#changki rise

[akiko-chaan]

Chapter 20 of Say Something - Changki

The last real chapter before the epilogue ... Things are coming to an end for our boys, and though I experience a certain melancholy, I am very happy to share this emotional chapter with you.

Read here:

Ao3

Wattpad

[elitejae]

changki ft. drunk kyun

Changkyun: i almost just broke me calculator

Changkyun: i typed a british accent

Kihyun: how the fuck

Changkyun: i droped it of my bed \

Changkyun: aciidentallyu

Changkyun: where the fuck did that u come from

Kihyun: CHANGKYUN ENGLISH

Changkyun: LMAO

Changkyun: i dont knowwahts happening

[changkifiction-blog]

With a certain company gaining more and more of a following in the industry, Kihyun’s paid by their main competitor to seduce the CEO’s son for information to bring them down… However, with this particular job, Kihyun may have just gotten more than he had bargained for.

[mx-requests-forum]

[Fulfilled] My Maknae

Prompt: Changki + Kihyun getting jealous of others coddling Changkyun

Fulfilled by Moderator ReeLee~

Words: 993

AO3 Link (For Easier Reading)

Changkyun giggles, the high-pitched squeal of mirth setting Kihyun’s teeth on edge.

“Hyung~!” the maknae halfheartedly protests against Jooheon’s tickling, earning an affectionate coo from Hyungwon. Kihyun watches with detached interest, doing his best to not give the scene too much attention so as to keep his jealousy in check.

Whenever things get hard or tiresome, the others all turn to the maknae for comfort. His childlike delight at getting attention from his hyungs have proven throughout the years to be the perfect kind of stress relief, and it’s turned into a sort of game for the others to see just who can get more laughs out of the maknae. The winner gets the satisfaction that they were the source of the most joy for their beloved maknae, while the others merely are more determined the next day to earn such an honor.

Hyungwon reaches over to join in on the tickle-assault, and Kihyun’s just about had enough. He stands with a sigh from the sectional, and leaves the living room to clean the dishes from dinner. It’s better for him to distract himself with some sort of housekeeping task, or else he’d snap at the others. Of course, they all know why exactly it aggravates Kihyun to no end, but the maknae is sometimes a bit oblivious about it. But, whenever Kihyun snaps, Changkyun ends up taking much too personally, and it fills Kihyun to no end with guilt.

So, it’s just better that he puts some distance between himself and the situation… for now.

Unknown to him, Changkyun’s eyes follow him in disappointment, despite the attention currently being given to him.

 Even though the others may not realize, Changkyun realizes a lot more than he lets on. For example, he notices the small glances Minhyuk gives Jooheon when the rapper isn’t looking. He sees the way Hyungwon watches Hoseok with the most adoring of smiles whenever the older begins to babble incoherently. And, he recognizes how jealous Kihyun gets when the others shower him with attention.

He’s never thought it to be too serious before, so he’s always just let it be… But, now, the comeback preparations have been putting an even worse stressor on them all than the past ones, and it’s become obvious just how much Kihyun dislikes the attention the others give him. If the hurt light in the vocalist’s eyes weren’t enough of a sign, the fact that he now has to distance himself from such scenes only goes to further prove it.

 Changkyun waits until he’s sure the others are all asleep before confronting Kihyun about this. Jooheon’s snores and Minhyuk’s muffled murmurings are the only sounds in the room as are typical for this time of night. However, it’s obvious Kihyun is still very much awake judging by how still his cocoon of blankets are.

The maknae wordlessly scrambles down the ladder of his bunk, careful not to wake the others, and climbs up into his hyung’s bunk without even asking for permission. Kihyun merely moves to the side, and lifts up the blankets for the younger to snuggle down into. Changkyun does so, slipping under the covers and cuddling into Kihyun’s side. He wraps his arms around the older’s middle and rests his head atop his chest. Kihyun noticeably relaxes at the touch, and his arms come to rest around Changkyun’s waist.

“You okay, hyung?” he asks, his voice a mere whisper in the night. Kihyun sighs thoughtfully, his eyes remaining on the ceiling as he contemplates letting the maknae in on his little secret…

“I’m fine, Kkungie,” he mumbles in reply, his heart beating slightly faster as the mere notion of doing such a thing crosses his mind. Changkyun pulls away a little to pout at the older, not believing the lie at all.

“You know they don’t mean anything by spoiling me, right?” he goes on to say, hitting the head on the head. Kihyun chuckles breathily at this, his hold around the younger tightening at the mention of the others.

“I know, Kkungie,” Kihyun sighs.

“Then why does it bother you so much?”

The older’s fingers pinch at the thin fabric of Changkyun’s shirt, and he licks his lips. He can’t lie to his maknae, he just can’t. The mere thought of doing so makes his heart pang in soul-wrenching guilt. No, he can’t lie to him. His eyes drop to stare into Changkyun’s puppy-brown eyes, the pleading light in them pulling at his conscience. He knows deep down in his soul there’s only one thing he can say.

“Because I love you, Changkyunnie,” he says, his voice soft.

Changkyun’s eyes widen, having clearly not expected such a confession. He props himself up on an elbow, careful not to bump his head on the ceiling. Kihyun’s heart pounds out of his chest, feeling more nervous than he had for both his Starship audition and that time he’d had to jump off the Macao Tower combined.

Finally, after seemingly much pondering, the faintest of smiles plays its way across Changkyun’s face. He leans forward, closing the distance between them, and presses a feather-like kiss against Kihyun’s lips.

“I love you, too, hyung,” he whispers, his breath tickling Kihyun’s nose. The older chuckles softly as he shifts his position a little for better comfort. One of Kihyun’s hands comes up to rest against the younger’s nape, while the other sets itself on the younger’s hip. He holds the maknae close, his eyes falling shut at the warm feeling of having him so close.

 By the time they finally break away, they’re slightly out of breath. Changkyun chuckles under his breath and snuggles close, their legs tangling together under the sheets. Kihyun readjusts his position slightly to better accommodate his dongsaeng, thoughts of his own comfort long gone. He’ll be fine just so long as Changkyun is okay.

The two fall asleep soon after, cuddling as close as humanly possible just because they can.

[funk-and-noodle-like-kpop-blog]

Jooheon: What’s your religion?

Changkyun: I pretty much just do what Kihyun asks.

[biaswhatbias]

[kentahq]

@bsydian  (´ ꒳ ` ✿)

@OfficialMonstaX: [#아이엠] 오늘 하루도 형이랑 마무리 할 수 있어서 참 좋다. 요즘 형이랑 나랑 닮은거 같당 OO하면 닮는다더니!!! #KYUNSTERDAY

[humanivore]

[#I.M] I’m so glad I could end today with you too. Recently, hyung and I seem to resemble each other. They say OO makes people become alike!!! #KYUNSTERDAY 

OO is love, it’s a Korean saying MY CHANGKI SHIPPER HEART IS CRYING 

(also happy birthday 켠)

[lunetual]

👯🌟 + thee beloved mx <3 (confession I sent the same to eri but I just love them okay!!)

wingsbebe era i've said it before and i'll say it again i love it i live for it!!

👯 + mx

cry sob as you know... my favorite mx dynamic is changki !! we've kind of discussed before but i do gravitate a lot to this sort of quieter dynamic !! not that they're like... all that quiet but i do think there is a an undercurrent of calmness between them that isn't per se... in other mx dynamics... asl;dkfjasdlkf. i have always said that kihyun is naturally extroverted but really good at reflecting back the energy of the people he's with and so when it's just him and changkyun they are just... comfy... kihyun is also like really very indulgent when it comes to changkyun (although the others tend to be too a;lsdfja) and you can feel his caretaker instincts rise to the surface LOL. laughing bc this is just making me want to put on midnight idol... i just think they're neat and like so considerate of each other and there is such a mutual respect between them... it's just !! very good !!

🌟 + mx

oh like...... my favorite concept is... what they had going on in the find you mv but like !! that was a fraught time so like... complicated feelings overall about that era hahaha. i will say gambler / ooak, which is the first mx cb i paid Full Attention to, and also as we've discussed before, it was honey's first mx title track and he absolutely understood the assignment even if gambler didn't get the hype it deserved !! i am also so so partial to fantasia era in terms of styling like... flawless incredible nothing to add there whatsoever...

[ki-chang]

I was tagged by @katecaru, thank youu

🌿 3 ships? Uuuuuh as I’ve been into Persona 5 these days, Akechi and Akiren, since I miss them Deckerstar, and well, Changki my only loves

🌿 Last song I listened to? I’m gonna go with the last song I actively chose to listen to and not my sleep playlist, The Hammer’s Coming Down by Nickelback

🌿 Last movie? Uuuuuuuuuuuugh I have no idea but I think it was R.E.D.?????

🌿 Currently watching? various youtubers, at the moment it’s mainly a Hades let’s play

🌿 Currently reading? ao3 :’) do my own wips count?

🌿 Currently craving? To not feel fear of the future?? But also motivation and courage to finish my wips

🌿 How’s it going? Fine ig? Pretty neutral? Tomorrow I’m getting my ps4 I impulsively bought so I’m actually really looking forward to that atm. Other than that I don’t feel shitty or happy, it’s really just neutral, which is quite nice tbh

@hyunubear, @burtonized, @2bosoos, @imnameimss if that’s okay, idk idk people idk if I can tag people >.< 

rise and shine if you are a stranger and read this anyway, look at you, aren’t you gorg? 🌿❤💐💘

[burtonized]

Love how I have decided to revise this WIP, because I was not happy with the way I started it and this thing is gonna turn into an actual beast of a fic.

Legends never die - WIP

In a world where Kihyun has left behind all he had in favour of becoming who he wants to be, free from the restraints that had unknowingly weighed him down, he is the equal of a satanic god-like being. He isn’t known, crowned, and praised as the best assassin out there for nothing. Once someone becomes his target, they’re a dead man walking. Kihyun never wavers, never misses. Even those that have been able to hide in the shadows of their own perfectly-crafted lair, their acronym the only known piece of information, cannot hide forever. Kihyun will find him. He will find I.M and bring the master hacker down, even if it is the last thing he does.

But how does one find someone that is both invincible and invisible?

Hyungwon had already turned, his coat draped over his shoulders, and was ready to walk away when he turned back. “I don’t know what you’re diving into, Yoo,” he said, and Kihyun couldn’t recall ever seeing his handsome face this serious, his eyes dark with warning. “Nor that I particularly care. But be careful with what you look for. Some things are unfindable for a reason. It might be the death of you.”

[akiko-chaan]

I just love their comeback! They slayed me so bad ... I mean just look at Kihyun's hair. A new reason to live. I'm so motivated to write my Changki oneshot now! I'll upload it soon ~

[elitejae]

Kihyun: try to stay still when i'm taking your picture

Changkyun: *nods*

Kihyun: good, now—

Changkyun: *proceeds to do every ridiculous pose possible*

Kihyun: you little shit

[im-all-in-for-you-blog]

Changkyun’s A+ acting skills...

[mx-requests-forum]

[Fulfilled] Played by Yoo

Prompt: Changki + school AU/ mutual crushes but Kihyun plays hard to get

Fulfilled by Moderator ReeLee~

Words: 1353

AO3 Link (For Easier Reading)

“Be careful, hyung,” Jooheon warns jokingly, beaming from ear to ear at how Kihyun wipes at Changkyun’s mouth. The youngest of them all eats so messily sometimes that their hyung just can’t help but wipe up his mess. Kihyun hums at Jooheon questioningly, though he isn’t paying much attention as he’s doing something so much more important at the moment. “You’re gonna make Kkungie fall for you if you keep doting on him like that~”

“Hyung!” Changkyun protests, his chubby cheeks puffing up in an indignant pout. Kihyun hisses out a laugh, shaking his head at the two. He finally sets his napkin down with a contented smile, satisfied with his own work, and goes back to his own mediocre lunch.

This doesn’t keep him, though, from noticing the meaningful look passing between the two boys. But, he says nothing about it, as it’s been happening for a while now.

Kihyun will admit, he absolutely adores the maknae. The boy is all kinds of cute, and he’s just susceptible enough to follow Kihyun around like a lost pup without being annoying. He also doesn’t hold back any complaints, whether they be playful whines or something a bit more serious. Kihyun’s always liked that about him…

In fact, Kihyun’s always liked him. And, to make matters even better, he knows Changkyun likes him back, as Jooheon had inadvertently spilled all the maknae’s secrets at one of Minhyuk’s parties only last week. Of course, Changkyun has no idea about this as Jooheon had been all kinds of drunk and barely remembers himself, but Kihyun knows.

And he’s used it to his advantage.

“Hyung?”

Kihyun glances over, having not realized how lost in his own thoughts he had become. Changkyun’s staring at him with an anxious pout, and it’s all the older has in him to keep from pulling teasingly at his cheeks.

“Sorry, Kyunnie,” Kihyun chuckles, “what was that? I got distracted.”

“I, um,” Changkyun mutters, kneading his bottom lip between his teeth. “I was wondering if you wanted to come over this weekend? We could catch up on some dramas, or something.” Kihyun hums, tilting his head to the side as if in thought.

“I don’t know, Changkyunnie…” he sighs, picking up a piece of rice with his disposable chopsticks casually and inspecting it. “We’ll see. I was gonna see some people about a thing, but if it doesn’t pan out, then maybe.”

“Wh-What people?” Changkyun can’t help but ask, finding the sudden distance in his hyung’s voice worrisome. “Is it Minhyuk-hyung? Hoseok-hyung?” Kihyun chuckles low in his throat, shrugging a shoulder as he presses the grain in between his lips and pulls the chopsticks out slowly.

“You’ll see~”

Kihyun catches Jooheon’s suspicious gaze on him, but luckily the younger doesn’t say anything for now. He only lets the older continue torturing the poor maknae, turning to watch Changkyun squirm uncomfortably in his seat.

“How long are you going to keep messing with Kyunnie like this, hyung?” Jooheon asks curiously. He leans against the row of lockers, watching as Kihyun trades his biology book for his choir binder. Kihyun shrugs, humming vaguely as he closes his locker. He shoulders his messenger bag and gently closes his locker, shrugging at his dongsaeng.

“I don’t know, how long is it gonna take him to actually fess up to his feelings?” he can’t help but fire back. Jooheon sighs loudly, rolling his eyes in exasperation.

“You know you could just ask him out yourself…”

“There’s nothing wrong with making him work a little for it,” the older defends. “Now stop questioning your hyung and go to class. Minhyuk-ah would kill me if I make you late to geometry again.” Jooheon grumbles low under his breath, huffing as he trudges off down the hall. Kihyun merely chuckles as he goes, a dark light flickering in his eyes as his true plans for the weekend come to the forefront of his mind.

Changkyun puffs out a breath of uncertainty, nervously glancing at his phone. It’s the weekend now, and Kihyun still hasn’t gotten back to him about whether or not he could come over. Changkyun anxiously paces his bedroom, wondering if the older was on a date. He’d been unusually vague and evasive when asked about his weekend plans, even when the younger had asked for clarification later on, and the boy can’t help but fear he’s waited too long and missed his chance with the older.

He’s just about to say screw it and text Kihyun himself, but his phone suddenly dings, announcing a new message. He scrambles to grab the device, and can’t help but yelp out in joy at seeing it’s from the hyung in question.

I ended up being free, after all~ Come to my place when you can…

Changkyun gulps loudly, his Adam’s apple bobbing against the ball of nerves he’s just forced down his throat. Something about this message seems… different. The tilde, the ellipsis… It just screams something, and the maknae begins to hope against the odds that it means just what he wants.

Needless to say, he hurries to change into something a bit more fetching than just basketball shorts and a ratty old t-shirt, and runs breathlessly from his house to get to the older’s home as fast as his short legs could carry him.

He arrives about ten minutes later to the house in question, heaving in gulps of air to satiate his burning lungs. He has to hold back before knocking on the front door to try and catch his breath. Finally, he knocks once on the wooden barrier, and the door flies open, as if having expected the knock.

Kihyun’s smile steals Changkyun’s breath away, and he quite honestly chokes a little despite himself. Kihyun barks out a familiar laugh, setting the younger’s face ablaze, and reaches out to pull him into the abode.

The older leads him to the living room, where a lunch buffet is set out. Changkyun gapes awkwardly after removing his shoes, shuffling on his feet in uncertainty. Kihyun smiles fondly at the typical actions, and takes the younger by the arm to lead him to the couch.

“I was going to make you squirm a bit more, to be honest,” Kihyun chuckles as they sit down together. Changkyun visibly closes in on himself at this, unable to keep from pouting at the older’s words. “But, I decided we’d be wasting too much time that way, and that I should just put an end to the games.”

Changkyun stutters out a reply, but even he’s not even sure what’s coming out. He’s always loved how Kihyun just says whatever he wants without shame… but damn, this is a whole new level. Kihyun merely smiles, though, as if understanding what the younger is trying to say. He sits back on the couch, taking Changkyun’s hand in his own and turning on the television.

“You said you wanted to watch some dramas?” he prompts, raising a teasing brow. Changkyun presses his lips together, his eyes falling to their interlaced fingers. He tries to decipher what this means, wholly overthinking it. Kihyun chuckles under his breath, and pulls Changkyun close to himself. The younger ends up being flush against his chest, and he feels Kihyun lean down towards his ear. The proximity makes his heart pound madly, and it’s all he can do to keep from passing out.

“You’re so cute, Kyunnie~” Kihyun compliments lowly, just loud enough for Changkyun to barely hear over the roaring of his own blood. “It makes me almost sad I played with you for a week… But, we can make up for the lost time now, right~?” Changkyun finds himself nodding before he’s even fully processed the older’s words, and Kihyun only laughs again as he straightens up his posture a little.

Changkyun sheepishly makes himself more comfortable as he cuddles into his hyung’s side, making a mental note to complain about Kihyun’s making him ‘squirm’ before all this. But, for now, he’ll just try to regain control of what semblance of sense he can ever hope to have again.

[hungline]

put a spell on me (please be mine)

pairings: showho, minor changki   genre: angst, fantasy au, rated nc17   warnings: mentions of death and blood  a/n: written for the mx halloween fic exchange 2018 hosted on ao3!  words: 2302 

summary: Shin Hoseok is the number one witch hunter in all of the Seven Realms, but when he first catches a glimpse of Son Hyunwoo, it is like the heavens above parted just to let this celestial being grace this horrible slice of reality where a king slaughters his own people for the sake of remaining in power. 

It sits heavily on Hoseok's chest.

He holds a life in his hands, one he has been commissioned to wring out and put an end to. One he doesn't want to risk. A life he wishes he had never crossed paths with, to begin with.

But it is still in his hands.

And when he sees him, when he watches the way sunlight makes his skin bronze and how plants of all kinds open up to greet him, Hoseok doesn't think he can go through with it.

Killing Son Hyunwoo cannot be the answer. 

There is a prophecy older than time itself. Only a few know of its existence and even fewer know of its contents.

Hoseok does not know what it says word for word, but he knows what it means. He knows why it has been kept secret for so long.

The King would have his head if he caught a whiff of Hoseok's knowledge on the subject. Only those in his inner sanctum are meant to know, but Hoseok knows.

Entirely by accident, mind you, but this knowledge still puts his life in danger. So he decided to get close and stay close so that when the King grew suspicious, Hoseok would have a chance of fleeing before his ultimate demise by the King's men.

The amount of money he receives for each commission isn't bad enough to pay for his mother's medical needs by the way. The arrangement works out double for him in the end.

Hoseok thinks he could make it a few years out on his own before he is captured and turned in though. He is not the number one witch hunter in all of the Seven Realms for nothing. He has outwitted and outfoxed the most brilliant of magick users in the kingdom. He has more blood on his hands than he could ever have the ability to wash off and he wears that like armor.

He looks as tough as everyone expects him to all so that no one would be dumb enough to mess with him.

All so that he can be left alone just like he wants and just as he has always been.

  He needs this witch's blood.

It is meant to be used in an immortality potion, but Hoseok doesn't understand how one form of magick is meant to trump another. Is it not wrong to fight fire with fire, after all?

Well, not Hoseok specifically, but the King ordered him too and if Hoseok wants enough money to pay for his mother's medicine, he too wants the High Warlock's blood.

Hoseok knows what is at stake and when he first catches a glimpse of Son Hyunwoo, it is like the heavens above parted just to let this celestial being grace this horrible slice of reality where a king slaughters his own people for the sake of remaining in power. He looks fearsome from afar, fearsome enough to make even Hoseok pause, but when he comes closer and spies from the brush surrounding the witch's cottage, that is the moment he realizes that maybe love does exist after all.

So he keeps his distance. Not because he is afraid of his own feelings, but because he is afraid that he may already be too involved with this particular case than he should be. A lot of things ー important things ー hang in the balance with this and if Hoseok messes up, if he makes one false step, then everything before his very eyes could go up in flames.

He needs this to work.

  It should not surprise him that soon enough, it all blows up in his face.

After one night when Hyunwoo came out to water his garden and Hoseok noticed how moonbeams danced across his face and how the pixies fluttered about his head like a halo, it became too much. Hoseok retreated even further into the woods and camped out there, making sure that he could still observe the witch this far out and that he remained undetected.

It was fairly easy at first. Hyunwoo had not given any indication up until that point that he noticed Hoseok lurking about at all and the woods were easy to navigate, easy to live off of. Waking up to the sun rising and hearing the birds chirp is enough to make Hoseok feel at peace within himself just like being able to sleep under a blanket made up of stars does. It definitely should have been a warning sign for him, feeling content and happy for once in his life, but he had never expected to underestimate one of his targets in the massive degree that he did Hyunwoo.

On the night of the next full moon, Hoseok goes to bed early and does not wake with the usual warming sunlight slanting across his face. Instead, he wakes up to fur in his mouth and a loud growling by his ear with drool dripping down onto his clothes. Hoseok has seen his fair share of creatures and led too many expeditions not to realize that a werewolf has infiltrated his camp, but before he even gets the chance to come up with a strategy, the mass of fur in his face is being lifted and gently pushed away.

Hoseok sits up and instantly feels calm, his heart rate slowing back down to normal as he catches sight of a glowing Hyunwoo. His dark hair is in its usual bun atop the witch's head and his robes are a light, dusty rose color that complements Hyunwoo's skin tone surprisingly well. There is a smile on his face that only further confuses Hoseok, but what is most confusing of all is the fact that when Hyunwoo turns back to the werewolf and pets it on the head, fear lances right though Hoseok's heart. And it is not the usual fear, it isn't even fear for himself either.

The fear he feels in that moment is for Hyunwoo.

But Hyunwoo shows no hesitation, no fear at all as he continues to pet the wolf while he murmurs something that Hoseok cannot make out to it. It is hypnotizing to watch.

"You really should be more careful."

Hoseok has never heard Hyunwoo speak before and it almost comes as a shock to him when he realizes that the witch just spoke directly to him, but he fights to not let that surprise show on his face as he thinks of something to say in return. Nothing comes though and they continue to listen to the sounds of nightlife in the woods around them as Hoseok carefully avoids Hyunwoo's gaze.

"It's fine if you do not wish to speak just yet," Hyunwoo continues, stepping closer as he does. "I only want to make sure that you are okay. You can shake your head yes or no."

His voice is so calm, Hoseok thinks, calm enough to tame even the wildest of cats. Or dogs, whatever. What matters is that Hyunwoo is awaiting a response and even if Hoseok did not know who this witch was prior to tonight, he would still be unable to deny him anything that he wanted.

So he nods his head and feels something sizzling just beneath his skin that leaves him feeling breathless as he finally looks up to meet Hyunwoo's gaze and finds them twinkling just like the stars high up above them.

"Good. Come along then." 

  "I still don't think he should be here, Alpha."

Hoseok has grown tired of hearing the same phrase leave Changkyun's lips for the past few hours and though Hoseok is sure that Hyunwoo is not able to look anything other than composed and compassionate at all times, he is sure that Hyunwoo feels the same.

"Are you doubting my judgment, pup?" Hyunwoo asks with a smile on his face that does not match the steely tone of his voice.

Changkyun bares his teeth at Hoseok when their eyes meet but quickly diverts his attention back to Hyunwoo. "Not at all. I just don't trust him. I can smellー"

"I am perfectly aware of what you smell on him, Changkyun. But I am your elder, your Alpha, and your High Warlock, am I not?" Hyunwoo cuts him off, the glow over his skin darkening ever-so-slightly.

"Of course!" Changkyun yelps, his young face flushing as he bends his head down in a clear sign of submission. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I spoke out of line."

Hyunwoo sighs and his smile softens enough to turn Hoseok's insides into mush. "All is forgiven, pup. Now hurry home, Kihyun must be missing you."

Changkyun looks unwilling to go, but to Hoseok's relief, he only nods and leaves Hyunwoo's cottage quickly enough. Hyunwoo visibly relaxes once the werewolf has left and Hoseok is left studying him as if he will never get the chance to do so again. Hyunwoo's face is soft, there is no better description than that, but his softness is something other men would be too proud and arrogant to embrace the same way Hyunwoo does, unknowingly or not. His hair is out of its bun, longer than it was before and a shade lighter, but his skin is the same tan it always is due to working on his garden under the relentless sun. Hyunwoo's beauty is almost too much to bear for Hoseok's frail heart.

"I apologize for Changkyun," Hyunwoo's voice is almost as soft as his face, but fuller, the sound of it rich. "Werewolves are very territorial and I told him you were out there beforehand, but he didn't listen."

Hoseok almost chokes, his eyes blowing wide as he gapes at Hyunwoo. "Youー!"

Hyunwoo only smiles. "You're not that great of a witch hunter, you know. I mean, who in their right mind falls in love with their target?"

"What?" Hoseok croaks, his heart falling to the floor with each word Hyunwoo speaks.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm flattered. You're very handsome and the pixies like you, but I don't know anything about you," Hyunwoo continues as if Hoseok had not spoken at all.

Hoseok clears his throat and tries again now that Hyunwoo is looking expectantly at him. "How do you know any of that?"

Hyunwoo's smile curls around the edges, a twinkle in his eyes that sets alarm bells off in Hoseok's head. "I know everything that goes on in my forest. Also, the pixies will rat out anybody for some sugar water. Plus, I always knew it would be you who the King would decide to send."

Hoseok blinks at him, not knowing what to say now. Hyunwoo is obviously patient enough to wait it out, but there is something in the tone of his voice that just doesn't sit right with Hoseok at all.

"You know about the prophecy?" Hoseok asks in a hoarse whisper that even he can barely hear.

"Of course. It is about me, after all," Hyunwoo chuckles before he tilts his head and lets his smile simmer. "You could stay here with me if you want."

Hoseok's heart stops. His breath freezes in his lungs as he stares at Hyunwoo across the room, trying to figure out if this is real life or if the werewolf really did eat him. Just thinking about the latter leaves Hoseok feeling irritated that a simple werewolf did him in after all that he has faced already. He has never been faced with this though. Hyunwoo is just too good to be true... Not to mention that Hoseok cannot abandon his mother.

"Butー"

"I can brew your mother's medicine here and have her set up in a cottage in the village nearby where many of my friends would be able to look out for her and protect her from any harm. You don't have to worry about that," Hyunwoo says without missing a beat, waving his hand to make two mugs float towards the table. "The King would never find either of you if you decided to stay."

"How do you know any of this?"

Hyunwoo smirks. "Magick."

Hoseok knows that is not too far-fetched, but the amused grin on Hyunwoo's face makes him edgy. So he decides to press on.

"And the rest?"

"I'm friends with an Oracle. She told me you were coming a long time ago, Hoseok."

A pinch to Hoseok's thigh quickly proves to him that this is real life after all and when Hyunwoo chuckles at the incredulous look on his face, Hoseok can't help the way his heart stutters in his chest. He is too far gone to care anymore.

Hoseok absolutely cannot and will not hunt Hyunwoo down for the sake of the King.

He holds a life in his hands and for once, he is deciding to nurture it instead of killing it off like he usually would. Fuck the King and his evil ways anyway, Hoseok is not scared of him anymore. Even if Hyunwoo knows that Hoseok is in love with him, even if Hyunwoo is the key to this entire mess or not, Hoseok will protect him with his life now.

(Hyunwoo is not surprised, his Oracle friend, Bora, had already shown him and Hoseok living a happy life together and even if he does not love Hoseok right now, they will always have time after the Great Battle of Magick and Demons to fulfill the bright future Hyunwoo was shown a long time ago.)

  On the night of the red moon, the High Warlock will put the Evil King's reign to an end  through hate or love and the kingdom will rejoice because what was wrong is now set right. The High Warlock has only one choice and all must pray to the heavens above for his will to not bend.