#Oh Kyung-Tae imagines

[dreamingkdrama]

Extraordinery attorney Woo

Genre: Legal drama/comedy, feel-good romance

Episodes: 16

Starring: Park Eun-Bin, Kang Tae-Oh, Kang Ki-Young, Joo Jong-Hyuk, Ha Yoon-Kyung

Synopsis: Woo Young-Woo is extremely smart and she also has autism spectrum disorder. She never forgets what she sees, but she lacks in social skills and empathy. Woo Young-Woo begins to work as a trainee lawyer at a large law firm. While working there, she faces prejudice and irrationality against her, but she solves cases with her own unique perspective and grows as a lawyer.

Positives: It's really interesting idea to make this kind of show with an autistic lawyer and show how strong Woo Young-Woo have to be to overcome things that we can't imagine could be a brobkem for someone. I really like the support she gets from (almost) everyone. Also the whales are really a fun element.

Negatives: Not much, maybe just tha fact that the side characters don't have much screentime to develop interesting side plots, but it's probably just me. I like when the side characters have more action.

Conclusion: It's for everyone who enjoys those heartwarming shows that makes you smile. Especially, if you like shows foccused od law and judiciary. Park Eun-Bin is absolutelly killimg it as the autistic attorney Woo. I love her, she is great :)

Action: 2/10 Romance: 7/10 Intriques: 5/10 Blood: 1/10 Whump: 3/10 Friendship: 9/10 Emotions: 8/10 Humor: 8/10

[afabstract]

The Time of Fever Review: Prequel Ticks Towards Heartache

The Korean series The Time of Fever delves into the emotional struggle of childhood friends Kim Dong Hui and Ko Ho Tae as they wrestle with crossing the line from friendship to love.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram) Am I the only delusional viewer who expected ‘The Time of Fever’ to be a steamy romance due to its title? Doesn’t ‘The Time of Fever’ immediately make some think ‘oh this is going to be hot, sexy one!’? I can imagine one of those Korean characters exclaiming – ‘Are you a pervert?’. No, just a regular person who appreciates spice. Directed by Yang Kyung Hee…

[enterenews]

Lee Sun-gyun, Kim Hong-pa conspiracy to become a criminal..

CEO Oh told Chairman Myeong not to be too sad and to delete the useless photos. Chairman Myung, who sighed and put the envelope in the pocket of CEO Oh, said, “I will keep my mouth shut about the prosecutor. From now on forever!” and pushed him off the roof.

The next day, Jang Tae-chun urgently revealed to Eun-yong that CEO Oh had made an extreme choice. In the news, there were reports that President Oh Chang-hyun said that he was continuously threatened by Eun-yong in relation to GMi Bank stock price manipulation, requested various preferential treatment for the private equity fund operated by him, and forced him to participate in various illegal activities such as insider trading.

Eun-yong was placed on an urgent national wanted list, and Chairman Myeong, who entered the detention center, smiled as he watched the news.

Eun-yong, who confirmed the news with Park Joon-kyung, said that CEO Oh’s extreme choice made no sense, and when he saw the prosecution car arriving in front of the company, he ducked and said, “You act really fast. As if prepared,” he said.

In response, Park Joon-gyeong told Eun-yong to go to his house. Arriving at Park Joon-kyung's house, Eun-yong looked at the photo of Representative Oh on the investigation board and said, "It's super strong beyond imagination." There is only one way to confront the unexpected enemy's precipitation,' he said and moved on.

Eun-yong, who entered the prosecution office on her own, met Jang Tae-chun and said, “If I hide, you will get hurt. There was only one way. The best Taechun, handcuff me with your hands,” he held out his hands.

[angelsvoice1love]

Not that crazy

You were hiding in the truck with Soo-Yeol and K, you hid behind a smaller section that wasn't that backed up in the corner. But unluckily for Soo-Yeol and K, they were packed tightly together and it wasn't going well.

K: Ugh...I'm boiling. He said, as he started to take off some clothes.

Soo-Yeol: So am I, and I need to pee.

K: Here use the bottle. K spoke, as he handed over the bottle.

Y/n: Guys a-

You cut yourself short, when you heard a sound indicating the one and only thing you could think of. Shutting your eyes, and clasping your hands on your ears you tried your best to try and cut out the sound of Soo-Yeol peeing.

K: Y/n? Are you okay? K wondered, as he tried looking for you.

Y/n: Y...yes. I wasn't packed like a sardine though. Are you okay? C...can I come up now?

Soo-Yeol: Yes...its safe. He said, face red as you rose to your feet.

You couldn't help but see the embarrassment on his face, as you squeezed your way to them.

Y/n: I...here I have some water in my backpack. You said, as you gave them each a water. They both downed the water, relief they could cool down a bit.

The road was getting shaky, as the truck slowed to a rough stop you fell forward as Soo-Yeol caught you in his arms. Noses touching as you both went wide eyed.

K: Hurry, hurry the truck stopped we need to jump out. He said, quickly as he grabbed his clothes as he ran out of the truck. Blinking you backed up a bit, so that he could exit first.

As soon as Soo-Yeol was outside, you walked to the trucks exit and jumped down grabbing Soo-Yeols hand as you ran to the bushes with K behind your trails.

K hid behind his own little bush, as you and Soo-Yeol hid behind another. Looking over Soo-Yeol's shoulder you Saw K was gone, which caused you to frown. Where was he? You thought to yourself.

You could hear Soo-Yeol phone vibrate in his pocket, as he reached for it he got a message from K saying he was going to get transportation and that we needed to hide somewhere we're we wouldn't be found. Looking around you saw a small cabin, nodding you grabbed Soo-Yeol's hand running fast to stay out of sight.

Out of no where it started raining, drenching you both in water as you reached the cabin you looked around knowing it wasn't worth anything or hasn't been used in ages.

Turning around you saw Soo-Yeol run his fingers through his hair, shaking as much water from it as he could.

Swallowing you breathed out, trying not to look at his plumb red lips.

Soo-Yeol: Y/n are you okay?

Y/n: Huh?

Soo-Yeol: Did you get hurt on the way here? Or anything?

Y/n: Y...yes. I'm fine. I do hope K, is okay though.

Soo-Yeol: It's K we're talking about. He'll be fine. We should think of a way to get out of here soon. Just incase K, takes too long. What do you think? He asked, as he looked around the small cabin.

You bit your lip walking over towards him, as you roughly grabbed him by his shirt collar kissing him.

Soo-Yeol pulled back fast, as he stared at you in disbelief.

You didn't say anything, just waiting for him to say or do something but nothing. He just cleared his throat, and looked outside the window waiting.

Y/n: Soo-Yeol-

Soo-Yeol: You shouldn't have done that. He said, interrupting you. We are co-workers, and we are in a dangerous situation and you do that? What is wrong with you? He asked, raising his voice.

Eyes widening you took a few small steps away from him, as he scolded you for kissing him.

Y/n: I...i-

Soo-Yeol: You weren't thinking at all. He said, pointing his finger at you. You should never do that again y/n.

Y/n: Soo-Yeol, I kissed you because I like you. Is it so wrong to like you?

Soo-Yeol: Yes. Yes it is. You may like me y/n, but I don't like you. Your nothing more than my partner, a co-worker and friend. He said coldly, which caused you to breath in deeply.

You knew he made up K, but you were playing along for Soo-Yeol benefit. With a shaky breath, you walked past him and walked out of the cabin.

Soo-Yeol: Hey...where are you going? He asked, running after your tail. As he grabbed your wrist, trying to stop you.

Y/n: I'm finding my own way out of this. You said, as you ripped your arm away from his hand. I know K isn't coming, and you know he isn't either. Now leave me be. I'm leaving while I still have my dignity in tact. You replied, fastly.

Soo-Yeol saw the tears running down your face, the ones that you tried to hide so well but couldn't. He watched you run in the field, not looking back. Sighing Soo-Yeol started running after you, following you to safety.

Time skip

You jumped of the back of a truck, you both got a ride from. Waving you looked at your apartment building, as you just walked towards it.

Soo-Yeol: Y/n. Y/n, wait. Y/N! He yelled out your name, making you stop in your tracks.

Y/n: Don't. It's late...you should go home. You said, as you kept walking.

Once you got into your apartment, you sat down on the steps that led to your bedroom as the tears ran like a river from your eyes.

The next day

You arrived at the station, acting as if nothing happened at all. Once you were at your desk, you saw Soo-Yeol at kitchen, pouring himself coffee as he spoke to one of the officers.

Your eyes going to your phone, you saw a text from your friend who asked if the blind date was still on for tomorrow? Not really wanting to go, you realized that Soo-Yeol didn't carry the same feeling for you as you did for him. Without hesitation you replied you would go and set your phone down.

Next thing you saw was a cup gently being placed on your desk.

Soo-Yeol: Morning.

Y/n: Morning. You replied, as you got up. Excuse me for a moment. You said, as you picked up the files you needed to drop off to the chief.

A Bing sound was heard as you left your phone, turning his head, Soo-Yeol saw your text about the blind date and instantly didn't like it at all. Blind dates could be dangerous, and why would you do that anyway. You hated being set up, or doing blind dates that's what you told him.

Leaving the situation, he took a quick glance of where and when it would be. To be there just in case he needed to protect you...not that you actually needed it anyway.

When you returned he pretended to look at the computer, as he hummed.

Y/n: See anything you'd like to change? Or is the report fine?

Soo-Yeol: Everything's in tact.

Y/n: Good. I'd like to finish the report, and hand it in as soon as I can. The chief said, I could take the day off once I'm done with this. And seeing as I am, I shall be going home. You spoke while sending the file attachment to the chief.

Soo-Yeol: Your leaving? You just got here.

Y/n: I know. I thought I could work today, but afte what happened yesterday...raining wet, and loosing so much sleep I'm extremely tired and need to rest. I don't want t-

Soo-Yeol: I understand. I'll keep you in the loop, after all this is our case. He said, looking up at you from his sitting position on the desk.

Y/n: Thank you. You nodded as you walked off fast.

Later that night, as Soo-Yeol sat on his bed he thought of y/n. How she exited the police station, going down the stairs as her hair blew in the wind. Her beautiful, soft h/c blowing as she tucked some hair behind her ears.

Shaking his head, he wondered why he was thinking of y/n all of a sudden. The next thing that went through his mind was imagines of you laughing. How you'd always smile at the station, make jokes or just bring coffee or desserts for everyone. He missed that, he missed how you used to be around him and it all happened 2 days ago.

He told you he only saw you as a college, nothing more, or less. A friend, but that was it and now he didn't know what to think.

K: You like her. K said, as he sat on the floor cross-legged.

Soo-Yeol: What are you talking about? Of course I don't.

K: Yes you do. Your thinking of her right now. I know this because, I would too. Y/n, is a wonderful person Soo-Yeol and you just pushed her away.

Soo-Yeol: K, I really don't need this right now. I'm working on an important case and-

K: Which involves y/n. Partners, if memory serves me correct. Doesn't that mean you have to keep her in the loop?

Soo-Yeol: It does. But-

K: So, call her.

Soo-Yeol: No.

K: No? Fine, then I'll call her. K, said, getting up but Soo-Yeol stopped him.

Soo-Yeol: NO!

K: No, again? Why not? K, wondered as he looked at Soo-Yeol.

Soo-Yeol: Because, she's...she's on a date K.

K looked surprised at Soo-Yeol, but not all together surprised at the statement completely. Soo-Yeol, messed up completely and he wasn't going to go easy on him.

K looked at Soo-Yeol, and slapped him in the face.

Soo-Yeol: AHH! WHAT THE HELL?

K: You screwed up, big time.

Soo-Yeol: Aish- Soo-Yeol, was interrupted with another slap to his face.

K: Y/n, loves you Soo-Yeol I could see that from the start. You knew too...but you pretended that it was nothing. Soo-Yeol, keeping your feelings in never works out the way you want. If you don't do anything you'll lose her, and you'll regret it in the end. I know you Soo-Yeol, you love y/n. He said, holding onto Soo-Yeol arms.

Soo-Yeol: I...can't. He said, pulling away.

K: Yes, you can. Now go.

Soo-Yeol, didn't think twice again, as he ran for the door. Driving to your apartment, he waited outside where he wanted to see you come home safely. Once he made contact with you, he smiled knowing your okay.

He noticed you were alone, and weren't paying attention as you looked at the flowers by the river bed. It started raining but that didn't bother you, you loved the rain.

You were brought out of your thoughts as you heard your name being called, looking up you saw Soo-Yeol running down the path way. As he reached you, you were pulled into a tender, and much needed kiss.

As he kissed you, you melted into his arms. Grabbing onto his jacket, you inched closer as you made the kiss even deeper. In a moment Soo-Yeol pulled away from your lips, placing his forehead on yours as he kept his eyes closed.

Soo-Yeol: I'm sorry. He said, as he moved backwards and placed his hands on either side of your face.

Y/n: Soo-Yeol-

Soo-Yeol: I'm sorry, I lied to you. I shouldn't have pretended...not to have feelings for you. I lied because I was affraid of loosing you...id I did. So many things could happen, and those thoughts made me hesitate. He spoke, as he rubbed his thumb over your cheek.

Y/n: What made you change your mind? You questioned, as you placed your hand on his hips.

Soo-Yeol: K...K, changed my mind. He replied slowly. K, made me realize that I made the worst mistake in pushing you away...that I would lose you completely if I didn't confess my true feelings to you.

Y/n: So, K...made you realize you liked me?

Soo-Yeol: Yes.

Y/n: K, is a wise man. You said, with a smile on your face.

Soo-Yeol: He is. But I don't like you, y/n. I love you. He said, as he looked deeply into your eyes.

Y/n: You...love...me? You asked, as you blinked a few times too fast.

Soo-Yeol: Yes. I love you.

Your smile only grew as you pulled him down for another kiss.

Y/n: I love you, too Soo-Yeol. You, whispered against his lips as you hugged him.

You were so happy, today was the worst and best day of your life. The date was horrible, but the end where you and Soo-Yeol, both confessed your feelings for one another was magical.

Soo-Yeol, was the man of your dreams, and here he was holding you in his arms all because his friend K pushed him to tell the truth. You knew about Soo-Yeol, and the "K" thing but that o ly made you love him more.

He was your prince charming, your knight in shining armour, your bad boy vigilante, and much more. He was your missing piece, even if he didn't know it yet, right now he was completing you.

[dubudahyuniee]

Actors/Actresses J-N Masterlist

Jisoo

Nothing yet

Jung Haein

Nothing yet

Kang Taeoh

Nothing yet

Kim Minseok

Nothing yet

Lee Jongsuk

Nothing yet

Lee Sungkyung

Nothing yet

Lee Taehwan

Nothing yet

Nam Joohyuk

Nothing yet

[bumblesimagines]

Penthouse: War In Life

Hera Club + Little Hera Club (Adults + Kids)

Imagine: Moving into Hera Palace

Hera Palace Club

Coming soon

Little Hera Club

Coming soon

Shim Su Ryeon

Coming soon

Oh Yoon Hee

Coming soon

Joo Seok Kyung

Coming soon

Joo Seok Hoon

Coming soon

Ha Eun Byeol

Coming soon

Bae Ro Na

Coming soon

Cheon Seo Jin

Coming soon?

Min Seol Ah

Coming soon

Joo Dan Tae

Excuse me?

Yoo Jenny

Coming soon

Ha Yoon Chul

Coming soon

Lee Gyu Jin

Coming soon?

Lee Min Hyuk

Coming soon?

Kang Ma Ri

Coming soon?

[imaginariaextraordinaire]

Episode 8 is one hella packed episode and it is an absolute joy to unpack it, beginning with this:

Clever, clever idea to have Ji-Woo repeat the line that Mi-Joo just said to indicate Ji-Woo is taking charge of things as far as Assemblyman Ki is concerned. It's also a good reminder of how tone and intent can change the meaning of a sentence even if the words are exactly the same (which is why we need good translators).

Seeing Mi-Joo stride across the screen with Seon-Gyeom behind her, it struck me that we've seen a variation of this many times before, beginning with the credit titles. While Seon-Gyeom is the sprinter, the one we see constantly trying to up the pace and charge ahead is Mi-Joo. She's always intent on moving ahead faster — perhaps to outrun the past that she finally makes peace with during the marathon? — while Seon-Gyeom moves at a slower pace, disentangling himself from the constraints of his troubled past and troubling father. The only one time we see him race ahead (in episode 2), we also see him come back and slow down.

What I particularly love about Park Shi-Hyun's writing is that in addition to all the layers and complexity she's written into the scenes and characters, she's also written a very, very funny show.

Both Shin Se-Kyung and Kang Tae-Oh do such a fantastic job with both the physical humour (without being over-the-top) and the timing that's needed to play up the wit in the dialogues. Not that Siwan and Soo-Young do a bad job — the scene in which Dan-Ah proposes to Seon-Gyeom is hilarious. My favourite is still May, who is very funny throughout this episode (the shot in which we learn she sleeps with her eyes open! GOLD).

The transitions in this episode are so well written. The insights from one scene ricochet off the next. For example, Dan-Ah in the scene at the bar — where she tells the bartender she can't risk keeping the book in her own study because she can't risk people guessing she has anxieties — gives us a look at the problems of the privileged. This is followed by a scene in which Yeong-Hwa and Mi-Joo discuss student debts, which is a relatable middle-class problem. This in turn is followed by Tae-Woong saying that he takes selfies because he's addicted to the validation he gets from the likes each of those photos gets him — a Gen Z problem. And so it is that we get a spectrum of problems that people face and hide behind performative façades.

The likes that Tae-Woong talks about pop up with manic frenzy at the end of the heartbreaking scene with Dan-Ah in the parking lot, presenting the viewer with a terrible contrast — driving away from him is the love and acceptance that he yearns for from a sister who (he hopes) knows him. All he has to hold on to is the superficial attention of the love professed by a fandom that doesn't really know him at all. Soo-Young's performance is fantastic in this scene, especially when she asks in a voice tinged with desperation why Tae-Woong keeps coming back to her despite her treating him so badly. For the first time, you realise how much it takes out of her to lash out at this desperately-sad boy. "It takes effort to hate someone," Tae-Woong tells her. My heart!

Another fantastic set of transitions comes later on in the episode, when Mi-Joo and May are unwinding at the end of a long day at the film shoot.

This is such a great example of writing inter-generational female friendships. When May remembers not being paid for working overtime, it's an acknowledgement that things are better for working women (especially in film) than it was before, but as Mi-Joo's experiences show, there's still a lot to be done because women are still driven by a certain insecurity and anxiety to push themselves way too hard (as we see a sick Mi-Joo do later in the episode).

Of course a man tries to break this gathering up — because he wants to go to bed. Superb excuse, particularly because these women are talking how much they have to work — and it is deeply satisfying to watch all three of them shut him down and establish their right to unwind.

This scene of female friendship is followed by one that shows the friendship between the three runners. Then we get to see a fight scene full of male actors. The machismo of that performance is a sharp contrast to the awkward tenderness of Woo-Sik and Yeong-Il's conversation.

While on the subject of toxic masculinity, this is the episode in which we find out Dan-Ah's father forged Myeong-Min's birth certificate to make him legally older than Dan-Ah even though he's actually 10 months younger than her. All to ensure he has a male heir. It's a nice detail that Myeong-Min's mother is the one laying out the memorial service for Dan-Ah's mother because it hints at a sense of solidarity.

Also dismantling traditional notions of masculinity is Seon-Gyeom, whom we see at his most domestic as he cooks and packs meals for May and Mi-Joo, and does chores around the house once they're gone. It's very much an inversion of the standard male-female gender roles with the woman going out to work and the man as the homemaker. To underscore this point, we see Seon-Gyeom consider the leopard-print shirt (that May and Mi-Joo hang to give strangers the impression they've got an alpha in the house) for a second before putting it away.

Speaking of alphas, Mi-Joo's really got a thing for wild cats. In addition to that shirt, her blanket is also a leopard-print and when we see her calling Seon-Gyeom, she's standing in front of a painting of a tiger. All these seem to be digs at her posturing that she's strong and invulnerable and I burst out laughing when Seon-Gyeom folds the leopard-print blanket while muttering, "I'd have guessed this is hers even if she hadn't told me."

As disinterested as Seon-Gyeom may be in films, they play a big role in sustaining him emotionally. In this episode, it's the film set that helps Mi-Joo and him come together after their stupid disagreement. Equally importantly, the film set is where he gets the time and space to reconnect with his mother.

Run On has so much fun being meta with the film bits. The film shoot within a drama is indeed an old fake.

There are two film sets we see in this episode — one with Ji-Woo and the other with Mi-Joo. While Ji-Woo's set feels relaxed, the one Mi-Joo's working in is chaotic and taxing. The two women are also at different ends of the professional spectrum. Ji-Woo is a star while Mi-Joo is not just working behind the scenes, but she's come to fill in for the person who was the juniormost member of the crew.

When pointing out the main players of their film crew to Mi-Joo and May, Hui-Jin describes the cinematographer as "a bit racist, but still a gentleman". (Mi-Joo's response is superb: "Weird.") It's an interesting choice to make the cinematographer racist because that's the crew member who decides how subjects and scenes will be framed. "Racist but a gentleman" feels like a precise summary of the orientalist perspective which (aside from being overwhelmingly masculine) shows the East through stereotypes that are often superficially beautiful, but also reductive and damaging. Not surprisingly, this cinematographer is the reason Mi-Joo flounders while translating on set.

The film set is also the first time that Seon-Gyeom sees Mi-Joo's vulnerable side when she falls ill. It's such a clever choice to have Mi-Joo stop performing in a setting that's all about performances. Not only does Mi-Joo give up the alpha act when she's sick, she admits to Seon-Gyeom that when she's feeling helpless, her instinct is to resort to a performative lie — calling out for mom because that's what she saw other kids do as a child in a sick ward (imagine how isolated and neglected she must have felt to do this. Also, she's felt this way so many times that this performance has become second nature to her).

The anecdote suggests Mi-Joo's mulish championing of her self has its roots in past incidents when she tried to fit and either failed or was rejected. And yet, for all her strength and confidence, she's chasing phantoms and has been doing so since she was a little girl. All because she was alone and didn't have anyone she could reach out to for help. Which is why what Seon-Gyeom tells her at the end of the episode is so relevant. He helps her to reorient.

To which Mi-Joo, bless her leopard-print-loving heart, responds with

But my favourite part of this episode is the conversation that Ji-Woo has with Seon-Gyeom when he visits her set. First of all, Ji-Woo is playing a "vegan murderer", which is brilliant as ideas go and it's adorable how delighted she is about her violent roles.

I love how Run On doesn't punish Ji-Woo for sacrificing her family life for her work. Instead, it holds out the possibility that it is ok if you have that imbalance. In this scene, we see Ji-Woo's family reforming at the film set with Eun-Bi sending the coffee truck and Seon-Gyeom showing up just because Ji-Woo asked him to be there.

The mother-son conversation gives us a glimpse of Seon-Gyeom's bleak childhood and we learn that everything Seon-Gyeom did for his father was actually him doing what his mother had asked him to do. It comes as a surprise to Seon-Gyeom that his mother has noticed what he's suffered and that she understands how he'd hoped silently suffering would keep the family together. It's almost as though he's feeling seen for the first time.

Much like Dan-Ah, Ji-Woo may seem self-centred because of her ambitiousness, but she does notice what's happening beyond the obvious, especially when it comes to people she cares about. Both women are up against the worst of patriarchy. Also, I love that when she's talking about motherhood, Ji-Woo is blood-spattered — after all, being a working woman and a mother in a patriarchal is nothing short of fighting a war.

In previous episodes, it seemed as though Ji-Woo was the 'bad' (or at least not ideal) mother while Director Dong was the ideal, modern mother. Yet in comparison to how Director Dong later reacts to her son coming out, you can't help but feel Ji-Woo, with her unconditional support for her kids, might just be the better parent. What is great about Run On though is that that the script doesn't pit the two older women against each other as competing examples of motherhood or femininity. The point is that everyone's struggling, making mistakes and trying to learn from them. Ji-Woo is doing that and so will Director Dong eventually.

Love that the scene ends with Seon-Gyeom effectively declaring himself his mother's son. Take that, patriarchy.

[kdramaxoxo]

not the anon, but would definitely wanna know your favourite troupes! please!

Yay! And I want to to tell you my favorite Troupes! 

note: Anon really does mean troupes, not tropes per an old ask :)

My Favorite K-Drama Troupes/Ensembles

The Five Doctors in Hospital Playlist: Hospital playlist has my favorite kind of troupe - Friends who love and support one another regardless of personality flaws and quirks. These guys are all a little bonkers, highly competent and just really funny to watch together. Ik Jun is one of the most fleshed out characters I’ve ever seen and Song Hwa is one of my favorite ladies in a K-drama. You can tell they know each other, like really know each other.

The three BFFS & the Kid in Into The Ring: I love a trio of besties, and they are made even better with the neighborhood kid who hangs out with him. One of the ladies is babysitting him but really, he’s got it all figured out and is smarter than all of them put together. The best friends bicker and love to bet about Goo Se Ra’s messy relationships, but they are forever ride or die. 

The Found Family in Tale of the Nine Tailed: TOTNT is not without flaws, but the found family of delicate but healing Yu Ri, the softest vet who loves her, a pure puppy orphaned kid, and damaged Lee Rang makes my heart ache. I love how they chose one another and moved in together, always having each other’s backs. How Shin Joo knew if he wanted to love Yu Ri he also had to love Lee Rang and I just - THIS!! All of THIS!

The Brothers and Moon Young in It’s Okay To Not Be Okay: It’s obvious that I love damaged characters because I’m seeing a theme in my picks but... The trio of the two brothers and Moon Young is what made this drama for me. The best friend relationship of Sang Tae and Moon Young was lovely to watch and hilarious. Honestly a drama with just these two? I’d watch the heck out of it. I love three lonely people came together to help one another heal. 

Eun Dan Oh, Haru, and Lee Do Hwa in Extraordinary You: I basically love everyone in Extraordinary You: The dried squid fairy, rude Baek Kyung, Dan Oh’s silly friends, all of them. But the friendship forged by the trio becoming aware and leaning on one another was so refreshing. Give Do Hwa his own show!

The Found Family Trio/4-pack in Mystic Pop Up Bar: It’s obvious that I love a wholesome found family but adding the fantasy element of fate and afterlife punishments really created a unique relationship between all four of the main characters (I’m including the security guard because I love her!!).

The Four Best Friends in Fight For My Way: I’ve always wanted to live in the same flat or neighborhood right next door to my best friends, so I love that setup in Fight for My Way. They get to wake up and have breakfast together or drop things off on each other’s door steps and walk to the bus together? I want this!

The Author, The Ghost and The Sniper in Chicago Typewriter: This trio of friends and lovers is entangled in the past as well as the future. There’s magic in their relationship, and Yoo Jin Oh coming back as the cutest ghost made one of my favorite love triangles ever. I hate love triangles normally, but these three really made it work because of their love and care for one another. 

The Mom & her kids, The Agent, the Villain, and the Neighbors in Terrius Behind Me: There is a huge ensemble of interesting characters in Terrius Behind Me. Because there were so many interesting people who were written so well, the show is adventurous but also heartfelt, cute and hilarious! I can’t imagine removing a single person.

The Found Family in Thirty But Seventeen: Two sad puppies falling in love in the same house, and an adorable nephew who I also shipped with the main. Don’t forget Jennifer and the nephew’s friends! The scene where they all eat watermelon together...Love!

The Friends and their Soft Boys in Your House Helper: A quiet drama about healing features roommates all living in one girl’s house. There’s an adorable dog too and all of the boys help with the healing or are there to support the ladies. Strong friendships and comfort!

F4 in Boys Over Flowers: JUST KIDDING. I wanted to see if you were actually reading this :P

I have more but this list is long. If you got to my BOF entry, I’m impressed :)

[baenxietydad]

Long See No Time || fairyfox

@hclyghcst​

Mu-yeol still had yet to fully process the events of the last two weeks. Kang Kyung-ok appeared back in his life like a goddamned nightmare.and decided to swipe his son. Nam-min was home and Mu-yeol didn’t know how to interact with him anymore. Nemo shoved in his face how not okay he was, bringing it to his attention for the first time ever, and now it was all he could think about.

Not that he blamed his son. If anything he blamed himself for not realizing on his own that he was sick. He imagined that Nam-min felt like he could relate to Tae in some ways...but could you really lose an abeoji you never actually had?

His mind ran a million lightyears a minute as he tried to go about his life post...post revelation.

He figured returning to work would help, but when he worked last night he could only feel Olaf chomping at the bit to talk about his feelings and Sindri looking at him sideways. Sindri probably hated him, but you know, as Nemo would say, mood.

Nemo asked him to speak to a listening-talent, and he did...once. And had another meeting scheduled the second week of September. He did wonder though if he might benefit from a human therapist, like Peri suggested. For the third day in a row he chickened out of actually going in to fill out paperwork and set up an appointment. 

So there he was at Hatters for the third day in a row with his failure tea in hand while he scanned the place for somewhere to sit. Nowhere empty, nowhere without strangers...oh, Tod! Marlin spotted Tod from work and just helped himself to the seat across from him, announcing his presence with a quiet ‘hey.’

“I hope you don’t mind? Uh, hi...I said that already.”

[thebiasrekkers]

Make It Right [BTS Mafia!AU]

Pairings: Jin x OC | Taehyung/Hoseok x OC | Yoongi/Jungkook x OC Genre: BTS Mafia!AU Warnings: Graphic Violence, Heavy Language, Angst, Smut, Slow Burn WC: 2,633 Prologue 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 “It’s always darkest before the dawn…” It’s a dog-eat-dog world in Seoul, South Korea. One has to dwell in the shadows in order to reach for the light. What are you willing to sacrifice in order to feel the sunlight on your face? What will it take to drag you back into darkness? How long will the journey be to make it right?

AO3 | WP

Chapter 17: MIC Drop

"Careful of your feet... Careful of what you say..."

Two Years Ago Seoul – Hannam; Yongsan District South Korea

“Hey, Hyung?”

Hoseok looked up from his reading, blinking when he realized that Taehyung managed to enter his study without making a sound. It wasn’t like him to be so quiet, especially not at home. He closed the book he was reading, running a hand through his hair as Taehyung closed the door behind him. He wasted no time closing the distance between them, taking the seat directly across from his desk.

“What is it, Taehyung-ah?”

For a moment, Taehyung didn’t say anything. There was something on his mind and he felt like Hoseok was the only one who would be able to help him with whatever was troubling him. Instead of prodding him to speak up, Hoseok waited patiently for him to gather his thoughts before continuing. He set the book down on his desk, crossing one leg over the other and folding his hands into his lap.

Taehyung lifted his eyes to look at Hoseok, seeing a determination he hadn’t seen since they’d first arrived in Seoul seven years ago.

“Hyung?”

Hoseok couldn’t help but laugh, tilting his head to the side. “What’s wrong? Your tongue got fat all of a sudden?”

He watched his friend swallow thickly before lowering his head. This caused Hoseok to sit up a little, his arms resting on the arms of his chair.

“Taehyung-ah…”

“Hyung, are you still in love with Raelyn Noona?”

The question was so sudden that he didn’t know what to make of it. It wasn’t often that he was caught off guard, but a puff of air was all he could release as he tried to process just what Taehyung was asking him. And more importantly, why he was asking him this?

“Why all of a sudden?”

He saw Taehyung’s eyes narrow slightly, showcasing just how serious he was. This wasn’t a joke and Hoseok didn’t know how should be taking such an outright question when it came to his heart. Pursing his lips together, he slowly sank back into his chair.

“Are you asking as a member of the Golden Jackals or are you asking as my friend?”

Taehyung straightened his posture. “I’m asking as your friend and as your younger brother. Hyung, please…I need to know.” He paused, taking a breath. “Do the rest of us have to keep seeing her as our Hyungsoo-nim or are you over her now?”

Hoseok’s hand went to his chest, his palm resting over the fabric of his pajama top. The cold bite of silver from the pendant that hung there made him that much more aware of the current situation. It wasn’t a secret that some of the younger ones still interacted with Raelyn and Anastasia. He couldn’t tell them who they could or couldn’t be friends with – not when it came to normal civilians. He didn’t want to be the kind of leader who held them back with a choke chain. They were free to make their own choices and he wasn’t about to tell them who they could or couldn’t have feelings for.

Without having to say it, Hoseok knew Taehyung must have started developing feelings for Raelyn.

Sighing, he shook his head while he lowered his hand back down to his lap. “It’s been a year since she and I ended things, Taehyung-ah. Do I still care about her? Of course. But,” he said gently, pausing as he gave Taehyung a simple smile, “our time is over.”

Present Day Seoul – Gwanhun; Jongno District South Korea

Hoseok sat in the backseat of the sedan for a long moment. His eyes were hidden from view thanks to his Aviators. He held his phone in his hand, scrolling through the various emails and text messages he’d received in the last couple of hours. Business meetings were pushed back and a few concerned messages from the others pinged over his phone. His driver, Han Minjoo, sat quietly in the front seat and merely waited for his next set of instructions.

The mid-morning sun peeled in through the window, shining over his pristine white slacks. His white blazer was unbuttoned, falling against his white silk shirt. Hoseok’s hand lifted to touch the pendant that hung from his neck from a simple, black leather strap. The points of the crescent moon pressed against the pads of his fingers and he bit his lower lip, his thoughts eerily quiet.

He’d received a report on Taehyung’s condition. It wasn’t as bad as he imagined it to be, but it was bad enough. He remembered the looks on Jimin and Jungkook’s faces when they came home that night after taking Taehyung to the hospital. Namjoon even reported that Taehyung was enjoying his time at the hospital and he sighed, wanting to visit his brother but knowing that it wasn’t suitable for his image or the role he currently occupied.

Besides, he didn’t think he could handle seeing Raelyn after his little “episode” and knew that Taehyung was in good hands.

He was with the person he cared about.

A soft tap on the window brought Hoseok out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Namjoon on the other side of the glass and he shifted slightly so that he could open the door. Hoseok stepped out, straightening his jacket as his rings glinted along the sunlight.

“They’ve prepared a room for us,” Namjoon said as he shut the door, “we can go ahead and make ourselves comfortable.”

“The others?” Hoseok inquired and he saw Namjoon shake his head. He pulled back the sleeve of his jacket to spy the time on his watch. “It’s still early. Let’s go.”

As they entered the Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art, a hostess greeted them before ushering them toward the back. The entire place was built like a magnificent hanok, keeping to the traditional aspects of their country’s period culture. They both stepped out of their shoes, their socked feet taking measured steps along the polished wooden floor. The hostess stopped in front of a room with traditional rice paper sliding doors. She pulled one door open, gesturing for them to enter.

Inside was a single wooden table with an elegant tea set, as well as a small kettle to boil water in one of the floor coals – a small cast iron kettle hanging from two metal rods from the floor. There was a black lacquered box on the table which Hoseok knew to contain a variety of tea leaves. The two men entered and Hoseok took a seat on one of the plush cushions placed on one side of the table. Namjoon remained standing.

They didn’t say anything, which was fine with Hoseok. There was a lot weighing on his mind and Namjoon seemed to have sensed this. He reached over to light the fire for the coals under the cast iron kettle after checking that water was inside. When the water reached its boiling point, he heard feet shuffling down the hall. The door to the room slid open again and Hoseok’s craned his neck to look toward the doorway.

Im Changkyun, dressed in a three-piece black suit, stood in the doorway; Sohn Shownu, his second, standing to his right.

Changkyun smiled, his hands still stuffed into the pockets of his slacks. “Ah, I see you’re here already, Hoseok Hyung,” he said, his tone pleasant, “does that mean I’m late?”

Hoseok grinned. “No, I’m just early.”

“Oh, good,” was all he said before stepping inside.

Changkyun crouched down so he could sit on the cushion across from Hoseok, his hands resting on his knees. The steam pushed from the kettle’s spout and he reached over to take the handle of the kettle while Hoseok pulled out one of the drawers to the tea chest. Shownu remained in the hallway and Namjoon crossed the room to join him. The two men bowed to their bosses before sliding the door closed to give them privacy.

Hoseok chose several dark leaves and placed them into the ceramic teapot that was on the table. The stainless-steel strainer sat around the top. After arranging the tea to spread over the strainer, Changkyun carefully poured the boiling hot water over the leaves. The water immediately began to change color – a soft red color. When the pot was empty, Changkyun replaced the cast iron kettle over the hot coals as Hoseok poured more water into it.

“I’m sorry for asking you to come out here on such short notice,” Changkyun said as he placed the lid onto the pot, “I know how busy you are.”

“Not as busy as you are,” he said, watching Changkyun lift the tea pot off the bamboo mat it rested on. His hands moved to pour the omija tea into Hoseok’s teacup.

He began pouring tea into his own cup. “You know what they say about idle hands, Hyung.” He said this with a smile and Hoseok arched a single brow. “How is Tae Hyung?”

Hoseok lifted the teacup to his lips. “He’ll live.” He took a sip, savoring the semi-sweet flavor. “He was discharged yesterday.”

“That’s good. Minhyuk Hyung informed me of how your boys roughed him up.” Changkyun sipped from his own cup, sighing. “I’ll be honest, Hyung, I didn’t think you would go so far to beat him up like that. One broken limb would have sufficed.”

Hoseok’s brow twitched. “Like I told you on the phone, I don’t take kindly to anyone trouncing through my territory. The same goes for my men doing the same in someone else’s turf.” He set the cup down. “I believe that should settle the debt I owe to you for my group’s transgression against yours.”

Changkyun smiled. “Hyung, that’s not necessary. It’s just us. You don’t have to be so serious.”

“It’s because it’s just us that I have to be serious.” His eyes narrowed as Changkyun took another sip of tea. “Why did you want to meet, Changkyun-ah?”

He watched Changkyun’s eyes lift to meet his and the two remained quiet. After a handful of seconds, Hoseok watched him set his teacup back down on the table while he propped one hand on his knee. The other hand brushed through his jet hair, pausing to rest along the back of his neck.

“Is it true, Hyung? Are you really going straight?” Hoseok’s expression stayed neutral. He didn’t want to give anything away when he didn’t know what was at stake. “After everything you’ve accomplished, you’re going to just give it all up?”

“Staying in the Underworld forever was never the plan.” He paused, reaching for the teapot to pour Changkyun tea into his cup this time.

“So what,” Changkyun began, his tone clipped toward the end, “you just stumbled into it and decided enough was enough?” He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right.”

Hoseok scoffed as he set the teapot down onto the bamboo mat. “Believe what you want, but the choices we made were our own.”

“And what about the rest of your boys?”

“They know what the plan is.”

“Hoseok Hyung!”

“Changkyun-ah,” Hoseok said slowly as he cut his eyes toward him, “what we do as a collective has absolutely nothing to do with you, do you understand?” He paused, lifting his teacup into his hand. “Besides, you don’t even bother to attend the district meetings. What reason do you have to complain about what I choose to do?”

“It’s a waste,” snipped Changkyun, “the meetings are a waste of time and phasing out from our world is a waste of time.” Hoseok frowned. “Do you think that disbanding is going to make you legit? You think the law is going to look at you in a better light because you’ve turned over a new leaf?” Changkyun sneered. “Bullshit.”

“Watch it.” He was giving him just one warning.

“We’re no better than a bunch of bastard children in our own society, Hyung. Becoming a decent human being in the eyes of the world won’t erase the blood on our hands.” Changyun’s eyes narrowed at Hoseok. “On your hands.”

“Im Changkyun—”

“Let’s join forces, Hyung,” he said suddenly, causing Hoseok to blink rapidly as his lips parted. “You and I can take control of this entire city easily. It’s child’s play.” Changkyun flashed a wicked grin. “The old bastards wouldn’t stand a chance against us.”

For a moment, all Hoseok could do was stare silently at Changkyun. He knew that his ambition was borderline insatiable, but he never imagined it had gotten this bad. Then again, when he’d heard that the Jade Fangs had taken over Mapo, it shouldn’t have surprised him. In fact, it urged Hoseok to hurry things along as quickly as possible. He didn’t want to be caught up in whatever schemes Im Changkyun was planning.

“…are you completely outside of your head, Changkyun-ah?”

Changkyun’s smile fell and was instantly replaced with a frown as his eyes grew dark. “Why would you say that?”

“Did you forget what our lives were like five years ago? What it was like on these streets then?” Hoseok’s brows furrowed. “Do you want to launch yet another gang war?”

He watched Changkyun shrug nonchalantly. “Sacrifices have to be made for the greater good. Those old fogies want to maintain those stupid traditions and respect boundaries. It only causes confusion and leads to more misunderstandings.” He glanced to Hoseok, his own brows knitting together. “It impedes progress, Hyung.”

“You’re gonna get you and your boys killed talking like that.” Hoseok set his cup down onto the table, curling his legs up as he made to stand. “If you do, that’s on you. Leave my people out of it.” He started making his way toward the door.

“Hyung!”

Hoseok paused, glancing over his shoulder as Changkyun remained seated.

“Do you really think you’ll be able to stay in Seoul once you leave? Your people remain untouched because you control two large territories. The minute you let that go is when you let that power fall into someone else’s hands, and they will make your lives hell!”

He turned around fully, one hand slipping into the pocket of his slacks. “You say that like some kind of threat.”

Changkyun stood on his feet. “And not just you, Hyung, but the people close to you. They will make it their mission to turn your world upside down and you will bow your head in shame at how weak you are.”

“I meant what I said, Changkyun-ah,” said Hoseok, his voice dropping an entire octave, “she has nothing to do with us. Her friends have nothing to do with us. You’d do well to leave them out of this madness you’re spinning.”

“But how long is that going to be true?” Changkyun canted his head slightly. “And when it’s no longer true, just how safe will they be?” He smirked. “You shouldn’t show your belly so easily, Hyung.”

“Don’t test me.” Hoseok brushed his hair out of his eyes. “I will end you if you do.”

Changkyun stepped up to Hoseok so that they were only a foot apart. His smile never left his face. “Game on, Hyung. Game on.”

And then he bowed his head before reaching out to slide the door open. Shownu bowed his head and waited for Changkyun to walk past him, making to follow behind him obediently. Namjoon stood in front of Hoseok, remaining silent. Hoseok’s eyes followed Changkyun and Shownu as they were escorted out of the teahouse. A hand curled at his side and his knuckles popped from the sheer force of how hard he was squeezing his hand.

“Hoseok-ah?”

“Namjoon,” he called, his voice even before turning to lift his gaze to his friend’s, “we need to hurry and make our move. And soon.” 

[kdramarecommendations]

Thoughts on The World of the Married

Another drama down and of course it had to be the number one on the viewers' rating list. 

Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD

The World of the  Married features Dr. Ji Sun Woo who thought she had a perfect life, having her loving director/producer husband Lee Tae-Oh and their son Lee Joong-Young. Things start falling apart once she suspects her husband of having an affair with a younger woman which ended up being true. Da kyung, the mistress, gets pregnant with Tae-Oh's child with Lee Tae-Oh and Dr. Ji was the first one to discover it. The first half of the show was filled with revenge and making you feel angry at Tae-Oh for betrraying Dr. Ji. It makes you want to watch it more and get back at the husband for cheating and constatly lying at his own wife. However, the 2nd half of the show started to focus more on their son as he starts rebelling and having somewhat an identity crisis.

Also, omg if you have seen this scene (i believe it’s in episode 1 or 2), I was so angry at Sun-woo’s friends. Imagine having your friends know that your husband is cheating on you, I’d feel utterly betrayed. My goodness they were annoying af but they were able to sort their differences out eventually (aka more than halfway through the show lol).

Hands down, the first half was really good. Dr. Ji who plotted revenge by having an affair with Son Je-Hyuk to telling Da Kyung's parents and Tae-Oh that Da-Kyung is pregnant with Tae-Oh's baby gave me chills in my spine. Some might think she's spineless for doing that but if you're so angry at people betraying you, you would want to do everything to get back at them. She didn't want to lose her fight against her husband. I was really engrossed with the show but I found the 2nd half of the show disappointing.

The ratings of the 2nd half of the show was so high that the you know the storyline was written so well. However, I still felt that disappointment at the end because it still revolved around Joon-Young and not about Dr. Ji's potential love interest, Dr. Kim and basically Dr. Ji's happily ever after. I was expecting so much from those two because I wanted Dr. Ji to finally have a happy ending and to get back at Tae-Oh for cheating on her. But she was such a loving mom that her main focus was Joon-Young.

Look at that gem! He was so caring but honestly Dr. Ji was so heartless HAHAH. How can she not fall for this cutie??

I actually cried in this scene. Having to hold it together must be tough on Sun-Woo’s part. Being able to release what she truly felt was definitely heartbreaking. 

Joon-young's acting was superb. He made me want to throw my iPad once he started getting stubborn and so self-centered. However, i somewhat sympathize with his character because it was what he was going through as a young adult facing puberty with divorced parents. It must have been difficult for children with toxic divorced parents who just want to get hold of their kid. I commend Da-Kyung though for being able to separate Jenny from Tae-Oh's toxic ways. I know it's kind of controversial to separate a child from their parent but for safety reasons mentally and physically, you only want to think what is best for your kid.

Of course, we can’t forget about Da-Kyung. I found her annoying and really hated her character for being evil but as the story progressed, she just wanted to protect her marriage and save it before it turns out to be another Sun-Woo and Tae-Oh misery. But like what Hyun-Seo said, how sure was Da-kyung that Tae-Oh wouldn’t cheat again? At the end of the show, I felt bad mostly for Da-Kyung because if she didn’t end up as a mistress, her life would have been so much better. Although “love” works in mysterious ways, she deserved a lot better (if she wasn’t that evil).

I wished the writers were able to give time to show how Park In-Kyu, Hyun- Seo’s boyfriend, really died. If Tae-Oh didn’t push him, then who did? So many unanswered questions i was so sad.

Honestly, I wished there were more episodes to this show to explain how the characters affected by Tae-Oh were able to recover. I wanted Sun-woo to finally be with Dr. Kim Yoon-Ki, Da-Kyung being able to do what she was passionate about and such. But I guess we got to accept what the writers had planned.

Since it’s the number one kdrama right now, I recommend you to watch it. However, the thrill of the first half of the show will somewhat died down and a lot of unanswered questions. It’s still worth watching though.

[wouriqueen]

Find Me In Your Memory episode 12 quick review :

Ha Jin and Jeong Hoon are so precious!

Ha Kyung and Il Kwon are SO PRECIOUS!

So Tae Eun is STILL spilling everything about Ha Jin and So Yeon to Jeong Hoon huh??? This isn't just unprofessional as he's a doctor, it's also seriously disrespectful. Just because JH loves both these women doesn't mean he owns them aka he shouldn't be privy to every little detail of their relationship. I won't blame JH because he's not always the one asking and even when he does I don't mind because its only natural for him to want to know - but that doesn't mean he actually has to, and it should be just as natural for Tae Eun to refrain himself from divulging these informations to him. Also hasn't he considered that humans aren't always rational and that JH could have blamed HJ for what happened to So Yeon if he found out about the pass code thing ???

I know Moon Seung Ho is objectively the worst villain here but tbh I hate Tae Eun's dad way more. It's already creepy that he can't accept the fact that JH can actually start afresh and be happy despite his illness - he clearly doesn't believe that people with brain illnesses can or deserve to live a happy stable life and I feel so bad for all the patients he's ever had. But the fact that he's actually trying to destroy JH's happiness? Just because he's unilaterally decided that JH must be lying about it? Efforts which of course oh so mysteriously coincide with him being about to release a book through which he'll be milking JH's actual and supposed misery for money without his approval? AND NOW BECAUSE OF HIS ARROGANCE, HIS LACK OF RESPECT AND LACK OF BOUNDARIES WHEN IT COMES TO JEONG HOON, MOON SEUNG HO AKA A STALKER/KIDNAPPER/MURDERER HAS EVADED AND IS ROAMING AROUND, POSING AN ACTUAL PHYSICAL DANGER TO BOTH HA JIN AND JEONG HOON?

I honestly wished MSH had just stabbed him in the throat and killed him lmao

Okay so as someone with siblings myself I cannot imagine the sheer terror that Ha Kyung feels at the prospect of her sister spiraling down that hellish depression and guilt and attempting to commit suicide again and I can understand the urge to make sure the memories that cause such pain never return. But at the same time... Man it feels so uncomfortable to watch her lie so cold-blooded my to Ha Jin and watch her conspire with Tae Eun about how they're gonna lie to her regarding the few memories she gained back.

Same with Jeong Hoon - obviously I think their relationship is so adorable but I'm finding myself more and more bothered by the fact that he remembers and she doesn't. Because he gets to process the guilt of moving on from So Yeon with her friend and Ha Jin doesn't get to do that. And you can sense that he's scared that once she remembers she might think he's hanging onto So Yeon through her, or might simply leave him out of guilt for dating the boyfriend of a best friend she thinks she got killed, which is why he asked her to promise she won't, and tells her how happy he is with her... But it doesn't for me at least take away from the discomfort of their situation. Now obviously because of (thanks to?) MSH, it seems Ha Jin is going to remember everything in the beginning of the next ep, so this part of the story is over, but I definitely think they should have written JH finding out as HJ remembered or after. That's one thing they could have done better.

[crystalsnowmins]

Yoonmin Scenario #28

12.3k of lazy work because I couldn’t complete my other drafts and I didn’t want anyone of you to wait further, so I literally stole it from my old works.

* * *

College!AU, In which not so typical bad boy Min Yoongi is set to make Jimin’s life a little dizzy with his ever so changing personality. Alt. Vanilla Bean and Peppermint. (Part I)

College life and experiences are something Jimin has always been looking forward to. Ever since finishing his high school, he’s been eager to enter the college and enjoy the life, experience of being an adult and living a life on his own without much help from his parents.

To be honest, he’s a diligent student, a very studious and cliché one at that. He’s what every parents want their child to be, good in studies, getting scholarship and acceptance letters by many universities. He doesn’t take it for granted though. With the mind he has, he also has a bigger heart. Or so what everyone says.

By cliché, he’s that typical bookworm, the head to toe nerd in every form. He wears those round glasses because of the weak vision, that slips often on his nose and he keeps pushing them back. He always carry books in his hands to study and people would snicker at him when he was in high school but he didn’t mind them. He has the knowledge that they don’t have and they are jealous. This is what his halmeoni told him.

He had braces back in school but thankfully, they are gone in college. Yet he couldn’t solve the problem with his glasses. They are his camouflage. He can hide behind them and be himself. When he doesn’t have them, he feels vulnerable.

He has associated himself with good people from starting. Being a good kid, he always followed what his parents have wanted. When they asked him to stay away from bad company, he did. He hadn’t had a boyfriend yet because they could become a distraction on his way to success. He had sighed at the thought but listened to his parents. So he stayed away from men. Because the least he could do for his parents to stay away from men after coming out as gay. They weren’t happy, they thought it was a phase, a trend Jimin learnt from bad company. They prayed for it to go away but it didn’t and Jimin still likes men very much. So it wasn’t a phase. Jimin’s parents are still not happy but he’s their kid at the end of the day, they’ll have to accept his deformities.

But it’s not like he didn’t develop crushes. He could secretly crush at boys in his school but they would never know because he never had the courage to talk to them and also because he wasn’t beautiful with braces and huge ass glasses. Not that he’s now, but minus the braces.

When he moved to attend the Yonsei University in Seoul, his parents have already pre-planned everything for him. He is now 20 years old and at times, he hated the fact how they treated him. He could very well stay in dorms and have a roommate but his parents were against it in case he ends up with a sour personality (Jimin knows that his parents still hold onto the last string that he will be back to straight by staying away from male company). He told them that he could exchange the rooms if he didn’t like the partner, but they were against it and rather wanted him to stay with his aunt and uncle. So they can keep an eye on him.

Don’t take this wrong, he loves his parents, but at times he wants them to stop so he could have a life of his own. He thought it’d be easy when coming to uni but his parents made sure they always keep him on track.

Within the six months in the university, he has adapted to almost everything. Surprisingly many people knew he was among the very few who got a letter directly from the university. He hated the unwanted attention.

he was also able to land on a job, outside the campus ground. It’s just a coffee shop, run by a middle aged couple. It wasn’t difficult to convince them to hire him but maybe it was his personality that made them trust him.

From his three high school, closest friends, only one attended the Yonsei University with him while the other two attended the Kyung Hee University. He was thankful to Taehyung, his best friend, who decided to join the uni same as him. Otherwise he would be finishing uni without any new friends. Now he doesn’t need new friends if Tae is there. His self-esteem and confidence is minus to approach people.

Even though his parents were against with him working part time job, he told them he wanted to earn his own money and see how it feels. They said if money is the problem, then they’ll send as long as he’s comfortable and whatever he wants to buy, they would buy. He denied their idea because it was not about money but about experience.

He wanted to know the experience of earning his first money, how it would feel and what would he do with it. He wanted to know the meaning of job even if it’s small as waitering in a coffee shop, it’s still considered as a job.

They have agreed in return of good GPA from him.

And about his romantic life, it was dry and abandoned. His parents were keen on him having a boyfriend nor he was confident enough to approach them. He has not even kissed anyone yet and he is 20 years old already. His family is not strongly religious so he doesn’t have a mindset of doing everything once he’s married.

Even if from outside he’s nice and embodiment of perfect son, inside he has rebellious thoughts. He’s spent time reading romantic novels and wondering if what the novelist write is real feeling, if they have felt it as well.

Of course he had crush on a guy in the school but the guy wasn’t into him, at that time he was invisible to the popular groups. He didn’t mind it, happy with just watching him away from far.

But things changed when he came to college. Everybody was so carefree and rebellious even with their moves. They were loud and hardly wanted to study, except for few people including him.

He was startled with the atmosphere here because even though in high school people would study when absolutely necessary and good kids never strayed away from their paths.

But in uni, everything was different, the good students weren’t good anymore, people were so fake here and there’s party thrown every week around. He has wondered about telling this to his parents but he knew they wouldn’t take it well and probably ask him to change the university. So he never told them.

His life was full of cliches, really. It’s like all the novels that he has read and wondered about their realness, it’s like those novels were now trying to prove their words.

Among everything that goes in university, that he has so far conquered and adjusted to, one thing he couldn’t is the heart palpitations near the one guy everybody wanted and so he was no different.

Min Yoon Gi

The epitome of perfect mixed with notoriety and bad boy rumors. Sure, he was bad, oh he was so bad with looking so damn good each day. And it wasn’t fair how at top he has been with being a chaebol and Jimin being a top student yet so below him.

He is just, he is just so perfect and intimidating, not like he has been in his presence at all, no, he probably doesn’t know who Jimin is but that didn’t stop him from having a crush. He wished it was just a stupid crush, that could have been forgotten but it was difficult since he saw him everywhere and his heartbeat would escalate.

Min Yoongi is someone whom he ahd been told to avoid by few people around, not that he was planning to boldly approach him. He is considered as the notorious student of the university. Almost everybody knows him and everybody wants him.

Being the son of a big CEO, he didn’t have much restrictions since his dad’s company was investing into the university. Nonetheless, that didn’t give him any rights to steal Jimin’s heart that way.

If you’re popular and pretty enough by his standards, you’ll be noticed by him. There’s always a girl in his arm, sickeningly sweetly calling him, “Oppa,” And Jimin know he likes it, the way he would smirk down at the girl and whisper something that would make the girl blush furiously. Oh, how many times he has imagined to be one of them, but in a different way.

Cause of course, Min Yoongi isn’t gay. That would be really funny if he was because it would make Jimin’s life a little easier in terms of future plans. But Min Yoongi is straight as ruler and Jimin is not.

There are also rumors that he sleeps with most of his girls, that he has no solid relationship and some girls would think they got him and he’ll be theirs but then reality hits them hard when Yoongi would leave them the next morning. And some girls are okay with one night stand.

Jimin didn’t want to be believe anyone. Rumors spread because of jealousy and he strongly believed that Yoongi wasn’t like that. But Jimin has caught him many a times canoodling with girls.

And maybe that should be it, knowing his motives and standards, that should’ve been it. It should have made Jimin stop crushing on him, but it didn’t, if anything he liked the concept of bad boy.

A bad boy doesn’t have to always beat someone and look dangerous with tattoos and piercing. Sometimes bad boys could be as pretty as Yoongi and as devilish as him as well. He was devilish in the way he moves, taking everyone with him, convincing teachers, a very cunning fox who likes attention and would probably break your heart with a snap of his fingers.

Jimin didn’t want to get in his line of attention, didn’t want to associate with him in case something like that would happen but if it’s written in his stars, it’s inevitable and just like that he encountered Yoongi for the very first time.

He is working the afternoon shift in the coffee shop when Yoongi comes with his friend. Although many of his classes starts in morning, he’s usually free during afternoon and his class starts again at 3:45p.m.

Anyways, Yoongi has always come to the shop at irregular timings but Jimin has never dared to serve him or take his order. But today must be his unlucky day because he hadn’t noticed him coming and he was busy arranging the various baked goods in the display. Normally he’d be attentive and whenever Yoongi comes in Jimin pushes his coworker to take his order, not having enough courage for that.

But when he look up, Yoongi was looking above him at the menu, his neck in perfect vision of Jimin’s sight and shit, that’s also perfect. He licks his lips swiftly and nod to himself.

“I’d like one peppermint iced latte and an iced Americano,” He orders, taking out his wallet and Jimin stands there, without entering his order, looking around to find someone who would take his order. “Excuse me?” Yoongi calls him out and present his credit card.

“Ah, I-I’m sorry,” He sighs, “Co-could you repeat th-that again?” He stutters through the whole sentence and he wish he wouldn’t notice it.

He patiently repeats again, “A peppermint iced latte and an iced Americano.” He nods, typing in the order and taking his card to swipe it. “Could you also add cinnamon role with cream?” He nod, without looking at Yoongi and swipe for the final time.

“To go?” Jimin wonders and he hums.

“Name?” He asks, ready to write on the cup as if he didn’t know it already. He amusingly looks at Jimin, maybe thinking the same but smiles nonetheless.

“Suga,” Is all he says and he writes with a messy handwriting. Yoongi goes back to sit at a table and Jimin notices he’s with a friend.

He turns to make his coffee while brushing his thumb at his name.

Suga is a short name only few people have the privilege to call him and at times he made sure they know. His very close friends call him Suga and for everybody it’s Yoongi. Even for his different girls, it’s Yoongi only. If he asks you to call him Suga then consider yourself being in the good books of Yoongu, you’re special and under his protection and guidance.

Once his order was done, Jimin ask his coworker to call Yoongi knowing his small voice wouldn’t reach him.

When his name was called, Jin and Yoongi both got up and collected their order, leaving the coffee shop without any glance.

“You’re coming to the gathering right?” Yoongi asks, simultaneously taking out his cinnamon roll from the brown bag.

“No, it’s not my type of party,” Jin snorts, taking a sip of his drink and sighing, finally the caffeine.

“Hyung, I’ll be bored,” He complains and rubs his lips together after taking a bit. He offered to his friend but Jin waves it off.

“Then don’t attend,” He simply shrugs, not seeing a problem in not attending.

“I just cannot not attend!” He exclaims. “Appa will introduce the heir to the company and if you have little bit of brain, you should know the heir should be there!” He reminds his friend.

“Don’t talk to me like that, brat!” Jin scowls and hit him on the shoulder.

“Hyung, please come,” Yoongi resolves to aegyo, pouting just a little and blinking his eyes rapidly in a cute manner.

“Are you trying to be cute?” Jin asks, unbelievingly, shaking his head at Yoongi.

“Yes, is it working?” Yoongi, not bothered by his reaction, asks in a cute way.

“Does it ever not work?” Jin mumbles to himself. Yoongi throws his head back and laugh, both of them now entering the campus ground and walking towards the garden area where many students are roaming around.

He takes a big sip of his drink finally and immediately spewing it out on the grass, making a disgusted face.

“What’s wrong?” Jin asks.

“It’s not pepper mint,” He mutters annoyedly, rubbing his lips clean.

“What is it then?” Jin amusingly asks, looking at his friend as he takes a sip of his own correct drink.

“Vanilla bean,” Yoongi takes a bite of cinnamon role to clean the taste of his drink.

“Just throw it away or give it one of the juniors, they’ll be glad you are offering and probably do your dirty works,” Jinshrugs.

Yoongi absolutely hates the sweet flavor, he likes things which leaves a bittersweet taste in his mouth instead of giving him diabetes at young age.

“You’re talking as if I need someone to hide a dead body,” Yoongi pouts, looking around for for someone whom he could give his drink.

Jin doesn’t say anything and let Yoongi go. He moves to a table of freshmen, working hard on an assignment it seems. When he approaches, everyone seems to concentrate on him now. He hands his drink to one of the students and smile that beautiful and convincing smile of his.

“Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned,” He assures to the nameless freshman who looks at him in surprise. “Just not my flavor,” He pats on his shoulder and leave the bench alone.

Jin looks at the bench and see the fellow students making a noise of surprise at the nameless student, who still couldn’t grasp what happened.

“You know, he’ll forever cherish the cup,” Jin comments when Yoongi approaches him.

He scoffs playfully, “Don’t embarrass me,” Yoongi says but Jin knows he secretly likes it.

They leave the garden area to enter the building for their upcoming classes.

When Jimin thought that’d be the first and last time he’d encounter Yoongi, boy was he wrong! The more he wanted to avoid Yoongi at all costs, the more he sees him.

Yoongi comes the next day as well, he’s not a regular customer he has noticed but he didn’t think Yoongi would come today as well.

He was behind the counter going through today’s income when he comes inside, Jimin doesn’t pay any attention to the person that entered as he was trying to organize the money and count the total.

“Jimin, could you take the order please?” His coworker, Nari, asks.

“Okay,” He shouts back at her, cleaning his hands on the apron and moving to take the order.

“Welcome to The Mugshot, what can I get you?” He raises his head to smile that quickly turned into a frown to see Yoongi standing, leaning on the counter.

“Aren’t you the one who served me last time?” He asks dubiously and Jimin wonders how he remembers him or why he remembers him and why is he curious.

“Y-yes,” He nods, eyes falling down to avoid his stare. He inwardly scolds himself for stuttering.

“Will I be able to get the correct order this time?” He asks, raising his brow and looking almost playful.

“What?” He asks him, not understanding his cryptic words.

“You served me wrong last time,” Yoongi points out and Jimin widen his eyes. Way to go! He scolds yourself. The first time you both meet and you have to serve him the wrong order.

“O-oh? I’m so-sorry. I must have mishe-heard you. That almost ne-never happens, I’m rea-lly sorry,” He stutters, hands clammy and eyes not daring to look at him.

“I hate stuttering,” Yoongi says, not even acknowledging his apology. He wishes the ground would swallow him right now, that’d be a miracle but it’d be less embarrassing than this. He’s making a mess of himself in front of his crush, fate must really hate him.

“I’m so-sorry-,”

“But you’re cute,” He cuts him off and Jimin’s eyes widen at him, winking at Jimin and smiling the dazzling smile of his. He blush hard, not even trying to hide the affect Yoongi has on him.

“What can I get you?” He asks hurriedly in one breath, trying to steer away from the topic. Surely he must be pulling his leg, no way in heaven Straight Min Yoongi would actually think he is cute or anything.

Yoongi came to the coffee shop to only give a piece of his mind to the person who served him wrong ordered yesterday but seeing Jimin all flustered, he is having fun. He has seen many girls throw themselves at him and get fluster but there’s something about him that’s so fresh, like he’s not trying too hard to get noticed, more like trying to avoid him, looking alerted and clumsy. He really finds Jimin cute and loves having an effect on people.

He would usually say, ‘Your number,’ now and he would get it easily but for some reason he thinks it would scare him more and he wonders why Jimin is scared. He’s not a bad person or so he thinks.

“Peppermint iced latte,” He says, punctuating each words as if kicking Jimin and reminding him to not forget his order this time. He nods, write his name on the cup and accept his card.

“You have good memorizing power,” He comments teasingly as Jimin wrote his name without asking. He bites his lips, seeing Jimin get redder than before. Oh he’s having fun.

“Who wouldn’t know you?” Jimin mumbles under his breath but he didn’t hear that. He turns to make Yoongi’s order correctly, feeling his eyes on him and hoping he wouldn’t mess up this time. Once done, he didn’t even have to call Yoongi because he was already waiting for Jimin.

“Peppermint?” He asks to reconfirm and Jimin nods, knowing he wasn’t wrong this time. Nonetheless he didn’t seem to trust Jimin and open the lid to check and taste and he hums, making appeasing sound.

“I’ll see you around then,” He says, leaning off and leaving.

“I hope not,” And he knows it’s just a way of goodbye, because Min Yoongi will most definitely not ‘see you around’. He was casually cutting off the conversation that Jimin and he never had.

And just like that, Yoongi will come to the coffee house, not to meet Jimin definitely, just like he usually comes. Jimin knew his ‘see you around’ contained no meaning. He was just being friendly. He would come and leave, not even looking for him because Jimin avoided to get his order and messing up.

Albeit, at times he felt Yoongi staring at him but when he would look at Yoongi, his attention will always be on his friend. He is just imagining things again, it’s not like Jimin special to him, so why would he even look at him?

He has avoided him on the campus grounds as well, whether it’d be at lunch, classes or casually in the hallways. He didn’t want him to know that he attends the same university as Yoongi but it was probably a stupid idea because he must know Jimin go there that’s why he chose to work in the nearest coffee shop.

Yoongi adjust his tie, cuffing his sleeves and adjusting his tux and sighing. It is the party where his father would officially announce the heir of the company not like anybody didn’t now already. He hated grand parties, filled with old people, coming up and congratulating him and jazz playing in the background. No, this was not the kind of party Yoongi enjoyed. He wanted loud music and liquor, hard ones.

His dad has always tried to do things extra, make it extravagant for no reason. Why is it necessary to announce people, he has no idea. Thankfully he convinced Jin to attend otherwise he would have been bored to death.

People have already started gathering and Yoongi just waits for a servant to call him down. He sits on his bed and scroll through Twitter to see many unwanted tagging.

Someone knocks on his door and he wonders if it’s time to go down. But before he could answer, the door opens and he sits up.

“Jin hyung,” He breathes out, happy to see that he kept his promise.

“I feel like I’ve come to an old age home party,” Jin comments, dressed in his own tuxedo and looking the epitome of sexiness.

“You’ve been to some great parties,” He dryly chuckles at his comeback and Jin rolls his eyes.

“Why aren’t you down?” Jin asks, standing in front of the mirror and adjusting his hair.

“Eomma thinks I need to make a grand entry,” Yoongi rolls his eyes at the idea.

“Want to run away?” Jin suggests, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Hyung,” Yoongi stresses, as much as he wants to, he knows he can’t run away. He needs to stay here and just greet around. “Anyways, I’ve informed my mother I won’t stay for long,” Yoongi assures Jin, knowing that his friend really hates such thing yet he has come for him.

There was another knock on the door, a servant calls out for him to come down. Yoongi gets up with a huff and stand next to his friend, looking at him through the mirror with a pout.

“If you hate it so much, just back out,” Jin shrugs, giving him the same piece of advice he took it for himself, finding the easy way to leave all this heir shit.

“Don’t think I’ve tried that?” Yoongi grumbles, “And I’m used to it now for I’ve been studying business for two years.” Honestly if Yoongi wanted to run away from the responsibility he could never. His family is more strict in terms of family responsibility and business. Maybe it was easy for Jin but at the end, Jin’s family did kick him out of their household. Jin is strong in nature, he is determined and that’s why he was able to adjust into a new life.

But Yoongi, he consider himself a weak person without the support of his parents. All he is now, all he is able to show off, being confident, flaunting his beauty, everything is because he’s being supported. He doesn’t believe that if he tries he would be able to live off as well as Jin so he rather do what his parents ask.

“Let’s go, I want to leave as soon as possible,” Jin sighs, understanding the weakness of his friend.

They both leave the room to attend the guests downstairs. Jin didn’t have to be part of it, he’s just here for moral support and few free drinks if he is able to snatch the drinks.

While Jin leaves him alone, Yoongi joins his father to greet his friends. His father intriduces Yoongi and boast about his studies. Yoongi feels uncomfortable but he doesn’t show. He confidently and elegantly answers all the questions, smiling brightly at the women who appreciated his looks.

He goes around, greeting everyone and secretly drinking wine as well. Yoongi proudly talks about his studies and subjects he has taken up in university. If he feels sad, he doesn’t show at all. He can play pretend all day long for he has being doing that for a long time now.

Soon, his father gathers everyone’s attention, clinking his fork on the wine glass he is holding. Yoongi, who’s now standing with Jin also turns his attention to his father, knowing the time has come.

“Shall we get to the point for this grand celebration?” His dad laughs, nodding curtly along Yoongi as if signaling him. “I’m glad you all could join us,” At this point of time, Yoongi just wanted his dad to get over with dramatics and announce already. He wanted to leave the party.

His dad first tells the story of his hardship to bring his company where it is now and for Yoongi it must be what, a bazillion-th time already hearing this story? Jin amusingly looks and pat Yoongi’s back in understanding but Yoongi knows he would never live this moment down.

“And hereby, I would like to handover the company to one and only heir, my son!” Everybody around them claps and look at him and Yoongi smiles around awkwardly. “Yoongi, son, join me," His dad calls and he nods. Moving towards, Yoongi stands next to his dad and bows down to the people, thanking them for their wishes.

“I won’t let you down, dad,” He automatically says as if he had been memorizing the line. His dad laugh boisterous and assuring Yoongi that he knows his son wouldn’t let them down.

Once the whole shenanigan was over Yoongi grumbly walks over to Jim who was having the time of his life if his pretty doll smile proves anything

“I made a video,” Jin proudly says, puffing up his cheeks and showing his phone.

Yoongi holds it, “Of course you did!” He tiredly say with affection.

““I won’t let you down, dad”,” Jin imitates Yoongi who rolls his eyes at the bad imitation but nonetheless smiles. They drink a little more, but enough to feel dizzy.

Jin takes his leave not soon afterward, saying he has morning classes unlike Yoongi and he would like to be well rested. Yoongi had pouted, asked him to stay for a little longer or even take him but Jin denied, wanted his friend to suffer a bit longer.

Yoongi really tried to socialize with people but they are not of his age and he can’t seem to talk to them for more than five minutes when they approach him. But not soon later, some of his dad guests starts leaving, Yoongi stands near the door and greets them farewell and they in return congratulate him.

Once everybody has left the house, Yoongi sighs and walks over to the grand living room where his dad and mom are seated and his dad take another sip of his drink. He sits on one of the single couch and rest his head on the backrest.

“You did well, son,” His mother spoke, a proud tone to her voice.

“Yeah,” Yoongi hums, cracking his head as he close his eyes. He knows that he has to go back to his condo and sleep there. To be honest, he would rather go to his condo and rest there than stay the night here and go through awkward morning breakfast.

“Yoongi, I would like to talk to you,” Yoongi’s father gain his attention. He furrow his eyebrows at his dad’s stoic voice and sits up straight.

“Yes, appa?” He asks, voice tired.

“You know that you are officially the heir of the company, right?” Yoongi was sure it was decided even before he was born but sure, he knows. “I want you to stop hanging out with girls, you are creating a bad reputation for yourself, son.” His dad shake his head in disbelieve.

“Creating a bad reputation for myself or for you, dad?” Yoongi sharply looks at his father and cocks his head.

“You may think like that but I am looking out for you,” His father held no sincerity in his voice and Yoongi wanted to scoff at him. “It would be better for you to stop now, I have given you enough time to slack around but now I would like you to stop and start taking things seriously,” Yoongi inwardly rolls his eyes, his mother not bothering to speak up in front of the head of the house. But she sends sympathetic gaze to his son.

“And I have given you the desired result, haven’t I? I don’t see why I have to stop.” He fires back, leaning on his knees now.

“Yoonie,” His mother quietly warns him, her face distressed as she looks at him.

“You have to stop because I say so. It’s embarrassing enough for me hear your rendezvous. Stop it before I take strict action,” His dad doesn’t even look at him, switching on the television and channeling through news channels. Yoongi glares at him.

“Otherwise?” He asks, fists balling in anger and the alcohol did nothing but fuel to his anger.

“Otherwise I’ll have a bodyguard behind you,” He simply says, not even sparing a glance at his son. “Even in your university,” And his dad looks at him, jaw set tightly as he sharply looks at his son.

That was it for Yoongi, he stands up abruptly and chuckles sarcastically, “You don’t have to worry about anything, Mr. Min,” He smiles, that sweet smile that never reached his eyes, almost mocking his own father.

He moves to leave, to go far away from this house. It doesn’t belong to him, he doesn’t belong here. He doesn’t want to go to condo because it’s not his as well. Maybe he’ll crash at Jin’s house, the only person that matters to him.

“Yoongi-ah, stop,” His mother calls out for him as he walk towards the door taking his coat from the stand. “Yoonie,” His mother stands behind him and he breathes slowly, knowing it was never his mother’s fault in the first place. She doesn’t deserve his anger. He turns around to look at her and smiles, assuring her.

She stands in front of him and adjust his coat, looking sad while she does that. “Stay for tonight, you have had few drinks,” Although it’s not a question, Yoongi shakes his head no.

“I cannot,” He says and gently pulls her away. “I’ll be fine, eomma,” He says and pats her head affectionately, “I need to think a lot,” He tells her and hug her briefly.

“Go straight home, okay?” She says in his shoulder and he hums. They break the hug and Yoongi gives one final smile and leave the house.

He settles inside car and plants his hands on the steering wheel while he leans his head back and close his eyes. Yoongi very well knows the his dad would set a bodyguard on his toes if he doesn’t get his actions straight. He still doesn’t know why he has to stop hanging out with girls, it’s not like he is lacking in his studies because of them. He studies when it’s time, he has passed with excellent marks not because of connections but because of his own hard work.

So people talk! That’s what they always do anyway.

Yoongi should’ve named few of the known chaebols of big companies as his father’s, who have done shit worse than him. And Yoongi really should’ve shown his dad what a perfect son he is. Instead of drugging and getting into illegal things, he is just having fun with girls but still studying hard. Isn’t it’s his age to have fun?

Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.

But all he did was nod and leave. His life was sorted out, he had no say in it. He has to walk the path that his parents have chosen for him.

He speeds past the mansion, jaw clenched. Yoongi decides not to go to his condo for a while, he’s tired and has tons of work tomorrow, yet sleep doesn’t come to him when he’s worrying. He bites his lips and contemplate what to do. He should call Jin and maybe have beer with him until they both pass out. So he does that and call him.

Jin doesn’t pick up and Yoongi tries again. He’s purposely not picking up or maybe he’s too deep in sleep. Both the options are difficult to choose from and Yoongi knows that Jin prefers his beauty sleep over everything. He also knows that Jin is probably pressing on his ringer button to ring off the call.

Yoongi should just go there and wake him up and have beer. But he knows Jin will the curse the life out of him and kick him out. Yeah, no, he rather stay away from sleepy Jin.

His car slows down, now reaching the campus area and he looks around the quiet area. Very little students are out even at such hours, probably getting drunk and partying somewhere around. His eyes catch the coffee shop that has its lights still opened.

Caffeine would help now.

He parks his car across the street and get out.

It’s almost 9:20p.m. now, only ten minutes into closing the coffee shop. Normally no one would come at the last 10-20 minutes, since the students prefer alcohol over coffee.

Jimin is in the kitchen, cleaning the counter when he heard the clinking, indicating someone left or came. Maybe it’s Yoona who left because nobody was there when he entered the kitchen.

“The shops’s closed now,” He hears Yoona say to someone who has entered and imagine her smile while she says that.

“Not until nine-thirty,” He hears another familiar voice say.

“We are not serving,” The coffee house is small and cosy that Jimin could practically hear them talking. He didn’t not hear the other person’s response. “Look, just leave because I’m not serving anymore,” Yoona says again.

“Maybe your other ‘we’ would serve,” He furrows his eyebrows and decides to check out who’s this rude customer who doesn’t understand basic Korean.

Wiping his hands on the apron, he pushes the door open and see Yoona standing in front of the customer, shielding both of their faces. The customer however, moves back to look at him, his head cocking to side and smiling.

Yoongi.

He stagger behind at his appearance, mind running blank and he wonders why he is being like this. It’s just Yoongi.

Yeah, right.

It’s not just Yoongi. It’s Min Yoon Gi, his crush, looking devilishly handsome in his black suit and hair parted in front. Oh he looks good.

“Excuse me?” He smiles and Jimin thinks he hears a small scowl from Yoona.

“Ye-yeah?” Ah, that’s right, his stuttering is back because Yoongi is back.

“Can I have peppermint iced latte?” He asks softly, smile permanently plastered on his face and how could Jimin even think to deny him?

“No, you can’t,” Yoona answers instead and he jumps at her hard and angry voice. Jimin has never heard her this angry.

“I didn’t ask you anyway,” Yoongi rolls his eyes and Jimin gulps at their exchange. Does Yoona know him personally?

“And I am telling you that we can’t serve, you may leave,” She points at the door and Jimin thought of intervening for a second.

“Yoona, right?” Yoongi says and Jimin’s eyes widened. So they do know each other, he doesn’t know why but he feels a pang of jealously. He shouldn’t because Yoongi and Jimin are nothing, never will be but he didn’t like the fact that Yoongi knows her. Yoona is beautiful and up to his standards. Of course he knows her. “Your name is very familiar,” Jimin just watches from behind, observing Yoongi.

“Why would you even remember me?” She scowls and Jimin knows she’s glaring at him, her voice contains no sadness but only anger.

“What wouldn’t I remember you?” Yoongi openly flirts and leans on the table, head resting on his palms as he looks at her like every girls wants to be seen, certainly Jimin as well. But Yoongi would never, right? Cause he’s a boy.

“Okay, fuck off!” Jimin gasps at her foul language and that too at Yoongi. He looks behind at Jimin appalled expression. “Just because it worked one time, it wouldn’t work on me always,” She says.

“Two times,” Yoongi cockily reminds her and she fists her hand.

“Fuck off, Suga.” She warns him, “It’s past the closing time now.” She informs him.

“Ah, Yoona, always sneaky,” Jimin tries to find fondness in his tone but he couldn’t. Was it mockery then? “Are you still mad about what happened between us?” He asks, sporting a pout.

So there was an ‘us’ between them. It makes him feels nauseous for some reason. Yoongi was never his. He had been with plenty of girls and Jimin has witnessed them. There should be nothing different about Yoona then. But he feels sad and shattered from inside. It seems like everybody has once be acquainted with Yoongi. Yoona is the only person beside Taehyung, Jimin dared to befriend. Her course is different than his so he only see her in coffee shop and sometimes it gets lonely here, so Yoona and he give each other company. She is a nice girl, but she never talked about Yoongu. Yoona and he always share a night shift.

“I don’t know who you think you’re Yoongi, but your status won’t get you coffee because you fucking want it, so get the fuck out of here while I am being patient,” Yoona leans into him, looking threatening but Yoongi doesn’t seem fazed.

“You wanna make it thrice?” And Yoongi has the fucking nerve to say that, while she’s right in his face, looking like she would kill him. It only boils her anger and Jimin wonder how Yoongi has the nerve to do that while his death lies right in front of him. “I don’t do thrice but you can be exception,” He winks at her and Jimin move towards her with slow steps, just ready to hold her back if she decides to strangle him.

“You fucker,” She disbelievingly laughs but her jaw seems set. “Get the fuck out, Suga. I have had a long day, not everybody is served money on a silver platter, some others have to work and earn it,” Jimin could see Yoongi’s expression change for a slight second, his usual flirtatious expression replaced by anger and that’s first.

“I’ll get you whatever you want,” Jimin meekly say from behind. Two heads turn to him, while Yoona glares, Yoongi is back with his flirty smile. He only said to cut out the tension inside the room. He feared some blood would be shed if he didn’t step in.

“No, he is leaving,” Yoona decides.

“That would be lovely,” He comments at Jimin. “Peppermint iced latte,” He orders and Jimin nods.

Turning around, he walks back to the kitchen to get the ingredients. Not soon later, Yoona comes in, looking angry at him.

“Why the fuck are you serving that asshole?” She asks, not lowering her voice and you fear Yoongi would hear her.

“It’s just coffee, it will be quick,” He assure her.

“It’s not about the coffee!” She whines loudly, “That jerk thinks he can waltz in and fucking order around. Somebody needs to fucking grab his hair and bring him back to ground apparently, his head is too up his ass,” Jimin cringes at the insult.

“I can hear you gossip about me, Yoona-ssi,” Yoongi says back.

“Good, I am being loud on purpose for your fucking thick head,” She tells back, sound resonating back in the kitchen.

“Wouldn’t I know how loud you could get?” He says back and Yoona had enough, Jimin is sure he can see steams coming from her ears. She moves to go out again but he hold her back.

“Leave me, fucking let me go, Jimin!” She screams but not really at him.

“Let’s quickly make his beverage so he can leave, hmm?” He instead suggest.

“I’m gonna fucking poison it,” Yoona promises but stays still. He will ask her later about Yoongi and her relationship.

“He looks distressed, Yoona, cut him some slack,” He tells her, sympathizing with Yoongi. Although he had cocky expression the whole time, Jimin had seen lines forming on his forehead due to stress and slouched stature of his.

“Apparently his parents cut that a lot for him,” She grumbles and he frowns.

“You shouldn’t talk about someone or their parents like that, you don’t really know what he goes through, he’s only human albeit rich,” You say while preparing his latte.

“Please, stop sympathizing with him. His actions spoke louder to me, I know enough about him,” She rolls her eyes and tap her feet impatiently.

“Sometimes actions are done because words weren’t loud enough or the other person couldn’t bother to hear them,” He explains and didn’t bother to look at her. She has stopped tapping her feet. Closing the lid he passed it to her and she shakes her head no.

“I don’t want to serve him,” He sighs and nod. Leaving the kitchen, he notices Yoongi standing in front of the door but looking at his shoes. It seems like he was about to leave. Yoona would have hunt him down made him gulp down his drink.

“Yoongi-ssi?” This is the first time he call out his name, feeling foreign. The said boy turns around and look at Jimin.

Jimin smile, tight lipped, and offer his drink. Yoongi walks to him and take his drink, fingers brushing ever so slightly which made Jimin retreat it immediately.

He looks in his pocket for the money.

“It’s okay, on house,” He assures him and Yoongi looks at him, eyebrow raised in question, “I’m sorry for what Yoona said,” He has no idea why he apologized, it wasn’t his place but something told him to apologize, his expression was so different earlier and his heart pulled at that.

“You don’t have to apologize to him,” Yoona grumbles, coming out of the kitchen as well. He turns to look at her briefly before turning back to Yoongi. His gaze still on Jimin. “And pay up,” She angrily says.

“Take it from me,” Jimin quickly say, looking down at his shiny shoes. He doesn’t want to see Yoongi’s face, he must be thinking about Jimin falling for him as well. You’re just pathetic.

“I’m taking my leave,” He says, stepping back and Jimin nods, not looking at him.

“Thank god!” Yoona mumbles under her breath, her voice still loud enough for Yoongi to hear.

“I’ll see around, Yoona-ssi,” His tone again contains playfulness.

“I’ll be sure to avoid you, Suga,” She says, showing no respect whatsoever. Yoongi laughs and Jimin looks up to capture it. As soon as he sees it, Yoongi turns to leave and Jimin’s small smile turns into a frown at his departure.

He stands there and watch him cross the road to reach his car. He gets inside and Jimin wonders if Yoongi is seeing him from inside. His car is heavily tinted so Jimin can’t really see him. He can hear Yoona sitting and grumbling about Yoongi. He starts the car but doesn’t drive away and he should move, turn away before he could embarrass himself more but he stands there until the car roars and speeds away. He sighs heavily.

“What are you grumbling about?” He ask Yoona and sit in front of her.

“I swear to go these rich fucking chaebols, who the fuck they think they are? Just because they have money and power, they can use it around?” She complains, fists tight and jaw set as she looks around.

“Tone down the curse, sailor,” He jokes and she rolls her eyes, knowing he can’t take so many curses in one day.

“It’s just…just because he thinks he’s handsome and rich, he owns everything and he doesn’t need anything.” Her anger for him was still clear and Jimin wanted to know what had happened between them but prying like that would seem rude if she doesn’t want to talk.

“Maybe that’s all he needs,” He shrugs, hands clasp in front of him resting on the table.

“Yoongi never stops, he always wants more and gets it,” She says, her smile almost disbelieving.

“You…,” Trailing off, he breathes, itching to know more about him and also about Yoona and him. “You can call him Suga?” He asks timidly.

She looks at him and shrug, “I should probably stop, I lost that privilege when he dumped me.”

“He didn’t tell you to stop when you called him that,” Jimin informs and noticed how she can easily say his nickname that he gives permission to. He wonders how Yoona got that privilege from Yoongi if she was only fooling around. He never ask his girls to call him Suga though.

“Probably low on coffee,” She jokes and he nods. “You are wondering how I got to call him Suga if I was his side hoe, right?” He looks up at her description and shake his head no while she raise her brows in question.

“Not the words I wanted to choose,” He mumbles.

“But you still want to know, don’t you?” She asks again.

He nods, shyly. He hopes she would share and not mind him prying over her personal life, or he hopes he doesn’t pressurize her into talking if it hurts.

“I mean if you don’t want to, you don’t have to,” Heimmediately says, sitting up straight and looking at her in comfort.

“Nah, I am more than comfortable in talking about him,” She assures and he nods, “Lets switch off the light so we don’t get unwanted customers, yeah?” He nods, standing up and switching off the lights. He locks the door as well in case and sit back down.

Even though the lights were closed, the street lamps provided enough light inside and the moon did it work in illuminating the coffee shop further.

“I’m jut another victim of Yoongi’s beauty, really.” She starts and he doesn't bother saying anything until she finishes. “Just like everyone, I wanted him as well and did everything to get his attention,” She says and he wonders why she needed to do that when Yoona was pretty enough that she could get anyone if she just flips her hair.

“I got to know him mutually, you know? We met a lot through mutual friends and got to know each other, it was there, the tension and spark, always.” She reminisce her old memories, thinking about the time she knew Yoongi and got along with him. “Yoongi never made a move and I wondered if I wasn’t his type although he sent mixed signals.” She sighs and shake her head no at a particular memory.

“I didn’t want a relationship, I just wanted sex, even friends with benefits. Pathetic right?” He looks at her and smile, shaking his head no.

“You are not pathetic,” He says, keeping his hand on hers for comfort.

“He kinda made me feel though,” He furrow his eyebrows and wonder what Yoongi did to make her feel that way. “Every party we met, he disappeared with a new girl and each time I thought I’ll get my chance. But I never did so I decided to change myself.” She didn’t sound proud of it, she sounded regretful.

“Long story short, I did get Yoongi’s at the end but it was me who made the move. It should’ve been awkward but we were fine the next time, I got what I wanted and he got what he wanted. I don’t know when one night stand tuned into another night, but I was under him again,” She bites her lips, her eyes unfocused and lips in a frown. He didn’t want to imagine her like that with him, it not only makes him blush but also sad inside. Yoongi is not yours, never was and never will be.

“He decided it’s not healthy, when I suggested being friends with benefits. He had said no, so I told him I could be his booty call-,” Jimin’s expression change to a confused one.

“What is a booty call?” He blurts out in confusion.

“Of course you wouldn’t know that,” He hits her lightly and roll his eyes at her prediction. “It’s like having an affair when you’re married,” She waves her hand around in explanation and he gasps lightly. “Yeah, booty call. Anyways, he denied and said I’m getting too attached and I should know my limits and his too. He said he doesn’t like me and I’m nothing but a ‘good fuck’ to him,” She air quotes and Jimin’s mouth was still opened. He find it impossible to believe Yoongi could be like that, could say something like that. His look deceived his doings. But he also knows Yoona wouldn’t be lying about it because her anger seems genuine and not for attention.

“What did you do?” His voice came out in a whisper, laced with sympathy.

“It hurt that time,” She says, looking down at her lap, “My initial plan was not to fall in love but it seemed too difficult to not fall in love with a boy like Yoongi,” He nods his head in understanding. He doesn’t even know Yoongi well and haven’t met him properly yet he feels like he loves him. It may not be that, it may just be infatuation but he doesn’t know the difference between that. If he wasn’t so inexperience, he must have known his own feeling.

“I slapped him,” She says after a while and he gasp again, “I feel nice about it now, should have reminded him about it,” She tsk, leaning behind on the chair and crossing her arms.

“Do you still love him?” He softly ask, still scared about her answer.

“Love is not the word, I was never in love with him. I was in love with the idea of having him in a different way. I never loved Yoongi, so I feel fine but also regret it,” She shrugs and he nods.

Perhaps he is also in love with the idea of having Yoongi as something more, the day dream of him getting to holding hands with Yoongi, having coffee dates with him, getting to call him as yours. He has never thought more than that, the possibility of the third base overwhelms him, makes him blush. But maybe it’s the way he was raised, he doesn't want Yoongi for a good time with him, he wants him for himself.

He likes the idea of having him, perhaps he just doesn’t like him. Maybe it’s because everybody wants him and Jimin has seen how he treats girls, even for his own sake, yet. Jimin has heard girls fondly speaking of him, no matter they were dumped.

But he doesn’t see having Yoongi in anyway. What he wants, Jimin can’t give and what he want, Yoongi can’t give. It won’t work and he would not give away his virtue for spending few days with him.

He might as well stop dreaming.

“You like him, don’t you?” Yoona breaks the silence, he look up blushing. Toons knows Jimin is gay, when they got comfortable around each other, Jimin felt like telling Yoona about his seaxuality before she could set him up with few of her friends. Yoona accepted him no matter and he’s glad about it.

He shrugs confirms whatever she wanted to know.

“I’d be surprised if you didn’t, everybody once liked him, even though they like to play pretend.” She informs, leaning forward and smiling at Jimin. “I don’t care what you will think of me but it’s better if you stay away from Yoongi, he’s nothing but a heartbreak and you honestly.. you shouldn’t go through that.” Yoona holds his hands when Jimin frowns at her statement. Why can’t he think of having him?

“Why?” He murmur.

“Because you are too innocent for someone like Yoongi, you’re too-,”

“Not his type?” He complete for her, unknowingly.

“What?” She asks appalled at his theory, “Have you see yourself? You’re fucking beautiful!” He blushes at her compliment, he didn’t feel beautiful with or without his glasses. “When the glass goes, you’ll sweep ‘em from their feet, I swear!” He laughs at her.

“Shut up!” He says, taking his hands away and patting at his warm cheeks.

“It’s true. You may not be sexy and hot, but you’re beautiful, very much at that, you hold innocence.” He looks up at her in appreciation, smiling at her to let her know he isn’t offended with her words. “Trust me, there are very less people who remains beautiful, you are one of them.” She smiles and he thinks Yoona is also beautiful. She’s sexy, but she’s beautiful as well. He wonders if she knows that.

“Are you in love with me?” He jokes, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

She snorts playfully looking at you, “You wish,” He laughs at that. “But I’m serious about Yoongi, no matter your infatuation, don’t think about it.” She turns serious and look directly in his eyes.

“It’s not like he looks in my way,” He sadly says, no matter how hard you try to mask your sadness.

“Still. You’re too pure and innocent. Don’t waste your innocence for someone like him, you’re way too good for him,” He nods at her, taking her words in because he is sure she’s right, she would know better for she has spent time with Yoongi. “I’m only telling you because I don’t want you to be his another notch in the belt. You don’t deserve the heartbreak, from the little time I have known you, I know you won’t be able to take the heartbreak.” He felt thankful for people around him.

Of course, he knows that Yoona isn’t telling him all this stuff because she’s still hungover Yoongi. Her anger gave away her hatred towards Yoongi and Jimin has been wondering how bad Yoongi could get. She’s right with her anger and he want to argue, maybe defend Yoongi but why should he do that? Yoongi is not yours, he would never be. And you shouldn’t defend Jin, what he did was wrong. But he is still attracted to him, maybe it’s because of his bad boy personality.

“Thank you,” He was quiet for a long time, pondering over his one sided crush.

“Yoongi is dangerous, Jimin.” She says, voice dropped into a serious tone. “And sometimes dangerous doesn’t mean tattoos and piercing, or smoking even. Dangerous can be in the form of sweetness.” Of course he knows that, certainly Yoongi is an example and she was talking about him only.

“Yoongi is dangerous in the way that you’d blame yourself when he breaks it off,” She says and he knows that, have seen plenty girls crying in the class over Yoongi, how they weren’t enough for him, how they doubted themselves. It was ugly and surprising as well how one man can make you doubt yourself and everything you are.

“Yoongi is dangerous in a way that he makes you want him so bad only to drop you in the end,” She continues and he listens carefully. He is a victim to that and surprisingly, Yoongi never made a move on him, he never grabbed him in a way to squeeze the need he has for him only to drop Jimin lifeless on the ground. It has not happened with him, but with girls around him. Yet he feels too deep to maybe care about it, he might not do anything but he already feel the need being squeezed out from him.

“Yoongi is dangerous in the sweetest way,” And yes, if his handsomeness proves anything. Yoona is right, Yoongi doesn’t need tattoos to adorn his already good body, he doesn’t need piercing on his face to make head turns, he doesn’t need to smoke to look like a bad boy, nor an asshole character to keep everybody on edge. He doesn’t need to wear leather jackets or have dangerous looking bike to make him look cool and badass.

No, Yoongi doesn’t need them.

His smile is enough to get attentions, his laugh is enough for people to double look at him when he walks in the hallways. He doesn’t necessarily dress up like a chaebol, but still wear expensive clothes, something Jimin would never be able to afford. His sports car is enough to make him look badass. That’s it’s, Yoongi doesn’t need bad boy etiquettes to make him look dangerous. He’s simply dangerous in the sweetest way, a harsh and hurtful reality, a beautiful dream that you would never wake up from, simultaneously a nightmare you need to wake up from and face the reality.

“Yeah, he’s bad for me,” Jimin agrees. Yoongi is not only bad for him, but he’s never for him.

“Avoid him, that’s all. Don’t feed him and he won’t bother you.” Yoona advices and he listen to her. She decides that it’s getting late and they should be leaving. It’s was already 11:30p.m. by the time they both locked the coffee shop and left. Campus wasn’t really far away, so they both peacefully walked.

Yoona walked in front, while Jimin was not so behind. She was in her last year of learning law and she has been working almost a year in the coffee shop. She was well familiarized by the campus and its people.

While falling in steps with her, his mind drifted back to Yoongi but entirely for different situation. Not like he was planning to get on his way and sight each time but from now on he’ll avoid him. He don’t want the heartbreak and he is a hopeless romantic person, an inexperienced one so he wants everything to be fairytales, he wants sweet moments like several novelist promised in their books.

It’s not like Yoongi is the only guy whom he thinks can provide that. No, he’s far away in that field. He can find anyone, less handsome than Yoongi, ‘cause face is not the most important thing. There are fair amount of good looking guys in the university and he can date anyone (if they would like to date him, that is) he doesn't need Yoongi.

He’ll avoid him, simply.

Easier said than done.

He realizes.

It was fine for few days, Yoongi didn’t come when he was working and he doesn’t know if he came when Jimin was not working. He didn’t come for a week after that night. He had wondered if it’s because of what happened that night, it must have hurt his pride.

He thought about asking Yoona but then he realized that he promised her that he won’t stay hungover him. She’ll get suspicious and start another lecture. It’s not like he was planning to do anything with Yoongi. He just wondered about his whereabouts.

His friend, Kim Seokjin, came everyday for his daily dose of coffee. He would order and sit on the table, headphones stuck to his ear, MacAir on work and a notepad on side. Whenever he would come in, Jimin would look behind him to see another presence but would be disappointed. He thought of asking his friend about it, but that would be weird, wouldn’t it be? He would tell Yoongi and Jimin is trying to avoid any meet up situation with him. Of course he can’t ask Jin

He thought Jin was waiting for Yoongi, but he never came. Every time the bells chimed, he would look outside, hoping it would be Yoongi.

But that’s okay, he must probably hate this coffee shop after he was insulted like that, said those names. Anybody would be. Coffee shop was the only place Jimin talked to him, even if it only involved taking his order, at least he would talk to Jimin.

Boy, are you too deep!

He saw him in hallways, looking normal, behaving normal. It’s like nothing happened. He still hid from him, in case he remembers him and gets angry. Why would he? He doesn’t know. He wants to know why he stopped coming to coffee shop. He told himself umpteenth time not to care, but he couldn’t. He is not getting involved or anything, just watching from afar. That’s okay, still hiding but admiring the human Min Yoongi is from far. He doesn’t have to know.

When he decided Yoongi wouldn’t come, it’s the next day he grace Jimin with his presence. It’s like he heard Jimin deciding he wouldn’t care from now. It’s the day and time he came when Jimin least expected him. Not like he was expecting him.

He, as usual, is behind the bar and it’s a little after lunch time. His next class starts at 3:45p.m. and it’s still 2:30p.m.

His back is turned to Yoongi when he enters as he makes an iced tea for a customer. Yoona never works in the daylight so his other coworker, Nari is with him

“Excuse me?” He missed the familiar voice, busy humming and cleaning. If he would have known it’s Yoongi, he would’ve called Nari to attend him.

“Yes?” He turns around with a smile only to frown at his presence.

Yoongi.

He’s here.

After a whole week.

“Ye-yeah?” Back to stuttering mess.

“A peppermint iced latte,” He says with a smile and Jimin’s eyes look behind to see a bulkier person with a black outfit, his muscles almost popping out.

“Right away,” He turn around intimidated by the two people. He was about to make his drink when he realized the absence of peppermint ingredient. He didn’t want to talk to him, want to give his drink and get done with it. But he had to inform him.

“Where’s Yoona-ssi?” He asks as soon as Jimin turn around to inform him.

“S-she doesn’t work at-at day,” He scolds himself for stuttering, it’s annoying and Yoongi has mention his hatred towards it no matter he complimented him later.

“Shame,” He mockingly say. He notice Jin missing instead replace by the bulky man.

“Uh, we-we don’t have peppermint at the mo-moment,” He inform timidly. If Yoongi comments about his way of talking, he’ll make up an excuse and say it’s a problem, it’s so doesn’t have to do anything with Yoongi.

“What a shame, it’s clearly a sad day for me,” Yoongi mumbles and sighs when he looks at the menu again. Jimin kind of wanted to know about his day now, what made him sad.

“What would you suggest?” He asks, snapping him out of the trance.

“Vanilla bean,” He immediately say, so he doesn’t catch Jimin staring at him. He scrunches up his nose in disgust, lips automatically in a pout and oh…okay.

He’s cute, he’s way too cute and only feed into your crush. It’s not fair he’s being cute in front of Jimin.

“That flavor should be banned,” He says, standing up again and leaning closer to the counter and thank god there’s no customer behind him.

Jimin accidentally let out a small giggle, slapping his hand against his mouth immediately.

“So-sorry,” He says, flushed. He has no idea why he did that, he wasn’t trying to be flirty and grab his attention nor what he said was funny. It was just his face, when he said that. He had giggled at the childish tone of his, something he didn’t expect from Yoongi.

“You can laugh, you know?” He says, smiling that didn’t seem fake. Jimin coughs and nods.

“Can I get you anything else?” He asks, no need to get more attention from him.

“A date,” He says. Jimin’s eyes widened as round as the saucer. What? He stagger back, spluttering at the statement. Because what? The bulky man cleared his throat loudly and he looks at him. Would he possibly answer and explain to him?

“Relax Jisung-ssi, I am just asking my boyfriend for a date,” Yoongi addresses the man behind him and look at Jimin, winking. Again what? His sockets were about to pop out at his brain. Is he out of his mind? He looks around to see if anybody can hear them, seemingly everyone looks busy. The man scowls as if not believing Yoongi. Good, he shouldn’t because that never happened. Yoongi can…can never be his boyfriend.

“Wh-what?” He splutter, heart beating across his ribcage.

“How about your number then?” He asks, highly playful now. No, no, if he keeps talking now, Jimin may need a CPR.

He’s pulling Jimin’s leg, isn’t he? He likes this, his smile proves it. He likes seeing Jimin all flushed because of him, likes the power he holds on Jimin. What has Jimin done for him to be pulling pranks on him? He made him a coffee last week when Yoona denied! If anything he should be thankful, not pulling his legs.

“What?” He ask him again. He’s clearly joking, isn’t he? The famous, notorious Yoongi wouldn’t just give Jimin his undivided attention all of a sudden. He’s anything but beautiful, he wears hideous big glasses, his clothes shouts cheap, he hardly wear makeup. He doesn’t m reach up to his standards. Surely he’s pulling his leg so he could have a good laugh.

Because Yoongi is an ass…hole.

There he said it.

The bell chimes, Jimin looks to see a customer entering and standing behind the bulky man. Yoongi looks behind briefly and then looking at Jimin again, as if waiting for an answer.

“Do you like vanilla bean?” He ask and Jimin furrow his eyebrows. What in the god’s name is he asking for? What the hell he wants?

“Yes,” He timidly answer, still cautious about his behavior.

“Why?” He cocks his head at side. Jimin gives a quick look behind at the customer who’s tapping his feet in annoyance.

“It’s refreshing,” He hurriedly say, wanting to end this 20 questions conversation before the customer gets angry and create a scene.

“Then one vanilla bean iced latte,” He nod ands hurriedly swipe the card Yoongi has provided. He moves away and the other customer moves in front, grumbling under his breath. He orders espresso and waits as well. Jimin quickly pours already prepared espresso in a cup and serves him.

Giving a quick glance at Yoongi, he turns to make his coffee. He clearly dislike the flavor and Jimin wonder why he ordered that. Perhaps for his bodyguard. The bulky guy moves like Yoongi’s shadow.

After done with his drink, he pour his drink in the paper cup and put on a lid. Taking the sharpie, Jimin write his name out of habit. Once done, he place it on the counter Yoongi was waiting at the side.

“Vanilla bean?” He inquires. Seems like he doesn’t believe Jimin because of that one time. He wanted to remind him that it was one time!

“Yes,” He resolved to say.

“Your pen, please,” He smiles, hands out. He takes the sharpie and handed Yoongi. He writes something on the cup and Jimin waits for him to return the pen.

Once he was done, he gives Jimin back the pen and the cup. Jimin look at it and then at him in confusion.

“I bought it for you, it’s rather a slow day, plus you look like you would fall asleep,” He informs, insisting to take the cup. He takes it, fingers brushing briefly. He flush at his reason. “I’ve written my number,” Yoongi winks and Jimin look at the cup, surely his number is written, underlined twice, with an arrow under his name pointing at the number.

Jimin looks at him for a second, he doesn’t say anything. Yoongi stands up and smiles once again before walking out of the coffee shop.

“Ahh, Jisung-ssi, I think I was too cool,” He complains on the way, cracking his neck. The bodyguard only scowls.

Jimin watches him leave and stand there with the cup and his number. The cup feel exceptionally heavy now. He wonders if it’s still a joke. For some reason he didn’t want to tell Yoona about it, she would not approve of it. He promised himself that he would not get involved but here is he now, with his number. Maybe he should dump the cup and his number.

He drinks the coffee though, tasting extra sweet and less refreshing, yet still enough to get him through the day.

Nonetheless, he keeps the cup and his number.

Nobody has to know.

* * *

it is ought to be little confusing but please go along with it. Thank you for waiting so patiently!

[im-just-here-for-the-drama]

Gay Characters in Kdramas: The Good, The Bad, and The Mediocre

Gay characters rarely show up in Korean dramas. Though there have been a few characters over the years,  In terms of representation, the characterization and stories of these characters are usually nothing to write home about, but I figured, why not write about it anyway? Here’s my watch and don’t watch list, if you’re looking for gay characters in kdramas.

Warning for spoilers galore!

The Mediocre (these aren’t bad, but they’re not the best either)

Lily Fever (2015)

The Story: Kyung Ju heads to her friends house one day to find her missing passport. She finds Se Rang instead.

Should You Watch?: Sure. This show is quirky and just downright odd. The ending leaves a lot to be desired and the story itself is kind of all over the place, but it’s cute, it’s funny, it’s short, most of it’s nonsense, and the girls have lots of chemistry. It’s only a bonus that Se Rang is a standout character of this show. You’ll probably fall for her yourself by the end of the webseries.

The Lover: Joon Jae and Takuya (2015)

The Story: Different couples live together in an apartment building. The show shows us snippets of their lives. Joon Jae’s life gets turned upside down when he meets his new roommate Takuya.

Should You Watch?: Hmmm...yeah. I started watching this show expecting it would showcase the typical Korean bromance between the guys. The kind where the show makes it seem like the guys might have feelings for each other, but the show just skirts around the topic entirely. In the first few episodes, that’s exactly what happened between Joon Jae and Takuya (with a lot of sex jokes and penis jokes thrown in for good measure. That’s actually what most of the show is). But the show eventually, actually, went there. Joon Jae and Takuya don’t get a whole lot of screen time, but when they do, we get to see some serious feelings thrown in with all the crass humor, and Joon Jae and Takuya do admit to having feelings for one another. The ending could have been a little better, but it was a happy one, so baby steps.

Perseverance Goo Hae Ra: Jang Goon (2015)

The Story: A group of rag tags come together to form a band. Jang Goon joins the band and meets their manager Tae Poong who he’s had a crush on for years.

Should You Watch?: Only if you’re interested in the rest of the show. Jang Goon has a fairly interesting storyline. He has a friend who accepts him after finding out about his crush and he has to rebuild bridges with his father who doesn’t accept him doing music (and Jang Goon’s scared he wont accept his being gay either). But Jang Goon’s storyline is such a small part of the story it wouldn’t be worth it to skip through to only his parts.

Daughters of Club Bilitis (2011)

The Story: A one episode drama detailing the lives of four lesbian couples.

Should You Watch?: I watched this so long ago, I honestly don’t remember a single shred of what happened in it, but I’ll say yes, watch it. Because there are so few lesbians in asian dramas you have to watch the one’s that exist. The entire show is about lesbians, so I  mean, why not?

Reply 1997: Jun Hee (2012)

The Story: The lives of a group of high school students in the year1997. Jun Hee has a crush on his friend Yoon Jae.

Should You Watch?: Yes and no. The Reply Series (Reply 97/94/88) are pretty good dramas after all. They’re great for nostalgia, family, friendship, and the like, but if you’re here solely for the gay? Probably not worth the time. Jun Hee’s a side character. We see him crushing on Yoon Jae and he confesses his feelings to Yoon Jae and another friend, but there’s not too much more than that.

Seonam girls high school investigators: Eps 11-12 (2014)

The Story: High School girls investigate and solve problems in their school. The show is episodic and in these two episodes the girls attempt to help Su Yeon and Eun Bin who have to hide their relationship from their classmates.

Should You Watch?: Yes. I honestly don’t remember much about this one either, but I do remember it being decently done. This show caused a lot of controversy years ago when it aired Korea’s first lesbian kiss ( probably korea’s first same sex kiss period that was a legitimate kiss and not used for laughs). It’s worth checking out to see what caused all the ridiculous uproar.

Wise Prison Life/Prison Playbook: Han Yang (2017)

The Story: Big time baseball player Kim Je Hyuk turns into a crimanal overnight. After he’s convicted, he has to face his new life in prison. He meets some interesting people in prison. Among them is the drug addict Han Yang.

Should You Watch?:  Yes, because the story itself is a really interesting take about a man who goes to prison, meets a lot of different, people, and ultimately makes new friends/family. If you’re just watching for the gay? I’d still have to say yes, despite the fact that Han Yang doesn’t get the happy ending he deserved. Han Yang was one of my favorite characters in this show. I don’t know how he managed it, but I swear Han Yang got funnier as the episodes passed. I was really endeared towards him attempting to kick his drug habit while also trying to salvage his relationship with his ex-boyfriend Ji Won. He had such an interesting story arc, was such an entertaining character, and I didn’t feel like the show ever made fun of him for being gay. This character was just such a joy to watch, I definitely don’t regret watching, even though I wanted more.

Moment at Eighteen: Jung Oh Je  (2019)

The Story: Transfer student Jun Woo has no interest in school life, as he is traumatized from being expelled from bullying. Meanwhile, Soo Bin has been watching Jun Woo all this time. She sees a different side to Jun Woo than the one that other people see. Oh Je, is Jun Woo’s best friend who starts to discover his sexuality.

Should you watch?: Hmmm… sure. Oh Je has a decent side plot. It was interesting to see him figuring out he liked Hwi Young and coming out to his ex girlfriend and his friends. I do wish his story was expanded a little more though. There were several things I would have liked to have seen, like coming out to his family, and I thought they wrapped his story up a little too quickly at the end.

Love with Flaws: Won Suk and Ho Dol (2019)

The Story:  Joo Seo Yeon, is a hot-tempered physical education high school teacher who always wears sneakers, jeans and training uniforms.  The death of her parents helped instill a deep sense of compassion, a generous heart and an outspoken objection for anyone who drinks and drives. Living in a house with three wild and very attractive brothers, she loathes flower boys. Her ideal type is someone who is “not handsome.” Won Suk is one of her handsome older brothers.

Won Suk has closed his heart to relationships and love, but he lives his life as an openly gay man. Ho Dol is closeted and lacks confidence. They meet one night at Won Suk’s bar.

Should you watch?: People have been kind enough to condense Won Suk’s and Ho Dol’s  story into parts on YouTube so yeah, go ahead and check it out.

These two don’t get a whole lot of screen time, but the little they do get is nice. We get to see Won Seok help Ho Dol open up and be more confident with who he is and in turn, Won Seok opens up his heart.

The Bad (you probably shouldn’t waste your time on these ones)

Personal Taste: Director Choi (2010)

The Story: This dramas about a straight guy who pretends to be gay in order to gain access to the blueprints of a woman’s house��or something like that. Director Choi’s specific story revolves around his attempts at courting that guy.

Should You Watch?: Absolutely not. Half of the time the drama equates being a gay man to automatically being feminine, a woman, or not a “real man”. Director Choi is also a good deal older than the male lead and makes several attempts at courting him even though he’s not interested. It kind of came off as the “creepy old gay perv” and that didn’t sit well with me.  I suppose you could skim through the drama to watch Director Choi’s scenes. If sad gay men Is your thing. I just felt bad for the guy most of the time.

Ho Gu’s Love: Kang Chul (2015)

The Story: Ho Gu’s a pushover, a fool, and kind of an idiot. He meets his old classmates and things get a complicated. One day in High School Kang Chul meets Ho Gu’s twin sister and mistakes her for Ho Gu. They spend the day together and she kisses him.  The kiss sparks feelings in Kang Chul. Of course Kang Chul thinks it was Ho Gu who kissed him and years later, when he meets Ho Gu his feelings grow stronger.

Should You Watch?: Yes? Maybe? If you really want to, but mostly…no. With this, I expected that the typical drama set up would happen. Similar to all gender benders, Kang Chul would find out that it wasn’t Ho Gu he kissed. So any feelings he was having for him would immediately get swept under the rug where we could all pretend we never knew his heart fluttered for another man. Imagine my surprise when episode after episode passed and that didn’t happen. We got down to the last few episodes and Kang Chul had admitted to himself that he liked Ho Gu, he came out to his parents, and his coworkers assumed he was gay. The show was actually depicting the struggles of being gay in Korea and it was arguably one of the better storylines for a gay character on Korean t.v., but then the show couldn’t stay strong and they flipped the script. Predictably, Kang Chul finds out it was Ho Gu’s sister he kissed, the show copped out, and lo and behold Kang Chul was straight with no further mentions of any other possible sexuality. Watch it if you’re curious, but be prepared to be extremely disappointed by the end.

Graceful Family: Mo Wan Joon  (2019)

The Story: Blah blah blah, revenge or something- at a point it’s revealed that Mo Wan Joon is a trans woman.

Should you watch?: If you really like revenge melos maybe, but if you’re looking for this show to do something good and offer up some good trans rep? Nope.

Literally nothing about Mo Wan Joon’s story is watchable. I wasn’t even entirely sure the show even knows what being transgender even means. It comes off as more of a plot twist to put the family all in a tizzy more than anything else. They don’t really show much of Wan Joon’s struggle or anything poignant or engaging.

Sweet Munchies: Tae Wan (2020)

The Story: Jin Sung pretends to be a gay chef to film a tv show for money. Tae Hwan, a closeted fashion designer falls for him.

Should you watch?: No. "Everyone loved Personal Taste right? What if we just did that again but with a chef this time?"  This could have been potentially groundbreaking, but by the end of the show the two leads are unlikable and  we just wind up with more sad gay tears. But Lee Hak Joo as Tae Wan? *Chef's kiss*. This man put me through the wringer and he does it so subtly. If you must watch, literally skim through Tae Wan’s parts.

The Good (these are worth the hours of your life you wont get back)

Painter of the Wind (2008)

The Story: Shin Yoon Bok is a talented painter who disguises herself as a boy to search for her father's murderer and meets a master painter who guides her into being a great painter. Kim Hong Do is the man who teaches Yoon Bok how to paint, and they develop a strong friendship of mentor and disciple.

Should You Watch?: Yes. On the surface this sounds pretty straight, but ignore the summary, because yes there’s a loveline between Yoon Bok and her mentor, but the most interesting story here is the loveline between Yoon Bok and a Gisaeng she meets named Jeong Hyang I’ve seen plenty of gender benders, but I’ve never seen one where a woman falls in love with the girl who’s pretending to be a boy. This drama isn’t technically supposed to be gay, but it’s extremely gay when when bisexual Yoon Bok hits on the gisaeng the first time they meet. Yoon Bok finds herself falling in love with the Jeong Hyang too and the love between them comes off as extremely genuine and sincere. I don’t care what that show was trying to tell me, Yoon Bok/Jeong Hyang was the true otp.

Life is Beautiful: Tae Sub and Kyung Soo (2010)

The Story:  A family drama about a blended family. The show focuses heavily on Tae Sub and his boyfriend Kyung Soo

Should You Watch?:  Absolutely. In this drama we actually get to see a same sex couple. There’s not just one gay character or a situation where you have to read between the lines. Tae Sub and Kyung Soo are a gay couple who get to be together and happy and they get screentime! The show focuses on Tae Sub coming out to his family, his family's acceptance/non-acceptance, and Kyungsoo’s family’s non-acceptance as well. We get to see the guys work through their problems together and we get to see how they’re relationship changes and grows. My only complaint about this show is that it aired seven years ago and korea has shown little to no progress in terms of lgbt characters and couples in kdramas since.

Rural Outcasts (2019)

The Story: Sun Hui moves to a small village where she lives her life as Soon Ho until she can make enough money to become her true self. Dong Ja, a feisty 12 year old, breaks into her house one day.

Should you watch? Yes, although, heads up, there’s a cis man playing a trans woman. Found family always makes for a heartwarming story and this one is no different. I loved the bond between Dong Ja and Sun Hui and I loved their mother daughter relationship. Very sweet and heartwarming, but be prepared for some heartbreak too.

[mayhembunnywrites]

Chapter 7: A Mother's Strength

A/N: Sorry for the delay everyone~ It hurts to sit right now but I am finally scheduling this chapter to be posted on here. Chapter 8 will be scheduled for the usual day at the usual time for this week!

Grief and joy flowed in equal measures through her entire being, the sight of the twins and Hye-In mingling in the small hospital room meaning that her entire world, or what was left of it after Dan-Tae had broken it to pieces, was together and whole for once.

The absence of Seol-Ah was glaringly obvious to Su-Ryeon even in the still and nearly silent room, the twins and Hye-In lapsing into comfortable silence even while playing on their phones. The visits between siblings had been tense at first, the twins only knowing of Hye-In and with them having never seen her before.

The first visit had been quieter than ever, not a single sound being heard other than the whirring of the machines. They had eventually settled in, and then it became their quiet space, a safe space.

It was a space that was fully secure, a space that they soon realized their father couldn’t touch them in. It was the one area that he couldn’t control, they quickly realized, and the once empty room began to fill with laughter and talking.

Su-Ryeon had never been as happy as she was at that moment, her children together, safe and happy. It was more than she could have asked for.

-----

She had known that her son was keeping something from her, but she hadn't realized that the thing was a human.

Her son had fallen for Bae Rona, the daughter of Oh Yoon-hee. It was easy for Su-Ryeon to do the math once she had found out Rona's basic information, the knowledge of Ha Yoon-Chul and Yoon-hee's romance being the obvious link.

Su-Ryeon also realized that Yoon-Chul and Seo-Jin were married by the time of Rona’s birth, which meant that either Yoon-Chul didn’t care or he didn’t know about his eldest daughter.

Interesting, Su-Ryeon thinks to herself, making a mental note to look further into the matter. She knows that she might be paranoid, but she has learned by experience to not entrust her children to anyone, no matter how close to her or her husband they may be.

Shim Su-Ryeon would no longer allow herself to be oblivious, to ignore the dangers others would pose to her children. No, she would do what it takes to keep her children out of harm’s way.

Which is why, when she asked Seok-Kyung and Seok-Hoon what they were interested in doing for their future careers, she had a perfect thought. It would keep her children safe and it would enable them to grow their careers, after all!

It would happen after she had gotten her divorce from Dan-Tae, which may mean his death, but she would ask the kids about how they feel about living in America.

-----

With her decisions cemented into her mind, Su-Ryeon only had a few major issues to take care of before having the conversation with the kids. The main issue was discovering who had murdered her daughter.

Dan-Tae was the prime suspect engraved in her mind, knowledge of how much he had despised the girl now within her grasp. She had seen him glare at her before Su-Ryeon had distracted him, and she now knew that he would cross any moral line to control her.

No doubt he had gotten nervous when the girl had approached the family, even in the form of a math tutor or a classmate of their children, with the true knowledge of who Seol-Ah was. Su-Ryeon has no doubt that he had kept track of her, his controlling nature not allowing him to dismiss someone so easily.

No, she could not imagine him losing an important pawn such as her biological daughter, who he would and could have used as a weapon. She could, however, imagine him realizing that her daughter had been placed in a position dangerous to him, the key to beginning to unravel his web of lies, and murdering her due to it.

She felt determination and white-hot rage burning in her, the knowledge of her children, all three remaining, in danger at the hands of the man who had controlled everything.

From Su-Ryeon’s clothes to assassinating her husband to get her, to even potentially killing Seol-Ah, she knew she had to send the kids away from the reach of Dan-Tae, away from the danger that loomed over them.

She could not spare another moment, she knows with ever-growing anxiety. She had to move quickly and carefully, in the shadows. She could not risk getting a prison sentence herself, knowing that the children would have no other place to go.

Su-Ryeon is distracted by the buzzing of her phone, the message notification going off as the news was delivered to her.

And, with a mix of shock and joy, Su-Ryeon looked at the sunset outside of the penthouse window. ‘At long last,’ she thinks to herself with a heavy sigh, ‘my horizons have broadened.’

She looks at her phone and opens the message from the private investigator she had been in constant contact with, her mission to find out more about her daughter’s life only beginning. She stares down at the photo that had been sent to her, her eyes filling with tears that would only fall once she was in the safety of her own room.

Tears that would fall for the daughter she had never known.

[jhope-seok]

Boiled, Mashed, or in a Stew

Disclaimer: All of the things mentioned in this story are all works of fiction and have been made up by me, the author.  I did not intend to make anything based on real life, and any coincidences to real life are purely coincidences.

Members: Taehyung x Reader (idol!verse), mentions of Jin and Jimin

Rating: Fluff/minor angst

Warnings: None!

Prompts: 1) “What am I then, a potato?”

Length: 1,837 words

Masterlist | Requests are closed!

(A/N: for @howdoyoubias and a thank you to @taetaetrashhh for being a beta!; this is for the Bangtanwriters-net February Challenge!; also, title paraphrased from LOTR...don’t judge me okay)

You find yourself getting bored of the drama playing on the screen; completely uninterested in the overused plot of two boys fawning over the same woman, each vying for her love.

“It never happens in real life,” you grumble internally. You try to get up to take a break from the episode, but your legs are trapped under your best friend’s arms as his eyes are glued to the tv screen in front of you.

Taehyung pleaded with you for days asking you to come over and watch the season finale with him, saying that since you had binged the rest of the season together he wouldn’t watch the last episode without you. You would never tell him, but the only reason you’d agreed to watch the show in the first place was because it meant more time hanging out with him. He’d been so busy with his schedule that when he had texted you that he had a free day, suggesting a binge watch and promising to buy your favorite pizza you couldn’t resist.

But when he’d picked out this drama, you’d quickly found yourself rolling your eyes at the typical lines used in dramas time and time again. You had stated your disinterest for this particular drama somewhere near the middle of the third episode, but Taehyung had claimed it was just a slow start.

“It’ll pick up eventually, Y/N, just you wait,” you remember him claiming. You also remember becoming highly interested in a new game you downloaded on your phone near the start of the fourth episode.

You shake your legs as hard as you can, trying to free yourself from his grip. “Taehyung,” you plead, “I’m so bored, please let go of my feet. I want to go.”

“Come on, Y/N,” Taehyung sing-songs as he tickles your feet. “You gotta stay. It’s just now getting to the best part. They’re about to reveal who she chooses to be with!”

“I don’t care!” you whine, sitting up now to push his arms away from your calves. “Let me go!”

“Don’t be like this, Y/N. How can you be bored watching Lee Sung Kyung? She’s gorgeous!” He waves his arms at the television, as her face fills the screen.

You take his lapse in concentration to remove your legs. “Hey!” you kick him in the side, “Are you really gonna swoon over another girl when I’m right here,” you scoff sarcastically. You try not to show how much it pains you to hear him say that, keeping your true hurt pushed down, deep in the pit of your stomach. It’s always hurt to see him show any affection for another girl, but you’d learned over the years how to push it down.

Especially now that he was an idol and was on screen with so many women all the time, you had become numb to the feeling of being second in his eyes. You realized he only saw you as his best friend. You’d been his little buddy since you’d gotten to know him all those years ago in school. Jimin swore he liked you back, saying that all the stuff you saw him doing on television was just an act, something he had to do for the fans. Jimin said that the way Taehyung talked about you when you weren’t visiting the dorm could only be attributed to the way someone talked about the love of their life, but you never saw it, never heard it. Sometimes you entertained the idea that Taehyung looked at you with love when you weren’t looking, but every time you tried to imagine it you knew you were only getting your hopes up only to be let down.

You’re glad that he doesn’t look at you when he answers, the hurt having crept into the lines in your forehead. Instead he emphasizes his answer with another shake of his arms at the screen, “Look at her!”

“What am I then, a potato?” you joke, letting out a stiff laugh as you stand from the couch to go get yourself a snack from the kitchen, praying that Jin left some of his home cooking in the fridge.

You’re surprised by the sound of silence, both from Taehyung and the TV. You look back over your shoulder as you enter the kitchen. “Why’d you pause it?” you ask.

“Yes,” is his only answer. He’s stood from his spot on the couch now, and has begun to follow you.

“What?” you laugh, not understanding where he’s coming from. You’re stopped in the middle of the kitchen, the tile cold against your bare feet.

“Yes, you are a potato.”

“I swear, Kim Taehyung, if you weren’t my best friend...” you take a step towards him and raise your hand like you’re going to hit him, but the giggle in your throat gives away your humorous intention.

“No, really,” he insists. He sounds all too serious and your face gives away the pain you feel at his words.

“Taeee,” you whimper. “That’s mean.”

“No no no,” he rushes his words and his feet to close the space between you. Taehyung grabs your hands, “I mean that in a good way.” Your face clouds with confusion as he rambles on, “Potatoes are God’s gift to the earth. Potatoes are the best thing to happen to the world. Potatoes are way better than Lee Sung Kyung. I love potatoes.”

His eyes are fiery, hinting at a wild passion you’ve never seen in him before. Your heart races at the inflection in his words, his emphasis on love too strong to go unnoticed. You’re perplexed by his statements. You’re sure you’re not understanding him correctly, because if he’s trying to hint that he loves you…

“No,”  you cut off your own thoughts, “There’s no way Kim Taehyung loves me. There’s no possibility that the man I’ve called my best friend for the past eight years, the man I’ve loved for so long could ever love me back.”

But, although your thoughts are deep in denial, your mouth moves independently from your brain, itching for the truth after all this time. “So, what are you saying? Are you saying you love me?”

He pauses, the fire in his eyes dying to a soft smolder. No longer a raging forest fire, but instead the subdued embers of a bonfire after a long night of being tended to. But this light warms your chest faster than the fiery passion his eyes had revealed only moments before. It makes your cheeks burn and heart beat rapidly, the thudding so loud you almost miss his next words. “Well...yes,” he mumbles.

Something about the delicate rasp in his throat, the airiness on his tongue, the warmth of his hands on yours snaps you back into denial from your momentary belief that he could possibly reciprocate your feelings. You’re positive this is some joke he’s playing on you, his attempt at practicing his acting skills on you. You laugh, almost folded in half, hands coming loose from his grasp. “Oh, shut up, Tae,” you huff, pushing his shoulder and move back to open the fridge, eyes searching the containers of leftovers stacked inside.

Yet even though you’re feigning denial, your heart is still racing, your cheeks still feel flushed against the cool air from the refrigerator, hands clammy as you try to maintain your grip on the door handle. You know that if he keeps this act up any longer there’s no way you can hide your own feelings. But, you also know that if he’s lying, if this is all some practical joke, you’d never be able to face him again. So you keep your face hidden in the fridge, pretend to move around containers, weighing your options for a snack even as you hear him step closer to you, his voice just on the other side of the door.

“No, Y/N. I’m serious. I...I love you. And not just as best friend. I mean, I’ve always loved you as my best friend,” his voice is shaking but his words keep flowing, “but recently, being so busy with all of my schedules...whenever I’m away from you...whenever I see you, what I see in you and what I feel in my heart. It’s different from what I see and feel when I look at Lee Sung Kyung.”

Your hands don’t move anymore, you’ve given up on your act, given up on pretending to be unfazed by all of this. Your body is still as a rock, yet you can feel the blood pumping in your veins even faster than before. And when you somehow find your voice, you’re surprised at how stable it sounds. “Different.”

Taehyung rests his hands against the door handle, his fingers lightly grazing yours. The sudden contact has you jerking your hand back, the door shutting with a soft click. You’re now very aware of the space between you and Taehyung, and you swear you could count the centimeters that separate you, although they feel like miles.

“Different. But it’s a good different,” his eyes stay steady on yours. He doesn’t move closer to you, but somehow you feel his words lessen the gap, each syllable chopping away at the distance millimeter by millimeter. “When I look at you, I see beauty beyond measure. I see someone who continues to be there for me even though I’ve missed so many important moments in your life. I see someone who sits with me through drama marathons, even though you don’t like the shows. I see someone who, through everything, will be there for me until the very end. I see someone who I can see myself with until the very end. When I look at you, I see the person I’m meant to be with until the very end.”

“Tae,” you whisper.

“Y/N,” he’s reaching out to you finally, closing the gap, arms encircling you, the familiar warmth bringing tears to your eyes. “I love you,” is murmured into your hair, hands clutching at your back, pressing you close against his chest.

The tears are falling from your eyes faster than the beating of your heart. You wrap your arms around his waist, anchoring yourself to him to make sure this moment is real, to make sure it’s actually happening. “Taehyung,” you choke through your tears, “I love you too.”

Your body is on cloud nine and your mind is reeling, but your memory does not fail you and you remember one thing that you cannot let him get away with. “I love you too,” you repeat, “even though you called me a potato.”

His chest rumbles a joyful sound and you lean back to look into his eyes. You’re overwhelmed with happiness, the evidence plastered all over your face. He wipes away your tears and smiles, “Yes, I did, and I’m sorry. But what I said stands. I love potatoes more than anything on this earth. You’re my potato.”

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