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sweetrevxnge · 6 months ago

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Ghosts In The Snow

Chapter Seven

Pairing: Vampire!Kylo Ren x Reader AU

Summary: Six long years had passed under the reign of the First Order. The bitter winters grew longer, and as they did, hope faded from the hearts of the citizens of Hosnian Prime. As a lieutenant in the Resistance cavalry, it was your duty to nurture that ember of hope. After a mission takes an unexpected turn, you are taken prisoner by a commander in the First Order, a mysterious man with an insatiable appetite—for violence, power, and you. In the coming days, you must keep the spark of your own hope alive from the dark confines of the Commander's castle.

Warnings: sexual content, violence, blood kink, gore, mentions/descriptions of injury and death

*concurrently being published on AO3 and Wattpad as well!

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Spotify Playlist

Word count: 3.6k

Chapter-specific CW: torture (what fun!), period-typical sexism

A/N: the dead speak! lmao at least that's what it feels like coming back after an entire YEAR??? I kinda got sucked into playing 1,200+ hours of baldur's gate 3, romancing a certain vampiric elf time and time again, which gave me plenty of inspiration to continue this fic. I never meant to be gone for so long, so if you're still interested in this story, please let me know!

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What have you done?

To say that you were restless would be an understatement. The first order of business when you returned to your chambers was finding a safe place to store your stolen weapon, and now, hours later, you had yet to succeed.

You paced the room, wearing holes in the soles of your slippers as you wondered if you had made the right decision. It was unlike you to have sticky fingers, but then again, these were unprecedented times. Boldness meant survival.

Above all, you feared Ren was privy to your thievery, despite his silence on the walk back to your chambers. The prick of blood seemed enough to distract him for a moment, or perhaps he was practiced in hiding his tells. Either way, the consequences of him knowing gnawed at your sanity.

Rey had tended the hearth while you were away, ensuring your chambers were kept warm and filled with the familiar scent of dry wood. Her diligence as a handmaid proved to be an unforeseen complication in hiding your contraband.

Instinct urged you to keep it close to your bed, but reason told you it would be found too easily there. Same with the lounges circling the hearth, whose velour cushions could conceal many things if asked to. Though a dagger lodged in one’s rear would raise many concerns, as well as promise unspeakable punishments to come.

For these reasons, you ultimately settled on the bookcase.

Towering in the corner was a collection of books and texts, dense enough to put even the most curious scholars to sleep. A perfect place to hide a dagger.

Dragging a footstool over as a makeshift ladder, you reached for a leather-bound book embossed with gold letters along its spine. Imperium Nunquam Fuit. Though written in Old Basic, you understood its meaning.

The Empire That Never Was. A phrase coined by Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin to describe the destruction of Alderaan during the Revolution. An unsavory way to speak about a fallen civilization—considering he was the man responsible.

You made quick work of hollowing the historical text, skimming the page you’d turned to before defacing it. This passage detailed the last of the Imperial attacks on Alderaan, near the end of the Rebellion. One of the more infamous sieges of the war, earning its place in history with a tithe of blood and destruction.

The lines of script told the story of how Imperial soldiers salted Alderaan’s lands and butchered the citizens—babes and crones included. The Empire was thorough, wiping out an entire civilization over a mere conspiracy. With few survivors, and even fewer successors, Alderaanian blood was a rarity. You supposed that was one of the many things that set General Organa apart from the rest.

Considering the contents, it was a book of little interest to the First Order—a perfect hiding place.

The point of your blade pierced the parchment with ease, as if slicing through a block of butter rather than a thousand-page text. Tragic as it was to ruin a book like this, what other choice did you have? Hosnian Prime’s Grand Archives likely stored dozens of copies; one locked away in the depths of the First Order’s fortress would not be missed.

The fit was snug, but it would do for now. As for the pages you’d carved out, they laid in a pile at your feet, a messy reminder that your room was not private.

You slammed the book shut and returned it, hurrying to clean the shreds of paper scattered across the red carpets. Despite your efforts, the fragments proved too difficult to clean with just your hands alone, forcing you to sweep them into your skirts.

As you carried the pieces to the hearth, a gentle knock sounded through the oak doors. “Gods,” you muttered as you rushed towards the fire, dumping the pages unceremoniously onto the crackling wood.

Another rap on the door.

“Just a moment, please!” It was impossible to hide the panic in your voice as you prodded at the withering pages with an iron poker. Time seemed to slow as you watched the flames engulf the ink, turning Alderaan’s history to ash once more.

“It’s me, my lady.” Muffled by the wood, Rey’s voice was barely audible over the fire, hissing with fresh fodder. If any good came from her being your visitor, it was her staunch etiquette. She would not barge in uninvited—unlike some of the castle’s residents.

Brushing the slivers of evidence from your gown, you opened the doors, mindful of the lingering ash in the hearth. “My apologies. I was…” You cleared your throat, smoothing out your skirts before finishing your lie. “Indecent.”

Demure as ever, Rey dropped her gaze as she curtseyed before you. “It’s no matter, my lady. I was sent to fetch you; the Supreme Leader requests your presence.”

The moment his name left her lips, cotton filled your mouth, forcing its way down your throat as you swallowed your fear. What reason would the Supreme Leader have to summon you—at this late hour, no less?

Your thoughts immediately turned to Commander Ren. Perhaps he had noticed your theft after all and reported your offence to Snoke. If that were true, you vowed to slice his throat first.

“Did he give a reason?” you asked, trying to maintain your resolve.

Rey’s throat knocked in her slender neck. “He did not say.”

Part of you wanted to take the damned blade with you, but recklessness wouldn’t serve you. Though you did not recognize him as your ruler, you were not keen on adding treason to your ledger.

You sighed, coming to stand beside Rey at the door, shoulders pressed back and hands folded over your lap. “I’m surprised he didn’t send you with manacles.”

She said nothing, but the trace smile on her lips told you all that you needed to know. You couldn’t blame her for watching her tongue around you. Given what transpired last night, you would do the same in her position.

The two of you walked in near silence to the throne chambers, passing countless tall windows with panes stained a deep red, dark enough to block most light from entering. What little light did manage to seep through painted the halls crimson, giving the appearance of blood spilling over the floor.

The burned pages of text flashed in your mind.

Every step forward was committed to memory, including the number of paces between notable fixtures, as well as where each one stood in relation to your chambers. Still, there was no sign of an access point in this section of the castle. But your resolve did not falter. If there was a means of entry into this accursed fortress, there must also be a means of escape.

As you rounded the corner to another corridor, you glanced at your handmaid, noticing that her usual singular bun had evolved into three smaller ones, meeting the nape of her neck in a uniform line.

“You’ve changed your hair.” The observation came out as more of a question than a comment.

“Yes, my lady,” she said, delicate fingers reaching to touch the one near her collar. “An effort to be closer to the gods.”

You furrowed your brows. “How’s that?”

“As there are three of them, there are three knots. We servants are forbidden to worship openly, so we find other ways.” She closed her eyes for a moment, tilting her chin towards her chest. “Divine strength allows clarity of the mind.”

While you were not necessarily a pious woman, you were familiar enough with the gods from your upbringing to understand what she meant. As a child, you often prayed at your family’s shrine, asking for a bountiful harvest, good health, and, most of all, peace in the realm. For many years, they fulfilled your wishes. Now, your faith provided you with little comfort.

“Certainly,” you said, not wanting to discuss the subject any further. “Are we nearly there?”

“Just down this hall,” she said, her tone clipped. Either she was annoyed with the change of subject, or just as uneasy about seeing the Supreme Leader as you were.

True to her word, Rey came to a stop near the end of the corridor, leaving a short distance between you and the two looming oak doors, with iron enforcements woven into the grain and a guard posted on either side. Their faces were concealed by crimson veils, the signature regalia of the Praetorian Guard. Those tasked with protecting the ruler of these lands, whether they carried the title of Chancellor, Emperor, or Supreme Leader.

The warmth drained from your face at the sight.

“This is where I leave you, my lady.” Her face lacked its usual peachy hue, her freckles washed away by the candlelight. “The Supreme Leader does not allow us to enter these chambers, save for when he is passing judgment upon us.”

Standing before the faceless guards, you understood her unease.

“Will you be here to escort me back?” you asked, palms growing damp as you clutched the fabric of your gown.

“It is late. I must turn in for the evening.” She shifted her weight, eyes darting between you and the guards, whose presence seemed to loom over you from meters away. “Besides, I should think you do not require my assistance from this point.”

With that, she turned on her heels and retreated, her steps muted as she faded into the stretching darkness of the hallway. Turning to face the guards, dread settled in your stomach. Surely these warriors would not accompany you back to your chambers.

You studied them for a moment, the strategist in your mind seeking to understand what threat they posed. Both were tall and well-fed, given the size of their uniforms. The one to your left carried a bisento, while the other held a tall voulge, both equally unnerving. Their blades were pristine, foreign to combat. You wondered if the same could be said for those wielding them, too.

As if seeking to test your theory, they readied their weapons as you approached, each blade humming as it sliced through the air.

You came to a halt, the hair on the back of your neck now stiff. “I’ve been summoned by the Supreme Leader.”

The two remained poised to strike for a long moment before returning to their sentry state, offering one another a brisk nod as they pushed the heavy doors open, revealing the grand throne room. With tentative steps, you approached, pausing at the threshold.

Black marble columns lined the walkway to the throne, each manned by a knight of the Praetorian Guard, their crimson armor matching the First Order banners draped along the cobbled walls. Above the throne was the room’s sole window, with red stained panels filling the space between the spokes of the First Order insignia. Six steps carved of the same dark mineral as the columns led to the throne, lined with black velvet upholstery and a towering slate backing. Perched comfortably in the seat was Supreme Leader Snoke, draped in golden robes that flowed over his limbs like smelted ore, barely concealing the matching jewelry wrapped snugly around his fingers.

The paragon of humility.

He was joined by another: the fire-haired General Hux. His gaze snapped to you as the doors creaked open, beady eyes piercing you like darts from across the chamber.

“Ah, my guest of honor,” Snoke crooned, clasping his hands before his chest in delight. His tone fell icy as he turned to address the General. “Leave us.”

Confusion spread across his pale features as he turned to face Snoke once more. “But, Supreme Leader, there is still much to be discussed.”

“Perhaps I did not make myself clear. You are to leave these chambers at once, General Hux, or you will be removed.” Snoke’s gravelly voice rumbled through the hall with the force of a thousand footsteps, and reluctantly, Hux obeyed.

You watched the scene play out before you from the safety of the doorway, your feet rooted to the floor.

Snoke relaxed in his chair once more, beckoning you in with a hand gesture. “Please, come in, darling.”

Willing your feet to move, you did as he asked, eyes flitting between the Praetorian guard and the approaching General Hux, whose expression could only be described as irate as he brushed past you, black coat fluttering behind him.

Your heart was lodged in your throat as you neared the throne, feeling like a lamb being shepherded towards the maw of a lion. You stopped in line with the last of the guards before the Supreme Leader, leaving some distance still.

Snoke watched you with keen eyes, a stark contrast to his stoic front. “I do hope you are well, my dear. I can only imagine the days spent in anticipation of your wedding are agonizing.”

You frowned. “Is that why you summoned me? To ask me about my wedding?”

“Of course not. But pleasantries are the foundation of any proper conversation.” The humor fell from his voice. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, Supreme Leader.” The words left a sour taste in your mouth, like wine crafted from grapes plucked too early.

Satisfied, he settled back into his throne, resting his hands over the ornate armrests. “See? Deference needn’t be cumbersome.”

His mocking tone made your vision red, but you held your tongue. Invisible threads tied you to him and his guards, each one pulled taught in the silence. It would take nothing more than a misstep to cause one of them to snap.

He spoke again, this time with authority. “It has come to my attention that you are unaware of what is expected of you as a noblewoman.”

You let out a terse exhale. “I suppose I am. Perhaps that is because of the conditions under which I am becoming one.”

A thin smile curled on the Supreme Leader’s lips. “These are unprecedented times, lieutenant.”

The emphasis on your title made your skin crawl. Snoke was calculated, sadistic. With his power, he was untouchable. The red veils surrounding you served as a constant reminder of his invulnerability.

“Now, I am curious. How did you manage that?” he added, tilting his head in intrigue. “A commoner like yourself rising to the rank of a commanding officer is no easy feat—even more so for a woman.”

You narrowed your eyes. “I hardly see how this is relevant to my new status as a noblewoman.”

Despite your outward naivety, you knew too well what being a noblewoman would entail. You’d known from the moment your betrothal was announced. You were to be the docile wife of a commander, providing him an heir, a spare, and a warm bed whenever he pleased. Your military career would be swept away by the title of Lady Ren, all traces of your independence lost to time. You couldn’t think of anything less appealing.

“As a Lady of the First Order, you will be granted privileges seldom given to others, such as this.” Snoke motioned to the surrounding space, and you found yourself unable to decipher his meaning.

He isn’t referring to having an audience with the ruler of the realm as a privilege, is he?

He continued, “The safety of the castle. Our stronghold. You will be protected within its walls.”

Oh. Of course.

You suppressed a scoff. “I find that hard to believe, considering Commander Ren has attempted to strangle me twice over since my arrival.”

“I see,” he mused, pressing an index finger to his lips in thought. “My mercurial underling. If only his mind were half as quick as his temper.”

Somehow, your first instinct was to defend Commander Ren from his inflaming remark. While the Supreme Leader was correct about Ren’s temperament, he didn’t see the side of him that you saw—however infrequently it may have showed itself. There was a tenderness to him, fleeting in nature, like a luminescent star ripping through the night sky. You saw it in his eyes as he sat before your hearth, again when he laced your bodice.

Or perhaps what you felt was just the lingering effects of his charm.

Snoke’s rough voice broke your reverie. “Nevertheless, I’m sure Commander Ren had his reasons. Just as I’m sure whatever actions may have led to these outbursts will cease henceforth, won’t they?”

Before you could answer, a searing pain sliced through your skull, its barbed tendrils reaching into the deepest part of your consciousness. Every muscle in your body became succinctly rigid, frozen in place as an invisible force suspended you midair. You squeezed your eyes shut and tried to call out; for the gods, for your mother—even for Commander Ren.

“You will behave yourself, insolent girl, or you will be disposed of.”

Despite your efforts, no sound would come from your throat. An eternity seemed to pass as the Supreme Leader kept you trapped, holding your feet to the fire of his anger. Mustering every ounce of strength, you forced your chin down in agreement, hot tears distorting your vision.

Without moving a muscle, he relinquished his hold on you, your knees cracking against the marble floor in an instant. The violet fabric of your gown pooled around you like the blood of a slain enemy, collecting the tears that fell from your chin.

Before you could find your voice, the creak of wood and subsequent rustling of armor behind you swiped your attention. The guards had readied their weapons, aiming at something other than you.

You flinched as the doors slammed shut, followed by a heavy—yet quick—footfall.

“What is the meaning of this?” Commander Ren’s voice was biting, filled with untamed fury as he entered the grand hall. His cloak rippled behind him like the night sea, silver sword in hand as he marched forward.

You scurried backwards on your tender palms, caught between his rage and the throne. He drew closer, only stopping at the intersection of two of the guards’ blades.

“Commander Ren, what a welcome surprise,” Snoke crooned. “Your bride was just leaving.”

His eyes found yours in an instant—wild and dark. Silently, you pleaded for his cooperation. If he were to strike at the guard, your life would be forfeit.

Outnumbered by eight blades, he stowed his own. “What have you done?” he demanded.

Though he was looking at you, his question was directed at the man atop the throne, whose enthusiasm at his subordinate’s display was palpable.

“Nothing you have not already done yourself,” Snoke growled. With that, he stood to his feet and stepped down from his throne, closing the gap you’d deliberately left and standing over you. “See her back to her chambers, Commander.”

A snarl flashed across Ren’s face as he pushed past the guards and kneeled before you, extending a gloved hand for you. Though he was quiet, his eyes were heavy with guilt.

With legs like a new foal, you accepted his help, gripping his hand like a lifeline as you stood. “Thank you.” The words floated from your mouth, burning your throat as they passed through.

He only nodded in return, guiding you away from the chamber. Because of his intrusion, the outer guards were now sealed inside, allowing some privacy in the dimly lit hall.

Ren came to a halt, moving both of his cool hands to rest on your shoulders, inspecting you. “Are you hurt?”

Averting your eyes, you shook your head dismissively, ignoring how your knees seemed to rattle with every step.

He let out an amused hum. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Believe what you will, Commander,” you managed to say through your dry mouth. “I’m fine.”

At that, the two of you carried on in silence, meandering through the castle, passing knights and servants alike down each corridor. Ren’s emotion rolled off of him like heat from a flame, slowly dwindling the further you were from the throne room.

As your legs regained their strength, so did your voice. “How did you know I was in there?”

“Does that really matter?”

“I’d say so. For all I know, you’re the reason he summoned me in the first place,” you argued, head spinning as you tried to recognize your surroundings. Only when you realized these walls were unfamiliar did your pace falter. “Stop!”

He obeyed, meeting you where you stood. “What?”

“Answer me.”

He let out a terse breath. “No, I am not the reason he summoned you. Come, we can discuss this later.”

At that, he began his stride again, but you didn’t follow. “No. I will not take one more step. Not before I know where you are taking me, as it is clearly not my chambers.”

“I’m bringing you somewhere private,” he finally answered.

“Are my chambers not private enough?”

“By the gods,” he hissed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “As I’m sure you’re well aware, it is unbecoming of me to be seen entering your chambers before we are wed.”

You scoffed. “How pragmatic of you.”

Ignoring your comment, he continued, “After your encounter with the Supreme Leader, I think it’s best if we avoid unnecessary speculation—for your sake.”

You couldn’t argue with him. If Snoke was inclined to submit you to the rawest agony over the slightest display of defiance, you could only imagine what else he was capable of.

“Fine,” you conceded, seeing reason in his words. “But let it be known that my cooperation does not reflect my satisfaction with this decision.”

A smile ghosted over his lips. “I know.”

233 notes · View notes

sylusjinwoon · 10 months ago

Text

{ 130 }

3RROR.

jinwoo sung x fem.reader

notes: unedited; canon divergent...

sung jinwoo always knew that deep down, he would forever belong to cha hae-in-

so when the system provided him a message that told him he would know of his fated one within a week's time, the shadow monarch felt a bit concerned.

he kept on staring blankly at the message that popped up within his periphery, eyebrows furrowed in utter and complete confusion. what was the system trying to tell him?

surely, it would reveal to him that cha hae-in was his fated one right? there was no mistaking that he felt so comfortable around her. he had gotten stronger for her, even protected her from the dangers of the world.

he recalls all the fond memories he had together with her, and the many nights he spent laying in bed with her- having late night conversations about nothing and everything all at once.

when she confessed to him after joining his guild, jinwoo swore that he became so ecstatic. never once had he felt such immeasurable joy before in his life.

"cha hae-in is everything to me."

jinwoo found himself stating with confidence, simply ignoring the system's message to him as he swipes the transparent blue screen away from him.

it was probably nothing to worry about. after all...

he was certain the system would flash him an image of cha hae-in, further confirming his beliefs that they were meant to be together in this universe- and each and every one beyond and in between.

the young hunter stopped worrying about it then, the strange message all but disappearing from his mind when he receives a call from his beloved girlfriend. all too eager to talk to her, he answers on the second ring.

"sarang...hello, how was your day?"

{ ... }

the days pass by him in a blur, with jinwoo feeling like he was on top of the world. after enjoying his date together with cha hae-in, they spend the night together in bed. he listens to her talking about plans for their upcoming mission, and their date afterwards.

"so i was wondering, did you want to try out this new restaurant with me?"

he was ready to answer her when a sudden message pops up from his periphery. jinwoo bites down on his bottom lip, unable to answer her as his eyes take in the screen that he knew hae-in couldn't see.

"jinwoo?" her soft voice calls out to him, yet all he could see was the system's flashing message hovering over him.

the shadow monarch's fated one...

a morbid curiosity fills him, and the young man was confident that it would flash hae-in's name, or her face. he waits with bated breath, watching the screen flash once more before revealing a picture-

a picture that did not display cha hae-in's beautiful face.

instead, he came face to face with a different young woman, one who had a more unique beauty in comparison to hae-in. his mouth turns dry, taking in her features and the color of her eyes. he was only able to catch a glimpse of the strange, new girl and her name before the screen fades to black.

3RR0R 3RR0R 3RR0R 333333333333333333

a slew of error messages were seen, causing jinwoo's eyes to water slightly as his head began to pound, feeling overwhelmed-

and it all stopped, immediately replacing the girl's picture with cha hae-in's profile and her name printed below in neat lettering.

cha hae-in.

jinwoo felt cold now, unable to think clearly as he kept going back to that strange image of that girl- the woman that wasn't cha hae-in. for some odd reason, just recalling her photo was enough to make jinwoo's heart pound.

"jin!" a sudden cry of his name breaks him out of his reveries, with his silvery eyes meeting with hae-in's stormy gaze. "are you alright? what's wrong, you look like you've seen a ghost."

"it's nothing." there was a sudden hoarseness in jinwoo's voice, and he was praying that she would not realize that something was innately wrong with him. ever since the system showed him a picture of that strange girl before switching back to hae-in, he knew that he was caught in a turmoil.

what did this mean?

who are you?

but he bites back those feelings, simply taking cha hae-in within his embrace, hoping that her close proximity would force his heart to remember who it truly belonged to-

"jinwoo?"

"let's just go to sleep, sarang. it's been a long day..."

he refuses to accept that visions of the strange girl were what invaded his dreams now, making his life a bit more complicated than it already was.

{ ... }

months had passed since that time, and he struggled to find answers.

all throughout his mind, he kept seeing that picture... repeating the name over and over again, the name of his first 'fated one.'

he repeats it so many times, but always away from his girlfriend. and he honestly felt so guilty, putting such a distance between them. she was the first one, the one who was by his side and even admitted her love to-

yet why did the system show him a different girl? was it really an error-

or was he the one who made the mistake?

he didn't know what to do. all he knew was that he couldn't keep ignoring cha hae-in's texts and calls-

and in order to do that, he had to get closure.

he had to find her.

so he spent yet another day searching, after he finished his missions and duties as a guild master, he explores the streets of seoul, never once daring to stop until he could see the mysterious woman.

just as jinwoo was crossing the street, he catches sight of a familiar head of hair, watching the rich color of it shining from beneath the sunlight. jinwoo's mind went blank, tasting the faint scent of her perfume and strawberry shampoo when she passes by him without a second glance.

and he knew that he was doomed then-

because you were beautiful.

{ ... }

you felt happy, simply going on with your day as you decided to go to your favorite bookstore. it had been a rough week for you, with your job becoming more stressful than ever.

along with your normal job, you moonlight as a healer for the hunter's association. you weren't part of a guild, but helped other guilds when needed. because of the fact that you were basically balancing two jobs, you end up not having as much free time.

so, you decided to treat yourself to something nice when you did have some free time.

in just a couple of minutes, you enter your favorite bookstore and began browsing for something nice to read. your exploration takes you to near the back wall, where you saw a book that you liked.

just as your hand reaches up to grab it, you found that someone else takes it away from you, making you frown in response.

a word of protest was about to escape from your parted lips when it suddenly dies within your throat. in front of you was a tall young man, and he had to be the most beautiful man you had ever laid eyes on. with soft, wavy strands of jet black and and grey eyes, you were captivated by him.

he scans the cover of the book that you wanted and flashes you a tiny smile. "did you want this?"

you had to fight back the heat that was threatening to dye your cheeks upon hearing the sound of his voice. "y-yes, i did want this book, but..."

your question dies on your lips when he flashes you a perfect smile. "no problem, let me buy this book for you then."

you were taken aback by his sudden kindness. "ah, no! you don't need to do that!"

"but i insist."

"i can b-buy it myself."

"consider it a gift."

"w-what if i want a different book?"

"then i guess i'll buy you the other book, too."

you were feeling flustered now, knowing that this beautiful stranger would not back down. "o-okay... fine then..."

he gives you a triumphant smile, suddenly stepping closer to you as he leans down to get a better look at your face.

"do you wish to repay me...?"

"y-yes..." you tell him, feeling your breath get stuck within your throat.

"then, tell me your name..."

his tone was soft, yet there was a hard edge in his eyes, appearing like he was hiding something from you. with a shiver, you tell him the syllables that make up your name, with him repeating your name in a bit of a seductive tone-

one that was a bit too intimate for you.

he appears torn for a brief second, meeting your eyes before looking away from you. "my name's jinwoo sung..."

"jinwoo." you test his name against your lips, and there was a sudden intense expression seen within his gaze.

"can you do one more thing for me as repayment?" jinwoo suddenly asks you, giving you little chance to respond as you could only nod at him.

"...join me for some coffee."

and who were you to say no to this gorgeous stranger?

{ ... }

his mind was telling him that this was wrong-

but oh, did it feel so right being with you like this.

he offers you the cup of coffee he bought before sitting across from you, already growing intrigued by you as the minutes pass.

you looked adorable, sitting across from him while clutching your newly purchased book close to your chest. he found your mannerisms to be adorable, and he couldn't keep his eyes off of you.

"so, tell me about yourself."

jinwoo tries to reign in his emotions, doing his best to put on a nonchalant front as he willed his heart to stop beating so fast for you ( regardless of how hard it was ).

you end up giving him a kind smile, "i currently moonlight as a healer."

"is that so? and your rank?"

"ah, close to a b-rank, it's hard, but i don't mind helping hunters and their goals on eliminating the monsters that enter our world."

"yeah...?" jinwoo tries to stop his heart from beating too fast, but he could not deny that you were far lovelier up close and in person. the sweet scent of your perfume was enough to get him drunk off of you-

but he had to stop.

he had to find reasons to not want you- to hate you even.

because could he do this to cha hae-in? could he admit to her that the system gave him such a strange message, showing him your face instead of hers while calling you his fated one?

jinwoo didn't think he could bear it.

so he asks questions, a million questions that got personal.

what's your family like?

what are your goals?

what is your deepest desire and dreams?

and shockingly, he found that you had answered every single one of his questions with complete honesty-

and how they matched up perfectly with his own goals and ideals.

you, who had a loving family that raised you with care and a younger sibling.

you, who had a strong desire to protect and save others, which was why you trained so hard to be a healer.

you, who's deepest desire was to be loved and start a family with your fated one.

it was all too much for him.

jinwoo stands from his seat then, unable to handle being in your presence for a moment longer.

"i'm sorry, this was a mistake, an error. just... forget about me."

"w-what? jinwoo, what do you mean, why did you-"

"i have a fiancée, her name is cha hae-in, and i love her deeply." jinwoo watches as a hurt expression crosses your features, willing for the pang in his chest to go away. "i only wanted to speak to you out of mere curiosity, nothing more and nothing less. you can keep that book as my gift to you."

he looks away from you, not daring to look back at you even as his heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

{ ... }

the next several months were like agony to him, and he could not seem to think straight.

his mind kept on replaying the confused, and hurt expression that warps your beauty. he could still see the tears brimming in your eyes-

because he had hurt you out of nowhere, for seemingly no good reason.

and not only that, but he was hurting cha hae-in as well.

jinwoo knew he had to come clean to her, that he had never been the same once the system did that to him. because his heart was in such a turmoil as of late, he went all out on his explorations of the dungeon, ripping apart each and every one of the monsters he comes across with his legions of shadows.

only when he was certain that every beast was eliminated did he finally stop, coming back home near the early hours of dawn. the moment he opens his door, he was met face to face with cha hae-in.

tears were brimming in her eyes when she stands from her spot on the couch, finally confronting him.

"jinwoo, what's gotten into you? you've been acting so distant with me, and it... it hurts, jinwoo."

he feels his heart twisting in response to her pain, yet he could do little to reverse what had already happened-

jinwoo had fallen out of love with her...

and he could not stop thinking about you.

jinwoo lifts up a hand in a poor attempt to try and comfort her, yet... he could not bring himself to do so. with a sigh of her name, jinwoo gets down on his knees for her.

"you will not forgive me for this, but, you have to know."

he then confesses to her about the system and the messages it had been giving him, going straight to the point as the system showed him that his fated one was not her at first, but you instead.

"i only caught a glimpse of her and her name, b-but then, it faded to black and revealed you to me. but by that point, i was already too far gone..."

"i actively searched for her, doing my best to convince myself that when the system flashed another woman's picture, that it was a mistake. that there was no way she could be the one for me when i have been with you for so long."

"but when i found her... god, i knew it was over."

tears were streaming down cha hae-in's face, turning her eyes red as she physically slapped him across his face. jinwoo could feel the stinging pain, his face already beginning to bruise when he weakly calls out to her.

"cha hae-in, i'm sorry, i'm so sorry-"

"you were right. we- we're... we're over sung jinwoo." he could tell that cha hae-in was struggling to keep her voice even, anguish painting her tone when she screams at him, "get out, just...GO!"

not wishing to hurt her for a second longer, jinwoo stands back to his full height, unable to meet her gaze as she began to sob uncontrollably. his heart was breaking into two, forcing himself to step outside of the apartment complex and into the pouring rain.

he felt so broken now, and it was while he was at his lowest point that he heard a voice mocking him.

my, humans are such fickle creatures after all.

he freezes, not even feeling the needle-like rain anymore as he clenches his fists in response.

"you... you did this to me?!"

a cruel laughter was all that was heard, making jinwoo's eyes glow an iridescent violet as he looks around him, his shadow already shifting in response to his turmoil.

"tell me, WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?!"

isn't it obvious? for the fun of it all.

jinwoo was breathing heavily, listening as the voice seemed to laugh, surrounding him with the sound.

i did it as a mere test, to see if your heart would falter for even the slightest bit. there are no such things as soulmates or fated ones, since they are a mere fairytale made up by humans.

you never had a fated one; i simply flashed you that woman's picture to see how you would react. you have given me quite the show, shadow monarch.

his blood was rushing through his ears, somehow finding a strange sense of comfort within the system's words.

"tell me where she lives."

...

"i said...show me where she lives at this very moment."

it takes a few minutes, and jinwoo was close to breaking the system had it not been for a new notification appearing before him, showing an address that he was certain would lead him back to you.

{ ... }

you couldn't bring yourself to read the book jinwoo had purchased for you-

because each time you would look at it, you would begin to burst out into tears.

why was he so cruel to you?

and why did he act like he was interested in you, only to rip apart your hopes when he tells you about his fiancée...

gods, were you really this stupid?

much like how you were feeling, your heart was still crying like the storm settled outside of your apartment. the rain kept pelting at your windows, and you found yourself falling into a deeper depression.

"i can't stop thinking about him."

your voice comes out as broken, unable to smile weeks later, after he had left you so suddenly. you let out soft sniffles while holding your blanket close.

perhaps you should order something to eat, to help with cheering yourself up.

the heavens knew just how little you had been taking care of yourself, which made you feel even more pathetic-

jinwoo wasn't supposed to mean anything to you- you knew that for a fact-

but still, you couldn't stop yourself from hoping.

he just felt so perfect for you... with his kind eyes and easy smile-

it was difficult to not fall in love with him.

shaking your head, you go back to your phone to order your favorite foods, paying for it all as you prayed that eating such delicious meals will help with cheering you up. once you were done ordering, you decided to wash your face, wanting to cleanse yourself of your tears as you did your best to feel happy once more.

about ten minutes have passed when you heard someone knocking at your door. you look at the clock on your wall and frown.

did takeout orders usually come this fast?

not even questioning it, you answer the door-

only to come face to face with jinwoo himself, holding a beautiful bouquet in his hand.

you gasp and shut the door on his face on purpose, but could not fully close it when he stops you by placing his foot against your door. he was too strong, and you were unable to push him out when he forces his way into your apartment.

he was soaking wet, his chest heaving with uneven breaths, making it appear like he had been running in the rain. you wanted to ask him what he was doing here, yet no words would come out.

jinwoo continues gazing at you, with a strange, soft look in his eyes. "the only error i have made was ever hurting you."

you back away from him, watching as jinwoo shuts your door completely before holding your gaze.

"the system be damned, what i feel for you did not come from anything false or synthetic. what i feel for you is real."

your lips begin to tremble as you shakily call out his name, unsure of what he was talking about. "j-jinwoo."

"i love you, okay? i stopped thinking clearly the moment i saw your face again."

his sudden confession makes you freeze in your spot, allowing him to come closer to you as he held you in his powerful embrace.

"you're all i can think about... and... you fit me so well." jinwoo's eyes were practically burning for you, and he keeps looking at you with such a desperation that you could not bring yourself to look away from him.

"so please...forgive me. let me love you like i've always wanted to- like i've always felt like i needed to the moment we had crossed paths with each other."

the silence that was settled between you and jinwoo was deafening, but you had to force yourself to speak first. "t-this isn't a dream? you're really here... standing in front of me, confessing your love for me...?"

jinwoo says nothing, simply stepping closer to you as he presses the lovely bouquet against your chest, silently beckoning you to take it. with a slight nod, you take it, suddenly feeling jinwoo taking a hold of your free hand as he presses the palm of it over his chest.

you could feel the rapid thrumming of his heartbeat, knowing that it was racing for you as you look up at him in awe.

"jinwoo..."

"these feelings are no lie... i can't live without you, so please- give me a chance to love you."

the moment you give jinwoo a nod was the moment jinwoo swoops in to give you a bruising kiss, not caring if he crushed your flowers when he brings you into his chest, holding you so tightly that you knew, even without words being spoken, that he would never let you go ever again.

a.n. - i remember reading a ya novel that had this premise of your soulmates / partner being chosen for you via the government, and the main heroine gets a glimpse of someone different that wasn't her expected soulmate (aka her childhood best friend) and ends up falling in love with him lksjdfksf yeah this fic was self indulgent and was completely inspired by that novel. i cannot remember the name of the novel, but if you readers happen to remember it, let me know!

i wrote this in a dreamy haze, because i have fallen so deeply in love with jinwoo sung, so i apologize for any mistakes 🥹

all stories are written by rei; reposts, translations, and plagiarism are not allowed.

#jinwoo sung x you #jinwoo sung x reader #sung jinwoo x reader #sung jinwoo x you #solo leveling x reader #yes this is so self indulgent #send help.#.stories

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