¿A Betrayal Or A Bond? {Stray Kids AU}

Ch-2 ---Through My Eyes---Chris

I wasn't the kind of person who would fall for someone. You know, the classic "reserved guy" role that's so often tossed around in movies or novels. But that doesn't mean I'm heartless or some emotionally detached robot. I'm just good at keeping people at arm's length. Keeps the job easy. Keeps me out of trouble. I'm bright and lively enough to get along with people, but I draw a line, and I draw it damn clear.

Then there's Raen.

I'm still trying to figure her out. Every time I think I've got her pinned down, she throws me another curveball. I can't help but smirk when I think about her. She's sweet, sure, but don't let that fool you. Beneath all that cuteness, she's got this sharp wit that could cut glass. Her words are like a double-edged sword—sweet as honey one second, and then BAM, there's that sting. You'll be sitting there, trying to catch your breath after one of her quick remarks, wondering how in the hell she manages to balance it all.

And yet, she's so genuine. The kind of person who says what she means, no filter, no hesitation. She's got a fire in her, too. Always pushing buttons, always stirring the pot, like she can't help herself. But there's something so damn charming about it. It's like she's too honest to care what anyone thinks, and I can't decide if that makes her brave or just reckless. Maybe both.Honestly, it's refreshing. I spend most of my time around people who wear masks, who are so concerned with keeping up appearances, playing the game. Raen? She's just herself, and she doesn't apologize for it.

We're from different worlds, though, and I remind myself of that constantly. It's not even about background or upbringing—it's just the reality of it. I work in a job where emotions are liabilities, where I can't afford to let anyone in too close. Hell, I've seen enough of the dark side of humanity to know what happens when you do. Vulnerability? It's a weakness. A luxury I can't afford. Raen is this bright, innocent ball of energy, still full of life and optimism, maybe even a little naive. And me? I've got enough baggage to sink a ship.

I'd be a criminal if I didn't work with the police. That's not just some melodramatic line—it's the truth. I've got a past, and I've spent most of my adult life trying to walk that line, balancing between right and wrong. Most days, I'm not sure which side of that line I'm on. And the worst part? I don't really care. I do what I have to do. I don't ask questions, and I sure as hell don't let anyone ask them of me.

But Raen? She's different. She makes me question things. Makes me think about the person I used to be—the one I've buried so deep I sometimes forget he existed. She's like a mirror, reflecting this part of me I thought I'd lost forever. The part that still believes in good, in innocence, in people. Her sweetness, her purity—it's a reminder of what I used to feel. But it's not her mind I'm talking about. She's sharp as a tack, no doubt. It's her heart, her soul. She hasn't been crushed by the weight of the world yet. Not like I have.

And that scares the hell out of me.

I'm afraid the world's going to chew her up and spit her out once she's out of that university bubble. She's so full of hope and fire right now, but I can see how that's going to go down once she steps out into reality. I've seen it happen before. The world isn't kind to people like her. It's brutal. It takes people who are full of life and grinds them down until they're just as jaded and cynical as everyone else. And for some reason, that makes me want to protect her. Keep her safe from it all.

But that's not my job, is it?

Nope. Not my problem.

Or at least, that's what I keep telling myself.

Because the truth is, I've got enough problems of my own without adding Raen into the mix. I've got enough scars, enough nightmares to keep me occupied. I'm not the guy who saves people. I'm not the guy who falls for someone and rides off into the sunset. I'm the guy who does what needs to be done and doesn't look back. And I've gotten real good at pretending that's all there is to it.

Except Raen is making it harder and harder to pretend.

It's in the little things. The way she laughs at the stupidest jokes. The way her eyes light up when she's passionate about something. The way she can make me forget, even for a second, about the mess that is my life. And that's dangerous. Because I know better. I know what happens when you let someone in. You get hurt. Or worse, they get hurt because of you.

So yeah, she's difficult. She's a literal smartass with a tongue as sharp as a razor and a heart as big as the sky. She's the kind of trouble I should be staying far, far away from. But for some reason, I keep finding myself drawn to her.

Maybe it's because she reminds me of something I've lost. Maybe it's because she's got this raw, unfiltered energy that makes me feel alive in a way I haven't in a long time. Or maybe it's just that I can't quite shake her off. Whatever it is, it's keeping my thoughts tangled, and that's the last thing I need right now.

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