#Miss Mousey are you being coerced

[almostfini]

Unexpected proponent of open-carry: the froggie who went a-courtin'

[amplesalty]

Halloween 2022 - Day 3 - Rabid (2019)

I hope this one works out because the last Canadian thing called Rabid didn’t age that well...

Erm, excuse me, I think I’ll be the judge of that...

Oooh boy, it’s the other CM Punk movie. I say other, it would have been other at the time I watched Girl on the Third Floor back in 2020 but he’s since added to that with 2021’s Jakob’s Wife, another horror movie. I’ll just make a note of that here for future reference...

And I say ‘ooh boy’ not out of some dread for what I have ahead of me but for the way so much has changed in just two years since I looked at GotTF. By that point he was already on the outs with the UFC after his two defeats (or 1 defeat and 1 no contest as it apparently is now) so acting seemed like another string to add to his bow after wrestling, TV personality, writer, commentator etc etc. But on August 20th 2021 everything changed when the familiar sound of ‘Cult of Personality’ began to blast throughout the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, marking Punk’s return to professional wrestling for the first time in seven years. I do love the idea that, following this, he notified UFC that he had retired. What was that Chris Rock joke about boycotting Rihana’s panties again?

Everything seemed to be coming up aces, especially after a much loved feud with MJF and Punk’s coronation as AEW Champion at Double or Nothing in May of this year. But what should have been his crowning achievement seems to have been the start of his downfall, an injury only days later would put him out of action until August, at which point he returned only to lose to title to Jon Moxley. Then, following their rematch at All Out on September 4th, all hell seemed to break loose backstage after some questionable comments made by Punk in the post show media scrum, with reports of a fist fight between Punk and fellow AEW stars Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. Everyone involved was stripped of their titles and we would come to learn that Punk had suffered an injury during the show and was projected to be out for another 8 months. Following that fracas though, there are question marks over whether AEW would even take him back. Maybe it’ll be time to dust off the old SAG membership...

Which brings us to the subject of today; Rabid. And we’re not just talking about what Kenny Omega might be after Ace Steel bit him. I might as well get Punk’s part out of the way early because it really is a bit of a blink and you’ll miss it cameo, though he does return briefly later on the in the movie. It’s a totally believe bit of casting though as he plays an abrasive douchebag that gets kicked out of a nightclub before running into our leading lady, Rose, played by Laura Vandervoort, who looks very much like Charlize Theron. Maybe Theron mixed with Elizabeth Olsen.

Loving the glittery shirt they’ve got him dressed in, don’t think I could ever imagine Punk wearing such a thing. But in his few minutes, he manages to pick a fight with two bouncers way bigger than him, get the cold shoulder from some random woman and then proceeds to spend what feels like way too long just following her down the street to chew her out and tell her that she’s not even that hot anyway. Ah, the last refuge of the rejected man, or does that only come when you says she’s probably a lesbian anyway? And hey, even his missus April Mendez AKA AJ Lee managed to get herself in on the action too!

As for the story as a whole, Rose is an aspiring fashionista totally bereft of confidence due to some disfiguring scares that came by way of a car accident that killed her parents. Between being orphaned at a young age and being left with a permanent reminders of it, that’s gonna do a number on your psyche. She gets asked out by one of her co-workers, something we come to learn isn’t 100% on the up and up, so with her general mousey demeanor and the coerced nature of his proposal, I was kinda getting Carrie vibes about the whole situation. Which does fit slightly with some moments that come up later on...

After learning the truth, Rose storms out but ends up driving his scooter straight into oncoming traffic leaving her even more disfigured but luckily there’s an experimental clinic that wants to help her so they can develop their bleeding edge techniques. Only, there does seem to be some side effects in play...

Like the odd cravings. Mmmmm, you can really taste the botulism! The movie does go out of it’s way to show Rose’s usual vegetarian diet so it’s definitely strange to see her suddenly rip open a steak and just go at it.

What I had forgotten from my brief research on this film after watching Girl... was that it’s a remake of a David Cronenberg movie. Probably for the best that I only re-learnt this as the movie started because I might have had second thoughts otherwise since I don’t normally get on the best with that type of movie and I’d usually shy away from jumping straight to a remake. Still, you can definitely see the connection, albeit quite far into the movie.  And it seems to just remember it out of the blue and then instantly shifts into body horror mode. It’s a bit jarring to have this very sudden shift in tone. Otherwise they’re kinda going for this ‘is it all in her head’ thing which I never really got absorbed into. Maybe because it’s fairly obvious there’s something shady going on, I know all about these so called ‘experimental procedures’, I’ve seen Body Bags.

Plus it’s hard not to come off a little sus when the surgeon comes out for the operation like he’s one of the Emperors Royal Guard. I mean, I guess you’re gonna get blood on your scrubs anyway so you might as well make them red...

That guy actually threw me a little bit at first because I thought it was William Atherton, he of Walter Peck and Dick Thornburg fame. But no, it’s just the coincidentally named Ted Atherton who is apparently of no relation but of passing resemblance.

It’s a very Canadian affair here, with Ted being a native along with several of his co-stars and they all seem to have starred in either Degrassi, various adaptations of XIII or both. I know Degrassi is a big thing over there so it’s probably just a right of passage for any Canadian actor that you’re going to end up in that thing at some point.

As the name of the film suggests, the theme of rabies comes up and it’s a little eerie given that the movie came out in late 2019 that it heavily features talks of the CDC, quarantines, public health crises and has rampant face mask wearing.

Overall, the movie did enough to keep me intrigued throughout to see where it was going but, kinda like with Hocus Pocus 2 yesterday, I’m a little underwhelmed with the ending. I’m normally all for a ‘questionable sanity’ type movie but I guess it didn’t really build up to it enough to make it questionable, it just kinda jumped straight to 11. Where Rose’s reconstructive surgery has her prettier and more outgoing than ever, maybe she’d have flashbacks or visions of her old scars that make her pull away from this sudden social contact and in that isolation is where the demons start to come in.

It’s a decent enough movie but I imagine there’s probably a lot more notable examples in the body horror genre that you’d want to get to before this one. At least it has the novelty of seeing Punk. That’s something these Soska sisters have pedigree for is the ol’ wrestler movie. They did See No Evil 2 after all and did Vendetta the year after which has a real ‘main event in any town’ poster to it.

Dean Cain vs The Big Show, Hell in a Cell?!

[randombtsprincessa]

Achilles Heart || 2

All Rights Reserved.

Author: Randombtsprincessa

Characters: Jeon Jungkook x Reader (2nd POV) x Kim Taehyung | Other Characters

Chapters: Prologue  01

A/N: My first work for Camp Nano! I am nervous about this a little. Hopefully you will like it!

3 Weeks after That Date

The bell jangled with a familiar tinkle as you slipped in through the door, your hand automatically reaching up to wave at the woman behind the counter.

Jana, the owner of the diner smiled at you, small crinkles appearing in her now lined face. You remembered when the skin was smooth as porcelain, some five years ago when you had stepped into this diner with your best friend, fresh out of college and looking for future prospects.

Jana and her diner were as familiar to you as the ambience of your home and you had never been more grateful to anyone for their support than her.

“Hey Jana,” you let her run a hand maternally down your cheek, a rose tinted smile stuck on her face.

“Hi bird, how are you?” She asked.

Maybe it was the homely feel of her touch, one that you missed from your mother for a while now but you stalled, stuttering your words dimwittedly.

How were you?

In true you fashion, you said you were fine, great even.

There wasn’t really anything that was upsetting you. It had been three weeks since your dastardly conversation with the man you loved. Three weeks in which Jungkook had been nothing but an angel to you, more so than before.

He was more attentive, more hands-on, he was over all working at being a better lover and while you had been nervous about any changes since the weekend; your paranoia refusing to see the positives, you had to say he was convincing.

You were still wondering what had brought it on; since Jungkook had made it clear he wanted to forget that one week in your lives, making no move to change. Still, you couldn’t complain. Especially, since now, you were waking up to a single rose left on his pillow if he left before you woke up, quick sweet texts through the day, surprise gifts and a dizzyingly passionate round of love-making nearly every other night.

You didn’t know where the sudden bout of worry cropped up, but the way Jana’s eyebrows furrowed just a tad bit, you knew you’d been caught.

“I’m fine, Jana.” You said, hitching up a smile that Jana examined closely, her eyes searching yours before she was removing her hand, picking up the white cup she was wiping.

“I see; and how is that boyfriend of yours?” She continued.

“Jungkook’s fine too, we’re both keeping busy.”

There it was; that sudden spike in your nerves. What was wrong with you?

Jana’s hand slowed before she was looking up with a smile again; one that in turn, didn’t fully convince you.

“Yoongi asked me to save your usual seat, right in you go honey. He’ll be along any minute.” She motioned with her head and you nodded, waving again before walking to the far back of the diner, checking your watch as you slid in.

It was just five minutes until Yoongi emerged for his lunch from the building across.

 If there was one other person who knew you like Jana did, that would be Min Yoongi.

Your best friend since your college days, you would’ve never thought you and he would stick by each other for this long yet here you were.

Jana placed her special cup of tea in front of you, complete with sugars and creamers and you gratefully set to work, before Yoongi got here and began to complain about your tea making skills.

You smiled as memories of your first meet flooded your mind.

You had been on the organizing board of the university council, overlooking the decorations committee when he’d bungled in, looking like all hell and raising much of the same.

A music major, specializing in rap and piano yet he had none of the finesse of the instrument, unless, of course he was playing one.

No, Min Yoongi had been rough, brusque with nearly anyone who crossed his path, and downright cruel when he was caffeine deprived.

That might have had something to do with his studies, but you had had a hard time curbing him enough to perform a solo for the festival when Yoongi had slowly unfurled.

The poor boy had terrible social anxiety.

It wasn’t just the red cheeks he would get at the prospect of sitting on the piano stool, surrounded by people; it was also the horror of performing his original music.

“This is great, Yoongi.” You could tell him nineteen times a day and he would refute you twenty times.

You had managed to coerce him into performing though, knowing that the adorable red cheeked boy had magical music and potential, the festival peaking through his added performances.

Not only had you helped him realize what he was missing out on, he helped you gain enough extra credit for a referral letter.

Two years down the lane, arm in arm as unlikely best friends you had sat in this very diner, in this very booth, working out your future.

While Yoongi had been scouted by a small company which allowed selling his own music, your referral letter had landed you in the bosom of your first Event planning cooperation.

Both of you had prospered and grown since then.

Now, you were a known Event Planner in your own right, Yoongi had retired out of the performing stage and had set up his own producing label, GLOSS Entertainment right across Jana’s diner.

You wondered if it had something to do with the wonderful home cooked food.

“Oh god, I hope you didn’t do the tea.”

You rolled your eyes automatically, not even deigning to turn around as he rounded the side, sliding into the opposite seat.

Min Yoongi, best friend unlikely-aire, had finally made it to visit your humble self.

You studied him critically.              

Long gone was the waxy skin, a healthy tone to it despite being pale, soft pinks flushing over the tops of his cheeks from the cold outside, his hair was longer, the front almost covering his ears. He looked healthier.

“You’ve grown uglier.”

Yoongi snorted, patting his hair. “I take it that means I’ve been eating.”

“I knew it. That’s why you chose that hovel right there.” You pointed to his rising building across the street with your chin, a small smile hovering on your lips.

“Hey, I’ll have you know that hovel cost more than my apartment; renovation extra.” He grumbled, reaching for his tea and sipping at it gingerly, making no comments aside from pulliing a face.

You shrugged mentally, guess you could never make Yoongi’s tea properly, but then, thankfully, you weren’t his secretary, although you pitied the small mousey woman who was.

“So, how’s stuff?” He asked.

“You first, I saw the records magazine. Very subtle, by the way, sending it my way ‘by mistake’,” you teased, raising your own cup, now lukewarm but still welcoming.

“It was a mistake; I meant to send you the page only. You know, just in case you forgot how awesome your best friend really is.” He retorted back.

You grunted, trying hard not to roll your eyes at his faux overconfidence.

Yoongi tried, but the red tips of his ears always gave away how much his success was still a touchy topic, one he only allowed you to tease him about.

Anybody else and he would’ve left already, never to look back.

He took another grudging sip of his tea, fixing you with a stare he had perfected since the final year of college. He knew it was the only one that worked on you and you were always wary of that particular gaze.

“How have you been?”

“I’ve been fine.” You answered nonchalantly, hoping against hope that Yoongi would drop it like Jana.

You were wrong of course. Yoongi never dropped anything.

“Are you sure? Because I’ve heard you being fine before and this isn’t it.”

“Guess I’m just stressing about work, I haven’t got a lot going on. It’s been too slow.”

Yoongi frowned to himself, looking down at his cup. “I’ve got a few things going you could take a look at.”

You shook your head immediately. “No, no, it’s not like that. I have things, just not…big things. You know me, I’m a stressor.” You cajoled.

“I’m the stressor, Y/N.” He pointed out; eyes still on the narrow but you ignored the jibe, looking pointedly away till he pursed his lips in defeat.

“I see. And…how is Jungkook?”

There it was again, that odd sensation as if someone had messed with the soft skin under your fingernails. It made you want to scratch at something.

You didn’t know which gut instinct it was, warning you of some impending doom but you knew you hated it.

“He’s alright.”

Yoongi eyed you over the rim of his cup.

“He’s been keeping busy.” You added.

An eyebrow rose.

There was a brief pause in which Yoongi continued to employ silence to loosen your lips, a psychological tactic, but it wasn’t anything you were unfamiliar with. Well, that, and also because talking about Jungkook was starting to make you antsy, as if acting that everything was fine and normal was wrong somehow.

But it wasn’t, was it? He hadn’t changed. So why were you over thinking this? Or did you think he had changed somehow and were unconsciously reacting to it?

You looked down at your tea.

“Y/N,” Yoongi finally said, his voice low. “You know you can tell me anything, I’m just worried about you. You don’t sound like yourself over the phone anymore. It’s been days and I thought you were hitting a rough patch, maybe with work or Jungkook but you say both are fine. You’re definitely keeping something from me. Just, what is it?”

You gulped, trying not to tear up as memories you’d tried to forget reared their heads again, like a hydra.

“I…what do you think about open relationships?” You asked in turn.

Yoongi opened his mouth, before frowning. “I don’t think anything about them. I haven’t thought about relationships in a while now, you know that. Why do you ask?”

“Because…I got in one…with Jungkook,”

Yoongi paused in his action of sipping tea, eyes widening comically and he nearly choked before regaining composure. “You…huh, I’m going to need more context.” He said voice croaky from his mishap.

You nodded slowly, keeping your head down as you mumbled out your pitiful last weeks to him, the start of the horrible date to the increased attention Jungkook was now giving you.

You knew you were trying to make Jungkook not come out as a villain but you also were pretty sure it wasn’t working on Yoongi, who grew irate with every word.

Finally when you looked up to see his reaction, Yoongi had his hand on his face, fingers covering his eyes.

“And you just…blurted it out to him…to what, keep him with you?” he asked, eyes still hidden.

You hummed an affirmation, and he dropped his hand. “Even though you don’t actually want to do this,” It wasn’t a question. He knew you enough to know how you would feel about sharing Jungkook.

You shrugged.

“Y/N, that was…incredibly…brave of you.” he said, making you flinch in expectation of a scolding, surprising you with the compliment.

“It was terrifically stupid, but brave.”

There it was.

“Why would you do that when you knew you were going to hate it? Especially, since you told me Jungkook was against the idea?”

“Because…you don’t understand, Yoongi – he would’ve left me!” You hissed, scowling up at your gaping best friend.

“He…he told you to forget about it and move on…”

“Doesn’t matter…him bringing up that; that was enough for me to know he was slipping away from me. I’m not enough for him anymore. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.”

Yoongi sat back, a thoughtful pout to his lips.

“Listen, I am mad as hell at him for agreeing to do this but, why didn’t you just…?”

You laughed humorlessly. “Leave him?” You asked, watching him nod.

You sighed, “I love him Yoongi,”

He was still pouting. “I see,” he mumbled before you both looked away, thinking about what you’d just conversed about.

“Well, I can only support you through your decisions but I would still say I’m worried about your mind set. If you’re this off even when Jungkook’s not done anything, I’d hate to see what happens when he actually does something.”

You shivered.

“He says he wouldn’t.” You defended weakly.

Yoongi snorted. “If you really believed that, you wouldn’t be this worried.”

You fell silent at that, knowing that yet again, Min Yoongi was right.

 3 Days after meeting Yoongi

“If you really believed that, you wouldn’t be this worried.”        

Your leaden feet padded onto the wood of your floor, a soft sigh of relief escaping you as you slipped off your pumps, already knowing you’d have sores tomorrow.

A hot bath had better be in your future.

You dropped your keys and purse onto the table next to the entryway, pausing as you noted the extra shoes in the reception area.

Jungkook was home? He rarely came out this early…and he had company.

You critically eyed the male sneakers, trying not to question yourself at this point.

Glancing at the mirror to see if you were presentable to guests, you threw your shoulders back, walking in determinedly.

The pair was in the kitchen, a small chortle going through them as you stopped in the entry.

It was Namjoon; Jungkook’s mentor and leading producer at his entertainment company. Formerly an underground rapper who had struck gold by getting scouted, he’d in turn scouted Jungkook, barely out of college.

To be honest, you’d known Namjoon longer than Jungkook, often being the one to organize a lot of his company’s events. He had been a good friend.

You sighed, trying not to feel bitter.

Things had been…awkward between the two of you. It was something that made you cringe, but he was unaware, not having checked up on you after your talk with Jungkook.

You knew you internally held him responsible. You had no plausible reason, but you weren’t looking for one either.

He had the means to glide Jungkook through it. He had done the very opposite, with no mind as to how it would affect you.

You were definitely bitter.

You watched as Jungkook grinned sheepishly at something Namjoon said before his eyes flitted up, clearly feeling your gaze on them.

His eyes widened before crinkling again, if not a little hesitantly.

Maybe you were just reading too much into his actions.

“Hi baby, did you just get home?” He asked.

Namjoon placed his beer bottle down on the kitchen island, turning to look at you. Your eyes locked for a split second before you entered your kitchen. “Yeah, just now,” You quietly went to stand next to Jungkook, letting him pull you in by your waist to place a soft kiss to your lips, endearing and loving.

“Hey Y/N, how’s it going?” Namjoon called, looking at you warily.

“I’m good Namjoon, you?” you moved to the fridge, grabbing a can of coke for yourself.

“It’s good. Listen Kook, it’s time for the game, you want to turn the TV on?” He asked.

You popped the can, fully knowing there was a silent conversation happening behind your back.

Why was Namjoon really here? Was it to tell you that your pathetic attempt at keeping Jungkook was a failure and he would have to leave you no matter what? Was it to tell you that you were a pathetic failure to think you could keep Jeon Jungkook in the first place?

You shivered involuntarily.

“Y/N,”

You didn’t turn around, focusing on the act of sipping from the can, barely letting out a hum of acknowledgement.

“Y/N, I know you’re pissed at me.” Namjoon sighed.

You dropped your hand slowly, turning to face a gloomy looking Namjoon, spinning the beer bottle in his hand before looking up at you.

“I’m not,” you began but Namjoon was quick to raise his hand.

“Don’t lie to me. I know we fucked up; me especially. I had no idea what I was getting Jungkook into and I honestly didn’t know that you were going to…you know, offer him that.”

“It was less of an offering for him than me.” You told him.

Namjoon nodded understandingly. “I feel you. I do, believe me. The industry is tough and Jungkook is still learning. You are the best thing to happen to him, no one is denying that. No one will ever deny that. I just want you to know that this is going to help him. I know nothing I say further is going to make you think that its fine and I don’t want to put rose glasses on you. It’s going to be hard but what you did, it’s still commendable. I mean, I can’t imagine giving the girl I love permission to cheat on me -,”

He stopped immediately, his eyes flying up to look at you with flushed cheeks.

You in turn lost color, the heady complexion of the day’s work and the commute home, fading out till you were left devoid of whatever glow you’d worked up.

Permission to cheat on you…you’d given your lover reign to freely cheat on you…

“Y/N…I didn’t mean that.” Namjoon cajoled but you’d already withdrawn from the conversation, turning away to leave the can on the counter.

“I’m going to…go out for a bit. Enjoy the game.” You said, more to yourself than him but you knew he heard when he made to stand.

You hurried out at that, before he could catch up to you, trying not to catch Jungkook’s eye who looked up curiously from the couch, concern flooding him when he saw you head to your purse and keys yet again, looking around for some comfortable flats.

“Baby, what…are you okay, where are you going?” He asked quickly, moving to follow you but you shook your head.

“I’m just giving you some space. Have fun, I’m going out for a drink.”

You had already slipped on your loafers, the door swinging open with one hand. You left Jungkook mid sentence as he began to tell you how late it was getting.

Yoongi watched you with narrowed eyes, reminding you of the day you’d told him of your relationship status.

The bar chattered behind you, the sounds of clinking glasses, soft laughs, slurred words filling your ears, going straight to your head where it numbed you of sorts, pounding out the thoughts of Jungkook and your doomed love.

“Y/N,” he called.

It took you a second to answer, the sweet bliss of alcohol thrumming through your veins, lulling you in a fake sense of security. Well, that coupled with the fact that Yoongi was stone cold sober, you knew you were good to go.

“Yep,” you said, popping the p and digging your fingers into your scalp, smiling at Yoongi.

“I’m concerned.” He said listlessly, eyes roving over your face and you scoffed.

“I’m great, Yoons! Listen, I gave Jungkook permission to cheat, right? It’s not really cheating.” You pointed out as if it made everything right in the world.

“Namjoon has always been good with words.” Yoongi said in turn, making you frown.

“Yeah, but me smart, Yoons! I planned rules!”

He nodded, hand shooting out to stabilize you when you started to stumble a little. “I know; you told me.” His eyes darted over your shoulder.

You turned to follow his gaze, ignoring the warning grip on your arm to see a man, looming over your side of the counter, an appreciative gleam in his eyes.

“Hey, saw you from way over there,” he raised the hand holding his glass, pointing to a far corner while resolutely ignoring Yoongi and his loud scoffing. “Thought I could buy you a drink,”

You ran your eyes over him.

As drunk as you were, your radar was used to being called on and while you had been out of the field for a time, you knew what to do. He wasn’t half bad looking, too lanky for your taste, dressed in a tight black shirt that had started to get un-tucked from his pale jeans.

Too bad, he just wasn’t Jungkook…

“Nope, sorry, I’m in a relationship. It might not be going great right now, but I love the douche bag and I’m going to stay loyal.” You told him.

“Y/N, for god’s sake!” Yoongi hissed from behind you, finally drawing the man’s eyes as he contemplated the both of you.

“Whatever man, good luck, I guess.” He muttered, drawing away and you turned triumphantly, grinning into Yoongi’s irritated face.

“Call me redundant, but I’m concerned.” He said again.

“Don’t be, Yoongi,” you were about to pat his cheeks when he grabbed your hand, lowering his voice urgently.

“Listen, I have…a lunch party to go to…you know; one of those fancy tea things the posh people do. It’s a sponsor’s prerogative. I want you to come with me.” He said firmly.

“But I’ll have to get dressed up! I’m ugly.” You whined, placing your head on his arms.

Yoongi chuckled at that. “You’re beautiful, you moron. Just come with me, ok? I’ll tell you the details when you’re not…drunk out of your mind.”

He lugged you out of your seat, wrapping your arm around his shoulders to heft you safely away. “Now let’s get you home.”

4 Weeks after That Date

The coat of peach felt oddly heavy on your lips, the lipstick brush swiping at the softened pout in firm strokes.

You studied your reflection in the mirror, trying to find a flaw that could be remedied. You had puffed up your hair, tying up and away in a sleek high ponytail and kept your make up light, nothing dark for an afternoon party.

Yoongi had been insistent about taking you as his plus one, saying a sponsor party might just pull you out of your slump as well and get him more credit.

You seriously doubted this, but there wasn’t much Yoongi was unable to convince you of.

You had tried asking Jungkook if he wanted to come along but he had glanced up, looking oddly blank as he eyed you, seconds of silence passing. You had to repeat yourself and he had blinked, almost as if he’d forgotten you were there, or that you had asked him a question.

“No, I…I think I’ll stay in.”

You swung back on the balls of your feet. “Are you ok?” you had to ask.

He nodded, turning to look back at the TV, eyes unseeing. “Yes, I…actually, I think I’ll go to the studio for a bit.” He mumbled.

You frowned as you turned to head to the door. “You sure you’re ok?”

There was a pause before he answered; a curious hum that raised more questions than answered them.

With that refusal, you had taken off with Yoongi, him driving you to the outskirts of the city where the more opulent and expensive party plots were.

The one he parked at was already full in swing.

The plush grass tickled your feet through the thin flats you’d chosen, thankful now. You’d have collapsed if you’d tried to walk in this in heels.

The place was decorated in soft whites and dim gold, reflecting the fading sunlight as you followed Yoongi around, laughing as he commented on a few people he’d worked with or happened to know about.

Yoongi offered you a glass of sparkling white champagne when you asked, “So, where’s this exclusive sponsor you want so badly to impress?”

“I’ve already impressed them. He invested in GLOSS last week; this is just a meet-greet party he hitched me in.”

You gasped, smacking his shoulder. “You freak! You lied to me.”

Yoongi backed up a few steps in caution. “I didn’t, I just said that it’s a sponsor party. Technically, it’s true.”

“Who is it anyway?”

“Kim Enterprise,”

You gasped again, your hand swiping at him again. “The Kim Enterprise?”

“Yep,” Yoongi sipped at his glass, narrowing his eyes at you.

“You didn’t tell me you were vying for them! I’m your goddamn best friend!”

“I brought you here, my god stop!” He whined before breaking into a grin, revealing his real feelings. “I’m excited to be honest, they were backing Sangria before his scandal and he hit the top almost overnight.”

You smiled, beaming up at him. “I’m proud of you, Yoons.”  

He nodded before straightening up, looking around you. “Mr. Kim,” he said respectfully, making you turn around quickly.

“Here’s the man of the hour, Min Yoongi, how are you?” The man was taller than both you and Yoongi, broad shoulders filling out his cream suit as he grinned and shook hands with your best friend.

You stood back respectfully, letting Yoongi exchange pleasantries with him and the woman next to him before he turned to you.

“Y/N, this is Kim Seokjin, eldest son of Kim Hansen, one of the heirs to Kim Enterprise. This is his wife, Mrs. Son,” you bowed to them both as Son grinned at you.

“So, you’re the best friend he speaks so much of.”

You smiled back. “At least that, this is the first I’ve heard him speak of you.”

“Do you not understand the concept of a surprise?” Yoongi scolded from beside you, Seokjin following with a laugh.

“You must forgive us men, not a lot surprises women; we men must work so hard. Please, enjoy the party and Yoongi; keep an eye out for my brother. He’s the better judge of the entertainment labels and would be better working with you. We’ll see you around, we have a few more people to greet.”

He bowed once to you two before placing a light hand at his wife’s back, leading her away as she waved at you cutely.

You watched them leave. “They’re nice.” You commented.

Yoongi nodded. “You should meet the younger one; he is the real mastermind behind the entertainment business. Kim Enterprise flourished ever since he pulled in artists into their fold.”

You nodded, still eyeing the Kim couple.

 It was halfway through the party before you got to meet Kim Taehyung, his presence looming over you as he conversed heartily with Yoongi and you tried very hard not to stare.

He was absolutely beautiful, putting the statues in the garden to shame. He would’ve made Zeus cry.

Thin, sculpted lip, tilting into a heart stopping smile was the first thing you’d seen, hooded eyes meeting Yoongi’s then moving to yours when you were introduced to both him and his friend Park Jimin, his best friend and the Idol who had brought up the idea of the entertainment merger.

Were the Kim men just so beautiful? First Seokjin and now Taehyung…even his best friend was angelic, crescent eyes fluttering as he chuckled at you.

You tried not to flush, knowing you’d been caught.

Even as Yoongi and Taehyung struck up a business talk, Jimin was nudging at your arm.

“These business men are all alike; don’t know that parties don’t have to be made boring.”

You had to laugh; the pout on Jimin’s plump lips too adorable.

“I suppose so yes, but I’m a working woman so I have to be like that as well.”

Jimin perked up. “What do you do?”

“I’m an event planner.”

He murmured a ‘whoa’ under his breath. “Have you ever worked with us before?”

You hummed, thinking through your past works. “No, I don’t think so. My clients were usually from Big Hit and I’ve worked with Yoongi before.”

“Oh,” he scratched his chin in contemplation before grinning cheekily. “Then it’s a good thing we met, you can add us as clients as well.”

You stared at him, wondering if he was trying to flirt with you.

“Jimin, you’re shameless, she’s Yoongi’s guest; we can’t flirt with her.” A deep voice cut in and Jimin rolled his eyes as you both turned to the man standing with Yoongi.

“You’re just jealous I managed to do it first, you were too busy with your work.”

Oh, so he was trying to flirt with you after all.

You glanced around helplessly as Taehyung chuckled. “You’re the one who’s more business minded than I am, my friend.” He glanced at you, reaching for your hand finally, “I am Kim Taehyung.”

You forwarded your hand, feeling his wrap gently around it, a far cry from a handshake as he cradled the limb. You let him raise your hand to his lips, brushing your knuckles with them. “Y/N,” you nodded.

“I’m going to remember that.” He whispered.

There was a pause in which Yoongi suddenly cleared his voice and you quickly looked at him, seeing an odd gleam in his eyes as he watched Taehyung, a strange look of calculation on his face.

You waved as Yoongi drove away, dropping you off at the front of your apartment. You’d invited him back upstairs but he’d declined, saying he needed to get back home early so he could work on a few things.

You shook your head; always the workaholic…

Taking the elevator up, you checked your watch, marveling how you were still early. Maybe you’d splurge a little extra time on dinner…put in some extra effort just like Jungkook had been.

Maybe you had been a little too hard on him, too wary of his intentions when he’d been trying to fix things…

You straightened up, a smile taking over your face.

Ok, so a nice dinner, a long bath and to bed, you decided, trying not to think about what you and he would be doing in bed, unless you blushed.

The doors of the elevator opened and you hurried out, fishing in your purse for your keys, turning the knob when you paused as it turned easily.

You stuttered in your steps, letting the door open, noting the timberlands in the foyer.

Jungkook was home already?

You tried not to be disappointed at your plan failing. Maybe you could team up in the kitchen; after all he was a fantastic cook himself…

“Kookie?” you called him by the nickname you hadn’t used to in a while now, loosening up as you entered the living room.

To your surprise, Jungkook was in the kitchen, hunched slightly on the island.

You watched as he rubbed his hands over his face, seemingly not have had heard you and you moved in closer, taking in the tense bunch in his back.

You placed a soft hand on his shoulder, feeling him jump before almost recoiling from your touch, looking around in alarm.

“Y/N,” he gasped, looking around to find the small clock near the stove. “When did you get home?”

You stared, why did this seem so repetitive? This was your home. Why did he always look so worried?

“I - are you sure you’re okay, Jungkook?” you chose to ask, looking closer into his eyes.

He nodded hastily, clearing his throat.

Your hand was soon shaken off, lightly falling to your side but it felt anything but as he got to his feet, dark hair flopping down to cover his eyes, lips chewed and cheeks flushed.

Something was definitely wrong.

Aside from the jittery way Jungkook moved around the space he’d been familiar with for ages now, your instinct of impending doom was at its peak.

Fear thudded through you and you blurted out, “Jungkook, just tell me what happened? I…can’t take you like this.”

For what it was worth, Jungkook stopped; frozen in his action of peering into the fridge, as if it was going to give him some hidden answer.

You bent, your fingers gripping the edges of the counter, trying to brace yourself for whatever it was he was going to reveal to you. Because you were sure he would. You knew Jungkook’s tells, and nervously fluttering about meant he had been hiding something till he was ready to erupt.

Had he…had he…?

No, no he wouldn’t…

“Jungkook,”

“I did it. I…released a statement, one that said I was not committed and single. I was going to have to someday and management was pressuring me way too much. Namjoon helped me do it today. It’ll probably be up in the news by tomorrow.”

Jungkook’s words flooded from his abused lips, the plumper lower one trembling as he fixed his eyes straight at you, hands drawing closer till he was fidgeting with his hemline. Not once did his eyes waver.

You stayed still, letting his words wash over you.

Sometime during his words, the glow of the afternoon party had worn off.

“Oh,” you mustered finally, turning away slowly, heading further into the house.

For once, you did not hear Jungkook call after you.