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It was exactly 2 a.m. when Anton heard the loudest bang he had ever heard in his life.
“WHAT THE FUCK!” Maybe that was the loudest Anton had ever screamed, too. He didn’t even scream that loud when Jaehee accidentally pushed him into the black lake.
“Yushi… Yushi, wake up,” he tried calling for his roommate, raising his wand toward his bed and whispering Lumos. But Yushi wasn’t there, his bed was empty. God, he’s probably sleeping in Sion’s room again.
Anton wasn’t really scared or maybe he was. He’d had finally gotten used to all the ghosts wandering through Hogwarts, but whatever had just crashed into his room? Definitely not a ghost, the shards of glass still scattered across the floor. Which meant it could only be… Perhaps one of the followers of the Dark Lord?
You had to excuse him, he had just finished his exam on the topic of Battle of Hogwarts, especially about Lord Voldemort, so yeah, his brain was still wired with danger after answering fifty questions about that battle.
With every bit of courage he had left, Anton tried to find the source of the noise. Maybe someone was practicing Quidditch and a Bludger accidentally flew into his window. No, that’s impossible.
He finally got out of bed and walked toward the door. If he didn’t find anything for 5 minutes, he was going to run straight to Sion’s room where Yushi probably was. Or maybe Jaehee’s, but that was out of the question, because he would just laugh in his face.
He stood in silence for ten seconds before he heard rustling near the wardrobe.
Okay, breathe, Anton told himself. It’s probably just a bird that got in through the window. Or… a monster’s hand flying around, looking for a neck to strangle.
Anyway, Anton was ready to knock out whatever had made him shiver like this at 2 a.m. He walked closer… closer… close enough to hex it if he had to. I swear, if this is some kind of sick joke a second-year pulled—
“Meow.”
It was a cat. A big, chunky tuxedo cat.
Anton exhaled in relief—maybe he even wet his trousers a little.
“How did you get here?” Anton whispered, crouching and reaching out a cautious hand. He’d never seen this cat before. He was more worried than mad, actually. “Are you someone’s cat? Or are you lost? You’re not bleeding at all, huh”
The tuxedo cat meowed again, then started licking its paw. Anton was sure that is some kind of magical cat that one of the students owned, or perhaps a professor’s.
“Seriously?” Anton sighed, before lifting the cat and plopping it onto his bed. “You just broke my window, you know. Any clue what I’m supposed to do about that?”
The tuxedo cat just blinked at him and licked its tail.
Anton groaned. He was only a fifth-year, better at theory like potions, than an advanced charms so fixing a massive and gorgeous Gryffindor Tower window? Not happening.
So, he marched to Sion’s door and knocked.
“What the hell, man—” a confused voice muttered as Sion opened it. Because the first thing he saw was Anton, in pajamas, hugging a tuxedo cat.
“Is Yushi here?” Anton broke the silence.
“Uh, yeah? He’s asleep though—”
Anton didn’t even wait for him to finish before storming inside. “Yushi. Wake up.”
After some relentless shaking, Yushi finally cracked his eyes open. “What the hell…”
“This cat broke our window,” Anton announced, firm as ever. But his hands never stopped stroking the tuxedo cat that is now very comfortable sleeping in Anton’s arm.
“My god. Whose cat is that?” The blond asked.
“Wondering the same thing,” Anton muttered, then turned to Sion, who was still blinking at the doorway. “You’ve been here longer, do you know whose cat this is?”
“I think I’ve seen it strolling around the halls. Not sure who owns it, though.”
“Great. Your boyfriend’s no help.” Anton sat down on the bed right next to Yushi’s head. “Can he at least fix our window?”
“No.” Sion’s answer was quick. “I mean, yeah, I can… but ugh, these tower windows. I’m afraid you’ll have to ask the higher-ups. Or ask Sohee to repair it! He can do it.”
Anton frowned. “Why?”
“Because,” Sion sighed, already regretting entertaining this conversation. He knew Anton didn’t like him, but being interrogated at 2 a.m. over something he didn’t even do? Not ideal. Meanwhile, his boyfriend had already closed his eyes again. “This tower’s been here longer than we even existed. A botched spell from a student could mess it up worse. Either tell a professor, or ask a really skilled student, which is Sohee.”
“Sohee would help?” Anton asked quietly, like he was scared someone else might overhear.
Sion raised an eyebrow. “Why not? He fixed Liz’s cracked ceiling the other night. Even I couldn’t manage that. And he’s our prefect, of course you can ask him.”
Anton fell silent. He looked like he wanted to say something to Sion but kept it in, just stroking the cat in his lap.
Sion noticed. “What’s with you now?”
“Anton’s scared of Sohee,” Yushi finally murmured, eyes still closed.
“What?” Sion laughed, expecting Anton to smack Yushi on the head or deny it. But Anton just sighed, staring blankly at the cat.
“Seriously?” Sion asked again.
“Seriously,” Yushi confirmed, finally reaching out to pat the cat, too. “Just look at his face right now.”
“What did he do to you, man?” Sion chuckled, trying to hold back his laughter. “Is that why you never want to sit with us in the Great Hall?”
“He didn’t do anything,” Anton muttered. “It’s just… he glares at me a lot. And the fact that he’s the best wizard of our generation doesn’t help.”
“Sohee’s nice,” Sion defended his friend. “He probably just glares because you’re so quiet around him. Honestly, he’s probably the nicest Gryffindor prefect right now.”
“He’s glaring at me, that’s why I am quiet. I mean, he glared at me even before he was declared the perfect student,” Anton rambled. “Got a feeling he hates Muggle-born, so I just kept my distance.”
“That’s nonsense. He and Seunghan are literally best friends,” Sion argued. “You know what—just tell a professor tomorrow and they’ll fix it in, what, maybe a week? Or you can just tell Sohee and be done with it in five minutes.”
“Ugh,” Anton groaned, standing up. “Fine. I’ll reach out to him tomorrow.”
“Good,” Sion said. “You’re going back to your room?”
“Yeah. At least I can tidy up the shattered glass.”
“Be careful, Toni,” Yushi muttered sleepily, already drifting back to sleep.
-
“Yushi, you need to help me,” Anton said, peeking at the 6th-year over Yushi’s shoulder. “Seriously, he’s so scary.”
“Anton, I could ask Sion to ask him, but really? You want me to do that?” Yushi replied, politely cutting into his sausage. “Besides, we’ve been here five years, don’t you think it’s time you stop being scared of him?”
“I do,” Anton sighed for the fifth time that hour. “I’m just gonna wait until he finishes eating. Otherwise, it’s rude.”
“You’re acting like he’s going to curse you if you don’t bow first or something.”
“Well, Yushi, don’t act like you’re one to talk. You’re still scared of Wonbin.” Anton smirked.
“Wonbin is our Head Boy.” Yushi replied but doesn’t look at Anton at the eyes.
“And you’ve been scared of him since our first year,” Anton shot back. “We all have someone we’re scared of, so.”
“Yeah? Sure. Keep talking, because I don’t see Sohee in his seat anymore.”
“Oh my god.” Anton shot up so fast the whole Gryffindor table turned to stare at him. His eyes darted across the hall maybe he’s at the Slytherin table beside Seunghan? No. Gosh, he argued with Yushi for one minute and Sohee was gone.
He scanned the Great Hall one more time and then rushed into the hallway. Bingo—Sohee was there, talking with Professor Cressida. Anton fidgeted as he waited for Sohee to finish, pretending to be deeply interested in a nearby painting.
“What are you doing?”
Anton nearly jumped. He’d been staring at the painting so hard that he hadn’t noticed Sohee was already done and now standing right beside him.
“Sohee! Hey! Sohee hyung, hello!”
Sohee raised an eyebrow, his eyes sharp. “I’ve noticed you looking at me all day. Since this morning, actually, at the common room.”
“Really?” Anton’s voice cracked an octave higher than usual. Sohee just stared at the taller boy. “Right. Yeah, I did. Sorry. It’s just… I have a problem you might be able to fix.”
“What is it?” Sohee sighed, sounding like it was the tenth request he’d dealt this week.
Anton caught the dull tone immediately. “Oh, if you don’t have the time, that’s fine. I could just ask Professor—”
“Just spit it out, Anton.” Sohee cut him off with a glare.
“My window broke. Well, technically, a cat broke our bedroom window. Last night, actually. It was this chunky tuxedo cat that just flew right at my room. I nearly had a heart attack. I didn’t even know there were magical cats around,” Anton rambled.
But this time, Sohee stopped glaring. His eyes softened as Anton finished his explanation. “Oh. Okay. Maybe I can check the window after I finish class. But there’s no injury, right?”
“Ah! Yeah, no, hyung, I’m fine. And the cat’s fine too. She’s still roaming around my room like nothing happened”
“Good. Anything else?” Sohee blinked.
Anton could swear he had never seen Sohee this close before. Maybe he wasn’t as scary as he thought. In fact, at this distance, he almost looked like a fairy. “Nope. That’s it.”
“Okay.” Sohee turned and walked away, balancing what seemed like a mountain of paperwork in his arms.
Anton heavily drags his feet back into the Great Hall and slumps onto the bench.
“So?” Yushi asks, already halfway through his pumpkin juice.
“He’s nice,” Anton mutters.
“Told you!” Yushi grins triumphantly, popping a broccoli floret into his mouth.
-
“HE’S ANNOYING!” Anton yells, slamming his wooden spoon into the cauldron hard enough to splash potion on the desk.
“Woah.” Jungwon, a Ravenclaw who happened to be paired with him, raised an eyebrow. But he didn’t ask further, he knew Anton was skilled anyway. If this weird behavior was what it took for Anton to brew a perfect potion, then so be it.
It had been four days since Anton’s last encounter with Sohee. Three cold nights without the window being fixed. Last night he had to cast a warming charm the whole night just to keep himself from freezing, before finally moving to Sion’s bedroom.
Every time he saw the prefect, Sohee would come up with an excuse. “Oh right! Sorry, Anton, I’ll go to your room after dinner, okay?”—and he never came. Or “I promise I’ll be with you in an hour.” And he never did. And it went on like that for four days.
This morning, Anton successfully caught him at the common room before class.
“Sohee hyung, can you check the window now?” Anton leaned against the arm of the sofa, looking like he’d been waiting since dawn just to ask.
“Not now, Anton, I’m already late for Herbology.” Sohee adjusted his bag with an impatient tug, his steps already halfway toward the door.
“Can you spare five minutes?” Anton’s voice followed, hopeful, as though five minutes might make all the difference.
“Gosh, you’re being dramatic,” Sohee glared at him. “It’s been what? Two days? Just close the window with a pillow or something.”
“Four days.” Anton muttered it quietly, but with enough weight that Sohee faltered for just a second.
“Right, sorry Anton. If you can meet me this afternoon, I promise I’ll help.” Sohee softened, if only briefly, before his urgency pushed him forward again.
“How can I meet you if I don’t know where you are?” Anton shot back, arms spreading wide in frustration, as if Sohee was impossible to pin down.
“Text me!” Sohee yelled as he fixed his robe, nearly tripping over his own feet in his rush toward the corridor.
“I don’t have your number!” Anton shouted after him, voice bouncing off the stone walls, chasing Sohee even as he vanished.
“Ask Sion!”
Anton stood frozen for a moment, his lips pressed together, before puffing his cheeks in defeat. Still, despite the exasperation, the corners of his mouth threatened to curve into a grin. Four days, it felt far too long already.
Anton went from scared of him to downright enraged. Because who did Sohee think he was, calling him dramatic? Try sleeping with a broken window in the middle of winter! He really needed to find Sion or Yushi to ask for his number after this class.
“You didn’t ask for his number the day you asked for his help?” Jungwon asked while helping him stir the potion.
“No. Everyone told me it would be a five-minute fix, so I thought I didn’t need to.”
“Well,” Jungwon chuckled, watching Anton stew in distress, “Sixth years are really just very busy. Let alone a prefect like Sohee. I think you either need to be patient… or just tell a professor.”
“Yeah, not helping, Jungwon,” Anton snapped, his tone harsher than intended.
“Chill out, pretty boy,” Jungwon smirked, unbothered. “I actually have Sohee’s number, if you want.”
“What? Really?” For the first time in four days, Anton’s eyes lit up with genuine spark.
“Yeah. He used to tutor me, so I still have it. I can give it to you right now.”
Without hesitation, Anton grabbed Jungwon’s hands in both of his own. “Thank you. I owe you”
Jungwon chuckles “Just try not to kick my ass so hard on the next quidditch match”
Sohee hyung, this is anton! :D
Where could we meet today
Hi anton
Im free at 3, we could meet at courtyards
Oh yeah sure thing! Ill meet u there at 3!
Wait a minute
Doesn’t the quidditch team has practice today at 2.30
Uhh yeah
But I could fly out a minute for sure :D
Uhhh no
I hate when myung yells at me for stealing his team
I’ll just wait for you at the bleachers
Really :o
Its fine I really can ditch
Yeah I’ve been busy this week so this is the only time I can do it
It’s fine I wanna see how our team is doing anyway
OK!! Ill see u there
“Anton,” Jaehee suddenly comes up behind him and whispers, “is that Sohee on the bench?”
“SSSSHHHHHH.” Anton never notices who was on the bench when they pratice. It was usually full of the team’s friends anyway. But he definitely noticed when Sohee sat down about ten minutes ago. “Lower your voice.”
“What? Did one of us do something?” Jaehee, being the biggest nose out of all of them, was of course going to ask questions.
“No… NO, I don’t think so. He’s probably here for Myung,” Anton said, forcing his voice to stay casual, hoping Jaehee wouldn’t catch on.
But Jaehee being Jaehee, he caught it instantly. “Oh, Toni, what did you do? Do you not remember what happened the last time he sat there?”
“What” Anton whispered, somehow he didn’t remember.
“One of us got suspended” Jaehee whispered in Anton’s ear.
“I just need him to fix my window, that’s all.” Anton shoved Jaehee aside. “Stop talking about him, you know there’s a chance he could hear us right now.”
“Really?” Jaehee’s eyes widened, shifting toward where Sohee who was just sitting on the bench, staring at them.
“Do you think he can’t?” Anton shot back at Jaehee, who actually looked baffled now.
“Anton!” The team captain, Myung, snapped him out of his daydream. “Your turn. Kazuha and Yujin will be the Chasers this time.”
“Woaaah.” Everyone on the team suddenly cheered. They knew this probably meant Anton was Myung’s personal favorite Keeper now.
“Good luck, Toni” Jaehee tapped his shoulder.
Anton kicked off the ground, broom wobbling as he tried to find his balance. He gripped it tighter than usual, not because he was up against the best sixth-year Beaters, but because Sohee was in the crowd, watching him carefully.
His mind was a mess. He couldn’t believe he’d made the Sohee wait for him like this. Maybe Sohee was sitting there trying to find Anton’s weakness, waiting for a reason to kick him off the team. As far as Anton knew, Sohee didn’t even like him.
But Anton wasn’t about to let fear of the perfect prefect throw him off. The cold wind cut at his face as the team circled into position. Kazuha was always ruthless, didn’t matter if the Keeper lost a bone in the process, she’d still come at him with everything she had. That’s why she was the MVP.
Kazuha hurled the Quaffle again and again. Anton dove after it with his whole body, nearly tipping headfirst off his broom, but somehow his long arm smacked it away each time, just enough to keep it out.
The bleachers erupted in cheers. Anton puffed out his cheeks, pretending he wasn’t completely terrified of whatever Kazuha just tried to do to him.
He risked a glance at the stands. Sohee was still there, his tiny bag resting on his lap, only now he was smiling. Smiling at…. him? Anton’s breath hitched, his grip on the broom slipping for half a second before he yanked himself steady. Was he really smiling, or was the cold wind getting to Anton’s brain?
“Hey, pretty boy!” Kazuha yelled as she shot toward him at full speed, Quaffle in hand. “No getting distracted!”
-
Anton woke up in the Hospital Wing. One moment he’d been trying to calm himself because Sohee was smiling at him, and now… now he is having the worst headache of his life. Maybe Madam Pomfrey had already done something to him, but ugh, what the hell happened?
“Hey man, you okay?” Myung’s voice broke through as Anton struggled to open his eyes. “Good thing the prefect was there.”
“Sohee… hyung?” Anton croaked, sounding almost pitiful as he tried to find him.
“Hi.” Sohee’s voice came from right beside him. “You broke your ribs, but it’s fine. You just need rest. Kazuha’s in detention for a while.”
“Yeah, she got unlucky because Sohee was here. He had to report it to the professor. Lucky for you though, your injury would be far worse if Sohee didn’t save your ass” Jaehee added.
Anton’s head was still spinning. Sohee? Kazuha? His ribs? God, please, just kill him.
“Okay, students. I think Anton needs rest now,” a nurse’s voice cut through the room.
Through his blurry vision, Anton finally saw Sohee’s figure, still in his Gryffindor robes, still effortlessly pretty, with faint snow clinging to his shoulders. He must’ve been cold. Anton kept staring, admiring him talking to the nurse, until he noticed Sohee getting up.
“Sohee hyung,” Anton whispered, mustering all his energy just to hold his hand, to keep him there. “Don’t go. Don’t go, please.”
Really, Anton’s intention about not letting Sohee go was about the broken window, remember? He just couldn’t let him leave again. Who knew when he’d get this chance?
But to everyone else hovering by his bed? Myung and Jaehee exchanged a look. Since when did Anton and Sohee have something going on? And the fact that Sohee’s ears is bright red right now, weren’t exactly helping.
The nurse sighed, clearly used to lovesick students begging for their special someone to stay. “Okay, Sohee, you can stay until nine. But that’s it. The rest of you, out.”
Myung glanced at Sohee one last time before heading for the door.
“Shut up,” Sohee muttered under his breath, though Anton, half-asleep, still clung weakly to his arm.
-
“Hey.” Anton finally wakes up, and his eyes meet Yushi who is sitting by his bed.
“Damn, how long was I out?” Anton says while drinking the tea. He’s still in the hospital bed, but he can tell the day has changed.
“Only one day, no need to be dramatic,” Yushi says while tidying up the potions on the table. It’s probably time for Anton to go. “You’re okay now, right?”
“Yeah.” Anton brushes back his hair. “Wait, where’s Sohee?”
“The window’s fixed. He fixed it this morning, actually,” Yushi answers. “So, you don’t need to chase him around again.”
“Ah.” Anton sighs. He should be happy now that the problem is fixed, but Sohee did it while he was out of it. So, he’s a little sad about it. “What about my class, has Jungwon fucked up my potions?”
“Potions is tomorrow.” Yushi’s answers stayed clipped, efficient. “You’ve got Dark Arts in thirty minutes, though, so move or you’ll fail.”
“Okay, okay ouch.” Anton tried to stand too fast, ribs protesting sharply. He winced, grabbing Yushi’s shoulder for balance. “Sorry. Just… needed a moment.”
“Take it slow,” Yushi said, steadying him. Then, almost too casually, “Also… Jaehee said Sohee was super worried about you.”
Anton froze. The one memory lingering from the hospital wing, the feeling of Sohee’s hand in his. “Really?”
“Yeah. He kinda assumed you have something going on. I told him about the window, but he said it’s more than that.” Yushi was rambling— it’s what he does when someone bigger than him is clinging to his body. “I mean, I saw him visit yesterday. Stayed a while, actually. Guess he’s just worried.”
“He’s a prefect. He saw me get slammed out of the sky. It’s… expected he’d be worried.” Anton coughed, “but I need to find him again, to thank him personally. He fixed my window and helped me? I feel bad now”
“You’re the one with broken ribs. You’ll find him when you find him,” Yushi says, gently steadying the taller’s back.
“Hey, Anton!” A voice echoed through the hallway, making Anton and Yushi stop in their tracks. “You good?” It was Myung.
“Yeah, I need to go to class,” Anton replied. “Thank you for helping out, hyung.”
“Nah, it was all Sohee,” Myung laughed. “He was the one who cast the spell for you to not hit the ground that hard”
“Ah, really? Woah” Anton scratched his head again. “Do you maybe know where he is? I want to thank him personally.”
“He’s probably in a meeting.” Myung tapped his shoulder. “Wonbin called all the prefects to prepare for something—I don’t really remember what though.”
“Okay, thank you, hyung.” Anton smiled before continuing his way to Dark Arts class. Sohee is definitely taking over his mind now.
-
A week had passed, but somehow Anton never crossed paths with Sohee. Sion explained it was probably because Sohee had taken a lot of extra classes this semester. Anton got it, he’s the prodigy, after all. If Lord Voldemort were still around, Sohee would either be the Death Eater that would kill everyone or the one in the prophecy destined to kill the dark lord.
He admitted he was pretty sad about it. He wanted to have a proper conversation with Sohee to apologize for being annoying the other week, and because he couldn’t stop thinking about how Sohee had held his hand that night in the hospital wing.
“Bro, there’s no way he isn’t here. Everyone’s here except Sohee,” Anton said, carrying all kinds of sweets in his little basket. “Also, do you know if they sell cat food here?”
“You could ask the cashier. Is it for that cat? Does she still love sleeping in my bed?” Yushi followed Anton from behind; the shop was crowded tonight. It was their last Hogsmeade trip before finals and the Christmas break, so every student seemed to be crammed into Honeydukes.
“Yeah, why not? You’re always at Sion’s anyway. At least she keeps the room warm.”
“Whatever. Have you given her a name yet?” Yushi asked, since clearly Anton had grown attached to the cat that had once shattered their window.
“Nope. I’m pretty sure she’s, someone else’s cat. I’m fine with calling her Miaw Miaw for now.”
Yushi laughed. “Miaw Miaw?”
Anton grinned wide. “Yeah! Miaw Miaw. Oh, what about this—have you tried it yet? Pretty sure Gyuvin said it’s a new flavour.”
“Uh, I think that Hershey’s chocolate you brought me last break was better,” Yushi muttered, a little disgusted that Anton was piling sweets with strange labels like insect juice into his basket.
“Weird, huh? My parents love wizarding sweets. And you want our Muggle ones!” Anton’s voice came out louder than he meant, and half the shop turned to look. “Sorry.”
“Just bring me more of those matcha things when you get back,” Yushi said, helping him carry another basket. Anton’s parents adored Exploding Bonbons, and it looked like Anton was about to clear out the stock. “Oh, also I saw Sohee this morning.”
Anton froze. “When?”
“When you were still caught up with Miaw Miaw, I suppose.” Yushi faltered when he noticed Anton’s face go suddenly serious. “I only saw him for, like, two seconds before he slipped out.”
Anton nods, a little bit disappointed yushi hadn’t stopped him. “okay”
“Hey, you know what, I’m going to ask Sion to set up something for you,” Yushi said, catching the mood shift.
“No, no need. It’s okay.” Anton paid at the counter and pushed through the exit. “You really need to go back after this? Or do you want to—ouch.”
Anton hadn’t noticed someone else pulling the door open from the other side, and his forehead smacked straight into the glass. He groaned, clutching his head, not even looking at the person he’d collided with.
“Oh my god, sorry! Oh—Anton? Are you okay?”
Oh, that voice. Familiar. The very one he’d been hoping to hear all week.
“Sohee hyung,” Anton’s voice came out weaker than he intended. Sohee immediately grabbed his wrist and steered him toward the bench outside Honeydukes. Yushi trailed after them like a worried kitten, torn between concern and morbid curiosity about how this would play out.
“Did it hit your eye?” Sohee gently brushed Anton’s hair aside, leaning close to inspect him. This had to be some bizarre side effect from one of the sweets he’d just eaten, there was no way Sohee’s impossibly perfect face was this close. Except… it was. Very real. Very close.
“It’s fine. I was probably being overly dramatic back there,” Anton muttered, though his ears were hot.
Sohee laughed, his cheeks lifting until his eyes nearly disappeared. “Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention either and I pulled a bit too hard.”
“I didn’t see you either, so… sorry to you too.” Anton fumbled with the words, awkward enough to make Yushi bite his lip, silently begging his friend not to ruin this.
“I see you’ve already emptied half the shop before I even went inside,” Sohee replied, eyeing the four bags in Anton’s hands.
“Yeah. My parents love them,” Anton said, flashing a grin to cover his racing heartbeat. “You can have some of mine.”
Sohee chuckled and ruffled his hair, making him feel like a scolded puppy. “Well, it looks too crowded now anyway. I’ll just come back another time. Bye, Anton.”
“Oh… okay. Bye, hyung.” Anton stayed frozen as Sohee ruffled his hair once more and turned to leave.
Yushi furrowed his brows, eyes wide, his whole face screaming: Are you seriously letting him walk away?!
“SOHEE HYUNG!” Anton suddenly shouted, maybe a little too loud. Sohee stopped in his tracks even though he’s only a few meters away, and turned around in surprise. Other students began to glance over.
Anton skips closer, ignoring the stares. “Are you busy right now?”
“Uh, no…” Sohee blinked, a little confused. “Why?”
“Do you want to drink butterbeer with me?” Anton asked, breaking into his cheekiest grin. Behind him, Yushi buried his face in his palm. “My treat for fixing my window. I never thanked you properly.”
Sohee’s smile shifted, softer this time, something different sparking in his expression. “You really don’t need to.”
“I insist.”
They walked side by side toward the Three Broomsticks, snow crunching under their boots. The white flakes dusted the edges of the street, glittering faintly in the lantern light.
“Is Yushi really fine not coming with us?” Sohee asked, glancing sideways.
“Yeah. He’s honestly just here because I dragged him. He’s got something to do with Professor Honoria,” Anton replied, adjusting his pace so Sohee didn’t fall behind. He pulled the door open for him.
The familiar warmth of the Three Broomsticks hit Anton immediately, buttery and sweet, his favorite smell. Unlike the pubs at home, it never smelled like alcohol or puke here. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as crowded as he expected.
“What about there?” Anton pointed toward a small table near the window.
“Sure.”
They slid into their seats, a little apart from the crowd by the bar. The quiet felt almost too much like a date, Anton thought, and that realization only made his heartbeat quicken. Can his heart stop beating this fast?
Butterbeer arrived soon enough, frothy and steaming.
“Thank you, Anton. You really didn’t need to,” Sohee said as he wrapped his hands around the glass. “Students ask for my help all the time anyway.”
“Huh. This is the first time someone’s thanked you with butterbeer?” Anton raised a brow.
“They usually give me something small. Chocolate, candy or a towel… but never a date.” Sohee smirked before taking a gulp.
Anton nearly choked on his own drink, wiping his mouth quickly. “Sorry—”
“Ah, so it is a date.” Sohee leaned in, cheeky smile in place. “I was joking, but… you really chased me around and asking me through my friends just to ask me out?”
“You knew?” Anton’s eyes went wide, more betrayed than embarrassed.
“Sion mentioned. I was really busy, Anton. Sorry.” His smile softened, reassuring. “But Wonbin finally gave me a break, so I am here.”
Anton sighed, letting it go. “I get it. I just… I wanted to thank you. Not only for the window, but for that time at Quidditch practice too.”
Sohee’s fingers tightened around his glass. “It’s fine, Anton. Really. How are your ribs now?”
“Better. I’ll definitely be fine for the match.”
“Oh! When is it?” Sohee perked up, eyes bright.
“Probably in 2 weeks?” Anton chuckled. “Didn’t know you were into Quidditch, hyung.”
“I’ve always loved watching. It’s stupid, but I enjoy it.” He smiled, and Anton finally felt his nerves easing.
They drifted into lighter talk. “Are you going home this Christmas?”
“Yes, but not for long. I’ll probably come back early—my parents don’t really have holidays anyway. What about you, hyung?” Anton answered
“I’m staying this year,” Sohee replied. “Why don’t your parents get holidays?”
“They’re doctors,” Anton explained, hesitating before adding, because Sohee just blinks “So, My dad fixes hearts, literally. And my mom works with bladders.”
Sohee’s eyes widened with interest. “That’s so cool. They must be really needed in the Muggle world.”
Anton chuckled. “Yeah, I guess. Even Christmas doesn’t change much for them. I just… chill when I’m home. You sound really curious, hyung.”
“I am. I’ve never really spent time in the Muggle world.” His grin turned. “I’m excited about it.”
Anton couldn’t help thinking, Cute. “What do you want to know?”
“Have you met Justin Bieber?” Sohee blurted out the question he’s been dying to know.
Anton nearly spats out his drink. He coughed while Sohee shoved tissues into his hands.
“I haven’t,” Anton wheezed out, finally composed. He noticed Sohee’s slightly disappointed “I know we can run into Mr. Harry Potter at the Ministry anytime we want, but I’ve never been to Bieber’s concert. Sorry.”
“Oh? How does concert work?”
“You pay thousands of dollars to see him sing. But… he’s not my favorite.”
“That’s expensive, but who is your favorite then?”
Anton hesitated, then grinned. “Do you know Harry Styles?”
Sohee nodded seriously. “I’ve heard of him. He’s your favorite?”
“Yeah. Sort of. But I’m more into movies than music.”
“Oh! I love Bridgerton!” Sohee’s face lit up. “Seunghan gave me the DVD the other week.”
Anton blinked at him, surprised. He hadn’t expected Sohee, the prodigy prefect, the true-blood wizard, to be so curious and cheeky about Muggles. Maybe he’d misjudged him after all.
Their conversation carried on until Riku, the Slytherin prefect, found them and insisted they head back to the castle—the snow was piling up fast. They walked shoulder to shoulder through the cold until they reached the Gryffindor common room, already dim and warm with a few students dozing by the fire.
“You’re still going to be busy, huh?” Anton asked quietly.
“I’m afraid so. Why? Want another date?” Sohee teased. Anton only nodded, and Sohee froze, caught off guard.
“I’ve got a lot of Muggle books and DVDs in my room,” Anton said, face warm. “If you want to come by sometime.”
Sohee raised a brow. “Oh? Straight into your bedroom, Toni?”
Anton’s face burned. “No— no, it’s just, because you said you were curious. And Yushi’s never really around anyway.”
Sohee chuckled, nudging Anton’s shoulder. “I’m joking. If I have the time, I’ll come.”
“Great.” Anton grinned. “I’ll text you this time.”
“That’s good,” Sohee replied, eyes glinting as he headed for the stairs.
-
After that night at Hogsmeade, they somehow ended up talking almost every day. Anton always found a way to catch Sohee in between classes just to walk him down a corridor, and only to ask about something silly like “Sohee hyung do you know why ghost ended up here.” He’d also ask when Sohee will be free so they could maybe sneak in another butterbeer together, but Sohee was always unavailable.
His schedule would always ran late into the night, while Anton already collapsed into bed after quidditch practice. Most evenings ended with Anton typing out a quick goodnight on the enchanted parchment they used to text, though he was still too shy to say much if there was a mutual friend nearby, like Sion.
Tonight was no different. Sohee had messaged that he was still stuck in the potion’s lab for an assignment. Anton sighed and decided to go to the library alone. He told himself he was glad Sohee was already building the perfect future the professors kept whispering about, but still… he couldn’t help missing the warmth of that afternoon at the Three Broomsticks.
The library was silent, lit only by a few floating candles and the occasional shimmer of a ghost gliding between shelves. Anton tugged a thick, worn book from the hidden nook he and Yushi had hidden earlier. An advanced Defense text filled with “tips and tricks” for students who wanted to sharpen their spellwork before exams.
He flipped through page after page, diagrams of wand movements scattered between written notes. The instructions almost made sense, but whenever Anton whispered the incantations under his breath and mimicked the motions with his wand, the results fizzled. His shield charm sputtered out before it even formed, fading like steam in the cold.
His jaw tightened. The practical exam was looming, and no amount of Quidditch practice would help him block a curse. After another failed attempt, Anton just let his head collapse into his notes, cheek pressing against messy scribbles and ink stains. This wasn’t working.
“Those spells won’t stick if you just dream them into your head.”
Anton jerked awake. For a second he wasn’t sure if the voice belonged to the ghost that had just drifted past, but no, it was Sohee, leaning casually against the table.
“Sohee hyung—” Anton sat up too quickly, swiping at the drool on his face.
“Hi,” Sohee grinned, reaching over to fix Anton’s sleep-tousled hair back into place. “Yushi told me you’d be here. My work ended early, so…”
“Oh. Right, I was just—” Anton gestured helplessly at the book and his scrawled notes, as if they could defend him.
Sohee leaned over the open page. “Good book. But reading this only won’t get you far with Defense. You need to do it with the real thing.”
“Easy for you to say,” Anton muttered, trying not to sound bitter. “You basically exceled half these spells in third year.”
Sohee exhaled softly. Anton had admitted before that this subject was his weak spot, and seeing him push so hard tugged at something in him. “Do you want me to help you?”
Anton’s head shot up, eyes brightening with relief and hope. “Is that… okay?”
“Of course.” Sohee snapped the book shut with one hand and, without giving Anton time to second-guess, tugged him up from his chair.
“Wait— what, now?” Anton stumbled after him.
“Now!” Sohee confirmed, already pulling him toward the doors. They darted through the corridors and out onto the grounds, the chill of the evening wrapping around them. Only a handful of students were outside at this hour, most of them vanishing into shadowy corners of the garden for their own secretive reasons.
Sohee didn’t pause until they reached the wide stretch of grass just before the Forbidden Forest, the trees looming dark and watchful. He finally let go of Anton’s wrist, turning to face him with a small, encouraging smile. “Here. No distractions. Show me what you’ve got.”
Anton tightened his grip on his wand, knuckles whitening, suddenly very aware of Sohee’s eyes fixed on him. The night air was cool, brushing against his face, carrying with it the faint rustle of leaves from the Forbidden Forest and the occasional hoot of an owl. It wasn’t exactly the best place to practice, but at least it was empty.
Sohee stood a few feet back, posture relaxed yet sharp, as if his body already knew the rhythm of spell work without needing to think that much. He crossed his arms and gave Anton the faintest smile, the kind that made Anton’s chest tighten.
He squared his shoulders, heart pumping too loudly in his ears. “Protego!” he shouted, his wand flicking forward with every ounce of determination.
For a moment, a pale shimmer sparked into being before him, a thin wall of light that gave Anton a rush of hope, only to sputter, collapse, and vanish with a faint mist, like a bubble popping against the night air.
The silence that followed seemed louder than the spell itself. Anton’s stomach sank.
Sohee tilted his head, his expression unreadable then his lips curved into a small, teasing smile. “That was… cute.”
Anton sighed, dragging a frustrated hand through his neck, “Cute? That was embarrassing.”
Sohee chuckled softly, “Try again but with more determination this time.”
Anton raised his wand for the sixth time that night. “Protego!” Again, a not so weak flickered into a being, then fizzled out before it could even hold shape.
He groaned, shoulders slumping. “I think I should stop wasting your time, I’m hopeless.”
“You’re not hopeless.” Sohee stepped closer, his voice steady in that calm way that always made Anton’s stomach flip. “You just… need better form. The posture of your arm isn’t great, here let me”
Before Anton could speak, Sohee’s hand wrapped gently around his forearm, adjusting the angle of his wrist. His touch was light, but Anton felt it like a spark shooting down his arms. “Like this,” Sohee murmured.
Anton tried to focus, but all he could feel was the warmth of Sohee’s hand and the faint smell of his peach shampoo clinging to his hair. He lifted his wand again, too fast and the tip smacked Sohee under the chin.
“Ouch!” Sohee yelped, then broke into a laugh, rubbing his jaw.
Anton’s eyes went wide. “Oh my God, hyung, I’m so sorry, are you okay?” It feels like what they do is just stumble at each other. Without giving much thought, he reached Sohee’s face, brushing his cold hands against Sohee’s chin. The contact was soft, it sent heat rushing to both of their ears.
“I’m fine.” Sohee’s grin only widened as he held Anton’s fingers against his chin. “Honestly, that hand of yours is more dangerous than any curse.”
Blushing, Anton dropped his hand back to his side. “Let’s… uh… try again.”
Sohee chuckled softly but didn’t tease further. Instead, he moved behind Anton this time, resting both hands lightly on his shoulders. “Relax. Defense magic isn’t about bracing yourself for the impact, it’s about trust.”
Anton stiffened, heart hammering. “Trust?”
“Yeah.” Sohee leaned in. “You’re picturing it too harshly—I can see you’re imagining the defense, but you don’t even trust yourself. Take a deep breath, and trust that it’ll work your way.”
Anton’s chest tightened he took a minute to take the time for himself, and he forced himself to raise his wand. “Protego!”
This time, the shield burst to life brighter, stronger, shimmering in a half-dome of light. It hovered steady, casting in silver glow.
“You did it,” Sohee said quietly, his expression equal parts teacher’s pride and something gentler.
Anton laughed, exhilarated. “I did it!” He spun and jumped too eager in his excitement and nearly collided into Sohee. They froze, inches apart, the moonlight illuminating the beautiful sparkle of Sohee’s eyes, the curve of his smile that lingered but didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Sohee was the first to pull back, clearing his throat. “Not bad. At this rate, you might even pass without embarrassing yourself.”
Anton rolled his eyes, cheeks burning. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Anytime.” Sohee gave him a small nudge with his shoulder, casual but warm, and together they made their way back toward the castle. Sohee’s pulse still racing, though not from the spell.
Anton walked Sohee all the way to his bedroom door, lingering even when they’d already said goodbye once. “Thank you again, hyung,” Anton said, flashing that ridiculous puppy smile.
“You’re welcome, Anton. If you need my help again, just tell me. I’m… kinda good at this stuff,” Sohee answered with a cheeky grin.
“You’re more than just good. And if it means I get to learn from the best, I don’t mind disturbing your free time.” Anton’s voice was light, but Sohee felt the warmth in it. It was a compliment that slipped past his usual defences, making him feel giddy in a way he wasn’t used to.
Sohee shoved at Anton’s shoulder, trying to cover up the strange flutter in his stomach. “Okay, go.”
“You sure you don’t want to come to my room? Yushi isn’t there.” Anton bit his lip, eyes mischievous.
Sohee chuckled and trying so hard to avoid Anton’s eyes. “Not there yet.”
Anton only nodded, clearly enjoying how easily he could get under Sohee’s skin. “Okay. Bye, hyung.”
“…Bye,” Sohee muttered softly while watching Anton climb the stairs until he disappeared onto his floor. He stood there for a minute longer, trying to steady his heart before finally slipping into his own dorm.
The room was dim, lit by only a single hovering candle. Sohee walked carefully, not wanting to wake his roommate.
“Enjoying your date?”
Sohee nearly leapt out of his skin. He spun, clutching his chest. “Ah! Gremlin’s beard, Myung, what the hell—”
His roommate sat cross-legged on his bed, wand still in hand from spell practice, smirking like he’d been waiting for this. “Was leaving your lab work worth it?”
“Shut up.” Sohee groaned and flopped onto his own bed, dragging a pillow over his face and muffling a scream.
“Geez.” Myung shook his head. “Wonder if your beloved pretty boy knows what a loser you actually are.” He hopped off his bed and sat at the edge of Sohee’s. “So, what happened? Did you finally kiss?”
“What—no!” Sohee sat up. “This wasn’t even a date. It happened because I ditched Wonbin. Not yet.”
Before Myung could jab at him again, a familiar tuxedo cat padded across the room and leapt gracefully into Sohee’s lap. The cat purred, curling against him as Sohee stroked her fur.
“Why,” Myung said, eyebrows raised. “You still haven’t told Anton it was your cat that broke his window?”
“Yeah, I just—” Sohee groaned, burying his face briefly in the cat’s fur. “I haven’t found the perfect moment to say, ‘Hey, remember that cat that shattered your window? Yeah, she’s mine. Why? No clue. Probably because I’ve had unresolved feelings for you since forever, and apparently my cat decided to act on them for me!’”
“Woah.” Myung whistled low. “That’s… a lot. But hey, whatever she did, it worked. You finally talked to him after— what? How many years of pining?”
“Since third year.”
“Third year! Peanut!” Myung scratched the cat under the chin like she was his hero. “Three years of pining and this cat fixes it in one swoop. Best cat ever.”
“Shut up,” Sohee muttered, shoving Myung’s shoulder lightly before heading toward the bathroom. He needed to wash up, anything to cool the heat in his cheeks.
“Ahh, you’re enjoying this way too much, Sohee,” Myung teased, still laughing to himself. Six years of being roommates, and he had never seen Sohee blush like this before.
-
On a random day, Sohee would walk out of Charms class, and the first thing he would see was Anton waiting just down the corridor. He’d be leaning against the stone wall, a book hugged tightly to his chest, his whole face lighting up the moment his eyes found Sohee. He always lifted his hand to wave, eager and bright, like an overexcited puppy.
“Sohee-hyung!”
“Hi.” Sohee walked over until he was standing right in front of him. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yup,” Anton said quickly, then lowered his voice, “though I’m kinda nervous today.”
“Ah, right, the Quidditch match.” Sohee leaned forward to fix Anton’s scarf, gently fixing the wrap that is crumbled around his neck. “You’ll do great.”
Anton’s eyes glimmered with something almost childlike. “You’ll watch, right?”
“Of course. Might be a little late, but I promised Myung I’d be there.”
Anton’s lips pulled into a small pout. “You’ll be there only for Myung?” His voice was soft but needy, his gaze searching Sohee’s face. The torches along the corridor flickered against the stone walls, painting Anton in warm light that made him look unfairly handsome. If he were an Animagus, Sohee thought, he’d surely be a puppy.
“Mostly for you.” It feels like Sohee used his whole energy just to flirt back as he feels his chest squeezed. He smiled, flustered, and reached out to ruffle Anton’s hair.
“Yay.” Anton’s grin stretched wide, impossibly endearing, as he fell into step beside Sohee.
“Sohee-hyung, which class do you have after this?”
“Potions.” Sohee cleared his throat, trying to sound casual even though Anton’s eyes on him made it impossible. He still wasn’t used to the flirting or the way Anton’s gaze lingered, warm enough to make his stomach flip.
“Great, I’m heading that way too!” Anton’s smile lingered, bright enough to make Sohee’s heartbeat stumble.
“Your pretty Keeper,” Riku drawled as Sohee sank into the stiff chair, still trying to get comfortable. “Got him wrapped around your fingers, huh?”
Sohee shot his Slytherin partner a glare, “Why, jealous?”
“Hell yeah, I am.” Riku pouted as he slid over their assignment for the day. “My pretty Seeker doesn’t even bother to text me back.”
“Jaehee guy?” Sohee raised a brow. “He probably really wants you but thinks you’re just playing around.”
“Please. I know I’m too wanted.” Riku winked, and Sohee rolled his eyes at his antics. “But he’s the one I want.”
Sohee huffed a laugh. “Do you wanna come watch their match with me? Seunghan said he’s not interested in Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff he said it’s going to burn his brain because it’s too boring, apparently.”
Riku’s eyes lit up for a moment before he shrugged, masking it sulkiness. “I’d go, but you’d probably ditch me to snog with him.”
“Heh.” Sohee chuckled, finding it ridiculous. “Anton’s either going to be off celebrating with his team if they win, or if they don’t, there will be no snogging.”
Still, the thought clung to him through the rest of his classes. He was supposed to just throw on his winter outfit and robe, maybe pull on a beanie to shield his ears from the biting wind. But today… he didn’t want to hide his hair. It actually looked good.
Sohee sighed and swiped on chap stick. No need to overdo it. Anton’s only going to spot me for five seconds. Yet, he reached for the colour-changing extra moisturizing lip balm. Just in case.
By the time he met Riku on the stairs, the Slytherin was grinning like he’d just been convinced of some grand scheme. “Fine. I’ll go. Maybe Jaehee will see my pretty face and finally text me back.”
Sohee smirked. Good, keep that in your head.
They crossed the castle together, the buzz of excitement already thick in the air, and found their seats in the stands. Riku slid into the Gryffindor crowd, blending in as if he belonged there.
The stadium roared with the usual mix of chants, banners waving from every direction, and the sharp crack of brooms slicing through the winter air. Sohee tugged his scarf tighter around his neck, eyes darting skyward.
Gryffindor’s pretty Keeper was impossible to miss. Anton cut a confident figure as he blocked another Quaffle, curls bouncing as he twisted midair. The crowd went wild, but Sohee stayed on his seat. His chest warmed every time Anton’s gaze dipped briefly and bit his lips when he knew Sohee was watching.
Sohee pretended to keep his focus on the game, but his ears burned red. Idiot. He should be focusing, not… be endearingly handsome and glance at him. Each stolen look sent a flutter straight to Sohee’s stomach.
“Pretty boy can’t stop looking at you,” Riku whispered, though his own eyes were glued to Jaehee marching through the crowd.
The match pushed on with relentless energy. Gryffindor’s Chasers were on fire, and with Anton holding the hoops steady, their lead only grew. When the Snitch was finally caught, the entire stadium erupted. Gryffindor had won. Sohee and Riku shared a hug.
Cheers thundered through the stands, red and gold spilling across the pitch in a wave of celebration. Sohee stayed for ten minutes, watching Gryffindor students swarm Anton, lifting him up. The Keeper’s smile was radiant, but not once did he come toward Sohee’s side of the stands.
Riku had left early, he said he’s going to flirt with the Hufflepuff chaser he had just saw. With a small sigh, Sohee pulled his scarf over his mouth and slipped out, his boots echoing softly in the stone corridors as he started toward the exit. Figures. He’s celebrating.
“Sohee-hyung!”
He stopped, startled. A hand caught his arm, warm and insistent, and before he could register what was happening, Anton was there, cheeks flushed red from the cold and adrenaline.
“Come on,” Anton grinned breathlessly, tugging him forward without explanation. And Sohee, heart stumbling over itself, could only let himself be pulled along.
They ran through the crowd, Anton’s grip never loosening, laughter and cheers from the Quidditch pitch fading behind them. They cut through the broom shed, feet crunching against the frosty ground, until Anton finally slowed to a stop beneath one of the old trees.
Sohee braced himself against the rough bark, chest heaving. “What the hell—” he panted, trying to catch his breath.
“Sorry.” Anton bent forward, hands on his knees, also breathless. He looked up after a moment, cheeks still flushed, eyes shining with something that wasn’t just from running. “I just… I was only trying to get you alone.”
Sohee pressed his back against the tree, trying to calm himself because the way Anton looked right now. His hair was a mess, damp with sweat from the match, and yet somehow, he looked unfairly perfect.
“Good game back there,” Sohee muttered under his breath not mentioning the tension in the air. Sohee unconsciously trying to fix his own hair too.
“Really, was I droolingly good out there?” Anton asked, his grin boyish and teasing. He was still buzzing with leftover adrenaline from the match, his cheeks pink and hair messy from the wind.
Sohee coughed into his fist, trying to compose himself. “Okay… but why did you drag me all the way out here?”
“Because I’m afraid you’ll slip away again,” Anton said, and this time his tone was stripped of all teasing. He meant it. “Wonbin-hyung was in the crowd, so…”
“It’s fine, our work is done” Sohee interrupted gently, smiling at him. The grounds were quiet now, save for the distant echo of cheers from the Quidditch pitch. The winter air was sharp, carrying the scent of damp grass and woodsmoke from the castle chimneys. “It’s Quidditch day so we’ll be celebrating and I’ll be at the party anyway, there’s no need to steal me.”
Anton shifted closer, bracing his hand against the tree trunk just above Sohee’s shoulder. The gesture left Sohee pinned in place, but not uncomfortably so, it was Anton, after all. His eyes, darker than usual under the fading light, searched Sohee’s face. “Can I be honest?”
Something inside Sohee jolted, like his heart had skipped a beat. “Sure, Anton,” he replied softly, almost cautiously.
“When the match started, all I could think about was you,” Anton began, his voice low and careful. “I realized, ah, I might be fucked again because you could distract me, just like that time at Quidditch practice. But you didn’t.”
Sohee didn’t speak. He could tell Anton wasn’t finished yet.
“I realized back then I was a little bit tense about you, but right now all I feel is—calm. Comfortable. Now, when I look at you, all I feel is joy. When you’re there, I feel like I can win anything.” Anton took a shaky breath, his chest rising and falling. “I feel so enchanted by you, Sohee hyung. I have feelings for you more than just a lousy junior loving to spend time with you.”
Sohee’s mouth fell open slightly. “Anton—” His voice broke, his chest tightening. He couldn’t believe he’d waited all this time, yearning for Anton to say something first, only to hear those words spill out now, unguarded and true. It wasn’t fair. Anton should know how long Sohee had carried this quietly in his heart.
“I’m sorry,” Anton rushed out, scratching the back of his neck nervously. “I know it’s a lot. You don’t have to say anything—I just needed to let it out.”
Sohee shook his head, his voice trembling as he finally found the courage. “Anton, you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you. You walk around the school year saying you’re afraid of me, but Anton, you need to know I’ve had feelings for you for the longest time.”
Anton blinked. “You… you know I was afraid of you?”
Sohee let out a soft laugh, “I know everything.”
Anton let out a shaky chuckle, though his voice trembled at the edges. “It’s not that I was afraid, not really. It’s just— you’re so… impossibly pretty. And so amazingly smart. And the way you carry yourself, everyone knows it. Even the professors can’t stop talking about you. You always seemed untouchable, like you belonged on a pedestal I couldn’t climb to.” his throat tightened.
“Anton,” Sohee interrupted gently.
“Yeah?”
Sohee’s lips curved into a smile, his eyes shining as he tilted his face up toward him. “Shut up.”
Anton’s gaze flicked down to sohee’s mouth, then back up again. “You’re so cute when you blush, hyung.” His voice was soft, teasing, and it only made Sohee’s face burn hotter.
“Shut up, I have feelings for you too” Sohee mumbled, but he didn’t move.
The moment stretched, filled only with their uneven breathing. Then Anton leaned down, hesitating just a second, giving Sohee every chance to push him away. When Sohee didn’t, their lips finally touched gentle, tentative, like testing forbidden potions.
Sohee’s heart lurched, pounding so hard it almost hurt. The kiss was soft at first, almost clumsy, their noses bumping as Anton smiled against his mouth. It was sweet, awkward, unbearably cute, until Anton shifted closer, his hand sliding from the tree to the side of Sohee’s face. His thumb brushed over Sohee’s cheekbone, tender and careful, and the kiss deepened.
Sohee’s breath caught as Anton tilted his head, pressing harder, mouth moving against his with a hunger that made his knees weak. What had started soft quickly turned hot. Anton’s lips parting, coaxing Sohee’s to follow. When Sohee let out the smallest gasp, Anton took the chance, his tongue brushing against Sohee’s in a way that made heat pool in his stomach.
Sohee clutched at Anton’s robe without realizing it, pulling him closer, needing him nearer. Anton’s free hand found his waist, fingers curling possessively in the fabric, holding him like he’d never let go. The kiss grew messier, hungrier, their breaths mingling, each one pulling more from the other.
When they finally broke apart for air, their foreheads pressed together, both gasping, both flushed, Anton was grinning like he’d just won another match. “Hyung,” he whispered, his thumb brushing over Sohee’s swollen bottom lip. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
Sohee’s chest fluttered wildly, his lips tingling, his whole body thrumming with leftover heat. He tried to glare but only managed a breathless laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”
-
They had kept a close distance ever since the kiss, even though both of them were busy. Still, Sohee always found time to sneak into Anton’s room to watch dvd, and Anton would finish eating early just to steal a kiss in the corridor. Only a few students passed through that way, and in the dim glow of the candles, the light would spill across Sohee’s face in a way that made Anton lose his breath.
They hadn’t told their friends yet, although Yushi had already caught them snogging a few times. When they weren’t truly alone, they kept things casual. Casual enough to pass off as normal—like switching sweaters—though Riku never failed to roll his eyes when Sohee showed up to class drowning in an oversized one.
But they really just couldn’t keep their distance from each other. So here they were again, pressed together in the quiet warmth of Anton’s bed. Anton had already cast a careful Muffliato on the room just in case he wasn’t about to let Yushi catch them this time.
Their lips met again and again, kisses growing lazy and desperate, until Sohee broke away with a sharp inhale. His lips were red and swollen as he whispered, breath ghosting against Anton’s cheek, “Anton, I have to tell you something.”
Anton blinked, pulling back just enough to study him. His stomach twisted with unease, worried he was being too clingy, that maybe Sohee was about to pull away for good. “What is it?” he asked, voice soft but edged with nerves.
“Tell me you won’t be mad,” Sohee said, his tone gentle but unwavering, his gaze locked on Anton’s like a spell meant to bind him still.
“Yes,” he breathed, nodding without hesitation. “I promise.”
Sohee exhaled, leaning back against the carved wooden headboard while bracing himself. After a pause, he flicked his wand toward the door. A soft click echoed as the lock slid open, followed by the faint jingle of a tiny bell.
Anton’s eyes widened. From the shadowed corridor padded a familiar tuxedo cat, tail flicking gracefully, before leaping into Sohee’s lap as though she belonged there.
Anton let out a very ungraceful gasp, his voice breaking. “THE CAT IS YOURS?”
“Yeah, sorry.” Sohee ducked his face away from Anton’s stare, cheeks burning. “I can’t seem to tell you that the cat projects itself to you because of my feelings.”
Anton stared, speechless. He reached out instinctively, gently taking Sohee’s chin and turning his face back toward him. “Hyung… you’re saying your cat broke my window because you like me?”
Sohee nodded, fingers stroking the cat’s fur. “I guess I suppressed my feelings so hard that they projected onto her. Sorry—she’s kinda magical. She’s been here since my grandma.”
Anton’s throat worked as he tried to swallow his racing thoughts. “Is that why, when I asked you to fix it, you didn’t do it immediately?”
“Oh, no.” Sohee shook his head quickly, lips curving. “That was Myung’s idea. He said I needed to mess with you a little… so our interactions wouldn’t just be five minutes.”
This time, it was Anton’s turn to flush crimson. He buried his face in his hands, muffling a groan. “You like me that much?”
“Yeah,” Sohee admitted, his smile shy but glowing. “It was embarrassing, actually. But it worked.” The cat purred, curling closer into Sohee’s lap as if to soothe him.
Anton peeked through his fingers, still dazed, before reaching out to stroke the cat as well. “I still can’t believe someone like you would have a crush on me.” His voice cracked slightly, half in disbelief, half in awe.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Sohee teased gently, tilting his head. “You’re the pretty Keeper from the Quidditch team. But truthfully, I liked you since… you were clumsy and cute in second year.”
Anton let out a strangled sound, grabbing a pillow and shoving his face into it. His skin burning hot as the realization hit him—he could’ve bagged this baddie since his second year. His muffled voice broke through the fabric: “Sorry, I’m processing…”
Sohee blinked, nodding as he absently caressed the cat. Not even ten seconds after giving Anton space to process, he suddenly found himself pinned down by a tight hug—Anton had forced him onto the bed, cupping Sohee’s whole body like he never wanted to let go.
“I like you so much, hyung,” Anton whispered into the curve of his neck. His voice was trembling, half-relieved, half-shy. “Sorry that I’ve been obnoxious… and scared of you.”
Sohee laughed softly, brushing his fingers through Anton’s hair. “Sorry that I glare at you. And… sorry my cat broke your window. I don’t think I’ve ever properly apologized for that.”
Anton sighed, burying his face deeper into Sohee’s neck. His muffled voice came out warm. “What’s her name?”
“Peanut Bieber,” Sohee answered with a grin.
Anton pulled back just to look at him, blinking in disbelief. Sohee was smiling wide now, his teeth showing. “Seriously?”
“Actually, just Peanut,” Sohee clarified, chuckling. “But I gave her a last name. Just because.”
“You’re so cute,” Anton murmured before stealing a quick peck on Sohee’s cheek, then immediately hiding his face back in his neck again. His voice was softer now, almost drowsy. “I wish I could take you home with me for Christmas break.”
“Mmhm,” Sohee hummed, clearly liking the thought just as much. “Where would you take me?”
“An aquarium,” Anton admitted. “It’s my favorite place in the world. I really want to show you.”
Sohee nodded, his heart swelling, but reality lingered between them—they couldn’t do it yet. “Next semester,” he whispered.
“Okay,” Anton replied, and that was enough. The two of them drifted into sleep, cozy in each other’s arms, smiling even in their dreams because for the first time, they both had the person they wanted most.