1K - 2K chapters
Royalty AU
Bang Chan x Hyunjin
In a world where royal bloodlines are bound by magic and wings, the Four Kingdoms-Hwang, Lee, Yang, and Han-have long maintained an alliance built on centuries of cooperation and divine favor. Each...
Hyunjin sat beside Chan's bed in the medic chamber, his fingers tracing the edges of the bandages that wrapped tightly around Chan's torso. The air in the room was thick with the scent of herbs and ointments, a faint reminder of the bloodshed from earlier that night. Though Chan had survived the attack, the sight of him lying so still, his face pale and his breathing labored, tore at Hyunjin in a way he hadn't expected.
It had all happened so fast—the attack at the Celestial Summit, Chan throwing himself in front of Hyunjin to protect him, the way Chan's body had crumpled to the ground in a blur of chaos and blood. And now, Hyunjin was here, watching over him, unable to leave his side.
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"Your Highness, you should rest," one of the medics said softly, placing a hand on Hyunjin's shoulder. "He's stable for now. You need your strength for the coming days."
But Hyunjin shook his head. "I'm not leaving him," he whispered, his voice hoarse from exhaustion. "Not until he wakes up."
The medic gave him a sympathetic look but didn't press further. They had tried several times already to convince Hyunjin to rest, but he refused to leave Chan. How could he? Chan had saved his life—again. And for what? To be lying here, fighting for his own?
Hours passed, the palace quieting as night fully descended. The flickering lanterns in the hallway outside cast faint shadows across the room. Hyunjin's eyes were heavy, his body aching with the need for sleep, but he couldn't tear his gaze away from Chan.
He reached out, his hand trembling slightly, and gently brushed a lock of hair away from Chan's forehead. His skin was warm, the faintest hint of color returning to his cheeks as the medics' treatments began to take effect. For a long time, Hyunjin simply sat there, his fingers tracing the curve of Chan's face—his brow, his temple, the strong line of his jaw. It was a touch so gentle, so filled with emotion, that Hyunjin's breath caught in his throat.
"I can't lose you," Hyunjin whispered, his voice breaking the silence of the room. "Not like this."
His fingers continued their soft, barely-there touches, as if the act of simply being close to Chan might somehow tether him to life, to Hyunjin.
And then, to his surprise, Chan stirred. It was slight—just a shift in his breathing, a faint flutter of his eyelids—but it was enough to send a wave of relief crashing over Hyunjin.
"Chan?" Hyunjin leaned in, his heart pounding. "Can you hear me?"
Chan's eyes blinked open, though they were unfocused at first, glazed with pain and exhaustion. His breath was shallow, and for a moment, Hyunjin thought he might drift back into unconsciousness. But then, slowly, Chan's gaze found Hyunjin's, and a soft, strained smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Your Highness..." Chan's voice was rough, barely a whisper.
"Don't talk," Hyunjin said quickly, his own voice trembling. "You need to rest. You've done enough."
