Archive of Our Own ^beta

If you ever happen to visit the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of South Korea — they offer really interesting guided tours — with a high percentage of probability, you will be able to visit only the main building. It’s quite grand and, well, innovative: it has these exhibition halls, interactive zones, even some workshops and a big library, that attract locals and tourists alike. It stands tall and proud catching the glances of those passing by.

But in fact, few people even know that there is another building. And there is one. Behind an inconspicuous door on the third floor hides an even more inconspicuous skyway to a decommissioned wing — at least that’s what the official version sounds like. In reality, the decommissioned wing is nothing more than the Department of Extraordinary and Magical Innovation.

You see, yes, magic exists, but it’s not fully integrated into society yet. There are certain strategies for said integration, but they’re still only in the development stage: the last time the magic world tried to blend in with the human world, it went terribly wrong with all that witch hunts and whatnot. So now, magic is treated as a form of advanced technology, and while the public doesn’t know about it, it’s still used behind the scenes to improve certain aspects of everyday-life.

The Department of Extraordinary and Magical Innovation governs everything magic-related, from innovation and research to regulation and enforcement. It controls how magic is developed, licensed, and applied, but ensures that it remains hidden just yet.

So, most humans are unaware of the magical world unless they have a special connection. Kim Seungmin considers himself to be a part of these unlucky ones, who have this connection.

Kim Seungmin is a perfectionist and highly pragmatic no-nonsense human, who believes in structure, planning, and keeping his life completely in order. He’s the type to schedule his day down to the minute and he hates when things go off-track. He believes that every problem can be solved with hard work and logic.

But he also happens to have a magical background — his great-great-great-something-grandmother was a powerful witch. But she fell in love with an ordinary human and abandoned witchcraft whatsoever for the sake of living peaceful life within humans — and generations later, the magic in the blood of her descendants has thinned out. Now only Seungmin’s aunt, his mother’s sister, who’s very successful at reading the tarot and making predictions, and Seungmin himself have some relation to the magical world. He isn’t strong: he can’t cast powerful spells or enchant artifacts, but he’s got a very good intuition and can sense magic. It’s enough for his job.

Because he works at the Department of Extraordinary and Magical Innovation, more precisely — at Magical Anomalies Governance and Neutralization Taskforce, or MAGNET for short. It handles magical accidents, malfunctions, and magical beings that are out of control. The job is quite simple: they have to either neutralize or contain magical problems, preventing further chaos and humans from knowing about it at all. Seungmin is quite skilled at handling the logistics and management side of things — like activating containment orbs and rings or erasing the memory of the accidental witnesses.

Seungmin’s job also involves endless bureaucratic work — filing reports, maintaining records, and creating procedural guidelines for magical incidents. And he’s highly efficient at this.

But despite working with magic on a daily basis, Seungmin doesn’t understand it on a personal level. He views it as something chaotic, untrustworthy, and dangerous. He respects it for its power but resents how it disrupts his sense of order.

He also hates whoever named their division — because what kind of foreshadowing was that?

The air inside the MAGNET occupied floor is thick with the faint scent of ozone and the unmistakable tingle of latent magic, it hums with energy, giving the whole place a faint buzz, like someone left an electric current running through the walls.

Seungmin sits at his cluttered desk, surrounded by a hodgepodge of strange artifacts and enchanted objects, each more bizarre than the last. Papers are strewn about haphazardly, filled with notes from previous magical mishaps, and the incessant hum of the gone-wrong spells wraps around him like a heavy blanket.

He rubs his temples, the familiar weight of frustration settling in. It’s only early afternoon. He hasn’t even had his lunch yet.

Across the room, a glass jar containing a flickering blue light — an unstable will-o’-the-wisp — suddenly explodes, sending sparkles and shards of glass scattering across the floor. Seungmin sighs deeply, pushing back his chair as he stands up.

“Not again,” he mutters, quickly grabbing a dustpan and sweeping the debris into it. He quickly activates the containment orb to encase the remnants of magic and bends down to clean up the last of the glass.

As soon as he’s done, another artifact on his desk, that’s flickering, its light sputtering like a faulty lightbulb, and emitting a low, ominous hum, loudly cracks and blows up too — into a shower of tiny, glowing butterflies that immediately begin flitting around the office. One lands on Seungmin’s nose, wings gently flapping. He gives it a look of pure exhaustion.

“Why not? Let’s turn this place into a butterfly conservatory today.”

The butterflies, apparently sentient, start reorganizing some of the floating objects on his desk — one drops a pen neatly back into its holder, another adjusts a stack of papers, and a third opens a drawer and drops in a stray eraser.

“At least they’re helpful.”

Just then, his colleague, a jittery guy named Jeongin, rushes over, looking panicked. He’s holding a clipboard, and his hair is slightly singed.

“Seungmin-sunbae, we’ve got a situation in Containment Room B. Someone tried to summon a talking llama, but it came out as a fire-breathing chicken instead.”

“Of course, that’s quite a natural progression,” Seungmin sighs and hands Jeongin the containment orb. “Deal with the butterflies, or they’ll rearrange your entire desk. Maybe your life too.”

The guy looks confused but nods. Seungmin rolls up his sleeves and heads to Containment Room B, mumbling under his breath.

He’s met with chaos.

The chicken — a small, yet menacing creature — stands on the table, breathing fire in spurts that are just enough to scorch but not quite enough to destroy anything important. There’s still some ash here and there and acrid smoke fills the room.

Seungmin grabs a containment ring from the shelf on the wall and expertly throws it over the chicken. The fire-breathing bird lets out one last angry squawk before being sucked into the containment device with a soft pop.

Seungmin wipes his brow. He has a feeling that today is going to be especially chaotic.

As soon as this thought crosses his mind, his phone buzzes violently in his pocket. He pulls it out and glances at the screen, eyebrows furrowing in confusion as he notices the name flashing: Manager Park. His heart races for a moment before his irritation resurfaces.

“Great, now what?” he mutters under his breath, swiping to answer. “Seungmin here.”

“Seungmin, we need you ASAP,” the voice on the other end crackles with urgency. “There’s been a significant magical incident involving—”

“—Hwang Hyunjin,” he interrupts, feeling a knot form in his stomach. “Let me guess, he’s messed up again?”

A pause, then the voice confirms, “Yes, and it’s bad.”

“What did he do this time?”

“Experimental magic, apparently. We need you to assist with containment before it gets worse. I’ll send you all the details.”

“Of course.” Seungmin takes a deep breath, his earlier frustration morphing into something more concerning. “I’ll be there right away.”

Hwang Hyunjin is simply the bane of Seungmin’s existence. No, for real: he alone is responsible for, like, seventy percent of magical disasters in Seungmin’s district and allows Seungmin’s team to meet their required quota for containing magical problems each time. Yeah, Seungmin would be grateful to him for being chosen as employee of the month eight times in a row, but… God, he can’t stand the guy!

Don’t get Seungmin wrong: he knows that Hyunjin is a talented sorcerer. He works as a freelance magical consultant, specializing in handling issues that require creativity and unconventional solutions. He’s often called in when magic goes wrong in ways that the average protocol which Seungmin is used to working according to can’t handle. While many magic users follow established rules and techniques, Hyunjin bends the rules. He’s highly innovative, coming up with unique spells or enchantments.

But due to his unpredictable and experimental approach to magic, Hyunjin is known for solving tricky magical situations sometimes with great success, sometimes with... mixed results. It’s not unusual for him to accidentally cause more problems before eventually fixing them. Seungmin’s got to visit his magic workshop at least three to four times in a week.

And to make things even more dramatic as they already are, they happen to be neighbors. Out of all people in Seoul!..

Jeongin pops his head into the room. “Dispatch just called — they’re sending you out to deal with some magical disturbance. It seems to be pretty serious.”

Seungmin stares blankly at the guy, “I know, it’s Hyunjin again”.

Jeongin gives him a nervous chuckle. “Well, it’s either him or the floating goats in Room D.”

Seungmin grabs his coat and his containment kit, shooting one last look at the chaos still unfolding behind him. “I’ll take Hyunjin, thanks.”

As Seungmin leaves the office, he glances over his shoulder at the glowing butterflies still rearranging his papers and mumbles, “At least someone’s being productive today.” He makes his way into the underground parking lot, when the phone in his pocket vibrates again. It’s a dispatch notification, which he wants to ignore at first — there’s nothing new, he guesses, — but the location makes him freeze for a moment.

It’s his apartment complex.

Hwang freaking Hyunjin.

Seungmin can’t help but feel a sinking sensation in his gut. Whatever mess Hyunjin got himself into this time, he knows it’s going to be terrible to deal with. As per usual. But what was he thinking, experimenting with magic at home?

He just hopes it won’t involve more explosions or poultry.

***

Seungmin stands outside Hyunjin’s apartment door, taking a deep breath. His containment kit feels heavier than usual, and the sinking feeling in his stomach tells him that whatever magic disaster is behind this door, it’s probably going to be… well, uniquely chaotic — much like Hyunjin himself.

Before Seungmin can knock, the door creaks open, moving on its own. Magic. Of course.

Inside, the air crackles with energy, and the walls shimmer faintly, a sign of unstable magic lingering in the atmosphere. As he moves through the threshold, he is greeted by a cacophony of odd sounds — like a chorus of whispers and giggles coming from somewhere deep within the house.

“Hyunjin!” Seungmin calls out, half hoping for a response and half dreading one.

He navigates through the living room, dodging floating books and chairs that seem to dance in midair, animated by whatever spell Hyunjin has unleashed. A patch of shimmering light flares up from the corner, revealing a small creature — an iridescent, pixie-like thing — fluttering about, seemingly having the time of its life.

“Are you kidding me?” Seungmin mutters, shaking his head in disbelief. He turns a corner into the kitchen, where pots and pans are rhythmically clanging together as if engaged in a culinary battle.

“Hyunjin!” Seungmin shouts again, this time more impatiently.

Finally, he spots Hyunjin in the midst of the chaos, standing in front of the open refrigerator, peering into it with a look of sheer concentration. He wears a look that mixes amusement with mild panic.

“Seungmin!” Hyunjin exclaims, spinning around, a burst of sparkles erupting from his fingertips. “You made it!”

“What happened?” Seungmin demands, trying to keep his voice steady despite the whirl of emotions surging within him. “Why is your apartment a magical mess? And what is that?” He gestures towards the pixie, which is now trying to untangle a string of enchanted lights.

Hyunjin shrugs, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. “Hey, it wasn’t my fault this time. The spell was supposed to be simple — just a quick protection charm for my plants, but…” He gestures to the chaos behind him. “Things… escalated.”

“This isn’t escalation, Hyunjin. This is a full-blown magical apocalypse. Did you try to enchant your entire apartment?”

“No, just the plants!” He points to the cluster of potted plants in the corner of the room — each one glowing faintly, with small sparks of magic popping off the leaves. “They were getting too much sun, and I thought I’d give them a boost. But then something went wrong with the charm, and the magic kind of… spread.” He gives Seungmin a sheepish smile, like that’ll make up for the fact that his apartment looks like it’s been hit by a magical tornado.

“A boost. You could have just moved them out of the sunlight like a normal person.”

Hyunjin crosses his arms defensively. “Where’s the fun in that? Besides, they’re occupying this exact spot because there’s this energy flow, it’s really good for them. I couldn’t have just moved them.”

Seungmin rolls his eyes, moving toward the sparking plants. “Okay, fun guy, let me guess — you mispronounced a word, or you added an extra ingredient you weren’t supposed to?”

The pixie giggles and zips around Hyunjin’s head, and he swats at it playfully. “I didn’t mispronounce anything! I’m not an amateur. Listen, it’s not even that bad! We can fix this. I just need a little—”

“No, no, you don’t need a little anything, just catch the pixie, I’ll handle the rest”.

As Seungmin speaks, he drops his containment kit on the floor and pulls out an orb, preparing to suck up the loose magic. He moves toward the glowing crystal on the coffee table, narrowing his eyes as he examines it. “This thing is the core of the problem, isn’t it?”

“Probably. I may have accidentally supercharged it when I tried to stabilize the spell.”

 “Of course you did.”

Before Hyunjin can answer, Seungmin twists a dial on the containment orb, and it starts to hum, absorbing the wild magic in the air. As the orb does its work, the room goes still, the floating objects dropping back onto the floor with soft thuds. But Seungmin’s heart races. Something feels off. A strange pull, like the air itself is thickening between him and Hyunjin. He shakes his head, chalking it up to the magical overload.

The glow around the crystal flickers, then suddenly intensifies. A bright flash fills the room, and for a split second, Seungmin feels an odd warmth spread through his chest. It’s almost like a jolt — a connection, something tugging at him. He shoots a glance at Hyunjin, who’s also staring at the crystal, his eyes wide.

“Uh… is it supposed to be doing that?”

Seungmin shakes his head. “Nope.”

Then, the crystal dims, its glow fading to nothing as the energy is contained.

Hyunjin lets out a long breath, glancing around at the now-stable apartment. “Okay… well… that’s better.”

Seungmin, still holding the containment orb, crosses his arms and glares at him. “Better? You’re lucky I showed up before your plants developed sentience and staged a coup.”

“Thanks. I guess. You saved the day.”

Seungmin shoots him a withering glare, still trying to ignore the inexplicable pull he felt a moment ago. “Next time, warn me before you start ‘experimenting.’ I’d like to get through one week without you calling me to put out magical fires.”

Hyunjin smirks, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “You’ll be okay without seeing me the whole week?”

Seungmin feels the pull in his chest again, that strange warmth he can’t explain. He ignores it, chalking it up to exhaustion. Whatever it is, it’ll pass. Right?

“I swear, Hyunjin, one day you’re going to blow up half the city.”

“Hey, don’t underestimate me. I could probably manage more than half.”

“Yeah, yeah. So what about the pixie?”

“Uhm…”

After what feels like hours of chasing the pixie around the apartment, they finally corner it in the living room. Hyunjin, breathing heavily but grinning, looks at Seungmin.

“Okay, on the count of three… one, two—”

“Wait!” Seungmin interrupts, catching his breath. “What’s your plan exactly? How do you expect to catch it?”

“Simple.” Hyunjin smiles, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ll use the spell I was trying earlier, but I’ll tweak it this time.”

Seungmin raises an eyebrow. “You mean the one that caused all this mess?”

“Exactly!” Hyunjin beams, completely unfazed.

Seungmin can’t help but roll his eyes. “You’re hopeless.”

But as Hyunjin focuses, the air around them begins to shimmer. “Now!” Hyunjin shouts, his voice full of determination, and he thrusts his hands forward, a burst of magic spilling out.

The pixie freezes mid-flight, captivated by the glow, and slowly drifts down into Hyunjin’s hands.

Seungmin blinks in surprise, a mix of admiration and irritation swelling inside him. “You actually did it.”

“Of course!” Hyunjin laughs, cradling the pixie in his palm. “Now we just need to release it back to where it came from.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t cause any more trouble.”

The rooftop is quiet, save for the distant hum of city life below. Seungmin steps out of the stairwell, tugging at his jacket as the cold breeze rushes past. The pixie in the enchanted cage rattles its tiny bars, glowing with an iridescent light, and letting out high-pitched, impatient chirps. Its fluttering wings create a soft buzzing sound that grates on Seungmin’s nerves.

“Does it have to be this dramatic?” Seungmin mutters under his breath.

Behind him, Hyunjin pushes the door open, carrying a spellbook and what looks like a handful of herbs that he clearly grabbed in a hurry. His dark coat billows in the wind, but there’s an unbothered ease in the way he moves, as if none of this fazes him. “Dramatic? It’s just a pixie, Seungmin.”

“Yeah, well, last time you said something wasn’t a big deal, we had a mini tornado in the parking lot,” Seungmin says, shooting him a glare. “So forgive me if I don’t trust your ‘just a pixie’ assessment.”

Hyunjin winces but doesn’t argue. He steps forward and starts setting up a circle with the herbs, humming softly to himself. “You really hold grudges, huh?”

Seungmin rolls his eyes and squats down, holding the enchanted cage at arm’s length as the pixie rages inside. “I just have a great memory when it comes to magical disasters.”

As Hyunjin arranges the last of the herbs in a loose, shaky circle, Seungmin pulls out his phone, briefly checking the messages. More magical incidents reported. Jeoning sending him distressful messages back from the office. Something — a dozen of TikTok links probably — from Jisung.

Hyunjin’s voice pulls him back into the moment. “Ready?”

Seungmin looks up, still holding the pixie cage. “As I’ll ever be.” He glances at the creature inside. “Are we sure this thing’s not going to, like, curse me on the way out?”

Hyunjin grins. “Relax, it just wants freedom. No hard feelings.”

Seungmin’s expression says he’s not convinced, but he places the cage down at the center of the herb circle. Hyunjin steps closer, flipping through the spellbook and mumbling an incantation. The air around them thickens, growing heavy with the familiar hum of magic.

Suddenly, the roof access door swings open again, a creak cutting through the tension. Both Seungmin and Hyunjin turn, only to see Bang Chan, their landlord, strolling toward them with a casual smile. His coat flaps gently in the breeze, his eyes glinting with an amused twinkle.

“Oh, don’t stop for me,” Chan says, hands in his pockets as if he belongs in the middle of a rooftop magical ritual. “I was just… inspecting the roof. Seems to be in excellent condition.”

Hyunjin straightens, looking caught off guard. “Uh, hi! We were just—”

“Letting the pixie go,” Chan finishes smoothly, nodding toward the cage. “Yes, I see that. How… kind of you.” He steps closer, inspecting the setup with interest. “Do be careful with that. They tend to get… revenge when they’re upset.”

Seungmin’s eye twitches. “I thought you said it wouldn’t curse me?”

Hyunjin clears his throat, flashing a nervous smile. “It won’t. Right?”

Chan doesn’t answer right away, his grin growing just a bit wider. “You never know. Magic has a funny way of leaving marks where you least expect them.” His gaze lingers on both of them, almost knowingly, before he glances back at the cage. “But I’m sure everything will be fine.”

Seungmin narrows his eyes. “You know something, don’t you?”

Chan’s smile is cryptic, as always. “Oh, I know a lot of things.” His eyes flicker between Seungmin and Hyunjin, like he’s in on a joke they haven’t caught up to yet. “Bonds, for instance, are fascinating. They form in the most unexpected ways.”

Hyunjin looks puzzled, glancing between Seungmin and Chan. “Uh… what bond?”

Seungmin’s chest tightens at the word “bond”. For a second, there’s this strange, warm sensation spreading through him again, a subtle pull from somewhere deep inside. He frowns, pressing a hand to his chest without thinking. “What are you talking about?”

Chan’s grin deepens, but he doesn’t elaborate. Instead, he steps back, holding his hands up in a gesture of harmlessness. “Oh, nothing. Just... a feeling. Go ahead, release your pixie.”

Seungmin exchanges a confused glance with Hyunjin, who shrugs, clearly unsure what to make of it.

“Right… let’s just get this over with,” Seungmin mutters.

Hyunjin flips through his spellbook, murmuring the last part of the incantation. The herbs around the cage start to glow, and the pixie lets out a high-pitched trill, flapping its wings wildly. Seungmin unlocks the cage, wincing as the little creature bursts out in a blur of light and sparkles. It hovers for a moment, its tiny face glaring down at them.

“Goodbye, assholes!” the pixie squeaks, then darts off into the night sky, disappearing in a trail of glitter.

Hyunjin sighs with relief, wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead. “See? No problem at all.”

Seungmin raises an eyebrow, his hand still on his chest, the strange warmth not fading. “If you say so.”

But before they can pack up, the warm sensation in Seungmin’s chest intensifies, spreading like a slow-burning fire. He glances at Hyunjin, who’s suddenly standing very still, his hand pressed over his heart, eyes wide.

“Do you feel that?” Hyunjin asks, his voice barely a whisper.

Seungmin nods, but doesn’t know how to explain it. The feeling is odd, like something unseen connecting the two of them, tugging faintly at their souls. There’s no logical explanation for it, but magic rarely ever is logical.

Chan chuckles softly, watching them with a knowing look. “Interesting, isn’t it? How magic works… sometimes things are set in motion long before we realize what’s happening.”

Seungmin’s frown deepens. “What do you mean by that?”

But Chan just smiles and waves a hand. “Nothing to worry about. I’m sure you’ll figure it out in time.”

With that, Chan turns and heads back toward the stairs, leaving Seungmin and Hyunjin standing in the middle of the rooftop, staring after him in confusion.

“Do you think… we should be worried?” Hyunjin asks, still clutching his chest.

Seungmin looks at him, the strange warmth in his own chest finally beginning to fade, but the unease remains. “I have no idea. But something’s definitely not right.”

“Do you… maybe want some coffee before heading back to work?” Hyunjin asks nonchalantly, starting to pack his belongings. Seungmin looks at him for a moment.

“Sometimes I think you do this on purpose.”

“Do what?”

“Creating all this magical mess. You know, if you are lonely and want some company, Jisung and I could just invite you over for dinner sometime.”

Hyunjin chuckles nervously. “I’ll think about that.”

***

Seungmin pushes the door to his apartment open, the familiar warmth and smell of home a stark contrast to the magical chaos he’s just dealt with back at the office.

The soft clatter of a keyboard fills the living room, accompanied by the faint hum of a computer. Jisung is sprawled on the couch, laptop balanced on his knees as he types furiously, barely aware of his surroundings. His headphones are slung around his neck, letting out faint beats from whatever music he’s been vibing to all day.

“Do you ever leave the couch?” Seungmin asks, smirking as he takes his jacket and boots off.

Jisung barely glances up from his screen, though a smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “You ever stop nagging?”

Seungmin shakes his head. It’s been years since they first met, and in that time, the banter has become their second nature. “Just checking to see if your legs still work.”

Jisung snorts. “Barely. I think I’ve fused with this couch. It’s my natural habitat now. No, I am the couch now.”

Seungmin makes a face. “Ugh, I have to plan a visit to Ikea to buy a new couch then”.

“Oh, stop it, you love me an insane amount, you dork! And you would still love me even if I became a couch. You would deep clean me and sit on me. You’d sleep on me even.”

“Gross, absolutely disgusting.”

Jisung laughs as Seungmin, simulating gagging, heads into his room.

When Seungmin comes back into the living room after changing into his homewear, Jisung is still sitting on the couch, legs kicked up on the coffee table, flicking through channels on the TV now. He perks up as Seungmin walks in, looking unusually animated.

“Dude! I totally forgot! You’ll never guess what happened today.”

Seungmin freezes, already suspicious. “What happened?”

“Our weird neighbor — you know, the artsy guy in 304? Something really freaky went down at his place this afternoon.”

Seungmin’s heart skips a beat. He quickly forces a casual expression, keeping his tone light. “Freaky? What do you mean?”

Jisung sits up, clearly excited to spill the gossip. “I dunno, man. I was coming back from the store, and I heard all these weird noises coming from his place. Like, things clattering around, and I’m pretty sure something exploded in there.” He leans in, lowering his voice like he’s sharing a secret. “At first, I thought it was a party, but then I was like, wait, no one’s that wild in the middle of the day, right? So then I thought maybe he’s running some kind of secret lab?”

Seungmin stifles a groan, keeping his poker face intact. “Secret… lab?”

“Yeah! Think about it — he’s probably some crazy scientist, you know, ‘no-one-gets-my-genius’ typa guy. Or — get this — he’s running some underground robot fight club.”

Seungmin barely manages to hold back a laugh. “Robot fight club?”

Jisung, completely serious, nods. “It makes sense, right? Artsy guy by day, underground robot fight king by night. I’m telling you, man, something’s going on in there.”

Seungmin clears his throat, desperately trying to keep his face straight. “Yeah… that sounds… plausible.”

Jisung eyes him suspiciously, still energized from his wild theories. “Actually, I could have sworn I saw your car outside the building earlier, around the same time I heard the noises. Were you somewhere nearby for some reason?”

Seungmin tenses, his mind racing. He has to play it cool. “No, I was at work all day. You must have seen someone else’s car. Lots of people have silver cars.”

Han narrows his eyes, as if trying to catch Seungmin in a lie. “Really? ’Cause I could’ve sworn it was yours.”

Seungmin gives a small, nonchalant shrug, his heart pounding. “Nope. Just a long day at the office. You know how it is.”

Actually, Jisung doesn’t know. He hasn’t worked in an office for a day in his life. Right after graduating, he freelanced his way through ‘adult life’, right until some tech company snatched him up. Technically, he works for a company now, but it doesn’t really feel that way since he’s still almost always at home.

They’ve lived together ever since university, when Seungmin was desperately searching for a roommate to split the rent, and Jisung — equally desperate — jumped at the chance.

“We really lucked out, huh?” Jisung mutters sometimes. “Finding each other back then. I mean, can you imagine rooming with someone else?”

Seungmin usually shrugs: “I don’t think anyone else would’ve tolerated your weird sleep schedule. Or the fact that you talk in your sleep.”

“I do not talk in my sleep!” Jisung protests, looking up with mock offense. “That’s slander.”

“Oh, you absolutely do,” Seungmin says, a teasing smile creeping onto his face. “One time you had a full conversation about whether or not ghosts can use Wi-Fi.”

Jisung’s face scrunches up in disbelief. “Okay, first of all, an important question. And second of all, I still don’t believe you.”

Seungmin laughs, shaking his head. It’s moments like these that remind him how easy things are between them — how natural it felt to keep living together after graduation. It just made sense. Neither of them really wanted to deal with finding new roommates or paying extra rent. More than that, though, they’d become close friends, even if neither of them would outright admit it.

But as comfortable as their friendship is, there’s something that Seungmin hasn’t figured out how to handle — the magic. The fact that Jisung has no idea about it. It’s not like Seungmin hides it on purpose… well, not entirely. He just doesn’t know how to bring it up. How do you casually tell someone, “Oh, by the way, I deal with magical disasters for a living”?

It’s easier to keep it separate. Easier to live in this world with Jisung where the most complex issue is whose turn it is to take out the trash or who ate the last of the cereal.

Just as Jisung opens his mouth to press further, there’s a sudden thud at the window. Both of them turn toward the sound, and Felix, Hyunjin’s-but-he’s-actually-a-stray cat, is perched on the windowsill, staring at them with his usual somehow smug expression. Jisung, immediately distracted, jumps up. “Felix! What the hell, man, how do you keep getting in here?”

Felix, completely unfazed, leaps gracefully from the window to the couch, curling up in Jisung’s spot as if he owns the place. He lets out a long, bored meow, but Seungmin swears he sees a flicker of mischief in his eyes.

“He’s so weird, dude. I swear, this cat’s got secret teleportation powers or something.”

Seungmin laughs nervously, relieved the conversation has shifted away from Hyunjin. “Yeah… teleportation… totally.”

Jisung scratches Felix behind the ears, grinning as Felix purrs softly. “You know, sometimes I think Felix is smarter than he looks. Like, maybe he’s seen some stuff. Real weird stuff. Which only proves my theories about Hyunjin.”

Seungmin watches as Felix stretches out lazily, his glowing eyes briefly meeting Seungmin’s as if saying, ‘What a shame he doesn’t know anything, isn’t it?’

(Felix doesn’t like to talk about how he ended up in his current predicament — being a cat wasn’t exactly on his life plan. But, then again, magic has a way of throwing people off course, especially if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It all started about five years ago, back when Felix was still very much human. He was a student at a prestigious magical academy, always neck-deep in experiments and pushing the boundaries of what magic could do. Felix was clever, too clever for his own good sometimes, and one day, he stumbled upon an old enchantment book in the restricted section of the academy’s library. The spells were ancient, dangerous, and definitely not something he should’ve been messing with.

Naturally, he ignored all the warnings. He’d been curious about transformation spells, intrigued by the idea of bending one’s physical form to match the fluidity of magic. But something went wrong — very wrong. The spell backfired, and instead of the graceful shape-shifting into a powerful creature that he had envisioned, Felix was stuck in the form of an ordinary housecat.

The worst part? The transformation seems to be permanent.

Despite being a skilled magician, Felix couldn’t undo the spell. He tried everything — other spells, magical artifacts, even consulting with fae elders. Nothing worked. And so, after some time, Felix resigned himself to his new feline existence. He wasn’t happy about it, of course, but what choice did he have?

Enter Hyunjin, the freelancer who dabbles in experimental magic. After his botched transformation, Felix was taken in by Hyunjin, who found him wandering around the streets, scruffy and miserable. It didn’t take long for Hyunjin to figure out that Felix wasn’t a normal cat — especially when Felix spelled out rude words with his paws on the floor to communicate.

For a while, Felix has been living with Hyunjin, adapting to his new life. It isn’t so bad, all things considered. Hyunjin doesn’t treat him like a pet but rather like an equal — something Felix appreciates more than he’d admit. Hyunjin often jokes about turning him back into a human, but they both know that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Felix has tried everything, and Hyunjin’s experiments are… well, let’s just say unpredictable. After one of them he ended up with his speech abilities being back.

Still, life isn’t terrible. Felix gets to lie around all day, nap in sunbeams, and occasionally knock over Hyunjin’s magic experiments just to watch him scramble to fix them. All in all, it is better than being stuck in the magical academy dealing with stuck-up professors. But there is one thing Felix misses about being human — the ability to talk to people without sending them into madness. Especially a certain someone who has caught his eye.

One day, while perched on the windowsill of Hyunjin’s apartment, Felix noticed a new face. It was Jisung lounging in the courtyard with his laptop, headphones in, typing away at something with that signature carefree smile. Felix felt a strange tug in his tiny cat heart. He wasn’t sure what it was at first, but after a few more encounters — watching Jisung hum to himself while walking by or stretching out on the couch with his laptop — Felix realized what was happening.

He has a crush.

It is ridiculous, of course. He is a cat now. He has no business pining after anyone, let alone a human. But there is something about Jisung’s energy that draws Felix in — his laid-back vibe, the way he moves through life with an easy grace, and his goofy smile. Felix can’t help it. He is smitten.

As Felix’s feelings for Jisung grows, so does his frustration. It doesn’t help that Seungmin lives with Jisung. He sees them together constantly — joking, bickering, living their lives side by side. And the more Felix watches them, the more he realizes something that irritates him to no end: Seungmin and Jisung are close. Too close for Felix’s liking.

He doesn’t hate Seungmin, but there is a definite rivalry brewing — at least from Felix’s perspective. Seungmin is always there, always in Jisung’s orbit, and Felix can’t exactly compete when all he can do is meow or rub against someone’s leg. Every time he sees Seungmin and Jisung share one of their private jokes or exchange an easy smile, Felix feels a pang of jealousy in his little cat chest.)

Seungmin’s first clue about Felix’s human origin came one evening when Felix was sitting on the back of the couch, glaring daggers at Seungmin as he laughed at something Jisung had said. It was subtle, at first — a tiny flicker of annoyance. But then Felix swatted Seungmin’s drink right off the coffee table, splashing it across the floor.

“What the hell, Felix?” Seungmin yelped, jumping up. He glared at the cat, who was now innocently licking his paw.

“Dude,” Jisung laughed from the other end of the couch, “I think Felix has it out for you.”

Seungmin shot the cat a look. “You think? He’s been sabotaging me for weeks. Every time I come home, my stuff gets knocked over, or he’s scratching at my room door.” He crouched down, narrowing his eyes at Felix. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

Felix blinked, his tail flicking back and forth in a calculated rhythm. If Seungmin didn’t know better, he’d think the cat was… jealous.

“No way,” Seungmin muttered to himself, standing up. But then, a memory hit him — one of the files he’d read about at work. Magical transformations.

“Oh my god,” Seungmin said aloud, his eyes widening. He whispered, “You’re not actually a cat, are you?”

Felix hissed in response, leaping off the couch and storming out of the room with his tail in the air.

Seungmin stared after him, dumbfounded. “This is so not my problem,” he muttered to himself. But as he looked over at Jisung, who was still laughing at something on his laptop, Seungmin realized it kind of was his problem now.

He watches as Jisung busies himself with Felix, cooing at him and rubbing his belly.  

Seungmin knows that someday, he’ll have to tell Jisung the truth about everything. He just doesn’t know how — or when.

***

It’s been a whirlwind few days for Seungmin, and he’s certain now that something isn’t right.

It’s been a few days of pure chaos: the traffic lights on his way all switching from green to red in rapid succession, causing a multi-car honking fiasco (and Seungmin watching helplessly as the lights blinked at him in what felt like a mocking rhythm); people tripping on seemingly flat surfaces in front of him (one man spilled an entire coffee — directly onto Seungmin’s shirt — before apologizing profusely); then, at work, magic disasters piling up like an endless stream.

Seungmin can’t go five minutes without a cursed object flying at his head or an artifact sparking and smoking near his desk. Lately, it feels like everything’s targeting him.

But as soon as he steps through the door of his apartment each night, things go back to normal. Too normal. It’s as if whatever magical mayhem followed him outside just… stops the moment he gets home. Seungmin has had enough. He’s got a sneaking suspicion about the source of his recent misfortune.

There’s only one person to blame.

Seungmin pounds on Hyunjin’s apartment door, irritation pulsing through him.

At the end of the working day, he was stuck in an office elevator for twenty minutes without being able to contact the dispatcher, because the control panel sparkled like fairy lights and pressing the buttons did not bring any result. Then, he almost got into four — four! — car accidents. He ended up with a flat tire anyway, and had to change it on the spot. And, as the cherry on top at the end of the day, he was almost doused with water by passing high-pressure cleaning trucks.

When the door swings open, Hyunjin stands there with a half-smile, looking as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. The sight of his easy-going demeanor only makes Seungmin’s blood boil.

“Oh, hey, it’s you again. Didn’t expect another visit so soon. Missed me?”

Seungmin, not in the mood for Hyunjin’s smug attitude, steps inside without waiting for an invitation.

“You.” Seungmin points a finger at Hyunjin. “You did something. Ever since that stupid mess you made a couple of days ago, I’ve been a walking magical disaster zone. So, are you gonna tell me what you did? Or should I assume you cursed me?”

Hyunjin blinks in confusion, before laughing. “Wait, what?”

Seungmin stomps his way into the living room and spins around to face Hyunjin, crossing his arms. “You heard me. Ever since that day at your place, my life has been a series of magical disasters. Traffic lights going berserk, people tripping, magical containment overflow at work. And then I come home, and it all magically stops. So, I’m asking — what did you do?”

“Okay, first of all, rude to assume I’d curse you—”

“Hyunjin.”

Hyunjin sighs. “Alright, alright, calm down. I didn’t curse you. If I had, trust me, you’d know. My curses are much more creative than just… magical annoyances.” He pauses, studying Seungmin with a curious tilt of his head. “Though… now that you mention it, that does sound a lot like—”

Before Hyunjin can finish, something weird happens. Seungmin feels a sudden tug at the collar of his shirt. He frowns and adjusts it, but then his fingers slip and the buttons start undoing themselves.

“What the hell?” Seungmin looks down as the top few buttons of his shirt pop open on their own. He quickly grabs at them, but they keep coming undone, the shirt opening further.

Hyunjin’s eyes widen slightly as he watches the scene unfold, trying — and failing — to suppress a laugh. “I certainly don’t remember putting a self-undressing curse on you.”

“Stop this,” Seungmin growls, holding his shirt together with one hand and giving Hyunjin a deadly glare. “Fix it!”

Hyunjin raises both hands in mock innocence. “I swear, it’s not me this time! But I’ve got to say, this is highly entertaining.”

Seungmin lets out a frustrated groan, pulling at his shirt, but the moment he loosens his grip, the rest of the buttons start to undo themselves again. His jacket slips off his shoulders, and he grabs for it as if his life depends on it. “This isn’t funny!”

“Oh, it’s hilarious,” Hyunjin quips, leaning back against the wall, eyes glowing with amusement. “Want me to help?”

“Don’t you dare,” Seungmin warns.

But then, Seungmin’s pants belt starts to unbuckle itself. His eyes widen in horror, and he frantically reaches for it, but it’s too late — his belt unclasps, and his pants start sliding down just a bit.

Hyunjin, meanwhile, is choking back laughter. “Is this… part of your interrogation technique?”

In a panic, Seungmin grabs his waistband, turning bright red. “Hyunjin!”

At that moment Seungmin stumbles reaching for the magically rebellious clothing, and falls right into Hyunjin, who catches him, their faces just inches apart. They freeze for a second, their noses almost touching. For a split second, the world stops. Seungmin can feel Hyunjin’s breath against his skin, his heart racing as the space between them narrows. There’s a flicker of something — that damn pull, almost magnetic — that draws them even closer.

For a fleeting moment, it feels like they’re about to kiss, and Seungmin’s mind blanks out, but he’s conscious enough to put a palm over his mouth — just a moment before he feels Hyunjin’s lips on the back of his hand.

“What the hell is that?!” Seungmin’s voice is full of panic, muffled against the palm.  

Then, just as quickly, Hyunjin pulls back, his grin replaced by a more serious expression, a bit panicked too.

“I d- don’t know”. Hyunjin looks almost scared of what has almost happened. “I swear it’s not me. But let me try something before you lose your pants completely.”

Seungmin, still red-faced and trying to ignore the almost-kiss that just happened, nods stiffly. “Yeah… fix this. Now.”

Hyunjin raises a hand, muttering a spell under his breath, and Seungmin’s clothes stop misbehaving. The shirt rebuttons itself, the belt tightens, and Seungmin’s jacket slides back onto his shoulders. Hyunjin rubs the back of his neck, considering what could have caused the clothing disaster.

Seungmin is still trying to pull himself together, adjusting his shirt and pants, looking both embarrassed and annoyed. He clears his throat, trying to regain his composure, but his mind keeps flashing back to how close they had just been. The way Hyunjin’s breath had brushed against his skin, the brief spark in his chest — he shakes it off.

Nope. Not happening. Focus.

Hyunjin grins.

“I don’t know what happend, but you’ve got to admit — it was kind of funny.”

“Not even a little.”

Hyunjin leans in. “You sure? Because your expression was priceless.”

Seungmin groans, rubbing a hand over his face. “Can we just… figure out what’s going on? I can’t keep living like this. I swear, if I trip over one more invisible object, I’m going to lose it.”

Hyunjin’s grin fades, replaced with a more thoughtful expression. “You really think it’s all tied to me?”

“I don’t know, but ever since that day with the pixie, everything’s been a mess. And it only happens when I’m not home. It has to be connected to you.”

Hyunjin’s expression shifts, and for a moment, something serious flickers in his eyes.

“I swear I didn’t curse you, if you’re still thinking that, but this could be… something else. Maybe an unintended side effect of the spell that went haywire the other day.”

“A side effect?”

“Yeah, like, you know when magic rebounds, it sometimes leaves residue? Maybe there’s a lingering connection between us, messing with things.” He shrugs casually, as if this sort of explanation makes perfect sense.

Seungmin’s eyes narrow. “A lingering connection?” The words sit uneasily in his mind. “So you’re telling me that I’ve been followed by bad luck for days because your spell… bonded us?”

Hyunjin gives another nonchalant shrug, but there’s a hint of something akin to disappointment in his eyes. “Possibly. Maybe we’re just… linked. Temporarily, of course. Could wear off any day now.”

“And you didn’t think to mention this before?”

Hyunjin tries to feign innocence: “I didn’t know until now! Besides, it’s not like I cursed you. We’re just… magically connected.”

Seungmin sighs, rubbing his temples as if trying to process the absurdity of the situation. “Great. Just what I needed. A magical tether to someone who can’t control their own spells.”

Hyunjin flashes a cheeky grin. “I control them. Most of the time. But hey, this connection could be fun! Think of all the possibilities.”

Before Seungmin can respond, Hyunjin’s apartment door suddenly flies open, startling both of them. There’s Felix, strutting in with the smug confidence only a magical creature can possess.

Felix looks at them attentively, wagging his tail, and then says in a bored tone: “I see you’re both still alive. What a relief.”

Hyunjin just rolls his eyes. ”What do you want?”

Felix leaps onto the couch and sits down, lazily licking his paw. “I was just checking in on the magical chaos you two are clearly failing to handle. Thought I’d offer my superior wisdom, since neither of you seem capable of fixing this.”

Hyunjin crosses his arms, smirking. “Sure, wise cat, what’s your brilliant solution?”

“There’s no ‘solution,’ you fools. You’ve bonded. It happens when magic backfires between two people. You’re stuck with each other. Until the bond fades — or deepens.”

Seungmin’s heart sinks. “Deepens?”

Felix flicks his tail, clearly enjoying himself. “Yes, deepens. Bonds can strengthen if there’s… unresolved emotions or closeness.” He stares at Seungmin, his eyes gleaming mischievously. “Any tension between you two?”

Both Seungmin and Hyunjin freeze, exchanging awkward glances. But then Hyunjin smiles, breaking the silence. “I guess you could say we’ve had a few tense moments.”

Seungmin glares at him, flustered. “You haven’t got a single serious bone in you!” Then he looks at Felix, “There’s no tension. None.”

Felix yawns dramatically. “Well, good luck with that. I’ll be around if you two lovebirds need me.”

Before Seungmin can protest, Felix hops off the couch and disappears through the window again, leaving them both standing in the awkward aftermath of his comments.

“So, what now, partner?”

Seungmin, still reeling, shakes his head, determined to stay focused. “Now, we fix this mess. Fast. I can’t handle any more magical disasters, and I’m definitely not staying bonded to you.”

But as he says it, there’s an underlying feeling he can’t quite shake off — a pull toward Hyunjin that’s both infuriating and oddly… comforting.

***

Seungmin grips the steering wheel a little too tightly as they drive through the quiet streets, the gentle hum of the car the only sound between them. Hyunjin is beside him, fiddling with something on his phone, completely at ease despite the absurd situation they’re in. Of course, Hyunjin would be unfazed. It’s just Seungmin whose mind is spinning out of control.

It’s been a couple more days of chaos and total madness. Luckily, no more stripping accidents, but everything else has been kind of hard to handle. Seungmin’s nearly out of his mind by the end of the workweek, and today, on Saturday’s morning, he decides he has to at least try and do something about their bond. So, he pulls Hyunjin out of his bed not paying attention to his grunts and refusals to move before noon and takes him with to his aunt.

“So,” Hyunjin says, breaking the silence with a playful lilt in his voice. “Do you think we should try the whole ‘true love’s kiss’ thing to break the bond?”

Seungmin nearly swerves the car into the curb.

“What?” he sputters, heat flooding his face as he risks a glance at Hyunjin, who’s grinning like he just made the funniest joke in the world.

Of course. He’s joking. Of course he’s joking.

“That’s not— that’s not how this works.”

Hyunjin chuckles, leaning back in his seat, clearly enjoying Seungmin’s flustered reaction. “I don’t know, Seungminnie. Magic is weird. It’s worth a shot, don’t you think?”

Seungmin’s heart does a weird little flip in his chest, and he immediately scolds himself.

It’s not that big of a deal. He’s not serious.

But there’s something unsettling about the way his mind latches onto the idea, how, no matter how hard he tries, he can’t quite shake the thought of what that might feel like.

Seungmin can’t deny that there’s something about Hyunjin that gets under his skin, besides the irritation. Hyunjin’s bane of his existence, yeah, but there’s more to that.

And it’s not just the physical attraction either, though that’s hard to ignore — Hyunjin’s smile, the way his hair falls into his eyes, the easy confidence in his every move. But there’s also that nagging feeling, the one that makes it seem like Hyunjin is someone Seungmin has known forever, even though he knows it’s impossible.

Sometimes, Seungmin catches himself thinking about it — about Hyunjin, their interactions, the way they seem to fall into an easy rhythm despite their obvious differences.

He tries not to dwell on it. It’s pointless, really. Hyunjin’s unpredictable nature is the opposite of what Seungmin needs in his life. Seungmin thrives on order, while Hyunjin seems to embrace chaos, drifting through life with a carefree attitude that Seungmin finds both infuriating and… intriguing.

But every time he feels that flicker of interest, Seungmin shuts it down. Hyunjin is never serious. He’s always joking, always teasing, never giving away what’s really on his mind. And even in those rare moments when it feels like there’s something more — when Hyunjin looks at him in that way that makes Seungmin’s heart skip, all these fleeting glances, the way Hyunjin sometimes lingers too long on a smile or lets his eyes wander — Hyunjin always pulls back.

It’s like he’s playing a game Seungmin doesn’t know the rules to, and Seungmin hates that.

So he convinces himself that it’s nothing. There’s no way Hyunjin could be interested in him, not really. Not with the way they’re so completely different, like night and day. And even if, on occasion, Seungmin allows himself to wonder — just for a second — it’s always followed by the bitter reminder that nothing could ever come of it.

And it’s not like Seungmin’s harboring any feelings. No way. It’s just… curiosity. A small, tiny bit of intrigue. That’s all.

“You’re awfully quiet over there,” Hyunjin remarks, still smiling, his gaze sliding sideways to Seungmin. “You’re not actually thinking about it, are you?”

Seungmin scoffs, trying to cover up the tension in his shoulders. “No,” he says, a little too quickly. “I’m just trying to concentrate. It’s not like I can afford to crash the car because you’re making stupid jokes.”

“Right. ‘Cause you’re such a responsible driver.” Hyunjin’s tone is teasing, but Seungmin can hear the underlying warmth in it, the way Hyunjin always manages to turn everything into something light and easy, even when things are complicated.

The rest of the ride is filled with Hyunjin making a few more half-serious jokes about breaking their bond through all kinds of ridiculous methods — one involving the moon and garlic of all things — but Seungmin mostly tunes him out, focusing on the road and not the soft laugh that keeps bubbling up from Hyunjin’s chest.

They arrive at Seungmin’s aunt’s house, a small, cozy place tucked away on the outskirts of town. The porch is adorned with wind chimes and colorful lanterns, and the door has a strange symbol carved into it — protection magic, Seungmin knows, though it’s subtle enough that a non-magical person wouldn’t notice.

Seungmin knocks, and after a moment, his aunt — Park Jisoo — opens the door, her sharp eyes immediately scanning the two of them. She’s wearing a long, flowing dress with intricate patterns, her hair tied in a loose bun. She raises an eyebrow as she looks between them, a knowing smile already tugging at her lips.

“Ah, Seungmin-ah,” she greets, stepping aside to let them in. “And this must be your… friend.”

Hyunjin smiles, offering a polite nod. “Hwang Hyunjin. Nice to meet you.”

Seungmin’s aunt closes the door behind them, her gaze lingering on Seungmin for a moment longer than necessary. “So, you’re here about this bond, I take it.”

Seungmin clears his throat, feeling awkward under her scrutiny. “Yeah. We need to know what’s going on and, uh, how to undo it.”

His aunt leads them into a small, cluttered living room, filled with candles, crystals, and stacks of tarot cards. She gestures for them to sit as she starts shuffling her cards, her eyes narrowing in concentration.

“Undo it?” she repeats, her tone thoughtful. “Well, we’ll see what the cards have to say. Sometimes bonds are meant to teach you something, not just to be broken.”

Seungmin shifts uncomfortably, glancing at Hyunjin, who’s looking around the room with mild curiosity. Hyunjin doesn’t seem particularly worried, but Seungmin can’t shake the tension coiling in his chest.

His aunt spreads the cards out on the table, flipping them one by one. Her brows furrow as she studies them, and Seungmin leans forward, his heart pounding.

“Well?” he prompts, feeling impatient.

She taps the last card, a cryptic smile playing on her lips. “It’s strong,” she says slowly. “But temporary. You’ll just have to wait.”

“Wait?” Seungmin repeats, incredulous. “That’s it? We can’t just—”

“There’s no rush,” she interrupts, her eyes twinkling with something Seungmin can’t quite place. “You’ll manage. Bonds like this have their own timeline. It’s one of those that aren’t meant to be broken, Seungmin-ah. I don’t know how it happened, but it wasn’t an accident.”

Hyunjin chuckles from beside him, nudging Seungmin with his elbow. “Looks like we’re stuck together for a while.”

Seungmin shoots him a glare, ignoring the way his heart does that weird flip again. “Great,” he mutters. “Just great.”

As they stand to leave, Seungmin’s aunt watches them with a smile. “You’ll figure it out,” she calls after them. “In time.”

On the way back to the car, Hyunjin turns to Seungmin, grinning. “So… I guess we’re fated to be together.”

“Don’t,” Seungmin warns, his cheeks heating up again. Hyunjin only laughs.

***

The days that follow are still a blur of frustration and chaos.

At first, Seungmin tries to act like everything is normal, but the magical disasters that follow him everywhere are making that impossible. Once, a streetlamp exploded right above him, raining sparks down on his car. At work, things get even worse. The usual stream of minor magical incidents turns into an uncontrollable flood.

Seungmin’s nerves are shot. He’s been cleaning up so many magical messes that he barely has time to sit down, let alone breathe. And while Hyunjin seems to float through the day cracking jokes and making light of everything, Seungmin’s patience is thinning by the minute. Hyunjin’s lack of seriousness about the whole situation grates on him. Every time Hyunjin shrugs off the bond or makes some flippant remark about “letting fate do its thing,” Seungmin feels his frustration spike. How can Hyunjin be so careless when everything in Seungmin’s life is going haywire?

At the office, Jeongin doesn’t miss a chance to poke fun at him. “What is it today, sunbae, another runaway spell, or did you trip over a cursed broom?” Jeongin smirks as Seungmin stumbles into the break room, covered in soot from the latest magical malfunction. The teasing used to be bearable, maybe even a little funny, but now it just adds to the weight that Seungmin’s been carrying since the bond formed. Seungmin tries to laugh it off, but inside, he’s fuming. He knows Jeongin means no harm, but the constant ribbing, paired with everything else, only amplifies his stress.

And then there’s Jisung. He’s started to notice something is off. Seungmin can feel his roommate’s eyes on him when they’re sitting in the living room, Jisung making some offhand comments about how Seungmin’s been distracted lately. “You’re not hiding a secret lover, are you? Or maybe you’ve joined a cult?” Jisung laughs, but Seungmin doesn’t miss the curiosity behind the joke. Seungmin brushes it off with an awkward chuckle and focuses on the TV, trying to ignore the fact that the one thing he’s trying to keep from Jisung — magic — seems to be unraveling his entire life.

But the worst part? Seungmin can’t stop thinking about Hyunjin. The bond is to blame, he tells himself. That’s the only reason Hyunjin is constantly in his head, the only reason he keeps catching himself replaying their interactions in his mind. Every careless smile, every sarcastic comment. The way Hyunjin casually touches his arm when they’re standing too close, the soft way Hyunjin says his name sometimes. It’s maddening. Seungmin’s sure the bond is amplifying everything, making him hyper-aware of Hyunjin’s presence, but he hates how much space Hyunjin is taking up in his thoughts. It’s exhausting.

Days pass like this, each one piling on more frustration than the last, as the magical disasters follow Seungmin like a curse he can’t escape. And through it all, Hyunjin remains infuriatingly unchanged — lighthearted, seemingly unaffected by the bond, like it’s nothing more than a minor inconvenience. While Seungmin? He feels like he’s on the verge of losing his mind.

Seungmin stares at the cup of luke-warm now tea, trying to ignore the pounding headache building behind his temples. He’s been putting this conversation off for days now, but there’s no escaping it anymore.

“I think,” he begins, pausing as Hyunjin lounges on the worn-out couch in the corner of the living room, scrolling through his phone. “I think we need to—”

“Break the bond?” Hyunjin cuts in without looking up, his tone casual.

Seungmin frowns. “No, I mean — yes, eventually, obviously, but until then, we need to do something about the mess.”

Hyunjin glances up, raising a brow. “Mess?”

“You know.” Seungmin gestures vaguely, feeling his frustration bubble up. “The magic fallout. The coffee maker at work tried to electrocute me yesterday. I don’t want to die yet.”

Hyunjin bites his lip, stifling a laugh. “Okay, that sounds… a little dramatic.”

“It’s not funny!” Seungmin snaps, though there’s no real heat behind his words. “And it’s your fault. This bond thing is making everything worse. We need to—” He sighs, rubbing his temples. “We need to spend more time together.”

At that, Hyunjin perks up. “What, like… hang out?”

“No,” Seungmin says, exasperated. “Not hang out. We need to stick together. Apparently, the bond is creating some kind of magical imbalance. The more distance between us, the more chaotic it gets.”

Hyunjin grins, setting his phone aside. “So, basically, you’re saying you need me around all the time to keep you from getting electrocuted by coffee makers?”

Seungmin scowls. “Don’t make it sound like that.”

“Oh, come on, Seungmin. You can admit you want to spend time with me. It’s okay, I’m irresistible.”

Seungmin rolls his eyes, ignoring the warmth creeping up his neck. “This is purely for damage control,” he insists. “So, starting tomorrow, you’re coming with me to work.”

Hyunjin blinks in surprise. “Wait, to your work? As in, the magical disaster clean-up department? Won’t they freak out if they know I’m the cause of all this?”

“First of all, it’s called MAGNET. And second of all, no. They already know you’re… involved.” Seungmin cringes a little at how that sounds. “Just… be on your best behavior. Okay?”

Hyunjin smirks, clearly amused by the whole situation. “Got it. Best behavior. I’ll even wear my good shirt.”

Seungmin narrows his eyes. “This is serious, Hyunjin.”

Hyunjin gives him a mock salute. “Serious. Absolutely.”

The next morning, Seungmin and Hyunjin walk into the Department of Extraordinary and Magical Innovation together, much to Seungmin’s dismay. He can already feel the eyes on them, the curious glances from his coworkers as they pass through the corridors. Seungmin keeps his head down, pretending not to notice, while Hyunjin saunters beside him, completely at ease.

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Hyunjin asks, leaning in slightly.

“I don’t know,” Seungmin mutters. “But it’s worth a shot.”

Seungmin half-expects something catastrophic to happen the moment they step through the MAGNET office doors. But to his surprise, the day is… quiet. Unusually quiet. The air feels oddly still. Peaceful, even.

Hyunjin raises an eyebrow, glancing around. “Huh. It’s… quiet.”

Seungmin nods, cautiously optimistic. “Yeah, it is.”

As Seungmin sits at his desk, going through his paperwork, there’s no floating files, no strange sparks of rogue magic, no flying pencils or malfunctioning computers. It’s almost eerie how peaceful everything is. Hyunjin lounges in the corner of his office, flipping through a magazine, completely at ease.

Seungmin glances over at him, unable to help the twitch of irritation. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Hyunjin grins, not looking up from the magazine. “Oh, absolutely. It’s nice being the calm one for a change.”

Just then, Jeongin appears from one of the containment rooms. His eyes widen in mock surprise when he sees Hyunjin lounging there, and he lets out a low whistle. “Well, well, well. Seungmin-sunbae finally tamed the wild beast, huh?”

Seungmin shoots him a look. “Don’t start.”

Jeongin saunters in, a playful grin on his face as he leans against Seungmin’s desk. “I gotta say, I didn’t expect today to be so… boring. Usually, by this time, you’re putting out at least three magical fires. But ever since your friend here showed up,” he jerks a thumb at Hyunjin, “it’s been suspiciously quiet.”

Hyunjin smirks, glancing up from the magazine. “What can I say? I bring balance to Seungmin’s chaotic little world.”

Jeongin laughs. “Sure you do. But seriously, sunbae — you’ve been a lot more, uh… frustrated lately. I wonder why that is? And how’s the bond going? Getting any closer to each other?” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

Seungmin glares at him. “That’s not— We’re just trying to keep things from falling apart.”

“Sure,” Jeongin says, grinning like the cat that got the cream.

Hyunjin, unbothered, grins back at Jeongin. “It’s for everyone’s safety, of course.”

Seungmin rubs his temples. “Jeongin, don’t you have work to do?”

“Enjoy your calm day, Seungmin-sunbae. It’s a rare sight.”

Once Jeongin’s gone, Seungmin sighs and leans back in his chair, eyeing Hyunjin. “I hate this.”

Hyunjin grins, sitting on the edge of Seungmin’s desk. “I think it’s fun. You should relax a little.”

“Fun?” Seungmin repeats, giving him an incredulous look. “I’m living a nightmare.”

Hyunjin pats his shoulder with a mock-serious expression. “That’s the spirit.”

Despite everything, Seungmin can’t help the small, exasperated smile tugging at the corners of his lips, trying to ignore the fact that, deep down, a part of him is enjoying Hyunjin’s presence more than he wants to admit.

Maybe, he could get used to it.

***

The low hum of the TV is the only thing breaking the quiet as Seungmin sprawls out on the couch. A baseball game is in full swing, and for the first time in weeks, he’s hoping for a moment of normalcy. A moment without Hyunjin. Without magic. Without chaos.

But then, Jisung, fresh out of the shower plops down on the other end of the couch with a suspicious look in his eyes.

“So... what’s going on with you and Hyunjin?” Jisung asks, casually tossing his phone onto the coffee table. “And don’t say ‘nothing’ because something is definitely up.”

Seungmin doesn’t take his eyes off the game. “What are you talking about?”

Jisung leans forward, narrowing his eyes as if he’s Sherlock Holmes uncovering a scandal. “Come on, man. Don’t play dumb. You’ve been spending, like, all your time with him lately. Not just, like, ‘hey, we’re friends’ time. It’s, ‘I’m practically living with this guy’ time. You’re hiding something.”

“I’m not hiding anything,” Seungmin says, his voice a little too calm, a little too rehearsed. His fingers grip the remote tightly.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like the guy, but... what’s the deal? You two, like, secretly dating or something?”

Seungmin snorts. “You’re out of your mind.”

Jisung grins. “You could tell me. I’d be cool with it, you know? I’m not that dense.”

Seungmin shoots him a look but says nothing. How is he supposed to explain it? “Yeah, actually, we’re not dating. He just accidentally bonded us with some magical nonsense, and now I can’t get rid of him.” Yeah, right.

Jisung stares at him expectantly, waiting for more. “Come on, I’m just saying… You two are like, attached at the hip lately. Something’s gotta be going on.” He leans back, crossing his arms. “Unless... Oh God, is it something worse? Like, is he in trouble? Did he drag you into some weird situation? Do you owe him money or something? Is he blackmailing you? Blink twice if you need me to call the authorities.”

“I wish it were that simple,” Seungmin mutters under his breath.

Jisung snatches the remote from Seungmin’s hand, flicking the channel to some nonsense reality show, completely ignoring the game. “Come on, spill it. What’s the deal with you and Hyunjin? You can tell me, I’m your roommate. Your partner in crime. Your ride-or-die.”

Seungmin reaches for the remote, but Jisung pulls it away, grinning like a kid. “Give it back.”

“Not until you tell me what’s going on.”

“Jisung.”

“Seungmin.”

“I’m fine. Hyunjin’s fine. We’re all... fine. Can we drop this?”

“Admit it,” Jisung teases, holding the remote above his head. “You’re hiding something.”

“I’m not hiding anything!” Seungmin lunges for the remote, but Jisung dodges. “Give it back!”

They start wrestling for the remote, rolling over the couch cushions as the TV continues to blast some random cooking competition. Jisung laughs, trying to fend off Seungmin’s half-hearted attempts to pry the remote from his hand.

“You’re being so shady!” Jisung taunts. “Why so secretive, huh? Did you two run off and get married or something? Is that what this is about?”

“I swear to God, Jisung, if you don’t give me the—”

Before Seungmin can finish his sentence, the doorbell rings, interrupting their childish tussle. They both freeze for a second, Seungmin still half on top of Jisung in a clumsy mess of limbs.

Jisung tilts his head. “Expecting someone?”

Seungmin sighs, pushing himself up from the couch. “I’m not answering that.”

“Oh, you are so answering that,” Jisung teases, shoving him toward the door. “It’s probably Hyunjin anyway.”

Seungmin rolls his eyes but heads for the door, smoothing down his hair, only to realize too late that he looks like he’s just crawled out of a wrestling match. He opens the door to find Hyunjin standing there, looking… unexpectedly solemn. His usual playful smile is a little more strained than usual, but Seungmin’s too busy trying to catch his breath to notice.

“Seungmin, hey—” Hyunjin pauses, his gaze sweeping over Seungmin’s disheveled state and then drifting behind Seungmin to where Jisung is still sprawled out on the couch, laughing as if the whole ordeal had been nothing. Hyunjin’s expression falters just for a second, there’s a brief flash of something — disappointment? — but he quickly schools his face into something more neutral. “Sorry if I’m interrupting.”

Seungmin stares for a second, thrown off by Hyunjin’s tone. “No, it’s fine. We were just… uh, Jisung was — never mind. What’s up?”

Hyunjin shifts, holding up a couple of thick, old books, a tight smile on his face. “Well, I found these,” he says, his voice lighter than the tension in his shoulders. “Figured we could go through them and see if there’s any mention of breaking... you know, this.” He gestures vaguely between them, but his usual humor is missing. There’s a quiet edge in his tone that Seungmin can’t quite place. “But this can wait, actually, if you’re busy, I’ll just…” Hyunjin motions his head back towards his apartment door.  

Seungmin rubs the back of his neck, feeling strangely awkward. Hyunjin seems off, but he can’t figure out why. He looks at the books, but his eyes drift back to Hyunjin, who’s now looking anywhere but at him. Seungmin swallows hard, a weird twinge settling in his chest.

“Right, no, I’m not. Busy, I mean,” Seungmin says, his voice a little too steady. “Good idea about books. Let me just grab my phone.”

Jisung pops up from the couch. “Oh, this looks like some heavy reading.”

Hyunjin lets out a soft chuckle, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’re just... trying to fix something.”

“Well,” Jisung muses, “don’t break anything else while you’re at it.”

Hyunjin flushes. It’s a rare sight to see. “It’s nothing like that, Jisung.” He still avoids Seungmin’s gaze, his usual easy-going demeanor is gone, replaced by something Seungmin doesn’t understand. Something Seungmin doesn’t like. He knows Hyunjin’s acting weird, but the reason slips just out of his reach, leaving him feeling more confused and oddly... sad.

“Just give me a moment, okay?”

Seungmin sinks into the couch at Hyunjin’s apartment, the dim light from the single lamp casting a soft glow over the piles of old, dusty books sprawled across the table. The atmosphere feels strangely serene — almost too quiet. He had expected more chaos, more magical disasters swirling around them like usual, but tonight, everything seems... still.

Hyunjin sits across from him, flipping through one of the books with an uncharacteristic focus, his fingers brushing the ancient pages delicately. Seungmin watches him out of the corner of his eye, the faint furrow in Hyunjin’s brow as he scans another paragraph.

It’s been a couple of hours, and for once, there’s no magical mishap looming over their heads. No furniture turning into sentient beings, no random portals opening, nothing. Just... peace. Seungmin leans back a little, almost comfortable, though the tension of their bond still hums quietly under his skin.

“This is... nice,” Seungmin says, breaking the silence. He doesn’t realize he’s said it out loud until Hyunjin glances up from his book, eyebrows raised slightly.

“What?”

Seungmin clears his throat, suddenly awkward. “I mean... It’s just... It’s quiet. No magic disasters. For once. I could, uh... get used to this.”

The words are meant to be light, almost a joke, but as soon as they leave his mouth, Seungmin catches the flicker of something — something barely perceptible — cross Hyunjin’s face. Disappointment. Hyunjin quickly looks back down at the book, hiding it with a forced chuckle.

“Yeah... I guess so,” Hyunjin says, his voice too casual. “No magical mess from me.”

Seungmin feels a twist of guilt in his chest. He hadn’t meant it like that. It’s not like he hated the magic, not really, but… well, it was Hyunjin, and all the chaos just followed him around like a shadow. It’s how they ended up stuck with each other, after all.

Before Seungmin can say anything, Hyunjin suddenly sits up straighter, eyes widening as he flips to another page. “Wait, look at this!” His voice is sharp with excitement, and Seungmin leans over to see what he’s found.

The text is barely legible, written in ancient script, but Hyunjin translates it eagerly. “It’s not about our bond, but... this could be a way to break Felix’s curse.”

Seungmin blinks. “Felix? You mean we can turn him back?”

Hyunjin nods, eyes lighting up in excitement. “Yes! It’s a really old fae curse, but if we can gather the right ingredients, and follow the ritual... we could turn him back into a human.”

Seungmin tries to focus on the discovery, but there’s a strange tug inside him — a small, selfish part that’s relieved they didn’t find anything about their own bond. He shouldn’t feel that way, should he?

Hyunjin’s face is practically glowing with hope. “This is huge! Felix has been stuck as a cat for so long... I didn’t think we’d actually find anything.”

Seungmin nods, forcing a smile. “That’s great. You should tell him.”

But as Hyunjin dives back into the details of the spell, Seungmin’s thoughts drift. His excitement doesn’t quite reach him, and he hates himself for that. Instead, his mind is stuck on the feeling that had twisted through him earlier. The weird ache in his chest when Hyunjin looked disappointed at his words. The growing sense that something between them was shifting.

As Hyunjin talks animatedly about the ritual, Seungmin catches glimpses of him in the soft light — the way his eyes light up, the curve of his lips when he’s focused, the gentle enthusiasm in his voice. It’s... distracting. Way too distracting.

They don’t find anything about breaking their bond, but the atmosphere remains oddly intimate as the evening drifts on. And even as they say goodnight, Seungmin can’t shake the feeling that something has been left unsaid. Something is growing between them, subtle yet impossible to ignore.

Later that night, as Seungmin lies in bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts return to Hyunjin. To the way they’ve been stuck together for weeks now, to the strange comfort that’s settled between them despite the magical chaos.

It’s ridiculous, of course.

Seungmin turns onto his side, staring at the clock ticking away on his nightstand. No, there’s no way. And yet... he can’t stop thinking about it.

Maybe… Just maybe — there’s some feelings getting involved.

He sighs, closing his eyes, but sleep doesn’t come easily. Instead, all he can think about is Hyunjin — his laugh, his jokes, the bond they share — and how it’s slowly, inevitably changing everything.

***

The lunch break feels like a breath of fresh air for Seungmin, who steps outside the stuffy MAGNET office with Hyunjin at his side.

Hyunjin chats away about his preparations for Felix’s ritual, excitement buzzing in his voice as they walk down the street. “I’ve got most of the ingredients ready,” he says, his hands gesturing wildly as he talks. “Just need a few rare herbs and one weird crystal that might take a bit of digging, but it’s happening soon! Felix won’t be a cat much longer.”

Seungmin smiles, nodding along. “That’s good. He’ll probably be relieved.”

Hyunjin grins. “Yeah, unless he realizes being human again is overrated.”

They both laugh, the ease of the moment settling between them, when Seungmin suddenly notices someone approaching. A tall figure, dressed sharply, with a confident stride — Lee Minho. He recognizes him almost instantly from a few run-ins, but something about the way Hyunjin’s face stiffens next to him makes Seungmin pay more attention.

“Hyunjin,” Minho greets, a hint of formality in his voice, though there’s a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “I wasn’t expecting to run into you here.”

Hyunjin’s smile falters just slightly, though he recovers quickly. “Minho-hyung. I wasn’t expecting to see you either.”

Seungmin can feel the shift immediately. There’s a weird undercurrent in the air, something unspoken between them that makes everything awkward. He watches as Minho’s eyes flicker between him and Hyunjin, taking stock of the situation in a way that feels almost too knowing.

“I see you’re still keeping busy with... freelance work?” Minho says, a subtle edge to his tone.

Hyunjin chuckles, though it sounds hollow. “Yeah, still doing my thing.”

Minho raises an eyebrow, his gaze pointed. “The family misses you. They talk about you often. About your magic.”

The words hang in the air like a lead weight, and Seungmin notices how Hyunjin’s posture stiffens. The smile drops from his face, replaced by something more guarded, more fragile.

“I’m sure they do,” Hyunjin replies, but his voice lacks the usual confidence. There’s a tension building in the silence that follows, and Seungmin doesn’t fully understand what’s going on, but he knows enough to sense the discomfort radiating off Hyunjin.

Minho’s eyes narrow slightly, as if he’s said all he needed to, and he gives a curt nod before stepping back. “Take care, Hyunjin. Seungmin,” he adds, nodding to Seungmin before walking away.

For a moment, Seungmin just stands there, unsure what to say. Hyunjin, usually so full of jokes and energy, is uncharacteristically quiet as they continue walking. The vibrant energy that always follows him seems to have dimmed.

When they finally sit down at a small cafe, Seungmin watches Hyunjin stir his drink in silence. The awkwardness lingers between them, until Seungmin finally breaks it.

“So... who’s Minho?”

Hyunjin exhales, leaning back in his chair, his expression still a little distant. “He’s my cousin. My whole family is... well-known in the magical community. They’re all ridiculously powerful, organized, talented — everything I’m not.”

Seungmin frowns. “What do you mean?”

Hyunjin shrugs, but there’s a sadness in his eyes that Seungmin hasn’t seen before. “My family expects a lot from me. They’re famous for their control over magic, and I... don’t really fit into that mold. My magic is messy, unpredictable. I can barely control it most days. I know they think I’m a disappointment. Minho didn’t say it outright, but... it’s always there. That feeling.”

Seungmin listens intently, a little surprised by Hyunjin’s vulnerability. He’s used to Hyunjin being the confident, chaotic force of nature who barrels through life with humor and recklessness. But here, beneath the bravado, there’s a wound that’s clearly never healed.

“I’ve been trying to prove myself for years,” Hyunjin continues, his voice quieter now. “But no matter how hard I try, I just mess things up. It’s why I freelance. I can’t handle the structured magic world, but I also can’t completely escape it. My family’s always there, in the background, waiting for me to get it together.”

Seungmin feels a pang in his chest at Hyunjin’s words. He’s never seen this side of him before — this insecurity hidden behind his usual carefree attitude.

“Hyunjin,” Seungmin says after a beat, “you’re not a disappointment. I mean, yeah, your magic’s a bit... unpredictable, but that doesn’t make you any less talented. You’re powerful, even if it’s not in the way they want you to be.”

Hyunjin looks at him, eyes wide, as if he wasn’t expecting Seungmin to say that. “You really think so?”

Seungmin nods firmly. “I do. You’ve helped more people than you realize. And yeah, maybe things get a little messy, but who cares? You’re still making a difference.”

For the first time since they ran into Minho, Hyunjin smiles, and it’s a genuine one. “Thanks, Seungmin. That means... more than you know.”

Seungmin feels a strange warmth settle in his chest. “You’re not a disappointment,” he repeats. “Not to me, anyway.”

Hyunjin’s smile lingers, but there’s something softer about it now. Something that makes Seungmin’s heart do a weird little flip, and he quickly looks away, trying to ignore the way his pulse quickens.

But in that moment, something between them shifts again. A quiet understanding, a shared connection that goes deeper than magic or their bond. Something that Seungmin is starting to realize might be harder to ignore than he thought.

As Seungmin and Hyunjin leave the cafe, they walk in silence for a while. Hyunjin looks lost in thought, his expression still shadowed from whatever tension had been brewing during the meeting with his cousin.

“Hey,” Seungmin finally breaks the silence, glancing at Hyunjin. “About Felix… I’ve been meaning to ask.”

Hyunjin’s brows raise in mild surprise, his dark mood lifting slightly. “Felix? What about him?”

“Well,” Seungmin shifts awkwardly, unsure how to phrase it. “I’ve been noticing for a while now. Felix is kind of… I don’t know. He acts weird around Jisung. Like he’s got a crush on him or something?”

Hyunjin laughs, the sound catching Seungmin off guard. “Oh, you think so?” he says, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “That cat is ridiculous when it comes to Jisung. It’s more than a crush — he’s completely head over paws. Honestly, I’m surprised you’re only noticing now.”

Seungmin shrugs, frowning slightly. “I mean, I knew, I just didn’t understand why he was always so… I don’t know, jealous? Over me?” He looks at Hyunjin, genuinely confused. “I don’t get why Felix would be jealous of me.”

Hyunjin pauses mid-step, his eyes widening for a split second before a knowing smile creeps onto his face. “Wait.” He squints at Seungmin, tilting his head. “Don’t tell me you don’t see it.”

“See what?” Seungmin frowns, suddenly feeling like he’s missing something important.

“Felix is jealous because—" Hyunjin gestures vaguely with his hand, trying to be casual but obviously enjoying this far too much. “—because he thinks you and Jisung are dating.”

Seungmin’s jaw drops, eyes widening in pure shock. “What? We’re not — why would he even think that?!” His voice is incredulous, as if the idea hadn’t even crossed his mind. “Jisung and I— no, it’s not like that. We’ve been friends since college!”

Hyunjin’s relief is instantaneous, but he hides it with a teasing grin. “Ohh,” he drags out the word with a mock-pensive tone. “So you and Jisung are just… roommates?”

Seungmin glares at him, still flustered. “Yes. Just roommates. He’s one of my best friends, that’s all. Felix is — wow, I can’t believe that’s why Felix has been acting like that.”

“Felix is going to be beyond thrilled to hear that Jisung’s single, you know,” Hyunjin says, his tone light, but Seungmin catches the subtle hint of relief in his words. “Maybe he’ll finally stop hissing every time you’re in the same room.”

Seungmin rolls his eyes, but there’s a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Felix better not expect anything to come from it. Jisung doesn’t even know Felix is… well, Felix. He thinks he’s just some weirdly intelligent cat.”

“Ah, poor Felix.” Hyunjin chuckles. “Love is hard for magical cats, apparently.”

Seungmin shakes his head, still processing the conversation, but a part of him feels lighter. There’s something comforting in the way Hyunjin had looked so genuinely relieved, though Seungmin can’t quite put his finger on why. The quiet stretch between them feels less heavy now, more relaxed, and Seungmin finds himself glancing over at Hyunjin, his thoughts drifting somewhere they shouldn’t.

Hyunjin catches his gaze and flashes a lopsided grin. “I guess Felix won’t be the only one relieved tonight.”

Seungmin lets out a small, awkward laugh, not entirely sure what Hyunjin means.

***

The room is dimly lit, with flickering candles casting long shadows across the floor. In the center, a large, intricately drawn circle made of chalk and salt is inscribed with ancient runes and symbols, each line painstakingly precise. The smell of burning sage and incense fills the air, creating a heady, otherworldly atmosphere.

Hyunjin kneels at the edge of the circle, his fingers tracing over the symbols as he mutters under his breath, reciting an incantation in a language that feels older than time itself. Beside him, a variety of objects are carefully laid out — crystals glowing faintly in the candlelight, small vials of liquid, herbs tied with twine, and a silver dagger with runes etched along its blade.

In the center of the circle, Felix, in his cat form, sits obediently, though his ears are flat with tension. His eyes follow Hyunjin’s movements, as if he knows the gravity of the moment. Hyunjin glances at Felix, his expression serious but hopeful. Seungmin stands a few feet away, arms crossed, watching with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity. He’s seen enough magic to know things rarely go as planned, but the intensity in Hyunjin’s focus makes him want to believe it could work.

Hyunjin takes a deep breath and lifts a small vial of dark, shimmering liquid. “Blood of a new moon,” he murmurs, carefully pouring a few drops onto the edge of the circle. The liquid hisses as it hits the salt, sending a ripple of energy through the air, making the candles flicker violently.

Next, Hyunjin reaches for the silver dagger. He holds it over the flame of one of the candles, the metal gleaming ominously as he lets it heat up. Then, with a steady hand, he drags the blade lightly across the tip of his thumb, allowing a few drops of his own blood to drip into a small bowl filled with herbs and ash. The moment the blood hits the bowl, a soft glow emanates from it, as if it’s come to life.

“By the blood of the caster, by the flame of life,” Hyunjin intones, his voice gaining strength. “I call upon the ancient spirits, those who walk between worlds. Let this vessel be freed from the binds of magic.”

He sprinkles the blood-soaked herbs into the circle, and immediately, a pulse of energy surges through the room, the runes along the circle lighting up in a vibrant blue glow. Felix’s tail twitches, his eyes wide with anticipation. Seungmin feels a shiver crawl up his spine as the air around them thickens, charged with magic.

Hyunjin raises both hands, the air around him vibrating with power. “Let the curse be broken!”

For a moment, the glow intensifies, the air practically humming with energy. The candles flicker wildly, casting the room into a chaotic dance of light and shadow. Felix’s form shimmers faintly, like he’s on the verge of shifting, and Seungmin leans forward, holding his breath.

But then, as quickly as it came, the energy dissipates. The blue light in the circle fades, the candles return to their steady flame, and Felix remains...a cat. The room falls silent, the heavy stillness almost mocking.

Hyunjin lets out a breath, lowering his arms as disappointment washes over his face. Felix lets out a frustrated meow, standing up and walking away from the circle without looking back. The ritual had failed.

Seungmin, sensing Hyunjin’s disappointment, steps forward and places a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll try again. You’ll figure it out.”

But Hyunjin’s gaze remains fixed on the now-lifeless circle, his hope seemingly vanishing with the fading magic. “I thought this would be the one…” he murmurs, voice heavy with frustration and defeat.

The room feels quieter now, almost emptier, as if the ritual had taken something with it, leaving only lingering traces of magic in the air. The ritual had come close, but not close enough, and the weight of that failure presses down on both of them.

“Hey,” Seungmin says, softening his tone.

“Felix is just…” Hyunjin trails off, staring at the door where the cat had disappeared. “He’s been waiting so long. He’s almost given up on being human again. Meeting Jisung was the first time I’ve seen him actually have hope in years.”

“Let’s go get some fresh air.”

“So… Felix is really that into Jisung, huh?”

Hyunjin lets out a humorless chuckle as they both walk towards the rooftop, stepping out into the cool evening air. The sky is painted in soft oranges and pinks as the sun dips below the horizon. “You have no idea. Felix was almost resigned to being a cat for the rest of his life until we moved here. And then Jisung happened.”

Seungmin leans against the railing, glancing sideways at Hyunjin. “I mean, I get it. Jisung’s got that effect on people. He’s easy to like.”

Hyunjin gives a small, almost wistful smile. “Yeah… easy to like.”

They stand in silence for a moment, the quiet between them oddly comforting, the gentle breeze sweeping through their hair. Seungmin thinks about Felix and how he must feel — being stuck in a different form, watching someone you care about from the outside. There’s a strange, sympathetic pang in Seungmin’s chest, one he quickly brushes off.

“Still, we’ll figure it out,” Seungmin says, his voice soft. “Felix deserves a shot with Jisung. Even if he’s a pain sometimes.”

Hyunjin grins. “I appreciate the confidence. But Felix might be too stubborn to admit it, even if we do break the curse.”

Before Seungmin can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the air. “There you two are.”

They both turn to see Bang Chan, leaning casually against the doorframe of the rooftop entrance, his eyes glinting with mischief. “So, how’s your little bond situation going?”

Seungmin groans, knowing Chan was bound to bring it up sooner or later. “We’re just… waiting it out,” he says, waving his hand dismissively.

Chan’s grin widens. “Waiting it out, huh? What about the true love’s kiss?”

Hyunjin bursts out laughing. “I told him! He didn’t seem too keen on it, though.” He throws a playful glance at Seungmin, whose face immediately flushes.

Seungmin sputters, completely flustered. “Can we please drop the whole kiss thing? It’s not—”

Chan steps forward, his tone becoming more serious. “Look, I know it sounds funny, but the connection between you two — it’s not actually something you can just wait out and hope disappears. Yes, it’s temporary, but that doesn’t mean it’ll break on its own.”

Hyunjin’s laughter fades as Chan’s words sink in, and Seungmin stiffens, a sense of foreboding settling over him.

“What do you mean?” Seungmin asks cautiously.

Chan folds his arms, eyes glinting in the fading light. “Magic, especially strong magic, doesn’t connect people for no reason. Even if it’s messy, even if it feels like it ricocheted out of control, there’s always a meaning behind it. You can’t just ignore it and hope it’ll untangle itself. If you don’t deal with it soon, you two might be tied together forever.”

The gravity in Chan’s voice sends a chill down Seungmin’s spine. He glances at Hyunjin, whose carefree demeanor has shifted into something more uncertain.

“Forever?” Hyunjin echoes, his usual joking tone nowhere to be found.

Chan nods, his expression serious. “Forever. You need to start thinking about how to handle this, or you’ll be stuck like this — tied together by magic, for better or for worse.”

Seungmin swallows hard, his thoughts spinning. Forever. The word echoes in his mind, the weight of it pressing down on him. He sneaks a glance at Hyunjin, wondering if Hyunjin feels the same strange knot of emotions tightening between them.

Hyunjin, though usually quick with a joke, stays quiet, eyes downcast, and for a brief moment, Seungmin feels like they’re standing on the edge of something far bigger than either of them understands.

Chan gives them a small, encouraging smile before turning back toward the door. “Think about it, yeah? I’ll check in on you two later.”

As the door clicks shut behind him, Seungmin and Hyunjin are left standing in the golden light of the setting sun, the weight of Chan’s words settling heavily between them. Neither of them knows what to say, but the air between them feels charged.

***

The morning sun filters through the blinds, casting soft stripes of light across Seungmin’s face as he stirs in bed. His phone buzzes on the nightstand, but it’s the sudden, frantic knocking on his bedroom door that jolts him fully awake. Before he can even sit up, the door flies open, and Jisung bursts in, wide-eyed and pale.

“Seungmin, there’s— there’s a naked guy in my bed!”

Seungmin blinks, still groggy and trying to process Jisung’s panicked words. “What?”

“I said there’s a naked guy in my bed! And I— uh, I definitely didn’t put him there,” Jisung repeats, voice edging on hysteria.

“What are you even talking about?” Seungmin rubs a hand over his face and forces himself to sit up. “Did you invite someone over last night and forget?”

“No!” Jisung’s voice pitches higher. He grabs Seungmin’s arm and pulls, trying to drag him out of the blankets.“I don’t even know this guy, I swear!”

Grumbling under his breath, Seungmin stumbles out of bed and follows Jisung into his room, not fully awake but too concerned to ignore him. The scene waiting for him inside does nothing to soothe his morning grogginess.

Sure enough, there’s a naked man sprawled out on Jisung’s bed, the sheets barely covering his lower half. His blond hair is messy, falling over his face, and his chest rises and falls with steady breaths, as if he’s enjoying the world’s best nap. Seungmin blinks, and his heart stops.

No. It can’t be.

Seungmin steps closer, dread creeping up his spine as he recognizes the features, the shape of the face. He swallows hard, his stomach twisting.

And then Seungmin freezes.

The man shifts a little, and that’s when it hits him — the familiar features, the small flicker of recognition in the back of his mind. Seungmin’s heart drops to his stomach, dread pooling there as he takes a cautious step closer.

“Felix?” Seungmin croaks.

“What do you mean — Felix?” Jisung exclaims, his panic not easing. “Felix is a cat! That’s not a cat! That’s a—” He gestures wildly to the man in his bed. “—very human, very naked man!”

Seungmin feels a wave of nausea wash over him. Of course, the ritual. It must’ve worked after all. “Okay,” he breathes out, his voice low with realization, “we need to talk.”

Jisung stares at him, utterly baffled. “What do you mean we need to talk? Shouldn’t we be calling the cops or something? Or animal control? I don’t even—  Who even is this guy?”

“No, no, no!” Seungmin interrupts, trying to calm him down. “No cops, no animal control, nothing like that. I...I’ll explain everything, okay? It’s...complicated.”

Jisung just looks more horrified. “What do you mean ‘complicated’?!”

Seungmin swallows hard, glancing back at Felix, who stirs slightly, groaning as he tries to wake up. “Jisung, I swear I’ll explain everything. Just— just let me call Hyunjin.”

Jisung’s eyes narrow. “Hyunjin? What does he have to do with this?”

Seungmin shoots him a look before rushing back to his room to grab his phone, dialing Hyunjin’s number with shaky fingers.

Half an hour later, Seungmin, Jisung, and a groggy, still-disoriented Felix are seated around the kitchen table, while Hyunjin stands by the counter, his arms crossed, looking both sheepish and relieved.

“So, wait,” Jisung says, his voice finally calmer but still thick with disbelief. “Magic is real? You work at the Ministry of Magic? Felix was a person this whole time? And you guys have been… bonded by magic or something?”

“The Ministry of Magic is from Harry Potter, Jisung, it’s not—”

“Not the point!”

Seungmin nods, feeling the weight of the confession settle over the room. “But yeah. Basically.”

Felix manages a tired smile, still not fully awake but clearly aware of what’s going on. “Surprise?”

Jisung sends a half-smile back at Felix, but then frowns, crossing his arms, turning to Seungmin again. “And you didn’t think to tell me? After all this time? I mean, I’m your roommate, man. We’re supposed to tell each other stuff.”

“I… didn’t really know how to tell you,” Seungmin admits, glancing sideways at Hyunjin, who’s busy avoiding eye contact. “It’s not exactly an easy conversation to bring up, you know?”

Jisung takes a deep breath, looking from Seungmin to Hyunjin, then back to Felix, who is still trying to come to his senses, rubbing his eyes like he’s recovering from the world’s longest nap.

“I guess I’m not dreaming then,” Jisung mutters. “Okay. Magic. Bonding. Felix being a human. Sure, why not.”

Seungmin raises an eyebrow at how surprisingly well Jisung is taking all of this. “You’re… handling this better than I thought.”

Jisung shrugs, leaning back in his chair. “I dunno, man. At this point, nothing surprises me anymore.” Then a mischievous grin spreads across his face. “But, uh, if you guys are bonded or whatever, shouldn’t you be, like, trying to break it? I mean, there’s gotta be a way, right?”

Hyunjin shifts uncomfortably, but Jisung presses on. “What about— oh! True love’s kiss!” His eyes light up with amusement. “You guys should kiss. Maybe that’ll break the bond.”

Seungmin’s face flushes immediately. “W-What?”

Hyunjin, too, looks caught off guard, glancing away with an awkward laugh. “We...uh...we’ve heard that one before.”

Jisung claps his hands together, his grin widening. “I’m serious! Give it a try! I mean, you two have been spending all this time together, maybe it’ll work.”

Seungmin buries his face in his hands, feeling his face burn. “Jisung, we’re not—”

But Jisung is already leaning in, poking Seungmin’s arm. “Come on, what’s the worst that could happen? You break the bond and live happily ever after?”

Seungmin groans. “You’re impossible.”

Felix finally speaks up, his voice still groggy but clear enough. “I wouldn’t mind seeing that,” he mutters, leaning his head against his hand, clearly still half-asleep but smiling lazily at the idea.

Seungmin is too flustered to even respond. He steals a glance at Hyunjin, who is still laughing softly, and for a split second, Seungmin wonders if maybe — just maybe — there’s something more to Jisung’s ridiculous idea than he’s willing to admit. But he quickly shakes the thought away, burying it deep before it can linger.

There’s no way. Right?

***

Seungmin can’t stop thinking about it. The idea of a true love’s kiss echoes in his mind like a song he can’t shake off. It’s ridiculous. Absurd, even. Yet, every time he catches a glimpse of Hyunjin — whether it’s the way he laughs easily at something Felix says, or how his eyes light up when he finds something exciting in one of those old books — Seungmin can’t help but wonder: What if it works?

It’s a stupid idea. But the more he denies it, the harder it gets to ignore the truth that’s slowly creeping up on him.

At first, he doesn’t want to admit it. He tells himself that it’s just the bond messing with his head, making him feel something that isn’t real. But over the past few days, things have changed between them in ways Seungmin didn’t expect. Hyunjin is still his chaotic, unpredictable self, following him to work every day with that playful grin and carefree attitude, but Seungmin can see the small moments where he catches Hyunjin staring at him a bit too long, the way their conversations shift from teasing to something deeper when they’re alone.

Even the magical mess that Hyunjin inevitably attracts doesn’t bother Seungmin as much as it used to. Somehow, watching Hyunjin panic over a wayward spell feels less frustrating and more...endearing? His presence, which once felt like an annoying obligation, has become something Seungmin looks forward to, even if he refuses to admit it out loud. He’s started to notice how Hyunjin always brings extra coffee for him, or how his smile lingers a little longer when he’s with Seungmin.

Jisung and Felix have their own thing going on, too. Felix, finally human, has latched onto Jisung in ways that make Seungmin’s head spin. The once aloof cat-turned-human now acts like an awkward love-struck fool around Jisung, always finding excuses to be near him, watching him with wide, admiring eyes. And Jisung? He takes it all in stride, surprising Seungmin with how well he’s handled everything since learning about magic. There’s a playful chemistry between the two, and Felix’s obvious crush on Jisung is no longer a secret. It makes Seungmin think of what might be possible for him and Hyunjin.

The thought of kissing Hyunjin — of actually kissing him — keeps gnawing at Seungmin’s mind. He knows the bond might not have anything to do with it, but the feelings stirring in his chest are very real. The more he tries to suppress them, the more they surface.

One evening, after another long day of trying to manage magical disasters and Hyunjin’s carefree attitude, Seungmin makes up his mind. He’s done pretending that this pull between them doesn’t exist. It’s time to see if there’s more to it than the bond.

He finds Hyunjin in the living room, flipping through yet another old book, his legs curled up on the couch. The sight of him, so relaxed and focused, sends a rush of warmth through Seungmin, and before he can stop himself, the words tumble out of his mouth.

“Okay, let’s try.”

Hyunjin glances up, confused. “Try what?”

Seungmin clears his throat, forcing himself to look Hyunjin in the eyes. “Kissing.”

The book falls out of Hyunjin’s hands as he nearly chokes on nothing. His wide eyes dart around the room, then back to Seungmin, and he sputters, “Wh-what?”

“You heard me.” Seungmin tries to sound calm, but his voice betrays him with a slight waver. “Let’s kiss. See if it breaks the bond.”

Hyunjin looks like he’s about to combust right there on the spot. His mouth opens and closes, and then he rubs the back of his neck, flustered. “Oh. Um. Right. Kissing. You… you want to try that? With me?”

Seungmin nods, feeling his own face heat up. “Yeah. I mean, it’s worth a shot, right?”

Hyunjin blinks a few times, still processing what’s happening, then stands up, taking a deep breath. “Okay. Good. Fine. Let’s do it.”

Seungmin steps closer, his heart thudding in his chest. Hyunjin is standing right in front of him now, looking slightly more nervous than usual, but there’s a glimmer in his eyes that Seungmin can’t ignore. His pulse quickens as he tilts his head up slightly, waiting.

Their lips meet in a soft, tentative kiss. It’s quick, barely lasting more than a second, but when they pull back, both of them stare at each other, wide-eyed.

“Do you feel anything?” Seungmin asks, his voice a bit breathless.

Hyunjin shakes his head, looking dazed. “Nothing. But maybe… maybe we have to kiss longer?”

Seungmin barely registers the space between them as Hyunjin leans in again, his lips a breath away. This time, the kiss isn’t cautious or tentative — it’s slow but charged with tension, a pull that neither of them can resist. Seungmin feels his pulse quicken, the anticipation curling through his body as their mouths meet again, this time lingering longer. There’s a softness to the kiss, but beneath it, a simmering heat, a hint of something deeper that neither of them is fully prepared for.

Hyunjin’s hand moves to Seungmin’s waist, fingers splayed wide as if testing the waters, pulling him closer. Seungmin doesn’t resist, instead finding himself instinctively pressing into the touch, drawn into the warmth of Hyunjin’s body. His hands, almost without thinking, slide up Hyunjin’s chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat under his fingertips. His grip tightens on Hyunjin’s shirt as the kiss deepens, their lips moving together in sync, no longer testing, but exploring.

There’s a growing intensity with every second, every touch. Seungmin’s head spins as Hyunjin’s hand shifts up his back, sending shivers down his spine. He’s vaguely aware of the way his own heart hammers against his chest, loud enough to drown out any thoughts except one — this feels good. This feels right.

Hyunjin’s other hand comes up to cradle Seungmin’s jaw, the touch gentle, but the way his thumb brushes Seungmin’s cheek feels deliberate, almost possessive. Seungmin’s breath catches, his body responding before his mind can catch up, and when Hyunjin tilts his head slightly, the kiss deepens even further. Seungmin feels the heat between them spike, the tension becoming palpable in the small space they still haven’t quite closed between their bodies.

Hyunjin’s lips move against Seungmin’s with a slow, deliberate rhythm, but there’s an urgency just beneath the surface, a shared need neither of them acknowledges. Seungmin’s hands are at the back of Hyunjin’s neck now, fingers threading through soft strands of hair as he pulls him even closer, their bodies almost flush.

Every brush of their lips sends a spark through Seungmin, leaving him breathless and wanting more. There’s no magic pulling them together now — just the weight of everything they’ve been avoiding, building up until this moment. Hyunjin’s breath hitches as the kiss turns hungrier, both of them pressing into each other like they’re trying to erase every bit of space left between them.

The heat of Hyunjin’s body, the way his mouth moves against Seungmin’s, the way his hand lingers at Seungmin’s waist — it’s overwhelming. Seungmin feels lightheaded, but not in a way that makes him want to stop. Instead, he finds himself getting lost in the taste of Hyunjin, the way their breaths mingle, the way Hyunjin’s lips feel against his own, soft but insistent, searching.

For a moment, nothing else exists but them — the warmth of their bodies, the electric tension humming between them, and the kiss that feels like it could go on forever. Seungmin’s mind is blank, the only thought running through him being more, his heart thudding in agreement as his lips part further, letting Hyunjin in deeper, more intimate.

When they finally pull back, both of them are gasping for air, their foreheads almost touching. Seungmin’s face burns, his lips tingling from the intensity of the kiss, but he’s still holding onto Hyunjin, their chests rising and falling in sync. Hyunjin’s eyes are dark, pupils blown wide, and Seungmin knows without a doubt that whatever just happened between them was more than either of them had expected. More than either of them could deny.

“Well,” Hyunjin says, his voice a little shaky but amused, “I definitely felt something that time. I think we should keep going.”

There’s a heartbeat of hesitation before Seungmin nods, and suddenly, they’re kissing again.

***

The next morning, sunlight filters through the curtains of Hyunjin’s apartment, casting soft golden light across the room. Seungmin lies in bed, still half-asleep, feeling the warmth of Hyunjin’s body next to his. He blinks, eyes adjusting to the warm glow as he shifts under the covers.

The bond is still there.

He can feel it — a familiar presence lodged deep in his chest, like an anchor tethering him to something he can’t escape.

He had hoped, desperately, that maybe, just maybe, the kiss would have broken it. He doesn’t move, staring at the ceiling, his heart heavy with the realization that maybe the kiss wasn’t enough, that it wasn’t truly... love.

Waking up like this, still tied to Hyunjin — it stung. Disappointment draped over him like a heavy blanket, weighing him down. He glances over to see Hyunjin sleeping beside him, his face peaceful, bathed in the early light.

Seungmin gets up quietly, careful not to disturb Hyunjin, as he tries to act like everything is fine. He’s always been good at that — masking his feelings. His feet pad softly against the floor as he moves toward the kitchen, hoping to clear his head, to shake off the disappointment that’s gnawing at him. He pours himself a glass of water, but before he can take a sip, he hears a sleepy voice behind him.

“Seungmin?”

He turns, heart lurching at the sight of Hyunjin sitting up in bed, his hair messy, his eyes still heavy with sleep. For a moment, the world tilts, and Seungmin feels the pull of Hyunjin’s presence stronger than ever.

“I… I need to talk to you,” Hyunjin says, rubbing his eyes, his voice quieter than usual. He looks away, nervous, like the words he’s about to say have been weighing on him for days.

Seungmin feels his chest tighten. “About what?”

Hyunjin takes a deep breath, running a hand through his hair as if searching for the right words. “I’ve been meaning to tell you something. About this whole bond thing.”

The way he says it, so serious, makes Seungmin’s pulse quicken. He leans against the kitchen counter, waiting for Hyunjin to continue, unsure of what to expect.

“I really… really like you, Seungmin,” Hyunjin finally admits, his voice raw, vulnerable. “I’m in love with you, actually. I have been for a while now.”

Seungmin’s breath catches in his throat as Hyunjin’s words hang in the air between them.

“I wanted to find a way to break our bond, especially because I know you hate me and my magical mess, so I didn’t want you to feel stuck with me. Not like that.”

Seungmin’s heart twists painfully. He tries to speak, but Hyunjin beats him to it, a sad, almost apologetic smile tugging at his lips. “I’m sorry, Seungmin. I didn’t want you to be bonded to someone like me… someone who’s so chaotic and—”

Seungmin’s heart twists, both at Hyunjin’s confession and the realization of how wrong he’s been about Hyunjin all this time. “Hyunjin—”

“But the truth is,” Hyunjin interrupts, nervously running his fingers through his hair, “You were right. I kind of... created some of the magical disasters on purpose.” His voice drops, and he bites his lip, embarrassed. “I thought you were dating Jisung, and I just... I didn’t know how to get your attention. So I kept making messes to see you, because when you were around, it felt... right.”

Seungmin’s breath catches in his throat. “You thought I was... dating Jisung?”

“Yeah. Felix and I both did,” Hyunjin says sheepishly, eyes downcast.

Seungmin stares at him for a moment, letting the weight of everything sink in. Hyunjin had been causing chaos just to spend time with him, all because he thought Seungmin and Jisung were together. And through it all, Seungmin had been blind to how Hyunjin felt — how they both felt, really.

“Hyunjin,” Seungmin says softly, the edges of a smile tugging at his lips. “I like you too.”

Hyunjin looks up, eyes wide. “You... what?”

“I like you too,” Seungmin repeats, his voice firm. “I’m in love with you too. So yesterday… it wasn’t the bond. I wanted it.” His voice is steady, but his heart feels like it’s about to burst from his chest.

Hyunjin stares at him for a beat, his expression unreadable before it softens into something that looks like pure relief. “You wanted it,” he repeats, like he’s trying to absorb the words fully.

A breathy laugh escapes Hyunjin, and the tension in the air between them cracks, replaced by something lighter, something warmer. “So, all this time, we’ve been… avoiding this?”

“Looks like it.” Seungmin huffs a small laugh of his own, feeling the weight lift from his chest. Before either of them can say anything more, Hyunjin reaches for Seungmin’s hand, pulling him closer, their lips meeting in a kiss.

This time, the kiss is softer but no less intense. Seungmin sinks into it, letting the warmth of Hyunjin’s touch chase away every doubt, every fear. Their mouths move together in perfect sync, the kiss deeper and more certain. It’s just them — no bond, no magic, just the two of them, and the feelings they’ve been too afraid to admit. Seungmin can’t help but melt into it, his hand instinctively finding its way to the nape of Hyunjin’s neck, pulling him even closer.

And then, suddenly, the bond — the bond — shudders between them.

There’s a strange pulse, a ripple of energy that flows through them both, and Seungmin feels the tightness in his chest ease, like a tether snapping loose. It’s not painful, but it’s intense, a sudden weight lifting from him that leaves him breathless, lips still pressed to Hyunjin’s.

When they pull back, panting slightly, they both stare at each other, wide-eyed, processing what just happened. The bond is… gone. Seungmin can feel it. The constant hum in his chest has vanished, leaving behind a strange emptiness—but not an uncomfortable one. It’s like being set free.

Hyunjin blinks, the realization dawning on him as he lets out a startled laugh. “Wait… did we just…?”

“Break the bond?” Seungmin finishes for him, equally shocked. They both look at each other in disbelief before breaking into laughter, the absurdity of it all hitting them at once.

“So…” Hyunjin grins, still catching his breath. “True love’s kiss actually was the answer?”

Seungmin shakes his head, chuckling. “I guess so.” He glances at Hyunjin, feeling a warmth spread through him that has nothing to do with the bond they’ve just broken. “Who would’ve thought?”

Hyunjin smirks, leaning in for another quick kiss, playful but meaningful. “I told you,” he murmurs, lips brushing against Seungmin’s. “Should’ve tried it sooner.”

Seungmin laughs softly, his heart lighter than it’s been in days.

***

The bond may be gone, but something between Seungmin and Hyunjin remains. They take it slowly — relearning how to be with each other without the magical connection tethering them. It’s different, a little less intense, but somehow even more meaningful. There’s no magic forcing their hearts to beat in sync anymore, but they’re still drawn to each other, and that’s enough.

Hyunjin still shows up at Seungmin’s place in the mornings, insisting on walking with him to work, only now it’s less about necessity and more about wanting to be close. Seungmin secretly loves it, even though he pretends it’s a mild inconvenience that he can’t use his car most days.

Felix, now fully human, quickly settles into his new life with Jisung. Their relationship evolves in an unexpectedly sweet way — Felix’s mischievousness softened by Jisung’s warm, easygoing nature. They fall for each other in that quiet, unassuming way, the two of them often seen together at cafes, chatting and laughing like nothing else in the world matters. Felix doesn’t miss being a cat. Not when he has Jisung by his side.

The days at MAGNET feel more normal now, less fraught with magical mishaps, though Hyunjin still pops up every now and then, dragging Seungmin into his world of magical chaos. Except lately, things have been... peaceful.

Today, Seungmin is halfway through sorting a pile of magical artifacts when his phone buzzes. It’s the dispatcher.

“Seungmin, we’ve got another magical disturbance,” the voice crackles through. “Same kind of energy signature as last time. You know who it is.”

Seungmin sighs, a smile already tugging at his lips. He knows exactly who it is.

Without missing a beat, he dials Hyunjin. The phone rings twice before Hyunjin answers, sounding immediately apologetic.

“Seungmin, baby, I’m so sorry!” Hyunjin says, and Seungmin can hear the nervous laughter in his voice.

“Hyunjin, you made a mess. Again.”

“I was just testing a small charm, and well... it sort of... exploded? Just a little.”

Seungmin pinches the bridge of his nose, but he can’t help the warmth that spreads through his chest at the term of endearment. “You call blowing up an entire block ‘just a little’? I’ll be there soon.”

“I’ll clean up, I swear! Just... don’t be mad?” Hyunjin pleads, though Seungmin can practically hear the smile on his face.

Seungmin chuckles, shaking his head. “I’m not mad. Just... try not to destroy the city while I’m on my way.”

Hyunjin’s laughter fills the line. “I’ll do my best. Hurry, though. I miss you already.”

Seungmin rolls his eyes, but his heart feels lighter. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you soon.”

As he hangs up, Seungmin grabs his jacket, feeling the familiar rhythm of his life falling back into place. Sure, Hyunjin will always be a magical mess, but now, Seungmin doesn’t mind. He’s learned to love the chaos, because with Hyunjin, it’s never boring.

And maybe — just maybe — this kind of mess is exactly what Seungmin needs.

fin.