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snowysosturn · 26 days ago

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Allies or Affiliates? - Chris Sturniolo Part 21

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Finale

Pairing : Y/n x dealer!Chris Sturniolo

Summary : Law student Y/n’s life takes a turn when she reconnects with Chris, her brief teenage flame who is now a dealer for a dangerous Boston drug gang. As their bond reignites, Y/n is drawn into Chris’s tumultuous world, where rival gangs clash and loyalty is everything. Balancing her love for Chris with her own ambitions, can their connection survive the chaos that threatens to pull them apart?

Warnings : MDNI, angst, cursing, death, funeral setting, mention of dead body, grief, sadness

The day had arrived. Chris’s funeral. The thought of it made me feel like I was trying to breathe underwater. I’d spent the last two days in a haze, caught between disbelief and devastation. I kept in consistent contact with Nate, who had been the one to tell me about the funeral being an evening ceremony, explaining they wanted to keep it as lowkey as possible. Especially after the chaos at Danny’s funeral.

I didn’t ask what had happened at Danny’s service in depth, and I didn’t think it was time to ask questions. All I could think about was Chris. His face, his voice, the way he used to look at me like I was the only thing grounding him in this world.

Willow hadn’t left my side since the news broke. She held me the last two nights when the sobs came so violently I thought they might break me in half. Even now, as I sat in front of the mirror in my room, staring blankly at my reflection, she hovered nearby, quiet but present.

“You should eat something” she murmured gently, placing a cup of tea on the dresser beside me.

I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”

Willow sighed but didn’t push. She knew me well enough to know it wouldn’t help. Instead, she sat on the bed behind me, her presence steady and reassuring.

I hadn’t told Mom and Dad about Chris. Not about his death, not about him at all. Telling them would mean explaining how I got tangled up with someone like him, and I wasn’t ready for that. I could already hear the questions, the judgment in their voices, the disappointment. I’d rather just let them enjoy their holiday.

Chris wasn’t perfect. I knew that. But he was mine.

My fingers trembled as I pinned my hair back, the small motion grounding me for a moment. I caught Willow’s reflection in the mirror, her eyes filled with concern. She stepped out of my room to give me a minute.

The last time I saw Chris was that fateful afternoon at my house. He’d kissed me, told me he’d call me later. He didn’t. I never imagined that would be the last time I’d see him alive.

The most harrowing this was when Nate’s voice cracked as he explained that Chris’s injuries were too severe. Now, there wouldn’t even be a chance to say goodbye properly. The ceremony would be closed casket.

I swallowed hard, blinking back tears as I smoothed down my black dress. The thought of not seeing him one last time felt like a cruel twist of fate.

Nate had offered to come get Willow and I, and the time was drawing close for him to arrive. I tried to pull myself together, but the tears wouldn’t stop, sliding down my cheeks in relentless streams. My chest felt heavy, like it had been hollowed out and filled with bricks.

Willow peeked into my room, her expression soft and cautious, as if she didn’t want to intrude but couldn’t leave me entirely alone either.

“Nate’s outside” she said gently. “Do you want me to wait with you?”

I shook my head, sniffling. “No, it’s okay. You can go ahead. I just.. need a minute.”

She hesitated, her hand lingering on the doorframe, before nodding. “Alright. I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

When she left, the silence in the room felt deafening. I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to will myself into some semblance of calm. It didn’t work.

I moved toward the bed and sat down, my eyes falling on Ralph – the white teddy bear Chris had won for me only days ago. Without thinking, I reached for it, clutching it tightly in my arms. The soft fabric was a small comfort against the ache in my chest.

As I held it close, I caught a faint scent – Chris’s cologne, still lingering on the bear’s fur. My throat tightened, and I buried my face into the plush, breathing him in like it was the last piece of him I’d ever have.

“Chris” I whispered, my voice breaking.

Suddenly, I heard a soft click, followed by a sound that made me freeze.

His voice.

“Off to get some coffeeee for my beautiful girlfriend. I can’t believe I get to call YOU my girlfriend. I’m the luckiest man alive! Love you!”

I pulled back, staring at the bear in disbelief. My hands trembled as I pressed its stomach again, and the same recording played.

Chris’s voice, warm and full of life, echoed in the quiet room.

Tears spilled over again, but this time they weren’t just from grief. They were from the bittersweet ache of hearing him say those words, words that felt like a lifeline and a dagger all at once. I hadn’t even known the bear could do that. Like he’d left this piece of himself for me to find.

“Chris..” I whispered again, holding the bear close to my chest. My body shook with sobs, but for the first time in days, they weren’t entirely hopeless.

I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, and maybe I never would be. But in this moment, with his voice wrapping around me like a fragile embrace, I felt a little less alone.

I decided to take Ralph with me, clutching the soft bear to my chest as if it could somehow protect me from the waves of grief threatening to swallow me whole. With a shaky breath, I turned off my bedroom lights and made my way out of the house, the cool night air hitting me as I stepped outside.

Nate’s car was parked at the curb, the engine idling softly. Willow stood by the passenger side, her arms wrapped around herself for warmth. When she saw me, she gave me a small, reassuring nod before climbing into the back seat to give me space in the front.

I slid into the passenger seat, and Nate glanced at me briefly.

“How’re you holding up?” he asked, his voice quiet, almost hesitant.

I swallowed hard, gripping Ralph tighter. “I’m.. here” I managed to say, my voice cracking.

He nodded, not pushing for more. I knew he felt it too – the loss, the emptiness, the weight of carrying Chris’s memory. In a way, we were all each other had left of him now.

The car ride was quiet, the kind of silence that hung heavy in the air, filled with unspoken thoughts and shared sorrow. I stared out the window, the darkness outside making it impossible to figure out where we were going. The streets blurred past, unfamiliar and anonymous, as if the world outside didn’t matter anymore.

Eventually, the car slowed, pulling up in front of a small white chapel. Its modest structure was almost hidden in the shadows of the night, the faint glow of its windows the only indication it was there.

Before we got out, Nate reached into the center console and pulled out something green. He handed it to me – a bandana, worn and soft around the edges.

“Chris always wore this” Nate said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “He used it to keep his face hidden. Not many people knew what he actually looked like, and he’d want it that way for you too. So when we leave here after the funeral, no one knows who you are, and nothing ever happens to you.”

I stared at the bandana in his hands, my throat tightening. It felt like a part of Chris, a piece of him that Nate was entrusting to me. With trembling fingers, I took it, feeling the fabric between my hands as though it could somehow connect me to him again.

“Thank you” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

As I tied the bandana around the lower half of my face, I reached for the folded paper in my pocket – my eulogy for Chris. I’d written it late last night, pouring every ounce of my heart into it. It was my final goodbye, the only way I could put into words everything I couldn’t say while he was still here.

I glanced at Nate hesitantly. “I was hoping to read this.. but if you think it’s safer-”

Nate shook his head, cutting me off gently. “I’ll read it for you” he said, his voice firm but kind. “It’s better this way, for anonymity reasons. But it’s your words, Y/n. Everyone will know how much he meant to you.”

I nodded, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay.

As we stepped out of the car, the chill of the night settled over me. I held Ralph close, drawing strength from the little bear and the faint scent of Chris that still lingered on it.

This was it. My final goodbye. And even though my heart felt like it might shatter, I knew I had to face it – for Chris, for Nate, and for the love that would always remain, even in his absence.

The chapel was dimly lit, the soft glow of candles casting flickering shadows on the walls. Nate wasn’t kidding when he said it would be a small ceremony. There couldn’t have been more than a 25 people scattered across the rows, their faces somber and heads bowed.

I glanced around discreetly, trying to piece together who these people were. I didn’t see Vince Moretti, which was a small relief. The man’s absence was probably for the best, though it also struck me as strange. For someone who claimed to have so much power over Chris’s life, Vince wasn’t here to honor it. It made me wonder.

My gaze drifted from face to face, searching for any clue that might reveal Chris’s parents. But no one stood out. Either they weren’t here, or I didn’t recognize them. A hit of guilt twisted in my chest. I should’ve asked more about them, should’ve known more about the people who gave him life.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, gripping Ralph tightly in my lap. The weight of the bandana around my face felt heavier than it should have, like it carried all the unanswered questions I would never get to ask Chris.

As the ceremony began, I couldn’t stop the spiral of thoughts in my head. The priest’s words faded into the background as my mind filled with blame as I stared at the coffin.

This is my fault.

I had pushed him to act, to take immediate steps to leave the gang. I’d begged him to make a choice, to do it now before it was too late. And now here we were. Maybe because I made it happen so fast, that this is the outcome.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them away. I needed to keep it together, at least for now.

Nate stood up, unfolding a piece of paper as he moved to the podium at the front of the chapel. My heart clenched. It was my eulogy, my final goodbye to Chris. I’d poured everything into those words, and now Nate was going to speak them aloud because I couldn’t.

He cleared his throat, his hands shaking slightly as he held the paper. His voice was steady, though, as he began to read.

“I have a note from someone who was very special to Chris that I would like to read out” he said, clearing his throat before he started:

“Chris wasn’t just someone I loved – he was my safe place, my compass when the world felt too chaotic to navigate. He was the person I never thought I’d find again, and the one I never imagined losing this way.

Chris had this quiet charm, the kind that snuck up on you when you least expected it. He didn’t say much when words weren’t needed, but when he did, they stayed with you. He could make me laugh when I didn’t think it was possible, and somehow, in those moments, everything felt easier, lighter.

But Chris was more than the laughter we shared, more than the memories that now feel so far away. He was the late night conversations, the way we would look at eachother and know exactly what the other person was thinking, the feeling of his arms around me that made the world disappear. He was the only person who ever truly saw me – the messy, complicated, and unpolished version of me, and he never looked away.

He wasn’t perfect, and neither was I, but we were perfect together in our own, flawed way. Chris gave me a love I didn’t know I needed, a love I didn’t think I deserved. And even though life was complicated, even though we didn’t always get it right, I never once doubted how much he cared.

I wish I could tell him that now, tell him how much he meant to me, how much he still means to me. I wish I could go back to that last time we were together, hold on a little tighter, kiss him a little longer, and tell him how proud I was of the man he was trying to be.

Chris, you were my everything, and now, I don’t know how to do this without you. I don’t know how to fill the space you’ve left behind. But I promise I’ll try to be the person you always believed I could be. I’ll carry your memory with me in every moment, every choice, and every breath.

I hope you know how deeply you were loved, how much you’ll always be loved. And I hope, wherever you are, you’ve found the peace you couldn’t find here.

Goodbye, Chris. My heart will never stop looking for you.”

Nate looked up while folding over the piece of paper and stepped down from the stand, his face an unreadable mask as he returned to his seat. I watched him, trying to make sense of how he seemed so composed. It surprised me, the way he carried himself as if this wasn’t tearing him apart too.

But then I thought about it – how could he not be numb by now? Losing the two people closest to you in such a short amount of time would be enough to shatter anyone. Maybe this was his way of holding it together, of keeping himself from completely falling apart.

I stole a glance at him as he sat in front of me. His jaw was tight, his hands clasped in front of him, but there was a hollowness in his eyes that spoke louder than anything he could’ve said. He was here, but I could tell part of him was somewhere else, stuck in memories he couldn’t escape.

I wanted to say something to him, but what could I say? There were no words that could ease this kind of pain, no way to bring back what he’d lost, what we’d both lost. So, I stayed silent, gripping Ralph in my lap like it was the only thing tethering me to this moment.

The ceremony finally ended, and the coffin was taken away, but I couldn’t bring myself to go with them. I watched as the others left, their faces a blur of sorrow and disbelief. The heaviness in my chest was unbearable, and the thought of following Chris to be cremated, of truly letting go, was too much. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stand the finality of it.

So I turned and walked away, out of the chapel, out of the world that felt like it was spinning too fast. I didn’t even remember getting into Nate’s car, didn’t remember the drive home. Everything was a daze, one moment blending into the next, the sound of my own heartbeat drowning everything else out.

When I finally made it home, the house felt colder than I remembered. I stepped inside, greeted by the silence, and for a moment, it felt like I was the only person left in the world. Willow followed in behind me, her eyes full of concern. She was always there when I needed her, but today, I just couldn’t bear to have anyone close.

“Do you want me to stay?” she asked softly, her voice so gentle it almost broke me.

I shook my head, swallowing the lump in my throat. “No it’s okay, I just.. I just need to be by myself for a while.”

Willow hesitated, as if she wanted to argue, but then she nodded, understanding. “Okay. Just.. don’t shut yourself off for too long, okay?”

I barely heard her as I turned away, retreating into the quiet of my room. I closed the door behind me, feeling the weight of the world settle on my shoulders again. I didn’t bother turning on the lights. The room felt smaller now, suffocating. But it was where I needed to be. Alone. With my thoughts. With my grief.

I didn’t want to forget Chris, but I didn’t know how to keep carrying this pain.

I collapsed onto my bed and lay there in pure darkness, my body heavy with grief, as every emotion I’d been holding inside finally poured out. I clutched Ralph tightly to my chest, replaying the sound of Chris’s voice over and over again. Each word felt like a delicate thread tying me to him, keeping his memory alive even as the pain made it hard to breathe.

I stared at the ceiling, lost in a swirl of thoughts that didn’t make sense. I couldn’t understand how everything had changed so quickly. One minute, Chris was here, and now he was gone. The world felt like it was shifting beneath me, a constant reminder that nothing would ever be the same.

Then, out of nowhere, I saw it. A flicker of lights. Fast, erratic flashes coming from outside my window. My heart raced in an instant. The treehouse.

I scrambled out of bed, my pulse quickening, hoping against all odds that somehow, someway, it was Chris standing there.

But as I opened the balcony door, the wind hit me with a chill, harsh and unrelenting. The lights were flickering, not from anything magical, but because the wind was blowing against the wire of the fairy lights that wrapped around the treehouse. It was untouched. Empty.

I stood there for a moment, the reality of it all settling in like a cold stone in my chest. Chris wasn’t coming back. He wasn’t there.

I grabbed my phone, still holding Ralph as if he could somehow fill the space Chris had left behind. The treehouse. I needed to go there. It felt like the only place that could still hold pieces of him.

When I reached it, I crawled under the familiar blankets, the ones we’d spent so many nights tangled in. The ones I’d always imagined would be filled with laughter and love, but now they felt like a graveyard of memories. I opened Spotify and selected the first song that came to mind. Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra. Since that night I dreamed that one day, Chris and I would dance to it at our wedding, not knowing that the night we shared it would be the first and last.

The tears came again, overwhelming, hot, and uncontrollable. I cried until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore, until the sorrow and exhaustion took over. And then, I drifted off to sleep in the treehouse – alone, with only Ralph and the ghost of Chris’s love to keep me company.

a/n: lowkey sadder than part 20.. hang in there w me though

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hischierswhore · 9 months ago

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eternal pining | jack hughes

pairing: childhood bff!reader x jack hughes

warnings: major angst // unrequited pining // slight cursing // probably other stuff that i missed

author’s note: this might be the longest fic i’ve ever written??? anyways i’m backkkk and hopefully i’ll start being consistent soon. i have so much planned and this has been in the works for quite a while now.

You were sitting on the couch at the Hughes lake house as you discussed your plans for the day. Well, more like you were listening to Ellen & Jim as they told you that they would be leaving on a trip for a few days and Jack was just there. He was on his phone, typing aggressively like the world would end if he didn’t finish whatever he was typing.

A sigh left Ellen’s lips when she realized that her middle child wasn’t even paying attention to what she was saying. You looked at Luke & Quinn, who both also saw that he was just not focusing. Quinn extended his arm to hit Jack’s knee in attempt to get his attention.

You said bye to Ellen & Jim, wishing them a safe trip before helping them carry their bags to their car. As you made your way back inside, you plopped right back into the same spot you were in before.

Moments passed and you turned your phone off, sparking conversation with Quinn & Luke about what the groups plans were for today.

“What do you guys wanna do?” You asked, hoping someone would come up with something fun.

“Boat day?” Luke suggested and you nodded in agreement.

“Are you gonna join us, Jack?” you questioned as you turned around to look at your best friend. His eyes didn’t shift from the device in his hands, causing you to roll your eyes.

You were annoyed, so you moved off the couch and walked to your room to change into your swimsuit.

"Where are you guys going?" Jack asked as you, Quinn & Luke walked towards the deck, his phone now off and on the couch.

"Boat day. We were talking about it but you were too indulged in your phone to even contribute to the conversation" Quinn stated as Jack's mouth formed an 'o' shape.

"Are you joining us or not?" Luke asked, waiting for his brother to respond so he could finally get some sun.

“Oh uh yeah. I'll join y'all. Just give me a few to change" He hopped up from his spot on the couch and went to his room to change while you made your way outside, the other Hughes brothers following.

10 minutes passed and Jack had not yet come outside. You were all getting rather impatient and annoyed with the boy.

"Can we just go without him?" Luke sighed, beyond frustrated with his brother. Just as he said that, the boy trotted out of the house and down the dock to where you all sat. You all immediately noticed his lack of swim trunks and rather a button-down shirt & some jeans.

"Hey guys. Sorry to bail on you all but I've got a date in like-" He looks down at his phone for a moment to check the time. "20 minutes so I've gotta get going. See you all later" Jack waved as he hugged everyone goodbye.

Your heart shattered the moment you heard "a date". You had been hopelessly in love with your best friend since you were kids. You'd known the Hughes brothers since you were 6, and you'd all been inseparable since day 1.

The ever-growing crush you had on Jack was evident to everyone around you except for him. Quinn and Luke would relentlessly tease you when you three were together. Hell, even Trevor and Nico would join in on the teasing whenever you saw them.

You faked a smile at his words, hoping he couldn’t see the tears welling in your eyes. You looked around at Quinn and Luke, who had already been looking in your direction, knowing damn well what you were thinking.

"Have fun, J. See you later" You said as you looked down, seeing as your mood had now been more ruined than it was before and you didn't want to deal with all your emotions, or rather the cause of these emotions, right now. You knew that if you made eye-contact with the boy, you would have a breakdown.

Jack jogs back up to the house and shuts the patio door, leaving you and the two other Hughes brothers on the boat for the day.

2 pairs of eyes immediately found your figure as you curled into a ball on the couch and let it all out. Both boys immediately came to your side for comfort, knowing how difficult this must be for you.

Luke rubbed your back as you sobbed while Quinn held you in his arms, holding you ever so carefully.

Hours passed before you all decided to head inside.

“I’m gonna head up to my room. If he asks, I'm out. I don't want to talk to him right now" You told the remaining brothers before going into your room and locking yourself away.

— later —

Jack arrived back at the lake house.

“Hey, where’s Y/n?” He asked as he wandered into the living room, noticing his brothers sitting on the couch watching a movie but you were nowhere in sight.

“She went out” Quinn simply said, not feeling the need to give his younger brother details.

"Out? What do you mean she went out?"

"She's not here, Jack. She wanted to go out so she did" Luke shrugged, trying to focus his attention back on the movie.

"And you both let her go by herself?!" Jack was practically shouting.

"She's 22 years old, Jack. She can make her own decisions" Quinn paused the movie to turn his attention to his brother. Jack let out a huff and sat next to his brothers to watch whatever movie they had put on, still ever so slightly upset that you had gone out without him.

20 minutes had passed since that initial exchange when Luke's phone got a notification. He glanced down at it and immediately got up and excused himself to the kitchen with a simple "I'll be back".

“What’s up with him?” Jack whispered to Quinn, who shrugged and paid no mind to his brother's curiosity. Moments later, Luke emerged from the kitchen and raced upstairs quickly.

You had texted Luke asking him to bring you some medication for the growing migraine you had from crying nonstop. He quietly knocked on the door to avoid attracting Jack's attention. You slowly unlocked the door and let the boy in as he handed you the pills and a bottle of water.

"You good?" He asked as you had a hand on your forehead and your eyes were red & puffy.

"I'll be fi-" The words got lost in your throat as you heard footsteps ascending the stairs and you saw the one person you did not want to see: Jack.

You muttered "shit" as you tried to hide behind Luke's tall frame, which was to no avail.

"Y/n? What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be out?" Jack asked as he made his way to your doorway.

"I uhh, came back early. Didn't feel too great" You lied through your teeth.

"How'd you come in? And when did you even come in?" Jack questioned you as he leaned against the door frame.

"Came in through the back door. Didn't wanna make too much noise to interrupt the movie" You slowly tried to push your door closed, but Jack was blocking the way.

Luke was stood there, watching the encounter unfold.

"Oh what's that Quinn? We need more popcorn? I'll grab some" He shouted down the stairs to remove himself from the extremely tense conversation he was witnessing.

“What’s wrong?” Jack's voice was low as he slowly pushed the door open and grabbed your hand.

“I’m fine, Jack. I just don’t feel good” You were on the verge of tears as you pulled yourself out of his hold.

“You look like you've been crying, Y/n/n... did someone say something to you?" Jack's anger slowly increasing at the thought of someone hurting your feelings.

"Nobody said anything. More so what you did. But I'll be fine, I'll get over it" Thankfully, he had back up enough to give you space to close the door, and his reflexes weren't fast enough to grab the door handle before you shut and locked it, leaving him on the other side of the door.

Your words left Jack extremely confused. More so what you did. What in the hell did he even do?

Once you had locked the door, you slid down the back of it as more tears spilled freely onto your cheeks. Why did you have to fall for your best friend?

Jack stomped down the stairs, confusion & frustration written all over his face as he threw himself onto the couch.

“What the hell did I even do?” He screamed into one of the cushions. Quinn & Luke exchange a look before ultimately deciding to tell him bits of the truth.

“You went on that date” Luke said quietly, praying that Jack has heard him the first time so he wouldn’t have to repeat himself. Fortunately for Luke, Jack lifted his head up as soon as the words left his mouth.

“What does that have to do with anything?” Jack was more confused than before. He didn’t understand what was going on.

“How is it that we all see it except for you, dude? She’s in love with you. She’s been in love with you for years now, and you’ve never once noticed or acknowledged her feelings. It’s evident to everyone in our lives except for you. You leaving on that date today made her feel like shit” Quinn spoke.

“Well, it made her feel more like shit than she already did before. You neglected her all morning because you were on your phone and then when we all agreed to go on the boat, you bailed on us and she felt more forgotten than ever before” Luke added onto Quinn’s speech.

Jack sat there in shock. There’s no way that you, his best friend of 16 years, were in love with him. He couldn’t fathom the thought, but slowly the realization sank in and now he felt horrible for his behavior. He didn’t mean to hurt you. He never knew.

He didn’t say anything before he raced up the stairs and knocked on your door but received no response.

“Y/n please let me in. I want to talk to you. Please hear me out” Jack pleaded as he rested his ear against the door, listening closely in hopes of hearing movement on the other side.

Silence. All that could be heard was the sound of the fan circulating air throughout the room.

Quinn & Luke had followed him up the stairs and watched as Jack slowly fell to his knees infront of your door. They’d never seen him like this before.

“J, she needs some space right now. Let her get some rest and talk to her in the morning. It’s the least she deserves” Luke suggested as he placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder.

— the next morning —

You woke up to a massive migraine, probably from all the crying you did last night. You felt uneasy as you stood from your bed and made your way to the connected bathroom.

You knew you’d have to see him again. You couldn’t avoid him, hell it was his house.

You braced yourself for the day as you washed your face and changed into something more comfortable before heading downstairs for breakfast.

You overheard a conversation taking place as you silently made your way down the stairs, in hopes of not alerting anyone of your presence quite yet.

Just as you turned the corner and entered the kitchen, silence filled the room. You chose to not acknowledge it, just as Jack had not acknowledged your feelings for him.

You felt multiple pairs of eyes on you as you grabbed yourself a bowl to pour some cereal. You slowly carried your bowl to the dining room, where everyone was seated.

It was only then that you had noticed the extra eyes staring at you. Seated at the table included Quinn, Luke, Jack, Trevor, Cole & Nico. The latter 3 must’ve flown in early in the morning because they weren’t here last night when everything happened.

You softly wave at the 3 boys before placing your bowl on the table.

“Morning” you quietly said as you sat on the bench between Quinn & Luke, which was ironically as far away from Jack as possible.

Small talk is made and you barely speak unless you’re spoken to. You quietly converse with everyone except for the middle Hughes brother. He hasn’t said a single thing to you this morning except for stare at you occasionally when he thought you didn’t notice. Of course you did, you always noticed.

Breakfast finished & you kindly collected everyone’s dishes and headed towards the kitchen to clean them.

You stood infront of the sink on your own for about 5 minutes when you felt a presence behind you.

“Can we talk?” You knew that notice all too well. You placed the plate in the sink as you turned around slowly, resting the plane of your hands on the edge of the counter.

You took in his appearance for the first time since he left for his date yesterday afternoon. His eyes were swollen, much like yours, and his hands were fidgeting at the back of his neck.

“Sure” You simply spoke, not wanting to be the one to bring up the elephant in the room. Jack cleared his throat before he spoke.

“Could we maybe go outside? I’ll get Luke to do the dishes or something so we can talk in private” He suggested as you nodded your head.

Jack led the way to the backyard before holding the door open with a simple “After you”.

You sat on the couch next to the fire pit, leaving Jack to sit next to you.

You sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the calming breeze the morning had brought. That peace was interrupted when Jack cleared his throat and turned to face you.

“I want to start with an apology. I genuinely had no idea that you even felt neglected yesterday. I was a shit friend and I shouldn’t have ditched you for someone else. I know I messed up. And I’m sorry that it’s taken me til now to realize how you feel towards me. All this time I thought it was just you being friendly, I never knew you liked me. I was so confused by what you meant yesterday that the realization didn’t click until Luke & Quinn said it. I couldn’t believe the fact that I had been the one to hurt you and I will forever be sorry for that”

Jack looked into your eyes, and he swears he could see your heart shatter into a million pieces at every word. God, how he wishes he wasn’t the reason behind it.

“I’ve been in love with you since we were 6, Jack. I’ve spent years pining after you, only to watch you pine after every other girl on this planet. This summer was different though. You paid no mind to other girls and you treated me like I was yours, and I stupidly believed that things would change between us. That was until yesterday. You act all lovey with me one second and then suddenly I’m nonexistent the next” You watched the frown grow on his face as you spoke.

“I’ve never been in a relationship because I’ve been holding out hope for you, Jack. Hope for you to finally come to your senses and see that I’ve been here waiting for you this whole time, stupidly thinking that my chance will come” Jack stayed quiet as you let it all out.

“I’m in love with you, Jack. I have been for the longest time and I really shouldn’t be” You cried into the hands as he stared at you in silence.

“Y/n/n…” Jack was at a loss for words. He didn’t know you felt that strongly about him, or that you watched everything unfold from the sidelines of his life.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Y/n/n”

“It’s okay, Jack. I’ll be fine, I’ll get over it. I just don’t know if I handle anymore heartbreak” You sobbed as Jack brought you into his embrace, holding you in his arms.

Despite you feeling this hurricane of emotions, his arms still felt like home to you. He felt like home.

“I hope I’m not too late” He whispered softly, causing you to remove yourself from is hold, a look of confusion spread across your face.

“Huh?” You sniffled as you wiped your nose.

“I’ve been in love with you from the moment I met you. Not even, the second I saw you holding that little bear of yours as you walked into your new house, I knew you were someone special. Someone who would be the only consistent person in my life besides my family. I always thought you saw me as a friend and never anything more, hence all the failed relationships. I’ve tried to get over you so much since I thought you’d never return the feeling. I looked for you in other girls, but none of them were you, so they never lasted. You have been the only person I have truly wanted since we were 6, Y/n/n. I now know that you’ve felt the same this entire time, and I have somehow misread everything for 16 years. The timing of this is horrible and I’m afraid I may be too late, but please know I do love you, Y/n/n. I always have & I always will” Jack confessed as he held your hand in his.

You searched his eyes for some sign of this being a sick and twisted joke, a prank that would forever haunt you and ultimately be the end of your friendship with the boy.

But you found none of that. You found love & hope & sadness. He hoped that the love he had for you was enough to fill the hole of sadness that he had accidentally burned into your heart. He hoped that you would forgive him and give him a chance to redeem himself.

A shy smile appeared on your face before you removed your hands from his to wipe the tears on your face, and the tears that were slowly trickling down his.

“I love you too, J. You’ll always have a chance” A goofy smile took over your face as the boy brought you into a tight hug, holding you there for what felt like an eternity.

After who know how long, he finally pulled away and let you breathe.

“I’m so happy right now that I could kiss you, but I won’t solely because we just made up and I’m not trying to ruin my chances & lose you again”

“Oh shut up” You placed both hands on the sides of his face & pulled him for a kiss.

The world felt like it had stopped but like it was also spinning simultaneously. The butterflies you got in your stomach when his lips touched yours felt heavenly.

Jack, who was a little taken aback by the kiss, immediately kissed you back once he realized what was happening. One of his hands found its way to your face and the other at your hip.

You wish you could live in this moment forever, and you genuinely believed you could, that is until you heard cheering coming from behind you. You both pulled apart to see Quinn, Luke, Cole, Trevor & Nico all cheering from the patio.

“THEY FINALLY DID IT!!!” Trevor shouted as he jumped up and down.

“Hurt her again, Hughes & you’re gonna regret it” Nico said before making his way back inside the house. You looked back to Jack to see him gently caressing the back of your hand.

“Wouldn’t even think about it” he smiled as he pressed a kiss to your temples, holding you closer than ever before.

#✎ natalie writes #jack hughes #jack hughes fluff #jack hughes angst #jack hughes imagine #jack hughes fanfiction #jack hughes x you #jack hughes x y/n #jack hughes x reader

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ntonlvr · 7 months ago

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can't help myself falling endlessly

synopsis: an innocent movie night takes a turn word count: 3k status: 1/? (trying to update 2 times a week) genre: non idol au, fem reader, mutual pining, friends to lovers content warning: drinking, making out, heated making out

“Why do you have to work tonight? You know I’ve been dying to watch this movie,” you pout at Sohee as he gets ready for work.

“It’s not my fault they called me in. The overnight closer called in sick, and I opted to be on call. Besides, they’re paying me time and half for last-minute shifts. I can’t say no to that,” he shrugs, grabbing his keys and heading out. There you stood left with the project you decided to start.

With Sohee gone, you decide to text Anton. He’s always been your go-to for spontaneous plans. You can almost guarantee that he will come over on such short notice.

Texting:

y/n: heyyyy question for youu

anton: hey! answer for youu

y/n: sohee has to work tonight :( wanna come over and watch that new scary movie with me? (u can’t say no)

anton: Scary movie? You know I’m terrible with horror, haha, but I guess I can be brave

y/n: YAYYA okay, come over as soon as you can then

anton: I’ll be there in 10

Anton has been friends with Sohee for almost his entire life. He’s always been soft spoken, quiet, and well-mannered. All completely different from your brother. It’s always been a surprise to you how they became such close friends. Over the years, Anton has also become one of your best friends, which is why you feel so comfortable inviting him over without Sohee there as the connecting friend.

Ten minutes later, the doorbell rings. Despite coming over practically daily for the past decade, Anton still rings the doorbell and waits patiently outside. You peek through the window and see him standing there awkwardly with his hands in his pockets. Opening the door, you greet each other with a smile.

“I tell you this every time, Anton. You can just walk in or use the spare key we have hidden just for you,” you tease lightly.

“I know; but it just doesn’t feel right. Even if this is my second home,” he laughs quietly as he takes off his shoes.

“Well, I’ve created the perfect setup for us. I might have gone a bit overboard this time,” you say with a grin. Leading him downstairs where movie nights are typically held, Anton can see what you meant by ‘a bit overboard’. Y/N had made a pillow fort with the couch and a few of the kitchen chairs. Inside it was filled with an assortment of pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. In a small basket there was a variety of snacks and what looked like a bottle of soju.

“Did you do all of this in the ten minute span it took me to get here?” Anton asks in surprise.

“Noo. But that would be really impressive. I started it before I texted you and just finished a few things when you agreed to come over because I knew you wouldn’t say no,” you tease.

“What if I did say no?” Anton laughs, hanging his jacket on the couch and crouching to inspect the fort further.

“Ah, I knew you would say yes because you love hanging out with me. Admit it,” you tease further.

“Alright, I admit it, but don’t tell Sohee. He’ll never let me hear the end of it, that cry baby,” you both laugh at that statement.

You pat Anton on the shoulder, encouraging him to make himself comfortable in the fort. The pat on his shoulder as you run upstairs to change catches Anton’s attention, lingering in his mind as he reflects on how special you made this hangout. It’s unlike him to feel this way around you, and he’s caught off guard by his own thoughts, having harbored feelings for you over the past few years. He’s always pushed them aside due to your close friendship and his bond with Sohee.

In your room, you pause, catching yourself in the mirror. Thoughts of Anton flood your mind–his smile, how he admired your efforts. His warm tone stirred up the feelings you’ve kept hidden for him. You stand there contemplating what to wear, because no matter what time of year it is, the basement always tends to be colder. You opt for shorts because at least if you get cold, you can snuggle under one of the many blankets. Before heading down to the basement, you stop at the kitchen grabbing two shot glasses for the soju that sits down there. Coming down to the fort you announce to Anton that you brought shot glasses. You hand them to him as you kneel down to crawl to the open space next to him. You notice his eyes briefly wandering to your legs, causing a strange flutter in your stomach. Anton can’t help but realize how good your legs look in those gray shorts. And how you somehow looked even better with the two-sizes-too-big sweatshirt you paired them with. Almost mesmerized by the view, his breath hitches in the back of his throat as you brush past his body. Anton clears his throat awkwardly when you ask if he’s alright, nodding quickly with a sheepish smile. You continue your path and settle down next to him. But Anton’s mind keeps thinking back to how soft your legs look and how badly he wanted to feel them.

“Helloo, Earth to Anton?” you joke, waving your hand playfully in front of him. Snapping out of the haze he didn’t realize he had slipped into, Anton looks over to you with an embarrassed smile. “Did you even hear the question I asked you, or were you too busy staring at my legs, you weirdo?” you joke, hitting his arm.

“N-no, sorry,” Anton stammers slightly, feeling a bit flustered. “I was just lost in my thoughts for a second, didn’t even realize.”

“I was just wondering if you wanted to join me for a shot or two before we start this movie,” you ask once again.

“Oh yeah, yeah, I would love one,” Anton agrees eagerly. You pour each other a shot and clink the glasses together before downing the drink. Anton signals for another shot, and you oblige, repeating the same gestures as before. The second shot goes down a lot smoother than the first, leaving a pleasant warmth that lingers a little longer.

“I think we should take a shot after the first major jump scare,” you suggest with a giggle, already feeling the effects of the alcohol.

“I agree, but only because it will make me less afraid of the movie.” You press play on the movie and grab the bowl of popcorn, making yourself comfortable. Placing the bowl between you and Anton, you absentmindedly reach for popcorn as you watch the film. Occasionally, your hand brushes against his, and you offer a silent apology.

During an intense scene, you notice Anton fidgeting beside you. You know he isn’t the best with horror, so you place your hand on his thigh to hopefully offer some comfort after the ineffectiveness of the shots. Without turning to look at him, you feel his eyes widen at the unexpected touch. The alcohol seems to heighten his senses, making the contact more pronounced. For a moment, his attention shifts away from the movie, his thoughts consumed by the sensation of your hand on his thigh.

Shaking his head to refocus, Anton comes back to reality. Just as he regains his composure, a sudden jump scare on the screen startles him, causing him to jolt in his spot.

“God, I didn't think that was gonna happen. It caught me completely off guard,” Anton says with a sigh, “Guess we better pour that third shot,” hopefully covering up the fact that he was not paying full attention.

“What do you mean you didn’t see that coming? It was so obvious it was going to happen,” you tease, exaggerating your surprise.

“Not to me I guess,” Anton chuckled nervously, still trying to cover up for his lapse in attention.

“Uh-huh, are you sure” you ask, giving Anton a side eye.

“I am positive. Cheers,” Anton replies with a wry smile. You clink your glasses together and settle back in to continue the movie. A few moments pass, and you start to feel a bit chilly and uncomfortable in your current position. You pull the soft blue blanket, your favorite, over the both of you and snuggle closer to Anton. Your head rests on his shoulder, and one of your legs is bent slightly over his. It feels natural and comfortable, and that’s all that matters to you.

Anton immediately notices the warmth of your thigh against his. As a lightweight, he can’t tell if the alcohol is making him dizzy or just the proximity. ‘Where do I put my hands now?’ he wonders, overthinking despite knowing where they would eventually rest. For the next ten seconds, his mind is a blur as he tries to ignore the gentle movement of your leg.

Deciding to play it cool, he casually places one hand on your leg and other around your shoulder. A quick glance to the right shows you are undisturbed, completely engrossed in the film.

Anton’s heart was pounding, the kind of intense thumping that resonated through his entire body. With your leg on his, he couldn’t help but wonder if you could feel it too. His fingers, slightly trembling, rested against your legs, the throbbing more pronounced where they touched your thighs.

In your mind, you began to see the subtle game you had initiated with Anton. You noticed he seemed a bit tense once again. You brought your arm over and let it rest across your body, landing gently on his upper leg. The touch, to his surprise, seemed to ground Anton. Feeling him relax into the feeling.

Time passes and the movie carries on. You can tell Anton had become lost in the movie as he began to mindlessly move his hand up and down your thigh, the motion calm and unbothered. You shift into his touch, bringing your legs closer to your chest to give him better access to explore as he wished. The gentle caress of Anton’s soft hands sent a burning sensation through your stomach; the touch was euphoric.

His hand slid up, just grazing the hem of your shorts, and you found yourself aching for him to touch you more. You longed to feel his hands trace your body, to explore every curve and contour. Lost in your thoughts and the intensity of the subtle moment, you let out a small, involuntary moan. A testament to the desire that was building inside you.

“Y/N, are you okay?” Anton asks, looking down at you with concern.

“Yeah, I-I just got to thinking for a second there,” you reply nervously.

“Oh, what were you thinking about?” he inquires, his curiosity piqued.

“Uh, that we should take another shot. It’s been at least a half hour since we took the last one. I could use another one, what about you?” you respond quickly, almost in one breath.

“Sure, I could do another shot; I’m feeling a little wild,” he chuckles, sitting up to pour another round for both of you. You take the glass from him and down the shot immediately, barely pausing to clink glasses. Anton shakes his head, laughing before taking his own.

Before he even sets his glass down, you move in front of him, positioning yourself on your knees with your hands resting on his legs.

“What are you–” Anton was cut off mid-sentence as you closed the gap between your bodies. He could barely process what was happening. Feeling your soft lips on his, he closed his eyes, tasting the sweetness of the peach soju you had been drinking. Just as quickly as you kissed him, you pulled back.

Anton blinked his eyes wide open, still in shock and struggling to fully process what had just happened. A million thoughts raced through his mind, but the overwhelming urge to tell you how sweet your lips tasted and how soft they felt was at the forefront.

You watched as Anton’s natural blush from the shots deepened after the kiss. A moment passed in silence, and Anton still didn’t say anything. You began to worry that maybe you had misinterpreted the signals, and your heart raced with uncertainty.

Anton pulls you back in for another kiss, interrupting your thoughts. This time, he relaxes into you, drawing you closer by grabbing your sweater. You adjust your position onto his lap and place your hand on the nape of his neck, deepening the kiss. His tongue swipes across your lip, a bold move you never expected from him, but you respond immediately. He probes his tongue into your mouth, making the kisses more desperate and sloppy.

His hands rest on your waist under the sweatshirt you’re wearing, and he starts to slide them up, creating goosebumps all over. He breaks away from the kiss to catch his breath and taking in the sight of you. Seeing your face flush from the heat and intensity. When he leans in again, he aims for the crook of your neck, kissing the skin repeatedly, each kiss wetter than the last.

As he takes in the skin on your neck and gently sucks on it, a small gasp escapes your lips. Tilting your head back, you allow his lips to roam freely over the exposed skin. Feeling the constriction of your sweatshirt, he tugs at the hem, silently prompting you to remove it. Without hesitation, you swiftly discard the article of clothing.

Beneath the hoodie, there is nothing, revealing a breathtaking view of your plump breasts to Anton. His eyes widened at the sight, momentarily captivated by the unexpected reveal. Quickly refocusing, he darts to the newly exposed skin, using his teeth to graze the skin gently, eliciting a soft moan from you this time.

“I love how you sound,” he murmurs, his hands moving up to caress your breasts gently. The words, coupled with his actions, draw out another soft moan. Any shyness he had felt earlier dissipates as he shamelessly flirts with you now.

His hands move with deliberate precision, drawing involuntary arches from your body as you press closer to him. You begin to grind in his lap, silently urging for more of his touch. With a bold move, you bring your hand down to his zipper, feeling the growing bulge in his jeans.

“You feel so hard,” you whisper, adding a bit more pressure to your touch. A low groan leaves Anton’s lips in response, sending a shiver of anticipation through you. That sound makes your core tense; you crave hearing it again and again.

Anton has always been quiet, but you have a feeling he would become so vocal for you if you continued down this path. Just as you start to pull his t-shirt over his head, the front door slams shut, startling you both.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” you both whisper to each other. Sohee’s unexpected appearance shattered the intimate moment that enveloped you and Anton. Both of you scramble to compose yourselves, hastily getting dressed and tying your hair into a bun,trying to cover up any evidence. Returning to your original seats, now slightly more distant from each other, you steal a glance at Anton and notice his bulge is still visible through his sweats.

“Hey, you might want to cover up,” you whisper urgently. Anton grabs the blanket and hastily conceals himself, pulling his legs up to his chest. Just then, Sohee sticks his head into the fort.

“Hey, guys, how’s the movie?” he asks cheerfully, squeezing in between you and Anton, oblivious to the charged atmosphere.

“It was pretty good,” you managed to say, exchanging a quick, almost guilty glance with Anton, who nodded in agreement. Anton, still visibly flustered, shifted uncomfortably, adjusting the blanket over his lap discreetly hoping Sohee wouldn’t notice the lingering flush on his cheeks or the tension that hung in the air. You stole a glance at him, sensing his attempt to appear nonchalant despite the lingering desire and uncertainty.

“Yeah, it was intense,” Anton added quietly, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness. Sohee, unaware of the mood, began playing the next movie. Wanting to join you both in your hangout session.

“Why are you back so early?” you ask him, silently hating him for interrupting your moment with Anton.

“They ended up not needing me for the whole night, but they are going to pay me for the whole shift.” he replies, grabbing a handful of popcorn. You and Anton exchange nervous smiles, each other struggling to maintain composure while internally grappling the change in dynamics.

Finally, as the movie drew to a close, Sohee stretched out, breaking the tension. “Well, that was something,” he said with a wide yawn. You both watch Sohee gather his belongings and head up the stairs. Standing still, you both wait to hear Sohee’s door shut, and when it does you and Anton begin taking care of the fort. Despite everything that just unfolded, it didn’t feel awkward being alone with him. It felt almost natural.

Once everything was taken care of, Anton stood up, brushing his pants nervously. “Well, thank you for inviting me over. Even if I have no idea what movie we just watched, or what happened in it,” he says with a slight chuckle to reassure you that he enjoyed what happened. Secretly hoping it would occur again, or even progress further.

You smiled back at him, feeling a sense of closeness and tension lingering between you. “Yeah, definitely more eventful than expected,” you admitted, your voice tinged with nerves and lingering desire. Anton nodded once more, offering you a small wave before heading upstairs to leave. You watched him leave, but something told you to catch him before he left. You sprint up the stairs and see him at the front door. You walk towards him to say something, but you are quickly interrupted with a swift kiss. He pulls away, you smile at each other and part ways for the evening.

#riize #riize x reader #lee anton x reader #anton scenarios #riize imagines #riize anton #riize smut #riize smau #riize sungchan #riize sohee #riize fluff #riize anton fluff #riize anton x reader #riize scenarios #riize lee changyoung #anton lee #anton fluff #lee anton #lee chanyoung

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voxsmistress · 8 months ago

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Mama Didn't Raise No Bimbo - Part 11

I decided we needed a bit of an outsider view on Y/n and the Vee's as its so easy to get stuck in your little bubble, plus Angel being shifty needed to be sorted!

Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four / Part Five / Part Six / Part Seven / Part Eight / Part Nine / Part Ten / Part Eleven / Part Twelve / Part Thirteen / Part Fourteen / Part Fifteen / Part Sixteen

“You thought this was a date?” you asked in a bit of shock. Humming his lips were twitching in amusement. “Well …” you bit your lip and then thought screw it, “I thought you out of everyone would have planned a much better date and more entertaining than posing for cameras and being looked at like shark bait by creepy club owners?” It was now your turn to laugh as his screen once again glitched and he narrowed his eyes.

“You just wait Y/n” as you walked outside you took a deep breath of fresh air.

“With pleasure, Sir” you smirk up at the TV Demon who matched you with one of his own. This night might have been a bust but it definitely was interesting.

It had been a few days since the club opening and you had dealt with seeing articles plastering yours and Vox’s face over them asking ‘who was this Sinner with Vox’ quite well. Which meant you had avoided looking at any news, any articles and any social media for the first day as you were a little embarrassed by the headlines and different opinions demons were saying about you and Vox. You had a few messages off the Vee’s each expressing different emotions about them. Velvette checked to see if you were okay, also complimented you how you made sure to tell the paps that you were wearing her design (and looked hella hawt doing it – her words) while looking good solo and with Vox. Valentino just praised how well you did and when were you going to come to one of his clubs in those outfits, and when you did could he choose it. And Vox. Well, he simply put ‘I always knew we would look good together, don’t think I’ve forgotten about our date’.

Currently you were, however, sat in the Hazbin Hotel at the bar waiting for Angel. He’d been avoiding your calls, texts and now you have had enough of it, you have given him all day to respond to your messages and calls so now he was going to face you whether he wanted to or not. So, eight minutes ago you sent a message: ‘Bar. Downstairs. 10 Minutes. If you don’t come, I’ll drag you out of your room myself’. A cocktail sat in front of you untouched as you counted down the minutes. You knew he wasn’t at work today as you’d checked with Valentino and Husk the bartender had been very informative that Angel had dragged himself to his room this morning and hadn’t emerged yet. Husk was currently wiping over a few glasses sending you questioning glances every minute or so.

Nine Minutes. Tapping your nails on the counter you start to count the seconds from the clock hung on the wall.

“What are you going to do if he doesn’t come down?” Husk’s deep voice distracts you from counting. 45 seconds.

“Drag him out kicking and screaming”, you smile serenely picking up your cocktail to have a sip. His eyebrows rose in surprise.

“Little thing like you?” Smirking into your drink you shrug, placing your drink down. 20 seconds. You really didn’t want to have to yank Angel out of his room, but you would. Bracing your hands on the bar you go to push yourself up when a very hungover Angel slumped into the bar stool next to you.

“Good evening, stranger” you chirp, irritating the already grumpy sinner.

“What do you want y/n? I’ve had a long night, and I haven’t the fuckin’ energy to deal with your positive mood”, chuckling at his moaning you slide the sipped cocktail in front of him. Eyeing you he quickly downs it, flinching at the excess alcohol you asked Husk to put in there. Choking he tries to clear his throat as you turn on your stool to face him head on.

“Why are you avoiding me?” You ask. Face now devoid of humour, you stare at his mismatched eyes catching the flinch he tried to hide.

“Who says I’m avoiding you?” He mumbles, motioning for Husk to bring him another drink.

“Me, idiot. We used to see each other nearly every day, if not at least once or twice a week and now you don’t respond to my messages, you don’t answer my calls, you are always busy when I pop to see you at work. What would you call that if not avoidance?” Waiting for him to finish his sip, you tap your nails in annoyance when he evaded looking you in the eyes.

“Look toots, these things happen. People grow apart. That’s what happens in show business, you should get used to it.”

“Please tell me that is not it?” eyes narrowing at him. “That I am finally getting a bit of recognition and you aren’t happy about it?”

“I ain’t that pathetic” he snarled at you, fists clenching around his drink.

“Well thank Lucifer for that, then what is it?”

He opened and closed his mouth a few times, contemplating what to say before he finally just snapped: “it’s who you are hanging around with to get that ‘recognition’”.

Ahh. Okay.

“You don’t like me spending time with the Vee’s?” You confirm, tilting your head eyeing him as he struggles with his words.

“Obviously honey! They ain’t good people!”

“We’re in Hell babe, who is?” You waft your hand around to make your point. If you were good people, you’d not be in Hell.

Scrunching his face in concern, he reaches over and grabs your hand. “Look y/n, you don’t know what you are getting into. You don’t know who or what they are like!”

“Like you did when you signed your contract?” Low Blow, you know but you needed to get your point across. “I know you are trying to protect me Angel, and I appreciate it. But you pulling away and avoiding me is only going to have me going to them more. I am not stupid. I know what I’m doing. I know who they are and what they have done. I mean have you really forgotten who you are speaking too here?” You squeeze his hand, offering him a small smile.

“I know you are clever and can play their game as well as the best, but I’m just worried they’re going to trap you somehow”. Your eyes drop to where he pulls at his choker necklace with a small gold tag. Hmm.

“Then that’ll be my own fault. But I swear, they aren’t getting near my soul. I made one deal with Velvette and that is just to showcase her clothes and me singing at her catwalk okay – that’s it. Nothing more, they know that.” I keep my eyes on his so he could see how serious I was.

After a few tense moments he nodded in surrender and tiredly rubbed his face with his other hand. Asking Husk for two shots of vodka you push the other in front of Angel.

“Apology shot?” A small smile graced his face as he clinks your glasses together before you both finish them off.

Watching you for a moment he starts, “So…” you scrunch your nose up at the taste of the shot, you forgot how much you disliked vodka, shoving the glass back on the bar. “How are your suga’ daddies and momma treatin’ you?” Snorting in amusement you throw him a look.

“I’m still living in my shit house that I call an apartment and working every job that is worth taking if that’s what you’re asking”, accepting another shot off Husk.

“Oh, they’ve not offered you to move in yet?” Choking on the shot you slap your chest to remove the alcohol from your windpipe.

“I wear Velvette’s clothes, not shag the Vee’s babe, why would they ask me to move in with them?” You questioned.

“Hmm, I dunno know toots. I saw the photos”, his eyes lit up in amusement as he started pulling them up on his phone. “I mean big ol’ Voxxie looked like he was just about ready to devour you – which woulda been so hot. Which reminds me, do ya need any pointers? I know it’s been a longggg time for you” your cheeks were on fire from blushing as you shove a laughing Angel away from you. Dick.

“Ain’t it like riding a bike?” You tease back trying to lessen the blush from your face.

“What type of bike are you ridin’ doll?” if you weren’t so glad you both were now okay, you’d have cursed him out by now. After a few more teasing comments about your lack of skill or sex life you glared. His teasing smile lessened a bit, sipping on his drink he decided to throw you a curveball, “ya know, Valentino messaged me the other night and not about work”.

Eyebrow quirking you tilt your head: “What about?”

“He cursed me out for ditching you at that club opening”, ah bugger. You remembered him typing furiously on his phone that night but you didn’t even think he’d contact Angel.

“Oh Angel, I am so sorry babe I didn’t think he’d say anything to you!” Waving off your apology he shrugged.

“I shouldn’t have ditched ya so I deserved it … but you looked like you enjoyed yourself anyway”, his teasing smile came back making another blush raise on your cheeks.

“I didn’t know Vox was going to be there, he hadn’t said anything to me. He told me Valentino messaged him to get dressed and meet me”. You defended yourself a bit against the teasing Sinner.

“Val told Vox to meet you?” Angel’s eyebrows scrunched up on his forehead.

“I was just as confused as you are now, I figured the club scene was more Val’s than Vox’s.”

“Huh” eyeing you with a mixture of confusion and amusement. “Ya really got them wrapped around your little finger now ain’t cha”, rolling your eyes it was your turn to laugh at him.

“Hardly! If I did, don’t you think I’d be living in a gorgeous apartment, have a nice car and not having to work another day in my undead life?” you reason with him. Having the Vee’s wrapped around your little finger, that’ll be the day.

“Mhmm … but you’ve got Velvette giving you free clothes”-

“-Which I promote for her, help design and plus I’ve gotta sing at her catwalk show” you interrupt.

“Okay fair but you’ve got Valentino bossin’ around Vox for you, sending you cutesy shit – yes I’ve seen the messages and photos – and you’ve got Vox looking like a panting dog chasin’ ya around on those photos on the articles. And probably more shit but the cameras just aint caught it!”

Mouth opening and closing as you try to come up with a counter argument, you eventually shut your mouth with a snap. He was right – not about Vox chasing you around the carpet he had actually helped you, but the rest was kinda correct.

“You might not have them completely wrapped around it but toots you are pretty darn close”. He surmised with a smug smirk.

Gulping a little you bite your lip: “What do I do?”

Shrugging, he awkwardly smiles at you: “Ain’t for me to say darlin’, but whatever you do be safe … and have fun”.

Licking your bottom lip, you play around with your empty shot glass on the counter so you didn’t have to look at him. “If … hypothetically I did, how did you so beautifully put it – wrap them round my little finger and have fun – you wouldn’t start avoiding me again would ya?” you questioned, running your finger around the rim of the glass.

Snorting in amusement, one of his arms wrapped around your neck as he placed an exaggerated kiss on your cheek.

“Doll face. You are stuck with me now! Hey if you’re up living it large with those Vee’s I want a Lamborghini for my birthday”, he teased. Tenseness fading from your body you laugh and give him a squeeze around his hips. Angel was one of your true friends in Hell, you’d be lost without him. “Plus, I can give you the low down on how to get Val off”.

“Ew Angel!!” Shoving him off you he bursts out laughing. Clutching his stomach as you scoff at him, blush burning your ears. A buzz from your pocket distracts you from a cackling Angel, pulling it out your jeans pocket you see a message from Vox: ‘Me and Val need to speak to you about an opportunity, I’ll send a car for you’. Peeking up through your hair you see that smug grin on Angel’s face.

Rolling your eyes you give him a snarky smirk in return: “sorry my suga’ daddies are calling” you wink at him as you both laugh. Texting Vox the address, to which he responded: ‘I know’ you scoff. Course he would know. Finishing the last shot you give Angel a quick kiss on the cheek and thank Husk while putting down some money to pay for the numerous drinks.

“I will be seeing you later babes!” He promised to text you tomorrow and you left, happy that you two had buried the hatchet and feeling so much lighter than you have for a few days.

Stepping outside the hotel you spy a black car pull up. Hurrying down the steps you are surprised when a sinner gets out the driver’s seat and opens the back door for you with a small bow in your direction. Okay. That’s new. Thanking them you slide in and relax in the lush leather seating. Perhaps having them a little bit wrapped round your finger is a good thing?

Tag List: @tasha-1994 @azullynxx @reath-solia @leathesimp @klorinda @twinklethewarrior @martinys-world @rosiethevoxobesser

@the-maladaptivedaydreamer @songbrita @midge7838 @joumi13 @wonderlandangelsposts @th3rizzl3r

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aliesbienish · 3 months ago

Text

Love at first swipe

Benedict Bridgerton x fem reader. Modern Au.

Warnings: Cheesy AF. Innuendos.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Cute smile. Check.

Kind eyes. Check.

Well written profile with no misogynistic undertones. Double check.

This guy must be to good to be true. Definitely a bot. Or married and cheating on his poor wife. Plus what girl hasn’t been screwed over by a ‘Ben’, maybe he’ll be yours.

Still against better judgement you swiped right on Mr. cute smile, and then called it a day. Closing tinder and setting down your phone, reluctantly getting up to make yourself dinner. Honestly having a partner to share the cooking load was just as appealing as the romance at this point.

Basic spaghetti made and glass of wine in hand you plopped back onto the couch to continue your next rerun of pride and prejudice, the tv show of course. At least you could always day dream of life with Mr Darcy, and if he was always looking like he just emerged from the lake then so be it.

Grabbing your phone to enter into some simultaneous mindless scrolling you saw a notification from Tinder pop up. Oh boy a new match. Maybe you needed more wine.

Of course you couldn’t help being intrigued, so you opened it up to see a new message from the definite robot himself.

Ben: Good evening [y/n], to what do I owe this pleasure?

You: Bit early to determine I’ll be a pleasure isn’t it?

I’m actually only here because I am convinced you are a bot and honestly chatting with a bot is almost guaranteed to be more exciting than chatting with a man.

Ben: I’m nothing if not optimistic. I promise I am not a bot. And before you say it; I know that it’s exactly what a bot would say but it’s also exactly what a human would say.

You: Touché. Alright Ben, prove it.

Ben: Do you interrogate all your matches or am I special?

You: You’re special. But don’t get sappy about it, I’m just suspicious that your profile doesn’t have a photo of you fishing or in front of a car.

Through many years of observation I’ve hypothesised that each human man must show one or the other.

Ben: And have you hypothesised why that may be?

You: It’s almost certainly something to do with their hunting and gathering skills. That or compensation.

Ben: And how was this concluded?

You: Well fishing is obviously a modern (and frankly boring) man’s hunting and gathering.Least amount of work and blood involved. These men want to prove they can provide, but will likely never actually do the real hunting and gathering ie. Grocery shopping.

Ben: Science seems sound. And cars?

You: Well that’s obvious. The bigger and shinier the car the smaller the 🍆.

Ben: I quite agree…but that might be because I own a mud covered beetle.

You: Haven’t you heard it’s best to keep expectations low?

Ben: And risk losing out? No thank you.

You: If you’re real, which the jury is still out, I’m sure that’s not an issue.

Ben: Still? I’m flattered. And while it may not be an issue let’s say why would I settle for bronze when I can have gold?

FYI that’s me saying I think you’re gold

You: thanks for the clarification. You’re really into calling this early aren’t you? 10 minutes and you’re obsessed.

Ben: It’s actually been about thirty minutes if you count when I first came across your profile and haven’t stopped thinking about you since.

You: That is either incredibly honest or an amazing line.

Ben: Oh it’s both. But first and only time I’ll use it, cross my heart.

You: So what next?

Ben: Coffee, tomorrow hopefully if that’s not too soon?

You: Tomorrows great. Meet in the city? Say Leicester Square at 11am?

Ben: Done. I look forward to it.

You: You’d better be real or I’ll hurt you.

You were standing in the square outside of the cinema, your agreed meeting place. Despite the anxiety in you wanting to call the date off you’d made it. It was likely a good thing you only had 24 hours or so to think about it. Ben had been funny and endearing and so damn sure he wanted to meet you. He seemed so lovely that it defied belief, but you were willing to suspend reality.

You felt a hand on your shoulder, and you spun around to come face to face with Ben. In the flesh, as handsome or in fact even more so than his profile photos.

You meet his eyes and suddenly you felt lost in them.

“Hi,” You muttered, a goofy smile plastering your face. “I’m [y/n]”.

“Hi back. My real names Benedict. But Ben is fine. Long story. It’s lovely to meet you properly.”

“Thank god we’re both real,” you laughed.

“To be honest I never had any doubt. When you know you know.”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Maybe I’m just trying to manifest my own luck on the dating apps 🤷🏻‍♀️

#bridgerton imagine #bridgerton fanfiction #benedict bridgerton fanfiction #benedict x reader #benedict x you #bridgerton fanfic #benedict bridgerton #benedict bridgerton imagine #benedict bridgerton x reader #bridgerton fluff

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i-like-forcefem · 3 months ago

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PURELY hypothetically speaking, how EXACTLY would you go about forcefemming a guy who’s sooo masc, like he thinks he’s the ALPHA SHIT, he thinks he pulls all the ladies and is the most manly man to ever man… and turning “him” into an adorable little girly princess :3c asking for a friend

For a hard boiled egg like this it’s very important to get her alone in an isolated location for an extended period of time! It always takes a little longer then they’ve got pride, but honestly that makes it so so much more fun when they crack

It’s a bit of a staple, but I think I’ll use my Basement, yes it’s generic, but it’s tried and true, and a girl like this isn’t a time to experiment

Getting her to the basement is usually easy enough, just invite her over for tea or something and apply a little posion of your choice that will have her immobilised, sleepy pills work, but I personally prefer it when you can see the fear in her eyes when they get fully paralysed

I always have my basement prepared for new arrivals, this means a firm lock, and plenty of hand cuffs around the walls and girly furniture for if I want to move her around

The first time she wakes up is always so important and so so fun, so I’ll pick out a good spot to tie her up, I think the plushy couch would be good for this cutie, and make sure to pick a good outfit

For a girl like this I think it’d be best to start with her in just a pair of pink panties, just being handcuffed in a hugging position with a plushy against her skin should be enough embarrassment for the wake up, I’ll also be sure to use my princess gag just to make her first impressions extra cute as she makes muffled screeches

Then I’ll wait till she wakes up, I usually monitor a camera from outside the room and wait to enter, I want her to get a feel for the room and her situation before she sees me, 2 minutes is usually enough for her to glance around the overly girly room, notice she’s tied up, and to start her muffled screams

Then I’ll calmly enter and tell her how she’s my doll now, she’ll have objections of course, being a big bugle “man”, but it’s pretty hard to do anything about your situation when tied up like that

And then I’ll play it slow

I think I can have her docile by the end of the day, dress her up in her first dress (the basement can get very cold so if she doesn’t want to wear her dress that’s fine by me, but she’ll give in by the end of the second day, and to survive that long I’ll probably get some adorable footage of her willingly snuggling up with her many many plushies, hard to think a “man” would do that)

Any food I give her will obviously have hrt inserted into it, but in this case in particular I want to try something new, next to her (estrogen filled) meals I’ll also give her some placebo pills I’ll tell her are actually hrt, and if she’s a Good Girl and takes her pills she’ll be rewarded

Obviously she’ll refuse at first, willingly taking pills is one of the hardest milestones for a girl to pass

But always giving her the option always gives me to opportunity to punish her, and to tell her just how easy it’d be if she just submitted, became my pretty little girl

Now some of the girls have a surprising amount of determination to not become happy, so this might take a while, which is why I’ll give her her hrt anyway

Since it will be so so fun to tease her for it, I could maybe even gaslight her into thinking she might be taking the pills anyway, or her body wants to become a girl so so bad that’s it’s making estrogen all on its own

You’d be surprised how much gaslighting you can get away with if you’re a persons only outside contact

So… I’ve got some plans to say the least!!! I’ve got a whole laundry list of activities we could try every week to keep it fresh (from shock collars to vibrators to bondage, to “toy” pink weightlifting products that are 10 times the weight it says on the box, I will have so much fun breaking her :3)

Now do you have any idea where this hypothetical person is? And do they prefer tea or coffee?

#we also have water #but it doesn’t hide the taste of posion well #so then ill just get my hands dirty and cuff you while you’re still conscious #don’t worry I’m stronger then I look :3 #.#force #forcefem #i-like-talking #asks open!#..#no proof reading for this one either x3 #maybe I should do a post every 2 days so that I can get better ones out there?#hmmm #we’ll see #please tell me what you think of this!!!

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writhyv · 5 days ago

Text

⋆｡°✩ your domestic boyfriend is here

fairy of shampoo | park jongseong x male!reader

pairing: jay x male!reader

genre: fluff

word count: 1.5k

notes: gotta distract u with another one of my faves, jay! *throws fic* i just felt like doing something domestic with him ... househusband jongseong fr

There's something truly special about sharing life with the one you love. Despite the challenges, together you strive to overcome every obstacle. Sometimes, all you need is a simple hug, a kiss, or perhaps a delightful dessert to lift your spirits.

"You call this an article? Hah?" His tone was harsh, cutting through the air like a knife. Your boss was clearly furious about the piece you had just published.

"Thank goodness it hasn't been finalized! I can't believe I made you editor-in-chief!" he exclaimed, rising from his seat and storming out of the office, leaving you speechless.

It looked like there was nothing left to say. It was probably just the stress getting to him. You had tried to explain that the article was written from a specific perspective, but nothing seemed to resonate with him. Still, you shrugged it off; you understood his quirks.

Taking a deep, refreshing breath, you stepped out of the office. Your co-workers across the workspace awaited your return, curiosity etched on their faces as you entered the row of cubicles.

"Did he change hi—"

"He's on his way to the 23rd floor," you interrupted, addressing one of your anxious colleagues.

"Ugh, of course he is." She sighed, plopping back into her chair. "He doesn’t even review the articles properly! Should we change the title again?"

"That would be asking for a death sentence, wouldn’t it? This is the 25th time he’s rejected our title, and it’s just one article!" another co-worker chimed in as you settled into your own cubicle.

"Guys, you have to understand, he’s just a little preoccupied. The merger’s happening soon, and it’s been a bit chaotic for him," you explained while organizing your desk.

Your cubicle was adorned with collectible figurines and an overwhelming stack of paperwork. A broken fax machine sat on your desk, serving more as a paperweight than anything else. You checked your disheveled hair in a small mirror and quickly tidied up.

"Want a ride?" one of your co-workers offered.

"No thanks. I’m feeling a bit whimsical today," you replied with a smile.

Your colleagues exchanged knowing glances, trying to decipher your mood.

"Just make sure to stay safe. Might snow today," another co-worker warned.

"Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out," you said, shouldering your bag. You waved goodbye as you made your way to the exit, while they returned to their work.

Stepping outside, the chilly air wrapped around you. The months were getting cooler, and you couldn’t wait for the snow to fall.

Walking was never an issue for you; it was a chance to stretch your legs. Your home was nearby, and the fresh air was a welcome relief from work stress.

As you approached the corner, you spotted a familiar green car parked in the lot. A sense of urgency filled you, and you dashed upstairs, eager to see who had arrived.

"Jay!" you called as you unlocked your apartment door.

"Oh? I’m cooking!" he replied, his voice echoing from the kitchen as he washed a large piece of raw chicken. "Well, about to cook, anyway."

"I didn’t know you’d be back early!" you exclaimed, rushing into the kitchen and brushing stray hair from your forehead. "If I had known—"

"Shh." Jay flashed you a warm smile. "Take your shoes off first."

You paused, realizing you hadn’t removed your work shoes. With a sheepish grin, you hurried back to the front door to kick them off.

"Jake told me you guys were going to be late because no one was performing for the 10 PM gig, right?" you asked as you hung your clothes in a nearby closet.

"The guy showed up last minute. Had a bit of a traffic conundrum," Jay explained, moving toward the kitchen island, where he prepared a large cutting board and his trusty knife. "You came early too, didn’t you?"

You sighed, recalling the earlier chaos at work. "I’d rather forget work. I’m at home now."

You stepped closer to Jay, wrapping your arms around his waist, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging.

"I'm home," you murmured, resting your head against the crook of his neck. His smile widened, and you noticed a blush creeping onto his cheeks.

"You are," he replied softly.

Glancing at the uncut peppers and potatoes on the counter, you realized Jay was just starting to cook. You grabbed a knife and peeler, ready to join him.

"How thin?" you asked, picking up a potato.

"Just dice them. It’ll be fine," he said, finishing up the chicken. "How big do you want the chicken pieces?"

"Just enough, honey. I don’t think we need big ones today."

Jay perked up at your words. "Not today, huh? No one’s coming?"

You raised an eyebrow, curious about what he meant. "Coming? Today?"

He sighed with a chuckle, clearly amused. "Big chops it is."

You shrugged, feeling a sense of agreement. You weren’t really paying attention, but anything that made Jay smile made you content. His smirk, his smile, his constant care—these were the little things you cherished about him.

“Are you cutting those potatoes, or should I do it myself?” Jay teased, knowing your tendencies well as he felt that familiar gazing look you always do around him.

You raised the potato playfully, inching it closer to his jawline.

"Can I use your—"

"Yah! Is that clean?"

"Your jawline? I hope so—"

"Aish, get working." He nudged your stomach, turning back to chop the carrots.

After a few sweet chuckles and playful glances, Jay gently pushed you toward your room.

"Get changed." He tossed a set of clothes in your direction and closed the door softly.

Stunned, you can only look at the empty room you were left in.

A bed filled with comfy memories, walls that always shine whenever the morning sun comes, and the rugs and pillows you've buried yourself in, varying from plushies, bears and large pillows. Just how lucky are you to always wake up in this bed with such a fine man?

As you changed, you noticed the tag on the clothes he had given you. Though the price was scratched out, the brand was unmistakable.

"Bottega… Bottega?! Jay!"

You dashed out of the room, eager to confront him.

Right outside your living room, a large glass sliding door stood between it and an extensive outdoor balcony.

When Jay heard the door slide, he turned his back quickly to see what's up.

"Wait I— I guess I’m done," he chuckled.

Jay walked closer towards you with an accomplished smile on his face.

"Happy Birthday."

You couldn’t mask your surprise. You were never good at expressing your emotions, but Jay knew you well enough to see the gleam in your eyes, and nothing like a blank stare.

"You forgot, didn’t you?"

You finally smiled, walking toward him and stepping out onto your balcony.

The cold breeze complemented the warmth of a makeshift bonfire. Trays of marshmallows and cookies were laid out, alongside a table set with your favorite chicken dish and a bottle of wine, ready for a cozy night in.

"I thought… it was just a normal night," you said, feeling tears well up.

"We can always do movie nights," Jay said, taking a step closer. "Tonight is your birthday. I just wanted to do something special."

You were overwhelmed. Movie nights had been a tradition for years, yet how could you forget your own birthday? Jay always tried to make you feel cherished, and tonight was no exception.

"This tops last year, right?" he asked with a competitive grin.

"You’re always like this, Jay."

"Like what?"

"Generous ... Loving ... Loving me so generously." You chuckled at the tone, and softly stopped as you admired him, appreciating how he made you feel valued, even though you both can only do so much in your life right now.

"This is the most I can do."

"You know you can do everything."

"I’ll do everything for you. That’s what I want."

He pulled you close, capturing your lips in an intimate kiss. The warmth of his hands cradled your face, and you savored the moment.

"Mhm… that was refreshing," you said, pulling away slightly.

"Your tongue still acts like it’s thirsty, huh?" he teased. "I’m not going anywhere, honey."

You smiled and playfully pinched his nose. "I’m just savoring what I have right now. Very delectable."

Jay grinned, then playfully shoved his cold hands against your chest.

"Ah!" You flinched, realizing you had forgotten to wear the outfit he had given you.

"Being underdressed isn’t allowed here, right? You little deviant," he laughed.

"You!" You scratched your head and rushed back to your room to change into the clothes he bought you.

"Why did you buy something so expensive?!" you called from your bedroom.

"I saved up for it, okay? You better wear it often!" he replied, grinning as you stepped out, his gaze sweeping over you.

"I knew it would fit you," he said, appreciating how the outfit complemented you.

"At least I look good," you pondered, still hesitant about wearing something so luxurious.

"You always do," he assured you.

As he embraced you from behind, you felt the rhythm of his heartbeat against your back, a comforting presence.

"I love you," Jay whispered, tightening his hold.

"I love you too," you replied, kissing his forehead. There was no feeling quite like being held close by someone so special.

Outside, delicate white flakes began to drift through the air. Snow began to fall, gently blanketing the world around you both in white.

"Hey," Jay said, pulling away slightly. "Want to dance?"

You nodded, and he pulled out his phone, playing a soft tune. As the music filled the air, he took your hand and led you to the middle of the balcony, where the snow swirled around you like a dream.

With each sway and twirl, you lost yourself in the moment, the world fading away as you danced with Jay under the falling snow.

Okay maybe I want ENHA to cover fairy of shampoo ... also i really thought the song was about being in love with someone despite the struggles of life so i was like i gotta put ma mans out there because i know he's be perfect for something like this 😭🖐

also requests open! also working on my masterlist! linking here if done! check out my masterlist~

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midnightorchids · 10 months ago

Text

It’s warm outside today and it’s peaceful. Your morning tea is still hot and the sun gently grazes your skin through the window. You yawn and admire the yellow light coating your kitchen.

You can hear the neighbourhood kids playing outside, their soft laughter echoes through your ears. You gaze at the clock on the stove, 10:21 it reads and you smile to yourself, thankful to have the day off from all responsibilities.

“Good morning sweetheart,” Jason’s voice beams in the room. It’s still rough and husky from just waking up, but it coats your ears like honey. His hair is messy, the white tuft brushes past his eyes.

He’s shirtless and in oversized sweats, his silver chain shines under the sunlight. He rubs his eyes with the back of his palms, still clearly tired. You can’t help but admire his sleepy face.

“Morning Jay, you’re up early,” you say softly and he makes his way over to you, engulfing you in a tight embrace. His chin lands on top of your head and you snuggle into him, placing your cheek against his bare chest. He hums in response, his chest vibrates with the sound.

He smells like your strawberry body wash and you nuzzle your nose into his skin. You hold on to him tighter, he feels warm, like a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter night. He feels like home.

“I missed you,” he says and you laugh. You can’t see his face, but you know he’s pouting. It’s been a while since you and Jason had a morning to yourself. Your body had been craving for a day like this. You had been extremely overwhelmed with work and university recently and he was always exhausted after patrol, leaving him to sleep in late.

Some days, your schedules barely aligned and the only time you’d see each other was for the quick five minute goodbye before he left for patrol, which almost always left a hole in your heart. It was hard to see him leave every night, knowing that there was a possibility that he might not make it back.

The brutal thought brings you back to reality and you shudder, clutching on to him. He immediately knows something is wrong.

He gently lifts your face and cradles it into his palms. He scans your eyes so lovingly and you feel yourself getting flustered under his gaze.

“What’s wrong,” he asks worriedly, his lips curving into a small frown.

“Nothing,” you whisper, “I just… I missed you more.” He doesn’t seem convinced, but he doesn’t push it. He knows what it's about, he always knows. You stand on the tips of your toes and ruffle his hair. “Don’t worry hon.”

You pull away from his embrace and push past him to take a seat at the dining table. He follows behind like a puppy and steals your forgotten mug of tea. You reach over the table and grab his free hand, placing soft kisses on the pads of his fingers. His skin feels rough under your lips and his emerald eyes stare at you longingly.

“Did you already eat breakfast,” he asks.

“No, not yet, I just wanted to sit here for a bit, before I started cooking,” he shakes his head, mouth puckering as he swallows the tea.

“I gotchu baby,” he smiles, “it's been a while since I’ve made you something. Pancakes?” Your ears perk up and he laughs, “I’ll take that as a yes.” He leans over and pecks your cheek, before getting up and making his way to the fridge to gather the ingredients.

You stare at his back as he works in the kitchen, you feel an overwhelming rush of gratitude. You were lucky to have him in your life.

Jason was always there for you, whether it be to cheer you up or to make you pancakes, you knew he always had your back.

#gn!reader #jason todd x reader #jason todd imagine #jason todd #red hood x reader #red hood imagine #red hood #batfam

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6okuto · 1 year ago

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ASTROLOGY BOT

1.2k words, just timeskip akaashi overthinking and crushing on gn!reader. LOL

akaashi has always considered himself ‘on the fence’ when it comes to superstitions and signs from the universe.

he might say ghosts aren’t real, but never goes near a supposedly haunted site just in case. he’ll ignore videos titled “for you” if he can’t relate, say it must have been a sign only after something goes wrong, and never acts on them even if he knows he has to.

but he can’t deny that he thinks about it throughout the day when it’s something he hopes is true—that maybe he’s tried out a few filters and trends to see if you, his crush of way too long, were his soulmate.

it’s bokuto this time, though, that sends him a sign.

a tweet, really.

an astrology bot on twitter that tweeted 17 minutes ago— “sagittarius, tell them you like them. they like you, too.”

AKAASHI!!!

i told you!!!

i turned their post notifications on to see if they’d say anything funny again and LOOK!!!!

keiji watches his friend’s texts come in through as notifications, eyes mostly fixed on the tweet, re-reading it over and over.

it’s a minute before he texts back.

it’s just a bot bokuto

it doesn’t actually mean anything

but bokuto is typing replies in mere seconds,

awwwww come on :((

remember when they were like

be careful virgo they don’t have the best intentions >:(

and IT WAS ABOUT ME ALMOST GETTING SCAMMED!! THEY STOPPED A SCAM!!! O____O

whats the worst thing that could happen???

i mean.. well…at least the worst thing that could happen ISNT u losing a bunch of money T_____T

imagine if u lost hundreds of dollars bc u confessed ;——; scary…

keiji breathes out a laugh.

i won’t lose hundreds of dollars but it’d haunt me for the rest of my life like every other embarrassing thing that’s ever happened and u know that

but thank you

i’ll think about telling them

he’s vaguely aware of bokuto sending another text with his name in all caps before he turns off his phone. it lands somewhere beside him on his comforter, and he takes off his glasses if only to run his hands down his face.

there’s a feeling he gets, akin to both butterflies and a 10 meter drop, when one of these bots decides to let his imagination get away from him.

for a few minutes keiji lets himself think it might be true, and that you think about going on dates with him the same way he does with you.

the latest idea he had was taking you to a new board game cafe that had opened nearby. he had skipped then swiped back up to its ad—a perfect spot for couples looking to spice up a regular cafe date!

he hadn’t closed his curtains properly that night, and the moon lit up his room while he stared at the ceiling. would you be competitive? would you rather play a co-op game?

would you see him sipping on his drink, and ask to have a taste?

he thought about how he might accidentally have some foam above his lip, and how you’d softly laugh before tapping above your own to signal his appearance. he cringed at the possible humiliation of looking silly in front of you, but it went away with the foam you’d gently swipe with your thumb, or maybe even hold his face to kiss away instead. you’d tease him and say it was as sweet as him.

but it’s nonsensical.

as far as keiji knows, whoever runs the account is using a random generator to pick a sign and bullshitting every tweet in their drafts.

it’s almost always only a sentence anyway.

but does that mean it’s a sign that this one was two?

keiji forces himself to stop thinking and takes a deep breath, letting the warmth hit his palms still covering his face. silence washes over him, and he lets his ears focus on the traffic outside, and the sound of the washing machine running a couple of rooms away.

but then he thinks about you. and he scrunches his eyes shut and groans, hands moving to grip his hair before he rolls over onto his stomach.

there’s a thud as his phone hits the ground while he pulls the blanket to cover his head.

sagittarius, tell them you like them. they like you, too.

not just tell them you like them, as if it was a shove to be courageous for once, but they like you, too.

did you like him, too?

was he good enough for you to like him?

did you hate him?

was he going to trust an astrology bot as uninformed about your feelings as he was?

maybe more importantly, was he going to let a bot dictate whether he finally confesses to you after almost a year of pining? a year based on the fact that one day you held the elevator door open for him with a smile and already knew what floor he needed?

(you had noticed him as the new employee, though he didn’t notice you while busy getting used to his job. he made sure to note the fact you got off the floor above him so he could press the button for you next time.)

and keiji doesn’t really believe in signs or the supernatural. he doesn’t want to let himself, because if he does then there’s probably a ghost in that shut-down building on his way to work, he’s gotten himself twenty years of bad luck, and he’s big enough of a coward that the universe decided to take it upon itself to tell him that itself.

but he’s hiding under his blanket when the absurdity of it all hits him—the anxiety and what-ifs and pretending he didn’t know you liked going for lunch a little earlier than him, and that he didn’t plan his break to say hello—and he feels like he’s sixteen again.

and maybe if there’s one thing he doesn’t want to feel other than being rejected, he thinks it’s being sixteen again.

so he jolts up.

and somewhere, in the back of his mind, keiji wonders if the universe jolted up with him, excited to see where this goes.

adrenaline working, he reaches for his glasses and fumbles to put them on with one hand while the other feels the floor to find his phone. the bright screen makes him squint, and the notification of bokuto’s “AKAASHIII :((” welcomes him before anything else.

sagittarius, tell them you like them. they like you too.

the tweet seems to be engraving itself into his mind as his shaky fingers hold his phone, and he taps your icon.

he skims the last text you had sent,

thanks keiji!! i’ll see u tomorrow then :) and remember we get off early!

it's a little embarrassing how his chest tightens at you his name and a smiley face. but he goes to type one himself, spending a second to mentally tell the astrology account they’re changing lives, but nothing more or else he thinks he might throw up—

btw if you’re free, did you want to grab food after work? there’s a cafe i wanted to check out with you :)

#haikyuu x reader #haikyuu fluff #akaashi x reader #akaashi fluff #haikyuu x gn!reader #hmm.... going 2 make a ramble post 4 this

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mint-yooxgi · 2 years ago

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{10} - Paradise Gardens - Yandere!Demonic Entities!Ateez X Reader

Yandere AU & Demon AU - Book Two to Hotel California

Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst, Fluff, Slight Humour

Pairing: Ateez X Reader (Focus on San, and slight focus on Hongjoong, and a bit of Yeosang at the end)

Words: 11,371

Warnings: Mental Illness. PTSD: mentions of past trauma and violence, anxiety, depression. This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.

A/n: I honestly wasn't expecting for this chapter to even be a thing, but I think it's much needed in terms of plot and character development, so I really hope you all enjoy it! Plus, Wooyoung smut next chapter~ 👀 As always, feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy~

Also, gentle reminder that I don’t do tag lists.

Mini Masterlist - Part One - Part Two - Part Three - Part Four - Part Five - Part Six - Part Seven - Part Eight - Part Nine

Standing just outside the entrance to the garden, there’s a certain intensity that lingers on your features. Your eyes remain fixated on the golden handles, practically glaring down at them as your brows furrow in concentration. A slight frown pulls at your lips, but still, you, nor the doors, move.

“Practicing your telekinesis, Baby?” A soft chuckle sounds from behind you.

You blink, but do not respond, opting to continue staring intently at the handles of the door.

“I think Jongho’s blood has long since left your system.” San steps in beside you, amusement tugging his lips upwards in the corners. “Besides, I’m not sure if it would even be capable of giving you such a power.”

“It’s not that,” you sigh, finally shifting your gaze from the door and towards your feet.

Immediately, concern is pulling at his features as his one hand finds purchase on your lower back. “Then, what is it?”

You spare a glance at him out of the corner of your eyes, your shoulders deflating all the while. It’s been two days since Jongho made a full recovery, you having pulled him out of the veil between worlds. You thought it would be a good idea to slowly reintroduce yourself to certain places in the house, but unfortunately, you seem to be having some difficulties. Perhaps starting with the garden was not the wisest decision.

“You’ve been glaring at the door to the garden for the past twenty minutes.” San says, his thumb gently stroking against your back. “If you’re not ready, don’t force yourself-“

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready, San.” Your voice is small, but you still manage to cut him off. “There’s not really a good timeline I can follow. I just don’t want her to have a hold on me any longer. It’s not fair to any of us.”

He smiles assuringly at you. “I understand.”

“I just didn’t realize how difficult it would be.” Again, you avert your gaze to your feet.

“I’m right here, Baby.” His fingers press the slightest bit firmer into your back. “I won’t let anything hurt you. I promise.”

Raising your head, you spare him a small smile. Subconsciously, you lean into his touch.

“What brings you to the garden, anyways?” You decide a slight change in subject might help distract you.

“Me?” His eyebrows quirk upwards slightly. “I came to check on my plants.”

Your eyes widen in genuine surprise. “Your plants?”

“Yes.” He grins, a slight chuckle falling from his lips. “My plants.”

At your quizzical look, he’s quick to shift his arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer into his side.

“Fruits, vegetables, you name it,” he tells you. “I grow them all.”

“Really?”

There’s a genuine curiosity in your voice that he hasn’t heard for quite some time now, which only makes his smile widen. “Would you like to see?”

At your eager nod, San shifts forward, opening the door to the garden and helping you step through the threshold. His arm never leaves your body for one second, guiding you through the flowers and to the greenhouse in the back corner.

You don’t realize how tense you become as soon as you step foot into the garden, but San does. Your eyes flit every which way, taking in all of the details of the once decimated space and noticing how everything looks exactly as it did before Miyeon destroyed it. There’s even a few different types of flowers blooming around the place now, including snapdragons and hyacinths.

Your breath hitches in your throat.

The moment your sight lands on that sparkling fountain in the centre of the garden, you stop breathing. You haven’t even realized that you’ve frozen to your spot, planting your feet firmly on the ground as you stare at that mass monument before you. Only when you see San stepping in front of you, gently guiding your gaze to his own do you register the sudden way your chest heaves with shallow breaths, the male cooing to you all the while.

“It’s okay, Baby.” He assures you lowly, noting the way your gaze continually wants to dart passed him and back to the fountain behind him.

“Hey, hey, look at me.” His hold is gentle on your arms as he stands before you, and that’s when you realize that you can no longer hear the sound of trickling water echoing throughout the space.

The water hovers there, as if frozen in time, yet not solid like ice. It is suspended in a state of limbo, and you just know that the male standing before you has everything to do with it.

“Just keep your eyes on me, Baby.” He begins to slowly walk backwards, guiding you through the garden and past the fountain. “I’ve got you. I promise nothing will harm you here again.”

You keep your eyes locked on his, the soft brown of his irises peering out at you through a concerned brow.

“That’s it,” gently, he encourages you. “We’re almost there.”

It’s brief, but you still manage to nod. Your breathing seems to be evening out, too.

“You’re doing so well, Baby.” His voice is tender, his hands sliding down your arms in order to hold your own in his. He squeezes them softly. “Just keep your eyes on me.”

Again, you nod, swallowing lightly as you reach the greenhouse.

Shifting both of your hands to his right one, San reaches behind him with the greatest of ease to open the door to the greenhouse. He doesn’t even need to look behind him as he guides you inside, giving your hands another small reassuring squeeze as the door falls shut quietly behind you.

“There,” he smiles. “Safe and sound.”

You smile weakly in return.

“That wasn’t so bad, now, was it?” He gently shakes you hands still held in his own.

“No,” you take a deep breath, the smell of crisp apples, along with various other fruits greeting your senses almost immediately. “I suppose not.”

“I’m so proud of you, Baby.” San’s voice is but a whisper as he brings a hand up to cup the side of your face.

Your eyes flutter shut, leaning into his touch more than you realize.

“Thank you, San.” You breathe out, heart rate finally returning to normal the more time you spend with him like this. “It may not have been perfect for my first try, but I’m glad you’re with me.”

“Of course, Baby,” his thumb strokes tenderly over your cheek. “I will always be here for you; I’m glad I could help.”

A brief silence settles over the both of you as you let the moment linger. Your breathing evens out, shoulders relaxing as he continues to observe you carefully.

“So,” you blink a few times in mild curiosity, attempting not to let your gaze wander too much. “Your plants?”

“Ah, right!” His whole demeanour perks up. “What would you like to see first?”

“Anything and everything you wish to show me.”

The smile that stretches across his face lights up the whole greenhouse. Gently, he shifts his hand back into your own, pulling you along with him as he guides you through a space which appears much larger on the inside than the outside. Certain plants are grouped together based on climate and soil conditions, and you notice the slightest changes in temperature around them. It’s as if those particular sections are weather controlled to be different than the others around them.

Looks like their magic runs deeper than you could have ever imagined.

“I’ve always grown the basics,” he explains, leading you through his vegetable garden. “Sometimes it changes depending on the season, or what we all feel like having, but I always have tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, and bell peppers.”

San takes a moment to crouch down in front of his tomato plants, running his fingers gently over the leaves and pruning a few while he’s at it. Softly, he coos to the fruit, and the small encouragements he seems to give the plants makes you smile.

“How long have you had them?” Your awe filled gaze sweeps over the produce before you, taking in the vibrance of their leaves and the quantity of their fruit.

“Ever since I got into cooking,” he explains, watching you fondly. “So, my whole life.”

“Wow,” you breathe, turning to face him once more. “You’re incredible, Baby!”

Immediately, a vibrant blush begins to creep up his neck, settling onto his cheeks as he stutters in his spot.

“I understand why you have such a vendetta against grocery store produce now,” you chuckle fondly. “You’ve been spoiled with fresh, homegrown food since the beginning.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” he grins. “Just wait until you see the orchard.”

Your entire body freezes, lips parting in mild shock. You blink a few times, the corners of your lips slowly tugging upwards. “You mean to tell me that there’s an orchard inside this greenhouse?”

He nods proudly. “Follow me.”

Again, San gently guides you towards the back of the building, and you notice how there seems to be a separate section placed off to the side. The whole building seems to be shaped like an ‘L’, large windows spanning either side. As soon as you round the corner, the greenhouse opens up into a vast space, all different types of plants continuing to span the area.

“There’s almost one of each kind in their respective rows, but some of the fruit trees we have to make special visitations for.” He explains.

“Special visitations?” You repeat, taking in the large orange tree in front of you.

“Unfortunately, not all plants can be acclimatized to our greenhouse.” A slight frown tugs at his features. “I’m working on making sure they can be, but for now, we have special farms I usually like to visit to get those specific products I’m missing.”

Realization crosses your features. “That’s still really cool.”

“You think so?” He grins, his eyes crinkling at the sides. “I mean, not all the trees in the orchard here are mine, per se.”

You tilt your head at him in inquiry.

“Joong would probably murder me if I touched his lemon tree.” San says. “Well, other than when I harvest the fruit to be used in a recipe. He can never say no to lemon squares.”

“Hongjoong has a lemon tree?” Your eyes scan the rows, seeing a large plant with vibrant yellow fruit hanging from its branches a little ways down the row you’re currently standing in.

“Yes.” San confirms with a nod. “Yeosang grows his own jalapeños, too. Hwa and Yunho are very adamant about caring for the various berries we grow, but I have a few favourites of my own.”

“What are your favourites, then?” The way you look at him, with wide eyes filled with nothing but curiosity, sets his heart racing.

He smiles. “I’ll show you.”

Leading you down the path with a spring to his step, San takes only a single right turn before stopping before a somewhat smaller tree than all the others.

“This one’s a little newer than the rest, but I’ve grown quite fond of it recently.” His eyes trail over the tree in front of him.

Large fruit hang heavily from the branches, very particular in shape. Their pastel pink skin fades into hues of white and orange, soft fuzz coating the sides.

“Peaches?” Your voice is nothing short of tender as you focus on him standing beside you.

“I’ve taken a fond liking to them recently.” He hums.

“You don’t say,” you grin, almost knowingly.

A moment later, and your gaze is shifting around the area, noting the other fruit hanging from the branches around you.

A gasp escapes you as you excitedly waddle over to the tree right before your very eyes, the fruit hanging in abundance in vibrant shades of red, yellow, and green. “Mangos?”

A fond chuckle escapes the male as he walks up beside you. “Would you like one?”

No verbal response is needed. Not when you eagerly shake your head, turning your awe filled gaze to stare deeply into his own eyes.

Your whole body practically vibrates in excitement, gaze darting from one fruit to the next. You can practically smell the aroma drifting through the branches, and it makes you smile instantaneously.

Softly, San reaches out before you and plucks a fruit fresh from the branch, tracing his thumb over the side of its skin. Carefully, he takes your hand back into one of his own, placing the fruit delicately into your palm as he smiles.

The wonder filled look you wear means everything to him in this moment. The fact that he can see your lips part, eyes shining with nothing but adoration sets his heart racing.

“I love mangos.” You admit, voice nothing but a tender caress to his ears.

“So I’ve heard,” he smiles, chest warming at the way your hands hold onto that fruit so delicately right now. “Mingi enjoys raiding them for smoothies.”

“And he didn’t invite me…” you click your tongue, shaking your head in mock disapproval.

“To be fair, he had been pestering me for a mango tree for quite a long time before I finally gave in.” He admits, dragging the sole of his foot against the ground as he averts his gaze.

“Did you-“ you blink, heart skipping a beat as realization settles over you. “Did you start growing these for me?”

“Of course, Baby,” he confirms, wrapping his arm around your waist and pulling you into his side. “I started growing quite a few things for you, especially once I learnt that you enjoy fresh fruit so much.”

Your entire being warms, nothing but fondness flooding your veins as you rest your head gently on his shoulder. Your eyes flutter shut as you breathe out a content sigh, “I don’t deserve you.”

“Nonsense, Baby.” Almost immediately, he shakes his head, completely appalled by your words. “You deserve everything I have to offer, and so much more.”

“I meant it in the sense that you’re too good to me,” you chuckle, wrapping your free arm around his own. “I can’t think of a single person that I know of who can say that their lover started growing specific fruits just for them.”

“Of course I would,” his reply is immediate. “Only the best for My Baby.”

A content hum escapes you. “I appreciate that, Sannie.” A pause. “I appreciate you.”

He shifts closer, turning to place a gentle kiss onto the side of your head. “I love you, Baby.”

You smile, sinking further into his side as you feel yourself fully relax. “I love you, My Aquaman.”

You don’t even need to look at him to know a large, giddy smile stretches across his features from your words. You can feel it just in the way his whole body shakes lightly in happiness beside you. Although it’s faint, you swear you can also hear his heartbeat thundering beneath his skin.

A sense of calm washes over the both of you as he leads you back to the main area of the greenhouse. Wordlessly, he places a tender kiss onto your cheek before somewhat reluctantly pulling away from you to begin tending to his plants. You, on the other hand, sit yourself nearby, watching him fondly as he begins to work.

“So, you’ve been cooking all your life?” Your legs begin to swing back and forth as you rest that mango beside you on top of the table you’re currently sitting on.

“For as long as I can remember, yes.” He confirms, pruning his plants lightly. “It came quite naturally to me. Plus, my powers always help make it easier.”

“What’s your favourite thing to cook?” You observe him eagerly.

He spares a glance over his shoulder, the corner of his lips quirking upwards softly. “Anything My Baby desires.”

“San!” You laugh, shaking your head lightheartedly. “I’m being serious!”

“So am I.” He hums, shifting on to the next plant in the row. “Though, if I have to choose, I do enjoy cooking old family recipes. It’s always nice to discover how tastes have changed and been passed on with each new generation.”

“How many unique family recipes do you know, then?” Your ankles are crossed as your hands support you on either side of the table.

“Oh, probably over a few hundred thousand.” He replies, nonchalantly. “Give or take.”

Your jaw drops, “That’s incredible!”

“It’s nothing.” He shrugs, the tips of his ears turning red.

“You should teach me sometime.”

The statement you make is casual, but it still causes San to freeze in his spot, nearly dropping the dead leaves he’s gathered in his one hand.

Slowly, he turns to face you, nothing but hope shining within his gaze. “You really mean that?”

“Of course I do, Baby.” Your legs finally still as you smile down at him. “I would love to cook with you, and besides, you shouldn’t have to prepare all of the meals. I want to make things for you and the other guys from time to time, too.”

In the blink of an eye, he’s before you, his hands on either side of your body as the pile of dead leaves now rests on top of the table. They appear almost as if they’ve been thrown haphazardly across the surface, his whole body trembling as he clings onto the edge for dear life.

“You want to cook for me?” His voice is small, hopeful as he tilts his head downwards, avoiding your eyes for the moment.

“I can’t promise it’ll be as good as your own food, but I would like to at some point; yes.” You nod once, quite firmly at that.

“Baby,” he swallows thickly, and his gaze says it all.

Nothing but love for you is seen in his eyes, which are shining with unshed tears. His lips are slightly parted, tongue darting out to wet them as his arms continue to shake as he holds himself steady against the edge of the table. Softly, his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, his heart racing uncontrollably in his chest.

“My baking is a little better than my cooking, but-“

You don’t even get to finish your thought, for his arms are around you, pulling you flush against his chest. A sob wracks his chest, tears of unfiltered joy falling onto your shoulder as he holds you close.

Gently, you card your fingers through his hair, holding onto him just as tightly as he clings to you.

“I didn’t realize you’d have this type of reaction,” you chuckle, rubbing his back comfortingly with your free hand.

“It just means a lot to me,” his voice is low as he mumbles the words against your neck. “More than you’ll ever know.”

Tenderly, you press your lips onto the side of his head. “I know how much you love cooking, San. I would be honoured to be able to share in that passion with you.”

His grip tightens ever so slightly as he nuzzles his face into the side of your neck. This is everything he’s ever wanted, and so much more. Finally, he can share his passion of doing what he loves with the person that he loves most in this world. Something he’s always longed to do.

“Just, don’t tell my mom.” You joke, watching as he pulls away to glance into your eyes.

“Why not?” His brow furrows.

“She’s been trying to teach me how to properly cook for years.” The corner of your lips quirks upwards. “I always told her that I was fine on my own.”

“Did you, now?” He quirks a brow playfully.

“I know how to follow a recipe, boil water, and cook eggs.” You shrug. “That’s all I’ve ever needed before.”

A dramatic hand is placed over his heart. “Oh, Baby, you hurt me so.”

“I’m not that bad a cook,” you roll your eyes teasingly. “I can cook, I just choose not to.”

“Which will make us cooking together all the more special.” He hums, eyes crinkling at the sides as he smiles at you.

“Exactly.” You loop your arms around his shoulders. “I want to spend more time with the people I love, doing what they love to do.”

“Oh?” His brow quirks, a certain mischievous gleam suddenly shining within his eyes. “Don’t say that, Baby. We’d be tempted to never let you leave your bed again.”

Your back straightens, a heat blooming on your cheeks as you slap his arm playfully. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know, Baby.” He chuckles. “You’re just so pretty when you get flustered.”

“And you’re very handsome when you’re excited about something.” You grin. “So, I guess we’re even.”

He returns your smile. “I guess so.”

Sliding your hands to rest on his shoulders, you give them a firm squeeze. A sense of calm passes over the both of you, his own grip finding purchase on your waist.

“Shouldn’t you be tending to your plants?” You quirk a brow teasingly.

“I could,” he hums, “but that would mean spending less time with you.”

“I wasn’t planning on going anywhere anytime soon,” you poke his cheek affectionately, watching as that dimple of his appears almost instantly.

“Well, if I did things like I normally do, I’d be done in a flash.” He says. “Doing this by hand will most certainly take me longer, meaning you can spend more time with me.”

“How you normally do things?” You tilt your head curiously.

“It’s quite easy to manipulate plants once you get the hang of both the oxygen and water they consist of.” He explains.

Your eyes widen, lips parting in awe.

“There are still aspects of us and our powers you have yet to see,” he winks, a smug grin tugging at his features.

“So I’ve been told,” you exhale somewhat breathlessly. “And just how do you normally do things?”

A light squeeze to your waist is all you receive before San steps to the side. Gently, he takes your one hand in his as he motions to the tomato plants in front of you.

“Watch closely.” His voice is low right by your ear as he leans into your side.

Fixating your gaze on the one plant he’s yet to prune, a gasp escapes you as you see the leaves beginning to sway. Carefully, the dead leaves separate from the plant, moisture collecting on the fruit almost instantly before sliding downwards. The droplets seem to gather in one place before floating in the air and moving to the next fruit, doing the same in succession.

A gentle breeze drifts passed, and you catch the faintest scent of peaches in the air this time.

“I use the moisture in the air to mist them, and then depending on the plant, the excess water is given back to the soil for the roots.” San’s voice is gentle, a fond look resting on his features as he takes in your expression of pure wonder once more.

“That’s amazing!” You squeeze his hand, whole body practically vibrating in excitement. “You’re incredible, Baby!”

“It’s nothing,” he attempts to shrug you off again, despite the vibrant blush creeping up his neck.

“So, then,” you stand back onto your feet, walking over to observe the tomatoes he’s just tended to. “How long does this usually take you?”

“Minutes at most,” he replies, eyes shining as he watches you crouch beside the plant. “Seconds at best.”

“Wow.” You blink up at him in awe before pushing yourself back to your feet. “So, you were only doing it manually today to spend more time with me?”

“I figured you could use the distraction,” he shrugs. “Besides, I wanted to impress you, and show off my greenhouse.”

“Well, it worked.” You nudge him gently with your shoulder. “Count me impressed on all parts.”

“I guess it’s a bonus I got to show you this, too.” He hums, nudging you back.

“I’m always interested in spending time with you, regardless of what we’re doing.” You admit softly. Then, just as tenderly, “I’m always interested in you.”

A low, pleased rumble shakes his chest.

“The feeling will always be mutual, Baby.” His voice is but a whisper as he pulls you into his arms.

“Well then, why don’t you finish up here, and then we can go bake something together.” You hum. “I’ve been meaning to make those cookies Reina mentioned when she saw the two kitchens the other day. Those are probably the only things I know how to bake off the top of my head recipe wise.”

“She was supposed to send me the instructions for how to make those.” San grumbles under his breath.

“I think she lied,” you smile lightly. “She only makes them for certain occasions.”

“Like what?” His brow furrows.

“When I need a pick me up.” You reply, stepping away from him lightly. “She only taught me how to make them after-“ the words catch in your throat as your expression falls. “I think I know why she mentioned them this time around.”

“Reina knows?” His brow furrows slightly, worry shining in his eyes as he watches your whole visage drop.

“Reina can be very perceptive when she wants to be.” You say, a small sigh escaping your lips. “Especially when it comes to me. We practically know each other better than we know ourselves.”

“I thought your sister was the only one that knew?” San frowns slightly.

“Reina figured it out, so I told her.” Your one hand comes up to rub at the side of your arm. “She knew- knows about my mental health probably better than anyone, my sister included.”

“She’s a good friend.” He observes.

“Yeah.” You smile, a soft nod to your head. “She is.”

“Alright, Baby,” San gently cups the side of your face, brushing his thumb tenderly against your cheek. “Why don’t you meet me in the kitchen, then? I’ll finish up here, cut up that mango for you, and then we can make those cookies together. How does that sound?”

You begin to nod. “Okay.”

A wide smile is all that you receive in response as you turn back to the table you had just been sitting on. It takes nothing to grab that fresh mango in your hand once more, turning to exit the greenhouse in the next second.

“Baby,” San’s somewhat urgent call of your name causes you to turn back to face him. “Will you be okay in the garden on your own?”

Warmth blooms in your chest at the care he continues to extend towards you.

“I will be.” You nod, somewhat firmly. Though, at the worried look he sends your way, you smile reassuringly at him. “I promise to call you if I need you. So, please, San, take your time.”

“Alright, Baby,” he breathes out a low sigh. “I’ll be right there.”

A final nod is all you give him as you turn back towards the greenhouse door. You can feel his eyes watching you the whole time as you take your leave, pausing only briefly to take a deep breath before exit the building once and for all.

The first thing you hear as soon as you shut the door behind you is the trickling of that fountain. You can smell the sweet aroma of the flowers drifting through the air, and it offers you comfort as you keep your back turned to the scenery behind you. The whole time, a small mantra of ‘nothing can hurt you now’ and ‘you’re okay’ runs through your head, taking deep breaths to help steady yourself for the time being.

You can get through this.

She cannot hurt you anymore. You won’t let her.

Turning around, you face the garden.

For a moment, you do not move. That single mango is clutched lightly in your hand as you swallow thickly, taking in every detail of the garden before you like the very first time. Again, you can see the meticulous detail that has gone into every aspect of this space.

A space designed for you.

For you and only you.

This is yours. You won’t let her take what this space means away from you, or them for that matter.

You take a small step forward.

The bench where you had that lovely talk with Hongjoong that one day still rests to the side. The foliage is a bit thicker than all those months ago, though. There seems to be a few symbols now carved into the wood, and you just know in your gut that they’re there for your protection.

You take another step.

There are all of the peonies, lilies, roses, and forget-me-nots lining the same path you took the very first time Hongjoong showed you this place. Stepping in beside them now, you lean over to take in their scents just as you did before, letting those better memories replace the single bad one.

Finally, you acknowledge the fountain.

Turning to face the sparkling water, you watch as it shines, trickling down each level of the carved stones. Despite your best efforts, your gaze flits to the very spot Miyeon held you down upon, submerging your head beneath the crisp, crystal clear liquid until your lungs burned for air.

You swallow thickly.

Blinking a few times, you step in closer.

She’s not here, but you are. You are still breathing. Despite everything she did to you that day, you are the one that emerged alive on the other end.

You sit on the edge of the fountain.

It’s a little difficult to keep your breathing under control, but you know that you need to do this for your sake. You’ve always been a very logic driven person, and doing this will prove to yourself once and for all that you are okay. Not only are you proving that she can no longer hurt you, but that these places have always been, and will always be safe. She was the one anomaly that caused you harm, not the fountain itself.

You close your eyes, allowing the sounds and scents of the garden to overflow your senses and lull you into a sense of security just as they’ve always done. This space has always offered you comfort, and you allow it to do so once more now.

With each passing second, you begin to relax more and more.

“Baby?” A somewhat tentative call of your name causes your eyes to flutter open to see San standing at the entrance to the garden. He takes a small step towards you. “When I couldn’t find you in either kitchen, I got worried.”

“I’m okay, San.” You breathe out, lifting your gaze to meet his concerned one. “I needed to do this.”

Carefully, he sits beside you on the edge of the fountain.

You look down at your hands, watching your thumb gently trace over the skin of that mango still held in your grip.

“I don’t want her to taint what this place means to me any longer.” Your voice is soft, barely above a whisper, yet he still manages to hear you loud and clear. “She doesn’t get that satisfaction. I’m not going to let her make me fear my own home.”

His expression softens, reaching out to grasp one of your hands in his own.

A moment of silence.

“It hurt, San.” You swallow thickly, squeezing your eyes shut as you feel the beginnings of tears stinging at the corners. “I thought my lungs were going to burst from how badly they were burning inside my chest.”

His free hand comes up to rest gently on your back as he shifts closer to you, nothing but concern in his gaze as he watches you break down right in front of him.

“I thought, ‘this is the end.’” You admit lowly, and you feel the way he stiffens beside you. Your grip tightens in your lap. “I wanted it to be the end.”

A soft call of your name escapes him as no more than a worried breath.

“As much as I wanted to live that day, I still have no idea how I survived as long as I did.” The confession weighs heavy on your shoulders, eyes blank as you stare at the cobblestone path beneath your feet. A brief flash of that conversation with Wyno the other day passes through your mind. “I should have died. I think a part of me did die.”

This time, it’s his turn to swallow thickly.

“I just don’t think I wanted to acknowledge it until now.” You finally look up to meet his gaze, the first of your tears sliding down the side of your cheeks. “Yet, I’m still here,” you smile weakly, “and I’m glad that I am.”

The hand that had been resting on your back comes up to cup the side of your face.

“I don’t know how long it will take me to get better, but it’s time for me to stop hiding my pain and pretending that everything is okay.” You lean over to rest your head against his shoulder. “I didn’t realize what I needed to do before, but today has really helped. I think I had just been avoiding it, honestly.” You swallow the sudden dryness in your throat. “Thank you, San, for being patient with me, and for always being there.”

A small smile is sent your way, his arm wrapping around your waist to pull you in closer to his side.

“I’m here for you, Baby. Always.” He rests his head on top of your own as his voice drops to a mere whisper. “I’m sorry you had to suffer at her hands. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you like I promised I would.”

You feel a tear land on top of your head, but with how firmly he’s holding onto you, you do not dare move. He needs this just as much as you do right now.

“Not a day passes by where I don’t blame myself for what she did to you.”

“San-“

“Please, Baby, I need to get this off my chest.” His voice is strained.

You remain silent, shifting the slightest bit closer to him in response.

“We all have regrets about that day: leaving you by yourself, not taking even a minute to think when Stella came to get us, letting you get that hurt.” He takes a deep, stuttering breath inwards. “For all of our powers, we couldn’t even sense her breaking through our wards. The moment we got back to discover you like that, our entire world stopped. I thought to myself, ‘this can’t be happening. This isn’t real.’”

He tightens his grip subconsciously around you.

“And when you told us everything she did to you…” his eyes squeeze shut, vivid images of your beaten and battered body filling his vision as more tears fall. “If I could have subjected her to an endless hell where her suffering never ceased, it would have still been too kind.”

You remain silent, waiting for him to continue.

“It was all my fault. I kept telling myself that maybe if I didn’t fall for her advances twenty years ago, that maybe if I just ignored her like Jongho did, then maybe we never would have gotten so tangled up in her web of lies. Both Wooyoung and I-” His voice breaks as a sob wracks his chest. “If we never agreed to a relationship with her in the past, she would have had no reason to hurt you.”

“Sannie-“

“I know,” he sniffles. “I know you already told us not to think like that, but it’s true. How could it not be true?”

“You do not control other people’s actions, San.” You gently stroke your thumb over the back of his hand, your own heart rate calming with each word that you speak. “None of us do. We could have never predicted she would do this to us.”

Softly, he nods along with your words, lips pursing slightly. “Those three days you were unconscious after the fact were the worst days of our lives.”

You squeeze his hand, heart aching inside of your chest.

“None of us knew what to do.” He admits lowly. “I think it hit Wooyoung, Hongjoong, and Seonghwa the hardest. We didn’t know if you were going to survive. We blamed ourselves for everything. We thought-“ his breath catches and his whole body shakes with his sobs. “We thought you would want nothing to do with us anymore the moment you woke up. We thought all the memories we made together would mean nothing, and you’d go back to hating us for everything that we did to you. Even worse than before.”

Gently, you shift upwards, guiding his gaze to yours with your free hand.

“I could never hate you for what she did to me.” You stare deeply into his eyes, and you watch as his chin begins to wobble slightly from his emotions. “It is not your fault, San.”

For a split second, nothing is said between the both of you. It’s as if the entire garden goes silent, too, the flowers stilling as you gaze into each other’s eyes.

That is, until he’s collapsing into your arms. A wail tears from his chest as his entire body shakes, face buried into the side of your neck. Countless apologies fall from his lips, his fingers digging harshly into your back as he holds you close. You swear that he believes that you’ll slip right through his hands if he doesn’t.

Softly, you coo to him, your own chest stuttering every now and then from the weight of your own emotions. Though, with every breath you take, you feel better. Right now, you’re revelling in the comfort of his embrace as much as he is doing the same with you.

Looks like the both of you really needed this.

“You no longer have to apologize to me, San.” You say gently, pulling away to wipe the tears from his eyes. “You saved me, in more ways than one. You all did. Now, we just need to get passed this, and we will. Together.”

He nods softly, rubbing at his nose with the back of his hand.

That’s when you notice, the trickling sound of the fountain has stopped.

Sparing a glance around you, a gasp of awe nearly falls from your lips. All around you rests the water from the fountain, floating in a thin dome-like shape. Patterns dance within the water, swirling like mist around your head.

“Are you doing this?” Your once sad eyes which are now filled with wonder make him smile faintly.

“I haven’t in a long time,” he admits lowly. “This really only happens when I lose control of my emotions.”

Your eyebrows droop in worry. “Sannie-“

“It’s like a protective barrier,” he explains, the corners of his lips quirking upwards as he begins to make the water swirl slightly faster around you. “Nothing can get through it right now. Well, except maybe Mingi, if he really wanted to.”

Realization crosses your features. “You did this for us.”

His gentle smile says it all.

Tenderly, you cup his face in your one hand, thumb stroking along his cheekbone as he leans into your touch.

“I want you to know that this space will never be able to hurt you again.” He breathes. “Not while I’m around to protect you. I’ll make it so that not a single drop of water can suffocate you, nor will anyone be able to force your head below the surface again.”

Slowly, he begins to trail the water back into the fountain, the familiar trickling filling the space once more.

Your heart swells in your chest, a warmth unlike anything you’ve ever felt before flooding your veins as you let his words sink in.

“And I will be here to help ease those doubts whenever you have them.” You say, staring deeply into his eyes as you do so. “Recovery is a tricky path, so no more blaming yourself for things that are both out of your control and not your fault.”

“The same goes for you, Baby,” he nudges your knee playfully with his own.

You smile faintly. “Okay.”

In one swift movement, he steals the mango from your hand. “Come on, we have some baking to do.”

You giggle, and the smile that lights up his features in response sets your heart racing.

“I’ll be right there, there’s just something I need to do first.” You stand with him, stretching out your back all the while. At the way he quirks his brow at you, you’re quick to shoo him away. “I promise I’ll be right there this time.”

“Alright,” he replies, somewhat skeptically. “I’ll go get the ingredients ready.”

“Alright, Baby,” you chuckle, watching as he disappears behind the doors to the library in the next second.

For a minute, you simply stand there, allowing the atmosphere of the garden to surround you fully for the second time that day. Then, you’re taking a deep breath to steady your nerves. There’s another male you wish to speak to right now. A male who you know cherishes this space as much as you do.

You brush lightly against that red string.

Instantly, Hongjoong appears in front of you, worry creasing his brow. Only, before he can say anything, you’re speaking.

“I’m sorry.”

You can tell he’s caught off guard by your words, for he blinks in surprise at you.

“You made this space for me, and I let her taint what it means to the both of us.” You avoid his gaze for the moment, shame washing over your entire figure as your shoulders curl in on yourself. “I know how much thought you put into this house - into everything that you do, and I was willing to push that aside because of one bad memory in this place.” You pause. “Because of her.”

“My Love-“

“When did you add the hyacinths?” Your voice is somewhat small, eyes briefly darting up to catch his gaze.

You notice he swallows thickly, averting his own gaze somewhat nervously.

“The day after everything happened.” He replies after a moment, clearing his throat all the while. “I added them as soon as I saw what she did to this place.”

You nod your understanding, heart squeezing painfully in your chest. “And the snapdragons?”

“The day after that.” His voice is rough as he now avoids your gaze.

You take a step in towards him, and you notice how his bottom lip is caught between his teeth. His hands tremble, and his eyes shine with unshed tears as you gently reach up to cup his face in your palms. Yet still, he refuses to meet your eyes.

“Hongjoong,” your expression falls the slightest bit, “please, look at me.”

Hesitantly, he complies with your wish.

“You haven’t stopped blaming yourself for this, have you?” Your tone is soft, synonymous with the tender caress of your thumbs against his cheeks. “For what she’s done. For what she continues to do to us.”

The first of his tears begin to fall from his eyes.

“How can I not?” His voice cracks, giving away just how broken he feels inside. “You couldn’t even look at certain parts of this house after she tarnished our sacred space. I should have protected you better. I should have known-”

His eyes squeeze shut, more tears falling freely down his face and onto the skin of your hands.

“It’s not your fault, Hongjoong.” You brush his tears away gently. “I made you believe it was, and I cannot apologize enough for that.”

“No-“

“I want you to be honest with me right now,” you cut him off almost instantly. “Did you think me avoiding this place was because I didn’t want to be reminded of you? Of how you thought that I felt you failed me?”

His silence speaks volumes.

“When did you really add those hyacinths, Hongjoong?” You search his gaze, feeling the way his whole being practically deflates in your hold. “I know you’re well versed in the language of flowers, and the fact that they’re purple says a lot to me.”

A brief pause as he hesitates in his response.

He looks down at his hands.

“Three days ago.” The admission feels like a condemnation on his part.

The day you got back from the dragon’s nest after falling from the sky. The day you slept for nearly twenty-four hours due to your high emotions and trauma response. The day he saw first hand just how scared of him you could be.

Your argument over how to get Jongho back probably didn’t help one bit.

“Oh, Hongjoong,” your expression falls, heart aching as you fall to your knees before him. Gently, you press your forehead to his hands, tears gathering in the corners of your eyes for the second time that day. “Words cannot express how much I regret ever making you feel like this. I was never avoiding reminders of you. I love you. I was avoiding her, but in doing so, I hurt you. I’ve never once blamed you for any of this, but I can only imagine the doubt you must have felt, especially over the last few days.”

The violent sobs that wrack his body tell you everything you need to know as he collapses to his knees in front of you. Almost instantly, he falls into your embrace, and you begin to gently card your fingers through his hair, cooing to him all the while.

“You are not responsible for any of this, Hongjoong.” You voice softly. “I’m sorry for ever making you think that, and I’m sorry I kept my true emotions from all of you. I should have been more honest with how she was affecting my memories of our spaces. Maybe then this all could have been avoided.”

You feel him shake his head against you. “You were only doing what you thought was best for you.”

“Sometimes what I want is not what I need.” You mutter. “I wanted to avoid her, and in turn I’ve been avoid our home and all of you. What I needed was to realize that, and to understand that nothing has changed. The only variant was her, and you have all ensured that she cannot hurt me anymore.”

“Nothing will ever hurt you again.” He tightens his grip around you, managing to get his breathing back under control. “Not while I’m here to protect you.”

You chuckle fondly. “It seems all of you share that sentimentality.”

He cracks a halfhearted grin. “So it would seem.”

As they should. As they always will. Even if it’s the last thing they ever do.

You hold him tighter.

“I’m sorry, My Love,” you breathe out, making sure to keep your voice low as you bury your face into the side of his neck. “I won’t allow her to get in-between us again.”

Turning his head slightly, Hongjoong presses his lips against the side of your temple. He lets his kiss linger for a while, holding you to him as if you may just slip right through his arms if he doesn’t.

“I appreciate you saying all of this to me, My Love,” he hums, finally managing to get his emotions back under control. “You have eased my mind more than you’ll ever know.”

The corners of your lips twitch upwards, a brief memory of your shared conversation flitting through your mind from the last time the two of you had a heart to heart in the garden.

“All is well between us now, My Love.” He places another kiss to the side of your temple. “At least, I think it is.”

He pulls away to stare into your eyes, searching your gaze for any signs you might be hiding something from him again. Something that you believe might burden him if you admit to.

“I think so, too,” you smile faintly, leaning in to peck his cheek lightly.

“I believe there are some others that might benefit from a conversation like this with you, too.” He says casually, standing back to his feet and helping you back to yours almost immediately

“I believe you’re right.” You hum, settling into the comfort of his embrace with his arm around your shoulders. “For now, San is expecting me in the kitchen.”

Hongjoong quirks a brow, “Is he, now?”

“We’re baking cookies.” You grin, wiggling excitedly in his hold.

“Finally succumbing to his desires of cooking with you, are you?” Hongjoong teases.

“I was the one who suggested it.” You reply, beginning to exit the garden with Hongjoong right beside you.

He laughs, “Even better.”

Your brow quirks, somewhat knowingly. “I have a feeling that he’s not the only one with those types of more… domestic desires.”

“No, he most certainly isn’t.” Hongjoong grins. “I’m quite certain we all have things we wish to indulge in with you at some point that aren’t apart of our greater indulgences.”

“Everything I do with you guys feels like a greater indulgence,” you admit. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever been this spoiled in my life.”

Hongjoong smiles wide as you both enter the kitchen together.

“Get used to it, Baby,” San glances up from the counter where he’s already taken the liberty to lay out some bowls and baking ingredients. A grin tugs at his lips, an eagerness unlike anything you’ve seen before shines within his eyes. “We enjoy pleasing you more than you’ll ever know.”

It’s slight, but you cannot help the way your breath hitches in your throat. Though, what really gets you is the not so innocent smile San sends your way as you meet his gaze.

“Yeah, yeah.” You huff out a laugh, playfully rolling your eyes. “It’s the corset pictures all over again.”

The two males share a look.

“Well, if you’re offering…” Hongjoong grins deviously.

You slap his arm teasingly, mouth parting in shock, “Joongie!”

“You’re the one who brought them up,” San singsongs from behind the counter.

You shake your head, a loving smile pulling at your lips as you separate from Hongjoong in order to join San behind the counter. You can hear them chuckle as you mutter to yourself about your ‘damn horny Kings’ once more.

Not even a minute later, Hongjoong takes his leave. Well, it’s more of San pointedly glaring at him until Hongjoong casually says that he has some other things to attend to. You laugh at this, poking San on his cheek again as you tease him about monopolizing all of your alone time.

“Is it that bad that I want you all to myself sometimes, Baby?” He wraps his arms around you, burying his face into the side of your neck all the while.

“Not at all,” you hum, practically melting into his embrace.

The next hour is spent with him in the kitchen, laughing and joking around as you teach him how to make your favourite cookies. Every word you speak, every instruction you give him, he listens to eagerly, insisting that he do all of the heavy mixing. It’s only when the cookies are finally in the oven, you standing at the sink cleaning what you can of the used dishes, that you feel him step up behind you once more.

“I love you.” His arms are wrapped securely around your waist, his chest pressed firmly against your back as he nuzzles his face into the crook of your neck.

You smile, relaxing into his touch. “I love you, too, Sannie.”

“Thank you, for indulging in multiple of my hobbies with me today.” He says lowly, squeezing your waist a little bit tighter. “It truly means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

“Of course, Baby.” You turn your head just as he rests his chin on your shoulder, managing to place a tender kiss onto the side of his cheek. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a while. I’m just glad we finally got to.”

He giggles, a large grin spreading across his face as he holds you close. Even when you finally finish the dishes, and the timer dings on the stove, he refuses to let you go.

“Sannie! My cookies!” You whine, though it comes out more of a laugh than anything.

“What about them?” He hums, waddling around the kitchen with you in his arms.

“They’re going to burn!”

He shakes his head against your own. “No, they won’t.”

In the blink of an eye, he’s removed the trays from the oven, setting the cookies aside to cool. Another blink, and he’s back to holding you in his arms as the oven cools down.

“You’re worse than a koala.” You tease, poking his arm lightly.

He whines in response, a pout tugging at his lips that you manage to catch in the reflection of the glass paneling of the cupboards. “I’m the cutest koala, though, right?”

You chuckle, “If you say so.”

A loud, scandalized gasp escapes him. “I’m the cutest koala, and you know it!”

“Do I?” You hum, clearly amused by his antics.

“I’m not letting you go until you admit that I’m your cutest koala.” He tightens his grip, burying his face into the side of your neck once more. Only this time, he begins placing tender kisses against your skin, managing to tickle you all the while.

You begin to squirm in his grip, desperately attempting to free yourself as you giggle.

“Okay, okay!” You practically melt into his embrace. “You’re my cutest koala.”

You can feel the smirk that pulls onto his lips as his chest shakes in laughter. “Victory.”

“Now, will you let me go so I can finally taste our baking?” You struggle to waddle yourself over to the now (hopefully) cooled cookies on the rack.

Instantly, he’s in front of you, offering a cookie to you while he holds one for himself in his other hand. Graciously, you take it, breaking it in half and smiling at the softness that greets you. The inside is still a bit warm, too.

“I can see why these are your favourite,” he hums, nodding in approval as the sweet treat melts in his mouth.

“Looks like you owe another thing to Reina,” you joke, popping the rest of your cookie into your mouth.

“Maybe I’ll help you set her up with Sudaem in thanks.” San wiggles his brows suggestively.

Your brow quirks eagerly, “I like the way you think.”

Grabbing a plate from the cupboard, you place some cookies on top of it. You have some other males you wish to see before the day is done, and besides, you didn’t just make these for you.

The way each male’s eyes light up as you peek your head into their spaces, bringing with you a plate of cookies has your heart warming. San, of course, follows behind you like an overexcited puppy, revelling in his brother’s praises of your baking as much as you are.

Honestly, you’re just glad that they’re enjoying the sweets so much. So much so, in fact, that you see both Jongho and Wooyoung fighting over the ones you left untouched in the kitchen when you return. Never would any of you have expected Yeosang to be the one to swoop in and steal the plate right from their hands, though.

The chase that ensued was comical, ending with a broken plate and scattered cookie crumbs across the floor. You swear you even see Seonghwa shed a tear when he walks out of his tailor shop to see the catastrophe right before his eyes.

“Don’t worry, boys,” you chuckle. “I can go make more.”

Which is exactly how you find yourself making a few more dozen batches with San, both Wooyoung and Mingi eagerly sitting at the counter the whole time to keep you two company.

Truly, you’re grateful for moments like these. They make you remember that everything will be okay, even if the path you’re walking is still uncertain. The fact that they’ll all be with you every step of the way only makes it that much sweeter, your heart warming as you simply enjoy the moment with Your Kings that this evening brings.

The next day, you spend training with both Mingi and Hongjoong. You want to get out some pent up frustration, and the practice had been long overdue. Luckily, you do not do anything too intensive, simply going over everything that you’ve already learned, and working to perfect it as best as you can.

You all agree that it would be best to save the teaching of new techniques for next week.

The day after that, you brave Yunho’s art room. The exchange is just as emotional as the garden, the two of you falling into each other’s embrace for comfort as you are so prone to do. It is much needed, and you find that with each space that you reclaim, you can feel yourself regaining parts of yourself that you had thought you had lost.

Well, perhaps not lost, per se, but those parts that have now undergone a strong rebirth.

Now, you are stronger, and feeling much more secure in both yourself and your relationships with all of them. Although everything is still a bit rocky, you’re happy with the progress that you’re making, and you just know that they feel the exact same way as you.

Over the next three days, you rotate where you spend your time. One day is spent in the garden, Mingi being the one to join you this time. The next is spent with Yunho again in his art room. He claimed to want to paint you again, and you certainly were not going to deny him. The final day is spent with both Jongho and Hongjoong in the library, simply relaxing in each other’s comforting presence as you spent the time reading together.

Each day, you feel better, until a full week has passed since that day in the garden with San.

There’s a funny feeling in your chest when you wake up that morning, a sort of tightness you haven’t felt in a while. A tightness which you think you’re starting to understand.

It’s time to let go.

Taking a deep breath in, you exit your room.

The steps that you take down the hallway are careful, each movement precise as you approach the two rooms that rest at the end. The moment you reach the one door, you peer through the window, noticing how the lights seem to be turned off. No one appears to be using the studio for the moment, and before you can open the door, you stop yourself.

Suddenly, your mouth goes dry, and your hand which had been hovering above the handle slowly retracts back to your side. You don’t even need to look down to feel the tremble in your hand.

Perhaps you’ll do the other thing you had in mind first, and take it from there.

Turning back to face the end of the hallway, you walk towards the music room. Not much has changed about the space since the last time you saw it, save for the brand new baby grand piano that sits near the large bay windows. Even Yeosang’s violin rests in its regular spot, perfectly placed and shining in the light of the midmorning sun.

You smile softly to yourself, remembering the very first time he played for you.

Turning back to the piano, you slowly approach the bench. Gently, your hand trails over the lid, propping it open carefully as you attempt to keep your hands from shaking.

You are safe.

She can’t hurt you anymore.

Tugging the bench out, you sit before the keys, feeling a comforting brush of fur against your leg. Looking down reveals Kuroo staring up at you with those wide, golden eyes of his. Of course, he’s quick to hop onto the window bench, curling up in the exact same position that he was in the very first time that you played in this room.

You think back on that now, and what it meant to you then.

Gosh, you feel like an entirely different person now compared to only a few months ago. Then again, you probably are.

You spare a glance down at the keys.

That most certainly isn’t a bad thing. After all, this time when you play, you’ll be playing for you.

Taking another deep breath in, you begin.

You start with a familiar favourite like always, the opening notes of Moonlight Sonata filling the room as you lose yourself to the music.

For about forty minutes, you go through multiple classical pieces you’ve known since you were young, allowing the melodies to surround you and comfort you like they always have. You fumble a few times on certain songs that you haven’t played in a while, but you have long since stopped caring. Right now, this is for you, and you aren’t attempting to be perfect. In fact, that’s the whole point.

Though, that’s not all you came here to do.

For a brief moment, you pause, allowing the stillness of the silence of the room to settle over you. You take the time to stretch out your back, cracking your knuckles while you’re at it before straightening in your seat. There are two more songs you wish to perform for yourself as a final goodbye to the person you once were, and everything that you’ve been through. Only, you know that the lyrics can be taken a certain way, and the last thing you want is for any of them to believe that you’re singing about them.

So, you tell them.

These next songs aren’t about you. You drop your void for the moment. These are for me. So please, do not think the words are aimed at any of you. I need this. For me.

Alright, Petal, It’s Yunho who answers you first. We understand.

You smile, somewhat sorrowfully. Thank you.

Just as you go to close your void, you hesitate. Then, probably against your better judgement, you decide to leave it down for the time being. After all, you did promise to be more open with them about your emotions going forward.

The opening notes to Adele’s Someone Like You fill the room not even a moment later. You begin to perform for yourself, for the life you lost, and for the person who you are sure to become.

The perspective you decide to take with this song is your current self singing to your past self. The past self that you lost when Miyeon finally broke you is finally being acknowledged, and, oh, how fitting some of the lyrics seem to be to your exact situation.

You never thought you would settle down, so to say, but you were proved wrong in the best of ways.

Looking into mirrors the first few days and seeing your face shortly after the incident had happened had been a challenge. Every time you saw yourself, it felt as if you were looking at a ghost. A ghost of yourself that you hadn’t realized you needed to let go of in order to begin healing like you so badly needed to do.

“Never mind, I’ll find someone like you,” Your old self will continue to strengthen your current self. After all, people do not change over night. However, that being said, you need to let your past self go in order to thrive in the present.

“I wish nothing but the best for you, too.” Now, you picture yourself having a conversation with your old self, her saying this to you in your current state.

“Don’t forget me, I beg,” Still your past self urging you never to forget the good memories you’ve always had with her.

“I’ll remember, you said.” Your current self reassuring your past self that you’ll never forget, but you’ll still be okay.

“Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead.” The corner of your lips quirk upwards, a sense of melancholy settling over your being as you continue into the second verse.

The whole time you sing, your thoughts and feelings echo shameless through each of their minds. Graciously, they follow along with your journey, tears gathering in their eyes as they see you talking to yourself and assuring yourself in ways that they know only you can.

No matter what, they will still support you in whatever ways that they can. Right now, they will do so by listening and understanding all that you are doing for yourself through your music. Yet, there is no denying that all of you understand that you are saying goodbye to your past self in your own way.

The second you reach the final verse, your own tears begin to fall. Saying goodbye to a part of yourself that you had been stolen from you, that had been torn from your very soul is no easy task. However, with each word you sing, you feel a weight lifting from your chest. Slowly, you begin to feel lighter, and by the time the final notes ring out in the room, your smile has brightened, and you can breathe a bit easier.

Now, for the final, and possibly most important song.

This time, when the opening notes for Panic! At the Disco’s This Is Gospel ring out, you imagine that it’s the part of yourself that you are saying goodbye to singing to your current self, reassuring you that everything will be okay.

With each note, your voice becomes stronger, solidifying who you are in this moment, and who you are surely bound to become.

“If you love me, let me go.” The tears you had managed to get under control only minutes before stream freely down your face as you repeat the phrase of the song once more.

This song has always meant a lot to you, and now that you can fully apply it to your current situation, you find the lyrics truly resonating with you. Especially the next ones that fall from your lips, “The fear of falling apart.”

This is you telling yourself that everything will be okay.

“I won’t give up without a fight.” There is extra emphasis put on those words in particular, even if you are currently unaware of that fact.

With every note that you hit, and every word you sing, your voice becomes stronger. The music rises in a crescendo as you finally break free of all of your past worries and doubts. Finally, you lay your old self to rest, and as the final notes ring out through the air, you feel like a newer, stronger person.

You close your void.

For five minutes, you simply sit there at that piano, letting everything you’ve just expelled through your playing linger around you in the room. A soft smile rests on your features as you keep your eyes closed, wiping at your final tears that cling to your cheeks.

For the first time in a long time, your head is clear, and those lingering fears and doubts begin to recede.

The feeling of a gentle hand placing itself onto your back makes you jump slightly. Turning your body, you blink your eyes open to see Yeosang standing behind you, tears of his own having cut tracks down the side of his face.

“Dearest-“

You nearly knock over the bench as you stand to your feet, wrapping him in your arms as he does the same for you. He holds you tightly, cradling the back of your head gently in his hand as you bury your face into the side of his neck. Soothingly, he caresses your spine.

“Thank you,” he swallows thickly, “for sharing this with us.”

You tighten your grip around him, a peaceful smile pulling at your lips.

“Thank you for listening.”

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