#AND PIZZA DOG??? no comment i love that lil guy

[me-uglypretty]

Not to point fingers but for someone who's mother is a CEO of Bishop Security, Kate Bishop sure as heck sucks at securing her own apartment.

[baalzebufo]

watching everyone comment nice things on the plutocrat art with big evil smile

hmm perhaps I will talk about my investor headcanons. under the cut

just my personal reads on em, in speedy note format. sorted from 'oldest' to 'youngest' though theyre probably built around the same time anyway, its more in Vibes-

CHARON - the 'big brother'. protective, cool-headed, the Adult. right hand to the Don. the most mature probably but also takes advantage of being the trusted one to fool the others with dumb stuff. hes the most responsible and generally the one cosmo gripes to the most

KEREBOS - loyal and aggressive. much like the aformentioned dog, he has bark and a decent amount of bite to back it up with. throws his weight around. kind of the 'big dumb thug' of the group, but hes not actually dumb. just the Tough Guy archetype. loves over the top threats

HYDRA - full of himself. the middle investor and middle manager, deals with the financial and accounting side of things mostly. finds himself managing the others a little too often because hes a little neurotic and likes control. keeps trying to push above his station, but he Does go above and beyond with his work.

NIX - handles the shakedowns. a little mood-swingy. i see him as the most melancholic and gloomy, at least in appearance. hes a great worker even if he tends to butt heads a bit because of his attitude. not as sad as he looks but hes got a bit of that 'resting exhausted face' going on.

STYX - a lil goofy, the 'heheh yeah boss!' guy. the newest and youngest. gets delegated to the restaurant side of the business bc hes the newbie. he takes it oddly seriously for what is just meant to be a front (he forgets they arent really a pizza joint)

the actual Mozarella Styx restaurant is signed under his name (so if anyone finds out about his criminal enterprise the don wont take the fall) and hes weirdly passionate about it now. he still does actual mob work too.

thats about it for now but just my quick tldr. its fun seeing what everyone else assigns the investors since theyre quite blank slate characters... i love a dysfunctional group of gangsters. one thing thats important is they fight a lot but they are ridiculously protective of each other and the don

for all his faults, plutocrat genuinely fosters an environment of loyalty within his family. if you are in hia family, you're IN. and he'll protect you as much as he can. the investors all get that too. just this group of mooks against the world

girl help im getting really attached to exceedingly minor characters aaah

[leossmoonn]

Confessions [Stefan Salvatore]

masterlist 

pairing - stefan salvatore x fem!reader

type - fluff, lil angst

note / request - “hi i just wanted to say absolutely loved your recent stef imagine🥰🥰can you write more of him? if you’re up for it!! also one where maybe like they’re always teasing and bickering because they like each other <33″ YES AH I LOVE STEFAN. yall are gonna hate me SO MUCH in the ending. enjoy :)

summary - after a little teasing goes to far, you’re forced to tell stefan your real feelings for him

warnings / includes  - mild language, suggestive language. italics are your thoughts 

————

*gif isn’t mine* 

“Stefan!” You exclaimed. 

Stefan rolled his eyes. “I had him!”

“No, you didn’t!” You shouted. “God, why can’t you just let me do my job! Why do you have to be such a control freak.”

“Cause I’m the one who made the plan,” Stefan said. 

“Yeah, and it was literal dog-shit. I was about to stake him!” You said, putting your hands up in the air in exasperation.

Stefan rolled his eyes. “You should be thankful. You would’ve been toast if I didn’t come in.”

You clenched your jaw. “I’ll make you into toast.” You went to lunge at him, but arms pulled your back quickly. You kicked your feet in the air, trying to get out of the hold that Damon had you in. 

“Let me go! I need to kick his ass!” You exclaimed. 

Stefan smirked, “You’re human, you wouldn’t last one second.”

“We’ll see about that,” you said, managing to rustle out of Damon’s grip. 

“Stop it!” Caroline yelled. You looked at the blonde who had her fangs out, ready to get in between you and Stefan. 

“He started it!” You straightened up, pointing at Stefan.

“No, she did!” Stefan exclaimed. 

“You two are act like 5 year olds. Grow up. Y/n, you were about to die if Stefan hadn’t come in,” Caroline said. 

You scoffed, turning to your friend. “Really, Care?”

“See, told you,” Stefan snickered. 

“But,” Caroline started, looking to Stefan. “You should’ve trusted her. She's more than capable of handling herself.”

You smirked. “HA! In your face, Salvatore!”

Stefan rolled his eyes. “I just didn’t want you to get hurt. I can’t live without my best friend.”

You teasing smirk turned to a soft smile. “Aw, Stef, I always knew you cared about me.”

“Barely,” Stefan scoffed. 

“Oh, sure,” you giggled, walking up to him. “You adore me.”

“Only in some aspects,” Stefan said. “Oh, yeah? What are those aspects?” You smiled. 

“Like when you’re quiet,” Stefan smiled at you. 

Ouch.

You frowned, “Wow, so nice.”

“Well, you asked,” Stefan shrugged. 

“Hm, true. Alright well, I’m tired of getting my feelings hurts by a vampires so, I’m gonna go home,” you said, walking over to the door. 

“No, Y/n! Stay for dinner!” Elena begged.  “Nah, I’m okay. I have ice cream at my house,” you shrugged. 

“You sure?” Caroline asked. 

“Yeah. See you guys tomorrow,” you smiled and waved before exiting the Salvatore’s house. You sighed and went to your car, going in and heading home. Once you got home, you put on your pjs and opened a pint of cookies and cream ice cream. You turned on Criminal Minds and cuddled up on the couch. 

15 minutes into the episode, a knock on your door sounded. You paused the tv, getting up. You grabbed pepper spray and a knife you had hiding in a vase, going to the door hesitantly. 

It’s 10:50 PM. Who is at my door?

You peaked through your window, relaxing immediately as you saw Stefan. You put your weapons on a nearby table, opening the door. 

“Hey,” you smiled. 

“Hi,” Stefan smiled back. 

“What’re you, uh, doing here?” You asked. “I came bearing gifts. As an apology for being mean,” Stefan said, holding out a box of chocolates, a box of pizza, and some soda. 

“And I should forgive you, why?” You asked. 

“Because I’m your best friend and you love me?” He smiled. 

You pursed your lips, putting your finger on your chin. “Hm, well, I do love chocolate and pizza and soda. I also kind of consider you as a friend, too, so... sure. I forgive you.”

Stefan smiled. “Awesome. Can I come in and hang out for a bit?” 

“Sure,” you said, moving out of the way so he could step in. He stepped inside, slipping off his shoes and his leather jacket. 

“Whatcha watching?” He asked, walking into the living room. 

“Criminal Minds,” you said, walking in with him. 

“Ah, nice. The show doesn’t scare you?” Stefan asked. 

“Not when you’ve seen a vampire rip a person’s head off right in front of you,” you chuckled, taking your seat on the couch again. Stefan sat next to you, putting his arm on the top ledge of the couch. 

“Right,” he chuckled.

You sat back into him, putting your head on his chest. Stefan put his arm around you, pulling you closer to him. 

This was normal behaviour for you and him. You two had been best friends for the past 3 years since he came here. You two connected instantly. You were witty and teasing, which was something Stefan couldn’t help but be intrigued by and attracted to. After finding out he was a vampire, you two became closer. You learned all his secrets, everything about his childhood, and slowly fell in love with him. It was cliché, you knew, but it was true.

You had always been attracted to him, since day one. He was handsome, no doubt. He was also kind and dedicated to helping his friends and family, which was something you admired. You’re little crush on him stemmed from when he had saved you from Kol Mikaelson. Kol pushed you off the terrace after you tried to stake him, making you fall hundred of feet. You truly thought you were about to die, but Stefan Salvatore swooped in and saved you. From the moment he caught you in his arms, when you looked into his eyes, when your lips almost met, was the exact moment you knew you were starting to like him. The time you realized you were in love with him was when the teasing started. 

You two had been friends for about a good year or so. You two had always had a playful relationship. You two made it that way because you two liked each other and it was easier to be mean to each other than admit your feelings, but you two didn’t know that about each other. Anyways, the moment you fell in love with him was when he was helping you cook for you and your friends. You were trying to have a nice night without all the crazy. Stefan and you were cutting some vegetables up when you sliced your finger. You expected him to go all crazy, but really, he helped you out. When he was cleaning up the cut and wrapping the bandage around your finger, there was a moment when both your eyes met and a little voice in your head that said, ‘he’s the one you love and are gonna marry’.

It had shocked you, at first, and there was a period of time where you shut him out because you couldn’t deal with your feelings. But you soon realized that you couldn’t live without your best friend and that if you weren’t gonna confess your feelings, you would at least keep him as a best friend. So, you two started to tease each other more and would bicker like an old married couple. Everyone seemed to notice your feelings for each other but you two. It was truly amazing, but you two seemed happy this way, so no one every really bothered you guys. 

“Wow, that’s not gross at all,” Stefan said, commenting on what was happening in the show. 

“Yeah. it’s kinda weird, but I’ve been watching this show for 10 seasons so, you know, I’m very used to it,” you shrugged. 

Stefan smiled down at you, admiring how pretty you looked all natural, hair in a bun, and in your pjs. He liked how focused you were on the show, even though mutilated bodies were being shown on the screen, very very up close. 

“I never would’ve pegged you for a criminal show type-of-girl,” Stefan said. 

“I’m full of surprises,” you grinned. 

“Yeah, I know,” Stefan smirked. You looked up at him, your eyes skimming his lips before gazing into his eyes. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You asked. 

“Nothing,” he shrugged. 

You started to yawn, putting your attention back on the tv. 

“You should get some rest. You had a big day,” Stefan said. 

“No, I wanna stay up and be a rebellious teen!” You exclaimed.

“You’re 18. You’re not a teen anymore,” Stefan chuckled. 

You smiled, “True. But hey, you are! Aren’t you, like, 17?” You asked, looking back up at him. 

“Yeah, but I’m also 165 years old,” he said. 

“Haha, you’re still younger than me. I order you to go to your room and sleep. Oh, and you can’t talk back to me,” you giggled, teasing him. 

Stefan rolled his eyes, “Ha-ha, you’re so funny.”

“Stefan Antonio Salvatore! Do not talk back to me!” You exclaimed, getting up from the couch. “Go to you room!”

Stefan stood up with you, towering over you. “How about I take you with me?”

You looked into his deep, green eyes. Your breath hitched, your heart racing to the point where you thought you were going to have a heart attack. Stefan took your hand in his, lighting your skin on fire. Heat rose up to your face, making you hide your face from his view so he didn’t see you blushing. But he put his other hand on your chin, lifting your face up and looking you in the eyes. 

Your eyes went down slowly to his lips, subconsciously licking your own at the thought of kissing him. Your eyes went back up to his, noticing his eyes on your lips, too. Stefan’s arm snaked around your waist, pulling you in so your bodies touched. You felt the warmth radiating off of him, wanting to stay there forever. And as much as you wanted to kiss him, you knew you couldn’t. You knew he didn’t like you like that, and this was one of his ways of teasing you. So, you pulled away, turning away from his once more. 

“You should, um, go. We’re both tired and stuff,” you said. 

Stefan frowned, wishing you would follow along with him, but he didn’t try again. He didn’t want to force you into anything, especially since he wasn’t too sure about your feelings for him. 

“Alright. I’ll go. I’ll see you later,” he said. 

You nodded, not looking at him. “Bye.”

You heard the door open, hearing Stefan mutter a ‘goodbye’. Once the door closed, you started to cry. Tears that were forming in your eyes fell, coming down like a waterfall. You put your fist in your mouth, trying to drown out the sound of your cries, not wanting to wake your mom. You went to your room, curling up on your bed and hugging your pillow. 

I wish I would’ve kissed him. 

————

You walked in Elena’s house, your mouth watering at the smell of bacon and eggs. 

“Hm, who’s cooking?” You asked. 

“Me,” Stefan smiled once you came around the corner. 

“Oh, great,” you said.  “Aw, come on, I apologized to you last night. Be nice,” Stefan said. 

“Being nice to do is the last thing on my to-do list,” you snorted. “Give me some eggs and bacon?” “Nope. Say sorry,” Stefan said. 

You rolled your eyes, walking over to Stefan and the stove. “In your dreams. Now, give me food, Stuffy,” you smiled, using a nickname you had made up for him. 

“Not a chance, Y/n/n,” Stefan smirked. 

You sighed and tried to grab the plate of bacon that was in his hand, but he held it up in the air. You huffed, jumping up and trying to get the plate from him. 

“Stefan, I’m hungry! I didn’t have an actual dinner last night. Please,” you begged, jumping up, barely touching the plate. 

Stefan put the plate down to your reach. You smiled, “See, I knew you couldn’t resist me.”

Right as you were about to grab the bacon, Stefan swiftly put the plate down, taking both your wrists in his hands. You fought against him, a big smile on your face. 

Caroline, Elena, and Alaric scoffed in the living room. 

“Are they ever gonna get together?” Alaric asked. 

“Sometimes it seems like it,” Caroline says. “And sometimes it doesn’t,” Elena sighed. 

“Why? They’re like, perfect for each other,” Alaric said, smiling a little when seeing Stefan scoop you in, spinning you around. 

“They’re so oblivious to each other’s love, it’s annoying,” Elena said. 

“And weirdly movie-like,” Caroline said. She sighed, looking at the two of you longingly. “I want what they have.”

“More like lack there of,” Alaric snickered. 

Elena hit his shoulder, going over to the kitchen.  “Okay, love birds, let’s eat. I’m starving,” Elena said.

Stefan let you go, your feet landing on the ground. 

“So you’ll listen to Elena and not me?” You asked. 

“Hm... yep,” Stefan smiled sweetly. 

“Rude,” you remarked, making your way to the kitchen table. 

Stefan brought over the food and you dug in. You all talked about a new plan to take out Klaus, which led to you needing to go back to your house to get some vampire-hunting supplies. 

“Mind if I go with you? Might be some heavy lifting I’ll need to do,” Stefan said. 

You rolled your eyes, “I’m strong enough, but sure. I could use someone to make it less boring.” You got up, putting on your shoes and jacket. 

“See you later, guys,” you smiled and waved to the rest of your friends. 

They waved back at you and Stefan followed you out to your car. 

“So, what’s the reason you wanted to go with me?” You asked, getting in your car. 

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “I’m bored.”

You snorted, shaking your head. “Okay, yeah, what’s the real reason.”

“I um... I wanted to talk about last night,” Stefan said. 

“Alright, but nothing happened. We did our little friendly-cuddle, you got all up in my personal space, and then you left and I went to bed,” you said. 

Stefan shook his head, “No, Y/n. That’s not what happened.”

You parked your car in your driveway, getting out and going into your house. 

“Then what happened, Stefan. Tell me,” you said, walking into your room and going into your closet. 

“Well, we did do our cuddle thing, but it definitely wasn’t friendly. We also almost kissed,” Stefan said, following you. 

“Sure, Stefan. You have a funny imagination, you know,” you said, getting out your box of weaponry. 

“We did, Y/n. Stop being in denial. I also know that you cried after I left,” he said. 

You looked up at him, scoffing and moving past him. 

He just wants to get under my skin.

“Y/n, this isn’t one of the times where you can just walk away and we forget about it. I’m serious,” Stefan said. 

Shit. 

“How do you know I cried?” You asked. 

“I... I heard you using my super-hearing through the door,” Stefan admitted. 

You shook your head, “Stalker.”

Stefan went up behind you, grabbing your forearm, causing the box you had to drop on the floor. He turned you to him, looking deep and hard into your eyes. 

“Let me go, Stefan,” you muttered through a clenched jaw. 

“No. Why won’t you talk to me about this?” He asked. 

“Be-Because I don’t want to. I have a right to not want to do anything, you know. Let me go!” You exclaimed, fighting against him. 

Stefan shook his head. “No. I want to know why you pulled away. We had a moment, Y/n, and we’ve always been having moments since we met. I... I don’t know if you are in love with me, like I am with you, but I felt something last night. I know you did, too. I saw in your eyes and I know that you were crying because you pulled away and you were upset. So, Y/n, why’d you pull away?”

You looked up at him helplessly. “I... I pulled away because I was scared.”

“Scared of what?” Stefan asked softly. 

“Scared of what would happen. I didn’t know if you loved me back. I was scared that if I kissed you, that I would lose our friendship. And as much as I wanted to kiss you, I can’t risk losing you,” you confessed. 

Stefan’s hands let go of your wrists, going over to your waist. He pulled you closer, your bodies touching once again. Your heart beat against your ribcage, making you more nervous than ever. You looked up at him, leaning in closer. 

“You’re in love with me?” You asked. 

“Yeah. Probably since we became friends,” Stefan said. 

“Me, too,” you smiled. 

“I figured after last night,” Stefan smiled. 

You chuckled, “Yeah.”

“So, are you gonna pull away now?” Stefan asked. He put his hand on your cheek, his hand staying on the small of your back. He looked into your eyes, waiting for your answer.

You shook your head with a smile. “No, not this time.”

————

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@123cxcv​ @kaitieskidmore1​

[teamhappyme]

peonies

pairing: sonny carisi x fem!reader

word count: 1.5k

warnings: none

a/n: happy valentine’s day my friends!!! here is a cute lil Carisi fic that made me feel a lil less blah today. i love and appreciate you all so so much!

****

“Liv, I’m gonna bring these witness statements to Carisi before I head out. You need me to drop off anything else?”

“Nope, just those statements for him. And thank you for dropping them off, y/n. I can get home and spend some of the day with Noah.” You saw her put the chocolate heart in her bag, along with the dog stuffed animal she picked up from a vendor earlier today. 

“He’s gonna love that dog.” You commented, and she looked up and smiled. 

“I hope so. And hopefully it will put off the argument for getting a real dog a little longer.”

You laughed, knowing how much every little kid wants a dog. But stuffed animals were always a good second. 

The two of you walked out of the precinct together, both surprised that you were getting out of here while the sun was still out. 

“Tell Noah I said Happy Valentine’s Day. I owe him and the Rollins girls an ice cream date.”

She smiled. “I will. Have a good night, y/n.” 

The walk to the courthouse was cold, and you passed by at least a dozen vendors with Valentine’s day themed food and goodies. You made it almost the whole walk without caving and buying something for yourself, but the cute little puppy on the styrofoam hot chocolate cup was calling your name. 

And of course you bought one for Carisi too.

You made your way through the maze that is the DA’s office, finally making your way into Carisi’s small office. But the ADA in question was nowhere to be found.

You placed the hot chocolate on his desk, smiling as you saw drawings from Jesse and Billie taped to the file cabinet, Jesse’s little ‘Uncle Sonny’ handwriting too cute to handle. He’d only been moved into the office for a few weeks, and it looked like he was finally settled in. You heard the horror stories of having to move out the copy machines, but it all seemed worth it.

He had his degrees hanging on the wall, along with a quote from the declaration of independence, because this man lived and breathed the law. 

You turned to walk back to the chairs, when a picture frame on his desk caught your eye. You’d seen the one of his beautiful goddaughter’s Billie and Jesse, and knew there were a few of the giant Carisi clan scattered around. 

But this one was in a clean black frame, and you had to do a double take to make sure your eyes weren’t playing tricks on you. 

It was you in the picture frame. 

Actually, it was you and Sonny in the frame, laughing uncontrollably with disco lights in the background. 

You recognized the venue immediately, it was the indoor roller rink from Noah’s fifth birthday party. You hadn’t gone roller skating since you were a kid, and you were extremely apprehensive to get back on the skates. But Sonny convinced you to try again, sticking to your side the entire time.

The picture in question was after you had slipped. You were preparing to meet the floor in a painful thud, instead you felt two arms wrap around you, keeping you close and still on two feet. It was Sonny. 

You didn’t know this picture even existed, otherwise you would’ve gotten your hands on it pretty quick. You couldn’t help the smile spread across your face knowing that Sonny wanted it on his desk, to see your laughing faces everyday.

“Hey.” Your eyes snapped up to the doorway, Sonny standing there, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. 

“Hey.” You stepped out from behind his desk, pulling the file he needed out of your backpack. “Um, I brought the witness statements for the Carson case. There’s quite a few here, so hopefully you can get some of them to testify.”

He took the file from your hands, placing it on his desk. “Thanks, I’m getting ready to prep with Hannah, so this will be helpful.”

“Good, that’s good.” You said while running a shaky hand through your hair. 

You know he must have seen you looking at the picture of the two of you, and now you didn’t know what to say. He was carrying a bouquet of beautiful flowers on Valentine’s day; clearly he had some plans tonight.

“Those flowers are beautiful, you have a lucky Valentine tonight?” You asked, attempting to break the awkward silence between you. 

He smiled, his turn now to run a hand through his quaffed hair. “They’re for you, actually.”

Your eyes widened, not expecting that to be his response. 

“Liv texted me, gave me a warning that you were headed over. I would’ve been here when you got here, but I know you don’t like roses, and it took me four different shops to find pink and white peonies. Thought I was gonna have to fight the guy next to me for ‘em, but he grabbed the tulips instead.” 

He extended the bouquet to you, and gently took the flowers into your own hands. You can’t believe he remembered your favorite flower. When did you even let that comment about roses slip out? 

“Sonny, you didn’t have to get me flowers.” You commented, but couldn’t resist sticking your nose in to smell the fresh flowers.

He smiled, glad that you liked the flowers, while shrugging off his overcoat. “I wanted to. You’re working on Valentine’s day, just wanted to do something special for you.”

“Well this is definitely more than special. No one’s ever bought me a bouquet of my favorite flowers before. Not even someone who has a picture of me on their desk.”

You saw his cheeks turn red before he dipped his head toward the floor. “I figured you saw that.”

You placed the flowers down next to your bag, joining him behind his desk. You grabbed the picture as he finally brought his head up to look at you, a smile still resting on your face. 

“I really like this picture. I’m just mad that you kept it to yourself, I would’ve loved to have a copy for my own desk.” 

“I think I could get you a copy. But you’ll have to thank Dodds for the photography skills.” Of course it was Mike Dodds that withheld the image from you. 

“I’ll be sure to send him a text.” You said and placed the image back on his desk. You just now noticed the files piling up on his desk, and spared a glance at your watch; it was only five oclock. He had a long night ahead of him. “Well, I won’t stand in the way of you and your important ADA work.”

“Y/n/n,” He grabbed your hand as you took a step away from him, and you turned to look back at him. “The files can wait ‘til tomorrow. Would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?”

You smiled. “Would I like to go to dinner with the only man who’s ever remembered my favorite flower?” He laughed as you gave his hand a squeeze. “I would love to, Sonny.”

You gathered your belongings, making sure there was enough room for you to carry the flowers in your hand. The two of you walked out of the courthouse together, the sun setting over one hogan place as you exited. 

You were halfway down the steps when he stopped, reaching into his pocket to grab his phone. He started rambling about how it would be impossible to find a restaurant on Valentine’s day, how he was an awful planner, and now you’d have to wait in the cold for hours. 

But all you could focus on was the way the sun was hitting him, covering him in an orange glow, his hair slightly fussed by the new york city breeze. He was beautiful, and you couldn’t let him stand there without letting him know.

He continued to ramble as you took a step toward him, complaining that you were going to end up eating hot dogs from a vendor.

“Dominick,” you said, and the sound of his real name leaving your lips got him to shut up. 

You reached up, running a hand through his fussed hair in an attempt to straighten it out. Once you were satisfied with the outcome, you rested a hand on his chest, as his free hand found your waist. He smiled before leaning down, your lips meeting his in an incredibly sweet first kiss. 

You pulled away after a few seconds, not wanting to cause a scene on the courthouse steps, and matched the smile that was still on his face.

“How do you feel about pizza for dinner?” He asked, his hand finding your own, linking your fingers together as you resumed walking down the steps. He gave your hand a squeeze, and you couldn’t help but look up and smile at him.

“Pizza and peonies, what more could a girl ask for?”

****

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #362

(this is actually from yesterday but i never posted it and now i don’t feel like updating the answers, so yeah)

Have you ever been cheated on? No. Who’s car were you last in? My mom's. Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced? It's been pierced multiple times, but each time the hole closed after my piercings had to be taken out at the psych hospital. The final time though, it closed because the damn stud fell out in my sleep for the billionth time, I couldn't find it, and I let it close out of annoyance. Have your parents ever smoked pot? My dad has. Do you tend to make relationships complicated? I mean, I don't think so. I hope not. Are you good at giving directions? NO. Like, I can't. I would accidentally lead you to the middle of the ocean. Would your mom care if she found condoms in your room? She'd be confused as fuck because I live with her so she knows for sure I'm not seeing anyone. Did you speak to your father today? No. Did you kiss someone before you were sixteen? No, it was actually a month after turning 16. Could you go a day without eating? Nooo. I've said before and I'll say it again, I don't deal with abdominal pain well, so yeah. Are your nails always painted? They never are. Have you ever met any bands/band members before? No. What color is your hair? Boring 'ole brown. .-. Your best friend needed somewhere to stay, could they live with you? She absolutely could. I know Mom would welcome her without hesitation. Have you danced in the rain? No. When you said something naughty when you were little, did your parents wash out your tongue with soap? No, but it was threatened. What do you think of spanking little children when they do something wrong? Okay or not? No, it is absolutely not okay. You do not teach children through fear, ever, nor do you show children that it is ever okay to hit people when you're upset. Who was the last male you hung out with? Uhhh, I think Girt? I haven't truly hung out with a guy in a long time. Who is your favorite person to text? Sara. Who did you last take a picture with? My sister. What’s your favorite brand of jeans? I don't have one. Which show is better: Spongebob or The Fairly Odd Parents? The latter. Both can be funny, but Cosmo cracks me up. Has anyone ever told you that you looked like someone else? I actually think the only time I was ever compared to someone else (make-believe, at that) was when I dressed up for Halloween one year and a friend told me I looked like Eileen Galvin from Silent Hill 4: The Room. Do you enjoy the sound of crickets at night and birds in the morning? Yesssss. Who is the most overrated singer? Idk, I don't even know who's "in" right now. What is your favourite planet? Saturn. Do you have any pets that you had since you were born? No. Do you own anything that you had when you were a baby? Yes, stored away. Do you enjoy Mario games? Mario Kart is fun, but otherwise I'm not a massive fan. What’s your favorite online game? World of Warcraft. Have you ever been hit with a ball in gym class? I think so. I was always terrified of the days we got to play dodgeball or whatever, like that shit hurts. Do you ever turn your cell phone off? No. Who was last to cook for you? My ma. Do you check your texts right away when you receive them? Usually. Who is your most trusted person? My mom, probably. How late did you stay up last night? God, I don't even know. Last night was my sleep study, and I was so uncomfortable in that bed that I slept maybe only an hour or two. Hell, or less. I also couldn't sleep on my stomach, which really didn't help because that's always how I sleep. I'm exhausted now and have such a headache. When/where are you most likely to sing? In the car, I guess. I very rarely sing anywhere. Would you ever wish to explore a cave? FUCK YES. You see the person you fell hardest for. What do you do? Panic like a motherfucker internally, avoid eye contact, and try to evade him (not like he'd actually pursue me) without being too obvious. Have you been/are you depressed? Both. Are your pop-ups blocked on your computer? Yes. Have you ever ridden in a car with someone who was high? Yes, because I was afraid to tell her I didn't want. Thank fuck we got home safe. I was absolutely, positively terrified we'd be pulled over. Who is the best hugger you know? Ha, actually the person I just mentioned. Have you ever had to be put to sleep for an operation? Yes. Does anybody have any proof of stupid things you have done? Oh, Facebook comments... Why did you text the last person in your inbox? I was replying to my mom. Have you ever been able to do a split? No. Did you ever date the last person you kissed? Yes. Are you intimidated by the last person you know talked badly about you? She doesn't "intimidate" me, no. She just gets on my last goddamn nerve every time she opens her mouth. Have you ever cried in school? Yes. Last person of the opposite sex you screamed at? I've never screamed at a guy because I'm afraid of them. I've sobbed at Jason, so like my voice was raised, but it definitely wasn't screaming. Do you have any weird sleep habits? Well, speaking of screaming, my nightmares have me shrieking in the middle of most nights. I also talk in my sleep like, a lot. Do you consider yourself an emotional person? Very. When was the last time you had a headache? This morning, I'm sure because of how shitty I slept. When was the last time you encountered a puppy? Prepare for a rant... We have one right now, even though our landlord told us specifically no puppies because of all the housetraining they require. My mom has been wanting a dog, and Tobey finally agreed to it, and she's been looking for a while. So my sister Ashley randomly shows up with a stray puppy a friend was keeping, terrified and LOADED with ticks, and she's reminding Mom and I why we DON'T WANT A PUPPY. She's peeing everywhere BUT outside (specifically on a stupid fucking expensive carpet that Tobey will have a cow over just ONE stain), is terrorizing my cat, and has an overwhelming amount of energy. Ashley specifically told me that if Mom doesn't let Ash know, I needed to tell her if the puppy was stressing Mom out, "because this isn't supposed to be a stressful experience for her." Well, she's been sobbing again and again and I literally just came back mid-question from comforting her because she broke down so hard she could barely breathe because now she had diarrhea on the fucking carpet. Ashley's all bitchy now about it for no apparent or even remotely valid reason, and by God do I want to cuss her the fuck out over this bull she brought on. Safe to say we're not keeping the dog, but not quickly enough. When Mom hurts, I hurt, and I am so goddamn furious. Is there anything that happened a long time ago that you still laugh about? Yeah, a number of things. Do you ever try to interpret your dreams? No, given I don't believe most have any meaning. It's brain word vomit, lol. What was the last thing you bought impulsively? I don't have the income for impulse purchases. When I get money, what I'm after is well-planned. How do you feel about singing songs out loud in front of other people? I don't, usually. I'm very self-conscious about it. When was the last time you were feeling really, really nervous? That nervous, I'm unsure. I've been nervous, sure, but I haven't had a massive anxiety episode in a while. If you’re no longer in school, what is something you miss about it? If you’re still in school, what’s something you think you’re going to miss about it? I miss feeling productive and like I was going at least somewhere. Do you use your turn signals when you’re driving? Yes; I hate when people don't. How exactly are you feeling right now? Mad at my sister. Have you ever had to board up your windows because of a hurricane? No. Do you tell anyone to chew with their mouths closed? No, to avoid "confrontation" that is too negligible to even quality as conflict. I'm just a lil bitch when it comes to stuff like this. Have you ever ordered pizza and sent it to someone else’s house? No. What was the first thing you drank when you woke up this morning? My nurse or whatever her position is (I don't mean that dismissively, I genuinely don't know her title) brought me some orange juice. Do you think stretch marks from having a baby are ugly or badges of honor? Oh my god, fuck off. Anyone who can carry a child for nine months and then endure what I assume is the worst pain (usually) survivable has every ounce of my goddamn respect. The natural result of making room for a like 6+ lb. human being is not "ugly." It's a part of life and to me shows an incredible amount of bravery and love to be willing to go through something I could absolutely never. Ever done a keg stand? Haha, no. My dizzy ass will pass. Who is the last person you lent money to? My mom. Do you share clothing with anyone? Mom and I will share bras or pants sometimes. Have you ever visited anyone in a rehab? No. Was the last thing you drank a Coke or Pepsi product? No, I have lemonade right now. Honestly, do you think that you’re going to be an overprotective parent? IF I wanted to be a parent, I feel like I definitely would be. Not like... overbearing, but still extremely protective in cases I think it's called for. What was the last kind of chips you ate? Veggie chips yesterday, actually. They're honestly not that good, but it's a doable snack with salsa. What is one thing that you really wish you could understand, but don’t? Economics. I dread taking care of my own money because idk what the fuck to do with taxes and such. What is the last thing you charged? My phone. Have you ever held a snake? I've held plenty of snakes, I love them.

[cnc-hoebayb]

The boys as supportive hype men bfs

For when you’re lookin extra fine and they just wanna hype the shit outchu

.

Zabdiel

-“dimelooo mamiii”

-literally that ^ but with different inflections on dif syllables everytime depending on mood/situation lol

-not a very big social media man, but will post a quick story of you like “🥴❤️” dressed in something reeeeaal nice then delete it later (bc he want u for his eyes only duH!)

-but in public tho !!

-wow

-that’s his game, he’d be huggin all up on you like no ones watching

-Defintely would get caught by the paparazzi for some “provocative touching/staring” with each other

-Buys you everything

-flowers in that little shop on the corner? Done. Ice cream on the street that looks way too good? Chocolate vanilla swirl it is.

-Would probably go all out and buy you a new fancy piece of jewelry too

-its his own lil ritual to get u a new pair of earrings that match with the particular outfits he loves to see you in uwu

-he honestly seems like he’d want to hype you up all day but then spend the rest of the night with you in private

-hype you up in his own personal way ayooo

-details? I think a lil bit

-whisper dirty praises in your ear about how good you look

-goes in between rough and tender touches over his favorite parts of your body

-dead eye contact the whole time so it’s super intimate

-k that’s all u get u thirsty hoes

Erick

-does that thing to random strangers like “that’s my gf” and points at u

-for literally anything

-like when you’re ordering food for you both at a fast food place and he’s watching you lookin snackish tell them you’d like two number 5’s

-he leans over to the old lady next to him like “that girl- mi novia 😉”

-he’s also very vocal

-just likes you or him (or both) to be the center of attention

-“SHES WALKING IN AND SHES SO HOT GUYS WATCH UR FUCKING SELVES”

-kinda embarrassing but at the same time so sweet and way flattering so u don’t front bout it

-doesn’t really show you off on social media, but more in public or to his family

-Just wants to show his favorite ppl his fav person and how amazing you are

-compliments you all day

-really bad pick up lines mostly

-but they’re so bad that they’re actually really cute and funny

-pretends that youre a stranger at a store and hits on you like you’ve never met before

-“Erick please not here,” you’d beg while in line at the busy concession stand of the movie theater

-“im jus asking if u as sweet as those cookie dough bites u got right there mami mmhmmm”

Joel

-literally the cutest of them all

-not super extra, but very lovey and sweet

-you’d walk in the room all dolled up and he’d be super star struck like “oh my god dude you’re so beautiful”

-for literally any outfit too tho

-You can walk in with his sweatpants and necklace on and he’d lose it just as hard

-stares at you all day

-buys you flowers just for the heck of it

-sweet gentle touches and kisses all day too

-when he talks about you in public it’s all super down to earth and him saying how gorgeous you are doing anything

-takes you out to show you off

-somewhere where he knows a lot of press and people in general will be

-makes it super obvious you’re there together

-“don’t worry HONEY, I’ll grab the door for you BABE” and looks other homies dead in the eyes for dominance purposes

-he really would take you anywhere to show you off tbh. The dog park, museum, grocery store, you name it

-he fills his camera roll with candid pics of you through the day

-when you guys get really rowdy at the end of the night bc you’re tired, he records you the whole time dancing n singing and being a crackhead

-but its wholesome content of you guys being happy in love and having so much fun :,)

-he posts it all and everyone is like “couple goals wowo” and it makes your heart melt bc you’re with someone who makes you confident and happy and he’s everything

Richard

-literally not one second where his hand would be off of you

-ESPECIALLY in public

-hand in your back pocket, on your waist, in your hand

-also the type of guy that would be super extra and do things like hold the door for you dramatically, carry you over potholes or puddles in the street like “no te preocupes amor, i gotchu”

-a master at subtly tho

-and subtle teasing

-would mention how fine you look at the beggining of the day with a low whisper in your ear and a hot neck kiss

-then totally drop it for tension purposes

-would ignore u in person for a bit or maybe he just doesn’t see you much that day

-then would post a fire pic of you like “sheeesh🥵”

-comments under all your recent pics suddenly with thirsty shit

-all the fans are freaking out like “GET UR MAN”

-but he’s still avoiding you personally bc he knows it gets you all riled up

-so you watch him post and hype you all day until he gets home finally and wants to touch you and love you

-and you’re like “NO! No touching bc u can’t play these games Camacho”

-He smiles at you and puts on his nasally play voice while swooping in to lift you off your feet, tickling your sides and kissing you all over

-“mira que sexy ohmygaaad”

-ok but also

-he’d take his time with you when it got down to business, letting you know everything going through his mind when he kisses you, every time he removes another piece of clothing, telling you how perfect you are

-slow passionate intense nights that feel like they could last forever

Christopher

-constant screaming

-“oye mamiiiii”

-his million stories on insta are all of you with dif filters, emojis, and captions

-he’s singing or yelling in the background every one, but honestly no one can tell at this point

-besos every other second

-you’re just *taking a bite of pizza* and Chris would drop everything like “fucK pls kiss me now”

-a lot of seductive glances from a distance

-intimidates everybody in the room tbh

-will be that guy talking to anyone being like “doesn’t my baby look ultra fine today- well i mean she always fine, but today it just hits different”

-probably very sweet like Joel but in his own sappy Chris way

-will sing to you every love song that comes on in the car or while you’re standing around

-dances with you in public just to spin you around, kiss you, and tell you how good you look

-you’re always afraid to look like that one annoying pda couple but the way y’all make it look is actually rly sweet and sincere

-also does that thing and records you being a crackhead at night, but he’s actin just as wild so all the videos are so hard to follow

-they’re all of you guys SCREAMING and CACKLING SOO HARD and no one can form out anything anyone is saying bc you’re both just being idiots

-he records you dancing like a dummy in the dark corner of your room and he’s just there like “AYY AY DALE MAMI AY”

-for some reason i just see him at the end of the night wanting a long, deep makeout sesh more than anything

-bc sometimes kissing can be just as intimate and passionate when you’re with the right person, and Chris is exactly that guy

-he’d be kinda vocal and mumble every time your lips disconnect abt how much he loves you and how crazy you make him by being so god damn beautiful all the time

[kiheons]

Okay so obviously Aquaria cries at everything cause she's an overemotional lil bitch (aka me) but I think monet is also a drunk crier. If someone else is crying aquaria cries too so if monet is getting drunk then its pretty much confirmed that at some point in the night she and aquaria are going to end up sobbing together about some random shit (even if aquaria is completely sober) and Brianna will just sit there like 'what in the fuck am I doing with my life' as she comforts her messes of gfs

This kinda comments on all of them when they drink

Monet is a drunk crier, Aquaria is a drunk hoe, and Brianna is a drunk nihilist. Monet will get wine drunk and cry because “I love you both so much you’re my everything and you’re both amazing” and Aquaria will 100% because of it. Monet is also get wine drunk and watch animal planet and cry about that. Brianna finds them sobbing on the couch. “Are you guys really crying over snakes?” Aquaria looking at her in tears and wailing “They don’t have any arms!” Monet pointing at the TV “he just has to wiggle around it’s awful!” Brianna is like yeah cause it’s snake. That’s what snakes do.  She has to comfort them and tell them its okay, I’m sure he’s okay even if he doesn’t have arms.

Monet either cries over how much she loves her gfs and her friends and goes on this long looping speech about it or cries over random shit. They were once coming home from a party and Monet saw a dog and had to sit down and cry about it for 20 minutes. Aquaria starts taking off her clothes and getting on tables once she gets drunk. Monet and Brianna have to yank her dress back on and tell her that it’s not appropriate to try and tongue kiss either of them while they’re waiting in line for hot dogs. Brianna doesn’t get drunk at clubs or parties. She did once and it was super weird for everyone. In general she doesn’t drink much but Aquaria once watched her down well over 4 glasses of wine in about an hour and then lay on the carpet and mutter about how nothing means anything and we’re all just dust floating in an endlessly abyss one day this world will die and so will we time is meaningless there’s not start or end to anything we’re just existing. Brianna then turned to Aquaria and asked if she wanted to order pizza. To this day Aquaria isn’t sure if it actually happened or if it was just a weird fever dream.

[jincherie]

silly kitty | seokjin

↼pairing: seokjin x reader ↼genre: hybrid au, fluff, if u squint there’s a tiny bit of angst ↼words: 21.7k+ ↼warnings: this is 21.7k of pure fluff god is dead and we killed him ↼notes: I started out following the request and then it just got out of hand, I couldn’t stop myself oml this fic has been haunting me for WEEKS. also i deviated a lil from the request im sorry i love u I hope it doesn’t disappoint!!!!

⇢ request:

just lots and lots of fluff I guess?? I love Jin so much but I don’t see a lot of love for him. Oh! Maybe something along those lines?... How about… desperate hybrid jin, stuck on the streets, who starts following the first person who shows him affection and them just not knowing what to do, doesn’t know the first thing about having to take care of more than just themselves? - jin anon

↼posted; 12.11.2017

↼masterlist || afterstory

It was with a sense of defeat that you were trailing after your best friend down a series of darkened streets in the early hours of the morning. Jungkook had come back from his shift as a bartender in the popular club near your apartment, as he usually did on days when he got the later shifts, and burst into your room without warning. You’d nearly dropped the leftover pizza you’d been about to scarf down in sheer fright. You’d cursed him out but he’d been quick to ignore you, gripping your wrist and hardly giving you time to even slip your shoes on before he was dragging you out the door with the excuse that he “has something important to show you”.

You mightn’t have minded as much, except it just so happened to be storming and he hadn’t given you time to grab an umbrella to shield yourself with from the pelting rain. It was the perfect weather for cuddling up beneath the covers at home, with junk food and hot chocolate— another reason you were so salty you’d been wrenched from the comfort of your home and bed.

“Jungkook,” you began, warning him not for the first time since he’d begun dragging you on this little adventure. You’d recognised the path he was taking; it was in the direction of his workplace. “If you’ve interrupted my night and dragged me out here to go get late night drinks with you again so help me god I will show up in the dead of night and break those precious gaming computers of yours, I’m not shitting you Jungkook heads will roll—”

“Shh!” the male responded, shooting you an exasperated look, and you bristled, biting back the urge to hit him upside the head. The paths you were taking were reasonably covered but in the spaces between awnings you were both getting soaked by the torrential downpour. You were about two more awnings away from being miserable and taking it out on Jungkook. “I didn’t bring you here for drinks, you idiot.”

You couldn’t help the offended look that flew onto your face. “Jeon Jungkook I am going to ignore that, but I swear if you don’t tell me what is going on—"

You were cut off when Jungkook stopped abruptly in front of you, causing you to slam into his back. You let out a loud noise of pain, your nose throbbing. It was like walking straight into a fucking wall, and of course he stopped right between two awnings, meaning you were both currently getting soaked. Thunder rumbled in the distance. “Jungkook you little shit, give me some warning next time you nearly broke my nose—”

“Oh my god, y/n do you ever shut up? Stop complaining, we’re here. What I wanted to show you is down there.” Jungkook rolled his eyes, pointing down the long, dark, winding alleyway he’d stopped in front of.

“I’ll stop complaining when there’s nothing left to complain about,” you grumbled, before following the direction he was pointing and making a noise of alarm. “An alley…?! Oh my god, Jungkook did you bring me here to kill me—?!”

“No!” Jungkook groaned, gripping your wrist and dragging you behind him as he started down the alley. “And be quiet! You’re going to spook them with that loud mouth of yours.”

“I’m not loud!” you hissed, quietly, to prove your point. You pattered after him begrudgingly, the two buildings you were walking between offering meagre shelter from the elements. “And what do you mean ‘them’? Oh god, this is a cult initiation isn’t it? Are we about to walk in on a high-end drug deal?”

Jungkook groaned softly, “Y/n if you don’t be quiet I’ll lick one of your pizza slices while you sleep.”

You gasped in horror. If he licked one of the slices while you slept then when you woke you wouldn’t be able to tell which one, and you’d have to throw them all out.

“You’re evil.” You whispered, glaring at his stupid defined back. The male in question turned his head and shot you a smug look, before turning back and leading you the rest of the way down the alley in silence.

You were about to risk your pizza slices and ask how much longer when he stopped suddenly before you again, and you only just managed to stop yourself in time from running into him once more. He turned to you before you could open your mouth.

“They’re just around this corner,” he said, large doe eyes meeting your own. His tone was serious and conveyed a sense of urgency you hadn’t witnessed often in him, and it made you forget the smartass comment you’d been about to make and listen, suddenly alert. “I was walking home from work, past here, when I heard something and decided to investigate. There’s about four of them, and they’re not in good shape. There were two guys from the Pound, trying to take them in but they put up enough of a fight to stave them off for now, but I don’t doubt they’ll be back soon with more officers so they can take them in without a struggle.”

Your mind was racing to take in the information he was throwing at you. Jungkook continued, peering around the corner to your side for a moment before turning back to you. “The oldest one, he saw me and asked me to get help, and I knew I couldn’t help by myself so I went and got you. I called Yoongi-hyung too and he said he’d be here as soon as his shift ended, which was a couple of minutes ago so hopefully he’ll get here quickly.”

You had so many questions pressing against the tip of your tongue but no time to even organise them before Jungkook took your wrist again and pulled you around the corner. Your mind had been halfway to the realisation that Jungkook had been talking about hybrids, but nonetheless you were still surprised by the sight before you.

There was indeed four of them, all huddled up in the corner of the alley beneath a makeshift shelter consisting of a tarp and three barrels, barely enough room for two people and yet four of them were crammed in there. They all looked to be around your age, give or take a couple of years, and were shivering and clinging to each other, flinching with each rumble of thunder. The second you stepped around the corner they froze, eyes whipping to you in fear, hackles raised and a weak growl splitting the air. It came from the largest hybrid among them, the one closest to the front and sitting just beyond the tarp’s meagre reach, his raven locks dripping and triangular ears lowered threateningly.

“Wait, it’s ok! It’s me, I brought help— she’s here to help.” Jungkook assured them, quickly rounding the corner after you and moving forward. You hesitated where you stood a moment before following suit, although more cautiously. You were a new character, and you didn’t want to alarm them.

At once the hybrid stopped growling, body sagging in relief as all the energy he’d mustered for his show of bravado fled his form at once. “You came back,” he croaked, his feline eyes meeting Jungkook’s gratefully, voice soft and beautiful even as it sounded so rough. “Thank you.”

Jungkook smiled. “Of course I came back, I told you I would help. There is one more person coming, but until then, what do you need us to do?”

The black cat hybrid moved his gaze to the other hybrids huddled behind him, two puppies with blonde and grey hair and an older dog hybrid with soft orange locks, all of which were staring at you with wide eyes. He looked at Jungkook, then you, imploringly, startling you with the sheer desperation and selflessness in his gaze. “Please, just help them. They’re still young and can easily find homes, so please… help them. They- they just need a home, and someone to show them all the love and care they deserve. They can’t be here when those men come back, I… Please…”

Your heart nearly broke at his words, going out not only to the other hybrids but to him as well. He was speaking as though he didn’t deserve those things like they did, like it didn’t matter what you did with him so long as the others were safe, and happy. You were awed by his pure selflessness and the lengths you could see of his affection for them.

“Of course, we’ll do everything we can.” You said softly, moving closer and offering a smile. “We’ll help as much as you need.”

The cat hybrid leant back against the wall, blinking away tears as he shot you a grateful smile. It was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “Thank you.” He whispered, sniffing, and you couldn’t tell if the droplets trailing down his face were tears or rain.

There was a movement to your right and you turned to see one of the puppies emerging from the shelter, looking at you curiously with wide chocolate eyes through messy grey locks. The puppy hybrid beside him, the blond one, whined softly, tugging his friend’s clothes anxiously and shooting looks between yourself and Jungkook.

Jungkook smiled softly, stepping forward and crouching down in an effort to reassure the nervous hybrid. “It’s ok, you’re gonna be ok. My name’s Jungkook, and this is y/n. We’re gonna help you get away from here, and give you guys a place to stay for a while, with food, and warm beds. You’ll be safe.”

The grey-haired hybrid didn’t need any more convincing, having all the confirmation he needed that it was safe to interact with you, moving eagerly from beneath the shelter to plop at your feet, reaching for your hands and clutching them softly, enveloping them in his own. “You’re going to help us?” he asked, an awed look in his eyes as you crouched down before him with a smile, returning the hold on his hands. “You’re gonna let us stay? And give us food and beds?”

“Yep,” you said, removing a hand from his grasp to lift it and brush the rapidly dampening hair from his face. He nuzzled into your gentle touch, surprising you as he pressed his face into your palm with a boxy grin, his tail wagging eagerly behind him.

“Thank you!” he beamed, holding your hand to his cheek. “I’m Taehyung!”

“It’s nice to meet you, Taehyung. You have a beautiful smile.” You complimented honestly, unable to help your smile as the hybrid’s cheeks went pink and he beamed at you happily. “What are everyone else’s names?”

Taehyung eagerly turned, pointing at the blonde puppy that was slowly becoming more and more lax beneath the ministrations of Jungkook, who had begun combing his fingers through his blond locks and scratching behind his floppy golden ears to soothe him.

“That’s Jimin-hyung,” Taheyung supplied helpfully, before pointing to the orange-haired dog hybrid that had remained beneath the shelter but looked like he was longing to move out and receive attention too. “And that’s Hobi-hyung, and Jin-hyung.” He said, pointing finally to the raven-haired cat hybrid you’d first spoken to.

“They’re all my brothers, but Jin-hyung is more like a parent. He’s kept us together and protected us ever since he found us on the streets.” Taehyung said, and you didn’t miss the look of gratitude and adoration he sent the cat hybrid. “He’s done everything for us.”

You felt your heart warming as you shot the aforementioned hybrid a glance. He was still leaning against the wall, resting his eyes for a moment as the other hybrids interacted with you and Jungkook. You suspected it was a rare moment where he let his guard down, deeming you both safe enough to entrust with his family, and nothing touched you more.

The orange-haired hybrid’s urge to join his brothers seemed to outweigh his hesitation and he quickly moved over to plop next to Taehyung, leaning forward eagerly with his tail wagging a mile a minute as you acquiesced to his wishes and brushed your fingers through his hair, scratching behind his ears. He let out a pleased hum, tail wagging faster.

“I can take two of you to my place, and I know Yoongi-hyung has room for one.” Jungkook began, turning to send you a look and you nodded at the unspoken question. You could take the remaining hybrid to your place, you had a spare room that Jungkook usually used to crash in whenever he had a late shift, but it could easily be given up for a hybrid that needs it more than he does.

As though the mere mention of his name was enough to summon him to your location, a slightly out-of-breath Yoongi rounded the corner in all his blue-haired glory, headphones still around his neck from his gig as a DJ at the bar where Jungkook worked. They swung loosely as he caught sight of the scene before him and halted abruptly. Jin’s eyes shot open and his ears flattened at the sudden arrival of a new variable, a low hiss escaping his teeth.

“Wow, you really weren’t shitting me.” Yoongi said, shooting Jungkook a mildly bewildered look, otherwise speechless. “It’s a good thing I drove.”

“It’s ok, he’s the other person we were waiting for.” Jungkook quickly reassured Jin, and the hybrid’s hackles lowered once more, although he still kept wary eyes on your friend. “This is Yoongi.”

The blue-haired male offered a sheepish if somewhat awkward wave, before he was suddenly jumping in alarm as an excited orange-haired hybrid perked up and leapt over.

“Nice to meet you, Yoongi. I’m Hoseok!” he introduced himself brightly, lips curling into a bright heart-shaped smile. He moved forward, circling Yoongi (to the male’s alarm) and sniffing the air a couple of times before stopping in front of him once more. His hands came up to clutch Yoongi’s own. “You smell really nice. Warm— like summer days, with a cool breeze.”

A look at Jin and Taheyung’s faces told you Hoseok had never taken to anyone quite like this before, and you couldn’t help but think it was the cutest thing in the world. Yoongi’s cheeks were flushing an uncharacteristic light pink.

“Uh, I— thank you?” he stuttered, bringing up a hand to rub the hybrid’s head when he gave him an expectant look. Hoseok practically melted onto him and you didn’t doubt that if he was a cat hybrid then he would have been purring loudly, but instead his tail was wagging faster than your eyes could keep up with.

You turned in time to see Jungkook’s cheeky smile. “You can take Hoseok home then, hyung.” He said, still petting Jimin as he looked pointedly at Yoongi. “They all need somewhere to stay— they definitely can’t stay here.”

Yoongi, cheeks still flushed, didn’t even bother trying to refute it when said hybrid was still firmly attached to his arm without any indication of letting go anytime soon. “Fine,” he said, his grouchy tone betrayed by his awkward stature and gentle hand in Hoseok’s hair. “He can stay with me. I’m assuming two are going to stay with you?”

Jungkook nodded, and to your surprise, before he could even speak, Jimin’s hand came up to grip his sleeve, large eyes shooting him an anxious look. Taehyung, having observed the whole thing, quickly jumped up and clutched Jungkook’s other arm, flashing him a bright smile.

“Jiminie likes you and we go everywhere together, so we’ll go with you.” He said matter-of-factly, tail wagging softly. Jungkook’s eyes were soft as he gazed upon them, a light smile pulling his lips.

“Ok, you two can stay with me then.” He said softly, caressing their heads. You watched with a fond smile, significantly less cranky than when Jungkook had first dragged you out of your house, even though you were still getting soaked by rain because the dumbass hadn’t let you get an umbrella.

“y/n, there’s only going to be enough seats for us, but your house is closer anyway so you should be good to walk. Can you come help move the things from my backseat?” Yoongi asked, reaching into his pocket to pull out his keys and throw them your way. You caught them with ease despite your slippery hands (rain had its downfalls after all) and nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.”

Jin stood, leaning heavily against the wall for a moment before easing off of it and moving closer to you, flinching at the rain. The others didn’t seem to mind it, but they were dog hybrids, and Jin was a cat hybrid. As you all started moving back down the alley towards Yoongi’s car, you shrugged out of your jacket and leant up to drape it over Jin’s head. He flinched, more out of surprise than anything, and shot you an unreadable look before graciously accepting it with a smile that had your heart skipping beats in your chest, his larger hands coming up to replace yours, holding the jacket over his head and shielding himself from the rain.

You reached Yoongi’s car quickly, and wasted no time in moving forward and unlocking it, removing all the items thrown haphazardly on the backseat and relocating them to the boot. Yoongi, while he seemed like a neat and orderly person, was one of the messiest people you knew when it came to places like his car, and his room. You knew for a fact his studio was spotless though.

The car was ready, and the other hybrids only just seemed to realise they were about to leave. They whimpered, almost in unison, and threw themselves at Jin, hugging him close like they were never going to see him again. You would have rolled your eyes if it was any other situation, but in the short time you’d been among them you’d quickly realised how close the bond was that they shared.

Taehyung looked ready to cry as he moved back, clutching onto Jimin and Jungkook simultaneously. “See you, hyung.” He whimpered sadly, eyes watering. Jin leant forward and ruffled the puppy’s wet hair.

“I’ll see you again soon, Taehyungie.” he reassured, voice soothing and soft. Taehyung leant into his touch. “Now hurry up, you better get into that car and out of this rain— if you get sick I’ll kill you.”

That made the puppy giggle, and he lurched forward to throw his arms around Jin once more before pulling back and climbing into the car. Hoseok and Jimin both followed suit, climbing into the back, and Yoongi slipped into the driver’s seat.

Jungkook paused next to you on his way to the passenger side, giving you a grateful smile. “Thanks for helping too, y/n. Make sure you take care of him, and don’t just feed him pizza every day. That’s unhealthy. You should be eating a balanced meal with vegetables and meat, preferably not fried or greasy—"

“Alright!” you exclaimed, pushing the irritating male towards the passenger side so he would stop harassing you about your dietary choices and get in the car. “I get it! I’ll cook actual meals! Goodbye!”

Jungkook grinned before ducking and slipping into his seat, shutting the door behind himself. Yoongi started the car, and you managed a brief wave before he was pulling out and down the street, soon the only thing you could see through the hammering rain the ghost of his tail lights.

You stood still for a moment, before turning to face Jin. He was still, gazing after the car and his brothers with a look that just bordered on forlorn. He seemed to jerk back to the present, gaze moving to you as he shot you a saddened, yet grateful smile, and murmured, “Thank you again, for helping them.” He then turned, moving as though he was about to make his way back down the alleyway.

You moved forward quickly and grasped his wrist, making sure your grip was loose. He still jumped in surprise, turning back in shock.

“Where are you going?” you asked, a small smile playing on your lips. “My house is this way, and we better get going soon or we’re going to be the ones to get sick.”

The cat hybrid stuttered, staying rooted to the spot despite your gentle tugs on his wrist. “I—you—what?”

You gazed at him shrewdly, wondering why he was so surprised. It was like he didn’t think he was going home with you. You smiled again, wanting to reassure him. “You didn’t think we were only going to help the others and leave you, did you?”

One look was all you needed to confirm he had, in fact, thought that, for whatever reason. You shook your head, laughing a little. You readjusted your grip so that you were holding his hand instead, and intertwined your fingers. “Silly kitty, of course we’re not going to leave you. I have a spare room at home, so you you’re welcome to come stay with me.”

Jin went a bright, delicate pink, eyes wide and mouth gaping slightly in shock, both at what you’d called him, and what you said afterwards. “I— wh-what?”

“Come on, this way.” You smiled, slightly amused by the sheer disbelief on the hybrid’s face. He really thought you were just going to leave him to go back and live in the alley when the pound would be back anytime soon to take him in? You tugged on your intertwined hands, leading him back down the path you’d come to get here. “Contrary to what Jungkook says, I do have food other than pizza. We can have something warm to eat once we get home.”

Shooting him one last smile, you turn and face forward as you lead him along the path to your home. You missed the open look of admiration and awe the feline sent your way, and simply focused on getting home in one piece with your new housemate.

.  . .  .  . .  .  .  .

“This is it!” you announced brightly, stepping into your home and swinging about, ignoring the water droplets that flew off your soaked form. Jin was just barely in a better state as he stepped through the door, gazing around in curiosity and staying in the one spot so he didn’t spread water everywhere. His ears were slightly lowered, not in hostility but in an effort to keep water out, and his dark tail was curled around his thigh protectively.

“Home sweet home,” you hummed, slipping off your drenched flats and placing them by the door. Thankfully you’d left the heating on when Jungkook had dragged you out before. You turned to Jin, moving over and taking the soaking jacked you’d given him, hanging it over one of the chairs at the table. “Of course, now my home is your home too. You can come in, we need to draw you a bath and get some clothes for you so you don’t get sick.”

Jin’s face seemed to be in a perpetual state of shock and surprise ever since you’d first told him to come back with you, like he couldn’t believe this was really happening to him. When he didn’t move immediately you skipped forward to grasp his hand once more, revelling in the warmth as you pulled him gently in the direction of the bedrooms and bathrooms. You pointed out the different parts of your apartment as you went, stopping momentarily at the room where he’d be staying.

“This is the spare bedroom, it probably stinks like Jungkook. That’s just because he usually crashes here when he works the late-late shift at his work, since my house is much closer than his. I’m kicking him out though— this is your room now. We can change sheets and all that later.” You explained happily, looking up to shoot the hybrid a grin that he returned softly, looking nothing short of angelic. Now that he was in the proper lighting of your home you couldn’t help but notice how heart-wrenchingly beautiful he was, not only in his face but in his figure, his disposition, his expressions. You didn’t think you’d ever seen anyone so aesthetically pleasing.

“Now,” you began in an attempt to keep yourself on track and stop staring at his handsome face. “To the bathroom! I’ll run you a bath. I think I have some bath bombs left over from that massive gift box Namjoon gave me last Christmas, so we can use one of those and make it pretty.”

Jin seemed alarmed. “Bath bombs?”

You paused in your journey to the bathroom, sensing his hesitance. “Oh! They’re just something you add to the bathwater to make it smell nice and look pretty. Don’t worry, Loosh products are pretty much all natural and they’re safe for hybrids too.”

He seemed relieved to learn they weren’t actual bombs, and you giggled a little despite feeling bad you’d unintentionally scared him. Moving into the bathroom, you immediately went about clearing up the little mess you’d managed to make before starting to run the water. You told him to wait a moment as you ducked out to get some of the spare clothes Jungkook left here for when he slept over, coming back with the largest ones you could find since Jin was a bit taller and had broader shoulders than the younger male.

“Here you go,” you said, holding them up for the hybrid to see. “They’re Jungkook’s. I do apologise for everything reeking of him, but he stays here a lot. We can go get you some clothes later. For now, help yourself to the bath.”

Jin took the clothes from you, gazing at the with a soft look before shooting you a tender smile. “Thank you,” he said earnestly. “I… I really appreciate all you’re doing, and not just for me, but for the others too.”

You returned the smile. “It’s no problem, we’re all happy to help. You guys deserve to feel safe and happy too, so you can stay as long as you want.”

Jin bit his lip, averting his gaze for a moment, before returning it to your face. “You’re a really kind person, y/n. I mean it, thank you.”

You were so caught off guard by the vulnerable look in his eyes as he thanked you that you could feel the heat rushing to your cheeks, your mouth dropping open in slight shock. “O-oh, it’s no problem. I’m- I’m happy to help you, Jin.”

The raw, tender look of sheer gratitude he sent your way was more than you (or your heart for that matter) could handle, and you scrambled to recover your pride from where it was, floating away from you. You could only make so many dumb faces in front of someone so handsome.

“A-anyway!” you announced, rushing over to the cupboard and pulling out a bath bomb at random before moving over to the bath and turning off the taps. It was already fairly deep. You dropped the bath bomb in, inhaling the soft scent of rose with hints of something else and watching as the bath water fizzed and coloured a deep rose pink. “Here you go, your bath is ready, towels are on the rack, if you need anything else—oh my gosh!”

You’d turned around to move towards the door only to be confronted with the sight of an unashamedly stripping Jin who was already halfway out of his ragged clothes. How you hadn’t heard him undress that far was beyond you. You spun back around with a squeak, cheeks aflame and heart racing. “Oh my gosh, give me a warning next time!”

There was a soft chuckle from behind you followed by the sound of the hybrid slipping into the bath, and you could not get the image of his beautiful sun-kissed skin, his defined figure, and his broad shoulders out of your mind.

“Sorry,” he apologised earnestly, and you risked a glance to see him sitting in the deep water with his knees drawn to his chest and long arms draped around them as he offered you a sheepish smile. “I just… haven’t ever had a proper bath before, especially not like this. I wasn’t ever allowed, and you know, there’s no bathtubs on the streets. I was a little excited.”

You turned and gave him a smile, somewhat recovered from the shock of a minute ago. “Then I hope you enjoy it.”

You moved towards the door once more, watching as the hybrid dragged his hand through the water and admired the glimmering swirls, playing with the ripples and small amount of bubbles. “Now, if there is nothing else you need, I shall be going. I’ll go heat up some food since it’s a bit late to be cooking a whole meal. I hope you like meat pies.”

You opened the door, about to slip out and flee when the sound of his voice made you pause.

“Wait-!”

You turned, eyebrows raised, curious as to what he wanted. The hybrid looked bashful, gaze everywhere but on you as his ears lowered slightly and his tail swayed where it lay over the edge of the tub. You stepped back inside the room, a small smile on your lips in case he looked up. “Yeah? What do you need?”

Jin seemed to hesitate, opening his mouth once, twice, before finally beginning to speak. “I… can’t really… I don’t think I can wash my hair or- or my tail, it’s a little more difficult to reach and navigate in a bathtub than I thought… Can you… um…”

You took a good look at him, just now realising how large he was compared to your tiny bathtub. Your gaze softened as you moved forward with a soft laugh, grabbing your favourite shampoo and conditioner off the shelf in the shower. “Of course, I can do it for you. Don’t flash me though or I’ll scream.”

Jin laughed at that, his posture loosening and releasing the tension it had held when he’d asked for your help. “Of course not,” he murmured with a smile. “I have manners.”

You giggled, grabbing the small container beside the bath and dipping it into the tub to fill it with water. “Manners that seem to fly out the window when you get excited about baths.” You joked lightly, bringing the container over his head. “Lower your ears and close your eyes so you don’t get any water in them, kitty.”

Jin jolted at the nickname, a breathless laugh escaping him at your earlier comment even as his cheeks flushed a pretty pink. He did as you said and closed his eyes, lowering his ears as well. You poured the water slowly over his head, watching as he shuddered pleasantly at the warmth as it cascaded over his broad shoulders and down his back. Your thoughts strayed as you wondered if he would even be able to reach it in your tiny bathtub. You made a note to ask him if he wanted you to help him with that too. However, with your attention on his form you began to notice things you’d missed before when he’d been stripping himself for the bath. His muscles were defined, but it was because he was lean, and thin— he looked like he hadn’t had a good meal in months, and you wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. Small numbers of scars littered his golden skin, some looking like they had just been nicks while others looked like lashes and welts. They were all old, well healed, except for one down the side of his ribs, which was fresh and bleeding slightly. His murmur broke you from your thoughts suddenly. “That would be the exception.”

You hummed, taking the container and pouring the water over his head to wet his hair once more, washing out the remainder of the rainwater that had accumulated earlier. Placing it down, you picked up the shampoo and squeezed some into your hand, making sure you didn’t get too much. You were going to shampoo his hair twice anyway, so it didn’t matter if it didn’t lather up on the first go. A hairdresser had told you instead of using a lot of shampoo at once for one wash, it was better to do two separate washes.

You brought your hands to his head, beginning to gently scrub his scalp and work the shampoo through his raven hair. Jin let out a small, pleased sound, and leaned into your ministrations. You tried not to think about the scars and the current condition his body was in, since you knew if you asked it would likely ruin his current relaxed state. Instead you focused on getting his hair clean.

Once the shampoo had been worked through his hair as much as you could, you raised the container and rinsed it out, telling Jin to close his eyes as he had before. When his hair was free of product once more, you went through with the second round of shampoo, rubbing and massaging his scalp as you went since it was important to not only clean your hair but your scalp too. Plus, since this was his first bath you wanted to make it special. You worked the shampoo all throughout his hair once more, scrubbing his head gently where it met the nape of his neck. He jerked slightly, an involuntary shiver rolling through his form, and you had to wonder if his neck, or just the back of his neck, were particularly sensitive for him. Perhaps it was a carry over from his feline DNA, you mused. The back of the neck was where mother cats usually grabbed their kittens, right?

You hummed thoughtfully to yourself as you finished lathering up his hair, eyeing the ears that you had yet to touch. They weren’t filthy, but they were still dirty, and there was no sense leaving them that way when you were already cleaning the rest of his head.

“Jin, I’m gonna clean your ears too, is that ok?” you asked as you dipped the container in the water in preparation. The feline nodded, eyes closed as he sat still with his legs drawn to his chest.

At his confirmation you set the container down and used some of the shampoo lather to rub over his ears gently, making sure you didn’t press too hard. Jin shivered again, and it occurred to you he might be cold with his back out of the water so you removed one hand to pour the container of heated water over his skin. He sighed pleasantly, a sound so soft you almost didn’t catch it, and leaned into your touch when you continued rubbing the shampoo into the short, soft fur on his ears. Once you’d scrubbed enough and the shampoo was no longer brown from the dirt and oil, you brought the container up and carefully rinsed it from his ears, being mindful not to let any get inside. The rest of the shampoo was next to go, and soon you were massaging conditioner through Jin’s now considerably softer, cleaner locks. Once you’d washed that out as well, you pulled back and peered at the feline before you. There was a soft, almost imperceptible purr rumbling from his chest, and he looked like he was ready to fall asleep. You couldn’t help yourself as you raised a hand and brushed the wet locks out of his face.

His eyes cracked open, moving to you hazily, and he flashed you a soft smile. “Sorry, that just felt really good… I was almost falling asleep.”

You giggled, brushing the hair back once more. “I noticed,” you said, shooting him a grin. “Where else am I washing? Your tail? Do you want me to wash your back too? I feel like it might be hard for you to twist around in the tub to do it.”

Jin shot you a sheepish look and nodded, causing you to smile as you shifted so you could reach his tail better. It was long and a little fluffy, the fur matted slightly from the rain and dirt, but was the same beautiful raven colour as his hair. You hummed, taking it into your hands gently and first combing through the small clumps and knots with your fingers, your nails just barely dragging along the appendage. Jin gasped, jerking slightly, another shudder rolling down his spine and you paused in alarm. “You okay? I didn’t hurt you right?”

The feline made a strangled noise, clutching his knees tighter to his chest. He spared a brief look over his shoulder at you, his cheeks pink once more. “No! No, you didn’t,” he reassured with a breathless laugh. “I just- I wasn’t ready, my tail is sensitive and I’m the only one that’s ever washed it before, so you— it feels… very different. I was just surprised, sorry. You can… you can keep going.”

You could feel the heat in your own face as you returned the smile he offered you and resumed where you left off, your touch more tentative and gentle this time since you really didn’t want to cause him discomfort or pain. Soon the fur on his tail was smooth and orderly, if still dirty, and so you dipped it in the water and took some shampoo in your hand. The end of the appendage curled around your wrist mindlessly as you lathered the part of his tail closest to his body first with your other hand. He stiffened when you grew too close to the base of his tail and so you lightly covered it before moving on and avoiding it, deeming it another sensitive area. It didn’t take you too long to wash it, and by the time you were washing the conditioner out he was still purring softly, completely relaxed beneath your ministrations.

“I’m gonna move to your back now, can you lean forward a bit for me?” you asked softly, Jin complying without question and leaning forward so you could reach his back better. His tail curled up happily from the water, fur sleek and shiny now that it had been cleaned. Almost the entirety of Jin’s broad back was revealed to you, the rosy water cutting off your view an inch or so above the base of his tail. Focusing on the task at hand, you tried not to stare at the scars littering his otherwise flawless skin, and made sure to avoid the open cut on his side. You’d have to come back to that.

You reached for the shower gel you kept, your favourite mint and Teatree scented one, and noticed with a sense of irritation that Jungkook had been using it again. You grumbled, reminding yourself to tell him off for it and make him replace it as you squeezed some onto the loofa by the tub and took it to Jin’s back after pouring some more water on there so he didn’t get cold. He jerked a bit, the lotion cold, but quickly relaxed again when you began scrubbing over his skin, his purring growing the slightest bit louder.

Aside from that, it was silent as you worked, ignoring the slight ache of your knees and back and focusing on Jin. You tried your best not to pay attention to them, but you couldn’t help your gaze wandering to the many scars across his back. Almost as though he could sense your gaze and train of thought, his soft tone reached your ears. “They’re from my life on the street.” He said, gentle baritone rumbling beneath your stilled hands on his back. Your eyes widened in surprise.

He continued, adjusting his chin where it sat on his drawn knees. “The small ones are, anyway. You don’t get to survive on the streets without a couple of marks to show for it. The big ones are from my time at the shelter where I was raised, before I was thrown on the streets.”

You barely hid the soft gasp that escaped your mouth, wide eyes locking on his face. He turned slightly, a sad smile on his lips. “You were curious, right? That’s how I got them.”

You bit your lip, holding his gaze sombrely before lifting a hand and booping him on the nose, wiping some soap suds there. He blinked rapidly in surprise, mouth dropping open and full lips parting in shock.

“I’m so sorry that happened to you, Jin.” You said sincerely, tracing one of the long scars that spanned from his shoulder-blade to his spine. “No one deserves that, least of all you. But you won’t have to worry about anymore scars forming on that pretty skin, my dear Jinnie, cause I’m not gonna let anyone hurt you from now on! Gotta preserve that handsome face of yours, after all.”

You ended it with a laugh, smiling at the surprised look on his face that melted into a grin to match your own. Booping his nose once more, you returned to his back, finishing your gentle scrubbing and pouring more water over him to rinse off the remaining suds. You hopped up after placing the container back beside the tub. “There you go, kitty! All cleaned up. I shall leave you to finish up— take as long as you like, feel free to soak for a bit. Get out before the water gets too cold though, or else all our efforts in warming you up will be in vain.”

Jin’s cheeks were pink once more at the nickname you’d given him, but he nodded nonetheless, meeting your gaze. You shot him a bright smile. “I’m going to go get changed and heat up some pies for us in the meantime, I’ll be out here if you need me!”

He nodded once more, looking nothing short of angelic as he beamed at you gratefully. “Thank you again, y/n. Really.”

You ignored the flush in your cheeks as you returned the smile. “You’re welcome! Don’t drown while I’m gone!”

With that you slipped from the bathroom, closing the door behind you to the sound of his soft chuckles. Letting a soft breath fall from your lips, you allowed yourself to keep the big smile on your face and began in the direction of the kitchen. You had a feeling things would be very different from now on, and you couldn’t find it in yourself to mind one bit.

.  .  .  . .  .  .

In the two days since Jin had come home with you that stormy night, two things had become inherently clear to you. One, he was the sweetest person you had ever met in your life. He trailed after you like an eager puppy the entire time you were home, always helping you out and asking and saying things like, “Is there anything you need me to do?”, and “Here, let me get that for you.” It was an image you wouldn’t expect from one with feline genetics in their DNA. Altogether it was a stark change from your usual routine, but not an unwelcome one. The constant attention and Jin’s incredibly thoughtful nature were enough to throw your heart into a constant state of warmth, fondness blossoming in your chest with each gesture.

Second, it became clear to you that Jin was literally perfect. How you knew this? Not only was he the most beautiful person you had ever seen, but he laughed at all your dumb puns and jokes, and even made some himself. The amount of cat-related puns he was capable of producing was absolutely incredible, and often left you in awe. He was a genius. You didn’t think it was possible to grow so attached to someone this much this quickly, but here you were, happier than you’d ever been ever since the cat hybrid had come to stay.

You were currently in the kitchen, cutting up some fruit for you both to eat, and as soon as you finished and grabbed the plate to take it out, Jin swooped in with a bright smile and gently took it from your hands.

“I got it,” he beamed, tail curling happily as he turned and padded out of the kitchen, leaving you with a smile on your face and heat in your cheeks. This cat was going to be the end of you.

You watched his gait as he walked away, keeping an eye out for any indication he was in pain. The wound he’d had the other day (which you’d later found out was from one of the officers that had been harassing him and the others) had quickly healed thanks to his hybrid genetics, but even so you couldn’t help but be slightly concerned. It alarmed you, but you truly cared for him, even if you hadn’t known him that long.

The hybrid in question shot you a smile as you joined him at the table, cheeks full of watermelon and strawberries. That was another thing you’d noticed about him— he had an incredible love and appreciation for food. No matter what you placed in front of him he was eager to eat it, and he always thanked you excessively after each meal. You never realised how nice it was to have someone to share meals with before. It was almost… domestic, the routine you’d taken up in the last couple of days. The thought caused your heart to flip in your chest.

While you didn’t really expect him to recover that quickly from the thin, borderline-starved form he’d come here with, you were surprised to see that bit by bit the solid meals were helping to fill him out. Honestly, he ate like a pig but looked like an angel while doing it. It was enough to give you whiplash when you ate together.

It was a bit of a lazy day for you. You didn’t have work, or classes, so you were just making the most of your time at home. Usually having someone constantly hovering around you, borderline-clinging, would annoy the absolute hell out of you, but for some reason you didn’t mind at all with Jin. Perhaps it was because you could tell he sincerely just wanted to help, or because he was just… different from most of the people in your life.

You stole some of the blueberries from the plate, shooting the hybrid across from you a cheeky grin. He snorted. “If you were just going to eat them all why didn’t you just keep the bowl to yourself.”

Your eyebrows shot up, laughter bubbling in your throat. “Excuse me? I don’t think I need your cat-itude right now, mister. You ate all of the cherries yesterday. The entire punnet.”

Jin giggled at the pun you made, a cheeky grin stretching his plump lips. “I couldn’t help myself, they just looked so purrfect.”

You burst into laughter so suddenly you nearly choked on the blueberry in your mouth. The feline looked more than satisfied with his joke, leaning back with a proud smile on his face at having made you laugh, his tail curling into the air happily.

When your giggles began to cease you shot him a fond look. “That was terrible, I love it.”

The hybrid before you beamed at you, opening his mouth no doubt to let another pun loose when there was a sudden BANG as your front door was thrown open and hit the wall beside it. Both you and Jin nearly jumped out of your skin in fright, the feline yelping loudly.

“Oh— fuck! Oh no the— fuck, the wall… she’s gonna kill me… god damn it.”

You rolled your eyes as your heartbeat began to calm down, knowing almost instantly who it was that had burst into your house so unceremoniously. There was only one person you knew who was so heavily inclined to clumsiness and minor misfortune.

It didn’t occur to you, however, that Jin didn’t know who the strange person was that had just intruded upon your home and was suddenly entering the room from the hallway. A low growl split the air and caused a shiver to roll down the length of your spine, alerting you that Jin was not, in fact, on the same page as you, and if you didn’t bring him up to speed in the next couple of seconds your clumsy friend Namjoon was probably about to get scratched.

Said male froze in the doorway, a large bag in his arms and an alarmed look gracing his features. Jin’s snarl grew louder and you spun from Namjoon to face the hostile hybrid, whose eyes had turned to slits and hackles were raised. He was sitting forward in his chair, body coiled and ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. The protectiveness of his actions didn’t escape you and you couldn’t help the beats your heart skipped.

“Jin, it’s ok! This is Namjoon, he’s my friend and our neighbour. He lives on the floor above us.” you quickly reassured him, reaching across the table to gently grasp his hand where it was biting into the edge of the wood.

Jin jerked at your touch, pupils dilating from their slitted form and his eyes flying to your face in surprise, grip immediately loosening on the table. You smiled, rubbing your thumb over his knuckles soothingly, your heart swelling when his fingers slipped from the table to return your grip. “It’s ok, it’s all good. Joonie’s just an idiot who doesn’t know how to make a polite entrance.”

The tall male in question made an offended noise, but didn’t bother trying to deny it. Jin visibly relaxed, taking another look at Namjoon’s awkward form and friendly face and deeming him not a threat. In a split second you watched the hybrid’s demeanour go from protective straight to apologetic.

“I’m so sorry for growling at you,” Jin rushed, offering a sheepish look. “You really scared the hell out of me with the door though.”

Namjoon chuckled, posture easing as the tension left his body and he resumed his usual easy-going aura. His ability to take things as they came and roll with the punches was something you admired about him. It was probably why his father was so content with passing on his businesses and buildings to him; Namjoon was a good kid.

“It’s all good,” Namjoon chuckled, a sheepish look of his own splayed over his face. “I was trying to open it with one arm and overestimated how much strength I needed. Which reminds me.”

The tall male then turned to you, a bright, guilty smile on his face, cute dimple making an appearance. “The wall behind your door…”

You rolled your eyes, thumb still unconsciously rubbing over Jin’s knuckles. “Yeah, I know. I heard the bang.”

“I’ll cover it,” he said easily, moving forward and placing the bag in his arms down beside the table where you were seated. His purple locks were sticking slightly to his forehead from sweat. “And I brought the clothes you asked me to. I’m assuming this is Jin, and the clothes are for him?”

Your eyes flicked to Jin and you noticed the slightly confused look on his face when Namjoon said he would cover the cost of fixing the hole he’d made in the wall. “Namjoon’s dad owns half of this building complex and a lot of others, and our dear Joonie here is next in line.” You explained, smiling when the hybrid’s face lit up in understanding. You turned to your friend.

“And yeah, this is Jin. Jin, this is Namjoon,” you introduced them, before hopping up, your hand slipping from Jin’s, and nudging the bag of clothes Namjoon had brought towards the hybrid. “He has a lot of clothes but hardly wears any of them, so I asked him if he could give us the ones he didn’t want so you don’t have to go around in the same sweats and t-shirt every day.”

Jin looked so shocked at the concept of being given so many things for free you almost asked if he was okay. He reached a tentative hand to the bag and peered inside, looking up with a hesitant smile. “These… are for me?”

You nodded, Namjoon smiling at the hybrid. “Yep. She’s right, I have way too many clothes. I’ve hardly worn any of them so hopefully they don’t smell too bad.”

The smile Jin flashed at both of you nearly blinded you with its sheer brightness and beauty. “Thank you!” he said, resembling an eager child that had just been given a gift for a split second. He jumped up, grasping the bag. “If it’s ok, can I go shower and change into some now…?”

You grinned, “Of course, silly kitty. You don’t have to ask— they’re yours, and you’re allowed to do what you want here.”

Jin shot you a grateful smile, cheeks pink once more, before thanking Namjoon again and flouncing off in the direction of the bathroom, tail swinging happily behind him and ears perked in happiness. The sound of the bathroom door swinging shut greeted your ears moments later, and you turned to face Namjoon.

“He seems really nice,” Namjoon said before you could even think to open your mouth. His grin changed in tone, a sly glint entering his eyes as he shot you a pointed look. “And it looks like you’re getting along splendidly, if that hand-holding was anything to go by…”

All at once you felt your face flush, heat rolling up your cheeks as you sputtered in an attempt to form a reply. “I— you— shut up, you clumsy string bean.”

Namjoon cackled, moving to take a seat at the table and plopping down. He immediately went for the fruit in front of him, slipping a strawberry in his mouth. “Don’t get mad,” he said around a mouthful of fruit, shooting you a dimpled smile. “You two look cute together.”

You nearly threw sliced watermelon at him but refrained, instead falling back into your seat with a resigned sigh. It was easier to just admit he had leverage over you. For such a clumsy butt he was incredibly perceptive. It was often your downfall.

“Whatever, you butt.” You roll your eyes, taking some fruit for yourself. “How have you been? I haven’t heard you stumbling around the halls in a while.”

Namjoon laughed, picking up another strawberry. “Classes have been… wild. Most of them are pretty chill, but there’s one in particular…. The workload is insane.”

You were reminded of one of your own classes that put you in a similar situation. You shuddered. Bad juju.

“Other than that,” the tall male continued. “I’ve just been doing a lot of stuff for my dad; he’s been teaching me a lot, training me up. He gets me to handle a lot more of the work nowadays.”

You hummed in understanding, plopping a couple more blueberries in your mouth. “Oooh, things are getting wild for our dear Joonie. You seem like you’re handling it pretty well, but you gotta make sure to take care of yourself, okay? I don’t know the pincode to your apartment so I can’t bust in there and save you if you forgot to buy coffee and are having a crisis on the kitchen floor.”

Namjoon snickered. “Aye aye, captain.”

Before you could muster a sassy enough retort the sound of the bathroom door opening cut you off, and seconds later you were greeted with the sight of an eager, beaming Jin. You nearly choked.

He looked incredible. A light pink, fluffy turtleneck fit his upper half snugly, accentuating his broad shoulders, and dark denim covered his thighs, donned with the occasional rip and clinging to the muscle but still loose enough to allow proper movement. They were no doubt expensive clothes if not designer, and he looked amazing. You could feel heat returning to your cheeks as Jin spun flamboyantly, arms outstretched and a smile on his face that could outshine the sun.

“How do I look?” he asked, striking a modest pose, his raven tail swinging and curling happily in the air behind him.

You couldn’t muster the words to speak for a second, but luckily Namjoon came to your rescue.

“Woah, they really suit you!” he complimented earnestly, eyes wide. “They look much better on you than they did on me. Are they comfortable?”

The hybrid nodded, before pausing. “Actually, they are, but with the pants, um…”

You managed to tear yourself out of your momentary stupor, clearing your throat and shooting him a reassuring smile. “There’s no hole for your tail, right? We can cut one, since these are your clothes now.”

Jin smiled gratefully at you, shooting Namjoon another meaningful look. “Thank you so much. Now I feel even worse for growling at you.”

The taller male laughed, dimples making an appearance once more. “Don’t even worry about it, it happens. I’m happy to help, and I’m glad you like them.”

The raven-haired hybrid padded over to the table, sitting back down where he had previously. Namjoon started another conversation, changing the topic, and Jin eagerly joined in. It made your heart swell with pride and happiness; the two got along like peas in a pod, better than you could have ever hoped.

Namjoon spent the rest of the day over at yours, and by the time dinner was done and he had left back out the front door Jin had gained yet another friend and become that much more entwined into your life. That night, before you both went to bed in your separate rooms, he surprised you with a hug. His long arms wound around your waist and he clutched you tightly, burying his face into your neck. You didn’t doubt he could hear the erratic beating of your heart as you returned the hug, your own arms winding over his shoulders.

“I know I’ve said it before, but thank you, y/n. You’ve done more for me than anyone else in my life ever has, and I honestly… I honestly don’t know where I, let alone the others, would be without you and your help so from the bottom of my heart… thank you.” he murmured into your skin, sending your pulse racing and causing your breath to hitch quietly.

You hummed, not trusting your voice, your fingers coming up to play with the hair at the nape of his neck. You felt it as a shiver travelled the length of his spine at your ministration, and you paused, moving your hand a bit higher so you didn’t make him uncomfortable and ruin this moment.

“You’re more than welcome, Jin.” you said finally, after holding him for a few moments more. He sagged slightly in your arms as he let out a breath of relief, and you felt a little bad it took you so long to formulate your thoughts. “You deserve a better life than what you had, and they do too. I’m happy to help however I can, kitty.”

There was the usual jerk of his body at the nickname and you bit back a chuckle, Jin’s voice coming out more strained as he spoke. “Thank you,” he said quietly, falling silent for a few moments before speaking again. “And I wanted to tell you… My name, my full name… it’s Seokjin.”

You pulled back, shooting him a playful smile as your hands slid down his arms from his neck and came to grasp his hands. “Seokjin? A handsome name for a handsome guy. Is this you subtly hinting for me to stop calling you kitty?”

The male before you flushed, stuttering. “No! No I… I like it, it… it’s nice. You don’t have to stop.”

You laughed softly, booping him gently on the nose as you had two days prior, the resulting flush in his cheeks the same as it had been last time. “Good, cause I like it too. It’d be a shame if I had to find another endearing nickname. Nothing flows quite as well as ‘kitty’, does it, kitty?”

If possible, the blush in Seokjin’s cheeks darkened even further and he let out a strangled noise. “Nope!” he burst, pulling back. “You’re right, n-nothing does. I’m, uh— ah, so tired, I’m going to— I’m going to bed now, mmhm. Goodnight y/n!”

With that he stepped back, moving as though to turn and walk away, before he rethought his actions and turned back, lurching forward to deliver a prompt kiss to your forehead before reeling back.

“Goodnight!” he burst again, flashing you a bright smile before spinning and making a swift escape down the hall to his room, the sound of his door abruptly shutting greeting your ears moments later. You stood there, thoroughly shaken, as heat began to creep up into your cheeks once more. You raised a hand subconsciously to your forehead where his lips had been, eyes wide, and slowly turned, making your way back into your bedroom.

As you climbed into bed and got comfortable, preparing for a sleep, the only thought on your mind was of how you could still feel his soft lips against your skin and how your heart still hadn’t stopped racing.

.  . .  .  . .  .  . .  .

You were humming to yourself, an upbeat tune, as you climbed the stairs to your apartment. You’d noticed that lately, Jin had seemed a little… off. He was still bright and funny and an absolute pleasure to be around, but sometimes the glimmer in his eyes didn’t match the brilliant smile he flashed your way. It had taken you a while, you’d puzzled over it for a couple of weeks, and finally you’d realised—

Seokjin was lonely.

Sure, he had you, and you spent all your time with him when you weren’t at work or attending classes, but when he’d been on the streets he’d been with Hoseok, Jimin, and Taehyung. He was used to living with his family. Sure, he had you as company, but you couldn’t fill the space in his heart reserved for the brothers he loved and cared for so much. It made you a little sad, but you understood, and he never said or did anything to indicate it to you but you knew it was true.

Despite the fact that Jungkook was constantly blowing up your phone as of late (just as you thought this, your phone buzzed against your thigh once more— you noted to check it once you reached your door), you didn’t know what Taehyung and Jimin were up to all the time, so you could only reassure the hybrid living down the hall so much. To be honest, you didn’t know what to do to cheer up someone who wasn’t overtly sad. You were a bit clueless, but you tried your best…

Which was why you were climbing the stairs right now, ice-creams in hand from the store down the street. A couple of days ago you had subtly asked Seokjin if he’d had ice-cream before, to which he’d replied he hadn’t, but it sounded “paw-sitively delicious” (honestly you adored him but sometimes his puns made even you want to jump out the window, even if you did laugh your ass off when he said it). So, you’d gotten to thinking— which, on the odd occasion, could be dangerous, but this time you were doing something nice. You’d bought some ice cream for you and Seokjin to share, in the hopes that it would cheer him up for now, just long enough for you to talk to Jungkook and see if there was anything you could organise for Seokjin to see his ‘babies’ (as he’s once casually referred to them) again.

You finally hit the top of the stairs, your feet carrying you the rest of the way to your door with ease despite the pain in your calves and thighs. You were slightly out of breath, but not embarrassingly so like the time you’d gotten halfway to work before remembering you’d left the iron on and then running the entire way back.

You stopped before your door, pausing to pull out your phone and seeing a text from Jungkook— or rather multiple texts, just like you expected.

Jeon Jungshook [10:26AM] y/n what are you doing today?

Jeon Jungshook [10:28AM] y/n y/n oh my god are u ignoring me?? again???

Jeon Jungshook [10:29AM] wow WOW fine have it ur way

Jeon Jungshook [10:30AM] see u in the fukcen pit

To say you were confused would be a massive understatement. Confused, but not surprised. You simply shrugged, moving towards the door and about to use your free hand to open it when you noticed something white by your feet. Confused, you bent down and picked it up, turning it over. To your surprise, it was a letter addressed to you. Usually your mail was delivered to the large wall of mailboxes at the front of the building, so it was odd for this letter to be lying in front of your door like that.

Shrugging, you slipped it under your arm and pulled out your keys, unlocking the door and skipping inside with a large smile. “Kitty! I’m home!!”

There was a scuffle somewhere in the house as you padded into the loungeroom, placing your bag and the letter on the kitchen bench as you walked past. Seokjin burst into the loungeroom just as you did, handsome features lighting up as he caught sight of you.

“You’re back!” he cheered, dashing forward to dip his head and brush his nose against yours, arms embracing you briefly before he danced back with a bright smile. Heat rushed to your cheeks before you could stop it, staining them pink as you stuttered slightly. It wasn’t the first time he’d done it— that had been a week or so ago and honestly, you were still recovering— but your heart still skipped a beat nonetheless. Ever since that night in the hallway, there had been a large jump in Seokjin’s affectionate gestures for you— not that you minded, quite the opposite actually. You loved it, not that you’d ever admit it out loud. You felt like a schoolgirl having her first crush. He’d become so touchy, cuddly and clingy. You guessed this was what he was normally like when he was comfortable with someone, and it made your heart race after skipping a good one or two beats. You’d never felt so warm, so looked-after.

“That I am, my purr-etty housemate,” you snickered, Jin bursting into laughter at your joke. “And I come bearing gifts! Well, a gift. Here, yours is the one with a wafer stick.”

Jin’s eyes lit up like the stars in the night sky at the sight of the delicious looking food in your hands. You watched as he pieced things together. A gasp left his lips, eyes finding yours.

“Ice-cream?” he asked, biting his full bottom lip as though to contain the hope bubbling within him in anticipation for your answer. You shot him a wild smile.

“Of course, kitty,” you laughed lightly. “I couldn’t sleep knowing you hadn’t tried it, so I went and got it for us.”

Seokjin beamed, and it was almost blinding how beautiful he was with such happiness colouring his angelic features, his cheeks pink as he lurched forward and pressed a sudden kiss to your cheek. “Thank you!”

He pulled back, eyes on the ice-cream in your hand as he took it gingerly into his hand and sniffed it, tongue peeping out delicately to deliver a tentative lick. You hadn’t even recovered from the kiss on the cheek and already here you were, dying all over again at how god damn cute he was and how much he looked like a kitten licking his ice-cream like that.

The hybrid made a surprised noise of enjoyment that bordered on sinful and shot you a wide-eyed look of wonder before he dug in, enjoying the treat you’d bought.

Fighting the blush that wanted to stain your cheeks a darker pink, you smiled at him and began eating your own cone of ice-cream, moving over to plop down on the couch with a satisfied hum. Jin joined you quickly, thigh brushing yours as he reclined and continued eating his treat, the occasional pleased noise rising from his throat. He’d even begun purring, to your surprise, he was so content and satisfied where he was.

It didn’t take long for the both of you to finish, and you hummed as you licked the remainder of the sticky substance from your fingers. Jin was still purring away next to you, tail curling against your arm, the silky fur brushing your skin and eliciting a tiny shiver from you. You turned to the hybrid, a smile on your face.

“How was it? Was it ‘paw-sitively delicious’ like you thought it would be?” you grinned, watching as Jin laughed in-between licks of his own long, slender fingers. He nodded, purrs rumbling in his chest, and he shot you a bright smile.

“Even better,” he said, a satisfied look on his face before he looked at you fully and his gaze zeroed in on your cheek.

You didn’t even have time to react before he was leaning in, his soft tongue swiping against your skin as it peeped out of his mouth to deliver a quick lick at the corner of your lips. Your heart nearly dropped through the floor, skin flushing as he pulled back, licking his lips with all the satisfaction of the cat that ate the canary.

You hadn’t even had a split second to process what had just happened when the familiar sound of your front door bursting open greeted your ears (causing Jin to nearly jump out of his skin), your heart stopping in your chest once more as voices quickly approached and then all of a sudden one Jeon Jungkook was standing in the doorway of your living room, two bustling hybrids behind him. You jerked back, cheeks aflame, but it was too late— the damage had been done. You watched as Jungkook’s eyes, which had been trained on the scene before him, the small distance between your face and Jin’s and the already pink tint to your face, went from shock and surprise to sly and smug, a combination that filled you with dread.

“Oho, what did we just walk in on?” he grinned, revelling in the look of resignation on your face. “y/n, you two have gotten so close!”

You were so god damn embarrassed you were about to throw the little shit out the window, but before you could move an inch there were two cries and the sudden blur of two hybrids dashing across your living room.

“Jin!” came the synchronised yelp from both Taehyung and Jimin as they tackled the male in question into the couch. The feline let out an ‘oof!’ before his arms came up to embrace the two puppies that were hugging him like they’d honestly thought they’d never see him again.

“My babies!” Seokjin cried, the slightest inklings of tears welling in his eyes as he hugged the two puppy hybrids back with just as much enthusiasm. Their little tails were wagging a mile a minute and Seokjin’s own was swishing furiously.

He sniffed, pulling back to hurriedly wipe his eyes. His hands came up to pinch their cheeks. “You both look so good! Look at your cheeks! Cute babies, Jungkook has been treating you well!”

They both nodded furiously, almost crying themselves, and Seokjin yanked them in for another hug, looking at said male over their shoulders. “Thank you.”

Jungkook looked touched, a fond smile on his face. “It’s no problem. I have to ask though, how the hell do you manage them? They have… so much energy? Running around all over the place, all the time.”

Seokjin laughed, the two hybrids slipping from his lap to slot themselves beside him on the couch— which meant you were quickly reacquainted with Taehyung as he slid right off Jin’s lap and onto yours. He spun in your lap, smiling brightly at you and cheering, “y/n!” before you were enveloped in the most enthusiastic hug you would ever receive in your life. The grey-haired hybrid quickly pulled back to shoot you a smile and rub your noses together before he reclined against you, arms still around your neck. You resigned yourself to the fact you were going to exist as a makeshift chair for Taehyung for however long they were here.

“They’ve always had energy, but I imagine regular meals would result in a massive spike. I’m surprised you’ve survived.” Seokjin grinned, petting Jimin’s head fondly. The blonde hybrid leaned into the touch, snuggling against him. Taehyung whined, wanting affection too, and grabbed your hand to place it on his head before he snuggled into you, adjusting his position and resting his head against your shoulder. You felt your heart warm at his affectionate gestures, acquiescing to his wishes and brushing your fingers through his hair. His tail wagged happily.

Jungkook strolled over and plopped himself onto an armchair nearby, grinning. “Honestly, same.” He said, crossing one leg over the other as he reclined. “To be honest I thought Taehyung was going to be the wildest one but…”

You turned to face Jimin, shock striking you at the devious little grin he sent Jungkook. You thought he was shy and timid….?!

Jungkook muttered something that sounded suspiciously like, ‘for someone so cute he can be so dangerous’. You looked between the two before shaking your head and turning to Jungkook.

“This is great and all, but why did you burst into my home unannounced?” you asked, drilling Jungkook with a withering look. If he’d hit the door into the wall and put another hole in it after Namjoon had fixed the one he made with his own entrance then so help you, you were going to put the fear of god back in him—

Jungkook snorted, resting his head on his hand. “It wouldn’t have been unannounced if you just checked your phone and responded for once in your life. Honestly, how do you go so long without seeing texts? I’ve been blowing up your phone all week.”

“Oh, I’ve been checking my phone,” you said, and the look of slighted outrage on Jungkook’s face was enough to make you grin.

“So you’ve just been ignoring me?! I was only kidding about that, oh my god you’re a terrible friend—"

You shrugged. “You’re annoying,” you said in explanation, snickering as Jungkook squinted at you in disbelief.

“How could you even say that—”

Your banter was interrupted as your front door was thrown open once more and met with the wall behind it, making you wince before glaring. There was only one other person besides Namjoon, who you knew to be at work, that knew your pin code.

“Min Yoongi you little shit tell me you did not just put another hole in the wall!” you yelled, causing Taehyung to jump despite his snickering.

Sure enough the blue-haired genius himself rounded the corner to your living room, an enthusiastic hybrid springing from behind him to launch himself at you and the others on the couch. Your eyes widened in horror, cringing already. “NO—”

“Jin! Tae! Jimin!!” Hoseok cried, landing on you all and causing a groan of pain to escape you and Jin. You felt all of the air leave you at once, but you couldn’t even be angry at the dogpile currently forming on top of you when you haven’t seen a look so radiant and shining with happiness on Seokjin’s face in weeks. So he was lonely, you think, unable to help the fond smile rising to your lips as you watch him embrace all his ‘babies’ once more, looking overjoyed. These boys had a place in his heart that couldn’t ever be filled by anything else— they were his family, and he would always be happiest around them. You didn’t think anything would ever be strong enough to come between the bonds they’d forged on the streets.

“DJ Suga!” Jungkook cheered, leaping from his spot on the armchair to jump on the shorter male. Yoongi staggered under Jungkook’s weight, arms coming up to brace both himself and the younger boy. “You really came! I thought you were gonna ignore me like you usually do.”

“I was tempted,” the blue-haired male admitted, causing Jungkook to pout. Yoongi’s dark eyes shifted to where Hoseok was, laying across everyone and having the time of his life, tail a blur. “But the second I mentioned seeing the others to him I knew I couldn’t deny him this. Have you seen him? It’s— it’s like, if the sun and the stars were physically able to procreate, the result would be him. I can’t say no to him.”

Jungkook shot the blue-haired male a weird look, stepping back a bit as he regarded him in a new light. Yoongi didn’t even notice, still watching Hoseok hug the life out of Jimin, unaware of the small smile creeping onto his face as he observed them.

“Yah!” came Seokjin’s cry from beneath the heap of hybrids wriggling on top of him (the temptation of a dogpile with his favourite people had become too much for Taehyung and he’d ditched your lap for a place on top). “Get off you ungrateful children, you’re going to kill your mother!”

The three canine hybrids slid off one by one, giggling at Jin’s red face and mock-angry expression as he panted to catch his breath.

You smiled, looking over the scene before you. Seokjin was smiling—beaming, really— and looking so happy that you had an inexplicable urge blooming in your chest; a need to keep it that way and make sure he was never down or sad or lonely again.

Yoongi, Jungkook and their respective hybrid housemates stayed for the rest of the day, all of you ordering takeaway for dinner. Surrounded by his old family and his new one, Seokjin wasn’t lonely, and you couldn’t have asked for anything more.

.  . .  .  .  .

It was late, your guests had left not long ago, and you were standing in the kitchen with a frown on your face. The paper in your hands was stiff against your skin, high quality and likely expensive. Which, of course it would be. It had come from the owners of the building complex you lived in after all.

‘Dear y/n l/n,

             We have been notified via an anonymous tip that in addition to yourself in apartment 23, you are also currently housing a hybrid of the feline variety. As you would no doubt find upon reading the rules and regulations of your contract and this building, hybrids are strictly forbidden on the premises. You have been given until December 31 to find a solution to this problem. If it comes to this time and an action has not been made, we will be forced to take further action. We thank you in advance for your understanding.’

You looked over it once more, frowning. To be honest, you’d forgotten you weren’t meant to have hybrids in this building. It was a dumb rule, you’d thought as much when you’d first read it, and then proceeded to completely forget about it as soon as you’d signed your contract and started living there. To be honest, you were a little surprised. This building was half owned by Namjoon’s father, and that entire family had nothing against hybrids and would never put in place such a rule— they were the kind of people that actively fought for hybrid rights in this society. You made a note to ask the clumsy male about it sometime soon.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of long arms slipping around your waist, a chin coming to rest on your shoulder. You knew it was Jin even before his soft tail brushed against your leg and curled around your thigh. You let the paper drop gently to the bench, spinning in the male’s arms and shooting him a wide grin.

“Ah, kitty!” you crooned, reaching up to card your fingers through his soft raven hair and scratch behind his ears. They flickered happily, and he burst almost immediately into soft purrs. His cheeks, of course, were pink from your nickname for him. You took in his pleased, content expression with a smile. “You look much happier now, I’m glad— both that you got to see your family again, and that you’re happier. It makes me happy when you’re happy.”

Jin seemed slightly taken aback, mouth dropping open slightly. “I-I’ve been happy!” he said, eyes wide. “I’m happy here, with you.”

You grinned, shaking your head. “Maybe so, but you’re happier with the others around. Your happiness is important to me, Seokjin. I notice when you’re lonely, or down, and that beautiful smile doesn’t quite reach your eyes like it usually does.”

Seokjin flushed, stuttering. “I’m, uh— y-you—"

You cupped his cheeks, laughing a little. “Don’t worry, I understand. They’re your family after all, it’s normal to miss them! I’d miss you if you weren’t here.”

If it was possible for him to blush any more you didn’t doubt he would as he leant into your soft touch. “I’d miss you, too.” He mumbled softly, clutching your shirt around your waist.

You couldn’t help the bright smile that tugged your lips as you squished his cheeks together. “Oh Jinnie, you know just what to say to make a girl’s heart race!”

Seokjin snorted at your words, the awkwardness of the moment for him dispelled by your poor humour. “You’re an idiot,” he said fondly, before clutching you tighter and pulling you in for a warm hug. “Thank you.”

You laughed into his shoulder, hugging him back tightly. “No problem! It’s a natural talent.”

You could almost feel the hybrid rolling his eyes. Grinning, you pulled back. “Well! It’s been a long day, for both of us I think, so I’m going to head to bed. Are you gonna sleep soon?”

Seokjin nodded, a small yawn climbing his throat at the mention of sleep. “Yeah… y/n, can I ask you a favour?”

You tilted your head, looking at him curiously. “Of course, what is it?”

Seokjin averted his gaze, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth as he mulled over how to word what he wanted. You waited patiently for him to speak.

“Can I…” he started, gulping before he returned his gaze to you, pupils large. “Do you mind if I sleep with you, tonight?”

At your startled look he was quick to explain. “Not like that! It’s just, when we were on the street we would all sleep together, so sleeping alone… it’s a lot different. It’s…”

“Lonely?” you finished, offering a smile when he nodded. Your cheeks were pink as you spoke. “But yeah, of course you can. I’ve never really shared a bed with anyone before though, so don’t blame me if I snore or something.”

Seokjin laughed, his entire face lighting up. “Thank you, y/n.” He leant down, nuzzling his nose against yours before rubbing your cheeks together. You couldn’t stop the heat that rushed to your face, and it was your turn to sputter. Your stomach was doing flips.

The hybrid giggled, grasping your hand and tugging you in the direction of your room. You let him, turning the kitchen light off as you went past the switch.

Seokjin parted from you to get changed on the way and you took the opportunity to slip into your own pyjamas before he came back. Now dressed in your sleeping shirt and shorts, you pulled back the covers and slipped in, nestling deep into the sheets and letting out a comfortable sigh.

It didn’t take long for Seokjin to shuffle into the room, sending you a shy grin. You pulled the covers back on the other side and he happily moved over, climbing in. His warm hands immediately found your waist as he snuggled into the sheets, pulling you closer and burying his face into the back of your neck, his arms wrapped comfortably around you. With his exceptional hearing you were sure he could hear how your heart was racing, beating erratically against your chest. You couldn’t get rid of the grin on your face.

“Goodnight, kitty. Sleep well.”

You felt him wriggle slightly, grip tightening as he buried his face further into your neck in embarrassment. “Goodnight, y/n. Sweet dreams.”

Your eyes fluttered closed, smile on your face, and slowly you slipped into the best sleep of your life, more comfortable and relaxed than you’d ever been before.

.  . .  .  . .  .

The following weeks were spent studying, attending classes and final exams, work, and the remainder of your time with Jin. Amongst all that, you’d also been looking for a solution to the current housing problem you were faced with. You had long since questioned Namjoon about the letter you had received, and he’d seemed slightly shocked before realisation took over his features and he explained that it wasn’t a stipulation put in place by his father, but rather his business partner, the one that owned the other half of the building. He informed you that his father had actually been trying to get them to change that rule, but with no success so far. You’d nodded, not really surprised. You hadn’t thought it was Namjoon’s father that had put the rule there— it conflicted with everything the family stood for. But you now knew that there would likely be no way to get around it besides kicking Jin out— and that was something you were absolutely not going to do. To be honest the thought hadn’t even seriously crossed your mind. Seokjin was far more important to you than some apartment. You could find another place to live, but you couldn’t find another Jin.

Namjoon had proposed some solutions to you, and you’d talked with Yoongi and Jungkook about possible options. You’d decided on a course of action about a week ago and to your pleasant surprise you’d received another letter the previous morning that informed you everything was in place.

Which was actually excellent timing. Back when Seokjin had first started staying with you, you’d made sure to ask him his birthday and note it in your calendar— you really didn’t want to miss such an important date. Seokjin hadn’t seemed too fussed or excited when he’d told you December 4, which was a mere few months away at the time, yet you’d been mentally counting down the days ever since. He’d mentioned that he’d never really celebrated much, it had never been much of a big deal for him. This was unacceptable to you, and you vowed to make it the best birthday he could ever ask for. You’d been a little unsure what to get for a present, but now that your plans had fallen into place so nicely, you knew exactly what to do, and you had the next couple of days to plan before his birthday finally arrived.

You were itching to tell him about your plans. Seokjin hadn’t changed in how he’d acted around you, but you knew he’d seen the letter. You hadn’t exactly hidden it, and you’d walked into the kitchen to see him reading it the day after you received it. He never mentioned it to you, but you knew he felt bad, and you knew he was so selfless and considerate of others he was probably trying to think of what he could do to fix the situation. The sooner you hugged him and eased his worries and fears the better.

This particular morning you’d woken up to find Seokjin in the kitchen, cooking breakfast for the both of you. When you’d first opened your eyes to find the bed beside you empty, you’d been a little disheartened. Ever since that night Seokjin had made a habit of sleeping in your bed, curled against you or holding you close like he never wanted to let you go. Honestly, you didn’t mind one bit. At this point you were comfortable admitting the massive crush you’d developed on him— you liked him, a lot. Your heart fluttered with each smile and joke he sent your way and honestly you adored him so much, with all your heart, how his ears twitched cutely and his tail would wrap around you whenever you were nearby. It was a little hopeless but you couldn’t help it. He was the most beautiful person you’d ever met, both inside and out.

It had been the sound of soft, angelic singing brushing against your ears from beyond the room that had alerted you as to where he was. You’d wandered out, sleepily rubbing your eyes, to find him in the kitchen, humming an upbeat tune as he made eggs and toast, along with some bacon for you both. During his time here he’d helped you cook a couple of times and discovered it was something he really enjoyed. You’d immediately indulged it, going out and buying several recipe books you thought he’d like and buying ingredients he’d request. Cooking during the day meant there was less time to feel lonely while you were gone, plus you were eager to support anything that made him happy.

The sight caused a wave of warmth to bloom in your heart and you immediately moved forward, winding your arms around his waist in a backhug as he so often did to you. He jumped slightly, too distracted by the task at hand to have heard you approach like he usually would.

“Good morning!” you greeted, leaning around him to glimpse at the food. You hummed, your mouth watering. It looked absolutely delicious. “Oh my god, Jin, that looks so good.”

Seokjin beamed at the praise, leaning back into your hold subconsciously, his tail winding securely around your thigh. “Thank you, I tried my best since you deserve the best.” He grinned, looking over his shoulder at you with a prompt wink.

You couldn’t help the sudden flush of heat that made its home in your cheeks, you were so caught off guard. You planted your face in his back, groaning at the cheesiness and he burst into laughter, shaking in your hold. When had he gotten so bold? So cheeky?!

“Silly kitty,” you muttered into his back with a fond shake of your head before you pulled away, moving to stand beside him as he cooked. You reached up and began petting his head, running your fingers through his hair and scratching behind his ear. Almost immediately he burst into loud, enthusiastic purring, his face flushing in embarrassment at his instinctive reaction to your touch.

“Oh wow,” you giggled, continuing your ministrations. Jin didn’t complain, simply proceeding with his cooking, cheeks a delicate pink as he shot you a playful glare, still purring.

Breakfast passed with an amicable, comfortable atmosphere. You asked him what he was going to be doing today, since you had to go out for a bit (to buy things for his birthday, but he didn’t have to know that). He’d told you he would probably nap for a bit, then maybe cook something else or watch a show he’d been meaning to binge on Netflix. You nodded; it sounded like a good day. You were glad he wouldn’t be bored.

After cleaning up your plate from breakfast you went and showered, washing your hair and just relaxing while you could. You had the rest of the week off from work, and school had ended the previous week, so you were keen to de-stress. To your surprise, as you exited the bathroom you almost ran into Jin, who had been waiting with a slightly nervous look on his face.

“Oh! Hey kitty, how come you were waiting out here?” you asked, using your towel to dry the ends of your hair further.

Seokjin shot you a smile, one that never failed to make your heart skip a beat, and opened his mouth to explain. “Um, well… I wanted to ask you something.”

Your eyebrows rose, and you looked at him curiously, mind going back to all the other times he’d started with something similar to this. “Shoot, my dear.”

The pet name had come out by accident, but you were pleasantly surprised by the way the hybrid’s cheeks painted pink once more. Oh my, is he embarrassed?

“Well, you’ve done a lot for me, and you always do a lot, and I just kind of realised… I never really made it up to you? And I want to. I want to pay you back somehow, even if I can’t really do much, so…”

You were about to argue that he didn’t need to pay you back, having him here wasn’t a problem and you loved having him here— didn’t want him to leave, really— when he continued. “I just… want to show you how much I appreciate all you’ve done for me, and how you care for me, and so I… want to show you and care for you too.”

You were sure he could tell how surprised you were from the look on your face, and he grinned awkwardly, moving forward to grasp your hand. He brought it up to deliver a quick kiss to your knuckles— you cheeks were flaming— before grinning and tugging you along after him in the direction of the living room. Here he directed you to the floor in front of the couch where he’d laid some cushions, and sat behind you with his legs either side of your shoulders once you lowered yourself down. Turning your head to the side, you caught sight of the brush and argan hair oil you used to treat your hair, and a large, delighted grin found its way to your lips.

Jin confirmed your suspicions a moment later when he brought his hands to your hair, dragging his fingers through gently to disperse any knots tangling the damp strands. He hesitated before reaching for the brush. “Is it okay if I brush your hair?”

You snorted lightly, unable to help the small giggle that escaped you. You could imagine Jin’s affronted look. “You’re asking this now? Of course, silly kitty.”

Jin hummed, eagerly picking up the brush and beginning to gently pull it through your hair. Each movement he made was gentle and pleasant, and you found yourself quickly relaxing beneath his touch. With the bristles of the brush dragging gently against your head like a subtle head massage you couldn’t help but let out a soft, content sigh. As he pulled the brush through your hair, his other hand would come and replace it, nails dragging gently against your scalp as he pulled them through your hair as well.

He continued brushing for a while, long after all knots were out of your hair, and you had the feeling that at this point he was doing it to pamper you— he had said he wanted to show you he cared for you too, after all. Your heart swelled in your chest at the thought, hope for something you didn’t want to acknowledge causing it to beat a little faster. You sincerely hoped he was too distracted to catch it with his sensitive hearing.

You were almost sad when he put the brush down, movements halting. You longed for his touch again, as embarrassing as it was. Jin was humming softly as he leaned to gather some of the argan oil on his hands, and you realised belatedly he was humming along to the tune from the TV— you hadn’t even realised it was on, to be honest. You were too busy enjoying the hybrid’s undivided attention.

Jin worked the oil through your hair, concentrating on the ends and steering mostly clear of your roots as he’d seen you do before, and you were both surprised and touched he’d not only paid attention but remembered it, storing the knowledge for later.

Your eyes had closed a while ago, instinctively fluttering shut so you could focus on the pleasant sensations, and so it took you a while to realise that Jin had stopped rubbing the oil into your hair and was instead playing with it, shifting and weaving it, and it took you a couple of seconds longer to realise he was attempting to braid it. You honestly didn’t have words for how soft your heart felt right now, swelling with love and affection for the hybrid being so sweet to you.

It took him a while— not that you were complaining, because you absolutely weren’t— but eventually Jin finished braiding your hair. It was loose and in no way as secure as you usually had it, but it worked and the fact that he’d done it himself made it much more meaningful.

His hands slipped from your head and you let out a soft sigh, shifting your shoulders back and preparing to get up, assuming he was done.

“Thanks, Jinnie,” you began to say, hands gripping the floor as you started to shift before the sudden sound of Jin’s voice halted you.

“Wait!” he exclaimed, hands coming to fall on your shoulders so you couldn’t get up yet. “Don’t go yet! It’s still early, can you stay a bit more? Relax for a bit before you go…”

Jin’s voice trailed off towards the end, less strong than when he had begun speaking. You settled back onto the floor, turning your head to shoot him a reassuring smile. Truthfully, you weren’t in that much of a rush, and if he wanted you to stay a bit longer and spend more time with him then you were more than happy to oblige.

“Of course, kitty,” you agreed easily, resting your cheek against his thigh for a second as you shot him another soft smile. “I can stay a bit longer for you.”

You caught sight of the beam Jin sent your way before you turned back around and to your surprise, as you faced the television once more, Jin’s large hands began to gently knead your shoulders and the tense muscles of your neck. You let out a pleasant hum as he whispered a soft, “Thank you.”

You laughed, settling against the couch and his legs with ease. You didn’t think you’d ever be as comfortable with anyone as you were with him.

You spent the rest of the morning there with Jin, moving to the couch next to him and winding your arms around his form after a good while (his massage had been heavenly). You made sure to give him attention back, letting him know how much you appreciated him by holding him close and running a hand through his hair, scratching behind his ears. He didn’t stop purring, even as you left to get ready and finally exited through the door.

Yes, he was sure, as he gazed at the spot where you’d just been before you’d left the apartment completely, he was sure he would never be as comfortable with anyone as he was with you. He’d never find a home to replace the one he had here right now with you, and honestly? He was fine with that. If it meant seeing your bright eyes and beaming smile every day, then he was fine with anything.

.  . .  .  . .  .  . .  .

Everything, surprisingly enough, was going perfectly.

Today was the day— the day you were celebrating Jin, and also the day you’d tell him your plans about the letter so he could stop worrying. In honour of his birthday you’d invited his family, new and old, which meant that right now there were four very hyper hybrids running about your house, and two very tired make-shift owners in your kitchen helping you bake. Namjoon was currently acting as the babysitter, situated in the living room and, ironically, making sure they didn’t break anything. He was also in charge of making sure no one came near the kitchen so that it would remain a surprise what you were making and also so that Jungkook and Yoongi had some time to recharge.

“Did you know Jiminie can dance?” Jungkook gushed, apparently never too tired to boast about his housemates. “He’s so beautiful when he dances, hyung. I’m kind of jealous— his movements are so smooth and fluid. He makes me feel like a plastic doll when I dance with him.”

Yoongi was quick to roll his eyes, sipping his coffee. “Oh? Hobi can dance too, he’s amazing. No matter what beat I play, he jumps up and he moves to it. He looks so cool, like a professional dancer.”

You wanted to roll your own eyes— they sounded like old women boasting about their children. Idly, you continued mixing the icing as the two bickered playfully behind you. You peered over at the bowl beside you full of cupcake mixture, squinting. Did you already add the chocolate chips? You stared into the bowl, before ultimately shrugging and pausing your stirring to pour the rest of the bag in. Some more couldn’t hurt.

“Oh yeah?” Jungkook’s voice rose in pitch, eyebrow cocking in a challenge. “Tae found my camera the other day, and started taking pictures. Once I showed him how he was off like a pro, his photos look like they came from a famous photographer.”

Yoongi, bless his soul, was not one to be beaten. “Actually, I was playing a track off my mixtape the other day, working through some lyrics, and Hobi came and sat beside me and started rapping to some of the lines. He’s pretty good, actually.”

“Are you going to boast like proud middle-age women about their successful children for the rest of the day or are you actually going to help me bake this cake?” you cut them off before they could continue anymore, amused.

They jumped, Jungkook sending you a sheepish look and Yoongi taking a large sip of his coffee to hide his face. The youngest quickly moved over, asking what you needed help with and you laughed, directing him to a bowl that needed mixing. You were making a large chocolate cake along with a some cupcakes and a cheesecake, the latter having already been made and placed in the fridge the night before. You were ordering all of Jin’s favourite food later for dinner, and the cakes and cupcakes were for after. You weren’t worried about him or any of your guests not having room after dinner— you had a feeling that they could fit it all in and more.

There was a loud shriek and you glanced over in time to see Taehyung and Jimin dash past the doorway, Hoseok hot on their heels and cackling. Jin had probably retired to the couch with Namjoon by this point, but you couldn’t help but be amused as you watched the remaining three hybrids run the rest of their energy out.

You would have been concerned that they’d be unable to help themselves and tell Jin all about the things you were planning to surprise him with tonight, except they didn’t know a single thing either— it was going to be as much a surprise for them as it would be for him. It was something you’d agreed on with Yoongi and Jungkook— partly because you all knew they wouldn’t be able to keep their mouths shut, but also because they wanted to surprise their current housemates as well.

Time flew easily, everyone having a blast, but most importantly Jin was enjoying himself and the company of this family. He couldn’t lie, over the past few days, ever since the morning he’d brushed and braided your hair for you, you’d been disappearing more often, and for long durations of time, during the day— and it made him so anxious he was almost sick to his stomach. Normally it wouldn’t be anything to worry about, but he’d seen that letter you’d left on the table. You were threatened with eviction, you could lose your home, and it was all because of him. You hadn’t said anything, hadn’t mentioned it, but he didn’t know if that was worse— the uncertainty of the situation, where he fell in it, what he could do if he could even do anything, all of it had been weighing on him more the past couple of days. It had manifested in an anxious need to have you closer, he’d been much clingier than normal, fingers clutching you when you made to leave the bed in the morning as he wordlessly begged for five more minutes. He didn’t want you to leave, but couldn’t stop you when you did. He didn’t know where you were going, but couldn’t bring himself to ask in case the answer confirmed his worst fears.

What if you were arranging for him to leave?

He couldn’t blame you— you’d taken him in from the street, you had no obligation to continue housing him, but he’d… He’d grown so, so attached to you, to this place— his home. He didn’t want to leave, didn’t want to re-enter the world of uncertainty and fear he’d resided in before, but most of all he didn’t want you to want him to leave. He wanted to stay with you forever, and he wanted you to want him too. Even if.. even if you didn’t return the whole extent of his feelings, staying by your side for the rest of his life would be enough for him. So long as he could continue loving you, and caring for you, he didn’t need anything in return. He just wanted to stay with you.

But right now, he didn’t know if that was what you wanted.

Shaking his head of the thoughts, he tried to focus on the present— on the jovial atmosphere, the mini party you’d thrown for him for his birthday— it was the first time someone had ever done such a thing for him, and he was beyond touched. He smiled as Jimin came running up to him, giggling and struggling for breath as he sought refuge from Hoseok, having left Taehyung in the dust much to the grey-haired hybrid’s chagrin.

Time was passing quickly, and before you knew it you were waiting for all the takeaway you’d ordered and icing the cake and cupcakes— well, Yoongi and Jungkook were icing the cake and cupcakes. You’d managed to get Yoongi to do it by turning it into a competition of who could do it better, and he’d risen to the bait quicker than you’d thought he would. Jungkook must have really been getting on his nerves. You’d assigned Namjoon to watch them and make sure they didn’t get it anywhere since you felt bad he was stuck on babysitting duty for so long.

Having just finished setting and preparing the table, you left the kitchen and dining area, going to your room to fetch a new shirt since you’d made a comment on Yoongi’s icing ability and he’d flicked some all over you in retaliation. You disappeared into your room, unaware of the conversation being shared between the hybrids in the living room.

“Are you happy, hyung?” Taehyung asked, eyes wide as he stared at the cat hybrid sprawled gracefully over the couch. A soft smile stretched his lips. “You’re having a birthday party! Isn’t it something you’ve always wanted?”

Seokjin smiled, unable to help the swell of affection he felt for the hybrids before him. “It is, but you shouldn’t be sad,” he scolded playfully, reaching to bop the puppy’s nose. “You have someone that loves you and cares for you now, you know. Don’t you dare think you’re not getting one too.”

Taehyung smiled, but it had a saddened lilt. “I want to believe so, but I’m not sure about that hyung.”

Jin straightened, brows furrowing. “What? Why do you say that?”

The grey-haired hybrid closed his eyes, letting out a soft sigh before opening them once more, voice low as he spoke, “I… I heard Jungkookie on the phone, the other day. I tried not to listen, since I know it’s bad, but I couldn’t help it,” he shifted on the couch, tugging his legs up to hug them to his chest and rest his chin on his knees. “I tried not to listen, but I still… I heard him talking with someone about papers, and payments.”

Seokjin’s eyes softened, a familiar feeling curling in his chest, but before he could reassure the hybrid that it was probably not what he thought since Jungkook adored both of them, Taehyung continued.

“Plus, he’s been gone a lot lately. For long periods during the day, and he’s gone more often.”

Seokjin felt like his heart had stopped in his chest, his blood freezing in his veins. The words tilted on the tip of his tongue, urging him to comfort the boy in front of him but he couldn’t muster the will, couldn’t muster anything except the shuddering breath that entered his lungs after three seconds too long.

Gone for long periods during the day, and gone more often.  

His fear was one thing, but if Taehyung was having the same concerns, and he’d heard those things when Jungkook was on the phone… there was no doubt. You were going to get rid of him.

It felt like his heart splintered in his chest, his breath coming shorter and not quite reaching the bottom of his lungs. He knew, he suspected this but he— he never thought he’d get confirmation so soon, he— he couldn’t do this, not right now. At the thought of facing you in a couple minutes time for dinner, gazing upon your smiling face for what could be the last time, he panicked. He couldn’t do it, he wasn’t strong enough, he didn’t want to. Before he could even realise the movements his own body was making he was scrambling from the couch and fleeing from the room, Taehyung’s cries of “Hyung!” behind him falling on deaf ears. Through the front door, he fled, realising belatedly there were tears in his eyes.

He couldn’t do this, he couldn’t face you right now.

.  . .  .  . .  .

When you finally exited your room, donning a new shirt, it was to a distraught Taehyung, tears budding in the corners of his eyes. He hadn’t gone to Jungkook yet, you were the first person he set his eyes on.

“y/n!” he gasped, leaping over to couch to run to you. You froze as he attached to you, hands gripping you arms in a panic. “y/n, he just jumped up and r-ran away, out of nowhere! I don’t know where he went but he looked so s-sad, y/n! I-I think I made him sad and I’m so s-sorry—”

It all came in one big rush and you had to bring your arms up, hands gently cupping his cheeks as you shooshed him soothingly. “Shh, Taehyung, who ran away? Who’s sad?”

Taehyung looked ready to wail. “Jin-hyung!” he nearly sobbed, clutching your hands as his eyes watered. “I made him sad and I feel so bad!”

Your heart nearly stopped in your chest, your eyes widening. “Jin?” you echoed, worry beginning to seep beneath your skin. Nonetheless you managed to remain focused, soothing Taehyung. “Shh, Tae, it’s okay, it’s not your fault. What was it that made him sad?”

Taehyung’s hands grasped yours tightly, large eyes wide as they stared into your own, distressed. “I… I mentioned how I d-didn’t think Jungkookie was going to keep us, because I heard him on the phone talking about p-payments, and papers, but he only got sad when I said Jungkookie has been leaving a lot during the day, for long times.”

You knew what he was talking about; Jungkook had been leaving to go with you and Yoongi to sort out everything— wait…. You blinked, mouth dropping open a bit in realisation. You were gone just as much as Jungkook had been the past couple of days, and if Taehyung thought that the male was making arrangements to get rid of him and Jimin, then Jin too probably thought…

You bit your lip, suddenly understanding why the male had run off like that. You would have been upset too, if you were in his place. Although, you couldn’t help but note how ironic this was, how terrible the timing— you were about to announce at dinner the thing you’d been hiding from him and the other hybrids.

You needed to find Jin and bring him back. You stroked Taehyung’s cheek, offering him a soft smile despite the worry curling in the pit of your stomach. “Listen, Tae, I want you to know you shouldn’t worry, okay?” you said, meeting his saddened gaze. He looked at you, eyes wide and alarmingly trusting. “’Cause we’re gonna announce something at dinner, a surprise.”

Taehyung’s large, chocolate puppy eyes lit up. “A surprise?” he echoed, a mixture of hope and excitement tinging his tone.

You nodded. “Yep, a surprise, and it’s gonna make everything better, okay? So don’t be sad. I’m gonna go find Jin, why don’t you go and tell Jiminie and Hobi about the surprise?”

Taehyung nodded vehemently, your hands falling from his cheeks as he burst forward to throw his arms around you in a tight hug before retreating and dashing off to find the others. “I will! Thank you, y/n!”

You smiled after him for a moment, before remembering your own hybrid had run out and you needed to find him. You hurried out of the room, making a beeline for the door and immediately going for the stairs once outside. For a cat, Jin didn’t have much stamina, so you honestly didn’t think he would have gotten very far very fast.

Still, that didn’t do much to curb the worry eating at your insides. He was a grown hybrid, a grown man, and could take care of himself, but still…. He didn’t have a collar, and while most people probably wouldn’t care or even look twice, it was something that could cause problems if the wrong people caught sight of him and his bare neck.

Your gaze flew about as you exited the building, trying to think where he could have gone. On a whim, you turned to your left and began down the street, eyes searching every corner and every face, almost desperately wishing to catch sight of those inky ears, to see that long tail peeping out from behind a building.

You tried to remain calm as you went, despite the distant panic that wanted to freeze your limbs in place. It worked for the most part. He couldn’t have gone far, he was probably nearby, you kept reassuring yourself. Honestly he’d just run off to sort through his emotions, it wasn’t like he was running away from home.

Home. You saw it that way— he was your home, wherever you lived it wouldn’t matter if he wasn’t there with you. He was a vital component of your life now, a component you would fight to protect if you had to. You’d wondered if he knew that, if he knew he would always have a place with you and that you wouldn’t trade him for the world, much less want him to leave. Given the current situation, however, it was clear he hadn’t known— he’d been full of doubt the entire time and you hadn’t even noticed. Nothing made you feel worse. You cared for him so much but were so busy organising things for both of your future you hadn’t paid attention to how he was feeling, how he’d become clingier and more anxious each time you left the house. You wanted to curse your own obliviousness, because now he was probably feeling terrible and that was the last thing you wanted.

You hadn’t been walking long, your feet carrying you almost by instinct as you searched, lost in your thoughts. To your surprise, you’d reached the park down the road from your apartment, somewhere you’d frequented a couple of times with the tall feline in question. You began to walk further in, squinting in the low light as you searched for the tell-tale broad shoulders and swishing tail.

A sniffle, soft and barely able to be picked up by your human ears, sounded from your left and you turned, eyes searching. There he stood, arms wrapped around himself as he stared out over the small lake, small tremors wracking his large frame. You bit your lip in regret, wishing you’d paid more attention and reassured him so he wasn’t feeling so bad. Silently, you moved closer until you were slightly behind him. “Jin?”

He started, having been completely enraptured in his thoughts, and spun around with wide, red-rimmed eyes. He seemed to choke on his words as he caught sight of you, mouth falling open. “y-y/n,” he managed to croak, taking a subconscious step backwards.

You panicked, stepping forward quickly to grasp his wrist loosely. “Jin, wh—”

The hybrid’s bottom lip began to tremble at the tender look in your eyes, fresh tears welling in his own and threatening to spill down his smooth cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he blubbered, withdrawing his wrist from you hold. He took another step back. “I’m sorry I’m being like this when you’re doing all those things for me, for my birthday, a-and I’m sorry that I’m, that I’m not…”

He gulped, and the lump rising in your own throat prevented you from saying the things you really wanted to as you stared at him with wide eyes. He continued, sniffing, his ears lowered and tail still behind him. “I’m sorry I’m not g-good enough for you to want to keep. I l-like you a lot and I just want to stay with you b-but I know you don’t want that and I’m s-sorry I’m not en-nough—”

You stepped forward, refusing to listen to any more as you threw your arms around him and pulled him close, cutting him off. He was shaking slightly in your hold, still in shock for a moment before it registered in his brain and his own arms came up to clutch you closer, his face burying in your neck and his tears cascading down your skin, hot and wet.

“Shh, listen,” you said softly, holding him close and rubbing his back as he cried softly. “You are good enough, more than good enough, and I want nothing more than to have you with me for the rest of my life, okay?”

He sniffed, going to protest but you shushed him once more. “Silly kitty, if you’d just waited a half an hour more you’d know why I’ve been out of the house so often the past couple of days. I’m sorry I didn’t notice how you were feeling, and didn’t reassure you— I should have paid more attention. I was just focused on making sure everything was in place for the surprise today.”

Jin sniffed, pulling back with red eyes. “…Surprise?”

You nodded, smiling softly as you brought a hand up to caress his cheek, thumb wiping away the stray tears. “Yep. I had to make sure everything was perfect and sorted so I could surprise you and the others today. I was going to do it at dinner, which was probably only about half an hour away when you left.”

Jin looked sheepish as he sniffled, wiping his face. “Oh... Sorry,” he mumbled, averting his gaze.

You let out a slight laugh, leaning up to press a short kiss to his forehead. He pulled back in surprise, eyes wide as he stared at you in shock, cheeks colouring pink.

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for, Jin,” you said, your hand finding his own and intertwining your fingers. “Now come on, the food should be there by now and I told Taehyung to tell the others about the surprise so they’re all probably dying while waiting for you.”

He let out a soft chuckle, sniffling, and allowed you to lead him back to the apartment, feelings of sadness pushed aside for curiosity about what you’d organised for him.

It didn’t take long to reach your apartment once more, and soon you were entering through the front door, greeted by six eager faces as soon as you stepped foot back in the kitchen and dining room.

“Jin-hyung!” Taehyung wailed as he caught sight of the taller male, rushing forward to throw his arms around him. Jin stumbled back with a surprised laugh, arms coming up to embrace the remorseful puppy. “I’m sorry for making you sad! I didn’t mean to— and y/n said she has a surprise! Please don’t be sad, hyung.”

Jin smiled at the younger male, whose tail was wagging sadly.  “Don’t worry, I’m not sad anymore,” he said, reassuring him with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Your own narrowed in on it, and your lips pursed. You needed to tell him so he knew you were serious— you wanted him in your life and so long as he wanted it too you were going to do everything in your power to keep him in it.

You looked over, noticing the food on the table and meeting eyes with Namjoon as he opened his mouth to explain, “The delivery guys came while you were gone. You should have seen how confused they were to see so many of them from different restaurants.”

You snickered at the thought, vividly imagining the looks on their faces. You were almost sad you’d missed it. “Alright, well I’m sure we’re all hungry, and you guys can’t wait to hear about what we have to tell you, so lets all sit down and dig in, yeah?”

You were greeted by a chorus of enthusiastic agreement as the hybrids dashed to their seats, sliding into them in record timing, and the rest of you followed at a slightly slower pace.

You all dug in, enjoying the variety of food you’d ordered (all Jin’s favourites) and you’d never seen the hybrid with such a look of satisfaction and content on his face as he munch on each dish, eyes lighting up whenever he caught sight of something he hadn’t noticed before. You knew his feelings and the doubts plaguing him were still in his thoughts, and that they would be until you revealed the surprise, but you were glad that for now he was wholeheartedly enjoying the food before him. You knew food was one of the many things he loved and adored.

Dinner finished, and you quickly moved into the kitchen after plates were cleared to retrieve the desserts. The look on Jin’s face as you brought out the cakes and cupcakes with the help of the resident muscle pig was something you wanted to remember forever; the way his eyes lit up, a large smile tugging his lips until he looked positively radiant where he sat, surrounded by the people he loved most and looking at you with such vulnerability and adoration in his eyes it made you heart both ache and swell at once.

You’d lit the candles before and Yoongi had turned the lights off as you moved over to the table, Jungkook and yourself starting to sing, “Happy birthday to you~!”

The others quickly joined and the entire song Jin’s eyes never left yours, and you shot him a bright smile once finished. “Make a wish,” you instructed softly after placing the cake on the table before him, and he closed his eyes, doing as you said, before he opened them once more and blew the candles out in one go.

The resident puppy hybrids cheered loudly, throwing their arms around their favourite cat hybrid and screaming “Happy Birthday, hyung!” in his ears. He laughed, shrugging them off playfully, and you moved your gaze to the other people in the room, meeting their eyes. At their nods you couldn’t help but smile— it was time.

You waited for the commotion to die down a little before you spoke, seeking the cat hybrid’s eyes. “I’m guessing you want to know what the surprise was?” you asked, resisting the urge to grin at how all four of the hybrids perked up.

“Yes!” Jin burst, slightly embarrassed that he hadn’t been able to contain his excitement. You shot him a comforting smile.

“Alright,” you agreed, leaning against the table. Idly, you wondered if you should have cut the cakes before telling them but to be honest you’d been waiting all week to tell them and couldn’t wait a second longer. “Well, as I’m sure you saw, I got a letter a while ago from one of the owners of the building— not Namjoon’s father, in case you were wondering— that said having hybrids on the premises was in violation of the complex rules and my contract. So, I obviously needed to find a solution to this.”

You noticed the hint of fear in Jin’s eyes, the slight trepidation hiding in his expression, and sent him a soothing smile. “Any solution where you had to leave or I had to leave you was unacceptable— you’re so important to me, I don’t want to be living a life without you there to brighten my days and warm my heart. So, I went to Namjoon, and I asked about some things.”

The fear had been traded for curiosity and warm fondness, and you continued, getting to the bit that would hopefully make their night. “And once we had an idea, I went to Jungkook and Yoongi. The reason we’ve all been absent a lot more the last couple of days was because we were signing things, finalising payments and all that. You’re a family, and I know how important that is to all of you, and how much you all miss each other when you’re apart, which is why…”

You took a deep breath, grinning. “Which is why Jungkook, Yoongi and I decided to allocate our money and rent three apartments in one of the buildings Namjoon’s father owns. Which means, starting next week… we’ll all be living together, in three separate apartments on the same floor.”

You reached over and booped the nose of a shocked, wide-eyed feline, the other hybrids looking just as surprised. “You’ll be together again, and you can keep staying with me,” you paused suddenly, growing sheepish. “Well, I mean, that is if you want to— I guess I didn’t ask OH—"

Jin lurched from his seat, throwing his arms around you and hugging you so close and so tight that for a second it was hard to breathe.

“Of course I do, silly human!” he cried, and it took you a second to realise not only did he just reverse your silly nickname for him but he was also literally crying into your shoulder. Your arms came up automatically to return his embrace, holding him close as he wailed. “Of course I do, y-you idiot, the only th-thing I want is to stay with you, and y-you just—”

You laughed, the sound of the other hybrids pouncing on your friends in excitement and Namjoon laughing loudly at them reaching your ears. Jin pulled back, eyes watering, and began peppering soft, ticklish kisses all over your face in an attempt to convey what he was feeling since words weren’t enough. You giggled, unable to help your grin as he stopped only to draw you back in his arms and swing you around. “Are you happy?”

Jin wailed, breath hitching as he sobbed slightly in happiness, “You just told me not only do I get to stay with you but I get to stay with m-my family too, of course I’m happy!”

You laughed, your own eyes tearing up at his reaction. “I’m glad, Jinnie, that’s all I could ever want.”

He sobbed, almost inconsolable, into your shoulder. “Thank you so much, y/n, I-I love you so much. Thank you.”

Your eyes shot wide open, heart skipping four too many beats as his words registered in your ears. He didn’t seem to notice, too taken by his emotions, and you felt your heart swell with affection in your chest, causing a lump to rise in your throat.

The boy in your arms had quickly become the most important thing in your life, and you didn’t ever want to live without him.

With all your heart, you loved him too.

↼masterlist || afterstory

[brideofkylosolo]

Updated Fanfic

I (finally) made the edits to my Adam Sackler fanfic so without further ado, here’s da smut:

Daddy’s Lil’ Monster

Girls fic (Adam X OC)

Adam is madly in love with his new girlfriend Piper and is certain she may be the one.  Things take a sudden turn when he runs into her old boyfriend and their relationship is put to the test when something from her past is revealed.

Warnings: talk of violence/rape, angst, fluffy cuteness, swearing (so much swearing), NSFW

    “Fuck I need to get laid so bad!” Adam whined.  “I swear my nuts are gonna fucking fall off.”

    Brad rolled his eyes at his friends over dramatic moans about his sex life.   He swore, ever since he broke up with Hannah (or was it Jessa?), Adam had become more annoying; not that he wasn’t to begin with.

    “What about Jessa?  Your ex?” he asked as he took a bite of a fry.  “Bet she’d be up for a fuck.”

    “No,” Adam said.  “Jessa and I are pretty much done.”

    “Hannah?”

    “Hell fucking no!  Not Hannah, not Jessa, not ANY of my fucking exes.”

    “Well that leaves out the better part of Brooklyn,” Brad mused.

    Adam shot him a look.

    “Well, face it, dude,” Brad said.   “You do have a reputation of sleeping around and leaving the next day. You’re a certified man whore.”

    Adam glared at him and was about to tell his buddy off when suddenly Brad’s attention went to a girl with black hair with red tips wearing a cute red dress with heels walking up to the counter.

    “Piper?” Brad called out.  The girl turned.  “Hey, Piper! Long time no see!”

    “Brad?” the girl (Piper) said.  “Shit, I thought that was you.  How you’ve been?”

    “Good.  Been keeping busy with work and shit, the usual.”

    Adam pursed his lips together awkwardly as he eyed the girl.

    “Oh, this is Adam Sackler.  I know him from a play I did a few years ago.  Adam, this is Piper Dawson.  We went to college together.”

    The two shook hands.  Piper raised her eyebrows.  “Weren’t you in that play not too long ago at that little theater off Howard Street? Equus wasn’t it?”

    “Uh, yeah I was,” Adam replied.  “You actually saw it?”

    Piper nodded.  “You were really good.”

    Adam blushed slightly and smiled.  “Thanks.”

    Piper returned the smile.  “It was nice running into you Brad but I got to get back to the office. Um, it was nice meeting you, Adam.” She touched Adam left arm and hurried off.  He smiled.

    Brad raised his eyebrows.  He knew that look on Adam’s face all too well.

 *************

    Adam needed something to take his mind of all the shit that was happening.  His audition didn’t go well at all, he nearly got hit by a taxi, he dropped his coffee, and to top it all off, he had forgotten his jacket.  Plus it was starting to rain and of fucking course he forgot his umbrella.

    He grumbled curses under his breath as he walked into the used bookstore, getting a few odd looks from customers.  He quickly darted towards the back and began looking at the shelves.  He really didn’t have any certain book in mind just wanted something to read, to get his mind off this shitty day.

    He crouched down to grab a book on the bottom shelf and a familiar woman with black hair with red tips walked by him looking at the other shelf. Adam paused, looking at her.

    “Piper?” he asked her.

    The women looked at him slightly confused.  Her eyes then widened as she recognized him.  “Adam, right?  Hey, how are you?”

    Adam stood up.  “Doing good. Just, ya know, getting some reading material.”

Piper smiled.  “You look a little wet.”

Adam grinned, blushing a little.  “Yeah I kinda got caught in the damn rain.  Forgot my fucking umbrella.  So, you’re getting some books too?”

“Yeah, just a few,” Piper replied.

Adam cranked his neck to look at the titles in her arms.

“The Handmaid’s Tale, The Uninvited, the Complete Works of H.P. Lovecraft, and How to Be a Woman?” Adam mused out loud.

Piper chuckled and adjusted the pile in her arms.  “Not exactly intellectual reading, I know.  But hey, it gets me through those lonely nights in my apartment by myself.  Well, that and horror movies.”  She looked at the book in Adam’s hand.  “Warm Bodies?”

“Yeah,” Adam said with an embarrassing chuckle.  “I figured the movie wasn’t half bad I might as well give the book a go. Plus, hell, zombies, ya know.”

Piper returned the laugh.  “I hear you. Nothing like a good zombie book.”

Adam thought Piper was definitely pretty.  Fuck no, she was drop dead fucking gorgeous.  Her face was stunning, with pale skin, a cute nose, and sexy lips painted bright red.  Her eyes were a bright blue, and framed by black cat’s eye glasses (was she wearing those the first time he saw her?).  Her jet black hair had deep red tips and was slightly curled; it was pulled away from her face with a hair clip.  She was dressed in simple jeans and a black and white striped shirt that hugged her curves; she wore black Converses and had a black bomber style hoodie.  She definitely had a style all her own and she fucking rocked it.  She didn’t look like most girls in New York.  Fuck, thought Adam.  She looks amazing.

“Hey, if you’re not doing anything later, do you wanna, hell I don’t know, get some pizza or some shit?” Adam asked as he ran his fingers through his shoulder-length hair.  “I know this place not too far here that’s pretty good.”

“Sure,” Piper said with a smile.  “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Adam smiled.  “Great”

Before long they were sitting in a booth in a tiny hole in the wall joint sharing a large sausage and mushroom pizza with extra cheese.  They quickly found out they shared much more in common than the same pizza toppings.  They both loved zombie movies (Night of the Living Dead easily topping both of their lists), had the same weird slightly deranged sense of humor, both loved haunted and abandoned places (Piper couldn’t believe Adam had never heard of the abandoned subway system right in NYC), and they both loved obscure random things (Adam raved about his favorite store near his apartment that he swore sold witchcraft stuff that none of his friends would go into with him).  They also didn’t drink, liked to go jogging, and loved Nathan’s hot dogs (with chili and cheese of course).  Adam told her all about his dream to make it big in New York as an actor (a serious one, not some smuck who did lowbrow stuff).  Piper told him about her love of comics (her favorite writer was Grant Morrison and she LOVED Harley Quinn) and how she was working as a secretary at a travel agency, but only until she got a job at DC comics; she even showed Adam some of her sketches and Adam reassured her she’d be famous in no time (“Fuck, that’s way better than the shit I draw!”).

Before they knew it, the owner was starting to give them looks (had they really been there for over three and a half hours?) and they left.  Neither of them wanted to really go home so they just wandered around Brooklyn, still talking.

“I still can’t believe you saw that play I did on Howard Street,” Adam commented as they walked.  “Shit, I didn’t think anybody went to that.  Plus I was fucking horrible in that.”

“No, you were amazing, really,” Piper said.  “You really brought that guys character to life.  That nightmare scene was fucking amazing.”

Adam blushed with a smile.  He was used to girls (and a few guys) gushing over him, telling him how sexy, and talented he was but he knew those were just hallow compliments made in hopes he’d be eager to fuck them.  Piper’s compliments were real though.  He could tell she was genuine, that she wasn’t just saying things to fuck him. Not that he’d be against the idea.

Piper giggled.

Adam gave her a funny look. “What?”

“Nothing,” she said.  “Just think it’s kind of cute how every time I give you a compliment, you turn about twenty shades of red.  Do people never give you compliments?”

“No,” Adam replied.  “Fuck if anything, I get too many of them.  Yours are, well different.”

Piper raised her eyebrows.

“Fuck I didn’t mean it like that!” he exclaimed.  Shit, not even done with the first date and he was already fucking things up.

Piper just smiled.  “Adam, relax. I get it.”

It was Adam’s turn to raise his eyebrows.

Piper playfully hit his arm.  “Oh shut up, you fucking dweeb!”

The two of them sat on a bench.

“What I mean is, well, my last I guess what you call serious relationship was mostly just, well empty.  The asshole pretty much just wanted to bone me so he said what he’d thought would make me want to fuck him.”  She groaned and shook her head, her curls bouncy on Adam’s shoulder.  “Fuck, can’t believe I just told you that.”

“What do you mean?”

“First Date 101: never tell the guy about your ex or how he wanted to fuck you. Its right up there with don’t tell a guy you want to have babies really soon and that you’re in a cult.”

“Wait, you’re in a cult?”

“Fucking hell!”  She rolled her eyes at him.  “Yes, yes I’m in a cult.  We worship cheese and have orgies while smearing butter on each other.”

“Cheese is pretty good,” Adam remarked pretending to be deep in thought. “Especially feta.”

Piper pinched his side, making him laugh.  “You fucking meatball.”

“Meatball?” Adam repeated.  “Eh, not the worst I’ve been called.”

Piper groaned.  She took his left hand in her right one, her fingers laced through his large ones. She gave it a squeeze and rested her head on his left shoulder.  “Oh, Adam Sackler, whatever is a girl like me to do with you?”

They sat in silence, soon figuring they both needed to get home before more rain came.

“Here’s my place,” Piper said as they stopped in front of nondescript apartment building.  “I really had a great time today.  Thanks for the pizza and stuff.”

“No problem,” Adam said.  God, he so wanted to kiss her but at the same time didn’t want to fuck things up by jumping into things too fast.  What was his deal?  He never missed a chance to make out with a hot chick (no, Piper was not just some random chick, she was special) and eventually they’d end up in her or his bed fucking like rabbits well into the night. Then they’d part ways the next morning over coffee and breakfast with promises to see each other again but they never would since that apparently wasn’t his style.  He was notorious for his one night stands.  But Adam didn’t want that to happen; he wanted to see Piper again.  He wanted to take her to the movies, to all the places Jessa, Hannah and the others didn’t want to go to.  He wanted to just walk around or explore some abandoned place with her, just actually just spend time with her.  He actually wanted a real fucking relationship with her, not his usual “fuck buddies” type.  He never wanted that with any girl he dated.  The fuck was going on with him?

The stood there for a few awkward minutes.  “So, um, there’s this exhibit at a gallery near my work.  Some photographer is showing a few of his pieces. Landscape and buildings type stuff. Do you, um, I don’t know, wanna go tomorrow?”

Adam smiled.  “Yeah, I love to.  I mean, I don’t have anything going on so, so yeah, I’d love to go with you.”

“Great, I’ll give you my number and you can give me a call or text me or something.”

She put her number in his cell phone and he put his into hers.  Piper adjusted her tote bag.

“Thanks again for dinner.”  She stood on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on his left cheek.  “G’night.”  She hurried up the stairs and into the building.

“Night,” Adam called after her.  He grinned as she disappeared behind the building doors, giving him a quick wave as she walked in.  “FUCK YEAH!” he exclaimed as he pumped his fist into the air and headed home.

*************

“Shit, you look happy as fuck,” Ray commented as him, Adam, and Brad walked towards their favorite record shop.  “You finally get your ass laid?”

“Shut up,” Adam retorted as they walked inside the shop.

Brad raised his eyebrow.  “You and Piper haven’t fucked yet?  Damn, I thought you’d be all over her after you ran into her at that bookstore.  That you two be fucking like animals.”

“Piper?” Ray asked.  “You got a new fuck buddy, huh Sackler?”

“Piper is not a fuck buddy,” Adam replied as he started to thumb through a crate of records.  “And not that it’s any of your business, but no, we have not fucked like animals, as you so eloquently put it.”

“Damn, this has to be a new record,” Ray mused.  “Sackler meets a hot chick and three weeks later she still hasn’t rode his cock.  You starting to lose your touch?”

“I’m about to punch you if that’s what you mean,” Adam said as he glared at his friend.

They weren’t wrong though.  Adam and Piper had been dating for over three weeks now and still haven’t slept together. Sure they spent time at each other’s places and even made out on a few occasions but it never went beyond that. And Adam was just fine with that. He was actually just fine with it.

“Yo, Brad!” a voice boomed.

“Oh, hey Chad,” Brad said.  “How’s it going?”

“Not bad.”

“Oh this is Adam and Ray.  Guys, this is Chad Paul.  We roomed together for a bit.”

Chad greeted them with handshakes.  Ray looked like he recognized him but didn’t say a word.

“Say, have you heard from Piper?”

Adam’s ears perked up.

“Piper?  No man I haven’t.”  Brad said. “Why you ask?”

“I just tried texting her a few days ago and she never got back to me. Just wanted to talk to her, see how she is, that’s all.”

“I’m sure Adam can pass a message to her.”

Chad looked confused.  “You know Piper?  Piper Dawson?”

“Uh, yeah,” Adam said.  “I mean, we’ve gone out a few times.  Suppose to have dinner with her later.”

“Oh, so you’re seeing her?” Chad said, his demeanor changing.  “Well, good luck with that.”

“The fuck does that mean?”  Adam asked giving the other man a confused look.

“Well, she’s you know, a sort of crazy type of girl,” Chad replied.

Adam’s gaze darkened.  “I’m not too clear what you mean by crazy.”

“Oh, you know, she tends to exaggerate about what really happened while we went out.  You know how girls are sometimes.”

Ray and Brad exchanged looks.  They knew Adam had a temper like no other and didn’t need, nor wanted to, break up a fight in the middle of a store.

“Anyway, I better get going.”  Chad turned to Brad.  “We’ll have to hit up a Weston’s for a drink sometime.”

“Yeah,” Brad said with an uneasy smile and Chad walked away.

“Well that guy was an ass,” Ray commented.

“What the fuck was he talking about?” Adam asked.

“About Piper?” Brad asked.  “They had a nasty break up.  Something happened.  Whatever, just don’t worry about it.”

    Adam couldn’t help but worry.

*************

    Adam took several deep breaths as he slowly climbed the stairs to Piper’s apartment.  The conversation with Chad was still fresh on his mind and he was trying to work through what he was told.  He soon reached her door and knocked.  Piper soon answered it still wearing her pajamas even though it was well into the afternoon, a fitted blue shirt and matching bottoms.  Her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head.

    “Adam!  Hey, I thought you were hanging out with your friends today.”

    Adam shrugged his shoulders.  “We got done a little early.”

    Piper furrowed her eyebrows at his demeanor.  “Well, come in.  Sorry, the place is a mess.  I haven’t gotten around to picking things up.”

    Adam walked into Piper’s tiny junior apartment, hung his jacket up on the hanging coat rack, and plopped down on her couch, his gazed fixed ahead at the TV; some black and white movie was on the screen.  It wasn’t much bigger than 600 or so square feet but it was roomy enough for her.  Piper’s “weird” style was evident in the various posters of Betty Page and Harley Quinn on the walls amid IKEA furniture made her place seem, well, homey.

    “How has your day been?” Piper asked as she went into the fridge to get Adam a bottle of water.

    “Fine,” Adam said in a flat tone.  “We ran into your ex at the record store.”

    Piper tensed at hearing that news.  “You did?”

    “Chad, think his name was.”

    Piper set the water bottle down on the counter and rested her hands on the edge.  “What did he say?  No wait, let me guess.  Was it that I’m a lying bitch, a slut who can’t get enough dick, or a psycho that needs to be locked up?”  

    Adam looked at her in confusion.  He wasn’t quite sure what to make of Piper’s bold reply.

    “Or was it all three?” added Piper, her fists balling up in a rage Adam had never seen from her.  “That seems to be what he told our friends, or rather his friends when I left him.”

    Adam was getting more confused.  “You dumped him?”

    Now it was Piper’s turn to be confused.  “Yes!  What did you think happened?”

“I don’t fucking know!  That you cheated on him!  That you were married to him! That you’re still married to him!  That you guys broke up and still fuck each other behind my back! You really haven’t given me a whole fucking lot to go on!”

“That I fuck him behind your back?!?!?!  Jesus fucking Christ!  Adam, he raped and tried to fucking kill me!”

    Adam was floored.  “He fucking what?”

    Piper took a deep breath and went into her bedroom.  She returned with a folder and tossed it on the coffee table in front of Adam, sitting down in the blue chair next to the couch.

    “Go on and fucking read it,” she said as she started to cry, not looking at Adam.  Her arms crossed in front of her.  He could tell she was really pissed at him.  He knew something wasn’t right.

    Adam opened the folder and picked up the piece of paper on top. It was a police report.  He started to read it and felt sick to his stomach.  The report detailed how Chad repeatedly raped Piper.  How when she fought him, he punched her, breaking her nose and nearly breaking her cheekbone.  Adam could barely get through all five pages.

    “There’s some lovely pictures in there of me as well,” Piper added in a dead tone.

    Adam saw them.  He felt vomit creep up his throat at the one of Piper’s face.  At least he thought it was her; he honestly couldn’t tell considering how bruised and bloody it was.

    Adam was speechless.

    “He was pissed after I “embarrassed” him at a party,” Piper stated, her tears falling silently down her face.  “He couldn’t believe I would dare yell at him for dangling me over a six-story fire escape in front of his friends.  It’s not like he didn’t know I hate heights.”

    “He went to jail though, right?”

    “For two months.  The fucking judge said Chad didn’t deserve to have his life fucked up over one stupid argument that just got out of hand.  Said I should have just left him the first time he hit me.”  She wiped a tear away.  “Fuck.  I just knew this was fucking going to happen.  I knew that this was all going to go to fucking hell.”

    “What are you talking about?”

    “This.  Us,” Piper said as the tears start to fall faster.  “Every single time I start dating and the guy finds out about Chad or what happened, it’s fucking over.  They just ghost me like I’ve got the fucking plague.  I’m just the fucking crazy ex who lied about what he did to me cause a guy like Chad would never do something like that.  Forget that I had bruises and shit.  Fuck, even most of my friends didn’t believe me when they found out.  I fucking lost everyone.”

    “Babe,” Adam breathed and went to hug her.  Piper stood up to run and he grabbed onto her elbow.  She recoiled at his touch, pulling away from his hand.

    “No,” Held up her hands.  “Just please no.  Just don’t fucking touch me!”  She bolted into her room before Adam could grab her again.

“Piper wait!” he yelled after her as he heard her closet door slam.  

    Adam let out a string of curses and followed her.  He jiggled the closet door but it wouldn’t budge.

    “Piper?” he called to her as he gently knocked on the door. “Come on kid, let me in.”

    “Go away, Adam!” came her muffled reply.  

    “Come on, please?” Adam persisted.

    “Go.  The. FUCK. AWAY!”

    Adam grimaced at her words.  He knew she was hurting and it was starting to fucking hurt him as well. God, he just wanted to hug her, to make her pain go away.

    He leaned closer to the door.  “They’re coming to get you, Barbara,” he said in his best creepy voice.

    “Go fuck yourself, Adam Sackler!”

    Adam rested his forehead against the door with a chuckle. “Ok, I deserved that.”

    Adam turned around and sat at the base of the door, he broad shoulders resting against the door.

    “You know I can sit here all night if I have to,” he casually called out.

    Piper didn’t reply.  All Adam could hear was her sobs.  God fucking damnit, he just wanted to hug her, to tell her he wasn’t going anywhere.  He knew if he wanted to, he could bust the door down and drag her out but given her state of mind at the moment, he decided against that; it would certainly make things a hell of a lot worse.

    Adam sighed and leaned his head back against the door.  “What happened wasn’t your fault, babe.  Chad’s a fucking asshole who deserves to have his dick chopped off and fed to rats for what he did to you.  And those bastards that left you once they found out?  Fuck them too.  Fuck everyone who didn’t believe you or hurt you.  They deserve to rot in hell.”

    Adam closed his own eyes, his own eyes welling up with tears. “Look, I know I can’t erase what happened to you.  Fuck, I wish I could though.  But I fucking promise you one thing: I’m not going anywhere so looks like you’re stuck with me for a while, kid.”  He managed a weak smile.  “I love you. Fucking hell, I love you!  And I honestly don’t say that too often. You’re the best thing to happen to me since, fuck if I know when.  And I fucking swear I’m going do whatever I can for you.  I’m here for the fucking long run, I promise you.”

    The door behind him suddenly opened and Adam fell backwards landing on his back.  Piper was looking down at him with tear-stained eyes.

    “You know the view from here isn’t too bad,” Adam remarked as he looked up at her with a smile.

    Piper returned his smile.  “You are such an idiot, Adam Sackler,” she retorted as she sat back down.

    “But you gotta admit I’m a cute one.”

    She lifted Adam’s head and placed it in her lap, running her fingers through his shoulder-length hair.  “Fine, I’ll give you that.”

    The two of them sat in silence for a while, Piper running her fingers through Adam’s dark hair with her left hand while he held her right.

    “You know that tattoo I was talking about getting last week?” Piper hesitantly said.

    “Yeah?”

    “I got it.”

    Adam flashed a smirk.  “You didn’t.”

    Piper nodded and leaned back, lowering the waist of her pajama pants to reveal three diamonds, one in black two in red on her hip, just above her panty line covered in a clear film.

    Adam turned his head to look at it and his eyes got wide. “Isn’t that what Harley Quin has on her leg?”

    Piper nodded.  “Do you like it?”

    Adam nodded.  “Fuck yeah.”

    “It’s still healing so I gotta keep the clear bandage on it for a little longer,” she explained.

    Adam had never wanted to get a tattoo; he was worried it would hurt his chances of getting certain roles.  Not that he had anything against them though.  He had dated (and slept with) lots of girls with tattoos.  He even found them kind of sexy, to be honest.

    He gently ran his left finger over the image.  Piper winced a little.

    “Does that hurt?” he asked.

    “A little bit.”

    “How about this?” Adam asked then leaned in and kissed it.

    Piper started to hiss but soon moaned at the feeling of Adam’s lips on her skin.  “Fuck.”

    Adam deepened his kiss, Piper starting to squirm a little in pleasure.

    Adam pulled away.  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

    “You didn’t,” Piper replied.

    Adam gave her a funny look.  Piper playfully smacked Adam’s arm.  “Shut up, you weirdo.”

    “Hey, I didn’t say anything,” he said with a chuckle.

Adam reached up and moved a stray piece away from her face.  Piper took his hand in hers and kissed his palm.  She then leaned down and kissed him on the lips. He melted into it, subconsciously pushing himself up.  Piper cradled his head in her hands, her fingers entangled in his hair.  Adam tentatively reached up and cradled her face with his hands, his thumbs caressing her cheek; he started to moan as did she.

Piper straddled him and deepened the kiss.  She slowly raised herself to meet his kiss, balancing on her knees. Adam felt himself getting turned on; very turned on.  He slowly moved his left hand to her lower back and up her shirt, gently massaging her. Piper moaned louder.

Adam pulled away, his breath in short gasps.  “Piper, kid, are you okay to do this?”

Piper nodded.  “Yes,” she whispered.  “I am.”

Adam picked her up and gently carried her to the bed, laying her down on her back.  He gently kissed her on the lips.  As much as he wanted to tear off her clothes and just fuck her with raw abandon, he didn’t want to hurt her, especially after what her last ex did to her.  No, he was going to make sure he didn’t fuck this up; he was going to make absolutely sure he did it right.

Piper reached up and placed her hands on his chest, her touch sending shivers down his spine.   He felt her hands slowly travel to the hem of his t-shirt, pulling it over his head. Adam’s right hand traveled to the top of Piper’s pajamas and slowly pulled them down exposing her pink boyshorts; she arched her back and moaned.  Her hands went to the waist of his jeans and fumbled with his belt.  He felt himself start to get hard, really hard.

Piper slide Adam’s jeans off his hips and ran her fingers up his muscular abs. “Fuck,” he breathed, pulling away from the kiss.

Piper continued to kiss Adam’s jawline, her hands running through his dark hair.  She pressed her pelvis into his.  God, she wanted him so bad.  She reached up and gently touched him through his underwear with her right hand, her fingertips slowly tracing his length.  Adam shuddered and felt himself get harder.

With shaky hands, Adam slowly touched Piper’s hips, his fingers grazing along the hem of her underwear.  He wanted to rip the fabric away but the worry of making her uncomfortable or hurting her prevented him from going his normal fast pace.

Piper slowly reached into his black underwear and ran her fingers along his sex. Adam hitched his breath as the touch sent jolts up his spine; he gripped the sheets.  It felt fucking wonderful.

Piper giggled at his reaction.  She could tell he was eager to fuck her and she was eager to fuck as well.  God, she wanted him so badly.  She gently took his right hand and guided it between her thighs. His large fingers gingerly touched her and she let out a tiny moan.

Adam slowly slipped his fingers past the hem of her boyshorts and the tip of his middle finger touched her nub.  She let out a gasp and arched her back.

“Oh, God yes,” she whimpered as she closed her eyes and gripped the sheets next to her in bliss.

Adam gingerly touched the spot again; Piper let out another whimper and arched her back.  “Oh fuck!”

Adam licked his lips and softly pushed his finger against her bud again sending another wave of ecstasy up her body.  “Oh fuck me!” she moaned.

Adam took a deep breath and softly kissed Piper on the lips, slowly removing her pink underwear.  He carefully positioned himself at her entrance.  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes,” Piper breathless said.

“Positive?  Cause I can stop if you want.”

“For fuck’s sake!  I swear Adam if you don’t hurry up and stick your goddamned dick in me, I’m going to handcuff you to this fucking bed and have my way with you!”

Adam looked at her in slight confusion.  “You really have a pair of handcuffs?”

“No,” Piper huffed as she crossed her arms.

Adam looked at her like he didn’t believe her.

“Maybe.”  Piper covered her face with her hands.  “Ok fine, yes I have a pair!”

“If you really want to,” Adam said, “I’d be ok with letting you handcuff me and, you know, do whatever you want.”

Piper uncovered her eyes and looked at him in disbelief.  “Are you serious?”

Adam nodded.  He held both his hands up and pouted, flashing his best puppy dog eyes.

Piper giggled.  She reached into the bottom drawer of her bedside table and pulled out a pair of plastic, fuzzy pink handcuffs.  Adam lay down were Piper was and she straddled his stomach.  She attached one cuff to his left wrist, raised it above his head, looping the cuff through the metal headboard and attached the other cuff to his right wrist.

She moved down, positioning herself so that Adam’s erection was at her entrance and slowly lowered herself on to his throbbing erection, moaning in pleasure as she settled.  She rested her hands on his stomach and ever so slowly raised and lowered her hips gradually increasing her pace.

Adam nibbled on his lower lip at the sight of Piper riding his length, her head thrown back in bliss.  He swore it was the most fucking beautiful sight he’d ever seen.  He was definitely more the type of guy to take the reins, so to speak, whenever he had sex but holy fucking shit, this was amazing.  He could get used to having Piper ride him cowgirl style real easy.

Piper ran her fingers upwards and rested her hands on Adam’s pecs as she nibbled her bottom lip, her hips moving at a more fevered pace.

Adam balled his fists around the plastic cuffs in pure bliss at the way Piper’s pussy felt around his cock; he soon felt the cheap plastic chain give way releasing his hands.  He placed his hands with the handcuffs still around his wrists on Piper’s hips as she grinded her hips.  “Fuck,” Adam groaned feeling himself come close to orgasm.

She leaned forward and gripped the headboard to get a better leverage, never once breaking her movements.  “Oh god! I’m gonna, I’m gonna…  FUCK!!!!”

Piper let out a throaty moan as she came, her canal tightening around Adam’s erection.  He soon followed, letting out his own blissful moan as he came and came hard.

Piper collapsed on Adam’s chest, trying to catch her breath.  She rolled over onto her back.  “Holy fuck, that was amazing!”

Adam just nodded his agreement his mind still reeling from what very well was the best fuck he’d had in a long time.

Piper gently poked Adam’s face.  “You still alive?”

Adam giggled.  “Yeah, just, holy fucking shitballs, that was fucking incredible.”

    “Yeah, it was,” Piper agreed with a content sigh.  It had been a while since she had a really good fuck. Her luck on the dating front was pretty much shit since most guys didn’t stay long after they found out about her past. The fact that Adam didn’t bolt once she told him had to mean something, right?

    Adam held up his right hand with the broken handcuff still attached to it and let out a snort.

    Piper laughed and dangled Adam’s hand by the broken plastic chain. “Least we got one use out of them,” she said as she unhooked them, tossing them to the floor.

    She snuggled against Adam’s broad chest, breathing in his sweat musky scent.  Adam rested his cheek against the top of her head, gently stroking her hair.  The two of them lay together on the bed, enjoying each other.

    “You hungry?” she asked suddenly.  “I could really go for some Chinese food.”

    “That does sound good,” Adam remarked with a smile.  How did he ever get so lucky to find such an amazing woman?

[memorylang]

Reunions | #29 | March 2020

Fitting, this 29th story from my Peace Corps Mongolia life marks my reunion with our M29s, the senior cohort who taught me so much about how to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. 

From blurred goodbyes with mentors and friends, to an uncertain transatlantic journey, my continued evacuation felt nostalgic, new and every emotion between. In this story, I bring you from my city of service across Mongolia’s north central Khangai region, to pick up fellow Peace Corps Volunteer evacuees on our caravan to the capital. 

With every familiar face I saw, leaving Mongolia felt more and more real. 

Last Sunrise 

Sunday, March 1, I awoke early for my last sunrise in my apartment. 

Next, I went around the rooms, stowing the rest of my needs in my luggage and sweeping dust around the linoleum floors. I felt Mongolians were always tidier than my best. I left aside a few household things I didn’t mind whether they stayed or went. 

As I packed myself snack bundles in the kitchen for my journey ahead, I thought to my summer host mom. She made lunches for my day trips to Дархан /Darkhan/ on Peace Corps business. Those were great. 

Lastly, I heated on the stove my supervisor's remaining бууз /boe-z/ steamed dumplings she gifted at Tsagaan Sar. 

Just then my supervisor contacted me, she was on her way with бууз.

Mongolian hospitality’s the best. 

Sunday Rush 

The moment my supervisor arrived, through the next 45 minutes, was a lightning of activity. 

My supervisor wanted to make sure anything remotely useful to me, we’d stow away for my return. People from the uni were coming to clean the apartment, so she wanted nothing taken. 

I tried to explain I wasn’t sure I’d be coming back, for none of us knew Peace Corps’s situation. But I too wanted to come back. And I appreciated her planning for it. 

A supervisor wouldn’t plan for my return unless she wanted me to come back. 

So stowed away items and helped me complete every last detail needed to secure the apartment. She and one of the school workers showed me how to run thread through putty we pressed onto my closet doors. This way, if someone tampered with my doors that couldn’t lock, they’d know. We stamped the date on one side then pressed my key’s grooves into the other. 

As we wrapped up duties, I handed my supervisor my card for our department and an “Omnibus” student poetry book my training clustermate asked me to give my community. I also gave her some “Laubach Way” to Reading/English textbooks I referenced from teaching English in Reno, Nev., fall 2018. I hoped our department would use these. 

My priest friend from the night before returned, so my supervisor helped me load his vehicle. She insisted I haul this huge bag of snacks with me for my journey. I’d been offering them for others, but I finally acquiesced. I had my backpack, my small IKEA bag, my suitcase checked bag, the food sack and my stranded sitemate’s hiking backpack and camera bag. 

At last, goodbye. Throughout the week I’d ask my supervisor when I should leave my apartment key with her, since there was no use taking it with me to America. She’d told me to hold on to it, so it’s easier when I get back. I wasn’t sure I’d get back. 

During this last visit, well, she asked if I wanted her to have my key. 

The moment felt like an acceptance of this uncertainty. We locked the door. I gave her my key. 

I parted ways with thanks. My priest drove me to my senior M29 cohort sitemate’s apartment. Meanwhile, my supervisor shared in our department’s group chat my card. My colleagues wished me safe travels. I felt disappointed leaving them from just after our Lunar New Year. 

Bittersweet with Final Friends

After that rush, I’d a breather. 

My priest dropped me off by the curb, where a group of my friends gathered. They were from our coffee shop speaking group, including the English teacher who invited me over a couple nights before Tsagaan Sar. I felt touched they came to see me off. They left me with more food, snacks and gifts. 

With selfies and warm wishes, I wished my friends good-bye and came up to my sitemate’s apartment. 

Assembled within were our Peace Corps Volunteers’ long-time engineering friend, his friend, and our eager high schooler who visited me the night before. What a nice bunch. My sitemate related how the kid after receiving my Peace Corps key chain and name tag excitedly told him. Indeed, the kid still wore “Daniel Lang” when I arrived. What a cool lil’ dude. The guy resolved to be my first and last Mongolian visitor. He won. 

The first time I visited my Peace Corps sitemate’s apartment might have been the only time before now. That August 2019, I’d just arrived in town, and he offered up the left-behind M28 cohorts’ things. (That’s where I got the cork board I described in my packing story.) Now my sitemate’s apartment looked bare, save its furniture. 

On to business, my sitemate and I compared when we expected Peace Corps’s driver to reach town. We got different stories, so we called the driver with our Mongolian friends’ help. The driver just picked up our friendly spiritual sitemate from the village in our province over. We reasoned we’d plenty hours before leaving. 

We got squad pics. Beyond handing off keys to the colleagues of our stranded sitemates two or three days before, my friend here and our friends already grabbed a few belongings for our other stranded sitemate. With nothing left to do, we went out to find lunch. 

I loved the light snow flurries, quaintly reminding me of the auspicious Lunar New Year. But we found most places closed around the city to ward off COVID-19. (Mongolia doesn’t drive-through like America.) At least, we found open the bakery I visited the Saturday before with my translator friend. So our group got to-go and headed back. 

I enjoyed the meal. I had the pastry my speaking group friends gave me, plus the new бууз from my supervisor—my last from Tsagaan Sar 2020. They’d pizza. On a thrilling note, Peace Corps Mongolia emailed our flight itineraries. Turns out my sitemate and I’d fly Thursday before dawn. I felt shocked and awed that after Russia we’d come through Germany and the Netherlands! An overnight in New York City seemed weird. By Friday I’d touch down in Vegas...

We got our friendly sitemate’s calls, our driver was in-town. Time to go. 

Picking Up Pals in Peace Corps

I descended the apartment stairs, opened the front door and felt heartened. I'll never forget the Sunday sight of my fellow spiritual Volunteer. Before me was my Episcopalian Peace Corps friend’s delighted face. We’d assembled. 

My friends and I loaded up the white Peace Corps SUV. We strapped my suitcase among the bags up top, while I protected my stranded sitemate’s things in the vehicle. We exchanged small talk while we wrapped up. 

Moments later, our three local friends stood waving by the curb as we pulled away. What a blur. I didn’t catch a photo, but I felt their sight ingrained. 

We had a U.S. Embassy driver instead of a Peace Corps one, which explained why I didn’t recognize him. He had a wonderful sense of humor. With my friend, we shared snacks and compared evacuation stories. He told this wild one of how they almost drove off a cliff! I remembered Peace Corps’ Safety & Security emailed us about snow storms but I hadn’t thought of ‘em. 

We drove across the snowy world’s whiteness to the neighboring province for our next sitemate. As we entered a beautiful forested town, we could see why she hadn’t left her site much. Her village could have passed for a winter resort if tourism ever touched this. 

When we pulled into the yard of basically our sitemate’s host family, her dog barked, and the family welcomed us to tea and Tsagaan Sar food. ‘Evacuating’ felt surreal. I loved this little countryside stop. 

Our journey continued. 

Farewell in Sorrow

We had a mission. 

We headed on to one of our stranded sitemate’s places. Unfortunately, no one had been able to visit her area to pack her things. And like my senior M29 sitemate, she was of that cohort—the one not coming back. 

As we rode into site, I recalled an autumn day trip when my and my sitemates’ party of four came to visit. We cooked together. I wandered out a few hours back then. 

Now the site's covered in snow, and our different party of four came to her apartment with her colleague, instead of her. We forwarded to each other our stranded sitemate’s email of what to pack. Then we got to work, splitting up on rooms to take to scavenging her year and a half’s worth of memories. She helped over video call. 

She was among my Peace Corps mentors. I felt sad coming in and having to rummage her things for her. But if we didn’t, who could? 

We finished. We readied to leave. Then, watching our sitemate over video say goodbye to the colleague she couldn't come back to see in-person, I felt heartbroken. 

But we had to keep going.  

Police State? 

With the Health Volunteers in our car, Sunday, March 1 became the first day I actively heard people calling the creeping Coronavirus crisis a pandemic. 

But as we pulled into police and military checkpoints, the likes of which my priest described, I felt like were entered a police state. Americans and I commented among each other, people in the States would so resist measures like these to quarantine our nation. 

At checkpoints, we needed to show our passports and accept the forehead temperature checks. (If one in our party coughed after the health person walked away, we laughed about our luck.) 

After getting all set at our province border, our vehicle awaited the coming of our neighboring province’s Peace Corps evacuation party. We travel together the rest. 

Avengers Assemble

Fun fact: I naturally tend to frame my life in terms of adventures I’ve read, watched or played through. 

Seeing my old friends again, for instance, under these grave conditions reminded me of every time watching Steve Rogers first step onto a scene in “Avengers: Infinity War.” 

A white microbus arrived. Our fellow Volunteers arrived. 

Stepping out of our vehicle felt like being the Avengers, assembling in Wakanda for our Infinity War. All of us were evacuees. We all left behind our Mongolian homes. And we’d seen better days. But we were together. 

And yet, I felt somber with the sense we’d already ‘lost.’ With a snap, COVID-19 was wiping out half my Peace Corps Mongolia universe. Our senior M29 cohort would undergo their Close of Service. Their service would finish in the capital. But my cohort’s wouldn’t—or it may.

So we were in our Endgame. If we return to Mongolia, it'll be the greatest comeback. But half our Volunteers would still be gone, maybe more. We'd be starting a bit fresh, becoming the new senior cohort. But that'd be our duty—to continue where we and others left off, to keep going.

We shared moments of grins and hugs and small talk. I saw my Catholic friend again, what a guy. Then we re-boarded our vehicles. We left from Mongolia's second-largest city to its third. 

Hometown Snow Storm, That Winter Night

Riding back east across Mongolia, I recalled my previous trips in the country.

Further east, near dusk, we passed a turn off, where another driver head of us turned left. Our U.S. Embassy driver called that driver crazy. I’d been down that way before, during my day trip with Japanese JICA Volunteers to the historic monastery. But there was scarcely a daytime road—I couldn’t imagine getting there with this snow storm and night. 

Further down, we drove through Хөтөл /Khutul/, the soum where many of my Peace Corps cohort friends lived this summer. With darkness and snow all around, I could barely recognize the city of 12,000, beyond its street sign. 

Then we pulled through Номгон /Nomgon/, my Mongolian hometown. 

My senior sitemate and I both trained here, albeit during different years. With blowing snow and darkness surrounding, we couldn't even see the iconic mountain on our right. But to our left, he spotted the green of our school, and we saw the lights of the street-side convenience store beside the red tractor monument. 

We meant to visit home for Tsagaan Sar, before travel banned. I realized, I was the only one from my cluster who got to see our Mongolian hometown during winter. I taped a video of our passing and shared with my host family and training cluster. 

We continued on. 

Between Mongolia’s Largest Cities

At times, so much powder snow blasted across the road, I couldn't even see its edge. But we could see the red lights from the microbus of Peace Corps Volunteers ahead. 

Finally, we arrived in Дархан /Darkhan/, on the dark road that felt nothing like our summer rides in light. We stopped a while somewhere near the city proper’s border, somewhere I recalled from my host family driving me on a summer day trip. 

Besides briefing exiting a train during my winter trip to the capital for a Peace Corps conference, I'd never seen Дархан during winter. 

We stayed in a hotel overnight to wait out the snow storm before continuing for the capital the next morning.

I reorganized my food sack, enjoyed some nibbles. My Catholic friend roommate caught me up more on the peace of our situation. I felt awed, my senior sitemate played a Nintendo Switch. I hoped I could play someone’s back in the States. 

Change of Pace

Monday, March 2, we hurried our bags downstairs and had a quick lamb stew breakfast. 

Curiously, a Volunteer asked to switch from the microbus to our SUV. Cool, I swapped with her. Coincidentally she was the very first I met in my cohort during Staging in Philadelphia last May, before reaching Mongolia. We both gave speeches at our Swear-In Ceremony in August 2019. 

In the microbus were many Volunteers from our senior M29 cohort. I felt (maybe too) elated to see them again. They pointed out they’re processing their abrupt Close of Service—They needed space. 

Within a few hours, we’d hit the capital. Life gained speed, and, of course, I’ve more to share there. For now, though, I gazed out the window at our snow-blanketed world, with my fellow Volunteers in mind. Our lives, theirs especially, were changing fast. 

You can read more from me here at DanielLang.me~

[technohumanlation]

Bedtime Story

So. Y’all made me do this @fangurldayandnight and crew. Enjoy

Izabella believed Cade when he said his goodbye. She believed him when he said that she was family and they would take care of her. While Cade left for England with Bumblebee and Cogman, she was taken back to their junk yard sanctuary.

She also believed the neon green Autobot, Crosshairs, when he told her there would be no bedtime stories. He seemed to be the rough kind. That was fine with her. She was fourteen. She was well past the bedtime story age anyhow...

She wrapped her white and striped blanket around her as she settled into the cushions of a scrap car she called her bed. It was hot during the day but at night it could get chilly. The baby Dinobots were already sleeping soundlessly around her, a little chip or trill escaping them as they slept. Squeaks was around, maybe exploring the junkyard or simply sleeping outside. He could handle himself. He was a brave 'bot.

Izabella smiled, petting baby Slug around his horns. He trilled once before stretching out on the blanket she had provided for him.

"Hey, little J-lo!" There was a sudden loud bag on the car door, startling her from her thoughts. She groaned. She...just wanted to be left alone.

"My name is Izabella!" She seethed hanging her head outside where the back seat window would be. The little once Decepticon now Autobot was standing outside with a mini pizza box in hand.

"Ey, easy little girl. I just thought you were hungry, is all." He presented the box to her. "It's ah, meat lovers. Not too sure what ya like so-."

Izabella's anger dissipated a bit. "Oh." That was nice of him. She took her blanket off and opened the car door, standing outside awkwardly. She took the box, still warm from the microwave.

"Yeah, noticed you hadn't eaten anythin' in a day so..."

"Gracias." She smiled a bit. "Wheelie, was it?"

"Yeah." He was awkward as well. "Look ah, we have a fire going on over by the shop if ya wanna join. We try ta relax, ignoring the fact that the world may end as we know it. We thought it would lighten you up."

Izabella knew they were trying. Cade said they would take care of her. A bunch of war torn misfit Autobots. She took in a deep breath and sighed long and slow. She had to let them try. After all, they were her new family.

"Sure." She nodded.

"Cool, kid. Bring ya Pizza and blanket." He seemed happy in the fact he successfully got her to come out of her shell. The shell being the car.

She wrapped the blanket around her and carried the pizza, awkwardly following him. The darkness of the night gave way to a soft glow of a bon fire. Surprisingly it wasn't a wild fire as she imagined it to be, but calm and gentle. Strangely it was soothing her already.

She saw Drift, Hound, and Crosshairs sitting nearby. She smiled upon seeing Squeaks being poked by Hound in good nature. "-looks kinda badass to me." Squeaks chattered in appreciation.

"He's decrepit. Gotta wipe that 'con insignia off his arm." Crosshairs huffed, arms crossed over his chest as he casually sat atop a gutless truck. Hound was comfortable enough siting on the ground. Drift was as well, sitting cross-legged. He had his chin cupped by a bored hand. Occasionally poking the fire with one of his swords.

"You're decrepit Hound, can't even stand up straight without a grenade popping out of your-"

That's when Wheelie announced his presence. "Hey, hey! Be decent now, there's virgin audios around." He shouted up to him going back to his original spot next to Squeaks. "No matter what they says Squeaks, ya alright ta me." He chirped once in thanks.

Izabella stepped forward. At that moment everyone looked over to her. She wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders. She smacked her lips that suddenly seemed dry and swallowed.

Hound smiled. "Ah, don't worry about him, lil' lady. He's always like that. All bark no bite."

Crosshairs sighed. She could tell he was fighting to say a snide remark.

She offered a halfhearted smile. Quick and awkward. Drift was kind enough to push up a petrified log for her to sit on.

She said a quiet "thank you" before sitting and opening her box of pizza that was now cold. Food was food she supposed, and she hadn't eaten in a long while. Her growling stomach said so.

The little girl was going to take a bite of her pizza but she still felt optics on her. All of them as a matter of fact.

She looked up and they darted their optics this way and that avoiding anything but her. She sighed finally taking a bite.

Drift was the first to speak. "Grimlock ate another cruiser." He said offhandedly.

"I swear he's worse than a dog." Hound grumbled.

"A giant, terrifyin', fire breathing dog. Look, I wasn't there but from what I 'eard from you guys? Prime rode in on that big guy like a fraggin' boss." Wheelie nodded to Squeaks. He chirped in return.

Crosshairs smiled. "Believed in him from the start."

Drift whacked him on the shoulder. "My aft you did."

Crosshairs bobbed his helm this way and that. "I had doubts..." He gave in a little.

Hound took his cy-gar out of his mouth and laughed. "We were fighting by the skin of our teeth!" He pointed at Wheelie. "It was epic."

"Ya don't have skin and yes, I know. You told me the story." He mumbled something about robot dementia.

Izabella went to take another bite of her pizza but paused. She looked up to the conversation that was without her input. "You didn't tell me."

Crosshairs narrowed his optics. "No. no, I know what this is. I told you. No bedtime stories." He grouched.

Izabella rolled her eyes and groaned within her throat. "It's not a bedtime story if it actually happened. Then it's just a story."

Crosshairs cocked his jaw to the side.

"She got you there." Drift offhandedly commented, poking the fire, chin still in hand.

From where he sat, the green paratrooper kicked his arm out from under his chin and growled.

Drift shot him a look, readying his blade against his neck in a blink of an eye. Crosshairs knocked it aside, launched himself at the samurai, and grabbed the mech by the crest of his helm. A few series of unmechly "ow's" left him.

Izabella wrapped her blanket tighter around herself. "Um..?"

Before things could escalate, and they would, Hound stepped in. "Aw, cut it out you two. The girl just wants a distraction. Isn't that why you invited 'er?"

The green mech froze mid punch when Hound said that. He backed away from Drift crossing his arms again, chewing on his dentapick in embarrassing defeat.

"Yeah, he was too pussy to get cha himself." Wheelie smiled.

"No! I thought Wheelie would, ya know, be less, threatenin'."

"Yeah, mhmm, sure." Hound placed the cy-gar back into his mouth, glowing bright like an ember.

Izabella found herself smiling. They were like children. Exactly like them. It was...nice. Crosshairs was nice. Surprisingly. Maybe he was all bark no bite as Hound had said.

"Tell me about Optimus. He sounds cool." She placed aside her half eaten pizza, wrapping the blanket tighter around herself.

"Cool doesn't even describe him." Drift said returning to his relaxed cross legged state. He poked the fire again, sparks flying into the air.

Izabella watched them fly into the dark sky blending into the stars up above.

"Imagine it." Drift started his voice almost a whisper. "The battle was lost, one of many that the Autobots suffered. We were losing the war. Mechs and femmes alike dying, blood, and tears of those-"

Izabella looked away from the sparks, the sight in her mind being ripped away. "No, no, no, cut that crap out. You'll give her nightmares." Hound grumbled.

"Fine, what is it you have in mind?" Drift said in annoyance. He was a rather good story teller. He liked...details in his stories. Details that made the others question his sanity at times.

"Unicorns, fairies, and princesses in a far off kingdom." Crosshairs twiddled his fingers in mock happiness. "Where the prince-."

"Like hell!" There was a wet slap against his leg.

He looked down seeing the half eaten pizza slowly sliding down his calf.

Izabella was still poised from chucking the piece of pizza at him. And she realized two things. One she was dead and two she was very dead.

Crosshairs tilted his helm, optics dangerous. The air was tense. He looked back at her, mouth pressing into a thin line. The others did not dare to move.

"Now, Crosshairs, find you inner peace..." Drift instructed carefully.

He wasn't going to listen to such advice. No one did. Not until finally he sighed and backed away, suddenly thinking otherwise. "Good one, kid." He mumbled flicking it off like it was a dead bug. "Nasty though..."

Izabella sighed in relief with a giggle, as the others laughed. She tried again. "Seriously though. Optimus. From what I heard you guys love him. A hero!"

"I love him." Wheelie commented too seriously. Drift slowly leaned over to look at him, raising an optic brow. "I mean who doesn't c'mon..no homo." Drifted rolled his optics with a groaned sigh.

"We were in Tokyo right? Surrounded by Baldy's wannabe transformers-"

"I heard about that. Saw it on the news. It was loco." She curled her legs up closer to her body. "Something about wanting to excel-."

"Yeah, it was nasty and we rather not get into the details, girl." Crosshairs fixed his cloak before pacing his hands behind his helm, optics offlining. The fire flickered over the inside of his cloak where she saw outlines of weapons and other gadgets she had never seen. And she had seen a few. Hounds voice brought her back from her thoughts. She hadn't realized when he felt her eyes on him, Crosshairs was watching her silently as well. He hummed closing his optics again. She was a curious little thing.

"-He got so upset when Cade, Tessa, and Shane took cover in a cafe made of glass. So pissed. Anyway, Megatron took over his goons and it was a mess. Comin' left and right. We got separated from Prime and these two and all we had was a sharpshootin' Cade and our asses. When one got shot down two more came. It was an ugly 'con shit fest and we had front row seats." He bit on his Cy-gar for a bit.

Izabella blinked. "Megatron was that asshole that tried killing Squeaks right?"

"Oh yeah, can't miss him."

Izabella looked over to Squeaks who shivered at the thought of him. She knew the little 'bot wasn't the bravest but she knew he could be. One day he would have his moment. She knew it.

"Well, anyhow I was runnin' low on ammo and didn't have much to work with. Bee' was pinned down. It wasn't looking good."

"Our ship, stolen from a bounty hunter-"

"Long story." Crosshairs snipped in.

"-Held a few Cybertronian knights; the Dinobots over there."

"The Dinobots? They were Knights?" The teen was doubtful.

"Are." Drift corrected. "Explores and such sent to find new worlds."

Crosshairs sat up using Drifts arm as leverage, optics sparkling. The samurai didn't mind. "Optimus, bein' the crazy bot he is, goes in, frees them, and challenges Grimlock!"

Drift smirks. "He was scared, like a little baby."

"Was not. I wasn't getting killed because Optimus was doing one of those now or never miracles."

"Did he not pull it off?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever he did. Doing his heroic brainwashing stuff." He was no longer laying down but sitting with his legs spread and hands hanging between them as he sat on the hood of the truck/seat. He twiddled his toothpick in thought. "It was pretty awesome."

Drift smiled throwing another log onto the fire.

Crosshairs took over the story, denta pick thrown into the fire. "We were chargin' back to Tokyo, Drift ridin' slug, I was ridin' good ol' Spike over there and Optimus was being Optimus hitching a ride with Grimlock. We charged the city and Decepticons are just run over, I swear." He hit Drift's shoulder.

"Indeed."

Hound took over. The bots were clearly becoming excited and Izabella lightly smiled. This was actually really...awesome.

"Boss 'bot gives the rallying cry and we're all saved. Grimlock melting 'con asses left and right. Optimus choppin' them up. Get him angry enough and he turns vicious. Aw, man you had ta be there. It was epic."

Somewhere along the story telling, Wheelie and Squeaks looked like they had fallen into recharge. However Izabella hadn't.

She smiled to hound. "That's so cool..." She whispered loudly.

Hound still had the twinkle in his optic. "Oh yeah, should tell her about delta con-Z."

Crosshairs perked up. "Oh Hell yes, that one is always a good one ta tell. You weren't there Drift. You were still a stupid 'con."

"Was." He reminded with a flat tone. He looked down to Izabella who was confused and suddenly uneasy.

He could tell she was going to ask the obvious question. To ease her, he lightly smirked and told her it was a tale for another time. And it seemed to be a promise. She nodded. She was unsure but excited. There were so many tales to be heard.

"No, no, no, you blew our cover!"

"No. Bullcrap. I was the cover, skinny." Hound poked his stomach plating.

Drift rolled his optics. "They do this every night. Like to talk bravado." He chuckled poking the fire.

"Oh, and you don't?" She tilted her head.

He shrugged. "Bumblebee is not here."

"Oh." She didn't know what that meant but didn't pry.

The night was stretching on and on and she enjoyed listening to the good natured bickerings of her Autobot family. Drift noticed she liked to stay nearby him watching her friend quietly squeak to himself as he slept. She smiled seemingly to come to peace with herself. She leaned to the side and draped herself across the large log covering her shoulders. She stared into the fire until her lids grew heavy.

Drift tapped Crosshairs on his shoulder to make him aware of her attempting rest. Hound nodded.

Soon the loud bickerings turned to soft gentle snide remarks. And when they knew she finally had slipped into a much needed rest that is when they sighed in relief. Drift poked the fire again.

Crosshairs continued to look at her. "Kid's tough."

"Heard she lost her family to a Deception attack. Came home to no parents." Hound whispered.

Crosshairs remained silent.

"She will be alright. Her spirit is strong." Drift assured.

The conversation died out then. A blanket of silence fell over them. "Where do you think Prime is now?" Hound was the first to break it. He leaned back until he was laying on the ground looking up to the sky.

Drift returned to cupping his chin in his hand.

Crosshairs finally looked away from the little human. "Where ever he is, hope he's still kickin'."

[anamorales]

Friday Faves

Hi friends! Happy Friday! Did you have a good Halloween? What are you up to this weekend? I’m looking forward to taking the girls to see Nutcracker (even though the reviews are terrible), family pizza night, and celebrating Día de los Muertos. I’d love to hear what you have going on!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party. This is where I share some of my fave finds from the week, and always enjoy hearing about the things you’re loving, too. Please join in the fun and shout out one of your faves in the comments section!

Halloween fun:

(Liv was Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas and P was princess Jasmine. My Hocus Pocus shirt is from Etsy!)

(I was Frida for girls’ night but on the actual holiday, time was in warp speed and after getting the girls ready, all I had time to for myself was put on a Halloween tee and jeans.)

(Look at lil EJ! I can’t.)

Halloween was such a blast this year. This is really the first year where I don’t feel like I have a *baby* which is equally tragic and thrilling. The girls and I were able to stay out late trick-or-treating with the fam, there were zero bottles or tired meltdowns, and it was just pure joy. We went to our standard spot in 49ers (we have some family who live there) and as usual, they went ALL OUT. The decor is so extra in the best way possible. My very favorite house was a Pirates of the Caribbean set up. I felt like I was in Disneyland. Check out their bar area!

Apparently they’re notorious for extreme Christmas decorations so we’ll be back for a stroll with hot cocoa in hand.

For trick-or-treating, it was my dad, stepmom, Maxie the Westie (who rode in her dog stroller in a magenta genie costume), Kyle, Meg, Everly, two of their friends and their little guy, Uncle E, and nana. It was a great time. <3

Read, watch, listen:

Check out my latest post for the WebMD blog all about planks.

I’m really into the Hanging out and Relaxing Station on Spotify. I love it when I’m writing because I don’t know any of the songs, so I’m not singing in my brain. As the name indicates, it’s ideal chill music. 

Remember to vote next week!

Well, this was beautiful.

This video comparing 80s moms and today’s moms on Halloween.

Check out this week’s podcast episode with Katy! We’re chatting about Orangetheory, macro tracking, and productivity tips.

How to wake up early to run.

Omg I loved this:

  Fitness fashion + beauty:

My friends at CALIA sent me this amazing full-zip hybrid puffer jacket. It’s so lightweight and incredible warm! I love the construction of the jacket, too. It feels really durable and like it’s well-made. I know I’m going to wear it a lot this winter!

Picked up this pair of APL sneakers in the Victorian Red color. I love them with destroyed jeans, leggings and a sweater, and with my workout gear. They’re very comfortable and I like that the red is a pop of color without being *too much.*

New Beautycounter product alert! I just ordered this moisturizing duo and my dry wintery skin is feeling pretty stoked about it. 

Food + recipes:

Breakfast on repeat: Udi’s gluten-free everything bagels with Kite Hill spread, smoked salmon, and capers.

Ideas for leftover Halloween candy.

Instant Pot soup recipes.

Can’t wait to try these pumpkin collagen bites.

Happy Friday, friends!

xo

Gina

Looking for a workout? Try this November Knockout Workout!

The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Friday Faves published first on https://immigrationways.tumblr.com/

[amazingviralinfo]

Once people become famous, it seems like they only hang around other celebrities and/or rich people -- what could they possibly have to say to peasants like us? So it's no surprise when these glitzy bastards show up at the same clubs together. What is weird, however, is how many celebrities from totally different fields (or even time periods) knew each other before they got famous.

We've told you about how Samuel Beckett used to drive Andre the Giant to school, but that's not the weirdest pair of famous people to share an unexpected connection...

6

Empire Creator Danny Strong Was A Fan Of Quentin Tarantino ... When He Was Just A Video Store Clerk

Danny Strong was one of those "you know, that guy" TV actors (thanks to appearances in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, and a long etc.) before gaining huge success as the creator of Fox's hip-hop soap opera, Empire.

Strong also wrote the screenplays for The Butler and two Hunger Games movies. Dude's had a pretty weird trajectory, is our point -- but it gets even weirder when you find out how he became a film buff in the first place. When Strong was a kid, he would go into the local video store and have long conversations with a clerk who "got [him] turned on to all these different movies that 10 year olds don't see." (As in, art films, not hardcore porn. We think.) That clerk's name? Albert Einstein.

Fine, it was actually Quentin Tarantino.

As we've mentioned before, Tarantino got his start in the movie industry by working at that same rental store. He was known for his infectious enthusiasm for movies, and patient zero of that outbreak might very well have been the young Strong. The kid used to spend so much time at the store, in fact, that he earned the nickname "Lil' Quentin."

One day, Tarantino was gone from the store, and it came out that he was making a movie. That movie's name? Albert Eins-- uh, Reservoir Dogs. Two years later, he'd win an Oscar for Pulp Fiction, and Strong got to tell people he was a fan of that guy before anyone else. We'd tell you to be nice to your video store clerk, but half of you are now asking Google what a "video store" even is.

5

Wyatt Earp Hung Out With A Teenage John Wayne

Wyatt Earp was one of those guys who wasn't satisfied sticking to one job for too long -- over the years he was a lawman, buffalo hunter, brothel keeper, miner and boxing referee, among others. But obviously he was best known for being an infinitely badass cowboy dude.

Earp took part in the most famous shootout in the history of the American Wild West, the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral -- a 30-second gun battle that has inspired dozens of feature-length films. What you might not realize is that, unlike most people involved in that event, Earp lived long enough to see the earliest movies inspired by his exploits. Naturally, he wanted in on that action.

Towards the end of his life, Earp settled in California and tried to break into Hollywood. Perhaps noticing an alarming lack of westerns where his character was always surrounded by naked ladies, Earp decided he wanted to tell his story from his own perspective. Unfortunately, the closest he got was reportedly a background part in a single scene of an obscure 1915 film.

On the upside, Earp did get to befriend some Hollywood actors -- including a 17-year-old nobody called Marion Morrison. You might know him under his somewhat manlier fake name, John Wayne.

While hanging out on movie sets, casually choreographing historical gunfights for directors like John Ford, Earp would share stories from the Wild West with the actors. The future Wayne, then a lowly extra/prop man, soaked them up. He also paid close attention to the way Earp talked and carried himself. It was like if Elizabeth Taylor had gotten to travel back in time and have brunch with the real Cleopatra, or if Ben Affleck could shoot the shit with the real Batman.

Obviously, those anecdotes came quite handy to Wayne once he went on to star in westerns of his own -- to the point that, according to his son, whenever Wayne had to play a tough cowboy, he just channeled Wyatt Earp. So, he did that for 95 percent of his roles, basically.

4

John Belushi Was Once Bailed Out Of Jail By Personal Finance Guru Suze Orman

Suze Orman, if you've never accidentally tuned into CNBC just as the remote ran out of battery, is one of the most successful professional assholes to tell you how to spend your money. She's famous for giving out generic financial advice while yelling "denied" and other catchphrases that may or may not have come from Wayne's World.

John Belushi, on the other hand, was one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live and the star of comedy classics like Animal House and The Blues Brothers. He's famous for doing a shitload of drugs.

How the hell could two human beings so radically different possibly come together? The answer, of course, is through the magic of college housing. While attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Orman ended up rooming with a girl called Judith Pisano, who in turn brought along her boyfriend/future husband, John Belushi.

Long before Orman went on TV to tell people what to do, she would practice her craft on Pisano, advising her to dump Belushi. Pisano recalls that Orman would ask "What are you doing with this guy?" and often expressed doubts about his possibilities of making it as an actor. We like to imagine that Belushi was chilling on the couch eating pizza as she said that, and didn't give a fuck.

Now, to be fair, Belushi did run into problems -- like when he was taken to jail after accumulating an impressive amount of unpaid parking tickets.

Belushi was so broke that he was unable to cough up the $25 bail, and Pisano couldn't ask her parents for help since they didn't know she was living with a dude. So, Belushi had no choice but to ask Orman to have her dad bail him out of jail. Mr. Orman did that and Belushi paid him back with some tickets to see his improv comedy group. It was the closest thing to money he had.

Interestingly, Orman has retroactively developed a much kinder opinion of the late Belushi now that he's a comedy legend: On her site, she writes that he was a hilarious guy and the three years she spent with him and his girlfriend were "quite the adventure." Presumably, her dad is now richer than her from selling those tickets on eBay.

3

Sherlock Holmes' Creator Thought His Friend Harry Houdini Had Real Magic Powers

The relationship between Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes) and Harry Houdini (professional death-cheater) was the opposite of what you'd expect from their job descriptions. Doyle wrote stories about taciturn detectives solving crimes through reason and logic, while Houdini was a showy illusionist whose name is synonymous with magic -- and yet, Houdini was the skeptic and Doyle the one who wouldn't shut up about how fairies are totally real, you guys.

The two first met in 1920, and established an unlikely bromance over their shared interest in spiritualism (as in, communication with ghosts, not a fanaticism for strong alcohol). Doyle had long been a believer in the idea that there was life after death, even more so after his son died in World War I. Houdini, on the other hand, wanted to believe that it's possible to chat with the dead after his mom passed away, but just couldn't. He knew how easy it was for bullshit artists to fake a seance -- mainly because he'd done it himself, when he was young and needed the money.

Doyle and Houdini's different positions regarding ghosts and magic caused friction between them. Houdini would perform simple vaudeville tricks to prove that anyone could fake that shit, but they only convinced Doyle that his friend was some sort of powerful psychic or X-Men. One time, out of boredom, Houdini held up his hands and pretended to remove the end of his thumb and then reattach it. Doyle was astounded and his wife nearly fainted. Apparently, the most successful detective books of all time were written by a dude with a kindergartner's stimulus threshold.

As Doyle spent more and more money trying to prove ghost-talking was a real thing, Houdini made a second career out of exposing the same frauds his friend was falling for. Their relationship finally collapsed after Doyle's wife claimed she'd been able to contact Houdini's mother during a seance, producing 15 pages of perfect English from beyond the grave. Houdini wasn't too impressed, since his mom was a Hungarian immigrant with the mastery of English of a YouTube commenter.

2

Alexander Graham Bell Was Like A Dad To Helen Keller, Paid For Her College

Helen Keller is the woman who lost her ability to see and hear at 18 months, and still led a way more badass life than any of us ever will. If we asked you to name a historical figure Keller definitely had nothing to do with, some of you might say Alexander Graham Bell, that one dude who gets all the credit for (sort of) inventing the telephone. It seems like a phone is about the most insulting gift you could get for someone like her.

And yet, Bell wasn't just a friend of Keller's: He was one of the most important people in her life. Bell's close family was basically half deaf people and half people who had done research into voice. Bell himself taught deaf children to speak using a set of old-school emoji, basically.

Wiki Commons This is the process for communicating "poop with eyes."

So, when Keller's parents decided to take the little girl to specialists to see if she could even be educated, they ended up with Bell. Keller later wrote that she "loved him at once," which is surprising given that she couldn't even see his Santa beard.

Library of Congress "I'm most famous for creating an invention that is utterly useless to you."

It was Bell who referred Keller to Anne Sullivan, the woman who taught her how to communicate, but his influence didn't stop there. The two visited and wrote to each other all the time, and Bell even paid for her college education. (We apologize for making any dropouts feel bad by reminding you that Helen Keller finished college.)

Keller gained celebrity status after Bell gushed about her accomplishments in various journals. She, in turn, dedicated her first autobiography to him and attracted national attention to deaf education, an issue very close to Bell's heart. He would even go on to marry one of his deaf pupils (not Keller, thankfully, because then the newspapers would have started calling them "Beller.")

Besides deafness, another common interest that Bell and Keller shared was ... eugenics, but that's a subject for another, far more depressing article.

1

The Major Heads Of State Fighting In World War I (Except France) Were All Cousins

Remember the time when England, Russia, France, and their buddies fought Germany and its buddies in a giant free-for-all? No, not that one. The other one. We're talking about World War I, or as it was known at the time, The Only World War We'll Ever Have, Probably. Arguably the three most important figures in the conflict were Tsar Nicholas II (last Emperor of Russia) and King George V (King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions) on one side, and Kaiser Wilhelm II (last German Emperor and King of Prussia) on the other.

And here's the weird thing: All three happened to be first cousins.

This wasn't some cut-off, dysfunctional family, either. The cousins/heads of state frequently wrote to each other and hung out, unlike you and that cousin you borrowed some Nintendo 64 games from and have been avoiding for 20 years. Although all three of them were rarely seen together, George (the English boss) and Nicholas (the Russian boss) looked so much alike that they were often mistaken for each other. We have to assume this led to Parent Trap-style shenanigans when they were kids.

The cousins all had the same grandmother, Queen Victoria, but their amiable relationships couldn't stop the most catastrophic family feud ever. In the historic "Willy-Nicky" telegrams (yes, they had embarrassing nicknames for each other), Nicholas wrote to Wilhelm on the literal eve of battle and asked in the "name of our old friendship to stop your allies." Wilhelm replied, "with regard to the hearty and tender friendship which binds us both from long ago with firm ties, I am exerting my utmost influence to induce the Austrians to deal straightly to arrive to a satisfactory understanding with you." Presumably he was giggling to himself as he wrote that, because the conflict continued -- the two cousins would soon be not only at war, but also off their thrones.

As for George, he offered Nicholas asylum after the war, but George withdrew the offer for political reasons, forcing his cousin to stay in Russia, where his whole family was executed. That's one way to avoid awkward family dinners, we guess.

Rachel P. is not famous yet, but you can make it happen. Follow her Twitter @plehcar.

For more famous connections, read The 7 Most Random Celebrity Duos Who Hung Out Before Fame and 8 Weird Ways Celebrities Were Friends Before Fame.

And be sure to check out 9 Types Of Coworkers To Make You Want Your Head To Explode, and let us know about other headsplosion-worthy employees we may have missed.

Follow us on Facebook, and let's be best friends forever.

[anamorales]

Friday Faves

Hi friends! Happy Friday! Did you have a good Halloween? What are you up to this weekend? I’m looking forward to taking the girls to see Nutcracker (even though the reviews are terrible), family pizza night, and celebrating Día de los Muertos. I’d love to hear what you have going on!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party. This is where I share some of my fave finds from the week, and always enjoy hearing about the things you’re loving, too. Please join in the fun and shout out one of your faves in the comments section!

Halloween fun:

(Liv was Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas and P was princess Jasmine. My Hocus Pocus shirt is from Etsy!)

(I was Frida for girls’ night but on the actual holiday, time was in warp speed and after getting the girls ready, all I had time to for myself was put on a Halloween tee and jeans.)

(Look at lil EJ! I can’t.)

Halloween was such a blast this year. This is really the first year where I don’t feel like I have a *baby* which is equally tragic and thrilling. The girls and I were able to stay out late trick-or-treating with the fam, there were zero bottles or tired meltdowns, and it was just pure joy. We went to our standard spot in 49ers (we have some family who live there) and as usual, they went ALL OUT. The decor is so extra in the best way possible. My very favorite house was a Pirates of the Caribbean set up. I felt like I was in Disneyland. Check out their bar area!

Apparently they’re notorious for extreme Christmas decorations so we’ll be back for a stroll with hot cocoa in hand.

For trick-or-treating, it was my dad, stepmom, Maxie the Westie (who rode in her dog stroller in a magenta genie costume), Kyle, Meg, Everly, two of their friends and their little guy, Uncle E, and nana. It was a great time. <3

Read, watch, listen:

Check out my latest post for the WebMD blog all about planks.

I’m really into the Hanging out and Relaxing Station on Spotify. I love it when I’m writing because I don’t know any of the songs, so I’m not singing in my brain. As the name indicates, it’s ideal chill music. 

Remember to vote next week!

Well, this was beautiful.

This video comparing 80s moms and today’s moms on Halloween.

Check out this week’s podcast episode with Katy! We’re chatting about Orangetheory, macro tracking, and productivity tips.

How to wake up early to run.

Omg I loved this:

  Fitness fashion + beauty:

My friends at CALIA sent me this amazing full-zip hybrid puffer jacket. It’s so lightweight and incredible warm! I love the construction of the jacket, too. It feels really durable and like it’s well-made. I know I’m going to wear it a lot this winter!

Picked up this pair of APL sneakers in the Victorian Red color. I love them with destroyed jeans, leggings and a sweater, and with my workout gear. They’re very comfortable and I like that the red is a pop of color without being *too much.*

New Beautycounter product alert! I just ordered this moisturizing duo and my dry wintery skin is feeling pretty stoked about it. 

Food + recipes:

Breakfast on repeat: Udi’s gluten-free everything bagels with Kite Hill spread, smoked salmon, and capers.

Ideas for leftover Halloween candy.

Instant Pot soup recipes.

Can’t wait to try these pumpkin collagen bites.

Happy Friday, friends!

xo

Gina

Looking for a workout? Try this November Knockout Workout!

The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Friday Faves published first on https://immigrationways.tumblr.com/