Kayden is sure of this because the moment he'd felt Kartain's familiar presence, his omega had sung perked up. The pleasantness in chest, the thought of Kartain's scent spread out in the house—covering him and Jiwoo—
He is not happy. Delighted. To have the alpha back.
But the instinct to scent him the moment he stepped into the threshold was too strong. And before he knew it, he's right in front of Kartain.
"Kayden," he greets, surprised to find the other man receiving him at the door.
"Kartain," Kayden greets back. His words having a hint of a growl, directed at himself more than the alpha. This gets him a raised brow and Kayden scowls (not a pout, fuck what Kartain says).
He notices the alpha take a whiff of the air, and eyes widening at what Kayden knows is his pheromones broadcasting happyalphaherecomehappymissyou. He wills the heat on his face to die.
Another sneak peek related to this post. The fic has gotten longer than what I had initially set out to write.
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AU where Kayden is a wandering sorcerer and Jiwoo is his student. ft. soft Kayden and sick Jiwoo.
Read on ao3 here.
“I can’t believe you kid.” He removes his hand from the too warm forehead, the azure glow of his magic fading from sight. “I know you want to learn but pushing yourself like that was really stupid of you.” His face was nothing if not irritated, but the soft brush of his fingers through the boy’s hair belied the worry he kept behind the mask.
“I’m sorry Kayden-hyung,” the boy apologizes. His body shakes as he coughs and Kayden clicks his tongue.
“Whatever, kid. Just try to be mindful of your limits. You’ve improved a lot, but it’s no use if you’re going to land yourself on a bed half the time.”
He never really expected to take on a student. He’s never really thought of passing down his way of magic. Jiwoo’s just a kid that stumbled upon his sorry form and decided to take him home. It didn’t even matter that he hadn’t been human at the time. And even after finding out, it didn’t change much of the situation. It was just a surprise the kid knew how to do magic. He had no formal training, but from what Kayden had seen the kid had potential.
He’s not sure what made him decide to help the kid. A debt repaid maybe? Or was it because he reminded Kayden of himself—alone in the world and no help in sight. Whatever it was, Kayden found himself teaching Jiwoo.
A lot of kids were like him. If the wrong sort found him, who knows what would’ve happened to him.
He takes the kid in his arms, and easily lifts him. He makes sure to keep his hold on him tight. As he stands, his magic coats the bottom of his boots. Another step and he's flashing through the terrain, trails of his magic like stardust where he had once been.
He’s far from any towns. Shinwa more than a day’s journey and Jiwoo didn’t have that time. He never thought the day would come where he would consider coming to him for help.
He never thought he’d meet someone like Jiwoo either.
Kind, sweet. soft, and bursting with brightness. Sunshine in mortal form. Kayden had wondered if the boy had been starlight that descended on Earth. But all his observations told him Jiwoo was mortal, human. Not when he bled red like the rest of them.
And there’s a protectiveness in Kayden, a panic that settled and made a home inside of him at the thought of Jiwoo hurt. The kind that made him want to raze the world to the ground.
He reaches his destination in a few breaths. He pulses his magic, letting the wards detect him. He could feel the wards blanch at his presence. It seems he wasn’t the only one who didn’t expect him.
The door glimmers into existence at the trunk of the largest tree. It creaks open, and a familiar scowling face greets him. A light brow arches as sky blue-eyes meet his person. He tries to hide the surprise as it catches the bundle in Kayden’s eyes.
“When I told you to find something that’ll keep you from fighting, I didn’t mean adopting a kid.”
“Shut up, Kartain. Now let us in and look him over, will you?”
“Is that the way you talk to someone you're asking for help?” He still steps aside and lets Kayden through the threshold. Jiwoo shivers at the foreign magic. The wards give them both a thorough scan.
He catches the look in Kartain’s eyes and shakes his head. “I’m here for him.”
Kartain holds his gaze a little longer and huffs, exasperated. “This kid must be really special.”
You have no idea, he wants to say, but why grant Kartain the admission? The fact he came to him was already telling.
He sets Jiwoo down on the cot that appeared. The boy groans and his eyes flutter open. “Hyung?”
“Hey, kiddo. You’ll be alright. Just hang in there.” He moves to rise from hovering over Jiwoo when a hand tugs at his sleeves.
“Don’t go. Don’t leave me.” His tawny eyes gleam with unshed tears. They nearly spill as his lips wobble. Fingers weak as they try to keep a grasp on Kayden.
Kayden’s face softens as he cups the boy’s cheek. Thumb brushing at the corner of his eye. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here, okay?”
“Promise?” He raises a pinky and Kayden stifles the laugh, finding his student adorable. He twines their pinkies together. Letting a spark of his magic meet Jiwoo’s own eager magic, wrapping them together.
“Promise. Rest, kiddo. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Jiwoo hums and closes his eyes. He doesn’t let go of Kayden and the latter doesn’t take his hand away either.
He looks up to see Kartain observing him. He doesn’t know how to read the look in the other man’s face. He waits for him to say something. The other sorcerer usually does. Except, he remains silent.
He doesn’t send Kayden away when he starts. Usually, he works in private. It’s something he never budges on. Kayden doesn’t mention it. He doesn’t thank him for it either.
I caught up! I am buzzing with so many feels and thoughts right now. I AM SO EXCITED. jdaksjdklasjdk
!!!From this point Spoilers for 155-157!!!
Okay, I know Jiwoo had to have a big moment so it could be revealed that so they know there's someone in the Academy that matched Duke's skills or surpass them. It's obvious from the setup that they were gonna pit these two against each other. It still frustrates me that Subin had to play damsel-in-distress for it.
She was so amazing. She held herself in that match. I was really rooting for her. And it makes me tear up when they declare the tie. So some might not agree, but I actually appreciate that Jisuk immediately starts teasing her. He re-establishes the status quo they have. They thrive in a relationship where the other isn't afraid to call them out and diss each other. They rile each other up and push the other to do better. Jisuk starting to tease Subin is something I find more comforting than if he had tried to reassure or sympathize with her. Other than it wouldn't be in character, it would be more of a reminder that she failed. That she couldn't beat Duke. That she hadn't been strong enough. Jisuk also reacting that way is a reminder that nothing's changed. He isn't feeling sorry for her. She doesn't need that. What she needs is to set a target, and that's what Jisuk did. You declared this, make sure to meet those words. It's a challenge. And even if it pains me that she had to go through that, I'm looking forward to how she'll grow from this.
Jisuk and Subin also really remind me of Kayden and Kartain (yeah, I'm using this spelling from now on). They were so hilarious in these chapters. Kayden really baiting Kartain like that had me cracking up. I had to admit it took me a hot second to realize what he was doing. Like at first I was all "aww, he wants to keep Jiwoo safe" but then I get the point and I just go, "Kayden you sly beautiful bastard." He really knows how to push Kartain's buttons and it just makes you see how well he knows Kartain. And you just keep asking yourself, "How long have they known each other? How in the f did they meet? What changed their relationship from strangers to actual best friends?!" (coz Kartain is pretty much Kayden's closest friend we've got atm. Also, I'm still not over him going on walks with Kartain in the morning and the way they sit close to each other, okay? AND KARTAIN'S BIG KITTY EYES WHEN HE ASKS KAYDEN FOR SOMETHING, my heart can't friggin handle the adorableness. I'm crying.)
On an unrelated note, I guess it's a running theme now for Jiwoo to get training from the best. From Kayden, Jiyoung and now Headmaster Han? Who else is next? Can we also talk about how Headmaster Han is a Tiger??? The cat theme is going strong too 🤣🤣🤣 Kayden is not gonna be happy about that, but I could also imagine him smirking coz he may be a cat but he sure as heck can beat anyone.
Speaking of cats, the new characteeeeer. Like does he have animal telepathy too? HE HAS A PANTHER. HE HAS A BIG CAT. Will Kayden and Kartain be found out?! Will Kayden beat the crap out of that Panther? Assert his dominance? And now he'll be a coveted cat by that new student? I want a showdown between them. But it would be funnier if Kartain's the one that beat that big cat, coz he'll be underestimated due to his appearance. And just imagining the shock on everyone's faces will be the BEST.
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Coz I posted that ABO fic here's some Kartain hcs.
He's an alpha.
He and Kayden go way back. Both being world rankers, they've faced off at one point but the results leaves them at a tie.
He didn't know Kayden was an omega. There were rumors of course, but upon meeting him his scent was absent that you really couldn't tell. Kayden sure as hell acted like your typical alpha. Except Kartain knows you can never judge with only that as your basis. So he thought maybe Kayden was either unpresented or he just hid his scent.
It takes one missed supressant and an ambush for Kartain to find out the truth.
He's surprised that Kayden actually knocks on his door one day.
Kartain would have offered but it was clear Kayden did not want nor need anyone. Even if it didn't look like he was struggling, his scent said otherwise. Kartain could barely breathe with how heavy with pain and wrongness the other man's scent was. Whatever it was they slipped him with, it's making things worse for Kayden.
(He settles his alpha by reminding him that Kayden sought him out for shelter. That in hisnvulnerable state, for some reason he went to Kartain.)
Kayden rejects his offer to spend his heat with him, but he doesn't reject Kartain's offer to heal whatever it was that's messing with Kayden's system.
In that time, Kayden becomes comfortable with his scent. He isn't overly aggressive, but the threatening growl and glare was still there. Which is the sole reason, Kartain is surprised when Kayden stretches his hand and makes the universal "give me" motion.
Kartain didn't know what Kayden wanted exactly, but he carefully took off his shirt to test if that was it. He hasn't even offered it to Kayden before it got snatched out of his hand.
Kayden grunts displeased but Kartain could scent him calming down. And then it hits him, and his own muscles loosen from how pleased Kayden smelled.
He should have realized something had shifted between them that day.
Kayden spends three days in his place.
Kartain tells himself it didn't hurt when he left without a word.
(He doesn't notice the missing clothes in his wardrobe. Or that the simplest and least flashiest of his accessories is gone.)
