Kendra Potter. The new name she took on just weeks after she was saved. It was a new identity, a new beginning, a chance to be normal, a signifying end of her suffering. That was until she read the prophecy. Until she knows she is the fated one.
A creation from two powerful masters.
A power The Dark Lord knows not.
When Fleamont Potter found her, a powerful witch, yet a slave amongst a vicious pack of werewolves he saved her. The Potter family took her under their wing even though they knew her secret was dangerous. They lied for her. To the prophet, to Dumbledore, to anyone who looked their way. All to give her the normal life she deserved.
Two halves of a whole.
A new power born from an eternal tie.
After hardly two months of normalcy, Kendra Potter discovers something else life has chosen her to bear. And its not just her fate, but the fate of the wizarding world. There's a prophecy, and its a race against time. Why? Because the moment they are discovered its over.
Only joined will The Dark Lord fall.
Treacherous eyes, never loyal, never found.
With the help of her friends and found family, can Kendra find a way to defeat Voldemort? No. She needs the help of just one other. Her soulmate. The other half of the whole, the treacherous eyes that lie to the other side. A deatheater who is loyal to one being, and that being is her. Regulus Black. Only together can Kendra and Regulus bring Tom Riddle to his knees.
Neither can live if the other dies.
The Dark Lord must know not.
Masterlist -> all of my works.
Trigger Warnings and disclaimers (Please click this link before you consider reading LRPD).
Total WC ~ 9.1k
Prologue 01 02 03
A/N: Hey readers! I'm a HUGE Harry Potter fan and absolutely love all of the extended lore that fanfiction has brought to the universe! I hope you'll give my story a shot.. and maybe even enjoy it (omg).
Content warning: very gory and detailed deaths, lots of blood, injury, violence, murder, Suki spiraling out of control (umm miss girl is mentally unwell).
4.1k
Masterlist
_____
"P-Please I ha-"
The body of the guard outside of Adam's bedroom slumped to the floor. His hands locked tightly around his neck in an effort to stop the blood that poured from the wound I caused.
He would be dead in a few seconds, there wasn't much you could do when someone sliced open your jugular.
I took the keys out of his pocket and glanced behind me again for good measure. No one was there. At least no one that was still alive.
It was funny, really.
I guess I had really scared Adam that day at the tavern. So much that he felt the need to hire a guard to stand outside every entrance to his home. Too bad they weren't useful. A waste of money.
I pressed the key into the lock, turning it slowly, silently, the soft click reverberating in my ears like the final countdown. The door creaked open just enough for me to slip inside, my eyes immediately scanning the dimly lit room. Adam's figure was outlined against the moonlight streaming through the window, a shadow in his own right.
He was asleep, unaware. Vulnerable. Perfect for a quick kill.
For a moment, I stood there, watching him breathe, the rise and fall of his chest almost hypnotic. How easy it would be to end him right here, to erase him from existence. But no—no, tonight was about more than that. Tonight, I would savor every moment.
"Adam," I whispered out. I took a step closer to his bed, and reached a hand out to shake him awake.
"Adam, wake up," I said again, a little louder this time, my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest.
He groaned softly, his eyes opening just a crack. It wasn’t enough for him to fully register his surroundings, still caught in the haze of sleep. I moved closer, my breath barely a whisper as I bent down to meet his gaze, now fully aware.
The fear was instant, a flicker in his eyes that deepened as his mind caught up with the realization that something was wrong.
"C-Cherry, no, no-"
"Shhh," I cooed softly, raising a hand to my lips, the other grabbing at his exposed neck. His mouth snapped closed obediently making me giggle.
"You remember me!" I say excitedly, clapping my hand against his cheek for extra effect. "Vince didn't remember me at first, couldn't even recall my name."
Adam's breath hitched as his eyes widened with disbelief, the panic setting in faster now. His body struggled against the restraint of my grip, but the fear in his eyes only seemed to fuel my amusement.
“You—” he stammered, trying to make sense of what was happening. “What do you—what do you want from me?”
I smiled sweetly, leaning in closer. “Want?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow as I tilted my head. “Oh, Adam. I don’t want anything from you. I’m here to give you something.”
His face drained of color, his voice shaking with desperation. “Please… you don’t have to do this. Please, Cherry…”
I laughed, low and dark, the sound echoing in the quiet room. “Do what?"
I watched as his eyes darted around, trying to find a way out, but there was nowhere to go. His last hope of escape was slipping through his fingers with every breath that grew shorter.
"Please, don't kill me," he whispered, his voice breaking.
I couldn't help the amusement that spread across my face. "I’m not here to kill you... not yet, anyway." I leaned in closer again, my lips brushing his ear as I whispered, "I just wanna make you hurt a little."
Adam's body went stiff at my words, his entire frame trembling as the weight of my intentions settled in. His eyes were wide with horror now.
I paused, letting the silence drag out between us. His desperation was like music to my ears. "You remember, don't you?" I asked, feigning sadness. "The way you made us sell our bodies every night. The way you held us down and beat us within an inch of our lives, when we refused."
His breathing quickened, guilt flashing across his face for a split second, before he attempted to mask it with more pleas. "Cherry, please… I didn’t mean it. I was wrong. I—"
"You were wrong," I interrupted, my tone soft and deadly. "But now... now you get to feel what it's like to be wronged." I slid my hand down his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heartbeat beneath my palm. "I just want you to feel every ounce of pain you ever put me and Red through."
The tension in the room grew thick, the weight of my words settling like a suffocating fog around us. His eyes flicked between mine and the blade I had already drawn, gleaming in the dim light.
I let go of his neck and pulled away. "Stand up and turn around."
Slowly, he pushed himself up from the bed, his movements stiff and hesitant, like a man walking toward his execution. Haha.
I tied both of his hands together behind his back with the rope I had brought with me. His whole body shook with fear but he didn't resist.
Giggling, I shoved him down to the floor. Watching closely as he whimpered in pain, having landed awkwardly on his shoulder.
I adjust the knife in my hands, ready to begin the fun but a strange feeling crawls up my neck. My body acts on its own as I roll to the side narrowly avoiding a small knife that penetrates the wall behind me.
I spun just in time to see a figure dart into the room, quick and fluid, a blade flashing in the dim light. I raised my own knife, narrowly deflecting the attack, the impact of metal on metal ringing out in the quiet of the room.
My eyes find my bag, just feet away from me with a gun I now desperately need. I slide down and in one fluid motion grasp the firearm and point it at the intruder. The force of the action knocked the beanie off of my head, exposing half of my face.
"Suki? Oh, this is good."
The voice is familiar but I can't place it.
The intruder takes a step towards the window and the moonlight illuminates there figure. Reaching up, she takes the masks tied behind her head off, letting it fall to the ground.
Devika's silhouette was sharp in the moonlight as she took another step forward. Her dark hair framed her face just enough for me to make out the smirk that stretched across her lips. She looked almost exactly the same as the last time I’d seen her—eyes dark with hate.
At least she would be another easy kill.
“Why the hell are you here?” I spat, eyes narrowing as I leveled the gun at her. My fingers itched to pull the trigger, but my curiosity persisted.
Devika chuckles ignoring my question. "Your face will look pretty on the board," she starts, taking another step forward, "right next to Chris."
My heart skips a beat at the mention of my friend but I don't falter. She's baiting me. She has to be.
I pull the trigger sending a bullet through her left shoulder and Devika stumbles. Her eyes whip to mine in shock as she presses her hand against the fresh wound, obviously she wasn't expecting me to shoot her.
"Why are you here?" I ask again closing the distance between us. Devika crumbles to her knees as I press the cool metal in my hands to her forehead. "They wouldn't send you to kill me, not unless they wanted you dead."
Devika’s lips curled into a grimace that could barely be called a smile, her blood-streaked hand clutching at her shoulder as she glared up at me. “Always so sharp, Suki,” she rasped, her voice strained but laced with mockery. “But, they did send me to kill you they wanted me to bring you in. Not Suki, though Forred."
Her words stopped me cold. My grip on the gun faltered for just a moment as my heart clenched, confusion and dread creeping in. “What did you just say?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.
JYP shouldn't want anything to do with the assassin, me, not when we are working towards the same goals. The only time we ever bring people in is to torture them and use them.
Devika just laughs at me. The sound is cold and unnerving.
"For one of the top four, you really don't know anything about the company," she taunts. Her eyes stare up into mine through the barrel of the gun. "All this mess for your dead friend, but do you even know if he's really dead? Red, your little friend, did you ever see his body?"
Every fiber of my being tenses at her words and I feel myself slowly start to disconnect from reality. Red clouds my vision.
I backhand Devika with the butt of my gun and the sickening sound of her nose breaking fills the room. "Shut the fuck up," I whisper grabbing a chunk of her hair and pulling her close to me.
"His name was Jis-"
Bam, bam, bam.
The gun in my hand fires three times into Devika's skull and her blood splatters across the room. She's dead before her body hits the floor, unable to utter the name I refused to speak.
The room went eerily silent after the shots rang out, the echoes fading into the oppressive stillness. Devika's lifeless body slumped to the ground, blood pooling beneath her head, staining the floorboards. Her words, however, lingered in the air like a ghost, clawing at the edges of my mind.
"Did you ever see his body?"
My hands trembled as I lowered the gun, the weight of her insinuation crashing down on me. Red clouded my vision, but it wasn’t just rage anymore—it was something darker, heavier. Doubt. Devika had planted a seed I couldn’t shake, no matter how much I wanted to.
Jisung.
His name. A name I hadn’t let myself say out loud in years. The name of the one person who’d meant everything to me—and the one I’d sworn vengeance for. I had built my life, my purpose, around his loss. But now, that foundation was cracking, splintering under the weight of a question I didn’t want to ask.
I stared at Devika’s mangled face, her smirk now forever frozen in death. "You’re lying," I whispered, though the words felt hollow, even to me.
The coppery tang of blood filled the air, thick and suffocating. My chest tightened as I turned away from her corpse, my breathing ragged. The weight of the gun in my hand was unbearable now, and I dropped it to the floor with a metallic clang.
Distracted by my own thoughts I didn't notice Adam's body move towards the wall where Devika's abandoned knife was. Not until the sound of it slipping from the wall caught my attention.
Adam pounced on me, his tied hands wielding the knife at me. I hardly had time to react.
My survival instincts kicked in. I twisted my body, using the momentum to shove Adam off balance but not before the end of the blade sliced through the material of my shirt, adding a scar to my back. He fell to the side, but his desperation made him reckless, his movements wild and unpredictable. He scrambled toward me again, his tied hands still clutching the knife, aiming for my throat this time.
Adrenaline surged through me, and I kicked out, my boot connecting with his chest. The force sent him crashing into the nearby dresser, the knife clattering to the floor. I dove for it, my fingers wrapping around the hilt just as Adam lunged again, pinning me to the ground.
"Fuck," I grit out, feeling blood trickle down my back.
I looked Adam in the face and saw that familiar evil glint. With a surge of power fueled by anger and desperation, I flipped him off me, landing on top. The knife was still in my grasp, and before he could react, I drove it into his side, the blade sinking deep. His scream pierced the air, raw and agonized.
The room dissolved into a haze of red, the rhythmic motion of my arm the only tether to the chaos around me. Each thrust of the knife brought a sickening sound, flesh tearing beneath the blade. Adam’s screams had faded into gurgled gasps, then silence, but I couldn’t stop.
My body went numb and my mind completely disconnected from reality as I drove the knife into his body over and over again. The only thing I could register was the warm feeling of his blood splattering against my exposed skin.
The weight of everything—his cruelty, the years of pain, Devika’s taunts, Jisung’s name—fueled my actions. My mind was detached, operating on a primal level, as though I was exorcising every demon that had haunted me through him.
When my arm finally slowed, the room was deathly quiet. My chest heaved, my breaths ragged and uneven, and I blinked, coming back to myself. Blood soaked my hands, arms, and face, a macabre reminder of what I’d just done. Adam’s body lay beneath me, unrecognizable now, his lifeless eyes staring into nothing.
The knife fell from my trembling fingers, clattering onto the blood-soaked floor. My pulse pounded in my ears as I stumbled back, my legs barely holding me up.
I dipped two fingers into the pool of blood surrounding Adam and left my message behind. F O R R E D.
I turned away from the scene, bile rising in my throat as the weight of it all came crashing down on me. My hands shook uncontrollably as I wiped them on my cloak, smearing the blood but never removing it. I needed to move. I needed to leave.
Grabbing my gun and bloody blade, I shoved them into my bag. Then being so dissociated my body moved on autopilot.
I moved through the room mechanically, my mind barely registering my actions. Every step, every motion, was distant, as though I was watching someone else clean up the aftermath of my carnage. I wiped down surfaces, removed anything I might have touched, and ensured no trace of me remained. My hands worked swiftly, efficiently, as though they were trained for this exact moment.
The only semblance of my presence that would be left was the bloodied bodies.
With my bag slung over my shoulder and my weapons secured, I slipped back to the window. The night outside was silent, indifferent to the violence within. Climbing onto the sill, I glanced back one last time.
I didn't feel the usual weight off of my shoulders that came after killing one of our abusers. Instead, I felt ten times heavier.
_____
By the time I had gotten back to the castle I had been gone for three hours and it was now almost midnight. From the obnoxious hoots and hollers in the public corridors of the palace, I could tell that the celebration had yet to end.
My body ached, the adrenaline that had kept me moving now draining away, leaving behind only exhaustion and blood. The muffled sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and celebratory cheers echoed down the grand corridors, a stark contrast to my blood-soaked body and murderous actions.
When I finally reached my wing of the castle, I climbed the outside of the quiet halls, a welcome reprieve from the noise of the celebration. My body ached and I let out a sound of relief when I had reached my window which was only a few floors up, but after my night had felt much higher.
Sliding the glass open, I pushed my body inside and let myself fall onto my desk, not having the strength to brace myself. My body felt leaden, my limbs too heavy to move. The cool wood of the desk pressed against my cheek, grounding me for a moment as the weight of the night began to settle over me.
"Oh my god."
The sound of Rose's panicked whisper sent pure fear down my spine. How could I have been so reckless?
Her eyes rake me for a moment, horrified.
I expect her to turn around and run. Alert everyone in the castle of my state and ruin my plans. But, no.
The girl moves towards me, unclasping the clip around my chest that secures my backpack to me. Her gentle hands pull my arms through the straps and she struggles to pull my body down to the floor.
"C-Candle, on desk, light it," I slur out, watching through blurry eyes as her fingers find the matchbox.
Rose fumbled with the match, her hands shaking as she tried to light one. The dim glow from the small flame flickered in the space between us, casting shadows on the walls. She finally managed to strike the match, and the candle’s flame sputtered to life.
I forced myself to focus on her, trying to keep her from seeing how deeply the night had scarred me. I took a shallow breath, trying to steady myself, but everything still felt so wrong.
"Got, jumped," I lie as I try to stand from the ground. Moving my body awkwardly to keep her eyes from seeing the mess of my back.
I watch as her eyes widen in horror and her hands fly to her mouth muffling a gasp. The light from the candle illuminated the pounds of blood that blended into my dark clothing, it looked as though I had bled to death.
"I'm fine," I interrupted quickly, my voice firmer than I felt. My knees wobbled as I forced myself to straighten, the sharp ache in my back shooting through me like fire. "It's not my blood."
“Not your blood?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper, as though saying the words aloud would make them any more believable.
I nodded, though the movement sent another wave of dizziness crashing over me. “I said I’m fine,” I insisted, my voice sharper now. “They tired to knife me but stabbed themselves."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, the candlelight casting a flicker of defiance in her wide eyes. “Suki,” she started, her tone cautious but steady.
"I know."
My body tenses once again and my eyes bore into hers.
No.
"What do you mean you know? You don't know anything," I say my body on high alert now. My hands move to my hips in a casual posture that seems harmless. But, a knife sits hidden in my waistband.
Rose doesn’t flinch under my glare. Instead, she takes a small step closer, her gaze unwavering, though her hands stay at her sides. The flicker of defiance in her eyes is still there, but now it’s laced with something else—concern.
“I know,” she repeats, her voice softer this time, like she’s trying to soothe a cornered animal. “I know you’re not just a maid. I’ve known for a while, Suki.”
My heart pounds in my chest, but I keep my expression neutral. She can’t know. She’s bluffing. My fingers brush the hilt of the knife in my waistband, hidden by the folds of my cloak. I force a laugh, low and mocking.
“You’re imagining things,” I say, my tone light, but my words sharp enough to cut. “You’ve been working too many late nights, Rose.”
"I saw what you did at the tavern," she speaks up. "And I hear you say things in your sleep."
"I wake up in the middle of the night and sometimes your crying. I hear you say names, Red, Chris, David, Changbin, Vince, Ad-"
"Stop."
The word snaps out of me before I can stop it, sharp and commanding, cutting through her words like a blade. Rose freezes, her lips still parted, her expression caught between defiance and fear. My heart pounds so loudly it feels like it will burst out of my chest.
The air between us feels like it could shatter under the weight of her accusations—no, revelations. She’s seen too much. Heard too much.
I force myself to breathe, my grip on the knife tightening briefly before I let my hand fall back to my side. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, my voice low and icy. But it’s a weak defense, and I can see it in her eyes. She knows better.
"I know more than you think, Suki," she pushes, forcing me to listen to her. "I know that your the assassin everyone is talking about, but I know your not evil like they say. Your killing people who hurt you and your frie-"
“You need to leave,” I say, my voice breaking for just a moment before I steady it again. “You need to walk out that door and forget everything you think you know.”
Rose doesn’t move. “I’m not leaving,” she says, her voice firm, her eyes locked onto mine.
The sincerity in her voice cuts deeper than any knife. For a moment, I can’t breathe. My instincts scream at me to shut her out, to protect myself. But her words—the softness in her voice—chip away at something I thought I’d buried long ago.
“You can’t help me,” I whisper, barely able to get the words out.
Rose doesn't respond. Instead she steps toward me slowly and closes the space between us. Her arms reach out and I don't have the energy to move away as she wraps me in a hug. I stand frozen, my body stiff against hers, the warmth of her embrace starkly contrasting the icy walls I’ve built around myself.
"Yes I can."
The words unravel something inside me, something fragile and raw. A lump forms in my throat, but I swallow it down, unwilling to let the tears that threaten to spill betray me. I’ve fought so hard to stay strong, to stay detached, and yet here she is, breaking through without permission.
“You don’t understand,” I say, my voice barely audible, hoarse and strained. “If you stay...you’ll get hurt. Everyone who gets close to me does.”
“Maybe,” she says, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. Her eyes are soft but determined, a quiet strength that feels almost foreign to me. “But that’s my choice. You don’t have to carry all of this alone, Suki.”
I shake my head, wanting to reject her words, her kindness, her naivety. But instead, I find myself clinging to her, my fingers gripping the fabric of her dress as though letting go would send me spiraling into the abyss I’ve been teetering on the edge of for so long.
For the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself lean into someone else, even if it’s just for a moment. The weight of the night, of the blood on my hands, and the ghosts of my past feel just a little lighter in her arms.
When I closed my eyes I could pretend I was back at the office. Not here. Not undercover for a mission. Not seeking vengenace and lossing pieces of my soul by committing gruesome murder. Not away from my family.
No.
With my eyes closed and exhaustion waying heavy, I let Rose hold me. But in my mind I wasn't here. I was wrapped in Binnie's embrace alongside Emi, cuddling in close. Chris would sit beside us only allowing one arm to be stolen away from him and into our embrace.
Thats how it always was. Changbin nurturing us with affection. Emi and I gratefully indulging. While Chris, ever the recluse, pretended to scowl. Those soft, secret moments together is what kept us going. Kept us alive.
It was now mid December and Kendra was still getting used to being Kendra.
She wasn't sad about it though. Cleome was apart of her past. She knew Kendra would hold a better future than Cleome ever could.
It was strange being called by something your whole life and then suddenly its gone. Monty and Mia would be round calling her name and too often she would ignore then by accident. Funnily enough she wasn't the only one struggling to grow accustomed to her new name. Out of everyone Monty was definitely struggling the most. Mia ended up putting a spell on her old name so that every time the older wizard called her by it his nose would start to grow. They had many hard laughs from it and it prompted Mia to tell Kendra the story of Pinocchio which was a muggle tale for children about lying. Monty, quite often, looked very much like this character.
Anyway, besides getting used to the name Kendra they all had a bigger issue at hand. What were they going to do about James and Sirius?
The two boys were becoming restless in there letters and Monty and Mia couldn't blame them. The only response they they had gotten on the topic of Kendra Potter was in a measly vague letter from Mia.
'Don't believe the papers, don't speak about it, wait till you are home.'
James was not at all happy about this and strangely enough through the letters they sent Sirius seemed to be the level headed one out of the two. This in itself was concerning but Mia was just thankful that someone was being a reasonable voice in James's ear.
Monty and Mia just had to hold there breath and wait for the Christmas holiday, which was something that gave them more anxiety than usual this year.
"Fleamont! Fawkes is at our window!" Mia called out.
This was another problem that the couple had run into. Figuring out what to tell Albus Dumbledore. The old man had sent an owl inviting Kendra to Hogwarts an hour after the papers had published the headline about the Potter family. They knew that he would have questions, but what answers would they have?
Euphemia and Fleamont had trusted Albus there whole lives, but after joining the order they realized a few things about the man that they hadn't before. He was willing to do anything and go farther than anyone else in the ways of this war. He had already recruited the newly wed Longbottom's straight out of school, and he was slowly planting seeds in James, Peter, Sirius, and Remus's minds. His willingness to recruit children to fight the war caused an invisible rift between him and the Potter's. Now Mia feared what he would do if he knew of Kendra's capabilities. The girl had been a used prisoner her whole life and she was finally in a good place. The last thing they wanted to do was hand her over to Albus to use as a pawn in his battles against the Dark Lord.
Wind of a prophecy foreseeing the destruction got around through Alastor to Albus just after Kendra's name was in the paper. They knew Albus wasn't stupid. He was coming to offer her a place at Hogwarts and discover if she was the one the prophecy fortells. The thought of this made Mia sick. She would do everything she could to keep her newly found daughter out of the war until she was ready, and that certainly wasn't now.
Monty came running into the room with red cheeks and sweaty brows. The top few buttons on his shirt were undone and the sleeves were rolled too his elbows. He had been practicing occlumency with Kendra and her progress was visibly showing by his appearance.
"What does the letter say?" He questioned in a breathless tone, chest heaving up and done rapidly.
He watched as his wife untied the rolled of parchment with shaking hands and scanned the page.
She looked at her husband with worried eyes, "He's to be here in ten minutes." Her voice shook more violently than her hands and an anxious tension settled in the house.
"Fucking hell!" Monty cursed running his fingers through his hair. He was hoping that they would have a few more days to sit down and practice there lies but Albus was smart.
"How is h-her occlumency?" Mia questioned. This is what worried her most, Dumbledore sneaking into the defenseless girls mind and seeing everything that they were hiding away. He was a master Legimens and Monty had only introduced Kendra to occluding this morning.
"She's impenetrable, probably something to do with her being a seer. Hopefully Dumbledore doesn't question it." He said in response.
Mia nodded and turned to feed the hungry phoenix. As she did Kendra entered the room looking eerily calm, but the smart girl read the tension at once and raised her voice, "What's wrong, whats happening?" She asked.
Monty looked to his wife who was much better than explaining things calmly than him, but noticed that she was still to frazzled to speak.
"That man, the headmaster. He is going to be here in less than ten minutes." He said, looking at Kendra with a blank face. Though, it did nothing to quiet the worries that ran through his mind.
"Albus Dumbledore." Kendra said thoughtfully, "I remember our talk Monty, don't think I'll forget our training so suddenly either. I lived my whole life deceiving powerful men to preserve myself, it was what my magic was made for." She said in a familiar monotone voice.
The same voice she used when speaking to Angur, Fenrir, and any other powerful being that threatened her. She was reverting back into the shell that she had so slowly crawled out of.
That's when Monty realized she was right.
Her monotone voice triggered memories from when he had first met her. She had always been unconsciously occluding, only when she slept was her mind weak. When she was asleep was the only time Monty had been able to access her mind.
"She's right Mia. She will be fine, we must worry more heavily about our own minds. We will be fine." He said definitively.
Mia didn't respond and just moved past him with a pot of tea and cups in her hand, walking towards the sitting room. Monty and Kendra didn't watch as she prepared the room hastily for there guest and instead turn there attention to each other. Monty didn't bother to offer a comforting smile, the Kendra who gazed at him now was not the girl who needed comfort. He just watched as her body prepared for a battle, though this was anything but that. All they needed to do was keep their stories in check.
A quiet crack could be heard in the distance outside and soft knuckles rapping on the door followed shortly after.
"Remember to smile," Monty whispered to Kendra and then he moved towards the door.
He took three big strides before he reached the dark oak door and slowly pulled the golden handle to peak outside. "Its you Albus! Come on in!" Said Monty.
He pulled the door the rest of the way open to reveal an older looking man. He had a long silvery beard that reached down past his chest and hair that went about halfway down his back. His crooked nose balanced a peculiar pair of half moon spectacles, different from Fleamont's circular glasses and his eyes were a pale blue fading into grey. He wore a long periwinkle colored cloak that had an old feel too it, and his robes underneath seemed to match.
"Thank you for having me today Lord Potter," He said with a slight bow and then turned towards Mia smiling kindly, "Lady Potter." He smiled bowing lightly again.
"No need for formalities Albus, you can call us by our names," Said Mia, a bright smile adorning her features.
Euphemia had managed to gather herself neatly and order her body language to present itself as welcoming, though Kendra could still see the inner turmoil through her eyes.
"Oh yes I suppose," he said in his normal airy voice. "I haven't been in the home of a pureblood in a long while, I was not sure what was typical and didn't want to embarrass myself. Though it seems I already have." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye as he smiled at the two.
Monty shook his head, "Nonsense Albus."
He then led the older man into the sitting room and situated himself in an armchair across from the fireplace. Mia was standing in-front of the coffee table pouring everyone a cup of tea and Kendra was sitting cross legged on her favorite armchair which was closest to the fire. Dumbledore sat himself on the side of the couch closest to Kendra leaving more than enough room for Mia on the other half. But, instead of joining him on the couch, the older witch stood comfortably behind Kendra's chair and rested her arms on its tall backrest.
"Professor Dumbledore, I'm Kendra Potter." She said leaning towards the older man and extending her arm to offer a handshake.
He took her hand in a firm shake and smiled at her kindly, praising her for her politeness which easily got a smile out of Mia. But as he did this Kendra felt a strong force being knocked off the walls that encased her mind. Dumbledore's smile faltered at the unexpected rejection but he acted as if nothing had happened.
"I'm excited to have you join us at Hogwarts this next term." He said keeping lightness in his voice. "There just a few holes we must fill in before I except you as a student."
Kendra nodded and above her Mia sipped her tea before speaking, "What will that entail Albus?" She asked fighting to keep her voice even.
"Just the sorting, and transcripts of her previous education will do." He said in response.
In the armchair beside him, Monty shuffled in his seat and reached into his coat pocket pulling out a few neatly folded papers. "This should be it," he said and handed them over to the headmaster.
He scanned the pages carefully and a thick tension seemed to fill the room. It took a few minutes before he seemed satisfied and he looked up towards Kendra, questions swimming in his eyes.
"Castelebruxo, Ilvermorny, and Beauxbatons. You certainly moved around a lot Ms. Potter." He said with a question in his voice. He looked up at her over the top of his glasses, and Kendra could fell his presence hovering around her mind.
"Yes sir, my mother was a paranoid-schizophrenic. Always thought people were out to get me, t'is why I never met my father till now." Kendra said back looking at her hands feigning sadness. Though Dumbledore wouldn't know because he couldn't break the threshold into her mind.
"I see." He said thoughtfully, "You seem like a powerful young which, was there any particular reason you think your mother chose to hide you from the world?"
"No sir she was just mad. I performed well in my classes, but nothing extraordinary." She said softly.
She looked up from her hands and met the headmasters eyes. She knew at once he was not satisfied with the answers she had given, but he was very conflicted. He knew he could trust the Potter's they were honest people, though he was uncertain about the things surrounding Kendra. His intentions with her were muddled and undecided, besides the fact that he would indeed accept her into Hogwarts.
"Your parents also wrote to me regarding your panics. They say that you sometimes fall into states of panic triggered by memories of your mother, is this correct?" Dumbledore asked with sympathy in his voice.
Kendra looked across the room at Monty who shot her a comforting smile before turning to Dumbledore and nodding her head. She let a blush of shame encompass her cheeks and she looked down embarrassed.
"Its nothing to be ashamed about Ms. Potter, you are a strong witch. Everyone has there worries and for your situation its especially normal I assure you." Dumbledore took a breath, "So for this reason me and your parents decided it was best for you to be placed in Gryffindor with your brother so he can help you with these panics."
He then took out his wand and muttered something under his breath. Moments later a deep brown trunk appeared with golden lining and a small red symbol adorned in the center. "As a welcome gift, I have provided you with a trunk and brand new school robes." He said with a smile.
"Oh Albus thank you so much!" Mia said from behind Kendra. "Such a kind man, thank you dear friend."
He just shook his head and waved off there thanks kindly, his eyes were on Kendra who still had yet to say anything.
The gift had completely taken her by surprise, she had never own a trunk before and she had no idea what school robes were supposed to look like.
Behind her Euphemia cleared her throat and brought Kendra back to the present, "Thank you Sir, I am honored." She said nodding he head respectfully.
"Only the best for my students Ms. Potter." He said in reply.
He then stood up and straightened his robes which had naturally wrinkled from his sitting position. "One last thing before I go." He said. Dumbledore reached into his robes and pulled out a thick beaten hat that looked at least a century old.
"This hat is what sorts first year students into there houses, I am just curious as to what your true house is." He said and dusted off the top of the hat gently.
Dumbledore took a couple steps towards Kendra and handed the hat to her gently. She looked over at Monty who nodded his head telling her that it was ok. "Put it on sweetheart," he said.
So she did, and it covered her whole face.
Then a voice coming from inside the hat almost made her jump out of her seat. "Hmmm... Gryffindor he says but this says different."
"Who in the bloody hell are you?" Kendra asked cutting off the hat. (She had definitely picked this language up from Monty).
"I'm the sorting hat now be quiet kid."
The hat continued," Well well, you are certainly resourceful, and have a sense of self preservation like a Slytherin but no, that is not quite the fit. Smart, but definitely not a Ravenclaw. No not Ravenclaw. You have the courage of a Gryffindor but no, that comes from that Slytherin self-preservation. Oh i've got it, Hufflepuff. Thats it. Never seen a Hufflepuff as Slytherin as you. So loyal, hardworking, too kind, but your patience is obedience might want to fix that kid. Peculiar. Anyway, its going to be HUFFLEPUFF!"
The hat is gently taken off her head and Kendra meets the gaze of a smiling Dumbledore. As he gently maneuvers the hat back into his cloak, she notices his shoulder were more relaxed then they were before. He seems a bit relieved and the young witch knows that she has passed whatever final test this hat had brought to her.
"Hufflepuff is a very respectable house," he said looking up at her. "Tells great things of your character, I know I will never need to worry about you Ms. Potter."
Lie. He intended to worry about her. To discover things, that Kendra knew she could remain hidden.
Kendra nodded and thanked the man, pretending as if she didn't see right through his eyes which told her a different story.
With that the old man thanked her parents for there hospitality and Monty escorted him towards the door. They waiting until they heard a faint crack in the distance before they allowed themselves a deep breath and dropped there defenses.
"He's too curious," Mia said, a light tremble in her voice.
"Its bloody Albus Dumbledore, what should we expect."
The day me and Rose had spent what felt like thousands of hours preparing for and so far everything was perfect.
The palace buzzed with a unique energy, a blend of anticipation and reverence. Servants moved with purpose, their uniforms immaculate, reflecting the significance of the occasion. The air was filled with the subtle scent of fresh flowers, meticulously arranged to adorn the grand halls.
Rose and I had been up since before dawn, ensuring every detail was attended to. From the placement of the ceremonial regalia to the coordination of the royal procession, our roles were pivotal in orchestrating the day's events. Despite the exhaustive preparations, a sense of pride swelled within me as I observed the seamless execution of our plans.
All of our hard work was truly paying off.
Part of me was disappointed to be leaving after the ceremony but I couldn't resist such a perfect distraction.
Tonight, while the palace was alight with celebration and every noble, servant, and guard was immersed in the lavish coronation party, I would slip away. The timing was impeccable. All eyes would be on the newly crowned king, and any potential scandal or threat would pale in comparison to the grandeur of the event. No one would be looking for me, and certainly not for the assassin.
Adam had eluded justice for too long. His crimes were many, and abuse unforgotten.
Now with everything in place from my escape route to the loop film ready to play on the cameras, I couldn't wait another day.
I’d spent weeks planning every detail. The route out of the palace had been memorized, every blind spot in the guards’ patrols noted. There was even a fucking bus that would take me within a mile of his home.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon and the palace shifted to commence the ceremony, I prepared myself for what lay ahead. The echoes of music and laughter filled the corridors, masking the quiet resolve in my steps. Tonight, the world celebrated a king, but I would ensure it also marked the end of a tyrant.
_____
The castle around us buzzed with life as me and Rose walked down a thinning corridor towards the princes dressing room. Our final task of the day and the most important one was here. Arranging the future kings appearance for the ceremony.
The very thought of this responsibility had been enough to make us both lose sleep. But, the anxiety each of us shared about this task earlier this week had lessened substantially after the prince had honored us and named us friends. Now there was much less worry about keeping up formalities while we would be stressing the fuck out. We didn’t have to stress about every move or every word being scrutinized under a microscope of royal expectations. Not when Hyunjin asked us to forgo formalities in the sake of acquaintanceship.
Still, my heart picked up its pace as we neared the heavy wooden doors of his dressing room. Rose glanced at me, her expression a mixture of determination and excitement. She adjusted the neatly folded fabric she carried in her arms—a final inspection of the robes and cloak that Hyunjin would wear as he was crowned king.
We stopped in front of the doors, and I raised my hand to knock.
“Enter,” came Hyunjin’s familiar voice, calm and composed, yet carrying that regal authority he wore so effortlessly.
Pushing the doors open, we stepped inside. The room was warm and filled with a golden glow, the sunset peeking through tall windows. Hyunjin stood near the center, his back to us, dressed simply for now in a crisp white undershirt and trousers. His long hair was unbound, cascading over his shoulders like black silk.
Beside him was Felix, who, unlike our future king, was completely dressed for the ceremony. He wore an all-black suit that clung to his form with meticulous precision, paired with gloves that accentuated his long fingers. A black overcoat, likely his, hung neatly on the rack beside us. His blonde hair was styled back in a tight bun, sharp and polished, though a few stray strands had rebelliously fallen into his face, softening the otherwise severe look.
He looked gorgeous, effortlessly so.
Felix turned to meet my gaze as we entered, and for a brief moment, his dark eyes held mine with an intensity that made my stomach flip. Then, as if nothing had happened, he gave a slight nod and stepped aside to make room for us.
Rose held up the robes and cloak she carried. "We’ve brought everything you’ll need, Your Highness—uh, Hyunjin," she corrected quickly, her cheeks flushing.
“Perfect,” Hyunjin said, his gaze warm as it lingered on us. “Let’s not keep the crown waiting, shall we?”
Felix's lip twitched as though suppressing a smile. “If only your punctuality matched your charm,” he quipped.
Hyunjin rolled his eyes with a theatrical sigh. “And if only you didn’t always have something to say.”
I caught the briefest flicker of fondness on Felix’s face, though it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Rose and I exchanged questioning glances instinctively.
The room felt lighter despite the weight of the occasion, the playful banter between Hyunjin and Felix a comforting reminder that, for all their titles and responsibilities, they were still human—or close enough to it.
"Okay, lets get started," Rose spoke up, her demeanor focused.
We made quick work of getting Hyunjin into his ceremony attire. I had expected to come across some challenge, especially when trying to lace the back together near his broad shoulders. But, it went surprisingly smooth.
Hyunjin stood patiently, his arms raised slightly as we worked. The robe was a masterpiece of craftsmanship—light green velvet with golden embroidery that shimmered in the light, depicting ancient symbols and patterns of the royal line. The high collar framed his neck elegantly, giving him an aura of command even as he stood barefoot on the polished floor.
The cloak, which me and Rose had agreed was the most difficult to sew, was next. We draped it over his shoulders and clipped it together at his neck before unraveling the long train. The white material was littered with colorful intricate floral designs, matching the robes effortlessly.
“Perfect,” Rose murmured, stepping back to survey our work.
I adjusted the edge of the train slightly, ensuring it lay flat against the polished floor. "Hold still," I muttered absently, earning a quiet chuckle from Hyunjin.
"I haven’t moved an inch," he replied, a playful lilt in his voice.
The lightheartedness broke some of the tension in the room, and I glanced at Rose, who gave me a small smile. We both knew how critical this moment was, not just for Hyunjin but for everyone in the castle.
"Who will be painting me?" Hyunjin suddenly questioned.
Honestly it was something that I had completely forgotten about. I looked at Rose from the corner of my eye and could tell it had slipped her mind as well.
"I will," I said as though it was the plan all along.
At my words I can see Rose visibly deflate and she catches my eye, offering a grateful smile.
Painting him—it felt like such an intimate responsibility, but at least Spring's ceremonial paints are nothing intricate.
Felix glanced between us, his expression unreadable as he lingered on Hyunjin, then cleared his throat. “I’ll see to the final arrangements in the hall.”
Rose, ever perceptive, quickly followed suit. “I’ll help,” she said, flashing me a quick smile before stepping toward the door.
Hyunjin’s soft “thank you” as they exited left the room feeling both lighter and heavier at once.
The door clicked shut, leaving just the two of us in the golden-lit space. My heart beat loud in my ears as I turned to Hyunjin, who had seated himself on the edge of a low chair, his posture relaxed but his gaze unyielding.
“What design were you thinking?” I asked, my voice steady despite the strange energy filling the room.
“Simple,” he replied, his dark eyes locking with mine. “A thick green line across my eyes, and green on my lips. Nothing more.”
I nodded, moving to the table where the small bowls of paint had been set earlier. The ceremonial green paint gleamed under the soft light, its smooth surface beckoning.
I approached him slowly, the brush trembling slightly in my grasp. His eyes softened as he noticed, a faint smile ghosting across his lips. “You don’t need to be nervous, Suki.”
“I’m not,” I lied, and his knowing chuckle told me he wasn’t fooled.
Standing close, I dipped the brush into the paint, its tip slick with the bright, shiny green. I stepped between his knees to reach his face, the proximity making my breath hitch.
“Close your eyes,” I murmured.
Hyunjin obeyed without question, his long lashes fanning against his cheeks. The tension between us was subtle but undeniable, a charged silence that seemed to grow heavier with every passing second.
I leaned in, my hand steadying his chin as I dragged the brush across his skin. The paint glided smoothly, leaving a bold streak over his closed eyes. His breath was even, though I couldn’t ignore the way his jaw tightened under my fingertips.
Once finished with his eyes, I paused, stepping back to admire the sharp contrast of the green against his pale skin. “The lips next,” I said softly, my voice almost a whisper.
My knees trembled slightly, still overwhelmed by our closeness. Hyunjin's hands came to steady my waist, stirring something deep inside of me.
I met his eyes, and the intensity in his gaze nearly stole my breath. “Go ahead.”
I swallowed hard, dipping the brush again. His lips parted slightly as I worked, the brush moving with care over their soft curve. It felt far too intimate, the room’s quiet amplifying every subtle shift in his expression.
When I finally stepped back, the transformation was complete. The stark green across his eyes and on his lips gave him an almost otherworldly aura—ethereal yet commanding, both beautiful and haunting.
Hyunjin looked at me, his expression unreadable as he stood, removing his hands from me. “Thank you, Suki.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He lingered for a moment, his eyes searching mine, before finally turning toward the mirror. I exhaled shakily, trying to calm the wild rhythm of my heart, I needed to remember why I was here and who these people were.
As I left the room, the door closing softly behind me, I let out a shaky breath. My heart was still pounding, my mind swirling with too many thoughts.
Focus.
The coronation, the grandeur, the weight of Hyunjin’s gaze—they were all distractions. Tonight, when the palace celebrated its new king, I would be slipping away. Not as a maid, not as a friend, but as an assassin.
Focus. I need to focus.
_____
The shift in the castle’s atmosphere was palpable as the music changed, signaling the final moments before the crowning. A steward’s voice echoed through the corridors, announcing, “Fifteen minutes to the coronation!” The announcement sent a ripple of movement through the staff and guests alike, as everyone began to make their way to the grand throne room.
Rose tugged at my sleeve, her face alight with a mix of excitement and nerves. “Come on, Suki, we need to grab our places.”
I stood rigid in my place and bent down clutching at my stomach. "Rose, I don't feel so good."
Rose’s expression shifted instantly, her excitement replaced with concern. She placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. “Suki? What’s wrong? Did you eat something bad?”
I shook my head, hunching over slightly to sell the act. “I… I don’t know. My stomach feels like it’s in knots. It might just be nerves, but I don’t think I can stand in the throne room with everyone watching.”
Her eyes softened, her grip tightening reassuringly. “Oh no, Suki. Maybe you should sit down for a moment. I’ll go get someone—”
“No!” I said quickly, my voice sharper than I intended. Rose blinked at me in surprise, and I forced a weak smile to smooth over my panic. “I mean, you don’t need to. I just need a bit of air, that’s all. Don’t miss the ceremony because of me.”
Rose hesitated, glancing between me and the bustling crowd. “Are you sure? You don’t look well. I can stay with you if—”
“No,” I interrupted again, shaking my head firmly. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, Rose. You’ve worked so hard for this day. Please, go find our spot. I’ll be fine. I promise.”
She bit her lip, torn, but the excitement of the moment was too much for her to resist. “Alright,” she relented, though her worry was evident. “But as soon as the crowning is over, I’m coming to check on you.”
I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile as I straightened up slightly, feigning recovery. She gave me one last glance before disappearing into the flow of people heading toward the throne room and I turned on my heel heading for my room.
As soon as I reached my room, I closed the door quietly behind me, leaning against it for a brief moment to steady my nerves. My heart thundered in my chest, and my hands trembled slightly as I moved toward book shelf where a familiar faux book laid.
Pulling it out, I opened the cover to reveal what was hidden inside. Mission notes, poison, and the blade I had been dreaming of using for tonight.
I hesitated for just a moment, my fingers hovering over the blade. Adam's face flickered in my mind, his cruel smirk, the scars he left—on me, on others. I clenched my jaw, the memory igniting a fire in my chest.
This was my moment. While the castle’s focus remained on Hyunjin and his ascension, I would end the man who had haunted me and Red in our youth.
Securing the dagger beneath my cloak, I slipped the vial into my pocket and grabbed a dark scarf and beanie to obscure my face. I glanced at my reflection in the small mirror on my dresser. My features were hidden well enough.
I grabbed my backpack which had been pre-packed with a collection of weapons and what I called oh shit things. Hopefully none of which needed to be touched tonight.
With the backpack securely fastened, I took one last glance around my room. It was strange, the stillness of it, as though it was holding its breath along with me.
Stepping up onto my desk I opened my window and slipped out into the freshly darkened night. The moon was barely a sliver, a shadow in the sky, offering me the perfect cover. I felt it in my veins—the thrill, the anticipation. Nothing but the cool breeze in the air could find me, not in all these shadows.
My pace quickened as I neared the hidden door—a seldom-used exit from the palace that led to the more secluded parts of the estate. I had scouted it many times, knowing it would be my route tonight.
I paused briefly, scanning the surroundings. The guards would be busy at their posts, distracted by the event happening in the throne room. No one would think to check the dark corners of the estate where I now stood. I was as much a shadow as the night itself.
A sinister grin tugged at the corners of my lips. Adam had always been an abuser, invoking fear in helpless beings, but tonight, he’d finally know what it meant to feel fear. The warmth of his blood would be no phantom of my imagination, no illusion. It would be very real.
And by the time anyone realized what had happened, I’d be long gone.
A/N: I'm terrible at updating this story... sorry to my very few but amazing readers <3
"Try again, and make sure you are saying the spell aloud."
Monty and Cleome where back behind the gardens of the Potter Manor. It was a cold winter afternoon but a warming spell kept them comfortable in the weather.
A thin layer of snow was settled in the grounds around them. The tips of the blades of grass were peaking through, still thriving in the cold. However the tall oak trees around them were completely devoid of leaves.
In the last month she had spent with Monty and Mia, Cleome had gained almost ten pounds and was starting to look healthy. Her eyes shined brighter than they ever have before, and her pale skin now had a natural warmth too it.
She had hopes and dreams now. Things she never thought the future would bring.
The young witch huffed annoyed, "I can do the spell, why do I have to say it aloud?" She question, growing frustrated at her lack of progress.
Monty had been training her for the last several weeks in the ways of the wand. The task has proved to be most difficult.
Cleome could perform any magic, but she couldn't hardly remember any names of the spells. Unfortunately, this abnormality would raise a lot of questions.
"Kids your age can't hardly do magic without saying spells aloud, and I bet no one can do magic wandlessly." He said firmly for the third time that day. His own frustration was beginning to creep into his voice.
Cleome rolled her eyes at the answer. What he really meant to say is that she was not normal, and if she wanted to go out into the world then she needed to be able to appear normal.
"Your eyes say different things than your mouth, Monty." She said in reply. She was now standing with her wand tucked under her arm with her arms crossed, looking at him unimpressed.
Over the last few weeks she has also gained enough confidence to acquire sass. Something Monty both loved and hated.
The older man pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a defeated sigh, "Cleo, we have been over this, people can't just read minds by looking in peoples eyes- and we certainly don't announce it when we do!"
She just glared at him coldly and flicked her finger slightly causing the wand in his hand to be thrown in the air away from him. It flew gracefully in the air until it was just feet from her.
"Expellimattress." She said sassily as she caught his wand in her hand.
The older man couldn't help but let out an airily chuckle. "Its expelliarmus and you need to say it when you are actually performing the spell not afterwards."
Cleo just huffed in response shooting another annoyed look at Monty. She understood the need for what she called "normal training" but it was incredibly frustrating nonetheless.
The sound of the backdoor closing suddenly grabbed their attention. Mia strides on the stone path in the garden towards them still in her apron. Her sweater-covered arms folded around her in an effort to keep warm.
"Lunch is ready you two, and well done Cleo. Monty might benefit from a few lessons from you too, you know." She said with a teasing smile as she winked at Cleome.
Monty said something snarky under his breath but one look from Mia shut him up quickly.
They all made there way into the manor and eagerly sat down for lunch. Mia's cooking was to die for, especially when she made her soups which had become a new regular.
With the newest addition to there family Mia quickly discovered that Cleome would take many months to build up an appetite. She also couldn’t really eat a reasonable proportion of food or solid foods with having an upset stomach either.
In fact, the day she had been brought home, Mia had served her spaghetti which had the girl throwing up within the hour. Cleo's case of malnutrition was bad enough to the point where any rich foods could upset her, but Mia found a perfect solution, soup. Broth was light enough on Cleo's stomach and had smaller portions of vegetable and meat so she wouldn't get sick.
"Thank you for lunch Mia," Cleome said smiling brightly at her small portion.
"Of course dear."
_____
Mia was in the kitchen humming a muggle song as she hand-washed the white floral printed bowls that they had eaten from during lunch. She leaned forward and peaked her eyes through the half closed kitchen door and saw the Cleome was still exactly where she was two-minutes ago.
Cleo was curled up in the closest armchair to the fireplace. Her body was sitting sideways in the chair, and her head leaning left into the back-cushion with her feet laying on the arm rest. A book Mia believed to be A Hogwarts History was propped up on her thighs and her eyes slowly scanned the pages.
The older witch smiled to herself at the sight.
Above her, Mia could hear the soft creaking of floorboards and deep voices of her husband and his friend Alastor.
About halfway through lunch the younger wizard had showed up at the same time as his owl had to let them know he would be arriving. Something that was considered rude but all to regular for him.
When he stepped in the house he was holding at least four different books and had immediately engaged Monty in a hushed conversation. Mia could only throw out the guess that they were discussing Cleome, and by the uncomfortable look on the girls face, she assumed she was right. She knew the two men were trying to figure out exactly what Cleo was, and she felt they had hardly had any luck.
Mia was still deep in thought and didn't notice the sound of footsteps on the stairs. So, she was almost scared half to death when her husband opened the back door to the kitchen.
"Merlin's beard!" Mia half-screamed startled from the two mens abrupt entrance into her kitchen.
Alastor chuckled with a funny glint in his eyes, "Daydreaming again, are ya Mia?" He said.
A light blush fanned across her cheeks at the insinuation. He was most definitely poking fun at the fact she had basically fallen asleep at the last order meeting.
"Oh hush Alastor, can't a wife worry in peace. You two have been upstairs for almost three hours. Whats happened?" She said while putting away the last dish in her hand, closing the cabinet above the sink.
The two glanced at each other with unidentifiable looks on there faces. Leaning back on the kitchen counter, Alastor motioned for his friend to tell the news and Monty sigh deeply.
"We were researching Cleo's magic." Monty began, looking at his wife.
Mia's speculations had been spot on, but she acted oblivious anyway.
"Oh really?" she questioned.
They had been discussing Cleome in his office for the past few hours. But this time they finally have an idea as to what magic runs through her veins.
Monty nodded and opened his mouth to continue.
"From the blood we took, she's definitely one-hundred percent human. But her family must have put a name enshrouding spell on her ties because when we try to trace her blood her parents names come up blank." He said clearly a little more than frustrated at this.
At this, it was almost as if a light went on in Euphemia's head.
"My friends Darcy and Janette did that." Mia said and the two men looked at her confused. "The name enshrouding spell I mean. They adopted there children but didn't want people to know they had made them biologically theirs. The progentiorous spell, they used it because they wanted there children to be bloodily there's and then the enshroudieon spell keeps the parents identity safe."
It was a common practice that Monty and Alastor had completely forgotten of. Homosexual witches and wizards were not that long ago criminalized and there children would be made examples with humiliating brandings.
"Are you saying Grindelwald was a homosexual?" Alastor said with a unimpressed look on his face. It was widely known that during his times of terror he had, had the company of many disarranged women... all who he killed afterwards.
Mia shook her head, "No, but he was protecting his partner. A merciless evil man, had a child and probably with somebody he loved."
The words Mia spoke seemed to echo off the walls of the room and float right into their chests. Gellert Grindelwald had openly detested love. He had manically, on many occasions, killed couples in broad daylight on the streets. Mia shivered at the reminder. She and Monty had been so young then but she remembered clearly. Couples as well as themselves, had gone as far as to never even leaving the house together. Their love for each other had threatened there lives.
"I do not wish to delve into the lover affairs of Gellert Grindelwald, Mia. Simply just curious as to who he would consider having a child with." Alastor said getting a bit pink in the face. "Anyway, we have more important things to discuss." He said turning back towards Monty, clearly ready for his friend to continue their discussion of Cleome.
"Yes, back to it," Monty said, "While we couldn't figure out her parentage, we think we know what is the cause of her strange magic." He took a pause looking at his wife. His eyes were red and face pale, making Mia's heart drop into the bottom of her stomach.
"Well go on then." She said urgently.
"Cleome's a truth seer, a-and Alastor thinks there has been a prophecy."
A prophecy.
Something that always meant trouble.
_____
"I like Kendra, its a piece of me only I knew of from before. If you think it is safe to keep it?" Cleome said looking towards Monty and Mia.
The three were huddled together at the kitchen table with a stack of paperwork messily covering the surface.
The older couple are officially claiming Cleo as there own.
After all that they had uncovered about the young girl they knew that they had no other choice. To turn her in to the ministry would guarantee Cleome a life in Azkaban because people are too afraid of power. And, if anyone new of her true paternal parentage her life would forever be in danger. It was safest if she changed her name. If she became a Potter.
They knew that if they took Cleo as there own and showed her love that she would turn out fine. The young girl still had the purest heart despite the torturous life she had already been put through. Now all the three needed to do was forge documents and get them to the ministry.
Monty had faked a DNA test that showed Cleome was his bastard child, an unfortunate title but one that would ensure no one questioned her paternal blood.
They posed an argument outside of a muggle hospital with the girl. One that was too good for the Daily Prophet to turn a blind eye too, especially if it was regarding the infamous Potter family. Within the next morning news had seemed to spread amongst the wizarding world like a fire. Monty and Mia were loved by so many and are quite the prestigious family. But, as infidelity was too common amongst the Pureblood houses, the news calmed almost as quickly as it had raged and hardly any damage was done to Monty's reputation.
The only person who still questioned the situation was a headmaster too nosy for his own good. Someone that would prove to be difficult.
"I think Kendra is fine dear," Mia said with a comforting smile. "Now what as your middle name?"
Cleo looked down at the ground blushing. She had been wanting to ask Mia to pick for her but now all that courage had seemed to leave her body.
"I-I was hoping you would choose. You know since your technically my m-mum now." She said softly still looking down, as redness filled her cheeks.
Mia's eyes quickly shone brightly with tears. She felt a great sense of pride hearing Cleome call her as a parental figure for the first time.
She brought a shaking hand to her mouth in slight shock, but nodded her head enthusiastically nonetheless. "Of course I would sweetheart, it would be an honor." Euphemia said struggling to keep her voice steady.
Monty was watching the two closely from his position between them at the table. He too felt a swell of pride hearing Cleome refer to Mia in such a way, even if she was speaking in terms of technicality. Though he had hardly known her for a little more than a month, it seemed as though the white haired girl was a missing piece that his family had always been missing. The papers in front of him were now suddenly making him emotional. All they needed now was one more signature and everything would be official.
"Kendra Reinette Potter, has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" Mia said looking at Monty and her newest family member with a happy smile.
Cleome grasped onto the older witches hand and squeezed it as a form of affection. Reinette was a beautiful name and she felt honored.
"It does," Monty agreed and he signed the last line, rolled up the parchment, and sent it off with the owl to the ministry.
The Potter’s had officially added to their family.
Cleome sat on a velvet maroon colored couch in the largest home she had ever seen. She had no idea where she was, but from the picture frames that hung along the walls, she discovered she was in the home of the kind-eyed wizard who had killed Angur. Killed the vile being that had held her captive all these years.
In the room across from where she sat the door was closed, but did little to quiet the hurried whispers passed between the three people within. Unbeknownst to Cleome, Monty had done an identification spell of his own making and a bit of legimancy on her when she had fainted in his arms. Though she knew her name, her shock and pure fear had driven her into a catatonic mute state, and the older wizard needed answers. Which has led to the situation he is in now.
Euphemia Potter, Fleamont, and there most trusted friend Alastor Moody stood in the kitchen in a whispering match. Monty was being protective of the girl, and Alastor did not like this. Poor Mia had no idea what was going on and was just confused but ready to help a child in need nonetheless.
"That girl is shares HIS blood!" Alastor said in a harsh whisper, his finger pointing towards the door that Cleome was behind.
Across from him Monty stood sweaty and trembling. He fiddled with the glasses that he had taken off his face and his wife looked at him worriedly.
"You can not take her in Monty, you saw what she did. She belongs in Azkaban, who knows what she will become!"
At this Euphemia Potter stood up a little taller and drew her eyebrows together in an unimpressed look. The older lady had no idea who this girl was, or what she had done. But she had looked into her eyes, and when she did she saw a scared child.
"Now, Alastor that is a child. A traumatized child at that, if Monty thinks its safest to keep her in our home then that is what we will do." Euphemia said in a stern voice, leaving little room for opposition.
Alastor looked at her angrily but knew better than to disagree with his friend. When it came to helping children, Mia would become dangerous.
Monty let out an exasperated sigh and pressed his back to the wall behind him and slowly slid to sit on the floor. His hands were still trembling and a thin line of sweat appeared in the crease of his forehead.
Mia pulled away from her staring match with Alastor and looked at her husband worriedly. "What's wrong Honey?" She said and sat down to sit besides him.
Tears sprung in his eyes and Euphemia gently wiped them away with the pad of her thumb. "That girl, I performed legimens on her. She has never had a life, all she knows is pain. The things that she's gone through- what people have done to her-" Monty's voice gave out in a silent sob.
Alastor and Mia shared a worried look. Monty hardly ever cries.
The three sat in silence, the only sound being the quiet sniffles that escaped the Potter Lord. Monty and Mia had already taken in there son's best friend. The lively Sirius Black. They watched as there gentleness healed deep wounds inside of him, and nothing in life could feel more fulfilling than that. Healing a child with their love.
"What's the girls name?" Mia asked suddenly breaking the silence. It was a question she had been waiting patiently to ask.
Alastor looked towards Monty and tension filled the air once again. The younger wizard nodded towards his friend and Monty looked hesitantly towards his wife.
"Cleome Kendra Grindelwald," he said, voice barely above a whisper.
His wife couldn't control the gasp that escaped her as her eyes grew wide. Any color that had been present in her cheeks had vanished, and she now looked sickly.
"Grindelwald?" she questioned not believing her ears.
"Grindelwald." he confirmed.
_____
Cleome sat still in the sitting room in the Potter Manor. Her hair near her scalp was still matted to her head in a gross-looking combination of blood and dirt. Her eyes stared straight forward at the door leading to the kitchen, where she heard voices coming from. But, her eyes were not seeing. She was deep in the depths of her mind, thinking of Fleamont Potter.
The old man had saved her. But why hadn't he hurt her and what did he wish to do instead. The thought made her tremble.
When she had looked into the eyes of Fleamont Potter she found nothing but gentleness and worry. The two emotions he portrayed towards her were confusing. She had never seen any intentions like this before, and this shook her to her core.
Intentions.
Something peculiar about Cleome Grindelwald was that she could read people, and not exactly in the way you would think. When she looked into your eyes she could see your intent. What you would do in the future, what you desired, what you schemed, and most importantly what you have planed to do with her.
This ability is hereditary but rare. She was born with the ability of a seer but her life was not that of a normal child. Cleome fought to survive and this altered her magic at a young age. She would never be a regular seer. Instead her mind had altered her magic to be defensive, so she could she what people wanted with her when looking at her.
She is a truth seer, a type of seer that can only be born from a seer child who undergoes early life trauma. Similar to muggle dissociative identity disorder in that aspect.
Cleome is different from a regular seer, she doesn't have visions of the future that attack randomly. Her visions only occur upon meeting people and gazing into there eyes for the first time. She can see your every intent with one look, and like your intentions, her visions can change. If your intentions towards her change, don't think she won't know.
Being a truth seer didn't only give her the power to see others intentions, it effected her outward magic too.
She will never need a wand. All she will ever need is her mind and her intent.
The timid girl is ripped out of her thoughts as the door she had been staring at for over an hour finally opens.
Slowly Monty, Mia, and Alastor make there way into the sitting room, careful not to make any sudden movement that could terrify the girl even further.
Mia comes to sit beside Cleome. She has a warm smile on her face that the girl attempts to return, but the action feels strange and unusual. Instead, the young girl focus's on the comforting hazel eyes that give away nothing but kindness. The warmth confuses Cleome, and she wonders if she is now unable to read people as she was before. Never had she ever encountered intentions like this.
Beside her, Euphemia cleared her throat getting her attention, "You don't have to speak if you don't want to sweetheart, but we were just wondering if you could tell us your name?" She said in a soft kind tone.
Cleome was surprised by the option she was given. No one had ever given her a choice in anything before.
She opened her mouth to speak but nothing but a scratchy sound escaped her, and she bowed her head in embarrassment.
To no ones surprise but the girl besides her, Mia was quick to jump up. "I'm so sorry dear, how inhospitable of us. Let me get you some water." She said as she hurried back through the door she was in minutes ago.
As Mia filled a glass of water, Cleome looked at the two uneasy men that stood rigidly in-front of her. She recognized the older man from the pictures around the room, and as the man who had carried her out of the forest, muttering strange things as he stuck a stick at her head. A couple steps away from him was the mean looking man. Though on the outside he looked angry and ready to pounce, Cleome saw that he only worries for the family she is intruding on.
"Here you go dear, I'm so sorry." Mia said as she hurried back to sit on the sofa besides the dehydrated witch.
Cleome offered a weak smile as a thanks and greedily drank the whole glass of water in a short few seconds.
"Would you like some more?" Mia asked.
Cleome shook her head and placed the empty glass on the small table in-front of the sofa. It was made of dark wood and matched the trim in the house.
The girl tired to gather herself before she spoke.
"My name is Cleome Grindelwald. Oh and my middle name is Kendra ma'am." The shy girl said in a soft voice.
Mia nodded her head and opened her hand as a gesture for Cleome to take, something that was a choice and not demanded. How strange.
Her hand tremble slightly as she fought her own fears and placed her hand into the kind woman's. She could see that she meant no harm, but her body and mind would never truly trust that.
Euphemia smiled brightly at Cleome's acceptance, and rubbed her thumb against the back of the girls hand in a motherly comfort.
"Thank you for your trust my dear, and no need for formalities in this house, you may call me Mia, or anything else you would like." She said.
"And you can call me Monty." Fleamont cut in.
Then both Mia and her husband looked towards Moody expectantly causing Cleome to gaze at him as well.
"I'm Alastor, where do you come from?" He said in a short annoyed tone.
"Alastor Moody!" Euphemia said in a scolding voice. "Introduce yourself to the young lady properly before you go about asking questions.
The younger man rolled his eyes at Mia's antics but obliged nonetheless, "Alastor Moody, nice to meet you Grindelwald." He said in his same annoyed tone. "Now would you PLEASE tell me, where do you come from?"
The three adults watched as the girl shifted in her seat uncomfortably. Her gaze which had met the eye was now fixated on the twiddling fingers in her lap. Mia didn't defend her from the angry mans question this time, and she figured they deserved an answer.
"I was a slave to The Greyback Pack sir, thats where I come from." She said in the same monotone voice she used when talking to Angur. If she didn't speak with emotion, then she could not be harmed in an attack at her feelings.
"That's not what I mean girl, where do you really come from? Who are your parents?" Alastor said, his voice raising an octave at the mention of her parents.
Before Cleome could respond, however, Euphemia was already scolding her friend again. "She has a name Alastor. You best use it or I will be asking you to leave."
Alastor glared openly at his best mates wife. Euphemia had obviously become very protective of this child over the span of a few minutes. Why she was not treating a Grindelwald child more cautiously was disturbing him.
"Alastor, I think it is best if you do leave for the night. I have already told you I know all that I need too, questions can be asked at a later date." Fleamont said in a professional tone, but neither Alastor or Cleome missed his meaning. He clearly wanted his friend gone and to stop tormenting his wife and the girl.
Monty grabbed his arm and started leading him towards the door, and angry voices could be heard arguing.
"Come on sweetheart, lets get you washed up and then I'll show you to your room, yeah?" Mia said standing and offering her hand to her once more.
"Will you stay with me when I bathe please ma'am?"
"Of course my dear."
_____
Euphemia Potter knew she had never seen anything as horrible as the beaten body of the girl she was taking in. Cleome's entire back was painted in angry scars, most of which that came from the claws of a werewolf.
The older witch didn't even realize she was crying until her vision was blurred past the point of seeing the girl in-front of her. She couldn’t fathom why anyone would treat a human so horribly.
Cleome sat in the large bathtub with her knees pulled to her chest as Mia scooped small buckets of warm soapy water and tilted it over her head. The young girl had never felt so warm in her life.
"Ma'am-" Cleome started but Euphemia had cut her off.
"Just Mia sweetheart."
The girl nodded her head in response and looked up at the lady helping her bathe.
"Mia, your husband is a good man. He doesn't want to hurt you and he will never betray you in his life." She said in a definite voice.
Unsure of what to say in response, Mia just nodded with an awkward smile on her face and continued to poor warm water down the girls back. Tears where still hidden in her eyes.
"You and your husband have lots of love ma'a- I mean Mia." She said blushing a bit at her mistake.
Euphemia put the bucket down and folded her arms resting them of the rim of the tub. She laid her chin on her arms and looked inquisitively at Cleome. This girl was certainly a little peculiar.
"Yes, we do, my dear. We love each other, our sons, this house, our friends... there is a lot to love for us in this world." Mia said gently.
Cleome nodded her head. She saw Mia wanted to love her too, but she didn't ask her anything about that. Instead she, looked into the kind ladies teary eyes and smiled.
"Please don't cry for me Mia. I am no longer in pain and my injuries will heal. This is the happiest day of my life and that does not call for sadness." She said smiling brightly.
Mia chuckled and let a few tears spill from her eyes as she quickly brushed them away. As she looked at Cleome she made a silent vow to keep the girls happiness alive.
"Of course, sweetheart. This is a very happy day you're right."
A happy day that would change their lives forever.
TW: implications of assault, abuse, cursing, depictions of wounds.
Masterlist. Summary. Trigger Warnings. 01.
_____
Cleome Kendra Grindelwald never knew the power behind her name, and neither did the werewolf who had bound her to his pack.
"Bring me the girl." The deep voice of Angur Greyback yelled out.
The whole of the werewolf army stood around him heads bowed in submission half of them bloody from the war they were fighting against the centaurs and the wizards.
They were deep in the north of the Forbidden Forest, in a valley underneath the mountains that they claimed as theres. No witch, wizard, or any magical folk besides there slave knew of its existence, or so they thought.
Two of Angur's pack appeared, walking down from a cave in the mountains. Between them, in one of each of their arms were the tied hands and feet of a young girl. She had hair so light blonde it was almost white. The long strands were surprisingly tidy giving her living conditions and reached to the middle of her back. The combination of her light hair against her pale skin acted as if she was a light in darkness.
Her light blue eyes were even more striking than her hair. They too seemed to glow in the dark. Her appearance was so beautiful yet so disturbing. Her alluring blue eyes told dark stories and held nothing but blankness. The wolves that did look into her eyes could only hope to look away soon enough as to not be pulled into a dark world of despair. She had that unforgettable ability .
The light strands of hair that rested against her back are matted with blood and dirt, a mixture that comes from the abuse she endures and the hard ground she sleeps on. Across her arms, torso, and legs were many untreatable scars the came from are array of claws, knifes, and teeth. The ugliest of them all was like a gallery painted across her back. The ragged claws of Fenrir Greyback marked the entirety of skin she had there. They were puffy pink raised scars that looked angry and more joined each day.
Unknown to Fenrir, she had almost gone completely numb to the damage he had done on her back. The skin is so far damaged that only the deeper gashes really cause her pain anymore. The years had hardened her both mentally and physically.
As she was carried by the two wolves towards there alpha she looked weak and helpless. The boneless girl was bound like a rag doll. But what no one knew, not even herself, was that Cleome was the most powerful witch of her time. Yet, she was undiscovered and tied to the most evil being in the world. How that came to be, was all her fault. A stupid reckless decision.
Before her servitude to Angur's pack, Cleome was an orphan. An abused orphan who thought she could run away from her captors, but instead she ran into the arms of a more evil being. How she wished to be back in the orphanage. Where her rations were given weekly and not monthly, where she had a cardboard bed and not hard ground, where she had bruises not scars.
Cleome was thrown by the two werewolves at Angur's feet, she didn't need to wince as her body had grown used to such treatment. The girl quickly settled to sit on her knee's before him. A place where she found herself losing pieces of her virtue, to the blackness of his soul.
"What shall I do for you?" She said in a dead monotone voice. Her eyes stared at his dirty feet and she wished to cover her nose from the putrid odor that he basked in.
She didn't realize her mistake.
Suddenly her vision was spotty and a familiar harsh throbbing pain encompassed her. Angur had struck her across the face with the back of his hand, she was grateful he didn't do worse.
He leaned in deadly close and Cleome could see the black and yellow chips and cracks in his teeth. "Its what shall I do for you ALPHA, to you! STUPID WORTHLESS BITCH!"
He watched satisfied as the girl at his feet cowered away from him and bowed lower to the ground. He could smell her fear, and that seemed to excite him. But as he reached to grab a fistful of her hair pain throbbed in his chest. A reminder of why he had summoned her in the first place. The pack needed to recover from their latest encounter with the centaurs.
"I need you to heal me and the injured of the pack, bitch. Now get started, and afterwards Fenrir requests you."
He ignored her flinch at the sound of his sons name and gazed at his pack as Cleome rose.
The beaten girl stood weakly on her two feet before entirety of the pack. She focused on the smell of blood and the sight of wounds, then lifted her arms out as if she was delivering a gift. Slowly her magic surrounded them all, and each and every injury obtained from battle was intricately healed.
This was not a natural occurrence. In history, no one had ever had strong enough magic to heal wandlessly and no one could ever fathom to heal thousands in seconds. But, without a wand, Cleome did both.
The witch stayed standing before the pack a few moments longer than needed. Her hands still raised as if she was still healing the injured. Cleome relaxed into the few extra seconds of painlessness. The few extra seconds she granted herself before her body and mind were further damaged by Fenrir Greyback.
_____
Unbeknownst to the pack of werewolves happily recovering in the valley, a group of Aurors were hidden in the tall dark trees. They were spread out, some using hover charms while others held tightly to the fresh smelling pines.
Leading them was Fleamont Potter. An older man with kind brown eyes and graying hair, which had come to him about ten years early. Undoubtably due to the duty he had as head Auror, and the stress of having a teenage son.
Holding onto the thin scratchy tree trunk the Auror watched as the young brittle looking witch healed the thousands of injured werewolves. The Potter Lord could hardly believe his eyes. Magic like this had never been heard of. His eyes scanned the other men positioned near him, and there faces mirrored his. Shock.
A soft pop sounded behind him, and Fleamont turned carefully in the tree to see his younger friend Alastor Moody behind him. As usual he had an unstable crazy glint in his eyes.
"Monty, what do we do now? We are no match to face this witch that they have!" He said anxiously as he squinted his eyes, still gazing at the throne Angur sat upon, where Cleome at his feet, was moments ago.
The older man let out a long breath and gently took his glasses off to wipe the lenses on the left sleeve of his robes. "Body language Alastor." He said as he put his round glasses back on his nose.
Fleamont thought that much was obvious. The girl was noticeably afraid of the Alpha, and his treatment towards her only proved as much.
The younger man looked at him confused. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"That girl is beaten, and frightened. She fears Angur. Fear is not loyalty. She may see our ambush as her liberation." Monty said, but Moody was not pleased.
"She MAY, what if she does not, what if she is loyal to that mutt?!" Cried Alastor, his voice raising a few octaves higher.
Fleamont waved him off and drew his wand to send a message to rest of the Aurors waiting patiently in the tree's amongst him. The presence of this girl had changed there plans. Though they were prepared to end Angur and his son Fenrir today, they needed to rescue that witch. He just hoped that they could kill Angur along the way.
As the soft glow of his spell darted between the trees, he turned back to the valley below.
The girl, no, the child, stood barefoot in the mud, her pale skin painted in blood and ash. Even from this distance, Fleamont could see how she trembled. Her magic crackled in the air, raw and ancient, pulsing with every heartbeat. It was beautiful. Terrifying.
A force of nature trapped in the body of a broken girl.
He squinted as a breeze lifted her tangled hair and revealed a fresh bruise forming along her jaw.
Monty’s stomach turned.
This wasn’t just another mission. Not anymore.
Behind him, Alastor muttered something under his breath, but Monty didn’t hear it. His thoughts were already elsewhere.
He’d thought his role in the world was clear. Protect. Hunt. End the threat.
But now… as he looked at the girl below, something deep inside him shifted.
A thought crept in, unwelcome at first.
What if this was Sirius? What if it were James? Alone. Hurt. Used.
Monty gritted his teeth.
No child deserved this. And he would make sure the girl was taken away from this hell.
With one final scan of the clearing, Monty raised his wand forward. He didn't need to look back to know the rest of his men understood.
With that, he dropped from the tree in a silent, practiced motion, cloak trailing behind him like a shadow. The others followed his lead, fading into the forest with wands drawn and hearts pounding.
None of them knew yet that this mission would change the tide of the war.
And for Fleamont Potter, it would change everything.
Forever.
A/N: Ooooo I hope this story sounds interesting bahahaha.
If you are considering reading my Regulus Black fanfiction, Like Real People Do, its important to know that it involves many heavy themes. I am aware that some of these things may be triggering to some of my readers. So, before you read, I wanted to give a detailed tw that will blanket what may be found in any of my chapters.
Disclaimer, there will be warnings at the beginings of each of my chapters when necessary. This means that not all chapters will contain heavy content and that I will add specific warnings for chapters with triggering content.
With this being said, I am human and can make mistakes. So, if you are reading and notice triggering content in a chapter that had no warning please let me know. Also, if there is a tw but it did not cover all of the necessary content please let me know.
TW Blanket (any chapter may include mentions or depictions of the following):
Childhood Abuse, domestic abuse, torture
SA, assault
Death, murder
Violence, war
Blood, wounds, injury, scars
Bodily fluids, vomit
(Possible) eventual smut
Cursing
Body dismorphia
Disordered eating
Anxiety, depression, panic attacks
Self-harm
Suicide ideation
If you find anything missing from this list while reading let me know.
With all of this heavyness covered I want to say that you matter. Your life matters, you are loved, you are not alone. Many of us can find ourselves in dark places at times. If you need someone to talk to my inbox is always open. We are not alone :)
A/N: My story sounds really dark and depressing with this list. Damn. I swear its not that bad lol.
My threat to David and Adam had somehow spread across the kingdom. So far that even the maids in the castle talked about it.
The whispered tales reached me through the creaking corridors of the castle. I overheard the room maids as they scrubbed the grand staircases or polished the gilded banisters. “Can you believe it?” one would murmur to the other, their voices tinged with both fear and awe. “The assassin, Forred... there here in the spring kingdom.”
Regret gnawed at me. Seeing the fear I had inflicted upon the pair of abusers was so satisfying but I deeply regretted ed my actions. Now they and hundreds of others knew who the secret assassin would kill next. And while my location couldn't be known to anyone for sure, many correctly speculated that I was staying in spring.
At least most people assumed I was a man. Though I'm sure David and Adam know exactly who I am.
Killing them both would now be ten times harder with eyes on them. But thankfully I had the perfect distraction.
Adam would be dead in five days.
Since our outing I have submerged myself into my work. The Prince's coronation is in five days so me and Rose had been busy finishing the designs on what would be the ceremony cloak.
My fingers ached with the effort of holding the needle and thread. Even now as I walked through the grounds for a short break they throbbed.
The cool breeze kissed my face, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers from the garden. Despite the chaos around me, this walk always soothed me.
Slipping through the familiar bush I stumbled into the clearing that had been my saving grace for the last few weeks. The clearing opened up before me, a hidden haven bathed in soft sunlight. The grass was slightly matted from where me and Rose had trained this morning. It still held the faint imprint of our footsteps, the occasional scuff in the dirt marking where I had taught Rose a number of defensive pins.
I sank onto the cool ground, running my fingers through the soft blades of grass. The air was alive with the hum of insects and the distant chirping of birds. I could still feel the slight strain in my muscles from the morning’s practice, a satisfying reminder of the effort I’d put into staying sharp.
"Hi, Tulip," I whispered out.
The small red flower didn't sneak into my peripheral vision unnoticed. He had been a companion of sorts. A plant. But one that I could have a back and forth conversation with.
The flower swayed gently in the breeze, its delicate petals catching the sunlight in a way that made it seem to glow. I wasn’t entirely sure if it was magic or simply my imagination filling in the gaps, but Tulip had a way of responding. The subtle shifts in its posture or the way its leaves would seem to tremble when I spoke—it felt alive in a way that went beyond nature. It felt... aware.
I watched as the grass shifted, the tiny blades curling into words, "good morning?"
"Rough morning," I confessed, leaning forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees. "Rose and I have finally caught a short break but I doubt either or us will be able to feel our hands by the end of the day, all this sewing is killing us."
Tulip tilted ever so slightly toward me, as if leaning in to listen.
Tulip’s leaves trembled gently, and the grass seemed to sway in the breeze, forming the words "rest?"
I leaned back, letting out a deep sigh. "I’d love to," I said softly. "But there’s no time. The ceremony is in just five days, and there’s still so much left to finish."
A small smile tugged at my lips as I gazed at the flower. His little stem arms crossed in front of his body in a scolding manner.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, the little plant’s posture almost comical in its mock disapproval. Tulip seemed to be giving me a silent lecture, as if scolding me for my stubbornness.
I leaned back further into the grass, allowing the cool earth beneath me to seep through my clothes, grounding me. "Maybe just a few minutes more," I mused, closing my eyes as I let myself soak in the peace of the clearing.
The breeze picked up once again, rustling the leaves and creating a soft melody in the air. I could hear the distant chirping of birds, the hum of life around me, and for a moment, it felt like the weight of the world had eased just a little.
"Suki! Time to get back to work!" Rose called to me from the other side of the clearing.
Fuck.
I opened my eyes reluctantly, the tranquility of the moment slipping away as the sound of Rose’s voice pulled me back to reality. The soft warmth of the sunlight and the scent of the flowers seemed to fade as I pushed myself back up, brushing the grass from my clothes.
"Coming!"
_____
Later that night when we are finally finished for the day, me and Rose retire to my room. At this point she has basically moved in.
The man who had been lurking outside her room at night had yet to abandon his harassment and Rose was not confident enough to confront him. Plus, I had hardly been teaching her hand-to-hand. Eventually, we would beat the shit out of him but I needed to make sure Rose was fully capable first. I didn't need her getting hurt on top of everything.
"Can we take the morning off tomorrow?" Rose asks pulling me out of my thoughts.
I glance at Rose, her exhaustion evident in the slight slump of her shoulders and the dark circles under her eyes. Her hair which is normally tied in a tight bun falls loosely around her shoulders as she looks at me with pleading eyes.
I want to say no. That people like us don't get to take days off, not in this world. But, Rose isn't like me. She isn't training to survive the life of a machine. She isn't a contractor living a double life with a permanent sword hanging above her head. Thats me.
"Alright," I say softly, my voice reluctant but firm. "We’ll take the morning off."
Rose’s eyes widen in surprise, and for a moment, she looks as if she was prepared to agrue, but relief overtakes her features. "Really?" she asks, her voice a mixture of disbelief and hope.
"Really," I confirm, leaning back against the wall.
Rose looks as though she is about to say something else, but an unexpected knock on the door grabs our attention. I look over at her confused, where we expecting company? But, Rose looks just as puzzled as me.
I move to the door and look through the tiny peep hole. My heart races lightly in a combination of fluster and anxiety at the sight.
Felix in all his glory stood less than a foot away on the other side. His pretty blonde hair was half up and- was he wearing the princes button up?
I open the door and sense Rose come to stand behind me. When Felix is revealed she greats him in her typical fashion.
"Felix!" she yells and jumps through the doorway. The tall boy stiffens as she wraps her arms around him but doesn't complain.
When she pulls away Felix flashes us one of his charming smiles, and acts completely unfazed. "Good evening, to you too," he says with a soft chuckle. I watch as his hard exterior softens, something I don't think I could ever get used too. Rose seems to have that kind of effect on people though.
I force a chuckle at Rose's antics, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. "So, what brings you here, Felix?" I ask, crossing my arms as I lean against the doorframe.
Felix’s eyes meet mine, and for a brief moment, something flickers there—an emotion I can’t quite place. Then, just as quickly, his easygoing demeanor returns. "I came of the behalf of the Prince, he wants to thank you both for all of your hard work this week."
Rose beams at the acknowledgment, her earlier exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "That’s so kind of him!" she exclaims, her voice brimming with excitement. "Tell him we appreciate it. Truly."
Felix smiles warmly at her, then glances back at me. "He's also requested your presence, so you can tell him that in person."
Felix’s words hang in the air, and I feel a knot tighten in my chest. "He wants to see us? Now?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, though the thought of being summoned so suddenly makes my mind race.
Felix nods, his smile unwavering. "He asked for you both to join him in his wing. I'll walk you both there."
"Oh, let us put on proper clothes first," Rose says her voice slightly panicky.
We had both changed out of our uniforms and now wore attire that certainly wasn't the matching sleepwear gifted buy the castle.
Felix waves us off though and starts walking away, "he won't mind, let's go."
Rose and I exchange a quick, wide-eyed look, her cheeks turning pink at Felix’s casual dismissal. She's wearing an oversized t-shirt and shorts that fall past her knees and I'm in an old long sleeved compression shirt and plaid pajama pants with the beanie I always slept in snug over my ears.
Both are definitely not something we wish to wear in royal presence.
Rose grabs my arm as we hurry to catch up with Felix, her expression a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Of course, this happens on the one night we wash our mandated pajamas," she whispers, glancing down at her sleepwear.
Felix walks a few steps ahead, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, seemingly unbothered by our attire—or maybe he found our discomfort entertaining. "Don’t worry," he says over his shoulder, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. "The Prince isn’t one for formality when it’s this late."
The corridors leading to the Prince’s wing felt endless, their high ceilings and gilded accents exuding an intimidating elegance. I glanced at Felix as he guided us forward, his pace leisurely as if he had all the time in the world. Rose fidgeted beside me, nervously smoothing out the wrinkles in her sleepwear. Her usual composure had been traded for a nervous energy that I shared, though I did my best to mask it.
When we finally arrived, Felix pushed open the grand double doors without hesitation, revealing a cozy sitting room. It was lavish yet intimate, with plush chairs arranged around a low table set for tea. The Prince—Hyunjin—was already there, seated gracefully, his long fingers delicately poised on the edge of a teacup. His dark hair framed his face, a stark contrast to his pale complexion, and his piercing gaze lifted as we entered.
"Good evening," Hyunjin greeted, his voice warm but commanding. His eyes flicked to Rose and me, lingering just long enough to make my pulse quicken.
We both dipped into clumsy bows and spoke in unison, "good evening, your highness."
The prince gasps dramatically at our formality, shaking his head. "No need for such titles, after our outing I would consider you both something more than maids I am acquainted with," he starts with a flattering smile. "And I do quite enjoy your company."
Hyunjin’s words caught me off guard, and I straightened, unsure how to respond. Rose, however, lit up like the sun breaking through clouds. Her earlier nerves seemed to dissolve as she grinned.
"That’s very kind of you, Your—uh, Hyunjin," Rose said, stumbling slightly over the shift in formality.
Hyunjin chuckled softly, a sound as smooth as velvet. "Much better," he replied, gesturing for us to sit. "Please, join me. Felix, you too."
I hesitated, glancing at Felix. His expression remained neutral, but I caught the faintest flicker of something in his golden eyes. He stayed near the doorway, leaning casually against the wall instead of joining us at the table.
Rose and I settled into the plush chairs, and Hyunjin poured tea for each of us with practiced grace. He handed Rose her cup first, then mine, his fingers brushing mine briefly as he passed it over. My heart skipped a beat at the touch, though I quickly pushed the feeling aside.
"I wanted to thank you both personally," Hyunjin began, his tone sincere. "The work you’ve done on the coronation cloak is extraordinary. I know the task hasn’t been easy, and I truly appreciate your dedication."
Rose beamed at the praise, her earlier exhaustion forgotten. "We are honored to contribute to something so important," she said, her voice brimming with pride.
I nod in agreement with her words.
After a few moments of polite conversation Hyunjin's gaze flickers to Felix. With a slight tip of his head the vampire leaves the room and then comes back with a large basin of water. Something that only someone with supernatural strength could carry with such ease.
"I would like to thank you both properly," the prince starts as Felix slides the basin between us. I watch as Hyunjin rolls his sleeves and dips both hands beneath the surface. He mutters something unrecognizable under his breath and I notice the water take on a silvery tint.
"What are you doing?" I ask before I can stop myself. A hand comes to my mouth, embarrassed by my own question.
Hyunjin’s lips curved into a gentle smile at my outburst, his hands still submerged in the now-glimmering water. "It’s an old tradition to show respect," he explained, his voice soft and steady. "To wash the tired hands of the ones who serve us. I assume both of your hands may be sore from the constant work and the water should soothe any ache away."
The ritual he described bore resemblance to various cultural practices where hand-washing symbolizes purification and respect. Its something Changbin had done for me before.
He took Rose's hands first, dipping them gently into the warm water.
"Oh," a content sigh escapes her causing us to giggle. The poor girls cheeks flame in embarrassment.
"It seems the water has its own charm," he remarked, his voice light.
As Hyunjin finished with Rose, he turned his attention to me. His gaze was intense, yet gentle, as he extended his hand toward me.
I hesitated for a moment before placing my hands into the basin. The water was warm, almost too warm, and I felt a slight tingle as it touched my skin.
Hyunjin's touch was gentle as he washed my hands, his fingers brushing against mine in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Thank you, Suki," he said softly, his voice carrying a sincerity that caught me off guard.
In this moment he seemed so kind. The thought of him being behind the organization of slaver rings felt so absurd. Though, I was a master at pretending and he must be the same.
In a expert manner, the prince massages the soreness from my hands and I have to fight back a sigh of my own. The soothing feeling distracts me from my surroundings momentarily but when I refocus I notice the intensity of both Felix and Hyunjin's gaze.
Felix's jaw was clenched, his fists at his sides, while Hyunjin's expression remained serene, though his eyes held a glint of something unreadable.
I couldn't help but wonder about the history between them, the unspoken understanding that passed between their glances.
Content warning: blood, death threats, severely suggestive content.
2.3k
Masterlist
_____
Almost a half an hour later, our food arrives. A stocky woman in a worn apron balances a tray expertly on her arm, setting the steaming dishes down in front of us. The aroma of roasted meats, herbs, and freshly baked bread wafts up, but it does nothing to stir my appetite.
The hunger I had arrived with had vanished the moment I saw them. Across the room, Adam and David are still seated, chatting as if they belong here, as if they’re not the monsters that will leave this place momentarily and go back to their day jobs of selling children. Their laughter cuts through the air every so often, a sharp reminder of their presence. My stomach churns at the sound, and even the sight of the food in front of me turns my insides.
I stare at the bowel in front of me, my hand absently wrapping around the spoon but making no move to eat. The others seem to notice.
“Not hungry anymore?” Rose asks softly, nudging my arm gently. Her voice is casual, but the concern laced within it is clear.
I force a small smile, shaking my head. “I guess I’m just more tired than I thought,” I lie, my voice barely audible. I sound weak and I hate it. Weakness is something I usually force into my voice, but now my tone conveys the truth.
Felix, sitting across from me, has barely touched his food. His gaze is heavy on me, his dark eyes unrelenting as if he’s trying to read every thought flickering across my face. It makes me feel exposed, as though the walls I’ve carefully built are crumbling under his scrutiny.
"I'm pretty tired too," Rose speaks up across the table. I don't doubt that she is exhausted from our early morning workout. But, on the other hand I know that no tiredness would keep her from enjoying the village that she rarely got to visit.
I narrow my eyes slightly, sensing she’s trying to deflect attention from me. It’s a kind gesture, but it only makes me feel more transparent. More exposed.
"Should we return to the castle grounds when we are finished then?" The princes asks gesturing to the table around us.
Me and Rose nod our heads in agreement.
Less than ten minutes later we are finished eating and Hyunjin is signing a check with the flick of his wrist. In that small amount of time I had taken two spoonfuls of soup into my mouth under the not so subtle gazes of Felix, Rose, and Hyunjin.
While the rest of the group finished eating I had taken the pen from the leather folder that held the bill and rolled it in my fingers. On an unused napkin I doodled innocently. The black ink bled onto the fragile paper and I gently maneuvered my hands in order to keep the napkin from ripping.
Slowly, the image of two cherries joined together at the tip of their stems formed. Two innocent cherries.
As the group stood and we moved towards the exit, I hesitated clearing my throat softly, "I'm gonna run to the restroom again, I'll meet you guys outside."
They nod in agreement and I don't move until I see them slip out the front door. When they are gone I move towards the bar.
"Bloody Shirley, please," I start, flashing the bartender a charming smile, "can you go a little heavy on the blood and add some extra cherries as well?" I ask kindly.
The man grunts in response and makes my drink how I ask. While he's busy I pull the napkin I had doodled on back out and reach across the bar grabbing an abandoned pen.
Next to the cherry drawing I write "FROM:" in sloppy lettering. Then underneath it, "FOR: RED."
I giggle to myself at the threat, adrenaline suddenly coursing through my veins at the thought of David and Adam's fear. Folding the napkin in half to hide the ink I wait for the drink I would be delivering to finish.
When the bartender slides it over the counter I lay a obnoxiously high payment next to it and turn towards them. My brain is so hyper fixated on their every movement that I don't notice Rose who had slipped back into the tavern in search for me.
I stumble fakely at a calculated distance and let the drink in my hands fall onto the table. The bloody liquid splashes against the surface and from the corner of my eye I'm able to watch their expressions morph into disgusts. Neither man is a vampire so the blood is unwelcoming.
The napkin flutters down onto the table, landing just shy of the spreading pool of crimson liquid. David and Adam’s expressions twist further as the smell hits them—sharp and metallic, unmistakably blood. Their distaste is almost comical, but I keep my face carefully neutral, a mask of clumsy apology.
“Oh my gosh,” I gasp, my tone sugary sweet and entirely fake. “I am so sorry!” My hands flit uselessly over the mess as if I’m trying to clean it up, but my real focus is on their reactions. David’s lip curls in revulsion, his hand pulling sharply away from the encroaching liquid. Adam’s face hardens, his eyes narrowing as he stares at me, suspicion flickering there.
Perfect.
“Don’t worry about it,” Adam mutters through gritted teeth, though his tone suggests he’s already done worrying about me far too much. I watch his gaze dart to the napkin I’ve left behind, curiosity flickering across his features. He doesn’t pick it up right away, but I know he will the moment I leave.
“Really, I feel awful,” I continue, my voice a little too loud, a little too insistent. The bartender glares at me from behind the bar, but I ignore him, focusing instead on the two men. “Let me get this cleaned up for you.”
“No need,” David snaps, his voice sharp and impatient. He waves me off with a dismissive flick of his hand, his discomfort plain. “Just go.”
I flash them both a bright, apologetic smile, my insides thrumming with adrenaline. “If you insist,” I say, backing away with exaggerated meekness. My hands are trembling, but not from nerves—from the thrill of watching my little threat tick down to detonation.
I turn on my heel and make my way toward the exit, my heart pounding in my chest. Just as I push the door open, I catch a glimpse of Adam leaning toward the napkin, his hand brushing over it.
Pure terror immediately washes over his face and sadly I don't have time to watch David who will undoubtedly react the same way.
As I lift my head and head for the door I miss Rose's figure slip back outside of the tavern.
When I meet them outside her face gives away nothing and we head quietly back to the castle.
_____
Hyunjin's POV.
"I don't know how long I can handle this, Felix," I say dejectedly as we finally reach the confines of our room.
My hands clutch onto the white button up that Suki had returned to me moments ago when we had gotten back from our day out. Her scent lingered on the fabric, mixing with mine creating the most intoxicating aroma.
"She's a human, my love," Felix says as he walks towards me. His arms wrap around me from behind and pull me to his chest. "We just need to wait till after your coronation. When things settle down and their are less threats."
I let out a shaky sigh, leaning into Felix’s embrace, seeking the grounding comfort he always provides. His arms are strong yet gentle, his presence unwavering. But even his warmth can’t quiet the ache in my chest.
"I long for her too, but we can not risk her life." Felix's words cut through the haze of my emotions like a blade, sharp and undeniable.
In the weeks before her arrival, there had been numerous attempts on my life. None of them successful, of course, thanks to my skillful bodyguard—and mate—Felix. His precision and unwavering vigilance had kept me safe through it all. But every attack served as a stark reminder of the dangers that surrounded us. The danger that lurked in the confines of my own home.
I close my eyes, the weight of those memories pressing heavily on my chest. "You think they’d go after her for sure?" I murmur, my voice barely audible.
Felix doesn’t hesitate. "Yes. They’d see her as a weakness, a way to get to you. And they’d be right." His tone is firm, but there’s a hint of sorrow in it, a reflection of the turmoil we both feel. "If anything were to happen to her because of us..." His voice trails off, but the unspoken words linger in the air, heavy and suffocating.
I nod, my throat tight. "I know. That’s why I keep my distance, why I pretend she’s just... another subject. But it’s torture, Felix. Every time I see her, it’s like my heart is being torn in two." My grip on the shirt tightens as if holding onto it can somehow anchor me, keep me from unraveling completely.
Felix turns me to face him, his hands resting on my shoulders. "We’re doing this for her, Hyunjin. For her safety, for her future. Once you’re crowned and the threats have subsided, we can figure out how to tell her. Until then, we have to stay strong—for her."
I search his eyes, finding the steady resolve that I seem to have lost. His confidence, his belief that we’re doing the right thing, is the only thing keeping me afloat. "Do you think she feels the same?" I ask quietly, my voice tinged with doubt.
Felix’s lips quirk into a small smile. "She definitely feels something towards us." I narrow my eyes at his cryptic answer and watch as the smile widens on his face.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
Felix nibbles on his bottom lip slightly and I notice his eyes flicker to my exposed arms. "Well for starters, I was listening to her heartbeat all day," he starts as his fingers subconsciously start tracing the veins down my arms. "and when you took off our shirt and gave it to her, I thought she was having a heart attack."
A flicker of amusement tugs at the corners of my lips despite the heaviness in my chest. "Is that so?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "You’re telling me her heart was racing because of me?"
Felix chuckles softly, his fingers now trailing up to my shoulder, where they linger. "I’m saying her heart was pounding so loud it drowned out half the village noise. She wasn’t exactly subtle."
I shake my head, a faint smile breaking through my somber expression. "You’re making it sound like she’s infatuated."
Felix shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Maybe she is. Not that she’d admit it, even if you asked. Humans have a knack for hiding their feelings, but their bodies don’t lie. And hers practically screamed when you so much as looked her way."
I huff a laugh, though my stomach twists at the thought. "It doesn’t change anything. Even if she does feel something, it doesn’t mean we can act on it. Plus I'm the future king of spring and she is a maid, thats quite the power imbalance."
Felix hums in agreement and I see a shadow of doubt flicker across his face. "Lets not talk about that now," he says lowly, his voice dropping an octave.
The hands on my shoulders then move to my neck, distracting me. A subtle pressure against my windpipe has me forcing down a moan. I look into my mates eyes and find a sudden desire swimming in them.
I close the distance between us, slamming my mouth onto his in a feverish manner.
Felix responds immediately, his grip tightening around my neck as his other hand slides down to my waist, pulling me flush against him. The kiss is raw and urgent, a clash of pent-up emotions and unspoken words. His lips are soft but insistent, and his teeth graze against mine as he deepens the connection.
A low groan escapes from deep in my throat, and Felix smirks against my lips, his confidence only fueling my need. My hands tangle in his hair, pulling him closer, unwilling to let even a breath of air separate us. Every touch, every kiss, feels like an explosion of fireworks.
The intoxicating scent of him, mingled with the faint trace of adrenaline from our earlier conversation, clouds my senses. My heart pounds in time with his, the room spinning as we lose ourselves in each other. It’s only when we’re both breathless and trembling that Felix pulls back slightly, his forehead resting against mine.
"Hyunjin," he murmurs, his voice thick with desire and something deeper—something that anchors me even as it sets my soul alight. "You have no idea what you do to me."
I peck his swollen lips gently in reply.
"I think I might have a clue," I whisper, pressing my leg between his, immediately feeling the hardness in his pants.
Felix's hands move quickly, flipping me around and pressing me down against the bed that had been on the other side of the room moments ago. I wiggle in his grip and feel the slight twitch of his cock against my backside.
"Put that shirt back on my love, I need to have you with her scent all over you."
At 10:00 am sharp, I step out of my room and glide down the hallways that lead to the castle's front exit. The familiar rhythm of my loafers on the stone floors echoes softly in the quiet halls. I'm due to meet Felix and Rose at five past near the front gates and can only guess that they will arrive punctually, like me.
The air grows cooler as I approach the heavy wooden doors leading outside. A faint chill rushes in as I push them open, the courtyard stretching wide and open before me. The sunlight bathes everything in gold, though the bite of late autumn lingers.
As I approach the gate I see Rose's tiny form talking to who I assume to be Felix, standing behind a pillar, obstructing my view. I am quickly shocked to realize that is not the case as I come closer.
Prince Hyunjin slowly comes into view standing beside his vampire bodyguard and is dressed in anything but the royal attire I had been sewing for weeks. He's wearing brown slacks and an white unbuttoned long-sleeve shirt with a black tank top hiding his torso. My eyes are drawn to the material that clings to his waist, and I notice the sliver of skin that is exposed at his mid-drift.
The sight momentarily disables me.
I’ve seen Prince Hyunjin countless times, always impeccably dressed in the royal finery befitting his status. But this—this is something entirely different. The casual outfit clings to him in a way that feels almost too personal to witness.
His dark brown hair which is normally tied up in a traditional style is completely loose. The long locks fall in layers, the longest reaching the tips of his shoulders and the shortest framing his face beautifully. It looks so effortlessly styled and I can't help but wonder if he is able to wake up and be simply blessed with such beauty.
Beside him, Felix is looking as sultrily intimidating as always. He wears all black and half of his hair is tied up like usual. But, this morning there seems to be a more ethereal glow that emits from him. Somehow he is even more attractive than yesterday.
What the fuck is wrong with me.
As I close in on them I fix my gaze to Rose and adjust my face in an impassive look.
"Hello," I say when I'm just a few feet away. I smile welcomingly at Rose and Felix then I turn and bow deeply to the prince, "good morning your Highness."
As I straighten I meet Hyunjin's eye that seems to look through me and into my soul. I have to control a shiver at the sheer intensity of his gaze.
He steps forward towards me and holds out his hand in greeting. I take it in mine ready to shake firmly but, am surprised when he turns my palm downwards. Instead of a handshake, his lips press a gentle kiss against my knuckle. Time seems to slow at the feeling of his soft lips on my skin.
"What scent do you wear?" he asks suddenly as he straightens.
His question catches me off guard, and for a moment, my thoughts race. My scent? I hadn’t even considered it. The faintest blush creeps up my neck, but I force my features to remain composed.
"It’s nothing special, Your Highness," I reply, voice steady despite the way his intense gaze seems to peel away my composure. "I wash with lilac infused soaps, I'm not one to wear perfume really."
Hyunjin hums, his eyes lingering on mine longer than is necessary. "Lilac," he repeats softly, almost as though testing the word on his tongue. "It's heavenly."
Felix shifts beside him, the ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. Whether it's amusement or something more pointed, I can't tell. Nor do I have the energy to decipher the look with the effort it takes to keep my composure at the devilishly handsome princes words.
Thankfully Rose saves the day.
The short blonde clears her throat, drawing our attention to her. "Are we ready to go?"
I exhale a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Rose glances between us, her brows raised as though she knows exactly what she’s interrupted.
“Yes,” Hyunjin replies smoothly, stepping forward with a casual grace that only seems to emphasize his presence. “I’m ready.”
His words hit me like a gust of wind. Ready? My brow furrows as I glance between him and Felix. “Your Highness… you’re coming with us?”
"Yes, I hope I'm not intruding," he says snapping his electric gaze back to me.
"Of course not," I start with a slight bow, "it's just... shouldn't we take guards with us?"
Hyunjin's lips curve into a knowing smile, one that radiates quiet confidence. “I appreciate your concern,” he says, his voice smooth as silk. “But I hardly think I need more than one guard when Felix is with us. He’s more than enough.”
Felix straightens slightly, his smirk fading into something different—though the flicker of amusement in his eyes remains. “Don’t flatter me too much, Your Highness,” he says, his tone light but with an edge of flirtiness?
Prince Hyunjin chuckles softly at Felix’s response, the sound rich and warm, as though they’re sharing a private joke. The air between them seems to hum with an unspoken familiarity, one that’s both intriguing and slightly disarming.
I glance over at Rose wondering if she had noticed as well. Though if she did, the blonde does not show it on her face.
Instead she clears her throat loudly again, "if Felix is enough, then let’s get moving. The village isn’t going to wait for us.”
Hyunjin inclines his head graciously, though his eyes linger on Felix for a beat longer. “Lead the way,” he says, his tone light but carrying an undercurrent of amusement.
As we start down the path, I can’t help but glance between the two of them. Felix’s relaxed confidence and Hyunjin’s effortless charm seem to complement each other in a way I hadn’t noticed before. Was there something more between them? Or was this just the natural dynamic between a prince and his trusted guard?
Either way, Rose is already walking ahead, her focus on the journey ahead rather than the subtle exchanges behind her. I fall into step beside her, hoping the crisp air will cool the thoughts swirling in my mind. Something about this trip feels charged, like the calm before a storm.
_____
When we finally make it into the village the streets are buzzing with life. Vendors, slavers, beggars, and commoners float around the cobblestone that connects the entire community.
The air is thick with the scent of baked bread, flowery mist, and the occasional waft of something less pleasant. Children dart between legs, their laughter mingling with the cries of vendors hawking their wares.
Its strangely comforting being in such a large crowd. Instead of ones typical social anxiety by such a big cluster of people I feel at ease. The knowledge that I can slip away and blend into the background so effortlessly satisfies my nerves.
Rose walks at my side, her eyes wide with wonder as she takes in the bustling scene. She reaches out to touch the edge of a vendor’s stall, her fingers brushing the vibrant fabric of a silk scarf. “It’s beautiful,” she breathes, her voice soft, almost reverent.
Unsurprisingly in the same second a door from a indoor shop swings open grabbing her attention. The scarf falls from her hands and I watch as her eyes light up with an excited gleam.
Rose steps toward the open doorway, drawn as though by an invisible thread. “Look at that!” she exclaims, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
I look to Felix whose face remains even. His sharp features giving away no signs of intrigue nor boredom. However, beside him, Prince Hyunjin's eyes sparkle with the same wonder as Rose's.
Me and Felix trail behind our enthusiastic counterparts as we enter the cozy looking shop and I realize that its a bookstore.
The air inside is warmer, carrying the faint mustiness of old paper and ink. Shelves stretch from floor to ceiling, packed with tomes of every size and color. The golden light from a cluster of hanging lanterns bathes the space in a soft glow, making the polished wooden floors gleam. It’s quieter here, the bustling noise of the streets muffled by the thick stone walls, leaving only the occasional creak of the floorboards or the murmur of other patrons to fill the silence.
Rose is already darting toward a display of books bound in jewel-toned covers, her fingers hovering just above their spines. “I’ve never seen so many in one place,” she whispers, her voice tinged with awe.
Prince Hyunjin’s smile grows wider as he strolls deeper into the shop, his fingers brushing along a row of titles. “This is quite the collection,” he muses.
Felix, however, stays near the entrance, his arms crossed as he leans against the doorframe. His gaze sweeps over the shop, not at the books but at the people within. Ever the sentinel, he remains on guard even in a place as seemingly benign as this.
I linger near the entrance as well, letting my eyes wander over the rows of books and the cozy nooks tucked between shelves. There’s a small alcove near the back where sunlight filters through a circular window, illuminating a pair of plush chairs and a low table stacked with dog-eared novels.
My feet guide me in that direction and a tiny wooden sign hangs above the nook. Children's stories.
Somehow my eyes catch the only book that I had ever read, or that had been read to me.
Christopher Robin Story Book: A Complete Collection.
My body goes numb and my mind automatically flickers back to an old memory. Suddenly in nine years younger and back at the Shades Club where I was a slaver for the only portion of my childhood that I could remember.
"How did you get that in here?"
I watch my eleven year old self snuggle into Red who held me close in one of the storage rooms behind the club's stage. In his hands was the was a more tattered copy of the exact book I stood in front of now.
"I got one of the softy monitors to sneak it in," he whispered back. His boba eyes sparkled excitedly as he spoke, his gaze fixed on the battered novel.
With one arm slung around my shoulder and the other holding the book against his bent legs, Red opened the book.
"Winnie The Pooh is my favorite, I'll read it to you."
A light touch to my arm startled me out of my thoughts and I was surprised to turn around and see Felix. His dark eyes pierce into mine with a confusing intensity and flicker to the book in my hands.
When had I grabbed it from the shelf?
"Are you familiar with those stories?" he asks suddenly. The deepness of his voice travels through the air, vibrating against my chest and disabling me for a moment.
I blink, caught off guard by the question and the way his tone carries something deeper—something that feels weighted with meaning. My fingers tighten around the book’s spine, and I swallow hard, forcing my voice to steady.
“Yeah,” I say softly, my words clipped. “I... I used to know someone wh-"
My words are cut off by the abrupt appearance of Rose and Hyunjin who now held a small bag with what had to be purchased books. Rose’s expression is bright, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she bounces slightly on her toes.
"Are you guys ready to go?" Rose asked, looking between us both.
I glance at Felix, whose expression remains unreadable, though his gaze lingers on me for a moment longer before shifting to Rose. He gives a brief nod, his usual composure back in place.
“Yeah,” I reply, forcing a smile. My hand hesitates over the book for a split second before I reluctantly place it back onto the shelf.
Felix watches the motion but says nothing, his face giving away nothing of what he might be thinking. He steps aside, gesturing toward the door.
Once again we are back on the street but this time the Prince is the one guiding us to our next destination. A lunch tavern.
I hadn't even noticed the subtle hunger creeping up on me until we stepped inside and my senses were overwhelmed with the scent of food. A host brings us to a small booth which is a perfect fit for four people and leaves us with a menu, empty glasses, and a pitcher filled with water.
Rose is already talking a mile a minute, her enthusiasm contagious as she pulls out her newly purchased books. I glance across the table at Felix, who’s sitting with his usual quiet air, his gaze scanning the room. It’s funny, how he always seems so observant, yet he says so little, it reminds me a bit of myself.
He smiles genuinely a few times as he speaks to Rose who I can tell he cares for deeply. She seems to be a small ray of sunshine that forces him out of his all business no play persona.
I sit beside Hyunjin who had unexpectedly yet eagerly joined my side of the table. I can feel his gaze flick to me every couple of moments even when I'm not looking at him. It confuses me but I act obvious to his sneaky glances.
I try not to make a big deal of it, but I can’t deny the slight flutter in my chest when our eyes meet. It’s the kind of look that lingers, and I can’t quite figure out why. I’m not used to people paying this much attention to me, at least not in the way he does.
"Shit."
I don't have time to react.
Prince Hyunjin's glass of water suddenly tips from the force of his distracted hand and the liquid spills. I freeze, my heart jolting in surprise as the cold water splashes against my side, completely dosing my shirt. The fabric sticks to my skin, and for a moment, all I can do is stare at the spreading wetness.
"I'm so sorry Suki!" The Prince speaks in a high-pitched and embarrassed tone.
Before I can respond he is shrugging off his button up and completely revealing the toned skin of his arms.
Holy shit.
I blink, momentarily stunned by the suddenness of his reaction. I hadn't expected him to remove his already unbuttoned shirt that had been teasing me all day. My gaze flickers over his bare skin before quickly snapping away, my heart racing in an entirely different way now. His arms are strong and defined, the sight sending all the moisture in my body south.
"Please take my shirt, you can't stay in yours the rest of the day now that I ruined it," he says looking at me through his perfect eyelashes.
I try to swallow the sudden tightness in my throat, my brain struggling to process his words. His shirt. His shirt. The thought alone makes my pulse spike, but I can’t exactly refuse him, can I? The wet fabric clings uncomfortably to my skin, and the chill from the water is starting to set in.
Why does he have such an effect on me? Both he and Felix are nothing but an assignment yet my body seems to betray me every moment I'm in their presence.
“I—I don’t think that’s necessary, your Highness” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I can feel the blood rushing to my face, “It’s really not a big deal.”
But he doesn’t seem convinced, his eyes flickering from my drenched shirt to my face, more guilt creeping into his expression.
"Take the shirt, Rose will you accompany her to the bathroom and help her change?" Felix's authoritative voice cuts through the air.
I can't control my expression when I whip my head to him wildly. Was it common for him to speak with such dominance in the presence of the future king?
Yet Hyunjin didn't seemed the least bit phased and turned to Rose, handing her his shirt.
I turn to Rose, who’s already taking the shirt from Hyunjin, her eyes flickering between him and me. She’s clearly trying to keep things light, her smile as bright and unaffected as ever. "Let’s get you dried off, Suki," she says, her tone playful, but I can tell she’s trying to ease the tension in the air.
I nod, swallowing hard, trying to ignore the way my body reacts to Hyunjin’s shirt still hovering in the air. I don’t even know why I’m so wound up. It’s just a shirt, I remind myself, though the words don’t quite settle in my mind.
Hyunjin’s gaze lingers on me a moment longer before he nods in agreement, his lips curling into a faint, but somehow gentle, smile. “Take your time,” he says softly, his voice low enough to send a small shiver down my spine. The way he looks at me, like I’m the only one in the room, catches me off guard once again. In my distraction, I fail to notice Felix looking at me with the same regard and then when I disappear into the bathroom I'm also oblivious to the heated gaze shared between the two men left at the table.
Once I’m in the bathroom and away from their gazes, I lean against the counter, trying to steady myself. Rose looks at me through the mirror for a moment before respectfully turning her back to give me privacy. I'm grateful I don't have to ask, the last thing I need now is her to see the scarring on my back.
I pull Hyunjin’s shirt over my head quickly, the fabric brushing against my damp skin. It’s soft and carries the faintest hint of his scent—clean, warm, and somehow distinctly him. The thought makes my heart stutter, and I force myself to focus on smoothing the shirt into place rather than letting my mind wander.
Rose, still facing the other way, speaks lightly. “He didn’t even hesitate, you know. Just handed it over like it was the most natural thing in the world.”
Her tone is casual, but there’s a hint of curiosity in her words. I glance at her through the mirror again and see her back is still turned, making her expression unreadable. “Yeah, well,” I say softly, tugging the hem of the shirt to ensure it covers me properly. “He probably felt bad. It was his fault, after all.”
Rose turns back, her gaze landing on me with a faint smile. “Maybe. Or maybe he just wanted you in his shirt.” She raises an eyebrow, her tone playful but not teasing. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Suki.”
I scoff loudly at her words.
"The prince doesn't look at me," I say firmly, though I don't believe my own words.
Rose’s laugh is quiet, almost knowing. “Sure, if you say so.” She pauses, her eyes flicking over me as if checking for anything out of place before nodding in approval. “The shirt suits you, by the way."
It most certainly did not.
The shirt that sat boxy and cropped at Hyunjin's waist, didn't look nearly as flattering on me. The material swallowed me whole and looked more like a short dress as the ends kissed my mid thighs. Its long sleeves flew past my wrists despite being rolled three times on both sides and the effort of pushing them up my arms felt useless each time they feel back into place.
I look so stupid.
"Alright lets go back," I mutter out feeling slightly annoyed. I turn on my heel and don't wait to see if Rose is following behind me.
When I step out of the bathroom and back into the dining area the sound of a familiar chuckle sends shivers down my spine. My head snaps up in its direction and I feel the air leave my lungs as though I had just been struck in the chest.
Across the room, on the opposite side of our table, Adam and David sit together. My former owner, abuser, and my next kills.
The sight of them freezes me in place, my blood turning cold. The tavern’s warmth seems to vanish in an instant, replaced by the suffocating weight of memories I’ve fought to bury. Adam, his sharp features framed by the flickering light of the tavern’s lanterns, looks no different than he did the last time I saw him—arrogant, composed, and entirely unaware of the storm brewing in my chest. Beside him, David leans back in his chair, his relaxed posture a stark contrast to the tension that knots my body.
I force myself to breathe, but each inhale feels like swallowing shards of glass. My instincts scream at me to turn around, to disappear before they notice me, but my feet remain rooted to the floor. For a moment, it feels like time has stopped, the noise of the tavern fading into a distant hum.
Get it together.
“Hey, Suki.” Rose’s voice breaks through the haze, and I flinch, her light touch on my arm grounding me. I watch her smile falter when she scans my face as I was not quick enough to fix my expression. "Are you okay?" she whispers.
I don’t answer her. I can’t. My heart pounds in my chest, each beat reverberating in my ears as a deep-seated rage bubbles to the surface. I clench my fists at my sides, the fabric of Hyunjin’s shirt tightening across my shoulders as my muscles tense.
They will be dead soon, I remind myself, and I'll be the one to end them.
Synopsis: Two strangers with the same love for the city and songwriting meet under the stars in Chicago. They fall in love, quick and easy. But, there’s a problem. They are both keeping a big secret from each other.
2.2k - The final part!
Masterlist
_____
Two years later
The city never sleeps.
Hyunjin and Anne knew this like the back of their hand. The hum of traffic even at this hour, the glow of neon signs flickering in puddles along the pavement, the occasional burst of laughter from late-night wanderers. Chicago had a heartbeat of its own, pulsing steady and alive, a quiet rhythm they had learned to move with.
It was 3:00 a.m., and they were back. The Windy City had been a witness to their beginning. It was weird to think they were stranger's once. Two people from two completely different walks of life, yet the city brought them together. It was where their story had begun, where love had first taken root in a midnight songwriting and cheeky flirting.
Now, hand in hand, they walked the familiar streets, the crisp night air carrying the scent of rain and lake water. Anne squeezed Hyunjin’s fingers absentmindedly, unaware of the ring burning a hole in his pocket, unaware that in just a little while, everything was about to change.
The Navy Pier was in sight ahead of them. It was where they were headed for their late night date night. Something they did quite often in every city they visited together. Though, in Chicago it was most special.
As they walked along the familiar wooden planks of the dock Anne gazed out at the small waves simmering in the moonlight. It was darker than usual tonight. Usually the large ferris wheel illuminated their path. But tonight it was just them and the moon.
As they continued down the pier Anne kept her hand in Hyunjin's. She was completely oblivious to the group of boys hiding in the shadows around them.
When they reached the end of the pier Anne was surprised to find a blanket laid out for them just beyond the fence she had jumped a million times. Hyunjin's guitar sat in the center of it and beside it she saw two steaming mugs of Dollop's coffee. Their favorite.
The entire set up was surrounded by tiny candles that were lit and glowed dimly against the instrument. It was adorable. A little romantic night that Hyunjin had obviously put more thought into then he had let on.
"H..." Anne whined out. Her eyes clouding with tears of joy.
She turned back to him, and there he was standing just behind her, looking slightly embarrassed, his sheepish smile only adding to the charm of the moment.
“You really did all this?” she whispered.
Hyunjin pecked the tip of her nose. "I had some help," he said mysteriously.
Then he held her waist and helped Anne over the familiar fence where they had met all that time ago. When she was safely on the other side he hopped over, joining her.
“Just like old times,” he said, his voice light, but there was a weight behind it now.
Anne smiled, heart full as she gazed up at him. She knew him well enough to sense the shift. There was something different tonight.
Hyunjin cleared his throat, "Except this time, I already have a song written for you."
Her breath caught at the sincerity in his tone, and she turned to face him fully. The playful edge had faded, leaving behind a vulnerability that made her stomach flip.
“You wrote a song for me?” she whispered, almost as if she couldn’t quite believe it.
"They're all for you, baby," Hyunjin murmured, his voice hushed and full of meaning as he pulled her closer. His hands slid gently around her waist, bringing her into the warmth of his chest.
Anne’s breath caught as his lips hovered just above hers, a teasing pause that seemed to stretch time itself. Then, with the gentlest of movements, he pressed a featherlight kiss to her lips.
When he pulled back he picked up the guitar. His usual steady hands shaking slightly. Then he sat pulling her down with him.
"This one's called Angel."
Then he strummed the guitar and the ferris wheel lit up not even a moment later. Anne's head whipped over to it and saw the pretty pink and white lights dancing together as the wheel moved in the night. A large poster spanned across the entirety of it, though it was rolled into a thin line which was strange. Usually, advertisement's were always visible.
When Hyunjin's finger's strummed the instrument again, her attention flicked back to him. Anne’s gaze softened as she took him in. He looked so beautiful under the soft glow of the candles, the reflection of the Ferris wheel lights dancing in his eyes.
And when he opened his mouth and sang for her she felt her heart flutter wildly in her chest.
"Congratulations, you've been pretending to be human"
"So well"
"Might even fool the neighbors"
"Reading your Sunday papers"
"I won't tell"
Hyunjin sang beautifully, despite the slight tremor beneath his voice. Anne reached her hand out to place it on his knee rubbing comforting circles into the material of his jeans.
"But I know better than to"
"Bring up the weather with you"
"And talk about the rain"
"After you fall asleep, I'll"
"Kiss both your eyes and cheeks"
"I know we're not the same"
Anne smiled as he sang. The words were so beautifully written. Hyunjin was an artist in its highest form and to know she inspired him to create his art was the greatest gift.
"You're an angel"
"In disguise"
"You're an angel"
"In my eyes"
The smile on Anne's face quickly broke as her chin began to tremble. Tears pricked at her eyes as she took in her boyfriends words. It was beautiful and it was for her.
"I bought a house to live in"
"But you're the home I'm missing'"
"I know"
"Nothing good lasts forever"
"But nights with you are better"
"So go slow"
Hyunjin's heart beat wildly in his chest as he sang. The sight of his Annie crying tears of joy from the words he sang struck something deep inside of him.
He loved her so much.
When he first met her in this very spot two years ago, he didn't think she was real. She was too beautiful, too kind, to perfect. She really was an angel in disguise.
"I never knew I needed you"
"Before I found you for the first time, mm"
"I'm out of step, I'm off my feet"
"I'm waking up inside a dream"
"Teach me how to fly"
As the song neared its end the group of boys moved quietly behind the couple. It was the band, his band and Andrew. The group of people that worked so hard for them to be able to be together.
It was only right that they got to witness the fruits of their labor. That being what Hyunjin hoped would be his engagement to the love of his life.
"You're an angel"
"In disguise"
"You're an angel"
"In my eyes"
The banner unraveled.
Anne's back was still turned to it, her full attention on Hyunjin. The words, will you marry me? Floating on the ferris wheel burning a hole in the back of her head.
Hyunjin's hand's trembled as he subtly watched it unravel. Though he kept playing. He loved his Annie and she loved him, he already knew what she would say.
"You're an angel"
"In my eyes"
"You're an angel"
"Are you mine, mine, mine"
"Tonight?"
"Tonight, woo"
"Tonight"
"Tonight."
When Hyunjin's hands stopped playing Anne threw herself onto him. Her arms warmed tightly around his neck as she pulled him into a loving hug.
Hyunjin chuckled softly at her affection and wrapped his arms around her in return. Carefully, he allowed her to wrap her legs around his waist as he stood them up from their sitting position on the blanket.
Anne’s face was buried in his shoulder, her hands tangled in his hair, and he could feel the soft tremor of her breath as she held him close. He was sure she could hear the thudding of his heart, but in that moment, nothing else mattered.
For a moment, they stood there, just holding each other, the only sound the rustling of the breeze and the quiet hum of the Ferris wheel in the distance.
Finally, after a beat of silence, Hyunjin gently helped Anne disconnect from him. He reached up to tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingertips brushing lightly against her skin.
“Turn around and look at the Ferris wheel, angel,” he whispered, his voice shaking ever so slightly, betraying the nervous excitement he felt.
Anne’s heart fluttered again, a soft curiosity piquing inside her. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with wonder. “What…?”
He smiled, the tenderness in his gaze sending a rush of warmth through her chest. “Trust me,” he said softly.
With a confused but eager expression, Anne turned around slowly. The Ferris wheel loomed ahead, glowing brightly in the night sky, but there was something different about it now. As she took in the sight, her breath caught.
The banner on the Ferris wheel had fully unraveled. The words Will you marry me? were written in bold letters, glowing brightly against the backdrop of the stars. Anne’s heart stopped for a moment.
She turned back to Hyunjin, her eyes wide, her hands shaking as the realization slowly sank in. He was still smiling at her on one knee. A beautiful ring held between his two finger's and the diamonds sparkled beneath the glowing ferris wheel lights.
Anne’s breath caught in her throat as her heart beat erratically in her chest. She felt like the world had paused, her vision narrowing on him, on the man she had fallen in love with, the man who had just turned her world upside down in the best way.
“Hyunjin…” she whispered, her voice barely audible, trembling with a mix of awe and emotion.
He smiled up at her, his eyes bright with unshed tears, and his voice was steady but full of love. “Annie, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were it for me. You make everything better, you make me better. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
His words were simple, but they carried so much weight, and Anne felt herself choke up. She didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or simply stand there in disbelief.
“I love you more than anything, your my muse, my inspiration, the light on my dark days, my life's purpose, my soulmate, my one and only love.” Hyunjin continued, his thumb gently rubbing the band of the ring as he held it out to her. “Will you marry me?”
Anne’s hands flew to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t hold them back any longer. The love she felt for him was so overwhelming, so pure, it filled her chest to bursting.
She fell to her knee's in front of him. Her hands coming up to cup his face in her shaking hands.
"Yes, H. Yes!"
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
She said yes.
“I love you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion, his hands instinctively reaching for hers, pulling her into him. He kissed her then, gently, deeply, as if the world around them had disappeared.
She said yes.
She said yes.
_____
When they got back to their apartment an hour later another surprise was in play.
The moment they stepped through the doors and turned on the lights the room was filled with confetti, hoots, and hollers.
Anne barely had a second to process before arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a flurry of hugs. Felix was the first to reach her, practically bouncing on his feet. “Surprise, fiancée!” he grinned, emphasizing the last word like it was his favorite new title for her.
Anne blinked, her wide eyes darting around the apartment, which had been completely transformed. String lights twinkled across the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the room. A banner reading Congratulations, Hyunjin & Anne! stretched across the far wall, and the coffee table was covered in snacks, champagne bottles, and a cake decorated with tiny, edible roses.
Anne turned to Hyunjin, who stood beside her, a knowing smirk playing at his lips. “You knew about this?” she accused, though her voice trembled with laughter.
He chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. “Maybe,” he admitted, pressing a kiss to her temple. “But your reaction made keeping the secret worth it.”
She shook her head, overwhelmed but undeniably happy. “I can't believe you all did this.”
Chris stepped forward, raising a glass of champagne. “Of course we did! There was no way we weren’t celebrating you two.”
The room erupted in cheers once more as Hyunjin took Anne’s hand, their fingers intertwining.
This was always how it was supposed to be. Celebrating with their friends, the people who made their relationship possible. The ones who loved them like family.
Anne and Hyunjin couldn't have asked for a better night.
A/N: Ahhhh its over! Sorry for the wait on the final part! I hope everyone enjoyed <3
Synopsis: Two strangers with the same love for the city and songwriting meet under the stars in Chicago. They fall in love, quick and easy. But, there’s a problem. They are both keeping a big secret from each other.
Warning: suggestive content, cursing.
2.4k
_____
Soft rays of sunlight peek through the cracked curtains of the hotel room, casting golden streaks across the tangled sheets. The warm light kisses Anne’s skin, highlighting the soft curves of her face, the gentle rise and fall of her chest. She looks like a real life angel and Hyunjin can feel his heart stutter in his chest at her beauty.
The clock on the wall reads 1:30 pm but he chooses to ignore it. It was just he and Annie. Nothing else mattered more than his angel getting the rest she deserved.
Carefully, he reaches out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek. His fingers barely graze her skin, afraid to wake her, but he lingers for just a moment, memorizing the way she feels beneath his touch. She had always been beautiful, but like this—soft, unguarded, lost in sleep—she was something divine. His angel.
So he stays still, letting time pass unnoticed, letting the quiet surround them. Simply enjoying her closeness and touch was enough for him.
Another thirty minutes pass before Anne starts to stir.
It’s subtle at first. A soft sigh, the faintest scrunch of her nose as the sunlight grows brighter against her skin. Then, her fingers twitch, shifting ever so slightly against his bare chest. Hyunjin holds his breath, unwilling to break the peaceful moment as her eyelashes flutter open, revealing sleep clouded eyes that take a moment to focus on him.
A lazy, drowsy expression crosses her face before Anne lifts her head from his chest, moving up the bed with slow, unhurried movements. She barely seems awake as she nestles into the crook of his neck, her warm breath fanning against his skin. She lets out a content sigh, wrapping both of her arms around one of his.
Hyunjin smiles softly, tilting his head just enough to press a lingering kiss to the top of hers. His free hand moves on instinct, tracing slow, absentminded patterns along her back. She’s impossibly warm, her body molding perfectly against his, as if this is exactly where she’s meant to be.
“Morning,” he murmurs, even though it’s long past noon.
Anne hums in response, her voice muffled against his skin. “Too early…”
Hyunjin chuckles, the sound low and fond. “It’s almost two, baby.”
This causes Anne to sit up fully. Her head snapping back to look at the clock that hung on the wall opposite of her.
1:58
"Shit, really?" she blurts, rubbing her eyes.
Hyunjin grins, propping himself up on one elbow as he watches her process the time. “Told you.”
Anne groans, flopping onto her back beside him. "We need to go to the drugstore and get some Plan B."
Hyunjin throws his head back and barks out a laugh at her words. Anne turns her head to glare at him, unamused.
"I hate you," she grumbles, fighting back a smile.
Hyunjin grins, still chuckling as he rolls onto his side to face her. His fingers trail lazily over her arm, tracing invisible patterns against her skin. "We should stock up," he muses, his voice dipping lower, rougher. "I really like having you like that last night."
Anne's face blushes a furious shade of red at his words. Her hand comes up to throw a playful backhand into his chest. "Plan B, is not Plan A, Hyunjin." She scolds despite her flustered state. "But, I really liked it too."
Hyunjin smirks, reaching out to tilt her chin up, forcing her to look at him. "Oh?" he prompts, his voice teasing, but there’s something softer in his eyes.
Anne exhales sharply, her fingers twisting in the sheets. "Maybe I'll get on the pill so we can do that more often."
Hyunjin's expression shifts, the teasing edge still there but layered with something deeper, something more satisfied. "Yeah?" he murmurs, his thumb brushing over her bottom lip.
She nods, biting back a smile. "Yeah."
His gaze darkens, but before he can say anything, she quickly places a hand over his mouth. "But we," she emphasizes, "are going to the drugstore. Now."
Hyunjin groans dramatically, flopping back onto the bed. "Fine," he grumbles, muffled against her palm. "You wanna walk there?"
"That sounds perfect," Anne replies. After her non-existent morning a walk was exactly what she needed.
Hyunjin lets out a loud, exaggerated sigh, but when she moves to get up, he catches her wrist, pressing a lingering kiss to the inside of it. His voice drops, warm and sincere. "Love you Annie, last night was perfect."
"Love you too, H."
_____
Surprisingly, Hyunjin and Anne were able to leave the hotel without running into any of their friends. In fact, they were nowhere in sight.
The drugstore wasn't far, just a half mile down the street from where they were staying. But it turns out a half-mile felt a lot longer when your boyfriend had quite literally wrecked you the night before.
Anne sighed as she stepped onto the sidewalk outside the store, shifting the small card board box from one hand to the other. Her legs ached in a way that was both frustrating and, annoyingly, satisfying. Hyunjin, of course, looked completely unbothered. Hands tucked in his pockets, strolling along like he hadn’t spent the night absolutely ruining her.
“Stop looking so smug,” she muttered, adjusting her stride to keep up with him.
Hyunjin glanced at her, grinning beneath his mask. “I’m not smug.”
“You’re so smug.”
He shrugged, unbothered, before glancing down at her legs. "You okay?"
Anne huffed. "I'm fine."
Hyunjin narrowed his eyes. Then, without warning, he stopped walking. Anne took two more steps before realizing, turning back to see him crouching slightly.
"Hop on," he said easily.
Anne blinked. "What?"
Hyunjin tilted his head, as if it were obvious. "Your legs are sore, and they're literally shaking. So get on."
Anne folded her arms. "No."
Hyunjin smirked. "Yes."
"I'm not—"
Before she could finish, Hyunjin straightened, grabbed her by the waist, and effortlessly lifted her onto his back. Anne let out a startled squeak, instinctively wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he secured his hands beneath her thighs.
"Hyunjin!" she shrieked, half-laughing, half-scolding.
He giggle softly at her reaction and continued down the side-walk headed for the hotel. His long legs kept a nice pace and Anne was secretly glad to be in his arms. Her legs really did hurt.
Anne gave in and rested the side of her head against Hyunjin's shoulder. Letting the slight sway of his strides lull her into a peaceful state.
Hyunjin noticed the shift in her posture, the way her breath slowed, and the faint relaxation in her body. He smiled softly to himself, not pushing her to say anything or move. He was content just letting her rest, knowing she was in good hands.
“Comfy?” he asked in a quiet voice, half-smirking but with a tenderness that softened his usual playful tone.
Anne didn’t open her eyes but nodded, her voice muffled against his skin. “Mhm.”
Hyunjin hummed in response, his arms tightening just a little, a wordless reassurance. He loved these moments. He loved every moment with Anne.
As they neared the hotel, Anne let out a small contented sigh, the quiet of the moment wrapping around them like a soft blanket. Maybe it was the exhaustion, or maybe it was just the way Hyunjin made everything lighter, but she feels safe, loved, and at peace in his presence.
Well she felt peace.
"There they are!"
The moment they entered the sliding doors of the building, Changbin's high-pitched voice filled their ears.
Anne groaned softly, burying her face in the crook of Hyunjin’s neck in a half-hearted attempt to block out the noise. “Oh no,” she muttered under her breath. “Here we go.”
Hyunjin chuckled, slowing his pace as he spotted the familiar faces lounging in the lobby. "We can’t escape them forever," he teased.
“Unfortunately,” Anne mumbled, though she couldn’t hide the slight smile tugging at her lips.
Changbin had already spotted them, bouncing excitedly toward them with a grin that was both mischievous and eager. "Look at you two! Where have you been? We were starting to think you were hiding out in your room all day!"
Anne shot Hyunjin an exaggerated look, raising an eyebrow. "Did you tell them where we went?"
The rest of the boys as well as Andrew rounded the corner.
Hyunjin, the picture of innocence, raised his hands in mock surrender. "I told them we had some errands to run."
"Errands?" Changbin repeated, his tone skeptical but playful. "Come on, what kind of errands really?"
Anne, flustered, quickly moved the small box to hide behind her back at his words.
"Leave them alone Binnie, they probably just went for a walk," Felix chimed, saving the day as usual.
Anne couldn’t help but let out a small, grateful sigh.
"How was your time exploring the city last night?"
This time, it was Andrew who spoke up, his tone casual but with a knowing glint in his eyes. The older man had been aware of some of the plans Felix had made for the two of them. He’d also seen the way Felix had nearly freaked out when Anne and Hyunjin had decided to ditch the driver, opting to go off on their own adventure.
Anne shot Andrew a half-glare, half-smile. "We survived," she said dryly.
Changbin, who had been hanging back with Felix, suddenly lit up at the mention of their little escapade. His curiosity was practically bursting out of him. "Survived? Oh, come on, you can’t just leave it at that! Tell us everything!"
Anne, who had been trying to remain composed, couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh. "It was just a walk, Changbin. Really."
But Changbin was relentless. With a mischievous grin, he suddenly pulled Anne and Hyunjin into a tight hug, spinning them a little in excitement. "Oh, no way, a walk? That’s all? You guys are holding out on me!"
As she struggled, Anne’s grip on the small box in her hand loosened, and in an instant, it slipped from her fingers and fell to the ground with a soft thud. The sound was barely noticeable, but the moment the box hit the floor, all eyes shot straight to it.
Anne froze, her face instantly flushing crimson. Hyunjin’s eyes widened as the realization hit him, the Plan B. Of all things, thathad to drop now?
Anne’s face turned redder than she thought was possible as she quickly slipped from Hyunjin's hold to bend down to pick up the box, trying to hide the embarrassment.
The group of boys burst out in laughter and teasing coo's.
Chris and Andrew, however, stayed silent with their faces wrinkled in disgust.
The moment the box was safely back in her hands, she shot Hyunjin and Changbin a glare, but both were too busy laughing along with the others to notice.
"Hyunjin's pull out game is weak, huh?"
"Changbin, shut your mouth!"
_____
Breaks don't last forever.
But this time, when Hyunjin and the rest of Stray Kids have to get back to work, preparing for their next concert's and upcoming tour dates, Anne could be with them every step of the way. After their week together in Sydney, he had asked her to join them on tour.
It wasn't a luxurious life. They basically lived on a bus, in vans, or on planes. The travel was non-stop and sleep was almost non-existent. But, Anne didn't care. Not when it meant they could spend time together.
Of course, she couldn’t be by his side all the time. She had a career of her own. Writing and producing for other artists, sometimes disappearing into studios for hours, days, or even weeks at a time. But now that Hyunjin was allowed to have a relationship openly, things were different. Things were easier.
When Anne wasn't with other artists writing or producing she was in whatever country Stray Kids were, supporting the pretty boy she got to call hers. Vice versa, when Anne was away for work and Hyunjin had a small break he flew to her.
They would always be moving and busy. But they would also always be in love. That made everything worth it.
Eventually, fans had started to catch on.
Between Hyunjin’s lingering glances offstage, the way he kissed the camera at every concert with a smirk that felt a little toopersonal, and his unexplained travel habits—disappearing for short breaks only to resurface in random places—STAYs knew something was up.
Speculation ran wild.
Some thought he had a muse, someone who inspired his art and performances. Others swore he was just messing with them, playing into the mystery for fun. But no one had proof. Not until the locket.
It was supposed to be subtle. A small, silver pendant that Hyunjin had worn for months, a sentimental piece that he had told fans held a picture of the band.
But in the middle of a concert, mid-dance, it flew open.
And for a split second, the cameras caught it.
A blurry image, but clear enough.
It wasn't the band.
It was him and a girl.
A girl.
The internet had exploded of course. Most people were over the moon at the idol's happiness. Gushing over how in love he looked and the bright smiles to gave when his girl was mentioned.
But others weren’t as kind.
Jealousy twisted into cruelty, and a darker side of the fandom reared its ugly head. Anne’s very existence was trashed—despite the fact that no one even knew who she was. Hyunjin was berated, called a liar, accused of betraying the illusion that idols should belong to their fans alone.
But the couple couldn’t care less what the world had to say about them.
Because the world didn’t know them.
Somehow, amidst all the chaos, Anne’s identity had remained a secret. The tiny picture inside the locket had been too blurry to make out her entire face. She was just an outline, a mystery.
Anne Wang was still a nameless face on the streets.
No one had connected her to Hyunjin. No one knew that Angel—the songwriter and producer whispered about in industry circles—was his Angel.
Synopsis: Two strangers with the same love for the city and songwriting meet under the stars in Chicago. They fall in love, quick and easy. But, there’s a problem. They are both keeping a big secret from each other.
Warnings: SMUT! Praise kink, breeding kink, unprotected sex, marking, depictions of subspace, oral f receiving, d/s themes, dirty talk.
3.9k
Masterlist
_____
Anne was pressed against the cool metal of the elevator wall, her breath hitching as Hyunjin's arms caged her in. His lips were warm and insistent, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along the sensitive skin above her collarbone. The faint scent of his cologne mixed with the lingering traces of the night’s concert sweat added to the unholy thoughts running through Anne's mind.
It was late—sometime past 2:00 a.m.—and the world outside felt eerily still. The only sounds in the hotel were the soft hum of the elevator, the distant creak of settling walls, and the quiet, hitched breaths between them. Everyone else seemed to be asleep. Everyone but them.
The elevator gave a slow, drawn-out ding as it reached their floor, and before the doors were fully open, Hyunjin grabbed her hand, tugging her into the empty hallway. His urgency made Anne giggle, her fingers barely catching onto his wrist as he pulled her along.
“What number?” he asked, voice breathless with impatience.
“528,” she murmured, his pace making her stumble slightly. “Second to last door on the right.”
Hyunjin didn’t slow down. If anything, he picked up his pace, his free hand reaching into Anne's coat pocket to grab the keycard as they neared the door. The air between them was charged in a way that had nothing to do with the soft buzz of the hotel lights.
As soon as they are through the threshold of her door, Anne is pinned back up against the wall indulging in another heated kiss. A soft moan passes through her lips and is swallowed down by Hyunjin's mouth that hasn't left hers.
His hands found her waist, fingers splaying against the warm skin beneath her top. He traces slow, teasing circles there, each movement igniting a trail of fire against her skin. Anne shivered, her fingers trailing a path beneath his shirt clawing at his chest, just enough to pull a groan from his throat.
The kiss broke for only a moment, just long enough for him to grab at the shoulders of her jacket. His touch was impatient yet reverent, as if the fabric itself was an obstacle he couldn’t stand. Anne didn’t waste a second, shrugging out of the thick material with his help, the warmth of the hotel room quickly replacing the heat she’d lost.
The second her jacket hit the floor, Hyunjin stilled, his breath hitching at the sight of her. The tight white corset she’d worn on stage clung to every curve, accentuating the soft rise and fall of her chest. The dim hotel lighting cast golden shadows over her skin, making her look almost ethereal.
"Fuck," Hyunjin mumbles looking at her, "You're so fucking pretty Annie."
His fingers trace the hem of her top as his eyes rake across her entirety. A light flush fans across her cheeks at the pure heat she finds in Hyunjin's gaze.
Anne bit her lip, her breath shuddering as the weight of his gaze pressed into her like a physical touch. There was something about the way he looked at her—like she was a masterpiece, something to be memorized, worshipped.
Hyunjin's hands eventually make their way to the tiny bow at the middle of her back. The little knot held everything together and one tug would expose her braless chest to him. His fingers ghosted over the ribbon, aching with restraint, his touch so light it sent a ripple of heat up her spine.
"Can I take this off baby?" he asks softly.
The desperation in his tone sent a shiver through her, curling deep in her stomach. His eyes pleaded at her like he needed her permission just as much as he needed her.
Anne swallowed harshly, her heart hammering against her ribs. Her voice failed her, so she nodded, breath catching as Hyunjin exhaled a shaky breath of his own.
His fingers tightened slightly on the ribbon, but he didn’t pull, not yet. He dipped his head, pressing a slow, open-mouthed kiss to the curve of her shoulder, his lips warm against her flushed skin.
"Tell me," he murmured, the words fanning over her skin like a plea. "I need to hear you, Annie."
Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, gripping him like he was the only thing keeping her grounded. "Yes," she whispered, voice trembling but sure. "Take it off."
Hyunjin didn’t need to be told twice.
Anne's back was flush against the hotel bed the moment the flimsy material hit the floor, the cool sheets a sharp contrast to the heat pooling between them. Her breath came in shallow, uneven waves as she reached for the button fly of her jeans, fingers trembling with anticipation.
Hyunjin stood at the edge of the bed, his gaze dark and heavy-lidded as he grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and pulled it over his head in one fluid motion. The dim hotel lighting casting over the taut lines of his torso, every dip and ridge of muscle accentuated in the shadows.
Anne swallowed hard, her fingers stilling for a moment as she took him in. It didn’t matter how many times she had seen him like this. The sight of his bare skin and heated gaze never failed to make her head spin.
Hyunjin smirked at her hesitation, leaning down until his face was just inches from hers. His lips brushed against her cheek, then the corner of her mouth, teasing but never quite meeting her lips.
“Need some help with that?” he murmured, his fingers replacing hers at the waistband of her jeans.
Anne exhaled shakily, her lashes fluttering shut for a brief second before she met his gaze again. "Maybe," she admitted, voice barely above a whisper.
Hyunjin chuckled, the sound warm and intimate, before pressing one last lingering kiss to her lips. And then, with a slow, deliberate touch, he unfastened the button and eased the zipper down, his fingers grazing over the soft skin of her stomach in the process.
Two long digits hooked both the waistband of her jeans and panties. Hyunjin leans down even further to place a soft kiss to the exposed skin below Anne's belly button.
And then, in one fluid motion, he stripped her bare.
Hyunjin’s gaze raked over her slowly, worshipping the sight. His tongue darted out to wet his lips, dark eyes filled with something deeper than just desire.
"You're goreous," he murmured, his voice hushed like he couldn’t quite believe she was real. "A real angel, baby."
Anne felt the blush creep down her neck, her hands instinctively moving to cover herself, but Hyunjin caught them before she could. He shook his head, his fingers threading through hers as he brought them up to his lips.
“Don’t hide from me,” he whispered against her knuckles. “Too beautiful to hide from me, baby."
Anne’s blush deepened, warmth blooming across her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. Instead, she let the weight of his words settle in her chest, melting away the last remnants of hesitation.
Slowly, she slipped her hand from his grasp, her fingers gliding up his arm before wrapping around the back of his neck. There was no hesitation in her touch only certainty, as she pulled him down to her, their lips colliding in a kiss that stole the breath from both of them.
Hyunjin groaned into her mouth, his body pressing flush against hers as he braced himself above her.
Anne’s fingers tangled together behind his neck, tugging lightly, pulling him impossibly closer. The kiss was slow but deep, a push and pull of longing and love, of every unspoken word exchanged in the way their bodies gravitated toward each other.
Hyunjin broke away just long enough to rest his forehead against hers, his breath coming out in uneven pants.
“Gonna let me taste you, baby?” he murmured, his voice thick with want. He pressed a featherlight kiss to the tip of her nose, the tenderness of the gesture a stark contrast to the filth dripping from his words. “Been thinking about it since I had you last. It’s all I ever think about.”
Anne’s breath hitched, her thighs instinctively pressing together at the raw hunger in his voice. She swore she could feel his words as much as she could hear them—each one sending a fresh wave of heat pooling low in her belly.
Hyunjin chuckled, dark and knowing, his lips ghosting over her jaw as he trailed kisses down the delicate column of her throat. “Don’t get shy on me now, pretty girl,” he murmured, nipping playfully at her pulse before soothing the spot with his tongue. “Not when I already know how sweet you are.”
Anne’s fingers tangled behind his neck again, tugging slightly, but she didn’t stop him—not when his mouth was already moving lower, tasting every inch of skin he could reach, his hands gripping her thighs as he parted them with ease.
"Please, baby," he whispered, his lips grazing her hipbone, the heat of his breath sending a shiver through her. "I just wanna make you feel good."
Anne exhaled shakily, her entire body alight with anticipation. She bit her lip, fingers threading tighter in his hair, and nodded.
“Yes,” she breathed. “All yours.”
Hyunjin groaned, a sound of pure satisfaction, before lowering himself fully between her legs.
A loud moan tore out of Anne's throat. When Hyunjin flattened his tongue, licking a strip up from her leaking hole to her clit.
"Fuck, H."
Anne's hands grabbed at his hair her fingers desperate for some leverage. But, the fresh buzz of his hair prevented her from doing so.
Hyunjin noticed immediately. Even in his hunger, in his need, he was always paying attention.
A smirk ghosted against her skin as he tightened his grip on her abdomen, keeping her pinned beneath him. But his free hand moved, sliding up her body with deliberate slowness before reaching for hers.
Anne took the hand gratefully. Needing his comforting touch to guide her through the pleasure he bestowed upon her.
Her grip on his hand tightened, nails digging into his skin as pleasure built and swelled, consuming her. And Hyunjin only moaned at the sting, like he craved the marks she left on him just as much as he craved the taste of her.
Diligently, he continued his movements. Expertly switching between pumping his tongue into her tight hole and sucking on her clit.
Anne's eyes fought to stay open. Wanting desperately to watch her lover ravage her but struggling against the eye-rolling pleasure that brought tears to her eyes.
When her thighs began to tremble around his head, Hyunjin felt the shift instantly. A groan slipped from his lips as he pulled back just enough to watch her—his gaze dark and possessive as he drank in every subtle movement of her body.
Without warning, he quickened his pace, the intensity of his touch matching the desperate need in her movements. Anne’s fingers tightened around his hand, nails digging into his skin, and she couldn’t hold back the broken whimpers that spilled from her mouth as he pushed her closer to the edge.
“Don’t close your eyes, baby,” he whispered, the command laced with a mixture of desire and tenderness. “I want you to see me. See how I make you come apart.”
Hyunjin's words were the final straw that broke the dam inside of her.
With a shaky gasp, Anne came, her body seizing in the pleasure that swept through her. Her legs snapped shut instinctively, trembling around Hyunjin’s head, holding him in place as her fingers dug into his skin.
Hyunjin chuckled at the sensation, the sound of it vibrating through his chest as he slowed his tongue, giving her the space to ride out the waves of pleasure. His hands remained firm at her hips, guiding her through it, steadying her as she breathed through the intensity.
Anne’s eyes fluttered shut despite her best efforts, her chest heaving with each breath, but Hyunjin’s voice pulled her back.
“Look at me, baby,” he murmured again, his hand slipping up to cup her cheek gently, his thumb brushing over her skin.
Her eyelids fluttered open, and when she met his gaze, there was nothing but adoration in the depths of his eyes, something far deeper than just the physical hunger that had been between them moments ago.
“Good girl,” he whispered, a smile curling at the corners of his lips, his voice still thick with affection. “You did so good for me.”
The praise melted through Anne, her heart still racing, her body still trembling with the aftershocks of her release. She didn’t think she could feel any more exposed, any more raw, but when Hyunjin’s lips brushed against the tender skin of her inner thigh, she gasped softly, her breath hitching.
His kiss was gentle against her bare skin. His tongue darting out to gently soothe over the crescent marks his nails had embedded into Anne's skin.
Hyunjin didn’t linger long, though. His lips left her thigh and with deliberate slowness, he crawled up her body. Anne’s pulse quickened once more as he hovered above her, his face inches from hers, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them.
His gaze softened as he searched her face, his thumb gently stroking her cheek as he let the silence settle around them.
“You feel good?” he asked, his voice a quiet whisper, the tenderness in it like a balm to her still-tingling skin.
Anne hummed in response leaning into his touch. Her hands came around his waist and then starting trailing pattern's up and down his back. A light gooseflesh covered Hyunjin's skin at the sensation, causing a satisfied grin to break out on her face at the sight.
"Ready for all of you," she whispered, gazing into his eyes.
The words cause an immediate reaction. Hyunjin lets out a low groan and whimper's softly as his cock twitches excitedly in response.
"Yeah?" he breaths.
He adjusts his body so his hardness presses directly against Anne's soaping entrance. The movement causing them to both shudder in anticipation.
Hyunjin guides the fat head of his cock over Anne's folds. His eyes watching her every reaction closely, taking in the effortlessness it takes him to make her fall apart.
"Fuck," Hyunjin groans, pulling back slightly. "Condoms Annie."
Anne's legs wrap around her boyfriends hips in response, keeping him in place. Its a desperate thoughtless reaction, one that has her cheeks burning a deeper shade of red.
Hyunjin looks down at her and studies her reaction thoughtfully. "You on the pill pretty girl?"
Anne shakes her head no.
"Then I'll pull out."
"No!"
Hyunjin's gaze snaps back to Anne's immediately. The poor girl is burning a furious shade of red and her wide eyes start to fill with a thin line of desperate tears.
The way that her hips subconsciously rock up into his and her nails dig into his back, Hyunjin knows what she wants immediately. He always knows what his Annie needs.
Slowly, he pushed the tip of his cock into Anne. His body quivering at the restraint it takes not to bottom out at once.
"You want me to cum inside baby? Is that what you want?"
Anne’s breath caught in her throat, a heat rising to her cheeks at the boldness of the question. She wanted it, desperately, but the words felt like they were stuck, lodged somewhere deep inside her throat. It was so dirty. A fantasy she found herself picturing late at night when she was desperate for Hyunjin's touch. A fantasy she desperately wanted to indulge in.
Sex with her boyfriend always came with such a natural dynamic. He seemed to have the sixth sense when it came to Anne's body and was hardly shy when introducing his interests. Why was it so hard for Anne to open her mouth and say what she wanted?
Hyunjin’s dark, playful gaze made it impossible for her to look away. The glint in his eyes was teasing, a mixture of challenge and desire, and it tugged at something deep inside her. She nodded, her legs tightening around him, trying to pull him deeper, her body aching for more.
“Tell me what you want, angel,” he purred, a small, evil smile playing at the corners of his lips as he resisted the pull of her legs. “Tell me, and I’ll give it to ya.”
Anne whimpered softly, her face flushed with a combination of embarrassment and desperate need. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as the words swirled on her tongue, but they felt so foreign coming out of her mouth. Still, the pressure of his gaze, his slow, deliberate movements, made it impossible to keep quiet.
Her voice came out as a shaky whisper, barely more than a breath. “Please cum inside me H, need it” she murmured, the words slurred in her cloudy mind.
Hyunjin’s eyes flickered with a dark satisfaction, and his lips curled into a wicked smile. He paused, just for a moment, savoring the way her words had cracked through the tension, the way she’d given in to the need that had been building between them.
“Well, that wasn’t so hard, was it, baby?” he teased, his hands sliding down her body, gripping her hips as he moved bottoming out inside of her in one fluid motion.
Anne gasped, her legs tightening around him as he shifted, his fingers digging into her skin in the most delicious way.
“Good job pretty girl,” he murmured, voice low and full of praise as he kissed her deeply, his tongue tangling with hers. “You know how to make me wanna give you everything, don’t you?”
The moment he said it, Hyunjin’s pace quickened, a low moan escaping his throat. His body pressing into hers with a steady, commanding rhythm.
Anne clawed at his back her long nails leaving angry lines in their wake. The pain only added to Hyunjin's drive.
A deep growl rumbled in his chest as he took in the sight of her beneath him, absolutely beautiful. Anne's chest was covered in bruises that his mouth had left behind. They were carefully placed below her collarbones on the sensitive skin that begged for him.
Her pretty face was fucked out already. A thin line of tears streaming down her eyes from the uncontrollable bliss that clouded her senses. Hyunjin bent down as he fucked into Anne, kissing the tears off her cheeks and moaning at their salty taste.
“Fuck, baby,” he groaned, leaning down to capture her lips in a messy, desperate kiss. His hands gripped her waist tightly, holding her in place as he drove deeper into her. “I'm so deep. Gonna stuff you f-full."
Anne’s nails dug in harder, her back arching as she pulled him closer, desperate for his cum. Her mind buzzed, but all she could focus on was him. His touch. His presence. The way he was making her feel.
“Hyunjin, please…” she gasped, her voice shaky with desperation, the heat of her plea spilling out of her. “I need you to cum in me H, need you so deep."
Her words hit him like a wave, throwing him dangerously close to the edge. But he couldn't cum yet, not before his Annie.
One hand snaked between their bodies finding Anne's throbbing nub. When Hyunjin pressed two fingers to her and began rubbing expert figure-eights her whole body clenched. Above her, he watched her teary eyes roll back in her head. A loud moan of his name falling from her lips.
She was close, Hyunjin could tell by the way her walls spasmed as they tightened around him.
He sat up slightly, keeping one hand focused on her clit and the other came to press down gently on her abdomen. Beneath it, Hyunjin could feel himself rutting deep inside of her.
"G-Gonna cum H, I-" Anne's words word broken and slurred in her blissful haze. Her eyes fluttered, half-closed in the ecstasy that had her on the brink, while her body quivered beneath his touch.
He leaned down, capturing her trembling lips with a gentle, assuring kiss. "Cum for me baby."
Anne came hard. Every part of her body was alight. She clung to Hyunjin, hot tears rolling down her cheeks at the immense pleasure that flooded her.
He wasn't far behind. The first quiver that fluttered through Anne combined with the sight of her beneath him sent Hyunjin overboard.
With one final deep thrust he bottomed out deep inside of her and came with a whiny moan. His release coated her walls as she milked him for all he was worth. Just what she wanted.
As they came down from their highs, Hyunjin's body went slack above Anne, his arms still wrapped protectively around her. His larger frame completely covered hers, each beat of his heart pounding directly over hers in a slow, steady rhythm.
For a few long moments, time seemed to stand still. Anne’s body, still trembling from the aftershocks of pleasure, relaxed into his embrace, finding solace in the steady thump of his heartbeat and the pressure of his body over hers. Hyunjin’s gaze softened as he looked down at her. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her flushed face, his fingers lingering as if reluctant to break the fragile connection that had bound them so completely.
Hyunjin’s hand rested against her cheek as he whispered, “You were amazing, baby,” his voice low and filled with adoration, "so good every time, always do so good for me."
Anne’s eyelids fluttered in a heavy haze, her mind barely registering his praise as exhaustion and bliss tangled together in her thoughts.
Not needing another word, Hyunjin’s eyes softened further as he studied her, a quiet determination replacing his earlier intensity. Wordlessly, he shifted his weight, sliding his arm around her waist. With tender care, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms, cradling her as if she were something precious that needed protection.
Gently, Hyunjin carried Anne to the small bathroom just off their room. The soft glow of a nightlight cast warm shadows along the tiles, and he guided her toward the sink with practiced ease, careful not to jostle her too much. Anne, still adrift in her blissful fatigue, barely protested as he helped her remove the remnants of their passion. A few scattered hair strands, the faint scent of their shared heat, the mess between her legs. Hyunjin was an expert, washing her gently with cool water that refreshed her flushed skin.
He took his time, every movement imbedded with love. Because nothing else in the world mattered more than taking care of his Annie.
Once he finished, Hyunjin carefully carried her back to the bed, laying her down as though placing a cherished treasure. He helped her arms through the t-shirt he had worn earlier and slipped a pair of boxers over himself before joining her on the mattress.
His arms circled around her and she moved delicately to rest her head directly over the heart that beated for her in his chest. The rhythmic pulse was like a lullaby, that lulled her closer to sleep.
They fell asleep like that, their bodies remained entwined. Two souls, wrapped in each other’s embrace, their hearts forever intertwined. In the quiet afterglow, nothing else mattered but them. Hyunjin and Anne.
Synopsis: Two strangers with the same love for the city and songwriting meet under the stars in Chicago. They fall in love, quick and easy. But, there’s a problem. They are both keeping a big secret from each other.
Warnings: gets a little steamy, suggestive content.
1.7k
Masterlist
_____
Anne Wang had the best time of her life watching Hyunjin perform. He's so passionate, so full of life, so happy. Watching the way all the boys play off of each other and dance in sync is amazing.
Hyunjin, is by far the most captivating thing she has ever seen. The spotlight casts a warm glow around him, making him seem almost untouchable, as if he’s carved from the same stardust as the music he’s bringing to life.
She’s seen him perform before, of course, but this is different. He's on stage performing for thousands of people screaming his name. Not in the confines of her bedroom back in Chicago turning every song into a silly romantic slow dance.
Her breath catches in her throat as he glances her way, his eyes locking onto hers for a brief, perfect second. He smiles, the kind of smile that could light up a room, and her pulse quickens in response.
Anne's finger's tremble slightly as she clutches onto the locket around her neck. She brings the metal to her mouth placing a soft kiss on the outside of its frame.
Hyunjin's hand graps at his identical locket in response. His eyes scream the three little words I love you. But, there's a crowd and they both know better.
After the final song, the crowd erupts in applause, but Anne can’t tear her eyes away from him. As the lights fade and the show ends, she feels a hand at her back, warm and steady. She turns to find one of Hyunjin's friends, maybe it’s Felix, offering her a gentle smile.
“It’s time,” he says softly, and she realizes they’ve planned something for her and Hyunjin. The anticipation makes her heart flutter in her chest.
"What did you boys scheme up?" she questions but Felix doesn't respond.
She’s ushered to a private space backstage, just as the rest of the crew is packing up, and there, waiting for her, is Hyunjin. His face lights up when he sees her, and before she can say a word, he’s pulling her into his arms.
A soft kiss is place to her forehead, then her nose, cheek, chin. Then finally, Hyunjin kisses her lips. Soft and sweet.
When they pull back, their faces are inches apart, and for a moment, neither of them speaks. But then, Hyunjin grins mischievously.
“I have a surprise for you. The boys planned a little adventure.”
"A surprise?" she asks, her voice soft and full of wonder. She feels a rush of excitement build up inside her, her thoughts racing.
Hyunjin nods, his smile widening as he takes her hand in his, guiding her gently toward the door.
“You’ll see,” he says with a playful wink, as he leads her through the backstage corridor. His hand feels warm and steady in hers. "Don't worry, this was definitely planned by Felix. He know's about all our adventures.. well, most of them."
Anne laughs softly at his words, the sound light and full of affection.
She tilts her head, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I’m intrigued," she admits, her excitement building with each step as they move through the backstage area.
The cool night air greets them as they step outside, and Anne feels a flutter of anticipation in her chest. She glances at Hyunjin, his grin wide and confident, and wonders what kind of surprise lies ahead
They approach a waiting car, sleek and black under the streetlights. "Felix forgot just one thing though," he whisper's in her ear.
Anne takes his hand in hers knowing what's coming next, "Fuck the road!"
And then they're running past the car and down the sidewalk, into the next moment of their first night back together.
_____
The walk to the cafe that Felix had apparently bought out for the two turned out to be an hour long. Whoops.
But neither of them minded. The night stretched out before them, endless and electric, Sydney’s streets quieter now but still alive in their own way. The distant hum of cars, the occasional laughter of lingering bar-goers, the salty breeze rolling in from the harbor—it all wrapped around them as they wandered hand in hand, coffee cups warm against their palms.
Anne sipped at her drink, the rich bitterness melting into something sweeter under the glow of streetlights. “I don’t even know where we are anymore,” she admitted, though she didn’t sound concerned.
Hyunjin only grinned, tugging her closer. “Does it matter?”
She looked up at him, the city lights reflected in his dark eyes. No, it didn’t. Not when the night felt infinite.
They passed under the towering shadows of skyscrapers, past shuttered boutiques and neon signs still flickering despite the empty sidewalks. They stopped on a bridge overlooking the harbor, the water rippling gold and silver under the moon. Anne leaned on the railing, breathing in the crisp air. Hyunjin stood beside her, their shoulders brushing.
He turned his head slightly, his voice softer now. “I missed this.”
She glanced at him, at the way the city lights painted his face in cool blues and warm ambers, and smiled. “Me too.”
Hyunjin reaches up to pink Anne's cheeks together with one hand. The action forces a giggle from them both as he pulls her puckered lips up to his.
“You’re ridiculous, H,” Anne mumbles through squished lips, laughter bubbling in her chest.
Hyunjin only grins wider, his own laughter mixing with the quiet hum of the city around them. “And yet, you love me.”
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t pull away. Instead, she wraps her free hand around his wrist, keeping him close. The warmth of his skin, the way his fingers linger against her jaw—it all feels like home.
“How could I not?,” she teases, her eyes are soft, her heart already betraying her.
Hyunjin leans in, brushing his lips against her exaggerated pout before finally releasing her cheeks. Anne immediately shakes her head, trying to smooth the lingering pinch from her face, but before she can, he cups her jaw properly this time.
“No more distractions, no more distance, just us,” he murmurs.
Anne barely has time to breathe before his lips meet hers again. This time, slow and lingering, melting into the night like a whispered promise.
The delicacy sends tingles down her spine making her body tremble in the most delicious way. Her arms find their home, wrapped around Hyunjin's neck, keeping him pulled close as there lips dance.
A low moan falls from Anne's lips when her dark-eyed boy pulls back just enough to take her bottom lip between his teeth. He tugs on it gently, forcing her body impossibly closer to his as he does so.
Hyunjin hums against her lips, his grip tightening as if he can’t bear even an inch of distance between them. The city hums softly around them, the night alive with possibility, but all Anne can focus on is the warmth of his body pressed against hers, the way his breath fans over her skin between kisses.
She chases after his lips, tilting her head to recapture the intoxicating heat of his mouth when he pulls back. Hyunjin lets out a low chuckle, his fingers trailing down the small of her back, pulling her impossibly closer. “Someone’s impatient,” he teases, voice husky.
Anne only nips at his bottom lip in retaliation, smirking when his grip on her tightens. “I've been waiting two months,” she murmurs, her words a breath between them. “You don’t get to tease me now.”
Hyunjin’s dark eyes flicker with something heady, something dangerous. “Oh, but I do,” he whispers, his lips brushing hers as he speaks. His fingers slip beneath the hem of her shirt that lays hidden under her coat, skimming over the sliver of bare skin at her waist, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. “I plan to make up for every second we lost.”
Anne shivers, her fingers tracing the buzz around the nape of his neck. “Good,” she whispers, pressing her lips to his once more, eager and breathless.
When Hyunjin pulls back this time, there's a devilish smile on his face, the kind that makes Anne’s stomach flip in anticipation. His fingers linger against her waist, his touch deliberately teasing.
“What?” she asks, breathless, her pulse still racing from the way he kissed her.
Hyunjin tilts his head, eyes dark with mischief. “I wrote another song about you.”
Anne blinks, caught somewhere between intrigue and suspicion. “Really?”
His grin only widens as he leans in again, his lips grazing the shell of her ear. “A sexy one.”
Heat floods her cheeks, and she swats at his chest, but Hyunjin only laughs, catching her wrist before she can pull away. “Are you being serious?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” His voice drops to a low murmur, sending a fresh wave of shivers down her spine. “I wrote it when I was missing you. Every dirty word was inspired by you.”
Anne's blush deepens at his words the fire beneath every inch of her skin burning hotter at the thought of him stringing vulgar words together in her name.
Hyunjin smirks, eyes flicking over her face like he’s memorizing every shade of pink dusting her cheeks. "You'll love it."
She scoffs, trying to regain some control, but the image is already in her head—Hyunjin in the studio, lips parted as he murmurs something sinful into a mic, his voice dripping with intention. Her stomach twists, and she hates how much she wants to hear it.
“I mean, I could give you a little preview,” he offers, his voice dipped in that smooth, teasing lilt that always makes her weak. He tugs her just a fraction closer, fingers playing at the hem of her shirt again, warm against her skin.
Synopsis: Two strangers with the same love for the city and songwriting meet under the stars in Chicago. They fall in love, quick and easy. But, there’s a problem. They are both keeping a big secret from each other.
Warnings: FLUFFINESS
3.2k
Masterlist
_____
"Before I play this last song, let me give thanks to my friends here with me on stage!"
Andrew's voice rang out to the cheering crowd.
"Anne and Ny Oh, the lovely girls singing back up."
They both waved to the crowd, wide smiles on their faces.
"Mitch, on guitar and Adam our bassist."
Both boys joined hands and bent into a deep bow.
"And finally, Sarah, the best drummer I've ever met!"
The brunette smile and thanked Andrew for the praise before blowing a kiss to the crowd.
Hozier waits a moment for the crowd to calm before speaking again. "Thank you all for bringing these songs to life."
The crowd explodes into cheers again.
Looking away from her friend, Anne decides to scan the crowd. The group of people watching their performance hadn't been expecting their three song serenade but had welcomed them with a crazy amount of energy. Most faces were hidden behind phone screens or flashing light sticks, but the few Anne could really see had wide smiles.
She looked back to Andrew who had his hands raised again. Trying to signal the crowd to quiet down again so they could hear what he had to say.
"Stay... we are gonna end the night with a special song," he starts adding suspense.
Backstage, Felix is pushing through his bandmates and sprinting to Hyunjin's dressing room. It was time. Francesca was going to play for the world to hear. The song that Hyunjin and Anne wrote together. And, his friend would see the love of his life and his fans sing it wholeheartedly.
"Hyunjin, get out here now!"
Felix throws his friends door open and grabs him by the arm, quite literally dragging him out. Not paying mind to the confused look on his face or his protests.
He pushes Hyunjin through the crowd of his bandmates and towards the entrance to the stage where a they get a perfect view of the performance. So he can see Anne.
"Felix wha-"
"You need to see this, hyung," Felix cuts him off.
He see's Hyunjin's eyes look out to the stage scanning the area before his whole body tenses. The reaction telling Felix all he needed to know.
Now that his friend is in place, he steps back towards the rest of the members. Changbin and Bangchan immediately throw an arm over each of his shoulders and he feels Jeongin proudly clap him on the back.
"Good work," Bangchan whispers into his ear.
Felix just smiles and gives a subtle nod. Hopefully, this plays out the way they thought that it would.
Back on stage, Andrew had finally gotten the excited crowd to lower their volume. He took a deep breath, throwing a faint side eye to Anne.
"This next song," he starts slowly, "was written by a dear friend, but..." he hesitates evilly, "you all may know her as Angel."
"This is Francesca!"
The crowd erupts. Cheers shake the venue as thousands of voices call out the name Anne secretly used—the name that had defined her whole career when she was nothing more than a voice behind the melody tonight.
Hyunjin barely hears any of it.
His world narrows to the stage, to the girl standing beneath the golden lights, her silhouette illuminated like something out of a dream.
Anne stands to the far side, blinking at the overwhelming reaction before she laughs, the sound bright and full of life. She tucks a loose strand of hair that had fallen to frame her face behind her ear, a habit he still remembers, and shifts on her feet, looking equal parts stunned and radiant.
The way the stage lights catch in her eyes makes them glow, and when she smiles—Hyunjin swears it steals the breath right from his lungs.
She’s beautiful.
Painfully, achingly beautiful
He doesn’t even register Felix stepping up beside him again, doesn’t hear the soft chuckles from his members as they watch him go still. Or their surprised gasps at the revelation of Angel. His hands tremble at his sides, and he swallows hard, unable to look away.
Then the music starts. A familiar melody, that he had sung a dozen times with the love of his life.
"Do you think I'd give up"
"That this might've shook the love from me"
"Or that I was on the brink?"
He watches Anne sing. Her body swaying softly to the beat. Two hands grip the mic-stand and her eyes fall closed as she focus's. The sight is heavenly.
He’s seen her sing before—countless times, in dimly lit rooms with nothing but an acoustic guitar and the warmth of shared laughter between them. He’s watched her sing in the dead of night, lying beside him in tangled sheets, humming the melody against his shoulder.
But this is different.
She’s bathed in stage lights, golden, and unreal. Singing the song that they wrote together.
"My life was a storm, since I was born"
"How could I fear any hurricane?"
Hyunjin sings along too. He can't help it. Not when the words have lived inside him for so long, not when he remembers the night they first wrote them together, tangled in sheets with a pen and paper between them, trading verses like a secret only they could share.
On stage, Anne opens her eyes and gazes out at the crowd. Its a beautiful sight. The songs was only released a few weeks ago yet hundreds of people are singing along. The energy is untouchable and something that only an artist as talented as her friend could create.
She smiles.
Her chest feels light, her heart racing in time with the music.
"If someone asked me at the end"
Anne's eye's finish sweeping over the crowd and then find their way onto the stage.
Andrew is singing with a fiery passion. Mitch and Adam are back to back strumming their instruments in perfect tune. Sarah's sticks are hitting the drums keeping the songs steady tempo.
Anne’s lips part slightly, taking it all in—until her gaze drifts further.
Until she catches sight of a figure standing just offstage.
Her breath hitches.
The music swells around her, but all she can hear is the pounding of her own heart as her eyes lock onto his.
Hyunjin.
He’s standing there, barely visible past the edge of the stage lights, but it’s him.
Anne’s fingers tighten around the mic stand.
For a moment, she forgets to breathe, her mind scrambling to make sense of what she’s seeing. He wasn’t supposed to be here. She hadn’t seen him in two months—not since the airport, when she had clung to him just a little too long, whispered just a little too many I love yous before he kissed her goodbye.
But he’s here now.
Watching her.
Singing their song.
Anne’s voice almost falters, but she pushes through, forcing herself to keep going.
"I'll tell them put me back in it"
"Darling, I would do it again, ah, ah"
"If I could hold you for a minute"
Her eyes don't leave his. They can't. Her heart beats for him and her every breath sings for him now.
Hyunjin stands frozen, bathed in the soft glow of the stage lights, his lips parted, his chest rising and falling with unsteady breaths. She can see the way his throat bobs as he swallows hard, the way his fingers twitch at his sides like he’s fighting the urge to reach for her.
Anne sings the words like a prayer, like a plea—because she means every single one of them.
And she knows, without a doubt, that he feels it too.
The crowd is still singing, the music still playing, but in this moment, there is only them.
"I would not change it each time (I would not change it each time)"
"Heaven is not fit to house a love (Heaven is not fit to house a love)"
The song is coming to an end.
The crowd cheers loudly as the music crescendos.
"Like you and I (like you and I)"
"I would not change it each time (I would not change it each time)"
"Heaven is not fit to house a love (Heaven is not fit to house a love)"
"Like you and I (like you and I)"
The last note rings out.
The moment stretches, raw and electric.
Anne stands beneath the stage lights, her breath coming fast, her heart aching in her chest. And Hyunjin—Hyunjin is devastated in the best and worst way, because she’s right there, and yet he still can’t touch her.
Not yet.
Not yet.
The crowd erupts.
The spell is broken.
Anne finally blinks, a sharp breath catching in her throat, as if waking from a dream. Her hands drop from the mic stand, but her body remains frozen, like she doesn’t quite know what to do with herself now that the song is over.
He see's tears in her eyes as she stares back at him, not even noticing the ones that are rolling down his cheeks.
Hyunjin takes an unconscious step forward before Felix’s hand lands gently on his shoulder, holding him back.
Hyunjin flinches, blinking rapidly as if breaking out of a trance. He doesn’t turn to look at Felix, doesn’t react to the murmured words his friend offers.
His entire being is still focused on her.
And Anne—
Anne forces in a shaky breath, swallowing past the lump in her throat.
She can’t do this. Not now.
So she does the only thing she can—she pulls herself together.
With a trembling smile, she blinks back the last of her tears and finally, finally steps away from the mic stand, turning toward Andrew as he steps forward to address the crowd.
Hyunjin’s eyes stay locked on her, like he’s afraid she’ll disappear the second he looks away. He is there, standing just beyond the entrance, waiting. His chest is rising and falling with deep, uneven breaths. The tears on his face are gone, wiped away, but his eyes are still glassy.
When the stage lights turn dark and a ten minute warning is called, they finally make their way backstage.
As soon as Anne's silhouette is hidden behind stage, she runs to him.
Hyunjin doesn’t move at first, his entire body freezing as her arms wrap around him, her face pressing into the fabric of his shirt, soaking it with her tears. But then—slowly, shakily—he inhales, and his hands come up to clutch her, his arms wrapping around her waist with a force that leaves her breathless.
The moment they reconnect, everything else fades away. There’s no one else in the world except for them, no distance, no barriers, no pain. It’s just Anne and Hyunjin, together again.
“I missed you,” Anne whispers, her voice muffled against his chest.
Hyunjin swallows hard, his voice a rasp as he finally speaks, his lips grazing her hair. “I missed you so much. You have no idea.”
They stay together, holding each other tightly in their arms. The broken pieces of their hearts healing instantly just from their proximity.
Anne is the first to pull back, just enough to see his face, her hands clutching at his hoodie. “You’re in Stray Kids?” Her voice is almost a breath, as if saying it aloud makes it more real. She already knew bits and pieces about Hyunjin being an artist but he never mentioned just how big his name was.
Hyunjin lets out a soft, shaky laugh, his eyes never leaving hers. “And you’re Angel.” His fingers trace down her arm, like he’s trying to ground himself. “You’re the Angel.”
Anne flinches slightly at the name, still unused to hearing it from him. She sees the emotions flicker across his face—disbelief, awe, the faintest trace of hurt. “I wanted to tell you,” she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. “So many times. But I didn’t know how.”
Hyunjin shakes his head, cupping her face between his hands. “Me too,” he says, his voice rough with regret. “Every time we talked about music, about what we wanted—I wanted to tell you, but I was scared. Scared it would change things, that it would make it all… complicated.”
Anne exhales shakily, her fingers curling into the fabric of his hoodie. "Me too."
Then, as if on cue, they both let out breathless, choked giggles—small at first, then growing until they’re full-on laughing at themselves, at each other, at the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
Anne presses her forehead against his chest, shaking her head. “We’re such idiots.”
Hyunjin laughs harder, pulling her closer. “Seriously. Months of stress, overthinking, and we both were hiding the same thing?” He pulls back just enough to give her a teasing look.
"Like I said, we're idiots," Anne says with a soft giggle.
Hyunjin just shakes his head his fingers rubbing soft circles into the exposed flesh of her waist. He looks down at Anne, the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. His breath of fresh air, the love of his life, the other half to his heart. Still, he can't believe that he is lucky enough to be loved by her.
Moving his hands to the sides of her waist, Hyunjin grips her gently pulling her flush to him. Its a smooth motion that has the girls heart flipping in her chest. The warmth of her body seeps into his, chasing away every lonely night, every moment spent missing her. She tilts her head up, her wide eyes searching his, her lips parted slightly in anticipation, and Hyunjin feels his pulse quicken.
He stands taller than Anne by a few inches and tucks his head down so he is level with her lips. His nose bumping against hers along the way.
"I love you," he whispers.
Then he is covering her mouth with his.
The kiss is slow at first, like the first sip of something warm after standing in the cold for too long. A quiet kind of desperation lingers beneath it, the need to make up for lost time, to pour everything he feels into this one perfect moment. Anne melts into him instantly, her hands sliding up to his shoulders, gripping onto the soft fabric of his jersey.
Hyunjin tilts his head, deepening the kiss, his hands mapping the curve of her waist like he’s memorizing her all over again. She tastes like something sweet, something he never wants to go without. And when her fingers slide up into his hair, running along the freshy buzzed cut, he exhales a quiet, shaky breath against her lips. Hyunjin shivers at her touch, his grip on her tightening instinctively. A low hum rumbles in his chest, caught somewhere between a sigh and a quiet plea for more.
The awkward sound of someone clearing their throat beside them, pulls them apart rapidly.
They jolt apart, snapping their heads toward the sound, both breathless and dazed like they’ve just surfaced from underwater.
Standing beside them, arms crossed, is none other than Felix. His eyebrows are raised in clear amusement, but there’s an unmistakable smugness in his expression.
"Umm, we're on in two. Might wanna fix your make-up real quick."
Anne freezes, eyes widening in horror. She immediately pulls back, frantically checking Hyunjin's face. Sure enough, her berry colored gloss is smeared across his lips in the most obvious way.
“Oh my God,” she mutters under her breath, covering her face with both hands. "I'm gonna go get a wipe!"
Hyunjin, completely unbothered, just grins, rubbing the back of his buzzed head. His tongue darting out to taste stain of her lips that lingers on his mouth.
Anne turns and runs to her dressing room. No doubt a bag of make-up wipes sits on her vanity.
Hyunjin just watches her go with a dazed smile, looking like he’s already ready to kiss it off and back onto his mouth all over again.
Felix sighs, patting his shoulder. “You’re so gone, man.”
Hyunjin doesn’t even deny it. “Yeah,” he says simply, his eyes never leaving Anne. “I really am.”
_____
"Pay up boys," Felix chimes happily.
A collective groan echoes from behind him.
He, Andrew, and the rest of the band stand near the dressing rooms watching Hyunjin and Anne. Not because they're perverts, no, because they had all placed bets.
"I wasn't expecting Hyunjin to be so bold? Since when is he like that?" Seungmin huffed angrily, throwing a twenty dollar bill Felix's way.
Felix catches the bill mid-air, grinning. “Since love turned him into a reckless romantic.”
Changbin groans, dramatically running a hand down his face. “I was hoping Anne would at least kiss him first—I didn’t want to lose the whole thing.” With a deep sigh, he pulls out his wallet and tosses another bill onto Felix’s growing stack.
The group laughs, but Felix just grins, flipping through the bills as he relishes in his victory.
Andrew chuckles, shaking his head. “You all underestimated just how down bad Hyunjin really is. Trust me, his love letters are no joke.”
Jisung and Minho cooed cutely at the words. The two were proud of their love-struck friend despite losing a bill in the bet. They didn't think he was such a romantic but they were proved to be very wrong.
Jeongin, leaning lazily against the wall, tilts his head. “So… does this mean we start betting on when they write their next love song together?"
The group pauses for a moment, all eyes darting toward the couple still lost in their world.
“Absolutely,” Andrew says with a devilish grin. “I’m betting they’ll write a song by the end of the weekend."
Felix scoffs loudly at this. "I bet they write a song by the end of the night."
The group breaks out into immediate chaos. Placing bets and throwing shade at each others estimates.
“No way,” Changbin laughs. “They’re too wrapped up in each other. There’s no way they’ll be thinking about writing music tonight.”
“I’m with Felix,” Jisung chimes in, his grin as mischievous as Felix’s. “If they’re that lovey-dovey, they’ll be in the middle of a new song before the night’s even halfway through.”
Seungmin snorts, crossing his arms. “You guys seriously think they’ll do something as productive as write a song right tonight?” He points a finger toward the couple. “They can’t even stop staring at each other long enough to see that Bangchan has been taking pictures like a proud dad.”
At the sound of his name the leader looks over at his friends sheepishly and pockets his phone.
Bangchan raises his hands in defense. “Hey, I was just... capturing the moment!” He winks at the group, trying to play it cool. “Not like I’ll ever hear the end of it if I didn’t take a few pictures for the album.”
The group bursts into laughter.
"No way they are writing music, but speaking of music..." Changbin starts, reeling the conversation back to the bet with a shit eating grin, "we're probably gonna need those noise canceling headphones tonight."
Changbin’s grin widens. “You better believe it. With that kind of chemistry they're gonna be up-"
Synopsis: Two strangers with the same love for the city and songwriting meet under the stars in Chicago. They fall in love, quick and easy. But, there's a problem. They are both keeping a big secret from each other.
Warnings: none in this part :)
2.6k
Masterlist
_____
Anne and Andrew arrived to the stadium on time for rehearsal and now that it was nearing 8:00 am they were wrapping up. Finally, the girl had discovered that they were opening for Stray Kids alongside Hannah Bahng.
It would be a quick set. Hozier was only going to perform three songs but rehearsal was especially important because it wouldn't be with the usual band. Thankfully, the crew on the guitar, bass, and drums had worked together before so they were quick to flow together. The only had to run through each song twice to get the hang of it.
The other back up singer, Ny Oh, was also quick to flow with Anne. She was a Brit like the rest of the back up crew, minus Anne, and had a superb sense of style. The older girl rocked a long shag and micro bangs, as well as the most amazing vocals.
Even in the early morning haze, Anne and Ny Oh clicked instantly. They exchanged giggles between takes, riffing off each other with silly harmonies during sound checks, their voices melting together like they'd been singing side by side for years. Andrew had only needed to scold them once, and even then, it was half-hearted, his lips twitching with amusement.
A loud ping came from Andrew's phone and he put the mic back on the stand to take the device out of his pocket.
"I think were good, lets get outta here before the others get here," he said, looking to Anne.
Something about his tone was unreadable, but Anne dismissed it, slinging her bag over her shoulder. If anything, she was just excited for the real thing—the energy of the crowd, the sheer magic of standing on stage with Hozier.
She was nothing but a back-up singer so her presence would be ignored which is how she preferred it. After performing she always went back to being a nameless face but little did the crowds know, she was the Angel that fans begged artists to reveal.
Before they left, Andrew clapped his hands together. “Wait, wait. Group picture.”
Groans of protest followed, but no one truly objected. Sarah, Mitch, and Adam—the three on backing instruments—dropped to the ground, leaning against each other in exaggerated exhaustion. Behind them, Andrew, Ny Oh, and Anne stood shoulder to shoulder.
The camera clicked.
And just like that, another moment was captured. A moment that, unbeknownst to Anne, was leading her straight to someone she desperately needed to see again.
_____
Stray Kids walked through a crowded sidewalk towards a restaurant they had bought out to eat a peaceful lunch after their rehearsal. Despite the boys having their masks pulled high and hats hanging low, the paparazzi still found them.
A flurry of camera shutters erupted like gunfire, the air thick with shouted questions.
"Bangchan, how do you feel with your sister opening for Stray Kids?"
"Han, is it true that you were recently hospitalized due to an anxiety attack?"
"Hyunjin, fans are wondering whats inside the locket you're seen to be wearing since your trip two months ago."
"What do you have to say to about tonights show?"
The bodyguards around them worked aimlessly to keep them protected from the growing mob. But, reported and paparazzi's alike were ruthless and pushed back aggressively desperate to capture a moment for their tabloids. Photographers jostled for space, reporters shoved microphones into their paths, and fans on the outskirts screamed their names.
Hyunjin’s grip tightened around the locket resting against his chest beneath his hoodie, fingers brushing over the cool metal. He didn't stop. He didn’t even flinch.
Times like this made him miss Anne desperately. She was his calm in the storm, the light at the end of the tunnel, a warm hug in a cold night. Nothing could compare to his time spent with her. Especially because when they were together they were just two ordinary people. No flashing lights, and microphones were shoved in their faces, and they could just enjoy the world as normal people.
Beside him, he could sense Minho and Jisung. The older boy had a protective arm around his boyfriend, despite the flashing camera's. From the little he could see of his friends face, it was clear that Jisung was anxious. He hated crowds like this in general and no doubt the invasive questions about his health made it worse.
When they finally made it into the restaurant, the doors were quickly locked behind them. Bangchan led them through a doorway and into a back room where a group of tables were pulled together for them. There were no windows or video camera's and the only other person who stood in there was a waiter who didn't gawk at them like they weren't human.
Though it was a late lunch, most of the boys ordered some form of caffeine. It was a long day after all.
"I'll have whatever drip coffee you have, with a tablespoon of cream and a tablespoon of milk, please," Hyunjin told the waiter, who looked at him over the tiny notebook.
"We had another singer in here earlier and his friend asked for the same exact order," the waiter started with an airy chuckle, "Its not often we get musicians in here but I guess you all like your coffee the same way."
The room carried on as normal, Jisung finally relaxing into Minho’s side, the others placing their orders. But Hyunjin remained still for a beat longer, fingers absently brushing against the locket beneath his hoodie.
That's how his Annie liked her coffee too.
_____
"Why do I have to be the one to keep Anne busy," Felix whines dramatically.
He, Changbin, and Bangchan all sat in a circle on the small queen bed in the hotel. The important discussion of tonights plan between Hyunjin and Anne was unfolding.
"Because I need to talk to Andrew about the show and you are a lot more friendly than Changbin," Bangchan said, looking over at the pouty boy.
Changbin rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. The older boy was aware of his tendency to come on very strong, especially when he was excited.
"So, Binnie keeps Hyunjin in the dressing room during Hannah's performance," Felix starts pointing at this friend, "You talk to Andrew," he points to Bangchan, "And I talk to Anne about god knows what to make sure she stays away from our dressing rooms," Felix finished, flopping onto his back again with a groan.
The other boys nod in agreement.
Weeks of meticulous planning had led to this moment. The group chat between Changbin, Felix, Bang Chan, and Andrew had been buzzing with activity for days, ensuring every last detail was accounted for. They had even created a detailed schedule, tracking Anne and Hyunjin’s movements hour by hour to make sure they didn’t accidentally run into each other before the show.
"Bangchan did you call the cafe I found?" Felix asked.
The leader nodded. "Yeah, they said that they will stay open for them. They were not mad about the payment either," he chuckled.
"I got an outfit picked out for Hyunjinnie too, I sent a pic to Andrew so he knows what to buy for Anne." Felix said.
Changbin snorted. “You really went all in on this.”
“Of course I did!” Felix said, puffing up proudly. “I know Hyunjin better than he knows himself, and he never shuts up about her, so I had a pretty solid idea of what their perfect date would look like.”
The blonde was proud of his work. He knew Hyunjin quite well and having heard the boy talk about his lover the most, he had a solid picture as to what their perfect date would look like.
"Oh, Andrew ended up paying Hannah to go. I think he felt weird about shopping for Anne's date night, I'm pretty sure they are siblings," Bangchan said thoughtfully.
The Felix hummed in agreement. They definitely did seem like siblings. Or, at least they acted like siblings.
"Yeah, it would definitely be weird picking out a outfit for your sisters date," Changbin agreed, cringing at the thought of doing the same for his older sister. He knew that he wanted her to stay single forever.
The other boys shuddered in agreement. Each of them had sisters and that came with a shared resentment for the male population that tried to date them. It was surprising how enthusiastic Andrew was about his whole ordeal.
"Andrew mentioned that Anne has her own room, right?" Changbin asked, standing from his spot on the bed and moving towards his bag.
Bangchan nodded his head.
"I brought my noise canceling headphones but you guys and the rest of the boys should go out and get some," Changbin mentioned, a slight smirk on his face.
Felix opened his mouth, then promptly shut it. Fair point.
"NO, NO and NO," Bangchan said standing up abruptly, his hands raised like he was warding off a threat. "We are not talking about this."
“Well, either way,” Changbin said, tossing his headphones onto the bed, “I’m not risking my sleep for Hyunjin’s romantic reunion. If they get carried away, I know what to do.”
Felix, ever the instigator, smirked. “Sounds like a plan. And by the way, Hyunjin’s probably going to spend half the night quoting romantic poetry at Anne."
"Yeah, they might not even fuck," Changbin chuckled.
"Both of you shut the fuck up now." Bangchan said, pressing his hands to his ears.
Felix and Changbin both leaned back, grinning. The silence that followed was thick, and Bang Chan’s face flushed a little from the embarrassment of the whole situation.
“You guys are unbelievable,” Bang Chan muttered, glaring at them but unable to hold back a small laugh. “I can’t even believeI’m dealing with this. We’re supposed to be focusing on the plan, not... whatever this is.”
"Channie, this is about the plan," Felix giggled, "we just need to make sure we have the proper equipment to stay mentally well on our side of the deal."
He had to admit, though, as much as he hated it, Felix was right. The idea of hearing anything from the other room made him shudder. So, that afternoon, Bangchan went to the store and bought seven other pairs of noise canceling headphones.
_____
"Hannah's on in five," Mitch, our guitarist said, coming into Andrew's dressing room where everyone was crowded in. He placed a sweet peck to Sarah's cheek. Sarah was our drummer, who also happened to be married to Mitch.
The sight of the lovey-dovey couple made Anne's gut twist in longing. She wished that she could be with him now but knew that his situation was different. He had to be in Korea and wasn't allowed to have a love life, while she was busy traveling and writing.
Everyone hummed and stood, wanting to see our most recently made friends performance. Hannah Bahng was a sweet girl with a blonde fringe that melted into her dark head of hair.
Apparently, Chris the man that Anne had met this morning, was her brother. It made a lot of sense really. They were practically twins plus, Hannah wrote her own music too.
The group made their way out of the dressing room and too the stage entrance backstage.
"Hey, Andrew," a voice called out.
Anne turned to see Chris walking towards him. An arm was outstretched and Andrew grabbed it firmly giving a good handshake.
Before Anne could question why her friend seemed so familiar with the man she had only met this morning a tap on her shoulder stole her attention. A kind looking, blonde man stood before her. A sheepish smile spread out across his face as he gave her a light bow.
"Hi, I'm Felix," the man said, extending a welcoming hand.
Anne took it in hers offering a smile. "I'm Anne," she said.
The curious girl watched as Felix took a step back. His arms came up and down gesturing to her as a whole, "I just had to say that I love your outfit."
Anne blushed at his kindness and thanked him immediately. She wore a white, tight-fitting, strap top with her wispy hair held up by a claw clip, exposing her beautiful collarbones. Hyunjin's necklace dangled front in center on her chest, shining in the stage light. On her feet were a brown and white pair of addidas gazelle's and a medium washed baggy jean sat low on her hips exposing a sliver of her mid-drift. Yes, it was the middle of winter but they were inside of a building filled with sweaty bodies. So the outfit was definitely appropriate.
"I like yours too!" Anne said happily, gesturing to him as well.
Felix wore a cut-off jersey top with the bands logo across the front. The same as what the rest of the members were wearing but Anne had yet to see them.
"Thanks," he said, with a small smile, "so, you are back-up for one of the openers?"
Keep her talking Felix, don't let her eyes wander in case Changbin can't do his job.
Anne nodded, "Yeah I'm singing back up for Hozier."
Felix rocked back on his feet excitedly."Nice! I love the new album, Francesca is definitely my favorite song," he says.
A pleased hum escapes the girls lips at his words. "You have good taste," she says, and then leans in, "we may or may not be performing it tonight."
Francesca was in fact on the roster. It was one of two songs from the most recent album that they were going to perform. Of course, they had to open with Take Me to Church, a crowd favorite. But following that would be Eat Your Young and finally Francesca.
Felix’s eyes lit up at her words. “No way! I can't wait to hear it!"
Anne giggled and opened her mouth to reply but Andrew's steady voice cut her off. "We're on in two, Anne, Ny Oh, come get your mics."
Anne blinked, slightly startled by the interruption. She gave Felix a quick smile, grateful for the pleasant exchange. "Looks like it’s time for me to go," she said with a soft chuckle, stepping back.
Felix gave her a thumbs-up, his grin still wide. “Good luck! You’ll do great out there, Anne.”
She nodded, her stomach fluttering with a mix of nerves and excitement. "Thanks, Felix. I'll catch you later!"
Anne turned, making her way toward Andrew and Ny Oh, who were both already positioned near the sound equipment.
Andrew gave her a quick look as she approached, his expression unreadable. "Ready?" he asked, his voice steady but with a hint of something she couldn’t quite place.
Anne gave a small nod, adjusting her microphone. "Yeah, just getting a little nervous now."
"Don’t be," Ny Oh chimed in, her British accent smooth and calming. "We’ve got this. Just enjoy the moment."
Anne smiled, trying to calm her nerves. Her hands subconsciously reaching up to toy with the locket on her neck. She knew Ny Oh was right.
As they walked toward the stage, the buzz of the crowd grew louder, sending another wave of excitement through Anne. She could feel the energy of the audience even from behind the curtains, and it made her heart race with anticipation.
Once they were in position, the curtain slowly began to rise. The familiar strains of Take Me to Church echoed through the stadium, and the crowd’s cheers surged. Anne’s eyes quickly found the Andrew on the center of the stage, and as the lights flickered on.
She settled into the rhythm of the moment, knowing that tonight was going to be one to remember.
