Elemental Strays ll Stray Kids AU

Chapter 32

Chaeyoung sighs.
"It's probably a bad time to think about relationships but...I'm worried about Minho-oppa and Jisung."

"I mean...it's understandable," says Mina,"Minho having feelings for him for so long and Jisung just hiding away for about a month. It makes sense to worry."

Mina can see the distress on Chaeyoung's face. She lifts her hands and cups the younger's face, almost forcing Chae to look at her.

"But if Jisung doesn't feel the same way, we can't be angry at him," says Mina, "You can't force love."

Chaeyoung sighs.
"I know..."

Mina smiles at the younger and plants a small kiss on her forehead, startling Chaeyoung.

"Unnie, someone could see us-"

"It's dark out, Chae," Mina giggles, "Besides I couldn't resist."

Chae scoffs jokingly at her girlfriend. They've been together for a while and have told nobody about it. They will eventually, just not now.

-

"May I have everybody's attention please!" Chan shouts from the front of the hall.

All eyes turn to him.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you! All of your efforts were worth it and we became VICTORIOUS!"

The hall erupts with cheer.

"I would like to thank my fellow rulers from across all three nations, as well as the protectors of ICY, for providing strength and healthcare for us!"

The rulers and ITZY bow and everyone cheers and claps for them.

"I have asked our chefs to cook a bountiful amount of food to be shared among us! Please help yourselves and take a deserved rest! Thank you!"

Everyone claps and cheers one last time and a few start heading to the kitchen and dining area for food.

Chan walks pass everyone and sees someone at the main entrance. He walks closer to see Yoonie, holding the door slightly open and looking through the opening.

He walks up to her, almost startling her.

"Your Highness, I'm so sorry I didn't hear you coming," she says.

"Is something wrong here?" he asks.

Yoonie then pushes the door wider, revealing Jiwon and Taehyuck.

"Jiwon?" says Chan.

Jiwon bows, "Hello again, your majesty."

Chan sees Taehyuck bow as well, following his mother.

"Hello to you too, Taehyuck."

Taehyuck's eyes widen with joy as the ruler still remembers his name.

"What brings you two here?" Chan asks.

"After the fight I just wanted to make sure my niece was safe," Jiwon explains.

"And who might your niece be?"

"It's me, your majesty," says Yoonie.

Chan's eyes widen with shock.

"Well that's a pleasant surprise," says Chan,"But then that would mean Taehyuck is-"

"-My cousin."

Chan kneels to be at eye level with Taehyuck.
"I didn't know you were related to one of my staff, Tae."

"Cousin Yoonie's mama is my mama's sister!" Taehyuck explains, thinking that Chan didn't understand the concepts of aunts and cousins.

"Well aren't you clever," says Chan.

He stands up straight to talk to Jiwon.
"Well, I can assure you that everyone is well and are healing withing the castle. There's no need to worry."

"Thank you, your Highness," Jiwon bows,"Well, I have some things to take care of. Come on, TaeTae."

"But Mama! Can't we stay with Yoonie for a while?" Taehyuck pleads.

"Sweetheart, Yoonie is probably busy helping around the castle-"

"Jiwon," Chan speaks,"I'll be more than happy to take care of Taehyuck for a while."

Jiwon is shocked and leans closer to Chan and whispers: "Are you sure your majesty? He's very energetic and quite a handful."

"I've had my fair share of energetic children," Chan whispers,"I promise you I'll hold full responsibility for anything that happens to him."

Jiwon, seemingly reluctant, agrees to let Taehyuck stay at the castle. She kneels down to his level and hold her pinky out.

"Promise me you'll be on your best behavior, okay honey?"

Taehyuck wraps his pinky around his mother's, "I promise!"

Jiwon plants a small kiss on the younger's forehead and bows one last time before her son, her niece and the Head ruler disappear into the castle.

"You act like you care for him so much."

Jiwon turns around to see Hyunbok wearing casual clothing and a hat, most likely to protect his identity from others.

"What are you doing here?" she asks.

"Just taking a stroll," he walks closer to her, "Why put in so much effort to be an actual, caring mother?"

"The town would look down upon me if they saw me be a bad mother," she says, "All of their eyes would be on me."

"Yet I could see the reluctance in your face as you let him go."

"I've already told you," says Jiwon, "I could care less about what that child thinks of me."

"You say that...but do you feel that way?"

Jiwon is silent before letting out a small scoff.

"You're wasting my time. I have business to attend to."

Hyunbok watches Jiwon as she struts away. She may not believe it, but he believes that Jiwon cares for Taehyuck. He just needs to get through to her somehow.