#a class where the prof starts off by praying? and we get to LOOK at these things with Scripture references and context for these poets'

[thebirdandhersong]

it's George Herbert lockdown hour as we ready ourselves for bed and prepare our minds for THREE HOURS OF HERBERT LECTURE TOMORROW !!!!!!

[writingsfromhome]

Endgame

A/N: It’s 2022 and I’ve decided to skip writing fics that give me writer’s block and write other fics until the other one feels right. So here’s this Y/N Harry enemies-to-lovers office fic I couldn’t get out of my head until I wrote it down. Hope the new year has been good to you loves <3

Note: mentions of an abusive relationship

Part: 1 / 2 / 3

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It’s the first day of uni and I’m having an anxiety attack behind the sports shed.

I was supposed to be better; I hadn’t had an attack since May—my anxiety was so much more manageable since I started taking my meds. But here I am, feeling broken and ridiculous for crouching in the overgrown grass, praying that none of my potential classmates see me like this.

It started with getting an email about my tuition payment not going through, then a call to the bank and realizing my account was frozen because of suspicious activity. The suspicious activity turns out to be my mom using my account in Spain where she was currently writing a book. A call to my mom turns up an apology, she had to use my account because her rent was due and her cheque hadn’t been deposited yet.That leaves me behind on my payment, and a lot more anxiety than I woke up with.

Clearing it all up made me late for my first class, which was just an introduction to the course. So by the time I made it, the prof was finishing up. Everyone stared as I sat for the remaining five minutes and the first to bolt as soon as we were dismissed.

It was too much, way too much for my first day. I’m sweaty and I can’t breathe. My vision began to go spotty when I ran like hell out of class but I went out the wrong door. I found myself on the field, groping for a solid wall but the closest wall was the shed, and through spotty vision I found its shaded area. On top of it all, there was a football game going on right now. I felt like an idiot sitting with my head in my knees, breathing heavily like I’d just come off the field myself. But I had to do anything to make sure I didn’t pass out and make a complete fool of myself.

“I got it!” Says a voice from the field. It sounds close to me and my anxiety spikes back up, forcing my head back down between my knees. Maybe if I stay curled up he wouldn’t notice?

“Ehm, hello?” The voice is close now. Shit, he found my hiding spot. He shouts out loud, “Give me five!” There’s the sound of a powerful kick beside me and then silence.

“Are you alright? Do you need help?” The voice is kind, a bit gravelly but I can tell he’s concerned. It doesn’t help the panic building in my chest.

“Yeah m’alright!” I say breathily. “Just a bit of a mess right now I’m…” I try to lift my head to look at him but I can only see his tanned legs in white knee socks and shin guards. Tilting my head back makes my vision more spotty so I shove my head back down.

“Can I get you anything? Water?” His genuine concern kindness pierces something in me. “You look like…”

“Hell, I know.” I laugh but it’s cut short by the lack of air in my lungs. “Oh god.”

A warm hand comes down on my back. “Is that alright?”

“Mhm,” I couldn’t even talk. I was probably sweaty and disgusting but I didn’t have the energy to tell him that.

“You’re alright,” he reassures me. “It’s actually good you’re here. My team’s getting their arse kicked and I’m running the whole field like a maniac trying to get a goal in. I sort of needed the break.”

“Are you any good?” I manage to ask. His hand on my back is a warm solid comfort, something to ground me on this chaotic day.

“I thought I was until coming to uni, these blokes are brutal. One of them popped their elbow out of it’s socket last week. It was just...hanging there-“

“Oh my God!” I laugh, getting more air in my lungs. “Was he okay?”

“His coach just grabbed him by the shoulder, gripped him hard and popped it back into place! I’ve never seen a grown man cry like that. And then faint.”

“Shit!” I’m laughing, my hands now covering my face. “I’m glad it wasn’t you.”

“I woulda just quit the team if I did that-“

“Twenty-one!” A booming voice interrupts us. “You done taking a piss? We’ve got a game to play.”

“Oh my god to people pee here?” I scramble up to look around us as if it would be visible. This just makes him laugh, a deep rumbling sound.

“You might want to throw that in the hamper,” he says walking backwards. I turn to get a better look at his face but he’s turned and starting to jog away. “I’ll see you around!”

“I…” I didn’t even know his name. And if I wasn’t feeling this massive hangover from my attack, I would search the field for him but I suddenly feel fatigued and need to get out of these clothes. Oh god, did everyone use the shed to...“Don’t think about it.” I tell myself.

But I can’t stop thinking about the kindness of the stranger behind the shed, he’d gone out of his way to distract me from my attack. And it worked. Maybe uni wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

***

He’d gotten a haircut, I notice. His usual mess of curls were tamed, the sides of his hair cut short while the top held the shape it used to.

Not that I cared. But Miriam had mentioned it over coffee this morning, and so here I was during our staff meeting oggling my sworn enemy from across the table. Gross.

He turns his head slightly, like he’d heard my internal shaming. I quirk an eyebrow when we inevitably make eye contact. His eyes slide down to my empty notepad, back up to my face, and without a twitch of a muscle, he turns back to the front. My cheeks burn, he was good at this--making me feel inferior.

I don’t know what I ever did to deserve the short end of the shit stick with Harry, but he’d made it a personal mission to remind me every opportunity he got how little he cared about me and my opinions. And it wouldn’t usually matter, except we worked together often and any time he shot one of my ideas down in the office, it made it that much harder for me to make my comeback.

We worked in publishing, in different departments. While I did the editing, Harry worked with our clients for the book and cover designs. Once in a while, we landed on the same client and even though I never used to have an issue with him, he was officially my sworn enemy after the first staff meeting we had nine months ago. We caught eyes with each other, a scowl had twisted his usually pleasant features into something dreadful, and then he had called my idea stupid—in a professional tone, in front of all our colleagues. That was the beginning of that, or more like the end of any potential friendship between us.

“We have three major deadlines next week, and two of those are on track but Angels at Sunrise is going to need all hands on deck.”

I glance back at Miriam, that was her major client but she was going on maternity leave tomorrow. I had met with her client to smooth the transition last week, it was my fifth non-fiction novel I’d worked on, the first one I worked on alone. But if this went well, it was my shot to secure the seniority I’d wanted since I started working nearly three years ago.

“That story still needs its final 5 chapters and if we don’t get it by Monday, it’s going to be a trainwreck. Now, Harry I know you mostly do fiction but I’m putting you on Angels as well. Miriam said you and Y/N work well together--once you finally put your heads together that is,” she pauses to eye the both of us, and a snicker runs through the room. I stare ahead, not sure I’d like the expression on Harry’s face. Our director continues to explain that Harry will work on mocks-ups, as soon as we get the five chapters on Monday, we set a meeting to move ahead with the cover design.

“We told the public this book would release this summer, we have to deliver understood?”

“It’s priority,” I reassure her while trying not to whip my head to Miriam for betraying me. “We’ll make sure of it.”

I spare a glance at Harry, his face is stony but he gives our director a tight-lipped smile. “We’ll get it done.”

We would, even though I was working on two other manuscripts. We would have the whole book on Monday.

***

“I was wondering when you were coming around,” Harry says when I drop by his desk later that morning.

“I had another meeting,” I cross my arms. Technically it was just a rundown with Miriam that turned into a how dare you pair me with Styles accusation. “You could have checked in with me y’know? Email? Phone call?”

“I was working on some ideas for Angels,” Harry continues staring at his screens.

“You haven’t even read the book yet.” I challenge. I swear he almost never read the books he was assigned to, yet his covers won every author over. It was unfair, and I was curious. “You were just assigned it, how are you already brainstorming.”

He glances at me, “I have my ways.”

“No, I’m seriously curious.” I perch on his desk. His hand automatically moves his tumbler away from me as if my butt was going to knock it down from a foot away. “How would you even know what the novel’s about?”

He sighs, and leans back to look at me. “Miriam gave me her notes. I skimmed them.”

“Miriam gave you her notes?” Miriam didn’t even give me her notes! She made me read the whole book as it was.

“That’s what happens when you’re likeable Y/N, people do you favours.” Harry says, suddenly smug.

“That’s-I’m not even going to respond to that. Y-you have to read the book.”

Harry rolls his eyes. “Don’t be such a purist. I know what the book’s about--well, except the ending. I don’t need to read the whole bloody thing. It’s not really my cup of tea anyway.”

It wasn’t mine either but I wasn’t about to say that to him, he could use it against me in the future. “So what is your cup of tea then? How to be an Asshole in Ten Days?”

“How to be an Asshole in Five Days, actually. I like the efficiency in that one.”

“Clearly it does what it says,” I mutter. This only makes him smile wider before going back to his work.

“Do you want to see what I have? Or do you want to continue wasting my time?”

I ignore his comment and stand up to look at his screen. “Oh god no, no this isn’t going to work.”

“What?” Harry’s offended but I had to be honest. I just knew our client would hate these designs-I’d met him after all. “Well wait I’ve got two others.”

They were all...minimal. Shapes and abstract designs with flat colours and massive font. “Harry...anybody who’s read the book knows this is so bullshit.”

“Are you calling my work bullshit?” Harry swivels his chair.

“No...yes, yes! This isn’t...right. He’ll hate it, it doesn’t scream Angels at Sunrise. Hey, maybe if you just read the book-”

“I’m not reading a book about a random bloke’s spiritual awakening. He’s lying if he says he wasn’t on acid or something.”

‘That’s...You’re not doing your job.”

“I am. Tell me, what would you do?”

“Something with a bit more colour for starters. A lot more colours.”

And so we go back and forth, Harry tries to convince me that simple covers with bold titles are back in while I try to explain how picky this client was, how this book was his baby, and Harry was doing the story injustice with that cover. But as always, he refuses to work with me and spars with me instead.

“This isn’t even about the book anymore,” I sigh. “You’re just arguing with me because you can.”

“D’you really think I want to be wasting my time arguing with you?” Harry asks. “I’ve got better things to do, if we disagree on this we just ask the client on Monday.”

How could I tell Harry everything needed to be perfect when we presented, I needed this client to be wowed by my initiative and work. I needed him to sing my high praises. I did not want him asking for a re-do of his cover because it looks like we never took the time to read the book.

“How about you put this aside,” I say after a calming breath. “And come back to it with fresh ideas tomorrow. There’s no way in hell I’m presenting that on Monday.”

“Whether you present on Monday is up to getting those last five chapter,” Harry quits out of the designs. “That’s your job.”

“Yeah,” my heart rate goes up. “Thanks for the reminder.”

***

“Hi Mr. O’Neil, it’s Y/N calling again. I haven’t heard from you since our meeting last week and I wanted to check in about those last chapters. Can you give me a call back? An email works too…yeah…okay bye.”

***

I drop the takeout bag on my dinner table and kick off my heels; the meal prep I did on Sunday ran out by Wednesday so this was usually my evening routine. Except today I had a massive headache coming on—Angels at Sunrise was proving to be a lot more difficult what with working with Harry and being ghosted by O’Neil. I went back into work this morning expecting a voicemail and new designs from Harry but he refused to budge on his designs or read the book, instead emailing me a final copy of his mock-ups. And I desperately left yet another email to our client. I was starting to fray at the edges.

My ringtone forces me to get up for my purse: Rowan, my best girl friend since uni.

“Hey I just got home.” I told her I would call her today, but I stayed late at the office.

“I thought you were blowing me off,” she jokes. “I also thought you died horrifically on your ride home so I’m just checking in.”

“Seriously Rowan, write a book with that imagination of yours and I’ll read the manuscript.”

“I’m not ready to be famous,” she answers and I laugh. “So what are your plans for this weekend?”

“Work,” I say miserably. I try not to work on weekends but Angels had a hard deadline I couldn’t miss and I was only two-thirds done the line edits. “Why?”

“Some uni friends are getting together so…”

“Why does this smell like Jared?” I flop onto the couch, holding back judgement. Jared was Rowan’s crush in uni, and even though they dated a lot of people separately he’s recently been single for a few months and she’s been desperately trying to find ways to hang out with him despite the fact that we had all graduated three years ago.

“Because it is?” She squeaks. “Listen I know you think I’m wasting myself on someone who isn’t interested but I swear he is! He came up with the party idea to get everyone together again!”

“I only think you’re wasting your time because he’s Dru’s brother, anyone associated with Dru is bad in my books.”

“Okay but we haven’t seen any uni friends in a year, it’ll be fun. A cute reunion.”

“Where’s this happening?” I ask.

“Jared’s place.”

I swallow the rock in my throat and it sinks into the pits of my stomach. “You want me to go to his home? Dru lives with him Rowan, I’m not going.”

“You’ve seen Dru so many times since the breakup—you only dated for five months Y/N! Stop letting him have a hold on you!”

“That’s rich coming from you,” I bite back. “Jared has this hold over you when you never even dated not to mention you deserve so much better than that.”

“That was mean,” Rowan says quietly. I sigh.

“Sorry,” I bite down on my nail. “This put me in a bad mood, you know I love you. I just hate talking about Dru. How about I just, I….I’ll get back to you about the party.”

She agrees, hesitant but knowing I was done talking about it. Truth was, I never really talked about it: Dru and I. It was a toxic relationship that I regret ever entertaining.

It was second year, by then I’d made most of my friends. I knew Dru in passing, him and his brother always held parties and had crazy European trips in the summer a lot of my friends attended. It was end of the school year and I caved for Rowan wanting to go to a party at Jared’s, her new crush from her finance class. I got drunk pretty fast, not wanting to be there.

Dru had come up to me with a bet, and I’d made out with him to prove something. He’d looked at me like I was a prize that he won, it made me feel special and I’d agreed to hang out with him the next day:

“Hiya,” he’d found me leaning against the doorframe. I was just debating between leaving the party and following girl code that said I couldn’t leave without Rowan. But finding her in this mess of bodies felt like so much work. So I was taking a break in the doorway. “You having fun?”

“Not really,” I was especially blunt back then. “This is a pretty shitty party.”

“Okay, ouch. How about I make your evening interesting?” He arches a bushy eyebrow. I take a moment to look at him, his bronde hair and hazel eyes. I knew him from mutual friends, I think his name was Andrew Something.

“You can try,” with one hand on my hip, I was textbook flirting. What could I say, I was bored and Andrew looked at me like I was the only one in the room.

“My friends back there, they made me a bet. They think I would fail at flirting with you, that you would never kiss me. They think you’re too good for me.”

“Which friends?” I say with a flush working its way up my neck. More like I was too good for Andrew, he was a 9 and I was a 6.5 on my best day.

He motions his head behind him and I see a group of 3 blokes, straining their necks to see what was going on. One of his friends is grinning, the other stares intensely while the third is failing at discreetly recording.

If they wanted a show, I could give them a show. Plus, they had to know they would lose this bet against Andrew.

“So this is your plan?” I focus back on him.

“Uhuh,” he has a boyish glimmer to his eyes. He was drunk as well. “I think honesty is very important, and consent. I wanted to ask you first.”

God, he was so cute and I was obviously desperate. I look back at his friends and smile, waving my hands. They perk up, and when they do I wrap my hand around Andrew’s neck and give him my most passionate kiss. He was a good kisser, his hands wrap around my waist, and under my shirt as it rides up. I pull him closer until my back hits the doorframe.

“Andrew,” I say when I push him off, breathing heavily. “What-what do you win in the bet again?”

“You,” he says softly. Softly the way rotting fruit goes soft before it goes bad, he had me mistaking his soft sweetness with goodness. He played me like a fool.

He glances back at his friends and so do I, their mouths are open in shock. The one who was recording slides the phone down back into his pocket. It struck me odd how shocked they were that someone like me would kiss someone like Andrew at a party like this, but I just figured they were assholes.  I pull Andrew into another kiss but he stops me.

“You know my name,” he comments.

“We have friends in common,” I press my lips to his. “I’m-“

“Y/N,” he says. “I know. And everyone mostly calls me Dru.”

I’m flattered he knows my name, I guess I wasn’t as anonymous as I thought. “Want to go somewhere more private Dru?”

He grins, like a shark but it looks beautiful in my drunken state. On our way to his bedroom, we pass Rowan. I tell her not to wait for me if she wanted to go home because I didn’t intend to leave tonight anymore.

But being with Dru went downhill fast—we either only hung out at his huge parties or alone, and when we were alone he got manipulative very quick. During the summer he would go on trips without me, convincing me I wouldn’t like it and I always knew he didn’t want the baggage of a girlfriend around. It didn’t take me long to learn he was a dick, he thought women were below him, he didn’t care about anyone but himself. It took me longer than I’d liked, but eventually I left and made it my mission to warn any girl caught near him not to mix with him. It made me some enemies but I knew what he was capable of.

I never really told Rowan how he treated me, all she saw was the way he paraded me at parties and the couple times I’d been overwhelmed enough to cry in her dorm after feeling rejected by him. I was ashamed, I’d always prided myself on being an independent woman but those 5 months made me feel weak and broken and clingy. I avoided seeing him, making sure to never attend his parties. But running in similar circles meant I still saw him once a year so I made sure to get too drunk to care when I did.

That’s why I wanted Rowan to drop her obsession with Jared. He was always nice to me but I never once heard him say anything to his brother while we were together, he was complicit and so I’ve always written him off too. I tried to block anyone i knew was associated with Dru, I wanted nothing to do with him.

But I felt bad with Rowan. I text her I’d come and apologize again.

Looks like this weekend wouldn’t be any more relaxing than this week was going to be.

***

“TGIF!” My director sings as she walks past our desks. “Y/N, where are you on Angel chapters?”

“Uhm,” I croak. Shit. “They’re coming, he said he’s just tweaking it.”

He actually sent an email with no punctuation just these words: u r messing with my flow y/n the end of my book is fucking coming

Miriam had told me he got vulgar under stress, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

And Harry bloody Styles, Mr. I-don’t-read-the-books wasn’t budging with his design.

“Why are you being so bloody stubborn? I know it’ll take you less than a half hour to mock something that looks opposite to what you have! Give me something different!”

I’m pink in the face that afternoon, having given up on bargaining with Harry, I was moving onto demanding him to change the designs.

“Shouting at me isn’t going to get you what you want,” he says calmly because he knew it would get under my skin.

“And shouting at a brick wall isn’t getting me anywhere but here I am still trying!”

“What’s this going on?” Someone else on the design team walks into the room. “I can hear ye down the hall.”

“Harry is going to give me a heart attack!” I cross my arms. “He’s more stubborn than a mule.”

“Y/N just doesn’t know how to listen,” Harry retorts, then slightly lower: “Always wants it her way even when I know how to do my job.”

I spin to verbally slap him but Harry’s coworker laughs. “You two really need to get laid. Probably with each other.”

Her laughter echoes as she walks down the hall and we’re left in its silence. I hated when people said that—in the last nine months of working together I’d gotten that a handful of times. But I didn’t even like him. He might be good looking, but his stubborn asshole-ish behaviour made him very unattractive.

“Yeah right,” I mutter. But when I turn back to Harry I’m surprised at how much he’s blushing. Like the comment means something other than a throwaway suggestion. “Don’t get any ideas.”

“Don’t worry about that,” his tone is icy, opposite to the burn in his cheeks. “I wouldn’t get any ideas even if you were the last woman on earth.”

“That’s a bit harsh,” I move back to perch on his desk. “You’re telling me if I was the last woman on earth, and it was up to us to keep the species alive, you wouldn’t get…any ideas?”

It’s petty, but sensing his discomfort gives me the satisfaction I wasn’t getting earlier.

“I would rather let our species die out.” Harry clarifies. “Plus, I’m sure you’d rather get it on with the other men left on earth.”

He gives me a look then, it’s curiously devoid of the anger and disgust lacing his tone. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was hurt.

But I knew better—my comment couldn’t have hurt him. Still, I back off.

“Well good to know your hate for me triumphs the human species.” I tap at his screen to get back to work. “Just one more mock-up Harry, please?”

His brows pinch together when he looks at me, “I don’t…hate you.”

“You’re a bad liar,” I resist the urge to cross my arms, feeling suddenly vulnerable and defensive.

“I…” he looks away, his nose flares. “Fine, just give me your notes on what you think will look good and I’ll see if I can come up with anything.”

“Wait, really?” I jump up.

“Give me your notes by 2 though, I’m not working on this over the weekend.”

I check his time, 1:28. Shit. “That’s…fine. I’ll be back.”

“Just email it,” he says without looking.

“I usually handwrite my notes. I’ll just…scan a copy and drop them off by 2? Seeing me one more time won’t kill you Styles!”

“That’s not what my doctor said.”

“Aww,” I pause at the doorway. “You talk to your doctor about me?”

A small smile graces his face, and he looks kind of handsome. Oh my god, I did not just think that.

“Time’s wasting Y/N.”

I hurry away to the lift, trying to hide the smile on my own lips.

***

I receive a phone call a couple hours after dropping my notes to Harry.

“Mr. O’Neil!” I’m so relieved my voice comes out seven octaves higher than usual. I clear my throat. “I hope I’m receiving some good news.”

“Depends what you think is good news?” He chuckles. It’s not a reassuring chuckle.

“I want to hear you’ve put the punctuation on your final sentence.”

“Then I’m sorry dear, really this last chapter is tits up. I can’t end the book.”

“Last chapter…does that mean the other four are done?”

“Other five, I decided it needed one last last chapter.”

“I can work with that,” I finally feel my shoulders relax. “Can you send me the chapters you’ve finished? I’ll work on them over the weekend, get them with the rest of the book.”

“How about I give you four, I need the last one. I might change shit around.”

“Okay,” anything was better than nothing. “That works for me. Can you email it to me now?”

“I just sent them with a courier,” he coughs and I wait for him to get back to me. “He’ll have them over in a couple hours at most.”

I look at time, “Could you email them in the meantime?”

“Then why did I just pay the courier?!”

“I…” for someone who apparently saw angels, this man was a bit crabby. “I don’t know? I’ve asked you to email the chapters for the last couple days.”

“Miriam says I can use the courier to-”

“Mirriam’s on maternity,” I remind him, my patience wearing thin.

“Crummy time, that.”

“The quicker I get them, the more I can work on them. If you can email them Mr. O’Neil, I’d appreciate that.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” He grumbles before saying goodbye.

I feel restless after the stressful conversation. I take a walk to the toilet, then zone out the window. I visit a friend to rant but she’s on a call. I go back to my desk, only 14 minutes had passed. But no email, I notice. I clench my fists, I would get those chapters before 5 or help me God.

An email alert catches my attention. Styles sending his new mock-up. My vision blurs looking at it, and I squeeze my lips to keep the string of swear words from slipping out. Without a second thought, I go find him.

“Are you taking the piss?” I ask as soon as I see him.

“Am I…what? The mock-up? I did what you said to do!”

“Harry!” I get up in his face to emphasize how serious I was. “You went from neutral t-to neon!! Why are there random neon shapes in the background?!”

“That’s the…sunset?”

“I…are you colour blind or something?”

“Am i-are you losing your memory in your old age?” Harry pushes past me to sit back at his desk. “Your notes you gave, it said neon!”

“It did not!” I snatch my notes off his desk but he snatches them back.

“No, it said neon! Are you telling me I wasted my time mocking this on your bullshit notes?”

“My bullshit notes?” I was steaming. “At least I take my own notes!”

“You know what Y/N, I gave you what I have and I’m done. Look at the time! It’s time for me to log off.”

He actually closes his screen and logs off, plucking his jacket off the back of his chair and walking away with his things.

“I did exactly what you said,” Harry says when I try to get another word in. “It’s probably your poor communication that’s caused any issues, but I did what you said.”

“No you gave me hot trash instead of what I asked for!”

“I’m not listening to your hot trash,” Harry says, already walking away

“You forgot this on your desk!” I say so he turns back to look at me, I open a random drawer and pull out my middle finger. His expression can only be described as a parent looking at a disappointing child. I keep it up until he walks away, finally collapsing in his chair.

I needed to cry, to hulk-throw this chair around. Why did I get stuck with an awful client and a partner that was only out to get me? I must have done something seriously wrong for the universe to hate me this much.

I stomp back to my office, scanning my notes and confirming the zero mention of neon. What an asshole!

I refresh my email, continue to refresh it. Time is suspended in pudding as I wait the last half hour of my day. Then, two minutes before 5. an email comes in with the chapters.

“Angels my arse,” I swear as I print the chapters and pack them up with my things. I go down to the lobby, feeling ragged. Just as I head out the door I hear my name.

“Y/N! Urgent package!” The receptionist rushes in her heels, the courier following behind her. “For you, could you sign off?”

“No.” I tell her. She looks at me like I was joking. “I can’t, seriously. I’m done for the day, that package can return to the sender. Night hun.”

It wasn’t my best moment but sometimes, it felt good to be petty.

————-

[sardonic-sprite]

Oh, My God, They Were Roommates

Very late entry for #jaystephweekend2022. Prompts filled: college, they were roommates, dancing, after hours

Much love and credit to @Lettuce-prays for cowriting/editing

"Nnnnnnnyyyyyyygggggghhhhhhh!"

Jason looked up from his novel and glanced over to his roommate Stephanie, who had flopped back on the couch, sprawling like a fainting Victorian maiden. Her computer was balanced precariously on her lap, so Jason picked it up and set it on the coffee table.

"Writer's block?" he asked, glancing at the Word doc that only had about a hundred words on it.

Steph whined inarticulately. "Writer's execution block. I can't write a thing in this goddamn economy."

"Mood," Jason nodded.

"Six to eight pages!" Steph wailed, "How am I supposed to write six to eight pages!?"

"Keysmash and pray something legible comes up?" Jason suggested.

Steph looked him dead in the eyes and proceeded to smash her forehead into the computer eight times before Jason finally stopped her on the ninth.

"Not like that!" he scolded. "You're going to end up killing something, and whether it's you or the computer, both are detrimental to me."

"Really feeling the love there."

Jason sighed, hesitantly letting her go. "How long have you been working on this?"

"When did the semester start?"

"Yikes." Jason hissed in sympathy.

"My prof is a total psycho! Like, literally, I can diagnose him with five of the disorders we studied!"

Jason pulled the computer closer to read her header. Dr. Jonathan Crane. "Shit."

"Mm. Let me guess, he's a villain in your story?"

"Well, he drugs people into hallucinating their worst fears, so."

Steph made a face, squinting her eyes and sticking her tongue out. Her nose wrinkled, and never in a million years would Jason call it cute.

"Accurate, actually. He tried to make psychoanalysis a class activity."

"That feels illegal."

"Homework should be illegal," she griped, finally sitting up properly and reaching for her laptop. 

Jason slid it out of reach. She gave him an incredibly unimpressed stare.

"Give," she hissed

"You need a break."

"I'm going to have a mental break if you don't give me my laptop back."

"I'm serious." Jason saved the document and shut down the program. "Take half an hour, it'll help."

"I don't have half an hour, Jason!" Steph cried. "This thing is due in two days!"

"Plenty of time."

Jason clicked shut down and closed the lid right as Steph lunged. He swept it away and stood up, holding it above his head.

"Hey!"

She scrambled up and tried to jump to reach it, but, well... Steph was small. Kick-your-ass and angry small, but still. She wasn't going to get the computer when he had two feet on her.

He saw her eyes dart to the couch, the coffee table, and the chair he'd been sitting in in quick succession.

"Don't try--"

Too late.

She jumped onto the table and launched herself off it with a war cry. Jason dropped the computer on the chair and barely grabbed her before she could tackle him to the floor.

He pressed her close to him, half to comfort her, and half to prevent the five feet of fury from doing any actual damage.

She pouted at him. "I will kick you and you will not like where."

He let go immediately.

"You're still taking a break."

"I'll break you," she muttered, and he took another step back. As a precaution.

Finally she sighed, shoulders sagging. He didn't like the defeat on her face. Stephanie Brown was undefeatable.

"Come on," he said, tilting his head towards the door. "Let's get out of here for a while."

"And go where, exactly? In Gotham city in the middle of the night?" She raised both eyebrows at him.

He shrugged. "You act like if something were to happen we wouldn't be able to handle ourselves."

"Haven't you died before?"

"It was for two minutes, and it was very traumatic, thank you for reminding me."

She didn't back down. He'd always liked that about her. That he could just say things and not have her instantly pity him, or treat him like he was fragile.

"We could go to Blackjack's Tavern."

"I thought you were a nerd."

"I'm also a richboy with a reputation to uphold, I was mostly seeing if you wanted to buy yourself a drink and have me drive you back."

"Oh yes, and you'd hold my hair back as I puke my guts out from how drunk I get."

Jason turned away so he could blush a little. "Then how about Mafioso Does Pizza?"

"That's Maroni territory so, no."

Jason raised his hands in surrender. "Well, we could go to the Martha Wayne Arts Center, I guess."

"Where the hell did that come from?"

"It's a big open space. I could teach you how to swing dance."

"I didn't know you knew how to dance."

"I went to rich-people parties for seven years. Yes, I know how to dance."

Steph looked sheepishly towards the floor, "I've never danced with anyone before."

Almost in an instant Jason grabbed her hand and made towards the door. "Well, I guess it's high time you learned."

"It's high time alright," she muttered, but followed him anyway.

"Are we technically supposed to be here?" Steph wondered, glancing around at all the shadows.

"Probably not, but this building is named after someone who is technically my grandma, so they can suck it."

She giggled a little, comforted once he flicked the lights on. The choir room was indeed big and open, with a piano against one wall. Jason hurried towards a door in the corner, picked the lock, and started messing with what looked to be a sound system.

"Another rich people skill?" she teased.

"Mmhm," he called distractedly. A minute later the first few bars of Shut Up and Dance blared around the room. 

Was she imagining that he was blushing as he came back?

"This goes at about half time," he said, holding out his hands, "so it'll be easier to learn with."

"You're the boss, I guess."

He waited for a minute, then reached out and took both her hands. Her face flushed. "Oh, right."

He gave her one of those crooked half-grins that always filled her with butterflies.

"So, starting with 'home base,'" he began, and Steph wanted to make a joke, but also didn't want to put such jokes in his head, "we go forward right, kind of passing each other..."

He stepped quite close, gently pulling her hands so they stood side-to-side.

"And back."

He pulled away again, and Steph switched the feet she was supposed to use, stumbling a little. Jason's grip tightened until she got her feet underneath her again. Her face was hot.

"Then left and back."

This time she watched their feet, noting how he only moved one foot, and then didn't set it all the way down. Once she copied him, they got into a smoother rhythm. She looked up, beaming, to see a much-too-soft smile on Jason's face.

"Now you're getting it."

"Shut up and dance with me," she teased, and he laughed.

"Wanna try a turn?"

"I guess..." Hopefully she didn't sound too excited.

"Ok." Jason kept stepping forward and back, leading her with him, as he gave a play-by-play of the turn. "So I'm gonna let go of your right hand, and lift your left, then you're gonna twirl. Just... go with the flow."

"Brilliant advice."

They stepped right and left, then as they returned to home base, Jason dropped her right hand and raised her left, like he'd said. Steph spun underneath their arms, wishing she had on a dress or skirt so she could see it flare. A giggle escaped as she came back around and Jason caught her hand. She failed to get back in the rhythm of their steps, though, stumbling for a moment before Jason stopped them to reset. Her face flushed.

"Like I said, never danced before," she mumbled sheepishly.

"Well, I think you're doing pretty good," Jason smiled.

She smiled back. 

He led her in swing stepping for a moment before attempting the turn again. This time she only fell behind by a beat, catching up on the next side-step, and daring a glance up from their feet to see Jason grinning.

The last bars faded, but almost immediately were replaced by soft piano notes. Jason paused for a second, tilting his head consideringly. Steph had hardly thought, His eyes are really green, before he nodded and said, "This can work."

He began moving them again, falling into the same rhythm as before. A second later the lyrics started, sung by a remarkably young voice, and...

"Is that... Greatest Showman?" she laughed.

Jason shrugged, definitely blushing this time. "Dick's obsessed with it."

"Mmhm. That's why it's on your playlist."

"Shut up."

"That was the other song."

He stuck his tongue out at her. She stuck hers out right back, missing her cue to twirl and stumbling.

"Whoops," Jason smirked.

She shook her head, laughing again, and was ready for the next twirl when it came. What she was not ready for was when Jason dropped her left hand and whirled around himself, ending up beside her with a mischievous grin.

"What was that?" she half-yelped, half-laughed.

"Well, I can't let you have all the fun with spinning."

"I guess you are a little too ginormous to spin under my arm," she teased.

"Just a bit."

They went on, taking turns twirling, until the violins went crazy, and Jason kept spinning her and spinning her, slowly orbiting her twirls, until she was dizzy from spinning and laughing so hard. And then right as everything dropped out, he pulled her against him, arm around her waist to hold her steady and close.

She stared up at him, noticing there were faint freckles on the bridge of his nose.

His smile faded to something both softer and more intense. His gaze dropped to her lips.

"Jason..."

His whole face flushed, eyes coming back to meet hers as he stammered, "I..."

"Kiss me."

He blinked. Then a soft grin spread over his face as he bent down, and pressed his mouth to hers.

It only lasted a second. But it was sweet and gentle, and Steph didn't even know how long she'd wanted it, or that she'd wanted it so bad until that one second came. 

The music picked up once more, and Jason let her go, stepping back into their pattern of trading twirls. But they both had an energy and a smile that had changed so much because of that second. 

As the music cut away, he pulled her close again. Steph rose up onto her tiptoes to claim another kiss.

"I could get used to that," she whispered as she slowly dropped back down to her heels.

"Yeah?" he murmured breathlessly.

"I guess I need more dancing lessons," she suggested with a wink.

"I guess so." The mischief came back into his smile. "If you're gonna come to the next gala with me."

[timextoxhajima]

Not For Sale: Week 14

NOT FOR SALE CHAPTER NAVIGATION

Member: Heeseung + Jay [ft. Sunghoon and Jake]

Pairings: [fem] uni exchange student! reader x uni student! HS x uni student! Jay

Genres: Fluff | Slice of Life | Comedy | Angst | Teenage Romance | Thriller

Warnings: scenes in the hospital

Word Count: 3k

Synopsis/Quote: In which your oblivious ass cannot tell that a popular boy in your class has a big, fat crush on you | “It seems like the one who was ruined was me.”

Taglist: @hyunjaethereal @seasideheeseung @wooya1224 @gratefulmaria @sunshineshouchan @youreverydayzebra @fayqj @witheeseung @haechanhues @w-o-o-y-a-a @miingxuxi @reallysmolrenjun @hrrhmay-primaryblog @rosie112703 @ac-ewow @liliansun​​ [drop me a dm/ask/comment to be added!]

You’re staring at the project document blankly, the pages filled with words and tables of the work you’ve done with Heeseung in the last few weeks or so. The weekend felt like three weeks, even when it was just three days - simply because you were in the hospital watching Jay flit in and out of consciousness and Heeseung’s still in a comatose state. 

The seat next to you is empty and there is no other word to describe being alone on your last week of school than ‘sad’. 

The Uber that picked Jay and Heeseung up had just been in school compounds and the police had found a rig in the brakes - the Uber had been stopped by another car driving straight into it.

Heeseung was on the side the car was rammed into. It’s a miracle he’s even still alive. 

“y/n?” 

The call jolts you out of your dissociation.

“Hey,” The professor walks up the stairs, and only now do you realise everybody else had left the lecture hall besides you. “I had the others hand up their projects but I saw you zoning out and I couldn’t do it.”

“Sorry,” Mumbling under your breath, you give the folder a quick flip-through before handing him the document. “Here.”

With pursed lips, he takes the folder and glances through it, skimming through the contents and pausing on the last page where you and Heeseung had signed off on. 

“I’m sorry it happened.”

“I’m sorry the school had to go through so much to catch the idiot,” Through gritted teeth, you offer him a small wince. 

“Well, yeah, that too,” The professor pulls up the lecture table from the seat next to you and sits himself in the plastic grove. “But it’s not important now. He’s going to be charged for God knows how many felonies, but I just- I wanted to know how you’re holding up.”

The concerned question thrums chills through you. Heeseung would’ve asked that. Jay would’ve too.

Jake and Sunghoon have probably tried, but you’re too busy crying or zoning out at the hospital to process anything else even if they did try. 

“I’m fine,” You shake your head and stuff your iPad into your bag. “There’s nothing anybody can do to make him wake up faster.”

“I know that. It’s just... I don’t want a student ending her semester like this.”

The grumble of the zip as you close your bag is disgustingly loud in the empty lecture hall. You hug your bag, slowly looping your arm through one of the holes as you push the lecture table away. 

“I’ll be fine. I’m leaving next week anyway and Heeseung’s not dead, so.”

The professor goes quiet upon the declaration. 

“Thanks for the fun sem, Prof,” You give him a tiny, wretched smile that’s not genuine at all, lifting a leg over the backrest of the seat in front of you. “I’ll tell my dad to say hi to you every now and then.”

Finally on both your feet one row before him, he looks at you with sad, tired eyes. 

“It’s been a pleasure having you and Heeseung as students, y/n. Do come back to visit when you come visit your father.”

A bare nod shakes your head.

“Bye prof.”

The ceiling looks the same. The light dangling from the beige, crusty roof looks dusty.

The room looks the same - except the fact that 80% of it were in boxes now. The clock hung on the wall has the loudest ticking you’ve ever heard - had it been this loud since the start?

Bzzzzt. Bzzzzzzzt. Bzzz-

“Hello.”

“Jesus Christ, how many times do you want me to call you before you’d pick up?”

Maybe until Heeseung wakes up.

“You know what? Don’t answer that.”

A pause.

“How are you holding up?”

“Great. I mean the sem’s over. I’ve handed up almost every project I need to submit.”

“Fuck you, you know I don’t mean that.”

“What am I supposed to tell you? I’m great, while I wait for my two friends to recover in the hospital? One of them’s not even awake.”

“I don’t want to be that person but no matter how much you cry or pray that he wakes up, it’s going to take time, okay? Let him rest and recuperate and he’ll spring back to life like he wasn’t just in an accident.”

“I shouldn’t have let them take the Uber.”

“For crying out loud, it is not your fault. You told them your dad was coming to get you and Jay didn’t want to cancel it for the fee. It’s a normal reaction. Who was supposed to know the Uber was rigged?”

You blink. 

“Have you packed?”

You count the boxes in your room. “Mostly.”

“I’ll be at your place when you come home. We can bake cupcakes and cookies and you can tell me about the school there.”

Your ears are taking in her words but your eyes are on the paper bag on your desk. It’s the tumbler that Jay got you. 

“Hello? You there?”

“Byeol, what if they don’t wake up before I leave? I have 8 days.”

“Have some faith in them, would you? Jay’s already awake right? He’s just flitting in and out of consciousness and Heeseung... They haven’t said he’s in critical condition, right?”

“But he’s been in the ER and it’s been three days.”

“Sis, I could sleep for three days. He’ll be awake before you leave.”

“Hope so.”

“Not going to the hospital?”

“Nah,” You roll over onto your side and stare at yourself in the mirror on your wardrobe doors. “Their friends are swarming the wards. It’s fine, Jake and Hoon got me onto the special visitors’ list.”

“There’s a special visitors’ list?”

“It’s Jay and it’s an expensive hospital with classier management. So yeah, pretty much.”

“That’s nice.”

Silence - except the occasional crackling of the static on the phone. 

“They’ll do fine, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I have to go now. I’ll call you tonight or tomorrow, I’ll text you?”

“Sure.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“Bye bye.”

The car ride with your father is quiet, the gentle music from the stereo playing and you’re thinking about how your mother is back at home. She is a busy woman back home too so you hadn’t really had the time to call or text her.

For the first time in a long time, your father knows more about your life than she does. 

“I know you’re probably not in the mood to answer this but...” The car slows at a red light. “Have you started packing?”

You don’t turn. The trees outside are swaying gently in the light breeze on this sunny day. It reminds you of the day Heeseung brought you out to the beach for your picnic. 

“I’m about 80% done. The stuff left’s like my laptop and iPad and daily appliances.”

“That’s good,” You see him nod in the window’s reflection and glance at you. “Well, I’ll come by and hand you the documents for credit transfer later this week and I’ll send you to the bus terminal next Wednesday too, yeah?”

“Mhm,” Humming to yourself, the refracted red light turns green. “Sure.”

The car starts again. “Hun, I... I just wanted you to know that I know this sem has been difficult for you. I’m- I’m sorry that I suggested you come. Had I known that there was going to be a lunatic running on the loose, I would’ve stopped you from coming.”

“You wouldn’t have known,” You mumble, but still loud enough for him to hear. “It’s fine, it’s over.”

“And with what happened with Jay and Heeseung... I’m sorry. I really am.”

“They would’ve gotten caught up in this crazy shitfest with the psycho anyway, regardless of my presence,” Finally turning to look at your father, he side-eyes you while keeping his hands on the steering wheel. “It’s not anybody’s fault except that psycho’s that this happened.”

Your father remains quiet, unable to respond. The car drives into the sheltered drop-off point at the hospital and he watches you unbuckle the seat belt to let yourself out the car.

“Hey.”

You sling your bag over your shoulder and rest a hand on the car door. 

“They’ll be okay.”

A weak smile pulls your lips up your cheeks. 

“I hope so.”

By the time you’ve reached the floor where the wads were, you’ve run into a good number of their friends. Of course, there were one or two bad apples among the bunch, but most of them knew you were on a special visitors’ list and that’s why you came so late. 

It never gets easier though, the look on their faces when you know they want to tell you that they’ll be okay, but promises should not be made if they cannot be kept.

Walking into Jay’s ward, you see his mother helping to sponge his face while Jake and Sunghoon speak to a friend on the other side of the bed. 

You catch the room’s attention when you pull the plastic bag out from your bag and let the door shut behind you, Jay’s mother looking up and offering you a tired smile. 

“Oh, hey,” Jake grins and beckons you over. 

“Hi Mrs Park,” You gesture to Jake to wait before holding out the plastic bag to Jay’s mother. “It’s a box of tonic for you and Mr Park. Thought of getting fruits but I don’t think Jay can have them yet.”

“Gosh, you really didn’t have to,” She shakes her head and sets the cloth down by the bed. “Thank you. Are you sure you’re okay, coming to visit so often? You’re here everyday, aren’t you?”

You return her a tight, pursed smile. “Yeah, but it’s fine. I’m leaving to go home next week so I don’t have much time left to spend with them. I don’t mind.”

“Oh, honey,” She stands and takes the box from you, turning to set it down on the table behind her before returning you her attention. “I... I don’t know what to say. This must be all a lot for you.”

You break the eye contact first, knowing that you were probably going to cry if you hadn’t stopped looking at her.

“No, it’s fine,” You raise a palm and rub her upper arm. “All I want is to have a decent conversation with Jay before I leave, and I’ll be more than satisfied.”

“Oh!” She exclaims, nose crunching into a threatened crying mess. She holds her arms open and coerces you into her arms, patting the back of your head. “Of course. Of course, Jay will be fine by the time you need to go home. I promise.”

“I really do hope so,” You pull away first and smile weakly at her.

“By the way, Mr and Mrs Lee are with Heeseung in the ward next door,” She sniffles, anxiously rubbing her palms together.

“Oh, right- Do they know I’m on the-”

“Yes, of course they do, sweet heart,” She quickly rubs your arm to comfort you, then slides her hands down to yours to keep them in her palms. “Their parents are the sweetest couple ever and they’d be so grateful that Heeseung has a friend like you. How about I have Jake or Sunghoon bring you over to meet them?”

“Oh,” You watch as she waves to get one of the boys’ attention, Sunghoon quickly pulling away from the crowd to attend to you. 

“Would you do me a favour and bring her over to Heeseung’s ward? Introduce her to his parents.”

“Of course,” Sunghoon hurriedly nods and lowers his head out of respect. “Come on.”

“Thanks, Mrs Park,” You turn your feet to follow Sunghoon, but your hands are reluctant to leave hers. “I’ll come back later.”

“No, take your time, sweet.”

With a slight nod, you pull away and trail after Sunghoon out of the ward after leaving your bag with Jake.

The ward door closes with a soft hiss, then Sunghoon pauses right before you can come into view of Heeseung’s ward door, turning over his shoulder to look down at you. 

“I don’t mean to bring this up at a bad time but...”

“I know,” You nod. “I know I’ve been an ass the last few weeks. Honestly, I... I didn’t know who I wanted to be endgame either.”

Sunghoon gives your word one more second of thought before he turns around to face you. 

“It’s not my business but are you going to choose? Or... just go home next week?”

You frown and look down at your hands, reminiscing the warmth from Jay’s mother.

“I don’t know,” Your voice cracks. “I don’t think I can choose. Even if I do, I have 8 days, and neither of them are awake yet. I don’t... I don’t want to do that to them.”

He takes a deep breath and looks away, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“It’s Heeseung. Choose Heeseung,” He says without looking at you. “The night they got into a crash, Jay texted Jake to tell us that Heeseung kissed you, and that was the moment he decided he would give up.”

The statement tears you apart on the inside. 

“Jay’s a tough guy to hurt and he plays his cards fairly and maturely,” Sunghoon nods and finally looks at you. “Don’t feel bad you’re choosing Heeseung over him. He had a truce with Heeseung. About you. And he knows he lost fair and square, so don’t feel upset. Just pour your heart and soul into Heeseung for the rest of the time you’re here, and worry about committing anything else after you’ve gone home.”

You part your lips to breathe, as if it would help you understand any faster or better.

“Anyway, both Heeseung’s parents are in there and they already have an idea who you are so... Just be nice.”

He watches you nod, slightly zoned-out, then pushes the door open. 

His parents can tell you’re more preoccupied with the limp, breathing body on the bed than their presence, but they still take it with grace and greet you like they’ve known you your entire life.

The sight of Heeseung being bandaged up with a leg hanging in the air makes you feel like shit.

Who wouldn’t?

Later in the night, after Heeseung’s mother had gone home and his father had left to get coffee, you’re left alone with him and the occasional beeping from the Holter monitor. 

There was a bruise and scratch on his left cheek, and his neck, arms and right leg were in a cast. You think about how much he was going to miss dancing when he gets told he’ll need to be on a 6-month break from anything strenuous. 

Tired, you pull your earpieces out and plug it into your phone, laying it on the bed while you hover over him to fit the earbuds into his ears. Then you sit back down and scroll through your playlist, playing with the volume buttons to make sure it was softer than the volume you’d normally listen to your music at. 

You make your selection, then quietly lay on the mattress with the faint music drizzling the atmosphere’s noise. That’s how quiet the room was. 

His fingers were sticking out of his cast, so you play with them. His hair was in his shut eyes, so you gently push them out in case he were to open them. 

“One more time, Heeseung. Just one more time before I leave.”

Jay’s mother was sleeping by his bed when you walk in to check on them, bag hanging from your right shoulder and lids heavy from the terrible sleep schedule the past few days. 

“Hi.”

And a smile stretches your lips out when you can see him blink, offer you his bright grin, apart from the cut on his eyebrow.

“Hey,” You whisper, walking towards him on the other side of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

Jay clears his throat and blinks. “Had better days, but at least I’m alive.”

A snigger threatens to wake his mother up. “Good. Do you want me to wake your mom up? Maybe get a doctor in to give you a check up or something.”

He shakes his head, even managing a small wave in his fingers laying by his hip. “No, I’m good. I’m going back to sleep soon anyway.”

You lean over and adjust his pillow. “Well, then I shan’t disturb you. I’ll come by again tomorrow.”

“Sure,” He looks up at you and nods. Your gazes meet, for a split second, he can kind of know what you’re thinking of, and you know what he was. 

“Thank you for this sem, Jay. I really am.”

He shakes his head. “No, thank you. It was a fun sem because of you.”

“You call being in a hospital ward fun?”

Chuckling, he turns back to look at the ceiling for a second. “You will come back to visit us, won’t you? Zoom call us or something.”

“Of course. We could meet up during the summer break if anything.”

Satisfied, he nods again. “Good.”

“Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow,” You shove your hands into your pockets. 

“Okay,” He quietly responds, watching you turn on your heels. “Oh, y/n.”

You turn and raise a brow.

“Heeseung. He’s the one for you, and... he’ll wake up for you. I know he will.”

With a slightly ached grin, you nod and look down at your feet. 

“Bye Jay.”

“Bye.”

[sly-merlin]

KILLING ME - 4

(minor friendly chapter)

pairing : law student! Reader + yuta

Genre : angst, mafia au/arranged marriage au

Warnings : none.

Words : 5k

Summary:

"life's never fair y/n. Realise it as soon as you can. It is the only secret for living a regretless life."

Or

"curiosity got the cat hitched"

K.m masterlist

A/n : this series is totally minor friendly now. ✨

Previous morning in Taeyong’s office

“What was that for!” taeyong questioned jaehyun, clearly annoyed by his previous hostile mannerisms towards you. Jaehyun was on the receiving end of taeyong’s infuriation immediately after you departed from his office with doyoung.

“What!?” Jaehyun tried to act oblivious to Taeyong's accusations.

“Why were you trying to scare her? Escort ring! For fucks sake Jae, I expected better from you.”

“But it wasn’t a dead loss. And even you went along in the same wagon, so don’t put everything on me alone.” Jaehyun justified himself by shrugging his shoulders lightly. “And admit it! She was giving you a hard time. That bitch was not buying anything!

Taeyong knew jaehyun was right. Your unsatisfied replies and never ending enquiries were exasperating him, but he would rather preserve his precious ego than admitting that to jaehyun.

He ruffled his well-made hair before replying to Jaehyun, who was expecting some gratitude with a smug face.

“I-- just be careful and refrain from doing and saying anything that might put a dent in my plan. It’s a chance Neo would never get again. So be patient and don’t go around opening your mouth about this to anyone.” jaehyun reluctantly nodded,not hearing what he wanted but his affirmation calmed taeyong’s nerves. He couldn’t trust jaehyun entirely but his options were limited.

All the pieces were in the right place, for now. Nothing could go south right!

But jaehyun couldn’t completely understand the rationale behind Taeyong’s design.

and nor could the figure standing outside, completely hidden from the insiders.

The dread of the forthcoming finals substantiated the shortage of vacant seats in the kwanjeong library. You tried your best to arrive as expeditiously as possible for a person who partied, got abducted, arranged her own marriage, and again partied in grief, all in spam of about 34 hours. Finding no available seat, you decided to settle down on the floor. You gulped your cup of Americano in one go and began with the donut. As per a wise saying, Caffeine and sugar were the best combination as a breakfast for someone trying to get through their day with only 4 hours of sleep, the intellect being none other than your own self!

Yesterday was a pretty long day. Though you were worn out from the adventures with wonwoo last night, your brain wasn’t exhausted enough to shut down properly when you tried to close your eyes.The flashes of the events had shrouded you with a mixture of regrets and worries. What was the guarantee that you won’t end up dead tomorrow! What if taeyong was lying! But the fact regarding moon industries was absolutely legible. Maybe you should get a restraining order or something! But the existence of a person is necessary for that and yuta was a fucking corporate in the public eye and you were sure taeyong held some powerful position in the rich hierarchy as well, otherwise, covering the shits without revealing their true identities was not the job of some measly gang leader. There was more to taeyong than what someone could perceive just by looking. Will you be considered one of them now! After the little stunt that landed you straight into yuta’s life, you weren’t sure that he’d not strangle you in sleep. And What were you going to say to them? Chelin, yeom, guk, yeong.

and your thoughts spiralled from taeyong,yuta towards chelin and your friends and didn’t rest anytime before 4a.m. Waking up at 8 sharp , you took a shower and made your way towards the library.

And now you were here. 2 students passed your figure indicating that there were 2 vacant seats. Finally, after 15 minutes. They might have been the overnight students, you thought and walked inside before anyone else could claim the treasure. You had to find a new topic of thesis and do some research for an international paper your professor was writing, and you being his designated so-called subordinate had to help him, involuntarily of course. But in this world, the student who could refuse their professor’s demands was yet to be born! Marking the place by placing your bag, you started the search for last month’ law journals and digests. One and a half hours passed, but you couldn’t find anything on the international court of justice i.e. what your professor hadn’t already included. The urge to go out was profusely weighed down by your own sentiment of avoiding your friends. So you decided in favour of swallowing the bitter pill.

5 hours passed. The vibration of the timer in your phone prompted you to run off and get some food. It was already 2:30 and the lack of real food was making the tasks harder than they already were. Stepping outside into fresh air, instant regret of not bringing an umbrella washed over you. The sun was too bright unlike your mood and walking all the way to your favourite canteen would end up in you getting another headache. But you silently wished that every being from yesterday’s party was suffering from the same treatment of the over-the-top optimistic planet. why to suffer alone!

“Shortie” you lifted your head, spotting the combo of buy 1 get 1 free, heading your way.

“Where were you the whole day? And if you aren’t going to pick calls then please do that poor thing a favour and sell it!” yugyeom barked while running his hand through his hair.

You shrugged jungkook’s elbow from your shoulder and replied “I was busy with prof. Joong’s work. And I have to be somewhere after 4 so I was a bit-

“Joong should adopt you already man!” Jungkook interrupted, nudging your sides with his fingers.

“ but I thought he wanted to be her sugar daddy!” At that gyeom gave a serious and stern look to kook, pretending to ponder over his statement for a second and then suddenly they both started laughing, hands hitting you everywhere to support their doubling figures.

“Get away from me, idiots!” you shouted, trying to get away from them. Once they were done with showing their exaggerated emotions, you all giggled together in unison. they were wearing their fundraiser t-shirts, you noticed.

“When is the fundraiser?”

“At 5. But you won’t be there to support us cause you are busy with your daddy!” kook exclaimed while bumping your shoulder with his arm.

“I didn’t say I’m going for Joong’s work and no, he’s not my sugar daddy, doofus. I’m busy with tutoring. I missed someone’s Saturday class so—

“Okay, chill tiger. You need to breathe. It’s a boring event anyway.” gyeom said in a comforting tone, interjecting your rapid fire speech.

“I’m gonna have lunch, are you two going?” you suggested.

“Yeah, it’s our break and Yeong and Minjun have eaten already, so that leaves you!” kook pouted when gyeom mentioned his boyfriend’s name.

“Let’s go! I want my sugar” your dramatic pout made yugyeom pet your hair lovingly and the three of you started walking on a stone pathway on the way to the canteen.

“Where’s your umbrella?” jungkook asked you. He knew how much you hated walking under the sun after the drinking escapades.

“I forgot but let’s not talk about it. it’s making me grumpy.”

“Okay! but why don’t you cover your head with that scarf instead.” he said pointing towards the silky material around your neck.

“Naahh, it ruins my fashion” they gave each other a puzzled look, shrugging their shoulders for they both couldn’t gather the reason for your weird behaviour.

At lunch, you talked to them about the fundraiser and gave your own contribution for the noble cause. The conversation with them progressed too easily and for about an hour you forgot about the turmoil in your life, which was still unknown to them.

After parting away, you went straight to your professor to show him your progress. He took note of the materials you found on recent cases and dismissed you without showing any gratitude. Not even a word of appreciation.

A ping!

Jaemin: noona, doyoung hyung is picking you up at 4 but he won’t enter the campus. Be out at 4!

You let out a frustrated groan at his text. You had only met him once, when he conferred upon you the honour of connecting your phone to his server but that was not the only favour you received! He also saved his contact number with various hearts that you obviously removed after reaching home. you could only pray to heavens that he won’t be there today as well!

You made your way to the library again, this time to work on your thesis. The time passed faster than you thought. The alarm you placed earlier vibrated, indicating it was 4 already! You hastily made your bag and ran out of the library. It took 10 minutes to reach the gates of the campus. When you passed your dorms building, the idea of ditching doyoung and going to bed sounded tempting but as usual, nothing was going your way these days. You felt like the old catch 22 was in action.

You passed through the gates and looked around the road to find doyoung's car but he was nowhere to be seen. While you were scanning the whole area, a low voice called your attention.

“What are you finding, I’m right here under your nose” a voice said through gritted teeth.

Yes, he was indeed sitting in the car right in front of you and the only one you missed apparently. You walked around the car to sit on the passenger seat, the tinted windows hiding you from the outside funfair.

“What took you so long? It's 4:15 already.”

“I don’t have a car like you so I walked myself here and it’s not like I did it purposely anyway.” You contended, the annoyance in your voice matching his own.

“Whatever, we are already late so turn around. Taeyong would be mad.”

“No I’m not turning around. First that cloth bag, then the handkerchief you tied on my eyes yesterday, its painful man. I’ll lose my eyesight this way. And I can navigate the whole city from this place, you can’t hide your dungeon from me now” you reasoned. He didn’t tie your hands yesterday but your eyes were still covered.

“Then give me your scarf. I’ll cover your eyes with your own choice of article. It’s not painful or else you won’t be wearing it right! he said mockingly, pointing towards your neck.

“Umm, this scarf is act-

“Give me that already. I have some other things to handle as well.” assessing your options, you hesitantly removed the scarf, turning around to face the window immediately. Doyoung tied it across your eyes, checking the knot twice and tapped your shoulder. As you turned around, doyoung’s doe eyes widened, if that was even possible. Your collarbone and neck, which was visible through your v neck top, was covered with pretty purplish bruises. You fidgeted with your hands, flustered, feeling his eyes on you. But he remained quiet, focusing on the task at hand.

The whole drive was quiet and though your hands were not tied, you kept them on your backpack, hesitant to start any conversation. The car stopped finally, the mixed feelings coming back. The same process followed. He guided you inside but this time you passed only one door and the walk was quite shorter as well.

As doyoung was about to remove your scarf, a hand stopped him, or that was what you understood from the movements at that time.

“Silky scarf, blindfold and hickies haan! Being kinky doyoungie. She’s your sister-in-law. Show some respect boy!” a voice remarked, the air around your face suddenly filled with chocolate and coffee. You hiccupped all of a sudden, earning a chuckle from the unknown presence.

You tried to reach for the blindfold, but your hands were caught mid-air, the said hands removing it. You blinked your eyes a few times to make out the figure’s face. He was standing, mostly bending to match your stature, face smiling to show all of his teeth.

Yuta.

You, surprised, took a step back but instead bumped into the one behind you.

“I’ll take over from here, doyoung.” but fortunately, he didn’t budge. Your hold on the backpack tightened, your eyes lowered to avoid his gaze. The only thing in your view were his baggy pants and white sports shoes.

But yuta could see only you and nothing else. Taeyong wasn’t the only one awaiting your arrival. Yuta was equally anticipating you. His night was just as sleepless and anxious as you. He was afterall at the other end of the rope.

He raised your head, fingertips lightly grazing your chin. His hooded eyes roamed around your face like he was expecting you to show some contempt , hatred,nervousness! He straightened up abruptly and started tying the silk around your neck. You flinched at his touch but he remained void of any reaction. His half denim jacket and white t-shirt hid you from the surroundings, his arms almost engulfing you. He repositioned himself to match your height again, arms crossing against his chest.

“Looks like someone had a fun night.” and in a second, his honey smile changed into a smirk, letting go of any trace of earlier softer expressions. And the look on his face was enough to scare the shit out of anyone.

“Stop yuta” a taller man you recognised from yesterday as Johnny, pushed yuta aside from your view. It was then you saw that everyone was there. Including the one you were yet to encounter.

Your eyes wandered from one side to the other. Johnny let you inspect.

“Doyoung, what was the need to cover her eyes?” Johnny whispered to doyoung, breaking your trance.

“Why is everyone nagging me so much” he whined in a screeching voice.

“Karma bitch” Johnny pointed his forefinger towards him before giving his attention to you.

“Hey, how are you y/n.” he asked, his cheerful voice totally in contrast with the weather of the room.

“I’m- ummm.” you cleared your throat before continuing. “I’m fine Johnny. As fine I can be.” you mumbled the last part but he surely heard you.

“You remembered my name!” he clapped, his eyes turning into crescents. You gave him a tight lipped smile in return, waiting for some instructions. As if on cue, taeyong’s loud voice graced your ears.

“Come y/n. make yourself comfortable” he indicated towards the couches that were almost already occupied. Johnny gestured to you to proceed, walking with you. You passed yuta who was still smirking and sat on the single seat available next to taeyong. You placed your backpack on the large table in the middle of the room. It looked like a normal living room for guests, just with too many couches to accommodate the gang. You felt like an uninvited because apparently everybody was watching you like a hawk. Their stares changed sight only when yuta came to take a seat on one of the couches, exactly opposite to yours. You met his eyes briefly before turning your face towards your bag again.

Who knew the rusty zips of your bag were so interesting!

“So y/n I thought you should meet everyone. You are going to be part of this family soon. Better get acquainted with all.” taeyong addressed you while he sat on his couch majestically like a king. You heard a dry laugh and if you had to guess it had to be from jaehyun or yuta.

You didn’t understand why he wanted that. You were just a risk till yesterday and now means to discipline yuta.

And why all the formalities if you were gonna leave anyway.

“I’m going to leave anyway, taeyong. So I don’t see a need to do it!

You were too consumed to notice how your sentence turned all the heads around you. Some started giving side eyes to each other. There was something they were all missing.

“I said you could leave. But not without my permission. So, you’d be stuck for now, maybe till months or years.”

You gulped at his words. Taeyong turned your only hope into a distant dream. Maybe you were too foolish to gauge the situation.

“You want something to eat or drink before we continue” he asked in a sincere voice. Shaking your head, you rubbed your eyes with the palms of your hands to stop them from moistening. There was nothing more embarrassing than to cry in front of a bunch of strangers who didn’t give a shit about you.

“No, please continue.” you emphasised again to not draw any more attention to yourself than already was. And you internally thanked Taeyong who continued as if you weren’t just gonna cry!

“You will move in with yuta on Saturday,” it was Monday. “The wedding ceremony would be held in the morning. So you have a few days to prepare, everything from your dress to every other thing you need shall be arranged. Just name it and you’ll have it!”

Wedding ceremony! That was not on the plate!

“I don’t want a cerem-

“Leave the bullshit ta-

You and yuta both cut off each other simultaneously. You glanced at his side, finding him already piercing his gaze into yours.

“There’s no need for it. The paper signing is enough. It’s not like we are in-

You knew taeyong understood what you were trying to say, so you didn’t continue. But you were already having a feeling of superiority over yuta for being the first to offer your opinion. It felt like a payback for flustering you earlier. You refrained from facing him again, your body turned towards taeyong only, but you felt satisfied with the thought of him being riled up.

“Oh, but I want a ceremony taeyong and mark is going to be the best man. He’s so excited. You can’t do that to him!” yuta emphasised through the variation in his voice. You knew he changed his argument purposely , but you maintain your cool, opting to ignore him . bear and forbear.

Taeyong raised his eyebrow at you but you shook your head again.

“I don’t think it’d be a good idea. It’s not a normal one anyway so why pretend!” you held your ground.

“You aren’t getting married to a mannequin.” yuta retracted. “I’m getting married as well and don’t anyone dare say that I made a mistake and blah blah. At last I’ll be hitching so I want a ceremony and Japanese at that!”

Oh yeah, he was Japanese. You have missed that as well.

All the other men in the room, 9 to be exact, were nodding at everything that was being said. They were unable to decide whose argument was worth taking side for. Finally Johnny spoke-

“I think y/n is right” looking at nowhere in particular, he continued. “What’s with pomp and show when it’s nothing more than an agreement”

“But if yuta hyung wants it, then why not. They are going to live together, he should have his say as well.” It was Mark who took yuta’s side. He didn’t know why but watching yuta losing ground urged him to support his brother.

You looked briefly at the boy who just argued with Johnny.

“He’s mark y/n.” taeyong said the answer you were looking for. “And he’s Jungwoo, jeno, doyoung, you have already met him, then jaehyun, johnny, renjunie, hendery. Others are busy so you’ll meet them some other day probably.”

A few waved towards you, including Mark, who shyly withdrew his hand quickly. They all probably hated you as there was no other reaction towards a person who almost put your life in danger!

“Can we get to a middle ground now? I’m already getting tired of this” jaehyun grumbled, leaning into the couch.

“Ok so, he wants a celebration of a lie! What about me then? You are all here but I have no one. I’m alone and probably will be. Because taeyong, you haven’t told me how am I going to reveal this to my friends? I may not have a family, but still there are people close to me. They are my best friends, roommate, and many others who need to know! How am I going to explain to them that their friend who didn’t even have a boyfriend, is getting married suddenly? I don’t even have parents to cover it with an arranged marriage. How to convince them? Give me a way and I’ll agree” you pointed out the very important detail that they were missing. But they needed to know that there was other side of the paper as well and your reasons were not just a cry in the wilderness.

Nobody made a sound. Everything went quite like a dark night until-

“I hope this is not the calm before a storm!” you looked over to see the person who broke the silence. It was another young man coming with a food trolley, probably from the kitchen.

“I thought we have a guest so I prepared some coffee and donuts. I hope you like sweets y/n” the man was smiling ear to ear, seeming too happy with your visit.

“I-

“I’m kun.” he introduced himself and you shook his hand. He seemed too polite for a criminal. “Have this and tell me how it is” he forcibly handed you a dessert plate with a chocolate glazed donut. You took it out of politeness but felt a bit weird to be the only one eating it. You watched him with quizzical eyes as he took one for himself and sat on the arm of your couch. Everyone was now staring at your movements.

“Eat it, eat it. These are for you and me only.” he cajoled.

You decided to take a bite and then place it back just to stop the awkwardness.

As you bit it from one side, your brain short circuited. “Holy shit, bro. What is this sorcery.” your genuine and innocent reaction made Kun laugh loudly, some of the others joined in as well.

“Thank god, you like it! I’m so glad you aren’t one of weight conscious ones, otherwise it’d have been weird.” he started munching on his own piece.

“I’m a sugar bear. I can’t live without sugar. I just had a donut in the morning but it was bleh compared to this. You are a master chef bro.” and for a minute you forgot the previous tense environment. Everyone was glad that Kun came to save the situation and except to you, it was known that obviously he heard everything from the kitchen.

“You ate one in the morning! Then it’s the last one you’re getting. Everyone help yourself. She’s not having any more!” as if they were waiting, everyone except mark and yuta picked them up.

“Mark” Kun motioned towards the tray and he grabbed one as well.

“What if I was allergic to chocolate, kun” you asked him while finishing your treat.

“Oh please! Even ten eats it.” he laughed to himself at his reference, which went over your head.

“Now coming to the point.” Everyone looked at taeyong who was already done with eating. “Y/n doesn’t want anything special so it’ll happen like that. No!yuta, lemma speak. And you y/n, it’s upon you to make your friends believe. Make up a story or do whatever you want. You don’t want to tell them about the wedding. Fine with me but do let them know at least that you have a boyfriend that you are moving in with! It’s on you both to make this arrangement believable.

“okay , sho now I shuggenly hab a voyfiend” you started speaking without even finishing the bite in your mouth. you continued once you chewed it.

“won't they be suspicious. They know exactly what I do and what I don’t. It’s almost impossible to put a façade in front of them.”

“Oh please, don’t tell me they even know from where you got those hickies” jaehyun’s curt statement was a hit below the belt. Kun was about to scold him when you elaborated his statement further to prove that he was doing nothing but burning his own fingers.

“Yes, actually they happen to know. When, where and from whom I got these. Anything else you want to ask?.” he rolled his eyes on your reply, busing himself with the delicacy instead.

“They don’t know yuta. So if you want you can introduce him to your people. He won’t be posing any problem, take my word for it.”

“I’ll go with you if you also accompany me,that I guess would be a problem for you. You don’t want to be seen with a criminal, or do you!” yuta jabbered. He was trying to push your buttons to measure your limit. But little did he know that you were far from being that easy.

“I just said I don’t want a wedding. I’ll agree to anything that is reasonable and is not degrading to me.”

“Ok then, nobody would force you to do what you don’t want.” Taeyong decided to take matters into his own hands now. “And we’ll organise a small, very intimate gathering at taeil’s office to celebrate as yuta wants. And you’ll be introduced as Mrs. Nakamoto to our corporate world.” taeyong finished gauging both of your reactions. The surname was foreign and cringing to you. But it was going to be yours, so there was nothing you could do, for now.

“What do you mean ‘our’ corporate world.” you got puzzled at his choice of words.

“You’ll find out soon and it's nothing scary, don’t worry.” Kun responded on behalf of taeyong this time, handing you your cup of coffee. “Tell me if it’s cold, I’ll-

“No it’s totally fine.” you assured him, without even taking a sip. He was being nice enough already.

“If my opinion has no value, then what am I even doing here!” yuta shouted, getting up from the seat.

“yut-

Before Kun could say anything, he stormed off. Mark tried to follow but taeyong stopped him from doing that.

“Don’t mind him. He’s a hot head.” Johnny laughed in between his bites.

You only nodded, sipping your coffee. You were glad he was gone. Sugar has always done wonders for you and it was having the same effects now as well. You were able to think more rationally now.

“One more thing” you furrowed your brows at taeyong. What was left now! “Do you want any specifications in the house? It’s my responsibility. A wedding gift you can say. If you need anything like extra closet, a more spacious kitchen-

“Kitchen?” you let out a brief chuckle at that. Everyone’s eyes were on you now. “It’ll be totally fine if I don’t even get a kitchen. I can’t cook anything besides ramyeon and salads. So I won’t even need that.”

“You are a student. Don’t you know anything basic.” It was Jungwoo who spoke in the sweeter voice than Kun's.

“No. I grew up in an orphanage and they provided us everything. I left when I started law. So all in all, I never had anyone to teach me. That’s why if you want to know best food trucks and restaurants in the city, I’m your best option.but, if that yuta knows how to cook, ask him about the kitchen.” you spoke nonchalantly .But you didn’t realise how uncomfortable the air had become. a heavy silence took over the light atmosphere.

“I’m sorry noona” Jungwoo apologised sheepishly.

“It’s fine. After all there are some things that your hacker can’t find out. only I can tell you those.” saying that, you faced taeyong again. “But if you insist, I can always use a study room.” you tried to enlighten the mood again.,ppp

“Ok. I’ll find something suitable for you both.” you hummed, not knowing what to say anymore.

“Can I go back now?”

“Yes, doyoung will drop you.”

“No, I’ll go with her.” Johnny said, grabbing your attention. He didn’t look sulky like doyoung so, it’d be fine, you guess.

They said you goodbyes. Mark seemed hesitant to even look at you, but you couldn’t care less. He was just a stranger after all.

Yuta couldn’t realise why everyone was trying to be so nice to you. Till yesterday, he was allowed to put a gun on her head but now every being was against him. He didn’t know why he was so furious at Taeyong, to force him to marry you or for dragging Mark into this mess. Taeyong knew how to play dirty, but yuta never thought he’d use his own brother. There was no option for him as well, as taeyong has said. He showed interest in a fucking celebration to contradict you, but you were not backing down and that felt like a punch to his gut.

He drove towards his stress reliever. The infamous Japanese club, the only place where he could drown his sorrows.

The club was packed despite it being Monday. That was one thing he liked about it, you’ll never be disappointed in this place.

“ゆた!” The hostess chimed seeing yuta. “久しぶり” [ long time, no see!]

He signed her to give him 2 shots. She did as told but her gaze was following yuta’s, which rested on her cleavage. He came here only for 2 things after all.

He gulped the drink in a second without blinking an eye.

“バックルーム” [ back room]

She wasn’t someone to be told twice. She handed her hand towel to her co-worker and followed the path. Who was she to reject him after all?

He drove back silently again. The relief he felt was all dissipated now. Instead his mind was already wandering towards you. Your headstrong attitude was troubling him. his plans were all down and out. He hated you , from the moment he laid his eyes on you. You acted like you were invincible but he knew it was just a mask to protect yourself.

He had noticed how you rubbed your eyes to hide your disappointment for you didn’t want to appear weak. All he had to do now was to find a vulnerable part of you, to hit you where it’d hurt the most. It’d be last time he lost to you.

Afterall, beginning is always easy, it is continuing that’s hard!

[an-absolute-travesty]

Secret Santa fic!

Heya @all-eternity it was me all along! I hope you enjoy this :) very much looking foward to actually being able to follow you after this without looking sketchy lmao

Also shoutout to my lovely beta reader @keepersandqueens as if I don’t talk about Salas enough here lol

Warnings: underage drinking, drinking in general, hangover, drugs/medication mention (not abused, basic over the counter stuff dw), mentions of vomit (not described)

Pairings: Kam, background marelinh, ex titz

About: Kam coffee shop college au 

Word count: 5,205

Tag list (tell me if you want to be added or removed): @cadence-talle @ruewen-and-rising @lemontarto @a-lonely-tatertot @clearlyvacksen @percabetn @sewersewersewercouch @everyonehasthoughts @imaramennoodle @enbies-and-felonies @blxckh0les42​ @rainbowtay-11 @callas-starkflower-stew @impostertamsong @appalyneinstitute1 @stars-and-splendor @anna-without-an-e @mistythegenderqueermess @we-have-no-bananas-today @we-wont-dissapear @jadenightthewriter

Tam stumbled into his first 8 am class, anxiety making his heart feel like it was pounding out of his chest and stomach doing backflips.

If he could survive bouncing between foster homes, a short stint at juvie, and worst of all high school, he could survive college.

Well he thought he could until he saw a familiar person right next to the only available chair in the room.

God fucking damn it.

"Hey Bangs Boy!" Keefe waved him down, causing a scene. Tam had no option but to sit beside him, both because of the lack of chairs and the fact that everyone was now staring at him.

Not a great start.

"What a coincidence! I notice you still haven't taken my suggestions on your hair, I'm telling ya' you'd get all the girls and or guys and nonbinary pals with a man bun." Keefe looked smug at the fact he'd be able to taunt Tam for another semester, minimum. Tam was already making a mental note to check when he could swap out of classes.

"Keefe, if I knew you were going here I would've just gotten myself back in jail, oh wait, you were the one who got me in there in the first place." Tam shot him a look, praying that he'd suddenly develop superpowers and shoot lasers from his eyes.

"Hey, just because I came up with the idea...and helped with some of the execution, doesn't mean I'm responsible for you trashing your parents house. Besides, you were only in there for like 3 days max before you got out," Keefe said, shrugging as if 3 days in jail was no biggie.

"Most peaceful 3 days of my life," Tam sneered, turning back to the front of the room as the professor walked in.

"Good morning class!" the prof turned to the white board, writing his name. "I am Dr. Harding," he tapped it for emphasis.

The class was silent.

"And you say good mor..."

"Good morning Dr. Harding," The class said in unison, they all sounded tired and bored.

This wasn't going to be fun.

~*~

"Grande ice vanilla latte for...Hen-are-y?"

The man shot Keefe a look as he grabbed his coffee.

"Henry." He dropped a tip in the jar, fifty cents. How generous.

He had come in before, and never left good tips. Keefe made it a game to pronounce the names of anyone who wasn't a college student and left bad tips wrong, no matter how much they came in. It was a wonder he hadn't been fired yet.

As he turned preparing another drink, the bell at the top of the door rang. He ignored it at first until he heard a quiet, "Fuck," come from behind.

"Bangs boy!"

"Why are you here?"

"I work here obviously," Keefe walked up to the counter. "Now, what'll it be?"

Tam sighed. "Iced caramel macchiato with two extra shots of espresso."

"Size?"

"Venti."

Keefe whistled thinking about how much caffeine that was as he wrote down "Bangs Boy" on the cup.

"Alright, that'll be 5.75, may I ask why the insane amount of coffee? I believe I remember you saying caffeine makes you anxious in high school."

"Yes, but it also helps me focus, and I have a quiz tomorrow I haven't studied for."

"Fair enough," Keefe said, going to prepare the drink. "It'll be ready in five."

Tam nodded, walking off to the side and scrolling on his phone. Keefe made the drink, occasionally sneaking looks over at Tam. He didn't seem to notice, thank God.

Soon after, they finished the transaction.

"See you at class," Keefe said, he was trying to be genuine, but it came across more taunting.

Tam grimaced, muttered "Thanks for the coffee," and walked out the door.

~*~

The class fell silent as a disheveled Dr. Harding walked in, a pack of gatorade in one hand and bottle of tylenol in the other. He popped one as he sat down.

"Hello class it seems today I have the worst headache imaginable, just give me about 5 minutes of silence and we will go over your assignments."

Keefe leaned over to Tam's desk.

"Well, we know what he got into last night," he whispered. "Heard the bar on the corner of 5th was giving out two for ones for professors."

"Isn't that place run by the alumni?"

"Exactly. Gotta thank Alvar tomorrow, Fitz said it was his idea."

"Wait Fitz goes here too? Why did I not-"

"Boys!" Dr. Harding practically yelled. "I am tired of the racket." He put his face in his hands where his elbows rested on the desk, bald spot showing to the world.

"We were whispering!" Keefe made a 'what the hell' sort of gesture. Tam glared at him, hoping he could communicate 'I will kill you myself if you say another word' with just his eyes.

"Sencen, do I look like I care?"

Keefe winced a bit at the use of his last name. That was something Tam could understand.

"Look, boys," Dr. Harding stood up and turned to the chalkboard, writing something down. "If you all like talking so much, you'll love this next project."

He walked to the side, revealing the board, that read '10 page essay, due the 25th'

"With the person next to you, you'll be writing a 10 page essay on um...the importance of keeping your oil changed in your car. You'll then present it to the class. It's worth 25 points."

A student raised their hand.

"Luka?"

"Sir, I thought this was a psychology course?"

"It is. You are all excused."

With that, he left the room with his tylenol and gatorade in his arms. The students glared at Keefe and Tam as they all got up, muttering amongst themselves about the pure bullshittery of it all.

"So..." Keefe said, slowly standing. "Does the library tomorrow at 3 work? I have work until then, so it can't be any earlier."

"Yeah, sure." Tam promptly walked out of the classroom as fast as possible, he didn't know why but his anxiety was spiking. He tried to tell himself it was just because he was a useless gay that didn't know jackshit about cars, yeah, surely that was it.

Just a useless gay.

~*~

Tam waited at a table in the library, it was 3:05, Keefe was late.

He didn't know what else he expected from him, he always seemed to do stuff like this. At the same time, Tam didn't have the energy to be particularly mad at him. This was going to be the stupidest essay ever written in the history of man, might as well put it off.

The library door slammed open, and in came Keefe. He balanced a large stack of papers and books along with four drinks. He stumbled over to Tam and practically threw them down on the table.

"Sorry I'm late, I thought it would be nice to, like, get you a coffee, but I didn't know how much caffeine you wanted, so I got one decaf caramel macchiato, one normal, and one with an extra shot, and also hot chocolate for me."

He sat down in the chair by Tam, as if getting three different coffees for someone you were forced to do a project with was totally normal.

"Um...thanks, I-I can pay you back-"

"Don't worry about it." Keefe turned to him and smiled, bright and friendly. Tam was frozen. "Okay, now it's car time." Keefe turned back to the desk.

"Yeah."

They were silent for a while as they researched, Keefe going through his piles of papers and books and Tam on his laptop like any sane person would.

Tam finally worked up the nerve to talk.

"So um...this is out of nowhere, but I think you mentioned Fitz went here?"

"Oh, yeah." Keefe put down the absurdly large textbook that was set up in front of him. "He's my roommate, he uh thought it would be best not to tell you after everything, I guess."

"That's fine," Tam shrugged like he didn't care. "I'm over it."

He was, really. They only dated like 2 weeks, sure it ended with a...pretty big fight after Fitz claimed he wouldn't be able to date someone who had gone to jail and Tam reminded him it was his best friend that got him in there in the first place, but he was still over it. There was still something bothering him, nothing to do with Fitz himself but...something. He just couldn't put his finger on what.

"Alright, I'll take your word." Keefe shrugged, setting his giant book back up in front of him.

Tam felt the need to start talking again, but didn't. They were mostly silent for the next 40 minutes or so, just researching and the occasional word exchanged between them.

Keefe checked his phone.

"Shit," He got up. "Work emergency, I gotta go. Same time tomorrow?"

"Yeah that works."

"Chill, see ya' later."

"Bye."

Keefe waved (with a wide grin Tam would've called idiotic in high school) as he went out the door.

Tam found himself with a smile on his own face, he quickly stopped, hoping no one saw.

~*~

Keefe hurried into work, pulling his apron on as he saw the absurdly long line and a panicked Marella frantically making coffees behind the counter. She sighed with relief when she saw him.

"Thank God," She said as he stepped behind the counter with her. "There was a scheduling error, Forkle's useless at that stuff."

Mr. Forkle, their well-meaning but often mistaken manager, was out of town at the moment. The fate of the Starbucks rested on two college kids, what could go wrong.

And so they went, Keefe taking orders and Marella fulfilling them until there were no more to serve.

Marella, quite literally, threw in a towel she had wiped her face with. Promptly going to the back, presumably for her break. Keefe followed her.

"Alright, I think you can probably go back to whatever you were doing before this now if you'd like," said Marella, inspecting the small braids in her hair in the nearest shiny surface.

"Nah I was just doing a project with Tam for Harding's stupid class, he's probably left by now, I might as well rack up some overtime."

Marella turned back at him, clearly caught off guard at the name.

"Tam? As in my-girlfriend's-brother Tam? As in you-had-a-massive-crush-on-in-highschool Tam? As in dated-Fitz Tam? As in you-got-him-in-jail-"

"Yes! Yes! Why does everyone remind me of that, it was one time."

"When you get someone in jail, people tend to remember," Marella went silent for a second, thinking, before looking Keefe in the eye. "Wow, that must be awkward as hell, I mean seriously, if I were you I'd straight up file a restraining order just to avoid him. Maybe move to another country. I hear Estonia is lovely this time of year."

"Eh, it's not as bad as it seems. I mean it was awful at first, mostly because I tried to resume right where we left it on the taunting front, but I think it's ok now."

"Hm. Well good luck with that," Marella turned back to go to the front, but Keefe grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Uh, actually I need your advice on something. It has to do with Tam."

"Shoot."

"Well I was thinking of maybe, I don't know, asking him out or something? Look, yeah, it's an awful idea but is it 'he never wants to talk to me again' awful or 'he attempts to strangle me' awful?"

Marella looked him up and down, eyes uncomfortably cold, as usual.

"I mean, no hetero, but despite your annoying qualities you're a decent looking guy. Plus Tam's, like, super anxious according to Linh, so maybe he'll be too awkward to say no. You can probably squeeze at least one date in there."

"Wow, thanks Mare," Keefe mumbled, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Yes, I try. Also don't call me Mare."

"Alright Ella!" Keefe called as the front door's bell rang, signalling a new customer. Marella went off to take care of it, unable to respond she growled back at him.

~*~

Tap tap tap tap tap.

Tam glared from across the table.

Tap tap tap tap tap tap.

"Why do you keep doing that?"

Keefe looked up, muttered a simple "Fidgety" and went right back to it, tapping his pen against the table. Tam said nothing more.

Keefe had been quiet for this entire meeting, something highly unusual for him.

"Ok, seriously dude, what's up? I haven't seen you this quiet literally ever."

He only seemed to get more fidgety at this question, his bouncing leg shaking the library table.

"I...um..." he looked down, running a hand through his hair "I have a test I need to cram for and no one to study with and keep me accountable. Y'know, ADHD issues."

Tam didn't overthink for once in his life but the moment the sentence was out of his mouth he regretted it.

"I have a test too, maybe we could study together?"

Keefe smiled his annoyingly charming smile.

"Sounds good."

"Good."

Tam quickly looked back down at his computer, trying to look like he was still doing car research when in actuality he was processing he just actively offered to spend more time with Keefe Sencen.

If Linh found out about this he'd never live it down.

He didn't think he cared.

~*~

Dr. Harding walked through the classroom door, clearly much less hungover than his last appearance.

The students waited, would they get an apology? Any sort of remorse?

"Alright, who wants to read first?"

Apparently not.

Keefe raised his hand with too much confidence for what their essay looked like. Tam gave him a confused look. He had his scheming face on, never good.

"Mr. Sencen!" Keefe winced at the use of his last name by the doctor. "What an amazing start, it's only appropriate. One of you boys come up and present."

Tam gave Keefe a look of 'do you want me to do it?' Keefe just smiled and got up from his chair. This would either be really good or really, really bad. Tam was all too familiar with the scheme face.

"Doc, I did depart from the source material a bit here, hope you don't mind. And I use 'I' because Tam had no involvement in this, he deserves full points for his essay."

Keefe cleared his throat, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"Doctor Harding deserves to get fired: an essay. (And it's only been a week!) Paragraph one, his drinking problem-"

"Sencen! Back to your seat now. I will see you after class, or I will not see you in my next class, understand?"

Keefe gave a thumbs up as he sat back on his chair with a thud.

A few minutes later, in the middle of another student's essay, he passed Tam a note with his loopy handwriting.

"The amount of comebacks I had for 'see me after class' is absurd but if I get kicked out there's no way Elwin is helping me pay tuition a second time."

Tam tried not to smile, certainly failing, as he wrote his response.

"Yeah I think the time you talked back to Miss Cadence she wanted to expel you. Lucky Principal Alina had a thing for pseudo-dad Alden."

"Oh God I haven't talked to him in a whiiiiiile."

"?"

"You haven't heard? Yeah, he sorta found out like ALL his kids were ell gee bee tees and freaked out. Della found herself a new gf though!"

"Sounds like a lovely extra punch in the gut for a queerphobe."

"Yep. Honestly I recommend looking through his Facebook sometime. Just a million rants about how the gays destroy everything, great entertainment."

"Duly noted."

At that point it seemed like the doctor started to take notice of their note passing, and they stopped quickly. Tam wouldn't be surprised if he did the whole high school read in front of the class thing with the way he had been acting so far.

Tam was 100% sure tenure was the only thing keeping this guy's job intact. Apparently being a drunk asshole wasn't near enough to get a person out of their position. He tried to ignore the professor's annoyingly smug face for the rest of the class.

~*~

Keefe sat in his usual spot at the library, Tam sitting across from him, his brown eyes dancing across the textbook page and lips mumbling along the words. He didn't have much to do, often finding himself just staring at Tam, quickly looking away if he seemed to notice.

Eventually he sighed, sitting back.

"Ugh, this test is in a week and I have so much other crap to do, I'll never get this all memorized by Friday."

Keefe silently thanked his brain for managing to get around the having to study thing. Yay, photographic memory!

"Oh, uh, well I'm free to study more tomorrow if that would help? We could do, like, flashcards or something."

Tam seemed to repress a smile. He did that a lot. Keefe always noticed.

"That's okay, I'm sure you have better things to do. The Starbucks is always pretty packed."

"Eh, sometimes you have to get away from Marella. She's mean to me."

"Not just you, once she told me if I ever made fun of Linh's cat's name again she'd make me cut off my own bangs."

Keefe nodded sagely. "The shorter you are the closer to hell. That's why you're worse than her."

"Hey!"

Tam flicked a stray rubber band at Keefe.

"I'm at least 2 inches taller than Marella...we measured."

Keefe thought up about 12 inappropriate jokes he couldn't make before flicking the rubber band back.

"Two inches only counts in roller coasters, none of which you can ride."

Tam stuck his tongue out before returning to his studies. Unlike Tam, Keefe didn't hide his smile.

~*~

Tam strolled into the Starbucks that Friday morning, no longer surprised to see Keefe working the counter. He could barely hold still in line as he thought about the amount of cramming he'd have to do in the next few hours.

When he reached the counter, Keefe said nothing, just busily worked making a drink.

He stuck it right out at Tam.

"One venti iced caramel macchiato with 2 extra shots of espresso because you have a test today in political science and still haven't studied everything and also a muffin because you probably haven't eaten today. On the house. Good luck with the studying."

Tam froze.

"I- um- th-thaks. Y-you too...sport."

Oh, you fucking idiot.

He quickly scurried out of the Starbucks with drink and muffin in hand. Wow, he had screwed that up.

But...

Keefe...

He...

He remembered his order and that he had a test and that he forgot to eat when he was stressed holy shit holy shit holy shit holy shit-

Okay, deep breaths Tam, you got this. You can totally handle a frustratingly cute guy showing care for you this is fine...

Not fine, not fine, gotta tell Linh.

He called Linh with no forewarning. Despite the fact that she was currently across the country at a different university, and it was about 3 am for her, she picked up. He barely let her get out a groggy "Hello?" before explaining everything. She only seemed to think a moment before responding.

"Hm. Well it's good to know that college is going good for you. Do you need advice or comfort?"

"Yes."

"Well, first of all, everything's gonna be okay. And I know that doesn't help much but just try to remember we're eighteen, and it's not the end of the world. Second of all, try to ask him out or something. It doesn't have to be framed as a date, like Marella and I got together on a walk in the park, seriously it can be anything."

"Thanks Linh."

"No problem, also can you hug Marella for me?"

"If she doesn't try to kill me first, yes."

"Nice. Okay go do what you gotta do, also don't wake me up at 3 am again or else I'll sic Purryfins on you, I had just gone to bed."

With that she hung up and Tam continued on his way, still trying to not completely freak out.

~*~

Keefe stared blankly as Tam walked right out of the door. Marella appeared by his arm.

"So, how'd it go?"

"Well, he called me 'sport'."

Marella inhaled through her teeth.

"Yikes. Comfort, advice, or distraction?"

"Distraction, please." Keefe replied, absent-mindedly preparing a cup for the next customer.

"Uh, well I meant to ask you what ended up happening with that ass of a teacher, but I got a bit distracted at your attempt to woo Tam-"

"Hey I said distraction not reminder. But basically I just got a slap on the wrist because, and I quote, 'Your father is Cassius Sencen! He wrote half the books we use in this class, I'm sure he can straighten you out!'"

"There's absolutely nothing papa Sencen could do to make you straight, I'm pretty sure he tried that, and it obviously didn't work."

"He actually tried a few times and it most definitely did not. Lucky he doesn't have my number anymore or else I assure you he'd keep trying."

Marella laughed.

"Well, moving on from grade A assholes, I'm supposed to tell you there's a party tonight. I'll have to send you the address later, I have it on my phone though, I am told there's gonna be booze, so I'm going."

"Eh, I'll probably go. Just to get my mind off everything."

"Thata boy." She lifted her phone. "And my shifts over in three, two, one, and I am out of here! See ya' tonight Hunkyhair."

"That's Lord Hunkyhair to you."

She just rolled her eyes and clocked out, leaving Keefe to deal with both the customers and his own thoughts.

~*~

Tam sat in his dorm room alone, constantly refreshing his grades for the possibility that his 70-year-old professor would post the test results at 1:30 am.

His roommate was gone for the weekend, actually he was gone most of the time. Tam didn't think they'd even had a full conversation before.

He jumped as his phone began to ring, a call from Keefe of all people. He hesitantly picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Tam! Tam Tam Tam Tam Tam" Keefe's slurred speech was too loud for a phone call, Tam held his phone a bit away from his ear. "...fuck wait why did I call you..."

There was a long pause, neither said anything.

"Oh yeah! I needed to tell you something...but uh I uhm I forgot what it was."

"Keefe, where are you?"

"At a paaaaaarty, well, actually just outside a party because it was hot in there, but now it's cold out here so uh yeah."

Tam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Okay, send me the address, I'm coming to pick you up. Wait right there and don't move."

"Okie dokie."

Tam heard a thud sort of sound and the rustling of grass from the other line before Keefe hung up and soon after got a message of his location.

After 20 minutes of walking in the cold, Tam came up to what seemed to be a frat house with Keefe sitting on the lawn in criss-cross, patiently waiting in short sleeves and basketball shorts, way too little clothing for the weather. His ruddy face smiled as he saw Tam approach.

"Tam! I remembered what I was going to tell you." He stood up, face falling right after. "Oh no wait I forgot again. Ooh! You need a drink."

Keefe grabbed Tam's hand, pulling him towards the house. Tam stayed in place.

"Hey, let's get you home dude."

Keefe pouted.

"I don't wannaaaa."

He slouched down, pulling on Tam's arm like a child having a tantrum.

Tam pulled him back up to his feet.

"C'mon, if you go to your dorm without fuss I'll buy you ice cream tomorrow."

Keefe seemed much more ok with going along with Tam with the ice cream deal. He pulled off his own coat and placed it around the very drunk boy, he didn't complain.

Keefe began humming some annoying song from the early 2000s that was playing from the house earlier as they walked back in the direction of the dorms.

Suddenly, Tam remembered something.

Fitz was Keefe's roommate.

Shit.

"Hey uh do you think Fitz is at your dorm?"

Keefe nodded confidently.

"Yep! Said he was gon' study. Wouldn't come to the party because of his 'reputation' or whatever."

Around reputation he did exaggerated finger quotes, nearly knocking Tam's jacket off his shoulders.

"Hm...in that case let's go to my dorm, ok?"

Keefe shrugged, apparently willing to go along with most things in his current state. Thank goodness Linh had made Tam bring extra pillows and blankets to college, he could sleep on the floor and just hope Keefe didn't get sick on him in the night.

It was ridiculously hard to lead Keefe back to his dorm. He tried to pull down his pants halfway there and Tam almost had to carry him up the stairs but soon enough they got there. He sighed with relief as he led his inebriated friend into the room.

"Okay, you can stay here for the night. I'll sleep on the floor."

Keefe plopped himself down on Tam's bed laying flat for only a moment before sitting up with a snap and a look of realization in his eyes.

"OOH! I remember what I was gonna tell you again!"

"Oh?" Tam said playing along, expecting him to forget again.

He patted the spot next to him on the bed, Tam continued to play along, sitting next to him.

"So Marella said that I should just tell you this, and it worked for her, so I'm gonna. And uh and you have to promise to listen 'cause I'm not sayin' it again."

At this point Keefe grabbed his face with both hands, staring right in Tam's eyes and squishing his cheeks.

"You're listening right?"

Tam nodded, mostly to shake Keefe's hands off his face.

"Okay."

Keefe took in an over dramatic breath as if he was preparing to preform in the Olympics before getting another grin on his face.

"I really like you."

"You really like me?"

He nodded mumbling "mhm".

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I like you. Like, like like you."

"Like...as a friend?"

"I said I wasn't gonna repeat myself. As a booooyfriend." At this point Keefe fell back on the bed, looking at the ceiling. Tam's cheeks were burning.

"How long have you liked me like that?"

"Mmmm..." Keefe seemed to ponder for a moment, "Prolly high school."

"Oh um...good to know. You should get some rest. I'll be down here if you need me."

"Alrighty."

Tam shut off the lights and Keefe started snoring quick. Tam could only stare up in the darkness, unable to sleep.

~*~

Keefe woke up that morning in a room he didn't recognize to a killer headache and dead phone.

He turned to the side, seeing a pile of blankets and pillows with a large gatorade, bottle of tylenol, and a note next to it. Suddenly last nights memories came flooding back.

Oh, shit.

He scrambled out of bed, headache and nausea hitting him harder as he stood up.

Despite the fact his head was spinning, he picked up the note from the ground and read it.

Hey, meet me at the reservoir around 6, we need to talk -Tam

F. U. C. K.

Had he really said all that stuff last night? Surely it was a dream, right?

Oh God.

He gathered his few belongings, plus the things to help the hangover, and left the dorms as fast as possible. Only having to stop once along the way to throw up in one of the campus trash cans, hopefully no one would notice.

Keefe didn't have anything to do and he really didn't want to face Fitz so he went about his day in last nights clothing. Then again, it was a college campus. Someone walking around with rumpled clothes carrying a gatorade probably wasn't that big of a deal for most people. By 5:30 he sat impatiently in the empty park where the reservoir was located, it was colder closer to the water.

Just as promised, at 6 o'clock he saw Tam approaching on the horizon.

~*~

Tam was damn near a panic attack as he walked around the park attempting to find Keefe. Eventually he found him, sitting on a bench still in his clothes from last night, face once again ruddy from the cold. He sat next to him wordlessly.

"So," Keefe started.

"So," Tam replied, looking down at his lap.

"Tam I-" Keefe turned to face him. "I'm sorry about everything last night, I probably just made everything super awkward. Not to mention it's a giant violation of the friend code to even have a crush on your best friend's ex-"

"Yeah, about that."

"What?"

"You're gonna maybe kill me for this but uh," Tam pulled on his bangs. "I sorta talked to Fitz about it, I figured you wouldn't and apparently I was right. He said he was okay with it as long as we were ok with it."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Tam sighed, "Perhaps."

Keefe once again wore that shit-eating grin of his.

"Can I hear you say it?"

"Why don't you have to say it?"

"Already said it last night! Your turn now. Why did you take care of me while I was drunk?"

Keefe stared at Tam excitedly waiting for the answer. Tam sighed.

"Because I love you, little shit."

"Ooh you said it-"

Tam smashed his lips against Keefe's, both quickly melting into it. After only a moment they pulled away.

"Agh, you taste like gatorade and vomit."

"Well you taste like salt so really what's worse."

"Definitely the vomit."

Despite this, Tam leaned back in. This kiss was a moment longer than the last, and when Tam pulled away Keefe chased it.

"Ok, look I'm sorry but you look like shit Keefe you have to go change." Tam removed his jacket, throwing it around Keefe once again and helping him up from the bench. Keefe laughed.

"Yeah, you're right. Ooh now that we're a thing you need a new nickname!"

"I do?"

"You do, how about 'Bangs Boyf' ooh or maybe you can be my 'provoked partner' or my 'snappy spouse' my 'agitated accomplice' perhaps."

"Do you just have these ready and prepared for any situation?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets."

"You aren't Houdini, you're an 18-year-old boy that currently reeks of frat party."

"Eh that's basically the same thing. I've seen some 18-year-olds at frat parties preform tricks Houdini could never dream of."

Tam sighed dramatically. "It's a good thing you're pretty, you know."

"Hey!" Keefe jokingly shoved him.

For the first time Tam's smile wasn't repressed.

[mariamermaid]

Teacher´s Pet

Prof. Draco Malfoy x fem (Slytherin student) Reader

Summary: You start having somewhat of a relationship with your Professor…

Words: 5.4k

Warnings: implied smut, age difference, drinking, drug abuse, triggering relationship, kinda toxic

A/N: inspired by Melanie Martinez song. Read at own risk, since this isn´t the typical fluffy oneshot with many rather difficult topics…

 It all started out innocently.

Professor Malfoy had started last year in Hogwarts teaching potions, in your last year, he then became your teacher. Against much anticipation, he was a good Professor and within his first year, the comments behind his back became less and less. You were one of Slytherins top students, potion making was a game to you. Which was also why you never had much interest in it, however it changed when you raised to be Malfoys top list.

It was the last lesson of Friday, all standing against the weekend everybody secretly hoped for.

Draco sighed as he felt the eyes of his students lingering on the clock, waiting for the last minutes to go over soon. “Since I clearly have your full attention, Y/n would you mind answering the question?”

You quietly cleared your throat, looking up from the doodles on your notes. For seconds you and Professor Malfoy had eye contact, he waited patiently and under the stare of his blue-greyish eyes, you couldn´t help but bite your lip. Within the past weeks a scenario like this happened more often than you would ever admit. Potion remained to be the last class of the week; concentration levels often laid low.

Girls gushed over Draco behind his back, he was the most attractive teacher Hogwarts might have seen and the rumors about his younger looks back in his days, didn´t stop either.

“Yes, Professor.”

As per usual, you didn´t make any mistakes and Draco nodded approving, leaning back on his chair while folding his hands. He continued to make his appearance in a black suit, a tailored suit fitting perfectly while he struck down the halls of the wizard school. Unlike the girls talking behind his back, you watched him quietly. Draco announced the homework, which you all wrote down willingly before most of the students stormed off. With your friends, you packed your stuff together and left the room, Draco still seated. It was your last year in school, you didn´t wear the uniform and Draco subconsciously noticed how the tight skirt enhanced your curves. You were the last to leave, and before you glanced back, finding that Professor Malfoy was already staring at you. You offered him a rather polite last smile, but the quickly beating of your heart which followed, didn´t feel like “just polite”.

This was the day, you described as the beginning. Because the only word that came to your mind when remembering his stare, was lust.

 Caught the teacher giving his eyes to a student

Pouty, pretty cute, and she bit her lip back to him

 It was Sunday morning when Draco found you in the library. For once, you were actually studying potions. He couldn´t help but let out a chuckle. He didn´t know, that you were awoken by an all too real dream with him as the leading role. “Never imagined to find you with this book on a Sunday morning here.”

Or what he was doing to you in the dream.

You swallowed, the vivid images still in your mind. “Couldn´t sleep.”

He sat down to your opposite and you felt your heart beginning to beat faster and heat rising to your cheeks. “May I?” He pointed towards your notes and you passed them over. While he took them, his hand brushed against yours and a shiver ran down your spine. To be honest, you felt like a renaissance painting. The sun rays of the morning sun falling through the dusty windows with the hottest teacher sitting across the innocent student. While reading, he nodded approving while you began noticing awfully small details about him. The veins on his strong hands, small strands of his hair falling over his breath-taking eyes, his cologne smelling, how his tie sat so perfect, that you wanted to rip it off… wait what?

When he was finished, he handed you the notes back. “They´re good, but if you want, I can teach you to do a more skilled version of the potion mentioned here?”

You looked up, a surprised look on your face. You and Draco, alone. His words replayed in your mind like a broken record. Come one babygirl…

“Sure, how about Tuesday, I have the last period off?”

 Chewing on her nails and her pens while she's dreaming of him

And he's fucking in sin, You know he is

 Monday went by so awfully slowly, you wanted to start screaming. The only good thing was that Draco stopped by in your defense against the dark arts class, since he needed to talk about a conference with your teacher. However, while he waited so the teacher assigned you some spells to practice in the mean-time, his eyes laid on you. First, you thought it was an illusion your mind was playing on you, but then you glanced at him. He didn´t even move, waiting leaned against the wall and with his thumb, he was brushing against his lower lip. You noticed how the shirt under his jacket was an ever so dark green, it almost seemed black. It reminded you obviously of your, and his former house, Slytherin. None of the teacher would admit, but they all favored their old houses.

Dear Merlin, you prayed and your following reaction went by as you crossed your legs on the chair. A nudge from your friend brought you back into reality and you nodded quickly as you started practicing.

On Tuesday morning you took your extra time getting ready, also effected by the fact, that you couldn´t sleep anymore. With the night, came insecurities. He is your teacher, Y/N. He doesn´t want you like that. It´s all in your head. None of them stopped your from wearing your favorite leather skirt, which you usually only wore to parties, paired with a fishnet tights and a lose shirt with the Slytherin emblem on it.

Nadia, one of your closest friends watched you as you spun in your mirror a last time. “So, when are you going to tell me who the lucky guy is?” She asked grinning. You shook your head. “I think I need to figure some things about him first.” Nadia nodded, accepting the privacy you tried to keep. She knew you´d eventually talk if you were ready. Luckily for you, she didn´t even assume that your study date, wasn´t with a student today. You didn´t need to hide anything, Nadia knew you since your first day in Hogwarts, but something about your meeting with the Professor just felt forbidden. A sigh of relief escaped your mouth, because since your lesson yesterday, where Draco had stopped by, you were afraid of getting caught. You knew you shouldn´t be, nothing happened and the worst thing that could come out, is that you had a crush on the Professor half of the school had a crush on. But it continued to feel forbidden.

Then, finally the last lesson for the day was over, but your main event was just about to begin. You took a last breath before knocking at the door to his office. A simple “Come in”, followed. You never had been to Professor Malfoy´s office, he was a rather quiet teacher and kept everything besides the lesson to himself. Maybe you were just a little special?

He sat behind his large, dark wooden desk; his hands folded over his mouth as you entered. His blonde hair pushed back as usual. While he began some explaining, after you had sat down across from him. You studied the ingredients. To your left was a small pot and other utensils. The beginning went smooth and you began to wonder, what you were so nervous about. Something about being around him felt oh so natural to you. When you were 20 minutes into the potion making, you had to put in some beets, but they seemed to be not cuttable. Draco chuckled lowly and rose from his chair to walk over to you. “Like I said, it´s a tricky potion, mostly because the instruction in the book is a little off.” He leaned over your right shoulder and without any warning, not that it would have softened your inner shock, he took your hand holding the knife. “Here let me show you, that it is easier to press out the juice this way.” He remained standing next to you, you felt his breath on the skin of your neck. “Now the herbs”, he advised and pointed towards the small bottle of pre-mixed herbs on the table. You had to stand up to reach them, which you did, but when you turned back to the Professor, you underestimated the distance. Bumping into his chest, the small bottle glided out of your hands. But Draco always had been swift, his days as a seeker didn´t lay behind, and he caught the bottle with ease. A sharp breath escaped your mouth and within his movement, you leaned down as well. When his eyes flickered up, he found your face only inches away. Slowly the two of you ascended. You voice felt like a shaking mess when you opened your mouth. “I´m so sor-“

Draco put the bottle on the desk, then his hand came to the back of your neck to pull you in. His simple touch was enough, your body reacted alone and you drew yourself closer to his body. Your hands glided up on his chest, up to his neck, while one of his hands travelled down from your back until resting on your waist. His tongue slipped across your lip until you let him enter. Adrenaline kept shooting through your veins and when his strong hands arrived at your butt, you were sure that you had a heart disfunction. Without any warning, not that he was the type to warn you, Draco lifted you onto the desk. A few ingredients fell down, which didn´t seem to bother neither of you and while continuing to heavily kiss each other, you slowly leaned back on the table.

“Y/n”, Draco moaned in between kisses and the pure sound of his low voice gave you a grin.

“We shouldn´t be doing this.” He was right and yet you didn´t stop.

“Why not, Professor?” Your voice dripped like honey and when using the word Professor, you could´ve sworn he flinched. His hand quickly grabbed your neck and while he tilted your head closer to his face, you bit your lip. “I told no one that I´d be here today.”

“Fuck”, he groaned again and you felt something hardening between his legs…

 She said, "It's for all the right reasons, baby

Don't care 'bout grades, just call me your lady

If I pass this quiz, will you give me your babies?

Don't call me crazy

 You sat outside, Nadia and two of your other friends seated around a table with a bank. You all decided to study together for the upcoming exams, but your mind wasn´t functioning after the past day. Nadia pushed her pen into your side. “Huh?”

You flinched and looked at her irritated. “Are you even listening? You´ve been so distant lately?”

The other girls nodded agreeing. “Haven´t slept well, stress I guess.”

Luckily, they didn´t have time to question your excuse when a group of Slytherin guys approached. They had just finished their Quidditch practice, still glowing in an ever slightly sweat, only wearing tops with exposing their trained arms. Your friends immediately hushed, clearly interested in what they wanted. You caught eye of a certain Professor leaning against the wall from the hallway leading parallel to the yard. You blinked and suddenly leaned in to join the conversation as well.

“You know about our game on Saturday, we could use a little cheering.” Aaron asked, number one fuckboy of the school. “So, you´re saying you need us to win?” You asked provocatively, knowing well that Draco was watching you. Aaron let out a laugh and leaned closer to you. “No, but it would give us some motivation if we´d win some pretty girls like you.”

Usually you weren´t interested, especially since Aaron tried to hit on you since third grade. But now with him watching, you had suddenly the most interest in him since Merlin´s death. Even after what had happened, you were sure to show him, that you weren´t anybody´s to own.

You touched Aaron´s arm and started running up and town with your fingertips. “So, what do you expect from me when you win?” The eye contact you were establishing with him barely gave you enough view on Draco´s angry expression. “How about we talk about it on the party afterwards?”

One of Aarons tipped him anxiously on the shoulder. “Professor Malfoy is-“

“Schneider, aren´t you supposed to be in detention for punching some second grader?”

You didn´t know which look was better; Aarons face dropping when hearing about his punishment, your friends trying to hold in the laughter, or Professor Malfoy boiling in anger by your shameless flirting. Oh wait, you did know.

“Miss Y/L/N, you wanted some more information about the potion you asked me about?”

Scrambling together your study things, you stumbled after your Professor, offering your friends a sympathetic smile. “Sorry”, you mouthed them. But they had already focused on the remaining Quidditch boys, not even suspecting.

 You love me, but you won't come save me

Don't know why you even need me

Teacher's pet

If I'm so special, why am I secret?

Yeah, why the fuck is that?

 You entered the office after him, he hurried to close and even look the door. It was still the middle of the day. Immediately after he grabbed you, pushing you against the next best wall, your study pad fell to the floor. “What Professor, haven´t I been a good girl?”

He knew you were pushing it, but it worked, so why stop? “Maybe, if I was a bad student, you should give me attention as well?”

His hand ripped open the blouse with the green symbols on it, and his lips didn´t waste anytime and travelled down your body. “I have something else for in mind.”

A knock on the door let the both of startled. “Professor Malfoy? Draco?”

It was Professor Longbottom, he had recently started teaching as well. You knew that the two of them were together in school and Draco´s eyes were still widened when he pulled up his pants again, panic spreading.

“One second, Longbottom.”

He looked around, while you gathered your stuff. “The desk.” He advised and while you crawled under the luckily large desk which gave you a good hideout due to the many drawers, Draco sat down as well. With a wink of his wand the door was unlocked and swung open.

Neville and Draco had their differences back then, but now they seemed to almost get along. “Why did you lock the door?” He asked absent minded while bringing some files to the desk. You saw the shadows of his feet under the desk. “Some students had fun playing some pranks and I needed quiet to grade those papers.” You listened interested; your class had given some papers just last week which were supposed to get marked…

While the two teachers exchanged some courtesies, you realized that the fly of his pants was still opened. When your hand reached into the hole of his pants, you observed how Draco panic-stricken grabbed the rim of the desk. You could only imagine how much it took him to make Longbottom not notice anything.

The door closed behind Neville and Draco rolled back on his chair, his hand grabbing your wrist.

“What do you think you´re doing? Do you know what happens if we´ll get caught?” You ignored the comment and fluttered with your long lashes. “Are those our papers you have to mark?”

 Do you regret the things we shared that I'll never forget?

Well, do you? Tell me that

I know I'm young, but my mind is well beyond my years

I knew this wouldn't last, but fuck you, don't you leave me here

Teacher's pet

If I'm so special, why am I secret?

 You weren´t some kind of possession to win, you weren´t a cheerleader to dance after some whistle either. But you did clap each time Aaron shot a goal. And you then shot a daring glare over to the stand with the teachers seated. Afterall the Gryffindor´s had a difficult start to the season and Slytherin won. Which then led to the follow-up party hosted in the Slytherin Common Room. As so often within the past weeks, you had decided to wear something off-showing, a green silk dress. Aaron had tried to catch you immediately after the game, but you slipped away. You managed to get in four full cups of alcohol infused drinks, before Aaron caught up to you, a sheepish grin on his lips.

“We won”, he added. You let out a chuckle. “I saw that.”

His dark eyes scanned up and down your body. “You look good”, he commented and you nodded yet again. Poor Aaron, didn´t know that it wasn´t him to make you feel bold this evening.

One thing led to another and within the next ten minutes, you were in his lap casually enjoying a light make out session. You sighed, leaning back to get some distance from his thirsty lips. You knew as long as you remained in the safe walls of the common room, you wouldn´t get what you wanted.

Leaning closer to his ear, you whispered; “Let´s get out of here.”

Aaron was desperate, the grin he wore when people saw you two leaving together was disgusting you. You found a nice, quiet niche and landed back in his lap. “Aren´t you afraid of getting caught?” Aaron asked while placing wet kisses down your neck. “Nope.”

“Malfoy´s office is close.”

“I know.”

“Mister Schneider, Misses Y/L/N! Care to explain?”

Aaron flinched when hearing Professor Malfoy´s voice and slightly pushed you off his lap. But you stayed seated and leaned even closer to Aaron. “Detention, and 10 points get taken away from Slytherin, for each of you!”

Aaron wasn´t one to protest, or stand up for himself. He did however hurry back into his chamber.

“Detention?” You asked lingering and fetched the rim of his suit to pull him closer. “I´d prefer to get some private lessons to make up for it.”

But Draco pulled you up by your wrist, yanking you on your feet. “Don´t take this easily, Y/n. This is not a game, if people find out, I´ll lose my job and you´re probably getting expelled.”

 She's feeling like a spider in a cage

You liar, you were her desire

Now she wants to light you on fire

 He stared at the blank spot you had left behind. He remembered the pain in your eyes, the verge of tears. He knew it was a mistake, he had known from the very first second. But you were young and wild, like hurricane and he had reached the quiet middle. It had begun as a game, but Draco was just realizing, that things were getting out of control. He needed to end this, but how?

The entire weekend, no one saw you. Not your friends, not your roommates, not the other students or teachers. But you were there, hanging on his shadow like a ghost. It was driving you insane, what started out as fucking around with the Professor, had turned into more. You had fallen for him.

When you came to class on Monday, you didn´t look good. Deep dark circles under your matt eyes, no makeup, your skin pale. Everything you wished for, was to finish school and graduate as quickly as possible. So, you started focusing back on studying. It worked well and the first weeks after your recent encounter with Draco, you skipped the potion class.

It must have been around three weeks later, when Draco overheard your friends talking after class on Friday afternoon.

“No, I barely see her as well. She runs off after class claiming to study”, Nadia explained trying to keep quiet. “Study? She´s never at the library!” Amber added.

“You think it´s about Aaron?”

“Aaron´s a dickhead.”

The girls disappeared and Draco blinked, continuing to stare into the empty wall. He needed to talk to you, but if your friends didn´t even know where you were... It hit him like a brick, when remembering his not so pleasant school times; The room of requirements.

You didn´t want your friends to find you, but a weak, almost mute voice wanted Draco to find you. It was the only reason, why he was able to find the magical door that afternoon. Within the years, the room had begun to transform back into what it once was. Useless objects and furniture laying around, not in the amount it used to be. But Draco followed the music that played loudly on an old gramophone. Several school books and loose papers written with notes were spread on the floor around you. He spotted three empty wine bottles and who knew what was in the rolled cigarette hanging loosely from the corners of your mouth. Your eyes were fixed on the ceiling, which reminded you of a baroque church you had once visited. Draco accidentally dripped against an empty bottle, but you didn´t flinch or look up. Unsure of what exactly to do, Draco sat down a few feet next to you. He eyed the herb rests, which you had used. As a Professor, he could easily tell them apart.

To conclude; you were high.

“So that´s what you do when you don´t come to my class.”

Abruptly you sat up and fired glaring shots at him. Draco feared you would start screaming, so angry you looked, but then you suddenly relaxed again. “I´m studying different effects of certain herbs.”

Then a pause. The smoke you exhaled glided through the air. “What do you want?”

What did he want?

He came to talk, talk like an adult, about commitments, obligations and shit. But the moment he saw you, he melted. Was it the anger in your eyes, the puffy shadows from crying, your pouting lips or the air filled with smoke? Whatever it was holding him back, he threw the plan to talk into the trash.

“Wanna get high with me?”

 But fuck it, she'll still give you a call

And a lighter when you wanna get high

And mess around 'til you get numb

She said, "It's for all the right reasons, baby

Don't care 'bout grades, just call me your lady

If I pass this quiz, will you give me your babies?

Don't call me crazy

 The clock from the astronomy tower tolled midnight. You laid in Draco´s arm on the satin couch in the room of requirements. A simple blanket covering to two of you. The breathing calmed down slowly while your fingertips traced circles on his bare chest.

Oh, you knew why he had come to find you. Talk, talk, talk. All bullshit.

Your fantasies about your Professor had turned, it wasn´t purely physical, you wanted to go on dates. Go out. Stay in. Hold hands.

After all, you should’ve seen it coming. It was inevitable.

Draco opened his mouth; his thoughts had spiraled over the same topic obviously.

You sat up. “Don´t, Draco.”

Turning to face him, your hand traced along the side of his face, to his jawline and stopped at his chest, where his hand caught yours. “You never said my name.”

Because he wasn´t Draco to you before, he was Professor Malfoy.

“Draco”, you repeated.

“Y/n.”

“Professor Malfoy.” His lazy smile dropped.

“158.”

“What?” Draco sat up as well, pushing strand of your hair back. “In 158 days I will graduate.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “From Monday on, I will come to every class. I will call you Professor, I will answer the questions, but out of the class. We will not talk. Not for school, not private.”

You slipped away from the warmth of the blanket, swinging your legs over the couch and gathering your clothes.

“But you will wait all 158, until I´m done with you. Because I´m not your pet to fuck around with.”

 You love me, but you won't come save me

You got a wife and kids, you see them daily

Don't know why you even need me

Teacher's pet

If I'm so special, why am I secret?

Yeah, why the fuck is that?

Do you regret the things we shared that I'll never forget?

Well, do you? Tell me that

I know I'm young, but my mind is well beyond my years

I knew this wouldn't last, but fuck you, don't you leave me here

Teacher's pet

If I'm so special, why am I secret?

 158… 150… 130… 113… 100… 76… 43… 28… 10…

Every beginning was hard, and so was the beginning of the countless days as it felt to you. But even so one, the nights where you silently cried yourself to sleep became less and your unsteady heartbeat towards the potion classes became dead silent. Every ounce of feeling you had left, you buried, literally. A shirt you had once stolen, notes from him, everything. You burned it on a full moon night and dug a deep hole in the forest, swearing under your heavy breath.

One day 15 you told Nadja. She was clearly shocked to begin with, but after she heard every detail, she hugged you tightly. Explaining that she would never judge you due to that fact. She asked why you hadn´t told her earlier, why you went through the biggest part of your heartbroken times alone. You didn´t have an answer though.

Your parents were very pleased by your sudden interest to graduate as possibly best. Often had they criticized your party behavior, both being pureblooded Slytherins. However, your grades went only up through your heavy studying, as you came back to mind, you realized that Draco, wasn´t the best teacher. In his possession you found last notes from the half-blood prince, important hints to good potion-making. Why he hadn´t taught anyone them? Who knew. You didn´t question him though and you both held the promise. None of you talked to each other.

It was day five. The last exams were over and your last days in school were spent by playing pranks, parties, cozy get-togethers and cutting class. You found yourself to appreciate the beauty of school, friends and young-adulthood again, knowing well that time was almost up.

Then the graduation ball; a truly beautiful evening.

Together with your girlfriends you got ready, without magic, without talking or gossiping. It was all on the memories you had made together. You wore a long golden dress, absolutely ball worthy fitted with green details, representing your house a last time. Before the doors to the great hall, you all took a deep breath. It was then when you caught an eye of Professor Malfoy. He stood aside, looking out the window, eyes focused on the astronomy tower. “I´ll catch up to you”, you explained and Nadia threw you a worried glance, when she noticed the Professor as well. But you shrugged and stepped closer to him. A feeling of nostalgia drew you to him and for the first time, it felt like you were actually strong enough to face him. 

Without turning his eyes from the window, he spoke up. “You look stunning.”

He must have seen you through the reflection and you remembered times where your heart would jumped at a comment like this.

“I looked through your exams, you did very well, better than I back then.”

“My grades were never depending from your teaching or yourself.”

“I know.” Finally, he turned away from the window to face you. But you stood still and sturdy. “I appreciate how you didn´t tell anybody.” 

“You should focus more on your teaching methods than your students.”

He paused, still struck back by your stern expression. “I guess I always learned more from you, than you from me”, he chuckled. It was the first time in a long time that you heard his voice chuckle and even you cracked a small smile.

“I wanted to give you this.” He gave you a dark satin bag, and you immediately opened your mouth to protest. He didn´t give you a chance to do so and placed a kiss on your cheek, before wandering back into the halls of Hogwarts. Was it a goodbye? Maybe.

You carefully opened the small bag, which revealed a golden necklace with a crystal? No… It seemed to be a diamond. Not sure how to assess the present, you put it back in the bag. You had every right to be angry for the expensive present, but surprisingly you weren´t.

A gust of different feelings hit you instead, some bad, other on a more positive side. But you weren´t going into detail with them, it was your evening and you were planning on enjoying it. You had given up too much energy on bad things.

 Gimme back my money

Didn't learn a damn thing, honey, from you

Except how to lie and cheat while inside the sheets

Stop calling me your bunny

I won't hop and you don't own me

Do you? I bet you think you do

Well, you don't

 16 days over the margin of the days between breakup and graduation, you had spent your weeks in freedom at your parents. Technically seen, it was all over, at least you thought so. You met up with Nadia and other friends, even ran into Aaron in London. And even though it had barely been to weeks, it already felt like years to you. Facing now new duties, you had started thinking about a job, but you hadn´t decided yet. If it was up to your parents, you were basically up to marry (preferably a pureblood). You argued against that in a strong matter, like you so often did, but they did still throw a little after graduation party for you. Most of your friends, as well as their families came. But even more friends from your parents were invited. It was more a show-off event. 

You had settled on a simple black dress for the evening, but your mind then slipped to Draco´s present and it might have been stupid, but you decided to wear it. When you walked down the stairs, most of the guests had already arrived. Your eyes fell to your group of friends and you smiled at them. But firstly, you joined your parents, both of them complimenting on your looks, but then you noticed the third person standing with them. You recognized her. “Y/n, this is Narzissa Malfoy.”

Your smiled twitched, but you kept it up. For your own sake mostly. “We think you should really meet her son; he is still single.”

You rolled your eyes at your mother´s comment. But then Narzissa spoke up, she didn´t seem to bothered about the rather unfitting comment. She wore the grey, black strands of hair in an elegant updo, but she seemed exhausted. You knew that the Malfoy´s had avoided the public long, it didn´t need to be explained why. “I think you already know him, wasn´t he your Professor?”

You swallowed. “Yeah.”

Wondering for a second, if she knew something, or if she knew the necklace you were wearing. If she did, she didn´t give it away. “Draco, come here, would you?”

She waved and the tall blonde joined your small group. You hadn´t seen him before, which made you somewhat proud. You weren´t anymore too focused on him. And even though he was a guest in your house for your party, he still seemed surprised. Maybe he had hoped to avoid you. For a split second he starred at the necklace and his eyes glistened.

“Y/n.” “Professor.”

Your mother nudged your side. “He isn´t your teacher anymore, I don´t think he minds you calling him by his first name.” She whispered, but was still loud enough for every one to hear.

Oh, he wouldn´t.

Your father smiled awkwardly at your mother´s behavior, pulling her slightly away. “I think Y/n, is in good hands, we should greet the other guests.”

Left alone with Malfoy, you took a few steps away from the crowd.

“They´re right, I´m not your teacher anymore.” Draco cleared his throat. It was like he was actually trying to say something, but nothing followed. 

“But am I still your pet?”

 Teacher's pet

If I'm so special, why am I secret?

Yeah, why the fuck is that?

Do you regret the things we shared that I'll never forget?

Well, do you? Tell me that

I know I'm young, but my mind is well beyond my years

I knew this wouldn't last, but fuck you, don't you leave me here

Teacher's pet

@feelthefeelingsinsideyou @illuminateshawnm  @imaginesforlotsofthings @suburbiasqueen

[agent-breakdance]

(Icarus Ch. 3) - Flashbacks and Flashcards

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F! MC (Olivia Anika Cohen)

Word count: 2.3k words

A/N: This chapter will be slightly less angsty than usual. Hope you guys enjoy the little bit of respite but don’t worry, we’ll be getting right back to it in the next chapter which happens to be the last of the series. There is a sequel in the works, however.

Warning: Language, mentions of drug abuse, gratuitous use of flashbacks. 

Disclaimer: PB owns characters. There’s lots of Grey’s Anatomy references with some dialogue borrowed from Open Heart.

Tag list:  @deliciouslydeafeningstarlight​​ @drethanramslay​​ @ohramsey​​ @theeccentricbibliophile​​ @justanotherrookie​​ @kaavyaethanramsey​​ @batgirlassociationofgothamcity​​ @tyrilstarfury​​ @lilypills​​ @juneiswriting​​ @fleur-de-jasmin-fdj​​ @mvalentine​​ @sanchita012​​ @choicesstan1​​ @junggoku​​ @aylamreads​​ @whatsamottowithyou​​ @utterlyinevitable​​ @openheart12​

Let me know if you’d like to be added or removed.

Song: Uncover by Zara Larsson.

Olivia was seated in another one of Professor Hardman’s lectures as he went completely off-topic. This time, however, she had found ways to keep herself occupied. Her eyes scanned the room only to find dozens of students dozing off, including Tobias. Her eyes finally landed on Ethan. 

He felt her eyes on him and turned to look at her. She saw as his lips quirked up in a small smile. She had no doubt that he was remembering the events that had occurred starting off with their ‘talk’.

Olivia was very curious upon receiving a mysterious text from Ethan asking her to meet him “you know where”. She stared at the text as she arrived outside the abandoned lecture hall. There was no sign of him anywhere. Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her inside the room and shutting the door. She let out a relieved sigh upon facing him.

“You figured it out, huh Rookie?” 

“Well, it was pretty obvious considering this is the only place we’ve ever been alone. Why’d you ask me here anyway?”

“I thought we might need to talk about what happened.” Ethan said.

Olivia laughed. “Uh huh. What do you want to talk about? I thought everything was pretty obvious.” 

“How about you make it completely clear so I don’t make a fool of myself?” 

“Now, that I’d like to see.” Olivia chuckled and earned a glare from Ethan which promptly dissolved into a smile at her next words.

“We’re dating, Ethan.”

He crossed the distance between them and captured her lips in a kiss. Her breathing grew ragged as the kiss deepened but they both pulled back with a smile before getting too carried away. 

“I don’t mean any disrespect but would you mind if we keep this to ourselves for now? I don’t want all of our friends teasing us about it.” Ethan asked. 

“I was going to suggest it if you weren’t.” Olivia said with a smile. 

“I guess we’re a lot more alike than we thought.”

The rest of the week was filled with secret rendezvous at ‘their spot’ and a lot of secret texting. Ethan hated texting but he made an exception for their situation and for her.  

There had been a lot of close calls where they had almost been discovered by Tobias or the rest of their friends or the janitor (oops?) but the thrill of secrecy only amplified the excitement of their relationship. 

Tobias suddenly woke up. He saw Olivia trying to discreetly look in his direction and smiled. At that moment, he was completely oblivious to Ethan sitting to his left.  Her gaze fell on his and she quickly averted her eyes. Her mind started racing as she prayed that Tobias hadn’t seen her little interaction with Ethan. She let out a quiet sigh of relief as she heard the professor dismiss the class. 

“Saved by the bell. Well, metaphorically.” She thought.

***

As the evening rolled around, they decided to end the week by getting drunk at their neighborhood bar.  

“What can I get ya?” The waitress asked as she approached the table.

“Liv, we doing this?” Bryce asked. Olivia gave him a grin and looked around the table. Aurora groaned and flopped her head onto the table. Jackie had a smug grin on her face, Elijah wore an excited smile and Sienna muttered to herself.

“Not again...”

Her gaze landed on the terrified expressions of Ethan and Tobias and she gave Bryce a nod.

Before Ethan could place an order with the waitress, Bryce got up and walked to the bar and Olivia thanked the waitress but refused her service.

She was met with confused stares from Ethan and Tobias. 

“What’s going on, Liv?” They asked simultaneously. 

Their question was soon answered as Bryce arrived at the table with a tray lined with glasses filled with the familiar blue liquid. 

“What on God's green earth is that monstrosity?” Ethan asked. 

“This is a drink of my own invention. I call it ‘Early Onset Alzheimer’s’. In honor of a couple of new additions to our group.” Bryce grinned.

“Please tell me I don’t actually have to drink this.” Ethan whispered to Olivia.

“Oh you’ll be fine. You can order your ‘scotch, neat’ later.” 

“How did you know that was my poison?” 

“The time I met Tobias at the bar, I noticed your drink. You should know by now not to underestimate me.” Olivia winked at him.  

“Indeed, Rookie.” He smiled as he tossed back the drink. 

Everyone except Bryce groaned as they set down their glasses.

“That was vile, Lahela. Remind me never to accept a drink from you ever again.” Ethan said.

They all laughed as Tobias flagged down the waitress to take their actual orders.   

An hour passed as they all got progressively more drunk. By the end of their fourth round of drinks, they had gone through a whole bottle of tequila and were now using it to play Truth or Dare upon Olivia’s suggestion.

She spun the bottle and it landed on Bryce. 

“Truth or Dare, Bryce?” 

“Dare.”

Upon seeing the mischievous smirk on Olivia’s face, he groaned. “I do not like this at all.” 

Her eyes darted around the bar and lit up when she saw Professor Hardman at the bar counter.

“You have to go ask Prof. Hardman about his trip to Australia.” Olivia said which earned hoots from around the table.

“What did I ever do to you, Liv? That man could talk for hours about Australia.” 

They all laughed as they saw Bryce engage in conversation with the professor.

“Well, he won’t be back for at least an hour or so. Let’s play!” Sienna said.

They played a few more rounds which consisted of Jackie guzzling hot sauce, Elijah calling up his crush to explain the rules of monopoly and Aurora successfully intimidating the first person Jackie had picked out for her into giving her his number. 

Bryce returned to the table after a grueling hour and a half. 

The bottle landed on Ethan. “Truth or Dare?”

“I suppose if I’m being forced to play this ridiculous game where my fate depends on an empty bottle and the mercy of your creativity, I will pick truth.”

“Do you have a crush on anyone at the university?” Bryce asked with a smirk.

Ethan and Olivia shared an imperceptible smile. She quickly looked away only to meet Sienna’s eyes.

Olivia walked back to her dorm, her mind still swirling from the flashbacks to Ethan telling her about his own past and the kiss. She stepped into her room only to find papers and textbooks strewn about on the floor, waking her from her rumination. 

“Hey Liv!” She heard Sienna’s voice as her head poked out from under a pile of books. Olivia sat down next to Sienna. 

“What’s that?” Sienna pointed to a white piece of cloth poking out from her coat pocket.

The bold monogram ‘EJR’ stood out perfectly in the white background. 

“Aren’t those Ethan’s initials? I’ve seen them on his lab coat.”

Olivia remained silent as her mind raced to come up with a logical explanation. “Yeah, it’s Ethan’s handkerchief. I had an accident in the lab and he gave it to me to wipe up the blood on my hands.”

“Uh huh. There’s no blood on the handkerchief, Liv.”

Olivia tried to come up with an excuse but she finally relented and narrated the encounter, save for the details of both their traumas.

Sienna exclaims and rushes over to hug her. “So, Mr. Stick Up His Ass, huh?” Sienna waggles her eyebrows jokingly. 

Olivia laughs and playfully pushes her. “Turns out he’s not so bad.”

Ethan’s eyes flit to Olivia for a second.

“I suppose it was too much to expect a decent question from you. But to answer your question, no I do not.”

“Aw, you’re no fun.” Bryce said. 

He handed the bottle over to Jackie and watched as she spun it. It landed on Tobias. 

“Truth or Dare, Tobias?”

“I think all the tequila is giving me some liquid courage. I’ll go with dare.” Tobias said.

“I dare you to kiss the most attractive person in the bar.” Jackie said as the table cheered him on.

Tobias stood up as all eyes remained trained on him. He walked over to Olivia and kissed her, eliciting hoots and hollers from the table. 

Ethan’s eyes widened and flashed with jealousy but he quickly composed himself. 

“He cheated! I’m obviously the most attractive person here.” Bryce said in mock anger. 

Olivia laughed as they broke apart. Her eyes flit over to Ethan and she gave him an amused smile, taking note of his jealousy.

Bryce walked over and pulled Tobias in for a kiss. 

“There! Now it’s fixed.” Bryce said with a smile.

The table erupted in laughter at Tobias’ shocked expression. 

“Ok guys, we’ve all officially had too much to drink. We should go.” Olivia said, chuckling. 

They made it back to their respective dorms after last call. Olivia and Sienna stepped into their dorm and closed the door behind them.

Sienna stepped into the bathroom to freshen up when her phone lit up with a call. 

Olivia made her way to the phone upon Sienna’s instruction and read the caller ID.

“So are you and Ethan a thing now?” Sienna asked.

“We haven’t talked about it yet. It was just a kiss.” 

“For now.” Sienna smirked.

Their conversation was cut short by the ring of Sienna’s phone. She glanced at the screen and hesitated before putting her phone away.

“Everything alright?”  

Sienna sadly shook her head. 

“That was my ex- boyfriend. He’s a drug addict. We were supposed to go to med school together but his addiction got so bad that he wasn’t able to take any tests and got expelled. I tried so hard to help him but he refused to go to rehab or even NA meetings.” Her eyes glistened with tears.  

 “I couldn’t take it anymore so I had to break up with him. But now, he keeps calling me to tell me that he’s finally in rehab and he wants to get back together but I can’t do it again, Liv. I just can’t.”

She breaks down crying as Olivia envelops her in a hug.

“It’s alright, Si. You don’t have to. You’re allowed to focus on yourself now. He has other people to lean on.”

“You’re right.” She grabs her phone and blocks the number. 

“I have Grey’s Anatomy cued up. Do you want to watch?” Sienna asks with a small smile on her face. 

“You bet.”

“Si, it says it’s the sponsor.” Olivia called out. 

Sienna answered the phone, a curious expression on her face. She returned a minute later. 

“It was his sponsor telling me he just had a relapse. I told her that we had broken up and gave her his sister’s number. It was the best I could do.”

“You did great, Si. I was going to watch Grey’s Anatomy. Do you want to join me?” Olivia asked with a smile on her face.  

Sienna’s face lit up with a laugh and she nodded resolutely.

***

The next morning, they had all gathered on the cool, grassy lawn to study for their first big test. 

They quizzed each other from question banks and flashcards that Jackie and Aurora had procured from second year students using a little intimidation.

“This would be easier with some tequila”, Jackie said.

“I think we had enough of that yesterday night.” Olivia said, giving Bryce a pointed look. 

“Alright, symptoms of appendicitis?” Aurora questioned.

“Sudden pain in the right side of the lower abdomen, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite,constipation or diarrhoea and abdominal bloating.” Ethan listed them in rapid succession. 

“Also, a low grade fever that may worsen as the illness progresses.” Olivia said. 

Ethan shook his head with a small smile as she smirked at him.

As Elijah read out another question, Tobias leaned over to Olivia.

“Are you my appendix? Because I have a funny feeling in my stomach that makes me feel like I should take you out.” 

Olivia doubled over with laughter. She heard the tail end of Sienna’s answer to Elijah’s question about tachycardia. 

“That was funny but I think I can do better.”

“Blood is red, cyanosis is blue, I get tachycardia when I think of you.” Olivia said. 

“Oh that was pretty good, Liv but get this- What do you and a febrile patient have in common? You’re both hot.” Bryce said.

The morning passed as they laughed together, trying out pick-up lines on each other. Tobias offered to pick up lunch for everyone and dragged Ethan along with him to the taco truck across the street from the quad.

They laughed, talked and occasionally studied till evening rolled around. They hadn’t gotten much done for the test so Sienna suggested that they pair up to quiz each other.

She decided that the pairs were going to be Bryce and Aurora, Jackie and Tobias, herself and Elijah and… Olivia and Ethan. 

As they moved to join their counterparts, Sienna threw Olivia a wink over her shoulder which she repaid with a grateful smile.

A semblance of privacy gave Ethan and Olivia the chance to talk.

“So, Sienna knows about us?” Ethan questioned.

Olivia winced. “I’m sorry. I had your handkerchief and she figured it out.”

“For once, I really don’t seem to mind.” Ethan said with a small smile. “Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for those ridiculous pick-up lines they were using on you.”

“Seems like that really bothered you…” Olivia said with the ghost of a smile on her face.

“Uh…only because they were ridiculous.” He said with a flustered expression. 

“Oh, I’m sure.” She laughed.

“Can we get back to studying, please?” He said as he cleared his throat.

A while later, Tobias approached Olivia and Ethan. 

“Can I join you guys? Jackie asked me very kindly to fuck off because I was talking too much.” 

Olivia and Ethan burst out laughing before nodding and making some space for him.

As they were getting back to their studying, Tobias’ expression turned serious. 

“Liv, can we talk?”

Chapter 4: Dear John

[edda-blattfe]

Get this: the faculty (Grim and Lucius included) ending up in our world while Crowley ends up panicking because the mirror is not working.

Oh my gawd

Those seven having to exist in one apartment at the same time is a disaster waiting to happen. I love it!!! 😂🤣😂🤣

Crowley: Thank you gentlemen for helping me test the new mirror portal system. Today we have proven that travel to alternate universe is not only possible but also reliable! Now, if you’ll follow me back through. School will be starting so- *his hand comes in contact with solid glass* .....Oh no..

Ashton: Everything ok boss?

Crowley: Just some..uh, technical difficulties! Yes, it shouldn’t be a problem. *is frantically trying to reactivate the mirror portal*

*Sam and Divus exchange looks*

Mozus: *looking even more severe than usual* Pray tell, Headmaster, what exactly do you mean by technical difficulties?

Crowley: Ahem.....well, you see...it *mutters underbreath*

Mozus: I am afraid I could not hear you. Would you care to repeat yourself, Headmaster.

Crowley:.....The mirror portal deactivated.

Grimm: WHAT?!?! You stranded us in a different world?!?!

Sam: How’d the demon rat get here?

Divus: More importantly. Who is going to make sure those rabid puppies we call students don’t burn down the school in our absence?

.........

Ashton: We really should’ve left someone on the other side of the portal.

Mozus: *shaking* You think so?!

The Staff + Grimm and Lucius Reacting/Staying in our World

- First off. YIKES!!

- Mozus is so close to snapping a neck, even Lucius is a little scared of him right then and there. Just imagine being in your 50s and being stuck in a world without any work history, savings, or anything of the sort!

- Sam is the one who suggests they take a look around while Crowley and Grimm stay behind with the mirror. The idea was that it would give the Headmaster time to figure out what was going on and fix it. Instead it turned out to be a reconnaissance mission.

- *Cue “The Devil is a Part-timer” learning how to survive on earth sequence, except with five full grown men, a cat, and some mutant rat thing sharing a small apartment cause none of them have the A+ luck Azul is blessed with.*

- Crowley and Grimm are under house arrest until the mirror is fixed, while everyone else is working to keep a roof over their heads and food in the fridge. Adjusting to life on earth wasn’t easy, but they managed. Ashton got a job at one of the nearby gyms, Divus found work at a high end clothing store, and Mozus got hired at a bookstore. Where Sam has been working is a mystery to the rest, but, so long as he comes back with rent money, they don’t care.

- Despite literally handling the merchandise every day, Sam and the others never learn about Disney. Their only priority is getting the hell out of this world and back to their own homes so they won’t have to wait fourty five minutes for Divus and Ashton to finish their grooming rituals in the morning!

- Back at the apartment, Lucius would have never wanted anything to do with someone who wasn’t Mozus. However, spending so much time alone with Crowley has caused fluffy-mc-grumpy-pants to warm up to birb dad. One day Mozus came home to find his precious baby curled up in the lap of the headmaster. Prof. Trein has never felt so betrayed in all his adult life.

- Grimm hasn’t given up on trying to escape his communal prison. He succeeded, once. They’re pretty sure he’s the reason their upstairs neighbor had a heart attack and won’t let the little rat forget it.

- When the portal reopens (thanks to Malleus) everyone rushes in, not caring what happens to the apartment or the food in the fridge. They feel SO DONE. But their day has only just begun! They need to get to work fixing all the broken walls and catching the students up on all of the classes they missed.

[schrijverr]

I Wrote My Own Deliverance

Chapter 2 out of 10

Alexander Hamilton is reborn as Alex Hambleton. He is desperate not to make the same mistakes twice, but it seems he is stuck in the narrative, unable to get out. Familiar faces pop up all around him as he attempts to keep his previous life a secret and write himself out of the story.

On AO3.

Ships: none

Warnings: Mild homophobia, beginning and ending indicated with a *. Tell me if I missed anything or if you want me to tag something!!

~~~~~~~~~~

Over the course of the first semester he fell into a nice rhythm, wherein he spend most of his days cooped up in the library or following his courses. He and Aaron rarely spoke, but they had fallen in a sort of camaraderie where they proof read each others work and studied in silence.

Alex was lucky that he did not share any classes with former acquaintances, since he was still a spit-fire, ready to argue with anyone about his beliefs and that would come back to bite him sooner or later.

The fact that it was working, should have alerted Alex that it was going to come crashing down, but alas he was oblivious when he exited his dorm near the end of the first semester.

*

He was trudging over the field when he heard a posh voice preach: “Homosexuality is a sin. It is unnatural and the people who follow the Devil will meet them in Hell.”

Alex stopped and did a double take.

As much as he tried to keep out of too much trouble in public, this guy got on his nerves more then anything and it did not seem that anyone in the crowd was about to say something to the guy.

So, he hauled his poly bisexual ass over there and got ready to fight.

“Homosexuality is a lot more natural than your haircut, fuckface.” he called out loudly, not missing the relieved slump in some of the bystanders that were glad someone else had stood up first.

“Excuse me?” the fuckface in question replied.

“Same-sex couples have been identified in nearly every species on the planet, reincarnations have kept their gender identity and sexual orientation over many lives and countless of bodies. Just because you’re ignorant and stupid, doesn’t mean you can go around insulting people who are just existing.” he said.

Fuckface was starting to say something back, but Alex just steamrolled forwards: “Not to mention how redundant Hell is when we have verified reincarnations, just because someone remembered a past life and interpreted it as a vision, doesn’t mean it’s true.”

He glanced around and added: “No offense to religious people, of course, just that you cannot force your beliefs on anyone else and I’m not even going to start the argument of how cruel God would be to send his saved souls back.”

People were rallying behind him as fuckface started to look more and more uncomfortable on his little box.

“I would tell you to suck my dick, but alas I have standards.” Alex said, “Now, if you excuse me, you can shove your backwards and ignorant ideals up your ass and pray for forgiveness, since you are not really loving your neighbor as thyself.”

*

And with that he marched away, not caring that the guy was getting mobbed by the fired up bystanders.

He didn’t get far though, before he was stopped. A friendly freckled face smiled: “Hey man, I really appreciate that, I was about to give him a meeting with my fist, but perhaps better that I didn’t. Sorry, I’m Jonathan Lawson, call me John.”

Alex smiled back, mentally cursing himself for being caught unaware, as he replied: “Alex Hambleton, pleasure.”

Johns eyes grew wide and this was exactly what he had wanted to avoid. Trying to save himself the lie, he asked: “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”

“No, sorry, just a familiar name.” John smiled back sadly, excitement falling of his face.

“Ah, I got that before, always awkward.” Alex assured him, “I was on my way to the library.”

“Hey, me as well, I was meeting two friends there, I’m probably late.” John answered, “Here, I’ll walk with you.”

“Sorry for holding you.” Alex said, starting to walk.

“Nah, don’t worry, if you hadn’t shown up I would have fought the guy and I would have been even later.” John grinned and, by god, Alex had missed that smile, “You being there will be the best explanation anyway.”

“Glad to be of service.” Alex grinned back, a pang in his heart that he couldn't hug his Laurens.

Alex had been right that Herc and Laf would be the people waiting for John. Their eyes widened when they came into view and Alex pretended he didn’t see the small shake of the head John gave them and how sad they looked afterwards.

Instead he smiled and stuck out his hand as he introduced himself: “Alex, nice to meet ya. I am here to verify that John has a valid excuse for being late.”

And that was Johns cue to jump in: “Yes, you see there was this asshole, and when I say asshole I mean asshole.”

“Homophobic asshole.” Alex added for him.

John nodded: “And you know me, I wasn’t about to let that slide, but then before I could punch him Alex here jumped in and he verbally ripped him apart, which was glorious and probably better since now I’m not bleeding or at a police station and somewhat semi-on time.”

Lafayette and Herc looked back and forth between them, then Herc sighed and said: “Of fucking course, anyway I am Hercules, but call me Herc.”

“And I am Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Marquis de La Fayette, but everyone just calls me Lafayette or Laf.” Laf grinned, shaking Alexs hand excitedly.

“It’s a pleasure.” it hurt Alex to let go of Lafs hand after that.

“So are you a reincarnate?” Laf asked.

Alex forced himself to look surprised and scandalized. To ask about someones past life was similar to asking ones sexual orientation, it wasn’t that weird, but also not really a socially accepted thing to do.

“Oh, desolé, I forget you Americans don’t ask that.” Lafayette smiled innocently, but Alex had known the other long enough not to trust it.

“No problem, but no, not as far as I am aware.” he lied smoothly, feeling slightly bad at their crestfallen expressions, “But you’re French? Je parle français!”

Lafs eyes lit up as he spouted it in quick French: “Quelqu'un d'autre qui parle la plus belle langue du monde! ”

“Je dois dire que j'aime beaucoup ça, oui.” Alex grinned.

“Hey, no excluding.” John pouted.

“Don’t you speak French too, John?” Herc asked.

“I used to, but I forgot.” John grimaced.

“Anyway, as fun as this is, I still have an essay to finish and a few sources to find.” Alex changed the subject. It was fun to see his friends, but it hurt that it couldn't stay like this and every moment was a moment he could slip up.

“Same, here I’ll come with you.” John offered, “We were planning on studying already. One more person at the table won’t hurt.”

Alex hesitated, then gave in.

One day wouldn’t hurt, right?

Wrong.

One day turned into two, turned into a week and before he knew it he had befriended all three of them to the point of no return.

He wasn’t complaining, because being here with his friends, alive and in the flesh, was amazing, but it got increasingly harder not to join in whenever they made references or jokes only past him would have gotten.

Naturally he pouted about exclusion and Lafayette would give him a kiss on the cheek as he apologized and changed topics, never explaining.

It was good, especially when they found out they all took American History together next semester, which was given by Professor Washburn. Not hard to figure out who that would be, given, well given everything so far.

They were all excited of course, but Alex was more nervous than anything. Would he be able to keep his mouth shut when faced with Washington?

Seemingly he was not the only one who had put together who their teacher was. When he entered the room with John and Laf both gave the man a lazy salute while Herc nodded at him, Alex settled on looking confused hoping to avoid any conversation.

Washingtons eyes widened and John said: “Hey, Alex, save me a seat, I wanna talk to the prof for a sec.”

“Yeah, me too.” Laf added.

Herc and Alex didn’t ask questions, just waved them off. Alex watched closely as his two friends greeted Washington. The man grinned broadly and he clasped both on their shoulders, sending a pang of longing and jealousy through Alex, before it was replaced by fear as Washington gestured over to him.

Lafayette and John shook their head sadly and said something to Washington that Alex couldn't make out as Washington nodded in reply, a small sad frown on his face.

The three said their goodbyes, before Laf and John made their way back. Alex couldn't help, but ask: “So, what was that about?”

“Oh, nothing much really.” John tried to avoid the topic.

“Why did you point at me?” Alex asked, god why did he always have to know everything? Make sure everything was going as planned?

“Because.” John answered.

“That’s not really a reason honestly.” Alex told him.

“Just let it go, alright?” John said.

“Laf?” Alex turned to the Frenchman.

Laf in turn shrugged: “It’s a past life thing, mon ami, we knew him. He thought he recognized you, but we explained, so that it wouldn’t be awkward.”

“Ah, thank you.” Alex said, curiosity sated and suspicions confirmed, “Why was that so hard to say?”

John threw his hands up in the air and snapped: “Because you are really similar to someone we knew and it still kinda sucks that you either aren’t him or aren’t remembering.”

Then he got up and sat somewhere else, the pit of guilt already forming in Alex stomach, he just had to keep fucking up, didn’t he?

Herc noticed and tried to comfort him: “Don’t take it to personally, Alex. You’re still great and we’re glad we know you. John was just close with the other Alex, well, Alexander.”

It didn’t really help and Alex just nodded, deciding to just keep his head down for now, not wanting more attention then necessary right now. Especially knowing who was standing in front of the board.

Of course the intention of keeping his head down did not last long and before he was really aware of what he was doing, he was ripping into this kid, Chris something or whatever. It didn’t matter, he was dumb and his opinions were shit, and Alex was letting him know.

“How on earth can you think that General Gates would have been a better leader for the Revolution instead of, oh, I don’t know, the Father of Founding Fathers, General and President Washington, who lead the American troops to victory?” he argued angrily.

“Washington took unnecessary risks and suffered many humiliating defeats that General Gates could have prevented.” the other kid sniffed.

“Those risks, as you like to call them, paid off.” Alex spat, “You’re sitting here because of them, deserving or not, and I suggest you pay better attention so you can realize how absurdly wrong you are.”

It looked like the kid was going to say something else, but before he could, John had stood up and threatened: “If you don’t keep your fucking mouth shut, it will meet my fist. Don’t test me.”

“Mr.-” Washington began.

“Lawson, sir.” John supplied

“Mr. Lawson, as much as I can appreciate discussions, I have to ask you keep the violence to yourself since it will not be condoled in this classroom.” Washington said.

John sat down, but he’d kept glaring at the Chris kid for the rest of the lecture. Though he seemed to have cooled down at the end and less angry at Alex since he joined them again while walking out of class.

“Hey, sorry for overstepping earlier.” Alex told him, just in case.

“It’s alright, just fresh wounds, I shouldn’t have snapped at you.” John replied, he’s always had a big heart, “Besides, you made it up by fucking up that stupid Charles kid.”

“Charles? I thought he was named Chris.” Alex said, putting together why the argument had felt familiar, and getting a few snorts.

“You got really into that debate.” Lafayette said, a silent push to explain hung unsaid in the air.

Alex shrugged: “I’m an immigrant, I tried my whole life to get onto American soil, read all about the history and it irks me that privileged fucks like that don’t realize how fucking lucky they are to be born here. I know the Founding Fathers did some fucked up shit, of course, but, I don’t know, it’s hard to explain.”

“Nah, I get it.” John slung an arm around his shoulders and pulled him a side hug. Alex went willingly, the novelty at being allowed to do this was still amazing.

They talked some more as they walked when a black girl in a mellow pink top stalked her way over to them. Herc asked: “What the hell did you all do to piss her off.”

“Hey, I did nothing!” John exclaimed offended.

Lafayette looked scared, but turned up his sweetest smile as he asked the girl: “Hello, mademoiselle, what can we do for you?”

“I’m hosting a party, you’re invited.” she told them, “All of you. I’m Angie.” then she rattled off an address and a date, “Don’t miss it.”

“Wouldn’t dream off it.” Laf managed before she was gone.

The four of them shared a look and Alex said: “Was it just me or was that weird.”

He looked to the girls retreating back and saw her meet up with two other girls. One of them had wide eyes as she said something to Angie, then looked their way, blushing when she locked eyes with Alexander.

“No, that was definitely weird.” Herc assured him, snapping him back to the conversation.

“But it’s a party.” John cheered, “We have to go, I missed parties over the winter break, god the Christmas Galas were not something I looked forward to, but this will be fun.”

“Christmas Galas?” Alex raised a brow as a shit-eating grin crept onto his face.

John pushed him away with a fuck off and Alex silently mourned the presence of a warm arm over his shoulders as he tried to focus on John telling him about his father who was a Senator in South Carolina.

They laughed at John for a moment, before Alex mused: “You think it would be okay to drag my roommate with me? He never does anything fun, I want him to loose the stick that crawled up his ass.”

“Just take him.” Herc said.

“Yeah, what’s the worst that can happen?” Laf added.

Alex grinned and said: “You don’t want me to answer that. I am a chronic over-thinker with a tendency for the negative.”

“Try me.” Lafayette challenged.

“Well at this rate he murdered her previous lover, probably, and she kills him in return, she seems severe enough to pull it off and then I was there and I get charged just for being an accessory and my visa gets revoked and I get deported.” Alex theorized, taking small joys in bouncing off the truth for Aaron, though he had not realized how close to the truth he was for their invitee.

John laughed and ruffled his hair: “You’re a tiny idiot.”

“Like you’re one to talk. You’re hardly taller than me.” Alex pouted, his new life had not granted him more height sadly while it seemed that everyone elses had.

They traded more jabs as they walked before they had to split up for their dorms. He threw open the door and greeted Aaron, who startled violently at the noise, with a: “I have been invited to a party and you are going. I cannot let you die of being a boring nerd.”

“Alexander, do you want me to remind you of how much time you spend on your own studies?” Aaron asked, he had grown less skittish around him through time, especially when Alex showed no signs of remembering.

“Yeah, but I don’t have a stick up my ass.” Alex whined, “Come on, Aaron, please. Just for once in your life do something other than being the prime student who has no opinions.”

He watched as emotions warred on Aarons face. It was a low blow to call upon his last life while the other couldn't bring it up, an ultimate guilt trip.

“Alright.” but it worked.

Alex cheered and told him that it was that weekend, before plopping down at his desk and starting up his laptop, planning to finish the essay Washington had assigned for the end of the month, three weeks away.

~~~~~~

Sorry for my Google Translate French, I gave up on learning the language when I was twelve. The convo was this:

A: “I speak French!”

L: “Someone else who speaks the most beautiful language in the world!”

A: “I must say I’m quite fond of it, yes.”

[smoljoelito]

Advice on How to Be a Straight A Student

Hey guys! So I got a señor anon question on how to be a straight A student and my response got a bit long, so here it is in a text post. 

Before I begin, I’d like to say I’m not an expert on this subject. This is just stuff that works for me.

So a little background information before I give some advice!

I’m a sophomore in University, majoring in nursing, minoring in Spanish. I graduated high school with a 3.73 GPA, and the problem was I figured out how to study best for myself the second semester of my senior year of high school! So, I got to college and was freaking out. At my university, the lowest excepted GPA to get into the Fall 2018 nursing program was a 3.83, which is INCREDIBLY high. Never in my life did I think I’d be able to get that GPA, since high school made me feel dumb. I was encouraged to take AP classes and I took too many, and while other kids succeeded, I fell behind. It made me feel incredibly incapable, yet, for money for my district, I was still encouraged to take more. Come Fall 2018, taking classes for pre-nursing to be able to apply into the program, I was a nervous wreck. I lacked self-confidence and I was praying for a 3.8 GPA, but I decided to make a promise to myself. My confidence wasn’t great enough to promise a 4.0 GPA for all my prereqs, but it was for the first semester just so I didn’t have to worry as much second semester about keeping my GPA high. Yet, against all my beliefs, I 4.0′d all my pre-nursing/pre-reqs classes, got into the Fall 2019 nursing program (I start September 4th), where usually 300 students apply, but only 72 are selected in the fall, 97 in the winter. I also received a 4.0 in a summer microbiology class that was originally 14-16 weeks long during the school year, but it was shortened into 6 weeks into the summer, made it onto the Dean’s List, and so much more. My new goal is to be one of And now, I’m going to tell you how I did it.

Here is what I wish someone would’ve told me when I started high school or college:

First things first, you HAVE to believe in yourself. This is VITAL.

If you walk into a class telling yourself you’re barely going to pass, chances are, you’re barely going to pass. You are your biggest enemy. Chemistry is a subject, it is not a person, it doesn’t decide whether or not you’re going to pass or fail. It’s literally a class, it holds absolutely NO power over you. It literally just exists. The only thing that holds power over you, is you. You decide your future, not Chemistry. When you say, “Oh I’m so bad at Chemistry, I’ll never pass.” Chemistry had absolutely nothing to do with it, it was ALL you. The class you hate and think you’re going to fail should be your favorite and top priority. Why? Because you’re going to have to spend the MOST time on it. If you cut yourself short by saying you’ll never pass right off the bat and ignore the class, the harsh reality is, you allowed yourself to fail. Stop telling yourself that you are unable to do things, then complain when you get bad scores. Chemistry is difficult, but nothing is impossible.

My quote for this section:

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” Seneca

Find your best way to study, preferably before college rolls around.

For me, this is flashcards, but I don’t just use them for memorizing, I use them for connecting. I make questions that connect things from the chapter I’m in along with prior chapters. Here’s an example:

On a person in anatomical position, which bone in the forearm can be located more medial to the body?

This, is a great question. Not only am I asking location, but I’m referencing prior topics at the same time. Anatomical position is lying flat on your back with palms facing outward. Medial is something that is closer to the midline of the body. Both of which are terms learned in previous chapters. Knowing this, I would be lead to believe the answer is the ulna. Now, I have not only learned, but reviewed.

My quote for this section:

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is then, not an act, but a habit.” Will Durant.

ASK QUESTIONS!

Listen guys, I’m blunt and a bit harsh, so here’s a reality check for you: I don’t care whether or not you are shy, extroverted, confident, not confident, whatever, there’s NO excuse to say you don’t understand a topic if you’re not willing to ask questions to gain more knowledge or better understand it. If you receive a bad grade in a class and never ask questions or try to better understand it, shame on you. Don’t blame your professor, don’t blame the class for being “too hard”, I don’t want to hear it. So, in this section, I’m going to tell you how to ask a good question and who to ask.

Who:

First, your professor/teacher obviously. Don’t be afraid, most professors don’t bite. They’re not going to get annoyed with you. Their job is literally to talk about what they love, for hours on end. Everyone’s favorite topic is themselves, their hobbies, anything that correlates around them. If you ask them a question deeper than the material provided, out of confusion, or just for further knowledge, chances are they’d LOVE to answer it for you! Bonus: the more questions you ask, the more they’ll know you, and the more they’ll be willing to help you, especially when you’re in a time of need. You don’t need to always ask questions during lecture/class, though it is preferable. If you’re shy or introverted, write down your questions on a sheet of paper, preferably with the slide you’re referencing, then ask after class.

Next, tutors! Most universities have a tutoring center, or if you’re in college, ask a counselor to find you one. If your professor is a bit intimidating for you, or flat out doesn’t want to answer questions, this is a GREAT idea! It’s much easier to talk to someone in your age range as well, so if you’re a super shy person, this might be a better option for you. Also, the tutors aren’t the experts of the subject, which plays in your favor. They know how to break the subject down into ways you’ll be able to understand, sometimes in better ways than your professor. 

Lastly, anyone that has taken the class before you. In nursing school, they recommend we make friends with someone that’s in the year above us and attach ourselves to them, which I plan on doing. They’ve experienced everything before you, so you’ll have the freshest advice. Which prof should I take? Ask them. Do I need to buy the book for this class? Hmm... they’ll know.

Good questions:

Connecting questions. When you link two topics together, preferably from another chapter, you’re learning in the BEST way possible. Ask the question. Your professor will love you, the class will love you, and you will love you, because more than likely, your professor will either: agree with the connection, disagree with the connection and tell you where you went wrong (still learning), and congratulate you on your good question. It’s a win-win situation.

another very important point: even if you are wrong in whatever you are asking, that does NOT make it a bad question. Good questions lead to learning, whether it is agreeing or disagreeing. Humility and humbleness are attractive qualities, and the willingness to do such is probably the best way to be successful. You have to be willing to be wrong to eventually learn and be right.

Any question where you are confused. You paying for a class is paying for your professor to talk. Use your money wisely. Hold up the damn class, get your answer. Learn and grow in your knowledge. Chances are, other people are confused too, and aren’t bold enough to ask.

Why? This might be the best question ever. Actually, I take that back, it is. One word asks fifty other questions and tells 100 more. Here’s what the professor gets out of “why” questions: I might not have explained the topic enough so I’m going to talk about it more, said student wants to know more about the topic, this is a learning opportunity for the class, etc.

My quotes for this section:

“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” Les Brown

“The only bad question is one that you can find the answer to on the syllabus.” Smoljoelito 

“ Excuses are born out of fear. Eliminate your fear and there will be no excuses.” Unknown

When someone asks you if you can help them with something in a class, always say yes, even if you don’t know the answer.

One of the best ways I’ve found that I learn is by explaining things to other people. My friend Molly used to text me a lot during Biology and ask me if I knew what said thing meant or if I could explain said thing better. I always said yes, even if I didn’t know what the hell she was talking about. Why? Because obviously, I need to study it too, and what better way than to teach someone else.

The best way to look at information you don’t understand: If someone were to break this down for me, how would I want it to sound to best understand?

So, I’d break it down for her, and we’d both learn something new. Saying “no” would’ve lost me and her a learning opportunity. Also, we were competing for the same spot in the nursing program, but 

My quote for this section (doesn’t fit as well): 

“By doing what you love you inspire and awaken the hearts of others.” Satsuki Shibuya

Elaborative rehearsal

This is a term from psychology. I took this class after Biology, so I never realized this is what I was doing the whole year. Basically, elaborative rehearsal is memorizing information by connecting new information to old information, and it is the BEST way to memorize as I learned in class. This can come in many forms: making an analogy to learn a subject (to memorize transcription in Biology I made a story connecting transcription to pre-gaming and it worked so well), asking questions to connect new topics to prior topics, etc. Every time I break down a subject to better understand it, I try to connect it with something I know, whether it’s past information, pre-gaming, realizing a reason why something happens, anything, and I never forget it.

This section is short so it doesn’t get a quote

Get ahead of your professor (university students and AP students mostly).

The BEST thing I’ve ever done for myself would have to be being ahead of my professors by two and three chapters at a time! Here’s the tea: the busiest time of your semester in school should be the first month. Of course, your first month is the easiest, so you’re probably wondering, why should it be the busiest? Because come one month later, each class is going to start dropping exams, and you’re going to start falling behind. Get ahead early. I just bought my pathophysiology book (August 19th) and my classes don’t start until September 4th. This class is going to kick my ass, so my plan is to kick its ass by starting classes early. It’ll never see me coming.

It’s not just getting prepared for exams, but by even having the chapters prepared ahead of time for a lecture when your professor is lecturing, it’s no longer learning, but understanding. Instead of trying to pick up on everything the prof is saying, you’re being reminded of things noted in the book, things you remember, and also things you need further clarity on. Instead of reading the chapter after and having an “oh shit what does this mean?” moment, you can figure it out during lecture. Bonus: if your prof doesn’t lecture on it, ask for further clarity on the subject anyway. You might get lucky and be told not to worry about it. It may not be on the exam at all.

Start early, get ahead, thank me later.

My quote for this section:

“Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” Sean Patrick Flanery 

Take notes! (if they help you)

All the studyblrs are gonna hate me for this, but I really don’t take notes. I have a Microsoft Surface Book 2 laptop and the screen detaches from the keyboard so I write right on the PowerPoints my teachers have, then turn them into flashcards. Why? Because it’s like portable notes. For me personally, when I stopped wasting so much time on notes for Biology, I got higher test scores. Instead of writing notes, I spent the time going over my flashcards. And instead of taking notes on the chapters outside of class, I’d read them twice before class, highlight stuff, then make flashcards off the things not gone over in class. It worked better for me. Even in psychology, I’d highlight the things my prof went over on the PowerPoints, then make flashcards after class. For me, I function better by paying attention to what the prof is saying, rather than focusing on writing every word down. 

Classes I’ve taken that you are more than welcome to ask me questions about in my ask:

Here are classes I have taken, some from high school, some from college. I will answer to the best of my ability, or find you things that are more equipped to answer them.

Biology 1 (uni)

Intro to Chemistry (uni)

Intro to Logic (uni)

Intro to Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry (uni)

AP Calculus AB (high school)

General Chemistry (high school)

Organic Chemistry (high school)

Anatomy & Physiology (uni & high school)

Algebra, Pre-Calc, math in general (high school)

Physics (high school)

Intro to Psychology (uni)

Spanish 1-4, AP Spanish 4, AP Spanish 6 (high school)

AP Language & Culture and AP Literature & Culture

AP Chemistry (high school)

Any kinda Art

Also, if you have questions about high school or college, anything at all, feel free to ask me!

Other things to help you!

studyblrs! They have masterlists of how to take notes, stationery to buy that's cheap, what to write down in lecture, etc. If you want me to link some, send me an ask.

I’m a stationery fanatic as well, so if you guys want cheap pens that are high quality, good highlighters, paper, useful things, etc, hmu. I can make a whole amazon wishlist.

Tutoring centers.

Libraries. My uni has a part of the library called The Writing Center where profs will go to help you write essays and such. 

Websites & YouTube. Khan Academy is an amazing resource along with Crash Course, one of my personal faves. For Biology, I used Crash Course a lot and one of my friends used this channel I believe is called the Amoeba Sisters? I can’t remember. If you want the link I’ll find it for you.

Quotes I live by

Whatever your situation, getting the career you’d like, passing a class, graduating valedictorian, here are some quotes to encourage you to keep on going. 

“Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.” Steve Jobs

“If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now.” Unknown

“When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. When you have fun, you can do amazing things.” Joe Namath

“One of the greatest discoveries a person makes is to find out they can do what they were afraid they couldn’t do.” Henry Ford. This quote makes me emotional.

“Self-esteem is the ability to see yourself as a flawed individual and still hold yourself in regard.” Ester Perel

“Do what you dream of doing even while you’re afraid.” Arianna Huffingtin.

“Be the one who decided to go for it.”

“Everything you want to be, you already are. You’re simply on the path to discovering it.” Alicia Keys

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. Have the courage to follow your own heart and intuition.” Steve Jobs.

“If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin.” John Quincy Adams

“If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done.” Unknown

“There is no person living who isn't capable of doing more than they think they can do.” Henry Ford 

“Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.” Unknown

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill 

“Success isn't about how your life looks to others. It's about how it feels to you.” Michelle Obama 

In conclusion

I know what it feels like to feel like an idiot, to wish I was as good at something as someone else is. Comparison is the silent killer. The moment you start to think you are less than someone else, you start to believe it. Drop the comparison, let everything go, be humble, and focus on your purpose. There is not a thing you can’t do or be good at. There is not a person in the world that isn’t born with some kind of talent, something they are one of the best at. I have found by “best” and I have grown and learned from it. For a while, I thought I’d fail, that I’d be laughed at and humiliated, but when I let all that go, all the pain, the lies, and focused on my purpose, my goal came as easy as taking a breath of fresh air. So, I leave you with this:

“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” Robert H. Schuller

[sly-merlin]

Killing Me - 4 | n.y

pairing : law student!reader + yuta

genre :    angst , mafia au/ arranged marriage au , smut

warnings : curse words, mention of murder, guns, knives, smut!

words : 5.4k

summary : “life’s never fair y/n. realise it as soon as you can . it is the only secret for living a regretless life.”

                                         or

                  “  curiousity got the cat hitched”

taglist :: (not tagging the old ones because they have read it already bt if u want , lemme know! )  @yiyi4657​​​ @sorrywonwoo​​​ @sillywinnergladiator​​​  @suhweo​​​ @exfolitae​​ @minejungwoo​​

K.M masterlist

k.m 3    k.m 5 

Previous morning in Taeyong’s office

“What was that for!” taeyong questioned jaehyun, clearly annoyed by his previous hostile mannerisms towards you. Jaehyun was on the receiving end of taeyong’s infuriation immediately after you departed from his office with doyoung.

“What!?” jaehyun tried to act oblivious at taeyong’s accusations.

“Why were you trying to scare her? Escort ring! For fucks sake Jae, I expected better from you.”

“But it wasn’t a dead loss. And even you went along in the same wagon, so don’t put everything on me alone.” jaehyun justified himself shrugging his shoulders lightly. “And admit it! She was giving you a hard time. That bitch was not buying anything!

Taeyong knew jaehyun was right. Your unsatisfied replies and never ending enquiries were exasperating him, but he would rather preserve his precious ego than admitting that to jaehyun.

He ruffled his well-made hair before replying to jaehyun, who was expecting some gratitude with a smug face.

“I-- just be careful and refrain from doing and saying anything that might put a dent in my plan. It’s a chance neo would never get again. So be patient and don’t go around opening your mouth about this to anyone.” jaehyun reluctantly nodded,not hearing what he wanted but his affirmation calmed taeyong’s nerves. He couldn’t trust jaehyun entirely but his options were limited.

All the pieces were in right place, for now. Nothing could go south right!

But jaehyun couldn’t completely understand the rationale behind Taeyong’s design.

and nor could the figure standing outside, completely hidden from the insiders.

The dread of the forthcoming finals substantiated the shortage of vacant seats in the kwanjeong library. You tried your best to arrive as expeditiously as possible for a person who partied, got abducted, arranged her own marriage, and again partied in grief, all in spam of about 34 hours. Finding no available seat, you decided to settle down on the floor. You gulped your cup of Americano in one go and began with the donut. As per a wise saying, Caffeine and sugar were the best combination as a breakfast for someone trying to get through their day with only 4 hours of sleep, the intellect being none other than your own self!

Yesterday was pretty long day. Though you were worn out from the adventures with wonwoo last night, your brain wasn’t exhausted enough to shut down properly when you tried to close your eyes.The flashes of the events had shrouded you with mixture of regrets and worries. What was the guarantee that you won’t end up dead tomorrow! What if taeyong was lying! But the fact regarding moon industries was absolutely legible. Maybe you should get a restraining order or something! But the existence of a person is necessary for that and yuta was a fucking corporate in the public eye and you were sure taeyong held some powerful position in the rich hierarchy as well, otherwise, covering the shits without revealing their true identities was not the job of some measly gang leader. There was more to taeyong than what someone could perceive just by looking. Will you be considered one of them now! After the little stunt that landed you straight into yuta’s life, you weren’t sure that he’d not strangle you in sleep. And What were you going to say to them? Chelin, yeom, guk, yeong.

and your thoughts spiralled from taeyong,yuta towards chelin and your friends and didn’t rest anytime before 4a.m. Waking up at 8 sharp , you took a shower and made your way towards the library.

And now you were here. 2 students passed your figure indicating that there were 2 vacant seats. Finally, after 15 minutes. They might have been the overnight students, you thought and walked inside before anyone else could claim the treasure. You had to find a new topic of thesis and do some research for international paper your professor was writing, and you being his designated so-called subordinate had to help him, involuntarily of course. But in this world, the student who could refuse their professor’s demands was yet to be born! Marking the place by placing your bag, you started the search for last month’ law journals and digests. One and a half hour passed, but you couldn’t find anything on international court of justice i.e. what your professor hadn’t already included. The urge to go out was profusely weighed down by your own sentiment of avoiding your friends. So you decided in favour of swallowing the bitter pill.

5 hours passed. The vibration of the timer in your phone prompted you to run off and get some food. It was already 2:30 and the lack of real food was making the tasks harder than they already were. Stepping outside into fresh air, instant regret of not bringing an umbrella washed over you. The sun was too bright unlike your mood and walking all the way to your favourite canteen would end up in you getting another headache. But you silently wished that every being from yesterday’s party was suffering from the same treatment of the over-the-top optimistic planet. why to suffer alone!

“Shortie” you lifted your head, spotting the combo of buy 1 get 1 free, heading your way.

“Where were you whole day? And if you aren’t going to pick calls then please do that poor thing a favour and sell it!” yugyeom barked while running his hand through his hair.

You shrugged jungkook’s elbow from your shoulder and replied “I was busy with prof. Joong’s work. And I have to be somewhere after 4 so I was a bit-

“Joong should adopt you already man!” Jungkook interrupted, nudging your sides with his fingers.

“ but I thought he wanted to be her sugar daddy!”  at that gyeom gave a serious and stern look to kook, pretending to ponder over his statement for a second and then suddenly they both starting laughing, hands hitting you everywhere to support their doubling figures.

“Get away from me, idiots!” you shouted, trying to get away from them. Once they were done with showing their exaggerated emotions, you all giggled together in unison. they were wearing their fundraiser t-shirts, you noticed.

“When is the fundraiser?”

“At 5. But you won’t be there to support us cause you are busy with your daddy!” kook exclaimed while bumping your shoulder with his arm.

“I didn’t say I’m going for Joong’s work and no, he’s not my sugar daddy, doofus. I’m busy with tutoring. I missed someone’s Saturday class so—

“Okay, chill tiger. You need to breathe. It’s a boring event anyway.” gyeom said in a comforting tone, interjecting your rapid fire speech.

“I’m gonna have lunch, are you two going?” you suggested.

“Yeah, it’s our break and yeong and minjun have eaten already, so that left you!” kook pouted when gyeom mentioned his boyfriend’s name.

“Let’s go! I want my sugar” your dramatic pout made yugyeom pet your hair lovingly and the three of you started walking on stone pathway on the way to the canteen.

“Where’s your umbrella?” jungkook asked you. He knew how much you hated walking under sun after the drinking escapades.

“I forgot but let’s not talk about it. it’s making me grumpy.”

“Okay! but why don’t you cover your head with that scarf instead.” he said pointing towards the silky material around your neck.

“Naahh, it ruins my fashion” they gave each other a puzzled look, shrugging their shoulders for they both couldn’t gather the reason of your weird behaviour.

At lunch, you talked to them about the fundraiser and gave your own contribution for the noble cause. The conversation with them progressed too easily and for about an hour you forgot about the turmoil in your life, which was still unknown to them.

After parting away, you went straight to your professor to show him your progress. He took note of the materials you found on recent cases and dismissed you without showing any gratitude. Not even a word of appreciation.

A ping!

Jaemin: noona, doyoung hyung is picking you up at 4 but he won’t enter the campus. Be out at 4!

You let out a frustrated groan at his text. You had only met him once, when he conferred upon you the honour of connecting your phone to his server but that was not the only favour you received! He also saved his contact number with various hearts that you obviously removed after reaching home. you could only pray to heavens that he won’t be there today as well!

You made your way to the library again, this time to work on your thesis. The time passed quickly than you thought. The alarm you placed earlier vibrated, indicating it was 4 already! You hastily made your bag and ran out of the library. It took 10 minutes to reach the gates of the campus. When you passed your dorms building, the idea of ditching doyoung and going to bed sounded tempting but as usual, nothing was going your way these days. You felt like the old catch 22 was in action.

You passed through the gates and looked around the road to find doyoung’s car but he was nowhere to be seen. While you were scanning the whole area, a low voice called your attention.

“What are you finding, I’m right here under your nose” a voice said through gritted teeth.

Yes, he was indeed sitting in the car right in front of you and the only one you missed apparently. You walked around the car to sit on the passenger seat, the tinted windows hiding you from the outside funfair.

“What took you so long? Its 4:15 already.”

“I don’t have a car like you so I walked myself here and it’s not like I did it purposely anyway.” You contended, the annoyance in your voice matching his own.

“Whatever, we are already late so turn around. Taeyong would be mad.”

“No I’m not turning around. First that cloth bag, then the handkerchief you tied on my eyes yesterday, its painful man. I’ll lose my eyesight this way. And I can navigate whole city from this place, you can’t hide your dungeon from me now” you reasoned. He didn’t tie your hands yesterday but your eyes were still covered.

“Then give me your scarf. I’ll cover your eyes with your own choice of article. It’s not painful or else you won’t be wearing it right! he said mockingly, pointing towards your neck.

“Umm, this scarf is act-

“Give me that already. I have some other things to handle as well.” assessing your options, you hesitantly removed the scarf, turning around to face the window immediately. Doyoung tied it across your eyes, checking the knot twice and tapped your shoulder. As you turned around, doyoung’s doe eyes widened, if that was even possible. Your collarbone and neck, which was visible through your v neck top, was covered with pretty purplish bruises. You fidgeted with your hands, flustered, feeling his eyes on you. But he remained quiet, focusing on the task at hand.

The whole drive was quiet and though your hands were not tied, you kept them on your backpack, hesitant to start any conversation. The car stopped finally, the mixed feelings coming back. The same process followed. He guided you inside but this time you passed only one door and the walk was quite shorter as well.

As doyoung was about to remove your scarf, a hand stopped him, or that was what you understood from the movements at that time.

“Silky scarf, blindfold and hickies hmm! Being kinky doyoungie. She’s your sister-in-law. Show some respect boy!” a voice remarked, the air around your face suddenly filled with chocolate and coffee. You hiccupped all of a sudden, earning a chuckle from the unknown presence.

You tried to reach for the blindfold, but your hands were caught mid-air, the said hands removing it. You blinked your eyes a few times to make out the figure’s face. He was standing, mostly bending to match your stature, face smiling to show all of his teeth.

Yuta.

You, surprised, took a step back but instead bumped into the one behind you.

“I’ll take over from here, doyoung.” but fortunately, he didn’t budge, fortunately. Your hold on backpack tightened, your eyes lowered to avoid his gaze. The only thing in your view were his baggy pants and white sports shoes.

But yuta could see only you and nothing else. Taeyong wasn’t the only one awaiting your arrival. Yuta was equally anticipating you.  His night was just as sleepless and anxious as you. He was afterall at the other end of the rope.

He raised your head, fingertips lightly grazing your chin. His hooded eyes roamed around your face like he was expecting you show some contempt , hatred,nervousness! He straightened up abruptly and started tying the silk around your neck. You flinched at his touch but he remained void of any reaction. His half denim jacket and white t-shirt hid you from the surroundings, his arms almost engulfing you. He repositioned himself to match you height again, arms crossing against his chest.

“Looks like someone had a fun night.” and in a second, his honey smile changed into a smirk, letting go of any trace of earlier softer expressions. And the look on his face was enough to scare the shit out of anyone.

“Stop yuta” a taller man you recognised from yesterday as Johnny, pushed yuta aside from your view. It was then you saw that everyone was there. Including the one you were yet to encounter.

Your eyes wandered from one side to other of the room. Johnny let you inspect.

“Doyoung, what was the need to cover her eyes?” Johnny whispered to doyoung, breaking your trance.

“Why is everyone nagging me so much” he whined in a screeching voice.

“Karma bitch” Johnny pointed his forefinger towards him before giving his attention to you.

“Hey, how are you y/n.” he asked, his cheerful voice totally in contrast with the weather of the room.

“I’m- ummm.” you cleared your throat before continuing. “I’m fine Johnny. As fine I can be.” you mumbled the last part but he surely heard you.

“You remembered my name!” he clapped, his eyes turning into crescents. You gave him a tight lipped smile in return, waiting for some instructions. As if on cue, taeyong’s loud voice graced your ears.

“Come y/n. make yourself comfortable” he indicated towards the couches that were almost already occupied. Johnny gestured you to proceed, walking with you. You passed yuta who was still smirking and sat on the single seat available next to taeyong. You placed your backpack on the large table in the middle of the room. It looked like a normal living room for guests, just with too many couches to accommodate the gang. You felt like an uninvited because apparently everybody was watching you like a hawk. Their stares changed sight only when yuta came to take a seat on one of the couch, exactly opposite to yours. You met his eyes briefly before turning your face towards your bag again.

Who knew the rusty zips of your bag were so interesting!

“So y/n I thought you should meet everyone. You are going to be part of this family soon. Better get acquainted with all.” taeyong addressed you while he sat on his couch majestically like a king. You heard a dry laugh and if you had to guess it had to be from jaehyun or yuta.

You didn’t understand why he wanted that. You were just a risk till yesterday and now means to discipline yuta.

And why all the formalities if you were gonna leave anyway.

“I’m going to leave anyway, taeyong. So I don’t see a need to do it!”

You were too consumed to notice how your sentence turned all the heads around you. Some started giving side eyes to each other. There was something they were all missing.

“I said you could leave. But not without my permission. So, you’d be stuck for now, maybe till months or years.”

You gulped at his words. Taeyong turned your only hope into a distant dream. Maybe you were too foolish to gauge the situation.

“You want something to eat or drink before we continue” he asked in a sincere voice. Shaking your head, you rubbed your eyes with the palms of your hands to stop them from moistening. There was nothing more embarrassing than to cry in front of a bunch of strangers who didn’t give a shit about you.

“No, please continue.” you emphasised again to not draw any more attention to yourself than already was. And you internally thanked to taeyong who continued as if you weren’t just gonna cry!

“You will move in with yuta on Saturday,” it was Monday. “The wedding ceremony would be held in the morning. So you have few days to prepare, everything from your dress to every other thing you need shall be arranged. Just name it and you’ll have it!”

Wedding ceremony! That was not on the plate!

“I don’t want a cerem-

“Leave the bullshit ta-

You and yuta both cut off each other simultaneously. You glanced at his side, finding him already piercing his gaze into yours.

“There’s no need for it. The paper signing is enough. It’s not like we are in-

You knew taeyong understood what you were trying to say, so you didn’t continue. But you were already having a feeling of superiority over yuta for being the first to offer your opinion. It felt like a payback for flustering you earlier. You refrained from facing him again, your body turned towards taeyong only, but you felt satisfied with the thought of him being riled up.

“Oh, but I want a ceremony taeyong and mark is going to be the best man. He’s so excited. You can’t do that to him!” yuta emphasised through the variation in his voice. You knew he changed his argument purposely , but you maintained your cool, opting to ignore him . bear and forbear.

Taeyong raised his eyebrow at you but you shook your head again.

“I don’t think it’d be a good idea. It’s not a normal one anyway so why pretend!” you held your ground.

“You aren’t getting married to a mannequin.” yuta retracted. “I’m getting married as well and don’t anyone dare say that I made a mistake and blah blah. At last I’ll be hitching so I want a ceremony and Japanese at that!”

Oh yeah, he was Japanese. You has missed that as well.

All the other men in the room, 9 to be exact, were nodding at everything that was being said. They were unable to decide whose argument was worth taking side for. Finally Johnny spoke-

“I think y/n is right” looking at nowhere particular, he continued. “What’s with pomp and show when it’s nothing more than an agreement”

“But if yuta hyung wants it, then why not. They are going to live together, he should have his say as well.” it was mark who took yuta’s side. He didn’t know why but watching yuta losing ground urged him to support his brother.

You looked briefly at the boy who just argued with Johnny.

“He’s mark y/n.” taeyong said the answer you were looking for. “And he’s Jungwoo, jeno, doyoung, you have already met him, then jaehyun, johnny, renjunie, hendery. Others are busy so you’ll meet them some other day probably.”

A few waved towards you, including mark, who shyly withdrew his hand quickly. They all probably hated you as there was no other reaction towards a person who almost put your life in danger!

“Can we get to a middle ground now? I’m already getting tired of this” jaehyun grumbled, leaning into the couch.

“Ok so, he wants a celebration of a lie! What about me then. You are all here but I have no one. I’m alone and probably will be. Because taeyong, you haven’t told me how am I going to reveal this to my friends? I may not have a family, but still there are people close to me. they are my best friends, roommate, and many others who need to know! How am I going to explain them that their friend who didn’t even have a boyfriend, is getting married suddenly? I don’t even have parents to cover it with an arranged marriage. How to convince them? give me a way and I’ll agree” you pointed out the very important detail that they were missing. But they needed to know that there was other side of the paper as well and your reasons were not just a cry in the wilderness.

Nobody made a sound. Everything went quite like a dark night until-

“I hope this is not the calm before a storm!” you looked over to see the person who broke the silence. It was another young man coming with a food trolley, probably from the kitchen.

“I thought we have a guest so I prepared some coffee and donuts. I hope you like sweets y/n” the man was smiling ear to ear, seeming too happy with your visit.

“I-

“I’m kun.” he introduced himself and you shook his hand. He seemed too polite for a criminal. “Have this and tell me how it is” he forcibly handed you a dessert plate with a chocolate glanced donut. You took it out of politeness but felt a bit weird to be the only one eating it. You watched him with quizzical eyes as he took one for himself and sat on the arm of your couch. Everyone was now staring at your movements.

“Eat it, eat it. These are for you and me only.” he cajoled.

You decided to take a bite and then place it back just to stop the awkwardness.

As you bit it from one side, your brain short circuited. “Holy shit, bro. what is this sorcery.” your genuine and innocent reaction made Kun laugh loudly, some of the others joined in as well.

“Thank god, you like it! I’m so glad you aren’t one of weight conscious ones, otherwise it’d have been weird.” he starting munching on his own piece.

“I’m a sugar bear. I can’t live without sugar. I just had a donut in the morning but it was bleh comparing to this. You are a master chef bro.” and for a minute you forgot the previous tense environment. Everyone was glad that Kun came to save the situation and except to you, it was known that obviously he heard everything from the kitchen.

“You ate one in the morning! Then it’s the last one you’re getting. Everyone help yourself. She’s not having anymore!” as if they were waiting, everyone except mark and yuta picked them up.

“Mark” Kun motioned towards the tray and he grabbed one as well.

“What if I was allergic to chocolate, kun” you asked him while finishing your treat.

“Oh please! Even ten eats it.” he laughed to himself at his reference, which went over your head.

“Now coming to the point.” Everyone looked at taeyong who was already done with eating. “Y/n doesn’t want anything special so it’ll happen like that. No!yuta, lemma speak. And you y/n, it’s upon you to make your friends believe. Make up a story or do whatever you want. You don’t want to tell them about the wedding. Fine with me but do let them know at least that you have a boyfriend that you are moving in with! It’s on you both to make this arrangement believable.

“okay , sho now I shuggenly hab a voyfiend” you started speaking without even finishing the bite in your mouth. you continued once you chewed it.

“wont they be suspicious. They know exactly what I do and what I don’t. It’s almost impossible to put a façade in front of them.”

“Oh please, don’t tell me they even know from where you got those hickies” jaehyun’s curt statement was a hit below the belt. Kun was about to scold him when you elaborated his statement further to prove that he was doing nothing but burning his own fingers.

“Yes, actually they happen to know. When, where and from whom I got these. Anything else you want to ask?.” he rolled his eyes on your reply, busing himself with the delicacy instead.

“They don’t know yuta. So if you want you can introduce him to your people. He won’t be posing any problem, take my word for it.”

“I’ll go with you if you also accompany me,that I guess would be a problem for you. You don’t want to be seen with a criminal, or do you!” yuta jabbered. He was trying to push your buttons to measure your limit. But little did he know that you were far from being that easy.

“I just said I don’t want a wedding. I’ll agree to anything that is reasonable and is not degrading to me.”

“Ok then, nobody would force you to do what you don’t want.” taeyong decided to took matter in his own hands now. “And we’ll organise a small, very intimate gathering at taeil’s office to celebrate as yuta wants. And you’ll be introduced as Mrs. Nakamoto to our corporate world.” taeyong finished gauging both of your reactions. The surname was foreign and cringing to you. But it was going to be yours, so there was nothing you could do, for now.

“What do you mean ‘our’ corporate world.” you got puzzled at his choice of words.

“You’ll find out soon and its nothing scary, don’t worry.” Kun responded on behalf of taeyong this time, handing you your cup of coffee. “Tell me if it’s cold, I’ll-

“No it’s totally fine.” you assured him, without even taking a sip. He was being nice enough already.

“If my opinion has no value, then what am I even doing here!” yuta shouted, getting up from the seat.

“yut-

Before Kun could say anything, he stormed off. Mark tried to follow but taeyong stopped him from doing that.

“Don’t mind him. He’s a hot head.” Johnny laughed in between his bites.

You only nodded, sipping your coffee. You were glad he was gone. Sugar has always done wonders for you and it was having same effects now as well. You were able to think more rationally now.

“One more thing” you furrowed your brows at taeyong. What was left now!  “Do you want any specifications in the house? It’s my responsibility. A wedding gift you can say. If you need anything like extra closet, a more spacious kitchen-

“Kitchen?” you let out a brief chuckle at that. Everyone’s eyes were on you now. “It’ll be totally fine if I don’t even get a kitchen. I can’t cook anything besides ramyeon and salads. So I won’t even need that.”

“You are a student. Don’t you know anything basic.” it was Jungwoo who spoke in the voice sweeter than even Kun’s.

“No. I grew up in an orphanage and they provided us everything. I left when I started law. So all in all, I never had anyone to teach me. That’s why if you want to know best food trucks and restaurants in the city, I’m your best option.but, if that yuta knows how to cook, ask him about the kitchen.” you spoke non chalantly .But you didn’t realise how uncomfortable the air had become. a heavy silence took over the light atmosphere.

“I’m sorry noona” Jungwoo apologised sheepishly.

“It’s fine. After all there are some things that your hacker can’t find out. only I can tell you those.” saying that, you faced taeyong again. “But if you insist, I can always use a study room.” you tried to enlighten the mood again.

“Ok. I’ll find something suitable for you both.” you hummed, not knowing what to say anymore.

“Can I go back now?”

“Yes, doyoung will drop you.”

“No, I’ll go with her.” Johnny said, grabbing your attention. He didn’t look sulky like doyoung so, it’d be fine, you guess.

They said you goodbyes. Mark seemed hesitant to even look at you, but you couldn’t care less. He was just a stranger after all.

Yuta couldn’t realise why everyone was trying to be so nice to you. Till yesterday, he was allowed to put a gun on her head but now every being was against him. He didn’t know why he was so furious at taeyong, to forcing him to marry you or from dragging mark into this mess. Taeyong knew how to play dirty, but yuta never thought he’d use his own brother. There was no option for him as well, as taeyong has said. He showed interest in a fucking celebration to contradict you, but you were not backing down and that felt like a punch to his gut.

He drove towards his stress reliever. The infamous Japanese club. Only place where he could drown his sorrows.

The club was packed despite it being Monday. That was one thing he liked about it, you’ll never be disappointed in this place.

“ゆた!” The hostess chimed seeing yuta. “久しぶり” [ long time, no see!]

He signed her to give him 2 shots. She did as told but her gaze was following yuta’s, which rested on her cleavage. He came here only for 2 things after all.

He gulped the drink in a second without blinking an eye.

“バックルーム” [ back room]

She wasn’t someone to be told twice. She handed her hand towel to her co-worker and followed the path. Who was she to reject him after all?

As she opened the door, yuta pressed her against the door, shutting it with a thud, His tongue directly fighting with hers. Sinful sounds escaped her throat as yuta’s hand started working on the skimpy fabric she wore to cover herself. She moaned loudly as yuta pinched her nipples hard, his groans matching her loud ones. His eagerness always started a fire in her body, with intensity too much to handle. Her hands undid his pants, dropping them on the floor. They have done it so many times that the whole process imprinted in their minds by now.

without breaking the kiss,she changed their positions making yuta’s back hitting  the door . With a loud smooch, his lips parted hers, to let her function pn her own.

She got to her knees while he got rid of his shoes to remove the boxers. She gave a few pumps before giving kitten licks to the tip while her gaze was fixed on his face.

“Hisoka, I’m in a hurry” he warned her. Smirking, she took him in her mouth, going up and down as head bobbed with the motion. Yuta fisted her hair, roughly stroking himself inside of her. She whimpered on the action and hit his balls with her other hand, earning a chuckle from him. Yuta knew how much she hated when he took charge. Yuta’s head hit the door as she sped up, the grip on her hair tightening and with a few deep throats, he was done. Yuta looked at her fucked up eyes, chin dripping with his seed. He picked her up with her elbow, his mouth latching towards her breast as soon as her back hit the same spot again. she moaned in pleasure as her shorts were removed hastily by him. Yuta merely smirked at her lack of panties.

“You knew I was coming hmm!” he growled sensually in her ear. Her body almost crumbled on the floor at his voice. “Let’s do it then!” he exclaimed, slipping himself into her. Her one leg that was wrapped around his waist provided him a perfect angle to stroke while his hand perfectly trapped her against the door. his mindless thrusts made her breasts to bounce with the same pace. “Faster”  her  moans were muffled from the outside world due to the high bass music that was playing in the club , providing them the coverage from any 

“もっと”[ more!] Yuta asked her while giving a final hit to her insides, her body losing all the strength as she released her love juices. She slumped towards his chest as yuta let himself undone. As they rode their highs, yuta kissed her neck from behind, leaving her body in shivers for the next few minutes.

He drove back silently again. The relieve he felt was all dissipated now. Instead his mind was already wandering towards you. Your headstrong attitude was troubling him more than he anticipated! his plans were all down and out. He hated you , from the moment he laid his eyes on you. You acted like you were invincible but he knew it was just a mask to protect yourself.

He had noticed how you had rubbed your eyes to hide your disappointment for you didn’t want to appear weak. All he had to do now was to find a vulnerable part of you, to hit you where it’d hurt the most. It’d be last time he lost to you. from now on, you won’t be able to keep up with him.

Afterall, beginning is always easy, it is continuing that’s hard!

[jungshookz]

Ramenboy!tae who works at a lil ramen joint and ur dragged there by Jungkook who loves to abuse Tae’s employee discount and wow they have a competition — eat this massive bowl of ramen in ten minutes and get free ramen for a month and u cannot lose to this heathen known as Jungkook and now u’ve made an awful first impression on Tae and ur mortified but he’s just impressed~ and high key thinks ur cute and now Jungkook needs to play matchmaker in the most disastrous way possible (cue chaos) 🔥anon

→ pairing: kim taehyung x reader

→ genre: nonidol!au, ramenboy!tae, comedy, tiny pinch of fluff, jungkook is an idiot and you might be one too because you just ate a gigantic bowl of ramen 

→ wordcount: 3.8k 

→ note: i’m sorry this took so lonG! u sent this in a while ago but i saved it in my notes because it’s.,, so cute,., this is less about taehyung and more about kook and y/n competing with each other lol!!!! my stomach exploded just thinking about eating five pounds worth of ramen idk how y/n did it 

(gif isn’t mine!) (also i was ecstAtic when i found this gif!!!! how pErfeCt)

this has quite possibly been one of the worst weeks in your entire life

you don’t know how it’s happened but on every single day of the week something has gone wrong for you

monday - your alarm didn’t go off so you accidentally skipped two veRy important lectures that were crucial for the finals

tuesday - your alarm diD go off but when you got to your first class (on time!) you didn’t realise that your prof sent out an email in the morning saying that there was a room switch for the day and the room was in a building located all the way on the oTHER end of campus so you basically missed out on half that lecture

wednesday - you have a big gap between classes on wednesdays so usually you just hang out and study in the library buT when you got there someone had taken your favourite spot so you were forced to go to the really, really quiet study area (no one’s allowed to make a peep otherwise ya get the booT) and when you stepped in you stumbled over someone’s laptop charger that was plugged into the wall and literally fell the floor in less than a millisecond with a big SMAK and everyone in that room looked like they wanted to rip your head off (especially the owner of the laptop charger)

thursday - you ordered a chocolate almond milk and banana smoothie because you wanted to treat yourself but somehow they fucked up your order and it tasted like they threw oranges into your smoothie instead of bananas and by the time you decided you wanted to go back and demAnd that they fix your order the line was like a hundred feet long so you were forced to throw out your $10 smoothie

friday - todAY,., you got your grades back for your midterms and uh.,,. all i’m going to say is u might want to spend a little more time studying and a little less time on tumblr

whatever

you’re just glad it’s finally friday because you are going to hibernate in your room over the weekend to recover from everything

you were going to head straight back to the apartment after classes today but jungkook insisted that you guys hang out today!!! even though you basically see each other every day!!!!

unfortunately you’re just not in the mood to do anything because you’re grumpy and tired

also it’s that time of the month

so like

you really reALLY aren’t in the mood to do anything

but of course

because it’s jungkook

he didn’t give you a choice (he dropped to his knees and literally just started sCREAMING until you said you would hang out with him and then he hopped back up onto his feet and was like heehee oki!! let’s go, friend!!!! as he wasn’t just screeching a lung out in the middle of the schoolyard a second ago)

and this is where he decides to take you

a dinky ramen joint in the city

“why couldn’t we just have gone to watch a movie?” you groan and flop your head back “also we had lunch like two hours ago-“

“and your point is??” jungkook scoffs as he flips through the menu

“if we eat now it’s going to ruin our appetite for dinner and thaT’s going to throw everything off course- hey quit iT” jungkook reaches back blindly to whack your face gently to shut you up

ur a great person and he likes u a lot but you need to relax ur asshole sometimes (he literally said that to you within the first week of knowing you and when you gawked and responded with ‘my asshole is SO relaxed and loOSE right now!!!!!!’ in the middle of the cafeteria he knew that this friendship was meant to be)

“listen, i was craving ramen and i always come here because i know one of the guys who works here so i always get a discount…” jungkook trails off as he continues looking through the menu “okay, i know what i want!”

“okay give me a second to- woAh-“ jungkook drags you into the restaurant before you get a chance to look at the options

oh

this place is a lot bigger than it looks

spacious booths on both sides with obscenely red leather seats

square tables scattered around the place

it seems like it’s doing pretty well in terms of business because almost all of the tables are full

“jungkook!” both you and kook turn at the source of the sound

who is

who is tHAT

floppy, soft brown hair peeking out from behind a red bandana

a little blue apron wrapped around his tapered waist

a stained white v-neck (it looks vEry good on him and usually u hate v-necks on guys)

and his smile is very.,,. boxy?

your eyes widen when he approaches you two

you immediately duck behind jungkook and pray to god that you look somewhat presentable

you look down at your outfit

okay

jeans and a cute little flowery blouse

okay!!! not bad!!! hopefully your eyeliner hasn’t moved from your eyes to your chin tho

“hey, man!” they do one of those bro-hug things and he gives jungkook a couple pats on the pack

jesus

even his hand is hot

“table for one, as per usual?”

oh my god

and that voiCE?

silky smooth is the only way to describe it

“i actually brought someone with me this time! this is y/n.” jungkook points behind him and you poke your head out a little

taehyung tilts his head to get a better look at you and he offers you a warm smile

your heart skips a beat and you feel your cheeks grow warm

“ah, so this is a date?”

“taehyung, please.” jungkook scoffs and pauses “…my standards are higher.”

“hEy-“ you scowl and smack his arm before moving out from behind jungkook

you turn to face taehyung and you smile shyly “hi”

he sticks his hand out for you to shake and you take it graciously

he gives you a firm shake

“hi! i’m taehyung but you can call me tae if you’d like. any friend of jungkook’s is a friend of mine!” he grins and grabs two menus from the front before leading you guys to a booth in the back

you slide in on one side and jungkook slides in on the other side

taehyung hands each of you a menu

“i’ll be back with some water and to take your orders in a couple minutes!”

“okay, thank you!” you chirp and let your eyes linger for a couple seconds as taehyung walks off to wait on another table

jungkook narrows his eyes at you for a brief second

interesting

veRy interesting

“ah, let’s see what’s good…” jungkook hums and opens up the menu while stroking his chin

what a dork

“you literally jusT checked out the menu outside-“  

“hey. look at this!” jungkook pulls a flyer out of the menu before flipping it over to show you

he wiggles his eyebrows

you squint and lean forward to read the small text

you should’ve brought your reading glasses with u

“the big bowl challenge… finish a five pound bowl of ramen in ten minutes and get free ramen for a month-“ your eyes widen and you pull away as if jungkook just zaPPed you “are you insane?! five pounds???”

“it wouldn’t hurt to try!!! if you finish the bowl, it’s free!!! and free ramen for a month?!” jungkook points to the flyer again

“well, you go ahead and enjoy filling yourself up, i’m just going to get a normal sized bowl of ramen.” you scoff and shake your head as you flip through the menu

their new spicy ramen looks pretty good

you might go for that one

ooH and it comes with a side of dumplings for $2 extra

“you just don’t wanna do it because you know you’re going to lose.” jungkook sighs and leans back against the booth and casually flips through his menu

you drop your menu and gawk at him “wha- lose?? trust me, if we were to compete, you would be the loser here.”

“all bark, no bite…”

you clench your jaw in frustration and let out a huff

jungkook knows how competitive you are and he knows exactly which buttons to press to get you to fall for his tricks every single time

he’s so sneAKy

“c’mon, let’s do it together! i know how to make things more interesting. not only will we be racing against the clock - we will also be racing against each other.”

huh

that doEs make things more interesting

“what happens if i beat you?” you raise a brow and put the menu down

your spicy ramen and dumplings can wait for next time

“mm… i’ll buy you smoothies for a week. and if i win, you have to do my laundry for a week.”

oh groSS

you don’t want to do jungkook’s laundry

he has spiderman boxers with holes in them n stinky socks

but those smoothies are expensive

and really yummy

are you reALLY going to force yourself to consume a five pound bowl of ramen just to shove it in jungkook’s face

also,…,., do you really want taehyung to sEE you consume a five pound bowl of ramen

“-and i will be partaking in your ramen competition.” you snap out of it when you realise jungkook’s already ordering for you guys “and we’re alsO going to compete against each other to see who can finish their bowl the fastest!”

you can’t really change your mind now

you’re not a coWARD

you sit up a little straighter before propping your chin up on your palm and reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind ur ear

hopefully u look cute under this dim lighting

“oh, really?” taehyung looks between the both of you before scribbling it down on his soup-stained notepad “my money’s on y/n.”

“you’re a traitor.” jungkook responds immediately and slaps his menu shut “y/n’s going down and she’s going to do my laundry for a week.”

taehyung gasps lightly before shaking his head and tuning to look at you “god y/n.,., you better win because one time jungkook left a pair of socks at my place and i swear to god i was this close to moving out because of the stench… i don’t want anyone having to go through the pain of-”

“okAY okay don’t u have a job to do???” jungkook scowls and hands his menu to tae and you do the same

“i will return shortly with two monstrous bowls of ramen!” taehyung chirps and heads off towards the kitchen

you let out a little sigh before leaning back against the booth

jungkook clears his throat

“what… was that?”

“what are you talking about?”

“y’know, the-“ jungkook starts giggling like a maniac and reaches up to pretend to tuck hair behind his ears over and over again “that!”

“i have no idea what you’re talking about. also, just out of curiousity-“ you take a small sip of water, “how do you know taehyung?”

jungkook pokes his tongue into his cheek before leaning back and crossing his arms

“why do you ask?”

“i told u it was out of curiosity” you respond innocently and shrug

“we’re in the same literature class. he’s a pretty nice guy!” jungkook nods before going quiet “.,,.,.he’s also a pretty single guy.”

you give him a pointed look “don’t do that.”

“what?? you were curious and i answered your question!”

“i’m terminating this conversation.” you roll your eyes and cross your arms

jungkook hums and leans over to check out the little boxes of extra toppings on the side

pretty standard stuff

extra green onion.,.some ginger.,,. salt, pepper, chilli powder

“you ever think about how long it takes for people to shred green onion into these thin little-“

“how long have you known him for?”

jungkook’s shoulders droop

obviously this conversation has been resurrected from your termination

“ah… almost a year?” he shrugs and peeks into the little pot of shredded green onions

you gawk at him and lean forward

“…and you didn’t think to introduce me to him until now-“

“i thought you weren’t interested.” jungkook slaps the ceramic lid back onto the pot

“i’m just making conversation”

“i juSt tried to make conversation about green onions and you completely shut that down-“

“also, going back to my point, i never even asked you if he was single or not, all i asked you was how-“

“but if you were to ask me if he was single or not then i would respond with, yes, y/n, taehyung is very single and i’m sure-“

“alrighty, here we go!” you immediately shut up and give jungkook a warning look when taehyung appears at your table carrying two trays propped up on his shoulders

you swallow thickly when you see his biceps flex slightly

.,,.yes.

Yes To All Of That.

taehyung sets your bowl down in front of you carefully as to not have any soup splash out-

oh god

this bowl is.,., it’s a loT bigger than you thought it would be

there are like four boiled eggs in here

a tiny mountain of shredded green onion

six pieces of seaweed

ten thin slices of pork

you reach up and tie your hair up into a ponytail

ya gotta put the hair up when it’s time to get down n dirty

“get ready to lose, y/l/n” jungkook grins and rubs his hands together in anticipation

“in your wildest dreams, jeon.” you snap back immediately and pick your chopsticks up

“since you guys are competing, i brought two timers for you“ taehyung plops two little clocks down in between the two of you and you make sure to smile politely at him before looking back at your bowl

you don’t mean to brush him off but you’re tryINg to figure out the most strategic way to finish a bowl of ramen this big

and so it goes

the next ten minutes of your life will be the most important ten minutes in your entire life

here’s your game plan:

eat aLL the toppings first to get them out of the way

just go hAM on the slurping

use your chopsticks to really shovel and paCK the noodles into your mouth

if necessary don’t even chew!!!! just swALLOW

and then at the end chug down the broth because by the time you finish the noodles the broth will have cooled down a little bit

jungkook’s game plan is just to eat and enjoy himself

he doesn’t care whether he beats you or not

he just wants to see you shovelling food into your mouth like a maniac in front of his friend that he’s pretty sure you’re vERy attracted to

evil??? only a little bit

>:-)

“alright, you two ready?” taehyung keeps his fingers hovered over the start button on each timer “in 3, 2, 1… go!”

you immediately slurp up a giaNT spoonful of noodles and regret that decision almost instantly because hOT HOT HOT

it doesn’t matter

you gotta do whatever it takes to win

whATEVER it takes babY

okay jungkook was originally going to just enjoy himself but his competitive streak has officially kicked in so now he’s slurping up the noodles just as quickly as you are

side note

the broth is actually really good

and the eggs are cooked to perfection

and the noodles are also cooked to perfection

perfEctly chewy and perfectly slurpable

you definitely see yourself coming back here and it’s noT just because that taehyung boy is cute okay

speaking of taehyung

he is vEry impressed with your progress so far

most of the people he’s seen do this challenge have struggled a bit at the start but you seem to be doing just fine

jungkook’s noodles keep slipping from his chopsticks and taehyung laughs lightly when some of the broth splashes onto his face

he wonders why jungkook’s never mentioned his cute friend that he’s realising he might be slightly attracted to even though he literally only knows your name

u cute

u real cute

“you’re eating like an animAL-“

“says the one shovelling noodles into her mouth!”

“at least i-“

you and kook simultaneously bicker anD eat and taehyung snorts when you threaten to shove a spoonful of chilli powder uP his- [statement redacted]

you pause for a split second when you see jungkook literally swaLLow half an egg

good god

wat dat mouf do

swallow half a boiled egg apparently

“tiME” you smack your hand against your timer and wipe your mouth with the back of your hand because you feel yourself dribbling a little bit

let’s see

nine minutes and thirty eight seconds

not bad!! for a FIVE pound bowl of ramen

jungkook slurps up the last of his serving and whacks the timer

nine minutes and fifty two seconds

oOh

close call

jungkook drops his chopsticks into the bow and pats his chest a couple times before wincing in discomfort “the noodles are stiLL going down the hatch”

“alright, that’s ti- oh.” taehyung rounds the corner and hits the side button on his watch “you’re both done!”

“yep, we’re both done..” you smile weakly

you don’t know if you can ever eat another bowl of ramen again

you don’t know if you can look at boiled eggs the same way without imagining one sliding down jungkook’s throat

“congratulations, you two!” taehyung peeks into both of your bowls to make sure there’s nothing left “you’re both the noodle champions!” he stacks your bowls together and picks them up “i’ll be back with your prize t-shirts!!”

great.,,. you’re both nooDle champions.,,. but at what coST

o god

and taehyung just witnessed you inhale a five pound serving of ramen 

his first memory of you.,,.is seeing you shovel like five pieces of pork into your mouth while glaring at jungkook 

ahHHHH 

aT WHAT COST

“i think i’m pregnant.” you groan and lie down on your back

you sit up a little to look at kook “and i think it’s yours.”

jungkook glances back over at you “if it’s a boy, we name it ramen. if it’s a girl, we name it ramena.” he slouches back against the booth and stares into space “i have something to tell you too”

“what”

“i’m definitely pregnant and it’s definitely yours.” he rubs a hand over his bloated tummy and lets out a louD belch and you groan quietly

“you’re repulsive”

“i’m carrying your child, how dare you speak to a pregnant man like that?” jungkook sits up quickly but immediately regrets it

he lets out another belch and you whine before throwing a balled up napkin at him

god

u can smell it from here

“oh, god. the baby’s coming.”

“if you puke it all out you’re immediately disqualified-“

“i don’t caRE the bABY’S COMING-“ jungkook slides out of the booth and you can’t help but laugh at the sight of him sprinting to the washroom

you stop laughing when you feel the ramen coming up a little bit but you swallow it down because there’s no way you’re losing after that baTTle

“where’s kook?” you jump and immediately sit up  

you point to the washroom “he’s about to give birth to a ramen baby through his mouth”

“…huh” taehyung kisses his teeth “well, do you want your picture up on the wall?” he shakes the polaroid camera and your eyes widen in mild panic

heCk no you don’t want your picture up on the wall

“oh, god no. i do not want anyone knowing that i ate a five pound bowl of ramen in less than ten minutes.” you snort and shake your head

taehyung laughs lightly before pointing to himself “but i know that you ate a five pound bowl of ramen in less than ten minutes.”

“mm, that’s true.” you purse your lips before sticking your pinky out “pinky promise you won’t tell?”

taehyung grins and sets the camera down so that he can wrap his pinky around yours

he stands up a little straighter and clears his throat

“i promise,” he presses a hand to his chest, “i, kim taehyung, will not tell anyone that you, y/n y/l/n, successfully consumed a five pound bowl of ramen in less than ten minutes-“

“good-“

“iF-“

“…if?” your brows knit together in confusion

if

if whAT

“if you give me your number.”

huh

you have to admit that was kind of smooth

and unexpected

but a nice kind of unexpected

you snort and feel the apples of your cheeks growing warm 

you clear your own throat before sliding out of the booth and getting up

taehyung stands up straighter as you press your own hand to your chest “i, y/n y/l/n, will happily give you, kim taehyung my number if you don’t tell anyone that i successfully consumed a five pound bowl of ramen in less than ten minutes.”

keep in mind the two of you still have your pinkies locked together

taehyung nods firmly and lets go of your hand

“your country thanks you.” he salutes and you can’t help but giggle when his right eye drops in a wink  

you feel your heart go all warm and gushy

and it’s noT from the heartburn

:-)

okay wait

it might be a little from the heartburn  

help me help you make your wishes come tru (aka send me a request)

drabble tag

[mediapuppy]

Gosh it’s so flattering that people want to know more about me!  Now you wouldn’t expected these to be loaded questions, but let me preface this by saying that I’m an absolute mess when it comes to college.  I do nothing normally.  Sleep is nonexistent.  My advisors are going to stab me in my sleep. Come with me while I take you on the wild, dysfunctional rollercoaster that is Media’s College Misadventures™

Now I like a lot of things in an abstract sort of way.  I love cooking and baking.  I used to do a lot of overseas work with genetics and animals.  I’ve always been fascinated by the brain in the sort of vague way most people are. But this doesn’t sell, so I went into my freshman year an Economics/CS major as prep work to take over the family business!    Please for the love of god don’t follow in my footsteps but I spent the last two years of high school running with a dangerously fun crew whose blood was 80% vodka and 20% bad decisions and we all somehow got into our top universities.  Out of sheer notgivingafuckness I put all the top universities I got into in a hat and just picked one.  The next morning I woke up with no recollection of the previous day and a thank-you email from the college I apparently accepted.  I was very drunk, yet I regret nothing. This college decided the best course of action would be to send me to Ireland for my first year where I immediately proceeded to make friends with all my professors and go drinking with them after class every day.  They showed me pizza clubs and these really fancy underground bars for the Irish elite, I think one of my best memories was going to a gay bar in the back alleys of southside Dublin with my economic perspectives prof then drunk stumbling over to this game shop at 2AM to learn to play magic with these very confused guys that readily accepted us as their new best friends. I learned absolutely nothing.  If you’re wondering just how much of a mess I was the dean of the entire fucking university knew me as the girl that was always asleep on the floor between classes with this dude who looked like the human version of Animal from The Muppets guarding my stuff.  The dean would go to this chocolatiers place across the street and get a few chocolate treats with his morning coffee to put in my hungover, asleep fish hand for when I woke up.  That man was a goddamn delight and I still talk to him to this day. A lot of things happened in Ireland that I will happily tell ya’ll if you want!  Just as an overview during these few months we also: got tazed repeatedly because we lived in gang territory (thanks uni for putting us there!!), watched our friend get kidnapped overnight from our favorite club (he was fine), got the entire country of America banned from several bars on our street, got accepted by the gang that terrorized us for the first two months, watched as on Halloween our entire apartment building got set on fire by said gang and we just went outside to drink beer with them while our advisor was having a nervous breakdown, and many, many bad decisions on my part.   After a few months we all got shipped back to the actual campus back in the states where things all went downhill.  My advisor straight up quit in my first week and I never got reassigned so I was just this poor tiny freshman stuck in upper-level classes with very confused and sympathetic seniors.  Halfway into the second semester one of my profs, the head of the whole econ department, started hitting on me.  If you’ve ever had the wonderful experience of being A Female In College ™ you know the type.  The ones that lean in a little too close, smile a little too wide when they see you.  So I said hell no and switched out of the major before the semester had even ended Into my second year, I was just taking classes aimlessly for a while picking new majors every few weeks while my advisors prayed for my demise.  I dabbled in psychology and sociology until I realized it was just memorizing terminology (but I made a friend in intro and together we both completed a minor in it just to hang out).  There was a very short-lived stint in biology for a while.  I dipped my fingers into Neuroscience for as long as they’d tolerate me.  Mathematics wasn’t too interesting without a double.  I ended up joining a lot of clubs and my main one was an engineering club (my uni is engineering-focused, rip me) but none of the facets of engineering interested me. Following from my long laundry list of good decisions I decided to just start befriending more professors and to aimlessly take their classes instead.  Long story short I accidentally completed a full B.S. in Philosophy of Science my sophomore year after overloading courses and being bored as all hell so a friend of mine, one of the top profs in the department, asked me to take his new upper-level quantum course so I said yes if he’d wave the prereqs and oop it turned out to be a senior thesis course and then I was all done with that major. I hadn’t made university hours so the beginning of my third year I was just taking mathematics and a few other courses while my advisors breathed down my neck ready to murder me.  They wanted me gone so bad, man, ya’ll have no idea.  I’m not even mentioning all the times I raised absolute hell on campus we just focusing on my major-based misadventures right now. Okay, so part of my university is something called co-op: a mandatory work experience period where students take semesters off at a time to do paid work in the field of their choice.  I hadn’t really any set majors at the time except for whatever bullshit showed up on my degree audit so I started searching for my 4-6 month co-op just to get it out of the way. Unfortunately for everybody involved, I interview extremely well and look good on paper.  I look damn good in a suit too and like to entertain when they’re supposed to be grilling me, so nobody stood a chance. I applied to the most ridiculous jobs I could find.  I was not qualified for any of it.  I got accepted to 90% of what I applied to. Out of notgivingafuckness pt2 I decided to give myself to the highest bidder which is how I ended up working for a defense contracting company that liked my coding background and how I just kinda roll with whatever’s going on.  So on the cusp of the covid pandemic I was working in security and dispatch for a major city hall that controlled the police department, fire, sanitation, everything under the sun.   I was so bad at my job, but I was enjoying it and that was everybody else’s problem.  When covid really started up and they let me go with 6 months full pay I immediately switched into PoliSci/Cyber and that’s where I am now, in my 4th year!   So to answer your question: my major is a mystery to everyone including me, but it’s something like PhilSci/PoliSci/Cyber and I’m taking 6 classes and I am dying fams.  My college experience is not and will never be normal, and I’ve still got masters/phd to go.  I’ve got a ton of great friends who constantly worry for my wellbeing because I do crazy shit and I am currently taking on the daunting challenge of befriending profs over zoom, who are only half into it. Don’t be me, but go out there and have fun!  College doesn’t have to be all about studying, and while now I’m taking too many classes to do much of anything else in my first few years I joined a ton of clubs and experienced all I could, so just get out there and do your best!

[rhysismydaddy]

Can you please do a fic for nessian where one of them is a teacher and the other is a student💖💖💖

________________________________________________________________

Light filtered in through Nesta’s shut eyelids and she groaned, nestling her head further into the pillow beneath her. Only it didn’t feel like a pillow. It was warm, and smooth, and breathing.

She pinched her eyes shut and shook her head, not wanting the obvious to be true. After realizing this shitstorm was unavoidable, she peaked up at the face of the man she was lying on. At least I know I still got it she thought grimly.

He was completely gorgeous, curly hair muffled from sleep and full lips open, and felt like he’d been built from stone.

Nesta supposed if she had to wake up completely naked on top of a stranger she couldn’t remember going home with, it helped that he was ungodly sexy.

After slowly peeling herself off of him—having to resist the urge to peak under the blanket to see exactly how good her night had been—she tiptoed around the room, trying to find her clothes.

“Morning, stranger,” a deep voice sounded behind her.

Nesta yelped, grabbing the blanket to cover herself. Which left him completely exposed. Not that he seemed to care. He propped his head up with his hand and smiled at her.

Oh, I definitely had a good night, she thought, trying and failing to look somewhere other than his tanned, toned body.

“Good morning…” she said quietly, struggling to remember his name.

He gave her a shit-eating grin that told her he was enjoying the blush on her cheeks entirely too much as he extended a hand and said, “Cassian.”

She quickly shook it, ignoring the feeling of his callouses and the faint memories of them on her skin, and replied, “Nesta.”

“So nice to meet you, Nesta,” he said, voice still clouded with sleep.

She was about to reply and say that they’d most definitely already met when she glanced at the clock and yelped again.

“Shit! I have to be in class in twenty minutes, and I have no idea where I am, and I can’t even find my fucking-”

Cassian held up the black lace bra she’d been wearing the night before and grinned. Nesta didn’t have time to bother with pleasantries as she snatched it and slid it on, reaching for her dress. It was an obvious walk-of-shame dress, the kind that was basically a second skin and would definitely gain her some disapproving stares as she left.

She didn’t think about how she looked, or the fact that she wasn’t wearing underwear, as she grabbed her shoes and speeded for the door.

“It was nice to… meet you, Cassian,” she shouted as she raced out his front door, ignoring his protests and slamming it behind her.

Squinting her eyes against the light, Nesta figured out where she was and thanked the heavens she was only a five minute walk from her apartment. She gripped her shoes in her hands and took off, praying she would make it to class on time.

____

Nineteen minutes later, Nesta raced into Professor Rhysand’s classroom, out of breath and sweaty. She’d had to run from the other side of campus to make it, but it was worth it. The prof had told them to come prepared for a “fun day,” and that usually meant a test, so she couldn’t be late. Professor Rhysand—and he made his students call him Rhysand because using his last name made him feel old—locked the doors exactly at 9 so late people couldn’t get in, so she’d had to practically sprint here. He was a hardass, but still Nesta’s favorite professor. 

She found her usual seat in the back--far away from her peers-- propped her head against the wall, and waited for her professor to show up. 

And waited. After ten minutes, Nesta was starting to get severely pissed off. She could’ve showered with this extra time. Or at least brushed her hair and put on a clean shirt.

But no, she’d been too stressed to worry about laundry, so she’d grabbed leggings and a tank top off the floor. One she was fairly certain she’d worked out in.

She squinted her eyes at the door, ready to give him a hateful look as soon as he walked in.

Instead, her eyes went wide as someone entirely too familiar strolled into the room, looking way too put-together. Whispers immediately arose from her peers about how sexy he was, how they’d definitely get with him, and all sorts of ridiculousness.

“Shit,” she whispered, trying to sink lower in her chair. The last thing she needed was for him to see her.

“Good morning, everyone. Sorry I’m late. Little Rhysand is out sick today, so I’ll be subbing for you all. My name is Professor Nezarra. I work over at Hybern University, which I know is the enemy school and all, but it’ll be okay. I won’t tell them that you guys liked me.”

A few generous laughs.

“Professor Rhysand has prepared a movie for you guys, so just relax and sign the attendance sheet whenever it comes around to you.”

Nesta sighed as the lights went out, proud of herself for staying hidden. He could not see her here. It was bad enough she’d had to face him this morning, but here? In front of her classmates? Oh, absolutely not.

She’d rather fake a medical condition and leave class than-

“Hello, stranger.”

Oh, fuck me.

She looked up slowly, dreading seeing the smirk she knew would be gracing his features. She almost groaned when her eyes met his. He was already insanely good looking, but this? This was ridiculous.

His hair was damp and pushed back off his forehead, making his eyes seem even more golden. The black of his shirt showed off the impressive build of his shoulders.

Why did it seem like he was even bigger than he’d been before? Had he worked out or something? 

“You had time to shower?” Nesta asked incredulously before she could stop herself.

He grinned down at her, having too much fun. “That’s what I was trying to tell you when you sprinted out this morning. You could’ve stayed, because I had to drive here anyway. Plus, you could’ve showered with me.” Cassian waved his eyebrows suggestively.

Nesta rolled her eyes. “Shouldn’t you go back up there?” She motioned to the front of the room where Prof Rhysand’s desk was.

“Nah,” he whispered confidently, sliding in the seat next to her and draping an arm over her shoulders. “If I go up there, it might give you time to sprint out of here again. You’re pretty fast.”

“I run track,” Nesta muttered back, gripping his arm and throwing it off of her.

Cassian acted like she hadn’t done anything and threw it around her again.

“Stop,” she whispered. “People can see.”

His eyebrows raised, a smile tugging at his lips. “See what?”

Nesta rolled her eyes and said, “That I fucked my professor!” she whispered furiously.

“First of all, sweetness,” he said, pulling her closer. “I’m not your professor. I don’t even work here.” True. “Second—and I meant to ask this this morning—do you even remember fucking me?”

A blush exploded across Nesta’s face, all the way down her neck. Cassian’s grin grew, and he propped his head up with a hand, face entirely too close to hers.

“Of course,” she said, the lie bitter on her tongue.

Cassian nodded, eyebrows squinted. “So you remember my friend being there too, then?”

“What?!”

She dropped her head into her hands, squeezing her eyelids shut.

Oh my gods this was so much worse than she’d thought. It was one thing to have a one night stand, but to have a threesome and not even remember? What kind of woman what she, and what had she had to drink?

“I’m kidding, Nesta,” he said teasingly, poking her side.

She looked up at him, ready to give him the verbal smack down he apparently wanted, but he spoke quicker. “Really, I’m surprised you don’t remember.”

“I was drunk,” she replied defensively.

He smiled and said, “I was too, but I remember. I mean we fucked on the roof for crying out loud.”

She waited for him to tell her he was joking again.

“Are you serious?”

The shit eating grin was back as he laughed and said, “Oh yeah. You said it made you feel like you were in the clouds. Although maybe that was just the orgasms-”

His voice carried a little to far that time, and half of her classmates turned around to stare at their position and raise their eyebrows.

“Oh my sweet heavens, shut up! You cannot talk about my orgasm in front of my peers-”

“Orgasms. Plural,” he said, a cocky smirk planting itself on his face.

Nesta believed him, but still raised an eyebrow, looked him up and down, and said hatefully, “Oh, I very seriously doubt that.”

His hand found its way to her thigh, fingers tracing light circles as he dropped his head to her ear and whispered, “Nesta, baby, you came seven times last night. I remember each one.” His teeth tugged on her earlobe, and she almost saw stars. “They’re replaying in my head like my personal movie.”

She shoved him away, ignoring the way her pulse had risen and the gooey feeling in her legs.

But he wasn’t done.

“Let’s see. There was the one against the wall, the two—or was it three?—on the roof, the one on the floor-” he laughed at that. “The one in my bed, and oh, of course. The one where I went down on you,” Nesta’s breath hitched as he drew too close again, “That one was my favorite. I can still taste-”

“Shut up shut up shut up!” Nesta whisper-shouted as memories started to assail her. He let out a laugh. That one had definitely been her favorite too, but she wasn’t about to admit it, or let her classmates hear about it, for heaven’s sake. 

“You remember that don’t you?”

His hand was still on her thigh, and it drew higher as he said, “You remember moaning my name, pulling my hair as I slid my tongue up your thigh, right here,” his fingers tapped against her inner thigh. “You remember, don’t you?”

Nesta was pretty sure she’d never breathe normally again. She stopped caring about her classmates and started only caring about the new throbbing between her legs. 

“No,” she said shakily, holding on to the lie.

“Hm,” he hummed, gripping her thigh tighter and whispering, “I’d be happy to show you again, you know, to refresh your memory.”

In the back of her mind, she knew the video had ended and people were staring, waiting for Cassian to do something, but she couldn’t be bothered to care.

“However, right now I have to deal with your classmates.”

She fought a groan as he got up, and Nesta hated how she already missed the warmth of his hand on her. She was too worked up over this guy, someone she’d literally only known for less than a day.

But she couldn’t help but remember last night, how those hands had felt on her, how they’d squeezed the thighs she wrapped around his waist-

“Ms. Archeron?”

Nesta snapped out of the haze she’d been in and said, “Yes?”  Everyone stared, and Cassian’s eyebrows raised knowingly. “Can you repeat the question?”

“How did you like the video?”

Oh, the little prick. He knew she hadn’t watched a second of whatever dumb video Professor Rhysand had “prepared.”

Nesta shrugged, narrowed her eyes, and said, “It was fine.”

Cassian’s lips twitched up as he said, “Just fine? You seemed to really enjoy it.”

“And you would know this how, exactly?” Were they still talking about the video?

“Oh, you told me.” He said confidently. “Multiple times.” No. Definitely not.

Nesta was going to kill him. Everyone in the room was watching them with a mixture of confuse and amusement written on their faces.

“Well, like I said, it was fine, but I won’t be watching it again. Ever.” She narrowed her eyes.

His eyebrows rose, and he said, “Oh, I think you will. You might even watch it again tonight.”

A few of her classmates chuckled at that.

“Oh?”

“I think, if you look back at it, it was the best movie you’ve ever seen.” That stupid, confident little smirk was driving her crazy.

Nesta wanted to… to.. well she didn’t know what she wanted. All she knew was that this stupid argument, what they’d done last night, was the most fun she’d had in a while. He had some affect on her she couldn’t describe. Half the time she wanted to punch him in the face, the other half she wanted to fuck his brains out.

Probably not the healthiest combination, but Nesta didn’t care one bit as she smirked back and said, “It was definitely the best movie you’ve ever seen, but not me. I’m somewhat of a movie master. But I might be nice and let you watch it again later. Maybe you’ll learn something.”

Cassian gave her a huge smile, cleared his throat, and said to the class, “You guys can leave. Tell Rhys I’m a much cooler professor than he is.”

Nesta stayed perfectly still as her classmates filtered out, ignoring their whispers, and stared at Cassian. He was leaned up against the desk, arms crossed over his broad chest, thumb running over his bottom lip.

When the last student left and the door clicked closed, Nesta rose to her feet and slowly walked down the isle to stand in front of him.

“Did you find my answer satisfactory, Professor?” she asked lightly, putting her hands on his chest and looking up at him.

His hands wrapped around her hips and pulled her flush against him, and his voice was cloudy as he replied, “I’m not going to lie. You might have to sleep with me if you want an A.”

Nesta sighed dramatically. “Oh, the things I do for my studies,” she whispered as she rose onto her toes and pressed her lips to his.

 _______________________________________________________________

Sorry this took a ridiculous amount of time. Thank you for the ask!! 

[scaredycat113]

I'm Allie: A Biography Summarized

Hey all!

My name is Alyssa, but call me Allie, let's drop the formalitiles already; we're all friends here right?When I was a kid, I always had a thing for creating new realities in my head. Now some would call this "lying", but I just think those people are close minded. As a kid, I really liked to tell stories, I mean, who didn't?! Everyone would be tuned in to your every detail, actually listening (and hopefully enjoying) the tale you spun for them. I remember the first story I ever told (only because it went so badly). I was about 6 or 7 years old and someone asked if anyone had a scary story to tell. I did not, but I was determined to tell one anyway. It was a story of a man who woke to find his whole town abandoned. Long story short, his friends played a prank on him. I know what you're thinking... not clever or scary in the slightest, but I was 8 give me a break! Everyone groned, no one liked it, but I thought, "ya know what? I kinda like telling stories." and thus the writer in me was born.

Fast forward to 2008, Step-Up 2: The Streets had just come out. I LOVED THAT MOVIE. I mean taught myself every dance and learned every line kinda love for that movie (I'll challenge anyone to a dance off). So at the ripe age of 10, I wrote my first movie. It was called Step-Up 3: The Masquerade and it was fantasic (for a 10 year old. Give me some credit). For some unknown reason, Touchstone didn't pick it up (they missed out BIG TIME), but I kept on writing. I wrote a couple of short stories and entered into competitions. I got discouraged over the years and thought, "maybe writing just isn't for me." I loved it, but it seemed like no one else liked my work as much as I did. So I changed paths.

When I was in high school, I wanted to go into international relations. I figured it would be really fun and rewarding to work with companies in different nations and try to help them breach the communicational gap. All was fine and dandy until I met my high school drama teacher, Mr. Wells. Mr. Wells had that contagious type of passion (I hope every student, regardless of subject, finds a teacher like him). We had a section where we had to write a play and I thought, "I already wrote a movie so this will be a piece of cake!". It was not. I worked for weeks on that play and turned up to class with a pile of crap. The frothy diarrhea icing on that cake was having it performed by my classmates that day so I could fully bask in the embarrasment that was my 14 page crapfest. After seeing my AWFUL play actually performed I thought, "I can do better." and so I did.

Junior year of high school we had a student-directed play festival. Of the 20-something years this festival had been going, no one entered in an original script, so I decided to enter this play festival with my new creation, a play titled, "Take a Number, Please". It was about a man who walked into a the ER with a head injury who's asked to take a number by the nurse at reception. Throughout the play, many other patients walk in with trivial injuries (a woman had lipstick on her tooth which she couldn't get off, another swallowed a bug), but the nurse lets them go through to see the doctor immediately. Turns out, the man who came in first is a patient at the hospital who periodically wanders down to the ER and complains of a head injury because he has amnesia and all of the other people walking into the ER are just in his head. Not a novel concept by any means, but it was mine and I treated it like my baby. The first night of the festival, my play was a hit. I had parents coming up to me saying how much they enjoyed my play, but the most rewarding part was hearing people laugh at my jokes and "awww" at the struggles of the characters I created. It was the highlight of my high school days, no doubt. This lit a fire under my ass.

Freshman year of college I had designated myself as a communication major, but one of the electives I signed up for was a scriptwriting class. It was the first time I really got to explore my writing and I loved every second of it. This was the year I really got to express my hidden side. A side that was a little bit dark and twisted. I wrote a play called, "Psychomachia" which boils down to "battle of spirits" or "soul war" (but Psychomachia sounded way cooler). It was about a girl who was struggling with two halves of herself, a light side and a dark side. Both my classmates and my professor loved this piece and, I'm not gonna lie, so did I. This piece was the first true expression of how I felt at the time and I cherished every second of writing it. Then I let others get to me...

"There's no money in writing." "You can't make a living off creative writing." I believed it. I figured I'd put my time into a career where I could support myself after graduation, so I stopped writing. I changed my goal back to international relations. I figured if I loved it once, I could love it again. Oh how wrong I was. I took a political science class and fell asleep as soon as the professor started talking (no dig on Prof Edwards, he was great). So I changed my goal, once again, to public relations with the hopes of becoming a social media manager, but I wasn't thrilled about it. I had no passion for it, I just figured it would give me a solid income to live on.

Spring semester of my Junior year I took a communication course called, "Gaming and Avatars". The course talked about how we can communicate all sorts of ideas through video games. This course was utterly illuminating for me. Not only did I meet my significant other in this class (shout out to my guy, KN, you know who you are), but I found my new love as well, communicating.... THROUGH VIDEO GAMES. What a crazy idea, right?! I could connect two things I absolutely loved doing... and get paid for it?? Who knew?!

So there I was, about to graduate college and questioning every decision I made in my undergrad. At this point I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted to write for video games. The problem was getting my foot in the door. I contacted countless game studios and sent my resume hoping and praying someone would give me a chance. Every studio I applied to would look at my resume and respond (if they responded at all), "We don't have any PR positions available." and I would tell them that what I really wanted to do was write. They would usually stop responding after that. So I enrolled in a master's program for creative writing hoping that it would give me some credibility in the field. But I felt like I was behind. I felt like I started late because I didn't study writing during my undergrad.

So I worked my ass off and built my portfolio. I wrote short film scripts, scripts for a web series, and I even made a game. During this time I still applied to game studios. I would send them whatever script I was working on or my game, but still no dice, until...

June 30th, 2020 (yes, I saved the date, judge me if you want). I got my first commision to write for the fantastically brilliant Rise Eterna. I was nervous and second guessing if I was really cut out for this, but there was no time to consider it; I am a game writer.

So there it is. Thanks for sticking around. I know this post was a journey, but now you know a little bit about me.

Stay tuned for more blog posts in the future (the won't be as long, I pinky swear)! Also check out my website, because I post blog content there first.

Write on,

Allie