight faerie princes and the princess who rule the planet mirinae sense something that doesn't belong to their world- something that screams unnatural and dangerous. however, san is able to feel the presence of a faerie instead and it leads him to gaeul, who came back to life as a part of a darkling's evil scheme. san soon realises that he might be connected to gaeul in unimaginable ways, and the bond that they share might not be good.

-> part 1

-> part 2

-> part 3

-> part 4

-> part 5

Planet Mirinae Map:

[Kingdoms --> star-signs, Seas--> birthstones

(Seonghwa and Yunho share the Kingdom of Aries;

Kingdom of Gemini is split into two states bc duh;

Fomalhaut--> free land without a monarchy)]

disclaimer: the series can be read as a standalone since i do enough of explaining the whole universe at a tolerable pace (i hope), but in case you decide to read take me home (seonghwa series) which is a crucial part in the worldbuilding of this universe, i assure you not much will be spoiled and take me home will still be confusing asf (i really hope so LOL) anyways enjoy or whatever.

status: complete

taglist: closed

[hidrargyrum]

EMInktober24 ✨ V• Destined in the stars

▪️Au Soulmate & His Dark Materials inspired -

Aizawa /Pantera & Toshinori / Panda Rojo

En este Au es sin poderes, tienen la misma edad y van en escuelas diferentes, se encuentran por casualidad en la parada del autobús y entonces comienza su historia de amor.

[hellfire--cult]

💜🦇 Welcome to Roe's Eddie Munson's Masterlist 🦇💜

Be mindful that all of my fics are +18

Fluff : ❤ - Smut: 🌶 - Dark: ⛓ || complete: ✓ - Writing: ✎

Series:

Make me Better | ❤ - 🌶 - ✓: Bully!Reader, Enemies to Lovers, Angst, Love Triangle || wattpad and ao3

Do I Wanna Know? | ❤ - 🌶 - ✓: Stripper!Eddie, Shy!Reader, Romance, Pining, Angst

Baring Teeth | ❤ - 🌶 - ✎: Non-Traditional Omegaverse, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Angst

One Shots and Requests:

Second Chance at Cupid | ❤ - ✓: Cupid!Eddie, Romance, Pining, Angst, Soulmates -> R: Eddie's Past

Hooked On You | ❤ - ✓: Captain Hook!Eddie, Peter Pan AU, Much Angst, Romance, Soulmates -> R: After Story

Bunny, Bunny, Bunny | 🌶 - ⛓ - ✓: Mafia!Eddie, Chasing, Wicked Romance sort of, creepy aura, explicit

Scent | ❤ - ✓: Angst, Alpha!Eddie Munson, hurt/comfort, mean!eddie

Toot Toot | ❤ - ✓: fluff, established relationship, eddie being supportive

Cosplay for me | ❤ - ✓: possible smutty part 2, eddie gets fixated, cosplayer!reader

Don't leave me | ⛓ - ✓: dark fic, gore, murder, pining, plot twist

Misbehaved | 🌶 - ⛓ - ✓: dark fic, krampus!eddie, virgin!reader

Please, Trust Me | ❤ - ✓: read warnings, angst, fluff, su*icide topics

The Boy is Mine | ❤ - ✓: fluff, pregnant!reader, lovely prompt

Fated | 🌶 - ❤ - ✓: omega!eddie, alpha!reader, enemies to lovers, scent mates

Standing on tiptoes as a third talent | ❤ - ✓: tall!reader, fluff, some bullying, badass reader

Orange Peel Skin | 🌶 - ❤ - ✓: rockstar!eddie, best friends to lovers, body positivity, fluff and smutty

After Hours | 🌶 - ⛓ - ✓: mafia!eddie, omegaverse, alpha!eddie, omega!reader, boss and secretary, rough, mating

Back to Main Page

Eddie's gifs credit to their respective creators, banner made by me.

[icamefromadream]

◦•◦Need some Unique AUs for your OCs/OTP? I got you!◦•◦

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Angel and Demon AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Under the Sea AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Arranged Marriage AU (It could be like Romeo and Julliet OR an AU where they have to get along with one another after an arranged marriage.)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦Assasins AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Art School AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ BookStore AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Army AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Idol and Fan AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Ballet AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Beach AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Celebrities AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Ceo and Ceo AU (This would be si intresting though)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Butcher shop and Flower shop AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Circus AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Racers AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Necromancer and DEAD person AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Witch and Wizard AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Supernatural and Supernatural AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Detective AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Daycare AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Demon and Demon hunter

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Fantasy AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Illusion AU (Basically both characters hold up illusions on their true reality, whether it's physically or mentally.)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Fashion Designers and Models (This would be so cute as a ship)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Flower Shop AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ God's and Goddesses AU (POSSOBLY MY ALL TIME FAVORITE.)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Amnesia AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Guardian Angel and Their Human AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Guarian Angel and Guardian Angel SU (this is definitely a ship)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Ghosts AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Switch bodies/lives AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Hollywood AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ HUMAN AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Ice Skating AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Library AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Lawyers AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Scientists AU (Like test subject x Scientist)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Asylum AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Band AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Medival AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Office AU (I had to add in a few classics, come on they're so good)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Reveng story AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Preist and Demon AU (This doesn't have to be a ship)

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Photographer and Model AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Stalker and Stalker AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Stalker and Detrctive AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Apocalypse AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Reincarnation AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ University/College Roomates AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Soulmates AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Shapeshifters AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Teachers AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Vampire and Damsel in Distress AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Superhero and Sidekick/Villain AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Wedding Crashers AU

╭┈◦•◦❥•◦ Divorced AU

Follow @paranoia-art For More!

Up next, Unique and Funny Ships to draw/write your favorite OTP as!

May 5 2024

[iamnmbr3]

I need you to know that after a decade of being a Harry Potter fan, your blog was the thing that made me ship drarry. Do you have any fics you'd recommend, since I'm only just starting to read drarry?

Ahhh! That's truly delightful to hear. Thank you so much for telling me! There's a ton of good drarry content. Definitely check out my fic rec tag here. Off the top of my head here are a few fun ones:

Running on Air by eleventy7 (words: 74,880 | rating: T)

Draco Malfoy has been missing for three years. Harry is assigned the cold case and finds himself slowly falling in love with the memories he collects.

At Your Service by Faith Wood (faithwood) (words: 95,752 | rating: E)

Hogwarts students are in danger; Harry is determined to save them all. There's only one thing he knows for certain: Draco Malfoy is somehow involved.

hello goodbye ('twas nice to know you) by tamerofdarkstars (words: 4,807 | rating: T)

Draco Malfoy thinks he might know whose thoughts are scrawling themselves on his skin, but that's crazy. Impossible, even. It has to be a mistake. - Self-indulgent soulmate AU where the thoughts of your soulmate inscribe themselves on your skin in a shifting magic tattoo

Nero su bianco by zuzallove (words: 40,507 | rating: E)

September 1997. Hogwarts is under the regime of Voldemort and the Carrows. Finding himself alienated by both his friends and his supposed enemies, Draco puts quill to parchment, and writes letters. He addresses them to the only person he can think of, as Hogwarts rapidly falls into chaos and ruin: Harry Potter. He goes to great lengths to ensure the letters are never discovered, and he’s pretty certain he’s done a great job. Until the day of his trial. PodFic available!

Denude by Faith Wood (faithwood) (words: 4,172 | rating: E)

This is a HBP AU. It's set a few days after the Sectumsempra scene and takes the story in another direction, asking the question: "What if the Sectumsempra scene had a greater impact on Harry and Draco?" Harry and Draco are sixteen. In medias res beginning. Non-linear storytelling.

AITA for being "obsessed" with my childhood nemesis? by RainstormRadish (words: 4,289 | rating: M)

Alrakis • I [24M] attended a small boarding school in the UK. There was a boy in my year, a couple of months younger than me, and he became my nemesis after we developed an intense rivalry. My friend [25F] told me recently that our dynamic was "weird back then" and that "it’s even weirder" that I still think about him today. She argued that I talk about him all the time, but I believe the amount I talk about him is reasonable. AITA? prongymcprongface • i completely get what you mean. i had a nemesis (like a school one, separate to my other nemesis) and we had a dynamic super similar to what you are describing. having a nemesis is a very cool and normal thing dw about it. NTA In which Draco asks the internet if he's being reasonable. Only one commenter is sympathetic. They start talking.

[gauloiseblue]

Gauloiseblue's Bookmarks

A/N: Since there's no bookmark system like they had in AO3, I decide to make one on this site. Will update the list from time to time.

COD

Price

[The True Me] by @i-am-hungry-24-7 Useless by @syoddeye Lazy Saturday Mornings by @clementine-thedestroyer Price and Beauty Mark by @ohmygraves Growing older with john price. by @obsessivelullabies Growing older with john price; smut. by @obsessivelullabies Ex-husband price, but the “ex” lays on significantly blurred lines now. by @captainfern Ex Husband!Price by @moongreenlight (A/N: you have NO idea what this fic had done to me) The boys all collectively realize that you are the captain’s favourite by @dante-mightdie weird HC by @theycalledhimastar

Gaz

lavender skies by @yeyinde (A/N: Gaz girlie, please read this I'm begging-) I may love Kyle, but I can totally admit when he acts like a total weirdo (he doesn’t, he’s perfect). by @theycalledhimastar

König

Ex-Lover Konig with runaway reader by @diejager Dog Hybrid König by @comfortless Hades!Konig and Persephone!reader by @comfortless Aroura Borealis by @clementine-thedestroyer Underground Fighter!König X Rich!Reader by @melancholic-thing

Soap

Rugby player soap fucks you after a win by @vanderilnde Pushy ass cbf!johnny and benefit pay by @shotmrmiller Valentine Days with Soap by @killerpancakeburger cbf!johnny as the dog he is by @ghouljams

Ghost

soulmate au with ghost but it's the fucking opposite of rainbows and sunshine by @bi-writes

Poly/HC

Fancy (Vampire! Poly! 141 x Plus size! Fem! Reader) by @swordsandholly 141 80’s Arcade AU by @clementine-thedestroyer TF141 and "can I try your drink?" By @syoddeye (A/N: don't @ me) 141 when they need attention by @void-my-warranty TF141 when you gave him hickey when you're drunk by @gloomwitchwrites

The Arcana

Asra's Love by @bahrtofane Teen Asra and puppy love headcanons by @smoke-and-silver Trip adventures with Asra by @smoke-and-silver Arcana and Weddings (fanarts) by @bastart13

Random/Miscellaneous

A/N: I put all of the Ghost Band stuff here bc I'm not officially into the fandom, but they're so irresistible to read hnggg

THEN // if (then) FINAL PART (Ghoap Comic) Roach's puppy eyes Korangi pt. 1 Korangi pt .2 Korangi (sus) pt. 3 Korangi (even more sus) pt. 4 Ghoap food pt. 1 👍👍 Self-care (Ghoap short comic) Capt Price having a cheeky wank (audio) Barry Sloane thirst trap (maybe) Bare chested Barry- Barry ugly ass poems (i'm horny) Barry Sloane seducing clip ASMR Barry talking ASMR Barry (Price) pt. 2 The band Ghost wildin' Ghost band shenanigan: part 1 The Ghouls + Rut Season (HC) Swiss meets red velvet ‘you’ve got to press it on you.’ (Ghost Band HC) Nameless Ghoul NSFW headcanons Swiss relationship and NSFW headcanons .... yeah I'm normal I swear St. Vincent *heart eyes* Miyazaki's Retirement Declarations (chronologically) Hayao Miyazaki's "Inspirational" Quotes The Hand

Web Weave | Poetry

not romantic not platonic but a secret third thing [what would happen between earth and the moon if the earth stopped spinning as illustrated by xkcd randall munroe] - Lyudmilla Ignatenko, the wife of deceased firefighter Vasily Ignatenko, Voices from Chernobyl, by Svetlana Alexeivich (transl. Keith Gessen) Robin Wood, “Psychoanalysis of Psycho” | Stoker (2013) dir. Park Chan-wook Stoker (2013) dir. Park Chan-wook and "The Lady of the House of Love" by Angela Carter This Is Me (Stoker 2013) Rice Paddies Home (What Is Home?) Whenever I see you, I remember AM I MAKING YOU FEEL SICK? // DEVOTION THAT EATS YOU ALIVE

[wooataes]

Real Eyes, Fake Lies (Part Six)

Pairing: soulmate!Lee Jihoon x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.7K

Warnings: angst, Hanahaki!AU, filler chapter before next big plot point 👀, Marvel spoilers i guess?? Jihoon sucks when it comes to talking about things, sus Jeonghan, swearing, feelings of self doubt?

Summary: What do you do when you find out the one person that was created by the universe to be yours doesn’t want you back?

A/N: Just a short little filler chapter for you guys before the next big plot point! A few cute little moments and a lay off the angst for a bit too! Some new characters will drop next chapter, and I can’t wait for you all to read! Thank you all for loving this story as much as I love writing it 🫶🏼

-Tae 💜✨

If you’d like to be tagged, shoot through an ask!

Previous | Next | Masterlist

Y/N: Meet me at the auditorium after you finish class? I’ll be helping the Jeongyeon and the girls with their Vocal project and then we can go to the library.

Jihoon rereads your text for the fifth time as he makes his way towards the auditorium with a sigh, looking up at the sky as the sun tries to peek out from behind the clouds. It’s a Friday afternoon, Ji-ah has just sent him off with a kiss and a smile as she leaves campus to take the train back home to her family as per usual, leaving him alone for the weekend. He winces into direct sunlight with a scowl before trudging inside the large building.

Jihoon blinks at the sound of five distinct voices harmonizing together on the empty stage, and he recognizes that the voices belonged to your five girlfriends, Jeongyeon, Jihyo, Momo, Dahyun and Nayeon. He spots you sitting at the piano at the side of the stage, playing a simple melody as the girls sing into the empty theatre. He is captivated at how well the girls’ voices all blend together.

“Heaven forbid someone whisper ‘he’s part of some scheme’,” Jihyo sings. “Your enemy whispers,”

“So you have to scream!” The girls harmonize, and Jihoon’s eyes widen as you sing alongside them from the piano, still playing flawlessly.

“I know about whispers,” Momo’s voice is soft and delicate.

“I see how you look at my sister...” Your voice is clear as a bell as your voice projects through the room. Jihoon feels like time has stopped as he hears you.

“Don’t!”

“I’m not naive, I have seen women around you,” Dahyun’s voice is deep and angry, singing with emotion, your voice harmonizing behind her. He can’t keep his eyes off you.

“Don’t think I don’t see how they fall for your charms,” Jeongyeon and Jihyo sing together, facing each other and locking eyes.

“All of your charms!” Everyone sings together.

They’re good, Jihoon thinks to himself. Really good.

“I’m erasing myself from the narrative,” the girls all sing in a ladder, overlapping each other with precision.

“Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted when you broke her heart,” their harmonies are on point, Jihoon can feel goosebumps rise on his skin.

“You have thrown it all away, stand back and watch it,”

“Burn~”

The harmony echoes through the empty seats, Jihoon now sitting at the end of the front row to listen.

“Just watch it all burn,” he keeps his eyes on you, singing full heartedly as you keep playing the piano without missing a beat. Your eyes are glued to the sheet music in front of you as the rest of the girls stay put in their spot.

Jihoon stays quiet in stunned silence as you, alongside your friends sing the rest of the song together in perfect harmony. He’s shocked at how polished the performance is, you all have clearly put a lot of time and effort into it.

“If you thought you were mine,” it’s almost like the girls were competing with each other for the best belt for the finale, but at the same time their voices overlapping fits the song perfectly.

“Don’t.” The song stops sharply and abruptly.

The girls are all looking expectantly at you, and you turn on the chair to smile at them.

“I think you’re ready.” You beam. “Like seriously, that was the best you’ve all sounded yet.”

“Really?” Momo smiles back at you, taking both of your hands in hers.

“Really!” You nod excitedly.

“I personally think we only sound this good because of you.” Jihyo smirks, hugging around you from behind, your laugh echoing in the room as she plants a kiss on your cheek gratefully.

“Oh hush, you.” You swat her hands playfully as the others laugh with you.

Your laugh is foreign to Jihoon, but he wouldn’t mind hearing it more often, he decides.

“I agree with Ji.” Jeongyeon hums, bumping her hip with yours. “Your voice was just what we needed to make it perfect. It’s a shame that you have to hide behind that big piano though. We need you center stage with those golden pipes.”

“Then who else will play the music, silly?” You snark back, smiling.

“We can easily find a backing track, miss smarty pants.” Dahyun raises her eyebrow as Nayeon points to her with wide eyes.

“She has a point, Bug.”

“And risk the performance fucking up because we trusted a machine?” You cross your arms with a pout. “I’m happy behind the piano, you know that.”

“Excuse me!” Jihyo’s voice now booms towards your soulmate, who was now sitting up, startled at the volume of her voice. “This is a closed practice! Women only!”

“I..”

“Yah! Have some decorum!” You throw a bottle of water at her with a laugh. “It’s just Jihoon. We need to go study for Film Studies.”

You roll your eyes with a grin as all the girls rush to grab you. But you’re faster, jumping off the edge of the stage and leaning beside Jihoon with your backpack in hand.

“No fair! You don’t get to steal her away!” Momo whines and stomps her foot, making you laugh and wave at the girls.

“Unfortunately, he does. Unless you want me to fail and stay behind for a year.” You smirk as they all relent. “Good job today, my loves! Same time next week yeah?” You blow them all kisses as they repeat the gesture back to them. “Sorry, did I take too long?” You ask your soulmate quietly as he trails out of the auditorium behind you.

“Uhh, no.” He finds his voice after a beat of silence, cheeks slightly pink. “Not at all.” Your angelic voice is still ringing in his ears.

“Sorry about them,” You wave your hand back at the building. “They tend to make goodbyes a drawn out affair so I tried to be quick.”

“It’s fine.” He nods, and you release a breath you didn’t realize you were holding, walking to the campus library with Jihoon in silence.

Jihoon watches you from the corner of his eye as you walk together, suddenly more withdrawn and quiet. If you were a flower, Jihoon would’ve thought you just wilted right in front of him.

“Do you think people will sit back and think about that?”

“This is exactly what this project is about!” You chirp, pushing the laptop towards him. “Think about it. Tony Stark is obviously a fan favourite, both in the comics and the cinematic universe.” You’re pointing out graphs on the screen. “Everyone was on his side when Civil War came out. I bet you were too.”

“I mean, yeah, I suppose.” Jihoon raises his eyebrow at you.

“Which brings me back to my point.” This is the most animated he’s seen you be towards him, scribbling down on a notebook in front of you both. “Bucky is not to blame for Tony’s parents death. Yes, he is the one who caused their deaths, but he was under the mind control of Hydra. He was not in his right mind to control his own decision making due to the fact he was literally being controlled by these crazy bastards.”

Jihoon opens his mouth to speak.

“I know what you’re about to say,” you counter before he speaks. “You’re going to say ‘but he still did it.’ I mean, he did do it but if I hypnotized you to be a killing machine that you literally couldn’t stop yourself from being said killing machine, would you have the power to stop me? The answer is no. Bucky didn’t deserve the witch-hunt he was faced with, and Steve was completely justified in protecting his best friend. Bucky even felt guilty about it when Tony confronted him.”

“Tony was Steve’s friend too, though.”

“Who he knew for what, five minutes?” You quip back. “If your childhood best friend made a mistake and spent his entire life in agony against his will, tried to defend himself from your new friend of two years, who would you be picking?”

“… you make a point, Choi.” He hums, nodding his head sagely. “Yeah, okay, this is good. This will get them talking.”

“And it’s perfect, because we can discuss both sides!” You smile. “Even though I’m on Bucky’s side.”

Jihoon lets out a chuckle, with a little smile on his face. “I’m happy with that idea if you are?”

“Really?” You sit up straight, blinking owlishly. “You don’t have any ideas?”

“I mean, I had a few ideas but they were all pretty one sided. This idea works well because we can say the views from both sides.”

You blink again before giving Jihoon a little smile. His heart skips a beat involuntarily. “Okay, let’s do that then.”

“I can work on the Stark side and you can work on the Barnes side and we can discuss?” Jihoon pulls out his own pen and paper, starting to jot down a few notes. “We should only do a few ideas now and next week we can meet up to watch the film to draw out some points.”

“Sounds good to me.”

You nod your head quickly as you both get to work, the only sounds between you both being your pens and the occasional clicking of the keyboard of the laptop between you both.

Every so often, Jihoon feels like he can feel your eyes on him, but every time he sneaks a glance, your eyes are firmly on your notebook, diligently writing line after line of dot points on your page. It must be his imagination.

Every few moments, he spots you reaching up and rubbing at a spot on your collarbone like you have an itch, and he feels his curiosity growing but decided to leave it be for the sake of the project.

“I heard you were helping out with auditions..” you trail off softly as you walk by Jihoon’s side, two hours after your study session had begun. The sun is setting in the sky now as you shove your hands in your pockets. You’re standing on the outer side of the sidewalk, feet ghosting over the lip of where the concrete meets the road.

“Sure am.” He drawls, kicking at a rock on the pavement. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh, no reason,” You shake your head quickly. “I was just going to ask how it’s going.” Your eyes stay focussed on your feet. Jihoon spots your neck flushing pink.

“It’s not bad.” He shrugs. “But I don’t know how you can work with some of those actors. Almost all of them can’t sing for shit.”

You let out a cough as you seemingly choke on your own saliva, a laugh escaping your throat. “They’re not that bad, Jihoon-ssi.”

Jihoon feels like it’s so formal when you address him now. There is still the occasional moment you will call him simply Jihoon, but never Oppa. Not since the incident.

“They are bad when you have to hear the same rendition of ‘Mamma Mia! Here I go again. My my, how can I resist you?’ for four hours.” He groans, your amused smile growing on your lips as he speaks. “Why didn’t any of your friends audition? They sound a whole lot better than anyone else who sang.”

At the mention of your friends, you perk up a bit. “Believe me, I’ve tried. But they’re happy in their little show choir. I insisted that they would easily get the main role if they just showed up to audition, but they argued with me every step of the way.” You sigh, shrugging your shoulders. “So, I gave up.”

“Hmm, pity.” He hums. “It would’ve been better than who they’re deciding for callbacks.”

You nod along with him, and just as you’re about to respond, Jihoon beats you to the punch.

“You would’ve been good, too.”

Your cheeks immediately flush a deep red, turning your head to look away. “Uhh, thanks.”

“I mean, it isn’t a compliment.” Jihoon retorts. Your shoulders sag. “Well, I mean… it is, I suppose.” He immediately tries to mend things. “But coming from someone who sadly has perfect pitch, you, Jeongyeon and the others were the best singers I’ve heard all month.”

“Thank you, Jihoon-ssi.” You smile softly at your soulmate before flinching and taking a quick step towards him.

You were standing a bit too close to the road as a car sped past you, almost knocking you off your feet if it wasn’t for Jihoon to catch you by the loop of your backpack. He swiftly maneuvers you to walk on the inside of the path, now standing in your original spot without blinking an eye or missing a stride.

“It’s fine.” He acts like nothing happened. “And, if it’s too much for your rehearsal, or whatever.. I’ve been trained in piano since I was in middle school. So, uh… I could play the backing track for you if you wanted to focus on singing with the girls… if you wanted.” It was his turn to turn red as he walked, stammering. He truly didn’t intend on offering this to you, he just let it slip out like word vomit. “I don’t have anything to do after school on Friday’s since Ji-ah usually leaves for her family, so I mean if you guys wanted I could help out.”

He was babbling and probably repeating himself now. Oh god, can you please shut him up.

“Oh..” your eyes are wide as you stare at him. “I mean, I can check with the girls… but are you sure? You really don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Jihoon feels it. Your nerves begin to swirl in the pit of your stomach, the doubt and worry running through you as you question everything.

“It’s fine.” He insists. “Really, I love playing the piano anyway so this is just like a holiday for me. Honest.”

“Then, yeah.. sure.” You nod slowly as your walking slows as you reach the block before your house. “I’ll ask the girls and see. Thank you.”

“Sure.” He hums, hands stuffed deep in his pockets.

“And… uh… before you leave.” You pause at your front gate. Jihoon stops and turns to face you, eyebrows raised in curiosity. “Soonie told me to ask you… usually this time of year leading up to Cheol’s birthday, we usually go on a big camping trip. This year we’re going to Busan and Jeonghan has told us to invite anyone who we think would want to go.”

You’re kicking at the invisible dust on the ground. “Soonie knew I was meeting up with you for the project so he told me to ask if you and Ji-ah want to come. It’s in a couple of weeks from now so you don’t have to decide yet, but the offer is there.”

“Oh, that sounds fun.” He nods slowly. “I’m from Busan, so that’d be nice.”

“And you guys wouldn’t have to worry about getting a ride there!” You insist quickly. “Jeonghan is hiring a bus so you guys can just tag along- wait, what did you say?”

“It’d be fun..?” Jihoon repeats himself before you let his words process through your brain. You blink and nod your head quickly.

“Oh, okay. Good.” You step inside the gate. “I’ll get Soonie to text you the details?”

“Sounds good, thanks.” Your soulmate nods again, a ghost of a smile on his face.

“Thanks for walking me home, Jihoon-ssi. Have a good night.” You bowed your head before turning around, rushing to the front door of your home.

“Goodnight.” Jihoon mumbles, the door already closed behind you. Once he knows you’re not going to go out again, he turns around and continues his walk home.

“Ladybug? Is that you?” You hear Jeonghan’s voice coming from the kitchen.

“Yeah. It’s just me, Oppa.” You call back, stepping into the room and giving him a quick hug.

“It’s late. Did you walk home on your own?” Seungcheol steps into the room at the sound of your voice, hand on his hip.

“No, I had to study with Jihoon-ssi, remember?” You lean against the counter with a little smile. “He walked me home, it’s on his way.”

“Oh, how chivalrous of him.” He cooed playfully, making you roll your eyes.

“Oh please.” You wave your hand. “He probably only did it because you would’ve murdered him if he didn’t walk me home, or had someone organized to get me.”

“This is true.” Your brother smirks, reaching out and ruffling your hair. You have a small smile on your face that doesn’t go unnoticed by Jeonghan, who watched you with a raised brow.

“Hannie-Oppa,” you turn to said man. “Jihoon and Ji-ah are confirmed to be coming to Busan too, Soonie invited them.”

“Ji-ah?” Cheol asks, tilting his head.

“His girlfriend.” You mutter, Jeonghan’s eyebrows raising so high up that he’s surprised they haven’t touched the ceiling.

Girlfriend. Interesting.

Real Eyes, Fake Lies Taglist

@cinnamoroxie @enhacolor @mikachu-chu @jojowantstocry @changbinisms @scarlet789 @i-dont-give-a-fok @im-gemmy @shookyungsoo @ametheyistheart @friendlywraith @kawennote09 @coupddeongie @sunooschubbycheeks @zgzgzh @mar-627 @side-angel @kuleo26 @deltamoon666 @snowgirlfallen @lixiel0ver @phenomenalgirl9 @weebotakuboy @sumzysworld @vixensss @seokmatchu @etaerealboy @milopenne @jinyoungie0922 @chickenscoups @zadkielr

[lululawrence]

Sus' 40 to 40 Countdown: 15 Days

I don't know why, but it feels like a big deal to have gotten this far in this silly countdown idea I had with my fics. Thank you to the anon who gave me the ideas for the themed recs and those of you who were supportive of me being out here and stupidly self indulgent leading up to my big 40 birthday lol I hope you aren't regretting it now hahaha! Today's rec is actually dedicated to that lovely anon because the theme is...

Fics That Inspired My Favorite Interactions with Readers

That's Not My Name - Harry/Louis (meet cute, uni, coffee shop)

The one where the cute boy coming into the coffee shop gives Louis a different name every time…for over a month.

(I'm Dreaming of a) One Night Inn - Harry/Louis (advent fic, Holiday Inn AU, famous/non-famous, hurt/comfort, Christmas and other holidays)

When everything Louis had planned for his life falls through, and on his birthday no less, he's left with no other option but to regroup and start over again. The road of life isn't always straight and it certainly isn't always easy, but sometimes it's those twists and turns that find you your closest friends and—if you're really lucky—the love of your life.

Louis just happens to be very lucky.

A Holiday Inn AU.

Need So Much Of You - Harry/Louis (fake relationship, would have been canon compliant thanks covid, famous/famous, friends to lovers, coming out)

The would-have-been canon compliant, fake relationship, friends with benefits, friends to lovers fic where Louis wonders if this thing going on with Harry is going to break him or change everything for the better.

Caught In Your Gravity - Harry/Louis (footballer Louis, coach Harry, friends to lovers, secret relationship, lots of footie, humor, banter)

An AU inspired by a 30 second trailer of Ted Lasso that doesn't actually have much in common with the show at all.

I Just Wanna Give You Love - Harry/Louis (famous/non-famous, soulmates)

The one where the world is in black and white until you meet your soulmate, but Harry is world famous and Louis is…well…not.

All 40 to 40 Countdown Posts

[al3zthecat-blog]

I've seen takes about Shang Quinghua pressing the Return Home button (either on purpose or by accident) and I've also read takes where the System for some reason (a glitch or a new mission) sends both SY and SQH to the modern world. And they are great BUT.....

What if SQH pressed the Return Home option (I'm thinking on purpose, but you do you) and the System sent both back home.

Let's say that the System didn't give SY that option because he isn't user number 1 and it was up to user number 1 to make this choice. Only, because the System is such an asshole it conveniently disregarded to tell either SY or SQH this.

So SQH not knowing his choice would also affect SY (otherwise he would definitely use this to get SQQ to do as he says, like getting LBH to give him the best food 😂) decides that he will take his chances on the real world. I'm thinking that he does this in part because the System actually answered when he would wake up and told him that in the real world no time has happened or that he would go back before he spilled his ramen and electrocuted himself. The other part could be that he just panicked upon seeing LGY. Or maybe he never saw LGY and was able to explore and sightsee some of the wonders of the world he wrote about and decided that this was as good as it would get here, whereas now that he lived in a cultivation setting he had so much fucking material. He could even write the danmei version of PIDW thanks to Cucumber bro!

So he activates the return home function and proceeds to write SVSSS, only he changes the name of Peerless Cucumber to another dick joke to avoid getting sued, you know, just in case.

For his part SQQ/SY hears the System saying "Activating Return Home sequence in 3, 2, 1" and he proceeds to freak out, except of course he doesn't have time to properly freak out and/or say anything before everything goes black.

SY wakes up in the hospital, his sister found him passed out and proceed to call 110/120*. Because this is SY and he no longer can hear the System he proceeds to go in denial/repression. "Ah... It was all a dream of course" (and to be fair, this would be more of a normal reaction than how he immediately accepted he had transmigrated 😂).

Until some weeks/months/days!? (Knowing Airplane it was probably days) later, Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky starts publishing an spin off/AU of PIDW named SVSSS.

Meanwhile back on SVSSS world either (and because I love SJ and he deserves a happy ending and because YQY also deserves a happy ending and I want these two to reconcile 😭 and what are fanfics for if not to write happy endings for everyone!?!):

SQQ'S body goes into a Qi deviation and SJ wakes up (resuscitates? I'm thinking the System grabbed his soul while he was deviating and put it into storage so SY's soul could occupy the body). Obviously SJ proceeds to FREAK OUT and runs away to CQM sect.

SQQ'S body just stops working. One moment he is breathing and the next he is dead. Somewhere out there SJ wakes up in a plant body (at some point SQH tried to bring back his favorite scum villain and gifted YQY a mushroom plant body with some precise instructions to care for it without telling YQY exactly what the plant was, because he believed if someone could bring back SJ it would be his soulmate YQY, but in case he was wrong better not tell YQY why or what the plant he gifted him was for)

SQQ'S body basically becomes brain dead. Technically alive, but since there is no soul inside the body it is as good as dead (SJ comes back with a healthy plant body and reconciles with YQY in CQM)

In any of these scenarios LBH will freak out, obviously, but in the case of scenario 1 he would have no reason but to think that this like the first time SQQ lost his memories, only now he recuperated many of them and lost the ones that involve LBH. So I guess the best option for a BingYuan reunion would be to go for 2 or 3 because LBH would be looking for SQQ|SY soul not SQQ|SJ (who is alive and safe in CQM sect) but I don't really care for this pairing soooo 🤷🏻‍♀️

Upon crawling out of the earth, SJ encounters YQY who immediately knows that this is Xiao Jiu, he would have the confirmation of what he already knew, that the other SQQ was not SJ. He still has no explanation to what happened or how SQH was able to return SJ to him, but he is glad and thankful to SQH.

SQH who has disappeared. Literally, his body did a Thanos snap and became dust or simply glitched out. Because SQH was never from this world. He was born in this world and given the role of SQH but his body is technically not the one of the original but supplanted it. Similar to a changeling only it was the System and he did this from the womb.

I don't know how it would go from here, kind of a dealers choice, if you want Moshang and BingYuan(?) HEA or if CumPlane HEA in the modern world. Or happy ending for Airplane who now can dedicate time to write whatever he wants because he already has SVSSS written thanks to the System and while that sells he can concentrate in writing other things.

[hotmessmaxpress]

Based on this post.

I stopped what I was doing to write this, and it’s not proofread or well done, but I thought it would be fun! So I wrote it.

AKA: the soulmate goose AU

The goose appears at the ranch, long necked and waiting patiently in the box for the riders to stop for the day.

They all laugh and joke, wondering who the goose is for. It makes no move toward any of them, simply cocks its head and looks between them all.

“HONK.”

Bez startles on his bike and Pecco punches him in the arm good-naturedly.

“Surely it’s for you, no? With your hopeless romantic life.”

Bez shakes his head but keeps a wary eye on the goose as they all begin the process of storing the bikes and stripping out of their dirty gear.

They all linger around the track until the sunlight starts to fade, perhaps subconsciously not wanting to see who the goose follows. The goose makes the first move, though, waddling out from under the roof of the box and taking a short flight to the waiting cars.

It lands solidly on Vale’s car, setting the car alarm off.

The first 24 hours with the Goose are fine. It flies above Vale’s car on his short drive down the street from the ranch to his home, and it waddles behind him as he parks his car and walks into his home. It sits politely outside the bathroom while he showers, and when he dries off and tugs on a pair of boxers to sleep in, the Goose makes a nest in the corner of his room with a throw blanket and an extra pillow.

The problems with the Goose begin the next morning. Vale had heard that soulmate geese take the personality of the unlucky soul they are supposed to be guiding, but he had assumed that wouldn’t be an issue.

His Goose is a pain in the ass. It squawks at him when he tries to make his coffee, just to startle him. It steals bites of his breakfast off of his plate and snaps at his ankles.

It has fucking teeth.

Vale isn’t sure if he can bring the Goose on the plane, but he can’t miss the race weekend, so he embarrassedly asks Ucchio to make sure it’s okay. He has no desire to have the Goose follow him during the race weekend, but he has read enough stories to know that trying to impede or thwart the Goose isn’t a good idea (especially with a goose as obnoxious as his).

As if sensing his thought, the Goose waddles down the private jet aisle and bites his ankle.

“Fuck!” Vale swears.

Ucchio snorts next to him, and Vale turns to glare at him. Before he can say anything, the Goose turns and snaps at his fingers where they’re resting on his armrest, chomping Uccio’s thick fingers in his tiny, sharp goose teeth.

Vale and the Goose share a satisfied look.

The Goose is an even bigger menace in the paddock. It bites a woman on the ass, to Vale’s horror, and he gets stuck signing a helmet for her in exchange for her not suing him or trying to kill his goose.

It steals a Sky sports microphone and flies above the paddock just to drop it and shatter it on the pavement. It snatches food directly from Quartararo’s hand, and Vale actually feels a pang of guilt at his sad face.

Vale draws the line when it attempts to drag Luca away from the Honda garage by his pant leg, and he has to carry a screaming, squawking Goose away to one of the VR46 motorhomes. Once inside, he sets the Goose down just long enough to tend to the bleeding wounds it has caused, and he watches with suspicion as the Goose stares at a television in the corner.

On the television is a clip of Alex Marquez in his Gresini leathers, giving an interview about qualifying ahead of the race.

The Goose is suspiciously silent, and Vale has a moment of terror at the idea that his soulmate could be Alex Marquez.

“No,” he informs the Goose. “Absolutely not.”

Vale is sure that if the Goose could growl at him it would.

When he finally leaves the motorhome, trusting that the Goose has calmed down, it follows him quietly in the direction of the VR46 garage. Vale lets his mind focus on the boys, and how Diggia and Bez have been getting along.

He makes the mistake of momentarily forgetting the Goose.

“HONK. HONK, HONK, HONK!”

The Goose spreads its wings and comes suddenly after Vale, who abandons his dignity in favor of running away from his murderous Goose. He wonders for a moment if this is actually a soulmate goose or if it is instead some sort of secret-agent goose trained to assassinate him.

He looks over his shoulder as it honks and squawks and flaps its wings, nearly reaching his ankles, and he ducks around a corner only to slam full-force into Marc Marquez.

He knocks the smaller man off balance, and they fall against the wall behind him. Marc lets out a small ‘oof,’ then seems to see who has slammed into him.

Vale watches as Marc’s eyes widen. His hands are on Vale’s sides, having grabbed him to try and steady him, and Vale’s arms bracket his shoulders.

They share a few breaths before it occurs to Vale that the Goose hasn’t yet scratched his face off. He turns, and the Goose is sitting at their feet.

It’s the most polite he’s seen the Goose since their first meeting, and he looks between the Goose and Marc.

“You’re serious?” he asks the Goose.

“Honk,” the Goose replies politely.

“Wait, is it-” Marc starts.

“Honk!” the Goose responds again, waddling over to bump its head gently against Marc’s leg.

Vale watches in shock as the Goose delivers one more swift bite to his ankle and then disappears with a ‘poof’ and a flash of feathers.

He and Marc stare at the now goose-less spot in silence, still pressed close.

“Was that a-”

“I can’t believe it-”

They both begin at the same time.

They both stop at the same time, turning to look at one another.

“That was a soulmate goose,” Marc observes.

“That was the meanest fucking goose I’ve ever met,” Vale explains. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’d like to kiss you before it comes back to peck my eyes out.”

Marc narrows his eyes.

“I’m not kissing you just so you can avoid a goose, Valentino.”

Valentino winces.

“I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since we’ve spoken. My brain is still scrambled by the Goose. Can I start over?”

Marc takes a deep breath.

“Please.”

“You look amazing in your Gresini leathers,” Vale starts, finding he means it once he starts speaking. “I am happy to see you back on a bike and ready to win, even though the thought of you winning more championships than me makes me want to disappear into the ocean forever,” he explains.

Marc opens his mouth to argue but Vale shakes his head.

“I am old, and so lonely that I got a Goose. A very, very mean Goose. That has maybe opened my eyes to some things. We can work on the things that have happened in the past. For now, I’ll watch you race.”

Marc’s eyes light up, and it melts something in Vale.

“Okay,” Marc says brightly. “You can watch me win. And you can have one kiss, but only if you promise it’s good luck.”

Vale bends his head, pressing his lips to Marc’s, and sends a silent thank-you to the homicidal Goose.

[sorryimananti-romantic]

Horizon (Chapter 1)

series masterlist

faerieprince!san x oc

royal/fantasy au, soulmate au

chapter wc: ~20k

chapter warnings: fluff, angst, tragedy, violence warnings, mention of death/su!cide, past traumas, a lot of atz interactions

chapter synopsis: gaeul gains consciousness after coming back from the dead, finding her magic reversing. the eight faerie princes and the princess can feel her presence disrupting the flow of nature. as wooyoung comes across gaeul and offers his help along with jongho, san arrives and finds that his connection with gaeul is unique. they start connecting dots and realise this might be the doing of an old enemy. seonghwa and yena worry it might be a result of a time anomaly. elsewhere, hongjoong sets to investigate the source and the case of the missing faeries with mingi, yeosang and yunho.

All Gaeul knew as dark spots started appearing in front of her eyes was the utter wrongness of this all.

All that she knew nothing of.

Nothing made sense anymore. The pain coursing through her body made her hurl her guts out into the potted plant in front of her and she almost fainted. She barely heard the passersby panic as they watched her skin turn from a dangerous pale to a flushed colour, to their surprise. Usually it was the other way.

Gaeul's head threatened to explode with the pain. She couldn't register anything at that moment. She didn't feel two wrinkly yet feminine hands grab her by the arms. She didn't feel someone carry her on their back. Neither did she recall how exactly she passed out.

She just knew that everything was wrong. She was supposed to be dead, yet she was breathing-

Everything was wrong, wrong, wrong-

—----------------

The glass of wine shattered dramatically on the floor, the red colour of the drink staining the white rug, to everyone's disappointment but more so surprise. San blinked a few times as if coming out of a trance.

"Are you okay?" Seokmin frowned, for once worried, unlike his usually cheerful and 'everything is fun and games unless someone is dying' manner. Though one could argue that he worried more than the rest. 

San nodded, resting his hand on the ash ends of his overgrown hair. He bent down to pick up the shards but one of the cleaners made it disappear with a wave of his hand. San nodded in silent thanks.

"You don't look like it, man, I'm just saying," San’s Right Hand glanced at Mingyu who nodded, the two of them ganging up to stare at San. "You've been more clumsy ever since we came back from Wooyoung’s kingdom four months ago."

“I think he’s been clumsier ever since Antares.”

Antares, in Hongjoong's Kingdom. The City of Lights, representative of the Prince of Light itself. The place where everything concluded. 

Everything, San summed it up in his head. The past two years had been the strangest of his life. He had somehow ended up meeting Yeosang's lost twin, Yena. The Princess of Space to the Prince of Spirit. San had also ended up helping the Lost Princess who wasn't aware of her identity at that time. During that process, he helped reclaim her powers and brought her back into everyone's life. Watched her battle her worst enemy who was once her best friend. Watched her fall in love with Seonghwa, the Prince of Dark. What a pair they made-

"San?" Mingyu called out and San hummed in response, aware that he hadn't really been listening to whatever he had said. "Where's your mind right now?"

"Away, away," San almost sang, playing it off with a smile sent at his guard. "Lost in the complexity of time and space."

"I get that," Seokmin agreed. "Sometimes when I'm working, this sudden realisation dawns upon me- ahh, that's what happened! You know? You suddenly recall something and realise how fate played us all for Princess Yena."

"Exactly," San laughed. "I mean, we did relive some piece of our life twice because she time travelled to save Seonghwa. I like to think back and wonder how it happened."

"You've been doing a lot of that lately. You don't look well, San," Mingyu was worried. "You've been way too clumsy on your feet. You'd think as the Prince of Earth, you'd be steadier."

"I've only grown weary," San got up, looking pointedly at the two of his closest court members. "I just need to rest. I'm absolutely fine. Don't get your knickers in a twist."

“There’s also the matter of the missing faeries- the number has risen from two to six in the last few months,” Seokmin sighed, showing San the reports. San scrolled through them, not really reading but thinking as Seokmin explained. “No traces detected. But a common occurrence is that all of them went missing in the thick of the forest or near the river. One witness reported some sort of a creature-”

“Could be a shapeshifter who’s doing the deed then,” San tossed the reports. “Send guards at the sites to investigate- and go along with them, the both of you. I need you two to report to me as soon as possible.”

Before the two of them could protest, San strolled outside the office, walking casually enough to his chamber. Once he was in the privacy of his room, he rushed to the sink and washed his face with cold water, watching his hands shake.

His heart had sank dangerously a few minutes ago- it wasn't the usual nervousness. It was a sign that something was wrong in this land- something so wrong unlike anything he had ever felt before. Maybe the ‘creature’ wasn’t even a faerie at all. Maybe that’s what it was.

Something was absolutely, utterly wrong. And it was calling out to him.

—----------------

"Madame! Wake up! Can you hear me?"

Gaeul clenched her eyes shut, wondering if she could cease to exist. But the voice only grew louder, forcing her to reality and she opened her eyes after a few not so gentle taps to her cheek.

"You need to drink this," the old woman forced the tip of the bowl to her mouth, making Gaeul swallow the bitter liquid that could only be medicine. She wanted to tell her that no medicine would work on her. How she knew that, she wasn't aware but she just knew, and she had only proven it in the previous few days as she threw up anything she ate, bleeding from her nose or eyes a few times a day, fainting horribly and whatnot. 

The healers believed she was cursed at this point. They had never seen a faerie who could be in this condition and not simply die. It's like the very thing that had forced her into this condition was also the thing keeping her alive.

"Where am I?" Gaeul asked, aware that she didn't have much time before she would start feeling sick again. She looked at the various shelves lined with jars of what looked like anything from food to medicine to potions. A few frames of what looked like her family sat on the table by the fireplace.

"It's my house but also a clinic," the woman passed her a wet towel to wipe her face.

"No, I mean… What city? What kingdom?"

"Oh dear," she tucked Gaeul's dark hair behind her ears. "You're in Nunki. Kingdom of Sagittarius? Prince Wooyoung's territory? Recall how you got here?"

Oh she recalled, alright. Somehow, she had found herself in the middle of a forest, no memory of how she had gotten there. Gaeul recalled bits and pieces- something that she wasn't sure was memory, past life, or worse. Or maybe it was both- she had no idea. All she recalled right now was what might have been her 'death'- killed by the man with hair the colour of blood. Why? She did not recall.

But if it really was a recent memory, how was she alive without a scar of that blow? How was she here, existing? Or was it just her imagination, a dream? Gaeul almost scratched her hair out and the old woman who had gone to get her some snacks frowned at her. 

"Maybe we should take you to the High Healers. I've never heard or seen something like this, I'll tell you the truth. I can't do much except give you rejuvenating potions."

"Uh, thank you, but I think I'll pass-" she coughed, her hand reflexively going to cover her mouth, feeling something wet- blood. 

Internal bleeding? Great, she thought. Just what she needed.

"Yeah… I think not," the woman rolled her sleeves determinedly, setting her herbs down. "Wash up if you can, I'm calling the carriage."

Gaeul decided she was too weak to protest so she got up with immense struggle and made it to the toilet, retching her guts out and crying before coming out.

"See? You look a mere second away from death. Let's go."

—--------------

“Ah, the air doesn’t smell right these days.”

“Maybe you should admit that your sense of smell has gotten weak,” Siyeon looked at her Prince. Wooyoung frowned at her.

“I’m the Prince of Air. There’s no way my sense of smell can get bad.”

“Maybe he just sniffed himself,” Changbin commented as he walked in front of the two, dumping their camping bags in front of them unceremoniously. “What do you think?”

Siyeon grinned and Wooyoung shook his head at his Right Hand and Guard. “You lot will never understand.”

After bickering back and forth for a few moments while the three set up their tent, Wooyoung went to wash his face at the stream just a few feet ahead while Changbin and Siyeon looked at each other, worried. 

“You’re thinking what I’m thinking?” Changbin asked.

“Last time he smelled something funny, it was Princess Yena. Remember how he complained about smelling something strange ever since she stepped on this continent?”

“That’s what I’m saying,” Changbin watched the Prince wipe his face and look at the mountains distantly. “I mean, everything’s been peaceful. It’s been more than two years, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Siyeon bit her lip nervously. “Let me casually ask him what exactly smells so strange to him later.”

“You two look awfully serious,” Wooyoung commented as he walked back, sitting in front of the wood that Siyeon had gathered. Siyeon sat cross-legged in front of him, lighting a fire with a click of her fingers. 

“We’re not always cackling like someone I know,” she grinned and Wooyoung rolled his eyes. 

“I have to admit that it’s nice to be out,” he leaned back, looking up at the cloudy sky. “I haven’t really had time to breathe ever since we came back from Antares, isn’t that so?”

“Yep,” Changbin said. “It was busier than we expected.”

“Well, the Lost Princess was found and now she rightfully sits on her throne. The people still have mixed feelings.”

“Can’t blame them, but if they knew of the hell that she, that you all have been through for peace to come… I think they will stop complaining.”

“Well, we can’t exactly tell people that the Princess went back in time and travelled different dimensions to defeat the monster- that darkling who could very well have destroyed our planet,” Wooyoung looked at Siyeon, having proven his point, inhaling deeply and wrinkling his nose. 

“You still smell something funny?” Changbin teased.

“What exactly can you smell?” Siyeon asked casually. 

“I don’t know, is what’s strange,” Wooyoung sighed, looking grim. “It’s not far. But it’s… nothing I’ve ever smelt before. With Yena, I could feel her magic and tell that it resembled Yeosang, but this? This just smells… wrong, somehow. Not of this world. I can’t really pinpoint the source either.”

Siyeon straightened- as the Prince’s Right Hand, jokes and teasing aside, she knew never to take anything he said unseriously. “Do you think it’s a darkling?”

“No, it’s not that,” Wooyoung looked sure, sniffing the air again for good measure. “If faeries, minus their magic scent, smell like honey, darklings have this inherent ‘burnt’ scent. Like burnt wood- not necessarily the bad kind. I can’t smell magic on whatever this thing is. I only smell… burnt honey. Does that make sense?”

Changbin couldn’t help but scoff at that. “A mix?”

“No, no, nevermind what I just said,” Wooyoung straightened. “This just smells… wrong. Like it’s not supposed to be here. Look at this,” Wooyoung slid his sleeve up, showing the raised hair on his arms. “I literally have goosebumps just after a whiff of it.”

“What if it’s your soulmate?” Siyeon wiggled her brows and Wooyoung narrowed his eyes at her.

“I don’t think my soulmate would smell wrong to me, Siyeon. Jokes aside, should we inspect?”

“Isn’t today your day off?” Changbin asked.

“Well,” Wooyoung got up, brushing his clothes, shaking his head so the dark tendrils of his hair messed up before he swept them back. “I don’t think us Princes can ever have a day off. And there’s also the matter of the missing faeries. There really can’t be peace even among the same race, huh?”

Siyeon scoffed. “Our fathers gave their lives to transport all faerie-kind to this planet, away from the cruelty of humans and darklings, and all it takes is two decades before we start acting like the very creatures we ran away from.”

“Let’s hope it is only a faerie, Siyeon,” Wooyoung looked grim. “Let’s hope.”

—----------------

Gaeul was pretty sure that she had passed out for most of the carriage ride before the woman stopped the carriage, waking her up. 

“We’ve travelled for six hours now. I stopped two hours ago too but you were out cold. Now is the time to wash up and eat something. We’re stopping at an inn, come on now.”

Gaeul sat up straight, waiting for her head to stop spinning. “Are we staying here for the night?”

“That’s right,” she said, extending a hand and Gaeul took it as she jumped down, grateful the woman had not put her in a dress- just loose trousers and a shirt. “Come on, let’s get you inside and see if you can eat.”

She ordered soup and bread for Gaeul and she played with the bread, not feeling very hungry though her stomach grumbled. “Why are you helping me?”

“Why not?” She said, urging Gaeul to eat. “I’m not going to ask you to return the favour, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m just doing my duty. I’m going to drop you off at the High Healers and then you can forget about me, if that’s what you wish.”

“No, no, I… I didn’t mean it like that. Thank you for helping me,” Gaeul folded her arms, hugging herself. “It’s just… I wish I hadn’t been a burden to you.”

“Well, thanks to you, I get to meet my old friends in the palace,” the woman smiled and Gaeul sighed internally.

The Palace. She had forgotten the High Healers resided in the same space as the Prince. She briefly wondered if she would get to see Prince Wooyoung from afar. 

“I can’t eat more,” Gaeul apologised and the woman told her not to force herself. She led her to a room, Gaeul taking the mattress and sitting down in front of the window, staring wistfully at the two suns that lit the sky, the purple one brighter than the orange, casting a dark but purple glow across the night sky with a slight orange tint. 

Now that her head was clearer, she could recall something that felt like her own life, yet she watched it through a third eye. Fragments of herself playing on the beach, using her magic to grow flowers out of thin air or breathe life into dying animals- was she a healer? She couldn’t exactly recall. Gaeul raised her hands in the air, willing some sort of magic to come to her but she felt worse than empty. There was this pit in her heart that she was sure had never been there before. And it felt wrong.

Gaeul tried harder but it only made blood trickle down her nose and before she could wipe it, she fainted into the endless bliss. 

—-----------------

Yena woke up covered in sweat and out of breath again.

She was glad Seonghwa was beside her. He was sleeping peacefully and Yena smiled at that, sliding out of the covers careful not to wake him up as she tiptoed to the bathroom, wanting to take off everything and just sit in some cold water. 

She let the cold water soak her body, sliding down the tub until the tip of her chin touched the surface. She shut her eyes and tried to recall if she had seen a nightmare, but as the several times before, she knew she had seen no dream or nightmare. She had simply woken up, feeling that something wasn’t right. 

This feeling wasn’t new to Yena at all. Her magic was very sensitive and she could sense something wrong even when her magic was blocked and she wasn’t aware of her identity. But this feeling was new, and it unsettled her in ways that she couldn’t explain. Like an impending doom. 

She almost jumped out of her skin when she felt Seonghwa’s hand on her hand, sighing in relief when she opened her eyes and saw it was only her husband. Seonghwa frowned but smiled. “What’s wrong, love? You didn’t even sense me coming.”

“I was just thinking,” Yena squeezed Seonghwa’s hand. 

“That same feeling again? Woke you up?”

“Yeah,” she slid further down in the tub, her blonde hair floating around her. “Something isn’t right in this… world right now, Seonghwa. I don’t know how big or small it is, if it’s here on this planet or in one of my dimensions or on another planet, but… something that is not supposed to exist is present- I can feel it. Tell me you feel it too.”

Seonghwa hesitated but finally nodded- Yena, of all people, should know. “I don’t know how exactly but I just know that it’s dark in nature- not necessarily a darkling,” Seonghwa added when he felt Yena tense. “It’s not that. It’s… something or someone, and if it’s a person, it’s not a darkling. I can’t say if it’s a faerie either. I just know that it is out of place. It shouldn’t be here.”

“So you can feel the darkness in magic too, Prince of Dark?”

“That’s the thing which is confusing me,” Seonghwa sighed. I can’t really feel any sort of magic. Not yet. Maybe it’s not magical, whatever this is.”

“Seonghwa,” Yena shut her eyes. She didn’t need to say more- Seonghwa could hear it anyway since he was touching her. Yena pushed her thoughts in his mind-

I’m so tired. Whatever this is… it’s wearing me out. I’m not ready for whatever it is. But… I know that I can’t ignore it either.

Seonghwa squeezed her hand, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on her lips. “You’re not alone this time. All of us are with you. Let me send a message to the others, see if they’ve felt something amiss too. Let’s rest for now, eh?”

Yena nodded, splashing water on her face that merged with the tears that rolled down her eyes before Seonghwa could see it.

—--------------------

Gaeul couldn’t breathe.

She woke up in the middle of the night, out of breath. The calm and chill breeze flowing through the open window did nothing to calm her down. She had to go outside, right now. She almost shook the woman awake but decided against it, stumbling down the stairs and making her way out and gasping for air as if she was being suffocated.

This wasn’t anything new. Many times her healer had caught her outside, unconscious, mostly a bloody mess. She would try to wake her up for a few moments before giving up and dragging her back. But this time…

Gaeul didn’t feel sick. For the first time in whatever length of time had passed, Gaeul suddenly could see and feel. Her head had never been clearer. 

As if in a trance, Gaeul looked at her hands, sinking to the ground and picking up a wilting daisy. Gaeul tried recalling how her magic worked- it was second nature to her, from what she had recalled so far.

Gaeul shut her eyes, trying to reach her heart and will her magic to unleash, but the pit, that goddamned endless pit in her heart called to her and-

Gaeul was down memory lane. The redhead who had killed her mercilessly- why? What crime had she committed? Was it a past life? If so, why did she not remember anything-

“Are you okay?” She heard the familiar voice of the healer and it pulled her out of her trance. Gaeul turned her neck back to look at the woman who approached her cautiously.

“I just needed some air,” Gaeul got up, exhaling. “Did I wake you up?”

“No, I just felt strange. Woke up to see you weren’t there with me so I decided to check. Are you sure you feel okay?”

“Yeah, I feel better, I was just-” Gaeul looked at the flower in her palm, her eyes widening with horror as she saw it was no longer wilted but dead.

“I was just looking at this… flower,” Gaeul managed to say out loud. The woman raised a brow, inspecting the flower in her palm. 

“This looks… why is this grey?” 

“That’s what I’m saying,” Gaeul locked eyes with her. “It’s beyond dead.”

—---------------

Jongho felt it then. The strange feeling that had been looming around him for a few months now… he couldn’t deny it anymore or shrug it off as some sort of a nervous spell. It was real and existing. 

And it was unnatural in every sense.

Jongho wiped sweat off his forehead and walked to the garden right outside his room. He had to check something and he hoped he would get answers. He sat down on the grass, closing his eyes and sending himself in a meditative state as his powers reached out and connected with everything that was natural around him.

He had no idea how long he stayed like that, but he could feel his skin warm up- the sun was probably out now which meant that he had been here for hours now. His magic reached out and further, linking with everything until he finally found the one thing that it didn’t connect with-

It made Jongho queasy in a matter of seconds and he tried wrapping his magic around it- it was a person, alright. He could hear the heartbeat. But the magic that it contained, it was no longer natural. And the very existence of this person…

His magic repelled and came back with a jolt, making Jongho gasp and clutch his throat as he normalised his breathing.

This wasn’t right. Something had gone incredibly wrong, and he needed to see the others right now. But first… he would go to Wooyoung and get his help in pinpointing who exactly this was.

Jongho got up, walking to his room, hearing the faint knocks on his door before it opened to reveal his Right Hand, Jooheon, who waved cheerfully but the smile fell off his face. “Have you been up all night? Because you look like a mess. Should I call the healers?”

“No, it’s okay,” Jongho almost tripped on his feet, laughing a bit. “Just used my magic all night, no big deal-”

Jooheon watched Jongho’s eyes roll back before he fell unceremoniously on, thankfully, the couch, though the position looked painful. Jooheon tsk-ed, shaking his head at how Jongho had tried shrugging it off. “Hyungwon! The Prince has fainted!”

Hyungwon peeked inside, narrowing his eyes at Jooheon who told him that Jongho had been awake all night. “Are you sure he didn’t just fall back to sleep after spending all his magic?”

He hadn’t.

—----------------

Yunho was the first one who received Seonghwa’s message. He read it over and over again, then tossed the paper into the nearest water body, dissolving it and making it one with the water.

If you have seen or felt something strange or wrong, unfamiliar or unnatural, whatever it was, report now.

Yunho couldn’t help but throw his head in his hands as he wondered how whatever he had felt months ago was related to this. He recalled the night from four months ago when he had started feeling a strange pit in his stomach, like a gut feeling that something was about to happen.

He had gone to the shore for a week straight, trying to feel it out, but it was just so unfamiliar. He had no idea what it was. Nobody around him felt it, so he wondered if it was just inside his head. He wondered if he needed to meet up with his friends and had been lonely recently.

He met up with Mingi. He stayed in his kingdom for two days. He didn’t feel anything there, but as he travelled back, the feeling grew stronger and stronger. He tried to find the source, swam endlessly in the ocean but to no avail. 

And then one day, as quick as it had appeared, it disappeared completely. Yunho wondered then- had someone practised dark magic? 

Somehow, the feeling reminded him very much of the one he’d got when Yena had been dumped in the middle of the ocean after jumping back in time and Yunho, unaware of her existence, had known a part of him was in danger and had gone to save her without knowing who he was saving.

Now he felt that he was in danger. Everyone was. It was like the same feeling yet its meaning was the opposite.

It felt wrong.

And last night, he had felt it briefly again. He had wondered if he was flipping but now he knew that he was still sane, alright. 

Yunho sighed, going to his room and picking up a pen, beginning to write on the note.

Seonghwa and Yena.

Something is not right. I can’t explain it here, but I have a feeling that it’s connected to all of us. We have done something wrong.

—----------------

Gaeul couldn’t believe what she just did. 

After summoning up her magic for the first time in as long as she could remember, she breathed death into a flower instead of life. She couldn’t believe her eyes. 

And it didn’t stop at that. When Gaeul followed the old woman inside and she touched her forehead to heal her, the woman jolted back as if she had been hit by an electric current. 

“What have you done?” She simply asked before she fell unconscious. Gaeul almost thought she had killed her too, but when her panic wore off she saw the healer’s chest still rising up and down, though slow enough to call for some medical attention. However, Gaeul was in no state to try that. She wasn’t even sure if she was a danger by simply being near. So Gaeul did what she had been doing for a while now- she ran.

She couldn’t risk being discovered anymore. She was a danger to all the living beings around her- her magic was getting out of control and as she dived deeper into the forest, she realised the trees around her that were unfortunate to have touched her were all wilting and dying as well.

She was death itself.

Gaeul had no idea how long she ran but she stopped when she heard the faint footsteps of men and a horse. Gaeul hid behind a tree, careful not to touch it. She peeked to see the two figures clad in black, muttering something. 

Gaeul decided it was time to calm herself before she did any more damage. She shut her eyes and inhaled, breathing deeply in.

Everything would be okay. She would be okay. She would go to the High Healers herself. She would figure this out. There was no reason to give up yet-

She heard- no, felt something whip through the forest behind her-

“What have we got here?”

Gaeul’s eyes flew open- she hadn’t even heard the men come in front of her. The other man scanned her rather slowly, up and down. She gulped. 

“What’s this pretty little thing doing in the middle of the forest at this hour?”

This wasn’t good. Her calm heart started beating rapidly again and she could feel the magic stirring in her stomach- perhaps their horse felt it too, because it panicked as soon as their eyes met. One of the men tried to hold its reins but the horse ran in the opposite direction, making the man follow him. The other who simply watched shook his head. 

“He always gets unlucky at times like this,” he scoffed, but it changed into a smirk that made Gaeul draw back until her back touched the tree. “Perhaps, I can offer you some help-”

She felt something whoosh past where the horse and man had just been running off to. The man in front of her turned too, frowning but dismissing it as nothing. Gaeul decided to use the distraction to her favour- heavens knew what prowled in the forest at this hour.

“I’m- I’m good,” Gaeul managed to say, “I’ll be on my way.”

Gaeul started turning away, wanting to run, but the man grabbed her arm and Gaeul tried snatching it with a glare, but he pulled her forward. 

“Now, now,” he whispered, “Be a good girl for me, will you?”

Something went off inside Gaeul. She nodded and grabbed his other hand, and shut her eyes, sending her magic through, and it wasn’t until she heard the man gasp for breath that she opened her eyes to see that he had shrivelled, just like the flower.

That was not what Gaeul had intended to do. She dropped her hands but the remains of her magic inside the man made sure that every last ounce of life was sucked out from him. Gaeul’s eyes blurred and she started running away, unable to breathe or run properly, but she couldn’t stop.

She had just killed a man.

She had not just killed. She had done something else. 

She slowed down and spotted a set of yellow glowing eyes growing closer with every second, eyes that had to be larger than her hands. The sinister feeling of the creature and the magic inside her was so overwhelming that she welcomed unconsciousness.

—-------------------

Yeosang felt it the minute that it happened. 

Someone had died a horribly gruesome death- nothing like he had felt before.

As the Prince of Spirit, he didn’t feel everyone’s death. That would be too much for him. But sometimes, the spirits who were still in pain after their death… he felt that. He didn’t share their pain but he could feel that they were hurt. 

Yeosang was still lying on his bed, having woken up from his sleep the moment he felt it. He decided to check and see if he could get answers. Yeosang shut his eyes and focused on the deepest part of his mind, which was when his own spirit dissociated from his body and his soul shifted to the dimension that was a gateway for souls itself.

The spirit wasn’t far- not for Yeosang, who could jump directly to the spirit he wanted to meet. Yeosang tried doing that, but to his surprise, it didn’t work. His heart sank- something was wrong- not with him, but with the entire situation.

Yeosang roamed around in that dimension- it was all bleak and cloudy with no clues to what direction you were travelling in. He thought for a few moments and decided he would take another way- jump to the spirit nearest to his target.

But as soon as he did that, Yeosang fell on his knees. He could feel the spirit’s pain now. Yeosang struggled to breathe, getting up on his feet with immense effort and almost crawling towards the source.

If Yeosang was in his body then, he would have thrown up after seeing the grey ‘corpse’ that he saw. There was absolutely no way- the spirits that walked this dimension carried no scars of their life. But somehow… 

“What happened?” Yeosang asked the walking corpse- its eyes were sunken and the only thing that gave indication of life. The skin was grey, hair burnt, all bones and skin.

The poor spirit tried speaking but it looked like it no longer held that ability. Yeosang sighed, walking to the spirit and touching it- he felt the unnaturalness of whatever had hurt it. 

“I can rid you of your pain, if you don’t wish to walk in this dimension eternally like this. It is time to make a decision- do you want to stay because of some unfinished business, move on to a place I cannot guarantee might be heaven or hell, or cease to exist?”

The spirit held up three fingers. Yeosang nodded, touching its forehead and watched it disappear- not into smoke like spirits usually did, but into ashes.

Yeosang prayed no one else would meet a fate like him.

—-------------------

Mingi couldn’t sleep- not after feeling a soul burn twice.

Ever since Mingi had saved Yena from being their darkling enemy’s hostage and Yena had accidentally taken Mingi to another timeless dimension, Mingi could feel magic deeper than ever. He always thought being the Prince of Fire meant fire on the surface, the element of fire, but it was more than that, he learned after. 

The first time he experienced a soul burning was when Yeosang had done the ‘soul extermination’, as Mingi dubbed it. Mingi had woken up with something like hot flashes, and no amount of cold showers could make him feel better. He talked to Yeosang, who was living nearest to him as they shared a continent. Yeosang then explained that some spirits in one of his dimensions could turn evil or become a threat if they stayed for too long and refused to move on. In cases like these, Yeosang would ‘kill’ the spirit. Yeosang was surprised to learn that it felt like burning- but how Mingi could feel it, he had no idea.

“Must be because of Yena and staying in that dimension for too long,” Yeosang had told him. “When you are somewhere you are not supposed to be, you live with the consequences. Looks like you can feel the fire inside of a soul now, Mingi.”

He was right. Mingi could feel when a living soul was burning with too much magic, something the possessor’s body couldn’t handle. Mingi could also feel whenever Yeosang burnt a spirit.

But he had never felt a soul burn twice- and both of those felt wrong in a way. Unnatural. Yeosang burning a spirit never felt wrong.

Mingi got up and decided to write a fire message to Yeosang. 

Not sure if this was normal, but a soul burned. Twice. It felt wrong. Did you mess up or something? Because I’m getting a very strange feeling.

Mingi tossed the paper into the air and it caught flames, burning and disappearing. He waited for a reply, and when he got it, his heart sank to his feet.

You’re right. It is wrong and unnatural. This wasn’t me. Something’s walking around burning souls from the inside out. Not like you- not with fire. It’s like someone breathed death into the soul. I’m sending a message to Seonghwa- maybe he or Yena knows something. You should talk to Hongjoong- he might have something related to this in his big old library.

Mingi decided to send a fire message to Hongjoong in the morning- he wasn’t sure if he was awake and had felt whatever had happened.

—-----------------

Hongjoong felt everything that happened.

It was the one power he wished he didn’t possess. He was the Prince of Light. That didn’t mean that he had to know if everything was right wherever light touched a life.

But it did. And it kept him awake more nights than he had slept peacefully in his life.

The boys- the Princes always made fun of how Hongjoong could pass out anywhere. How Hongjoong always looked like he was tired and didn’t get enough sleep. He never told them they were right- he never got enough sleep. Not since Yena went missing when she was only two. Hongjoong was three then, and he hadn’t known then but when Yena was found and everything fell back in place, he finally started getting better sleep. He searched his library for old records and realised that put simply, the reason he never got to get enough sleep in the first two decades of his life was… Yena.

When he told Yena, she couldn’t stop laughing. And then Hongjoong couldn’t stop laughing because of how mad all of this was. 

But after everything fell back in place, he slept well for a few months. He would only feel strange when someone’s magic had problems or someone tried a silly trick. Nothing that he couldn’t ignore now, given years of practice.

A few months later, he felt the strangest he had ever felt in his entire life- perhaps even more than when the darkling used his magic openly to kill. He immediately checked with Seonghwa and Yena to see if everything was fine, but they weren’t the reason this time. And they had felt it too.

Hongjoong told them not to worry about it, that sometimes, in one of the many dimensions that layered this planet, something goes wrong. It’s natural.

But this feeling was anything but natural. 

So he decided to investigate on his own. He couldn’t pinpoint a source and there was no use travelling when he had a kingdom to run. He decided to check the records then.

But it had been months and he had found nothing, and the feeling only grew until tonight, when he felt that something had shifted in the air, in magic itself. Something was not where and how it was supposed to be.

He was pretty sure he was going to get a message from one of the Princes soon. There was no way that he was the only one feeling this.

—-----------------------

Gaeul woke up not because of the loud chirps of the birds but because every part of her body was aching immensely. She sat up with much struggle, lost for a few blissful moments as she looked around her before the events of last night made her put her head in her hands and sigh.

She had just killed a man. And… there was something that approached her- a monster that might have just spared her life.

Gaeul looked around her- the grass was still green, the flowers and plants still alive. Cautiously, she plucked a wild flower from the ground and held it for a few moments.

Nothing happened.

Good, she thought. I hope I never get that magic back.

Her mouth felt parched and her stomach felt tight. She shut her eyes, listening to the sounds of nature- her fae senses still worked perfectly for some reason. She could hear some sort of water body nearby so she decided to follow the sound. 

She was on her own now with no idea of which direction she had gone. She could be straying away from the Palace, for all she knew. But then… she wondered if she wanted to endanger the innocent healers there as well. 

Plus… the Prince lived there. She was pretty sure he was strong enough to kill her with just a wave of his hand, or maybe even a mere thought. She gulped, not sure if she wanted him to do exactly that or if she wanted to run away from it.

Gaeul walked for a few hours without stopping, without thinking about her magic in case it rose back from the pit in her heart. When the sound of water became louder, she practically ran in joy, stopping at the edge of River Al-Ard, looking far into the distance at the mountains of what could only be Rukbat- the capital. The place where the Prince resided.

Gaeul’s destination.

As she washed her hands and face and sat down, sinking her feet in the water, she wondered if she was worth saving. She could not figure out if the memories she had were actually her own or hallucinations at this point. But what she was sure of was that no one cared for her. She was lost. 

And she was a danger to everyone. To herself too.

Gaeul looked up at the white fluffy clouds, smiling for the first time since she could recall. Time had only made her more miserable. Maybe she should put an end to all of it.

After all, this was a nice spot to die. 

Gaeul started sinking herself down and down into the river, until the water came to her chin. She looked up for the last time, smiling as tears ran down, before she fully submerged herself into the water-

“Not so easily, you won’t!”

Gaeul panicked, thinking someone must have tracked her down after finding the poor man she had killed. She risked a one second eye contact with whoever had called her, finding not one but three people. She instantly dived deeper in the river.

“I got this,” Changbin started towards the river but Wooyoung grabbed his arm, shaking his head.

“She’s going to kill you if she touches you, I can feel it,” Wooyoung looked as grim as he sounded. “She’s not going to drown to her death.”

“So we stand here and do nothing?” Siyeon asked.

“Just don’t get any closer than this and let me handle it,” Wooyoung warned, hands raised. He made sure the girl trying to drown wouldn’t be able to lose her breath. That was all he could do for now.

Gaeul, meanwhile, wasn’t surprised, but for a different reason. She recalled what her healer had once told her- that whatever was killing her was also keeping her alive. Gaeul thought it was her magic keeping her alive.

She wasn’t entirely wrong.

She felt the magic rolling uncontrollably in her stomach and she dreaded whatever was going to happen. 

This was a bad idea.

Gaeul knew her magic was going to explode with a burst, killing everything near it. So she dived up, trying to be faster than her magic, and she only had time to scream ‘RUN!’ before she folded in herself and her magic burst with a wave.

Wooyoung immediately drew a shield around the three of them but that wasn’t enough to hold him steady. He was thrown with the others a good few feet away, and when it was over and they got to their feet, they gasped collectively.

Everything within a few miles radius had… died. The trees were grey- Wooyoung had never seen anything like it. Everything looked like it was going to turn into ash with one touch. Remains of what could be fishes and other sea creatures unfortunate enough to have been victims of that magic floated at the surface of the sea. The birds fell as ashes floated timelessly in the air and Wooyoung touched a few, frowning because it resembled snow. 

Gaeul looked around helplessly, tears of relief rolling down her cheeks when she saw the three were alive, mixed with tears of regret- she did not want to live anymore. Not after this.

“You’re lucky I’m the Prince of Air,” Wooyoung walked carefully towards her. “Because it looks like you need help.”

Gaeul gulped as she heard that- Prince Wooyoung had somehow found her. Was she some sort of a threat that he needed to exterminate-

“I’m not going to hurt you,” his voice was calming.

“I’ll hurt you,” Gaeul’s voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t want to, but I don’t know what’s wrong with me, my magic isn’t right- I-”

“Slow down, slow down,” Wooyoung nodded. “First, get out of the river. Come on, take my hand.”

“You’ll die if I take your hand.”

“I won’t,” the Prince passed Gaeul a warm smile. “I can feel that your magic is spent. You’re as normal as me right now.”

Gaeul looked at him sceptically- he was the Prince. He wasn’t normal anyway. Hesitating, she swam forward and took his hand, letting him drag her out of the river. She met eyes with the others who looked like they were ready to kill her this instant.

“Relax, they’re only my guard and my Right Hand,” Wooyoung passed the two a look and they shrugged, looking helplessly at each other. “Let me dry you.”

With a wave of his hand, all the water had dried from her skin and clothes. Gaeul nervously looked down and then around her- she really had sucked the life out of everything-

Is that why she was getting better? Healthier? No, no-

“Let’s get out of here first, shall we? We just crossed the river to come here by that boat-” Wooyoung pointed at his left where at a distance the boat was tied. “Looks like we need to get back anyway. We can talk while we row.”

Once settled in the boat, Changbin and Siyeon rowing, Wooyoung sat in front of Gaeul, scanning her- she was a faerie alright. Not an ounce of darkling blood in her. But her magic wasn’t right.

“I could sense you, perhaps because you were near me. Your magic- you weren’t born with this, were you?”

“I used to breathe life into things,” Gaeul smiled helplessly. “Looks like I suck the life out now.”

“Interesting,” Wooyoung stuck his tongue in his cheek while he scanned Gaeul again. Siyeon kicked his back lightly, muttering not to freak the girl out. Wooyoung shook his head. “So, how did you get here?”

“I don’t know, actually. I’m really confused about why and how I’m here. I think I lost my memories or something too. All I remember is that a few months ago, one day, I found myself at the beach- somewhere near Ascella. I literally just fell on the sand from nowhere- and I’ve been really sick since then. I keep coughing blood and fainting, but I’m clearly not dying. I went from being bones and skin to this-” she looked down at herself. Better than skin and bones. 

“Do you remember who you are?”

“That’s the thing,” Gaeul sighed. “I don’t know if what I remember is a memory or a past life or something I made up.”

“I see, the healers might be able to help with that,” Wooyoung nodded. “Tell me about your magic now.”

“I didn’t know about this until last night. All my magic has done so far is make me sick. I was actually travelling to the Palace with a healer- she thought that the High Healers could help me. Last night, I held a wilting flower and tried making it alive like I used to- I think I used to,” Gaeul shook her head. “Anyways, the flower turned grey like now. And then… I think I hurt my healer too. She fainted but thankfully she was alive. But then…”

“You killed someone a few hours ago, didn’t you?”

Siyeon rolled her eyes at how blunt Wooyoung was. The girl clearly wasn’t handling all this well. She wiped her forehead and eyes and then looked down.

“I never meant to. I felt threatened, and it just happened- it wasn’t in my control. That’s why I panicked. I’ve only ever healed things- I’ve never hurt them. And now-”

Gaeul couldn’t hold back her silent sobs anymore and she hid her face in her hands. Wooyoung looked back at Siyeon and Changbin who were clapping sarcastically. 

“Good job,” Siyeon muttered, shaking her head.

“What?” Wooyoung sighed. “I need to get the facts straight before I risk my healer’s lives, don’t you think?”

“He’s right,” Gaeul wiped her face, her eyes steadfast now. “I don’t wish to put anyone else at risk. If you think it’s wise to get rid of me, then do so. I have nothing holding me back.”

Wooyoung sighed, looking at her dark eyes- they had a tinge of grey, looking perhaps as hopeless as she felt. Wooyoung wasn’t sure if she was as innocent as she claimed she was. “You are a threat, yes, but that doesn’t mean you get to die so easily. Every life is precious and meaningful and so is yours. We need to look into whatever’s up with you, because you know it feels unnatural, your magic, right? It feels-”

“Wrong, I know,” Gaeul looked at him to his surprise. “Everything inside me is screaming that this is wrong, whatever happened to me. I’m not where I’m supposed to be. Nothing’s right. I think… you’ll need to look into my past if you want to see the origin of this.”

“Look into your past, huh?” Wooyoung looked at Changbin. “Now which one of us could do that again?”

—-------------------

To say that San was in a state of frenzy was a severe understatement. 

In the past few days, he had been beyond restless. He was not focusing on his work to the point that his Right Hand, Seokmin complained that San should just step down since Seokmin was the one doing all the work anyway. However, he was worried too- he had never seen his Prince like this. 

San tried explaining it to him, to himself, but it wasn’t that simple. He wasn’t sure if he had felt whatever this thing was before he had visited Rukbat four months ago but he was sure that thing was around there, and him going to Rukbat had somehow made both him and that thing restless. How the two were connected, he had no idea.

But after the amount of magic and wrongness he felt in the matter of the last 24 hours, he knew he needed to get back to Rukbat. And he couldn’t let anyone know. 

Truth be told, he himself wasn’t sure what he was about to do. He had no idea who or what he was looking for. Something in his mind, in his heart, screamed at him to go, go, go. Go and find whatever was wrong and make it right. He simply had to trust his gut at this point, trust the thing tugging at him. 

So San sat down still for the first time in a while as he etched out a plan in his head. He would leave at night when everyone thought he was asleep, take the secret tunnel out (he wasn’t even sure if he could call that tunnel ‘secret’ anymore since not only his Right Hand and Guard but one of his healers and Princess Yena knew of it too) and then…

Take a carriage? Walk? It would take far too long.

He needed Yena to portal him. That was the quickest and safest route. But he wasn’t sure Yena would understand or agree. Especially after the message he had gotten from them. And after all that had happened with Yena… he couldn’t ask that of her.

He needed to do this himself.

He waited rather patiently for the night to approach and everyone to sleep, which was when he packed a bag and took the tunnel out, went to the nearest stable and took a horse and started riding towards Rukbat.

He prayed he would get there before things went more wrong than they already were. 

—-------------------

Jongho could feel each and every moment of the magical blast that had killed so much. It didn’t hurt him, and he was glad it didn’t because feeling its existence alone made his heart ache. 

He wasn’t sure why exactly he had fainted earlier in the morning too. He was the Prince of Nature- doing magic while meditating and stretching his vision was like second nature to him. But this time, something fought back. And that was as dangerous as it could get not only for him, but all the Princes. Perhaps, he thought, Princess Yena could fight back against something like this. She was the most experienced in that department. 

When he gained consciousness after fainting, he learned that he had been out for about six hours. That was a long period of time and even had his healer worried because the most he had been out was two hours, and that was when he had spent all his energy doing similar magic.  

Jongho tried to explain to Jooheon why he needed to get to Wooyoung as soon as possible. Jooheon was suspicious about all of this, and he kept insisting it was a trap.

“Look, all I’m saying is that if you felt it, Prince Wooyoung must have felt it as well. He’ll take care of it- no scratch that. You both should sit this one out. This feels like a trap- especially with the recent problem that we have going on.”

“Did you feel it?” Jongho asked and Jooheon shook his head no. “That’s what I’m saying. This is like a cry for help, not a trap. As for the missing faeries… I didn’t really feel anything there.”

“That’s like, the first trick in the book of traps,” Hyungwon, who was reading a book, peeked up. “Are you seriously risking yourself for whatever this… person is?”

“In risking myself, I save a lot of lives that could possibly be lost if we don’t get this under control,” Jongho was groaning with frustration now. “If you’re not coming along, I’m going by myself-”

“Hey, hey, now that’s not what we meant,” Jooheon laughed helplessly, looking at Hyungwon who only shrugged. “I’ll take care of things here. Take Changkyun at least. And Hyungwon too.”

“You ready?” Jongho asked Hyungwon and he rolled his eyes.

“This feels an awful lot like the time we went along with Princess Yena,” he said and Jongho laughed, agreeing. Changkyun arrived, all dressed up for-

“We’re not going into battle, dammit,” Jongho laughed but Changkyun wasn’t having any of it. He only shrugged and Jongho nodded, urging Hyungwon to follow him out. They were going to Rukbat and it wasn’t very far from here- a long ride and a river was what separated them. 

“Do you think we should let the others know too?” Jongho wondered out loud when they settled into the carriage, the horses made specially for quick transport by magic speeding twice as fast as a normal horse. “I mean, Seonghwa did order us to report anything strange.”

“I know what you’re thinking,” Hyungwon scoffed. “You want to find the person first before you give them anything.”

“Yeah, you got me,” Jongho shifted in his seat, running a hand through his red hair. “It’s just that I don’t want them to worry about something that we’re not sure about. I’m pretty sure Wooyoung ignored their message too, so there’s that as well.”

“If only you Princes could communicate better,” Hyungwon almost laughed. “Would have saved you a lot of trouble, wouldn't it?”

Hyungwon was both right and wrong. The Princes and the Princess were all anxious about whatever was ‘wrong’ now, trying to either pinpoint an origin or search for it. One could argue that providing them with more information would worry them more, especially if it was a threat that could be easily exterminated. However, no one knew what exactly that threat was- not even Wooyoung who was present with that said threat.

—-----------------

“Well,” Wooyoung sighed, a grimace on his face as he poked one of his healers in the arm, lying unconscious on the floor. “This didn’t go as planned.”

Gaeul had her head in her hands. “I didn’t mean to- I was asleep and he came to change my bandages or something. I got scared.”

Gaeul and Wooyoung had arrived at his castle a while ago and Wooyoung had let her admire the glass structure that was the castle before escorting her to the basement where she would be staying, saying something about how he needed to get her in there before her magic replenished. It seemed like she wasn’t faring well though.

“Progress though,” Wooyoung passed a smile though Gaeul could swear he was mocking her. “At least he’s not dead.”

“He would have been if not for Jiu there,” Gaeul pointed at the woman sitting bored at the other end of the room. 

“That’s right,” Jiu looked serious. “I was waiting for her to admit that before I interrupted.”

Wooyoung rolled his eyes, “I guess it was a good idea to have you here after all.”

“Definitely,” Jiu looked at Gaeul and Gaeul hated that there was pity in her eyes, though she could not blame her. She herself was to blame after all. “Can we change shifts now? I need to catch up on my sleep.”

“Go on then,” Wooyoung dismissed her and she gladly left. Wooyoung turned his attention to Gaeul. “How are we feeling today?”

“The same?” It came out more as a question. “I don’t feel anything much here- the basement is… not as suffocating as it first sounded. In fact, I’m more relaxed now.”

“And that was the purpose of keeping you here,” Wooyoung took a seat, running a hand through his dark hair, the faint light in the room making the golden streaks in his hair shine. “Anyways, Jongho is arriving soon. I thought I’d let you know.”

“Prince Jongho?”

“The one and only,” Wooyoung grinned. Gaeul visibly gulped- being in the presence of one of them was intimidating enough. “He’s the Prince of Nature. If anyone can help you figure your magic out, it’s him, since you presumably had similar magic as him.”

“Presumably… So Yoohyeon still didn’t get past my memories?” Gaeul asked, referring to the healer who had first attended to her. 

“Surprisingly, no,” Wooyoung sighed as he nodded. “Yoohyeon is an expert at healing amnesia and similar disorders. There must be something preventing her from accessing your memories-” he paused when he recalled how San had been the one able to access Yena’s memories when no one else could. He wondered if he should call him.

“Something wrong?” Gaeul asked cautiously, tucking her hair behind her ears. 

“Nothing, I just had… an idea. Anyways, I came here to let you know about Jongho, and… warn you about something. If your magic is as threatening as we think, we might have to put you in the cell here in the basement- it is laced with nullifying magic. It’s not as scary as it sounds- you just won’t feel your magic. Are you okay with that?”

Gaeul thought for a few moments- the last thing she wanted was to be a danger to the Princes. Of course she was okay. “Nothing will go wrong though, I hope?”

“I’m hoping that is so,” Wooyoung got up when he heard a knock on the door and let the guards who were carrying three trays filled with a variety of dishes inside the room. “Let’s eat while we talk.”

Gaeul could get used to this, she thought. Prince Wooyoung- or Wooyoung, as he insisted he be called- wasn’t as scary as she thought. He was easy to talk to. He didn’t make her feel like she was an alien, which truthfully, everyone else made her feel like. And he was humble. He ate with her at least once a day for the three days she had been here. She wondered if all the Princes were like this, and sometimes she would ask Wooyoung about his life. He would answer without hesitation most of the time.

“If it is a memory, I remember the time you came to the beach- near Ascella, when I was 10,” Gaeul scooped some chicken and mashed potatoes in her plate and Wooyoung raised a brow- Gaeul hadn’t talked much about herself so far. “I think I lived somewhere near there. It’s where I found myself in this state.”

“I’ve only been to Ascella beach a handful of times, and yes, I did visit when I was 10- we’re the same age, it seems.”

“I remember something about how you caused some sort of a storm and scared everyone present. I, unfortunately, was one of them.”

“Ah, so it was that time,” Wooyoung laughed. “I blame San- he was there with me too.”

“Prince San was with you at that time?” Gaeul wowed. “So I saw him too?”

“You must have if you saw me,” Wooyoung took a bite of the bun, thinking. “San pissed me off so I threatened him with a storm. He threatened to let the sand swallow me. We cooled down then.”

Gaeul almost giggled, holding herself back, and Wooyoung looked at her, amused. “You know, you’re allowed to laugh in my company.”

“Actually… I haven’t laughed in a while,” Gaeul admitted. “So… I think this was a memory, right?”

“Definitely, which means what you remember is mostly memories. Do you remember your parents?”

“I think I do. My father was a healer, but he died when I was 15. My mother… She followed soon after. My aunts and uncles took care of me after that.”

“What’s the last memory that you remember?” Wooyoung asked. 

Gaeul thought for a moment- it was the memory that confused her the most, that made her question if she remembered a past life or something. “I think I was travelling in this kingdom… somewhere east. I think I saw this red haired guy do something- I can’t recall. All I know is that I saw his eyes glow before he killed me-”

“You saw his eyes glow?” Wooyoung frowned. This sounded an awful lot like someone he wished he didn’t know.

“If I’m not tripping, yes,” Gaeul’s eyes were steel- she knew it sounded unbelievable but she remembered this moment the most clearly. “They glowed like gold. Like-”

“Amber eyes, huh?” Wooyoung’s suspicions were confirmed. “Red hair and eyes that change to amber. Who are you, Gaeul?”

Gaeul frowned and then the door opened, revealing dark hair and a very handsome man walked in, eyes wide as he looked from her to Wooyoung and then back.

“Nice timing, Jongho,” Wooyoung didn’t finish his plate- he had no appetite anymore. “Kieran’s playing with us even from another world.”

—-------------------

Hongjoong was startled, to put it simply, when Yena and Seonghwa portalled right in front of him, in his room. He could never get used to the jumpscare he got, and he was positive that one day he was going to pass away because of a heart attack due to Yena startling him.

“A little warning is always nice!” Hongjoong yelled at the two, clutching his heart and exhaling, and Seonghwa chuckled. 

“We did send a little warning,” Yena pointed out. “Why didn’t you reply? It has been three days. This is so unlike you- I thought something happened.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve just been… busy,” Hongjoong shrugged as he ran his eyes around the room, Yena and Seonghwa following. There were books, scrolls, maps, everything scattered around him. Yena skimmed through a few notes that made no sense to her. Hongjoong got up, feeling guilty because Yena looked like she was actually worried that something happened to him. “I’m sorry, come here.”

Yena pouted before walking to Hongjoong and hugging him, Seonghwa joining the two as well. “You should have let us know, Hongjoong.”

“Well, now that you’re both here, I’ll just tell you in person,” Hongjoong pushed a few books aside to make room on the floor. “So here’s how it is.”

Hongjoong started explaining how there were no records of such magic existing, but he didn’t think it was something natural- as in, no one of fae blood could be born with such a power. “A darkling would have been a different matter, but I believe it’s a faerie. Darklings feel different, but they don’t feel wrong, as you know.”

Yena knew that all too well. She nodded, tensing. Seonghwa put a hand on her back- some scars never faded. “So how would a faerie possess such magic in the first place? And what sort of magic are we even talking about?”

“All I know for now is that the magic has evolved to take this shape. It wasn’t always like this- or if it was, it had been subdued like your magic, Yena. But… I think we would have still felt something if that was the case. Because when you were missing, we always knew deep down that you were alive.”

“That’s right,” Seonghwa nodded. “So who’s this faerie?”

“Surprisingly enough, Wooyoung is on it,” Hongjoong said and Seonghwa and Yena looked at each other. Hongjoong laughed. “I guess Wooyoung didn’t tell you?”

“That brat,” Yena muttered. “How come?”

Hongjoong explained how Wooyoung had been the nearest to the faerie and had taken her to the High Healers to get answers. “They’re keeping her in his basement- she won’t be a danger there.”

“Good idea,” Seonghwa nodded. Yena looked back and forth between the two.

“Wait, hold up. Some poor thing is in Wooyoung’s basement? You know how wrong that sounds?”

The two burst out laughing, and Hongjoong shook his head. “Wooyoung had… problems with his powers, as you have heard. The basement his parents built was specialised to contain all magic inside those four walls. No magic can get across that.”

“I wonder who this faerie is though…” Yena shuddered- she recalled the time she was having trouble with her own magic and felt so hopeless. “Do we know who she is?”

“I have a feeling we will soon,” Hongjoong said knowingly.

What Hongjoong didn’t tell them was that San was probably on his way to Rukbat. Hongjoong had received a message from San’s court letting him know about how he had ‘ran away’ from his kingdom. Hongjoong was very curious about why San felt the sudden need to leave without letting anyone know. Was he feeling something about this situation differently than the others?

But then again, San was always sensitive. He felt Yena’s magic even when it was blocked and believed she was the Lost Princess before anyone else. If he had ignored Yena at that time… Hongjoong shuddered- they wouldn’t be here right now, none of them. So Hongjoong decided that there must have been a reason for San to act this way, and that he would give him time to come to terms with whatever his reasoning was.

Yena and Seonghwa looked at each other- Hongjoong knew something more than he told them. Seonghwa shrugged, figuring if it was something important, he’d know soon anyway. “Should we do something about this? Or let Wooyoung handle this?”

“I say let Wooyoung handle this… for now. I have a feeling we’re all involved in this somehow,” Hongjoong looked grim as he met eyes with Yena. “I think… let’s wait for Wooyoung’s verdict on this before I make any guesses.”

Yena’s heart sank- she instantly knew what Hongjoong meant. Over and over throughout the two and a half years, Yena had worried if going back in time had been the right decision after all. Of course, it had- she had saved Seonghwa from his untimely death. She would do it again. But… maybe she could have done it in a different way? Taken a different approach? Hongjoong told her it was alright to feel paranoid about this, considering what she had been through, but he had never imagined one day he would actually have to worry about this seriously.

That was, in fact, what he was trying to find in his archives now. There wasn’t much about time travel in the first place, kept strictly confidential, and he was worried they would have to figure this one out on their own. He decided at that moment to let Yeosang in on this possibility but keep Yena as uninvolved as possible until they were sure- he didn’t want her to worry more.

“What did you feel, Yena? And Seonghwa?” Hongjoong asked, changing the topic before Yena could probe any further.

“Something unnatural- it is not supposed to exist,” Yena admitted, rubbing her arms. 

“Something dark in nature- which made me wonder if it was a darkling, but… it’s different, isn’t it?” Seonghwa raised a brow and Hongjoong agreed. Seonghwa and Hongjoong, with their magic, were like two peas in a pod. Light and Dark. They felt exactly the same way about magic ever since they were little.

“You should go back and stay until you’re needed,” Hongjoong got up, stretching. “There’s no need to worry and gather right now- there’s no point. Let’s believe in Wooyoung- I heard Jongho’s joining him soon so we can feel comfortable that there’s one brain that would actually be working.”

The two laughed, nodding- Jongho would keep Wooyoung in place, definitely. “Well, it was nice to meet you,” Seonghwa shook his head, smiling. “We just wanted to check on you.”

“Next time you decide to ‘check’ on me, give me a heads-up first,” Hongjoong put a hand on his heart, eyes wide. “You nearly stopped my heart.”

“This was Yena’s idea, to scare you-” Seonghwa was ambushed by Yena putting a hand over his mouth, shaking her head in denial while laughing, portalling back in an instant. Hongjoong’s smile fell, and he went back to the journal he had hid behind him when they had arrived.

This was definitely connected to all of them. And it wasn’t good. Whoever that faerie was didn’t matter anymore- she was merely a glitch in the matrix now. And glitches… shouldn’t exist.

—-----------------

San was having the most intense deja vu of his life. 

He was travelling the same route as the one he took about two years ago- except that now he was using that route to travel away from home. He stopped at the same spots as he did, except that this time he was alone. 

About two years ago, he had visited the border for some business, and on his way back he had encountered a lost traveller- Yena, whom he later discovered was the Princess Yena. He had felt the connection to her instantly, though he couldn’t put a finger on what exactly it meant. After all, it was a huge coincidence that he met Yena like that- but to this date, he wasn’t sure if they had met each other because of an unlikely coincidence or because Kieran played them all like chess pieces on his board.

Kieran. The darkling who claimed the identity of the late 9th Prince of Illusions- Junyoung- to the point that he forgot his real name. And then he assumed multiple identities to get close to Yena and Seonghwa.

San sighed as he poked the burning fire he had built with a piece of wood while he took a break from travelling. He kept thinking of two years ago- how oblivious they had all been until the worst happened- Kieran killed Seonghwa. Yena had to go back in time and risk a paradox that could mean the end of everyone’s existence just to get Seonghwa back. Everyone agreed to do that, and it went smoothly, except that there were two versions of Yena existing-

Everything, including Seonghwa’s death and Yena going back in time was meant to happen. Kieran had played them over and over again. He had killed Seonghwa on purpose, knowing Yena would go back in time. And then when they reached the climax again- when Kieran was supposed to kill Seonghwa- he took Yena instead. 

San had to admit, he was a criminal genius, Kieran was. He made Yena mess with time- the most dangerous magic one could possibly possess. He couldn’t help but think this unnatural feeling was a result of the time travelling- how he knew, San had no idea. It’s like he could feel it all over again- everything, just like he had felt Yena was one of them. His magic was sensitive that way.

But this time… something was different, and it drove him crazy. It wasn’t just the magic he could sense. He could sense the anxiety that came with it, whoever this was. He could feel the panic, the hurt. He had never felt closer to someone, and he had never imagined he could when miles separated them. Just how was he connected to this? He could understand that Yena could feel whoever this was- probably connected to her magic in one way or another. He could understand that Seonghwa could feel its dark nature too, which meant Hongjoong must have felt it too. 

It made him scratch his hair out- he wanted nothing more than to see just who this was that drove him crazy. They probably didn’t even know how San felt. He was so curious and scared about what the future held for him.

—--------------

Hongjoong wondered if such a dimension existed where he could watch the past rewind like a deity. 

Hongjoong had been scribbling notes from what he got- any clue, any indication or sign, just about anything relevant or irrelevant. He had been sitting in a pile of pages and books for days now, and he finally got a message from Wooyoung that confirmed all of his suspicions. 

Kieran might have killed Gaeul- I don’t know how the timelines work, but he killed Gaeul, or tried to. The point is, she is alive. Her magic became the opposite of what it used to be. She lost her memories. She looks like she came back from the dead, literally. Jongho is here- let me know how to handle this.

Hongjoong felt like throwing up- either from the restlessness or the fact that Kieran really had messed up. He needed to see Gaeul, needed to hear everything from her in person. And he needed to keep Yena out of this. He couldn’t involve her again- not so soon, not unless she was the key to putting things back again.

She had already been through so much. He couldn’t do this to her again.

Hongjoong wrote a message to Yunho first. Let Seonghwa know, without Yena’s knowledge, to keep Yena out of this until and if she’s required. That was enough to let Yunho and Seonghwa know that they were involved in this whether they wanted to or not.

Then Hongjoong wrote a message to Wooyoung, letting him know that he would be coming to Rukbat. It would take him about three days. Until then, Jongho and Wooyoung would have to get the most out of her.

Hongjoong packed a bag with his necessities before taking a quick shower. He was going to leave immediately. When he came out, his Right Hand Jaebeom was waiting for him. 

“You look like you’ll pass out if you stay awake any longer,” Jaebeom shook his head. “A little rest before travelling isn’t a bad idea if you’re insisting on travelling alone.”

Hongjoong sighed. “Maybe I should take someone. I don’t have time to spare, Jaebeom.”

“Let Yugyeom accompany you then,” Jaebeom got up, patting Hongjoong’s back to encourage him. “He can return once he drops you off at Rukbat.”

“Should I?” Hongjoong wondered out loud but his thoughts were miles away. Jaebeom shook his head, amused, as he sent someone to call for Yugyeom while they ate lunch.

“I might need to summon some High Healers if the situation calls for it,” Hongjoong munched on pasta as he recalled how some of his healers had really helped Yena calm down when her magic was going out of control. “Have them on standby.”

“I will,” Jaebeom assured him. “And if someone sends a message for you?”

Hongjoong knew he meant Yena- he was going to pretend that he was here. “You’re good at pretending you’re me, aren’t you? I mean, you have been writing the official documents for me since forever-”

“We’re practically the same,” Jaebeom rolled his eyes. “Hongjoong. She’ll know in a second.”

“Ah, I don’t know. Just get someone to fire-message me or something so we can deal with it.”

“And if I can’t reach you?” Jaebeom scoffed.

“Then pretend you are me, and tell dear old Princess Yena that everything is alright and under control. Try to sound like me,” Hongjoong gave Jaebeom a fake wide smile that had him laughing out loud.

“Alright, alright. I got this. We got this.”

“We got nothing, Jaebeom. Everything is a mess now,” Hongjoong sighed.

—-----------------

“So you’re telling me,” Jongho rolled dramatically along the wall, leaving Gaeul baffled- she had never imagined the Princes were so… casual. “You’re telling me that somehow, Kieran has unintentionally or intentionally messed up the timeline and she’s here when she’s supposed to be dead?”

“We don’t know that yet,” Wooyoung was half lying on the floor, drawing circles with his finger. “That’s what she remembers. Her memory is as good as Seonghwa’s ability to sit cross-legged.”

“But Seonghwa can’t sit cross-legged-”

“Exactly,” Wooyoung looked at Jongho and he snorted. Gaeul, who was sitting on her bed with her knees drawn to her chest, watched the two panic- that’s what it had to be- the calm before the storm.

"But then…" Jongho sank down on the ground. "Suppose she was killed in the previous timeline. In this timeline, somehow, she's alive. How is that any different from Seonghwa's situation?"

"Exactly," Wooyoung clapped. "He didn't become anti-dark just because he didn't die in this timeline."

"Anti-dark would be called light, Wooyoung," Gaeul mumbled and Jongho snorted.

"Whatever," Wooyoung waved his hand in dismissal. "Seonghwa remains the Prince of Dark."

"So Princess Yena went back in time to save Prince Seonghwa?" Gaeul looked at the two. "Just what happened two years ago? All I remember is hearing rumours of Prince Yeosang's twin being alive."

"Uh, nothing happened," Jongho smiled and gave Wooyoung a side-eye. Wooyoung shrugged.

"She might as well know, Jongho. For some reason, she is involved directly or indirectly with what happened two years ago."

Gaeul watched the two bicker back and forth, her stomach twisting nervously. "Can I get some fresh air?"

"Yeah, we can open the windows-"

"No, I mean… can I go out? I feel like I'm suffocating right now," Gaeul gulped.

Wooyoung narrowed his eyes suspiciously but Jongho stood up. "Of course you can. You don't have to worry about your magic getting out of control too. I think the two of us can handle it if something happens."

Wooyoung gaped as he watched Jongho extend a friendly hand to Gaeul and she took it hesitantly, following him outside, urging Wooyoung to come along as well. Jongho led her to one of the gardens in the back without many guards. He watched as Gaeul simply strolled along the path etched beside the walls, brushing her fingers along the plants along the way. Wooyoung and Jongho stood watching, and Wooyoung elbowed him.

"What were you thinking?"

"Don't make her feel like a prisoner here, Wooyoung," Jongho warned as he looked at the elder Prince. "Her magic… I felt it when I took her hand. If she gets nervous or anxious - which you do a great job at making her feel- her magic can explode with a wave. Let her feel that she's free and she has nothing much to worry about while we figure this out. And don't tell her too much about what happened, will you?"

"Ugh, I can't wait for Hongjoong to come," Wooyoung groaned. "We literally have no idea what we're doing right now."

"Exactly," Jongho sighed. "Anti-nature. I never thought I'd see that one day- not from a faerie, at least."

"Do you feel anything else apart from the magic?" Wooyoung asked. Jongho shook his head.

"I don't even know what I really feel. She just makes me… nervous. She makes my magic nervous. I figured because our magics are opposite now, so…"

"No luck with the healers as well," Wooyoung watched Gaeul lay down flat on the grass as she stared at the sky. "Do you think it's a… trap? All of this? She could be Kieran 2.0. Or she could be a bait."

"Whatever it is, needs to be dealt with quickly," Jongho looked at Wooyoung. "Before things get worse. Because I sense it. You do too, right?"

"Impending doom," Wooyoung sighed. "The worst feeling I've ever had."

—-----------------

San reached in the middle of the night, sighing in relief only when he saw the dim lights glowing from the glass structure of what was Wooyoung’s palace. He felt relaxed for the first time in a while since he could sense Wooyoung and Jongho- he wasn’t surprised Jongho came. But….

He could also feel another presence strong enough to be reckoned with. Not as strong as the Princes, but close enough. San bit the inside of his cheeks, realising the gravity of the situation- he had no idea who he was looking for, but someone called out to him desperately. Desperately enough to make him travel all alone for days. And now that he was closer… the feeling only grew.

Meanwhile, Gaeul woke up with her body covered in sweat, gasping for breath. She was alone in her room but she was pretty sure there was a healer or a guard stationed outside, and some stationed on the stairs. She could suddenly sense everyone-

She shut her eyes as her body shook with a jolt- someone was here. Someone she wasn’t sure she wanted to meet, but her magic was almost suffocating her- the pit in her heart… she felt like she was drowning.

Gaeul stood up with shaky legs, going first to the sink to wash her face. Her eyes looked sunken but the silver in her eyes still glowed. She frowned- she wasn’t sure she ever had silver in her dark eyes before. Running a hand through her short hair, she cautiously opened the door, finding one of the healers, Yoohyeon, dozing off in the hall.

Gaeul wondered if she should wake Yoohyeon up and ask her if she could go outside, or let her sleep. But with her magic getting out of control, making her feel like it would burst any moment, she was worried she’d be a danger. So she slowly walked to Yoohyeon and called her name twice, making Yoohyeon stretch dramatically before she opened her eyes. She checked her wristwatch- it was nearly 3 in the morning. 

“Something wrong?” 

“I feel like my magic is going to burst in a wave like it did earlier,” Gaeul was almost jumping on her feet now, “I need to go out.”

“Uh, I think I need to take you to the cell in that case. Your magic won’t be able to escape those walls.”

“You don’t understand,” Gaeul panicked, feeling something slowly crawl inside her body, making its way up. “I need air. If I go in there, I don’t know what damage I would do-”

Yoohyeon got up, nodding her head, about to hold Gaeul and rub her arms but she flinched away. She sighed. “I know you don’t mean harm. But the cell- it’s built specifically to contain magic inside. Come on- you’ll be fine. It’s like a big room- you won’t feel like it’s suffocating you.”

Gaeul reluctantly followed Yoohyeon to the other end of the hall, feeling her magic rise to her chest now. She scanned the cell- it was very plain, just 4 walls and a single lamp illuminating its inside. Gaeul looked at Yoohyeon helplessly.

“I’m going to call for someone while you stay there, okay?” Yoohyeon smiled warmly, but it did nothing to calm Gaeul down. Yoohyeon shut the door, and Gaeul found herself surrounded by four walls. She slid down by one of them, facing the door.

It’s okay, she told herself. If you go outside, you’ll hurt and kill things. It’s better to stay inside until the magic wears out.

Only, the magic wasn’t wearing out. It grew more in intensity, and San felt it- felt the change in the nature of the magic like it was his own. Something was fueling the magic further. San leaned forward on his horse, urging it to go faster. By the time he reached the gates, he could feel it.

Impending doom.

He jumped off the horse, the guards letting him in instantly. He entered the building, looking around- everything seemed normal. He started towards Wooyoung’s room upstairs but then he felt it-

The basement.

San scoffed- of course whoever it was was in the basement. San took the shortcut, going outside until he was at the backside of the palace, asking the guards stationed out to let him in. 

“Prince Wooyoung doesn’t allow anyone to go inside at night-”

“For fuck’s sake, let me in and get as far away as you can unless you want to die tonight,” San’s eyes glowed and that was enough for the guards to open the lock and get the hell away from there. He spotted Yoohyeon who came his way,

“Prince San? What are you doing here?”

“Get Wooyoung immediately, there’s no time,” San warned, “Whoever’s inside? Their magic is going to explode.”

“But she is in the cell-”

“The cell that nullifies magic?” San shook his head. “It’s fueling it instead. Get Wooyoung and Jongho immediately.”

Yoohyeon gasped, running off and San rushed downstairs, opening every door- he had never been in the basement personally. By the time he reached the end of the hall, he could hear someone’s sobs and chokes. 

San stopped for a moment outside the door that had to be the one. He frowned- even with the dangerous magic bound to kill everything, he could feel something else- a connection. Was it because this faerie was somehow connected to what took place two years ago? He wasn’t sure. With a deep breath, he opened the door and he sucked in his breath when he saw a girl with her knees brought to her chest, sobbing.

This was the last thing he was expecting to see. It was like Yena’s situation all over again. San slowly stepped inside, muttering a soft ‘hey’, causing the girl to look up-

Gaeul and San both felt it then- something inside them tugging and calling out to each other, and it was not magic.

Gaeul frowned, ignoring whatever it was in case it made her magic any angrier. “You should get away. It’s not safe here.”

“I came to get you out of here,” San’s warm voice left Gaeul surprised, especially when he smiled and his whole face softened. He sat down on one knee in front of her, scanning her. “It’s not safe to be here. You need to get out.”

“Who are you?” Gaeul almost whispered. San extended his hand.

“I’m San. I’m sure you’ve already heard about me now.”

Gaeul pursed her lips, stifling her smile. She had, alright. She glanced at his extended hand. “If I hold your hand, I might possibly kill you.”

“You won’t,” San assured. “Trust me.”

If it was Wooyoung or anyone else, Gaeul would have never taken their hand at a time like this. She would have screamed at them to run away from her, to get as far away as possible. But something about San was so different than anyone else she had met so far. And without hesitation, she took his hand, his calloused fingers providing her instant consolation that everything would be alright. 

Without saying anything else, San started leading her away from the room, sending a little spark of his own magic through their connected hands, trying to figure out the nature of her magic and just how unsafe everyone was. By the time he got out, Wooyoung and Jongho audibly gasped.

“Are you stupid?!” Wooyoung yelled. “Her magic will hurt you!”

“No, it won’t,” San shook his head. “I’ve got this, trust me. Just… follow me. And create a shield around us while you’re at it. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Wooyooung and Jongho watched San lead Gaeul to the garden that she’d gone to earlier, both of them standing in disbelief for a few moments before they looked at each other. 

“Did you hear that?” Wooyoung scoffed. “Trust me, he said. Trust this little-”

“Shut up and create a shield,” Jongho laughed. “He must have a reason. He’s not as stupid as you.”

“Sure,” Wooyoung mocked. “A reason. Let’s hear that.”

San stopped in the middle of the garden, instructing Jongho and Wooyoung to shield themselves while they were at it. Wooyoung protested but San assured them he would not get hurt.

“It’s like when Yena had a block,” he explained finally, glancing at Gaeul. “I know what to do. I’m basically an expert at this now.”

“Right. Let’s see how far you get blown off. Gaeul! Make sure your magic throws him a good few miles away- maybe out of Rukbat.”

Gaeul was practically squirming. “I can’t hold it in anymore.”

“You don’t have to,” San took her other hand. “Close your eyes and try to reach the root of your magic. I’ll be there.”

The two of them shut their eyes, and Gaeul almost screamed- her magic was seconds away from exploding, but she saw it. It had to be San’s magic- the reddish brown, almost golden thread making its way beside her magic, circling it. Gaeul shook her head- he would get hurt. 

“This is not my magic. I cannot control it,” Gaeul whispered and San squeezed her hands to let her know that he could hear her. “Just looking at it is making me suffocate.”

“I understand now,” San replied. “Just… stay strong. It’s going to hurt.”

Gaeul had no idea how much it was going to hurt, but when San’s magic coiled around the black and silver raging storm of magic and covered it entirely, she felt a moment of calm. And then his magic started squeezing her magic into nothingness- or at least it tried, because Gaeul’s ear piercing screams made San flinch and realise this was not going to work. He instantly created a shield around himself and dropped Gaeul’s hands, making her sink to the ground and clutch her head.

And then a wave came, nothing like San had imagined. If he hadn’t shielded himself, he would have been obliterated. Jongho and Wooyoung sent their magic back, fighting the wave and containing it within the small sphere so no one else would get hurt. For a good minute, it was a battle for their life before Gaeul stopped screaming and slumped down, unconscious. San breathed, slumping down with her, looking at Jongho and Wooyoung in disbelief. Wooyoung scanned the perimeter- thankfully, only the area within the sphere had ‘died’. The grass was grey, the flowers were ashes. Jongho sank down to his knees.

“I don’t feel so good,” Jongho’s face was pale. Wooyoung bent down next to him, touching his forehead. It was because of the magic being opposite in nature to Jongho. Wooyoung lent some of his strength to him just in time to stop him from fainting as well. He let Jongho lie down on the grass, out of energy.

“Well,” Wooyoung looked at San, grinning. “This is interesting.”

San glared at him before struggling up on his feet and joining the two, laughing helplessly as he sank down with the two. “I had to withdraw. This magic… It's not fae magic. It’s not even darkling magic.” He drew out his hand and frowned- the ashes were cold- like snow.

“Tell me about it,” Wooyoung sighed. “Jongho calls it ‘anti-nature’.”

“That’s because she used to have the magic of nature,” Jongho practically wailed. “Look around you and tell me this sight doesn’t scream ‘anti-nature’.”

San nodded- he had never seen anything like this. The grass and flowers hadn’t wilted- they had turned ash. “The cell, Wooyoung. It was fueling her magic. I could feel it from a mile away.”

“Well, shit,” Wooyoung looked at Gaeul, worried for a second that she had died but her chest rising up and down slowly relieved him. “Does that mean her magic can’t even be called magic?”

“Unnatural,” San scoffed. “Death- but not simply death. This is something beyond dead- look at this,” he plucked the grey grass that softened into powder with his touch. “Anti-magic. What is the opposite of magic, Wooyoung?”

“Mundane? But this is anything but that. This is… bewitchery, but it’s not that either. Bewitchery was what Junyoung’s uncle tried to do. This is… I don’t know. Let’s hope Hongjoong has a name for this, because if he does not… we’re in deep, deep trouble.”

—-------------------

The next afternoon, Wooyoung got a message from Hongjoong informing him that he’d be taking a little ‘detour’ in hopes of confirming his theory. The message was as ambiguous as it could get, so the three decided to chat with Gaeul.

Gaeul, however, was not having it. The boys were either bickering with each other about things she did not understand, or staring at her like an alien which made her fidget a lot. And right now, the boys were doing the latter. Gaeul stared back at the three of them for a good few moments before she turned around, making them face her back, which was when they broke out of their trance.

“I’m sorry,” San chuckled, “I’m just… confused. Please turn around, Gaeul.”

Gaeul sighed- she did not understand why San saying her name sounded so different. She turned around and her heart immediately warmed at the way he looked at her- sharp eyes that were so soft at times. “What happened last night?”

“I tried calming your magic down, but we have a theory…” San looked at Wooyoung and Jongho, wondering if it was wise to let her know.

“I have an idea so please let me know,” Gaeul gave Jongho and Wooyoung a side-eye when they tried warning San with wide eyes and bobbing heads. “Please tell me what’s going on with me. I’m as confused as you all are.”

“That, I believe,” San nodded. “Your magic… it’s not ‘magic’ anymore. Not like every faerie on this planet. Not even like the darklings-”

“You keep talking about darklings,” Gaeul looked at Wooyoung. “Kieran, was it? Who was he? Have you met a lot of darklings? Are they on this planet?”

“Slow down,” Wooyoung laughed. “Kieran was a darkling, yes, on this planet but not of his own accord. He’s the only one we’ve met.”

“We’ve met Neve too,” Jongho added.

“For like ten seconds, Jongho,” Wooyoung rolled his eyes.

“Ten seconds?” Gaeul was starting to believe that Wooyoung and Jongho weren’t quite sane in the head.

“Yes, he popped in from another dimension to say hi and take Kieran back,” Wooyoung looked at Gaeul as if daring her to call it bullshit. 

“So what does this Kieran possibly have to do with me?”

“You mentioned red hair and glowing eyes… amber eyes?” San asked cautiously and Gaeul nodded hesitantly.

“I believe, yes. He supposedly killed me. Could be a dream.”

“I don’t think it’s a dream,” San looked at Wooyoung. “There’s a reason her magic reversed itself. Why would Kieran kill her though?”

“That’s the one thing I don’t understand,” Jongho tilted his head as he watched Gaeul. “She was a normal faerie with an affinity for nature. Nothing unusual there. Did she see something or hear something she wasn’t supposed to? Or was it mere bad luck?”

“Kieran wasn’t one to kill someone without a reason, was he? Every move he made, every life he took was calculated. As far as I know, he hasn’t even killed that many people.”

“San’s right,” Wooyoung started. “Two years ago… that’s the point of Kieran’s life where he couldn’t risk making a mistake. Killing Gaeul, who lived a very normal life at the beach with her family… there must have been a reason. And that reason is to fuck us up, obviously, but there’s another reason that I feel is more valid.”

“So are we going to watch me everyday like we’ve been doing for days now? Or are we doing something?” Gaeul was starting to hate the basement now. 

“Dear old Hongjoong went on a little trip before coming here,” Wooyoung sighed. “Until then, I suggest we stay put and not try anything.”

“Don’t look at me,” San raised his hands in surrender. “I only prevented an explosion that would have obliterated your ass.”

“We would have been fine,” Wooyoung rolled his eyes. “Tell him, Jongho.”

“I’m not telling him anything,” it was Jongho’s turn to surrender. “After experiencing it firsthand, I’m done assuming things about Gaeul.”

“Something tells me there’s more to your story,” Gaeul raised her eyebrow. Jongho sighed, giving in.

“I could feel you all the way in my castle. The day Wooyoung found you… your magic touched a flower, didn’t it?” Gaeul nodded, surprised, and he continued. “When your magic exploded, I felt it. It was unnatural, and I’m the Prince of Nature. Of course I would feel it- just like last night. It makes me feel sick- no offence to you.”

“None taken. It makes me sick too,” Gaeul sighed, looking away. “But… how come you can feel it from so far away? Do all Princes have like… a sensor?”

“Something like that,” San laughed. “Jongho felt it because of the magic. Wooyoung felt it because you were close, right?”

“Yeah, probably,” Wooyoung nodded. “And you felt it because?”

“I don’t know,” San shrugged, recalling the other feeling he had. His eyes met Gaeul at that moment and his heart sank- and so did Gaeul’s. “I… I’ve been feeling her for months now. I think… when I came to visit you last time, Wooyoung. Four months ago? The proximity might have triggered it.”

“But you’ve been feeling her all along?” Jongho frowned. “Is it because your magic is sensitive?” 

“Probably,” San nodded slowly. “I could feel the magic growing slowly. I could feel that it was wrong. But there was something else- it made me nervous to the point that I couldn’t focus.”

“Weird,” Wooyoung made a face. “Yena and Seonghwa felt it too, probably because it’s connected to the two somehow. We’re keeping Yena out of this, in case you decide to send her a cute message about how you saved my ass from obliterating-”

“I won’t,” San kicked Wooyoung’s leg, making Jongho and Gaeul giggle. “She’s had enough already.”

“What’s the Princess like?” Gaeul asked and the three looked at her. “I don’t think I ever heard about her while I was… alive? Before Kieran supposedly killed me.”

“She’s like us,” Wooyoung smiled.

“She’s like Wooyoung,” Jongho sighed and Wooyoung smacked his arm. 

“What’s wrong with that!?”

“So when did you hear about the Princess?” Jongho asked, ignoring Wooyoung altogether.

“A few months ago… I found myself at the beach, but I was in no state to move and I had no memory. I somehow made it to the forest and some people found me. Everything’s fuzzy- I don’t even know when this amnesia episode started. It could be a few months or a year-”

“What’s the first ‘news’ you heard, if you can recall?” Jongho asked and looked at the two Princes. “I think we can figure out when she woke up. Or came back to life. Whatever it is.”

“Prince Seonghwa and Princess Yena’s wedding was going to take place in a few days,” Gaeul recalled- it was the most memorable news she had heard that had stuck with her. “I remember because I had no idea who this Yena girl was. And then later I found out that she was the Lost Princess.”

“But it’s been 6 months,” Wooyoung frowned. “When we say two years ago, we actually mean two and a half. So… she woke up before Yena’s wedding. We didn’t feel her for four months at most, right? Unless someone felt it earlier. Does that mean her magic wasn’t in this state at that point?”

“That’s right,” Gaeul confirmed. “That time is hazy but I remember the faeries wondering if I had magic in the first place.”

“If Hongjoong was here, we would have figured all of this out in one sitting,” Jongho groaned, slumping down on the couch. 

“Did Prince Hongjoong feel this too?” Gaeul asked.

“Oh, he feels everything,” San waved a hand in dismissal. “Everything that the light touches, I think.”

“So if you’re the Prince of Earth, do you feel everything that happens on this land?”

“Something like that. Yunho is the Prince of Water, so he feels everything wrong in the ocean-” San paused, his mouth parting as he looked at Gaeul. “Didn’t you say you were found by the beach?”

“Uh, yeah?”

“So Yunho must have felt when exactly!” San got up, clapping. “See? We have a brain too. We don’t always need Hongjoong.”

Gaeul tried stifling her smile but the look on Jongho’s face and the grimace on Wooyoung’s made her laugh and she put a hand on her mouth as San turned, muttering sorry. He only shook his head in amusement. 

“Jongho, quick. Write a message to Yunho and ask when exactly he felt something was wrong.”

“Does it matter?” Gaeul asked. “Where was I for the two years that I have no memory of?”

“And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why we always need Hongjoong,” Jongho bowed dramatically, making San pout as he slumped back to the couch.

—------------------

The last thing Mingi expected one fine Sunday morning was Yeosang strolling into his chamber, materialising out of thin air, and immediately fainting right on the couch.

For a second, Mingi panicked, but he could see his chest rise and fall. Mingi poked his arms- he even twitched, his blonde hair falling messily on his forehead. Mingi shook his head, scoffing. “A little warning would have been nice!”

Yeosang, of course, didn’t respond. It appeared that he had portalled himself. His portalling method was very different from Yena, and he had started practising it not too long ago, though he always had a theory it would work. But turning into a spirit and then materialising into a body elsewhere was risky business- more risky than Yena opening a portal in space and risk portalling somewhere else- or some ‘time’ else. 

Or perhaps, Mingi thought as he sat down beside Yeosang, going back to his documents, perhaps portalling into an unknown dimension with a different flow of time was more dangerous.

Mingi recalled the time when the darkling Kieran had almost driven Yena mad, forcing her to practise her time magic so he could go back in time for some twisted revenge. Mingi had found Yena just in time, and Yena in a state of panic had accidentally portalled herself and Mingi into another dimension where time flow was different. After spending months in that dimension, they came back when Yena finally figured out exactly where she was, finding that only a few hours had passed in reality.

If Yena had been alone, he wasn’t sure she would have made it back. She was in no state to be alone, after being a hostage to Kieran. Mingi wondered sometimes if he was fated to be the one to find Yena. It had somehow made his magic different, spending that time with her in a dimension where no one else but the two existed. 

This was definitely why he could feel some poor soul with its own magic burning it. He was sure Yeosang could feel it too and was here to talk about it.

He was right. When Yeosang finally woke up, it took him a good few moments to gain his senses. Mingi pointed to the bottle of water in front of him and he hungrily gulped all of it down- portalling, for some reason, left him parched. Once he had finished the last drop, he finally breathed.

“You look well,” Yeosang commented.

“Because I have been sitting in my own body unlike someone in this room,” Mingi scoffed, amused. “What are you up to?”

“I heard some rumours that I thought I’d share with you first,” Yeosang leaned forward, “Some very… interesting rumours.”

Mingi ran a hand through his red hair. “Well?”

“Apparently,” Yeosang’s eyes glittered, “someone actually came back from the dead.”

Mingi gave Yeosang the side-eye. “As in?”

Yeosang huffed. “My spirits tell me that something was amiss. As you know, time flow doesn’t affect them. So when Yena changed the timeline, nothing in that dimension changed. Anyways, from the reports I gathered, there was some sort of black hole- if you can call it that- forming in that dimension. I don’t know how I missed it, but some tell me it didn’t stay in the same place.”

“And what does that mean?” Mingi frowned.

“Apparently the hole grew until it disappeared one day about six months ago. Again, I’m not sure about the time, but that’s what I got.”

“I think Yunho told me when he felt something strange. He was out in the ocean for days trying to figure out whatever it was.”

Yeosang paled after hearing that. “That sounds too similar to necromancy. Water and black holes. The dimension of the dead. Never a good combination. But… necromancy doesn’t work like that. It’s done by someone, and the black hole doesn’t ‘travel’ around the dimension, it sticks to the reality here. And… there’s something else.”

Mingi raised his brows in anticipation and Yeosang sighed. “I casually confirmed with San, Wooyoung, and Jongho’s court, but there have been people going ‘missing’ in the past few months. No traces, no pattern. My spirits tell me that they’re alive, but they… They are in another dimension. Maybe sucked by the black hole.”

“That’s crazy, why would someone willingly go into something that looked like a black hole?”

“Unless they were dragged in it,” Yeosang bit his lips. “If my sources aren’t lying- and they have no reason to- they believe some ‘otherworldly’ creatures now prowl in this land.”

Mingi sat back, taking a deep breath. He wasn’t sure he was ready to face ‘otherworldly’ creatures- the creatures that already existed on this planet were enough. “So what’s your verdict?” 

“Hongjoong. He needs to hear this. I think… it’s time we all gathered. Whatever this is, it’s not supposed to exist.”

“Actually,” Mingi pursed his lips, “I can feel it too. A soul burning from too much magic, except it’s not magic. It’s… something different.”

“Yeah. It has the ability to disintegrate living beings. What do we do?”

“Send a message to Hongjoong first,” Mingi immediately started writing a message. “We need to gather.”

—------------------

Hongjoong was in the middle of the Peridot Sea, somewhere between Mingi’s Kingdom of Leo and Wooyoung’s Kingdom of Sagittarius, when he got Mingi’s message informing him that apparently someone was back from the dead and they needed to meet in person so they could discuss it properly.

Hongjoong looked up at the cloudy sky, as gloomy as his mood. Yugyeom, who was quite pleased with the detour because he needed a break from the castle duties, raised a brow. “Everything alright?”

“Not at all,” Hongjoong smiled helplessly, asking for a pen. He scribbled his location and dared Yeosang to portal himself here since there was a chance he would very well land in the sea.

Yeosang’s reply through Mingi’s fire message came a minute later, a very provocative drawing along with a request to land on their continent- Algieba was the closest. Hongjoong sent an okay, instructing Yugyeom to turn their course west. Yugyeom, who had an affinity for air, helped the ship change its course without much effort. They could already see land so it would only take about an hour.

As soon as he landed at the beach, he sent Yeosang and Mingi the message. Yugyeom brought food from the ship. “Good thing we landed. With this amount of food you wouldn’t last two days.”

Hongjoong passed him a side-eye. “You should have stored more.”

“Who decided to take a detour in the middle of our very planned-out tour to Rukbat?” Yugyeom scoffed, slumping down on the sand and opening the bag which included snacks and everything unhealthy that Hongjoong loved to eat. Hongjoong picked a box of cookies, offering some as an apology and Yugyeom rolled his eyes, laughing.

“I’m probably going to Mingi’s castle. Wanna join me?”

“I should,” Yugyeom nodded. “It’s been a while since I met Wonpil.”

“Ah, yes,” Hongjoong nodded. “You have friends everywhere. Let’s hope we get a ride before we get a heatstroke in the desert.”

Luckily for the two, Mingi had already sent some of his friends that resided in the desert to pick Hongjoong and Yugyeom. The two dozed off the entire ride back, waking up only when they stopped to get a good night’s rest and then the next day, they reached Mingi’s castle, greeted by an unusually grim looking duo.

“At least wear a smile when you greet me!” Hongjoong wailed and the two burst out laughing which was when Hongjoong realised this was an act and he ran forward to smack them. “I swear I will never get a break!”

“You’ll be wearing this grim face soon enough, don’t worry,” Yeosang laughed, dodging a hit to the arm. “Come on. Let’s eat before we lose our appetite.”

Yugyeom took that as a clue to run away. “I don’t wish to lose my appetite. Hongjoong, I’ll be staying here for a day or two before I go back. That okay?”

Everyone gave him a thumbs-up and watched him spot Wonpil and happily run to his old friend. “See?” Hongjoong watched them hug like long lost brothers. “That’s how you greet a friend.”

“Whatever,” Mingi grinned cheekily, ruffling Hongjoong’s ginger hair. “Come along before I drag you there.”

The three avoided discussing anything over dinner, enjoying the carefree bantering and making fun of each other just like everything was normal, to the point where for a moment they forgot all about the trouble they were in.

“I have something to say about this,” Hongjoong began. Yeosang started clapping and Mingi wheezed with laughter. “I haven’t even begun!”

“You’ve said enough,” Yeosang laughed. “You don’t get the right to tell me to stop portalling like this when you literally disappear into the light. At this rate, you’ll find yourself some thousand light years away from us. At least I’ll only be lost in another dimension.”

“It doesn’t work like that-”

“Should I try materialising into fire?” Mingi cackled and Hongjoong rolled his eyes at how Yeosang and Mingi kept trolling him.

“You’ll burn yourself if you ever try that,” Hongjoong commented. “Just because you’re the Prince of Fire doesn’t mean-”

“Yes, Hongjoong, just because you’re the Prince of Light doesn’t mean you get to shine your light of wisdom on us,” Mingi said and the room fell silent before the three started hollering again, Yeosang applauding.

“If you’re done fooling around,” Jae, Mingi’s Right Hand entered, shaking his head in amusement at the young princes. “The chambers are ready, and tea awaits.”

“Ah, yes, time to sleep,” Hongjoong nodded, getting up, hearing one of the two mutter ‘boomer’. “Thank you- and please make sure Yugyeom leaves after two days. Yugyeom and Wonpil shouldn’t be together for too long.”

“Oh, I’ll make sure,” Jae smiled devilishly. “Let’s hope they don’t bring the castle down with their chaos.”

As the three settled in Mingi’s living room, they realised how the gravity of the situation kept nagging at their subconsciousness. Yeosang glanced at the two. “Is it time we finally address the problem?”

“You first,” Hongjoong nodded. 

“I am not sure about what time this took place, but something like necromancy brought someone back from the dead. Apparently a black hole kept moving around in my dimension of spirits, until a while ago it disappeared. I think that’s when someone came back from the dead- but it doesn’t look like they were ‘brought’ back to life. It just… happened. And it burned the soul of a faerie with its magic in a way I’ve never seen or heard of, Hongjoong. Other than that, there are reports of missing faeries throughout Kingdoms of Cancer, Sagittarius and Libra. Throughout that continent only. Apparently some ‘otherworldly’ creatures have been spotted and are said to have come from the blackholes- my spirits tell me that the missing faeries are alive but not in this plane- not in this dimension.”

“I understand,” Hongjoong nodded, his face not giving any indication of what was going on inside his head. “Mingi?”

“I felt it too, I feel it now as well,” Mingi shifted in his chair. “Whatever this magic is, it’s not normal. It’s burning the soul of the possessor, but then… at the same time it’s keeping it alive too.”

“Interesting,” Hongjoong slumped back. “The ‘it’ we are referring to is a faerie of about our age, named Gaeul. She’s in Wooyoung’s Palace right now where San and Jongho are present too.”

“Wow,” Yeosang scoffed. “Why didn’t they inform us?”

“I specifically asked them to report only to me, as I asked you two and everyone else,” Hongjoong said. “I have a theory, and it’s not good. Whatever you both told me, it’s only making my theory more plausible. According to Yunho, he detected something fishy in the ocean about six months ago. He spent days trying to figure out the source but it was like the source kept changing locations.”

“That must be when the black hole shifted to this dimension of reality?” Yeosang asked.

“Seems like it,” Hongjoong nodded. “I don’t know who Gaeul is and what makes her so special, but I believe… according to the memory she thinks she has… Kieran killed her somehow. For such a phenomenon to happen, either he calculated it to the extent that he already knew when Yena would go back in time, or it occurred unintentionally- a big, unfortunate coincidence.”

“But with Kieran, nothing is a coincidence,” Mingi pursed his lips.

“Exactly, but we cannot be too sure right now. Either way, he killed Gaeul and she came back because Yena changed the timeline and somehow, Gaeul’s life was connected to it. If Yena hadn’t changed the timeline, she would have remained dead.”

“But theoretically, like Seonghwa, Gaeul should have just been ‘alive’. How is her situation different from Seonghwa?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out, and we also need to check if the missing faeries are indeed connected to all of this,” Hongjoong sighed. “We need to trace that black hole, Yeosang. And we need… Yunho. Get a good night’s sleep because from tomorrow, we will travel.”

taglist: @yunnierights @monstaxdirtywonk @moni-cah @uyumilk @atxxzist @hazysan @bewitchedinyourhunger @kk-fleury @sincostansan @onedumbho3 @wooya1224 @icouldntcareless22 @jjaelly @huachengsbestie01 @ztjileen @charreddonuts @mdibby