#(through my tears) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BELOVED

[kickthecanrevolution]

I’ve been so scared for days about this mammogram. When I called to schedule it last week, their earliest appointment was in July but then she realized she had a cancellation for today. The old Diane would have taken the July appointment, terrified to get the information and happy to just put it off but I fought it and took this appointment.

I cried a lot these last few days - this is when the high probability of survival and/or reoccurrence means nothing to someone like me who struggles with anxiety and some BPD, both telling me I didn’t deserve to be well and happy endings don’t happen to people like me but now I have tools now to fight those intrusive thoughts, and I used them. So I was ready this morning.

Last night I dreamt my friend Wendy, a BC survivor messaged me through Facebook, so while I was waiting for the scan, I opened that app and there she was, sending love to her husband on his birthday. I teared up (she rarely posts).

They took the scan, put me in a waiting room then called my name. She was so casual when she said “ok everything looks good we’ll see you next year or whenever your doctor says to come back!” and I burst into tears. She was pretty taken aback. 😂

When I got home, I was talking to my sister how this cancer has been a teacher that I needed. We hung up, I opened the Calm app to do my daily meditation and this was the theme:

I also found out that my niece has been approved by Medicaid for a schizophrenia drug that could change her life, and a beloved friend was approved for disability.

And I also found out my leave is approved through July 31.

What a day.

[leoizus]

the singing knight who creates melody

twelfth night by shakespeare | adonis, beginnings of the body, ends of the sea, selected poems (trans. khaled mattawa) | leo tsukinaga feature scout 2: a heartfelt round of applause (trans. royalquintet) | john cage's letter to helen wolff | fly me to the moon by frank sinatra | music by juhan liiv | constellations: leo by garry wilkinson | birhday of music by leo tsukinaga (trans: royalquintet)

[jhdyuiee]

Red is for Love

ꨄ︎ pairing: bf!jaehyun x fem!reader

ꨄ︎ warning/tags: smut!, unprotected sex, multiple positions/orgasms, oral (m receiving), kissing/making out, dirty talk, food play, breast play, smacking, rough jae, pet names/name calling

ꨄ︎ w.c: 1.7k

ꨄ︎ a.n: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAEHYUN MY BELOVED! 🤍

“so, what do you think?,” you asked the man in front of you, jaehyun, who had his eyes trained on you and every curve of your body.

you were decked out in a new lingerie set, a red one you’d purchased recently. not only to commemorate valentines, but jaehyun’s birthday as well. you were like a beautifully wrapped gift.

wearing a laced bra that had hearts carved in your nipple area, a thin laced thong, and a garter belt attached with red tights. purely decked in red— in love.

“fuck…” jaehyun sultry groans.

he clenched his fist, trying not to get easily tempted by you. but you were just too alluring to him.

“come on, let me give you one last treat,” you playfully said as you sank to your knees.

you held eye contact with jaehyun, your hands working their way to his zipper. you tease his member through his pants, feeling it hardened already. your hands go to unbutton and unzip his pants, pulling his briefs down as well until his member is out and free.

you inched your face closer, getting the delicious whiff of him, sliding your tongue from his balls to his tip. jaehyun’s hands, too, slowly made their way to your hair— gripping a fist of hair.

your moans vibrated along his member as you tried fitting him inside your mouth, your teeth barely grazing him. and once you bottomed him, you began moving your mouth along his member even quicker. jaehyun uses his hands to guide you.

you flutter your eyes to get a sight of jaehyun, a beautiful sight of him falling apart just by feeling your mouth engulfing his cock. your cheeks hollow with the deeper and quicker you took him in your mouth, occasionally bringing your tongue to lick alongside his shaft.

“shit, feels good baby,” jaehyun groans. “but p-please come here.”

jaehyun tries calling you over, but you’re too lost in his cock and making him feel good. you could tell he was almost close by the way he twitched inside your mouth. you couldn’t stop now.

“fuck, i told you, come here,” jaehyun says more aggressively.

and when you don't, he grips your hair tighter and removes you from sucking him off. you whined, pouted up at the man with tear stained eyes.

“such a cock slut, you can’t be away from it for one second,” jaehyun chuckles.

god, you loved this side of him. the side he showed nobody, but you. it turned you on, your cunt twitching at his rough words.

“how can i? i mean look at it,” you replied, kissing his cock repeatedly while maintaining eye contact with him.

he sucks in a breath, shutting his eyes for a split moment. “lap,” he mutters loud enough for you to hear.

and you knew better than to keep him waiting, but something within you couldn’t stop from teasing his cock one last time. stroking it with your hand, licking up his pre-cum one last time before you gave in and straddled his lap.

jaehyun had you right where he wanted, his fingers digging into your hips before going to the curve of your ass. his fingers fondled your ass, stretching your cheeks apart before bringing a hand to roughly smack you, jolting you forward. your arms around his neck as he repeats the action until your ass is nothing but a deep shade of red.

“look at me,” he whispers into your ear.

you moaned, biting your bottom lip as you locked eyes with him. he lunges forward, lips pressing on yours and tongue intruding in. the kiss is nothing but a mess, sloppy exploring inside one another.

all the while his hand touches your thong, pulling it up and you begin bucking your hips as you find the pleasurable sensation he’s giving you just from using your panties. you moaned into his mouth, growing wetter and hungrier to get him inside you.

“pl-please!” you begged, “pu-put it inside.”

jaehyun smiles as he continues devouring you, letting go of your panties– whining at the loss of sensation. you feel his hardened member rubbing you from the back of your ass, feeling his pre-cum too and the way he twitched.

“someone’s eagered,” you teased, pulling away from him.

your hand reaches behind, finding his cock. you lift yourself up, removing your panties first before lining yourself up with his cock. his tip slowly going inside, his cock stretching out and fitting snugly inside you.

jaehyun throws his head back on the couch as he feels your gummy walls hug him tightly. your pussy too addicting already.

you lift yourself up and down his cock, moaning louder with ever thrust. jaehyun just watches intensely, eyes moving from your pleasured face to where you two connected. his fingers making crescent moons on the fat of your ass.

jaehyun helps you on his cock, helping you bounce more quicker on his cock. your tits bouncing along with you, enticing jaehyun. he couldn’t stop himself from wrapping his mouth around your nipple, teeth biting down on your areolas. even the laced bra couldn’t stop him from marking you, the fabric slightly tearing from his bites. yet that was the least of your concerns right now.

his cock began twitching inside you, and your pussy tightened around him even more.

“jae-jaehyun,” you moaned his name, hand going to grip his hair.

he looks up from where he played with your tits, eyes fully lustful. “cum baby, let me feel you around my cock,” he groans.

he helps you, fucking into your harder. shouting his name shortly after as you felt yourself release around his cock, jaehyun followed in suit shortly after when he felt how deliciously you wrapped around his cock from your orgasm.

you fall onto him, wrapping your arms around him. your and his pants are the only sound in the room. yet you couldn’t even relax for a minute before you felt jaehyun lift you up.

“wh-what?” you questioned confusedly.

jaehyun doesn’t answer, holding you in his arms with his cock still attached inside you. it wasn’t until he finally laid you down on a cool surface that you realized where you were: the dining table.

you laid there, feeling as jaehyun began taking himself out of your sweet cunt. “mmm,” you whined as you no longer felt him inside you.

jaehyun leaves for a while, walking to his right. you watched from where you laid, watched as he grabbed the birthday cake that was still on the table. jaehyun brings it over, looking down on you. and just when you were going to question what he was going to do with it, he swipes his finger on some frosting and brings it to your nipple. he does the same to the other nipple, coating you in cake frosting before putting the cake back down on the table.

walking back over to you, he pries your legs open. he holds you with his hands, slipping himself back inside. you arched your back off the table, his thrusting going in deep and hard. his tip hitting your cervix, kissing it with every thirst he gives you.

jaehyun bends down, still thrusting, mouth wrapping around your frosting-coveered tit to lick it up. his saliva dripping down the side as he devours your tit, kissing his way to the other one, giving it the same treatment. his hand moving under you, unhooking your bra and removing it.

your tits bounced in his face as he continued thrusting into you. he couldn’t stop his mouth from finding your tits again, squeezing them together as he flicked your areolas. Pouding even harder, fucking you into the table, you wrapped your legs around him.

his fingers going down to your clit, rubbing the neglected bud. and before you knew it you released once more around him. you cling to him through your orgasm, chanting his name and mindlessly kissing his face.

jaehyun too meets his high not long after, coating your walls white once more. his cum was spilling from your pussy, you’d been overstuffed. the sight only turned jaehyun on all the more, he wasn’t close to stopping.

he has you against the wall, your hands against the wall as you bended over for him. his hands rub your ass gently, spreading your cheeks apart so he could go inside. the spilled cum, getting pushed back inside.

his fingers gripping onto your waist as he thrust into you, tip finding your g-spot. his thrust quickened, shoving himself into you deeper until he hit your womb.

your legs grew weak, buckling inward. it didn’t take much until you collapsed on the floor, jaehyun still fucking you from behind. he held you up, and leaned in. he kisses on your exposed neck, marking you down your back.

jaehyun returns behind you, skin slapping throughout the room. his pace is not faltering as he continues to abuse your insides. and at this point you’ve damned lost yourself. you were nothing but a moaning, crying mess that unraveled at the sensation of his cock.

“i’m cu-cuming,” you moan.

jaehyun feels your walls clench, his own cock twitching. he slaps your ass, it jiggles from the impact of his hand and thrust. a sight for sore eyes.

“cum with me baby,” he whispers into your ear.

“fu-fuck,” he groans, throwing his head back as you gushed around his cock again and he painted you with his seed.

your body trembled underneath him, overstimulated cunt quivering. jaehyun slips out, his cum spilling out in loads.

he grabs hold of you, barely consciously feeling as he carries you to the bedroom. he lays you down on the bed before it dips down on his weight.

jaehyun’s lips find yours as he kisses you with much heat and possessiveness. you, too, mindlessly explore his mouth. your tiredness soon becomes a distant feeling as you two soon keep going at it, round after round.

his sweet birthday surprise lasting until the next morning. and by the times you two finally hit the sheets, you were stuffed, overloaded, with his seed.

and unbeknownst to you and jaehyun, a new life had just been conceived. jaehyun’s final gift– well made– our child.

© jhdyuiee

2025. 02. 16

[bizarrelovetriangel]

karaoke night.

celebrating sylus' birthday karaoke night with the crow fam!

fluff!! also if you don't like the song choices please change them to your preferences lol <3 and thanks to those who gave me suggestions for sylus' songs!

happy birthday to our beloved dragon who deserves all the happiness !!!!!!

The karaoke room is filled with tension.

Wines and juices have all been refilled, snacks are half-way eaten, and the participants are ready to give it their all.

The twins are doing vocal warm-ups, and Mephisto is perched up on the very back middle couch, ready to be the judge.

You stared at your partner intensely, clasping his broad shoulders before lightly shaking his body.

"Sylus. This is a very important matter. If we get a lower score than Luke and Kieran, I'm breaking up with you."

On the night of the 18th of April, you find yourself in the beautiful, elegant karaoke room owned by the man of the hour, the birthday celebrant, Sylus.

After spending the day at the wildlife park with him, you two are now joined by Luke, Kieran, and Mephisto for karaoke night. Sylus has been wanting to use the new, all-in-one karaoke speaker and microphone that you'd bought last week, and this is the perfect time to do it.

The table in the center of the room is filled with various snacks, including your main meals for dinner and his sliced-up birthday cake, as well as everyone's preferred drinks.

Luke is drinking strawberry lemonade, Kieran is having iced tea, Mephisto has his water, Sylus got himself red wine, and you decided to get a Mimosa. Despite the alcoholic drinks, neither you nor Sylus are drunk.

Although, your drink certainly has made everything seem funny to you. You're unsure if it's the Mimosa's effects or if everyone just seems hilarious tonight. Either way, it surely made your experience more interesting.

Everyone chose you to be the first singer of the night, and so you took the microphone and selected a song.

I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany.

It's an upbeat song that you like to sing as you cook and clean, so you've definitely had practice before. At the end, the karaoke machine gave you a generous score of 85.

You're proud of yourself, especially because you caught Sylus nodding and lip-syching along with you half-way through the song, which made you get into it even more.

Next up is Sylus. The first song he picked is You Give Love A Bad Name by Bon Jovi.

He loves all kinds of music, so when it comes to karaoke, anything goes. This time, he chose a classic rock song that had everyone bopping their heads and tapping their feet — even Mephisto was headbanging a little.

Score: 37.

"PFFFTTT - "

Sylus scoffs at his score displayed on the TV screen in giant, bolded fonts.

"It must be a glitch. Must've detected some background noises that interfered with my score."

Luke and Kieran were whistling and clapping their hands. "You did great, boss!"

"Yeah! You even scored higher than last time!"

Kieran's words of encouragement made you choke on your drink as you laughed even more, tears pooled around your eyes.

"That was wonderful, Sylus." you cooed, patting him on his right shoulder.

Regardless of his score, he looked like he was genuinely enjoying singing, so you can't help but smile and cheer along.

Sure, he has his own...special...singing style, but he always looks so full of joy whenever he's singing his heart out, and that's what really matters more than anything. Solely for this reason, you'll always be his number one fan.

Kieran went after and his song choice is Bring Me To Life by Evanescence.

He was fully committed into the performance by walking up to the front of the room and moving along as if he's singing on a stage in front of thousands of people.

Naturally, you, Luke, and Sylus can't help but join in on the background.

Score: 98.

"Damn."

Sylus wore a grin as Kieran bowed in gratitude for the cheers from you and Luke. "Looks like all the practice in the shower paid off."

The microphone was then passed on to Luke, who chose to sing Welcome To The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance.

Refusing to be outdone by his brother, Luke also sang at the front and did the whole performance as if he's on stage in front of a big audience.

Score: 98.

"Wow."

"A tie?!"

The twins shook their heads in unison. "One of us has to be the winner! Mephisto, who do you think sounded better?"

The crow did not hesitate to lift up his left wing to point at Luke.

"Yes!"

Kieran sighs in defeat, shoulders sagging. "Fine. I'll beat you next time!"

"Wait, Miss Hunter and the boss have to be in this too!" Luke exclaims. "We usually do karaoke just for fun, but since it's the boss' birthday, we should make it special tonight. Whoever gets the highest score should win a prize!"

Sylus crossed his arms. "I like it. I'm in."

You raised a brow at him. "So confident."

"I have no reason not to be."

Kieran thought for a moment. "We should do it in teams. Me and Luke versus Miss Hunter and the boss. First, we'll do another round of individual ones, and then we can each do a duet. We'll add our scores and whoever has the greater total is the winner."

"I'm partnered with Sylus?"

"Something wrong with that, sweetie?" he asked quietly, leaning closely to your face to give you a playful, intimidating look.

You almost got lost in his eyes and had the urge to caress his face.

Almost.

But you had to lock in.

You didn't really care much about the prize, but you're feeling particularly competitive tonight.

Rather than cupping his face just like what your heart truly wanted to do, you clutched on his shoulders tightly, forcing him to look at you seriously.

"Sylus. This is a very important matter. If we get a lower score than Luke and Kieran, I'm breaking up with you."

It took him thirty seconds to register what you had just said.

The first phrase that his brain heard is the last part of your sentence and he almost spat out all the wine he'd been drinking.

But after he replayed all of your words and realized you're just joking, he let out a chuckle that was packed with relief.

He'd be lying if he said he didn't freeze up in panic for a moment. Just the thought of you bringing up the possibility of a break up made him feel uneasy.

But as you generously remind him often, you're here to stay.

You're not going anywhere, and neither will he.

"You have nothing to worry about." Sylus smiled and softly poked your forehead. "We'll definitely win this."

The competition officially starts in this round.

Following the same order as the previous one, which was basically just for fun and practice, you went up first and sang Mr Brightside by The Killers.

You mean serious business.

You remained in your spot but you had to stand up and move your whole body to be fully get into it the same way Luke and Kieran do, as that seems to be the trick for getting a high score.

It was proven correct as you got a satisfying score of 89.

Sylus gave you a standing ovation, which had you giggling and curtsying dramatically.

But then your nervousness struck once you handed the microphone to Sylus.

Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra.

He dared to throw a wink at your direction in the middle of his performance, and now your heart is racing and your face feels hot.

It's quite a cheesy move, but when Sylus is the one doing it, you start feeling like you're in a romantic-comedy movie who's so lucky to be in love and be loved.

It's also a genius distraction for his off-key singing. You were put in a trance by that wink and the next thing you know, the song ends with the twins clapping and fake crying for him.

Score: 12.

"....."

Kieran sang A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton and of course, he scores 91.

Of course.

What a big difference from the man who sang before him.

Next, Luke gave a beautiful performance of Wonderwall by Oasis, and his result was 67. It's not as good as his first song, but it is still much, much better than a 12.

"Ugh."

You slumped your body on Sylus' side.

"It's so over."

"Don't jump to conclusions just yet." He tapped your head. "We still have one more chance to catch up. What song should we sing?"

While Luke prepares the second microphone, you and Sylus scrolled through the list of song choices.

"Let's do this one." He points at a track he recognized and you laughed, thinking he was just joking, but one glance at his face and you saw nothing but seriousness and determination.

"Are you serious?"

"We just watched the movie recently and the song still gets stuck in my head. Besides, I heard you singing it in the kitchen the other day. This time, let me join you."

Lay All Your Love On Me, a song from a musical film, Mamma Mia! and originally performed by Abba.

At this point, you've drank enough Mimosa to fully let loose and go all out for your duet.

"Okay. Let's do this!"

Singing the song all by yourself is a completely different experience than when singing with your lover. Once again, you were hit with the feeling of, 'Oh this is so cheesy, but I love it' in your chest.

You were smiling the whole time, especially whenever it's Sylus' turn to sing. Not because he's off-key, but because he was just as into it as you were and his energy boosts your own, making the entire performance really fun.

Passionate hand motions and eyes occasionally closing to feel the song; if only someone could've recorded Sylus at this moment, you'd gladly replay it over and over again.

You really do love seeing him like this.

He always looks his best when he's happy.

You're grateful for music and for karaoke nights for showing you this side of him that only his loved ones, his family, can ever see.

Score: 74.

"No fucking way!"

You excitedly faced Sylus and held up both of your hands for a high-five.

"We did so good!"

He gave what you asked for, along with a peck on your forehead before pulling you in for a one-arm embrace.

"I told you we got nothing to worry about." He passed the microphones to the twins. "Go on and beat our score, if you can."

You and Sylus watched like proud parents as they performed in front of the room.

I want It That Way by Backstreet Boys.

Just with the song choice, you already felt like they were going to win.

They sang great, unsurprisingly.

The plot twist of the night, however, was their score: 17.

"HUH?!"

You were failing to suppress your giggles.

"Weeeell, you might've butchered the chorus once you started singing at the same time... but individually you sounded great!"

Luke had been keeping track of everyone's scores starting from the second round.

You and Sylus have a total of 175 points.

As for Luke and Kieran, they have.... 175 points.

"Tied?!" the twins cried simultaneously.

All four of you turned your heads towards Mephisto.

"Mephie," You wore an innocent smile. "My favorite crow, my bestie..."

Sylus let out a brief, amused chuckle next to you while Mephisto blinked at you.

"Will you break the tie and decide which team won the karaoke competition?"

Mephisto tilted his head.

Then, he raised his right wing, the side where the twins are standing.

"...."

But then he stopped half-way and fully lifted his left, pointing to you and Sylus.

"Oooh, us?! Really?!"

You turned to Sylus for another high-five.

"Yay! We did it!"

Instead of a high-five, this time he picked you up from the ground with one arm around your waist, holding you against him before giving you a spin.

"Looks like you won't have to break up with me. You'll get to hear more of my singing."

You laughed and wrapped your arms around his neck, nuzzling your cheek against his.

"I can't wait!"

CLICK.

"Oh, Mephisto was recording this whole time?!"

Just for fun, while everyone is taking a snack break, you held up the microphone in front of Mephisto and he knew exactly what to do.

"CAW."

Score: 100.

"What the hell?!"

[2i1han]

if time stood still, would you?

Rewind.

pairing: musician!taesan x fem!reader │ word count: 12k │ genre: oneshot, angst, romance, nostalgia

tags: 90's au , first love , bandmember!taesan , musicshopowner!taesan , boyfriend!taesan , college!reader , 90's grunge inspired

warnings: mention of accidents/injury , unrequited love , mention of loss/tragedy

synopsis : follows a story about youth, and the passage of time. on your every birthday, you watch an old tape—one you've held onto for decades. in it, a familiar voice from the past makes a promise that was never fulfilled. some things change, but some feelings never do.

playlist : everything/the black skirts , reality/richard sanderson , the last stop of our pain/hanroro , back to the old house/the smiths, no surprises/radiohead , all apologies/nirvana , drain you/nirvana , about you/the 1975 , shower/1968 , silence/sunwoojunga , sunsetz/cas , no.1 party anthem/arctic monkeys , this life/moon sung nam , dream/han hee jung , you&i/kim jong wan , space/the poles

"happy birthday, my beloved y/n."

taesan's voice crackled through the old television speakers, distorted by time yet still undoubtly his. the grainy vhs footage flickered, casting a dim, bluish glow across the room. there he was— forever twenty, wearing his classic nirvana shirt. his face was bright with the kind of smile that had once made your world feel infinite.

"i'm sorry i can't be there today. you know i love you, right?"

your fingers curled tightly around the edge of the couch, knuckles turning white as you tried to keep yourself steady. but it was useless. the warmth of his tender voice, familiar, and you yearn for, sent a fresh wave of tears pooling in your eyes.

"the first time i met you, it was as if my world pressed 'play' for the first time. before you, my life felt like a song stuck on pause—waiting, and unfinished. but then you came along, and suddenly, everything made sense. you are the music that turned my silence into something beautiful."

the screen flickered as the tape struggled to play smoothly, but you didn't need to hear the rest. you already knew every word, every pause, every soft breath he took between sentences.

"y/n, today is your day, and i need you to promise me something—smile, even if i'm not there. celebrate, even if it's just for yourself. because you deserve every bit of happiness this world has to offer. and don't you worry, next time, we'll celebrate together. i promise it. we'll be together soon."

this message had been meant as a temporary goodbye—a placeholder for the promise that never came.

"i love you more than yesterday, and less than tomorrow, my dear darling, always."

han taesan. the only man you had ever loved. the only man you would ever love.

a sharp pain formed in your throat as you reached for the remote, pressing the power button with trembling fingers. the tv screen faded to black, leaving only your miserable reflection staring back at you.

a soft knock came from the door.

"come in," you called.

the door creaked open, and your niece, yujin, stepped inside, her gaze immediately landing on your pale face.

"you're crying," she said knowingly, her voice was gentle as she walked closer. "watching his clip again?"

you didn't answer, only swallowing back the lump in your throat as you wiped at your damp cheeks. careful taps, trying not to ruin the mascara you had applied earlier. you turned to the mirror, fixing the smudged edges of your makeup carefully—as if concealing your tears was something you had mastered over the years.

yujin sighed softly. "come on, the guests are waiting downstairs." she hesitated for a moment.

"happy 49th birthday, auntie."

you forced a small, tired smile and turned to her, pulling her into a gentle hug.

"let's go downstairs," you finally said.

as yujin walked ahead, you turned back toward the vhs player. your hands slightly trembled as you ejected the tape, the small cassette still warm from playing. you placed it carefully inside a worn-out box, the edges are frayed but you still refuse to let go of it.

with one last glance at the screen, you followed yujin out of the room.

▶• ılıılıılılılıılıılı.

the laughter still lingered through the dining area, the hum of conversation echoed through the house. plates clinked in the kitchen, wine glasses half-empty on the white table. the warmth of candlelight flickered across the walls, reflecting orange hues over the framed photographs—pictures of years that passed too quickly.

"going out?" your sister asked as she cleared the plates, glancing at you from the kitchen.

you stood by the coat rack, adjusting the sleeves of your white coat. "yeah, gonna fetch some, uh... more wine from the store." you offered her a small smile, though it didn't reach your eye.

she didn't question it, she already knew.

your sister just gave you a nod, the same look she always did whenever you slipped away. making excuses while you go out.

you turned toward the door, exhaling as you stepped outside. the cold air brushed on your skin, opposite to the warmth of the house behind you. your feet moved instinctively, leading you to your car. but you weren't heading for the wine store. no, this was something else entirely.

a habit of yours from a wound that never healed.

the drive was short. five minutes away from home. a lifetime away from your past that you still keep on returning to.

as you pulled up by the sidewalk, your hands stayed on the steering wheel, looking at the music shop stood just outside, unchanged. a piece of memory frozen in time.

you then stepped out, clutching your coat around yourself as you made your way to the entrance.

the door was the same—beige paint slightly chipped, a large glass pane in the middle. the brass bell chimed softly as you pushed it open, and the scent of aged vinyl wrapped around the room, enveloped in nostalgia.

inside, are the same shelves, the same wooden counters, the same dim lighting that cast an old glow over rows of vinyl records. the walls were lined with faded posters—nirvana, oasis, the beatles. his personal favorites.

your fingers grazed the spines of the records, stopping at the one you always reached for— mtv unplugged, nirvana.

"the usual?"

a familiar voice came from beside you, the shopkeeper—now in his 50s— wore a smile.

you just looked for a moment, then nodded. "yeah... this one's a classic."

"you know, you could always buy it," he chuckled. "you've been a regular here since back then."

you exhaled softly. "no... i'm fine with listening to it here. every week, through that old player."

you nodded toward the turntable in the corner, the needle was worn but still working, still playing the soundtrack of your youth.

the shopkeeper didn't push. he never did. instead, he just gave you a nod before turning away.

and then, the bell chimed again.

a woman walked in, followed by two girls in their early twenties. their laughter filled the room—light, gentle, untouched by the weight of the past.

"hi, dad!" one of the girls beamed, holding up a paper bag. "we stopped by the store. figured we'd bring some snacks!"

the shopkeeper—their father, smiled as he walked toward them, his voice livelier, happier than you'd ever heard it before.

and for the first time in years, you allowed yourself to look. really look.

one of the girls had his eyes. the same deep gaze you had drowned in long ago. and the other had his smile. that comforting smile that once made your whole life felt complete.

you stood there, vinyl still clutched in your trembling hands, as you watched the scene in front of you. the way they laughed, the way they easily existed in a world you no longer belonged to— you once belonged to.

your vision blurred, but you didn't cry. not yet.

instead, you closed your eyes for a little moment, letting the nostalgia sink in.

and then, the memories rewound.

↺ rewind, to 1994

detention, again.

you sat slumped at your desk, one foot tucked up on the chair, the other tapping impatiently against the floor. the loose jogging pants you had sneakily worn under your school skirt bunched at your ankles, but at least they kept you warm in this freezing classroom.

the culprit behind your punishment?

blasting rock music through the entire school's p.a. system like some kind of teenage anarchist.

the sentence of your crime?

will not trespass in the p.a. room again. written over and over on a sheet of lined paper, front to back, no gaps, no mercy.

you sighed loudly—for the fifth time. maybe sixth. you had lost count.

your teacher, the one who was supposed to be watching over you? passed out at their desk, head tilted back, mouth slightly open, snoring softly.

then, you eyed the window, thinking of an escape plan. but, when you second looked towards it, ryujin's grinning face popped up out of nowhere.

"psst—hey!" she whispered through the glass. same mischievous smirk.

"what now?" you muttered, barely looking up as you kept scribbling.

"new arrivals at mr. han's shop." she wiggled her eyebrows, waving both hands to hurry you up.

your head snapped up. new arrivals?

that changed everything. your mild consideration of escaping turned into a fully thought-out plan in less than a second.

the only problem? you were on the second floor.

but, of course, ryujin had a plan—she always did. she clung to a pillar outside, balancing on a maintenance ladder that neither of you were supposed to have access to. the school had confiscated it multiple times, but ryujin, being the delinquent mastermind she was, had bribed some p.e. students into sneaking it out.

"hurry up, dude!" she hissed, motioning for you to move.

you glanced at your sleeping teacher one last time. and then, out the window you went.

the cold metal of the ladder chilled your palms as you climbed down, ryujin barely holding it steady. both of you hit the pavement without getting caught. bingo.

giddy with adrenaline, the two of you bolted for the front gate, ducking past groups of students as if you were fugitives on the run.

your destination? flannel culture. your sacred safe haven. the best record shop in town.

ryujin had barely finished telling you about the new vinyl arrivals before you were both sprinting down the street, nearly tripping over your own feet in your hurry to get there first. your neatly tied ponytail had come completely undone, strands of hair flying everywhere.

by the time you reached the shop, breathless and slightly messy, mr. han—the owner, was already grinning behind the counter.

"morning, mr. han!" ryujin greeted, barely winded.

"i knew you two would get here before anyone else," he chuckled, arms crossed like he had been expecting this exact scenario.

you barely heard him. you were already beelining for the vinyls.

"sweet! these are fresh off the press!" you gasped, flipping through the stack, fingers gliding over brand-new releases.

"ditto," ryujin muttered, just as focused.

"i'll be behind the counter if you girls need anything," mr. han called out, but you were already in the zone.

your fingers immediately skimmed through the fresh arrivals, heart hammering in anticipation.

"definitely maybe" by oasis.

"dookie" by green day.

"weezer" by weezer.

"holy shit," you whispered, eyes widening as you flipped through the stack.

"jar of bells..." no idea.

then, you found it.

"mtv unplugged."

you had barely muttered the title under your breath when another voice joined in.

"mtv unplugged..."

you turned to find yourself face-to-face with a guy you hadn't noticed before—probably because you had been way too invested in the stack of squares in front of you.

and he was cool. nirvana shirt, ripped jeans, red flannel tied around his hips, short black hair, clear skin, a damn good jawline, and a smirk that only grew as he caught you staring.

your eyes flickered back to the vinyl still clutched in your hands, grip tightening. he was looking at it. he wanted it.

no way in hell.

your grip tightened.

"mtv unplugged. new release," he mused, glancing down at the album still clutched in your hands.

your hold on it locked. damn right, it was.

the boy chuckled, clearly entertained by the death grip you had on it.

"you should go for nevermind first." his voice was casual—like he wasn't trying to steal your vinyl right in front of you.

you shot him a narrow-eyed stare. "i've already listened to every single song on nevermind."

his smirk grew, realizing you weren't going to budge, he let out a short laugh and reached for a cd.

"fine, i'll let you have that one."

he grabbed nevermind instead, the cd, inspecting it with an approving nod.

your heart rate finally slowed down. victory is mine.

as he turned to go to the counter, he glanced over his shoulder one last time. "good taste, by the way."

and with that, he turned his back, leaving you standing there—still clutching your vinyl like your life depends on it.

ryujin strolled back over, a comic book in hand, the corners of her mouth curling into a knowing smirk.

"dude… who was that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, her voice low enough not to attract any unwanted attention.

you exhaled slowly, trying to hide the faint blush creeping up your neck. "i don't know, but he tried to rob me off a good vinyl," you muttered, still clutching the album in your hands.

ryujin snickered. "classic." she bumped your shoulder lightly before pulling out the book, flipping it open to the next page. "come on, let's listen to it."

with a shrug, you led the way to the player, and the two of you settled next to each other, comic books in hand. the needle dropped onto the record, you plugged in the headphone jack. the soft crackle travelling through before the music swelled. for the next few minutes, you both silently absorbed the music through wires.

by the time the last track played, you were practically fighting back tears. it was almost dramatic how much you adored the album.

"that was gnarly," you said, as you carefully set the vinyl back in its case, treating it like the treasure it was.

ryujin nodded without looking up from her comic. "nirvana was the real shit." she shifted, tapping the side of her comic with a finger. "go look for more new arrivals. we haven't even finished this one yet."

you let out a half-hearted groan but couldn't resist. you liked the idea of finding more gems, anyway. but as you strolled back toward the shelves, your eyes caught something familiar.

it was him.

the guy from earlier. he was sitting near the counter now, leaning against the wall with a cd player in hand, his earphones hanging loosely around his neck. his relaxed posture and the way he completely disappeared into the moment caught your attention.

you looked down at the album in your hand, then back at him.

"poor guy…" you muttered under your breath. "if he doesn't get to listen to it right away."

without thinking, you walked over, tapping his shoulder lightly. he glanced up, removing his earphones with a raised brow.

"hey," you said, offering him the vinyl. "i noticed mr. han doesn't have the mtv unplugged cd in stock yet. it'd be a shame if you didn't get to listen to it instantly. it's really good."

the guy smiled, his eyes softening as he accepted the record from your hand, his fingers brushing against yours just for a moment.

"thanks," he said, the gratitude in his voice making you feel like you had done something right for once.

"you can use the turntable over there," you gestured toward the corner of the shop, where the record player sat. "there's a headphone jack available."

he nodded and walked past you, heading over to the turntable while you returned to ryujin's side.

"where was it?" she asked, nudging your shoulder.

you shrugged, your attention still on the guy who was now setting up the record player, eyes already closed as he settled into the music. "let's just play another after he finishes," you muttered, your head leaning closer to ryujin's comic, pretending to focus.

ryujin narrowed her eyes at you, the smirk creeping back. "you're way too generous today."

you flicked her arm. "focus. i don't want to wait for you to flip the page." she rolled her eyes but continued reading, letting you do what you do best.

it wasn't long before ryujin's stomach growled, cutting through the silence between the two of you.

"go grab something to eat," you said, pointing to the door. "i'll wait here."

she shot you a look, rolling her eyes dramatically. "you better not flip through the pages while i’m gone."

"promise nothing," you replied without missing a beat.

as soon as ryujin disappeared out the door, you leaned over and sneakily turned the comic to the next page.

but then, a voice caught your attention again.

"thank you," the guy from earlier said, appearing beside you, looking almost embarrassed to interrupt.

you jumped up, startled. "oh, it's nothing," you quickly reassured him, trying to brush off the awkwardness. "how was it?"

he smiled, almost sheepish. "as expected, it was great." he chuckled softly, adjusting his cd player.

you smiled in return, feeling the familiar rush of excitement when talking about music. "i freaking know, they've always been the best." the conversation flowed just naturally.

"i'm taesan," he said, a hand rising awkwardly in the air like he wasn't quite sure whether to offer a handshake or just a wave. "i'm the son of the owner of this shop."

you froze for a second. internally, you cursed your luck. of course, you had competed over the vinyl with the son of the shop's owner. but whatever, the early bird gets the worm, right?

"jang y/n," you replied with a smile, reaching for his hand. "nice to meet you."

you both sat down, the tension easing as you settled into conversation.

"were you playing nevermind earlier on the cd player?" you asked, curiosity getting the best of you.

taesan hummed, his lips pouting as he thought for a moment. "yeah, i was. what's your favorite song?"

you leaned back slightly, thinking. "hmm, probably all apologies. especially the instrumental break. god, i love that song." your voice trailed off as you grinned widely, caught up in the thought of the song.

taesan laughed softly, eyes glimmering with something like amusement. "you're passionate. i like that."

you chuckled awkwardly, hoping the blush creeping up your cheeks wasn't too obvious.

"so," you said, eager to keep the conversation going. "do you go to school here?"

he nodded. "yeah, i'm at a university just one bus ride away from here."

you processed that for a moment, realizing with a small sigh that he probably wasn’t talking about your university. but still, you smiled. "oh, cool."

a comfortable silence settled between you two but that didn't feel awkward at all.

then, the chime of the record store door rang out, and you barely had time to look up before ryujin strolled back in, but her hands were empty. no takeout bags, no snacks—just an exhausted expression as she groaned dramatically.

"where' the food?" you asked, frowning.

ryujin groaned like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. "the convenience store ran out of kimbap, and the cashier was taking a lifetime to restock. let's just go eat at the food court. i need actual fuel if you want me to swing around longer."

"but—" your eyes flickered toward the bench where your bag sat. taesan was still there, his fingers idly drumming against the wooden surface as he looked at you and ryujin, confused. you hesitated, glancing between ryujin and the him.

before you could make a decision, mr. han waved you off with a smile. "go ahead, kid. your stuff's safe here."

ryujin had already grabbed you "move it. you'll live."

you barely had time to turn to taesan and wave. "we'll be back!" with a sigh, you let ryujin drag you out the door.

▶• ılıılıılılılıılıılı.

you spent the next twenty minutes watching in mild horror as ryujin absolutely demolished two platters of bibimbap and a side of banchan. she didn't even pause between bites.

"you know, for someone who complains about getting broke from buying comics, you sure eat like a king," you muttered, stabbing at your food halfheartedly.

ryujin barely looked up, shoving another spoonful into her mouth. "shut up—'s called survival."

you exhaled, pushing a few grains of rice around your plate.

you wanted to get back to mr. han's shop.

at first, you convinced yourself that it was just because of the new vinyl arrivals. you hadn't even finished browsing yet—there were at least three more shelves to go through, and you hadn't checked if they had any used tapes in stock.

but then your mind drifted back to taesan.

you could still picture his thoughtful expression, the way his eyebrows furrowed when he was trying to pick a favorite nirvana song. the way he had smirked slightly when he caught you rambling about all apologies.

you shook your head. nope. it was definitely about the records.

and the moment ryujin swallowed her last bite, you practically dragged her back toward mr. han's store.

but as soon as you stepped inside—taesan was gone.

you scanned the shop, almost hoping he'd just moved to a different section, but his spot near the turntable was empty. the warmth that had settled in your chest earlier flickered out, replaced by something you didn't know what.

you deflated instantly. ryujin barely noticed, already flipping through another volume of the comic she was reading earlier. you debated for a second before hesitantly walking over to mr. han at the counter.

"mr. han?"

the old man didn't even look up from his book. "mmm?"

you shifted awkwardly. "uh… do you know where taesan went?"

that's when he finally glanced up with a smirk. "i knew both of you would instantly match," he said, amusement laced in his voice.

you blinked. huh?

he simply chuckled, flipping a page. "he went back to school for a band practice. he has a packed schedule on weekdays."

you tried and failed not to look too disappointed as you dragged yourself back to the bench where ryujin was sitting.

she barely looked up from her comic. "what was that gloom all about?"

you flopped down next to her. "nothing."

"also," she continued, flipping a page dramatically, "why are you suddenly being all buddy-buddy with that music thief?"

you rolled your eyes. "come on, he's nice, ryu."

ryujin scoffed. "wow, you're saying that like you weren't just playing tug-of-war with him over a vinyl a few hours ago."

you ignored her, pulling out your book from your bag—then froze.

there, stuck to the back of your bag, was a small yellow sticky note.

your eyes narrowed as you peeled it off, fingers smoothing over the inked numbers scrawled in slightly messy handwriting. a pager number. and beneath it, just one word:

—taesan.

you froze, staring at the note like it had just fallen from the heavens, and for a moment, you forgot how to function.

your face went from deadpan to pure joy in under three seconds. you had to physically stop yourself from grinning too hard because ryujin would never let you live it down.

carefully, you peeled the sticky note off your book and folded it neatly. you then placed it inside your pencil case like it was some kind of rare artifact.

firmly, securely, so it wouldn't fly away.

ryujin finally looked up, her eyes narrowing. "why do you look like you just won the lottery?"

"no reason," you said quickly, zipping your pencil case shut.

ryujin stared at you for a long moment before muttering, "i don't like the look on your face."

you just smiled, pushing her shoulders.

and, the second you got home, you threw your bag onto the floor and face-planted onto your bed. you rolled onto your back and snatched your beeper off the nightstand like it was holy.

you sat up, unfolded the sticky note, and traced the inked numbers with your thumb.

your heart thumped.

should you page him now? would that seem too eager? maybe you should wait. play it cool.

you glanced at your clock. it had literally been twenty seconds.

groaning, you rolled onto your stomach, kicking your feet against the mattress like some schoolgirl in a romance movie. then, without giving yourself time to overthink—you punched in the numbers and sent a simple message:

"hope class didn't bore you to death. thanks for the sticky note. - jang y/n"

the second you hit send, you muffled a scream into your pillow.

what the hell were you doing? what if he didn't reply? what if he thought you were annoying? what if—

your beeper vibrated almost immediately and quickly scrambled so fast you nearly dropped it.

"would've been worse if i didn't have all apologies stuck in my head. consider this your official music karma. - taesan"

a stupid, uncontrollable grin stretched across your face. you flopped onto your back, rolling around in pure, ridiculous giddiness, nearly sending your comforter tumbling to the floor.

before you could even type a response, another beep flashed across the tiny screen.

"7 pm? dad's store. - taesan."

you froze.

you clutched your beeper like it was a lifeline, rereading the message again. and again. was he… asking you out? no. no way. it was just a hangout. a casual thing between new friends.

you shook your head, forcing yourself to focus, and typed back quickly:

"sure! meet you there. - y/n"

then, you practically leaped off your bed and dashed to your closet. your hands flew across the hangers, eyes scanning every piece of clothing like you were preparing for the most important night of your life.

denim skirt? too much.

plaid jeans? too casual.

then you caught yourself.

you groaned, pressing your forehead against the closet door. why am i even stressing over this? it's not a date. it's not.

exhaling sharply, you grabbed a denim skirt and a brown flannel, slipping them on before you could second-guess yourself.

▶• ılıılıılılılıılıılı.

you were walking ridiculously slow.

your heart drummed against your ribs, your hands fidgeting with your sleeves. you told yourself you weren't nervous. you told yourself this was just some casual meet-up.

but the second you spotted taesan standing outside the now-closed store, your breath caught in your throat. he hadn't noticed you yet.

earphones in, cd player in hand, his head tilted slightly upward as if lost in the music. his eyes were closed, his expression relaxed—lips barely parted, a faint, smile playing at the edges.

you hesitated, just watching him for a second.

the streetlights cast a soft golden hue over him, making the moment feel unreal—like something out of an indie film, grainy and warm, like a memory you were supposed to witness and never forget.

you bit your lip. then, finally, you stepped forward and lightly tapped his arm.

taesan's eyes fluttered open, turning to meet yours. his expression shifted instantly—calm turning to warmth, like the moment you step into a sunlit room after the cold.

"hey," he said, pulling his earphones out and tucking his cd player into his large pocket.

"hey," you echoed, stuffing your hands into your skirt's pockets. you glanced at the shop door behind him. "so... where to? mr. han already closed the store."

taesan just grinned. then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, dangling it between two fingers. "i'm not the owner's son for nothing."

a subtle laugh escaped your lips. you shook your head as he turned, unlocking the door and pushing it open. the blinds remained closed, keeping the outside world at bay.

inside, the air was warm. the scent of old records and faint aroma of coffee hung in the contained air. taesan flipped the switch, and the shop lit up—not with the bright, fluorescent glare of daytime but with the muted, greenish glow of the overhead bulbs. the only other source of light came from the street lamps outside, their soft yellowish tint seeping in through the cracks of the blinds.

you puckered your lips, stepping in and looking around.

taesan closed the door behind you with a soft click before roaming around the store.

"i have a favorite here, and i want you to listen to it," taesan said as he made his way to a shelf tucked in the corner.

you watched as he ran his fingers over the spines of records. then, with a small, satisfied hum, he pulled one out and turned to you, holding it up to show you.

you leaned in, studying the cover. the title and artist were unfamiliar. taesan noticed your puzzled look and smirked.

"you haven't heard of it, huh?"

you shook your head, but a smile crept up your lips. but that only made you more eager. something new. something taesan liked.

a small smile tugged at your lips. "i've never heard of this one."

"even better." he grinned.

taesan walked over to the turntable by the counter, motioning for you to follow. you stood close beside him as he carefully placed the vinyl onto the platter. the way he handled it—gentle, the kind only someone who truly cherished music would have, made you watch him a little longer than necessary.

"it's reality, by richard sanderson," he murmured, lowering the needle. "me and dad used to listen to this a lot when it first came out. i was eleven."

then, he turned to you, slipping the headphones gently over your ears.

you blinked up at him, caught off guard by the sudden closeness. his fingers barely brushed your skin as he adjusted the ear cups, making sure they sat just right. he was so close that you could see the way his lashes fanned over his cheeks, the way the dim lighting softened his already soft features.

for some reason, you couldn't bring yourself to say anything.

the vinyl crackled. and then—music.

a slow, dreamy melody slipped into your ears. nostalgic, like the kind of song that belonged to another lifetime. your lips parted slightly as a smile crept onto your face.

you let your head tilt slightly, eyes fixed on the wall in front of you, absorbing every note. your fingers tapped lightly against the table in time with the beat, a small, unconscious movement.

and taesan— he just stood there, watching you.

the muffled sound of the song spilled from the headphones, barely audible, but he didn't need to hear it to know exactly what you were experiencing. he saw it in the way your eyes shimmered slightly, the way your breath seemed to sync with the rhythm, the way you looked like you were slipping into some other world entirely.

for a moment, everything slowed.

he should've looked away. should've focused on the music, or the record spinning beneath the needle, or literally anything else. but he didn't.

he just stood there, completely still, watching you as if you were the song itself.

you let your eyes flutter shut, surrendering to the music, letting it paint a scene behind your eyelids. a quiet, hazy film reel of things you couldn't quite place—warm streetlights, cityscapes blurring past, the kind of love that only existed in faded polaroids.

and taesan, he only saw one thing, a whole moment right in front of him.

the song had already started to fade out.

you opened your eyes, expecting taesan to finally move— to lift the needle off the vinyl, maybe say something about the track, but he didn't. he just stood there, watching you, completely still, as if he hadn't noticed the music had ended.

"i loved the song. really." you smiled, still caught in the the melody. "thank you for letting me hear it. it's something special to you, so... i feel honored."

your lips curled into a small, tight-lipped smile as you tilted your head slightly.

but taesan didn't reply.

he only stared, looking at you in that same quiet, unfazed way—as if he was trying to memorize you, to carve this exact moment into his mind so he wouldn't forget it.

you tried looking anywhere else. the wall behind him, the floor, the logo on his shirt, but your eyes kept finding its way back to his.

then, finally, he spoke.

"you're interesting." his voice was low, almost amused, a small, endearing smile on his face.

you let out a nervous chuckle, trying to shake off the weight of his stare. "i am always interesting." you threw in a playful shrug, encouraging whatever thought had just crossed his mind.

taesan laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he turned back to the turntable, carefully placing the vinyl back into its sleeve. "no, i mean it. you are interesting."

you froze for half a second before sinking onto the bench beside the turntable desk, looking up at him. "you just met me."

taesan placed the vinyl on the desk before settling next to you. his head tilted back slightly, gaze drifting up to the ceiling, lost in thought.

"it's the first time someone's ever beaten me to a vinyl," he said with a chuckle, recalling what had happened earlier morning. "the way you gripped onto it with that look on your face—i don't know, i just thought it was funny. interesting. made me wanna know you."

his voice was quieter now, as you carefully listened.

"but then..." he exhaled, his hands resting loosely on his knees. "the way you listened to music—the way you get lost in it, i think that's what really got me."

he turned slightly, just enough so that you could see the corner of his lips quirk up.

"and when you gave me that vinyl, i guess that was it."

you blinked. that was it?

"but, you know," he added with a slight laugh, "your friend kinda stole you away before i could even say anything. then i had band practice, so..."

you remembered something then. the sticky note.

narrowing your eyes, you leaned forward. "how did you even know which bag was mine?"

taesan chuckled. "hmm... let's just say you have a pretty unique in utero keychain hanging from your zipper."

you let out a breath—half a laugh, half genuine disbelief.

"you're observant," you muttered.

taesan's smile faded slightly. "i'm observant when it matters."

he then turned his head toward you, while yours remained far away, simply existing in the moment. the air between you was still, the occasional whoosh of cars passing by outside, blurred and distant. it was quiet, but not empty.

then, as if sensing his gaze, you turned your head—only to find him already looking. but he didn't look away.

"let's go out," he said. his tone was steady, and effortless. no hesitation can be sensed

you nodded, tapping your lap before pushing yourself up to stand in front of him. "let's go?"

taesan let out a low chuckle, shifting upright from his relaxed lean, his eyes still fixed on you. "out." a smirk tugged at his lips, "like, a date."

you stood there, blinking at him, gazing in the way his eyes shimmered—starrier than the sky outside. you didn't think. you didn't need to. it felt like a decision had already been made long before this moment.

"okay," you said. "let's go out."

there was no rush of surprise, no shift in the air—just a mutual understanding, easy and natural, like falling into place. the way you spoke, the way he asked, the way his voice filled the quiet, and the way you both existed in each other's presence. it felt like you had known him in every lifetime before this.

taesan simply smiled, standing up with ease. "it's a date, then. but—" he said, glancing at the store's old stereo, "we're not going out just yet. it's still early, and we've got more music to dance to." he grinned, stepping away to browse through the shelves, searching for the next song.

you watched him move, the way he hopped from one record to another, flipping through them with an enthusiasm that made the moment feel infinite. and just like that, the night went on in your own little world.

two month had passed since you and taesan made it official.

at first, it was almost amusing how natural it felt—how seamlessly he fit into your life, as if he had always been there. after weeks of getting to know him, of late-night messages filled with laughter and quiet walks where words weren't needed, saying yes to him wasn't difficult at all. the only real challenge had been your parents, who—like all parents—wanted to make sure he was worthy of you. they made him chop firewood for grill nights, tested his patience with endless questions, and gave him skeptical looks whenever he came over. but taesan, with his charm and sincerity, had won them over before long. now, he was not just your taesan, but theirs too.

after spending the day hanging out with ryujin and the others, you were heading home. and there he was—waiting at your gate, earphones over his head as always.

even after all this time, the sight of him still made your heart race. it reminded you of the first time you both went out, of how everything had started.

smiling, you skipped toward him and playfully shook his shoulders.

"hi!"

taesan's expression immediately shifted, his cold face melting into the warmest, brightest smile.

"you made it." he beamed. "how was today?"

before you could answer, he wrapped his arms around you, swaying you gently from side to side.

"fine," you mumbled against his chest. "but i'm tired."

taesan pulled back just enough to hold your shoulders, leaning down slightly so your faces were level.

"wanna go for a walk? or stay in?" he reached up, tucking a few stray hairs behind your ear.

you smiled. "come on, let's walk."

he would've objected. if it weren't for the genuine excitement in your voice, he would've already ushered you inside and made you dinner.

but instead, he laced his fingers with yours, walking around the quiet neighborhood, hands swaying back and forth.

then, after a few moments of silence, taesan glanced at you.

"i wanna show you something," he said.

you raised a brow. "what is it?"

he only chuckled before moving behind you, gently placing his hands on your shoulders and guiding you forward.

"come on. trust me."

and of course, you did. you always do.

as you neared a greener part of the neighborhood, taesan suddenly spoke again.

"close your eyes."

you blinked up at him.

"if you look now, the surprise will be spoiled," he added, a small smirk on his face.

wanting to play along, you let out a soft laugh before nodding and shutting your eyes. taesan's pace slowed as he led you forward, his hands still firm on your shoulders.

your heart beat faster with each step. then, finally, you came to a stop.

you could feel taesan's presence in front of you, towering. his voice was gentle when he said, "open your eyes."

slowly, you did.

as your vision adjusted, the first thing you saw was his glowing smile. and behind him— a tree.

not just any tree, but a large, beautiful one standing tall in the night, its branches stretching over a small wooden bench. fireflies floated lazily through the air, their soft glow twinkled like tiny stars. dimly lit post lights stood around, casting everything in a cozy dim.

it was breathtaking. like something out of a dream. like something you'd only read about in a story, but never expect to see in real life.

and yet, here it was. with taesan.

your chest swolled with joy as your eyes welled up. you turned back to him, voice barely above a whisper.

"this is beautiful..." without thinking, you pulled him into a hug. "i love you, taesan."

for a moment, he didn't say anything.

then, he gently grabbed your shoulders again, tilting your chin up so you were looking into his eyes.

"i love you most, y/n."

then, with a small nod toward the bench, he spoke, "come, let's sit. i prepared something for you."

you followed as he led you to the seat, your fingers still tangled together.

then, you noticed a brown acoustic guitar leaning against the tree. taesan reached for it, settling next to you as he rested the instrument on his lap.

you smiled, leaning your head against his shoulder.

"i've sung a lot of songs for you already," taesan said. he let his fingers glide across the strings of his guitar, testing the weight of the moment before continuing. "but this one... this one's different."

you looked up as his lips curved into the smallest smile, his gaze shifting between you and the instrument in his hands. the glow of the streetlamp nearby cast golden light over his face, making him look almost unreal—like something out of an old, forgotten film.

"i started writing this the night we first went out. i add to it day by day," he admitted, his voice hushed, as if the confession itself was fragile. "after we crashed at my dad's shop. i don't know... i just felt like i had to put it into words. and now, i think it's time for you to hear it."

something in your heart ached at his sincerity. the night was quiet, save for the hum of cicadas and the occasional rustling of the leaves with every breeze that passed. the world seemed to pause just for the two of you.

then, the first strum. a comforting sound, followed by the melody that caressed you like a lullaby.

"you're my everything, the light that lingers in my eyes, the whisper in the quiet rain—the warmth that fills my empty skies."

you closed your eyes, letting the music pull you in. each note, each lyric, felt like it was written from the very core of your moments together—the stolen glances, the panicked laughter under sudden rains that caught both of you, the silence in the back of the store just listening to old tunes.

"on rainy days, we lie in silence, no words, just breathing, heart to heart. with closed eyes, the world dissolves—only you and i exist in the dark."

taesan's voice was dreamy, filled with something deeper than words could capture. it wasn't just a song; it was a piece of him.

and then, without realizing, a single tear slipped past your closed eyelids.

taesan's voice softened as he reached the last verse, his gaze never leaving you.

"and if you change, if time should fade you, know i will take you as you are, for even then, you'll be my always, my everything—my guiding star."

the song faded, but the air still hung with its presence. taesan placed the guitar down, his hands immediately finding their way to your face, thumbs brushing against your damp cheeks.

"open your eyes, my love," he whispered.

you did, only to find him looking at you as if you were the only thing in the world worth seeing.

"you're the most precious thing that's ever happened to me, y/n," he said, his forehead resting against yours. "no music, no melody—nothing will ever compare to the harmony you brought into my life."

a soft kiss landed on your forehead, filled with so much meaning.

"happy birthday, beautiful."

you barely found your voice, still drowning in the moment. "but... my birthday isn't for another two days," you whispered.

taesan chuckled, his fingers tracing along your jawline. "i know. but i'll be leaving for gwangju tomorrow. my mom needs me for a while." his voice held a slight hesitation. "just for a week. and when i'm back, i swear, we'll do whatever you want. just you and me."

you wanted to believe those words more than anything. but deep inside, something held you back, a feeling you couldn't describe. as if a part of you already knew—this moment, this song, this night, would be the last perfect memory you'd have of taesan.

still, you smiled, pushing the unease aside.

"okay," you whispered, reaching for his hand, squeezing it just a little tighter.

"i'll wait."

and in that moment, you had no idea that those two simple words would become the cause of your life falling apart.

▶• ılıılıılılılıılıılı.

morning arrived too soon, and with it, the inevitable farewell. you stood at the station, watching taesan board the train. at that moment, it felt like nothing more than a temporary goodbye—a short hurdle to overcome before he would be back in your arms in just a week.

but now, looking back, the memory plays differently in your mind. the scene isn't just a brief separation anymore—it's the sight of watching your life leave you, like grains of sand slipping through the gaps of your fingers, no matter how tightly you tried to hold on.

you waited. the two of you depended on a single beeper for communication, and though the messages were short and few, you cherished every one.

then, as the morning of your birthday approached, you found yourself at mr. han's vinyl store with ryujin.

"good morning, mr. han," you greeted, pushing through the door.

"early today, huh?" the old man smiled at you, his eyes kind. "happy birthday, daughter. i'm sorry taesan couldn't be here for your special day, but rest assured, he'll be back by monday."

his words melted in your heart. mr. han had always been more than just the owner of your favorite record store—he had been a constant presence in your life since you were thirteen, and now, he was taesan's father. the thought alone made you feel closer to him, even with the miles between you.

"she can't 'rest assured' anymore, mr. han," ryujin teased. "your daughter-in-law nearly got a fever from homesickness, you know. being away from her home and all."

you rolled your eyes, nudging her shoulder. "shut up."

mr. han chuckled. "here, i'm gifting this to you." he reached beneath the counter, pulling out a vinyl wrapped carefully in plastic.

you took it hesitantly, but as soon as your eyes landed on the cover, your face lit up. "in utero? no way! this is so sweet, thank you so much, mr.—"

"ah," he held up a hand, stopping you. "no more 'mr. han.' call me dad from now on."

"you've been a regular here since you were a stubborn 7th grader," he continued, smiling easily. "and now you're my son's girlfriend. so, no more formalities, alright?"

something in you softened at that. without thinking, you leaned against the counter, wrapping your arms around him in a hug.

"i feel like i'm at a family reunion i wasn't invited to," ryujin joked, shaking her head beside you.

mr. han grinned, then reached for another package. "oh, and this—this one's from taesan. he mailed it here yesterday and told me to give it to you today."

your fingers curled around the box, taking it with both hands. "thank you... dad," you whispered, testing the word on your tongue.

mr. han's smile widened. "anytime."

the entire morning passed in the record store, the feeling of missing taesan softened—if only for a little while. and by evening, you and ryujin returned home, where your family had set up a small celebration for your birthday.

fhe two of you found yourselves in your bedroom, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the tv, the muffled chatter from the living room fading into the background.

"ew, you're nineteen now," ryujin teased, wrinkling her nose. being a year younger, she never missed a chance to remind you.

you rolled your eyes, tossing a pillow at her. "still far away from thirty," you snorted, laughing as you fidgeted with the box in front of you—the package taesan had sent.

ryujin nudged your arm. "what's that, anyway?"

you shrugged. "guess we'll find out."

carefully, you untied the yarn wrapped around it, peeling back the flaps to reveal its contents. a mixtape, a vhs tape, and a stack of cds from your favorite bands sat neatly inside.

you let out a soft chuckle, shaking your head. "he knows me a little too well."

ryujin leaned in. "damn, he really went all out. let's check what's on the tape."

without hesitation, you crawled to the player beneath the tv, sliding the vhs inside before grabbing the remote. the screen lit up to life, static buzzing before clearing—revealing taesan's face.

a bright smile, soft eyes. he looked straight into the camera, and for a second, it felt like he was right there in the room with you.

"happy birthday, my beloved y/n."

his voice crackled through the old speakers, slightly distorted, yet every syllable carried the sincerity of someone who loved you with every fiber of his being.

"the first time i met you, it was as if my world pressed 'play' for the first time. before you, my life felt like a song stuck on pause—waiting, and unfinished. but then you came along, and suddenly, everything made sense. you are the music that turned my silence into something beautiful."

he smiled, pausing for a brief second as if searching for the right words.

"y/n, today is your day, and i need you to promise me something—smile, even if i'm not there. celebrate, even if it's just for yourself. because you deserve every bit of happiness this world has to offer. and don't you worry, next time, we'll celebrate together. i promise it. we'll be together soon."

a trail of silence.

"i love you more than yesterday, and less than tomorrow, my dear darling. always."

he leaned closer to the camera, and then, the screen faded back to static.

you exhaled, with a shaky breath. a lump formed in your throat, but you refused to cry—this wasn't meant to be sad. it was meant to make you feel loved, even from miles away.

ryujin glanced at you, then patted your back. "you okay?"

you nodded, still staring at the screen.

ryujin leaned back against your bed, staring at the ceiling. "damn, taesan really does love you." she grinned, then looked at you. "i'm happy for you, y/n. happy birthday, my guy."

and in that moment, despite the distance, despite the ache in your chest, you felt whole.

you were happy. you really were.

lying on your bed after the long day, you stared at the ceiling, letting the glow of the streetlights outside reflect against your walls. after ryujin left, you stayed up, replaying taesan's message again and again, as if you could carve his voice into your mind, make it something permanent.

the way he smiled. the way he said your name, the way his voice crackled through the old speakers but never lost its warmth.

"i promise it. we'll be together soon."

you pressed your earphones closer, the mixtape he had sent playing, the song he sang for you that night before he left. it felt like he was right there, fingers strumming the chords.

you could already picture it—the week passing by quickly, and then he'd be back. he'd step off that train with the same boyish grin, shaking his head at you for missing him too much, even though he would've missed you just as much. he'd pull you into his arms, teasing you for being dramatic, but still holding on a little tighter, a little longer.

nothing bad could happen.

with that thought warming your chest, you drifted off to sleep with a smile on your lips.

and then, before you knew it, a noise.

the sudden, loud sound of footsteps storming up the stairs. the door swinging open with too much force.

▶• ılıılıılılılıılıılı.

"y/n!"

you stirred, groggy. you've overslept. the afternoon sunlight streaming through your window, instantly blinding you. headphones still in your ears. for a second, you thought it was just ryujin being ryujin—barging in like she always did, shaking you awake for something stupid.

but then you felt it, the weight in the air. something was wrong.

you sat up, fast, the mixtape player tumbling from your hands. your pulse pounded, a sudden chill creeping up your chest as your best friend stood frozen in the doorway.

ryujin was breathless, shoulders rising and falling in quick, uneven pace. her hands trembled at her sides. but what scared you the most was her face—pale, drained of every bit of mischief and joy she always had.

she couldn't look at you.

"ryu...?" your voice barely came out, your own heartbeat drowning it.

she swallowed, her throat bobbing. she opened her mouth, but nothing came out at first. then—

"taesan."

one word. just one. and suddenly, the world wasn't real anymore.

your breath hitched. you felt it before you even knew what it was, a weight pressing down on your chest, curling around your ribs, tightening, squeezing.

your hands clenched the sheets, your mind racing, trying to fill in the blanks. maybe she was overreacting. maybe he just missed his train. maybe his beeper was out of range. maybe—

"taesan, what?" you gasped. barely recognizing your own voice. "what, ryujin?"

she flinched, her lips parting, but she still wouldn't look at you. her fingers dug into the fabric of her jeans.

seconds passed. she finally lifted her gaze, eyes trembling.

and before she even said another word, before she could let the next sentence leave her lips— you already knew.

you can barely remember what happened after ryujin told you. everything blurred together, the world tipping over, voices had muffled, your own heartbeat drowning out everything else.

she had gone to mr. han's store early in the morning, like she always did. but today, instead of the usual quiet hum of records playing inside, she found the store getting closed, with mr. han outside, hands shaking as he fumbled with the keys, his face was pale and stricken with terror.

"taesan... he's caught in an accident."

that was all it took.

the next time you became fully aware of your surroundings, you were already running through the cold, sterile halls of the hospital, barefoot, still in your pajamas. your breath came out in ragged gasps, tears blurring your vision, but you didn't stop. you couldn't.

everything hurt—your legs, your lungs, your head. but none of it compared to the fear clawing at your chest, the paralyzing dread wrapping around your throat like a noose.

left. right. where is he?

your heartbeat pounded in your ears, blocking out the sounds of nurses passing by, the beeping of machines, the low murmur of worried families.

and then you saw him— mr. han.

sitting in the waiting area in front of the emergency room, his face buried in his hands. the moment your eyes landed on him, the final thread holding you together snapped.

"dad..."

the word fell from your lips in a broken whisper as you collapsed onto the chair beside him.

he didn't say anything at first. he just pulled you into his arms, his embrace just as tight, just as desperate as yours.

you both sat there. painfully long hours passed, but time meant nothing.

then, they let you see him.

mr. han went in first. you hesitated at the doorway, unable to move, unable to breathe, scared of what might lie before you.

and then you saw himyour heart audibly shattered.

taesan lay in the hospital bed, his face was pale, his body wrapped in layers of bandages. his left leg was lifted, secured in a cast, wires and tubes connected to him like a lifelines. he looked small, fragile. so unlike the taesan you knew—the one who always stood tall, always carried himself with effortless ease, always made you feel safe.

now, he was unconscious. a deep, unmoving stillness. you couldn't step forward. you couldn't bear to get any closer.

"taesan... he went home earlier than he was supposed to."

mr. han's voice was rough, almost a whisper low.

"but i hope you won't blame yourself for this, y/n. it was his choice... an unfortunate one."

guilt wrapped around you like a claustrophobe. he was here because of you.

he was in pain right now because he loved you.

you pressed a trembling hand over your mouth, trying to stifle the sob trying to break free. but nothing could stop the way your chest caved in, the way your entire body ached with something so heavy.

mr. han reached out, squeezing your shoulder gently.

"at least he's alive. and he'll be okay."

that was all you could hold onto. that was all you could hope for.

▶• ılıılıılılılıılıılı.

the first few days after the accident were unbearable.

you visited the hospital every single day. sat by his bedside, hands folded in your lap, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. you had already memorized the sound of the machines, the way the heart monitor beeped in slow, rhythmic pulses. sometimes, you spoke to him—soft, whispered words that never received an answer.

"hey, taesan... it's me."

"ryujin's been making me eat properly, but you know how she is. she doesn't know how to cook for shit."

"i've been playing the mixtape you gave me. over and over. it's still my favorite thing in the world."

but taesan never responded.

his fingers never twitched. his breathing never changed.

he was there, but he wasn't.

and that was the worst part—watching him sleep, watching him remain so still, and not knowing when he would wake up. if he would wake up.

mr. han tried to stay hopeful. "he's a fighter, y/n. he's strong."

but late at night, when the nurses thought no one was listening, you overheard the hushed conversations between doctors. the uncertainty in their voices. the way they said "if he wakes up" instead of "when."

and it terrified you. some nights, you didn't sleep at all.

you sat by your window, hugging your knees to your chest, playing the last recording taesan ever sent you. his voice the only thing keeping you together— cracked slightly as he sang. you closed your eyes and imagined he was still here, still whole, still the same boy who left with a promise to return.

you whispered to yourself, like a prayer. "please come back to me."

and then—

one morning, the beeper went off.

you almost didn't answer. you had spent the entire night awake again, too afraid to close your eyes, too afraid that when you opened them, something worse would happen.

but then you saw it's from taesan's father.

"y/n, he's awake."

the phone nearly slipped from your fingers.

you didn't even bother grabbing your jacket. you just ran.

your legs felt weak as you reached the hospital doors, but the rush of adrenaline kept you moving. every step felt like you were running towards something unreal, something you had spent weeks desperately hoping for.

you imagined it over and over—

taesan waking up, his tired eyes landing on you, his lips curving into the smallest, weakest smile. "you're here," he would say, and you would laugh through your tears, grabbing his hand, feeling his warmth.

you wanted that moment— you needed that moment.

but when you stepped into his room, when his eyes finally met yours, you expected to be greeted with the same eyes you've seen just a month ago, the same smile you saw in the vhs clip.

but his direct, empty, and confused gaze says otherwise.

"dad, who is she?"

your heart stopped, and the world suddenly spun faster. you had prepared for everything—except this.

except for the possibility that when he woke up, you wouldn't exist to him anymore.

petrified, you couldn't do anything but stare at him, your vision blurring, body turning ice cold.

this wasn't how it was supposed to go.

"taesan, she's..." mr. han hesitated.

but taesan's confused gaze never flinched. he didn't know you, didn't remember you.

every memory, every moment, every smile, every night spent whispering about forever— gone.

you turned abruptly, stumbling out of the room, your hands shaking so violently you could barely push open the door. the walls of the hospital hallway felt like they were closing in, suffocating you, crushing you under the weight of a new reality you never thought you would have to face.

you pressed your back against the nearest wall, gasping for air.

the nausea hit first. then the dizziness. then the overwhelming, unbearable grief.

mr. han followed you out, his face lined with concern, his voice was comforting when he knelt beside you.

"i'm sorry, y/n."

you shook your head, gripping your arms as if holding yourself together.

"no, no, no..." the words came out as broken whispers.

"the doctor said the trauma to his head was too severe," mr. han explained gently. "he's lucky to be alive. his memory... it's in pieces. some things, he remembers. some things, he doesn't."

you barely heard him.

everything else drowned in the roaring noise in your head. it felt like someone had reached inside you and ripped out your heart, leaving a hollow, aching space behind.

"give yourself time," mr. han said. "i'll help you reintroduce yourself to him—"

"no."

it came out sharper than you intended.

mr. han blinked, taken aback.

"no, mr. han. don't." your voice cracked at the end.

you couldn't do this.

you wouldn't do this.

because the taesan you loved—the one who knew your favorite songs, the one who always hugged you from behind when you least expected it, the one who promised to come back to you— that taesan was gone.

and maybe it was selfish. maybe it was weak, but you didn't want to be just another stranger in his life.

mr. han exhaled slowly, his eyes filled with something close to sorrow. but he didn't argue.

"i understand," he murmured. "but i'll be here if you ever change your mind."

except, you didn't. you never did, and that's it.

the guilt still sat in your chest like a sickness that had no cure, a lifetime illness that never fafrd. you spent the next year drowning in it, avoiding everything that reminded you of him—the store, the streets you once walked together. you kept yourself hidden in the comfort of isolation, blaming yourself until the weight of regret became unbearable. the only constant was ryujin, who sat with you through every sleepless night, listening to your sobs, carrying the same sorrow in her own heart.

but you never wanted to see taesan again. not because the love had faded—no, it was because it hadn't. because it still lived inside you, and that love had nearly destroyed him.

and just like that, in the blink of an eye, you were erased from his world.

two years later, after mr. han's passing, you left. you went overseas, studied, worked, and tried to piece yourself back together. you built a life—a good one, stable, structured. you had everything, everything except the warmth you once held in your hands. the kind of love that once made your heart feel alive.

that emptiness stayed with you for the next 16 years.

▶▶ fast forward, to 2010

the air smelled the same. that was the first thing you noticed when you stepped out of the taxi, suitcase in hand, standing in front of the house you called home. it had been a decade and a half since you last walked this street, yet the scent of the trees, the faint saltiness from the nearby river, and the warm, lingering aroma of your mother's cooking still clung to the air.

your mother was the first to rush out, arms wide open, pulling you into a warm hug. the comfort of her touch was the same, but her body felt smaller, frailer. her hair was streaked with more silver than before, and the deep lines on her face told stories of the years she had spent waiting for you to come back.

"you've gotten thinner," she muttered as she held your face, eyes scanning you as if trying to memorize every detail. "are you eating well?"

you let out a small laugh. "i'm fine, mom."

your older sister, now a mother herself, stood behind her, smiling softly. in her arms was yujin, her six-year-old daughter, peeking at you with curious eyes. she looked so much like your sister when she was younger—same round cheeks, same smile.

at lunch, the dining table was livelier than you remembered. your sister talked about her job, your mother shared neighborhood gossip, and yujin, growing more comfortable, proudly told you about a drawing she made in school. you listened, letting their voices fill the hollow that had followed you for years.

then, the conversation shifted.

"are you settling back here for good?" your sister asked.

you nodded while slicing into your food. "yeah, i've earned enough, but i still took a job at a company nearby. i'll be staying here for a while until i find my own place around the city."

your mother and sister exchanged glances but said nothing. you could already tell they wanted you to stay, but they wouldn't push. at thirty-five, you had already built a life away from home—except,

"y/n, dear," your mother spoke after a pause, setting her utensils down. "when are you getting married?"

you froze for just a second, but it was enough.

the room quieted, only present was the sound of yujin humming to herself. you didn't look up, simply pushing the food around on your plate.

your sister cleared her throat, sensing the tension. "mom—"

"i'm just worried," your mother interrupted softly. "you've been alone for so long."

you sighed, putting down your fork. "let's not talk about it."

she lowered her gaze, nodding in understanding. "we just want you to be happy."

happy.

the word sat heavy in your chest. you weren't unhappy, not really. you had built a life, studied, worked, traveled. you had done everything you were supposed to do.

but happiness? that was different.

"i'll figure it out," you said finally, offering a small, reassuring smile.

your mother let it go after that, but the thought stayed in your mind even as the conversation moved on.

and then, as if drawn by an invisible string, your thoughts drifted back.

to the store. to the past you had locked away.

to taesan.

▶• ılıılıılılılıılıılı.

after lunch, you found yourself holding on the car keys. the decision to drive to the store mr. han used to own wasn't made on impulse—it had been in the back of your mind since you arrived in town. you told yourself it was curiosity. you just wanted to see if it was still there, if time had been kind to it, if someone else had taken over.

it wasn't about him.

at least, that's what you convinced yourself as you pulled out of the driveway.

the thought of taesan crossed your mind like a wind. once, the idea of seeing him again would have sent your heart into a spiral, would have made you rehearse scenarios in your head. but now? it didn't thrill you anymore. it had been sixteen years. whatever was left of those feelings had dulled with time, worn down like an old photograph left in the sun too long.

or so you thought.

as you pulled up to the familiar street, your eyes brightened. the store was still there.

a small, involuntary smile formed on your lips. it looked the same, almost eerily so—like it had been preserved in amber, untouched by the years that had changed everything else. the sign still hung above the door, its paint slightly faded but still legible. the same large glass windows framed the front, revealing shelves lined with records, just as they had always been. not a single thing seemed altered.

it was as if time had stood still here.

and for a moment, you let yourself believe it had.

your grip on the steering wheel loosened as memories flooded in—memories of you and ryujin, laughing as you ran up the sidewalk, her voice echoing in your ears. you could almost see it, the shadows of your younger selves running past, breathless from excitement, pushing open the door with a little too much force. mr. han would already be at the counter, a cup of coffee in his hands, shaking his head with a grin.

the memory felt so vivid, so real, that you had to blink yourself back into the present.

through the window, you peered inside, searching for a figure behind the counter. but no one was there. the space looked empty.

you hesitated. then, exhaling softly, you stepped out of the car.

the afternoon air was slightly cold, carrying the slight scent of autumn leaves from the ground. your steps were slow, as you walked toward the entrance. the familiar wooden panels creaked beneath your weight as you reached for the door handle.

the store smelled the same—dusty vinyl, aged paper. it wrapped around you like the old times.

your gaze instinctively drifted toward the counter. it was empty.

your fingers hovered over the small bell placed neatly beside the register. for a second, you debated leaving. maybe this had been a mistake. maybe digging through old places would only unearth things better left buried.

but then, before you could retreat, you tapped the bell.

a few seconds passed. and then, footsteps.

a door creaked open at the back of the shop— a man stepped out, taller, and hair slightly longer.

everything went in slow-motion.

you had thought you were past this. you had convinced yourself that all those feelings, all those stupid heartbeats, had faded with time.

but the moment you saw the man walk through that door— looking different, but still painfully the same, everything came crashing back.

taesan.

your fingers curled instinctively, gripping the hem of your sleeve.

he looked more matured. his hair was neatly styled, and there were faint lines around his eyes. but his presence—his quiet, effortless presence was the same.

and he was smiling, but not in the way he used to.

this wasn't the smile that had once made you feel like the world had paused just for the two of you. this wasn't the same expression he had worn that day when he first saw you holding mtv unplugged, standing right behind where you were now.

no, this smile was polite. distant. the kind of smile you give to strangers.

"hello, ma'am. can i help you?"

his voice was calm, and professional.

you tried not to look, not to search for any remnants of the boy you once loved in his still-starry eyes. but in doing so, your own eyes began to glisten with the weight of sixteen years that had passed too quickly, and yet, not quickly enough.

before he could ask if you were okay, the bell chimed again.

a voice called out—

"hi, honey!"

and there it was. the smile. the one you had been searching for.

but it wasn't for you.

your gaze shifted toward the woman who had just walked in.

she had short hair. a soft yellow dress flowed around her frame. her presence was gentle, warm, as she stepped closer in a way that made something in you sink.

taesan's face softened. his entire posture changed.

"how's eunyoung?" he asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"your daughter's been really naughty. good thing her sister's a responsible one," the woman chuckled.

daughter.

your ears rang.

you turned away before you could hear more. before you could process what it meant. before the tight wrap of reality could fully drag you down.

your steps carried you—perhaps instinctively, to the back of the store, where the old shelves stood. the same ones where you and taesan had once stood, side by side, two teenagers who thought the world only revolved around music and endless possibilities.

your fingers skimmed the edges of the records. some were familiar, old classics that had stood the test of time. others were newer, fresh additions to replace old ones.

and then— your hand stilled.

a single vinyl, untouched, tucked carefully between the others.

mtv unplugged.

a whisper of a memory stirred.

"mtv unplugged."

the voice echoed behind you.

you turned, and suddenly, you weren't standing in a record store in 2010—you were eighteen again.

"that's been a personal favorite," taesan said, his voice lighter now. "i don't know why no one buys it."

your lips parted, but no words came.

he glanced at you, but not like before, not with the warmth of love. just as a store owner speaking to a customer.

"gonna buy it?"

"no," you murmured, gripping the record a little tighter. "i'll just rent it."

taesan nodded, unfazed. "great. i'll be at the counter if you need recommendations."

and just like that, he walked away. without a second look. not realizing who you were.

without realizing what this place—what he, had meant to you.

but that didn't matter. you had no intention of crashing back into his life. he was happy.

and for you, that had to be enough.

▐▐ resume, to 2024

your eyes flutter open.

for the first time in three decades, the weight in your chest isn't unbearable anymore. it lingers— like a memory that no longer claws at your chest but merely exists somewhere distant. you exhale, grounding yourself back to the present.

turning back to the shelf, you run your fingers along the spines of the vinyls, their covers weathered by time. you pause, pulling out nevermind, feeling the rough texture under your fingertips. then, without hesitation, you stacked the vinyl along with the mtv unplugged in your arms.

the bell above the door chimes again.

you sense taesan's presence before he even speaks, his footsteps light as he steps beside you.

"nevermind too?" he said, amusement in his tone.

you let out a soft chuckle. "yeah, someone once told me i should go with nevermind first."

he hums in approval, the corners of his lips tugging into an easy smile. "sounds like a wise man advice."

you both laugh—softly, naturally.

the moment feels strangely effortless, as if the years between now and then have thinned into something preserved.

then, without warning, taesan reaches for a different shelf, pulling out a cd from a tucked-away spot. you glance at it—reality by richard sanderson.

"here," he says, offering it to you. "recommendation. i listened to this out of pure boredom once, and for some reason, i was drawn to it. it felt like—" he pauses.

you turn to him, waiting.

"...home?" he finishes.

you smile, nodding, taking the cd from his hands. "yeah. some songs do that to you."

a comfortable silence passed between you as you stare down at the album in your hands. then, almost without thinking, you speak.

"do you ever feel like you've lost something important, but you don't know what?"

taesan tilts his head slightly, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling in thought. he exhales through his nose, contemplative.

"sometimes," he admits. "i get these dreams, and... weird feelings whenever i sense something familiar. maybe old things i should remember."

you nod at his response, lips pressing into a flat line. there's no sadness in his voice, only curiosity—like someone who has long accepted that some pieces of his past are just that: lost, but not necessarily missed.

that freed you.

"well," you say, lifting the cd slightly. "maybe you loved this song in another life."

a small smirk forms on his lips. "maybe."

you adjust the stack in your arms. "alright, i'll take all these. buying them, finally."

taesan follows behind you as you walk to the counter. the transaction is simple—just another routine exchange. but as you take the bag from his hands and turn to leave, his voice stops you.

"you've been visiting here since 2010, if i remember correctly," he says. "but i don't think i ever got your name."

you hesitate. then, with a steady stance, you turn back to him.

"jang y/n."

for a fleeting moment, you swear you see something—a flicker of recognition, a spark of something buried deep in his eyes. but just as quickly as it appears, it's gone, replaced by his usual easygoing expression.

taesan nods, polite, casual. "okay. please take care on the road, ma'am jang. i'll remember you."

you nod back, stepping out of the store for the final time.

▶ ılıılıılılılıılıılı.

tonight— an hour before your birthday ends, the air feels lighter than it has in years.

settling into your bed, you turn on the old vhs player, the usual static rustling before the screen flickers on.

there he is, again. smiling through the grainy footage, his voice carrying through the years like a remnant of your youth.

"today is your day, and i need you to promise me something—smile, even if i'm not there. celebrate, even if it's just for yourself. because you deserve every bit of happiness this world has to offer."

for the first time, your chest doesn't tighten. your eyes don't glisten with unshed tears.

maybe, after all these years, this wasn't a promise left unfulfilled. maybe this message was never meant to be a placeholder for something that never came.

maybe it was closure all along.

maybe, the answer taesan gave you at the store earlier was the final piece of it—the confirmation that you were never completely erased from his world. buried, perhaps. forgotten in some ways. but never truly gone.

we all exist in someone's life, even if only in echoes. and maybe that truth—that you were once there, that you once mattered, is enough.

you glance back at the screen one last time.

taesan—your taesan is still there, frozen in time, forever twenty, forever smiling. wishing you happiness.

you reach for the remote, pressing the stop button.

the screen fades to black.

ejecting the tape carefully, putting it back in its place, you finally lay him—and the past—to rest.

■ fin.

[peanutpinet]

Always You - Sylus x Fem Reader

Idea: It’s Sylus’ birthday week and you planned a weekend getaway with him (inspired by the small events of the birthday event)

Disclaimer: This work is completely fiction. I do not own the images nor the characters or you (the MC). All images were taken from Pinterest.

A/N: I’m really sad that I got spooked and didn’t get Sylus’ birthday card. The only option is to spend more money but honestly speaking, it would be too much. So as much as I cried, teared up, I still want to do something special for Sylus’ birthday before his day officially ends in my timezone. To Sylus, our beloved dragon, our shayla, our strength during tough times, our light during our darkest moments, we love you and happy birthday

“April 18th”

“What?”

“My birthday”

Ever since you found out Sylus’ birthday, you quickly devised a plan to make it one of the most memorable birthdays for him. Luckily Sylus and the twins were mainly out dealing with whatever business they were dealing with which gave you time to plan out a weekend getaway.

Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday

3 days has passed and you were still unsure where you want to take him and what were you going to give him. You had secretly ordered a cake and plan on decorating it the night before you plan to take Sylus on the weekend getaway trip.

You wandered around his manor, hoping to get some sort of clue as to where Sylus might like to go. “Caw”. You turned around to see Mephisto perched up on one of the kitchen chair.

“Hi mephie” you went closer to the mechanical bird, lightly stroking its head with the knuckle of your finger. “I wonder where Sylus would like to go. Don’t tell him anything yeah but I’m planning to take him out on a weekend getaway. Do you know where Sylus might like to go?”

Mephisto cawed and immediately flapped its wings, flying off. You decided to follow it, thinking that maybe he knows something.

You then follow Mephisto into Sylus’ study and Mephisto landed on the perch beside the bookshelves and it cawed, fluttering one of its wings to the bookshelf.

Walking towards the bookshelf, you noticed that there were several philosophy books, books about the world and travelling, business related books, books about music, and one that caught your attention was books about myths and animals.

And it wasn’t the fact that there were these books that caught your attention but more so there was a whole row in the bookshelf filled with them. You browse through the book spine and their titles and one caught your attention. A book about dragons.

It was as if the book compelled you and without thinking you reach for the book and browse through the pages. ‘When a dragon trust their mate, they would often take their mates to an open place far away from everything, surrounding them with nature, flowers, and even other animals’.

You didn’t realise how long you’ve been in the study room until mephisto caws and you heard Sylus’ voice came through the door.

“I didn’t think you would be one to ready about philosophy or myths, sweetie” you turned around and saw your boyfriend leaning by the door, he wasn’t wearing his coat and had changed to his simple grey sweater.

You immediately closed the book at put it back in his bookshelf, apologising. “Sorry. I was just curious. I promise I wasn’t snooping” you didn’t dare to look at him because heat crept to your face and you were a blushing mess.

Chuckling, Sylus came closer and held your chin up to face him. His eyes were soft and his lip slowly upturned when meeting your blushing face. “I don’t mind you snooping around, sweetie. Afterall, what’s mine is yours. You already have access to all of my manor and more. You’ve also slept over several times so you are free to go around, explore, or do anything you want here”

“Still, it feels like I’m intruding your personal space” you uttered but Sylus shook his head and kissed the top of your head before bringing you out of his study, Mephisto following close behind.

“Don’t worry about it sweetie. Now, shall we go get dinner?” Sylus suggested and you nodded

At night, after Sylus left you to sleep while he goes out to handle an emergency business issue, you couldn’t sleep. You thought about the books you read in Sylus’ study and slowly you arose from the bed and opened your laptop.

You scrolled and search until you finally found the perfect place for Sylus’ birthday weekend getaway. You didn’t think twice to book the location and accommodation. Now all that’s left is to tell Sylus about the getaway trip, get the cake ready and ship it to the location somehow.

Thursday - April 17th

Luckily you had told your supervisor that you were taking your leave for Thursday and Friday. In the early morning in the N109 zone, Sylus was most likely to still be asleep which you didn’t mind.

However, you walked into his room, seeing his calmed asleep self, you curiously poked his cheek when he suddenly grabbed your finger and in a blink of an eye, you were pulled on top of him with your head on his chest.

“While I enjoy entertaining your little antics, it’s still early in the morning, sweetie. Let me sleep in a few more hours. But feel free to wander around if you want” Sylus murmured as he held your waist while going back to sleep

But instead of going up and wander around Sylus’ penthouse like he mentioned, you just laid on his chest, listening to his soft steady heartbeat which made you slowly doze of that you didn’t realise you fell asleep.

A few hours later you woke up and found Sylus was sitting up by the headboard, a tab in his hand as his fingers glide over the device. Seemingly like he was overviewing some work.

“Sy?” you yawned and Sylus look down at you, gently stroking your hair

“Hmm? Now why are you here and aren’t at work, sweetie?” Sylus asked, still stroking your hair that you unconsciously nuzzled closer to him

“Actually, that’s one of the reasons on what I want to tell you. What time is it?” you asked

“About 10am, you came to the manor at 6.30 am which is very early for you sweetie. Now, what is this news that you want to tell me?” Sylus asked, cupping your cheek and gently caressing it

“I’m taking you out on a weekend getaway starting from this evening!” you exclaimed, nuzzling your face further into Sylus’ palm

For a second, Sylus was surprised by your sudden announcement but he quickly recovered and smiled. “Is that so? You planned a whole weekend getaway for us? Do I get a clue as to where we’re going?”

You shook your head, smiling even wider. “Now that wouldn’t be a surprised, would it?”

Chuckling, Sylus gave your cheek a little pinch. “Yes, it wouldn’t be a surprise but I need to at least know what clothing I should bring, right?”

You rubbed your cheek where Sylus pinched and pouted but eventually gave him hints. “It’s somewhere warm in the afternoon but a bit cold at night and early in the morning. It’s out of town so we should probably leave after lunch”

Immediately, you got out of bed and playfully pulled Sylus who chuckled but followed you out of the bedroom. The two of you ordered a simple brunch before freshening up. You told Sylus you had already brought your small suitcase with your clothes and essentials, telling him to pack and get ready.

Sylus smiled as he shook his head while remembering your nagging but playful tone at him. Sylus quickly packed some clothes, he told the twins they can have the weekend off and help themselves to his penthouse.

Once he finished packing, Sylus pulled his suitcase and Mephisto was about to follow him when Sylus stopped him. “This is a weekend getaway and most probably a birthday date. You stay here Mephisto”

Despite Mephisto’s annoyed cawing pleas, Sylus went out of his room to see you already ready by the front door. You were wearing a simple sweater and pants with boots. Your small suitcase was right beside you.

Smiling, Sylus walked towards you, he held your hand while his other hand hold onto both your suitcases as the two of you made your way to the private parking where Sylus allowed you to drive. Just this once.

The drive was nice. After an hour of driving outside of the N109 zone, the air felt nice with a light breeze. You turned on some of your favorite music while Sylus enjoyed your humming, getting in a nap because of the night owl he is.

After several hours of driving, you’ve finally arrived at your destination. You parked the car and turned to Sylus who was slowly waking up. You poked his cheek again. “Hey sleeping beauty, we’re here”

Sylus caught your finger again and almost bit it had you not pulled back fast enough. “Seems like we’re in the middle of nowhere. Are you sure you drove to the correct place?” Sylus asked as he got out of the car and took out the suitcases.

“You have to little faith in me Sysy. Just follow me” you exclaimed, starting to walk further from the car with Sylus walking next to you.

You took out a keycard and opened the door that was slightly hidden behind the trees. “Ta-da!! It’s a treehouse hotel!!”

Walking into the space, Sylus was amazed at how you found this place. “You truly never fail to amaze me, sweetie”

Sylus left the suitcase and decided to lift you up, twirling you around while you instinctively hold onto him and giggled. “Sy, put me down. I’ll get dizzy”

Sylus slowly lowered you and placed a lingering kiss on the side of your head, his large arms wrapped around your figure. “Thank you, sweetie. I look forward to see what you’ve planned for us but now, I’m starving. Can we order room service?”

You nodded and the both of you ordered some room service through the tab. In the meantime, each of you took turns to freshen up after the long drive.

By the time you were done freshening up, you saw Sylus made a fire in the wood burner and instantly made the place more warm and cozy. You also saw Sylus had already laid out the food that the two of you ordered for dinner.

You walked closer as Sylus stood up and wrapped a blanket around you, bringing you to the sofa where the two of you sat, ate, and watched some shows.

Sometime in between the shows, you slowly dozed off and fell asleep on Sylus’ shoulder. Chuckling. Sylus used his evol to clean up the leftovers while he carried you to bed and tucked you in before getting under the covers and pulled you close to him.

“Thank you, sweetie” Sylus gently placed a kiss on your forehead before going to sleep

Friday, April 18th

The first ray of sunshine peeks through the curtains, warming up the room and slowly waking you up from your slumber. Seeing you were in bed next to Sylus, you guessed that he must’ve carried you there.

It took a moment but you realised that the night has gone by and it was officially Sylus’ birthday. You snuggled closer at his figure which his hand instinctively wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer again.

“You’re up very early sweetie” Sylus mumbled

“I had a warm hugger to warm me up to sleep last night. Did you sleep ok, Sy?” you asked back and Sylus hummed, hugging you even closer. “Better than I have ever slept during the night. It’s a rare occurrence for me to sleep well at night but it help having a soft and warm kitten next to me” Sylus slowly opened his eyes and brushed his nose against mine

“Happy birthday, Sy” you breathed as Sylus caressed your cheek. “Thank you, sweetie”

“Come on, let’s get up, eat breakfast, I have the whole day planned out for us” you exclaimed and Sylus chuckled

The two of you ate the breakfast that was delivered and freshen up once more. You decided to wear a white dress with a denim green jacket over top and brown boots. Sylus on the other hand wore a white shirt underneath a pinkish-mauve coat with brown pants and brown boots. Sylus put on a broach and necklace on as well.

You took Sylus to the nearby safari where you both went around and saw some wild animals roaming freely in the large safari grounds. You even got the chance to pet some of the animals.

Hours went by and it was slowly getting closer to dawn. You then brought Sylus to the park that was within the perimeters of the hotel.

You held Sylus’ hand as you made your way to the spot where the staff had told you in advance. A picnic blanket was laid down below the maple tree with a picnic basket.

Sylus caught off guard for a moment suddenly brought out his gentle face as you pulled him down to sit by the tree while the two of you ate the food and drinks the staff prepared.

“So, what do you think? Away from the city and connecting with mother nature” you asked, laying your head on his lap while he played with your hair

“As long as it’s with you sweetie, I love it” Sylus kissed the tip of your hair

“Let’s taste the maple syrup from the maple tree! The staff already prepared it and we can even bring some home, the jar is here” you mentioned, getting up from Sylus’ lap

Hearing your excitement, Sylus chuckled and stood up, extending his hand to you which you took. Sylus slowly lifts you up so you can fill the jar with the maple syrup. Once both jars are filled, you decided to take a bit on your finger and had a little taste before looking at Sylus and gently smothering some on his lips.

Seeing him licking the syrup with his tongue, you couldn’t help but lean in and gently kissed his lips before pulling away. But before your face could pull away further, Sylus used his other hand to cup your face and pulled you to another kiss.

The sound of his kisses, the way he turned his head to match yours, his free hand gently stroking your hair down to your back before staying by your waist. It all made you hold him closer than before, feeling as if the two of you should always be with each other like magnets.

It was only when Sylus could feel you having trouble breathing did he pull away, tucking some hair that had fallen off and covered your face. Sylus gently lowered you but never letting go.

“I have one more thing for you” you breathed out, letting your hands fall off from his neck while Sylus unwillingly let his grip loosen

You went around the tree and opened the box by the bushes, lighting the candle and slowly made your way to Sylus who smiled that reached his eyes. His eyes that looked like they were filled with adoration, care, and love.

“Happy birthday, my beloved Sylus” you smiled back, extending the cake to him. It was a 3 layer cake with red chocolate flavored cream on it. You also added some gold feather toppers, a dragon and cat little figure on the center of the cake and some red flowers on each layer.

“I’m sorry it looks ugly. I tried my best to decorate it” you mentioned and Sylus gently held your hand that was under the cake, helping you lift the cake. “I love it, sweetie. This is the first time anyone has ever said happy birthday to me let alone celebrate it”

Hearing Sylus’ words, you felt a pang in your chest. It was true, before you, no one, not even the twins knew when Sylus’ birthday was. You were the first. The first to know his birthday, the first to officially said it to him, and the first to celebrate it with him.

You didn’t realise a tear slipped your eye until you felt Sylus’ gentle finger wiped it away. “No tears, sweetie. Don’t feel bad for me because I’ve already gotten the greatest gift I could’ve asked for. One that would make my birthday from here on out special” Sylus blew the candle, taking the cake from you as he snaked his arm around your waist, pulling you close to him while he kissed your lips in a soft and gentle manner. “You. You are my greatest gift and I’d go through all those years alone if it meant that it will always be you”

You couldn’t help but feel your chest tighten, your heart beating faster than it already is. Your body moved on its own as one of your hand cupped his neck while the other cupped his cheek, caressing it softly. “And it’s the same with me. No one else. Just you, Sylus. Will always be you too” you both smiled as you shared one more kiss right as the sun sets.

[cruel-hiraeth]

꒰ THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF LOVE ꒱ RORONOA ZORO X READER

warnings ⟢ slight angst (though it gets resolved). hurt/comfort. mentions of death and dying. descriptions of blood and wounds. brief allusions to buddhism. reader is gn and described as “beautiful” once.

word count ⟢ 1086

notes ⟢ happy birthday to my most beloved! this fic is self-indulgent (i.e. full of my hcs about zoro’s childhood) and a labor of love. the three of swords design in the banner is from the rider-waite tarot deck. three of swords generally depicts a difficult, sorrowful experience.

So this is how it ends.

The midafternoon horizon is fathomless—a halycon ocean—the sun anchored in its depths. A cool breeze stirs, kissing his tawny flesh, rustling his hair, and chiming his earrings; whispering beachgrass casts sinuous shadows across his face, allowing his good eye to rest in partial shade. Nearby, the tide laps at the shoreline—tenderly, the caress of a lover. Foam glides across half-buried seashells and beached debris in a brief greeting before returning to the sea, heeding her call.

Where Zoro is, he can’t be certain (not an uncommon occurence, though he would never admit it). His robe was slashed off at some point, and fell to the ground in shorn tatters. He lies bare-backed in a slurry of sand and ichor, his swords beside him; weeping wounds litter his torso, the most gruesome of which stretches from his navel to his right side. While he had the wherewithal to cut his haramaki and tie it around his waist as a makeshift tourniquet, the fabric is sodden, metallic teardrops puddling in the sand.

Pain is a feeling he greets like an old friend. It’s comforting, almost, like a suffocating embrace. As a boy, he had to nurture that cold familiarity if he wanted to survive—be it fighting bigger kids for spare scraps at the orphanage, or taking lashes from a bokken at the dojo. Strength comes with a cost, as does physical and mental growth. Existence is suffering, and suffering is—in its purest form—pain. But the mind-numbing sting that currently radiates from his injuries is the last thing on his mind.

For the first time in years, Zoro is afraid. He shivers despite the scorching sunbeams, sucking in shallow mouthfuls of air, glistening beads of sweat sliding down his body toward the earth.

It isn’t the prospect of death that scares him; he has walked most of his life along the corpse-strewn path of demons, fighting against his fate as an asura. And he has peered into death’s grim visage before—too many times to count. He even dived into hell and cleaved through its bowels to face Enma, emerging victorious as the king of souls departed.

Regret, however? Regret is a different beast.

It’s why he trembles now, covered in grime and gore, half-lucid. As dark thoughts slink to the forefront of his consciousness, he’s aware that dying here will mean failing. Not simply failing himself and his own dream of becoming the greatest swordsman, but also failing his captain and best friend, and failing to preserve Kuina’s legacy. Most gut-wrenching of all, he knows that dying here will mean failing you. There’s so much Zoro wants to do with you, so much he wants to say. He itches with regret, calloused digits twitching at his sides, desperate to claw his skin off.

Clarity torments him. Memories flit before his steel gaze, now wet—a tear-streaked blade. He sees you: the flicker of your eyes when you tell a story; the curve of your lips when you poke fun at him; the halo of your hair when you nap against his chest; the set of your jaw when you’re serious. More than anything else, he longs to tell you how he feels.

I love you.

Three simple words that he always struggled to string together. Perfect moment after perfect moment was presented to him on a gilt platter: inside the crow’s nest at dawn, or beneath the lush boughs in the tangerine orchard—even perched atop the Sunny’s bow to watch the sunset. He squandered each of these opportunities because he (foolishly) assumed there would be more in the future.

I love you.

If only he could muster the strength to breathe out the sweetness of your name once more—to taste each smooth, honeyed syllable on his lips, to feel it silken on his palate. Maybe then he could forgive himself. But instead, it dies on his tongue as his vision blots and blurs. Eventually, his world goes black.

I love you.

Zoro awakes to the muffled creaking of a hull.

His head pounds, his mouth is bone-dry, and his limbs are leaden and stiff; he feels like death, and suspects that he looks like it, too. Surgical gauze tightly wraps his frame, stifled wounds screaming in agony. When he glances up and sees framed pictures of the crew above his cot, he recognizes where he is: the Sunny’s infirmary. In his periphery, you’re sitting at Chopper’s desk with a book in your lap. He tries (and, to his frustration, fails) to shift into a seated position. As soon as you notice the movement—head snapping up in surprise—you rush to his bedside.

He waits for you to reprimand him for being so reckless while away from the rest of the crew. But you don’t—not yet, anyway. (Not until he’s mostly healed. And for that, he wonders if you may be an angel.) Instead, you kneel on the wooden floorboards to level with him. Your fingertips tentatively brush against his cheekbone, as though you’re testing to ensure that he’s real. Content with what you find, you cup his chin, allowing him to lean into the soft warmth of your touch, catlike.

“I was worried about you. Well, so was everyone else. But I’ll only speak for myself,” you murmur.

His voice is gravel, cragged from disuse. “Sorry.”

After a few beats of silence, he clears his throat. “Is Chopper on break?”

You nod. “I’ve picked up the night shift so he can sleep.”

“How long was I out for?”

“Roughly two days.”

“Fuck.”

That draws a chuckle from you.

Zoro swallows. “Listen, I—”

Your thumb grazes his chapped lips, forcing him to pause. “Save your energy, Zo. You don’t have to defend yourself; you’re safe with me. I promise.”

Tired but patient, your gaze breaks him, only to piece him back together. His heart aches.

He inhales deeply. Then—in a flood of emotion he can’t stem—the words flow out: “Y’know I’m not good with feelings…or words. But, uh…” A broad palm wraps around your wrist, your skin hot against his. Ignoring the heat creeping up into his cheeks, he sighs, “I love you.”

Before he can second guess his confession, your lips bloom and burst into a radiant smile, setting your features alight. He doesn’t think you have ever looked more beautiful.

“I know,” you admit airily. Leaning in, you dot a kiss to his scarred eyelid. “I love you, too.”

[thesassypadawan]

Beloved Husband *part 2* (Unburnt Vader x WifeReader)

Summary:  All throughout your pregnancy your husband has been loving…caring…patient.  However that same patience has worn quiet thin during your last month.  And now wanting nothing more than to be with you…ruin you…breed you again.  He will take and do as he pleases, even if it’s far too soon after the birth of your son.  Even if it take’s all night long.  (A continuation to Beloved Master.)

Warnings: 18+ (minors dni), because all the lovely smut.  Size difference, hint of a breeding kink, premature postpartum smex, and Vader’s big dick. 

Notes: Happy Sithtember all you, lovelies! ❤️🖤

🎉❤️A VERY HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO @t03soup❤️🎉

- Delirious…  Gently he flips you onto your back.  Head lolls against the plush pillows, soft pants slip past your swollen lips.  “An-Ani, you have to s-stop…” 

- Mind hazy…  Faintly you’re aware of him nudging your legs apart.  Guiding your fingers into place to keep them spread open.  “Can’t k-keep going…”

- Thoughts growing cloudier with each passing moment…  Larger body slots between; pressing down, trapping yours beneath.  Feebly you writhe and wriggle, trying to free yourself.  “I'm not s-supposed to get…”

- With each blissfully painful orgasm…  Glassy eyes meet his golden ones, sinister smile creeps across his face.  “No one tells me what I can and cannot do…”  Chuckling darkly; monstrous length grinding, smearing pre on your folds and stomach.  “Even my own wife…”

- Weakly you sob out as he surges forward once more.  Gummy walls struggling, burning...aching from the intense stretch.  Nails digging, scratching at your thighs.  Familiar pricks stinging at your waterlines.  “I…n-no…I…”

- Swallowing up your pleas; his tongue tangles, utterly dominates yours.  Hips rocking slowly; bulbous tip somehow still hitting, bullying your poor cervix.  “Hmmph…”

- While his metallic digits toy at your sore, raw nipples.  Rolling, tugging them just hard enough to cause fat drops of milk to spring forth…trickle down, mingle with your mixed sweat.  “Please…p-please…”

- Fiery kisses trail, teeth nip at your neck and collarbone.  “Stop your crying, angel,” he growls into your marked skin.  Voice rumbling through you, coil beginning to tighten in your stomach again.  “Don’t want to hear it.”

- Pace increases; thrusts grow harsh, wild.  Curves bounce, jiggle; balls slap heavily, wetly against your bottom.  Sound echoing off the bed chamber’s walls, along with your pitiful babbles.  “But…I-I…”

- “Need this as bad as I do…”  Lips travel lower, hot mouth encompasses your leaking bud.  Suckling, savoring the stray drops of nectar.  Biting the tender flesh that surrounds them, eliciting small whimpers and gasps from you.

- “Have me destroy, ruin you…”  Organic fingers brush, swirl your overstimed clit.  Pinching, flicking; big thumb pressing, squeezing the little nub firmly.  Pleasure building, boarding on the line of agony.

- “Let me back inside that perfect womb of yours…”  Mechno hand slides up, wraps around your fragile throat.  Hold tight, keeping you in place while he slams…attempts to breach past the tight rim.

- “Filling you, making you heavy with another of my heirs…”  Driving deeply one last time, you feel the familiar pop and flood of warmth yet again.  Pussy involuntary clenches, gushes.  Tears flow freely in happiness or sadness, you aren't quite sure.  Because you’re so…

- Delirious…  Gently he pulls out, pries your fingers off.  Easing your trembling limbs down to the mattress, propping your hips up with a plush pillow.  Muttering sweet words of admirations and praises; about not wanting to see any of his seed go to waste, to be sure it takes.  “Good girl…” 

- Mind hazy…  Faintly you’re aware of coos, squeaks coming from nearby.  Catching a brief glimpse of his cock in the firelight.  Coated in your combined juices, tinted slightly in something crimson.  “Must be hungry…hopefully I didn’t drink up all his meal…”

- Thoughts growing sharper with each passing moment…  You lay there numb; content to not move, to let fatigue something else overtake you.  Until a small bundle is placed into your arms, tiny hand reaches for you.  And suddenly the life rushes back into you, the night’s events fade away.  “Looks like someone missed you…” 

- With each happy noise from your newborn…  Clear eyes meet his golden ones, wide smile creeps across his face.  “You’re so beautiful…helpless, hatari…”  Chuckling softly; big hand cradling, caressing your round stomach.  “Think I’ll keep you this way for years to come…”

-  With each chaste kiss placed on the crown of your head…  Forcing, burying the last shred of your old self.  You return your beloved husband’s smile, his kiss.  “I’d love nothing more…Lord Vader.”

Tag List: @espinathena-17, @myheartwillgoon2022, @laylaplease, @loverforoldermen, @anakinsbbgirl, @t03soup, @decaffeinatedunicorn, @avescorner-blog, @vaderswifey, @jediavengers

[lavenderdropp]

“Have a cake and eat it. Baby it’s your Birthday!”

Characters: Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Kokushibo/Michikatsu.

Synopsis: Your husband wants to make your birthday special.

Category: Fluff.

Warnings: Nothing, just a down bad Kagaya.

Timeline: Kimetsu Gauken.

A birthday gift for @echantedtoon . (Happy belated birthday, dear!)

:Kagaya Ubuyashiki

• This guy has everything planned weeks ago.

• He wants to make this day very special. Even though he tries to make everything special for you like everyday. That is the least he could do for his s/o, a person who loves him like it’s breathing.

Eyelids fluttered open, revealing a pair of [eye colour] iris, shying away from the honeyed sun rays. As the said woman adjusted her vision, her gaze met her husband’s, who lay there admiring the woman he loves the most.

Lilac iris drunk on the sight of the sun kissed face of his beloved. At that moment all he could think of was..how blessed he was to have her in his life. His fingers threaded through her hair gently. The action spoke the rhythm of love, which existed only for her.

Kagaya held her closer as he inclined his head to kiss her forehead. “Happy Birthday, My love.”

• So, this guy is hella rich. Being with him means that anything you ever wanted would be at your feet. And when it’s your birthday, expect surprises everywhere you go.

•The breakfast would be your favourite, prepared by him of course.

•When you reach your office, your desk would be filled with your favourite flowers surrounding a box wrapped with a red ribbon.

•You were touched, wondering what you did to deserve this man. You opened the box to find a necklace, crafted perfectly. Besides that you found a small note, saying:

“Though this necklace is no match to the beauty you possess. Happy birthday, dear.”

•This guy is familiar with your schedule and he may or may not have adjusted his own schedule to match with yours just so he could spend the day with you.

•Throughout the day you received many gifts, clothes, jewellery, new make up accessories—you name it.

•the day did tire you but the presences of your husband and all the efforts he went through warmed your heart. You just love him so much.

•Not to mention he did not even let you do a single task.

•such a sweetheart, isn’t he?

•You two even had a fancy dinner at your favourite restaurant and this gentleman refused to split bills. You two had a nice talk as you dined, which seemed to have become something difficult to have from how much work you both go through.

•He held your hand, occasionally placing kisses against your knuckles as you listened to you going on about your week.

And when you both returned—

As you take a seat on the bed, exhausted, Kagaya kneels down in front of you, taking your heels off gently. His fingers brushing against your feet, cradling them gently. This has you taken aback. “Kagaya—“

“[Name], I am devoted to you like a devotee to his deity. I love you like a poet loves his poems.” He rests his head against your feet as the words of devotion and love left his lips.

“Your eyes put the stars on shame. Sun? Who needs when a single smile of yours can light up my whole world.” His gaze trailed up to meet your surprised one, a smile slowly made its way to his lips. “Ever since I have met you, everything seems to revolve around you.”

“You love as if it is nothing. You accepted me when I couldn’t accept myself, you truly are a pure soul and I fell in love with it. [Name], you make me the happiest man alive.”

His hand reached up to cup your face, wiping away the tears that yoh did not realise leaving your eyes.

“And all I can do is try to make it up you.”

: Kokushibo/ Michikatsu Tsugikuni

•He noticed how you have been overworking yourself from a few weeks. He is not unfamiliar with it due to how demanding his own job is and as your birthday neared, he had the perfect thing in mind to make it relaxing for you.

When you woke up, the first thing that came in your in your mind was— “What time is it?” You reached out for your phone, as the broad daylight had you worried, not to mention that your dear husband was not next to you either. Why didn’t he wake you up?

As you checked your phone you nearly got a heart attack from how much time had already passed. ITS 10:30 IN THE MORNING NOW! You quickly got ready by performing your routine and slipping into your office wear.

You made your way downstairs. To your surprise you found your spouse.. in the kitchen? Didn’t he had a job to attend? “Michikatsu—?”

“You are up.” He stated, placing two plates on the table containing your favourite meal. “be careful, I just mopped the floor.”

You were surprised to say atleast. “Did you not go to the work? And why did you not wake me up?”

There was no reply from him, making you frown. “Michikatsu, what’s—“

“Take a seat.” You watched as your husband took off the hello kitty apron that you had bought from the nearby supermarket in a sale. You took a seat on the chair as your husband, Michikatsu, walked over and stood behind you, his hands resting on your shoulders.

“Why did you get ready for the work?” He whispered out the question. “I have already made a call to your office to inform that boss of yours that you are taking a day off. And I have taken a day off myself.” He did not add the part where he hung up the call when your boss started to yell. Well he did not even ask him— he plainly stated it that you are taking a day off.

And minus the part where Muzan gave him a very nasty look when he applied for a leave.

“It’s your birthday, do you not remember?”

Oh yes, it had completely slipped out of your mind that it was your birthday today.

You tilted your head up to meet his gaze. “But ‘katsu—“

“I don’t want to hear it. You have been tiring yourself. You need a break on your birthday atleast.” Concern was evident in his eyes, which you might have missed if you did not know any better.

A soft kiss was placed against your forehead as Michikatsu spoke up. “And..we can finally spend a day together.” A small smile graced his lips as you blushed.

“Happy Birthday, My dear moonlight.”

“You forgot to turn off the stove.”

“…”

[thenameswinterfics]

BOUND BY FIRE

Fandom: House of the Dragon Pairing: Aegon Targaryen x Reader Settings: Season 1 Summary: As the child of Rhaenyra and born dragonless, you grow up enjoying the company of Sunfyre, whose bond is forged by your love and affection for Aegon. But when the duties of the crown tear you apart and the cries of a dragon echo in the night, it is up to you to mend the bond or let it break of its own accord. Word Count: 3,3 K Warnings: Fluff, angst, suggestive smut, Alicent is the mother she is, kind mention of canon typical incest, canon divergent, hopeful ending, no beta reading. A/N: This is another birthday present for my lovely @legitalicat . Happy birthday to you, lovely. Sorry if I only posted this now, but I hope you like it. This is my first time writing for Aegon, so sorry for the things you will read. I'm a bit rusty with the writing, so sorry even for this. Since I wrote and posted this in a rush, I could change some parts in the following days.

ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE. I APOLOGISE IN ADVANCE FOR MY GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY MISTAKES.

Header & dividers by @zaldritzosrose

READ IT ON AO3 (COMING SOON)

A piercing wail broke the silence of the darkness and the sound of rattling chains echoed through the empty corridors. Muffled voices speaking an unfamiliar language could be heard in the distance, trying in vain to calm something in the pit. 

But the terrifying growls told a different story. 

Walking through the corridors of the Dragon's Pit was not an unfamiliar experience, for you had walked through these walls since you were a child, but this time it was a turbulent one. Each step brought a new wave of unease, and you felt an endless shiver run down your spine, releasing a breath you hadn't realised you were holding: the growls and snarls grew in intensity, and deep within you a heavy weight formed in your chest. 

It was a sound you had come to know well, as well as the emotions that flowed with each. The creature's roar was a land of emotions that only members of the house of dragon could feel - joy, anger, sorrow, or a deep sense of unease. You knew with a heart-wrenching certainty that those cries belonged to your lover too, and his dragon was only amplifying them. 

It had been a long time since your mother and the king's wife had been on good terms. Once inseparable childhood companions, their bond had withered over time, giving way to a frosty distance that neither could bridge. Your birth was another friction between them, as Rhaenyra walked through the corridors of the Red Keep and faced the humiliation and pain of labour while introducing you to Alicent, who demanded to see every child pushed out of her body since the birth of her firstborn. 

But the animosity between them has not stopped you from forming a special bond with one of the queen's children: Aegon has been at your side since you took your first steps, and the rumours surrounding your birth did not stop him from seeing you as his most beloved niece, despite the rocky relationship he had with your brothers. 

The genuine affection between you and Aegon did not go unnoticed by Rhaenyra, and a proposal of marriage came during a council to reunite a house divided by mistrust and old grudges: it was the princess's last request to the queen, a sincere attempt to heal the rift and restore the unity that once existed. 

However, Alicent harboured other plans for her firstborn, and certain that one day his father's crown would rest on his head, she demanded that every daughter of the Lords of the Noble Houses attend the Red Keep in the hope of finding him a suitable match. "No bastard's blood will mingle with the dragon's one," she once whispered to an ill and dull Viserys in his chambers, discussing Rhaenyra's proposal.

The affection between you blossomed into the purest and most torturous love, sharing stealing kisses in hidden alcoves and intimacy in the darkness of the castle's secret places. In time, Aegon's temper grew restless, and you began to notice signs of distress in Sunfyre as well. And from the moment Aegon ignored you things turned worse, and the visits to his dragon became sporadic.

Standing in the centre of the pit, you lifted your eyes to the golden creature before you, its huge, heavy body struggling desperately to break the chains that bound it. You recognised the two muffled voices of the two Dragonkeepers trying to calm it, but no Valyrian word was enough, and the dragon protested to be released. 

“We tried everything, but the dragon does not seem to quiet down, princess,” one of the dragonkeepers cried out, but you never met their gazes, “Prince Aegon’s presence is highly requested,” the second one urged, silently pleasing for you to summon Aegon and fetch him in the Dragon’s Pit. 

"Leave him to me," you commanded with a twang in your voice, your gaze still focused on Sunfyre as you took a few steps forward. The faces of the dragonkeepers were filled with consternation as they saw you approach the dragon, no fear on your face. 

"Princess, we cannot let you..." one began, his protest tinged with concern. 

"Leave him to me, I said," you cut him with a cold reply, addressing yourself with an authority worthy of a queen, "I shall call him down and put an end to this once and for all." 

You then turned your full attention to Sunfyre, who stood in all his glory and restlessness, chains adorning his long neck. Once those were removed, you were amazed to see how his behaviour changed, the beautiful golden dragon tentatively approaching you with a regal but uncertain gait. As Sunfyre approached, you couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance to Aegon: both carried the weight of royal blood with quiet dignity, but neither could see the burden of expectation on their shoulders. 

"Vēsperzys," you murmured in a warm and almost maternal voice - a stark contrast to the cold one you had used before - and you reached out tantalisingly for his muzzle, feeling the warmth of his scales under your palm, "lykirī," (Sunfyre, calm.)

The snarls began to falter, replaced by a faint rumble that surrendered to your touch. But once you lowered your guard down, Sunfyre jerked your hand nervously and his cries continued to echo through the pit. Determined to soothe him, you stepped close again and placed both of your hands on his snout, rubbing gently his golden scales.

“Nyke gīmigon ao sagon isse ōdres,” you spoke again softly in High Valyrian, your eyes searching for his, “se nyke gīmigon iksā mundagon syt Aegon. Yn iksan kesīr lēda ao, se kosti umazigho lyks hēnkirī,” you continued, soothing him with gentle movements of your hands. (I know you are in pain, and I know you are sad for Aegon. But I am here with you, and we can find peace together). 

It was then that Sunfyre's eyes met yours, and for that moment you felt a deep connection - a profound bond that was mirrored by the deep love and affection you felt for Aegon. You grew up together with the golden beast, sneaking into the Dragon's Pit whenever you could to listen to the golden beast sing, and riding on its back when it was big enough to carry both of you. Although you did not have a dragon of your own - no dragon egg was brooded to be placed in your cradle - you forged such a strong bond you came to think of Sunfyre as your own. 

You felt his body soothe under your touch, the dragon's mind no longer clouded by fear, and though he could still sense his rider's distress, your presence seemed enough to be a powerful balm. You heard his cries fade, replaced by a low, contented rumble that vibrated through the ground beneath your feet. 

A faint laugh escaped your lips as the dragon lovingly rubbed its snout against you, and in the depths of the pit - the Dragonkeepers' thanks were a distant echo to you - you still ached for Aegon's absence at your side, but a glimmer of hope warmed your heart, along with Sunfyre's quiet chant.

Confined to his chambers, Aegon paced nervously, his fingers running through the platinum strands of his hair as an exasperated sigh escaped his lips. Rays of moonlight streamed into the room through the large windows, casting a soft light on his face, accentuating his redden lilac eyes and his tear-streaked cheeks. 

He hated the conflict in his heart, forever torn between his sense of duty and the love he felt for you. As the king's male child, every lord looked to him to follow in his father's footsteps, to continue the line of peace and prosperity that Jaehaerys himself had set, and to keep the Targaryen glory at its peak. At least that was what his mother instilled in him.

“You are the King’s firstborn son, and what everyone in the realm knows in their blood and in their bones is that one day you will be our king,” said Alicent one day in his chambers, anger in her voice as he declared he would never challenge his sister’s claim. What kind of brother would steal his sister’s birthright?, he always thought.

What kind of lover would do such a grave insult to the person they love? 

And when his mother announced that a noblewoman would be chosen to join him on the throne, his world collapsed into a thousand pieces. He would have gladly endured a marriage to his sister, for Helen knew that the match was a matter of duty and would not have blinked at the sight of you two together. But to marry another woman would have been a disrespect to you and the love that had always bound you together. 

It was not an easy decision to let you go, but the weight of the world pressed down on him in a way he could not escape. He could not look into your eyes or Sunfyre's with a light heart, shame nestled in his heart as he thought of what his family would force him to do and how he was not brave enough to face them, the mere thought of disappointing them was even more terrifying than dying in the dragonfire. 

His stream of consciousness was interrupted by a gentle knock on his door. The prince was about to dismiss the presence outside, thinking it was a servant, when he heard the soft sound of your voice. And he froze. 

"Please, uncle," you pleaded outside, the sadness in your voice coming straight to his ears like a sweet torture, "let me in for once. 

Aegon refused to answer, pacing the room nervously, his hands trembling in his hair. He thought that by ignoring you, you would give up and leave him to drown in his misery, but you were Rhaenyra's daughter: her stubbornness was yours too. 

"I am not mad with you for what the queen did at the council," you said, and suddenly you felt his footsteps stop, "I know you did not want any of this, and I know your heart has been torn ever since. But if it is no longer my company you seek, please," you felt the urge to swallow a lump in your throat, your voice faltering slightly, "do not make Sunfyre suffer this much. Allow me to ease your pain, as I always did.” 

A heavy silence followed your last words, and as you thought your words had gone unheeded and turned to leave, you heard the heavy doors of his chambers crack slightly, and soon you were allowed to leave. It was when you stepped inside that you took a look at your lover, the moon rays helping you helped you to see him clearly: his eyes were puffy from the endless tears spilled, and his hair were disheveled as well as his clothes, his gold-embroidered green coat opened to show his messy linen shirt. It hurt you to see him like this, though in your eyes he was still the most beautiful Targaryen you had ever seen. 

“Gaomagon ao pendagon issi hoskagon yno?” Aegon asked in High Valyrian, approaching you slowly and measuredly, his walk reminded you Sunfyre’s one, “Udligon nyke, mandianna. Gaomagon ao pendagon issi hoskagon yno?” (Do you think they are proud of me? Answer me, niece. Do you think they are happy with me?)

You lifted your gaze, locking your eyes in his as you took both of his hands in yours, squeezing them in a comforting way, “Iksan hoskagon hen ao. Eman va moriot issare,” you replied, showing him a warm smile as you tried to let him escape from his thoughts. But your lips soon pressed in a thin line as he shook his head, freeing his hands from your grasp and sitting on a chair, resting his wrists on the armrest. (I am proud of you. I have always been.)

Aegon looked at you, giving you a sad smile as he replied, “Īlen daor kimívagho nūmāzma ao, yn ñuha lentor,” (I was not talking about you, but my family).

“Iksi lentor,” you retorted, approaching him with gentleness, “ īlon stepagon keskydoso ānogar. Emi va moriot sytilībagon hēnkirī ” (We are family, we share the same blood. We have always belonged together.)

“This is not what the queen thinks,” Aegon replied back with weariness in his voice, standing up again and resuming his nervous walk, “Why else would she have forced me to meet every noble lady in this kingdom, making sure that I greeted them with frills and smiles? Why else would she have forced me in an uncomfortable position, forever torn by duty and personal desire?”

His words were full of anguish, and for a moment you felt the weight of his responsibilities on your shoulders too. It was not the crown that was scared of you; Jacaerys would sit on the Iron Throne after your mother, and even though the kingdom came to terms with the idea of a queen ruling, you don't think they would be too happy about a female heir again. It was the ambition the Hightowers put on him and their obsession for the throne, and the fear of losing him and Sunfyre forever that came roaring back strong in your heart. 

“She once told me that the realm knows in their blood and bones I will be king. That if I do not surrender to my sister, my life would be forfeit,” Aegon continued with a trembling voice, his gaze never meeting yours.

"But how? How could I ever do this to the woman I love? How could I have the courage to look her in the eyes, sitting on a throne that is not mine and wearing a crown that has never belonged to me? And for what? For pleasing a man and a woman who never fucking cared about me?", the last words came out as an angry growl, so dangerous even the bravest of the dragons would lower its head. You watched as Aegon threw a jug of water on the ground, shattering it into thousands of pieces.

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the soft crackling of the fire in the hearth. Aegon slowly walked over to it, sat down and played nervously with the ring on his finger, hiding his head under his shoulders. “I did not ask for this, sweet niece… never,” he broke the silence, his voice mingling with a few sobs escaping his lips, “I have done and endured what she had asked me for, hoping that mother and father would be proud of me. But it will never be enough for them. It will never be enough for everyone.”

You hesitated at this sight: you had seen him being distressed by his mother's demands, but never had you seen him so sad and defeated, so lost in a darkness he could not escape on his own.

You decided to step closer, your voice barely above a whisper as you kneeled down to him, “Look at me, please,” you demanded, delicately cupping his cheeks in your hands and raising it gently, forcing an eye contact. You smile at the sight of his eyes, reddened by tears but stunning and bright as two precious amethyst stones. 

“You are enough for me, Aegon. You have always been,” your voice came to his ear as soft as honey, and for a second his sobs stopped. “You are worthy just as you are, and there will not be your mistakes or burdens to define you.’

Your kind words made his shaking body stop, as if they were a milky drink that made him feel better. After a while, he looked up at you. At that moment, you could feel strong emotions, but you did not say what they were. Memories of the past and a love that was strong but also broken came back to you.

For a moment, neither of you moved. The past and present collided, tangled in the silence, and you both knew you had to deal with them. Then, with a hesitant breath, he reached for you – his fingertips brushing against your hand, as if he was trying to find a way out of his own troubled state. And with the only sound of the crackling wood to break the silence of the night, your faces came closer, your lips timidly brushing at first before crushing together in a desperate and hungry kiss, which tasted of salty tears and unspoken words. 

In the moments that followed, the two of you lay together in bed, your clothes scattered on the floor as your bare bodies touched, exploring each other with an eagerness that had been suppressed for far too long, but at the same time with the calmness to savour it all again, for fear that this might be the most beautiful of dreams, or that one of you might simply disappear from the other's sight. 

You let out a sharp breath and arched your backs as the two of you became one, your bodies moving in a gentle but steady rhythm, your hands and lips savouring every inch of each other until you both reached your peak. You did not care if Aegon’s seed would blossom in your womb and make you round with his child: if this would bind both of you forever through blood and duty, then you would welcome the consequences without hesitation. 

You looked down at the canopy in front of you as you ran your fingers through Aegon's hair, his breath hot against your neck as his arms wrapped around your body as if afraid to let you go. The gentle rise and fall of his breath matched the rhythm of your own, and you closed your eyes, savouring the warmth of his body against yours, whispering words of love and promises to escape together until the slumber wrapped you like a warm blanket. 

Hen lantoti ānogar

Va sȳndroti vāedroma 

(Blood of two

Joined as one)

A cold shiver ran down your face, tingling your skin like a gentle caress, moving your hair in the wind like precious threads of silk, the jewels of your headdress swaying in a sweet melody. You stood still as Aegon approached, a shard of dragonglass in his hand, pressed against your lower lip as blood flowed through the cut. It was a sharp pain that struck you at first, but was eased by the cold wind that blew against your cut and the gentle brush of Aegon's fingerprint on your forehead, drawing a mark with your own blood.

Mēro perzot gīhoti

Elēdroma iārza sīr

Izulī ampā perzī

Prūmī lanti sēteksi

(Ghostly flame

And song of shadows

Two hearts as embers

Forged in fourteen fires)

When it was your turn, you mimicked his movements with smooth and precise movements. After that, the dragonglass sliced your skin again, a long cut on your palms, joined as one, like your own blood flowing in your veins. A ribbon wrapped around your hands, making them tight and united as blood flowed down your arms.

Hen jenȳ māzīlarion

Qēlossa ozūndesi 

Sȳndroro ōñō jēdo

Rȳ kīvia mazvestraksi

(A future promised in glass

The stars stand witness

The vow spoken through time

Of darkness and light)

Even when you drank from the same cup, you never stopped looking at each other, your eyes were filled with a pure love that endured every duty and every obstacle. It was a moment of triumph for both of you, two dragons who finally break their chains and soar freely into the endless sky, no longer bound by fate or fear. When the last word in High Valyrian was spoken, you both poured your lips in a sealing kiss, the roars of Sunfyre sealed the union as it crossed the sky and danced on the lover’s heads.

You had always dreamed of running away with Aegon from King's Landing, far from the viper's nest that had torn you apart, of marrying in secret in a remote part of Westeros where neither Rhaenyra's court nor Alicent's would ever be able to find you and bring you home. 

But this time it was not a dream.

If you've come this far, thank you so much for reading my fic! Hope you enjoyed it! Please, leave a comment if you want to be added in the taglist or be removed.

[lovebillyhargrove]

***

Steve Harrington dies at twenty-three, in a crash, three weeks before his 24th birthday.

..

He was driving a blue camaro — rumor has it, this car had a wild history and a dark veil following it — and he crashed,

Violently, while he was speeding on a winding coastal road, in Pacific Northwest.

His death was instant. Although there was a lot of blood splattered on shattered glass and twisted metal, and the whole sight was ghastly,

Steve looked the way he always did —

So undeniably pretty.

..

The young man's body was brought back to his home town and buried in Hawkins cemetery, as per Mr. and Mrs. Harrington's wish.

Both parents were inconsolable. Still are.

In spite of all misunderstandings they shared with him, Steve was their only child.

..

As chance would have it, the headstone with

STEVEN HARRINGTON

29.04.1967 — 07.04.1991

DEARLY BELOVED SON

Faced that of an eighteen-year-old boy who Steve happened to be classmates with during their senior year.

***

Steve finds himself on a cliff that looks so much like the Hawkins quarry. There's a figure standing on its edge.

He comes closer and puts his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I was waiting for you, Steve. And you came." A broad palm is laid on top of his hand. The touch feels like home.

"But why so early? I could've waited much longer. You didn't have to be in such a hurry."

"It wasn't me. It wasn't on purpose. It came unexpected, but in a way, I'm relieved it happened the way it did. Quick, painless and without fear."

"Did you know I was waiting for you?"

"How could I not know .. how could I doubt that."

All that time, my love, my everything ..

"Did you know I missed you?"

Hargrove turns around. There is eternal sadness in the depth of his stormy seas, trapped under long thick eyelashes.

"Are you not happy to see me, Billy?"

"My youth was taken away. There were so many things I wanted to do. I never had the chance." Despite the grief seeping through, Billy's voice is tranquil and serene, like he has come to terms with everything that happened to him during his lifetime.

"There are so many memories I wish I had. And now, the same has been done to you. Twenty-three is too young to die at."

Billy closes his eyes and Steve gently touches his tremulous eyelids with soothing lips

"I know, baby. Let us be sad and shed tears together. Perhaps this is a kind of price we had to pay for this .. this here right now. And what we had back then. All I know is, happiness is all ours now, even if it's intertwined with sadness. We will never be torn away from each other, ever again."

"You've always had a brighter outlook on everything, pretty boy. That's why I got so hopelessly addicted to you." Billy's smile looks like sunshine at dawn, feels like a night spent in each other's tight embrace.

"Was that the only reason?"

"You know, it wasn't. There's an endless list of them. Care to listen?"

"We do have the eternity. Right?"

***

[getawayfox]

My favorite reclist of the year! It’s the best excuse to reread beloved fics and shout about them again. I couldn’t wait any longer to post it, so, without further ado: here are my personal favorites from 2023 and why I love them, along with a banner I’m really pleased with. 

Thank you, sweet writers, for giving us your wonderful stories. Wishing everyone a happy December and an amazing and soft new year!

I Fall On Grass by @tackytigerfic Drarry, T, 3.1k

I adore stories with mature characters and this one is no exception. It’s so charming: gentle pining over the years, throughout the realities of life and parenthood, written with such a light hand. And lovely worldbuilding of a slow life that they built for themselves, which left me smiling the whole day after reading it. It feels like a soft caress for my soul.

It’s Me or the Peacock by harrows Drarry, T, 4.6

Do you ever feel like reading a fun, lighthearted fic that will have you grinning all day? Look no further, this is the one. Picture this: established Drarry taking the plunge to move in together, except Draco is bringing his “avian third wheel” with him, adding a feathered twist to the mix. Harry can’t quite believe what’s happening and that’s not even the half of it. This fic is a delight!

Sun Shower by @moonmanatee Drarry, T, 6k

Meet Orkie (short for Snorkel), the delightful cat who loves his boy Harry very much. They share a special bond, silently understanding not to delve into the origins of their pasts. What matters most is their companionship and the comforting routine they’ve woven together. Now, enter Draco Malfoy, a fashion icon with phenomenal outfits, his mud-loving dog, Hubert, and a dash of mouthwatering culinary creations. Your heart will grow three sizes by the time you’re done reading; mine certainly did.

Birds Behaving Badly by @peachpety Drarry, E, 10.5k

Oh, this fic!! I swear my whole body was wiggling with delight when I read it – it’s hilarious and hot and so witty. Draco has a type, which leads to a fun case of mistaken identity, all artfully resolved with the intervention of a conniving seagull, Kevin. Brace yourself for some sassy Slytherin banter, side characters so vividly portrayed they’ll steal your heart (Goyle, I’m looking at you), and the enchanting backdrop of a magical Brighton in the summer. Cue the squeals of delight! 

A Saviour’s Guide to Manners and Decorum by @wolfpants Drarry, E, 13k

I have read every fic Wolf has written this year and, let me tell you, choosing just one feels like an impossible task – I wish I could include them all. But here is my pick, and it’s not because it happened to be my birthday gift. This fic is a gem, seamlessly blending humor with a soft, wistful touch (oh, and do I need to mention it’s also incredibly hot?). It resonates because Harry just wants to be accepted for who he is, refusing to change for anyone (as he rightly shouldn't!). Enter Draco, who is here to help, and not to “fix him”. Sprinkle that with a subtle hint of D/s dynamics, a generous serving of UST, and a sensual shaving scene, and you have got the perfect fic. LOVE!

I only want the ones I envy (I envy) by @porcelainheart3 Drarry, E, 13.5k

This fic is so stunning! A coming-out story with writing so clean and sharp it made me laugh out loud through (lots of) inevitable tears. It has a very competent magical inventor Draco, who wears sock garters(!). It has Harry on a self-discovery journey that feels so very real; with a heart-wrenching childhood flashback that will leave you shattered. It has the most supportive friends. It has banter and flirting and so many wonderful details (look closely at the newspaper in the fic for an extra dose of laughter). And let's not forget the most incredibly emotional blow job; talk about smut with feelings! It’s one of those fics that made me read the rest of the author’s catalog immediately (and trust me, you should too!).

A Time, Dark and Divine by @moonflower-rose Established Drarry, Draco/Ron/Harry, E, 17k

Oh boy oh boy oh boy, this fic is so scorching hot. And their dynamic is so complex: jealousy and possessiveness wrapped up in a delicious package of a boys' trip in Thailand. A stunning Ron POV filled to the brim with complicated history and tension, incredible characterization for all three of them, culminating, inevitably, in hot-hot-hot sex. I couldn’t get this story out of my head for days. If you, like me, like feelings with your smut, this one’s for you! 

Waking Up Slow by @sweet-s0rr0w and @ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm Drarry, E, 22k

This story is so charming and whimsical! First of all, this Draco is such an utter delight that I fell in love with him right away. He’s so entertaining! The concept of Christmas in July gives the story a wonderfully atmospheric and slightly wistful tone. Add to it a very domestic and playful dynamic between Draco and Harry, top-notch dialogue, so many creative details, and an absolutely delicious and intimate sex scene. From beginning to end, this fic is so warm and touching; a gentle romance that feels as if it was enchantingly sprinkled with a cheering charm.

the first in line by @oflights Drarry, E, 29.5k

This fic is hilarious, mischievous, and sexy all at the same time. And also a little bit unhinged in the best possible way. It had me in its grip from the very first sentence: “When the clock strikes midnight on his 25th birthday, Harry is having a threesome with a werewolf and a vampire.” (chef’s kiss!) and it didn’t let me go. We have a reluctant and grumpy Veela Harry, an over-the-top Draco, summer vacation vibes, a magical yacht, wooing with a hot air balloon (and more!), plus an absolutely delightful non-monogamous background Romione. Gah!!!

Of Magical Beings Being - Magic by @rockingrobin69 Drarry, E, 30k

What’s actually magic here is Robin’s writing. It’s… wait, I don’t think I have words for how rich and full this world is, how special! There’s pining and soft angst and an unreliable narrator and exes to lovers, but somehow all that doesn’t even begin to describe what this story is. It’s witty and fascinating and soft and playful. It’s about loving the other person so much that you do the wrong thing because you think that’s what they want, even though it hurts you. It’s about manifesting them in everything you do until they come back. It’s about Love, about Happiness. It knocked the breath out of me. It’s unbearably lovely.

Winner takes it all by @skeptiquewrites Drarry, E, 41k

This fic is absolutely devastating in a sort of gentle way. My heart broke a million times for this wonderful, hardworking, cornered Draco – who’s looking after his mum – as well as for a whole bunch of beautifully written side characters. The story starts with a bet, and from there, it unravels with Tee's razor-sharp writing, infused with nuance that makes the narrative incredibly rich and undeniably real. If you're in the mood for a cathartic cry, followed by a sweet, happy ending, don't walk – run to this fic!

[partycatty]

kenshi takahashi > take it

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELOVED POOKIE BEAR @crimsonbubble!!!!!!!!! LOVE U LOTS, ENJOY MY LITTLE BIRTHDAY PRESENT <3

warnings: mean dom kenshi >:3, overstimulation, mutual masturbation? torture? idk something heinous is going on

notes: why my thingy go up while writing this

[ masterlist ]

• you knew better, you knew so much better than to get on his nerves but you found the fun in his firm tone and thick, crossed arms. you had decided to pull a little lie his way, figuring it wouldn't do much harm. and now, he found out, so here you were with a vibrator cruelly bound to your sticky cunt, a low enough setting to make you writhe and beg for forgiveness. your legs are bound, forced open and tied to your wrists behind your back.

• kenshi could pretend to ignore your voice forever if it meant you'd continue to beg as he sits in a chair against the bedroom wall, toying lazily with his aching cock. his other hand rests against his jaw, the controller to the toy in his fist.

• he was trained in so many other ways of endurance, namely having incredible control over his arousal. he'll last as long as you and then some, as long as you get properly tortured, kenshi will continue to stroke himself with grunts and occasional twitches when his thumb slides across his tip.

• just as you grow tired of one setting, kenshi would heighten the strength significantly, relishing in your cries and squirms. your core bubbles, folds slick and needy as the sheets underneath you begin to dampen. your hips buck, eagerly chasing your as it orgasm fast approaches.

• "please, ken, please-" your voice sounds pleading, almost for your life as tears prick in your eyes. "i'm sorry for misbehaving, it won't - hah - won't happen again..."

• kenshi's cruel, cold grumble pulls you back to reality as you feel your vision blur. "liar."

• the vibrator reduces to a low hum around your clit, completely pulling you away from cumming just as quick as it approached you. thrashing and rolling your head back, you're just about to flop backwards onto the mattress before you hear kenshi tut at you.

• "eyes here," he demands, voice still low. "watch what you do to me." you pull your head forward, resting your chin against your chest as you sniffle, watching kenshi stroke himself through your lashes.

• his cock had a shine of his precum coating it, his fingers sliding up the length of his shaft with ease. his eye contact was brutal, nearly killing you where you sat. it was almost too much when you'd catch his eye twitch or his lips part to moan.

• a little treat to you, his hips buck up, his dick chasing the friction of his palm as he nears his own orgasm. your lips part, matching his pants with need. you nod encouragingly, relishing in the sight and temporarily distracted enough to ignore the faint buzzing on your cunt.

• this, he notices. kenshi pulls his hand away from his cock, denying both you and him the pleasure of him painting his stomach with his seed. kenshi rolls his head back, letting out a deep sigh as he holds his cock at the base, thighs tensing. his gaze falls forward at you, suddenly setting the vibrator alight with a single touch.

��� your back arches from the sudden shock, the toy torturing your puffy clit relentlessly as the hum shocks up your spine and makes your whole body tremble.

• "you gonna lie to me again?" he asks, his voice lost to your ears as you cry out from the overstimulation, an orgasm fast approaching again and yet so far away. "learned to listen?"

• "yes, god -" you cry out. "yes, yes, i'll behave, i'll listen - fuck -"

• kenshi chuckles to himself, stopping his strokes to admire the view in front of him. "you look so good like this, you know. i should just keep you here all night. how's that sound?" the proposal makes you frown as your face contorts in pleasure.

• "i like you more when you behave," he purrs, tutting at your knitted brows and soaked pussy. "pisses me off when you're a brat, you know that, right?" you can only stupidly nod at his words, accepting whatever he wants to throw your way when he speaks in that sultry voice. he hums in agreement, fucking his cock on his hand at a swifter pace now. "you want to cum, is that it?"

• in a daze, you nod, the buzzing numbing your cunt heats your skin. the vibrator speeds up to an impossible speed now, burning your very core and rendering you entirely speechless, drool slipping down your chin as your orgasm attacks your entire body. thanking him endlessly as each wave twitches your limbs. •kenshi smiles to himself, lip curling in amusement at your stupid state. you miss as he cums, painting his flush skin with his fluid with a hissing grunt. his cock twitches hungrily, begging for somewhere to stuff it but settling for his hand. you were too busy crying in pain as you notice the vibrator doesn't come to an end like you do, instead attacking your pussy at the same pace it was before. • his smile turns into a beaming grin, a rare expression on his hard features as you writhe and burst into full-on sobs, crying that it's too much for you to handle so soon. • the words are lost to him again as he stands there with the smile, admiring the shine on your skin and the drool from your cunt as your hole clenches down on nothing. he flicks between the fast and faster speeds rapidly, sending lightning up your spine as you cum again. even through the pleasure you're wracked with pain. • "no more..." you beg, voice hoarse from your pathetic cries. "please, please no more, kenshi-" • "i thought you wanted to cum?" he asks in that stupidly teasing tone, and you know you're in for it by the inflection in his words. "you're getting what you want, dear." • kenshi promptly stuffs his cock back in his slacks and brushes his thighs off, standing up after wiping his hand on a towel resting on the armrest. your eyes widen in fear of what's to come when you see him stand with a huff. • "k-kenshi?" you whimper, body weak against the vibrator still toying with your clit. kenshi wiggles the controller in his fingers with a cocked brow as he heads toward your bedroom door. "no, nonono, wait-" • the door slams on you as you're still bound and dripping, the heat from the last two orgasms sliding the toy against your clit as it slips between your folds, overly soaked. • kenshi stands on the other side of the door, unbeknownst to you, touching himself to your screaming sobs that turn into whispered sniffles the longer the machine pulls orgasm after orgasm from you. • he does return, albeit eventually. you're knocked out, the only sound in the room being the horrid squelching of your pussy and your faint breaths after passing out from how many times you came. • kenshi helps bathe you, cleaning you gently of the rope wounds and slick before dressing you properly for the night after changing the dampened sheets courtesy of your arousal, pulling you to his chest. he couldn't help himself but laugh at your sleepy sniffles, consciousness lost to you after all the time of agony. • "did so good," he hums into your hair, kissing the top of your head. "always so good for me."

[moonlit-midnight]

Hearts held with gentle love

✩ Characters: Malleus Draconia.

Genre: Romantic Fluff.

Summary: In which your lover expresses his gratitude for you in a heartwarming letter. 

Warnings:

Reader is gn and a third year, very self indulgent.

Inspired by a letter that I once received.

Happy birthday to one of my favorite fictional princes!💚

—

To my beloved, and absolute dearest friend in the universe.

Can you believe that three years had gone by since we met? 

It’s been wonderful to know you. All the times we spent together whether they were big or little moments were the happiest moments in my life, so I’m writing you this letter to convey my gratitude for having someone like you by my side. 

My treasure, thank you for making me feel welcomed, and understood in your company when I felt alone and out of place.

Thank you for listening and smiling heartily at my stories when nobody else did, and for keeping me laughing amidst broken days. 

Thank you for being a home for my abandoned thoughts, and for showing me that there’s always room for love for everyone.

Thank you for holding me in your heartfelt embraces when things were difficult, and for willingly choosing to be with me through everything.

Thank you for your genuine friendship made of devotion, trust, support and a steadfast love that I can swear on.

Thank you for making my world a more beautiful place, and for shining a light upon all the rooms in my heart.

— Yours faithfully, Malleus Draconia 

“You really have a way with your words. Whether they are happy words, sad or emotional, I love them all.” your eyes glistened with tears once you were done reading his letter.

Setting it aside, you smiled fondly at Malleus, and his eyes shone at the sight of it.

There was something about that smile of yours that always gave him joy, and made him feel gloriously alive each time he saw it.

“I’m glad to hear that.” He beamed, a smile as gentle as the summer sunrise, lighting up his whole face.

“Thank you, Malleus.” you leaned on his sturdy shoulder, and wrapped an arm around him. 

You felt so real and warm against him. He thought his heart would burst under the weight of your kind touch and unwavering affection.

“What for?” Malleus hummed, holding you closer. 

“For being my devoted friend and lover.” you exclaimed in a sincere tone. “Every time I see you, I smile more and laugh more, and I feel free than the past years combined. So thank you for being by my side.”

Under the brilliant blue skies, painted with golden sunshine, you and Malleus lay on your backs on a field of verdant grass, watching the clouds roll by.

Without taking off his bright green eyes from the peaceful scenery above, Malleus took your right hand, placing an endearing kiss atop it. 

“It’s been my honor, my dear.” 

[mind-empty-just-fictional-people]

Birthday Pie

main masterlist | supernatural masterlist

SPOILERS! set between seasons 7 and 8 of supernatural, there are spoilers for both these seasons

summary: you celebrate his birthday even when he’s gone

pairing: dean winchester x female reader

rating: R for language

word count: 0.9k

warnings: sad, not at all a happy birthday for our beloved lil guy, language

author’s note: i’m sorry, okay? i’ve had this idea in my head for months and decided that today is a good day to release it? anyway, happy 45th birthday dean winchester! love you and very glad you’re alive and well and the series finale never happened! :)

January 24th, 2013 — Dean’s 34th Birthday.

You were barely able to drag yourself out of bed and into the living room where you were now seated and watching TV. It didn’t matter what was on, you weren’t paying attention anyway. Your mind was completely focused on Dean. Your beloved Dean; who shouldn’t be wherever the fuck he was but instead safe in your arms.

He shouldn’t be spending his birthday terrified, missing you and his brother. He should be spending it with you, Sam, and Cas.

Sure, he wasn’t really the birthday party type of guy but each year since you met him you’d gotten him a pie and put candles in it for him to blow out. It’d started as a half-assed attempt to put a smile on his face when you learned it was his birthday and you couldn’t find a cake at the store.

He’d loved it.

“How’d you know I’d rather have pie?” he had asked, his face lighting up even more when you put two candles—a two and a four—in the center.

“I…had a feeling.” You had shrugged it off as not a big deal but deep down you both knew how much it meant to him.

And each year since then—come rain, shine, monsters, or the apocalypse—you made it your job to get Dean Winchester a pie on his birthday.

A few tears rolled down your cheeks, joining the half-dried ones there already. You hadn’t been sad on Dean’s birthday since his year before hell. But it was different then, you had him next to you and you were savoring every second. You might have been terrified of what would soon happen, but you were still with him.

**

“If you’re not already aware, Dean,” Castiel started, “you turn thirty-four today.”

“What?” Dean asked, confused. “Cas we—”

“Granted time seems to be passing differently here, but on earth it is currently your birthday.”

“Happy birthday, brother,” Benny joked.

“Yeah real fuckin’ happy,” Dean scoffed. “We’re stuck killing our way through this fuckin’ nightmare while the love of my life is spending my birthday alone.”

“I’m sure she’s okay, Dean,” Cas assured him. “She has Sam, he’ll look after her until we get back.”

“No, you don’t get it. Birthdays were…they were our thing, if that makes any goddamn sense.”

**

“Happy birthday, Dean,” you smiled, placing the pie in front of him.

“Twenty-six! God, that sounds old,” Dean laughed a little.

“You’re kidding right?” you asked after singing for him as he blew out the candles.

“What?”

“Twenty six may sound old to you, but trust me you are still fuckin’ adorable.”

“I am, aren’t I?” He grinned.

“You wanna do the honors, cutie?” you asked, handing him the kitchen knife.

“Gladly, sweetheart,” he said, taking it from you. You watched him cut a slice for you then an even bigger slice for himself.

“Dean,” you started as you watched him begin eating the pie. “I love you.”

He stopped eating and looked at you; “What?”

“I know there’s a lot about your life you haven’t told me, you’re lore you could call it, but I need you to know that I really do love you, Dean Winchester.”

“But how? I mean, I’m not exactly an open book and there’s no way…” he trailed off.

“No way, what?”

“There’s no way in hell you’d feel this way if you learned everything about me.”

Your heart broke at his words, and your expression definitely showed it.

“The amount of pure love I have for you is beyond measurable, Dean. And I might be crazy for saying this, and feeling this, but there is truly nothing you could say or do that would make me stop.”

“Really?” he asked quietly, as if he was scared to press his luck.

You nodded with a soft smile; “Really.”

“Well, look I’m not really one for…that…but I do…I do feel that way about you too. I guess what I’m saying is, uh, right back at cha?”

“See to any normal person that would sound like the ramblings of a crazy man,” you said, his smile only growing. “But to me? Absolute poetry.” You leaned over and kissed him. “Happy birthday, Dean.”

He simply kissed you back, smiling against your lips.

**

“Happy birthday, Dean,” you whispered, blowing out the candles on the small pie you’d bought. It was a one-person pie because you knew if you bought a regular one that at least three-quarters would not have been eaten.

You took out the candles and picked up your fork. Staring down at the desert, you let more tears fall.

“It shouldn’t be this hard to eat a fuckin’ pie,” you laughed humorously. Your phone rang next to you and you answered it; “Hey, Sam.”

“Hey,” he sighed. “I just wanted to call and check up on you. It being Dean’s birthday and all, I figured you might…you know…”

“Be huddled up in bed sobbing my eyes out?” you said.

“Yeah…”

“I’m holding it together Sammy, don’t worry about me,” you assured him.

“I always worry about you, you know that.”

There was a short pause in the conversation as you took a deep breath and let a few more tears fall; “I miss him, Sammy,” you admitted. “I just really miss him.”

[mxyarylla]

"𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞"

A very late birthday gift to the lovely @maristarfish . I hope this would make your day better! love u 🩷

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Today is your birthday and you’ve decided to stay up to celebrate it with your beloved Neuvillette. Unfortunately he called earlier to inform you that he probably wouldn’t make it because there are urgent documents that have to be finished. The light in your eyes that lit up when you saw Neuvillette’s name on screen then dropped when he announced the news. Although you were upset, you knew you couldn’t let him come home and celebrate with you.

All night you’ve drowned yourself in doing other things that make you happy and forget that Neuvillette couldn’t come home to celebrate your birthday with you.

You’ve received lots of birthday wishes from your friends though, but it is always better to spend this special day with your beloved.

You’ve been going back to the drafts of your edits throughout the day and forgot the time. You checked the clock, “10:20pm” you said with a sigh. Your gaze lingered at the door, hoping Neuvillette would show up and you’d run to hug him and stay in his arms right then, right there.

Little did you know, your wish would be fulfilled in a few seconds as the sound of keys through the keyhole clicked and the doorknob turned. The unmistakable navy colored coat that peeked out behind the door tells you it’s Neuvillette. He’s here.

Finally…

You rushed to the door, and the moment you saw your beloved, you wanted to jump and throw yourself in his arms. But you were stopped by him and you thought he was too tired and didn’t want to hug. So you looked down, feeling upset and biting your lips, trying to fight back your tears. You could hear Neuvillette dropping his key on the nearby counter and some other stuff, probably his suitcase. But he was actually dropping a bouquet of flowers, and multiple boxes of gifts and a cake.

When he finally finished setting down all the things for you, he turned his attention towards you with a smile and extended his arms for a hug but all he could see was your trembling body and listen to your little sniffles. You were about to turn away from him but he grasped your wrist and gently placed his hand on your cheek, lifting your face to meet his, while he moved his hand from your wrist to hold it firmly against his.

“Love, what’s wrong? What happened? Are you okay? Tell me.” he asks worriedly as you couldn’t contain your tears anymore and let out the pent up feelings

You didn’t answer him and just made a move to hug him while sniffling against his shirt. A moment later, after you’ve calmed down, you explained how you were just missing him and upset that he wasn’t here to celebrate your birthday with you and it upsets you even more when you see him decline your hug when he arrives.

Neuvillette listened to you intently while stroking your hair, then said, “It is my mistake chérie, I did not see that you were awaiting a hug from me. I had too many things that were dropped on the floor so I could open the door to our abode. At the moment I opened the door, I had to turn my attention to these precious gifts that I got for you.” He gestured to the gifts on the counter and continued. “I cannot let these precious gifts for you to be put on the floor for long. I picked them up as soon as I could, so it wouldn’t be dirty. I only want to give you the best things after all.” he said while caressing your cheeks in a gentle manner.

You looked up at him and was about to say something but he got to you first by placing a finger on your lips. “I’m sorry my love.” Then placed his forehead against yours, which made you close your eyes for a moment feeling the tiredness kicking in.

Then you were suddenly lifted off the ground, in bridal style. You fluttered open your eyes quickly and was met with the loving gaze of Neuvillette looking right at you.

“Seems like I made my lady wait for me for far too long, time to give her the treatment she deserves.”

Neuvillette carried you to the dining room and set you down on the chair. Then walked to get the bags of gifts and what seemed like a box of cake?

“Neuvi, did you get a cake for me?”

“I certainly did. How could I not buy a cake for an important event for you my dear?” He replied, and set down the presents in front of you and placed the box of cake on the kitchen island.

“What would milady like for a late dinner?” Neuvillette asks as he spreads his arms on the table as if presenting himself to you.

“You.”

You looked at him with an innocent face but the smile you were trying to suppress got the best of you. Neuvillette looked like he was pondering your answer for a moment and finally replied.

“I’ll cook, so you can watch and stare all you want, hm?” he said, rolling up his sleeves.

—

You both finished eating, cut the cake and now, you were opening the gifts he got you as you sat on his lap while he placed gentle kisses on your face and the junction between your neck and shoulder as you unwrapped the presents. As you opened, for which seemed the last present, Neuvillette made a velvet box appear with his power. You looked at him with a surprised look and he gestured for you to open it.

You opened the box, to reveal a simple yet elegant necklace with a water drop shaped pendant. The color is similar to Neuvillette’s water drop pin on his collar.

“This is beautiful Neuvi.” you said admiring this unique colored gem in front of you.

“Shall I wear it for you?” you nodded in response.

Neuvillette took the necklace and placed it around your neck as you lifted your hair up. When he clipped the necklace together, he pressed a gentle kiss on your shoulder before you could let your hair drop. He then turned you to face towards him, letting you straddle him.

“Happy birthday my love.” and you share a passionate kiss until you hear the clock indicating that it is 12am, then you break the kiss and wrapped your arms around his neck.

“I haven’t unwrapped my last present yet” you said while tracing your finger from his face down to his chest.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Thank you for reading 🩷