Jagiya! You Did So Good. I've Loved This Series From The Very Beginning. It's Definitely Going On My

Jagiya! You did so good. I've loved this series from the very beginning. It's definitely going on my favorites list!

To all my mooties, if you need a new read, maybe show this one some love

The Scars of Our Past

Part 9 | Part 10 (Finale)

Series masterlist | Ari’s masterlist

**We’re here! This is the last chapter lovelies and I’m so sad/relieved that it’s done 😭😆 Thank you so much for all the love I’ve received on this, y’all are the reason I write 🫶🏻💕 Please leave me any and all feedback and thank you to those who followed through the entire journey! 🫶🏻💗 Those who find the completed story, please enjoy!**

Wolf shifter!Chan x OC witch!Aurelia; Wolf shifter!Minho, Changbin, Hyunjin & Jisung; Fox shifter!Felix & Jeongin; Druid emissary!Seungmin

(Featuring: Wolf shifter!Hongjoong, Mingi & Yunho, Black cat shifter!Seonghwa & San, Fox shifter!Yeosang & Wooyoung, Apprentice warlock!Jongho)

~Words: 6.2k

~Theme/au: non idol au, fantasy, supernatural themes, Skz and Ateez shifter!au, multi chapter, enemies to lovers, found family

~Warnings: violence, minor character death, slight angst

Taglist: @stellasays45 @palindrome969 @lino-jagiyaa @ayejaii @skzhoes @euphoriayongbok @sebastianswhore13

The morning of the fifth day since the warlock’s departure, the growing elation in the shifters was stifled by the arrival of a messenger. It had been discovered that the invitation was faked even before they reached Lord Seokjin’s estate. The warlock’s fury had killed the plants and animals for several feet around him, immediately turning back to the castle, his will set on the punishment of those who would make a fool of him.

Seonghwa and Hongjoong ran to Aurelia’s room. They had only until the traveling party returned, only until then to get them all ready to escape and make sure Aurelia was finished with her spells.

The roots had traveled over most of the castle in the time they’d been away, the hallways and stairs lined with them, the largest ones growing up out of the grounds around the castle and into the foundations. Aurelia had enough magic woven through the walls that she knew when the messenger had arrived, almost becoming one with the roots themselves as she cast her spell. The panic she felt in the shifters was not mirrored in her, she found she was calm and confident in her power, knowing anything that happened now could only be in their favor.

As the two burst into her room, Aurelia had begun pulling herself from her magic sleep, awake enough to speak to them again.

“It’s alright, I had enough time.”

Her soft voice reassured them almost instantly, Hongjoong moving to look from the window into the courtyard below, Seonghwa sitting on the bedside and brushing her hair back as she slowly came to.

“We must hurry, little bird. The others are all getting ready, but the warlock could return at any time.”

She was sluggish as he helped her sit up, not moving for so long and the amount of energy she’d expended in her magic making her feel heavy, like her body was worn out from a long journey or days of hard work.

“Any time is now.”

Hongjoong’s ears were pinned in displeasure as he spoke, watching the warlock and Jongho ride through the front gate. Their former master’s face was filled with rage, not even stopping to observe the roots encasing his castle as he stormed through the front door. Jongho, however, gaped at the sight before him in awe. Never had he seen magic on this scale, the size of the root closest to him rivaling a tree trunk, the aura radiating off it as he moved to place his hand on it.

Aurelia looked up with a small gasp as she felt Jongho’s magic through the root. Her eyes glowed and a fond smile covered her face, her eyes slipping closed to speak to Jongho as she did to Seungmin.

‘Welcome back, baby bear.’

Jongho smiled in the courtyard, the nickname she’d given him all those years ago still tickling his heart.

‘I could say the same to you, noona. It’s been too long here without you, but now that I see what you’ve gained outside of this place, I’m glad you came to us when you did.’

‘Everything I learned in the time we were all apart was only meant for this day. The day that I would see you all again and finally have the courage and strength to return what you all did for me.’

Jongho shook his head, even though she couldn’t actually see him.

‘I’m sure you said the same thing to the others, and I hope they told you what I’m about to. You owe us nothing, noona. You took care of us, more than you take credit for, the entire time you were here with us. All of them would agree with me, you were the one who deserved to be free. Besides, our good choice will lead to our freedom in the end, so there is nothing to regret.’

Aurelia felt her eyes glisten with tears at Jongho’s words. Seonghwa had been right, the little boy she knew was absolutely still in there, though now he was much more eloquent.

‘Thank you, Jongho. I still wish to grant you all your freedom, but as one of you again and not the one being saved. I broke the spell on all of their collars, help them get out of the castle if you can.’

Jongho’s eyes widened at her words, again amazed at her strength, as he’d been attempting to break their collars for years.

‘I will, noona. Be careful, and give that cruel bastard everything he deserves.’

Aurelia’s eyes opened and her heart filled with angry determination as Jongho’s connection faded. Seonghwa and Hongjoong felt their moods boosted by her aura, the instinctual fear they held at the idea of facing the warlock fading into the back of their minds as she held her arms out for their help.

One of them under each arm, they pulled her from the bed and supported her between them. Her strength was returning at she came out of her dream state fully, standing steadily before they all started walking out of the room and down the stairs.

They made it to the bottom of the stairs and half way down the large hall before the shifters both froze, the sound of angry footsteps reaching their ears. They started to turn and lead her another way when she stopped them with a soft tug, the anticipation in her eyes worrying Seonghwa but encouraging Hongjoong.

The three of them braced for the arrival of the warlock, her eyes already glowing as she prepared to finally stand her ground against the monster of her past.

Twenty feet.

Aurelia’s heart was pounding, but no longer in fear.

Ten feet.

Hongjoong and Seonghwa were both affected by her scent and the furious spike in her aura, their own anger flaring as their ears pinned back and they bared their teeth.

Five feet.

“No matter what happens, don’t attack him. Do you understand?”

Her low voice held a warning of danger if they disobeyed her, both of them nodding at her in understanding.

Zero.

The warlock turned the corner into the hallway with a flurry of his cloak. He stopped in anger and shock at the three that waited for him, his eyes landing on Aurelia with no less than murder swirling in them.

“You. You little bitch, what have you done?”

Aurelia found she could only smirk at him. Even his stature had fallen in the years she’d been away, his magic disgusting her and the thought of all he’d taken from them in their lives blinding her with hate.

“Only a taste of what you really deserve, you monster. There are scars on too many of the ones I love that should be repaid on you a thousand times over.”

The warlock sneered at her angry words.

“You think you have any power here, little girl? I think you’ll find I am not the only danger to you. Seonghwa, Hongjoong, kill her.”

She felt them tense on either side of her, the final test being placed on the effectiveness of her magic against the warlock’s. Aurelia only glared challengingly at him as his eyes widened, neither of the shifters moving to obey him.

“Kill her, now!” The warlock yelled almost hysterically, “What is wrong with you two?!”

Before any of them could respond, his dark aura shot towards them, fully intending on bending the shifters to his will once more. His face was twisted in anger and desperation, and in that moment Aurelia found a strength in her that only defending others could bring.

“NO!”

Roots shot from the walls and floor around them, grabbing onto the warlock at the furious shout she released. The dark aura was repelled with the strength of her own, Seonghwa and Hongjoong forced to take a step behind her with their ears pinned from the pressure as she stepped toward the warlock with her eyes glowing threateningly. The roots wrapped around him, securing his arms to his sides, tangling around his legs and bringing him to his knees, larger roots from the floor slowly wrapping around him like a snake engulfing it’s prey.

The two shifters looked on in awe as she advanced on him, her aura simmering around her, all trace of the scared little girl they used to defend from him gone in the wake of her power and anger. The warlock’s eyes were wide in panic, his struggle against the roots only serving to entangle him farther.

“Release me, you-,”

“No.” she growled. A root wrapped around his throat enough to silence him, his eyes bulging in true fear now. She towered over him in her fury, everything he’d done to her, everything he’d done to them, everything that she’d learned about what happened to Chan within these walls, all of this fueled her magic as the walls of the castle began to tremble.

Every shifter in the castle stopped, looking around on alert as they felt the change in the roots around them.

Aurelia stalked towards him, stopping an arms length from the man who tormented her for years, glaring down her nose at him as though he were a shit on the ground.

“No…I will not release you.”

Her quiet voice sent chills through Seonghwa and Hongjoong. Even though her tone was soft, magic and anger was laced into her voice, and the words she spoke echoed through the roots embedded all around the castle.

“I will not release you for all those you have imprisoned. I will not release you for every one of my brothers who suffered under your hand, for the scars I carry from the sting of your whip, for all of the innocent civilians who have cowered under the threat of your power.”

The rumbling around them grew louder, the floor beneath them shaking as the two shifters looked at each other nervously. Her voice grew, the sound trembling through the walls just as tremendously as her power.

“I will not release you until you have suffered the same! Death has always shrouded you, the fear of dying and the unknown keeping people beneath you, allowing you to impose your will on those who would fear you. But no more! Now you will bow to the will of another, the will of nature, and the will of all those who would see you gone from this world!”

The warlock screamed as her power reached its peak, the sound cutting off as the roots encased him completely. Her eyes glowed brighter, her head falling back as the rumbling around them escalated to the cracking and shattering of the entire castle.

Aurelia’s aura surrounded Seonghwa and Hongjoong, pulling them to her as the roots she had woven throughout the castle began to expand, twisting together as they grew. They crumbled stone and splintered wood as they wreaked havoc, joining into larger roots as they expanded into parts of the castle unseen.

The pressure around them had the shifters pressed close to her on either side, shielding her as much as her aura shielded them, their hands over their sensitive ears from the noise of the destruction.

Seonghwa noticed the lump of roots that had encased their master was getting smaller, disappearing into the roots snaked across the floor. Her aura faded slowly as the rumbling came to a stop, the hallway now unrecognizable as a simple corridor of thick roots leading to the outside.

She sighed as her magic disappeared along with the last trace of their master. Seonghwa and Hongjoong both reached forward to catch her as she fell, unconscious from the amount of magic she’d released but still breathing gently. Looking at each other steadily in the silence, they realized with a sick sense of pride that she’d killed him.

They were almost free.

****

The rest of their pack had taken advantage of the chaos. As soon as the walls began to crumble, the shifters ran swiftly towards the closest exit. Yunho and Mingi cleared a path for them as they all came into view of the large front door. Just before they reached it, the door was pushed open and Jongho waved at them, shouting for them to hurry.

Outside the castle, after he had spoken to Aurelia, Jongho had felt like he was being watched by one that didn’t belong in the courtyard. Looking to his right, he saw three shadowed figures watching him from within the largest roots. The one nearest him had his hand on the roots, like Jongho had before, and suddenly Jongho realized he’d heard the conversation between him and Aurelia. Motioning for them to come over to him, the three looked skeptical before slowly approaching him in the shadows.

“You’re here for Aurelia-noona, correct?”

The one who Jongho could tell wielded magic looked back at the others at Jongho’s hushed question.

After receiving a nod of approval from Chan, Seungmin turned back and answered Jongho’s question with a nod of his own.

“I heard you tell her that you would help the shifters inside escape. Why?”

The young warlock smiled gently at Seungmin, Chan and Minho sensing the sadness in him.

“They’re my brothers, and I have failed to free them for as many years as we’ve been here, so promising noona that I can help them after she did all the work to release them is the least I can do.”

The three nodded approvingly at Jongho. They all turned in shock at the feeling of the castle beginning to tremble.

“Seems noona is ready. Quickly, we have to get the gate open for the others.”

Jongho ran toward the front door, Chan and the others swiftly following him. Minho took down two of the guards quickly as they looked around in confusion, Chan taking out the guard near the gate wheel as Jongho’s eyes glowed while he moved the wheel to raise the gate.

Pushing the door open, he ushered his brothers through when they emerged from the castle as it began to crumble in earnest around them. Running farther into the courtyard, the eight shifters and two magic wielders turned to watch in amazement as the roots tore apart the castle’s foundation, shattered through windows and walls, and displacing every piece of structure in their way before twisting skyward and joining together to form a thick tree trunk that climbed slowly higher and higher before branching into a canopy.

Seungmin shook his head with a fond smile as he watched her wreak havoc. He remembered finding the spell she was using, the long conversation they’d had about it over tea had widened their view of how magic could be applied. To see how she used it now left him astonished, hoping with all his heart that he would see her again to ask her about it.

Humans poured from the town toward the castle as word of the spectacle spread, their shouts of awe and fear beginning to rise over the sounds of destruction. Minju looked on as one in awe, the forest consuming the dark castle seemingly a perfect end to the terrible history it held.

Slowly, the creaking and groaning of growing wood, the shouting of the townspeople, and the crumbling of stone was replaced with the eeriness of a heavy silence. In the place of the castle now stood a towering, twisted, fully grown oak tree.

Other than the pieces of the castle that were intertwined with the wood, the tree looked exactly like the one that had been the background of the shifter’s dreams, the sun streaking through the leaves scattering a serene feeling across them as they realized she was forewarning them this whole time.

The townspeople began murmuring amongst themselves again, the shifters still looking at her spell in awe but Chan turned to them, only focused on finding her. Scanning over them, his heart clenched when he didn’t see any familiar faces.

“Where’s Aurelia? Or Seonghwa and Hongjoong?”

Each shifter turned to him before looking around, Yeosang stepping forward with a shake of his head.

“They went to get Aurelia-noona out before she fully cast her spell. If they were helping her and they encountered our master again, they’re most likely still inside.”

“If the master found them, they could be in trouble.”

Wooyoung’s worried voice had Chan growing increasingly more anxious. Minho put his hand on Chan’s shoulder to calm him, Jongho’s next words aiming to do the same.

“They’ll be fine. Even if they encountered him, noona is far stronger than that sorry excuse for a warlock ever could have been.”

They all looked up at the former castle again, Chan still fighting the urge to go in and find them himself. He caught Minho’s eye, but before they could make any decision, some of the townspeople started shouting again. Turning to what was left of the front door, they all gasped to see Hongjoong and Seonghwa step into the sun, Aurelia limp in Seonghwa’s arms.

Aurelia.

Chan could sense her heartbeat from where he stood and it made him almost deflate in relief. Minho gripped his shoulder harder in support, Seungmin rubbing his hands over his eyes to stem his tears.

They moved with the other shifters towards the three by the gate, gathering around them more protectively as the shouts from the townspeople became suspicious and angry.

Any hope of a reunion right then was dashed by the people shouting for an explanation of what happened to the warlock, calling them ‘murderers and animals’ before even hearing their story. Their agitation grew, as it only could in a mob, before Jongho’s voice boomed across the crowd, amplified by his magic and echoing through the town.

“Silence!”

Stunned by the sound, the crowd fell into a heavy silence as Hongjoong stepped past Mingi and Yunho, patting them both on the back gently as he stood in front of the crowd, the voice of reason separating the townspeople from his people.

Looking around at all the faces they’d seen in the town over the years, all those who had also suffered under the warlock’s hand, Hongjoong felt the urge to free them as well and he spoke out loudly to them.

“Would you call a slave that killed their master, a murderer? Have we not all suffered in the deathly shadow of this forsaken castle? Though you weren’t trapped within the castle itself, I know there are many of you here now that have been cheated, stolen from, and tortured by the piece of shit that called himself lord of these lands.”

The others watched as the crowd shifted nervously, many of them murmuring and nodding in agreement with Hongjoong’s words. Chan was impressed, the Hongjoong he knew was much more timid than the one that faced an angry mob now.

“If it’s the town you’re worried for, don’t be.” Hongjoong held his hands up as he gestured to the shifters behind him.

“We have no desire to take over. Many of you will already be able to keep this town running even without the warlock, and we simply wish to leave in peace and move on with our lives.”

More murmuring ran through the crowd, but silence fell as Minju made her way towards the shifters. Yeosang offered her his arm with a small smile, moving to stand with her beside Hongjoong. She reached out and patted Hongjoong’s arm affectionately, he and the rest of the shifters relaxing slightly as she turned to address the townspeople.

“You all know he is right. They have been prisoners here for too many years, this is not their home and it is not their responsibility to look after it now. They’ve done us a service by releasing us from the unending darkness, and we will allow them to leave peacefully.”

Her stern tone and logic seemed to finally persuade the crowd, the tension dissipating as they all began to group up, some talking lowly about the changes to come, others forming teams to explore within the ruined castle.

The shifters all moved to the side, embracing each other with tears forming as they realized it was completely over. Seonghwa turned to the three who were not his brothers, a small smile on his face as he recognized the intimidating wolf shifter as the scared little Chan he used to know.

“It’s good to see you again…Chan-hyung.”

The others all quieted as Seonghwa spoke, Hongjoong stepping forward to clasp Chan’s hand as well. Chan gripped his hand back firmly, nodding in agreement with Seonghwa despite the circumstances that led to their reunion.

“And you. All of you. Though I’m sickened to think you’ve all been trapped here for so long.”

Hongjoong shook his head. “It’s in the past now. Through the wildest of coincidences, it seems all of our fates have been intertwined for many years. I have a feeling that whatever chance led you to meeting Aurelia, without it we might never have been reunited with her and she may not have had the strength to free us. Now we can only go forward. You seem to have moved on nicely from your past, hyung, and you helped her do the same. We’ll move on in our own time, but not by burdening you or your pack with it.”

Chan pondered his words, his brow furrowed as he wanted to argue with Hongjoong but he knew that it wouldn’t do any good. They needed to move on by helping each other and Chan knew better than anyone that his pack would only be an added stressor. He decided a little bit of help never hurt, though.

“At least come back with us until she wakes up. You can all stay in the protected clearing of her cottage until you decide where you want to go and what you want to do.”

The shifters all looked at each other questioningly before looking at their leader. Hongjoong gazed at Chan steadily for a moment, his eyes moving to Minho and Seungmin standing behind him, before landing on Aurelia. His eyes softened and he nodded.

“Alright, it’s a better plan than staying in this town any longer.”

Happy claps and wagging tails were seen all around and Minju couldn’t help the smile on her face at the sense of peace that swept through her as she watched them celebrate. Stepping forward to pat Hongjoong again, she said,

“All of you come with me to my cottage to get some provisions for the journey back. And take those hideous collars off, aren’t you all free now?”

The collared shifters all paused in shock as they realized she was right. Chan reached out and took Aurelia from Seonghwa, tucking her into his arms in relief, as they all reached up to their necks with shaky hands. One by one, they heard the clinking of metal and the thud of the collars hitting the ground, the last one landing with a certain finality that shuddered through Hongjoong.

Now they were free.

****

The journey back around the mountain seemed to pass faster than the first time. Despite the worry that ate at them all, Seungmin and Jongho assured the shifters that Aurelia was fine even though she was still unconscious. Her mind had reacted sluggishly to Seungmin’s own magic, proving that she was alright but extremely drained from the energy she’d given to free them.

Taking turns to carry her, the eight shifters and two magic users finally made their way back into a familiar territory.

Hongjoong and his pack stopped at the border at first, hesitating from the feeling of the powerful barriers Seungmin and Aurelia had constructed, but encouraging barks from Chan and Minho had them following again.

Chan led them through the barrier around her cottage, a sense of peace and an endless happiness welling up in him at the idea that she was home.

All of them shifted to stand upright, looking around in curiosity at Aurelia’s cottage and garden. Jongho followed Minho and Chan as he carried her into her bedroom, laying her gently in her bed before leaving to look around as well.

Leaning over her, Chan brushed her hair from her face and adjusted her head comfortably on the pillow. Minho was crouched next to her side, as though he were guarding her like he had been the entire journey back. Seungmin leaned over her as well, opposite Chan, his eyes glowing as his magic curled around Aurelia slowly.

Watching from the door to her cottage, Hongjoong and Seonghwa shared a warm look at the sight of them caring for Aurelia so deeply. They’d seen it in all three of them throughout the journey, the guilt Minho and Seungmin felt being palpable to the shifters more often than not. The thought that she had found a pack of her own should’ve struck jealousy into Hongjoong, he thought, but instead he just felt happiness for her.

Motioning Seonghwa outside, he looked off into the trees as he spoke softly.

“This is her true home, isn’t it Hwa?”

Seonghwa smiled gently, looping his arm through Hongjoong’s.

“Yes, I think it is. I know we all love her endlessly, but we can’t make her choose. We’ll stay here until she wakes up, and then we’ll decide where to settle from there. You know she won’t let us run too far away now, anyway.”

Hongjoong smirked at him then, knowing Seonghwa was right. They could work with Chan, and if he allowed them to, they would find a territory that was close enough so they could all visit her often. The thought of being allied with Chan’s pack made Hongjoong hopeful that they would be alright in this new place.

Minho emerged from her cottage behind them, gently clasping Seonghwa on the shoulder.

“I’m returning to our den to check on the rest of our pack. They’ll most likely all return with us, but do any of you want to go with me? Just another chance to run free.”

The two eldest shook their heads, about to politely decline his offer on behalf of them all, when Yeosang spoke up.

“Can I go? I’d love to see more of the area.”

Minho nodded, smiling at the fox shifter. His blond hair and ears had reminded Minho of Jeongin, but the soft nature Yeosang carried made Minho think of him more like Felix.

Hongjoong shook his head at Wooyoung before he even opened his mouth, knowing the fox wanted to go with Yeosang and Minho, but he would never put that kind of chaos on Minho to deal with alone.

Shifting to run, Minho and Yeosang took off into the forest. Suddenly having the urge to check something, Minho barked at Yeosang and turned towards the area where Aurelia had been captured. As they stopped near the clearing, Minho felt relief rush through him.

Nothing.

There was nothing in the clearing, no dense magic, no strange smell, no trap chains.

The magic areas seemed to have died with the warlock, meaning their territory was safe again. Minho couldn’t help but jump around in giddiness before barking at Yeosang again and taking off at full speed toward the den. Yeosang jumped excitedly too and took off after Minho with a happy yip, no idea why this place made Minho so relieved, but happy to be involved nonetheless.

Shifting back to two feet, Minho stopped just outside the entrance to the den. He had a wide smile on his face, unable to contain his happiness about being home. Yeosang felt his mood matching Minho’s unintentionally, his happiness incredibly contagious, and Yeosang wondered if his brothers would stay close enough to befriend this pack.

They hardly made it into the den clearing before Jisung and Felix practically bowled Minho over.

“Hyung!”

Minho’s laughter rang through the air, Changbin running to them as well while Jeongin helped Hyunjin stand.

“You’re back! Did you find her? Is everyone safe? Where’s Chan-hyung?”

They all rattled questions off faster than Minho could answer them, a pause only happening when they noticed Yeosang standing behind Minho and watching them warmly.

“Oh! Who’s that?”

All eyes turned to Yeosang, Felix’s question hanging between them. Minho took the chance to explain then, ruffling Felix’s ears before introducing Yeosang.

“This is Yeosang. He’s one of Aurelia-noona’s brothers.”

They gasped as he waved at them shyly.

“So you found her? You found them all?”

Minho nodded at Jeongin.

“We did. They’re all free and noona is safe. Come on, they’re waiting at her cottage with Chan-hyung and Seungmin. I’m sure we’ll all have lots to talk about when we get back.”

Felix and Jisung whooped in excitement, Changbin joining them and pulling them and Hyunjin into a very squished hug. Jeongin seemed at war with himself, though, Minho reaching over to put his hand on his back.

“What’s wrong, Innie?”

“Will she actually be happy to see me?”

Jeongin’s small voice made Minho’s heart ache. He held the same guilt as Jeongin and Seungmin about Aurelia being captured, but he and Seungmin had been able to reach some closure about it. They’d simply left Jeongin to deal with his guilt alone and Minho pulled him into a hug suddenly, needed him to know that it wasn’t his fault.

“Of course she will be, Innie. You know as well as I do that she would scold you for even thinking that. And she would scold us both for continuing to blame ourselves for something we couldn’t control, and that’s already been fixed.”

Jeongin nodded against Minho’s shoulder with a sniffle, the other boys patting him on the head or back in comfort. As they pulled apart, Minho ruffled Jeongin’s ears playfully, wiping the few tears off his face.

“Come now,” he said, “no more sad faces. We have a reunion party to get to.”

The boys all shouted happily again before shifting down and running towards her cottage, the elation in the air around them making everything in the forest seem just a little brighter.

****

Darkness again.

Aurelia was growing very tired of being unconscious all the time. Her vision had gone dark after the spell was completed, the magic of the forest that she’d summoned completely engulfing the castle and the one who owned it at the same time. She knew it had worked, her brothers were free, so why couldn’t she wake up? Why was she still stuck in this dark wasteland within her mind?

Time was endless and nonexistent in this wasteland, the only brief comfort she’d had was the fleeting touch of Seungmin’s mind. She’d tried to grasp onto his aura like an outstretched hand, but he’d slipped away, leaving her in the darkness once again.

The silence was pierced after an unknown time, the voice so quiet at first that she wasn’t sure she was actually hearing it.

‘Please…please come back.’

Aurelia felt familiarity and warmth bloom from the voice, it’s owner’s name scratching at the surface of her consciousness.

‘We’re all here, both packs, safe and waiting for you to come back to us.’

It was like a thread connecting her to the light. She pulled herself towards the voice, needing whoever it was to know that she was trying, she was trying so hard to come back.

‘I know you won’t let anyone apologize when you wake up, but I’m sorry Aurelia. I’m so sorry I couldn’t stop any of this from happening, I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you or my pack, I’m sorry I let a magic user shatter our happiness.’

Chan.

Of course he would apologize for something that was entirely not his fault. The sheer audacity of him saying sorry to her seemed to be the last tug Aurelia needed to surface from her weakened state.

“You’re right.”

Aurelia’s soft, hoarse voice had Chan’s head snapping up to look at her, his heart pounding as she gently squeezed his hand that was holding her own.

“I won’t let you apologize.”

Her eyes slowly blinked open, her mumbled words bringing a disbelieving and relieved smile to Chan’s face. He dropped his head slightly to hide his tears, pressing his lips against her hand until she gently lifted him again to look at her.

“I mean it, Channie. This isn’t your fault. This was all meant to happen, our fates have been intertwined our whole lives, and now it’s led to all of us finding each other and being free.”

Chan gazed at her softly for a moment before taking her palm from his cheek and pressing his lips into it again.

“I won’t then, but you will hear an unending amount about how much I was worried for you. I already have seven children to deal with, never again are you allowed to go and get kidnapped.”

Her sparkling laugh was all Chan needed to be completely at peace again.

Helping her sit up against the headboard of her bed, he brushed her hair behind her ear again while still gazing at her softly. She returned his gaze and reached up again to cup his cheek. The magnetic pull they had was still there as they leaned in, their lips meeting in a feeling of coming home.

Gently he pulled back as he heard footsteps from outside her cottage, kissing the tip of her nose lightly as he whispered, “I missed you, beautiful.”

Aurelia smiled so brightly then, she felt her cheeks would stick that way. Happy tears gathered in her eyes, tears that only worsened as the door to her cottage burst open and she was met with the sight of his entire pack rushing to greet her.

“Noona! We missed you so much!”

Her laugh was watery as Felix, Jisung, and Changbin threw themselves into her bed around her, Felix immediately being wrapped tightly in her arms, his tears finally triggering her own as they held each other.

“I missed you all too, so much.”

Her voice was muffled by Felix’s shoulder, but Aurelia still looked up, trying to find the eyes of the others. Hyunjin stepped forward and patted her head gently, her hand reaching out to grasp his arm.

Aurelia turned her head to see the three who’d seen her last. Minho and Jeongin had their heads bowed slightly, tension in their shoulders, Seungmin smiling at her but there was sadness in his eyes.

Gently sitting Felix back, she reached out for them. Seungmin immediately took her hand, sitting next to Changbin on the edge of her bed. Minho hesitated slightly, but she gave him a playfully serious glare that had him rolling his eyes fondly and taking her other hand. He crouched next to her, squeezing her hand gently in understanding before releasing her hand so she could reach out to Jeongin.

The fox still had his eyes downcast, his ears pinned back as he wrestled with his guilt. Chan reached up to pat his shoulder as she spoke.

“Innie? Please look at me.”

Timidly, Jeongin looked up to meet her eyes, still afraid that he would see anger or distrust in them. He’d left her behind, he was supposed to protect her and instead she’d gone through hell because she protected them.

Aurelia could almost feel the conflict in him, realizing that when Chan had apologized to her, he was speaking the heart of his pack. She was determined to make him understand that she didn’t blame him for anything.

The smile that lit her face when Jeongin met her eyes melted any anxiety he held. He realized he was stupid to think that she would hold any resentment towards him, or any of them. With tears in his eyes now, Jeongin stepped forward and dropped into her arms with a poorly restrained sob, her hug healing the despair he’d felt in the weeks they’d been gone.

“None of you have anything to apologize for.” She spoke softly to them all, holding Minho and Seungmin’s eyes. “If anything, I have to apologize to you all for bringing danger to your home. The warlock was hunting you, he found me on accident, but his endless search for me even brought him this far in the first place.”

Aurelia looked up at Chan then, realizing that his fears from when they’d first met had actually come true, even if it was in a roundabout way.

Chan was shaking his head before she could even start.

“You scolded me for apologizing for things we couldn’t control, eat your own words. We’ve come to know who you are, Aurelia, the past you and I share, and the bonds you’ve built each of us. All of that is worth even the slightest danger that we could face. And he didn’t find us because of you. He was a greedy, cruel, selfish bastard who would stop at nothing to put anyone beneath him and I have no doubt he would have found us eventually. Without you, though, we never would have known who he was and most of us could have ended up like Hyunjin, or worse.”

The boys all agreed with him, her own eyes teary as she looked at them all fondly.

“Fine. No one’s apologizing to anyone. I’m just glad to be home.”

She hugged Jeongin and Felix again tightly, the others gathering her into a group hug as Chan felt like his heart would explode.

Yes, she was home.

****

Get attacked!! ✨🌈SEND THIS TO OTHER BLOGGERS YOU THINK ARE WONDERFUL. KEEP THE GAME GOING🌈 ✨

So much love from everyone

For something is short there is so much emotion here. I love these. I can't wait for the next call.

Returned Call

wc: 762, genre: exes to lovers, warnings: cursing in beginning, slightly unedited

note: although i feel this could be read as a stand-alone, here is the sequel to Missed Call you guys were asking for. i hope you enjoy ♡

Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message system: You know. Lee Minho. Not available. Voicemail. Speak. 

Fuck you, Lee Minho. No, seriously, fuck you. 

Tell me why I was contacted by not one but three of your dancing buddies within the past twenty-four hours about how you’ve been moping around and trudging through your routines for the past week. 

They were all essentially the same. You haven’t been the same since we broke up, is there any way we could reconnect, give you one more chance, blah blah blah. 

You must be doing really bad if one of them was Hyunjin, of all people. 

Two months too late, don’t you think?

As if any of this was my fault.

…

I was getting better before you called, you know?

I finally fixed my sleep schedule. I won’t lie, it took longer than I’d like to admit to break the habit of staying up late for you. At least I was already used to sleeping alone. 

I reconnected with some old friends since I couldn’t talk to Jisung as much without being reminded of you. They can still read me like a book, even after all these years.

I even went on a date. 

Granted, it was with myself, but I like to think it still counts.  

…

You know what I realized on my “date?” And while out with my friends? And on the sleepless nights I spent staring up at my childhood bedroom’s ceiling?

I had forgotten what it felt like to be seen. To be appreciated. To be loved. 

It seems like you’ve come to that conclusion as well, because you’re right. I deserved better. I deserve better. I may have ended our relationship, but I wasn’t the one who left first.

I remember our last kiss, paired with another one of your lies I foolishly kept believing in until I finished the movie night you promised you’d be home in time for. And I remember waking up on the couch with a sore neck to see your fatigued silhouette entering the front door, barely sparing me a glance as you dragged yourself towards the bedroom. 

You didn’t even look sorry. 

How could you, I guess, if you left everything back at the studio?

…

I used to admire your passion, Minho. I hate that I still do. You pour everything you have, everything you can possibly give, into what you love. So why couldn’t you do the same for us? For me?

You say you love me, but why does it feel like I lost something I never had? 

…

Where did we go wrong? What did I do wrong? I gave everything to you. I gave you my heart, my body, my entire being. I gave you everything until there was nothing left to give.

I never asked for anything outlandish. I think it’s reasonable to want to talk with your partner, to share your lives with one another. I think it’s reasonable to ask about when you’ll be home for our anniversary without being yelled at in front of your friends. 

You want me to be proud of you? You want me to be happy about one of the very things that ripped us apart?

Yes, you’re selfish, but I’m no better. 

…

Maybe this is my fault. After all, no one should feel obligated to love someone. I just never thought it’d apply to us. 

…I wish I could hate you. I really do. 

But all I see is your stupid face smiling at me when I close my eyes. I hear your laugh ringing in my ears when I remember the ways you said or did something ridiculous to make me feel better after a stressful day. I still feel the warmth of your body wrapped around mine when we did wake up next to each other, our legs entwined together to where it was impossible to escape. Not that I ever wanted to. 

I want you to keep smiling at me. I want you to hold me. I want you to miss me. I want you to want me. 

Because I still want you. 

…

I want to give you a second chance, Minho. If things could be different this time, if we could be different. If we could share ourselves, wholeheartedly, as lovers, and not strangers.

I want to fall in love with you again, Lee Minho. 

…

Call me back, when you get the chance. You can keep the shirts for now.

Just please, don’t make me regret this.

liked this work? want to let me know how i did? please like, comment, and/or reblog; they are greatly appreciated my asks are always open ♡

taglist: @linospuddin @linocz @spicyhyunn

ending note: I hope this didn't disappoint. I really tried my best to make it work with all the angst in here :D. I also tried incorporating parallels from Missed Call so hopefully that wasn't too annoying or anything <3

Ah I feel so special haha. Thanks for adding a little more

MDNI - My corruption kink has really been getting the best of me this week AND it's Felix Friday. So you know what that means! 🫠

BFF!Felix has known you since grade school. He’s watched you grow up alongside him. He knows how to make you laugh. When you cry, he knows how to cheer you up. He knows you’re a good girl who would never break the rules. You call him “Sunshine” and he calls you “Moonlight.” You’re so close knit that everyone thinks that you two are dating. His college buddies swear he’s had to have fucked you at least once. But you’re just friends so he’s never even tried. Yet…

BFF!Felix invited you to come hang out with him like you often do on Saturday nights. Sweatpants and B-rate movies. Lying on the couch, he pulls you into him a little tighter. That’s when you feel it. Pressing into your back. You pretend not to notice but he moves his hips slightly. Rubbing himself on you. “Felix,” you whisper. “Hmm?” he says but doesn’t stop. You feel your body heating up at the soft sounds he’s making in your ear. You’re aroused but nervous. Suddenly he stops, to take off his shirt. Then he starts rutting against your ass again, stroking your hair and kissing your neck.

BFF!Felix rubs your breast over your crop top. You tense up. “It’s ok,” he says huskily. “I’m your best friend, right?” he asks, still rubbing himself against you. You nod, trying to relax. He pulls down his sweatpants, freeing his hard, leaking cock. He reaches to pull your pants down and you grab his hand. “Felix, I’ve never–” But of course, he already knows. He gently sucks on your neck. “I know, Moonlight. Just wanna feel your skin against mine. Touching doesn’t count. I promise I won’t put it in … unless you want me to,” he whispers. Well, you can’t argue with that logic.

@moonlightndaydreams

KACI! I'm with Miu in this. Absolutely fucking sinful

[SMUT AUDIO]

Lixie can be quite vocal if you hit the right spots ^.~

Microphones and Mistakes

ᑉ³pairing; Dad! Husband! Bangchan x idol! reader

ᑉ³genre; Angst

ᑉ³warnings; Implied unwanted pregnancy, Arguments, Cursing

ᑉ³Authors Note; This is my first Tumblr Fic! Thank you so much for reading <3 Unedited! Please let me know if there are any warnings I am missing!

"We will be ready to start again in 5!" you heard a staff member say. You sighed as you plopped yourself down on the side of the stage. Another staff member ran over to you with water and a new microphone.

"I'm sorry about all the issues, Y/N. We're working to fix them now, and I assure you it won't happen again," he said, handing you the water.

"Thank you," was the only answer you could provide. Anxiously, you sat on the side of the stage, getting your in-ear monitors fixed, already feeling frustrated and out of breath.

You had run through the performance once, but unexpected sound issues had arisen. This was your debut performance of the highly anticipated Stray Kids X Y/N song. Countless late nights had been dedicated to crafting this masterpiece, with you and your husband Chan pouring your hearts and souls into every lyric and melody. The song had soared to the top of the charts in a matter of days due to its popularity, which brought immense pressure. Any misstep during this crucial performance could spell disaster for both of your upcoming comebacks, tarnishing the success you had worked so tirelessly to achieve.

Chan, usually by your side and supportive, was busy with his own schedule, making sure he and the kids were prepared for the performance as well.

As you scanned the room, watching staff buzzing around and fixing what you could only imagine were other sound issues, you closed your eyes and took a deep breath in an attempt to calm your nerves.

Then, you heard it.

The wailing of your almost 4-year-old son, Kai. Kai had decided that this particular moment was the perfect time to be anything but calm. He cried and wailed incessantly, much to the dismay of the nanny who had been entrusted with his care. Your eyes shot open to see Kai running towards you, with the nanny following just a few steps behind.

"Mommy!" Kai wailed as he ran into your arms.

"I'm so sorry, Y/N. He slipped out of my hands and has been crying all afternoon, and I turned for one second to grab him a toy, and he ran off," the nanny explained.

"It's okay," you replied, turning your attention to the crying boy in front of you. "I wana be with Mommy!" Kai cried out.

"Kai, sweetheart, you know you can't be in here."

"But Mommy—"

"No buts. Baby, I'm sorry, but both Mommy and Daddy have to work. You have to stay with your Nanny," you said gently, but Kai's disappointment was evident as he cried even more.

"We're ready to start again, Y/N," the staff member said ignoring the scene taking place in front of him.

Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, and with Chan nowhere in sight, the only solution in your head was this. You scooped Kai up, adjusting his soundproofing headphones as you got in place to begin the song.

But Kai seemed determined to make his displeasure known. As the music played, and you began to sing, you felt his tiny hands grasp onto your microphone, tugging at it with all his might. In the midst of the commotion, he also managed to yank out one of your in-ear monitors, leaving you disoriented and struggling to hear the music properly.

What you didn't realize is that Kai also had his sippy cup in his hand. With all the commotion, it popped open and spilled—

All over you.

As the music shifted, symbolizing the entrance of Stray Kids, you shot Kai a look, hoping to get him to behave. Your eyes met Chan's, and he shot you and Kai a look of confusion. He noticed you were struggling, and he quickly sprang into action. Despite needing to sing and dance during the sound check, he took Kai into his arms, attempting to calm him down while still fulfilling his duties on stage.

Meanwhile, with your microphone dangling precariously from one hand and your in-ear monitors in the other, you tried your best to soldier on. But the frustration was evident on your face as you struggled to maintain your composure amidst the chaos. The song ended, and you heard your manager through the one remaining in-ear monitor.

"Y/N, what's going on? This is your second run with all the issues fixed, and this one was worse than the first. We don't have time to do this again."

Out of frustration, you pulled the in-ear monitor out of your ear. Without a word, you stormed off the stage, taking Kai out of Chan's arms, leaving him and the rest of the kids behind.

You brought Kai into a nearby room and crouched down in front of him, your anger simmering just beneath the surface.

The sight in front of you was painful. Your little boy stood there, looking so innocent with the cup and a piece of your in-ear monitor in hand.

You couldn’t believe it.

You tried to keep your cool, but couldn’t. You heard quiet footsteps making their way up towards the room. Your anger was being tested, and you felt like you were about to blow.

"What the hell, Kai?" You let out. "What is wrong with you today? You misbehave all morning, are mean and fussy with your nanny, and then look," you said, pointing at yourself, "you pulled off my microphone and in-ears and spilled your juice all over me." The little boy stared back at you with big brown eyes and a pout on his face.

"I've raised you better than this, Kai. What is wrong with you?!" You raised your voice a little, causing Kai to jump. He took little steps quickly to hide behind his father, who was now standing in the room. His little hands were shaking, and his lips were quivering.

Chan's eyes softened as he felt little hands grip his pants.

"Baby...What's going on?" he said, picking up his son with one hand, wiping the tears that began to stream down his face once again. "Don’t stress out, baby. It's okay,"

"No, Chan. It's not okay. He's constantly disobeying, and every time he does, you just wipe his tears and let it slide. That's why he keeps repeating these behaviors. You've coddled him so much that we can't even put him down for a few minutes!" You groaned frustrated as you stood.

"Y/n, it's fine. He's just a baby—" You shot a pointed look at him instantly, causing him to fall silent and redirect his attention to his son, who was clinging to his shirt.

"I'm sorry," Kai choked on his sobs.

Chan's heart melted at his little pout. "It's okay, baby, no need to cry. Daddy's got you," Chan wiped the tears from his cheeks and gently took the cup from his tiny little hands. "Y/n, look what you've done, now he's panicking."

"Seriously Chan?" you replied, clearly annoyed.

"He's just a kid! Kids cry, they make mistakes. He's still learning, Y/n. We need to guide him, not scold him," his voice grew louder with frustration.

"So how exactly do you plan to teach him? By comforting him, telling him it's alright, and then forgetting about it, knowing he'll repeat the same behavior in the future?"

"HE'S A CHILD, Y/N! He learns through trial and error. He doesn't fully comprehend right from wrong yet. Why do you always resort to yelling? And why am I always the one expected to properly care for him?"

"Properly care for him? I'm the only one who does since you're hardly ever home! I do everything for him. I—"

"Stop being a poor parent and actually teach him. For someone who didn't want a kid, you're oddly protective of him."

You stared blankly at him.

You, the one who was up day and night when Kai was sick, While Chan was working in the studio

You, the only one who took him to all of his appointments, dance classes, games, and events, while Chan was away on tour.

You, the only one who sat with him when he was struggling with homework, when Chan was too tired to stay awake.

You, the one who took care of Kai and never took a break, while Chan never did.

You.

The tension in the air was thick. The shocked gasp that left your mouth was painful. Your head started to spin, your eyes turning red as your body started to overheat. The emotions you felt were overwhelming. Your eyes landed on your son, who was covering his face in his father's chest, as Chan's eyes grew wider and wider, realizing the weight his words had on you.

"I'm sorry," the little boy squealed again.

"It's okay, baby," Chan comforted his shivering body.

"Well, maybe since I'm such a poor parent and a terrible teacher, I should let you handle it all on your own then," you said, brushing past him and your son and closing the door behind you on your way out.

You were stunned, your mind struggling to process everything. Your hands felt icy, and the weight of it all became too much to bear. You were exhausted from constantly putting up a front, tired of shouldering everyone else's burdens.

You longed for the freedom you once had, to reclaim your own life.

The urge to flee, to escape from it all, gnawed at your thoughts.

Yes, you cherished Chan and the life you shared, but you yearned to rediscover yourself. You craved to feel cherished, to be loved by your husband like you once were. You wished to relive the carefree days of youth, to experience love anew.

You made your way to the dressing room, seeking solace. Despite the turmoil within, you had a show to perform tonight. Sitting down, you took a deep breath, gazing at your reflection in the mirror. Tears welled up in your eyes, staining your cheeks.

No.

You refused to let the chaos of the moment ruin the performance ahead. With determination, you steadied yourself, forcing a smile.

The show must go on.