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dreamwritesimagines · 1 year ago

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Garden of Secrets [41] - Daylily

A.N: The last 2 chapters! ❤️Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and support my loves, it made my whole week, you’re amazing!❤️ I hope you’ll like this chapter as well, and please don’t forget to tell me what you think❤️

Summary: Healing comes with patience.

Warnings: Regency era society and social rules, some gender specific language and terms, mentions of sex, mentions of threats.

Word Count: 2500

Series Masterlist

You had never been the type for surprises but you had to admit, you were quite looking forward to this one.

“If I fall down—”

“You won’t fall down.”

“I might!” you said with a giggle, extending your arms in front of you while Benedict kept his palm over your eyes, guiding you to the room. “And the next thing you know…”

“Y/N.”

“The next thing you know, I’m dead—”

“Don’t joke about that.”

“And you’re like uh, a widow artist.”

“A widow artist?!”

“Is this what you’ve been planning all along?” you teased him, making him huff out a small chuckle.

“I think you will change that theory pretty soon.”

“You don’t know that,” you sang. “Ben, I’m pretty sure your studio wasn’t this big for me to walk this much.”

“I changed the place of the canvas because it has better light over there—actually wait, I’ll change it again,” he said. “Keep your eyes closed.”

You squeezed your eyes shut when he lowered his hand, and heard him shuffle the easel around the room while you waited patiently. He soon came closer to you to get behind you, sneaking his arms around your waist to hold you close to his chest as always.

“Ready?”

“Very much so,” you said with a smile. “Can I open my eyes now?”

He heaved a shaky sigh, then cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

You opened your eyes and as soon as you did, your breath got caught in your throat.

Oh.

This was what Benedict had been working on for months; your portrait.

You couldn’t take your eyes off of the portrait and you took a step closer to it almost in a haze. It looked almost surreal, both familiar and unfamiliar because you were certain that you didn’t look as—

Mesmerizing.

Now you could understand what Benedict had said about getting the look in your eyes right, you looked nearly alive on the canvas. You already knew Benedict was talented, of course you did, but even you couldn’t imagine this. It didn’t look like it belonged to here or this century for that matter, it looked like one of those paintings that you would see in a museum from a century ago, something that would be looked upon with wonder and admiration for years and years.

“Benedict…” you whispered and he rested his chin on top of your head.

“Mm?”

“How did you—when did you—?” you stammered. “How?”

He chuckled. “I taught you how, remember?”

“No but this is something else completely,” you said. “You weren’t jesting about being inspired.”

“Oh I certainly wasn’t.”

“You’re so talented,” you murmured and he smiled against your neck before kissing the spot beneath your ear, making your heart skip a beat. You bit down on your lip, still staring at the portrait.

“So I thought of something but I want to get your opinion first,” he muttered and you turned around in his arms so that you could look up at him.

“What is it?”

A look of hesitation crossed his handsome features and he cleared his throat, stealing a glance at the portrait before turning to you.

“I know I kept saying I wasn’t ready to apply to the Academy,” he said. “And they normally open up the applications for next year at the beginning of the next season, but you can in fact send your work for the next year before they finish this year’s classes and such and it’s finishing next week and I was thinking…Maybe I could send this one and apply.”

Your eyes widened. “What?”

“The wiser decision would be to improve myself until the next season starts,” he added in a haste. “But I don’t know, it—it feels right, you know?”

A bright smile warmed your face and he let out a breath.

“Is it a terrible idea?”

“I think it’s a wonderful idea.”

“Do you think—do you think I could get in?”

“Ben, you’re the only person who doubts that,” you reminded him. “I’m completely sure that you will get in.”

“Really?”

“Really,” you nodded, stepping into his embrace. “I believe in you, always.”

He smiled softly and leaned in to kiss you, then rested his forehead against yours, his long fingers running over your back.

“You’re going to do amazing,” you said, wrapping your arms around his neck and standing on your tiptoes to peck him on the lips again. “You’ll see.”

He heaved a pleasant sigh. “I love you, you know that right?”

“Oh I know,” you said, grinning up at him. “I still like hearing it though. Quite often I might add.”

Lottie and Anthony’s wedding was tomorrow and you were going to go to her house to see whether she needed anything, but before that, you and Josie had a visit you two had been delaying for quite some time now.

“Do they know?”

“I sent them a letter to tell them I have the letter,” Josie said as you followed her into the inn, and raised your brows at the sight of the run-down place. Josie approached the innkeeper to ask him something and he answered, so she looked over her shoulder and nodded at you.

“Upstairs, come on.”

You followed her suit, climbing up the stairs until she stopped in front of a door, then threw her shoulders back and opened the door.

“Hello father,” she said and you leaned sideways to the door, taking a look inside. The room was small and very messy, not very different from their bedchambers back at home. A shiver ran down your spine and you cleared your throat, crossing your arms.

“Came to gloat?” your mother spat and you shrugged your shoulders.

“Not really.”

“Well aren’t you two brave?” your father growled while your mother kept pushing the clothes into the chest. “Coming here like this.”

“What’s there to be scared of?” Josie asked. “You?”

Your father took a step towards her but stopped when you pulled out your knife from your cleavage.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” you said in a sweet tone, flipping the knife open. “This inn doesn’t appear to be safe for everyone after all.”

Josie repressed a smile as your mother shook her head.

“Don’t you have any shame?” she spat. “Threatening your father like that?”

“No I’m alright,” you said and turned to Josie. “Are you alright Jo?”

“Absolutely.”

“Why are you here?” your father asked while you turned the knife in your hand, and Josie heaved a sigh.

“Well first of all I wanted to make sure you were leaving,” she said. “And to remind you what might happen if you accidentally happen to be here the same time as us in the future.”

“And what exactly will happen?” he asked and you clicked your tongue.

“Your nose doesn’t appear to have healed,” you pointed out. “I’d hate to have to see it broken again.”

“You’d love it.”

“Yeah I would actually,” you pointed out and Josie nodded.

“So that’s the deal,” she said. “You stay away from us and we will stay away from you from now on. As far as I’m concerned, you’re dead.”

“Teddy deserves—”

“Teddy deserves better than you,” you said. “And I’ll make sure he gets it.”

“He’s my son!”

“By blood only and blood means nothing,” Josie said. “You made sure I understood that, remember?”

Your father eyed the knife in your hand before narrowing his eyes.

“And who’s going to stop me if I want to see my son again?” he asked. “You two?”

“Oh I don’t think I’d be bothered with you to be honest,” you mused. “Not when I can simply send people to deal with you. At night.”

“We didn’t go to your house ourselves to get the letter after all,” Josie reminded them and your mother gritted her teeth.

“I’m ashamed to call you my daughters.”

“Don’t call us your daughters then,” Josie retorted. “God knows I do not see you as my mother. If you ever show your face here again—”

“Oh so you came here to threaten us,” your father interrupted her and you scoffed.

“No, we came here to tell you what’s going to happen if you dare threaten me or Josie, or Teddy,” you growled. “And I can assure you father, though I may not deal with you myself, I will personally make sure that you suffer if you ever cross me or my wishes ever again.”

Josie tilted her head, grinning wide.

“Well I don’t need to add anything to that I suppose,” she said with a sigh. “Have a nice trip back home, I hope we never see each other again.”

“I didn’t say we’re finished—”

“We are finished,” you cut him off. “For good.”

Josie grabbed your hand as you both walked away from them, the sound of a vase smashing to pieces on the wall reaching you while you went down the stairs, and it was only when you two stepped out that you let out a breath, feeling like a weight was lifted off your shoulders.

“Are you feeling alright?” Josie asked and you felt yourself smile.

“Yeah,” you said, flipping the knife close and putting it back in your cleavage. “Are you?”

“Better than how I’ve felt in a long time,” she said. “Nice touch with the knife.”

“Learned it from you,” you said and Josie let out a laugh, then threw an arm over your shoulder to pull you close before you both started walking to the carriage waiting for you across the street.

Anthony and Lottie’s wedding breakfast was more fun than you had imagined it would be. It was always lovely to see Lottie being her usual cheerful self, but today, both in the chapel and in the Bridgerton house she looked like she was on cloud nine which made you very happy as well. Every guest in the house was dying to talk to her or Anthony, but you made sure to keep an eye on her and get her out of the crowd when it looked like too many questions were thrown at her.

Like now.

“Excuse me ladies—Lottie?” you said, reaching out to touch her arm. “May I borrow you for a moment?”

“Of course!” she said and let you lead you away from them, then linked her arm with yours. “God, thank you! They’re already asking me what my first ball will be like as a Viscountess, can you believe that?”

“Unfortunately I can,” you said as you both passed the foyer to step outside. She heaved a deep sigh and turned to you, still holding your hand.

“This is not a dream, is it?” she asked. “I mean I married the love of my life, and I fear I might wake up anytime.”

You let out a laugh and shook your head.

“It’s not a dream Lottie.”

She tilted her head back and smiled, enjoying the sunlight falling on her face for a moment before turning back to you.

“And I could barely talk to Tony,” she said. “You think—I mean…do you think he’s as happy as I am?”

“I had the chance to talk to him about an hour ago, while you were upstairs with your mama,” you said. “I can assure you, he’s as happy as you are, perhaps even happier.”

“Not possible,” she giggled and pressed a hand over her chest, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “How about you? Are you having fun?”

“Lottie my dearest, will you please stop worrying about everyone else?” you asked with a smile and she shook her head.

“I’m trying?” she said as if apologizing and you squeezed her hand.

“It was a wonderful ceremony,” you said. “And it’s a beautiful breakfast. Everyone is delighted to be here, just…not as much as you and Anthony will be tonight.”

She repressed a laugh. “Shh!”

“So how was the wedding night talk?” you asked. “With your mama?”

A mischievous look flashed over her face. “She didn’t tell me anything I don’t know already.”

“Scandal,” you deadpanned and grinned. “So you’re leaving for Aubrey Hall after breakfast?”

“In the afternoon yes,” she said. “And um—we’ll be there until everyone comes to Kent next week—you will visit, will you not?”

“I feel like you won’t want visitors for a while.”

“Y/N!”

“I’m just saying,” you teased. “What, can I not ask questions now that you’re a Viscountess?”

She fixed her beautiful wedding gown, then threw her shoulders back, adapting an expression of exaggerated seriousness.

“I shall have to think about it,” she joked, then burst into a laughter. “No I’m serious! Benny’s house—well, your house now— is not very far from Aubrey Hall, so you must come to visit every day.”

“Well��” you started but before you could say anything, you heard Lottie’s mother calling out her name, making you both turn to look at the house. She waved at you from the door, motioning for Lottie to come and she shot you an apologetic look.

“Duty calls,” she said and kissed you on the cheek, then walked back to the house. You looked around the garden, smiling to yourself before making your way back to the house as well. You walked through the foyer but before you could reach the stairs, someone grabbed you by the wrist.

“What—Ben!” you hissed, trying to keep a straight face even if the urge to smile as soon as you saw him was stronger. “There are people here!”

“And they’re all very much focused on the newlywed couple,” he said, pulling you into the nearest room and you leaned back to the door as he closed it. “Hello my beautiful wife.”

“Hello to you too, my handsome husband,” you smiled up at him, wrapping your arms around his neck as he leaned down to kiss you. “I thought you had best man duties.”

“Mother and Lady Danbury are giving Anthony a huge speech about marriage and responsibilities,” he said. “I have to say, it’s quite entertaining when he’s the one who’s on the receiving end of a speech.”

“I can imagine,” you grinned. “So I saw you talking to Henry. Was he very happy that you will apply?”

“I haven’t told him yet,” he admitted. “I haven’t told anyone but you.”

You frowned slightly. “Why not?”

“I mean Henry and Gordon will probably hear about it because they’re friends with the director of the Academy and many people there,” he said. “But…I don’t know, it just feels like it’s something I should do, you know?”

You hummed, then nodded your head.

“I understand that,” you said. “Well then, I suppose we will have to celebrate by ourselves when you do apply, just you and me. Others can wait.”

He gave you that lopsided grin and cupped your cheek, running his thumb over your cheekbone.

“I like the sound of that,” he murmured, then leaned in to kiss you again, his other hand leaving your waist for a moment before you heard the lock sliding into place, making you pull back.

“This is your brother’s wedding breakfast!” you exclaimed with a giggle and he shrugged his shoulders.

“Exactly,” he said and leaned down to pick you up, making you let out a squeal that turned into a laugh as he made his way to the sofa with you in his arms. “We have a lot to celebrate darling.”

Chapter 42

#benedict bridgerton #benedict bridgerton x reader #bridgerton #bridgerton x reader #regency fic

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morganski-19 · 27 days ago

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Chills Right to the Marrow Part 42

ao3 link| part 1 . . . part 39, part 40, part 41

“And I know he doesn’t mean any of it,” Wayne explains, taking a long drag of his cigarette. “I’m just tired of it.”

Hopper scoffs. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

Wayne needed to get out of the house. Do something other than go to work. Go somewhere where he can just calm down from it all. Not have to get in the middle of a fight or have one.

Eddie doesn’t fight with Wayne as much as he does with Steve, but it’s there. Wayne’s just used to it. Knows how to bite back enough to get Eddie to stop. Has the history where Eddie knows where to draw the line. Where to stop.

But Steve just lets him yell. Lets him scream and insult and hurt. Does it right back, not giving a shit what happens afterward. It’s giving Eddie exactly what he wants.

“I know why he does it. He’s angry and in pain, so he takes it out on us. I just wish he would stop. It’s not helping anything.”

“Hey, dad,” Jim’s kid pops her head out of the doorway. “Can I go over to Max’s?”

“Yeah, see if Jonathan can take you.”

Jim’s kid, who Wayne knows by at least three different names and can’t for the life of him figure out which one is the real one, shakes her head. “He already said that he is busy.”

Jim rolls his eyes. “Course he is. Give me like twenty minutes and I’ll drive you over.”

“Ok.” She lets the door swing back shut.

“Jonathan Joyce’s son?” Wayne asks. Willing to take a moment off from dealing with his own stuff.

Jim nods. “Her oldest. He hasn’t been busy since Wheeler broke up with him. Probably just getting high in his room.”

Wayne scoffs. “You let him do that?”

“He’s an adult, he can make his own decisions. As long as I don’t catch him while on the clock, I won’t do anything. I’m more worried about him.”

Wayne doesn’t know much about Jim’s personal life. Other than before he met Joyce, back when his kid was in the hospital. He knows that him and Joyce have been together for a few months now, and that they merged families. But he doesn’t know about his relationship with Joyce’s kids. Jim doesn’t talk about them a lot.

He’s pretty reserved, Wayne realized. Which isn’t a problem, Wayne can be reserved most of the time as well. But it was nice to have someone to relate to. Someone his age, who can understand his viewpoint more. They’re on the same understanding level.

Wayne’s never been the type of person to make and keep a friend. There were the people he grew up with in high school. People he worked with. His neighbors. But beyond basic friendliness, there really wasn’t a bond. It was different with Jim. Their understandings turning into camaraderie. Maybe turning into friendship.

It’s almost stupid to think of it that way. Two men in their fifties becoming friends. For some reason, it doesn’t sound right. But Wayne has liked being able to lean on someone during this. Someone that isn’t the twenty year old that he lives with.

He sees the kids all rally around each other. They way that they are there for each other. Adapting with their new lives and moving forward, together. Able to cope with the changes of their lives as a group, rather than the individual.

It would be nice to have something like that.

“What do you mean?” Wayne offers, hoping Jim will open up.

Jim exhales a line of smoke. “He doesn’t have many friends. Only this one kid that he met out in California. But no one here. Other than Wheeler, he just had his family. I just wish he had someone to talk to about all of this. But he just shuts himself in his room and gets high. And don’t even get me started when I try to ask, he just snaps and pushes me out.”

“I have some experience with that.” He flicks his cigarette. “Honestly, it just takes time. If you keep showing up for them, they eventually start to open up to you.”

“I guess.” Jim stubs out his cigarette.

“Mr. Munson,” Jim’s kid calls out the door again. “There’s someone one the phone for you.”

Wayne tosses his bud into the ash tray, nodding. He heads inside, following the kid to the phone. “Hello.”

“Hey, it’s Steve. Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“No, that’s ok. What’s happening?”

Steve sighs. “Eddie hasn’t come out of his room all day. He’s locked the door and I can’t get him to come out. I thought maybe he might for you.”

Wayne rubs a hand down his face. “I’m heading back. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Ok. See you soon.”

He hangs the phone back on the receiver. Double checking that he has everything.

“That was Steve, wasn’t it?” A voice Wayne doesn’t recognize comes from behind him.

When he turns, he sees what he is assuming is Jonathan. Wearing clothes that look like they’ve been slept in. “It was.”

Jonathan scoffs. “So he calls our house now, great.”

“Jonathan,” Jim tries to scold. His voice rounding around the edges, trying not to be too harsh.

“No, I’m sick of this. It’s always Steve this and Steve that. I don’t get why he’s so great now. After all that he did. After that shit he pulled over spring break with Nancy. I don’t get what’s so great about the guy that he’s suddenly revered.”

“Oh my god, not again,” another voice comes from the living room. “You need to give it a rest, Jonathan.”

Wayne makes his way toward the door, feeling very out of place right now.

“Will, you don’t know what he said.”

“But I know what he’s done since then. You haven’t heard the things he’s done to protect the rest of us. You’re so blinded by the shit that happened three years ago to think that he could have changed.”

He hears a door slam as he makes his way to the porch. Letting out a long breath when he makes his way to his car.

“Sorry about that,” Jim apologizes.

“Do you know what that was about?”

He wants to know. Surprisingly. He’s living in Steve’s house. Trusting him with Eddie. If there was something that happened, especially whatever it was with Nancy. Considering that she and Steve seem to be really close now. With all that flirting he’s been doing with Eddie.

He needs to know that whatever Steve’s intentions are, they’re not going to screw Eddie over.

“Not really. I think it’s just an old grudge that he’s let fester.”

Wayne shakes his head. “Thanks for the smoke. I hope things get better for you.”

“Same goes for you. See you around.”

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#chills right to the marrow fic #stranger things #stranger things fanfic #wayne munson #wayne pov #jim hopper #el hopper #jonathan byers #will byers #steve harrington #eddie munson #pre steddie

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solkver · 26 days ago

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airdrop ⋆·˚ ༘ *

chapter 10... ᝰ.ᐟ what in the skibidi

content warnings! mostly written, nsfw themes, profanities, really long update under the cut!

✄┈┈┈┈ october 21, 2024 – 10:34 am

sohee sat next to anton, back straight, hands on his lap. even from a far, anyone could tell how tense and stiff he looked. It made you chuckle the slightest bit, endeared at how nervous the boy gets around you. not soon after, anton wedges his elbow on sohee's side, effectively making him groan.

"what the hell, anton?" sohee grumbles, a hand caressing his sides. anton only glares at sohee knowingly and then glances at you with the same glare. you shrug, you didn't do anything! as the noise died down and sohee had finally grabbed his laptop, you lean back onto the cushions of the seat and pull out your own things. despite the headphones wrapped around your head and the laptop on your lap, you could still see sohee steal shy glances at you.

✄┈┈┈┈ october 21, 2024 – 11:15 am

it's been about an hour since you had began placing beats together hoping for something good to come out of it until your headphones beep repeatedly. Irritated, you snatch the device off your head and look around to see everyone busy on their own thing. so much for being lucky.

one last look around, your eyes meet with sohee's. bingo. sohee physically starts to panic, thinking he had been caught staring. but that wasn't the deal, all you needed right now was a plug. you smile slowly at sohee still looking at you with wide eyes, mouthing a 'charger?'

sohee sputters, "I- uh-" hands visibly shaking as he digs through his backpack, pulling a white chord out and handing it to you as quick as he could "h-here." you give him a wider smile this time, swiftly glancing at anton and thanking every god he wasn't paying attention.

✄┈┈┈┈ october 21, 2024 – 10:20 pm

"eunseok is so gonna kill me when he finds out I'm opening the door for a stranger" sohee murmurs as he goes through their kitchen wear. seeing no real knife, sohee grumbles a frustrated sigh and grabs the butter knife.

he takes a couple deep breaths as he take slow steps to the front door, the butter knife in his hand pointed forward. with a shaking hand, he twists the knob open and pulls it wide open, instantly regretting that decision and squeals as he throws the door shut, "what the fuck!"

✄┈┈┈┈ october 21, 2024 – 10:41 pm

"baby?" you say behind the door, sohee still clutching his chest, butter knife now abandoned on the ground. "hold– hold on" sohee stutters, door slowly creaking open.

"hi, pretty boy" you smile once sohee comes into sight, taking a tentative step in to the complex. sohee shakily inhales, eyes not meeting yours as he steps aside, "h-hey, yn.." once the door was shut, you raise a brow over at sohee's direction, effectively making him squirm, "sorry I just– I get really nervous around you"

hearing what the younger said, a hearty laugh erupts from you, "you're so cute, really" sohee looks away, redness creeping from down his neck all the way up to his ears, teeth caught in his lips. you'd hate to kill the mood but the sight of sohee biting on his lips has your eyes wandering.

originally you had decided to not to do anything, realizing that the guilt of trying anything with your brother's best friend will eat you up alive. but with the sight in front of you– lee sohee in all his glory clad in a worn out shirt hanging off his shoulder and basketball shorts– really, the thought of missing out on this weighs more than your guilt.

"hey sohee.." you start, taking a bold step closer to the smaller boy, both hands making it's home on his hips, "can I kiss you?" sohee's eyes are blown wide, face an incredible shade of red, "I– that– w-would that be alright, with anton, I mean?" that alone had you rolling your eyes, "nevermind him, I'm asking you. can I kiss you, lee sohee?" and maybe it was the adrenaline, or the impatience, you really can't tell, but you couldn't wait for sohee's response before crashing your lips on his.

𓏔 i. MASTERLIST 𓏔 ii. BACK 𓏔 iii. NEXT

synopsis! bored sohee decides that airdropping memes at his best friend's gig would be the best way to kill the boredom. much to his luck, the drummer of his best friend's band, who he's been crushing on for years, is the one that got his meme airdropped to.

author's note! well.... how was it..... longest update yet.... don't jump me guys 😣 taglist still open!

taglist! @pinklemonade34 @luvkyu @naseobseob @kmusicreblogs @desafortuno @dontwannaexsist

#%!&; ` solkver #airdrop ⋆·˚ ༘ *#lee sohee #smau #riize smau #kpop x male reader #kpop #male reader #riize lee sohee #lee sohee x male reader #riize #riize x male reader

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d1xonss · 9 months ago

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Desert Rose

Series Masterlist ~ Seasons 1-5

✧ Media : The Walking Dead

✧ Pairing : Daryl Dixon x OC

✧ Status : Ongoing

Warnings : Mentions of blood, death, gore, swearing, sex, violence, etc.

Prologue ~ When a zombie apocalypse breaks out and wipes over half of the population, Rose is left alone to take on this new world as it unfolds. She knew it would be difficult, for things to not work out the way they once did, turning in ways she never would've expected. But what she really didn't expect was to come across more survivors like her. Not only that, but the journey that would come right along with it.

Disclaimer ~ This is a fan fiction I wrote that follows the TV show The Walking Dead, Seasons 1-11. This mainly follows the entirety of the plot of the show, but there will be little changes here and there that I've added on my own. There may be some disturbing topics in some chapters, but there will always be a warning at the top before you read. I don’t own any of the characters in the series except for my OC. As of now the story is not complete, but there will be weekly updates. Let me know if you would like to be added to the taglist!

Hope you enjoy!

Character Moodboards

Pre-Apocalypse Headcanons

Season 1 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 1 - Introductions

Chapter 2 - Who the Hell are You?

Chapter 3 - Opening up

Chapter 4 - One Long Day

Chapter 5 - Decisions

Chapter 6 - Metallica

Chapter 7 - Overthinking

Chapter 8 - Panic Room

Season 2 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 9 - Sophia?

Chapter 10 - Darkness

Chapter 11 - The Farm

Chapter 12 - Cherokee Rose

Chapter 13 - Hey Stranger

Chapter 14 - Thank you

Chapter 15 - Heart Attack

Chapter 16 - It ain't like that

Chapter 17 - Guitar lessons and confessions

Chapter 18 - Gone

Chapter 19 - Goodbye

Chapter 20 - Stay

Chapter 21 - Randall

Chapter 22 - Scars

Chapter 23 - Broken

Chapter 24 - Good Mourning

Chapter 25 - The Herd

Chapter 26 - Reunited

Season 3 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 27 - New Beginnings

Chapter 28 - Stranger Danger

Chapter 29 - Shit happens

Chapter 30 - Three little words

Chapter 31 - Happy Birthday

Chapter 32 - Avoiding Me

Chapter 33 - Woodbury

Chapter 34 - Come with me

Chapter 35 - Hey Jude

Chapter 36 - The Attack

Chapter 37 - Welcome Back

Chapter 38 - Worries and Apologies

Chapter 39 - Going to War

Chapter 40 - The Deal

Chapter 41 - Peace

Season 4 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 42 - Wildflower Wildfire

Chapter 43 - The Honeymoon Phase

Chapter 44 - Little Things

Chapter 45 - All Good things Must come to an End

Chapter 46 - I’m Here

Chapter 47 - Infected

Chapter 48 - In Sickness and In Health

Chapter 49 - Blood runs Thicker than Water

Chapter 50 - Bring me to Life

Chapter 51 - Liar

Chapter 52 - We’re Okay

Chapter 53 - The Pretty Purple Clip

Chapter 54 - Claimed

Chapter 55 - Moonshine and Memories

Chapter 56 - Alone

Chapter 57 - Found

Season 5 ~ Moodboard

Chapter 58 - As Deep as a Wound

Chapter 59 - The Priest

Chapter 60 - Just Married

Chapter 61 - White Crosses

Chapter 62 - Deafening Cries

Chapter 63 - Death’s Deaf Ears

Chapter 64 - The Rain

Chapter 65 - A Friend

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seresinsbabe · 2 years ago

Text

Drunk Words Are Sober Thoughts

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x f!reader

Synopsis: You're just trying to enjoy a quiet night at home when a less than sober pilot is dropped off at your doorstep. And he's spilling all his sober thoughts in drunk words.

Word count: 2.5k

Warnings: Alcohol, swearing, fluff, drunk jake. Nothing else I can think of. A/N: This is not my first fic, but it is my first fic on here. If this one doesn't flop there will definitely be more! Otherwise I will just retreat into the reader shadows xD

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“And those…god those eyes…” Hangman slurred slightly, a combination of his Texas upbringing and the whiskey in his system.

“Okay! We fucking get it Seresin!” Rooster groaned out in frustration. Frustration that Jake Seresin didn’t seem to notice in his drunken state even with Bradley’s use of his last name. It was supposed to have been guys' night out and to Jake’s defense it had started that way. Only the more liquor he consumed the more his thoughts were consumed by you. And thus had led to Rooster’s frustration when all Jake could talk about was you.

You were the only woman he’d ever gone after that had turned him down for reasons other than having a man. The only one that hadn’t fallen for his southern drawl and charming smile. Jake wasn’t used to that, but he also wasn’t used to the way it made him want you. Relationships had never been his forte. Sure, he’d had one or two, but mostly in high school and college. Nothing serious since he’d joined the navy. But you? The sweet middle school teacher with your perfect smile, curves in all the right places and sweet voice that could make the devil give up his sinful ways? All Jake Seresin could think about was making you his and only his.

Bradley knew from Phoenix that you were more into Jake than you were willing to let the man know. He knew you’d had your heart broken by one too many military men and that you were damned if you were going to let a silver tongued devil with pretty green eyes break it all over again. Normally Brad would have agreed, he would have supported you in your decision to keep Hangman at an arm's length. At first he had, then it became apparent that Hangman didn’t look at you the way he looked at all the other women. In all the years he’d known the Texan playboy he’d never seen him like this over someone.

So by the first hour of Jake drunkenly babbling about how perfect you were he formulated a plan.

It was a typical Thursday night for you. Work had been long and you’d already decided that morning that tonight would be a self care night. Which for you included binge watching New Girl with a stuffed crust pizza and a bottle of wine.

You were giggling uncontrollably as you watched Nick and Schmidt argue over a towel when the first thunk came. It was loud and scared both you and your cat that was curled up in your lap. The time on your phone read 10:41, way too late for anyone to be coming over unannounced. You felt your heart rate increase and as another thunk sounded out you stood up, grabbing the baseball bat you kept stashed by your door for emergencies. Holding the bat in your right hand, up high and ready to swing, with your left you reached out and unlocked the door. Only when you opened it did you realize it wasn’t an intruder at all.

“Jake?” The sandy haired pilot stood at your door and you could smell the whiskey on his breath from here.

He grinned lazily at you and damn if it didn’t make you swoon just the littlest bit. Why was his drunk ass here, though? You knew it had been guys' night, but never before had any of the guys been dumped at your doorstep while drunk.

“Hi sweets,” he lurched forward, losing his stability against your door frame and you reached out, catching him.

“Jesus! How did you get here?” Your eyes searched outside and you didn’t see his truck, but surely he hadn’t walked here. That would have been one hell of a walk from the Hard Deck to your little bungalow.

“Cock-a- cock-a-doodle whooo,” you let out a soft giggle at his attempt to crow. You took that as he meant Rooster had been the one to declare you babysitter. You made a mental note to rip Rooster a new one come morning.

Jake stumbled a bit more and you grunted as you tried to keep the man up. He was much larger than you, taller by at least six inches and definitely carried more mass. “Okay, okay,” you huffed as you slung his arm around your shoulder. “Let’s get you into bed.” It was a struggle but eventually you got him to your guest bedroom. You helped him collapse on the bed and then left in search of water and ibuprofen. Lucky for Jake you still had some packets of pedialyte powder in your pantry from the last time Nix needed a GNO.

When you got back to the room Jake had somehow managed to strip down to his boxers. You were thankful that his eyes were closed because had they not been he definitely would have caught you admiring him. It was like he’d been carved out of marble by Gods. This wasn’t the first time you’d seen him shirtless, but it was the first time you’d seen him in nothing but boxers in your house.

“Sweets,” the Texan drawled out, calling for you. He’d always called you that, from the day he met you, it had never really had much of an affect on you before. Hearing it with that drunken tone of desperation made it hit differently. Your feet carried you over to him and before you had time to react he’d reached out, pulling you to him by the oversized t-shirt you had on.

You let out a surprised squeak as he wrapped his arms around you. The bottle of pedialyte mixture and ibuprofen is still in your hands as he nuzzles his face into the crook of your neck. A familiar heat pools in your cheek and tints them pink. “Jake, come on you’re drunk. You need to drink this and take some medicine.” This was probably the nicest you’d ever talked to Jake. Though every other conversation you’d had revolved around you rejecting him to protect your own heart from his philandering ways.

Jake harrumphed when he felt you trying to pry yourself out of his arms and just tightened his grip on you. It would be a lie to tell yourself it didn’t feel nice, that you couldn’t get used to being held by him, but Jake wasn’t that kind of guy and you knew that. “Mm want you,” he murmured into your neck.

“Jake, I am not going to hook up with you,” you rolled your eyes so hard he could probably hear it. “Especially not when you’re drunk.” You tried to push yourself out of his arms again, but again his arms tightened around you.

“No sweets, wanna make you mine.” You froze, the pills and water bottle slipping out of your hand. “Wanna be with you, my girl.” He slurred softly into your neck. “So pretty…perfect…be a good mama to our babies.” If you were a cartoon you were sure your heart would burst out of your chest with as hard as it was beating right now. There was no way Jake Seresin was drunkenly telling you he wanted to make a family with you. This had to be just the liquor talking. You wanted to get away, to go have this mini panic attack by yourself, but every time you tried his hold on you just tightened. So you waited it out and once he was in a deep enough sleep you slipped out of his arms.

With two fingers on each hand you rubbed your temples and paced in your living room. Your mind was spinning so fast that you just had to convince yourself that it was all the liquor. Jake Seresin didn’t date and he definitely didn’t marry women, least of all you. So far you've been able to keep yourself from falling for his charm by telling yourself that all you are to him is another conquest. Another notch on his long belt. What he’d just said had meant nothing and come the morning he’d be back to his despicable self.

After chugging the rest of the wine in your glass you locked back up. Your self care night had effectively been ruined and it seemed like the best thing to do now was go to bed. Before you settled down in your bed you made sure to send Rooster a not so nice text. To which he just responded with a sequence of mocking emojis.

Jake was still asleep when you woke up the next morning. You just hoped he didn’t sleep the whole day away. It would be much harder to get what he said last night out of your head if he was in your house all day long. Maybe it would be best if you just left to avoid any and all awkward contact. You had some errands to run that day anyway.

“Sweets?” You winced as you heard his voice, thick with sleep in a way that had your stomach flipping. “Not that I’m upset I woke up at your place, but how did I get here?” Finally you turned from where you stood in front of the stove, bacon frying up in a pan. How the hell did he look this good hungover?

“Rooster dropped you off,” you hummed in a slightly irritated tone as you pushed water and pills over to him. “Not sure why I was the one chosen to take care of your drunk ass and listen to you admit fake feelings for me.” You mused, turning back towards the food cooking on the stove.

You expected Jake to chuckle and make some comment about how his lines hadn’t worked on you yet again, but that one day they would. He was sober now and sober Jake was far different than drunk Jake.

“Sweets,” there was a tone in his voice. A tone that you couldn’t quite place but it wasn’t his normal arrogant one. “What did I say to you last night?” You squeezed your eyes shut tightly. This was the last kind of conversation you wanted to have. It was one thing for you to decide in your own head that Jake wanted you for nothing more than your body, but it would be an entirely different thing for you to hear it out of his own mouth. It would solidify that you were just a conquest for him, that you were like every other woman he chased.

You shrugged, trying to continue acting like it was really no big deal. “Nothing I took to heart, just told me you wanted to make me your girl and that I’d make a good mama to our babies.” Saying the words out loud made your stomach fill with butterflies. “You were drunk though, I’m sure it was just the whiskey talking.”

A thick silence hung in the air as you plated the food for him. You’d made enough in case he woke up. With as nice as his physique was you weren’t even sure he ate greasy breakfast like this, but you know they always made you feel better after a night out. With as quiet as everything was right now you didn’t have much of an appetite. Again you had expected him to laugh it off but he didn’t. Instead he looked at you with these sweet eyes. Looking both like your brush off of his admittal had hurt him and made him realize he wasn’t trying hard enough.

Jake swallowed hard and you watched his Adam’s apple bob. “It wasn’t the whiskey talking sweets.” Your hand froze mid air, a piece of perfectly cooked bacon between your fingers.

“Jake you don’t date. You wham, bam, thank you ma’am.” You swallowed just as hard as he had a second ago.

“Those women weren’t you, Y/N.” He used your actual name and you felt your heart skip a beat. Jake never called you by your real name. Hell, he called you sweets so much you sometimes wondered if he had forgotten your actual name. In a few strides he’d moved around to the side of the kitchen island you were on. His hand came up and with his index finger he tilted your head up to look at him. “I don’t remember saying it to you last night, but just know I meant every word.” His tone was so sincere, how could you not believe him? But how could you at the same time?

You turned away from him, trying to settle your mind and your heart at the same time. There was no way this was happening. Thank god you had the day off work, because you would need it to recover from whatever the fuck was happening right now.

“Hey, look at me sweets,” his hands landed on your hips, turning you to fully face him. “Tell me what’s going on in that pretty head of yours.” Resistance felt futile at this point, but you were still trying hard to resist.

“Jake, you can’t be serious?” The aviator cocked an eyebrow at you, coaxing you to continue. “You could have your pick of available women out here and you want me?”

He started to laugh and you felt sick to your stomach. You knew it was too good to be true, Jake didn’t want you in that way. The notion wasn’t as comforting as you thought it would have been and you wished he would stop laughing at the whole thing.

Jake finally took notice of the pained look on your face and his laughter was cut short. One of his arms snaked around your waist and the other hand came up to brush a stray lock of hair behind your ear. “Sweets, you don’t see yourself properly and I promise if you give me a chance I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how fuckin’ special you are.” You searched his eyes, looking for any hint that this was all fake. Though, you hadn’t found one yet so you weren’t sure why you thought you’d find one now.

On its own accord your head started to nod up and down. It took your brain a moment to catch up and by the time it did you knew you couldn’t take it back. Jake looked like it was Christmas morning and he got the bike he’d been begging for all year long. He looked so happy, there was no way you could take this away from him.

“I’ll give you a chance, but Jake Seresin I swear the second you hurt me even a little it’s over.” You wouldn’t let another pretty boy military man break your heart again. Not after how bad the last one had been.

Jake’s grin only grew and he lifted you up, spinning you around in the kitchen. The action made you giggle and the pilot had to fight to keep himself from getting down on one knee.

“Don’t worry sweets, I got lots of plans for us.” He hummed, pressing a kiss to your forehead and you felt like you could melt right then and there.

#top gun one shot #hangman x you #jake seresin x y/n #jake seresin fluff #top gun fluff #hangman x reader #jake seresin x reader

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estrellami-1 · 11 months ago

Text

If I Should Stay

I’m not gonna lie… if there was a part to leave as my last one for a month… I’d choose this one. I hope y'all like it as much as I do! ❤️

Part 1 | . . . | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42

El watches the proceedings with wide eyes, and grips onto Steve’s hand the moment he’s close enough. “It’s time,” she says. She might be asking; she’s not quite sure.

Steve’s face falls. “Almost,” he agrees, pulling her into a hug. She goes gladly, tucking her face into his neck. “I think we’ve got one more day,” he murmurs, not letting go. “Are you up for some training today?”

She pulls back to look him in the eye. It’s the easiest way for her to make sure he’s telling the truth. “I will be stronger?”

“That’s the goal,” Steve nods. “I don’t know if it’ll work.”

El thinks about it, then nods. “I want to try.”

“M’kay. Have you eaten recently? Alli made some pretty great mac and cheese we can heat up, if you want it.”

El had mac and cheese before. It was cold, because she had to wait for Mike to bring it to her in the basement. The noodles were rubbery and the cheese didn’t taste good. She scrunches her nose, but Steve doesn’t look like he’s lying, so she relaxes her face and nods. “That would be good,” she tells him.

He smiles and ruffles the little bit of hair she has. “‘Course, El. I’m gonna heat this up, and while you eat, we can talk, okay?”

“Okay,” she answers, and watches as he puts some of the pasta into a bowl and sticks it into the microwave.

As it’s heating up, Steve turns to Eddie and Wayne. “Eddie, think you can bring him up to speed? We’ll be in the dining room if you have any questions.”

Eddie nods and waves his uncle out of the kitchen in the direction of the living room, already speaking faster than Eleven had thought possible.

When they’re both sitting at the table, her with a steaming bowl in front of her and a fork in hand, Steve starts talking. “First things first,” he says softly. “Eleven. That’s not your name; it was a number assigned to you.”

She perks up. “You know my name?”

Steve nods. “Jane.”

“Jane,” she tries out, then nods decisively. She likes it.

“So eleven. The number. That means there were at least ten others. We know Vecna, Henry Creel, is One. That leaves nine more.”

El shakes her head. She knows this. “They all died.”

Steve gives her a sad sort of smile. “Not all of them. You meet your sister, Kali. She’s number eight. She can make you believe you’re seeing something that isn’t there. She’s very powerful, and she taught you how she got that powerful.” He puts his fingertips together with his palms apart. It looks like a spider on a mirror, and El gets sidetracked for a moment by the image.

“What do you know about fairy tales?” Steve asks, and El blinks and chews the bite she’d just put in her mouth.

“They’re fake,” she eventually says. “Stories about things that never happened, that can’t ever happen.”

Steve smiles at her. “Yes, but there’s still lessons to be learned from them. Can I tell you my favorite version of a fairy tale called Sleeping Beauty?”

El perks up again. “I know that one! A witch curses the princess so she falls asleep forever until her true love finds her and kisses her.”

Steve nods. “That’s the most popular version,” he agrees, lips tilted up. “But that’s not my favorite.”

She tilts her head. “What is your favorite?”

He grins at her. “Once upon a time there was a princess. She was cursed, you got that right, but it wasn’t by a witch. It was by a fairy who hadn’t been invited to her first birthday, which is a very big deal when you’re a princess. So the fairy curses her to fall asleep—her and the rest of the kingdom—when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel when she turns eighteen. Everything goes exactly as the fairy had said, and eighteen years after she casts the spell, the princess—Aurora—falls asleep, only to be woken by true love’s kiss. The fairy came to check on Aurora and found her sleeping, just as she’d planned. But something unexpected happened: the fairy felt compassion for her. She took to sitting by her bedside every day, waiting for the princess’s true love to appear. Finally one day she goes to leave and presses a kiss to Aurora’s forehead. Can you guess when happened?”

El frowns. “She woke up?”

“Exactly,” Steve nods. “She woke up because the fairy loved her. True love can come from anywhere. It doesn’t have to be romantic.” He takes one of El’s hands in his own and looks into her eyes. “Kali taught you to use your anger to get stronger. I want you to try to use love. It’s the one thing Henry Creel doesn’t have.”

El thinks about it. “I don’t have to kiss anyone.”

Steve chuckles. “No, you don’t have to kiss anyone. But you know me, right? You know Mike and Will and Dustin and Lucas. And you know Robin, Eddie, Nancy, and Jonathan, now, right?”

“Right,” El nods.

“And do you love any of us? Do you want us to stay safe?”

El thinks carefully about the question, then nods. “Like the fairy.”

Steve’s eyes crinkle as he grins at El. “Just like the fairy.”

Permanent Taglist: @justforthedead89 @ilovecupcakesandtea @madigoround @bookbinderbitch @suddenlyinlove @nburkhardt @artiststarme @paintsplatteredandimperfect @i-less-than-three-you @alyelf @quarble @messrs-weasley @littlewildflowerkitten @vankaar @starman-jpg @bornonthesavage @steddie-there @goodolefashionedloverboi @andienotannie @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @platinum-sunset @just-ladyme @steddiestains @swimmingbirdrunningrock @imhereforthelolzdontyellatme @martinskis-lydias @notaqueenakhaleesi @sleepyboosstuff @bestwifehaver @m-owo-n @thatonebadideapanda @finalmoondragon @velocitytimes2 @callmeanythjing @ajeff855 @ilikeititspretty @knitsforthetrail @sillysparrow @that-one-corvid @ace-is-bored @muricel @harpymoth @weirdandabsurd42

Fic Taglist: @blondlanfear @do-you-want-something-more @str4wb3rry-guy @paperbackribs @ninjapirateunicorns @bisexualdisastersworld @hiscrimsonangel @lolawonsstuff @xo-r4e @thedragonsaunt @l0st-strawberry

#stranger things #if I should stay #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #wayne munson #el hopper #el and Steve #they are my absolute favorite I swear #fix it fic #time travel fic #time travel fix it #time travel fix it fic #starambles

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clubdionysus · 5 months ago

Text

[BAD DECISION #41] Locked Doors

warnings: jungkook is literally so cayewwwt, shower sex, creampie <3, talks of a 'label', avoidance of said 'label', THE JILYMPICS!!! fun time with friends!!! wahooo!! i forgot how much I luv these chapters, shameless flirting!! lots of inspo from run bts :) so nice! so fun! until the red witch returns.... mwhahahahaha

wc: 11.5K

bd total wc: 540k (ongoing)

AO3 | MASTERLIST | MINORS DNI

"Go on. Admit it. You hate the turtles."

"Gguk," you say flatly, giving him a look that just screams 'really?'

"We're right by the sea," he reminds you, as if you ever forgot. Nods towards the door of the house you're currently inside - the same one you're sleeping in - and reciprocates your look. "Go on out there and tell the sea creatures you're a heartless wench who doesn't care for them."

Rolling your eyes, the smirk on your lips is well hidden. The salt air has dried your skin out, and the lines by your eyes as you smile feel a little tighter than usual - but Jeongguk is just the same, dark hair crisping as it dries off.

You'd all been playing a game of chicken down by the shore, seeing who could run away from the largest waves, when Nabi and Jimin had declared that everybody needed to go inside.

"We're setting up for this afternoon's activity," Jimin had explained. "No sneak peeks."

And thus you'd all been banished to your bedrooms.

At the time, still a little too close to the sea, Jeongguk had been protesting the demand when the largest wave of the entire game came crashing in. Had knocked out his knees from behind - and thus, he's now dripping wet in the communal area of the house you're staying in.

The dark material of his shirt drapes over his strong torso like he's made of marble; a statue comparable to those of Ancient Greece. He really is just something else. You've never known a man like him.

And yet it's those big brown puppy dog eyes that get your tummy doing silly little somersaults.

When you were a kid, and you didn't understand how the body worked, and still thought your lungs were balloons inside ribs, you used to think that little miniature men were responsible for all bodily functions ever.

If anyone were to ask, you'd probably describe it as a game of lemmings going on inside you. The men were teeny tiny. Always wore hard hats. Had little radios that connected to a man in the brain who sat at a desk and watched everything happen.

Retrospectively, even with limited knowledge of science, you're not sure how child-you ever thought that was possible. How could tiny men fill up your tear ducts whenever you cried? Surely you'd feel them? And where would they get the tiny plastic jugs from? Logic evaded you, clearly.

Still, you can picture your band of tiny men, in rust-coloured boiler suits and yellow hard hats using your stomach as a circus tent, now. They'd trapeze from side to side. Maybe there'd even be a tiny elephant in there, doing tricks with a ball.

You push the silly thoughts of silly tiny men out of your head - only to be confronted with an equally silly man in front of you. Sexy, yes, but silly.

"You can go tell them for me," you insist, just playfully as he had suggested the thing you're arguing against. "You're already wet. Makes sense."

"No, what makes sense is us getting a shower together-"

"Oh my God," you laugh. He's determined. You'll give him that much. "Give it a rest you needy little prick."

"So you DO hate the turtles," he shakes his head. Scoffs. Looks terribly disappointed in you. All you wanna do is kiss his stupid, pretty - no, you remind yourself. Pull it together. "And here I was thinking you were a good person, B. More fool me."

It's just that his feigned disappointment is kinda cute; all pouty and pensive. There's something about a whiney Jeongguk that really does make you a little weak at the knees - but you're creating a little distance.

Or at least, you're trying to.

Quite literally - you're standing by the foot of the stairs, while he's over by the sofa. Are far too aware that if you were any closer, you'd just say fuck it. Would get him undressed right there and then, and probably get far dirtier than you are now. Would earn that shower he's so desperate to have with you.

Every single time he's touched you throughout the day, no matter how minimal, you've found yourself wanting to hold his hand. Every smile shared, you've wished was a kiss, and every laugh exchanged has made your heart swell .

You're in trouble, and you damn well know it.

"Look," you sigh, trying to be the sensible one because apparently he's incapable. "If you join me, that easily turns it into, what? Thirty? Forty minutes? But if I'm alone, I'm done in ten."

"I can be quick," he promises without hesitation, and then pretends to be a little offended. "Hold on a second - I'm not doing this for my gain. I'm just thinking about the turtles. Don't even wanna do anything with you like that. Gross. Get your mind outta the gutter, B."

"Oh, so you just wanna be naked together, huh?" You smile, knowing he's full of absolute horse shit.

"Yeah?" He says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Just normal bestie things."

You know he's joking, but there's a wilting sadness that comes with the prospect of Jeongguk still believing this; still thinking of you as he always has done.

Memories of how Jeongguk used to speak of Hayun ring in your ears like the clattering of metal alarm clocks that never seem to cease.

She stayed the same. I'm the one whose feelings changed. My hurt is on me.

History is repeating itself, just with Jeongguk playing a different role. He's stayed the same, this time. It's your feelings that have, stupidly, changed.

He's made for it, you think. Made to be adored. Made to make the girlies swoon. Made for you to feel far too fondly about.

You've an awareness of how this all will play out, thanks to Jeongguk's own history. Know that you've got limited time to indulge in him.

So, for better or for worse, indulge in him, you shall.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay in those clothes," you eventually concede, finally relenting.

The space between you is closed, you desire to keep a safe distance evaporating in the murky April air.

Toying with the hem of his shirt, you look up at him through your lashes. Hope you look as sultry as you feel.

It's so stupid. You shouldn't care so much. It's just Jeongguk.

But that's exactly the problem.

It's Jeongguk .

Oh, God, it's Jeongguk and that pretty smile, and those sweet little teeth. It's Jeongguk and the angled tip of his nose and the narrowing of his eyes as he looks down at you; no longer a doe but a dragon. It's Jeongguk, and the scent of his aftershave and warmth of his skin that always makes you feel so at home.

It's Jeongguk. Has been since that very first Dionysus night when he asked you what you liked, and all you could think about was him. Superficial, dumb shit. His tattoos, his lip ring - but also his kindness. His astute determination to make sure people who needed water got water, and how willing he was to find you a drink you liked.

You've been withholding evidence, it would seem. The crime? How Jeon Jeongguk stole your heart in an elaborate heist, so intricate you didn't even realise it was happening.

The alarm bells are ringing, now though. You're without a heart, and yet you've never felt more alive.

His dark eyes are downcast towards you; sin written all those pretty features you like so much.

"So take them off," he husks, leaning down to nudge his nose against yours. The proximity of your lips makes it hard to resist him. "Get me naked, B."

And so you simply don't resist.

You press your lips up against his, and sink into his touch; how he pulls your waist closer into his chest, how broad his shoulders are beneath your elbows as your arms link behind his head, how softly he envelops your lips with his own.

It's soft. Gentle. A kiss to declare how much you've missed him, even if it's less than twelve hours since the last time you were caught up in such an embrace.

Sometimes in life, kisses linger far longer in your soul than they do on your body.

They become your first thought when you think of fairy tales, and the people you share them with are forever immortalised as something far greater than who they actually are.

One day, when leaves have fallen and rebloomed a dozen times over, you won't be able to feel these kisses anymore - but you'll feel something . An ever-present ghost that you can never rid yourself of. Doesn't matter how many kisses come afterwards; none will ever compare.

You don't realise it yet, but this is your forever kiss.

It's the one that will stain you red in the colour of Jeon Jeongguk's affection for you. Even if one day he forgets how delicately he touched you, how feathery light his lips were and how serene your smile was, you won't. It'll replay in your mind, and whenever you realise you're thinking about it again, you'll press your lips together, as if that's any substitute.

Other lovers will no doubt kiss you later in life. Come the time, it'll be nice. Welcome, even. But it'll never be the same.

This realisation will come far too late, and it will be devastating.

Will stop you from believing in the concept of love all over again. Will make you resent your younger self for embarking on these bad decisions with a boy you were never supposed to fall for.

Jeon Jeongguk is forever, but he's also not for you.

But you're young, and you're dumb, and bad decisions just taste so good when they're on the tip of his tongue.

"About that shower?" he mumbles into your lips.

"Shut up," you mumble right back.

Yet not even two minutes later, you're in the same position, water running, clothes stripped, bathroom door locked.

"I stand corrected," he husks, lips trailing down your neck.

"Hmm?"

"About the turtles," he smirks. Pulls away to look at you, and brushes strands of sopping wet hair off your face. Holds your jaw and he presses a dainty kiss against your lips. "You do love the turtles."

Turtles? Meh. You're indifferent.

Jeongguk? Yeah... That's the kicker.

"Shut up," you whine into his lips as they press down once more. His hands roam all over your body, reacquainting themselves with the way you feel; wet, warm, and his to hold.

There's an unbridled familiarity to the way Jeongguk touches you, certain permissions never asked because they're always a given yes. He turns you around, but leans over your shoulder to make sure he can still kiss you.

Cock hard, he taps the outer side of your thigh. Instinctively, you raise up to your tiptoes. Seem to just understand what he wants; what he needs. Squeezing at your ass, Jungook lets himself rub up against you. Feels so nice, the way you use one another for nothing more than a little selfish, mindless indulgence. There's no expectation of reciprocation, and yet it's always a given.

"Keep your legs together," he husks against your shoulder, a hand on your waist and he grips the base of his cock. Presses the tip just beneath the curve of your ass where your legs meet; a teeny tiny triangle of space just beneath your pussy his to fill. Lets out a laboured breath as he pushes into the tight space. His lips kiss the curve of your neck, and he's quiet, when he begs, "Can I fuck you like this? Please?"

You don't verbalise a response. Just nod. Push your ass back a little, forearms and palms flat against the tiles, creating a barrier for your head to lean upon.

It's not really fucking. At least, you're not getting fucked - but the friction of his cock as it slides in the snug space your body accommodates for him is so nice. So simple and yet so good.

Waist being held by one of his large hands, the other comes to rest at the base of your neck. Water still pitter-patters around you, wetting your skin, making your hair stick to your body. The way your pussy leaks for him as the tip of his cock brushes up against your clit provides him with a far better lube than the water he'd been relying on.

"Fuck, B," he grunts as his hips thrust into a rhythm akin to the beat of your heart. "This body..." he squeezes your waist. " Your body. Fuck. Feels so fucking good."

For reasons you can't quite decipher, you downplay his compliments. Tease a little, and say, "I'm sure you say that to all the girls."

Jeongguk knows you're joking. Is familiar with the turn of phrase. Has heard you use it before.

But he's not an idiot.

Well, no, often he is an idiot - but when it comes to his sensitivity of you, and specifically your relationship with shower sex, he knows better than to joke along with you. There are scars left by Seokjin and even though they're pale in comparison to how raw they were when you first showered with Jeongguk, he knows how hard you've worked to heal.

And so he slows. Keeps himself snug in the warmth of you, but stays still. Presses a delicate kiss to your neck. Shakes his head. Finds your lips. Is delicate once more as he kisses you tenderly.

"No one makes me feel like you do," he promises against your lips.

Hands slinking around you, he pulls you in for a hug. Arms tight, he needs you to know that his words are true.

Jeongguk is smooth as he manoeuvres you around to face him once more. Back pressed to the tiles, steam billowing around the room, his hands cup your jaw, positioning you perfectly for your lips to meet his - and when they do, it's clear that the way you orbit one another is reaching the point of no return.

It's only a matter of time until you crash. Collide. Combust.

Still, he's in total control. Your body kind of just becomes his; eyes wide whenever he pulls away, begging for him to return.

And he will - but first, he needs to be honest. Needs you to hear his truth, 'cause he's scared of the consequences that could occur due to an absence of it.

"I love it here," he starts, then realises he's too vague. Doesn't care that his cock is embarrassingly hard, or that he can't quite get a read behind your sparkly eyes. He looks down briefly, only for a moment or so. Shakes his head. Raises his head to meet your gaze. "Not here," he corrects. Continues, "I mean - here, yeah, right now - but not here specifically. I just... When I'm with you like this, the rest of it all just sorta disappears. Shit with the bank, with life..."

His lips find yours, pressing down tightly to match the closing of his eyes. In his head, the voices berate him. Tell him to stop being a fucking baby. To man up. To say what he really thinks.

But Jeon Jeongguk is, for the first time in a very long time, scared in your presence.

Scared he could fuck it. Scared he could say the wrong thing. Scared he could say the right thing, and fuck it up regardless.

"You help me forget," he whispers in between his needy, nonsensical physical affirmations of how much he enjoys being with you.

Life is good, though, you think. He shouldn't need to forget it.

And so you ask.

"What's there to forget, huh?" You say softly, lips brushing against his, noses nudging in that delicate way they so often do.

It's a good question.

Suddenly, Jeongguk doesn't really want to be honest any more. Doesn't want to admit to the part where he forgets you're not together. Where he forgets this started as a means to an end, and that it seems as if the end is drawing near. Where he forgets that you're not his, and he's not yours.

When it's just the two of you, it's so easy to pretend; to cosplay as lovers. Do all the things that lovers do, so that one day, you'll be able to do it easily with someone else.

But Jeongguk has tried.

He felt the rush of butterflies with Jiyeong; that superficial sorta infatuation that flutters around your stomach, but fails to reach your bloodstream. It never impacted his heart. Never made his muscles ache.

Not like you do.

And he knows why - again, he's not a total idiot.

It's 'cause you're friends.

There are layers here, à la Shrek and onions. You're already in his bloodstream. He already cares for you in a way that goes beyond that of a crush.

It just so happens that he wants to bone you, like, twenty-four-seven. Has never been so horny. Thinks he might die, like, once a day. Maybe more. He's not too sure.

The combination of his care and complete lack of self-control?

He knows that it's rare.

Knows that it isn't typical.

Even with Hayun, it wasn't like this.

There was a time when Jeongguk could say he loved her. Completely, and honestly, adored her for a fraction of his lifetime. And yet...

It wasn't like this.

Nudging his nose against yours, he goes against his better judgement.

The thing that you make him forget?

"That it's not as good as this in real life," he whispers. "You make me forget it's never this good. I don't... This shit ain't normal, B."

You're a fallacy; an illusion of what life could be like. A fantasy. That beautiful 'what if' Jeongguk used to think of you as in the shitty lighting of Dionysus, your disco ball eyes twinkling as you'd tease him by the bar.

But your glitter is on your cheeks now, fixed at zero even as rivulets of water trickle down your skin like tears. There's still a sparkle in your eye, but it's just because you're reflecting your star boy back at himself.

"What do you mean?" you ask, certain that you don't actually want the answer.

Jeongguk leans across to the taps. Shuts off the shower.

"Turtles," he says of his actions. Bites on his lip, contemplation lacing his brows together. His ring does the thing. You wish he was still kissing you. "I mean... I just... Well, this is different, isn't it? The thing we've got going on. The friendship. The fucking. It's better."

You shake your head. Know that you've been confused over things recently. Perhaps he is, too.

"It's the lack of romance. All the fun without the expectations. It is different... but it's not better."

"You've had better?" He asks, genuinely curious.

"Well, no," you admit. "But nothing feels the same as being loved."

"Oh, fuck that," he laughs. Know that somewhere in that pretty head of yours, memories of Seokjin are floating around. Is shameless, and most definitely too horny for his own good when he says, "I can fuck you like I love you."

"No, you can't," you laugh, as if the heart that's no longer in your chest isn't being put through a paper shredder. "You can't fake it. You just know when the other person loves you."

Like I love you. So desperately sad. Like he loves you. Like.

"Do you?" He implores.

The question is posed as a generalisation. You take it as such, and ignore the way your brain wonders if it was meant to be slightly more pointed.

Do you know when someone loves you ?

"What I know, Jeongguk, is that you don't need love to have fun."

"And you'd rather that? Fun over love?"

"I'd rather you shut up and fuck me," you tease, because you'll lose your mind if he doesn't stop sending you such conflicting messages. "So yeah, I'll take fun over love."

No, Jeongguk thinks. No, you won't. Not if you're fucking me.

Glancing over to the clock on the back wall, you make a note of the time. "Got twenty minutes, Gguk. We need to get ready - but fun can be fast. Love can't be."

Oh, on the contrary.

Love can be both of those things.

Jeongguk proves it not even four minutes later; your legs wrapped around him, back pressed to tiles, his thumb rubbing gentle circles over your clit as your pussy throbs around his cock.

"God, you're so beautiful," he husks into your mouth, kisses messy, tongue teasing. "So god damn gorgeous when you cum on my cock, aren't you, B?"

And you know it shouldn't, but it makes you laugh. Gets you all giggly. Mutterings of "shut up" are spliced with teeny tiny kisses and reciprocated giggles from Jeongguk. Little sing-songs of "pretty, pretty baby," and "you're so happy when I fuck you - it's so cute, " and the occasional laboured grunt, moan, curse - but always an eternal, endless, ethereal smile on Jeongguk's dreamy lips.

There's no clear, linear pathway that leads you to your bedroom. You know you don't walk, so Jeongguk must have carried you, but it's all such a mess. Him, you. Bodies, connected. Your existences bleed into one another. Too busy sustaining each other to realise that you're still wounded.

The way his cock slides into you when you're finally on your bed, retracting with every strenuous grind of his hips against yours, is nothing short of euphoric. Trapped beneath the weight of his body, you're a prisoner of your own feelings, but he's the one keeping guard. How could you not adore him? How could you want anything other than this? How could this ever be just friends?

Legs spread nice and wide for him, there's an ache in your bones that doesn't even come close to the ache in your chest.

Mindless as he hooks one of your legs over his elbow, Jeongguk's lips are barely kissing yours. Just sharing your oxygen; breathing in your moans.

"I'm there," he husks, and is met with a nod.

"Inside," is all you can manage to say. Wrap the leg that he's not supporting around his back. Hold him close. Get him smirking.

"B-" he whines, knowing he shouldn't - not like he makes any effort to pull away. He's as desperate for this as you are.

"Please."

Jeongguk fucks you until he physically can't. Until you physically can't take it anymore; until you both, emotionally, can't bear it any longer. Finishes inside you, 'cause it's what you want, and he wants to be the one who fulfils your desires.

Body heavy on top of yours, Jeongguk stays buried inside you, the clammy skin you're both sporting makes the shower you shared redundant. He doesn't want to move. Doesn't want to lose this. Lose you.

His lips press a firm kiss beneath the curve of your jaw, his fingers coming to lace with yours. Closer, and closer still.

If he doesn't separate himself from you, he's gonna say something he'll regret. Is already internally fighting against the words forming in his throat that he's refusing to speak. Stupid shit. Declarations. Affirmations. Confessions.

One of your hands strokes down his back, the other still holding on to his hand. It's a simple intimacy. One that you don't fear; but instead, you fear losing.

Jeongguk pulls back a little, to get a read on your face. Steals a kiss, 'cause he just can't help himself, then steals half a dozen more. Says, "You gotta stop seducing me, Byeol."

"Oh, fuck off," you laugh. "This time was all on you."

He shakes his head. Lets his nose nudge up against yours. Is so effortlessly serene. "All on you, Byeol."

Rolling your eyes, you nudge him to encourage his body off of yours. He begrudgingly obliges. Flops onto the empty space beside you.

"Leaving already?" he whines, eyes on your body as you get to your feet. Is shameless, cupping his still-firm cock as if the sight of you alone is enough to get him hard again.

"Need to pee," you say without much thought, reaching over to the chair for a shirt to cover your modesty.

It's hard to pinpoint the specific moment you became this comfortable with Jeongguk. Typically you're discreet about matters such as this - blame Seokjin - but there's no need for subtleties when it comes to Jeongguk.

"Can I come?"

"No?"

"Please."

"Go get dressed," you offer a different suggestion, 'cause why the fuck he'd wanna come with you, you've no idea.

It's not like he wants to actively watch you pee - though he wouldn't be opposed - it's just that he wants you close. The more he thinks about it though, the more he kinda does wanna watch. It's taboo. A little erotic. There's very little that won't get him hard, and when you're added into the mix? Guaranteed boner.

Lost in his thoughts, he lets you go. Trundles downstairs, and cleans himself off in the small sink in the downstairs loo. Runs a little water through his hair to try and rid himself of the cowlick that dried into his hair - but it'll be fruitless without a re-wash.

Giving up, he resigns himself to laughable hair for the rest of the day. Doesn't really mind, 'cause he likes it when he makes his friends laugh.

Hands resting on the basin, Jeongguks rolls his shoulders back. Looks down into the empty porcelain basin and shakes his head. "Pull yourself together, man."

He flicks on the tap again and gathers a little water in his hands to pat on his cheeks. They're flushed with colour, his lips still rosy from the friction of a million kisses against yours. Tongue toying with his lip ring, Jungook just observes himself.

Unrecognisable, is the man in front of him. The perception he has of himself when you're together doesn't align with who he actually is.

There's an innocence to the way Jeongguk sees himself whenever he's with you. He forgets the tattoos. Forgets the muscles. Forgets the lip ring, and the hair. The jawline. Forgets it all.

When he's with you, Jeongguk is the baseline version of himself; a star in its purest form.

"Why are you still naked?" You question with a raised brow, fully dressed, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. He didn't realise how long he'd been contemplating the conundrum of you. "And why is the door wide open?"

You're in yoga pants and - for once - one of your own shirts. It's form-fitting but still a little baggy, a simple wide-V neckline plunging a little too deep for his sanity. Glitter sparkles in the inner corner of your eyes, but it's subtle. Still lovely, he thinks.

"Hm?" He chirps, bathroom door wide open. Expansive eyes large as the glance over to you, it's clear you've caught him mid-thought-tangent.

You glance over your shoulder to the entryway, then back to him. "You're lucky no one came in, you little exhibitionist. Get dressed. It's nearly time."

Jeongguk could get dressed. He will get dressed.

But first he walks to meet you.

Cups your jaw.

Kisses you, 'cause it half feels like he might die if he doesn't.

Hands on his bare waist, you reciprocate his advances despite the surprise. Lean into his touch, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Figure he's just still riding the post-fuck high. Adore the way it feels to be wanted by him.

"You're too hot," he whines when he finishes kissing you - but keeps his forehead resting against yours. Wants to stay close. "Everyone's gonna want you."

"So?" you laugh, thinking that he's absolutely ridiculous. "They can have me."

"No," he strops in full disagreement. "They can't"

"No?"

"No, B."

"That's very selfish of you," you smile against his lips.

And all he does is nod. It is selfish -but he's always been honest with you about the fact he's terrible at sharing. Simply doesn't want to do it.

There was a brief reality when sharing was his only option. Seojoon, and his stupid long legs and his dumb, perfectly styled hair. A formidable opponent, but one that Jeongguk is glad to no longer have,

It's uncomfortable to think about; a reality in which he'd lose you to another person.

It haunts him; how your silky scrunchies would look around the taps of someone else's sink. Your clothes strewn across the back of a chair he doesn't know. Watermarks left on someone else's tiles thanks to showers had by you. It's the mundane shit that Jeongguk finds he doesn't want to share the most.

And yet when he looks at you like this, he can't bring himself to say it.

Finds it embarrassing, the way his chest aches when he's thinking about your shoes in a pile by doors he's never seen before. The laundry detergent you like on someone else's shelf. Your used dishes in the sink, yet to be done because you're too busy lazing around with a nameless lover. Flecks of glitter on pillowcases that aren't yet dented with the shape of your head.

Not like Jeongguks are.

There are traces of you all around his apartment. You've not visited in a little while, but if you were to go there. this instant, you'd feel right at home.

A spare jacket of yours is hung up by their front door.

It's your half-drunk peach Chilsung in the fridge next to an iced coffee Jimin forgot to drink. The blanket on their sofa is one you brought round for a movie night and left there because Jeongguk kept going on about how soft it was. It's your tits up on the wall, but no one else really knows that except for you and Jeongguk.

It's in his bedroom though, where a sanctuary has truly been formed. A constellation of you is mapped out; glitter, underwear, sticky notes, birds. Polaroid pictures and photobooth strips. Tickets and receipts. Mementoes capturing a fraction of time that Jeongguk hopes to never lose.

"Okay," you encourage him a little further. "Well if I don't want to share you, and you don't want to share me... what do you suggest we do about it?"

This isn't a romantic declaration. It's not some admission of feelings, or anything like that. Is simply just the establishment of a boundary. A hard one, at that.

"Logic would suggest that we don't share," Jeongguk adds, all very unhelpfully.

He's being a wimp.

You want him to be the one to say it. Want him to take the leap of faith.

But the fear prevails. Gets in his head. Tells him not to be stupid.

And so it's up to you to tell him, "I think it makes sense... Yanno? Like, I don't want anything to change. I'm not like, saying we're anything more than friends, but... the hooking up. It should be exclusive, shouldn't it?"

The conversation has been had before - no hooking up with other people while you're actively hooking up - but this is different. Looking for other hook-ups has never been off the cards. Not really. You've had free will. You still do.

You'll just continue to keep on choosing Jeongguk, as long as he keeps choosing you.

He nods. Agrees.

"I think you're right."

"Okay... so...?" You say a little awkwardly. There's no declaration of anything, no confessions, no secrets shared. If anything, you're probably a little more confused than you were before.

"So..." he reciprocates your awkwardness. "Is there, like, a label, now? What is this, B?"

"You tell me," you shrug, shy in the way you want him to say good riddance to his fears. There's no rejection here. He's safe.

Jeongguk closes his eyes. Smiles.

"Well, I'm naked." He looks at you once more. "And I really need to get dressed, so maybe I should do that first."

"Your avoidance is obvious."

"I'm not avoiding anything," he says, hands on your waist as he gets you walking backwards, leading you into his room so he can get changed. You plonk yourself on his bed, flopping back into the duvet. The ceiling of his room is white, and oh-so-awfully plain. Above it is your room; somewhere you'd quite like to be with him once more, but he's too busy rummaging in his bag for clothes to wear.

So taken by your own thoughts, you barely register Jeongguk as taps your knees, body responding to him so naturally that your legs sort of just spread. Let him climb onto the bed with you, now half-dressed, the shirt he's going to wear still in his hand. Pinned down by his body weight, you smile as you welcome his return.

"Hi," you whisper, his lips sinking into yours instead of saying hello back.

Lips soft, he's got no intention of taking this any further than just the simplicity of what it is - even if you do deliberately catch his bottom lip between your teeth and gently tug on it as he pulls away.

Smiling as he sits, ass on his heels, your legs over his thighs, which are far too exposed in the pair of shorts he's wearing, Jeongguk just shrugs. Reaches up to squeeze your tits, just cause he can. Smirks. Says, "I think we're fuck buddies, but like... exclusive fuck buddies."

You're both dancing around what you really are, but it's something at least. Something better than the nothing you've been trying to cosplay as.

"It's too vulgar," you tell him.

"Well, it's what it is," he argues back, still toying with your tits, seemingly distracted, as he says, "Get them out."

"No," you laugh, which makes him pout. You know better. Know that you'll just end up needing another shower again if you get your tits out. "If we're gonna label this shit, we're gonna label it nicely."

"Why?" he teases, sinking down to press against your throat, his grip on your body strong as his hips pulse ever so gently. He knows what he's doing. Idiot. "We're not a spice rack. Who cares about the label?"

"Me," you tell him, without much thought. Had never realised you did care so much. The situation is confusing, though, and at least if you have a little label on it, you can store it away inside your brain and neglect any attention that should go its way, instead of letting it ravage your brain. "I care. I wanna know where I stand with you."

"Well, currently, you're laying down, B," he deadpans.

"Gguk."

"Byeol."

"Stop," you giggle, as his lips continue to press pretty kisses up your throat, tongue licking, breath hot. "Give me an answer."

He whines. "You're so difficult."

You laugh. "So are you!"

Jeongguk pulls back. Hands either side of your head to support himself, the chain around his neck tickles at your chin, much like the look in his eyes tickles at your heart.

"You're my best friend," he tells you. Steals a kiss. "And I've no interest in finding another bestie."

"And?" You press.

"And I've no interest in fucking anyone else," he stresses. "B, we're going round in circles-"

The light-hearted debate is cut short by the loud announcement of Jimin entering the house.

"Where are you fuckers? Gguk, wherever you are, put your cock away," he yells, yet still waltzes right on into Jeongguk's room without a care in the world.

Thankfully, the commotion had caused you both to tear yourself away from one another. Jeongguk is pulling his shirt over his head, while you sit all rather pleasantly by the pillows of the bed.

"Oh thank God," Jimin sighs, hand on heart as he enters the room. Flops down onto the bed, much in the same fashion you had not even 5 minutes earlier. "Thought I was gonna walk in on something."

Jeongguk throws a pair of socks in his face. "Then don't walk in without knocking?"

"Or," Jimin argues. "Alternatively, don't fuck each other."

You go to protest. Classic star-lover-style denial.

It's a funny thing, what a non-label label can do to a boy, though. He might not be on a spice rack, no - but nor are you. And he'd like Jimin not to think of you as if you are.

"Stop thinking about us fucking. If a door is closed, it's none of your business what's going on behind it."

Jimin sucks in a little breath through his pouty lips. "You're getting close. Still not a confession, but I'll take it."

Of course, Jimin knows the truth. He's spoken directly with Jeongguk about it on a number of occasions. The fact you two hook-up is an open secret between him and his housemate. It just frustrates Jimin, 'cause he thinks you're both self-sabotaging by not committing to it. Will scream for days if he has to deal with another Hayun-style trauma for Jeongguk.

"Anyways, chop-chop. We've finished setting up," Jimin beams. Waltzes out of the room, expecting you to follow - which you do. "It's time for the Jilympics!"

When you arrive at the front lawn, the first thing Nabi asks is, "Did he call it the Jilympics again? Dude! This joint effort!"

"It's not my fault my name works better than yours."

Shaking her head, she whispers beneath her breath to you, "Yeah and it won't be my fault when I slip and accidentally push him into the sea later."

"I know it won't be your fault, but can you give me a little prior warning?" You joke back. "So I can make sure I'm watching."

"Deal."

There's been a certain ambiguity to the plans of Nabi and Jimin, who now stand before you all with subtle smiles that they're trying not to let shine.

Gathered on the lawn, they've admittedly been deliberately ambiguous about their activity - but Jimin just can't help himself, and it doesn't take a genius to work out 'Jilympics' combined with their request for you to wear something sporty means that some sort of adventure awaits you.

Standing behind you, Jeongguk uses the obscured view of his body to his advantage. Spends the entire time you're waiting for Jimin and Nabi to start their introduction lightly tapping your ass. Right hand, left hand. One, two. One, two. Pat, pat. Sure, his body is swaying a little bit, but no one is really paying it any notice. Is typical of him. Nothing that'll make them glance twice in his direction.

But why should you care even if they do?

There's an air of excitement that surrounds you both. Keeps you trapped like a steel-bolted bubble. Uncharted territory is being walked across, and Jeongguk is holding your hand every step of the way - metaphorically, that is. Right now he's holding your ass. Just bestie things.

Seoyeon stands to the side of Nabi, while Yoongi mirrors her beside Jimin. They're exchanging confused glances not only with each other, but the entire party. Very little information has actually been given about the afternoon's activity, just that the Bride and Groom must pick teams.

A coin is flipped, and Seoyeon - who chose tails - is disappointed to see heads face up on the top of Jimin's hand.

Without hesitation, Yoongi instantly barks, "Jeongguk!"

"Hey!" Seoyeon whines, and you understand exactly why.

After all, you'd both been present during laser tag. Whichever team Jeongguk is on is guaranteed to win. It's just science.

"Fine," Seoyeon narrows her eyes at her beloved as Jeongguk comes to stand beside him. They greet one another with choruses of dumb, chad-like 'hey bro', 'lets go, bro,' and it only fuels Seoyeon's need to beat them.

And for reasons you can't quite understand, she picks you .

"Oh, I see how it is," Yoongi grins as you join your team captain, giggly and girly in your greeting just to take the piss out of the boys.

You're glad Yoongi can see how it is - 'cause you're really none the wiser. When it comes to sports, you leave something to be desired. It's no secret. You're well aware. So is Jeongguk.

"Namjoon," Yoongi calls next, only serving to strengthen his team. He's got the two strongest players, and Seoyeon really should have gotten Namjoon instead of you.

So it only comes as yet another surprise when she picks Hoseok .

You love him to death but - again - you've seen him play laser tag. No one in their right mind would pick him for a battle of survival. A mood maker? Respite from stress? Dance battle champ? Sure. You'd pick him for all of the above.

But as a contender in the Jilympics?! Surely not.

Even Hoseok is a little confused, glancing over to Taehyung and Danbi, then pointing to himself as if to say, "Me?"

In a shock twist, Yoongi then chooses Danbi - but you know he's smart. Know that he knows she does pole, and is far stronger than she appears.

It leaves Seoyeon with Taehyung to complete her ragtag team, and honestly, you're not holding out much hope for success.

Teams decided, the beans are spilt regarding the events of the afternoon. It's a competition of three games, where agility, determination, and smarts are needed in equal measure.

Still, you don't hold out much hope for your team.

The first game is a 'simple' assault course. A circle track going around the entire lawn, it's littered with furniture - makeshift hurdles, slalom poles, a sprinkler attachment on the end of the garden hose, and so much more. Too much. You wouldn't be surprised if the homeowners gave you an additional charge for property disruption, 'cause there's no way in hell they'll remember to return everything back to its rightful place.

Danbi and Taehyung go first. The most equally yet matched, that's for sure.

You think she'll have the edge - walks dogs for a living, so this will quite literally be like a walk in the park for her.

And it is - until Taehyung proves exactly why agility, determination and smarts are needed in equal measure.

He gets halfway through, just inches behind her, then says '"hey, wait, wait - Babe. Hold on." Acts all concerned. Gets Danbi worried. Pulls her to a stop, checking for the issue - only to be met with a 'Haha! Sucker!"

Taehyung bolts for it. Kocks over a stool to block her track. Passes the finish line, while Danbi is still protesting his underhand tactics.

The independent adjudicators (Nabi and Jimin, just with hi-vis vests on) declare it to be fair game.

Danbi? Well, she declares war .

When it comes to your turn, you're inevitably against Jeongguk, but don't even bother with any underhand tactics. He's already passing the second obstacle before you've even reached the first.

You're gonna lose anyways, so you may as well have fun with it, you think - and then dart across the middle of the circuit, bypassing all of the obstacles you're supposed to come up against. You're restricted a little by your lack of sports bra, and the fact you're having to hold your tits in place, barely managing to reach the other side of the circle before Jeongguk comes hurtling around the track.

"You fucker!" He shouts with a smile as he pelts towards the finish line - only for you to reach it before he does. With momentum still in his legs, Jeongguk hooks his arm around your waist and drags you with him as he slows to a hot, sticky, sweaty stop. Can't stop laughing. "You're such a cheater."

"Smart," you correct him with a giggle as he finally eases up. "I'm such a smart girlie."

He walks you both a little further back. Keeps you close. Looks down at you with such affection you know he's secretly a little enamoured by your cunning attempt to win. He'd kiss you, if it weren't for your friends.

Back at base, your teams are respectively arguing against one another as to whether or not what you did was 'legal'.

Jimin votes no, Nabi yes.

"First warning," Jimin eventually announces. "Any more funny business from team Bride and we'll have no choice but to give penalties."

The thing is, you all know you're gonna lose anyway - so fuck it. What's the worst that could happen? You'll lose a little harder? Boohoo.

It's actually far fairer between Namjoon and Hoseok. Of course, Namjoon wins, but Hoseok came really fuckin' close. Almost had it. Swears down if he were to do it again, he'd win.

But time is up, and the second game commences: Red light, green light,

The boys all insist on dying the most dramatic of deaths à la Squid Games whenever they're caught out, flailing to the floor, rolling and wailing.

In a last-ditch attempt to make you lose, Jeongguk deliberately gets himself knocked out in the process of tripping you up. It's the only death he doesn't play up, 'cause he's too laughing at you - and then subsequently running away from you when you decide that his in-game death is simply not enough.

Nabi and Jimin are withholding the scores - in all honesty, you think they're probably just gonna pull a winner out of their asses. For the moment, though, it's neck and neck.

"Welcome to the third and final round of the Olympics," Jimin declares, knowing that the task at hand has never and will never be played at any Olympic ceremony, like, ever. "The goal is simple. Dotted around the garden - from the main house right down to the beach are envelopes."

Nabi nods, holding up the small, white envelopes, before continuing. "In the envelopes are tokens. Each token is one point. There are 250 in total across 150 envelopes. Some envelopes have just one token, some have ten."

There's outcry from all of the players - shock and horror at the scope of the hunt.

"Collect the most tokens, and win," Nabi smiles with effervescent charm - only for Jimin to crush the simplicity of such a game to smithereens.

"However," he beams, oh so pleased to ruin it all. "There's a twist! Each team can exchange tokens for stickers throughout the game. Yoongi, you're red. Your team comes to me. Seoyeon, green. You go to Nabi. For every sticker you manage to stick on the rival team, you get plus ten points."

"And," Nabi smiles. "As a token of our goodwill, you'll each start with a sheet of stickers."

The 4x4 sheets are handed out, and you already know exactly who's gonna be covering you in stickers. You don't look over in his direction - but you can feel his gaze on you. It's nice. Welcome.

"They'll just take them off," Taehyung objects, convinced that the other team will need to cheat, as if it isn't full of the strongest players. If any team will be cheating, it's Seoyeon's.

"We're gonna ask that you play fairly," Nabi pleads, knowing there's no real way to stop it from happening. "You're in your twenties. You're not toddlers. Act like it."

"We're about to play a hybrid game of tag and treasure hunt," Jeongguk snorts. Finds the whole thing very amusing, and knows he's probably gonna enjoy the game more than anyone else. "Not toddlers, sureee ."

"You must have been a very advanced toddler, Jeongguk," Seoyeon teases, trash talk now a second language between the teams. You've been making little jabs at one another all afternoon, but it's been in good spirits. All part of the fun.

"I used to play tag against you in elementary school Seoyeon," Yoongi reminds her, coming to the defence of his teammate. "Try not to trip over your own feet."

"Oh that was, like, only three times," she scoffs with a smile, as if her nose doesn't have a slight bump in it still from one particularly bad fall.

Yoongi had gotten into a whole heap of trouble that day. He hadn't even done anything, he was just the first to check on her, so all the teachers thought he had done it - and because she was losing the game, she didn't correct them. Just gave a menacing smirk in Yoongi's direction when her parents came to pick her up. They didn't speak for three weeks afterwards - until Yoongi did accidentally knock someone over in the playground, and Seoyeon took the blame for him instead.

Push and pull; give and take. They've always been like this, even before they realised one day they'd be making vows; for better or for worse.

Gearing up to play, Jimin counts down from ten for extra drama. Adds a certain flair to it. Gets you rolling your eyes, and Jeongguk smirking when he catches you doing so.

As soon as he reaches zero, you're all darting in different directions. You've all seen various envelopes dotted around the place during the earlier activities, so have specific ones in mind.

There's a couple in the hedgerow by the side of the house, and you know that there's a small paved pathway running alongside the house, so after you nab the hedgerow envelopes, you beeline for the side of the house.

Already, you can see an envelope propped on the wheelbarrow. It's yours for the taking.

Or at least it was .

"Oh my GOD," you whine, as Jeongguk swoops in to steal the envelope you had been gunning for. "That was literally mine!"

"You snooze, you lose, B," he smirks - then decides he can use this to his advantage.

The pair of you are down by the side of the house.

No one else will be coming in this direction any time soon. Most of them are down by the water. Jeongguk had only come this way because, well, you were. He's like a lovesick puppy, and the pair of you are fools for not realising it - especially considering that fact it's the main topic of conversation down by the beach.

"It's good, actually that DB is over by the house," Taehyung assures Hoseok, convinced it will be their trump card for winning the game. "Will keep Jeongguk well away from us."

Ignorant to the harmless gossip, Jeongguk offers you a little challenge. He holds the envelope above his head, without even checking to see if it's got a decent amount of tokens, and smirks

"You can have it if you can reach it."

He's looking down at you, smug, eyes narrow. You know he's trying to bait you - and it's fucking working.

On your tippy toes, you hold onto his shoulder for balance and reach up. His spare hand holds your waist to further keep you balanced - or just to get you a little closer. Lowering the envelope Jeongguk keeps it just out of reach, much to your annoyance. Even when you jump a little, he raises it.

"I hate you," you promise him.

"Oh?" He grins. "So we're rivals now, huh? Some Kinda enemies to lovers type shit?"

Rolling your eyes, you lower your tippy toes and step back from him. Cross your arms over your chest.

"Who said anything about lovers?"

It's a valid question, but also one that is easily answered. He can think of a whole host of examples. Settles on the most recent.

"You did," he assures you. "Earlier. After the race. When you were practically undressing me with your eyes in front of all of our friends."

A white, baggy shirt and a pair of black shorts obscure Jeongguk's physique from prying eyes - and looks so fucking good as it does so. He expects you not to drool? Fat fuckin' chance.

Still, you'll not allow him - a man - to see weakness.

"I did no such thing."

"You did," he smirks. Bites down on his lip, and lets the ring do the thing. "Look, I'll cut you a deal, B. Kiss me and I'll give it to you."

"You're evil."

"I am a genius."

"Evil genius," you correct with a smile, and then sigh.

He's a tough bargainer. Even tougher to resist.

"You know, you were right," you eventually admit, getting a little closer. You rest your hand on his hip, and let it gravitate towards the centre of his body. Let it get dangerously close to his cock - and he allows you. Just like he lets you cup his balls, as your hand rubs slowly up and down his bulge. It's so easy to work him up. So easy. "You got me so horny earlier."

"Yeah?"

"Mhhm," you nod, once more on your tippy toes as you press a kiss into the curve of his neck. His skin is warm, despite the chill of the April air. The scent that lingers on his is that of the shower you shared together, and it makes him so hard to resist - but you must. Head in the game.

Before Jeongguk can process the fact he's being swindled, you snatch the envelope from him and dart away from the hidden spot, bolting into the open air of the garden.

Jeongguk can't follow, on account of the fact you've just given him a semi that he needs to rearrange in his underwear, which means victory is yours.

Your yell of ' loser ' echoes back to him, and has him tipping his head back, groaning up at the sky.

"Fuckin' idiot," he berates himself. Should have really seen it coming. You've been competitive as fuck all afternoon, and haven't stuck to the rules a single time.

But Jeongguk isn't the only idiot.

In one hand he'd been holding the envelope. In the other? A collection of his stickers all stuck together. Now, they're on your back. Victory is his - you just don't realise it yet.

You spend the rest of the game avoiding each other. After all, you don't want to neglect the fact you're playing with your friends. It's a bonding experience. Something of which you'll remember for years to come.

The Jilympics? A roaring success. Gold medals all around.

Once it hits the allotted time of one hour, the game is up - and the respective teams sit in little circles on the lawn counting out their tokens. Nabi and Jimin walk around to count the stickers on the players, but keep the tallies to themselves. Want to do a big reveal later.

"Shit," Danbi curses midway through the token count, shaking her hand out instinctively.

Jeongguk glances over. Notices a small bead of blood on her index finger. "Paper cut?"

Nodding, Danbi insists it's no big deal - and it really isn't. Just a small little knick. Will be fixed with a quick swipe of her tongue against it. "No biggie."

Jeongguk nods, but sees the way she continues to study the small wound just to make sure she doesn't get any blood on the papers. It continues to bother her, but she works around it. Papercuts aren't exactly foreign to her. She seems to get them weekly from the receipts she handwrites for her dog-walking business. Still, this one is a little worse than usual. The card used for the tokens is thick.

Tokens tallied, Jeongguk quickly excuses himself while the rest of his group finishes their counting. Knows he could have had more tokens, but had wasted a bunch of time flirting with you instead. Worth it , he smirks to himself, when he thinks of it.

Rummaging around in the kitchen, he swears he saw some plasters in one of the drawers when he was helping you set up for bingo the day before.

"Started the party without me, I see?" A familiar voice sweetly sounds from the entryway. Glancing up from his search, lips ajar, Jeongguk is surprised to be greeted with a familiar face.

"Yun," he stands, straightening himself out. Coughs a little. Clears his throat. "Didn't think you were getting here until tomorrow?"

"Last minute change of plans," she smiles, lips tight, a little sad in her expression - but in such a way Jeongguk knows not to ask for details.

It's a common quality of hers; a refusal to talk about what's upsetting her. Used to put Jeongguk through the wringer whenever she was upset, 'cause he could never quite figure out why. Would go insane just trying. Could never fix her problems for her, because she never shared them.

"Anyways," she holds up some thick card bags, made for carrying bottles. "Where should I put these?"

"Fridge," Jeongguk answers without missing a beat.

She's dressed casually - a pair of relaxed jeans and a small white top, with a cropped grey sweater jacket - hair up, for a change. Her lips aren't red, makeup kept to the bare minimum. Funny, Jeongguk thinks, how much she looks like the Hayun he first knew, when red was only for nights out and not her whole entire personality. It's kinda nice. Bittersweet.

"Of course," she laughs, heading around the island. More than anything, she had been asking permission to enter the space he's in. Knows that there are boundaries in place now, and isn't too sure how to navigate them. Like it or not, this is new to her. She's not gonna get it right every time, but she's not going to make a fool of herself either.

"How was the drive?" Jeongguk asks, preferring small talk over awkward silence. He's still looking for those plaster after all, and doesn't want to go back empty-handed. Especially not now.

"Got the train," she says. "Came straight from Seoul. Grabbed a taxi to the house, so it was no sweat. Pretty easy."

"Really?" Jeongguk chirps in surprise. "You should have called. One of us would have come and picked you up."

He's careful not to say that he would have picked her up - but it's slim pickings. Other than Yoongi, he's the only one who could have.

Hayun laughs, opening the fridge up, unsurprised to see it stocked full of drinks. "You forget I know what you're all like. Didn't really expect any of you to be sober enough."

Jeongguk laughs now, too. She's got a point.

"Anyway," she takes a deep breath, finding space to put her favourite wine away. "I figured you'd still be doing the Olympics. That's today's thing, right? Nabi and Jimins?"

Nodding, Jeongguk finally spots the box of plasters right at the back of the drawer. Is kinda surprised Hayun remembers the running order of the weekend. Is unsurprised that Nabi had spilled the beans to her about the event, even though Jimin had refused to even give Jeongguk a measly hint.

"Just finishing up," he confirms. "Have you seen everyone yet?"

Hayun shakes her head as she folds the wine carriers flat. "Came straight to drop my stuff off. Haven't told Seoyeon I'll be here early. I know she was disappointed with the clash so I wanted to surprise her."

The cynic in Jeongguk thinks it's very typical of Hayun, her desire to be the centre of attention at the forefront of her motivations. The hope in Jeongguk wants to believe it comes from good intentions, just as she says it does. She used to do it for him, sometimes. Would say she was out of town, only to surprise him on a night out. Always used to make his evenings just that little bit more special.

Funny, how things change.

"Well, I won't ruin the surprise," he smiles kindly, closing the drawer before heading to the door. If the rest of the weekend continues like this, he'll be happy. It's painless. A little awkward, granted, and he still doesn't exactly know how to behave around her now that he's not a pining puppy dog, but it's easier than it was. Not everything has to be a fight. The shattered fragments of what they once were can never be fixed, but the sharp edges can be sanded down. Rounded off.

"Hey, Gguk," Hayuns calls awkwardly just as he gets to the door.

He turns to face her. Chirps, as if to say, "Yes?"

Looking a little uncomfortable, it's clear she called after him before her sentences had fully formed in her head. "Look about everything-"

"It's fine," he says. Doesn't want to discuss it. There's really no point. "Things are fine, Yun. Just be nice, alright? The weekend's not about us, or whatever. Just focus on keeping things good for Seoyeon."

She wants to object - to refute the idea that she's the only one who ever plays dirty - but knows better than to do so.

Instead, she nods. "Alright. I'll see you down there."

"See you down there," JunGguk confirms. Knows he definitely could have handled that better, but didn't really want to have to handle it at all. All things considered, it went as well as it ever would have done. Hayun does, at least, seem to be on her best behaviour - and that's something, considering how testing the last couple of months have been.

He manages to push the interaction back out of his mind, but avoids looking in your direction as he returns. You're unfocused on him anyway, caught up in conversation with your team.

Tossing the plasters down onto the mat where his team had been tallying up points, Danbi is surprised to say the least.

"It's fine," she still insists, but takes the plasters regardless. Genuinely appreciates his small act of kindness. "Thank you."

Jeongguk just nods. Doesn't think he needed to be thanked. Was just general human decency, in his eyes. Would have done it for anyone.

It's not until Jeongguk takes his seat that he realises he should give you a heads up. Had been so busy stuck in his own that he failed to remember Hayun's presence affects you, too.

Ripping off a little bit of an envelope, Jeongguk crafts a small paper ball and chucks it at you. Lands just short of your knee. Tries again. Gets it in your lap this time, but you're still busy chatting.

"You really are a toddler, aren't you?" Yoongi grins with a perplexed expression on his face. Doesn't realise what's going on - and won't realise. Not until it's too late. Not until Hayun is walking down from the house, and Seoyeon is excitedly running up to meet her. Engulfing her in a warm hug, Seoyeon is so pleased to see her. Yoongi? Less so.

And you?

Jeongguk can't tell. You're not facing him. Or anyone, really. Your eyes are out towards the sea, watching the waves as they roll and rippled into shore.

This weekend is not about you. This weekend is not about you. This weekend is not about you.

It's about Seoyeon, and Yoongi.

Hayun is one of her oldest friends. Of course, she should be here. If anyone shouldn't, it's you.

Well, no.

It's Hoseok - but you're glad to have him here. Especially when he mutters "Oh, goody . So happy she's here early."

"Shush," you hush him - even if you do agree with his sarcastic jibe. "She looks nice today."

And she really does. You've got the same sweater jacket, you think, just in black. You're not trying to be mean, or bitchy. You're finding positives that can be drawn from the negatives, because you're firm in the belief that we get back what we give out. If there's energy in the air around you, you don't want to be the one making it sour. If clouds are gonna follow you, you'd rather they have silver linings, not storms hidden within.

Glancing over to Jeongguk, you find his wide eyes on yours, top teeth nervously nibbling down on his bottom lip. He tilts his head as if to ask if you're okay. You nod. Offer him a smile. It's really not that deep.

"You?" you mouth back, to which he nods.

It seems that your sanctuary with Jeongguk has been cut short.

You're thankful for the time you had together without her - but her presence just looms over you like an impending lightning strike. Maybe you won't get burned. It's highly likely that you'll avoid it. But there's always a possibility.

With Nabi also with Seoyeon and Hayun, the game is left to play out without the results. Jimin says he'll announce it at drinks this evening. Lets you all disperse. Doesn't fancy trying to battle for attention against Hayun, not when she's already winning.

You and Jeongguk remain exactly where you are, sitting on the grass, a metre or so apart. Facing each other now, neither of you are talking. Just looking. Observing.

Knees to your chest, you're tapping your feet against the floor.

Jeongguk waits for you to finish the pattern of taps, then does the same pattern with his palms on his knees. Sitting cross-legged, he really is the sweetest human you've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

It's all very childish. Neither of you wish to break the silence, but you're both fighting giggles, especially as you up the intensity of the tapping patterns.

Simple pleasures.

The beauty of being in such a large group means that it's easy to avoid those you wish to.

The rest of your afternoon is spent with the people you care the most for. It's a shame to not hang out with Nabi once more, but Hayun being here early is a surefire indication that something went wrong in Seoul. You don't believe that she's here out of the kindness of her own heart.

Perhaps you're overly cynical. Perhaps you're not cynical enough.

Still, as the afternoon carries on, everyone sets about getting changed for the evening ahead. It's just a sit-down meal and drinks tonight - far more dignified than the previous evening - but Seoyeon requested that everyone dresses a little nicer than usual.

"Hey, DB," Yoongi calls over to you as you head down towards the house. "Can you get Jeongguk for me? He's supposed to be helping with the meat."

"Yeah, sure," you nod. He'd gone to get changed a little bit before you specifically for that purpose, knowing he'd want a shower before you hopped in there. It'll be your second of the day, but this time you really will be quick. Just wanna rinse yourself off after all the running around today, especially if you want to feel even half-nice in your evening attire.

The house is quiet as you enter. You'd passed Nabi and Seoyeon on your way down to the house. They'd asked you what you were wearing and you'd replied, honestly, that you didn't know. Jeongguk packed after all. It's sort of a surprise. You just hope there are options.

Sliding the main door shut, you call out to Jeongguk.

"Gguk? Shower or room?" You ask, wanting to know where to locate him - but given that his bedroom is just a step or so away, you reach for the door handle - only for it to be locked. Odd . "Gguk?"

Brows furrowed, you don't care to hide your surprise. He never locks the door. Or at least, rarely. Jimin walked straight on in just a couple of hours earlier.

"Yeah," he says, a little frantically, voice muffled through the door, "Just gimmie a second."

The walls in this place are thin.

You should have realised this on that first evening, when Jimin and Nabi definitely heard everything.

But you're realising it now, as you hear a panicked whisper. Can't make out for the life of you what's being said.

All that's for certain is that he's not alone.

Yet when he opens the door, still shirtless from his shower, hair wet, he pretends as if he is all by himself.

It's written all over his face, though. Guilt. Shame.

And on his bare chest? His sternum?

Crimson red rouge.

Just a tiny smudge. Just enough.

Mouth resting ajar, brows contorted by hurt, the split fraction of time you're caught in turns into slow motion.

Everything is hard to comprehend - but hardest of all? The one thing you refuse to take in?

The small grey jacket on his bed.

That one's a real bitter pill to swallow.

"Oh," you whisper, because what else can you do? Cry? Get angry? Fuck that . "Sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"B-" he tries to interrupt, but whatever he has to say, you don't want to hear it.

Backing away, you shake your head. You, too, have a lockable bedroom door that you very much intend on utilising, now.

"I didn't mean to interrupt," you smile, all rather disconcertingly. You won't give him a reaction. Won't let him see your hurt.

"No, wait-"

"Yoongi was after you. Something about meat. But I see you're busy, so I'll leave you be."

"B-"

"Later, buddy ."

The door slams shut behind you - and with it shatters the false promises Jeongguk had vowed to you just a few short hours earlier.

note - that's all for today!!! i was behind schedule so didn't get a chance to add more!! apologies <33

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morimakesfanart · 8 days ago

Text

Sindria's Prophet #41

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [Intermission] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40]

[AO3] [wattpad]

Sinbad x OC

*Mori goes to horny mecha *More sex ed things *Emotional/tonal whiplash ~POV Sinbad~ Mori couldn't keep their eyes off of him for days, but they turned away every time Sinbad returned their gaze. He was definitely getting under their skin. It was only a matter of time before they fully became his, but he wasn't certain he could make it happen before he left for the Kou Empire. It was only after he sat at his desk and couldn't seem to finish a single document that he couldn't deny Mori was under his skin too. Even the waves were pointing him away from his desk.

However, the King couldn't exactly leave when he had just started working -that was what Zepar was for. The bird circled the Black Libra Tower, and when it entered through an open window of Mori's office it wasn't his Beautiful Prophet inside. That was definitely Ja'far leaving the room holding a bunch of scrolls. And when he entered the court yard, the General was headed towards the White Capricorn Tower. Something told Sinbad that Ja'far was heading his way without the waves. He dropped control of the bird.

Sure enough, Ja'far entered his office with the scrolls and put them on his desk. "Sin, is what Mori wrote in these true?" Just glancing at the labels he knew, "I haven't read those ones yet, but I'm sure they are." "Read them now." Ja'far had not looked this upset with him in years. "I'll wait."

--- ~POV Sharrkan~ Mori was ranting and it was far worse than anything Yam had ever said. "Yeah, no! I don't care how pretty these are or how much of a tourist attraction they are! You have to stop selling and supplying quartz and wooden dildos!" The Prophet pointed one such facile at the group before her. "These materials are porous. They can't be properly sterilized, so they will eventually lead to infections no matter what orifice they're shoved into!" Sindria's best swordsman was stuck between covering his face or ears while Mori 'educated' him and the staff of the Red Light District. This was a mistake. 'Can the King just show up and kill me right now????' She sighed. "You can make a similar-ish affect to quartz with glass right? That's actually safe to use, easy to sterilize, and they can handle a wide range of temperatures so you can even use them for temperature play." The Prophet twirled the crystalline dick while talking. "I was surprised when I saw how advanced this country's glass is so there shouldn't be a problem making dildos out of safe materials with the glass work here." Sharrkan had thought she would just take notes or something and leave, not try to fix everything right then and there!!! What materials were safe, what practices were dangerous; 'didn't matter that she was also teaching them things they could do/use instead that would work better. Wasn't Mori supposed to be a huge virgin nerd like Yam??? Why did she know so much about all of this? There's no way this was just from her visions. The staff were the ones taking notes instead of the Prophet. 'At least they seem to be enjoying themselves.'

--- ~POV Sinbad~ Ja'far brought the remaining Fate scrolls Sinbad had yet to read, but only really wanted him to read parts of 2 of them for the conversation. The contents were telling, both in his mistakes of the past, and Ja'far's current glare. When his Beautiful Prophet first told him that he ran away from responsibility using 'Fate,' he thought he had found the true answer in the waves. But that was a contradiction. The waves were caused by people's decisions, so even if they guide people to opportunities it doesn't remove their agency. Without realizing it, Sinbad had fallen into another phantasm to protect himself from guilt. Some of the comments Mori made since they met had hinted at the real reason but it was clear she had no intention of telling him directly. All of the scrolls had signs of being edited here and there, but not these two. They were still in process. And so there was the truth written directly in the paragraphs after his release from slavery.

...He had long forgotten how to ask for emotional support ... Those feelings would fester every time he made another mistake until he was able to fully replace his guilt with the acceptance of 'Fate' as inevitable. He wouldn't be able to acknowledge his own potential for evil for another 15~ years...

That last line held the answer. 'His own potential for evil.' That was the point Mori was really talking around all this time. In her visions he hadn't been able to accept that side of himself until it was too late. He knew he was capable of such things on a factual level considering how he viewed some of his Kingly actions as 'necessary evils,' but that wasn't the same as acknowledging that truth in his Heart. The reason he had longed for the ways of his youth was because back then he hadn't done anything that would haunt the rest his life; he had yet to gamble in desperation only to hurt those around him. But even that wasn't really the truth. When Sinbad had read about when he left home after capturing the Dungeon all he could think of was how that action damned everyone in his village just as was revealed in the scrolls in front of him. He had been making this mistake since the start. 'Just what have I been doing all this time?'

Ja'far's darkened stare waited until he got through the 2nd scroll. "This is so much worse than how you made it sound. This is more than some kid thinking he's the chosen one." A hand went to his head as he tried to wrap his mind around everything. "Sin, why do you think we all swore our lives to help you achieve your dream?"

Sinbad couldn't look away from the scrolls. Doing so would only mean seeing the disappointment in his friend's eyes. He had spent so long keeping what happened in Parthevia a secret. There was nothing he could do about it now.

"I know you don't like sharing your plans, but I thought... Did you ever trust us to help you?! What was the point of gathering all of us then??"

The King opened his mouth, and the realization that he couldn't say the 'right' answer and believe his own words hit him much harder than Ja'far's accusations. His heart started racing to match the flow of the waves. The General may have only read those 2 scrolls but Sinbad had read everything leading up to them, so more of his past was fresh in his mind. Sure, he reached out to people to teach him things periodically, but any time he ran into a real problem he always took on that burden alone. Sinbad had expected 'support' from his Household Members and citizens, but never 'help.'

Sinbad lost control over his expression. "That's part of why I decided to change this path I'm on. Mori made it clear that I will repeat the mistakes of my past if I don't start relying on you all even when I..." He was unable to find the right words to finish his sentence.

"Sin." Ja'far practically hissed his name. "If you don't fix this bad habit of yours then I'll kill you myself, just like I promised all those years ago, before you can cause the 2nd Calamity."

"I'll count on that." He would rather that than be the one that almost destroyed the world. Taking a deep breath didn't help nearly as much as he hoped. "I think we've humored Mori long enough. I need to know for sure how I'm connected to the 2nd Calamity." ---

~POV Mori~ To be honest, I wasn't expecting the management of the Red Light District to believe me right away. But apparently, being officially announced as the Prophet was really good PR because they were very excited to receive some of my 'prophecies for the betterment of Sindria.' The waves had grown dangerously high during my info dumping. If I didn't know how much of a change a sexual revolution could cause from reading history I might have been concerned. Instead, it made my heart swell with pride.

Returning to my room empty handed was a bit disappointing, but it did make it easier to sneak back without being noticed. It also gave me time to make a space the bunch of the new glass dildos I preordered. I was definitely looking forward to the future.

"Finally!" Sharrkan groaned as we exited the district. "If I knew you were going to take so long figuring out-" Both of us froze in the gold gilded doorway.

'Why is Sinbad entering the Red Light District in the middle of the day???' That thought was immediately counter when I noticed Ja'far standing next to him. That meant he was here for official business, not pleasure. 'Why am I only now realizing I could have waited for him to leave the country before attempting this????' At least I wasn't carrying a bag of dicks. That would have been the most damning evidence. --- ~POV Sinbad~ When the guards had revealed that Mori was escorted to the Red Light District by Sharrkan, Sinbad was unwilling to wait for their return. However, something wasn't quite adding up to his expectations. Mori was happily walking out of the Red Light District, and Sharrkan was drained and depressed besides her.

Before the King could say anything, Mori greeted them. "Hello, you're Majesty, Ja'far! I was originally going to tell you after writing up a report first, but since you're here I'll let you know now: I realized I could share medical information for reproductive health here." She gestured behind her, "I just finished my first trip to see what is the current common knowledge, so I could better understand how I can help."

'Does that means Sharrkan didn't drag Mori here?' Even so she was talking a bit too quickly. She was definitely nervous about something.

Ja'far responded before the King could gather his thoughts. "Mori. You do remember that you promised not to invent anything, don't you?" His smile was not the nice one.

"Yes," she admitted without skipping a beat. "However I don't need to invent anything that we aren't already working on to help here." Mori's smile was unwavering.

Sinbad sought direct confirmation. "You really came here to figure out ways to improve this place?" ---

~POV Mori~ "Of course! Who do you think I am?" I said, you know, like a liar. I placed one hand on my hip, and the other over my heart for added flare. "The whole reason I came here was because the rubber experiments are coming along, and the same material can be used to make comfortable condoms you can actually feel through. That way no one has an excuse to not use them." The King and estranged prince coughed at my words. Ja'far's eyes widened. I took his lack of comment as a sign to continue. "We are already working towards rubber gloves. And what are the fingers on gloves other than tubes? We can make condoms by just making bigger tubes." I gave a perfect customer service smile to the man in charge of finances. "From my visions, I know how much trouble 'people' get into when they can't deny their desires, so I thought I could at least help with this part of the problem." "Mx. Prophet," Ja'far took a few steps forward and grabbed my hands. "You should have told me sooner! Something like is invaluable with a King like Sinbad." 'Fish, meet hook.' I softened my expression to lean into this pity angle. "I understand. I know how many complaints you've had to deal with because of him."

((Blatant Rose of Versailles reference ;3)) --- ~POV Sinbad~ This was a dilemma. Even though Sinbad had stopped taking partners, his Beautiful Prophet was none the wiser. This was a good opportunity to enlightened her, but there was something else he had to take care of first. Ja'far might have disliked Mori when they first met, but ever since the rebellion in Balbadd was stopped things started to change. They had started having periodic moments like this when their thoughts aligned. Sin didn't like it. He gently separated their hands and received their attention at the same time. "Hey now, I stopped asking for call girls weeks ago." On one hand, if Mori wanted something, Sinbad wanted to make sure she got it -if that was the assistance of one of his Generals so be it. But on the other hand, he didn't want anyone else catching Mori's eye. When he had heard that Sharrkan brought her to the Red Light District he had thought that one of his Household Members had betrayed him. From the look of things it was starting to seem like, instead of Sharrkan, it was Ja'far he should have been worried about. Ja'far took a few steps back. His eyes and brow scrunched in great disappointment and complete lack of fucks for the topic. "I think we will all feel better with this added protection considering your track record." "Yes, well..." There was no denying that. Sinbad cleared his throat into a fist to buy time as he listed the facts in his head: '-Mori has already admitted to her feelings for me before so clearly she wants to be with me. '-Mori is also aware of my own feelings even though she hasn't fully accept it yet. '-Mori has started working on condoms that are comfortable. 'She is clearly working towards our future, so we can have a long honeymoon before growing our family!!' Mori's expression was only marginally better than Ja'far's. "Are.... you sick?" The Prophet still trusted her visions far more than anything he could say. "I'm fine. I promise." This was a failure of a conversation. Sharrkan's snickering rubbed salt in the wound. There was nothing the Womanizer of the Seven Seas could say to clear his name. "...Okay." She clearly didn't believe him. Mori lightly clapped their hands together with a smile. "Well, on that bombshell, we'll let you go do whatever you were gonna do in the Red Light District." Regret. Humiliation. Was how he spent his life really such a bad thing for a future spouse? Wouldn't his experience and expertise mean that he would be guaranteed to satisfy them? Ja'far brought the topic around to their true purpose. "Actually Mori, we came to get you. We have some questions about the future you saw in your visions."

--- ~POV Mori~ The room they brought me to was the same one that lead to the balcony where I had dinner with Sinbad more than a month ago. As soon as we entered, the King started taking off his rings. Confusion spiked my anxiety. Sinbad gave me a reassuring smile. "I noticed during our meetings about Fate that you keep looking at my rings. When I remembered you know my Djinn's abilities it was obvious what you were worried about." He took off his remaining metal vessels and placed them on a coffee table. "I know I'll never use any of these on you, but actions speak louder than words at times like these." Ja'far followed his King's example and placed his metal vessels on the the table as well. I knew I looked at Zepar's ring a few times when talking about Fate, but I thought I made it seem like my eyes were wandering. I couldn't respond. My brain was still catching up and accepting what was happening. 'This isn't going to be about his trip to the Kou Empire...' I had already explained what visions I had of that trip during a meeting about preparing for it, but it was still the most likely topic I could think of. It wasn't until they settled in amongst the plush seating that I realized I should sit down too. Sinbad's expression went serious but he didn't feel angry. After a moment's hesitation he looked me in the eye. "The person who causes the 2nd Calamity is me, isn't it?" . . . . . . 'How????' The thought was immediately followed by the realization that since I hadn't responded right away there was no way they would believe anything other than admittance. I couldn't even consider the option. ((So that emotional whiplash of a cliffhanger, amiright? The chapter took so long to come out because- Surprised! That eye infection I had came back and being on the medication this time really messed me up. It's a stronger antibiotic since the last apparently didn't fully knock it out of me. I couldn't go outside without catching on fire and passing out, and I had to hyper monitor my diet. The doctor said I'm past the next stage so the dosage was cut in half. I feel more like a person again :D I'll be on it for at least another month. Wish me luck!! This chapter was also delayed because I ended up deciding to do Artober daily this year. It was my first year making a piece every day since Jake Parker ruined Inktober by trademarking it and doing a plagiarism. Anyway, I really enjoyed the challenge :D Inspired me to work on more of my original work and things. On that note, the next chapter is going to be delayed because I want to get a lucid dream one shot out by December 7th. I definitely chose that date for no reason in particular. It absolutely has nothing to do with it being a Jujutsu Kaisen dream. Promise UwU I also have an original piece I'm nearly done writing, but I'll wait to finalize it until I have the next chapter of Sindria's Prophet posted :3 The world and this country is on fire but that doesn't mean it's the end. We have survived every day up to this one, we can survive another. We will preserve.))

#magi prophet fanfic #sinbad x oc #magi fanart #sinbadxoc #magi fanfiction

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