#They kinda deserved what came for them
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⤠The Boys || 4.04 - Wisdom of the Ages June 20, 2024
#The Boys Spoiler#The Boys S4#The Boys Amazon#The Boys#The Boys Gifs#TheBoysEdit#TheBoysOpE#TVEdit#CinemaTV#Billy Butcher#Hughie Campbell#Frenchie#Homelander#A-Train#Starlight#Firecracker#TW: Gore#My Gifs#The Boys 4.04#Dang what an episode#Idk man but I'll give Homie that one#They kinda deserved what came for them#Also yeah ngl#Hughies arc this season#is hitting a bit too close to home :'(
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Rhett & Link's Wonderhole
#okay so this is like my sum up of the whole season post#it's my tribute to wonderhole#this whole blog kinda is but ya know#I will probably make more gifs of the last ep but as this is the last ep of the season I thought I would do a gif round up#and making all these gifs kinda took it out of me#fun fact this is very close to the gif limit on here#it is a very long post but you know wonderhole deserves it#I have really enjoyed the season#from watching that first ep on my birthday til now#it has been a fun Saturday thing for me to watch in the morning and make gifs of for the rest of the day#I love that it all came back to the beginning with it all being what they filmed on the coconut while they were stranded on the island#I do love when stuff loops like that#Especially looping back to that beach scene which was the scene that made me make this blog#because it was so pretty I was like oh I need to make gifs and now here we are#my favourite ep is still the second one mainly because of the colours and future aesthetic it had#I think it was fun and it was fun to see them letting their creativity flow through the episodes#it kind of hits you with the comedy but it also makes you feel a lot of emotions which I have loved#so thanks wonderhole you have been a beautiful thing and I hope there will be more in the future ily#thanks to Rhett and Link for making this because I have loved it#it was a special thing#also shout out to everyone who has interacted with any of my posts on here I did not expect anyone to so thanks :))#these tags really just turned into me rambling so hi if you made it this far#rhett and link#rhett and link's wonderhole#rhett and link gifs#rhett mclaughlin#link neal#my gifs#wonderhole spoilers
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I like to think Bruce have a journal, not as batman just as Bruce Wayne and you can see where he wrote all the headaches he gets from his kids
#Its kinda like a historical record of their lives#âToday i have found dick should not be handed coffee. He havenât slept in 26 hoursâ#âIm not sure if im a good parent to jason but alfred said the bar canât be that high with himâ#âI believe i need a metric system to measure my parenting. So im going to collect data on our live and use it to analyze what behaviors-#The kids respond to best to provide the best parenting experience. The kids deserve only the best of the bestâ#âI have discovered hugs matter a lot more to tim than i thought. Dick came home and yelled at me ���HUG HIM YOU IDIOT!!ââ#âTim is also banned from coffee.â#âTim is banned from energy drinksâ#âDamian happened.â#Im making it like a log but i think bruce would have most be logs but some will have more narrative to them on his better days#When jason died he couldnât write at all#All these journals are not known to his kids but alfred knows about them because he is the one who suggested it#Batfam#bruce wayne
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...
#im back from a week with my dad at home and at the lake#it was really nice to b home for a while but now im a mess lol#bc it really makes me wanna move back to Appalachia and not do another semester out here#and also this was our 1st trip to the lake without my mom being there. she loved the lake. she grew up on the water and was named after an#island. she died before she could use our new jetski. which my dad bought for her and she would have loved#and i stood in her sandles bc my dad keeps them out by the fireplace and my toes fit almost exactly into the impressions of her feet#and i came come with another bag full of her clothes. and i feel bad for my dad being all alone in that big house#i mean hes got the dogs but theyre 7 and 8 and theyre big boys so they probably dont have all that long left. itll be so sad when they die.#there was a moment where i was talking to the dogs and he said i sounded exactly like my mom. which was kinda intentional#on my part bc i say a lot of things bc she would say them. stolen phrases and intonations. pieces of things ive taken.#its still weird that she's just gone forever. the time in the hospital feels like it was some horrible nightmare.#and now shes never gonna kno where we end up. she's left rooms full of half tumbled rocks and half sorted photos and half organized#classroom supplies. the outlines of a person that will slowly be stitched out of existance as time moves on until theres nothing left and#the memories are gone. its just sad is all. especially bc she didnt deserve it. no one does but expecally not her.#but unfortunately life isnt about getting what you deserve. its chaos and coincidence all the way down.#unrelated
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I wanna. Pick them up in my mouth and shake 'em around like a dog obliterating a squeaky toy
#you can tag anyone you feel this way about but I was thinking about Rook hunt in particular#tbh I feel like he'd picture the same - just with Vil and Neige#he wanta his oshis to be besties (he is just lime me fr) (just a liiiittle furyher frim reality)#(I view neigexVil as nore of a crackship until we get more Neige development/lore)#(our queen Vil doesn't deserve to be genuinely shipped with someone who's kinda 2D rn.#But I respect people who flesh out neige with headcanons - they write the dynamics realy well tbh)#(hopefully we get more RSA development at some point I think that'd be cool)#(plus I'd cry if TWST just. stopped. after the last NRC OB)#(I mean it'd make sense aince that's where the story is based and it'll probably end once Yuu finds a way home#- which feels close now thanks to Ortho)#(But at the same time I. have been following this since it first came out when I was about 16 - same age as the first year squad lol)#(and I feel like it'd feel weird if we stopped getting main story updates)#(Im rambling a LOT lol - probably because I'm tipsy haha)#(hope someone can relate to my lamenting of future woes though)#(Oh well - I should atop borrowing sorrow from the future and live joyfully with the now)#(I do miss my friends who've stopped being in the fandom though - and my friends who deactivated and idk how to contact now)#(sugarandmelody... zacrazyvalentine... I miss them. but we had fun#writing and stuff. and I suppose that's what matters in the end. that we had fun.)#at least - I hope they had fun too. and I kinda hope they think about me how I think of them sometimes.#have a nice day if you're reading this. I rambled in the tags a while and I understand that it's kinda long lol.#and probably riddled with typos#I'm tearing up for some reason haha. well it is what it is#I hope each and every one of my followers know how amazing they are - I hope y'all have a wonderful day - evening - or night#I wish I could hug people across the internet lol#I should stop posting on tumblr while drinky haha#tw drunk#tw drinking#i'll tag it just in case#don't wanna cause discomfort and stuff
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i may be thinking too much into this but i kinda think that balekin, madoc, and the ghost killing the greenbriars during the coronation was a bit of foreshadowing to signify that they would later betray the high king, the last greenbriar. but unlike madoc and the ghost, balekin was killed because he murdered the former high king which is kind of a greater sin than murdering the heirs to the crown.
#this really doesn't make any sense idk what came through me#also ik jude felt more betrayed than them#more than cardan#but since jude is allied to the crown and their interests (esp madoc) lies against the crown#they still kinda betrayed the high king#also i saw a post some time ago claiming that balekin dying was inevitable#bcs of the curse of the blood crown#like since eldred hasn't crowned dain yet#and balekin killed him and unleashed the curse upon himself#so yeah#that mf totally deserved it#cardan greenbriar#jude duarte#tfota#the cruel prince#the folk of the air#the wicked king#the queen of nothing
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this is gonna sound incredibly virtue signal-y i fear but i have been feeling. so fiercely protective of all the transfems i've ever met lately
#marzi speaks#I PROMISE I'M NOT TRYING TO EARN GOOD BOY POINTS HOLD ON LET ME. EXPLAIN MYSELF HERE#obvs we're in kinda a tense political climate rn#and i'm noticing trends have been getting . increasingly misogynistic lately?#in like . a subtle but for sure still noticeable way#and women are being dismissed and all this awful shit#and ppl are going. completely mask off about it when the woman happens to be a trans gender#and it reminds me of when i was a little girl. and how my mom spent so much time in my childhood#training me to not stand for and take misogynistic bullshit from anyone. and to defend other women too#she taught me to assert myself in professional or academic environments. she taught me to stand proud and take up physical space#once as a kid my great uncle (who's always been a nut) didn't let me come on a fishing trip because i was a girl#when i came to my mom crying about it because i loved boats and fishing and my family she just about murdered him. completely tore into him#my whole life my mom has been there to tell me that people will try to put me down. they will try to overlook me or dismiss me#or make me feel smaller. and if i dare to get too confident i'll be labeled bossy or a bitch#and that no matter what i do i cannot let those pieces of shit win. i cannot let that stop me#and that i'd have to fight so fucking hard for it my whole life and it won't be fair but i will do it because i have no other option#and i'm seeing a lot of transfems having to navigate that now too#but they didn't get the privilege of being trained in this since day 1. they have to figure it out on their own#and the demonization right now is so strong that a single misstep can be. so dangerous#and it makes me so mad. all of that built up anger from every time i've had to learn how to not take misogynistic bullshit comes to a boil#the little girl scout in my brain who grew up forcing people to see that a girl can do whatever the fuck she wants fuck you is ACTIVE rn#she's angry. she's so angry. because she's seeing the same bullshit she dealt with in middle school being repeated again#anyways. transfems. i love you so much. you deserve so much fucking better.#i hope you can safely advocate for yourself. until then i will fucking yell and scream from the rooftops because this shit is so unfair#you should be allowed to succeed and you should be allowed to fail. and you should be allowed to take up as much goddamn space as you want#and wear whatever the hell you want. transfems i love you and i am so so angry on your behalf. modern feminism has failed you#and i am going to kill someone over it#remember to be loudly and unapologetically yourself as much as you safely can. do not let them crush your spirit
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ryuu's always had an innate sense of curiosity to him an intrigue that's just . . . been there but not really pursued until he got swept into the trip to london and became a lawyer
truly, it's the idea of "unlocked potential"
he can be observant when he's actually putting his mind to it (as opposed to being pretty oblivious otherwise) he genuinely does enjoy sorting through mysteries and finding out how things work (both scientifically and psychologically when it comes to figuring people out)
it honestly just took kazuma's influence and unending belief in his abilities to fully engage in them, and said curiosity and thirst for knowledge is only encouraged and amplified by his exposure to the great detective and all the cases they've solved together (ŕšË︜Ëŕš)
#ÂŤ headcanon Âť#not me sobbing over the fact that ryuu REALLY started living his life to the fullest#only after all the events of the game unfold#he was just kinda . . . drifting through existence for the most part#then he got caught up in following KAZUMA'S dream#which helped to be a further distraction from figuring out his OWN desires#but he eventually just came to . . . genuinely love what he does ?#whether it's solving mysteries with sholmes or#protecting people who dESERVE it in court -- digging into everything he possibly can to stand for them#listen my gf left on saturday after a two-week visit#i'm coping with my sadness by making myself more sad over fiction#forever dead over the incredible narrative and character arcs of these games like wHAT THE CRAPPOLI
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Lord grant me the strength to call the doctor's office tomorrow to ask for a bloodtest
#and the hair dresser because i start ripping out my hair because it feels so bad lol#but god i hate that office so much#i haven't been there since 2021 because I'm sick of them so much#i have no idea what came out of that bloodwork because i didn't get through#but yeah i need to ask for a prescription and i may as well get it done#it's not like I'll have to interact with the doctor if it's one of the bitches (who genuinely deserve to be set on fire#for the way they treat patients. they seriously shouldn't be allowed to be around anyone ever in general)#I'll just leave#and if it's the one that's kinda ok I'll just ask for what i want#and maybe I'll see if i find another office in the next quarter of the year#but i mean. I'm realistic enough to know that that's pretty much impossible#but ugh I'll also have to make a gyn appointment and ask my psych if i can get a doctor's note#hell on earth#these people have too much power#also ffs just offer online booking#(my gyn does that but it's so specific that I'm afraid I'll click something wrong and will have to pay extra ot#or get an appointment for something i didn't want? idk it's confusing#i hate being alive#release me from the pain of having to make doctor's appointments#the most humiliating experience imaginable
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I was thinking âhaha itâs so weird and silly i got soOOO into this one very specific part/arc/related minor-ish character group of a franchise, i havenât done that before have i? this is a new weirdness for me isnât it?â
and then suddenly vividly remembered my inconvenient and untenable and frankly quite extreme obsession with the romulan star empire all throughout middle school, with such force and clarity that i had to put a hand to my face
#i would absolutely have made a Discord For Romulan Likers#that was still a bit different though since a portion of that came from an instinct to subvert#bc i felt like what some of TNG era canon did with Romulans basically being pre programmed to Do Betrayal was silly needed deconstructing#(and at the same time was intrigued by how a society of people like that COULD function if taken at face value)#whereas my hangup on the village arc and Ganja is bc i rly rly rly like the story + characters (also feel Longing (tm) instilled by tragedy#and wanted to talk about them a lot and nearly all english language spaces for MiAbyss were just crammed with the s1/movie parts/characters#and not my Special Sillies#like obviously theres no âhey ONLY talk about season two of the showâ rule on the server. that would be unhinged#but i made it because the rest is always getting discussed everywhere else so i hope that focus is ok with everyone and hopefully thatâs no#uncouth of me to acknowledge that i personally made it for that specific reason. wait this got off topic. THE ROMULANSâŚ. RIGHT#anyway i remember i was kinda grumpy at how much stuff Klingon Likers had in comparison#you can learn Klingon#you canât learn Romulan!! (real ones know its called Rihan and not Romulan though)#(the Romulans call themselves the Rihannsu. i believe thi is 100% extracanonical material though)#(ebil did you really get tipsy on a tuesday night and start rambling about Romulans???? yes. yes i did. )#(look i had a difficult appointment today i deserve it)#anyway itâs actually insane that i never read Diane Duaneâs series abt them#i didnât really have internet purchasing power and was restricted to what was at the library and easily available online#i should read those books eventually#i still have a soft spot for them pointy eared maniacs
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Fuck, only imagining kissing you still makes my heart jump a bitđ¤Ą
#delete later#clown#mine#feelings#her#i keep imagining you w sb else to prepare myself from the inevitable days but all im doing is borrowing grief from tmr which isnt#really helpful and i instead should be happy for n with her annieway#she deserves the world and be treated best#what a clichĂŠ thing to say but i get that it can still be true because why is it that things that r too sweet r deemed fake#im just quite sappy and i dont really say things i dont mean#ik i will love you for as long as i live even if it eventually transforms into a different kinda love#it will persist in a different form bc that just seems to be the kinda person i am or how love is for me#id keep caring and id keep wanting the best for you#parts of each person i came to love remain as parts of me annieway#i can never truly lose them nor can they#omfg lol crying while having covid just makes me feel like im choking or drowning tf my nose holes r completely blocked whats this lmao#kinda funny feeling tbh#sorry for being the odd one out of the two of us im already trying to make sure that nearly all i do is solely out of platonic feelings#so our friendship isnt âtaintedâ or driven by my inferior intentions or whatever but can stand on its own#which is as important to me as ppl not abandoning friends for a romantic relationship#or that ppl i come to fancy or could fancy value me enough as a friend first#im rambling#how long till it isnt this kinda love anymore#how long till i can be happy with and for her when she finds sb is everything she wants or needs and who treats her the way she deserves#sounds patronising of me tbh#idealising even#also have to keep reminding myself: this is just any other flirting with friends nothing to it any other flirting w friends with no intent#cuz i do value her as a friend as well#am i playing myself
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#kpop rambling feel free to ignore#the thing about stray kids and ateez getting even more massively popular is that i am genuinely so happy for them?#like when i sort of half-watched that kingdom season years ago both groups struck me as just#incredibly talented and hard-working but also as just great guys? like making the whole show into more of a#lovefest (kinda) that a competition seems to have come from them being friendly and kind and refusing to be#bitchy and backstabby just to 'mske television' or whatever - so it came off more like the olympics lol#where people just want to do their very best and encourage their fellow participants to do *their* best etc etc#and i do love quite a few ateez songs - if not as much of their most recent stuff and admire stray kids style and ethos#even if most of their song catalog just doesn't click for me - bc that's cool! not everything is *for me*#i can recognize skill and talent and hard work even when something doesn't conform exactly to my personal vibe#(and also beauty is beauty like come on both groups are SO visually stunning they deserve every contract/close-up/photoshoot)#even though i mostly post about bts because i LOVE their music including the solo releases i still reblog skz and ateez#because they are amazing and i am thrilled that they're getting all the attention and success they deserve#(although maybe getting a little overworked like my gods i know you gotta capitalize on the moment#i do understand but let these men catch a *breath* you know - we've seen what happens when groups get exhausted and scheduled to death)#i just feel weird sometimes as a not official fan of the music always but more the groups as ... people? performers? idk#i just like them and think they're neat lol#and i keep wanting to say something about it but i think it'd be weird to leave the sentiment in like tags on someone's gifset or something#it's not like i don't think plenty of other groups are gorgeous and hardworking as well (lyon for life! ha)#i just keep vaguely paying attention to charts bc of bts solo stuff and seeing people like making an either/or proposition#out of who you like and i'm just happy they are all successful and getting their due?#like these guys are normalizing publicly being friends across companies and fandoms as well as#having boundaries and manners and calling out industry bullshit - i couldn't be more proud of them for that#and for sort of taking up where bts had to leave off bc of ms in pushing the industry forward#like 4th gen is doing the WORK and while building off the foundations laid beforehand they're also#remaining down to earth and not ... untouchable? for the fans? and just generally presenting a 'regular guys' type image#which ... i guess i'm old and remember when a group of twentysomething guys meant public wastedness and clubbing and#horrible sexist girlfriend situationships and gossip columns and seemingly competing to appear like the most 'gangsta'#so like legos and fashion design and amateur asmr etc are reassuring pastimes lol#like not implying they don't drink or scuffle or get up to things but just the sense of being dedicated professionals is VERY clear
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CRAB!!!! this is what I had for dinner btw bc dad was paying and he said get anything I wanted so. I got snow crab :3 didnât expect this much so I was just like â:Oâ
#cracking it was super fun too#like Iâm not intending to brag or anything#I just think itâs so goddamn funny that he flaunts the fact that he has so much money#by offering to pay for EVERYTHING#like when I bought the plushie I was like âoh. itâs $26 :( thatâs too muchâ#and yknow what that smug bastard said?#â$26 is absolutely nothing to me. you can get the $65 axolotl if you wantâ#and like. it was tempting. but I hate how he constantly tries to get me to abuse the fact#that heâll buy me whatever I want#like trying to convince me to buy the most expensive stuff#and when I pick small stuff like the plushie and go âthatâs too expensiveâ when itâs like $20#he almost seemsâŚ. offended that Iâm rejecting his offer#I used to say that Iâd bleed him dry if he let me#but for my entire life Iâve been on a shoestring budget#when it came to food and even had to forgo haircuts as a kid#and do them at home bc it was too pricey#and $15 was pricey to us. now with my dad being rich and finally wanting to spoil me#it almost feels. Wrong to take him up on his offers#I also donât think I deserve to be spoiled bc I still donât think Iâm worth anything#so Iâm not letting myself be spoiled#but him flaunting his money just. embarrasses me kinda
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future problems â coriolanus snow x fem!wife!reader
hi everyone :) jumping on the bandwagon
this man is so fine i couldnât help myself. i hope everyone had an amazing holiday if they celebrate â i celebrate christmas, so here is my almost 10k word christmas gift to all of you xoxo love u all v much thank you for reading !!
as always, warnings: corio-lame-o is a fucking warning holy fuck, smuuuuut, arranged marriage (i think this counts?), coriolanus is a distrustful evil fuck (but heâs super hot), fem!reader, reader is married to this dickhead (i say as if i wouldnât want to be lmao), angst, sexism and misogyny is def in here, p in v penetration, m receiving oral, choking, dom!corio, asshole!corio, sub!reader, subspace kinda
informal warnings: bro what the fuck was i on this is literally 10.2k words and i refuse to edit because im super lazy anyway we die like men you've been warned
anyways⌠here is future problems:
he never wanted to get married.
he saw it as a potential problem, one that would most definitely lead to loose ends â and he hated loose ends.
despised them.
however, his innate need to maintain an image was far more important to him. he weighed the costs and benefits in his head like an algorithm â check, check, check. coriolanusâ mind left no stone unturned, especially when future problems were to be squashed before they could ever be wiped from memory. in the end⌠he decided he would marry.
and it would be you.
he never allowed himself to be naive â so he would never allow himself to marry someone he already loved. lucy gray? a childâs want for something they canât have, and something they wouldnât realize until later that it was a walking regret. no â he could never marry someone that would harm him. absolutely not. out of the question. therefore, it had to be you.
it had to be you because what harm would you cause him? you were shy, quiet, of satisfactory social standing, and uncontroversial. everything a patriarch of the snow family would want. deserved. be entitled to.
he needed someone that wouldnât be a problem â a loose end in the future. he had conquered so much â he refused to let anything else, especially as irrelevant as a significant other, stand in his way.
however⌠it did not aid him in his stone-cold lack of a love affair conquest that you were absolutely breathtaking.
at first, it was just an ego boost. he simply couldnât stop his thoughts from voicing, of course sheâs perfect. the snow legacy can only have perfect.
but then⌠oh, thenâŚ
then he saw your smile.
oh, your smile.
your fucking smile.
the first time he caught himself enjoying it â he scolded himself. he refused to see you for a week. a punishment of sorts. more so for him than for you. after, he refused to let his eyes wander on the pretty features of your face for him to witness a reaction to something someone had said or done. he didnât want to be reminded of what it was like to experience joy or peace because someone else was experiencing it â that was what almost costed him everything he had built.
no one would ever tear that down. not again, not ever.
no one.
when the day of your marriage came, it was business as usual. he refused to meet eye contact, and did not partake in more conversations with you than he had to. he could tell you felt uncomfortable â but he forced himself not to care. he drove it down, down, down like a miner drilling for more coal â hoping, one day, it would be worth it.
and it was⌠until he was sick.
it was a minor ailment â nothing major, but he was on bedrest for about a week or two. he had employed enough adequate members to his staff to feel that things would at least be taken care of until then. he also found comfort in the fact that two weeks was not long enough for something irreversible to occur. if a problem had taken placed, he would be able to rectify it once he was well and able and⌠set aside the responsible party.
however, he did not expect one problem.
and that would be you.
he knew you were asking to see him. he knew, he knew, he knew, but he refused to let you in. you were not disrespectful â you had only asked once a day, which happened to be every day in the afternoon. he had picked you specifically because you were too quiet to be annoying. however, his own perfect, pristine, and proper plan had stabbed him in the back. he had never considered that the perfect, pristine, and proper wife would be this dutiful to him, checking in once a day on his condition and to speak with him. despite his illness, he laughed at himself â leave it to him to not expect the expected: the hand-selected dutiful wife would, in fact, be dutiful.
he had to put an end to it. he couldnât keep saying no for another week. how was he expected to get better if you kept bothering him?
so he let you in. this once. just this once. he reasoned that if he let you in this once, you would be less persistent. just this once â and another problem would cease to plague his mind.
just this once, he chanted in his head. just this once.
he sat up straighter, and attempted to shape his hair so it wasnât terribly unkept. he reasoned that if you saw him appearing to be healthy, you wouldnât feel the need to come back. he thought â
but he couldnât finish the thought.
because you walked in.
smelling like fucking lilacs.
lilacs, of all things. lilacs! not roses, not anything else â lilacs. he did not hate lilacs, but he despised the actual flower. only beautiful for so long before it died and the stench was intolerable. an inconvenience. a nuisance. a guaranteed future problem.
however, when you gifted him with a small smile â you realized why small shows of beauty were so valuable in this world. no one else saw your smile â except for those closest to you. people he hand selected to be around you to prevent future problems. he realized then â he had more control and ownership over your smile than either of you thought.
he was so stunned by your smile he didnât even notice the tray of tea and cakes in your hand. you took a few steps towards him and he shifted in place.
âi brought your favorites,â you spoke softly. âi know you should rest â i just wanted to ask if there was anything i could do to make your recovery easier.â
âno, thank you,â he replied, voice raspy. âi should be well in a few days.â
you nodded and offered an uneasy smile. his eyes flickered over to how once you had set down the tray on his beside, you slowly wiped the palm of your hands down the front of your dress. your eyes were cast absentmindedly in front of you, on the wall â and he could tell something was plaguing your thoughts.
he then also realized there was a book on the tray, much to his dismay.
âsomeone had mentioned that this was your favorite author. this was published a few days ago,â you began. âi understand that you have been experiencing headaches, and may find it difficult to read⌠so i wanted to offer to read aloud for you, in case you found these walls dull.â
you smiled â it was an attempt at a joke. he smiled back, but only to be polite. âtoday i find myself wanting to sleep. i appreciate your offer.â
you smoothed your hands over your dress once more before nodding and forcing a smile. âiâll leave you to it, then.â
you did not bid him farewell â and he found himself wondering if he was annoyed or grateful. you simply exited the room, and let the door shut softly behind you.
he scrunched his eyes at the door, swallowing hard.
however, he didnât understand why.
he had wanted this. the perfect wife â knowing when to take a hint and frankly, fuck off. you had done that, perfectly well â so why was he pissed?
he then found himself glaring angrily at his favorite tea cakes. the swap of sugar for honey, another one of his favorites. his favorite author, a book he was excited to read when he was better. he knew that you hadnât asked about him â he employed people with the requirement to let him know when you were asking questions. he knew your every outward thought and concern, and sometimes even the ones that werenât shared aloud because they were so evident on your face.
and then he realized: you noticed things like he noticed things.
however, he knew why he went out of his way to notice things, but why did you?
his jaw clenched as he glared angrily at the wall in front of him. he picked up a tea cake and chewed it aggressively, swallowing it half-intact. he coughed at the barely there food, anger rising further to his flushed cheeks.
he needed to understand how, and he most certainly needed to understand why.
he never went out of his way to get to know you, because he thought he already did. he thought he had you boiled down to one thing, and one thing only: passive. incapable of proving to be any sort of roadblock that was capable of getting in his way. now that he knew you shared something with him, what else was shared? was there something he had to look out for? was there something he missed? was he wrong about you?!
he had to know. he had to.
to do that⌠he called you back that evening. it was two hours before midnight, and he knew you were awake. despite having separate chambers, he knew your daily schedule. you would be reading at this moment, and he would ask you to read for him.
as if on cue, he heard a soft rapping on the wood of the door. he beckoned you in, and you entered the room. you were clad in a night dress with a matching robe over it, all pink silk. this time, he returned your smile.
"i apologize for the late hour," he spoke. "i hope you had not retired for the night."
you shook your head, your tendrils of perfect hair shaking slightly. "i was reading. i am glad you sent for me â can i get you anything?"
"i was hoping the offer to read for me was still on the table," he rasped. "i find myself unable to sleep."
you blinked once, staring at him. in an instant, a small smile was threatening to overtake your face into a large one. you cast your eyes down to a blushing manner, but his eyes narrowed slightly on your face. what would you get out of reading for him? what we he not seeing? what did he miss?
"of course," you responded. "i have not had a chance to read anything by this author. i am glad i have the chance now."
why. why. why.
he did not show his discontent. he simply rested back against the pillows as you reached for the book on his bedside table. you sat down on a chair on his side, and you crossed your legs. he eyed the small portion of the exposed, soft skin of your legs and wondered if your new ploy would be to try and seduce him. however, you quickly covered your skin with the extra material over your robe and placed the book in your lap. once opened, you read for him.
he was not listening to what you were saying, but he was listening to how you said it. the tone, the enunciation, the pauses, and the speed. he wanted to find some clue as to why you had made it a point to be at his beck and call, and he wanted to see how long the act would last until it dropped.
the act would drop. it always did.
the hour would approach midnight before he found that he could not discern anything from how you were reading aloud. his plan did not yield the results intended, as you had not broken from fulfilling his task for two hours. two hours. you had not stopped out of boredom or exhaustion, nor to talk to him. you were poised, soft, and he hated to admit it... but sweet. he found your voice sweet, and he hated it.
and he fucking hated himself for it.
he needed this to end so he could plan further. out of necessity, he yawned. if you were to apt at picking up clues, then hopefully you would believe that he was finally tired. you had succeeded in his given task, and you were free to go.
but you had kept reading for him.
he grew angry.
when you had paused to breathe, he spoke up. "I think i am able to sleep now. thank you, sweetheart, for indulging me."
your eyeline raised with your eyebrows, almost out of surprise. you either were not expecting him to ask you to stop, or you did not want to stop. he wondered which, and if that would answer his ultimate question.
"my apologies, i should've inquired sooner," you replied. "he is a very talented writer... i found myself enjoying his perspective."
you grabbed a piece or scrap paper from his bedside table, and tucked it in between the pages where you left off.
"most people would fold the corner," he remarked, eyes drifting closed â a show.
you smiled. "i didn't want to ruin the integrity of your book. goodnight, coriolanus."
she left with another smile â and all he was left with was confusion, and rage.
the next morning, he found himself wanting to call you back in for a further rouse interview. he would have if he had a plan in place.
that was the second thing about you that annoyed him: you annoyed him to the point where he wanted to act without a plan in place. a loss of control âwhich he was highly against.
that would have to be righted immediately.
he spent the morning reading the pages that you had already read to brief himself as if he was listening last night. he reasoned with himself that the best course of action would be to ask you to read to him again to see if you had grown comfortable enough to let a few of your true colors slip.
they always slip.
the sudden task that was presented to him gave him a new bout of energy that he needed to inch closer to recovery. it gave him the push he needed to be closer to walking out of this room and continue to run panem, and he was lost grateful to you for giving it to him â almost. at the moment, you were a problem â and that needed to be corrected. immediately.
he found comfort in control, so he was very content with routines. he had grown accustomed to bracing himself for your check-in in the afternoon. however, it did not come until the approaching hours of the evening had almost descended upon the capitol. he waited, and waited, and waited â so long that he considered asking you to come for himself. the hour would approach dinnertime when you had finally asked about his well-being, and he sent for you.
how dare you ask so late in the day, as if you didn't care? he allowed you access to his life that he had denied you for so long, and you return his kindness with carelessness? this would not do. this most certainly would not do.
you had knocked on his door, and he had to stop himself from sounding to eager. he permitted you entry, and you entered with the same soft smile.
"good evening," you greeted.
"hello," he replied, voice still raspy from his sickness.
"I wanted to ask if you need anything," you announced.
he offered a small smile. "i enjoyed our time last night. perhaps you would read for me, again?"
your eyes fell to the floor in a blush. "of course. I was hoping to read more of the book eventually. i found it intriguing."
you sat down in the chair and pulled the book in your lap. as you were opening it, he spoke, "i thought when you had not checked-in in the early afternoon you found the book dull â afraid i would ask for you to read it for me again."
you shook your head as you smiled. "i like his writing very much â i was concerned as to whether i had prevented you from sleeping the night prior, and didn't want to disturb you further."
he swallowed. "why would you have disturbed me?"
your eyes glanced upwards from the pages to rest on his face. coriolanus stared back as slight concern washed over your features, making your lips part and your eyes widen. your tongue darted out from between your lips, and smoothed over the skin of your bottom lip. you responded, "before you fell ill, we hadn't spent much time together and i understand that is because of your position â but, to be frank, i wanted to respect your space.â
your answer perplexed coriolanus. he wanted to find out what type of person you were â and your answers were not yielding the expected results. there was no obvious form of manipulation in your words, which then worried him. were you smarter than he believed you to be? were you as cunning as him? more so?
so he went with what was natural: manipulation.
âi apologize my station has not granted us the freedom to get to know each other further,â he replied, holding your gaze. âit is a regret of mine.â
you smiled in an affirmative manner, like you didnât believe him but accepted his answer anyway. this expression arose the same feelings he now detested your presence for: he acted without calculating his actions and the outcome they would produce.
âwhat troubles you?â he asked.
your lips parted and slightly quivered. you were not expecting him to ask.
âi-i was worried that i may not⌠please you,â you admitted. âthat⌠you may regret our union.â
âyou have been a kind and dutiful wife,â coriolanus spoke, eyes holding yours. âthere is no regret.â
there was that affirmative smile again. he found himself hating it â wishing it would be replaced by the warm, soft one.
âi guess i was hoping that, when i was married, the marriage would be more than⌠a union.â
your candor shocked coriolanus. he would never have expected you to say something⌠so out of turn.
âplease, forgive me,â you spoke, slightly laughing and waving your hand in the air. âthe hour is almost late and i was hoping to read more. do you still wish me to?â
âplease,â he answered and nodded.
you gave him a quick, thankful smile, and began reading.
this would be the second night coriolanus had not listened to a word you had said.
he had gotten his answer, and it was possibly as bad as the one he was actually afraid for.
you were good. pure, innocent, and your outlook on the world untainted. you were not striving to find a loose screw and let the empire fall. you wanted⌠to support the man who built and kept the empire together. it was worse than anything he couldâve ever imagined â you actually cared for him.
you cared for him, and now coriolanus snow was fucking terrified.
and yet... he had asked you to return to his chambers every night after that.
for research purposes, of course. only research purposes,
to read to him, but his goal was to learn more about you rather than the text.
you would sit there and read until he asked you to stop. when he did, you would close the book, smile at him, place it back on his nightstand, and bid him goodnight.
after, he would wrestle with the blankets and pillows in order to find out how to deal with this.
how had he not expected this?
his only fault was that he neglected to realize how far your shyness would go. you had grown comfortable with him â and you admitted that you wanted something more, something he always felt he could not give. you werenât shy â you just werenât open with people you werenât comfortable with.
he shouldâve known. he shouldâve. fucking. known.
he didnât know how to deal with this, if he was being honest with himself.
he told himself that he asked for you every evening to get to know you better, for his own sanity and safety; but then he began to realize he had found out everything he needed to know.
good and honest. how fucking unfortunate.
he saw a part of you, but now he needed to know more.
so what did he do? he sent you flowers. flowers. an arrangement of red roses and lilacs.
he hated himself for the lilacs.
he got somewhere with you when he had made the first move before â maybe this would yield more promising results.
however, it didnât.
all he received in return was an extra tray of food that had arrived in the afternoon. his favorite tea cakes, and a handwritten thank-you note detailed in your appreciation for the beautiful flowers. you signed your name, and that was it.
she doesnât make first moves, he thought. she responds to them.
he knew what he had to do.
he found himself feeling better that day â well enough to end his sick leave and return to his matters. dinner was approaching, and he sent for you to join him for a private dinner this evening.
he was washed, dressed, and coiffed within the hour.
he found you in the dining parlor waiting for him, inspecting his large bookcase. you were trying to reach a book a bit above where your height would allow, extending yourself onto your toes. coriolanus walked up behind you, towering over you, and retrieved the book for you.
you glanced up at him with wide eyes. âthank you, coriolanus.â
âwhat intrigued you?â he asked, grinning softly.
âfirst one i couldnât reach. i was working my way up.â you smiled at him, and then the book. âplease â you must be hungry. let us eat.â
you sat down at the table across from him. dinner manners were rather stiff and uncomfortable, but your upbringing that was similar to coriolanusâ prevented you from straying from them. you ate in silence for a few moments before you spoke.
âhow do you like his new book?â you asked.
coriolanus cleared his throat. âi find it riveting. i wouldnât have been able to read it for some time if it hadnât been for you.â
you smiled at your plate, blushing. âhis points are very interesting. i was never very interested in politics â so the insight of someone so heavily involved with them is very informative. do you find that your opinions align with his? or does he not share your perspective?â
he appreciated your willingness to engage with him about topics you werenât very fond of. an underrated trait, not found very often â he had to admit.
âa bit of both,â he responded. âthe one thing he does not discuss is how important it is to have a certain type of person or persons in your regime that allows the flow of success to continue.â
you nodded. âyou have built a strong administration â iâm sure he would admire what you have to say.â
âwhat do you believe?â he asked. âabout partnerships?â
you swallowed, contemplating your answer. âi think⌠a successful partnership is where everyone is complimented by another. for instance, someone is better at briefing documents rather than the presentation of them, and another is the opposite.â
âwhich one are you?â coriolanus inquired.
you paused once more, folding your lip under. he realized that was a sign you were uncomfortable â unaware of how to proceed. after a moment, you answered, âi feel the most confident under a strong leader. i prefer to be behind the scenes. minute details are easier to be taken care of that way. while you and i are different, i respect you for being the strong leader panem needed. i am sure the majority would agree with me.â
now was the time.
âit is easy to be strong when oneâs wife makes sure they are well,â he replied, eyes resting on your face. âi hope you know i appreciate your willingness to accept change and make sure needs are met.â
you smiled at him once more, then turned back to your food.
damn, he thought. didnt bite.
âand for being the companion i⌠didnât think i would come to enjoy the company of,â he added.
you glanced up at him then, astonishment written in your eyes as plain as the words on the paper you read for him every night. âmay i ask you⌠a question?â
he nodded.
âdid you believe you wouldnât enjoy my company before, or after you had first met me?â
âi donât understand.â
you swallowed, clearing your throat. âwere you⌠wary of the idea of marriage, or wary of me?â
your gaze did not break from his. you were braver than he thought.
âmarriage,â he answered honestly, hoping to witness your reaction.
there was the affirmative smile â the one he hated. âthank you for â for being honest.â
your eyes didnât wait for a response. you turned back to your food, and left him dumbstruck.
âi hope i have not displeased you,â he stated.
âno, coriolanus,â you spoke. âif i am being honest⌠i was wary i would not be suitable for you. if i have not displeased you, then i am well.â
âbut you stated you wanted more,â he countered, tone even.
âi hoped we would⌠spend time together,â you answered. âand we have.â
it was coriolanusâ turn to be at a loss for words. what would this admission relay? it only solidified what he was afraid of â you wanted a marriage filled of love, and he was not prepared for that. ever.
âthe flowers were beautiful,â you spoke, interrupting his thoughts. âthank you for sending them.â
âyour lilac perfume is a wonderful addition to the capitol,â he spoke, unsure where this had come from. âi wanted you to know that.â
you weren't supposed to say that you weren't supposed to tell the truth you weren't supposed
you smiled at him appreciatively, that accompanied a slight twinkle in your eye. you were quick to return to eating, but coriolanus couldnât stop staring at your face. he realized then that was his new favorite smile.
there was a moment, a small moment, where he wondered whether it would be such a crime if he did allow himself to enjoy your company more than he had. in that moment, he couldnât think of how it would go wrong. for that moment, you were a simple, low-maintenance, beautiful woman on the other side of the table with him that just liked spending time with him â and he enjoyed that you werenât a problem. would it so bad if he entertained the idea?
he immediately cut himself off. of course it was a bad idea.
once dinner has finished, he had requested to walk you back your chambers. if time spent together was what kept you at bay, he could manage that. he most certainly could.
when the pair of you had approached the door, you stopped for a moment and paused reaching for the handle. you spoke, âwould you⌠like to come in?â
ânot tonight,â he rasped. he gave you a polite smile. âanother time.â
he watched as you blinked your eyes a few times and your lips quivered. you didnât meet his gaze, for it fell â in what appeared to be embarrassment.
oh.
you invited him in to⌠toâŚ
that he had not expected.
before you had the chance to leave, he swooped down and grabbed your chin in his thumb and forefinger. he pressed his lips to yours ever so softly, holding it there. the moment your breath caught in your throat, there was a strange feeling inside his chest that made him feel like heâd like to quell your worries by catching you off guard another time. and another. and another. and another. he couldnât have you feeling rejected, no â not when he didnât want to reject you. he needed heirs, sure â but they could wait. he would contemplate how long later.
once he pulled back, you smiled. inside you were bursting, and you wanted to hurry behind a closed door so he could not see your reaction. he continued to hold your chin and gaze at your face. feeling brave, you looked him in the eye as you bid him goodnight and went into your room.
you left him standing outside your door, facing its wood paneling.
what was he to do?
he wanted to keep you as emotionally far away as possible to avoid anything like this occurring. he was prepared for people who had an ulterior motive⌠not a young woman who only wanted to be good to her husband.
the worst part was⌠not every part of him wanted him to keep you away.
would it be so bad, if he had actually courted you?
you were not anyone from his past, no. you were not irresponsible and impulsive, and you could be trusted to remain within a designated role and space. you were rarely outspoken â you never strayed from your cue cards, nor did you get smart in private. you never spoke out of turn, which coriolanus always knew â this was just the first time he was more turned on than he was just grateful.
he reasoned a reward was in order.
he found his knuckles wrapping on the door before he could stop himself.
the small movements inside your apartments stalled for a moment, pulled taut like a string in an instrument. he could picture you â standing still and silent, waiting for an explanation.
then he heard footsteps approaching the door before the door handle turned. when you opened the door, the first thing he saw was your eyes.
those big, beautiful eyes that looked at him with surprise â and the slightest bit of hope. coriolanus would most likely try to convince himself that he stayed completely still to exercise a form of control over you â but deep down, he would never be able to believe that completely.
however⌠when you reached out with your soft, delicate hand, and pulled at his own â it didnât matter why he did it, because he won.
he shut the door behind him, keeping your gaze.
âi would be coy and ask if we could spend time together in a... different way than usualâŚâ you began, sighing. âbut up until this moment i was convinced we would neverâŚâ
coriolanus was in no mood to quell insecurities and anxieties. he understood that words could not compare to actions, and so he would do just that.
coriolanus stepped forward, and pressed his large hands against the sides of your face. for a split moment â you almost looked terrified. he usually relished in that look from others, but with you it only made him concerned â angry, even.
âi donât know what it is about you.â his voice was shaky. it was the first moment in your entire marriage that coriolanus had shown even a shred of weakness. âyou smile, you obey, you take my transgressions like theyâre fucking sweets. why?! tell me!â
your big, round eyes were blown wide as your brow was knitted together. your lips were parted in an innocent manner, and it only fueled his anger. one of your hands came up to gently lay across the back of his. âcoriolanus â have you ever considered that i just wanted to get to know you?â
his eyes searched yours like they were an important document and he couldnât believe what bullshit he was reading. his lips pursed in a manner that suggested a sour taste, and you felt your joy slipping, slipping, and slipping.
âcoriolanus â if you want to go, then go.â your voice was breaking. you knew he was a cool, hard man â but this? this? it was almost too much. âyou donât have to stay if you donât ââ
he couldnât take your nonsense anymore. he shut you up with a kiss.
he smashed your lips together like it was the first thing he shouldâve done when he walked back into the room. a squeal died in your throat at the contact, but coriolanus held you there and upright. both of your hands found the firmness of his chest for balance. when he pulled away â he barely did. he kept his lips an inch away from yours as little tuffs of air pushed past. he leaned his forehead against yours, almost bonding the two of you.
âmy greatest displeasure will be making you regret this,â he rasped, eyes screwed shut.
your breathing began to hasten as you contemplated your next words. you began to stroke coriolanusâ hands with your thumbs, hoping to coax him. âyou say that like itâs inevitable.â
âit is not far from,â he choked through anger and sadness.
you couldnât help but stare back at him as he almost glared at you â but then you realized that wasnât the case. he wasnât glaring at you â he was glaring through you. whatever traumatized him, whatever made him so distrustful of the world around him and the people in it⌠you realized then that you represented all of that to him. you had to be different. you had to show him that you were different than all of that.
âiâve trusted you,â you whispered, almost pleading. âi would like for you to try and trust me. please, coriolanus⌠iâve never asked you for anything â just this once ââ
coriolanus shook his head, dismissing you. âitâs corio.â
he slammed his lips to yours. his kiss was that of a fight; burning with every cut of anger, frustration, desperation, and sadness in his soul. you werenât sure if he accounted for your inexperience, but you let him lead as you swallowed all of his suffering. you knew you may never be everything you wanted to be for him â but for this moment, or for whatever he would allow â you could be his escape, and he could be yours.
just this once, you both thought. just this once.
his hands were on both sides of your face, caging you in as you were at the mercy of his bittersweet affection. you tried to keep up with him, almost afraid that you wouldnât be enough for him â but corio didnât care. he couldnât have cared less as he backed you into the foot of the bed. he didnât stop kissing you as the back of your legs hit your soft mattress, and you were forced to sit down.
with his tongue tangling with yours, you managed to lift your hands to the top buttons of his shirt. he batted your hands away and went to work on his own buttons. you reached behind for your zipper to your dress and attempted to undue it.
corio then pushed your hands away with that too â ripping the zipper down its track and pushing the sleeves down your shoulders.
âcorio ââ you gasped through the kiss, struggling to keep up with him.
he pulled away for a short moment, staring into your eyes. âi have denied myself being with you for so long â nothing is stopping me now.â
he held the glare, and you could only stare back at him in fright. however, that was when you realized that he had felt the same way, or at least similar â you both wanted each other, and had been scared to approach the other. your heart filled with warmth, threatening to explode, but all you could do was nod.
he seemed to calm down then, glancing down towards your lips where he prodded your bottom lip with the tip of his numb. âi have wondered for so long what it would be like to kiss my perfect wife â and now that i know, i donât think iâll ever give it up.â
you smiled at that. âcan i tell you what i have been wondering?â
his eyes met yours once more, almost a warning. you didnât falter, though. he replied, âyes?â
âiâve wondered what it would be like to please you,â you spoke softly, a pink hue rising to your cheeks.
his flat look broke then, softening. a smirk greeted his features and you could see his confidence in himself rise. âmy lovely wife wants to please me?â
âyes,â you spoke, holding your breath. âif youâll let me.â
bright and striking, flames of mischief came to light in his irises. emotions of excitement and fear rose within you, and you werenât sure which was stronger. all you could do was watch as your strong, powerful, larger than life husband stood over you, chin raised, looking down his nose at you, as he unbuckled his belt. his pants and briefs, once around his ankles, were discarded â but you didnât see that. you couldnât look away from his eyes â holding you, and your gaze, in place.
it was like you were an enemy he was testing. you didnât know what he expected, let alone what would make him happy â but you hoped his expectations were slightly lower in light of your inexperience. you swallowed the hard rock of nervousness in your throat, stood up, and gestured for him to sit down on the edge of the bed. he raised an eyebrow at you, but complied. you sat down on your knees in between his, and waited patiently for direction.
âcan youâŚâ you began. âcan you teach me?â
he smirked once more. âtake me in your hand.â
you bent your head lower, and grabbed him by the base. he was hard and warm in your hand as you saw him trying to fight the twitching feeling in his limbs. his muscles were tight, afraid to show weakness. you grew uncomfortable â you didnât want him weak, but you did want him to feel comfortable enough with you to enjoy a fucking blowjob.
holding his muscle upright, you stuck your tongue out and licked around the tip of his cock. he was salty, but smelled so masculine after a long day. his scent infiltrated all of your senses and had captured your attention. it made you hungry, greedy â so much so that you closed your lips around his cock and began to suck.
he jumped then. âteeth,â he spat.
you paled in embarrassment and fright â but didnât allow your fear to show for long. you adjusted your tongue and lips â so that your top lip was folded under your top set, and your outstretched tongue covered your bottom set. hollowing out your cheeks, you took him into your mouth once more.
a low hum filled his chest.
you couldnât see him, and could barely hear him â corio was being a selfish lover and not letting you know whether or not he was enjoying himself. he told you once before you were doing something wrong, so you tried to trust that he would tell you.
that was easier said than done, frankly. with your free hand, you reached up and began to massage his sack in the soft skin of your palm. the hum in his chest turned deeper and louder, and you felt his hips twitch once.
maybe it shouldn't have mattered that he wasn't vocal â but it wasn't like he was shy. you would not fault him for not doing something he didn't want to do, but it was like he was denying you that. if you were making him feel good, and he was fighting the volume of his moans â how fucking dare he deny you of that! there you were, constantly at his beck and call, and he couldn't even freely moan with you? you were obedient, quiet, grateful, everything he wanted â but this? this? too much. absolutely too much of an ask.
you had to do something.
"mr. president," you cooed, twisting your soft tongue around the tip of his cock. "you're awfully quiet above me."
he let out a laugh as he struggled to keep his composure. one of hands found the back of your head as his fingers struggled to tangle themselves in between your strands. they were tugging and pulling, but there was no strength in his grip. his grip â wouldn't catch. couldn't catch. corio, you husband â struggled day in and day out to keep the control in the capital and inside his castle. there was a part of you that believed he just needed to let go, let someone else be in control â but you were his pretty little wife after all. you had until death to try everything. losing control could wait, because tonight... tonight was about making corio the grateful one for once.
you let your loose grip run circles up and down the length of his cock. his shaft was wet and thick, begging the attention of the light from above so the skin was able to glisten. the tip of his cock, red and angry, almost neglected â never had you seen something so delicious, nor deserving of affection. your lips, swollen, wrapped themselves around the tip of his cock as you sucked. notes of salt and sweat mixed together on your tongue, and you hummed at the taste.
"taste sweet, mrs. snow?" you heard from above you. your eyes glanced up to find corio's eyes glazed over with pleasure. his eyelids were drooping over, and all you could think about how badly you wanted to make him close his eyes in bliss. your eyes watched his eyes, but his eyes watched the way your mouth sucked him in. "being so good for me. let your husband see what else you can do."
your ears perked in interest. you didn't know what he meant, but you were intrigued to see if he would teach you.
"please... show me what you like," you spoke, extending your neck as he lowered his face to yours.
"so eager to please..." he spoke, staring down at you in awe. his hand slid down for your scalp to cup your cheek. he looked into your eyes like he was studying you â searching for something surface level. a flaw, or something good... you weren't sure. "i suppose some would say i'm lucky."
you didn't like the sound of that... but you didn't let it show. you gave him a hint of a smile. "i don't think it matters what anyone else thinks. i think what matters is you telling me what you like... so you can decide if you're lucky or not."
he chuckled at that, but his laugh was reserved. always holding back, your husband. "you really want to be a good little wife for me... don't you?"
you fell into the strength behind the hand on your face and keened into his touch. his hand was warm against your skin. "please, corio... please let me."
he stood then, and your gaze raised with his body. you gazed up at him as he stared down at you. there his eyes went again â searching yours. he stood closer to you then, bending down slightly. "it would please me if, at any point, you told me to stop because of the pain. i don't want to hurt you." his voice was low and soft then, immediately striking you. "can i trust you to do that? hmm?"
"i'll tell you," you replied, nodding your head. "i promise."
"never break a promise you make to me," he warned.
you nodded your head once more, unsure how to proceed. he led you over to the side of the bed where he gestured for your to lie down. with the passing of time, you became more and more aware of how bare you both were in front of each other. you were ready to let down every fence of insecurity for the man before you... but there were still walls of his that threatened to come down. he was hot and cold every other moment, it seemed... and you werenât even sure where to begin.
âhusband,â you spoke, unsteadily, as he found his place between his legs. âyou seem so⌠distrustful of me. what can i do? please, corio, i just want this moment to be special for us â for you.â
there his eyes went â searching yours again. it was like he was rereading a page in a book over and over, hoping to find the hidden message in the black and white scripture. his eyes, going back and forth, appeared to be looking over unclear smudges and scribbles as his lips began to purse. you almost said something â stopped him from withdrawing into himself, but he moved before you could.
he sat back against the pillows, which faced a mirror across your bed. you rose curiously, hoping that he would finally give you some direction. he simply took your hand in his, and gestured for you to come closer. âcome,â he spoke.
in his lap, maybe? you thought curiously. you went to throw your leg over his, before he stopped you. with a furrowed brow, you watched as he adjusted you so your back laid against his chest.
âdo as i say,â he whispered against your ear, sending shivers up and down your spine.
your eyes were cast to the side, his outline in your peripheral vision. you nodded, letting your lips fall apart. you felt one of his hands on the soft skin of your thigh, grazing upwards towards your hips. you almost let your eyes fall closed, hoping to lose yourself in the sensations, before corio stopped you.
with that same hand, he reached upwards and grasped your chin between his fingers. your eyes shot open as he moved your head to now face the mirror, and the pair of you in it.
shallow breaths were pushing past your lips as you stared into the mirror. your cheeks were flushed, your hair in a slight disarray, and your lips were swollen. with a flutter of your eyelashes, your gaze flickered towards corioâs reflection. your husband was always perfect â so even the slight persuasion from tidiness was a remarkable sight to you. his eyes were focused â unable to remain cool, calm, and collected as usual.
his eyes, you thought. his eyes will always tell me.
âyou will watch,â corio spoke suddenly, voice hard. âyou will keep your eyes on my hands. you stray, and i leave. understand?â
you nodded, looking into his eyes through the mirror.
he cocked an eyebrow.
âyes,â you spoke, almost breathless. âi understand.â
corioâs hand then found its way to your center. the tips of his finger tips, soft and hot, lightly drew a line up and down your slit. your eyes wouldnât leave the mirror â focused on his fingertips. it was like your skin knew every correct button to tap, tap, tap. every part of you was so sensitive, so keen to his touch that you were embarrassed. you felt so pathetic against his chest, bent to his will â but you wouldnât have had it any other way. the voice in your head was whining and hoping you would give in, just give in, let down your guard, give in, forget manners. you wanted to keep your composure as long as possible, but when corioâs middle finger found your clitâŚ
oh⌠you were done for.
one of your hands immediately snapped up to find corioâs bicep and clutch onto whatever foundation he could give. you didnât dare let your eyes meet his, even in the mirror â what if he stopped? what, huh? what then? when you were the closest you had been ever? you couldnât allow yourself to be greedy, not when he was being oh, so selfless.
the circles he was drawing taunted your ability remain calm. he rolled your tiny clit underneath the weight of the tip of his finger and pressed down with every circle. it pushed, and pulled, and fucking pried at every fiber of your being. you could only force yourself up and back against corio, whining like a pathetic mess.
ârunning away from me, my sweet?â he whispered in your ear. âwhen iâm being so kind?â
his words bit at your ear, reminding you of your position in his world. your eyes were threatening to drift closed, hoping, praying, that corio would let you slip this once from your responsibilities. naive, you were, to believe that.
âremember our deal, wife,â he darkly cooed in your ear. âone request was all i had. i refuse to be denied it.â
âi know, i knowâŚâ you whined, rolling your hips with his hand. âit just feels so good, corio⌠iâve never⌠no oneâs everâŚâ
âi can tell you never knew how bad your body would crave it,â he spoke, nipping at your earlobe. âeven your pussy obeys me, drenching my fingers. too sweet for this world, arenât you?â
âjust wanna be sweet for you, corio,â you whined as your vision began to blur.
the approaching orgasm was anything but a warm and fuzzy feeling around you. it was hot and jagged â making your muscles jerk, yet force your hips to roll into every movement of corioâs. the cloud over your brain felt like a warm haze of the finest whisky or tobacco the capital could offer. you were numb, drunk, and unable to process the world around you unless it was corio. his touch, his taste, his scent, his look, his orders⌠everything was setting you off and keeping you in place all at once. your body was hot to the touch, feverish as it tried to fight your sophistication and just fucking â
âthatâs it, sweetheart. so focused on the mirror you canât even find the strength to let go for me,â he spat, pressing a kiss to your cheek and breathing in your scent. âride my hand like the good girl you are. you wanted to show me, remember?â
tears were brimming your eyes and blurring your vision. your teeth were gritted and bared for him. one of his hands came up to loosely grasp your throat as your hips began to spasm. it was so much, too much, so much â
âcorio, please ââ you cried. âplease let me look away. i canât â i have to cry, i canât ââ
there was no softness in his movements against your aching clit. corio had now employed two fingers to dip into your core, collect your slick, and rub it along your sensitive bud in harsh circles. it sent your mind through a suffocating tube and gasping for air. you were begging, pleading â unsure what would happen if you were denied the ability to finish in peace. you began to cry in frustration and fear, so sensitive to the touch and his approval.
âcorioâŚâ you whimpered. âplease, please let meâŚâ
âdo it,â he spat, holding your throat and kissing your face. âshow your husband how fucking messy you can be for him.â
you grasped onto him and threw yourself back.
it was like a rollercoaster. twists and turns, yanking your body every which way. corioâs body rocked with yours as the sensations climbed and fit into every single one of your limbs. your lungs, burning, were screaming for air as you tried to fight for consciousness. the world was white, milky, foggy â unable to navigate, let alone exist in. all you could feel was corioâs body moving with yours and coaxing you through the most insane moment of your entire life.
tears fell down your face, and you struggled to conceal it. corio refused to let you hide from him. he bent his face low to yours and pressed the side of his face against the side of yours.
his breaths were heavy, similar to yours.
âcorioâŚâ you whimpered, almost whining.
âi know, sweetheart,â he cooed. âso good for me, werenât you? asking so obediently and politely.â
you nodded, pressing your forehead against his. âiâm sorry that i was ââ
âwhatâre you sorry for?â he demanded.
you clenched your jaw. âi was â i am â iâm worried i was too much â i was so â out of control ââ
he shut you up with a kiss. coriolanus snow refused to allow you to continue, or else he knew he would be offended if he had let you finished.
âi wanted that,â he stated. âevery bit of that. what, you donât find it agonizing to be prim and fucking proper every day?â
you laughed uneasily, a bit spooked by his outburst of aggression. âi thought you â i thought that was what you wanted from me.â
he shook his head. âout there â itâs necessary. in here, when itâs only the two of us? donât ever hide yourself from me. you must promise.â
you swallowed as your haze began to disappear. âonly if you promise the same."
you saw his jaw pulse from the corner of your eye. âi promise.â
âi promise,â you returned.
you quickly reconnected your lips. you couldn't let the moment slip away. you needed to seize him while he was there â trusting you for the first time in your entire relationship. you found both of your hands on the side of his face and held him to you. corio fought for control, but you gave in immediately. the need for him to need you was stronger and more satisfying that anything else you could've experienced in that moment. you turned around, straddling his lap and pushing him down to the bed.
everything you were doing was improper: grabbing your husband, forcibly kissing him, sitting in his lap, pushing him down... you almost stopped. you almost gave into the insecurity and made friends with with meekness and shyness once more. however, you made a promise â and you intended to keep it.
"i want you inside me, corio," you whispered against his lips. "please, i want to feel you â"
"again, sweetheart?" he ripped himself from your lips to grunt out his teasing. "one taste, and you're addicted?"
you hummed approval against his lips, tangling your tongue with his. with one hand on the back of your head, holding your face to his, corio's other hand fished between the pair of you and grasped his leaking cock in his hand. the tip was red and swollen, aching for some stimulation or attention. he spread his precum over his tip and with a firm hand, corio slid his cock inside of you.
you arched your back away from corio. the feeling of him being fully sheathed inside of you bent your attention in every which was. both of your hands cradled the back of his head into your chest, where he found himself nestled between your breasts. his breaths were hot and heavy, moist against your skin. his swollen lips found one of your perky nipples and sucked it into his mouth, caving to his primal urges. coriolanus snow wanted every part of you for himself, and needed to place that claim on every part of your body. he wanted your thighs to shake and ache from being locked around him, your fingers to tremble from your hard grip, and he wanted your lips to be bruised from how hard he made you bite them. and, most of all, he wanted every loud moan to rip itself from your aching throat and fill the perfectly painted walls of this damned room.
he cursed you when you threw a hand over your mouth, and he immediately ripped it away. "don't you fucking dare," he spat.
you ignored him. he was your husband, and he was the scariest man you would ever meet, and yet you ignored him. most of all, your hips ignored him. they began to roll against his own the best they could for their inexperience. up, down, and grinding down was the best they could manage before corio grabbed you by the flesh of your hips and moved you to his liking. and when your mouth parted and a loud cry made your throat shake when he twisted your hips forward, he knew he found the spot.
"do not ever deny me what i am owed," he spat, fucking into that spot that wrapped a tight band around your abdomen. "i want to hear how good i am making you feel, and i will. i get to hear. those are mine. i am owed those."
again, you ignored him. what did he expect when your eyes began to roll back into your head and you began to match his pace? you were close, you were so, so close...
that was when corio grabbed you by the chin, refusing to let up his pace. his eyes were full of darkness, yet focus. like he had found his prey. you tried to focus, tried to give him the respect the deserved... but you couldn't. your mind was swimming, and your arching cunt was dripping down his length and onto the skin of his pelvis. you were lost. so fucking lost.
"yours, corio!" you whined. "all yours. only yours."
his voice was gruff against your lips as his thrust became rougher. "say it again."
your eyes began to drift closed as you leaned your head into the crook of his neck, rolling your hips against his. his cock had found its way to the most sensitive and purest part of you and ripped down every wall you had. you sobbed, "yours, corio. only yours."
corio threw you off of him and your back hit the bed. he was on top of you in an instant. he threw your legs up and pressed them against your chest. with your ankles on his shoulders, he pushed himself inside of you and began to relentlessly punish your perfect fucking pussy.
"mine, you got that?" he spat against your ear. "i have watched you, day after day, put on this fucking act! perfect and proper â but i made a proper whore out of the most desirable woman in the capital, didn't i? and now she's mine â forever warming my bed."
"forever, corio," you whined. your sobs were music to his ears, going straight to his cock. your cunt was raw from the friction and slick, unsure if corio should stop or keep going â but you didn't let him guess. "inside me, corio, please... want it to bad. been so good for you..."
his hand was around your throat and demanding your attention. "as if i'd waste a drop when every man in the capital would be able to see you round with my child. you want that wife? my seed, my child? you want to be fully claimed by me?"
"yes," you cried, tears falling down your cheeks. "give it to me, husband, please â"
corio reached down in between your hips and rubbed your clit with whatever energy he had left. his thrust were growing sloppy, but his movements against your swollen bud were worse. he was hissing in your ear as he continued the assault against you. your moans were loud as they escaped your lips and filled the room, setting corio's skin on fire. sweat dripped down from his brow and down his neck to mingle with yours as your second orgasm of the evening began to approach. it snapped the rubber band in your lower belly and you immediately sobbed into corio's neck. his hips continued to rut in you, forcing you down onto the bed as he swallowed all of your sobs for himself. your nails dug into his back and down his spine, hoping to rip parts from him that he had taken from you.
when corio came, you were in a stupor. cock drunk with your mouth hanging open, dazed. when corio came, one of his hands grabbed your messy pile of hair, wrenching at the roots. he pulled you to the side to suck on the sensitive skin of your neck as he pumped your cunt full of his cum. your walls were hot and sticky, full of him, but it only caused the most sickeningly warm feeling to spread throughout you. every primal need of yours was satisfied, and corio could see every bit of it on your face. the pride that welled within your husband... shameful. no man should be in possession of such an ego boost like making the prettiest, more desired woman in all of panem break from all bounds of social etiquette. you were warm, and wet, and craving every bit of his touch, so he couldn't deny you... not anymore. not when he felt the same. with each sob that left your mouth, he felt a kick in the pit of his stomach as his balls throbbed. never in his life had a woman ripped from him what he had taken from her, cheeks hot and muscles worn out.
he would regret it in the morning, maybe, but not now. no â not now.
"husband, forgive me, but..." you spoke. "my mind is a mess. i don't think i can read to you this evening."
corio rolled his eyes and laughed. "that good?"
you pressed a kiss to his lips as you hummed in approval. "never wait that long to bed your wife again."
he chuckled darkly. "watch it, sweetheart."
---
love u guys sm sorry it was so long ty for reading love u love u love u
-L xooxoxooxox
#corio smut#coriolanus smut#coriolanus snow smut#corio snow smut#corio fic#coriolanus snow x reader#coriolanus x you#corio snow#coriolanus x reader#coriolanus snow#coriolanus fic#coriolanus imagine#corio imagine#the hunger games#lucy gray#sejanus plinth#young coriolanus snow
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â¨â¨â¨YA YAAA! MORE SUPA STRIKAS FANDOM QUESTIONS!!!đâ¨â¨â¨
thank you @mimpinightmare for these questions!!! <3 everyoneâs been doing them so honestly Iâve been feelin kind of left outđ
ANYWAY:
How did you enter this small, niche football fandom of ours??
my sister introduced me to it about a year ago! At first I was annoyed, but after enough episode replays, sadly, I was obsessed
Youngest memory you have of the show?? like I said, Iâm pretty new to it and didnât watch it growing up (I was a wild kratts kid). I do remember asking my sister what she was watching that summer evening, and I looked over her shoulder, and it was the first epđ
Which character from Supa Strikas would you DIE FOR, and Why?
I LOVE COOL JOE!!! (and the matador guy ig) JOE IS SO TOO SILLY FOR THE REST OF THEM I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM!! ><
honorable mentions: ms Altivo, eagle eye, inyo, and brenda
Out of all the coaches, which one do you wish to KNOCK some sense into them?
unpopular opinion, but literally Coach. HE LITERALLY CARES ABOUT SOCCER HMORE THAN HIS TEAM HALF THE TIME LIKE ITS ACTUALLY INSANE!! :((
Favorite episode of the show?? (you can list more than 1, if you want)
TOO MANY!!: living the el life, greetings in sunny ferituvia, fastest gloves in the west, spinner takes all, total replay, cool aid, fly hard, on klaus inspection, strika chord (basically s6)
Out of all the background characters from Supa Strikas, which one you wish to come back as a recurring character?
kat or the guy who pretended to be shakes dad in strika chord. Theyâre both so intresting and should have appeared more. (also eagle eye. even though he technically is recurring, he doesnât get enough screen timeđ heâs so cool)
THANKS AGAIN!!đ
#supa strikas#supastrikas#supablr#SKSKSKJKDYGS Kinda Surprised I'm not the only one didn't grew up with Supa Strikas and started to watch it since my teenagerhood- đ#Dying for Cool Joe (and Ms Altivo Eagle Eye Inyo and Brenda)? REALNESS.#LMAO- DIDN'T EXPECTED FOR THEM TO HAVE BEEF WITH COACH- BUT HERE WE ARE đ#(I kind of believe why Coach is SO STRICT with Supa Strikas training is not only because of maintaining 1st Place in the Super League...)#(... But also because he has nothing left to lost. Sometimes I wonder what does Coach do when they are on holiday or break...)#(... And every time Coach tries to rest or something his mind will always goes back to the game. THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHTS THOUGH-)#Season 6 is definitely one of the BEST SEASONS for SS! IDK is because of the wild storytelling or the LIFE THREATHING ADVENTURES in them-#Probably Both- đ#HECK YEAH! WE DESERVE TO SEE KAT COMING BACK AND MORE CHARACTERIZATION FOR EAGLE EYE!! SUCH UNDERUTILIZED CHARACTERS IN THE SHOW! đ¤§#(Also would LOVE the Disguised!Jomo guy came back to the show! I imagine him and Shakes would create a Father & Son Bond between the two!)#(To like contrast what Shakes was missing out when his dad disappeared. đđ)#(I FINALLY REMEBERED TO REBLOG THIS! DEAR GOD I HAVE TO STOP FORGETTING STUFF đ)
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Enchant me - P.S
P: Ravenclaw!Sunghoon X Fem!Reader
Warnings: Hurt/Comfort, Suggestive Content, Angst, Sunghoon is kinda mean (not to you), Academic Rivalry, Tension, Fluff, Teasing, Jealousy, Misunderstandings, Happy Ending, Newt Scamander Mention!!
Synopsis: Youâve always found yourself in competition with Park Sunghoon, a brilliant Ravenclaw who seemed to have it allâintelligence, charm, and ambition. Whether it was academic duels or playful banter, he was always your rival. Yet, the only thing he truly wanted was you.
Wordcount: + 30k ( i know.. im sorry)
a/n: yall strap in for this one.. (heeseung is the last one that will be posted soon :) if yall wanna see more of the hogwarts au let me know!
masterlist
--
You couldnât exactly pinpoint when you started being an overachiever in your studies. It was a gradual thing, a slow shift that snuck up on you and became part of who you were. When you received your letter to Hogwarts, you were ecstaticâabsolutely thrilled by the thought of magic, the possibility of flying, the enchantment of potions, and the spells. But then you saw the material and you knew right away that in order to succeed, you had to study.
But it didnât stop there. As you poured yourself into your work, absorbed every bit of information, you started to realize something elseâsomething that fueled you even more. Praise. Recognition. House points. The feeling of achievement after every successful spell or potion, the way other students came to you for help. It was intoxicating. The more you learned, the more respect you gained, and you could feel your status growing. It was simple math, really: hard work plus success equals recognition. And you thrived on it.
Soon enough, you became known as one of the top students at Hogwarts, the one everyone turned to when they needed help or advice. And you liked it. You liked the feeling of being ahead, of being the best at something. You liked the way professors praised you, the way your name carried weight when spoken in hallways. Youâd earned this position. You deserved it.
But, of course, you werenât the only one who excelled. There were others, too, students who worked just as hard as you did. And you were fine with it. You respected them; they respected you. It wasnât about competitionâit was about mutual recognition.
Then there was Park Sunghoon.
He was a quiet Ravenclaw, one who kept to himself for the most part, except when he was in class. Thatâs when everything changed. He had a way of standing out without even tryingâhis answers sharp, his insight keen, his mind quick. Every time you thought you had the answer, Sunghoon was already there, raising his hand or blurting it out in that effortless, nonchalant way. And every single time, your chest tightened, your stomach dropped. He was always just a step ahead of you, and you hated it.
But what really made your blood boil wasnât just that he outperformed youâit was the way he did it. The way he would always, always look at you with that damn smirk. That teasing, almost mocking expression, as if he knew exactly what it did to you. As if he relished in it. Every time he answered a question before you, every time he earned praise or house points, he would glance over at you, eyes glinting, that smug smile never leaving his face. It wasnât just a simple exchange of competition. It was personal. It was deliberate. And it drove you mad.
It didnât help that Park Sunghoon was everything you hated and everything you secretly admired. He was smartâimpossibly smart. His resourcefulness in class was unmatched, and every time he spoke, it felt like he had all the answers. And on top of all that, he was tall, handsome, with perfectly styled hair that never seemed to fall out of place, his Ravenclaw robes always crisp and neat. Youâd be lying if you said you didnât catch yourself staring at him sometimes, trying to pretend you werenât affected by how effortlessly he seemed to glide through life. He was always polished, always put together, and you hated how good he looked doing it.
It only made things worse when you started realizing that you were developing feelings for him. A crush, despite everything. Despite the way he ignored others, brushing them off like they were nothing, like they were dust clinging to his perfect robes. You couldnât help it. He was attractive, there was no denying that. But it wasnât just thatâit was the way he held himself. The prefect badge on his chest always gleaming, always sparkling. The way he moved through the castle with an air of authority, a quiet power that seemed to command the attention of everyone in the room.
If Sunghoon deemed you as beneath him, he wouldnât hesitate to let you know itânot directly, of course. No, that would be too obvious. Instead, he would treat you like one of the ghosts haunting Hogwarts, barely sparing you a glance, letting his indifference cut deeper than words ever could. Youâd watch him glide past students who tried to catch his attention, their hopeful faces falling as he brushed them off without a second thought. His expression would remain blank, that neutral, almost cruel face he reserved for people he deemed unworthy of his time.
And the moments when he was forced to acknowledge someone? Thatâs when his sharp, silver tongue came out. Youâd witnessed him being cold and dismissive, shutting down anyone who dared to push their luck. He had a way of saying just the right thing to make people feel small, a razor-edged wit that cut through even the bravest students, leaving them stammering, unsure of what theyâd done wrong. It was subtle, and he was never outright rudeâjust dismissive enough to make it sting.
And yet, you couldnât shake the crush. You hated it. You hated him. But the more he teased, the more you couldnât stop yourself from wanting him.
And you wouldnât dare to say you liked Sunghoonânot in the way one might admit to having a crush, at least. No, liking him wasnât even an option. If anything, you tolerated him on your best days, pushed yourself to ignore the smug expressions and the subtle, condescending way he would respond to you in class. And on the worst days? You found yourself actively ignoring him. Because nothing seemed to satisfy Sunghoon more than bringing others down to elevate himself.
When someone dared to voice an answer he deemed beneath his own standards, youâd see it: the slight narrowing of his eyes, the subtle twist of his lips. Heâd wait, just a beat, before stepping in to âcorrectâ them, his tone laced with just enough contempt to make it clear who the ârealâ intellect in the room was. And somehow, he managed to do it all without outright insulting anyone. His comments were surgical, precise, his criticism delivered with a calm, cold detachment that only made it sting more. It made you question him, wonder why he seemed so determined to keep everyone beneath him.
But what frustrated you most was his selective charm. Youâd watch him laugh and chat easily with other high-ranking students, his demeanor suddenly pleasant, even civil. Heâd converse with them like they were equals, never the hint of a condescending smirk, no belittling glances. And in front of professors? Sunghoon transformed entirely. He was the picture of the ideal student, humble, deferential, offering polished responses that seemed designed to earn him a rare smile or a nod of approval. The teachers couldnât seem to get enough of him.
You couldnât wrap your head around it. His calculated, chameleon-like behavior left you wondering, time and time again, why he had ended up in Ravenclaw and not Slytherin. After all, he possessed every quality they prized: cunning, ambition, a nearly ruthless drive to succeed. It was like he wore a Ravenclaw uniform, but underneath, his nature seemed more like that of a Slytherin than anything else.
And perhaps, deep down, that was what unsettled you most about himâthat he seemed to wear a mask depending on who he was with.
It frustrated you, intrigued you, and, despite yourself, drew you in.
So, you had learned to keep your distance from Sunghoon, to wear a mask of indifference around him. A poker face. Neutral. Unmoved. It became second nature, the way you could shut down your emotions whenever he entered the room, the way you refused to show any weakness in his presence. If you didnât give him anything, you reasoned, heâd get bored of you eventually. Heâd move on, as he did with everyone else. You figured, if you didnât give him the satisfaction of a reaction, heâd leave you alone.
But now, reflecting on it, you realized that might have been the wrong choice. Because it didnât matter how little you engaged with him. Sunghoon had a way of finding you. It was like he had a radar, some silent pull that always seemed to zero in on you during the day. And when he did, that was it. You had his full attention. Not a passing glance, not an idle comment. Sunghoon would fix his gaze on you, like a hawk locking onto its prey, his focus unyielding. It wasnât an accidental glance; it was deliberate. Every moment, every word, every action seemed like it was a calculated move to engage with you, to get your attentionâwhether you wanted it or not.
If you were anyone else, if you were just a normal student, you mightâve gushed about it, maybe even bragged to your friends. After all, who wouldnât want the attention of someone like Sunghoon? The handsome, accomplished, and charming prefect. But you werenât anyone else. You werenât lesser. You knew exactly why he sought you outâand it wasnât because of some secret admiration.
He saw you as competition. You were an obstacle in his path to greatness. The two of you were always near the top of the class, always neck-and-neck, and he wasnât about to let someone else get ahead of him. You knew that much. He probably had plans of his ownâdreams of becoming an Auror, or securing some high-ranking position in the Ministry of Magic. He wasnât going to let anyone stand in his way. And you were the one standing there, blocking his path. He had to prove he was better, that he was the best. It was almost⌠inevitable.
But deep down, you started to realize that there was something more to it than that. Sunghoon wasnât just focused on outshining you academically. No. You had started to see the little thingsâthe moments when his eyes lingered a little too long, the rare flicker of something deeper in his expression when he caught you in the hall or across a classroom.
And it made you question: was there more to how he saw you than just another obstacle? Were you something else entirely?
You first started to figure it out years ago, back when you were in fourth year and the two of you shared a few classes. It was the first time youâd really noticed Sunghoon, in Astronomy class, of all places. You had been excited for that class, you had always been fascinated by space, by the endless expanse of stars and the way the moon seemed to shift and change. As a child, youâd spent countless hours lying on the grass, gazing up at the sky, watching the constellations dance. You hadnât thought twice about taking the class, certain youâd excel.
But you werenât the only one eager to impress the professor. No, there was another student who seemed just as invested, answering questions with ease, his knowledge sharp and quick. Youâd expected some competition, sureâbut it was the way he answered, the confidence with which he spoke, that made you take notice.
It was Sunghoon.
You could see it in his eyes, the surprise that mirrored your own. The realization that you werenât just any ordinary studentâno, you were just as capable, just as quick-witted as he was. And thatâs when it clicked: you werenât just another student to him. You were a challenge.
After class, youâd been making your way out of the room, mind already spinning with the next lesson. But then youâd turned a corner and found yourself face-to-face with him, Sunghoon standing in the hallway like he was waiting for you. You hadnât expected it, not at all.
âImpressive,â heâd said, raising an eyebrow. âYou always this good with the material?â
Youâd been taken aback, not quite sure how to respond, but something in his tone made you pause. At that point you werenât used to students, especially not someone like him, complimenting your intellect outright. And yet, there was something sharp about his words, something that made you feel like this wasnât just casual admiration.
âOf course,â you replied, instinctively meeting his challenge. âItâs not that difficult once you understand the basics.â
Sunghoon gave a smirk that only seemed to intensify the challenge. âSo,â he began, crossing his arms. âIf youâre as clever as you say, whatâs the difference between the Confundus Charm and the Misdirection Hex?â
You raised an eyebrow, unimpressed but entertained. âEasy. The Confundus Charm affects the mind, creating confusion and distorting a personâs perception, whereas the Misdirection Hex only creates a temporary distraction without altering any mental clarity.â
Sunghoon nodded, clearly expecting that youâd know the answer but not missing a beat. âFair enough. How about this oneââ he leaned in slightly, his eyes glinting, âif you were to brew Amortentia, whatâs the critical ingredient that activates the potionâs scent signature?â
You didnât even flinch. âMoonstone. Itâs the key to personalizing the scent and creating that pull, that... sense of longing,â you replied, a trace of smugness in your voice. âNow my turn.â
You watched him closely, his expression unchanging, as you asked, âWhatâs the main difference between Episkey and Vulnera Sanentur?â
Sunghoonâs gaze narrowed. âEpiskey is a basic healing charm that works for minor injuriesâusually cuts or bruises. Vulnera Sanentur, on the other hand, is far more advanced, and it actually seals major wounds, specifically stopping blood flow and beginning tissue repair.â
You smiled, only a little disappointed that he got it right. âWell done, Park,â you replied, crossing your arms.
But he wasnât done yet. With a slight tilt of his head, he said, âIf youâre so good, tell me, whatâs the incantation for a Hot-Air Charm, and when would it be used?â
âCalidus Aero,â you replied easily, rolling your eyes. âAnd itâs used to produce a continuous flow of warm air. Good for drying thingsâor keeping people warm.â
There was a slight twitch of his lips, as if he were amused that youâd added the last bit. âImpressive. But letâs see how you handle this one,â he continued, looking pleased. âWhatâs the effect of adding powdered Runespoor eggs to a Memory Potion?â
You paused for only a moment, narrowing your eyes at him. âIt sharpens the recall and clarity of recent memories, but it also makes them harder to alter or distort after the fact,â you replied, watching him carefully. âA good trick for Aurors needing airtight evidence in trials.â
There was a flicker of surprise in his expression, though he tried to hide it. âNot bad,â he admitted, a trace of a smile showing. âLooks like you know your potions.â He shifted, almost as if heâd found the whole exchange too easy. Then he gave you a lookâcalculated and challenging. âOne more. Whatâs the wand movement for the Incarcerous spell, and whatâs the incantation variation that makes the conjured ropes fireproof?â
You tried not to show that this one caught you off guard. âThe wand movement for Incarcerous is a firm downward flick, followed by a counterclockwise twirl,â you said carefully, a smirk forming as you gained confidence. âAnd the fireproof variation is Ignus Incarcerous.â
Sunghoon let out a low chuckle, a little begrudging, but impressed all the same.
Youâd hoped that after that, heâd leave it at that, yet, as you turned to leave, you felt his gaze on your back. And before you could walk away, he stopped you. You had expected something snide, maybe a remark about how youâd bested him, or how you were too proud. Instead, he spoke, his voice smooth, almost teasing.
âYouâre⌠smarter than I expected.â There was a pause, and then heâd added, âIn fact, youâre pretty impressive.â
You had frozen, not sure what to make of it. But then came the twist: the way he said it, the slight upturn of his lips, the almost flirtatious edge to his words. It caught you off guard.
You had been prepared for rivalry, for sharp competition, but not for that. Not for him to suddenly flirt with you. The change in his tone, the way his words softened, made you feel uneasy, but also... intrigued.
You hadnât known how to respond, but all you could do was walk away, your mind racing. SunghoonâPark Sunghoonâhad just complimented you with the kind of look that made your heart beat a little faster, even though you told yourself you hated him.
You had barely made it a few steps when you heard him call out, his voice smooth and teasing, like a final jab in a match you hadnât realized was over.
âNot bad at all,â Sunghoon said, the faintest hint of a smirk curling at his lips, his tone dipping slightly, as if it were more of a challenge than a compliment. âNice to know thereâs someone around here who can keep up.â
For a moment, your pulse quickened. You wanted to respond, to throw a witty retort back at him. But you couldnât find the wordsâbecause you didnât want to give him the satisfaction of seeing how much that one line had affected you.
Instead, you just stopped. You didnât turn around, not fully, but you allowed yourself one quick glance over your shoulder.
Sunghoon was standing there, looking perfectly composed, his hands tucked casually behind him, his eyes following you with that unreadable look. The smirk remained, but there was something different about it nowâless arrogant, more knowing. Almost like he was waiting for you to react, as if this small exchange was part of some game he wasnât finished playing yet.
Without a word, you turned back around and continued walking, your steps brisk, your mind swirling.
--
You didnât usually talk to Sunghoon outside of classâthere was never much reason to. Your friend groups didnât overlap, and both of you had your own routines, different paths to follow. But somehow, that didnât stop him. No, every chance he got, Sunghoon would find a way to cross paths with you. Heâd come up to you before classes, lean against a wall, and throw in some teasing remark about the next lesson or slyly compliment you on your latest academic achievement. It was almost like clockwork.
âWell, well, if it isnât the star student,â he said, his tone playful but sharp. âBet youâve already memorized the entire textbook for todayâs lesson, havenât you?â
You rolled your eyes, not even breaking your stride. âYouâre the one whoâs obsessed with keeping up with every lesson, Sunghoon. Iâm just trying to avoid getting bored.â
He chuckled, pushing off from the door and walking alongside you. âRight, because youâre totally not the type to get caught up in the thrill of perfect grades.â His eyes twinkled with a mixture of admiration and challenge. âI guess Iâll just have to make sure you donât make it too easy for yourself.â
You smirked back, not missing a beat. âYouâre right, I donât like making things easy,â you said dryly. âBut Iâm sure youâre just trying to keep me on my toes, arenât you, Sunghoon?â
He shrugged with a grin. âIâm just keeping things interesting. Besides, I have a reputation to uphold.â
Another time, just before Transfiguration, you found him leaning against a pillar, twirling his wand with a practiced ease, his gaze catching yours as you approached.
âSo, tell me, have you figured out the secret to getting Transfiguration perfect every time, or do you just have some magic trick up your sleeve?â he asked, his voice low and teasing.
You answered, not at all phased. âI think youâd be more impressed if you actually paid attention during class instead of just showing off your wand skills, Sunghoon.â
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. âOh, I pay attention. But Iâm just more interested in seeing if you can stay on top of everything. Donât want to make it too easy for you, right?â
âYou wouldnât know what to do without a challenge, would you?â you shot back, giving him a sideways glance.
âYouâre right,â he said, his grin widening. âAnd itâs not every day I get to challenge someone like you.â
And alas every day, just before classes, there he was, making some comment that practically demanded a response. Youâd either fire back a witty remark of your own or just give him a deadpan look, as if you couldnât be bothered. And yet, heâd show up again the next day, and the cycle would repeat. It was a routine you both seemed to have unconsciously built into your days. Neither of you ever missed it, both being somewhat meticulous about perfect attendance.
At some point, you realized it was strange. You noticed that he never spoke to anyone else in quite the same way. No other girl at Hogwarts seemed to have the so-called privilege of Sunghoonâs attention, and it confused you beyond belief. It didnât make senseâhe was smart, popular, handsome. And yet, heâd somehow decided that teasing you was worth his time.
It wasnât until one late afternoon in the library that the thought came to a head. You were tutoring one of your Hufflepuff friends, helping her brush up on Transfiguration, when she looked at you with a knowing smile and just dropped it on you.
âI think Sunghoon likes you,â she said casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
You laughed it off immediately, shaking your head. âThatâs not possible. Sunghoon only likes people if they can help him get more house points,â you replied. âWhy would he like me?â
Your friend just shrugged, that same smile still on her face. âYouâre the only person he talks to like that,â she pointed out. âItâs like heâs constantly finding an excuse to be around you.â
You tried to ignore it, brush it off as one of her theories. But later, when you were alone, you couldnât shake her words from your mind. You thought back to every interaction youâd seen between Sunghoon and other students, particularly girls. The more you thought about it, the more you realized it was true: youâd never once seen him act the same way around another girl. In fact, you couldnât remember him ever dating anyone. Despite the whispers in the corridors and the way some girls openly admired him, he never seemed interested. No, youâd seen him reject more of them than you could count.
But with you... things were different.
You didnât know what to make of it. Sunghoon had always been that one puzzle you couldnât solve. He was unpredictable, throwing in little remarks as if heâd calculated your every reaction.
If he did like you, it would mean something you hadnât prepared for. It would mean youâd been wrong about himâor, at least, about why he kept coming back to you.
Maybe that was why you found yourself in the library a little later than usual, searching for one specific book. The library was quieter than it had been all day, with only a handful of students still scattered between the rows of shelves, their heads buried in their books. Madam Pince was busy sorting through a stack of newly returned books at the far end of the room, so you figured youâd have some peace and quiet to yourself.
Youâd been meaning to find this particular book for a while. The only problem was that you hadnât seen it in the library for months. The last time youâd seen it, it had caught your eye when one of your Gryffindor friends had been flipping through its pages in the common room. You hadnât been able to get a good look at it, but now, as you found it tucked away in the far corner, you couldnât help the small smile that tugged at your lips.
You pulled the book off the shelf carefully, balancing it in your hands as you climbed down the ladder. The title read âFiguring and Tackling Your Feelings.â It was something about sorting through emotions, a guide that, frankly, seemed more like it belonged in the realm of self-help than anything academic. You werenât sure why it had piqued your interest so much, but you were eager to take a closer look, especially now with everything on your mind.
Before you could fully inspect the cover, a voice came from behind you, low and familiar.
âWell, well. What do we have here?â Sunghoonâs voice cut through the silence of the library like a knife.
You jumped, startled, spinning around instinctively to hide the book behind your back. Your heart skipped a beat as you tried to regain your composure. There he stood, leaning casually against a nearby shelf, eyes already trained on you with that signature smirk of his.
âWhat are you doing here, Sunghoon?â you asked, your tone betraying the sudden flurry of nerves. You couldnât help it. The last thing you needed right now was for him to get a glimpse of what you were holding.
âMe? Oh, nothing,â he said with a shrug, his eyes flicking to the book behind your back. âBut you, on the other hand⌠reading ahead, are we?â
You narrowed your eyes at him. âItâs none of your business,â you said quickly, trying to keep your voice steady.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. âIs that so?â His steps were slow and deliberate as he moved closer to you, a glint of mischief in his eyes. âYou know, itâs not like you to hide books behind your back. Whatâs got you so secretive?â
Before you could stop him, his hand darted toward the book, attempting to grab it from behind your back. Reflexively, you twisted away, turning just enough so that he couldnât get his hands on it. You managed to get a better grip on the book, but Sunghoon wasnât backing off. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying the little game.
âOh no, you donât,â you muttered, trying to hold the book out of his reach. âStop trying to grab it.â
Sunghoon just grinned, his gaze never leaving the book. âCome on, just let me see it. You know, I always find it fascinating when people start acting so mysterious about things.â
You twirled around again, moving just a little faster than him this time, keeping the book hidden behind you. The bookâs cover was almost too easy to read from his angle, and you couldnât help but wonder if heâd noticed the title.
âWhy are you so curious about what Iâm reading?â you shot back, hoping the question would throw him off balance.
His grin widened. âMaybe I just like seeing how you react. Youâve always been so⌠poised. I wonder if thereâs more to you than the perfect student.â His voice dropped a little, a note of challenge creeping in. âCome on, just give it to me. Youâre not that afraid of a little friendly competition, are you?â
You felt your cheeks flush slightly, the teasing getting to you. âItâs not about competition,â you muttered, taking another step back to keep the book away from his prying fingers. âJust⌠drop it, alright?â
His eyes flickered to the book once more, then back to you. âFine, fine,â he said, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. âBut youâre really not going to let me see what youâre reading? Youâre too mysterious for your own good.â
You exhaled, trying to calm your racing heart as you finally straightened up, no longer trying to keep it hidden. âItâs just a book. Nothing important.â
He tilted his head, eyeing you with that all-too-knowing look. âUh-huh,â he said, clearly unconvinced.
And with that, he turned and strolled away, his footsteps echoing softly through the nearly empty library.
You let out a long breath, the book still in your hands, but your mind now racing in a way it hadnât been before. Why had you reacted like that? What was it about Sunghoonâs teasing that got under your skin so easily?
You couldnât shake the feeling that Sunghoon had seen right through youâlike he always did. As the library door closed behind you, you felt a strange sense of relief mixed with lingering unease. You hadnât expected that interaction to leave you so rattled. It was just Sunghoon, right? Yet, there was something about his persistence, the way he kept pushing you, that had thrown you off balance.
The book was still tucked under your arm as you made your way out of the library and toward your common room. You tried to focus on the cool, quiet hallways of Hogwarts, the flickering torches lighting your path. The winding corridors, usually so familiar, now seemed almost too vast, too empty.
The sound of your footsteps echoed as you passed through the hallway, heading toward the familiar portrait that would let you into your common room. You had to hurry; curfew was close, and Madam Pince had already given you a warning for lingering too long in the library.
As you reached the entrance to your common room, you glanced over your shoulder, just in time to catch a shadow move in the corner of your vision. But when you turned fully, the hallway was empty, just the faint echo of your own footsteps following you.
You shrugged it off. You must have imagined it.
With a quick word, the portrait swung open, and you stepped inside, relieved to be back in the warmth of your common room.
Outside, beyond the walls of the common room, Sunghoon stood hidden in the shadows, leaning against a pillar just out of sight, watching you go. His eyes lingered a moment longer than necessary before he turned and slowly disappeared into the shadows. He walked through the dimly lit hallways, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet night. He hadnât intended to follow you; it wasnât some grand plan.
Heâd tried to convince himself it was just curiosityânothing more. After all, you were the only one who seemed to keep up with him in class. You challenged him, and thatâs what heâd always thrived on.
And it was like he couldnât not think about you. And that frustrated him.
He never expected you to be this⌠enigmatic. No one else had ever caught his attention like thisânot like you did. It was a puzzle, one that didnât make sense, and yet the more he tried to figure you out, the more complicated and captivating you became.
You had this effortless confidence, a sharp wit that matched his, but you werenât like the other students heâd come across. You werenât trying to impress anyone, not even him. There was something in your eyes when youâd deflect his teasing, a glimmer of something he couldnât place. You didnât give him the satisfaction of reacting the way he expected, and that drove him mad.
Sunghoon pushed a hand through his hair, his thoughts tangled as he navigated the winding corridors of Hogwarts. He shouldnât be thinking about you so much. There were other things to focus onâother students, other challenges, other ways to advance. Yet, every time he tried to shake it off, his mind would return to you.
How had you managed to enrapture him so effortlessly? He wasnât the type of person to become so⌠fixated. Yet here he was, walking through the darkened halls, and all he could think about was you. You never played by the same rules as everyone else, and that intrigued him more than he cared to admit.
No. He couldnât let himself get tangled up in this. You were a challenge, just like heâd always wanted. You were nothing more than that, right?
But even as he told himself this, Sunghoon couldnât shake the feeling that there was something elseâsomething moreâthat was pulling him toward you.
--
You sat at your desk in Potions class, the scratch of your quill against parchment the only sound filling the otherwise quiet classroom. Snapeâs voice droned on, but your mind kept drifting. You had hoped for a peaceful class todayâone where you could focus on the lesson without the usual distractions. But of course, it didnât take long for that hope to be dashed.
The seat next to you, which had been occupied by a nervous Hufflepuff just moments ago, was now filled by none other than Park Sunghoon.
You didnât look up immediately when he sat down. You had caught the tail end of his glare directed at the Hufflepuff, whose wide eyes had flicked from Sunghoonâs cold stare to you in a silent plea. In an instant, the Hufflepuff had scurried off, leaving the seat beside you vacant for Sunghoon to claim.
A small sigh escaped your lips, but you didnât let it show. Instead, you focused on your notes, carefully copying the ingredients Snape was listing for the potion you were about to brew. You wouldnât let him distract you, not this time. The class was important, and the competition was heating up, especially with exams just around the corner.
You could feel the subtle shift in the air with Sunghoon settled beside you. But today, he didnât say anything. Not a word. He simply unpacked his books, setting them down with a quiet precision, and began his own notes. It was almost too quiet, too⌠calm. It was rare that he didnât start a conversation, especially considering the usual banter you both shared.
The fact that he was acting so reserved, while sitting so close to you, made you all the more aware of the faint tension between you. It was like he was waiting for you to say something first. But you wouldnât. Not this time.
You kept your focus on your parchment, the quill moving smoothly as you wrote. It was an exercise in patience, in ignoring the small things: the way his sleeve brushed yours as he leaned over to grab an ingredient, the soft rustling of his books as he turned pages. You didnât let your mind wander. You wouldnât.
Yet, no matter how much you tried to ignore him, you felt the pull of his presence, as if he were a magnet. You stole a glance at him out of the corner of your eye. He was scribbling down notes too, but there was something different about the way he held his quill, the way his eyes flicked to the board and then to the ingredients list. He was concentrating, but you knew it wasnât just the potion he was thinking about.
The realization hit you a little too late: He was watching you.
Your quill faltered for just a second before you steadied it again, keeping your eyes on the board. You couldnât ignore the small, almost imperceptible glance he threw at you from time to time. It was the kind of look that made you question whether he was as unfazed as he appearedâor if, like you, he was just trying to hold his composure.
The class ended bit too soon, but not before you felt that pull again. Before you could gather your things, Sunghoon stood up, his chair scraping the floor with a soft sound. He didnât look at you as he walked away, but you couldnât help but feel the weight of his gaze linger on your back as you packed up your belongings.
--
The class was buzzing with quiet energy as Professor Snape swept into the room, his black robes billowing behind him as he made his way to the front. You could feel the usual hum of anticipation ripple through the classroom as he began with his first question, his gaze sharp and probing.
Without fail, Sunghoon was seated right beside you. He had strolled in at the last possible second and taken the empty seat before you could even think about moving. It was a position that had become an unspoken habit between the two of youâa silent agreement that this was where you would always sit, even if neither of you admitted it out loud.
âWho can tell me the primary function of wolfsbane in this potion?â Snapeâs gaze swept across the class, but it settled almost immediately on you.
You raised your hand automatically, but just as you opened your mouth to answer, Sunghoonâs voice cut through the air. âThe primary function of wolfsbane is to suppress the transformation of a werewolf. But specifically, in this potion, itâs used to temper the effects, making the potion safe for consumption by those with lycanthropic tendencies.â
Your jaw clenched, and you quickly chimed in, âThatâs true, but wolfsbaneâs reaction with belladonna is crucial to ensure the potion is actually effective. Otherwise, you risk a rapid breakdown of the ingredients, and the potion loses its potency within hours.â
A faint smirk played on Sunghoonâs lips as he turned slightly to face you, his eyes glinting with a mixture of challenge and amusement. âOf course,â he said, his voice low enough for only you to hear, âbut thatâs only if the brewer doesnât know how to stabilize the reaction properly.â
âOh, so youâre saying you know better than the author of âPotions for Practical Applicationâ?â You raised an eyebrow, the hint of a challenge in your voice.
Snapeâs voice sliced through your exchange. âIf the two of you are quite finished,â he said dryly, âperhaps youâd like to enlighten the rest of the class.â
You both looked up, not missing the faint irritation in his expression. And yet, as he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, he seemed almost amused. If Snape enjoyed one thing in his classes, it was competent studentsâbut if he enjoyed two things, it was watching competent students try to one-up each other.
With a quick glance at Sunghoon, you cleared your throat and addressed the rest of the class, your voice steady. âWolfsbane, also known as aconite, stabilizes the transformation process. But the reason belladonna is needed in the mixture is because it counters the initial toxicity of the aconite.â
Sunghoon jumped in seamlessly, his tone smooth. âExactly. Aconite alone could be harmful, but combined with the right ingredients, it actually makes the potion effective. Belladonna slows down the rate of the potionâs effect, balancing the intensity.â
You could see Snapeâs eyes narrow just a fraction, clearly considering whether heâd allow this back-and-forth to continue. He hadnât interrupted yet, though, and so you didnât hold back.
âThat only works, though,â you continued, âif the potion is brewed at precisely the right temperature. A variance of even one degree could cause the aconite to overpower the belladonna, which is why attention to detail is critical here.â
Sunghoon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. âTrue. But Iâd argue that anyone whoâs capable of brewing at an advanced level should be able to handle such minor details.â He cast a sideways glance at you. âWouldnât you agree?â
You narrowed your eyes, resisting the urge to roll them. He was enjoying this far too much. âPerhaps. Though, as they say, perfectionists always notice the minor details others miss.â
âImplying Iâm not a perfectionist?â he asked, raising an eyebrow. His tone was light, but you could sense the competitive edge in it.
You shrugged, giving him a look of feigned innocence. âJust that you might not be as exacting as some of us.â
Before he could retort, Snape stepped in, his voice a mixture of impatience and reluctant amusement. âMiss Y/L/N. Mr. Park. While I am deeply fascinated by your thorough analysis, the class may benefit from a more structured approach.â He glanced around at the other students, who were watching you and Sunghoon with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Your cheeks flushed as you turned back to your notes, feeling a rush of heat from Sunghoonâs lingering gaze. But Snape wasnât done.
âIn fact, why donât you both demonstrate your understanding?â Snape gestured to the cauldron at the front of the room. âBrew the potion together. Letâs see if your theoretical knowledge holds up under practical application.â
You felt the tension shift as Sunghoon pushed himself up from his chair, casting a smirk in your direction. âLetâs see if you can keep up, then,â he murmured as he moved to the front.
Swallowing your nerves, you followed him, setting out the ingredients with practiced ease. As you worked, the rivalry simmered just beneath the surface. Sunghoon was methodical, careful with each step, yet he didnât miss an opportunity to toss a teasing comment your way.
âCareful,â he said at one point, his voice low. âThatâs a lot of aconite youâre adding there. Are you sure youâre not trying to mess up the potion to make a point?â
You shot him a look. âMaybe I just donât trust you to brew this properly without a little oversight.â
His eyes glinted. âFunny, because I was about to say the same thing to you.â
The two of you continued in this vein, quietly exchanging barbs as you measured, stirred, and added ingredients with exacting precision.
When the potion was nearly complete, you both paused, watching as the liquid in the cauldron shifted from murky green to a smooth, midnight blueâthe exact color it was supposed to be.
Sunghoon tilted his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. âNot bad,â he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
You met his gaze, a smirk of your own forming. âCould say the same to you.â
The rest of the class continued in much the same way, the tension between you and Sunghoon thick as you both remained locked in your rivalry. As Professor Snape continued his lesson, you and Sunghoon each made sure to answer his questions before the other could, each answer delivered with just enough confidence to imply you had known it all along.
Every now and then, youâd catch Sunghoon looking your way, a small, knowing smile on his face, as if he could read every thought running through your mind.
Just as you were jotting down notes on the final instructions for the potion, a Ravenclaw beside you leaned over. âHey, Y/N,â she whispered, âcan I borrow your notes from last week? Iâm a bit behind.â
Before you could even respond, you noticed a shift beside you. From the corner of your eye, you saw Sunghoonâs expression harden. His jaw clenched as he shot the Ravenclaw a sharp look, his gaze practically daring her to linger a moment longer.
She hesitated, glancing between you and Sunghoon before quickly saying, âYou know what, never mind. Iâll, uh, figure it out.â With that, she scurried off, leaving you a bit bewildered.
You turned back to your notes, only to feel Sunghoon relax beside you, leaning back in his chair with a casual air as if nothing had happened. His expression softened, the subtle smirk youâd come to expect making its return. You rolled your eyes, not bothering to address it as you continued your notes. But before long, another student tried to approach.
This time, it was a Gryffindor who slipped you a folded note with a question on todayâs potion. But before you could even open it, you noticed that same glint in Sunghoonâs eyes, like he was quietly measuring the other studentâs worth. His glare was steely, his gaze intense enough that, once again, your classmate seemed to change their mind about talking to you at all. The Gryffindor muttered a quiet apology and quickly returned to their seat.
You couldnât help but cast a sidelong glance at Sunghoon, raising an eyebrow at his now placid expression. He noticed and merely gave a slight shrug, as if to say he hadnât done a thing. It was infuriatingly typical of him, acting as if he hadnât just sent two students retreating.
âWhatâs your problem?â you whispered, leaning in slightly.
Sunghoonâs smirk deepened. âNo problem. Just keeping distractions to a minimum.â
You scoffed, your irritation clear, but deep down, a part of you wondered why he even cared.
But then Snapeâs voice cut through the room, calling for silence, and you both snapped back to attention, the rivalry and tension settling between you once more.
As you walked out of the dungeon, feeling the cool stone hallway stretch out in front of you, you were met by two Gryffindor students waiting just outside. They exchanged a glance, visibly relieved as you approached, and one of them quickly stepped forward.
âHey, Y/N,â he began, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. âWe were wondering if you could maybe tutor us in Potions? Weâre both, uh⌠struggling with it, to say the least.â
His friend nodded, looking equally sheepish. âYeah, we could really use the help.â
Before you could answer, though, you felt a presence at your side. Sunghoon had followed you out, his usual calm but intense demeanor practically radiating as he watched the two Gryffindors. His gaze hardened, and he didnât waste a second before stepping between you and them.
âYou two really have nothing better to do than pester her?â he asked, his tone dismissive, his glare enough to make them visibly uncomfortable.
The Gryffindors exchanged glances, shuffling back slightly, but they didnât say anything. They seemed intimidated, but they didnât seem like they were about to give up so easily. You sighed, shooting Sunghoon an exasperated look.
âSunghoon, relax,â you muttered, rolling your eyes. You turned back to the two Gryffindors, who looked both embarrassed and desperate, and crossed your arms.
âFine,â you told them, sighing. âMeet me in the library tomorrow. Iâll give you some pointers then.â
The two of them beamed, nodding quickly, and mumbled their thanks before heading off, leaving you alone with Sunghoon, who was still watching them as if theyâd offended him personally.
As they turned the corner, Sunghoon glanced at you, a frown tugging at his lips. âYou didnât have to agree, you know,â he said, his tone more casual now, though there was still a trace of irritation. âTheyâre just looking for an easy answer.â
You gave him a look, shaking your head slightly. âNot everything is about competition, Sunghoon. Maybe they actually need help.â
He scoffed, a smirk curling at his lips. âWhatever you say. Are you coming, or are you too busy playing tutor?â
There was a brief moment of hesitation on your part. You hadnât planned on sticking around with him after class, especially after his little standoff with your would-be students. But as his gaze settled on you, something about his expressionâpart expectant, part unreadableâmade it hard to refuse.
With an exasperated roll of your eyes, you gave in. âFine, lead the way.â
He smirked, clearly satisfied, and turned to walk down the hall. You fell into step beside him, the two of you moving together in silence.
Sunghoon led you through the winding corridors of Hogwarts, weaving up narrow staircases and into passages you were sure most students didnât even know about. You were tempted to ask him what he was up to, but a strange, quiet curiosity kept you following him, even when you caught yourself glancing back, half-considering turning around. But you couldnât deny your curiosityâand a reluctant trust in him, strange as it felt.
Finally, you reached a narrow staircase that led up to one of the less-frequented towers. âHere we are,â he said.
You stared at a latch, then at him. âWhat is this place?â
He didnât answer immediately, instead climbing ahead of you, reaching up to open the concealed latch in the ceiling. With a glance down at you, he climbed up, disappearing through the opening.
You glanced around the empty hallway, biting your lip.
When he poked his head back down and raised an eyebrow. âAre you coming?â you sighed and climbed up after him, finding yourself in a tiny, dusty attic space. The room was cramped, with wooden beams crossing over the low ceiling and tiny, dusty windows letting in a dim glow. There wasnât a sound in the air; no one ever came up here.
âWhatâs this about, Sunghoon?â you asked, crossing your arms, unable to keep a note of suspicion out of your voice. But he only smirked, taking your wrist and gently pulling you over to the corner of the room where a small wooden chest lay against the wall.
He lifted the lid, revealing a small creature nestled inside. You took a step closer, gasping softly as you recognized the little, dark-furred niffler, its leg twisted at an awkward angle, clearly hurt. You shot Sunghoon a surprised look, and he rubbed the back of his neck, almost sheepish.
âI, uh⌠I remembered you seemed to know a lot about magical creatures,â he said, his voice quieter, less sure than usual. âSaw it struggling outside the castle, and I thought⌠well, I figured you might know what to do with it.â
For a moment, you simply stared, taken aback by his unexpected gentleness. You knelt down beside the chest, assessing the nifflerâs condition. âIt looks like it twisted its leg pretty badly,â you murmured, brushing your fingers carefully over the creatureâs fur as it whimpered, its small, dark eyes wide with trust and pain.
The niffler shivered, glancing up at you before letting out a soft chitter, its tiny paw reaching up to clutch your finger as you whispered calming words.
âItâs okay, little one,â you murmured, gently lifting the niffler into your arms. Sunghoon stepped back a little, allowing you space to work, and you couldnât help but notice how quietly he was watching you, not saying a word.
You checked its leg, gently feeling around the injury. It wasnât too severe, but it would need some attention. âThe little guy will be okay. You just have to be careful with creatures like theseâthey can get skittish when theyâre hurt.â
Sunghoon nodded, his gaze fixed on the niffler as you worked. You pulled out your wand, muttering the appropriate healing charms as you carefully mended its leg. The niffler let out a small chirp, its fur fluffing out in relief as it finally settled in your arms.
âYou know,â Sunghoon said, breaking the silence, âI didnât expect you to be so good with magical creatures.â You glanced up, meeting his gaze, which was unexpectedly warm, his usual guarded expression softened.
âMaybe thereâs a lot you donât know about me,â you replied, a teasing lilt to your voice.
Sunghoon smiled faintly, watching as you wrapped the nifflerâs leg with careful precision, almost as if seeing you in a new light. âGuess Iâll just have to keep finding excuses to learn, then,â he said.
With a final wave of your wand, the nifflerâs leg was mended. Almost immediately, the little creature perked up, chirping happily as if testing out its newfound mobility. A small smile tugged at your lips as the niffler wobbled in your lap, nudging your hand before, quick as a flash, its tiny paw darted toward the shiny badge pinned on your robes.
âHey!â you laughed, reaching for the niffler as it tugged at your prefect badge, determined to add it to whatever imaginary hoard it was building in its mind.
Sunghoon chuckled from where he stood, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his gaze following the little creatureâs antics. âLooks like it has a good eye for treasure,â he said, his tone playful. The niffler, clearly encouraged by his approval, squeaked and tugged harder, and you could only laugh as you tried to wrestle it gently away from your badge.
âAlright, alright, little troublemaker,â you said, scratching behind its ear, âI guess youâre all healed up.â The niffler chirped, clearly satisfied with itself, and settled back in your lap, peering up at you with big, curious eyes.
Sunghoon tilted his head, that faint smile still lingering. âYou know, you have to name him now,â he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
You raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the niffler. âName him? Isnât he a bit too⌠mischievous to settle for a name?â But as you looked into its wide, shining eyes, you felt a tug of fondness you couldnât quite ignore.
Sunghoon shrugged, his tone a bit lighter than usual. âWell, you canât just heal him and leave him unnamed. Plus, heâll probably come back to find you if you give him a name.â
You bit back a smile, glancing at the niffler again. âAlright, fine.â After a momentâs thought, you looked back up at Sunghoon, the beginnings of an idea forming. âWhat about Spark? Since heâs so keen on shiny things.â
Sunghoonâs eyes crinkled slightly as he considered it. âSpark,â he echoed thoughtfully, and then nodded. âI like it. Seems fitting, for a niffler thatâs already made it his mission to steal from a Hogwarts prefect.â
The nifflerânow dubbed Sparkâchirped in approval, as if satisfied with his new name. He scrambled back onto your lap, one paw still reaching toward your badge, his nose twitching.
As you watched Spark dart playfully around the room, you looked at Sunghoon and nodded toward the door. âWe should probably take him to Hagrid. Heâll know how to take care of a niffler better than we can.â
Sunghoon nodded, and with a final scratch behind Sparkâs ear, you tucked the little creature into the crook of your arm. As you and Sunghoon quietly made your way down the towerâs staircase and through the darkened hallways, Spark scampered excitedly between the two of you, chirping and squeaking in delight. Every now and then, heâd jump from your shoulder to Sunghoonâs, nuzzling close and tugging at a stray lock of his hair.
When you finally stepped out onto the moonlit grounds, Spark scrambled up Sunghoonâs arm and settled atop his head, tugging at the strands as if trying to style his hair. Sunghoon rolled his eyes but didnât make any real effort to dislodge him.
As you arrived at Hagridâs hut, Sunghoon reached up to knock on the door, but Spark clung stubbornly to his head, chirping with the excitement of a mischievous child. Hagridâs warm, booming voice called from inside, and a moment later, he opened the door, his eyes lighting up when he saw the small creature atop Sunghoonâs head.
âWhat in Merlinâs beard⌠is that a niffler on yer head, Sunghoon?â Hagridâs laughter was deep and genuine as he looked between the two of you.
You couldnât help but laugh as well, reaching up to grab Spark gently from Sunghoonâs head. As you tugged the niffler free, you couldnât help but notice the state of Sunghoonâs hairâit was thoroughly mussed, thanks to Sparkâs playful grasping. âWe found him hurt,â you explained to Hagrid as you cradled Spark, who snuggled into your arms with a satisfied chirp. âWe patched him up a bit, but we figured heâd be in better hands with you. Could you take care of him?â
Hagridâs face softened as he looked at Spark, his expression a mixture of fondness and excitement. âCourse, Iâll look after the little rascal. Nifflers can be tricky, but they got good hearts.â Beside him, Fang barked happily, his tail thumping against the ground as he trotted up to you.
Grinning, you crouched down, running your hands through Fangâs thick fur as he nuzzled your hand. âHey, Fang! Missed you too, big guy,â you murmured, scratching him behind the ears. Fang let out a pleased rumble, leaning into your touch.
As Hagrid took Spark from your hands, the niffler let out a mournful little chirp, his dark eyes fixed on you and Sunghoon as if he already missed you. Hagrid chuckled, petting Sparkâs head. âLooks like heâs taken quite the likinâ to you two! I reckon heâll be a handful. But donât worry, Iâll make sure heâs well cared for.â With a wave, Hagrid gently closed the door, and you and Sunghoon turned back toward the castle.
Walking side by side through the quiet grounds, Sunghoon was still trying to tame his hair, grumbling softly as he ran his hands through it. Smiling, you reached out, gently pushing his hands away. âLet me,â you said softly, reaching up to smooth down his tousled locks.
Sunghoon was silent, watching you as you worked, and when you finally stepped back, satisfied, he looked at you with a softened expression. âThanks,â he murmured, his voice unusually quiet, his gaze lingering on you just a little longer than usual.
You lowered your hand, feeling a bit self-conscious under his gaze, the gentle night air cool against your cheeks. âYouâre welcome,â you replied, glancing away as a faint warmth crept up your neck.
For a few steps, the two of you walked in comfortable silence, the soft crunch of gravel beneath your feet the only sound. The castle loomed ahead, its towers silhouetted against the dark, star-strewn sky.
âYou know,â Sunghoon finally spoke, his voice low but warm, âyou didnât have to help with Spark back there. Couldâve just let me figure it out on my own.â
You scoffed lightly, nudging him with your elbow. âOh, please. Youâd have probably spent half the night just trying to get him off your head,â you teased, raising an eyebrow. âBesides, I like helping out with creatures. Itâs⌠peaceful.â
Sunghoon gave a soft chuckle, nodding. âCanât argue with that. Youâre a natural,â he added, the corner of his mouth lifting in a half-smile. âIâve never seen you like that before.â
âLike what?â You turned your head to look at him, slightly caught off guard by his tone.
âSoft. I mean, not that youâre⌠not usually. Just⌠different,â he mumbled, running a hand over his head again, his gaze darting to the side as if searching for words. âMaybe itâs nice to see you care about something.â
A quiet chuckle escaped your lips as you shoved your hands into your pockets, your steps slowing. âI care about things. Just not usually things that⌠require all that much attention.â
Sunghoon stopped, turning toward you, his gaze intense yet gentle. âWell, it seems youâve got another talent to add to the list,â he said quietly. âEven if I donât see this⌠soft side very often.â
You could feel your face warm under his stare, an unspoken understanding passing between you. âWell, maybe Iâll show it a bit more⌠if you promise to keep your teasing to a minimum,â you countered, smiling slightly.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. âAlright, alright. Only some teasing,â he replied, but there was a warmth behind his usual smirk, a hint of something more.
As you reached the entrance to the castle, you both paused, lingering in the cool shadows of the towering walls. Neither of you seemed ready to break the quiet moment. Eventually, you took a breath, giving him a final look. âGoodnight, Sunghoon.â
He nodded, his eyes still on you. âGoodnight,â he replied softly.
The next day, the routine rivalry between you and Sunghoon was as intense as ever, starting with the very first class. Snape had just handed back a round of potion assignments, and as you flipped through your parchment, you smirked at the sight of your high score. But your satisfaction was short-lived; Sunghoon leaned back in his seat beside you, carelessly waving his own assignment in the air, flashing a score just a fraction higher than yours.
You shot him a look that was equal parts irritation and challenge. âI guess perfection just comes naturally to some,â he murmured, his smirk widening as he glanced at your page. You couldnât stop your glare from hardening as you rolled your eyes and muttered under your breath.
Throughout the day, this pattern continued in every class. Whenever you scored higher, heâd fall silent, his eyes narrowed in a glare as he examined his own work with a slight pout. If he managed to get the higher score, youâd feel your face flush in annoyance, lips pressed into a thin line as you begrudgingly accepted the tiny triumph. Each question the teachers posed became a mini-battle between the two of you. If you answered first, Sunghoon would scoff and find some way to counter your response with an added detail or correction; if he answered first, youâd find a way to elaborate on it with an extra flourish.
Eventually, in Charms, your constant back-and-forth about the finer points of nonverbal spells escalated to a full-blown debate. You could feel the classâs eyes on you both as you threw arguments back and forth, neither willing to back down until the professor finally cut in, moving to the next topic with an exasperated sigh.
When classes finally ended, you found yourself surrounded by a few Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students, all hoping youâd tutor them in some area or another. But before any of them could get too close, Sunghoon would somehow find his way into the middle, stepping forward with a cool glare that would make them hesitate. Without even noticing his interference, you were too busy rambling to him about magical creatures, hardly noticing as students reluctantly slipped away.
ââŚAnd the phoenix? Did you know they have regeneration abilities not just for themselves but that their tears can heal practically anything? Itâs almost like a superpower,â you said animatedly, your eyes lighting up as you explained.
Sunghoonâs small, genuine smile went unnoticed by you, his eyes studying your expressions as you spoke. âYou know,â he said after a moment, âyou really get lost when youâre talking about them.â
You shrugged, unfazed. âWhy wouldnât I? Thereâs so much to learn, so much to explore. Donât you ever feel like that about anything?â
His smile grew softer, almost thoughtful. âYeah⌠I think I do,â he said, not taking his eyes off you. But you were too caught up in your own excitement to notice the way he looked at you, as if he had found something worth exploring right here.
You barely noticed the way Sunghoonâs eyes softened as you went on about the different habitats of magical creatures, caught up in sharing the things you loved. He seemed entirely focused on you, even as the hallway grew emptier, his usual sharp edge melting into a quieter attentiveness that he rarely showed.
As you two walked, he seemed to subtly steer you, ensuring other students didnât approach with requests or questions. The few who tried to interrupt received one of Sunghoonâs cool, silent glares, and it was enough to make them think twice. But his attention never wavered from you, and you barely noticed anyone else around.
ââŚSo Iâm hoping to go on expeditions one day,â you said with a small smile, glancing up at him as you walked. âI want to see these creatures in the wild and understand their behaviors.â
Sunghoon looked at you, his gaze warm yet intent. âYou really mean that,â he murmured.
âOf course I do,â you replied, almost laughing. âI thought everyone knew that by now.â
His faint smile returned. âMaybe not everyone. But⌠I do.â
You blinked at the sudden seriousness in his tone, and for a moment, you were struck by the way he was looking at youâas if there was something heâd been meaning to say, something he was wrestling with. But as quickly as the moment surfaced, it was gone; he looked away, shoving his hands in his pockets.
âAnyway,â he said, clearing his throat. âGuess Iâll have to find something just as impressive to match that.â
You rolled your eyes, scoffing. âGood luck with that. Youâll have to work a lot harder to keep up.â
A smirk flashed across his face. âChallenge accepted,â he said quietly.
--
As you sat with the two Gryffindor students in the quiet corner of the library, the sunlight filtering through the high windows, you felt a sense of satisfaction in guiding them through the complexities of potions. They were both scrambling to keep up, flipping pages in their textbooks and frantically jotting down notes as you explained each component's properties and how they interacted.
After a moment, you paused to ask a question, gesturing to the list of ingredients for the Draught of Peace. âWhich ingredient in this potion helps to reduce anxiety but can cause drowsiness in high doses?â
One of the boys squinted at his notes before raising his hand tentatively. âUm⌠powdered moonstone?â
You nodded, a small smile crossing your lips. âExactly. Well done.â
He grinned, looking quite pleased with himself, then gave his friend a smug slap on the shoulder. âSee? Told you I was getting the hang of this,â he boasted, earning an eye-roll from his friend.
âDonât get too cocky,â you warned, a teasing edge to your voice. âOne right answer doesnât make you a Potions Master.â
He chuckled sheepishly, but it was clear he was still basking in your praise.
As the lesson went on, you glanced up for a moment, and your eyes caught sight of a familiar figure leaning against the edge of a nearby shelf: Sunghoon. He was watching the entire scene with his usual unreadable expression, arms crossed and a subtle smirk on his face, as if he found the whole situation amusing.
Rolling your eyes, you turned your focus back to the Gryffindors, deciding to ignore him. But despite your best efforts, you couldnât shake the awareness of his gaze. The two Gryffindors seemed completely oblivious to Sunghoonâs presence, but every now and then, you caught him subtly stepping closer, listening in.
Finally, you finished your explanations, assigning them a few practice problems to work on in their own time. They thanked you, relief written on their faces as they gathered their things to leave.
As they left, Sunghoon sauntered over, raising an eyebrow at you. âYou seem awfully generous with praise,â he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
âOh, donât start,â you replied, rolling your eyes again as you closed your textbook. âI���m just trying to help them pass Potions. They donât have to be my rivals.â
âLucky for them,â he said, chuckling softly. Then he leaned in slightly, his voice lowering, âBut Iâd like to think Iâm the only one who gets to compete with you.â
You rolled your eyes and pulled out a worn notebook and a slightly tattered copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander from your bag, flipping to a page you had been absorbed in earlier. Your notes were meticulous and precise, with a small sketch of a selkie in the margin, its sleek form and dark eyes captured with surprising detail.
Sunghoon noticed immediately, his gaze drifting to the open book and your notes. He shifted his chair a little closer, leaning in to get a better look. "Whatâs all this?" he asked, clearly intrigued.
âOh, just some of my own notes,â you replied casually, though you couldnât deny the flicker of excitement at the chance to explain. âIâm copying parts of the book, adding some of my observations. Seeââ You pointed to a note on selkies. âThese markings here help them blend in with the seaweed, which makes them nearly invisible in shallow waters. Clever, right?â
Sunghoon nodded, and you could see the interest in his expression as he continued to study the page. Emboldened, you moved on, âAnd thisââ you pointed to another entry, flipping a few pages to a section on kelpies. âIf you ever encounter a kelpie, you should look out for water plants on its back; they often disguise themselves as beautiful horses near the shore to lure people into the water.â
âOr here, in this section on Acromantulas,â you continued, your excitement getting the better of you. âIf you ever come across an Acromantula lair, the air will feel damp and oddly warm, almost like a warning. They leave webs that catch the light differently than normal spider websâtheyâre shinier, with a silver tint.â
Sunghoonâs smirk softened, replaced by something you couldnât quite place. âYou really know your stuff,â he said softly, the admiration clear in his voice.
You glanced away, suddenly a little self-conscious under his gaze. âI just⌠really like learning about magical creatures,â you admitted with a shrug. âI think theyâre fascinating.â
Sunghoon let out a low chuckle. âI think youâre fascinating,â he murmured, almost too quietly for you to hear.
You paused, heart skipping a beat as you processed his words. But before you could respond, he cleared his throat, his expression unreadable once more as he reached for your book. âSo⌠what else should I know about magical creatures, in case we run into one?â
You grinned and continued explaining each creature with passion and detail, and he listened, seemingly content just to sit there, absorbed in every word you said.
You lost track of time as you continued sharing each creatureâs traits, fully immersed in the world of magical beasts and their quirks. You explained to Sunghoon how to spot a bowtruckle in the trees, the difference between a griffinâs call and a hippogriffâs, and why nifflers are drawn to sparkly objects. With every fact you shared, his eyes never left your face.
After a while, you realized just how close heâd inched toward you. There was hardly any space between you now, and you were all too aware of his gaze tracing the slope of your nose, the curve of your mouth as you spoke. It was almost unnerving, and for the first time, you found yourself stumbling over your words.
When you paused to catch your breath, Sunghoon broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. âI donât think Iâve ever heard anyone talk about magical creatures like that before.â
His words caught you off guard, and you felt warmth creeping into your cheeks. âThereâs so much out there we donât understand. I think thatâs the best partâthe mystery of it all.â You murmured, glancing down at your notebook.
Sunghoon leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. âMaybe thatâs why Iâve always thought youâre different from everyone else.â He looked down, almost shyly, as if he hadnât meant to let that slip.
You blinked, surprised. "Different?"
âYeah,â he replied, finally meeting your gaze again. âYouâre⌠genuine. Like, you actually care about the things that matter. You donât just do things because itâs expected, or because someone told you to. Youâre⌠well, itâs hard to explain.â He shrugged, visibly frustrated, and let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle.
You blinked, trying to make sense of what Sunghoon had just said, of the quiet vulnerability in his words. âI⌠didnât realize you thought about things like that,â you replied, your voice softer than youâd meant it to be.
But Sunghoonâs momentary openness seemed to vanish as soon as the words left your mouth. His eyes widened slightly, and he immediately turned away, his expression twisting into a frown. "I donât know why I evenââ
Before he could finish, he stood up abruptly, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. You barely had time to react as he took a few steps back, mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like âbeautiful eyesâ under his breath, though you couldnât be sure. Then, without looking back, he turned on his heel and strode out of the library, leaving you staring after him, stunned.
You sat there, watching the tall silhouette of his figure disappear through the doorway, a thousand questions spinning through your mind.
Madam Pinceâs voice snapped you out of your daze. She had quietly approached, tidying up the stray books the Gryffindor students had left behind. âIt doesnât take much to see he likes you,â she said, her tone somewhere between amused and exasperated.
Your head whipped around to face her, eyes wide. âWaitâwhat?â
She glanced at you over the rim of her spectacles, raising an eyebrow as she gathered a stack of books. âOh, come on. That boy didnât take his eyes off you for a second. He barely even noticed anyone else in the room.â She shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her. âIf he could, I swear heâd have hearts in his eyes. Quite the smitten one, that Sunghoon.â
You felt your face heat up. âIâno, that canât be.â
Madam Pince gave a noncommittal hum, but her eyes sparkled with something like knowing. âIâve seen plenty of students in here studying. Thereâs something different about him.â
ou couldnât shake the image of Sunghoonâs gaze lingering on you, softer than youâd ever seen it, and the way heâd fumbled over his own words like he didnât know what to do with them.
âMaybe itâs just the way he looks at you,â Madam Pince added as she placed the last book on the shelf. âYouâd think heâs looking at his entire world.â
You felt your breath catch, her words lingering long after you left the library.
The next day, you found yourself standing in the hallway before Charms class, nervously glancing at Wooyoung. Youâd practically dragged him here to talk about Sunghoon, though you werenât entirely sure what you wanted to ask or how to approach him.
âCome on, Wooyoung, you have to help me figure this out,â you said, your voice a little more frantic than you intended. âDo you think⌠do you think he likes me?â
Wooyoung, leaning casually against the wall, smiled so wide that his grin nearly split his face. There was a gleam in his eyesâone that you knew all too well. The one he always wore when he had some mischievous plan brewing.
âLike you?â he echoed, raising an eyebrow. âWhy wouldnât he? You two are practically a walking clichĂŠ. The constant competition, the way you both try to one-up each other⌠Itâs as obvious as your latest Transfiguration assignment.â
You frowned, unsure of where he was going with this. âIâwhat do you mean by that?â
Wooyoung pushed off the wall, standing up straighter. His smile grew wider, and you immediately recognized that look. The one that meant heâd just come up with something ridiculous, probably to your detriment. âWhy donât you make him show it? Get him to prove he likes you.â
You stared at him, blinking in disbelief. âWhat? How am I supposed to do that?â
He sighed dramatically, as though youâd just asked him a question that was too easy to answer. âItâs simple. Make him jealous using me,â Wooyoung replied, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Your eyes widened. âWait, what? You want me to pretend to like you to make Sunghoon jealous?â
âExactly!â Wooyoung grinned, clearly pleased with himself. âAnd donât worry. Iâll even be the test bunny âfree of charge. Iâll stick close to you, spend all the time I can with you, and make it look like Iâm all about you. Trust me, Sunghoon will get the message real quick.â
You hesitated, worried. âI donât know, Wooyoung. This seems like a bad idea.â
He groaned in exasperation, rolling his eyes. âHow can someone so smart be so clueless? Itâs not like you have to actually date me or anything. Besides, youâre not even doing anything bad, just hanging out with your best friend Wooyoung. Youâll see what happens. Just wait until Sunghoon realizes whatâs going on. If he likes you, heâll show it.â
You bit your lip, not entirely convinced. The idea made you uneasy, but Wooyoung was already grabbing your arm, pulling you towards the classroom. âCome on. You can overthink it later. Letâs go.â
Reluctantly, you allowed yourself to be pulled into class, the moment you found your seat, you looked around, half-expecting to see Sunghoon. When he walked into class, you saw him immediatelyâtall and confident, his usual smirk in place. But as soon as his eyes landed on you, sitting next to Wooyoung, his entire demeanor shifted. His eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed.
You felt your stomach flip when Sunghoon stalked over, crossing his arms.
âYouâre in my seat,â Sunghoon said, his voice cold as his eyes locked onto Wooyoung.
Wooyoung, not missing a beat, tilted his head back and looked at Sunghoon with a smug expression. âI donât see your name here,â he teased, his voice playful, almost sing-song. He then dramatically pulled you closer to him, as though to stake his claim. âBesides, Iâm sitting here now.â
You shot Wooyoung a look, but he was already enjoying this far too much. You glanced back at Sunghoon, who was glaring at Wooyoung with a look that could have burned a hole through him, his jaw clenched, his lips pressed into a thin line. But when Sunghoon looked at you, his eyes softened just a littleâthough the frown still remained. He sighed in frustration before walking off, clearly not wanting to make a scene.
His eyes then locked onto the desk directly in front of you, where a Ravenclaw student had been sitting just moments ago, quietly taking notes. Without so much as a glance toward you or Wooyoung, Sunghoon walked up to the desk with a purposeful stride.
The Ravenclaw, a young girl with glasses perched on the edge of her nose, looked up in mild surprise as Sunghoon approached her. She was about to ask if something was wrong when he stood before her, towering slightly as he looked down at her desk with an unwavering gaze.
âMove,â he said simply, his voice low and calm, but there was an unspoken authority in it. It wasnât a question, and there was no room for negotiation in his tone.
The Ravenclaw blinked, unsure of what was happening. âExcuse me?â she asked, her voice a little shaky.
Sunghoonâs expression remained neutral. âIâm sitting here,â he repeated, and he placed his bag down on the desk, almost as though he were claiming it.
The girl hesitated, glancing at the seat next to yours where Wooyoung sat, clearly not understanding the situation. She looked at the empty seats around the room, trying to figure out what to do.
âYou can find another seat,â Sunghoon added coolly, his gaze unflinching. âItâs not a big deal.â
The Ravenclaw swallowed hard, her face flushing with confusion and embarrassment. She had no idea what was happening. Was this some sort of joke? Was she supposed to just give up her seat because Sunghoon wanted it? She opened her mouth to protest again, but before she could speak, she caught the look in Sunghoonâs eyesâcold, almost daring her to defy him.
âOkay,â she muttered, gathering her things and standing up, clearly unnerved by the tension in the air. Reluctantly, she grabbed her bag, and with a small, defeated sigh, she walked toward a different desk, clearly trying to avoid further confrontation.
You watched the scene unfold with a mix of surprise and discomfort, and you could see Wooyoung beside you, clearly amused by the whole thing. Sunghoon didnât even spare a glance at the girl as she moved to another desk. He simply adjusted his books, and slid into the chair with a casual ease.
Wooyoung chuckled under his breath as class started, nudging you with an exaggerated wink. âWorked like a charm,â he whispered, grinning.
As Professor Flitwick began the lecture, Wooyoung scribbled something on a scrap of parchment and nudged it toward you, his grin widening when you glanced down.
âIâd say Sunghoon looks about two seconds away from hexing me,â heâd scrawled, complete with a little doodle of a scowling Sunghoon.
You smirked, scribbling back, âMore like two seconds from snapping his quill in half.â
Wooyoung had to stifle his laugh, glancing up to make sure Flitwick wasnât watching. Meanwhile, Sunghoon sat in front of you, stiff and silent, answering Professor Flitwickâs questions with uncharacteristic quietness. Normally, this was the part of the lesson where youâd challenge him, but you were too busy passing notes and snickering quietly with Wooyoung.
Meanwhile, Sunghoon, seemed quieter than usual. It was obvious to you that he wasnât paying much attention to the lesson nowâhis usually sharp focus shifted entirely to the students around him. You caught the way he glanced up when another student raised their hand, trying to challenge him. They asked a particularly tricky question about the correct incantation for a charm, but when Sunghoon answered smoothly, there was no cocky attitude, no smug smirk. He answered matter-of-factly, almost quietly, and then fell back into his seat, looking down at his parchment with furrowed brows.
Other students tried to challenge him, pushing for more details, but Sunghoon didnât rise to the occasion like he usually did with you. He remained reserved, answering them simply and without the usual bite in his voice.
And you couldnât help but wonder if this was all connected to the game you and Wooyoung had startedâtesting Sunghoon's reactions, seeing how far you could push him. You watched him for a few more moments, noting how his posture stiffened slightly whenever someone questioned him. It was like he was waiting for somethingâwaiting for you to throw a comment or a challenge his way. But you stayed quiet, not offering him the usual banter or playful disagreement.
Wooyoung passed you another note, his handwriting messier this time from his suppressed laughter. âGuess he only cares if itâs you arguing with him.â
As soon as Professor Flitwick dismissed the class, you barely had a second to pack up your things before Wooyoung seized your arm, yanking you up from your seat and ushering you toward the door with hurried enthusiasm.
âCome on, come on!â he whispered, grinning as he practically dragged you through the aisle, weaving between students as they gathered their things.
You stumbled slightly, barely managing to throw your bag over your shoulder as Wooyoung tugged you along, his grip firm as he steered you toward the corridor. Behind you, you caught a quick glimpse of Sunghoon, his expression darkening as he watched Wooyoung pull you away.
âWooyoung, slow down!â you protested, trying to keep from tripping as he continued his brisk pace down the hallway. You glanced back, half-expecting Sunghoon to be right behind you, but the corridor was empty, and you couldnât help but feel a small twinge of disappointment that he hadnât followed.
Wooyoung just laughed, his mischief only growing as he finally slowed down, his grip loosening as he threw you a victorious smile. âDid you see his face? He was practically glaring daggers at me!â
You rolled your eyes, brushing your hair out of your face as you tried to catch your breath. âYouâre going to drive him crazy at this rate. What if he actually loses it?â
Wooyoung smirked, shrugging as if it was no big deal. âIsnât that the plan? Youâll know for sure if he really likes you.â He wagged his eyebrows at you playfully, nudging you with his shoulder. âBesides, Iâve never seen him that riled up over anythingâor anyone, for that matter. And if heâs jealous, itâs because he knows heâs got competition.â
You opened your mouth to argue, but Wooyoung was already shooting you a smug grin, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he glanced over his shoulder, making sure Sunghoon hadnât caught up to you. You hated to admit it, but a part of you couldnât help but feel a bit giddy at the thought of getting under Sunghoonâs skin, especially after all the times heâd done the same to you.
Wooyoung didn't hold back over the next few days, sticking by your side at every opportunity, always there with that trademark mischievous grin. Heâd slide into the seat beside you during classes, insist on walking you to the Great Hall for meals, and show up at the library to âhelpâ you studyâeven if he spent more time drawing little doodles on your notes than actually being helpful.
You caught Sunghoon watching the two of you on more than one occasion, his gaze dark and intense, lips pressed into a firm line as Wooyoung leaned close to whisper something that would make you laugh. The frustration on Sunghoonâs face was unmistakable, but he never said anything. He would just look away with a huff, his jaw clenched as he turned his attention back to whatever was in front of him.
During Potions, Wooyoung made a particularly bold move, sliding his chair so close to yours that your shoulders brushed as you worked on a shared project. Sunghoon, who sat across from you, glared at Wooyoung with such ferocity that you were sure heâd burst.
âAre you two always this⌠close?â Sunghoon finally muttered, barely hiding the edge in his voice.
Wooyoung looked up with an innocent smile, putting an arm over your shoulder with exaggerated nonchalance. âOh, absolutely. Iâm just here to make sure no one distracts her from her studies,â he said with a wink in your direction.
You bit back a laugh as Sunghoonâs expression turned sour, his fingers tapping agitatedly against the desk.
As the days went on, Sunghoonâs patience seemed to fray bit by bit, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a simmering frustration. You could see it in the way he clenched his fists whenever he saw you with Wooyoung, how heâd roll his eyes when he overheard Wooyoung laughing with you in the library. He even began answering questions more aggressively in class, as though trying to reclaim some attention.
One evening, when Wooyoung had just pulled you out of the library after an impromptu âstudy session,â you spotted Sunghoon watching you from across the corridor, his expression dark. Wooyoung followed your gaze and smirked, leaning down to whisper, âI think heâs finally reaching his limit. Just waitâheâll crack any day now.â
--
You were sat in the courtyard, finally getting a moment to study in peace with Wooyoung serving detention, a shadow fell over your books. You looked up, blinking as Sunghoon stood there, hands shoved in his pockets, an intense look in his eyes.
âStudying alone for once?â he asked, his voice casual, but the edge in it unmistakable.
You gave him a small shrug, trying to appear unfazed. âYeah, Wooyoungâs busy.â
Sunghoon sat down across from you without asking, his gaze flickering over your books before settling on you. âSo, you and Wooyoung⌠youâve known each other for a while, huh?â he asked, trying to sound nonchalant but clearly fishing for something.
You raised an eyebrow, sensing where this was going. âWeâre good friends,â you replied simply. âWeâve known each other since second year.â
Sunghoonâs brows knit together, curiosityâand maybe a hint of jealousyâlingering in his expression. âHow did that even happen? You two donât seem like the most⌠obvious match.â
You laughed a little at the memory. âOh, it was something, alright. I found him running from Filch after heâd set off one of those cursed prank fireworks. He practically begged me to hide him, so I did. After that, we just⌠clicked, I guess. Iâd cover for him, and heâd keep me entertained with his ridiculous schemes.â
Sunghoon nodded, a faint smirk appearing on his lips. âSo youâre telling me youâve been cleaning up his messes for years.â
You laughed. âPretty much.â
For a moment, Sunghoon seemed lost in thought, a silence settling between you as he absorbed what youâd shared. He looked down at the book open in front of youâa piece on mythical creatures.
âSounds like youâre a better friend than he deserves,â he muttered, his voice barely loud enough to hear. And then, without waiting for your reaction, he quickly added, âBut maybe youâre just too kind. I doubt youâd turn away anyone if they asked for help.â He leaned forward, arms crossed and a curious look on his face, as if he were ready to seize this moment and talk about anythingâeverything, even.
âSo⌠this whole mythical creatures thing,â he began, nodding toward the book in front of you. âItâs what you want to do after school, right?â
You hesitated, but then you looked up and caught the way Sunghoonâs gaze softened as he waited for you to answer. There was no trace of his usual smirk or sarcastic tone; he just looked genuinely⌠interested. Almost desperate to keep this conversation going, like he needed to talk to you, even if it was about the most random thing he could think of.
Letting out a quiet sigh, you nodded. âYeah⌠I guess I want to travel, see the world, learn about different creatures out there.â
Sunghoon nodded slowly, eyes never leaving yours. âMakes sense for you.â
You couldnât help but smile. âWhat about you, Sunghoon? What do you want to do?â
He ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly awkward as he considered his answer. âMe? Well⌠my family expects me to follow in their footsteps and work in the Ministry. Some important role thatâll keep the Park name respectable or whatever.â
You raised an eyebrow, surprised at how openly he was talking about it. âAnd⌠is that what you want?â
He hesitated, glancing away briefly before meeting your eyes again. âHonestly? No. But itâs not like I get much say in it. My parents⌠they donât really ask what I want. They just have this⌠plan. And Iâm supposed to go along with it.â
You softened, forgetting all about Wooyoungâs plan. âMaybe one day, youâll get to do what you actually want. Even if it means disappointing a few people along the way.â
Sunghoonâs lips curved into a faint smile. âMaybe.â
While you and Sunghoon continued your conversation, Wooyoung burst onto the scene, looking a bit disheveled from detention.
"Hey! You promised youâd help me with Astronomy, remember?" he announced, hands on his hips as he gestured toward the library.
You blinked, taken aback. âDid I? I donât remember promising that, Wooââ
But Wooyoung wasnât giving you a moment to think. He sidled up to you, giving Sunghoon a mischievous side-eye as he tried to usher you away. That was, until Sunghoon suddenly stood up with startling speed.
âActually, weâll both help you,â he said firmly, his voice determined, like he was making a declaration. He looked between you and Wooyoung, and you couldnât hide your surprise. Sunghoon had never offered to tutor anyone, much less help anyone study.
Wooyoung faltered for a moment, his usual quick wit momentarily stunned. âWait, you want to help? Since when does Sunghoon Park volunteer to help anyone?â he stammered, clearly thrown off his game.
Without missing a beat, Sunghoon reached out, grabbing your hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and gently pulled you along. He positioned himself slightly in front of you, blocking Wooyoungâs view just enough to hold your attention. His touch was firm, warm, and you could feel the faintest bit of tension in his grip, as though he was reluctant to let you go.
âCome on,â he said, glancing back at you, eyes lit with determination.
You barely had time to process the boldness of his move, your heart beating a little faster at the intensity in his gaze. But then, from behind you, Wooyoung snapped out of his daze.
âHey! Donât leave me!â he shouted, sprinting forward to catch up.
Once inside the library, Sunghoon led you to a secluded corner, where the stacks of books created a quiet, private nook. He settled down across from you, pulling out his Astronomy textbook and parchment without a word. You followed suit, just as Wooyoung stumbled in, slightly out of breath and muttering curses under his breath.
"Merlin, Sunghoon, did you have to practically run here? Not all of us have legs that belong on a Quidditch team,â Wooyoung huffed, plopping down in the remaining seat and tossing his Astronomy books onto the table.
You chuckled softly, but Sunghoon didnât seem to notice. He had already opened his book and was flipping to a relevant chapter, his eyes scanning the page with a quiet focus. The three of you settled in, and soon, you began explaining the constellations and how to identify them, taking a parchment to map out a few diagrams for Wooyoung.
Sunghoon added an occasional word here and there, though you quickly noticed his advice was always directed toward you, not Wooyoung. It was as if he couldnât be bothered to look at Wooyoung directly, instead choosing to watch you as you spoke. Every so often, he'd chime in at the end of your explanations, repeating or affirming your words like a quiet echo.
"Right," youâd say, finishing up a description of Orion. âThatâs why its belt is so distinctive in the night sky.â
"Distinctive,â Sunghoon murmured, nodding slightly as he watched you, his gaze steady.
Wooyoung, however, wasnât about to let this slide. He shot you a look of exaggerated exasperation, rolling his eyes playfully as Sunghoon added yet another short agreement after your sentence.
âIf Iâd known studying with the both of you would be this one-sided, Iâd have just gone to Hagridâs for a simpler lecture,â Wooyoung quipped, pretending to grumble. He shot you a grin. âYouâre doing all the heavy lifting here. Sunghoonâs just admiring the view.â
You stifled a laugh, glancing at Sunghoon, who simply shrugged and looked away, not even trying to deny it. A faint blush had crept up his cheeks, but he kept his gaze on his notes, acting unbothered as he continued to jot things down.
The table fell quiet for a moment, the only sounds being the rustling of pages and the scratching of quills. Sunghoon had finally turned his attention to his notes, his posture still stiff and focused, while Wooyoung, sitting across from you, began to plot. You could feel the mischievous glint in his eyes as he glanced between you and Sunghoon, an idea forming behind that grin of his. You knew that grin wellâit was the kind of grin that spelled out nothing good.
And then, as if on cue, Wooyoung shifted in his seat, straightened up, and suddenly leaned forward, all casual-like.
âY/N,â he began, his voice loud enough to carry across the quiet library. âDo you ever wonder what it would be like if Sunghoon here actually smiled when he helped us study? You know, like⌠with an actual expression, not just his usual âIâm-too-cool-for-thisâ face?â
You shot him a look, one that made it clear you were aware of what he was doing. You opened your mouth to say something, but Wooyoung was already going for it. He nudged your elbow gently with his, a silent request for backup.
âI mean,â he continued, his voice deliberately drawing out the words, âI bet you could teach him a thing or two about showing some emotion, right? Iâve seen you make him smile once in a while. Thatâs kind of impressive, considering, you know⌠he usually doesn't even seem to know how to have fun. Maybe you should be his personal tutor on that.â
You suppressed a laugh, but it was difficult to stop your lips from twitching. Sunghoon, however, didnât react at first. He kept his eyes on the page in front of him, though the muscles in his jaw twitched slightly, and his posture tightened.
Wooyoung wasnât done. No, he was just getting started. He leaned back in his chair, completely at ease, as if he were speaking casually about the weather.
âSo,â he said with a sly grin, âSunghoon, what's it like, huh? Sitting here and being the epitome of cool? Donât you get bored sometimes?â He leaned forward, directing his question to Sunghoon directly now. âYou ever get jealous? Like when Y/N and I hang out and I make her laugh, but you canât seem to do the same? Maybe you could learn something from me after all. You know, how to crack a joke here and there. Itâd be a good change of pace for you.â
Your eyes widened, realizing the full extent of Wooyoungâs plan. He was making you the center of attention, and Sunghoon was stuck right in front of you, getting teased in a way that was bound to rattle him.
For a moment, it seemed like Sunghoon was going to retort, but then something changed. He looked at you briefly, his expression unreadable, before his gaze flicked back to his notes.
âI donât need to crack jokes to be effective,â he muttered, the words clipped and sharp, though there was a distinct edge to them. âBut you do seem to have a talent for making everything an entertainment show.â
Wooyoungâs grin only widened at the jab. "Well, someoneâs gotta keep things interesting."
You were trying so hard not to laugh, your hand pressed against your lips to stifle the giggles. You could tell that Wooyoung was enjoying to push Sunghoonâs buttons, waiting for him to bite, and it was hard to ignore how Sunghoon seemed to slowly crack under the pressure.
Finally, you couldnât keep it in anymore. You let out a soft laugh, looking at Sunghoon with a teasing smile. âYouâre not gonna let Wooyoung get to you, are you?â
Sunghoon paused, his eyes flickering to you, he exhaled, almost like a sigh, and then said, with a quiet edge, âIâve got more important things to focus on than whatever this is.â
Madam Pince appeared just as you were trying to suppress the last of your laughter, her stern eyes scanning the room. She spotted you from across the library and made her way over, her expression softening a little when she saw you sitting with Sunghoon and Wooyoung.
"Ah, Y/N," she said in her usual clipped tone. "Iâm in need of some assistance. Thereâs a book missing, and you seem to be one of the few students who knows this library well enough to help me track it down."
You nodded quickly, grateful for the excuse to step away from the tension growing between Sunghoon and Wooyoung. "Of course, Madam Pince. I'll help you find it."
You were prepared to leave, but before you did, you leaned closer to Wooyoung, who was still watching Sunghoon, his expression one of quiet amusement.
âPlay fair, Wooyoung,â you whispered, just loud enough for him to hear but soft enough that Sunghoon wouldnât catch on.
Wooyoung gave you a wide, mischievous grin, his eyes twinkling with the hint of something elseâperhaps a little bit of challenge. "You got it, Y/N," he whispered back, his voice teasing.
Then, you turned to Sunghoon, who had been unusually quiet, his eyes focused on his notes but his body language still tight. You werenât sure if he was just avoiding Wooyoungâs teasing or if there was something else on his mind.
Leaning in slightly, you whispered to him, just as softly as you had to Wooyoung, âGo easy on Wooyoung, alright?â
Sunghoon didnât immediately respond, but you could see his eyes flicker with a slight surprise. He gave a quick, almost imperceptible nod, though his lips remained pressed together in that tight line he often wore when he wasnât sure how to express himself.
"Fine," he muttered, his tone as close to a concession as youâd get from him.
With that, you excused yourself from the table, gathering your bag and walking away with Madam Pince, who seemed to appreciate the extra pair of hands.
--
You handed Madam Pince the book when you found it, her lips curling into a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Y/N. Youâre always so helpful," she said, before disappearing behind a shelf to return the book to its rightful place.
Once that was done, you made your way back to the table where youâd left Sunghoon and Wooyoung. But when you walked up, you noticed that only Sunghoon remained, his focus still on his notes, though he didnât seem as intense as he had been earlier. His shoulders were slightly hunched over, his quill scratching across the parchment in front of him.
"Whereâd Wooyoung go?" you asked, your voice light but curious.
Sunghoon didnât look up at first, continuing to write something down before responding. "He got too bored and decided to leave. Probably off causing trouble somewhere," he said, his voice flat.
You sighed, shaking your head. "I should've known. He's always up to something."
Sunghoon just shrugged and went back to his work, not saying anything more.
After some time, Sunghoon glanced up from his notes and reached for one of the books you had both been reading. He scanned a passage, muttering something under his breath before looking at you again.
"Hereâs a question," he said, reading aloud. "What do you think is the primary trait that allows a Thestral to remain undetected by most students?" He paused for a moment, his eyes locking with yours. "I think it's their ability to be invisible to those who haven't experienced death. What would you add to that?"
You thought for a second. "I would add that they also have an inherent ability to sense the emotions of others, which could explain why they only reveal themselves to people who have truly understood loss. Itâs not just physical invisibility, itâs emotional, too."
Sunghoon nodded thoughtfully, a small smile playing at his lips. "I like that. Youâve got a good point."
As you both continued discussing the finer details of Thestrals, your chairs inched closer and closer without either of you noticing. At first, it was just a subtle shift in the way you both sat, both leaning in a little to be closer to the books and each otherâs notes. But soon, you were sitting shoulder to shoulder, the space between you so small it almost didnât matter anymore.
You could feel the warmth of his shoulder brushing against yours, a strange sense of familiarity in the way you both fit together in that moment. And when he passed you a book, his hand brushing yours in the process, neither of you pulled away.
The air between you both seemed to shift, subtle yet undeniable. Time seemed to slow for a moment, and you couldn't help but notice the brief flicker in Sunghoon's eyesâlike he was aware of the closeness, of the sudden tension that hadn't been there before.
You both locked eyes, your gazes lingering a little longer than they should have. Then, just as quickly, his gaze dropped to your lips, and you felt a slight shift in your chest. You instinctively licked your lips, a nervous habit, and when you did, Sunghoon's gaze followed the motion, his eyes following the path of your tongue. You could almost feel the shift in his focus as he swallowed, his Adamâs apple bobbing. You felt a rush of heat flood your cheeks at the realization that he had caught it, that he had been watching you so intently.
You gave him a soft smile, just a hint of amusement in your expression, before you quickly looked back down at your notes, trying to regain your composure.
Sunghoon, as if breaking free from whatever spell had taken hold of him, seemed to blink and shake himself out of his trance. His gaze shifted back to his notes, though there was a slight tightness in his jaw that hadn't been there before. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his usual collected demeanor.
"Right," he muttered, focusing on the book in front of him as though it was the most interesting thing in the room.
Your hand, poised over your quill, hesitated for a moment, as if unsure of what to write next. Your thoughts were scattered nowâyour mind buzzing with a thousand things, none of them having to do with the notes in front of you. You focused on the lines, the words, the shapes of the ink on the page, but it was a challenge. Everything felt so much more present now.
The night had stretched on without either of you noticing. The quiet between you had been comfortable, filled with soft whispers of pages turning and the faint scratch of quills on paper. When you finally stood, stretching your stiff limbs, the weight of the evening pressed down on you. Sunghoon, still by your side, packed his books slowly, as if reluctant to leave.
You both stepped out of the library together, the cool night air hitting you with the suddenness of it, making you shiver slightly. Sunghoon, as usual, was a step ahead of you, walking with that calm, collected air he always carried.
As the doors to the library clicked shut behind you, the portraits along the hallways seemed to come alive, their eyes following you both as you walked. Your eyes flicked over the various faces, and then you noticed a particular paintingâtwo lovers standing close, gazing at each other with love. The two figures in the painting seemed to smirk at you, their eyes sparkling with mischievous intent.
A wave of warmth spread over you, and before you could even think, your face flushed, the embarrassment catching you off guard. You quickly looked away, focusing on the stone floor beneath your feet, trying to hide your blush. Thatâs when your gaze inadvertently lifted up, and you found yourself looking at Sunghoon.
You hadnât meant to stare, but you couldnât help it. His side profile was so striking, every feature seeming perfectly sculpted in the low light of the hallway. His sharp jawline was defined, the angle of it so perfect it almost looked like something out of a painting itself. His noseâstraight and sharpâseemed to fit his face so well. You could see the faint moles on his skin, scattered along his otherwise perfect pale skin. His dark hair, messy but somehow perfect, fell effortlessly over his forehead, and the way it framed his face made everything about him seem even more⌠intense.
But it was his eyes that captivated you the most. Even though he wasnât looking directly at you, you could feel themâthose eyes that were usually so guarded, now more thoughtful.
When you reached the entrance to your common room, you stopped, both of you hesitant for just a second. The words you wanted to say stuck in your throat, you looked up at him again, your gaze lingering on his face.
âThanks for walking me back,â you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper.
Sunghoon nodded, and for a moment, neither of you moved. He hesitated before giving you a small, almost imperceptible smile.
âAnytime,â he replied, his voice softer than usual, almost unsure.
--
You tossed and turned in your bed, the sheets tangled around your legs, the restless whispers of your bedmatesâ snores filling the silence of the dormitory. Despite the rhythmic sound of their breathing, it only seemed to make everything feel more stifling. The night stretched on far too long, the weight of your thoughts keeping you wide awake. No matter how you shifted, how many times you tried to find a comfortable position, sleep refused to come.
It was late. Too late. You should be asleep, but every time you closed your eyes, the thoughts came back, chasing you into a wakefulness that felt almost unbearable. You groaned softly, rubbing your face with both hands.
Sighing in frustration, you finally gave up. With a groan, you sat up, blinking in the dim light that filtered in from the window. You glanced around at your sleeping bedmates, none of them aware of your restlessness. The soft, sleepy murmurs of their dreams only made the weight of your own thoughts feel heavier. You needed to get out.
Quietly, you slipped your legs off the bed and padded across the floor in your slippers. You grabbed your jacket from the back of your chair and threw it on over your pyjamas, the fabric slightly chilly against your skin. Your wand was a comforting weight in your hand as you whispered the slightest incantation under your breath. The quiet "Lumos" from your wandâs tip provided a faint light, just enough to guide your way.
The corridors of Hogwarts were eerily quiet, bathed in shadow, save for the faint glow of your wand. You moved carefully, keeping your footsteps light, aware of the potential danger of being caught. You didnât want to risk Filch or Mrs. Norris spotting you, so you kept your senses heightened. If you saw anyone, you'd be ready to cast the Disillusionment Charm in an instant, blending into the shadows before they could even register your presence.
Before long, you reached your destinationâthe Astronomy Tower. You could already feel the calming presence of the stars, even from the base of the tower. You hurried up the winding stairs, each step taking you closer to the quiet peace of the tower. Your breath quickened as you climbed. When you reached the top, you pushed open the door to the tower and stepped out into the cool night air.
The stars twinkled above you, scattered across the sky like diamonds scattered on velvet. The moon hung high and bright, casting a silvery glow over the castle. The familiar peace settled over you, the noise in your head beginning to fade as you stood there, gazing out at the endless night.
As you stood there in the quiet, the faint shuffle of footsteps behind you pulled your attention away from the stars. You instinctively gripped your wand, the spell already forming in your mind, but before you could cast it, a familiar voice rang out, low and quiet, but unmistakable.
âWell, well, didnât expect to see you here.â
You turned quickly, your heart racing, and found Sunghoon standing just a few feet away. His presence felt like a sudden shift in the air, his gaze fixed on you, unreadable yet steady. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips.
âWhat are you doing here?â You tried to sound casual, but your pulse quickened. You had been hoping for solitude, not the unexpected company of someone who seemed to occupy so much space in your mind lately.
Sunghoon tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing in that way that made you feel as though he was always observing, always calculating. âSame reason as you, I suspect. Couldnât sleep.â He took a step closer, his movements smooth and deliberate. âThe stars have a way of making everything⌠quieter, donât they?â
You hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to make small talk or let the silence stretch on.
âI didnât think youâd be the type to sneak out at night,â he added, his voice taking on that teasing tone you were so familiar with.
âIâm not usually,â you replied, though the words felt a little less convincing now. âJust⌠needed some air. Some time away from everything.â
âEverything?â Sunghoon echoed, his eyebrow raising slightly. âIncluding me?â
You froze, unsure how to answer, but before you could say anything, he was already standing next to you.
You turned your attention back to the stars, unable to meet his gaze. âNo, not you,â you murmured quietly, almost reflexively. âI just⌠donât know how to sort all of this out.â
Sunghoon was silent for a beat, then spoke again, his voice softer now, a touch more serious. âYou know, you donât have to figure everything out all at once.â
You met his gaze, and for the first time, you didnât see a challenge there. âI donât know if I want to figure it out,â you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.
His lips curled into that familiar smirk, but this time, it was different. There was no teasing edge, just the soft hint of understanding. âFair enough.â
You exhaled slowly, considering his words.
âYou know,â he said after a moment, his voice almost thoughtful, âIâve seen you up here before, on some nights.â
You blinked, surprised. âYou have?â
He shrugged, his gaze never leaving the stars. âSometimes. I didnât want to disturb you, though. You looked⌠peaceful.â
There was a flicker of something in his eyes, but it was gone so quickly that you werenât sure if you had imagined it. He shifted slightly, and before you knew it, he was sitting down on the cold stone floor of the tower, his legs crossed as he looked up at the sky.
You hesitated for a moment, then joined him, sitting a few inches away.
After a long silence, you broke the silence, your voice almost soft. âThe stars look beautiful, donât they?â
Sunghoon glanced at you, but instead of following your gaze to the sky, his eyes lingered on you for a moment. âYeah,â he agreed. âThey are.â His gaze lingered a moment longer.
He never really looked at the night sky at all.
--
History of Magic class had never been your favorite, but this particular day, you were running late, thanks to a rather inconvenient staircase that decided to shift just as you were climbing it. You had narrowly avoided tripping, but it had definitely delayed your arrival to class.
You stepped into the classroom with a quiet sigh of relief, thankful that Professor Binns was, as usual, sound asleep, floating behind his desk in his usual ethereal state.
Your eyes scanned the classroom for an empty seat, your gaze flicking from student to student until you caught sight of Sunghoon. He was sitting a few rows ahead, his expression calm, though his eyes subtly flickered toward you. He gave you a slight nod and a small gesture with his hand, silently urging you to sit beside him.
You hesitated for a moment, but then shrugged, deciding it wouldnât hurt to join him. As you made your way toward him, you felt the weight of your bag on your shoulder, wondering if youâd packed something extra this morning. You dropped into the seat beside him and set your bag down with a sigh.
But as you opened it to grab your notes, you immediately gasped, shocked. There was something extra in there that you hadnât packedâsomething that wasnât supposed to be in your bag. You quickly shut it again, looking around nervously, but fortunately, no one seemed to be paying attention. Most of the class was too busy chatting or goofing off to notice.
Sunghoon, noticing your surprise, raised an eyebrow at you. âWhatâs wrong?â
You nudged the bag toward him, a questioning look in your eyes. He tilted his head, curious, and then leaned in slightly. Without saying anything, he reached over and opened your bag. When his eyes met yours again, his expression mirrored your own surprise, and he quickly closed it, his eyebrows shooting up in shock.
âWhat the hell?â Sunghoon muttered under his breath, glancing around to make sure no one had noticed.
You both kept your voices low, trying to keep the situation between just the two of you. Sunghoon passed you his notes for the rest of the class, a wordless agreement to focus on the task at hand.
By the time Professor Binns finally stirred, slowly waking from his nap, you were practically ready to bolt out of the classroom. Sunghoon, too, had packed up quickly, his eyes flickering over to you as if he shared your urgency.
The moment Binns waved you off with a disinterested dismissal, you were out of your seat in an instant, clutching your bag tightly to your side. Sunghoon followed after you, his footsteps quick and light as he kept pace beside you. The two of you slipped into an empty classroom just down the hall. You quickly shut the door behind you, and Sunghoon locked it, his eyes flicking back to you, unsure of what was about to happen.
You didnât waste any time. You set your bag on a nearby table and opened it again, and as you reached inside, your fingers brushed against something warm and softâand then, with a slight tug, you pulled out Spark, the little Niffler, who immediately clung to you with his tiny paws.
You couldnât help but laugh in surprise as Spark squirmed in your grip, his shiny black eyes gleaming as he wriggled in your arms, his pouch clearly overflowing. âThatâs why my bag was so heavy!â you exclaimed in disbelief, shaking your head. âI thought I packed an extra book! How did you sneak in there, little guy?â
Spark tried twisting around in your arms, desperate to get away, but you held him tightly, trying to keep him under control. He was practically a bundle of energy, clearly pleased with himself after whatever little heist heâd gone on.
Sunghoon watched you both for a moment, raising an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. âHow did he even get away from Hagrid?â he asked, his voice filled with a mix of amusement and genuine curiosity.
You shrugged nonchalantly. âNifflers are tricky,â you said, your smile growing as you felt Spark nuzzle against you, clearly satisfied with his haul.
âI imagine Hagridâs going to be missing something when he realizes.â Sunghoon said, his tone slightly teasing.
âIâll return whatever he stole,â you said, a little exasperated, but the fondness for the mischievous creature clear in your voice. âIf I can ever get him to give it back.â
Sunghoonâs eyes lingered on Spark for a moment longer before he chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. âOnly you could have a Niffler hiding in your bag during school.â
You smiled sheepishly. âWell, I donât make it easy for myself, do I?â
Sunghoon let out a soft laugh, his gaze still fixed on Spark "Definitely not," he said, a teasing tone slipping into his voice.
You rolled your eyes, though you couldnât help but smile at the way he looked at you. You adjusted your grip on Spark, who had decided that now was the perfect time to try and escape, wiggling energetically.
"Okay, okay," you said, giving up trying to keep him still. "You win. You can go play, but if you steal anything else, Iâm telling Hagrid." Spark let out a small chirp as he scurried off your lap and darted toward a stack of books in the corner of the room, clearly on the hunt for more shiny objects.
Sunghoonâs chuckle faded as he looked over at you, his eyes a little more thoughtful now. "Youâve got a lot going on, huh?" he asked, his voice soft, almost as if he was just realizing something he hadnât thought about before.
You cut him off with a playful shrug. "Itâs nothing I canât handle," you said, your tone light. "Besides, Iâve got good company to help me through it." You flashed him a grin, hoping to keep things light.
Sunghoonâs eyes softened, his lips curving into a small smile. For a moment, he just looked at you, but before either of you could say anything more, Spark returned with what looked like a shiny button in his mouth, clearly pleased with his new find.
Sunghoon glanced at Spark, then back at you, his expression amused but still thoughtful. "I think youâre more like him than you realize," he said, a hint of warmth in his voice. "Getting into trouble, but always figuring it out somehow."
You raised an eyebrow, surprised by his words. "I wouldnât say Iâm that bad."
He shrugged nonchalantly, his smile lingering. "Maybe not. But you definitely keep things interesting."
Eventually, Spark seemed to grow bored of his treasure hunt and returned to your lap, curling up contentedly. You smiled down at him, your fingers absentmindedly petting his fluffy little head.
"Guess we should probably get back to studying," you said, your voice softer now, more relaxed.
Sunghoon nodded, leaning back slightly in his chair, his gaze lingering on you for just a moment longer. "Yeah, I suppose so."
You and Sunghoon made your way to the courtyard after packing up your things from the empty classroom. The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft golden light over the stone pathways. The courtyard was quiet, except for the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant chatter of students who had finished their classes for the day. You found a quiet bench near the flowerbeds, your books spread out between you as you settled in to continue your study session.
As soon as you opened your notebook, the challenge began.
"So, whatâs this about the Thunderbirds again?" Sunghoon asked, glancing at the page you were studying. "Iâve heard of them, but Iâm not sure I get the whole thing."
You couldnât help but smirk slightly, glad to have an advantage for once. "Thunderbirds are fascinating," you said, your voice animated as you leaned in a little closer to your notes. "Theyâre massive, magical birds that can summon storms with the beat of their wings. Theyâre native to North America and are known for being extremely elusive."
Sunghoon leaned back, crossing his arms with an amused smile. "Well, I already knew they could summon storms. But the elusive part? Thatâs new." He paused, then added, "So, what, they just hide all the time?"
"Theyâre incredibly protective of their nests," you continued, undeterred by his teasing. "They only show themselves to those they trust, and even then, itâs rare. Thatâs why spotting one is so special."
Sunghoon hummed thoughtfully, clearly intrigued, but then his gaze shifted to the open page of Defense Against the Dark Arts you had next to you. "Okay, okay. Enough with the Thunderbirds," he said, tapping the page lightly. "What about this spell here? Do you know how to counter the Inferius Charm? Because thatâs actually something Iâve been working on in my spare time."
You paused, blinking a little at him. "Inferius Charm?" you asked, your brow furrowing as you tried to recall your lessons. "Isnât that the one where you reanimate the dead?"
"Exactly," Sunghoon replied, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Itâs really tricky to deal with, but if you know the right counter-curse, you can stop them cold."
You thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I remember the counter-curse is Finite Incantatem, right? But it only works if the Inferius hasnât fully gained control yet. Otherwise, you need something stronger, like Fiendfyre."
Sunghoon raised an eyebrow. "Youâve been reading ahead, havenât you?"
You smiled, a bit smug. "I like to be prepared."
"Well, I can see that," he said, turning his attention back to his notes. "But let me tell you something you might not know," he added, leaning forward a bit. "A strong Patronus works too. Itâs not something most people would think about, but the energy from a Patronus is enough to break the dark magic animating the Inferius."
You blinked, surprised. "Thatâs⌠thatâs actually really clever."
He smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "I donât just look good, you know."
You rolled your eyes playfully, but there was something about the way Sunghoon said it, so confidently, that made you smile. "Iâll give you credit, thatâs pretty impressive."
But you werenât about to let him have the last word. "But, you know, for someone whoâs so good at Defense Against the Dark Arts," you teased, "you should really know that Fiendfyre is a dangerous last resort. Itâs not something to throw around casually."
Sunghoon raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. Iâll admit itâI was showing off a little."
You both laughed, as you leaned back, taking a deep breath. It was nice, you realized, to have this kind of easy conversation with him.
The cool evening air brushed against your face as the sun finally dipped below the horizon, casting the courtyard in a soft, dusky light. You and Sunghoon continued your quiet study session, each of you focused but every so often exchanging playful glances or little remarks.
You found yourself looking at him more often than you realized, noticing the way the fading light reflected in his dark eyes, how his sharp jawline seemed more defined in the soft glow of the evening.
"So, whatâs your favorite magical creature?" Sunghoon asked suddenly, his voice breaking the silence between you two.
You blinked, taken off guard by the question. "Favorite?" You thought for a moment, glancing at the magical creatures book on the table between you. "I think Iâd have to go with Thestrals."
"Thestrals?" Sunghoon echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Isnât that a bit dark for you?"
You smirked, tilting your head. "Not at all. Theyâre misunderstood creatures. They're associated with death, yes, but theyâre also symbols of strength, resilience, and the importance of seeing the world for what it is."
Sunghoon seemed to pause for a moment, considering your words. "I get it," he said, his voice softening. "They're like the quiet ones that people forget about or are afraid of, but they're actually kind of⌠impressive."
You smiled, pleased he seemed to understand. "Exactly. Theyâre beautiful in their own way."
A comfortable silence stretched between you both after that, the air around you growing cooler as the evening progressed.
As you flipped through your notes, you heard him sigh, and when you looked up, his eyes were still on you.
"Youâve been pretty quiet about your personal life," Sunghoon said after a moment. His voice was casual, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity. "Whatâs something people donât know about you?"
You raised an eyebrow, half-suspicious and half-curious. "Why the sudden interest?"
"Iâm just wondering," he replied, shrugging with a nonchalant smile. "You know everything about meâwell, almost everythingâso I thought maybe Iâd ask you something personal."
You hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. You werenât used to opening up about yourself like this, especially to someone who had been a bit of a puzzle to you until now.
"I guess," you started slowly, glancing down at your notes for a moment, "one thing people donât know about me is that I actually really enjoy quiet moments like this. Everyone always thinks Iâm outgoing, but I like being still. I like the peace."
Sunghoon watched you closely as you spoke, his expression softening. "Thatâs⌠kind of surprising," he said, almost as if he were contemplating your words. "But I get it. Itâs nice to just⌠exist in the moment sometimes."
You simply nodded.
--
As weeks passed and the tension between you and Sunghoon grew, you found yourself wrestling with your thoughts more and more. The plan youâd concocted with Wooyoung had seemed like a good idea at the timeâpush Sunghoon into showing his feelings by making him jealous. But now, the thought of it made you uneasy. You had seen the signs in Sunghoonâhis subtle glances, the way his attention shifted to you whenever you were around. But you realized you didnât want to force him into a corner, didnât want to pressure him into confessing if he wasnât ready.
The truth was, you wanted him to figure it out on his own, just as you wanted to figure out your own feelings. But that didnât make it any easier. Your heart raced every time he was near you, and your thoughts seemed to trip over themselves when you tried to sort out what you were feeling. You didnât want to rush things, didnât want to push him into something that wasnât genuine, but you were also terrified of staying in this state of tension forever.
Wooyoung, of course, noticed the change immediately. His wide grin faltered when you told him you were cutting off the plan. "Youâre really giving up on this, huh?" he asked, a little disappointment creeping into his voice. "I thought you were just waiting for the perfect moment."
You sighed, running a hand through your hair. "I donât want to force him into something, Wooyoung. Iâm tired of all the games." You paused, the weight of your words sinking in. "I donât even know if Iâm ready to confess to him, let alone push him into it."
Wooyoung raised an eyebrow, his usual teasing expression softening for once. "Youâve got a point," he admitted. "But you know, youâve got this⌠tension. Like the two of you are on the verge of something, and neither of you wants to take that step. How long are you going to let that happen?"
You glanced away, feeling your cheeks flush. "I donât know⌠Iâm scared, Wooyoung. What if he doesnât feel the same way? Or worse, what if we mess everything up by saying the wrong thing?"
He watched you for a moment, his eyes softer than usual. "Youâre not alone in that fear, you know? But if you never try, youâll never know. Just⌠donât overthink it."
It was advice that made sense, but the doubt still lingered. You had always prided yourself on being confident, on taking things head-on, but with Sunghoon, everything felt so much more complicated. It wasnât just about your feelings for himâit was about everything else too. The quiet moments you shared, the unspoken tension, the way he made you feel when he was around. You didnât want to risk losing all of that by moving too quickly or, even worse, by never moving at all.
And yet, the longer the silence stretched between you, the harder it became to ignore. There were times when you would catch Sunghoon glancing at you across the room, when youâd catch his gaze lingering just a moment too long. And each time, you wondered if he was feeling the same things you were.
The months passed, and the tension between you two only seemed to build. Neither of you had confessed, and yet there was this invisible thread that connected you. Every laugh, every glance, every conversation seemed to deepen the unspoken bond between you. You couldnât tell whether it was a friendship or something more, but the ambiguity felt like a heavy weight.
You still didnât know what the right choice was. And as the year went on, you found yourself questioning whether you had made the right decision. Should you have taken the leap? Should you have forced Sunghoon into confessing, just like Wooyoung had suggested? Or was your choice to wait, to let him figure it out on his own, the right one after all?
--
The cool night air wrapped around you as you sat cross-legged on the floor of the Astronomy Tower, your eyes tracing the constellations above. It was one of those nights when the stars seemed to shine brighter, when everything around you felt still and quiet, almost too perfect for the chaotic thoughts running through your mind.
Your focus shifted as you flicked your wand, turning a nearby stone into a delicate flower for only a second before it crumbled back into dust. Sighing, you leaned back, your hands behind you, as you stared up at the sky again, wondering if you would ever find the courage to move past the endless tension with Sunghoon.
Then, just as you had almost settled into the quiet peace of the night, you heard itâa familiar sound of footsteps, slow and deliberate. You didnât need to turn around to know who it was. Youâd recognized the pattern of his steps by now.
Sunghoonâs silhouette appeared at the entrance to the tower, framed by the moonlight streaming in behind him. His figure was tall and steady, his usual confident demeanor not quite as present as it usually was, as if he too had come here to clear his mind.
"You always seem to find your way up here," you said without turning around, your voice quieter than usual, betraying the tension youâd been feeling.
Sunghoon paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the room until they found you, sitting on the floor, and he walked over. âI could say the same about you,â he replied, his voice softer than it had been in a while. "Whatâs got you up here alone?"
You shrugged, unwilling to go into details. "Just needed a break," you said, keeping your gaze on the sky. "Thought some quiet would help me clear my head."
There was a silence between you two then, a gap that seemed too long, yet neither of you spoke up to fill it. Sunghoon finally sat beside you, a little closer than youâd expected, but not quite close enough to feel intrusive.
"Practicing spells again?" Sunghoon asked after a while, glancing at the objects around you.
You nodded. "Just keeping my skills sharp. You know how it is."
Sunghoon smirked, but it was softer than usual. "I thought you only did that when you were avoiding something."
You couldnât help but chuckle at the slight teasing tone in his voice, but you didnât give him an answer right away. Instead, you bent down and flicked your wand again, turning a small rock into a sparkling butterfly. It fluttered around for a moment before landing gently in your palm, disappearing almost instantly. You felt a small sense of accomplishment, though it was fleeting.
Sunghoon watched you carefully, the hint of a smile still on his lips. He leaned back on his hands, settling beside you, his body warm despite the coolness of the night air.
Finally, Sunghoon broke the silence again, his voice more serious this time, a tone you werenât used to hearing from him. "You know, you donât have to pretend with me."
Your heart skipped a beat, and you turned to face him. His eyes met yours, the usual smirk gone.
âIâm not pretending,â you said, though your voice wavered slightly.
He shifted closer, his eyes never leaving yours. "You donât have to hide from me," he repeated, his voice softer now, with a touch of concern, or maybe something else. "Iâm not like the others. You can talk to me, you know."
You were almost caught off guard by his words. Your heart raced, and your mind scrambled for something to say, something to break the sudden weight of the moment. But all you could do was stare at him, feeling like you were teetering on the edge of something.
âSunghoon,â you whispered, your voice barely audible, but it was enough to make him lean in closer, his gaze softening.
"Yeah?" he said, his breath a little more measured now, as if waiting for something.
But instead of answering, you simply shook your head, unable to find the words that felt right. Instead, you focused on the stars again, trying to ground yourself in the moment.
And Sunghoon, for once, didnât push you. He simply sat there, his body close to yours, his presence familiar and comforting.
The night air was just as crisp as the night before when you found yourself back in the Astronomy Tower, sitting on the floor, gazing up at the stars. You had come up here again, hoping for some peace and quiet, needing to clear your mind, but you couldn't shake the feeling that something was lingering in the air. You were starting to feel like the Astronomy Tower was becoming your place of refuge, even if the company had changed over the past few nights.
As you sat there, you heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching from behind. You didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Sunghoon stepped into view, holding a wizard chessboard under his arm, a smirk on his face as his eyes met yours.
âYouâre here early tonight,â he said, his tone light but somehow teasing, his usual confidence already in full swing.
You raised an eyebrow, the corners of your mouth curving slightly upward. âAnd youâre late,â you shot back. âWhatâs that youâve got there?â
âThought we could mix it up tonight,â Sunghoon replied, setting the board down between you. "Wizard's chess."
You chuckled lightly at the idea. âYouâre just trying to make this more interesting, arenât you?â
Sunghoon grinned, shrugging. âWell, I figured itâd be more fun than just staring at the stars again.â
You didnât argue. The quiet had been nice, but you couldnât deny that a little challenge wouldnât hurt. Plus, it was hard to say no when Sunghoon looked so determined to have a little fun.
With that, you both settled down and began setting up the board. It didn't take long for the first round to start. Sunghoon moved with surprising confidence, and it wasn't long before you were both deep into the game. The first round was over before you knew itâSunghoon had won, and it seemed like he couldn't resist the opportunity to tease you about it.
âLooks like Iâm just better at this than you,â he said with a cocky grin, clearly pleased with his victory. âBetter luck next time.â
You rolled your eyes, shaking your head. âIâll make sure to do better next round,â you shot back, your voice filled with mock determination.
The second round began, and you could already feel your competitive streak rising. This time, it was your turn to win, and as the last piece fell, you couldnât help but smirk at Sunghoon.
âNot bad for a second round, huh?â you teased.
Sunghoon let out a dramatic sigh. âFine, fine. Iâll give you that one. But I wonât make it easy next time.â
The third round began, and with it came a more intense back-and-forth. âYou know, if youâd actually focus, maybe youâd have a chance at winning this round,â Sunghoon taunted, leaning forward as he eyed the pieces carefully.
You shot him a smirk, not missing a beat. âOh, Iâm focused,â you replied with a wink. âIâm just letting you think you have the advantage.â
He raised an eyebrow at that, clearly amused. âRight. Iâm sure thatâs exactly what youâre doing.â
You both continued to play, the tension between you growing more palpable with each move.
âI have to say,â Sunghoon mused after a few more moves, âyouâre actually pretty good at this. Maybe youâre not just good at charms and transfiguration.â
You smiled, proud of yourself. âThanks. Youâre not so bad yourself. But donât get too cocky; Iâm still winning.â Sunghoon simply chuckled as the game went on.
The final move had been made, and with a smirk, you leaned back triumphantly, knowing that you had won the third round. "Looks like Iâm the champion now," you teased, grinning widely at Sunghoon.
He was sitting back, his posture slouched in defeat, but there was something about the way he pouted that made you laugh softly. His eyes were still on the chessboard, as if pretending to study his loss, but you could tell he wasnât truly bothered by it.
"Aw, donât be like that," you teased, your voice taking on a playful tone. âItâs just a game.â
Sunghoon stayed silent, not giving you the usual comeback. Instead, he kept his eyes trained on the table, pretending to ignore you. You couldnât resist the impulse to lean in.
As soon as you leaned in closer, though, his gaze flickered up to meet yours, and in an instant, everything shifted. Both of you froze, you were so close now that you could feel his breath mingling with yours, his eyes dark and intent as he locked onto you.
You were about to pull back, unsure of what was happening, but before you could move, Sunghoonâs hand shot up, his thumb and index finger gently cupping your chin. His touch was tender, almost possessive, as he leaned closer.
"Please⌠donât pull back," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, his breath warm against your lips. His eyes fluttered between your eyes and your lips, clearly entranced by you, by the moment.
And then, before you could fully process what was happening, he closed the distance and kissed you. You widened your eyes in surprise, the shock of it stunning you for a brief moment, before you melted into the kiss, your hands instinctively reaching out to grip his shirt.
It felt like time stopped. The world fell away, leaving only the feeling of his lips against yours, the warmth of his hand still holding your chin as he deepened the kiss.
And just when you thought you couldnât get any closer, he suddenly moved, shifting beneath you with an ease that surprised you. In a swift motion, he pushed the chessboard aside, sending it tumbling to the floor, and then pulled you onto his lap, your thighs resting against his, while still kissing you deeply.
You gasped, the suddenness of it all catching you off guard. The shock made you stiffen, but Sunghoon only tightened his hold on you, his hand on your waist, pulling you closer, his lips never leaving yours. His kiss became more passionate, and before you knew it, his hand was tilting your head to deepen the kiss further.
When the kiss finally broke, both of you were breathless. You stayed there for a moment, your forehead resting against his, both of you just breathing in the air between you.
Sunghoonâs hand gently brushed your cheek, his thumb tracing the line of your jaw. His eyes, now softer than before, locked onto yours.
âAbout time, donât you think?â he whispered.
You smiled softly, the corners of your mouth turning upward in a genuine expression. âYeah, I think so,â you replied, shifting slightly, finding a more comfortable position on his lap, your legs wrapping around his waist.
His eyes never left yours as he leaned in, his lips brushing against yours in a soft, tender kiss. You melted into him, your body relaxing into the familiar embrace.
Sunghoon's hands moved to your back, pulling you closer, as if he couldn't get close enough. His lips moved against yours, exploring, teasing, and demanding. You responded in kind, your hands finding their way to his neck, pulling him closer.
You could feel Sunghoon's breath against your lips, his chest rising and falling with each heavy exhale. You parted your lips, inviting him in further, and he took the opportunity, his tongue exploring every corner of your mouth. While your hands roamed freely, tracing the lines of his muscular back, feeling the heat emanating from his skin.
When the kiss finally broke, you both were breathless, your heart pounding in your chest. Sunghoon's hand gently caressed your cheek, his thumb tracing the line of your lips. "I could do this forever," he whispered, his voice hoarse with desire.
You smiled, a contented smile, and leaned in for another kiss, Sunghoon's hands roamed freely, tracing the contours of your body with a gentle touch. Your own hands moved to his chest, feeling the strong, defined muscles beneath your palms.
Sunghoon's lips became more demanding, more insistent. His tongue traced the outline of your lips, teasing and inviting, before plunging into your mouth, exploring every corner.
You gasped softly into the kiss, your body responding to his every touch and movement.
When Sunghoon pulled back, his eyes never left yours. He smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes, before leaning in and pressing soft kisses along your throat. You leaned your head back, offering him more room to explore, your eyes closed, savoring the sensation.
His kisses became more urgent, more demanding, as he traced a path down your throat, his lips leaving a trail of fire in their wake. You could feel his breath against your skin, hot and heavy, his lips moving lower, sending shivers down your spine, his lips teasing and exploring. His lips left a trail of passionate marks on your skin. His hands tugged at the robes, pulling them down to expose more of your bare skin, his touch becoming more assertive.
As he mumbled against your skin, his words were a mix of jealousy and possessiveness. "Seeing you so close with Wooyoung was driving me insane," he growled, his voice low. "You're mine, know that. I can't stand seeing you with anyone else. You're my perfect match, the woman I want, the woman I need."
His kisses became more fervent, his hands roaming over your body. "You're the only one for me. I belong to you."
Sunghoon's kisses became more demanding, his lips pressing against your throat, his teeth grazing your skin. "I want you," he murmured, his voice hoarse with passion. "I need you. You're mine, and I'll show you just how much."
"I'll always be here for you. You're the only one who can make me feel this way." His eyes locked with yours, a smile played on his lips. You returned the gesture, your eyes sparkling with love.
Sunghoon's hands roamed over your body, his touch gentle. He traced the lines of your face, his thumbs brushing against your cheeks, as if memorizing every contour. "I love you," he whispered again, his voice hoarse with emotion. "You're the only one for me. I can't imagine my life without you."
You gazed into his eyes, feeling your heart race as his words sank deep into your soul. A warm smile tugged at your lips, and you cupped his face in your hands, gently brushing your thumb over his skin. "I love you too, Sunghoon," you murmured softly. "You're everything to me."
--
The next morning, everything felt different.
You were both quieter than usual, walking side by side down the corridors toward the Great Hall, you glanced at Sunghoon, his hand slipping into yours, fingers naturally intertwining as if it was the most natural thing in the world. His thumb gently brushed the back of your hand, a small but comforting gesture that made your heart flutter a little each time.
As you entered the Grand Hall together, the usual buzz of conversation seemed to dim, and all eyes were on you both.
You walked to the Ravenclaw table, your eyes scanning the room as peopleâs faces lit up with surprise and amusement. Some of your friends, like Wooyoung, gave you knowing smiles, while others were just as surprised as the rest of the students.
You sat down with Sunghoon, still holding hands under the table. He looked over at you, his expression soft and affectionate.
âCan you believe this?â you started, leaning toward Sunghoon as you started ranting, your voice low enough not to be overheard by the entire hall. âIt feels like everything has been building up forever and thenâboom! Suddenly everyoneâs waiting for us to spill everything.â
Sunghoon listened attentively, a small smile tugging at his lips, his eyes never leaving you.
âWell,â he said, his voice soft but teasing, âIâm pretty sure everyone had bets on us getting together.â
You paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow in surprise. âWait, what? People bet on us?â
Sunghoon chuckled softly, his hand still holding yours under the table. âOh, yeah. You didnât know?â
You couldnât help but laugh, shaking your head at the absurdity of it all. âWeâre that obvious, huh?â
âApparently,â he said, his smile widening, he gently nudged you with his shoulder, his eyes glinting with affection. Without even thinking, you leaned in and gave him a quick, soft peck on the lips, the sweet, gentle gesture drawing a few surprised gasps and murmurs from nearby students.
You pulled away, grinning as you glanced around the table. âWell, thatâs one way to shut them up.â
Sunghoonâs grin matched yours, and he shook his head, his cheeks flushed ever so slightly.
Some students were staring at you both with wide eyes, while others exchanged knowing glances, happy to see the two of you together. You could hear a few whispers, some offering congratulations, others teasing.
As you ate, you caught sight of Wooyoung at the other end of the table, giving you a thumbs up and a wide grin, clearly excited for the two of you.
âI guess weâre official now, huh?â you said quietly, your voice tinged with a little wonder.
Sunghoon nodded, his smile softening. âYeah. Officially impossible to avoid.â
You laughed, leaning into his side for a moment before picking up your fork and continuing with your breakfast.
Wooyoung, of course, was the one who couldn't resist coming up to you at the given moment, a mischievous grin on his face. âI mean, I knew you two were perfect for each other. Now you have to admit I was right.â He dramatically threw an arm around your shoulders as you walked to class
You simply laughed, shaking your head.
--
The day of graduation arrived, and while the rest of the students was buzzing with excitementâfilled with laughter and celebrationâyou found yourself slipping away from the crowded common room, seeking something more intimate, something quiet. You made your way up to the Astronomy Tower, the cool night air greeting you as you pushed open the door.
There, sitting by the edge of the tower, was Sunghoon, already waiting for you. His dark hair ruffled in the gentle breeze, and he looked so serene, so at peace in this moment that you couldnât help but smile as you walked over to him. He turned his head as you approached, his eyes softening with affection when they met yours. Without a word, he opened his arms, and you slid into them, resting your head on his shoulder as you both gazed out at the stars together.
After a while, Sunghoon shifted, reaching into his robes with a faint smile, and pulled out a neatly wrapped box. He handed it to you, his eyes warm and full of anticipation.
"Iâve been meaning to give you this," he murmured, his voice soft in the stillness of the night.
Carefully, you peeled away the paper, revealing a small, elegant box. The surface was silver, polished to a shine, and you could see hints of blue around the edges. You ran your fingers over it for a moment before slowly opening the lid.
When you saw what was inside, your breath caught in your throat.
Two clocks, side by side, each gleaming with silver on the outside and a deep, beautiful blue on the inside. Intricate stars were imprinted on the faces of the clocks, each marking the hours with delicate precision. But it wasnât just the time they showed. Both clocks also had a compass on itâN, S, E, Wâengraved in elegant script.
Sunghoon smiled softly as he watched your reaction, the warmth of his gaze making your heart skip a beat. âItâs for us,â he said quietly. "I wanted to give you something that would remind you of us.â
You stared at the clocks for a moment, overwhelmed by the gesture, before you looked up at him. âSunghoon⌠this isâŚâ You didnât know how to express what you felt, the words stuck in your throat.
âOpen it,â he said, motioning to the other clock. With a curious tilt of your head, you reached over and carefully opened the glass of the second clock. The moment you did, a soft golden light began to swirl out, slowly forming into a shape. You watched, transfixed, as the golden light took form and danced in the air, weaving together until it became the image of you and Sunghoonâdancing together, caught in an eternal waltz as a beautiful, melodic tune filled the space around you.
You gasped, your hand going to your mouth in surprise and wonder. It was perfect, beautiful in a way you never could have imagined. You glanced at Sunghoon, your eyes wide, and he smiled back at you, his eyes just as captivated.
He opened his own clock, and the same golden light poured out, swirling in the air before it also took shape, the same dance playing out for him as well. His gaze never wavered from you as the music continued to play from both the clocks.
You couldnât help but smile, your heart full as you looked up at Sunghoon. âThis⌠this is beautiful,â you whispered, your voice barely above a breath.
Sunghoonâs gaze softened as he looked at you, his hand reaching to gently cup your face. âI wanted you to have something to remember me by, even when weâre apart,â he said, his voice full of meaning.
Before you could reply, you leaned in, wrapping your arms around him in a tight hug. You felt him hold you back, his embrace warm and steady, the comfort youâd come to rely on. âIâll never forget this,â you whispered, âI promise.â
--
The day of your departure arrived with a bittersweet air, the sky painted in soft pastels as dawn crept over the horizon. You stood on the edge of the dock, your packed bags at your feet, glancing back at the shore as you tried to memorize every detail of his face. Sunghoon stood before you, his expression torn between pride and sadness.
Sunghoon had just secured a permanent position at the Ministryâa rare opportunity. But you had your own opportunity, and the call for adventure had been tugging at you for as long as you could remember. You had already been offered a mission that would take you to distant lands and across oceans. It was everything you had always wanted.
Sunghoonâs hand lingered on your arm as he looked at you, his voice a quiet plea, âYou really have to go?â
You nodded, biting your lip as you looked into his eyes. âI do,â you whispered, the words heavy with both excitement and sorrow. âBut Iâll come back, Sunghoon. I promise.â Your voice wavered, but you steadied it with a smile, reaching to brush a strand of hair from his face. âWill you⌠wait for me?â
He didnât hesitate. âOf course I will,â he replied, his voice strong and certain, as though the very idea of waiting for you was as natural as breathing. His fingers wrapped around yours, his touch warm and grounding. âIâd wait as long as it takes. Just come back to me.â
You nodded, and he leaned in, pressing a kiss to your forehead, lingering there for a moment. Then, his lips found yours in a kiss that held a hundred unspoken promises.
As the final boarding call echoed through the harbor, you reluctantly pulled back, whispering one last, âGoodbye, Sunghoon.â
He offered you a small, brave smile, and with a last squeeze of your hand, he let you go. You climbed onto the boat, joining the other passengers. As the vessel began to pull away from the dock, you stood by the railing, watching him grow smaller with each passing second. Sunghoon lifted his hand in a final wave, and you threw one back, watching as he brought his hand to his mouth and sent you a flying kiss, his eyes never leaving you.
You clutched the railing, feeling the sting of tears but forcing a smile, a mixture of sorrow and exhilaration filling your chest. As the boat carried you into the unknown, you kept your eyes on him until he was nothing more than a speck on the horizon.
Your days got filled with adventure, traveling through vast, uncharted landscapes, rescuing rare creatures, and studying them closely. You documented each discovery, scribbling notes about their behaviors and habitats. Alongside your journal of field notes, you kept a separate stack of parchment, devoted solely to letters for Sunghoon. Every new place held a piece of him in it, something you wanted to share, some wonder or funny moment that you could only imagine him smiling at.
And he always replied, his letters rich with life back homeâupdates from the Ministry, stories about mutual friends, and playful teases about your escapades. You looked forward to every letter, savoring the small glimpses of him through the familiar strokes of his handwriting, each one a reminder of the life and love waiting for you.
But one month, his letters stopped coming.
You brushed it off at first, thinking maybe he was just busy or that there was a delay in the postal owls. But when another month passed without a single word, a sense of worry began to settle in your chest. You sent him a new letter, keeping it light-hearted but laced with an unmistakable undertone of concern, hoping heâd notice and send some sort of reassuring response.
But again, nothing came.
With each passing day, the silence grew heavier, until every rustle of feathers outside your tent made your heart race, only to end in disappointment. As more weeks passed, you found yourself sending letters more frequently, each one shorter but more urgent, your worry gradually bleeding into your words.
The unease gnawed at you, your once joyful routine now tainted with an ever-present sense of dread. Every empty day brought more questionsâwas he hurt? Was he in trouble? Had something happened?
One quiet morning, as you were packing up your campsite nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, a Ministry owl swooped down through the trees, its wings stretched wide and a letter clutched tightly in its talons. You straightened up, brushing off a bit of dust as you reached out, and the owl settled onto your forearm with surprising patience. It offered the letter, a pristine parchment sealed with the unmistakable stamp of the Ministry of Magic.
Curious, you took it, feeling the weight of the thick, neatly folded paper as you broke the wax seal.
As you unfolded the letter, a few crisp lines of text caught your attention immediately.
âYou are hereby requested to present yourself at the Ministry of Magic for a formal review and trial regarding the research conducted and documented during your travels.â
You read it once, then again, trying to piece together the intentions behind the message. A formal trial? For your research? The Ministry had always been aware of your work with magical creatures, especially since you regularly submitted reports to protect and conserve species that had been neglected. Youâd even been granted clearance to travel beyond regulated zones, so why the sudden summons?
You hummed softly, contemplating the letter with a mix of curiosity and unease. It wasnât every day the Ministry reached out with such formality, and it certainly wasnât the usual tone you received from them.
You werenât sure whether to be nervous, intrigued, or just plain confused. Youâd spent so much of your time studying and protecting magical creatures, especially those forgotten by the wizarding world, that the thought of a trial for it felt⌠off. You had no idea why theyâd be interested in you, but you were more than willing to go and see what they wanted.
Just as you were about to read it again, you felt a gentle push at your side. With a giggle, you turned and looked at the creature that had nudged youâErebus, the Hebridean Black dragon youâd rescued some months ago. His large, dark eyes gleamed up at you, and you reached out instinctively to scratch under his chin. His scales shimmered in the late afternoon sun, and his powerful wings rustled with a slight shift, his massive form bending slightly to press against you affectionately.
"Hey, hey, buddy," you said with a soft laugh. "No need to get pushy, I see you there."
You knew full well that Erebus had grown attached to you ever since you had saved him. He was a creature that had been bound, tortured, and left to die in a dungeon before you found him. Healing him had been a challenge, but when you saw the life come back into his eyes, the pride of the dragon slowly awakening as he learned to trust again, it was worth it. Erebus wasnât just a rescued creatureâhe was your companion, your friend. And he had stayed with you ever since.
You glanced at the letter again. "Iâve got to go to the Ministry, it seems. They're asking for me."
Erebus snorted at the letter, a cloud of smoke billowing from his nostrils. You coughed and waved the smoke away. "Okay, okay, I get it. Not exactly ideal, right?" You smiled, running a hand over his scales. "But Iâm not sure how much of a choice I have."
You looked at the open sky, mentally preparing yourself for the journey ahead.
âLooks like our plans to get you home will have to wait,â you murmured, holding up the Ministryâs letter.
You quickly took out your wand, and with a swish, your camp, all your notes, and the little research station you had set up around you swirled into a tidy, compact form, sucked into your magically expanded suitcase. The suitcase, a nifty little thing inspired by none other than Newt Scamander himself, whose work had been a guiding light for you since your early days as a student. You hoped that one day, youâd be able to follow in his footsteps as a trusted protector of magical creatures.
It had become indispensable during your travels, allowing you to carry your work with you wherever you went. Erebus watched as the suitcase opened and the whirlwind of your belongings was sucked inside, his wings twitching in mild curiosity.
"Alright, buddy," you said with a soft smile, glancing at him. "Time to go home⌠for a bit."
Erebus made a low rumble and flapped his wings. His deep growl seemed almost resigned, but you could tell he didnât mind. He had grown used to these travels with you. He flew up effortlessly, circling above your head a few times, before swooping down and slipping neatly into the suitcase as though heâd done it a thousand times before.
"Good boy," you said with a smile, and with a soft click, you closed the suitcase, feeling its weight shift in your hand.
With a deep breath, you started walking, leaving the small, once-familiar encampment behind.
--
You stepped into the bustling atrium of the Ministry of Magic, clutching your suitcase tightly as you navigated the maze of witches, wizards, and magical beings bustling around you. The air was filled with the echoes of conversations, the hum of enchanted typewriters clattering away on desks, and the occasional whoosh of a fireplace activating, delivering someone in a puff of emerald flames.
Keeping a firm grip on your suitcase, you weaved your way through the crowd, nodding politely to a few familiar faces and doing your best to avoid making eye contact with anyone who might delay you. When you reached the elevators, the gate clanged open, and you stepped inside.
A house-elf stood on tiptoes near the control panel, staring up at you with large, curious eyes. âWhich floor, miss?â
âLevel Ten, please,â you replied, your voice steady despite the knot of anticipation tightening in your stomach.
The elf pressed a large, brass button marked with the number "10." The elevator jolted, and you gripped the suitcase handle a little tighter as the floors began to blur past, each accompanied by a soft chime.
After what felt like an eternity, the elevator slowed and came to a halt. The house-elf opened the gate, giving you an encouraging nod. You stepped out into the quiet, dimly lit hallway, your footsteps echoing as you moved. You walked up to a high desk where a stern-looking goblin sat, peering over a thick ledger with tiny, round spectacles perched on the end of his nose. He glanced up as you approached, his sharp eyes narrowing with curiosity as he took in your travel-worn appearance.
âWhat business do you have here?â he asked, his voice clipped but not unkind.
âI received a letter from the Ministry,â you said, pulling the official notice from your coat pocket and holding it up. âThereâs a trial regarding my research.â
The goblin took the letter, inspecting it with a keen eye before nodding curtly. He flipped through a hefty stack of parchment, his long, nimble fingers moving quickly as he scanned each page. Finally, he gave a satisfied grunt and pushed the letter back toward you.
âPlease have a seat,â he instructed, nodding toward a row of chairs against the wall. âSomeone will come to escort you shortly.â
You thanked him and moved over to the chairs, your suitcase resting against your legs.
You had been sitting quietly in the waiting area, your thoughts whirling, when you saw Jungwon approaching. You recognized him immediately â a Gryffindor from your years at Hogwarts, though you never had much of a chance to get to know him personally. His warm smile caught you off guard, and you blinked as he stopped in front of you, his eyes twinkling with recognition.
"Hey," he greeted, his tone light and friendly. "Please, follow me."
You nodded, standing up as you grabbed your suitcase and followed him down the hall.
âSo, how have you been?â Jungwon asked casually, casting a glance over his shoulder as you walked beside him. "It's been a while since Hogwarts, huh?"
You hummed in agreement, trying to place him better. You'd seen him around, but your interactions had always been limited. He was close to Sunghoon, wasnât he?
âIâve been well,â you answered, pulling your thoughts together as you walked, eyes flicking to the side. âSo, uh⌠whatâs this trial about?â
Jungwon shrugged nonchalantly, his hands tucked into his pockets. âHonestly, Iâm not really sure. Ministry business, you know?â
Your curiosity couldnât be quelled, though. âWhat about Sunghoon? How is he?â The words slipped from your lips before you could stop them.
Jungwon froze mid-step, and you followed his lead, watching as he turned to face you. His expression shifted, no longer the light, easygoing one he had worn just moments before. There was a sadness in his eyes, a quiet heaviness that you hadnât anticipated.
For a moment, he seemed reluctant to answer, then he sighed. âSunghoonâs⌠well. I mean, heâs okay. But,â he paused, studying your face carefully, âhe found someone else.â
Your breath caught in your throat, and for a moment, you werenât sure you had heard him correctly. âWhat?â The word felt foreign coming from your mouth, like a punch that left you stunned. âHe⌠moved on?â
Jungwon nodded slowly, a faint frown tugging at his lips. âYeah. A few weeks ago, actually. Sunghoon became⌠really different. Quiet, withdrawn. Wouldnât speak much, and then, out of nowhere, he started showing up with Ju-Won. Sheâs an Auror too, like him. Theyâre together now. Theyâre engaged.â
Your chest felt tight, the air suddenly thicker as a lump formed in your throat. Sunghoon had promised. He had promised to wait for you. But here he was, with someone else. A fiancee.
You looked down at the floor, blinking rapidly to clear the stinging sensation behind your eyes. The room felt smaller, like you were suffocating, and you couldnât understand why the weight of this hurt so much. You hadnât expected Sunghoon to wait forever, but you didnât think heâd let go so easily.
Jungwon shifted uncomfortably, noticing the change in your expression, but he didnât press the issue further.
You felt numb as you followed Jungwon down the long corridor, his words echoing painfully in your mind. Sunghoon⌠had found someone else? You struggled to maintain your composure as Jungwon walked beside you, keeping a respectful silence.
He eventually stopped in front of a tall, polished door. âThis is where theyâll be holding your trial,â he said gently. âYouâll be called in shortly.â
âThank you,â you whispered, your voice barely above a breath.
Jungwon hesitated for a moment, studying you with quiet sympathy. It felt like he wanted to say something, perhaps offer some kind of comfort, but he seemed to decide against it, only giving you a slight nod before stepping into the room to take his place. You were left alone in the dimly lit hallway, your heart pounding. You took a deep breath, forcing yourself to focus on the present. Whatever happened with Sunghoon, you would face it later. For now, you had a duty to the creatures youâd studied.
The door opened again, and an official leaned out to call you in. You squared your shoulders, lifted your chin, and stepped through the doorway.
The room was silent as you entered, only the shuffling of your footsteps echoing off the cold, stone walls. You took a seat in the lone chair positioned in the center of the room, feeling the weight of several pairs of eyes on you. Around you sat a panel of stern-faced Aurors, their expressions unreadable, though a few cast glances at one another as you settled in.
A head Auror, an older witch with sharp eyes and a set jaw, leaned forward. âWeâve received reports about your research,â she began, her voice crisp. âCould you give us an update on the⌠progress?â
You took a steadying breath and sat up straighter, the words flowing more easily than you expected. "Iâve made significant strides. Iâve been able to identify new species and create methods for safely caring for previously misunderstood creatures. I've also created healing treatments for certain species that were previously unmedicated." You shifted uncomfortably, but you managed to keep your voice steady.
Then came the dreaded question. âAnd have you rescued any creatures considered⌠dangerous?â another Auror asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
You hesitated, choosing your words carefully. âNot dangerous if treated with respect,â you replied slowly, though you could feel their eyes narrowing, their skepticism deepening. The more you spoke, the more their expressions tightened.
After you finished, the lead Auror exchanged a glance with her colleagues before turning back to you. âYou must understand, there are serious concerns about the dangers of these creatures. The potential for harm â not only to yourself but to others â is considerable.â
Another Auror stood, arms crossed, his voice dismissive. "You expect us to believe that every dangerous creature can be domesticated, tamed even? You do realize some of them are classified as too hazardous for interaction with the public?"
You met his gaze, trying not to show how much it rattled you. "My research shows that with the right methods, creatures like the Hungarian Horntail or the Manticore can be approached safely. I've helped themârescued themâfrom illegal situations, from being exploited and misused." You said firmly.
"They're not dangerous if treated properly. With the right care, understanding, and respect, any creature can be manageable." You said earnestly, hoping they could see your perspective. âThe true danger lies in the lack of understandingââ
But your words were cut short as she raised a hand, her tone turning icy. âRegardless, we cannot ignore the potential risks. Until further investigation is completed, you will be placed in custody for the time being.â
Before you could fully register her words, two wizards stepped forward, their expressions unyielding. One reached for your suitcase, wrenching it from your grasp, while the other grabbed your arms, twisting them behind your back. "Let go!" you shouted, trying to twist away, but the grip on your arms only tightened.
"We have our orders," the Auror said coldly, his face stoic as the other wizard snatched your wand away.
"No, please," you pleaded, your voice rising in panic. "Iâm not a threat. Theyâre not a threat! Please, donât hurt them!"
The Auror didnât respond, and you felt the heavy presence of the two men as they dragged you from the room, your footsteps stumbling as they led you down the cold stone corridors. They escorted you to a small cell, shoving you inside before locking the heavy iron door with a dull clang.
You sank to the floor, the cold seeping into your bones as the reality of the situation settled over you. The Ministry was truly going to investigate your work, your methods, your intentions â as if you were some criminal. As if the creatures you loved and fought for were merely threats, rather than lives in need of protection.
As you pressed your back against the wall, feeling the weight of the dayâs events pressing down, a tiny warmth stirred in the pocket of your shirt. You looked down and saw Kai, your small fire salamander, peeking out with his bright eyes, looking up at you with a gentle curiosity.
Gently, you cupped him in your hands, letting him sit on your palm as he looked around, with a small, trembling smile, you whispered, âGuess itâs just us for now, Kai.â
You gently placed Kai down on the stone floor, the warmth of his small body still lingering in your hands. You rummaged through your pockets, searching for something that could help, anything that would make sense of the mess you found yourself in. Herbs, a magnifying glass, food for creatures, parchment, inkânothing useful.
As you sighed and leaned down, when a small fluttering noise caught your attention. Lena, your tiny pixie, had emerged from under your coat and was now fluttering around the cell, her tiny wings flapping excitedly. She squeaked, the sound high-pitched and curious as she zipped around the dim space. You smiled faintly at the sight of her, but your thoughts were too heavy to focus on her antics for long.
Your fingers brushed the cool edges of your pockets until something caught on the fabric. For a moment, you thought it was just some misplaced trinket, but as you pulled it out and saw its familiar shape, your breath hitched.
It was the clock that Sunghoon had gifted you at graduation, still in pristine condition despite everything. You had almost forgotten about itâthinking it misplaced, or perhaps stolen by one of the nifflers in your suitcase. But there it was. The clock.
You ran your fingers over the intricate silver design, the blue inner face still shimmering under the dim light. With a shaky breath, you slowly opened the glass. A soft golden light began to swirl from the clockâs center, and you froze, mesmerized by the familiar vision of you and Sunghoon dancingâjust as it had been when you first opened it. The music filled the cell softly, the melody so beautiful and haunting, it almost felt like he was here with you.
Kai curled up beside you, his flame-like body flickering faintly in the dim light. Lena hovered just above your head, watching the clock with curious eyes. You took a deep breath, closing the glass gently, the music fading as you sealed it shut.
But then, unexpectedly, the music played again.
This time, it wasnât your melody. The sweet, familiar tune was still there, but it felt different. Your heart skipped a beat, and before you could process the strangeness of it, Kaiâs small squeak interrupted your thoughts. You looked up, and what you saw made your breath catch in your throat.
There, standing on the other side of the bars, was Sunghoon, holding his own clock in his hand, the same golden light flickering from it.
"SunghoonâŚ" you whispered, your voice barely audible, a wave of relief rushing over you, followed by a knot in your throat as you realized he was here.
He glanced at you, his eyes softening, though they werenât as warm as you remembered. There was something different in them, something you couldnât quite place. He closed the clock with a decisive motion and met your eyes.
"Youâre⌠okay?" you asked quietly, your heart pounding in your chest as you walked closer to the bars, your hands reaching out instinctively.
"Iâm fine," he said, his voice calm but distant. "But youâwhat happened? Why are you here?"
You tried to explain, your words stumbling out as you told him everythingâhow you had been summoned by the Ministry, how they had misunderstood your work, how theyâd locked you away. You could see the muscles in his jaw tighten as you spoke, but he didnât interrupt.
When you finished, you couldnât help but ask the question that had been gnawing at your mind ever since youâd seen him. "Sunghoon, what happened? Why didnât you answer my letters? I⌠I sent so many. Why didnât youâ"
He turned away for a moment, running a hand through his hair. You could see the conflict in his movements, the hesitation, and for a brief second, your heart dropped. It was as if he was trying to find the right words. "I⌠I waited for you," he finally said, his voice soft, almost too soft. "I waited, but you never came back. I kept writing, but I didnât hear from you."
You felt a tightness in your chest as you processed his words. "What do you mean? I sent you letters, Sunghoon! I didnât stop writing! How could you not know?" you asked, your voice rising slightly.
He looked back at you, his face confused. "I donât know. I thought you just⌠didnât come back. Didnât answer. Then, my parentsâŚ" He trailed off, clearly struggling. "They found Ju-Won for me. IâI didnât know what to do. And then Jungwon came to me after the trial. He told me about you being here, and I couldnât believe it."
Your breath caught in your throat. "Ju-Won?" you whispered, the name like an icy hand on your heart.
He shook his head slowly. "I never wanted this. But I thought⌠maybe you had moved on, that you werenât coming back." His voice cracked just slightly.
You looked at him, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over you. "No, Sunghoon⌠I never⌠I never moved on. I sent you letters because I was coming back for you, I was always coming back."
Sunghoonâs expression shifted, a quiet realization flickering across his features. He took a step forward, his hand trembling slightly before he reached out to gently caress your cheek. The touch was so soft, so tender, that it almost felt like a dream.
âYouâre still as beautiful as the day you leftâŚâ His voice was low, his words barely more than a whisper, but they cut through the heavy silence between you two, settling in your heart like a soft ache.
A stray tear slipped from your eye, and you didnât even realize it had fallen until Sunghoon gently wiped it away with his thumb.
âIâll get to the bottom of this,â he said, his voice firm now. "I promise, Iâll get you out of here."
You felt your chest tighten, the weight of the situation pressing down on you. Your heart felt torn, as if it was caught between the relief of seeing Sunghoon again and the panic of the mess you were in. "Please, Sunghoon⌠donât let anyone harm my creatures."
He nodded, his gaze softening as he promised, "I wonât let them touch your creatures. Iâll take care of everything."
Then, to your surprise, he took your hand and kissed it softly, the warm pressure of his lips lingering for a brief moment. "Iâll be back soon. Stay safe, okay?"
You nodded, unable to form words as he turned and walked away, the sound of his footsteps fading, leaving you alone in the cold cell once again.
You sat back down against the cold stone wall, the silence of the prison pressing in on you.
Kai curled up on your lap, his warmth a small comfort amidst the uncertainty. Lena hovered nearby, her small face full of concern.
You didnât know what to do now but wait and hopeâhope that Sunghoon could undo the mess, that your creatures would remain safe.
After what felt like endless hours, you finally heard footsteps echoing down the corridor. Jungwon appeared at the cell door, a familiar reassuring smile on his face as he unlocked the door and motioned for you to follow. You stood up, heart pounding, and fell into step beside him.
âWhat happened?â you asked, searching his expression for answers, but he only gave you a gentle smile.
âCome with me,â he said simply, guiding you back through the winding halls of the Ministry to the trial room. The familiar sight of the council waited for you, but this time, the atmosphere was far less severe. You sat down in the chair at the center, your heart hammering in your chest, and looked up at the head Auror as he cleared his throat.
"Weâd like to extend our apologies. We received a tip that you were harboring magical creatures with intent to use them against the Ministry," he explained. "After thorough investigation, however, we've concluded that the tip was unfounded. We see now that you only meant to help the creatures in your care."
A wave of relief washed over you, and a smile broke across your face as the head Auror nodded, officially releasing you as innocent. Jungwon stepped forward, his own smile widening, and handed you back your wand. You clasped it tightly, feeling a sense of calm return now that it was back in your hands.
âThank you,â you said quietly. âWhat about my creatures? Where are they?â
"Follow me," Jungwon said, his tone lighter now. He led you down a quiet corridor, explaining as you went, "Sunghoon took them under his care. He didnât trust anyone else to keep them safe."
You sighed in relief, feeling a weight lift from your shoulders. Finally, Jungwon stopped in front of a door, pushed it open, and gestured for you to enter.
Inside, Sunghoon stood by a desk, his expression tense, and his brows knit together in a rare display of anger. He looked up when he heard you enter, his expression softening, though a hint of frustration remained.
âSunghoon⌠what happened?â you asked gently, stepping closer to him.
He clenched his jaw before answering, âIt was my parents. They were behind everything.â His voice was low, controlled, but you could sense the anger simmering just beneath the surface. âThey hid your letters from me. They sent the tip to the Ministry to have you arrested. And they set me up with Ju-won to⌠try to make me forget you.â
The revelation hit you like a cold wave. You shook your head, barely able to process the extent of what he was saying. "Your parents did all of that?"
Sunghoon nodded, his eyes searching yours. âThey wanted me to move on, to find someone âsuitableââsomeone who fit their idea of a perfect match for me.â He took a shaky breath, looking away for a moment before his gaze returned to you. âI'm so sorry⌠I should have fought harder, questioned things more. I should have known something wasnât right.â
You stepped forward, reaching for his hand, holding it tightly. âNone of this is your fault, Sunghoon. You didnât know, and neither did I.â
He nodded, his thumb brushing over your hand as he held it, and his expression softened. "I promise, I wonât let anyone keep us apart again." Sunghoon sighed, his eyes hardening as he pulled off the engagement ring, placing it on the desk without a second glance. He turned to you, a reassuring smile replacing the coldness from a moment ago, and handed over your suitcase.
You exhaled a breath of relief, hugging the suitcase close to your chest. âThank you⌠for everything.â
âCome on,â Sunghoon said with a gentle smile, his hand resting protectively on your back as he guided you out. As you walked, you shared stories about the magical creatures youâd encountered on your travels, and he recounted a few of his more daring Auror missions.
But then, a sudden scream echoed down the corridor. You both turned to see a striking witch with dark hair and a sharp, furious expression storming toward you. Sunghoonâs arm instinctively wrapped around you, pulling you close.
âSunghoon, how dare you!â she spat, her voice venomous. âYou broke off our engagement for⌠for her?â She glared at you, eyes filled with barely contained rage. Her voice turned shrill as she pointed a finger in your face. âDo you know what youâve cost me? The riches, the influence, the Park nameâit was all right there!â
You slapped her hand away, your own anger flaring as you met her gaze unflinchingly. âMaybe you shouldâve focused on him instead of what he could give you.â
Ju-wonâs face twisted in rage, and you saw her hand rise, ready to strike you. But before she could even get close, Lena darted out of your pocket in a flash of blue light. The little pixie squeaked angrily, grabbing a fistful of Ju-wonâs hair and tugging with surprising strength.
Ju-won shrieked, swatting at Lena in a desperate attempt to free herself, but Lena only pulled harder, her squeaks of defiance echoing in the hall. The few Ministry workers nearby stopped, eyes wide, as they took in the scene with shock.
âGet it off! Get it off!â Ju-won screeched, struggling against Lenaâs relentless hold.
At last, with a little triumphant squeak, Lena released Ju-wonâs hair and zoomed back to you, settling into your shoulder pocket. Ju-won stumbled back, face red with fury and humiliation, her hair in complete disarray.
Ju-wonâs face twisted with fury when she suddenly pulled out two clocks from her pocket, dangling them from the strings with a victorious grin. âOh, I will not be cast aside like this!â she spat, voice rising with a venomous edge. âYou think you can have everything, donât you?â she sneered. âWell, letâs see how it feels when something you want is taken from you.â
Both you and Sunghoon stiffened, the realization hitting like a punch to the gut. You immediately began patting yourself down, confirming what you fearedâthe clock was missing. She stole them. The heavy weight of anger settled over you as you watched her mockingly dangle them in the air.
âJu-won. Give them back, now.â Sunghoonâs voice was low and commanding, each word sharp with fury.
You stepped forward, frustration bubbling inside you. âThose belong to us. You have no right to take them.â
âNo!â Ju-won shouted, clutching the clocks tightly in her fists. With a spiteful glare, she spun around and hurled the clocks toward the nearest fireplace. The green flames of the Floo Network flared up, threatening to consume them.
Your wand was halfway out of your pocket, ready to cast Accio, but before you could speak, a familiar, small, furry figure leapt through the air. With nimble agility, a niffler intercepted the clocks mid-flight, snatching them away from the flames and landing safely on the floor.
The niffler scurried over to Sunghoon, who leaned down, carefully taking both clocks from its little paws. He gave the creature an affectionate pat. âThank you, Spark.â
Spark beamed up at you, his eyes shining with the same mischievous glint they had from back at Hogwarts. He darted over to you, leaping up into your arms, and you caught him, laughing. âHey, long time no see, buddy!â
Ju-wonâs face twisted in disbelief as Sunghoon straightened, his eyes fierce. He addressed her with a calm authority that made her shrink back. âJu-won, what you did today only shows that you donât belong here,â he said, his voice low and unyielding. He leaned in, murmuring something sharp and private into her ear that made her face go pale.
With a final huff, Ju-won spun on her heel, face flushed with humiliation as she hurried away, avoiding the gazes of everyone around.
Afterwards Sunghoon led you toward a nearby fireplace with a small smile, gesturing for you to step in. Together, you went through the Floo Network, the swirling green flames transporting you both to a room that was both luxurious and filled with a sense of calm.
âWelcome to my room,â he said with a soft smile.
You looked around, taking in the warmth of the space. âI canât believe Spark stayed with you all this time,â you said.
Sunghoon chuckled, âI could never let him go. Heâs been a great companion. Right, Spark?â
Spark squeaked in response to that. âWould you like to meet some other nifflers, Spark?â You asked and watched as his eyes lit up, and he nodded excitedly. You laughed, reaching for your suitcase and opening it on the floor. Climbing down into it, you looked back up and beckoned to Sunghoon. âCome on in!â
Sunghoon hesitated for a moment, but curiosity won over, and he followed you. Inside, you led him through various sections of your enchanted suitcase, each with unique landscapes and ecosystems for the creatures you cared for. Sunghoon looked around, marveling at the sheer life around him.
Eventually, you reached the area where you kept your nifflers. With a quick call, five of them scampered out, their fur shining under the magical light. Spark chirped in excitement and darted forward, joining his new friends. You straightened up, watching with amusement as Lena, flitted out of your pocket and disappeared somewhere in the terrain.
You turned to Sunghoon, catching the awe in his expression. Smiling, you took his hand, guiding him through the different environments until you stopped by a stone ledge. With a short whistle, you called out, and the ground trembled slightly. Emerging from a large cave opening, Erebus, lowered his head, scales glistening with an otherworldly sheen as he rumbled softly in greeting.
Sunghoon took a small step back, looking at Erebus with a mix of fear and awe. You laughed softly, reaching for his hand again. âItâs okay,â you said gently. âHe trusts me, and heâll trust you, too.â
Sunghoon looked at you, searching your eyes before nodding. Slowly, you guided his hand forward, placing it against the warm, textured scales under Erebusâs jaw. The dragon rumbled again, leaning slightly into Sunghoonâs hand, a deep, pleased purr vibrating through him.
âSee?â you whispered, smiling as Sunghoonâs gaze softened in amazement.
Sunghoon kept his hand steady, glancing between you and the massive dragon before him. Erebus leaned further into his touch, his dark eyes half-closing in contentment. Sunghoon exhaled a quiet laugh, a mixture of relief and wonder.
"I never imagined I'd be doing this," he murmured, glancing at you with a warm smile. "You've always had a way with creatures."
You grinned, feeling a swell of pride. "Erebus is special. I rescued him from a terrible situation, and ever since, weâve had this bond." You gave Erebus a gentle pat before he pulled back, lifting his great head and retreating into the shadows of his sanctuary.
As Erebus disappeared, you turned to face Sunghoon fully. The awe hadn't left his expression. "I can see why you love this work," he said softly. "I missed seeing this side of you."
A warmth blossomed in your chest. "I missed having someone who understood," you replied, voice just above a whisper. "I always wanted to share this with you."
Sunghoonâs gaze softened, and without another word, he leaned in slowly, giving you time to close the remaining distance. The world seemed to fade as his lips met yours, gentle at first, then deepening as you both leaned into each other.
When you finally parted, both of you were breathless, but his forehead rested against yours, a soft smile playing on his lips.
âItâs you and me now, Sunghoon,â you whispered.
He nodded, his eyes sparkling as he took your hand. "Forever, if youâll have me."
As you leaned up, pressing your lips against Sunghoon's, he responded with a passion that ignited a fire within you. His hand cupped your cheek, While his other arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer, as if he couldn't get enough of your warmth and presence.
As the kiss lingered, Sunghoon's hands moved down to your thighs, his fingers tracing the soft skin. He lifted you up gently, his strong arms supporting your weight, and placed you on the table, your legs wrapping around his waist. Sunghoon's hands roamed over your body, his touch becoming more assertive, more confident. He traced the lines of your waist, his fingers grazing your skin, sending shivers down your spine.
When the kiss broke, you both were breathless, your hearts pounding in your chests. Sunghoon's hand gently caressed your cheek, his thumb tracing the line of your lips. "I want you," he whispered, his voice hoarse with passion, his eyes filled with desire, caressing your legs, his touch gentle yet firm. His fingers traced the curves of your thighs, sending shivers down your spine.
His kisses became more intense, his lips moving from your neck to your collarbone, leaving a trail of passionate marks. His teeth grazed your skin, sending a jolt of pleasure through your body.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice filled with admiration and lust. "I can't get enough of you." He came up to kiss you again. His lips met yours in a gentle, tender kiss. "You make me feel alive, like no one else ever has," he whispered against your lips, his voice hoarse with passion. "I'll always protect and cherish you." He murmured.
And as the kiss deepened, the sweet, familiar melody of your clocks began to chime, the golden swirls dancing out of their glass coverings on the table where Spark sat proudly, watching the scene unfold. The soft notes filled the room, adding a layer of warmth to your embrace, and you both smiled slightly against each otherâs lips.
Sunghoonâs hand brushed along your cheek, wiping away the happy tears that had formed there. He pulled back just slightly, his forehead resting against yours as he breathed out softly. His eyes were filled with love, a love that glowed even brighter than the melody around you. Sunghoon looked down at you, his gaze filled with warmth. He took a steadying breath before murmuring, âWould you make me the happiest wizard in the world by becoming mineâŚforever?â
Your heart raced, and without hesitation, you beamed up at him, feeling a happiness you hadnât known could exist. âYes, Sunghoon,â you replied, voice filled with joy. âA million times, yes.â
His smile broke into a brilliant grin, and before you knew it, he was sweeping you off your feet. You laughed, the sound echoing through the room. âYou make me so, so happy,â he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. âIâve never stopped loving you, not even for a moment.â
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