#Jongho always came to serve | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

all-about-kyu · 1 year ago

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𝕽𝖊𝖉 𝕮𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘 𝕭𝖊𝖙𝖜𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝕻𝖆𝖌𝖊𝖘 (𝖒𝖞 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖙 𝖆𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖘)

Summary: Being in a polyamorous relationship can take a toll on a person; Jongho just happened to be the one to uncork the bottle. Pairing: Seonghwa x San x fem!reader x Yeosang x Jongho Tropes: hybrid au, poly au, established relationship au Genre: fluff, angst, suggestive Rating: PG 13 Warnings: language, anxiety, stress, mentions of unhealthy self-care habits, reader described as smaller than all members and has blue eyes (bunny quality), minor injury, mentions of sex, kissing Word Count: 6,164 Note: your favorite Thunder is back! <3 thank you to @mejuii and @downtoamagicalland for beta reading as always <3

Listen to: Put It Straight by (G)-Idle ♡ As I Am (feat. Khalid) by Justin Bieber ♡ I GUESS I’M IN LOVE by Clinton Kane

Series Masterlist

You’ve been holed up in your workspace almost all day. You have been for a few days now. The only times you ever emerge are to shower and get some form of nourishment in your body. The influx of orders you had for your shop came out of nowhere, and you’re struggling to keep up with what needs to be done. All three of your boyfriends are worried about you, to say the least. San hasn’t been around much due to a merger he’s been working on, and Yeosang has been running around like a chicken with his head cut off, trying to get everything arranged for a new project that could make or break a lot of things for him. Seonghwa has been around, though. Just yesterday, he decided to stay home from the shop and sketch while you worked on crafting a rather detailed necklace.

You’re so lost in what you’re creating that you hardly register the knock on your door. So when it pops open, you drop your half-done chain making the individual links scatter across the desk. Despite the urge to break down right then and there, you take a deep breath and recollect yourself. When you look up, you’re met with a very concerned-looking purple dragon.

“Treasure, you’ve been in here all day… have you eaten anything?” San asks with a worried tone.

“I’m fine.” You give him a tight-lipped smile, “I need to finish this bracelet by tomorrow and get it shipped out.”

San steps closer and squats down beside you. Even with him squatting, he’s barely below your eye level. It only serves to remind you how much smaller you are than them. Your silver-eyed boyfriend reaches to take your hands in his. At first, he doesn’t think anything of the tension rings along your fingers. He knows it helps you from cramping up too quickly. Then he takes in the small pinches and cuts on your fingertips and palms.

“Treasure, you should take a break. I’m worried about you. We all are.” He tries to reason with you.

“I’ll come to eat after this project is done, promise.” You offer, taking your hand to run over some of his scales along his cheekbone.

“You better have eaten a well-balanced meal and drank at least three glasses of water by the time I get back from my meeting,” He bluntly reminds you.

“I’ll do my best to do that.” You chuckle while playfully saluting him.

He stands back up to his full height, “I love you, and I hate to see you so overworked.” He sighs, placing a kiss against the base of one of your bunny ears.

“I love you too. I promise I’ll leave this room at some point.”

Some point becomes hours later when Seonghwa forces you out of the room even though the bracelet is still incomplete. San walks back in the door, Yeosang beside him, as you’re nibbling on a veggie wrap. Seonghwa is sitting beside you eating as well to make you feel less alone in your activity. San has a small bit of smoke curling out of his lip that he tries to stop you from seeing. It doesn’t work, though. Yeosang whispers something that seems to soothe the purple dragon before they both walk over to you.

“How’s your project coming?” Yeosang asks innocently.

“Still not done….” You sigh, bunny ears falling back against your hair, “It was supposed to be done today so I could ship it out tomorrow….”

“And it’s okay that you didn’t finish it today.” Seonghwa offers, “You own your own business, and sometimes you need to know your limits on what can be done.”

“But-”

“No buts,” San adds, “you did what you could today. That’s all that matters.”

You nod silently and take another small bite out of your wrap before placing it down on the plate again. When you get stressed like this, you hardly want to eat anything. You know it’s an unhealthy habit, but it’s just how you function. Despite your quiet state, your three boyfriends seem to easily flow through conversation. Some sort of ugly jealousy curls through your stomach. The way they seem to fit together easily without any seams makes you feel almost out of place in a way. You’re not willing to address that with your current state of mind, though.

“Hops,” Yeosang calls quietly; you look up at him, “You didn’t hear me, did you?” He chuckles sweetly, “Who do you want to crash with tonight?”

You nibble at your lower lip, “I think I’ll stay in my nest tonight.”

“Do you want one or more of us to–” You cut Seonghwa off before he can finish his question.

“No!” You blurt out, “I want to sketch out some more projects, and I’d hate to keep you up.”

“You know that won’t bother us, treasure.” San reminds you, “I’d much rather you get some good rest than workshop more projects.”

“I’ll be fine, San, I promise.” You stand up abruptly, ignoring the (barely) half-eaten wrap. “Good night boys. Love you!”

You bolt to the room your nest and work area are in. The moment you firmly shut the door, you sit down at your desk and hunch over the same bracelet you’ve been working on all day.

Even after slaving over projects for the next two days, it feels like you’ve made no progress. You’re pacing back and forth in your studio and nest space, hoping that inspiration strikes you to at least finish one project. A soft knock sounds on your door again. This time Yeosang is the one who pops his head through the doorway. You’re worrying on the edge of your ear and continue pacing even though you feel your boyfriend’s worried eyes on you.

“Hops,” His low voice sounds through the space, “Sannie and Hwa already headed out for the day. They thought you were still sleeping when they were leaving.” He explains.

“I’ve been up for a while.” You respond flatly, “I need to get this shit done.”

Yeosang is slightly taken aback. You’ve never been one to curse. So to hear you say such a word was not what he was expecting to come from your mouth. He steps closer and grabs you gently to stop you from pacing anymore. You look up at him and see the worry swirling in his green eyes. He pulls you into a hug. You’ve come to learn that he’s not very physically affectionate outside your heat. So the fact that he has you wrapped in a hug, your face buried in his chest, means a lot. His minty scent invades your senses, giving you a momentary feeling of peace. That lingering panic and fear creeps back into you when he pulls away.

“Take a break from your projects, Hops.” He reminds you, “Stepping away from a project can do wonders sometimes.”

You nod, “I will.”

It may be a half-truth, but you don’t want to worry him if you don’t need to. He places a soft kiss against the top of your head and takes another step back.

“I have to go meet a client. Unfortunately, all three of us are out of the house for the rest of the day.” He sighs, “I should be back around dinner time. San said he has a business dinner tonight, and Seonghwa is closing the shop today since Yun is off.”

“I’m a big bunny,” You try to joke, “I can take care of myself.”

“I know, little one,” He smiles softly, “Just giving you the rundown for the day. I’ll see you at dinner, okay?”

“Okay.” You nod, your snow-white ears twitching slightly when he gently scratches the base of them.

Yeosang is out the door, and a few moments later, you hear the front door of the penthouse close too. You debate your options for a few moments before deciding to get a drink before returning to work. You aren’t fully sure who’s home right now. At least you know Yunho is home. You’re about ninety percent sure Mingi is at his university lecturing right now. It’s likely that Wooyoung is at his dance studio, and you haven’t seen Hongjoong in about three days. When you get to the kitchen, you find that Jongho is home too. He’s sitting at the small breakfast bar sipping on a mug of tea. You shuffle behind him, being sure not to knock into his deep blue tail. You reach up into the cabinet to get a glass when you feel a hand on your shoulder. You nearly jump out of your skin and end up dropping the glass, causing it to shatter on the counter. Immediately, Yunho moves to make sure you’re okay and explains he wasn’t trying to scare you. Your fight-or-flight instincts kick in, and you’re already down the hall and back in your nest. The first thing you can think to do is grab the duffle bag and start stuffing clothing into it. Tears are threatening to fall from your eyes, but you hold them back for now. You can smell the two men that are home. They’re still down the hallway. However, your senses are out of sorts due to your panicked state.

Again, a knocking sounds on the door frame. You whip your head around, and your ears twitch around, trying to find one sound to focus on. Your nose twitches even more as you take in the dark blue dragon standing in the doorway. Jongho steps into the space when you don’t speak, knowing you need someone to calm you down. He would have never breached your space without your permission had you been more stable mentally.

“Where are you off to?” He asks gently.

That’s when your tears burst through fully. You start sobbing and find yourself face-first in Jongho’s sweater before you can stop yourself. He awkwardly wraps his arms around you and tries to soothe you. The room is only filled with sniffles and loud sobs as you stand there in the golden-eyed dragon’s arms. You’re completely unaware of how long you cry in his arms, but when you finally slow to a sniffle, you pull your face away from his sweater. There’s a large wet spot from the amount of crying you just did. There’s a bit of snot, too, which you cringe at and immediately try to wipe off with your own sweater. You can feel his strong chest beneath the fluffy material, but your mental state is hardly focused on the dragon’s physique. Your head is pounding from crying, which doesn’t help the situation at all. Jongho still has his arms wrapped around you, securing you in your spot.

“You need to talk about anything?” He offers quietly.

“Are you sure you want to hear all of that?” You chuckle, trying to downplay your emotions.

“You need it. We both know that.” He sighs, not letting you divert anything.

Suddenly you’re very aware of his arms wrapped around you and how comforting it feels. You find yourself nodding at him.

“Do you want to go to a neutral space, or are you comfortable right here?” He searches your pale blue eyes for any discomfort as he asks.

You appreciate how respectful of your boundaries he’s being. You know you need this, and he does too. Damn him and his phenomenal therapist skills.

“We can stay here…” You bite your lip, debating whether or not you want to ask him a specific question or not. You decide to throw caution to the wind and ask. “Do- do you um�� could we-”

“What’s up Hops?”

“Well… I’m kind of all over the place, and… do you care if we cuddle while I vent?”

“Would that make you feel more comfortable?” he asked again.

You nod, “It would…”

“In your nest?”

“Yeah… if that’s okay.”

“Lead the way.”

Jongho releases you from his hold and allows you to get comfortable in bed where your nest is before he approaches it. You shift a little bit allowing Jongho to climb in beside you. The dragon is slightly stiff as he gets semi-comfortable. You snuggle close to him, which makes him melt beneath you. He wraps an arm around you and sighs with a small smile on his face.

“What’s on that mind of yours, Hops?” He asks once you’re both comfortable.

“A lot of things… where should I start?”

“Wherever you want to.” He offers, small vines wrapping around his fingers as you get more comfortable.

“I feel like an outsider.” You admit, “And like a failure…”

“What makes you say that? You have your fluffle, and you’re part of the Thunder now. You have a successful business making jewelry.”

“I haven’t been able to finish a single project for days now, and I feel horrible. These people are waiting for me to finish these pieces for them and-” You start crying again.

“Take your time.” He reminds you, “Do you wanna hear my two cents on this, or do you want to continue what you were saying.”

“You can talk.” You sniffle, burying your face against his sweater.

He wraps his arm around you tighter. The small vines tickle against your jaw lightly as his fingers hold your shoulder. You find yourself sinking further into his touch subconsciously.

“Here’s what I think.” He starts, “Everyone has their own threshold. When you reach that threshold, you can’t do it anymore. You need a break. Your limit is different from mine and different from the others in the Thunder. You need to give yourself breaks, Hops.”

“I know, but-”

“No buts, bunny.”

“But, Jongho…” You pout, “You’re super successful in your career, San owns a whole monopoly, Seonghwa and Yunho own a tattoo shop-”

“And you have a very successful jewelry business.” He stops you mid-sentence, “Just cause we have more income doesn’t mean that you’re unsuccessful.”

You nod and nibble at your lip. You feel a thumb against your lip, gently pulling it from between your teeth. When you look up at Jongho, you see him giving you a gentle, borderline endearing look. It steals your breath away for a moment. Your ears go lax as you maintain eye contact with the navy dragon. You take note of how his navy scales frame his face perfectly and how they contrast against his bright red hair. Suddenly, you snap back to reality and shake your head slightly to ground yourself.

“I know that but still…”

“Still what?” He prods lightly.

“You guys seem actually to get work done, and I’m still fighting with this same necklace that I’ve been working on all week. I have a damn sketch of the thing, and I can’t even do it.” You groan.

“What’s on paper doesn’t always convey in practice. Have you tried looking at it or approaching it a new way?” He asks, his thumb gently caressing your arm as he speaks.

“... No…” You admit, gaze dropping down to your fingers, “I’ve been very set on the style, and my customer really likes the design I sketched…”

“And it’s your business.” He reminds you, “If you need to rework things because it’s impossible to do in practice, they need to understand that or lose their deposit on the art.”

You nod silently. Jongho notices you remain quiet after providing his two cents on your situation. There’s far more to your issue, and he knows it. He moves his navy blue tail to be draped over his thigh and, by proxy, wrap around yours. The tip of it rests against your lower back. And while you’re used to dragon tails resting against you, Jongho’s tail feels almost foreign to you but absolutely not unwelcomed.

“I know that’s not all, bun.” He sighs, letting the arm wrapped around you hold you just a bit tighter, “What else is going through that mind of yours?”

You look up at him and see his golden eyes fixated on you, “I don’t think you want to hear about my relationship right now.”

“I want you to feel better.” He assures, “Tell me what’s going on.”

You find yourself curling closer to the dragon and tucking your head just below his chin. You feel a few scales along his jaw, but it’s nothing that bothers you. After all, you live here with them almost all the time now; you’re no stranger to scales touching you. Your ears are pushed back and lying flat against your hair overtop Jongho’s arm. You feel him relax further after his initial tensing.

“Well… about a week ago, we were, um…” You didn’t know how to phrase it to him.

“You were having sex, okay. What went wrong to make you feel so uncomfortable and try to run away today?”

“How did you know I was gonna say that?” You try to deflect.

Jongho chuckles airily, “You're going to tell me I’m wrong?” You don’t answer, “So, what happened that got you to this point.”

You sigh and debate whether you want to let it all out or tell him just to forget about it. It wasn’t that big a deal, right? Jealously happens in relationships. Jealousy looks different in yours because instead of two people, there are five.

“Smells like burnt cookies.” Jongho points out, “Just say it before you end up smelling like a burnt kitchen rather than overbaked cookies.” He teases lightly.

“I feel like an outsider in my own relationship.”

“Okay, why do you feel like that? You know San, Seonghwa, and Yeosang would burn the world to the ground if you asked them.”

You feel the tears well up in your eyes again. One escapes and lands on Jongho’s barely damp sweater. Though you know, Jongho can’t see your eyes with your face tucked under his chin. He does seem to know you’re having an emotional hurricane internally. You feel his tail press a bit harder against your body as if to mock some weighted blanket to help you relax.

“They just seem so happy together. I felt like after that very awkward sex that I was just a hookup again.”

“That bad?” He sighs, “I know you know how the Thunder functioned before San and Seonghwa brought you home. Hell, Yunho, and Mingi are worse than you’re polycule sometimes.” He lightens the air, “Remember, you’re the glue that holds those boys together. Yes, they would casually hook up with each other before you were introduced to us, but the dates, talking about how they feel, regulating their schedules… Hops, that’s all thanks to your influence on this Thunder. It feels like I’ve tried to have interventions more often with them than with my clients. Something about you made it click, though.”

“Jongho?”

“Yeah?”

You don’t know what overtakes you, but you untuck your face from his chest and kiss his cheek. You realize what you’ve done after you see Jongho’s slightly shocked expression. Your nose starts to twitch as panic rises in your throat again. Jongho’s strong hold keeps you in your place, along with his tail still lying across your legs and along your back.

“It’s okay, bun.” He assures, “You just surprised me. If you want to ask something when you’re in the right headspace, you can do so. You’re not in a completely clear or stable mental place right now, though.”

You nod, “Sorry,”

“Nothing to apologize for. Come back here and get comfy again.” He offers, “You rant, and I’ll listen.”

You tuck yourself back against the dark blue dragon and almost feel like you’re at home in his arms. A tug in your heart makes itself known. Of course, it would now, when you’re in the midst of emotional and relational turmoil. Jongho smooths a hand over your hair and ears as you start rambling about everything that’s been bothering you. From missing your fluffle to work to your boyfriends’ dynamic. You feel small amounts of weight press against your hair.

“What’s in my hair?” You ask, “I feel something.”

“I’m weaving flowers in.” He says casually, “Do you want me to take them out?”

“N-no,” You feel the heat of a blush rush to your face, “Tell me about the flowers.”

“There’s a few red carnations, that’s all. Some are full blooms, others are half-blooms. They look nice against your hair. I like the contrast from how pure white your ears are too.”

You pull your body to be sitting up. Jongho is still lying down, and his eyebrows scrunch together in confusion.

“You can put them and more flowers in my hair all you want. I’m giving you more space to work with while I talk.” You explain, “I like that you’re playing with my hair.”

A smile graces his lips, and you barely see his fangs peek out. He conjures a small bouquet of little dainty pink and white flowers. One moment there was nothing there, and the next, the flowers were in his hand.

“So, as I was saying, I love my boyfriends, but it’s hard not to feel excluded when they know each other like their favorite things in the world. It really hurt me when I saw San and Yeosang cuddling while Seonghwa tossed the wet wipes at me. I know I’m newest to whatever dynamics were happening here before, but…” You interrupt yourself with a sigh, “I’m still their girlfriend, and it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.”

Jongho accidentally tugs at your hair while braiding a flower into it, making you yelp slightly.

“Sorry,” He quickly apologizes, “I know it hurts to just feel like a side piece in your relationship. You also need to communicate how you’re feeling, though. I know, ironic when you have three emotionally constipated dragon boyfriends, but it’s true.”

“I just don’t want to make them mad at me…”

“If they get mad at you for having normal emotions, then I’ll personally make them each a batch of poison ivy tea when I refill the tea satchels.”

You giggle lightly and feel Jongho move your hair over your shoulder, signifying that he’s done meticulously intertwining each flower with your hair. You turn around and face him. He’s sitting criss-cross in your nest still. His golden eyes practically melt you as he gives you an affectionate look. Those tugs at your heart return, this time accompanied by a tornado of butterflies in your stomach.

“You feel better now?” He asks softly.

You nod, “I needed that a lot more than I realized.”

He opens his arms, “You still look like you need some comforting before you talk to your boys.”

You climb into his lap, slotting your legs around his hips, and feel his strong arms wrap around your waist in a tight hug. You bury your face in the crook of his neck. Your nose fills with his book scent, and it instantly relaxes you. You don’t break away even when you hear the penthouse door open and click shut again. You’re so engulfed in his scent you don’t even know who’s returning to the lair. Jongho’s arms tighten around you even more. Then, you process the sniffles you’re letting out. You’re not even sure if you’re feeling the emotional aftermath of the day or if you’re nervous about the confrontation later, but you’re sniffling back tears again. Your tears slide down Jongho’s neck and along the snake tattoo that looks as if it’s curling around his collarbone. He doesn’t say anything about it. He doesn’t question why you’re crying or make any comment to stop you from feeling what you do. He lets you feel. It’s just what you need right now.

“What’s this?” You hear San snarl.

You tense in Jongho’s hold. Fight or flight instincts beg you to bolt for the door, even if San grabs you in the process. The only thing stopping you is Jongho’s arms holding you in place. Suddenly, Jongho rips a flower out of your hair. You yelp at the sudden movement and then see the navy dragon shaking out a singed red carnation. You know San didn’t mean any harm to you. When he was pissed, he tended to lose complete control of what he did with his magic.

“Hops.” He snarls, “I need to talk to you. Alone. Now.”

He hasn’t called you that since you officially started dating him. Hearing the neutral nickname sounds foreign to your ears in the worst way possible. You’ve never seen him direct his anger at you, either. Your heart rate spikes again, and your nose twitches at the speed of light. Subconsciously you grip onto Jongho, maybe to try to soothe yourself. You don’t want to think too hard about why it was comforting to you.

“Talk to him. It’ll be okay. If not, remember what I told you.” He ends his sentence with a slight chuckle.

You nod and climb out of Jongho’s lap. Your eyes linger on his golden eyes, noticing how his pupils dilate as he looks back at you. While you’d love to think it’s out of affection toward you, you decide to believe it’s simply to help calm you further. Jongho gets out of your nest and dismisses himself from the space. You watch as a vine curls around the door nob and pulls the white wood door shut. The tension is tangible enough as it is, but when the therapist dragon leaves, it becomes almost suffocating. San’s silver eyes are slit so thinly you can hardly see his pupils at all. It’s as if they don’t exist at all.

“I-it wasn’t what it looked like…” You say, trying to ease a bit of the tension.

“Are you sure, Hops?” He practically growls, “It sure looked like you were getting too cozy with someone who isn’t one of your boyfriends. We said you could cuddle with the others if you needed it. That was crossing a line, though.”

Normally seeing your deep purple scaled boyfriend dressed for the office sends you into a mood that you would put in a similar category to your heat. Now, though, it only strikes fear in you. You so desperately wish to crumble under his stare and submit to your prey tendencies. You swallow that urge and hold your head high, remembering Jongho’s words.

I know it hurts to just feel like a side piece in your relationship. You also need to communicate how you’re feeling, though.

“Would you have rather me run away back to my fluffle without a word to any of you?” You bite back, throwing your arm in the direction of your half-packed duffle bag, “You, Seonghwa, and Yeosang have been making me feel like I’m not even part of our relationship anymore. Had Jongho not stopped me, I would’ve been gone for hours by now. Yes, the cuddling could be seen as crossing a line, but he’s the reason I didn’t go running out mere moments after Yeosang left.”

“Treasure…” San starts, trying to step closer to you.

You put your hand up, and it’s as if you put up an invisible block in front of him.

“Let me speak.” You sigh, “You three communicate without words. You’ve been involved with each other in many different ways long before I was brought to the Thunder. After last week’s events… seeing how easily you knew how to take care of Yeosang while you three practically ignored me and let me handle myself hurt. I’m your girlfriend, but the longer I’m here, the more I feel like just a hookup you brought in with your two boyfriends for some extra fun.”

You let out a shaky breath. You don’t want to cry telling him all of that, but you feel your eyes fill with tears. There’s no way you’ll be able to stop them from falling. You sniffle and let your gaze fall down to your feet rather than looking at your boyfriend. He doesn’t move. That invisible block is still fixated in front of him.

As if the timing couldn’t be worse, you smell Seonghwa’s sweet strawberry jam scent enter the home accompanied by Yeosang’s peppermint tea. It’s as if he knows there’s tension, too. You know your scent is burnt, and San’s is far stormier than his typical calm sea breeze scent. Your eldest boyfriend doesn’t even knock. He invites himself and Yeosang into your bedroom and is greeted by your crying figure and San a few steps away with tendrils of smoke escaping the corners of his lips. Yeosang is the first to step closer, placing a kiss on San’s cheek, only solidifying your emotions. Comforting San before stepping closer to you.

“Tell me what’s going on.” Yeosang asks quietly, wrapping his arms around your frame.

You try to break out of his hold, but you’re no match for his strength. Angry tears keep rolling down your cheeks as you stay trapped in his hold.

“Look at me.” Authority rings in his tone.

This time, you look at him.

“Am I that unloveable?” You snap.

“Treasure, please.” San says weakly.

“Yeosang.” You say flatly, “Let me go.”

Your bronze boyfriend backs off. All three of them are clearly concerned about you and trying to figure out why you just asked the question you did. Your nose is still twitching, and tears are still staining your cheeks.

“We need to have a long talk. All four of us.” You huff.

You settle in your nest, wrapping yourself in a throw blanket that smells much more like Jongho than any of your boyfriends. You see the jealousy in San’s eyes as you do so. Yeosang is on your work stool, Seonghwa is sitting in your reading chair, and San is still brooding, leaning against your closed bedroom door. You can’t escape. It’s probably for the best; you need to say this.

“I kinda yelled this at San already, but… you three have been neglecting me.”

You watch as the confusion etches in Seonghwa’s face. He had been spending the most time with you compared to your other two boyfriends. Yeosang’s reaction isn’t as visible, but you know he’s just as confused. San knows, though. He hates that you’re saying it again.

“I feel like a hookup again. You three are so seamless with each other and don’t seem to give me any care. Last week, Seonghwa… you just threw the wet wipes at me while San took care of Yeosang with so much care… that fucking hurt. I almost ran away today. Jongho stopped me.”

“Treasure… we love you so much. I’m sorry I did that. I wasn’t even thinking about it-” Seonghwa tries to explain.

“I know… it doesn’t change that it hurt… still hurts worse than hell. San came home and found me cuddling with Jongho in a way that was a bit compromising. There was nothing inappropriate happening. I promise. And–” You stop yourself.

“What is it, Hops?” Yeosang asks quietly, “We need to know everything.”

“I kissed him.” You admit, “I was on such an emotional rollercoaster, and he made me feel safe and loved… I didn’t think about what I did until after it happened.”

None of them speak. It scares the hell out of you. Your pale blue eyes flit between all three of them. Their expressions are unreadable. Well, San’s isn’t. A fresh curl of smoke escapes his nose as he wills his flames back down his throat.

“Did you like it?” Yeosang asks again.

You hadn’t thought about that. Did you? It was so spur of the moment you didn’t actually think about how it made you feel. Your heart feels like it’s on fire. It aches.

“I did.” You admit.

“What do you want that to mean for us?” Seonghwa adds.

“I know we’re on delicate grounds right now…” You sigh, wrapping the blanket tighter around yourself, “I feel the same pull toward him that I do towards you three.”

“Transparency, right?” San finally speaks, “I’m so fucking jealous, but you’re right… we haven’t been caring for you the way we’ve been caring for each other. We should all make an effort to meet each other where we are. All four of us. And–” he stops himself, “If you want Jongho, we can invite him.”

“Seonghwa? Yeosang?” You ask, ears shifting towards them.

“Honestly…” Yeosang sighs, “I miss being with Jongho. We also knew in this Thunder we have a tendency to share, even with San’s jealous streak.” He pokes fun at his purple boyfriend.

“I’m always happy to do anything that helps our relationship and ultimately you, Treasure. I love all my Thunder, and I love you.”

A smile breaks out on your lips, and tears start streaming again. San is the first to approach you. He wraps his arms around you, tail curling protectively around your waist. You feel both of your other boyfriends join moments later.

“I love you, Treasure.” San whispers against your bunny ear.

“I love you.” You sniffle back.

“We all love you.” Yeosang kisses your other ear.

After a long discussion about what each of you needed from each other, you begin discussing who should approach Jongho about joining. It’s out of the question for San to do so. The last time San and Jongho interacted was when he walked in on you, cuddling with the dark blue dragon. Ultimately, Yeosang is chosen. He’s the closest to him, and they think the same way. Their history together before Yeosang started dating you just adds to why he should be the one to ask. Yeosang is also the newest boyfriend. Having Seonghwa go to the youngest dragon could end badly, given that Seonghwa has been dating you longer than Yeosang has.

You go with Yeosang down the hall toward Jongho’s bedroom. You stay outside the door as Yeosang gets permission to enter the space. Instantly, you hear laughter and feel how light the atmosphere is in the room. You see a few hanging plants through the small crack in the door. You haven’t seen many of their bedrooms in great detail, but seeing greenery in Jongho’s room makes warmth spread in your chest.

“Treasure,”

You’re taken aback when you hear the pet name. It’s not Yeosang’s voice. It’s Jongho’s. You step closer to the door. Popping your head through the door, white ears tall on your head, you see Jongho’s golden eyes giving you that same adoring look he had earlier. Yeosang has a soft, comfortable smile on his lips. His hand is outstretched, and you find yourself curling into his side.

Jongho’s room is exactly how you expected it to be. Plants are everywhere, not so much that it’s crowded, but it adds a comforting and homey touch to the space. He has a desk against the far wall, framed by bookshelves. His bed has a wall of vines behind it with purple flowers randomly throughout them. There’s something about the space that is so shamelessly Jongho.

“Is there something you wanted to ask me, Treasure?” Jongho asks with a soft smirk on his lips.

You nod, and your eyes shift up to your green-eyed boyfriend. He just nods slightly at you and gives you a comforting smile.

“Jongho… would you like to be my boyfriend?” You ask.

Yeosang removes his arm from around you as Jongho steps closer to you. The gold-eyed dragon hybrid takes your chin between his thumb and forefinger, making you look up at him. You want so desperately to melt at the touch but you hold your ground somehow. Your ears instantly fall back against your head as your chin tilts up. The flowers are still woven into your hair and tickle against your ears, making them twitch slightly. Jongho takes his other hand to pluck some flowers from your hair.

“Red carnations: admiration, devotion,” he states, twirling it in between his fingers. He shifts his hold on the flowers to show the small white and pink flowers. “Aster: faith, love. Does that answer your question, Treasure?”

“Jongho?” You ask, dazed by his words.

“Yes, Treasure. I’d love to date you.” He smiles a bright, gummy smile, “May I kiss you?”

“Yes.” You practically breathe out.

His lips are on yours a moment later, and you feel an explosion of emotion. The hand that was previously holding the flowers wraps around your waist and pulls you closer to his body. It’s almost as if you’re the only two in the world. When he pulls away, you see his heavily dilated gold eyes. Your hand reaches up to brush against a few scales by his hairline before carding into his hair behind his ear. Before you can get lost in the moment again, Yeosang swoops in and kisses your cheek before leaning over to Jongho and kissing his cheek as well. He wraps his arms around both of you. You turn your head to see your two other boyfriends in the doorway with sweet smiles on their faces. They come into the room and join the hug. Yeah, everything felt better now. They felt like home, and your heart aches out of pure love for your four boyfriends.

Networks: @cultofdionysusnet @kwritersworld @k-vanity

Tag List: @sanjoongie @jaehunnyy @ericssmile @anyamaris @almondmilkeu @shinestarhwaa @northerngalaxystar-blog

#ateez x reader #cultofdionysusnet #kwritersworldnet #kvanity #ateez fanfic #ateez fluff #ateez angst #seonghwa x reader #san x reader #yeosang x reader #jongho x reader #poly!ateez #dragon!ateez

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sxcret-garden · 9 months ago

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3rd Desire ღ A Little Jealousy [M]

ღ Aspects of Desire series ღ Ateez Jongho x fem!reader ღ feat.: Yeosang & Wooyoung ღ words: ~4.8k ღ genre: established relationship, college AU, fluff, some humor, slice of life, smut (dom!Jongho, sub!reader, clothed sex, teasing, tiny bit of finger sucking (idol receiving), oral (idol receiving), he’s a lil mean again, hair pulling, biting, dacryphilia, bit of brat-taming, reader goes into subspace, sir kink, fingering (reader receiving), unprotected sex) ღ warnings: heavy dom-sub dynamic, (he runs his hand through reader’s hair and picks her up)

Desc.: When you’re meeting up with your classmate and friend Yeosang in order to finally finish that dreaded uni project that’s been keeping you on edge for the past weeks, you don’t expect him to bring along his flirtatious friend Wooyoung. What you also don’t expect is said friend knowingly attempting to flirt with you in front of your boyfriend, who just can’t help but let the hint of jealousy it makes him feel influence his actions once you’re in the comfort of your own home.

Author's note: This is actually one of my fav chapters so far, and 80% of the reason is because the first scene was so much fun to write kasjdfkljsöldka

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Arriving at the café a few minutes early, you find Yeosang already waiting for you. You came here from your university dorms, about 20 minutes by bus, so you didn’t expect to be late, but you tend to always leave a little earlier than you have to anyway, just to be sure.

Your meet-up place is a cute little café that turns out to be a lot more spacious than one would assume looking at it from the outside, and it serves all the classics, as well as a couple of drinks that are especially popular these days.

“Did everybody send you their parts?” you ask, starting up your laptop, while Wooyoung watches the alarm that’s supposed to tell you when your drinks are ready.

“I thought they were supposed to send them to you…?” Yeosang replies, eyes widened because he doesn’t want this meeting to already turn into a catastrophe. The frustration that your teammates have continuously nurtured with their incompetence over the past two weeks bubbles up deep inside you again, until you check your emails and you find that they did indeed send their parts to you.

“Sorry, my bad,” you sigh deeply.

“It can happen,” Yeosang assures you, while the alarm goes off, shaking the whole table as it vibrates, and Wooyoung immediately grabs it and gets up. You’re glad he’s at least being useful in that regard - otherwise you’re not sure why Yeosang brought his friend from an entirely different major along to your café date of hell.

“He insisted,” your teammate tells you upon posing your question. “Actually I don’t know why I brought him either.”

“Excuse me?!” Wooyoung exclaims in offense as he returns with your order, having heard his friend’s reply. But Yeosang is quick to wave it off.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.” To your surprise his loud friend merely sits down while eyeing him with a doubtful expression, but he doesn’t say anything more to that. Finding yourself more fascinated than anything else by their dynamic, you shake your head eventually and redirect your attention to the screen in front of you.

“I’ll send you the parts so we can go over them together,” you announce as you’re already dropping the files into your kakao chat with Yeosang, the familiar tone coming from the speakers of his laptop signaling an incoming message that tells you he received them quickly. Wooyoung leans in, nosily looking at the files his friend is opening.

“Looks good… if you ignore the formatting,” Yeosang shades, making you chuckle, and Wooyoung lets you hear a loud “Hey!”

“You didn’t do yours any better!” he teases Yeosang, attempting to pinch his side but his friend evades the attack.

“Personal space,” he just remarks, pushing Wooyoung away with his flat palm against his cheek. Once again you find yourself fascinated by their cartoonish behaviour most of all, but you don’t comment on what just unfolded in front of your eyes. “And also, mine doesn’t look very interesting, but at least it has the correct formatting.”

“Yeah, this professor doesn’t really have an eye for aesthetics,” you add, grinning yet unhappy about the way the paper you were supposed to put together looks overly sterile. “But I guess that’s what science wants.”

“Well, the contents are what matters,” Yeosang adds, this time not defending himself when Wooyoung throws an arm around his shoulders, but you can tell he’s not happy about the pda. With curious eyes he leans in, skimming through the text on Yeosang’s screen, and you give him an annoyed sigh. You really just want to finish this damn project already, before it consumes any more of your nerves.

“Oh. Sorry,” Wooyoung grins as he notices your distress, moving away from the computer as he straightens his back, and you’re not sure what to make of his reaction. Telling yourself to focus on the problem at hand instead of him, you begin pasting the text into one collective document, while Yeosang starts reading through everything in search of any possible errors.

“Looks good,” he eventually announces, and you agree, having joined him in proofreading everything.

“You two sure are fast,” Wooyoung comments, and he shoots you a gaze filled with mischief.

“This is the tenth time we read through these, so…” you explain.

“I see… Yeosang here told me about how horrible the others were to work with,” the guy sitting next to your classmate continues.

“You’re also horrible to work with, and you’re not even a part of this,” Yeosang mutters under his breath, causing you to chuckle, and Wooyoung immediately complains.

“That hurt! I know when to be serious, in contrast to some people.” He says it so ominously that you think at least Yeosang must know who he’s talking about, but he too shoots him a questioning look. “Whatever,” Wooyoung brushes it off with a hand gesture. “You’re done now, aren’t you? So we can finally get to know each other,” he adds, directed at you. “This guy told me a lot about you, so I’ve been dying to meet you.” He points at Yeosang, whose ears grow bright red and he waves his hands in front of his face.

“It’s not what it sounds like. I don’t talk about you all the time, this guy here just likes to blow things way out of proportion,” he explains, and with the way Wooyoung is grinning from ear to ear now, all you’re left with is to believe Yeosang’s words.

“Figured,” you say. “So? What did he tell you about me that made you so interested?” You give Wooyoung a challenging smile, and the guy is eating up your attention as he watches you with a spark in his eyes.

“How you took the lead in your project after everyone else did nothing, for example,” Wooyoung replies. “I respect people like that! You know, people who get things done.” You chuckle at his enthusiasm.

“Don’t be mistaken, I’m not usually the leader type. Just… when I need to be… for the sake of my own sanity.”

“I see,” Wooyoung says, leaning back in his chair now, taking on a comfortable stance.

“I’m sorry about him, I shouldn’t have brought him along,” Yeosang says, once again. “He flirts with everything that breathes in his direction, it means nothing. He’s just doing this for his own entertainment, but I can punch him for you if you want?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” you say. “It’s fun to do this every once in a while.”

“Oh? What do you mean - every once in a while?” Wooyoung pries, a broad grin now playing his lips as he leans back in his chair. “You’re not the type to go out and meet people like this?”

“Not to flirt with them,” you laugh, directing your gaze towards the entrance of the café, where the image of Jongho walking inside has caught your eye. You decided to have him pick you up after your meeting with Yeosang, so that you could grab dinner together. You didn’t expect him to be here this early, though. “I’m not sure if my boyfriend would like that,” you add, looking back at Wooyoung, whose mouth forms the shape of an o, before he once again merely grins at you.

“I see, I see… but the fact that you flirted back at me tells me you like to live dangerously,” he remarks, before letting out a giggle that seems both very sudden, yet not out of character at all. Yeosang can only sigh beside him. He looks like he wants to snark at his friend for that, but he bites back the words, as your attention is visibly drawn elsewhere and you scoot over on the bench to make space for your boyfriend.

“Hello,” he greets the other two, politely bowing his head in front of them, before he sits beside you. And now you’re the one grinning to yourself, seeing his shyness that seems even weirder now, that you’re getting to know more and more very different sides to him.

“Wait… is that the boyfriend?” Wooyoung points his finger at the guy next to you, eyes raised in surprise.

“Yeah,” you answer.

“You’ve been talking about me?” Jongho asks, raising his eyebrows as well. There’s a hint of disbelief in his voice, and for a second you wonder if you should use this opportunity to tease him a bit. But of course Wooyoung, the loud one, is faster.

“She’s been talking about you.”

“Don’t believe a word he says,” Yeosang utters, before you can defend yourself. “He just says whatever.” Another highly offended Wooyoung-noise is what follows, while you feel Jongho tapping your arm lightly, and when you glance over to him you can see him quietly laughing. Apparently he finds their dynamic just as amusing as you do.

“Yeah, so… that’s Yeosang, who I’ve been working on the project with. And that’s his friend Wooyoung, who has nothing to do with the project but came along anyway to be a distraction,” you introduce the two guys, then you point at your partner. “That’s my boyfriend Jongho.”

“You think I’m distracting?” Wooyoung retorts, because that appears to be all he heard, and he says it proudly and with this shit-eating grin on his face as he puts his elbow on the table, supporting his head with his chin in his palm. You can’t lie, his bold attempt to continue flirting with you in front of your boyfriend both makes you think he must be incredibly stupid, and somehow also makes you admire his courage.

“Not in the way you think,” you answer calmly, trying to sound almost cold. Next to Wooyoung, Yeosang is muttering an “oh my god”, but most importantly your boyfriend doesn’t react to it. Instead he diverts the conversation into a different direction, and in your head you thank him for it.

“So… were you able to finish everything?” he asks, and you nod.

“Almost,” you say. “The formatting needs to be checked again, but that’s Yeosang’s job. So… if you want to go get dinner now, we can!”

“Ah, no, I wasn’t trying to rush you,” he assures as he balances somewhere between seeming friendly and polite.

You end up leaving pretty soon anyway. Yeosang informed you that he still had things to do (you assume he just wanted an excuse to get rid of Wooyoung) and so you packed your things and split up into pairs in front of the café, with your friend and his friend taking the route to the bus stop across the street, and you and Jongho walking a couple of blocks to get to a restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. It’s serving stew as its speciality, just right for a chilly evening like today.

A groan of satisfaction escapes you as you link your hands above your head and stretch your arms and back after entering the apartment. Your boyfriend smiles at the sight in front of him as he puts his jacket on a hanger and then he follows you into the living room.

“Getting dinner there was a really good idea,” you remark as Jongho comes up to you from behind, placing his hands onto your hips and leaning in.

“Right? You should let me pick restaurants more often,” he mutters right beside your ear, and when you whirl around to get a proper look at his face, he laughs softly.

“I think it was my idea to go there?” you retort, taking offense in him attempting to take all the credit, but he’s quick to appease you.

“I know, I know, just joking.” You huff at his attitude with a smile, before he adds, “I thought you liked mischievous guys.” He walks away and towards the kitchen as you’re still confused about his words, but when you begin to have a hunch about what made him say this, he’s already out of sight. You follow him, finding him pouring himself a glass of water, and without a change in expression he takes a few sips. You can only stare at him, hoping for him to say anything to help you figure out whether that hunch is right or wrong, but he doesn’t look like he’s in a hurry. Setting down the glass, he seems to be thinking about something as he’s supporting his weight with his hands on top of the kitchen counter, and then, when he finally shoots you a glance, the expression on his face has changed.

“You liked that, didn’t you?”

“Liked what…?” Jongho pushes himself off the counter in front of him, taking a few steps towards you instead. He comes to a halt when you’re merely a few inches apart, his head tilted to the side ever so slightly, and his hand finds your face.

“That guy flirting with you,” he says, his voice dangerously low, and he lets his thumb trace the outline of your bottom lip. “You liked that.”

“I…” You gulp as you look up at him. So he did realize it. You should’ve known better than to assume you could hope he wouldn’t be able to read you that well. But you were mistaken. It seems he already learned to notice and correctly analyze even the smallest of signs, and you guess in some way that’s a good thing, you’re just not sure what this means in a situation like this.

“It’s fine, dear,” he speaks, his voice merely a whisper now, and he leans in to press one feathery light kiss onto your lips. “You can admit it.” Again, you find yourself gulping. But the sweetness of his kiss mixing in with the soothing effect his words have on you leave you unable to ponder on this for longer. And so you simply say it, without thinking about the consequences.

“I liked it.”

It was only yesterday that you had another conversation, figuring you should talk more in depth about your wants and what you don’t want, after he almost crossed a line last time. You talked about your relationship, your sexual relationship mostly, the kind of dynamic that’s slowly growing between the two of you, and the kind of dynamic you two wish for. Surprisingly, from what you’ve discussed at least, your wishes align mostly.

You both agreed you want more. More than a kink or two incorporated into your sex life. More than a barely noticeable difference in power. He made it clear he’s willing to go into this with you, take you by the hand, and that he’d make sure to satisfy you.

But you know he also wants to be satisfied himself. And it’s exciting you, thinking about it then, and thinking about it now, as he’s steering you towards the nearest wall, until your back gently comes in contact with it. It’s not much, no grand gesture, and yet you can already feel the flames of desire burning up in your stomach.

“I see.” He speaks slowly now, the tone in his voice sending a shiver down your spine and you know he can see you tremble. From excitement for what’s to come, and curiousity about what he plans to do with you now. “What?” He raises an eyebrow, one hand resting against the wall right next to your head, the other reaching out until his fingertips come in contact with your stomach, and he lets them dance up until he’s almost reached your throat. When he sees you gulp at his action, he huffs, as if laughing at you. “You think I’ll give you what you want that easily?” Jongho asks, pulling his hand away and you inevitably frown at him for it. “After flirting with another guy? After you tell me you liked it? I don’t think so.” He takes a few steps away. There’s a calm expression on his face, his look feels almost icy as he lets his gaze wander from your head down your body. “You should know who can please you best,” he warns. “Or, don’t tell me you think that cheeky guy could make you feel better than me?”

“No!” you respond immediately and without having to think about it.

“But you still liked the attention,” your boyfriend states, matter-of-factly.

“Y-yeah…” you admit, making yourself smaller instinctively.

“Cute,” he huffs at your apologetic gesture, and there’s a hint of a smirk sitting on his face. You weren’t 100% sure about it before, whether he really is jealous or if he’s doing this for fun, but now you can clearly tell - he’s enjoying this. And that’s fine, because you talked about this too - what you’re about to get yourself into, and how far you’re both willing to go in the process.

“Come here,” Jongho orders along with a gesture of his hand and you oblige. You step closer, let him put his arms around you, and the kiss he presses onto your lips is surprisingly soft. Slowly, he moves his lips against yours, tilting his head so he could deepen the kiss eventually, taking his time as he runs the tip of his tongue along the front row of your teeth, and just when you begin to want him to kiss you more passionately, he parts from you. One look at your face, his darkened eyes making you shiver in his hold, then he brushes his lips against the corner of your mouth. Trailing kisses across your cheek and eventually halting beside your ear as he cups your face with both hands now.

“Get on your knees, beautiful.” You don’t hesitate, and you don’t protest. It’s like his words put you in a trance, making sure you wouldn’t even think of disobeying him. And so you do, you drop down to the floor in front of him, hands immediately fumbling with the button on his pants, because you know what he wants. There’s only one thing a guy could want when he tells you to get on your knees for him, and you’re set on giving him that. But your eagerness doesn’t go uncommented. “So greedy,” he mutters, as he calmly watches you pull down his pants and underwear, exposing his half hardened length. His hand finds its way into your hair, fingertips massaging your scalp and for a second as you glance up at him you think you can see his features soften. “You already know what to do, hm?” your boyfriend continues, yet you wait for the okay to touch him.

“Can I…?” you ask, making him let out a short laugh. And there it is again, that grin that would tell anyone that he knows he’s in control, and he’s enjoying it.

“Are you gonna make me wait?” he poses a question in return, and in that same breath phrasing the answer himself. “I don’t think so.”

You keep one hand resting on his thigh, while you wrap the other around his cock. Peering up at him to watch him as he watches you, you start moving your hand slowly, and the second your palm brushes against his head, you can see the way his lips part to make way for a quiet sigh. You bring your fist all the way back down his shaft, repeating the motion a few times, until you find a hint of impatience on his features.

“Dear…” he mutters, untangling his fingers from your hair to cup your chin instead. As he lifts it up, his thumb presses against your lips, and when you open your mouth to let out a shaky breath, he pushes the finger inside. Your eyelids fluttering shut, you meet him with the tip of your tongue, instinctually swirling it around his finger once, before you close your mouth around it and suck on it. “Like that…” Jongho breathes a praise in your direction, before pulling his thumb out of your mouth and putting his hand back on top of your head to steer your field of vision back towards his core. He stays quiet, but he wouldn’t have needed to say anything more anyway to get you to finally do what he wants you to. You move closer, extending your tongue for mere kitten licks, quick strokes that wouldn’t possibly be near satisfactory against the tip of his cock. You glance up at him again, seeing the impatience building up behind his gaze that won’t leave you, and for a moment you wonder whether you should try and see what happens if you push him a bit more.

But your own hunger wins over that desire. He was probably right, you really are greedy today, because the second you wrap your lips around him, you find yourself moaning at the feeling of having him in your mouth. The hiss of pleasure he lets out forces you to suppress a grin. Instead, you take him in further, hollowing your cheeks as you let him fill you up with his size.

His hips stay still. You wonder whether it would stay like this, whether he would make you do all the work and merely guide you into the pace he wants, as he is doing currently, with his fingers grasping onto strands of your hair, or if he would eventually lose patience and start fucking into your mouth. All you know is you’re fine with either, and yes, you’re eager to please him, eager to get him off.

Your hand still wrapped around him moves along with your head for additional friction, and you keep peering up at his eyes, wanting to see the moment he breaks apart, and all the expressions leading up to it. And yet he stays in control, disappointingly much, so you take him in even further as you sink back down on him, until his tip hits the back of your throat, making you gag in response. You furrow your brows at the uncomfortable sensation, and yet you do it again with your next repetition of the movement. So long, until tears are starting to well up in your eyes, and that’s when he takes his hand away from your hair and cups your face instead, cursing at how good you’re being for him.

“Fuck, Y/N…” he groans, and now you can see the pleasure distorting his face - it’s not much, but it serves as a motivation to work even harder for him. The sound he lets out as you swallow around him makes you moan as well, until you move your head and your hand faster, and the lewd sounds of you sucking him off, as well as your boyfriend’s heavy breaths fill the room. “Y/N, stop,” he mutters, and you don’t, because you want to push him over the edge so desperately. Instead you mewl at the taste of his precum leaking onto your tongue, and you close your eyes, preparing yourself to take his load.

What you don’t prepare yourself for is him yanking your head away by your hair, the shock from the sudden action and the immediate wave of pleasure that follows as he growls,

“I said stop.”

“Yes, sir.”

A sudden weakness washes over you, and the only thing you can do is move your head up just a little bit, leaning into the touch of his hand on top of it. And you don’t miss the way the words affected him. After he had suggested you calling him that and you had refused, saying you found the thought of calling your boyfriend sir a bit weird, you know he didn’t expect you to say it after all. But you did. And now there’s an entirely new expression on his face, an entirely new burning passion reflecting in his eyes, and you know it’s only a matter of time until it burns you too.

“Get up,” he says eventually, and you do as told, finding yourself held up safely with his hands resting on your sides as soon as you stand. Your body feels light, almost like he’s taken control of your will, when he steers you back a few steps, into your original position against the wall. Without hesitation, he kisses you, teeth clashing together as he tears at your clothes, and he only parts from you to pull them off, piece by piece, one after the other, and when he has gathered half of them on a pile somewhere on the floor, he decides that should be enough. Your pants gone should do, and when his lips smash onto yours again, you feel his hand between your thighs, fingers prodding at your folds.

“Shit,” he hisses against your lips. “You’re fucking soaked… can’t wait to fuck you…” His words make your head spin, and the way his fingers slip inside you effortlessly only adds to your lightheadedness. You throw your arms around his frame, fingernails digging into the fabric of his shirt covering his back, and you buck your hips into his palm as he starts curling his fingers inside you. You can only mewl at the pleasure, sentences are too hard to form right now, maybe if you tried you could get out a few words with no correlation between them.

“...p-please…” you slur, “...f-fuckme…”

“Who do you belong to?” Jongho asks, his fingers working you at a speed that should give you time to answer, but that won’t keep you sane for long. And yet you can’t say anything, only pathetic whimpers come out when you open your mouth. “Who?” he repeats. “Is it me? Do you belong to me?”

“Y-yessir…” you manage to say, and he bites his bottom lip hard.

“That’s right.” You can hear his voice trembling as he speaks, and you let out another sorry excuse of a moan as he presses his thumb against your clit. “Gonna make you cum so good, pretty girl… just wait…” All you can do at this point is cling to him for dear life, incoherent whines and whimpers falling from your lips, in between words that are supposed to tell him you want to cum on his cock, but you’re not sure how much of that actually gets through to him. And still, when your walls are starting to clench around him and your whole body tenses up, he finally pulls out of you. With his hand soaked in your juices he gives himself another few strokes, before telling you to hold on tight and lifting you up with his hands placed on the underside of your thighs. You cry out as he pushes into you, tears welling up in your eyes again, and this time they fall. Rolling down your cheeks as the pleasure overwhelms you, arms wrapped around him so tightly that you’re not sure if maybe you are squeezing a bit too tightly after all. But it doesn’t matter. All that matters in this moment is the chase for your high, and it ends with merely a few of his thrusts. Your body shakes violently as your orgasm hits you, you bite his shoulder and yet the moans won’t stop escaping you, and as you do, he too comes undone. You keep clenching around him as you feel him spilling inside you with a groan, and even as you start coming down from your high, your body won’t stop trembling.

He tries to help you stand, but realizes quickly that all attempts are futile. So he carefully lets you sink down onto the ground, staying close to you in order to keep holding onto you.

“How was that?”

“Good…” you manage to whisper an answer, not having the energy for a more elaborate one, but your boyfriend understands.

“I’m glad.” Jongho collapses with his back against the wall next to you, letting you rest your head on top of his shoulder and him leaning his head against yours. His hand finds yours naturally, fingers intertwining, as your mind is still drowned in bliss from the afterglow of your orgasm.

“It was perfect, actually,” you say, correcting yourself. “You were perfect.” You lift your other hand up to comb your fingers through his short hair, eventually letting it rest against his cheek and bringing him in for a short but sweet kiss. And then there it is again, that soft smile appearing on his lips, and when you lift your head he buries his face in the crook of your neck - to hide that expression from you, as you assume.

“Well, I didn’t think you’d actually call me that, after saying you didn’t want to at first,” he says, and you retort, questioningly,

“Sir?”

“Yeah…” Jongho looks away, still visibly affected by it, and you shoot him a mischievous glance.

“I’m… really enjoying this though. And I’d like to keep… trying new stuff too…” you speak, and your boyfriend gives you a smile.

“We just tried a lot of new stuff, and you already want more?” He gets up, walking over to one of the cupboards and getting you a glass of water. “Drink this, first of all,” he says as he hands it to you. “And tomorrow we can sit down and talk again.”

#ateez smut #jongho smut #ateez x reader #ateez fanfic #ateez drabbles #ateez series #ateez x fem reader #ateez x you #ateez scenarios #ateez imagines #jongho imagines #jongho x reader #smut

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shixcherie · 3 months ago

Text

I Love You 3000 | Choi Jongho ☆

~ ~ call me chérie ☆

Navigation | Kinktober List

☆ Day 08 : Jealousy/ Cheating Sex

↬ [ Synopsis ] : A lap dance can do a lot of things. It can bring Jongho running to your door, drenched in rain just for a taste of you.

Word Count : 3.06k Genre : Smut, Angst, 18+, Non-idol Au. Pairing : Lawyer! Jongho x Strip Club worker! F.Reader

WARNINGS : pure smut (18+), lap dance, Hard Dom Jongho, reader is a switch, mentions of drugs, alcohol, serving clients, strong language, dirty talk, pet names (baby, honey, pretty, sweet girl), angsty, fluff at the end, foreplay, reader calls jongho master.

Tag list OPEN! - let me know if you want to be tagged for this Kinktober list

☆☆☆ NOTE : Day 08 dropping a little late ma chéries. Its Jongho’s turn to have a taste of you. Hope you end this piece of mine as well. Day 09 and Day 10 fics on their way, dropping tomorrow.

Who knew this Historical day could become even more iconic and memorable with Jongho showering u with all his love.

Today marked the 3000th day since you ran away from the orphanage, the place your so-called 'amazing' faceless parents abandoned you to, a living hell in all aspects . A place that was supposed to be your home, but felt anything but that. It was the opposite of everything you craved: no warmth, no love, no freedom, only pure dictatorship.

Your 18th birthday marked the first night you tasted freedom, running away from that hellish place. A historical moment for you. Running away wasn’t just the best option, it was the ONLY option, to not only achieve freedom but A life of your own.

Inferno Nights became your second home. The club was infamous for its illegal activities but had never been raided, offering top-class services, premium liquor, exotic drugs, with an irritatingly attractive boss, Choi Lucas, sitting at the top of the food chain.

Was it really better than the orphanage? No.

But does it pay the bills and guarantee you the freedom to be whoever and however you want? Abso-fucking-lutely.

Being Lucas’s favorite fuck toy, oops “His main” like her liked to address you, allowed you to climb the ranks quickly. Not his girlfriend, just a companion. An overwhelmingly satisfying one at that. Trading your body for freedom seemed like the only way to survive in this cruel world. So be it.

Serving him came with lucrative pay, an apartment to call your own, access to the best booze and drugs, and a roster of elite clients to serve.

One of them was a guy who was a criminal attorney by day, but a total stoner, drunkard, and limitless black card swiper by night,Choi Jongho.

Lucas’s darling younger brother, but with double the stubbornness, double the brains, and double the handsomeness,double the money with a sprinkle of love.

A love not for the world, but reserved for a few special, lucky people. For them, he bent the rules and toyed with authority like a tiger playing with its prey.

—

The night of the 3000th day marked the beginning of a rollercoaster ride you never wanted to experience, not even in your wildest dreams. But one your soul desperately needed.

Another historical moment in your life’s calendar.

You always took this day off to indulge in drinking the night away, celebrating the first time your life became your own. Your living room table was set with snacks and whiskey, Netflix playing on the TV, and you all cozy and cuddled up on the couch, when your phone rang.

You scrunched your nose at the name on the screen. Demi. Ugh... you hated that bitch.

Lucas’s second favorite, one of the elite servers like you. She had an extremely pretty face but a completely opposite personality - entitled, bitchy, and annoying. She hated your guts more than you hated hers, and was the sole reason you ended up in trouble most of the time.

“What?” you say, picking up the call, annoyance dripping from your voice,deliberately.

“No hi, no hello, kitten? Is this how you talk to your seniors?” she mocks. You hated being called kitten. It made you feel homeless, helpless, and extra fucking lonely. Like a stray cat wandering the streets, with no place to call home.

“Cut the crap, Demi. Get to the point” you snap, not wanting to endure her voice a second longer.

“A client is asking for you” she says.

Not today. Today you and your precious time belonged to no one.

“Nope. Not coming.” You say dismissively, ready to hang up, but then she drops the name.

“It’s for Jongho. I mean Master Jongho. His friends booked a lap dance for him.And they want only you,” she pauses, her tone shifting instantly. Being Lucas’s brother, no one says no to Jongho.

“So be at the club in 10 minutes. You know what to wear. I don’t need to remind you, do I?” she says and hangs up before you can respond.

Would Lucas be angry with you serving his brother? Maybe.

But a client is a client, and it’s just a lap dance,nothing more.

“No intimate relationships with any of my clients. You three belong to me, so don’t even think about putting those mouths anywhere else” Lucas lectures, addressing you, Demi, and Anya, his three mains.

“That would be cheating in my book, and trust me, you don’t want to find out the consequences of treason.” he adds, a villainous smirk playing on his lips as he delivers the threat.

In 10 minutes, you arrived at Inferno Nights, dressed in the sexiest, tiniest gold shimmery dress, looking like a goddess. A choker around your neck added to the seductive charm, paired with chunky boots to heighten the tension. Light makeup and a bold red lip sealed the deal. Gold was definitely your color. In the dim lighting, it made you look like an angel, a euphoric dream, a salvation from all the stresses of your clients.

Demi greeted you with her usual annoying face, a vicious look in her eyes. Something about it felt off, but you dismissed it, assuming she was just jealous that Jongho had asked for you.

You entered the private room where Jongho and his friends were seated. You recognized every single one of them—Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, and Wooyoung. Not just because they were regulars at Inferno Nights, but also because each of them owned powerful businesses and had definite connections to the underworld, just like Jongho.

The air buzzed with tension as their gazes locked onto you, the dim light highlighting your shimmering gold dress.

"Look who decided to grace us. Jongho’s favorite." Hongjoong whispered to Seonghwa, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Hmm? Why am I his favorite? Does he even know I exist?

Jongho’s smile widened as you approached, his eyes dark and intense, drawing you in like a magnet.

“Ready for your dance, Master Jongho?” you teased, swaying your hips. It took everything in you to resist the temptation to pounce on him. The way he looked absolutely perfect in that blazer made you feel weak, like it was tailored just to intensify his sex appeal.

Why the fuck does he have to look so mouthwatering? And he's off-limits? I hate you, Lucas!

“Show me what you’ve got.” he replied, tilting his head slightly with a smirk, trying his hardest to maintain his smooth composure, though you could feel it slipping as you traced his broad shoulders.

You slid onto his lap, the heat between you undeniable as whispers echoed around the room.

“Damn, she’s stunning.” Yunho remarked, leaning closer to San.

“Hope he can handle her.” Mingi added, chuckling softly.

Handle me?! Man, I hope I make it out of here alive.

The world, the people, their whispers—everything faded into oblivion as you became his sole focus, and he became yours.

You straddled him, hips rolling to the sensual beat of the slow music, your body pressing lightly against his chest. His breath hitched as you leaned in, the scent of whiskey on his breath mingling with your perfume, intoxicating both of you.

“You seem a little tense, Master Jongho,” you whispered into his ear, your lips brushing his skin slightly. His jaw clenched, and you could feel his restraint slipping.

His hands hovered over your hips, wanting to touch but holding back. You could see the internal battle in his eyes: desire versus control.

The friction between your thighs and his lap sent jolts of heat through both of you. You could feel him tense beneath you, trying to maintain his composure, but his ragged breaths told you he was already losing that fight.

You leaned back slightly, grinding down harder, your lips parted as the intensity built between you.

“Touch me, Jongho.” you whispered, daring him. Your words caused him to snap. His hands finally gave in, gripping your waist with a roughness that made your breath catch, finally surrendering to the desires he had harbored since the first day he laid eyes on you.

Desire - 1, Control - 0.

Jongho’s craving for you went way back. The first time he saw you at Inferno Nights, you were just a new worker, but seeing you all lovey-dovey with Lucas made him step back, thinking you might like his brother. Only later did he realize that Lucas was a selfish asshole, keeping three girls all to himself. That only fueled Jongho’s desire for you, after all, forbidden things always taste sweeter.

For a moment, the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of you. Every grind, every movement sent electric shivers through your body, and you could feel his rock-hard response beneath you, your own arousal pooling in your core.

The music played on as you rolled your hips one last time. Jongho’s grip tightened, and his lips brushed against the skin of your neck. A low, hungry growl escaped him.

“God, you’re dangerous.Want you more.” he muttered, his voice thick with lust. His lips found the delicate spot behind your ear, kissing it before biting down hard, pulling a whimper out of you.

The teasing was over. Now, it was pure, raw intensity.

Suddenly, you jumped off him, gulping hard, breaths shallow as your cheeks flushed a deep red. Every pair of eyes in the room was on you, their gazes piercing right through your soul.

“Time’s up. I—I should go now. Thank you, Master Jo-Jongho, for calling on m-me.” you stammered,taking a deep breath, you swiftly walked out of the room.

As you hurried out, Demi caught you by the arm. “Done for the night, kitten?” she asked, a little too amused for someone who should’ve been jealous. But you couldn’t focus on her right now. Your mind was foggy, all you wanted was to go home, strip off the dress that smelled of him, and sleep.

—

Why can’t you sleep? Why did he kiss you? No, bite... it was more of a bite. But why? And why did it feel so good, so heavenly?

Raindrops hit your windowsill as the storm outside raged. You stared at the ceiling, rolling from one side of the bed to the other for what felt like the hundredth time, trying desperately to sleep.

Will Lucas punish you for that? Why does Jongho have to be Lucas’s brother? Ugh… what a fucking mess.

A soft knock at the door pulled you from your thoughts. You checked the time, it was 2 AM.

Who could it be? Is it Lucas? Did he find out already? Who told him? Demi for sure. Ugh… Demi, you bitch.

Slowly, you made your way to the door and opened it just enough to peek through. There stood Jongho, drenched from head to toe, a smirk playing on his lips. He looked irresistibly sexy in his wet state, which in turn made you wet down there as your arousal pooled at your core, reminising the moments you both shared a few hours ago. Three words: I. Want. You.

That was it. All your promises to Lucas and your sanity went down the drain as you dragged Jongho inside, latching onto his lips hungrily, which he returned with equal intensity and passion.

Pinning you against the door, his hand cupped your cheek, deepening the kiss as your hands fumbled with his blazer, desperate to free him from his wet clothes. As much as you loved him in that sexy black blazer, right now, all you wanted was him—deep inside you, fucking the living hell out of you.

Breaking the steamy kiss for just a second, you tugged off your tank top before your mouths collided again. His hands now cupped your hips, pulling you tighter against him. His hand signaled for you to jump, which you obeyed, your core aligning perfectly with his clothed, rock-hard dick, the bulge fighting hard to be freed.

His tongue explored the depths of your mouth, sucking, nibbling, biting, as your breathy moans filled the room, accompanied by the sound of the rain outside. His length rubbed against your clothed core, the friction sending waves of pleasure through you, making your toes curl in response to the overwhelming sensations.

“Jongho… ahh… I need you.” you cried out, desperate for him to fill you up.

“Where do you want me?” he teased, his lips trailing open-mouthed kisses along your neck, stopping just behind your ear. “Be clear and precise.” With that, he bit the sensitive skin behind your ear, making you gasp.

“Inside… I need you inside me. Fuck me, and fuck me hard, please.” you gasped, grinding harder against him, desperately trying to ease the ache.

“Good girl.” he murmured, carrying you to your room and gently laying you on the bed. His eyes trailed over your body as he removed your pants, landing on your wet core, dripping and aching, begging to be fucked. His thick fingers slid against your folds, sending waves of pleasure through you as your hands gripped the soft sheets.

Can someone’s touch really do this? You’d never felt like this with anyone else, not even with Lucas.

Collecting your slick on his fingers, he brought them to his mouth, savoring it with a satisfied “Mmm.”

“Turn around for me, pretty girl.” he commanded softly but firmly. You obeyed, lying on your belly, ass up, giving him a full view of your juicy cheeks. He smacked your ass, eliciting a sharp yelp from you, and his hands found yours. “Up.” he instructed.

Spreading your legs for him, your back pressed against his chest, your hands pinned behind you by his large ones as his hard length lined up perfectly against your wet core. He gave you a few teasing rubs before slowly sliding in, stretching you deliciously as you adjusted to his girthy length.

Your head rested back on his shoulder as his pace quickened, his lips latching onto your neck again, kissing and biting, leaving purple bruises wherever they made contact with your delicate skin.

The sensation of his hard length filling you over and over again sent waves of pleasure through your body. Each thrust brought you closer to that painful but sweet release, one that you both have been craving for a while as his groans mixed with your soft whimpers. His fingers found your clit, rubbing in perfect rhythm with his movements, pushing you further to the edge.

Your body trembled, dancing on the brink of euphoria. “Jongho… I’m so close.” you gasped, breathless, your body clenching around him.

“Fuck, baby.” he breathed out, his voice strained with pleasure.

But just as you were about to tumble over the edge, a sharp, familiar ringtone pierced the air, causing both of you to freeze.

Lucas.

His name flashed on the screen of your phone, lying near your feet. The blood drained from your face, terror flooding through you as the realization of what situation you are in dawned upon you. You were too scared to pick it up.

Jongho's chest rose and fell heavily against your back, his hand still on your clit, rubbing softly, teasingly.

"Pick it up, baby. What are you waiting for?" his voice taunted you, breath hot against your ear.He knew exactly what would happen if Lucas found out what the two of you were doing, it would mean death.

Trembling, you picked up the phone. "Hello, Lucas.” you answered, only to be pulled back into the delicious sensation as Jongho’s movements resumed, his dick working its magic as he continued thrusting into you, slow and torturous.

"Y/n! Where the hell are you?" Lucas barked from the other side. His tone was sharp and angry? But why? And how ?

Jongho’s pace quickened, matching the rhythm he had set earlier, each deep thrust making your toes curl, a moan dangerously close to slipping past your lips. "At home. Why? Where else would I be at this hour, Lucas?" You fought your hardest not to moan.

"Are you alone? Why do you sound so… awake?" Lucas questioned, suspicion lacing his words.

Jongho chose that very moment to thrust into you harder, making it almost impossible to keep your composure.

Because your brother is fucking the life out of me? So just hang the fuck up already.

"Because it's raining here." you managed to say. "There might be a storm. You know I’m afraid of lightning and thunder, so I couldn’t sleep." Almost on cue, thunder rumbled in the background, validating your excuse. Jongho’s deep thrust synced perfectly with the sound, sending shockwaves through your body.

"Oh yeah, I remember, sweetheart. What was Demi blabbering about—never mind. Sleep tight. I’ll see you when I’m back." And with that, he hung up.

You let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding. Demi, you fucking bitch.

As soon as Lucas hung up, Jongho wasted no time. His thrusts resumed with intensity, each one driving you closer to the edge.

"Jongho... I can’t hold…am close, baby." you whimpered, your body trembling, aching for a release after that intesne call.

His deep voice urged you."Cum for me honey" as fingers find your clit again, rubbing in sync with his movements. “You’re soing soo good, sweet girl.”

Your body couldn't hold back any longer. A wave of euphoria crashed over you, and you cried out his name, clenching tightly around him. Jongho groaned, thrusting deeper as he chased his own high. His arms wrapped tightly around you, and with a final groan, he pulled out, spilling all over your back. Hot!

Why does he have to look so hot doing that?

The two of you collapsed together, breathless, as the rain poured outside.

Minutes passed as you both recovered. Pulling you closer, he cupped your cheeks, staring into your eyes as if he wanted to say something but was holding back. “I-I love—” he hesitated.

“I love you,” you smiled, finishing his sentence and stealing a small peck on his lips.

Why did you confess? Who confesses after one night together?

But somehow, it felt safe. He felt safe. His entire presence had that protective blanket you had craved for a while now.

Maybe he is the right one?

“I love you 3000,” he replied, smiling and blushing hard. Cringing at what he said, but you could feel the sincerity in his voice, his words somehow perfectly aligning with your 3000th day.

Another historical moment! also more freedom, maybe.

~ ~ Chérie ☆ signin’ off

DISCLAIMER: This is totally fictional and not a real depiction of the ATEEZ members. It's all just for fun only so please don’t take anything seriously and keep the mood light around here.

60 notes · View notes

mymoodwriting · 5 months ago

Text

3.4k, yandere, marriage-life, knives, threats of suicide, threats of self-harm, screaming, unhappy marriage, tears, mentions of pregnancy, alcohol, alcohol consumption, drugs, needles, medication, manipulation, delusions (@starillusion13)

“Is this your latest ploy for my attention?”

Jongho scoffed and walked towards the nearest cabinet, grabbing a wine glass. He browsed his options before grabbing a bottle and pouring himself a drink. He swirled the red liquid in his glass before taking a sip and then looking back towards you. He was completely unphased by the fact you were holding a knife to your throat.

“Put that down before you hurt yourself.”

“You think I won’t do it!”

“We both know you won’t. So tell me, what is it this time?”

“You know what I want.”

“That again? You know, most people just serve their spouse divorce papers, not make empty threats.”

“I can’t ask for a divorce! You made sure of that.”

“Hm… and why would I want to divorce you?”

“Cause if you don’t I’ll kill myself!”

“We’ve had this conversation before. If you really intended to take your own life you would have done so by now.”

Jongho placed his glass down and came over to you. He effortlessly took the knife from your hand, examining it for a moment before putting it back in its place. He kept you pinned against the counter, grabbing your chin with a firm and gentle hand so your eyes would meet.

“I will not tolerate anymore threats against your life, even if they come from you. Am I clear?”

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“This, keeping me trapped in a marriage.”

“Trapped? Darling, we married for love.”

“I married for love, but I don’t think you did.”

“If not for love, then for what?”

“I don’t know. Some sick power play. You’re the great Choi Jongho, heir to Choi Industries. You could have any girl you wanted, so you chose me… the only daughter of my family… with no expectations but to marry a wealthy man. It’s all I was good for in my parents’ eyes, and you knew that, took advantage of that. You said all the right things so they would like you, and you said all the right things so I would love you…” You pulled away from his grasp and lowered your gaze. “As if my parents would ever entertain the idea of having me divorce you. I still haven’t given them a grandchild. That’s all they expect of me now… and I suppose that’s all you want from me too, right? Your own heir.”

“Do you really think so low of me?” Jongho questioned. “That I’d just marry some random girl simply because she came from money?”

“That’s what it looks like.”

“You believe my feelings for you to be disingenuous? That everything I did and said was a lie?”

“Once we got married you changed… you got distant and cold and-”

Jongho chuckled and grabbed your chin once more. His grip was tighter, and there was glint in his eyes. Gone was the calm demeanor you had seen a moment ago, replaced by this intensity that was making you nervous.

“So you miss me? Hm?”

“I-”

“Shall we take a trip? Just you and me, no work, wherever you want. If you missed me so much you should have said so.”

“Jongho, that’s not it.”

“Ah, I see. You mention it and say it’s what everyone else wants, but that’s not true, is it?”

“What?”

“You want a baby. I figured we’d have this discussion down the line but if that’s what you want right now, I have no problem-”

“You’re not the Jongho I married! Is that so hard to get through your thick skull!?”

Jongho chuckled. “My feelings for you haven’t changed. When I saw you across the room that day I knew I wanted you. The shy and quiet girl who was clearly there as something for her parents to display. She was going to be mine by any means necessary.”

“So you lied… this… this is the real you…”

“I’ve always been real with you. So don’t play coy. Like you said, you married me for love, and even if you’re whining right now, you still love me.”

“I don’t…”

“Will you keep lying to yourself? Y/n, you are my everything, and I will not lose you.”

“You already have.”

Jongho sighed. “Let’s continue this conversation tomorrow. Once you’ve-”

“I want a divorce. My answer isn’t gonna change overnight.”

“And neither is mine. You’re not divorcing me, so I suggest you get that idea out of your head right now.”

“If that’s how you want to be, then fine, make the person you supposedly love miserable.”

You shoved Jongho away and stormed off, not wanting to see him anymore. For the last couple of weeks you had been sleeping in the guest room, and staying in there for the most part. To a degree you had been avoiding him, and now you intended not to see him at all. Once you were gone Jongho stayed put, glancing over at the knives before getting his glass of wine and finishing it. He was growing tired of this conversation and needed to put an end to it. He cleaned up after himself and sent a message, retreating to bed and lingering outside your door for a moment before letting you sleep.

🖤

You slept in a lot lately, and today was like no other. It was nearly noon by the time you got up, and you were certainly hungry. Once you got dressed you went down to the kitchen, thinking about what to prepare yourself. Although as you walked into the kitchen you saw a handful of people cooking.

“Good morning, madam.”

“Uh… who are you? And what are you all doing in my house?”

“Mr. Choi wanted professional chefs in the house. That way you don’t have to work in the kitchen or worry about meals. We were-”

“When was this decided?”

“Oh, we got a call late last night and were told to start this morning.”

“Last night…”

“Madam, we were informed you sleep in and skip breakfast often. Since you’re awake now it’s best to have lunch. We’ve prepared some food for you, and the table has been set.”

“Ah… I see…”

“Let me escort you to the dining room.”

You still had questions, but this staff lady wasn’t going to have answers. You were also hungry so it was best to think things over on a full stomach. You sat at the table and were poured some tea. A few others in the wait staff soon came over to set the plates down before you. They moved quickly and you barely had a chance to thank them. The food certainly smelled delicious and you had your fill. Afterwards you retreated back to your room, taking a little nap as you were rather tired. You wound up sleeping until late in the afternoon, waking up to the sound of someone calling your name. You wanted to ignore it but there was a knock at your door, followed by the sound of it opening it.

“Y/n, darling, I know you’re awake.”

Jongho came into your room, sitting at the edge of the bed. He reached over and rolled you to face him, a smile adorning his lips. You couldn’t really pretend anymore as he caught you, so you just rolled your eyes and moved away.

“What do you want?”

“To talk. That’s what you wanted after all. Besides, I understand what’s going on here.”

“Do you?”

“Of course. Last night has been bothering me, and I’ve been thinking about it all day. I see what the issue is, you feel like you’ve lost purpose.”

“What?”

“Before me, all you ever wanted was to get away from your parents. Once we met and fell in love, you wanted to see me, to be with me, all hours of the day. Then when we were together, goodness, I still remember how you glowed with joy as we talked about marriage. Now we’re here, married and together. You don’t know what to do with yourself anymore, and that’s alright love.” Jongho walked over to the other side of the bed, reaching over to grab your hands. “You’re free from your parents, from their expectations. You can do whatever you want and I’ll support you as you-”

“I want a divorce.” You pulled your hands away and sat up. “I’ve said it a million times.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“That doesn’t matter, it’s what I want.”

“Because I’ve changed?” Jongho chuckled. “You’re the one who’s changed. That’s alright though, I know you’re taking me for granted here, but I have no problem reminding you why you’re my wife.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Let’s have dinner tonight. I’ll tell the kitchen to prepare you-”

“I don’t want personal chefs.”

“Well, I don’t want you near anything dangerous. I’ll see you later.”

Jongho gave you a smile and left on his own. You weren’t sure what to make of this conversation, and what it implied. Yet you couldn’t avoid dinner as someone, or himself, would come bother you about it. So you went down to the dining room after freshening up. The staff was finishing setting the table, and your chair was pulled out for you. A cup of tea was poured for you and you drank it while you waited. It wasn’t long before Jongho came into the room. He attempted to place a kiss on your cheek, but you leaned away. He took the hint and sat down.

“I’m sorry I’m not around as often. I have missed sharing meals with you.”

“…”

“I’d ask about your day, but as I understand you spent it all sleeping. Wish I could do that, but I’d need a good reason to take time off. Perhaps if my wife wanted to go-”

“Don’t call me that.”

“You are my wife though, have been for over a year now.”

“I don’t want the title.”

“Amuse me, love. What will you do if I agree to a divorce? You think you can just go back to your family?”

“What?”

“You can’t divorce me, but if I divorce you, what does that say? Your parents would think that you aren’t good enough for me or any man. They’d berate you for it, and you’d never hear the end of it. I wonder if anyone would ever want to date you afterwards, let alone marry you.”

“…”

“You said it yourself, marrying a wealthy man was all your parents expected of you. If you fail such a simple thing, what would they think? You got lucky here, love, don’t you think? You met their expectations, and you married the man you love. It’s everything you could ever want, and I’m the best you’re ever going to have.”

You felt tears sting your eyes as Jongho’s words sank in. You had been so focused on just wanting to get away from him you couldn’t even think to look beyond. He was right, your parents would most likely disown you if you got a divorce. If Jongho didn’t want you, they wouldn’t either. Not to mention you probably didn’t have any money to your name. A divorce truly meant being thrown to the streets and abandoned by everyone you ever knew.

“Don’t cry, love. I’d never divorce you and leave you to suffer. I know you’ve been having issues but let’s work through them before we do something drastic.”

Jongho got up and grabbed the bottle of wine on the table. He began pouring you a glass but you merely took the bottle from him and started drinking. Jongho watched you for a moment before taking the bottle from you.

“Love, you shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach, give me that.”

Jongho was careful not to spill anything on you, grabbing a napkin and cleaning your lips. You stared at him for a while and then your eyes met. For a moment you looked into those brown eyes, remembering just how much you loved to see them. Your gaze brought a smile to Jongho’s lips, and he used the opportunity to kiss your head. A teardrop slid down your face and he quickly wiped it away with his thumb.

“Don’t cry my love, I’m right here.”

You didn’t want to be near him, or anyone right now. You managed to get up but were immediately stumbling in your steps, feeling dizzy and having trouble keeping your eyes open. Jongho grabbed you by the waist, keeping you from falling over. You tried to push him away, but he wasn’t going to let go. After letting you struggle for a moment he picked you up bridal style and carried you back to the bedroom. Not your room, but the one you had shared before. He laid you down in bed, looking you over.

“Goodness, love, you drank more than I intended.”

“… huh…?”

“You’ll be fine. Just rest for a moment. Let me get you some tea and something soft to eat. You can’t go to sleep on an empty stomach.”

You groaned and dug your face into the pillow, already out of it. You were left alone for a while, and then Jongho returned with a little cart. He poured you some tea, putting what looked like a sugar cube into it, which didn’t make sense but you weren’t gonna say anything. While that cooled down Jongho helped you sit up, careful not to make you dizzy and cause you to throw up. You leaned against the headboard, trying to focus on Jongho and what he was doing.

“Here’s some soup, it should go down easy.”

Jongho spoon fed you, and you couldn’t really stop him. You had a bit before you stopped him, feeling a bit sick. That’s when Jongho gave you the tea. He blew on it gently to make sure it wasn’t hot, placing the tea cup against your lips and tilting it up. A sweet taste hit your lips, and the warm liquid created a nice sensation going down. Jongho watched you fondly, wanting you to drink most of the tea before letting you rest. After all that you felt sleepy, and Jongho helped you lay back down.

“I’ll be right here, so sleep easy love.”

“… hm…”

“Night.”

🖤

For the most part you slept well, but you were plagued by an uneasy feeling, leading to nightmares. You tossed and turned in bed, whimpering until the sound of your name pulled you from your dreams. You inhaled sharply as you regained consciousness, looking around with blurry vision as you truly began to wake. You felt something warm beneath you, realizing you were resting on top of Jongho’s chest. You slowly looked up at him, your eyes meeting, then you panicked and stumbled out of bed. A wave of dizziness hit you almost immediately and you collapsed to your hands and knees.

“Are you alright?”

Jongho rushed out of bed and went over to your side but you pushed him away. Last night you got messed up and weren’t thinking straight. The last thing you wanted was to wake up in Jongho’s arms.

“I’m fine… just… leave me alone…”

“You sure? You drank more than you should have last night.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“But you’re not.”

“Huh?”

“You’re likely a bit hungover, and alcohol doesn’t mix well with medication.”

“Medication? What are you talking about?”

“You think you can just hold a knife to your throat and I wouldn’t be concerned? I spoke with a doctor and they prescribed you some medication. Something to help ease your mind and worries.”

“What? I’m not-”

“So let’s get you some breakfast and then your meds. Afterwards you can go back to sleep.”

“No! What the hell are you talking about!?”

You tried to get up, needing to leave the room and get away from Jongho but he grabbed your arm and yanked you back down. Next thing you knew he had you pinned to the floor. He stayed atop of you, holding your hands besides your head, a gentle smile on his face.

“I know it all sounds scary and confusing, but it’s for your own good.”

“My own good!? Medicating me isn’t the answer!”

“What else am I to do when my beautiful wife talks about hurting herself and running away from me? I have to eliminate both possibilities from your mind and make sure you can do no such thing.”

“Is this really what you’re going to do?”

“You didn’t give me much choice, love. I’m not gonna lose you over something so simple to fix. I can move some things around at work and be home more often. Of course I should be there when my wife needs me.”

“You really are gonna trap me then, aren’t you?”

“My little bird already believes to be in a cage, nothing wrong with taking precautions to keep them safe.”

“Get off me!”

You struggled under Jongho, but his grip was firm. So you had to use other methods. You managed to knee him in the crotch, and then get him off of you, scrambling to your feet and out the door. You were still dizzy, but you had a burst of adrenaline to keep you moving. You had never really considered just straight up running away, but right now that was your only option. You kept to the wall as you moved down the hall, doing your best to maintain focus. Perhaps it was foolishly hopeful to think you could actually leave. You knew Jongho was a determined man. It’s how he became the youngest CEO of his company, and how he wound up marrying you. When he set his mind to something, he always achieved it.

“Y/n!”

Jongho caught up to you, pinning you against the wall, using his body weight to keep you still. You couldn’t help but scream, trying to get him off, but you didn’t have the strength. You thought to scream for help, but there probably wasn’t anyone in this house that was on your side.

“Calm down, love, nothing bad’s gonna happen.”

“Let me go!”

“Sh, sh, sh, you should be in bed, not running around the house. It’s too early for this.”

You continued to squirm, fighting off the headache taking hold of you. Although a moment later you felt your shirt being lifted up, cold digits brushing against your skin. You yelled, but still couldn’t move away. Instead you felt a pinch at your side, seeing a needle in the corner of your vision.

“No, no, no! Jongho, what is that!? No!”

“Easy, just relax, just breathe, like I said, it’s just medicine.”

“Liar! That’s not… uh… I…”

“It’s okay, it’s okay, I got you, love, I’m right here.”

You couldn’t really hold yourself up anymore, Jongho carefully picking you up in his arms and taking you back to the bedroom. You tried to grab onto him, to fight, to say something, but you were slowly sinking into darkness. You could feel yourself melting into the bedsheets, getting tucked back in. Jongho remained by your side, gently petting your head.

“I’ll have the doctor come by later and give you a proper check-up, then we can figure out what to do next. I know you’re scared and confused, so I’ll take care of everything. You just have to be a good girl and do as I say. Once we’re in a better place we can talk about what you really want.”

“… what I… really… want…?”

“Purpose. I know once you’re better you could be a great mother, but that’s a discussion for later. We’ll talk more when the doctor gets here. Just get some rest for now.”

“… no… Jongho… please… please…”

“Sh, sh, everything’s going to be okay, I promise. I’m taking care of everything, including you. We’re gonna be okay.”

“Jongho…”

“Sh, I love you, and we’re gonna get through this. So rest, I’m right here. Don’t worry about anything and have sweet dreams.”

As much as you wanted to keep your eyes open you couldn’t. Jongho took your hand in his own, placing a soft kiss along the knuckles. You couldn’t understand if this was the man you had loved all along, or if you still had any feelings for him, but when you took your vows at the altar, he certainly took them word for word.

85 notes · View notes

hwaightme · 2 years ago

Text

This world

THIS IS 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI FOR BIKER!HWA'S SAKE (nsfw tags under the cut) (masterlist) (join taglist)

🏍️ pairing: biker!seonghwa x f!reader 🏍️ genre: romance, fluff, action, smut, strangers to lovers, slight enemies to lovers, smidgen of angst, sprinkles of comedy 🏍️ summary: caught between the past and present, you search for a new beginning in night city as a mechanic at outlaw customs. how will a fateful encounter with seonghwa, the leader of the blue birds, help you feel alive? 🏍️ wordcount: 16.2k 🏍️ warnings/tags: biker!hwa, quick edit, likely inaccuracies in mechanics and motorcycles, mechanic!yunho, businessman!jongho, biker!yeosang, mechanic!reader, tattooed!reader, gang life/activity, misuse of lore terminology, language, food, wounds/injuries, pain, bike chases and dangerous tricks, talk of death/rebirth, identity searching, imagery and setting inspired by outlaw trailers, lmk if anything else 🏍️ a/n: i gave myself a one day break, listened to a dream i had... and this happened. totally was not spooked today and rushed to edit in a feverish state... always, any notes, reblogs and comments are appreciated, much love~

🏍️ a/n pt2: biker!hwa supremacy also spreads to the exchange event hosted by @kflixnet for @qqtxt (and thank you @alohajun for organising!) - hope you enjoy!!

🏍️ perma-taglist: @doom-fics @acciocriativity @justhere4kpop @honey-lemon-goose @byuntrash101 @shakalakaboomboo @starillusion13 @hongthoven @cqndiedcherries @uwuheeseungie @cheollipop @frankenstein852 @charreddonuts @miriamxsworld @mingigoo @michel-angelhoe @innsomniacshinestar @foxinnie8 @preciouswoozi @wooyoungjpg @nebulousbookshelf @wowie-hockey @hongjoongs-patience @ssaboala @jaehunnyy @kitten4sannie @maddkitt @yunbug

🏍️ cannot be tagged: @mystar1024

🏍️ nsfw tags: condom used, slow, a dom!leaning reader with a soft!hwa, handjob, slight edging, praise, save a bike - ride a biker, focus on intimacy and emotional experience, some mutual masturbation, f!masturbation, literally just two people in love with each other, cuddling and implied aftercare

The artificial suns of Night City shone bright in a palette of neon hues, so vivid and vibrant that one could almost forget that there had ever been a real star in the first place. Kids wished on blinking lightbulbs and travellers followed endless expanses of darkness, more accustomed to uncertainty than the belief that there was a veritable ally in the form of a celestial sign or a constellation. Everyone wore the same perfume: an acrid concoction of smog, grease and disgust that lingered whenever a visitor from another district came by, blending to form a hatred for all things that existed outside of the palace of neon. This was the palace that you had willingly made your home, and found that if you were to shut your eyes and then dare to peek through your lashes at the kaleidoscopic landscape, it took on the shape of an eloquent illusion of divinity. A rudimentary vision, a utopia carved out in impermanence, commanded by wishful thinking and a desire for anything except what you had known. This was your new home, and you were going to try as you might to cling to it, and find peace amidst the suffocating starless expanse.

You had arrived without a particular plan in mind, with only a rucksack and the tattoos decorating your skin to keep you company on your journey. The only persistent parasite that gnawed at your flesh and jolted you awake like a scalding whip when the roads seemed to be endless, was a burning desire to erase anything, everything that served as a reminder. While you were a believer in growing from the past, and reflecting on it, treating each memory and learned skill as a stepping stone towards a better future, the weight of each step was overwhelming, the gaps between them unbearable, and soon enough, you found yourself to be stretched too thin over your own existence, to the point where you had gained an alarming transparency, one tiny step away from disappearing into the lack of self that you had wholly succumbed to until your sudden evaporation and accidental escape to Night City.

At the same time, you were not entirely ungrateful for the ‘you’ you had become. The miscellaneous arsenal of know-how and street smarts landed you a job, had you settled into a group of people who did not seem too bad and most importantly did not ask too many questions, gave you a roof over your head and had you working long hours in the garage from the get-go. That, from your experience, was the best way to forget and to start anew. So long as you did not speak to your clients more than necessary, instead focusing on their priceless metal steeds that you had the pleasure of tinkering with for hours on end. In this way, you got to see your clients at their most vulnerable, scrutinising you but so helpless that it nearly made you laugh, comparing the scene to a child watching their mother patch up a toy that they had torn after playing a little too roughly.

This approach turned out to be the one that won the big bucks in the city. Less talk, more trust. And resulted in the previously sceptical owners of the mechanic shop you had strolled into on your first day in town, passively protecting the shell of the self that you carried, uncaring for what fate had in store, to finally begin to warm up to you and treat you less like a pest, and more like a colleague. Only took them a couple of months. Though it would be foolish to hope for anything else, so you had simply settled into the rhythm of waking up, heading downstairs from the crammed studio that they had offered you - a stuffy dark corner, definitely the humblest abode but more than enough to crash in and more than generous for a person who had been a total stranger, and going to a different open cave in the garage and workshop, this time one dedicated to all things motorcycle. Since Outlaw Customs, a name which you had found incredibly comedic and ironic considering a high percentage of the clientele fit the shop description, was primarily for automobiles, there was not much dedicated to the untameable beauties that you loved so much. The head of the shop, a young man by the name of Jeong Yunho who you swore spent more time under cars than under those neon lights outside, did motorcycle repairs mainly out of necessity, following the recipes for replacement, so to speak. The locals knew that to see his craftsmanship, mastery and artistry at work, they needed to let him get his hands on a car. Of course, it did not mean that he could not fix bikes, far from that, in fact, over the years and especially after another mechanic shop was busted by the forces and forced to close for something or other - no one could ever guess what new crime was added to the list on any given day, Yunho was proud to say that he did not need to consult his hefty stack of manuals for when the most regular clients came by. But it did still mean that when he found out that he could pass off the task to a new hire, he did it in a split second, without sparing it a single thought.

As such, it was you, your beloved corner in the workshop, and a tranquillity under those buzzing fluorescent bulbs lined up on the ceiling. Not talking much, mainly business, occasionally sharing a laugh with your coworkers. They were easy to like, that much you had gathered over the months of being paid in shelter, food, water, and whatever else you needed so long as you kept on working to keep the brutes of Night City happy and the engines roaring. While the other guy in charge, Choi Jongho, an initially unreadable, unpredictable man who appeared in the store at random and mainly handled the ‘financials’, whatever it meant and you sure as all things bad were not about to get your nose in that side of the business, was somewhat less cordial with you, your nonchalance when it came to social interaction had put him at ease, along with, how he had it, your hands that told your story. Interesting what he could spot under the machine grease and fading ink.

It was another timeless day where Jongho was out for what he called ‘negotiations’ - again you did not need to know what it meant so long as the parts kept coming, Yunho was messing about with an old mustang that the customer said could be changed according to the mechanic’s own tastes, and you were idle, having just completed a re-flash of an engine control unit for a rider who apparently had nothing to lose and let you fully reconfigure his precious in the hopes of improving rideability. Same old for you, but nevertheless exciting when a new person gets so vulnerable so as to give their bike up with only faith in their hands, and in yours.

Wheeling the bike away from the main platform, you parked it right at the empty section by the brick wall lining the inner part of the garage, the aftermath of a miniature spring clean you had carried out to prep the workspace for a higher volume of bikes coming through. After patting the seat, as if lulling the machine into a slumber, you covered it with a tarp to protect it from any other dust or sparks - and subconsciously, from curious eyes if there were any that would peek into the shop. You stood up straight, taking the towel from your shoulder and attempting to wipe off the remains of your work, though much like your boss, who was now humming some random tune that he probably heard at one of the underground clubs, took pride in each stain, each streak of dirt. It was a reminder that you were here, you were present and alive, and that you were doing what others could never do exactly like you could. If anything, it was a breath of fresh air, the only one that could be ever taken in any Sector, in any City that existed in this nation, and you were almost convinced that this spread to the whole world.

Finding the stool on wheels that apparently used to belong to a nearby barbershop until that closed down, you sat down and sighed, rocking side to side by repeatedly pushing yourself with your feet before getting tired of the motion and rolling across to a workbench that you and Yunho had managed to craft out of a multi-shelved storage unit abandoned on the street, clearly another Sector’s kind donation to the local community, and you were not too proud nor picky. Picking up a brake pedal - a part off a ruined Kawasaki Ninja 2H/R that the universe threw into your arms after the wreck and helped you salvage, somewhat out of respect for the beast that it had been in its heyday, somewhat because you wondered if you could make it work on a horrific Frankenstein’s monster hybrid someday, or another bike of the same make, you twisted it, metal glinting white. The weight of memories, the feeling of it pressing against the foot despite the thick layers of rubber on the boot. Everything about that bike was as hypnotising as a dancing open flame, stunning, an engineering masterpiece, and one that you were praying to revisit, re-experience even if it was the last thing you were to ever do. Perhaps in a distant dream. Replacing the component in a top drawer of the bench, you got to work on signing off on the work completed, not that anyone even had a legal signature anymore, it was more of a quick doodle to hint at the work completed, just in case if the rider were to find themselves too far away, and had no method of fixing faults and could not recall the mods made. As if that would ever happen; you exhaled sharply, finishing the swift sketch and folding the paper in half, then into quarters and dropping the pen to let it hit the back wall. It was suspiciously peaceful at the OC, you concluded, unsettling. Only Yunho going about his business, the artificial cylindrical suns, and the neon climbing from the outside and coating the front entrance to the garage in shades of blue, purple and magenta.

You waited in suspense, having caught the echoes of an engine in the far distance - still a few too many blocks away from you to determine what the source of it was exactly, but nevertheless, your instincts and the obvious approach of the sound was telling you that you were soon going to find out. Shutting your eyes, you made out an odd stuttering, reminiscent of a coughing fit in a human, as if the air system was out of tune, totally whack on the poor vehicle. The heart ached. Who could possibly mistreat a bike in such a way? Clutching onto the fabric of your black cargo trousers that you had decided would be something of a uniform for you, you listened on, confused. The rumble was familiar, albeit torn up and in need of a fix. Nonetheless, this was a powerful steed, a respectable monster that you could not wait to dissect and reassemble. Hands beginning to burn with excitement, heart starting to race, you stared off into the wall, waiting for the customer to arrive and made your guesses as to what the motorcycle could be like any mechanic in need of a fun pastime would. If you guessed correctly, you were in for an exhilarating time.

Soon enough, you heard the bike grind to a halt outside of the shop, and the thump of feet hitting the concrete. Not yet looking up, you waited for the figure to approach and cross the line that marked the end of the driveway and the beginning of the garage. Hearing Yunho make a move to roll out from under the car, evidently after having seen the boots form below and recognising them, you began your own sign of common courtesy and moved to turn and stand from the stool.

“Good time of day, welcome to Outlaw Customs how may I-”

“Rear wheel is busted and the mudguard’s wrecked on the right edge, and the spark plugs need replacing - totally fouling. Can you do that in two hours? I’m on a tight schedule.

You froze, the politeness caught in your throat and fizzling out to be replaced with an astonishment at the crudeness. Raising your head to let yourself inspect the man before you fully, you found that he looked every bit like the arrogance that had oozed from the first words he spoke to you. The flashy black and orange outfit, the glimmering belt buckle, the damn chains… the usual lowlife from a gang who had nothing better to do than to be the pretty boy. Slowly, your hope for the particular bike you had placed mental bets on dissipated, to be replaced by a wish that this hoodlum had a standard no-name, beat up and totally not worth the money ride that you could half-ass and let him disappear.

With a sigh, you heaved yourself forward, approaching the biker with a cold resolve and purposefully taking your time with every movement, seeing as the less you had to speak, the higher were the chances that you were not going to cuss this man out and focus on the work you had set out for you. Knowing the bikers from these parts, either they were too knowledgeable and could diagnose correctly enough, or they were so utterly wrong that you wanted to bash their head in. Time would tell which one of the two this guy was. Before you could get a word in, much to your fortune, Yunho was by your side and wiping his hands to give the black-haired man a firm handshake. You noted that the visitor was shorter than your boss, giving you a slight inner satisfaction for an unknown reason, but you bit any remarks back and remained stone faced, seeing as you were not sure just how hostile this man was going to be towards you.

“Seonghwa, long time no see!” your boss greeted the man who now had a name, very animated, amiable. You raised an eyebrow, tilting your head in a silent question.

“I see you have a new hire. Business doing well?” being addressed in third person was unsettling, but it was better than attempting to hold eye contact with the biker who gave you the urge to forget professionalism and throw a punch at lightning speed. It was hilarious how quickly your instincts returned to you in such circumstances.

“Guess you could say that, thanks to her, mainly.” with a playful smugness Yunho responded, placing a hand on your shoulder. If you did not know better, you would think that he was showing off, but his glance at you, a quick check, and his gestures made you think of your brother. Bittersweet, but still a fond series of chapters.

“Oh?” it was impossible to tell whether Seonghwa was mocking you or just taking the piss of the tenseness that he brought with him, but the bugger dared to pretend to be pleased with your presence, nearly making you scowl. But you were too good at treating people with an unnerving neutrality, so an unperturbed mechanic ready to inspect the ride you remained, much to the biker’s dissatisfaction.

You could tell that he put up a front of sorts, an attention-seeking, egoistic and merciless front, the presentation of the mentality of a murderer on the road, the man who would not hesitate to lead you into a ruin just for laughs. It was always fun to dismantle the nerve cells of such bastards; all you needed was his bike. His eyes found yours quickly enough, confident, unwavering, and your lips curled into a close-mouthed smile as if you were not just pondering the destruction of his ego. A flash of what could only be described as curiosity passed over his irises, and you swore you saw his pupils adjust as if they were a camera lens ready to capture you. His gaze travelled down your body and back up again, studying you, taking you in, settling on the tattoos that adorned your forearms and were revealed by you having pushed up the sleeves of the black turtleneck you were wearing. What was he searching for, you asked yourself before you noticed the solitary, dangling earring on his left ear discovering a single silver feather on its end. Of course he had to be a Blue Bird. Of course he had to be a so-called peace keeper of the city. No wonder he was so full of himself, at least upon first meeting. Now you really wanted to see his bike.

“Motor master, I tell you. Can sort out your beauty in no time.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Seonghwa squinted, earning an eye roll from your boss.

“Got you, yeah. Anyways, meet Y/N,” the man turned to you once again, seeing how your expression remained unchanged, “she’ll be finding common ground with your bike from now on. “Noticing how neither of you spoke nor made a move to greet, Yunho raised his hands and continued while ambling back to the car, “Now, now, don’t talk over one another, you will have plenty of time to chat.”

“So,” you began, not wishing to remain unproductive any longer and wanting to rid yourself of this client as soon as possible, “Seongh-”

“Mars.”

“Mars?”

“You address me as Mars.” he commanded, crossing his arms, the corner of his lip curling up as you searched for the right response, but quickly falling as you suppressed the desire to sneer and merely adjusted yourself to the pesky, petty demands. You had met worse, much worse than the urban chic version of hierarchy and names. Mars was something you could deal with easily enough, and gave you a lot more insight than Seonghwa could imagine.

“Mars, care to show me your bike?”

“Mm. Follow me, Y/N.” he emphasised your name, as if the fact that you did not have a title nor a nickname gave him some odd power trip - to be frank, it would not be surprising if this actually was the case.

As you followed him out to the front, you noticed his gait was ever so slightly out of balance, a miniscule limp, likely following an injury. Again, something so common with your customers, but made you soften up the tiniest bit - in some senses Seonghwa reminded you of a wild animal that was pretending to be strong. Frustrating, yes, but he was out there trying his best to survive in the way that he knew and could. Much like everybody else, including yourself. You kept your gaze trained on the man’s back as you walked on until you very quickly found yourself right in front of the beast whose roar you had heard from all that distance away. You broke into a full grin, making Seonghwa’s brows knit together as he became perplexed. As it turned out, your prediction was more than right, and before you was a gorgeous, sleek, though having seen some battles, Suzuki Hayabusa. Customised, adored and kept pristine from what you could see. The damage that the motorised excellence had sustained looked to be new, perhaps even acquired a mere couple of hours ago, but other than that the steed was the closest you had seen to true love in Night City. It was clear that despite Seonghwa offering not the best impression, the bike told a different story, and as you crouched down to briefly inspect it at proximity, you nearly gasped. Each valve, each tiny detail was treated with kindness and affection, as if this man spent every spare moment only caring for it. The paint did made you want to giggle, however. Aside from the signature hanja for peregrine falcon, purposefully highlighted with neat strokes of paint to highlight the engineering finesse and power contained in the supreme machine, the motorcycle was completed in a dual tone, with the majority of the body done in a midnight black, and the detailing and smaller body components being done in a copper orange - stunning complement to the outfit of the rider, a full unit of owner and two-wheeler. One body, one mind. If you could start your first impression here, your thoughts of Seonghwa would be a lot more friendly, you determined. But that was the beauty of being a mechanic, you got to know people a lot closer, in secret, unknown to them. This man had a soul on fire. A soul he was attempting to hide, a soul that manifested itself in one of the fastest production motorcycles. And a soul that most certainly knew what was wrong with its metal body - the diagnoses were pleasantly accurate.

“What are you smiling for?”

“Hm, let’s get this beauty in the garage, yeah?”

He obliged, but still did not let you touch the vehicle as he pushed it along until you told him where to leave it. Occupying an old armchair right by the platform where you fixed the bike in place, Seonghwa watched your every move, scrutinised you as you started your work on the Busa, impatient. It was customary for the bikers that came to OC to remain here like a spouse waiting for their loved one to come out of surgery, but his predator-like focus was beginning to get unsettling and ruined your concentration. You could not speak to the bike in front of you, you could not gain its trust while its owner was staring you down like you were about to tear everything apart and turn the motorcycle into scraps. Letting a tool fall onto the mat that you had rolled down on the floor, you raised your head an deadpanned to the man, catching him off-guard:

“It’ll be three hours since I expect you want the guard done up all pretty. Get me jjajangmyeon from the place down the street and I might speed it up to your optimistic two.”

Yunho’s guffaw resonated across the shop as he heard your statement and imagined the shocked look on Seonghwa’s face upon receiving the daring request. Indeed, the man was more than taken aback, curious as to how important you deemed yourself to talk to him in such style. But at the same time, it was beyond amusing. The cheek, the attitude behind a cold and monotone sentence was alluring. There was something more to you than what Yunho had proposed, and that was reassuring. Perhaps you did have the right energy to find common ground with his priceless Suzuki. Still, the first word to escape him as he recoiled from the jab was an airy question of:

“What?” quickly countered with:

“They do late night deals. Half price. If you get there within the next half hour that is. Get Yunho and yourself a bowl while you’re at it and I’ll get the job done to fit your busy schedule and be enviable.”

“Boss, are you hungry?” you called out to Yunho, who was still giggling from under the vehicle, making it appear as if the car itself was caught in a comedy.

“Aye.”

“Done then, Mars, would you be a dear and do an orbit there and back?” you could not stop yourself from bringing his chosen, given or acquired through a brutal climb name into the mix. The opportunity was just too much of a low hanging fruit to not take it.

You were playing with fire, that much was certain. You could tell that he was contemplating putting you on a hitlist; not something that you were not used to, seeing as you were still in a client-facing role even if a lot of your time was spent with silent steely beauties. But you took a risk with Seonghwa, you ceased to be careful, spurred on by the euphoric prospect of treating the customised, souped up and customised Hayabusa, and took a shot in the dark with your forwardness. As the blood that was pumping in your ears got louder with every passing moment, and you began to doubt whether this was the right call to make to get some along time with the steed, Seonghwa stirred after his ponderings. Rising from the armchair, the chains that adorned his neck glinting under the lights, he stretched more for show than for comfort and exhaled through his nose, suppressing a chuckle.

“Ask for jjamppong on top of that and I will snap your arms in half.”

“You are too kind.” catching him mid turn, you responded, making him look back, and give you a playful, mischievous glance over his shoulder, almost boyish, as if the two of you were good friends that were used to the banter.

Releasing a breath that you did not realise you had been holding after the man disappeared from view, you returned to the Suzuki that was gracing your vision. Yunho’s laughter had subsided, and once again the buzz of the lights was the only thing that was between you and total silence. Diving into your work, you read the story etched into the curves, the miniscule dents, the scratches that were invisible to the naked eye but still there, hinting at just how much the bike and, evidently, the rider went through. The fixes were going to be complicated, but nothing that you could not do with what you had in the shop. You rested a hand on the engine, thinking of your next move, and of the dark glimmering orbs of the biker whose soul was still right here with you, watching, inspecting, but attempting, bit by bit, to trust that you would do the mechanical masterpiece justice. Of course you would, you were getting a late dinner for it after all. Besides, it was easy to love such a stunning bike, especially when you could see that it was truly loved by its owner. A soft smile on your face, you leaned forward and got back to dismantling a broken detail from the main body, already excited for the inner workings you would see behind it; the closest thing to true light that one could get in the sadistic, somnolent city of neon and night.

After the first appointment came another, and another, and more after that. The Busa almost became your personal project as what had previously been menial tasks carried out by an amateur mechanic and devilish rider, now fell to you. You knew this motorcycle better than you knew all of your tattoos, that much you were sure of. From the piping to the seating to the turbocharger you had installed, it was clear enough that Seonghwa was more than willing to let you tinker with the bike as much as he wanted you too, which with every unscheduled drop in became longer and longer. At times, Yunho would be there to participate in some idle chatter, other times, it was merely you and him on your own, either in a perfect stillness, with only the bike making the music and talking for you both, or with the occasional question thrown in either direction.

You had found out bit by bit that Seonghwa was, as you had assumed, a member of the Blue Birds - the local crew of vigilantes, from what your boss and your ghost of a boss had told you. Brutal and unforgiving, they had taken it upon themselves to maintain something of an order in the district, though you never asked for the details on how exactly they did it. You had learned over your lifetime to ask less, unless it was about mechanics; that was always a safe bet, and a point that you would always return to if you felt the conversation going into a direction that you did not wish to explore. All other inquiries normally answered themselves from what you noticed - for instance, the limp was now gone, to be replaced by rather grim looking knuckles. But again, no comment from you. It was above your pay grade. Seonghwa, at some point, had also caught onto your avoidance and tendency to cling onto bikes for conversation, but had taken it upon himself to probe further and further through what you considered to be a strong enough barrier, to figure out why exactly was one of your tattoos on the right forearm a mark that he had avoided at all costs when he was still a youngster back in the place he used to go home, many kilometres away, now reachable through highways to hell. He could not ask directly, not when you could clog up his air filters or ruin the braking system right then and there, but curiosity was getting the better of him as the weeks turned into months, and you were doing your regular check up on the Busa.

“What’s your favourite bike, Y/N?”

“Why the sudden question?”

“Why answer a question with a question?”

“Hm… yours is pretty good.” you tried to brush his inquiry away, even though your mind instantly went to the answer, and remained stuck. You could hear the engine resonate in your chest, and could feel the handles in your palms, as you gripped onto them, tighter, tighter and turned. The feeling of a machine coming to life right beneath you, ready to race into the darkness and obey your every instruction. Turn after turn after turn. Somewhere along that race, you lost your soul, and longed for it. Blinking slowly, you hoped that Seonghwa would leave the conversation where it was, but knew that he was going to do everything except that.

“No but really. Every mechanic, every biker has their favourites. Hell, even Yunho has one and he doesn’t really work on them anymore.” leaning forward to rest his head in the palm of his hand as his elbow positioned itself on his right thigh, he focused on your response, down to the body language and each one of your cells could feel it.

“Hard to pick.” Again, vague, but you wanted to get away, hide yourself. The sensation of the brakes, how the loyal companion to your every conquest could glide across the streets and halt just when you wanted it to, make impossible turns and let you caress the ground through thick gloves that have seen the wildest tricks and fastest getaways… it was all far too vivid. Too much for you to bring up while you were trying to work. Swallowing your spit, you shook your head slightly as Seonghwa commented that you were not responding to him.

“What do you want me to say?”

“What you are thinking about.”

“And what am I thinking about?” abandoning the Busa, you gave the body a wipe with towel and dropped it to the floor, raising yourself up you fell onto the spinny stool, and eyed Seonghwa right back, despising the smirk that was threatening to break out on his lips that were far to soft and lush for a damn outlaw.

“The bike. Your bike. You used to ride, didn’t you?”

“...Hm.”

“I can feel it. No need to pretend.” he had already formed his suspicions. In fact, he had put two and two together a long enough time ago. All he needed was a confirmation, a mention of that same bike that he had heard of, a name to a face that had haunted him for as long as he was leading the Blue Birds.

“Yeah. I did. Not anymore though.” your voice grew colder, dismissive as you turned to look out at the neon lights. A flicker caught your attention - the sign for the Japanese restaurant that opened and closed only when the owner wanted to was caught in a starlike sparkling, the fluctuating light making it seem as though the luminescence was alive. Alive. Curious choice of words.

“What was it?”

“It?”

“Let’s start with the bike.”

“Is this an interrogation?”

“Just curious, no biggie.”

Afraid of what you could say if you were to dive into elaborating your memories and sentimentality, you stood up and walked to the work bench, retrieving the component that you had brought with you to the city, and kept it with you at all times. Giving it one last look, you strode over to an expectant and enthusiastic Seonghwa, motioning for him to stretch out his hands. As you watched him inspect the item, turning it and checking each nook and cranny, your heart felt heavy. Was it really that long since the brake pedal was attached to the swift stunner? A glorious ink black, with piping of the skeleton completed in a vibrant poisonous green. A nightmare. Your love, your priceless dream.

“A Kawasaki?” he whispered half to himself. So it was how he had indeed attempted to predict.

“Kawasaki Ninja H2R.”

“Two hundred and twenty-eight kilowatts without ram-air?”

“I played around with that.”

“Sure you did. Wow. Really that’s pretty.”

“Mhm.” you took the brake pedal from Seonghwa’s hands, returning it back to the drawer.

Suddenly, it all felt too real. The last moments raw, the feeling that the motorcycle was still with you, still outside, parked and patiently waiting for you, was too clear in your head that you had attempted to train to believe that that stage in your life was over. Done. Finished. You had crossed the metaphorical finish line and that was all there was to it. But Seonghwa was not letting up, instead choosing to dig into the wound and watch as blood began to trickle.

“Now that explains it.”

“What?” you knew you were going to regret asking, but did so still.

“The tattoo.”

“What tattoo?” your eyes narrowed as you propped yourself against the bench and crossed your arms.

“The one on your arm. The right one.” he pointed as if he just won a game of spot the difference, leaving you irritated.

“What of it? I have many.”

“Not one that belongs to the Black Pirates. I am no fool, Y/N. I’ve seen the mark before and truthfully, I am surprised you are still alive.”

“I am too.” you huffed, finding your boots to be awfully interesting.

“Sacrificed the bike?”

You did not answer. You did not want to answer because it was clear that Seonghwa could answer the question for you. And for that, you loathed him in that given moment, despite overall finding his company to be almost comforting in recent weeks. In reality, the Kawasaki saved you from utter demise. Sliding on its side across the highway at record speed, sparks flying in the air and the screeching penetrating through your helmet to embed itself into your bones, the bike made it seem as though you were truly done for when, as luck would have it, you had gotten away with only a few scratches and a lot of foliage clinging to the torn up leather you had worn. As you had made your leap off the out of control beauty, the hero fighting its last battle it collided with cement to split and crumble into smithereens, the fuel tank pierced and beginning to seep out the fluid. A couple of gunshots later, and the bike was caught aflame, and all you could see from the group below where you had fallen, was the occasional licks, smoke and more sparks, your soul departing the metal body. The brake pedal, by some odd circumstance, had flown off and landed in your direction, nearly crashing into your visor. You had cradled it in your hands, sliding down on your back further and further to the moist earth beneath the highway until you were totally concealed from all viewpoints, hidden by pillars and rusted armature. When you were sure that those who you had called family, called friends, called comrades sped away, confident that you were there splattered on the cement and roasting, thanks to the bag that had been left on the seats serving practically as a dummy, you had begun to weep, never knowing for what, but certain that you were not yourself anymore. You had died.

Unbeknownst to you, as your vision blurred and mist settled to accompany the rising melancholia, Seonghwa had risen from the armchair and cautiously stepped closer and closer to you, until he was barely an arm’s reach away. Gaze drifting, you only took notice of the change when the knuckles came into view. Those bruised, bloodied knuckles, obviously treated by a person who knew nothing about caring for themselves. Silly man. A silly, silly man who wanted to put up a front; a front that might just have been yours, and your family’s ruin.

“Hey, are you-”

“No.” you retorted before he could accentuate what you deemed to be your weakness. Pushing yourself off the bench you were about to make a beeline for somewhere, anywhere, make up and excuse, but felt a gentle hand wrap around your wrist. Shocked, you stilled yourself and attempted to tug, only feeling the grip getting stronger until Seonghwa pulled you towards him, so that you would be face to face.

“I-... I’m sorry. I know how much this hurts and-”

“Do you?” cold, you hissed.

“...I can see it. I am sorry for your loss. And I am sorry for making you relive it.”

A smile, ones that graced those who had little to lose and little to wish for except perhaps a restart as another person, in another body, in another time and life, melted over you as you tested the strength of Seonghwa’s hold another time. Not budging. You did not dare to check his expression, for you knew that it would make you crack.

“Do you need any-”

“One more word and I will snap your arms in half.” recalling your first meeting, you muttered the empty threat.

“You are too kind.” he echoed, deliberating whether to give himself up to the urge and pull you closer.

So it was you who he had heard about after all. The demon on the roads, Icarus who had gotten too close to the sun of power, and was violently shoved from the pedestal of grace and familial leadership into the torment, into the abyss, stripped of all you knew and had. He had learned about you through fable-like gossip that his childhood friend, who caught up with the wrong crowd and became a member of the Black Pirates had shared over a couple of drinks when Seonghwa had visited. Same night he had shared that he wanted to leave, but as it had turned out, he was someone not quite lucky to make an escape and someone who Seonghwa was meant to forget. But besides the passing of another, someone who he could not save even though he tried, never did he think that the beast on the Kawasaki would be you. The you that he had come to know. The sensitive, albeit snarky and strong-headed you. The you who was a gifted mechanic, a woman who breathed the craft, the art, the science, the life that was that of a biker. Never before did he see anyone treat the Busa with such respect, nor make such accurate guesses about the fights and chases that it had participated in. Looking back, it should have been obvious that you had a history. You knew more than you ever let on. Perhaps you knew Seonghwa like he knew the streets of Night City, and now, your true past.

“The… yeah the Hayabusa’s done. By the way.” you tried to veer the conversation away, and fortunately this time, Seonghwa agreed.

“Thank you.”

“Standard rate.”

“Yep.”

“Everything is sort-”

“May I-”

You shot him an aggressive, piercing gaze, threatened by the change in tone. Far from his usual upbeat lilt, it was deeper, slower, sticky and sweet like molasses and you did not want to get pulled in. You clambered for air, for any relief away from his man, the man who had so openly shared his soul with you. He stammered and cleared his throat, finally letting go of your wrist. The sharp change in temperature was nearly unwelcome as the ghost of his soft fingers remained, caressing your flesh.

“Would you want to join a patrol now?” the inquiry, hanging in the air, dangling like a treat as the adrenaline rushed across your body. You had to feel guilty, surely, after having mourned the loss of your beloved Kawasaki and just revisited its final minutes, you had no right to be looking forward to another rush. You did not need it. You should not need it nor want it. And yet, you found yourself nodding almost immediately, much to Seonghwa’s delight. A reassuring warm hand on your upper arm, a lean forward letting Seonghwa catch your glossy eyes, him asking when you can close up shop and you mumbling that you were done for the day, or night. It was alway nighttime. The soothing blanket of navy blue, sleepy over the streets that you were about to explore under Seonghwa’s guidance.

As the dark haired man settle on the bike and appeared to adjust his wristwatch, holding his helmet while you found a spare displayed on one of the shelves - showed marks of wear and tear but good enough for a couple rides more, he felt his heartbeat turn erratic, and what was normally a bearable thrum turn into an erratic, unbelievable pace that only amplified in his skull and quickened once your arms were wrapped around his torso, holding onto him, your body pressed against his. If there was ever a hazard on the road for him, it was this. Your intoxicating closeness that made him want to ride forever more, never stopping if that meant that you could stay exactly where you were. How you were. It was surreal that the rider, the legend that he had grown to respect from the tales, was the woman that he had now grown to love.

As he sped down the streets, the neon had shone down on you in different colours, a bolder, more optimistic palette that made you beam right back. You clutched onto Seonghwa’s leather jacket, seeking more support as the exhilaration began to overwhelm you. It had been far too long since the last time you felt the wind hit you in this way, you felt the engine rushing you on between the trees of the concrete jungle, the windows and doors, the stray passers-by zooming right past you as the bike accelerated. It was not the same, of course, nothing could ever be, but the feeling, that distant feeling and warm memory was enough to remind you that you indeed were alive and you had the future to look to. A future that Seonghwa wanted to help you find. Hugging him tighter, you let yourself be carried away from the shop you closed up, away from the pleasant routine you had aimed to settle into all the way towards a moment of freedom and that familiar rush.

When you arrived at the destination, which turned out to be an abandoned parking lot under an equally barren road, illuminated only by a single streetlight with two bulbs, you noticed that there were a few people already gathered, including some familiar faces who were chatting away while wheeling their rides out of what you would describe as some concealed warehouse into better starting positions. Feeling a wave of shyness, you did not move as Seonghwa stopped the bike and stretched his legs out to balance it. Only after you sense more movement, and approaching footsteps did your arms snake away on their own accord and tug at your helmet. The man seemed to sense this since, as soon as his own helmet was off, he turned to you to whisper a quick “you okay?”. You feebly nodded, and found the ground with your military-style boots.

Quickly enough, a man approached Seonghwa, and the two exchanged a handshake and a couple of words. You recognised him fast enough - while he had not come to the shop nearly enough to be considered a regular, and judging from how heavily modded his MV Agusta Rush was it was clear that he preferred to do most, if not all repairs himself, Yeosang was a memorable figure. His hair, approaching shoulder length, and the long black and red leather jacket with cutouts that flowed behind him as he hit top speed made him stand out to you, and his endearing disposition and innate warmth as he discussed all matters within your comfort made him something of a friend. He waved to you, excited that you had decided to join the patrol, agreeing with Seonghwa that it was an honour to see you on the urban tracks. You bit your lower lip, wondering just how far word about you had travelled after your supposed passing, and whether this word would travel right back down to the south again after your impulsive appearance right here, among the Blue Birds.

“So you riding with us? Right?” Yeosang finally addressed you, his voice jolting you out of your musings.

“I suppose so,” after giving Seonghwa one final look and receiving a reassuring smile, you responded.

“Great, then, follow me.” As Yeosang spun on his heel and led you towards the warehouse, you let yourself wonder out loud.

“Were you all waiting for me or something?”

“Well, yes and no. We’ve heard stories, then Mars has really taken to you and well, that comes with a lot of getting to know you, and then Yunho shared a couple things-”

“What in the-”

“Don’t be too surprised. We keep our tabs on everyone. Just in case.” he chuckled and elaborated on the miniature dossier that had accumulated - he was not going to rat out the fact that it was mainly his leader not realising that he was discussing you at longer time periods than was customary for a standard biker and mechanic relationship.

“Guess I’m a bit rusty in that department.” you pondered the networks, the informers that had existed back in your town, and how sometimes you even had to ‘do some less than appealing kinds of convincing’ to get updates, but shook the image away as you entered the dimly lit warehouse.

“Let’s hope you aren’t when it comes to riding.” You stood back, letting Yeosang turn on another lamp, something probably found in a trash pile but still functional enough to be a source of illumination, only to reveal a breath-taking beauty.

“Now, of course it isn’t the Kawasaki,” Yeosang paused, patting the seat of the black and red motorcycle that you could sense was studying you, checking if you were strong enough to handle it, “but it is still quite impressive. Aprilia RSV4-”

“1100 Factory. Grunty engine, sweet chassis. Good engineering.”

“You can say that again. Here, give it a try.”

You stepped towards the breathing machine. The beast in slumber, awaiting a boost, a nudge awake and it was ready to roar and leave all those in this lot behind. It was a captivating system of mechanisms, all working in unison to create what was going to be a revival for you. A revival on the road. As you sat down on the bike, feeling its energy ooze through you and appreciating its almost youthful vigour, your mind traversed its maze-like avenues back to the Kawasaki. This was far from your precious. Far from who you had been. Far from the soul that you had lost back then. Gorgeous, without a doubt, an astounding piece of work that the streets would be grateful for gracing them, but that was how you had to treat it. As much as a part of you desired a renaissance, that same thrill, it was obviously unachievable. Nothing was the same, nor could be, including you. The place where the tattoo of the Black Pirates still decorated your skin ached with dull throbs as you leaned forward and tested your movements, your fluidity with the motorcycle. This was going to do; this had to do for that one last thrill before you could say goodbye to the dream of re-experience - the final nail in the coffin of a phantom that had you delusionally hoping for that sense of belonging and sense of being undefeatable to return to you. The Aprilia was the Aprilia, and you were you. The need for speed, the desire to rule the roads and exist in discord and chaos had died with the Kawasaki Ninja H2R, and the you now was searching for peace. The peace that you could read in Seonghwa’s eyes. The peace that he was offering in the form of unconditional support, in the form of pieces of his own soul to ignite the one you were patiently cultivating in your hollow chest. To let the blaze warm you, nurture the affection you yearned for, and let you breathe again. You gripped the handles of the bike, and turned on the ignition, casting a permission-seeking side glance to Yeosang, who merely nodded. As it rolled out of position and you flipped the foot that anchored it in balance, and let yourself be regarded by Seonghwa and his fellow bikers, the revelation finally came, that this was the new life that you had hoped for. The life that you had wanted to experience, not a reworking, but a clean slate. A new home that you hoped to discover in Night City.

Once everyone was in position, and Yeosang gave you a helmet that was fitted with a communication system that let the Blue Birds converse while on patrol, you followed Seonghwa out, having been given a designated position and role in the formation. It felt like the old times, but in reverse. Instead of organising havoc, the group was organising peace. Instead of planning heists, the group was hoping to stop crime that happened under the noses of those who purposefully disregarded it, focusing on new age delinquency that manifested itself as banal expression and creativity. The city was different now, it had to be. Suddenly, you were astounded and amazed by it, by the intricacies of every corner, the affection with which the citizens of the sector had decorated their storefronts and windows, even though if a government-arranged bust was to be organised, and the forces, nicknamed the Guardians were to march down these streets, these homes would be the first to be annihilated. Risking their own lives these marvellous people decided to spread joy and share colour. There was hope in Night City, there was hope in this district where the desire to live and thrive could not be put out.

Blue, purple, magenta, pink, orange, yellow, red, green, purest white and inkiest black, every shade and every saturation was jumping out at you even through the visor. You felt at ease, one with your surroundings as Seonghwa’s soothing voice issued the final command before the group were to split, leaving you, Seonghwa and Yeosang alone and zooming down the central street, empty from the lack of business after a particularly nasty raid. You noted remnants of shattered glass and a charcoal black storefront, one of the downsides of living in an area where law was more questionable than local dealings. But even then, you felt more alive than before.

“How are you feeling, Red?” a nickname thought of on the spot for ease of callouts thanks to the accents on the Aprilia.

“Good, Mars.”

“Good?” Yeosang echoed, and you could swear you heard an amused giggle from his mic.

“Very good, Greece,” you would never not be amused with the choice of name for your friend, the word ‘sculpture’, to highlight his heavenly visuals, had apparently been deemed too long to work.

Seonghwa could hear the joy in your voice, stronger than he had ever experienced it before, even when you joked around with him or revealed to him a particularly high quality part that Jongho had produced by some unmentionable connections. Previously, there had been barriers that you had accumulated with each season of your new existence, hardened by your trials and tribulations as a person who technically was not supposed to exist. Less talk, more business. Less emotion, more control over your behaviour, your being in the effort of maintaining an image of strength, much like he had done when he had first met you.

When Seonghwa had first laid eyes on you, you seemed to be the closest thing there was to a human version of ice. You appeared to be dismissive and disinterested in him, in what he could bring, and that was vexing. He, as Mars of the Blue Bird gang, had gotten used to have the room freeze as he walked in, only to combust into hot flames an instant after, but definitely not come face to face with someone who was sombre, and with their lack of a reaction made Seonghwa feel as though, in reality, he was not that important. He had made a promise to himself after finding out about the Kawasaki rider of the Black Pirates, that if there was anyone he would listen to and learn from, it would be them. From the technique to the daredevil spirit, that was the kind of rider he had always wanted to be. At the same time, as days turned to weeks turned to months, and the image of you and the rider became one in his mind, Seonghwa came to understand that truly, the rider was an illusion. A fantasy that he had built in his mind that could not compare to the wise woman that had transformed his Hayabusa, and his own heart. He wanted to learn you, and learn anything else with you. And to hear the spark within you, to feel your passion for finding yourself begin to return to you was the final sign that he needed to fully comprehend what he had been searching for. For that smile to never leave your face, for him to bring you food just because, for you to be side by side in this race against harsh reality, fighting the odds and making it through to a land where there was true light, away from the land of neon farce.

As you sped down the neverending roads, checking each turn and alleyway for activity, an odd trepidation crept into your chest, and fluttered like a moth fighting for its spot on a bulb. The same feeling as when you had been out with your so-called crew, checking the outskirts of your hometown that fateful night. Your inner alarm rolled out of a restless sleep, and began to clang against your brain, once, twice more and more until it became unbearable and you cried out for the group to stop. The unexpected call startled the duo, and they barely had time to process the action as the three of you instinctively skid to a halt, leaving hot trailmarks on the road. A hum. An unsettling hum that came before a certain ruin spread across your surroundings, and you took off your helmet to tune into it in an attempt to decipher anything at all. Seonghwa and Yeosang followed suit, perplexed, contemplating you as you darted from one side to the other turning your head and getting a grasp of what could be the source of the thrum. A revving. A sickening revving in the far distance, picked up by you as you whispered to your team.

“You hear that?”

“Hear what?” Yeosang asked back, running a hand through his hair.

“The hum.”

“Hum?”

“Where are we right now?”

“Southernmost district, kind of outside of Night City, but still our area.” Seonghwa responded promptly, alerted by your concern.

“We need to leave.”

“But the patrol-” Yeosang tried to argue, but you cut him off.

“Now. We need to leave now.”

“Why?”

The engines became even louder, and if you were not going to move now, you would never move again.

“Surveillance Point South, Guardians Helmets on, MOVE!” you commanded, disregarding any hint of formality as you shoved the helmet back onto your head and twisted the bike to go back. The men followed suit, and in good time, as in one of your mirrors, you saw the first flash of white appear from around the corner.

“GO!”

Bless technology, bless the engineers who crafted these magnificent motorcycles; you were praying and praising every person who had ever contributed to the creation of these beauties, these roaring urban animals as you accelerated to top speed in seconds and swerved down a random street, one that you had no clue where it led to. Calming yourself to the level where you were able to ask a question, you hurriedly shouted into the mic:

“Mars!”

“Turn right at the end, Greece flanks on the left.”

“Gotcha chief.”

“Update on tail?” You continued as the initial wave of automatic movements subsided, and in came the need for fast, adaptive strategy. You were not about to make the same mistakes again. This could not happen. You had to trust yourself, trust Seonghwa and Yeosang. They should not suffer the same way you had done. Ever.

“Five Guardians. Gear - standard. They were not expecting us.” Yeosang communicated back, pressing himself into the motorcycle as the three of you sped down the street only to burst into another and swerve to the appointed direction.

“Well that’s a plus,” you huffed and accelerated more after completing the dangerously sharp turn. The Guardians were quick to repeat the motion, and were aggressively catching up to your trio.

“There’s a highway under construction, we can lose them there.” Seonghwa offered, clearly disturbed by the closeness of the forces, practically breathing down his neck.

“How far?”

“How fast can you go?”

“Lead.” a quick ‘yes’ in agreement, and Seonghwa issued an order:

“Greece, split on the fork and find Crow. If you get a tail then spiral the shit out of them.”

“Aye.”

“Good luck.” With one last wish, serving as a hopefully temporary farewell, Yeosang rolled away his own response blending into static as the connection grew weaker, only to fully break:

“Good lu-”

And just like that, it was you, Seonghwa, and four remaining Guardians, who evidently had decided that Yeosang was not their main target, leaving only one to tail him. You cursed under your breath, and clearly the mic was a lot more sensitive than you had initially expected, because as soon as the utterance left your mouth Seonghwa’s voice reverberated against your eardrums.

“Just a bit more, okay? Trust me we’ll get there-”

A gunshot stops the man mid-sentence, and you blindly followed him as he countersteered to make another sharp turn into a much more narrow street, forcing the group of four to slow down considerably and giving you an extra few valuable seconds.

“Are guns part of standard gear?” Shocked by the similarity between the gang you had been part of and your present followers, you managed to ask.

“Yes, unfortunately.”

“Well isn’t this a fun time.”

“Glad you are enjoying it. Turn in five then turn left.”

Before you knew it, you were entering the meandering manoeuvre from street to alley to a series of pedestrian passageways, fully expecting Seonghwa to still be by your side, but as you entered another road, zooming ahead, you took note that your partner was nowhere to be seen, along with another two Guardians. The ones behind you, thanks to the maze of stairs and tight spots down the path he had directed you through, the Guardians were trailing behind, the distance having grown to a more secure one, at least until you felt the bike, which you were not totally used to, hit a pothole on the road and start to wobble, forcing you to overreact - counterintuitive to any professional behaviour. Your yelps finally made Seonghwa return through the speakers asking as to what exactly happened. To the best of your ability you choked out the cause of your surprise, while loosening your grip and regaining at least some control by slowly rolling off the throttle.

“I leave you for one second and that happens?”

“Last time I was alone and being chased I-”

“Did not have me, to your left-” As you had balanced yourself out and returned to breaking any speed limit imaginable, you noted the familiar black and orange Hayabusa merge into the lane to your left, followed by one Guardian.

“Where is their friend?”

“Took an arrow to the knee,” out of the corner of your visor’s allowable view, you saw Seonghwa accelerate until he was a little in the front and he waved what could only be a particularly menacing pistol.

“That is one hell of a bow.” You pondered when and where he could have produced a gun from, and finally realised why most of the time he kept his jacket zipped up unless he was off vigilante duty.

As you approached the winding highways-to-be, you swore you were barely breathing. With only three Guardians remaining on your tail it should be easier, an escape should feel closer, but you could not settle into any form of focus, instead only speeding towards an oblivion. Another one, your final one. The fear that you had been living with, the repetition that you had wrongfully longed for, was it about to happen? You fell quiet as you saw the road curve higher and higher to another level, and followed its flow. Seonghwa let you flow forwards, turning back to return the gunfire that the white-clad spawns of the so-called law restarted, missing one by a few centimetres, but in this way forcing them to enter the same state from which you recovered. Luckily, they did not have as reflexive of a control over the vehicle, and toppled to veer and hit one of the borders, denting it and giving up the chase. Two to go.

Entranced by the openness of the location, you raised your head to find a night sky, clearer than the one you were used to back in Night City. It was similar to the countryside around your hometown, how the stars came around to glint and help you recollect your thoughts by emphasising that everything on this earth, compared to the infinite expanse of the universe, was small enough to brush off. It had always made you feel briefly light, relieved, free. How you wished you could fly-

“Ready to fly?”

“Literally?” you cried out, returning back to the matter at hand.

“I sure hope you remember how to recover from a high jump on a bike because that is our only chance.”

“What the-”

“Three.”

“Two.

“One.”

“May the suspension system be ever in our favour,” you muttered, embracing the oncoming drop as you avoided the cones that marked the end of the construction zone and led into a drop onto the highway below.

Your mind cleared, and you focused on the head level balance point in front of you, which just so happened to be the straight line of the horizon. Your body moved back to ease the weight on the front end, and as you saw the drop come into view, raised yourself up on the foot pegs and pushed with all your might, bending your legs into the motion as you felt the suspension respond to you and compress before rising again. Instantaneously, you blipped the throttle, giving the Aprilia that final burst, propelling you and lifting you right when the front wheel hit the jumping point you had marked out. Keeping your head up, you let yourself feel the arc that you made together with the bike, eagerly watched your surroundings blur as you continued your calculated fall, and giggled as you heard Seonghwa let out a loud proclamation of “awesome!” as you landed the jump and remained fully in control of the temperamental steed.

The Guardians had stopped themselves before the leap, clearly not having the borderline death-seeking move programmed into their ridiculous training schemes, nor into their own obedient, law-abiding cells. With the southernmost district, and as such, the Guardian patrol point long behind you, it was now a matter of finding a place to slow down and figure out a safe way home. You laughed airily as the adrenaline egged you on, making you feel like you could take on the entire world, your gang of traitors and snakes, and the masked tyrants that had been chasing you and all that you considered valuable in your new chapter. You survived. Finally, you survived.

When the empty highway hinted at an exit on the other side, in unspoken agreement the two of you hopped the inexistent border between lanes and swerved into the turn, re-entering the city from a different angle, fully avoiding the southern district. As neon began to occupy your vision once more, the lines of blue, purple, magenta starting to line the streets of your home, you let out a sigh of relief, coming down from the rush of a good chase. As soon as the two of you ensured that there was no hint of Guardians in your vicinity, Seonghwa signalled for you to slow down and stop in a secluded square that was located between the outstretched segments of an abandoned residential block, the doors taped shut with signs proclaiming ‘demolition’ plastered over fading graffiti.

Hopping off his bike and leaving the helmet and gloves on the seat, he rushed to help you out, the exhaustion from diving headfirst into something that had not been in your active arsenal for a while. Wobbly legs, dizziness and an urge to listen to gravity for once nearly had you stumbling off the bike and onto the cracked pavement, if not for the strong arms, stabilising you by positioning themselves at your waist, and bringing you flush against Seonghwa’s toned body. Through the haze of a numbing fatigue, you could finally make out the slightest tang of gun smoke, blending with an aroma of a sweet perfume, pronounced as he had burned up from the prolonged pressure and thrill. Smoke and vanilla. And you were alive to take it all in. You raised your arms, searching for him, trying to feel out an anchor in the renaissance, clamber out of the ashes that were still coating you in a weight of a past that you had now shed. Fingers flittering across the black tank top, left exposed as he had unzipped the jacket, travelled around his sides to find his lower back and hook themselves together. You let yourself be consumed by the feeling of safety, the feeling of having overcome yourself and finding someone, the one person who was ready to pick you up again. Your body shook as a sob that you were unknowingly holding back flew from your now light heart and into the omniscient night, but all you could feel was warmth. A reliable embrace that was going nowhere, a man who knew who you were, who you had been, and let you decide for yourself who you wanted to become-

“Mars-” you mumbled, pressing your face into Seonghwa in an attempt to let the fabric swallow your emotion.

“-Seonghwa.”

“Huh?” you wanted to look at him, at his dark eyes that held the sky, the universe within them, but the soothing circles that he was drawing on your back as he began to rock gently while keeping you in his arms made you remain in the same position, right against him. With him.

“Seonghwa. Hwa. Whatever nickname you think of but… just. Seonghwa, Y/N. Call me Seonghwa.” you chuckled through the tears that started to decorate your cheeks, earning a confused hum from the biker.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Cheeky.”

“At least we are not threatening each other with grievous bodily harm anymore.” you tried to squeeze him in a way to emphasise your joke, but earned a surprised pained yelp from the man, followed by a pursing of the lips as you darted to face him.

“Seonghwa?” it was obvious that the new address made him soften considerably, but your worry did not subside. “Are you hurt?”

“It’s nothing really, regular st-”

“Where, Seonghwa, where?” you used his own name against him, forgetting your own overwhelmed state and turning your attention to him.

He was entranced by the way your eyes glistened in the darkness, how the tears that stained your cheeks were only adding to your image. Nothing would make him look differently at you. Nothing ever. And if he had to race against time itself to be able to hold onto you like this, he would do it. He would fight all of the Guardians and Black Pirates combined if it meant that you could smile. You needed to smile. He tried to ease the concern, but the wound that he had acquired during the chase was becoming nearly unbearable. Instead of fighting you, he tilted his head to his left and lifted his arm while keeping the other on your waist. Getting the hint, you flipped the bottom of the cropped jacket and gasped as you saw torn material, reddened, irritated skin, and a mixture of coagulated and still-trickling blood concentrated around where what could only be a bullet grazed Seonghwa’s stunning, tanned skin.

“What the- and you are just here? Standing? You need treatment, stat!” admonishing his self-disregard, you leaned to inspect the wound more closely, only to have Seonghwa attempt to flip the jacket back and dig his fingers into your side.

“I am fine, I swear-”

“Do you know anyone who can fix this?” not quite in the know of any medical terms, you resorted to treating the wound as though it was a damaged component, except a lot more distressing, and obviously causing a lot more lateral harm than any scratch or even piercing tear could to cold metal.

“...Not really, no,” after a long pause, he responded. Lowering his arm, Seonghwa returned to his previous hold, except this time, moving until his face was only centimetres away from yours.

“Well then, you know me, I have a first aid kit at my cave.” your voice quivered as you at the man before you. You could tell, he was new too, also reborn from the chaos. Neither of you could predict, but it was obvious that now, that light that you had been chasing was within reach.

“So you can fix bikes and people?”

“Bikes, yes. People? Not really. But I would like for you to see another day please.

“It really isn’t that bad.”

“Then why are you in pain?”

“Because I have been staring at your lips for the past minute and still have not kissed you.”

You blinked once, twice as whatever words were in your throat remained there and fell right back down to be set on fire by what you could only describe as the blowing of multiple fuses. You were not quite sure when the two of you managed to lean so impossibly close to one another, but your arms were fully relaxed, having succumbed to the sensation of his hands dancing across your hips testing the waters, and your vision was occupied by Seonghwa, and Seonghwa alone. His gaze, once again, trailed down from your eyes down to your lips, slow, confident alluring. Ignoring whatever pain he was experiencing, dulling it with a different, more tantalising ache. With your breathing growing more shallow by the second, you were not sure what to expect of Seonghwa in this instant; perhaps more accurately, you were terrified of how this would change your new life. He was taking his time as though he was reading a book, trying to decipher what you were feeling, and while he was more than ready to lean in an destroy what was left of the gap between you, your swift hands that wiped what remained of the moisture on your cheeks and a playful smirk on your lips forced him into a childish pout.

“And you won’t, unless you let me patch you up.”

“And I can kiss you after?”

“...Deal.” to hell with it all, you continued soundlessly.

As rapidly as the moment had developed, it ceased to persist, with Seonghwa detangling himself from you and telling you to grab your helmet while pressing a couple of buttons that were concealed on his wristwatch.

“What about the bike?”

“Yeo will sort out the bike. I just pinged him with the coordinates.”

“You have a spy watch?” amazed, you exclaimed.

“Nifty, huh? Blue Bird exclusive.”

“I need to speak to the engineers in your circle, I need to absorb some skills from them.”

“I can see you’ll be speaking to Yeo more and more soon, then. He is quite the techy guy.”

As you were about to hop onto the bike, you thought once more about the injury, and tapped the already seated Seonghwa on the shoulder. Flipping open his visor, the man moved his chin forward, prompting you to go on.

“Scooch back.”

“But I can-”

“No buts. You are injured, and this is a hazard,” receiving a groan in response, you refused to pause, “besides, I can’t exactly hold on to you now, can I?”

That seemed to do the trick as the previously proud, arrogant man obeyed your command and slid away from the handlebar, but as soon as you were in position, revealed that potentially, it was not you winning here as he relished in the opportunity to embrace you for the entire trip back to OC, occasionally distracting you by letting his hands roam your torso, leaving you dangerously close to pulling over. But you had enough experience of being stoic, and Seonghwa still had much to learn about you, so you kept a steady speed, and greeted the luminescence of your neighbourhood with a relaxed rumble of the Hayabusa.

As you turned on the lights to your studio apartment and the two of you took off your shoes, you sped away to find the green case of health and all things that you were technically not supposed to have in your possession but did anyways. Funnily enough, Seonghwa’s comment had not been too far from the truth; back when you had been in the Black Pirates, a mechanic was fully expected to patch the customers up, as well as the bike, considering that both were normally against the law and had to remain undercover. Even when in certain districts the gang did bribe their way up to have a hand in decision-making, thus making it possible for the members to receive regular treatment, many had gotten used to the quick and easy drive-by healings, and would always choose to trust the person who gave life to their motorcycles over even the most qualified, certified doctor. Such was the rhythm that you had fallen into, the one that transitioned into the you in Night City through a library of skills and odd habits - like keeping the first aid kit right below the sink, the logic being that one could grab the kit, wash their hands and be ready for war, equipped with antiseptic and a plethora of improvisation techniques made up on the spot.

With Seonghwa settled on one of the foldable chairs that you kept to the side for when you wanted to sit while eating instead of leaning over the kitchen counter, you took the other, placed it right in front of the tired man and got to work. Carefully guiding his arms out of the leather jacket, you were left with a far too attractive biker, clad in only a black tank top and the ridiculously expensive chains, and the leather trousers that tightened around his legs as he wriggled a little and took a more comfortable position to sit. The earring with the feather right at the end still dangled in his ear, and his hair, ruffled but retaining some shape thanks to what you thought to be humble use of a styling gel. You needed to avoid his eyes at all costs, the burning eyes that were trained on you, and only you. It did not take an expert to guess what Seonghwa was replaying in his mind the entire time that you were around him. As you lifted the tank top and inspected what was now a dried up mass over a graze, you sighed with relief.

“Good news.”

“Good?” Seonghwa asked back, suspiciously out of breath.

“Yeah. Now, I can’t check for internal bleeding, but outwardly, this is easy enough. Seems that you got really lucky. Very. Over the top kind of lucky actually. Can’t say the same for the jacket though, but at least you are not a wine barrel.”

“Charming.”

“I’ll just clean the thing and put a big bandage on it so that it won’t get infected. I fear that most of the pain is from these old injuries though…” you absent-mindedly traced some of the hematomas, which, judging by their colouration, were well on their way to dissolving into a smoothness, with your fingertips, making the man tense up. He turned his head towards you, glancing back and forth as you inspected the collage of injuries that he had collected on his body.

“We’re fighters though, aren’t we.”

“Fighters need holidays too.”

“Right.”

“You need to park yourself in a garage and give your engine a nice break…” you joked, more to yourself as you turned to bring the green case to your lap for easier searching, keeping one hand in place to hold the cotton top up, until the finger grew tired, “hey could you be a darling and hold your own shirt for me? Cheers.”

Seonghwa jumped into action, enjoying the soft speech, and replaced your hand with his, the digits ever so slightly brushing against one another as he moved to hold onto the material.

“You are in luck.”

“Is that so? Even more than over the top?” ignoring his interjection, you continued:

“Uh-huh. I have hydrocolloid bandages left. This one’s actually barely noticeable, but works like a charm with weeping wounds so, get your flesh over here and you’ll be patched up in no time.” turning, he repositioned himself to allow you to clean the cut, removing some of the attached fabric that had dried with the first droplets, and leaving the redness exposed to the disinfectants, and to the patch. In no time at all, your work was done. Satisfied, you grabbed a tissue out of the packet that was sitting in the kit and cleaned the ointment and adhesive that stuck to you.

“I’m afraid I can’t help with the clothes though. Not my area of expertise.”

“You did more than enough, Y/N. And all this after racing through and out of Night City from five Guardians on a totally new bike.”

“I am a woman of many talents.”

“That’s true…” that honey-sweet, deep voice, slowing into a sultry beckoning as Seonghwa’s hand moved to rest on your knee. A man on a mission after all. You chuckled and snapped the first aid kit shut, easily sauntering from his approaches and enjoying every minute.

“You want hot chocolate?” you asked over your shoulder as you stashed the case back under the sink and shut the cupboard. Nothing was stopping you from being a good host to a very good person. Even though it was rather apparent that Seonghwa was eyeing something else on the menu, the sound of a sweet treat was rather appealing. You were right about him faking drinking coffee after all.

“Yes please.”

As you moved about the kitchen, fetching the cylindrical jar of chocolate powder and getting the coffee machine started for your own beverage of choice, Seonghwa moved to reposition the chairs closer to a table that bore the appearance of an ironing board squashed against the wall until he pulled it down and pushed the two legs at the free end out. Patiently, he admired your studio apartment, your corner of the city that was situated right above the shop. The walls were bare, only decorated with old holes from nails and with the odd scratch here and there. Minimal furniture, with the large dresser probably being donated to you by Yunho. The neatly made bed which judging by the headboard and armrests was also a small sofa, located right beside the window that was covered by wooden blinds roughly painted an off-white, was probably the newest addition to the metres of this room. Undoubtedly, the piece of furniture was acquired after you had moved here, after you had made your bosses certain that you were here to stay. And Seonghwa was going to make sure of it. Night City was now to be your new home, and when you tapped the table to alert him of the hot beverage that you had prepared, now ready and billowing steam out of the mug right in front of him, he revered how beautiful you looked, surrounded by the mechanic shop, by the streets of the district, by the city that he had despised for so long but the one that had helped him find you through mysterious serendipity.

"Thank you." he took a cautious sip, sighing in elation.

"No problem. I'll pretend that chocolate helps with internal bruising and call myself a doctor." You commented while settling beside the vigilante, making him smile.

“How’d you guess I would not want coffee?” you glanced over at your companion while taking a tentative sip once the initial temperature shock had subsided.

“You never order it.”

“But I never-”

“I think we have spent enough time together to know the basics, right?” A bolder swig, and you could feel the caffeine begin to hit your system like a nitro boost.

“Well I seem to be discovering more and more things about you every second, Y/N.”

“And how are you finding it?” you took the quietness as a chance to test him. It was barely a test, but nevertheless, too important to dismiss. The small questions, ones said in passing and ones to be forgotten were almost always the ones that were to be the most important.

“I want to learn more and more, since I simply cannot get enough.”

Momentarily bashful, you looked at the floor and thought of the garage beneath your feet. The place where you had initially determined that this same man who was now unbelievably bold in his expression of his feelings for you was to be your sworn enemy. How times changed, for the better. Regardless of the twists and turns, the ups and downs, even in the deepest night there was a light to find, and a light that was meant to be yours. This new life was your light, and Seonghwa wanted to be part of it. You grinned at the thought, and finally met Seonghwa’s smouldering gaze, fuelled by care, by determination, by the vision of a future.

“You know, I think I thought of a nickname for you, Seonghwa.”

“Oh?” he set down his mug, mirroring you.

“Yeah. I think I’ll call you mine.” you stood up, knowingly ambling to the light switch, listening to the biker following suit.

“Watch out, I might just marry you on the spot if you keep that up.”

“Well, I am not your bride but you may kiss me.”

“Y/N, you are too addictive, and will make me lose my mind.”

“Well then, are you mine?”

“In every lifetime I am yours.”

Enveloped in a new night, illuminated only by the colours that seeped through the half open blinds you ceased to think and rationalise, giving yourself up to instinct as you felt his arms wrap around your waist, twisting you from the wall, coaxing you closer to him, towards his warmth, his heart right there for you to take. It was easy to oblige and you pinched the material of his tank top, prompting him to step even closer, sure that he was practically beaming into the kiss as he nudged himself forward, lifting your head up just a little to prolong the contact. It was as though he was certain that if you were to break apart from one another, you would disappear. He wanted more, needed more. Digits tracing abstract shapes on your back, running through your hair, Seonghwa wanted to remember every detail. Just as he had said, he wanted to learn every part of you.

Lost in paradise, the kiss was electric. A hand that found itself toying with his chains, and proceeding to snake up the back of his neck to tug on his hair just enough to make him shakily exhale made Seonghwa switch his gears. A previous tentativeness, a tender exploration turned into an urgency as his tongue flicked against your lower lip begging for entrance, which you were more than eager to give. You sighed into the passionate call for more that left you breathless. And yet, in these seconds turned into an unprecedented timelessness, if you had to give up every life-saving molecule for even a fraction of nearly impossible unity, you would do it in a heartbeat. The sensation was as though you had finally woken up from a deep slumber, dragged from the somnolent abyss, and every vibration in the air was resonating with you, resonating with Seonghwa.

You felt drunk, dizzy as you guided Seonghwa to the bed, having very quickly memorised the layout of your tiny apartment to the point where you could move around even if there was not a single source of light. In a passionate blur your top was left by the chairs, while your trousers found their place right in front of the bed, together with Seonghwa’s tank top. With every flame that crossed between you, you laid yourself bare to one another, honest and open, and the vulnerability, intimacy you let yourself indulge in marked another beginning. As your nude bodies laid down onto the dark grey sheets, the both of you fervent for more but aware of the importance of honouring every step, Seonghwa suggested, feeling his side remind him of his injury:

“I think you’re going to have to take the lead here, Y/N, I’m a little bruised up.”

“Of course,” you leaned in for another kiss, smiling at the sweetness, “You ready?”

“More than.”

Seonghwa leaned against the pillows and headboard, devoured by lust as you moved further and further down until you reached his exposed member, leaking precum, hard, pleading for you to give it at least some attention. Testing the waters, you languidly rubbed the tip with your thumb in circles coating it in the translucent liquid and making Seonghwa breathe as though there was not enough oxygen. One glance back and you were in awe of the beauty before you. Eyes shut, reddened lips slightly parted, head tilted back as if he was caught in a divine act. The light from the street outside made him look all the more ethereal, and his skin, now an indescribably stunning collage of hues that had crept through the blinds, was a masterpiece that you wanted to honour with your love. As your teasing progressed into a gentle pumping, first of the tip and then with your hand sliding down the entire length, only to stop and give extra care to the base of the member, a low groan reached you - a melody that only encouraged you. Heat pooled to your core as you continued to elicit a string of indecipherable mumbles, a deep moan, and the most magnificent expressions from the man who had never thought you would even cross paths with again. How foolish you had been, masking Seonghwa’s stunning presence, response to your every action, and his eagerness to please you by whispering praises for how good you were making him feel, how amazing you looked and were, and how he was so grateful. Your prior ignorance was almost impossible to even consider now, as you let spit drip down from your mouth onto his dick, adding more lubrication and letting you increase the speed. The wanton sounds of your hand pumping Seonghwa’s throbbing cock, blended with the breaths turning shallow, any moan coming out airy, barely there, were filling you with your own desire, and your free hand quickly moved between your legs, fingers gliding along the folds, finding them to be slick, soaking, needy. You began to run your digits over your now wet clit, rolling over the nub painfully slow in a weak attempt to prevent yourself from cumming too soon, but what used to be a hint of a high only accelerated to a knot at the bottom of your stomach, pulsating and begging for fullness. With how Seonghwa’s hips began to buck up, oblivious to the bruises, the wounds that ghosted and adorned his body, you needed him.

“Hwa…”

“Mmh- yes?”

“May I… ride you?” Through phrases broken up by your choice to quicken the pace of your hand, abusing your clit until a trembling sensation spread over your legs in anticipation of an orgasm, you voiced your desire.

“Please- Y/N I- yes-” equally as shattered, Seonghwa was barely able to respond, moaning as you gave him a chance to recover ever so slightly, letting his member spring free, but more desperate than before for stimulation.

“Do you have condoms?”

“Back pocket, trousers, wallet.” he sighed, pointing at the discarded article at the foot of the bed.

“How’d you even get it in this Sector?” you asked, fishing the item out of his wallet, tearing the packaging and crawling back to unroll it.

“Con… tra… band,” he enunciated through your swift actions, biting his lower lip as he felt your heat press against him, your hand guiding the cock between your folds as you rocked back and forth.

“Vigilantes indeed. Protecting in all kinds of ways.”

“Are you kidding me?” Seonghwa groaned at the sorry attempt of a joke, his mind conflicted between the humour and the unbearable closeness of your pussy, lined up against his tip.

“I’m not the one smuggling condoms, though I have nothing to say but thank you, darling.”

Lowering yourself onto the member, bit by bit until he bottomed out inside you, you leaned forward, consumed by the euphoric feeling. Seonghwa took this as a chance to caress the side of your face, draw a line against your jaw and lead you towards him with soft fingers under your chin. Placing one kiss, another on your lips, and peppering your cheeks and nose with loving pecks, he encouraged you. He wanted to ensure that you felt loved, and only loved. When you began to move, hands finding the headboard for better balance and as a security measure so that you would not hurt Seonghwa, his gaze stayed on your face, bearing witness to the single most gorgeous view of his mortality.

He gave himself up to you, something that he would have never imagined, but something that felt so right that he was terrified of thinking how his life would be had he never met you. Seonghwa let you control the pace, and when your walls tightened around his dick with your climax fast-approaching, did nothing to stop you, deny you of the ecstasy, much to his own fortune, for the cries of his name as you reached your high and rode it out, leading him to his own heavenly demise were now permanently etched into his brain. Never before did anything of his sound so captivating. Never before did he think that he could see a light in this dark city, in his dark path. But there she was, an angel in his arms, falling forwards, a barely noticeable shake still over taking her as she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, your lustful fever accentuated by the coolness of the metal necklaces. Seonghwa kissed your cheek once again, then your forehead and the crown of your head, thanking you, adoring you, and as the minutes ticked past, finding his footing in the post-coital bliss, and nudging for you to clean up with him, so the oasis you had created in your four walls could last longer, and you could drift into the sunniest dreams in each other’s embrace.

As you laid in Seonghwa’s arms, flushed from the shower and changed into an oversized t-shirt, his leg lazily thrown over yours and breath tickling your exposed skin, you felt even more alive. As he pulled you closer to him, and with the hand that was fully on the other side of you reached out to rest his palm on the back of yours, and let your fingers intertwine, you let yourself fall into a serenity that you had never known, and listened to his heartbeat through the tee you had given him, a rhythm that you never wanted to forget, a soul that helped yours truly come back from a place of no return. Seonghwa traced the tattoos on your skin, whispering about their marvel, their story, pointing out his favourites, the details that put every piece together into one flowing design. He repeated, again and again, his adoration for you, kissing your earlobe only to say it once more, accompanied by his favourite sound: the syllables that made up your name. In rare moments like this, everything felt easy, within reach. In this time and space that existed after a revival, a self-discovery and a promise of a new beginning, you were ready to take the scenic route.

“Hwa, could you pass me the C-spanner?”

“Ah, the mechanic’s scythe, sure thing.” you rolled your eyes and grinned, accepting the tool from Seonghwa’s outstretched hand. You were working on a swanky new Yamaha that had been added to the general Blue Bird collection after a certain Aprilia had been turned into scraps in the name of security. Not that you knew anything though - after all that was not you, and you did not exist at all in the databases of the Guardians, having flown under the radar thanks to some quick camera wipes, and security checks around Night City. Your new beginning was greeting you with open arms.

As you adjusted the pre-load on the rear shock absorbers, Seonghwa noticed something that reminded him of cling film peeking out from under your sleeve and letting his curiosity get the better of him, inched towards you, around the bike and giving you barely a second to register his intentions, poked at the plastic.

“What’s that, love?”

“A little upgrade.” you smiled to yourself and continued to make adjustments to the energetic beast.

“A tattoo?” he inquired, taking the c-spanner from your hand and laying it down on the ground. You spun on your old stool to face him.

“Mhm…”

“Show me?”

“I don’t know… probably won’t be clear enough through the film and I don’t want to ruin it so…”

“C’mon Y/N, weren’t you gushing about it to me just yesterday? How Seonghwa would adore it and-”

“Don’t sell me out, bossman.” you retorted, faking a glare at Yunho who was in the depths of a discussion about component orders with Jongho and evidently, was getting more and more bored.

“And focus on the papers, Yunho.” the latter rapid-fired after you, making Yunho groan and shift his attention away.

“So?” Seonghwa nudged your foot with his, shoving his hands in his pockets. Clearly, whatever tailor he knew in this city was a magic person, because even months after the turning point in your identity, a switch in time that let you open your eyes to a beautiful new world, the beloved biker pseudo-uniform in black and orange hues was pristine, seamless, bearing no signs of any gunshots, nor of any tears nor grazes.

You stood up, and cautiously rolled up your sleeve to reveal a transparent bandage that covered your fresh ink. Another restart, another call for a new step in the form of a single blue feather, with a stunning gradient and black detailing. As Seonghwa peered at the design, open-mouthed and silent before nearly squeezing the air out of you as he hugged you as tightly as he possibly could and spun you around, you blinked away the last of your doubts that had been stuck to you from before the fateful arrival to Night City. In the most unexpected places, surrounded by the most unexpected people, time was finally on your side, and let you slowly but surely take steps towards the you that you were happy being. The you that was loved and could love. The you that turned a fresh new leaf, and was more alive than ever.

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makeitmingi · 8 months ago

Text

The Cat and Dog Game [Chapter 40]

Genre: Romance, Fluff, Comedy

Pairing: Yunho x Reader (y/n)

Characters: Chef!Reader, RestaurantOwner!Yunho, MaitreD!Hongjoong, Waiter!Yeosang, Waiter!San, Waiter!Mingi, SousChef!Seonghwa, SousChef!Wooyoung, PrepChef!Jongho

Summary: Yunho's dream was to open and run his own restaurant. But he doesn't know anything when it comes to cooking. Until you came along and accepted the job, bringing with you a small crew. How will the black cat tame the energetic golden retriever?

Word count: 3.2K

Chapter warning(s): Heavy chapter. Confrontation and verbal argument from parent, parent threatening to hit child. Overall just confrontation of y/n's childhood so please exerise caution when you read as it can potentially be triggering.

Small time skip...

After another successful dinner service, you stood outside the back door, taking in the fresh air and grounding yourself. The chaos of the kitchen was left behind, allowing you to have some peace and quiet on your own. But you were glad the restaurant was doing really well.

"(y/n)." The voice that called you made your eyes shoot open. You lifted your head and jumped to your feet.

"D-Dad..." You stuttered nervously. Suddenly, you didn't feel like you were on top anymore. You felt like the scared little girl at the mercy of your fierce father.

"H-How did you know where I was?" You asked with a gulp.

"Is that even a question? You're my daughter, of course I know where you work." His eyebrows furrowed.

"Right, sorry. Umm, why did you come here? You could have called me to let me know you were coming or I would have met you outside of work." You fiddled with the edge of your shirt.

"Are you that busy that you need me to inform you prior that I want to meet you?" He asked.

"It's a busy day. I don't have time to just talk." You sighed.

"I am here to discuss with you... all this. (y/n), you don't belong as someone's employee, a cook nonethless. You have the opportunity to take over my company, you have the skills to do so and yet, you choose to be stubborn and rebel against the career course that has been set for you since birth." He cut to the chase.

"Wow, dad. It's the first time you've ever admitted that I have the skills to do anything." You knew that wasn't the main point of his speech but you'd take any win you can.

"(y/n). Be serious. It's been almost a year since you've worked here and there's no progression." He frowned.

"Why do you want me to take over the company so badly? That's the dream you've had for me but it's not my dream." You asked.

"I'd rather have you take over than some random stranger." He crossed his arms.

"You just want me to take over because you would never ask my stepbrother to do it. And also so you won't be embarrassed to tell your friends I am a chef." You pointed out.

"It doesn't matter, (y/n). I've let this go on for long enough. Stop playing and for once, be serious about your future." He lectured.

"You always think that I just treat this like a game. Don't you see dad? This is my life, all the effort, blood and sweat I've poured into this. Would I do that if I wasn't serious? You just refuse to see it." You shook your head.

"I've given you every opportunity to be the best and you choose to work in a kitchen? That's an embarrassment." He scolded.

"I know you're embarrassed of me. You always have been and always will. I'm your flesh and blood. Yet, you'll always think my stepbrother is better than me." You laughed bitterly.

"Because he has real goals and aspirations. He wants to make something of himself." Your dad reasoned.

"Right because anything I do will never match up to him."

"If you do something actually worthy of recognition and praise, of course I will praise you. But so far, you have done nothing worthy of my time." He said.

"I've cooked under some of the best chefs in the world, served the best dishes at some of the most prestigious events. But that's nothing, right? It's not worthy and it never will be." You sighed.

"It's a waste of time and potential." You dad replied.

"Uh, Seonghwa hyung?" Yeosang came to the front where everyone was having drinks and enjoying the air conditioning after being in the stuffy kitchen the whole night. He tapped the older on the shoulder and pointed to the counter. Seonghwa frowned in confusion but moved to speak privately with Yeosang.

"What is it that it must be said in private?" Seonghwa asked.

"I-I was in the locker room and I heard (y/n) outside. She's speaking to someone... I think it's her dad... I didn't mean to eavesdrop but it sounds bad..." Yeosang gulped.

"What?! Her dad is here?" Seonghwa said a little too loudly from the shock. Yunho definitely heard it.

"Thanks, Yeosang." Seonghwa put his drink down and went to the kitchen.

"Yeosang, what's going on?" Yunho asked when Yunho came back.

"Umm, (y/n)'s dad is here... Out back..." Hearing those words come out of his friend's mouth, Yunho was on his feet immediately, rushing to the back door.

"I didn't raise you to be like this." Yunho heard your father scold, making Yunho pause.

"Raise me? How can you say that? Did you raise me at all, dad? When mom got sick, you didn't even visit her and you cast me aside. And when she died, you acted like I died along with her. It's like I became nothing to you..." Tears slipped down your cheeks.

"Your mother always coddled you too much. You needed to grow up and be independent." Your father said.

"How old was I?! I was a kid, dad! It's bad enough I had to watch my mother slowly die. But you abandoned me too! I was alone, I mourned her alone." You yelled in frustration.

"What did you do? Nothing! Oh right, you went out and got married. Brought two strangers into our home." You laughed bitterly.

"They're not strangers. You've been childish and treating them like outsiders from the start." Your father corrected sternly.

"Sorry, I forgot. They're your family. But they're not mine and they will never be. You threw me away so you could start life anew. But what about me?" You asked.

"You still had a roof over your head, food to eat. I hardly think your life was bad." He scoffed.

"Did you even notice that I didn't come home? That I was out there, getting into all sorts of shit, making friends with strangers. I nearly killed myself. If not for Seonghwa, I wouldn't be alive now. But even if I were dead, I guess you wouldn't care, right?" Your words made Yunho's heart clench with pain.

"Let me ask you, dad. Were you even sad that mom died? Did you even love her? Or did you just wait for her to die so you could go find someone new?" You asked in a low voice.

"Why you-"

"Mr (y/l/n)!" Seonghwa yelled out, pulling you behind him in an attempt to shield you and protect you.

"That's enough." Yunho's eyes burned with rage as he held your father's wrist mid air. No one was going to hurt you.

"Don't you dare hurt her. Not on my watch." Yunho glared, seeing how broken you were, barely holding yourself up in Seonghwa's embrace. Your father looked at Yunho in disbelief.

"And who are you? This is none of your business. This is between family, you shouldn't meddle." Your father snatched his wrist away from Yunho's grasp and looked him up and down. Yunho towered over him, making him more intimidating.

"I haven't heard you refer to me as family for YEARS." You sneered at your father.

"If you must know, I'm her boyfriend. Another person that shows her love, care and concern." Yunho growled.

"Wait, you're the owner of this place, aren't you? You're dating the owner? That is highly inappropriate." Your father found another reason to berate you.

"Inappropriate? Inappropriate is you coming here and harrassing her." Yunho glared.

"I'm her father." Your father said.

"And I chased after her to be my girlfriend. Not that it matters. I treasure her for who she is, not like you, forcing her to be someone that she's not." Yunho said.

"Yun, stop. Just... go... dad... There's no way we'll ever mend this relationship. It was gone the moment mom got sick. Let's not kid ourselves. Just go and forget that you've ever had a daughter, okay?" You said, tears just falling down your cheeks.

"I've tried so hard, for so long, to be the person you want me to be. But I'm tired. I can't keep doing this." You shook your head.

"I'll have to ask you to leave the premises right now. You're upsetting my girlfriend." Yunho frowned.

"Fine. Have it your way, (y/n). But when all else fails, don't come crawling back to me and regretting what you've done. Don't forget, you asked for this." Your father said and stormed off.

"It's okay, sweetheart. It's over." Seonghwa hugged you, pulling you to his chest.

"Hwa." You sobbed loudly, letting out wails of despair. It broke Yunho's heart. He wished he could have prevented this from happening.

"My love, it'll be alright." Yunho took over, supporting you in his arms and giving you the tightest hug. Seonghwa continued to rub your back to soothe you.

Seonghwa had wanted to step in the moment he heard your father was here and confronting you. But from the conversation, Seonghwa knew that you needed this. This was the conversation you had been dreading and so afraid of. Finally setting yourself free from your father and the pressure he has put on you.

"Let's get you home." Yunho kissed your forehead.

"Take her home. I'll grab all your things and see you there." Seonghwa said. Yunho nodded and fished out his keys, escorting you to the car and driving off.

"Is (y/n) okay?" San asked worriedly. Wooyoung and Jongho knew Seonghwa's expression said it all.

"She will be. Don't worry." Seonghwa forced a smile, patting San on the shoulder.

"Yunho took her home. I'm just going to grab his things and meet him back at (y/n)'s place." He explained. Mingi helped gather Yunho's things and handed it to Seonghwa to take.

"Have a good night everyone." They wished each other. Only Jongho and Wooyoung lingered behind.

"How bad was it, really?" Jongho asked.

"Bad... But she needed it. I'll tell you guys more tomorrow. Let me get back to her. I'll update you guys on how she's doing." Seonghwa promised, knowing the two were just as worried about you.

Wooyoung hugged Seonghwa before they parted ways. Seonghwa drove his own car while Jongho and Wooyoung rode together. The moment Seonghwa arrived at your place, he went to check on you and saw you fast asleep on Yunho's chest.

"Hey. She was exhausted and fell asleep right after her shower." Yunho said, coming out of the room quietly.

"Thanks. Tonight was a lot, she's probably gonna sleep for a while." Seonghwa rubbed his forehead, the frown on his face evident of the stress he was feeling.

"Hyung... Maybe you should stay tonight. You've been around here longer than I have-"

"Yunho. I've told you, you're here for her too. She needs you as much as she needs me now." Seonghwa patted his shoulder.

"But I feel hopeless because I don't know how to comfort her now. I'm scared I might make the situation worse." Yunho frowned slightly. Seonghwa sighed, falling onto the couch.

"Yeah, all of us weren't prepared for that." He spoke.

"She's told me a lot about her dad a few times and from then, I knew I hated that man, even if I've never met him. But after tonight, it's not even hate anymore. It's beyond that... I..." Yunho was speechless. There was too many emotions in his head that it was a mess, he didn't know what to do.

"I get it. I was like that too when I first saw the real him and how he spoke to (y/n). But hopefully for (y/n), that's the last we'll see of him." Seonghwa shrugged.

"She deserves better than that. I've never seen her so broken before." Yunho shook his head.

"Hey, she'll be okay. I know it's a lot. Unfortunately, I've seen her go through worse." The older comforted with a sad smile.

"I know what you told me, hyung. But after all that you've been through together, I think she really needs you now. And in a way, I think you need her too..." Yunho said honestly.

"She won't make it to work tomorrow. I'll call some people in to help in the kitchen." Seonghwa said.

"Of course. Thanks, hyung." Yunho gave a small smile.

"No problem. I've got to shower first." Seonghwa stood up and went to the bathroom in the guestroom to shower before going to be with you.

Yunho wasn't jealous, not one bit. In fact, he was glad that Seonghwa could be there for you to lean on because he was lost on how to comfort you. He needed to ground himself, collect his emotions. This wasn't about him, this was about you.

"Ah..." Yunho threw his head back as tears of relief, frustration, anger and sadness rolled down his cheeks. But he was quick to wipe them away with his hands.

"Hey, Yunho. Sleep on the bed, I'll take the floor." Seonghwa said, coming out of the guest room while drying his hair.

"Oh, hyung I can't-"

"Just do it. She has a floor futon so don't worry, you're not making me sleep on the cold hard ground." Seonghwa rolled his eyes playfully. Yunho stood up and nodded.

After setting up his futon, Seonghwa stood over your sleeping form. He lifted your hand to kiss the back of it.

"You did it, sweetheart." He whispered. Yunho climbed back into bed and lifted you slightly so he could slide his arm under you.

"It'll be okay. You'll be okay." Yunho whispered against the crown of your head, closing his eyes as he let the even sounds of your breathing lull him to sleep.

It was about 4 am when you shot up from bed. You breathed heavily, leaning your head on your arm tiredly. Glancing back, you saw Yunho fast asleep. And on the ground beside you, Seonghwa was also sleeping. Just the two of them being there calmed your heart down and brought you comfort.

"So it wasn't a dream..." You said to yourself softly. Everything that happened with your dad, happened.

Asking your dad to forget about you was the hardest thing you've ever had to do. Well, other than burying your mother after she died. Not that you relied on him now.

But it meant that you were letting go of your hope for him. Your hope of you and him reconciling, going back to the way things were.

"Hey..." Seonghwa called out to you softly from his futon. You turned your head but it was dark, you couldn't really see him.

"Sorry. Did I wake you?" You asked softly.

"No, you didn't. I've know you long enough to know that you wouldn't be able to sleep for long. Your brain is too active for you." He let out a soft chuckle.

"I feel exhausted. I wish I could turn my brain off, I don't know what I should be feeling now." You sighed.

"You don't have to feel anything, (y/n). You don't have to feel sad about it but at the same time, you don't have to feel liberated and relieved too. It's okay to just be numb after what happened." He reached out to hold your hand.

"Seonghwa hyung, maybe you should stay with her. We'll manage for the day." Yunho said as they two were grabbing their jackets to leave.

"Why don't you stay instead? The kitchen crew need me when our leader is down." Seonghwa suggested.

"Are you sure?" Yunho blinked.

"Yeah. Why not? Also, if she wakes up and finds out we gave her the day off, she loves you enough to not kill you. Maybe put you at the edge of death but not kill you." Seonghwa shrugged.

"That is... very reassuring." Yunho gulped. Whiskey let out a meow, nuzzling his body against Seonghwa's foot.

"How do you do it? Black cats just love you." Yunho chuckled.

"You just need to know how to care for them." Seonghwa laughed, getting the underlying meaning or joke behind Yunho's words. He bent down to stroke Whiskey's cheek with the back of his finger and the black cat just ate up all that attention, meowing loudly and licking Seonghwa's finger.

"If she doesn't kill you, let me know how she is. If she does... It was nice knowing you, Yunho." Seonghwa raised his eyebrows and grabbed his keys.

"You're more used to her abuse than I am. Maybe you should stay instead." Yunho said, trailing after him to the door.

"Doesn't mean I enjoy it..." The older pointed out, waving as he left the house.

"Maybe if I have you with me, your mom might inflict less violence on me." Yunho looked down at Whiskey, who blinked back at him and let out a yawn.

"Aww, Whiskey. That was mean. But let's get you some breakfast." He waved the cat over and prepared it's food.

"There." Yunho sat in front of Whiskey, watching him hungrily eat out of the bowl.

"Slow down. No one is going to take it away from you." He chuckled. Yunho hadn't noticed that you were awake, standing in the hallway quietly, watching him talk to Whiskey. It was like those videos of excited golden retrievers bothering their black cat sibling.

"Am I interrupting your bonding time?" You asked. Yunho's head shot to you and he smiled excitedly, stumbling on his feet as he made his way to you.

"Woah, slow down. Don't fall." You had a small smile as he wrapped his arms around you to hug you.

"Please don't kill me for giving you the day off." He mumbled.

"Is that really the first thing you're going to say to me? But you're lucky I'm too emotionally exhausted to be angry with you AND Hwa." You scoffed. Yunho pulled away slightly to look at you.

"I'm glad to hear that." He stroked your cheek, leaning down to plant his lips on yours.

"You should sleep more." He said.

"I don't have you or Hwa with me to lull me to sleep." You giggled. That's all he needed to hear before Yunho held your hand and led you back to bed. You laid your head on Yunho's chest as he stroked your head. Seonghwa was right, you could feel numb from last night and that's okay.

"I don't want to feel anything about last night. I just want to move on with my life like usual." You said honestly.

"Okay. Life as per normal." Yunho agreed. He wasn't going to force you to face your feelings or dig deep into the meaning and significance of what happened.

"Thank you, Yunho. Thank you for being there." You looked at him, tears in your eyes.

"Oh, my love. There's nothing to thank me for. No more tears, hmm?" He gently thumbed away the tears.

"I love you." You said, fingers playing with the ends of his fringe. Yunho was such a big part of your world now. Just like Seonghwa, Wooyoung and Jongho were.

"I love you too." Yunho smiled, wrapping his arms around you to hold you tight. He was never going to let you go.

He couldn't protect you from the verbal abuse of your father last night from that point on, he'll continue to try his best to protect you and shield you from all the other negativities that will come your way. Never again does he want to see you crying and broken.

Series masterlist

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mint-yooxgi · 2 years ago

Text

{13} - Morning Mist - Yandere!Dragon!Ateez X Chubby!Reader

Yandere AU & Dragon AU

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst

Pairing: Ateez X Reader (Focus on Jongho)

Words: 5,900

Warnings: Past trauma discussed: torture and imprisonment, scars, death, violence, a lot of angst but with a happy ending. This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: Wow, it's really been a whole ass month since I've updated this series. Lmaooo whoops! Anyways, I really hope you all enjoy this chapter, I've got a lot more planned coming up as the following parts will really focus on the development of OC's relationships with all of the guys. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy~

Also, gentle reminder that I do not do tag lists.

Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three - Chapter Four - Chapter Five - Chapter Six - Chapter Seven - Chapter Eight - Chapter Nine - Chapter Ten - Chapter Eleven - Chapter Twelve - Mini Masterlist

It’s early that same evening when eight dragons sense a somewhat familiar presence getting closer to their own nest. Focussing in, they soon realize that there are actually two.

Stepping out of their home, all of the Halas (minus Jongho who currently sits on the roof), stare up at the two Neos who descend into their yard. Both dragons are blue in colour, though one is quite a lighter shade than the other. The darker of the two is slightly bigger, but the smaller radiates more of an air of intimidation. A moment later, they discover why.

Landing gracefully on the grass, both Jeno and Renjun appear before the eight Halas.

“Sorry to intrude like this,” Renjun begins, dusting off the front of his pants lightly.

“How did you find us?” It’s Yeosang that asks, brow furrowing slightly as he stares at the Neos.

“Is everything okay?” Immediately, Jongho hops down from the roof, worry clear in his eyes.

“Everything’s fine, don’t worry.” Jeno smiles at him faintly, and he watches as the youngest Hala’s shoulders relax. “You would have heard us roar if something had happened.”

“To answer your question,” Renjun shifts his gaze to Yeosang, “It was easy to find you. You guys don’t really hide your scents as well as you think.”

Hongjoong, San, and Mingi all purse their lips slightly at this, a minor furrow to their brows.

“Why are you here?” It’s Seonghwa who says it, but his tone isn’t as sharp as the Neos are used to. Instead, it holds a genuine curiosity as the eldest Hala crosses his arms over his chest.

“Well, I was sent here to collect a certain dragon.” Renjun says, before motioning to Jeno with a jerk of his head. “Her cub just wanted to ‘tag along’.”

At this, more than a few eyebrows raise.

“I came to make sure you don’t butcher her offer.” Jeno huffs, a roll to his eyes. “You make it sound like you’re here to bring back one of their heads on a spike.”

“Offer?” This catches Wooyoung’s attention, his entire demeanour perking up instantly.

“Who?” San doesn’t even attempt to hide the eagerness in his voice.

Both Renjun and Jeno spare a glance at one another out of the corner of their eyes before their gazes are shifting onto the youngest Hala standing across from them.

“Him.” Renjun jerks his chin in Jongho’s direction.

The younger male cannot help but stand a little straighter in his spot, heart racing in his chest. You sent for him?

“What about?” Yunho does his best to ask the question casually, but his feigned disinterest only serves to make the slight desperation in his voice all the clearer.

“That’s between him and her.” Renjun replies, a mild shrug to his shoulders as he turns back around. “She’ll be waiting.”

“Wait!” It’s the youngest’s voice that has Renjun halting right in his tracks for the moment. As soon as Jongho sees the Neo spare a glance over his shoulder, he’s continuing, “where can I find her?”

The corner of Renjun’s lips quirks upward before turning back around and taking off into the evening sky.

Jeno lets out a sigh, shaking his head. He meets Jongho’s gaze. “Let the lights guide you home.”

In the blink of an eye, Jeno has shifted and taken off into the air, following closely behind Renjun without another word.

All Halas turn to look at their youngest.

“The hell is that supposed to mean?” Mingi frowns, arms crossing over his chest.

“Don’t worry about it.” Jongho breathes, blinking after the two retreating dragons as he attempts to wrap his head around this turn of events.

You want to see him? He can still hardly believe it.

Before any more of his brothers can say another word, Jongho is taking off into the evening sky. The faintest hues of pink and orange begin to dust the clouds as the sun begins to set, warming the earth with its final rays. The way his golden scales glint in the fading light is synonymous with the way that his tail eagerly flicks back and forth through the air, cutting through the sky with a newfound purpose as he flies towards you.

It takes Jongho all of three minutes to reach that little special clearing on the edge of the cliff. He sees you just through the thicket of the trees, that small tower of stones resting beside you as you sit on the ground. The way he can feel your eyes on him, tracking his every movement has a pleasant shiver caressing his spine.

He circles lower.

If he’s being honest with himself, Jongho is a little cautious of flying directly into that clearing. You told him the last time he found you here that you only allow people that you have granted permission access to step foot on such a sacred part of your territory. He’d really rather not run smack into that invisible wall again.

Then, as if you’ve read his every thought, you chuckle.

“You may land, you know.” You smile softly as you stand to your feet. “I would not send for you to join me here if I haven’t already granted you permission to set foot inside this circle.”

Jongho’s breath catches in his throat, and he bets more than anything that you’ve heard his reaction loud and clear. So badly does he want to let out a rumble of content, but he feels as if it might be too much for the moment. He simply does not want to read into this more than is necessary. Yet, with everything that you’ve told him so far, he cannot help but do just that.

You called for him. You wanted to see him.

That alone gives him more hope than you could ever imagine.

Gliding towards that small opening on the side of the cliff, Jongho can still feel your eyes on him. The sensation of having your gaze roam over his true form is unlike any other, and for the first time, he senses that you are taking your time to memorize every detail. He simply hopes that you are as mesmerized by him as he is always mesmerized by you.

With his heart soaring in his chest, Jongho stretches his wings as far as they will go while he comes in for his landing. He purposely puts himself on display, fanning his crown as his tail flicks behind him. The way the light of the setting sun catches on his scales, illuminating the clearing with little iridescent reflections of golden hues has him preening proudly as he shakes out his muzzle.

The feeling of your eyes on him is like no other. That soft smile is still on your features as you stand with your arms gently supporting one another by the elbows. Your cloak rests open over your shoulders and as soon as he shifts back into his human form, you begin to take a few steps towards him. Only, Jongho cannot shake that brief look of longing that crossed your features for a moment.

Why did you just look so sad?

Closing the distance between your two bodies, you come to stand directly before him. Slowly, you take his hands in your own, staring deeply into his eyes.

He swallows thickly, doing whatever he can to keep his body from physically trembling while being held in your touch. “You wanted to see me?”

“I did.” You confirm, a slight nod to your head. “I’m glad you came.”

Jongho nearly hums at your words. “I will always come when you call for me.”

You motion for him to join you near the edge of the cliff, sitting down so that your legs are dangling off of the side. “I desired to speak with you.”

The pleased rumble that escapes him could not have been smothered, even if he tried. “About?”

“I have come to a few realizations over the past day, and there are some things I would like to share with you now.” You say, staring out over the valley as you continue to watch the sun set before you. “If this is to continue between us, then you have a right to know. I want you to know.”

Jongho wishes he could deny the way his breath catches once more in his throat. Slowly, he sits beside you on the edge of the cliff, feeling as if his heart is about to beat right out of his chest.

“I am not promising you anything, Jongho.” You turn to look directly into his eyes as you say this. “I cannot. That does not mean that I am not beginning to trust you. If you are as serious about me, about us as you say you are, then I need you to listen to what I am about to tell you. I need you to understand.”

His expression softens, and he has to prevent himself from reaching out and grabbing your hand in his own. Still, he turns towards you, giving you his full and undivided attention.

“I understand.” His voice is low, eyes flitting over your every feature and committing this moment to memory for years to come. The way the sunlight dances across every inch of your figure makes you glow, a warmth flooding his veins the longer he stares at you.

“You continue to prove yourself to me every day that I know you,” you continue, a slight tremble to your voice. “I think it’s only fair you finally get to know some things about me in return.”

“Please, only tell me if you’re comfortable telling me.” He says, a hint of concern in his gaze. “If you’re not ready, don’t force yourself. I can wait.”

“See,” you smile reassuringly, but he’s unsure if it’s more for yourself or for him at the moment, “You just did it again.”

“Did what?” He blinks at you.

“Proved you’re ready to hear what I am about to say.” The corner of your lips twitch upwards, and Jongho notices a few fireflies beginning to float around the area, dancing lightly around your head.

A brief silence settles over the both of you as he waits for you to speak. That is, until you’re letting out a low sigh.

“These are not easy subjects for me to discuss with anyone. Only my closest friends know these specific details about me, so I apologize in advance if it takes me longer to voice certain thoughts over others right now.” You say, shifting your gaze out toward the setting sun. “The chat I had with your brother last night made me realize that it wouldn’t be so bad if you knew some things, too.”

“Take all the time you need,” he gently assures you, his fingers twitching lightly as he rests his palm in the grass between the two of you. “I’m right here.”

He notices you swallow thickly, your hands resting in your lap clinging onto one another as your fingers nervously wring together. This is the most anxious he’s ever seen you, and his heart aches not knowing what he can do to make it better. The urge to pull you into his arms and whisper sweet nothings into your ears is strong, but he holds himself back for now.

Taking a deep breath, your mouth parts, only to close a moment later. Then, you exhale through your nose, shutting your eyes briefly as you steel your nerves.

“I will start with the easier admissions first,” you begin, “But everything I admit to you this evening does not leave this clearing.”

“I would never betray your trust like that.” Jongho replies instantly, nothing but the deepest sincerity shining within his gaze.

A firm nod from you is all the confirmation he needs that you believe him.

Again, you sigh.

“I understand that you and your brothers perceive myself along the likes of the ancients.” You breathe. “You would be correct.”

Jongho blinks in shock.

“Though I am no ancient, I was raised by one.” You tell him. “My father is one of the oldest of the original dragons still alive to this day. Other than my Uncle Ken, of course. He has power unlike anything you could believe, and it has been ingrained in me to be as strong as he is ever since I was small.”

“My mother was a powerful witch.” A slight purse to your lips. “I never met her, for she died during childbirth. My father loved her deeply, and was devastated when he lost her. Every time he looked at me, all he could see was her face, and how he failed her.”

Jongho swallows thickly, already not liking where this seems to be going.

“My Uncle Ken raised me for the first ten years of my life. I thought he was my actual father for a time, for he always treated me better than my biological one.” You huff out a dry laugh. “My father couldn’t bear the grief that came with seeing me, so he gave me away to his best friend. It wasn’t until he learnt I could summon the same powers as my mother that he finally made his presence known in my life.”

The growl Jongho has to suppress nearly chokes him, a deep hatred already blooming in his chest for your father. How could anyone not want you, let alone your own flesh and blood?

“I thought he wanted nothing to do with me after I found out,” you scoff lightly. “Imagine a twelve year old finally being told the truth.”

He has to keep himself from shaking, but still, he remains quiet.

“My training started after that.” You lean back onto your hands, looking upwards into the darkening sky as those fireflies float lethargically around your head. “I was sent to survive on my own in the wilderness. I nearly died eleven times in the first week, were it not for my Uncle Ken.”

Jongho’s jaw clenches, biting his tongue before he says something he might come to regret.

“I was young, and I didn’t know anything about survival. Hell, I didn’t even know I was a dragon at this point yet. My Uncle wanted me to live as normally as possible for as long as I could before subjecting me to certain types of magic.” You swallow. “I learned everything there was about this earth before I was fifteen, and I knew how to wield every type of weapon by the time I was twenty.”

“You were a child.” He seethes, eyes swirling with a deep golden hue.

“I was a prodigy.” You finally turn to meet Jongho’s gaze. “After all, my father had a reputation to uphold.”

“That’s despicable,” Jongho’s frown is prominent, smoke escaping him with every exhale.

“The past is passed, Young One. I’m not going to change it now.” You sigh.

“That doesn’t mean what you went through is okay.” His chest heaves with every breath. “It doesn’t make it okay.”

“I know it doesn’t.” You nod in agreement. “Remember, I am telling you this so you can understand.”

Again, Jongho bites his tongue.

“My father was adamant on me learning physical defence before ever properly training my magic. He believed that my powers should only be used as a last resort since they could destroy anyone in the blink of an eye.” You go on to say. “I realize now he only trained me the way he did because he was always scared of what I could become.”

“Scared?” Jongho’s brow furrows.

“You see, Jongho,” you chuckle, “because of the anomaly my entire existence centres around, I am potentially even more powerful than my father.”

You swear he stops breathing.

Taking a deep breath, you sit back upright.

“Do you recall what I told you the last time we were both in this clearing?” You ask, not even bothering to spare him a glance out of the corner of your eyes. “About My Cubs?”

A brief memory flashes within his mind as he nods.

“I told you that my father ensured I could never have ones of my own.” You continue. “Do you know why that is?”

He shakes his head.

“Other than the fact that my own children could potentially be more powerful than me, my father has never gotten over my mother’s death. He has blamed me for it every moment of my existence.” You tell him. “However, that did not stop him from developing a twisted sense of love towards me. He took away my ability to have hatchlings of my own to ensure I never incurred the same fate as my mother. I am the last living attachment he has of her, so he will do whatever he can to ensure my safety now. It’s why my training only got harder after what happened with Daisy.”

A moment’s pause before Jongho asks, voice soft and barely above a whisper, “what happened with Daisy?”

The way you instantly curl in on yourself does not go unnoticed by him. Your hands grip at the sides of your cloak, pulling it tighter around your body as you look down for the moment.

“Are you familiar with the S’ber Hunters?” Your voice is much quieter than it was before, blinking blankly at the valley before you.

“The ones that are always hunting for the ancients?” He frowns, attempting to wrap his head around what they have to do with anything. “I’ve heard that they haven’t been seen on this side of the fjord for almost fifty years.”

“There’s a reason for that.” You shift your gaze to him, and he notices tears beginning to gather in the corners.

“What did they do?” His heart pounds, already fearing the worst.

Your lips purse for a good thirty seconds, chin beginning to wobble as you attempt to control your emotions. Only, the second you go to speak a choked sob tears from your throat.

“They took her.” Your voice is no more than a mere whisper, words strained as you take an unsteady breath in. “They killed My Daisy right in front of me.”

Your eyes squeeze shut as you cover your mouth with one of your hands. A vicious sob wracks your entire body, and Jongho instantly goes to place a comforting hand onto your back. Only, before he can so much as graze your skin, he stops himself.

Slowly, he shifts closer, reaching over to grab your free hand in his.

Any and every comfort he can, he will offer to you. Even through something as small as this, he wants you to know that he is here for you. You are not alone, and he will be with you every step of the way.

“They killed her for loving me.” Your voice is rough as you sniffle, wiping away your tears for the moment.

Yet, you do not pull your one hand away from his own.

“I had just-“ your breath hitches in your throat, more fireflies coming to float around the two of you as if to offer their silent support. A deep, shaky breath later, you continue, “I am sure you are aware of our marking rituals between imprinted.”

Jongho’s back straightens. “I am.”

“Her mark - my mark - was on full display when she went traversing through the village that day.” You close your eyes, as if the visions are coming back to haunt your memories once again. “They followed her home and ambushed us. I begged her to deny their accusations of loving me. They would have let her go free if she did.” Your eyes blink open, more tears spilling onto your cheeks as you force a strained smile onto your lips. “She didn’t.”

His expression falls, hand squeezing yours tightly as his heart absolutely aches for you.

“My Daisy fought up until the very end. She was so brave, yet I couldn’t save her,” a broken sob tears from your throat as your whole body begins to shake. “I was still so young, and so weak.”

“No-“

“I was.” You cut him off. “I had been neglecting my training, and I couldn’t sense them creeping in around us. They caught me with iron before I could react, and all I could do was watch as the love of my life bled out before me.”

Again, Jongho shifts closer, placing his one hand overtop of your own still held in his other.

“S’ber Hunters are ruthless. They kill anyone who associates with dragons, but they never kill the dragon.” You shake your head slightly. “No. They do something much worse.”

Sliding your hand from his grip, you meticulously roll up your sleeves. Extending your arms to him, you put your scars on full display. The light from the fireflies illuminate the faint lines raised in jagged peaks along your skin, the weight of those iron shackles still ever prominent despite them having long since been broken off.

Jongho’s eyes go wide, his chest rising and falling dramatically as he takes in the sight before him. Furious doesn’t even begin to describe him right now as he sees the scars lining your skin. Though, nothing could prepare him for the anger and guilt that he feels towards himself. How has he never noticed before?

Carefully, Jongho raises his hands to cup your forearms gently in his grip. His thumbs trace lightly over the raised tissue over your wrists, entire body trembling as he attempts to put a leash on his anger for the moment.

“I’ll kill them for touching you.” His voice is low, eyes the darkest you’ve ever seen from him.

You smile, somewhat tensely. “You’re a few hundred years too later.”

His gaze darts up to meet your own, his fingers tightening the slightest bit as he continues to hold your arms gently in his grip.

A moment of silence passes between you as he attempts to keep his whole body from trembling.

“How long?” Jongho cannot keep the fear out of his voice.

You manage to meet his gaze.

“Five hundred and two days.”

The way his eyes shine says it all. You can see the pain, the grief he holds for you. Yet, also the anger, and the concern, along with the growing need to comfort and protect you in every and any way that he can.

“It doesn’t matter what type of dragon you are. To them, we’re all the same.” Your voice is low, and you don’t realize how he grabs your hands back into his own. “To them, we all have connections to the ancients, and we all know where their nests are.”

There’s a part of him that wants to ask, but he’s scared. The thought of you telling him just what type of tortures you had to endure terrifies him because he wasn’t there to protect you. Knowing that you have suffered, and that he could do nothing about it, pains him more than you’ll ever know.

“The S’ber are smart.” You add. “Tell me, Jongho. How do you kill a dragon without taking away their life?”

He shakes his head, a single tear already beginning to trail down the side of his cheek.

“You go for their wings.”

The mere thought of what you had to endure suffocates his very soul. He clings onto you for dear life, squeezing your hands as an unbridled rage festers beneath his skin. This must be why you react so intensely whenever someone touches your back.

“Everyday they asked me where the nest was, and everyday I received a lash for not answering.” Your jaw begins to tremble. “They were smart, too. Keeping me locked up in the dark so I couldn’t tell what day it was, or how much time had passed. The only way I knew was through the lashings. Everyday they would add one to the tally, until they reached one hundred. Then, they would start all over. The scars littering my back still have never fully healed, and it took me years to be able to shift again. I honestly don’t even know what the state of my wings look like now. Not after-”

You cut your words short, lips clamping shut as if admitting to whatever you were about to is far worse than anything you’ve already said. He doesn’t push.

Instead, Jongho’s entire body trembles, golden eyes staring at you with nothing but concern on his features. Right now, comforting you is more important than any rage he feels festering within his soul. No wonder you keep yourself so guarded.

If he ever so much as catches a single whiff of one of these hunters, they’re dead.

“That wasn’t even the worst part, though.” Your eyes are blank as you stare at your hands. The way you can feel him looking at you has a tight smile pulling at your lips. “No, the worst part wasn’t the beatings. It wasn’t being in the dark, or not allowing myself to grieve for Daisy during all of that time. The worst part was knowing that I was alone. My father didn’t once come looking for me when I got captured. He immediately thought I was dead, and would have rather succumbed to his own grief than spare a hope I had survived somehow. It was My Neos who rescued me, but even they had some help.”

“Your own father didn’t even bother to look for you?” Jongho is this close to hunting this bastard down and frying him alive, ancient or not.

“No.” You shake your head. “It was my Uncle Ken that helped the Neos, and destroyed the S’ber hideout. There’s not but ash left. Ash and memory.”

Jongho’s eyes flash, his whole body stilling as realization washes over him. A second later, and each breath he begins to release boarders on a feral snarl.

“My brothers,” his eyes are wide, a crazed gleam shining within, “they compared you to the likes of them. They ruthlessly compared you to the people who hurt you the most without a second thought.”

His fangs elongate, the air spiking with electricity.

Jongho sees red.

“They didn’t know.” You reply, much calmer than anything he could ever expect. As if you’re used to this type of reaction from people.

“That’s still no fucking excuse for comparing you to those beasts.” He snarls, pulling away from you for a moment as his claws extend.

The last thing he wants is to hurt you, or to scare you away. You’ve already extended more trust to him this evening than he could have ever hoped for. Like hell is he going to damage that, or make you regret telling him all of this.

“You understand why My Neos and I react the way we do now?” You state, meeting his gaze which flashes with the heat of his fury. “Why that promise I made to My Daisy is so important to me? Why I do not allow true hunters into my village anymore?”

Jongho blinks, digging his claws into the dry earth beneath him to ground him for the moment. “I do.”

“Good.” You nod once, wiping at your lingering tears with the back of your hand. “Then, I have one final thing to tell you.”

You go on to tell him the exact same thing about the prophecy as you told Seonghwa last night. The way Jongho remains quiet through it all has you watching him carefully. Every minuscule movement of his brow, every twitch of his jaw, you see, gaze calculating and calm.

“I despise your father.” He spits, rather harshly as a scowl tugs at his features.

This causes you to chuckle. “You, me, and all of My Neos. I’m pretty sure my Uncle Ken has started resenting him a long time ago, too.”

“If I ever meet him, I’m going to kill him for what he put you through.” Jongho turns to meet your eyes, nothing but the deepest form of sincerity shining within his electric gaze.

“I haven’t seen my father in over twenty years, and I’d like to keep it that way.” You say, and you feel the faintest of touches brush over your cheek in comfort. For a moment, you believe it to be Daisy, so you think nothing of it to lean into such a touch. However, at the warmth you feel remaining pressed against your cheek, a thumb tenderly stroking over your skin, you realize that that is not the case.

“I am deeply sorry, My Light, that you have experienced such hardships, and that I have not been there to protect you from them.” His voice is low, cupping your face gently in the palm of his hand. “I swear to you that I will never let anything hurt you again. Not as long as I am here to watch over you. I will never go back on my promise. You mean too much to me.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Jongho.” You gently place your hand over his own on your cheek, and he thinks you’re about to pull it away. However, the moment your eyes flutter shut, you leaning even more into his touch, he knows that that’s not the case. “I cannot tell you what happened to me fifty years ago yet, for the wounds are still all too fresh in my heart. I cannot promise you that this will be easy, either.”

A lone firefly lands atop the back of your hand, the subtle glow illuminating the side of your face in the dark of the night.

“I have denied most, if not all dragons who have imprinted on me in that time because I could not bring myself to love again.” You admit, a single tear cascading down your cheek. He’s quick to wipe it away, holding his breath as he waits for you to continue. “However,” that single word has his heart stuttering with hope in his chest, “I am willing to try again.”

Jongho swears that he stops breathing. Your words have filled him with such an unbelievable sense of warmth that radiates outwards from his chest, flooding his veins with every breath he takes, that he cannot help but shed a few tears of his own. Nothing but pure and utter happiness sparks through his soul, his hands beginning to shake as he holds you in his embrace.

He doesn’t even realize that his tail has emerged until he physically draws you in closer to his body. The way your eyes widen the slightest bit, a faint amount of amusement dancing behind your orbs says it all.

He goes to retract his tail, cheeks warming beneath your gaze. “Sorry.”

You smile at him faintly, allowing your thumb to lightly trace over the back of his hand still cupping your cheek gently. “I don’t mind.”

Jongho freezes, your words washing over him. He can feel his heart leaping for joy inside his chest, his eyes searching your face for any hesitancy or uncertainty. When he finds none, he smiles.

His tail, which he had slowly been shifting away from your lower back is instantly around you once more. He pulls you closer to him, your one leg pressed right up against his own as the tip of his tail swishes happily over the skin of your one thigh. There is nothing more intimate to him than this moment, right here, right now, with you, and Jongho is going to revel in this euphoric feeling for as long as he can.

Again, he searches your gaze.

“Thank you,” he breathes, shifting impossibly closer, even if only the slightest bit. “For everything tonight. For trusting me with this. For giving me a chance to prove myself to you. For letting me love you, and continuing to let me love you despite it all.”

You opt to remain quiet for the moment, blinking at him lightly as you observe his every move. You don’t want to acknowledge how quickly your own heart is racing for the moment, but with each passing second, you find yourself melting even more into his touch.

Just what is this dragon doing to you?

“I won’t let you down.” He leans forward, resting his forehead against your own as a pleased rumble escapes his chest.

Jongho doesn’t even attempt to hide the way his hooded eyes continuously flick down to your lips. His tongue even darts out to wet his own, nuzzling the slightest bit against you as he draws you in closer with his tail.

“You are so beautiful,” his voice is a mere whisper, the ghost of his breath trailing against your lips with every word he speaks. A pleased rumble builds in his chest, “And strong.”

It’s almost as if he’s gone into a trance. A trance of which where all he can see is you.

“My Light,” he hums contently, “I do not wish to overstep,” he swallows, his throat bobbing with the movement, “but, please,” his eyes flick down to your lips once more before coming up to stare deeply into your eyes, “please, may I kiss you?”

Your own breath catches in your throat, and you cannot deny the way your heart skips a beat in your chest. It’s been so long since someone has asked you this, and you find that it feels just like the very first time with Daisy.

Softly, you smile. “You may.”

His lips are on yours without another moment of hesitation.

With everything that he is, Jongho pours his entire heart and soul into this kiss. He cups your cheeks gently with both of his hands, tail wrapped securely around your lower waist as he presses you against him. The way he can feel your own hands find purchase on his body has a pleased rumble building within his chest, tingles erupting beneath his skin wherever you touch.

All too soon, he pulls himself away, not wanting to overstep or make you uncomfortable. His eyes remain shut as he leans into you, pressing his forehead gently against your own once more.

“I love you, My Light.” Jongho breathes, golden eyes blinking open to stare deeply into your own.

The subtle pull of your lips upwards is nothing short of sweet, and the way he can hear your own heart racing inside of your chest has a warmth unlike any other spreading throughout his body.

Jongho is used to the feeling of electricity flowing beneath his skin, but nothing could have prepared him for what your touch, your kiss does to him. Now, he only craves more, but even he knows not to push you any further tonight than you’re willing to go.

“Thank you for waiting,” your own voice is soft, tone gentle as you shift slightly so that your body is leaning against his.

“Always.” He hums, grasping your hand in his once more and intertwining your fingers together.

A small silence settles over the both of you now, comfortable and warm. Fireflies begin to dance around the clearing and over your heads, twinkling like the stars above. Both of you are more than content to bask in the other’s presence for the moment.

The way you softly rest your head against his shoulder as you lean into him says it all.

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sanjoongie · 3 months ago

Text

𝓣𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓪𝓼

🥃Pairing: Mafia Boss! Choi Jongho x Gambling Room Server! Reader (f)

🥃Au: mafia au

🥃Trope: damsel in distress, boss/employee

🥃Genre: smut

🥃Rating: 18+, MDNI

🥃Word Count: 1,878

🥃Warnings: non consensual groping (by a stranger, not jongho), nickname (baby girl), oral (f), fingering (both holes), semi-public sex, penetrative sex with a barrier, anal

🥃Summary: when a client in the illegal gambling back room you work at dares to grope you in front of your boss, lines are crossed as the mafia boss totally encompasses you.

🥃Beta's: @downtoamagicalland & @mejuii

🥃Author’s Note: happy birthday Jongho. considering I crossed lines for you that i thought i'd never, this fic is pretty ironic. but i have no regrets (including bringing others kicking and screaming with me), so in a way, you'd should be thanking me 😂 thank you for being the man you are, always sticking to your guns and not letting anyone change you.

The room that you were working in was filled with cigar smoke, the tinkling of money chips, and the smell of whiskey. You were extremely fortunate to get this job as a server in the back-of-the-building, exclusive gambling room. You brought drinks and a bright smile to the room that was appreciated when tensions and tempers ran high.

But tonight just wasn’t your night. A silver haired man had been groping your ass all night as you continued to serve him whiskey on the rocks all night. You couldn't say a damn thing because he was a high-up-on-the-ladder mafia member. You just had to endure it and be happy that the more abuse you took, the higher the tips you received.

“Here’s your drink, sir,” You said with a smile that was starting to fray at the edges.

“Thanks, doll.”

The silver haired man ran a hand over your ass. When you tried to leave with your now empty tray, his hand tightened on the cheek of your ass to stop your movement. His fingers began to edge towards the hem of your skirt, and you closed your eyes, praying to whoever would listen that they would smite you down where you stood.

Suddenly, the pressure of the man was gone. You snapped your eyes open to see the boss of the establishment, Choi Jongho, with his hand wrapped around the wrist of the man currently trying to cop a feel.

“Hands off the merchandise, bud,” Jongho said through gritted teeth, whipping the man’s hand back to him. Whether he was showing his teeth as a threat or flashing a manager smile, that was up for debate.

The man scoffed and took a deep drink of his whiskey. He made a satisfied noise and then sat back in his seat, looking at his hand of cards. “I pay enough for this seat. It should come with perks. Like this pretty thing sitting on my knee.”

“You want an escort, you go to San’s side of the city, he’s got plenty of brothels. But here, you throw your money away, that’s it,” Jongho said, cool and collected now.

Jongho jerked his head to indicate you should go to the employee’s only area of the back room. You ducked your head, tucking some hair behind your ear as you briskly walked away from the gambling table. That was a close one.

Once you got back to the break room, you pressed your forehead to the cool touch of your locker, breathing in and out and counting to calm yourself down. It wasn’t long before Jongho found you back there.

Jongho, although also a mafia boss, always made time for his gambling ring when it came to the high business nights and high rollers. He also knew all the names of his employees. You’ve had a few conversations with the impressive man, sharing an intelligent exchange and once, a gummy smile. You might have a tiny crush on your boss.

“Don’t worry, you’re getting a huge tip from that asshole and then I’ll make sure you’re never scheduled on the nights he’s here,” Jongho informed you, running a hand through his hair.

“I…Thank you, Mister Choi,” You said demurely.

Jongho waved a hand at you. “It’s my job to keep my employees safe.”

“Still,” you put a hand on his sleeve. “I appreciated it.” It did not escape your notice that his bicep flexed at your touch.

“Baby Girl,” Jongho grunted. “Do not touch me, or I’ll be crossing that line I’ve been avoiding since you were hired.”

You chewed on the feeling of Jongho calling you Baby Girl. It clicked into place, like a key in a lock, and you swallowed hard. Something had just happened, something had shifted, and you knew there was no going back.

“What if I wanted you to touch me?” You squeaked nervously.

Jongho’s eyes became hooded. “That man just assaulted you.”

“Erase his hands from my body and replace it with yours,” You demanded.

Your hands moved to the lapel of his suit jacket. “Please, Jongho.”

Jongho groaned. He swiftly locked the door, and then his hands held your head in place while he kissed you. The pressure of him holding you in place versus his soft kisses made you melt right then and there.

Once he was done with reassuring you with gentle kisses, his hands moved to slip over your hips and down your ass. You shuddered in his embrace, enjoying the way he touched you.

“How much touching are we talking about?” Jongho murmured. His hands softly caressed your ass cheeks through your skirt.

“I want whatever you’re willing to give me,” you whispered.

Jongho groaned again, tossing his head back and showing off his thick neck. Swiftly, his hands curled under the hem of your skirt and pulled it to bunch at your waist. His hands meandered over your ass cheeks covered only in your tights.

“If I had known someone else was touching you the way I wanted to without your consent, I would have tied some cement to their ankles and let them sink to the bottom of the river,” Jongho admitted in the shell of your ear.

You tipped your head back to make eye contact with your boss. “You’d kill someone for me?”

“Baby Girl, I would raze the city for you,” Jongho replied.

You moaned softly. “Rip my tights. Touch me more.”

Jongho’s fingers dipped down your ass, running the tips of his fingers over your puckered hole and towards your pussy. He snarled when he found how damp your underwear already was.

Without another delay, Jongho pushed you down to the bench between the lockered walls and made you open your legs at the edge of the bench. That’s where he ripped your tights at the crotch, fingers digging into the flimsy material, and his mouth dived down to your clothed cunt. His nose nudged your clit as his tongue pressed the material of your underwear into your hole.

“More,” You encouraged the mafia boss.

Panties shoved to the side, Jongho licked your clit, making circles around the sensitive flesh while his finger was running along your drenched slit. He pumped his pointer finger into you a few times and then pulled out. You lift your head to complain but the tip his finger pressed against your other hole. He lifted an eyebrow in question and you nodded your consent.

With Jongho’s tongue flickering against your clit, a finger in your ass and his thumb in your cunt, you started to sink into the pleasure that was Jongho pleasuring you. He was all encompassing and you loved it.

“Come for me, Baby Doll. I want to know what you taste after you’ve come,” Jongho said, his voice rough with desire for you.

You came undone for him right then and there, from the triple stimulation. And true to his word, Jongho lapped up all the wetness that leaked from your pussy. He moaned the entire time, like he was eating a dessert that was bound to change his life.

“Better than any drug,” Jongho said to himself as he withdrew from you completely.

You watched with a lazy, satisfied gaze as the mafia boss stood up and unbuttoned his blazer. He took a hanger from your locker and hung it up. Jongho proceeded to kneel on the floor and undo his pants. He slid a condom over his cock seamlessly and then he was lining his dick head up to your opening.

You put a hand on his wrist to stop him. “Wait, I have a better idea.”

Jongho sat on the bench, a leg on either side of the wood. His dick was buried in your ass, twitching with patience but lust. Two of his fingers were in your cunt. You had your vest and button down shirt completely undone and framing your body now. Jongho was currently tugging at one nipple, only one breast spilling from its respective cup.

“Baby Girl,” Jongho said as he open-mouth and kissed the junction between your neck and shoulder. “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on. Are you ready?”

“I want it all, Jongho,” You said, giving the go ahead.

Jongho’s fingers moved in and out of you as you carefully fucked yourself back on Jongho’s cock. He was thick and filled out your ass wonderfully. The constant tugging of your nipple, sometimes being twirled between his fingers, sent a straight line of desire through your body.

“Mmmm, fuck, Jongho,” You cried out.

“You’re taking me so well, Baby Girl,” Jongho whispered, sucking love bite after love bite into the skin of your neck.

“I--” Your eyes rolled into the back of your head, and you had a hard time articulating what you wanted because you were simply overflowing with pleasure.

“I don’t think I can let you be anyone else’s,” Jongho admitted, breathing his promise into your skin. “You’re mine now.”

“I’m all yours, Jongho,” You confirmed.

You wound your arms behind you to encourage Jongho’s lips to meet yours. You exchanged a languid kiss, full of tongue and spit.

“I’m gonna have you on the tables, on the bar, I’m going to make every space a memory with you. And no one would dare touch you if you were my girl,” Jongho painted a pretty picture for you.

The sweet words were sinful in their theme, but you were elated to hear them. Something about this man promising to take care of you, to fuck you good, just resonated within your heart--and your cunt.

“Come, Jongho, come inside me. I wanna come together, please baby, let’s do it together,” you panted against Jongho’s pink lips.

The mafia boss took your pleading very seriously. His fingers worked opposite of his cock, thrusting in and out so at all times you were stuffed. With his dick brushing your A-spot and his fingers caressing your G-spot, you came with a scream, barely contained by Jongho’s lips. He was soon to follow, grunting against your mouth softly, nose scrunching as he panted, coming down from his own high.

When the endorphins wore off, you felt a little sheepish fucking in the employee’s locker room at your work. You gathered your clothes against you. But when you met Jongho’s eyes, his pants done back up and his blazer taken out of your locker, your heart burst at the love eyes he was sending your way.

With Jongho’s blazer draped around your shoulders, he escorted you out of the club and into a tinted window SUV. You thought he would give you a kiss on your forehead and send you off to be pampered, but instead, he slid into the back seat with you.

“Take us the long way home.” Jongho’s fingers pressed a button and the partition between you two and the driver went up.

“Home?” You sent a confused glance at Jongho.

“What’s mine is yours now, Baby Girl,” Jongho told you.

Jongho’s hands landed on your upper leg and started to inch their way up, nudging the rip he himself had caused. “But we’re going the long way because I need to feel how you clench around my cock with your pussy. That’s my home now.”

#pirateeznet #ateez smut #choi jongho smut #jongho smut #atz smut #choi jongho scenarios #ateez scenarios #topaz's work #recent #ღatz #teezers birthday fics 24

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swallowedbymadness · 1 year ago

Text

❋ need your love ❋

Pairing: jongho x chubby!fem!reader

Genre: your classic summer romance with a sprinkle of soft smut

Summary: you weren’t expecting much when the air got warmer and the days got longer, but you swore the sun shined a little bit brighter the summer you met choi jongho.

Word Count: 3k

A/N: hi, yes, hello! I return with a gift of jongho lovin’ 🥹 bc we could all use some choi jongho in our lives rn after the recent injury announcement, am I right??? 😪 I recommend listening to “Sweetbitter” by RIO while reading. 18+ content, so please, minors DNI. Enjoy! 🤍

Warnings: wholesomely romantic smut, fingering, unprotected sex, cream pie, reader is kind of a hot mess in her feels, but aren’t we all?

Proofread: Kind of? You know the drill. If you see a mistake, no you don’t.

You’ve always hated endings. Nothing good ever came from them. There’s something about the finality of it all that riddled you with anxiety and had your heart hold on for dear life every time. To be fair, you always seemed to be the one who cared a little more than you should. To put it simply, your heart was just too grand for this world, and those who left you knew that. You fell into the same game of chess you found yourself playing time and time again, in and out of relationships, platonic and romantic alike. It was like you were a beacon for those who needed temporary comfort, that looking different to each individual. However, when you no longer benefited them, they left.

You saw the pattern, you really did. But you were too stubborn to admit defeat each time. So, you ignored it all together. You just assumed everyone would be the same, so why try to understand it when you saw the inevitable from miles away anyways? It was unavoidable, and you certainly were not one to go up against something as monstrous as change. So, you made peace with the thought of short and sweet relationships, learning not to attach yourself to anyone anymore. You wouldn’t allow your heart to crumble like it had in the past. It took you way too long to put it all back together, not even sure if all the pieces were actually there in the mended mess within your chest.

However, this time it was different. You weren’t sure how exactly, but you could feel that it was. It was when you heard the bell to the front door chime, and the small voice that greeted your coworker that your heart started hammering. The softness of his words, the contemplative hum when asked if he preferred a to-go cup or a waffle cone today, and the sweet “thank you,” once you heard his receipt print.

Choi Jongho.

“You’re late,” you teased, peaking your head out from behind the polka dotted curtain that served as a barrier between your makeshift break room area and the parlor, your eyes meeting him from behind the counter. The boy in question took a bite from his ice cream cup, the yellow spoon he held looked comically small in his hand.

“I’m sorry, I had some last minute things to pick up before tomorrow.” You frowned, remembering why today was different than all the other days you spent with Jongho this summer. He was going back to school tomorrow. Which meant he was leaving you, like everyone else had. Part of you hated that you continued to see him since you first met at the beginning of the summer. He made it perfectly clear that he was just here for the summer to get away from the city. At first, you wanted nothing to do with him. But, when he started coming into the parlor every few days with his gummy smile shining brighter than the sun itself, the excuses eventually ran out and the truth that he just wanted to see you revealed itself. Of course, you couldn’t help that you had fallen so undeniably hard for him.

But you wouldn’t tell him that.

“I guess it’s fine,” you playfully pushed your shoulder into his as you passed him walking towards the exit “but that just means you’re buying dinner tonight.” He chuckled, and followed right behind you in tandem, but not before flashing you a knowing grin.

“Naturally.”

—

Your nights had blurred together over the summer. You spent most of your time together cooped up in your apartment, you and Jongho not caring to go out very much. You were happy watching a movie on the couch or staying up until dawn telling stories and secrets you didn’t have anyone else to share them with. You were thankful to have met Jongho. He was a sweet escape from reality, and it felt mutual for once. It was definitely a bittersweet evening as you two sat across from one another, chicken and beer being the meal of choice as you reminisced about your time spent together the past two months.

“Short and sweet.” You kept telling yourself. “You’re used to this.” So why did it sting more than it usually did?

“I have a question for you,” Jongho said as he wiped the chicken grease off of his fingers, placing all his trash in the takeout bag on the floor next to your bed.

“Somehow, that scares me.” You joked, but an underlying sense of fear was laced between your words. He sensed it, but didn’t mention it as he laid on his side, propping himself up on his elbow while his feet dangled off the end of the bed. You got up to take everything into the kitchen and froze when you heard him speak up a bit louder so you couldn’t miss the question.

“Why are you so against endings?” There it was. You sighed, recalling when you first met one another that you had expressed this fear to him briefly. He didn’t push you to explain, but for some reason unbeknownst to you, you felt like he deserved an answer now.

“Because,” you sat back down cross legged next to him in the dimly lit bedroom, fiddling with your fingers while you felt his gaze on you never falter. He waited patiently for you to continue. “They’re just so…final.” He hummed in response, breathing in deeply as he calculated his response.

“But they don’t have to be,” he began, your gaze fixed on a stain on the wall that you hadn’t noticed before. “They can be the middle man that needs to make room for something else. Endings are so crucial because they show you that whatever happened, happened for a reason, but wasn’t meant to be permanent. Which is also okay. With that, it’s an opportunity for a new beginning perhaps.”

“But how will I know?”

“You just will. You’ll feel it in here,” he placed the palm of his hand above your left breast, feeling the steady beat of your heart under his touch. “You think you know when something that has to come to an end in your life is bad, because you assume it will turn out that way. But,” he paused, and brought his hand up to your cheek to wipe away the stray tear that had fallen from your eye, unbeknownst to you, with his thumb. “It’s not always bad. It’s just clearing the path for something better to come along.” You nodded, hearing his words but having a hard time accepting them, the lump that had lodged itself in your throat was clear evidence of that fact.

“Everyone,” you started, the words getting stuck on your tongue as you wiped the tears that had begun to free fall and leave salty tracks on your cheeks. “Everyone I’ve ever cared for has left. So much so that I’ve just stopped caring altogether and have become accustomed to not feeling at all.”

“That’s not true,” He stated matter-of-factly. Your eyebrows furrowed, a small smile appearing across his features. “I just think you’re a very guarded person, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” He reached out and grabbed your hand, rubbing slow comforting crescents into the back of your hand with his thumb. “However, you shouldn’t fear all endings.”

“What good could come from an ending?” His eyes looked down between the two of you before coming back up to meet your own.

“Well,” he scooted closer to you, the small grin reappearing on his face. “For example, the end of summer means the beginning of fall. That’s not so bad is it?” You shook your head, your heart beginning to beat wildly in your chest as he slowly inched closer to you. “And,” he placed one hand on your cheek, caressing his finger across the softness of your skin and down to your chin. “I would like to end hiding our feelings for one another, so we can maybe begin something together,” he said lowly, his face now in your space, his breath warm on your lips as he painfully ghosted his lips against yours. “That doesn’t sound so bad either, does it?” Your breath hitched, not really sure what to do with Jongho this close to you while he confessed his feelings so outwardly, honestly, unapologetically. You shook your head again in response, not sure when your voice decided to abandon you. “Can I kiss you now?” He whispered, waiting for your approval to close the gap that you so desperately wanted him to do. You nodded, afraid to speak because you weren’t sure what would come out if you did. “Okay,” he said under his breath, and just like that, his lips pressed delicately to yours. It was soft, sweet, small, but so inviting. He pulled away and blinked a few times, the fondness he had been hiding all this time pouring out of him. “I’ve been waiting all day to do that.” He chuckled, eyes honest and so, so soft for you. Before you could even form a thought, your lips were back on his, this time you were not going to be holding back. You wanted to let your walls down so he could climb over and bury his love in the sacred garden of your heart.

“I don’t want to rush into anything, but I need to feel your hands on me. I just want, need, to touch you. Everywhere. Now. Please.” He was taken off guard by your rushed confession, he pulled back and eyed you, trying to read into your words to find why there was so much desperation behind them.

“But, tomorrow-” he began, but you pressed your finger to his lips to silence him.

“I’m tired of fighting. Myself, my feelings, everything. Letting people into my life was terrifying, but you somehow turn my world upside down, Choi Jongho.” You stated firmly, more so for yourself than for him. You looked into his chocolate eyes and felt your entire body melt under his gaze. You couldn’t deny how Jongho made you feel any longer. “I don’t care that you’re leaving tomorrow. I just care about us right here, right now. Somehow, I just know this isn’t really the end. I trust you. I trust this,” you gestured between the two of you. He placed his palm against your cheek and had his lips reconnected to yours without hesitation, your confession being enough for him.

“I want this. I want us.” He declared against your tongue, the warmth of affection blooming within your chest as you pulled him down on top of you, your back pressing gently into the mattress beneath you.

“I’m yours, Jongho. I always have been. Ever since you walked through those parlor doors two months ago.” You dragged your fingers lightly up and down his back, tracing invisible patterns onto his tanned skin as his mouth placed barely there kisses along your neck, collarbone and any available skin he could find. His fingers danced their way to the hem of your tshirt and he looked up at you through his eyelashes.

“May I remove these?” He looked down at your shirt and shorts you had changed into only a few hours prior. “They’re in my way.” You giggled at his frustration, nodding in approval. His fingers grazed the soft skin of your sides as he lifted the fabric up and off of you. He sat back and stared at you for a moment, drinking in the sight before him. “God, you’re beautiful.” He proclaimed, like you stole his breath away in that moment with just your beauty. He quickly took his shirt and jeans off, discarding them onto the floor somewhere, his anxiously awaiting fingers twitching at the thought of touching you everywhere. Without hesitation, his hands were back on you, running up and down your sides, feeling every curve and edge, taking in every sensation under his fingertips. “You’re as soft as flower petals.” He spoke into your skin, his lips immediately reconnecting to it as he peppered wet kisses down your chest and to your tummy. He groaned when his achingly hard member brushed against your leg, the wet spot on his briefs the tell tale sign that he wanted you just as badly as you had wanted him.

“Jongho, I need you.” Your hands fumbled at his waistband and slid his briefs down, his cock springing out, eliciting a small gasp from your lips. He hovered over you, one of his hands disappearing to move the lace aside so he could run his finger between your folds. Your sighed, eyes closing at the sensation of his warm finger playing at your entrance. You soon felt him sink his digits into you slowly, allowing you to become accustomed to the stretch. He began to pump in and out of you at an agonizing pace, his eyes hooded as they watched you squirm under just the touch of his fingers. He removed the thin fabric from your body and dipped back down to press another sloppy kiss to your awaiting mouth.

“You have me.” He whispered against your lips. He removed his fingers once he could feel the spot he needed and positioned himself above you, his tip at your entrance. “You have all of me.” He said as he pushed himself inside of you, both of you moaning lowly once he bottomed out. He laid himself on top of you, taking both of your hands and positioning your arms above your head as he intertwined your fingers. His lips were back on yours as he began to thrust lovingly into you, pulling completely out and sinking right back in. Feeling your walls engulf him completely over and over again sent heat waves through your veins, the fire igniting in your abdomen almost immediately with overwhelming emotions. The way he kissed you like you were star crossed lovers reuniting, the way he held you firmly but gently as he thrusted slowly but as deep as he possibly could into you so you could feel every inch of him.

“Jongho, I’m gonna-” you breathed into his mouth, squeezing his hands on either side of your head. Your back arched, allowing his cock to rub against your sweet spot, which resulted in him swallowing your moans as he felt you clench around him. He relished in how melodic his name sounded rolling off the top of your tongue while you orgasmed, costing his dick with your slick. His thrusts began to fall out of the rhythm he made for himself, your name pouring from his lips like honey. He pressed his face into the crook of your neck, his small whimpers filling your ear and making you aware of the overstimulation your core was feeling as he reached his peak. He soon followed with his release, his hot seed spilling into you as he rode his orgasm out. Once he emptied himself into you, he collapsed on top of you, cock going flaccid inside of you as your sweaty bodies stuck together. Both of your chests were rising and falling at a rapid pace in unison as your fingers found his hair, combing through it affectionately.

“That ending wasn’t so bad either,” he panted, an honest chuckle leaving his lips. You swatted at him weakly, your own laugh betraying you as it escaped your chest. You laid there with him splayed against your chest, his hands tangling within your hair. The only sound that soon filled the room was the way his hummingbird heart sang, and oh, how it only sang for you.

—

“I’ll call you. Every day.” A sad smile spread across Jongho’s face as he looked down at the train ticket in his hand.

“Promise?”

“Promise.” He played with your fingers, his eyes on the floor between you two. Neither of you wanted him to go, but you knew this wasn’t the last time you’d see him. You pressed your forehead to his, closing your eyes as you took a moment to memorize his musky sandalwood perfume that had surely seeped into your sheets from last night. You felt him lift away from you, his lips pressing firmly to the spot his head previously rested on. The lingering kiss he left you had your stomach in knots, but you couldn’t deny that it wasn’t all good. A part of you still feared goodbyes, but this time was different.

Jongho was different.

When you both heard the announcement for the train’s arrival, you parted. Your eyes met one last time, mutual looks of longing exchanged between the two of you. He leaned down as the train came to an approach, his lips slotting with yours for one final time.

“I’ll see you around.” He pushed a loose strand of hair behind your ear, and you did not dare mention the tears forming in his eyes. He turned away and boarded, but once seated, he looked out the window and back at you. He breathed against the glass to fog it up, his finger drawing a small heart for you to see. You felt a wet chuckle form in your throat, hot tears spilling down your cheeks as you both waved at one another, the train pulling him further and further away from you. You stood there for a moment until the train was but a mere dot in your vision, feet refusing to move and accept the reality that Jongho was now gone.

You walked through the station, feet dragging you along as you felt your heart sinking within your rib cage. You took your phone out of your pocket when you felt it buzz and you swore your heart grew wings and flew away when you saw the text.

“Here’s to our new beginning.”

You felt the warmth spread throughout your chest, fondness bleeding from your veins. Visions of the previous night replayed in your head as you headed out of the station, phone clutched to your heart as you felt it beat for the boy on that had stolen your heart this summer.

You’ve always hated endings. But this time, you didn’t really seem to mind.

#ateez smut #ateez x reader #jongho #jongho smut #choi jongho #jongho x reader #jongho x you #jongho x y/n #jongho x chubby reader #chubby reader #ateez x you #ateez x fem reader #ateez x y/n #jongho fluff #ateez fluff

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stayteezdreams · 1 year ago

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Boy Next Door: Part Two

Plot: You've been living in your new apartment for a week, and your friendship with Jongho has grown. You both want more, but before it can happen, someone interrupts.

-Part One-

Pairing: Choi Jongho x Gn!Reader

-Meet-Cute Series-

Words: 1.5k

You chuckled softly as you pulled the tray of cookies out of the oven. Jongho had just finished telling you a story about his roommates as he snacked on some of the cookies you had already baked.

You had been learning a lot about not only Jongho, but his roommates as well, though you had yet to meet them.

It had been just over a week since you first moved into your new apartment and met Jongho. Since then, you two had developed a natural and fun friendship.

After he came over to thank you for the cookies you made him, you ended up hanging out almost every day. He even helped you cart some new furniture up to your apartment, staying until late to help you set it up.

It felt natural, and right being around him, and it felt as though you had known him for ages.

You wanted to see him all the time, and since he seemed to have a weak spot for your cookies (as did his roommates), you encouraged him to come over and help you make some. Which is what led to you now watching him from across the counter as he ate yet another cookie.

You would be lying if you said you were 100% happy with your friendship with Jongho as it was. Because truthfully, you wanted more. You wanted your friendship to become stronger, to become more that just a friendship.

You found it was nearly impossible not to fall for Jongho. He seemed too good to be true, and you could only hope that maybe he thought the same of you.

Unbeknownst to you, he did.

As you turned to place the last tray of cookies into the oven, he watched you carefully. There was something about you that made him feel so at home. He felt comfortable, at ease, and even though the butterflies in his stomach always seemed to be present when you were, he had grown fond of them.

When you texted him that you were making more cookies and asked if he wanted to help, he felt giddy. He had been trying to find a reason to go see you all day, and now you were giving him one.

He left of the apartment, telling the others he'd be back soon, pretending not to hear them when they asked where he was going.

Now, as he helped you clean up the remnant dishes, he was trying hard to convince himself to ask you on a date. He wasn't the most confident, but he usually wasn't so afraid of things like this. It should be simple. But when you looked over at him and smiled your eyes brightening as your lips curled, he folded and lost his words.

"We certainly made more than I was expecting." You said with a soft smile as you looked a the cookies lying along your counter.

Jongho smiled, "That's because of the flour incident."

You giggled silently, thinking back to when you were making the batter and Jongho added more flour than was needed, so you adjusted the recipe to make up for it. But, that meant you now had nearly double the original serving size.

"It's okay though, my roommates will take as many as you want."

You nodded with a grin, "I was hoping you'd say that."

As you began grabbing something to put the cookies in, Jongho swallowed and took in a deep breath. Now he'd ask.

"Hey-"

His words cut off as knocking sounded on your door. You paused and looked over before shrugging when Jongho gave you a curious look.

He watched you walk up to the door and look through the peep hole. "I think it's your roommates!" You called back.

Before Jongho could say anything, you opened the door, now met with three smiling men.

"Hello." You said softly and they grinned wider.

"Hi!" One waved, "We're Jongho's roommates."

You nodded and smiled at them, "I figured as much."

Once Wooyoung, San, and Mingi introduced themselves Wooyoung peaked over your shoulder. "Is he here?"

You nodded and held the door open for them to enter. They thanked you as they entered, their eyes quickly landing on Jongho near the kitchen, who was clearly annoyed they invited themselves over.

Wooyoung spoke again, "When Jongho suddenly left, we thought he just got bored. But then we could smell cookies and figured he came here."

"You're cookies are amazing by the way." Mingi added with a smile.

"Thank you." You giggled as you followed them into the kitchen.

After about fifteen minutes of lively conversation, and nearly a dozen cookies eaten, you decided Jongho was quite different from his friends. But, you could see how well they got along, and how close they were.

The conversation died suddenly when your phone rang. Picking it up you stood up quickly. "Oh, excuse me for one second, it's from work."

As you ran off to take the call in private, Wooyoung, Mingi and San turned to Jongho.

San smirked, "So I can see why you've been keeping them from us."

Jongho kept his face stern. "Leave."

San and Mingi let out soft laughs but Wooyoung whined, "But we wanna be their friends too!"

San nudged his shoulder, "I'm pretty sure Jongho wants to be more than friends with Y/n."

Understanding immedietely Wooyoung suddenly grinned before teasing him. "Oh? Why haven't you asked them out then?"

Jongho felt his face warm up a bit at this, but he bit back. "I was about to ask them out but then you three decided to interrupt."

Their eyes widened a bit as they shared a look.

Hearing you coming back in into the room they all looked over at you with smiles acting as though their conversation never happened.

Mingi began first as he lightly smacked San's shoulder, "Y/n, it was really nice meeting you, but we gotta head out now."

San and Wooyoung agreed and you pouted a bit "Are you sure?" After they nodded, you smiled. "Okay, but feel free to stop by any time" You offered politely.

San leaned in to whisper to Jongho, "Don't forget we got practice in half an hour."

As they began leaving you realized Jongho was staying and your disappointment faded, you had thought he was going with them. As they got to the door, you called out to them before giving them more cookies to take with them.

Jongho smiled as you waved them off, he was glad you got along with them, even if they did steal your attention away from him.

As you walked back over to him, you grinned, "They really are how you described."

He giggled softly, "Yeah, but they're great guys."

You nodded, "I could tell."

Jongho scratched the back of his neck before he stood up "I need to leave too actually, but, I wanted to ask you something first."

"Oh?" You asked softly as you picked up on his sudden nervousness.

He didn't go with the others because he wanted to ask you something in private? Your heart started pounding, but you kept an even face as you watched him calmly.

"I was going to ask before, but, those three showed up before I could get it out."

Thinking back, you did hear Jongho beginning to speak as they knocked at the door. You nodded at him, giving him an encouraging smile that made his heart flutter.

"I wanted to ask you on a date" His voice was soft, shyer than you had ever heard, it was endearing.

"You want to go on a date with me?" You asked, a bit stunned, yet enthused.

He nodded, a small smile forming on his face as he could see the reaction on your face.

You grinned and nodded. "I'd love to Jongho."

"Really?" He chuckled out, relieved.

You nodded enthusiastically. "I kind of wanted to ask you too, but I wasn't sure how." You looked down at your hands out of shyness and Jongho grinned.

"I would have said yes no matter how you asked."

Looking back up, you met his eyes and returned his smile before you both let out soft giggles.

Jongho noted the time and let out a soft sigh, clearly disappointed with his timing. He had hoped to have more time with you before he had to leave.

"I do have to go, but, can I text you about it later?"

"So we can plan our date?"

He nodded, "Yeah." You nodded and he grinned, "Great. I have some ideas."

Walking him to the door, he looked back at you, a wide grin on his face. "I'll talk to you later okay?"

You nodded and waved him off, watching him walk down the hall like you did every time he left. And like every time before, he stopped at the end of the hall and looked back.

He let out a soft laugh before he waved, grin still present on his face, and butterflies still rampaging in his stomach.

xx End xx

A/n: I didn't have a great idea going into this part but like how it came out, I hope you do too~

Reblogs and feedback are highly appreciated and make me super motivated (hint hint) lol ♥︎

Thank for reading!

General Taglist: @otsilliak

Ateez Taglist: @soso59love-blog

Series Taglist: @bubblesreplies, @halesandy, @why-am-i-sad, @acciocriativity

#Jongho x reader #jongho/reader #choi jongho x reader #ateez x reader #ateez/reader #jongho imagine #choi jongho imagine #ateez imagine #meet cute series #jongho fluff #choi jongho fanfic #jongho fic #ateez fanfic #jongho fanfic #boy next door part two

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ateez-himari · 3 days ago

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Hi bb!!!!! How are you? Happy new year even tho I'm reallyyyy late but it the thought that counts😺I wanna say thank you to the person who sent that ask cause gawd damn was that hot🙏🙏🙏

I obviously had some questions and I'll be limiting my questions to a maximum of 3 in each ask cause I really don't wanna tire you out especially after seeing that you started the year with a 6am shift, you deserve rest from both work and uni

1-Yk how some couples have the person who kind of leads in the relationship, like always takes the first step and ensures that their partner is always safe and well? I was wondering who takes on that role between minari or if they both depend on eachother when they need it

2-what was the teasers reaction to the couple photo shoot, plus did her brothers and oppas react to it as well?(yoongi is planning murder during his military enlistment)

3-do you think that hima would be a great cast member for squid game? I honestly think her personality would fit in really well and obviously she'd take on a persona but still

I love you so much bb🫵💓!! please take care, and feel free to answer whenever you want, your health is more important. May 2025 treat you well💞💞

Hi sweet!! 🥰 Happy late new year to you too! It was honestly hehe the lean absolutely ended me 🤭 Nooo don't limit your questions, I like having a bunch of them at once! It honestly gets my brain working better since that way I can 'bulk think' and just brainstorm everything at once!

Fun story about this morning before I answer; I woke up at 1am thinking it was 5am so I got up, turned on my light and almost started getting ready until my brain registered that I saw a 1 and not a 5...so I went back to bed. I swear I didn't even know what planet I was on, my body was on autopilot and I barely registered that I was out of bed-

• They both depend on one another but on different levels; one thing that's important to remember when it comes to their relationship is the fact that Himari had to be very mature for the rest of her childhood and couldn't really rely on anyone - Hanzo was shutting down, Yoongi needed to be saved, their parents worked a lot and Geum Jae was already out living his own life. While she has no problem being the shoulder for Mingi to lean on whenever he needs to, he knows that while she may not realize it she still needs a lot of support along with someone to look out for her health

Ex (coming hopefully soon); Himari developed a habit of not caring much for her health and was actively coughing up blood while producing 'Golden' (she was straining her voice too much which caused her to develop laryngitis - which made her cough for extended periods of time)

• Hongjoong and Seonghwa will forever see Hima as their little baby so they were shocked once the photos came out, they had to look twice to realize that the woman with Mingi was indeed his girlfriend (they would have beat him up if she wasn't). Yunho literally had their maknae sitting on his lap kissing him while they were filming 'Where We Fall' so he wasn't as phased as the others. Yeosang did NOT want to look - no one told him that the photos were going to be spicy so when he saw them for the first time he nearly threw his phone. San just saw two fine ass people posing with each other half naked, no one knows if he even registered it was his friends-. Wooyoung was the one that sent them to the group chat and was hyping them up so much, asking them when the next shoot would be. Jongho covered her with a blanket but did compliment how well the two posed together

Hanzo was in his sister's messages pointing out that while she chastises him for not wearing shirts in his Instagram posts she posts half naked with her boyfriend ?? Pure irony smh. He did say she looked pretty (he always does after every single photo shoot). Yoongi was absolutely fuming especially when other people serving with him that are fans of k-pop started talking about it - he wasn't mad because she was half naked, he doesn't care about that...but how dare someone touch his little baby sister like that ? Geum Jae kind of had a typical dad reaction where he was like; "oh you guys look good together...but didn't they have enough budget for clothes ?"

G-Dragon and T.O.P came across the pictures because they follow her personal account and neither knew how to react to it. There's more than a decade of difference between them, and while G-Dragon is toying with the idea of becoming her second mentor, T.O.P doesn't know her that well yet so it was slightly awkward for them. Taemin absolutely loves Himari and Mingi's relationship but had a similar reaction to Yoongi's in the sense that he was almost offended that someone would even think of posing with her this way. Stray Kids blew up the group chat with texts like; "himari wtf ??" "what kind of magazine is this-" "why is he GRIPPING your ass"

• I think she'd be amazing! For 'Where We Fall' there was a lot of panic, fear, sadness, etc., which fits perfectly into the emotions actors have to play in Squid Game. Plus she's an idol so she's athletic, which is great for the games!

I love you more sweet 🫵🩷!! I'm taking good care of myself don't you worry! I'm unfortunately still sick (I got really sick 2 years ago and my immune system's been kind of shitty ever since) but I've been sweating it out. I hope you take care of yourself as well especially as uni starts up again, I hope you take time to rest and let's make 2025 a great year!! 😘

#ateez au #ateez imagines #ateez 9th member #ateez extra member #ateez female member #kpop oc #himaask

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kittykat-25 · 10 months ago

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Golden Hour - Part 4

Pairings: Park Seonghwa x OC! Katherine

Genre: Hogwarts AU, strangers to lovers(?), shy girl x popular boy

Summary: Park Seonghwa, the light of the Hufflepuff Common room, the Golden boy if you will. Popular, kind, handsome beyond belief. 1/8th of the rowdiest friend group to grace Hogwarts walls. And then there was Katherine, quiet, shy, a fly on the wall. Never seen or heard by anyone except Seonghwa. What happened when the popular golden boy falls for the quiet mouse of the school.

After the walk around the lake Ateez had taken to Katherine’s side like a fish to water. There was typically always one of them around her, whether it be Seonghwa walking with her to class or Hongjoong sitting with her in the library. Wooyoung and Yeosang had caught her one morning and walked with her to the dining hall. And while she appreciated most of their company people had noticed. And we’re talking. And that’s how the first rumor started. She had heard whispers walking to charms one day but thought nothing of it. The usually people gossiping about her new friends. It wasn’t until she walked into potions with Hongjoong and Seonghwa as normal and took her seat with Dani that she heard the true things being said. She had just sat her bag down when she noticed Dani was quieter than usually. “You okay Dani? No questions or anything today?” She said turning to look at her friend. Dani looked her in the eyes and almost burst into tears. “Katherine I heard something, and I need you to know I told everyone it was a lie but no one believed me.” Katherine turned fully towards her, Seonghwa subtly watching Katherine, turned towards her, catching Hongjoong’s interest as well.

Katherine looked at Dani, “well what did you hear?” Dani grabbed her hand giving it a reassuring squeeze, “some of the girls in Ravenclaw were talking about you. And they said their friend in Slytherin told them you were sleeping with all of them.” Katherine felt like her ears had stopped working, “I’m sorry all of who?” She asked, knowing goood and well what Dani meant. “Ateez, someone told everyone you were sleeping with all eight of them. That-that they share you like a toy.” Dani said quietly, her eyes watering. Katherine couldn’t hear anything after the first word, her ears ringing. Eyes burning from the tears trying to not fall. Seonghwa noticing something was off went to stand when the professor walked into the classroom. Katherine packed up her bags quickly and bolted out the door, Seonghwa stood up and went to follow as hand came down on his arm. Looking down at Hongjoong’s hand, “let go of me Joong.” He said quietly, voice full of desperation. “Sit down Mr Park unless you want to cause your house points and serve detention.” The potions professor said. Seonghwa looked towards the door, ready to go after Katherine, “Hwa sit down. We will find her later.” Hongjoong hissed, yanking him into the seat.

As soon as the professor dismissed them Seonghwa walked up to Dani, she wouldn’t look him in the eyes, “Danielle right? Katherine’s told me a lot about you.” Seonghwa said with a smile. “I have to get to class.” Dani said as she stepped around the two boys and made her way out of the classroom. “Charming girl.” Hongjoong muttered walking out of the door. Seonghwa had just stepped into the corridor when Vivian came up to his side, “Hi Seonghwa” she purred. Hongjoong rolled his eyes, “not now Vivian.” Seonghwa said as his eyes scanned the busy corridor for his girl. “And why not? You never have time for me.” Vivian said with a pout. Seonghwa hadn’t even heard her before turning around and heading towards the old oak tree he knew Katherine liked to sit under. Hongjoong gave Vivian a fake smile and strolled off after his friend. Jongho seeing his friend making their way fell in step with them, “I saw Katherine tearing through the hallway earlier. I tried to stop her but I don’t think she even heard me.” Both men stopped and turned towards their youngest, “where was she going.” Seonghwa asked. “Hufflepuff common room by the direction I’d say.” Jongho replied, “why-“ he didn’t even finish his question before Seonghwa took off towards his dormitory.

It had been a week of either missing Katherine entirely or her going out of her way to avoid Ateez. She always was the last to enter and first to leave class, never stopping to give the guys a chance to catch up, and if they got close Dani would somehow intercept them, helping her friend escape. Seonghwa couldn’t understand what had happened. Wooyoung completely rattled, thinking maybe it had been his fault, explaining he made a comment about how she was always too calm and quiet. While Seonghwa told him off her his joke at her, he knew that wasn’t it. Something had happened and they were all in the dark. “Maybe Yunho can find out something.” Hongjoong said, throwing a glance towards their friend. “And if he gets caught?” Yeo replied, “they aren’t going to send a 15 year old to Azkaban.” Wooyoung said coldly. “An unregistered animagis? They’ve sent people for less.” Jongho replied. Yunho turned towards them, “do I get a say in this at all.” Seonghwa looked at his friend, eyes pleading but responded, “of course you do.” Seonghwa knew it was risky for Yunho to transform and show himself to another student, but at this point he was desperate. Yunho look at him, “good. I say no.” All seven boys turn toward him, “what?!” Wooyoung yelled. “It’s not fair to Katherine to think she being comforted by a giant puppy when it’s really Yunho.” San replied for him. “Exactly. I’m not doing anything to make this worse.” Yunho said standing up.

He walked towards the door and threw a glance over his shoulder back towards his friends, “Maybe just give the girl a chance to breathe and think things through on her own without smothering her. Chasing her down after every class isn’t working.” And with that statement he turned on his heel and walked out. He knew he was a hypocrite for saying what he did as he currently made his way down to the hufflepuff common room. One of Mingi’s classmates entering just as he walked up, “can you get Katherine for me please, or let me in to get her.” Yunho asked nicely. The girl nodded and held the door open for him. “I’ll grab her from the dorm.” The girl said with a smile. Yunho said his thanks and waited by the fire. Hoping Kat would come talk to him. “You shouldn’t be here.” Were the first words out of Katherine’s mouth when she say Yunho. The friendly giant sitting in the chair by the fire, a smile on his face dimming when he saw her. Her eyes were usually full of light, now dull and full of sadness. Like her skin had lost all of its glow. “Kat please just tell me what happened. We’re worried about you.” He pleaded, she looked down at her hands, ringing her fingers together tightly. “Everything’s fine Yunho. You should leave.” She said quietly. “You can’t even say that and look me in the eyes. So do you want to stop lying to me and yourself and tell me what happened?” Yunho retorted. Katherine looked at him, “fine but let’s not talk here.” She gestured towards the doorway. “Can I at least go get Hwa. He’s worried sick about you.” Yunho added as they made their way down the corridor. She lead him outside to the courtyard and sat in the edge of the fountain. Funnily enough the same fountain Seonghwa had found the at that started this whole mess.

Yunho looked at her, waiting for her to speak, “Kat you can tell me. I promise.” He said gently. “I don’t even want to repeat it.” She said sadly. Yunho crouched in front of her, “here want to see something that might help. You can decide how you’d rather tell me.” He said as he backed up a step. Katherine looked up at him just as he took a breath then standing in front of her was a very fluffy golden retriever. “What the hell?” Katherine exclaimed. The dog trotted up to her and put his head on her knee. “An animagis! Oh Yunho.” The dog blinked up at her. She stroked its fur and felt herself relaxing. “Someone started a rumor that I was sleeping with all eight of you. That you all used me like-“ she hesitated, voice breaking as the tears started falling, the dog nudged her leg encouraging her, “that you all passed me around and used me like a toy.” She finished. Yunhos dog form stilled, processing her words then backed up. She felt arms come around her, “Katherine why didn’t you say anything.” He said into her hair as she leaned into him sobbing. “Someone told Dani it was you guys who started it. And that you all were encouraging it.” She huffed out, Yunho hand froze on her back, “do you think we would do something like that to you?” He said calmly. “Honestly no but it was hard to get past the part where dozens of people confirmed it.” She answered as she whipped her tears. “Katherine listen to me, we have never said that and we would never let anyone say something like that about you. Especially Hwa. When he finds out he’s going to lose it.” Yunho stated. “I don’t want anyone else knowing this Yunho. It’s bad enough as it is. Please.” She begged.

Yunho looked down at her, Seonghwa’s diststressed face in his mind. “I’m sorry Katherine but you need to tell them. It affects all of us and if people are going out of their way to make sure we haven’t heard about it then something needs to be done. You can tell them or I can but they are going to know.” He replied. Katherine hurried her face in her hands. “Seonghwa is going to hate me.” She murmured. Yunho laughed, “Kat that man is so head over heels for you I don’t think there’s anything you could do to make him hate you. He’s worried about you, they all are.” Katherine could feel her face heat up, Yunho chuckled, “I know you like him, as much as you don’t want to admit it. We can all see it.” He said as he pulled her up. She gave a nervous laugh, “I don’t know what talking about.” Rolling his eyes tunneled her towards the classroom he was sure all the guys were still in. “Deny it all you want Kitty Kat but we all see the way you look at him.” He turned the handle to the classroom, hearing the voices inside lower. “Look who I found.” Yunho sang as he walked into the room, Katherine following timidly behind him. All seven eyes turning to her, one particular set lighting up as he jumped up and bounded over to her. Throwing all insecurities and caution to the wind she met him stride for stride until the met and his arms came around her pulling her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her slightly. “I’m so sorry Seonghwa.” She whispered, voice on the edge of breaking. He pulled her tighter to him, “it’s okay it’s okay.” Katherine pulled back, Seonghwa wiping the tears away, “tell me what happened?” Setting her down and gripping her hand he lead her over the the other guys, and she explained what had been going on over the last week.

Hongjoong was pacing back and forth while Yeo and Yunho tried to calm Wooyoung down. Seonghwa surprisingly was calm, just talking with Katherine in hushed tones, “what are we going to do about it?” San demanded, his neck and face red with anger. “There’s nothing we can do.” Yeo replied sadly, “not without making this worse.” “No Katherine.” Seonghwa said harshly. Making everyone else turn towards them. She had a pleading look in her eyes, gently trying to calm Hwa down. “Seonghwa please.” She pleads, “just until it calms down” “I am not going to abandon you while this is going on. No.” He responded. “Why not? It’s not like it’ll actually affect you?” She retorted. “Not affect me?” He questioned. The other seven friends quieted down, “Kat you have been avoiding me for a week and it felt like I was dying and all I cared about was you. So don’t act like this doesn’t hurt me. You are in pain and that very much affects me.” Tears were slipping down his face, Katherine leaned forwards and hesitantly swiped them away. “Hwa, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.” He looked at her, cupping her face, “why is it so hard for you to think that I care about you? That we all do?” He asked, voice full of hurt. All of the guys turned towards her at that question. Katherine looked down at her hands, “It’s not that.” she said quietly before looking up at Seonghwa, “I just have experiences with bullying and humiliation.” She responded quietly. Seonghwa looked at her, Yunho being the first to speak, “what happened? Do we have names?” He asked, anger flooding his system. “No!” Katherine exclaimed, continuing, “Before Hogwarts, my parents thought it’d be good for me to go to a muggle school. I was such a happy loud kid, they wanted me to experience everything and make friends.” She said looking down at the floor, her tone so dry it was brittle. The other seven guys sat down around her, their eyes trained on her. “The other students didn’t know about magic but they knew I was different somehow. That I was a freak.” She continued, her voice wavering. “The school didn’t do anything about the names I was called or the physical harassment. But it got bad enough that my parents pulled me out.” She finished.

Seonghwa’s jaw clenched, infuriated for her younger self. Wooyoung’s voice gentle and soft for once, “is that why you’re so quiet now?” He asked. Katherine nodded, “I don’t want to draw attention to myself or give anyone a reason to look too long at me.” The guys all nodded, now understanding her behavior. “I’m so sorry I gave you suck a hard time for being quiet.” Wooyoung said, voice breaking. Katherine looked up and found him staring at her, tears also running down his face. “You said physical harassment.” Hongjoong stated, “as in people physically abused you at school?” His voice was laced with venom. Wooyoung whipped his head back between his friend and Katherine, “it started as pushing and shoving, throwing things. The worst primary aged kids can do I guess. But it got worse, the final straw for my parents was someone pushing me down a flight of steps, I fell and broke my arm and after that I never went back.” Katherine said. Hongjoong looked at Seonghwa, his friends face a mask of fury, Hongjoong was sure his mirrored it. “I swear Kat, no one will touch you without your permission ever again.” He said quietly, all of the guys nodding in agreement. “Joong it’s fine, nothing like that has happened since I came to Hogwarts.” Katherine said. “And it will stay like that.” Seonghwa said, his voice icy. A tone Katherine didn’t even know he could have. She covered his hand with hers, “thank you, thank all of you for forcing yourselves into my life and being my friends.” She said quietly. Wooyoung was up and tackling her into a hug before she could finish her sentence. “Wooyoung don’t suffocate her please.” Yeosang said as he pried Woo off of Kat. Seonghwa brushing dust out of her hair, using this time to hold her close.

Walking towards the dinning hall with all eight of them at her back, Katherine could feel the stares of everyone. Seonghwa’s hand wrapped around hers, she had passed by a group of slytherin girls when she heard it, the one word that stopped all eight boys in their tracks, “slut” they whispered as she walked by. She tightened her grip on Seonghwa’s hand silently asking him not to do anything. Apparently it wasn’t Seonghwa she had to worry about. “What did you just call her?” Hongjoong’s voice rang through the hall. The slytherin girls eyes widened in panic. Not expecting one from her own house to call her out. “She’s a slut. Throwing herself at all of you. It’s disgusting.” One of her friends answered, sneering at Katherine. Hongjoong looked around and found most of the students stopping to look at the scene unfolding. Eyes stopping on Katherine who was clinging to Hwa. His arm around her like it would protect her from the insults. “Let me make one thing very clear.” Hongjoong declared, “if we hear one more word of this lie about Katherine you will be dealing with us. Does everyone understand?” His voice echoed off the walls, his eyes never leaving the girls cowering in the shadows now. Hongjoong started towards the dining hall, the rest following him as everyone watched them walk away.

Turning down a side corridor Seonghwa pulled Katherine with him, the other seven boys going ahead. “Are you okay?” He said cupping her face, scanning her like the insult made actual cuts. “I’m fine Seonghwa. It was just words.” She said in a hushed tone. He tilted her face up, “untrue words. I won’t let them insult you like that.” She leaned into his touch, smiling. “I don’t think I’ve had someone genuinely care about me this much other than Dani.” She admitted quietly. “Well now you have the eight of us, Hongjoong was honest in what he said Kat. We’re not tolerating this. I’ll go to the headmaster if needed.” He said gently as he stroked her cheek, “and do what, we don’t know who started it.” She retorted. Seonghwa cocked his head, “I’m sure we can figure it out, in the mean time you should stick with me. You know for safety reasons.” He said with a smile, throwing in an over dramatic wink. Katherine laughed and Seonghwa doesn’t think he’s ever heard a sound as beautiful as that. “Oh yeah? For safety?” Katherine said mockingly. Seonghwa pulled her tight against his body, “you should be safe right here, tragically you’ll have to stay here 24/7.” He said exasperated. Katherine laughed again shoving him away lightly. “Let go eat you dork, I’m hungry.” He wrapped his arm around her and lead her into the dining hall, the interaction from earlier far from her mind.

A/N: HIHIHI!!! Sorry this chapter was kinda emotional rollercoaster! But we ended with some good Hwa fluff because our boy here is WHIPPED🫠

TAGLIST🥹 let me know if you want to be added

@sundaybossanova @vampzity @skzline @sanslovesblog @scarfac3 @mingisbbokari @edenesth @amuromio @chngbnwf

#ateez #park seonghwa #hogwarts oc #original character #hongjoong #wooyoung #mingi #choi san #jongho #yunho #yeosang #strangers to lovers #strangers to friends

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softsan · 2 years ago

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[8:15 PM] - You sat by yourself on one of the available couches, consumed by an overbearing sense of loneliness. You had invited your long-time friend and crush to karaoke in celebration of you passing your exams. You had waited for this moment for weeks, only for your friend to cancel your plans at the last minute to go out on a date with one of his classmate instead.

You defeatedly fiddle with the cord of the microphone. Not only were you feeling down because your crush had trivialized the plans you shared, but since he’d failed to let you know sooner that he wasn’t coming, it was too late for you to cancel the room.

Soulmate!Jongho had had a particularly bad day himself. To Soulmate!Jongho's dismay, the one he had liked from his music theory class, had declared to their class that they were now in a relationship.

Soulmate!Jongho was currently at his part-time job at the karaoke bar. His concentration was dwindling—absently serving and delivering drinks to the private karaoke rooms, their cheery dispositions only worsening his mood.

“Could I get you something?” He walked into a peculiarly quiet room, the sound of the karaoke machine muted.

You didn’t answer, lost in thought.

Soulmate!Jongho's brow furrowed. You clearly weren’t doing too well yourself.

“Hey,” He gently tried, approaching you.

You blinked, surprised to see someone holding a tray, waving their hand in front of your face.

“Are you okay?” Soulmate!Jongho genuinely asked.

“No,” You observed his face, sensing a sadness in his demeanor, “Are you?”

Soulmate!Jongho shook his head, “You here alone?”

“The person I was supposed to come here with—let’s just say other things came up,”

Soulmate!Jongho nodded sympathetically. He always disliked seeing people sing karaoke alone.

He picked up a microphone from the couch, placing it against his lips, “How about we sing some songs together?��

Your eyes lit up, you quickly picked up the other microphone. Whist doing so Soulmate!Jongho noticed the small soul mark on your wrist. It was identical to his.

“Do you see a song you like?” You eagerly flipped through the selection of songs.

Soulmate!Jongho cheeks tugged upward, his smile reaching his eyes, “You pick first.”

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jeongyunhoed · 2 years ago

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The third and final story in the 100-Day trilogy, taking place four years after the events of The 100-Day Relationship and two years since the events of I Do. When the patriarch of the Choi family suffers a heart attack, the entire clan decides to visit the estate in the hopes of getting in his good graces and parts of his fortune before he passes. Seonghwa and Juhyun now find themselves clashing with nosy relatives who threaten to split them up and have her removed from any possible inheritance.

Inheritance

Member: Seonghwa Pairing: Seonghwa/OC Genre: I’m going to say angst-fluff, drama, intrigue. Things to note: Art Curator!Hwa, a lot of crazy rich stuff again (for real, this will have A LOT), and perhaps some adult-y things. Watch out!: The usual pressure of kids, illness, familial drama ahead A/N: For visual reference, this is what the Choi Estate looks like (The Chartwell Estate).

Listen to the Succession OST for the added crazy rich intrigue ahead.

Tag list: @kflixnet , @treasure-hwa

Masterlist

Chapter 2

By the time Seonghwa and Juhyun returned to Korea, they started packing for a trip to the Choi family home. Juhyun’s grandfather was already transferred to be taken care of at home as he wished, as he didn’t really like staying at the hospital for too long (“It’s depressing looking at the walls and the nurses and doctors tend to give you a heart attack when they surprise check on you every hour” is what he’d always say).

As much as Juhyun insisted that Seonghwa get back to work to at least get rid of the jetlag, he insisted on coming with her. It affected him just as much knowing that his own grandmother was friends with her grandfather.

Nevertheless, Juhyun appreciated his presence. They wanted to preserve some form of independence even as they were already married, but this was one of the times that she learned that they needed to be together now more than ever. Seonghwa reminded her that it wasn’t a time to truly be alone when it came to sudden events like these.

“I hope you’re ready to meet everyone,” Juhyun said, a hint of dread in her tone that Seonghwa knew was only because everyone in the Choi clan was going to be there, including the one family she never invited to the wedding.

Seonghwa was still curious on how bad they would be as he gave her shoulder an assuring squeeze while he looked out the window.

The drive seemed to take longer than when they had to visit Juhyun’s parents’ house, only for Seonghwa to realize that they were pretty much out of Seoul and heading into the more rural areas. Another hour later, Seonghwa saw that they were approaching gates that looked similar to the one Juhyun’s parents had at their home, but looking further, Seonghwa realized that they were still far from the estate.

Juhyun could feel a pang of anxiety set in as the chauffeur drove further past the gates, seeing the lines of lollipop trees and well-manicured hedges decorate the smooth paved road. She only remembered coming here every Christmas during her childhood and teen years. The hustle and bustle the older she got, made her nearly forget what life at the Choi estate was like, or what it looked like at all.

Seonghwa gaped at the sight of the complex the more the chauffeur drove. There was a large car gallery that he could see had vintage models of luxurious car brands, a Spanish revival villa that served as the servants’ quarters, and from Juhyun’s side, there was an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

The entire Choi complex was a mix of 18th-century French rococo and Spanish revival architecture. There were cascading fountains, with a large maze of well-maintained hedges. Another Wallace Neff Spanish revival villa served as the guest house that was a kilometer away from the main estate. Seonghwa felt like he was in another place entirely, somewhere in Europe with how everything looked.

Seonghwa now realized why Jongho and everyone else seemed to joke about how Juhyun’s grandfather’s home was practically a resort, from how large the property was. They must have visited a few times. The car pulled up to the foot of the staircase where several helpers in maid uniforms and tailcoats were standing by, along with a woman that smiled upon seeing them.

“Juhyun!! Juhyun!! Oh my goodness! It’s been too long!” the woman said, hugging her as the helpers opened the car doors for the two of them.

Seonghwa rushed to get out, a little flustered at the service as they greeted the woman while some of the helpers took out the luggage from the trunk of the car. He stood by his wife, who pulled away just in time to introduce him and he bowed a little low.

“Auntie, this is my husband, Seonghwa,” Juhyun introduced them. “Seonghwa, this is my grandfather’s caregiver, the one I told you about? Eunhyung.”

“Oh! It’s very nice to meet you, you grew up in Jinju, right?” Seonghwa immediately switched to the dialect.

Eunhyung looked pleased. “Yes I was!” She said. She turned to Juhyun. “Oh my goodness, Juhyun, you married a Jinju man, he’s the real deal. He’s very handsome too.”

Juhyun laughed while Seonghwa smiled at the compliment. “How is everything?” She said, as Eunhyung led them up the steps of the cascading fountain and into the path that led to the front doors.

“Well, your grandfather’s in bed resting, your parents and Sangmin arrived yesterday, Jihyun’s here with Bin, and your uncle Hyunwoo and his family have been here since last week. It won’t be long before your aunt Seonak arrives. I heard they needed to refuel the plane so they had a layover in Macau,” Eunhyung replied, opening the doors.

Seonghwa was even more amazed at how the place looked from the inside. The interiors were definitely made in the style of a French chateau, from the moldings, to the tiles, and the chandelier that hung over their heads. Seonghwa could see a partition in one part of the living room, seeing a grand piano behind it, as if it was its own stage. It felt very lived in even as the interiors seemed freshly restored or renovated, with all the family portraits that were hung with slight changes over time due to Juhyun’s parents getting married, and to her cousins getting married and having children.

Seonghwa even spotted their wedding picture hanging on the wall next to the wedding family photos of Juhyun’s cousins, evidently the most recent one. In time, he figured, the hall of pictures would include one more, with Juhyun’s sister’s wedding. Even with all the wealth, Seonghwa could see how they were all somewhat very close.

The more they walked in, Seonghwa couldn’t help but be in awe. There was a marble staircase, and next to it was an old-fashioned elevator. “So, where would we be staying?” Juhyun’s question was enough to make him snap out of his thoughts while they went up the flight of marble stairs that had a red carpet in the middle. The second floor was like a replica of the downstairs minus the partition that had a grand piano that was elevated on a platform.

Seonghwa even saw that there was a large dining table at the end of the hall, a china cabinet, complete with a mini-bar. On the other end of the hall was a small living space complete with a smart television in between two tall bookshelves. Even with the setting, it still managed to blend into the French Rococo-Spanish Revival style. This felt like the epitome of wealth.

“You’ll be staying in the third floor with your sister and her fiance, your parents, and Sangmin, your uncle Hyunwoo and his family already took up this floor,” Eunhyung pointed out, seeing the help with their bags in the elevator that went up. “Seeing as all of you would be staying here, breakfast times will differ per family. You will have yours at 8, since your uncle would have his at 7, and your aunt will have theirs at 9.”

“Good, I hope you’re ready,” Juhyun joked as she held onto Seonghwa’s hand while they climbed the next flight of stairs to the third floor, which looked exactly the same, with the dining table and the china cabinet.

“Your grandfather’s in his room as always, and if I recall correctly, your parents are talking to him right now,” Eunhyung said, gesturing to the second door closest to the dining area. “Well, if you haven’t eaten yet, the cooks have already prepared lunch. I’ll have them bring some up here. Your grandfather will want all of you eating at the main dining room for dinner anyways.”

Juhyun nodded and opened the door. The room they were going to stay in for the next few days was bathed in neutral shades in keeping with the rest of the house. A beige French rococo bedframe had what would be the softest mattress and sheets Seonghwa had ever felt. The side tables and the vanity were also in the French rococo style, but the lamps and lighting were more on the modern side that Juhyun sensed was part of the renovation or restoration that her grandfather did.

“Wow, I am in awe,” Seonghwa stepped side when some of the helpers brought in their bags.

“We’ll unpack everything ourselves, don’t worry,” Juhyun assured them, and they bowed before stepping away.

“If you need anything,” Eunhyung pointed to the call button next to the door that led to the wardrobe and the bathroom. “It’s good to have you back here, Juhyun, I hope you and Seonghwa enjoy being here,” She smiled and closed the door.

Juhyun turned to her husband. “Well, we’re here,” She said, arms on her sides. “I almost forgot how huge this place is until I saw the dining table at the end.”

Seonghwa wrapped his arms around her. “Now I know what your friends meant. They’ve been here, huh?” He asked.

She looked up at him. “Once or twice. My grandmother hated it. She couldn’t get used to the fact that not everyone in my friend group is old money or new money or comes from money at all,” She said. “But you can imagine the weight that came off everyone when she passed away…”

Seonghwa feigned surprise at her words. “I didn’t think you’d be so happy that your grandmother died,” He said.

“Well, she wasn’t as nice as your grandmother once thought of her,” Juhyun frowned at the thought. “She makes your grandmother look like a saint. You know what my uncle would sometimes call her? The bitch with a Birkin.”

Seonghwa feigned surprise again, making her laugh.

Seonghwa and Juhyun sat down at the dining table at the end of the hall, insisting that they eat their lunch there instead of in their room (mostly out of Seonghwa’s need to keep everything pristine as if they never stayed there). Eunhyung and the helpers stepped out of the elevator carrying trays of food of various cuisines to set down on their table in anticipation for the rest of their family to join in.

“All of this is for lunch?” Seonghwa gaped at the spread before them, and he could feel his stomach grumbling. There was a pot of army base stew next to roast beef, a bamboo box full of steamed soup dumplings next to a large bowl of Waldorf salad,

“Apparently,” Juhyun looked just as surprised. “I think Eunhyung got too excited with the fact that we’re here.”

As soon as they were about to sit down at the table, a young man dressed in a Lacoste polo, well-ironed trousers, and soft-spiked golf shoes appeared, followed by a woman who was presumably his wife, dressed in her pink and white tennis outfit complete with a visor, her brown hair up in a ponytail.

“Ah, I knew more people would be here,” He said with a grin that Seonghwa sensed he only flashed for cameras. “Here’s my cousin, it’s been a while, Juhyun.”

Juhyun’s expression fell as she turned around to face him. “Hello Daeyoung. It has, hasn’t it?” She said.

Daeyoung worked as a senior executive in the Japan branch of the family business, yet the title was only a front as he was almost never in his office under the pretense of meeting with clients. While it was somewhat true, Daeyoung only met them at special brunches in the 5-star hotels, afternoons at the McDowell golf course the family company invested in. Daeyoung always made it a point to look his very best, almost too good for everyone else in a room (“What’s the point of all this money when we can’t even flaunt it?” he would always say).

His wife Hyemin, was exactly like him. Juhyun was always surprised at how well their only son Soohyuk turned out. Soohyuk was a university student at Tokyo University, and was considerably more down-to-earth than his own parents.

Daeyoung turned to Seonghwa, then back at his cousin. He held out his hand.”Hello, I don’t think we’ve met. I don’t think we’ve ever been introduced at all, I’m Choi Daeyoung,” He said.

“Park Seonghwa,” He replied, shaking his hand. There was an air of pompousness about him that everyone could easily perceive.

“Seonghwa, Juhyun’s husband, I presume? Or longtime partner? Or best friend?” Hyemin chimed in.

“All three,” Seonghwa was quick to reply.

“So, what do you do, Seonghwa? What business is the family in?” Daeyoung asked, and both Juhyun and Seonghwa could tell it was an excuse for him to turn the conversation around.

“I’m the art curator of the Mars Art Museum,” Seonghwa said.

Daeyoung’s expression seemed to stiffen. “Oh. I’m working in the family business myself. I’ve been handling my father’s affairs in Tokyo. Big work, big work,” He said, as if incredibly proud of what he talked about.

Juhyun fought the urge to roll her eyes. Hyemin, on the other hand, looked especially proud of her husband. “Husband, hmm? When did you two ever get married?” She said, as if mocking them. “Did you two get married and not invite us?!”

“Oh, I don’t know,” it was Juhyun’s turn to speak. “We wanted a small wedding. It wasn’t anything fancy.”

Hyemin raised a brow at her. “Hmm, I figured it wouldn’t be. It’s so unlike you. I mean, it hardly made Town & Country after all. Unlike that couple? Do Jihan and Kim Eunbi? Of course, I remember the magazine had to kill the other listing of this other couple. Monaco royalty was what they described them, more than the actual royalty of that place.”

The mention of her ex-boyfriend’s name made Juhyun side-eye her and her cousin. “I could’ve worn my best Huntsman suit if you even so much as given us an invitation, Juhyun. That seems quite rude. You must’ve forgotten that entire etiquette class we took as kids, didn’t you?” Daeyoung turned to her again.

“Oh, no, not at all. Like I said,” Juhyun eyed the two of them. “We wanted a small wedding, nothing fancy. You don’t need to compare my wedding to yours, yours was the bash of the year at that time.”

Daeyoung and Hyemin grinned. “Oh it was, wasn’t it?” Hyemin said. “Well, we ought to leave the two of you alone, aunt Seonak may be arriving at any time today.”

“Very nice meeting you, Seonghwa,” Daeyoung smirked as he led his wife away down the stairs.

As soon as they were out of sight, Juhyun frowned and sat down, making Seonghwa do the same. Seonghwa understood why Juhyun hated them so much. They were simply dripping with condescension.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with that, Hwa,” She said as they tucked into the food, already seeing Sangmin leave his bedroom and walk toward the table. Sangmin had gotten considerably taller, nearing the height of their father over the years.

“It’s okay. I understand why you don’t like them very clearly now,” Seonghwa chuckled, placing the table napkin on his lap before he tucked in.

“The less we see of them, the better,” Juhyun nudged him while they ate. “Hello Sangmin,” She said.

“Noona, hyung, hello,” Sangmin sat down across from her, sleepily helping himself to the dishes in front of him. He noticed his sister’s expression. “Daeyoung hyung was here, wasn’t he?” He said.

Juhyun nodded. “We had a little verbal duel earlier.”

Sangmin’s eyes lit up at the reference. “Lunge and parry?”

“Lunge and parry,” She repeated. Juhyun turned to her husband. “He took up fencing this year.”

Seonghwa looked impressed. Just then, Jihyun and her fiance Bin arrived, coming from another room. Both of them looked like they took a nap among other things. “Oh, both of you are here! It’s good timing too, Bin and I were just about to ask the two of you to be our bridesmaid and groomsman, what do you think?”

“When’s the wedding?” Seonghwa asked.

“We were hoping to have a summer wedding, maybe in Lake Como or by the Amalfi Coast,” Jihyun mused. “But then I forgot that the two of you honeymooned in Italy, so we scrapped that place out. But we were definitely thinking of a destination wedding.”

“Did you two try Cannes?” Juhyun suggested.

Jihyun and Bin exchanged looks. “Not a bad idea. We’ll add it to our list of possible destinations,” Jihyun said. “But our question still stands, will you two be our bridesmaid and groomsman?”

Juhyun and Seonghwa nodded. Jihyun squealed while Bin looked pleased as the two of them tucked into their food.

Even as the entire Choi estate was sprawling, it seemed difficult to avoid Daeyoung and Hyemin, as wherever Juhyun and Seonghwa wanted to go, they would run into the two of them, with Daeyoung seemingly speaking to someone on video call while Hyemin took photo upon photo of herself wherever she went.

Juhyun pulled Seonghwa toward the nearest golf cart, driving them to the guest house, seeing as Daeyoung and Hyemin were still speaking to some of the staff of the estate. “Where are we going?” Seonghwa chuckled as she drove them down a little slope toward the villa that was the guest house.

“Here, I think they’ve already gone inside this place,” Juhyun grinned as she parked the cart.

Even the interiors of the house matched the Spanish revival style, with paintings on the walls that Seonghwa realized were likely the original works of the painters, just from seeing the signatures on the bottom right corners. He made a mental note to look up the painters from the walls. Seonghwa looked at the paintings in awe. “Your grandfather’s an art collector too, huh?” He asked.

Juhyun nodded. “Local artists. He liked supporting them,” She saw his expression at some of the works. “You look cute,” She laughed.

Seonghwa pulled her close. “If the trust found out about these paintings, they’ll probably want to buy it.”

“Maybe, we’ll see,” Juhyun said.

Seonghwa led her to one part of the house, seeing a piano, and more pictures of the family on the walls. “This is all your family’s, huh?” He said, still amazed at the extent of the entire property.

Juhyun sighed. “Yeah, it’s too big for me. I don’t think I’d last long living here,” She said.

“Me too,” He chuckled. “I don’t think I can live in a big place like this. Can you imagine us? Living in this big a house? I mean we can probably live in the guest house, but not in the main house.”

She laughed, knowing what he meant. “If grandfather gave this to me, I’d just have turned it into something else. Maybe a house where we could all just hold parties or something,” She shrugged. “There’s a lot of bedrooms, a lot of bathrooms, and even an elevator,” Juhyun pointed to the other end of the hall, where they saw the old-fashioned lift.

Seonghwa looked even more amazed. “It’s definitely the kind of house we can have people over for a meal or for birthdays.”

Juhyun smiled, sitting down next to him. “Yeah,” She rested her head on his shoulder. “It’s strange to start thinking about what I’ll end up inheriting or not inheriting when the time comes.”

“It’s part and parcel of being a Choi, didn’t your mother tell you that?” Seonghwa wrapped an arm around her and she smiled. He remembered one Chuseok gathering, when he spent some time with the woman who was now his mother-in-law much like how she had Bin spend time with them as well. That serious conversation of what it meant to be part of one of the wealthiest families in the country, and perhaps in Asia.

There was a kind of pressure, Seonghwa noticed, for marrying into such a family. While there wasn’t anything to worry about when it came to what they needed, there was the problem of internal drama, of controversy, of gossip. They had to remain unable to do wrong in the eyes of everyone.

“Somehow, with how big this has all gotten, I kind of prefer spending time with my maternal grandparents instead,” Juhyun chuckled. “But then I remember they already died years ago.”

Seonghwa gave her an assuring squeeze. “It seems like everyone preparing for the day your grandfather dies. No wonder they’re all coming here.”

Juhyun scoffed. “No kidding. They’re only here because they kind of want to get one last thing from him, maybe convince him to change the will a little.”

“It’s like living out a drama,” Seonghwa said, and they laughed.

They suddenly heard the front door open, making them stand up, as if on alert, wondering who it was that came inside.

“Juhyun?”

Juhyun sighed in relief. “It’s just grandfather,” She whispered to her husband, who nodded. “Grandpa!” She called out, leaving the living room only to skid to a halt, when she saw that it wasn’t only her grandfather. He was flanked by a woman wearing a beige coat over a black turtleneck, jeans, a puffer vest, and white Miu Miu sneakers. Her dark brown hair was up in a tight bun, and she was looking at them like a cat ready to pounce.

“Aunt Seonak,” Juhyun said while she and Seonghwa bowed a little low to greet them.

“Juhyun darling,” Seonak pulled away to greet her niece with kisses on both cheeks. “It’s been quite a while. You must be Seonghwa, her husband,” She greeted him the same way, taking him by surprise. “You can imagine my surprise when I found out the two of you got married.”

“They have, it was a wonderful ceremony,” Their grandfather said, smiling as he greeted his granddaughter, shaking Seonghwa’s hand as well. “Any kids yet?”

Juhyun and Seonghwa chuckled. “We aren’t thinking that far ahead,” She replied.

“Dad, don’t be silly, I don’t think Juhyun would ever be the type to have kids, or want them,” Seonak nudged the elder man. “But at least she has Seonghwa now, so she won’t be alone.”

It was Seonghwa’s turn to somehow steer the conversation elsewhere. “So, I’d love to take a look at the paintings. Are they originals?” He asked.

The man seemed to light up at the question. “Oh yes, an original Lee Bae, and Park Seobo too, they gave me these as presents a few Christmases ago,” He said.

Seonghwa gaped. “Wow.”

Seonak stared at him. “You like art, Seonghwa?” She said.

“Oh yes, I run an art museum, all forms of art would be exhibited there,” Seonghwa said.

Seonak smiled the kind of smile that reminded both of them of Daeyoung. Seonghwa figured he must have learned it from her. “You simply ought to know your stuff then. Have you ever attended the Met Gala?” She asked.

Seonghwa shook his head. “Unfortunately no.”

She chuckled. “Not your type? I know what you mean. It’s quite a quaint event. It’s lost its prestige,” She said. “Then you must have been to the Art Basel? TEFAF? ARCOMadrid?”

Seonghwa shook his head again. Seonak’s expression stiffened. Juhyun’s grandfather seemed to have sensed the awkward turn. “Come on, Seonak, you can talk about your knowledge of art over dinner. If we leave now, we’ll be able to catch the first course,” Hyungsuk chuckled, patting Juhyun on the shoulder.

He slowly turned around, walking out of the house and into the golf cart. Seonak pursed her lips. “You two might as well catch the next golf cart. Or at least walk back. It was very nice to meet you, Seonghwa. It’s been a while, Juhyun, don’t be too in a hurry to leave.”

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