#(when people are clueless or pushy about guiding him)

[justashadetalkative]

Details: Diamond

I’ve mentioned it before but I feel like it bears repeating: Diamond is an incredibly tactile man.

(He’s mildly hesitant about initiating unless he knows someone well, but like. Even with relative strangers — if the contact is genuinely friendly, chances are he’ll welcome it!)

[sword-brainrot]

ya got any headcanons for dating nikkou, nankaitarou, and ookurikara pls? seperate. thank you so much for everyhting!

Nikkou Ichimonji,  Nankaitarou Chouson, and Ookurikara Relationship Headcanons (GN Reader)

♡ Nikkou is business and logic first over everything else. He has a hard to understanding emotion and tries empathetic but it seems like he doesn't truly understand. He is a sword to be used in battle and to listen to orders from aruji and Sanchoumou. Emotions are very disconnected from him as a person. Especially romantic emotions.

♡ Nikkou will instantly tense up when he is put in a situation where emotions are high. If you are heart broken about something, he will try to solve it with logic and not truly understand that the situation doesn't need to be solve and that you are hurting emotionally. He tries to understand and will listen to you vent but that is all he really can do for you. He may put a hand on your shoulder in his attempt to comfort you but that is as much as does.

♡ This may seem like he is a robotic person but he really isn't. He just doesn't /understand/. He wants to understand though! He is a protective and loving person all things considered. He has people (Norimune, Sanchoumou, Nansen, Hasebe, Nihongou, Atsushi, Sayo, Hakata, and you) who he knows are special to him and wants nothing more to protect them. It is something he knows for a fact but understanding the complicated emotions connected to all of them is what he doesn't completely understand.

♡ Through the struggle of understanding emotions and breaking down the wall to let himself learn and feel, he is caring and thoughtful person. He may not know what to say or what to do but he cares and will try to listen. If you say you aren't feeling well because mentally you aren't doing well, he will come back later with some stomach meds and tea for you. He tries to help.

♡ It will take a while but eventually he will start to open up and try to do more romantic gestures to show you he wants to open his heart to you. Though you may think he is just trying to be caring and not actually flirt with you. You will know when one night he walks you back to your room and says goodnight with a soft forehead kiss.

♡ He will tense up at any affection you give him because like stated before, he doesn't completely understand and never received such affection in his life. As he slowly gets used to it, you will feel him melt in your grasp and follow your movements. He is not one for words when it comes to expressing his love. Rather he will show you he cares through actions or slight physical affection (holding your hand, soft kisses on the forehead/cheek).

♡ Not a fan of pda (other than hand holding) but surprisingly likes snuggling in your room.

♡ Nikkou is the big spoon, he will not give it up. He feels like that is the most protective position and makes him feel like he is one of your wings to protect you and lift you up.

♡ Nikkou has a special way in showing he wants attention. He will hold your hand underneath the table and rub his thumb over your knuckles. It is his way to say that he is feeling a little needy for affection and willing to try things that he would normally be uncomfortable doing.

♡ Nikkou is also like a mother hen at times. He wants to show he cares but doesn't know exactly how. So expect him nagging you; "Have you eaten?", "How much have you slept?", "Are you well enough to work?", "Have you drank plenty of water?", etc. He worries and cares about you in his own way. Just remember that if you ever get a little annoyed by his constant questions.

♡ Speaking of that, if he ever does something you do not like; Tell him right away. He might not pick up that he is going overboard and needs you to tell him. He won't be angry but will stop. He understands that sometimes he goes too far. Also if you are ever hurt emotionally, you have to explain how you are feeling inside or else he will not get it and be wary around you because he doesn't know how to help or if he would hurt you if he said/did the wrong thing. He truly cares for you but it's still hard for him to completely understand feelings and how emotions can really impact someone.

♡ Unlike the other two, Chouson is pretty expressive. So when I say you are Chouson's favorite person, you know. He always runs to you when he finishes a new invention, medicine, or just to geek out about something new he has learned. It doesn't matter what time it is, he runs to you first. Sometimes... to your displeasure. He gets so excited that he can't even see that it is 3am in the morning and he just woke you up from your deep slumber.

♡ Although Chouson is pretty friendly with all the other swords, you never see him hanging out with them. He is more focused in his own work rather than making friends with everyone. Which also means that he doesn't pick up social cues as well as some others. If he ever wanted to talk about anything, he would go to you.

♡ There hasn't been many in his life that showed any interest in his inventions or ideas. When you express interest and ask him to tell you more, he knew you would special and instantly started to grow attached to you. Prepare for him to talk your ear off, there is so much he wants to talk about and all the ideas he ever had. He has a book filled with many hypothesis and invention ideas. You will be hearing 1/3 by the time he lets you go so you can sleep.

♡ Every morning he is excited to see you because he knows that you truly care about him and what he thinks. It is a new feeling and he gets addicted by the first time you ever said "tell me more."

♡ Chouson does a lot of research on humans to understand them better because he wants to understand you better! He less cares about becoming more human himself. You are his main focus in that research. As soon as he learns about dating and what it means, he goes to you right away to ask you out. At this point, he isn't actually sure if he has romantic feelings for you but he knows you are special to him and wants to keep you close. As well as trying to be a loving boyfriend!

♡ He tries really hard to be a good boyfriend but he is clueless. Don't be shy to give him tips! You will have to guide him a little. Also expect him to read very cheesy romantic novels to understand dating more... Expect very cheesy pickup lines too. ...He is trying.

♡ Over the course of dating, he does develop romantic feelings for you! He probably had them from the start but couldn't recognize his own emotions since he relies so hard on logic rather than emotion. He knows he wouldn't want to do any of this dating stuff with anyone other than you.

♡ If something bothers him or he gets too excited, he will start pacing around the room talking at a speed that you almost can't understand. Lots of rambling too as he gets onto many topics. Drag him over to sit down and he will slowly calm down. His eyes just staring at you with adoration.

♡ His mood changes a lot but being around you helps him keep it in a happy state.

♡ Chouson adores tenderness. He will often overwork himself because he will be so invested in what he is doing. His muscles will be all tense and there will be dark bags under his eyes when he finally adventures into bed. Be sure to give him a small massage and kiss his face. He will surely have a large smile on his face as he gets comfortable and embrace you for the night.

♡ When he is focused, it is hard to get his attention and talk to him. So show it in silent ways how you love him. Get him food, and clothes he can change into. Sometimes it is okay to be a little pushy with him as well when he is pushing himself too far and not getting enough sleep. He may be a little grumpy with you at first but he will understand by the time his head hits the pillow and he falls asleep in an instant.

♡ Ookurikara is not the type of person who looks for relationships. He has an intense fear of getting close to someone and then losing them. It is why he constantly pushes people away and stays by himself. Can't get hurt if no one is close to you.

♡ When he began to develop a crush on you, he was even more distant than before (you didn't even know it was possible). He would cancel any plans that involved you, walked away the moment you sat down next to him, refuse to look you in the eye, and if someone asked him to give you something, he would pass it over to Mitsutada or Sadamune.

♡ It was your kindness and persistence that made him fall for you. You always went out of your way to help the sword that many would shy away from due to his resistance to all of them. You always offered an ear to listen to any concerns he may have, even if he never made face of any problems that may be bugging him under his skin.

♡ He kept pushing you away and tried to cause so much distance that you would hate him or just forget about him. However you stayed... And inside, he was melting.

♡ There has been many times where he would envision holding you and showing you affection only for it to be followed by him holding your wounded body on the battle field. Ookurikara is a sword of war... He knows far too well how fragile life can be.

♡ Most likely, you will have to confess to him first and ask him out. There is no way that Ookurikara will be honest about his feelings unless you make the first move. Even then, he will reply very shortly with "If that is what you want".

♡ Huge fear of abandonment. He will never vocally say it but you will need to reassure him that you would never leave him and that you are safe. Nightmares are a common thing with him after he grows attached to you. He knows what it feels to hold someone close to his heart... And it's terrifying that it can be ripped away so easily.

♡ When he is in a good mood, expect him to have his fingers linger on you. Brushing some hair out of your hair? it stays a little longer than needed. His golden eyes staring down at yours. His hand brushing against yours as you two walk side by side. Behind close doors, he may even pretend he fell asleep just so he could rest his head on your shoulder and feel you right there next to him.

♡ He will get frustrated and upset when you tease him or don't give him what he wants but when it comes to teasing you? Surprising... Rather good at it. He will lean in close to your face but quickly pull away and have a book in his hand, pretending like that was what he was reaching for the whole time. Ookurikara will make you say that you want to kiss him or hold his hand before he would even attempt it. If you tease him, he will make you suffer for it.

♡ Ookurikara.. LOVES sweets. He doesn't look like it but candy and pastries are his favorite. Kashuu and Mitsutada are the only two know of this face. Let's just say, Ookurikara comes back very grumpy when Kashuu teases him over not giving him sweets. Because he can't vocally say he wants them. He has an image to uphold! Please be sure to give him sweets and he will be so happy. May not smile but if he does, it will be small and short.

♡ "You bought too much. Eat them with me or else they will go bad."

♡ Favorite cuddling position is being the big spoon and holding you tight throughout the night. You can't get stolen away if he makes sure you are safe within his arms. It is also the position that nightmares don't happen in so it works out!

♡ When he has nightmares, he will suddenly jolt up in cold sweat. His chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, as if he just got done running for hours. His eyes will be lost in the dark shadows of the room. It's best to gentle hold him in those moments. Don't be scared if he suddenly flinches when you first touch him. He is still lost in his own thoughts at that time. As soon as Ookurikara looks over and sees you, well and untouched. He calms down. His head will slowly hang over and rest on your shoulder. No words spoken. Gently caress his hair and give him soothing words.

♡ "Don't you dare get hurt and go somewhere I can't follow."

[outivv]

— how they comfort their s/o pt 2 —

Synopsis: comfort headcanons!

Warnings: mentions of crying, anxiety, stress, and just generally the reader feeling like crap

Game/ fandom: genshin impact

Characters: albedo, xiao, and childe

Pronouns for reader: gender neutral/ not mentioned

A/n: hello everyone! Albedo’s been on my mind recently, and I wanted to do a part two of this... so... here we are! I may do a fic with albedo later... but I’m not too sure. Mostly cause I have to get a baseline idea, and lowkey I struggle with that part :’). Anyway, hopefully you enjoy, and have a marvelous day/afternoon/night (I’m running out of words to replace great because the same thing over and over again is boring :’))

— albedo —

Oh... well you see... albedo isn’t bad at comforting someone, just... doesn’t always take the right steps. He has a oddly calming presence to him, but where he falls short is actually calming someone. If that makes sense?

It truly depends on what you’re upset about. Anxiety? Oh he can help, he fully understands and will help any known way that he can. Stressed? He knows that feeling all too well. Like, scarily well. So he’ll help you in many ways that he helps himself with that one. Just tired and feeling like you’re on the brink of a mental breakdown (you know what yeah). Yeah... that’s not his field of expertise. Don’t get me wrong albedo has been in the same situation you are, though not as often maybe. He genuinely doesn’t know what to do when you’re feeling such a strong emotion. He’ll try his best to comfort you but you have to tell him what to do.

I think this deserves its own... mini paragraph, explaining this. When I said you have to tell him what to do, I mean if you don’t he’ll just kinda... hug you and try to sooth you that way. But obviously not everyone wants to be touched when they’re feeling a strong emotion. While others may find it comforting, some may say it’s suffocating you know? So you have to gesture, guide him, or flat out tell him what to do to comfort you. It’s big because he’s clueless, far from it actually. But he knows that he isn’t good with this sorta thing, and while he desperately wants to help because seeing you upset makes his heart break. He doesn’t always know the best way to approach it.

Albedo always asks if he can hold you, or if you want him even near you. As I said earlier he knows not everyone likes being touched in moments like these, so he’ll be considerate of your feelings and ask. If you say no, he’ll respect that and just sit near you, listening to you, or helping any way he can.

Albedos precise, and analytical when trying to comfort people. He’s unsure at times, but will look at things from a different angle at times to fully understand how to help you.

— xiao —

I’m torn with xiao. He’s very iffy when it comes to emotions, especially other people’s emotions. He’s not gonna instantly hug you, and tell you it’s going to be fine. That’s for sure. What’s he’s going to do at first is be weirded out, and awkward. Stiff, and look almost uncomfortable.

He hates seeing you upset don’t get me wrong, but he doesn’t always understand why you’re upset. He’ll ask you why you’re so upset, and be very blunt about things. On the inside though he’s screaming. He is anxious for you, and anxious for himself. He knows he could fuck things up and make things worse, he doesn’t want to but he knows that it’s a possibility. In fact he convinces himself that it’ll happen.

Don’t tell him how to comfort you. He appreciates it, but don’t do it. It’s very weird, it makes him feel weird, like he’s doing everything wrong. And xiao does not like that. It took him a while to get the courage to try and help you without thinking he could hurt you more, now you’re telling him you’re doing everything wrong? Well he just feels great now. It’s not about him, and he knows that, but he can’t help but feel some kind of guilt when you tell him to do something.

Xiao is very, stiff and anxious when comforting people in general. He’ll need a lot of time for sure, just to figure out how to comfort you. Lots of trial and error too, so just be patient, and know that he’s trying his best.

— childe —

I’m not going to say that he’s a master at comforting people, but compared to xiao and albedo... he’s the best you’ll get.

He understands many emotions, and understands feeling very strong emotions. While he may not have a breakdown/ panic attack/ etc about it, he’ll definitely shut down for a bit.

His first instinct is to hold you close, but like albedo he knows that not everyone likes that. So also like albedo, he’ll ask if he can hold you. If you say no, he may be a bit distraught at first, not knowing what else to do. But respects your wishes. He’ll lowkey feel helpless at that point because for him physical touch is his love language and he doesn’t know how else to help you. You may tell him to just be there with you, but that feels off to him? He’ll do it yes but... you really don’t want a hug? Or some other sort of comfort? Nothing????

If you tell him to leave you alone though... he’s not doing it. That’s where he draws the line. You may but like it but it doesn’t sit right with him. Call him selfish all you want, but he doesn’t want that on his conscience. He will stay here with you, even if he’s just in the far corner of the room taking up as little space as possible. He just wants to remind you that he’s there for you.

Childe can be pushy when comforting someone at times, but he does it out of love and concern for you. He understands if you’re mad at him afterwards, but he knows that he did what he was going to regret the least.

[nicholaswilde]

Growing Pains

Seblaine Week 2019, Day 2

Theme: Royal Families

Summary: Blaine, a lowborn servant, has just learned some unhappy news regarding Sebastian, the crown prince. - R, just under 2,000 words

Warnings: brief suggestion of breathplay; short-lived pushiness for sex after consent has been withdrawn; a smidge of (nonsexual) violence

Blaine knocked twice and pushed open the heavy oak door. Like every evening, the prince was sitting in a chair a few yards away, waiting for him.

"I apologize, Your Highness," Blaine said, clipped. "Dinner ran late in the servants' hall."

Blaine knelt down in silence, unbuckling Sebastian's sandals with the ease of one who'd performed these motions a thousand times. The water in the basin he’d brought with him was just warm enough to give off steam, with the faintest hint of flowered oil. Just the way his highness preferred it. Blaine guided Sebastian’s bare feet into the water and dipped his own hands in, too.

Like all things in his life, Blaine washed his master's feet with utmost care and fervent attention. He scraped the point of his thumb beneath the ridge of Sebastian's nails, working stubborn grime out from the corners. In turn, he took each foot in both hands and kneaded the tired muscles. Sebastian groaned.

When all was finished, Blaine pushed the basin aside, grabbed the towel resting on his lap, and began to wick every trace of moisture away.

"You're quiet," Sebastian observed.

Blaine shrugged one shoulder and kept his eyes on his work. It crossed his mind that he wouldn't dare treat another member of the royal family with such casual irreverence as a silent shrug, but… Blaine shrugged again, to himself this time.

"You've heard the news, I guess?"

Blaine flinched like Sebastian had held up a hand to strike him. His heart tightened in a vice. He nodded.

The prince sighed. Blaine heard him shift in the chair and a trio of gentle fingertips touched his chin. Stubborn, hurt, Blaine clenched his jaw and continued working.

"Blaine, look at me."

He obeyed, eyes quickly fixed on a beautiful face etched with clear disappointment.

"You know I'm not doing this to upset you. It's not because I don't care about you, either. It's just.. There are expectations. Rules I have to abide by. I could never marry a servant," Sebastian stroked Blaine's cheek fondly, "no matter how amazing he is."

"You could, though," Blaine said, recoiling and getting to his feet. The towel, he threw aside. It hit the floor with a soft, unsatisfying rustle, and the tension within him grew. "You'll be king one day. You can do anything you want."

"Being a good king means making the right choices for your people, even if it's not what you want."

Blaine raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Oh, please. When have you ever cared about being a good king, Sebastian? I remember you told me once your primary goal was to drink and fuck your way to an early grave."

Sebastian glowered. "Maybe I've grown up. Is that so hard to believe?"

Blaine didn't respond. Nothing ever changed much in the servants' hall. People worked all their lives and simply hoped to die with some semblance of dignity. But he lived in Sebastian's orbit, too, and he'd seen the prince changing. Especially in the last year, as he neared the pivotal age of 20. Sebastian was still playful--hopelessly sarcastic and lewd--but he'd paid more attention in his studies, talked more about 'The People' than Blaine had ever heard before.

He was right. He was growing up.

Blaine should be proud, but it left him with a gnawing fear of being left behind. Sebastian had wealth, prospects, a future--plenty to occupy him. Blaine had the prince's love--nothing else. If he lost that, what remained of his life would be stale, colorless.

"So what then?" Blaine finally said. "You grow up, marry this girl from across the sea, and have me reassigned so you don't have to deal with me anymore?"

"Reassigned? Is that what you're worried about?" Sebastian shook his head, face softening "Blaine, you're not going anywhere. This marriage proposal is part of a political alliance. Nothing more."

Frustration and relief intermingled. Blaine felt tears spring to his eyes. He ducked his head and turned away, but Sebastian was already up from his chair, padding across the stone floor with his bare feet. A pair of strong arms slipped around Blaine's middle, pulling him in until Blaine's forehead pressed against Sebastian's chest.

"I want you," Sebastian said, resting his chin on a bed of unkempt, dark curls. "Even if I put a ring on her finger. Even if she comes to live here. Even if she gives me a child. You'll always be the one I want. I won't give you up."

As if to seal his promise, Sebastian's comforting hands began to wander. Blaine felt them slide down his back and grope his ass. Sebastian used this grip as leverage to hold Blaine steady while he ducked his shoulders, lowered his head, and opened his mouth against the sensitive skin stretched over Blaine's throat.

Thus engaged, Sebastian pushed gently, urging Blaine to take a few shuffling steps backward. He knew the layout of the prince's bedroom as intimately as he knew the prince himself. With a few more steps he'd hit the edge of the bed. Sebastian would prop him up against the bedpost for support.

Blaine would kiss him back while Sebastian's hands moved to toy between Blaine's legs. Sometimes he'd touch only on the outside of Blaine's pants for minutes, dragging his lover's impatience to a peak. Other times he'd slip right in beneath the waistband, past the wiry hairs, and wrap his hand tight at the base of Blaine's cock. Languid, possessive strokes.

They'd eventually wind up atop the prince's bed, naked, aching, with Blaine soon prostrate in his favorite place in all the world. Sebastian draped over his back, thrusts rocking the wooden frame against the wall until it sounded like the castle had a heartbeat of its own. So full and warm and wet. He'd keen like an animal. Sometimes Sebastian would press a hand against the back of his head, holding Blaine’s face down against the goose-feather pillows until he couldn't breathe and there was no way to distinguish between his desire for air and his desire for the prince. Sebastian was every touch, every sound, every smell, every taste.

As they shuffled back toward the bed, Blaine saw it all play out before his closed eyes, just as it had happened countless times before. But this time, he saw a mysterious woman at the edge of the vision. Sitting in a chair before the fireplace, reading, filling her time, while her husband cajoled the servant. Or leaving the room as Blaine arrived, to return an hour later. Maybe, Blaine thought with revulsion, she'd even ask him to join them when it came time to produce an heir. He knew Sebastian well enough to be sure he wouldn't climax easily with a woman, no matter how beautiful she was.

Blaine shook his head, planting his feet. Sebastian made an inquisitorial hum against Blaine's jawline and pushed again, toward the bed.

"No," Blaine grunted. He lifted his hands and nudged Sebastian's chest, trying to disengage. "Not tonight."

Sebastian lifted his head and met Blaine's eyes, his lips red and slick. "Come on," he whispered, smiling. "What's wrong? Let me show you how much I want you." He kissed Blaine eagerly, hands crawling back up to wind in Blaine's hair. He pushed again, pressing Blaine on toward the bed.

"I said no!" Blaine shouted, muffled against Sebastian's lips. "I don't want to be your fucking concubine!"

The servant's deceivingly small stature hid remarkable strength, and Blaine summoned it now to twist out of Sebastian's possessive grip, shoving him away, hard and fast. The prince reeled backward, tripped over the wash basin on the floor, and fell heavy against the hearth of the unlit fireplace.

Blaine's anger, so fiery a moment ago, drowned in a flood of horror. Sebastian wasn't moving. If he'd hit his head-- If he died-- The thought of being a murderer stole Blaine's breath like the hangman's noose was already tightening. He rushed to Sebastian's side, reaching out to touch his face, desperate but clueless to help.

The prince blinked, writhed a bit, and coughed. He wasn't dead. Dazed, breathless, but alive. Still wheezing, Sebastian started to sit up. He clutched his side with a sharp grimace and groan of pain. “Fuck.”

"Your Highness?" Blaine worried.

"I think you cracked one of my ribs," Sebastian said after a moment, fighting to keep his voice even. "Feels like it, anyway." He would know. He’d broken two of them in a riding accident a few years earlier. Blaine watched guiltily as Sebastian forced himself back on his feet. Nothing ever kept him down for long.

Blaine stood up, too, hovering. He reached for Sebastian's arm. "Let me help you."

Sebastian shook him off. "You've done enough." His tone was severe. There would be no debate. Blaine pulled his hand away and bowed his head, standing frozen while Sebastian struggled on and crossed the last few feet alone. As he stepped past the overturned wash basin, he ordered, "Clean that up."

"At once, Your Highness."

Blaine knelt by the puddle and grabbed the small towel he'd brought in to dry Sebastian's feet. It wasn't enough for so much water. When the fabric could not be coaxed to hold more, he dropped it in the empty wash basin and pulled off his shirt, sopping up the last the few pools that remained. Blaine's heart was in his throat all the while. He dropped his shirt in the basin, too, then dared to look up to where the prince was perched on the edge of his bed.

Disheveled, barefoot, clutching his side through a hopelessly wrinkled shirt, Sebastian had still never looked more like a king. The lust in his eyes had burned away to cool, calculating judgment. Blaine cowed under his gaze, feeling very small, and very much like a servant who had just committed a crime punishable by death.

Maybe it would be better that way, his brain supplied unhelpfully. He was a lowborn boy with a pretty enough face to serve a royal family. He'd never be anything else. Never worth much.

"I'm going to have a tough time convincing everyone I fell out of bed and cracked a rib," Sebastian finally said.

"I'm so sorry, Your Highness." Blaine swallowed hard. "I should never have put my hands on you. You shouldn't feel obligated to lie on my behalf."

"You think I want you executed?" the prince hissed back, offended.

"No, Your Highness."

"No." Sebastian scoffed. "As if I'd just sit back and let them hang the man I love."

Blaine couldn't look at him anymore. He ducked his head, shame chewing at his stomach. 

"Because I do love you, you know."

Blaine nodded.

"And you love me, too." It wasn't a question.

"I do, Your Highness."

"You'd be my fucking concubine if I wanted you to be," Sebastian told him. "I could take you every night if that's what I wanted, and you’d thank me for the pleasure of being useful." He was angry and hurt. Leaning on his power helped soothe the sting of rejection, but Blaine knew the prince's threat was empty. Sebastian could be insistent, but he had never forced Blaine's hand in sex, and he never would.

Blaine heard Sebastian sigh, heavy and deep, punctuated with a hiss of pain as his injury protested.

"Come here," he said.

This command was soft, almost intimate, but Blaine responded as quickly as if the prince was still grinding his teeth in anger. He stood just in front of Sebastian, hips touching the other's knees. He kept his eyes down, apologetic and submissive.

"I forgive you for everything, of course," Sebastian murmured.

Still cautious, Blaine took one of the prince's hands and kissed it, grateful for the reprieve. When Sebastian allowed that touch, Blaine’s confidence grew enough to lift his head and place a chaste kiss on Sebastian's lips, too.

“I-- I know you should marry her,” Blaine whispered sadly. “And I shouldn’t hold that against you like it's some sin. I'm just..."

"Obscenely jealous," Sebastian finished. The smirk that accompanied his gentle teasing faded fast. He supplied another explanation: "Afraid of change."

Blaine nodded, his vision blurring with stubborn tears.

Sebastian wiped them away.

"I love you," he said. "That will never change."

[seriouslyhooked]

Scoring Your Love (Part 15/18)

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six,Part Seven,Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen, Part Fourteen. Story also on FF here and AO3 here. Banner by the wonderful @timetravelandfairytales

Modern AU where Killian is a world famous soccer star who has hit rock bottom and been sentenced to the place where ‘football’ legends go to die – America. While here he crosses paths with Emma, an up and coming musician and film scorer who challenges everything he thought he knew and makes him want more than the game he’s always loved. Will be filled with fluff for days. Rated M.

A/N: Hello friends. This chapter is coming to you after a little extra time away, but I hope you will forgive me after you read it. I enjoyed writing this because it brings a little closure in some ways, and sets CS up for more of the cuteness that the end of my stories always bring. I hope that you guys like it and I would love to hear what you all think! Thanks for reading!

Sitting in Regina’s palatial office on the top floor of the Mills Inc. building, there was no denying that she and her family were loaded.

Killian was by no means a poor man. He’d been saving for years, and his contracts were some of the highest paying that the sport had ever seen. With Liam’s advice and know-how, Killian had taken large chunks of his wealth and made more money on the right kind of investments and endorsements, but still there was a difference between rich and obscenely wealthy. Regina was clearly in the latter category.

“I’d say you get used to it, but I’m not big on lying,” Robin whispered as they awaited their host. Killian shook his head and turned his attention back to his coach, amused by the commentary.

“So if I asked where you and Her Majesty are relationship wise you would say…?”

“I plead the fifth.” 

Robin responded with a grin and a jovial laugh that spoke to his happiness. Killian didn’t need more confirmation than that. His coach and the team’s owner were clearly together, and Killian was glad for them. Robin was a good man, and though Regina was… well, Regina… Killian wished them both well in whatever they were doing.

“Smart move,” Regina said as she walked into her personal office, giving away that she’d been listening for a while. Both men made to stand up but she waved them away. “No need for that. We’re at war gentleman. Ceremony has no place in a warzone.”

“War?” Robin questioned, clearly entertained by the ferocity in Regina’s voice. His lightheartedness in the face of her fire put Robin in a category all his own. Few men would see such intensity and be interested, but Robin looked downright infatuated. “Isn’t that a bit… much?”

“Maybe. But I love a good battle,” Regina said, looking happier than Killian could imagine any sane person being under the circumstances. “What do you think, Killian? Is it a war you want?”

“No,” Killian said, surprising himself and Regina as well. Honestly though, when he thought of it he didn’t want a never-ending saga. His heart wasn’t set on vengeance or revenge, it just wanted Gold to be gone and gone for good. “I want peace for me and Emma. Now if the only way to get that is through a fight, then so be it. But I’m willing to bet there’s another way.”

“Good. I like the no fighting idea. Let’s go with that,” Robin said enthusiastically, drawing a deep sigh from Regina.

“Well, I was going to save this for a big finale – let us get a few good rounds in before just to mess with him - but I guess if you two are hell bent on taking the high road…”

The revelations that came from Regina thereafter were astounding to Killian, and he almost didn’t believe the words that the team owner imparted to him and to Robin. It turned out that for more than a year Regina had been cultivating a plant within Gold Industries, and that plant had been slowly moving up the ladder, gaining more and more access to the deeply unethical underbelly of a company that seemed clean on the outside. They were tracking and logging all of the happenings, and to Killian’s amazement, Regina was now confident that there was enough to take to the feds and get Gold in seriously hot water.

“I honestly didn’t expect these kind of results so soon, but Gold got sloppy, as fickle minded men are prone to doing.”

Regina’s words again could have been a turn off for a more ordinary bloke, but when Killian glanced over at Robin he looked proud of his woman instead of put off by her disdain for the male population. At another time Killian would seek to further analyze such a dynamic, but instead he focused on Regina’s words, which were more than he could have ever hoped for.

“It turns out Gold couldn’t juggle his hatred for you and his illegal business dealings all at once. We’re talking everything – corporate espionage, bribery, a hint of treason… and a couple of people on his personal black list who just so happened to get hurt or go missing. My source has documented all she can. All I have to do is make a call to my contact at the Bureau and that’ll be the end of it. He’s going away, no matter how much money he has.”

“You’re serious?” Killian asked, still stunned at the revelation. Regina held the key to the demise of a man they all know to be abhorrent, but still she waited. She should have acted weeks ago, or whenever the bloody hell she’d had enough to take this to the authorities. “Then what are you waiting for? Make the call.”

“I want to, really, I do. There’s just one problem. The second I make that call, you don’t need me anymore. If there’s no Gold there’s nothing keeping you from leaving when your contract is fulfilled. You’ll be back to Europe the second the season’s over.”

And there it was, the ultimatum. Killian knew the other shoe was going to drop at some point and now it had, but it wasn’t as bad a prospect as it could have been. As far as blackmail went, this was of a rather tame variety: keep playing for Regina’s team and Gold would go away. It was an easy trade in Killian’s estimations.

“Regina.”

Robin’s tone of censure was harder than Killian was used to hearing it. He clearly did not find this funny any more, and this final proposal was not something Robin would let stand. In fact, this was the closest to angry that Killian had ever seen his coach. The usually calm man looked downright heated, and again the intrigue of what he was witnessing struck Killian. If only the team were here to witness this with him. This was something that needed to be seen to be believed.

“You want me to sign on for longer with the team in exchange for bringing down Gold?” Killian asked as Regina and Robin remained locked in some kind of stare down.  He only asked to clarify, and there was no resentment in his tone because the truth was he had already been thinking at length about staying on.

Meeting Emma had fundamentally changed Killian’s earlier expectations. Where before he viewed this relocation as a punishment that must be born to get back to a better place, now his time on the team represented a new start that he vastly preferred to the life he had before. All of that had to do with Emma, and since Emma’s life was here, his would be too. That left him with two viable options: continue playing for this team or leave the game for good. He found that he didn’t have an issue with either plan, but all things considered he’d like to stay on with the sport he loved, even if the competition would never match what he’d once known.

“No, she’s not saying that,” Robin exclaimed at the exact time Regina said, “Exactly.”

“Regina, are you kidding? Tell me you’re kidding,” Robin begged as Regina looked at him like the man had three heads.

“What? You want him on the team, you told me so yourself,” Regina explained. “I’m giving you what you want.”

By this time Robin had jumped up from his seat and begun to pace the floor of the office. His hands rested on his hips and his head shook forcefully, as if the action would physically erase the thought he found so terrible. He looked disgusted at the way Regina was going about this, and while Killian wasn’t quite as clueless as Regina, he had to admit he was taken aback by such a strong reaction. This situation didn’t merit such an incised response, but Robin was a man guided by character and integrity, so it stood to reason that such a play would make him uncomfortable.

“I don’t want it. Not like this, Regina. It’s bad enough he was forced to come here in the first place. You want to hold him hostage all over again? You want to take away his will, for what? Another winning season? No, sorry. I won’t be a part of that.”

“Fine,” Regina said with a sharp exhale after a moment’s pause. “I’ll make the call, no strings. Happy?”

“Thrilled,” Robin said, and though he still looked huffy he walked to where Regina was behind her desk and planted a kiss on her that was by no means work appropriate. Killian ducked his head to give them some privacy, but still, there was no denying he’d just been privy to something that was not fit for public consumption. “We’re going now.”

“I think that would be best,” Regina murmured, her voice so much softer and less testy than it was before.

“I’ll see you tonight?” Robin whispered lowly, but Killian still heard the man. He pretended to completely miss the question for everyone’s sake, but it was hard to act like everything was normal given the situation.

“Yes, tonight,” Regina agreed before she set her eyes back on Killian. “Sorry, Jones. Old habits die hard.”

Receiving an apology from Regina felt like a once in a lifetime kind of thing. The woman was hard headed, stubborn, and pushy. She’d crossed a few lines already and stepped on more than a few toes before, but never had he seen her apologize. He knew the change in her was likely brought on by her feelings for Robin, but either way Killian would accept it. There was no sense turning down her small display of humility, not when they were both on the same team.

“You handle Gold and send a competitive offer to my brother and I’ll consider it,” Killian replied, and though it wasn’t a direct verbal acceptance of her apology it was symbolically.

Leaving Regina with a victorious look on her face, Robin and Killian made their way to the elevator bay in silence. It had been quite a meeting they’d just attended, and there was a lot that could be said about what had just transpired inside the four walls of that office. Killian didn’t dare to broach any of it though. He had no desire to make things awkward with a man who he considered to be his friend and who had put himself on the line for Killian’s benefit. To do so would lack all honor, and Killian knew better than that.

“Not a word about this to the others.” Robin’s words might sound like a coach’s orders to some, but Killian knew it was a sincere request and not a demand.

“I was never going back to London,” Killian said, giving Robin his own secret to hold onto. It would keep things equal between them, and Killian could tell from the look in Robin’s eyes that his coach understood the gesture and appreciated it. “Do me a favor and keep that from the Queen for the time being, aye?”

Robin agreed that he would as the elevators opened on the first floor. At that point the two men said their goodbyes, and Killian headed off, allowing himself to fully rejoice in the good news now that he was alone. Gold was done for, and soon enough justice would be served. He and Emma might not be free from the pressures of the press, for those would never truly go away while he lived anywhere near the public eye, but his worst adversary was soon to be toppled. Knowing that that lifted a heavy weight from Killian’s shoulders, and by the time he ended up at Emma’s apartment, he was practically floating with that happiness.

Standing in front of the door, Killian pulled out the key that Emma had given him a few nights before. After they’d said I love you the exchange between them seemed merited. Killian wanted Emma in every corner of his life, and she felt the same way. Killian felt the privilege of her trusting him like this sincerely though, and as he walked inside his smile couldn’t be contained. This was a beautiful life that he’d stumbled upon and he, quite frankly, couldn’t imagine being happier.

“Oh come on! That’s a totally bogus call. He was off sides! Are you blind, ref?”

Emma’s irritated words spoken allowed led Killian to believe they might not be alone tonight despite his hopes, but when he walked into the living room and found his Swan she was very much by herself. It was quite a sight to behold: Emma, a novice to the game, who had no love in her heart for the sport before meeting him, was willingly watching a match between his next opponent and another team in the league. Her focus was entirely on the television before her, her eyes taking stock of the ball as it moved across the screen and there was no denying as he watched her for a moment before she could notice he was here that she was enjoying himself. It did something to his heart to witness this from Emma, because he knew she was invested because of him. Learning the game and watching it played was about trying to understand that part of his life, and Killian was flattered and elated that she loved him enough to take this on.

“Ugh, these calls are bogus. It’s gotta be rigged,” she murmured, talking to herself as so many millions of fans had done before her.

“Feels that way sometimes, doesn’t it?” Killian asked, pulling Emma’s attention to him. Her smile at seeing him was immediate, but he noticed the blush that spread over her cheeks. She’d been caught indulging in this and she knew it, but Killian couldn’t bear to comment on it before coming over to kiss her. He’d gone hours without getting the chance to do so, and he was about to share such happy news with her, it seemed only fitting.  

“If I knew watching ‘football’ would turn you on like this I would have started ages ago,” Emma said when they came up for air. During the kiss Killian had taken a seat with Emma and she had managed to find her way into his lap, just as he wanted her to be.

“You really want to pretend this is your first time watching, Swan?” Killian asked with a raised brow and Emma shrugged.

“It just happened to be on, that’s all.”

Killian laughed at her attempt to hide the truth and Emma caved to the laughter too, burying her giggle in the crook of his neck and sending the reverberation of that gorgeous sound pulsing through him. The reality of the situation was so transparent, especially since the channels to watch these games in the states was so obscure no one ever saw it. People were more likely to watch his old league play than American ‘soccer’ and so there was no chance of casually happening upon the station. It required active searching or a preexisting knowledge of what number would provide the right coverage, but Killian would let her words slide, knowing in his heart what she’d really been doing for him.

“You seem happy,” Emma claimed, her eyes coming back to meet his as if she was searching for any other kind of emotion.

“I am happy, Emma. Gloriously so,” he confessed as his fingers came up to brush a few wayward locks of her blonde hair back behind her ears. God she was perfect, and she was, thankfully, all his.

“So the meeting went well then?”

He explained to her all the ways in which it had gone better than well, watching as Emma’s eyes grew wider and answering any questions she had along the way. It shocked her that Gold could be undone like this and that the time for his demise would come so soon. A couple of times she asked for more details on Robin and Regina (since she and her friends had all long since heard of the strange match that existed between them), but her interest always circled back to Gold and the triumph of good over a bad.

“I can’t believe it,” she finally whispered. “He’s really going to be gone, just like that?”

“Well I imagine there will be some dramatics involved. A man of his stature isn’t going to go down without a fight, and he’s hardly the most even-tempered man to begin with.”

“How long do you think he’ll be in prison?”

“Depends on how the trial goes. But I suspect it’ll be a very, very long time.”

Relief washed over Emma at his words, and Killian wanted to promise her that he would take care of everything and that there was no way Gold would ever taste freedom again, but he couldn’t do that. All he could do was trust that the system would prevail, and rest assured that if it didn’t, Regina wasn’t above getting dirty to make sure he went down and stayed down. As it was, this was truly an ending to the chapter of their lives that had anything to do with Gold. His time had come and gone, and there would be no rise of that monstrous man every again.

“It’s just…” Emma paused, trying to find the right words to relay her thoughts on the extraordinary circumstances. “I mean you couldn’t write a cleaner ending. It’s like that part in the movies where the villain meets their terrible fate.  The bad guy lost and the heroes live to fight another day.”

“And in this movie what role do we play, Swan?”

“The heroes, duh,” she said, teasing him as a playful smile appeared at her lips.

“Right. And these heroes, they’re the ones that get the happy endings, correct?” Killian prompted as his hand ran up her side. He wanted to hear Emma say again how she loved him, and that, yes, they were destined for a happy ending. Instead she rolled her eyes at his cheesiness, but even that action couldn’t deter from how good he felt right now.

“Like you don’t know,” Emma huffed, pretending to be annoyed. Before she could take her act too far and leave him though, Killian’s hold on her tightened. The air between them swirled with a new delicious tension, and Killian saw the moment Emma felt the shift as lust colored her jade colored eyes.

“I do know, Emma. I know you and I are destined for miraculous things, and as for happy endings…”

Killian’s hand traced a delicate design along Emma’s skin, finding the flesh beneath her shirt and teasing her with his touch. He pressed a kiss to her lips, then to her jaw and to her neck and he felt Emma gasp for breath only to sigh into the action. Her heart beat at the same frantic rhythm as his, and she melted into him, her fingers grasping onto his shirt as if letting go would mean the end of this perfect thing between them.

“Yes?” Emma asked, reminding him about his earlier thought where her gorgeous body had driven him to distraction. He pulled back to look in her eyes, his hand cupping her cheek in a tender motion.

“Ours is bound to be better than any that came before.”

And with that promise, and some fancy maneuvering to get them both up from the couch and into her room, Killian attempted to show Emma just how breathtaking and wonderful and life-affirming their story was bound to be. For the road before them was long and light, and though dark days may come again, it was nothing they couldn’t handle, as long as they faced it as they always should: together.

Post-Note: Hey all! So I have closed the door (for the most part) on the Gold story line now. Still ahead we have some Liam stuff to get to, but rest assured next chapter will address that last hiccup for good.. I hope that you enjoyed and I would love to hear what you thought! Anyway thanks so much for reading and hope you have a great rest of your day!

[citious]

CHAPTER 1

Characters

Main: Song Jiwon, Yoon Jinmyung, Jung Yeeun, Yoo Eunjae, Jo Eun, Kang Yina, Im Sungmin, Kwon Hochang, Jo Chungwon, Seo Janghoon

Supporting: Lawyer - Jo Eunhee, Prosecutor - Jung Jaechan, Han Gwanyoung, Wife - Kim Haesook

In a nutshell: A follow up from the open-ending stories of Belle Epoque girls. Has Eunjae moved on from her first breakup? How will Teacher Han’s case unravel? and last but not least, is it the beginning of the end in regards to Ssongsungmin’s friendship?

Rating: T

9th February 2018

Though Kang-eonni isn’t exactly a member of the Belle Epoque anymore, she often comes over. She and Jo Eun are now familiar with each other, so the 6 girls are very cose now. On some occasions, the girls would have a feast party every month or so, and Kang-eonni would stay overnight, occupying the sofa until the next morning. Belle Epoque has practically become her second home.

During one of the gatherings, the Belle Epoque girls swarmed the living room and had a feast of chicken, beers, and decided to play truth or dare. It was a no-guy meet-up, so the girls could be comfortable playing. Using spin-the-can-of-beer method, the girls decided whose turn it would be.

Eunjae got picked. The girls waited for her choice to either answer a question truthfully, or do a dare as requested.

Eunjae: Uh��� this is a hard choice

Yina: Ya, come on. This is just a game, and it’s just between us anyway.

Hearing Kang-eonni’s explanation, Eunjae made her choice.

Eunjae: Truth.

The girls got excited to hear Eunjae’s choice as there are many things to dig out from one of the maknaes in the house. Without further ado, Yeeun swiftly raised the question.

Yeeun: Have you ‘done that’ with Chungwon?

(Oh wait. If you don’t know what happened yet, Eunjae and Chungwon finally got together in the end.)

Flashback

20th December 2017

Up until the end of 2017, Eunjae still couldn’t move on from her first love, Jongyeol. It was her first love and boyfriend at the same time, so it’s super hard to forget about him.

Chungwon knew all these because every time he fetched Eunjae after class outside her lecture room, she always didn’t listen to his greetings and instead tried to find Jongyeol, obvious by her eyes that followed where Jongyeol was going complete with her habitual sulk. At first, Chungwon is cool with that as he understood her feelings and how bad she must’ve tried to move on. But this time, he couldn’t hold it anymore.

The two headed for lunch at a restaurant near the campus. While eating, Chungwon decided to talk to Eunjae.

Chungwon: Eunjae-ya… you still haven’t moved on from him?

Eunjae being Eunjae, her eyes expanded in shock.

Eunjae: …what?

Chungwon: The guy who’s in your class. Your ex. You haven’t moved on from him?

After much hesitation, Eunjae continued.

Eunjae: Yes… I’m so sorry… I’m not supposed to do this, but I just can’t seem to forget about him :’(

Chungwon: No… it’s okay. We all go through that process. To be honest, I also experienced the similar things as you are now.

Hearing that, Eunjae’s expression turned curious.

Chungwon: I met her during uni orientation and from there, we dated. But it only lasted for 7 months. She felt that her feelings for me was simply an infatuation from the start, so she dumped me. To be honest, even though I might seem tough, as a guy, I was hurt too. I did so many memorable things with her, and for one month since the breakup, I couldn’t concentrate at all, I even get scolded by Sungmin-hyung countless times because I lost focus. But you know what?

Chungwon’s question made Eunjae even more curious.

Chungwon: I finally learnt that it’s impossible for me and her to start all over again, because we’re just not meant to be anymore. When Jiwon-sunbae told me to go on a blind date with you that time, I was actually still recovering from the breakup. I wanted to meet other people and do normal things again.

This statement made Eunjae a little surprised.

Eunjae: Gosh, so that’s what happened? I was moving on from my ex too at the time. I’m sorry if I was being rude or weird at any point.

Chungwon: Oh, it’s fine. You didn’t do anything wrong. I actually found you cute. I never met anyone who’s as honest as you were. So when you suddenly appeared at the university newspaper office, I was surprised and happy that you came.

At that moment, Eunjae’s mind suddenly stopped thinking about Jongyeol, and realized just how patient and nice Chungwon is for the past few months. She thought, maybe it’s God’s will that Chungwon is there for her.

Long story short, Eunjae and Chungwon got together in the end. On New Year day. And yeah, she got her New Year’s kiss with Chungwon. He’s always there for her and he’s been the best companion in many things. He’s not pushy about fulfilling his sexual desires. From Eunjae’s experience, she thought that’s the best a guy can assure her about.

Eunjae’s New Year’s first kiss ended with Chungwon as the mass countdown event and the fireworks ended. Chungwon held Eunjae’s small hand, and took her away.

Eunjae was already in front of an open door to an apartment. She stepped in, guided by Chungwon who walked backwards, gazing at Eunjae’s charming eyes.

Flashforward - Truth or Dare

Eunjae: Well… (She grinned). I’d say… almost?

Everyone (Jiwon’s voice was the loudest): MWOYA!!! I thought you said you picked truth. So tell us the truth!

Flashback - New Year’s

The door behind Eunjae automatically closed and locked itself, while the two headed towards the double bed that’s positioned at the end of the small studio apartment, making out. The kiss got deeper and rougher, but as they reached the climax, Eunjae suddenly pulled herself back, trying to catch her breath while she sat on Chungwon.

Chungwon: Are you okay?

Eunjae hesitated for a while…

Eunjae: I’m okay, but…

Before she could finish her words, Chungwon continued-

Chungwon: It’s okay, Eunjae-ya… We don’t have to go that far if you don’t want to. Take your time. It’s not your body that I want. I truly love you for who you are.

Eunjae: Oppa…

Right at that moment, the two gazed at each other for 5 seconds, before Eunjae moved to cuddle beside him and kissed him once more. This time, as softly as she could, fully expressing her gratitude and affection for her boyfriend, whom she promised to grow together with. The two slept soundly on the same bed as the time read: 3 a.m.

Flashforward - Truth or Dare

Jiwon: Ya! It was so close! How did you hold it in???

Yina: Sshhh! It’s just her. Not everyone can do it easily for the first time.

Jiwon: Aish, it’s so nice that you all have had boyfriends, what about me? I haven’t even kissed anyone ever… If I did, I think that’s with my golden retriever who already died when I was in 6th grade.

Jinmyung, being the oldest of the girls, contributed her two-cents.

Jinmyung: Jiwon-ah, the time will come. Just be a bit more patient. I’m sure God has set a soulmate out there for you.

Eun: ayyyy, It’s so obvious that you and Chef Park are having so much fun together ;D

Just like that, the girls kept laughing and teased each other until as the time ticked and the night became darker.

11th February 2018 – Belle Epoque (2 days later)

It’s Sunday morning and everyone was starting their day lazily.

Jiwon walked outside her room while yawning and stretching her arms, finding Yeeun who’s already sitting down on the dining table holding her pink phone on her right ear, smiling cheek to cheek.

On the phone…

Yeeun: So, what are we planning to do on Valentine’s day this year? Ah, really? You don’t want to tell me? Is it a surprise?

Yeeun kept smiling. This time, she curled the strands of her long hair with her fingers.

Yeeun: Arasseo, I’ll wait. Eung… Love you. See you later!

Seeing how happy Yeeun looked made Jiwon feel empty.

Jiwon: It’s nice that you have a boyfriend. You have so many fun things to do. Meanwhile, I’m single and have to go back and forth to meet with Teacher Han’s victims to discuss the case.

Jiwon walked past Yeeun towards the bathroom.

Jiwon: I’ll do my morning business first!

Yeeun: Ya! There’s no need to tell me that!

Just then, the toilet door closed. Eunjae then came out of her room.

Eunjae: Yeeun-sunbae, are you excited for today?

Yeeun: Of course! It’s my first time having a double-date XD. So how? Did Chungwon say he can go?

Eunjae: Of course, he just called me.

Yeeun: Arasseo, Let’s get ready!

Eunjae: Ok ^.^

Eun then came out of her room, with a gloomy face. She headed straight to the sofa, staring blankly at her phone. Noticing what’s happening, Yeeun initiated to ask what’s happening.

Yeeun: Eun-ah, what’s with your mood? Did something happen?

Eun just stayed still, still looking at her locked screen phone. Yeeun and Eunjae approached her and tried to get something out of her. Suddenly, Eun burst out crying. Jiwon and Yoon-sunbae simultaneously came out from the bathroom and bedroom to approach the girls.

Jinmyung: Eun-ah, what happened?

Jinmyung gave the others the look – trying to ask if anyone had any idea of what happened. Yeeun and Eunjae shook their heads lightly as a response that they don’t know. Being clueless as she always had been,

Jiwon blurted: Is it because of your man who’s in the army? Why? He hasn’t called you yet? How long has it been?

As soon as Jiwon finished her bombardment of questions, the other girls finally grasped the situation. Eun finally opened her mouth.

Eun: A week. He hasn’t called me for a week. I miss him so much. I really don’t know how to handle this. It’s been almost 5 months since we dated and since he enlisted. We haven’t even spent that much time together, but he left me here to serve the military. I know he can’t always have the privilege to call. I even heard some soldiers had to prove themselves every week to make a single phone call. It’s been a week now, and I’m so worried that something might have happened :’(

Hearing Eun’s story while she sobbed made the hearts of the girls sink deep. They gave Eun a group hug.

Jinmyung: It’s alright… he should be okay.

11th February 2018 – Military Training Ground

A group of soldiers gathered at a field. A few soldiers were lined up in front.

Janghoon: PRIVATE SEO-JANG-HOON

Army Senior: Private Seo Janghoon, you’ve shown an incredible result in the military training. As a result, you will be promoted as an assistant sergeant of the platoon and will be granted a 5-day off holiday period. During that period of time, you can go back home and spend time outside the base, but be reminded that you have to report back no later than 15.00 hrs on 18 February. If you fail to do so, you will see what happens.

Janghoon: PRIVATE SEO-JANG-HOON ACCEPTS THE COMMAND GIVEN! SALUTE! *smiles cheek to cheek*, looking excited and happy.

11th February – Seoul Café

Back in Seoul, Chungwon and Hochang apparently have arrived at the café where they’re supposed to meet at for the double date. The atmosphere between the two guys were so awkward, but Chungwon opened the conversation first.

Chungwon: Which year and major are you in?

Hochang: I enrolled in 2015, this is my 2nd year. I’m majoring in Software engineering. You?

Chungwon: oh, you’re a year ahead of me. I’m a 2016 student, majoring in journalism.

Hochang: Ah, arasseo. So you’re my junior?

Chungwon: Yes…

Just when their conversion was about to turn awkward all over again, Yeeyun and Eunjae arrived. Both boys raised from their seats as they smiled to welcome their girlfriends. The boys sat next to each other, facing the girls.

Yeeun: Have you guys waited a long time?

Hochang: No, we came not long ago too.

Eunjae: Ah Yeeun-sunbae, this is Chungwon, oppa, this is Yeeun-sunbae.

Both Yeeun and Chungwon exchanged their greetings. To break the silence, the boys asked what they wanted to order at the same time, and the four people laughed the scene. In the end, the boys went to order together. Those two couples looked happy as their first double date with an awkward start turned out to be a fun date after all.

12th February 2018 – University Newspaper Office

Jiwon is back, investigating Teacher Han’s sexual assault case. Since her hoobaes are helping her out to find information for the past 5 months, she felt more relieved. But she couldn’t help the fact that the case still scared her to death.

As Jiwon sat in the meeting room, Sungmin who just arrived at the venue walked towards Jiwon and tapped her shoulder.

Sungmin: Let’s go.

Jiwon who was zoning out, worrying about the case, switched her expression instantly and replied:

Jiwon: let’s go let’s go!’

In the car, Sungmin looked at Jiwon who was zoning out on the passenger’s seat.

Sungmin: Are you okay?

Jiwon: *sighs* No, I’m not okay. I’ve been dealing with this case for over 5 months now, and even if more and more victims have emerged, which increases the chance of conviction, I feel even more scared. But it’s going to go well, won’t it?

Sungmin: We’ve got a lawyer and a team of prosecutor who are helpful towards this case, and don’t you realize the kids back at the uni are all helping us to find all relevant information? You don’t need to worry, because there are so many people backing us up. Where’s the Song Jiwon who’s always full of spirit?

Jiwon: You’re right. I don’t have to be scared.

At the lawyer’s office…

Lawyer Jo Eunhee: Oh, you two came together again… 

Eunhee tried to confirm whether Jiwon and Sungmin are dating or not

Jiwon: ahh HAHAHAH of course we came together, he’s my servant.

As Jiwon uttered the word ‘servant’, Sungmin stared at Jiwon in disbelief and stayed quiet as he always does.

The meeting started and the lawyer, Jiwon and Sungmin discussed about the case.

Jo Eunhee: Compared to our first trial in October, I think we can be 99% sure that Mr. Han will be convicted at tomorrow’s hearing.

Those words of assurance coming from the lawyer’s mouth made Jiwon’s expression full of hope and light again.

Jiwon: really? O.O

Eunhee: Yes, you know I never bluff to my clients. From the meetings that I previously had with the witnesses, I can really assure you that we now have enough evidence to charge Mr. Han as a sexual assault offender. Jiwon-ah, the reason why I called you here is because we just got a lead from the prosecutor’s office.

Jiwon and Sungmin looked at each other in reflex, with their eyes goggling like never before.

Jiwon: What kind of evidence?

Eunhee: A voice recording.

Jiwon and Sungmin who were already taken aback by the fact that there’s a substantial evidence found, were even more startled upon hearing the emergence of a voice recording evidence.

Eunhee: So, after a thorough investigation, the prosecutors found out that Mr. Han actually has a wife, but she’s in the hospital now. Dementia. You can probably guess what happened.

13th February 2018 – Court

This time, Jiwon is not going in as a plaintiff, but rather as a spectator in the court room, as the charges are now coming from the prosecutors.

The time read 9.53 a.m., at 10 a.m. sharp, the final trial will start, where the verdict will be announced by the judge at the end. The Belle Epoque girls including Kang-eonni is there. Yoon-sunbae also took a leave from the office, so she could join the final hearing as well. 

Of course, we can’t leave out Sungmin who’s apparently always beside Jiwon at every important occasion.

Sungmin stood at the side while the girls gathered to give the final support to Jiwon. They’re all aware of how hard she had been working for the case. Sungmin knew all the girls already, but he’s not very familiar with Kang-eonni as it’s his first time meeting her.

Yina: Jiwon-ah, he’s your friend?

Jiwon: Yeah, he’s from the same newspaper club

Yina: ani, that’s not what I meant. Why didn’t you tell me you have a guy friend like that?

When Kang-eonni blurted that question out, the other girls stayed quiet but at the same time curious because Jiwon clearly always complained about not having a single guy in her life, while in reality, she does. A loyal one at that.

Jiwon: Well, I don’t see why I have to talk about him. showing her straight out ignorance.

Upon hearing her answer, the girls sighed all at the same time. Suddenly, Sungmin poked Jiwon’s shoulders with his two fingers.

Sungmin: Hey, it’s time….

As the squad entered the court room, Sungmin sat beside Jiwon and stared at her, who looked as worried as ever. He really wanted to hug and assure her that it will be alright, but he held it in. 

Kang-eonni who’s known for her quick-wittedness on relationships, caught on the situation right away.

The audience, prosecutor as well as Mr. Han and his lawyer were seated on the designated spaces. The court room door behind the audience closed as the judges proceeded to the Bench. The hearing started right after the attendees raised to respect the judges.

Judge: Prosecutor-in-charge, you may read out the opening statement.

Prosecutor Jung Jaechan:

Today, on 13th February 2018, we’re holding the final hearing on Mr. Han Gwanyoung’s case.

His crime is having committed repeated sexual assault towards his female students when he worked as an Art Teacher in several institutions à primary school, junior high school, and senior high school.

A total of 4 victims have come up to the prosecutors’ office and they all have suffered from long-term depressions as a result of sexual trauma caused by the offense initiated by the defendant.

At the time when the sexual violence took place, the victims’ age varied. They were 9, 13, 15 and 17 years old. Therefore, the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes as well as the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse will constitute the charges pressed upon the defendant.

Continuing from that, the prosecution will be charging the defendant for life-imprisonment. In addition, he will be liable to pay a total of ₩30 Million in compensation towards the victims’ rehabilitation programs.

That’s all.

As the judge acknowledged the opening statement, witnesses (victims) came out one by one to provide their accounts. Despite constant denial and objections raised by the defendant’s spokesperson, the court seemed to lean more towards the prosecutors.

All 4 witnesses are done with their testimonies, and several evidences have been presented to the Judge.

Judge: Prosecutor-in-charge, is there any final evidence you would like to submit?

Jaechan: Yes, your honor. There is.

Judge: What is it?

Jaechan: It’s a voice recording containing the defendant’s voice at the time his crime was committed.

The crowd showed their disbelief and disgust as Jaechan explain what the recording was about, until the judge had to hit the gavel multiple times on the sound block to maintain the court’s order.

Judge: and how exactly was the evidence obtained?

Flashback

Jaechan went through a background check on Han Gwanyoung. He noticed something off. Han Gwanyoung’s wife is clearly listed on the family registry, and there’s no record of her death, but how come she has never been spotted anywhere near Han Gwanyoung?

Having the curiosity to dig more into the information, Jaechan finally found Mr. Han’s wife. She’s apparently been admitted to a local hospital to receive treatment there for dementia.

With a special warrant, Jaechan’s able to get access to personally question the wife.

As he stepped into a VIP-room with a name slot that read ‘Kim Haesook’, he saw an old lady with greyish-white hair resting just over her shoulder. She seemed like she’s in her late 60s.

While the lady sat down on her bed while looking outside the room’s window, Jaechan sat on a chair next to the patient’s bed.

Jaechan: Kim Haesook-ssi?

There was no reply, so Jaechan tried one more time.

Jaechan: Kim Haesook-ssi, do you know that your husband is being investigated for sexual assault on the underage?

As Jaechan went straight to the point, Kim Haesook finally gave him some attention.

Haesook: Jerk.

Jaechan: I’m sorry, what did you say?

Haesook: That scumbag deserves that.

Jaechan: Kim-Haesook-ssi can you explain what you meant by that?

Without saying a single word, Haesook reached out to her old-fashhioned phone on the side of her hospital bed. She clicked some buttons on it and handed the phone over to Jaechan.

When Jaechan saw the screen, it showed ‘Voice_Recording_002’ with the date and time stamp ’08 June 2009, 15:54 p.m.’

Jaechan played the file, and closed his eyes as he couldn’t stand hearing the cries of a girl who pleaded Mr. Han to ‘stop’. The recording continued as Mr. Han repeatedly said ‘it’s okay, it’s not gonna hurt’ to the young girl. However, a few moments later, a helpless scream echoed from the recording, and Jaechan who couldn’t stand hearing it, pushed the stop button right away.

Flashforward - Court’s room

Judge: ‘The court is adjourned.’ as the judge hit the gavel thrice on the sound block.

Jiwon and the squad exited the premise. She was quiet the whole time until she arrived at the lobby. Sungmin was beside her while the Belle Epoque girls followed the two behind.

Jiwon stopped, and suddenly covered her face. Sungmin thought to himself ‘Is she crying?’ Looking at Jiwon’s gesture made his suppressed feeling burst. For the first time ever, he reached out both his arms to hug Jiwon tightly, Cupping Jiwon’s tiny frame on his chest, while Jiwon released her tears.

Jiwon is thankful that her debt towards Moon Hyojin has now been paid in full.

The Belle Epoque girls felt both sympathetic and happy at the same time. Sympathetic because Jiwon rarely cried in front of them, and happy because of the sight they’re seeing now – Jiwon being hugged by her loyal ‘servant’. The girls looked at each other smiling, as they admired the two human beings in front of them.

Jiwon has been crying for a while, and she finally let herself out of Sungmin’s embrace and turned back to convey her gratitude to the housemates.

Jiwon: Girls, thank you so much for being here with me today. I know you all are actually busy with college and work, but the fact that you came here just to accompany me to the trial is something I never imagined.

Hearing Jiwon said those heart-felt statement for the first time, the housemates approached Jiwon to give her an affectionate group hug.

Yina: Jiwon-ah, we’ll go first, okay?

Jiwon: Sungmin-ah, how many people-

Yina: aay, stop iti! I have a car and I’ll take care of it. Guys, let’s go! Uhm… Sungmin-ssi, please take care of Jiwon, okay?

Sungmin who couldn’t say no, slightly bowed his head in acceptance of Kang-eonni’s request. He and Jiwon watched as the girls left the lobby.

Sungmin: Let’s go.

Jiwon: Hmm…

Just like that, the two went back together, while the girls rode on Kang-eonnis car, in fear.

In the basement as the  Belle Epoque squad headed towards Yina’s car.

Eunjae: You saw it right? Jiwon-sunbae and her friend.

Everyone nodded.

Yina: I saw it. The guy totally likes her. I mean, how can Jiwon not notice? Don’t you guys think it’s obvious?

Jinmyung: That’s actually true. From my point of view, I think Jiwon is the only one who’s not aware of this situation. What should we do?

Yina: What do you mean what should we do? Don’t worry, Kang Yina is always available for LOVE-911.

Yeeun: Wah, I really can’t wait until they get together. Will my joke come true? Remember when I said your servant will be your bae and your bae will be your hubby? What if it comes true?

Eun: If It comes true, I think Jiwon-sunbae will be the happiest person ever.

Eunjae: By the way, where are we going?

Yeeun: Kang-eonni, did you forget where you park the car?!

Jinmyung: Yina-ya, do you know how to drive????

Eun: What’s happening? What’s wrong with Kang-eonni’s driving?

As a response to all the girls’ questions, Kang-eonni could only grin.

Jiwon broke the silence between her and Sungmin.

‘Finally, it’s all over.’ Jiwon let go a huge sigh, symbolizing freedom and relief.

Seeing Jiwon who has regained her beautiful smile on her face, Sungmin smiled in disguise while focusing on the road ahead.

Unexpectedly, this time Jiwon realized Sungmin’s subtle smile and teased him.

Jiwon: ayyy, did you just smile?

Sungmin: What? No! are you hallucinating now?!

Jiwon: don’t lie! I saw it! I saw you smiling!

Sungmin: Ah, I don’t know! Be quiet! I wish I can have the quiet Jiwon back just before the trial.

Jiwon: Aigoo… what a lie. You said you wanted to see the cheerful me, didn’t you?

*Red Light*

Sungmin hit the brake upon seeing the red traffic light, and gulped as Jiwon caught him this time.

Jiwon: Sungmin-ah… Thank you.

Sungmin, who was focusing on what’s in front of him diverted his attention to Jiwon, as they both caught each other’s eyes.

*Green Light*

…

…

…

…

…

Sungmin got back to his senses as he heard the cars behind him honking, and realized that the traffic light had turned green for don’t know how long. He stepped on the car’s pedal and continued driving. This time, with his heart pounding like crazy.

Thanks for reading.

Read the next Chapter:

Chapter 2

[qxisadulting]

internqueen!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/01/31/how-to-get-an-internship/#78d6ed3047be

Lauren Berger, 27, has become an authority on landing internships. She runs a website, Internqueen.com, and just published a book on the subject: All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, Building a Resume, Making Connections and Gaining Job Experience. But she started out as a clueless college freshman at Florida State in Tallahassee, whose only work experience was waitressing at the Red Lobster, and a minimum wage job at The Limited II. Berger’s own tale of landing her first internships with zero connections, offers excellent pointers for students who want to get started on the internship track. It worked for Berger. She did 15 internships while in college.

1. Cold calling can work. Berger’s saga started in 2002 when her pushy mother, who had just seen a “Today” show segment about the importance of internships for college students, called and said she had to get one. It was the spring of Berger’s freshman year. Berger headed to Florida State’s career office, but was told that she needed to be a junior or senior if she wanted help. “They said, ‘come back and see us in three years,’” she recalls.Disappointed, Berger decided to do her own research. She knew she was interested in public relations, marketing and entertainment, so she punched “PR internships in Tallahassee, Fla.” into Google. The Zimmerman Agency, a national PR firm with an office in Tallahassee, came up first in her search, but there was no internship contact listed on Zimmerman’s site. Berger called the company and asked to speak to the internship coordinator. She got through, and the woman told her to send in a résumé and cover letter.

2. Take immediate action when you get a lead. Thinking it was a long shot, Berger did some more Googling, for help putting together her materials. She sent them in that evening. The next morning, her phone rang at 8am. “I thought I did something wrong,” she recalls. The coordinator was so impressed by Berger’s promptness, she offered her an interview. “She said, ‘you don’t know how long students take to send in their materials,’” recalls Berger.

3. Prepare for the interview. Before her meeting, Berger poured over the company’s website, including the firm’s mission statement and executive biographies. “Look for things you have in common with the people who run the company,” she advises. “If you run into the head of the company on the elevator the first day, greet him.”  Berger recommends incorporating buzzwords from the mission statement into your interview.

4. Ask what the internship would entail. Don’t use the interview as an information-gathering session about the interviewer. Instead, Berger suggests applicants ask, “can you describe a day as an intern at your company.”

5. Say you’re ready to start immediately. Especially for unpaid internships, employers often tell applicants they can take time to think about whether they want the job. Berger says you should break in and say, “I know I want this.” Berger’s eagerness and persistence came through and she got the Zimmerman internship.

6. Volunteer to be the company’s first intern. Berger’s second internship, in the summer of 2002, was also prompted by her mother. “She called and said all her friends’ kids were going to New York to intern,” says Berger. But Berger had no contacts in New York. She asked the Zimmerman internship coordinator for advice, and the woman helped her use the firm’s media guide. This time Berger wanted to work for a publication. But she got rejections or no responses from half a dozen big magazines like Us Weekly and Seventeen.

Finally she stumbled on a theater publication called Back Stage. Berger’s cold call reached the editor in chief, but the woman said they didn’t hire interns, and wanted to get Berger off the phone, insisting Back Stage didn’t hire interns. Berger persisted. “I said, ‘I can be your first intern,’” she says. The editor was persuaded.

7. Make a dream list of companies where you want to work. Once Berger had a few internships under her belt, she was ready to shoot for a job that focused on her interest in celebrities. She started looking up her favorite stars and checking which PR firms represented them. “I saw most of them were coming from five different companies,” she recalls. Berger put those firms and five others on a list that included internship coordinator contacts and deadlines. She went through her list methodically. One of her top choices, BWR, expressed interest, but said she had to interview in person. So Berger accepted an offer for a part-time internship with a boutique PR firm that agreed to interview her on the phone. When she got to L.A., she interviewed at BWR and that internship came through as well.

8. Follow up. Berger recommends checking in about your application two weeks after you have send it. Write a short note asking whether your materials arrived and offering additional information. If you applied through a website, call the company and ask to speak to the internship coordinator. If you can’t get through, send an email to the coordinator.

9. Ask for a letter of recommendation two weeks before the end of your internship. Berger suggests you leave every internship carrying one or more letters of recommendation, which can help you land your next internship. Her advice: get the process going two weeks before your job ends and offer to write the recommendation yourself. “Say, ‘look, I know you’re extremely busy. I’d love to get a recommendation from you. I’ll write one and you can take a look at it.’”

10. Work hard and send handwritten thank-you notes after your internship concludes. Berger says she plugged away at each of her internships. During down time at her summer 2005 Fox television job, she and another intern reached out to eight senior executives and asked for informational interviews. Six said yes, and Berger was able to add those contacts to her network. After each internship concluded, Berger says she wrote to her employers by hand, thanking them for the experience. She kept copious notes of all her colleagues and superiors, and sent snail mail notes to each one.  Her rule about staying in touch: email is fine for subsequent contact, but do it three times a year, in the fall, spring and summer.

One of the most intriguing things about Berger’s story is how far she got with cold calling, diligence and sheer persistence. Since she started as an intern back in 2002, she has tirelessly built a network of thousands of contacts. But she got her first internships without a single connection.

Post script: After college, Berger used her Los Angeles connections to land a job at Creative Artists Agency in Beverly Hills. At that point, she wanted to start a business helping students find internships. She talked about it to everyone she met through the job, including producer Marshall Herskovitz (Thirtysomething, Traffic, Blood Diamond), who wound up funding her company with a 12% stake. Berger charges $100 to companies to post internships for a semester, and $250 for a year. She says she has 800 clients and she also does multiple speaking engagements. Internqueen specializes in fashion, PR, marketing, entertainment and production companies in New York City and Los Angeles.