#Also not trying to speak over black voices here. If this isn't my place lmk.

[twosides--samecoin]

I wish Maximus was allowed to exist as a character exploring/unlearning the institutional toxic masculinity of the Brotherhood without the racism he's introduced to us with.

The world asks of you to be tough. It pushes you down and takes everything you know and love. So you join up with whoever makes you feel strength, whatever institution makes you feel like there's a way to fight back. And if you conform, maybe someday you could be the powerful guy in the suit.

Maximus grows up in the Brotherhood of Steel as one of the only people of color at his camp. In exchange for an education and bare necessities, the Brotherhood requires of him to conform. He's introduced being beat up by a bunch of white people. He's shown tasked with digging latrines. Seriously, what the fuck? He's passed over for Scribe and he conspires with Dane to trade roles, something that happens by Maximus using violence and asserting his oath and conformity to his (white) Elder enough that he is given the role. And then he learns that there's no glory in the suit; it doesn't make him powerful.

And I like Maximus a lot! I want to see him grow and to keep breaking away from what the Brotherhood has taught him. But I think his arc could have been explored the same (including exploring otherness within a white and patriarchal society) without some of the gratuitous parts of what he's put through.

[starrywooyo]

treasure: seven.

synopsis: when y/n gets whooshed into an alternate universe, an adventure: one with pirates and monsters and much, much more

pairing: ot8! pirate ateez x fem! reader

genre: pirate au!!

!!warnings(per chapter)!! - [bellow cut!] poison, blood, knifes/daggers, guns, stitches, stabbing,kissing + implied smut

notes: ooooh!! again finally an update!! i tried to make it longer this time so i hope you enjoy and i'm sorry to say that next chapter will also be the last chapter 😭 dw though!! there's still things in the works for this book 👀👀

word count: 5.1K

taglist: (if you want removed or added to the list please lmk)

@toxic-babexe , @sunnyhokyu , @cambriel , @lelaleleb , @acescavern , @meowmeeps

if if missed anyone again just let me know!

series masterlist | main masterlist

previous chapter | next chapter

previously:

You sit yourself in the quiet and peaceful for a bit looking up at the stars.. Occasionally looking at the darkness of the ocean below from your viewpoint.  

You hear the crunching of the ground in the distance

“Sorry I kept you y/n.. I’m back” he says and sits beside you again.

…

Meanwhile back in camp dinner is ready, seonghwa tells wooyoung to go get both you and yunho so he goes to yunho's tent.. He's not there and he visits yours. You of course are also not there.. hmm

He returns to where everyone is sat around a mini fire and explains to seonghwa 

“Hwa.. yun and y/n.. they're not here” he tells the elder.

Seonghwa with a slight frown begins “what do you mean they're not-” 

Before he can even finish that sentence, Yunho's bursting through the clearing, panting heavily. He's covered in muck and is bleeding from his forehead 

“He got her.. Ha.. he got her” he says between pants trying to catch his breath.

“Who?”

He looks hongjoong right in the eye

He takes a shaky breath 

“The other me”

… 

“Sorry I kept you y/n.. I’m back” he says and sits beside you again.

“Took you long enough” you laugh and turn to look at him

Yunho’s already looking at you. there’s something strange about him, he drapes the blanket over your shoulders and you pull it tighter to yourself, thanking him. 

You sort of glance at his hands and you notice his knuckles are kinda busted and bloody..

You ask him about it to which he brushes it off as ‘nothing to worry about’ that should’ve been your first red flag..

Brushing it off though you take the telescope looking through it looking at the stars

“Hey yun.. What's that star there??” you ask

“Hmm? Let me see” and he takes the telescope from you

“A-aah that one? Hmm, isn't that the north star?” he says only you know that's not the star at all.. Alarm bells go off in your head as you quickly stand

“Shouldn't we be getting back? I-i'm sure Hwa’s finished making the supper” yunho stands as you say this, your nerves clearly showing

“What? But y/n.. Don’t you wanna watch the stars with me?” he asks but when you only continue to walk backwards he sighs and bends down picking up his hat? And placing it on

“You.. you’re not yunho” you speak.

“But I am,” he replies, walking closer to you. You shake your head in disapproval.

“Not my Yunho” your back hits a tree behind you.

He laughs, finally reaching you, placing his hand next to your head on the tree.

“We'll, aren't you a smart one? Hmm?” He smiles sickly. “Don’t worry, this won’t hurt a bit.. The poison might though” he says. And before you know it he’s stabbing your side with a small blade, your hands fly to your side, blood staining everything. “W-why?” your voice is small, you suddenly feel dizzy, your head falling into his chest, before your legs are giving way and you fall to the ground and the last thing you see before your vision going black is him towering over you, a smile on his face.  

… 

“AND YOU LEFT HER ALONE!!??” 

“Joong.. Don't shout at him..” seonghwa tries to calm him down

“Do you think for a moment that if I knew they were here too that I'd leave her by herself!!?? I didn't know hongjoong!!'' Yunho tries to also calm the captain down yet at the same time argues back..

sprinting to the cliff area where they hope you're still there.. But they're not so lucky once they come to the clearing at the cliff. 

Suddenly the peacefulness of the overlook is shattered with yells of your name. Each pirate screaming your name hoping for an answer or something, anything to know you're okay. 

Luck again isn't so lucky… 

There's a gasp..

“Captain!!” 

Everyone turns to face wooyoung and their hearts drop, he stands there holding a dagger with blood staining the blade.. It's fresh. 

“Fuck”

…

Slowly your eyes blink open.. You hiss due to the sudden light, you try to sit up but the sharp pain in your side stops you from doing so, your hands shooting to hold the area.

There's a chuckle.

“Careful there.. Don't sit up yet stupid, you got a nasty stab wound ‘ere plus i doubt the poisoning is any better” you hear the faint scratching of quill on parchment 

Your eyes drift around the room until they land on the familiar figure sitting on the seat just a little ways from the bed you lay on.

 “H-hongjoong?” you ask

He chuckles again and looks up from what he’s doing.

“Yes, precious? How’re you feelin? D’you need me to go get San, actually i will, he should give you a once over just to be sure” he says standing from his chair. Stretching his limbs with a pop. beginning to make his way to the door.

Slowly your memories of the pas incident come back to you all at once

“Y-yunho.. He stabbed me..” you say in disbelief. 

He stops.

“Yeah, he did precious” he looks at you “i’ll explain it to you once san checks over you.. You've been knocked out for 3 days” he says whilst also telling you he'll be back soon. 

 San checks over you whist hongjoong observes quietly.

“so ?” he asks once san begins to pack his med-utensils away.

“She should be fine.. Just a little groggy and maybe a little out of it whilst the last effects of the poison gets out of her system and then of course pain where the stab wound is as it heals but for now it seems to be healin’ well, stitches are doing their job” he says and gives you a small smile.

Hongjoong seems to sigh from relief.

“Good, thank you san, you may go.” he said and said male exited the room.

He pulls up a chair to sit in front of you.

“So.. d’you think you're ready to know what happened and why?” he asks

You look into his eye

“You’re gonna have to tell me so I'm not afraid of yunho”. You say.

He nods his head slowly. “Very well”

“It may be a lot to take in but you need to know the truth.. No more secrets..

 The yunho who stabbed you looks identical to our yunho right? That's because he is. Each of us, Seonghwa, yeosang. San, mingi, woo and jongho and I included all have someone who's more so an identical copy even you.. Only those imposters aren't from this world precious.. They're from another universe much much different from this one, they call themselves halateez. their leader; the other me. He’s psychotic. He was madly in love with the you in that universe, you were his everything. He’d do anything for you or her sorry.. But the creatures that roamed that earth took her from him. And love? He’ll do just about anything to get you-her back. That's why i.. that we need the cromer device to send them back to that universe. Only when we were saving you from the trap they set.. They stole our map straight to the location of the cromer and we need that back before they try to steal you away from us.” he says and you try your best to take it all in

“wait wait- so let me get this straight. another version of you from a whole other dimension is trying to practically kidnap me and take me back to his dimension because the other me whom he was in love with or dating died??”

“Pretty much love… yes.” he says. Taking your hand in his and gently rubbing the skin.

You sigh out. “ and you didn't think to tell me this when i saw that creepy you in his creepy outfit that day in that town!!?” you see his eye slightly twitch

“I didn't think it was necessary love.. We had the map. Wasn't expecting you to get stabbed and for the map to be stolen.” he says.

“We need it back.. But do you think you're able to come with us to steal it back?? We need to distract their captain somehow” he adds with a smirk on his face.

You nod. “I’ll do it”

He smiles standing.

“Good. we leave at nightfall” 

… 

The forest is quiet.. Maybe a bit too quiet as you make your way towards the camp where the other crew takes refuge. 

Hongjoong raises his hand once you get to a small overlook everyone stops in their tracks.

Getting low to the ground to avoid being spotted he motions you over. You get into the same position. His hand resting on your lower back. 

He points to one of the larger tents. “That one’s the captain's tent. You should find the map in there somewhere. We’ll be keeping watch from up here and if we see them coming back we’ll give a signal or i’ll come get you precious don't worry” he says seeing the worried look on your face. “I'll walk you close enough before returning here, okay. Plan. go!” he says and everyone gets in their positions. And you walk beside hongjoong through the trees down the slope a little ways. 

“This is where I leave you precious,” he says as you nod your head at him.

“I’ll get your map back don’t worry joong” and you begin to walk away.

He quietly gasps air getting stuck in his throat as you walk away

“please .. please be safe.” he says with desperation in his voice.  

You eventually get to the edge of the forest before the camp, you eye your surroundings.. No ones there and it's quiet.. Again.. Too quiet. It's just a straight beeline towards the tent but it seems too easy. You walk slowly but quickly and you reach the opening of the tent. Turning back you look up to the overpass and see them watching intently hongjoong lifting his hand to give you a thumbs up as the go ahead. 

You peep into the tent slightly.. Empty.. Thank god. Taking a deep breath you enter.. The fabric flaps falling shut behind you.

The tent is dimly lit by lanterns, a makeshift table in the centre and crates and chests all around areas of the tent. You let out a deep breath, hopefully it won't be too difficult to find the map, and so you begin your search.

You go through papers, books and parchments anywhere where you think the map could be hidden or being kept. 

You're going through a chest shifting through the contents and you stumble across a tube with a symbol of an A in a red circle and a drawing of an.. hourglass?? That must be it!

 turning the tube you see very faint markings of what seems to be cromer written on the tube. You stuff the map inside your little pouch bag.

“y/n..?” you hear your name being called with a gasp

You turn to face the voice..

“Is.. is that really you?” hongjoong says.. No! It's the other hongjoong.

You whip out the small dagger attached to your belt on the side.

“S-stay back!” you aim the blade towards him.

Immediately he throws his hands up to show you he's no threat..

“y/n.. Come on..” he says “it's me.. Put the knife down, you don’t need to use it.” he says, stepping closer.

“Stop” you say more firmly “don’t come any closer.”

He takes a breath.”okay.. Okay. just relax” he says.

“Me.. relax!? I know who you are..”you say.

Hongjoong looks at you, confusion flashing on his face

“You’re sick! Do you really think just cause i look like your dead lover i'd go with you and fall in love with you? You really are psychotic.” you say venom lacing your words.

“y-y/n what?” he says in shock.

There's another laugh.

“That's right love.. Tell him straight”

His head whips towards the sound of the voice

“You.” he says disgust drowning his words

He ignores him “did y’get it love?” he asks and you nod slightly tapping your pouch.

He smirks “good.. Lets go love” he says motioning you towards him “don’t worry he’d be stupid to try something on you” he says opening the tent and making his way out. You follow him

“Woah- d’you really think im just gonna let you leave with that psycho!?” the other hongjoong says and grabs your wrist. You immediately rip your wrist from his hold and plunge the dagger into his shoulder.. Deep. “don't touch me!” you shout at him

He stumbles to the ground letting out a breath of pain, hand immediately going to his shoulder blood dripping from the wound staining his shirt and hand knife still protruding from his shoulder. 

He looks up at you tears brimming his eyes 

“y-y/n” he sobs out, in shock. 

You do nothing but glance over him in disgust and leave with hongjoong. The tent flaps closing over once more. 

…

With the map back in your possession, the crew make it back to the ship and begin the preparations for the journey to the island which holds the cromer. 

Everyone scurries across the deck, hongjoong barking orders left and right before he shouts for the sails to be dropped and then the ships setting sail to the horizon. 

It's just days of ocean and water as far as you can see and you’ll be honest you’re getting bored and have taken to wandering the ship. Bothering the crew when doing their duties.. 

You started with seonghwa bothering him when he was manning the wheel in hongjoong’s absence and continuing your bothersome ways following him to the kitchen as he prepared lunch for everyone to which he quickly sends you on your way to hopefully lessen his headache..

You then move to bothering yeosang in his study, you end up distracting him so much from his work that he also sends you on your way, you knew better than to disturb san so you avoided entering his medical study.. You find mingi sharpening blades to which you tried to help him but you just couldn't get the hang of it.. Sighing dejectedly you put the sharpening tool down and thank mingi for at least trying to help you with your boredom.. 

You can’t find woo anywhere and there's no way you’d try to find jongho after the last encounter on the beach.. So you go towards hongjoong’s room or the captain's quarters you should say. 

You knock on the door and here a light “come in”.. pushing open the door you see him just like the first time.. Sat hunched over the table seemingly hard at work.. Only this time instead of getting mad at you he smiles upon seeing you

“Ah.. y/n love come in” he says looking briefly back at the papers on the desk.

“A-are you busy?” you ask him 

He sighs out

“I am love yes..” before he could continue apologising for disrupting his work and say you’ll take your leave, before you can even open the door he grabs your wrist  gently tugging it from the handle and slightly pinning you to the door

“Never too busy for you though.. love” he says in a hushed tone.

It would be lying to say your heart did not race at his words, your breath getting caught in your lungs.. A fact that even he doesn't miss a soft smile graces his lips before he pulls himself from you 

“Crew tells me you've been bored today,” he says, making his way to a smaller table in his room. 

You sort of groan at his words.. Of course they'd tell him you were being a pest today.. 

“Tell me my love, d’ye know how to play?” he asks, gesturing to the wooden chess board that lays upon the table.    

“I do..” you respond, making your way toward the table, having played with your grandfather countless times back home when visiting them.. You sit on the little stool at the table.

 Hongjoong also sits down 

“Wanna challenge me?” he asks, tilting his head. “Winner gets the other to do something for them? loser has to do it, no questions asked?” he adds, hand outstretched for a deal

You hesitate at first but agree.. Surely it won't be too bad if he wins.. 

You take his hand in yours and shake. And begin the game: moving the first pawn on the checked board.

… 

“Checkmate love~” hongjoong says as his queen corners your king.. No place you move will save him, you sigh.

“I win” he says quietly, taking your king piece and laying it on its side. 

You peer up at him through your lashes. 

“Okay.. what do you want me to do”

He seems to be in thought for a moment before looking directly at you.

“I'll keep it for another time” he says cheekily 

You look at him, pout on your face “when?” you ask

“Ah ah.. Believe me.. You’ll know when I use it” he says tutting. 

And you’re left wondering what it'll be he’ll ask you to do for him

… 

5 days. 5 days is how long it takes for you to arrive at the island located on the map. 

In those 5 days you found yourself getting closer to hongjoong, of all people.

 his sweet words and actions worming their way into your heart. From the way he tucks loose strands of your hair behind your ear when it's windy on deck, to his subtle glances watching you. Even purposely letting you win at your chess games!! You’ve been getting very close to one another. And now was one of those times, 

Hongjoong sits sort of spread on a chaise and you rest on his chest. Him with a book in hand as you both quietly read it together in silence. Just enjoying eachothers company.

The silence is disturbed by seonghwa knocking and flinging the door open. You sit up from your spot on hongjoong. Startled by seonghwa’s intrusion. 

Hongjoong bookmarks the spot in the book and closes it over then looking at seonghwa with an annoyed expression on his face

“What is it Hwa?” he asks the elder glaring at him for interrupting your time.

“Apologies captain but, we've finally arrived” he replies to him sort of bowing his head in respect. 

 Hongjoong is quick to stand, you see him shake slightly.

“Then let us go” he says to the elder taking your hand in his as the three of you leave the room.

.. 

Walking on the main deck of the ship everyone is in a rush grabbing what they need to start the journey on the island. You can't help but worry.. 

Hongjoong still holding your hand notices this, rubbing his thumb gently over your hand 

“Don’t worry love.. We’ll get the cromer and send them back to their universe don’t you worry. After all they will come to us soon.” he says and you’ll be honest it does nothing to ease your worries especially as he told you they’ll be coming here.. After what their yunho did to you.. You can't even look at your yunho the same..

Still though you smile up at the red haired man and nod your head.

“Okay! Everyone pack your travel packs. We'll be going into an intricate cave dungeon system so make sure you pack rations, a blanket and pillow at least. The last thing we need is people getting lost down there and dying” hongjoong announces to the crew. 

He hands you your own pack. “‘Ere you can use this one love,” he says.

Everyone swings their packs onto their backs and with hongjoong in the front you all exit the ship. Completely unaware of the other ship on the other side of the island. 

…

Walking through the dense jungle is sweltering with the heat slowly seeping through the trees, some of the crew complaining about stopping and setting up camp here all to which hongjoong bats back that you won't stop till you reach the cave system.

You would say it takes roughly another 4-ish hours of walking with the crew complaining before hongjoong gives in and lets them set up a camp while the 9 of you continue to the caves.

As you continue to walk through the forest the silence is broke 

A loud ‘ewwww’ breaks the silence, you all turn towards the culprit. 

Wooyoung stands wiping slime…?? Off his shoulder..?? 

Slowly you all look up.. The sight is frightening. A humongous arachnid hangs from its web just above you.

Hongjoong is quick to grab you and push you behind him. Every male pulling out his sword or pistol. 

The arachnid lowers itself to the ground hissing at you, pincers snapping.

Hongjoong pushes you to a bush and tells you to stay low and rushes to join the others currently swinging blades and the occasional blast of a pistol. 

The beast hisses as it gets winded. Its blood seeping out in sludges to the ground. It lunges towards a few of them scratching some of them

Its legs are soon cut off and then a cutlass goes straight through its cephalothorax killing the beast as it sighs out its last breath.

 Each male pants trying to catch his breath. And hongjoong instantly comes over to you, giving you a once over to make sure you're really okay. To which you immediately say that you are.

“I am joong.. Honestly just a bit scared that there's creatures like that on this island” you explain to him

He instantly pulls you into his arms.

“Don't worry love.. No matter the creature, if you're in danger I will always be there to save you. I'll never let you get hurt”

Pulling away from you he turns to the other seven males.

“Okay. let's get a move on, we need to reach the cave before dark” he exclaims.

…

The walk to the cave is steep and exhausting, you all audibly gasp sighs of relief once the cave entrance comes into view. 

Lighting lanterns you all prepare to enter hongjoong says one last thing.

“Remember, we stick together.. We don't know exactly what's down here.. Possibly more arachnids.. But we find a spot to hunker down that's safe to get some rest before searching for the cromer” he says and with that you all start your journey into the cave system.

.. 

The cave is thankfully cool but the channels travel long.. Some ending randomly, some have deep drops. Thankfully you or hongjoong has a map of the exact route to the cromer location.

You arrive at a wider area with running water off to the side after scouting around. The place is deemed safe enough to rest in, the water checked and also approved to be safe for drinking by san.

There are a few tunnels that end abruptly along the wall so you bunker into those and use them to sleep. 

There's a small fire made to heat up some soup for supper. 

Once it's been heated you all sit and eat in silence only it's not an uncomfortable silence it's sort of comforting. 

Bowls empty and bellies fed some retreat to their spots to try and relax and some going to rest and sleep, there's light murmurs of conversations as some discuss things with each other and jongho’s the first to take watch.. Just in case..

You watch as hongjoong speaks with him.  The younger nodding to whatever the captain had told him. 

Hes when walking towards you, you quickly turn your head as if you hadn't just been watching their conversation.

Hongjoong laughs and extends his hand towards you.

“Come.. I wanna show you something love..” he says and you take his hand. 

He pulls you up to stand and still with your hand in his grasp begins walking away from the little make-shift base 

“Should we really be leaving?” you ask him in a worried tone..

“Don’t worry.. I told jongho.. We’ll be fine besides I told you, I won't let anything bad happen to you” he smiles.

He leads you further into the system of the cave deeper into the tunnels and farther away from the others., that is until you come to a deadend the roof at a slant getting lower to the ground as it goes farther. ? 

He lets go of your hand and what looks to be a deadend isn't. He jumps and pulls himself up the hole in the ceiling and extends his hands down for you 

“Come on love” he says and you take his hands and he uses his strength to pull you up.

Coming through the hole you're greeted by a stunning sight, glittering amethysts and other precious stones litter the walls of this hidden room. Walking farther into the room you admire the pretty gems 

You gasp in awe “do you like it?” he asks his voice quiet from the distance between you

“H-hongjoong this is- this.. Wow.. it's so pretty” you say walking farther.

“Hmm, I'm glad,” he says. You jump startled from how close the voice is.

Turning around you see him standing right behind you now.

You stumble backwards slightly and he gently grabs your wrist to prevent you from falling.  

He walks you back until you hit one of the patches of smooth stone in the room. He's close.. Maybe a little too close.

You place your hands on his shoulders as if to keep him there. Only it does nothing as he leans in resting his forehead on your own.

“Not as pretty as you though” he whispers 

Your breath gets stuck in your throat as it hitches

“Joong..” you breathe out just as quietly.

“y/n..” he does just the same, closing his eyes as if to savour the moment. 

His hands now rest on your hips, he pulls away from your forehead slightly

“Kiss me” he breathes out and before you can respond, his lips are on your own as he traps you. Your hands slip from in front of his shoulders to wrap around his neck as you kiss the redhead back, an action that has him pulling you closer to him. 

“y/n..” “my love..” “my precious..” he says between kisses and when he finally stops you’re both breathless. 

“This.. isn't what i wanted to show.. You” he breathes out. 

Your face scrunches up in confusion.. It's so cute that it has him kissing your nose.

“Come..” he says, presenting you his hand again. And of course you take it.

And again you're off through the opening in that room you enter a wide open space on the other side.. Water flows around and a large tree graces the other side, stepping stones lead to the area of grass the tree rests on, vines hang from the ceiling, fruits hang from the branches. The opening in the roof lets the natural moonlight inside.

Hongjoong smiles seeing your face light up again at the sight.

He gently pulls you across the stones and you make your way to the tree on the other side

You look around the area once at the other side and take in the view.

“Hongjoong this is stunning.. Thank you for bringing me here to see this” you thank him

Arms wrap around your waist and a weight is placed on your shoulder as he rests his chin there.

“I'm glad you like them my love” he hums a kiss placed on the side of your neck. It has a shiver running up your spine. 

He turns you in his hold, arms still around you.. 

“y/n.. Precious. I love you” he says 

Your heart feels to have stopped.

You open your mouth to speak.

He shakes his head.

“You don’t need to say anything right now.. Just.. will you let me prove how much i love you. precious?” he says. 

Looking in his eyes you can see the determination and honesty swirling in them, so placing a kiss on his lips whilst cupping his cheeks 

“Yes.. please joong..” you whisper against his lips

Pulling you close he places more soft kisses on your lips trailing them to your neck.

“May i..?” he whispers tugging slightly at your shirt, you nod

He slowly begins to unbutton the buttons of your shirt in between kisses and then slips your shirt off the material falling to the ground. 

He trails the kisses down to your collarbone. As you try to discard his own shirt. 

Scars litter his chest, your hands ghost over them. 

He pulls you down to rest on the blanket spread on the grass. He kneels before you, hands reaching for and tugging off your boots. Before kicking off his own. His hands slither up your thighs as he places desperate kisses on your neck and down your chest. As he pushes you to lay down

His hands hook beneath the waistband of your trousers, trailing kisses further down your body as he slowly pulls them off..

“So pretty love..” he whispers, admiring you then leaning over to place another soft kiss on your lips. Your hands reach to tug him back

“So are you..” you lift your head to place a similar kiss on his own lips, which has him smiling. 

“Thank you love.. But nothing can compare to how pretty you are” he says, sliding between your thighs. 

“I love you so, so much love” he whispers again tears brim his eyes as they fall over and run down his cheeks.. Clear tears this time.. 

… 

Your eyes gently flicker open.. The moon still shines in the opening above as you in the opening. Your head rests on the softness of hongjoong’s chest, you can hear the soft thumping of his heart beneath the surface. Ever so gently you sit up so not to disturb the man, you look over his face.. He looks so peaceful as he sleeps. You place your hand on his cheek and gently run your thumb over his scar with a soft smile on your face, eyes closing over slightly. Sighing in content, you look back at him, you cannot help the small gasp that escapes as you move away from the sleeping redhead.. 

The faint red line of his scar.. smudged looking to your thumb you see the same red slightly staining the skin.. This hongjoong.. Has no scar.. Surely he’s not been lying about having a scar after all this time.. No.. he couldn’t even the last time he cried he cried..b-blood.. This hongjoong didn't.

Your heart begins to beat erratically in your chest. You feel as though any second you could pass out. You stand to your feet grabbing the extra blanket and holding it close to your naked form and if to solidify and mock your mistake and realisation.. Said man tosses on his side in his sleep and there, clear as day on his shoulder blade.. ‘HALA’ permanently resides there in black ink.

You stumble back at the realisation the room spins, your legs give way and you brace yourself expecting to hit the ground.. 

Only.. you don't. You fall into something soft. 

“oh.. darlin’..” a voice quietly whispers out.