#aim carefully & use it wisely

[bumblequinn]

i feel like the internet would be a marginally healthier place if when ppl get mad about something online they type up a reply or post or tweet or make a video about it and save it as a draft and sleep on it instead of just hitting post. like writing an angry letter that you don't intend to send. you don't owe strangers inside your computer all of that stress!! release that aimless wrath and go live colorfully friend

[yeonzzzn]

stuck with me: park jongseong

pairing: jay x afab!reader word count: 26.2k

synopsis: in the middle of the apocalypse, you and jay find each other in a situation of life and death, using the protection of each other to get to the next safe zone. unfortunately for the both of you, things take a turn once secrets get revealed and the fight for survival becomes greater.

genre: enemies to lovers, zombie apocalypse!au, blonde jay, smuggler hyung line + smuggler txt, riize members + jungkook and namjoon make appearances, smut.

warnings: swearing, blood, weapons(guns and knives), drug mentions, make-out session, multiple unprotected sex, fingering, oral (f. rec), gun goes pew pew, mentions of d**th, MINORS DNI, lemme know if I missed anything ♡

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Jay said, the barrel of his shotgun pointing straight ahead, his heart rate racing faster than just a second ago, index finger twitching as his whole hand shook. 

You stood across from him, pointing your pistol right back at him, aiming directly for the middle of his forehead. 

Unfortunately for you, you had three other shotguns pointing directly at you. 

Your glare didn’t relent as you eyed each of them. 

“You’d be wise to drop your weapon,” you darted to the one who spoke, his dark red dyed hair hung slightly over his eyes, a sure sign that he didn’t trust you. Which was fair. You didn’t trust them either. 

“Four against one,” one smirked, his natural fangs showing, “Be smart, girl.” 

“I was here first,” you snapped, eyes darting between the four of them, “Find another place to ransack.” 

Jay glanced to his left as Jake took a step ahead of him, “As if! Drop your fucking weapon!” he yelled at you. 

You scoffed, raising both hands up, slowly backing away. Vampire fangs was right, it was four against one. There was no scenario where you would win this fight. Not when four shotguns were being pointed at you with the low amount of ammo you had left. It was a loser situation. They slowly lowered their guns slightly, obviously still on edge. 

Jay watched you carefully as you backed away. Watching as your long-sleeved shirt forsaken you, revealing the white bandage wrapped around your forearm with blood soaking through. His heart raced faster, eyes widened. 

“She’s been fucking bit!!” the redhead snapped, all four of the boys' weapons locking back into place pointing at you. 

“Shit,” Jay hissed. 

You lowered your pistol back at the blonde, gritting your teeth. 

**5 HOURS BEFORE**

You stuffed your mouth with the extra shirt from your backpack, biting down as hard as your jaw let you, and rolled up your sleeve to your elbow, the bite mark on your forearm still looking as gross as ever. 

The bottle of medical alcohol you found at the hospital sat to your left on the counter as you dangled your bitten right arm over the hospital's sink. 

You grabbed the bottle and took a few massive deep breaths in before pouring the alcohol down onto the bite. 

Your grip on the shirt tightened as you hissed in pain, doing everything you could possible to keep your groans to a reasonably quiet level to not alert any living or undead beings that could be stalking the hospital to your current location. 

Once the last of the alcohol dripped from the bottle and onto your arm, you grabbed the paper towels and gently dabbed your skin then tossed the towels behind you. You then picked up the tube of ointment, spreading enough on your fingers to rub gently on the bite. Adding the finishing touch of wrapping the white bandages around the bite and securing it tight. 

You got lucky to have found all these supplies when you did or else you’d be dead soon due to infection and loss of blood. 

You quickly pulled your long-sleeve back down then tossed your extra shirt, along with your newfound medical supplies, into your backpack and threw it over your shoulders. 

In all honesty, besides just being lucky enough to have found these supplies, you were lucky to still even be breathing. 

It’s been three years since this hell started. Since the so-called “cure” for some wack-ass disease was created for treatment that ultimately backfired and turned anyone who took it into a man-eating monster. And as the world failed to contain the outbreak, if anyone who was affected by the treatment bit or even scratched someone else, it too turned them into man-eating monsters. Or zombies if you will. Maybe even runners, clickers, or bloaters if you played the famous “The Last of Us” video game before the world went to shit. The walking dead, walkers, lurkers, the infected. Basically, any term you can think of for zombies is literally what was happening. 

Before the world knew it, everyone was thrown into this universe of kill or be killed to survive. The strong-willed were the only ones who survived. Or unless you were lucky and packed up with others. Or even extremely lucky and live inside one of the safe zones and not have to worry about leaving it. 

Unfortunately for you, you were all the above, minus not getting to leave the comfort of the safe zone. 

The safe zone you lived in was small and quiet. Not a lot of people, maybe a little over three hundred. So when supplies ran low, teams were sent out to gather more. Your safe zone wasn’t lucky enough to have military aid, and even when the military did come by to give supplies, it never was enough. Guess they saw your safe zone as a waste of time. 

You’ve ventured out of the safe zone multiple times for supply runs, so when you were picked to be a part of the team to head out, you thought nothing of it. Thought of it as just another scouting and supply run…but it wasn’t. Clearly. 

Your luck had to run out at some point, and that day just so happened to be where the luck ended. 

Your team was stuck between a rock and a hard place, quite literally, actually. The rock technically being a wall and the hard place being the undead had your team surrounded with no chances of escaping. Two of your team members were already killed, one got bit and killed themselves to spare the pain of changing, leaving just you and four others. One got scratched on the leg and had no other chance of escaping. Bless that man because he used his last bit of flares and bullets to part the sea in a chance to let you and the others make a run for it. 

You held onto the hand of your best friend as you both booked it on the small clear path. And once the sea started to close, you knew it was over. Your friend was ripped from your hand, her screams filling your ears along with the others who were being torn apart. You wanted to give up. You should have given up. You were surrounded, and the smell of death from the unliving as they were only nearly inches away from you. But some spark of hope kept you moving forward. Some unrelenting force pushing you towards the window. Your best friend yelled at you to keep going. If you were honest, her voice wasn’t the only thing that gave that hope. Something else was drawing you to stay alive, and what could that have been? You didn’t know. But you wanted to find out. 

You guarded your neck and face with your arms as you jumped through the window, the sound of breaking glass being loud enough and the smell of your blood that now ran down your arms surely alerted any other zombies in the area. But you kept moving once your feet touched the ground and started sprinting. You kept moving even as the tears streamed down your face as you left your teammates behind. 

You were the lone survivor. 

It didn’t take you long to notice the bite on your forearm just above your wrist once you got to a water stream and soaked your cut and bruised arms from breaking the window. You thought you were done for. That everyone else’s sacrifices were all for nothing. You wouldn’t be accepted back at the safe zone if you even made it back to the safe zone. Once you’ve been bit or scratched it takes roughly twenty-four hours before you start turning. The safe zone was two days away. You wouldn’t make it. 

Except you did. 

It’s now been a month since you’ve been bitten and nothing about you has changed besides the fact you have a random ass zombie bite mark on your arm that is slowly, but surely, healing. It will be one hell of a scar. 

You knew returning back to the zone wouldn’t work. They’d kill you on the spot. Or if they let you back in and notice you’ve survived a bite mark…you’d just become an experiment. Just like in every zombie video game and movie. 

So you took to the life of being a lone wolf. Doing everything—and meaning everything—you needed to survive. 

You continued your search of the hospital, gathering more medical supplies and any food left behind. Along with more ammunition(even if it was just a few bullets) for your pistol and any other weapons to add to your arsenal. As you passed by a window, you noticed just how low the sun was setting, meaning you needed to either get to a safe place within the hospital or attempt to find a nearby building or house that was safer. 

Because let’s be honest, who knew who or what was in this hospital still. And you sure as fuck weren’t going to be sticking around long enough to find out. 

You lifted up your sleeve to check your bite, seeing a small amount of blood staining the bandage. You quietly cursed, knowing you had to leave as soon as possible before something detected your blood smell. The only thing that sucked about the bite being slow healing, is the fact it still bled and was still infected. You needed to get treated, but that came at a cost that wasn’t worth it. 

You quickly and quietly slipped out the same way you came in, darting into the overgrown nature the world was now, your pistol in hand and knife strapped at your thigh. 

**3 HOURS BEFORE**

“Are you being serious right now?” Jay scoffed, staring down at Heeseung as his hands, and parts of his face were stained red. 

Heeseung smirked as he looked up at his younger friend, “Obviously.” he chuckled, “We are in the zombie apocalypse, If I want to dye my hair red, I will dye my hair red.” 

Jay stared down at the hair supplies surrounding Heeseung on the floor, “Where the fuck did you even find all this?” 

Heeseung shrugged, “I found them a couple of months back the last time we left the zone. Only just now decided to put them to use.” 

Sunghoon let out a low laugh. He was sitting at the kitchen table with an old Polaroid camera in his hands. The old thing was broken, but that didn’t stop Sunghoon from wanting to fix it and use it, “You’d think being in the zombie apocalypse, dying your hair would be the last thing on your mind.” 

Jake agreed, “We should be stealing supplies that are needed.” 

“And this was needed!” Heeseung rolled his eyes, “Who says fashion had to die with the world?” 

Jay always loved how positive his older friend was. How unaffected he was by this fucked up world. But with the way his world came to an end, Heeseung kind of had no choice but to grin and bear it. To shove the past away and live in the now and for the future. Also being the oldest and taking up that mantle to be the sole source of happiness and good vibes for the group, he was better than the rest of the boys living in this cabin. 

Jay knelt down beside Heeseung on the floor, eyes wandering between all the supplies, “Damn you used up all the red.” 

Heeseung just smiled, “Want me to dye your hair?” 

Jay lifts his hand to run it through his black hair, debating if it even would be worth it. It would add some fun to his life. But ultimately he declined, “We are going out.” 

Jake groaned, and flopped himself down onto his bed, “Are we seriously sneaking out tonight?” 

Sunghoon leaned back in his chair, draping his arm over the back, “What are we smuggling out?” 

Jay shook his head, “It’s what we are going to smuggle in.” 

Heeseung kept his eyes pointed at the small square mirror he had propped up against a bike of old books on the floor as he continued to run his red dye-stained hands through his hair, “What could we possibly be smuggling in?” 

“Drugs, obviously,” Jake said, rolling onto his stomach, “What else could we smuggle into the zone that isn’t allowed to be here?” 

Jay shrugged, “I got a tip that a building about an hour south from here, someone from a neighboring safe zone dropped the drugs off there. We smuggle that in and sell that shit, we’d have enough money to last us for months.” 

“And who the fuck tipped you off?” Sunghoon scoffed, hands going back to fiddling with his camera. 

“I swear to god if you say Yeonjun,” Heeseung said with a click of his tongue, “Man is higher than a kite half the damn time.” 

Jay just smiles, “Nah, it wasn’t from Yeonjun or his crew.” 

“Then who?” Jake asked with pure confusion on his face. 

“Probably Jungkook,” Sunghoon guessed, “He’s the only other person who would care enough about smuggling drugs into the zone. He probably got someone in the jail to run their mouths to even pass on this information.” 

Jungkook was one of the local police officers in this safe zone. He wasn’t a dirty cop or anything, he just understood that sometimes people need a getaway. That getaway is either hard-core drugs, or even the lesser ones. Ones that either get you fucked up, or higher than a kite like Yeonjun is half the time. Either way, Jungkook allowed these four to sneak in and out of the zone as they pleased as long as they didn't get caught or bitten. Because once they got caught, Jungkook would hold no power to protect them. 

Jay just nodded and stood up, “We leave in an hour. Like I said, it would take us an hour to get to where we need to go.” 

“Oh, good!” Heeseung cooed, “That gives us plenty of time to bleach your hair.” 

Jay scrunched his nose, looking at the box of hair bleach sitting beside Heeseung. 

“There’s a pretty cool blonde color you can use, I sure as hell won’t use it.” 

Jay rolled his eyes and sat down beside his friend, “Make it quick.” 

**10 MINUTES BEFORE**

Jay, Heeseung, Jake, and Sunghoon all carefully walked into the small village that is said to have the drugs. 

Each of the boys kept their eyes open for the building that was described to them, guns locked and loaded and ready to fire in case of any trouble. 

The moonlight and the few shitty street lamps that still somehow worked were the only source of light they had to light the village. 

It was quiet, a bit too quiet for Jay’s liking but a blessing nevertheless. The last thing he needed was having to actually fire their weapons and alert any zombies their way. 

“Where the fuck is this building,” Jake softly snapped, “I do not like being out here.” 

“That makes two of us,” Heeseung agreed, “I don’t like the vibes here.” 

Most of the world has been overgrown with grass, plants, vines, etc etc etc. Each city or town or village outside the safe zones wouldn’t be well kept and taken care of. But this place? The grass was cut. Only a select few houses and buildings had vines covering them. Someone or a few people were taking care of this place. Jay could only imagine it was whoever dropped the drugs off here. Or so he hoped. 

You also found the small village, taking a mental note of how clean it was when it shouldn’t be. You didn’t like it, but you needed to eat, clean your bite, and sleep. This place would have to do until the sun comes up. 

Most of the houses or buildings were locked or covered in vines, and since the undead stalked around more freely at night, you didn’t want to risk breaking a door or window and settled for finding one that was already broken into. 

You found your way into a building where the door was barely holding onto its hinges. You walked in, seeing that it used to be an old convenience store that was yet to be raided. 

Your heart quickened at the sight, wasting no time to pile what food, medicines, and other supplies you could into your backpack. It was like you hit the jackpot, your luck showing off. 

Your luck brought you an old tin box sitting on a small shelf under the register (that unfortunately had zero money in it). You gently shook the box, hearing what sounded like a plastic bag shifting about. After opening the lid, your eyes widened at the contents.

Drugs. Hard ones. Ones that would knock you on your ass and get you high as fuck. You dug through the plastic bag, seeing some of the drugs were for pain in high dosages, which was perfect for your bitten arm. God damn were you lucky. 

You shoved the tin into your backpack, ready to find a place to sleep when a noise coming from the back of the store jolted you to a stop. Your heartbeat quickened and your breathing became unsteady. Your hand on your pistol tightened, shaking as you quietly walked towards the back. You prayed and prayed it was just some animal, or the wind blowing through the broken windows. 

You turned the corner towards the bathrooms, only to be met face-to-face with an undead monster. 

The thing hissed and groaned as it saw you, lunging forward, arms stretched out and drool dripping from its opened mouth. The smell of rotting flesh was enough to make you want to toss up everything you’d eaten that day. You only had enough time to take a few steps back before tripping over your own feet falling completely on your ass. 

You haven’t felt fear like this since you and your old team members got cornered. The flashbacks of watching your friends get eaten and torn about filled your brain. You started to panic, thinking this was it until that sparkle of hope filled you once again. You raised your pistol up, aiming at the zombie's head, and pulled the trigger twice. 

“Please tell me you all heard that too,” Heeseung whispered, the sounds of a gun being fired echoed across the village. 

“Yeah,” Jay took a deep breath in, “I heard it too.” 

The boys quickly went in the direction of the sound, eyes glancing in every direction to keep watch of any trouble until they found the building they were looking for and found something they weren’t expecting to find—you.  

You barely got to your feet and turned around when the four men approached you, shotguns aiming directly at you. 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” 

And that’s how you all ended up here, guns pointing at each other with every intent to kill. 

“She’s been fucking bit!!” Heeseung snapped, all four of the boys' weapons locking back into place pointing at you. 

“Shit,” Jay hissed. 

You lowered your pistol back at Jay, gritting your teeth, “It’s not what you think.” 

“Like hell it is!!” Sunghoon yelled, “I should put a few rounds into you right now!” 

Jay couldn’t explain it, but something felt off about this, about you. Your wrap was soaked in blood, but you can clearly see the blood has darkened in some areas of the wrap. Usually, a person who has been bitten turns within twenty-four hours. Your wound looks older than that. 

You whipped your weapon back to vampire fang, narrowing your eyes, “Shoot me and I’ll sure as hell make sure to get some rounds into you too.” 

“Sunghoon,” Heeseung sternly said, “Stand down.” 

Sunghoon locked his jaw and took a few steps back. Heeseung noticed it as well. The longer he stared at you, the more he could tell your bite looked too old. 

“Hoon, Jake,” Jay said, barely turning his head to look at the younger too, keeping his weapon pointed at you, “Go find what we came here for so we can leave, I don’t want to stick around long enough to find out if she has more friends here.” 

The younger too nodded, slowly backing away and then turning on their heels, running in different directions to find what they came here for. 

Heeseung and Jay kept their eyes on you. You knew once they got whatever they came for they would leave you here or kill you. 

You preferred the first option. 

“Fuck!” Jake yelled, finding the whole place empty, “Nothing is here!” 

Heeseung and Jay narrowed their eyes at you, you could read it all over their faces that they came here for what you found and shoved into your backpack. 

“Fucking bitch, plan to take those drugs to knock your ass out while you change? Maybe kill yourself in the process?” 

You showed your teeth, “What is it to you?” You snapped, “I found it first, fuck off!” 

Jay took a step closer to you, and you took two back, “We have a lot—and I mean a lot—of money riding on those drugs, hand them over before I kill you and take them myself.” 

“Might as well just kill her,” Heeseung scoffed, “It’ll be a blessing compared to what she’ll feel once the change takes over.” 

“It's not what you think!” you yelled again. 

Heeseung wasn’t listening, not really caring either. He’s had enough. They needed those drugs, needed that money to keep his brothers alive. So he stepped toward you quickly, sliding his shotgun tied to the strap behind his back, one hand gripping your wrists and the other at your backpack. 

He was too quick for you to process or make a move. It was obvious at the way your pistol left your hands and was kicked to the blonde, the way his knee bent into the back of yours buckling you to the ground, that his man had done this plenty of times. Has been in plenty of fights and probably killed multiple people. 

But you’d be damned if you were going to go down this easy. 

You slammed your weight to your back, to knock his hand off your backpack, then moved to the left, putting all your force into his side to push him off you. But his grip on your left wrist was unrelenting, his fingers held just above your wrap, slowly sliding it off. 

You managed to get him off you, sending him to his ass. You quickly stood to your feet, only to be met with your pistol touching your forehead, the blonde's eyes like fire burning into you. Jake and Sunghoon standing back behind him, pointing their guns at you again. 

“Heeseung,” Jay said, “You good buddy?” 

Your eyes darted to the redhead, watching as he stood up, eyes piercing. 

You looked back at the man in front of you, raising your hands back up, “Take the fucking drugs, this shit ain’t worth it.” It really wasn’t worth it. Even if you got away these four would chase you down until they got the box and killed you. You needed to survive for the sake of the friends you’ve lost. 

You kept your eyes locked with the blonde as Heeseung was now at your back, digging into it to pull out the tin box.  

Jay was about to pull away when his eyes darted back to your wrist, seeing the bite. Without thinking his free hand gripped your bitten wrist and pulled it forward, lowering the pistol to lift your sleep up higher. 

“Shit,” he hissed, “Guys, come look at this.” 

You were now surrounded by the four of them looking at your wound, every single one of their eyes widening. 

You also glanced down at your bite, it was obvious it was infected from it not being taken care of, but it was healing. And it was obvious that it was. 

“You’re immune?” The redhead said, his eyes now lifting to examine your face, “How is that possible?” 

Jay locked eyes with you again, then with his friends, “What the fuck have we gotten ourselves into?” 

—

Sneaking out of the safe zone with four people is one thing. But sneaking back in with four people while SMUGGLING another life and illegal drugs is another. 

The safe zone might be one of the biggest in the world, but everyone knows who Jay, Heeseung, Jake, and Sunghoon are. So with you standing in the middle of the four as you all climbed up through a hole that leads into an abandoned broken-down home and the face of a military officer staring back at you, your heart sank. And the looks of the four boys around you were evidence enough that you all just got caught. 

“What the actual fuck is going on?!” the officer snapped, his eyes filled with such a fire that I made you want to duck under the boys and back down to the hole and escape into the free world. 

“Jungkook,” Heeseung said, raising his hands up, letting his shotgun dangle from his chest, “Listen, man, we didn’t plan this either.” 

“You know they keep count of every mother fucker in this safe zone!” Jungkook snapped

“We know!” Heeseung snapped back, “But you’re going to want to see this.” 

Heeseung whips around to you, reaching his hand out for you to take it, nodding his head to move closer to him, “Come here, YN.” 

You glare at him, shaking your head. You still didn’t trust these four boys, why would you willingly hand over your secret to a military officer? 

Jake nudged you forward, stumbling over your feet and reaching for Heeseung’s hand anyway. 

Jungkook crossed his arms over his chest and it made your heart sink even more. The man was BUFF. His big strong arms flexed naturally and the tattoos that ran from his hand and up his right arm made him seem even more scary, like this man could snap your neck without breaking a sweat. 

Heeseung barely lifted your sleeve up to expose your bite and Jungkook was five steps back with his pistol drawn out towards you. 

What’s with everyone pointing guns at you today?

“You brought an INFECTED here?!” he yelled, the hell fire burning in his eyes raging more, “I should kill each of you right now for bringing her here.” 

Heeseung rolled his eyes and pulled your sleeve up further, “Fucking look!” 

Jungkook stared down at your arm, his gun slowly falling to the floor, “How can that be possible?” 

A question for you. 

You just looked down at the bite, shaking your head, “I don’t know.” 

Jungkook silently looked between you all, “Fuck!” 

He shoved his pistol back into the holster at his hip and paced back and forth, running his hands through his hair. 

“Get her back to the house, NOW!” he growled, pointing a finger at all four of them one by one, “Do not let anyone see her, you understand?” They all nodded, “Good, and make sure she fucking bathes and gets that wound cleaned up and wrapped. I’ll come by when I get my head straight.” 

You now walked even closer in between the four boys than what you were earlier, wandering your eyes to every person you walked passed, scared you’d be discovered. That feeling eased up a bit as they led you down an alleyway, then across another street before quickly shuffling you inside what you assumed was their home. 

Once the door was closed and deadbolted, you scanned their home. It was small, but big enough to house the four of them. 

There weren’t any rooms, so their four beds lined up against the west side of the house, with a couch across from it with a small table and a radio beside it. 

Their kitchen on the east side of the house was also small, fitting enough space for the normal kitchen essentials and a table for eating in the middle, a bathtub sitting in the corner. 

You were scared for a second about how these four use the bathroom but noticed outside the kitchen window an outhouse. 

“This used to be a storage house,” Jake said, dropping his body onto the couch, “The four of us fixed it up and made it our home. It’s not much, but it’s something.” 

It was definitely better than the places you’ve been sleeping in recently. 

Jay was now handing you a clean pair of clothes, “Wear these after you bathe, we’ll find you some that fit better tomorrow.” 

You thanked him and walked to the tub, dropping your backpack into a chair at the table. You stared at the tub with excitement. You’ve been without a proper bath since being bitten and the thought of getting a warm bath made your heart sink. 

You turned the hot water knob, watching as the clean water flowed into the tub. Most safe zones were lucky if they had clean running water and basically electricity. The bigger zones obviously are the luckier ones. Yours, on the other hand, had no electricity and water was so scarce there were designated days when people were allowed to bathe. 

Without another thought, your hands went to the hems of your shirt and slowly started lifting. 

“Woah woah what the fuck are you doing?!?” Sunghoon snapped, his heart racing at the sight of barely seeing your belly. 

“I’m fixing to bathe? I stink?” 

“And you are just going to strip in front of us?!?” Jake said, the clear blush settling in on his cheeks. 

You scoffed, letting out a laugh, “The world is ending as we know it and you’re worried about seeing a female naked? Shouldn’t you be glad to see it?” 

Jake sat in silence, his eyes now wandering to Heeseung and Jay, who kept their eyes on you, their reactions haven't changed since you first met them. 

“Well, I’m not about to be labeled as a pervert,” Sunghoon said, rushing back to the front door, “I’m going to sit outside.” 

“Yeah same here,” Jake jumped from the couch, following his best friend out. 

Heeseung finally looked at Jay, who was already staring back at him. 

You watched as their eyes communicated with each other in a silent language that you didn’t know. Then with a nod Heeseung turned and followed Jake out, closing the door behind him. 

Jay’s eyes were back on you, his facial expression still not changing. 

“What? Not going to follow your friends out?” 

He shrugged, “Someone has to make sure you don’t steal our shit and make a run for it.” 

You glared at him and scoffed, “I survived for months with less than what you have here, my safe zone didn’t have anything and I made it perfectly fine even after I was bit and couldn’t return back. I have no need for your stuff.” 

Which was true. You survived perfectly fine without the gifts the bigger safe zones had. And then with you having to hunt for your food and survive on less than your safe zone. You didn’t need his shit. You were perfectly fine. 

Jay just shrugged again, crossing his arms behind him as he kept his eyes on you. And you took it as a challenge. 

You slid your shirt from your body and let it hit the floor, keeping eye contact with him as your fingers went to your jeans, unbuttoning and dropping them to your ankles. 

Jay was completely unfazed as he looked at you with nothing but your sports bra and panties on. He was more focused on the scars that covered both your arms. 

“What are those from?” he asked. You already knew where his eyes were looking. 

“Happened the same day I was bitten,” you said, now looping your fingers into your sports bra and pulling it over your head, “I had to jump through a window before I got killed by our lovely undead friends outside the safe zone.” 

Jay wanted to ask about how you even got into the situation that led to getting bitten and jumping through a window. Shit had to have been rough. 

Jay continued looking over your body, eyes stopping at your breasts and then back up to your eyes. You smirked at him, “Not going to turn around?” 

He once again shrugged, “Like you said, I have bigger things to worry about than seeing a naked woman in front of me.” 

You quickly scanned him up and down, not seeing any signs that your almost completely naked body was affecting him, “Does it not bother you?” 

“It’s just skin, YN.” 

Fair enough. 

You dropped your panties to the floor and climbed into the tub, stinking your body in completely, letting the hot water fill you with warmth for a few seconds before turning the knob to stop the flow of water. 

Jay watched you relax, watched as your hands rubbed up and down your scarred arms. He wanted to press more about them, to ask how it was possible you even survived whatever happened, mostly with how your bite is clearly infected from not being taken care of properly. 

“Are you going to keep staring at me or what??” 

“Would you rather I sit down and whip my dick out?” he narrows his eyes at you. 

“Fucking prick,” you scowled. 

“Don’t ask stupid fucking questions then.” 

“We just met and you’ve already seen me naked and it had no effect on you yet you keep staring at me. I think I deserve to ask the “stupid” questions.” 

You just stared back at him, trying to read his face but getting nothing. 

To be honest, sex was the last thing on Jay’s mind. He’s been through way too much bullshit to let some random woman and her cunt affect him that easily. It’s not even that he was disinterested in sex, he had plenty of women around the safe zone that would drop to their knees so fast for him. Plenty of women he’s taken to his bed and pleasured them all night long. But sex wasn’t something he needed to survive like how so many other people in safe zones act like and turn to in a way to forget that the world went to shit. Jay couldn’t afford to let that happen with him. 

Plus Jay didn’t even know you and wasn’t some asshole to force you into sex with him all because you stripped in front of him. 

You eventually looked away from him, giving up on trying to read him, “Can I have a washcloth and soap?” 

Jay walked to one of the cabinets, pulled out a new bar of soap, a washcloth, and some old shampoo, and then handed them all to you, you mumbled out a thanks. 

You all of a sudden felt guilty, thinking maybe Jay possibly had a girlfriend or even a wife and you just bared yourself to him. But then wiped that thought off the table, there was no way. Because if he did he would be with them, not some smuggler. Then another thought came into your head and it was so simple: maybe he just didn’t find you attractive. 

You felt your self-esteem plummet and any confidence you had was out the window. You already figured you had a fair body, curvy hips, and busty breasts. The boy back home you used to fuck around with was always finding ways to bend you over. It boosted your ego, but maybe it boosted it too high if some random stranger’s dick didn’t get hard at the sight of you stripping in front of him. 

Jay read your expressions like a book, getting more confused than anything at why you’d let what he thinks affect you. You clearly were strong-willed and a survivor, already proving enough that you didn’t need the fancy things to keep surviving. So why let those small stupid thoughts affect you that way? 

Jay went to confront you, but the knocking at the door pulled him back, turning his head slightly to listen, “Jungkook is here,” Heeseung called from the other side of the door. 

Jay looked back at you, “You can go deal with whatever that is,” you said as you ran the washcloth over your arms, “I promise I won’t steal anything or go anywhere. Don’t know my way around this zone anyways.” 

Which was true, you were so focused on not being seen that you wouldn’t remember the way to sneak out. 

Jay just nodded, turning around and heading for the door, “Just so you know,” he said stopping at the door, “I might seem like a pervert for saying it, but you do have a sexy body, and don’t let anyone tell you differently or make you think differently. Don’t take it not affecting me personally, I truly have more important things to worry about than getting laid.”  

Then he slipped out the door, leaving you alone in the house. 

Jungkook stood on the grass with his hands on his hips, eyes wandering everywhere, making sure no one else was about to hear what he was fixing to speak about. 

“What’s up?” Jay asked, standing beside Heeseung. 

“Her bite mark,” Jungkook started, “It looks about a month old, ya?” 

All four men nodded, “It’s what she told us too, on the way here,” Jake said, “Don’t know how true that could be though.” 

“There’s been some rumors—strictly just rumors—that there’s been a few others that have been found immune,” Jungkook said barely above a whisper, his eyes continuing to dart around the area. 

“How is that possible?” Heeseung asked, “Three years and there has yet to be a cure to stop this madness and now you’re telling me there are others like her that are immune?” 

“There were others like her,” Jungkook sighed, “They either were killed before they got to the capital or killed themselves before being taken there. But again, it’s baseless rumors. No proof, until her.” 

Sunghoon scoffed, “Can we please get to the point of all this?” 

“Hoon,” Heeseung said with a warning. 

“I contacted the capital and told them we found an immune,” The four men stood in silence, staring at Jungkook, not knowing what to say or expect next, “So,” Jungkook was smirking now, “I have a job for you four.” 

Jake chuckled, “You’re fucking crazy, man.”

Jungkook shot him a warning look, a silent reminder of who he was and what his rank was, “At least hear my offer first before calling me crazy,” Jake crossed his arms and waited for Jungkook to continue, “One million. Each. If you drag her across the country to the capital.” 

One million. Each. That’s four million dollars. They would be fucking set, no longer having to worry about fighting for money to buy food and survive. No longer having to leave the safe zone to smuggle shit in and out for money. They would be safe to finally just live. But the problem lies in the trip. And that trip wasn’t worth it. 

“Nah,” Jake laughed, “You got me fucked up. I am a smuggler, not an escort. Make the government come pick her ass up. Not my circus, not my monkeys.” 

Everyone’s eyes were back on Jungkook. He shrugged, “They have other things to worry about besides making that trip to pick up one individual. Plus it would make a scene if they flew in here and just took her. It would make it obvious that there are immune in this world. It would cause a panic, give the people false hope for a cure.” 

Jay watched as each of his friends shook their heads, saying how it wasn’t worth it to drag a stranger across the fucking country to hand you over just for the possibility of a cure being found. 

They all talked over each other, Jungkook trying to convince them with all the money they would have, and the three others not accepting it. 

“Fucking hell, I’ll go alone,” Jay said without even realizing he was opening his mouth. 

“Jay, no!” Heeseung snapped, “That bitch ain’t worth it! We stick to our normal jobs!” 

Jay looks at Jungkook, “If I take her alone will we still get four million total?” Jungkook nodded, and that’s all Jay needed. 

“You’re fucking stupid, man!” Sunghoon hissed, “What are you thinking?!” 

“That we would be fucking set and not have to beg ever again for food or work our asses off in this stupid prison for money and food. To never have to worry about stepping foot outside this zone. To remain safe,” Jay didn’t realize he was holding his breath as he said that, taking a massive inhale in and clenching his fingers against his biceps, “When would we leave?” 

“Tomorrow night, It’ll give me enough time to let the capital know you accepted their offer and to gather enough weapons and materials for your journey.” 

Jay just nodded, “I am doing this, and you can’t stop me.” 

Heeseung gritted his teeth, “And what if they kill her the moment you hand her over?” 

Jay just shrugs, “Not my circus, not my monkeys. But at least we’ll have four million dollars.” 

—

You covered your hands over your ears, closing your eyes tightly. Your breathing was uneven as you heard your heartbeat in your ears, Jay’s voice was muffled and drowning out of the sound of your heartbeat and the screams of the undead surrounding the area. 

“YN!!” he said loud enough for you to hear him but quiet enough for the undead to not hear him, “YN, calm down!” 

You couldn’t hear him, you just knew he was speaking to you. The memories of being cornered in the building resurfaced. The sounds of your friends screaming, the smells of the dead, and the blood dripping from everyone. The visions of you feeling your best friend being ripped away from you. Everything was replying over and over. 

You started to hyperventilate, your every breath loud enough to draw the undead in your and Jay’s direction. 

Jay grabbed both of your wrists, trying to pull them from your ears, him repeating your name over and over again but nothing worked. 

“Fuck,” he hissed, taking a look around. The two of you were in a safe enough spot that the zombies wouldn’t be able to reach you, but once they found where you both were hiding…it was over. 

Jay placed his hands on top of yours, “YN, look at me.” But you didn’t respond, your breathing getting worse as the time ticked by. 

He was running out of ways to calm you down and get you to be quiet. His heart was racing faster as fear was overtaking him and his options running low. 

Jay slides his hands to your cheeks, his thumbs rubbing over the back of your hands at your ears. Without another thought, he moved forward. 

**A WEEK BEFORE**

Jay forced you to get as much rest as possible to be awake enough for the start of the journey to the capital. 

Jungkook said it would be a five-month walk there if everything went smoothly and no hiccups on the road on the way there. Or ya know, the two of you don’t get killed. 

The moment Jungkook knocked on the door to the house, Heeseung quickly answered, swinging the door open to let him slip in before anyone could see. 

He carried two backpacks filled with food, medicine, and weapons and ammunition. 

“This should last you both the five-month journey,” He said, pushing his tongue into the side of his cheek, “That's if you ration the food and the ammunition. Just don’t put yourselves into situations to have to use too much.” 

Jay scoffed, sliding the backpack onto his shoulders, “Don’t you know who you’re talking to?” 

Jungkook chuckled, pulling him into a quick hug, “Safe travels.”

Jungkook didn’t say another word as he darted out of the house, Heeseung closing and locking the door behind him. 

“You don’t have to do this,” Jake said with a shake of his head, “There’s no need to do this. We’ve survived perfectly fine before.” 

Jay has been weighing out his options ever since agreeing to do this. Always leaning toward taking this trip. He didn’t want to watch his brothers suffer anymore. Yeah they all weren’t struggling, but they would be so much better off once that money was in his hands. 

The amount of food they would have to fill their bellies, not having to worry about rationing. Not having to shove money away just to save up for the food, more clothes, and the other bills this safe zone forced on the residents here. They wouldn’t have to smuggle ever again. Jungkook could get off their backs about certain jobs. They would be free. 

“I have to do this,” Jay breathes, “I want to do this.” 

And hey, who knows? Maybe giving her off to the capital will make a cure and the world could be saved. Maybe. 

Sunghoon pulls Jay’s shotgun from the hidden closet, “Just don’t do anything stupid, ya?” 

Jay chuckled, “I’ll leave the stupid here with you three.” 

Everyone laughed but you and Heeseung, who stood at the door still and leaning against the wall, arms crossed and his face filled with worry. 

You have only known these guys for a short time, but you can tell each of them rely on each other for everything. Whatever terrible things these four had to endure before the outbreak and even after…they became family. Inseparable. Bonded for the rest of their lives. 

Jay pulled the younger two into hugs, saying how he’ll be back within a year. 

Heeseung pushed himself off the wall, dropping his arms to pull Jay into a hug, the older locking his jaw when he looked at you, “You come back in one piece, got it!”

Jay rolled his eyes, “You know I will Hee.” 

Heeseung pulled away, finally looking away from you, “She better be worth all this fucking trouble,” he whispers, eyes quickly darting to you to see you adjusting your backpack on your shoulders, “What will you do if they actually kill her the moment you get there?” 

Jay just shrugs, “Not my problem once the money is in my hands.” 

Heeseung sighs, “She’s still a human being. I can only imagine how life has been since finding out she was immune.” 

Jay tilted his head back to look at you, to look at the wrap that barely stuck out of your long-sleeve shirt. “She probably has been through hell to keep it a secret.” 

You look back up at them, “Ready to go yet or are you two going to make out before we leave?” 

Heeseung rolled his eyes, “Good luck with that attitude man,” 

Jay sighed, “Yeah. I’ll need it.” 

It didn’t take the two of you long to leave the house and quickly and quietly make your way back to the same tunnels and escape route you used to get into the safe zone. 

Jay helped pull you out of the manhole then kicked the metal plate back over it and locked it tightly. 

He swung his shotgun from his back to his front, positioning his hands in the right places before walking ahead of you, “Come on, let’s get this over with Miss Immune.” 

You snarl at him but follow behind anyway. 

This was the last thing you wanted to happen. To be turned into the capital. To be used as some experiment and plaything for scientists to gock over. 

“Might as well just kill me and get it over with,” you scoffed, keeping your eyes on the ground, stepping over everything Jay was, “They will just kill me eventually.” 

Jay shrugged, “You’re worth four million to them, they can do whatever they want after they have you in their hands.” 

“Such a gentleman,” you teased, “Did your mother ever teach you how to treat a lady?” 

He chuckles, “My manners went out the window the moment you pointed a gun at my head.” 

You glared at the back of his head, “Says the one that surrounded me with four shotguns and then pointed my pistol directly to my forehead.”

Jay said nothing in return and kept walking forward. Eventually slinging his gun back around his back, shoving his hands into his pockets. 

Neither of you spoke for hours as the night pressed on. The woods were quiet, a bit too quiet for your liking and the only thing making you feel at ease was the fact Jay kept his gun resting on his back and hands shoved into his pockets. He obviously knew these woods better than you. He was a smuggler, after all. 

Even after all the sleep you received back at the house, drowsiness found you anyway. You yawned and rubbed your eyes, “Can we find somewhere to sleep?” 

Jay didn’t realize how tired he was either until after hearing your voice, a yawn escaping his lips as well, “There’s a small shed we’ve used when our smuggling routes take a couple of days, we can stop there to eat and sleep.”

“How far is it?” you asked, not knowing how much longer you could actually go. 

Jay looks at the surrounding area before he answers, “About another hour.” 

You groaned but accepted it. Soon enough the small shed came into view. It was overgrown with vines and weeds but still stood strong. 

Sleep hit you the minute you dropped into the dusty cot, not caring enough to clean it. Jay did the same. 

The moment the sun started to shine through the shed, Jay woke you up and started the journey again. 

The whole day passed in silence, only speaking when spoken to and only stopping for food, bathroom breaks, and to rest. 

A week has passed when the two of you approach an old factory building. A long chain-linked fence surrounded the area. 

“Shit,” Jay scoffed, “We’ll have to cut through.” 

“Can’t just, like you know, go around?” it was such a simple question, yet Jay looked at you as if you asked the stupidest question in the world, “Fine!” you snapped, holding your hands up in defense, “You’re the one who knows better, right?” 

“We’d waste time going around,” Jay locks his fingers around the holes of the fence, “Every second counts, plus this place might have materials we can gather.” 

And there he goes, climbing up and over the fence, carefully dropping himself back to the ground and turning to face you, “Well?” he raised a brow, “Get your ass moving.” 

You roll your eyes and attach your fingers and toes of your boots in the loops, lifting yourself up, crawling to the top, and swinging your leg over the top, “Catch me?” 

Jay narrowed his eyes, “You survived by yourself for god knows how long before meeting me, and now you’re acting like you need help?” 

“I’m scared of heights,” 

“You’re fucking joking.” 

You smile, clearly loving how he reacts to your teasing, “Yeah I’m fucking with you,” you dropped down to the ground, Jay’s hands quickly resting on your shoulders to keep you from losing balance, “Learn to live a little, okay?” 

His glare was unrelenting as you walked past him, “I lived plenty before the world ended.” 

You watched as he hurried past you, wanting to ask what he meant. To know some part of how he was before the world went to utter shit. You were stuck with him for five months, might as well get to actually know him, right? 

You opened your mouth to ask him, only to be met with his hands now on you. One covering your mouth and the other pulling you to his chest, backing the both of you up against a truck, “Keep quiet, we have company.” 

Your eyes wander to where he was looking, seeing the few undead friends that lurked around the entrance to the factory. 

You pulled his hand from your mouth, catching your breath and assessing what to do. 

“We need to find a way around without alerting them.” 

“I already know that, YN,” he whispers, “The question is how.” 

Jay searched the area, pinpointing every safe spot that led to the door. 

“Okay,” he released you from his grip, “Stay on my ass.” 

You followed on his heels, holding your breath the entire way until his hands touched the handle of the factory door and pushed it open. 

You glanced around at your undead friends who stalked around, their bodies bunched over as they slowly dragged their feet with each step they took, grunts leaving their mouths. 

Jay peaked into the factory, the only light showing was from the windows, barely giving off enough light for him to confirm the opening at least, was clear. 

He carefully and quickly slid between the doors, reaching back out to pull you in behind him, closing the door and locking it for extra protection. 

You both took in the factory. It was a complete mess. Tables, papers, machinery, torn clothes, and everything in between covered the floors. The smell of this place was disgusting. The mixture of oils, grease, blood, and dead things—probably both humans, zombie, and animals—filled the air. 

You tried to not throw up your lunch, covering your mouth with your hand, “I don’t like it here.” 

“That makes two of us,” Jay said softly, “Taking a flashlight from his backpack, “Let’s get moving, and keep quiet, we don’t know what’s in here.” 

You followed behind him at a distance, eyes wandering over everything possible, looking for any material that could aid you both. But so far, nothing. Everything was either broken or just couldn’t be used. Nothing of help or a service to either of you. 

Jay had a bad feeling about this place, like whatever happened here was a lot worse than the remnants of this place give off. It was way too quiet to just be abandoned. His gut feeling told him to look for anything—and everything—possible that would stick out. Things that shouldn’t be here. He swallowed hard, flashing his light down to the floor, seeing scratch marks going in every direction, dried blood staining the tile. 

Then it clicked in his head. Everything made sense. 

This whole factory was a trap. 

This place wasn’t abandoned. Not even close. It was purposely left like this to lure in survivors, making them think they found a safe place to hide. Whoever ran this factory obviously wasn’t here, or else something would have already gone wrong. “YN,” he whispers, “This place is a trap.” 

“I know,” you said with a shaky breath. Jay was alerted to the tone of your voice, whipping around to see the tears swelling your eyes. He traced his eyes down, seeing the cord you’ve stepped on, “Something clicked when I stepped on it,” you tried to hold back the tears, to look brave in front of him, to look like a survivor. But you failed, the fear washing over you too quickly, “Jay,” you cried. 

“Shhh, no, hey,” he quickly gets closer to you, placing a hand on your shoulder, “Calm down, let me figure out what to do.” 

You nodded, feeling a tear slide down your cheek. Jay lifted his hand and wiped away the tear, cupping your face and tracing his fingers along your jaw as he walked away from you, following where the cord led. It was plugged into one of the machines. He wandered his eyes back to the other end of the core, following it back to your feet, and then continued to where it was plugged into the wall. Jay wasn’t stupid, he knew if he just unplugged the cord it would make the machine react. He and Jake have rigged multiple machines to still set off if unplugged. The only way would be to cut the cord completely. 

Jay knelt to his knees, setting the flashlight to the floor and sliding a folded knife from his pocket, whipping it open. He took a deep breath, counting down from three before folding the cord and cutting it. 

You cry out and drop to your knees, covering your hands over your ears at the ringing alarm that Jay set off. 

“Fuck!” He screamed, quickly standing back to his knees and rushing to you, “We need to fucking go, NOW!” 

Whoever this bastard was that rigged that trap was a damned genius, an absolute asshole, but a genius. To rig a machine to set off an alarm when cut? The more Jay thought about it as he dragged you back up to your feet, the more he realized the alarm would have been set off either way. Cutting the power in either way would have set the alarm off. 

The two of you barely took a few steps when the sounds of the undead surrounded the factory outside, because, of course, it would. That damn alarm just alerted whatever was outside—and inside—this factory. He needed to get that alarm off, and now. 

Jay dragged you with him to what looked like the office of the building, not wasting time checking for a button or way to turn it off. He whipped the shotgun around and sent bullets into every control panel until the alarm went silent. 

But unfortunately, Jay letting some rounds into the panel only sent whatever dead friends that were in the building to their exact location. 

Jay grabbed your hand and pulled you out of the office, running as fast as he could and praying your legs could keep up with him. This wasn’t the first time he’s had to run from these monsters, or even hide from them. It wasn’t a skill he wanted to mark off his checklist of survival but had no nevertheless. You’ve only had to run from them the night your friends were killed while you fled. Your legs felt like they were led to the memory coming back. 

You started to lose your breath, the fear covering every inch of you as you tried to focus on Jay’s back, on the warmth of his hand wrapped in yours. It worked for a bit as he dragged you down every hallway to find an exit. Worked until you both ran past a door, that just so happened to have zombies crawling inside it, who watched the two of you run back. 

You heard the crack of the door first, Jay heard it the second time. His head whips around to see the wood of the door barely breaking and see them pile out of the room. 

Jay acted fast, shoving you into an office room he prayed was safe. His eyes worked their magic, scanning as quickly as he could and seeing the room was in fact, clear. His hands only left you for a few seconds to close the door carefully, praying they didn’t hear it. But obviously, and because why would they not, heard the shut of the door anyway, alerting them in this direction. 

They ran past, obviously not knowing which room you two snuck into, but their loud groans, hisses, and whales were loud enough to send every zombie on this side of the factory toward this hallway. 

Which is how you ended up here. Back pressed to the wall, hands to your ears as you hyperventilate. 

He was running out of ways to calm you down and get you to be quiet. His heart was racing faster as fear was overtaking him and his options running low. 

Jay slides his hands to your cheeks, his thumbs rubbing over the back of your hands at your ears. Without another thought, he moved forward. 

He connected his lips to yours, taking in every breath you let out. You opened your eyes quickly, seeing him staring back at you. You focused on the brown of his eyes, focused on the way his lips felt against yours. Your heart rate slowed, and the shaking of your hands stopped. It wasn’t even like he was kissing you kissing you, he just held his lips to yours, unmoving. 

You waited for him to pull away, to pull away and tease you for being a scary cat. But he didn’t. 

His eyes slowly closed, quickly removing his lips and connecting them again, pressing his lips harder to yours. You also closed your eyes, kissing him back. Your hands at your ears, slipped down to his wrists, squeezing them tightly as he shifted his hands to the edge of your jaw, fingers gripping the back of your head. 

Jay doesn’t know what came over him, he only planned to kiss you once and have it be long enough to steady out your breathing. But something drew him in and he couldn’t stop. 

Jay licks your bottom lip, waiting for your mouth to open and let him inside. His tongue explored every inch of your mouth as you sucked on the muscle, savoring the taste of him. 

His grip on your face tightens as he softly groans into your mouth, clearly losing himself. Knowing he needed to stop but not being able to. The feel of your lips being addicting. 

You need to stop, you need to stop, you need to stop. 

The sounds of the zombies outside the door faded, the world finally becoming quiet and it was enough to make him stop. 

Jay quickly pushed away from you, sliding himself across the floor and to the other side of the office, completely out of breath. He brought his knees to his chest in hopes of hiding the raging boner in his pants, dropping his face into his palms, then running them through his hair. 

You took a few deep breaths, not taking your eyes off him. 

“We will give it time before leaving, to make sure everything is clear to leave,” he said, doing everything he could to not look at you. 

You nodded as if he could see it anyway. And not another word was spoken. 

—

It’s been two months since he’s kissed you. Two months' worth of him doing everything to not look at you, to not touch you. He barely has been able to even speak to you. Reminding himself over and over again what his true mission was: to hand you over to the capital, get paid, and get his ass back home. Nothing else mattered. 

Nothing. 

You dropped to your knees, wiping the sweat from your forehead, “Jay?” he ignored you and kept walking forwards, “Jay!” silence, “ASSHOLE!!!” 

Jay turned around, piercing holes into you with his eyes that were also on fire at you calling him an asshole. At least it finally got his attention. 

“I am tired,” you breathed, wiping the sweat that was already recollected on your forehead. 

“Okay, and?” he said calmly. If it weren’t for the fire burning in his eyes you would have thought he was actually calm. But Jay couldn’t afford to be nice to you, not when he’s fighting every demon within himself to not press his lips against yours again. Not when he has four million dollars waiting for him. 

You glared back at him, “I need rest? We’ve been walking for days straight and only took a couple of breaks to sleep for an hour.” 

“How the fuck did you survive alone for so long?” he questioned, starting to think maybe you just hid the entire time before they found you, “what happened to that attitude when we first met?” 

You stood back to your feet, quickly walking past him and shoving your middle finger in his face, barely grazing his nose, “Want my attitude? Here it is asshat.” 

Jay smirked as he watched you walk ahead of him, eyes without his permission moving from the back of your head down to your hips, watching the way they sway. Jay scoffed at himself, quickly dropping his eyes to the ground and rushing after you, “Smartass, you don’t even know where you are going.” 

You stopped walking, staring straight ahead. 

But Jay didn’t stop, and ran right into you, almost knocking you over completely, his hands quickly grabbing your shoulders. His rage settled in again, “What the fuck! Don’t just stop wa—“ 

“Long time no see, Jay Park.” 

He moved on autopilot, hands rushing to your waist and shoving your behind him in the same motion of wiping his gun from his back to front, finger itching to pull the trigger, “Same to you, Choi Soobin. What are you doing so far out from your zone?” 

The blonde smirked, “Was on a smuggle run, but shouldn’t I be asking you that question, Jay?” 

 A laugh from behind, “Yeah, aren’t you the one who is a little too far from your zone?”

You pulled your pistol from its holster, facing your back to Jay’s and pointing it at a blue-haired man. 

Jay narrowed his eyes, snaking one hand behind him to grab your shirt, pulling you closer to him, back to back, keeping his shotgun aimed at Soobin, “I am also on a smuggling run, Huening Kai, just passing through.” 

“You know,” a voice to his right, “This is our territory, there is just no passing through here.” 

Jay was barely able to glare to his right, seeing Beomgyu pointing a rifle at you and him. 

Then another laugh to the left of him, his eyes darting to see Taehyun walking closer, also pointing his rifle, “Jay, did you really think we wouldn’t have seen you two when you got close to our zone?” 

Jay just chuckled, not because of the fact they were even close to another zone, but because he let themselves get close to another zone. He was so caught up in trying to ignore you and push down his demons that he didn’t realize how close he pulled you both here. But he kept laughing, “What I think is Yeonjun is missing out, isn’t he? My feelings hurt that he isn’t here.” 

Soobin just smiled, “You think my brothers would just leave me behind?” Yeonjun said, finally making his appearance from behind Soobin, “That wounds me.” 

Jay just rolls his eyes, “Are we done here? I have important shit to do.” 

“Like what?” the blonde leader asked, his eyes darting behind Jay to look at you, “What are you smuggling, exactly?” 

You pressed your back harder against Jay’s, feeling his hand tighten at your shirt. 

Soobin just tilts his head, his smile growing wider, “Don’t tell me it’s the girl.” 

Your heart stopped and Jay kept quiet, not having a damn thing to say as a comeback. The only thing on his mind was to protect you, to keep you so close to him that he could fuse with you if possible. 

But Jay knew telling the truth, or well parts of it, was the only way to get around when it came to these five. Jay has dealt with them enough in the past to know how they work, “I’m taking her to the capital.” 

“Jay!” you snapped. 

“Shut up!” was his reply to you, “She’s important to the capital and I have been tasked to get her there. We honestly were just passing through, it’s my bad we got too close.” 

Soobin looked between the eyes of each of his brothers, each of them giving him nods and shrugs, “It’s getting late, don’t want you getting caught up with our…walking dead at night. Stay in our zone for the night.”

Jay wanted to say no, to say they were fine. But the death truth was they were running low on supplies. Needed clean clothes and showers. Your bite mark needed to be cleaned, which is why Jay thinks you’re been more out of it the last few days than normal. He knew you also needed some proper sleep and not being able to find any safe place in days to actually give you that rest killed him, “Fine. We leave at first light.” 

You wanted to protest, turning around completely to yell at him, to reject their offer for him. But all he did was grab your waist and pull you to his side, lowering his gun over to his shoulder and giving you the look of warning to keep your mouth shut. So you didn’t fight him. You needed to stay alive anyway, who knew what would happen to Jay, Heeseung, Jake, Sunghoon, and Jungkook if Jay failed to get you to the capital. And you didn’t want to think about it. So you clung to his side as everyone walked forward, Beomgyu and Taehyun standing at yours and Jay’s side as Kai stayed behind you, and Soobin and Yeonjun leading the way. 

“Where are your three stooges at?” Yeonjun asked, barely turning his head around to smile at Jay, “Not used to seeing you as a lone wolf.” 

You tuned out their conversation, keeping your eyes locked off into the distance, biting your lip to keep from talking. You don't know how Jay knew these five or why they obviously seem to be on bad terms, the last thing you needed to do was open your mouth and make it all worse. 

Huening Kai kept eyeing you and Jay, looking for anything possible to tell him more about what was actually going on with the two of you. Jay isn’t ever by himself without the other three. And Jay isn’t the type of person to smuggle a human, drugs and weapons were more his and his friend's forte, so why did he have you attached to him as if they were going to rip you away from him? 

“Ahhh,” Kai giggled, there’s feelings involved. He kept his eyes wandering, barely glancing over to your arm and back up to your shoulder before tracing them quickly back down, seeing the bandage peeking out from your long sleeve, “Haha! Holy shit guys! She’s been bit.” 

Just as quick as the five of them turned to face the two of you, pointing their weapons, Jay was pulling you to his chest and snapping your pistol from its holster at your hip and pointing it straight ahead at Soobin and Yeonjun. 

“Holy shit is right, man,” Yeonjun laughed, “No fucking wonder you’re out here alone, Jay. Going to the capital, my ass.” 

Fucking Huening Kai.

The grip on your waist tightened, Jay snarling at each of them, “It’s not what you think it is.” 

“Oh? It’s not?” Soobin hissed, his friendly cute persona being replaced with his cool, hard, leader persona, “Give me a reason to not kill you both right fucking now.”

“Because she was hurt,” Jay said quickly, “We’ve been traveling for two months. We had to climb a fence and she got herself caught. That’s it.” 

You could hear how fast Jay’s heart was racing in his chest, how hard his body went the moment Kai opened his mouth. He pushed you even closer to him, leaving no room between the two of you. 

The rage Jay felt course through his body was scaring him. The thoughts he had in his head on the ways he would kill all five of them just by pointing a gun at you. It was scaring him at the things he was willing to do to protect you. Scaring him because he didn’t understand why. 

“What does the capitol want with her then?” Soobin asked, clearly not believing the story, “What’s so special?” 

Jay just shrugged, “Beats me. And nor do I care to know. All I know is I’m getting a fat paycheck for getting her there.” The hurt you felt at his words when his actions towards you right now were the opposite. You felt confused. First, he kisses you the way he did back at the factory, then turns completely cold and now he’s got you pressed to his chest, grip unrelenting as he points your gun at the threat in front of him. Maybe all he really did care about was the money. 

To Jay’s surprise, each of them lowered their weapons, “There’s the Jay I know,” Soobin teased, “Let’s just get back in the zone before the dead decide to get us to join them.” 

Everyone walked in silence the rest of the short walk to the safe zone and to your surprise, they didn’t sneak back into the zone, their military guards just…let them in? You looked up at Jay, him already answering you in a whisper without looking back at you, “This safe zone is full of smugglers and corrupted police, it’s how they survive here. The normal citizens and police don’t know how corrupt it is. They are very very sneaky. It’s one of the most dangerous zones right now.” 

You didn’t answer. Just put your eyes back in front of you as you all entered the zone. Jay pulled you closer to him again, his eyes darting to every person who looked his way, who looked your way. 

“We have one room available for you two to share,” Soobin said pointing at the small building to his left, “We will come by tomorrow to let you back out of the zone. Until then I suggest you stay inside, or at least keep her inside. There are clean clothes and some fruit in there too.” 

They still don’t trust us. 

Jay pulled you along with him, the other five watching as the two of you entered the building. 

“What are you thinking?” Soobin asked Kai, who had his arms wrapped tightly across his chest, blue hair blowing in the wind as he narrowed his eyes at the building. 

“If she wasn’t bitten, then what could be so special that Jay protected her like that? Besides the obvious attraction, he feels. But something is off. The caption doesn't want just anybody, not anyone from this side of the country at least,” Kai took his chin between two fingers and looked up at the dark sky. Picturing the way your bandage was wrapped around your wrist, there was no way you weren’t bitten. It was wrapped in a way to hide what was there, not to cover up some wounds…unless, “She is immune.” 

Jay let you bathe first, him keeping his eye pointed out the window as he popped a grape into his mouth. He didn’t trust the five boys either, not when they stood in a circle in the same exact place, clearly discussing what to do about the two of them, “If you keep staring at them you’ll just give them more reasons to not trust us, we just need to get through the night.” 

Jay looks over at you, seeing the way you dangle your arms over the bathtub, resting your chin on white porcelain, “Neither I nor them trust each other and you’re worth a shit ton of money, I’ll keep him eye on them if I want to,” without another word, he looks back out the window. You sigh and resume your bath then get out and quickly change, letting Jay now soak in the tub. 

You fell asleep faster than you thought and it pissed Jay off. How could you sleep so easily? But the more he looked at your sleeping body, eyes darting to your bite mark, the wound no longer continued to bleed or be filled with pus but now red and irritated. The longer he looked, the more he relaxed, realizing you’ve been through enough shit. You deserved some actual rest. 

Jay couldn’t afford to rest though. He left the room, breaking the doorknob once the door was shut, securing a way no one else could get in to hurt you. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he left the building in search of food and other materials to replenish what you and he had used over the last two months. 

He hated being here. Jay spent enough time over the last couple of years smuggling shit in and out of this place. It’s the main reason why Soobin and his dogs don’t like him and his friends. One major rule of smuggling in this world is to stay out of other smugglers' zones. But hey, if the money was good, Jay and his team did it. 

Jay was barely able to walk away from a stall selling canned food when he ran into Yeonjun, “Was wondering if I’d run into you,” he smiled, folding his hands behind his back, “Should have known you’d be out restocking your supplies.” 

Jay just rolls his eyes, “What do you want? I have sleep to catch.” 

“Hmm,” Yeonjun hummed, following behind Jay, “I want to ask you again about your girl.” 

“She’s not my girl,” Jay hissed, “Just someone I am taking to—“

“I know she’s immune.” 

Jay turned on his heels quickly, pointing a finger into Yeonjun’s face, “Shut the fuck up! Keep your fucking mouth shut!” 

But he only smirked, “So our suspensions are true?” 

“No!” Jay scoffed, dropping his hand, “You can’t just throw around the word immune without it causing chaos, you know this, you dumbass.” 

Yeonjun shrugs, “You’re willing to turn your girlfriend into the capital so easily? When she has a gift everyone would kill to have? She isn’t safe out there.” 

Jay narrowed his eyes, trying to read Yeonjun’s face for any hint of what he was trying to pull. But then it clicked with him. Soobin is the one who usually is the head of the battle. The first to step up and say or do anything. Yeonjun is also attached to Soobin as his second. But the fact Yeonjun is here right now…without Soobin…Jay’s heart nearly stopped. He slowly backed away. They were planning something and Yeonjun was being used as a distraction. 

“You know the capital will kill her, Jay!” he chuckles, “They will kill her the moment you hand her over. Your precious love will die.” 

Jay stopped listening as he made a full sprint back to the room. 

—

Jay didn’t continue breathing until he stepped foot into the room, seeing you sleeping peacefully. 

He took a couple of deep breathes, placing a hand on the wall to steady himself, giving him only a few seconds of deep breathing before pushing off the wall and packing up both backpacks, “YN,” he calls to you, his heart rate increasing with each second longer you stayed here, “YN!!” 

You jolted awake, slowly lifting yourself from the bed and seeing Jay rushing around the room in a hurry, “What?” you barely were able to get the words out without a yawn creeping out afterward. 

“We need to go. Like now.” 

You didn’t like the desperation in his voice, and you sure didn’t like the way he was rushing around to gather all your things into the backpacks. Something was wrong and it made your stomach drop, “Why? What happened?” 

Jay told you about the encounter with Yeonjun, and how he thinks they are planning something, explaining how Soobin and his team work. You didn’t understand it. 

“How are you so sure they are even planning anything?” You asked, now following him around the room as he paced to gather everything, “They let us stay here?” 

Jay stopped pacing, his hands immediately grabbing your face, “They know you’re immune. And they are smugglers, YN. I know how they think. They are going to keep you here and probably sell you to the highest bidder, the thing those people would do to you…” Jay didn’t even want to think about what those nasty people would do. The worst thing is to use you as experiments to find a cure on their own without the capital which will result in killing you, or them using you as their own plaything, forcing you to produce offspring in hopes of more people being born with the immunity. Either way, he wasn’t going to let it happen. 

He couldn’t let them take you from him. Couldn’t let them harm you in any way. He was going crazy just thinking about it all. He stepped away from you, “Get your boots on and quickly.” 

You did as you were told, slipping your feet into the boots and taking your backpack from him as he walked to the door, peeking out the windows before waving you to follow him. Jay already secured an escape route. He’s slipped in and out of this zone enough times to know every escape route possible. 

He kept you tugged tightly to him as you both left the building, quickly slipping into the alleyway. To say you were scared was an understatement. You still didn’t fully understand what was going on, mostly on Jay’s side. He seemed so ready to hand you over for the money, what difference would it make if he just left you here? Why go through the trouble of getting you out of this place? 

“Jay,” you called for him, but he ignored you. Just gripping your arm tighter as he led you in and out and around different buildings and alleyways. Stopping anytime someone walked by or got too close, Jay held his breath every single time as if it would help hide the two of you. But before he knew it, you both were approaching the fence, seeing the hole he and his team has used to get in and out was not patched up, “Fuck,” he cursed under his breath. 

Jay ran his hands through his hair, then grabbed your arm again, pulling you down the fence line. Eyes searching for an opening. Every safe zone had one. A little door in the fence that would lead out in case of evacuation. You’d need a military card to get access for it to open, but Jay had ways to break it. 

You both finally reached that door, the keycard scanner blinking green, showing it was working. Jay dropped the backpack to the ground, pulling out some tools. 

“What are you doing??” You whispered, eyes darting to her surrounding area, “What if you set off an alarm like last time?” 

Jay chuckled, “I’ve done this before, the factory was rigged from the start.” It was the first time even talking about the factory. Jay used the screwdriver's flat end to pry open the lid, looking at the series of wires, “Time to get to work.” You watched as he cut wires and replaced them, the little flashing green light turning red, then flashing back to green and the door unlocked and slowly opened, “Magic.” 

You rolled your eyes, “We don’t have time for this.” 

Jay threw the tools back into the backpack, quickly standing up and reaching for your hand. The two of you were barely three steps out of the zone when five figures with tickets pointing directly at you two appeared. Jay flung you behind him, aiming his shotgun at Soobin. 

“Should have known you’d try to escape,” the blonde boy hissed, “Couldn’t leave well enough alone, could you?” 

“I’m NOT letting you keep her here,” Jay barked back. 

Taehyun chuckled, “Why does it matter to you what we would do with her here? Don’t you only care about the money she’s worth?” 

“I don’t see four million dollars in your hands, Kang,” Jay snapped, eyes burning holes into Taehyun’s chest but kept his gun aimed at Soobin, “And since I don’t see the fucking money, we’re leaving.” 

“Just think what the capital would do,” Yeonjun said, “Far worse than her staying safe here.” 

Jay gritted his teeth, “You wouldn’t keep her safe. You’d use her!” 

The smile on Soobin’s face told him everything he needed to know. They were going to use you in any way possible and you weren’t going to survive it and if you did, you wouldn’t be the same. 

The five of them took one step closer and Jay felt like he was about to combust, “Take one more fucking step and I’ll shoot!” He yelled, darting the barrel at each of them. 

“It’s five against one,” Kai teased, taking another few steps forward, “What the fuck are you going—“ 

One moment Kai was standing, the next he was on the ground, blood pooling from his thigh. His hands were quickly covered in his own blood as he put pressure on the wound, his blue hair sticking to his face from the sweat he had just broken out in. Teeth gritting and eyes that could kill were staring right back at Jay. 

Kai’s four friends rushed to him, each of them now looking at Jay as well, “I fucking told you to not take another step. I’ll kill you all if you so much as lay a finger or come near her!!” 

Soobin’s smile was gone and replaced with pure rage, “Get the fuck out of my safe zone before I blow your brains out and feed you to the zombies out there.” 

You locked your jaw, gripping the barrel of Jay’s gun and forcing him to drop it, “Let’s fucking go!!” You snapped at him, fingers gripping the sleeve of his shirt, and pulling him away. 

“You’re going to regret your choices, Jongseong Park!” Huening Kai yelled, his voice echoing into the woods, “ROT IN FUCKING HELL!!” 

Jay stopped listening as he was now the one gripping your waist and leading you into the dark dangerous woods, the sounds of Kai’s screams and yelps becoming a distant noise. 

Once Jay felt like it was safer, he removed his hand from your waist, and quickly walked ahead of you, “What the fuck was that, Jay?” You asked harshly, moving your legs to keep up at his pace. 

“I told them to not take another step, and he did. He’ll suffer for his actions.” Jay didn’t know what you wanted to tell you, he did what he had to to get you out of there and he didn’t care if you agreed or not. 

“You could have killed him!!” Jay just shrugs and keeps on walking. You clenched your fists at your side, digging your fingers into the fabric of your jeans. 

“This is life as a smuggler,” Jay finally said after a few moments of silence, “You sometimes have to pull the trigger to survive.”

“We could have just run out!!” 

“No,” he hissed, “They wouldn’t have allowed that! I did what I had to!” 

“And it was wrong!” 

Jay stopped to turn and face you, the clear desperation and anger still on his face, “I don’t regret doing what needed to be done in order to protect you. I wasn’t going to let those assholes hurt you.” 

You tried to read his face and look for any signs of the truth. There was more to this than him just protecting you for the money. You were filled with more confusion as you looked at him, trying to read his cold eyes, but still found nothing. Jay quickly turned away from you and continued walking. You tried multiple more times to get him to explain his actions, but he kept ignoring you. And you eventually gave up for the night. 

—

To say over the next few days you’ve wanted nothing more than to bash Jay’s skull into the next tree you see would be an understatement. His attitude towards you got worse. He started to ignore you even more and only spoke to you to ask and make sure you were okay, if you were hungry, tired, or needed any rest. Outside of that? It’s like you didn’t exist. 

You tried asking a few times about his actions at the previous safe zone, to see what even prompted him to make such a choice when you could have just run out. The gate was already open, so shooting Kai wasn’t needed to survive. There could have been another way. 

Jay tried to fight off every feeling he felt. Specifically towards you and the other five back at the zone. Half of him wanted to go back and kill them all for so much thinking about using you, the other half of him wished he didn’t have to pull that trigger. He struggled to understand his feelings for you, the protectiveness he felt, the need to hold you close to him and keep you in his eyesight the entire time, the want to kiss you again, to feel your warmth. Everything mixed so deeply within him and confused him. Where did the lines blur? And where did they not? Is he wanting to protect you for that fat paycheck he’ll receive? Or is it because he actually wants to protect you? Does he want to keep you close because he wants to close or because to make sure you’re safe and unharmed once you’re handed off to the capital? Does he want to kiss you again because he hasn’t felt that sort of affection in a while, or because he actually wants to? He couldn’t wrap his head around it. Or maybe he just wanted to shove the feelings away. 

Jay was still deep in thought when something wet landed on his face. He stopped walking to glance up at the sky. You also looked up, a sigh leaving his lips, “Looks like it’s fixing to downpour.” 

“We need to get somewhere safe,” you said, looking back at the man in front of you, still trying to read his face. 

Jay just nods, then looks at the surrounding area, “There should be a cave around here. Let's go.” 

You wanted to ask him how he just knows that there is a cave nearby. It makes you question how many smuggling missions he’s gone on. How many times he risked his life out there time and time again? From his attitude and cold demeanor, it’s obvious he’s done this more times than he probably wanted to even count. 

You followed him nonetheless, followed alongside a mountain that eventually a tall chain-linked fence got attached to, leading to a gate that was already opened with vines and grass growing around it. 

“Was this a safe zone?” you asked, “it looks abandoned.” 

“Because it is,” Jay sighs, “It was a smaller one, could only fit a couple hundred. It’s a shame what happened to it.” 

You followed him past the gate and slowly to the hole in the mountain where a massive steel door stood at the entrance of the cave, “What happened?” 

There was a panel on the wall beside the door, showing that it needed a code for the door to open. You were about to lose hope, thinking you’d have to find another place, but Jay reached his hand to the panel, pressing 0428, and the door slowly opened. 

“How do you know the code?” 

“Used to make smuggling runs here when it was still an active zone,” he doesn’t so much even glance at you as he walks inside, “The people who aren’t a part of zones, who are against the government and zones altogether, a band of them came through here, tearing the place apart and left no survivors.” 

Your eyes dropped to the cave floor, “How could humans do such a thing.”

Jay sighs, “I wish I knew. I’m not any better, being a smuggler and doing my fair share of…anyways, what happened to these people, to this zone, it haunted other smaller zones, forcing them to leave and join the bigger ones or flee to the capital.” 

You watched as the cave floor turned from rough stone to polished stone, your eyes lifting back up to take in your sleeping stop for the night. Jay hovered to the right of the wall, finding the power box and flipping the switch. Small lanterns covered the walls and ceiling. Multiple areas of the cave held beds lined to the wall along with showers, tubs, toilets, and kitchen appliances. There were a few areas that were for the children, toys lying on the floor and tables, and some of the beds. 

Children were murdered here. 

You grasped your hand over your chest, feeling how your heart clenched at the sight. 

Jay turns back to look at you, his cold eyes softening, “It was terrible. Heeseung and I got here just in time to see the bandits leave. It took everything for us not to fight them ourselves,” the look in your eyes told him enough how badly this place affected you already.

You took more glances around, “Why does it not look like—“

“Like it was torn apart?” Jay finished for you, dropping his backpack to the floor in front of one of the beds lined to the wall and setting his weapons onto the bed, “Because my team came here and cleaned it up, hoping someday it can be lived in again. We come back every so often to make sure everything is fine and clean.” 

You watched as he sat on the bed, dropping his face into his palms. The rain finally touched down and thunder sounded, the lanterns flickering softly. Jay sighs and quickly stands back up, digging through a drawer to light a couple of candles in case the power does indeed go out. You continued to watch his every move. How can this person be so confusing? So cold and so selfless and full of love all at the same time. You could see it in his eyes how it hurt talking about what happened here. Jay was barely able to sit back down on the bed before you started talking. 

“Why did you shoot Kai?” 

Jay rolled his eyes, “Can you shut up about it? There’s that cold again. 

You shook your head, “No! I need to understand!” 

“What is there to understand, YN? I warned them what would happen if they took a step closer, and look what happened.” Pure rage filled his eyes once again, his jaw locking tight. 

“There had to have been another way! We could have just left!” You took a deep breath, clenching your fists, “You could have killed them!” 

Jay scoffed with a smirk, shaking his head, “I could have, should have.” 

Now you were pissed off, “Why? Huh? Explain that to me. I am NOT worth killing over!” 

Jay shot to his feet, pointing a finger at you, “Don’t you fucking say that! You’re worth—“

“Four million dollars, I fucking get it, Jay. All I am worth is that four million,” he swallowed, not saying a word and he flexed his fists at his sides. It was your turn to scoff and smirk, “Not worth anything more than just to get your damned money.” 

“STOP talking like that,” he snapped. 

“Why should I?” You scoff again, “You’ve done nothing—NOTHING—but tell me and everyone else how much money I am worth. All you fucking care about is the mon—“ 

Jay couldn’t take it anymore, couldn’t think straight as his feet dashed to you, hands cupping your face and lips attaching to yours, slamming his body into yours with such force that it startled you. His lips moved quickly against yours, brows furrowing and eyes closed tightly as he was trying his damndest to slow his heart rate, to not take out every emotion he had into kissing you, but his body failed him as he stayed connected to you, your hands slowly reaching up to touch his wrists, and it was enough to send him over the edge. 

“You’re worth so, so, so much more,” he said between kisses, his hands dropping to your waist, “I can’t hold myself back when it comes to you, I want you near me all the time. It’s taken everything in me to not jump your bones every second of every single day.” 

You leaned more into him, accepting him and his truth that he was finally spilling to you after so long. 

“I don’t give a fucking shit about that money, the capital can fucking keep it. You’re worth everything to me and I am so fucking crazy about you.” Jay slid his mouth from yours and down to your neck, leaving small bites as he trailed down to your shoulder, his hands now under your shirt and quickly lifting it up and over your head. Your hands rushed to pull his shirt from him, needing to feel him skin-to-skin. 

You barely had his shirt on the floor when his chest connected to yours and lips back on yours, “I can’t get enough of you,” he whispers, “I can’t stop feeling for you. I want you. All of you. Please give yourself to me.” 

Jay never was able to call someone his own. He’s had girlfriends and flings, yeah, but never someone that was actually his. Someone he could protect and love with every ounce he had. And it took kissing you in that factory for everything to make sense. He met you for a reason, whether that was some wack chance of fate or luck. He was meant to go through the hell he did to find you. And he wasn’t going to let you go now. 

“I’m yours,” you whispered back, “I am all yours.” You’d be lying if you said you didn’t have feelings for him. That you longed to feel him kiss you again, to touch you, hold you, and everything in between. He’s driven you crazy since day one, you should have known how hard you would have fallen. 

Jay deepened the kiss even more, slowly pulling you back with him until reaching one of the beds against the wall, one hand reaching back up to your neck, then the other wrapping behind your back as he swiftly turned you around and laid you on your back, “Say it again,” he asked, his fingers tracing down your shoulders, pulling the straps of your bra down then sliding his hands underneath to unclasp it and toss it off to the floor, “say it again please.” 

You swallowed, staring up into his eyes. And for the first time, you were able to finally read him. He wanted you in every way, “I’m yours.” 

He slides his hands down to your jeans, unbuttoning them and looping his fingers between the fabric of both your jeans and panties and your skin and pulling them down, “Again.” 

You bit your button lip and smirked up at him, “Should I?” 

Jay stood on his knees, slowly unbuttoning and unzipping his pants, “If you want this dick, I suggest you do.” 

You watch him with lust in your eyes as he slides out of his pants and boxers, his hand wrapping around his cock as he leaned back to hover over you, pumping himself slowly, “I said again.” 

“I am yours.” 

Jay tucks his bottom lip between his teeth, hands going to your thighs and lifting them up, wrapping them around his waist and lining his cock up with your cunt. 

“You’re mine?” he breathes. 

“Yours.” 

Jay slides his hands up your body, clasping his fingers around yours tightly, pushing his hips forward until his cock is buried deep within you, “Mine, all mine,” he whispers into your ear, slowly sliding out and pushing back in. 

His lips kissed down to your neck as he picked up his pace, using your hands pressed into the mattress as his leverage to kiss your cervix with the tip of his dick, grinding into you hard. Your moans sent chills down his spine, edging him to fuck into you faster. God, you felt so good. He only dreamed what your pussy would feel like wrapped around him. It was as if your pussy was made for him, made to fit and take his cock so fucking good. His. All his. 

“Jay,” you moaned out his name, your hands now tangled in his dyed hair as one of his hands grasped your thigh, and the other on your face, “Are you mine, too?” 

“Oh, baby,” he groans into your neck, “I’ve been yours.” 

Thunder crashed outside, flickering the lights a couple of times before shutting them off completely. The candles are the only source of light. But it couldn’t have been more perfect. Yours and Jay’s moans mixed with the sound of the rain. His cock works against your sweet spot and nails dig into the plush of your thighs. He was going dizzy at the feeling of you, of the emotions you’ve made him feel. Your sex felt like heaven, you felt like heaven in this hell. 

“I’ll never let anyone hurt you,” he kisses your neck, “Won’t let anyone touch you,” kisses your jawline, “I’d kill for you,” finally kissing your lips, “You’re mine. All mine.” 

You kissed him back harder, pulling him as close as possible to you as you reached your climax, squeezing your legs tighter around his waist. 

“Fuck,” he hisses, “I’m gonna cum too,” he pumped into you faster, “call me yours, say my name, f-fuck, please say I’m yours.” 

You tightened your legs around him, kissing from his lips to his ear, “Jay, you’re mine. Mine, mine, mine.” 

He clenches his jaw and squeezes his eyes shut as he cums, “Shit, baby,” he slowly lays on top of you gently, breathing in your scent, and wraps his arms underneath you to hold you against him. He took a couple of deep breaths and chuckled, “I am so glad you stole our drugs that day.” 

—

you lay in his arms as he traced his fingers up and down your bare back, the rain still crashing down to the earth, it being the only sound you could hear besides the beating of Jay’s heart in your ear from laying against his chest. 

Jay leaned against the wall the bed connected to, his eyes scanning the empty safe zone, trying to remember how much life was once held here. How life sits here now. Jay let his brain wonder about the different possibilities and outcomes of this zone, debating what to do and how to do it. His train of thought derailed when you shifted yourself up further, laying your head into his neck, “I thought you were asleep?” 

You gently shook your head, “I don’t want to sleep and miss out on this moment.” 

Jay chuckled and leaned his head against the top of yours, “You need some rest, I’m here and won’t leave you.” 

“That’s not what I’m worried about, I just want to savor the moment for when you go back to being cold towards me once we leave here.” 

Jay chuckles again, “Baby, I won’t. I was cold to keep the lines from blurring and my heart from feeling, but look how that turned out?” 

You giggled when he slid his hands under the blanket you two shared and squeezed the fat of your ass, “Didn’t think you ever felt anything for me besides the money, you confused the hell out of me, Jay.” 

He pressed a kiss to your forehead, “I know, I am sorry.” You shivered, so he pulled the blanket up higher on your naked body, running his hands up and down your back to help warm you. 

Even though you’ve spent enough time with this man to know how he is, you still don’t know a lot about him besides the things he’s willingly shared with you. And since curiosity consumed you, mostly now that he’s accepted his feelings for you, maybe he’ll be more inclined to talk. Here goes nothing, “What did you do before the outbreak?” you softly asked while still treading on eggshells, “How was life for you before it?” 

Jay takes a deep inhale, holding his breath for a couple of seconds before letting it out and wrapping his arms tighter around you, “Heeseung and I were best friends before all this. Grew up together actually. His family lived across the street from mine, and being the only child, I attached myself to Heeseung fairly quickly.” 

You could see it. With how Heeseung and Jay relied on each other back in their home zone and even when they cornered you when you stole the drugs they were supposed to smuggle, the two of them stuck to each other. 

“He became like my older brother, and I am a younger one for him. When the outbreak first happened, Heeseung and I…” he took another deep breath in, and you felt how tense his body became under you. So you reached a hand up to his chest, feeling that tension loosen, “We were fucking around with a few other kids in our town, shooting hoops at the court while passing a blunt between each of us. I was actually supposed to be grounded, I smart-mouthed off to my parents. I stuck out my bedroom window and jumped into Heeseung’s car and we went off to the basketball court. We were there for roughly thirty minutes before the first bomb dropped to take out the infected.” 

You remembered the bombs very well. Remembered the sirens going off. People were going crazy to try and leave town to escape it. Only very few were lucky to get out. And since the two of you were lying here together, it was obvious you two were part of the lucky ones. 

Jay continued, “Heeseung and I never ran back home so fast, only to see our street was completely…gone. We lost our families, and if we didn’t sneak out…we wouldn’t be here right now. The only thing that kept me alive to this very day was Heeseung. If I didn’t have him…” 

“Jay,” you whispered, lifting yourself up to press the side of your face to his, “you have him, don’t think about what could have happened. You have him, and always will.” 

He took a couple of deep breaths, leaning more into you, “I know. I’m lucky to have him as a brother. Same to Jake and Sunghoon.”

“How did you meet those two?” 

Jay laughed, “We found them in an abandoned grocery store.” 

You tried to not giggle, but let it out anyway, “Are you serious?” 

“I am being so deadass,” he laughed more with you, you falling in love with how he smiles and the sound of his laugh. This Jay right here, this was his true self, “It was roughly about four months after the outbreak, so still before the safe zones. Heeseung and I were running low on food and we stumbled into a grocery store praying for food but finding Jake and Sunghoon with every food item possible shoved into the back corner of one of the offices hoarding it all for themselves.”

You just nodded, “Yeah from the small amount I know about them, that sounds about right.” 

Jay agrees, “It was a sight to see that’s for sure. It took them everything to not kill us. They were held up there for a couple of weeks before we found them. But eventually, we got them to share their food and they just…followed us out of the grocery store when we left a day later. The four of us have been together since then.” 

“Sounds like you guys found each other at the right times. They say you always find the people you need for your life at the right time regardless of the situation.” You slid back down, lying your head back on his neck, “Just like how you found me.”

Jay squeezed you tightly, “I have to agree with that statement. It’s like I am your god or something.” 

You playfully slapped his bicep, “Oh shut up! You needed me just as much as I needed you.” 

“I did, I needed you so bad and it took me meeting you to realize it.” Jay now slid down the bed, lying his head on the pillow and pulling you fully against him, resting his forehead against yours, “The four of us traveled for days to get to the safe zone we are at now. It was still newly built and just redeemed safe to let people in. Been there since, obviously, and eventually, we are where we are now. Being smugglers to keep our place and food in our bellies.” 

You looked into his eyes, seeing all the hurt and pain he’s been through and even put himself through to continue to survive. To keep breathing. Jay kept fighting to stay alive for his brothers and kept going for someday finding more of a reason to keep his heart beating. He found that reason the moment he saw you. Even though you were pointing a gun to his head. 

“You’ve fought long enough, Jay,” you whisper, brushing your lips against his, “Please take the money when you hand me over.” 

Jay scoffs, “YN—“

“No,” you interrupted, “Take it. It would help you and the others. You all don’t need to fight anymore.” 

Jay just looks back at you, wondering how the fuck could he just take that money and run. To leave you with the capital. He couldn’t do it. He won’t do it. 

“I’ll find a way to get the money and bring you back home,” it sunk your heart hearing him call his safe zone your home. You had a home again. With him, “That way we can be set and I don’t have to leave you.” 

You softly kissed him. Moving your lips so gently against his. His hands moved from your back to your waist and pressed your body against his. 

Jay was home. Jay IS home. And you’d take up his mantle of fighting to protect him now. To keep him safe. Jay deserves it more than anything. 

—

To both your and Jay’s surprise, the next three-month journey was actually really smooth. Jay didn’t know if he should be worried or relieved that everything had gone smoothly. He’s tried to keep a positive mind, to push out that smuggler mindset he’s been in for years, wanting to be a better man for you. But Jay knew even if he wanted to drop that life, he was going to have to keep up that fighter persona. That protectiveness. There’s no doubt Soobin and his dogs already ran their mouths about you being immune, spreading the word to anyone and everyone they could. Probably more than likely putting a bounty over Jay’s head because of him shooting Kai. Jay had to start thinking more clearly about his future, about yours, if he wanted to keep the both of you alive for that future. Because he can’t live without you now, and he refuses to let anyone take you from him. 

You walked ahead of him, your palms facing outwards, brushing your fingers over the flowers and grass that grew tall, loving the way it tickled your hands. To say you’re happier than before would be an understatement. Jay finally confessing his deep feelings flipped a switch within you, like you have something more to live for besides just simply surviving for your fallen friends. At the start of this journey, you refused to let the capital take you, to use you as a curse for everyone else. But after meeting and falling in love with Jay…knowing that if he somehow gets bitten one of these days…the cure that would come from you would save him. You didn’t care about saving everyone else, just as long as you could save him, that’s all that mattered. 

You glanced up ahead, and the building you assumed was the capital, came into view. It looked like an old hospital. Overgrown with vines and weeds. If you didn’t know what to look for, you would have assumed this was just like any other normal old abandoned building like the rest of the world. But Jay gave you details on what to look for. 

“Looks like we finally made it,” You said, turning to look at Jay. He looks at you, then at the building, giving a nod. You started to shake, the fear of going inside taking over. You didn’t know what to expect. How will they treat you? Would it be filled with old doctors or politicians who think they know what is best for the world? Many more questions rolled through you and it took Jay taking your hand into his for your train to derail. 

“It’s going to be okay, I won’t let them hurt you, I promise,” And Jay meant it. He will stand beside you every step of the way. Letting the capital take what was needed then getting the hell out of there and back home. 

Jay leads you to the entrance, staring up at the camera that hangs from the ceiling above the door. Jay waved a hand at the camera, “Hello?? How do you expect to get people in and out if there’s no way to fucking knock??” Glad to see Jay didn’t completely go soft on you. You giggled at his straightforwardness, squeezing his hand. 

The door sounded with a click and opened. Jay squeezed your hand back before taking a step in, leading you in behind him. The entrance was dimly lit halfway, completely colored gray with hospital signs hanging to the walls. If you didn’t know any better, you would have figured this place was a disaster waiting to happen, that no soul would be living here. But that changed once the entrance expanded out into what looked to be the lobby of the hospital. The gray turned to white and bright lights filled the room. You didn’t have time to process the new brightness when seven men appeared in front of you and Jay. Not like magic or anything, your eyes just couldn’t adjust to the bright lights in time to see them approach. 

Jay gave each of them a nod, “Nice to see you again, Shotaro, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, Seunghan, Eunseok, and Anton. Been awhile.” 

You followed Jay’s head movement to each of the seven of them, taking in their names and faces before looking over at Jay confused for a solid few seconds before remembering that Jay has been to the capital a few times in his life, of course he knew the people here. 

“Pleasure to see you, as always,” Shotaro said to him, giving a nod back, “See the trip here didn’t kill you.” 

Jay just chuckles, releasing his hand from yours, “It’s going to take a lot more than some zombies to take me down.” Jay knew joking with these people would be the best way to fit in and get things done. Shotaro and his crew were different from Soobin and his. Two different types of personalities here. 

“I am assuming this is the immune one?” Sungchan asked, tilting his head. His eyes scan your body up and down then stop at the bite mark on your wrist. You ditched the wrap and long-sleeve shirts back at the cave zone, the summer weather being too hot to keep up with it. Your bite was pretty much healed, no longer infected, and just looked like a normal wound in healing. 

“I have a name,” you growled at him, “I’m not just some “immune one” or whatever.”

All seven of them smirked at you, making you cling to Jay’s arm, “Feisty one, isn’t she?” Wonbin chuckled with a raise of his brow, “You sure know how to pick’em, Jay.” 

Jay just tried to give them his best smile, “This is YN. And yes she’s the one Jungkook called and talked to Namjoon about.” 

Namjoon?

“Joon is busy in a meeting,” Sohee sighs, “He told us to apologize on his behalf and welcome you into the capital.” 

Seunghan added, “He had to step in the moment you walked up to the door. He truly wants to meet you two here.” 

“We were expecting seven more of you though…” Shotaro said with his eyes scanning the two of you, “Where are your other six?” 

Jay shrugs, “They had other important matters to take care of, so I volunteered to make the trip myself.” 

“Ahhh,” Eunseok cooed, “I sometimes forget the seven of you are the best smugglers down in the southwest.” 

“Best of the best,” Jay awkwardly smiled, wanting to get this small talk over with, “Are we going to stand and wait for Namjoon to finish his meeting or???” 

Shotaro bowed a bit, “My apologies, you two must be exhausted from your long trip,” He stood back upright, “Anton, please take our friends to their rooms.” 

“We’ll share one, thanks for the thought though,” Jay was quick to say. 

Shotaro just looked back and forth between the two of you, and then the realization hit, “Ahh! You two are a pair. That’s…interesting considering Jay was a lone wolf when it came to mating.”

Jay just rolls his eyes at the comment, “People can change. You’d know if you left the capital more.” 

Shotaro just keeps his wide smile on display, “Anton.” 

Anton nods, waving the two of you towards him, “We saved the best rooms possible for you,” Jay leads first, dragging you close behind him, “We’ve also given you badges with access to every floor and room in the building. Given as a thanks for your sacrifice, YN. You’re doing the world a massive favor by coming here.” You just nod, confident that you’re only doing this for Jay to protect him, “We have a meeting set up for you to keep with one of the doctors later this evening, to kinda help ease your mind about all this.” 

You didn’t care and stopped listening to Anton explain everything. All you cared about was getting to the room to shower off the outside smell, dirt, and grime. To get in fresh clothing and get a much-needed nap before this place runs you left and right with tests. 

Anton finally let you into the room, handing off the badges to Jay, and with a nod, he left, closing the door behind him. The room was obviously small, being that it was an old hospital room. But it was still cozy, very bedroom-like. Paintings hung on the walls along with a medium-sized dresser with a mirror atop sat in the middle with the queen-sized bed right beside it and the bathroom sitting off to the left of the room. You made your way to the dresser, opening the first drawer to see plenty of clean undergarments for all genders, the second drawer was sleepwear, and the third and fourth drawer was filled with normal everyday shirts and jeans. You pulled pieces of clothing from each drawer and rushed to the entrance of the bathroom but stopped. 

“Can I shower first?” you asked, turning to look at Jay who was sitting at the edge of the bed, holding an envelope, “Jay? What’s that?” 

He looks up at you, “It was slipped under the door after we walked in. It’s the money they owe me for bringing you here.” 

You swallowed, watching as he opened the envelope and pulled out the cash. Jay felt like his heart nearly stopped at the amount of money he held in his hands, fingers slipping through each bill to make sure it was real and the actual amount they said they would give. And sure enough, it was. 

Jay looked at the cash and slowly put it back in the envelope. You could see the gears turning, “Don’t you even dare think about not taking it.” 

He looks at you, was he that obvious? “YN, baby, I can’t take it.” 

You quickly rushed to him, grabbing the envelope and shoving it deep into his backpack, “You came all this way for this, don’t back out of it now.” 

Jay stood to his feet and pulled you to him, “I don’t care about the money! I’ve told you before that you’re worth so much more than money.” 

You cupped his face, “You and the six back at home need this money, think about the life you can give them once we go back. Please don’t give it up.” Jay knew you were right. He made this trip in the first place all for his brothers and the money that would help give them a better life. So he nods, giving you a soft smile and picking you up into his arms, carrying you to the bathroom. 

“We’re both stinky, let’s wash off, ya?” He said, placing kisses all over your face and kicking the bathroom door shut. 

—

The rest of your day was filled with following around one of the seven boys to multiple different stops with Jay close on your heels. The first stop was the cafeteria for lunch, eating the best chicken sandwich you think you ever had. The second stop was to one of the labs for some doctors to draw your blood and give you some juice and five minutes of sitting before sending you on the way. The third stop was the meeting with the doctor who explained the procedure of the blood being drawn from the first stop and how taking from the bone marrow during the procedure and then talking about somehow mixing other things to create the cure? You were no scientist nor a doctor and you couldn’t remember how they find cures in all the horror and survival movies you’ve seen in your life to even get close to knowing how it would work. Jay looked just as confused as you did. At least you all were on the same page. Somewhat. The fourth stop was back at the room, where you and Jay cuddled and took a good hour nap before Sungchan knocked on the door saying it was time for dinner. 

You two ate with the seven boys, them explaining how Namjoon was once again tied up and couldn’t make it to the meal to greet us. Jay just waved it off. He didn’t care about any more meetings, he just wanted to eat and go back to the room. The day was tiring, the whole trip was tiring. Tomorrow would more than likely be another busy day and all you wanted to do was change into your pajamas and hit the sack. The seven of the boys talked a lot, made a lot of jokes, and continuously teased Jay for being in a relationship as if it was such a hard thing for their minds to process. You tried to laugh at everything, to understand the jokes. You weren’t sure if it was the nerves or your exhaustion making it hard to play along. Thankfully dinner finally ended and you found yourself back in the comfort of your temporary room. 

“There’s only silk lace gowns in here?” You sigh, digging through the whole drawer to find a pair of pajama pants and a shirt, “Why are there ONLY silk lace gowns???” 

Jay peeked over your shoulder, his hands reaching around you to pull an emerald green gown out of the drawer, “I mean this is the capital, everything here is probably fancy in some form.” 

You take the gown from his hands with a sigh, “It’ll have to do I suppose.” Jay just gives you a small smile and nods as he backs away and sits on the bed, untying the laces to his boots. 

You glanced back at the silk gown on your hands and up to Jay. Maybe you were reading a bit into it, but why did he choose this color? Out of all the pretty colors in that drawer, his eyes went to this one. You tried to push down the thoughts, remembering the time back at the safe zone when he said your naked body was just skin. How he didn’t have time to deal with these types of things. But he was also in a relationship with you now? The two of you never discussed what you were after sex that one night. He’s made love to you multiple times since then but still never once said what you both were. Maybe he was just bullshitting when he saw you naked the very first time, but then again he didn’t see you in that light before. Maybe again you were just overthinking it. He’s never seen you in such clothing, so maybe that’s why he chose this color, maybe he wanted to see you in it. 

You decided to stop thinking too much about it and slowly stripped out of your clothes, dropping them down to the floor with a thud, causing Jay’s eyes to lift up to you as he started on his second boot. You kept eye contact with him as you slid the straps of your bra down your shoulders and unclasped the back, holding the bra in place on your breast as you pulled your arms through the loops. Jay’s eyes left yours and went to your breasts, watching as you dropped the bra to the floor. His body tensed. You had him wrapped around your finger. His eyes shot back up to yours, his face still so calm and collected. You finally pulled the laced emerald silk gown over your head and onto your body, fitting strangely well to your frame and tight in the right places. 

You slowly crawled into the bed and laid down, his body shifted to face you as you got comfortable on the bed. Jay was losing his mind and was fighting his demons to keep from jumping you and ripping that pretty little gown off your body. His mind wanders to all the things he wants to do, where he wants his hands, and where he wants his mouth. He stood from the bed, sliding his feet out of his boots, and pulling his shirt from his body. You bit your lip at the sight of his torso, how his tan muscular skin moved as he reached for the button on his jeans, the tint in his pants was enough to tell you that you did affect him. That this color was chosen on purpose. 

Jay dropped the jeans to the floor then crawled onto the bed and hovered over you, “You look way too damn good in green, you should wear it more often, baby,” all you could do was nod and rub your thighs together. Jay glanced down at your legs, a smirk falling to his lips, “Want me so bad you can’t form a sentence?” 

“Jay,” you whispered, “Please.” 

He bent down and kissed you, his right hand already touching the ends of the gown, “You’re so sexy,” he breathed between kisses, “You know that?” You didn’t have time to respond as his lips left yours to trail down your neck and then to your shoulder, biting softly at your skin, loving the way you squirmed underneath him. His hand was now under the gown, slowly riding up your thigh. His moved down lower, leaving opened-mouth kisses down to your collarbone, between your breasts, and down your stomach, both his hands were now under the gown and sliding up and up, bunching the gown at your waist, “I’m craving dessert, and you look just like something I want to eat.” 

You gasp at his words, feeling your slick pool in your panties. Jay slid down to your heat, spreading your legs apart, clicking his tongue at the wet spot, “Already so wet for me? I haven’t even touched you yet.” It was driving him crazy seeing you already soaked for him. How much more perfect could you get?? He rubs his knuckle against your folds, pushing the lips apart as he digs his knuckle further in, “So wet for me, baby,” he coos, licking at his bottom lip. Jay didn’t think he could wait much longer, he needed your taste in his mouth. To devour you. To make you cum against his tongue. God, it’s all he wanted at this moment. Jay looped his fingers at the hems of your panties and you lifted your hips up as he slid them down and threw them to the floor to be completely forgotten about. 

Jay lifted your legs onto his shoulders as he settled back between your legs, using his index and ring fingers to spread your cunts lips, “fuccckk,” he groaned, loving how some of your slick was slowly dripping out of your cunt. Your hands flew to his hair when you felt his tongue press flat to your heat, licking up and stopping at your clit and wrapping his lips and tongue around the sensitive bud. 

“Shit, Jay!” you moaned, gripping his hair tight between your fingers. His hum of pleasure vibrated against you, making your toes curl into the sheets. With his other hand, he slid two fingers into your hole, pumping in and out of you slowly. Jay could get lost in your pussy, could stay here for hours if he didn’t need oxygen to continue breathing, licking up every ounce of your juices you could offer to him. You clenched around his fingers and gripped his hair even tighter, letting out soft moans at the feeling of him on your clit and cunt. 

“Be louder, baby, I want to hear you,” he breathes, taking a few deep breaths in before attaching himself back to your clit, sucking on it softly and pushing his fingers in and out faster, keeping your lips spread with his other fingers. You were getting dizzy at the sensation, brain clouding and his fingers and lips being the only thing you could focus on as you chanted out his name over and over. It was magic to his ears, truly. The best sound he’s ever heard next to your normal voice. 

He detached from your clit and replaced his fingers in your hole with his tongue, reaching so far into you that his nose was now rubbing your clit along with his middle finger. The knot of your climax was about to snap. You tried to hold on for as long as you could, waiting to savor this feeling but also wanting the sweet release it would give you. Jay wasn’t giving you much of a choice, not with how he worked his tongue in your cunt and his finger on your clit. His whole job here was making you cum on his tongue, and he wasn’t going to stop until he got what he desired. So you gave in, letting the knot snap in two and your body shuddered. Jay moaned against your cunt, licking up every last drop of your cum with his tongue, “Fuck you taste so good.” 

He left soft kisses on your heat and both your inner thighs before hovering back over you completely, “You’re such a good girl for me, my sweet, continue being good and take this cock, ya?” you quickly nodded, reaching for his boxers to slide them off him. He chuckled as he helped you remove the last bit of his clothing, “impatient are we?” 

“Jay, just please fuck me already, I need you.” 

He clicks his tongue, smirking at you, “Gotta give the lady what she wants, right?” 

Not another word was said as he slides into you, fucking you already so hard and fast it made your overstimulation way worse. But it was so—so—good. He kisses you, forcing his tongue down your throat, getting a taste of yourself as you sucked on his tongue, wrapping your muscle around him in a perfect dance. Jay wrapped your legs around him and pinned your hands above your head, squeezing them tightly as he continued to rock his hips against yours, kissing down from your lips to your ear, “You’re stuck with me, understand?” he breathes, his breath sending chills down your body, “I love you, YN. I am so in love with you.” 

Tears filled your eyes as you wrapped your legs and released your hands from his and wrapped your arms tightly around him, squeezing him so tight against your body, wanting to feel every inch of him against you, “I love you too. Oh god, I love you too.” 

Jay moved faster, “Say it again, tell me you love me again.” 

You did, you chanted how much you loved him over and over until he was spilling his seed deep within you. So out of breath but continued to kiss all over your face and slowly rock his hips against yours to chase out his high. If this is what it felt like to be in love with Jay and be loved by him, you didn’t need any other emotion ever again. 

—

Jay rolled over, stretching his arm out on your side of the bed, surprise took him when he didn’t feel you there, running his hand up and down the spot you should be in. He fluttered his eyes open, the early morning sunlight shining against the paintings on the wall and the gray wallpaper. Jay lifted himself on his forearms and elbows, the cool air sending chills down his bare back as the blanket slid down to his waist. He looked at the spot you slept in, tracing his hand back over it and realizing the sheets were cold. You’ve been gone for a while. 

“YN?” Jay calls, thinking maybe you were in the bathroom, seeing that the door was closed, “Baby?” 

No answer. Jay lets out an uneasy sigh, clearly not liking the silence of the room. He sits up and pushes himself to the edge of the bed, pulling his boxers off from the floor and stepping into them, and snapping them at his hips, “Baby?” He tried calling again, walking to the bathroom door and carefully knocking, “YN, this isn’t funny.” Jay quickly opened the door, seeing the bathroom was empty. 

Panic started to settle in. 

Jay tried to keep calm, hoping you were just at the other labs the doctors and other officials of the capital have said. But all the hope was gone when Jay turned around, barely catching his naked top half in the mirror, seeing the red and irritated skin at the edge of his back right under the shoulder, the small puncture wound still clear and visible. He was drugged. And you were taken. 

Jay quickly rushed back into the room, pulling his clothes onto his body and picking up his backpack from the floor, noticing yours was still sitting in the same spot. Jay felt the panic deep in his core. You wouldn’t have just walked out of the room without telling him or bringing him with you. Jay’s suspicions only got confirmed after seeing the weapons from your and his backpack was missing. 

“Shit,” he mumbles, looking in the corner to see his shotgun was also missing from where he placed it against the wall. Jay dumped out everything from the backpacks and drawers, trying to find any weapon possible that they might have overlooked. But everything was gone. The only thing he found was the snacks and other foods and water the two of you had been carrying the whole trip and the white envelope with the money in it. Jay wanted to tear the money into pieces, to burn this whole place down from them taking you from him. He was going crazy and needed to find you, and fast. He pulled everything back into the backpack, combining your stuff with his. Jay took one last look at the envelope and then shoved it into the backpack. 

It was one problem after the other when he tried to walk out of the room to find the door was locked from the outside, “FUCK!” he screamed, taking multiple steps back and rushing to the door, connecting his shoulder to the wood. Step back, ram the door, step back, ram the door. repeat. repeat. repeat. Jay shook out his hands and arms, giving it one last final shove and the door pushed open, the locks and doorknobs falling to the floor. 

The hallway was dark except for the sunlight peeking through the windows. Not a damn soul was around. It was so silent you could probably hear the tectonic plates shifting within the earth. Jay treaded lightly, locking his jaw and clenching his fists as he slowly walked down the hall. This hospital was so full of life just yesterday, and now it’s like everyone is gone. This place once again looked abandoned before the capital officials took over. Jay figured it was before everyone knew the minute he woke up and saw you gone, all hell would break loose. Jay should have known. Should have listened to everyone who told them what would happen once he got you here. They were going to kill you. And he needed to stop it. 

First, he needed his weapons back. Following the signs on the walls leading him to the armory. There were two guards on watch when he reached it, “Fucking typical,” he whispered to himself, “All for little ole me?” Jay knew Namjoon was more than likely on high alert, knowing what moves Jay would be making and how he’d make them. Jay and his team aren’t the best smugglers around for nothing. He crouches down, slowly inching himself to the guards, assessing them before making another move. They both had knives and pistols attached to their hips with rifles in hand. Jay didn’t have a lot of time to come up with a solid plan and acted quickly. All the years of surviving had led to this. All the years of killing before getting killed. Learning how to be sneaky and how to lie through his teeth as he stole and picked pocketed his enemies. The person he had to become because of this apocalypse. All led him here. Once Jay was close enough, he quickly stood and broke out into a sprint. The first guard didn’t know what was happening by the time Jay reached him. His hands wrapped around his head and twisted, his body going limp at the crack of his neck. Jay worked fast before the guard's body hit the floor, stealing his knife and shoving it into the other guard's side between his ribs. 

“Now you will give me the information I seek out, got it?” he hisses, “Or you will end up like your friend over there, ya?” 

The guard trembled in Jay’s hands, his eyes darting to his now-dead friend on the cold hospital floor, “What do you want?” he tried to snap back, but it was not having any effect on Jay whatsoever. 

“Where is she?” Jay growled against the man’s ear, “Where. Is. YN?” Silence. Jay pushed the knife in further, the guard gritting his teeth to not scream at the pain, “Where the fuck is my girlfriend?!” Jay was yelling now, no longer playing these games. 

“Second floor, last room on the right side,” the man grunted out, “But it’s too fucking late,” Jay’s heart stopped, “They already began the procedure before sunlight even came, busted in right after you two slept,” you’ve been gone a lot longer than he thought. His panic sank further, “They took from her blood until she passed out and drugged her to stay asleep,” the guard chuckled, “She was a walking cure factory.” 

Jay shoved the knife deeper, “Is she alive?” The man groans in pain, “I SAID IS SHE STILL ALIVE!?” 

“YES!” he hissed, “But not for long. Her blood was only doing so much. They are going to go for her bone marrow now. Going to use every last drop she can give until she’s no longer breathing.” 

The man started to chuckle, but those chuckles changed into gurgles and he gasped for air before tipping over to the floor. Jay’s hands were trembling as he looked down at them, seeing the dark red tint staining his skin and the pool of it now covering the floor where Jay shoved the knife into the side of his neck. Jay swallowed and released a few deep breaths, recollecting himself and noticing his clothes now stained red. Jay sized up the first guard, thank god he looked to be about the same size as him. 

Jay was quick at changing into the guard's uniform, stealing his pistol, knife, rifle, and keycards. Always take the keycards, you never know when you’ll need them. He rushes into the armory, finding your pistol, his shotgun, and both your knives, shoving the smaller items into the backpack, and sliding his shotgun over his shoulder. Before Jay realized, he was stepping over the two dead guards and was up the stairs, making his way to the second floor. His legs shook all the way down into his boots. Trying to push out the images of the two lives he just ended. Jay has killed before during smuggling runs, but it never will get easier or something he’d get used to. This world created all this chaos and turned everyone into monsters. No one had a spot in heaven. Hell was the only final destination. 

The jitters left once both feet touched the second floor, and the rifle pointed upwards. The only thing on his mind now was you and praying he wasn’t too late. The floor was silent until he reached the corner of the building, where four guards were stationed outside the room. This was it. You were just behind those doors, hopefully still breathing. Jay didn’t want to think about what would happen if he went in there and saw you dead. The things he’d do…

You barely blinked in and out of consciousness, the bright lights shining on you from the ceiling were blinding, only being able to see white and the blue of the two doctors' lab coats. They talked between each other, not being able to make out any of the words they spoke. Your body hurts. Your head spun. Were you fixing to die? Where was Jay? Why did you feel so cold? Why did they take you from him the way they did? So many questions piled up in your brain. Jay is the main source of the questions. The main one was that he was safe. That he takes the money and runs so far away from here. That you died for this fucking cure in hopes if anything happened to him he wouldn’t turn into the undead outside. He could survive and have a better life than before. Your thought process was interrupted when both doctors looked down at you and asked a question. You didn’t know if you answered them or not, or couldn’t remember if you did. There was a poke on your wrist, and everything went fuzzy and your eyes closed. 

“She’s asleep again,” one said, setting the syringe down on the table behind him and checking your vital signs on the monitor, “Vitals are normal and steady, we can—“ the doctor stopped speaking, whipping his head to the entrance of the room. 

The other doctor looked at the one across from him, then turned to look at the door, then back to him, “What's wrong?” 

“You didn’t hear that?” he asked, his eyes widening. 

“I think you’re being paranoid, let’s continue.” 

He didn’t take his eyes off the door. Nor did he even have time to think about what happened next as Jay kicked the door open, his rifling pointing directly ahead. The doctor barely had time to see the dead bodies as the door closed behind Jay. Blood coated Jay’s face, hair, and clothes. 

“Joon said he’d be out the whole fucking day!” the doctor closer to Jay shouts, reaching for the surgical knife on the small tray table. 

“Don’t fucking move!” Jay snapped, “Back away from her!” 

The two doctors moved, their hands raised above their heads. Jay looked at you. Your skin was pale and your lips purple. Bruises covered your arms and bare legs, proof enough that you didn’t go down without a fight. You were hooked up to multiple different types of IVs. Jay tried to find any sign that you were breathing, eyes whipping to the monitor, watching as your vitals dropped. All Jay saw then was red. You were dying. He was losing you by the second. He couldn’t waste any more time. So he pulled the trigger. Their screams and voices were muffled out by the buzzing in his ears from the anger and the fear of losing you. He can’t lose you. 

He dropped the rifle to the floor once the room stopped spinning, his legs dragging him to your side, hands immediately grabbing for you. Your skin was cold to the touch. He hissed out from the pain in his chest, the pain of his heart clenching thinking you already were between the lines of life and death. Praying you weren’t. 

“Baby,” he whimpered, tears swelling his eyes, “Come on, YN, please wake up.” Jay softly shook you, placing his ear over your mouth, feeling your breath push out. It was weak. So, so very weak. “Baby don’t leave me, please.” Both his hands cupped your face, thumbs stroking your cheeks, “I can’t live without you, please.” Jay searched the room, removing himself from you to pull open all the cabinets and drawers in search of some drug to get your heart pumping normally again. Anything to get your vitals back up. He found what he needed and rushed back to you, with an empty syringe, “Forgive me, please,” he begged, pulling out the drug with the syringe needle, and filling it up, “Forgive me for bringing you here. For gambling your life like this. I am so so so sorry.” With shaky hands, he finds a vein in your wrist, “I love you,” and gently pushes it into your skin, injecting the clear liquid into your body. Jay whips his head to the monitor, watching your heart rate pick up and your vitals start to normalize. He drops the syringe and falls to his knees, running his crusted red-stained hands through his blonde hair. 

He doesn’t know how long he sat there like that. It wasn’t until you shifted on the table that he jumped back to his feet, coming back to reality and needing to get you out of there. Jay removed the IVs from your arms, bandaging them up and brushing your hair from your face, “Baby?” you fluttered your eyes, still too out of it to really open them. You knew Jay was finally with you, or that you were dreaming. Or even dead. You felt the warmth of his touch, heard his voice, and were barely able to make out his face. But he was here, nevertheless. Jay pressed a quick kiss to your forehead, “Let’s get you out of here.” Jay found your clothes and redressed you with them, tossing the hospital gown across the room. Jay took a final look at the room, seeing the vials filled with your blood and other chemicals. There were at least thirty of them. All were marked with tape that said “cure”. “Those bastards.” he hissed in his brain. But the longer he stared at them, the angrier he got. 

He carried you in his arms, rushing down to the ground level of the hospital, looking for a quick and easy way out. It was easy. A bit too easy. It was unsettling for Jay, something was off. It shouldn’t be this easy. 

“Jay?” you softly whisper, feeling his strong arms squeeze you tighter. Finally becoming more aware of the drugs slowly wearing off. 

“Shhh, It’s okay baby, I’m right here,” he whispers back, eyes darting in every direction, waiting for something to happen. And then it did. 

“Leaving without so much as a goodbye?” 

Jay stopped walking, his jaw clenching. You both were almost to the door, so close to leaving. But he turned anyway, seeing Namjoon standing there with his dimpled smile and hand folded behind his back. Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Seunghan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton standing directly behind him with guns pointing at Jay and you. Jay gritted his teeth, “Nice to see you finally made your appearance.” 

Namjoon chuckled, “I am a busy man, what can I say? Being the leader of this operation is very time-consuming. My apologies for not being there sooner.” Jay just stared at him, holding you tighter to his chest, “I believe you have something of mine,” Namjoon said with a sigh, stepping forward, “Give it back, please.” 

Jay barked out a laugh, “She doesn’t belong to you. Or anyone for that matter. And we’re leaving.” 

Namjoon inhaled, held his breath for a few seconds, and then released it, “You don’t understand what’s going on here, Jay.” 

“Oh like the fuck I don’t!” Jay yelled, taking a few steps back, “You’re killing her!!” 

“A sacrifice that I am willing to make,” Jay hated the straight face Joon was making. Hated how he seemed to be okay with ending your life, “She is special, Jay. She is so important to finding a cure.” 

“Then go find someone else that’s immune!” Jay snapped, “Leave her out of it!” 

Namjoon smiles, “She can save so many lives. Think about the people we can save, at her sacrifice. Think how the world can and will heal because of the sacrifice. Everything can go back to normal and she will be so worth it.” 

Jay clenched you tighter, “The world can fucking burn. She’s worth more than whatever righteousness you think you have by doing this to someone innocent.” 

“We aren’t innocent,” Joon sighs again, “This world made us into hunters, killers, and survivors. No one is innocent.” Jay didn’t want to hear it anymore. He wanted out, now. So he took more steps back, giving his glare locked on Namjoon and the seven guys behind him, “You’re making a mistake,” Joon said, following Jay, “Just give her back…” 

Jay quickly shifted your body to his side, pulling out the pistol at his hip, “Take one more step and I’ll fucking kill you.” 

“Like you did to my guards?” 

Jay said nothing, his fingers going numb from the grin he had on your belt loop to keep you pressed against him. You whimpered, the pain finally settling into you as the drugs wore off more. You clenched your arms around his neck and wrapped your legs around his leg, trying to hold yourself up against his hold, “I’ll kill who I have to to keep her safe.” 

Namjoon could see the desperation on Jay’s face, and just gave him another smile, “Go then. Just know you’re a wanted man the minute you walk out of those doors.” 

“Joon!” Shotaro quickly said, earning Namjoon to hold his hand up to silence him, then waving Jay to go forward. He slowly took the steps back, waiting until his back touched against the doors, and pushed it open, the pistol still pointing directly forward. Namjoon continues smiling even after Jay closes the door, leaving them in the lobby alone. Namjoon had enough samples of your blood to create copies. He also knew Jay would be heading back to his safe zone quickly. Namjoon will get you back. But this time by force. 

—

Jay slid the open window carefully, using his strength to push and pull himself up through the kitchen window, carefully climbing his way into the house. Jay barely touched his feet to the floor and turned around to see Heeseung pointing a gun in his direction, “What the fuck! It’s just me!” he whispers, “Watch where you point that thing!” 

Heeseung groans, “Why the fuck are you climbing through the window!!” He snaps, pointing to the front door, “You know how to use that right!!” 

Jay just looks at his brother up and down, being able to tell he’s lost weight since he’s been gone. The three of them all probably lost weight. Heeseung’s red hair was now completely washed out, leaving some patches of a soft pink color and some blonde streaks. Cuts and bruises covered Heeseung’s arms. He looked rough, and Jay could only imagine how the other two looked, “You’ve been struggling, haven’t you?” 

Heeseung scoffed, “Yeah, no thanks to you, Mr. Wanted man,” Jay raised a brow and Heeseung just sighed, “We know what happened at the capitol. I’m sorry for what they did to YN. We all should have gone with you.” 

Jay just shakes his head, “No. I almost lost her. I wouldn’t know what to do if I lost her AND you three.” Jay didn’t want to think about what could have happened. He was back home and was safe and that’s all that matters. Jay asked Heeseung how they found out. Namjoon apparently wasted no time in radioing to Jungkook. Which Jay already figured, hint why he climbed through the window. But Jungkook was furious. The whole safe zone went on lockdown for a few months, but when Jay didn’t return directly after five months, everyone assumed he was either dead or not coming back. Jungkook limited the access Hee, Hoon, and Jake got to outside the zone. Not giving them many smuggler missions and even halving their paydown. The three of them struggled all in terms of punishing Jay. 

Heeseung sat at the table and Jay sat across from him, “Where is YN?” 

Jay took in a breath, “At the caved safe zone.” 

“That’s where you’ve been for half a year?” Heeseung didn’t mean to add the venom that came out when he snapped at Jay, “You settled down with your girlfriend and decided we weren’t worth it?” 

Jay slapped his hands on the table, “That’s NOT what happened!” Jay looks over to Sunghoon and Jake’s bed, seeing them still sleeping, and relaxed in his chair, “I knew they’d be coming for me. And I needed to protect her. Needed to give it time before leaving to come back to get you three.” 

“Get us?” Heeseung asked, folding his arms over his chest. 

Jay nods, “I already figured this place would be on a tougher lockdown. Had to find our other secret way that even JK doesn’t know about. Mostly after I saw our main hole was drilled shut,” he sat back, “I kept the money they gave me to take her there. And I stole all the vials they filled with her blood for the cure. I have plans, but I need you guys with me. Those two months in that cave were only to help YN recover better. The three months of getting her to that cave were hell on her. After what they did.” 

Heeseung nodded, only being able to imagine what you went through, “So you want us to leave and go back to the cave with you?” Jay nodded, “Why did you even leave her alone?! What if Namjoon finds her?” 

“She knows how to use a gun,” Jay quickly said, “We both know that. I showed her all the exits and safe places to run to just in case. It was a bigger risk bringing her with me than leaving her.” 

Heeseung thinned his lips in a line, staring at the table and weighing out the options, “What’s this plan?” 

“We sell her cure blood to those in need. Sell all we have and keep our refuge in the abandoned zone a secret. We use the money we have from the capital and from selling her blood to use for goods, clothing, weapons, and whatever we need. We find another zone to smuggle for, probably with Soobin and his team, and just survive.” 

“Just like we always have,” Heeseung softly says, looking at Jay, taking a few more seconds to think it over, “When are we leaving?” 

“Right now,” Sunghoon said, dropping his backpack to the table, “You guys really don’t know how to fucking whisper.” 

Jay chuckles, seeing Jake right behind him with his backpack, “About time we spread our wings from this hellhole,” Jake joked. 

You stood outside the metal door, rocking back and forth on your feet, it’s been months, they should have arrived already. You walked in circles, then went back inside just to walk in more circles around the cave. You cleaned up a bit and laid down to take a nap, just to barely close your eyes but not fully being able to sleep. 

You stood back up with a sigh and walked back outside. Standing there for what feels like forever until you see them. You couldn’t hold back the smile as Jay, Heeseung, Sunghoon, and Jake walked past the gate. You broke out into a sprint. Jay dropped his weapons and backpack to the ground, bending his knees and spreading his arms out, catching you as you jumped onto him. His arms squeeze you tightly and his lips connect to yours. 

The smile his brothers gave you two makes your heart feel warm. Jay sets you down and pulls his three friends into a big hug before snapping orders for everyone to get inside. 

These people were your home now. Your family. Jay gives you a smile as he tangles his fingers with yours, after everything you two have been through, he was worth it and more. It was just your luck that you stumbled into his world. 

—tags: @alvojake @simpjaes @itachisloverlol @minseongsworld @heeseungshim @allysluvsworld @nyxtwixx @jjaeyunist @in-somnias-world @zeeloveshee @sunpov @xiaoderrrr @butterflywonie @sundoie @cmoundiamante @jentlecoeur @reign-reads @parksunghoonsgf @sparklovespink @wannieepisod @crimnalseung @ilikekpop-c @capri-cuntz @jwnghyuns @kimsunoops @blackhairandbangs @jjongswannabebae @lazy-miya @m3chigo @en-happiness @wonniethepoo @ikeuverse @woninluv @desistay @erehkinnie30 @peachystels @jinspinkflipphone @abysofsteel @randommmmmmvheusbs @minjaexvz @soobywiththebooty @wonryllis @shinrjj @star4rin @iheartjayke @0ctav1asstuff @jakeswifey @hanjisunginc @jinspinkflipphone @jungwonsbabygirl

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[sunfloweraro]

Prompt: How do you wake a sleeping Sky? (Wrong answers only)

Wild makes a terrible choice, one he will come to regret soon.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 .

“Are you sure this is safe?”

Wild waved Hyrule off. “Don’t worry so much. We’re almost there, we just need to move him a little farther.”

“If you’re sure…”

“You can try and wake him if you’d like?”

Hyrule, wisely, elected not to reply, focusing his efforts tenfold on carrying Sky, bedroll and all, toward the lake. Wild had drawn the short straw this morning, and it was his duty to wake Sky. Knowing better than to try and shake the trained knight awake—Legend had earned a dagger to the side once, and though the wound had been a mere graze, none of them had risked their lives like that again.

“Just in the sand here,” Wild said, and together, they set Sky down next to the water. Phase one of his plan was complete.

Next was getting the hell away from the ticking time-bomb that was an asleep Sky.

“Come on, we need to sit in a tree for this.” Hyrule looked at him funny, but followed, too curious to leave matters be. Together, they clambered up into a tree close enough to see Sky, but far enough away to be out of range when he awoke. Although, if Wild’s plan worked, Sky would have bigger problems than knifing one of them.

Wild pulled out his bow, and Hyrule paled. “Um, Champion, is that a good idea?”

“I won’t hit him,” Wild assured Hyrule. Hyrule did not seem reassured, more so when Wild pulled out a bomb arrow.

But he accepted he wouldn’t be able to stop Wild now. “He’s going to kill us.”

Wild grinned. Drew back the string on his bow and aimed carefully—close enough to Sky that his plan would be effective, while not maiming him in the slightest. A deep breath in—and a brief check to ensure no one else was watching them—and Wild loosed the arrow.

The lake exploded. Water flew into the air unceremoniously, and what goes up must always come down—in this instance, straight onto their dreaming Skyloftian. Sky awoke instantly with a shriek as ice-cold water thundered down on him. “Why?!” he demanded.

Hyrule hummed approvingly. “Good work, Champion. If we’re lucky, he won’t notice us—”

“You two!”

“Hyrule,” Wild said, turning to his friend with a pleasant smile. “Run.”

[olivialau]

Shadow's Embrace Ch.10

Sukuna x Reader

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fanfiction based on the universe of "Jujutsu Kaisen," created by Gege Akutami. The original manga, anime, and characters belong to their respective owners and creators.

Notes:

This story unfolds in the Jujutsu Kaisen world, set in a slightly altered universe where Sukuna inhabits his own vessel distinct from Itadori Yuji's body, making him a separate entity.

Summary:

Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, becomes fascinated with a female sorcerer rich in potential but lacking control. Initially seizing her for his destructive plans, Sukuna aims to bind her abilities through a contract. Yet, as he tries to dominate her, he finds himself intrigued by her strength and determination. Over time, his interest evolves from strategic advantage to a deeper, personal connection.

---------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 10 - Unwelcome Visitor

As the days dragged on in the grim, gloomy basement, you found yourself grappling with a strange mix of emotions. Despite the undeniable horror of being caged like an animal, the initial days of Sukuna's absence brought an unexpected sense of relief.

No longer did you have to constantly be on guard, worrying about what twisted plans the King of Curses had in store for you next. The break from his relentless torment allowed you to catch your breath, both physically and mentally.

Determined to make the most of this brief reprieve, you resolved to use the time wisely. You needed to allow your worn-down body to recover and regain its health. But more importantly, you needed to grow stronger.

You dedicated yourself to practicing your jujutsu techniques, careful not to overexert yourself but steadily honing your skill and control. This routine had made the first few days suprisingly bearable.

As the time ticked by, however, the initial sense of relief you had felt began to give way to growing unease and worry. The uncertainty of how long this would take started to weigh heavily on your mind.

Questions began to plague you - what if Sukuna never returned? Would you truly be left to starve, trapped in this awful place? And what if he did return, only to deem you no longer useful? Would he hesitate to snap your neck, would he think twice about it?

The loneliness, too, began to take its toll. Being in solitude with your thoughts, especially after all the horrors you had endured here, felt suffocating at times. Old wounds had been reopened and past pain resurfaced.

The non-stop isolation, without anyone to talk or vent to, made you long for the familiar comfort of your loved ones - your parents, your friends, your classmates.

The small window high up on the wall, had become a precious lifeline, allowing you to track the passing of time. The simple connection it provided to the outside world, as limited as it was, helped you feel a tiny bit more grounded.

Carefully tracking the passing of time, you counted twelve days since Sukuna had left. You had recognized the need to conserve your resources, and so you dilligently started to ration the food and water that he'd left behind.

You estimated that you had enough to properly sustain yourself for at least five more days. But after that, it would start to become troublesome.

As you sat down on the worn mattress, your body aching from another self-imposed training session, you couldn't help but let out a weary sigh.

The silence of the basement had become deafening, except for the small noises from outside the window every so often.

You had become so vigilant after being around Sukuna, that the tiniest of noises startled you. Though strangely enough- right now, they also filled you with a sense of anticipation, a glimmer of hope that perhaps your isolation would be broken soon.

The prospect of human interaction, even if it meant facing that horrible man once more, had become a tempting alternative to the relentless torment of your own mind.

Suddenly, another noise startled you, causing your heart to leap in your chest. This time, however, the sound did not seem to originate from outside the window. It felt closer, as if it were coming from the direction of the door.

You carefully tracked the sound, your senses heightened, as it seemed to draw nearer. Until a faint rattling at the door was unmistakable. This couldn't be Sukuna- he had a key.

Your mind raced with possibilities. Was it possible that someone had come to rescue you? The people at Jujutsu High must have noticed your absence by now.

Or perhaps Sukuna had sent for someone to check on you, like that mysterious man Geto.

The rattling grew more loud and impatient, until it stopped altogether and was replaced by the subtle sound of metallic clicks and scrapes- someone was picking the lock.

With a resounding click, the lock opened, and the slow creak of the door echoed through the basement. Whatever was happening, you could tell right away that this was bad news.

Slow, deliberate footsteps descended the stairs, accompanied by an immense, dangerous amount of cursed energy.

Until finally, around the corner, a familiar face appeared - the cursed spirit with the patchwork skin, the one you had seen around here before, the one who had spoken so happily of wanting to break you.

A smirk was plastered on his face as he regarded you, his mismatched eyes staring at you with an intensity that made your skin crawl.

Mahito.

His lips curled further as he explained his presence. "Ah, I haven't seen Sukuna around in a few days, so I just had to come check what he was up to, you know?" His tone was light, almost conversational, but the underlying malice was unmistakable.

He tilted his head, as he continued, "But imagine my surprise to find this place all empty!" Mahito let out a dramatic sigh, his lips curling into a pout.

The cursed spirit stepped closer, unable to contain the excited twitching of his hands.

"But then I sensed your presence down here, all alone" he cooed, with feigned sympathy. "I just couldn't resist taking a peek." He looked like a child who'd just been given a lollipop, as he licked his lips.

You took a defensive stance, glaring at Mahito and beckoning him to stay back. But he paid no heed to your warning, as he kept approaching further.

"Ever since I laid eyes on that quivering soul of yours, I've been just dying to play with you," he continued, with a corrupted innocence to his words.

"Sukuna's been hogging you all to himself, and I'm starting to feel a little left out." He sulked.

Instinctively, you backed away with each step that Mahito advanced, his dangerous aura was nearly as overwhelming as Sukuna's.

At that point, you remembered Sukuna's previous warning to Mahito about not playing with 'his toys', So with no other options you tried to remind the cursed spirit,

"Sukuna wouldn't like it if you touched me. He's made it clear I'm his to play with." Saying that out loud felt degrading and gross, but if it was what was needed to survive, you'd do it.

Mahito merely shrugged his shoulders, snickering dismissively at your warning. "Oh, Sukuna might get a bit angry, sure," he said, waving a hand carelessly. "But he knows the true nature of curses. He'll understand it's just instinct."

The cursed spirit paused, rubbing his chin contemplatively, before a gleeful expression spread across his face. "You know, thinking about it, you do have a point," he mused. "In that case, I won't kill you."

Mahito's carefree attitude made his next words even more unnerving as he met your gaze. "I'll just... twist you up a little, haha!"

Shit, this was bad news. Sukuna's barrier was still in place, trapping you within while allowing Mahito free access, escape was not an option. Attempting to fight him directly would be futile too, the difference in strength was just too great.

Your only hope seemed to be buying time, praying that Sukuna would miraculously arrive and intervene. It was a long shot, but you had to try.

So far, Mahito seemed to relish the opportunity to talk and taunt, so you decided to try and engage him.

With a measured tone, you said, "Your technique... can you at least tell me more about it, before I become a victim of it, that only seems fair."

Mahito burst out laughing, wiping away a tear from the corner of his eye, obviously entertained by your sudden interest. "Well, since you asked so nicely," he agreed, an amused grin spreading across his face.

He stepped even closer, now nearly at your feet as he launched into a suprisingly philosphical monologue. "You probably think of yourself as one whole. Mind, body, soul, combined- that is what makes up a human. Would you say the weight of these three is distributed evenly?".

You pondered over his words making sure to delay the time as much as possible before answering. "I would yes. I think they're all equally important,"

Mahito, prepared for your predictable answer, leaned in closely, as he spat "Wrong!". He then continued on,

"You see, the soul is the true essence of a being. The mind, body and soul are intimately connected, sure, but the soul is the core that shapes and defines your existence. If I reshape the soul, the body will follow. That is my technique- Idle Transfiguration."

His technique was even worse than you expected. You didn't think he'd meant twisting you up in a literal sense. Observing that he left out some details you asked more questions, to stall the time and think of a possible defense.

"So you can shape the physical form by altering the soul? How do you do it?" you questioned, your voice betraying a hint of trepidation. You were unsure if Mahito would divulge the details of his technique, but you had to try.

Mahito didn't seem reticent in sharing the specifics, perhaps because he knew you were no match for him anyway. "Well, for starters, I can see the soul. I'm aware of the shape of my own soul, too."

He suddenly changed the shape of his fingers to resemble sharp blades, waving them at you in a demonstration that startled you momentarily.

The cursed spirit chuckled, obviously satisfied at having been able to unsettle you a little. "Changing my own form like that is easy, but to change the shape of others, there is a condition that needs to be met,"

"What's that?" you pressed cautiously, your heart pounding as Mahito slowly reached out and landed his hand on your cheek, squeezing it slightly in a mocking gesture.

Mahito looked you straight in the eyes, his gaze turning serious, dangerous. Before he answered. "A touch,"

Your eyes widened and your heart sank as the realization dawned on you - he had already made contact.

Adrenaline flooded your system, and you cursed your own carelessness. Was this truly the end?

You scanned your body, bracing for the impending torture, but to your surprise, there was nothing. Mahito retracted his hand, bursting out into laughter as he bent over, holding his stomach.

"A touch, and intent," he muttered through his snickering. "And luckily for you, I don't intend to die by Sukuna's hands anytime soon. I told you, didn't I? That I wouldn't kill you."

Relief washed over you as you processed Mahito's words. He was merely playing around, taunting you and savoring your every response. But at least he seemed genuine in not intending to kill you outright.

However, the relief was short-lived as Mahito composed himself after his laughter, standing up straight again. His gaze turned menacing as he explained, "Tweaking your soul would be too much. It would kill you for sure..."

"But you know, I've been wondering lately... What would happen if I twist the body first?" He leaned in, a disturbing curiosity etched across his face. "Would the soul follow along?"

The cursed spirit let out a chilling chuckle. "This would be the perfect experiment, haha!,"

"Don't worry it won't kill you. It will just hurt..." His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "A lot."

Shit, this wasn't over yet. As Mahito prepared to charge at you, you instinctively conjured up a blast of cursed energy from your hands. The training over the past week had improved the precision and aim of your attacks, causing Mahito to back away slightly to evade.

However, the short range barely gave you enough time to recharge your cursed energy between attacks. Mahito was quickly able to cover the distance again, and you had no way to defend yourself as he grabbed your arm and twisted it behind your back, applying pressure until it snapped beyond the range of motion with a sickening crack.

The pain of having your shoulder dislocated was excruciating, and you let out a agonized cry.

Mahito in turn, let out a delighted scream of his own as he reveled in your pain. "Yes, that's it!" he exclaimed, his eyes filled with sadistic glee. "Fight back, struggle! Make this even more fun!".

Barely giving you a chance to recover, he continued his assault. He kicked your legs, tackling you to the ground, before stomping on your ankle, grinding it mercilessly into the concrete floor.

The sickening crunch of bone against the unyielding surface sent aching shockwaves through your body, and left your ankle crumpled and useless.

Mahito towered over you, observing his work with a critical eye. "Hmm, its not quite right yet," he remarked, disappointment evident in his voice. "Altering the body directly is so much more limited than reshaping the soul."

The cursed spirit let out a sigh, as if your suffering had somehow fallen short of his expectations.

The pain was overwhelming, making it difficult to process what was happening, but through the haze of agony, you heard Mahito musing, "Maybe putting a hole in it would work."

Your eyes widened in horror as the cursed spirit warped his own body, transforming his arm into a drill. Without warning, he plunged the spinning appendage deep into your stomach.

The impact was devastating, knocking the breath from your lungs as you coughed up a spray of blood.

You looked down in horror at the massive, gaping hole in your stomach. The severity of the wound was undeniable - there was no way you would survive this without immediate medical attention.

Mahito let out a triumphant laugh, "Ahaha, that's more like it!"

But as your limbs went numb, and your lips turned a bluish hue from the pool of blood that started to form, a flicker of worry crossed the cursed spirit's face.

"Hmmm, maybe I overdid it," he muttered. His brows furrowed slightly, as he gently nudged his foot into your ribs to see if you were still responsive. Your body began to shiver and go cold, the world around you growing distant.

At that point, a deafening bang echoed across the basement as the door slammed open with incredible force. Mahito whirled around in shock, his eyes widening as an all-consuming, dark aura filled the room.

You were barely conscious, your vision blurred and your ears ringing with a high pitch. But you didn't need those senses to recognize the familiar, oppressive energy that had just flooded the space.

There was no mistaking it - Ryomen Sukuna was here.

---------------------------------------------------------

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[undercovergamer]

✨Double Trouble✨

(Requested by an anonymous user)

⚠️This fic focuses mainly on tickling. Please do not read it if that upsets you.⚠️

Hi omg I’m so sorry for the wait 😭😭😭 I got writer’s block like nobody’s business but I’m back on track! … sort of! 💀

Anyway…

Alhaitham convinces Kaveh to “fight back” for once so he can get revenge on Itto. But his sneak attack fails, so the two resort to plan B. As a wise boy once said, teamwork is dreamwork (he’s not in the fic). Why is Itto in Sumeru? Because ✨lazy writing✨ of course :D

Word Count: 3415

“You can’t keep letting him win like that, Kaveh. Fight back for once.”

“I- I’m not letting him win! It is SO unfair! He’s so much stronger than I am, I barely have a chance!”

Kaveh was venting his frustrations to Alhaitham, who had just asked about his so-called “revenge plan.” Basically, Kaveh was embarrassed that Itto kept defeating him in tickle wars, and none of his counter attacks ever worked. Itto was too strong and Kaveh was too ticklish. Surprisingly, Alhaitham had offered to help him win this time, giving him some useful tips and tricks.

“It’s not about strength, it’s about skill.” he said.

“Huh?”

“You’re too predictable. Your intentions are written clearly all over you, so Itto obviously knows what to expect.”

“Oh come on! That’s not fair, I can’t control my mood! If I try that, I’ll look even more suspicious!”

“The trick is to catch him off-guard. If you can do that, he’ll be too confused to fight back.”

“It can’t be that easy…”

“It is when you’re not Captain Obvious.” Alhaitham couldn’t help but smirk a little bit at that jab.

“Ugh… you..!” The audacity!

“Aim for his armpits.”

“How am I supposed to do that?!”

“Well, if he’s already tickling you, he’ll be too distracted to defend himself.”

“But- I-”

“Take it from the expert. I’ve tested it myself. It works every time.”

“Tsk. Easy for you to say, mister ‘feeble scholar.’”

“Tch. Try a sneak attack. If it goes south, get his armpits. But do be careful not to overwhelm him too much.”

“Oh, alright, fine. I’ll try your idea.”

“Good luck. Close the door on your way out.”

Kaveh huffed and left Alhaitham’s room, closing the door as instructed. He didn’t need to search for long before he found Itto in the living room, with his back turned to Kaveh. He seemed distracted by something shiny, humming a little tune to himself.

This is the perfect time to strike, he thought, carefully sneaking up behind the oni. But, right as he was preparing to make his move, he felt something bonk into his leg.

Confused, Kaveh looked down and was surprised to see Ushi staring up at him. Kaveh quietly hushed him, but the little bull had other plans.

“Moo!” He alerted his master, blowing Kaveh’s cover with a smug expression.

“Hm?” Itto turned around to check on him, with a surprised smile on his face upon seeing Kaveh. “Hey, Kaveh! What are you doing?” Itto asked, tilting his head to the side in curiosity.

“I- uh- hi, Itto! I was just- um… I was just playing with Ushi! Yeah, haha!” He said, crouching down to the little bull to pet him.

“Really? Hmm.” Itto wasn’t buying it. That nervous attitude said it all.

“Moo.” The little bull was looking directly at Itto.

“Hush, Ushi.” Kaveh whispered.

“Moo!” Ushi was totally telling on him.

“Kaveh, you weren’t trying to scare me or something, right?” Itto asked, looking suspicious.

“What? Pfft, no! Of course not!”

“Really? Cus Ushi here says you were!” Oh, of course he did…

“Oh, d-did he now?” That little tattle-tail… no way out of this now.

“Yeeaah, he did, hahaha!” Itto laughed, much to Kaveh’s dismay.

“M-Maybe he’s lying..?” Kaveh had to think of a plan B, quick!

“Pfft, nah. He would never! Ushi is an honest bull. Ain’t that right, Beefcake?” Itto crouched down to pet Ushi. “Yeaa you never lie, do ya’? Aww, such a good boi! Yes you are! Yes you are!” He said playfully, giggling to himself while gently squishing the bull’s little face.

“Moo…” Ushi seemed content.

“Aha, s-sorry, heh… m-my prank went south, huh? G-Guess I’d better head back to my room then!” Kaveh said. Gosh, if only he didn’t sound so nervous…

“Aw, what? Leaving already? I thought you wanted to play with Ushi!”

Kaveh stood up. “O-Oh..! Yeah, heh.. well, uh, y-you seem to be doing that just fine, s-so I’ll-… I’ll just go.” Goodness, if being suspicious was a contest, then…

“Not so fast.”

“W-Whuh?” … Kaveh would win first prize.

“Heh, you sure seem nervous. You weren’t… planning something else, were you?” Itto said, now stood up as well. Oh dear. He’s onto him for sure.

“W-What? O-Of course not! It’s like what Ushi said, I w-was just-”

“Moooo…”

“Planning a sneak attack?” Ushi knew what he was up to, apparently.

“N-No! Of course not!”

“Then why are you so nervous? Heh, you worried about… consequences or somethin’?” Itto teased him with his signature Grin of Mischief™️.

“Uh- I- I think I h-heard Alhaitham calling m-my name! I- I should-” Kaveh backed away before he suddenly tried to make a run for it. But he wasn’t fast enough!

“Haha! Gotcha!” Itto quickly lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Kaveh’s middle, pulling him back to trap him in place.

“ACK- W-Wait no!! Lehet me go!!” Kaveh squirmed, already getting giggly. How could his plan have backfired already?

“Sorry, pal. There’s no escaping the tickle monster! Heheheh…” Itto replied, letting the anticipation set in as he wiggled his fingers, using one arm to prevent Kaveh’s escape.

“W-Wahahait!! I-Itto, plehehehease! Dohohon’t!” The architect was too flustered to remember what Alhaitham told him. Oh gosh, what should he do now?

“Hehehe, imma getcha!” Itto teased, playfully tickling Kaveh’s ribs and sides. “Tickle tickle tickle!”

“AAH NOHOHOHOHOHO!! EEHEHEhehehahahahahaha!!” Kaveh squealed and burst into laughter, squirming a lot while trying to push Itto’s arms off of himself.

“What’s wrong? Can’t handle a little tickle?” Itto teased, switching between rapid squeezing and playful skittering for the funny, driving Kaveh up the wall.

“GWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! NAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

“Tickle tickle~”

“Lehehet mehehe gohohohoho!!”

“Nuh uh~”

“AAAHAHA NAHAHAT THEHEHEHERE!!”

His laughter eventually got so loud it caught Alhaitham’s attention. He wasn’t surprised that Kaveh’s plan had failed once again, but he decided to go help him for a change. By the time he’d reached the living room, the poor architect had been tickled to the floor, still at the mercy of the mighty tickle monster.

“Fight back, Kaveh! Come on.” Alhaitham called out, trying to make sure Kaveh heard him.

“AHAAHAhahahahahahaha!! Ihihihi cahahahahan’t!!” Kaveh squealed, wiggling his legs and trying to grab Itto’s wrists.

“Hehehe, he’s so ticklish! Kitchy kitchy kitchy koo~!” Itto teased, playfully tickling his waist, making him arch his back and shriek.

“EEEK!! NAHAHAT THEHEHEHERE!! HEHEHEHELP!!” poor Kaveh screeched, laughing hysterically.

Alhaitham sighed and put his hand in his face for a moment, shaking his head before initiating a plan of his own instead. “Hey, Itto! Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?” he said, creating a distraction by challenging the oni.

“Ohoho, you wanna go too, huh?” Itto replied, stepping up to face the scribe, leaving the giggling architect on the floor with Ushi nuzzling his face.

“Bring it on!”

The plan sprung into action right when Itto attempted a playful pounce. Alhaitham was fully prepared and easily spun him around and sort of hooked his arms under Itto’s to keep him in place.

“H-Hey! Lemme go!” The oni’s struggles weren’t quite enough to break free, mainly because of the situation’s playful nature.

“No.” Alhaitham replied bluntly, checking to see if Kaveh was still on the floor. He was, but he’d sat up this time, petting Ushi.

“Let go! Cheater!” Itto protested, trying to pull himself away, but the scribe was too stubborn to fall to it.

“No. Kaveh? Are y-” Alhaitham couldn’t finish his sentence because Itto suddenly started struggling more than before, making another attempt at breaking free. “No. Hey! Stay. Still!”

“Nuh uh! Pfft- unhand me!” Itto started giggling because he thought their little battle was funny. Alhaitham was almost struggling to hold the man in place.

“Haitham, did you say something?” Kaveh asked, raising an eyebrow. He’d stood up by now after Ushi’s snuggle attack ended.

Itto was getting tired from struggling, so he decided to take a break to catch his breath, giving Alhaitham enough room to talk. “So. Kaveh, about your revenge plan…”

“Huh..? Oh! You caught him! Heh, how convenient…” he replied with a devious grin, cracking his fingers in preparation. Finally, he could get his long awaited vengance!

“W-Wait! Wait! C-C’mon, guys! Th-This isn’t fair!” The oni struggled to move when the scribe’s hold suddenly tightened, rendering him defenseless.

“Heheheh, you’re not exactly fair either! Just hold still~” Kaveh teased, wiggling his fingers with a playful look on his face.

“W-Wahahahait!! I-It’s two on ohohone!! Th-That’s not fahahair!!” Itto squirmed to no avail, already laughing from the anticipation.

“Pfft, I’m allowed to get some extra help. You’re like twice as strong as me, you know.”

“As I, Kaveh.” Alhaitham corrected.

“Oh shut up.” Kaveh rolled his eyes and started tickling Itto’s sides. “Are you ticklish here?” he asked.

“Ack-! Pfft- n-nohoho..!” Itto tried to contain his laughter to deter his actions.

“Really? How about… here?” Kaveh poked and tickled his abs and tum instead, even giving his belly button a poke, which made him jolt.

“EEP! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!” It worked like a charm, making him laugh and squirm against Alhaitham’s grip.

“Lying is wrong, you know. Tsk tsk tsk.” Alhaitham said, smirking a little while keeping the giggling oni in place.

“Shuhuhut ihihit!! Aahahahahaha!! NohoHOHOHOHO!!” Uh-oh…

“What about your ribs?” Kaveh poked and scribbled all over Itto’s ribs this time, which increased his squirms and laughter quite a lot.

“NAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Dohohohohon’t!!” he squealed, squirmimg more and nearly making Alhaitham lose balance.

“Tickle tickle~” Finally, he could get some proper revenge, he thought, getting greedy and digging into Itto’s ribcage. However, Itto’s wild laughter and struggles eventually caused Alhaitham to lose his grip, leading to a very short chase as the oni tripped himself and got pushed onto one of the couches.

“Oof-!” he didn’t have enough time to register where he ended up due to the adrenaline rush.

“You’re not going anywhere.” Alhaitham said, quickly tickling Itto’s sides and ribs so he wouldn’t try to stand up again.

“AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! WAHAHAHAHAIT!!” Itto squealed, laughing out loud and playfully kicking his legs against the couch. The scribe truly showed no mercy!

“Don’t let him escape!” Kaveh called out, going behind the couch and reaching over it to tickle Itto’s tum. Not the most convenient angle, but it made him throw his head back and screech with wild laughter. His kicking and stimming increased as well while he squirmed. “HYAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”

“This should at least pause his mischief for a while!” Alhaitham said, trying to speak louder so Kaveh would hear him. Itto was certainly loud…

“Yeah! We should probably stop for a sec so we don’t kill him though!” Kaveh replied, giggling at how ticklish this man was.

The scribe agreed with that suggestion, and the two briefly stopped their attacks to let Itto catch his breath. He’d barely had room to breathe after his failed escape from earlier.

“Are you alright?” Alhaitham asked, chuckling to himself. It’s been quite a while since he felt this playful.

“Ahahehehe… huff… y-you guys.. are… hehe..! ..soho mean...!” Itto giggled, panting and trying to cover his ticklish spots, but alas he didn’t have enough arms for that. Darn it…

“This is revenge for you tickling me all the time!” Kaveh said, being sassy for the funnies.

“All the time?” Alhaitham questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“W-Well, not literally all the time, but it’s basically a daily occurrance at this point!”

“Hm, I doubt that. I would’ve known otherwise.”

“Oh yeah? How?” Ugh, Alhaitham and his logic…

“You’re incredibly loud whenever you get tickled, you know.”

“Oh? I thought your headphones would block his squeals.” Itto chimed in, having sat up and caught his breath to join the conversation. Kaveh glared at him.

“No. Surprisingly, they’re not quite soundproof enough to block all noise.” Alhaitham replied, smirking slightly at Kaveh who looked very embarrassed.

“Hey! I-I’m not THAT loud, right?!” He couldn’t believe his ears!

“You are.” The other two replied at the same time, making Itto laugh.

“S-Stop laughing! It’s not funny!” Kaveh said angrily, blushing with embarrassment at this realization. He couldn’t believe it’d taken him this long to know!

“Hehehe! It’s true though!”

“Oh, shut up! I’ll show you!”

“Hehe wahahait!! AAH!! I’M SOHOHORREHEHEHEHEE!!” Itto suddenly burst into laughter again as Kaveh got angry and started tickling mercilessly right below his ribs.

“See? You caught him off-guard, and now you’re winning for once. I must say, I’m impressed. You even got a weak spot without my help.” Alhaitham said over Itto’s laughter, preventing Itto from rolling off the couch.

“Not now, Haitham. You’re distracting me.” Kaveh replied, promptly getting his wrists grabbed and pushed away by the giggling oni. “Agh- hey! Let go!”

“Ahahehehe! G-Gehet awahahay!” Itto said, giggling quite a lot. Kaveh struggled to pull his hands free due to Itto’s tight grip.

“Ugh… a little help?” he asked in mild frustration, looking over at Alhaitham.

“Hmm… okay.”

Itto felt more and more nervous hearing those two plan their next attack. But then, he suddenly remembered…

“Uh- um-! Ushi!! Help me!!” Itto tried calling for help, hoping his companion was nearby to rescue him.

“It’s too late for that now, I’m afraid.” Alhaitham said, switching his headphones on with a menacing look. His sudden grin sent shivers down Itto’s spine.

“W-Wait!! Dohohon’t!!” Itto’s pleas fell on deaf ears as Alhaitham started rapidly poking at his ribs and abs to make him let go of Kaveh’s wrists. It worked just as planned, making him squirmy and distracted enough for Kaveh to pull away.

“Thank you! Now, where was I…” Kaveh teased, before both humans unleashed yet another tickle attack upon the oni.

“BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”

Alhaitham was rapidly squeezing his sides while Kaveh scribbled his abs, making the oni throw his head back and laugh hysterically. His two arms were no match against four tickling hands, so he had no choice but to kick and squeal. Kaveh almost wished he had soundproof headphones too…

“Not so fun when you’re on the receiving end, huh?” He said, but he started feeling a twinge of guilt seeing how merciless his roommate was being. Surely Itto didn’t deserve a death sentence…?

“STAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!! STAAHAHAHAHAHAHA-!! I’M SOHOHORREEHEHEHEHEE!!” Itto squealed, laughing his ass off and trying his hardest to push Alhaitham away.

Kaveh was about to say something else, but suddenly felt himself lose balance as something rammed into his leg. “What the-?!” He stopped tickling to catch himself on the couch. He looked down at his feet, only to find Ushi tryina fight.

“Mooo!” Awe, the little bull was trying to rescue his master!

“Hey, what are you doing?” Kaveh crouched down to his level, gently patting his head to calm him while his roommate continued to wreck Itto, whose boisterous laughter continued to fill the room, now sounding less frantic than before.

“Moo!” Ushi seemed angry, pushing quite hard one more time, which made the architect fall on his butt.

“Ow! Hey, be careful…” He could tell all the commotion had made the little bull feel stressed.

Then, Itto’s laughter suddenly died down and Alhaitham’s voice was heard from above. “Kaveh? What are you doing on the floor?” he asked.

“Um, well… I think Ushi wants us to stop now.” Kaveh replied, looking at the angry little bull.

“Really..?” Ushi glared up at him before walking past Kaveh to get around the couch, making his way over to Itto, who was now panting for survival.

“Hm. Well in that case, I suppose we’d better listen, ‘lest we face Ushi’s wrath.” Alhaitham said, reaching down to help Kaveh stand up.

“Yeah. You’re right.” he said, accepting the help and brushing himself off. “My revenge was gotten anyway, I guess.”

“Man… I haven’t laughed that hard in ages..! Haha…” Itto sat up, still giggling a bit from the leftover tingles. “You guys are mean…” he added, failing to glare properly with that smile on his face.

“Moo!” Ushi stared at him with big eyes, sort of trying to get up to his level. But alas, his legs were too short to let him jump.

“Haha, I’m alright, Beefcake! Don’t you worry, lil’ guy.” Itto said to him, lifting the little bull onto his lap. “Aww, did you come to rescue me? Such a good boi! Yes you are~!” he said, pampering his beloved companion.

“Well, you certainly recovered quickly. I’ll go fetch some water for you.” Alhaitham said, baffled at how Itto barely seemed affected all of a sudden.

“Ahah.. I am exhausted…” Itto said, chuckling as he felt Ushi nuzzle him. He was quite comfortable in his master’s lap, after all.

“Aw, he’s so cute! Bet you’re glad your little knight came to your rescue, huh?” Kaveh teased, sitting down next to Itto and gently petting the little bull.

“Hahahaha! Yeah, I nearly thought I’d pass out!” Itto replied jokingly. “You my little hero~? Aww…” he said, giving Ushi some gentle chin scratches.

“Moo…” He seemed very happy now.

“Tch, bet that taught you a lesson. Now you know what revenge feels like! I’d think twice if I were you.” Kaveh said with a confident look.

“Pfft, at least I don’t need backup to carry it out!” Itto replied, sticking his tongue out in a playful manner.

Tch, how immature, Kaveh thought. “What?? You’re so much stronger than I am! It’s an unfair match-up! AND you had Ushi helping you!” he argued.

“Nah, Ushi was just playing. Besides, you need more exercise!” Itto teased.

How dare he?! “A-And you need LESS exercise!” Kaveh fired back “angrily.”

“Nuh-uh!”

“Yuh-huh!”

“Nuh-uh!!”

“Yuh-huh!!”

Their playful bickering ended with laughter as they couldn’t take themselves nor each other seriously anymore.

“What are you two yapping about..?” Alhaitham came back with a glass of water, giving it to Itto.

“Pfft- nothing, don’t worry about it…” Kaveh replied, chuckling to himself.

“Heheh..! Yeah… thanks!” Itto said, accepting the glass and drinking from it.

“You’re welcome. Are you alright?” Alhaitham gave him a headpat for the funny.

“Yup! Heh, I didn’t expect you guys to just murder me like that. Awfully rude, by the way. How dare you.” He said jokingly, sipping his water.

“Ha! You and your mischief had it coming.” Kaveh teased, ruffling his hair.

“Hahaha! Hey, c’mon! Just you wait…” Itto threatened playfully, fixing his hair.

“Well, in any case, it’s a good thing you had fun. I was almost worried about you for a moment there.” Alhaitham said.

“Almost..? You showed no mercy.” Kaveh questioned, crossing his arms.

“… I did let him live though.” Alhaitham replied with a shrug. Kaveh scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“Heh! It’ll take a lot more than that to bring ME down!” Itto boasted proudly, drinking the water like a champ.

“Uh-huh.” Alhaitham raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, please…” Kaveh rolled his eyes again.

Itto didn’t seem to care, handing the empty glass back to the scribe, who went to put it away. “What, don’t believe me?” he asked, gently helping Ushi back down to the floor since he had things to do suddenly.

“Not at all, actually.” Kaveh said, looking amused.

“Pfft, it’s not like I surrendered! You just gave up, I call that a win!” Itto argued, grinning confidently.

“You did though!” Kaveh protested.

“Nah-uh! You did!”

However, his grin quickly turned nervous when Alhaitham came closer all of a sudden.

“Is someone asking for a round two?” He asked menacingly. Oh dear…

“W-Whuh… I- I never said-”

“Ooh! Why that sounds delightful!” Kaveh said playfully, standing up next to Alhaitham and smiling at the nervous look on Itto’s face.

“Wait- g-guys, c’mon! Th-This isn’t-…!” He couldn’t finish his sentence before he got too nervous.

“Oh don’t worry, this’ll be quick.” Alhaitham said, before he swiftly pushed Itto back onto the couch, wrestling him to the same spot as before. Itto struggled playfully but was eventually pinned down and unable to move.

“Get him, Kaveh!”

“Ah! R-Right!”

“NohohohOHOHOHO!!”

And so began yet another tickle-attack. But this time, Alhaitham decided to leave while he let Kaveh have the fun. His ears were getting overstimulated by Itto’s loud laughter, so he and Ushi went elsewhere, away from the chaos. He kept the music in his headphones relatively low so he could keep better track of the other two.

At some point, a high pitched squeal was heard, which meant Kaveh had the tables turned on him.

Hmph. They’re so noisy, Alhaitham thought to himself, gladly hanging out with Ushi for the time being.

Surely that tickle war would end soon… right?

[maybeitsalivescribbles]

VH - The Notice

(TW: the worst, lamest knifeplay you’ve ever read)

Villain was angry, disappointed, and most of all, confused. Fortunately, nothing can clear the ideas up like a good notice. Unfortunately, this was the one they were reading:

Congratulations for your new purchase of the All-Cutting Tool™ ! The All-Cutting Tool™ combines the ancestral knowledge of mankind and the new * cutting edge * technologies by combining an elegant, comfortable, ergonomic wooden handle with a sharp stainless steel blade at the end. Simple and easy to use, the All-Cutting Tool™ will remind you that a problem with no solution doesn’t exist...as long as you have the right tool by your side ! In the comfort of your own home, connect with your ancestors by cutting your belongings with your own hands , and feel the life force you have taken from a piece of wood, a steak, a mighty carrot or your own foes !

“Yeah, yeah, a lot of meaningless stuff, what I want to know is how to deal with problems with the product – cutting objects, cutting food, cutting remarks – ah there we go, cutting your foes, section D.”

Caution ! This usage is widely considered illegal. The All-Cutting Tool™ Company does not condone acts of violence. As such you won’t be refunded in case of misuse.

“Aw man, of course the guarantee won’t work. They count on it, the bastards.”

Warning ! Most people are reluctant at the idea of being cut up. Before beginning, if your victim is alive, make sure it’s tied up for your own security. You risk to be severely injured if it can move. For more security, think to add a gag or even a blindfold (see our other products on our website).

The process is similar to cutting meat, as it is more or less the same fabric. The main difference is that if the victim is alive, it’s likely to be squeakier and twitchier. For a precise cut, secure the place you want to stab. (See 1b, 1c, 1d). Maybe write an x on the skin or something. We don’t judge. If you want to hit a lethal part of the body, stab these parts (see 2a, b, c, d).

Warning ! If you hit a lethal part, your victim won’t be able to move or to make a sound anymore (except the occasional aaaargh, maybe). This action can’t be reversed and should be reserved for experienced users. Think wisely. Also it’s illegal (for related problems, contact our lawyers).

To cut your victim, take your All-Cutting Tool™ by the handle. Take a deep breath. Look at the body part you want to aim. Think of fun One-Liners to say at this moment (for ideas, you can consult the forum on our website). Then strike (use your shoulder muscles, not your wrist so you don’t damage your joints). The pointy part of the tool should interact with the meaty part of the victim with enough strength to pierce the skin. Bleeding should ensue. If not, repeat the same movement at the same place until the expected result.

“Yeah, but that’s the problem, assholes ! The expected result is...never mind. Let’s try one more time, shall we ?”

Hero shrugged as much as a proper tied-up foe could shrug. Villain carefully put the notice away, took their shining new tool in their hand, and then, their lips pursed in concentration, recited:

“So, the pointy end towards the victim... I aim at a fun body part, let’s say kidneys...the impulse is coming from the shoulder and here goes nothing -”

They struck with all their strength in a move that would have made any notice writer proud, except the result. The blade did hit the skin as intended, but then it bounced, making a sound like this:

“Zdiiiiiiiingbonnng”

“Aw, come on !”

They shook the blade to no effect. With a skilled tongue movement that would have made many an eyebrow arch, Hero could finally get rid of his gag with which he was struggling since a while, and said:

“May I explain ?”

“I’d rather you’d bled.”

“Yeah, but it won’t happen.”

“But why ? This All-Cutting Tool™ is new !”

Hero slipped a hand out of his bonds to rub the bridge of his nose.

“It’s a knife. It’s literally a knife. Listen, my deal is that I’m actually a vampire. Hypnotism, super strength, super durability, the whole package.”

“Okay, but -”

“I’m supposed to pass myself as a victim so I can see how you act.”

“Right - “

“I swear that usually I’m smooth. But then I told you to get the notice for the knife – a fucking knife – and it was supposed to be banter, you know -”

“Uh-uh -”

“-But then you’ve actually read it out loud with a straight face -”

“Yeah -”

“-And then I’ve lost all hope about this mission. So here’s the deal: I’m going to bring you down, you will not resist and I won’t tell anyone what happened.”

“Fine. Fair enough.”

*

Vampire Hero is now a recurring character. His job is to troll current villains. Check the Vampire Hero Masterlist or Tag for more snippets with him.

Or back to Hero x Villain Masterlist.

[earlgreytea68]

Do u have any twin skeletons thoughts/analyses?

SO MUCH. BUCKLE UP.

I looooove this song and I think it is the most raw and brutal song about the disintegration of the Pete/Patrick relationship in the entire discography, I really do.

Patrick jumbles his use of lyrics up time-wise, he plucks them from all over their chronology, but I don't think he would write this song today, and I don't think he would write the lyrics up in this song today. Like, the lyrics are brutal, but the song they're in are worst, the way he arranges them, the way he sings them.

BUT THEN HE ENDS IT IN HOPE. THIS SONG.

I feel like there is this vague trajectory to the lyrics that Pete writes and the way that Patrick arranges and sings them. When they're both young kids, the lyrics are more straightforwardly melodramatic and self-pitying, the way kids are, and Patrick sings them that way. Which isn't to say they're not still complex, but yeah. As they move toward the hiatus, I feel like the lyrics actually get less bitter and more longing but Patrick starts arranging them and singing them more viciously, so that lyrics that could have been love songs become angry songs instead. Post-hiatus, Pete's lyrics take a distinctive pining turn that he's never entirely left, although they're not always about relationships (they never were, really, which is what I love about him) but about the passage of time and the way everything is yearning ambivalence for things you can't even define as you get older. Patrick in the beginning of the hiatus still arranged these lyrics in songs that felt defiant but by now the lyrics get put into love songs and lose some of the irony in the way Patrick sings them.

That's kind of a tangent.

Anyway, I don't actually think they dealt, lyrically or musically, with a lot of the emotions of the hiatus until AB/AP. I think they wrote SRAR almost carefully. Some of the songs in it feel almost like Patrick designed them to try to be at a remove, they feel kind of impersonal, aiming for the kind of heterosexual drama that FOB rarely hits in their songs because Pete rarely writes lyrics like that. But I think about a song like The Mighty Fall or Death Valley or Just One Yesterday or Young Volcanoes -- and there is A LOT to all of those songs, too, of course, and I love them -- but they're easy to read as just, you know, typical radio play stuff. (The notable -- REALLY notable -- SRAR exception is Miss Missing You, of course, and maybe that was as much as anyone could deal with at the time lol.)

But AB/AP, to me, is FULL of working through the hiatus baggage. There's "The Kids Aren't Alright" and there's "Fourth of July" and there's "Favorite Record" and THEN THERE'S THIS SONG. To me, this song is all about a relationship -- a partnership -- that's supposed to be perfect breaking completely to pieces right in front of you, and the way it devolves into recriminations and accusations.

The chorus, revolving around this titular room where everything went down. I read “shares our fate and deserves our pity” to imply that this room has been somehow ruined, too (sharing our fate) and that’s such a huge pity, like, this isn’t how it should have happened. There’s deep regret in this chorus: I don’t want to remember it, and what they don’t want to remember is the things the promised. The promises you make to the people you love and when it all goes to hell and you end up not keeping those promises, you don’t want to think about them.

EVERYTHING about the description of the relationship in this is some of Pete’s most vivid lyrics. This is one of those songs where every single line is absolutely crystalline. When Taylor Swift said once that she wanted “Blank Space” to be like a Fall Out Boy song where every line is a zinger, this is the song I think of, because the way this relationship is described, the way it unfurls through the song, every single line carries an entire story within it, it’s all so vivid. And the thing is, this could be read to be about sex—dull the pain, strip down to skeleton, saint swimming our sins—sure, it’s all sexy, but I don’t think any of it is actually about sex. Stripped down to our skeletons, that’s not how you have sex, that is way more revealing, way more vulnerability being shown than just taking off your clothes. It has to be read in the context of the image on their Greatest Hits compilation, those twin skeletons, dedicated to each other even in death, like, it’s just not about sex. Sure, sex can be read as sinful, but there’s a multitude of sins out there in the world for them to be swimming in. And the line that really smacks me over the head: “’til we’re twins again.” You…don’t have sex with your twin. I mean, unless we’re getting into some really weird narcissistic thing going on in this song. The twin thing is so…Patrick-coded hahaha. Because who is Patrick? The person he has twin-speak with. This whole thing is in the vein of Pete’s pining language to be honest: I MISS YOU SO MUCH. I JUST NEED A LITTLE DOSE OF YOU. I MISS HOW WE USED TO BE. I MISS WHEN WE WERE SO OURSELVES WITH EACH OTHER THAT WE WERE BASICALLY SKELETONS, THERE WAS NOTHING TO HIDE BEHIND.

But the way Patrick sings these words, the melody he gives them: It doesn’t sound pining. It sounds biting and cruel. If he sang this song in one of his piano arrangements, I bet these words would kill you with how much longing is in them. But that’s not how he sings them.

And then we get to that jet black crow, droning on and on and on, up above their heads, droning on and on and on. The way that droning line repeats, the way Patrick sings the on and on and on so that it sounds like a drone, it’s cleverly done, and the jet black crow always feels like this bad omen to me, this thing hanging over them, that they can’t escape. I MISS YOU SO MUCH, PLEASE STAY HERE WITH ME, but there’s that droning of foreboding hanging over their heads. You’ve got to keep making trouble until you find what you love, he’s not done yet, he wants to keep going, he needs a partner in crime AND YOU SHRUG. I never can decide which of them is speaking there, who looked to the other for their partner and didn’t find him there, and maybe it was both of them, because they were mutual destruction, maybe that’s the point.

Then we get to the second verse, one era dying and the next being born, showing up just to fade away, calling an end to the whole thing – and hating it the whole time (“I wanna throw my hands in the air and scream”). “I can just die laughing on your spiral of shame”: the way Patrick sings that. That is another line that I’m not sure who it’s meant to be referencing, and it could just be both of them. Honestly, the cruel things you do to the people you love when there’s a jet black crow droning on and on over your heads. But you get through the wreck and you pull yourself together enough to survive, even though you’re barely holding yourself together with a string.

But. BUT. THIS BRUTAL, BRUTAL SONG that Patrick takes Pete’s lyrics and puts together here. The way he has the pining of the first verse devolve into the vicious backlash of the second verse in the wake of the indifferent and painful shrug is so good and then the narrative retreats into: Hold on. Hold on, hold on, hold on. At the end of the song he repeats “hold on” EIGHTEEN TIMES. That’s how much he wants Pete to “hold on.” This song about the complete disintegration of this relationship ends with Patrick begging, over and over again: Hold on. Hold on. It’ll be okay. Hold on. That jet black crow drones on and on and on twelve times. Patrick asks us to hold on many more times. And he never sends droning as he does it. He packs multiple notes into the ons. The jet black crow is gone by the end of the song. I made promises. Just hold on.

[vonpharma]

w(h)ip wednesdayyyy!

hi! sorry i died last week. my blog got terminated! but now it is fixed. yippee!

here's my day 2 sicktember.

Delicately, then, Franziska does something Maya has never seen her do to anyone—she lays her palm flat, facing the sky… and presents her whip prostrate before Pearl, offering it to the little one.

For a moment, Pearl just stares at it, mystified. Unsure what she’s supposed to, allowed to do. Franziska helps her along, then, gingerly grabbing Pearl’s right hand and slipping the loose coil into her mitten.

“Aiming is one of the least trifling parts of it,” says Franziska, angling herself around so that she is now at Pearl’s back, bent at the waist. “Go ahead and grip the handle. Let the rest of it fall.”

Pearl bothers her lower lip, already chapped from the cold. “Are you sure? It’s your special thing. What if I break it?”

“I’m sure,” she says. “It’s meant to be used. Go ahead.”

Taking a deep breath, Pearl inches her buried fingers toward the thickest part of the whip, releases them from where they nervously clench the top of the coil. The leathery thing loses form, trailing like a fallen streamer down into the snow. Despite the permission granted, Pearl stares at it like she’s hurt it, somehow. Franziska takes no note, persisting—at Pearl’s backside, she slides her own hand across Pearl’s own, black leather on knit wool. 

“Place your thumb on the top, there,” Franziska instructs. Pearl follows her lead, hooking said thumb around the thing so that it nearly sticks out.

“Like this?”

“Precisely,” says Franziska, “You aim by pointing your thumb toward your target. What would you like to strike, Miss Fey?”

Pearl’s forehead scrunches up again, in that characteristic way it always did. She looks at one of the snow piles off to the side, one that Franziska had not previously decimated quite as passionately as the other sixteen. Wordlessly, Franziska follows her line of sight, angling the both of them toward it.

“That one?”

Pearl nods. There on the fringes, Maya is suddenly struck with a surprisingly rational thought—is this a good idea?

“Now, for a beginner like you, safety is paramount,” Franziska says, seeming to answer her thoughts. “The snow gear you’ve wisely chosen is perfect for that, though. Your whole body is covered, so you won’t hurt yourself. The only thing we really need to account for is…”

Franziska pauses for a moment, taking her whipless hand off Pearl’s shoulder as she seems to recall something. Deftly, she pulls a pair of big, chunky sunglasses from her jacket pocket and places them over Pearl’s eyes.

“There we go. Eye protection. Can you still see alright?”

“Yes,” Pearl says, staring straight forward. Franziska resumes her position.

“Excellent,” continues Franziska. “The second most important thing of all, little one, is follow through. With all your vulnerable zones covered like this, the whip cannot hurt you, even if you mess up. You must show no fear as you lunge. Do you think you can do that?”

For a moment, Pearl is quiet. Her eyes fall downward a bit, off of her goal. 

“I’m not sure.”

“I think you can, Miss Fey,” Franziska says at her back. “I’m right here beside you. Okay?”

Beneath her touch, Pearl tenses back up—this time with conviction that’s still finding itself. “Okay. I can do it!”

“Alright.” Franziska faces forward alongside her. “Now, you pull back first…”

Slowly. Carefully. Gently, it’s so damn endearing. Her arm alongside Pearl’s own ebbs and flows like a tide—lazily swinging in preparation, back and forth and back and forth. Pearly rocks on the balls of her feet, dancing this dance with Franziska, awkward and gangly as she towers over the little girl. The two of them throw the whip weakly a few times to get a feel for the form. Then, slowing to a halt, Franziska backs away.

“It’s all you now, Miss Fey,” she says as she’s retreating to the side. “By my count… three…”

Not quite as far as Pearl’s protective shrub, but far enough.

“Two…”

In the center of things, Pearl plants her fuzzy pink boots firmly in the snow. Her hands hold tight to the leather, cheeks puffed out and brow knit with conviction. She waits on Franziska, for the first time in her life.

“One!”

Taking a deep breath, Pearl fights the urge to slam her eyes shut, reels back one final time, and snaps her arm forward. She cracks the whip hard, and with a lot less grace and recovery than Franziska does, naturally. With how long the thing is in comparison to her tiny body, the amount of control she manages is honestly pretty impressive—this sweet young thing, decked out in pink and fluff with decorative beads in her hair, slamming the leathery thing down with careful abandon. The whole situation might have read as comical, if Maya weren’t so overtaken with boundless pride.

Imperfectly, the whip connects with the pile of snow, leaving a long indent toward the very top of it. Breathing hard, Pearl takes off Franziska’s now-crooked sunglasses and stares at that indent like it contains all the most precious wisdom in the world, her eyes growing big and bursting with starlight. The dust of those supernovas falls like the snow glittering around them to the rest of her face, upturning her lips into an open-mouthed grin.

“Miss von Karma!” Pearl says, beaming up at an equally pride-stricken Franziska. “I did it!”

“And what a masterful first hit it was!” Franziska throws out an arm, looking adorably like a baby fawn as she stumbles through the snow in heeled boots that were not at all made for the weather in question.

“Damn,” Maya finally announces her presence, “is this a good time to finally ask what on earth you two got up to while I was asleep?”

The both of them freeze in place, Pearl halfway into handing Franziska’s whip back to her. The popper shakes itself to a halting swing as it hangs, messily coiled in Pearl’s best attempt to mimic Franziska’s usual handiwork. They look like two misbehaving children as they’re caught there, and Maya briefly wonders what kind of total square they take her for.

[bookofe]

Words from the Wise

A mistake is only a lesson you haven’t learned from

Trust me you ain’t dumb. keep going don’t let it pressure you to give up try not to succumb

Your journey hasn’t ended it has only begun

After the rain comes the sun.

Some of the greatest winners had to lose over and over again before they finally won

Today’s ceiling is tomorrow’s floor

If opportunity doesn’t come knocking go to its door

There is power in not trying to settle a score. Some things are better left ignored

It’s okay not to be okay just don’t keep your battles silent and stay that way

No storm lasts forever. Every storm has to run out of rain.

There will be peace after the pain.

Seek those who ignite your flame

True friends are not the ones that leave during your lows but the ones that remain

Some of the most important things in life are the simplest and most mundane

Don’t complain if you were raised in a dysfunction home, where chaos, anger, and disrespect might be seen as the norm.

Just know it’s not and you have an opportunity to break the chain.

Anything you want out in life is out there for you to claim.

Focus your full attention look down the sights and aim

Understand everyone is in their own lane. Playing their own game.

The main character in their own campaign

Some are fortunate to be sipping on some Armad De Brignac Ace of Spades Champagne as they are sitting down on a private jet or plane heading to Rome or Spain

Like the real Bruce Wayne

Regardless we are all a little broken but last time I checked broken crayons still color the same…

HOLD UP..

There are still some other things I want to mention let me explain.

Don’t trade your identity for popularity.

To give you clarity this goes against your integrity rooted in envy and jealousy. At this point you become your own enemy so think carefully.

If your love isn’t reciprocated then that friendship or relationship needs to be annihilated 

Please know you are perfect for the hearts that are meant to love you

This is so true! Like when they say you are molded by the experiences you’ve been through.

Dying is impossible to dismiss

Death is apart of life because it makes us understand how important each breath is.

There is a fine line between truth from lies

To live a fulfilled life make sure you have your “why”

As you sit there trying to justify and rationalize

what has been said please realize

These words ain’t from me

They are words from the wise…

[nori-the-cat]

Aespa Ningning’s Career (Requested)

OP asked: What will Ningning's career be like after 3 years in the group and solo-wise?

Remember, tarot readings should be taken with a grain of salt. This post is for entertainment purposes only.

Where could Ningning's career take her after 3 years in the group?

Note: For this tarot reading I did it using the Celtic Cross tarot approach.

Her present: The Moon rx

It seems like Ningning is starting to figure things out in her career. The confusion and uncertainty she's been feeling may be clearing up, and she could be gaining a better understanding of her path. This could be helping her see things more clearly and understand her role within Aespa more distinctly.

Her challenges: The Chariot

The Chariot in a horizontal position suggests that things are up in the air for Ningning regarding control and direction. It seems like she's having trouble juggling her personal goals with the group's plans. This card hints that she'll need to dig deep and stay strong to overcome obstacles, but it also shows that she's struggling to find the right balance and momentum.

Past Influences: The Hierophant

The Hierophant symbolizes tradition, structure, and conventionality. In terms of Ningning's career, this card shows that her past has been heavily influenced by established systems, like the intense training and strict rules of the K-pop industry. It seems like she's followed traditional methods and values that have shaped her journey so far.

Future Influences: Justice rx

Justice reversed suggests potential challenges related to fairness, balance, or legal matters in the future. There could be issues around contracts, ethical dilemmas, or a sense of injustice. Ningning might face situations where she feels decisions are unfair or where she needs to be cautious about legal or contractual obligations.

In my opinion, she will likely experience something similar to EXO Lay, previous Chinese members from F(x) and SM might have already planned to make her famous in China by doing similar activities to Wavy.

Goal/Aspiration: Six of Cups rx

The reversed Six of Cups suggests wanting to leave the past behind and move on. Ningning might be aiming to shake off old habits and embrace fresh opportunities. She's probably looking to make a name for herself on her own terms, rather than being tied to her past successes or what others expect of her.

I think the Six of Cups is telling us that Ningning may have slowly been walking away from her past self and trying to build a new image for herself. She might be putting into more work to make herself more well known. She could be practising her singing and dancing skills more so that the spotlight is on her.

Near Future: King of Swords

The King of Swords upright means that a smart, experienced person is coming into Ningning's life to give good, clear advice. This might be a mentor, boss, or someone important who will help her make wise career choices. It also means Ningning will start thinking more carefully and planning her career moves better.

Internal Influence: Ace of Pentacles rx

The reversed Ace of Pentacles shows Ningning is worried about missing out on chances or about her finances. Inside, she might be nervous that new projects won't work out as planned. She's probably feeling uneasy about the money side of her career.

External Influence: Knight of Cups

The Knight of Cups means that chances for creative and passionate projects will come her way. She might get invited to join new projects or team up with others, which will feel emotionally rewarding and match her artistic goals. She could also get support or offers that inspire and make her happy.

Hopes and Fears: Eight of Wands

The Eight of Wands shows that Ningning wants things to move fast and change quickly. She's excited to see her hard work pay off soon. But, she might also feel nervous that everything could happen too quickly and be too much to handle.

Outcome: Queen of Wands

The Queen of Wands stands for confidence, independence, and strong leadership. This means Ningning will become a charismatic and influential person in her career. She'll be creative, passionate, and determined, which will lead to big achievements and recognition. Her career is set to thrive, with lots of personal power and success.

In summary, over the next three years, Ningning's career with Aespa seems to be on a trajectory of overcoming challenges and maintaining determination and balance. She will likely conform to established norms and structures, but may face issues of fairness and adapting to new dynamics.

Despite these challenges, Ningning shows strong leadership potential and creative prowess. She may encounter delays in financial growth but will attract positive attention for her emotional and creative contributions.

Overall, Ningning's career path in the next three years seems to involve navigating challenges within the group dynamics while asserting herself creatively and intellectually. She may need to focus on maintaining balance and clarity amidst external pressures and potential setbacks.

Will Ningning establish a solo career in addition to her group work in 3 years?

Note: I use the normal approach for this question. I pulled three cards from the deck to look into her career in 3 years.

Card(s): wheel of fortune rx, seven of swords, and queen of wands

In three years, I see Ningning’s career solidifying her position within Aespa as a key member with increasing influence. She may also begin to explore solo opportunities, even after navigating some difficulties. Her journey will likely involve asserting her creative vision and leadership qualities. I don’t see her debuting as a solo artist, but she will take on solo projects or roles like leading a performance, making a choreography, and getting herself into creative direction.

She still has a long way to go but if she’s determined to debut as a solo artist, there will be someone who will help her.

This tarot reading was requested by @rikashii ⭐︎

[tradesignalsbusiness]

Unlocking consistent returns: the power of forex signals

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Emotions can cloud judgment in trading. Following signals allows traders to stick to a predefined strategy without being swayed by emotions like fear or greed.

Diversification:

Signals often cover a range of currency pairs, providing diversification benefits and reducing risk.

Key Factors for Consistent Returns:

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Education:

Traders should understand the basics of forex trading to make informed decisions, even when using signals. Knowledge enhances the ability to assess and filter signals effectively.

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Challenges and Risks:

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Signals may not perform well in all market conditions. Understanding the strengths and limitations of the chosen signals is crucial.

Over-Reliance:

Overreliance on signals without understanding the underlying market dynamics can lead to losses.

Scams:

The forex market is not immune to scams. Traders should be cautious and choose signal providers carefully to avoid fraudulent schemes.

Conclusion:

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Source:

[worlddevoid]

World Devoid: Episode 1.4 - This Is (Not) Your Morning

(Word Count: 1.2k)

...

As they clear the stretching road scattered with broken down vehicles and approach the campus dorms, Baz slows to a roll and parks directly in front-- ignoring the 'No Parking' sign pitched up at the entrance. He kills the engine and turns to Cassie, realization and horror finally setting in.

"Cassie. What the heck do you think happened here? And real talk- what the FRICK was that thing- because I promise you it was no spider!” He blurts out.

"I don't know, but I desperately need a shower, and so do you. Let's hope someone at the dorms can tell us what happened," Cassie responds, moving to get out of the RV, still in slight denial about the fact that they haven't seen a single other person. ‘There has to be someone, right? I mean, surely we're not the only ones around... Right???’ She reasons anxiously.

Baz hops out of the RV and falls in line with Cassie. "Yeah, someone at the dorms..." He mutters, but his sentence trails off as his eyes graze over the disheveled exterior.

The uneasy feeling that they’re being watched causes Cassie to glance around, but she sees no one nearby. Choosing to ignore the shiver trickling down her spine, she walks right up to the shattered glass remains of the entrance doors.

Carefully stepping over the shards, the crunching sounds under her toes make her cringe. Nevertheless, she pushes forward, casting aside all her worries even as she notices signs of struggle all around. It looks like some kind of fight happened and then everyone left in a hurry.

Inside, the shattered glass crushing beneath their feet litters the tile flooring and the furniture scattered about looks like it had been swept up in a tornado. Armchairs lay on their sides, loose flyers and supplies riddle the ground, potted plants have been tipped over-- dirt splashed in front of them like blood at a crime scene.

The fluorescent lights flicker as if acknowledging their presence.

Baz takes one step ahead of Cassie, centering themselves in the main entrance hall. He eyes the front desk- a telephone hanging haphazardly over the front by its cord- before calling out a hesitant, but loud, "Hello??!”

As Baz calls out into the empty room, their voice echoes ominously. They wait for a few moments but no response comes.

Tentatively, he takes another step forward, craning his neck to get a better view further down the hall.

Not a single sign of life nor movement comes. It seems that they are completely alone. “Helllooo??” He stupidly calls out again.

When Baz’s greetings are met only with his own echoing voice mocking him, he takes a step backwards in fear and trepidation.

"Ugh, where is everyone?" Cassie cries out from behind him, lightly kicking a tipped over chair in her frustration. She doesn't want to admit it, but she’s really starting to freak out. Feeling on the verge of tears, she thinks to herself, ‘What is going on??’

Baz glances back and watches a plume of dust billow out of the chair Cassie had aimed their anger towards.

Suddenly, in the distance, a very faint scuttling noise can be heard softly reverberating off the walls.

‘There must be more of those creatures here. I have to study them! But also…those guys give me the creeps.’ Baz contemplates; admitting to himself that, even for a bug lover, this is all a bit too much. He turns to face Cassie and speak his piece.

"Cassie, I think it would be wise of us to strategize at this current moment. That encounter on the road was way too close, and, though I am not easily surprised, I will admit that even I was taken off guard by those things. If I'm deducing this correctly, I think those creatures are fearful of large vehicles. I suggest that the best course of action would be to ram our RV through the entrance and drive it through the halls for protection."

‘I'm so frickin' smart.’ Baz thinks smugly, puffing out his chest a little.

Cassie was positioned to abuse the furniture once more, but stops- leg midair- to toss Baz an incredulous look.

"You want to drive the RV through the dorms? The whole building could collapse on top of us!" She immediately protests, but honestly, she doesn't really have a better idea right now.

"Perhaps" Baz replies thoughtfully. ‘They're right, but I could have sworn as soon as we got back into the RV, that spider thing was twitching and freaking out. There has to be some correlation…’ He reflects before concluding, "All I know is the vibes are freaking weird in here and I'd feel safer in the RV."

Baz looks around again at the empty and disheveled lobby. What once was a manicured and vapid entranceway, had become the stomping grounds of an event unknown to the two of them. The place not only looks empty...it looks like it had been attacked.

More scuttling sounds erupt down the hallway- this time closer than before. Baz jumps three feet in the air and grabs Cassie's arm in alarm.

"Dude- Cassie-- I think that thing that attacked us on the street had friends...." He points down the hallway towards the source of the noises. "I think there's more down there. D-Do you think-" he gulps hard. "Do you th-think those creatures are responsible for all of this?" He gestures around the room at the clear signs of mayhem.

"It sure seems that way. No time to discuss further, let's just get back in the RV for now," Cassie twirls around and heads back toward the front entrance, but before she can even take two steps, a horde of spiders pour in from around the corner, flooding down the hallway.

Hundreds of eyes blink in odd rhythms at them as they trample over each other in an attempt to make headway.

Cassie snags Baz's arm and takes off running. They drag him along behind them as they push themselves to sprint faster. Somehow, they both make it to the front entrance, jumping over the broken glass and heading straight for the RV.

"WHAAAAAAAAT THEEEEEEE FRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCKKKK!" Baz is yelling as he is dragged by his arm; his feet kicking wildly behind him as he tries to find his balance between forced steps.

When their large vehicle pops into view, he finally snaps into action-- shaking free of Cassie’s hold and scrambling to get into the RV. He slams the driver's side door closed and sighs in relief, slumping into the seat.

‘They can't get us in here.’ he assures himself.

Struggling with her chunky heels, Cassie had fallen behind when Baz broke away. As he clambers inside easily, the tip of Cassie’s shoe catches on the sidewalk and she trips forward onto the concrete - scraping her palms on the way down. The spider-like creatures begin to close the distance as she struggles to push herself back onto her feet.

The sounds of thousands of tiny, tapping legs - skittering across the ground - grows more intense, and she scrambles up in a panic.

She expertly launches herself towards the passenger door, frantically groping for the handle as the hoard scuttles closer and closer.

...

(Original Photo Credit: Reddit r/LiminalSpace - u/AlexandarPANASONIC -- Edited by @same-soup-just-reheated)

(Banner by @charzardmain)

[melles1276]

Excerpt:

Chapter 7 - Raid

When Steve opens his eyes the next morning, he first has to orient himself. Blinking, he looks around as he slowly stands up. The tunnel is still dark, but he can make out the first rays of sunlight gradually penetrating deeper inside. Exhaling a deep breath, he stretches carefully. Every single bone aches from spending the night on the hard ground, but he feels surprisingly good. He’s confident he can make it to the next camp along with Bell and Bucky. This newfound confidence is probably why he fell asleep at some point last night. That and the sheer exhaustion, he thinks wryly. After all, it isn't every day that he is shot and then has to walk several kilometers to safety.

A sharp pain shoots through him as he puts weight on his injured leg, but for the moment he consoles himself with the prospect of reaching camp in a few hours and receiving proper medical treatment. Until then, he will grit his teeth and bare it. After all the crap he's experienced in the past few hours, the upcoming walk will hopefully be child's play. He takes a cautious step forward and then limps towards the entrance to the tunnel. There he sees Bucky sitting on a small tree trunk, facing outside.

Bucky notices movement behind him and turns around. “Well, well. Look who we got there,” he says and looks at him curiously. "Slept well?"

“Surprisingly - yes,” Steve nods.

“Good news at least,” says Bucky.

“Why?” Steve asks worriedly.

“My radio gave up overnight. Apparently it got damaged in the explosion. And the other one died because the battery is empty. We have a solar charging module, but no time to charge the battery. Cell phone isn’t working either, due to no reception. We will be on our own for the next few hours.”

“Is your unit looking for us yet?”

“The area is too spacious. This is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Unless we can provide a clear fixed point, a rescue operation will be very difficult. We could stay here, but I don't like being a living target. Our best chance is to get to camp.”

“Okay, then we’ll stick to your plan,” Steve confirms Bucky’s suggestion.

“Then you should enjoy our 5-star breakfast first.” He tosses him half a bar and then says, “We’re leaving in 15 minutes.”

Bell approaches the two. “No enemy sightings so far, Sarge.”

"Understood." He thinks for a moment and then reaches for his pistol, which he pulls out of its holster. Standing up, he positions himself directly in front of Steve. “Can you handle a weapon?” he asks as he holds it out to him.

Steve almost chokes on the dry bar. He stares at Bucky in disbelief. “I... am not a pacifist,” he clarifies after a few seconds, “... I know how to handle weapons. But I’ve never shot people.”

“Well, it would probably be wise to get used to the idea. We are crossing enemy territory. The silent post here works excellently. Every man is looking for us. They know we have to be here somewhere. It would be a lot easier for us if you could defend yourself.”

Steve takes the gun somewhat cautiously. He understands Bucky's motives, but that doesn't mean he has to like it. Nevertheless, there is probably no alternative. He studies the weapon in his hand thoughtfully.

“Unlock the safety, aim, pull the trigger,” Bucky makes appropriate hand movements, reaches for a second magazine and hands it to Steve. “Reload. And then do the whole thing again.”

[signalhill-if]

I'm averse to including any customization options that either don't contribute to the overall experience of the story/worldbuilding or restrict the player's imagination unnecessarily. I consider colour options to be both of those, at least in this game. So no

not the same anon, but im genuinely really curious as to why you think this. I think it's a really interesting perspective. i was wondering if you could perhaps expand on this. 👀 /g

i hope it doesn't come off as rude, im genuinely interested to know more about your perspective on this,only if you feel comfortable doing so ofc, if not feel free to ignore this ask. 😅

I am always open to rambling about my game design philosophy anon 😌

I am of the opinion that every single choice you make in game design must serve the game in some specific, defensible way. If it isn't serving the game, it's bloat, and it needs to be excised. The number one thing that kills a project (especially in indie) is feature creep, so for me, being conservative with game design is extremely important. This is also going to probably be in my portfolio, meaning it's especially important to show a future employer that I know how to manage a project like this, since at the kind of indie studio I want to work at people tend to wear a lot of hats.

The number one example I can give you of feature creep to explain why it's so deadly is Yandere Simulator. Funny game concept, terrible execution. Why? Feature creep. Also the dev is a creep. But primarily feature creep. The game had a whole slew of clubs you could join, a full menu of dozens of easter eggs, a bunch of carefully crafted events with placeholder characters... He was so busy implementing random crap and then fixing all the bugs he introduced that he did not implement the first rival, the purpose of the game, for like 8 years.

What the fuck does that mean? It means if you let the project get bloated, you let it get fucking bad. There is no fixing Yandere Simulator now. Those decisions have doomed it.

Tight game design, on the other hand, feels great. This is why I love Apocalypse World so much. Everything is deeply intentional and extremely tight. That kind of tight, focused game design is what I'm trying to aim for here. Everything must serve the game.

With that in mind, how about I show you how Apocalypse World handles character customization? Here's the Skinner playbook:

Mwah. Beautiful. They show you only enough to clue you in on who your character might be- showy, expressive, troubled, lush. These are playbook specific, meaning a different character will have a different array of options. It's minimalist, it's focused, and it has no fluff.

It's easy to think about character creation as "just what you need to do before the game starts," but that's a misunderstanding. Character creation is the first impression a player gets of your world and its rules. And just like you want to present yourself well in your job interview, you want to present your game well in the "am I going to bother playing this" interview.

The approach I've chosen is meant to mirror that anti-bloat philosophy. What I want to tell players is that this game is gonna be stylish, a little more mechanically involved than what they're used to, but importantly, tight as fuck. So choosing the options wisely and removing bloat means getting that message across. Colour is bloat. The game will never reference your character's skin or hair or eye colour, because that's just not really how I write. It doesn't contribute to the worldbuilding, and the player will naturally decide those things themselves regardless of whether I give them the option. So it's gotta be cut.

Does that mean this approach should apply to everything? No. You've gotta make sure it fits your game. For example, for another game technically inspired by Apocalypse World (twice removed haha), @zorlok-if does this incredibly well. It has an absolutely bonkers amount of customization, a real maximalist approach that makes a huge impact when you start up the game- it makes you feel like a kid in a candy store. And it works great, because it matches the feel of the game.

All of this is a long way of saying that you've got to be intentional with every aspect of your game design, even the ones that don't feel like they matter much.

[nalyra-dreaming]

Encourage me at your own risk 😈

Obviously, as you said in your ask, there is a lot of book!Daniel/Armand/Marius interrelated content.

How do you think Daniel’s AMC age at the start of S1 is gonna change much of the final trilogy’s plot?

:))

I think... they will use Daniel's age to their advantage, in the sense that some of that has already happened (as well). Others have theorized about this as well, but... what if Daniel actually went mad, and Marius intervened, took him away, and wiped his memories?

It would certainly change the dynamics, yes, but it also would bring a possible introduction and reconciliation ("truth and reconciliation" are what Louis is aiming for after all according to his own words) to Marius in a way that would pave the way for the last trilogy a bit more directly...

Because whatever they have going on with the Devil's Minion in modern Dubai (and I do think that might play out over all the seasons) - the shifting back and forth relationship-wise will need to have been done beforehand here as well. It would not serve the show and the "war" they're setting up in the modern part of the show if they kept that mess, especially since the said mess is only like a few sentences in the books.

As Amel's awakening will likely be combined with Akasha's (and the arc therefore extended, I could see them believing they'd "won" and this win being turned around then with the Amel reveal for example) we will have situations where too much shifting in the relationships will only distract. Especially since the strengths of those relationships will then be needed to battle said "enemy". (Which fits imho with what Jacob said re the focus.)

I think Daniel will take over some of David's parts, if not all, though if he will replace him... not sure. I would think they need the interconnections with the Talamasca for their Talamasca show, but... *gesticulates towards Mayfair Witches*. Either way, both Louis and Daniel will have much greater roles in the show, will be much more heavily involved with their respective partners than in the books (or as it may seem in the books).

Daniel's age provides them (the writers) with a clean slate so to speak. Yes, we already have some ages, some details, like where he worked, and the books he wrote. They carefully set that up already. And he obviously subconsciously remembered some things as well, if the set design of his apartment is any indication.

But they now have decades to play around with - breaks in marriages, travels, global events. The possibilities to interweave parts of the tale with Daniel are almost endless, I cannot begin to speculate there (actually I can, but there would be no end to it *laughs*, it's literally almost endlessly possible to push stuff into his "life").

They've given themselves incredible opportunities with this twist. The Devil's Minion arc is now not just a few years, but decades. Also, who says that Daniel's mind was wiped only once (for example).

And... in regards to the final trilogy... I think it will be concluded with the events of Blood Communion, the dance obviously foreshadowing that already. My gut feeling is they'll skip the actual aliens (the parents), and keep Rhoshamandes and his "threat". I also think they will skip the spirits and ghosts, and Memnoch... or only touch on that in past sense, because it's too metaphysical and can easily drift off into cheesy. And while they're happy being campy... this show is also grating and brutally direct in other aspects. So... Atlantis? Probably not. Which makes me think that Rhoshamandes could be the "brute" in Madagascar, maybe, though for Louis to use that word something with him had to have happened already, and I'm not sure if the characterization fits. And that has to be prior to Amel whispering in Rhoshamande's ear so to speak. (Though Rhoshamandes' house from Blood Communion could be in Madagascar, maybe?)

Now, I think the Devil's Minion arc will be concluded before the events of Blood Communion.

Armand's speech in that book will play a big part I bet, and I could easily see it altered. And... well. I could easily see Daniel being the one to help Fareed with solutions for example. Or him being one of the "hostages". (Though that does not have anything to do with his age then).

Either way, I think Daniel is much wiser now and I really, really hope he will not get a new body, but that they will use his age, and experience within the plots, as said. That he will be the one to help them connect the dots. Or... that the dots connect through him, would probably be the better phrasing^^.

For example I do think he encountered Lestat before, or at least his voice. But there really is no telling how many others he found before, is there :))

What if he did a report on that island and castle of Rhoshamande's? Or traced certain events over the globe. Et cetera.

So... I do think they will "use" his age and the decades it gives them to their advantage. How it changes the last books' plots depends heavily on how they do those books. But I think Daniel will play a central part.

[contractory]

[WORSHIPPING ADEPTI] - "Ah, excuse me," I offer the dark-haired stranger, sidestepping him to allow us both to continue our separate perusals of the incense selection. At a glance, the man himself elicits the thought of an amber mirror, elegant brown and gold meeting together in geometric diamonds and angles. His suit exudes the refinement of an aristocratic businessman, but the pauldron-like shoulderpieces speak of a warrior's experience, and a scale pattern accentuates the tails of his coat. His eyes glow with knowledge, and I can't help wondering, what is it that you know?

"You're a native of Liyue, correct?" I ask. "Would you say that making offerings to the adepti are the most effective way to contact them? I understand they live in seclusion around Jueyun Karst but have been debating the merits of actually venturing out to find them." Ah, before he gets the wrong idea, it would be wise of me to introduce myself. "I'm a scholar from Sumeru, here on a research trip. My name is Alhaitham, and I recently became fascinated in the study of the adeptal arts. I've heard the adepti are highly capable engineersーI would like to engage in an exchange of knowledge with them in the hopes that I might improve my own gadgets."

Such an argument wouldn't be enough for the average Liyuen, what with their worship of the illuminated beasts, and without further elaboration my request is bound to be regarded with suspicion. Still, I hestitate before lifting the comforting weight of my earpieces off my head, to better display them to the man, and retrieve my music player from my pouch. "I designed and built these with the technology we have back home. I can use them to listen to music loaded onto the player, but they also block out noise; I've been thinking of upgrading them. In addition, I've been compiling data for the manufacture of a powered tablet, onto which texts and books can be loaded for easy access, and it would be helpful for taking notes as well. These devices are, and will be, for personal useーI have no interest in making money off of them. They're primarily for my convenience."

... I may have... gone a little overboard with my argument, to a man who likely has no idea how to fulfill my request. I suppose I can't help myself when it comes to my projects, and this man emanates so much Geo authority that he apparently seemed the best person with whom to begin my research. Was Morax a bit like him? "You can tell me if you can't assist me, I won't be offended."

As the thin line of smoke rises slowly into the air, Zhongli's eyes, initially following its trail, are drawn off to the side, as a voice calls out and it becomes clear that it is aimed at him.

"Ah. Good day. That I am," he confirms, before pondering at the question. Its origins puzzle him, initially, but the man is swift to explain and elaborate, and it soon begins to make a lot more sense.

"It is an honor to meet you sir. I am Zhongli, a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. As someone who handles a variety of rites, I know a thing or two about the Adepti as well." That said, he must, of course, weigh carefully how much he lets go of.

Alhaitham takes the intriguing device off his head to allow Zhongli to better see it, and he indeed examines it with the utmost attention, as he always does when presented with a new piece of information meant specifically for him. The technology is fascinating; reminiscent of Guizhong and Cloud Retainer's works, and yet so very different, as befitting of the inventions brought from another country.

... Speaking of.

"The devices in your possessions are most interesting indeed, and I know tales of a particular Adeptus, known for being well-versed in mechanical arts. She is known as the Cloud Retainer, and her abode is located at Jueyun Karst. I have heard stories of travelers and believers making offerings of food for her by the entrance to her home, and in some cases, she has chosen to reveal herself. So you may have a chance."

He thinks further... He would hate to set the man up for disappointment.

"With that said, I have heard that she has been busy with some travels, recently, so one cannot be certain of her presence at her abode. Rumors and legends say that she even visits Liyue Harbor every once in a while, taking on a human appearance to blend into the crowd. Perhaps she is indeed among us, enjoying the Lantern Rite with the people she protected by Rex Lapis' side."

Hm. This should be good enough.

"I apologize for being unable to provide you with a certain answer." The apology is sincere on his part - alas, he must respect his friendships and his contracts. "But I hope I was able to give you some leads."