A Moment In Time | Stray Kids x Reader | Oneshots

❔Gladiator!Hwang Hyunjin - Crowned

Beneath the glare of the silver moonlight, no one noticed the elongated shadow of the intruder slip through the willowing trees and stone structures. He moved like an owl in flight, downy feathers alight in the hushed atmosphere. Even the wind acknowledged his finesse by not betraying him as he circled the perimeter, noting those present at the site. The castle held its breath as it spectated his every minute move.

Until eventually, he reached the room he had deadlocked, guarded by sentinels who had already taken effect the late, lulling hours of the night. To say it was a facile job for him to sneak past would be an understatement, for not long did he step out of the shadows did the minimal clash of metal against the ground resound through the stone walls, followed curtly by the thud of limp bodies.

With an half-hearted scoff, he heaved open the heavy set of wooden doors. They moaned as if impressed by his deft intrusion. Soon his hungry gaze landed on the sole item the kingdom had its heart set on: the silver crown.

The silver crown that last belonged to the deceased, "all mighty" Queen, whose disturbed soul was likely watching him at that very instant. The silver crown that dictated which of the royal siblings would be bestowed the title of Ruler of this forsaken kingdom.

Admittedly, it was less adorned than what Hyunjin thought it would be, bejeweled only by a single quartz of amethyst. The moonlight reflecting off the luminous silver made it seem like the object itself was thrumming with life. It glinted in his eyes, begging him to come reach for it, to clasp the cool metal between his palms and carry it back to-

He leaned back, barely missing the chance for his neck to have been chopped off and only sacrificing the edges of his bangs. Another unmistakable sound of metal slicing the air urged him to unsheathe his dual swords. He crossed them in front of his chest just in time to clash with a sword whose edge was dangerously close to tearing at his tunic.

Those onyx cat-like eyes and taunting smirk confirmed his suspicions. He was facing off with none other than Choi San, the most esteemed of the elite wing of knights the castle had appointed. Apparently Hyunjin hadn't managed to evade everyone after all.

A wave of force sent him flipping back some distance away, but not far enough to miss the vengeful gleam in San's eyes.

"If it isn't the infamous gladiator, Hwang Hyunjin. My, I didn't expect I'd see you so soon. Has the rogue princess sent you already?" His teasing tone hung off the air like lead weighing on Hyunjin's ears.

"So what if she had?" He shot back, gripping the handles of his swords so hard his knuckles turned a ghostly white.

"It was she who lifted you out of the arena, isn't that right? Someone forgot their place." The corners of his lips curled up cynically, just before he surged forward with his sword wild and swinging. "Why don't I send you back to where you belong?"

Hyunjin barely evaded that one and when he looked back, he realized it was his blood that could have been splattered across the slashed stone bricks. And that thought almost sent him hurling over the open window. For it wasn't often he was forced to fight as openly as this.

Gritting his teeth, he swung forward with twice the verve, this time fueled by the mention of the one he promised to serve. Several erratic heartbeats passed between the clang of metal against metal ringing violently in his ears. The restricted space in the room showed evident signs of conflict, and he knew it wouldn't be long before it would feel like closing in on him.

He panted and the beads of sweat that clung to his forehead made him want to pull his air out just so he could breathe. Hyunjin was worn out, but he knew San was too. If it weren't for the sudden march of footsteps that burst open the door, he wouldn't have got the chance to sneak the crown into his sack while San was distracted for that millisecond. And the next moment he turned back to face Hyunjin he was only met by the cold presence of moonlit dust.

Hyunjin had already slipped and done away with the Royals' crown, and the moon had been there as witness.

»»---------------------►

What would've been a soundless entrance to the tower overlooking the castle was ruined by the misplacement of his foot on a crevice in the wall. So instead, he tumbled onto the floor face first, which was already bloodied and scratched up by the scuffle from earlier.

He was about to whine, before spotting the shadows spit out a familiar silhouette with the familiar rhythmic tapping of heels against rock. Immediately, he shifted into a kneeling position with his head bowed, eyes focused the pair of feet that stopped just at the edge of his vision.

"I assume the task is completed?" It wasn't so much a question the way it was asked. He knew well of the expectations placed on his head, for if he'd failed, it would be on the line.

"Yes, princess." A quick reach into his sack produced the shining ornament laid out on his palms. When he didn't feel it weighing in his hands anymore, he looked up to see her examining the object with a strange languid satisfaction. She almost seemed bored, he thought to himself, and there he was nearly losing his neck for it. Still, he couldn't help but do so when it came to her, after all she'd done for him.

He followed each of her slow, gentle movements as she placed the crown atop her head, as if she'd practiced it dozens of times beforehand. And she smiled, wicked yet furtively, like she knew the job wasn't completed yet. It would take more than a single crown to convince the kingdom to do her bidding, and she knew that.

"Hyunjin."

He straightened his back and bowed his head once more. "Yes, your highness."

"You are no longer my gladiator."

"Apologies, your highness. I am afraid I do not understand what you mean." His words fell out, losing their rigid composure. He didn't understand. She wanted him to steal the crown for her, didn't she? Why was she letting him go now?

She didn't answer, but took more quiet, calculated steps closer to him. She retracted one of his swords from their place in his sheath, tracing her slender, delicate finger along the edge where it reflected off the silvery rays streaming from outside. They danced along his flowing silver locks which had been tied in a half ponytail, where they appeared to be a physical extension of the rays of light from where she stood hovering above him.

As if cutting the excruciating tension in the air, she lowered the length of the sword to rest on his left shoulder. His eyes shot up as she recited the words, "Sir Hwang Hyunjin, I hereby declare you as knight as long as I am in rule. Will you serve while I ascertain power over this kingdom?"

A faltering grimace and then a sure smile. "Whatever your highness desires. I will be humbly serve as your knight."