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The bell chimed, signaling the end of History of Magic. Sieun gathered his books, his mind still sorting through the dates of ancient magical conflicts. He found the subject fascinating—practical even—but it wasn't his favorite. That designation was reserved for classes he shared with Suho.
Yeongi, Suho's sister and one of his closest friends, was in this class, but it wasn't the same. Suho was different. Special. Their bond had formed instantly, on their very first day at Eunjang Academy of Magic. Sieun, coming from a non-magical family, had been overwhelmed and utterly silent by nature anyway. The grand hall, the floating candles, the sheer presence of magic—it had been too much. He'd found an empty seat, trying to make himself small. Then Suho sat down beside him, introduced himself with a bright, confident smile, and for some reason, never left.
Now they were best friends, roommates, inseparable. Sieun couldn't pinpoint the exact moment his deep affection had blossomed into a crush, but he was meticulous about keeping it hidden, there was no chance he could risk ruining their friendship.
It was hard though, especially because Suho wouldn't stop making his heart flutter. Just the other day he was in the library, nosed pressed against the thick, arched window, watching as the last golden leaves of season clung desperately to their branches before surrendering to the wind and students hurried across the cobblestone courtyard, their cloaks billowing behind them like dark sails.
"You're going to melt that window with all the staring you're doing," a warm voice had teased behind him, Sieun hadn't even noticed he was being watched.
He turned to find Suho leaning against a bookshelf, arms crossed, a knowing smile playing on his lips. His dark hair fell across his forehead, slightly disheveled as always, and his eyes—those deep, thoughtful eyes that seemed to hold entire galaxies—twinkled with amusement.
"I was just trying to see if my weather predictions for our Arithmancy class were accurate," Sieun replied.
Suho chuckled. "Of course. Professor Lee will be thrilled." He stepped closer, the scent of rain and pine clinging to his robes. "I was looking for you. Thought we might head to the greenhouse together? I heard they have Puffapods."
Sieun's heart did that little flip it always did when Suho suggested they spend time together. "Puffapods? But they only allow teachers to handle those"
"Well," Suho's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "And I may have 'accidentally' recalibrated the greenhouse's door access." He winked. "Just for us."
The invitation made his heartbeat go faster. Sieun had been talking about seeing Puffapods since he read about them in a book months ago, and he knew that he mentioned it to Suho at least ten times. He also knew that Suho was perfectly capable of doing spells so complex, the wizard never admitted to it because he liked it when people didn’t know the full extent of his skills.But not Sieun. He only showed the most impressive performances to him. It never failed to make him feel special.
This was his best friend doing something incredibly sweet for him again. Incredibly irresponsible too, they'd get detention if they were found out. He should say no, but the warmth spreading through his chest suggested otherwise.
“Yeah, I'd really like that," Sieun managed.
"Great," Suho grinned, starting to pick up his books for him. "Let’s go then, Sieun-ah."
And they had spent the whole night sneaking around to see the flowers. Sieun talked about all he had read on them and Suho listened, even asking questions. He always listened when Sieun talked.
So yes, keeping his crush to himself was very hard, but he managed. His friends claimed it was obvious, but Sieun knew they just loved to tease him.
Baku, Juntae, and Gotak had transferred in two years ago and, through some inexplicable social twist, had latched onto him. This, of course, meant they eventually had to befriend Suho and Yeongi, though Suho's initial reluctance had been comical. For someone so outgoing, Suho had kept his circle painfully small before them—Sieun being his sole friend, and the new addition to their friendship wasn’t very welcomed, but he came around over time.
As Sieun stepped into the bustling corridor outside the History classroom, lost in thought, a nervous first-year student blocked his path, clutching a small, ornate box.
"Secret delivery for Sieun-ssi," the young student squeaked, bowing quickly and thrusting the box into his hands before scurrying away.
Sieun stared down at the box. It was dark, polished wood with a simple silver clasp.
"A secret admirer?" Yeongi's voice chimed in from behind him, laced with mischief. She leaned over his shoulder to get a better look. "Ooh, mysterious! Open it!"
"It's probably just a mistake," he mumbled, turning away from her teasing grin.
"My brother will be pissed, I can't believe someone did it before him", she exclaimed a little amused. "Watch him hunting them down."
Heat crept up Sieun's neck. He hated how that sentence made him feel like there was hope. He clutched the box tighter. "Stop it. I'm going back to my room."
He didn't wait for a reply, weaving through the crowd and heading straight for the dormitory tower. He could hear Yeongi's laughter following him, an exasperated "See you later" shouted from the distance.
The walk to his room felt longer than usual, the box feeling increasingly heavy in his hands. He finally reached the door, stepping inside and closing it firmly behind him. It was quiet here, just him and Suho's side of the room. Suho's quills were barely organized, his textbooks stacked in a precarious tower, a half-finished potion recipe lying on his desk.
Sieun sat on his bed, the box resting in his lap. With a slight hesitation, he flicked open the silver clasp. Inside, nestled on black velvet, were a dozen chocolates. They were meticulously crafted, shaped like tiny, perfect stars and crescent moons. They smelled rich, like dark chocolate and cherries. But something was off. A faint, almost metallic tang lingered beneath the sweet aroma, and the sheen on the chocolates was not the gentle gloss of melted cocoa, but something more artificial, a faint, iridescent shimmer that caught the dim light of the room in a way that felt... unnatural.
He picked one up. It was cool to the touch, unnervingly so. As he turned it over in his fingers, his bedroom door creaked open.
"Hey, you disappeared," Suho said, walking in. He dropped his bag by his desk and then noticed the box in Sieun's hands. His expression shifted from casual to curious. "What's that?"
Sieun's eyes darted between the odd chocolate in his hand and Suho's face. "Someone gave it to me. In the hall. I don't know who though."
Suho's brows furrowed slightly as he moved closer, peering into the box. "Secret admirer?" he asked, his tone lighter than his expression, jaw clenched. He reached in without waiting for an answer and popped one of the shimmering moon-shaped chocolates into his mouth. "Well, let's see if they have good taste in chocolate."
"Suho, don't—" Sieun started, but it was too late. Suho had already swallowed it whole, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Hmm," Suho said, blinking a few times. He wobbled slightly, reaching out to steady himself on Sieun's shoulder. "That's... interesting. A little tangy." His gaze fixed on Sieun, his eyes holding an unnerving intensity. "You know, your eyes are the exact same color of the smoky quartz stone we used in Potions last week. I kept one in my drawer just because it reminded me of you. Did you know that? They're really beautiful."
Sieun froze, his heart starting to pound against his ribs. "What?"
Suho's eyes widened suddenly, a flicker of horror dawning in them as his mouth kept moving. "Oh my god, did I just say that out loud? I was just thinking it." He looked absolutely mortified, his face paling. "Sieun, I can't... I keep thinking all these things and they're just coming out. I was just noticing how the light hits your hair and it looks so soft and I really want to touch it—oh my god, stop talking! Why can't I stop talking?!"
Sieun’s mind was racing, “It must've been the chocolates,” he murmured.
At the reminder of the gift, Suho’s face did something, he had an expression Sieun couldn't decipher."I can’t believe someone had the balls to send you chocolates, they should know better. You know, whoever sent these clearly has taste, but they're not good enough for you, Sieun. No one is. They don't know the way your eyes flicker when you are angry, or how to tell apart when you are tired and stay silent but are really enjoying the company from when you are annoyed. They don't know the way you bite your lips when you're concentrating, or how you always organize your books by subject. They can't appreciate you properly."
Sieun's heart hammered against his ribs. This had to be a love potion. It was the only thing that made sense. Why the hell would Suho be talking about his lip-biting habits? But who would want to put a love potion on him? He barely spoke to anyone outside his small circle. And they all knew love potions made you fall for the first person you saw after consumption. Like Suho had seen him.
Suho looked genuinely horrified, trapped inside his own body. "Okay, Suho, I think you need to stop talking."
"I can't stop," Suho's voice cracked, his eyes wide with a dawning horror that mirrored Sieun's own. "I have no control, oh my god, I can't stop talking! Sieun, I don't mean to say this, I mean, I do, but not like this! My mouth is just saying words! Help me!"
Sieun's mind raced. The panic in Suho's eyes was real. This wasn't right. But there was an antidote.
"Okay, okay, just breathe. I'm going to fix this. I have permission to use the Potions classroom after hours, Professor Hwang lets me. We need an antidote, so we need to go there. Now." He grabbed his satchel, stuffing a few vials inside, just in case. "I can't leave you alone. Who knows what other side effects could appear. Just... try not to talk."
"Don't talk," Suho repeated miserably, following Sieun to the door. "I can try not to talk but I really want to tell you that your handwriting is so neat and pretty, and I've always enjoyed how you write my name—"
"Suho!" Sieun hissed, pulling him into the corridor.
"I'm trying!"
They hadn't made it ten feet down the hall when they rounded a corner and ran straight into their friends. Baku, Juntae, and Gotak were lounging against the wall, with Yeongi standing beside them, arms crossed.
"There you are!" Yeongi exclaimed. "We were waiting. We're supposed to be playing cards in the common room. What took you so long?"
Gotak took one look at Suho's distressed face and Sieun's panicked expression. "Whoa, what happened?"
"I ate some chocolates that were meant for Sieun and now I can't stop myself from saying my thoughts out loud."
"Chocolates? Did someone confess to Sieun?!" Juntae chimed in with a grin, but it faltered when Suho's eyes flashed.
"No!" Sieun snapped, pushing past them. "Don't be idiots! Can't you see? He's under a spell! The chocolates were full of something, and you know how a love potion acts."
Suho, unable to help himself, started talking. "He's right. And it's making me tell my best friend I've always liked the way his uniform collar is a little crooked and I have to fight the urge to fix it every day! And I'm completely terrified because I just can't stop!"
The group fell silent, the teasing gone from their faces."It does sound scary," Baku stepped forward, his usual playful demeanor replaced with seriousness. "We’ll help. And we'll find the culprit."
"First we need to get to the Potions classroom to make an antidote," Sieun explained quickly, his words tumbling out, “I can make it better than the general one they keep in the infirmary.”
"He's right, we need to move. Lead the way," Gotak said. With him and Baku flanking Suho, who was now muttering about the precise shade of Sieun's irises under the classroom's flickering torchlight, and Yeongi and Juntae following Sieun, the group set off at a brisk pace through the winding corridors of Eunjang. The school was quieter now, most students having retreated to their common rooms or dormitories. Their footsteps echoed off the stone walls, mingling with Suho's incessant, mortified commentary.
"Your stride has a very particular rhythm, did you know that? It takes you exactly seven minutes forty-three seconds to get from the Herbology classroom to the library when you're not distracted," Ahn Suho babbled, his hands covering his mouth as if to physically stop the words, but they kept pouring out.
"Just ignore it," Baku whispered to Sieun, though his eyes were gleaming with amusement.
As they turned a corner into a narrower, more dimly lit hallway, two figures emerged from the shadows, blocking their path.
Na Baekjin and Keum Seongje. Baekjin stood with his arms crossed, his expression one of arrogant disdain, while Seongje leaned casually against the wall, a smirk playing on his lips. Rivals was the simplest term for their relationship; it was more a simmering resentment that often sparked into open hostility. Sieun understood the history well.
Baku and Baekjin had been childhood friends, a bond forged long before they truly understood the weight of their family names. Baku had always seen Baekjin as a sweet, loyal friend, and it had taken him a while to see the truth, to notice the way Baekjin's inherited prejudices curdled into a cruel elitism. The breaking point was Gotak. When Baku befriended the good-natured boy and discovered the systematic bullying Baekjin had been inflicting on him for years because of his non magical background, the illusion shattered. He confronted Baekjin, hoping to reason with him, but found him unwilling to change. Their friendship died that day. Baku became even closer to Gotak, and eventually to Juntae, who shared their views. When the opportunity came to transfer to the renowned Eunjang Academy, the three of them left without a backward glance. A year later, Baekjin had followed, not being able to let the betrayal go, and he transferred with Seongje, who never left his side.
Baekjin never forgave them. He wasn't built for losing—for losing friends, for losing status, and most certainly, for losing his place at the top. In their old school, he had been first in everything, he had been the best student for years. But here, he wasn't number one.
Sieun had the best academic performance. And to Baekjin, the quiet boy who came from a non magical family and consistently outperformed him was a personal affront, a living, breathing reminder of his diminished standing. He tried to pick fights with them at every opportunity, with Seongje as his ever-willing accomplice, a creature who thrived on chaos. But his dislike was reserved especially for Gotak and Sieun. And for that reason, Suho hated his guts.
Suho’s hatred for them was simple and absolute. No one was allowed to talk down to Sieun.
He didn't care about their family influence or their pure-blood status; he knew he could fight them, and there was no consequence he wouldn't face if it meant defending Sieun or his friends.
Initially, Baekjin and Seongje had wanted to be friends with Suho—a pure-blood with his level of dueling talent was a valuable ally. But the moment they saw his unwavering loyalty, they immediately backed off and added him to their growing list of enemies.
"Well, well," Baekjin drawled, his voice dripping with condescension. "Look what we have here. The little heroes rushing off somewhere looking distressed. Don't you ever get tired of being so self-righteous, Sieun-ssi? Always playing the martyr for your little friends."
Suho, whose hands were still clamped over his mouth, stood still at the new presences. He dropped them, his eyes flashing with a cold, dangerous light as he turned to face Baekjin. "Leave him alone," he said, his voice low and menacing, a stark contrast to his earlier panicked babbling. "I'm warning you."
Seongje held up his hands in mock surrender. "Easy there, Ahn. No need to get your robes in a twist. We're just having a conversation." His smirk widened as he looked Sieun up and down. "Though it is funny, isn't it? The great Yeon Sieun, top of our year, who can't even stand up for himself without his guard dog here to snarl for him."
The control Suho had been fighting against shattered. He took a step forward, his wand hand twitching. "You think you're so clever? You follow Baekjin like a pathetic lost fool and he’s just a bitter, jealous little boy who's angry he's not the best anymore," Suho snarled, his voice raw with fury. He looked at both of them. "If you ever, ever talk about him like that again, I'll make sure you regret it. I don't care if they expel me. I'll make sure the only thing you can cast is a shadow from the hospital wing bed you'll be stuck in."
The hallway went quiet. Suho's threat hung in the air, raw and utterly believable. While he never backed off from a fight, his threats were usually more restrained, as he was never one to cross the line. Baekjin looked momentarily taken aback by the sheer intensity, but his arrogance quickly reasserted itself as he focused on the target of his resentment. "He's not the best because he's better. He's a cheater," Baekjin shot back, his eyes now locked on Sieun. "Everyone knows it. A dirty blood like you couldn't possibly be outscoring me. It's an insult."
Sieun didn't even spare them a glance. His focus was singular. "We don't have time for this." He tried to step around them, but Baekjin shifted to block his path, his ego wounded, and he looked into his eyes like he was searching for something.
"You're not going anywhere until you admit what you are. Did you cheat on the exams?"
Sieun's patience, already razor-thin, snapped. He looked up, his gaze flat and cold, locking onto Baekjin. There was no anger on his face, just a chilling, unnerving calm. "Move."
The quiet authority in his voice was absolute. This was not a request. It was a statement of fact. Everyone in the hallway knew Sieun's proficiency with non-verbal spells was second to none. Baekjin, for all his bluster, hesitated. He saw the promise of real, immediate pain in Sieun's eyes. Suho, surprisingly, went silent beside him. He didn't add another threat. He just stood there, a coiled spring of barely contained violence, letting the weight of Sieun's gaze do the work.
It was enough. With a final, hateful glare, Baekjin and Seongje stepped aside.
Sieun pushed past them, his friends shuffling Suho along in his wake.
The confrontation was forgotten the moment they reached the heavy oak door of the Potions classroom. With a muttered charm, Sieun unlocked it and ushered everyone inside, leaning against the door as it clicked shut. The adrenaline began to fade, leaving a tense silence. Suho took a deep, shaky breath, the anger draining from his face to be replaced by the familiar flush of embarrassment and something else... something awed.
He looked at Sieun, who was already turning to find the antidote book. "God," Suho breathed out, a shaky hand running through his hair. "You know, when you get that look in your eyes... it's incredibly hot. It makes me feel... tingly. All over."
Sieun froze, his back still to him, and didn't respond. But the tips of his ears turned bright red. He knew Suho was saying all these things because he drank a love potion, he wasn’t stupid. But still. Those words coming out of his mouth were a lot. And thinking too much about them would make Sieun go insane so he just decided to ignore them and continue with the plan.
The classroom was a familiar sanctuary to Sieun. It smelled of dried herbs, cauldron fumes, and the faint, sharp scent of preserved ingredients. He immediately went to the large, dusty bookshelf against the far wall, pulling down heavy tomes on antidotes and restorative potions. "I need to find the right one," he muttered, his fingers flying over the spines. "There's a general antidote for most common love enchantments, but this one seems... potent."
Juntae, ever practical, immediately moved to the stone sinks. "I'll clear a cauldron," he said, grabbing a scrub brush and starting to vigorously clean out the nearest one. "We'll need a clean base."
Meanwhile, Baku, Yeongi and Gotak had cornered Suho by a stack of barrels, their grins wide and predatory.
"So, Suho," Baku began, leaning in conspiratorially. "Since you're in such a sharing mood... what's Sieun's most annoying habit?"
Suho clamped his hands over his mouth, his eyes wide with the struggle. A pained, muffled noise escaped him, as if he was physically fighting the words. But the potion was stronger.
His shoulders slumped in utter defeat, and his voice came out thin and miserable, barely loud enough to be heard by those next to him, and laced with a distress that went far beyond simple embarrassment. "He pushes people away when he's hurting," he finally confessed, his gaze fixed on the stone floor. "He hides when he's sick, or when something's wrong. He acts like he's fine, but I can always tell. And I just want to help him, but he won't let me. He just... disappears." He looked up, his eyes pleading, as if begging them to understand. "It's the most agonizing thing in the world, not knowing if he's okay. It feels like a part of me is missing. I can't breathe properly until I know he's safe. I need to know he’s okay all the time." He paused, his face crumbling with the weight of the confession. "Oh god, I feel like I'm going to be sick from the embarrassment."
Baku howled with laughter. "That's priceless! I knew it! You are so overbearing. Okay, next question—"
"Please don't" Suho's panicked gaze darted around the room before landing back on Baku.
"Guys, stop it!" Yeongi scolded, though she was hiding a smile behind her hand. "It’s painful to see my own brother like this, let’s help look or do something useful."
"Found it!" Sieun's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and triumphant. He slammed a heavy book down on a workbench. "This antidote is perfect. Works on all variations of love potions. It's complicated, but we have all the ingredients." He looked over at the group, his gaze lingering for a moment on Suho's utterly defeated expression. "We’ll have it in no time, Suho, I promise.This one doesn't take long to brew."
"It’s so hot that you are so smart, Sieun-ah, I love it when you take care of me." He blurted out with wide eyes before covering his face with his hands. “Oh god, this is a nightmare.”
The declaration hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Suho looked utterly horrified, his face buried in his hands as if he could physically hide the words that had already escaped. Sieun felt a fresh wave of heat rise to his own cheeks, but he forced it down with sheer willpower. He had a job to do. That was the potion talking, not Suho.
"Right," Sieun said, his voice tight and clipped as he turned back to the book. "Juntae, the cauldron. Gotak, I need Ashwinder eggs, rose thorns and rose petals. Baku, I need powdered moonstone, and a sprig of peppermint. Yeongi, can you find the valerian root? It should be in the third cabinet."
The group sprang into action. The classroom soon filled with the sounds of clattering vials, running water from the sinks, and the rustle of pages as Sieun scanned the potion's instructions. He was trying to focus, to immerse himself in the familiar comfort of precise measurements and delicate magical procedures. His hands were steady as he measured out the moonstone, but his concentration was a fragile thing.
"Hey, Suho," Baku's voice cut through the quiet hum of activity. He was deliberately leaning against a shelf, his tone casual. "Last week, when you said you had to study for that Transfiguration exam and skipped practice... did you really have to study? Or did you just want an excuse to skip practice and hang out with Sieun?"
Sieun's hand stilled over the mortar and pestle.
Suho, who was hunched over a nearby table, let out a pathetic whimper. "I finished studying the night before," he confessed, his voice muffled by his hands. "I just... I knew Sieun was going to be in the library and I wanted to be there with him. I hate practice when he's not watching."
Gotak jumped in, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Okay, fun question now. Be honest. Who's smarter, you or Sieun?"
"Don't," Sieun warned, not looking up from his book, but his tone was losing its edge.
"There's no comparison," Suho said miserably. "Sieun is a genius. He understands things on a level I can't even comprehend. I'm just... good at remembering things. He actually understands them. It's one of the things I—"
"Aha!" Baku pointed at Suho triumphantly. "And do you laugh at my jokes because you genuinely think I'm funny, or is it just because Sieun laughs?"
"Please stop," Suho begged, his voice cracking.
"He laughs because he's polite, you idiot," Yeongi retorted, but Baku ignored her.
"Answer the question, Suho!"
Suho let out a shuddering breath. "I don't always think they're funny," he whispered. "But I love the way Sieun's face lights up when he laughs, so it makes me happy anyway."
Sieun slammed the book shut. The loud bang made everyone jump.
"That is enough," he said, his voice dangerously low. His eyes, dark and furious, swept over his friends. "If you ask him one more question, I swear I will hex you so thoroughly that you'll be spending the next month in the Hospital Wing having boils removed from places you didn't know you had. Are we clear?"
A heavy silence fell over the room. Yeongi and Gotak immediately held up their hands in surrender. Baku had the decency to look ashamed. Juntae, who had been silently tending to the cauldron, watched the whole exchange with a thoughtful expression.
"Thank you," Suho mouthed at Sieun, a wave of genuine relief washing over his features.
Sieun gave a sharp nod, turning back to his ingredients. He tried to push the moment away, to file it under 'intervention' and move on. The other’s attention was quickly taken by a flask full of something they couldn't identify so they started to discuss what it could be.
Juntae, stirring the now-steaming liquid in the cauldron, spoke quietly so only Sieun could hear him. "You know," he began, his gaze on the swirling liquid. "For a love potion, it seems a little... different. I mean, he's not just saying 'I love you' or some other corny stuff. He's answering questions. Against his will. It's less about feeling in love and more about... verbalizing every thought."
Sieun's shoulders tensed. "What else could it be?" he snapped, his denial a defensive wall. "It was in a box of chocolates from a secret admirer. He ate from it and now he's acting like this, saying these things. It's a love potion." In his mind, it was the only logical conclusion. The potion had to be the reason. Juntae stirred the simmering liquid in the cauldron, a thoughtful frown on his face. He shot a sideways glance at Sieun, who was meticulously chopping the sprig of peppermint with a silver knife, his movements precise and tense. Under his breath, Juntae murmured just loud enough for Sieun beside him to hear, "...and you're the smart one."
Sieun's head snapped up, his eyes flashing. "I heard that."
"Good," Juntae shot back without missing a beat. "Maybe it'll make you understand faster."
Ignoring the jibe, Sieun continued working. After some time, after following each step carefully, he added the peppermint to the cauldron. The potion immediately turned a soft, pearlescent silver and released a calming, minty aroma. "It's ready," he announced, ladling a small amount into a clean vial. He corked it and held it out to Suho, a triumphant look on his face. "Here. Drink this."
All eyes were on Suho as he took the vial, his hand trembling slightly. He did not hesitate, always trusting Sieun with all his heart. He swallowed it in one gulp, his expression a mixture of hope and dread. For a moment, nothing happened. The room was silent save for the gentle bubbling of the cauldron. Suho blinked, took a deep breath, and then looked at Sieun.
Yeongi, unable to bear the suspense, stepped forward. "Suho? Test it. How do you feel about Sieun right now?"
Suho opened his mouth, and for one glorious second, Sieun thought he might just say 'fine' or 'normal.' Instead, he closed it back again with force, winced and bit his lip like he was fighting himself. "I'm so in love with him," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Look at him, he's so handsome when he's focused like that. He just made this entire complicated potion perfectly because he was worried about me, and I'm so touched I could cry. He's brilliant, and he's the kindest person I've ever met, and the way his hair falls over his eyes when he's concentrating should be illegal. I just want to—"
"Oh no," Sieun whispered, his face crumpling. The vial slipped from his fingers and clattered onto the workbench. "No, no, no. I did everything right. I followed the instructions perfectly. I never mess up potions. What happened? Why didn't it work?" His composure, usually an unbreakable fortress, was shattering into a million pieces.
"It's okay, Sieun," Yeongi said quickly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, but he barely registered it. His mind was racing, re-checking every step, every measurement. It was perfect. It had to be perfect. The failure was a crushing blow.
"We need help," Juntae stated. "This is beyond us now."
"Let’s go to the Infirmary," Gotak volunteered, already heading for the door.
"Get Mr. Hwang!" Sieun called after him, his voice desperate. "Get Professor Hwang from his quarters! He'll know what went wrong. We’ll wait in the nurse wing."
They half-dragged a still-rambling Suho to the Hospital Wing. The nurse, a kind but formidable witch, immediately had Suho sit on a bed while they waited. It wasn't long before the potions master, Mr. Hwang, swept in. He was a tall, handsome man with spectacles perched on his nose and an air of perpetual intellectual curiosity. He listened to their frantic, jumbled explanation with a patient expression, then held out his hand for the vial of Sieun's failed antidote.
He sniffed it, swirled it, and even dipped a finger in to taste a tiny drop. He then examined Suho, peering into his eyes and checking his pulse. Throughout his examination, a strange look began to form in his eyes—it wasn't concern, but something closer to deeply suppressed amusement.
"The potion is perfect," Mr. Hwang finally announced, his calm voice a stark contrast to the chaos in the room.
"What?" Sieun's voice was hollow with disbelief. "Then why didn't it work?"
Mr. Hwang turned to him, a faint, knowing smile finally touching his lips. "Well, because it was not a love potion."
He let the words hang in the air. Sieun stared at him, his mind refusing to process the sentence. "It... it wasn't? But the admirer, the chocolates..."
"It was a truth serum, Sieun-ssi. A very potent one, too."
Sieun felt the world tilt on its axis. A truth serum. Not a love potion. All of Suho's frantic, detailed, mortifying confessions... they were real. They were true. He sank onto the nearest bed, his legs no longer able to support him.
Across the room, Suho made a sound like a deflating balloon and promptly fell backwards onto his mattress, throwing an arm over his eyes. "Kill me now," he groaned, his voice thick with pure mortification.
The silence that followed was broken by Baku, who let out a low whistle. "Well, well, well."
"But who would do that?" Yeongi asked, her protective anger flaring. "Who would want to dose Sieun with a truth serum?"
Sieun felt as though he had been submerged in ice water. A truth serum. The words echoed in the sterile quiet of the Infirmary, drowning out everything else. He wasn't processing the conversation happening around him. Instead, his mind was rewinding, frantically replaying every moment, every shared glance, every casual touch with Suho, but now viewed through this blinding, terrifying new lens.
That time Suho had "forgotten" his scarf and huddled close to him for warmth during one of their night walks. He hadn't forgotten. He'd just wanted an excuse. All those times Suho had walked him to the library even when it was out of his way, claiming he "needed a book." He'd never needed a book. The endless teasing about Sieun's quietness, the way Suho always seemed to know what Sieun was thinking without him having to say a word... it wasn't just best friend intuition. It was... more. It was everything. The possibility was so vast, so overwhelming, it felt like his carefully constructed world had just been blasted open. A single thought broke through the chaos: oh. Oh.
While Sieun was lost in his existential whirlwind, his friends were taking a different approach.
"It's got to be someone from Yeoil," Gotak declared, pacing the length of the ward. "They're still bitter about that inter-school tournament loss last year! This is a psychological attack!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Yeongi scoffed, though her arms were crossed tightly. "Who would go to that much trouble just for revenge? There are a hundred better ways to do that. Why would they go after Sieun? It has to be someone here. But Why?”
"Well," Juntae added, tapping his chin thoughtfully, "what if it's someone upset about Sieun’s lack of interest in them? Maybe one of those boys that asked him out on History last month? They got rejected so maybe they wanted to hurt Sieun to get back at him.”
Lying prone on the bed, Suho had been a statue of pure humiliation. But the moment Juntae said, "..they wanted to hurt Sieun," he shot up. The embarrassment was still etched onto his face, but it was now overlaid with a raw, protective fury. His fists clenched at his sides.
"Who did it?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "Which first-year delivered the box?"
"Suho, calm down," Sieun said automatically, his focus snapping back to the present.
"No!" Suho rounded on him, his eyes blazing. "Someone tried to harm you. They could have hurt you. I want to know who, and I'm going to find them." He looked terrifyingly resolute, a stark contrast to the mortified boy from moments before.
Mr. Hwang stepped between them, holding up a placating hand. "Enough. All of you. This is a matter for the school's faculty now. We will investigate the delivery and identify the student responsible. Your part in this is over. It's late. Go back to your dormitories. All of you."
His tone left no room for argument. One by one, they filed out, Baku and Gotak still hypothesizing in hushed tones. Yeongi squeezed Sieun's arm in a gesture of solidarity before giving her brother a knowing look. Sieun followed mechanically, his mind still reeling. Suho walked beside him, his previous anger deflated, replaced by a tense, apprehensive silence. He had taken the antidote already, the nurse made sure it was the right one this time, so now he could be silent. The walk back to their room was the longest of their lives. The portraits on the walls seemed to watch them, knowing.
Finally, they reached their door. Sieun pushed it open and they stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind them, sealing them in the familiar, suddenly suffocating space of their shared room. For a long moment, neither of them moved. They just stood there, surrounded by their combined lives—the stacked textbooks, the posters on Suho's side, the meticulously organized potion ingredients on Sieun's. It was all the same, but everything was different.
The silence in their room was a physical presence, pressing in on them. Suho stood rigid, staring at a loose thread on the rug, looking like he was awaiting a sentence. He had been stripped bare, his deepest feelings unwillingly displayed, and now he was left to face the judgment of the one person whose opinion mattered more than anything. He was braced for rejection, for pity, for the gentle, awkward ending of their friendship as he knew it.
Watching him, something shifted in Sieun. He saw the fear in Suho's posture, and it struck him profoundly unfair. Suho had (unwillingly, yes, but honestly) revealed so much, every private thought and observation laid bare. It was only fair that Sieun did the same. He took a deep breath, the sound loud in the quiet room. He wasn't scared. He was nervous, a live wire of anticipation thrumming under his skin, but not scared.
"So," he began, voice steady but soft, his heart hammering against his ribs. "Your handwriting is a mess. It looks like chicken scratch." Suho flinched slightly, but Sieun pressed on. "But it's so comforting when I'm studying and I find your little notes scribbled in the margins of my textbooks."
Sieun felt like he was gaining courage from every word he spoke, he needed Suho to know.
“Remember when you chopped your own bangs last year and Yeongi said you looked like a loser?" Suho's eyes flickered up to meet his, confusion warring with his fear.
"I thought you were stunning," Sieun admitted, his heart pounding. "Because I could easily see your eyes. Which I love. Because the way they crinkle when you smile makes me feel warmer than anything else in the world."
"Sieun—" Suho breathed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"I just thought you should know," Sieun said, his courage surging. "I'm in love with you, Suho."
The words hung in the air. Suho looked utterly stunned. It was as if Sieun had just told him the sky was green. He had never, in his wildest dreams, allowed himself to hope. He was happy to admire Sieun from his best friend place, a safe, cherished distance. But now... seeing the earnest, vulnerable look on Sieun's face, a wave of pure elated joy washed over him, erasing all the fear and embarrassment. He smiled while he felt his eyes fill with tears.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Sieun just nodded.
Suho closed the small distance between them. It was hesitant at first, a soft, tentative press of lips. It was the first kiss for both of them, sweet and clumsy and full of years of unspoken feelings. Suho's hand came up to cup Sieun's cheek, his thumb gently stroking his skin, and Sieun sighed into the kiss, his own hands finding Suho's waist.
When they finally parted, they rested their foreheads together, breath mingling in the small space between them.
"I love you, Sieun-ah," Suho murmured, a genuine, joyful smile spreading across his face. "I just wanted to say that without anything forcing me to."
A small chuckle escaped Sieun's lips, a sound so rare and beautiful that Suho's heart skipped a beat. They both started to laugh, a quiet, relieved sound that filled the room and washed away the last of the tension. Then Suho leaned in and kissed him again, and this time, it was not hesitant at all.
· ─ ·✶🪄🧪❤️✶· ─ · ·
The morning light filtering through their dormitory window seemed brighter than usual. Sieun woke up to the unfamiliar but not unwelcome sensation of Suho's arm draped over his waist, his steady breathing a warm rhythm against his neck. A quiet, contented happiness settled deep in his chest, a feeling so novel and profound it was almost dizzying. They dressed in a comfortable silence, their movements naturally falling into sync. A shared glance here, a small, secret smile there—the world outside their room didn't matter. They were late leaving for breakfast, but neither of them cared. As they walked hand-in-hand through the corridors, Suho gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. Sieun looked over at him, his heart doing a familiar flutter. He felt invincible.
Their bubble of bliss was abruptly popped by the stern voice of their History of Magic teacher. "Yeon Sieun. Ahn Suho. The Headmistress wants to see you. Immediately."
The walk to the Headmistress's office was short but suffocating. The hand-holding stopped. The warmth was replaced by a cold knot of dread in Sieun's stomach. Suho shot him a worried look, but Sieun just shook his head. There was no point in speculating. The heavy, enchanted door swung open for them, revealing the imposing office of Headmistress Han. She sat behind her vast mahogany desk, her expression unreadable. Standing beside her was Mr. Hwang, his arms crossed, his face neutral. But it was the third person in the room that made the air turn to ice. Na Baekjin. He stood stiffly, his face pale and his gaze fixed on the floor.
"Ah, Mr. Yeon, Mr. Ahn. Thank you for joining us," the Headmistress said, her voice crisp. "Please, sit." She gestured to two chairs opposite her. Once they were seated, she nodded to Mr. Hwang.
Mr. Hwang stepped forward. "After our meeting last night, we immediately questioned the first-year student who delivered the chocolates. He confessed that he was paid by Mr. Na here to deliver the box to you, Mr. Yeon."
Sieun's eyes flickered to Baekjin, who seemed too stoic for the situation.
Headmistress Han leaned forward, her hands clasped on the desk. "This is a very dangerous potion, Mr. Na. A restricted substance. No student should have access to it, let alone use it on another. The consequences for such an action are severe, including immediate suspension and, in extreme cases, expulsion."
Baekjin flinched violently. "Please, don't tell them," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Don't call my parents."
"I will ask you one more time," the Headmistress's voice was like steel. "Why did you use a truth serum on Mr. Yeon?"
He finally looked up, his face a mask of bitter resentment and humiliation. "Because I don't understand!" he burst out, his voice raw. "He came from a non-magical family! There is no way he is that powerful without magic on his bloodline. He’s always quiet during classes! He shows no interest ever but he gets the highest scores in every one. He has to be cheating. I just wanted to know the truth. I thought if I proved he was a fraud, everyone would see I was better. Everyone would finally choose me."
He glared at Sieun, his accusation hanging in the air. "But then... he had to go and ruin everything again." He shot a venomous look at Suho. "You ate the chocolate. You weren't supposed to be the one. It was supposed to be him."
The Headmistress sighed, a sound of profound disappointment. "Your jealousy has led you to commit a reprehensible act. Your arrogance has blinded you to the simple truth that talent is not determined by bloodline. Mr. Yeon is an exceptional student because he is intelligent and dedicated. You, Mr. Na, should be one too. I have trouble understanding how you could do something so reckless. You will have detention every Saturday for the rest of the semester and you will write a twelve-inch essay on the ethical applications of potions. I’m afraid I will have to contact your parents given the restriction level and the difficulties on its acquisition. Furthermore, you will apologize to Mr. Yeon. If you truly wish to be better, perhaps you should consider focusing on yourself."
The dismissal was curt. They filed out of the office, Baekjin trailing behind them like a condemned man. As they stepped into the busy corridor, his humiliation curdled into rage. He glared at their retreating backs.
"Pathetic," he muttered, just loud enough for them to hear. "Both of you. I’ll make sure you understand your place, Yeon Sieun."
Sieun would have ignored it. He was used to Baekjin's petty jabs, and after the Headmistress's dressing-down, it just seemed sad. But Suho stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around slowly, and the look on his face was one Sieun had never seen before. It wasn't just anger; it was a cold, protective fury that vibrated in the air around him.
"What did you say?" Suho asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
"You heard me," Baekjin sneered, puffing out his chest. "I’ll make your little boyfriend—"
He never finished the word. Suho raised his wand, a sharp, fluent flick of his wrist.
Baekjin's own wand flew right into Suho’s hand. Then, in what felt like less than a second, a jet of light shot from Suho's wand and hit Baekjin square in the chest. Instantly, he was lifted into the air and suspended upside down by the ankle. He trashed and cursed but he was still unable to get down. Sieun knew Suho liked to practice strange spells, or even make his own from time to time, and he was sure he had a counter spell, but he was still surprised at how easy it was for him to perform that one, a spell he had never seen before, and wordless too. He also knew that Baekjin was useless without his wand.
The few students that saw the scene scattered, gasping and pointing, but no one seemed to want to interfere. No one met Suho's eyes. If anyone saw it, no one said a word.
Suho stared at the sputtering, humiliated boy for a long moment, his chest heaving. Then, he turned, took Sieun's hand, and walked away as if nothing had happened, dropping Baekjin’s wand on the floor. The anger in his eyes didn't fade until they were halfway to the breakfast hall.
Waiting for them by the entrance were their friends, their expressions a comical mix of concern and barely suppressed excitement. They saw their intertwined hands and their faces lit up.
"Well?" Yeongi demanded, her hands on her hips. "We've been dying!"
Sieun rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're all dramatic," he said, his voice light. "Yes, yes, you were right and I was wrong. We're dating."
A collective cheer erupted from the group. Baku and Gotak whooped, pumping their fists in the air, while Juntae just grinned, looking insufferably smug.
As they celebrated, Suho launched into the story of Baekjin's interrogation and subsequent hexing. Sieun watched them, his friends loud and boisterous, his boyfriend animated and fiercely protective. He looked down at their joined hands, Suho's thumb stroking the back of his, and felt that same overwhelming happiness from the morning return, stronger and more certain than before. He thought about the last twenty four hours. It was all so chaotic, so insane. But as he stood there, surrounded by the people he loved, he knew one thing for sure. He was so incredibly happy. And he knew he could do anything as long as Suho was holding his hand.