One Shots| Stray Kids

A royal affair (Hyunlix)

In a kingdom gilded with wealth and laced with tradition, the grandeur of high society sparkled under the gaze of the aristocrats. Nobility lived by rigid codes, every movement a statement of decorum, every action bound by unspoken rules. Yet even among the lords and ladies, there existed a world hidden away from prying eyes, where feelings dared to exist, and hearts dared to yearn for things beyond what birthright dictated.

Hyunjin, the eldest son of the Duke of Hwan, was everything a royal heir ought to be. His beauty was as exquisite as the marble statues that adorned the grand halls of his family estate, his demeanor as refined as the vintage wines served at royal banquets. He had been groomed to perfection, trained from birth to be the face of the Hwan family—a figurehead of grace and authority.

Felix, on the other hand, was a different kind of noble. The second son of the Marquis of Evern, he was the more unconventional one. Known for his easy smile and lighthearted charm, Felix found ways to slip through the tight constraints of his aristocratic upbringing. While others stuck to the rules, Felix danced around them with effortless ease. His laughter often filled the otherwise silent halls of their gatherings, drawing both the ire and admiration of those who resided there.

Hyunjin had first noticed Felix at a gala two years ago, the younger boy's golden hair catching the light of the grand chandelier above them. It was a sight that had burned itself into his memory—a boy who seemed to defy the very world he lived in. As their eyes met across the room, Felix had given him a grin that spoke of mischief and freedom, two things Hyunjin had never been allowed to entertain.

Over the years, that initial spark between them grew into something more. Felix would find reasons to speak with Hyunjin during royal events—small moments stolen in the gardens or at the edges of ballrooms where whispers and glances couldn't be overheard. They knew what they were doing was dangerous, risking not just their own reputations, but the honor of their families as well. Yet, they couldn't help but fall deeper into the feelings that had taken root.

It was a late summer evening when Hyunjin found himself sneaking out to the eastern wing of the palace grounds. He had slipped away from his father's grand dinner, the suffocating conversation about political alliances and arranged marriages growing unbearable. He made his way to the secluded garden behind the glass conservatory, a place where he and Felix had shared more than just a few private moments.

Felix was already there, leaning against a marble pillar with his arms crossed. He looked up as Hyunjin approached, the faintest smile gracing his lips.

"Hyunjin," Felix greeted, his voice low and soft. "I thought you might not come tonight."

"Of course I came," Hyunjin replied, stepping closer. "You know I can't stay away."

Felix's eyes gleamed in the moonlight. "You should," he said, though there was no conviction behind his words. "If anyone saw us—"

"I don't care about anyone else," Hyunjin cut in, his voice a touch too sharp. He softened his tone. "Felix... this—whatever it is—has become the only thing that feels real to me."

Felix's breath hitched at the confession. He pushed away from the pillar and took Hyunjin's hand in his, intertwining their fingers. "I know," he whispered. "But our families—"

"Damn our families," Hyunjin murmured, leaning in closer. "I don't want to live my life for them. Not anymore."

"But they expect us to," Felix replied. His tone was edged with sorrow. "You're your father's heir, Hyunjin. Your entire future is already laid out for you. And me? I'm just the spare—never the one who matters."

"You matter to me," Hyunjin said, his gaze fierce as he reached up to cup Felix's face. "Don't you see? You're the only one who ever mattered."

The moment hung between them, electric and dangerous. And then Felix closed the distance, capturing Hyunjin's lips in a kiss that spoke of years of suppressed longing and frustration. It was a kiss that defied the weight of duty, the obligations of their bloodlines. It was a kiss that defied everything.