#hwang hyunjin fantasy au | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

xxkissesforchanniexx · 10 months ago

Text

𝐑𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐞

𝐏𝐭 𝟐

Pairing: Merman!Hyunjin x Human!fem!reader Genre: Angst kinda, Fluff🥰💖, Smut🔥❤️ Word Count: 4.7k Warnings: Blood, Chan is lowkey a dick, MURDER kinda, sex, p in v, cumming inside (use a protection >.>), possessive themes breeding kink, implied pregnancy it doesn't get a part tho i think thats it tell me if i missed anything.

A/N: Based on this TikTok someone save me from my imagination-

"The humans killed our ancestors, the pushed us far from the shores, our people died because of them."

"But why?" One of the merboys asked.

The class looked at him, small bubbles jetting behind the teacher from seashell horns on the coral wall. "Because they fear the unknown Hyunjin."

It was a while after classes he was moving on the current among the schools of fish, he saw the floaty. He moved for it confused. Why was a floaty this far from the shore. On the bobbing swan was a girl, she stared at him with wide eyes and he stared back. Her hands weren't webbed, she didn't have the fin like appendages jutting out behind her ears... but mostly, she didn't have a tail.

A HUMAN!? Hyunjin swam back slightly, fear prickling through him, the human tried paddling to the shore frantically, also afraid. His brows furrowed. Hesitantly, cautiously, he came above the water and tried forming the syllables he'd learned in class. "You swim no??"

The human girl looked at him. "You speak.."

Hyunjin made a face.

"Sorry. No, I can't swim." She laughed slightly. "What are you?"

Hyunjin tried to think of a word. "You caught... riptide." He pointed to the beach.

The human nodded.

"Catch current." He said, grabbing the floaty and pushing it rather quickly to the upcoming wave heading for the shore.

"Wait." The girl looked at him, her e/c eyes meeting luminescent sea green ones. "I'm y/n. What's your name?"

"Hyunjin." He said, pushing the floaty to the current.

The human grabbed his hand, he froze in fear. But she put something in his hand as the current swept her off. Looking down at it, he smiled slightly at a little moon charm.

Minho was poking Hyunjin's head in class. "Hey bubble maker. I'm bored."

"Class isn't over yet." Hyunjin sighed, fiddling with the moon shaped charm that floated around his neck.

"Sneak out with me." The merman behind him poked him again.

Hyunjin turned to Minho. "What do you take me for?"

"Come on." Minho smiled, the fin appendages behind his ears shifting, the scales that lined them shimmering a deep blue color in the light. "Chan and Yongbok must have already left class too. We can get the others."

"FINE" Hyunjin gave an exasperated huff, swishing his glittery green tail, pushing at the sand floor, startling a small squid.

Minho smiled, asking the instructor if he could use the restroom, a few minutes later Hyunjin asked to also go, and the two didn't return.

Meeting up with their friends, Chan, Changbin, Jisung, Yongbok, Seungmin, and Jeongin, the group swam out of the coral area and surfaced looking around. The sun was setting and sparkled against the water, lapping gently around them.

"Woah..." Jeongin, the youngest marveled, eyes glued to the shore. "How do humans build things like that?" He pointed past the sand to the tall structures.

Chan shrugged, "Last time I was on land, someone said there's a lot of math involved."

Changbin sucked in a sharp breath.

The rest looked at him, he was pointing frantically at something. A boat, not just any, but a boat with nets coming from it.

Hyunjin grit his teeth, "Isn't illegal to fish here?"

"It is." Jisung's eyes narrowed.

Chan looked at Changbin nodding. Before the rest could say something, both mermen swam full speed for the boat, slashing the nets and emerging from the water. Hyunjin watched as the people on the boat fell back into the water in fear. Chan dove again and even if it was far away, the scent of human blood reached Hyunjin's nostrils as he watched Changbin flip the boat.

"Disgusting scum." Yongbok spat, before swimming under.

Jisung pursed his lips before diving under as well, the others followed. As Hyunjin watched the boat capsizing he turned to the shore and his eyes widened at the sight of a human dressed similar to the others swimming and flailing frantically.

Chan came next to him, "Don't let him get far."

Hyunjin's ear appendages flared. He swam quickly, claws emerging from his webbed fingers as he closed in on the screaming human. The metallic scent filled his nose as he slashed the human's throat and let the current float the body to the beach.

You cringed as your boss slapped folder on your desk. "Another?"

"This one was a bit better than the last 4." The man huffed. "Guy we found on shore got out easy. Whoever or whatever killed him did it quick."

You made a face, squeezing the sun charm that hung around your neck. "I'll look into it, might have to stake out."

He nodded. "I could assign you a squad."

"If whatever or whoever did this sees a squad of men, it surely won't act."

"It's for your safety."

You rolled your eyes. "Fine."

Your boss smiled and patted the report. "Get to it."

You flipped through the report, looking at the images and the boat, the claw like marks on the fishermen's chests. You huffed, deciding to go to the forensics lab see what they had to say. When you saw the bodies all the forensic analyst and pathologist could say was that the wounds were ridged as if the blade used was jagged, not uniformly.

"Though, y/n." The forensic analyst pulled you aside to two microscopes. "Have you ever seen something like this?"

You looked into the microscope, there was a keratin like material under the first, similar to human hair but glittering.

"What is it?" you asked.

"A fraction of a scale from something...?" The forensic analyst sighed. "But look at this." She motioned to the other microscope.

Looking through it you saw a cell. "What about it?"

She grabbed you and shook you. "It's blue."

You shrugged.

"Y/N.. I didn't stain that sample."

Your eyes widened and you looked at the skin cell again. It was blue...

"I'm going on a stake out tonight." You said determined.

The pathologist and the forensic analyst looked at you a little scared.

"But-" the pathologist started.

"No!" You crossed your arms. "I'm going to figure this out."

You left the room before they could stop you.

Hyunjin probably shouldn't have but the moonlight looked so alluring through the water. The merman swam to the surface and hummed softly as he took in the moon, full and bright, the sky clear, his right ear fin twitched and he sucked in a breath. Boat...

His eyes narrowed as he tried to identify what type of boat. The nets flew and Hyunjin's gills flared, humans didn't ever learn. He dove under and swam toward the ship, claws out.

"There's something out there!" A man shouted.

Hyunjin burst from the water to slash at the man but his eyes widened as he saw a pair of eyes he hadn't seen in years. He pushed against the boat and dove again, swimming away as fast as he could.. He grabbed the moon charm around his neck and remembered, the human girl who got swept away by the riptide. She... He cursed at himself for not flipping the boat and getting it over with.

"I'm not crazy!" You shouted. "I saw a merman!"

"You've been saying that for the past two months." Your fellow investigator sighed. "Sure more fishermen have died but there's nothing to prove that you saw merpeople."

"Just go home and rest, Y/N, you look crazy." the receptionist quipped.

"Listen kid. You're barely out of high school trying to play investigator." The captain of your department patted your head. "Go home and rest. Let the professionals do their jobs."

You groaned in exasperation and walked to your office, sitting in the spinning chair, you knew you'd seen it, you'd seen it before. It- no.. he had your moon charm, you put your head in your hands and stared at the case report. Could there be others? You noticed it as you scanned the victims, the boats.. You grabbed the phone and dialed the natural resource reserve department.

"Hello. Natural resource reserve department this is Kady speaking."

"Hi I'd like to know if Sta Beach and the surrounding area is protected from fishing for commercial and personal use." You said to the woman on the other end of the line.

"Sta Beach?"

"Yes, ma'am."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line before you heard rapid typing. "Yes it is illegal to fish for any reason in that area."

You nodded. "Thank you." Hanging up the phone you stared at the pictures again. The fishermen were fishing illegally.. so...

You remembered how that blonde haired merman flew out of the water, claws out but froze as he saw you. THE MERPEOPLE KILL PEOPLE WHO HURT THE FISH! You stood and slapped the case folder closed. You grabbed your phone and carkey, dialing your boss's number as you left the station.

"Why are you calling me at 2 in the morning-"

"I know what's going on. I'm going to fix it myself."

"L/N-"

"It was a pleasure working with you chief."

"L/N IF YOU GO OUT THERE! I SWEAR I'LL-"

You hung up the phone and got into your car, staring the engine and driving to the beach again, as you came to the parking, you put your car into park awkwardly across three spaces and ran for the shore.

You watched as gentle waves crashed against the rocks and sand, removing your shoes, you ran to the water. The moon reflecting off it, stars glittering. You stared out for a moment, noticing a ripple in the water, a head surfaced, fin like appendages behind its ears, it shook its dark hair as another head emerged, then another. You held your breath as five more heads appeared and scanned the water, the first turned and locked eyes with you. Your eyes widened as it dove under the surface, the other heads turned.

You saw those sea green eyes again and you knew.. "Hyunjin..."

Hyunjin shouted, "Chan WAIT!" before diving after the first.

Your eyes widened as the first merman, Chan you assumed, burst out of the water claws bared. You scrambled back deeper into land and it landed, tail dissipating into two legs. You shrieked as he jumped for you. Someone caught him and dragged him to the sand. Hyunjin.

"She saw us!" Chan snapped, easily slamming Hyunjin into the sand.

"She's seen me before!" Hyunjin grabbed Chan's hands. "She won't say anything!"

Chan stared at you. The other mermen came to the shore and changed, they looked human, only their eyes having unnatural luminescence.

One of the men, hair purple and eyes pale white stared intensely at your chest.

You bristled, "It's rude to stare at a woman's chest y'know." You said.

"I wasn't staring at that." he walked forward and Hyunjin jumped off Chan but the purple haired man was faster, grabbing your sun charm and pulling close for inspection. "Hyunjin." he turned to the green eyed man. "Is this here you got that from?" he pointed to Hyunjin's necklace.

Chan stood, eyes narrowed. "She's the human?" He rubbed his face, claws retreating. "Why are you here?"

"I'm investigating why the fishermen died. I guess.." You looked at the men. "I have my answer."

Hyunjin looked at you. "You should go back."

"Why-" You started, but the sound of a siren made you turn.

A few of the men dove back into the water when they heard it, the purple haired man looked at Chan. "What if she says something?"

Chan looked at Hyunjin.

The lights from the police cruisers came closer and one pulled around the corner, a head sticking out the passenger window, gun drawn. Before you could react, Chan grabbed you and threw you into the water, you almost screamed, flailing around since you couldn't swim but Hyunjin grabbed your face, forcing your mouth open as he pushed you deeper beneath the surface. You choked as water invaded your mouth but he put something on your tongue and closed it. To save yourself from choking of the sea water you swallowed and covered your mouth.

The purple haired man tilted his head at you. "Speak."

"Huh-" You grabbed your throat, realizing you were breathing. You looked at them, Hyunjin's legs had become a green tail, Chan's a dark blue one and the purple haired merman now had a funny purple and green tail.

Hyunjin smiled and Chan still gave you an incredulous look. "Minho. Make sure they don't get away."

The purple haired man, Minho, nodded, shooting up to the surface.

"She can't stay." Chan huffed, swimming past Hyunjin and you.

Hyunjin looked at you.

"I thought I was crazy." You said.

"When I send you back you'll have to act crazy." he sighed.

"You can't send me back, they saw you guys drag me under-"

"Minho has it handled, you can return and say it was some kind of sea animal." Hyunjin looked at you. "Chan is right, you can't stay here."

"Says who!?" You snap.

"Do you realize I should've killed you when we met? You and I aren't supposed to even know each other! It's forbidden!" The appendages behind his ears flared angrily.

"Why is it forbidden? Ariel makes it work!"

Hyunjin made a face. "This isn't a fairytale. When human and merperson come together. People die. Why do you think we hide from your kind?" He shook his head. "When the sun rises, you're going back."

You stared at him. "Fine."

He swam after Chan, leaving you there.

If Hyunjin had ever eaten his words it would be years later. Blend in. Act human. Get the artifact and go.

So there Hyunjin was almost four years later, walking around a museum on land, dressed in a suit, carrying a "cellphone". He found the artifact relatively quickly, and admired the craftsmanship of his ancestors.

"Something peak your interest sir?"

He turned to the voice, eyes widening. You looked a little different from before, and if the human world was anything like under the sea, an investigator didn't often change carriers to a museum worker.

You looked up at him and bristled. Taking a step back and shaking your head. "Enjoy the exhibit."

Hyunjin opened his mouth to speak but you had already turned on your heel to walk away. He reached for you but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He looked at Jisung who shook his head.

"Remember why we're here." he said.

Another museum worker came up to him and Jisung, she smiled and motioned the artifact. "According to native legend, almost 500 years ago this blade belonged to a merman, he fell for a human woman on the surface, and when they wedded in secret, the villagers took him for a monster who bewitched her and they took him away. The human woman told the other merpeople what had happened and hey came to get him back, the result was almost the deaths of nearly all the merpeople who lived on the coast, and when they did, the human woman killed herself with this blade. After the merman found out, he too killed himself."

Hyunjin hummed. It wasn't legend, it was fact. He looked at Jisung. "What an interesting story."

The woman nodded, "The museum is closing soon, please make your way out soon."

Jisung smiled, "Of course."

The men left the museum and Hyunjin grabbed the moon around his neck and breathed deeply. He did it for the best, so the past wouldn't repeat itself... he sent you home. But..

"Did you figure out anything?" Jeongin asked.

Hyunjin snapped out of his thoughts looking at him. "The museum is closing in an hour, we can get it then."

Minho nodded. "Kill the least amount of people as we can."

He nodded, thinking about how they would even get out of the city after they got the artifact.

When it was time to get the artifact, the lights in the museum were out, he could see just fine, sneaking in with Yongbok through a window at the back and making their way to the place he'd seen the artifact. Yongbok grabbed the glass and lifted it just enough for Hyunjin to reach his hand in and grab the handle of the dagger.

"How the hell did I know you'd come back here?"

Yongbok looked claws ready but his brows furrowed when he saw you. "Hyunjin?"

Hyunjin looked at you. "Let us pass."

"No." You huffed.

"Yongbok." Hyunjin handed him the dagger. "Get out of here."

"But-"

"Go."

The blonde haired man ran for it.

Hyunjin looked at you. "Why do you have to be everywhere?"

"I work here!" You snapped. "You're everywhere! Stealing that thing!"

"I'm following orders!" he shouted.

"Oh! Are you?! Kill me then! We can't know each other!" You bared your neck at him.

Hyunjin stared down at you. "No."

"Then what orders are you following Hyunjin?" You shoved him. "You let me live time and time again! What orders are you following?!"

"I can't kill you!"

"Why cant you?!"

"What reason do I have to kill you?!"

"Chan said it himself; I know your kind exists! I shouldn't be allowed to live!"

"You say that like you want me to kill you!"

"Maybe I do! I really thought we were friends! From that moment you pushed me back on the current when we were kids, I thought you were my friend Hyunjin!"

He looked away. "I can't."

"But you'll keep me alive." You gave a dry laugh.

"Of course I will!" He whipped around. "What type of moral code do you think I have?"

"You killed those fishermen no problem."

"They were hurting the fish."

You glared at him. "Take your artifact and go." You pulled off your sun charm and threw it at him. "If you see me, you don't know me."

You turned to leave but he grabbed you, pulling you back against his chest, his hair draping over your shoulder. "I just wish you'd understand.."

"I do." You said quietly, trying to pull away, but he held you there.

"No, you don't." He muttered.

"Make me understand." You reached up and touched his head gently, patting his hair.

He pulled away and turned you to face him. His luminescent sea green eyes locked on yours, and hesitantly, he leaned in, his plush, full lips centimeters from yours. And he kissed you gently, nose bumping yours before he turned your head, tongue prodding at your lips for entry. Your lips parted and he sighed softly at your taste, relishing in the feeling of being so close to you.

Then he pulled away, forehead pressed against yours. "I'll be back, I swear it..." He put the sun charm around your neck again and pressed a kiss to your forehead. "Wait for me."

You'd gone back to school, deciding to major in marine biology, it had been almost a year since you'd seen Hyunjin. Still illegal fishermen and the occasional oil dumping people in boats were killed, it was on the news and in the paper. More likely than not it was the work of Hyunjin's friends.

You sat in your apartment bedroom, flipping through your assignment. Your roommate was out for tonight, so it was just you. You tapped your desk as you read through the textbook looking for an answer to a question. You bit the plastic cap of your pen out of frustration.

"Maybe humans want the turtles eating plastic because they're no better." A voice said. That voice was familiar. A voice that was nothing but hostile to you. Now it sounded so calm.

You jumped slightly in fear, turning to your bedroom door.

"Woah woah woah!" Chan laughed. "I didn't mean to scare you. Just thought you might want to see your special guest."

You practically flew from your chair. "Guest? Chan how did you get into my apartment- What guest?" You pushed past the dark haired man and your eyes widened at the sight of Hyunjin and the others, who fiddled with your toaster.

"OW!" A short, well built man jumped, blowing on his finger.

"Changbin!" A thin blonde haired man grabbed his hand and went to the sink. "This is why Chan never sent you to human world before."

The group hadn't noticed you yet.

"Uh-" A young man poked Hyunjin.

"What, Jeongin?" Hyunjin turned to him.

The young man, Jeongin, pointed at you.

Hyunjin looked, his lips parting slightly as he saw you.

"GUYS!" Chan shouted.

The other boys looked at him.

"Let's leave them..." He ushered them out of your apartment.

Changbin was still staring at his finger.

"Oh wait.." You grabbed a paper towel and got an ice cube before handing it to Changbin. "Hold it to your finger. Toaster burns are so scary" You teased.

The other men laughed as Chan finally got them out of your apartment.

You turned to look at Hyunjin.

He smiled at you. "You live alone?"

You shook your head no.

"Where's your roommate?" He asked, fiddling with the ice dispenser.

"She's not coming back until tomorrow evening.." You said.

Hyunjin nodded and hummed softly. "I guess I owe you an explanation."

"Chan needed the artifact to find the old merpeople palace. If he found it then... we could come to the surface when we wanted." He opened your fridge and took out a Tupperware of something, examining it before putting it back. "I didn't think we'd find it.. But we did... it looked so old. It was destroyed."

You stared at him. "We destroyed it all that time ago... Humans right?" You moved and sat on your couch.

He nodded, sitting beside you. "It was destroyed because a merman and a human woman were in love."

You looked at your hands. "Is that why Chan hated me?"

Hyunjin nodded. "He was scared the past would repeat itself."

Silence spanned for a moment and then he hugged to his chest.

"I missed you." He said softly.

"You don't even know that much about me.." you muttered.

"I'm here for a while." he said rubbing your shoulder. "I'll learn."

You huffed a small laugh. Looking up at him, you smiled slightly.

He smiled down at you and leaned down to kiss your forehead gently.

You sat up and leaned in, kissing him gently.

The tips of his ears turned turned red. You giggled at his flustered expression but he grabbed you, kissing you again. He hesitantly reached his arm around you, pulling you closer. His tongue pressed its way between your lips and you smiled, allowing him entry. He groaned softly and pulled you onto his lap.

You put your hands on his shoulders and bit your lip looking into his eyes. He smirked and kissed your neck, his hand splaying on the small of your back. He sucked a dark mark beside your jaw and you moaned softly, he hummed and moved lower, his hands moved under you shirt and lifted it over your head. He tossed it haphazardly, his lips meeting yours again as you tugged at his shirt.

"You could've just asked sweet girl." He pulled his short off and kissed you again, his hands moving behind you unclipping your bra, he tugged it off gently before his hands grabbed for your chest. You moaned and arched into him. He groaned softly as you began grinding against him.

He tugged at your pants and you lifted off his lap, he tugged it down as far as he could before he turned your legs in way where he could pull your pants and underwear off all at once. He smirked at you flustered expression.

You grabbed his crotch and he whined. "Not so cocky now huh?"

He rolled his eyes and kissed you again, fondling your breasts as you fumbled to get his pants undone. When you finally got the zipper down, you pulled his pants and boxers just low enough to get out his cock. You stared at it for a moment.

"Y'know if I remember correctly, you said it was rude to stare a while back." Hyunjin teased.

You rolled your eyes and kissed him gently. "You're so dumb."

He laughed lightly and pulled you against him, rubbing his tip between your folds. "Are you ready?"

You looked into his beautiful eyes and nodded. He pulled you down and you moaned as your walls split around his manhood. He groaned when you throbbed around him, kissing your cheeks gently when you were fully sat on him. You rested your head on his shoulder, trying to adjust to him.

He kissed your head gently and muttered. "Take your time."

You made a face and rocked against him gently.

Hyunjin gasped. You smiled. "Take your time." You mocked.

His eyes narrowed and his hands settled on your hips. "I guess you're good to go."

"Hyunjin-"

He lifted you slightly and brought you down on his cock hard. You squealed and he groaned. He repeated the motion again and again, "Why am I doing all the work here?" He moaned in your ear.

You huffed and pressed your hands against his chest for balance as you began riding him, one of his hands moved to hold your back while the other played with your right nipple as he sucked the left.

You moaned and gasped, "Hyunjin.."

"Huh?" He looked at you, his eyes half lidded, pupils blown wide. he huffed a small laugh. "Let me help you pretty girl." He flipped you over and pushed you into the couch, gripping your thighs as he fucked into you. "Fill you with my babies..."

Your pussy clenched.

"Oh you like that?" He moaned. "I'll fuck you full of my kids. This pussy is mine."

Your eyes rolled back in your head as he hit the spongey area deep inside you. Hyunjin smirked and caged you in pushing your legs almost beside your head, pushing as deep into you as possible. You moaned loudly, loud enough you were scared you'd get a noise complaint from your neighbors. But you couldn't stop yourself as Hyunjin filled you again and again, reaching places you didn't even know was possible.

"Are you going to cum for me?" He asked, grunting softly.

You were too dazed to form a sentence but he grabbed your face and made you look straight at him.

"Answer me honey." He said lowly.

You nodded. "I'm going t-to cum."

He groaned and pressed his lips to yours, "Cum for me, sweet girl."

He rubbed your clit and you fell over the edge, your eyes rolling back in your head as your pussy clenched and spasmed around Hyunjin's cock. He let out a strained moan, following close behind. he gripped your thighs tightly definitely leaving bruises before he finally relaxed.

Your eyes went wide as you heard the door to your apartment unlocking. "Girl, I'm back early, but you will not believe, I saw the finest guy ever downstairs, he said his name was Cha-" Your roommate came around the corner and froze. "There's no way I sit on that fucking couch, BURN IT. GET A ROOM DAMNIT Y/N!"

"Do you understand what you've done Hyunjin?" Chan turned to him, eyes worried. "You could be killed for for this.. Y/n COULD BE KILLED FOR THIS! This is a massive mistake."

Hyunjin looked at Chan for a moment, "It's not a mistake I'll regret in this life or the next."

Chan groaned and facepalmed.

You were driving to the beach, it'd been a bit since you'd gone to see him, most of the time he came to you.

"Mommy."

"Huh?" You looked at the child in the back of the car using the rearview mirror.

"What's Daddy like?"

Your eyes met the child's sea green ones and you smiled. "You'll love him."

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dreaming-medium · 2 months ago

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Animals Without Direction

Chapter Forty-One: Rescue Mission

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Masterlist

Allerick didn’t come back to the cell.

The worst part was neither did Seungmin. Both you and Hyunjin stayed curled in each other’s arms for what felt like hours. Neither one of you wanted to move from your position against the cell wall.

When you had woken up, Hyunjin was fast asleep behind you, his head resting on your shoulder. Every shallow exhale he let out fanned over your shoulder gently.

You turn your head slightly, your nose nuzzling into his temple. His eyebrows twitch but he stays asleep.

All of your injuries from the dagger have closed thanks to the mage surrounding you. His magic is weak right now, but it still managed to close the wounds to a bearable point. The bloodstains on your tunic have now dried.

The only thing that’s left from earlier is a constant dull throb, making the injuries feel as though they’re two days old instead of a few hours.

Your body feels achy and weak, more so than it has these past few days. Mortal’s Touch still must be flowing through your bloodstream and making you frail. Every single one of your joints ache. There are pains in places you didn’t think were possible to hurt.

And who knows when it will end?

You’ve been in this cell for weeks– months now.

And all you’ve had to do while you’ve been in here is think. Well, between all the torture, that is.

Memories were your only escape from the harsh reality that you found yourself in. Little flashes of running through the forest of Erbus while your mother calls you in for dinner soothed you.

If you thought hard enough, sometimes you thought you could picture her face again. When you really allowed yourself to focus, you could recall the curve of her nose, shaped just like yours, the small bridge of freckles that would appear in the summertime, the prominent shape of her cupid’s bow.

Once a month, your mother would crush up rose and lavender petals and make them into an oil that she would apply to her skin. The only times you were ever close enough to smell it were when she would hold you close.

Like that time you were six years old and fell from the tree you were climbing. You had slipped on the branches and came tumbling down to the dirt. The only injury you ended up sustaining was a small scrape to your elbow.

But you cried so hard, you may as well have broken your arm. After bandaging you up, you were still letting out little sniffles and cries.

Your mother wrapped her arms around you and held you close to her chest.

A mother’s hug heals everything, doesn’t it?

There’s a different type of warmth that comes from the arms that carried you since the day you were born. No matter what the circumstances were, it didn’t matter what was wrong or what hurt, mind, body, or soul, if your mother wrapped her arms around you, you were better.

You would breathe in her rose and lavender scent and the tears would stop. She would coo into your hair and kiss your forehead before sending you on your way once more.

In no time at all, you would be back to climbing trees and jumping over fallen logs in the woods.

What you wouldn’t give for one of your mother’s hugs right now.

Even though you were so young when she was taken from you, it doesn’t take away the fact that she’s the first person you crave when you’re scared or when you’re hurting. Calling out for your mother is an instinct so ingrained in everyone it should be studied.

That day on the battlefield, when all of the soldiers were closing in around you on top of that wall, you called out for your mother.

And if you had the strength, you would do so right now.

You want your mother. You want to hear her voice, you want her to hold you close and listen to her heart beat.

A hollow, empty feeling sits so heavily in your chest. It’s a different pain than the type you’ve been on the receiving end for the last few weeks. It’s not even a pain that was inflicted while you’ve been in this cell.

Nonetheless, Erbus caused it. These monsters are the ones that took your mother and father away. They’re the ones that took away the one pair of arms you need to be held in the most.

Erbus has been torturing you long before you were thrown within this cell. Long before this war was declared, long before you were made into a court member of Miroh, long before you even became a mercenary. They have been twisting the knife in your heart since you were only nine.

Hyunjin’s arms twitch around your body, shaking you from your runaway thoughts.

Your head turns a bit and you look at him as his eyes twitch and blink open slowly.

“Does it hurt?” he asks immediately. His voice is rough and slurred as he drags himself from sleep.

“Nay,” you whisper back. “Only the usual pains.”

“Then why do you cry?”

You freeze.

Slowly, your hand reaches up and you touch your cheek. Sure enough, there are tears coming down your cheeks.

“I…” you start but your voice trails off.

“Troubled mind?” Hyunjin murmurs. He lifts his chin from your shoulder and sits back against the wall once more.

Your eyes stare forward, focusing on just one of the four hundred and thirteen stones in the floor.

“Aye,” you respond. “I guess you could say that.”

Hyunjin waits for a moment. His hands move from wrapped around your body to trail up the sides of your arms, tracing small circles and patterns on the bruised and battered skin.

“Coin for your thoughts.”

A weak smile pulls at your lips at the little joke. Maybe if you had more energy, you would’ve laughed.

“I am just thinking about my mother,” you say simply. Behind you, Hyunjin lets out an exhale.

“Taken by Erbus?”

“Aye.”

You had already told Jisung the story that one night in front of the campfire. The night that he crawled inside your bedroll and held you while you both cried together.

“Tell me about her.”

It’s such a simple request, but it squeezes at your heart nonetheless. Countless fragments of memories go through your mind, once more, you think you can smell her scented oil.

“She was tall.” It’s the first thing that comes to your mind. “Tall for a human woman, at least. One time I heard my father say it was one of the reasons he fell for her, she had the height of an elf, but the sharp tongue of a human.”

Hyunjin lets out a weak laugh behind you. “Much like you then.”

You hum in agreement. “Aye. I definitely take after her in many ways. But she always told me I looked more like my father.” There’s a beat. “They both loved me so much, Hyunjin. I cannot even begin to even create a complaint about my parents. They loved me more than the moon loves the night sky.

“Our cottage was this tiny house with one room. There were no bedrooms or a kitchen or library. It had four walls that held two beds, a small cooking spit, a table with three chairs, a wardrobe, and a bookshelf. But I never wanted it to be any different.”

His fingers continue to trace up and down your arms as you stare off into space, reminiscing about that little cabin in the woods.

“Every night, they would tuck me into bed and both of them would kiss my cheeks, my father first, then my mother. And they would tell me how much they loved me. I cannot lie, I had a very fortunate childhood.”

Countless people you have crossed paths with have had the opposite experience as your own. Every time someone would tell you about a negative relationship with their parents, your heart would ache for them.

The smile on your face turns wistful. “One morning, my mother woke me up early, before the sun had even risen or poked over the horizon. I can only remember she held up a finger to her lips, smiling and telling me that we had to be quiet, that we were going to surprise my father since it was his birthday.

“We went down to the town and we were there just in time as the bakery opened. The two of us were the first in line and we bought him the most beautifully frosted cake that I had ever seen, it had to be bigger than my face.”

Both you and your mother also bought a sweet bread that the two of you shared on your way back to the cabin. The two of you giggled and passed the bread back and forth, making sure it was finished before you got home.

Your mother had said it was a secret that only the two of you could know about, and your younger self took that to heart.

“When we got back to the cabin, my father was still asleep. He snored like a bear and we could hear him before we even got inside. We woke him up holding the cake and yelling birthday wishes at the top of our lungs. He sat up and hugged us both with the biggest smile on his face. By the Six, I can still see the crows' feet crinkling next to his eyes.”

The happy memory sits inside your chest, warming up your damaged and worn soul. It flickers inside you like a dying campfire.

Thinking about your parents always kindles the flames within your soul, even now, when you’re at the lowest you’ve ever been. Just remembering the happiness they raised you with alights something inside you.

Hyunjin remains quiet behind you, listening to you talk. Not once do his little caresses cease on your skin.

“We started the day with cake and then spent the remainder of his birthday down at the lake, playing in the water and laughing as a family. Even as the sun went down behind the clouds, we were smiling and laughing. It was… it was perfect. Every single day was perfect.”

Suddenly, your throat feels too tight.

As if sensing the shift in your demeanor, Hyunjins hands gently wind around your stomach once more, being very careful of the wounds throbbing across your stomach. With what remaining strength he has left, he squeezes and holds you close.

“I often think about what my life would have been like if they were not taken from me,” your voice utters. The tears have not stopped flowing down your cheeks. It’s a wonder your eyes aren’t too dry to even shed them.

“Thinking about what could have been can poison your mind,” Hyunjin murmurs. His own tone sounds strained.

“Perhaps,” you reply. “But at the same time, it relaxes me. I allow myself to conjure up a vision of this second life… One where my parents raised me and we were permitted to live together as a family…”

He hesitates for a beat. “What do you imagine?”

A soft hum comes from your chest. “I like to imagine that I grew up to be an alchemist.”

When he laughs, it comes out gently, like a puff of air. “Truly?”

“Aye,” you answer with your own weak laugh. Your head tilts to the side. “I would have studied hard and learned the craft and opened a shop in the town… I would have created tonics that would cure ailments, supply aid, perhaps even extend lives or do wondrous things like breathe underwater.”

Your body begins to relax further into him as you tell him your little fantasy.

“I would live in the room above my shop and it would only be a short walk to the cottage where I would visit my parents at least once a week for dinner. Maybe, I would bring them a new tonic or two for them to try for me…

“Eventually, some dashing young man would walk into my shop one day, looking for a healing potion and I would notice that he seemed injured so I would take him into the back where I keep all my ingredients and supplies and make him sit still while I heal him up. After a moment, I would look into his eyes… he would look into mine… and I would fall in love.”

His arms tighten around you. “Sounds like folly to me,” Hyunjin grumbles into your shoulder.

“You sound jealous.”

“I am not.”

“You are jealous of a man who does not exist.”

“Nay. I am not.”

“He does not exist, nor does my shop, nor do my alchemy skills.”

Hyunjin scoffs and shifts behind you. The wistful smile stays on your face and your hands reach up and rest on top of his.

“Rest assured, nothing about this fantasy life is real, no matter how deeply I wish it to be.”

There’s a long moment of silence in the cell. Condensation drips from the ceiling into a standing puddle and you can hear Erban soldiers communicating through the walls. The fires lit in the sconces flicker and lick up the sides.

Behind you, Hyunjin’s chest rises and falls in a shallow, uneasy rhythm.

Taking a deep, painful breath, you turn slightly in his arms to look at the side of his face. As soon as you move, he looks right back at you. The bags under his eyes look like deep bruises.

“Though, I am certain that the life I live now is a fantasy to some others,” you murmur, staring deeply into his now dull eyes. “Perhaps the alchemist escapes their mundane life by imagining she is the mercenary for the Jarl’s court; maybe she imagines that her other court members invade her life and make themselves the most important people in her life.”

Hyunjin stares back at you.

“Perhaps she imagines grand battles and wars, maybe she dreams of learning how to wield a sword so she can protect the ones she loves, even at her own peril.”

And for a moment, even if it is brief and fleeting, you see a tiny spark in those gorgeous eyes. It leaves as soon as it comes, but you know it was there.

“Does the mercenary also have a happy ending in the alchemist’s fantasy?” Hyunjin whispers.

You hum, rolling your eyes a bit. “Now we are imagining a fantasy’s fantasy? Should we go one step further and imagine that mercenary pictures being an alchemist?”

It’s his turn to roll his eyes and look off to the side. “Now you are just being boring.”

“We do not even know if this mercenary will have a happy ending.”

“She will,” Hyunjin replies immediately. His voice is stronger than it has been in weeks. The strength is only there for that one moment, same as the spark in his eyes. He looks back at you. “She will.”

You open your mouth to respond, but before you can, a world shattering boom rattles the entire fort. Both you and Hyunjin practically jump out of your skin at the noise. The very stones of the walls shake from what sounds like an unbelievable impact.

Soldiers begin screaming outside the door of the jail.

Hyunjin’s arms tighten around you in a protective manner, his entire body tensing up.

Inside your chest, you feel your heart kickstart. Is this Miroh? Is Miroh attacking? Is it finally happening?

There’s only about thirty seconds of silence before two more explosions hit the fort, these ones sounding and feeling like they’re at different points in the fort.

Your eyes flitter around wildly, trying to get your bearings. Every single one of your muscles begins to scream when you try to move.

All of the instincts within you are telling you to move; but even if you managed to crawl across the floor to the cell door, you’re still locked in here.

Another explosion hits the fort and dust falls from the ceiling over you and Hyunjin.

The screaming gets louder and louder.

“Do you think–”

You’re cut off by the sound of the door to the prison bursting open and slamming into the stone wall. At the same time of the collision, a booming, feral, animalistically angry voice screams down the hall.

“You ruin everything, you rotten fucking monster!” Allericks’ voice is so loud it echos in your ears and rattles your very bones. “There will be no rescue mission for Miroh!”

His boots are thundering down the hall.

As Hyunjin holds you close, small noises of fear claw their way up your throat and you shrink back into him inch by inch. Allerick’s voice has such an instant effect on your brain. At the very sound of him, you can feel every single one of your wounds throbbing.

Now that the door to the prison is open, the yelling and screaming is louder. All of the soldiers are bellowing orders to one another, manning different stations and trying to muster enough strength to defend themselves.

“You disgusting, hideous, vile creatures! You and all of the blackened beings of Miroh!”

As soon as Allerick’s body is in front of the cell, he’s thrusting the key into the lock and wrenching open the door. It swings and hits into the bars with a clang that goes right through you. He sneers when he sees you and Hyunjin huddled in with one another.

“Oh, how wonderful that you were able to feel one final tender touch before I rip you limb from limb!” he growls, striding towards you at such a frightening pace, you would think he was running.

Hyunjin tries to turn your bodies to shield you but Allerick is much faster and stronger than both of you combined at the moment. He reaches down and grabs you by the hair, prying you out of Hyunjin’s arms and launching you across the cell with a roar.

The stone scrapes up your arms and legs as you collide with the floor.

“Y/N!” Hyunjin yells.

“Even when I have you down in my prison, chained, tethered, tortured, and two steps from The Void, you still find ways to stab me in the back and make my life difficult!”

He stalks closer to you.

Weakly, you push yourself off the floor, both of your arms shaking. Your elbows almost immediately buckle under your body weight and you whimper quietly as you make contact with the floor.

“I should have known better than to think you could be of any use to me!” Allerick grabs a fistful of your hair just to use his other hand and delivers a punch directly to your cheek. The pain bursts behind your eyes immediately.

He pulls back and punches you once more, this time releasing your hair as the punch lands, just so your head can crack down onto the stone floor.

“Stop!” Hyunjin screams.

“You will get your turn, dagger ear! Shut your fucking mouth!” Allerick screams at him and then turns his attention back to you.

Explosion after explosion hits the outside of the fort. All of the dust and debris rains down from the ceiling. The very ground shakes underneath you.

Groaning in pain, you’re about to turn over onto your back when a swift kick is ushered right to your side. Instead, your body ragdolls with the momentum of the kick and you grunt and cough at the same time. Little droplets of blood spurt from your mouth.

“You good for nothing rat!” Allerick screams. “I should have killed you on day one. I should have had the guards tear your limbs off and fed them to you while you cried and begged for death!”

Another kick to your ribs and you’re sure you hear one snap. The sharp pain shoots right through you, the pain chokes any noise you could make and all you’re able to produce is a wheeze.

A hand grabs your shoulder and rolls you onto your back. His body comes down over yours, straddling your hips and grabbing the front of your tunic.

There’s no strength left in your body. You’re so completely broken and useless. All you can do is open your eyes and look up at him from.

He looks nothing like the man you know. The man above you right now is a wild animal; his teeth are bared and veins are popping in his forehead. You wouldn’t be surprised if foam started coming from his gums and dripping down his chin.

It feels like you’re looking into the eyes of the Void. Cold, harrowing fear trickles down your spine. You want to scream, you want to cry, but you’re completely frozen.

You’ve seen more compassion when staring into the eyes of a wolf.

Never before have you seen a human being gaze upon another with a look like this.

“I should have killed you yesterday. I should have drenched that dagger in Void Toxin. I should have watched it take a hold of your very soul. Oh, little mouse, how I crave to watch the life leave your eyes.”

His hand moves from gripping your tunic to wrapping around your throat completely, his fingers dig into your neck, cutting off your oxygen immediately.

Your mouth opens and closes, gaping like a fish out of water. One of your hands moves up to claw at Allerick’s, your nails digging into his skin to no avail.

“When those pests come down here, there will be nothing left of you, nothing but a bloody, useless corpse. You will just be another tally added to the toll while we cleanse this world of your filthy kind.”

All of your limbs grow cold, your muscles begin to spasm from the lack of oxygen.

The veins in your neck feel as though they’re about to explode from the pressure. Your eyes feel like they’re about to bulge out of your head.

A sick smile spreads across Allerick’s face as he watches you struggle, it stretches from ear to ear, showing off his once perfect, now yellowing, teeth. The bags under his eyes make them look psychotic.

He is not the man that raised you.

He’s an animal.

Hyunjin screams behind you, but it sounds so far away. You can’t hear the explosions anymore, you can only feel the ground beneath you vibrating with each impact.

Is this really how it ends for you? Minutes from salvation?

Huh.

Tears well up in your bloodshot eyes, the edges of your vision fading.

Will it be Uddos or Ytris you see when your eyes open once more? Who will be welcoming you to their part of the afterlife?

The Void cannot be any worse than this damned cell.

Slowly, your eyes begin to close. So, this is it. This is it for you.

Death might not be so bad.

Perhaps you’ll finally be able to see your mother and father again. There’s no way their souls are not in Utrium. They were both too kind and too full of love to end up anywhere near The Void.

Maybe you’ll finally get to smell that rose and lavender oil as your mother holds you in her arms. You can practically smell it now. It wraps around your nose and sends a wave of peace through your body.

That warmth– that sweet, sweet warmth of your mother’s embrace calls to you. The cozy, soft comfort of your head against her chest feels as though it’s right in your grasp.

Will there be sweet breads in Utrium? Oh, they’ll be the best you ever tasted, you’re sure of it.

A calm smile pulls at your blue lips.

Every single day will be just like your father’s birthday. You’ll be able to eat cake for breakfast and spend every single afternoon down by the lake, splashing water and swimming until the sun goes down–

“Not yet,” a familiar maternal voice coos in your head. “Not yet, my love.”

Another voice roars clear as day, shattering your peace and bringing you back to the harsh reality you’re currently in.

There’s a flurry of movement above you as a figure crashes into Allerick and tackles him to the ground and off of your body. You’re only able to make out the silver sheen of armor as the figure passes over you.

Desperately, you take in a gasp of air. Coughs wrack through your aching body as you try to breathe in any oxygen possible. Each breath is choppy and painful, but you suck them in nonetheless.

Your head drops to the side and you barely make out what you see in front of you. Your savior, completely crouched over Allerick, as he delivers punch after punch to his face. Allerick desperately tries to fight back but each hit is too powerful.

It’s taking too long for your vision to fully unblur.

Who is that?

That armor… you’ve seen that armor before… but only once.

The fires from the sconces glint off the polished steel brilliantly. Every single inch of the armor has been crafted exquisitely. Not a single piece is fitted incorrectly.

Miroh’s standard hangs off his sword belt on his hips.

The leather straps wound around the pieces are oiled and expensive. The now bloody gauntlets hug his forearms and display Miroh’s crest proudly.

It’s nothing short of regal.

It truly is a set of armor suited for a Jarl.

Your heart clenches in your chest and more tears spring from your eyes when you realize what you’re seeing.

Bang Chan, the Jarl of Miroh, is here to save you.

There’s some more screaming and boots running down the hall. Your eyes flick up to Hyunjin, who looks like he collapsed while crawling in your direction on his hands and knees. Tears are coming down his face as he sobs in what looks like unbridled relief.

He looks over and meets your eyes, and that relief becomes even brighter when he sees you’re alive.

“Y/N!” he cries your name. “Y/N!”

Over and over again, he sobs your name like it’s the only thing he knows. It’s the only word that tumbles from his cracked and dehydrated lips.

Figures sprint into the jail cell, one of them immediately runs to Hyunjin’s side.

“Here! In here! They are in here! In here!”

“Down here!”

Emotions hit you so heavily as familiar voices hit your ears. Voices that you’ve come to love and cherish. Voices that you would remember when it was so dark and bleak that you needed to try and gather some joy in your soul.

A warm hand grabs at your shoulder, rolling you onto your back. Out of pure instinct, you scream in panic and fear. Your voice comes out in a mere hissed noise, your vocal cords damaged from Allerick’s grip.

The hand recoils quickly, but comes right back to cup your cheek and gently guide your eyes to meet theirs.

More and more tears blur your vision, but you would recognize Lee Minho’s face anywhere.

His eyes are wide in horror as he takes in your near death appearance. “By The Six,” he says in a ghastly tone.

All you have energy to do is blink and breathe.

“Are they alive?!” Jeongin’s voice screams down the hall. “Minho, are they alive?!”

Minho can’t tear his eyes off your face, staring down at you in horror. “Aye! Alive! They li– They live!” he answers thickly. Every muscle in his face twitches and pulls into a different emotion every second.

You’re watching as he rides a carousel of human emotions: anger, disgust, horror, fear, sadness, it all crosses his face as he looks down at you. His hand begins to tremble against your cheek.

“Y/N,” he murmurs hoarsely, his eyebrows pinch together as if he’s the one in pain. “Oh, oh, you poor thing.” He sounds near tears himself.

Maybe it’s because his face is the first one you’re seeing during your rescue, but you swear you’ve never seen anything so beautiful in your life. One of the Six’s angels surely has come down to save you.

“Chan!” Jeongin screams once he’s in the cell. “Chan! Enough! Enough!”

Behind Minho, you watch him run over in Chan’s direction, most likely to yank him off of Allerick’s body. What state he’s in now, you don’t know. But you can’t find it within your heart to care if he is alive or dead.

“How is Hyunjin?” Minho calls over without taking his eyes off of you.

“Alive!” Changbin answers. “Y/N?!”

“Alive!” Minho answers.

“They are both alive?!” Seungmin screams down the hall.

“Both are alive!” Minho yells back just for the rogue to come join the party.

You don’t know how many more times they’re going to scream that you’re alive, but you don’t care. You wish you could scream it too.

You’re alive. You’re alive!

Chan lets out a loud roar of frustration as Jeongin drags him away from Allerick. “I want him bound and taken back with us. I want him thrown into solitary confinement! Whatever dark hole Miroh has under the Keep, I want him kept there! His face will never know sunlight again!”

Seungmin rushes past your body over to where Chan and Jeongin are, following his Jarl’s order to bind Allerick.

Chan continues to scream out in ire. “The Six themselves will have to come release you from Miroh’s prisons, you filthy, miserable excuse for life!”

Minho moves slowly, bending down and cradling your head with one hand. His touch is so gentle, treating you like you’re made of the most delicate glass ever created.

“We have you, Y/N, we have you. You are safe,” he coos down at you. You’re not sure if he’s trying to convince you or himself that you’re safe now. He keeps repeating it, shuffling you around to cradle you close to his chest. “I got you, Y/N, I have you.”

“Minho,” you whisper hoarsely. The way he reacts, you would think you punched him in the chest. His shoulders hunch forward and he grips you tighter, bringing your head closer to him. Both of Minho’s arms wrap around you and he pulls you up into his lap.

Your head tucks into his chest, a wave of warmth and peace floods through your body once you’re safely nestled in his embrace.

His clean and musky scent wraps around your senses. It’s been so long since you’ve smelled anything but death, decay, vomit, and blood.

Behind you, Chan barks more orders, nothing but pure wrath and malice in his voice.

Weakly, your hand comes up and you grab at Minho’s arm, your bony fingers curling around his arm. His body begins to tremble.

Slowly, your eyes begin to slide shut. That sense of peace and safety lulling your brain to finally shut down.

“Not yet, Y/N,” Minho whispers, shaking you very gently. He jostles you the same way you would try and get a dew drop to fall from a leaf.

Another body comes up behind you.

“Water,” Jeongin croaks. “Here, Y/N, drink, please. Please.”

Minho turns your head for you with one hand cradling the back of your skull. A waterskin is immediately placed upon your lips and clean water comes rushing out into your parted lips.

You’ve never drank anything so greedily in your life. It’s the best thing you’ve ever tasted. The nectar of the Gods was put into this waterskin, wasn’t it? Your neck cranes to get even more of the water.

“Easy,” Minho says in a gentle tone.

Jeongin’s hand comes up and rests on your forehead, taking away the waterskin after another moment. His fingers shakily brush away the hair sticking to your forehead.

Changbin and Seungmin sound as if they’re talking to Hyunjin, giving him water just like Jeongin had done for you.

Several Miroh soldiers come into the cell. “Take this thing out of my sight,” Chan growls, he’s talking about Allerick. “Straight to the prisons with him. Do not be kind.”

“Aye, my lord,” one soldier says and there’s some shuffling. “The remainder of Erbus has fled, my lord.”

“Good,” Chan answers. “Changbin?”

“Garrison the fort, I will keep another General here.” the Commander answers, his tone distracted. “We return to Miroh immediately. We will come up with another plan once we return.”

“You heard him.”

The soldiers move around and exit the cell.

The cell becomes quiet, save for the whispers of your fellow court members. Changbin and Seungmin whisper down to Hyunjin while Minho and Jeongin coo down to you.

You could have never anticipated the quietness that surrounds you now.

Chan’s armor clinks as he moves around. “How do they fair?”

“Horrible,” Minho answers quickly. “Horrible, Chan.”

“Her stomach,” Seungmin croaks from across the room. He sounds absolutely miserable. “Please check on her stomach.”

Both Jeongin and Minho hesitate before one of them very gently lifts the fabric of your tunic up to reveal your marred abdomen. Both men suck in sharp gasps.

“I healed her last night,” Hyunjin murmurs. “But only what I could… The poison–”

“What poison?” Chan asks, obviously alarmed.

“Mortal’s Touch,” Seungmin answers. “The one I spoke about.”

Warm, gentle fingers brush over your abdomen delicately. It still sends a sharp pain up your body and you hiss, shrinking away from them.

“Apologies,” Jeongin whines. “I believe her ribs are broken.”

You nod in Minho’s arms, some of the strength returning to your body. Your breathing is still choppy and hoarse. Every few breaths, you cough.

The clinking of Chan’s armor gets louder and you hear him kneel down next to you. Slowly, you open your eyes to look up at him. His warm, brown eyes meet yours and you swear you’ve never felt such instant comfort in your life.

Relief like when your mother held you after falling out of the tree.

Your throat gets tight and your bottom lip trembles.

He looks down at you and you see his jaw clench, the muscles in his neck shift around as he swallows, his Adam's apple bobs. He’s trying so hard to be strong right now, but you know he’s moments away from breaking down completely.

“We need to get them back to Miroh,” he says, his eyes never leaving your face. “They need to see Felix immediately.”

Minho and Jeongin both nod. The advisor slowly and carefully begins to move his arms around, preparing to carry your body out of this damp and dank cell. Your body easily falls into the comfort of his embrace.

Chan stands up first, gathering himself back together to face his soldiers, clearing his throat and looking around the cell for a moment. His shoulders roll back and his head tilts to the side, it’s that same nervous twitch you’ve always watched him have.

He walks towards the cell door, his boots hitting the ground with steady thuds.

“I want my family back home."

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daceydeath · 10 months ago

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Creatures of Chaos Masterlist

Light in the Dark Pairing: Vampire Chan x Human F Reader Genre: Fantasy AU, Word Count: 33.5K Warnings: 18+, Swearing, Supernatural Themes, Drinking, Suggestive Themes

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Final

Light: (One shot) Pairing: Vampire Chan x Female Reader Genre: Fantasy AU, Smut Word Count: 2.3K Warnings: 18+, Swearing, Marking, Explicit Activities

A Cup of Magic: (One shot) Pairing: Cambion Seungmin x Nymph Reader Genre: Fantasy AU, Fluff, Angst Word Count: 4.5K Warnings: Swearing, Suggestive Themes

You had been best friends for a life time so you were well aware how protective Felix was about you and it had never been an issue until it was one.

(Other members coming soon)

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justbelievinginmagic · 10 months ago

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˗ˏˋariadne's threadˎˊ˗ series masterlist

pairing(s): hyunjin x fem!reader, hints of jisung x reader, hints of jisung x hyunjin if you read between the lines; all of the characters are intrigued by the reader tbh

series summary: The tale of the LABYRINTH was by far your favorite book to read - even now in adulthood. Wishing for the goblin king to steal you away was your favorite past-time growing up. Everything changes one stormy night when your wish to be stolen away by the Goblin King comes true and a honeyed blonde fae man appears in your bedroom to whisk you away to be his - body, mind, and soul. Do you take his fantasied offer or shall you fight through his Labyrinth in order to reclaim your humanity & free will?

OR - When tempted by an intoxicating offer by Hyunjin the Goblin King, you fight against him to find your own sense of self once more while in the Labyrinth.

warnings/tags: inspired by the 1986' movie Labyrinth, follows majority of the movie's plot points with divergence, 3rd person POV, use of Y/N, mature topics, strong language, faerie lore!!, all of skz show up, txt cameo that i love, tension, slow burn enemies to lovers, unequal power dynamics, manipulation, fear, faerie drugging, labyrinth runner!reader, goblin king!hyunjin, banished!jisung, hunter!chan, knight!changbin, junkland boss!jeongin, sluagh!minho, boggart!seungmin, gancanagh!felix, selkie!yeonjun, changeling!soobin, knight!hoseok, knight!seokjin, war generals!ateez, more tags to be added.

word count: 88k written; ongoing

part 1 - a deal, a deal, a deal!!! (posted 4/12/24) part 2 - never go that way. (posted 4/15/24) part 3 - onwards & downwards. (posted 4/28/24) part 4 - the oubliette. (posted 5/7/24) part 5 - forwards is backwards. (posted 5/12/24) part 6 - the hunter and the hunted. (posted 5/29/24) part 7 - the wild hunt. (posted 6/5/24) part 8 - a green-eyed monster. (posted 7/30/24) part 9 - the bog. (posted 11/19/24) part 10 - betrayal. (posted 11/22/24) part 11 - as the world falls down. (posted 11/24/24) part 12 - forgotten. (posted 1/2/2025) part 13 - tba!!

extra content for ariadne's thread: how i visualize skz in the world

#skz x reader #hyunjin x reader #hwang hyunjin x reader #jisung x reader #han jisung x reader #skz imagines #stray kids x reader #stray kids imagines #hyunjin imagines #hyunjin angst #hyunjin reactions #stray kids scenarios #stray kids fanfic #stray kids fantasy au

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romancefranaticstay · 9 months ago

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⋆.ೃ࿔:･Ship on sea ⋆.ೃ࿔:･ 2

Captain! Hyunjin x siren!fem!reader

Category: angst, fluff

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

You swam away from the ship, feeling the drops of his tears on your body. You dived to your hiding place, where you always sat. You felt something strange in your body, something strange. Something you had never felt. After a few days you still felt a strange feeling in your stomach, this time it was a little painful.

After a few weeks your belly started to get bigger and at that moment you knew it. You carried the child of your loved one, the child made by melted love. You still remembered the day you swam away from your captain. You missed him, ohh you missed him so much. You still had his necklace glistening in the moonlight.

Your child was born and accepted into the group of the Sirens. Your father always wondered who the person was, your other half. You wanted to tell him, you wanted to tell him about the most beautiful creature on earth, but you couldn't. You couldn't roll his name off your tongue. Your baby was a boy, immediately after he was born you saw Hyunjin in his eyes. It was difficult without giving birth to him, not being able to hold his hand.

Now the boy is four years old. You love your son so much, so much. It's your little Hyunjin. You sat in the cave while your sisters played with your son. He was already a good swimmer for his age. You were resting with your eyes closed, thinking about anything and everything. Suddenly you felt a kind of hyperactive happiness. Your heart was pounding, you were suddenly wide awake. You didn't know what it was. You ignored it.

“Y/N.”

said your sister Lalisa.

'What is it now?'

"Why don't you ever talk about his father?"

"Like I said, he's unknown."

"Don't you even know who he is?"

"No, only I know who he is."

'Why can't we know?'

'Just, I prefer to keep him in my heart.'

'Okay romantic, just keep him in your heart.'

You went to Lalisa, who was rocking your son. You picked him up again.

"Ohh you little treasure."

"Little Wade."

'What? Wade? That's not his name.'

"You never gave him a name."

'Yes, I have.'

"Why don't you tell me?"

“I've said it a thousand times, his name is Hyunjin.”

“Why Hyunjin? That's not even a Siren name.'

"Because I think it's a beautiful name, and because I'm his mother."

'Maternal behavior.'

'Teenage behavior.'

"Let me be a teenager."

"Yes, so let me be a mother."

"I'm going to be a mother one day too."

"You definitely will."

"And I want to marry a beautiful man."

'Just beautiful?'

"No, that's funny too."

"And grown up."

'That too.'

Hyunjin was tossing and turning in his bed. He dreamed about you again, he dreamed that you had a child. A little child who looked exactly like him. You were in a cave, with him in your arms. You were talking to someone. He was looking at you, he tried to move towards you but he couldn't. You suddenly turned your head. Suddenly he was pulled back and he woke up again. His heart broke again and again when he dreamed about your glowing skin. Your lips that he wanted to bite. Your hands that he wanted to feel.

Tears began to sting his eyes, but he was not allowed to show them. He was not allowed to show his weak side. He looked through his binoculars, no land in sight.

'Row on!'

he was strict. Stricter than before. Since you were gone he had changed, but deep down he was the same. His crewmates were a bit scared of him, except for Jeongin. Jeongin was his son. Not really his son, but he treats him like a son. He had found him on an island, dehydrated and about to die. He took care of him and now he has become a handsome man. He was 14 when he found it. Now he is 19. You could say he has changed a lot.

"We're still 10km from land, Hyunjin." Jeongin said.

"Okay good, we're almost there." he ruffled his hair.

Hyunjin was pacing on the deck, it was night. He was standing near the same ledge you jumped off. He leaned and looked into the water. If you knew how much he missed you, your heart would shrink. Jeongin joined him.

'The water is beautiful.'

"I know, sometimes too beautiful."

They both looked at the waves.

“You go get some sleep Jeonginnie.”

"Okay dad." Jeongin hopped inside to the warmth.

After a while, Hyunjin went back inside. He entered his room and looked at his bed. So many memories, the good times, the magical moments. He locked his door and lay down on his bed. The room was quite dark. He kept thinking about you, he thought about that one night. He felt blood pumping in his cock. It turned him on. His right hand wrapped around his length. He started jerking quickly. He thought about your body, your sweaty body. He started getting faster and faster. Until he groaned. Your name slipped from his lips. He panted.

Little Hyunjin was still sleeping. You admired him from a distance. A little angel, you just wanted to hug him. He is so small and so innocent. You saw him yawn and open his beady little eyes.

“Hello treasury.”

'Ello mommy.'

His small hands clung to you. Your father had collected some food for his grandson.

'Very good food, mhmmmm.'

you said, encouraging little Hyunjin to eat it all. He smacked his little mouth.

'Yummy.'

'Very yummy, and also very healthy.'

'Yeh, vey healy.'

'No no no, not healthy, but healthy. Heal-th-y.”

'Healty.'

'Close enough.' you stroked his hair.

______________________________________________________________

You swam with your son.

"Mommy."

'Yes treasury?'

'What is tha?'

he pointed his little finger towards the land. You looked at the land.

'You want to go there?'

'Yes, yes.'

It was uninhabited you saw, so it was safe for little Hyunjin. He also needed to develop his leg strength, so it was good to go ashore. Once you felt the land, your legs started working again. Hyunjinie immediately fell gently into the sand. You smiled seeing him like this. You grabbed his little hands and lifted him up so that he was now standing on his feet. You slowly started to step back so he could step along.

'You can do it.'

His steps were small and somewhat sloppy. He fell into the sand. You saw little tears growing in his eyes.

"Ohh, treasury, don't cry."

you lifted him up and started rocking him.

"Ohh little darling of mine."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Land in sight!' Jeongin shouted.

"We're here dad."

"Okay, throw the anchor."

The anchor was thrown. Ten men remained on board, while five men began searching the island. The island was not dangerous, it was very small. Jeongin was sitting in the sand, lying on the ground.

"You stay here, I'll go explore some more."

Hyunjin started walking around the shoreline. You sat with Hyunijnie on the other side of the island. From a distance, Hyunjin saw two people. A child and a woman who seemed very familiar for a reason. He pulled out his sword just to be sure. Little Hyunjin started taking small steps towards you as you sat in the sand.

"Yes, almost, two more small steps."

He took two quick steps and fell into your arms.

"Yes, well done, you are such a smart little boy."

You were snuggling with him. Hyunjin recognized your voice. For a second he thought he was hallucinating. He dropped his sword and came closer. You felt something approaching you, you felt your heart pounding faster. You held little Hyunjin tightly. You stood up and took out your sharp teeth. You saw him, you looked into his eyes. You saw your captain standing there, your Hyunjin. You wanted to run to him, but you had a baby in your arms. Hyunjin stepped towards you until he was standing in front of you. His fingers caressed your cheek.

'Are you real?'

'I'm real.'

Tears stung both of your eyes.

"My son... I dreamed about him."

"He's real."

Hyunjinnie's eyes widened, he reached his hands out to his dad. Hyunjin picked him up, tightly in his protective arms. Tears fell into his little hair.

You hugged Hyunjin gently. Your son between you. His lips found yours. The two of you held your son. Jeongin came from a distance. He saw Hyunjin kissing a woman. Jeongin recognized you as 'the woman' he sometimes talked about. Hyunjin had described you perfectly. Your eyes opened again and you saw Jeongin standing there. You removed your lips from Hyunjin's lips.

'Who is that?' you pointed at him.

“That's my son, Jeongin.”

"You, your son... and the mother...?"

"I don't know who his mother is."

You immediately understood what was going on.

"Oww, I see."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hyunjin brought you back to the ship. The crew members stared at you, still remembering you. Hyunjin made a small bed for your son. Every day you were told how much he looked like his father. You and Jeongin also grew close. He saw you as his mother and you saw him as your son. You heard Hyunjinnie giggle. Jeongin was playing with him again.

“Careful Jeonginie.”

'Yes mom.' Y

ou were watching from a distance. On a rocking chair. Your hand on your stomach. You were pregnant again, you were three months pregnant. You couldn't really deduce what the gender was yet. It wasn't until you were 5 months old that you as Siren could sense it. Hyunjin came to you and kissed you on the cheek.

'Hello Darling.'

'Hello captain.' He placed his hand on your stomach.

'A little boy or girl.'

'Yes, strange, isn't it?'

'It is.' Your heart melted when you saw Jeongin playing with Hyunjinie. The fact that anyone could leave Jeongin behind is a mystery.

“I will never let you go again Y/N.”

"I'll never go again."

"I'll never let you go again."

You turned your face to him and kissed him softly. Jeongin covered Hyunjinnie's eyes.

“Ewww.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE END

REQUESTS ARE OPEN

@newtsbloodygf @trixiekaulitz @bbhyunjinie @wolfyychan

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lilmisssona · 11 months ago

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𓍢ִ໋🀦 THE UNIVERSITY OF MAGICKS 𓍢ִ໋🀦

OFFICIAL TEASER

🎧 USE HEADPHONES FOR THE BEST LISTENING EXPERIENCE 🎶

𖤓 PAIRING : Vampire! Hyunjin × Witch! Fem Reader

𖤓 GENRE : Supernatural AU, SMAU, Enemies To Lovers, Murder Mystery AU

𖤓 PLOT : "You're accepted to The University Of Magicks" You thought it was just a fun prank, a spam ad even. But when you get actually accepted, things start to get real....You move across the country to start your new life, only to get on the nerves of a certain vampire.... Join on this magical journey as you navigate through life, friendships , love and maybe even an ancient curse ??!! Will you be able to thrive or will this be a battle to survive ?

COMING SOON!! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

🌷͙֒𓂃🦋 Our Eternal Allies: @atinyniki @minholing @j-one25 @writingforstraykids @cheesemonky @michelle4eve @yangbbokari @skzoologist @jinnie-ret

❁𓍢ִ໋🀦 New Recruitments: @star92 @arloo00 @dabiscrustyfeet @loxgirl2004 @lakoya @thisrandomgoofy15 @kpopmenace143

Put your @ in the comments to be added. Remember very few bunk beds left so apply soon! ( • ᴗ - ) ✧

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vnamps · 8 months ago

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pride and prejudice

PAIRING : prince !hwang hyunjin x gn!reader

CONTAINS: enemies to lovers , slowburn, reader and hyunjin commute through poetry and art, reader is a bit prejudice and shy, usage of the name y/n, felix is reader's best friend

CHAPTERS

001. maxident palace, minimum thoughts

the reader is introduced as a new palace worker who's there on a trial to come and help touch up the palace for prince hyunjin's upcoming coronation

002. they intrigue me

prince hyunjin is intrigued by the new painter of the castle who seems to be... avoiding him?

003. In the home of the prince hyunjin

after finally catching up to the reader, prince hyunjin tries reasoning with them to see what his life is actually like.

004. a night to remember

the reader and prince hyunjin catch each other at night and they share an intimate moment by the waters with the floating lanterns [rapunzel-inspired]

005. a big misunderstanding

there are newcomers in the castle and prince hyunjin is caught in an [forced] intimate situation with a princess from another palace who he is being forced to marry to keep the royal blood alive; the reader finds out and begins ignoring prince hyunjin, feeling he is taking advantage of them

006. in a form of spite

hyunjin catches the reader laughing with prince minho and assumes they have a thing going for them which causes him a confused episode of anger and spiteful messages toward the reader.

007. the milky twilight and the moonlit floor

despite their negative energy toward each other, both hyunjin and the reader spend all night glancing at each other with small pits of jealousy, wishing they had gone together.

008. will they, won't they?

prince jisung notices hyunjin's recent behavior and gives him the advice to try and make up with the reader which he finds time for when they're alone to do so.

009. a time of joy

hyunjin and the reader spend a sweet day out in the garden together, marking their first day together secretly dating.

AUTHORS NOTE: this story is inspired by something I read back in 2022 that I adored so much and I am very excited for it and for others to read along with the many stories ( such as many many enemies to lovers bc we need that or at least I do ) I'm publishing in the future !!

#bang chan #changbin #han jisung #lee know #skz #skz fanfic #skz imagines #skz stay #skz x reader #skz smut #hwang hyujin imagines #hyunjin stray kids #hwang hyunjin #hyunjin #kpop fanfic #skz fantasy au #fanfic #fandom

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hyunnows · 1 year ago

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SHATTERED PUZZLES | 10

“a rude and arrogant patient with no identification wakes up from a year-long coma and develops temporary amnesia. Assigned to you, a volunteer who’s not going to put up with his attitude, you’re both in for a rough ride.”

PAIRING(s) | Hyunjin x reader, ft Minho x reader

THEMES | fluff, angst, a slight love triangle (i gotta stop with the skz love triangles–), amnesia!Hyunjin, Doctor!Chan, Rude!Hyunjin, car accident, trauma

WORD COUNT | 2.7k+

RATING | pg13

NOTE | ... well hello there. i know its been a while, and im so sorry for that. im still not really back yet, since i havent gotten into any sort of writing schedule or anything. but i wanted to finish this part up for you guys since i felt you deserved it. i also want to say thank you for all the support while ive been away, and hello to all my new followers and new readers for this series! i cant believe ive been working on this since i was 15 T^T its crazy to think ill be 18 in december... really thank you guys, all of you, im grateful for those who are new around here and those who have been with me since the beginning! please enjoy and have a great day/night!

Series M.list | SKZ M.list | Taglist

It’s been about three weeks since Hyunjin was betrothed to Yuna. The two have grown closer, but not as their parents believe. Now, she’s become more of a sister, and Hyunjin her brother.

She shares her crush on the shopkeeper she’s so fond of, asking for advice and tips. In turn, she gives Hyunjin the same—as well as tricks to keep his hair healthy. He likes having her as a friend.

In between their normal chatter and hanging out, they scheme. Researching legal documents, checking to see if there’s any way they can get out of marrying each other. It’s tiring work, but love is a powerful driving force.

“Do you know of any close family members that might be willing to take your spot?” Yuna raises her brow at Hyunjin. “I mean, I know I have a cousin or two that wouldn’t mind being in an arranged marriage for a few years. If you have someone to take your spot, then I think that they’ll let us off the hook.”

“That’s a good idea, except for the fact that I don’t know any of my family. The only family in my memories are my parents, and Minho I guess, but he’s not blood.” The blond frowns, sighing. Why did he have to be born to money hungry control freaks?

Yuna purses her lips, “I’ll have someone look into your family and see if you have any candidates. Until then, we have to just hang in there, I guess.”

——

“I’m dying.” You whine, hanging off the couch dramatically.

Minho and Chan shake their heads. “You’re not dying [Y/N],” the younger sighs, “I know it's hard, but you’re both safer this way.”

You know what he’s saying is true, but…

It's been over a month and a half since you were ripped away from Hyunjin, and you’ve thought of him every moment since then. You just want to see him--just be in his presence again. Unfortunately, you know that's not possible. At least, not according to Minho’s information on the blond.

So, while you may not be literally dying, you most definitely feel like you are.

And so when a particular idea pops in your head, you decide you have nothing left to lose, and voice it out.

“Let’s kidnap Hyunjin.”

----

“Yuna! Yuna! Where are you?” Hyunjin scrambles around, excitement all over his face as he races to find her. He’d been up since the crack of dawn, brainstorming ways to get out of their arrangement, and he finally came up with something. Now if only he could find her--

“Hyunjin? What? It’s early as hell,” she yawns, glancing at her phone and shoving the digital numbers in his face, giving him a good look at the time. 8:40 am. “What do you want?”

“They can’t force us to get married if one of us is already married.” He grins, panting slightly from the running around he’d done. Luckily, it isn’t odd for a fiancé to sleep over--or else the entire Hwang staff would be giving him a weird look all day.

Yuna curls a brow. “What do you mean? You want to run away and marry [Y/N] to get out of this?” She yawns a bit towards the end, rubbing her tired eyes with confusion.

His face is covered in shock for a moment before he picks up his jaw and shakes his head. “No, I love her, but she’s not ready to marry me yet. I barely confessed the day we were brought here.” He scoffs at the idea that he’d rush your relationship, which she rolls her eyes at. “You should marry Jay.”

Yuna flushes at the idea, mouth turning into a circle in surprise. Hyunjin knows she wants to marry the boy--she’s talked about it almost every day since they met, after all. “I-I don’t know… what if he doesn’t want to?”

Now it's Hyunjin’s turn to roll his eyes. “He wants to, trust me. I’ve seen the way he looks at you through the shop windows. He’s probably written his vows to you already,” he chuckles, his words making the girl redder than ever, which earns him a shove from her small hands. “Just ask him. If you two get married before our wedding, they won’t be able to force us together.”

Pursing her lips, she sighs. “Fine, I’ll ask.” Her agreement makes the blond cheer in satisfaction.

“Thank you Yuna!”

“Yeah yeah,” she waves him off, stepping back into her room and closing the door, “Let me get back to bed now.” Hyunjin apologizes and waltzes back down the hall to his room, and she can’t help but shake her head at his antics. “Weirdo.”

----

“You want to do what?” Chan all but yells, eyes wide in confusion. Sure, he’d heard a lot of crazy things pertaining to Hyunjin’s situation but you want to kidnap him? That’s a bit too much for the Australian to handle. “[Y/N] you know that’s illegal, right?”

You shrug. “Let's kidnap him. They kidnapped me already. Plus, Minho has pretty much done this before.” Your reasons just make the doctor sigh. “What? I can’t just sit around and do nothing anymore.”

Chan sees where you’re coming from, he really does, but as a doctor, he’s not sure he can condone this idea of yours. “But [Y/N], there’s no way you’re getting through their security and getting back here with Hyunjin safely. By the way, you could be arrested for kidnapping too. And you don’t have the money to get out of it.”

All of his stupid, logical reasoning makes you groan and roll your eyes. You know Chan likes to play by the rules—you usually do too—but for once, you just want him to support you and your bad idea. “Whatever, I don’t care! With or without you Chan, I’m gonna get Hyunjin back. I know he’s miserable, just like I am,” you frown, arms crossed loosely over your chest. “He deserves to be free, no matter who his parents are.”

As you strut away from the living room, Minho can’t help but stare at you in wonder. All this time, he’s known you cared for Hyunjin. What shocks him though, is that you seem to be the only person that can rival Minho’s love for his friend. ‘I can’t believe I’m going this again,’ he sighs, standing to follow you to your room so you can start discussing plans to break Hyunjin out. With the bright smile you give him when he agrees to your idea, he knows why it was so easy for him to fall for you. “So, what’re you thinking?”

Chan is completely flabbergasted, as well as disappointed, with Minho’s reaction. Sure, he knows Minho’s in love with you--everyone knows--but to go along with kidnapping Hyunjin? That sounds like more than love. It's insane. But then again, Chan also knows how much Minho cares about the younger boy, and how much he misses hanging out with him freely. “You guys are ridiculous, you know that, right?”

You glare at the Australian, but you can tell with the way he sounds stressed that he’s about to give into whatever plan you throw at him.

And so, you begin explaining your master plan to the two boys.

It wasn’t anything complicated. You would go as Minho’s date for the upcoming gala, disguised as one of their rich guests. While the two of you worked to find Hyunjin, Chan would pretend to be a security guard, and make a safe escape route. This was the base at least. You had also hoped to bring Han, Jeongin, and Seungmin along, have them act as caterers (if they agreed) and keep attention away from Minho, Hyunjin, and yourself as much as possible. Then, Minho would excuse himself, drive one of his cars around the side, and they would all slip out unnoticed.

So here you were, dressed all fancy, surrounded by about a hundred other guests. They’re all too busy trying to either get to Mr. or Mrs. Hwang to notice you, but you feel as if all their eyes are on you, judging you, picking you apart, and getting ready to notify the security of your suspicious presence.

It makes you shuffle forward a bit faster, and you bump against someone’s shoulder on accident. “I am so sorry--”

“Don’t worry about…” her eyes lock with yours within seconds, “What ar--”

You hold your finger vertically against your lips, telling her--Hyunjin’s arranged partner (who Minho warned you about and who was well aware of how you looked due to the social media pictures of you Hyunjin had shoved in her face)--‘don’t say anything’ and reconnect to Minho’s arm. Minho, who’d seen the whole thing, gives you a curt nod for not going off script.

Striding to the buffet table, you spot Jeongin in your peripheral vision, keeping the attention off of you. He seems to be doing a great job, considering all the older women were by him, gushing over the “adorable young waiter” less than discreetly. You’d seen his fiancée, now where was Hyunjin?

“I’m gonna go look around upstairs, you keep an eye out down here, yeah?” Minho leans down to whisper to you, looking at you for agreement.

You squeeze his arm and shake your head, “No Minho, everyone’s gonna know I don’t belong here if they see me without you.”

He sighs, stopping the two of you in your tracks. “Nobody’s going to know [Y/N], as long as you don’t do anything to attract attention, you’ll be fine. Just walk around and smile at people.”

You’re about to argue why that isn’t true when he slips out of your hold and walks off--meaning it would look too odd if you were to speed walk back up to him. ‘Damn you’, you think, before turning towards the art wall and deciding that would be a good place to start.

----

You were wrong.

As it turns out, the art wall isn’t actually just a small hallway with lovely paintings on the wall and a statue or two on display. It was an entire gallery bigger than your apartment by a landslide. You couldn’t help but be amazed at the family’s collection of fine pieces--but damn it if this wasn’t inconvenient to your search. You’re about 15 minutes into the gallery and still no sign of Hyunjin. You’re beginning to get cold feet about this plan and getting ready to call the whole thing off when a mess of blond hair and dark roots catch your eye. He’s admiring a painting, two bodyguards beside him, one on either side.

You want to run up to him, hold him so close you’re practically in his skin, his warmth all around you.

But you can’t, otherwise, all your planning, arranging, and sneaking around would go to waste. You dial Minho’s number and tell him the situation, and he’s by your side within minutes. He smoothly makes his way to Hyunjin, you trailing close behind and listening as Minho tells the guards something to get them to leave.

“Hyunjin, I brought someone with me,” Minho smiles, catching the younger male’s attention. Stepping aside to make you visible, Hyunjin’s jaw drops and Minho has to catch his glass out of his hands to keep him from shattering it on the floor. “Say hi.”

You can see his eyes get watery, his lip trembling as he takes a step towards you before he stops himself. “What are you doing here? It’s dangerous for you [Y/N].”

Despite his words, you can’t help but melt at the way he sounds saying your name. “We’re getting you out” you whisper, staring into his glistening eyes. “We couldn’t just leave you here.”

“How? My clothes have trackers, there’s guards everywhere-- I don’t think you guys are getting out of here with me,” he frowns, grabbing his clothes to the light flickering in the seams. “I’m stuck here.”

“We know about the guards and everything. We weren’t prepared for the trackers, though,” your brows curl in worry as you look at Minho.

He mentions that he has extra clothes, then moves on to explain the plan to Hyunjin. He seems worried, but at this point, he’ll do anything to get out of his parent’s hold. With a sigh, he asks, “Do you know when Chan will be ready?”

“I was actually about to check,” Minho states, calling the doctor up quickly. He mumbles into the phone, hand covering his face, making it hard enough not only for bystanders and strangers to hear, but difficult for Hyunjin and yourself as well. However, the nod that's accompanied by the movement of his chin let you know enough. “He’s ready whenever you are,” he gives Hyunjin a look, before gesturing to a particularly broad-shouldered security guard standing by a door off to the side of the gallery with “SECURITY” written in bold print on it.

You begin tugging the blond towards the Australian, suddenly remember you’re all on borrowed time, and that the guards assigned to stay by Hyunjin could return at any moment. Upon this reminder, Hyunjin begins rushing towards the door as discreetly as possible, and Minho decides now is as good a time as ever to excuse himself as the getaway driver.

“Hey man,” Chan greets quietly, swiftly opening the door to the security room and ushering the two of you inside. Hyunjin nods, glancing around in confusion and paranoia. Upon seeing the younger male’s fright, Chan calms his fears, “Don’t worry about the cameras seeing us. I know a guy who fixed that for us.”

Han’s voice comes out muffled from Chan’s headset, making Hyunjin and your own eyes widen. You knew he had some interest in computers, but you didn’t think he actually had any knowledge to help with something like this. At least now you know how he never seems to get viruses from downloading so much questionable software (he would really do anything to get free streaming services). “Yeah I covered for you guys, but you only have like 5 minutes left before the cameras start capturing live footage again. In other words, hurry up please.”

You all begin moving through the route, which is incredibly clear. The security room connects to dozens of other security rooms through hidden hallways. You suppose it only makes sense, considering just how rich the Hwangs are, for them to have such an intricate hidden system within the walls of their household.

Within 3 minutes, you three make it out the back door, where Minho is quietly pulling up, undetected. Hyunjin had removed his shirt during the walk, and ditched his shoes when you guys left the first security room, only needing to change his lower half’s garments now. He hops into the back, quickly replacing his own clothes with those Minho had given to him, ridding himself of the trackers. You hop in the back soon after beside him, Chan and Jeongin piling in soon after with the elder taking the passenger seat and Jeongin squishing himself beside you, barely buckling in when Minho steps on the gas.

“Alright, cams coming on in three… two… one-” just as Han’s voice finishes the count down from Chan’s phone, Hyunjin’s phone goes off with alerts, which are quickly followed by a spam of phone calls that make him throw his phone out of the window in fear as Minho begins speeding down the road towards your side of town.

Hearts pumping with adrenaline, you and the blond face each other simultaneously, tearing up immediately as you lean in to embrace each other’s lips for the first time in far too long. His forehead presses against yours as tears run down his cheeks, his hands caressing and wiping your face. “I missed you so much.”

Your bottom lip trembles, and you lean into his neck, arms wrapping around him to pull Hyunjin close to you, afraid he might disappear if you let go, “I missed you more.”

He lets out a painful laugh, squeezing you tighter to him, and shaking his head as if to gently disagree with you. He can’t fathom you missing him any more than he missed you. “I love you.”

A wistful sigh escapes you, a choked sob following not long after, “I love you too.”

The three boys glance back at you, each of them wearing a soft smile. However, Chan found it difficult to see only joy in Minho’s eyes after hearing your proclamations. He doesn’t mention it though, allowing you all a moment of peace.

----

After arriving at Jisung, Jeongin, and–at this point–Minho’s apartment and settling in, one question plague’s your minds.

“So…” Jisung begins, “What now?”

Series M.list | SKZ M.list | Taglist

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lavenderbang · 2 years ago

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Love Letters

Gryffindor! Seo Changbin x Ravenclaw! reader

Genre(s): Harry Potter/hogwarts au!, ABSOLUTE FLUFF, one scene of angst but that’s it, acquaintances(?) to lovers (Reader has a crush on Changbin but they aren’t quite friends???), feat. the rest of skz (mainly Felix, Jisung, Bangchan, and Jeongin though...)

Warnings: swearing, mentions of self-doubt, but that’s about it :)

W.C: 12.9k

Summary: Seo Changbin was used to his friends having to turn down confessions left and right, seeing as their little friend group as one of the most popular in the school. He convinced himself he didn’t care if nobody ever had interest in him, as it seemed liked such a hassle. That is, until he receives finds a box of chocolates and a love note from his “secret admirer”

A/N: I originally had this idea for Chan, but I feel like Changbin doesn’t get enough love these days and I am such a big simp for Binnie, so here we are. I also love different AUs, and Hogwarts is by far one of my favourites. And with the recent controversy of the stupid game coming out, this is a better way to indulge in the HP universe without supporting Transphobia and Antisemitism, so I hope you enjoy!

Everybody, look how cute he is

“Oh no, she’s crying...” Jeongin sighed, a look of sympathy washing over his features as the boys watched Hyunjin reject yet another confession.

They were sat at their usual table in the library, when a sweet hufflepuff girl came up to the group and asked to speak with Hyunjin privately, a normal occurrence for the Slytherin boy, as many girls and guys alike fell for his pretty visuals.

“Its always the worst when they end up crying...” Felix frowned, “It makes me feel so bad for them.”

“Oh yeah, for sure.” Chan hums in agreement, looking down at the table, “Like you know its for the best and you turn them down gently, but still...”

Hyunjin then gave an apologetic bow to the girl and made his way back over to the table. He sat, letting out a deep sigh and brushing his hand through his hair.

“Well?” Jisung said, leaning his chin on his fist, “What happened?”

“She told me how she grew feelings for me recently and how she couldn’t stop thinking about me, which is sweet. She even wrote me a poem...” Hyunjin explained, taking out a folded pink piece of paper from his pocket. However, he didn’t open it, instead he placed it the middle of his potion book and closed it, “I let her down as gently as possible, and she said she understood, but I could see her holding back tears.”

“oh man...” Seungmin winced, scratching the back of his head, “So she was really into you, huh... That’s almost worse.”

“I do not envy you guys.” Changbin scoffed, shaking his head before focusing back on the potions assignment they had due tomorrow, “Being a heart-breaker would be too stressful for me.”

And for the most part, Changbin meant it; the uncomfortable and guilty feelings his friends felt whenever someone would confess their feelings to them and the awkward apologizing for not loving someone back was something Changbin couldn’t imagine himself doing.

But deep down, he wished that maybe someone would someday confess to him; how embarrassing that out of his whole friend group, he’s the only one who has never been asked out before! Sure, he’s dated, but he always made the first move, always was the one pining after someone else. Maybe once, he’d like to be sought after too?

“It’s okay, she’ll get over it eventually.” Chan said, writing on his own assignment, “I’ll talk to her later tonight in the common room about it.”

“I doubt she wants to talk to you, Channie.” Minho said and rolled his eyes, “I know you’re head of Hufflepuff and you’re supposed to look out for your housemates, but she’ll probably still be a bit sensitive about it.”

“fair point, I’ll just let her be then.” Chan hummed, the boys finally getting back to work on their assignment, since the looming deadline was more important than talk of a rejection.

--------

You sat reading a book in the ravenclaw common room, snuggled up in the corner of the love seat with a cup of tea when the rowdiness of boys stumbled in. You glanced up to see Felix, Chan, Jisung and Changbin enter, seemingly laughing at the conversation the must had been having on the way here. When Jisung caught your gaze, he smiled.

“Oh hey (Y/N)! Sorry if we are bothering you!” He apologized and plopped down on the couch across from the fireplace. The other boys followed suit and sat down next to Jisung, “We’re just gonna hang out here for a bit if that’s okay?”

Jisung was a very good head of house; sure his thought process was pretty odd, but he always was taking in new information and trying to take good care of the rest of his house.

You nodded, before glancing at Felix, who smiled sweetly and waved to you; you shyly waved back focusing back on your book.

Out of the two Australian Hufflepuffs, you were more acquainted with Felix; He spent a lot of time in the great hall, handing out the baked good he made on the weekends. He also sat next to you in charms, to which he was very friendly and kind. He made sure to always say hello whenever he saw you, which you appreciated.

“So as I was saying,” Jisung huffed, before continuing whatever the boys were talking about previously. You didn’t listen much, opting to continue reading and minding your own business; however, that became increasing difficult when Changbin started speaking.

You caught yourself stealing glances at the dark haired Gryffindor from over the top of you book, feeling giddiness bubble up inside whenever he would smile or push his bangs out of his eyes.

You knew it was silly; you barely even spoken to Changbin, besides a simple greeting, yet his presence made you feel anxious. He was handsome and kind, very smart and passionate about the things he cared about. You’ll never forget the day you had heard him talking with Chan over quidditch, the conviction and intensity he had in his voice quite frankly made you feel nothing short of inspired.

So you may have grown a crush on Changbin. A secret one that nobody would ever get to know about. You would listen at look from afar, but it was just too much for you to ever even dream of actually being with him. Besides, he knows plenty of students; he probably doesn’t even really know who you are, so your chances were at zero.

But still, you though about him, what it would be like to go on a date with him. What it would be like to have him talk about you with the same passion and spirit. To be able to kiss him...

You felt your cheeks heat up at the thought, lifting your book so it covered your flushed face. Suddenly the boy’s conversation switched to something more serious, and you felt your ears perk up as you listened.

“So what about that girl and Hyunjin today?” Felix said before shaking his head pitifully at the rug, “It’s really unfortunate cause I know that exact feeling.”

“The feeling of the girl being rejected or Hyunjin having to reject her?” Jisung said, earning a shove from Chan. Did a girl confess to Hyunjin today? You suddenly felt bad, even though you weren’t there or knew who it was.

“Hyunjin of course,” Chan said and rolled his eyes, “We’ve all been there when we had someone confess to us...”

“Well, all except Binnie here!” Jisung teased, nudging Changbin, who rolled his eyes. You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. Had Changbin never been asked out? That’s impossible! Everyone knew that the group of eight boy were basically the school’s crushes; He would have had to have dated dozens of-

“Make fun of me all you want,” Changbin folded his arms across his chest and leaned back into the couch, “I may have never been asked out, but I also don’t have to deal with that awkward, sticky situation of telling them you don’t like them back.”

No way Changbin really had never been asked out?! You could have sworn there had to be at least one person who has asked him out.

The more you though about it, the more you realized that you couldn’t think of a single person who you knew had. You couldn’t even think of someone who had a genuine crush on him, and not just praised him for his visuals (well, besides you of course...)

“It doesn’t make you sad, does it?” Felix asked, voice full of concern. Changbin sat quietly for a moment before pursing his lips and shifting in his seat. You caught yourself not even holding your book open anymore, hands folded in your lap waiting to hear his answer.

“I mean, it would be really nice to be sought after, sure.” Changbin mumbled before shaking his head and scoffing, “But there is stress that comes with it too, so I’m okay for now.”

“It’s really not all that its cracked up to be, so you’re not missing out much.” Chan said and patted him on the back. They were silent for a moment, before Chan stood and stretched his arms over his head with a yawn, “Anyways, I should get going to bed, I have a test tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah us too,” Felix nodded, standing from his spot and grasping Changbin’s hand to help him up, “See you boys tomorrow!” As Felix, Chan and Changbin turned to leave, you met their gaze, causing you to embarrassingly wave goodbye to them, praying they don’t bring up you’re eavesdropping. Lucky for you, them smiled and waved back, before leaving your common room to just you and Jisung.

“I’m gonna go to bed too,” Jisung said out loud, turning to you, “Are you gonna stay out here or can I put out the fire?”

“Oh yeah, I better get to bed too,” You said meekly and stood up, book in hand as you went to the staircase.

“Good night (Y/N).” Jisung hummed, to which you quietly sputtered out a ‘good night’ in response and darted up the stairs.

You ran to your room, closing the door behind you, mind still on Changbin and the shock of him not being asked out or confessed to.

It made your nerves all jittery as you laid down on your bed, staring at the ceiling; suddenly, a thought popped into your head that made you smile.

Yes, it was perfect.

---------------

“What do you have in your hand?” Jeongin asked, pointing at the small red box Changbin was carrying as he arrived at their usual table in the library. His cheeks were flushed almost as red as the box and his smile was so big his cheeks puffed out.

It had been a couple of days since the Hyunjin rejection, and everything was how it normally was. That is until Changbin was returning to his dorm after a class and almost tripped over something in front of his door; he couldn’t believe it! was it really...?

“Oh nothing, just a gift from...” Changbin began coyly, suddenly slamming a note down on the table with a happy laugh, “My secret admirer!”

The table was in shock, some of the boys cheering, while other were quick to try and grasp for the note; Until the sharp shushing of a nearby professor, that is. The boys relaxed a bit, shifting in their seats as Changbin sat down setting the gift down on the table.

“What’s in the box?” Minho asked, reaching for the box and opening it to reveal six homemade-looking chocolates, decorated with caramel hearts and various coloured sprinkles.

“Dibs!” Jisung cheered before reaching out to grab one, only for his hand to be swatted away by Changbin. He covered the chocolates, closing the box back up and pulling it closer to him.

“You guys don’t get them, they’re for me!” Changbin pouted, clutching the box to his chest, “The note doesn’t say ‘to Changbin and all of his friends’, now does it?”

“What does the note say?” Seungmin asked, nodding to the folded white note in Changbin’s hand. The Gryffindor, unfolded the letter, reading the contents out loud:

Dearest Changbin,

Hello.

I watch you from afar every day and I know how much you like the chocolate from Honeydukes. But to make my gift as special as you are, I melted it into something new and decorated it myself. I hope you like them as much as I like you <3

Your Secret Admirer

Changbin’s face flushed re-reading the message, feeling his heart flutter. It wasn’t everyday someone gave him a gift, especially not of something he really liked.

“Who gave this to you?” Hyunjin asked, grinning at the excitement and giddiness in Changbin’s features.

“I don’t know,” Changbin hummed, smile still on his face as he looked over the note once more, “I found it outside my door after Care For Magical Creatures.”

“Good for you, Bin!” Chan said with a smile, ruffling Changbin’s hair like a proud parent before looking over at the note, “I really wonder who it is, though...”

“That’s not important right now,” Felix said, crossing his arms on the table and laying his chin down onto them, “What’s important is how happy they made you feel dude.”

The boys then started to tease Changbin, pinching at his cheeks and shoving his shoulders with chuckles and a string of ‘ooo’s.

You steal a glance from a few tables away, feeling the heat creep up your face at their reactions. You didn’t think Changbin would show his friends your letter, so it was a bit embarrassing; but you didn’t really mind that much, as they didn’t seem like the type to make fun of you for it.

Besides, it was worth all the hot, long hours you spent trying to heat and cool that damn chocolate to see the look on Changbin’s face. It was cute to see how excited he was, ears red and pretty smile seemingly stuck to his face. You decided you wanted to see it again and again and again. You decided he should smile like that everyday, so you began to brainstorm your next idea to make him smile like that again.

----------

“Ow! son of a bitch...” You cried out, sucking the blood that was pooling at the tip of your finger from the prickly thorns of the rose you were preparing. The bundle of soft lavender roses was almost complete, but the thorns were proving to be a pain in the ass.

You instinctively tapped your finger a few times on the pad of your thumb before going back to work. You felt nervous, as you were out in the greenhouses where anyone could just waltz in and catch you; you wanted to finish quickly. Not to mention Changbin would be finishing quidditch practice soon, and you wanted to deliver this gift before he was done.

“Okay that’s good...” You mumbled to yourself before pulling out a red ribbon and tying it around the stems creating a lovely bouquet. You then read over the note once more and slipped in in the ribbon as well. Looking at your handiwork one last time before deciding it was good enough, you stood and approached the quidditch field. You awkwardly tried to hide the purple bouquet in the folds of your robe, even though there wasn’t anyone out to see you; but better safe than sorry.

The weather today was bit chillier than expected, the autumn season coming to a close. It would soon be winter, which was good in its own respect; sure, autumn was beautiful, with the colourful leaves popping against the dull grass and skies, but winter meant powdery snow, warm drinks by the fireplace and cuddling up with someone on the coldest mornings.

that last one you definitely thought about from time to time...

You could hear shouts and the swishing of brooms as you finally got to the quidditch field. You hid by the entrance, peaking your head around the corner just in time to see Changbin neatly block the quaffle from going in, catching it effortlessly before nonchalantly tossing it to another Gryffindor player.

He look so handsome, drenched in sweat, cocky grin adorning his face as he floated like an angel in the sky. You could stay there for hours watching him play, but you had a job to do.

You moved farther from the field, finding the quidditch pitch and entering quickly; You were lucky that there wasn’t anyone changing at that moment, cause you couldn’t even think to check before entering. You looked around, trying to located Changbin’s stuff quickly before getting caught snooping around.

luckily it wasn’t too hard, as you recognized the sneakers he wore everyday in front of a bulky duffle-bag. You gently placed your bundle of flowers on top of the bag, finishing with a few adjustments to make sure it was set up perfectly. And just as quickly as you entered, you scampered away not slowing down until you were a good hundred feet away from the field.

You took a deep breath, feeling all your nerves on edge as you quickly pulled out the same book you’ve been reading recently and flipped to the page you were on. You planned to be sitting in the grass on the way to school, that way you would be able to see the smile on Changbin’s face that you adored so much.

You tried to steady your breathing, wanting to appear as relaxed and natural, but inside you were screaming. You felt nervous, but also excited.

Around ten minutes had passed, when suddenly you felt someone lean down beside you and sit with you in the grass. Startled, you look at the figure beside to you reveal Felix, beaming a smile almost as bright as the sun.

“Hey (Y/N)! What’s up?” Felix greeted. You made note of the place in your book before closing it and facing Felix.

“Nothing much, just reading.” You answered, trying you best to sound casual and calm. But inside, you were freaking out. Why was Felix with you? And what about Changbin!? What if he comes while Felix is with you? It ruined your whole plan!

“Cool, I’m waiting for Changbin and Jeongin.” Felix explained, glancing down his watch before looking back at you, “They should be done practice soon.” You hummed, turning to look in the direction of the field.

“Mind if I chill with you while I wait?” Felix asked, to which you nodded and you sat quietly, while Felix began to talk about the Charms class the two of you shared.

You really tried to pay attention to what Felix was talking about, but your mind was glued on Changbin and the roses. Would he like them? Was the note you wrote too forward? Would he show the boys he played quidditch with or not?

You were snapped out of your daze by the sound of fast footsteps and a shout of excitement that sounded a bit too familiar. You looked at Felix, who shrugged at you, before looking in the direction of the footsteps to see Changbin running up the hill with a tired looking Jeongin trying to catch up.

“Felix? Felix!” Changbin cheered, waving the roses in his hand, beaming with joy, “I got another one!” You felt your nerves be replaced with butterflies, feeling a bit relieved that Changbin seemed to like the gift.

“Another what?!” Felix hopped up, approaching his friend who ran straight into him, knocking the two of them to the ground and almost crushing you in the process.

They both let out a fit of giggles before Changbin sat up, and showed off the roses you spent almost an hour cutting and pruning for him. His hair was still sweaty and tousled, and he had dry dead grass on his shirt from the fall, but you couldn’t help but think it was the most beautiful he had ever looked.

“My secret admirer! They gave new a new gift and a new note!” Changbin squealed, laying back in the grass and clutching the bouquet and note to his chest. Jeongin finally arrived, huffing and puffing before sitting in the grass beside Changbin, lightly kicking the older boy’s shoulder.

“Was it really necessary to run?” He pouted, clutching his stomach like he was gonna puke.

“What does this note say?” Felix asked, reaching for the note, only for Changbin to jerk his arm away so Felix couldn’t grab it.

“None of your business!” Changbin barked, before letting out a breathless chuckle. Felix frowned, crawling on top of the Gryffindor boy to wrestle for the note, to which Changbin easily gave up, opting to gently brush his fingers against the lavender roses.

Felix began to open the note, before glancing at you and closing it up again with a pout. You blinked a couple times at Felix before realizing he didn’t want you to see the note (as if you didn’t write it; but to be fair he didn’t know that). You quickly avert your gaze down to the grass as Felix read the note silently. Jeongin was quick to move over to Felix and read it as well over his shoulder; it was fine, you already knew what it said:

Dearest Changbin,

It’s me again. I hope you enjoyed the chocolates! These aren’t nearly as tasty as my last gift, but they are much more pretty.

Flowers are used to convey feelings and meanings. Do you know what lavender roses mean? They represent love at first sight or enchantment. And you have definitely enchanted me! Every time I see you, I feel like I fall in love all over again.

I hope you enjoy these flowers, they are almost as beautiful as you! (you could use something that smells nice after practice anyways <;3)

Your Secret Admirer

“How cute!” Felix gushed, grinning at Changbin who was still playing with the flowers like some sort of lovesick puppy. Your face flushed at Felix’s comment, feeling a bit embarrassed, but also relieved he reacted positively.

“This one is a bit more forward than the last one, huh?” Jeongin suggested, smirk on his face as he folded up the note and handed it back to Changbin. He opened it again, rereading it and smile growing with ever passing second.

You wanted to explode when you saw his reaction; his ear flushed and his nose crinkled cutely as Changbin let out a silly giggle.

“Oh, (Y/N), just so you know what’s up, Changbin has a secret admirer.” Felix explained and you tried your best to try and act like this was news to you.

“You seem pretty happy about it..?” You timidly asked, shyly looking at Changbin. He shifted so his elbows rested under him, holding his head and shoulders up. You secretly were just trying to find out if he really like it or he was feeling pressured, as you remember him mentioning that.

“Its nice...” He mumbled, little grin on his face before he sighed and looked over the note again, “I just wish I knew who it was...”

“(Y/N), you wouldn’t happen to have a clue to who Changbin’s secret admirer is? Maybe one of the ravenclaw kids?” Felix asked, causing the three boys to look at you; Changbin blinked expectantly at you, making you look away and shaking your head no.

“I’m sorry, I haven’t heard anyone mention anything.” You answered, which was technically the truth. After all, you haven’t talked to anyone about being his secret admirer.

Changbin sighed, laying back in the grass before pulling gently at the petals on one of the roses, rubbing in between his fingers. He smiled to himself before sitting up.

“I guess it doesn’t matter, I’ll just have to figure it out myself.” He hummed, a newfound determination in his voice., “With whatever little clues I get, I will find out who it is!”

“You sound serious.” Felix chuckled, “I guess we’ll have to try and help you figure it out too.”

You felt nervous about that; sure, you thought you were pretty inconspicuous about revealing details of who you are (basically none), but the idea that all eight boys would be trying to find out the identity of the secret admirer made you anxious.

Changbin hummed in agreement before finally sitting up and brushing the stray bits of grass out of his hair. You secretly wished it could have been you who brushed your hands through his hair...

“Well, we should probably get going. I have to shower before dinner.” Changbin said, gently setting the bouquet down in the grass before smoothing out his dress shirt.

You watched, hands folded over the book in your lap and Changbin helped Felix stand up, while Jeongin followed suit. Changbin picked up the bouquet again, clutching it fondly to his chest with a bright grin. He then turned his attention to you, catching you off guard.

“See you around, (Y/N).” He hummed and you swore you felt your heart stop. This might have been the first time he mentioned you by name and honestly, it surprised you that he even knew it.

“Y-yeah! for sure...” You stammered, waving at Changbin as the boys left, leaving you alone in the grass.

----------

“Wow! The first snow of the season!” Jisung gushed, pressing his cheek up against the cool window to get a look outside, “It so pretty out!”

Chan, Jisung, Felix and Changbin were once again in the ravenclaw common room, just relaxing and spending some time together after a long week of school.

With the winter coming closer and quidditch season ending, they spent a lot more time in the common room that usual, which you definitely didn’t mind; You just “happened” to be there most nights too, reading up on your book or studying for upcoming tests, but above all else, wanting to be around Changbin.

It had been a few weeks since your last gift to him, since you wanted the next one to be something special. You spent a lot of time thinking about what exactly you wanted to give him; most things you thought of didn’t seem special or good enough to give someone as special as Changbin.

“You can see the big puffy flakes falling down!” Felix exclaimed, smile bright as he squished beside Jisung to see out the window. You watched the boys with a small grin, stirring the tea you had and trying not to giggle at how cute they looked.

“Come look Bin, you always love the first snow.” Chan said, waving over Changbin who sat on the floor at the coffee table by the sofas, seemingly focused on something else.

“Yeah in a minute,” He hummed, playing with a white piece of paper. You watched him unfold it and fold it again and again, flipping it over, rubbing it between his fingers, deeply analyzing it. He was sitting cross-legged, dark shaggy hair messily covering his forehead and his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. He looked handsome when he focused so much, but what was he looking at?

“Binnie, why are you still looking at that note?” Jisung sighed, coming back over Changbin and sitting beside him.

Note? He was looking at your note..?

“Because,” Chagnbin sighed, setting it back down on the table brushing his hands through his hair before leaning back, “I haven’t gotten another note for weeks now...”

It hurt you to see him look so defeated, and you promised yourself you would never let him go this long without a note again. You felt guilty, but you just wanted to give him the best gift you could, so maybe it was worth it..?

“Awe, don’t worry dude!” Felix comforted, sitting down on the other side of him and wrapping his arm around him, “I’m sure they just have something cooler prepared that takes more time.”

“what if they don’t like me anymore..?” Changbin sighed weakly, biting his bottom lip and picking up the note again, holding it gently.

You wanted to scream at him that it wasn’t true, and that he was silly for even thinking that, but you held back. You had to give him a new note and a gift now, so you needed to keep this charade up for a bit longer. You took a sip from your tea and flipped a page in your book, trying to not look like you were listening except you were fuming inside.

“Nonsense!” Chan huffed, coming to sit across from them, “Listen, I don’t know why it’s been so long since you got a note, but I’m sure your secret admirer has their reasons. Maybe they are scared you don’t like the notes and gifts. Maybe they have something big prepared like Felix said. Maybe they did give you something but it got lost or taken. My point is, the least likely scenario is them not liking you.”

“I mean, maybe....” Changbin said flatly, looking at the note in his lap sadly. The sight broke your heart and you suddenly felt like such an idiot. Changbin shook his head and set the note back on the table, “I don’t know. I just... I hope you guys are right.”

“Of course we are right,” Jisung said simply, patting Changbin on the shoulder reassuringly, “What reason would this person have to suddenly not like you? none! And there is so much to like about you, right guys?!”

Chan and Felix nod in agreement, trying desperately to cheer the dark haired gryffindor up. He let out a weak smile at his friend’s efforts, but looked back down at his lap sadly.

“Thanks guys...” He said softly, folding his hands in his lap and playing with them, seemingly defeated.

That sad look was the last straw for you; feeling like you wanted to cry at the sight, you got up quietly and left the common room, determined to get a gift for Changbin now.

Luckily for you, you had the perfect idea after hearing the boys talking earlier.

It was freezing out, the crunch of fresh fallen snow under your shoes as you walked outside. As much as you hated being out here without a coat, you were fueled by the need to make Changbin smile.

Using a spell you had learned a few years ago, you were able to gather up the freshly fallen snow from the sky, catching it in a crystal ball to make a snow globe of sorts. You would have loved to make an ornate stand for it, but it was almost curfew and you needed to get this to Changbin by tonight. The ball by itself would have to do; besides, maybe Changbin would like it more this way. Being able to roll it around to see the first snow of the year whenever seemed like something he would prefer to just shaking it like a normal snow globe.

Coming back inside and dusting yourself off, you try to neatly and hastily write out a note for him, trying to convey your feelings with every quill stroke. You re-read it, making sure it was perfect before folding it up and carrying your stuff back towards the common room. The only problem now, was there was no wrapping or box you had with you to put it in. And how would you be able to give it to him without him knowing it was from you?

Maybe you couldn’t give it to him tonight. If they just weren’t in the common room, you could sneak up to your room to be able to wrap the orb quickly, but going through the common room with them there was impossible to not be seen. Would tomorrow be better? But the idea of Changbin going to bed disheartened and sad made you feel heartbroken. There was no way you could wait to give it to him but-

“Hey (Y/N) what is that?” Jisung asked, standing out in the hallway right outside of your common room, with Changbin. The two of them had an armful of baked goods from the kitchen.

You freeze in place, feeling like you’ll be sick. You had both of them staring at you for a moment, looking down at the open globe in your hand and the note and you were speechless.

You were done for.

“It’s.. uhmmm...” You mumble, but Changbin is quick to notice the white note in your hand and snatches it from you in a moment.

“It’s from my secret admirer!” Changbin squealed, face lighting up as he unfolds the note and reads it. As he reads through the note, his face grows brighter and brighter and you can’t help but smile back at him, even though your knew you were fucked.

“What does it say?!” Jisung screamed, trying to read it too. He quickly grabbed it from Changbin and began reading it out loud.

Dearest Changbin,

Let me apologize for the long wait for this gift. I was trying to find something special and meaningful to give you to be able to show my love for you, so it took longer than expected. I promise to show you my love more thoroughly from now on.

I have gathered the first snow of the season for you, wanting you to always have a precious and magical moment on hand whenever you need it. Every moment I spend thinking about you is precious and magical for me.

I hope you enjoy this gift, I know how much you love the first snow of the year <3

Your Secret Admirer.

You felt your face heat up as Jisung read your note out loud, not thinking about how cheesy it sounded until it came out of his mouth.

“(Y/N)! Explain yourself!” Jisung shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at you.

Shit, I guess it’s time to come clean and confess. You felt sick to your stomach at the idea of telling Changbin to his face that it’s been you all along, but here goes-

“Yeah (Y/N)! Where did you find this? Did my secret admirer give it to you to give to me?!” Changbin said, face serious, yet he was absolutely dead wrong about the situation. But you felt a weight lift off your shoulders as you would be able to sway them away from suspicion of you.

“No, I found it out here sitting by the wall.” You said as nonchalantly as possible, giving Changbin the snow globe. He quirked his brow at the clear crystal ball, before giving it a shake and seeing the snow inside appear and whirl to life. His face softened and he smiled fondly at the small ball.

“I didn’t see who left it, but I didn’t want it to break or be kicked, so I was coming to bring it to you.” You said, gazing at Changbin’s gleeful state and stifling a smile. At least the plan was a success, even if this isn’t what you had in mind.

“See? We told you they were waiting to give you something special buddy!” Jisung said, shaking Changbin’s shoulder before wrapping his arm around his friends and looking back to you, “Thank you (Y/N) for the delivery!”

“Yeah, thank you (Y/N).” Changbin hummed softly, his smile warm enough to melt away the cold you experienced going outside without a jacket. You felt your face heat up as you looked into Changbin’s eyes. He broke eye contact first, looking back down at the ball fondly.

“Of course.” You whispered, feeling like every cell in your body would burst at this moment from a whole conglomerate of feelings.

“Alright lover-boy, lets get these snacks back to the boys.” Jisung said and pulled on Changbin’s arm. They boys departed towards the common room before Jisung called back to you.

“Aren’t you coming too, (Y/N)?”

“Right! Yes, of course.” You confirmed and scurried to catch up to the boys, releasing the deep breath you didn’t know you were holding.

How you avoided being found out was a mystery. Blame it on the brainlessness of boys....

---------

“(Y/N), do you have the notes from Friday?” Felix asked, tugging at the arm of your robe, “Chan spilled water in my bag by accident and ruined mine, so if I could just borrow them to make a copy, I’d really appreciate it.”

It was a week later, and you had been racking your brain for what your next gift to Changbin would be. You weren’t exactly sure how much longer you should stay secret, but the thought of actually confessing made you feel sick.

But for now, you had more important things to focus on, like school; more specifically the class you were currently in.

“Yeah, totally!” You answered Felix, digging through your bag for your notes and handing them to him, “Sorry, my hand-writing is a bit messy...” He dismissed you, flipping through the pages before frowning.

You stiffened when you realized a moment too late what you had just done.

“Your handwriting looks... familiar.” Felix said chewing his bottom lip until it clicked where he recognized it from. Felix gasped before tugging at your arm once again, “This looks like the love letters Changbin’s been receiving! Are you-”

You quickly hushed the boy, feeling your face heat up. Fuck.

Felix calmed down a bit before whispering “Are you Changbin’s secret admirer?”

Felix looked at you expectantly. It would be fruitless to lie to him at this point; you could tell he wouldn't believe you even if you tried.

“You can’t tell anyone, especially not him.” You whispered back feverishly, feeling sick to your stomach. How silly of you! Of course Felix would recognize your handwriting, it was obvious. And with how excited he always seemed about the situation, of course he would have looked at the handwriting on the notes a lot.

You felt like you were going to pass out.

“I promise I wont tell him!” Felix said seriously, before giggling like a school girl, “(Y/N), that’s so cute! How long have you like him? You should have asked me to set you up! Also-”

“Felix, can we talk about this in a place that’s not so public...” You whined, looking around the crowded classroom. You suddenly felt exposed, like everyone was looking at you and like everyone knew, because it wasn’t just your little secret now.

“Of course, of course.” Felix said and turned back to his work, but only for a moment to scribble out a note and pass it to you, without lifting his eyes from his assignment.

He talks about the notes all the time, you know. You make him really happy :)

The corners of your lips quirked up, before you mumbled out a shy ‘good’ and focusing on your work again. You were stressed about someone finding out, but at least it was Felix out of all people. You knew he wouldn’t tell, no matter how excited he got because Felix wasn’t the type to break a promise.

But still, you couldn’t shake the feeling of dread in your chest.

Class seemed to drag on, but the moment it ended you quickly packed up and tried your best to leave the classroom without having to talk to Felix about your little crush. It was bad enough that Felix found out, but you didn’t want to get into details with him about your feelings. So you fled, trying to get away as fast as possible.

However, you weren’t so lucky, having Felix corner you in the hallway and drag you off to the entrance hall for some privacy. Great...

“Okay you have to tell me everything!” Felix gushed, not letting go of your arm. You frown and chew your lip nervously, feeling incredibly embarrassed about the whole situation. You stood silently, looking at the floor as if you were guilty and in trouble for something.

“It’s okay (Y/N)...” Felix said softly, coaxing you to look up at him. He grinned at you encouragingly, “I won’t tell anyone, I just want to know.” You took a deep breath before letting out a heavy sigh. He wouldn’t leave you alone until you told him about your feelings for Changbin, so you might as well get it over with.

“I don’t know when I started liking him. Since I first saw him I think.” You began, feeling the heat rush to your face. You weren’t able to look at Felix, so you just stared at the floor, fiddling with the edge of your tie.

“I overheard you guys talking about how he never got asked out one night in the common room and I wanted to change that, but asking him out seemed too scary... So I decided to be his secret admirer instead.” You finished simply, rubbing the nape of your neck. Felix stood silently for a moment, lips pursed as he thought. He let go of you, folding his arms over his chest.

“Its the muscles right?” He finally said, smirking at your embarrassed state, “You find his muscles attractive and that’s why you like him, right? I can’t say I blame you though, They are quite a sight...”

“What? No! That’s not the reason!” You stammered out a bit too loudly, eyes shooting up to see Felix’s smug expression. God you wanted to punch him right now.

“I mean, he is handsome and his muscles are cool and all....” You admitted, smiling to yourself as you thought about Changbin, “But I like how passionate he is. And how he’s kind and loyal. And how he’s a good friend above all else.”

“Awe, you’re smiling so hard!” Felix teased you, cooing at how flustered you were getting. He poked your cheek with his finger, smiling when you swatted his hand away, “You must be imagining him right now.” “Stop teasing me!” You groaned, pushing him away from you and covering your face with your hands. This was going to be unbearable now that Felix knew.

“Okay, I’m sorry.” Felix apologized, reaching over to rub your shoulder. You glared at him, feeling sick to your stomach still.

“You should tell him it’s you though.” Felix suggested, before perking up as he got an idea, “Ask him to go on a date during winter break!”

“Are you crazy?!” You screeched. You shook your head disapprovingly, moving to go and sit down on the steps of the entrance hall. You placed your head in your hands and let out a tired sigh. Felix slowly sat beside you, placing his arm around you in comfort.

“I want to tell him, but I’m honestly scared to...” You confessed, looking up at Felix, who was listening to you intently. A sense of doom looms over you at the thought of confessing, “I mean, what if....”

“What if..?”

“What if he finds out its me and.... feels disappointed?”

“Why would he be disappointed if it was you?”

“Because, I’m me and he’s him!” You sighed exasperated. You didn’t know when you started crying, but you felt a tear drip onto your lap. You wiped it away with a sniffle, trying to calm down. Feelings you didn’t even know you had started arising and for some reason, talking to Felix made you feel comfortable to confide in him.

You look down at your shoes, bouncing your knee anxiously as you spoke, “He’s Seo Changbin! He’s cool and he’s popular because he’s the sweetest; he’s the guy that is never rude and he never leaves his friends alone. He always puts himself wholeheartedly into everything he does and he never gives up, no matter how unlikely things will work out for him. He’s such a good person!”

Felix listened to you ramble, nodding along and rubbing your back to hopefully sooth you. You hung your head and let out a sigh, like all the life in you was expelled with that one breath.

“And I’m me... I’m the loser who has no friends, who always has their nose in a book because it’s easy to be alone if I pretend it’s by choice. I have a crush on a guy I barely have spoken to and I wasn’t even sure knew of my existence until a few months ago! I keep to myself, always observing as if I’m the background character and he’s the main character.” You wipe your eyes one more time as you finish rambling, feeling the lump in your throat as you tried to calm down a bit more.

“The background character isn’t supposed to be with the main character. That’s not how stories go...” You finalize, clutching the sleeves of your shirt with a crestfallen expression.

You didn’t quite think about why you were so afraid to tell Changbin it was you, but now it all suddenly made sense. You didn’t feel that he would have feelings for a nobody like you when he was someone like him. It just didn’t seem possible for him to have any interest in you, that’s why being a secret admirer worked so well for you.

You could tell him your feelings without him being disappointed it was you who felt that way.

“Good thing this isn’t one of your silly stories then.” Felix said firmly, not looking over at you. He was still rubbing your back, his determined expression a stark contrast from his gentle movements.

“Listen (Y/N), I know it’s scary and I know you don’t feel like you’re enough, but I can assure you, you are.” Felix explained seriously. His expression softened a bit as he flashed you a small smile, “You are smart, and you’re kind. You’re clearly very thoughtful to do all for this for Changbin. He be a fool to not like you.”

“You have me to support you and cheer you on now. I’m telling you, as your friend,” Felix nudged you a bit at the word friend, trying to cheer you up out of your somber mood, “You should tell him it’s you.”

“I don’t know...” You hummed weakly, feeling like there were a thousand doubts and negative thoughts stirred up in your mind. It all seemed like something any good friend would tell someone to comfort them.

“It’s not fair to neither you nor Changbin that you’re choosing to cheat the both of you out of happiness over a ‘what if’.” Felix said simply, patting you back one last time before retracting his hand to lay in his lap.

Upon feeling his hand leave your back, you turned to look at Felix, with him staring directly back at you. His lips were pulled into a thin line, with his eyebrows furrowed in a stern, yet sympathetic expression before he finished, “Don’t let yourself sabotage your happiness like that.”

That seemed to spark a sense of hope in your chest, as you let your brain think on the concept for a moment.

It wasn’t fair of you to take away all possibility of Changbin being confessed to. It always made you happy to make him happy; so if Changbin finding out who his secret admirer was would bring him joy, it made sense you’d do everything in your power to make that come true.

Besides, you knew Changbin was kind, so if he did turn you down, it would be in the most polite way possible, which wouldn’t be so bad...

“I have to tell him.” You deduced after thinking in silence. Felix seemed to perk up at your change in attitude, grinning at your newfound resolve.

“I agree!” Felix said with a nod, “Whatever I can do to help, let me know!”

The cogs were already turning in your head, formulating a plan on how exactly what you were going to do and how you were going to do it.

------------------

Changbin hummed the tune he had stuck in his head all morning as he sat at his desk. Drumming his pencil against the edge of his potions textbook, he tried to focus on the current homework he had, but it was impossible at this point.

Changbin sighed, giving up on focusing and pulling open the drawer on his desk to pull out all the notes you had written him.

These days, all Changbin could think about was his secret admirer. The thought of them ran through his mind 24/7; what you looked like, what you sounded like, what kind of perfume you wore, what your favourite colour was, why you liked him. Who were you?

Re-reading the notes, he felt his face blush. It was refreshing for someone to care about him so much. He felt spoiled and couldn’t stop the grin on his face from creeping up, especially at the lines where you said you loved him.

He had read the notes over at least a thousand times by now. He could recite them by heart, noticed small things in the handwriting itself, like the way you crossed your ts or how you swoop the g more delicately while writing his name.

Changbin groaned, folding the notes back up and stuffing them in his desk drawer carefully. It had been a couple months since he first got one and he was no closer to figuring out who it was. Nobody seemed to act any differently around him since he started receiving the gifts, and he didn’t notice any lingering stares. Not to mention, he’d not been able to recognize the handiwork from either the gifts or the notes.

It all was so incredibly frustrating and disheartening to him. How was he ever going to figure out who it was if they never gave any clues away?

Changbin reached for the crystal ball you had gifted him from the top of his desk and rolled it around in his hands as he thought about if he’d missed any clues. The globe grew cold in his palms, snow whirling to life inside as he passed it between his hands mindlessly.

There was a sudden knock at his door that pulled him from his thoughts. He was about to yell and ask who it was when a piece of yellow parchment quickly slipped underneath the door. Changbin took a moment to realize what it was, before almost falling out of his desk chair.

Letters didn’t usually get sent to him directly (or anonymously) unless it was his secret admirer.

He snatched up the paper from his floor before beaming at the familiar way he was addressed at the top of the letter.

Dearest Changbin,

Hello. I am writing something a bit longer so please forgive no gift this time. However I think you’ll probably enjoy today more than any gift I’ve given you so far.

It must have been hard to try and figure out who I am from just my notes. I have meticulously crafted each one as to not give myself away. Even my gifts have everything to do with you and your preferences, and nothing to do with me! But I think you have suffered enough now. If you would like to, You can meet me today, face to face.

Changbin felt his heart stop at that sentence. He was really going to know the answer to the million dollar question. Changbin shook his head and went back to reading before he got to ahead of himself.

However, instead of telling you my identity outright, I think you’d much rather figure it out yourself with a series of clues. Finishing this little game would be so much more satisfying than just being told the answer, right?

So without further ado, your first clue: (to be fair, its more like instructions...)

You need to go to the library and you will find a book sitting on the table you usually sit at with your friends (The table in the corner by the windows). The book has a dark blue hardcover and golden-edged pages. It is my favourite one; I think I’ve read it over a dozen times and I have my own copy that you can borrow anytime :)

Inside the book is another note which has your next clue!

Good luck! I know you’ll figure it out soon, brilliant Changbin!

Your Not-So-Secret Admirer.

Changbin grinned at the playfulness of his secret admirer. It was hard to convey personality through writing a lot of the times, but they managed pretty well in Changbin’s opinion.

He slipped on his shoes excitedly, lacing them up tight before he folded the letter up and stuffed it in his pocket. He could feel the giddiness bubble up in his chest from the fun nature of this little treasure hunt.

He thought to grab his scarf and jacket too, just in case this little game lead him outside, he didn’t want to freeze before he got the chance to meet you.

He went out to the common room, going to make his way to the library when he was stopped briefly by his friend on the couch.

“Hey Bin, where are you headed?” Jeongin called to his housemate, standing up when Changbin barely spared him a glance.

“My secret admirer left me a treasure hunt,” He hummed happily. Jeongin insisted to come too for help, but Changbin simply waved the boy off, “I’ll tell you everything later!”

“Okay, but don’t stay out too late!” Jeongin called to Changbin as the older Gryffindor rushed out the door.

Changbin could only hear the rush of blood in his ears and the pounding in his chest as he weaved through countless stairs and hallways on his way to the library. He was feeling nervous, although the didn’t really think there was reason to be.

It was clear by now that you liked him a lot, yet he was worried about meeting you face to face. What would he say? What if he didn’t live up to what you expected of him?

Changbin wiped his palms on his trousers to hopefully try and aid the clammy feeling before he pushed open the doors to the library. He made a b-line straight to the table he usually sat at, but was surprised to see Chan and Jisung sitting there working on homework.

“Hey Changbin, you okay? You look like you ran here.” Chan chuckled, setting his quill down on the table.

Changbin barely spared either of them a glance, looking around the table for the book. When he couldn’t see it, he circled around the table, looking at the chairs pulled up against it with a huff.

“Uh... Bin? Hello?” Jisung called out to his friend, “What are you looking for?”

“A book.” Changbin said urgently, finally looking at his two friends when it seemed to be gone, “Its got a blue hardcover and gold pages and was supposed to be at our table.”

“Oh yeah, I think something like that was at the table before we got here.” Chan hummed, looking over at Jisung, “You put it away, right?”

Changbin felt his heart drop; this was not happening right now.

“Yeah, I moved it so we could study.” Jisung nodded, looking back at Changbin, who was mentally freaking out by now.

His one chance to meet you and figure out who you are and his idiot friends had to move the one thing he needed? He felt like he was going to scream.

“Where did you put it!?” Changbin asked anxiously, slamming his hands down on the table and making the other two boys jump in their seats.

“Relax!” Jisung cried, before turning to point at the library cart that sat about twenty feet away, “I placed it on the cart for re-shelving. It should still be there.”

“What is it?” Chan asked, as Changbin scurried off to the cart without answering. He looked through a few of the books on there before he spotted the one he was looking for on the bottom shelf. Changbin huffed out a sigh of relief, grabbing it from the cart and bringing it back to the table.

“Its a clue from my secret admirer.” Changbin answered; he felt exhausted after experiencing so much panic over almost loosing the book. He turned it over in his hands, opening the front cover.

The other two boys watched as he flipped through the pages before landing somewhere in the middle, where a white piece of paper stuck out of it. You also seemed to highlight the words on the page to create a simple message that read “you are my light”. Changbin felt a bit embarrassed about that, but he thought it was a sweet touch nonetheless.

He carefully unfolded the letter and took a deep breath before reading.

My Dearest Changbin,

Congratulations on finding the first clue! I hope it wasn’t difficult for you.

He smiled at the addition of “my dearest” when addressing him; it made Changbin’s heart flutter just a bit to think of being someones’ dearest...

You know what goes good with a book? Cookies and tea! I often like curling up with a good book, a gingersnap cookie and some chamomile tea in the evenings. The only thing that would make that experience better is if we did it together...

Changbin blushed at the thought of someone reading to him in the evenings; his head in your lap as you read him whatever you wanted. He could almost taste the flowery teas and freshly baked cookies and feel the softness of your fingers through his hair as you told him a story....

Focus Changbin! Focus.

Your next clue is in the kitchen! I made you some cookies and tea to enjoy before we meet. I wasn’t sure what you liked best, but luckily I had help with that!

You will meet a friend of mine there; You know him pretty well :)

He will have your next clue.

Good luck, I know you’ll figure it out soon, my brilliant Changbin

p.s. please bring the book with you, its my copy :p

Your (Even Less Of A) Secret Admirer

“Wait, you’re meeting them today?!” Chan exclaimed excitedly, leaning over the table to look at the note. Changbin lets the boys take the note to read it over as he flips casually through your book.

It was filled with annotations and other random notes in the margins. Things that you really liked, ideas the text made you have, even just things you felt or thought about in that moment. Whoever you were, you seemed like a very thoughtful and detailed person, which Changbin could appreciate

Jisung seems to recognize something in the writing, frowning as he finishes reading the note and then looking at the book in Changbin’s hands. It seemed oddly familiar to him....

“What book is that?” Jisung asks, peering cautiously at the cover. Changbin closed to book to look at the cover before shrugging.

“Don’t know, there isn’t a title on it. They probably have a dust jacket that goes over top with the title.” Changbin hummed, showing his ravenclaw friend the book.

“I think I have a guess on who your admirer is, Bin.” Jisung said nodding to himself as he looked back at the note in Chan’s hands. He grinned a bit as all the gears snapped into place.

“Who!?” Chan asked as he shot out of his chair. Changbin looked at Jisung expecting an answer, but he just shook his head playfully and sat back down. Changbin felt like he could explode right then from anticipation and he wanted to strangle Jisung for not spilling his thoughts; But deep down, he was also pretty glad Jisung didn’t say who he was thinking of.

It would have ruined the fun.

“It’s the gingersnaps and chamomile that gave them away. The book looked familiar, but if it’s who I think it is, they always have a cup of chamomile when they read.” Jisung revealed, before pointing down towards the bottom of the note, “But I wonder who this mysterious “friend” is?”

“The only way to know if for me to go find out.” Changbin said hastily, scooping up the note and putting it in his pocket with the letter from before, “Thank you for almost ruining everything and then fixing it again, I’ll see you guys later!”

“See you buddy!” Chan yelled to Changbin as the Gryffindor boy rushed away, onto the next location.

The kitchen was a bit of a walk, so Changbin had some time to speculate.

It annoyed him that Jisung seemed to know before he did, but that must mean the Jisung just knows the person better. Which wasn’t surprising to Changbin, since he was the head of his house and it was his job to know people. Maybe that meant they were a Ravenclaw?

And judging from your scribbly book, that was a good sign that he was right on that.

How many Ravenclaws did Changbin really know? All the members of the quidditch team, Jisung and most of the leaders and/or older Ravenclaws that the younger students depended on, and the few odd students he’d met in his classes. Not really narrowing it down too much...

Whoever you were, Changbin was starting to feel sick at the thought of meeting you. It made him nervous to think about what to finally say when you were standing in front of him.. It was very clear that you liked him a lot, and he wanted to have your first meeting be the best possible interaction. But what then? Would he go out on a date? He’d like to think so, but that could lead to complications...

What if you went and you realized you didn’t like him? The only person who has ever sought after him suddenly deciding they don’t want to be with him anymore made his heart ache.

But what if it went well? Changbin knew he had to do this. He had to know who you were and even if it ended terribly, he at least could look back at this time with fond memories.

That was the mindset Changbin had as he entered the kitchen, trying his best not to ruin anything the staff were working on. Through the window, he could see it started to snow outside, the soft powder floating through the air.

Sat next to the window on a stool, plate of cookies on the counter beside him, was someone Changbin didn’t expect to see.

“Felix? What are you doing here?” Changbin asked, walking up to his friend. He noticed two teacups sitting beside Felix, as the hufflepuff smiled at his friend dearly.

“Waiting for you, silly.” Felix hummed, pulling up a second stool beside him and patting it with his hand, “Come sit.”

“So you’re the mysterious “friend” of my secret admirer...” Changbin said simply, pulling the stool out to sit on it. Felix nodded with a ‘mmhmm’, focusing on pouring some tea into the teacup adjacent to Changbin.

He had so many questions for Felix swirling around in his head as he stared blankly at his friend; Did he always know? Was he pretending he didn’t know whenever he got a note and gift? And if he knew, why did he keep this information from Changbin?

As if he could read his mind, Felix said “I’m sure you have a lot of questions, and I can’t answer all of them.” The hufflepuff stirred some sugar into his own tea with a spoon, before setting it gingerly on the counter.

“What can you tell me?” Changbin asked, taking a sip of the tea. It was chamomile, like your note said; he grinned at the taste, somehow sweeter because it reminded him of you.

“For starters, I just figured out who it was a week ago, so I haven’t betrayed you for that long.” Felix chuckled, snatching a cookie from the plate and dipping it in his tea, “And believe me, I’ve wanted to tell you about a million times since I found out.”

Changbin grabbed a cookie and took a bite out of it, the rich, spiced flavours contrasting with the tea well. He gazed at his friend, feeling a bit on edge and antsy. He wiped the crumbs from his mouth with the back of his hand before speaking again.

“What-”

“Hold it right there buddy!” Felix quickly interrupts, excited grin growing on his face, “You’re aware this is sort of like a game right?”

Changbin nodded, not sure what the other boy was getting at.

“Well, I am only allowed to answer three questions.” Felix said, holding up his fingers to emphasize his point, “And you can’t ask outright who they are. Other than that, you can ask almost anything!”

Changbin took a minute to process the game, before scoffing to himself with a smile. Of course you wouldn’t just let Felix outright reveal your identity; not after all the work you put into this little treasure hunt Changbin was on.

“Choose your questions carefully.” Felix warned, leaning back and taking a sip of his tea to let Changbin have some time to think.

What he didn’t expect was the Gryffindor to stand up from his spot and start pacing, seemingly deep in thought. It was endearing he took this little game that seriously.

Changbin’s brain was racing a million miles an hour. He wanted to know everything about you, but what was the most important think to ask?

After a few moments, Changbin sat back down and took a deep breath. Relax. He was meeting you today anyways, so he should just ask what his instincts tell him to.

“Ready?” Felix asked nonchalantly, lacing his fingers together and placing his hands under his chin. Changbin nodded firmly, determination gleaming in his eyes.

“How do you know them?”

“I first met them in a class the two of us share. I sit beside them and we exchange notes for the class pretty regularly.” Felix answered, as directly as he could without being too obvious.

“Okay... that narrows the options.... What gift was their favourite to make or which were they most excited to give me?”

“That’s technically two questions in one, but I’ll allow it because I actually know the answer to both. They said they liked making the snowglobe best because it was a very special and magical process, but were most excited to give you the chocolates because it was the first gift.”

“They sound like they’re sweet...”

“They are.”

Felix stared expectantly at Changbin, “Last question?”

Changbin had a question in mind, but he wasn’t sure if he should waste the last question on something so pointless. But it was killing him and he needed to know the answer to the question he’d not been able to stop thinking about since this whole thing started.

“Why do they like me?” Changbin practically mumbles the last syllable, eyes glued to the window. He felt his face flush as he watched the snow fall softly.

It wasn’t that Changbin didn’t like himself; he liked to think he was pretty confident guy overall. But the gifts and the notes just seemed so special, he almost wondered why he deserved them more than who was giving them to him.

“They think you are kind.” Felix began, voice gentle as he looked at his friend fondly, “And they think you’re a good, loyal friend. And above all else, they love how you’re so passionate about the things you care about.”

“That’s why they like you.” Felix hummed finally, taking his focus away from Changbin to drink more tea.

Changbin felt like he was frozen in time. He wasn’t sure what he expected from the question, but he didn’t expect such deep and thoughtful reasons.

After a moment, Changbin was finally able to bring his gaze back to his friend, who was beaming back at him. Changbin couldn’t help feel bashful, his heart feeling like it was going to pound out of his chest as the corners of his mouth quirked up.

“I need to know who they are.” He said dreamily. Felix hummed, setting his teacup down before reaching into his robe. He gingerly pulled out a sealed white envelope and handed it to Changbin.

“This is for you. It’ll tell you where they are waiting for you.” Felix explained, as Changbin took the envelope and tore it open. Inside was a familiar looking white note.

My Dearest Changbin,

I hope you’re not mad at Felix from keeping my identity secret. He’s just being a good friend to me :p

Anyways, I’m sure you figured it out by now. And if you haven’t, that’s okay too. You’ll know soon enough.

Changbin felt like his entire body was asleep, tingling from head to toe. He could hardly handle the anticipation as he read your note.

I know you spend a lot of time with your friends in the Ravenclaw common room. I assume its your favourite spot to spend time, right?

Mine is the covered bridge that goes over the ravine; Sometimes I visit Sundial Garden too because it’s close, but I find the open airiness of the bridge helps me think.

I am waiting for you on that bridge. I hope to see you soon. <3

Your Patient Admirer

Your note basically confirms you as a ravenclaw student, as you mentioned seeing Changbin spend time in the common room. But that barely mattered now as he knew where you were and that you were waiting for him.

He folded the note up and put in in his pocket, Giving an expectant look to Felix.

“They said they are on the bridge over the ravine.” He mumbled, almost confirming it to himself. Felix nodded, expression playful and soft as he watched his friend be practically frozen in place.

“I...”

“Why aren’t you leaving, dude?” Felix asked, tilting his head slightly as he watched the Gryffindor tap his toe nervously

“I’ve wanted to know for months now, but I’m scared.” Changbin confessed, letting out a breathless laugh, “I don’t want to disappoint them...”

“I can guarantee you, that is impossible.”

“how can you be sure”

“Because!” Felix sighed exasperatedly, standing up and grabbing onto his friend’s shoulders, “How on earth could you possibly disappoint them when they adore you this much?”

“I don’t know!” Changbin huffed out, shaking his head before gazing at Felix, “I guess I’m just scared we’ll spend time together and they’ll realize they don’t like me...”

“Bin, you are sounding irrational.” Felix deadpanned, squeezing the gryffindor’s shoulders and slightly shaking him, “Don’t you want to know who it is? Don’t you want to at least try and be with this person?”

“More than anything.” Changbin said firmly. As afraid as he was, he was sure he wanted to at least try

��Then go!” Felix chuckled, pushing Changbin away from him, “Go. I promise, it’ll be okay!”

“You’re right.” Changbin hummed, pushing aside his doubts, “Thank you Felix.” Felix nodded, sending his friend off with a thumbs up and a ‘you got this!’ as Changbin dashed out of the kitchen and on his way to the covered bridge where you were waiting.

He wanted to figure out who you were before arriving, but he couldn’t seem to think of who his secret admirer could be. You had a class with Felix (not really helpful because Changbin only shared one class with Felix, where they sat together), You were a ravenclaw (there were thousands of ravenclaws), and you enjoyed tea and reading.

Not to mention, he also didn’t recognize the handwriting, so he’s never borrowed notes form you before...

The wind was howling a bit more now as the snow fell in big, wet puffs. Changbin felt glad he brought his scarf with him as he walked along the path towards the bridge.

You, on the other hand, should have looked into what the weather was supposed to be like. You leaned on the railing, looking out into the snow covered ravine, sniffling slightly as your nose was running.

You debated on going back inside, knowing that Changbin would have to walk through the clock tower to get to the bridge anyways; but that thought stopped when you noticed a figure in the distance from your peripheral

Oh god, what do you do? Should you approach him? No because that would mean you’s have to awkwardly walk towards each other and wait to say anything. But if you pretended like you didn’t see him, he might not think you were his secret admirer! But there was nobody else outside because it was cold and snowing so how could he possibly think it was someone else? Should you just turn to look at him? At least then you’d be addressing-

“Hi.” Changbin greeted shyly, sliding next to your spot on the railing to look out on the bridge.

Oh god.

“Hello.” You replied, chewing your bottom lip nervously, stealing a glace at the gryffindor. Were his cheeks red from the cold or because he was embarrassed?

“You found me.” You mumble meekly, catching the way Changbin’s face morphed into a grin.

“So it is you?” He chuckled, turning towards you and smiling. You turned to look at him properly, nodding and letting and awkward giggle out. You weren’t sure what to say to him in this moment.

“Wow.” Changbin said simply, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, “had no idea it could have been you...”

Oh god.

He was disappointed.

You should have known to never confess. God you felt so stupid! Of course THE Seo Changbin would never-

“I mean, aren’t you way out of my league?” Changbin said with a grin, as your eyes shoot up to meet his. He held that expression he always had whenever he would receive a gift; smile so wide his cheeks poked out, nose slightly crinkled and eyes glittering. You found yourself smiling too.

“Me? I don’t think you have any idea how wonderful you are if you think I’m out of your league...” You joked boldly, immediately looking down at your shoes out of embarrassment. Changbin let out a giggle, feeling like he was on cloud nine.

It was you.

Changbin never even considered you an option when thinking about his admirer. You were diligent and soft spoken and definitely seemed like you’d never be interested in a loud, childish, muscle-head like Changbin. He always thought you were attractive, but he thought he never had a chance with someone like you.

So imagine his surprise when he walked onto the bridge and saw your figure in the distance; he felt like it had to be a prank. But the closer he got the more he could see you were nervous and that nobody else was around to scream ‘gotcha!’ .

It was you and Changbin couldn’t have felt happier.

“Thank you, for everything.” Changbin hummed, handing you your book back. When you grabbed it, he swore he felt a shock go through his body.

“I- uhmm...” Changbin stuttered, clearing his throat while looking at the ground. Changbin had never felt nervous like this before, but he willed himself to be brave and just speak his mind.

“Listen,” he began, looking back up at you to see your anxious expression. He couldn’t help but think you looked cute, “I have never felt as cared about as I do because of you. It seems almost impossible for me to ever come close to making you feel so loved... But I want to try.

“So, do you maybe want to head inside and we can talk some?” Changbin asked, looking at you expectantly, “Perhaps over a cup of tea in the Museum or astronomy room?”

“As a date..?” You asked teasingly, causing Changbin to scoff

“yeah, as a date silly.” Changbin laughed, shaking his head playfully at you.

“Sounds lovely.” You accepted giddily. With a burst of courage, Changbin slips his hand into yours, eyes widening by how cold you are.

“Oh, I’m sorry I kept you waiting out here for so long, you’re freezing!” He huffed out, hastily taking his scarf off to wrap it around you delicately. He tucked it into your coat, lightly brushing your cheeks with his thumbs; you swore you would faint as Changbin smiled at you wrapped up in his scarf.

You tried not to cheer out loud at his sudden carefulness. His scarf smelled like him and you knew that you’d have a hard time wanting to take it off, even when you got back inside.

This all felt like a dream...

You slipped you hand into his once more as the two of you walked back to the castle, where you swore you could die happy.

“Oh dear, he looks like he’s trying to play it off but you can tell he’s upset...” Minho winced, as the table watched Chan have to break the heart of a poor Slytherin boy.

You watched apologetically, instinctually grabbing at Changbin’s hand as his arm rest around your shoulder. He pulled you closer to him, pressing you against his side as he frowned at the exchange.

When Chan returned, he let out a sigh, slumping down in his chair.

“Asked you out?” Seungmin asked, to which Chan nodded weakly.

“Yeah, he said he wanted to take me out to honeydukes this weekend, but I politely declined.” Chan said simply, crossing his arms over his chest as he furrowed his brow, “He seemed a bit embarrassed. I hope he’s okay...”

“Oh man, that’s rough.” Jeongin hummed, tapping his pencil against the edge of his herbology textbook.

“I do not envy you guys.” Changbin scoffed, turning to look down at you endearingly as you snuggled closer to your boyfriend.

Changbin, your boyfriend.

The thought of it made you both giddy.

“Yeah well, lucky for you to have the only person confess to you be someone you liked back!” Jisung pouted, patting Chan on the back, “some of us have to be heart breakers!”

“Not me.” Changbin mumbled, grinning dreamily before placing a sweet kiss on your lips (and consequently causing the rest of the table to groan).

Maybe it was alright that Changbin didn’t really have people confessing their love to him all the time. It used to bother him, but now that he got to have you, he was happy to not be a heart breaker.

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dj-devil · 8 months ago

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welcome part 1

don't go there

pairing: prince!hyunjin x fem druid!reader

genre: medieval fantasy au

warnings: fluff, angst, magic, shapeshifting

words: 2.4k

summary: the forest is cursed. not many remember why, and only some are curious.

he is the prince who has been watching the forest his entire life

she lives there. as one of the last of a family of shifters that now roams the forest.

Masterlist

The sun outside the forest no matter how dull is still brighter than anything you were used to, being just beyond the border only yielded so much sun. The process of studying and learning how to be a raven was two months, which cut it a little too fine for your taste. The raven choosing was in little under two days and shape was always the hardest part. And feathers. You've never done feathers or birds in general.

This field, a large unkindness called home. All day various groups talked, to each other and other animals that would wander close enough to get to the lake surrounded by the trees they called home. Gliding, walking, eating, talking, flying, interacting. All things you would have to think about when becoming a raven. It weighed on your mind that you would not get this right in time for the ceremony. It's not like it only happened every five or something years. Something to do with teaching and learning to be ready for the care they would need, you were sure that was what the guards had said that time.

Leaving the forest always seemed the wrong thing to do, whenever you had tried in the past there was always a watchful eye somewhere aware of your plans. You had always noticed it in the corner of your peripheral, the disturbing feeling of being spied on; stalked. But now, for some reason, things were calmer, like some of the weight of your decision had been shifted. It was not something you understood, but for the moment were grateful for.

The guards and residents of the castle stayed away for a few days, stopped rigorously watching the field of vibrant green and dotted black. It was in those few short days that you crept from the safety of the woods to be with the ravens up close. The person who had named a flock of ravens had had something against them, you'd always thought, since learning that it was called an unkindness. They had probably never talked to them either, not big on gossip but rather casual informative conversations.

"Is there room by the lake for one more?" You asked the flock as they sat at the water's edge, under the guard of the willow trees around its edge. To most, this would be just a cacophony of endless squeaking. To you this is a dozen voices asking the same question; "If we make room are you going to sit or walk away like the rest of those idiot humans?"

The question makes you smile, speaking to new groups of animals always does. The surprise squeaks when in the space they make, you sit.

"How did you…?" One speaks up after some silence, and you find the raven's face in the sea peering at you inquisitively.

There is only one word for this, you know that. Only one word to elaborate a lifetime that they would understand; "Druid."

Wide eyes all around, a group hopping in time another just off. Surprise is the most shared emotion, it seemed so cute on ravens. Wings opening slightly, either slight or full hopping, beaks that let loose the gasps and squeaks.

"Does that mean you're Ivory's daughter?" Comes a quieter whisper from beside you, a smaller bird. You turn to face them, patiently putting out a hand to give them a gentle pat on the head.

"Yes. She was my mother."

"Why are you here then? And not in the forest working on the smog?" Turning back to the group, there is one raven in the centre staring up at you with a kind of curiosity that you know you have, the one knotted with a desire to fix the problem. To search your whole life for a solution when the only things you have to go on are what others tell you about the problem. You could see the gears turning in the raven's head, chugging and groaning under the weight of the knowledge of the cursed forest that was always passed around. Through most animals in the surrounding area, the understanding of at least part of what happened passed through the generations.

You give them all a small smile, "I am here to learn how to be a raven." Not fully answering both questions, but one seemed enough. The rest would be answered in time. A chorus of oh's fills the air. An excitable voice piped up. "You have watched, now you wish to be, yes?"

"Yes." You answer with a giggle at their enthusiasm. They sit together in a group, in their matriarchal stages as the lady who runs both the unkindness and this part of the field makes her way to me. She walks two steps before quickly hopping the rest of the way.

"That would've taken too long, right. I'm Bone, I've led for 200 years. And you wish to be a raven? You are?" She breathes deeply as she lands in front of you, wings flapping slightly to create a light wind that can cool her off a little.

"I am Y/n, I come from the Yellow Wood forest. I need to be a raven to help my family; the last druids." You speak with confidence and wide eyes to the raven in front of you. She; who definitely saw the beginnings of the smog 20 years ago. She; who won't tell, but could be there to offer words of wisdom if they are needed and accepted.

Bone watches you closely, small eyes peering at you as if you are a whole forest that has withstood a hundred wars. As if you are the forest you have lived in all your life, while there is a little truth to it, you feel everything that happens there, lived through enough to know how every part of it functions. Even now trees creak and leaves shift, you know exactly what part of the forest that is in. It is a part of you, you'd been running every part of it as long as you could run. It is your home, the centre of all your problems and the centre of all your love.

"You have much to learn, starting with feathers.."

Bone flaps her wings generating a gust of wind that wanders by you through your hair to its tips, decorating the fields with petals of the wildflowers it sent into a spinning match. The images of how to transform hair into feather pulses in your head, spreading through every fibre of your being, over the hair all over your body begins to grow longer and blacker. Pushing through the discomfort of the new change, feathers take a staggering form bristly and fragile, and a strange form of disfigured autumn leaf-shaped leaves take over your body. Your body shrinks to the rough size of a raven, a little larger than an adult which by how you feel itchy all over is just the beginning of the process.

"Well, that is a better start than I have seen in a while. The last to do that good, was your mother." Bone nods approvingly, as you shift back to human. A curious glint in your eyes, as you watch Bone, turn to the others to usher them into the trees so there is less pressure, eyes that can be discerned add to the crushing weight you feel like an avalanche building around you; the last of your ideas hinged on this working, the last of your hope to break the curse you were born into. All on this one plan, that could if you weren't careful go horribly wrong.

Over the next day, your body and mind go through the changes in order to take and hold the form of a raven, your idea of feathers becomes clearer, though more complicated than scales, it becomes easier than fur. You'd become a mouse once, it had taken 6 months of trials to even come close to the concept of fur.

You get to know others in the field, some had come from places you had never heard about with names you couldn't pronounce to give their chick the chance to be accepted into the castle. It is an easier life than outside the castle walls. That is the hardest part of this plan, you still had to be chosen. The dread and sense of responsibility that weighed on your back the feeling of carrying the entire forest, it is not all your burden to bear, though it did feel that way.

***

In the distance, beyond the wall, the castle came alive with movement and sounds, a steady drum began to sound as people scurried around the courtyard. A flurry of banners was placed in a few minutes; black, red and bronze. Mumbled yelling from this distance, the guards seemed to be in a rush. The day had broken a few hours ago, it wasn't that they were late, was it?

Through that meant there was still time, in the stillness of the field, barely rustling as a light breeze washed over the the tips of the grass. Still, time to be able to fully become the raven you needed, the friend that was going to get you into the castle. At least you hoped it. With this in mind, you sat on the ground, cross-legged and hands on your knees. Mind only focused on one thing, completely being a Raven for the first time.

What most people were always unsure about with Druid's was how the shifting process worked, most assumed the animal would be in the same age sphere as the person shifting, however, they start as the baby and then grow up just like everyone else does. Albeit a little quicker depending on lifespan and animal.

But like most other things it is a learned skill that you work at. Sometimes it took days or weeks, years and sometimes you never actually managed it. Everyone was different in the animals they could become.

Your body worked in tandem with your mind, shrinking and growing the barely formed feathers of a chick whilst also turning you fully into that chick that you are so set on.

The stomping of the guards begins to take over the sound in the area. An earthquake of boots and metal marched into the field. Spouting words of don't worry, we'll give them back and we won't hurt them. The scattered squarks of we know, you're late and move forward filled your ears.

Your voice becomes shrill to the guards who grow closer the more confidence they got for the chicks that are not moving and parents who are not freaking out. Some of the guards wince at the noise created by all the chicks together, deafening them a little. Others smile and bob to the ground; eyes glistening with tears over the selection they were about to make.

A selection of stuck-out feathers and wobbles brings their attention to you, as you get pushed to the side by the multitude of other chicks that are also here. As tiny as all the others are, you seemed smaller to them. Two exchanged a glance of worry and determination, as you did not have a mother watching over you or another to squawk back to.

To your right, a familiar face comes into view. Dressed in red and black, adorned in silver accents, is the boy who interrupted your staring contest a month ago. With light brown short hair and warm orange eyes, he watches over the exchange of rights to parenthood by the ravens at present. He also catches sight of you, concern and uncertainty plastered clear on his face.

In your observation of the guards and the boy, you did not notice the pair of hands closing in on you, encircling your feet and releasing you from the pressures of standing by yourself. To your small form, the lift seemed higher than it was, the ground a mountain beneath you.

"Hey, hey, hey!" You warn, suddenly worried about the fall from a height like this.

"I got you. You're ok, little one." The guard picking you up reassures you, placing you gingerly in a box with a thick blanket lining. "There. Much better, huh?" Under your feet is the fluffiest blanket you've ever seen, a deep purple you'd only seen in the flowers closest to the centre of the forest. It feels strange on new feet, not to mention as you carefully put your body down as well, the scattered feathers do little to shield your new skin from the blanket. Pecking at the fluff until it is comfy, turns out to be a difficult task when your beak is longer than expected.

The new revelations take up all the space in your brain, the rest of the process of picking chicks, making sure they are comfortable, moving the boxes inside the castle and removing you from the box to a lush pillow don't even touch your tiny bubble of wonder at the life of a raven. What does, is the loud voice beside you.

"Whatcha doin' there?" Turning you see a somehow scraggily raven - even more so than you - perched on a red pillow, staring at you.

"Not really sure." You speak slowly for the first time, the language feels strange coming out of your beak.

"Did you at least bring them a present? They love it when you bring them presents. I brought a flea, but I'm Flea, and I'm covered in fleas. So I brought a flea."

Your head cocks in confusion first and disbelief second, trying to understand. Now was this a human thing or a raven thing?

The queen appears in your view crown almost glowing in the morning sun. She walks up to both of you and Flea smiling ravishingly as she puts out her hand for the dead present trapped in the boy's beak.

"Oh, thank you, glad to know we're appreciated." She says as she takes the flea and wanders over to the prince for him to look at. Human thing, right. As you follow her your eyes fall on the prince, blonde hair with hazelnut eyes. Your staring contest buddy was the prince?

"It's… dead. And all mangled, I don't even know what it used to be?" Hyunjin raises his eyebrows in confusion.

"It's a present regardless, it must be appreciated." His mother scolds.

"Thank tha thank….you. I think.." He manages with a nod in our general direction.

#don't go there series #skz fic #stray kids #hyunjin x reader #fantasy!au #hwang hyunjin

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milkteabinniechan · 4 months ago

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♡Storms & Sirens - Hyunjin

MINORS DNI 18+ ONLY MEMBERSHIP//M.LIST

pairing: merman! Hyunjin x fem! reader

summary: Mermaids are the mystery of the sea, with few humans ever seeing one. You are the dread pirate queen of the Barbados, a legend that a certain merman has always wanted to meet.

warnings: mentions of claws, sharp teeth, webbed hands

"You're the one they call the Pirate Queen aren't ya? the dreaded queen of the sea?”

You stilled as the deep voice carried across the water. You squinted your eyes out at the blue horizon but there was no other ship in sight. Behind you, your crew continued to grunt and heave as they pulled their oars in unison with one another. You and your crew mates had pulled a small dingy from your ship and were making your way to a nearby island for supplies. You feared the summer sun had finally consumed you when you heard the faint sounds of slapping accompanied by a playful laugh.

“Who goes there?!” You shouted, your hand already brushing against the hilt of your haltered sword.

He swims closer, his fins propelling him through the water with ease, he looks up at you with a pair of bright yellow eyes, a mix of curiosity and admiration.

"I've heard so many stories about you, Pirate Queen. They say you're ruthless, cunning, and beautiful. Which one is true?”

Your eyes widen at the sight of sharp teeth and glistening scales that cascade beautifully down a toned chest and abdomen. His tail captured the moonlight with a haunting and hypnotizing shine. Fully embracing the possibility of this gorgeous creature being a hallucination, you decide to indulge it.

“All be true, fish man. All be true.” You spoke proudly, puffing your chest out slightly.

He chuckles, a deep rumbling sound that vibrates through the water. He reaches out a hand, his claws gleaming in the moonlight, and gently touches your arm.

"Fish man?" he repeats, a smile playing on his lips. "I prefer merman, Pirate Queen.”

Your body tenses at the sight of your claws. The feeling of the sharp cartilage scraping across your skin. This was no hallucination. You had never witnessed something so beautiful and so deadly. You look back at your crew but they are still focused on rowing. You glance back down at the merman then to the horizon, where a small piece of land floats just out of view. “See there, merman? We be dockin’ there. Need to replenish food and water. Do you know of the island?”

He nods. "Ah, I know it. Small, uninhabited except for the wildlife. Perfect for pirates to dock unnoticed." He retracts his claws and flexes his webbed fingers. "I can swim ahead, scout it out for you. Ensure it's safe?” He offers; a coy smile still pulling at his lips.

You tilt your head, hesitation blatantly plastered on your face. But you know that pirates before you have sent out less reliable mates to scout ahead. You weighed the options in your head for a moment before giving the mythic creature a firm nod.

he grinned wide, his teeth glinting in the moonlight, then dived beneath the waves. His powerful tail propelled him forward as he swam towards the island. Hours passed as your dinghy finally approached the island. He resurfaced beside the dinghy, water cascading down his scales. He rested both arms on the edge of the smooth grain wood of the small ship. You give him a grateful smile as you and your crew step onto the sand of the beach and pull the dinghy ashore. The sound of the ocean swept through the air. The salt of the sea clung to your hair and clothes. The island's temperature was a scorching difference from the water, causing you to remove some layers of heavier clothing. The soft, white linen shirt that remained billowed in the wind.

The merman dragged himself onto the sand, his tail thrashing behind him. He propped himself up on his elbows and looked at you, his eyes roaming over your body appreciatively.

"The island is safe, Pirate Queen. No signs of other humans. Wildlife is abundant."

You nod firmly as you can yourself from the intense jungle heat.

“Thank you, merman. I have my gratitude.”

He watches you fan yourself, his gaze lingering on your face before he glances around the beach.

"You could offer me something more than just gratitude, Pirate Queen. Perhaps a token of your appreciation?" He asks, his voice low and husky. "Something to wear around my neck?”

Your eyes sparkle at his request. Now he was speaking your language. Doing a favor for the promise of treasure was something you always understood, even as a child. Your small smile turned to a generous grin.

“Aye. So it's treasure you be after, is it? I may have just what you want.”

You reach into a small sack attached to your hip to reveal a long, gold chain with a large aquamarine pendant dangling from the end. You hold it close to the creature's face. You watch his perfect features contort and change from pessimistic to astonishment. His eyes widen at the sight of the pendant, his pupils dilating. He reached out slowly, his claws retracting as he took the chain from you. "It's beautiful... like the sea," he whispered, his voice filled with awe. He looks back at you, his gaze intense.

He clasps the pendant around his neck, the aquamarine stone resting against his chest. He propped himself up more, his tail swishing against the tide rushing back and forth.

"Now, Pirate Queen, May I request one more reward?”

“More? Greed for treasure will only consume you, merman. Trust me.” You warn, your voice taking a more serious tone.

He leans up close to you, his clawed hand cradling the back of your head.

"A kiss. For a merman who's never known the touch of a human woman, a kiss from the legendary Pirate Queen would be worth more than any treasure." He grinned.

Your brow furrowed and a shiver traveled through your body at the feeling of his webbed fingers on the back of your neck. Your eyes locked onto his as you felt your body instinctively moving closer and closer to his mouth. You fall to your knees into the sand, your faces now inches from one another. The merman leaned down and he closed the distance, pressing his lips against yours in a firm, possessive kiss. His arms wrap around your waist, holding you close as he explores your mouth with his tongue.

“Ah, you taste even better than I imagined.” He breaks the kiss, panting slightly.

You pull back as well, only slightly with his arms still snaked around your waist. You search his face, taking in his ethereal features. The mixture of human and sea swirled around his skin like an intimate dance of creation. Your eyes had never witnessed something so unique, a living, breathing treasure.

“Let me ask you something now.” You whispered. “Do you have a name?”

He tail slaps against the wet sand, his eyes widening with excitement as he parted his lips to speak.

“Hyunjin. My name is Hyunjin.”

You repeat his name, Hyunjin as the sand hugs the two of you in a warm embrace. Hyunjin rests his forehead against yours, his eyes gleaming with curiosity and something else.

“Tell me, what's it like being a legend? Do people worship you? Fear you?”

You ponder for a moment. An intimate moment such as this was not something gifted often to a ruthless pirate like yourself.

“I suppose a bit of both. I've had men desperate to destroy me and to have me in bed.”

Hyunjin’s arms tighten around your waist possessively. He nuzzles your neck, his gills fluttering against your skin.

"Well, I want both. I want to destroy any who dare threaten you, and I want you in my bed, Pirate Queen.”

You moved in again for another kiss. You were sure what made you want to kiss him again. But the taste of him was everything that drew you to this life in the first place. He kissed you back hard. As if you would wash away with the tide if he let you go. The kiss lasted longer than the first. Soon, you heard the familiar boot stomps of your crew mates returning from the hunt. You sighed deeply and stood up from the beach, adjusting your clothes and brushing away the sand.

You helped your mates load the dinghy full of fresh fruits, wild boar and fish. You reluctantly pushed the modestly sized boat back into the ocean and hopped inside. You glanced back at the shore, hoping to see your merman, your treasure. But where the two of you once lay, there was only sand and shells. You turned your eyes back towards the horizon, rolling your shoulders and considering the fact that you may be delusional. When suddenly the recognizable sound of water slapping unevenly against wood caught your attention. You leaned over the edge quickly to see a shimmering face bobbing up out of the waves.

“Where are we off too now, Captain?” Hyunjin hummed softly.

It seemed that you had become his precious treasure as well. And he would become greedy for it.

taglist: @simply-trash5 @sugawhaaa @trixiekaulitz @chrizzztopherbang @cassidymb121 @roanns-posts @staysinbloom @yaorzu-blog @bubblebisk @cotton-candycloudz @beautyinhypnosis @domicaru @strawberry31 @slxtmeri @newhope8 @tinyelfperson @dandelions-143 @stayyyyyyyyyyyy21 @msauthor @fun-fanfics @ell0thebell @stephanieeeyang @juskz @kimahreummm @readr1221 @kayleefriedchicken @ovulatingrn @hwnglixho @darthmaddie25 @queen-in-the-shadows @itgirlalisaa @miinhoo @greyaia @chanchansgirly @skzleeknowcore @skz-smut-reader @thatisrankharry @hearts4yawnzzn @jchotch726 @cherricola-star

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xxkissesforchanniexx · 9 months ago

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𝐑𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐏𝐭 𝟐

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒂 𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆... 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

Pairing: Merman!Hyunjin x Human!fem!reader Genre: Angst kinda, Fluff🥰💖, Smut🔥❤️ Word Count: 6k Warnings: Blood, Hyunjin is missing, JYPEeeEe KING OF DA SEEEEAAAAA, challenges for king, memories of sexual scenes >.>, Hyunjin AND the kid have hallucinations, kidnapping..., RANDOM MERMAID CRAP I THOUGHT WAS COOL (heart of the sea, coral palace, etc), reunions, chan becomes king of the sea... i think that's it... sweet sex (not entirely soft...), possessive Hyunjin, JYP dies.... forgive me its for plot.

A/N: Based on this TikTok link to pt 1 AHHHHH THE LONG AWAITED PART 2 i hope you like it <3 changing the formatting of my work and page again soon >.>

"I'm trusting you to take care of them, at least until I get back..."

Chan stared at his friend, "And if you don't?"

Hyunjin sucked in a breath and looked over his shoulder at Chan, "Let her... Make her... Forget me."

"Mommy what's 2 x 2?"

"Why are you worried about multiplication right now? Sugar you can't even add your hundreds place yet." You sighed.

"Uncle Ji said it's important to start early." You child pouted.

"Uncle Ji doesn't know much about math either." You chuckled.

"I second that." Chan laughed.

"Uncle Chan." She looked at the dark haired man, "What's 2 x 2?"

You gave Chan a look.

"I'll teach you another time we should work on addition first, y'know?" The man smiled.

You smiled and looked back at your work, you had been studying a certain type of guppy for just about a month now. A type of guppy that always lingered around Hyunjin's home...

You clenched for fists as you thought about that man, his beautiful sea green eyes, his gorgeous smile, the way he held you.

The doorbell made you look up. "Chan, can you get that?"

"I got it." Chan opened the door to Changbin.

"UNCLE BINNIE!" Your child ran to the short man's arms.

He them up and spun them. "Look at my favorite kid." He smiled, "You ready to go?"

Your child grabbed her bag and dragged it to the door, waving goodbye, "I'll see you in two days Mommy. Bye bye!"

You laughed lightly and waved. "Take came of her Changbin."

"I will." He called back.

You were positive she would be fine when you heard Minho's "I'll watch them both."

You kept to your work until Chan tapped your shoulder, "You're going to die of work. Go out and do something."

"Who are you my dad?" You laughed lightly. "Fine."

You picked up your computer but Chan took it from you. "Go relax... Go for a drive, go out to eat, get your nails done. SOMETHING!"

"FINE!" You huffed, muttering a you put on your shoes and grabbed your car keys.

You drove around town for a bit, looking out at the sea, you parked by the beach and walked to the shore, taking off your shoes and sitting there on the sand.

You watched as the water lapped around your bare feet, remembering sitting here with Hyunjin, who seemed shocked that crabs could be so mean when he didn't appear like a merman. You smiled and gripped the sand between your fingers before reaching up and playing with your sun charm.

You lie back on the sand as you remembered the day you and Hyunjin sat on the beach at night, the moon was full and he was talking about his parents.

"And apparently, my dad was the most romantic guy ever. But I can't be so sure about that now."

You giggled. "Do you think I'll meet your parents?"

He looked at you. "Maybe..."

"Maybe?" You tilted your head at him.

"I'd have to make you my mate first." He smirked.

"You'd bite me?" You laughed. "Like a werewolf?"

He made a face and grabbed your face. "I'd present you to the Mother of the Sea and beg for her blessing. I'd give you all my air..." he looked into your eyes and you felt your face get hot. "And then..." He leaned in close so his lips brushed against your jaw. "I'd give you my seed."

You shoved his face and hid yours in embarrassment as he cackled.

"Is it so bad to you???!" He laughed.

"No just..." You looked at him. "You've already done 1 of those things."

He smirked. "Then let me do it again.." he took your hand into his and kissed your wrist then your arm before moving to your neck.

You blushed deeply as your remember how he'd practically dragged you under the water and done... jiendsjiok Y/n. Focus..."Hyune... Where are you?"

Uncle Changbin and Uncle Minho had taken me around all day, we went to the mall, to the park, then we went to go eat, when we finally got to Minho's place and I went to bed I smiled slightly to myself. Mommy never let me go out often.

It was late, I was staring up at the ceiling, I wonder what Daddy's doing right now... the thought of my father made me smile, I still remembered his pretty face. Mommy used to smile more then. It's been two years if I've done my math right.

I hugged my narwal plushie that he bought me the last time we went to the aquarium together. I closed my eyes and whispered softly, "Mother of Sea... bring my daddy back." And I fell asleep.

Mommy says I got my hyper awareness from Daddy. The soft sound of steps woke me up and I froze. The steps weren't near the door or in the hall. They were in the room.

My eyes focused into the darkness and I glanced around without rolling over. I tried to look like I was sleeping as the steps grew closer, was it a monster? was it the boogey man my friends at school talked about...

"Jazz hands and flash." Daddy's voice came to my mind, I was 4 then and he told me to be careful when I flared my hands out because my claws would appear...

The steps grew closer and I swallowed, should I scream for Uncle Changbin...

I should scream..

The steps were beside my bed now.

The shadow stretched over my bed, moonlight from the window pouring in.

I saw the hand reaching for me.

One...

"Deep breaths.." I sucked in a slow, steady breath.

Two...

"Jazz hands..."

Three...

"FLASH!"

I flared my hands out and my claws connected with a hard substance that made me cry out in pain and pull my hands back. The person grabbed me suddenly and I shrieked.

The door burst open and Uncle Changbin was lunging claws out. Another person flew and slammed him hard into the wall just as Uncle Minho ran for me.

My gaze locked on the corner of the room. There was a woman who looked like my mommy dressed differently, like the olden days.. I was pulled out of my window as my uncles shouted.

Something pricked my arm and then the world went dark.

It was so hot... so hot he couldn't move. The heat crushing him place almost.. He looked up as he heard the door to the chamber open.

"Time to eat." the maid said as she set the food in front of Hyunjin.

He stared at it for a long time and as he reached for it he heard a voice.

It's the food...

And he pulled back, smacking the food away with his tail and shouting. "LET ME GO!"

The maid looked at him for a moment, before she shook her head and walked away.

I struggled for a moment before I heard the voice.. her voice... "Hyunjin... it's almost time."

You stood there in shock. Chan was very quiet. Changbin winced as Jeongin dabbed at the wounds on his neck.

"It was the royal guard." Minho said softly.

You looked at the floor, squeezing your necklace...

"Why would they take her.." Chan finally spoke.

Yongbok twirled his thumbs. "How did they even know she existed?!"

Seungmin sighed. "If it's the royal guard it had to have been a roayl decree."

"HOW WOULD KING JINYOUNG HAVE EVEN KNOWN ABOUT HER THOUGH?!" Jisung shouted. "THEY COULD KILL HER!"

The boys went quiet and Chan said softly. "He's been king for a long time."

The others looked at him.

"Chan what are you thinking.." Seungmin whispered.

Chan sat up straight. "I guess I owe you all an explanation."

If there was ever a merboy King Jinyoung put effort into. That boy would be Chan. That boy who was made to be a model king, his parents were impossibly proud of him for being so close to the king. It was when he was thirteen the king really took him in. Fight like this. Kill humans like that. Humans are evil because of this.

It was when Chan met his friends things became a little different, he was freer, the group following him around as it grew, and Hyunjin... Hyunjin who told Chan first where he got his necklace... who told Chan first he felt drawn to you.. who told Chan first that the child was his.. who trusted his love and daughter to Chan.

And Chan gradually slipped away from the king of the sea. But everyone knew.. from the Arctic to the southern most sea, and all the way back again they all knew the next king of the sea was going to be Chan.

And Chan neglected his duty.

"If we're going to get her," Jisung stared at you. "You need to blend into the sea."

You pursed your lips. "Huh-"

Seungmin hummed and circled you. "An octopus or a sea horse..."

"I think she'd make a good shark woman personally." Minho said.

"I agree." Jeongin seconded.

You made a face. "Why can't I be a pretty mermaid like you guys?"

"Because," Yongbok huffed, "Not all of us look the same." He cleared his throat and glanced at Changbin, "First girlfriend had tentacles."

Changbin shouted. "SHE WAS REALLY PRETTY THOUGH!"

They all shrugged.

"Don't listen to them." Chan sighed. "I have something ready already."

They all looked at Chan.

"Watch him make her some ugly black thing-"

"Betta cross." Chan said, looking you over, "Y/N would look good as a Betta fish with a mix of mandarin... Don't you all agree?"

The boys tilted their heads at you.

"Yes." Minho said.

"Definitely." Changbin smiled.

"She'd look gorgegous." Jisung jumped.

"Stunning." Felix nodded.

Seungmin shrugged.

"I think she'd look really pretty." Jeongin agreed.

"What on earth-" You started but the men practically dragged you to your car and put you in the drivers seat, before crowding in your van.

"Drive." Chan said. "We're going to the beach."

for yall who are wondering this is a betta fish (siamese fighting fish).

Chan stared at the shore. "This brings back memories..." He exhaled slowly.

"It's now or never." Jeongin huffed, taking off his expensive human trinkets and leaving them in your car.

You stared at the sea. "If they hurt my baby. I'll dump plastic."

The boys all blinked at you in shock.

"Gimme the pill." You huffed.

Chan cleared his throat and put the pill in your hand.

The boys jumped into the water one by one and you watched as they swam away, clothes washing up to the shore.

You looked at Chan who tilted his head to the water, "After you."

You sucked in a breath and jumped into the water, shoving the pill into your mouth and gasping, watching the bubbles float to the surface before you tried to move you legs. You looked down and shrieked.

Jisung and Seungmin snickered at your reaction.

Yongbok swam around happily. "YOU'RE SO PRETTY!"

You looked at them. Chan dove into the water and you turned away as his legs became one and when you looked back, there was a dark blue tail.

He smiled. "The look suits you..."

You looked down at the big tail, sparkling scales and pretty frills waving and wafting in the current. Hyunjin would've thought it was so gorgeous..

You exhaled. "Lets go."

You followed the boys deep into the water, the coral grew larger, then you saw another merman swim by. Your eyes widened at the sight of a more merpeople, the boys weren't lying, they were all built differently. Some with octopus arms and others with shark teeth.

You pursed your lips as a merman with a striped tail in gold, brown, and black like a lionfish..

Jeongin nudged you. "He's venomous.."

You blinked a few times and nodded. "Noted."

You felt like the merpeople you passed were staring at you and suddenly you forgot how to work your tail. Could they tell you were human..?

Jisung turned and grabbed you, dragging you after the rest of the group. "You're pretty, like.. top tier mermaid princess kind of pretty.." He smiled. "It's natural for them to stare. They'd think the mother of the sea blessed you with her beauty."

You tried to assure yourself that they couldn't tell you were human.

Chan swam towards a huge rock structure and smiled at you. "The person in here is trustworthy." He motioned for you to enter.

You saw a very pretty mermaid with big black eyes her tail was gold and yellow with black spots and there was spines all over it.

"Chan... who is this pretty girl and why is this the first time I'm meeting her?" She circled you a few times and her tail swished happily. "Is she a model for me?"

"Rin-" Chan started but the mermaid lifted your arms and started using a length of something to measure you.

"Rin she's-" Seungmin tried.

"I have just the thing for you darling!" She started running off to get something but Chan grabbed her arm and dragged her back.

"She's human!" He whispered shouted.

Rin's eyes widened. "This is Hyunjin's.."

The boys nodded.

She smiled at you, much calmer than before. "I'm Rin, I'm glad to finally meet you."

"Rin." Yongbok said, "Did the royal guard bring a little human girl through?"

"They did actually." She sighed. "While you were gone King Jinyoung said he'd found the Heart of the Sea."

Chan's eyes widened. "What?"

"It's encased in something, they say the girl is the key to opening it." She looked at you. "That girl is your daughter isn't she?"

You nodded and took a few breaths trying to collect yourself.

Changbin took your hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Can you keep her h-"

"No!" You snapped, pulling away from Changbin. "I'm not staying when some 500 year old man kidnapped my daughter! No! I'm going with you!"

Chan pursed his lips. "Please... Y/N-"

"I'm going and you can't stop me." You touched your face as something behind your ears flared.

Minho hummed. "She's still pretty while she's angry."

"Fine." Chan sighed. "Hands up."

You put your hands up and he flared his hands before baring his nails at you. You jumped back on instinct as his claws appeared.

"Do it." He glared at you. "If you can't, you can't come with us."

You shrank under his condescending gaze.

"Well?" Chan raised a brow at you.

Rin swam between you two. "You're scaring her Chan."

"Stay." He told you.

"Chan that isn't fair to her-" Rin started.

"Yea-" Jeongin started.

The appendages behind Chan's ears flared and he shouted. "She stays. That's final."

The boys and Rin all went quiet.

"Let's go." Chan huffed, swimming out.

The boys looked at you and swam after him, Yongbok smiled at you. "We'll get her back.."

Hyunjin tugged at the chains. He pulled and pulled until his wrists went raw.

"Food time." the maid entered and the heat from the bubbling hydrothermal vents calmed somewhat.

Hyunjin looked at her. "What's happening up there... It's loud."

"The king has found the key to the Heart of the Sea. The sacrifice is in two days time." She said as she set the food down. "I suggest you stop struggling, by the time you get out that half human brat will be dead."

Hyunjin's eyes widened. "If you scum touch her-" Hyunjin tuggd at his chains with all his might and he felt them shift in the sand.

"What will you do?" a voice said behind the maid.

She quickly bowed and excused herself.

Jinyoung stared down at Hyunjin. "I'm going to restore the Merman empire. And when I do, merpeople like you will stop existing."

Hyunjin's eyes narrowed. "You're a monster."

"A monster who cares for his people. And if I have to kill a few humans to reach my goal... So be it."

Hyunjin tore from his chains and vaulted for Jinyoung.

The older merman was stronger than he looked, throwing Hyunjin hard against the rock of the dungeon.

Hyunjin's vision blurred as he slumped to the floor. He saw a luminescent something before he felt the sting and his vision went dark.

Jinyoung stared at the almost diamond casing of the heart of the sea. He looked at the child sleeping in the bubble, it resembled Hyunjin so much.

He held the dagger Chan and his friends had recovered. This was for his people..

"Your highness." a servant entered and bowed, "Chan is here."

"Send him in." Jinyoung covered the child with the seaweed curtains and turned as Chan entered the room.

"My king." Chan bowed.

"Chan, please."

Chan looked up and locked eyes with him. "It's been almost two years since Hyunjin disappeared..."

"A tragedy really." Jinyoung swam to the wall of his study and traced the shelf.

"He had a lover." Chan said softly. "A lover I promised to protect.. and he had a child a child I'd give my life for."

Jinyoung turned eyes wide, the appendages behind his ears flaring. "That half human bastard child!"

"She is not a bastard child!" Chan's eyes narrowed. "In 2 days the moon will be full and at its strongest, the tides low, the fish will move for the coast. The Coral Palace will be accessible. If we have the Heart of the Sea."

"So what?" Jinyoung glared at Chan... This boy can't read through me.

"The Mother of the Sea blesses one. One person to harness the Heart of the Sea." Chan looked at the seaweed curtain, "And Hyunjin's daughter is missing."

"What' the point of all this? You want me to search for a mista-"

"No." Chan moved so fast, Jinyoung barely saw him before Chan's claws were at his throat. "I challenge you."

"Chan!" Minho and Yongbok came around the corner just in time to see it. Their eyes went wide.

"Park Jinyoung. I, Bang Christopher Chan, challenge you to be King of the Sea." Chan said coldly.

Jinyoung stared at him for a long moment. "I accept.."

You sat with Rin talking about the quality of her clothes.

"But really..." she sighed looking at you. "You shouldn't mind it."

"Don't mind what?" You raised a brow.

"How Chan talks to you..."

You looked at her. "Of course I shou-"

"Chan is going to be the next king one day. Simply by being in contact with you, he's risking his future." She said quietly. "By hiding the secret about your daughter for so long... He's risking his life."

Your eyes widened slightly. "So.."

"He's mean sometimes but it's because he cares.." she smiled, "So don't let that get to you."

You nodded, looking at your hands. "I'm just worried about C/n.. and Hyunjin.."

Rin smiled and took your hand in hers. "It'll be okay..."

She spoke too soon.

"RIN!" Minho entered the coral building with such speed he was dragging bubbled behind him, eyes wide and frantic with fear. "Chan challenged the king!"

He opened his eyes again... he felt so tired.. His sea green eyes looked over the hydrothermal vents and he tugged at his chains. He'd broken free before.. why couldn't he now?

He felt something.. something.

Turn. Hyunjin turn your damn head. He turned his head with so much effort and he saw it. The jellyfish that had stung him. He sucked in a breath and exhaled, how the hell did he let this happen.

"SHIT!" He shouted as he realized what would happen. He pulled at his chains. Y/N, C/N, Chan, Changbin, Yongbok, Jeongin EVERYONE!

Hyunjin pulled at the chains one last time before giving up.

He sank to the floor and grit his teeth as he remembered the last time he'd seen you.

"You'll come back right?" You looked up at him with the saddest look in your eyes.

"Of course I'll come back.. when haven't I?"

And how you'd kissed him as if it was the last time you ever would.

Hyunjin screamed and pulled at the chains again, he looked up at a little ball of light in the distance and somehow he saw you... No.. not you.. but you.. dressed in something so much like the old days hundreds of years ago.

"The Heart of the Sea is here... it's been waiting on you."

By the time you got to the arena area Chan was in the sand, the man he was fighting, who you assumed was Jinyoung, was beating the crap out of him. The other people watched with sad expressions as Chan got punched again..

You swam to the closest place you could to see. "CHAN!"

Minho tried to move over the coral railing as King Jinyoung's claws emerged, but Changbin held him back.

"He's going to kill him!" You shouted.

Jisung grabbed you around your waist and held you back. "That's how the challenge works... the one who lives is king..."

You stared with wide scared eyes as blood swirled into the water. "Chan.."

You tried to pull away from Jisung as Jinyoung released Chan and stood straight. Chan lie there in the sand, blood curling up into the water. Was he dead... Chan... dead?

Something in you snapped and you tore from Jisung's arms with alarming force.

This man. This King of the Sea. He'd kidnapped your daughter. He'd destroyed your peace. He'd forced Hyunjin to go back to the ocean. He'd hurt Chan.

You tore through the water, seeing red, you felt numb. There was nothing but this Jinyoung. This monster.

You raised your hands on instinct and felt your nails shifting on your skin before you really saw red. Your barbed claws buried themselves in Jinyoung's chest just as the royal guards swam for you, just as Chan sprung back up, just as the crowd screamed and a messenger shouted over the arena... "THE SEA DEVIL IS FREE!"

Hyunjin woke up in a bed. It wasn't soft by any means but he wasn't complaining, a familiar warmth was pressed to his chest and he smiled as he held her tighter pressing his nose against he head, the familiar scent filled his nostrils.

He opened his an eye and smiled at you. He barely noticed the sheets looked different.. how strange they felt, he heard something and tensed.

"What is it?" You looked up at him.

"Nothing.." He lied. "Go back to sleep." He got up from the bed, and stepped on to wood flooring. His brows furrowed as he realized... this floor wasn't the one in your house.

He went to the door and felt something looming over it as he opened the door and walked into the hall, the chairs in different rooms looked old... and he saw it... a baby crib... His eyes widened, that wasn't..

The sound of the front door opening made him turn with such speed he could have cracked his neck.

"The oceanic beast is here!" Someone shouted.

Hyunjin turned to run back to your bedroom but someone grabbed him and he shouted, "Y/N!"

He heard you scream as you were dragged from your bedroom.

Hyunjin saw red and before he could stop himself he spun from the people holding him and slashed their throats, Lunging for the men holding you. Heavy metal chains fell around him and he was pulled back baring his claws.

You shook your head, tears streaming down your face.

And Hyunjin stopped struggling.

He let the people drag him away...

From where he was chained in the village square he'd seen you multiple times, but you were always with someone, they always kept you away... and one night he heard something and looked up.

The moon was full and he saw his people storming the village..

You came running to him, and as you tried to unshackle his chains he stared with wide eyes as a long dagger, tore through you. "Y/N!"

Your grip on his chains slackened and Hyunjin tore away from where he was held about to lunge for the person but he froze. It was a boy... a merboy, no older than 16.

"Human devils and Sea devils are the banes of this world. You should die!" The boy shouted.

And as he opened his mouth to shout a human sword ran him through.

"You can't let the past repeat itself..."

He looked up at you. Or what looked like you.

"You have to go now..."

"But-"

"Hyunjin..." You leaned to him and kissed him gently. "Give me your air."

Hyunjin screamed and tore his chains from the ground, swimming to the stalactite edge of his enclosure and pounding on it before he slammed into it and the rock crumpled. He swam up frantically towards light, and surfaced in the remnants of the Coral Palace.

He stared around for a long time. Then his ear appendages twitched and he turned in the direction of the New Palace.

Jinyoung held his chest and stumbled back. His eyes widening at the sight of you. "HUMAN!"

The crowd gasped and Chan stood in front of you, defensively, "She's trustworthy-"

"NO HUMAN IS TRUSTWORTHY! ARREST HER!"

"Your highness, the moon-" A frantic servant tried to say but Jinyoung pushed him aside and swam for the palace.

Guards circled you and Chan as the others tried to get to you and the crowd began to panic.

"UP!" Chan grabbed you and slammed his tail hard, sending you shooting upwards before he released you and began to swim as fast as he could.

You followed before you looked back. "I can't.."

Chan looked at you. "Y/n! We need to go!"

"Chan..." You breathed before turning back to the palace. "She's all I have."

Before he could stop you, you swam around the guards and followed Jinyoung into the palace. You followed the merman as he swerved through the palace and then you finally caught up to him as he stopped in front of a seaweed curtain.

"JINYOUNG!"

He pulled out a bubbled and turned to you. Inside the bubble was.. your daughter..

The artifact Hyunjin had stolen from the museum in his other hand. "With this dagger... Mother of the Sea... Bless the Heart! And devour Man."

You screamed as he raised the dagger. "NO!" You swam for him but something was faster, grabbing Jinyoung and slashing his face. He dropped the bubble and you dove for it. Looking up, you stared in shock at the familiar figure. "Hyunjin.."

"You want the heart..." he said lowly, raking his claw over his palm, blood coiled from the wound into the water as Hyunjin grabbed a crystal locked object.

You stared at it. Jin-young sprang up to attack Hyunjin but something slowed him...

Hyunjin gripped the crystal and shouted. "COME GET IT!"

And it shattered.

Jin-young stared at him. "This can't be... You're not- You can't- You... You love that HUMAN! You're not one of us! TRAITOR! LIAR! DEVIL!"

Hyunjin tossed the crystal to the ground before staring a beautiful blue pearl.

"This... is for 500 years ago." Hyunjin grabbed the dagger from the floor and stabbed the pearl.

Jin-young screamed and lunged for him but Chan swam past you and grabbed the shrieking king. "Your dynasty is over."

Hyunjin's brows furrowed before he swam and covered your eyes. And yet you couldn't mistake the sound of Jin-young's neck breaking.

It took several hours to get everything handled with your daughter as she couldn't believe Hyunjin was back. Chan was going to recover and the planning of a formal coronation was under way. It was early the next morning, when you finally got home, settling your daughter into bed. But now you had questions.

"Where were you.." you whispered as you returned your home.

Hyunjin looked at you. "Jinyoung ordered me to return and kept me when I tried to leave. He... he imprisoned me in the Coral Palace and I saw... you..."

You looked into his eyes. "You were gone. I thought you-"

Hyunjin remembered what he begged Chan to do and bit his plump lip.

"I thought you left us." You whispered.

Hyunjin fell from the couch on his knees in front of you. "No... Jagiya no..." he breathed. "I would never."

You felt the tears welling in your eyes as he took your hands in his. "I'm sorry... you've been struggling and I just-"

"No. Don't apologize. I.. I should've figured out something-"

"You were in a dungeon, I was just here and-" the tears started streaming down your face before you could stop them. "C/n would ask where you were and I wouldn't know what to say.."

Hyunjin took your face in his hands and shushed you, wiping your tears. "You did amazing..." He whispered. "You are amazing.."

You looked into his pretty green eyes as you tried to control your tears. "I missed you.."

He smiled gently and leaned to press his forehead against yours. "I'm here... I'm finally back... And I'm never going to go again.."

You kissed him softly. He held you against him, pushing his tongue past your lips and sighing as he tasted you for the first time in so long. "Let me..." He breathed.

"What..." You exhaled.

"Make you mine. I want you to meet my parents." He muttered. "But first-"

You didn't let him finish his sentence before you pounced on him.

Your lips were molded to his in a desperate heated kiss as you ran your fingers through his long hair. He muttered against your lips "I love you so much..." as he lifted you, hands firmly on your butt with your legs wrapped around his waist.

He carried you to your bedroom, lip never leaving yours as he set you down on the bed, leaning into you, pulling your shirt over your head as you worked at his pants. He smiled against your lips after he pulled the shirt off you, "Shit, I missed this.."

You gasped as his lips moved to your throat and he bit gently at the skin before kissing and licking at your chest as you mewled softly.

He lifted you and unclipped your bra before taking your of your nipples into his mouth. He groaned as you pulled off his pants just enough to palm at his cock through his boxers. He moved lower kissing at your stomach before kneeling as he pulled your pants and panties off, looking up at you past your breasts. His eyes met yours, pupils blown wide with desire.

His green eyes trailed to your pussy before he leaned in and kissed your clit gently before giving it gentle licks.

You whined and grabbed at his hair.

"Shh.." He hummed, "I've got you pretty thing." He took one of your hands in his and your fingers intertwined as he began licking and sucking at your clit.

You tugged at his hair and gasped, "Hyunjin-"

He groaned into your womanhood, the vibrations sending sparks down your spine before he pushed a long finger into you. You moaned at the stretch and Hyunjin hummed.

"You missed me filling your pretty pussy?" he whispered as he moved his finger in and out green eyes admiring the way your slick coated the digit, before he pushed in another.

You gasped as he curled his fingers to rub your g-spot. He fingered you faster, grinding his palm against your clit, you moaned louder as you felt the familiar knot tightening in you gut. Hyunjin moved up and kissed you moaning as you pulled his hair.

Hyunjin released your hand and took his hand to your clit, rubbing in figure 8 motions as you moaned.

"Cum for me, baby.." He whispered.

And the knot inside you snapped, you jerked as your vision went white and Hyunjin continued fingering you stretching your orgasm thin.

He pulled away and drew his fingers out slowly, admiring your slick as he licked his fingers clean, groaning at your taste. He pulled his shirt and pants off, dragging the boxers as well before grabbing your legs and dragging you to the edge of the bed.

He looked down in you eyes as he took his shaft into his hand, rubbing the tip against you slit and slapping it against your clit. You whimpered and he smiled as he pushed into you before leaning over you.

You both moaned as he sank into your tight heat.

"I love you so much..." he breathed, kissing you as he pulled out. He pushed in slowly and the kiss swallowed your moans as he repeated the motion, pushing into you over and over. He pulled away to look into your eyes before he stood to his full height and grabbed your hips.

You gasped as he began fucking into you roughly, desperately, even, as if you might disappear, as if he were dreaming. You moaned as his cock reached deep inside you, brushing your cervix.

"I missed you so much... I thought you'd forgotten me... moved on.. given yourself to someone else." He groaned and and wrapped your legs around his waist, moving you up on the bed and slowing his thrusts. "This is mine.." He kissed your hand,"mine." he kissed your stomach, "mine..." he the valley between your breasts, "mine.." he kissed your lips, "mine. You are mine.." He slammed into you so hard it knocked the air out of your lungs and the bed creaked.

"Hyunjn-" You reached to hold onto him and he took your hand again, kissing your palm as he started pounding into you again, his eyes glazed over and distant but at the same time so focused on you and only you.

You the human he learned to trust. You the girl he used to think about all the time. You the girl who seemed to be everywhere he was. You the only woman he would ever love. You his human.. the mother of his child.. his savior.. you.. the Heart of the Sea.

"I'm not leaving you again... never.." he breathed as he moved faster. "'M going to stay for our little family.. for you." He leaned down and kissed you, muffling your cries as he picked up the pace. "I'm going to cum..."

You gasped and whined as you felt the knot building in you again. "Me too.."

He licked two fingers and brought them to your clit. "Come on jagiya, you can give me one more baby..." He rubbed furiously. "Please he whined and you came again, pussy clenching tightly on Hyunjin.

He moaned and grit his teeth as he came as well. His hips bucked to yours as he released load after load into you before falling over you, holding himself up with his forearms.

You pulled him down to you, his head resting on your bare chest, sweat slicked bodies pressed together and you whispered, running your hand through his damp hair, "I love you, Hyune... Welcome home.."

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@asahisimpnation

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dreaming-medium · 4 months ago

Text

Animals Without Direction

Chapter Forty: Mortal's Touch

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Masterlist

WARNING: CHAPTER CONTAINS GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF TORTURE.

“We are going to try a different approach, little mouse,” Allerick’s rough voice reaches your ears. You can barely hear him over your own heartbeat hammering away in your skull as if it resides there.

A fistful of your hair is yanked upwards and your limbs scramble to meet the movement. Your mangled ankle screams in agony. The bones aren’t healing right.

Unceremoniously, you’re dragged to the middle of the cell. Allerick’s hold on your hair is the only thing that’s really keeping you standing. The muscles in your legs are no longer strong enough to keep you upright on their own.

“Skye, bind her hands to the ceiling. I have an idea.”

Up until about three hours ago, all the torture that you were being put through was at Seungmin’s command. It was your typical torture methods: punches, whips, waterboarding, choking, everything under the sun.

Three days of non-stop torture have plummetted your mind into a headspace you’re not sure if you’ll ever come out of. All you know is pain and suffering anymore.

Just like Seungmin had begged you, you had come up with tiny, fake pieces of information to tell to them, acting as if it’s real. But it was nothing even remotely useful.

When Allerick had grilled you on the whereabouts of camps on Miroh’s northern border, you had told him the name of one farm nowhere near any of Miroh’s forces.

It was the only thing your mind could come up with in its pain-swallowed haze. You’re not even sure if it’s the name of a real farm.

What did you call it again? Oak…? Oak Frost…? Gods, you hope they don’t ask you to repeat it again. Did Allerick even believe you when you had said it the first time?

Seungmin walks towards you with a large bundle of rope in his hands.

Both of the men were sweating and disheveled from the hours upon hours of interrogation they’ve been putting you and Hyunjin through. The top buttons of Seungmin’s tunic are undone and his shirt is untucked from his trousers.

Sweat has his hair sticking to his forehead which he keeps pushing off his face, only for it to come down and stick to his skin once more.

He grabs your wrists and ties you to a hook hanging from the ceiling. Your entire body feels like it somehow weighs a thousand pounds despite your emaciated state. Not that you would be able to stand on your ankle anyway. When Allerick releases your body and they both stand back, your head falls forward and the binds are the only thing keeping you up now.

Your shoulders already feel sore. The rope digs into your wrists. Your bare feet barely touch the ground.

It feels like you’re no more than a prized pig hanging in the back of a butcher shop.

Allerick walks over towards Hyunjin, his hand reaches out and he yanks him up by the shirt collar and throws him into a wooden chair about five feet away from your hanging body.

“I have come to a realization,” he says, moving around Hyunjin’s body and bringing his wrists behind the chair and binding them. “Obviously, the two of you are much stronger than we anticipated.”

The mage is just as broken as you are.

Truthfully, you don’t know how either of you are still alive. You also don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse that you’re not dead yet.

Hyunjin looks up and meets your eyes with his. His skin is gaunt and looks paper thin, his pupils seem to be permanently dilated. His chest moves slowly as his lungs try to take in oxygen.

The two of you just stare at one another.

He’s your only comfort in this pocket dimension of the Void.

Yes, Seungmin is here; and he slips you food and water when no one is looking, he comes down to your cell in the wee hours of the morning to treat your wounds in ways that no one will notice.

But only Hyunjin knows what you’re going through. So, when your eyes meet, wordless conversations take place each time. Silent support is conveyed just through weak blinks.

“But everyone has a weak spot,” Allerick growls. He slowly walks over to the cell door, wiping the sweat off of his brow. He leans forward and murmurs something to the guard on the other side of the bars before turning back towards you.

Under normal circumstances, you probably would have been able to hear what he said, but not anymore. Now, everything sounds like someone has their hands over your sensitive ears. There’s always a faint ringing in them as well, slowly driving you mad.

“I believe I figured something out.” Suddenly, Allerick’s voice is even deeper, even more evil sounding. You didn’t even know it was possible for him to become scarier than he is at this moment.

Seungmin moves just as slowly, standing behind you. He’s so close, you can feel his hot exhales on your clammy skin. When you try to swallow, it feels like sandpaper and an involuntary whimper comes from your lips.

A large hand winds through your hair and roughly yanks your head backwards. An even louder whine of pain comes out of your mouth. At the same time, cold metal presses against your neck. You don’t even need to see it to know it’s a dagger.

At the same time, you hear Hyunjin suck in a large gasp of air through his teeth.

Allerick’s voice comes from directly next to your ear. “See that?” he rasps. His hot breath fans over your cheek and you want to recoil, but your muscles won't listen. “I know not why I did not see this sooner.”

Seungmin shifts from his spot next to you, moving around to stand more in front of you.

The gears of your mind try to spin, but the cogs wont lock. What is he talking about? What weak spot? You’re sure you don’t have one. At least, not one that you’ve made known.

Behind you, the cell door opens and Allerick clicks his tongue once. His hand in your hair tightens more and more, causing you to wince and hiss.

“Watch the mage,” Allerick instructs Seungmin.

After he says that, he presses the dagger into the skin of your neck more and more. The pressure gets greater and greater until you feel it pierce your skin and blood trickles down your throat.

Weakly, you whine in pain and try to squirm away from him, but to no avail.

It’s a sharp, searing pain. No matter how many wounds they inflict on your body, they all hurt so badly. There has been no getting used to the sensations, everything just hurts. Your body feels so achy everywhere, it just amplifies the agony.

Gasps fill the air as you try to recoil.

Hyunjin’s voice breaks through the haze. “Stop.. stop !” he croaks. His voice is so different from what you remember. In your memories it’s melodic and smooth, like he’s somehow talking in script. But now, his voice is no more than a boot scraping over cobblestone.

A dark chuckle hits your ear.

The dagger is taken away from your neck and you let out a shaky breath. The blood drips down your skin, down past the collar of your tunic and smears onto your bruised skin.

“Our little mouse may not have a weakness. But the mage does.”

Seungmin shifts in the corner of your eye.

The heat from Allerick’s body disappears for a moment and he walks around behind you. His boots thud dully on the stone floor.

“I heard something interesting, little mouse,” he starts. “About two months ago, you had a run in with a few of our scouts just over the border into Miroh’s territory, no? You and the Court Diplomat.”

He’s talking about the incident with you and Jisung.

A dull ache rips through your leg at the memory of being stabbed and poisoned. Flashes of Felix drawing the poison out of your body flick through your mind like phantoms. The burning pain that tore through your veins was one of the worst pains you’ve ever experienced.

The rogue stays silent, watching your face carefully and then looking over at Allerick, waiting to hear him speak.

“When other scouts found the bodies, they noticed a particular dagger on the ground. An Erban dagger. We thought nothing of it.” Closer and closer, he steps towards you. “Then, an inside source says that Jarl Bang’s Mercenary suffered a near death injury. A stab to the thigh with a poison dagger. Now, even a fool can put those pieces together.”

A moment of silence rings through the cell. Condensation drips from the ceiling down into a puddle.

Allerick steps forward into your field of view. His hand reaches out and grabs your chin with a shockingly gentle grasp. Still, you flinch away from him.

He sucks his teeth and guides your eyes to meet his.

Oh, those eyes. Those beautiful eyes. They used to hold so much love and compassion. They used to glint in the sunlight when he sparred with you on those warm June afternoons. Whenever your stance would slip and the weight of the sword would carry you in a circle, his hearty laughter used to make you giggle with him.

“I taught you better than to leave weapons around, poisoned or not,” he scolds you. His tone is so soft, it’s just like you remember. “How could you be so foolish, little mouse? A simple stab wound? You know better.”

A memory flashes through your mind. The day that he taught you how to parry. The two of you were outside the entire day.

That same day, the baker was testing a new recipe that he just couldn’t perfect. He gave you and Allerick all of his attempts. Countless dozens of sweetbreads were eaten that day.

From all the sugar, you both stayed in the yard until the moon was high in the sky.

“I taught you better than to let your guard down like that.”

You’ve shed so many tears in the last few weeks. Tears of sorrow, pain, exhaustion, anguish.

But the ones welling up in your eyes right now? They’re tears of heartbreak.

Allerick pauses for a moment, his eyes scanning over yours, watching as your tear ducts fill. Something flashes across his face for a moment, something completely unreadable. His nose twitches and his eyes seem to shake.

His grip on your chin falters for a moment and then he takes a step to the side, clearing his throat thickly.

“How did that wound feel, little mouse?” he whispers. “Burned, aye?”

Weakly, you nod, using every ounce of strength you have to keep your head up.

Allerick nods in agreement, circling around your body. “There is one thing about Elves that is just so… obnoxious . One thing that bothers me more than the rest. Do you know what that is, Skye?”

“Nay,” Seungmin responds immediately. “What?”

There’s a flash of movement and you feel a quick, paper-cut like pain slice at your cheek. A hiss of breath sucks through your teeth and you flinch away from it. A hand grabs your chin, fingers pressing into your cheeks.

“Watch,” Allerick grumbles.

After a few seconds, the pain is gone.

“Look how fast the dagger ears heal.” His voice is low. “It is not fair. Now is it?”

“Nay,” Seungmin repeats.

Allerick releases your face and walks around behind you. “Erbus noticed this problem long ago. It was not until recently that we came up with a… solution .” He chuckles. “I have heard my men refer to it by a few different names. ‘The Equalizer’, 'Ralios’ Remedy’, ‘Void Toxin’...”

Seungmin sucks in a quiet breath. Hyunjin’s eyes widen. Both of them are looking behind you. Fear courses through your body and makes your heart skip a beat.

The poison. The poison!

“My favorite by far has been ‘Mortal’s Touch’.” Allerick walks slowly behind you until he comes around, standing right in front of you, blocking your view of Hyunjin. His gaze travels all over your face in a way that makes your skin crawl.

“Because that is what it does, little mouse. It makes you just like us. Just like us mortals. You know, the ones your entire kind like to look down upon?”

Allerick holds up a small bottle, the tincture is completely black. A sharp shiver runs down your spine just looking at the vile liquid. Even in your exhausted state, you recoil; your body moves away from it, driven by pure fear and the phantom memory of the pain it put you through.

“Our alchemists really outdid themselves with this, I have to say. In small amounts it only stunts an Elf’s healing abilities. But in larger doses, like the one you received, little mouse, it is absolutely lethal.” He snickers and then, after a moment, lets out a sigh. “I have heard the burning pain is insurmountable.”

A small, terrified whine comes from your body as you continue to hold your body away from the little bottle. You look like a caged animal with the way you’re shrinking away from it.

“Would you like to know who we tried it on first?” Allerick looks at you, then turns to Hyunjin, then back to you again. “Bang sent a messenger with his measly declaration of war.”

Your heart drops through the floor.

That poor little boy. He was so broken and bruised that not even Felix could fix him. That.. That ooze that was coming from his wounds. The poison that drove Felix mad… It was Mortal’s Touch.

Again, you feel another crack spider web in your heart thinking about that young Elf.

“How ironic that you were the second victim.” An evil snicker comes from his lips.

The air in the room feels so hot despite it being the dead of winter. A few days ago, you thought that the cold was going to be the death of you. Now, sweat drips down your back and drenches your tunic, making it stick to your body.

“It is such a shame, you know.” Allerick’s free hand comes up and cups your cheek. You desperately try to move out of his grasp, your eyes wide and your body trembling. “To have survived this poison, you must be so much stronger than I thought…”

His look turns wistful, like he’s remembering old times. “I had hope when I heard you were the one we captured, little mouse. I had thought that maybe… just maybe I could convince you to come back to Erbus, come back home and join us. How wonderful would it have been to have you by my side again…”

After shaking his head, he continues. “It would have been like old times… I would have taught you all the new techniques they taught me in the Jarl’s guard. We could have taken on the world together…”

His eyes darken as his chin dips and he bares his teeth. Suddenly, his grip gets tighter and tighter, his fingers digging into the delicate skin on your cheek. “Now imagine how I felt when I learned the truth about you. It made me sick to my stomach to learn that my little mouse is nothing but a filthy, rotten, vile little creature.” With each word, his voice gets louder and his nails begin to dig into your skin.

Hissing, your neck cranes away from his hand but it's to no avail, his grip is too tight.

“You were perfect, Y/N. Absolutely perfect, you rotten thing! You wasted my time… my resources… my gold. All for naught on a fucking Elf. ”

His words hurt more than his grasp.

More tears prick at your eyes. It’s like a knife is being continuously plunged through your chest.

“Do you know how many days I gave you my meals instead of eating them myself? I sacrificed my own health for a disgusting little creature. Your kind truly is nothing but scum.”

He takes another step closer to you. “I wanted to come back. I desperately wanted to come back to recruit you, Y/N, I did. But I guess Ralios was looking over me since he made sure I did not return to that dank little village.”

“Allerick…” you croak out with a sniffle.

His hand reels back and just as quickly as it left, a sharp punch is thrown right into your jaw. Your head snaps to the side as pain blossoms across your skull.

If you let out a cry, you don’t hear it over the cracking of your own heart.

“Do not say my name,” he mutters darkly. “Do not ever let it grace past your lips again.”

The tears fall down your cheeks and a sob wracks your chest. Allerick laughs.

“Cry all you want, little mouse. It does not erase who you are or what you stole from me,” he growls and throws another punch directly into your gut. It’s a miracle your stomach doesn’t empty onto the floor. “I could have taken any one of the street urchins under my wing, but I chose you! You rotten fucking liar!”

Another punch to the face and this time you’re sure you let out a wail.

You’re not even sure what hurts more, hearing him finally let out the words you knew he was thinking or the punches that he’s landing on your already brittle and broken body.

“I treated you like you were my daughter! My sister! My little protege!”

This isn’t even torture. There’s no question for you to answer to make this attack stop.

“Nothing but a criminal! Scum! Trying to blend in with society! Trying to mask who you are!”

If it wasn’t for the ropes, you would be a heap on the floor. But they’re painfully keeping you upright to receive every single one of his blows.

His knuckles are red.

Whose blood is it? Yours or his?

What does it matter?

His fist pulls back and before he can swing again, another hand stops it.

“Enough!” Seungmin roars, shoving Allerick away from you. “This is not helping anyone!”

Allerick’s expression shifts dramatically, going from rage to surprise, then back to plain, evil malcontent. He clears his throat and wipes his hand off on his already ruined tunic.

He then shoves off Seungmin and grabs a dagger from his belt, popping open the tincture while keeping his eyes on you.

Sobs continuously tear through your chest. They’re deep, coming from some hidden, locked away part of your soul. When your head hangs down, the tears no longer flow down your cheeks, they fall right off your face and onto the floor.

There was always some hope in the back of your mind that you would run into Allerick again one day. In your imagination, it was always at a tavern.

You would be sitting at the bar with a mug of ale, perhaps chatting with a companion or another patron when you would feel a warm hand clasp your shoulder. Then, when you turned your head, you would be greeted with a brilliant smile and a–

“Little mouse,” Allerick growls, bringing you back to reality. “I think it is time we finally got some answers.”

His fingers move to put a few drops of Mortal’s Touch on his dagger.

Whimpers and whines of fear and panic come tumbling from your lips. “N-No…” you cry desperately pulling on the ropes around your wrists. “No, please!”

It’s like you can feel the burning in your leg once more. Suddenly, you’re back in Miroh on the dining table, all of your limbs held down to the wood while you scream for mercy.

“No!” you cry as Allerick steps forward towards you. “No, no, no! Get away from me!” Your legs scramble for purchase on the floor, but you can barely find a grip. Every ounce of weight you put on your ankle makes the bone feel like it’s breaking all over again.

Behind him, Seungmin’s eyes widen and all the color drains from his face.

In all the time that you’ve been in this cell, never once have you begged for mercy. Never once have you so much as pleaded for them to leave you alone. To stop.

But the very sight of this poison has you turning into a little girl crying out for her mother.

His entire body shifts for a second and he has to take a step backwards to catch himself. Your begging and pleading is affecting him more than he should let on.

“No! No! Please!” you wail. Your voice doesn’t even sound like you, you’re so broken. “M-Mercy!”

“We are well past mercy now, rat.” Allerick goes around behind you and grabs a fistful of your tunic, pulling it up to reveal your emaciated abdomen. He brings the dagger around you and holds it against your stomach. “Besides–”

The blade is so cold it feels like it’s burning into your skin.

“My questions are not for you, anymore. They are for the mage.”

Hyunjin’s eyes, which have not left your face, widen even more. You watch the panic settle into his features and he weakly tugs against his binds in the chair.

Oh . It’s come to this.

“Your fellow Elf here is going to tell us where your northern camp is or else–” His sentence ends with him turning the blade and holding the sharp edge against your skin. You let out a startled yelp.

“No! No! No, please! Please! By the S-Six!”

Hyunjin’s mouth drops open and he shakes his head. “N-No.. I… I…”

“No? Very well.”

Without waiting another second, Allerick cuts a wound across your abdomen, right below your belly button.

The pain is instant.

It’s searing, burning, excruciating. It shoots right down your legs.

The veins in your neck pop out as you scream at the top of your lungs. The sheer volume makes your own ears hurt. It echoes down the halls of the prison and shakes some of the dust off the stones.

“Y/N!” Hyunjin calls out with a sob. His body folds in half as he leans forward as much as his binds will allow him.

It’s like fire is injected into your veins. It’s just as fucking horrible as you remember. It hurts just as bad as every memory of that day.

“Stop! Stop!” Hyunjin pleads. Tears begin streaming down his face as his own veins pop out of his neck from straining against the ropes.

“Let us try again, mage! Where is the northern camp?!” Allerick screams over your wails, moving the dagger down right under the first wound which is oozing blood.

Instead of answering, Hyunjin only lets out a loud cry of anguish. Allerick doesn’t wait again, he slashes right across your body once more.

This scream is just as loud as the first once, if not louder. They sound the same as they did that night when you thought you were going to shatter all the windows in Miroh’s Keep. Except this time you don’t have Chan’s hand running through your hair, whispering that everything is going to be okay.

After a few seconds, another gash is ripped into your skin just above the first one.

This time, you don’t have Jisung and Seungmin holding down your legs while yelling out comforting words as the poison was removed from your body.

It feels like your vocal chords are going to collapse after the next wound is inflicted. The poison infected blood flows down your stomach and leaks into the other wounds, ripping them open over and over again every second.

This time, there’s no Minho holding down your wrists and gazing at you with more concern than you’ve ever seen on his face.

Bile rises in your throat after the next wound and you throw your head forward just in time for it to flow onto the floor at your feet. The word ‘pain’ doesn’t even feel like enough to describe what you’re feeling.

This time, you don’t have Felix– lovely, sweet, adoring Felix, working harder than he has in his life to make sure that you survive. No one is here in this godless cell.

Are you even screaming anymore? All your brain knows is pain, pain, pain.

Your vision goes from blurry, to white, to black, to clear over and over again while you scream to the high heavens.

Every soul in Olera must hear you at this rate.

“ Where is the camp, mage?! ” Allerick screams at Hyunjin who lets out his own cry of anger, frustration, and mental anguish.

Another gash is slashed across your stomach and you swear that you feel a snap in your throat. The taste of iron floods your mouth and your screams no longer carry the same volume.

Your wrists feel as though they’re on fire from the ropes digging into them.

In a split moment, you manage to capture a glimpse of Seungmin who seems to have slumped against the wall, leaning all his weight on one arm as he looks down at the floor. The other hand is covering his ear.

Make it stop, please! Make it stop! Make this end!

Why can’t you just die already?

“ HOLLYPOND FARM! ” Hyunjin’s voice is raw, stripped bare of any emotions other than anguish. You’ve never heard anything like it in your life.

The dagger does not cut you again.

Instead, it cuts the ropes that you hung from.

Your body collapses to the ground like no more than a sack of dirt. You never thought you’d see the day where you’d be relieved to have your head crack against stone.

------------------------------------------

You’re already crying before you wake up.

There is no combination of words you can put together that accurately describe the agony you feel.

If you were to be tied and roasted over a spitfire, you’re sure it would hurt less than this.

Your body is trembling and cries are tearing your horribly sore throat.

And despite all the woe, there’s a warmth wrapped around you. Instead of cold cobblestone, your back seems to be pressed against something soft and equally as shaky as you are.

It’s not until hands very gently run down your arms that you realize you’re laying against another body.

“Ne minuial tôl lû… Ir tirich er-'îl gelair awarthannen…” Hyunjin’s trembling voice whispers in your ear. His exhales fan over your ear. “Ir in-elenath gwennin… I 'îl thinna, i amar ú-dhartha…”

It’s been so long since you’ve heard Old Elvish. The language was almost dead at this point. Most Elves didn’t even speak it anymore. You only recognize it since your dad knew a bit.

He would sing Elvish lullabies to you when nightmares plagued your dreams.

On the edge of the bed, he would sit there and comb his fingers through your hair while the low timbre of his voice would soothe any fear in your mind.

Much like Hyunjin is doing now. Somehow, hearing the language sends a calming wave over your broken body.

“Am man darthon a linnon… Nu galad hen fireb?” He sniffles and huffs. He’s crying. Against your back, you can feel just how much he’s quivering.

The palms of his hands begin to warm up, a tingling sensation running over your skin. It’s not unpleasant, not at all. Especially not when all you’ve known for the past weeks is anguish.

“Eirien vi elenyr. Enni e bain. Brethil nui mellyrn…”

Very slowly, his hands move up your arms and then down, hovering over your chest and abdomen.

Your wounds begin to heat up. Not in the same burning way they’ve felt, something entirely different. Like drinking warm tea to soothe a sore throat.

Oh.

He’s healing you…

“Enni e bain. Gwilwileth or alph. Enni e bain. Tinnu aphada Chelluin. Enni e bain.”

His voice sounds so gorgeous when he speaks Elvish, even moreso than when he speaks normally. You didn’t think it was possible for him to sound even more melodic than he already does.

After a moment, you realize how much that burning is beginning to fade.

“I laiss e-mallorn ernediaid. El-lass dithen, el-lass fíreb.” He’s beginning to sound weaker and weaker. His voice is getting quieter in your ear.

It’s probably taking an insurmountable amount of energy to heal you right now.

“Gâr chinnen. Ir dannatha?”

You’re no longer crying. Your breathing is beginning to even out. It doesn’t feel like you’re about to die every single time you take a breath.

At your sides, your hands twitch and a sigh of relief leaves your lips. Hyunjin seems to have heard it by the way his own breathing hitches.

“I-'îl gelair fîr… Si e gwanna Menel,” he chokes out. The warmth from his hands flickers.

“Hyunjin,” you murmur. Your throat hurts so bad. ‘Hoarse’ isn’t even a proper way to describe what your voice sounds like. While screaming, you must have torn a vocal chord or something.

The mage shushes you gently, cooing in your ear as the warmth from his healing flickers to a stop like a dying campfire.

“Si gwannathon i amar… Garel lass vi cammen…”

Your body relaxes.

It feels like nothing short of a miracle.

When was the last time you felt anything remotely like this?

Life outside of these stone walls seem like nothing but a fake memory. Did you ever have a life outside of Fort Mire’s dungeon? It certainly doesn’t feel like it.

“I have you, mercenary,” Hyunjin whispers in your ear. Shakily, he wraps his arms around you, holding you as close as possible to his chest. “They… They did not even tie us up… it has come to this. They know we are too weak…”

He must know you’re awake but unable to talk. You can’t even open your eyes, you can only listen.

There’s a long moment of silence as he gathers his strength to continue speaking. After healing you, you’re surprised he even has the wherewithal to wrap his arms around you, nevertheless speak to you in such a gentle, soothing tone.

“I know you are only here because you saved me, Y/N,” he chokes out. Another tiny sob is stifled. “You stayed by my side that day. Instead of retreating, you chose to stay with me.”

Your heart hammers in your chest for a moment.

“Foolish little girl, you are…” his thumb rubs against your skin gently. “You got yourself into this mess because of me…”

So badly you want to open your eyes, you want to tell him he’s wrong, that you don’t regret your decision even for a moment. But you just can’t.

“I do not even know if I would do the same, if I am being truthful with you, mercenary. You are much stronger than I am… much more courageous…”

Hyunjin hums, the sound comes out a bit garbled from his soft cries.

“You truly are one of a kind, Y/N. You are a gift to Miroh, to the court… to me .”

He hugs you tighter against his chest. Gently, he turns his head and rests his cheek on the crown of your head. Every exhale puffs into your hair.

“I know it is more than selfish… By the Six, it might be downright evil… but I am… so beyond grateful that you are down here with me, Y/N. There is no way I would be able to survive this without you.”

You hum painfully, your fingers itch to reach up and lock with his lithe ones, but they only twitch once more.

“Save your energy, mercenary,” he says in a soft, condescending tone. “I… I know not what is in store for us tomorrow.”

He hesitates.

“I gave up Hollypond Farm,” he whispers simply. You know.

Again, he falters. “And I would do it again to never hear you scream like that ever again.” When he says this, his voice sounds so haunted . Your heart aches in your chest for him. “In fact, I would do absolutely anything to never hear it again. I would even give up my own life for it. And I am certain that Seungmin feels the same.”

Seungmin. Poor, poor Seungmin. He’s going through his own version of torture, isn’t he?

Sure, you and Hyunjin are the ones receiving the physical torture, but the mental toll alone is immeasurable.

Hyunjin doesn’t speak for a long while. In fact, he stays silent for so long, you think he might have finally fallen asleep.

But then.

“‘Love’ does not feel like a strong enough word to describe how I feel,” he murmurs.

This time, you’re sure that your heart does a backflip. Why can’t your body just cooperate and move?

“But I do love you, Y/N.”

At your sides, your fingers flex and the only movement you can manage to muster is turning your wrists and grabbing at the fabric of his pants with a weak grip.

Another puff of air fans out over your hair as Hyunjin chuckles weakly.

“We will make it through this, mercenary. I swear to you on everything I own, we will survive this.”

Your brain starts feeling fuzzier and fuzzier, Hyunjin’s voice seems to be acting like a lullaby. You still feel a bit floaty from before.

Sleep slowly begins to draw you into her embrace; more and more your body melts backwards into Hyunjin’s and his arms tighten around you.

“Rest now, Y/N,” he says to you, just like that night in his tent when he put you to sleep for the first time in what felt like eons.

History repeats itself as you drift off.

But not before murmuring back.

“I love you too.”

53 notes · View notes

little-corritrice · 2 years ago

Text

| The Mafia | ~ Stray Kids

Genre: Mafia Au, Fanfiction

Pairing: Stray Kids x y/n

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Violence, Weapon Usage, Kidnapping, Torture...

Synopsis ~ y/n was just living her life, but when she ran into troubles of her past, she found herself being auctioned off to a mafia named Ateez. Within her time, she soon finds another whom she knows...

~ Characters/Introduction ~

~ Part 1 ~

~ Part 2 ~

~ Part 3~

~ Part 4 ~

~ Part 5 ~

~ Part 6 ~

~ Part 7 ~

~ Part 8 ~

~ Part 9 ~

~ Part 10 ~

~ Part 11 ~

~ Part 12 ~

~ Part 13 ~

~ Part 14 ~

~ Part 15 ~

~ Part 16 ~

~ Part 17 ~

~ Part 18 ~

~ Part 19 ~

~ Part 20 ~

~ Part 21 ~

~ Part 22 ~

~ Part 23 ~

~ Part 24 ~

~ Part 25 ~

~ Part 26 ~

~ Part 27 ~

~ Part 28 ~

#fanfiction #fantasy #mafia au #mafia princess #reader insert #straykids #straykids x reader #skz x reader #y/n story #Bang Chan #Lee Minho #Seo Changbin #Hwang Hyunjin #Han Jisung #Lee Felix #Kim Seungmin #Yang Jeongin

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justbelievinginmagic · 22 days ago

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ariadne's thread ⎯ pt. 12: forgotten.

pairing(s): hyunjin x fem!reader, ft some jeongin x reader. series summary: when tempted by an intoxicating offer by hyunjin the goblin king of the underground, you fight against him to find your own sense of self once more while in his labyrinth. glimpse: you awaken in your childhood-home bedroom. with strange desert sand in your shoes and wounds decorating your body, you wonder what exactly happened to you and why couldn't you remember anything? warnings/tags: inspired by the 1986' movie Labyrinth, follows majority of the movie's plot points with lore divergence, 3rd person POV, use of Y/N, mature, suggestive adult content, faerie lore, fear, world-building, explicit language, canon-typical violence, toxic relationship, uneven power dynamics, manipulation, magic usage, brainwashing?, body horror (not super descriptive), blood, one-sided affection, obsession, memory loss, lots of physical affection/touching, fire, injuries, let me know if there are any other tags needed. word count: 12.4k previous chapter <- -> next chapter series masterlist

Her eyes fluttered as she awoke, peering up at the ceiling. Her back ached for a moment, and Y/N couldn’t stop the groan that escaped her. Turning over, her face buried into a pillow. Her pillow that smelled of home, like warm linen from a tumble in the drying machine, like her favorite detergent from the local grocery store. Huffing, she moved to rub her back with one hand awkwardly. Digging into her muscles, she groaned. The work shift yesterday really must’ve tweaked her back; it radiated with an aching pain. She’d have to get some medicine. Which meant getting out of bed. Ugh.

Blinking, she finally pulled herself out of her lethargy enough to take in the sight of her room. Her bedroom’s bedside light was on, gleaming a soft-yellow orange glow from a too-old light-bulb. She had fallen asleep on top of her duvet apparently with her shoes still on. God, how tired was she yesterday? She usually does better. Eyes bleary and half-shut, unseeing, she moved and shifted to sit up. Y/N gritted her teeth as she hoisted herself onto the edge of her bed. Toeing her shoes off, she sat for a moment, head flung back as she tried to pry herself from sleep’s embrace.

Her feet hurt, too… and were those grains of sand in between her toes? Wiggling her toes, the sand fell aside, landing on the floor. Her head shifted to look at them. Real sand on her rug. Not just a trick of the eye or her sleep-addled brain.

Huh?

Blinking slow like a cat, she gazed over her legs. Dirt, mud, even blood coated her clothes!

What?

Her heart picked up. What was going on? She stood quickly, her bed creaking familiarly as she looked around. There was no sand on the ground; no dirtied footprints tracking on the rug in front of her bed. Her bed was barely rumpled, just the vague shape of her body on its fluffy duvet. What had she been doing before she fell asleep? Where had she been? There was no sand anywhere near her small town. Dirt, yeah, but not this sort of yellowed desert sand that sat in a mess on her carpet.

In a flash, she remembered a hazy image - when she had sat on a cobblestone floor, dumping sand from her shoe into a pile beside her. A shadow blocked out hazy light; a blonde-haired man with dimples grinned at her, hand outstretched, words on his lips – but, like déjà vu, the memory was chased away no matter how quickly she tried to grasp at it.

What was that? Who was that? Where had she been?

Why can’t she remember?

This was scary.

“Mom? Dad?” she called out instinctively, reaching for the door knob of her room.

Opening it, she was greeted with not the hallway of her childhood home, but what looked like a trash heap.

Piles of garbage, of old things, and of rotting things were in large stacks under a hazy orange sunset? Fire? Light? Its glow didn’t look natural.

A squeak escaped her as she slammed the door shut. Both hands pressed against the door to keep it pressed shut. Heaving out a panicked breath, her mind raced.

What was that?

Did she just see that?

Was she still dreaming? This was a dream, right?

That wasn’t her home. That was—she didn’t know what. A landfill? But why? HOW?

Turning, she looked around at her room. Everything was so still like it was frozen in time or from a photograph. There was no flicker of her old posters from the air conditioning. No wind pressing through her window tickled the curtains into a rustle, no air conditioner rumbled, her bedside lamp didn’t flicker. But everything was in its place, perfect as a picture.

Her vanity mirror reflected her visage back at her. A rumpled, bandaged, and still-bloodied version of herself was there. Back pressing into the door, she raised a hand to her neck where a make-shift bandage wrapped around her skin like a choker. Her neck tugged with a sting as she touched it.

She’d remember that, surely?

Her breath trembled as her gaze settled back on her door, still being pressed shut by her own shoulder. Things didn’t feel right. She didn’t feel right. Her head ached she noticed, and her mouth felt heavy and heady with a taste of something rottenly sweet. Her fingers felt sticky like she had spilt juice or soda on them.

What had happened? Something had happened; she just couldn’t remember. Her head felt heavy, sleepy like it was full of cotton. Blinking, she raised a hand to bang at her own skull as if she was an old computer chugging too slow to process information.

“C’mon, this is a dream,” she murmured. “Whatever’s behind this door… it has to be. That wasn’t real – it couldn’t be real.”

Breathing out in a huff, she gathered herself once more and reached for the door knob.

Opening it, tentatively, she peered out of the small crack she made. A somehow familiar orange-red hazy hue engulfed her gaze. The glow made the entire trash heap look aged like it was a polaroid left to rot in the sun. Nighttime felt like it was only a blink away, as if the entire exterior was trapped in a sunset’s golden hour.

But that wasn’t the only thing she noticed. No, what she saw in front of her made her eyes widen.

A goblin.

Yellow-eyed with bright red pupils. Fangs. Small downy feathers covered her face like it was fur. A pile of junk resting high on her back like some sort of severely overpacked, over-piled backpack. It looked like a turtle shell with how the lady squeezed back into it at Y/N’s shocked face.

(Y/N could hear echoes of laughter and the feeling of eyes on her own back… as if she had seen a creature like this before.)

The goblin gasped at the sight of her, but it didn’t have fear. No, it was almost excited.

“Oh, better to stay in here, dear,” she chattered as she pushed her way in.

The door slammed back into Y/N; she was surprisingly strong for such a small creature. The goblin’s voice was aged and scratchy like a record player long defunct. The clutter on her back chimed and clattered as it hit the doorframe, and some fell to the floor. Scattered remnants of dolls from long ago, paper advertisements that read ‘enlist in the military,’ and old photographs, yellow-aged and brittle, trailed after the goblin.

“Nothing out there that you want, trust me!” she added with disdain before turning to her. “Oh, but look at you, all better, huh?”

Her attitude reminded her of a grandmother’s, a bit rough around the edges but, when geared towards her, it became kind. Sweet like those ancient coffee taffies you can only find at a grandparent’s house.

“Better?” Y/N queried carefully as she backed away from the goblin as it approached her.

Her hand wrapped around her bed’s banister as if its support could protect her. She couldn’t help her gaze from darting all over the other’s form. Dancing over her animalistic facial features – she had rows of fangs that were small and sharp, a scrunched leathered nose, and hair like a puff ball of grey yarn. The junk that tumbled over her shoulders and back towered high above her almost, crushing the goblin’s small figure. How could she walk with that? How was this possible!?

“I found you a few hours ago – you looked all bruised up and battered; don’t worry, I helped treat the wounds.”

The goblin’s words seemed kind even as she began to prowl around her bedroom, or… was it her bedroom? How was it here? The goblin picked up her hairbrush and sniffed at it before hissing a bit and placing it back down.

Rubbing a hand across her face, Y/N tried to remember what she had been doing last. It was strange – it felt like there was a cloud over her head. Like when you wake and couldn’t shake off sleep as you got ready for the day. Groggy and slow-minded. All she could remember was running, running, and running. She was trying to get somewhere?

“Where am I?” she asked quietly.

There was a pause as the goblin sorted and hummed about this and that in her room. If she had been paying attention, she’d see that the goblin had almost inspected everything – even placing a thing or two in her pocket.

“Huh, what was that, dear?” The goblin replied as she stared at a pretty water-globe high on a shelf.

“Where am I?” Y/N repeated.

“The City of the Forgotten, of course,” she cackled out before reaching up with a spindly arm to grasp the water globe in her hand. “Pretty, pretty, pretty.”

“Hey, don’t touch that,” Y/n scolded, rushing over to grab it.

“Oh, oh, oh,” she cowered. “It’s so pretty, though. And it’s just collecting dust – we should use it, hmm?” She crooned. “Treasure should be admired, lovely!”

“It’s mine,” Y/N countered placing it back on the high shelf. “Now, you said the Forgotten City?” she clarified.

So, she wasn’t at home? Nothing made sense. And she had this aching headache pulsing behind her eyes. The goblin was already on her way somewhere else in the room, oooh-ing and aah-ing as she went.

“Please, can you listen to me?” Y/N pleaded.

“I am, I am – look at this, this is such a treasure,” she was looking at an old calendar that Y/N had placed in a drawer. It was years old by now.

“I’m trying to understand. Where is the Forgotten City?”

“It’s the City of the Forgotten and, well, it’s forgotten, dearie.” She chuckled as she flipped through the calendar before shoving it onto her back against some sticky used chewing gum.

“Please, I’m trying to find out where I am!” Y/N cried out. “I feel like I was doing something, looking for something!”

“Aren’t we all looking for something?” the junk-goblin cackled. “I found lots of things, just look closer, dearie.”

She was now going through her clothes’ drawers, pulling out this and that. “Oh, look at this,” it was a far-too old pajama shirt – something that used to be a day-shirt from an interest long past before it got stained or too stretched out. With holes and washer-softened cotton that felt soft like spider-silk. “Isn’t this darling? You haven’t worn this in ages. You know you could wear this; wait, wait, I’m sure there’s something even better.”

The goblin clawed through the drawers with vigor.

“No, no, I don’t have time…” Why didn’t she have time? It felt like something in her was tick-tick-ticking away in her heart, like she had to go, go, go. “I was going somewhere. . . I can’t remember.”

It was like it was juuuust on the tip of her tongue.

“Can’t remember what you were looking for?” the goblin crooned, pausing in her search as if she had just heard Y/N’s laments for the first time. A messy sprawled pile of clothing surrounded the little goblin in a semi-circle. “Oh, oh, oh, maybe it was to see Mister I.N. Yes, yes, Mister I.N can help you!” It was a sudden crow.

“Mister I.N?” What a strange name.

The one-eyed goblin beamed a fanged smile. “He is good with forgotten things. He will help. But first, you must look presentable – look at you, muddied and messy. He wouldn’t like that. No, no, yes, yes. This will do.”

She had tugged out something far too flashy. Her old Prom dress she realized. It was something of iridescent softness; something a sixteen-year-old who loved romance books and fantasy too much dreamt about. Her legs felt like they were tangled up as she stared at it. Y/N sat down on her bed with a plop.

“No, no,” she stared at the dress, furrowed browed. Flashes of ribbons, lace, and satin. Masked figures whirling in a blurring waltz. A kiss that engulfed her senses. She blinked, and the images were gone. Her mouth tasted of sweetness like a remnant of a candy and iron like she had bit her tongue.

“Okay, okay, what about this?” The goblin-lady presented a pair of trousers and a clean blouse.

“I-“

“Now, now, now!” The goblin chirped, pushing the items into her lap as she backed up. “Must look nice. Hurry up, dearie.”

The woman had crept back outside, shutting the door with a slam that had Y/N jumping. Her eyes blinked deliriously towards the door before she looked down at the clothes in her lap. Their soft white, clean linens could distract her for long as she spotted her injuries once more. Her hands were bandaged and, with careful fingers, she unwound the fabric to look upon half-healed injuries she didn’t remember attaining. It was frightening. How did she get so hurt in the first place? Re-wrapping it quick, she stood and looked in the mirror of her vanity. Mulch and blood stained her clothes. Pollen stuck to the ends of her hair as if she had laid in a flower field. She wiped it away only for sparkling glitter to tumble away in a flurry. On her hip, she had a collection of magical-looking gems and jewels. She lifted them up. They were heavy and precious looking. Her wrist jingled with a fake-metal charm bracelet, and her favorite ring was no longer on her hand.

What had happened?

Distress welled up in her throat as she examined the injuries she had obtained as she shimmed off the dirtied clothes and stepped into a new ensemble. Bruises decorated her skin in watercolor green-yellows-and-reds. Y/N tied the gems and jewels to her hip once more and the tinkling of the bracelet distracted her once more. Large boba eyes filled her mind as she eyed the jewels once more, but like everything here it faded into nothing but into the few large gems of amethyst on her hip. She rearranged them. YN then let her fingers brush over the plastic charms of her bracelet that jingled against the jewels. Strange…

Sitting on the floor, she slid on her shoes, after knocking the extra sand out of them. Tying them tightly, she remembered a voice chiming a bright “Annyeong!” She looked up to see a figure, shading her from the honeyed light of her room

“Ready, dearie?”

It was just the goblin lady with a wolfish grin on her feathered face.

“Aw, look at you. You look like a shiny new penny,” she complimented as she urged Y/N to her feet. “Let’s go. I’ve let him know we were coming. He’s so excited to meet you properly.”

The little creature took her by the hand and tugged her out of her bedroom into the strange world outside. A dumpsite of a world. Piles upon piles of things engulfed what looked like a desert landscape. Wicker chairs, drums, lamps, wrenches, candelabras, this and this, whoitz and whatitz galore. Every few mountainous piles, there was a creature much like the goblin lady digging through the trash, trying to find something that sparked its fancy. Like a racoon digging through a trash can. Other creatures, tall and short, all bearing their own weight in junk whether it was like the layered upon layered shell like the goblin lady or simply a draping of this-and-thats on their person, stood around burn barrels. Warming their hands, shivering. Why were they out here? Actually, now that she looked around, Y/N noticed something. There were no homes. No buildings. Where did they live? Her eyes glanced back at them.

Their eyes gleamed in the firelight as they looked up to see Y/N and the goblin lady scurrying in and around the make-shift town. Figures peered out of half-made tents of dirtied fabric; sparkling dust sprinkling down over them as they did so.

Whispers, chortles, gossips. She felt fingers, thick and grubby as well as thin and skeletal, prod at her as she passed.

“I.N will help, yes, he will, he will,” the goblin lady leading her hummed.

“She’s going to I.N,” a whisper sparked through the crowd, spreading like a wild-fire.

“What is she?” another voice graveled.

“Why does she get a room?” a small voice cricketed.

The large trash heap they approached seemed different from the others. It was huge like they all were, but more structured. In fact, as they approached it, she realized there was an organized chaos in it all. It wasn’t a pile; it was a dome! The junk stacked upon one another to form a tall structure. As they ducked under a canopy of yellowed lace, they entered the burrow of a building of sorts.

In the darken shambles of the structure, there were so. many. things. Layers upon layers of things piled up to form crowded corridors and impossible arches made of books, chairs, cups, and what not. Lost things like torn-up toys, rusted bikes, and fine jewelry alongside melting grand candles that glowed an unearthly shade of teal linked together to create the grand interior of what had looked like a small shack on the exterior. It was like nothing she had seen before, a brain-child of a hoarder’s fantasy house and an art installation.

“This way, this way,” the one-eyed goblin crooned, ducking her turtle-like back full of mismatched items to pass under an archway safely.

“Mister I.N will help you, yes, yes, he will.”

She’s muttering frantically, almost bubbling with enthusiasm. Y/N wasn’t sure how she could bounce and walk so quickly with the load on her small form. Her back must ache.

“Come on, come on, come on.”

There was no door way or grand entrance to where the man sat. It simply opened into an atrium where bright sunlight shined down into the dome, a large opening in the ceiling acting as a skylight. There was a pile of things unlike the layered arches, walls, and columns of junk. It wasn’t the mismatched lost thing, but instead fine furs that looked well loved, polished-clean silver and gold finery, silken pillows of differing colors that gleamed in the sunlight, jewels and gems and coins and pearls. Star-shines flickered about the room, casting rainbows here and there. There were clear ledges and inlets where one could sit amongst the things, little alcoves to curl up in between layered leathered goods or velveteen dresses of glamour. Despite the strangeness, there was order in the large nest with an obvious golden-coined path down to the main floor. It almost looked like a throne as she took in laid back form at the peak of the hoard. A man. He looked different compared to the creatures outside of this dome. There were no objects clinging to his skin like mussels; instead, his attire was clean-cut. Cared for. With bright white-ash hair and a heavy coat of fine fur, his shirt was a silky laced up white thing and his pants smooth leather that seemed to gleam as if scrubbed recently with a polish. Amongst the junk and trash, he looked to be a jewel in the rough.

The man’s face was shadowed by the sun as he looked down at her; his hair was an electric white like a flame. The whites of his eyes weren’t white but instead gleamed a golden-vibrancy as he observed her. Sniffing the air, he paused before smiling a close-lipped grin pleasantly.

“Hello,” he spoke; his voice was soft and gentle.

He didn’t seem threatening, and, while she was confused to where she was exactly, she wasn’t a fool. He had power here, certainly. She had enough sense in her bones to know to not fully trust this man…fae she reminded herself.

Fae. . .? Yes, he was a fae. Goblins and fae exist. Obviously. She blinked at the realization that it was just something she had forgotten, and not new information.

She didn’t greet him yet, simply stared at him from far below his stockpile of wealth as he leaned back upon the makeshift throne. There was a creaking sound, a tumbling of metal things with the action.

His lips curled in a fox-like smile, sharp and mischievous, as he took in her face.

“You’re afraid, Y/N,” he commented. “It’s okay; I have no wish to hurt you.”

He extended a pinky finger in a pinky promise, almost childishly so. She stared at it before meeting his medallion-yellow eyes once more. Distrustful. Her glare hardened as she tried to remember what she had been looking for.

It wasn’t him, was it? Why would she need him? Surely, she’d remember that.

“Mister I.N, she wanted to meet you. She did, she did, she did!” the goblin chattered, drawing his gaze to her. His eyes flickered with recognition as if he had forgotten the other was in the room. “She’s lost; she can’t remember what she was looking for. She was asking for you.”

No, she hadn’t. But the sing-song tone to the goblin’s voice made Y/N’s cheeks redden regardless. I.N only seemed to brighten, his form glowing in the down-pour of light.

“Oh, did she?” he crowed as he stood.

“Mm-hm, mm-hm, mm-hm,” the one-eyed goblin bleated.

“Well done, Prelle,” he praised and the goblin crowed an excited sound like an animal, the sound a tie between a bird and a wild-cat.

“You can borrow what you want – but not from my center hoard.” he warned with a serious tone.

The one-eyed goblin – Prelle – preened with thankful huffy happy sounds coming from her small mouth as she shuffled about, completely forgetting about Y/N and I.N as she scurried deeper into the hut. Leaving her and him alone.

“Forget abo-- ignore her disruptions,” he encouraged, waving haphazardly towards the direction Prelle hobbled. “She’s sweet. Likes childhood memories; dolls, toys, games. She lost a little one in the past.”

He hopped down his hoard, gold coins and pearl necklaces tumbling down with the motion. Leathered boots landed in front of her with a stomp.

“You’ve forgotten something?” he chirped, peering into her face. “I can help with that. I’m the best Finder-Keeper of Lost Things.”

“Finder-Keeper of Lost Things?” Y/N couldn’t help but repeat.

His eyes were alit with excitement at hearing her voice for the first time. He sighed out, breathlessly.

“Pretty voice you have. Glad you didn’t lose that, hm?” He teased.

Now, that he was closer, she can see there are fine scales on his cheeks, sparkling with golden iridescence in the over-head light. His ash blonde hair tickled his neck, hiding some of those scales. He smiled; his teeth were pearly white with two fangs on his bottom canine teeth. His cheekbones were prominent, highlighting the planes of his face in a sharp shadow.

“What does Finder-Keeper of Lost Things mean?” she retorted.

He waved it off. “Just a title I have. I’m the best scavenger,” he gestured about. “Got a skill for finding things, figuring things out, keeping things in order.”

And keeping them, she assumed. He was boasting, but he still settled his attention on her fully.

“Let’s see if I can help you,” he offered his hand to her.

He smiled at her, the thing wide and almost cat-like with his sharpness. Taking his hand carefully, his sharp smile only grew, his eyes falling shut into slits. He guided her up his hoard of expensive things. Around crowns of old, jewels that gleamed in the dim light, and soft fabrics. The pile felt oddly secure and full as they climbed. How many things must’ve been piled up here to make it so sturdy?

He plopped back down on his throne, a comfortable pile of velvet, cotton, and silk. There was a small inlet beside him that he brushed gold coins and pearls and silver things away from to reveal an emerald velvet cushion – for her.

“We should start with what you do remember. Do you remember your name?” he queried as he helped her settle into the spot beside him on his junk-throne.

“I’m Y/N,” she said simply. His smile beamed at her introduction before settling into a fox-like close-lipped curl, his chin resting on his other hand scrunched into a fist. “I know where I grew up… where I live…”

He listed off the places easily, like it was where he grew up too. “And… my room… I woke up in it.”

“Oh, did you like it?” he grinned straightening up a bit, like a pup with his ears alert at the call of ‘treat’. He glanced aside, sighing out nostalgically. “It’s a fine room, full of fond memories.”

“Yes, yes, it is,” she murmured. Her head felt fuzzy as if she was still half-asleep.

He hadn’t let go of her hand, thumb grazing the back of it slowly. His gentle gestures made her ever-more comfortable like a house cat in front of a fire.

“That answers that question though. Y/N. You know your home, your address, your room-” he recounted before he refocused. “That room is there for your comfort you know. Magic works in strange ways. Do you remember how you ended up here?” he asked.

Y/N squinted down at her lap, eyeing her bandaged hands. His thumb stroked the back of her hand again soothingly.

How did she end up here? Her head ached, a strong pain in-between her eyes, stinging her teeth with its force. She winced into herself, her hand escaping his to press against her furrowed brows. He hummed out a soft sound that sounded soothing, deep in his chest. Something warm - like it had just come from a laundry dryer - tumbled around her shoulders. His fur coat was draped around her comfortingly.

“I know; it’s hard,” I.N reassured. “It was hard for all of who were forgotten.”

His presence was comforting, she had to admit. The air felt pleasantly warm around him like he was a furnace. The animalistic sounds that escaped his chest weren’t frightening but more like a big cat’s purrs. Content and warm. She wanted to curl up in the softness beneath her and fall asleep again; she hadn’t realized how tired she was.

“Is there anything you remember?” he asked again.

She tilted her head up, trying to recall anything she could. She squinted as she tried to recall blurred sparkling memories. There was a blonde-haired man. His face blurred in between angered and soft. A man with curls and the biggest eyes she had ever seen. Jeweled eyes. She could see someone smiling bright at her, a scar across his nose. A muscular man with a pout on his lips.

“There were people?” she murmured. “Men…”

Every moment she tried to grasp onto their face, it was like the memory was running away. Water pouring from her fingertips; she couldn’t catch the droplets. Then, she couldn’t even recall what she was trying to remember. Was it a person? A place?

It was frightening. Frustrating.

I.N breathed in deeply, his hand going to smooth over the fur around her shoulders.

“Shhh,” he soothed.

Her chest heaved, and Y/N realized she was crying. Why was she crying? When did she start to cry?

He moved from his seat to her small spot at his feet, joining her in the small space. Long limbs reorganized her form until she was bundled in his furs, cradled in his legs and arms. Her tears dripped onto his hoard. I.N’s hands cupped her cheeks almost tenderly. He wiped them away with strong thumbs. He cooed out a sound of fondness, squeezing her cheeks gently.

“I don’t want you to overexert yourself,” he warned. “We have all the time in the world for your memories.” His smile was there again – even as she sniffled - before he tugged her close to him.

He smelled of fire – volcanic-fire rather than fire-smoke that tickled the back of your nose. Like the remains of something long burned away. He smelled of metal – like aged coins and used metal compasses pointing towards home. He smelled of ripened tropical fruit – like dragon-fruit on a hot day.

“You are so interesting,” he admitted in a breath, brushing a hand over her hair as he pulled away. “Let me just take a longer look.”

Her nose was stuffy, and her eyes ached as she looked up at him. Confusion flickered on her features. His smile remained. His hands grasped her jaw, tipping her head back as he stared into her eyes. She saw for the first time how his eyes blinked. Yes, his fox-like eyelids fell over his dandelion-bright eyes, but there was another milky-white transparent lid, closer to his eyeball that closed vertically like a crocodile’s eyelid first before his human-like eyelid shut. It reminded her how inhuman the man in front of her was.

With gentle precision, he pulled her face closer and closer til his forehead pressed against hers, gentle soft. His skin was scaley, almost frighteningly ocld as it kissed her forehead. Far too Intimate for strangers, yet, with him she felt so ooey gooey comfortable. Like they were long-lost friends.

There was a deep hum in the air, almost like a rumble in his chest. That warm comfortable feeling only grew, tickling the tips of her toes all the way to her nose. It was like falling asleep in a warm bed next to a lit-fire place. Safe. And then, her ear stung with a sharp zing. Like bee stung her forehead, like a claw dug into her brain. Painfully stabbing and sudden. She jerked away, and shut her eyes tighter. A wave of discomfort, a wave of fright, flooded her body, making her tremble and jolt in his grasp. Her eyes flashed open, and she stared at him.

His eyes were still shut, furrowed brow. He kept their foreheads pressed together, forcibly. Clawed nails pressed into her cheeks inadvertently. It took a moment too long for him to realize her discomfort. When he did, his eyes widened impossibly large. His grip eased and he immediately cooed.

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” he soothed, thumbs brushing over her cheeks gently. “You’re okay, Treasure.”

And suddenly, she felt okay. She felt like she was in her backyard on a holiday. Like when you finished a large meal and felt content, full bellied and safe. Relaxed, heart calm, skin warmed by the sun. Nostalgia seeping into her bones so much so she couldn’t help but sag against him. It felt like she had known him her entire life. Her fear was gone. And he was the reason.

“See,” he cooed. “It’s all okay. I’ve got you.”

He tentatively pressed his forehead to her temple. There was another zing of pain, like a cramping of her brain. He quickly pulled back with a twitch of snarl. I.N didn’t look at her then and instead brought her back into his embrace. His arms wrapped around her shoulders, tugging her into his chest. I.N’s heart did not pound and thud; it roared like a fire was in-between his ribs. It crackled and sparked and warmed her cheek.

“Magic is in your soul,” he muttered. “No wonder you are so out of it, human.”

Humans. He said human. Was he not human?

Wait… wait… she had already remembered that. He was fae-blood or goblin-blood or troll-blood or some other bloodline. Not human.

“Rude, I look way better than you humans. Besides, mind your business. Its rude to ask a stranger their bloodline.” Han’s voice was teasing and whiney in the way he always spoke.

Han. His name flooded her mind like a tsunami. No, that wasn’t his real name…It was…It was… As fast as the tide rushes in, it rushed away as if sucked up by a straw. Leaving nothing but her grasping at grains of empty sand. Empty thoughts. There was a strange feeling left, an emptiness like a phantom pain. What was she thinking a moment ago?

“Lord Han,” she swore she heard I.N growl out. His fingers stroked over the warm bare skin on her back in a circle – when had his hand slithered beneath her shirt?

“Who?” she breathed, looking up at the fae holding her close like she was a stuffed bear.

Her own mind reminded her of how it felt to hold her stuffed bears in her room. Oh, her room which was so close. Wasn’t it so safe? She was so safe here.

“Nothing, Treasure,” I.N purred out, his reptilian gaze settling on her with a glassiness. “Let’s think some more, yes?”

His other hand moved to rub up and down her fur-coated arm.

“Let’s think – what could someone so special like you be looking for?” he inquired, his hand shifted to trail up and down her arm, gentle and calming.

“I was... I’m just trying to—I’m trying to,” she trailed off, feeling like the word was on the tip of her tongue. Mouth sticky like it was full of peanut butter.

He smirked now. His fangs showed up, lining his bottom rather than top teeth. But she couldn’t see that buried in the softness of his chest.

“I know,” he soothed, a hand going to pet her arm comfortingly. His voice was almost hypnotic, like a lullaby. “Hmm, let me think. You are looking for something important. You’ve talked only about home, your address, your room. Maybe you’re looking for some place safe… I keep this place safe.” He reassured.

Yes, she was looking for something important. Important… maybe it was safety.

“You awoke here for a reason, you know. It felt safe I’m sure – when you woke in your bed.”

“Y-Yeah,” she replied, leaning back to look up at him. She wiped at her dampened cheek.

“Your room is so cute,” he grinned, his cheeks hid his eyes cutely. “I love lace and fluff, too. Soft things. It was a struggle to find everything so quickly, but you were worth it.”

Find everything. . .

“What?” she murmured, dazed and her temperature climbing into a hazy, too warm fever underneath the fur coat.

He found those things for her. It hadn’t just appeared by magic? Hadnt he said things were brought by magic? He was confusing her.

“Hm, did you remember something, Treasure?” I.N queried emptily, diverting the conversation again.

Blink. Blink. His nails trailed over her back in patterns. In little upward and downward strokes almost like he was writing something on her back.

Wait, what had he just said? It felt like there was a gap – like a DVD skipping dialogue in a scene, a song jumping a chorus. Missing portions of things he had just said. They were talking about safety… about…about…

“Oh, did you remember you were looking for somewhere safe, far from home? You were so special you ended up here.”

How did she end up here again? Wasn’t this a place for lost things? Not special things? Wait? Why was he telling her stuff now? She didn’t remember that. She hadn’t said any of that.

“I.N, I-I didn’t-“

There was a pause as she heard a clatter of junk far away. Both their heads spun to look in the direction of the noise. His hands moved to press her into the hoard, almost protectively. I.N’s head seemed to move unnaturally too far as like an owl.

Without his focus on her, she felt like she could think for a moment. It was like she was pulled up from a dark ocean and finally could breathe. Her brain wasn’t as hazy, but the headache was still there. Pulsing behind her eyes. Restlessness crawled at her skin. She felt too hot under his coat suddenly. Shifting in his embrace, she pushed at the furs on her shoulders.

“Treasure,” his attention was brought back to her immediately. “What’s wrong?” he asked insistently.

Treasure, he called her that again. He knew her name yet called her that. He didn’t know her… but it felt like he did.

“I just need some air.” She mumbled, trying to stand.

His arms fell away as he stood with her. “Oh, oh.”

There was another noise. Was that crying she heard? A soft sobbing, mournful, fearful. Her eyes widened as she turned towards the sound.

“What’s that?” she murmured.

“The Forgotten folk are loud sometimes; you’ll get used to it,” he reassured, hand going to grab hers as he helped her balance upon the hoard. “You have me too if things get difficult. I always help.”

Help… how was he helping now? She felt the dichotomy of calm and utter discomfort clash in her chest. Like gaining consciousness in a dream, she knew this wasn’t quite right. Nothing felt right. Not this place, not him, and not herself.

“What are the Forgotten?” she turned to look at him now. Questions on her tongue rather than him questioning her. “Who are they?” she corrected.

“Oh, it’s just those who were, as the name implies, forgotten or banished – like you and I,” I.N sympathized, his yellow eyes soft as he squeezed her hand. Which was he? Forgotten or banished? “Anything that is lost or forgot end up here – for some reason. We’ve made do regardless. It’s the way of the Underground.”

Underground. She latched onto that name like it was water in the desert. It fit like a key into a grand door; snapping in easy. Her hand left his.

“The Underground. That’s where we are.” She whispered in understanding, looking up at the skylight above them. There was a gaping maw of light pouring down from the cavern sky. She realized she’s seen it before. The tumbling sunshine in the darkness. Casting shadows over endless walls. Endless road, footfalls against cobblestone, infinite walking. Circles and circles. Row after row, it was a repeating maze.

“There was a Labyrinth.” She murmured.

A Labyrinth. Yes, she had been in a Labyrinth. Why was there a Labyrinth in the first place though? An itch at the back of her brain. Her throat closed up in frustration. She was trying to do something. Escape? Win? Complete it? Why?

She took a step forwards, down the large pile of things. Her jewels and gems jingled with the movement. Her gaze flickered to them. They were vibrant in the sunlight. Rubies, emeralds, diamonds, moonstones, and amethysts. Amethyst eyes. Jeweled eyes. Dark waves of hair.

“Hah,” I.N let out a soft laugh that sounded more like air than a laugh. “Look at you, you remembered that all by yourself.”

Turning, she saw him reaching for his discarded coat, his hands trembling. She swore she saw smoke billow from his nostrils.

“Where is the Labyrinth? Is it far?” she asked.

I.N’s fists balled up in the coat.

“That’s not important,” he muttered out. He licked at his fangs. “You are in the City of the Forgotten now. You are a Forgotten.”

It was final sounding. Demanding. Like a child making up rules during make-believe. Her brows pursed, looking up at I.N. He turned his back to her for a moment, placing his furs aside with the perfectionism of a mother bird making a nest.

“The Forgotten are my kin… my responsibility.” he continued after a moment, tucking items just right into his hoard. His words were spoken fondly. “They’re, in a way, my family. I was abandoned and I take in any who faces the same fate. Like you. You are my responsibility, YN.”

Despite his fond tone, she remembered walking through the so-called city. It was decrepit. The folk looked cold and swallowed up by things, junk. They didn’t look happy.

Y/N!

Her head turned towards what she swore was her name.

“Did you hear that?” she exclaimed.

I.N rose, stepping to the level above her looking out in the direction she was. Over towering piles of junk and mess. Trash heaps of toys and broken furniture and forgotten records and rotten books.

“It was probably nothing,” he commented. “Pernella or something…”

Her name hadn’t been Pernella. It was Prelle. He didn’t even care she realized, staring over at him in surprise. She watched him for a moment before turning away, listening, and trying fruitlessly to remember more.

The fae’s face turned stoney as he listened closely. His eyes were distant, glowing their haunting yellow-tone as he listened, listened, listened. He could hear her heartbeat (oh, so interesting how it gurgled and pumped), but also her name called far into the distance. Not just one voice, many. Even his.

This Runner had help. This Runner was not forgotten yet. How did she end up here? His gaze slid over to take in her visage. Greedily. He blinked once, twice, three times before her gaze rose to meet his reptilian pupils. He smirked, fangs and all.

“He’s looking for you,” I.N murmured, hushed like telling a secret. “So many people are looking for you, little Treasure. Oh, you must be so very coveted.”

His eyes held a different look than before. His lips spread into a wide smile. It felt predatory rather than the helpful light hearted smiles he had thrown her way earlier. Sharp. Full of teeth. She took a step away, her foot creaking as it met the corner of an old oaken furniture piece that was buried amongst his hoard.

“And you’re all mine!”

He grasped her hand before she could tumble away. Her eyes blinked in surprise as she took in the man holding her like a ragdoll. His large shadow cast over her, shielding her from the bright sunlight. His form loomed over her, as well as his large scaley wings. They jutted out of his shoulder blades, out of his now-torn white silk shirt, almost grotesquely. Sinewy, twisted greenish flesh that was had the same scales as his sharp cheekbones. Amongst its divots and skeletal curves were things embedded into his scales. Jewels, coins, bits of metal. Flesh grew around it as if the very jewels and finery was becoming him. The large tips of his wings had a fine webbing of spider-silk and sparkling magic dust as if they hadn’t been used in decades.

“Don’t. Don’t be afraid,” he hushed, looking hypnotically caring. Almost pouting as she stared with large scared eyes. “Don’t be afraid. Please. I’ll take the best care of you, Treasure.”

“What?” she replied, horrified.

Why was he speaking like she was some object, a pretty thing to keep on a shelf? Like a child pleading for a new toy. All he did was smile, condescendingly. With a tug, he pulled her upright once more. Her hands pressed into the muscular planes of his chest. He was so hot… literally. He felt like a hotwire beneath her palms.

His eyes flickered to her fingertips before meeting her gaze once more, smiling a grin full of fangs. One hand went to brush over her hand with his claws, soothingly. This time she felt what he had been tracing over her skin. I. N. I.N. I.N over and over. As if branding her.

Her hand jolted away from his chest.

“Who is looking for me? Who is this he you keep saying?” she asked, the uncomfortable twinge in her throat reminding her that she should know. She should know. Who was it? There was another phantom call of her name like a tug to her very soul.

“I need to go,” she finally said, trying to pull from his embrace.

His hands felt harsh then. They shifted from holding her around her waist to digging into her hips. Holding onto her too tightly like a child pulling a toy doll from another in jealousy.

“No.” The Finder-Keeper of Lost Things glared down at her petulantly.

“They didn’t protect you.” He argued. “Cherish you. Why go back to them?”

“I—” she tried to find her words as he hugged her tight, hugged her like she was nothing but a stuffed bear. His stuffed bear. His thing. She tried to shove him away, but he simply grabbed her wrists in his to stop her struggling.

“I will,�� he promised wholeheartedly. He tugged her this way and that as he began to trek up his hoard. Her feet slid against gold coins and silken things; he held onto her tighter still.

“I’ll take good care of you – you’ll see. I’ve seen what you’ve been through – what you wanted… I can be more than him than them” He was murmuring. “If he comes…. No, no, this is perfect.”

She felt like a ragdoll as he plopped her down beside his makeshift throne, in a pile of prettied velvet dresses and soft lace curtains. YN shifted to stand immediately but he placed a hand on her shoulder as he sat down, pushing her to kneel.

What was happening? This wasn’t what she had expected when she had come into his lair. Prelle, that little goblin, seemed so intent on helping. This didn’t feel like helping. Who was he? Who were they? They hadn’t cherished her? What did that even mean?

Who even was I.N?

No, she needed to get out of here.

“I.N, stop,” she yelped, pushing his hand away. “I’m confused and-“

“I know you are, but I’ll help you,” he replied like second-nature, grasping her wrist again.

“No. I think I need to leave. I need to go,” She insisted. “I need to think - alone.”

It was like someone shot a bullet through her brain. Like fingers dug into them with nails, no, claws.

“Leave?” he breathed as she heaved out a gasping silent scream. “No. No.”

It was then she felt it. Not the pain she had felt race through her temple but the strange emotions that crashed through her like deep dark ocean waves. There was the comfort of sleeping with one leg over the mattress, but it mixed with the dread of a monster grabbing your ankle. There was the familiarity of the night sky full of stars, but it mixed with that feeling of being watched as you walked to your car at night. There was soft ooey gooey warmth, but it felt almost like being suffocated by a pillow. Her head heaved with a dizziness.

I.N had her other wrist in his grasp once more, clawed hand wrapping around it fully. He looked petulant.

“You can’t leave.” He declared. “You haven’t remembered anything. I was helping you remember. I promised.”

Remember. All this talk of remembering yet as they stared at one another she could feel her memories drain from her. Who had walked her here? When had she come to sit here? Where was the fur jacket that had just been around her shoulders and why was it gone? How was she forgetting everything?

Desperately, she had clung to the things she had discovered, listing them over and over:

One: She wasn’t home. Not at all. He had made the mimicry of her bedroom – and she didn’t know why.

A twinge of uncertainty like the clash of cymbals suddenly in a song.

Two: She was in a place called the Underground; in a land called the City of the Forgotten. She had been in a Labyrinth before.

Like high pitched violins.

Three: People were looking for her. She didn’t know who but they were calling her name, searching for her.

Like a crawling synth.

Four: She didn’t like this feeling, feeling like a doll, feeling controlled. She wanted her own say.

Like a harpsicord being struck over and over.

Fear. Discord. Uncertainty.

Five…. Five… She had remembered things – but any time she tried to grasp at them it disappeared but if she just let it be – things came to her. The Labyrinth…. Walking through it with… Han, that was his name, yes. Han.

What did she want now? In this clash of feelings, she tried to sort and cling to anything. Home. Right? She wanted her home. I.N had said that before. It felt like a parasite biting into her skin. Her thoughts and feelings felt foreign in his grasp. I.N had a home for her. A perfect replica… that’s what it was, wasn’t it? He had said he had found the things. Finders-Keepers. No, it was strange. She didn’t want what he scavenged. Didn’t want to be his thing. Nothing made sense; even her thoughts became a jumble.

What did she want? Truly want? Without I.N telling her. A pain shot through her head in retaliation. Her eyes scrunched in pain but she kept trying.

“Stop. Thinking.” He growled out. “You’re fine, stupid human.”

“Stop. It,” she bit back, grimacing as the pain increased. Like nails in her brains. She writhed in his hold. “Let go of me.”

Her eyes flashed to meet his and, with his petulant brattiness, she retaliated by tugging her wrists away with a sharp tug. With too much force! Pettily, he let go with ease, and watched almost gleefully as she tumbled off the side of his hoard. Hitting chalices, wooden legs of chairs, sharpened corners of picture frames.

Y/N coughed as she landed onto the dirt floor, rolling until she came to a stop against one of the many piles of junk. It hurt. But it was less painful than the stabbing pain in her skull, one she realized only occurred when they touched now.

“You promised,” she wheezed. “I would be safe here.”

I.N sneered down at her from his hoard, shadow cast over and hiding her from the light. His wings flexed as he spoke, like a peacock’s feathers jittering and fluffing. “I didn’t hurt you; you hurt yourself by falling, why didn’t you catch yourself?”

Her eyes flashed up to glare at the Finder-Keeper of Lost Things. “You’ve been hurting me this entire time,” she pointed out. Glancing down, she could see the bruises on her wrists from his man-handling. “You treated me like a ragdoll. I’m not just some thing for you to control.”

“I never promised your safety; I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.” He scoffed, and this time she did see the smoke tumble from his nose. “I’ve treated you better than those who tossed you aside. Neither of them wanted you, what use are you?” He was cruel. Like a spoiled child, he spoke without thought. “I gave you comfort did I not? Look around.”

He gestured widely at the trash about like it was some palace.

“You’re nothing but a controller…a hoarder,” she spat out.

He shrugged as he began to creep down the high ground to meet her. Too tempted to play with his toy once more. “It’s my world, Treasure. I make the best out of the trash I receive and trust me,” he crouched down to glare down at her. His eyes gleamed like flames. “There’s a lot of trash out there. I hear gossip all day; pointless rattle about dumb mementos and ugly old things I don’t care about. But, I always listen and take the important pieces. Like your little memories.” His clawed finger prodded at her temple harshly.

“My memories,” she breathed in. “You took them.”

“I love shiny things and your glittering memories were floating lost; thanks to some of the King’s magic I’m sure,” he said with a scowl. “He threw them away – he threw you away.”

Keep him talking.

“And you lured me here then?”

“Lured you? No, no, I saved you. That’s what you don’t get,” I.N snarled, his wings opening full-scale. “I caught you from your fall into oblivion. I made an altar for my intrigue. It’s perfect in its replication! You didn’t even notice it was a copy of your room until you opened the door to the Underground.” His words were sharp as his fanged teeth. “You slept peacefully; you came to me peacefully. I kept you safe and soft and happy and comfortable. And you still can’t accept my words? You keep thinking and wanting and remembering! Remember what I want you to remember! Why would you want the struggle of the Labyrinth?” He growled out. “I take care of my things unlike him. I’m a far better King!”

He was just spoiled child she realized. Envious, jealous, greedy, clinging to anything that may be of worth. Anything to match the King.

“The King.” She repeated.

Flashes of a man with stormy eyes, twirling under a canopy of sparkling shimmering pearlescence, a memory of lying in bed with him, a sunrise haloing him. Memories of his prowl towards her and… and Han. The fae whose jewels rested on her hip.

I.N cursed. The room grew hot like coals were under the rickety floor boards, filling the room with tense hot air. His form shimmered and flickered like the concrete on a hot summer’s day.

“You’re remembering more and more, how? Your memories are mine; you are mine!” he growled out. “You’re a clever little Runner, aren’t you?”

Runner. Like a key unlocking a door, that word flushed her memories out. “Turn back while you still can, my dear Runner.” Hyunjin. The Labyrinth. His ethereal face. The ball. The clock chiming out another hour gone. Her task at hand.

She had to get going. She had to find the Labyrinth’s entrance. How much time had gone by?! How did she even end up here? There was the allusion – Hyunjin and her in a grand ballroom but she knew that it had been a trick. It had looked like a desert outside of I.N’s lair; was she back at the start? Her thoughts were running a mile a minute.

“Shit,” he cursed as he watched her stumble back.

“I remember everything.” She breathed.

“How?” I.N simmered. “How did you do that?”

The room grew hotter and hotter, blistering and smelling like rotten trash, like burnt ashes, like sulfur. There was no smile on his lips, instead there was annoyance gracing his face, as he began to circle her like a predator. One heavied bootstep at a time.

“You’re really getting on my nerves. You seemed so sweet at first. I’ve dealt with lost, forgotten Runners before – my mother was even one, well, not my real mom but you know, finders-keepers,” he laughed so coldly.

His smile fell as he glared at her with the ferociousness of a beast. Fae were always so animalistic at heart she had to remind herself. He stopped in front of her, leering down at her.

“So, I like you Runners; have a soft spot even. Once-human changelings are interesting folk, and I hadn’t seen a pure human in so long,” he ranted. “I was excited because I know one day he would throw you away, and I’d have a new treasure.”

“Imagine my surprise when I just… found you, floating lost!” he beamed, but the smile was vicious. “I can have you before him! Keep you hidden from him! Mold you. Lock away your memories. A perfect lost Treasure.”

“I don’t want to stay here,” she replied steadily. “I must face the quest. I want to go home. What would happen when times runs out and I was here still? Knowing him, he’d come for me. This is his and I’s game! Why interfere?”

I.N sighed, his sharp features not softening. The curl of his lips not gentling. His head swiveled like a snake as he began to circle her with long strides.

“Why would you try to fight him?” he ridiculed. “And now, you fight against me too? I am stronger than you, little human. I am more powerful than him; I know it. If he came, I’d burn him.” he snarled. Heat grew all around them like embers being fanned. “I will burn him.”

“I don’t care. I don’t trust you. Especially now. I don’t want your protection.” Her glare was fierce. “I don’t need it.”

She turned away from him, preparing to just leave. But his hand grasped her arm once ore. This time no pain radiated up her neck, and instead he flinched as a shock went through his brain. He stumbled back. I.N looked at her for a moment before baring his teeth, frustration building. His fingers curled into fists, trembling fists.

“You aren’t listening. That doesn’t matter to me. I know you humans struggle with the truth. But you are smart, Y/N. You will lose against him regardless – why go through strife? Why lose? I can make it all feel better.”

She scowled at him. His eyes were a warm orange as he took a step forward, scowl remaining on his sharp lips. He licked his lip and gave into his temptation, his curiosity, his need to control. He took another step closer and grasped her wrist again with a sharp tug. He was strong, biceps flexing beneath a soft linen shirt.

Burning pain flashed in her eyes as she locked gazes with the Finder-Keeper as he dug into her brain, like he had done this entire time.

“I can protect you. More than… Jisung,” he murmured, eyes shutting and Y/N could feel his fingers in her brain. Sorting through her head, poking and prodding. He took another step close still. “Or Changbin… Or Chris.” He added.

She felt the pain build. It felt like her head was going to explode. She heaved and huffed. Her eyes shut.

“Hyunjin…” he laughed at the reveal of the King’s true name. “…would be drawn here, and-and I could fight him. I have my own horde; his own Runner, no, his Changeling is mine; I could be king of the Underground.”

“You’re using me,” she bit out. “Let me go.”

“I won’t.” he replied; there was that stabbing pain, her mouth gasping. “You are mine, YN. Stop running.”

Her own anger bubbled up. “I don’t want to be your pawn in a power grab. I am not yours. I am not his. I am my own.”

In her declaration, all the pain that flooded her brain surged into I.N, making his eyes flash open and an agonized cry break from his mouth. Her hand snapped from his, breaking whatever power he had to look into her head. Before, she reeled back with all her pent-up frustration and shoved him back. He stumbled. The grand fae, somehow, stumbled and fell into his hoard, pathetically. Things crumbled in from his body weight, his wings flicking jewels and gold aside with. Stuff and trash tumbled down in a mini-avalanche over his form. Shaking them away, he let out a distressed cry, a yell. There was a trembling, a fragmentation around him like his form was nothing but a reflection cracking and shattering into a shimmering collection of floating shards.

“You wretched creature,” he growled, no, he heaved. There was something animalistic growing in his voice. His anger had reached a breaking point. “I am here at the point of triumph and you dare go against me! How?” It was a screech.

“Not a creature just human.” she retorted. “I’ll do anything to get away from you, from him. You’ve seen my mind. You think I’m lying?”

He chuckled but it sounded more like a sort of clicking as he hoisted himself up.

“Stupid human resilience. You leave me no choice.” He breathed. “You don’t wish to be mine willingly?” He laughed. “I’ll make you my prisoner. Every princess needs her dragon, no?”

Her brows only pursed for a brief moment before there was a loud noise. A cracking sound reverted throughout the chamber, almost like an egg breaking into a million pieces. A burst of energy sent her tumbling back, landing on her back. I.N burst forth, no longer a man but a beast. Scaley and draconic. His form was almost as large as the atrium as he shivered and crackled into the monstrous form. Heavied clawed feet crashed into the ground; his hoard crushed by his monstrous weight. A roar broke through the lair. His attention had been dragged from her to his destroyed altar. The sound that escaped him was less angry and more mournful. A cry.

With a snap of his large, scaled head, his reptilian eyes locked on her. Her. She caused this. His claw rose up and slammed down to trap her – or it would have if she hadn’t shimmied away. Feet kicked dirt up as she clawed her way up into a standing position.

There was a growl, a plume of smoke escaped his nose in frustration.

Okay, okay, okay, this was dangerous. It felt more dangerous than the Direwoods. They had never been angry; I.N was furious. She needed to get out of here.

The Runner did what she did best. She turned and ran. A screech followed after her – it shook the room with its loudness.

Go, go, go.

She weaved under junk-made arches; the heavied prowl of the beast crawled after her. Ramming through its own hoard, through the tall archways and piled stacks. Destruction reigned as she dodged falling debris. He let out a roar.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she chanted as she sprinted faster and faster. The entire ‘palace’ was falling down; his form destroying his own things in his greed.

As she pushed aside the curtains that had shielded the grand abode, she could only see pandemonium. Creatures running back and forth, goblin figures chittering as they held onto their loved things. Trash piles trembled and slid into the make-shift roads as I.N’s draconic form shook the very earth.

“I.N, I.N, please,” there were cries of the Forgotten, pleading with the dragon to stop. Some offered the dragon their beloved objects as if it would calm him. But he didn’t care for his Forgotten. He only wanted what was new – he wanted Y/N. His eyes didn’t stray from her running form.

He simply slithered forward. His large body pushed past small goblins and fae folk easily. As she continued to sprint, she could see fae with tear streaks, with fear, with awe.

“Y/N!” she heard a voice cry out, far away. “Where are you?”

“Stop,” she swore she heard I.N’s monstrous voice growl out through embers of fire.

She couldn’t even reply as she continued to weave in between the makeshift town. All the while, I.N continued his destruction until, with a grand heaving of his wings, he took to the skies. His wings flushed open, the embedded junk in his skin coming loose and clattering to the ground. Covered in magic and gore. His form flew high with an electrifying roar.

YN couldn’t stop the shriek that escaped her mouth as a shadow covered her form, ominously. He flew high, higher, higher. He was about to overtake her, crush her, snap her up into his claws. Until, with a yank, he was tugged down to the earth violently. In his furious chase, things had tangled around his large ankles, cords of television wire, old spools of yarn, chains of old. He was grounded quickly with a thud. A dirt cloud roiled up from his form in a dusty wind that chased after with a fury. Looking back, she only ran faster, trying to avoid the destruction.

“Y/N!” she heard her name again. It was Changbin. She knew it. She knew his voice. Its squeaky confidence

“Changbin! Chris!” she yelled out. “Han!”

There was a screech of a roar from I.N. Angered, mournful, frustrated, petulant. Into the pathway, an inferno of fire erupted from his maw. The dust cloud exploded behind her into a firestorm. Y/N screamed as she turned a corner to avoid the flames. She kept running; she couldn’t stop. Especially with fire licking at her ankles. She ran and ran, dodging and jumping over junk. Until there was a large trash embankment in front of her that kept the City of the Forgotten far in the ditches below the Underground. So, with little thought, she began to climb.

A roar pierced the air and heat burned, but she kept climbing. Feet digging into who knew what. Sometimes it was spongey; sometimes it was hard; sometimes it was sticky. She heaved herself up and over junk. Climbing higher and higher, further and further. Until she was out of breath. Sweat tumbled down her temples. Hoisting herself over the lip of the embankment, she stumbled over a pile of trash, falling harshly. The little air she had left got knocked out of her as she laid face down, gasping.

She heard a roar, something unlike she hadn’t heard before. Panting, she turned over and saw the City of the Forgotten aflame. Golden in the sunlight pouring down from a skylight, the flames burned brilliantly. Precious memories and golden pieces of junk all lit in an angry red blaze. In the thick of it was a huge dragon, tearing at the junk that trapped him. There was a roar of despair, anger and want from his animalistic lungs. Flames licked out of his mouth, dripping like slime.

“Oh my god,” she muttered. Y/N hadn’t expected that. She expected I.N to be angry if she kept going against him, but she didn’t expect this.

Crawling backwards as she tried to pull herself to her feet with aching limbs and bruised knees (the tended-to-cuts on her body were torn back open as if the very City was taking back all it had done to help her.) She stumbled in exhaustion, knees hitting the dirt. Ash-covered and heaving, she tried again to stand. She couldn’t stop. She had to get out of here. Where was the Castle? Where was the path? Where were her friends?

The inferno of flames billowed up into a whirlwind until there was whoosh through the Underground. Like a burst of wind, a green flash burned bright across the lands, so bright that it made her turn her head into her arms and curl into the dirt mound she had climbed. Then, there was rain tumbling over the city in a raging storm. Lightning zapped; a smoke clung low over the City of the Forgotten in a dark cloud.

The rain wasn’t nicer than the fire. No, the rain raged as if spurred on by an angry god. Rainwater soaked her quickly, turning the dirt below her into mud. Small floods trickled over the lip of the embankment and tumbled into the Junkland below. There was another crash of lightning nearby, and she flinched away, scooting away on the soft mulch only for her hand to rest upon a leathered boot.

“I told you it would be foolish to take up this quest,” his voice growled out. “Now, you are destroying my kingdom in your attempt!”

Hyunjin was angry. Rageful. More so than I.N, even. But there was something different in their energies. One was a pretend king and the other was a King. He wasn’t just angered at her recklessness because he was. But he was angry at the harm she had put the kingdom in. When she tilted her head up with ash in her rain-soaked hair, Y/N saw a flicker of his true powers.

While he had always been dangerously ethereal – now, he looked unnatural. The gleam of the extinguishing dragon-fire on his skin made the glimmer of magic under his skin burn and sparkle. As if he was made of magic not flesh and bone. His blue eyes were wild as a hurricane. His hair, now an ink-black tone, fluttered around him like feathers. His form didn’t flicker or shudder like I.N’s did as he grew angrier. He didn’t even have the animalistic traits like the Direwood Trio. No, his body could hold his emotions, his magic, but the air around him raged on. The rain pelted her like heavy teardrops and the fire-smoke in the air smelt different than the fire of the dragon.

He seethed. “Explain yourself, Y/N.”

Thunder crashed as the rain poured on.

“I didn’t do anything,” she bit out as she willed herself to stand on shaky limbs.

Her body hurt. She didn’t know how much of her agony I.N had taken in his efforts to make her comply. Taking a breath, she leveled her gaze on him. Anger coursed through her as she realized he blamed her for this. For I.N’s anger when all she was trying to do was escape another one of his tricks.

“This is your doing. You poisoned me.” She gritted out, less of a splutter and more of a thrown accusation. Just as he had accused her. “You poisoned me and distracted me from the Labyrinth with that stupid ball – that was not fair.”

He did bare his fangs this time. They were sharp canines that were prettied and polish unlike the chipped fangs of Chris. Like he’s never used them in his life.

“I did no such thing – your friend,” the word was growled out with harshness,” Jisungie gave you my gift. He poisoned you.”

“Because of you!” She screeched. “I’m not stupid, Hyunjin.” She threw his true name at him just as he had thrown Jisung’s name. “Because of your unfair power.” she pointed at him. “Power you tried to wield over me in that place! You bastard.”

“You’re cursing me, my dear Runner?” he warned with a snarl of his lip as he approached deathly slow. “Distraction is a pathetic word for how much you enjoyed the hallucination – it was your own fantasy broug-“ His lips were curled almost condescendingly at her fantasies.

“And,” she interrupted him with ease as the rain grew ‘til all she could see was rain. His form blurred until she crept closer still in her anger. She noticed then that his form was untouched by the water as he glared down at her defiance. Meanwhile, she spluttered over the downpour as it soaked her to the bone. A hand wiped away drenched hair from her eyes as she continued.

“Then, you dropped me into this stupid city with that, I don’t know, keeper of memories! He was stealing memories from me – I bet from everyone down there! He knew what I was thinking, what my life was, everything – he was going to use me against you. What the fuck?”

“Yet you somehow led himself to burning down his domain?” Hyunjin laughed out, disbelievingly.

After all, she was just a human. She couldn’t have… could she? What could she had done to anger I.N so?

I.N’s anger had confused her. She hadn’t meant to anger him so much into destruction just enough to give her information, enough to distract him as she left. But something about her spurred him into a draconic rage. She didn’t know exactly what – she just… was herself.

(Little did she know that few could fight against magic – if it was her status as Runner or something more, it was hard to tell.)

“You can’t win by death, Y/N. You can’t win by destruction.” He reminded. The King listed out the rules, as if it mattered, as if she was cheating. He’s cheated countless times this game.

In that moment, the human was almost to her nose to the King. If she could manipulate the Underground, there surely would be a hurricane raging.

“I didn’t start a fire; I wasn’t trying to hurt myself. I am not to blame for this,” she said solidly. “I escaped him; I outwitted him, and he was angry. Just like you will be – if this stupid Labyrinth will stop playing stupid tricks!”

“That’s the game, Y/N,” he replied, calmly. Too calm for the way his eyes crashed with ocean waves and the world drowned around them in rain. Too calm for the way he had previously seethed.

“It’s not right!” she said. “So much of this is fucked. I’m tired of the shifting walls and shifting fae folk.”

“Then give up!” Hyunjin bit out. A desperation in his tone. Almost like her agony hurt him. Ridiculous.

“After all this, I’d rather die!” she yelled. Tears burned in her eyes. “I’ve fought through your challenges, through dangers and hardships unnumbered!” Her voice broke.

Hyunjin’s skin prickled with gooseflesh at her words; words he knew like the shape of his own teeth in his mouth. He couldn’t let her finish them – ever.

“And it’s all for nothing, Runner,” Hyunjin reminded cruelly, cutting her off quick. “I will never grant your freedom, not now.”

Not when he’s finally met his match. He’s seen her devotion in their shared hallucination. He had seen her potential in brains. And now, she was the only one to stand up to him in ages. She has conquered the hearts of his Beast-Hunter, the Knight of Magic, the most fearsome of the Direwoods, and the Labyrinth’s last Dragon-Fae. Even his once-best friend.

His fascination with her now made sense with a deafening realization.

His storm began to subside; the city’s fires extinguished and the sounds of I.N’s despaired cries echoing through the air. Y/N couldn’t help but feel like it was the cries of a child, an abandoned lost child. Not the dragon that had destroyed his own hoard. Whatever I.N’s true name was – that was who was crying.

As the rain stopped, Hyunjin looked untouched by the rain – prettied curls in place, not a droplet of water on his velvet cloak or porcelain white blouse. His eyes remained locked on hers. Y/N was a different story. Rain-soaked, looking like a drowned rat, her hair dripped and clung to her anger-flushed cheeks and neck. Her eyes were red from the smoke and her tears. Red blood that smelt of sweet-iron dripped off her in rivulets. Red mud clung to once-pristine new clothes.

She looked like she had suffered through a hurricane or that she was a hurricane embodied.

“I will never let you go.”

“Try taking my freedom from me,” she bit back at him. Her mouth wasn’t full of fangs, but he swore her teeth were sharpened in this moment. “The deal is still on, Goblin King. I haven’t failed yet.”

His smile was equally sharp, fang-filled as his hand rose to pinch her chin. Nails dug into her skin, affectionately violent. He grinned wider as he heard her soft gasp as his clawed jewelry pierced her tender flesh.

“As you wish, beloved Runner,” he promised with a snarl.

His hand pulled away after a moment. Blood pearled at her chin into ruby teardrops, staining his false claws and dripping down her chin. His eyes didn’t leave hers as he sniffed deeply, taking in the magnetic lure of her blood. He waved his non-bloodied hand to their side, revealing the damned clock once more. It floated ominously in the air.

“You have two hours and 43 minutes left on the dial. Good luck.”

And he disappeared like dust in the wind, the only proof he had been there was the blood dripping at her chin – and her rain-soaked spirit.

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