#Amreading

[s-soulwriter]

Dark past ideas

A dark past can be really intresting in books .here are some ideas:

Mysterious Orphanage Escapee: A character who grew up in a sinister orphanage and narrowly escaped its dark secrets.

Traumatic War Survivor: A soldier who witnessed unspeakable horrors on the battlefield, leaving deep emotional scars.

Secret Criminal Past: A reformed criminal who once led a life of violence, but is now trying to make amends.

Kidnapped as a Child: A character who was abducted at a young age and endured years of captivity before escaping.

Tragic Family Betrayal: A character who was betrayed by a close family member, leading to a life filled with distrust and pain.

Cult Escapee: Someone who managed to break free from a dangerous cult, but is haunted by their past involvement.

Haunted by a Violent Crime: A person who accidentally caused harm to someone in their past and has been tormented by guilt ever since.

Dark Addiction: A character who battled a severe addiction that nearly destroyed their life before seeking recovery.

Betrayed by a Friend: A friend who turned out to be a traitor, leading to significant emotional trauma.

Abandoned in Isolation: Someone who was left alone and abandoned in a desolate place, struggling to survive.

Witness to a Murder: A character who saw a murder as a child and was forever scarred by the experience.

Childhood Experimentation: A person who was subjected to unethical scientific experiments in their youth, leaving lasting physical and emotional scars.

Kidnapped and Forced into Crime: A character who was abducted and forced to commit criminal acts against their will.

Betrayed by a Mentor: Someone who was betrayed by a trusted mentor, leading to a deep sense of betrayal and loss.

Survived Natural Disaster: A survivor of a catastrophic natural disaster who lost everything they held dear.

Abusive Relationship Escapee: A person who managed to escape an abusive relationship, but continues to struggle with the trauma.

Witness to a Dark Ritual: A character who stumbled upon a sinister occult ritual in their past, leaving them haunted by the experience.

Family Curse: A character burdened by a dark family curse that has brought suffering to generations.

Identity Theft and Framing: A person who had their identity stolen and was wrongfully accused of crimes they didn't commit.

[yparkwrites]

SON OF THE MOB SUNGHOON FF

Pairing: Mafia Sunghoon x Female reader (Y/N)

Content warnings: explicit content (smut), mentions of abuse, bruises, blood, etc.

Word count: 18k+

Synopsis: When Sunghoon, the son of Mr. Park meets a fearless girl everything will change around him as he tries to fight for his freedom from his father's nest.

Note: this is my first ever Enhypen ff, it is published on Wattpad as a complete story.

© 2024 Y. PARK WRITES. All Rights Reserved.

Part 1 - 4

NO MINORS ALLOWED 18+ ONLY

CHAPTER 1: The First Encounter

1

The clock was ticking inside the training room where Minjun’s son, Sunghoon, was being trained before his eyes. Minjun, a heartless mobster in a small village, was feared by everyone for his dangerous nature.

Sunghoon was already bruised, bloody, and drenched in sweat, yet his training continued. They were not finished punishing his already weakened body with the relentless punches and kicks from his father's assistant and Minjun himself.

Minjun laughed derisively at his son, muttering, "You’re fucking weak; you can’t even handle this."

Sunghoon's nightmare began when he was 12, following his mother's death. His father's behavior had changed drastically—he drowned himself in alcohol and drugs and started beating his son mercilessly.

This was Sunghoon's daily life.

After the grueling session, or perhaps torture, he returned to his room. He cleaned his wounds, took a bath, and got ready for his first day of classes.

Sunghoon was forced to take business classes. He didn't protest because nothing interested him anymore.

2

Upon entering the university, murmurs began. The son of Minjun was here. Everyone stared, not just because he was the son of the most dangerous man in the village, but because of his appearance—bruised face and split lip.

Despite his battered appearance, Sunghoon was an attractive guy, and many wanted to date him. However, he rejected every brave girl's confession, including that of the popular girl, Yura.

In the midst of the whispers, a new girl entered, unaware of everything. She looked around, confused as to why everyone was making way for this one guy. Who is he? Why is he so special? These questions lingered in her mind until the bell rang, breaking her thoughts.

As the bell rang, students rushed to their classes, not wanting to be late on the first day.

Y/n, the new girl, looked around, unfamiliar with the university. She needed to ask someone for directions. Should I ask that special guy? she wondered.

She was about to approach him when another guy tapped her shoulder. “Do you need anything?” she asked. He shook his head in response. “Then why did you tap my shoulder if you don’t need anything?” Y/n retorted, annoyed. When she looked back, the special guy was gone. “Great, now I’m late to class, thanks to you, mister,” Y/n said, exasperated.

Sunghoon walked to his class and took his seat in the last row, avoiding any interaction. He put his head down on his desk and chuckled at the scene he witnessed in the hallway.

3

“Will you stop following me?” Y/n asked the same guy who had tapped her shoulder earlier.

“I’m not following you; we’re in the same class, business class. And don’t even think about talking to that guy if you don’t want trouble, miss,” the guy responded.

“Can you not call me miss? I’m not that old,” she retorted.

“You called me mister, and I didn’t say anything,” he argued back, making Y/n stomp her feet as he chuckled.

“I’m Jake. Now stop stomping your foot like a madman, and I'll tell you who that guy is,” Jake said.

Y/n glared at Jake, annoyed.

They entered the class just in time, but the only available seat was in the last row, next to Sunghoon. The murmurs started again, making Y/n roll her eyes.

“Remember, don’t talk to him,” Jake whispered, loud enough for her to hear. Jake led Y/n to the last row.

“You saved a seat for us? Sweet,” Jake said, greeting Sunghoon. “I can’t talk to him, but you can?” Y/n retorted. “Let me at least sit beside Mr. Special Guy,” Y/n whispered loud enough for Jake and Sunghoon to hear. “No,” Jake said, earning an annoyed groan from Y/n. “It’s fine,” Sunghoon said quietly, surprising everyone and making Y/n smile.

The class started five minutes later, and everyone became busy.

4

“Why is everyone looking at you?” Y/n asked Sunghoon as they walked to the convenience store to buy lunch.

“They’re not staring at Sunghoon; they’re staring at you, the first girl he’s ever been seen with,” Jake said, pulling her away from Sunghoon.

“So that makes me special then,” Y/n said, moving back beside Sunghoon and grabbing his arm, making both Sunghoon and Jake widen their eyes.

“Yeah, you’re also the first girl his father will put in the torture room if you don’t let go of his arm right now,” Jake said, pulling her away again.

“What?” Y/n asked.

As they entered the convenience store, the murmurs started again. “Hey, Ma,” Y/n greeted her mom at the register. “I brought some friends,” she added. Her mother bowed as soon as she saw Sunghoon enter the store. “Why are you bowing? They’re my friends,” Y/n said, shocked at her mom’s behavior. “Don’t make eye contact,” her mom whispered loud enough for her to hear.

“Oh, come on,” Y/n said, clinging to Sunghoon's arm again, causing him to widen his eyes once more. Her mom was shocked too, grabbing her daughter and apologizing to Sunghoon. “Ma, he’s my friend,” Y/n insisted, earning a smack from her mom as Sunghoon chuckled. “It’s fine, it’s her first day,” Sunghoon said.

5

After lunch, Jake and Y/n didn’t have classes with Sunghoon. “What do you mean by torture room?” Y/n asked Jake, who was busy copying the lecture.

Jake looked at her and asked, “When did you arrive?”

Y/n looked confused. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“When did you arrive here? In this place, the city, village, or town—whatever you want to call it?” Jake repeated.

“A week ago,” Y/n responded. “Your mom didn’t tell you about the Parks?” Jake asked. Seeing her confused expression, he continued, “She just told me to be careful at night, and that’s it,” Y/n said.

“I’ll explain everything later, after class. I’ll take you home, because there’s no way no one saw you clinging to Sunghoon like that.” 

“Does he have a girlfriend?” Y/n asked.

“No, it’s not that. It’s a long story,” Jake said. “I’ll tell you everything later.”

6

After their classes, Y/n didn’t see Sunghoon again until school was over. She saw him walking to his motorcycle, hoping he would see her, and he did. They made brief eye contact; she waved goodbye, and he nodded, mouthing "see you," which made her smile.

She kept waiting for Jake until she saw him exit the school. “What took you so long?” she asked.

“I was looking for Sunghoon, but I guess he left already. I was going to give him a ride,” Jake responded.

“Yeah, he just left. I saw him. I waved goodbye, and he mouthed ‘see you.’ He was riding a cool motorcycle,” Y/n told Jake.

“He must’ve gotten his motorcycle fixed. And he mouthed ‘see you’? He’s never done that. You’re really special,” Jake said, earning a giggle from Y/n before they got into his car.

“You have a nice car too,” Y/n complimented Jake.

“Thanks,” Jake responded, starting the car.

“So who is Sunghoon?” Y/n asked.

“Sunghoon is the son of the most notorious man in the village—actually, the whole country. I’m surprised you don’t know him. Mr. Park has an assistant, Tristan. He’s tall, but not as tall as Sunghoon. If Tristan tries to mess with you, Sunghoon will beat him up like a pulp,” Jake explained.

“Beat him up like a pulp? What does that even mean?” Y/n asked, chuckling.

“It means if someone tries to touch you, he’ll kill them. Like me—if I try hitting on you, he’ll end me, even though I’m his friend. What’s his is his, and whoever messes with what’s his is dead, just like his father. His father owns him. If Tristan can’t get to you, his father will. So don’t cling to him like that in public. He’s not even allowed to have emotions, yet here you are, making him go crazy,” Jake responded.

“So I’m his?” Y/n asked again.

“Yeah, and congratulations on winning the heart of the mobster’s son,” Jake said, making Y/n laugh.

“Well, we’re here. Take care,” Jake said.

“Thank you. I would appreciate it if you picked me up tomorrow morning,” Y/n joked.

“Yeah, wear jeans tomorrow,” Jake said before waving goodbye.

CHAPTER 2: Morning clashes and new bonds

1

The next morning, Y/n woke up earlier than usual, unable to fall back asleep after a particularly vivid nightmare. 

"I should start buying sleeping pills again," she mumbled to herself as she headed into the bathroom for a bath. Y/n had been suffering from insomnia due to stress ever since she lost her father a few months ago. Since then, restful sleep had eluded her, replaced by relentless nightmares.

Meanwhile, in Jake’s household, his parents were engaged in yet another heated argument about his friendship with Sunghoon. Jake's father was supportive, but his mother viewed Sunghoon as a monster.

"You know it’s your fault they’re fighting," his sister Yura said, entering his room.

"Shut up. Mom will lose her mind if she finds out you go crazy over him. We're in the same boat here, only I can get close to him, and you can't," Jake retorted, smirking. Yura stomped her feet in frustration and left his room.

As Jake emerged from his room, his parents' argument grew louder.

"Did you forget that Sunghoon almost killed a student last year?" his mother shouted.

"Oh, come on, the guy was fine," his father argued back.

"He spent two months recovering from being beaten to a pulp by Sunghoon!" his mother yelled.

"I’m leaving!" Jake shouted, not wanting to hear more of their morning disputes.

2

When Y/n came downstairs for breakfast, the house was already empty. "Mom must’ve left early to open the store," she mumbled to herself, seeing lunch money on the table along with a note: *Sorry, had to leave early. Here’s lunch money. Please avoid Sunghoon if you don’t want trouble.*

Y/n sighed at the last sentence. "Sunghoon isn’t that bad of a person," she mumbled, grabbing a strawberry milk from the fridge as she lacked the appetite to eat.

After locking the door, Y/n turned around to see an unexpected visitor.

"Hey, Jake sent me," Sunghoon said with a broad grin.

Y/n smiled widely. "No wonder he told me to wear jeans."

"Yeah, he mentioned how much you liked my motorcycle," Sunghoon replied, grinning.

"That little snitch," Y/n said.

"You’re smaller than him," Sunghoon teased, earning a playful smack from Y/n as he handed her a helmet he had bought the previous day.

Y/n put on the helmet and hopped on the motorcycle. "Hold tight," Sunghoon said, starting the engine. Y/n yelped and held on tightly as they sped off.

3

When they arrived at school, students started whispering as Y/n hopped off the motorcycle. She received glares from several girls, especially Yura, the popular girl.

"They’ll never mind their own business, will they?" Y/n said loudly enough for everyone to hear. The students quickly looked away, avoiding Sunghoon’s gaze. Jake was right: whatever's his is his, and whoever tries to mess with what's his is dead, she thought.

At their lockers, Jake was already waiting, grinning. "You’re early," Sunghoon said, grabbing his books.

"Yeah," Jake replied.

"You know you don’t have to be friends with me if your parents keep fighting about it," Sunghoon said.

"It’s fine. Not your fault," Jake replied.

"We don’t have any classes together today," Y/n said, comparing her schedule with Sunghoon’s.

"Nope, I only have special classes today," Sunghoon replied.

"Good luck handling my sister. She woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," Jake said.

"Ugh, I don’t like her," Sunghoon muttered.

"Who is she?" Y/n asked.

"I’m his sister," came a voice from behind her.

"I’m Yura, the popular girl," Yura said, extending her hand for a handshake.

"I’m Y/n," Y/n replied, ignoring the hand.

"Did you not hear me?" Yura asked.

"I did," Y/n replied.

"And yet you ignore my hand for a handshake?" Yura pressed.

"Do you see any bats flying around the school?" Y/n asked.

"No," Yura replied, confused.

"That’s the amount of fucks I give about you offering a handshake," Y/n said, earning gasps from the students and Yura.

"Hey, that was savage. Tiny one, let’s get to class before we’re late," Jake said, dragging her and Sunghoon away.

"Damn, you’re the first person to ever talk to her like that. I should bring you to dinner with my family so you can tell my mom the same thing," Jake said, laughing.

"I’m not telling your mom that," Y/n said.

"Why not?" Sunghoon asked.

"Because she’s his mom and older than me," Y/n replied. "And my mom would kill me."

"Well, tonight at dinner, I’m going to tell our parents how you shut her down," Jake said, grinning.

 4

At lunch, they decided to eat at the convenience store again. When they arrived, Y/n’s mom smacked her, earning a chuckle from Sunghoon and surprising everyone in the store.

No one had ever seen Sunghoon smile, not even a small one. He had been told to suppress his emotions ever since his father started his dirty business. Smiling, laughing, crying, or getting mad were all forbidden.

"See, I’m funny," Y/n told her mom as she saw Sunghoon chuckling.

"Please let me apologize for my daughter’s behavior. She’s always been stubborn," Y/n’s mom said.

"No, it’s fine," Sunghoon replied, giving her a small smile, shocking everyone again.

After lunch, they headed back to class. Y/n rolled her eyes as Yura entered the room. "We have the same class as her," Y/n said to Jake.

"Yeah, and you can just shut her down again," Jake said, grinning.

"We meet again," Yura said, sitting beside Y/n. Jake was loving it.

"What a coincidence. You're not stalking me, are you?" Y/n retorted.

"Why would I stalk you? Who are you?" Yura replied.

Y/n turned to Jake and said, "You didn’t tell me your sister has a bad memory," earning gasps from everyone again. Jake tried to control his laughter but failed when he saw his sister stomp away in annoyance.

"I hope you don’t mind me bad-mouthing your sister," Y/n said.

"Not at all. I’m enjoying it," Jake replied, grinning widely.

CHAPTER 3: HIS NIGHTMARE

1

Sunghoon's nightmare had always been his father discovering that he was hanging out with someone, especially girls. His father constantly warned him that having girlfriends would be a distraction, which is why Sunghoon never had one.

Sunghoon and Jake met during high school and had been hanging out behind his father's back ever since. Although his father didn't mind him spending time with Jake because he was a guy, what he would mind was Sunghoon not suppressing his emotions.

When Sunghoon arrived home from university, his father was already at the dinner table.

"You're later than usual," his father remarked, taking a sip of his wine.

Sunghoon sat down at the dinner table and replied, "Sorry, got caught up in traffic." He was served dinner as soon as he sat down.

His father gestured for the maids to leave the dining area. "You know I hate it when people lie to my face, son," his father said, looking directly at him.

Sunghoon sighed and continued eating, uninterested in conversing with his father.

His father smirked at his son's behavior. "Y/n," he said, making Sunghoon look up. "Yes, that's how we get your attention," his father said. "Stop hanging out with her, or next time, you'll find her dead body in your room. Finish your dinner and go to the training room," his father added before leaving for his office.

2

The next day, Sunghoon didn't go to class, making Y/n worried.

"Do you think Sunghoon's alright?" Y/n asked Jake as they sat in front of her mom's convenience store.

"No, his father found out about you, and he's doing everything he can to protect you from getting into trouble," Jake responded, eating the ramen he had bought.

"But he's not hurt, right?" Y/n asked anxiously.

"I have no idea. His father probably trained him all night, and he's just tired. Don't worry; he'll be here tomorrow," Jake said, trying to ease Y/n's mind.

After their lunch, Y/n couldn't stop worrying about Sunghoon and couldn't focus in class.

"I know you're worried, but if you keep zoning out, you'll miss the announcement about the ball next month," Jake said, breaking her thoughts.

"What?" Y/n asked, surprised.

"See, you missed it," Jake said, chuckling. "There's a ball next month."

"Oh, I've never been to one," Y/n responded with a small smile.

"Well, that sucks," Jake said, earning a playful smack from Y/n.

3

The next day, Sunghoon still didn't come to class, making Jake worried too, as he wasn't answering any phone calls or texts.

During lunch, Y/n, Jake, and surprisingly Yura sat together in the cafeteria.

"I haven't seen Sunghoon since yesterday," Yura said while eating her sandwich.

"Do you think we have?" Y/n retorted, rolling her eyes.

"Don't start a fight, you two. Let's talk about the ball. I'll try calling him again later," Jake said.

Yura smiled, putting down her sandwich. "So, you've never been to a ball?" Yura asked Y/n.

"Nope, too poor to afford that," Y/n responded.

"Your mom owns a convenience store," Yura stated.

"Yeah, and my dad was sick during the time there was a senior and junior prom, so I couldn't attend," Y/n explained.

"Was? So he's fine now?" Jake asked.

"No, I came here to live with my mom because he passed away a few months ago," Y/n said, looking down at her strawberry milk.

"Sorry," Jake apologized.

"It's fine, don't worry about it," Y/n said, smiling. Jake then earned a smack from Yura, making Y/n laugh.

"What the hell!?" Jake exclaimed, trying to smack his sister back, only to receive another smack from Y/n.

"You're not allowed to hit your sister," Y/n said firmly.

"Are you seriously taking her side?" Jake asked, wide-eyed.

"Yes, and we're here to talk about the ball," Y/n said before turning to Yura. "So, what do we wear for that occasion?"

"Brother, move aside. We have to discuss this," Yura said, pushing her brother away from Y/n and sitting beside her.

"Traitors," Jake muttered with wide eyes as he munched on his sandwich.

4

Two weeks passed, and Sunghoon still hadn't returned to the university.

Yura and Y/n had grown close, while Jake became the third wheel to their friendship.

"We haven't heard from Sunghoon in the last two weeks," Yura said as she sat down beside Y/n.

"No, and he hasn't answered any calls or read any of Jake's messages," Y/n replied.

"Don't worry, he's fine," Jake said, trying to reassure Y/n again.

"The ball is in two weeks, and since it's Friday and we got off early today, how about a little shopping? I'll ask your mom for permission," Yura said, grinning widely.

"Good luck getting my mom to agree to let me go shopping," Y/n said skeptically.

"I know you're worried about your loverboy, but trust me, he'll be there at the ball," Yura assured Y/n.

5

"I can't believe you made my mom say yes," Y/n said as they walked through the mall, looking for makeup.

"You know I'm good at it," Yura said confidently.

"Yura, you already have a lot of makeup," Jake said, trailing behind them like a bodyguard.

"Not for me, for Y/n. She needs to look pretty at the ball because that loverboy won't miss it," Yura said, grinning at Y/n before pulling her into Sephora.

"I don't know how to use this stuff," Y/n said, trying to break free from Yura's grip.

"I'll put it on you," Yura said, smiling.

Jake just laughed at the two of them, amazed at how well they got along. Just then, his phone started ringing.

"Sunghoon, where the hell are you?" Jake asked as soon as he answered the call.

"Sorry, got busy," Sunghoon replied with a raspy voice.

"Are you alright?" Jake asked.

"Yeah. When's the ball?" Sunghoon responded.

"You know about it? Damn, Yura was right. It's in two weeks," Jake answered.

"Okay, I'll be there," Sunghoon said.

"Do you want Y/n's number?" Jake offered.

"No, I better not have it. I'm hanging up now. Tell Y/n I miss her and not to worry about me," Sunghoon said before ending the call.

"Who were you talking to?" Yura asked, startling Jake.

"Jesus, you scared me," Jake said, holding his chest.

"So, who was it?" Y/n asked eagerly.

"Sunghoon. He said he misses you and you shouldn't worry. Come on, let's get something to eat; I'm starving," Jake said, pulling the two along, while Y/n kept asking about Sunghoon.

CHAPTER 4: THE BALL

1

“You don’t look excited for the ball,” Yura remarked, examining a selection of ball gowns on sale in the store.

Yura had decided to take Y/n out to buy their outfits for the ball, which was only a week away. However, Y/n’s mind had been preoccupied with thoughts of Sunghoon ever since the night he called Jake. They hadn't heard from him since.

“Earth to Y/n!” Yura exclaimed, waving a hand in front of Y/n’s face.

“What?” Y/n asked, snapping out of her reverie.

“How about this dress? Isn’t it gorgeous?” Yura asked, grinning as she held up a stunning red gown.

“It looks nice, but isn’t it too revealing?” Y/n responded, hesitating.

“Oh, come on! You’re grown up now, and Sunghoon will probably go crazy when he sees you in this,” Yura stated with excitement.

“I’m not really into red. I prefer brown, dark green, or maybe pastel colors,” Y/n said, glancing at the other dresses.

“Alright, I’ll take this one for myself. Let’s find something in brown or green for you. Not pastel, though—you don’t want to wear something like that to a ball,” Yura said, leading Y/n to the other side of the store.

“You know, ever since I met Jake and Sunghoon, my life has changed,” Y/n mused, looking at the dresses Yura had picked out for her.

“How so?” Yura asked.

“I didn’t have any friends to spend time with back at my old school. Everyone there was only focused on their grades. It was a very weird place,” Y/n said, admiring an emerald green dress Yura handed her.

“You like that one,” Yura said, grinning.

“Yeah, I’ll try this on,” Y/n responded, smiling.

“You know, Sunghoon was a happy kid until he lost his mom. After that, he started coming to school with bruises and wounds on his face,” Yura said as Y/n changed into the dress.

Y/n stepped out of the dressing room, leaving Yura in awe. “Girl, I didn’t know you had such nice curves. Damn, I’m jealous!” Yura exclaimed, making Y/n laugh.

“Thanks. Jake never mentioned it,” Y/n said before returning to the dressing room to change back.

“Well, Sunghoon doesn’t like it when Jake talks about it, so maybe that’s why,” Yura explained.

Yura and Y/n both paid for their dresses.

“Thank you for taking me dress shopping,” Y/n said as she stepped out of Yura’s car.

“No worries, and I’ll do your makeup. So, the night before the ball, I’ll sleep over at your place,” Yura said, grinning.

“Or I could stay at yours,” Y/n joked.

“I’d love that, but my parents don’t like visitors. Besides, your mom has been asking for a sleepover here,” Yura told her.

“She loves you more than she loves me,” Y/n said, laughing before waving goodbye to Yura.

2

The next day, rumors about Sunghoon’s absence spread throughout the school, coinciding with the buzz about the upcoming ball.

“Has Sunghoon texted you?” Yura asked her brother, who was looking at his phone.

“No, but he’s seen my texts,” Jake replied.

“I’m sorry,” Y/n suddenly said, catching the siblings’ attention.

“What are you sorry for?” Jake asked.

“Maybe it’s because of me that he’s been absent and hasn’t attended any classes,” Y/n said, looking down, trying not to cry.

“It’s not your fault, and who told you it’s you?” Yura responded, looking at her.

“Everyone’s talking about it. They’re saying that ever since I started hanging out with Sunghoon, he’s been in trouble with his father. Maybe they’re right,” Y/n said, finally letting her tears fall.

Jake hugged her, trying to comfort her. “Stop crying. Sunghoon is fine,” Jake said.

“He’s not okay. He’s been absent for three weeks now,” Y/n said, her voice rising slightly as she stood up and walked away.

“What should we do about her?” Yura asked.

“I don’t know, but I know Sunghoon will be mad once he finds out,” Jake responded.

3

Time dragged on inside the training room, where Sunghoon’s father had been putting him through grueling training sessions for three weeks straight.

Sunghoon spat blood after receiving a harsh kick to his stomach.

“You don’t talk back to me, Sunghoon,” Mr. Park said, kicking him again in the stomach, making him wince in pain.

Sunghoon tried to stand but couldn’t, due to the relentless kicks from his father.

“Man up, Sunghoon!” his father yelled, delivering another kick.

“Park, I think that’s enough. You’re going to kill him,” Tristan said, entering the training room.

“Fine,” Mr. Park said, giving one last kick before leaving the room with Tristan.

Sunghoon struggled to stand up. “They might as well just kill me,” he mumbled, spitting more blood on the floor before finally managing to stand.

He collapsed onto his bed, grabbing his phone and seeing another text from Jake: “They’re talking about your absence now and blaming it on Y/n.” Reading the message, his blood started to boil. “It’s not her fault,” he muttered before passing out from exhaustion.

4

The day of the ball arrived. Yura had been applying makeup to Y/n’s face for the past 30 minutes.

“Does it really take this long to put on makeup?” Y/n asked, chuckling.

“Yeah,” Yura replied with a chuckle of her own.

“When will you finish?” Y/n asked, still smiling.

“Soon,” Yura said.

After Yura finished Y/n’s makeup, she started fixing her hair.

“Do you think Sunghoon will really come?” Y/n asked.

“Of course. He’s not going to miss seeing you,” Yura said, grinning.

“What if he doesn’t come?” Y/n asked.

“He will. Trust me,” Yura reassured her.

“Kids, Jake is here!” Y/n’s mom yelled, making the two girls laugh.

Yura and Y/n carefully descended the stairs, trying not to trip, as Jake looked at them, mesmerized.

“Damn, who are you?” Jake said, making Y/n’s mom laugh.

“Shut up,” Y/n responded, rolling her eyes.

“Come on, let’s go. We’ll be late,” Yura said excitedly.

“Jake, take care of my daughter,” Y/n’s mom said, waving them off.

5

Y/n, Jake, and Yura arrived at the ball. Everyone was dressed beautifully, and Yura had been right—no one was wearing pastel colors.

Y/n scanned the crowd, searching for a specific person, but he wasn’t there. She looked down, trying not to cry. He’s okay, right?

“I really thought he’d show up,” Yura whispered to Y/n.

“It’s fine,” Y/n said, trying to sound convincing.

As the night wore on, there was still no sign of Sunghoon. Y/n began to lose hope of seeing him.

“I’m going to get some fresh air,” Y/n said, leaving the venue.

Outside, Y/n stared at the stars, finding some solace in their beauty.

“It’s cold,” someone said from behind her, placing a coat over her shoulders.

She turned around and finally saw the person she had been longing to see.

“Sunghoon,” Y/n whispered.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Sunghoon said, looking into her eyes.

“You’re just on time,” Y/n said before hugging him tightly.

Sunghoon hugged her back, holding her close. “I’m so thankful I met you. We’ve spent so little time together, but I’m grateful for every moment,” Sunghoon said before breaking the hug. He took off his necklace and placed it around Y/n’s neck.

Sunghoon pressed his forehead against hers, holding her cheeks with his shaky hands, and kissed her. Their lips moved in sync as Sunghoon pulled her closer, tears streaming down his cheeks.

He pulled away from the kiss. “I’m sorry. Please keep my necklace for now,” he said, stepping back.

He turned to leave, but Y/n grabbed him in a back hug. “Where are you going?” Y/n asked, her voice trembling.

“Away, to protect you,” Sunghoon said, attempting to remove her arms from his waist, but she held on tighter.

“Please don’t go,” Y/n cried.

“I’m sorry,” Sunghoon said, gently but firmly removing her arms and walking away as Y/n continued to beg him to stay.

Jake approached Y/n as she collapsed to the ground, sobbing. He hugged her, having witnessed the entire scene. He knew Sunghoon was leaving but hadn’t expected him to show up for Y/n.

“What happened?” Yura asked, running over upon seeing the scene.

“And that’s the last time I saw him,” Y/n said, looking at Jungwon, Jay, Yura, and Jake.

“Do you miss him?” Jay asked.

“Every day,” Y/n replied just as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.

[longreads]

The Top 5 Longreads of the Week

In this week's Top 5:

* The preventable toll of youth football (Rolling Stone) * Professional whistleblowing for profit (GQ) * Survivalist hideouts for sale (The New Yorker) * The consultant con (n+1 Magazine) * Discovering new bee species (Hakai Magazine)

Learn why our editors loved these stories, and why you should check them out. 

[alicewhitesblog]

[wordmade]

TOO INTO YOU

You’ve been dating around since you got into town, trying to settle into your new PR job. The work has taken its toll, but you tell yourself you can’t complain. Admitting that you feel lonely or sad would mean the job isn’t worth it. So, you’ve thrown yourself into distractions, parties, casual dating, anything to fill the quiet. A lot of it, really. But here’s the thing: you haven’t actually been on a real date. You just don’t feel the desire.

You exchange texts and share a few memes now and then, but nothing that makes you crave someone’s presence. Deep down, you suspected the issue lay with you. It’s not that the city lacks interesting or handsome men. It’s you (your trust issues), your impossibly high standards and even the standards you admit might be unrealistic.

Still, you miss the spark.

You’re a modern woman, independent and self-assured, but you long for someone who makes you want to go the extra mile. Someone kind. Gentle. Easygoing and fun, but not in a reckless way. You want to laugh and feel safe at the same time. Someone who takes care of you, not because you need it, but because they want to. But finding all that in one person? That felt impossible.

And then there’s David. The star of this recent horror movie. You two met during one of the cast’s happy hours. Your job involved preparing the team for interviews, providing guidance on what to say, what to avoid, and how to handle tricky questions. It’s demanding work, but you love it.

For months, you’ve been working closely with the cast, earning their trust and respect. It wasn’t easy at first (actors often come with egos) but your calm professionalism and keen insights quickly won them over. Your tips saved them from embarrassing moments countless times, and David, in particular, seemed to appreciate your efforts more than anyone else.

David was… different. At first glance, he’s just another handsome leading man, tall, broad-shouldered, with piercing eyes and an easy smile that could disarm even the harshest critic. But then you hear his voice, which stops you in your tracks. It’s unique, almost chameleonic. The type of voice that was stretched and shaped into every character he ever played.

It’s warm and engaging during interviews, and every word is carefully measured to draw people in. On set, it’s steady and firm. When he talks to you, it’s softer, more intimate. You loved how he could read a room and instantly change his tone.

Despite his charm and status, David was refreshingly down-to-earth. Actually, he was like a child trapped in an adult’s body (excitable, endlessly curious, and brimming with energy).

He’s also fiercely dedicated to his work, enduring grueling shooting schedules and long interviews without complaint. “I love this,” he’d say, brushing off your concern after yet another 12-hour day.

But there were moments when his exhaustion showed, like the time you caught him chugging an energy drink during a break. “That’s not sustainable,” you’d teased, and he’d laughed, as you rattled off tips for better sleep routines. He followed them religiously after that, often thanking you for “saving his mind.”

Your friendship grew in these small, simple moments. While David was popular among the crew, always the life of the party, he seemed to gravitate toward you when things slowed down.

You loved this. Because you had been gravitating him as well, but in a much more careful way.

With you, the conversations were more profound and more deliberate. He’d ask about your work, your aspirations, your thoughts on life. It was clear he valued your opinion, often seeking your guidance not just for interviews but for personal matters, too. You began to notice the way his gaze lingered a little longer when you spoke, the way he always seemed to find a reason to be near you. And yet, you convinced yourself it was all in your head. After all, David saw you as a younger sister, someone to look out for… didn’t he?

At some point, David had started seeing you differently. He’d always mentioned how he admired your dedication and how seamlessly you balanced professionalism with genuine kindness. The cast adored you, and he couldn’t ignore how many of the men on set seemed to find excuses to talk to you. But they were invisible when David was around.

Then came the night at the club. The team had gathered to celebrate the end of filming, and everyone was in high spirits.

You were enjoying yourself until an obnoxious guy decided to ruin your night. He ignored David’s presence entirely, throwing out crude remarks and invading your personal space. Before you could react, David stepped in, his usually calm demeanor replaced by something sharp. The guy backed off quickly, sensing the storm brewing in David’s fierce gaze.

Later, David insisted on driving you home. As you sat in his car, the adrenaline from earlier wore off, leaving you drained. “It must be awful to go through this on a daily basis,” he said, his voice low and tinged with guilt.

“You get used to it,” you replied, though the words felt hollow.

“You really don’t deserve this,” he said, glancing at you briefly before fixing his eyes on the road.

“And what do I deserve?” you sighed.

David was silent for a moment, clearly absorbing your words. “Sorry,” he said finally.

“Don’t be,” you replied softly as the car pulled up outside your building.

You stepped out and waved, thinking that was the end of the night. But as you fumbled with your keys, you heard footsteps behind you.

An awful thought crossed your mind, but when you turned around, you heart melted.

It was David. Still in a messy suit from before. He had put his glasses on. His hands in his pockets.

The relief you felt was embarrassing. It was problematic how this man could make you feel everything would be right.

“David? What’s wrong?” you asked, worried something had happened.

“Can I answer your question?” he said, his voice firm but laced with emotion. “You’re the type of woman a man should work hard to deserve. You care about people, for real. You go out of your way to make others comfortable. You work hard to prove yourself, and you’re good. Not just at your job but also as a person. You’re not just worried about looking good, you want to be good.”

His words hit you like a wave. You’d never seen David like this, his voice rising with his usual calm replaced by something raw and almost angry. “You deserve someone who recognizes your value. Someone who will defend you from jerks, make you laugh, but more importantly, never make you feel like you are the problem.”

You stared at him, utterly speechless. The funny thing is.. you thought the same about him. He got closer to you, his wooden perfume touching your nose.

David exhaled deeply, his broad shoulders rising and falling as if trying to steady himself. He ran a hand through his silver hair, a telltale sign of his frustration.

“I can’t do this anymore,” he said, his gray green eyes stuck in yours. His voice lost to find the correct register.

“I can’t pretend I didn’t care more about you than I cared about myself tonight,” he continued, his words cutting through the silence of the night.

“I fought so hard to get where I am, and to think I was willing to risk everything just to make sure that guy never looked at you again…” He paused. His whole body was tense.

“I can’t go home because I know I won’t sleep,” he admitted, his tone softening as he looked away briefly as if the admission embarrassed him. “I’ll keep replaying tonight in my head, over and over, thinking of all the ways I could have protected you better.”

There was a strange dissonance in seeing David like this. The man who could make a room burst into laughter, who always had a light-hearted comment or a joke to share, now stood before you, stripped of his usual charm, revealing a side of him you hadn’t expected, intense, protective and deeply affected.

“David…” you began, but your voice faltered. Your confidence is breaking at the realization of your effect on him. This was scary. It was a big deal.

“I will never let this happen again,” he said, his eyes locking onto yours as he took a step closer. There was no hesitation, no ambiguity in his gestures “Give me the chance to prove it.”

Your heart raced, each beat echoing in your ears. You’d never allowed yourself to imagine this, to think that David, the man who you thought saw you as a colleague, a friend, or even a little sister, could harbor feelings like this. But the intensity in his eyes left no room for doubt.

“Do you see me?” you asked, fearful of asking the whole question. Did he see you as a woman, someone he could honestly care for in the way you secretly hoped?

“Yes,” he said, his response was immediate. “I see you that way. Do you think we could ever…?” His voice still in a little off-key tone.

“Yes,” you replied instantly, the word tumbling out before you could second-guess yourself.

For the first time, you allowed your heart to hope, to believe. This wasn’t a fleeting moment or a casual crush. This was real. David wasn’t a boy fumbling with emotions; he was a man, the kind who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to fight for it.

The realization hit you like a wave. David wasn’t just what you wanted; he was what you needed. A man who would stand beside you, defend you, and never let you question your worth.

You were surprised by how right this felt. As David stepped closer, your heart raced, his tall figure over you.

This was the start of something big, and for the first time, you were ready to fall in love.

[medusasstory]

NEW QUESTION—I've been asking questions lately. This one is about books, trying to cram as many options as I can into the poll:

[robyn-weightman]

Wild daisies down the side of the street... this may need to happy all around our house 🌱💚

[brytning]

What I've been reading: nonfiction edition. I'm still digesting "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and I know it's a book I will return to again. There is a lot to savor here for a more peaceful and interconnected relationship with the world. I highly recommend it, especially this time of year when there is so much focus on buying and spending.

[maxkirin]

tfw you try to read a book in a dream but it looks like this

[emohufflepuffyt]

Coalecroux: The Fey Curses (or is it?) - Chapter 1: The Beginning (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/1487411409-coalecroux-the-fey-curses-or-is-it-chapter-1-the?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading&wp_uname=emohufflepuff1234 Gideon and Kremy have always had a thing for each other, but never expressed it. Until a fey curse forces their hands to except the truth. Will it work?

So I’m writing a book about the Krew and their adventures. If you wanna read it, its on wattpad. :)

[lenainris]

Onyx and Phoenix origins 

 https://www.wattpad.com/story/368078298-onyx-and-phoenix-origins

Literally everything you need to know about Broomie known as Onyx Sans. My Oc.

I've already added some details about Phoenix and I also suggest you to read again about Onyx because I've modified his canon.

[lawbotcj]

Squidward's Birthday Gift ( COMIC! ) - Pages 1-10 (on Wattpad)

  https://www.wattpad.com/1126005468-squidward%27s-birthday-gift-comic-pages-1-10?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_reading 

“The original story was deleted and it's hard to find the whole comic now since it's broken into parts all over the internet, so I gathered as much as I could find and add it on here for anyone who wanted to read it! ORIGINAL BELONGS TO PancakeTiffy”

[yparkwrites]

SON OF THE MOB SUNGHOON FF

Pairing: Mafia Sunghoon x Female reader (Y/N)

Content warnings: explicit content (smut), mentions of abuse, bruises, blood, etc.

Word count: 18k+

Synopsis: When Sunghoon, the son of Mr. Park meets a fearless girl everything will change around him as he tries to fight for his freedom from his father's nest.

Note: this is my first ever Enhypen ff, it is published on Wattpad as a complete story.

© 2024 Y. PARK WRITES. All Rights Reserved.

NO MINORS ALLOWED 18+ ONLY

Part 1 - 4

CHAPTER 5: Moving Forward

1

Three years had passed since the night Sunghoon had left Y/n, the night since he left a void in her heart. During those past years their circle of friends became bigger. Jay and Jungwon are additions to their circle. 

“How many years left before we graduate?” Yura asked, completely worn out due to their projects and exams coming up. 

“2 more years,” Y/n replied, chuckling at Yura’s presence, bags under her eyes and messy hair. 

“Did you guys hear the rumor?” Jungwon asked as he sat beside a sleepy Yura. 

“Jungwon, everyday you come with new rumors, new gossip, please give us a break,” Jake said, taking a seat as he placed his tray of food on the cafeteria table. 

“The new gossip is for Y/n,” Jungwon said smiling, raising both his eyebrows.

“Just spill it,” Jay said uninterested, worn out too, as he failed to get enough sleep the other night. 

“Sunghoon is back in town, a student said he saw him beating up a drunkard in the alleyway near the convenience store.” Jungwon said, catching Y/n’s attention. 

“What?” Jake asked.

“You weren’t interested awhile ago,” Jungwon retorted at Jake. 

“Well now you have my attention spill everything,” Jake argued back at him, widening his eyes a little.

“That’s the only information I know for now, but I heard that he’s gonna go back here anytime soon, and everyone should be prepared as he’s not the same Sunghoon from three years ago.” Jungwon said. 

Before Jungwon could add more details on what he had said the bell rang indicating that lunch was over. 

“Damn I’m not even done eating.” Jake said.

2 

Y/n sat in the library to study, she decided not to pursue business and study literacy instead, she doesn’t have many classes compared to when she was in business class. 

As she tried working on her reviewers, her mind kept drifting off to Sunghoon, especially to what Jungwon had said during lunch. “Is he really back?” Y/n asked herself, looking at the necklace around her neck, the necklace Sunghoon told her to keep. 

“Are you really back?” She asked herself again, touching the necklace. 

“You good?” Someone said from behind her, and it was their group leader, Heeseung.

“Yeah, just thinking about something,” Y/n responded, looking down at her books.

“If you’re thinking about what I told you yesterday, it’s fine if you don’t feel the same way,” Heeseung said, taking the empty seat beside her.

“No, it’s not that. It’s about the rumor.” Y/n replied.

“Oh Sunghoon? Yeah, it’s not a rumor, I saw him a while ago, he enrolled in our class, I don’t know why our class but what can we do about it.” Heeseung said, clearly frustrated that Sunghoon will be in the same class as them. 

“Do you hate him?” Y/n asked.

“It’s not that I hate him, but he’s gonna put everyone in danger,” Heeseung said.

“He won’t.” Y/n replied looking at him.

“You don’t know him Y/n,” Heeseung replied back.

“Neither do you, he protected me from getting hurt three years ago.” Y/n stated slightly raising her voice. Y/n started grabbing her books to leave.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to offend you, but still.” Heeseung argued, holding her arm to stop her from leaving.

“You asked me, where I got the necklace, Sunghoon gave it to me three years ago before he left so that his father won’t try hurting me,” Y/n said, pulling her arm from Heeseung’s grip and leaving him alone in the library. 

3

“So you’re telling me, Heeseung told you he saw Sunghoon at the university?” Jake asked while driving Y/n home.

“Yeah,” Y/n responded. 

“And Heeseung pissed you off when he talked bad about him?” Jake asked. 

“Yeah, he’s talking like he knows him very well.” Y/n said, crossing her arms.

“Y/n we might know the old Sunghoon, but not the new one, the student that saw him the other night said he had changed completely, he’s like a different person,” Yura said, opening her eyes to look at Y/n.

“Well that’s just the gossip.” Y/n stated.

“It was on the news this morning that my mom watched, he killed the drunkard Y/n.” Yura replied, looking at her. “You don’t have to believe it, if you don’t want to, but I wouldn’t approach him first, if he approached you first talk to him, but if not, don’t.” Yura added.

4

At night, Y/n can’t fall asleep again. She grabbed the bottle of her sleeping pills, “It’s empty, great,” 

Y/n stood up from her bed and went downstairs. It was dark and quiet. She reached the kitchen, flipping on the light to search for something that can help her sleep. She sighed before opening the refrigerator, hoping a glass of milk might help her. 

She stood there, her thoughts consumed by what Yura had said, Sunghoon, a killer? That 's impossible. 

Y/n took her glass of milk and went upstairs to her room, she went out of the balcony as she stared into the night. She remembered the ball night, the first he held her in his arms, he kissed her and left her. 

Tears streamed down her face remembering that night. “What if they’re right?” Y/n asked herself. “What if he really changed?” She asked herself again. 

Y/n sobbed imagining the worst case scenario possible. 

5

The next morning, she texted Jake to let him know she was walking to the university to clear her mind.

Lost in her thoughts, she heard someone call her name and saw Heeseung approaching.

“Y/n, hey, you’re walking today?” Heeseung said.

“Yeah, just to clear my mind a bit,” Y/n replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Heeseung sighed. “Y/n, look, I’m sorry about yesterday. I know I might have come off harsh. I don’t know your history with him, and I’m not really into gossip. I was just worried.”

“It’s fine, no worries. I just hate it when someone badmouths him. But I understand, it’s been three years, and he might have really changed,” Y/n said, her voice softening.

“You don’t mind if I walk with you, right?” Heeseung asked.

“No, it’s fine,” Y/n responded.

6

Due to their upcoming exams, Y/n decided to stay late at the university library, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Sunghoon.

“I should just go home,” Y/n mumbled to herself. She gathered her things and decided to call it a night.

She walked home to clear her mind. As she passed by her mom’s convenience store, she saw a familiar figure.

“Sunghoon,” she whispered. She watched him grab some snacks and pay for them. Their eyes locked for a brief moment. He looked at her, emotionless.

After a few seconds, he walked away without saying anything.

CHAPTER 6: He changed

1

Y/n stood there, her heart pounding as she watched Sunghoon walk away. She couldn’t let him leave without trying to talk to him. Mustering all her courage, she called out to him.

“Sunghoon!” she shouted, her voice trembling.

He stopped but didn’t turn around. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder, his expression unchanged, cold and distant.

Y/n walked closer, her steps hesitant. “Is it really you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Sunghoon turned to face her fully, his eyes cold and filled with confusion. “Excuse me?” he asked.

Y/n looked at him, her eyes welling up with tears. “Where have you been?” she asked.

“Do I know you?” Sunghoon asked. Y/n’s heart sank upon hearing those words. He didn’t remember her. She let her tears stream down her cheeks. Sunghoon sighed before turning to leave.

“You gave me your necklace before you left,” Y/n mustered all her courage to say. He looked back at her.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t remember you, nor that necklace,” he replied, leaving her heartbroken. Just then, it started raining heavily, as if the clouds were crying with her.

“Y/n!” Someone yelled from behind her. She didn’t turn around, watching Sunghoon’s shadow disappear.

“Are you crazy!?” The same person said before dragging her into his car.

2

“Jake, what happened?” Yura asked as she brought Y/n a towel.

“I don’t know. She won’t say anything,” Jake replied to his sister.

“He doesn’t remember me,” Y/n mumbled as they both turned to look at her.

“Who?” Yura asked, sitting beside her.

“I saw Sunghoon. I saw him, and he doesn’t remember me,” Y/n replied, tears streaming down her face.

Yura hugged her, letting her cry on her shoulder while Jake watched, feeling helpless as her sobs grew louder.

3

The next morning, Y/n woke up with swollen eyes and a heavy heart. She couldn’t shake the image of Sunghoon’s cold, unfamiliar gaze. The weight of his forgotten memories pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.

“Morning,” Yura greeted softly, bringing a cup of tea into Y/n’s room. “How are you feeling?”

Y/n took the cup, her hands trembling slightly. “I don’t know,” Y/n responded.

Yura sat down beside her, gently squeezing her hand. “Everything will be fine. By the way, we called your mom to tell her you had a sleepover here,” Yura said.

“Thank you,” Y/n said, taking a sip of tea.

The three of them went to the university together.

4

As soon as they walked inside the university, everyone was gossiping about something. Just then, Jay and Jungwon came running toward them.

“Slow down,” Y/n told them as they almost slipped.

“You wouldn’t believe it,” Jungwon said, panting.

“Sunghoon is here,” Jay said, smiling at Y/n, unaware of what happened last night.

“You’re not happy?” Jungwon asked as he noticed the lack of excitement in her eyes.

“I’m going to class,” Y/n muttered before leaving them at the entrance of the university.

“What?” Jay asked Jake.

“Sunghoon doesn’t remember anything,” Jake responded.

“Who told you?” Jungwon asked.

“Y/n saw him last night. He didn’t recognize her, so don’t talk about him for a while,” Jake said, following Y/n.

Y/n entered the classroom and saw him there, sitting beside her assigned seat. He looked up when he heard the door opening, and their eyes met. His gaze fell on her neck, where the necklace was now visible due to the sunlight shining into the classroom. He stood up from the seat. As he slowly approached Y/n, his eyes remained fixed on the necklace.

When Y/n noticed where his gaze was, she held the necklace and tried to hide it under her shirt, but before she could do so, Sunghoon grabbed it, pulling her toward him, making her wince in pain.

“It hurts,” Y/n mumbled, trying not to cry.

“Where did you get it?” Sunghoon asked coldly, pulling her closer by the necklace.

“You gave it to me. Please, it hurts,” Y/n said, but he didn’t let go. He pulled her even closer, making her wince in pain.

“Let her go,” Jake said as he approached them, trying to pull Sunghoon’s grip away from the necklace.

“It’s mine,” Sunghoon said, tightening his grip on the necklace, making Y/n wince again.

“You’re hurting her!” Jake yelled. By now, they had attracted the attention of other students.

“I’ll remove it. Please, it hurts,” Y/n mumbled as Sunghoon released his grip on the necklace.

Y/n removed it, and Sunghoon took it harshly from her hand.

5

The next day, rumors of Sunghoon losing his memories spread throughout the entire university.

Sunghoon arrived at the university, wearing the necklace. Students started whispering about how harshly he had taken it from Y/n.

“Sunghoon,” someone called him, and he turned around.

“What do you want?” Sunghoon asked Jake, clearly frustrated.

“Can we talk?” Jake asked him.

“We already are,” Sunghoon replied sarcastically.

“In private,” Jake said, glancing at the students whispering among themselves.

Sunghoon and Jake went to the parking lot.

“What happened to you?” Jake asked him.

“Nothing happened to me,” Sunghoon replied.

“You gave that to Y/n before you left her, left us,” Jake said, slightly raising his voice.

“Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’ve never seen you or that girl in my life,” Sunghoon replied. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be late,” he added and turned to leave, but Jake held his arm.

Sunghoon grabbed Jake’s collar and punched him.

“What, are you going to kill me too?” Jake asked as he held Sunghoon’s collar.

Sunghoon was about to land another punch, but someone pushed him off Jake. “What the fuck is wrong with you!?” Y/n yelled at him.

“Stay out of my business. Next time, I’ll put a bullet right in your skull,” Sunghoon said before walking away.

6

During lunch, they all sat in front of Y/n’s mom’s convenience store.

“What has gotten into you?” Yura asked Jake.

“He really changed,” Jake said.

“Why would you even approach him after what happened yesterday?” Jay asked him.

“I wanted to clear things up, to see if he really lost his memory or if he’s just pretending,” Jake responded, eating his sandwich.

“Well, that was a dumb idea,” Y/n said.

“Is your neck okay?” Jungwon asked.

“Yeah, it’s fine,” Y/n responded, smiling a bit at them.

“So, did you think about what Heeseung told you?” Yura asked, raising her eyebrows to tease her.

“I don’t like him,” Y/n responded.

“Oh, then I’ll take him,” Yura said.

“Yeah, do that,” Y/n said, chuckling.

[readsofawe]

It's that time again! Announcing the #readsofawe Readathon 2024!

FAQ

When is it? Sunset 10/2 to sunset 10/12, from the beginning of Rosh HaShanah to the end of Yom Kippur, also called the Days of Awe (hence the name)

Who can participate? Anyone! Jews, non-Jews, big readers, one-book-a-year types, and anyone in between.

How do I participate?

🍎 Read Jewish books! You don't even have to tell anyone about it :) 📚 Follow the prompts on the bingo card, and post how many squares you fill 🍎 Share your TBR, reviews, and book photos on Instagram, Tumblr, Facebook, and/or Twitter with the hashtag #readsofawe

What’s the deal with the bingo board? It’s a fun challenge to encourage people to read widely within Jewish literature! Download or screenshot the board and mark off squares when you get them. Feel free to use one book per square OR mark as many squares as apply to each book! Go for a single square, a bingo, a blackout, or just a random pattern! And don’t forget to post your marked-up board when the readathon is over.

[tlbodine]

Trans Horror Authors

My January reading challenge is to read a book by a trans author. Luckily, there are many out there to choose from! Here are some who write in the horror genre, because that's my area of expertise. If you know of others, whether in horror or other genres, reply with your recommendations!

In no particular order...

Caitlin R. Kiernan

A genderfluid Irish-American paleontologist who also writes spectacular cosmic horror, what's not to love? They've been repping queerness since the 80s and have a robust library to choose from, so you're bound to find something you'll like!

Poppy Z. Brite

Billy Martin, whose work is published under the name Poppy Z. Brite, was a big name in the Gothic horror scene of the 1990s and continues to be a frequently-recommended author, although he doesn't publish as much horror these days.

Julya Oui

A Malaysian trans woman and prolific short story author. She has several collections out that you can browse, if short stories are your speed! Maybe start with Taiping Tales of Terror, which draws heavily on her native folklore and influences.

Rivers Solomon

A nonbinary, intersex Black author now living in the U.K., Solomon has three books out and they all look spectacular. Their books lean more toward sci-fi/fantasy, but their newest title Sorrowland looks to be pretty solidly Gothic as well.

Gretchen Felker-Martin

Trans woman, film critic, and unapologetically outspoken. Her best-known book is Manhunt, a post-apocalyptic horror tale that doesn't pull any punches. She's got another new release slated for 2024 to keep an eye on.

Hailey Piper

One of the most prolific authors I can name off the top of my head, Hailey also has several novellas out in the world + a few novels. If the intersection of queer fiction, body horror, and cosmic horror sounds like your thing, you can find something in her backlist. Also she's here on tumblr, go learn more at @haileypiperfights

Eve Harms

A bit of a new player on the field, but well worth checking out. Eve is a Jewish trans woman. Her debut novel, Transmuted, is a breathless body horror romp. She also makes a bunch of handmade zines, which I just think are neat :)

Natalie Ironside

One of Tumblr's very own better-known names, Natalie is queer, disabled, trans, hilarious, and author to at least three novels I can think of plus some other stuff too - go scope her out on @natalieironside for the details.

.....I know I'm missing a ton of people but these were the first ones that came to mind. I have to get back to writing, but I hope this inspires y'all to pick up a book you haven't read yet, and to add to my list down in the notes.

Happy reading, y'all :)

[wordmade]

TOO MUCH FOR YOU

You and David had been working together for a while now. You were hired as his personal assistant, responsible for scheduling interviews, organizing his breaks, and managing his day-to-day agenda. So You had access to his phone, personal planner, and appointments.

David was on the rise, becoming a big deal, and needed someone to guide him on how to navigate stardom. You knew you were the right person for this. You were a fan, had all it took to do the job and was fearless.

However, as you would find out soon, David personality was from outside this world.

After years of struggling to find his place on screen, David remained humble and deeply grateful to his fans. You admired that about him, but you’d seen this story before. Fame was a double-edged sword, and as he grew bigger, the downsides and unwanted attention would inevitably take their toll. It was only a matter of time.

David wanted to hug everyone, kiss every pet, and play with every child. People even wanted him to sign their butts and he would do it despite being a little unconfortable.

So, you started coaching him teaching him how to be a little less accessible. No need to be cold or distant, but because establishing boundaries early on was crucial in this field. People needed to respect him, to think twice before crossing lines. It wasn’t an easy job, though.

It was frustrating. He was too sweet, too open. To the point that each person expected more of him. Because every fan wanted to feel special, wanted a different photo or video.

And David would let them. No surprise they hired you.

“You can’t afford to be this kind,” you’d argue, worried that his generosity would backfire.

“You don't understand." He answered once "this movie only happened because of them,” he’d counter, after you scolded him for holding a fan’s baby for far too long.

“Those fans aren’t real, David” you snapped, your voice sharp. “No one who genuinely cares about you will be upset if you set some boundaries.”

"Listen, I got this " he would say. "I've chosen this life. I dreamt about it for years. What looks like chaos to you is heaven to me"

You understood that part. But his positive perception of events won’t protect him from harassment. And you would rather die in the hands of Art the clown himself than let something happen to this man.

"Not a chance in hell, David. I will do my job and you will follow my lead" you tried to be firm with him. But it didn't always work.

Whenever he noticed talking was not solving, David would just flash his charming smile, and within minutes, he’d disregard everything you said.

Despite the tension, after some events, you found yourself laughing at his jokes during arguments. He found that you would loose your posture when he changed his voice to Mickey Mouse, and now every time you got mad, Mickey would appear.

It was impossible to keep things serious. He joked about everything!

Funny thing is.. you dont think the jokes were that funny. It was more the way he told them. David could say the most silly thing and people would still laugh their asses off. People wanted to laugh with him. That was the difference.

He was disarming, and he knew it. Slowly, the two of you grew closer. At some point you noticed that You trusted David, and he trusted you.

The freedom you guys had to speak your minds, the openess. It was as if you could be mad, give harsh critisism at one minute, and in the next be completly confortable around him. Because David knew you were mad on behalf of him. Not at him. And he was greatful for this.

Your conversations, once limited to brief exchanges on set, expanded. First, it was casual chats in the breakroom.

Then, it was late nights at David’s apartment, sharing a bottle of wine while reviewing his interviews. You’d tease him for his cringe-worthy answers, and he’d poke fun at how out of touch he felt with people your age.

The age gap between you two became a recurring topic, though you never gave it much thought. That was, until you started noticing him in a different light.

You thought it was just a work thing, but the two of you grew increasingly protective of each other. You could anticipate his needs (when he’d want a coffee or an energy drink) and, in return, he would listen more attentively, pausing whenever you started to speak. He began asking for your input beforehand, coming to you first and following your advice.

For the first time, you felt yourself relax, realizing how naturally good he was at this. He was born to be an icon, it was effortless for him. You felt proud, genuinely happy for all the opportunities coming his way.

One night, the two of you sat on his balcony under the soft glow of dim lighting, wine glasses in hand. Laughter echoed between you as you swapped stories. And then, without thinking, you placed a hand on his knee.

It was casual, innocent... wasn’t it? His reaction, though, was far from casual.

David’s smile faltered, his expression turning serious. His green (or gray) eyes lingered on yours, then dropped briefly to your lips. You instinctively moved to pull your hand away, but he caught it, his grip firm.

“You gotta to stop doing this,” he said, his voice low. You forgot that behind his sweet smile, David was a grown man. And you were touching him a lot lately.

“Doing what?” you asked, your heart squeezed.

You knew what. It wasn’t on purpose, but you knew.

“Flirting with me,” he replied, with a sad smile on his face. His soft hand still holding yours. He was looking at them.

Your breath hitched. “Come on, David. We’re just friends,” you said, trying to lighten the mood.

But his grip tightened slightly. "I am your friend. I respect you" He started with that half smile on his face, his silver hair perfectly combed. “But I’m a man after all,” he said, his tone uncertain. “If you keep touching me like that, I’m going to develop feelings for you.”

You stared at him, stunned by his honesty. His green gray eyes layed into yours, a mixture of feelings you couldn't tell, your hand still in his. And in that moment, the lines you’d carefully drawn between professionalism and something more began to blur.

Of course, you saw the man he was. And yes, you had been flirting, but it never occurred to you that he might react to it. That he would take you seriously. You were just starting in your field. No kids, no stable money. And he was the kind of man who dreamed of a family, so you simply assumed you weren’t his type. You were too different.

“David,” you began, but he let go of your hand, after holding it for too long. Too long for you to believe it was just an unintentional gesture. No, David had been wanting to do this for a while. And it stung that he let go if it.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he breathed, still looking into your eyes “I’ve just been lonely for so long that I can’t help holding on to the first thing that felt like love.”

You lost your composure then, seeing him so affected. Over the past few months, you’d learned how to read him, and now you were attached in a way that was impossible to ignore.

“I…” you tried to say something, anything, but David’s words had left you reeling. This wasn’t a confession. He wasn’t asking for anything, wasn’t hoping for anything. He was just being himself, honest, vulnerable. He was telling you how deeply you’d affected him and asking you to stop before it became too much.

“I didn’t mean to bother you,” you managed, your voice cracking.

“You’re not bothering me, love,” he said softly. “I’m just telling you… if you keep bringing me closer, at some point, I won’t be able to let you go.” He ran his fingers through his silver hair and continued without giving you time to answer "so please, dont play games on me"

"I am not," you said, your voice trembling with heartbreak. And then it hit you, something bitter. Guilt. You felt guilty for flirting with him. Not because it was wrong exactly, but because you’d let yourself believe it was harmless.

It wasn’t like you hadn’t thought of him that way before. You had. Often. But the idea of him actually being into you? That was too much, too good, too unreal. So you’d convinced yourself it was fine to keep going, not to play games, but because it felt good. Flirting with him, talking to him, working alongside him, it all felt so natural, so right.

He probably thought you were just toying with him, using him as an ego boost.

But that wasn’t it. Not at all.

You cared about him. Deeply. And when you’re single and drawn to a man who’s undeniably attractive, this is what happens. You let your guard down. You become playful, silly. You smile more. You giggle. Yes, you flirt.

"What if I don’t stop?" you said, your tone challenging.

He looked into your eyes intensely, his chest rising with deep breaths. The question got him by surprise. He swallowed hard and opened his mouth, his lips red from the wine.

"I’ll fall in love with you." His words went straight to your heart. And you felt a insane relief.

You fucking loved this about him. That he would say exaclty what he was thinking. Even if it was too soon or too much.

"And what makes you think I don’t want that?" You teased. Trying to do the same he would do to you.

"I didn’t think I was..." he started, a bit confused.

"Yes, you are, David." You interrupted him, gently.

He reached for you, his hands cradling your face. Both of you a little shy about this new way of seeing each other. You closed you eyes, to concentrate on his touch. You didn't want to miss this.

Before you could process it, his lips were on yours, pressed gently, almost hesitantly. You were taken aback by how soft they were, by how much tenderness he had been holding back all this time.

He kissed you with so much care, so much attention. His lips moved slowly against yours.

When your tongue met his, you heard him moan softly. His fingers ran through your hair, and he pulled you closer by the nape of your neck. He touched you so delicately, as if afraid to scare you away or to break you. You felt his scent l, his breath, and it was overwhelming.

He pulled back at some point, because even though this was a gentle kiss, you two were out of breath.

He grasped your hands, gently lifting you before leading you through the house, his grip steady and unyielding. When you reached the sofa, he eased you down onto his lap. Once you settled into a comfortable position, he drew you closer by the waist, his thumb tracing slow, soothing circles along your back.

You could tell he would take things very slow.

The two of you spent the rest of the night like this. David would say the sweetest things, on how you were beautiful, precious, and how he has been wanting this for so long. You on his lap, with your foreheads touching, exchanging soft kisses, your hands tangled together like you couldn’t bear to let go.

Yes, David, you thought. Yes, you are.