#and he wanted to live in that moment forever

[f1girliefics]

From Monaco, With Love

Lando Norris x Reader

Summary: A solo vacation to Monaco turns into something unexpected when you meet Lando Norris at a bar.

The bar in Monaco was exactly what you needed, dimly lit, atmospheric, the kind of place where you could sit back with a drink and simply exist. 

A vacation for yourself, a way to celebrate how far you’ve come. 

No obligations, no expectations. Just you, the warm Mediterranean air, and the luxury surrounding you.

But then you saw him.

Lando Norris sat across the bar, effortlessly confident, dressed in a way that told you he knew exactly how good he looked. 

Sharp suit, slightly loosened tie, hair styled with just the right amount of carelessness. 

It was impossible not to notice him.

You weren’t here for this. 

You weren’t supposed to entertain any romantic ideas, but as he caught your gaze and started approaching you, you thought, why not? 

A little fun wouldn’t hurt.

“Drinking alone?” His voice was smooth, carrying something playful as he settled into the seat beside you.

“For now,” you replied, sipping your cocktail. “But something tells me that’s about to change.”

Lando grinned, a boyish charm to his smirk. “Smart and beautiful. I like that.”

That was the beginning of something you never expected.

---

The next few days felt like a dream.

Lando took you on long drives through winding roads overlooking the ocean, you felt the way he’d glance at you when he thought you weren’t looking. 

He showed you his yacht, laughing as you teased him about the sheer extravagance of it all, only to pull you onto the deck and wrap an arm around your waist as if you belonged there.

“You live like this all the time?” you asked, watching the sunset.

He shrugged. “It’s better with company.”

Shopping in Monaco was another adventure, Lando insisted on picking out things for you, draping luxurious fabrics over your shoulders, and holding up pairs of sunglasses to your face with a critical expression.

“You’re going to have to carry all of this,” you warned, laughing as he handed another bag to an already overwhelmed store assistant.

“I don’t mind,” he said, with a casual shrug. “If it means I get to see you wear all of it. And take it off of you later.”

Each moment with him was effortless, a beautiful distraction from the reality waiting for you back home. 

But reality couldn’t be ignored forever.

---

“It was fun,” you admitted as you stood by the docks on your final evening, the night breeze warm against your skin. “Spending the last few days with you.”

Lando’s brow furrowed slightly. “Last few days?”

You gave him a small smile, trying not to let your own emotions get the best of you. “I don’t live here, Lando. I was just… visiting.”

“You’re leaving?” his tone was a bit panicked. 

You nodded. “Tomorrow.”

He was quiet for a moment, jaw tightening slightly. “Where’s home?”

You hesitated, but eventually gave him the name of your city. 

He didn’t say anything else. He just nodded, giving you one last long look before pulling you into a kiss that felt like goodbye.

---

You didn’t expect to see him again.

You certainly didn’t expect him to show up at your doorstep days later, standing there with an enormous bouquet of flowers and that same determined look on his face.

“You can’t just show up here,” you breathed, completely taken aback. "How did you even find where I live?!"

“I can show up,” he countered. “And I found you my own way.”

“Lando-”

“I don’t care if we come from different worlds,” he interrupted, stepping closer. “I don’t care about any of that. I just know that I don’t want what we had in Monaco to be the end of us.”

You stared at him, overwhelmed, your heart pounding in your chest. “You’re really here.”

He smirked. “Took a flight and everything.”

You shook your head, letting out a small laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” he admitted, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “But I know what I want. And I want you.”

You allowed him into your home, as he kissed you. 

There were still doubts, still questions, but in that moment, as you looked into his eyes, you realised none of them mattered.

Because he was here. And so were you.

And that was enough.

[hexb0nes]

this made me tear up. from the perspective of someone who has been disabled for all their life with a condition like viktor’s, those moments where he’s floating hit so hard.

for the first time in life, he likely felt no pain in his body, weightless and unburdened. he could move without the pain and GODS it makes me wanna cry. the mere thought of being free from the chains of chronic pain is overwhelming. i can’t blame viktor for wanting to “evolve” himself - it’s rooted in internalized ableism and the desire to live unbound by your disability’s limits.

and god, people fail to realize how important jayce’s leg getting injured and becoming “crippled” is. his journey in the destroyed future mimics viktor. i honestly don’t think the timeline would have succeeded if jayce didn’t experience that, for it was that personal experience that gave jayce the final piece to truly connect with viktor.

ANYWHO viktor will forever be my favorite character and i love jayce and i love jayvik

A nice little detail I noticed tonight.

They bar the door with Viktor’s cane, so when the Enforcers break in, the cane breaks too.

And then the next thing we see is Viktor floating, with his amazed smile, his childlike wonder.

There’s this sweet, almost bittersweet implication that he’s transcended his body, just for a moment.

He won’t feel so free in his body again for years, until he drops his crutch and runs on the docks.

The ways that their partnership is imprinted on his body, and the stages of it reflected through his body—how he finds freedom and joy that first night; how he’s wasting away during the period when Jayce’s attention was elsewhere; how Jayce reconstructs him through love and it’s too much for him to take; how Jayce’s body comes to mirror his; how they’re both bodiless in the end, and free, like it’s taken them years of suffering to reach the purity of that first free moment again—will always be so moving to me.

Arcane is a story written on Viktor’s body.

[hellodarling1357]

More Than A Moment: Part 1 - Cassian x Reader (AU!)

What? A post? A whole new fic? After months of broken promises (rip me)?

I sporadically got the inspo to write today and this idea just flowed on out and all but wrote itself!

Is this a stand alone? A multi-part (I hope so)?

Who knows!

Either way, I hope you enjoy 🥰

Summary: After a drunken night between friends, just friends, nothing more, Y/N and Cassian’s lives end up changing forever. But maybe not in the way they had originally expected.

Word Count: 1.5k

“Cassian!” You shout through the door, one fist pounding on the wooden frame as the other, hidden away in your coat pocket, held tightly to what had felt like a lifeline since you had raced to the store just over an hour ago.

“Cassian! I swear to god if you don’t open the door right now…” You took a step back as your fist met the air, the words dying in your throat as a girl with sleep mussed hair, wearing nothing but an oversized t-shirt that you knew belonged to Cassian, stared back at you with a look of distaste.

“What?” The girl asked, stifling a yawn as her eyes blatantly looked you up and down, a smirk spreading across her lips as she took in your frazzled appearance. “We’re a little busy here, so…”

You blinked at her before pushing past and making your way inside the small apartment, ignoring the girl’s protest as you beelined for Cassian’s room, stopping momentarily as the door opened before you could reach it.

“Y/N. Hey,” the man in question was straightening out a tight black t-shirt, having clearly put on the closest items of clothing he could reach. “I didn’t expect to see you today, especially not at 8 am on a Sunday morning…”

“We need to talk.”

“Okay, alright. Could this not have waited until a more reasonable time?”

“Cass, please…”

Clearly picking up on the slight plea in your voice, he nodded, a slight furrow to his brow as he studied you a moment longer before turning to the girl who remained bristling by the front door.

“Hey,” he started, beckoning the girl towards him, you cringed as you took a seat on the couch, not wanting to be a part of the scene that was about to unfold. “So last night was fun, yeah? But I think there’s a few things I need to deal with here so we should probably wrap this up for now?”

“Oh? So you want me to leave?” You rolled your eyes as she clung to him, battering her lashes in hopes of changing his mind as he led her back into his room to help her collect her things, not missing the daggers she sent your way when Cassian’s back was turned.

“It’s not that I want you to leave… But I’ll call you. Soon, alright?”

“You better.”

Barely managing to conceal your scoff you busied yourself with your phone as she pulled him down into a lingering kiss.

“Alright, well get home safe and thanks again for last night…” Cassian trailed off and your attention flickered over in disbelief as he clearly tried to scramble for the poor girl’s name.

“Rebecca. My name’s Rebecca.” Her icy tone was a stark contrast as she moved out of his grasp.

“Of course, I know your name. How could I forget? I was just deciding whether I wanted to start calling you babe or baby.”

You didn’t attempt to hide the disgust at your friend as he shot the girl a charming smile that had her swooning as she said her goodbyes - all iciness melting into a flirtatiously shy smile as she stared up at him from under heavy lashes.

“You really can be a pig sometimes, you do realise that?” You said without looking up from your phone once Cassian had shut the door behind the girl.

“What?” He asked, voice laced in indignation as he slumped onto the couch beside you.

“Oh I dunno, do I call you babe or baby? Of course I remember your name, random-girl-I’ll-never-actually-call.” You lowered your voice into a mockery of his own before being met with a pillow to your face as Cassian got up and headed towards the bathroom.

“Hey, I just got rid of a perfectly nice girl for you. No need for the disrespect. What’s so important anyway? You know I love to see you and all that, but usually not at this time.” He leant against the bathroom door, toothbrush sticking out of his mouth as he stared at you waiting for an answer.

Right.

You had almost forgotten that you were here for a reason other than witnessing one of your closest friends be a complete dick to a girl he’d spent the previous night with.

“Oh… Um yeah it’s all good. Get dressed or whatever then we can chat.”

Cassian stared at you for a moment longer before shrugging and returning to the bathroom. You slumped back as soon as you were out of sight, squashing the pillow Cassian had previously whacked you with against your face as your thoughts raced through your head. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

By the time Cassian was ready, you had had enough time to work yourself into a somewhat frantic state as you paced back and forth, trying to figure out how to even bring up the reason why you had almost knocked down his door on a seemingly normal Sunday.

“Jesus, what’s up with you this morning?” Your head whipped around to face Cassian, freezing mid-pace to stare at him like a deer in headlights. When the only reply you could muster was the very unsubtle opening and closing of your mouth, Cassian let out a sigh as he reached for his shoes. “Well, seeing that you appear to have a whole heap of pent up energy, we’re walking to the cafe down the street. Your shout for waking me up and prematurely ending what was sure to be a very satisfying Sunday morning.”

You scrunched your nose but nodded all the same as you silently headed towards the door, missing the concerned look on Cassian’s face as his eyes trailed your retreating figure before he jumped up to follow you out.

——

The ten minute walk was silent except for the slight crunch of autumn leaves under foot as the pair of you narrowly avoided the early risers who were jogging past along the footpath and manoeuvred around the copious stream of families with young children enjoying the crisp morning air; your heart rate soared as you tried to control your breathing

Cassian managed to score a secluded table tucked away by the window, thanking the waiter for the menus and water as you stared past him in a daze, your mind reeled of how to approach telling him what had happened, what had resulted from…

A large hand waving in front of your face had you blinking in surprise.

“Y/N?”

“Yep. Hi.”

Cassian gave you another quizzical look but was halted from saying anything else as the waiter returned, asking about coffee and food orders.

“Just a long black for me, thanks.”

You could hear your heartbeat and wouldn’t be surprised if everyone around you could as well.

“Y/N?” Cassian gave you a soft kick under the table, pulling your attention to the waiter who was looking at you expectantly.

“Oh, um… Just a latte. Thank you,” Shit. Could you even have coffee now? “Wait. I mean, no. Just a tea. Peppermint, please. If you have it. Sorry.” Your voice trailed after the waiter as he nodded and walked off with a shake of his head. So far, this was not going well.

“Alright, what has gotten into you?” The immediate retort of ‘um you?’ was held back by a bite of your tongue. “You better not be here confessing your love for me. I mean we spoke about this, right? It was just a one off, drunken night between two friends who both happen to be very attractive.”

Some of the tension left your shoulders as you offered a small smile in appreciation of Cassian’s attempt to lighten the mood.

“You’re not actually in love with me are you?” You rolled your eyes at the slight panic in his expression, deciding not to take it as an insult. “I mean, I love you, but, you know, as a friend. Because we’re friends. We’re all friends; me, you, Rhys, Az, Feyre, Mor…”

“Cassian,” you let the smile grow a bit as he prattled on. “I’m not in love with you.”

“Oh, thank god. No offence.” He offered you a guilty looking smile which softened as he nodded in encouragement for you to continue.

“But I did want to talk about that night…” You trailed off, trying to gauge Cassian’s response as he quirked his head to the side and furrowed his brows in confusion. Well, here it goes. Taking in a deep breath, you reached into your pocked and placed the pregnancy test on the table.

“Cass, I’m pregnant.”

----------

I have so many ideas for this and how I want to continue it but would love to hear your thoughts!!

[i-am-a-bad-influence-writes]

Into my arms

∘₊✧───────────────────────────────────────✧₊∘

Masterlist Word count: 773 Sylus x Reader

Summary: Sylus likes telling you about music. You like Sylus's voice.

Author's note: I felt like we all needed a tiny little bit of fluff after seeing those banners.

∘₊✧───────────────────────────────────────✧₊∘

He's been yapping for a while now. All the while, sweet sounds play from his record player. Every once in a while he gets up to put on a different record, but he seems to be sitting down a little closer to you each time.

Tension is rising, yet Sylus pretends he's unaffected. You are not pretending, you couldn't if you tried. It feels like your hands are itching to touch him, but you know this is important to him.

This is one of the ways he shows affection. He wants you to know what he likes and he wants input on what you like. His collection is extensive and strange. It goes from Tom Waits to The Beach Boys. From The Cure to Dolly Parton. From Metallica to Jim Croce. Surprisingly, he has something to tell about almost all of them.

He tells you about the differences between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. About how The Beatles had a good boy image whilst being from rough backgrounds, while The Rolling Stones were from privileged lives and had a bad boy image. He tells you about David Bowie's album Lazarus, a testament to his own body failing and approaching death. He tells you about all the songs mentioned in Hozier's Sweet Music. And about how most people know Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds from the song Red Right Hand while he considers Into My Arms, a raw testament to love and believing in that deity only to ask it to bring his lover to him, a much better song.

Talks on and on about all these beautiful words strung together, about the instruments, about the quality of the recording. You love to listen to him. Love to hear him talk about these things that he seems so passionate about, but he has barely scratched the surface.

All the obscurer things he loves to listen to sneak their way into these moments every once in a while, but still he tends to go for love songs when you're around.

He sits down next to you after changing the record again and looks over into your tired eyes. The night owl that he is, he hadn't considered it is your bedtime already. 'Are you tired, sweetie? We can go to bed.'

You shake your head and position yourself onto his lap with one swift movement, your hands gently laying on his chest. Like two pieces of the puzzle, his hands slot against your hips as he looks up at you like he's looking into a fire. The forever changing warmth of your love enveloping him.

'Keep talking,' you tell him. He nods and starts talking about the record he just put on whilst his thumbs gently rub over the fabric of your bottoms. A song from Jim Croce that almost sounds like a lullaby. Time in a Bottle.

His words intertwine with the music like a baseline. You feel his voice rumble in his chest under your fingertips and move yourself closer to feel it in your own chest. Your arms wrap around him as you lean your head on his shoulder.

Slowly, the combination of sound and vibration lulls you closer and closer to sleep. Your mind gets carried on his sentences, gently floating around. Every once in a while, you hum to let him know you're still listening, but he can feel your breathing slow.

'Let's go to bed. I'm getting tired,' he states, more so for you than for him. But, truth be told, he has been sleeping exceptionally well ever since he's started sleeping in your arms. He stands up with you in his arms, clinging to his body like a koala.

'No,' you grumble, not really noticing he's gotten up, 'keep talking. I like hearing you talk.'

'Alright,' he agrees with a smile and he does.

As he carries you into the bedroom he tells you about all the love songs that remind him of you, all the lyrics that to him feel like they were written about you, all the guitar solos and music breaks in songs that make him feel like you are right there with him...

and he keeps talking until he snuggles up to you under the covers. He takes a few seconds to listen to your gentle breathing. He lays his head on your chest, the thumping of your heartbeat relaxing him like nothing else ever has. You have fallen asleep, and that seems the perfect time for a confession to him.

'But besides all of that, my favorite song is the sound of your voice when you greet me in the morning.'

∘₊✧───────────────────────────────────────✧₊∘

[blxxmingrose]

the ceremony hadn’t started, but as hans looked into june’s eyes, it was like they were having a ceremony of their own. there in that quiet moment shared between the two of them, they had already spoken their love, bound their souls together, and became inseparable before they could even reach the dais. 

his smile was that of assurance, with no trace of worry for what could go wrong—just that calmness within him that told him june’s presence was all he needed. “let’s go get married,” he echoed, and finally, his feet moved. 

their walk to the dais felt like a glide to the ocean, the sand beneath them shaping around each footfall, immortalizing the steps they took to get to the altar. seagulls sang with the gentle waves for their procession music, and jinx and scooter trailed behind, not quite cognizant but joining in the solemn moment. hans never let go of june’s hand—the hand that always kept him steady. the hand that he would soon adorn with their wedding band.

as they reached their destination, the flowers welcoming them with the sweet scent of life they had started for themselves, hans turned to face june with a deep inhale. “this is it,” he whispered, lifting his hand to cup june’s cheek as the first tear fell from his eyes. he chuckled, knowing he’d be the first to cry on this day, but still being surprised at how such happiness could overflow so quickly. 

he brought his hand down only so he could reach for the piece of paper he had been carrying with him everywhere, his vows scribbled in neat handwriting but with tear marks all over. he smiled at june, a gentle smile, and he took a deep breath before reading through his vows. 

they say souls wander the earth after we pass, waiting to be reborn into our new life. my darling june, i think my soul did not do a lot of wandering. i think it always knew where it wanted to be reborn and went straight for it—because it is wherever you would be born in, so that we can be together again as two pieces of the same soul.  i have always thought that there was nothing waiting for me in this life, until you came along and taught me what living was like--what truly being alive felt like. it was not going through the motions of waking up and sleeping; it was experiencing all the joys, all the pain, all the love that made our hearts grow fonder of each other. you taught me how beautiful the world could be, even if we had so little. you taught me that nightmares made appreciating good dreams possible. and you, my love, you showed me that life could always grow where there is someone to nurture it.  you always saw my decisiveness as a good thing. you always saw my daydreaming as a foundation for our reality. you always made me feel strong when i thought i was helpless. and today, i vow to continue to dream with you about the life we will have, and to turn it into reality day by day. i vow to be a strong foundation when it’s your turn to feel weak. i vow to never waver, to always turn to you, my best friend and protector, to be my guiding light. and in turn, be yours.  i vow to be with you in this life and the next, and to always fill your days with adventure, love, and support. i will always see you in every little plant we grow, in every wave that crashes to the shore, in every ray of sunshine hiding behind the clouds. you are the other half of me, and i vow to never leave your side now and forever. 

hans’ eyes were misty with tears as he finished, his hand still shaking as he returned the piece of paper in his pockets. all he could see was june, and as it always will be, he was the only one that mattered. 

june’s fingers curled more firmly around hans’s, anchoring them both as they stood at the edge of everything they had dreamed of. the beach stretched before them, golden sand warm beneath their feet, waves rolling in with a quiet rhythm that seemed to echo the steady beat of his own heart. he breathed in deeply, letting the salt air settle in his lungs, letting the reality of this moment sink in. it was happening. after everything — every step, every quiet moment of realization, every whispered confession in the dead of night — they were here.

his gaze flickered to hans, catching the way his husband’s breath hitched, the way his eyes traced over the flowers, the space that had been prepared for them, the tangible proof of the day they had built with their own hands. hans had always been meticulous in his planning, careful with every detail, but june knew that even if none of this had been here, if they were simply standing barefoot in the sand, alone under the sky, this would still be perfect. because hans was here. because they were together.

a small smile pulled at june’s lips, something soft, something that carried the weight of everything he felt but hadn’t yet spoken. he turned toward hans fully, his free hand lifting to smooth over his husband’s arm, tracing the fabric of his sleeve. “not a single flower ran away,” he echoed, amusement threading through his voice, though it was quieter now, lost beneath the emotion swelling in his chest. “and the sky’s clear, and the waves are calm, and everything’s right where it should be.”

he hesitated, then reached up, brushing his fingers along hans’s jaw, tilting his face just slightly so their eyes met, so there was nothing between them but the truth of this moment.

“it’s real,” he murmured. “you and me, standing here. just like we always planned.” his thumb traced gently over hans’s cheekbone, a touch meant to soothe, to let hans feel the same certainty june did. his fingers curled slightly where they rested. his chest ached with love, a love that was bigger than words, bigger than anything he had ever known. it was in every breath, in the warmth of hans’s skin beneath his touch, in the way their hands remained clasped, unwavering, steady.

for a moment, he just let himself look. at the man he loved, the man who had changed everything, the man he would spend the rest of his life with. then, with the slightest tilt of his head, he murmured “let’s go get married, my love.”

[gimlilithegreat]

My ideal sequel to The Hobbit (ignoring LOTR, the OTTrilogy can continue being perfect forever as a completely separate concept) is a vaguely slapstick groundhog’s day style redo where every time Bilbo dies he’s sent back to the day Gandalf arrives to invite him on an adventure.

It starts off enthusiastic because Bilbo is going to do everything right this time, he’s going to tell Gandalf immediately so they can fix everything and save everyone and stop Sauron.

But Bilbo keeps dying and everything keeps going wrong in new and incredible ways. They try the whole eagle thing. They try going with a massive army. Bilbo tries sneaking past Shelob, so many times.

He dies to orcs, spiders and old age. He dies falling off horses, tripping off cliffs and on one memorable occasion of a heart attack.

He lives through wars and councils and losing everyone over and over again.

And eventually Bilbo is a defeated hobbit with too many deaths in his memory to count and nothing left in him to give. He wakes up after his latest failure and decides to just go on the stupid quest to Erebor because if nothing else it worked last time.

He finds himself enjoying it, enjoying spending time with these dwarves who are confused by the tiny little war veteran in their midst. He’s weirdly laissez faire about dying and surprisingly good with a sword considering he’s a hobbit.

They get attached and work together to stop their little companion from walking into oblivion and Bilbo slowly remembers what living felt like and is starting to get his motivation back. This time with the desperation that this time will work out specifically because he loves these dwarves and no other versions of them will ever be the same. He has family now and he doesn’t want to leave them behind.

Bilbo’s learnt a lot over hundreds of life times and he uses all of that knowledge to get them through safely.

Facing off with orcs, brow beating stubborn elves and whipping the gold sickness straight out of dwarves.

He comes to the end of the journey, his dwarves are safe, Erebor is reclaimed with shockingly minimal loss of life and he has the ring and the willingness to try again for Mordor - when Bofur’s like, “what do you mean Mount Doom’s the only place it can be destroyed? Sounds like you just need lava. Follow me laddie.” And takes him down to the deepest and darkest parts of the mines under Erebor where dwarves have dug the deepest and uncovered great chasms at the bottom of which flow molten rivers of magma.

They drop in the ring.

It floats on the surfaces for a moment before it cracks and dissipates with an unsettling scream.

In the distance to the east a tower falls and orcs and goblins watch with horror as the eye melts and shatters.

Down the depths of Erebor Bilbo lets out a great sigh of relief.

“It’s almost four Bilbo, we should get you some tea before that stomach of yours starts a revolt.”

And Bilbo goes back up into the sunlight to settle in for a nice afternoon visit with his dwarves in the garden they built for him on the slopes of Erebor.

[hazelira]

at least, once

The night air is cold against my skin as I step outside, the weight of my luggage dragging behind me. The streetlights flicker faintly, casting long, lonely shadows across the pavement. Our house looms behind me, silent and still, like a graveyard of memories I no longer belong to.

My breath shudders as I exhale, watching it dissipate into the night like all the words we never said. I don’t look back. If I do, I know I’ll break.

Ni-ki is still inside. Maybe asleep. Maybe awake. Maybe standing behind the door, listening, waiting for me to change my mind. But we both know that won’t happen.

It hurts. God, it hurts.

But love doesn’t always mean staying. Sometimes, love is knowing when to walk away before the pieces left behind become unrecognizable.

I clutch the handle of my suitcase, my fingers trembling. I should have seen this coming—the way the late-night conversations turned into silence, the way his touch became hesitant, the way his eyes searched for something in me that wasn’t there anymore. Or maybe it was, and he just stopped trying to find it.

A tear slips down my cheek, and I let it.

"Maybe you won’t love me again," I whisper into the void, my voice cracking under my heartache. "But at least I got loved by you once, and that was the best feeling ever."

And with that, I take my first step away.

The suitcase wheels rattled against the pavement, a quiet echo against the stillness of the night. Each step away from him, from our love, felt like ripping apart a piece of myself. But I had no choice.

Ni-ki told me it was an accident. That the girl kissed him, that he pulled away. But all I could think about was—what if it wasn’t? What if, for just a moment, he forgot that I was his? I forgot that I was the love of his life, supposedly.

What if, years from now, we got married, had kids, built the future we used to dream of—and he saw her again? What if he still thought about her? What if, behind my back, he met her in secret and whispered apologies against her lips the way he should have whispered them to me?

The thoughts wouldn’t stop. They clawed at my chest, suffocating me. I didn’t want to live a life full of what ifs. I didn’t want to wake up every morning wondering if I was enough. Suppose I would always be enough.

So I left.

And now, the sun was rising over a Ni-ki-less future.

His POV:

The bed was cold when I woke up.

I reached out instinctively, searching for her warmth and familiar weight beside me. But all I found was space.

My heart dropped.

“Babe?” My voice was hoarse, sleep-rough, but there was no answer.

The air felt wrong. The silence screamed louder than anything.

I stumbled out of bed, my chest tightening as I rushed through our house. The bathroom? Empty. The kitchen? Empty. The front door—unlocked.

That’s when I saw it.

The missing suitcase. The empty closet.

She was gone.

A shaky breath left me as my knees hit the floor. My mind raced, replaying every last word, every last look. The way she trembled when I told her. The way her eyes darkened with thoughts she didn’t say aloud.

I thought she’d stay. I thought she would yell, cry, tell me she hated me, but still choose me anyway.

But she didn’t.

I pressed a hand over my mouth, my body trembling.

She left.

Forever.

Your POV:

The morning light creeps through the cheap motel curtains, bathing the dull room in soft gold. But no warmth reaches me. The sheets are stiff, the air stale. Everything about this place screams temporary—just like us.

I pull my knees to my chest, staring at my phone on the nightstand—no missed calls. No texts.

Ni-ki hasn’t called.

I don’t know if I should be relieved or shattered.

Maybe he’s still asleep. Perhaps he woke up, saw I was gone, and decided I wasn’t worth chasing. Maybe this is proof that I was right to leave.

But why does it hurt so much?

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to push away the image of him waking up, running through the house, calling my name—only to be silent.

Would he cry? Would he sit on the floor, his head in his hands, wondering where I went wrong?

Or would he… move on?

I bite my lip to keep the sob from breaking free.

I want to believe he’s hurting like I am, that this is tearing him apart, too. But I also want to believe that leaving was the right choice.

I can’t have both.

I press my forehead against my knees, swallowing the ache in my throat.

Maybe in another life, I would have stayed.

Maybe in another life, he wouldn’t have let me go.

His POV:

The house is too quiet.

Too empty.

It doesn’t feel like home anymore, not without her.

I sit on the floor, staring at the space where her suitcase used to be. My fingers dig into my hair as I replay last night repeatedly. The way her face fell when I told her. The way her lips trembled like she was holding back a scream.

She didn’t yell, throw things, or demand to know why.

She just… left.

I should have stopped her. Should have grabbed her wrist, pulled her into my arms, begged her to stay.

But I didn’t.

Because deep down, I knew—she wasn’t just leaving because of the kiss.

She was leaving because of what it meant.

She thinks I’ll do it again. That someday, years from now, she’ll be sitting at home with our kids while I’m out somewhere, lips pressed against another girl’s.

And the worst part? I can’t blame her for thinking that.

I never got the chance to tell her—tell her that it was never a choice, never a moment where I forgot she was mine.

Because forgetting her? Impossible.

She is in everything. The way the pillows still smell like her shampoo. The tea mugs on the counter that she always forgot to clean. The way the sun hits the window just right at this hour, the same way it used to catch in her hair when she sat in this very spot.

She’s everywhere. And now, she’s nowhere.

I reach for my phone, my hands shaking. I stare at her contact, my thumb hovering over the call button.

What if she doesn’t answer?

What if she does?

What if she’s waiting for me to fight for her?

I take a deep breath and press the call.

It rings once. Twice.

Then—

"The number you are trying to reach is unavailable."

The automated voice cuts through my chest like a blade.

She blocked me.

And just like that, I know—

She’s really gone.

His POV:

I keep staring at my phone, my mind racing with thoughts I can’t escape.

What if I never told her?

What if I had just swallowed the guilt, buried it deep inside, and let it rot within me instead of breaking her heart with the truth?

Would she still be here? Would she be curled up on the couch, waiting for me to wake up so we could eat breakfast together? Would I still hear her laugh echo through the house, still feel her fingers tangle in mine, still see the love in her eyes when she looked at me?

I told myself that honesty was the right thing to do. That I owed it to her. But now, I wonder—did I just ruin everything for nothing?

It wasn’t my fault.

I didn’t know the girl. I didn’t even see it coming. One second, I was standing there, and the next—her lips were on mine. Everything happened so fast. I pulled away immediately. I didn’t kiss back. I didn’t even hesitate before pushing her off me.

But none of that mattered, did it?

Because in her mind, the damage was already done.

She didn’t just leave because of the kiss. She left because she couldn’t live with the possibility of me hurting her again. Because she thought that someday, I would forget she was the love of my life.

But she was wrong.

I could never forget.

I press my palms against my face, squeezing my eyes shut.

If I had just kept my mouth shut, if I had just held her a little tighter that night and never let her feel like she had to run—

Would she still be mine?

Or would the truth have found its way out eventually, tearing us apart in an even worse way?

I don’t know.

And maybe I never will.

Your POV:

I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting in my car, hands gripping the steering wheel, staring at nothing.

The bags are still in the backseat, untouched. I was so sure when I packed them—so sure that leaving was the right thing to do. That I had to go before I convinced myself to stay in something that would only hurt me later.

But now, I don’t know anymore.

Ni-ki told me the truth. I didn’t even give him a chance to explain everything, to tell me what happened in full. I just let my mind take over, drowning in worst-case scenarios until I felt like I was suffocating.

And now, sitting here alone, I keep asking myself the same question.

Why do I always run?

Every time someone hurts me, even if it’s unintentional, even if they don’t deserve to be abandoned—why do I leave before they get the chance to fix it?

Ni-ki isn’t perfect. He made a mistake. But I know him. I know his heart. I know the way he looks at me, like I’m the only thing that matters.

I still love him.

I love him so much it terrifies me.

I glance at my keychain, my fingers brushing against the silver house key.

I still have it.

He didn’t change the locks. He didn’t throw my things outside. Maybe…maybe he’s waiting.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I grab the key and step out of the car. The cold air stings my face, but I barely notice as I make my way back to the house.

I stand in front of the door, hesitating.

What if he’s asleep?

What if he doesn’t want me back?

What if I’m too late?

I shake the thoughts away and slide the key into the lock.

The moment the door opens, my breath catches.

There he is.

Ni-ki is sitting on the floor in the dimly lit living room, his back against the couch, his phone hanging limply in his hands. He looks exhausted—eyes red-rimmed, hair a mess, his hoodie wrinkled like he hasn’t moved in hours.

The second he sees me, he freezes.

We stare at each other, time stretching between us, hearts hanging in the balance.

And then—

“...You came back.” His voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper.

I nod, my throat tight. “I never really wanted to leave.”

He swallows hard, like he’s trying to hold himself together. “Then why did you?”

I step inside, letting the door click shut behind me. “Because I was scared.”

Silence. A thick, fragile silence.

Then he stands, his movements slow, careful, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he moves too fast.

“I need you to know something,” he says, voice rough with emotion. “That night… I didn’t kiss her. I didn’t even see it coming. The moment it happened, I pushed her away. And the only thing I could think about was you. How much I love you. How much I—” His voice catches, and he swipes a hand down his face. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, my vision blurring. “I know.”

Ni-ki takes a shaky breath. “Do you?”

I nod, stepping closer. “I let my thoughts ruin everything before you even had the chance to explain. I ran because I thought it would be easier than staying and facing it. But I—” My voice wavers, and I look down, hands trembling. “I don’t want to keep running from the people I love.”

A pause. Then, a whisper. “You still love me?”

I look up, and for the first time since I left, I smile. It’s small, hesitant, but it’s real. “Yeah. I do.”

Before I can say anything else, Ni-ki closes the space between us, wrapping me in his arms so tightly it knocks the air out of my lungs. I bury my face in his chest, breathing him in, feeling his warmth, his heartbeat racing against mine.

He’s shaking.

“I thought I lost you,” he murmurs into my hair. “I thought I lost you forever.”

I close my eyes, holding onto him just as tightly. “You didn’t.”

And in that moment, I know—

We’re not perfect. We’ll make mistakes. We’ll hurt each other sometimes.

But love isn’t about running when things get hard.

It’s about finding your way back.

requested by: anonymous

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[sugurusladyknightt]

what i'm thinking of right now is what if someone tried hitting on you out while out on a date with your love.

satoru would've stepped away to grab the ice cream that had you waiting in a line for what you thought would feel like forever. it was fun though, the two of you pausing your initial conversation about the days plans in favour of people watching and listening in on the very scandalous conversations of those who stood with you in line. your eyes meeting in shock or surprise every so often, doing your best to disguise your laughs and gasps with charades of idle conversation and your own scandalous conversations referencing drama that, mind you doesn't really exist in your lives at the moment.

while he was a way your getting hit on by some creep. it didn't come off that way initially, but man was this getting uncomfortable fast. can this guy not take a hint? he's asking for your number once again and your refusing once again politely at first, and more stern as the advances keep coming. your not used to people that won't listen when you speak. since when did back off mean come closer? since when did i'm not interested become im just playing coy. since when did im taken, leave me alone translate to my relationship isn't real or isn't important to me and id throw it away for someone who doesn't understand basic boundaries and uses those suffocating, nauseating colognes?

drawing closer and closer to you. face far too close to yours, breathe stank too. yuck. he's gaining confidence now,convinced the 'boyfriend' you were talking about was an excuse you'd made up. your just nervous is all. playing hard to get.

panic starts to set into your bones. he's leaning back, all cocky now.

come on doll face, this 'boyfriend' of yours doesn't have to know. quit playing so high and mighty i know you want me.

you think you might throw up. when an ice cream cone hits him right in the centre of his face. comically sliding down his face. and satoru enters the scene. sun creating a halo around his fluffy white hair, your ho is glowing. signature classes sat pretty low on his nose his skin a little flushed from the heat (hence the ice cream) he's holding two more cones in his hands, walking towards you and and the offender, mock sympathy in his voice. as he expresses apologies that to just might seem sincere if your that stupid if you tried hard enough. grabbing the cone of his face to meet his eyes.

satoru has a incredibly towering stature, and while this wasn't news to you, it's quite impressive to see its advantages in real time.

peaking down at the face behind the sweet creamy mess, satoru recoils. "ew." his tone dripping with absolute disgust. turning around to make his "bleghh" face as he presses the now ice cream less cone into the man's hair. like a sad party hat above his head an sticks on of the other two, being careful to use the flavour he knows you like least, straight back into his face. massaging it around to cover as much of the monstrosity as possible before nodding proudly for his work. a pat on the make, and he's turing on his heel towards you with that blinding smile on his face.

dramatically, satoru drapes his hands over you shoulders, and leans his weight it, a pout on his strawberry glosses lips. "babyyyyy, the sight will haunt my night mares, scary people out there" he tuts standing straight with a satirical furrow between his brows. he should have been a theatre kid with all these dramatics. though you were greatful, and relived. he makes life feel so easy. it's contagious.

he looks down at you through his sunglasses small smile playing on his lips, face no longer contorted by an expression of discomfort or disgust.

satoru hands you the last cone. after all the two he got for him have served greater purpose than satisfying his sweet tooth. strong arm loosely hangs from you shoulder as you walk off leaving behind the cheap excuse of a man now covered in creamy deliciousness far too good him. your laughing at something satoru said as he glances back to see yhe newest addition to his hit list muttering to himself as he try's to get the ice cream of his over gelled greasy hair, fake designer top and horribly ugly face. satoru thinks he should just keep it as it was. ice cream was a far more pleasant sight. he looks back down at you eating away at your cone, there's a little caught at the corner of you lips.

smirking he leans down to lick it off, taking advantage of the angle of your head above his to make his eyes wide and pretty for you the same way he would when he was licking something else. your flustered, mouth open, paused mid sentence and your eyes wider than his now. wide eyes portraying his faux innocence drop to a sultry lidded gaze leaning in to kiss away another but in the other side. your fingers going up to feel if there's anything there on instinct.

he stands up quick, back to his regular self, pinching your check acting as if nothing had just transpired. like the subtle innuendo was felt only by you. "are you blushing?? god baby your such a pervert. is that all i am to you???"

and he's back to the dramatics. rolling your eyes your shrug him of and continue. he stays, watching you, his beloved walk ahead, he feels himself let out the dreamy exhale of a lovesick fool, he'll be the first to admit that for you, he is nothing else.

a quick jog is all it takes to catch up to you. arm coming back around your shoulder he leans in like he weighs the same as the feather. burying himself close to you. you smelt sweeter than ice cream. his hair tickles your neck, and your his face.

"baby"

a hmm is all he gets in reply, to busy lapping away at your cone to pay attention to the kind sexy clown you call you boyfriend. he got your favourite flavour after all.

extravagant gestures weren't something satoru shied away from, as we have gotten to see up close today. he was loud and carefree but he was yours. and you his. walking side by side, his arm around your shoulders, head resting close to you. he can feel your pulse (his posture must've looked horribly uncomfortableto someone watching from outside the two of you). it's peaceful like this. despite the bustling crowds and busy chatter around you, you shared a feeling of peace in that moment. body held close to the one you loved, despite the heat your far from bothered by the proximity. he smells so good.

then it hits him. no sweet treat :( the gravity of the situation makes it self clear to him, but his salvation, as always, is being held delicately in your hands.

"you wouldn't mind sharing with your brave, fearless, super funny, super hot, saviour knight now would do you baby"

[blueberrypancakesworld]

The emperors of rome

Commodus/Geta/Caracalla x fem!reader warning : just golden fluff and sweetness for the three Summary : On the third day, the splendour of Rome shines brighter than ever before. Three emperors from different reigns, all of them have put on the laurel wreath to give you the greatest gift they have - their love info : With Caracalla's comeback, my love for Geta and Commodus, the emperors have been given a day and I wish you only the best dear reader masterlist

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Commodus

His dream of Rome was already there, as soon as he looked at you, everything about the empire was perfect and no doubts could ever reach him. Whenever he saw his love, his empress and the most precious thing he had, he knew that on the day of love in honour of the gods he would also pay homage to their love.

Which began with a public appearance together, his hand holding hers as they gazed at the celebrating people from the palace and greeted, ,,They are all here only for our glorious love...and your beauty" he murmured to her and she felt the kiss on her temple.

The imperial couple travelled to the temple of Eros in a carriage, Commodus' gaze never leaving his wife as he saw her joy at the many flowers he had arranged. ,,A beauty" she said, her fingers touching the many roses and savouring the sweet smell as they walked up the stairs.

But no beauty or sweetness of the temples and gods could have surpassed his love for her, she was his, his greatest possession, ,,A beauty only you can surpass" he whispered to her before engaging her in a kiss before the god. If the gods were watching from Olympus, his love for her would surpass all others and the day of the festival would now be held in her honour.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Geta

The moment he had taken Rome with his brother, his dream seemed to have been realised, but with the marriage of his empress, the promise of marriage and their togetherness, the blond had found a new love.

A love that the older of the two emperors wanted to live out, especially on the feast day, no gems were too expensive and no gold too little, everything had to be perfect, ,,The gods will see this feast through the light" he promised her as he took her hand and the couple walked into the temple section of the palace.

Normally it would have been the ‘family prayer’ but they formed a family of their own. Though small and just the two of them, he seemed to see the wonder in her gaze, ,,You will sing about it" she agreed, and that she would see the sunlight streaming through the slits and hitting the gemstones.

It seemed as if the imperial couple were surrounded by rainbows as they stood together at the sacrificial altar, ,,And about your beauty in the presence of our union" he whispered to her, running his hand up hers to pull her close and give her a kiss. The gods, blinded by gold, would never know that they were celebrating each other instead of the deities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Caracalla

The younger of the two emperors, although less fit, took one thing seriously since he lost his heart. His devotion to his beloved wife, however, was something that hardly anyone would have suspected had they not seen it with their own eyes.

Recognised in public for his eccentric and excited manner, Emperor Caracalla did not seem to leave his wife's side, ,,The gods should worship you!" he suggested on this feast day as he took her hand and held it up in jubilation for all to see.

His smile was rarely so broad and cheerful, he was so excited and affectionate as he was chosen by his brother for the public procession, ,,They should honour us darling" she replied, also making an inviting gesture towards the younger emperor, and the people cheered as the carriage moved on.

The journey to the temple took a few more minutes but they didn't need a temple, Caracalla didn't need gods he would simply worship his wife and make all of Rome worship her, ,,I will always worship you today, forever" he said and gave her a hasty kiss before he couldn't hold back his giggles. He had fallen for her with all his heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@thatsthewrongwallcraig , @bruhlpng , @bel0ved-heretic , @tori111777 , @cottoncandiescupcakes

[unholywriters]

You Can't Escape From Me

╰┈➤ Summary: Johnny has twins who you used to babysat for a while when he needed help, but he didn't keep you then because he wanted you to branch out and chase after your dream job before coming back. Years past and he got an invited to a gala with a mystery bag from the one person he wanted to see

╰┈➤WC: 11.8k

╰┈➤ Parings: mafia Johnny x male reader

╰┈➤Genre: non-idol au, mafia au, 18+, smut

╰┈➤ Warnings: unprotected sex, mentions of blood

╰┈➤ Ratings: 18+

╰┈➤ Taglist: @xomakara

╰┈➤ Network: @ksmutsociety

╰┈➤ Credits: @aaagustd for the banner <3

Being in the mafia with kids is almost never fun, because you want them to have fun with their lives, living the best normal life you might give them before anything else, but sometimes things happen, there isn’t much anyone can do other than try. The father of twins, he always tried his best to make sure his twins felt loved and cared for. He didn’t dare think of hurting them or dropping them off at people when he was busy, he just had to figure out a way to make sure that they were loved, cared for and given the best he could do without making them scared of him, or if they got worried if they would ever be taken. The man was known as the Blood Spade, he always left a spade card after doing his job. Whether it would be a simple shot, or after terrifying people, he was born into this lifestyle and he was prepared for all of it. But he knew he had to ease his kids into when they got to the age, he made them a deal, when they become juniors in high school, he will explain his dangerous work and give them a choice, they can either stay with him and learn their own places in the mafia, or they could start their lives with different names so no one can trace them.

He loves his kids more than anything and wants them to know he will never drag them into this life if they truly don’t want to. Because there’s no sugar coating the life he was living, but that never stopped him from giving his kids the best he could when he could without spoiling them too much, but he knew they needed someone to stay home with them when he was gone, someone he could trust to talk to and someone who could watch his kids for the time he needed to leave for work, often staying late to handle business and make it look, more intresting for someone to find since he loved leaving messages, but with his kids being older now, it was harder to find someone he could trust enough to watch them when he was gone, sure he could trust them to stay alone, but he kids felt lonely when he was gone, knowing that calling him during work was dangerous but they needed someone to stay.

There was someone Johnny missed to trust to watch his kids, but knew they were living their best life, something he always hoped for when he first got to meet them again. His twins were younger, more hyper and trying their best to make their dad proud. He invited you to stay with him, paying you a hefty sum of 300 a week, letting you stay in the guest room while he used this to advance his empire. Making sure he secured more people and tied loose ends to make sure his kids were safe, making sure no one could see their face to tie them back to his empire. He would come back home after what felt like forever and see you bonding with them, his favorite two favorite moments, walking in to see the three of them all baking cupcakes together, it was for their kids class for someone’s birthday, and the kids wanted to be nice, making extra to keep at home as a snack. He walked in tired and the sounds of laughter got him curious, seeing the twins trying to put frosting while getting the frosting on their faces and noses, he walked in just as you got a picture. He smiled during it.

Getting pulled into the chaos by his son who was more excited to see him, leaving some cupcakes for him and you to decorate for later, he just went along with it, he got plenty of pictures. He saved them and had them framed in his office, he was one of all three of you just smiling, frosting on your cheeks and the brightest smile he ever saw. The second picture he had was on his phone, he came home worried because it was quiet and the house was dark; he was quiet when walking in since he thought it was a trap, walking through the rooms slowly only to find all three of you to sleep in his bed, you had a book in your hands, all three of you were in your pjs, and sleep in your own blankets. His heart melted at the sight, he quietly got himself dressed for bed and just laid in bed, holding the three of you as close as he could, he never wanted to let you go but he had to. You had your own dreams, but you kept the promise of staying in touch with his kids, something that makes them happy when they get a message from you.

But their responses have been slow since they’ve started school and have taken turns trying to study, which is why Johnny didn’t know if he should introduce them to this life, because he is rooted down into this life. But if he could get them a better life, he would get it.

“Appa, come on! We got an invitation to this place and we should go! It looks great.”

“Did you finish your homework and actual studies? If we went to it, we’d need to hurry and pick out some outfits. How do the two of you propose we get those in time, hm?”

Johnny had his kids move into a slightly bigger house, Each of them having their own rooms and bathrooms now to take care of, Johnny doesn’t hire too many workers, he only hires someone to garden the place and occasionally to clean some places of the house they can’t reach, if they use the pool they usually hire someone to clean the floors of it, often using it to practice swimming, since they don’t host parties at their main house, not like they ever planned on having parties here, since that would mean Johnny would have to be worried if an enemy child was here, not wanting his kids to get into this life too early. That and he didn’t want to watch other kids try to have some fun in some of his guest rooms or leave it to be a mess. He wasn’t about to be dealing with all of that.

“Well, about that!”

His son cheered, pulling up the three gift bags in hand, Johnny having a confused look on his face while slowly being handed a bag. It was silver, but it seemed to be heavy, whoever got him this, he was curious about it. DId his kids get to it? Were they planning this ahead of time just in case he was worried or would tell them no if they didn’t get to go, but he was curious, did they get this in advance? Did someone give it to them or was this a trap? If it was a trap, should he really risk going there? Letting down his twins who were well into their adulthood, not entirely but they were both 18, almost 19 soon and on the way to graduate early if they wanted to, it was their choice was he was ready to support whichever one.

“Where did you two get these from?”

“That’s a surprise we can’t open till 8! You’ll love it.”

“You better not peek either, we have to be surprised just like the rest of us!”

“Ah so you two know who sent it?”

“You’ll love it!”

Looking at his kids, his daughter, who was more excited about the outfits than his son, held his hands up and gave a soft sigh, but he still had a smile on his face as he did so. Agreeing to not look until it was time for them to get dressed and ready to go, it made him wonder how they were already prepared for it to happen. But he was happy to see them so excited to go, they had about 3 hours to get ready so it was unlikely they could not go; they seemed to have it all planned out from the start it seemed, but as promised he made sure to never peak while he listened on the place they were planning to go. Curious how they heard about this and not him but it makes sense that his kids were listening in on the fashion world. After all that’s where you were, attending places to achieve your dreams while the kids cheered for you from afar, Johnny just hoping the best for you and that your dream adventures go well and that someday he can meet you again. Not in any bad way but he wants to see you, maybe one day.

For now, he was just glad that his kids were safe and happy, plus he got to catch up with some of his old friends to make this work even more for him. Maybe he would see them at this event, but he knew he had to be careful, what if he saw someone he didn’t want to see, could he trust the security of the place to be sure? Would he be able to keep his kids safe and get out in a safe manner? Would he be able to stall for longer for them to get out before he needed to get out himself? Was he thinking too deep into this? Was he that paranoid about the kids' safety he didn’t want them going places where he didn’t have men there? OR where he knew the layout? He didn’t even get information about this place till just now, unless the place slipped his mind when he was being too busy about something and he needed to figure out what he was gonna do about it. Here he was, two teenagers who were growing up, getting ready to choose whatever dream they wanted to and still he was still worried about them.

He figured he should call someone, or his friends because he wanted to be sure. He wanted to call you, he truly did but figured you would be busy and didn’t want to distract you, so he ended up calling another fashion friend of his, Xiaojun. Someone who would often critize him for most of his outfit choices since sometimes he never looked like he could rip you apart with his own hands if he tried to, but he could and would if he ever had to. But that was a story for another day, and another time. Sitting in his office chair, softly tapping his black pen in his free hand, he scrolled to his friends' contacts, stopping just to look at the picture of you. Having a bright smile on your face since the picture was when he walked in on you having the time of your life baking like there was no tomorrow.

But he scrolled past it, calling his friend knowing they would answer it within a couple of rings and soon enough he was right. After two rings he heard his friend's voice on the other line, sounding like he just got done doing something but he was also trying not to laugh.

“Yes Johnny? Do I need to run another fit check on you and you’re calling me to give you tips, again?”

“Funny, but no. It’s about a gala that’s today, do you know anything about it? My kids seem to have this planned out since they gave me a bag with an outfit I can’t open for another two hours. What’s this about?”

“Oh my gods, Johnny I told you this a week ago so you could tell me what I Could make for you! There’s a new fashion icon, as they say, joining and I invited all three of you! It’s important since there will also be members who want to reach out to join you for alliance reasons. And since Junseo he might run into some business partners of yours and try to get other tips, you won’t tell him yet. DId they tell you who the bags were from?”

“No, there’s a note on it but Sojeung won’t let me even look at the note till it's time to get ready. So with that being said, can you tell me about the place itself? If we need to bring extra guards, is Yuta in charge of drinks and food this time? He always checks before serving food to guests.”

Turning in his chair, looking out his large office window as the sin began to set, he was looking for the building it was taking place in, since he can see it from his window. It was close to the heart of the town, maybe that’s why traffic was altered, there were setting this up and making sure no one uninvited could come in without permission. He knew he could trust his friends, but it everyone who seemed friendly was, he wanted to be sure. But since he had a while till then, he could plan this out if he knew the layout, and knowing Xiaojun, he would have pointers for each exit he could take and where to have his car move by a driver, since he planned on having one take him there anyway, even though his kids could very well drive on their own, he was having a driver take them and calling it a day.

“Do you know if…y/n would be there too?”

There was a silent pause on the other line, almost like he wanted to say no, but he heard a soft chuckle on the other side, coming from his friend which always meant something. He knew he was being teased about it, but he just wanted to see, because if that were the case he would try to change his plans some.

“Yes Johnny, that is all I will tell you, the rest is a surprise for you to learn and see for yourself.”

“Oh, come on man really? That means even if you have something planned!”

“I do. Of course I do but telling you would ruin the surprise, now figure out your escape plan though I highly doubt there will be any conflict. But anyway, have fun. Don’t get too lost in your memories now, unless you want me to tease you more in the future.”

“You are no fun, you know that?”

Johnny got ready an hour early, since this would be the best time so the traffic wasn’t too bad and he had a feeling most who were invited got to arrive early before crowds tried to make their way in when seeing all the cars before trying to take pictures of them and post them online for everyone to see. He made sure his kids were actually getting ready first before he walked to the silver bag, bringing it to his bathroom, slowly opening it and seeing the note first. He was nervous about it, when he used to get notes they would always tease him about trying to come for him or his family, which would never end well and he enjoyed it. But who would send him something? He was questioning this till he saw the handwriting, and couldn’t help but smile at it.

“Hey Johnny! It’s your favorite bookworm. If you got this, it means I finally became a fashion designer and wanted to make you something! I had to call xiaojun for measurements because I wanted to surprise you and the twins! I tried my best and if you don’t like it I understand since I didn’t just want to do the classic white and black suit for you and Junseo. I wanted to add flair, and since the kids will be there, yes, there’s a shirt, if you choose to come to the after party which I hear is always filled with gossip so I might not go, you can just wear the jacket, I hope to see you there!”

Looking at the note, Johnny smiled wide. Truly happy and smiling as he read the note slowly, making sure he skipped no words or lines, just hearing your voice as he read. You made him an outfit, of course he was wearing it regardless of how it looked. And then he would make sure he was taking great care of it properly. Like he would ever let any of your works get destroyed. He was nervous, what was he about to see? But he was also excited.

He walked over to the suit and slowly pulled out the hanger since it was carefully folded in with one. It came in this beautiful,midnight blue long coat that had a little trail behind him. A slightly loose vest with the matching satin slacks. He could pick teh shoes but the outfit was simple, but with how Johnny would style himself, it would make him pop even just a little. He was so glad he took a shower before looking at this, making sure he looked great. Having some of his hair tucked back to his scalp, with some of his hair sticking out on the right side of his face. He was careful when getting on the outfit, standing back to see himself in the mirror. Oh he loved it, slipping his hands in his pockets, he loved it. He knew just the earrings, necklace and bracelet to put on for the moment.

He was careful while he looked in the mirror, smiling to himself while he fixed the coat, he didn’t have all the buttons closed since that was just the way he was with them. He picked out his shoes and sprayed his favorite cologne, checking himself in the mirror one more time before leaving to check on his kids. He was beaming with a smile that never seemed to leave while he walked down the large circle stairway, seeing Junseo matching with him though his trail was barely there and he understood why. He didn’t want to trip or get it caught, but he was more formal with his, tucking in the vest and making sure no unwanted skin was showing with his dangling earrings.

“You saw the note too right!”

He beamed, so excited to see his dad’s reaction to getting something from you after all this time not being able to see and being too nervous to call you. Which made him a little sad because he always promised to call you whenever he couldn’t want you to think he had forgotten you, because he never truly could.

“Yes Junseo, I got it. Did you know it was coming from y/n this entire time?”

“I didn’t but Sojeung did, she made me promise not to tell you since she wanted all of us to be surprised with them.”

He heard heels clicking, turning to the staircase to see his daughter walking down in what he thought was a ball gown. It wasn’t too long to where her shoes would get caught, but it covered them to make it look like she was gliding on air. The sleeves were fluffy, ruffled even, but they covered her shoulders which was something johnny would still make sure wasn’t too bad, the center of the dress had a little heart in the middle of her chest, she paired it with a matching heart necklace, and since she always loved red dresses, this one made just for her. His smile grew more than he possibly thought that it could. He wanted a picture, but he wanted one with all of them in it and knew he needed to wait before he got the chance for that to happen.

“These are all amazing! I knew Y/n was gonna be great!”

“Look at Appa! He’s smiling and we haven’t left yet.”

“Let’s go pick a car, who texted the driver or did someone text Uncle Xiaojun for this part.”

Crossing his arms, he saw his daughter smile before walking over to the closet door. This meant Xiaojun had a driver come in a different car, something he knew he was gonna use by the end of the night. He playfully rolled his eyes while walking outside, opening the doors while making sure security knew not to let anyone in until he returned. Following behind his kids, he saw the xiaojun sitting in his car with the window down, his driver having a car behind him with no one else inside of it, but just in case. His main car was a white Mercedes Sedan, he loved this car.

The inside of the car had black leather seats. Some had extra cushions to make you feel more comfortable for longer rides, the consul in the middle of the back seats having a spot for chargers, glasses of any drinks really and a spot for phones and snacks. The floor mats feel soft but also easy to clean. The front had a different middle console connecting to the dashboard that had its own touch screen for the music and everything with seats with their own warmers and coolers in the chairs with plenty of room for their legs. The kids got in the second car; it was all planned out beforehand; it was planned from the start, leaving Johnny in the dark but it was for a good reason this time. The kids would take the extra car while xiaojun drove him. Then again, this would be for private talks and the kids didn’t need to hear them tonight.

“You’re glowing more than the kids were, I take it you got the note?”

“Jun I’m more excited to see them, Is that why you have a second car and whatnot?”

Xiaojun had a smirk on his face as he began the drive, softly humming and pushing the hair back from his face, chuckling softly as he drove down the dark street only being lit up by headlights and car lights. Johnny leaning far back in the chair with his seatbelt on, looking out the window trying to cover his smile.

“Exactly why, how could I not? You never attend those after parties, and the kids planned on staying over with me anyway since I promised them a deal, if you agreed they could stay at my place, if not I would set up a meeting with the two of you. Besides, y/n would’ve been mad at you.”

“Shut up, I can’t wait to see what y/n made for themselves, have they gotten into any trouble that you know of?”

“No, as far as I know no. But we know better, if anything y/n would tell you alone with no one being there. I can imagine you taking them back home, so I made sure you had a second car to take them. I already have clothes for the kids.”

“DId all of you truly just plan this from teh start minus me and y/n knowing?”

“Yes, Johnny we did.”

Rolling his eyes in a playful manner, everyone had arrived at the venue before the camera's barged in, security was already waiting and a checklist to make sure no one tried to ruin it by coming in, or making a scene. Johnny walked inside with his kids, looking at the large room, it had a photo station along with a walkway to show off your outfit and pose with people you enjoyed. The tables have spots reserved with names, each having their own little theme to them and a mixture of the colors each party would wear. The lights weren’t too bright, but not too dim where it was hard to see. The flowers hanging from the ceiling. It was like walking into a fancy garden with tables and places to show off.

He slowed down his walking, looking around to see you before getting to the table, looking around but trying to keep his hair out of his face. He looked to see his kids hugging you, and seeing you made him smile at the sight. You were wearing one of your own designs; it hugged every part of you just right, not too tight but not too loose. Even in the lighting you were glowing in his eyes, he didn’t move; he wanted to see his kids enjoy this moment while he pulled out his phone and took a picture. Looking down for a minute at the picture, he saw you looking at the camera when he took it, which made him look up to see you walking towards him. He watched you walk with power in each step, slipping the phone in his pocket before opening his arms to embrace you in the tightest hug, nearly picking you up even. He was always known to give tight hugs when he missed someone close to him.

“Goodness, you look absolutely stunning. You made these yourself?”

Softly setting you down with a questioning look, his arms resting on your shoulders, slowly going down while he stared down into your eyes, his smiling shining with yours. Your hands holding onto his arms with joy and excitement in your eyes, it made him want to just hold you even more because he wanted to know what else you had to say.

“I did! Do you love it? I remember you almost never button up your vest fully but loved the flare.”

“Are you kidding me I love this, I feel like superman with how I’m walking. You know unless it’s a formal event I’m keeping one of these unbuttoned. You even made the kids glow and they look so amazing. God, even you look amazing! I hope I didn’t mess up anything.”

“You didn’t, I wanted to do simple outfits this time, but I love making expensive gowns for evening get-togethers or even wedding gowns!”

“Ooo, will we see some of those tonight? I’d buy them right now, the gowns at least, Sojeung doesn’t need to see those and try to rush into marriage yet.”

“Yes, you will and no you can’t buy them all, Though knowing you, you’d pay me more than I was charging.”

“You’re so right, come and sit with us, I’m pretty sure I saw your name there anyway and you’re right next to me.”

Pulling out the chair for his daughter, then for you, he sat down next to you while the gala now started. Everyone got to choose their drinks, Johnny making sure no liquor was given to his kids or even you for that matter, while listening to you talk about your adventures with fashion, it was something everyone was curious about since you rarely posted anything on socials since you were so invested in your career. But even while everyone seemed to be attached in the story, Johnny was staring at you the entire time. A smile on his face while he made sure you had his entire attention unless someone tried to get his attention. But for now, everyone seemed to make their own plans before the main event where to start. Sojeung had more questions but he was just staring, his chin resting on one of his hands with a soft but bright smile on his face.

But soon you had to leave to make sure the gowns were ready for show, he didn’t want to leave you, but he knew people were going to use this time now. His kids wanted to ask questions but Xiaojun stayed near them just to be safe and no one was trying to take advantage of them, but he had more mafia talks in the works. Some even begged for help or to forgive debts, he didn’t know, but you were peeking to see him working, how his pure happy expression changed into a dark and serious one. He gave each of them the same attention span, some had more of an easier time, some were left to scramble. He got his name for a reason, he wouldn’t show it now, but if he saw someone he would show why people feared him. But when he saw you walk on stage, the darkness faded away and the light came back in his eyes.

He watched you make a quick speech, his legs staying crossed while blocking out people who weren’t his kids, seeing how each design was showing, he knew his daughter wanted to study under you when she graduated, and he could see why she would. He never talked till the end, waiting for you at the door just to congratulate you on everything, everything looked amazing, it wasn’t too bright but not too dim on the models. Some were taking notes on the choices that they were seeing, even while you stood to the side and watched the models walk, waiting for the last one before walking out, your smile was glowing in the light while waving to everyone, blowing a kiss to Junseo and Sojeung and a wink to Johnny, who slowly took a sip of his wine, his true first sip of the night while he listens to you giving the ending speech, more than happy to join the fashion world with those close to you and learning more tips, making new friends and collaborate.

But the night just started, Johnny has plans, but he also wants to see what you have planned, after all you two have many things to talk about but some might not be at the to talk about in a place as backed as this one is. But he also would not take you away this fast after all the kids missed you more than anything, he could just sit here and watch, and for a while he did that, till someone carefully walked up to him and kissed the golden ring on his finger, the mafia ring his father gave him to make sure his role stood out when people looked at him. If they wanted to ask a favor or talk to him, they would have to kiss it before talking. Johnny looked away and down at the kneeling man, he was in the darker spot of the venue. But for some, it just made his gaze look more terrifying to them most.

“Mr. Spade, it’s a pleasure to see you here, I’ve been trying to reach you for a while regarding the debts I’ve been trying to pay off.”

“Your name, there are several of you that have debts to pay off to me, and most of you are falling behind on those and not all of them are going to live to get it.”

His voice stayed calm, something some found more scary while he moved his hand away, grabbing the cup and fixing himself to face the person, the older man who looked to be in his 50s. His suit was as nearly fixed as he could get it, trying to look at ease while he sat next to Johnny in a different chair. His legs were crossed with his wine glass slightly twirling, he was curious what the approach was this time and why should he let this man walk away debt free. He was there for a reason; it was an easy lesson. Though some always say that he’s unfair or being too harsh, there are always two sides to a story, and a coin.

“I was thinking, most debts like this are often paid off in a marriage.”

“My children. Are off limits. Mr. Kang, and no, I am not marrying anyone you even try to offer. Now, do you have a different approach or are you going to ask for an extension?”

His voice went colder, his smirk showing a dark twist as he stared at the man in the eyes. He wanted to stab the man’s hand but his kids were here, you were here. Too many people were here and he would not overshadow your event with his business for the time being. He refused to, and that so many people were trying to use this spot to do so we're making him mad. If anything, he just wanted to sit here and watch your smile glow, thinking about the times he wished he could see it closer like he was just standing there in the distance just to watch you glow even more.

“You know y/n, yes? They only sent out personal invitations. I’m their uncle, I can give-.”

Johnny shot him one more glare, his smirk was gone, his face was cold and stern. With a threatening look that could kill anyone if possible. He set down the wineglass and leaned closer, his arms resting on his knees before tilting his head in a dangerous slow turn.

“If you ever use y/n against me like that again, I will make sure you feel every gun shot before I cut your head off and put it in front of your business for everyone to see. Y/n cut you out for a reason, and I can see why. Now go back to paying your debt till you die, when that happens, I’ll forgive your debt, if anyone still stands by you on your deathbed. Now leave my sights, or this place will be the last place anyone ever sees you again.”

Letting out a sigh, he watched Mr.Kang scramble to leave the area before he truly was about to die, but he was still angry. He knew you never liked your uncle, always asking people to pay off debts so much that he got himself into trouble, it got to where it was affecting you so you just left with the clothes on your back so you could start on your own. He was so mad he didn’t hear you walking over, he only turned his head when he heard the chair move closer to him, but then he saw you and he couldn’t help but smile, putting his hands down and relaxing while turning his whole body to you. His head tilting to the side with a smile on his face.

“You did amazing up there bookworm. I loved those gowns, the wedding dresses I know for a fact Sojeung is going to buy one from you regardless of the price.”

“She was telling me that before deciding they should go with Xiaojun back home, I almost didn’t see you till now. You looked annoyed talking to my uncle, let me guess, was he trying to ask you for money?”

“He…owes me money. I did him a favor a long time ago, before I even had the twins, he only now panicked. He took a lot from me.”

He had a soft chuckle, leaning back in the cozy chair while giving you his full attention. He could see the confusion on your face while the dots were connecting. It was something he wasn’t ready to fully talk about, but knew he needed to, though he wasn’t sure if he should do it here or somewhere else, where he can do it without worrying about others trying to ask him questions. Though he was used to it by now, he still found it to be annoying even after getting used to it by this point.

“He always said his biggest debt was to a mafia member, he always had some nasty things to say about this..Spade guy. I wanted to ask you about it but never could.”

Johnny gave you a soft look, but it wasn’t entirely just a soft look, it was something dark while he flicked his wrist and held up a spade card; It was the same one he always had when he was visiting people or having to deal with debts. He saw the look on your face, and he was happy at this point his kids were gone, he knew xiaojun gave him the spare key to the car he took earlier, so now he had a use for the kit.

“Follow me, we have things to talk about and being here would make it…hard to stay serious and on topic if people keep asking me questions, and clearly you have questions I need to answer in a more…quiet setting.”

His manners never once changed despite him seeing the questioning look written all over your face, this wasn’t how he imagined your first reunion back, but he knew at some point that he needed to get this out of the way and out in the open just so he can talk around you freely without having to worry. And besides, his kids know at least something about his work, just not the full story. He held his hand out to help you out of the seat. He didn’t move while he watched the look in your eyes, how they were slightly moving around, probably to see if he was joking but he sadly wasn’t. He was being the same serious Johnny who was also careful with how he acted; he didn’t want to scare you, but he also didn’t want to lie to you, not anymore about the darker side of his life.

Holding you hand in his hands, he walked to the spare car; he kept you close but not too close enough to where it felt like a threat. He even opened the passenger side door for you, knowing sitting in the back would be more difficult but this way it felt more personal. Since it would be just the two of you and he could easily give better answers, especially since he planned on taking you back to his place since that would have more proof and records of everything Mr.Kang owned him and why. He always wrote it down and had the person sign it, even with video proof in case someone thought it was against their will or even if it was fake. He always came prepared for situations like this for family members not wanting to believe what was happening, but he never enjoyed lying to people, especially those who were kept in the dark about everything.

“If you need proof, I have an entire notebook and video proof if you want to see why he has to pay me back, since I can imagine he’s tried to use you for his debts several times.”

Starting the car, Johnny stayed focused on your reaction, you were coming back from your thoughts, but he was still careful, he didn’t start driving but it was getting dark, and he knew the drive would’ve felt longer if you weren’t talking the way he knew you wanted to say and he needed to see and make sure that you could still talk, to react without hurting yourself or making him crash the car somehow. Slowly blinking, your seatbelt clicked before giving him a sharp turn, one leg crossing over the other and it made him think of the lunch times where you knew he had something interesting to say, and you wouldn’t ask for it out loud, but you’d give him a look and a pose, meaning you wanted to know everything top to bottom even if it wasn’t relevant to the story.

“Pick where you want me to start and where we’re going, I could start anywhere and still go right back to the start, bookworm.”

“Your new house since no one told me you moved and of course from the beginning. How in the world did you become the bloody spade when you hated getting a cut knee in the gym!”

Starting the car, he tried not to laugh when he knew you were, because it was true, he hated getting hurt in the gym and would act dramatic if he were to get hit with a ball or touched during any games of tag, basketball or anything in that nature. He would lay there and hope to be sent to the nurse's office just, so he never had to do it, but the teacher would just laugh and make him get back up and run laps alone so he couldn’t talk to anyone anymore instead of taking part in the lesson for the day, then again there were times he would get hurt and needed to be taken to the nurses office just to be safe, since some kids took gym way too seriously.

“Well, it was summer break of Junior year and I got told, not a choice, but told. I was taking over my father's spot, and he pushed me harder than any gym teacher ever could. He told me to pick a card and whichever one I got, I needed to make a name. He was Spiked king, My mom was the Ace, and I got Spades, but since he pushed me so hard I would… torture someone till they bleed, or if someone were to beg me for information, it would get to where they were bleeding. Hence why the name Bloody Spades.”

“How did my uncle get mixed up with you? He only needed help when I graduated.”

“Ah easy, he had a secret business he didn’t want any of you to know of because it was tied right into the mafia, helping create secret houses, managing the shipments, but he needed help. He wanted my Appa’s approval, but he needed mine so he asked for a favor, and I told him if he wanted my help he needed to prove it, and he was struggling for a long time. By the time you graduated, he wanted to marry you off to me to get out of the debt, but I always declined. And he’s been pushy about trying to get out of it, when you came over he tried one more time to marry you off, which was stupid because it would not work, now he just has a target on his back for even trying it.”

“I mean we did always warn him he was gonna mess with the wrong person and clearly, it was you. But do the kids know? Junseo always said he wanted to be like you, Do they know?”

“They do, not entirely, but they know I do some dangerous and deadly work, they have a choice, they can either stay with me and learn about it, or since I’ve made only their teachers know their faces, they can go out and do whatever they want and no one will ever be able to trace them to me. I won’t make one of them or the both of them stay, unless they want to because I also told them my help will be limited, since they would have to learn for themselves.”

The drive wasn’t too dark; it was just the same Johnny who was easy to read like a book but would never hurt a fly unless he truly needed to. But with you, he never could hurt you even if someone made him. Even now, driving you to his new house and parking the car in the much wider garage, there weren’t that many cards, but he had it split to where the kids had their own cards now and sections. But he's still stayed closer to the main door, it was just one of his rules and he knew which cars were his. Neither of you had gotten out of the car yet, he turned his attention back to you while he was explaining, seeing you get curious but you had a smile on your face. It made hom curious why you were smiling.

“Those kids really kept you sane didn’t they?”

“That and the two pictures I have of you three, seeing you smile when baking with them truly made me want to cry, it was just the cutest moment.”

“You always wanted a family, Johnny.”

“And the kids always saw you as their mom, y/n.”

His voice was softer, his eyes having a loving look while he just stared at you, even when sitting in the car he never wanted this moment between the two of you, but he knew the two of you needed to. The kids always saw you as their mom, he wanted to ask you to stay with him that day, to just move in and stay with them before slowly trying to marry you, he knew exactly what he wanted but he never wanted to push that into you, so he never made a move on it. Yet here he was, his kids were all grown up and could go anywhere they wanted, and there was truly nothing more stopping the two of you from staying near each other, unless you didn’t want to stay in the life he was in. Since it would mean if something happened to you, then blood would be shed regardless of how it happened.

“I know they did, when it was time for bed they never let me sleep in the guest room. They always made me sleep in your room, saying eomma should sleep in Appa’s bed.”

Johnny slowly got out, opening the passenger side door, holding your hand and walked inside of the different house. The living room was more larger, connected to the dining room and larger kitchen, that also had a bar display of his favorite drinks and cups to use when he wanted to, often being when the kids were fast asleep and he could sit on the couch or even in the larger backyard, sitting on one of the lounge chairs just near the pool. Watching you look around and feel around the new pieces of furniture in different ways. While he slowly walked into the kitchen, watching you through the openings and the dim lights.

“Can I interest you in a drink, hm? I’m sure you have more questions.”

“Hm.. Maybe, but does your room have a place we can…drink those?”

Johnny raised a brow slightly, looking at the bottles and cups before seeing you slowly walk over, examining each bottle to see which should be taken upstairs. The shoes were off, but he still looked amazing in his outfit. The way his hair was poking out, yet he still looked like a model who just got and was ready to come home and relax.

“How about we take this bottle? It’s my favorite wine.”

“You’ve become a wine taster too? This is sweet.”

“It’ll help me ask more…questions.”

Johnny gave a ‘right” look while grabbing the bottle and two small cups before walking up the spiral stairs, looking back at you, he just loved seeing you look curious now, the place felt the same but it was entirely different, the hallways were longer, the rooms were bigger with more views of the city, but it wasn’t loud anymore, it was the peaceful quiet. His room was larger than before, the black wooden floors with a large floating bed, it was closer to the door, but it also had the closet connected, but the large windows would slide open to the balcony, overlooking the large backyard and some of the other houses, though Johnny wouldn’t sit out there during the day unless someone wanted to see him in his robe and underwear. But that was for a different day, another story.

The lights were dim, and his tv was on with you having the remote to have some background noise if you wanted to, or even if you wanted to play some music just to play into the mood even more. Sitting on the bed, holding the cup, watching him pour some, but not enough to fill the entire cup. Laying on the other side of the bed, crossing one leg over the other and leaning on one arm, leaning slightly closer to you while taking small sips from his own cup. Whatever questions you had for him, he would answer honestly with no hesitation, unless he needed to find the words to make it make even just a little of sense for you.

“If you work just the mafia part, how do you cover it up? Surely people would’ve found out who you were by now.”

“Business men do anything to keep their stocks, some venture into the darker side and end up meeting me. Of course I never show my face, unless it’s during the day and they find me at my business, which needs a fashion designer in the works.”

“Did you seriously sneak that in just so I can stay near you during work?”

“I absolutely did. But those who find out my face don’t know about the twins since I don’t have them tied to me yet. But I have eyes everywhere, people everywhere who oversee a lot of things that some might not think I have.”

“Did you ever have men watching me?”

“No, if I did you would’ve figured it out sooner by now, I wanted you to enjoy your dream choice without worrying if I was being weird, I wanted to call you so many times, but knew if I did I would’ve lost it, that wasn’t gonna be fair to you.”

“So you waited for me here, for that long? And you wonder why I used to say I wanted a man like you.”

“The only way you’re getting a partner like me is by dating me, y/n.”

“Looks like the kids are getting their eomma back, hm?”

People always say Johnny would pounce on someone like a lion if he wanted to eat them alive under him. Like claws trapping you underneath him but his kisses would feel like a fiery poison that would keep you coming back for more, like there truly was no escaping him no matter how hard anyone tried to get you off. The cups were on his nightstand; the curtains were covering the windows just to make it more personal. And his lips were devouring yours like a staring animal. He slowly crawled on top of you, his lips never letting go of yours while your hands traveled up to his shoulders, pulling down the coat to his shoulders. And here he was trying so hard just to suck on your tongue, testing the wine but enjoying every second.

Leaning his head back at the feeling of you tugging his hair back, he didn’t want to let go, but he did, a string of saliva, his soft eyes were no longer there, his eyes were filled with lust and hunger. He stared down at you, his tongue slightly sticking out. He was looking at you like he was about to take a bite out of a feast, being starved all day and he could finally get a bite out of something he's been dying for. Even of all it was just a kissed, he could see your lips getting swollen the way your eyes were fluttering opened and shut just to stare at him, he made you feel small, trapped under him knowing there was no getting out, but that he was also going to take care of you beforehand.

“This is not how I wanted to be asked out on my first day back home.”

“You’re not about to be walking out of this room by the time I’m done with you, Doll.”

His face being pressed against your neck, letting the breathe just send shivers down your spine, sitting up slightly just to slip the jacket down with the vest being left, the one time he got to keep the vest on, but it was taken off in a careful manner, after all this was made by you, how could he just ruin it this fast on a special night like this? But given the lightning in the room, it was like a subtle glow on his face and chest. The way he was staring down at you, like he could just eat you whole and alive and there would be no one there to stop him from doing so.

The way his hands carefully took off the top of your outfit, tossing it down to the floor next to his own before his lips went back to your neck, sucking on one side with your head tilted to the far side, breath hitched while your hand traveled up to his broad shoulders, feeling his back muscles, his hips brushing against yours like he was rocking you two back and forth like a rocking chair. But his hands were rubbing against your chest, both hands going up to your nipples just to squeeze and pull them, hearing the shock and slightly louder moans coming from you. It was making it enjoyable for him and he loved it, if anything he would’ve recorded them in case he was alone, and missed hearing you beg for him.

His kisses were like little sparks, they didn’t stay in one spot, but he was also leaving hickies, enjoying the way your hands ran through his hair while he enjoyed feeling you, leaving kisses and marks before quickly pulling away from your collarbone, holding your sides and flipping you two over quickly.

“Suck me off. I want to See how desperate you can get for me before I ruin that pretty cunt of yours.”

His voice was low, almost like a growl while he watched you, the way your hair was already flying everywhere, your chest was heaving while he could see all the marks he left on you. It was something interesting for him, seeing all the marks while watching you scramble down to the lower parts of the bed, both pair of pants were flown off, resting against the window, a surprised gasp leaving your mouth while seeing the size of him, he could barely fit in your mouth, how was that supposed to go in your ass? he wasn’t joking when he said you weren’t walking out of this room, even if you did your legs would be wobbly and there was truly no way of getting out without some form of help from him.

“How the fuck…does this fit in anything you wear! My Hand alone needs help just to wrap it around!”

“You flatter me, doll, but you can find a way, or if I have to do all the work, you won’t be doing anything for a while.”

His hands messing with your hair, he was always gonna take you through it, making sure you took everything just the way he pictured it, but he also would not push you to do it, making sure if anything you felt confident enough to try anything with him. The way his soft hand stayed on your face, watching you lick the tip like it was ice cream, gods he was excited. He kept his full attention on you and only you. Come on Doll, you can do it.

He whispered, watching you with anticipation while you sucked on the tip, at least one hand wrapped around the rest with the other one messing with his balls, he gasped while trying to stay still, making sure no sudden movements scared you or made you jump. He wanted to stay still enough for you to keep trying, to get used to it and not choke on him. But fuck, was that hard with your soft touches along with how wet your mouth was. His breath hitched while he watched you slowly take in the rest, moving your mouth slowly with your eyes closed, finding that to be the easiest part while feeling his hungry eyes stare at you, it was like he was falling in love with you all over again.

“Fuck doll, just like that.”

He had to grip the sheets since he didn’t want to tug too much of your hair, but he was trying to keep himself from moving, staying as still as he could without bucking his hips, which he found to be harder than he thought. God, he wanted to fuck your throat; he wanted to see tears run down your face while he kept your head still, but he would do nothing without your permission to. He watched you take it all in, he could feel your tongue moving around while all he could do was bite his tongue, letting out groans now and then. But what made his knuckles white was when you pulled away with a soft pop.

“Fuck my throat.”

Quickly said, panting with your tongue sticking out still, saying it again while trying to breathe. God if he did that how were you going to breathe? He wasn’t small enough to try so he wasn’t letting you nearly faint from sucking him off alone. He was gonna drive you crazy, and sucking him off was just the start. But, Johnny gives what he asks. He waited till you took him back in slowly, enjoying the feeling of your wet cavern before holding your head down, his arms flexing as he bucked his hips up, letting g the tip hit against the back of your throat, he was in love with your muffled sounds, seeing your hands run up to his thighs to squeeze them, practically digging your nails into them to leave marks only you would see when this would happen again. But, how could he let the fun end here?

He pulled your head away just as he was twitching; it was torture for him. His muscles shook while he stared at you, seeing you pant with your tongue sticking out, his hand in your hair he pulled you closer to him for another sloppy and heated kiss. One hand still in your hair and the other rubbing your ass with a nice hard smack. Just to add some sparks to it while he squeezed it in his hand. Pulling away he watched your reaction to his hands never leaving your ass alone. But he wasn’t gonna use that, he flipped you over on your hands and knees, letting you hold onto a pillow while rubbing your sides, leaving random kisses on your back just to leave some more because he could. He needed to stretch you, but he had to be careful with it.

“Squeeze that pillow and tell me if it hurts okay? I need to stretch you before you start to cry.”

One hand spread your cheeks apart with his other middle finger slowly went inside, he didn’t move them too much, feeling you squeeze around him to keep his finger still while watching you, seeing your shoulders tense around his one long finger before he twisted it around slowly, watching your hands grip the pillow while your head was turned just so he could look back at you. He slowly added another, but tried his luck with three. He wanted to watch you shiver under him while he kept you under him, leaning down to your ear just so he could whisper in it. He enjoyed it, he watched your hands grip the pillow with as much force as you could, whimpering some even while his fingers went in and out in a quick manner. Softly nibbling on your ear lobe while one hand had a firm grip on your side, the other making sure you stayed stretched while your body was pressing back against his.

“Fuck…Johnny…Johnny!”

“Oh? No wonder that felt good. I found it and by the looks of it, I’ve teased you long enough haven’t I?”

He slowly pulled his fingers out, licking them clean before rolling you on top of him, he wanted to watch you bounce before he ended up truly making sure there was no leaving the bed the next morning. He wanted to watch you shake on top and under him, and that’s exactly what he was getting. Seeing you slowly sit on the tip before sitting on the rest, your sounds were loud and filled with pleasure, the way your mouth parted, opened, trying to close but the feeling made more moans escape. Your hands resting on his chest and leaving scratches down. Even though he was low, he was moaning at the sight, though they were covered up by you.

He didn’t mind it, after all he was getting the best show of his life, his hands resting on your sides to help you bounce, oh it was something new and he was loving every second. His hands were leaving bruises with how hard he was holding them, he tried to help you bounce but nothing was hitting the spot you needed it to, he could tell despite the pleasured look on your face. He pulled you down closer to him, flipping you over so you were on your back, moving one leg up to his shoulders and keeping the other one around his waist while moving his hips quicker than he thought. He watched your hands reach to his chest to leave more scratches while tears were streaming down your face.

He was hitting every spot like it was nothing, even with the sweat dripping down some of his hair, he was determined to make you scream, shake even under him. He was enjoying it; he was loving it.

“Johnny…Johnny Johhny Johnny!”

“That’s my name doll, the more you say it, the harder I’m getting.”

He breathed out, letting go of one of your legs to squeeze your neck, not enough to restrict the airflow completely but it was enough to drive you crazy while the sound of skin slapping down there got louder. He was getting sloppier, quicker even and there was no stopping him even if someone swung that door open and tried to make him. He was close; you were close, and he was making sure you were seeing the stars by the time he was done. Watching as your arms wrapped around his back, scratching down as you released on his stomach the same time he made sure you were filled. Tilting his head to the side some, panting some while holding you.

“My face.. I want some on my face…”

Hearing that caught him by surprise, you already looked like you were going to pass out in his arms. Yet the fact that you still wanted more was a shocker to him. But who was he to deny you the pleasure that you were asking for? Watching you use your shaky arms to move down, wrapping your hands around his still throbbing yet silk covered cock as fast as your hands could go. He was sensitive after the intense release, but that wasn’t stopping him from twitching in your hands still. Watching your tongue stick out and just lick the tip like a thirsty hamster.

One hand keeping him sitting up, the other hand running through your hair as a way of comfort. His head leaned back, letting out quick breaths with soft moans coming. He was getting there, he was still there and trying to stay as still as possible despite his thighs looking like they were shaking, with little crescent nails still present on his thighs. 

“Shit…y/n I’m close. Shit!”

His hips sputtered up while his head leaned back, his arm shaking and nearly causing him to fall while you tried to catch what you could. Some landing on your face with the rest landing on your tongue, licking the rest clean while looking up at him. Seeing his chest rising with a nice layer of sweat covering him and shining with the dim light hitting him just right. Slowly rolling his head back to lock eyes with you, he wanted to kiss you. But he also wanted to enjoy the moment he was seeing. He loved it. 

“Let me get you a towel to clean you up, that’ll dry up if we’re not careful. Then in hte morning we can take a bath since I have a feeling standing for you would be a challenge for you.”

He teased, picking you up and laying you on the bed, kissing your forehead before walking to the bathroom. Grabbing one of the soft towels and ran it under some warm water, making sure he ran it out good enough before coming back over to clean you up. Being careful in the main area that would hurt the most with how red it looked. He wasn’t exactly gentle when it came to the thrust. Watching you try to stay awake despite knowing you could fall asleep, he would keep you safe from anything in this moment and made sure you got to sleep comfortably.

“Looks like I’m the most protected person in seoul now hm?”

“Yes Doll, you are. Now get some rest, you look and sound so tired.”

Johnny was a man of his word that day, he truly didn’t let you walk away after that, but he helped you around the house carrying you after helping you take a nice and relaxing bath, letting you wear some of his clothes while his kids had returned, questioning what happened since your shoes were still there only to find you two softly kissing in the kitchen, johnny trying to cook breakfast since he knew everyone loved his home made pancakes and today he had a whole other reason to make them. After all this was a family reunion, what better way to bring that together and celebrate other than everyone's favorite breakfast, but he had to carry you, but that was how the relationship took off.

Though he never brought you or the kids into his dangerous life, making sure none of it ever made its way to the front steps of his house and he refused to even talk about it when asked questions because he wanted his home to be a safe place, knowing that there was no way anyone could ever try to take that away for no reason. But his kids wanted to stay with him, stay with the family that made them enjoy waking up every day and even when leaving the house just knowing they had a safe place to come back to, but you still often helped with outfits that his daughter was making, enjoying to see her work so hard just to make sure that everything looked just the way she was envisioning it. But like he warned them, he would not be that easy on them like he was with everything else.

He was harsh on them outside of the house; he needed them to be ready for just about everything and he taught all that he could, but once the three of them would return home, all mafia talk was gone. Making sure you had eaten something and Johnny would even twirl you around when he would first get home sometimes.

“Eomma, Appa, you two should have a date night!”

“Oh yeah, and why are you two? Trying to keep us distracted by something?”

“Yah! We can do something nice for you two!”

Junseo shot back in a playful tone, seeing Johnny hold you from behind and leaving a kiss on your cheek. He enjoyed the kids trying to set up little dates for you, but he knew he didn’t want to go somewhere else today, he wanted to sit and even watch a movie with you, but he knew the reason. It’s been months by now, and you two always fell in love when looking at each other for what felt like hours but it was minutes just staring at each other.

“And if we don’t feel like going anywhere else today? A movie date is always a fun thing to do.”

“Do you two actually watch the movies to the end or is there something else happening?”

“That’s for only us to know Sojeung, none of you will ever know.”

“I don’t mind watching another movie in your room, the living room echos my laugh!”

Johnny loved your laugh, it made his heart flutter just by seeing teh happiness in your face while holding you. That is why he loved crappy movies, he got to see your pure reaction and there was nothing better than seeing that. He let you pick a movie while walking over to his kids, Junseo handing him the small box with a smile on his face. Johnny opened the box slowly to peek before smiling at the sight, the ring he had commissioned was finally ready and it looked beautiful. He knew you would love it and he couldn't wait to see that.

He wanted to marry you from the moment you got back, but knew that was jumping too far so he waited but he couldn’t wait any longer, he wanted to call you Mr.Suh with him, to see that glow on your face every time you looked at that ring and he loved it, so he wanted to wait till the kids were in their room’s because they would give it away, though they promised to stay hidden and quiet because they wanted to see the reaction you would have to a ring box he wanted. Though he had an entire idea, what better way to surprise you when you're relaxed and truly happy. And thus, movie night began with the two of you sitting on the large couch, you laying across his lap while he held you close during the entire time. He waited for a certain scene knowing when the male lead would also propose; he wanted to time it from the moment he saw the movie that was picked.

So he leaned to your ear and whispered Your reaction would be the same if you saw the ring. He saw how fast your head turned before looking at his hands, his daughter still in hiding while holding the camera to record it all. Seeing the look of disbelief on your face before covering your mouth, seeing his bright and genuine smile while seeing you quickly nodding your head. Squealing at the sight, wrapping your arms around him in a tight hug while he was holding you close, letting out a happy laugh before the hug turned into a group hug, he always said you could never escape him, after all, why would you want to do that now?

After all, look at you now, the kids loved you like their own mother and you had the best husband you could’ve asked for. There was no leaving him, even if someone tried their hardest to.

[biowaredisasterbisexual]

SHARING SUNDAY - FEB. 9

It is time for our first ever Sharing Sunday, where you all tell me what you made and want shared from any BioWare fandom. This isn’t a rec list, or a review, it’s the pure joy of boosting folks in fandom because there’s something out there for everyone and promoting oneself can be hard.

Shout out to all the creators who put themselves and their work out there this week!

Art:

- A tender and soft Rookanis piece, inspired by the almost-kiss scene, by @fangbangerart/ @fangbangerghoul can be found on their art blog here.

Note: NSFW

Fanfiction:

- A Life After, a Davrook series, by @thatgaymerguyb, taking place after the game and following the two as they try to live the life they talked about. The series currently has four parts, with a fifth underway.

Note: Some portions of the series are NSFW and/or have AO3 archive warnings applied.

- Hamin Vhenan, a Bellarook flash fiction piece by @popcorn-milk, taking place during a quiet moment at the Lighthouse.

- From @hyperions-light, Language of Reverence. Rook/Teia/Viago/Lucanis, Explicit. From the author: “After Rook almost dies (again) trying to get Viago his crown, relations between their favorite Crows are somewhat strained. Obviously, the solution to this is to arrange a foursome.”

Note: NSFW

- From @heylavellan, Until Forever Falls Apart. From the author: “Are you also obsessed with whatever Mahariel and Tamlen have going on? Me too. Time to make Saliin Mahariel figure out he wasn't as over Tamlen as he thought with his new friends at his side.”

Note: Major character death, graphic violence AO3 archive warnings

- @drowsybowser brings Edge of Heaven, a Cullen x Dorian 80s AU. The sequel just posted its first chapter, as well.

Note: NSFW

- From @timeandmusic-x3, a Neverook fic titled Growing from the Ashes. From the author: “Tormented by her memories of Elgar'nan and shaken by the events of the past few weeks, Neve finds that she can't face sleeping alone after the final battle. Rook is there to support her - if only Neve can work up the courage to ask. One year later, Neve returns to Rook’s Minrathous apartment triumphant on the heels of solving a difficult case. They share a special evening together, but much is still left unsaid from a year ago. There are things Neve needs to tell Rook, and she struggles for the words. But when Rook finally breaks down from regret, she finds them.” There may be more coming in this world state from the author as well, so keep an eye out.

Note: Rated M with an archive warning for graphic depictions of violence

- Brought to you by @skullypettibone, Lucanis Is Not Smooth. From the author: “Lucanis wants to look good for Rook, and fortunately Davrin's here to help. Or: the story of what happened to Lucanis's Antivan fur."

- “Lucanis Dellamorte and the mortifying ordeal of processing an emotion and receiving a hug. A very Lucanis's interior world exploration piece of writing, immediately after Inner Demons,” can be found here by @corvus-frugilegus.

[redux-iterum]

I feel horrible for the poor girl, the entire scene with her pleading was just heart breaking.

Rosy just watching as all her family slips right between her paws while she can't do anything but beg and break down was heart wrenching.

Particularly with Fire himself saying that he won't visit her, and her just desperately calling out to him as 'Rusty'

I interpret it as her giving up Cloud because she was scared he would get taken away and she would be completely alone, and figured that if Fire could visit then surly so could cloud, better then never seeing him again. Only for that to be the outcome anyways.

Was she warned? Yes. Should she have seen it coming? Maybe. But it is still upsetting watching her beg to not be left alone

I would describe Rosy as someone who deeply desires family in a lifestyle where such a thing doesn't exist. She was fucked from her birth to never have what she wants the most. She was taken away from her mother and brother. Her kits left her as soon as they were weaned. Even her mate didn't stick around for more than a month. Sure, one day she might have another cat in the house, but it won't be the same.

I have sympathy for her in this moment, selfish as she's being. She was so close to having her dearest dream come true - her son living with her, her brother visiting (and maybe she could convince him some day to stay too!) - and it's been snatched away for good. She will never have that hope again. She's spayed. She won't have more kits. No further chances. She's alone now. Permanently. Forever.

It's a bummer, really.

[frozenmxngo]

✧*̥˚ In Between the Lines | Choi Beomgyu *̥˚✧ pt. 2

✧ beomgyu x selective mutism fem!reader ✧ part two, word count 12.6k ✧ summary: y/n, a university student with selective mutism, finding solace in solitude. when beomgyu, a curious music student, starts noticing her, their paths cross, and he learns to navigate her silence. ✧ warnings: panic attacks, social anxiety, mute!reader, swearing, angst, verbal abuse, eventual smut, virgin!reader, slow burn?, trauma, fluff, a bit of self-hatred (let me know if i missed anything! i’ll add more tags for each part as needed)

✧ an: so sorry for the delay in getting this part out!! it’s been such a busy week! the next part should be out much sooner than this one. thank you!!

MASTERLIST « previous - next »

Jiwon shifts the car into park but doesn’t move to get out, slumping back in her seat with a dramatic groan.

"I don’t wanna leave—it’s too warm in here."

Y/N glances at her, amused, as she adjusts the scarf wrapped snugly around her neck. Outside, the late fall air is crisp, biting at the windows, but inside the car, the heater hums softly, wrapping them in a comfortable warmth.

Jiwon turns her head, eyeing Y/N’s outfit with clear disapproval. “Are you seriously wearing that?” She gestures at Y/N’s lightweight jacket. “It’s freezing.”

Y/N tugs at her scarf in response, as if to prove a point.

Jiwon scoffs. “Oh, right. A scarf. That’ll totally keep you from freezing to death.” She shakes her head, muttering under her breath. “Not my problem when you get sick.”

Despite her complaints, she doesn’t open the door. Neither does Y/N. The cold can wait. 

Jiwon exhales, watching the windows slowly fog up around the edges. "You know," she muses, stretching her hands toward the vents as if savoring the last bit of warmth, "We could just sit here forever. Never leave. Live off drive-thru coffee and—” she glances at Y/N’s lap, “—whatever snacks you’ve got stashed in your bag.”

Y/N raises a brow, shifting her tote closer like she’s protecting its contents.

Jiwon snorts. “Yeah, okay, maybe not the best long-term plan.” She stares out at the shop’s glowing windows, then groans. “Alright, let’s do this before I change my mind.”

Jiwon finally shuts off the engine with a dramatic sigh, the warm air from the vents fading almost instantly. Shoving the car door open, she’s immediately met with a gust of cold wind, making her pull her coat tighter around herself. "I swear, winter’s creeping up earlier every year," she mutters.

Y/N tucks her chin into her scarf as she follows, her breath visible in the brisk air. Her steps quickened not wanting to be in the cold anymore. The shop's exterior is a little worn, the old wooden sign swinging slightly from the breeze. A warm glow spills out from the large display window, casting a soft light over an assortment of vintage trinkets and aged books.

The moment they step inside, a bell chimes overhead, and the scent of old paper, polished wood, and something vaguely floral greets them. The warmth is instant, a stark contrast to the chilly air outside.

“Oh, this place is so cool,” Jiwon whispers, even though there’s no reason to be quiet. She’s already scanning the shelves, her eyes flicking over each item with barely contained excitement.

Y/N simply nods, her fingers brushing over the spines of a few worn books on a nearby shelf. She likes places like this—quiet, filled with history. Jiwon is already a few steps ahead, eyes darting eagerly over the shelves. “God, I love this. Everything feels like it has a story, you know?” She reaches for an ornate picture frame, tilting it in her hands before wrinkling her nose. “Okay, but some of this stuff definitely looks haunted.” Y/N huffs out a quiet laugh, trailing behind her. Trinkets, books, and vintage furniture are stacked in organized chaos, making it easy to get lost in the maze of shelves and displays.

Jiwon picks up a tiny porcelain cat figurine and grins. “This looks like you.”

Y/N tilts her head, taking in the tiny, wide-eyed cat with its little paws tucked under its chest. She quirks a brow but doesn’t disagree.

Jiwon chuckles and sets it back down before moving deeper into the store. “I’m looking for something cool for my apartment. Help me look.”

Y/N follows, her fingers trailing absentmindedly over an antique jewelry box, the cool metal intricate beneath her touch. Her phone buzzes in her pocket, and she pulls it out to see a new message.

Beomgyu: Hope you’re staying warm and safe out there. It’s freezing today Beomgyu: (:

Y/N hesitates, thumb hovering over the screen. She doesn’t know why, but a small smile tugs at her lips. Y/N: I am! I hope you are too?? Jiwon suddenly appears in front of her, grinning as she holds up an old wristwatch with a cracked leather band. "What do you think? Vintage chic or just plain busted?" she asks, spinning it around her finger.

Y/N quickly locks her phone and slips it into her pocket before Jiwon can catch on. She leans in slightly, pretending to inspect the watch with a thoughtful expression, buying herself a moment to dodge the inevitable teasing.

"You could probably get a new strap for it… I think it’s cute," Y/N murmurs to Jiwon. Jiwon smiles softly, nodding as she turns the watch over in her hands. “Yeah, you’re right. A new strap would fix it up.”

She doesn’t comment on Y/N speaking—she never does. The last thing she wants is to make her friend self-conscious. Instead, she just gives a small, approving nod before carefully setting the watch back down.

“Alright, let’s keep looking. I bet there’s something weird and amazing hidden in here somewhere,” Jiwon says, eyes already scanning the shelves with excitement.

Y/N tilts her head slightly as Jiwon sets the watch back down. “Oh… you don’t want it?” she asks quietly.

Jiwon just smiles, giving a small shake of her head before moving on. She does this all the time—picking things up, admiring them for a moment, then setting them aside like she was never interested in the first place.

Y/N follows, tucking her hands into her sleeves. Just before she turns away, her gaze lingers on the watch—just for a moment, as if committing it to memory. It was a cute watch. Jiwon leads the way, weaving through narrow aisles packed with old furniture, faded paintings, and shelves lined with knickknacks from decades past. She picks up a porcelain doll with frizzy hair and exaggerated eyes, turning it toward Y/N with a mischievous grin.

“This thing is definitely haunted,” she says, wiggling it slightly for effect.

Y/N eyes the doll warily before glancing at Jiwon with a raised brow. “Are you going to pick everything up and say it’s haunted?”

Jiwon gasps dramatically and clutches the doll to her chest.“Excuse me, but I have a very keen sixth sense for cursed objects.”

Y/N just shakes her head as Jiwon laughs, setting the doll down before moving toward another display. They pass by a collection of antique cameras, their metal bodies worn but still holding a certain charm. Jiwon snaps an imaginary photo at Y/N with her fingers. "Imagine how many embarrassing pictures these things must've taken," she muses. "Like, someone's great-grandpa probably had a secret stash of goofy photos, and now they’re just... lost in time."

Y/N hums in quiet agreement, her fingers brushing over the wooden frame of an old radio. The dials are rusted, and she wonders if it still works.

Jiwon’s grin turns wicked, eyes glinting with mischief. “Or maybe some sexy ones,” she wiggles her eyebrows.

Y/N’s face immediately turns red, a rush of heat flooding her cheeks. She quickly looks away, trying to shake off the thought. “Don’t be weird,” she mutters under her breath.

Jiwon laughs, clearly enjoying the effect she has on her friend, before moving on to browse more items, leaving Y/N to hide her flustered expression.

Further into the store, Jiwon stops at a glass case of jewelry—tarnished rings, delicate lockets, and brooches adorned with tiny painted portraits. Y/N steps closer, her eyes following Jiwon’s gaze to the delicate items displayed inside the case. She runs her fingers lightly over the glass, admiring the soft glow of the tarnished rings and the intricate designs on the brooches. “They all look so... old,” Y/N says quietly, her voice almost lost in the hum of the store’s ambient noise.

Jiwon chuckles, her fingers tracing the outline of a small locket. “That’s the charm of it. Things have stories, you know? I bet these pieces have been passed down through generations.”

Y/N moves her face closer to the glass, studying the locket Jiwon is eyeing. “Do you think anyone ever knew the stories behind them?”

Jiwon grins, her eyes gleaming. “Maybe some, maybe none. But the mystery is part of the fun.” Y/N smiles faintly, the thought of those small, forgotten moments lingering in her mind. There's something comforting about the idea that these objects once held meaning for someone—somewhere, at some point.

They wander further into the store, where Jiwon suddenly stops in front of a display of vintage lamps. The soft glow from the glass shades catches her attention, and she leans in, inspecting one of the lamps with a thoughtful expression. “I’ve been looking for something like this for my apartment,” she says, running her fingers over the smooth surface. “It’s perfect, don’t you think?”

Y/N nods in agreement, glancing over at the lamp with a soft smile. Jiwon’s taste was always a bit more adventurous than her own, but she could see why this one appealed to her.

The sudden buzz of her phone interrupts her thoughts. She pulls it out, her fingers brushing against the screen as Beomgyu’s message pops up.

Beomgyu: I am! I’m staying inside today. What are your plans?

Y/N types her response quickly, then hits send.

Y/N: Just out with my friend at an antique store

She glances up from her phone to see Jiwon picking up another lamp, her eyes lit up with excitement. Y/N watches her for a moment, a small smile tugging at her lips. Beomgyu: Was her name Jiwon?

He remembers Y/N mentioning her best friend in passing during their chat at the library. He just wanted to confirm. Y/N’s eyes linger on the message, her heart giving a small, unexpected flutter. He remembered. The thought settles warmly in her chest, pulling a soft smile to her lips She doesn’t hesitate this time as she types her reply. Y/N: Yes~! Y/N pauses for a moment, biting her lip as she thinks about what else to say. She wants to keep the conversation going but doesn’t want to overthink it.Y/N: It’s nice to get out of the house for a bit. What about you? What’s your day looking like? Jiwon watches Y/N from the corner of her eye, a soft smile playing on her lips as she notices how at ease she looks while texting. It's subtle, but Jiwon is genuinely happy that her friend is reaching out and talking to people outside of their little circle.

Y/N, oblivious to Jiwon’s quiet approval, glances at her phone one last time before slipping it back into her pocket. She’s not quite sure what to make of the conversation, but there's a warmth in her chest—something she hasn’t felt in a while.

The store feels quieter now, the moment hanging between them. Y/N looks at the lamps again, but the thought of her conversation with Beomgyu lingers in the back of her mind, making her smile faintly. Jiwon picks up a lamp with a light green, smooth glass base that mimics the soft curves of a flower’s stem. The base transitions into a delicate, clear glass shade at the top, shaped like a flared tulip. The edges of the shade are gently kissed with subtle gold accents, giving it a touch of elegance. When the light flickers on, the soft glow illuminates the lamp, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

“This is perfect,” Jiwon says, her eyes lighting up as she cradles the lamp carefully. “It’ll look great in my apartment.”

Y/N smiles, admiring how the lamp seems to reflect Jiwon’s style—gentle, refined, and a little whimsical. She watches as Jiwon heads toward the counter to check out, still holding the lamp with a proud grin.

As the two stood at the counter, Jiwon flashed the old woman a quick smile. “One second, please,” she said, before hurrying off toward the area where she’d seen the wristwatch earlier.

Y/N shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flickering around the small store. The old woman behind the counter eyed her for a moment before speaking up with a forced smile. “It’s always nice to see someone appreciate the old things,” she said, trying to break the silence.

Y/N offered a polite nod, not sure what to say, but the old woman’s smile faltered slightly. She cleared her throat, giving a soft sigh as she added, “Not much of a talker, are you?”

The words stung more than Y/N had expected, and she quickly looked away, her face heating up. The old woman seemed to notice the awkwardness but didn’t press further. Instead, she just returned to her task, a quiet tension settling in the air as Y/N waited for Jiwon to return. Jiwon returned moments later, holding the watch in her hands with a pleased grin. She placed it on the counter, making a show of glancing at Y/N with a playful glint in her eyes. “I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” she said, looking at the old woman. “I’ll take this as well, please.”

The old woman gave a half-smile as she began to ring it up, her eyes flickering over to Y/N one more time before turning her attention back to Jiwon. Y/N could tell the woman was still a little put off by her silence, but Jiwon didn’t seem to notice, lost in her excitement over the watch and lamp.

Y/N stayed quiet, her hands tucked into her sleeves as she watched the exchange. She felt a little out of place, standing there while Jiwon and the old woman spoke, but she didn’t mind. She was used to moments like these, where she just let the world pass by without having to contribute too much.

Jiwon turned to her with a mischievous grin as the woman handed over the bag. “You ready to go?” Her voice was light and warm.

Y/N smiled shyly, nodding her head yes. 

With the watch and lamp safely in a paper bag, Jiwon led the way out of the shop, the doorbell chiming softly as they stepped into the crisp air once again. Y/N felt a shiver run down her spine as the cold hit her, the sudden contrast from the warmth of the store. The car, now parked for a while, was freezing inside. The leather seats felt cool and unwelcoming as Y/N slid into the passenger seat, pulling her jacket tighter around herself.

Jiwon climbed in, shivering a little as she started the engine. “Ugh, I need it to be summer right now,” she muttered, rubbing her hands together. She adjusted the heater, and the car began to warm up slowly, the chill gradually easing. After another sigh, Jiwon began to pull out of the parking lot and drive to her apartment. Y/N glanced out the window, watching the city streets blur past them. The warmth of the antique shop had faded quickly, replaced by the biting cold that clung to her even inside the car. She tucked her hands into her sleeves, shivering slightly.

Jiwon shot her a knowing look. "It’s freezing now, huh? We were in there forever." She cranked up the heat, taking her hands off the steering wheel, rubbing her hands together for a few seconds. "You’re gonna love my apartment, it looks way different from last time you’ve seen it. It’s a little messy, but it’s cozy, and I made sure to stock up on snacks for tonight."

Y/N offered a small smile. 

The drive was peaceful, the city lights casting a soft glow through the windshield. The hum of the engine mixed with the occasional murmur of the radio, creating a quiet that felt comfortable rather than empty. By the time they reached Jiwon’s building, the car had finally warmed up, making it even harder to step back into the cold.

The wind nipped at their cheeks as they hurried inside, climbing the stairs to Jiwon’s apartment. It was just as Y/N remembered—scattered books, mismatched throw blankets, and walls covered in photos and art. The space felt lived-in, warm in a way that made it easy to relax. The only difference was the fact that there was more decor scattered around. 

Jiwon placed the bag onto the coffee table before peeling off her coat. "Make yourself at home," she said, already moving toward the kitchen. "You want tea or something?"

Y/N settled onto the couch, letting out a quiet breath. "Tea sounds good."

As Jiwon busied herself in the kitchen, Y/N realized she hadn’t checked her phone since last texting Beomgyu. Fishing it out of her pocket, she glanced at the notifications on her lock screen.

Beomgyu: Probably just hanging out with my roommate, destroying him in video games as usual lol Beomgyu: You got plans after shopping? Beomgyu: Update…  he’s officially the worst. It’s almost too easy

A small smile tugged at Y/N’s lips. She quickly unlocked her phone to type a reply.

Y/N: Loll glad you're having fun humbling him. Y/N: I’m just having a sleepover with Jiwon tonight.

The apartment was calm, the soft clinking of mugs and the distant hum of the kettle filling the space. Jiwon returned from the kitchen, handing Y/N a warm mug before settling onto the couch beside her. “Chamomile tea,” she said, taking a sip of her own. “It felt like the right choice.”

Y/N held the cup between her hands, letting the warmth seep into her fingers. She eyed Jiwon skeptically. “Doesn’t chamomile make you sleepy? I thought we were supposed to stay up all night… This might be a challenge for me, considering I already fall asleep easily.”

Jiwon snorted. “Okay, maybe I didn’t think that through. But hey, at least we’ll be relaxed.”

Before Y/N could respond, her phone buzzed again beside her. She glanced down and saw Beomgyu’s name on the screen.

Beomgyu: Honestly, my roommate might need a few pointers at this rate Beomgyu: What are you guys up to now?

A small smile tugged at her lips once more as she typed back.

Y/N: Just got to Jiwon’s place. Probably picking a movie soon.

As she hit send, she noticed Jiwon watching her over the rim of her mug, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

“You’ve been on your phone a lot,” Jiwon remarked casually, setting her drink down.

Y/N hesitated, then placed her phone beside her. “…It’s just Beomgyu.” Jiwon raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across her face. “Just Beomgyu?” she echoed, drawing out the word as she set her mug down. “You don’t text anyone back this fast, not even me.”

Y/N opened her mouth to argue but quickly shut it, feeling her face warm.

Jiwon gasped, eyes twinkling. “Oh my god. You like talking to him.”

Y/N groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Stop.”

“I knew it!” Jiwon clapped her hands together in triumph. “This is so cute. My best friend, texting a cute boy, smiling at her phone…” She sighed dramatically, leaning back against the couch like this was the greatest revelation of the year.

Y/N peeked at her through her fingers, shaking her head, but she couldn’t fight the small smile on her lips. With a sigh, she lowered her hands to her lap and mumbled, “How did you even know he was cute?”

Jiwon grinned. “I do now.”

Y/N’s face burned even hotter as Jiwon burst into laughter.

Jiwon’s laughter finally faded as she took another sip of her tea, though the amused glint in her eyes remained. She nudged Y/N’s foot with her own. “Alright, alright, I’ll back off… for now.”

But just as Y/N started to relax, Jiwon smirked. “But—if you ever need help picking out a cute outfit for a date, I better be the first person you call.” Y/N groaned softly, dropping her head back against the couch. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you?”

Jiwon grinned. “Nope. That’s what best friends are for.” She reached for the remote, flipping through movie options. “Now, before you turn into a puddle of embarrassment, let’s pick a movie. Horror or rom-com?”

Y/N gave her a look. “Those are very different moods.”

Jiwon shrugged. “Yeah, but I could go for either. Something scary to keep us awake, or something ridiculously cheesy so I can make fun of it the whole time.”

Y/N tucked her legs beneath her, glancing at the screen as Jiwon scrolled through the options. “Let’s just pick something already.”

Jiwon smirked. “Impatient, huh? Alright, horror it is.” She clicked on a movie without hesitation. “This one’s supposed to be terrifying. Hope you don’t regret it.”

Y/N pulled a blanket over her lap. “Doubt it.”

As the movie started, the dim lighting in the apartment made the eerie atmosphere even more intense. The occasional sound of the wind outside only added to the effect. For the most part, Y/N stayed quiet, while Jiwon reacted to every tense moment—gasping, groaning, and muttering under her breath when a character made a dumb decision.

Then, a sudden jump scare made them both flinch.

Jiwon immediately grabbed Y/N’s arm, letting out a dramatic gasp. “Okay, I take it back. Maybe we should’ve gone with the cheesy rom-com.”

Y/N shook her head, biting back a smile. 

Jiwon sighed in defeat, but she didn’t let go of Y/N’s arm as she settled back against the couch. “Fine. But if I have nightmares, you’re staying up with me.”

Y/N just nudged her lightly, focusing back on the screen. Despite the lingering tension of the movie, there was something comforting about sitting here like this—warm, safe, and completely at ease.

The library was quiet except for the low murmur of other students working, mixing with the occasional rustle of pages. Beomgyu had been trying to focus on the textbook in front of him, but his mind kept wandering. His eyes kept drifting toward Y/N, who sat across from him, completely engrossed in her reading. She was so calm, her focus unwavering as she flipped through the pages of her textbook.

Beomgyu was usually a strong student in psychology, but tonight he couldn’t concentrate. The steady rhythm of her pen as she highlighted key sections of the text was oddly soothing, and he found himself getting caught up in the way she moved, the way she seemed so perfectly in control of everything.

He shook his head and tried to refocus, but the words on the page started blurring again. It was frustrating. He wasn’t used to being distracted like this.

Finally, after several minutes of futile attempts to concentrate, he let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. He glanced at her again, his curiosity getting the better of him. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, and there was a small, faint smile playing on her lips as she jotted something down in her notebook.

He couldn’t help it—he just had to know.

“Are you struggling with this section too, or is it just me?” Beomgyu asked, trying to keep his voice light.

Y/N didn’t answer right away. Instead, she set down her pen, opened her notebook, and quickly scribbled something in her neat handwriting. She slid the notebook across the table toward him without a word.

Beomgyu picked it up, reading the message she’d written.

It’s a bit confusing, but I think the key is focusing on the major theories first. He smiled, grateful for her help. “Yeah, I was getting caught up in all the little details,” he said softly, glancing over at her. She looked up for a moment, meeting his eyes briefly before returning to her work, and Beomgyu couldn’t help but feel a little warmth in his chest. For the next few minutes, he tried to focus again. Beomgyu’s eyes flicked between the multiple-choice questions and Y/N. His pen hovered over the page as his mind wandered. The questions were easy, but it was hard to focus when she was sitting across from him. He could hear his own thoughts growing louder in his head, frustrated at how easily he was being distracted.

Finally, after a long pause, he asked, "What do you think about the multiple-choice questions?"

Y/N didn’t respond with words. Instead, she stood up, her movements smooth and deliberate as she walked over to him and sat down beside him. It would be easier to work on the questions together if they were sitting right next to each other. Beomgyu’s heart skipped a beat at how close she was now. She smelled light and fresh—something faint but calming—and it made it even harder for him to focus. Beomgyu swallowed, trying to ignore the way his heart raced at the proximity. He tried to focus on the homework again, but with Y/N sitting so close now, the words on the page seemed to blur into mush.

After a moment of trying to focus, Beomgyu asked, "What do you think about number five? I keep going back and forth on it.”

Y/N wrote something quickly in her notebook and then slid it over to him. Beomgyu leaned in slightly to read her answer. His breath caught when he realized how close they were—his shoulder brushing hers, their arms almost touching. It made his heart race.

He nodded, trying to keep his voice steady. “You’re probably right,” he murmured. “I guess I’m just overthinking it.”

Y/N didn’t reply, but she gave him a small, almost imperceptible smile before returning to her work. Beomgyu couldn’t help but feel a rush of warmth in his chest. Something about the way she interacted with him—quiet but still so present.

For a moment, he just watched her, his mind caught between wanting to say something and the sudden wave of nerves that had settled in his stomach. He was usually confident around anyone—he never had trouble striking up conversations—but for some reason, this felt different. His usual confidence was slipping away. The more he tried to think of something to say, the more nervous he felt. He wasn’t sure what had changed, but he was beginning to wonder why he was suddenly acting like this around her.

He opened his mouth, wanting to ask her about the weekend—maybe invite her to grab a bite to eat—but the words didn’t come. He closed his mouth and immediately regretted it, his hand instinctively rubbing the back of his neck.

Just as he was about to chicken out entirely, Y/N wrote something in her notebook and slid it toward him. He blinked at the words she had written. Number six is confusing me... Is it B or C? He was momentarily relieved by the shift in focus. She needed help with a question, not a complicated invitation. He looked over the question, his mind grounding itself in something familiar. “Ah, okay, I see what you’re thinking. It’s C,” he said, pointing to the answer. “You’re probably getting caught up in the wording, but trust me on this one.” Y/N nodded as she wrote a quick “Thanks” and returned her focus to the paper. Beomgyu couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. It was simple, this moment—just helping her out—but it felt oddly… comforting. Even though his nerves were still buzzing under the surface, he was thankful for the small connection. They spent a while in quiet focus, only the sound of pens scratching on paper and the occasional shuffle of pages filling the air. Beomgyu found himself getting more into the homework as they worked together, though his attention still wandered toward Y/N from time to time. Her concentration was captivating; she’d pause every now and then to jot something down in her notebook or glance at him for a brief moment, but she never seemed rushed. There was a calmness about her that made everything feel... easier. Even the homework.

Every so often, Beomgyu would ask her if she was okay with a particular question or if she needed help with anything. Her response would always come in the form of a few words written neatly in her notebook or nodding. They worked well together, silently communicating as they made their way through the pages, and somehow, the time slipped by without either of them noticing.

By the time they finished, Beomgyu leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head with a quiet groan. “Man, that took way longer than I thought,” he muttered, glancing over at Y/N. “I think I might’ve over complicated some of those answers.”

Y/N didn't speak, but she gave a small smile, the kind that didn’t require any words to understand. Beomgyu felt his chest warm at the sight of it, and for a moment, everything just felt… simple. It felt right. They’d been sitting together like this for a while now, the distance between them comfortable, not awkward. It was as if they didn’t need to fill every silence with words—there was something just as meaningful in the quiet.

He looked down at his notebook, fingers tapping on the edge of the page as he tried to gather the courage. His heart still beat a little too fast, his words feeling a little too heavy in his mouth. Normally, Beomgyu didn’t hesitate to ask anyone to hang out, but there was something different about asking Y/N. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Finally, after a beat of silence, he turned to her again, his voice a little less steady than he intended. “Hey,” he started, trying to sound casual, “I was thinking of hanging out with Taehyun this weekend. Would you like to join us? I don’t know, maybe grab something to eat or do something fun? No pressure or anything, just thought it might be nice.”

He immediately regretted the way the words came out. He hadn’t meant to sound so unsure. Beomgyu didn’t get nervous about asking people to hang out, but something about her sitting so close, had him second-guessing himself. His mind was racing. Why did I mention Taehyun? Beomgyu's stomach twisted slightly. He wondered if it might make things awkward, or if the idea of hanging out with two guys might overwhelm her. Maybe she’d feel uncomfortable with a group. He quickly pushed the thoughts aside, not wanting to overthink it. He waited for her response, he glanced at her, his fingers tapping a nervous rhythm on the table. Y/N hesitated, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of her notebook. She felt her face flush, warmth spreading through her cheeks as she tried to calm her racing heart. The thought of spending more time with Beomgyu was exciting but also made her self-conscious. After a few seconds of internal debate, she grabbed her notebook and scribbled her answer quickly, trying to ignore the fluttering in her stomach. Her handwriting was a bit messier than usual, the nerves making her pen waver slightly across the paper.

I work until 2 pm on Saturday, but I would like to.

She held her breath for a moment, watching as Beomgyu’s gaze flickered from her words to her face. His eyes softened, and for a brief second, she caught a glimpse of surprise in them. She hadn’t expected him to react that way, but she couldn’t help the small rush of pride that swelled inside her, knowing she’d said yes.

Beomgyu blinked, and for a split second, seemed lost in his own thoughts. Then, his smile broke out—wide and genuine—lighting up his whole face. His voice was almost too eager, a hint of disbelief slipping through. “Really?” His voice was quieter than usual as if he was still absorbing the fact that she’d agreed. “I wasn’t sure if you’d want to… I’m just glad you’re up for it.” He rubbed the back of his neck as if trying to keep himself from looking too eager, but the light in his eyes gave him away.

Y/N’s heart fluttered at the sight of his smile, the relief and happiness in his expression making her chest tighten in a good way. She hadn’t expected this much joy to come from such a simple exchange. Beomgyu leaned back in his seat, a grin still tugging at the corners of his lips. He felt a strange mix of excitement and disbelief, but it was quickly replaced by a more relaxed, content feeling as he realized she wanted to spend time with him.

"Okay, cool," he said, trying to sound nonchalant but unable to keep the smile from his voice. "We can figure out what to do once you’re free. Taehyun's pretty laid-back, so it’ll be fun."

Y/N’s gaze flickered to the side, her fingers pressing gently against the edge of her notebook, unsure of what to say next. She was still processing the fact that she'd agreed, but she couldn’t deny the fluttering feeling in her chest. It was a strange mix of nerves and anticipation. Being around Beomgyu had become something she looked forward to, even if it was still new and a little overwhelming.

After a few moments of silence, Beomgyu’s voice broke through again. Beomgyu leaned back in his seat once more, his heart still racing. He wanted to make sure he wasn’t overwhelming her, so he quickly asked, “Is it okay if Taehyun comes too? I know I mentioned him but I don’t want to put you on the spot if that’s not what you were expecting.” He glanced over at her, hoping she didn’t feel pressured.

Y/N’s eyes flickered before she returned to her notebook, her fingers lightly grazing the page. She was nervous, but she wanted to try. It was a strange feeling—being overwhelmed but still wanting to make the effort. Y/N quickly wrote down. I’m nervous, but I’d like to meet him.

Beomgyu felt his chest warm at her answer. He noticed the subtle way her shoulders were tense, but there was a quiet determination in her words. He smiled softly, trying to ease her nerves. “I’m really glad you’re up for it,” he said, his voice kind and reassuring. “But if you ever feel overwhelmed, just let me know. We’ll keep things chill, okay?”

Y/N nodded, her face flushed with a mix of nerves and something else—perhaps a hint of excitement. Beomgyu couldn't help but feel a little giddy inside. It made him happy to see her stepping out of her comfort zone, even just a little.

“Alright, then,” he said with a grin, his excitement slipping through. “I’m really looking forward to it. I think Taehyun’s gonna be excited to meet you too.” Y/N paused at his words, her brow furrowing in slight confusion. Taehyun? she thought, her heart suddenly thumping faster. Why would Taehyun be excited to meet me? Did Beomgyu talk to him about me?

She looked up at Beomgyu, her eyes silently asking the question, but she didn’t write anything down this time, unsure of how to phrase it. Beomgyu’s grin faltered slightly when he saw the confusion in her eyes. His own gaze flickered around, trying to avoid meeting hers, his chest tightening under the weight of her quiet stare. He cleared his throat, trying to sound nonchalant despite the warmth creeping up his neck.

“Oh, uh, Taehyun’s just... been curious, you know?” he said, his words stumbling out a little too quickly. “We hang out a lot, talk a lot more these days, and he’s asked about you. So, uh, I told him a little bit.”

He couldn’t help it. Taehyun was his best friend, and he’d mentioned Y/N to Taehyun more than a few times. But he hadn’t expected to feel this nervous about it.

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat. He talks about me? The thought made her stomach flutter, her pulse quickening. She wasn’t sure what to make of it—she wasn’t used to being the topic of anyone’s conversations, let alone someone like Beomgyu.

Beomgyu noticed her silence and immediately felt a knot tighten in his stomach. His face reddened, and he tried to salvage the situation. “Not, like, all the time!” he blurted out, looking anywhere but at her. “I mean, just a little. He’s... he’s a curious guy, that’s all.”

Y/N couldn’t help but smile faintly. Her heart was still racing, but she found herself oddly touched, even if she wasn’t sure what to think. The idea that Beomgyu had mentioned her to someone else felt strange—but kind of nice at the same time.

Beomgyu shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes dropping to his notebook as if that could distract him from how flustered he felt. “Anyway, he’s cool. I think you two would get along just fine,” he added quickly, eager to change the subject and move on from the awkwardness.

Y/N gave a small nod, her smile softening. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being talked about, but Beomgyu’s easygoing tone and the way he spoke about Taehyun made her think it couldn’t be all that bad. She felt a little more at ease now, even though her heart was still beating a little faster than usual. Beomgyu glanced at the clock on the wall, realizing how late it had gotten. The library had grown quieter as the evening dragged on, the sound of whispered conversations and pages turning gradually fading into silence. He stretched his arms over his head, a quiet yawn escaping as he began gathering his things. “Wanna head out then, it’s getting late,” He asked her. Y/N nodded, then began packing her notebook and pens into her bag, preparing to leave. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze for a moment before turning back to her belongings, her movements deliberate.

Beomgyu stood up and reached for his own things. A small part of him felt reluctant for the night to end. It had been a good study session, and he wasn’t quite ready to leave the comfortable silence they’d shared. Y/N zipped up her bag and stood up, the weight of the evening’s work resting on her shoulders. She wrote in the notes app on her phone, then turned it to show him. I should go. It’s getting late.

Beomgyu nodded, he caught a glimpse of the rain outside—thin sheets of water falling steadily, blurring the outlines of the campus. His heart gave a little tug as he noticed her without an umbrella. He couldn’t just let her walk out there alone, not in the rain.

“Hey, wait,” Beomgyu said quickly, moving next to her now. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

Y/N paused, her brow furrowing just slightly. She hadn’t expected him to offer, but warmth flushed over her cheeks at the thought. She gave him a small, shy nod, then quickly wrote down in her phone then turned it so he could see.

Okay, thanks, I would like that! Beomgyu’s grin widened as he grabbed his umbrella from one of the empty chairs he set it down on.  “Let’s go,” He said softly leading them out of the building. As they walked outside, Beomgyu opened the umbrella with a smooth flick of his wrist. He stepped toward her, holding it over both of them. The sound of their footsteps filled the air as they fell into step together. The air felt cool, with the rain gently pattering against the umbrella above them. The steady rhythm of the rain created a peaceful backdrop, quieting everything and making it feel more intimate.

Beomgyu held the umbrella close to both of them, their shoulders almost brushing as they walked side by side. The rain was light but persistent, soaking the ground and filling the air with a damp, fresh scent. He couldn’t help but notice how close she was now, the soft glow of the streetlamps catching in the raindrops around them. The walk was short, but Beomgyu felt the weight of every step, each one heavier than the last. The steady rhythm of their footsteps seemed to echo between them, yet it was the quiet, unspoken moments that filled the space. He could hear the soft rustle of Y/N’s jacket, the faint shuffle of her footsteps as they perfectly matched his own. Every sound seemed amplified in the silence that stretched between them, making the air feel electric, charged with something unspoken.

The proximity felt different tonight—closer, more intimate, as if the air between them was thicker, more tangible. His mind raced, caught between the thrill of it and the nervous flutter in his chest. It almost felt like too much, but not in a bad way—it felt right, like they were teetering on the edge of something new.

Beomgyu glanced down at her, just as Y/N looked up at him. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and his heart skipped in his chest. Her face flushed faintly, and she quickly turned her gaze away, making him feel both lighter and heavier all at once. His pulse quickened, the nervous energy building between them.

Y/N pulled out her phone again, the soft glow of the screen illuminating her face in the dim light. Beomgyu wondered, for a split second, if she was going to write something. But she hesitated. The silence between them stretched, thick with anticipation. He kept his eyes ahead, giving her the space to decide whether she wanted to talk. His heart beat a little faster, unsure of what to say next.

Finally, Y/N typed something, glancing down at her screen before showing him the message.

Thank you again for walking me to my car, means a lot.

“No problem,” Beomgyu said with a smile, though there was a quiet sincerity in his voice. He didn’t mind at all. “Really, it’s no trouble.”

Y/N nodded, but there was a small pause before she typed again, her fingers moving quickly over the keys.

And thank you for hanging out with me today, I had fun even though we were just studying.

Beomgyu chuckled softly, shaking his head, his heart light. “You don’t have to keep thanking me,” he said with a laugh, his voice a little warmer now. “I like hanging out with you too, Y/N.”

Y/N smiled back, her gaze holding his for a moment, a soft, unspoken understanding passing between them. There was something about the way her eyes softened, the way her lips curled into that quiet smile that made his chest tighten in the best way.

A few more strides, and they were at her car. The moment felt too short, too fleeting. She typed one last message.

Do you want me to drive you to your dorm?

Beomgyu shook his head, the smile never leaving his face. “No, it’s fine. My dorm is a short walk from here, no worries. Just... make it home safely, okay?”

Y/N nodded, unlocking her car. As she slipped into the driver's seat, Beomgyu took a step back, not quite ready for the night to end.

“Goodnight,” he said softly, the words almost lingering in the cool air. “Text me when you get home, so I know you made it, okay?”

Y/N gave him a big smile, nodding enthusiastically before she closed the door. Beomgyu stood there for a moment, watching her, feeling like time had slowed just for them. He stepped back slowly, starting his own walk home with a huge grin on his face. The rain seemed to soften around him, and for the first time in a long while, he felt giddy—lost in thoughts of Y/N, with the sound of raindrops tapping on the pavement filling the silence.

The soft hum of the car’s engine died as Y/N pulled into the driveway, her headlights casting a warm glow on the familiar path to the front door. She turned off the engine, her heart still racing from the walk with Beomgyu, the memory of their quiet closeness lingering in her chest. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel tight, a mixture of excitement and nervousness swirling in her stomach. She stepped out of the car, and the cool, rainy night air hit her skin. She quickly made her way toward the front door, not wanting to get rained on. The house stood dark and quiet, except for a light glowing faintly from the living room. Her dad had always been a night owl; he liked having his alone time, and nighttime was the best for that. As soon as Y/N stepped inside, she was met with the lingering scent of dinner—something rich, buttery, and warm—curling in the air like a cruel tease. Her stomach twisted at the smell, a stark reminder of how long it had been since she last ate.

She took off her shoes and glanced toward the living room, where her dad was stretching as he got up from the couch. The TV cast a soft glow across the room, the volume low, as if he’d just been waiting for her to come home.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he greeted, his voice easy, casual. “You have a good night?”

She nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yeah.” 

“Good,” he said, rubbing his eyes as he stifled a yawn. “I was just about to head to bed. Glad you made it home safe.”

She nodded again, but her mind was elsewhere—on the scent still clinging to the air, making her mouth water. Without another word, she slipped into the kitchen.

The counters were wiped clean, not a single dish left out. The fridge door was cool against her fingers as she pulled it open, scanning the shelves for anything—a plate, a container, something saved for her. But the space where leftovers should be was empty.

Her brows furrowed. She stepped back, inhaling again, and that’s when it hit her. The smell wasn’t just hanging in the air—it was stronger, closer.

She turned slowly, her eyes landing on the trash can. The lid wasn’t fully shut. A faint dread settled in her chest as she reached out, pressing it open with her foot.

There, among crumpled napkins and discarded scraps, was a takeout container, its lid haphazardly resting on top. Inside, untouched food—still neatly packed, barely eaten—mocked her from beneath the dim kitchen light.

Thrown away.

She stared for a moment, her throat tightening. Not forgotten. Tossed out. On purpose.

The quiet of the house pressed in on her, the weight of it settling in her stomach alongside the hunger.

Behind her, her dad’s footsteps padded toward the hallway. “I heard you ate already?” he asked, voice heavy with exhaustion.

She hesitated, fingers curling at her sides, and she gave a quick, tight nod of her head. Her stepmom must have lied to him. She had to be the one who threw the perfectly good food out; her dad would never do such a thing.

“Good.” He patted her shoulder in passing, a brief, absentminded gesture before disappearing down the hall. “Night, kid.”

The words barely registered. Y/N stood there for a moment longer, staring at the discarded meal and the empty fridge.

Swallowing down the tightness in her throat, she turned back to the pantry, opening it with slow, quiet movements. She didn’t want to think too hard about it, didn’t want to let it settle too deep, so she reached for the first thing her fingers brushed against—a granola bar.

Not enough to feel full, but enough to get rid of the ache in her stomach.

Peeling the wrapper open, she took a small bite, barely tasting it as she flicked off the kitchen light and padded toward her room.

The week had flown by. Beomgyu and Y/N had been texting constantly, their conversations stretching longer and longer each day. They found themselves meeting up in the library more often than not. It felt like things were shifting between them, slowly but surely. But today was Saturday—the day she would officially meet Taehyun. She was nervous, but she wanted to do this. Taehyun meant a lot to Beomgyu, and she knew this was important. She just hoped he wouldn’t judge her for not speaking.

As she stepped out of her room, loud chatter broke the silence. The muffled sounds of conversation came from the kitchen. The scent of freshly brewed coffee reached her as she made her way downstairs, her stomach twisting with anticipation. 

Her stepmom, sitting at the kitchen table, was chatting with a friend over coffee. Their voices carried through the hallway, a steady hum of laughter and idle chatter. Y/N hesitated outside the kitchen, taking a deep breath before stepping inside nervously, trying to make herself as invisible as possible.

She opened the fridge, the cool air rushing out to greet her, and began to sift through the contents. Her fingers brushed over the containers of ripe fruit—blueberries, grapes, and blackberries. She pulled out a few pieces of each, letting the sweet scent of the fruit fill her nose. She mainly picked at the blackberries, hoping to avoid the inevitable confrontation. But then, her stepmom’s voice broke through the quiet kitchen air, sharp and cutting through the hum of conversation. “Y/N,” she called, her tone slightly raised, “Come say hi to Mrs. Yoon.”

Y/N didn’t respond, her eyes still focused on the fruit, feeling the familiar discomfort settle into her chest. She just kept chewing, deliberately slow, as she tried to blend into the kitchen’s background. She could almost feel her stepmom’s eyes on her, waiting for a reaction, but Y/N remained still.

There was a long pause before her stepmom spoke again, her voice dripping with condescension. “Honestly, you’ve been so quiet lately. You’d think I raised someone who couldn’t speak at all.” There was a soft, forced chuckle from Mrs. Yoon, her stepmom’s friend, which made Y/N’s stomach tighten.

Mrs. Yoon’s laugh echoed in the kitchen, her voice high-pitched and exaggerated. “Maybe she’s just shy, huh? But surely you could say a word or two. I mean, it’s not like it would hurt.”

Y/N’s grip on the blackberries tightened, and she felt her chest constrict. The words landed like cold, harsh stones, but she didn’t flinch. She wasn’t going to engage. Not this time.

Sensing an opening, her stepmom pressed on, her voice sharpening just a little. “Y/N,” she called, a bit louder now, “Don’t be rude. You're not a little girl anymore; it's polite to talk to our guests.” The words felt like a punch to the gut. Y/N’s breath hitched, but she didn’t look up. She didn’t meet her stepmom’s eyes. She could feel the weight of the silence stretching between them, almost suffocating. But she just chewed another blackberry, her eyes focused on the fruit, hoping the moment would pass. But it wouldn’t, and Y/N knew that. So, with all her strength, she turned around slowly, bowing her head to Mrs. Yoon, not daring to look up at the woman. Her cheeks were flushed red from pure embarrassment. Mrs. Yoon, blissfully unaware of the tension, continued. “You know, Y/N,” she said, her tone dripping with fake sweetness, “You’re so pretty. I’m sure you could talk if you wanted to. It’s probably just a phase, right?”

The words were laced with that same mocking cheerfulness that made Y/N’s skin crawl. Her throat tightened painfully as she felt the heat rise in her chest. Y/N just kept holding the small container of blackberries, pretending that was enough to focus on. "Too old for it to be a phase," Her stepmom said in a sour tone. "We thought it was a phase when she was four... Still hasn’t grown out of it. She's just plain rude now."

The chair scraped softly against the tiled floor as Mrs. Yoon stood up. Y/N quickly grabbed another berry, her fingers trembling just slightly as she moved toward the counter, trying to escape the tension without making it obvious. Mrs. Yoon passed by her, muttering under her breath, but Y/N didn’t look up. “There’s nothing wrong with a little effort, Y/N,” Mrs. Yoon’s voice was cold—her words barely more than a hiss as she passed by.  “You wouldn’t want people to think you’re strange, would you?”

Y/N’s grip tightened on the container, but she didn’t respond. She turned slowly toward the pantry, the sound of her steps muffled on the floor as she opened the door. She grabbed a granola bar, anything to get away from the conversation, anything to fill the emptiness in her stomach without thinking too much about the conversation she couldn’t escape. “This is embarrassing,” her stepmom huffed as she also walked past Y/N into the living room, following Mrs. Yoon. 

With a quick motion, Y/N stuffed the granola bar into her pocket, not bothering to open it. She couldn’t focus on food right now, not when her heart was still pounding in her chest. She placed the container of fruit back into the fridge. Without sparing a glance behind her, she turned and made her way toward the stairs, her steps hurried but quiet, like she was trying to outrun the weight of the moment. As she reached the top, she shut the door to her room, the brief silence offering a small relief from the chaos below. She quickly changed into her work clothes, trying to ignore the nerves still gnawing at her stomach. Her hands were unsteady as she buttoned her shirt, the fabric feeling tight and unfamiliar against her skin. She tried to push down the unease, telling herself it was just the usual anxiety. But today, it felt different—more intense, like everything was building up. She glanced at the clock. She was running out of time. With a deep breath, she quickly finished getting ready, her movements a little more frantic than usual. Y/N quickly grabbed a change of clothes from her closet, her fingers still trembling as she folded them neatly. She added the set to her bag, making sure she wouldn’t forget anything for after work. The tension in her chest hadn't eased, but she tried to focus, heading to the bathroom.

Her reflection stared back at her as she brushed her teeth, the familiar minty taste doing little to calm her nerves. She ran a comb through her hair, the bristles catching slightly, but she didn’t mind. She needed to get going. Maybe once she was out of the house, things would feel a little easier. But as she packed her things and took one last look around the room, the knot in her stomach stayed tight, reminding her that her day was only just beginning.

The clock struck the hour, signaling the end of her shift, and Y/N quickly clocked out, feeling the weight of the long day slip off her shoulders. She quickly changed out of her work uniform and into a simple, comfortable outfit in the bathroom. Once she was done, she stood in front of the mirror, making sure she looked presentable. She kept patting at a flyaway strand of hair, with a huff and it not staying down she decided to pull her phone out. Her fingers trembled as she sent Beomgyu a text. Y/N: Hey! I’m done (: After pressing send, she went back to fixing her hair. The strand was barely noticeable, but it was all Y/N could focus on. She tried to breathe a little deeper, trying to push away the anxiety that had been building all day. The minutes dragged on endlessly until her phone buzzed, Beomgyu's reply lighting up the screen.

Beomgyu: Taehyun wants to cook for us tonight. He loves cooking, so we’ll all be eating at his place instead of going out! Y/N blinked at the message, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She was glad she wouldn’t have to deal with the pressure of picking a place to eat or having to try and order in public in front of them. But the thought of meeting Taehyun still made her stomach twist in knots. She had heard so much about him, and the idea of meeting someone important to Beomgyu—someone who was already a part of his world—made her feel out of place. Still, she couldn’t back out now. Y/N: Sounds good!! I’m excited She got a reply right away. Beomgyu: Me too! You can come here now. I’m already here (: He had sent another text right after with Taehyun’s address. Just like Jiwon, Taehyun lived in a off campus apartment. She gathered her things, slinging her bag over her shoulder before stepping out of the café into the warm afternoon air. The sun hung high in the sky, casting soft golden light over the parking lot. A gentle breeze carried the lingering scent of coffee and pastries as Y/N made her way to her car, her footsteps quiet against the pavement.

She slid into the driver's seat, exhaled slowly, and gripped the wheel for a moment before starting the car. The low hum of the engine filled the cabin, but it did little to settle the nervous energy bubbling inside her.

She pulled out of the driveway and onto the road, her thoughts racing faster than the cars passing by. Would Taehyun like her? Would she embarrass herself? She tried to focus on the drive—the steady rhythm of the traffic lights, the soft murmur of the radio—but the closer she got to Taehyun’s apartment, the harder it became to push away the tightness in her chest.

The drive felt both too short and too long, the minutes stretching endlessly and yet slipping away before she could fully prepare herself. When she finally turned into the apartment complex, her stomach twisted even tighter. The building stood tall and modern, its clean lines and muted tones unfamiliar, almost imposing.

She pulled into an empty parking spot and let out a shaky breath, gripping the steering wheel before forcing herself to move. She adjusted the strap of her bag and stepped out of the car with slow, careful movements. Each step toward Taehyun’s door felt heavier, anxiety pressing against her ribs.

She reached the door, hesitating for a moment before pressing the doorbell. The soft chime rang through the hallway, and Y/N swallowed against the lump in her throat, waiting. The sound of muffled footsteps neared the door, and Y/N instinctively straightened, tightening her grip on her bag. A second later, the door swung open, revealing Beomgyu.

His face instantly lit up at the sight of her, a familiar warmth in his expression that made her chest flutter. “Hey, you made it,” he said with a grin, stepping aside to let her in.

Y/N nodded quickly and stepped over the threshold into the apartment. The scent of something savory filled the air, and the faint sound of a knife chopping against a cutting board echoed from the kitchen.

“Taehyun’s in there,” Beomgyu said, tilting his head toward the kitchen as he shut the door behind her. “He’s been cooking since, like, forever. I think he wants to impress you.”

Y/N’s stomach flipped at the thought, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag. Beomgyu must've noticed, because he nudged her lightly. “Hey, you don’t have to be nervous. Taehyun’s chill, I promise.”

She knew he meant well, but her nerves weren’t so easily soothed. Her hands felt stiff at her sides as she gently kicked off her shoes, then followed Beomgyu further inside. The apartment was cozy, a blend of modern and lived-in. There were books and notebooks stacked on the coffee table, a couple of blankets lazily thrown over the couch, and a few potted plants scattered around. It felt like a space filled with quiet routines and comfort. Before she could dwell on it too long, a voice called out from the kitchen. “You’re just in time.”

Y/N looked up as Taehyun stepped into view, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. He was a little shorter than Beomgyu but carried himself with an easy confidence. His dark eyes studied her for a moment before he offered a small smile. “Hey, Y/N,” he said, his tone calm but not unkind. “Nice to finally meet you.” She swallowed hard as Taehyun looked at her, but for a split second, her mind wandered—his eyes were calm, almost too calm for someone who'd just met her. It made her wonder what it was like to be that comfortable with a stranger. She wished she could be more like that. Taehyun was a familiar face, she’s seen him before with Beomgyu and in their psychology lecture. But she’s only stolen glances at him, she’s never actually taken in his appearance until now. 

Y/N’s heart hammered against her ribs. he bowed her head in greeting, hoping it would be enough. Beomgyu had to mention to Taehyun that I didn’t talk, right? She thought to herself. Taehyun caught the small gesture and offered a soft smile in return—acknowledging her without making things awkward. He knew she didn’t talk, and he wasn’t going to make a big deal out of it. Beomgyu, on the other hand, flopped onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. “Tell me you made enough food for me to eat like a king.”

Taehyun shot him an unimpressed look. “I made enough for three people, which means you’re eating like a normal human being.”

Y/N felt a small, unexpected smile tug at her lips. The dynamic between them was natural like they had their own rhythm, their own inside jokes. She felt like an outsider looking in, but the warmth in the room wasn’t lost on her.

“You can sit,” Taehyun said, nodding toward the couch. “Food’s almost ready.” Y/N hesitated before moving toward the couch, her hands still gripping the strap of her bag like a lifeline. The nerves hadn’t gone away, but as Beomgyu continued to whine about how starving he was and Taehyun expertly ignored him, she felt herself exhale just a little. She set her bag down next to her on the couch, still holding onto the strap for comfort. 

As the rich, spicy aroma of the simmering soup filled the apartment, Beomgyu sprawled beside her, bouncing his knee absentmindedly. The low hum of Taehyun moving around in the kitchen mixed with the occasional clatter of utensils, blending into a comfortable hum of normalcy. Beomgyu stretched his arms above his head before glancing at Y/N. “Was work okay?”

She blinked at him, briefly surprised by the question, before reaching for her phone. It was fine. Pretty busy.

Beomgyu peeked at the screen and nodded. “Yeah, I bet. The café always looks packed when I walk by.” He let his head fall back against the couch. “I’d suck at that job. I’d mess up orders left and right.”

Y/N tilted her head slightly, her fingers hovering over her phone before she typed, she wanted to tease him a little. Sounds like you’d get fired right away.

Beomgyu gasped, placing a hand over his chest in mock offense. “You’re supposed to say, ‘No, Beomgyu, you’d be amazing!’ Where’s the support?”

Her lips twitched, the smallest hint of amusement flickering in her eyes.

Before Beomgyu could continue his fake sulking, Taehyun’s voice carried from the kitchen. “Food’s ready. Come eat.”

Beomgyu immediately shot up. “Finally.” Y/N followed him to the small dining table, where Taehyun was setting down three steaming bowls of soup. The deep red broth swirled with shredded beef, vegetables, and glass noodles, the scent rich with spice. A plate of rice sat in the middle of the table, accompanied by a few small side dishes.

She met Taehyun’s gaze and bowed her head slightly in thanks. He responded with a small nod, his expression unreadable but not unkind. “Eat before Beomgyu devours everything,” Taehyun muttered as he sat down.

Beomgyu scoffed, already reaching for his spoon. “I have some self-control.”

Taehyun raised a brow.

“…Okay, not much. But I have some.” Beomgyu continued on his voice more quiet. 

Y/N quietly took her seat, picking up her spoon and dipping it into the broth. She blew on it gently before taking a small sip, the rich spice coating her tongue in a slow burn. The warmth spread through her chest, grounding her more than she expected. It had been a while since Y/N had enjoyed a meal like this. Lately, she'd been missing dinners at home, often spending so much time away that she only had time for snacks or whatever she could grab at the café where she worked. Cooking at home wasn’t even an option—she knew her stepmom would make a fuss if she tried to prepare even the simplest dish.

Beomgyu let out a satisfied groan, his eyes closing in contentment. “Taehyun, if you don’t open a restaurant someday, I’m reporting you to the authorities.”

Taehyun barely glanced up. “Then I guess I’m a fugitive.”

Beomgyu turned to Y/N as he dramatically scooped another spoonful. “You see how he wastes his potential? Tragic.”

Y/N only shook her head slightly, stirring her soup as the conversation continued. The nerves that had tightened in her chest all day were still there, but they were softer now—fading into the background as she listened to the back-and-forth between them. The warmth of the meal, the easy rhythm of their banter, and the simple comfort of just being there settled something inside her. As the conversation flowed between Beomgyu and Taehyun, Y/N let herself relax, just a little. The attention wasn’t on her, and that was comforting—like she could just exist in the background without pressure. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

That thought barely had time to settle before Taehyun shifted his focus.

“Beomgyu told me you’re studying to be a vet tech,” he said casually, setting his spoon down for a moment.

The words sent a jolt through Y/N, her shoulders tensing instinctively. The weight of his attention made her skin prickle, her pulse quickening.

Beomgyu, completely unaware of the storm brewing in her mind, perked up. “Oh, yeah! She loves animals.”

Y/N's fingers trembled slightly as she reached for her phone. Her thoughts felt tangled, weighed down by the lingering echoes of this morning—her stepmom’s sharp voice, the cruel amusement in her friend’s tone.

You wouldn’t want people to think you’re strange, would you? The thought ran through her head.

She inhaled deeply, pressing the tips of her fingers into her palm beneath the table. Focus. She just needed to focus.

Her phone screen glowed softly as she typed. Yeah. I like animals more than people haha.

Beomgyu let out a chuckle, light and easy. But Taehyun just gave a small nod, eyes steady. “That makes sense. I would also have to agree with that.”

The simple understanding in his tone eased something inside her. Y/N exhaled slowly, her grip loosening on her phone.

Taehyun reached for his glass of water. “Do you have pets?”

Y/N hesitated. The truth sat heavy on her tongue, bitter and familiar. Her stepmom hated animals—hated them simply because Y/N loved them. Just like everything else Y/N cared about, her stepmom dismissed it, resented it, as if her interests existed just to spite her.

Her fingers moved over the screen. No. My stepmom doesn’t like them.

Beomgyu frowned immediately. “That sucks.”

Y/N shrugged, but the lump in her throat didn’t budge.

She pressed her palms together under the table, fingers gently tracing circles on the inside of her wrist, grounding herself. It was a quiet effort to remind herself that she wasn’t at home, wasn’t under the weight of someone’s critical gaze. The sting of her stepmom’s harsh words came back—how she always belittled Y/N’s interests, and dismissed what mattered to her. But here, in this cozy apartment with the comforting scent of food in the air, Y/N tried to push those thoughts away. She wasn’t in that place anymore. She was here, in this moment, and no one was making her feel small or out of place. No one was making her feel small. She could breathe here.

Taehyun didn’t pry any further. Instead, he took another bite of his food and said, “A vet tech, huh? It’s a good career. You’ll always have work.”

The confidence in his tone caught her off guard. No skepticism, no questioning whether she was really capable of it—just an acknowledgment. Beomgyu tapped her arm lightly with his elbow, his grin unwavering. “See? You’re still here, which means Taehyun doesn’t secretly hate you.” He was attempting to make her feel relaxed, somehow. 

Y/N glanced up at Taehyun, who was calmly eating, not offering much reaction. She wasn’t sure if that meant anything, but at least he didn’t seem bothered by her presence.

Taehyun finally looked up, eyeing Beomgyu with mild exasperation. “Why would I hate her?”

Beomgyu shrugged dramatically. “I don’t know, you hate a lot of things.”

Taehyun sighed, shaking his head. “Just finish eating.”

Y/N lowered her gaze to her bowl, her grip on the spoon relaxing. The easy banter between them made the atmosphere feel lighter, even if she wasn’t sure where she fit into it yet. Before taking another spoonful of soup, Y/N glanced up at Beomgyu, only to find him already watching her, a soft smile on his lips. His eyes held a silent reassurance, a quiet praise—his way of telling her that everything was okay. As the meal continued, Y/N reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen. Her anxiety still hummed beneath the surface, but she wanted to try.

Taehyun, do you cook a lot? she typed before sliding the phone toward him.

Taehyun glanced at the screen as he chewed, then swallowed before nodding. “Yeah. I like it.”

Beomgyu jumped in before she could type again. “He’s basically a housewife.”

Taehyun shot him a look. “I enjoy making real food instead of surviving on instant ramen and convenience store snacks, unlike some people.” Y/N cheeks flushed lightly, she also enjoyed those things, especially the convenience store snacks.

Beomgyu waved him off. “I’m alive, aren’t I?”

Y/N’s fingers hesitated over the keyboard before she finished typing, sliding her phone toward Taehyun again. What’s your favorite thing to make?

Taehyun’s brow lifted slightly, but he didn’t seem bothered by the question—in fact, there was something almost appreciative in the way he read it. “Probably kimchi stew. But I like trying new stuff too.”

Beomgyu leaned in with a grin. “Taehyun thinks he’s a master chef.”

“I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

Y/N watched their exchange, fingers idly tapping against the side of her phone. She wasn’t used to people like this—so at ease with each other, so effortlessly comfortable.

As they finished eating, the conversation drifted into more casual topics—mostly Beomgyu’s over-the-top complaints about his classes and Taehyun’s dry, unimpressed responses. Y/N listened quietly, fingers lightly tapping against the side of her phone once more. The warmth of the meal still lingered in her stomach, grounding her.

She glanced down at her bowl, realizing she had nearly finished everything. The rich, spicy broth had been comforting, and soothing in a way she hadn’t expected. It didn’t erase the weight of the morning, but for a little while, it had helped.

Beomgyu let out a satisfied sigh, leaning back in his chair. “That hit the spot.”

Taehyun hummed, gathering his own bowl. “You say that every time.”

“Because it’s true every time.” Beomgyu turned to Y/N with a grin, nodding toward her empty bowl. “You liked it, right?”

She hesitated for a second before nodding.

Taehyun’s gaze flickered to her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he spoke. “I’m glad,” he said simply, a small, approving smile tugging at his lips. It was brief, but it softened his usual sharp demeanor.

Y/N quickly typed out a message on her phone and slid it toward him.

It was really good. Thank you for making it.

Taehyun read the text, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly before he nodded. “Anytime.”

Beomgyu pushed his bowl aside. “Alright, now that we’re all full, what’s next?”

Taehyun ran a hand through his hair, glancing around the small kitchen before shrugging. “We could just hang out for a while, see where the night takes us. No need to rush anything.”

Y/N tucked her phone into her pocket, feeling the familiar weight of silence settle around her. Her gaze flickered between the two of them, watching as Beomgyu casually leaned back and made himself comfortable, grinning in that easy-going way of his. Taehyun, on the other hand, appeared relaxed, an unspoken warmth to his presence that helped ease her discomfort just a little more.

She couldn’t help but smile faintly, her thoughts quieting for a moment as she took in the scene. It was such a contrast from the tense moments in her own home this morning, the sharpness of her stepmom’s words slowly dulling. For now, here, with Beomgyu and Taehyun, the world felt a little softer. She could breathe a little easier. The three of them eventually cleaned up their dishes placing them in the sink before making their way to the living room. Y/N and Beomgyu sat together on the couch while Taehyun sat on an accent chair across from the pair.

Beomgyu was now recounting a ridiculous story about something that had happened at school, gesturing wildly as he spoke, while Taehyun listened intently, clearly amused. Y/N’s gaze lingered on the two of them, watching as they interacted effortlessly, their conversation flowing as easily as their laughter. 

A small chuckle bubbled up in her chest, and she quickly stifled it, not wanting to interrupt their flow. But she couldn’t help it. The way Beomgyu threw his hands up in exaggerated frustration, the way Taehyun rolled his eyes, his lips quirking up in a barely-there smile. And then it happened—her laugh, soft and unexpected. It caught her off guard, but it slipped out anyway. She hadn’t meant to, but something about the way Beomgyu was speaking, the ridiculousness of his story, just made her chuckle.

Beomgyu stopped mid-sentence, his eyes turning toward her immediately. For a moment, it seemed like time had paused, the room quieting as he looked at her. His expression softened, his lips curving into a warm, genuine smile. There was no teasing, no making a big deal of it—just a simple, kind look that made her feel seen, in the most comfortable way.

She quickly averted her gaze, a blush creeping up her neck and across her cheeks, but the smile didn’t leave her face. It wasn’t that anyone had noticed her laugh—it was that Beomgyu had, and instead of calling attention to it, he simply looked at her with warmth. It made her feel a little more at ease, like she belonged, even in the small, quiet moments.

Taehyun glanced at them both, his expression faintly amused, but he said nothing. The conversation continued, light and easy, and for the first time in a while, Y/N felt like she could just exist in a space without the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her.

As they chatted, laughed, and shared stories, Y/N’s smile lingered. It wasn’t the loud, boisterous kind of laughter that filled the room, but it was real. And for the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel out of place.

It felt like she was beginning to find her place, little by little, with them. Even without saying a word.

✧ taglist: @brrytears @tubasmiracle @sseishiross

[shallyne]

Moving In Together | Feysand

9:05 AM. That's what her clock said. That morning had felt much longer but granted, her nerves had her woken up by 4 AM, it has been five hours since she packed her belongings in her ramshackle car amd drove over to Rhys's. Feyre couldn't find the source of her nerves, she loved her boyfriend, she was excited to move in with him. She knew him since forever, met each other on the playground, and they have been a couple for nearly a year now after both of them survived abusive relationships. She wanted to move in with him.

Sighing, she removed her car keys fron the ignition and stepped out, looking at Rhys's townhouse. For her, it was huge but knowing Rhys's wealth it was fairly humble. He could live wherever he wanted, and this was his chosen home. She liked it, of course she had stayed here already, she sas probably here more often than in her oen apartment since they started dating.

Grabbing the box with her stuff, she shook away the nerves and trudged up the stairs to the ebony door, pushing the bell. Rhys opened it quicker than she expected and the sight before her made the heat rush to her cheeks.

It wasn't anything she hasn't seen yet and he was fully clothed but seeing him in a tight shirt that accentuated his muscles still made her knees weak, she doubted that would ever stop.

"You're already here," he said, surprised, raising his phone. "I was just about to call the movers."

"No need," Feyre replied, nodding to the box in her hand. "I already got everything."

Rhys was silent for a moment, before asking, "What do you mean? Where's the rest?"

"This is everything." she said, "Everything else was either part of thr apartment," like the kitchen, "Or it was broken and unsalvageable. This is everything." Feyre readjusted the box in her arms. Rhys took it before she even continued to speak, "Except the dresser in my trunk. It also belongs in the trash but I just can't can't seem to bring myself to throw it away."

Rhys's eyes softened, if it was the reminder about her few belongings or the revelation about the attachment to her dresser, she didn't know. "The dresser you painted?"

Back when she was only 14, "Yes." she nodded.

Stepping aside, Rhys motioned for her to go inside. "We'll find a place for the dresser." he reassured her as she wwalked past him.

FEYSAND by me, Shallyne. It's all handdrawn and written myself, no AI used 🚫🚫🚫

For @sjmromanceweek

[st4rgiirll]

first kiss

s1!stiles stilinski x gf!reader

creds: roseraris for dividers!

you were perched on stiles’ bed, watching him pace back and forth across his room, his hand moving animatedly as he talked about the latest werewolf drama involving scott.

the police radio scanner on his desk crackled with static, and his wall was covered in red string and newspaper clippings - his latest attempt to piece together all the supernatural happenings in beacon hills.

“and then scott practically wolfed out in the middle of practice!” stiles exclaimed, running a hand through his short hair.

“like dude, we talked about this! control! but no, apparently catching greenberg’s crossbody was worth risking exposure to the entire lacrosse team!”

you couldnt help but smile at his sarcasm. this was classic stiles - all nervous energy and rapid-fire words, trying to keep his best friend alove while maintaining some semblance of normalcy in their increasingly bizarre lives.

“stiles,” you said, trying to interrupt his rambling to no avail. “stiles!”

he stopped mid-gesture, turning to look at you with those warm brown eyes that never failed to make your heart skip a beat. “yeah?”

“come sit down before you wear a hole in your floor.” he glanced down at the path he’d been treading, then shuffled over to sit beside you, his knee bouncing with restless energy.

“sorry, i just… there’s so much happening, y’know? between scott’s furry little problem and trying to figure out who the alpha is, and my dad’s cases, and-“

“and you’re carrying all the weight of it.” you finished softly, placing your hand over his fidgeting ones.

stiles fell quiet, a rare occurrence that made you look at him more closely. his eyes were fixed on where your hands touched, and you could practically see the gears turning in his head.

“how do you do that?” he asked suddenly.

“do what?”

“just… know exactly what to say? how to calm me down?” he turned his hend over to lace his fingers with yours.

“you’re like my personal adderall, except, y’know, prettier and less medical.” you laughed, feeling your cheeks warm.

“did you just compare me to you ADHD medication?”

“i did, didnt i?” stiles groaned, his free hand coming up to cover his face.

“that was supposed to be romantic. in my head, it was definitely more romantic. can we pretend i said something smooth instead? like, i dunno, ‘you’re the moon to my werewolf’ — wait no, that’s worse, that’s definitely worse—“

you cut off his rambling the only way you could think of – by leaning forward and pressing your lips to his. for a moment, stiles froze, and you could practically hear his brain short-circuiting.

then his hand came up to cup your cheek, and he was kissing you back with all the pent-up energy he usually put into solving supernatural mysteries.

when you pulled away, stiles blinked at you several times, his mouth opening and closing without sound – another rare occurrence.

"did you just—" he started.

"kiss you? Yeah."

"and I—"

"kissed me back? also yeah." a grin slowly spread across his face, the kind that made his eyes crinkle at the corners.

"that was... wow. that was awesome. can we do that again? we should definitely do that again. like, right now. or whenever you want. im free for the next, like, forever—"

this time when you kissed him, you were both smiling too much for it to be perfect, but somehow that made it even better.

the police scanner crackled again in the background, and somewhere in beacon hills, scott was probably getting into more werewolf-related trouble, but for now, none of that mattered.

stiles pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against yours. "just so we're clear," he whispered, "this means you like me, right? because i really like you, and it would be super awkward if—"

"stiles?"

"yeah?"

"we’ve been dating for 6 months."

"oh yeah… cool," he breathed, then immediately cringed.

"i mean, not cool like 'whatever' cool, but cool like 'this is the best thing ever' cool, and im going to stop talking now because im pretty sure im ruining the moment, and—"

you silenced him with another quick kiss, and felt him smile against your lips.

"you know," he said when you separated, "i think i just found my new favorite way to be shut up."

the police scanner suddenly burst to life with his dad's voice reporting a disturbance downtown, and stiles' eyes lit up with that familiar mix of curiosity and excitement.

"want to go investigate a potentially supernatural crime scene with me?" he asked, already reaching for his keys.

you laughed, standing up and pulling him with you. "only you would think that's a romantic second kiss location."

"hey, i contain multitudes," he protested, but his grin was infectious as he led you toward his jeep.

and just like that, life in beacon hills continued – only now with the added bonus of being able to kiss your adorably sarcastic boyfriend whenever he started rambling about werewolves.

[askkatiebarton]

Katie's first steps

SEND ME PROMPTS TO WRITE ABOUT KATIE!

Clint had been gone for two weeks on a mission. It wasn’t even a long one, not compared to others, but it still felt like forever. Natasha could tell he was exhausted the second he walked through the door—hair a mess, uniform wrinkled, bow slung over his shoulder like it weighed a ton.

“Hey,” she greeted, voice softer than usual.

Clint exhaled, dropping his gear by the door before wrapping her in a hug. “Hey, babe. Miss me?”

Natasha hummed against his shoulder. “Not at all.”

He chuckled but didn’t let go. “Where’s my little archer?”

As if on cue, a tiny, delighted squeal came from the living room.

Clint turned just in time to see Katie, wobbling unsteadily on her feet, her chubby arms stretched out. His breath caught in his throat.

She was walking.

Not crawling, not clinging onto furniture—walking.

Towards him.

“Nat—” His voice cracked.

“I know,” she said, watching with the same stunned expression. “She took a couple steps yesterday, but I think she was waiting for you.”

Clint didn’t move, too afraid that if he so much as blinked, the moment would disappear. But Katie kept going, one step, then another, until she finally crashed into his legs, gripping onto his pants like they were a lifeline.

Clint dropped to his knees immediately, scooping her up as she giggled, completely oblivious to the fact that her father, a trained assassin, was about two seconds from tearing up.

“Did you just—” He swallowed thickly, pressing a kiss to her soft curls. “You walked, kid. You walked.”

Katie squealed again, as if she understood exactly what she had done.

Natasha crouched next to them, smirking. “She’s been trying all week, but I think she wanted to make sure you saw it first.”

Clint blinked at her, then looked back down at Katie, who was beaming up at him with Natasha’s sharp, knowing eyes.

“Yeah?” He whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. “You waited for me, huh?”

Katie just babbled something incoherent, clumsily patting his face with her tiny hands.

Clint let out a breathless laugh, pulling her close. He had spent two weeks dodging bullets, running on no sleep, and barely making it out alive. But this? This made everything worth it.

“Guess I gotta teach you how to run next,” he murmured, his voice thick with something he couldn’t name.

Natasha arched a brow. “One step at a time, Barton.”

Clint grinned. “Yeah. One step at a time.”