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caught-in-a-seesaw-stigma · 1 year ago

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Si Una Vez

Part of @ironicarmy's Latin Lover Project 2021

Latin Lover Project Masterlist 2021

Pairing: Hoseok x reader; Jimin x reader

AU: Dancer AU; Non-Idol AU

Genre: Angst, Fluff, Smut

Word Count: 15.5K+

Summary/plot: The Fiesta de la Flor annual festival in Texas announces a new cumbia dance competition where the winner will win not only a cash prize but also be featured in a prominent dance magazine. You and your dance partner/lover, Hoseok, practice feverishly for the competition, but a difference of opinion causes a rift in your partnership. With the competition only a month away, you need to find a new partner. Enter Jimin, the emphatic enigma whose dance moves far exceed anything you’ve ever seen. Can this kind-hearted dancer take the place of your former partner (in more ways than one?)

Warnings: NSFW 18+ fingering, protected sex, oral (m/f receiving), mutual masturbation, hair pulling, slight degradation, Hoseok is kind of a dick in this (sorry, but it's just for the story and is not a reflection of my love for Hobi AT ALL), alcohol consumption, club hookup, unprotected sex (please be safe), creampie, profanity

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Cada vez

Cada vez que lo oigo hablar (cada vez, cada vez)

Me tiemblan hasta las piernas (las piernas)

Y el corazón igual (bidi bidi bom bom)

“Once more around the room, everyone,” you called out. “Come on, let’s shake those hips! Get a little sassy with it.”

The dance floor of the studio was full of people working through the motions of the cumbia steps they learned earlier and smiles and laughter were abound. A pair of grinning elderly women held hands as their feet gently padded in time with the music, slowly making their way across the floor and soaking up all the cardio they needed for the day. The group of teenagers swiftly gliding back and forth were starting to throw in a few turns as they practiced their steps over and over again. You could even see the soon to be married couple getting into a more even gait as the Latin woman guided her Asian fiancé step by step in time with the music.

The final notes of the song faded out, signaling the end of the dance class and everyone applauded enthusiastically as you rounded them up for some final instructions.

“Great work, everyone,” you praised your class. “You are all showing signs of improvement. Any final comments about today’s class you’d like to share?”

“I liked that last song,” one of the teenagers remarked. “What was the name of it?”

Before you could speak, her friend spoke up.

“I have it right here on my Spotify,” she gushed. “It’s called "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" by Selena.”

“How can you not know who Selena is,” scoffed one of the older women. “She’s the queen of Tejano music!”

“Now, now,” you admonished. “Let’s not fight over it. I’m glad you enjoyed the music. If you want, we can practice with another one of her cumbias in our next class. How does that sound?”

Everyone expressed their joy at the prospect of another dance lesson with more music from Selena y Los Dinos. You thanked everyone for their hard work and dismissed your class. As they made their way to the exit to change out their dance shoes for street shoes, your studio manager Hoseok walked out from his office and made his way over to you. His sinewy form captured your attention and you offered him a casual smile, which he heartily reciprocated. He glanced around the empty room before stepping forward and reaching for you.

“Great class,” he commented before placing his hands on your hips. “They’re already looking better than last time.”

“Thanks, Hoseok,” you sighed while leaning into his grasp. “It’s a really good group. The girls are almost ready for that quinceañera next month and the Mins-to-be are still struggling, but I think Mr. Min is starting to find his rhythm. He’s come a long way in the last few weeks.”

“What about the other two?” Hoseok chuckled. “They obviously know how to cumbia. What are they even doing here?”

“Doctor mandated cardio,” you giggled. “They didn’t want to go to a gym or walk, so they chose dance classes. They’re a little feisty with the young ones, but they do set a good example on the dance floor, so I don’t mind. I just have to keep them in check.”

“Once more across the floor?” Hoseok offered with a smirk. “Unless you’re too tired.”

“Never,” you beamed. “Let me just start up the music again.”

You walked back to the speaker and grabbed your phone. You selected your Selena y Los Dinos playlist and hit shuffle. The opening bars of “Techno Cumbia” flooded the dance studio. You and Hoseok started freestyling your way to each other with suggestive hip movements and wild spins.

Baila, baila sin parar

No hay tiempo para descansar

Este baile es para ti

Quiero verte hasta sudar

Once you reached each other, Hoseok initiated a series of twists and turns that you followed with ease. He was such an incredible dance partner that you had no problem following his lead and keeping up with his demanding silent instructions. The upbeat nature of the song and the thumping bass motivated you to grind your ass back into Hoseok’s crotch more than once and you relished the aggravated groan you received in response. In one sweeping motion, Hoseok spun you around twice before he pulled you back into his arms as the song came to an end and you were both panting heavily with exertion. The next song began and the slow lazy mariachi music lulled you into a gentle sway against Hoseok’s firm body.

Mira cómo ando mi amor por tu querer

Borracha y apasionada, nomás por tu amor

Mira como ando mi bien

Muy dada a la borrachera y a la perdición

You settled into Hoseok’s arms more securely and leaned your head back so you could stare into the chocolatey orbs he dared to call eyes. Your breathing slowed as you both lost yourself to the music.

“I love dancing with you,” Hoseok declared with a smile. “It’s like you know exactly what I’m going to do next and you follow without question.”

“Well, you’re a great leader,” you responded. “A dancer is only as good as her partner.”

“I just wish you wouldn’t tease me like that,” Hoseok pouted slightly. “Are you trying to get me all riled up before my next class?”

“Maybe,” you teased. “Is it working?”

Hoseok hummed in agreement and leaned in to press his lips to yours. The small peck was followed up with a lingering kiss which quickly transitioned into a heated passionate tangle of lips and tongue. With your passions ignited, you both retreated to the back storage area for some privacy. Hoseok lifted you onto a sturdy table and slipped his hand around your back to pull down the zipper of your dress.

“God, you’re so fucking hot,” Hoseok groaned while pulling the straps of your dress off your shoulders. “It’s a miracle I’m able to contain myself while you’re teaching classes.”

You pulled your arms free of the straps and pulled on Hoseok’s crisp button down shirt. Hoseok took a moment to pull your breasts free of your demi-bra before pulling on your pert nipples. You moaned at the sharp tingling sensation that traveled from your breasts down to the juncture of your thighs. You and Hoseok started this sexual relationship months ago, and his ability to arouse you so quickly was greatly appreciated.

“Always so ready for me, aren’t you?” Hoseok purred. “You like it when I manhandle you, sweetheart?”

“Mmmmmm, yes,” you whined. “Manhandle me some more, Hoseok.”

“With pleasure,” Hoseok growled.

Hoseok leaned forward to pull one of your nipples in between his eager lips and he harshly plucked at the other. You leaned back and braced yourself against the wall, submitting to Hoseok’s domineering nature. He liked to play a little rough, and you were more than happy to oblige. Hoseok nibbled on your nipple and then released it with a pop of his lips.

“This is going to have to be quick,” Hoseok explained gruffly. “I have that salsa class coming in about 20 minutes. I hope that’s ok with you.”

“It’s fine,” you nodded while kicking off your shoes. “Just need you right now.”

“Oh, you’re going to get me, sweetheart,” he chuckled. “You’re going to get all of me, I can promise you that.”

Hoseok lifted the skirt of your dress and pulled your damp underwear down your legs and tossed them onto the table. You tried reaching for the button of his pants, but he caught your wrists and clicked his tongue at your impatience.

“Such a naughty girl,” Hoseok tutted. “Do you need me to punish you like I did last time?”

You pouted and shook your head, but your feet seemed to have a mind of their own. You pulled Hoseok closer to you by wrapping your legs around his waist, and he glared at your impertinence. Instead of submitting to your needy demands, Hoseok pulled you off the table and spun you around so that you were bent over with your bare ass exposed to him. You released a breathy whine as he massaged your right cheek roughly.

“I warned you,” Hoseok proclaimed. “Remember that, sweetheart.”

With a final grasp on your hip, Hoseok reared back and delivered a powerful slap on your right ass cheek. Your clipped yelp only agitated Hoseok and he shifted over to give your left ass cheek the same treatment. After two more consecutive smacks, you finally released the aching moan he was seeking and he gently soothed the redness with his hand.

“Are you ready to behave now, sweetheart?” Hoseok asked. “Or do I need to punish you some more?”

“No, I’ll behave,” you whimpered against the table. “I promise.”

“That’s good,” Hoseok replied while unbuckling his pants. “That’s very good. Good girls always get rewarded, don’t they, sweetheart?”

You hummed your assent and nodded slightly. Hoseok kneeled behind you and dove tongue first into your drenched folds. Your knees buckled when you felt his tongue flick across your aching clit and he suckled at it just to hear you moan a little louder. His fingers gripped at the back of your thighs as he mercilessly attacked your pussy with his lips and tongue.

“Can you cum for me before I fuck you senseless, sweetheart?” Hoseok wondered aloud. “Let’s see if you can.”

With renewed vigor, Hoseok messily devoured you, your moans grew in volume and in pitch until he pulled your clit between his lips and slurped you into your orgasm. The sudden sensation pummeled your center and you could barely hold yourself upright as the blinding euphoria ebbed away. Hoseok grabbed a paper towel from the roll on the wall and wiped his mouth clean before pitching it into the trash can.

While you struggled to regain your composure, Hoseok reached over to the cabinet in the corner and pulled a condom from a box hidden in the back.

“Really, Hoseok,” you chuckled. “You’re hiding them in here now?”

“What did you expect?” he grinned while ripping open the package. “We keep ending up in this room, so it only makes sense to be prepared.”

You were about to offer a snarky retort, but it died on your tongue when you felt Hoseok’s fingers slipping into your center. The lewd sound of your slick pussy swallowing Hoseok’s fingers over and over again filled the room and the only thing louder than your pussy were your moans.

“Oh, fuck, Hoseok,” you cried out. “Feels so good.”

“Does it now?” Hoseok teased while slipping forward to circle your throbbing clit. “You want some more?”

“Yes, please,” you responded. “Need your cock.”

Hoseok’s fingers retreated, but were quickly replaced by the blunt head of his penis seeking entrance at your glistening core. Once he’d gathered up enough lubrication, Hoseok pressed himself forward and slid in with little resistance.

“Fuck yeah,” Hoseok gritted out. “Always so tight and wet for me, aren’t you? How does my dick feel, sweetheart?”

“It feels amazing,” you moaned while grinding your hips back. “Give me more.”

Hoseok pulled back slightly and started grinding his dick in and out of you, slowly building up to a steady rhythm. He reached forward and wrapped his hand around your throat so he could lift you against his chest. With each successive thrust, his grip on your throat tightened ever so slightly, leaving you gasping and lightheaded. The torturous sensations Hoseok wreaked through your body began coalescing into another tightly wound coil at your center.

“Oh shit, sweetheart,” Hoseok grunted. “You’re squeezing me so tightly. Are you going to cum for me again so soon?”

Unable to speak, you simply nodded your head and leaned back against his shoulder. Hoseok’s fingers slipped past your hip and began stimulating your abused clit to push you over the edge. Your second orgasm exploded around his cock in a spectacular wave of contractions and he removed his hand from your throat to quicken his pace and find his own release. Still lightheaded from your second climax, you simply arched your ass into Hoseok’s firm grip and allowed him to pound away at your swollen pussy.

“Fuck yeah,” Hoseok roared. “Always take me so w-well.”

Hoseok came on a stutter and shuddered violently against your back to signal the end of his release. He took a moment to catch his breath and then loosened his hold on you so he could pull out. He unceremoniously reached for another paper towel and removed the condom with it so he could dump it into the trash can.

“Sorry we had to make that a quickie, sweetheart,” Hoseok sighed. “I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”

“It’s fine,” you grinned back at him. “I’m more than satisfied, thank you very much.”

Hoseok just shook his head and smiled at your hazy expression before leaning forward to place a soft kiss on your lips.

“I have to get ready for class,” he reminded you. “Wait for me in the office and we can go get dinner after, yeah?”

You nodded enthusiastically and let him leave the room before you so you could clean yourself up a bit. Once you were decent, you wandered into the bathroom to make sure nothing was out of place. Once you fixed your hair and dress, you stepped into his office and sat at the desk. Hoseok’s salsa class was just arriving and the fiery Latin beat was pumping through the speakers. You took one final look at your lover and sighed with contentment at his flawless physique and sharp jawline.

So perfect.

After a moment to appreciate the view, you decided to catch up on your correspondence while you waited, so you wandered over to the desk and logged in to your email account. After sifting through the spam and deleting some emails advertising tempting sales at your favorite shops, you came across one Subject heading that prompted your eyes to widen and mouth to drop open in shock.

Fiesta De La Flor: Cumbia Competition, San Antonio Riverwalk

“What?!” you exclaimed. “No fucking way!”

You clicked on the email and began voraciously absorbing every bit of information you could about this latest development. Fiesta De La Flor was an annual tradition in Texas and ever since the festival decided to change locations from Selena’s hometown of Corpus Christi, it was always a welcome surprise when they would announce new competitions and venues. In addition to the amazing musical acts performing, there was a whole marketplace and food truck rally. The thought of an added dance competition set your dancing feet aflame with possibilities. You opened the attached flyer and squealed with delight as you read all about the competition.

No. Fucking. Way!

Not only was this an opportunity to mix and mingle with the best Latin dancers around, but a major dance company was actively seeking new talent through the competition. You were struggling as an assistant dance instructor at this dance studio, and though you loved working with Hoseok on a regular basis, the pay and prestige left something to be desired. You loved teaching your dance students, but your one desire was to tour as a professional dancer and spread your love of dancing to the world. There was only so much influence you could wield from within the four walls of the dance studio and it was difficult to create an online presence as a dancer without any clout. This competition could open doors for your career.

I’m doing it. I have to!

A round of applause resounded throughout the studio and Hoseok’s dance class came to an end. A few couples lingered at the back of the room and rehearsed the new steps they’d learned, and one woman was getting a little personal coaching from Hoseok near the mirror. He kept running through the same 16-counts with her, and you smiled as he sounded off the different steps with his usual adherence to sounds and not numbers.

“Step over, then bah, bah, bah,” he instructed. “Then to the left and bah bah bah, and turn. Ok, one more time.”

“You said that last time,” the woman griped. “You always say just one more time, but you never actually mean it.”

“I mean it this time,” Hoseok retorted with a grin. “I promise. One more time. You almost got it, I swear.”

They repeated the counts once more, and true to his word, the woman nailed the steps without missing a beat. The look of pure joy on her face when she realized her triumph was priceless and she launched herself into Hoseok’s arms and began thanking him profusely.

“You’re welcome,” Hoseok sighed while gently detaching her from his torso. “Now, go home, practice, and we’ll do this again next time, ok?”

She thanked him again and skipped away to gather her belongings by the entrance. The studio was clearing out for the evening, and no other classes were scheduled. Hoseok turned off the music and grabbed the large broom in the corner of the room. When he turned and saw you leaning against the door frame of his office, he smiled and tilted his head to send a tender glance your way.

“Were you watching us this whole time?” he jested. “I knew you didn’t get enough of me earlier.”

“Do I ever?” you shot back. “But, no, I wasn’t watching. I was just checking my email and I found something very interesting. Fiesta De La Flor is having a dance competition this year.”

Hoseok’s face lit up with recognition and his glowing smile showered the room with energy.

“What kind of dance competition?” Hoseok asked, a glint of fire erupting from his pupils.

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“Ok, so we’re in agreement?” Hoseok asked while cutting his steak. “We will enter the competition together, we’ll say the studio is sponsoring us, and when we win, we will put that money into the studio so it can keep operating while we tour the world. Am I missing anything?”

“Ummm, a few things,” you smirked. “First of all, who would run the studio if we weren’t around?”

“I have some friends who could do it,” Hoseok assured you. “I could always ask Yoongi and Seokjin to come in and teach some classes. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t,” you chuckled. “They’ve been dying to prove themselves after you embarrassed them at the hip hop dance off last year.”

“I was only responding to their taunts,” Hoseok corrected you. “They were talking a pretty big game. It’s not my fault they couldn’t back it up.”

“Ok, fine, they’re in,” you agreed. “Now, we just need to pick our music. Should we go with one song or maybe-”

“We should do a medley,” Hoseok cut you off. “We need to show some range, so I think if we blend some of Selena’s songs together, it would give our performance some weight.”

“Right,” you confirmed. “So what if we used-”

“I got it,” Hoseok continued. “We’ll use ‘La Carcacha’ for the beginning, then transition into ‘Baila Esta Cumbia’, and then finish the set off with ‘Amor Prohibido’.”

Hoseok waited for you to respond to his suggestion and was baffled by the flash of annoyance trickling across your features.

“What?” Hoseok questioned. “Did I say something wrong? Do you not like those songs?”

“It’s not that,” you assured Hoseok with a sigh. “I love those songs, and your idea sounds great.”

“Then what’s the problem?” Hoseok snorted. “Did you have a better idea?”

“You didn’t even give me a chance to have an idea,” you shot back. “This whole competition was my idea and you’re just taking over everything. This is supposed to be a partnership, Hobi.”

Hoseok pursed his lips and nodded before pushing his plate aside and grabbing one of your hands. You were unsure of his intentions, but decided to play along to see where this was going.

“Look,” Hoseok began. “This competition is a big deal, and it could mean life changing opportunities for both of us. I just think that we should utilize all of our assets, and let’s be honest, I’m a huge asset.”

“I think you mean a huge ass,” you corrected snarkily. “But go on.”

“What I’m trying to say is that I’ve done these types of competitions before and I have the experience,” Hoseok reminded you. “You have to trust that I know what I’m doing. I know how to put together a killer competition routine and I know what the judges are probably looking for. I promise that everything I do is in both of our best interests, yeah?”

You pondered his claims for a moment and your lips pulled into a slight pout. You had zero experience competing in professional dance competitions, and Hoseok was admittedly a pro when it came to the competition circuit. You’d met after you’d come in second to him in a salsa dancing competition at a local night club, but he was gracious enough to extend an invitation to be a dance instructor at his studio.

After another moment of debate in your head, you nodded your head and cast a look of submission his way. With a sigh of defeat, you picked up your margarita glass and lifted it in his direction. Hoseok’s smile widened as he lifted his glass of beer toward you and the clink of your glasses dispelled the tension in the air.

“Ok, partner,” you relented. “I’ll follow your lead.”

“Perfect,” Hoseok breathed out. “You’re so good at that already. I promise you won’t regret it.”

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What the hell did I get myself into?

One week in, and you were already regretting this partnership. It wasn’t that Hoseok’s routine wasn’t brilliant (because it was), it was that he was in full drill sergeant mode when you were trying to learn it. Every time you added in a little improvisation or side step outside of his choreography, he lost his cool and laid into you with harsh words and deadly glares.

“You’re going too far to the right after that last turn,” Hoseok griped. “How many times do I have to tell you? After you hit that last turn, you have to spin back to me so we can start that next part.”

“I have at least 4 counts at the end of those 16 counts where I’m not doing anything specific,” you retorted. “Why can’t I just have a little fun while you do your part?”

“That isn’t how this works,” Hoseok snapped. “If you have a rest during a 16 count set, there is a reason for that. You go over there and wait for me to finish my part, and then bah-bah-bahbah, you spin over to me and we move into the next part. If you start shaking your ass for no reason, you’re pulling focus from me during that part of the song.”

“Yeah, but that part is so much fun,” you argue. “Would it really be so bad if I took a moment to shake my hips a little? I think it adds a little sass to the routine, don’t you think?”

“The routine is already sassy enough as it is,” Hoseok retorted. “I already went over every second of the routine and you signed off on all of it as it was with no adjustments. You can’t just start changing things now. We have a routine that we both approved, so we need to stick to it.”

“I know, Hoseok, but-” you started to reason, but Hoseok cut you off before you got a chance.

“Look,” Hoseok gritted out. “When we started this, you agreed to give me complete creative control, and now, you are just fighting me on everything. If this is ever going to work, you need to just trust me and follow my lead. Can you do that for me, sweetheart?”

“Don’t call me sweetheart when you’re being a dick, Hoseok,” you growled. “I’m not saying the routine isn’t great. It’s amazing, actually. All I’m saying is that maybe we can add a little flair here and there. It’s something Selena would do.”

“This is not about Selena,” Hoseok groaned. “This is about dancing, and when it comes to dancing, I’m the expert, not you. So stick with the choreography I wrote or I will find someone else who will.”

“You’re so fucking petty,” you scoffed. “I take one or two liberties with your precious choreography and you resort to these bullshit scare tactics.”

“This isn’t a tactic,” Hoseok replied. “This is a serious competition and if you aren’t willing to take this seriously and do as I say, then you can easily be replaced.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” you growled.

“Try me, sweetheart,” Hoseok threatened. “Now, are you going to fix those last 16 counts or not?”

“This was my idea, Hoseok,” you shot back. “You can’t just decide to do this without me.”

“I can and I will,” Hoseok corrected you with a vicious smirk. “Now, unless you want to be replaced, I suggest to make your way back to your first position so we can correct your last fuck up.”

The daring sneer on Hoseok’s face was infuriating and you could feel the licks of heated annoyance trickling across your face and down your spine. You reached up to smooth out your hair and started walking over to the mirror to take your first position. Hoseok took your silence as affirmation and walked back to the speaker to restart the song on his phone. The opening bars of “La Carcacha” spilled out of the speakers and Hoseok took up his position behind you.

Uno, dos, tres, cuatro

The rhythms of the drums and synthesizer conjured up a smoky dance floor in your mind and you let your body melt into the scene as you started up the opening choreography. You tried to picture Hoseok as your suave dance partner, but his words left a bitterness on your tongue that you couldn’t quite shake. Every ounce of your being was screeching at you to defy his domineering persona, but you were really trying to make this partnership work.

The former 16 counts in question came and went without incident and the music started to shift into “Baila Esta Cumbia.” There was a 12 count transition bridge in the music as the songs changed places, and even though you knew it wasn’t a part of the choreography, your feet would not be contained. You added in a little side step move and it flowed so well into the choreography that you didn’t even care if Hoseok was going to get upset. You crossed back over and met him at the next position and his eyes revealed the fury he was barely able to contain. You were about to go into the next set of counts, but Hoseok walked away from you and turned off the music.

“I think that’s enough for today,” Hoseok spat. “You obviously have some things you need to figure out, and I don’t want to continue until you do.”

“What do I need to figure out?” you questioned him pointedly. “I know what I’m doing and you’re obviously threatened by my improvisations. If anything, they’re adding some life to this well polished machine you’ve created. Dancing cumbia isn’t supposed to be this precise, Hoseok. It’s about feeling the music and having some fun with it.”

“Well, I’m not having fun,” Hoseok declared harshly. “And I think we need a break.”

“Fine,” you relented with a sigh. “I’m sorry. Can we just get through the last part of the choreo and then we can stop for the night?”

“I’m not in the mood,” Hoseok gritted out. “Let’s just stop before one of us does something they’ll regret.”

With an air of finality, Hoseok gathered up his belongings and stomped into his office, closing the door behind him. You were about to ask about your dinner plans with him, but decided to let him cool off instead.

Geez, what a drama queen. I hope he gets over this nonsense soon. He’s going to be impossible to work with otherwise.

You gathered up your things and wandered to the front door. Hoseok’s office door remained obstinately shut, and you sighed out in exasperation about his silly tantrum. As you pulled out of the parking lot, the sounds of Selena y Los Dinos poured out from your speakers and you allowed the mellow tunes to soothe your embittered mood. The drive home was fraught with concerns about the competition and the snag you’d hit in your partnership with Hoseok.

We’ve got to figure this out. Maybe he’ll be more reasonable tomorrow.

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You didn’t return to the dance studio until late the next day, purposely ignoring Hoseok’s texts and phone calls out of spite. When you pulled up in the parking lot, you noted that Hoseok’s car was already in its space, along with another unfamiliar vehicle. You didn’t recognize the pastel colored car, but the copious amount of glittering decals on the window hinted at a female who wanted to display her love of dance to the world.

Huh...wonder who’s here.

Upon opening the door to the studio, you heard the competition medley playing in the main studio. You stepped forward expecting to see Hoseok running through the choreography in front of the floor length mirrors. Instead, you were met with the view of Hoseok twirling some unknown woman around the studio and hitting all the major points of the competition. She was doing surprisingly well despite Hoseok’s domineering lead, and the ferocity in Hoseok’s face commanded all of her attention. Neither of them took notice of your presence, so you leaned against the side wall and waited for the music to finish.

With a flourish of his hands, Hoseok completed his final spin and lifted his arm to the sky as the woman remained clinging to his leg, her face flush against his thigh. The ending was different from the one you’d agreed upon, but it still left an impact. You’d initially refused to end the routine in any kind of submissive position, so Hoseok made adjustments to appease you. It seemed this woman had no qualms about appearing submissive in front of an audience.

Well, good for her...whoever the fuck she is.

Hoseok’s eyes flickered in the mirror in your direction and he lowered his arms to lift the woman from the floor. His face revealed no hint of emotion as he met your glance once again while walking over to the speakers to turn off the music.

“Lydia,” he called out. “Let’s take a quick break. I need to talk to someone.”

The woman turned in your direction and flushed slightly. She nodded back at Hoseok and excused herself as she wandered into the studio bathroom. Your sharp eyes tracked her movement and you briefly wondered whether she could feel the daggers you were figuratively throwing in her direction. Hoseok shook out his arms and casually walked over to you as though nothing was amiss.

“So you are alive after all,” Hoseok began. “I was starting to get the impression that you’d never turn up.”

“Cut the bullshit, Hoseok,” you spat. “Who the fuck is that and why is she learning our choreography?”

“Her name is Lydia,” Hoseok informed you. “She’s been taking private lessons with me for months now and she was more than willing to take your place after you ghosted me.”

“Ghosted?” you exclaimed. “What? I don’t answer a few texts or calls, and all of a sudden, I’m ghosting you? Are you fucking kidding me with this shit?”

“Let’s be real here for a moment, your Highness,” Hoseok bit out. “You were being a royal pain in my ass yesterday, and it was obvious that you had no intention of keeping to the original choreography that we agreed on. It was only logical to find someone of equal talent who was willing to follow my lead, so I did.”

There were no words you could muster up to properly respond to his blatant betrayal of your partnership. The flames of annoyance tingled up your spine and taunted your cheeks into the brightest shade of red. You didn’t even realize how tightly you rolled your hands into fists until you felt your fingernails digging into your palms. Hoseok just stood in front of you, a smug expression on his face and triumph glittering in his eyes. You were about to unleash all kinds of hell upon him when a timid voice interrupted your thoughts.

“Ummm, Hobi?” Lydia piped up on your right. “I really don’t mind helping you practice for your competition. You don’t really have to replace her with me. It’s not like we finalized anything yet.”

“No, we have, darling,” Hoseok replied snarkily. “And you already replaced her...in more ways than one.”

A vicious blush erupted on Lydia’s cheeks and she bowed her head submissively under your intense glare. You darted your eyes back in Hoseok’s direction and he simply smirked and lifted an eyebrow suggestively.

“Well, now that this is all settled, we should get back to work,” Hoseok sighed. “Lydia, darling, let’s run over those 16 counts again, shall we? I want to make sure you get those extra hip movements just right.”

Your rage exploded across every nerve ending and you could barely see straight as you rushed forward to deliver a harsh slap across Hoseok’s smug expression.

“You fucking asshole,” you spat. “Now, you’re stealing my ideas?!”

“Stealing,” Hoseok chuckled roughly as he massaged his reddening cheek. “I can’t steal an idea that was already mine. Besides, even if it was your idea, there’s no way you could prove it.”

“Fuck this,” you snapped. “I’m out. I’ll see you in San Antonio, you fucking snake.”

“Good luck with that, princess,” he called after you. “I’d like to see you try.”

Your anger was bubbling over every inch of your being as you made your way back into your car, and once you were on the road, the rage spilled out from your eyes and dribbled down your cheeks in hot rivulets of disappointment, frustration, and betrayal. Once you finally made it back to your apartment, you sulked on the couch in silence until your tears abated. A notification on your phone went off, signaled by “El Chico del Apartamento 512” by Selena y los Dinos. You realized that you needed to complete your evening workout, so you got up and changed into something more comfortable.

Once you completed your workout, you started searching online for Airbnbs and other events happening in San Antonio before the competition began. After securing a decent Airbnb near the Riverwalk, you wandered onto a few of the bar and nightclub websites. The piano bar, Howl at the Moon, was advertising some great drink specials and the Mercado had some amazing sales and events going on as well. Once you saw Karaoke Night at The Bonham Exchange club, you knew that you needed to get to San Antonio earlier than usual to blow off a little steam before the big competition.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll find someone who can enter the competition with me while I’m there. If I know anything about South Texas, it’s that there is an abundance of fantastic Tejano dancers. If I’m going to find a partner, that’s the place to look.

You closed your laptop and got into bed, exhausted from all the drama of the day and desperately needing a break from reality. Before you closed your eyes, you made a silent plea to the Universe.

Send me a dancer...the best one you have...

----------------

Under the sparkle of multiple disco balls and a kaleidoscope of laser lights, you swayed your hips and flipped your curled hair to the rhythm of the booming EDM music. Karaoke Night at The Bonham Exchange was set to begin in 20 minutes and you were taking advantage of the cheap drink specials to work up a little courage to sing.

The DJ transitioned into a disco medley with a house beat and the funky combination had you squealing with delight. The raised platform in front of you cleared and you hopped up and started showing off your best disco moves without a care in the world. The double tequila sunrises you drank earlier were working their magic and you effortlessly forgot about the troubles outside of this dance floor as you fully submitted to the music. You were so engrossed in your dancing that you failed to notice the pair of eyes locked onto your swirling form. The music tapered away and the DJ announced that the karaoke sheet was open for singers. You gleefully skipped over to the sign up sheet and wrote your name on the list. The DJ handed over binder with the list of available songs.

"Write down your song here," he directed. "I'll call your name when it's your turn."

While flipping through the pages, your eyes locked onto the Selena y Los Dinos section of the binder. When you saw the words "Disco Medley," you could barely contain your excitement as you wrote in your karaoke selection.

What better way to get into the Selena mood could there be?

You wriggled through the crowd to the bar and ordered another tequila sunrise.

Once you had your drink in hand, you wandered back into the main room and watched the dancers grooving to a Demi Lovato song. The person singing it from the karaoke stage was flaunting all kinds of attitude. They were obviously not sorry and wanted everyone to know. You clapped along with the crowd as the song came to a close and you heard your name being called by the DJ as another singer took the stage.

"You're on next," they instructed while handing you a wireless microphone. "Great selection, by the way."

With a playful wink, the DJ turned back to their equipment while the opening bars of a Justin Bieber song started trickling through the speakers. You finished your drink, smoothed out your outfit, and fixed a few stray hairs while looking into the mirrored walls. You paused for a moment when you caught the unwavering stare of someone across the dance floor. His eyes gave you a lazy once over and your breath hitched sharply as he licked his full lips and smiled warmly at you. You lowered your hands and returned his smile through the mirror, adding a wiggle of your fingers to offer a silent "hello." His grin widened and he lifted a single hand in response. You were about to turn around face him directly, but the DJ was signaling you that you were about to go up on stage. The Bieber singer hopped off the stage and you stepped forth and took a moment to find your mysterious suitor in the crowd, but he was no longer in the same place.

Where did he go?

Before you could do a cursory sweep of the dance floor, your music started and you launched into "I Will Survive," but with a little Selena twist.

At first I was afraid, I was petrified

Kept thinking I could never live without you by side

But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong

And I grew strong, I learned how to get along

You did a spin and dipped into a body roll as the music took off. Every ounce of your focus was flowing into your singing and for a split second, you imagined you were alone in the club, spotlit and singing out your renewed independence from Hoseok and his ironclad control.

As you finished up the last of "Last Dance," you noticed a circle forming on the dance floor as "The Hustle" melody started up. The dancers were spreading out to allow some solo freestyling, and the suave motions of the current dancer immediately captured your attention. He was popping and locking along to the disco track and he punctuated his display with a hop that launched into a body roll with a hip thrust. A playful little tongue poked out between his lips and he locked onto your intense gaze before he winked. You didn’t even have time to recover from the heated rush of adrenaline his dancing ignited under your skin. The last part of the song medley started up and you almost missed the first line because you were so enthralled by his seductive movements.

Someone found the letter you wrote me

On the radio

And it said exactly how you felt

You channeled the tingling arousal clinging to your nerves and belted out the rest of the song with renewed focus and confidence, hoping to attract the attention of the brown haired tease from the dance floor. You held out the last note longer than usual, adding in a little hip swivel, and it prompted the crowd to start whooping and cheering for your performance. You gave them a large sweeping bow and handed the microphone back to the DJ, who offered a high five for your performance.

“Phenomenal job, sweetheart,” he exclaimed. “You could kill someone with moves like that.”

“I volunteer as tribute,” called out a voice from your left.

You took one look at the man next to you and you nearly lost your ability to speak. His fluffy brunette tresses were dappled with hints of dirty blonde and the short sleeved lavender button down he wore was unbuttoned just enough to reveal his glistening collarbones. You swept your eyes down to take in the dark ripped jeans he had on, and you swore the material was painted onto his muscular thighs. He offered his hand to help you down from the DJ platform and you gladly accepted it. Once you were both at eye level, you just stared at each other for a few moments with your hand held gently in his. When you both heard the opening of “Sucker” by The Jonas Brothers pumping through the club, you both glanced at the dance floor before grinning at each other.

“Can I have this dance?” he prompted while squeezing your hand.

“Absolutely,” you replied while pulling him onto the dance floor.

The singers on stage were on point as they kept the crowd moving to the bouncing beats of the song. You and your partner made a big show of grinding up on one another and introducing yourselves in the best possible way. His steps were perfectly timed to your own and for every sexy grind and hip movement you tossed his way, he paid you back twofold with his quick thinking and sensual body rolls and facial expressions. On more than one occasion, his lips grazed your ears, your neck, your shoulders.

As the song came to a close, he gripped your hand tightly, spun you around twice and then safely dipped you halfway to the floor before pulling you up into his arms dramatically. You were so flustered by his prowess on the dance floor that you decided to forego words and simply offer a compliment with an eager kiss to his voluptuous lips. He returned the kiss briefly before chuckling at your baffled expression.

“I’m Jimin, by the way,” he quipped. “In case you were wondering.”

You blushed when you realized that you just kissed a total stranger and you didn’t even know his name. You quickly gave him your name as he pulled you off the dance floor. You made your way out to the back patio, both needing a little fresh air. You both grabbed some bottled water from the outdoor bar and wandered into a little corner of the patio with a table and chairs. You gulped down the water, trying to cool your body from the heat of the dance floor and lights.

You lowered the bottle and caught Jimin sweeping his mocha eyes up and down your body. He hummed his approval and took another swig from his bottle before smiling at you seductively. Still a little wired and aroused from your drinking and dancing, you placed the half empty bottles on the table and pulled Jimin in for another kiss. His tiny moan into your mouth sent sparks of lust off in your brain and you hungrily devoured his lips.

Jimin maneuvered you back against the nearest wall and ignored the colorful streamers surrounding you. His slender fingers slipped into your tousled locks and he pulled gently as he nipped at your bottom lip playfully. You gripped the back of his shirt and trailed your hands down his spine before grasping his luscious ass through his skintight jeans. You were both whining and groaning against each other before you heard someone yell out Jimin’s name. You both paused your ministrations to eyeball the man with the fluffy chestnut curls and the boxy smile.

“I should’ve known I’d find you out here,” he drunkenly giggled. “We’re hungry. Let’s go get tacos. Bring your new friend, she’s hot.”

Without further explanation, he stumbled back toward another man with deep set dimples and thick framed glasses. The flustered look on his face made you laugh as he waved sheepishly at the two of you while struggling to hold up the curly haired mess in his arms. Jimin shook his head and chuckled at his friend’s drunken state and sighed loudly before placing another peck on your lips.

“I apologize for Taehyung,” Jimin murmured against your lips. “He doesn’t handle his liquor very well. Luckily, Namjoon knows how to babysit him. Would you like to join us for a little snack?”

“Sure, why not?” you heartily agreed. “It’s still early anyway. You sure your friends won’t mind some stranger joining you?”

“You’re not a stranger anymore,” Jimin chuckled while kissing your nose. “Besides, this could be like a first date kind of thing. What do you say?”

“You’re asking me out?” you asked incredulously. “All of a sudden? Why?”

“Because you are one of the most talented dancers I’ve ever seen,” Jimin explained while walking you back toward the entrance. “I need to know everything about you. Where did you come from, why have I never seen you before, are you single?”

“Single, for sure,” you answered with a tight smile. “And let’s save the rest of this conversation for the ride over. We can play the “Get to Know Each Other Better” game over tacos, agreed?”

“Agreed,” Jimin replied as you exited The Bonham Exchange entrance. “Now, let’s get some tacos!”

------------------------------------------

“Is anyone else in love with these tacos?” Taehyung slurred while picking at the stray pieces of carne asada on his plate. “I could eat like 50 of them.”

“Ok, 1, you can’t eat 50, you’re barely finishing the 5 you bought,” Namjoon interjected his drunken ramblings. “And 2, yeah, these tacos are delicious.”

“Not as good as this margarita,” Jimin added after draining his frosty glass. “The bartender said that this tequila is a special blend that the company purchased just for this restaurant. I’ve never tasted anything like it.”

“Speaking of which, would you like another?” you offered. “My treat.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk, señorita?” Jimin grinned. “Many have tried, few have succeeded.”

“It’s true,” Namjoon boasted. “No one ever keeps up with Jimin when it comes to alcohol. The man has no liver.”

“Well, my Latin blood is up for the challenge,” you quipped. “After all, my veins are full of tequila and salsa.”

“You’re on, my little dancing queen,” Jimin challenged. “How are we doing this? Shots?”

“As entertaining as it would be to drink your fine ass under the table, I think we can shelve the shots for another night,” you cackled. “Besides, I really don’t want a hangover tomorrow. I have a competition to prepare for, and I don’t want to lose time recovering from a night of drunken stupidity.”

“What competition?” Namjoon asked. “Is it the Selena cumbia competition at Fiesta de la Flor in a few weeks?”

“Yeah,” you gaped. “How did you know?”

“We’re actually in town to watch it,” Namjoon explained. “Taehyung loves festivals, Jimin loves dancing, and I love cultural arts, so this seemed like a great mix of the three. Besides, we always talked about coming to visit San Antonio, so we came early to enjoy the sights before the festival starts. It all just worked out perfectly for us.”

“We have an Airbnb nearby,” Taehyung smirked while attempting to wiggle his eyebrows at you. “You should come over and hang out with us. I’m sure Jimin wouldn’t mind the company.”

Namjoon’s jaw dropped at Taehyung’s suggestive comment and he mouthed out a silent apology in your direction and you just shook your head and smiled.

“Let me go get those drinks,” you replied. “I’ll be right back.”

You sauntered over to the bar and ordered two more margaritas, along with a large glass of water for Taehyung. You were watching the bartender make the drinks while your thoughts wandered. You were so entrenched in your own mind that you didn’t notice when Jimin slid into the seat next to you.

“I should’ve known you were a competitive dancer,” Jimin murmured, breaking you out of your thoughts. “So I guess you’re competing in the cumbia competition, huh?”

“I’m registered,” you sighed with a grimace. “But my partner didn’t work out, so now I don’t know what to do.”

“Just find another partner,” Jimin suggested lightly. “You should have no trouble finding someone to dance with you.”

“You say it like it’s so easy, Jimin,” you groaned. “It’s not like I can just wander up to someone and just ask them to drop everything for the next few weeks to prepare for a professional dance competition.”

“Why not?” Jimin smirked. “I’d do it.”

“Don’t tease me,” you pouted. “I’m being serious.”

“And I’m not?” Jimin retorted. “I’ve seen you dance. You’re incredible. That’s all I need to know.”

“Club dancing is not cumbia competition dancing, Jimin,” you reminded him. “Besides, I haven’t even seen you dance. How do I know you can keep up with me?”

Jimin’s smile widened and he leaned into your body before placing a soft kiss on your nose.

“I’d love to show you, mi reyna,” Jimin practically purred. “Just give me a chance to show you what I can do and then you can make your decision, yeah?”

You gulped slightly at Jimin's flawless Spanish and the way his tone dropped an octave when he said "mi reyna." You shivered and realized he was still waiting for an answer, so smiled and nodded at Jimin’s offer. You almost leaned up to kiss his luscious lips, but the bartender picked that moment to bring your drink order over and you lost your nerve.

After getting Taehyung reasonably sober, you all called it a night and stepped back into the courtyard of El Mercado to wait for your Uber drivers. You and Jimin exchanged numbers and made plans to meet up at a dance studio the next day, and then he planted another lingering kiss on your lips before putting you into your Uber. You arrived at your Airbnb without incident and you spent the night lying in bed staring at the photo you’d taken of you and Jimin outside the restaurant.

How did I find such an amazing person? I have to be the luckiest girl in the world.

You shuffled under the sheets and snuggled into your pillow with an inexplicable grin on your face. The sounds of the city lulled your breathing into a steady rhythm while visions of Jimin filtered through your brain as sleep came to claim your overactive mind.

------------------------------------

You sat on the floor of your rented dance studio anxiously waiting for Jimin to arrive, and you almost lost hope until he bounced in through the open door. His long hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail and he looked a little flustered, but you were just relieved that you hadn’t imagined him last night.

“Hey, sorry,” Jimin huffed. “Taehyung was being difficult this morning, so Joon and I had to take him to get food before they agreed to let me leave.”

“It’s fine,” you giggled. “I’m no stranger to the after effects of alcohol. How is he holding up this morning?”

“He was fine once we got him some French toast and chai,” Jimin chuckled. “Namjoon is at the mall with him across the street. I told them we’d meet up with them later. Is that ok?”

“Ummm, sure?” you replied. “I didn’t realize I was being kidnapped today.”

Jimin stopped and looked up at you sheepishly, but you smiled to allay his creeping guilt. Jimin walked over to you and took your hands and pulled them to his lips. After kissing your knuckles, he shifted his puppy dog eyes to you and pouted apologetically before speaking.

“I’m sorry,” Jimin sighed. “I didn’t mean to assume, I just really want to spend more time with you, dance competition or not. Is that ok?”

“Of course, it’s ok,” you grinned while reaching up to stroke his puffy cheek with your thumb. “Just give me a heads up before you start making plans, huh?”

“Deal,” Jimin nodded. “Now, what exactly do you need to see from me? A little twerking? Maybe some pole dancing?”

“Maybe later, you dork,” you giggled. “Why don’t I just put on some music and we can just freestyle for a bit?”

“Ok, I can do that,” Jimin nodded. “But if you ever want me to show you that other stuff, I can.”

You rolled your eyes and Jimin just winked at you while he started stretching in front of the mirrors. You shuffled a Latin playlist and joined him to stretch. A steady percussion beat was soon followed by a somber accordion melody as Michael Salgado’s “Sin Ella” filled the dance studio.

Sin ella, sin ella

No podré vivir sin ella

Porque, porque yo sin sus besos

Y sin su amor, me muero

You looked up and noticed that Jimin was mouthing along to the song with a slight pout on his lips. His eyes reflected the longing and sadness of the music and you immediately felt guilty for putting him in such a gloomy mood.

“Sorry,” you giggled. “I didn’t mean to start off the day with such a melancholy song.”

“It’s ok,” Jimin smiled at you. “I just like giving myself to the music, even if the song isn’t a happy one. It’s part of why I love dancing so much. You can just dive in and live in someone else’s mind for a bit.”

“I have to ask,” you continued. “How do you know so much Spanish? I mean, you’re Korean, aren’t you?”

“Dancing and music transcend language and culture,” Jimin informed you. “I like learning new types of dances, and with that comes the knowledge of the language and the culture. I may not completely understand all of it, but I know I love it and I want to learn more.”

“That’s beautiful, Jimin,” you remarked. “I wish more people would think like that.”

“Oh yeah?” Jimin perked up. “Maybe I’ll teach you a little Korean then, if you’re interested?”

“I’d love that,” you exclaimed while rising to your feet. “So, shall we dance?”

Before Jimin could respond, a resounding brass line barked out the opening bars of “La Vida es un Carnaval” and Celia Cruz’s voice flooded the air. Jimin’s eyes widened in excitement and he pulled you into the middle of the dance studio floor.

Todo aquel que piense que está solo y que está mal

Tiene que saber que no es así

Que en la vida no hay nadie solo, siempre hay alguien

With a mix of cumbia and salsa, Jimin whirled around the floor with ease, all the while grinning and singing along to the music. You threw in a few complicated turns and steps, and Jimin only needed to watch you complete the sequence a few times before he’d learned them himself.

When Intocable’s “Coqueta” shuffled into the mix, you were sure the abrupt shifts in tempo would trip him up, but instead, Jimin used it as an opportunity to flex his improvisation skills and even added in a few moves that were certainly not Latin dance moves, but somehow fit. His graceful movements were filled with tidbits of hip hop, contemporary, and something uniquely his own.

After he launched himself into the air and flipped and twisted his body in time with the music, you had to stop dancing completely because the shock of his talent was too much to bear. Jimin turned to look at your dropped jaw and wide eyes and he stopped as well, thinking he’d done something wrong based on the look on your face.

“Was that too much?” Jimin asked sheepishly. “I’m sorry. I took martial arts when I was younger, and sometimes, it sneaks its way into my dancing. I can stop it if you want.”

“Don’t you dare!” you responded. “That was incredible, Jimin, and somehow, it just fit. You’re an amazing dancer!”

“So can I join the competition with you?” Jimin asked, his eyes full of hope. “I’ve always wanted to compete in a dance competition, but no one ever takes me seriously.”

“That is their loss,” you scoffed. “But are you sure you want to spend your holiday prepping for a dance competition? I know you guys are on vacation.”

“Honestly, this is the best possible way to spend my vacation,” Jimin assured you. “Besides, we won’t be practicing all the time. We can always hang with Joon and Tae once we’re done rehearsing. It will be good for us to unwind in between rehearsals, don’t you think?”

You considered his proposal and did some quick math in your head to factor in how much time you had left until the competition. Taking Jimin’s skills into account, you could easily develop choreography, rehearse, and still have time to kill. Your calculations were interrupted as Jimin grabbed your hand and began spinning you along to the melody of “Un Millon de Rosas” by La Mafia.

Porque llegaste a mi vida, no existen las tardes lluviosas

Porque llegaste, borré cicatrices de mi corazón

Porque llegaste, las noches de nuevo son maravillosas

Porque sin ti la mañana es oscura, se apaga mi sol

You glanced at his effulgent smile, the glee blossoming on his cheeks with each measured step, and the carefree swivel of his hips and you were sold on the idea. Once the song ended, you walked over to turn off the music and faced Jimin with a mischievous glint in your eyes.

“Let’s get to work,” you declared. “We have a competition to win.”

----------------------------------

Once you and Jimin agreed on a song medley of “Como La Flor,” “La Llamada,” & “Si Una Vez,” you started creating choreography with Jimin eagerly suggesting daring lifts, dips, twirls, and other unexpected bits of flair that you never would’ve considered before meeting him. Jimin never tried to undermine your expertise, and he presented his ideas to you with complete deference to your dancing experience. It was so refreshing to have someone regard your opinions with so much respect and reverence.

Every afternoon after your rehearsals, Jimin and his friends would drag you to all kinds of places around San Antonio. You visited the Riverwalk, the Tower of the Americas, the Botanical Gardens, art museums, restaurants, bookstores, and every hidden little shop you could find. Taehyung had a knack for finding little nooks around town that housed vintage treasures and Namjoon had a checklist of cultural locales that were highlighted in green as “must see” locations.

On multiple occasions, you and Jimin would wander off on your own to just sit and relax and enjoy the balmy weather and cool breezes while sitting in the backyard of their spacious Airbnb. You talked incessantly to one another about your lives, and by the end of the first week, you felt like Jimin knew more about you than most of your friends.

Despite the newly cemented intimacy between the two of you, Jimin remained respectful of your physical boundaries. More often than not, you’d ended up panting and straddling him on the picnic blanket, but you always stopped before things got too heated. The open wound of Jung Hoseok was still healing and you had no desire to get burned once again.

“I’m sorry,” you told Jimin one night, your eyes ambivalent and full of pain. “I’m just not ready. Not yet.”

Jimin was quick to hush your ramblings with tender kisses to your forehead and cuddles full of reassurance.

“It’s ok, angelita,” he cooed. “Just because you’re not ready, that doesn’t mean I want to be with you any less. If anything, it makes me want you more. But this is going at your pace, ok? No pressure.”

“It’s not that I don’t want you, Jimin,” you said, cupping his face with your hands. “Believe me, I really, really, want you, but I just keep remembering what happened the last time I was this vulnerable with someone else. I mean, yeah, it wasn’t a serious relationship, but I had a lot invested in our partnership and I feel like our intimate relationship blinded me to his flaws.”

“I completely understand,” Jimin nodded while squeezing your hips. “From what you’ve told me, the guy sounds pretty selfish and self-centered. He doesn’t deserve someone as magnificent as you, querida.”

You preened under his praise and it made you feisty. Emboldened by Jimin’s words, you leaned down to pull him into a passionate kiss. When his tongue ministrations caused you to moan, you rolled your hips across his lap and he groaned loudly while grasping your ass through your sun dress.

“Fuck,” gasped Jimin sweetly. “You can’t do that to me, jagi. I’m barely holding on as it is. If you keep doing that, I’m legit going to cum in my pants.”

You took mercy on him and extricated yourself from his lap, but not before leaning down to place another kiss on his soft lips. He hummed into your mouth as you got situated in his arms.

“If the competition is your main concern,” Jimin continued. “Then, I have a suggestion. Let’s wait until the competition is over to take this to the next level. It’s completely up to you, of course, but I think that would help assuage your uncertainty. Once we compete, there won’t be anything hanging in the air for you to worry about, mariposa.”

You blushed at his words and tried to hide your face in his neck, but Jimin just chuckled at your flustered expression. No one ever called you such sweet names before, but being called a butterfly was strangely flattering. Another thought popped into your mind when you felt Jimin's lips at your ear. You pulled back from his neck and returned the kisses he was pressing on your skin.

“I don’t know if you realized this,” you murmured against his lips. “But when you want to be sweet, you use Spanish words, and when you are feeling a little spicy, you slip into Korean.”

“I do?” Jimin chuckled. “It’s involuntary, I promise.”

“It does make me wonder,” you purred into his ear seductively. “What kind of words will you be using when I finally get my hands on you?”

“I guess you’ll have to wait and find out,” Jimin challenged. “Just wait until this competition is over, mariposa. Then, you and I can explore this without any doubts dangling between us, yeah?”

You heartily agreed to his proposal and you immediately felt reassured about your partnership. Sure, there was definite chemistry between you and Jimin, but you didn’t come to San Antonio seeking a sweetheart. You were looking for a dancer, someone who would be the perfect pairing for you on the dance floor, someone dependable, someone who loved dancing as much as you, someone who listened to your ideas and didn’t make you feel unappreciated.

That someone was Park Jimin.

You snuggled into his firm chest and stared up at the star-filled sky as Jimin stroked your hair. There were only a few days until the competition, but you and Jimin were ready. The corrections were already made on your competition entry, your outfits were finalized, the choreography was straight up fire, and you couldn’t wait to see the look on Hoseok’s face when you and your incredibly handsome dance partner killed it at the competition.

It’s going to be epic.

-------------------

Loud applause and cheers resounded in the convention center as another competition couple completed their set for the cumbia competition. You could only catch glimpses of pink and yellow as they swirled around the dance floor, but they seemed to entertain the crowd. Once they exited the dance floor, you could finally take in the flowing ensemble they’d chosen for their performance. You glanced down at your glittering black skirt and your purple halter top and you questioned your fashion choices for a moment.

It’s fine, it’s fine...I look fine.

You were drowning in your own insecurities, so you didn’t notice when Hoseok stepped beside you and offered a hum of approval.

“Damn,” Hoseok proclaimed crassly. “If I would’ve known that you were gonna wear that, I would’ve kept you around.”

You snapped your head in his direction and scowled at his crude words. Before you could offer any kind of response, his dance partner appeared behind him and pulled him in the direction of the dance floor. He smirked suggestively at you as they stepped over to the announcer to get introduced for their set.

You stepped around a few individuals to get a better view of their performance, and you nearly erupted with rage when you saw all the suggestions you’d made previously incorporated into his choreography. They whirled around the dance floor in their red and black ensembles, and you noted the fringe bouncing on Hoseok’s slacks and his partner’s skirt. There was no mistaking their talent, but the whole performance felt mechanical and it lacked passion for the dance. Every single one of their movements spoke of hours of rehearsal, but it did nothing to inspire awe in the audience.

Hoseok is just a basic bitch. He’s a hell of a dancer, but he lacks emotion.

They finished their routine with Hoseok declaring victory in his bold stance and his meek little dance partner clinging submissively to his pant leg. The crowd loved the performance, of course, so that only enraged you even more.

He’s such a misogynistic asshole. No one should be celebrating that kind of display at this festival, let alone this competition. Selena was all about lifting women up, not placing them beneath you.

As Hoseok exited the performance space, he spotted your scowl and he beamed a triumphant smile at you. He threw his arm around his dance partner and batted his long eyelashes at you. You were so focused on his smug countenance that you didn’t notice Jimin stepping in behind you.

“Enjoying the view, sweetheart?” he gloated. “Lucky you, huh? You got to watch a real competitor from the sidelines. Get used to that feeling because that’s where you’ll always be. It’s just too bad you don’t have a dance partner as amazing as-”

“Cariño, we’re up after the next performance,” Jimin suddenly interrupted while pulling you into a back hug and kissing your cheek. “We should get ready, yeah?”

Hoseok eyeballed Jimin and scoffed at his shimmering purple suit with matching cummerbund. You could see Hoseok measuring Jimin against himself and you restrained yourself from lashing out at his arrogant display of condescension.

“Oh, and who’s this?” Hoseok jeered. “Is this your little partner? So predictable, sweetheart. Did you seriously miss me so much that you found another Korean boy to take my place?”

“Get over yourself, Hoseok,” you spat. “Jimin is nothing like you.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Hoseok chuckled. “Hey, Jimin, is it? Good luck keeping her in line out there. She’s notorious for going off script.”

“Thanks, but I don’t need to control my jagiya,” Jimin smirked while staring down Hoseok. “She’s perfect just the way she is. She doesn’t need anyone to tell her what to do on the dance floor. Her dancing is flawless, just like she is.”

Jimin nuzzled into your neck and you blushed at his public display of affection. Hoseok's cocky grin disappeared and he bristled when he saw Jimin’s plush lips kissing at your collarbone. When you released an airy sigh and then giggled at Jimin’s kisses, Hoseok released his hold on his dance partner and stormed off toward the dressing rooms. She seemed flustered by his actions, so she awkwardly bowed and then skittered off to find Hoseok. As soon as they were gone, you and Jimin both burst into a fit of laughter.

“You’re terrible,” you playfully chastised Jimin. “I can’t believe you pissed him off so much.”

“He was being rude to you, mi luz,” Jimin argued while pressing a kiss on your lips. “I wasn’t about to let that slide. Besides, he was trying to get into your head before you performed. Dick move, if you ask me.”

“Fair point,” you grumbled. “It’s fine, I’m ok. I was a little worried before, but I think it’s just nerves. It also doesn’t hurt that I have the sweetest, most supportive partner by my side.”

“Anything for you, preciosa,” Jimin insisted while pulling you into another hug.

You reveled in Jimin’s comforting smell and aura for a moment and then you heard your names being called by the stage manager. You pulled back and looked at Jimin, your eyes twitching with anxiety. He smiled softly and soothed away the trembles in your lips with another soothing kiss, sinking his fingers gently into your wavy locks.

“It’s time, mariposa,” Jimin whispered. “Let’s show them what cumbia can really be.”

You took a deep breath before you nodded and pulled Jimin in the direction of the dance floor. The other competitors were giving their final bows and walking toward you. They both smiled at you as they passed, and you shook the last vestiges of anxiety off your shoulders as you and Jimin stepped onto the dance floor.

You and Jimin stood in the spotlight, allowing the live opening of “Como La Flor” to increase in volume over the speakers. As soon as Selena started her slow intro to the song, you and Jimin flowed into some contemporary style movements, including a lift that Jimin held until Selena continued singing. As soon as the beat picked up, you both broke in the first part of your choreography adding in subtle improvisations and encapsulating the music’s theme of heartbreak and a desperate need to heal.

Como la flor con tanto amor

Me diste tú, se marchitó

Me marcho hoy, yo sé perder

Pero, ah-ah-ay, ¡cómo me duele!

Ah-ah-ay, ¡cómo me duele!

A vibrant drum break led into a phone ringing the background, and soon, you and Jimin were both jamming to “La Llamada'' without missing a beat. Jimin played up the pining lover yearning for an apology and forgiveness, and you effortlessly portrayed the jilted woman done with her man’s bullshit.

No me vuelves a llamar

No te voy a perdonar

Otra oportunidad

No te la doy

No vales la pena

Jimin continued to coax you into his arms for intricate turns and spins, and you were loving how easy he was to read on the dance floor. After practicing with him for weeks, you could easily follow whatever complex idea was forming in his mind before he executed it. Jimin’s gaze never left yours, and a sort of telepathy was engaged through that eye contact. To the untrained eye, your actions seemed like a well-oiled pattern of arms, hands, and leg movements, but only you two knew that most of it was just the two of you having fun with the music.

There were certainly sets of movements that you’d practiced and agreed upon, including the impressive flips and lifts that you and Jimin added into the choreography. All of it kept the audience enthralled, and you could feel the electricity igniting the air around the dance floor as you and Jimin brought Selena’s music to life.

As unconventional as some of your movements seemed, somehow, it all fit into the contours of the music. The crowd was up in their seats and cheering loudly each time your feet left the floor and Jimin lifted and spun you around. You could even pick out Taehyung's deafening whistles and Namjoon’s squeaky cheers each time you finished a complicated movement.

It seemed like your set was over at the end of “La Llamada,” but the vibrant mariachi intro signaled your last song in the medley you’d chosen. Jimin’s gesticulations mirrored your own as you engaged in a chase of sorts across the dance floor. Jimin followed behind you, trying to entice you into more twirls and spins, but you gave into the music and rebuffed any advances he made.

Si una vez dije que te amaba

Y que por ti la vida daba

Si una vez dije que te amaba, no lo vuelvo a hacer

Ese error es cosa de ayer

The performance ended with Jimin kneeling at your feet, your leg slung over his shoulder. His face was riddled with unspoken pleas and you couldn’t resist kneeling down in front of him and pulling him into a smoldering kiss as the music faded.

The applause was thunderous. Every audience member erupted with voracious cheers and shouts of praise. Jimin helped you to your feet and lifted your hands to kiss at your knuckles. Before you exited the dance floor, he stepped back and motioned to you to take a bow. In your excitement, you shook your head and pulled him forward so he could take a bow with you.

Once you were done, you quickly exited the dance floor into the throng of waiting dancers. Many praises and exclamations were shouted in your direction, but you couldn’t pick them out over all the cheers still pouring out of the audience. You and Jimin politely thanked everyone for their words and quickly made your way to your dressing rooms to freshen up before the awards ceremony.

As soon as you and Jimin were behind closed doors, you pounced on him, kissing his lips and relishing his rich scent of cologne and sweat. Jimin whined as you pushed him against the door, but his hands mimicked his neediness as they slipped down to grasp at your ass. You whined when you felt his fervent grip and you moaned loudly when he started grinding his hardened cock against you. Your tongues were soon tangled, but you halted your assault on his lips just long enough to take a breath.

“That was the most sensational performance I’ve ever seen, and I was the one performing,” you squealed. “I don’t even care if we win anymore, I just want to keep dancing with you, Jimin.”

“We’re incredible together, jagiya,” Jimin proclaimed. “You bring out the best in me.”

“I’m about to bring out a lot more than that, querido,” you chuckled while pulling him back to the small loveseat by the dressing vanity. “I feel so amazing right now, and I want to share that with you, if you’ll let me.”

Your hands wandered up his chest and then slid his suit jacket off his shoulders. After tossing it onto a nearby chair, you reached around to remove his cummerbund while kissing along his neck. Jimin groaned as you nibbled on his earlobe, but he kept his hands firmly at his sides. The fire in his eyes spoke volumes about how badly he wanted to touch you, but he was apparently leaving that to your discretion. Once you slid his slacks to the floor, you settled Jimin onto the loveseat and then stepped back to admire the view of his flushed face, sultry eyes, and heaving chest.

You lifted your skirt just enough to reach up and slip off your silky black thong. You kicked the soaked scrap of fabric to the side and then mounted Jimin’s lap. As soon as you locked lips once again, you began unbuttoning Jimin’s shimmering shirt. His hands pushed your skirt further up until your dripping core was exposed. His fingers found their way to your glistening folds and as you moaned loudly when he started circling your throbbing clit.

“Ah, Jimin,” you cried out. “That feels so fucking good.”

“I’ve been dying to get my hands on you, jagi,” Jimin admitted. “I was just waiting until you were ready. You’re gonna let me make you feel good, yeah?”

“Fuck, yes,” you whined. “I’m all yours, Jimin.”

“And I’m all yours, hermosa,” Jimin whispered into your ear as he plunged two fingers into you. “The competition doesn’t matter anymore. I already have the grand prize right here in my arms.”

You beamed under all his praise and you eschewed any ounce of patience you were harboring. You reached into his boxer briefs and pulled out his hardened penis so you could sink down onto it. The jolt of pleasure that resounded through your nerve endings was resplendent, and Jimin nearly howled at the sudden tightness enveloping his cock.

“You couldn’t give me a warning, jagi?” Jimin groaned while gripping your hips tightly and rocking you back and forth on his dick. “If we didn’t have to be back out there in a few minutes, I’d make you pay for being so impatient.”

“Maybe later, corazon,” you whined in pleasure. “Right now, I just need you to fuck me before we go back out there. I couldn’t go another minute without allowing myself to fall into you.”

“As you wish,” Jimin chuckled. “I promise to make this up to you later, but right now, I just want to hear you scream.”

Jimin planted his boots into the floor and started pumping into your pussy with incredible precision and strength. You threw your head back and moaned out his name loudly as he continued his merciless thrusting. Jimin’s leaned forward and wrapped his lips around your pert nipple, his delicate suckling completely at odds with the intensity of his hip thrusts into your core. His hips were working at full speed and you could feel your orgasm looming on the edge of your periphery.

“Ji-Jimin,” you stuttered while attempting to hold on to his shoulders. “I’m gonna, I’m gonna-”

“That’s it, preciosa,” Jimin groaned without missing a beat. “Let me feel your pussy cream all over my lap. Make me messy, baby. Let everyone know I belong to you.”

Jimin reached down to stimulate your clit and that proved to be your undoing. Your pussy clamped onto his dick one last time before erupting into explosive fluttering up and down his shaft. The force of your orgasm triggered his own and he whined prettily as his climax slammed his hips against yours in a violent quake. Streams of sticky cum coated the insides of your vagina and you mewled happily at the warmth.

You both took a few moments to catch your breath and you ended up giggling at your state of undress. You nearly had him completely undressed and you were just sans underwear. You winced when you saw the half moon crescents your nails left on his shoulders, but instead of complaining about the pain, Jimin merely shrugged and pulled you in for another kiss.

“You’re a feisty one, querida,” Jimin pointed out with a smirk. “I knew you’d be a wild one when it came to sex. I can’t wait to see what other shenanigans you have up your skirt.”

“Oh, I’ll show you,” you promised with a kiss. “But not right now. We need to get dressed for the finale. I just made a mess of your outfit, Jimin. I’m so sorry.”

"Oh, mariposa, don't apologize," Jimin chuckled while attempting to fix your hair. "I will wear this mess with pride because you're the one who made it."

You shook your head, lifted yourself off his lap, and quickly grabbed some tissues to clean up the sticky mess between your legs. Jimin grabbed a package of wipes from his bag and helped clean you up better before dealing with the mess on his upper thighs and crotch. Once you were both cleaned and took a moment to refresh your hair and makeup, you headed for the door. Jimin stopped you before you could turn the handle, and you looked up at him curiously.

“No matter what happens out there, mariposa,” Jimin began. “I want you to know that these last few weeks were the most phenomenal weeks of my life. I met you, an amazing, talented, intelligent, gorgeous woman, and I want to thank you for trusting me enough to do this whole competition with you. I know it wasn’t what you expected it to be, but I hope I was able to give you an experience to remember.”

“Oh, Jimin,” you sighed with tears in your eyes. “Even if nothing comes of this competition, I am forever thankful that I met you. I don’t know what is going to happen after this, but whatever it is, I’m hoping that we can continue whatever this is. I just want you to stay by my side forever.”

“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Jimin grinned. “But for now, let’s go see what everyone thinks of our performance, yeah?”

You placed another kiss on his lips, careful not to smudge your lipstick too much. Jimin beamed at you and kissed your nose in response.

“Let’s go, mariposa,” Jimin whispered. “It’s time.”

As you and Jimin walked out on the dance floor with the other competitors, you kept your hand entwined with his. He felt solid beside you, like a perfectly formed bronze warrior, ready to defend you against the world. You took a deep breath and smiled at the crowd.

This is it.

A lovely woman stepped forth with a microphone and spoke for a minute about the highlights of the competition and then she turned towards the competitors. With a little fanfare, she awarded the third place award to the couple in pink and yellow. She then began describing two surprising performances that left the judges astonished and wowed at the same time. Based on her descriptions, you suspected that one of those performances was Hoseok’s. She called for a drum roll and awarded second place to Hoseok and his dance partner, much to Hoseok’s chagrin. He put on a tight smile and accepted the award with a stiff bow and he stepped back into line, noticeably upset by the announcement.

“And now, to announce the winners of today’s competition,” the woman declared. “The winners of the Fiesta de la Flor Cumbia Competition are-”

Your ears flooded shut and you suddenly couldn’t hear anything. You turned to Jimin, alarmed, but his face lit up with glee and he started jumping and shaking your hands in the air. You turned your confused face back to the announcer, and she was looking right at you and applauding loudly. The spotlight focused on you and Jimin and an overwhelming tingle of triumph filtered through your body as all the sound of the convention center came crashing into your eardrums at once.

“Let’s fucking go!” you heard Taehyung shout from the crowd. “That’s my best friend out there!”

Your knees suddenly felt weak and you chanced a glance in Hoseok’s direction and you saw his jaw tighten slightly as he caught your eye and begrudgingly offered you applause. His partner was enthusiastically clapping next to him and she leaned in to say something to Hoseok, and Hoseok only nodded curtly in response. You were so swept up in all of the excitement that you didn’t even notice Jimin stepping behind you and pulling you into a tight hug.

“You did it, mariposa!” he cried out with pride. “You won!”

“No,” you countered with a smile. “We won!”

Ignoring all acts of decorum, you jumped into Jimin’s arms and wrapped your legs around his waist. He started spinning you around in circles as your shouts and laughter filled the air. You both took a moment to compose yourselves as you stepped forth to receive the trophy and a massive bouquet of flowers from the organizers.

It would be a while until all the pictures and legal protocols were completed, but you just kept your eyes on Jimin. He was a force of nature all on his own, but his gaze never wavered from yours. He was a rock, an anchor, a tether keeping you grounded when you were terrified of getting swept away. He was the only encouragement you needed and you gave a silent thank you to whatever force in the Universe brought him to you when you needed him most.

-----------------------------------------

“Stand back, everyone,” Taehyung shouted. “Competition winners coming through!”

“Taehyung,” Namjoon chastised. “Dial it back a bit, bro. You’re causing a scene.”

“I can’t help it,” Taehyung gushed. “My best friend and his gorgeous partner just won a dance competition. I just want everyone to know how amazing my friends are.”

“Thanks, Tae,” you giggled. “I appreciate the free promotion.”

“Free?” Taehyung chuckled. “No, not free, you two are buying my drinks tonight since you just WON A DANCE COMPETITION!”

Taehyung continued hyping you and Jimin up and you wandered through the Riverwalk hand in hand looking for a place to hang for the night. You and Jimin were in need of sustenance since you’d burned off so much energy at the competition.

And in the dressing room, and the shower, the bed, the kitchen, the living room, and once more against the front door before you left to meet up with Taehyung and Namjoon.

Ever since your quickie in the dressing room, you and Jimin just couldn’t take your hands off of each other. A subtle glance, a well timed touch, even a suggestive sigh would ignite the pent up sexual frustration that built over the course of the last few weeks and neither of you were satisfied with distance anymore.

It didn’t matter how many times Jimin’s tongue flicked across your lips or how deeply you took his dick down your throat, you both just wanted more. The next few days were frequently going to be spent in the throes of passion and you were perfectly fine with that.

“Hey guys, look,” Taehyung pointed out. “Karaoke!”

Taehyung was already shuffling over to the restaurant and requesting a table for four, so there was no arguing with him. There was a small stage set up near the bar with a karaoke machine and a small dance floor, so the waitress set you up near the bar prompted by Taehyung’s unabashed pleas.

You were all enjoying your dessert after dinner and Namjoon suddenly looked spooked. You followed his eyes across the way to see Hoseok standing with a bouquet of roses in his hands. His dance partner was nowhere to be seen, and you could hear Jimin chuckle beside you.

“Why don’t you go say hi?” Jimin suggested lightly. “I’m going to go fill out our next karaoke slips, ok?”

Jimin placed a kiss on your cheek and stepped over to the DJ to fill out your slips. You sighed and walked over to Hoseok, noting that his eyes were tracking your every move.

“Well, hello, Miss Cumbia Champion,” Hoseok declared while handing over the bouquet. “Or is it Mrs.? Don’t tell me Jimin’s already got you locked down permanently.”

“Funny,” you deadpanned. “What are you doing here, Hoseok? Where's your little partner, Lydia?”

“I already sent her home,” Hoseok replied slyly. “She was just here for the competition. No need to keep her around any longer than needed. And what do you mean 'why am I here'? I came over to officially congratulate my friend and business partner.”

“Hoseok,” you sighed. “About that-”

“Ooh, I love this song,” Hoseok announced suddenly. “Dance with me?”

You turned toward the stage and noticed that someone was singing “Eclipse” by Emilio Navaira, and you looked back at Hoseok’s expectant face. His smile seemed genuine and you decided that one dance wouldn’t hurt. You placed the roses on a table, then made for the dance floor and started making the rounds with Hoseok in tow. You were just starting to think that maybe things between the two of you were going to be ok, but then he opened his mouth.

“Ah yes, this feels right,” Hoseok began while reaching for your hand to spin you around. “Me leading and you following perfectly at my side. I’ve missed this, sweetheart. I really am proud of your big win. Just think of all the promotions we can run back at the dance studio to boost sales. I guess you can bring along your little boy toy as well. He’s got some skills. They’ll come in handy when we have to expand the business.”

You rolled your eyes and glanced over at Jimin, who was watching you dance with amusement dancing in his eyes. The lyrics were starting to affect your steps and you slowly lost interest in the song.

Tu eres la luna yo soy el sol

Y si te acercas te voy a quemar

Y si te quemo te va a gustar

Muchas chispitas van a saltar

The male-centric vibes of the song were digging into your last nerve and you suddenly stopped and walked off the dance floor without warning. Hoseok ran after you with confusion playing across his features.

“What happened?” Hoseok asked. “Why’d you leave?”

“I think I’m done,” you announced. “With you and this partnership. You keep thinking that you are the center of everyone else’s universe and we all just live to serve you, and I’m tired of it. You are never going to see me as an equal and I’m just done.”

“What are you talking about?” Hoseok retorted while picking up the roses and offering them to you once again. “I always see you as my equal, but you seemed to like me taking the lead in our dancing, in the business, and well, in other ways as well. I’m sure Jimin wouldn’t mind sharing you with me every now and then. You know you miss me.”

You glared at his suggestive remark and you slapped the roses out of his hand. He griped loudly at your aggressive actions, but stopped talking when you pointed your finger in his face threateningly.

“You, sir, are an asshole,” you pointed out. “I may have let you take the lead in many things, but that never meant that I saw you as superior to me in any way. I trusted you and I thought that you trusted me, but I guess I was just deluding myself. I’m glad this partnership ended because it means I don’t have to deal with any of your misogynistic bullshit anymore. We’re through, Hoseok.”

Hoseok’s face flushed red and you could see the fiery anger bubbling up to the surface. Before he could utter a response, Jimin came up from behind and handed you a microphone.

“You’re up, hermosa,” Jimin said sweetly. “I picked a good one for you.”

You gladly accepted the microphone and leaned up to kiss Jimin on the lips. When you pulled back, he lifted his other hand and held out a single white rose to you.

“You’ll need this too,” Jimin grinned with a wink. “Knock ‘em dead, mariposa.”

You accepted the rose with a brilliant smile and ventured off to the stage with Jimin in tow, and when you took the stage, you heard the opening bars of “Que Creias?” by Selena. You smirked at Jimin’s enigmatic thoughtfulness and shook off the last vestiges of annoyance at Hoseok’s ridiculous attempt to win back your favor. You took a deep cleansing breath and started belting out your response to Hoseok’s words.

¿Qué creías

Qué ibas a regresar

Y me ibas a encontrar

Contenta al recibirte?

Pero no, pues ya ves que no es así

No quiero saber de ti

Así es que puedes irte

Your words were working Hoseok up into a thunderous rage. The condescension in your tone, the spite in your words, the obvious gloating stances you took while addressing the audience. All it took was one well-timed gesture in his direction, and Hoseok growled loudly and turned to leave the bar area.

Unfortunately, his ill-timed exit coincided with a delivery guy arriving with a large UberEats pack on his back. The two collided as Hoseok attempted to stomp off in a huff and they ended up dancing around each other awkwardly near the entrance to the restaurant. Almost comically, Hoseok twirled the guy into the bar area and started angrily walking off in the opposite direction. Hoseok glared at you once more before adjusting his jacket and shoving his way through the crowd and out of your life.

You finished out the last of your song and took a bow when the audience applauded and cheered. You hopped off the stage and handed the microphone over to Taehyung who was eagerly waiting to take the stage with “Donde Quiere Que Estes” by Selena & the Barrio Boyzz. As Taehyung's sultry voice filled the air, you snuggled up next to Jimin and leaned your head on his shoulder. Jimin eagerly wrapped his arms around you and kissed your forehead, while Taehyung serenaded everyone into the sunset.

Mi despertar sin su mañana

Las cinco de la tarde, el día acabó

Es uno más sin tu mirada

Y con tu ausencia el sol se me escapó

Y mis paredes gritan por tu amor

Enloqueciéndome

Tu imagen vive en mi habitación

Amándome, sonriéndome, extrañándote

Everything was winding down for the evening, but things between you and Jimin were just beginning. You were scheduled for interviews and meetings in the coming weeks, and several dance performances were already in the works. It would be a while before you would be able to settle down anywhere, but you knew that wherever you ended up, Jimin would be there with you.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading my fic! This was such an amazing opportunity to explore my love for BTS and then blend it in with my love for my Latin roots. An extra special thank you to @jjkxla & @xxxille-girlxxx for Beta reading this for me - your insights helped me get to the finish line.

Caught in a Seesaw Stigma's MASTERLIST

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caught-in-a-seesaw-stigma · 1 year ago

Text

Peripheral, Part 11

Pairings: OT7 x reader; Taehyung x Jimin; Yoongi x reader

Series Summary: An unfortunate accident leaves Kim Namjoon with amnesia, and Big Hit, BTS, ARMY, and the entire world are desperate to help him regain his memories and knowledge. Fortunately, a new genetics company has successfully created a system to alter our brains into human databases which can help someone regain knowledge and memories through a simple input/output exchange. Can this new invention give us back our beloved leader?

Genre: Angst, Fluff, Smut

Warnings: NSFW 18+ ONLY: sexual shenanigans, mxm, handjob, sexual tension, Jimin's seductive gaze (always a warning), rimming, panic attacks

As the early morning rays of sunshine increased, golden light flooded Seokjin’s room, but nothing could compare to the giddy giggles emanating from Kim Seokjin himself. He and Namjoon were texting each other relentlessly, but it was time for Namjoon to get some sleep before his next physical therapy session. With a sigh and a series of hilarious gifs, Seokjin bid his best friend good night and he curled up into his pillow, clutching his RJ plushie out of habit, body listlessly craving some other comfort that the small stuffed animal couldn’t provide.

Knock, Knock, Knock

Seokjin lifted his head from the pillow and huffed out a whine before trudging over to the door. Trying to rub the exhaustion from his eyes, he opened the door to reveal Hoseok at his doorstep, freshly showered and dressed in a sleek black tracksuit.

“Hoseokie?” Seokjin grumbled. “Why are you up so early?”

“Well, good morning to you too, hyung,” Hoseok chirped. “I was about to make breakfast for everyone, so I came to ask you what you would like so I can bring it to your room.”

Seokjin’s shoulders sagged slightly as he remembered his promise to Bang PD to stay in his room. He sighed deeply before giving Hoseok a warm smile.

“I’m not actually hungry right now, Hobi,” Seokjin replied. “But thank you for offering. I didn’t sleep well last night, so I think I’m going to catch up on sleep. Can you wake me up later for lunch though?”

“Of course, hyung,” Hoseok assured him. “Are you sure you’re ok? Do you need to talk or something?”

“No. I think I’m ok.” Seokjin’s foot rubbed a path on the floor, and he found he couldn't meet Hoseok’s eyes. “I just need to get some sleep. I’ll see you later, Hobi.”

Hoseok nodded. “Ok, get some rest. I’ll come check on you later.”

Seokjin’s door closed and Jungkook’s opened a moment later. Hoseok signaled to Jungkook that Seokjin was still sleeping, so they quietly made their way to the kitchen.

“Is everyone still asleep, Hobi-hyung?” Jungkook asked, voice hushed. “Do you need me to wake them up?”

“Not yet, Kookie,” Hoseok replied while pulling out pots and pans as quietly as he could. “We’re going to make breakfast first and then you can go wake them up. Sound good?”

“Ok, hyung,” Jungkook agreed. “Just let me know what you need me to do.”

While Hoseok and Jungkook scrambled around the kitchen for ingredients and cooking utensils, Taehyung was scanning the disheveled room while Jimin snored sweetly beside him. The events of the previous night were playing on a loop in his head and he was conflicted by the newly established boundaries set by everyone. He rubbed his eyes gently to shake out the last vestiges of sleep clinging onto him and slipped out of bed and into the bathroom. Every action he took was laden with a mixture of relief, guilt, anxiety, and hope. His emotions were swimming in contradictions.

Where do we go from here? How is this supposed to work? Did I do the right thing? Did we fuck up our friendship? What do we tell the others? What if the fans find out? How are we supposed to hide this? Do we have to hide it? Should I be ashamed? Is he ashamed? Will we still be able to share a room after this?

Quickly spiraling into a cataclysmic head space, Taehyung slid out of bed and paced. Most of the time, he would just dive head first into the chaos, but this situation with Jimin felt too delicate. One wrong move could trigger something disastrous.

Is it worth the risk of losing my soulmate? Have we crossed some sort of line? What will the others think?

Taehyung tried to shake the thoughts out of his head, but they simply swirled and settled back into disjointed thoughts and feelings. Unable to shake his distress, he decided to fixate on a more manageable problem: what to wear for the day. His proximity to Jimin was obviously affecting his ability to think, so he needed to find a nice quiet space for self reflection and elected to get dressed in the bathroom. He was pulling on a button down shirt as he heard the bathroom door open.

“Hey, Tae,” Jimin called out sleepily. “Jungkookie texted me and said breakfast will be ready in a bit.”

Jimin caught a glimpse of Taehyung’s bare chest in the mirror and froze in his tracks. A broad expanse of honeyed skin was exposed between the edges of his blue shirt and Jimin licked his lips hungrily when he and Taehyung locked eyes in the mirror. Jimin’s lips pulled into a smirk and every trace of slumber melted away.

“Already getting dressed, Tae-Tae?” Jimin purred seductively, wrapping his arms around his soulmate's waist. “What a shame.”

“Jimin, I think we should probably talk,” Taehyung suggested meekly, trying not to let the other’s touch distract him and failing miserably. “We did say we were going to talk in the morning, and it’s morning now.”

“We did,” Jimin sighed sweetly. “But I still feel like I’m partially asleep and you look like a dream come to life. Maybe morning hasn’t officially arrived yet? Should I turn back the moon and sun to get a few more moments with you?”

Jimin stepped closer behind Taehyung, till their upper bodies pressed against each other, Taehyung shuddered as Jimin began nuzzling into his shoulder like a sleepy kitten while unbuckling his belt and slipping his hand into Taehyung’s loose pants.

“But Minnie,” Taehyung gasped. “We should really-”

Taehyung moaned softly as Jimin’s hand deftly stroked him. All thoughts of meaningful conversation faded into the background. Every ounce of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety was pushed aside and replaced by hunger.

“We can talk later,” Jimin promised between kisses. “I promise.”

“Ok,” Taehyung gulped, trying to make his words sound less desperate. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

Jimin chuckled as he squeezed Taehyung’s hardened length once more and then helped him lower his pants and underwear to the ground.

“Let’s see if I can fuck you against this mirror, Tae,” Jimin suggested mischievously. “But leave that shirt on. This blue looks incredible on you.”

Taehyung’s eyes fluttered closed as Jimin dropped to his knees behind him. Tears prickled along Taehyung’s waterline with each swipe of Jimin’s tongue, but Taehyung could not decipher whether his tears were from frustration or pleasure. His thoughts grasped desperately for understanding, but the thick cloud of lust in his brain kept everything obscured. One last thought crossed his mind as he felt Jimin’s tongue prodding at his entrance.

Please…I don’t want to lose him.

—---------------------------------

Down the hall, slowly emerging from the steamy bathroom, Y/N and Yoongi were feeling very domestic as they prepared for the day. Y/N’s strength increased overnight and she was finally able to walk without assistance. Yoongi began blow drying his hair while Y/N completed her morning skincare routine at her vanity table.

Yoongi was still replaying images from last night’s dreams in his head: a world where he and Y/N shared the ultimate connection. Sure, he would have his relationships with his brothers and with his family, but Y/N would be something more, something different.

A soulmate, perhaps?

Yoongi chuckled quietly at the thought. He often teased Jimin and Taehyung for their use of the term, but in this instance, it felt right.

Besides, not all soulmates are born. Some are made.

“Hey, Yoongi,” Y/N interrupted his thoughts. “Jungkook messaged us. He and Hobi are fixing breakfast for everyone. Should we help?”

“Are you feeling up to it?” Yoongi asked. “You are looking a lot better than yesterday, but I don’t want you to push yourself too hard.”

“I think I’m ok,” Y/N assured him. “Besides, after breakfast, I need to have a video meeting with Bang about Seokjin. I will feel better once I get some food in me.”

Yoongi nodded and started cleaning up. Once he was done, Y/N was finishing up at her vanity and sweeping her hair up into a high ponytail. Yoongi took a moment to appreciate her refreshed appearance and silently thanked an unknown deity for her recovery. His heart ached when he remembered her pallid complexion, her eyebrows furrowed in pain, and the slick sheen of fever breaking across her body.

Let her health continue to improve. I want nothing but the best for her. She is precious to me.

“Ready, Yoongi?” Y/N asked while slipping on her shoes.

Yoongi walked over, pressing their foreheads together and stealing a kiss.. His lips lingered for a moment before pulling away and Yoongi grinned at the flush of pink spreading over her radiant cheeks.

“Let’s eat, sweetheart,” Yoongi said while nudging her nose playfully. “My babygirl needs her strength before she leaves me to work.”

Y/N giggled, rolling her eyes before opening the door into the hallway. The two lovebirds walked down the hallway hand in hand, completely missing the muffled moans emanating under the door from Jimin and Taehyung’s room.

It’s going to be a good day. I just know it is.

—----------------------------

Hoseok looked across the table at everyone enjoying the breakfast he and Jungkook prepared, and he wasn’t even letting Taehyung and Jimin’s tardiness bother him.

Jimin is notoriously late. I guess he’s rubbing off on Taehyung now. Oh well.

Jungkook offered Y/N another helping of omurice, Yoongi fixed Taehyung another bowl of miso soup, and Jimin poured Yoongi another cup of coffee. The conversation was lively and the mood in their home was finally feeling somewhat normal. Without realizing it, Hoseok’s lips spread into a smile filled with contentment.

“Hobi,” Y/N grinned. “What are you thinking about? It has to be something good to make you smile like that.”

“Yeah, hyung,” prodded Jimin, nudging his foot under the table. “Tell us. We want to smile like that too.”

“Oh, it’s nothing really,” Hoseok replied dreamily. “Just enjoying our very normal drama free meal. Things got a little crazy for a bit, so I’m just happy that they’re finally settling down.”

Hoseok’s words rang true. With all of the uncertainty they faced over the last week, it was somewhat comforting to experience a little sense of normalcy. Jungkook smiled softly, but it slowly fell into a small pout. Taehyung was the first to notice the shift in the maknae’s mood, and he placed his hand on Jungkook’s shoulder to comfort his obvious distress.

“What’s wrong, Jungkookie?” Taehyung asked. “What are you thinking about?”

“I just wish we could have everyone here,” Jungkook pouted. “You know, like Jin-hyung and Namoon-hyung. They should be here with us.”

“They will be,” Hoseok promised as he took one of Jungkook’s hands. “Y/N is doing everything she can to help us, Jungkookie. Don’t worry. It will be ok.”

Jungkook’s eyes watered as he nodded at Hoseok and Y/N reached across the table to take Jungkook’s other hand into her own. Jimin saw that Jungkook’s tears were only increasing, so he jumped out of his seat to wrap his arms around his sniffling little brother.

“Thank you,” Jungkook choked out. “I don’t know what I would do if I lost any of you. I just want everyone to get better.”

“We know, sweetie,” Y/N soothed. “Don’t you worry about any of that. I promised that I would help, didn’t I?”

Jungkook nodded and squeezed her hand a little tighter. Taehyung continued to rub Jungkook’s shoulder and Jimin ruffled his hair a little to try and pull a smile out of him. Yoongi reached over with a clean napkin to dab at Jungkook’s tear-stained cheeks. Jungkook took one more shaky breath before speaking.

“We all have to do better,” Jungkook pleaded. “Y/N and Namjoon need our help. We have to make sure she stays safe so Namjoon can come back to us. You all need to promise to do better.”

“We will, Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi assured him. “We are all going to work together to make sure Y/N and Namjoon have everything they need. Now, stop crying before you make the cinnamon toast all soggy.”

They all broke out into a raucous fit of laughter at Yoongi’s comment, even Jungkook had to giggle along with them. They all finished up their breakfast and Y/N excused herself to prepare for her meeting with Bang PD. While the younger ones cleaned up the kitchen, Yoongi flopped onto one of the couches and started scrolling through his notifications. One particular email captured his attention.

“Hobi-ah,” Yoongi called. “Did you read the email that Bang PD sent us this morning? The one about a mixtape?”

“Yeah, I read that,” Hoseok responded. “I don’t know whose mixtape he’s talking about: yours or mine. He did ask us to meet with him after lunch.”

“Well, then I guess I better get ready,” Yoongi groaned. “Give me like 30 minutes and meet me in the garage. We’re taking your car this time.”

“Ah, fine,” Hoseok conceded while rolling his eyes. “I swear, we spill one bag of Skittles and suddenly, you’re banishing everyone from your car.”

“My vehicle, my rules,” Yoongi shrugged. “See you in a bit!”

Yoongi wandered off to his room and Hoseok shook his head in amusement. Jungkook stepped forward wearing a small pout on his face.

“Sorry about the Skittles, hyung,” Jungkook apologized cutely. “That was my fault.”

“Don’t worry about it, Kookie,” Hoseok sighed. “Yoongi is just a drama queen.”

“Are we all going to the office later, hyung?” Jimin queried from the sink. “Do we all need to get ready?”

“No, it’s just me and Yoongi,” Hoseok explained. “You three will need to stay here and keep Y/N company and someone will need to make sure Jin stays in his room.”

“When can Jin-hyung come out of his room?” Taehyung pondered aloud. “Is he grounded?”

“Sort of,” Hoseok replied. “Bang PD is meeting with Y/N-ah to figure out what to do about that. Until then, he’s supposed to stay in his room.”

“We got this, Hobi-hyung,” Jungkook announced. “Don’t worry about it. We will make sure both Y/N and Jin-hyung are well fed and taken care of.”

Hoseok smiled at Jungkook’s enthusiasm and patted him on the shoulder. Jimin and Taehyung stood up straight and saluted Hoseok comically. His smile bubbled over into chuckles as he saluted them in return.

“Ok, I’m trusting all of you,” Hoseok reminded them. “Please don’t do anything stupid while we’re gone.”

Hoseok got ready for his meeting, while The maknaes continued to clean up the kitchen while discussing plans for their day with Y/N and Jungkook. While the hyungs were either away or grounded, the maknae would have another chance to spend more time with Y/N, assuming she didn’t already have other plans. Jungkook grabbed a broom and started sweeping up the kitchen, already with the mindset that a clean house would make a happy house.

If only it was that simple.

—---------------------------------

Y/N took a deep breath before knocking on Seokjin’s door, knowing that the upcoming conversation was going to be a little rocky. After she and Bang discussed the current status of the already scheduled therapy sessions, they devised a supplemental plan to curb Seokjin’s impulsivity.

I just hope he’s receptive to this therapy. Impulses are involuntary. Changing them is difficult, even for a seasoned therapist.

All of her additional studies in psychology and counseling were working overtime with this assignment, and she was thankful that she at least had some preparation for handling delicate situations such as these. As long as Seokjin was receptive to her practices, then everything should go smoothly.

Well, let’s get this over with.

Y/N knocked on Seokjin’s door and adjusted the strap of her laptop bag. Seokjin’s voice roared from behind the door.

“Yah, Jungkook,” Seokjin growled. “I already said no! I don’t want snacks, I don’t need anything to drink, and I have everything I need in here. Just leave me alone already!”

The door swung open violently and an irritated Seokjin stopped mid-rant to gawk.

“Y/N-ah,” Seokjin sputtered nervously. “I am sorry for yelling, I thought you were someone else. While I’m at it, I should probably apologize for more than that. Please forgive me for behaving so stupidly and putting you in danger and endangering Namjoon’s therapy and-”

“Seokjin!” Y/N raised her voice, stopping Seokijin’s rambling. “Please calm down, I’m not here for your apologies. I’m here to talk to you. Can I please come in?”

Seokjin nodded and quickly scrambled to tidy his room. In his boredom, he’d thrown things around the room and tried to reorganize his closet. He was still midway through the reorganization, so the room was a little chaotic. After piling some clothes on the bed, Seokjin cleared the futon and offered Y/N a seat while he rearranged the pillows and plushies between them.

Y/N eyed the plushy border of stuffed alpacas in between her and Seokjin and she smiled warmly at him. Seokjin found it incredibly difficult to meet her probing gaze.

“Jin, lindo,” Y/N began softly. “I’m not mad at you. There is no need to build an RJ barrier between us. We just need to talk about some things.”

Seokjin lifted a rather large RJ stuffie and hugged it to his chest in a futile attempt to quiet his racing heart. His lips were drawn into a small pout and he still couldn’t look Y/N in the eye. Y/N pushed the plushies aside and moved closer to Seokjin, placing a hand on his knee and squeezing softly.

“Hey, it’s ok to be upset,” Y/N assured him. “It just shows that you know that what you did was wrong. I put these restrictions on everyone for Namjoon’s safety and your own. This therapy is very delicate work, and it’s very important that we all take this seriously.”

“I know, princesa,” Seokjin murmured sadly. “I promise I wasn’t trying to undermine your authority or ruin the therapy preparations. I just didn’t read the warnings very well. I was angry when you first got here and I treated you horribly and I’m so sorry for that.”

“I appreciate that, Jinnie,” Y/N continued. “But all choices have consequences, and it’s time to face yours.”

Seokjin nodded and took a deep breath to shake off the shuddering anxiety crawling across his shoulder blades. He took both of Y/N’s hands and brought them to his lips to press gentle kisses across her knuckles. Once he was ready to face her, lifted his face to meet her gentle gaze.

“I am ready to accept my punishment,” Seokjin proclaimed. “Whatever it may be.”

“Well, it’s not exactly a punishment that you need,” Y/N explained. “I discussed the matter with Bang and he suggested that you and I schedule some one on one therapy sessions to work on your impulse control. They will be a little intense, but it will help you gain a little self-control in the long run.”

“I can do that,” Seokjin agreed. “Am I still grounded?”

“No, you’re fine to roam about as you please,” Y/N giggled. “Bang told me about what happened with Namjoon, so we’re going to be lenient on you. However, you are going to be the point person when it comes to Namjoon’s reintegration into the dormitory. Since the two of you are already communicating and you will be sharing a bathroom, it seems only logical that you assist Namjoon once he arrives. I will also require your assistance for Namjoon’s first therapy session.”

“What?!” Seokjin croaked. “You want me there, like in the room with the two of you?”

“Yes, of course,” Y/N confirmed. “Namjoon and I will need a mediator to make sure the procedure sticks. You are the connection between us. I will need your help to acclimate Namjoon to the therapy sessions.”

Seokjin’s jaw refused to close as he went over the visuals of Y/N’s proposal in his head. Seokjin and his brothers dabbled in their own avenues of sexual exploration, but it was rare for them to engage in activities together. Sure, they swapped stories, but they weren’t in the habit of sharing the same space at the same time. Y/N’s appearance in their lives certainly turned that around quickly.

I’m sure the maknae got up to some mischief while we were out last night. That look on Jungkook’s face earlier told me everything I needed to know. What has this little minx done to us?

After shaking the last ounce of shock creeping across his perfect features, Seokjin gulped loudly and looked back at Y/N, who was giving him absolutely no clue about how she was feeling about the concept of the three of them together.

Can she even sync with two people at once?

Rather than question her methods, Seokjin took a deep breath and nodded his head in her direction. Y/N smiled at his compliance and squeezed his hand briefly to soothe his nerves.

“Thank you for agreeing to those terms, Jinnie,” Y/N praised him. “It really will be easier to help Namjoon if you’re there to help us. Just please promise me that you will follow all of my instructions exactly. Transactions get a little tricky when more than one person is involved. I will need to take special precautions so that only one of you is participating in a transaction at a time.”

“Sure,” Seokjin agreed. “I will do whatever you need me to do, I promise.”

“Good,” Y/N grinned. “Your impulse control training will definitely come in handy when that time comes, so prepare yourself for that. I still have some things to fix in my system before I start any more transactions, so let’s aim for tomorrow evening for your first session, ok?”

“That sounds fine,” Seokjin nodded. “But are you sure you’ll be ok by then? I heard about what happened to you while I was gone. Will you be able to fix whatever went wrong?”

“Don’t you worry, Jin-lindo,” Y/N replied while squeezing one of Seokjin’s cheeks. “I will be fully operational by tomorrow morning. I just have to make some adjustments and allow the system to update overnight. Everything will be fine, I promise.”

Seokjin’s eyes misted over and he pulled Y/N in for a hug, burrowing his nose into her hair and releasing a shaky exhale.

“That’s good to hear,” Seokjin responded. “I felt terrible when the guys told me what happened. It never occurred to me that I would be putting you in danger by leaving. I should have been here to take care of you, mi corazon.”

Y/N rubbed Seokjin’s back while he sniffled lightly against her temple. Once it seemed like he was calm, Y/N reached up and took his face into her hands, reaching up with her thumbs to wipe away a few stray tears.

“You’re here now and that’s all that matters,” Y/N assured him. “For now, just focus on what you need to do before Namjoon gets here.”

“Speaking of which,” Seokjin grinned while pulling away. “How about we send Namjoon-ah a selca of you and I together? He has been asking a lot of questions about you. It would be nice to share a picture of you before he arrives.”

“I think that will be ok,” Y/N agreed. “Maybe tomorrow, we can schedule a video call with him before we start your therapy? Just so I can introduce myself.”

“Absolutely,” Seokjin exclaimed. “You’ll love Namjoonie, he really is the best.”

Seokjin maneuvered Y/N against his chest and pulled an RJ headband onto her head. The shameless action prompted Y/N to grin and shake her head, which gave Seokjin the perfect opportunity to snap a selfie of them. Seokjin was making a ridiculous face behind Y/N. Jin could only hope it would make Namjoon smile.

“Ok, fine, you can send that one,” Y/N decided. “But only if you send a good pic of us as well. Namjoon needs to see my actual face, not this silly one.”

“Yah, fine,” Seokjin chuckled. “Go ahead, get yourself all fixed up for the camera, princesa.”

Y/N took off the RJ headband and fluffed out her hair a bit so that it felt more presentable. Snuggling back against Seokjin’s chest, she leaned her head against his chin and smiled.

“Ok, Jinnie,” Y/N announced. “Whenever you’re ready.”

The resulting photo had his heart fluttering and his lips curling into a soft smile. He wrapped his arms around Y/N and kissed her cheek.

“We look good together,” Seokjin commented aloud. “Look at that gorgeous smile.”

“Awww,” Y/N smiled. “Thank you, Jin-Jin. You look quite handsome as well.”

“I know,” Seokjin smirked. “That’s who I was talking about.”

Y/N’s smile fell dramatically and she stood up in a huff, but Seokjin pulled her back onto his lap before she could escape.

“I’m kidding, Y/N-ah,” Seokjin chuckled. “You look radiant, mi corazon. Almost good enough to eat.”

“Almost?” Y/N huffed. “Gee, thanks. I could do with some teeth marks”

“Well, I’m not in the habit of eating my meals while they’re still wrapped,” Seokjin said before planting a kiss on Y/N’s exposed neck. “But just say the word, mi corazon, and I will start unwrapping.”

Y/N shivered as Seokjin suckled at the skin just below her ear, his fingers toying with the edge of her shirt. Y/N allowed herself a few seconds of reckless passion and then shook the temptation away, remembering her responsibilities.

“As amazing as that sounds, Jinnie, I can’t right now,” Y/N whined. “There are still repairs to be done today, and I’m still recovering. Let’s put this on hold until tomorrow, yeah?”

“Of course, mi corazon,” Seokjin purred. “Anything for you.”

Seokjin tugged at her earlobe playfully before planting one more kiss on her cheek and patting her thighs in response. Y/N sagged into Seokjin’s grasp and sighed out in frustration.

I just got them into the swing of these therapy sessions and now, I’m keeping them all at bay. I’m probably giving the poor guys whiplash.

“Don’t you worry, princesa,” Seokjin reassured her. “Take care of whatever you need to do first. Your health is more important than my desire for you. Besides, I will have plenty of time to spend with you now that I have those extra therapy sessions.”

“Yeah, you will,” Y/N smirked before standing up and stretching. “Speaking of which, I need to go prepare everything for tonight’s repair session. Feel free to go out into the common areas and hang out. Yoongi and Hoseok left to meet with Bang PD, but the maknae should be around.”

Seokjin hopped up and wrapped his arms around Y/N’s waist and lifted her off the ground a few inches before setting her feet back down.

“Thank you for my freedom, mi corazon,” Seokjin mused. “I feel like a new man. Speaking of which, do you know what prisoners use to call each other?”

“No,” Y/N said. “What?”

“Cell phones,” Seokjin cackled while waving his phone in front of her. “Oh, man, I need to send that one to Namjoon-ah.”

Seokjin quickly typed out a message to Namjoon and also sent over the selfies of himself and Y/N. As he typed, Y/N took a moment to enjoy the boyish glee spreading across his face.

I know that youthful glow is just for show, but sometimes, he needs to be reminded that he’s an adult.

“Jinnie, please remember to be careful,” Y/N reminded him. “Bang and I are allowing you to stay in contact with Namjoon, but the others don’t know about that. It needs to stay a secret, at least until Namjoon successfully transitions over to life in the dormitory. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I promise I will be careful,” Seokjin nodded. “Not just for Namjoon, but also for you. I don’t want to disappoint you again.”

Y/N booped Seokjin on the nose and stepped up to press a chaste kiss on his pouty lips. She pulled his hand toward the door and he gladly followed. He walked her all the way to her door, trying his best to make up for his previous indiscretion. Once he wandered into the kitchen, he leaned on the counter and took a deep breath and smiled. The kitchen was clean, he was free of his prison, and he was in the mood to cook.

DING!

Another smile bloomed on Seokjin’s face as another message from Namjoon popped up on his phone. He opened his messages, but he didn’t get to read them because Jungkook stepped into the living room looking freshly showered.

“HYUNG!” Jungkook screeched. “Did they let you out? Are you finally free?!”

Seokjin skillfully slipped his phone into his pocket and struck a power pose for Jungkook before losing his composure and giggling.

“That’s right, Jungkookie,” Seokjin announced. “Your favorite big brother is back and here to stay. Did you miss me?”

“Eh, not really,” Jungkook deadpanned. “I didn’t really notice a difference.”

Seokjin’s ears flooded crimson and he started berating his youngest brother while throwing pillows at him in retaliation. Jungkook effortlessly caught the pillows and tossed them back onto the couches.

“Jin-hyung, chill,” Jungkook giggled. “You want to play video games with me until Taehyung and Jimin get back from their showers? We wanted to clean up after we cleaned the kitchen. Aren’t you proud of us? We left everything just the way you like it.”

Seokjin’s fiery temper faded and he gave an appreciative look at the spotless kitchen. He had to admit that seeing the love and care that his brothers put into something he loves made his heart sing with pride.

I taught them so well.

“You know what, Jungkook-ah,” Seokjin sighed. “I would love to play video games with you. I was going to cook something, but it looks too nice to mess up right now. Thank you for taking such good care of my kitchen.”

“Of course, Jin-hyung,” Jungkook grinned proudly. “I learned from the best.”

Seokjin waited for another sarcastic jab at his ego, but Jungkook’s bunny smile was genuine. For a brief moment, all of the shadowy sadness he felt earlier dissipated. Seokjin stepped forward and pulled Jungkook into a quick hug and gestured toward the living room. After choosing yet another game from Y/N’s massive collection, the two of them sat down together on the couch and exchanged fiendish grins.

“Prepare to get your ass handed to you, Jungkookie,” Seokjin threatened. “Let your hyung show you how it’s done.”

“Whatever you say, hyung,” Jungkook grinned. “Whatever you say.”

The opening video game theme blared through the speakers, and the two opponents settled in for an epic battle. Down the hall, behind closed doors, a different battle was raging between another set of opponents.

—--------------------

“No more, Minnie,” Taehyung wheezed. “I don’t think I can go again.”

Jimin collapsed onto the bed beside Taehyung and giggled as the dopamine flooded his brain. They tried to shower separately, but Jimin became impatient when Taehyung was taking too long in their shared bathroom. An interrupted shower evolved into another steamy lovemaking session that ended with them ruining their fresh sheets once again.

“Wow, Taehyungie,” Jimin breathed out with a smile. “I don’t think I will ever get enough of you. I literally get hard just thinking about you. Your hands, your hair, your chest, your ass, your lips, I just want to touch all of it all the time. I think you’re my new addiction.”

“Oh yeah?” Taehyung huffed out a laugh. “What was the last one?”

“Getting tattoos with Jungkookie,” Jimin informed him. “I still love it, but not nearly as much as he does.”

Silence settled over the room as the scent of arousal and pleasure evaporated just as quickly. Taehyung’s brain booted up once again with the same error message from before.

SYSTEM ERROR. RELATIONSHIP DOES NOT COMPUTE. PLEASE DEFINE NEW PARAMETERS.

“So,” Jimin sighed airily. “Now what? I’d say let’s take another shower, but we both saw how that ended last time.”

Jimin’s giggles prickled unpleasantly under Taehyung’s skin and he shifted uneasily on the bed. Things between him and Jimin were progressing without abandon and there was a growing fear that he’d done something wrong.

This happened too fast, right? I should have waited until I knew we were both ready. I don’t know if I can do this anymore. What’s going to happen to me and Jimin? I can’t lose my soulmate and my best friend? What am I supposed to do now?

As the panic flooded his veins, Taehyung’s shallow breaths were causing slight vibrations on the mattress. Jimin wrongly assumed that Taehyung was giggling with him, so he was clueless that anything might be amiss.

“I’m going to fill the bathtub,” Jimin offered. “I think a nice hot bath will be just the thing we need. What do you think, Tae-Tae?”

Taehyung could only close his eyes and nod slightly, but that was enough of a response for Jimin. He slid off the ruined bed and made his way into the bathroom. As soon as the sound of running water filtered into the bedroom, Taehyung snapped.

He crawled off the bed and threw on a pair of loose pants and a crumpled t-shirt before seeking out his pair of slides from under the bed. Taehyung could hear Jimin humming some unknown tune while pulling bath supplies out of the cabinets.

“Tae, which bath bomb do you think we should use?” Jimin called out from the bathroom. “I have this avocado one and I also have this cute little astronaut.”

With his anxiety spiking dangerously, Taehyung backed away to the door and quietly slipped out into the hallway. He needed to find a place to hide so he could get his anxiety under control. He could hear Jungkook and Seokjin yelling at each other over the sounds of a video game in the living room. His only other option was to seek refuge in Y/N’s room at the end of the hall.

Shit! I forgot my phone.

Taehyung took a few moments to contemplate whether his phone was worth going back into the room for but ultimately decided against it.

Too risky, gotta hide!

He expeditiously crept down the hallway to Y/N’s room and knocked softly. He kept his eyes on his own bedroom door down the hall just in case Jimin decided to come out looking for him. Fortunately, Y/N came to his rescue and opened her door.

“Oh, hi, Tae,” Y/N chirped cheerily. “What’s up, buttercup?”

“Can I hide in your room for a while?” Taehyung blurted out hastily. “I’m having some issues with Jimin and I need a place to think.”

Y/N blinked at Taehyung in confusion and then stepped aside to usher him into her room. Taehyung made a beeline for the vanity chair and slumped into the plush cushions with his head in his hands. He was on the verge of a panic attack and Y/N could clearly see the signs of anxiety floating on the surface. He was pulling at his hair, practically hyperventilating, and fidgeting nervously as he tried to calm himself down. Y/N stepped forward and tried to figure out how she could help.

“Tae?” Y/N asked softly. “What’s going on, sweetheart? Talk to me.”

She didn’t want to touch him right away, even if she was just trying to comfort him through his distress. Y/N hovered over Taehyung’s crumpled form and spoke to him in soft, soothing tones.

“I don’t know what happened,” Y/N continued. “But right now, I just want you to focus on your breathing, ok, Tae? Is it ok if I touch you, sweetheart?”

Taehyung nodded violently and tried to pull air into his lungs, although his inhales were shaky and stuttering. Y/N’s hand gently soothed his back with small comforting circles and soft massaging touches along his shoulders. Taehyung’s breathing eventually slowed and his body lost the urge to combust. Once he felt like he had a better grip on his body, he sat up and turned his weary gaze to Y/N.

Y/N’s heart broke at the sight of Taehyung’s tear stained cheeks and red-rimmed eyes. She wanted to banish whatever was troubling this precious man and make sure he didn’t have another panic induced episode on her watch. Y/N took Taehyung’s face in her palms and pressed her forehead against his with a sigh. Taehyung whined softly as he felt Y/N’s forehead move away, but it morphed into a whimper when he felt Y/N’s lips press against his furrowed brow.

“OK, that’s better, isn’t it, honey?” Y/N cooed. “Wanna talk about it? You know I’m always here for you.”

Taehyung lifted his tear-filled eyes to meet Y/N’s concerned face and the wells of his distress bubbled over and began streaking down his cheeks. He tried to speak, but the only noise escaping from his trembling lips were hiccups.

Knock, Knock, Knock

“Noona,” called Jimin from the other side of the door. “Is Tae in there? I can’t find him.”

Taehyung’s pupils dilated in fear and he started backing away from the door frantically, pulling away from the comfort of Y/N’s hands in the process. Y/N stood up and looked at the door before gesturing to Taehyung to hide in her bathroom. He nodded once and disappeared into the darkened en suite while Y/N walked over to her bedroom door to speak with Jimin.

Whatever this is, it has to be about Jimin. Poor Tae.

Y/N answered the door and found Jimin’s half naked form on the other side. Dressed only in a pair of grey sweatpants, Jimin looked incredibly worried as his eyes quickly scanned the room in search of Taehyung.

“Hi, Noona, “ chirped Jimin. “Have you seen Taehyung? We were going to shower, but he disappeared.”

“We, huh?” Y/N quirked. “Trying to save water now, Jiminie?”

“Kinda,” Jimin chuckled. “We were, uh, having fun? You know, like we were last night? Anyway, we really needed a shower and he just dipped out without saying anything to me. I’m worried about him.”

“I see,” Y/N nodded. “Well, I can tell you that, yes, he is in here, but I don’t think he’s in the mood to talk to you right now.”

“What? Why?” Jimin exclaimed. “Did I do something wrong? Tae!”

Y/N prevented Jimin from rushing into her room and gave him a stern look. Jimin’s elevated concern dimmed and he lowered his head in submission. Jimin’s eyes misted over as he wistfully looked over Y/N’s shoulder, his eyes searching for his soulmate.

“I fucked this up already, didn’t I?” Jimin murmured sadly. “He kept asking to talk and I just kept seducing him. Is he mad at me?

“I’m not sure, Minnie,” Y/N sighed. “He hasn’t said much, but I can tell he’s going to need a little time, ok? I promise that I will sit down with both of you to talk this out as soon as he’s ready. Until then, I think it’s best if he stays here so I can help him.”

“I didn’t mean to upset him, Noona,” Jimin whined. “I would never intentionally hurt him. You have to believe me. I was just enjoying our time together so much, I didn’t want it to end. Please tell Tae that I’m sorry. I promise to do whatever he needs me to do to make this right.”

Y/N could hear the desperation mounting in Jimin’s words and she stepped forward to wrap her arms around him. His whole body shivered and he began trembling uncontrollably. Short, clipped inhales filled Y/N’s ears and she started rubbing his back to soothe the quakes rumbling through his delicate frame.

“What did I do wrong, Noona?” Jimin whimpered. “I promised him everything was going to be ok, and it feels like I broke that promise already. What am I supposed to do?”

Jimin’s whimpers devolved into sobs and Y/N could tell this whole situation was going to be one big hot mess. She sighed and gave Jimin a hearty squeeze before pulling back and wiping the tears from his cheeks. Jimin’s eyes were already puffy and red, and his lips were trembling vigorously.

Oh, Jimin.

“Minnie, sweetheart, it’s going to be ok,” Y/N assured him. “Let me walk you back to your room. You should finish taking your shower and then maybe take a little nap. I will talk to Taehyung and see if I can get him talking again, yeah? Once he’s ready, we’ll come over to your room and have a nice little group session, ok?”

Jimin’s precious fingers curled around Y/N’s shirt and he stood up a little taller and nodded slightly. Y/N maneuvered him away from her door and down the hall with very little resistance. Whatever was currently plaguing his thoughts was keeping him distracted enough to be manhandled. When they reached his bedroom door, Y/N pulled Jimin’s forehead down for a kiss and then she caressed his flushed cheeks.

“We’ll see you in a bit, ok?” Y/N reminded him. “Don’t worry, Jiminie. We will figure out a way to fix this. I promise.”

“Pinky promise?” Jimin asked cutely, offering his little pinky to her.

Y/N smiled and linked her pinky around Jimin’s. They were the same size.

“Pinky promise,” Y/N grinned. “Now, go take your shower. I will text you before we come over, ok?”

Jimin smiled sadly and nodded at her words before slipping into his bedroom. Y/N sighed out and then quickly made her way back to her bedroom, locking the door behind her. When she entered the dark bathroom, she couldn’t make out Taehyung’s form among any of the familiar shadows.

“Tae?” Y/N called out. “Are you still in here?”

A soft whine echoed from inside the bathroom and Y/N could just barely distinguish a subtle lump undulating in the bathtub. She walked over and found Taehyung curled into a ball in the empty soaking tub. He’d pulled her bathrobe and a towel on top of himself in an attempt to hide from Jimin should he come looking for him. Y/N threw down another towel onto the floor and kneeled beside the bathtub. As she leaned over his huddled form, she noticed that Taehyung was shivering and sniffling with a few hiccups interrupting his shaky breaths. She waited a few moments for Taehyung to show his face, but he remained hidden in fear.

“It’s ok, Tae-Tae,” Y/N soothed. “Go ahead and let it out. I will be right here when you’re ready.”

They remained in darkness as Y/N began humming a tune softly. Her soft voice floated in the space between them as Taehyung allowed his body to process the sudden panic attack. Taehyung’s mind latched onto the melody Y/N hummed and he focused on a good counter melody. He needed to think of something innocuous in order to get his brain back in good working order. As his musical synapses came back online, Taehyung felt his body inching away from despair bit by bit. He just needed to concentrate on Y/N’s voice.

Everything’s going to be ok. Y/N will be able to help me. If she can’t, then who?

The atmosphere within the bathroom grew lighter with each passing moment, and the world beyond Y/N’s door waited, albeit impatiently, for them to emerge.

Author's Note: I just realized how much time has passed since I last updated. I honestly don't even know if anyone is still reading this. A bucketful of thanks to my Goguma @xxxille-girlxxx for always being my little emo cheerleader and to my Marshmallow Cream Puff @li-main for encouragement and reassurance. I will try my best to continue this story, if not for myself, then for the invisible audience that I believe still exists somewhere in Tumblrland.

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PERIPHERAL MASTERLIST

CAUGHT-IN-A-SEESAW-STIGMA'S MASTERLIST

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caught-in-a-seesaw-stigma · 1 year ago

Text

Peripheral Masterlist

Pairings: OT7 x reader

Genre: Angst, Fluff, Smut

Series Summary: An unfortunate accident leaves Kim Namjoon with amnesia, and Big Hit, BTS, ARMY, and the entire world is desperate to help him regain his memories and knowledge. Fortunately, a new genetics company has successfully created a system to alter our brains into human databases which can help someone regain knowledge and memories through a simple input/output exchange. Can this new invention give us back our beloved leader?

Part 1 - (OT7 x reader) 6K+

Part 1.5 - (Seokjin POV) 1K+

Part 2 - (Hoseok x reader) 8K+

Part 2.5 - (Hoseok POV) 1K+

Part 3 - (Hoseok x reader, Yoongi x reader) 7K+

Part 3.5 - (Yoongi POV) 1.3K+

Part 4 - (Jimin x reader, Jungkook x reader) 9K+

Part 4.5 - (Jimin & Taehyung POV) 2K+

Part 5 - ( Yoongi x reader; Hoseok x reader; Jungkook x reader; Seokjin x reader) 8.7K+

Part 5.5 - (Hoseok & Jungkook POV) 2.8K+

Part 6 - (Seokjin x reader) 9K+

Part 6.5 - (Namjoon POV) 5.4K+

Part 7 - (Yoongi x reader) 10.8K+

Part 7.5 - (Taehyung POV) 2K+

Part 8 - (Taehyung x reader; Yoongi x reader; Hoseok x reader) 7.5K+

Part 8.5 (Jimin POV) 2K+

Part 9 (VMinKook x reader) 7K+

Part 9.5 (Seokjin POV) 3K+

Part 10 (Jungkook x reader, Hoseok x reader, Yoongi x reader, Vmin) 7K+

Part 10.5 (Flashback reader) 3K+

Part 11 (Jimin x Taehyung)

Part 11.5 (in progress)

Part 12 (in planning stage)

Part 12.5 (TBD)

Part 13 (TBD)

@caught-in-a-seesaw-stigma’s MASTERLIST

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