03 | in the warmth of their embrace
The mansion was nothing short of impressive—a towering, black-and-white structure that looked more like a palace than a home. It had more levels than you could count, each one as grand as the last. Chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, their crystals sparkling with a soft, almost ethereal glow. The drapes that lined the windows weren't just fabric—they were like strands of silk, flowing and elegant, creating an air of luxury you'd never seen before. A few servants bustled around, quietly going about their work, and you couldn't help but blink in surprise. You hadn't expected Stray Kids to have servants, but then again, you weren't exactly in a position to judge. It was their world, and for the moment, you were part of it.
The servant who had been guiding you gave a polite nod. "Here's your room," she said with a soft, practiced smile, gently opening the door.
As you stepped inside, you were met with a space that looked like it was pulled from a dream. A grand bed sat in the middle of the room, with luxurious bedding in all your favorite colors—deep blues and soft creams, like they had somehow known exactly what you liked. Your wings fluttered slightly, stretching out in delight as you took in the details. The walls were adorned with pretty decorations, including a few Stray Kids posters, but what caught your attention were the other posters—ones of your favorite movies and characters. It was almost like they'd tailored the room just for you, with little touches that made it feel welcoming.
"You're free to settle in," the servant said, her voice polite and formal. "If you need anything, mistress, just let me know." She gave a slight bow before hurrying out of the room, leaving you alone in the space that felt almost surreal.
You flopped down onto the bed, a sigh of relief escaping your lips as you laid your bag beside you. It felt good to finally have a moment of quiet to yourself. Reaching for your phone, you unlocked it, and immediately, a few messages from Ji-woo and some of your other friends popped up. Even your parents had sent a text, reminding you to have fun with Stray Kids and stay safe. You smiled at their care, feeling a moment of warmth wash over you.
But then you scrolled down to Ji-woo and the others. Their messages were a stark contrast—short, sharp, and filled with jealousy. Ji-woo had sent multiple messages in a row, each one more biting than the last. "You're really just going to leave us for them?" one of the texts read. "I hope you know this isn't forever. You can't trust people like them." Another one followed: "Must be nice to live like a princess, huh? Don't forget who your real friends are." The words stung, and you couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.
You looked at the screen for a moment, the weight of their bitterness sinking in. There had always been an underlying jealousy between you and your friends, but you hadn't expected it to come out like this, especially not now, when everything felt so new and different.
You sighed, placing the phone on the bed beside you and staring up at the ceiling. As much as you wanted to enjoy this moment, you couldn't ignore the thoughts swirling in your head—the ones about the people you left behind and what they might think. But here, in this room, surrounded by kindness and the strange warmth of Stray Kids, you couldn't help but feel like you were meant to be here.
For now, you chose to push aside the negativity. You weren't going to let their bitterness take away from this moment. You were here, in this beautiful home, with people who made you feel like you belonged. Maybe that was enough for today.
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You slowly woke up, feeling a warmth beside you, a presence that wasn't there when you fell asleep. As your mind began to clear, a soft honeycomb scent filled your senses, making your cheeks flush with the unexpected calm it brought. You blinked, your eyes adjusting to the soft lighting around the room, and turned your head.
To your surprise, you found yourself face-to-face with Seungmin, his eyes still half-lidded, his expression soft and peaceful as he lay next to you. His face was so close—too close. His lips were mere inches from yours. You froze for a moment, heart racing, unsure of how to process the situation.
"Oh, hey," Seungmin mumbled, his voice thick with sleep, his warm breath brushing over your face. You felt your cheeks burn, a blush spreading across your skin as you scrambled to find words.
He chuckled softly at your stunned reaction, clearly amused by the situation. Slowly, he shifted away from you, putting a bit of space between you two, though his smile lingered. "Sorry, princess," he said, his voice still a little groggy, "I didn't think you'd mind if I laid with you."
His words hit you like a slow, gentle wave, and you felt your heart thump in your chest. Seungmin, the ever-so-charming, ever-so-caring Seungmin, had somehow ended up in your bed, so casually, and yet with such a soft, unassuming manner. You couldn't help but chuckle nervously, trying to act like you were in control of the situation, even though everything in you screamed you weren't.
"No, it's okay," you managed to say, clearing your throat and glancing away to hide your blush. "I just... wasn't expecting it, that's all."
Seungmin's expression softened, his eyes glimmering with amusement and maybe something else, something deeper that you couldn't quite place. "I figured you wouldn't mind. You seemed pretty comfortable last night," he teased lightly, but there was something tender in the way he said it, something that made your heart flutter in a way you didn't expect.
The situation felt strange—your mind racing, the sudden closeness, the subtle tension hanging between you two—but there was also something incredibly calming about it. Like in this moment, nothing else mattered but the quiet connection you shared. He wasn't trying to make it awkward; he was just being himself.
Still, as the lingering heat in your cheeks reminded you, this wasn't exactly what you'd envisioned your morning to look like.
"You sure you didn't just want to cuddle because I'm too comfortable?" you teased, trying to ease the awkwardness, your voice lighthearted but shaky.
Seungmin smirked, and there was that twinkle in his eyes again. "Maybe. But mostly because you looked so peaceful. Didn't want to wake you up."
You couldn't help but smile at that, the warmth of his words sinking in as the tension melted away. Maybe the day had started off unexpectedly, but you were starting to realize it might be the start of something just as surprising.
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Later that morning, you found yourself downstairs in a new outfit—a dress paired with a shirt you'd found in the closet. The shirt was clearly one of the boys'—a bit too big for you, but it fit perfectly around your wings, though it was a little snug in some places. You couldn't help but laugh at the thought of them leaving their clothes for you, as if they had some sort of plan in mind. It was sweet, but slightly ridiculous. Still, you were secretly flattered, even if the tightness around your wings made things a bit uncomfortable.
The kitchen was buzzing with activity when you arrived. Chan and Lee Know were in the middle of cooking something—it looked like either lasagna or meatballs, but you couldn't quite tell from the mix of ingredients scattered around. The smell of garlic and something savory filled the air, making your stomach rumble despite your initial hesitation about the food.
Before you could step closer to inspect, you felt arms slide around your waist from behind, and a nose nuzzled into your hair, warm and familiar. "You smell so good, angel," came a soft voice, rich with warmth and affection.
You smiled, even though you weren't entirely sure who it was just yet. The voice was comforting, like a melody that made you feel like everything was in its right place. You hummed in acknowledgment, feeling the quiet connection between you both.
"Hey, Han," you finally said, recognizing his voice now. Han's arms tightened around you just slightly, pulling you closer as he buried his nose in your hair once more, his presence so calming it almost felt surreal.
"Couldn't resist," he said with a playful grin in his voice, his warm breath brushing against your skin. "You just smell so sweet. Like honey and something else... I don't know, but I could get used to it."
You chuckled softly, tilting your head back just enough to catch a glimpse of his face. His grin was wide and genuine, the kind of grin that always seemed to put you at ease, no matter the situation. It made you feel... seen, in a way you hadn't felt before.
"Yeah, well," you teased, giving a slight shrug as you leaned back into his embrace, "I guess you'll just have to get used to it."
Chan and Lee Know exchanged amused glances at the two of you, but neither said anything. There was a comfortable silence in the kitchen, and despite the chaos of the morning, everything seemed to settle around the warmth of Han's arms and the quiet affection in the air.
"I'm just glad you're here," Han murmured into your hair, his voice soft but full of sincerity.
You closed your eyes for a moment, soaking in the feeling. The reality of the situation still hadn't fully settled in your mind, but being here, wrapped in warmth and surrounded by the boys who had become your unexpected family, made it feel... right. For the first time in a long time, it felt like you were exactly where you were meant to be.
Later, as the rest of the boys trickled down from upstairs, the atmosphere in the house shifted from relaxed to lively. The sound of footsteps echoed through the halls, and soon enough, the kitchen was full of energy and laughter. You turned toward the sound, smiling when you saw Felix walking into the room with his usual bright grin. Without any warning, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the tip of your nose, catching you completely off guard.
You felt your cheeks heat up immediately, a deep blush creeping across your face. You weren't used to this kind of attention—especially not from boys. Back in high school, no one had ever been this affectionate with you. Not the guys, not the girls. There had been distance, a kind of invisible boundary you'd created, and no one had ever crossed it. But here, with Stray Kids, it felt different. They were open, warm, and... touchy, in a way that made you feel both nervous and oddly comforted.
Felix laughed softly at your flustered expression, clearly enjoying the effect his little gesture had on you. "You're so cute when you blush," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. You could barely form words in response, only managing a sheepish smile, your heart racing in your chest.
As you tried to collect yourself, I.N walked up behind you, his arms slipping around your waist in a tight, almost possessive way. You chuckled nervously, feeling a sudden wave of warmth from his closeness. It was like he didn't want to let go, clinging to you like a cat refusing to part with its favorite person. His cheek brushed against your arm as he nuzzled into you, his face bright with an innocent yet determined expression.
"I'm not letting you go anywhere today," I.N said, his voice light and teasing but with an underlying sincerity. "You're stuck with me now."
The way he said it, so earnestly, made your heart flutter. You chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not going anywhere, I.N," you reassured him, smiling as you felt the warmth of his small frame against you.
Han was watching the exchange with an amused smile, but you could see the slight glint of pride in his eyes, as if he, too, was enjoying this new bond forming between you and the others. Felix and the others joined in, the playful banter growing louder, but you felt a sense of calm in the chaos—like you were in the right place.
It was strange, really. Back when you had felt like an outcast, you'd never imagined a world where you would be the center of so much attention, especially this kind of affection. But here, with them, it didn't feel wrong. It felt... right. Even if it was all so new and foreign, you couldn't deny that you were starting to enjoy the warmth of it all—the way they made you feel important, wanted, and safe.
And maybe, just maybe, you were beginning to realize you didn't need to keep everyone at arm's length anymore.
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