#and then saw his reflection as he followed me OUT of produce and into the aisle with the liquor

[sleepinglionhearts]

@ the guy who tried to pick pocket me at the grocery store after work: try to be less obvious when following someone you fucking doofus of course I noticed your dumb ass

[thoughtsfromlayla]

26 Ways of Taking You: B for Breeding

Summary: You, Swan Maiden of the Lake become King Morpheus's favorite concubine, but it's not enough.

Notes: ~1.7k words, this is just straight-up depressing. Also, don't have a child because you think it would be unconditional love.

Warnings: MDNI - 18+, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it seriously), p in v, minor fingering, unrequited love, toxic love (from both parties honestly), manipulative love, slight AU? I don't really know, angst no comfort

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

A for Aphrodisiac ⇆ C for Cockwarming

The grandfather clock strikes 12 when the door to your bedroom opens. He comes, always, on the last strike of midnight. His footsteps are quiet when he enters your space but just loud enough for you to hear him. You sit slowly from your lying position on your large bed. You’re decorated head to toe in silk and lace, just how he likes it. 

The Dream King has one queen that he is devoted to only in marriage. In his spare time, he has six concubines to satisfy his needs whenever he needs them, wherever he needs them. Politics was never a subject you understood much, but you understood enough as to why your parents all but gave you to him when he first saw you. He thought that there was no other creature as beautiful as you. 

The first time he saw you, you were a swan swimming languidly in a pond far off in the Dreaming. When you come to the surface, soft white feathers retract, your neck shortens, and your legs lengthen until you stand naked in your human form. You didn’t even notice the Dream King staring at you as you brushed your wet hair with your fingers and admired your reflection on the pond’s surface. 

From that day forth you were nothing but a concubine in Morpheus’ harem. He showered you in gifts, courted you, and wooed you all in an effort to decrease the sting of missing home. You never came in contact with the other five concubines, unknown to you that they kept their distance on purpose. Their disdain for you comes from spite as jealousy wraps its hands around them like a parasite. You were his majesty’s favorite and each moment he spent with you means less time with them instead. The Queen never visited you either, neither did she the other concubines, insisting she was simply better than common whores. She could produce an heir to the throne, you could not. 

Life in the palace gets lonely, so you learn to latch onto Lord Morpheus quickly. If you performed well then perhaps he will stay the night. Talk to you until your eyes are closed or take you out for more than 10 minutes to walk to the palace gardens. You put on a smile when he comes near you, kneeling by the bed so you two are the same height. 

“My sweetness,” He calls to you and caresses your cheek.

You lean into the touch, starved for attention as you have been stuck in your room for the past few days, alone. He chuckles at your reaction as he retracts, your face chasing him but stops quickly. He keeps his eyes on you when he strips himself of his robes, the fabric creasing against itself as it slumps onto the cold floor. His cold hand comes into contact with your shoulder, wasting no time, as he guides you to lie down under him. 

“Forgive me for neglecting you, my dear,” He murmurs against your soft skin, followed by a bruising kiss to the junction of your neck. You only respond with a whimper, your fists clenching at the satin sheets below you. The love bruises he gave you a few days ago still haven’t healed and new ones always appeared. Your once pure skin is now always stained with his love. 

Your legs rub against each other as you try to satiate the gnawing arousal that is growing in your core. You kept your eyes on him when his fingers traced lightly over your clothed breast. The pleasure of it is just as good as the time before. Good enough to close your eyes and feel it all, but he doesn’t like it when you close your eyes, you remind yourself. 

His hands bring the bottom of your camisole over your hip and the night air hits your legs. He hikes it higher and removes it over your head and throws it on the floor near his clothes. Shivers run down your spine, goosebumps prickling at your thighs and hardening your breasts. Your hands go to his upper arm and squeeze at the muscle underneath. His knee prys your legs apart and pushes onto your cunt, which elicits another whine from you and you grind yourself onto him. 

“Patience, dear,” He whispers, his lips leave your neck, and trail slow kisses down to close his mouth over your tit. 

His hand wanders closer to your core, tickling the sensitive skin of your inner thigh before pressing his palm into your clit. He looks at you again when he does it and a smug smile grows on his face seeing the way your face contorts to his feverish touch. Your hands trail upwards and trace his jawline, admiring his face lovingly. 

His eyes grow darker as his lust continues to grow and you swallow down your fear. You lean your face closer to his, his soft lips within your reach. Lord Morpheus ducks away instead and focuses his attention on giving you more love bites, not bothering to soothe the pain after he clamps his teeth on your skin. You swallow again, willing the loneliness of his actions to the bottom of your stomach, to will it never to show its ugly face again. 

Instead, you run your fingers through his unruly hair as his hands now take your underwear off. He throws it to the growing pile of clothes on the floor. This time, when his fingers return, they tease your aroused entrance. The wetness of you aiding him as his fingers enter, your needy cunt sucking the finger in. 

Your breath grows rapid and heavy as his fingers move deliberately, its sole purpose to get you opened and ready for him. He guides your legs and rests one over his hip and presses himself into your core, his arousal slipping across your slit. 

He presses his lips to your collarbone before fully sheathing himself into you, grinning as he feels the way your body trembles underneath him. He doesn’t find the patience to wait and removes his cock and fills you again. Your head is thrown back by the familiar pleasure and you clamp your mouth shut, embarrassed to make noise at such a late hour. 

“No, my treasure,” Morpheus voices with displeasure on the tip of his tongue. “I want you to scream my name. I want everyone in the palace to know who the King’s favorite concubine is. Can you do that for me?”

You nod quickly as another forceful thrust enters you. 

“With words,” He commands, leering down at your flushed body. Your hair was starting to get tangled amongst itself and your lips dry from heavy breath.

“Yes, my King,” You weep out, thoughts preoccupied with what he was giving you and your nails run down his back, leaving red streaks of pleasure across his pale skin. 

The Dream King hums in satisfaction before he turns his attention to your skin again, trying to find unmarked spots to mark you again. Your pleasure becomes overwhelming and almost on the verge of pain. His next stroke hits the deepest part of you and you can’t help the scream that is ripped from your throat. Your cries of ecstasy echoed in the large room and slipped through the hallways of the castle. 

“Mhm, just like that,” He praises and you turn into jelly under his words. He murmurs his worship about your skin, your hair, how beautifully glowing you looked underneath him, skin dewy, and muscles trembling. 

His hand caresses between your two bodies, pressing down on your lower stomach. The action causes your sensual pleasure to increase tenfold and your skin feels feverish. He rubs a small circle just under your stomach and hums above you again. 

“I want to see you round with my child, to see you glow with the effects of pregnancy,” He voices and in the back of your head you’re shaking your head no. 

You knew the consequences of siring a bastard. You may be the King’s favorite but that would not protect you against the wrath of her majesty, the Queen. Yet, another part of you silences the doubt quickly. Your child would be something of both you and the king’s. With a tear sliding down your cheek you wished for your child to love you in a way that Lord Morpheus never would. To give you the attention you deserved, to give you something to love. 

Your body spasms and your cunt clenches as your orgasm comes to you unexpectedly, another wonton cry leaves your lips. Morpheus groans at the sudden tightness before emptying himself into you. The only sound that fills the room is the panting of your heavy breaths. Your arms hang behind his neck again and you look at him with adoration. 

“My king,” You whisper like a prayer to him. “Will you keep true to your wish?”

He cocks an eyebrow at your sudden words. “Do not think too deeply about it, my treasure.” His pet names for you feel empty to you now. 

Your arms drop from his neck at the abrupt change in attitude. You suddenly feel very self-aware of your vulnerable body and cross your arms over your chest to both cover and ground yourself. 

Morpheus removes his body from yours and the cold night air takes his place instead. Your thighs are sore and sticky from your coupling but all it does is make you feel dirty. 

“Your child would be of no use to me, it was only said in the moment.” He picks up his clothes from the floor, leaving yours untouched. 

He leaves you just as he came to you, quietly and without warning. The soft click of the closing door brings you back to the presence. His words hang heavy in the air and swim around your head just like the little tetra that used to swim around your body in the lake. 

Your hand delicately swipes across your lower stomach and you clench your thighs closed. If you hope to become with child this time around, then you wouldn’t need Morpheus. Silent tears run down your cheeks and you hug yourself. 

He wouldn’t spend the night again, leaving you in an empty bed of your combined lovemaking. The satin sheets under you suddenly feel too rough, the air too cold, and the shadows in the room dance as they point and mock at you. 

As if the king could love you back. 

A for Aphrodisiac || C for Cockwarming

Main Masterlist ⇆ Series Masterlist

Is it unhinged of me to say that that gif of Dream crying is hot? No? What's that? I'm just ovulating? Oh, ok.

♡ Yours, Layla

[littlefireball]

ʜᴊ|ꜱᴡᴀɴ ʟᴀᴋᴇ (ꜰ/ᴀ/ᴍ)

ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇ ʜᴏɴɢᴊᴏᴏɴɢ x ꜱᴡᴀɴ ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇꜱꜱ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ꜰᴀɪʀʏ ᴛᴀʟᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ: ʏᴜɴʜᴏ, ᴊᴏɴɢʜᴏ

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ: ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ|ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ|ꜱᴍᴜᴛ|ꜱᴜɢɢᴇꜱᴛɪᴠᴇ|ʜᴏɴɢᴊᴏᴏɴɢ ꜱᴀᴡ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ʙᴇɪɴɢ ɴᴀᴋᴇᴅ (ᴏᴏᴘꜱ)| ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ|ᴍᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴᴇᴅ ᴏꜰ ꜰɪɢʜᴛ, ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴇ|ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ɪꜱ ᴅʏɪɴɢ|ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ|ʀᴇᴜɴɪᴏɴ|ᴜɴᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴇx|ᴠᴀɴɪʟʟᴀ ꜱᴇx|ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴏᴜᴛ|ɴᴇᴄᴋ ᴋɪꜱꜱ|ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ

ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ: 6.6ᴋ

"It's so boring~~~~" Hongjoong was feeling bored with the tedious classes and royal affairs. He looked at the piles of books and documents on his desk, feeling overwhelmed. He knew that it was his responsibility as a prince, but the dull content didn't interest him at all. All he wanted was to create his own music and write his favorite songs. Although this wasn't supported by others, as it didn't contribute much to the future of the monarchy, he still held onto his dreams, believing that someday someone would appreciate him.

"Ding-Dong'' The lunch bell finally rang, and Hongjoong, who was originally unenthusiastic, suddenly became energetic. He swiftly climbed out of the window and ran towards the forest.

"Your Highness, it is your..." As the butler entered the room carrying lunch and opened the door, Hongjoong was nowhere to be found.

*Sigh*... Again... Let him eat when he comes back!" The butler instructed the servants with helplessness.

Lunchtime was Hongjoong's favorite time because it allowed him to temporarily escape from the boring life and immerse himself in nature. The abundant sunlight spilled onto the dense forest, casting dappled shadows. A gentle breeze rustled through the grass, making it sway in the sunlight like a group of dancers, accompanied by the enchanting fragrance of flowers, bringing a sense of peace and joy.

Hongjoong took a deep breath, feeling the refreshing sensation surrounding his body, relieving his fatigue. He leaned against a smooth stone and sat on the grass as usual, ready to compose. However, unlike before, his inspiration seemed to have gone missing. After pondering for a moment, his pen remained still on the notebook, with only troubling black dots.

"Ah! It must be because of all those assignments that I lack inspiration!" He sighed, looking up at the sky, lost in thought. Suddenly, a white figure flew across the sky, graceful and unfamiliar. He immediately snapped out of his daze, his gaze fixated on the swan in mid-air. Its feathers were as light and graceful as white clouds, shimmering with dazzling light in the sunlight.

"That's a swan...? It's so beautiful!" The mesmerizing sight held his gaze, and he followed the swan as it landed in the lush forest. Overcome with curiosity and excitement, he ran in the direction of the swan. What he saw when he entered the forest was a golden lake with sunlight reflecting off its surface. The swan gradually descended onto the water and suddenly emitted a dazzling light, transforming into a human form.

Hongjoong slowly opened his eyes, seeing a beautiful woman standing in front of him in the water. Her lovely face carried a hint of innocence. As she adjusted her posture in the water, her body elegantly emerged, producing a gentle sound without realizing that Hongjoong had witnessed everything.

"How... are you?" A sudden male voice startled you, making you turn around.

"Oh my god!" Seeing a man staring at you, you screamed and quickly covered your exposed upper body.

"Oh!!! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" Hongjoong immediately turned around, not telling you he already saw you naked by accident.

"I just followed a swan that flew here. I... I didn't know... it was you... I wasn't peeping! I'm really sorry."

"You... it wasn't intentional..."

"Well... I'll go now, you can continue with your bath." Just as he was about to leave, you immediately stopped him.

"Wait! I want to ask... are you the person who comes to the forest every day to paint?"

"Oh! You know me?" He turned around nonchalantly, not realizing that you were still in the water.

"Ugh! I'm sorry!" He hurriedly covered his eyes again, looking embarrassed.

"It's okay, I'm already dressed."

"Thanks god."

"So, are you that person?" He opened his eyes again, seeing you in white clothes with a faint floral scent, making him flustered.

"Ah... Oh... yes! I am that person, but I'm not painting, I'm composing."

"Composing?"

"Yes, creating melodies and such."

"It sounds interesting~" Your soft voice was as smooth as silk, very pleasant to the ears.

"Ah! Your voice! Can you talk more?" 

"Huh?" His request was amusing, making you laugh.

"Oh, sorry, I was being too forward. Lately, I've been composing, but I lack inspiration. Your voice is very captivating, so could you help me by inspiring me more?"

His sincere expression didn't seem like a lie, and you were also bored, so you agreed to his request. You sat by the lake, sharing stories with each other. He was a prince who had no interest in palace affairs but loved art and music. As for you, you were a princess who had to wander in the forest as a swan and live in seclusion.

"But why are you not afraid of me? I can turn into a swan!"

"Why would I be afraid? You are stunning, to be honest."

"Oh really? Thanks." You blushed and lowered your head. It had been a long time since you had talked to humans, and this feeling made you nostalgic. Moreover, you could find many interesting things in him, like a treasure waiting to be discovered.

"It was a curse actually... I mean, the fact that I can turn into a swan."

"A curse?"

"Yes... A man, or should I say a demon, cursed me because I refused to marry him. He cursed me to become a swan and never leave this forest for eternity."

"What?! It must be sad... I can't even imagine how I can stay alive if I turn into a goose and live without my family... my friends..."

Your eyes lost their original sparkle, and a wave of sadness washed over you. How you longed to see your family again. But what could you do?

"Is there any way to break the curse?" You shook your head, indicating that you didn't know.

"Maybe by defeating him? But he knows magic, and I'm just an ordinary mortal. How can I defeat him?"

"I'll help you defeat him!"

"What? Nope, it's hard, and I'm not worth it."

"No, Y/N, how can you say this? You're worth it! You're my friend, and I'll help you!"

"Thanks, Hongjoong, but... I don't want you to get hurt. Besides, this is our first meeting, are you willing to help me so easily? Aren't you afraid I might be a fraud?"

Perhaps due to past hurts, you had always rejected other people's goodwill because of the memory of the cursed man who turned you into a swan.

"What? I saw you transform from a swan to a human, remember? You're not tricking me. What's in it for you? And besides, once Kim Hongjoong decides on something, I won't easily change my mind."

It was difficult to say whether he was kind or naive, but you were grateful for his kindness. At that time, you didn't know that the man before you was about to change your destiny.

"It's up to you!" Silence fell between the two of you, not knowing what to say.

"Ah, Y/N..." He gathered his courage and broke the silence. "Maybe you're interested in the guitar?" 

He picked up the black wooden guitar that had been lying on the ground. The neck of the guitar had white vine patterns, which seemed to match Hongjoong's temperament. He didn't dare to look up, afraid of seeing an unpleasant expression on your face just like others.

"Ah sorry…Do I look weird?"

"No~Why would you say that? This guitar looks really nice, and it suits you." Your praise surprised him, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face.

"Thank you. I designed it myself."

"Really? You're talented! Can you play it?"

"Of course~ I wrote a song called 'Dreamy Day,' can I play it for you?"

"Sure! I haven't heard it in a long time!" You eagerly anticipated his performance, resting your head on your hands, eyes filled with anticipation. Your expression was exactly what he loved, something he had never seen in anyone else, let alone someone willing to listen to his self-composed songs.

He plucked the guitar strings, and a lively and melodic tune filled the air, accompanied by his singing, resembling a beautiful symphony. You gradually became lost in the music, thoughts in your mind seemed to stop, and all you knew was to immerse yourself in the melody. It had been so long since you had heard such beautiful music, ever since you were forced to leave the palace, cutting off your contact with human entertainment and culture. The only way for you to learn about the outside world was through occasional conversations with passing hunters or letters from the palace.

Because of the fear of being hunted or captured, you had never dared to reveal your swan form to others. You could only transform into a human secretly in places where no one was present. However, when Hongjoong saw you transform, he didn't harm you but instead engaged in conversation, shared stories, and even sang and played the guitar for you.

The guitar ceased playing after the song ended, and you applauded happily. It was undoubtedly the most beautiful song you had ever heard.

"Oh my god! It's so perfect! You're so talented! I can't understand why others oppose you pursuing music. It's your gift!" You showered him with endless praise, unable to contain your excitement.

"Thank you." Hongjoong couldn't help but shyly lower his head. Every word you spoke touched him deeply.

"Trust me, you should write more songs. That's how you can benefit the world."

"You're exaggerating!" You both smiled at each other, completely forgetting that nightfall was approaching.

"Speaking of which, the moonlight tonight is so beautiful!" Hongjoong looked up at the moon, admiring its soft glow.

"Ah!!!" He suddenly exclaimed and startled you.

"What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself?"

"I forgot to go back! If I don't go back now, I'll get scolded! Sorry, Y/N, but I have to go now."

"It's fine, and I have to go too. My time as a human is almost over. Be careful when you go back..." Before you could finish speaking, his notebook fell to the ground in disarray. You laughed and helped him tidy up, to which he quickly thanked you.

"Can we meet again?" You nodded with a smile on your lips.

"Then let's meet here tomorrow, same time!"

"Okay, see you, Hongjoong."

"See you." He waved at you with a joyful expression on his face. Despite being scolded for coming back late, it didn't dampen his happiness.

As he looked back on the memories of today, he couldn't help but smile. Unlike others who would oppose his pursuit of music, you were curious about everything he did and appreciated his creativity. You provided endless inspiration for him. You were like a pure, untainted blank paper, unaffected by the intrigues of the palace. When he was with you, he felt a newfound sense of freedom and relaxation.

Since that day, you started meeting frequently. Hongjoong's stewart noticed something unusual about him—he was always smiling and even laughed absentmindedly. He, who rarely went out, now went out every day and wouldn't return until late at night. The strangest thing was his sudden interest in palace affairs. He became serious in combat and swordsmanship classes, and he developed a curiosity about potions, spells, and other forms of mysticism. It was truly strange indeed!

Seonghwa's jaw clenched in concentration as the butler's words puzzled him. "Has Hongjoong truly changed like this? And for a whole month?" The shift in his friend's behavior was undeniable, and it left Seonghwa wondering about the cause behind it.

Yunho chimed in, expressing his confusion as well. "I find it odd too. I invited him to play football, but he declined, opting to stay in the library instead." Mingi added, "I've noticed him studying some sort of spell lately."

"And he always seems lost in thought, smiling for no apparent reason."

"Could he be under a spell?" San speculated.

"Perhaps it's a positive spell," Wooyoung suggested.

"Come on, can you guys be more realistic?" Yeosang interjected, their group of friends all sharing a sense of concern for Hongjoong's sudden transformation. They had never seen him change so drastically before.

"Instead of guessing here, why don't we just ask him?" Jongho suggested calmly.

"Will he answer?" Several of them stood in front of Hongjoong's room arguing and pushing each other back, none of them willing to be the first one to speak up.

Suddenly, Hongjoong's voice echoed from his room, "I've found it!!!" Startled, the group watched as Hongjoong hurried out of the palace, prompting them to follow suit in a wild chase.

"How can he run so fast with those short legs?" Mingi chuckled.

"What could he have found that made him dash out like that?" Yunho wondered aloud.

"Maybe it's money?" Jongho's eyes gleamed at the mention of wealth.

"It's just something you want, hojong." Wooyoung couldn't help but glare back.

"Let's catch up and find out!" The group pursued Hongjoong, their curiosity piqued.

—--

"Why has he come to this cursed forest?" Wooyoung whispered, suspicion lacing his words.

"We must pull him out quickly if it's truly cursed!" San nearly burst out of the bushes in his anxiety.

"Hey! What are you doing? Do you want us to be caught?"Seonghwa intervened. 

"Let's wait what he's gonna do." 

"Where did you hear about this curse? Is it from that children's book, 'Swan Lake'?" Jongho questioned.

"C'mon, it's just a children book," 

"Yah! It could be true!"

"There's no such thing as a talking swan..."

"You all be quiet!" 

"Y/N, where are you?" Hongjoong's voice rang out into the forest, causing a stir among the group.

"He's talking to thin air! It must be a curse!" San speculated.

"Can't you all just be silent!" Seonghwa reprimanded.

"Maybe he can see spirits," Mingi teased, earning a warning glare from Seonghwa.

In a mesmerizing moment, you descended from the sky, landing gracefully on the grass, stunning the onlookers with your ethereal presence.

"Is that a swan?" "So beautiful!" 

"Is that swan called Y/N?"

"Does Hongjoong have a pet? And talk with that bird?"

A blinding light flashed, and you transformed into a human, radiating beauty in the sunlight. Hongjoong couldn't help but be captivated by your allure every time he laid eyes on you.

"WHAT─" "SHHHHH─"The group was taken aback by the sudden transformation, with San barely being restrained from exclaiming. Everyone rushed to cover San's mouth to prevent him from shouting out. Fortunately, you remained oblivious to their presence.

"Y/N," Hongjoong greeted you warmly, but you merely smiled without a word.

"Is your voice giving you trouble?" You nodded.

"It's okay, Just listen to what I say~ By the way, I have some good news I want to tell you!" You raise an eyebrow, anticipating his answer. He took your hand, and warmth flowed between the two of you; birds sang happily amongst the branches of the trees, the breeze gently ruffled the hair of the two of you, and the remaining rays of the setting sun showered you with light, seemingly colouring the entire world with a layer of gold.

"I want you to know that since we met, my life has been filled with joy and fulfillment. Your presence brightens my days, and your smile is my greatest inspiration. I am grateful for..." A blush tinted his cheeks, his heart racing with emotion. As he gazed into your eyes, a strange sensation washed over him. Despite your smile, there was a lack of warmth in your gaze. He hesitated in his words, his heart gradually calming.

'You' tilted your head in confusion, gently grasping his hand, urging him to continue.

"Did he forget what he wanted to say?"

"Or is he too nervous?"

He shook his head and released his grip on your hand, taking a step backward.

"No, you are not Y/N."

—----

"Who are you?" Hongjoong's voice was tinged with suspicion, despite the fact that the woman in front of him had the same appearance as you, he didn't believe that this was his favorite Y/N.

"What is this?" San whispered curiously. "Are they putting on a play?"

"No, it's something weird." Seonghwa frowned, suddenly becoming nervous at what was happening in front of him.

"Answer me, don't make me hurt you." Hongjoong drew the longsword from its sheath, his gaze sharp as the tip of the sword pointed mercilessly at the woman in front of him.

"Oh, you're so smart~hahahahaha! It's not funny at all, father." The woman in front of him let out a cocky laugh, and suddenly a black mist emerged from the bottom of her feet, gradually enveloping her. The black fog rose, covering the woman and obscuring her from view, her white figure disappearing into the darkness.

"I never thought a human could see through my disguise." A middle-aged man's voice resounded overhead, and the crowd turned to see an unassuming man in a red cloak floating in mid-air. Meanwhile, you were bound by the black mist, unable to move and held hostage by him. He descended slowly to the ground, emitting a strange aura.

"Y/N!!!" Hongjoong's grip on the sword tightened as he tried to make sense of the situation unfolding before him. The woman who had appeared as you was now revealed to be someone entirely different, someone dark and menacing. The black mist that surrounded her seemed to pulse with malevolence, sending shivers down the spines of those present.

"Hello, my name is Odile! Nice to meet you, Prince."

"Get away from me!" The woman in front of them no longer resembled you; her face was pale and bloodless, her voice shrill and unrecognizable.

The middle-aged man in the red cloak stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "You may have seen through her disguise, but that doesn't change the fact that Y/N is under my control," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

"Let her go, you ass!!" 

"How impolite of you!"

"None of your business!"

"Hongjoong─!" At that moment, the rest of ATEEZ emerged from the bushes, unable to hide any longer in the face of the unfolding situation.

"Why are you guys here?"

"Explain later!"

"Hey you old man, get down here and let Y/N go!" Wooyoung scolded, pointing at the man with no fear.

"Do you think I'll be scared just because there's more of you?" The middle-aged man's eyes turned icy as he surveyed the crowd with disdain, mocking their naivety and timidity.

"I thought I could outwit you by using Odile, but it seems my plan has failed." Robert had hoped to deceive Hongjoong by having Odile impersonate you, but his scheme fell apart.

"How can she, an ugly woman, compare to Y/N?"

"What did you say?! Father, teach him a lesson!"

"I'll do this without you telling me!"

With a swift motion, the middle-aged man conjured a ring of glowing red light with his bare hand, causing a column of water to spray outward as the crowd scrambled to avoid it.

"Wow shit, he did know how to use magic!" "No swearing, San," Seonghwa interjected. Before they could react, more columns of water were unleashed towards them.

"You're just going to stand by and watch them perish! Do you think you can break the spell by finding this man?" You watched with trepidation as they dodged the water, feeling helpless. Despite your fear, your main concern was for their safety, particularly Hongjoong.

"Hongjoong, do you have any insights? Did you discover anything before venturing into the forest?"

"All I found was a way to lift the curse on Y/N..." The situation seemed dire. Dodging was not a sustainable strategy; it would only deplete their energy and lead to defeat.

"Haha, Y/N. You belong to me in the end! Look! What can that blue-haired man do for you? Did he save you? I am the most powerful mage in the world, the only one worthy of being by your side."

"But you're the one who cursed me, Robert." Anger and resentment burned in your eyes, threatening to erupt at any moment.

"No, Y/N~ It's because you didn't listen to me, I never meant to harm you." Robert's words were steeped in deceit and didn't listen to anyone else's words.

"Enough of your lies, Robert!" Hongjoong's voice boomed through the clearing, his eyes blazing with determination. He knew he had to act fast to save you from the clutches of this malevolent sorcerer.

"You ants, do you think you can top me?" His voice dripped with arrogance and menace.

"I must kill you!"

"You can try!" Enraged, Robert summoned up the power within his body and gathered it in the ruby of his ring, which glowed ominously and disturbingly.

"Just go to die, you useless humans!" He exclaimed, extending his right hand as a strange beam of light shot out, raining down on the crowd. Hongjoong and the others struggled to raise their swords in defense, their barriers on the verge of collapse.

"Haha, well done, Father, finish them off!"

"No...!" Your brow furrowed, heart pounding like a drum. "What can I do...!" Leaning forward, you noticed the bonds on your body loosening and the black mist dissipating from around your waist. "What…"Glancing at Robert's wicked grin, a determination sparked within you. "I must stop him!"

"Haha, you're going to die!"

"Tsk..."

"Please, Robert, don't hurt them! I'll do everything you want, just release them!" 

"What? No! Y/N!"

Your plea caught Robert off guard, his gaze lingering on you for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "Please, I'll marry you." Your words struck a chord, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

"Really?"

"Yes, I promise..." The black mist around you weakened. "I love you..." "No, Y/N..." Ignoring Hongjoong's warning, you suddenly lunged forward, seizing Robert's hand.

"YOU!!!" Despite your lesser strength, you held onto his hand tightly, attempting to snatch his ring. The beam veered off course due to your interference, scattering the crowd. Breaking free from your control, Robert recoiled, causing you to fall from the recoil.

"How dare you fool me!?"

"Y/N!" Hongjoong's voice filled with concern as he rushed towards you. Beams shot towards him, but he managed to evade behind Odile.

"Hey! Father!" Odile hissed as she was transforming into a pig and losing her beauty. Robert couldn't help but be distracted by his daughter's plight.

"Can you just shut up!!!"

Seeing that Robert was distracted, Hongjoong stomped his back foot. With a swift movement, Hongjoong lunged forward, his sword gleaming in the dim light as he aimed for Robert. The sorcerer, taken aback by the sudden attack, raised his hand to conjure a barrier of dark energy, but Hongjoong's determination was unwavering. The sword sliced through the barrier, grazing Robert's arm and causing him to howl in pain.

"How!you!" 

"Y/N, are you alright?" Hongjoong rushed to your side, his concern evident in his eyes as he gently untied her from the black mist that bound you. You nodded weakly, grateful for his presence and the courage he displayed in confronting Robert.

"You fools! Damn it!" Robert's eyes filled with madness as he felt his blood oozing from his wound. He roared as dark energy swirled around him, forming a massive tornado that engulfed everything.

"You all go to hell!" He threw a huge black magic ball as hard as he could and hit you with no doubts.

"No!!!" Without hesitation, you shielded Hongjoong to defend against the onslaught. Simultaneously, a sharp blade pierced Robert's chest, blood gushing from the wound. "AHHHH!!" "You're the one heading to hell!" Jongho withdrew his sword, and Robert crumpled to the ground, disintegrating into dust and vanishing.

"No...No...Y/N...please, no." You lay unconscious on the ground, your body growing cold as Hongjoong's voice trembled with tears, filled with regret for not protecting you properly. 

"It's my fault, I didn't protect you properly..." Hongjoong's voice trembled with tears, as grief swept over his body and mind. No matter how much he shouted you didn't wake up.

"I should have gone to school... I shouldn't play every day..." "joong..." Seonghwa patted him on the shoulder, but didn't know what to say. Seonghwa tried to comfort him, but words failed them all. Everyone looked at each other and finally decided to leave you two alone.

Hongjoong's forehead is pressed against yours, and he cries out in sadness, letting his grief consume him. Memories of the past flood his mind, piercing his heart like sharp blades, making him unable to breathe, unable to endure.

"You know what? I found a way to break the spell... But you're gone... there's still so much I want to tell you..." He recited the spell silently. Although the spell was only used to undo the transformation, he still had a desperate attempt to bring you back. 

But as the spell ended, you remained still, unresponsive. He closed his eyes, letting the pain rage through his body, letting the tears slide down his face. He whispered, "...I love you," planting a soft kiss on your lips, brushing your face with reluctance, before burying his face in your neck, overcome with grief.

Perhaps love was the most powerful spell in the world. It stimulated your stagnant heart, warmed your body, and dispelled the darkness that surrounds you. You slowly opened your eyes, the sunlight came to the view, and Hongjoong was still laying on your body.

"Are you that person who saves me?" A familiar voice broke through the sorrow, and Hongjoong looked up in disbelief to see you awakening from your coma.

"Y/N!!!" Overjoyed, he embraced you tightly, unable to believe his eyes.

"Why...you?"

"Maybe because of your spell?" Your voice was a soothing balm to his soul, bringing warmth and comfort.

"I thought I'd never see you again..." You smile, your gentle palms caressing his face, wiping away the tears on his face.

"I'm always here." You looked at each other with love in your eyes, the pain of the previous moment was washed away by the warmth.

In that moment, your lips touched gently, like a butterfly caressing the petals of a flower. Each other's heartbeat accelerated like a drumbeat in your chests. It seemed that the world stood still, leaving only your mutual attraction and longing.

"Thank you for saving me, joong."

"That's my pleasure." His eyes shone with love and gratitude, his heart full of happiness.

"You are exaggerating!" 

"Y/N…I have a question to ask you." "Hm?" Hongjoong mustered the courage to ask, "Would you stay with me...as my lover?Ah...sorry I'm too─" Before he could finish, you silenced him with a kiss, sealing your answer with a smile.When you parted, your lips were slightly moist, leaving a smile.

"You kissed me, how could I say no?" Your eyes were filled with tenderness and affection, and a happy smile appeared on your face.

"Then just give me one more." Your lips met once more, sealing your love with a promise of a future together.

---

You stepped into your former palace once more, and everything is as familiar as ever." Father, Mother." When the familiar sound of the blaze rang out again, your parents' faces were filled with incredible smiles and their eyes were filled with tears. They hugged you tightly, having not felt such warmth for a long time. Tears burst into their eyes revealing immense joy and touch.

"Thank you for saving our daughter's life."

"Hongjoong, without you, I wouldn't be standing here today. Thank you for everything," you say, gratitude shining in your eyes.

Hongjoong smiles and shook his head, "It's what I should have done because I love you," Hongjoong's voice is filled with sincerity and devotion, earning the approval and love of your parents.

"We are glad to see you so happy, my daughter." Your parents had excitement and emotion on their faces as they gazed at you. They were aware of your sincere and unwavering love for one another. 

Your father holds your hand while your Mother softly wipes the tears from your cheeks. "Looks like you've found us a good son-in-law." You patted his arm with a blushing face and everyone burst out laughing.

Surrounded by the love of your family and the unwavering support of your beloved, you find solace and happiness in the familiar walls of the palace. In that moment, you know that no matter what challenges may come, you will face them together, united by love and commitment.

—---

In the palace garden, bathed in the gentle moonlight, the grass glows verdant, casting a soft sheen on the scattered rose petals. Leaning against Hongjoong's shoulder, you feel the breeze caressing your cheeks, relishing the peaceful warmth of the moment. It has been over a year since the curse was lifted, and life is gradually finding its rhythm once more. Your bond with Hongjoong deepens with each passing day, and even though you are together constantly, the love you share remains a cherished secret, the envy of all who witness it.

"Y/N?"

You lift your head at his call, meeting his gaze filled with love, a warmth blooming in your chest, tugging at the corners of your lips.

"Are you that happy that I just called you by your name?"

"Because you are here with me." A shared smile passes between you, and he presses a tender kiss to your forehead, fingers threading through your hair.

"I have something to tell you..." His voice quivers with nervous anticipation as he stands, heart racing, palms damp with sweat, cheeks flushed. With a deep breath, he gathers his courage, the words he's rehearsed a hundred times ready on his tongue. Slowly sinking to one knee, he retrieves a sapphire blue ring box from his pocket, hands trembling as he opens it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring.

Tears glisten in your eyes, mirroring the emotions swirling in his own heart. Hongjoong's voice rings out, brimming with love and excitement, as he pushes through the tension to speak, "My love, I want to spend eternity by your side, sharing all the joys and sorrows of life, through thick and thin, in richness and in poverty. I want to walk hand in hand with you. Will you marry me?"

Overwhelmed with happiness and emotion, your heart pounds so fiercely that words fail you. Instead, you reach out your hand, nodding eagerly, allowing him to slip the ring onto your finger, the diamond catching the moonlight in a dazzling display. Tears blur your vision, but your smile shines bright and radiant.

Standing up, Hongjoong gently wipes away your tears, enfolding you in a tight embrace, the warmth and tenderness of the moment enveloping you both. In the silent exchange of gazes, your eyes convey a depth of love and commitment that words cannot capture.

In that moment, he feels like the luckiest person alive, having found his soulmate, the one with whom he will journey through life hand in hand. "I love you for eternity." "As am I." Tears trace his cheeks as he presses a deep, loving kiss to your forehead.

—----

The two of you share a deep, intimate kiss, the soft sound of your lips meeting echoing through the room, causing a shy yet exhilarating sensation to wash over you. You both continue, savoring the pleasure it brought, feeling the warmth and love that enveloped you in that moment.

Your lips and tongues dance together in a fiery embrace, igniting a spark that sends electric pulses through your bodies. The kiss is tender, filled with romance and whimsy, as your breaths mingle in the heat of desire. Fingers intertwine in each other's hair, as if trying to etch the warmth and love you share into each other's hearts for eternity.

Time seems to stand still as you hold each other close, your souls drawn to one another in a magnetic pull. Your unique essences blend together, creating an indescribable fragrance that fills the air.

"I want you," he whispers, his hands trailing up your back, deftly undoing the zipper of your dress, allowing it to cascade to the floor. Your skin, as flawless and delicate as porcelain, invites his touch, eliciting a gentle caress from him. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, shedding his own clothes before cupping your face and kissing you with a mix of tenderness and passion.

"Be mine, Y/N," he says softly, your arms encircling him in a silent response. As your remaining clothes fall away, leaving you naked before him, his desire surges like a tidal wave, a potent mix of love and lust in the air.

He lays you gently on the bed, shedding his own clothes before leaning over you. "Let me know if it hurts," he says, your hands finding purchase on his shoulders. As he enters you, a strange yet satisfying sensation wash over you, igniting a primal connection between you both.

"Oh shit, I think I can't last long. You feel so good,Y/N," The warmth and moisture enveloping you both. Cupping your face, he kisses you deeply, his movements slow and deliberate as he moves in and out. Your bodies intertwine, his tongue exploring your mouth, savoring your sweetness.

Your toes curl, nails digging into your palms as he moans softly in your ear, sending shivers down your spine. His gentle thrusts allow you to adjust, each movement bringing a rush of heat and desire. Your body responds eagerly as your cunt produces more fluid, craving more of him, seeking deeper satisfaction.

"Deeper, please," you plead between kisses, his eyes filled with love and concern as he gazed at you. With a soft smile, he obliged, his care for you evident in every touch.

"Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you," he whispered, treasuring you like a precious gem.

"Yes, please. I want you deeper," you blush, unable to meet his gaze because of shyness. He finds you are really adorable and your vulnerability only fuels his desire. He can feel his cock twitch as he is losing control. 

"As you wish, my princess," "Hmm─!!" He presses his lips to yours and pushes into you as hard as he can. Your muffled cries mingle with his breath, the intimate connection between you growing stronger with each heartbeat. He caresses your palms and clasps his fingers together; breath sprays over your face, each other's scent surrounding the other. 

You can't help but relax your lips and hold your head back, breathing in and out, the excitement taking your mind and making you dizzy. You bend your legs around his waist, which allows him to go deeper. You arch your back against his heaving chest.

"My baby wants deeper? Oh fuck you're so good for me." He buries himself in the crook of your neck, pushing your limits with increasing speed and intensity. "Ah-Gosh!" you cry out shyly, eyes closed tightly, and the sound of the bed rattling makes you both more aroused.

"I want more." In a brief moment of withdrawal, he reverses you. Your breasts are pressed against the bed, and your hips are lifted up in one fluid motion. His warm hands rest against your waist as he thrusts once more into your extremely wet hole. "Ah! Joong!" Instead of the tenderness of the previous moment, there is now only lust.

This position allows him to go deeper, hitting your sensitive spots at different angles. His balls hit against your ass, making you squirm with each thrust. You grip the sheets tightly and raise your head to groan in a loud voice, not caring if anyone outside can hear you.

"Oh fuck!" Your velvet wall drives him insane and faster. He secures your hands behind your back and applies a little pressure with his other hand to make you press down, so that your lower body can be raised higher and he can enter deeper.

"Ah please, joong!" The sound of skin slapping makes you mess and his tip keeps hitting you G-spot without any gentleness and mercy. It's not painful at all but brings you endless pleasure and excitement. The erotic screams are suppressed as you bury in the pillow, but your exuberance is not cooled down.You keep sucking him in as the wetness and warmth wrap around his cock fully. "You're sucking me in, so perfect." His dirty words make you lost in lust. The heartbeat is pounding, as if it drowned out all sounds.

"Ha-Hmm...Joong..." You keep moaning your lover's name as if it's the only word you know, each repetition filled with excitement and desire. Hongjoong lifts his head, his moans a symphony of pleasure as he presses his chest against your back, your bodies melding together in a passionate embrace. With a fierce intensity, he pulls you onto his lap, his hands exploring the curves of your body, igniting a fire within both of you.

His lips trail kisses along your neck, each touch sending shivers down your spine. "You're mine, only mine, and no one can take you away from me" he declares, his words a promise of unwavering devotion. 

"Yes, only yours," you reply, meeting his gaze with equal fervor before leaning in for a tender kiss. As you stroke his face, a wave of emotion washes over you, the depth of your connection palpable in the air.

As your bodies move in unison, his thrusts grow sloppy, signaling the imminent peak of ecstasy. With a shared urgency, you both reach the pinnacle of pleasure, his movements becoming more fervent as he fulfills your whispered request. "Cum inside me, make me yours, Joong," you plead, and he responds with a mix of hesitation and determination before he pushes you down on the bed, flips you over, and thrusts wildly once again.

"Ahh fuck!" "Cum with me, Y/N. Cumming mess on my cock."  The room fills with cries of release as you both climax as his seed creams your cunt fully. Gasping for breath, you cling to each other, unwilling to let go of the intimate connection you share. 

"I love you, Y/N," he said softly as his affectionate gesture followed by a soft kiss. "I love you too," you reply, gazing into his eyes with adoration as he caresses your hair, sealing your love with another tender kiss.

As the intensity of the moment fades, you both settle into a peaceful embrace, reveling in the warmth of each other's presence. "Let's cuddle, hm?" he suggests, and you nod, sinking into his arms as you drift off to sleep, wrapped in a cocoon of love and contentment.

—--

On a sunny spring day, you both finally welcome the most important moments in your lives, the wedding. The candlelight flickers, the flowers are fragrant, everything appears solemn and sacred.

"Will you marry this woman? Love her and be loyal to her, whether she is poor, sick or disabled, until she dies. Do you want to?"

"Yes."

"Will you marry this man? Love him and be loyal to him, whether he is poor, sick or disabled, until he dies. Do you want to?" 

"I will."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss." 

He lifted your veil, revealing your lips pressed together, the cheers and applause of the crowd echoing in your ears. As you part ways, you exchange a glance and smile, your eyes brimming with love.

The sea breeze softly tousles your hair as the sun begins its descent, casting a warm, elongated shadow. In this moment, your love transcends, transforming into an everlasting vow, an unforgettable memory. Your hearts are intertwined, forever basking in happiness and sweetness.

[heartofbusan]

https://www.tumblr.com/heartofbusan/773653321046278144/reflecting-on-ays-i-think-what-hon3ymo0n-touches?source=share

If I was the producer of editor of the show, I would have intrigued it better. Hear me out. Just the way it’s edited is all over the place.

Normally as in Bon Voyage season, we get to see the pre planning, what the trip is, where they are going, the journey etc.

AYS stars like bam, here is Jimin in a hotel room having just got up, and then straight to the meal the night before. Now the meal is interesting given we’ve got two versions of it now. In the show it has an overlaid dialogue with Jimin saying he hasn’t seen JK in a while (their measure of time being screwed because to me a few weeks is not a while) In JKs documentary, we have him sat down, Jimin walking in, and just sitting down too, saying it took him ages to get there. So if we are truly to take them at their words, do we think that Jimin would walk in, having not seen JK in a while and not hug him, or actually greet him? Like any normal person would? It’s an odd choice.

I know they didn’t have a name for the show, or only a potential idea of what it was going to be, but if I was the producer, instead of the ‘car talk’ which can be taken a million different ways. I would have had them follow on from Jimins initial start of the conversation (though edited in such a way in the show itself, it’s why it gets misconstrued). So talk about why they are doing this, like ‘so it’s been a while since we went on a trip. Last time….so we decided to film this show when we both had time. See what adventures we get up to, eat some good food and then some, hang out, get drinks, blah blah.’

Frame it how it’s meant to be, two bros hanging out on a mini weekend trip in upstate NY, a totally normal place for two bros to go on a trip…that cabin not at all a romantic getaway. Look away people!

But yeah, they’re on screen and off screen personas you spoke about. They absolutely tailored their conversations and held back. We actually barely got anything the whole trips, even when Tae was with them. A lot of the BV trips are like this, but when the 7 are together and there is utter chaos, the constant talking over one another, the activities and games they do, you barely notice it. It’s basically little substance. We got to see nothing of the deep conversations they have about music according to Jimin. We got a tiny bit about their approach to writing vs received songs (which solos use as war fare) and that’s it.

What we did kind of get is their domesticated selves slipping through. That slips in because they can’t help it at times. The bickering in the car, the way they are grocery shopping. The way Jimin only had to rub his tummy with a pout on his beautiful face to get JK to understand he was hungry. The cooking meals which is so natural and caring. The way JK takes the heavy bags because he knows Jimin has neck and back pain. The random domesticity in the way JK is spanking Jimins ass, cuddled in bed, and remembers they have to buy a dish sponge. Who hasn’t done that with a partner?

All this to say I personally think they were brave to do this, to put their bond out their in such a big and bold way, to the scrutiny and gaze of all of us and the world. They knew in theory what they were doing in planning it, but I do think the gravity of it probably only hit them when they got in the car and saw the cameras type moment, Jimins face here says it all.

They are good sports I think, they pull it off, they seem comfortable by the next morning, all unease of the cameras forgotten when JK is switching them on and off. The mishap of Jimin being unwell handled incredibly I think. That’s what happens sometimes on trips. It’s life. I’m glad they kept it in. The inertia of them watching that in the last episode is cute! Them laughing at themselves and getting to see what the show had become hopefully put them at ease. They also have the safety net of so many people being ignorant to them (as horrible as hate often is).

We who see them got a glimpse into a part of their bond, their ease with each other, and they knowing of each other, don’t they say to be loved is to be know. And no, knowing those details of each other, of knowing what the other is thinking without speaking, of knowing how to compromise with ease, of knowing the same memes etc, does not come from being distant, quite the opposite. 😉

Ah, anon, how lovely and so well said.

It kind of blows ones mind, doesn't it? People can claim to love either of them but then fail to acknowledge the incredible privilege it is to see someone you love be in love. It reeks of delusional selfishness. And I'm not here for that. I love to see these two men be happy. And to see the special kind of bond they have together. Such a privilege. Such vicarious joy.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and the sweet melody of their joined laughter and their sparkling eyes are the result.

Thank you for writing meeee!

[minisugakoobies]

Paradise | JJK - Fourteen

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Genre: smut, neighbors to lovers (not quite friends but not quite strangers), slow burn, love triangle, Stripper!AU

Rating: M (18+)

Warnings: drinking, references to blow jobs that happened like 60 seconds before the chapter starts, Jungkook's a bit possessive, Jin's a bit jealous, mentions of pregnancy, references to sex, 2021 AMAs Jungkook is the wedding visual, special guest stars Woosung and El Capitxn

Word Count: 7.5k

Disclaimers: NSFW, obviously I don’t own BTS - they just inspire me

Summary: That sexy man on stage - the one currently giving your friend the lap dance of her LIFE - is your super shy neighbor, Jeon Jungkook?!

A/N: Happy two years of Paradise!! 🎉 Two years ago today, I posted the first chapter of what was going to be a five-part series. So to say I can't believe we're here is really no joke!! Thank you to everyone who has read, commented, reblogged, sent me asks or DM'd me about this series - this is all because of you! 💜💜💜

Unbeta'd as usual. Please don’t be a silent reader, I’d love to hear from you! Taglist is open. 💕

Previous Chapter ♦️ Paradise Masterlist ♦️ Next Chapter

Turns out that impulsiveness looks pretty good on you. 

Or so you think to yourself, catching your reflection in the mirror of the men’s room as you leave Jungkook to collect himself after giving him the best blow job of his life (your words - although, based on the look on his face as you’d swallowed, you might not be far off). 

You hadn’t planned on dragging him into the bathroom like that, but upon seeing him walk out onto the terrace in that grey belted suit, looking like an absolute dream, well, you simply could not help yourself.

You also hadn’t meant to tell him you missed him last night. But you had, because you did. God, when had you turned into this - this massive simp? It was only yesterday morning that you’d woken up in Jungkook’s embrace. You’d barely spent 24 hours apart - so why were you so desperate to get back into his arms?

Of course, none of this matters right now. There are only minutes to go before the ceremony begins, and you need to pull your head out of the clouds and get back to Jennie and the others. Starting by escaping the men’s room sight unseen.

“YN!” 

Or not.

As soon as you close the door, you hear Jin’s voice calling to you. He’s standing at the other end of the little hallway, near the entrance to the reception room.

“Hey,” you reply, trying to be the most nonchalant you’ve ever been in your life, as if you weren’t just gagging on Jungkook’s dick in a public bathroom. 

Jin smiles as you approach, but there’s a gleam in his eye that makes you nervous, and you’re so busy trying to come up with a valid excuse for why he saw you emerging from the men’s room that you apparently forget how to walk, trip over the hem of your gown, and crash directly against his chest. 

“Easy, tiger!” he laughs, arms locking around your back as he helps you stand back upright. “I’m used to ladies throwing themselves at me, but only you’ve taken it literally.” 

You roll your eyes, but you’re pretty sure he’s not lying about fighting off admirers, given that he looks like a supermodel in his crisply tailored tuxedo. His bowtie is a little crooked thanks to being squashed by your face during your ungainly landing, so you gently fix it, and Jin thanks you with a soft grin. 

“I left my glasses at home, so tell me - did I just see you leav-” Jin suddenly stops in the middle of his sentence, his gaze drifting over your shoulder. “Oh. Nevermind, I see.” He takes a step back, arms falling from your waist.

Another hand slips into yours. 

Jungkook didn’t wait very long before following you out of the restroom. He squeezes your hand as you glance at him, but he stares directly at Jin, nostrils flaring slightly, eyes narrowed, lips pursed tightly as if - as if -

Oh, shit. 

“You left this behind, jagiya.” Jungkook turns to you, his face shifting into a softer expression as he produces your clutch like some sort of trophy. You must’ve left it on the counter. “Did you want me to hold it during the ceremony?” 

Your brain is lagging severely at the moment, trying to process two major facts at once. Fact one: Jin obviously realized that you were with Jungkook in the bathroom. Fact two: you completely forgot to tell Jungkook that Jin would be at the wedding. Which, given the events of the last 24 hours, it’s understandable that it slipped your mind, but this isn’t how you’d expected to officially introduce them. And he doesn’t exactly look thrilled to run into him now. 

On top of that, Jungkook has asked you a question. And is now waiting for an answer, while Jin watches in polite silence. 

“Um. Yes. Sorry, yes, can you keep an eye on it for me?” 

Jungkook nods, tucking the clutch into his jacket and patting it lightly. “Of course,” he says, nodding solemnly, as if you’d just asked him to protect precious goods and not a cheap bag full of tissues and mints. 

Jin clears his throat lightly. 

“Oh! I’m sorry, Jin, this is Koo- Jungkook. Jungkook, Jin.” 

Of all the ways for these two to meet, this might not be the most embarrassing, but it’s definitely up there. There’s still a bit of Jungkook’s taste lingering on your tongue as the two men shake hands, Jin wincing slightly. 

You try to quickly fill Jungkook in. “Jin’s the best man.” 

“Sure am.” Jin grins. 

“He and Yoongi grew up together,” you add, ignoring Jin’s little interjection, knowing that Jungkook didn’t miss it based on the way his jaw flexes violently, as if he’s gnashing his teeth. 

“Nice to meet you, Jungkook. That’s quite a grip you have there.” Jin slides his hands into his pockets. “YN’s told me a little about you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Jungkook replies, inclining his head slightly. His hand returns to yours, fingers locking firmly. “Wish I could say the same, but YN never mentions you.” 

You try to control your face as you look at Jungkook. What did he just say?

Jin just grins wider. “So… she said you’re a dancer?” 

“Yeah, I'm a dancer. But I’m also an artist,” Jungkook replies, chest puffing out slightly. 

“Yes! You should see his work, Jin. He’s an incredibly talented painter,” you add, and the corner of Jungkook’s mouth twitches, like he’s holding back a smile. “I might actually have a photo on my phone…” 

Jungkook doesn’t give you any time to check. “Y’know, I think I’ve heard of you. You’re a cook, right? I think my halmeoni watches your show.” 

If Jungkook intended that as a jab, Jin shows no sign that he felt it. “Well, technically, I’m a chef. And a restaurateur. But yes, I do host a successful cooking program - actually, it’s about to be turned into a series for a major network.”

“Right. So like I said. You cook.”

Jin’s the one twitching now, his eyebrow rising slightly at Jungkook’s blasé tone. But rather than looking annoyed, Jin looks amused. Meanwhile, Jungkook is still glowering. You, though? Your smile feels a little strained as you try not to react to the snarky shots being fired off around you. Jungkook seems more rattled than you’d expected by Jin’s presence. You’ve never heard him talk like this. 

“You’re right, I do cook a little,” Jin laughs. “I’d like to think I’m pretty good at it. But YN could tell you, since I’ve cooked for her a few times.” He glances at you, the sparkle in his eye you’d noted earlier back and twinkling a little too merrily for your comfort. “From what I remember, she’s been pretty satisfied every time.” 

And you’d thought this couldn’t get any more awkward than running into Jin post-beej. How silly of you. 

Jungkook’s fingers grip yours tighter. “And yet not satisfied enough to ever bring it up. Huh. Sounds like it was kinda forgettable.” 

Jin’s eyes flicker to yours questioningly and you cringe, still struggling to come up with anything to say that could make this conversation less tense. At this point, you’d be better off wishing for the ground to open up beneath you, as useless as your brain is being.

Jin coughs. “Anyway, YN, Yoongi asked me to tell you to tell Jennie that the officiant is running a little late. Nothing to worry about!” he adds hastily upon seeing your concerned face. “Just caught in traffic. But on his way.” 

Great, another thing for Jennie to stress out about. “Okay. I’ll let her know.” 

Guests are starting to fill up the rows of chairs on the other side of the glass wall. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see Lisa heading towards you, waving your bouquet. Thankful for the interruption, you stretch out your hand. 

“Come on, we’re cutting it close on time!” she announces. “Hey, what happened to your lipstick?” 

“Uh…” Rather than answer, you opt for escape, tugging on Jungkook’s hand lightly to urge him to follow you. “One sec, Lis. Come on, Jungkook, let’s find you a seat.” 

“See you at the altar!” Jin calls behind you, and you wince, feeling Jungkook stiffen momentarily. 

There’s an empty chair on the end of a row on the bride’s side. Jungkook folds himself into it, placing your clutch delicately on his lap. 

“Um, so, we already took photos earlier, so I’ll just come find you after the ceremony.”

“Okay.” Jungkook chews on his bottom lip, nodding. 

An unsettling feeling comes over you. Should you apologize for not telling him about Jin? Or say something about what just happened in the hallway? What did just happen, anyway? 

Through the glass, you can see Lisa waving, pointing at her watch. Shit. Whatever happened, you’ll just have to talk about it later.

As you turn to leave, Jungkook grabs your wrist. He threads his fingers through yours, pulling you closer to him, until his lips brush your cheek. “See you soon, jagiya.” He gives you another soft smile, sunlight sparkling in his eyes. The angry scowl from the hallway is nowhere to be seen. 

Your head is a mess as you follow Lisa. How had you not mentioned to Jungkook that Jin would be here? Damn, maybe he was right - maybe you really never talk about Jin. 

Both men had warned you when you started dating them that they could get competitive. Apparently that meant passive aggressive disses and weirdly possessive behavior. If this is how the two of them are going to behave, you’re in for a long day. 

A small room cordoned off from the rest of the rooftop restaurant has been turned into the bride’s waiting room. Jisoo’s doing a last pass on Jennie’s makeup when you arrive. She takes one look at you and reaches for a tube of lipstick sitting on the makeshift vanity. 

“Babe, what happened to you? You look stressed.” 

Rosé hums in agreement. “I expected you to stumble in here looking more satisfied than that. You dragged Jungkook away at lightning speed!” 

“Pucker up,” Jisoo orders you, and you obey, letting her fix your lips. 

“Mmm, well, I found her talking to both Jungkook and Jin in the hallway, so maybe that has something to do with it?” Lisa pipes up, eyebrow raised. 

“Oh shit, did something go down?” Rosé asks, a little too excited for your taste. 

“Well, actually,” you start to say, then shake your head. This is the last thing you need right now. This day is too important to be derailed by your love life. “I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Oh, but Jin did say that the officiant’s running a little late, Jennie. He’s on his way, so there’s no need to panic, but the ceremony might start a few minutes later than planned.” 

“Oh, see, Jennie? I told you there was no reason to worry - now you’re not the only one who’s late!” 

“Jisoo!” Lisa hisses. Rosé covers her mouth to suppress her giggles. 

Jennie, who has been sitting silently since you walked in, inspecting her appearance in the makeup mirror, lets out a strangled sound that’s a cross between a laugh and a wail, and buries her face in her hands. 

“Girl, please do not make me fix your makeup again,” Jisoo pleads as she crouches next to Jennie. You pull up a chair next to her and sigh, rubbing Jennie’s arm lightly. 

“Ji’s lame attempts at humor aside, how are you feeling?” you ask.

Your best friend is absolutely radiant in her white gown, dark hair tumbling in gentle waves down her back as she turns to you. 

“I’m still okay. I know things were a little… dramatic yesterday, but really, I’m okay today. You guys don’t have to keep asking me how I’m feeling.” Jennie clasps your hands, giving you a soft smile. “I’m excited and I’m nervous but more than all of that I’m ready to marry the love of my life.” She pauses. “I think maybe I should use the bathroom again, though. I guess I have some time.” 

“I’ll help you,” Lisa volunteers, gathering Jennie’s train and following her out of the room. 

You’re quiet until the door closes behind them. “Okay, was anyone else expecting her to freak out about the ceremony starting late?” 

“She’s keeping it together, somehow,” Jisoo shrugs. “I think she’s still a bit in shock, honestly. But she’ll be okay.”

“She’s fine, as long as no one mentions anything about the you-know-what,” Rosé informs you, crossing her arms as she glares at Jisoo. 

“You don’t have to censor yourself when she’s not in the room.” Jisoo rolls her eyes. 

Your friends fall into their usual bickering, but you’re too deep in your thoughts about Jennie to bother telling them to knock it off. Maybe Jisoo’s right and she’s still adjusting. Just another reason to try to stay focused on her and make sure everything goes perfectly for her and Yoongi.

It’s the least you can do for your friend, after the day she had yesterday.

Yesterday

Friday morning brings you a sweet surprise. You weren’t expecting to wake up with Jungkook in your bed. He spent most of the night making you forget all about Taehyung’s joking offer to drop to his knees at your promise to help him, doing such a good job that you’d almost forgotten your own name, too. You’d figured he’d slip out in the middle of the night after you’d fallen asleep. 

You were wrong. He’s still here, all messy bedhead and sleepy eyes, laughing quietly about alarm clocks and wrapping you up in his arms. He follows you like a puppy as you start your morning routine - into the shower, back into your room, and then into your kitchen - and honestly it’s no wonder that you decide to take the day off to spend it with him. The thought of repeating yesterday and hanging out with him all day is too tempting to refuse. Even though you’ll see him pretty much all day tomorrow at the wedding - look, if he’s down for it, then why not?

And then somehow the universe decides that your day has only been maybe a solid eight out of ten so far and decides to kick it up a few more notches, by offering you a possible life boat off the sinking ship that is your job. 

Hey YN!

I know this is ridiculously fast, but my company has an opening, and I think you’d be great for the job! Long story short someone unexpectedly quit yesterday, so now we have a position we  need to fill immediately. I hope it’s okay, but I’ve given your name to our VP in charge of hiring and she’d like to bring you in for an interview! She asked me to reach out and see if you’d be all right with coming in next week - I know that’s fast, but this is for a new project that’s being rushed to production so we really need someone to crunch some numbers ASAP! 

Let me know if you’re interested!

Best,

Wendy

As if that’s not enough, Jungkook offers to help you practice for the interview, and suddenly you can’t see through the hearts in your eyes. Could he be any sweeter? You thank him, and he kisses you, and you melt, lost in his warmth. 

Jungkook’s voice brings you back to reality. “How many more emails do you need to answer?” 

“Um…” you stare at your laptop. “Let me just respond to Wendy and then I’m done.”

“Cool.” Jungkook stretches. His t-shirt rises with the motion, his Adonis belt briefly visible, and you know he’s caught your stare when he smirks. You quickly turn back to your computer, but he just wraps his arms around your shoulders, catching you in a back hug.

“I’m gonna go home and take off these dirty clothes,” he murmurs, teeth nipping your earlobe. “Come find me when you’re done. I’ll be waiting.” 

“Fuck,” you breath. Jungkook laughs, obviously pleased at the effect he has on you. He’s such a tease sometimes. You’re trying to figure out how to flip the tables on him when your ringtone starts trilling.

Be still, my heaaaaart…

“Oh god, I bet that’s my boss, wanting to talk me out of taking off.” You frown as you check the screen. “Shit, it’s Jisoo. I gotta take this.” 

“Hey, do you have a second?” Jisoo’s voice comes through a little strained. And loud. She’s talking over some sort of high-pitched wailing. It takes you a minute to figure out that it’s a person’s voice making that sound.

“Ji! What’s going on? Wait, what’s that sound? Is that Jennie? Is she crying?”

“Yeah, that’s Jennie. She’s - she’s had - well,” Jisoo sighs. “Look, I’m over at her place because I wanted to treat her to a manicure today because I know she’s been too busy to schedule one and you know how she gets about her nails so I thought it would be a nice surprise but when I got here - oh, you know what, this is not important to the story, why am I telling you this?” 

“Just get to the point, Ji!”

“I’m trying! I’m sorry, it’s been a big morning and - what?” There’s a muffled conversation happening suddenly, and you stare blankly at your computer as you wait for Jisoo to return. You don’t know what the hell is going on, but you don’t like any of it.

“Just ask her to come over!” you hear Lisa say in the background. Lisa’s at Jennie’s, too? 

“I was getting to that!”

With a frustrated sigh, you try to get Jisoo’s attention. “Okay, okay, I’m coming over!”

“Do you mind? I know you have to work-”

“No, I’m not working today, I….” You pause, knowing that Jungkook’s just in the kitchen, likely able to hear everything you’re saying, not wanting to embarrass yourself by admitting that you took the day off just to be with him. “It’s a long story, I’ll explain when I get there.” 

You don’t end up explaining anything once you arrive. That’s because as soon as Lisa opens Jennie’s door, she greets you with a tiny white stick bearing two little pink lines. Rosé is right behind her, beaming from ear to ear. 

“Oh my god.” 

“I know!” Lisa grins, throwing her hands in the air. “Baby Min, coming to you soon!” 

You frown, glancing over Lisa’s shoulder. “Where is she?” 

The sound of Jennie’s crying gets louder as you approach the master suite. When Lisa stops outside the bedroom closet, you grab her arm. 

“Before I go in there - are those happy tears or sad tears?” You’re pretty sure you already know the answer, but you need to know what to expect. 

Lisa grimaces. “Somewhere in the middle, I think.” 

Jennie’s curled up beneath the hangers of clothing stuffed into the closet that she shares with Yoongi. She’s wearing one of his oversized hoodies, sniffling into the black material as Jisoo, smushed into the corner beside her, carefully untangles herself. 

“Tag, you’re in,” she says, taking the hand you offer to pull her to her feet. 

There’s not a lot of room for you but you squish yourself in as best you can, and immediately tuck Jennie against you. Jisoo closes the door behind you. 

“Hi, babe.” 

“Hi,” Jennie’s voice is wavery and small, so far from her usual confident, cheerful tone, that it hurts your heart. “Did they tell you?” 

“I saw.” 

Jennie settles against you, hiccuping slightly through her tears. “This wasn’t part of the plan.” 

“I know.” 

Jennie has been mapping out her and Yoongi’s future pretty much since the day they met. They both want to start a family, but Jennie insists that they enjoy their honeymoon period first. And she’s determined to make tenure at the school where she teaches before taking time off to have kids. She wants to have it all, but at her own pace and on her own terms. Which means timing everything out so meticulously. So carefully. 

Gently, you brush a lock of hair from her wet cheek. “So… do you know how…” 

Jennie sighs. “Pretty sure it was the night of my bachelorette party. I came home and Yoongi asked how it went and um, I kinda couldn’t stop talking about my lap dance.” Your friend’s face flushes at the memory, and you bite back a grin. You’ll have to tell Jungkook he left a lasting impression. “And Yoongi… well, you know how he gets competitive sometimes?” 

You can’t help it. You burst into laughter. 

“Yoongi gave you a lap dance?!” 

“God, I wish I’d seen that,” Jisoo says from the other side of the closet door. “I’d love to know if he’s got moves.” 

In all your years of friendship, you’d never known Yoongi to do more than a simple side-shuffle whenever Jennie would drag him onto a dance floor. The thought of him performing an erotic lapdance is too much for even your overactive imagination to conceive.  

Jennie just smiles to herself. “Believe me, he does.” She glances at you shyly. “He’d kill me for telling you this but… you don’t think Jin choreographed his routine all by himself, do you?” she laughs, referring to the night Jin danced for you, and your brain breaks a little trying to picture Yoongi doing the same moves. 

The closet door flies open. 

“I’m gonna need to hear every last detail about that,” Lisa proclaims. 

“Same,” Rosé adds, and Jennie laughs for the first time since you arrived. She sits up, dabbing at her face with the sleeves of Yoongi’s hoodie. 

“Ugh, my face is going to be so puffy tomorrow.” 

“No, it won’t. We’ll take care of you,” Jisoo promises, already on her feet. “I’ll go raid your kitchen for supplies. Do you have any cucumbers?” She’s gone before Jennie can answer, Lisa scrambling behind her.

“Anyway… we always use protection, but you know how they say it’s not 100% foolproof? Yeah, turns out they’re telling the truth.” She stares at her sweater paws, suddenly forlorn again, and you give her a tight squeeze. 

“I’m sorry, babe. I know this is… a lot.” 

“Yeah. And I just…” You don’t say anything, just wait patiently until she finds the words she’s searching for. “I just feel like a failure. You know? Like, it’s so stupid, but…” She shrugs. “I feel like everything’s ruined now.” 

“Oh, Jennie, no!” Wrapping both arms around her, you sigh. “Accidents happen. That’s life! You can make all the plans you want but you can’t control everything. There’s chaos everywhere! And even if you do your best to avoid it, sometimes it gets through. And it’s not always bad! I mean… look at me and Jungkook. He came out of nowhere. I didn’t plan to start dating him and Jin at the same time. I didn’t know it was gonna get serious. I thought…” you trail off, realizing you’re making it about yourself. “Sorry, this is not about me.” 

“No, it’s ok, finish your thought. Tangents and diversions are good right now,” Jennie informs you.

You bite your lip, weighing your words. “Back when Jin and I met, when you introduced us, I just thought… this is it. This is my chance to have what Jennie and Yoongi have. Something real. Something safe and steady.” 

Jennie nods, encouraging you to continue. 

“And then Jungkook�� he’d always been so close but I’d never gotten to know him. He came in and opened my eyes to another possibility. To something exciting and different and - and passionate, and, oh god, I sound like a shitty romance novel, don’t I?” Burying your face in your hands, you laugh. 

“No, go on!!” Rosé says. 

“I’m just trying to say - plans don’t always work out. But that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. And sometimes, the unexpected can be exactly what you want. Or need.” 

Jennie sighs, and you can feel her relaxing against you for the first time since you sat down beside her. 

“I hear what you’re saying. And I’d like to believe that. It’s just… really difficult for me to accept that I’m not always in control.” 

“That’s a fucking mood,” Jisoo says, returning from the kitchen with a mug of tea in her hand. Lisa carries a bowl of some sort of cucumber concoction, and the two of them settle on the floor outside the closet. 

Rosé scoots across the carpet until she’s close enough to take one of Jennie’s hands. “Back to your chaos, if that’s what we’re calling it. Is it too soon to ask you what you’re gonna do?” 

Jennie groans, pulling the oversized hood over her head. 

“I’m gonna take that as a yes.” 

“I just want to get through the wedding,” Jennie states, voice muffled by the soft fabric. “I’m getting married tomorrow! And I don’t want anything to - to ruin it. Or make things weird, or more stressful than they already are. I mean, fuck, I think my halmeoni is already upset that we’re not doing a traditional wedding. Imagine if she finds out I got knocked up before marriage!” 

“Okay, then we’ll make sure no one finds out tomorrow.” Lisa glances at everyone and you all nod in a wordless pact. “We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure your day is as perfect as you’ve planned. You know we will!” 

“Does Yoongi know?”

Jennie peels her hood back to look at you. She shakes her head. 

“I took the test this morning, after he left for work. I’ve been so busy lately that I didn’t even realize I was late until today! Ji was the first person to find out when she showed up, and then she called the rest of you.” She pauses, fiddling with her sleeves again. “I think I’m going to wait to tell him until after the wedding. We’ll need to have a serious talk, and there’s too much going on right now.” She glances up. “Is that - do you think that’s okay?” 

Once again, she seems lost. This time, when you go in for a hug, Rosé joins you. 

“Babe, you can tell him whenever you’re ready! It’s your body.” 

“Yeah, but we’re in this together…”

“And you’ll be in it together still, no matter if you tell him today or tomorrow or next week.” Jisoo declares. She holds the mug out to Jennie. “And we’ll be here too.” 

“Yes. Maybe this is good chaos. Maybe it’s bad. It’s up to you to decide how to react - how to move forward. Whatever you decide, you know we’ll be by your side the whole time,” you declare, your sentiments echoed by the other girls. 

Jennie blows lightly on the steaming drink. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you guys,” she says, choking up slightly, and everyone else starts talking at once. 

“You deserve the world!” Rosé coos. 

Lisa shakes her head. “We’re the lucky ones, babe, having you in our lives!”

“How’m I gonna depuff your face if you keep crying?” Jisoo tuts. 

You just rise to your feet, laughing. “Come on. Ji said something about manicures earlier. Let us pamper you today, so you’re ready to knock Yoongi off his apparently very talented feet tomorrow.”

NOW

The officiant is only a few minutes late, and the ceremony goes off without a single hitch. You and the other bridesmaids join the groomsmen flanking Yoongi at the altar. In addition to Jin, there’s Yoongi’s brother Geum-jae, and two of his friends from work, Yi-jeong and Woosung.

As a string quartet plays the wedding march, Jennie walks down the aisle, beaming more brightly than the sun, and you catch a glimpse of Yoongi’s face, bearing such an openly reverent expression that it makes your eyes flood with tears. The officiant begins his speech, and Jennie and Yoongi stare at one another as if the rest of the world has fallen away, with nothing left but the two of them and their love.

Watching them almost feels like you’re intruding on a private moment, so you turn your face to the rows of guests, searching without thought for Jungkook, smiling when you find him already gazing your way. Your chest nearly buzzes as warmth spreads there, matching the glow in his eyes. 

Because Jennie and Yoongi chose to take photos before the ceremony, there’s no cocktail hour after the ceremony. Instead, everyone is seated for dinner. The happy couple sits at a table for two on a small dais in the front of the room. 

There are no tables large enough for the entire wedding party. There are also no seating arrangements for all of you, either. Jennie had worked very hard on the seating chart for all of the guests except the wedding party. (“You guys figure it out. I’m tired.”) So you quickly claim a seat at one of the two empty tables left open, with Jungkook taking the spot next to you on one side and Jisoo the other, with Rosé next to her. 

As the wait staff brings out the first course, you slide your chair a little closer to Jungkook. “Hey. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you that Jin would be here.” 

Jungkook’s eyes widen slightly. “Oh. Jagi, it’s ok.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure it is,” you reply. “That was not the way I wanted to introduce the two of you. It was, uh, not ideal.” 

Jungkook’s silent as he sips his water. He works his bottom lip between his teeth again, and you wish you could see inside his head, could get some sense of what he’s thinking, because sitting here waiting for him to say something makes your stomach churn a bit.  

Finally, he sighs, reclining back in his seat as he looks at you. “I’m sorry if I made that uncomfortable. I wasn’t expecting to see him.” 

“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t mention he was part of the wedding. Truly, it slipped my mind.” Repeatedly. You bite your lip, struggling to figure out what to say. This doesn’t have to be a thing, but you also don’t want them at each other’s throats all night. “But there’s no reason it has to be weird or ruin the night. Because I’m here with you, Kookie. Not him.” 

Your pulse begins to pound. It’s like you’ve just laid your heart on the line. Jungkook’s furrowed brows relax, doe eyes blinking slowly as he absorbs your words. 

“Is this seat taken?” 

You turn to find Jin standing with a hand on the empty chair across from you. 

Jisoo lets out a tiny “Yessss, game on,” and you covertly kick her under the table. 

“Uh, I think Lisa is going to -” Glancing around, you don’t finish your sentence as you spy your friend sitting with the groomsmen. Oh, right. Lisa has her eye on Yi-jeong, having basically all but explicitly called dibs that morning when she saw him in his tuxedo. You can’t really blame her. “Nevermind.” 

“Please, join us,” Jungkook offers, gesturing to the table. He says it so kindly that you can’t help but gawk at him in surprise. He doesn’t meet your gaze, but his palm rests on your thigh, rubbing lightly. Reassuringly. 

Your heartbeat returns to normal as Jin smiles. “Thanks.” 

Despite the ceremony being so modern, Jennie and Yoongi opted for more traditional dishes for dinner. For several minutes, there’s mostly an easy silence over the table, as everyone enjoys the janchi guksu and banchan in front of them, only the noise of clinking utensils filling the air. Well, that and the sound of the servers running back and forth to the bar, trying to keep up with drink orders. 

Jisoo, as usual, is the first one to break the silence.

“Okay, Jin, professional opinion on the guksu?” 

Jin chews thoughtfully for a few minutes. “I think they went a little heavy on the spicy soy sauce in the broth, but the noodles are just as tender as the ones I make. Oh, but you’ve had my noodles, YN, what do you think? Do they compare?” 

All eyes focus on you, including Jungkook’s. You swallow quickly. “Um, I think these are just as good! And I really like the broth, to be honest.” 

“You do like it spicy,” Jungkook murmurs under his breath, quiet enough that only you can hear him, and when you glance over, you’re met with that teasing smirk of his. It’s back again. For some reason, that’s more comforting to you than Jungkook’s hand on your thigh. Your heart does a somersault. It’s getting a real workout tonight. 

“You know, I never really thought about it, but it must be hard for you to eat in public. People are probably always asking you for your opinions on their food, or tips on how to make it better,” Rosé says. 

Jin shrugs. “Comes with the territory, I guess. I’m not gonna complain if people value what I think - and I’m always happy to help anyone improve their skills.” He swirls his wine glass before taking a sip. “But I suppose there can be a downside, too. Sometimes I just want to enjoy a meal without being asked to provide a full critique.” 

“I can understand that,” Jungkook replies. Again the other heads at the table swivel. 

“You can?” 

Jungkook nods. “Yeah. Like, right now, I bet you’re all expecting me to be the first on the dance floor, right?” He laughs as everyone suddenly becomes very interested in their meals. “It’s okay. That’s how it is whenever I’m out with friends. I can’t just sit at the bar and have a drink. And I definitely can’t just sway with the crowd. Everyone expects me to show off.” 

“I mean, I’m definitely hoping to see you turn up,” Rosé confirms, and Jungkook laughs again, gesturing at his point being proven. 

“Sure, that sounds annoying. But outside of going out with your friends, how often are you in a situation where you’re asked to dance? People stop me everywhere. When I’m out shopping. When I’m on a plane. I even once had someone ask me for deglazing tips while I was at a funeral! It’s not quite the same as being asked to do the robot at the club.” Jin shakes his head dismissively. 

Rosé mumbles, “I thought you weren’t gonna complain…?”

The two men eye each other for a few seconds as you hold your breath. Then Jungkook huffs out a laugh. 

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. It’s not the same. That sucks, dude.” 

You exhale, settling back in your seat. 

Jin just hums, eyes darting back and forth between you and Jungkook before he speaks. “I suppose it’s just a small price to pay for being so successful.” He tips his wine glass back, emptying it. “Where are the servers hiding? I need a refill.” 

“See, this is one of the benefits of being a financial analyst - absolutely no one wants to talk to me about what I do,” you grin. 

“That’s because no one understands what you do,” Jisoo declares. 

“She’s right.” 

“Thanks, Rosé.” 

Jisoo points her spoon at Jungkook. “Okay, but real talk, you are going to dance tonight, aren’t you? You wouldn’t deny us a show!”

“Ji, we just had an entire conversation about this!” you groan, throwing your hands up. “Can you not?”

“What? I’m just saying! The man is a born performer. Right?” 

She looks at Jungkook, who nearly chokes on his wine in his haste to answer.

“Uh. Yes?” 

“Right. So there’s no way you’ll leave us disappointed.”  

“Let me get this straight - if Jungkook doesn’t dance for you, you’ll be disappointed?” you ask. “Hold on while I call Jimin and Taehyung real quick. Wait, sorry, I mean Min and Tae.” 

“All I know is suffering,” Jisoo sighs.

“Oh, relax, Kitty Cat,” Rosé giggles, nearly doubling over at the confused look on Jin’s face. 

As Jisoo loudly laments her choice of friends, Jungkook bends towards you, mouth brushing your ear. 

“Don’t worry, jagi, whether or not I dance here, you can still have a private performance later. I’d never deny you.”

Heat works its way through your body as you shift in your seat, squirming slightly from the low rumble of his voice and the promise laced within. There’s a sudden prickling at the nape of your neck, that nagging sensation of someone watching you, but when you follow the feeling and glance over at Jin, he’s staring at his empty wine glass. 

The tapping of a fork against stemware draws your attention to the married couple’s table. To your immense relief, Yoongi and Jennie had decided to nix the best man and maid of honor toasts, opting to say a few words themselves. Normally, Jennie does all the talking for the pair, but to your surprise, Yoongi rises to his feet, and the room falls silent.

“Jennie and I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for coming. It means the world to us that you took the time out of your busy lives to celebrate with us.” He glances down at his bride, who smiles back, and Yoongi’s gummy grin gets bigger than you’ve ever seen it. “As you all know, Jennie and I have been together since our first year of college. We’ve been through so much together - college, grad school, finding jobs, losing jobs, moving from apartment to apartment - but we weathered it all, because we always had each other.” 

Jennie’s cheeks are wet as she smiles at her husband. Yoongi takes her hand. 

“Jennie, I don’t know what life has to throw at us yet, but I want you to know that I’m never worried, as long as I have you by my side.” He presses a kiss to the back of her hand, and there’s a chorus of awwww’s from the guests, including yourself. Jisoo rolls her eyes, but they’re already spilling over with tears, and you poke her in the side as she laughs.  

“Here’s to you, my love. And to all of you with us here tonight. We can’t thank you enough for your love and support. Geonbae!” He raises his glass.

“Cheers!” his brother shouts, and the cry is echoed around the room as everyone raises their glasses to the couple. 

Just when you think you couldn’t be happier, once again you feel a hand slip into yours, pressing palm to palm, fingers threading through. Jungkook doesn’t say a word, too busy clinking his drink against everyone else’s, but his hand tightens around yours when you look at him, and you feel as though you could float right through the ceiling if it weren’t for his strong grip. 

To think that you nearly hadn’t asked him to come here with you. What a mistake that would’ve been. Thank god you’d ignored the constant fear and doubt in your head and listened only to the steady sureness of your heart. 

You’re getting better at it.

YESTERDAY

After you coax her out of the closet, you and your friends turn Jennie’s apartment into a mini spa, trying to help the bride-to-be relax. By mid-afternoon, as everyone is giving each other manicures, you realize that the window on your day with Jungkook is swiftly closing, so you text him to let him know you won’t be coming home any time soon. 

Not long after that, the door to Jennie’s apartment opens, and Yoongi walks in, trailed by Jin. 

Jennie greets her fiancé happily, hugging him with her hands held straight out so as not to smudge her pretty new pink tips. “You’re home early!”

“Couldn’t focus. Decided to call it a day.” As ever, Yoongi seems completely unfazed to see you and your friends at his apartment. Sometimes you wonder what it would take to ruffle him. Probably something extreme like the zombie apocalypse. “Figured I’d grab my stuff and then get some dinner with Jin.” 

Although they weren’t holding to every tradition, Jennie had insisted that they spend the night before the wedding apart. So Yoongi would be crashing at Jin’s tonight. 

Jin nods at the sound of his name. “By ‘get some dinner’, he means ‘take advantage of his friend’s restaurant and score a free meal.’” 

“As if you weren’t the one who offered,” Yoongi drawls, ignoring Jin’s squeaky chuckling.

“Sounds good, baby,” Jennie smiles as Yoongi presses a kiss to her cheek before he shuffles down the hallway towards their bedroom. “Do you guys wanna get some takeout?” 

While Lisa, Rosé, and Jennie argue about what they feel like eating, Jin catches your eye. “Hey, you got a second?” He jerks his head towards Jennie’s kitchen. Rising from the couch, you follow, closing the door behind you. 

“What’s u-oh!” Your question becomes an exclamation when Jin suddenly pulls you in for a hug, long arms wrapping around your waist as he holds you tight. 

“Just wanted to get you alone,” he says, nose brushing yours as he smiles. “Hi.” 

This is where the butterflies should come in. Standing this close to this incredible specimen of a man, this paragon of perfection, would normally send them flittering through you. Shivers should be running down your spine. Any number of excited reactions should be happening right now. 

Right. 

Now. 

Except… they’re not. 

“Hi,” you echo, grinning a bit weakly. Jin doesn’t seem to notice anything wrong with your smile, locking his hands behind your back. 

“I heard you got some good news today.” 

Your eyes widen as your stomach goes into freefall. 

“You know?” 

How? How on earth could he know about Jennie being pregnant?? Shit, did Lisa leave the pee stick out somewhere? Jisoo told her to put it -

“Of course I know! It’s my show.” 

“It’s your show?” What the fuck does that mean??

Jin honks in delighted laughter at your obvious confusion. “The interview Wendy emailed you about - that’s for my show! The one Nosh picked up?” 

The room tilts as gravity returns your stomach to normal. “Oh! Oh, wow!” Of course. The new project Wendy had referenced - it was Jin’s cooking show! “Wait, so we might be working together?” 

“Yes! Er, maybe! I don’t know how closely or whatever, but basically, the Nosh execs told me Wendy’s firm is responsible for budgeting and figuring out revenue streams and - and that’s really all I remember, sorry.” He laughs. “Most of what they said went straight over my head, to be honest. But I spoke to her on a conference call today and she told me they had an open position for the team that’s assigned to my show, and she’d asked you to interview.” 

“Wow, that’s really…” you trail off, lost in thought. “Isn’t it… the other night at the networking reception, weren’t you saying it might be a travel show?” You have a vague memory of Jin telling you what he wanted to do with his show if it got picked up by a network.

“That’s right. I pitched it as an exploration of local delicacies that often get overlooked by tourists. I’ll be going around the country, visiting tiny, off the beaten path restaurants and bars, and learning how to make their favorite dishes.” 

Traveling for work. That was one of the perks Wendy had rattled off when she’d given you the sales pitch for her company. So, if you got this job, did that mean you’d be traveling with Jin? 

Your mind is already wandering, thinking about what this new job might entail, when Jin brings a hand up to cup your face. His thumb traces your jawline. 

“Wouldn’t it be amazing? You and I, on the road together. Me, discovering new meals to cook for you…” His voice drops, a low murmur meant only for you to hear. “Maybe picking up some new dance moves to show off…” 

He rolls his hips slightly, jostling you right out of your tumultuous thoughts. 

“Doesn’t that sound good?” 

“It does,” you reply, mouth moving on autopilot, not waiting for your head to decide if it agrees. 

“I know I haven’t had the time to take you out properly, and I’m sorry for that. But this is my chance to show you that I’m still in this.” He sucks in a deep breath. “I like you. And I’m hoping it’s not too late for me to say that.” 

If this were a romantic movie, the music would swell now, strings soaring as he tips your mouth towards his. It’s a perfect moment, lush lips caressing yours, sweet and unhurried, lingering like he doesn’t care if anyone else walks in. 

It’s a perfect moment, for sure. Just, not for you. 

“Jin,” you begin, stepping out of his embrace, “I need to tell you something.” 

A/N Pt. 2: To be continued!! (Sorry, the chapter was getting a bit long and this felt like a natural stopping point… what do we think so far??)

Masterlist 💜 Find me on AO3 💜 

© 2022-23 by sunshinerainbowsbts/minisugakoobies. Crossposted to AO3. Please do not copy or repost.

[thisonelikesaliens]

jt620123 ig 05.02.24

the producer/writer of the show posted her take on this scene in ep11, sort of her vision/expansion of what was shown on screen. below the cut because this is LONG, and also big big disclaimer I AM NOT A WRITER WRITING IS HARD i tried my best to translate the intent and spirit of this piece but i apologize in advance for the zero finesse

@abstractelysium this is for you

Pushing open the door where he was sitting at waiting to be let in all those years ago, Wei Zhi Yuan pulled Wei Qian after him and headed straight up the stairs, but Wei Qian stopped.

Growing up, how many times had they walked up these stairs? Going up the stairs today would change everything, so how could Wei Qian take this step without thinking it through?

Wei Zhi Yuan felt Wei Qian's pause so he pulled, but instead Wei Qian let go.

Wei Zhi Yuan looked down at his empty hand, then looked up and saw how lost Wei Qian was. Wei Qian looked up and saw surprise on Wei Zhi Yuan's face at being let go, then looked down and saw his own cowardice. Neither one dared to move, stuck on the precipice of a major shift in their relationship.

"You already came home with me, why aren't you coming up with me?"

"You pulled me all the way. How can I go up without talking this through?"

"Do you really not understand? I want you--" the resolute determination in Wei Zhi Yuan's voice caused Wei Qian to panic and interrupt.

"What do you want from me?" Wei Qian knew he was still trying to find a way out, as if as long as they didn't lay all the cards on the table he could still pretend nothing had changed between them. He understood clearly what Wei Zhi Yuan wanted, but was he capable of giving him everything he deserved?

Wei Zhi Yuan understood Wei Qian's hesitation. This was his brother! The man he had been holding in his heart all these years! If he let Wei Qian run all the way back into his shell there would be no more coaxing him out. At this point there was no turning back and there was no way they could go back to being just brothers. So Wei Zhi Yuan gave a final push.

He took a step down and moved closer to Wei Qian, eyes locked on his target.

"What do I want from you? Wei Qian, have you not thought about it?"

Wei Zhi Yuan continued to step forward, causing Wei Qian to step back.

"I want you to not only be my brother. I want you to be with me the rest of our lives. I want you to rely on me no matter what happens."

Wei Qian stepped back, until he had nowhere else to go.

"Yes or no?"

Wei Qian looked into Wei Zhi Yuan's eyes, and for the first time he didn't flinch and saw his own reflection in Yuan's eyes. Back then, a steamed bun, a bento box, a jacket, and this kid with sharp spines like a hedgehog followed him home. Now, that kid had grown taller than him, stubborn to a fault, but sometimes so soft-hearted it made him worry.

"Ge, one day I will be taller and stronger than you. By that time you can rely on me. Let me stand by your side, okay?"

When Wei Zhi Yuan had asked that time when he was still little, Wei Qian only patted his head and shrugged it off.

It took Wei Qian a long time to finally understand. Wei Zhi Yuan could lose everything, but he would never, ever let go of Wei Qian. What did he ever do to be loved by someone with such a bright future ahead, who could easily find someone better than him? Wei Qian realized he stopped thinking of Wei Zhi Yuan as just his brother a long time ago. He couldn't imagine a life without his Yuan anymore, and the regret if something were to happen scared him more than anything else. Life was too short and too fragile, and he did not want to waste any more time to acknowledge what Wei Zhi Yuan truly meant to him.

Wei Qian squeezed his fist as if he finally came to a decision and nodded.

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

It was Wei Zhi Yuan's turn to hesitate. He wanted to scream, but he was afraid he misunderstood. He needed to make sure Wei Qian was not saying yes as a compromise.

"I want you, but I don't want your pity or compromise. Wei Qian, I'm not forcing you!"

"You didn't force me. I just thought it through."

"Ge, is this what you really want? Or are you accommodating me?"

Wei Qian sighed, and took action to chase away Wei Zhi Yuan's doubts when his words could not. He pulled Yuan towards him and kissed him softly, with just a hint of awkwardness.

"I'm not accommodating, you know your Ge…"

Wei Qian swallowed the rest of his words when Wei Zhi Yuan kissed him back fiercely.

[forestclan-clangen]

MOON 2 (Part 2)

<< FIRST | < PREVIOUS |

- Iciclepool and Talonpaw go training. She tells him about ForestClan's history, and the source of the monsters and sacrifices. (Talonpaw, apprentice, male, 6 moons) (Iciclepool, deputy, female, 58 moons)

Talonpaw was careful not to trip over any of the stray stones and large tree roots dappling his path. His eyes widened with awe as he looked up at the canopy. He admired the sharp points of the pine trees and the now-blooming leaves of the occasional oak and birch. He gasped as he saw two squirrels chasing each other up and down the tallest part of a great pine, chittering like bickering kits.

For his entire kithood, he was constantly reinforced how terrifying the woods were. How they held monsters beyond his understanding; how they preyed easily on kits and apprentices like him. But now that he was here, he felt a pang of sadness. How could a place so beautiful ever be so evil? He was never allowed outside of camp until now, and for what?

"Talonpaw, are you listening?"

Talonpaw jumped, meeting the copper eyes of a rather stern Iciclepool. "Y-Yes, Iciclepool."

The she-cat stopped walking and sat down, glaring at him. "Then can you repeat what I just said?"

Talonpaw's face turned hot with embarrassment. He sat down and tucked his tail over his paws. "...No."

"That's what I thought." Iciclepool sighed, her tail twitching with annoyance. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and her tone softened. "I know that this is a lot of new territory for you. It can be overwhelming at first. Can you tell me what you can smell right now?"

Talonpaw raised his head and tasted the air. His eyes narrowed as he strained to pick out certain patches of smells. "...I smell a really strong, pine-like scent. Like I just stuck my nose in one of the camp walls. It's sticky."

"Pine trees produce a lot of sap in newleaf and early greenleaf. And yes, we use it to glue and reinforce the defenses around camp. Good work." Iciclepool confirmed. "Anything else?"

Talonpaw hesitantly stood up, glancing at his mentor for approval. When she nodded at him, he stuck his nose closer to the ground, and started tracking smells from certain directions. "...Um...It seems like some chipmunks might've ran past here. I can also kind of smell the direction of our border. That way, I think?" Talonpaw indicated with his tail.

Iciclepool nodded. "Good. There is one other place that you should be able to smell, although faintly. Be mindful of the direction the wind is blowing."

Talonpaw again tasted the air. He didn't want to disappoint his mentor. What could she be talking about? A soft wind blew over the treetops, and Talonpaw took advantage of this. His nose tickled as he picked up on the humid smell of water, tinged with rotting vegetation and cold rock. This confused him. He only smelled this around puddles, but it hadn't rained in weeks.

"Is there...water? Like...a lot of it?" Talonpaw asked. Iciclepool's whiskers twitched with pride, and she wordlessly stood up and beckoned him to follow her.

Talonpaw eagerly padded after her, hopping onto every stone and avoiding every hole he saw his mentor navigate. Then, Iciclepool reached the edge of the treeline, and stopped. Talonpaw padded up behind her, and his pawsteps slowed as he stared in awe at the scene present before him. A large, jagged mountain stood out from the large hills surrounding it; painted in trees stretched out as far as he could see. A massive lake stretched out at the mountain's base, with large rivers flowing in and out of the basin. The waters reflected the sun's rays back at them, creating a brilliant shine that danced along to its own rhythm.

Talonpaw's heart thumped loudly. He felt betrayed. Underneath all the awe, he just...couldn't understand why no one told him about this. Why didn't anyone tell him about the beautiful lake? The mountains in the distance? Why didn't ForestClan occupy every corner of this place?

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Talonpaw started back and looked at Iciclepool quizzically. The white molly looked at him with a surprising amount of softness.

"Talonpaw. Do you know why we live in these woods?"

He shook his head. Iciclepool continued to look out at the lake. She beckoned him with his tail, gesturing for him to sit. The tom obeyed.

"Allegedly - they weren't always dangerous. Once, a long time ago, our ancestors lived alongside four other Clans."

"Really?" Talonpaw's eyes grew wide. "How come I never heard about this before?"

"The same reason why we don't tell kits scary stories. The kits are already frightened.

But now, you're old enough to know. There used to be five Clans around this territory. With ForestClan's ancestors, they would trade goods, and defend their territories. They would protect their borders and gather under the banner of peace every full moon to share in the news and growth of their Clans. It's thanks to one of the lost clans that ForestClan learned the ability to create and contain fire, and create bowls with clay. Our ancestors thrived because of this.

But one starless night, well-groomed cats with fur-less heads descended on the land, with no explanation. Every night, they would attempt to enter the camps of all five clans. For moons on end, sightings of well-groomed cats kept occurring. They would keep requesting to speak to the leaders; they wanted to make deals. Cats were being plagued by ominous dreams - not from StarClan, but from something else. Then, one night during a freezing leafbare, the well-groomed cats stopped appearing, and a monstrous mass of flesh, roots and bone emerged from beyond the territory. It roamed across all the Clans, and one by one, started consuming any cat it came across."

Talonpaw's fur stood on end. Iciclepool briefly glanced at him and placed a solemn tail on his shoulder. "Except for one Clan - ours. Our walls made of tall pines and heavy stones, reinforced by sap, were too cumbersome for the wretched creature to trample over. ForestClan quickly became asylum for the refugees of the broken Clans. We fought tirelessly to protect our home and honor the other Clans that lived alongside us. By the end of the night, the wretch had vanished into the shadows. And ever since then, ForestClan has made it its duty to carry on the legacy of our ancestors. This monster destroyed four Clans in one night. What would happen if it returned, and destroyed ForestClan? Where would it go next? Would it advance to other cat colonies? Would it grow until there was nothing left of the world? We knew that we would be abandoning the entire world if we didn't try to prevent that monster from reappearing again. With StarClan's guidance, we learned how to survive and keep the creatures of the woods at bay, and continue to do so til this day."

Talonpaw was still taken aback. He had heard a lot of stories about ForestClan's history before - but never did he ask how ForestClan came to be. Meekly, he asked, "Then...why does ForestClan feed the woods?"

Iciclepool's eyes flickered with feeling. For a moment, Talonpaw thought that she was going to hiss at him, and inched back. But finally, after a moment that felt like forever, Iciclepool replied.

"When I was a kit," she started slowly, "they told me it was because it stopped the Wretch from coming back. The well-groomed cats were omens from the woods that we rejected. They sent the Wretch as punishment. Now, the woods demand tribute, or we risk attracting it back to us."

"So...the apprentice trials...?"

"Cruel traditions enforced over time by cowards," Iciclepool hissed. "StarClan gave so-called 'secret keepers' nine lives, and they had the audacity to sacrifice cats with only one? It was cowardice. Pure and simple. StarClan had given us the tools to keep the monsters at bay for seasons, but leadership grew selfish and meek. ForestClan had lost its way for several generations, enforcing practices that never should have been allowed in the first place. I am so grateful that Redstar has seen reason like I have. Thanks to her, we will be able to feed the woods and still retain our numbers for seasons to come, like we always should have."

Talonpaw was surprised to hear the vitriol behind Iciclepool's words. Suddenly, a memory came back to him. He remembered when he was a kit and heard whispers from Hopechase and Cloudthunder when they thought he wasn't around. "Poor Iciclepool. I felt so heartbroken when I was the only survivor of the four apprentices made that moon. My brother...and Stonepaw and Rapidpaw...Iciclepool had already lost Creekkit..." Talonpaw remembered how hurt Cloudthunder sounded, and how Hopechase then caught him afterwards and started chiding him for eavesdropping.

"Did your kits die from the trials?" Talonpaw regretted his words the second they came out of his mouth. The desire to throw himself down into a pit invaded his entire being as he met Iciclepool's aghast expression.

"Do not answer that," he blurted, mortified. "Please, please do not answer that. I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I didn't - I wasn't - "

Iciclepool's copper eyes remained pools of dismay. They morphed into an expression of anger, then pain.

"...Talonpaw. I don't talk about my previous mate, or my children, because it still hurts. This means," her voice pulled taut, "someone has been telling you stories that aren't theirs to share. Who told you?"

"N-No, no, Iciclepool, it's not their fault," he exclaimed. "No one told me, I...I eavesdropped when I was a kit. I heard Cloudthunder confiding something sad with Hopechase - a-about apprentice trials. She mentioned she didn't know how to respond to you when she came back from hers. That's why I just assumed - i-it's not her fault, please, I swear. What I said was really, really stupid and dumb, and I'm so sorry."

As Talonpaw stammered on, Iciclepool's expression became unreadable. Talonpaw stared at his paws in shame, refusing to meet his mentor's glare. Oh StarClan, he didn't want his mentor to hate him, not like this! Redstar told him about 'inside voices', why oh why did he not use -

He felt Iciclepool's tail rest on his shoulder gently, interrupting his thoughts. After a moment that could've been a heartbeat or a thousand seasons, she said quietly, "Your words did hurt. You are not entitled to know everyone's experiences. But you are a young tom. You are still learning. Look at me, Talonpaw."

Talonpaw hesitantly tore his gaze from the floor to look at the white she-cat.

"...I won't tell you what happened to my kits. Not today. But right now, you have learned two very important things about being a warrior of ForestClan, and being a cat," Iciclepool looked back out at the lake, and Talonpaw slowly followed her line of sight. The beauty of the world before him was present again - but now, he thought about the well-groomed cats, and the Wretch, and wondered if somewhere out there, they were hiding behind the trees.

"First, we are here because our ancestors fought for us to be here. Honor them, and honor all those who will come before and after you. And second," Iciclepool looked at her apprentice crossly, "your words mean something Talonpaw. Great StarClan, I hope that's the most insensitive thing I hear you say, and from now on, you use your head. Alright?"

Talonpaw paused, then nodded. "Of course. I'm so sorry Iciclepool."

Iciclepool's fur had flattened out by this point. Then, she was struck by unusual mischief. She smirked, then said, "As punishment, your first apprentice task will be moss duty."

"Ugh! Okay - fine, fine, I deserve it. I'm going to find so much moss that you're going to regret it, though! Hopefully. Maybe. Sorry - I'll be good."

Iciclepool failed to suppress a purr. She was still hurt. But the boy meant well.

---

< PREVIOUS | NEXT >

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC’s Lucien Wonderful Moments Date English Translation

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

Lucien boops Snowball's nose, his tone hinting at jealousy.

"You've been praising this little guy a lot."

"Pfft, is Professor Lucien jealous?"

Translation under the cut!

[Notes from Lux: Here’s the CN video link if anyone wants to follow along with his Voice Acting.]

A car moves slowly on the vibrant countryside road, joyful laughter spilling out of its windows from time to time.

Lucien casually rests his hand on the steering wheel, looking ahead, and quickly comes up with a Chinese idiom.

Lucien: The victory is in the bag. (shèng quàn zài wò)

MC: Idiom with wò… crouching tigers and hidden dragons! (wò hǔ cáng lóng! - 卧虎藏龙 - fig. mean talented individuals hiding their talent)

Lucien: Just a reminder to this beautiful contestant, this phrase was already said during our first round of the idiom chain game.

MC: Then, how about… I control my destiny! (wǒ mìng yóu wǒ - 我命由我- a phrase, not an idiom)

Lucien: [chuckles] That doesn't seem to be an idiom. Is Miss Producer starting to cheat?

Lucien tilts his head and looks at me with a smile. I sheepishly stick out my tongue, wracking my brain as I search through my vocabulary.

The gentle spring breeze seeps through the gaps of the car window. Looking at those cunning eyes, I have a sudden inspiration and break into a sweet smile.

MC: I like you~ (wǒ xǐhuān nǐ~)

Lucien's demeanor briefly halts for half a beat as though he doesn't expect my answer. But then, the smile on his lips grows bigger.

The warm afternoon sunshine reflects brightly in his upturned eyes, making them look particularly beautiful.

Lucien: [chuckles, then sighs] This is the most sophisticated cheating I've ever seen, so I concede defeat.

I cheer joyfully, but before I can utter a word, an electronic broadcast interrupts me.

"Distance to the next highway toll booth is 1.5 kilometers ahead.”

I glance at the phone screen and see it shows another hour and a half to the camping village.

Lucien suggested this camping trip to an ecologically pristine village with beautiful scenery, though the only downside is that the journey was a bit long.

I turn to look at Lucien, who appears to be in a good mood, and can't resist asking the small question that's been lingering on my mind.

MC: Lucien, what made you suddenly want to take me to this camping village?

Lucien: It was recommended by a colleague from the research center. I heard the scenery there is nice and worth a visit.

Lucien: I originally wanted to find an opportunity to spend time with you, and just last weekend we went to see a play, which gave me a very legitimate reason to invite you on a date—

Lucien: To create “beautiful moments”.

He deliberately emphasizes the words "beautiful moments", causing me to momentary pause as a recent memory quickly floods into my mind.

—[Flashback Start]—

At the entrance of the theater last weekend.

Lucien and I walked out of the theater hand in hand. I was still sniffling, lost in the storyline of the performance we just watched, unwilling to let it go.

Just as I was about to wipe away the tears at the corner of my eye, a warm hand handed me a tissue and gently dabbed it beneath my eyes.

Lucien: [gently] If this little audience member keeps crying, I'll have to go find the production team for an explanation.

MC: I'm just really moved by the play...

MC: At first, when I saw the protagonist growing up under the shadow of his mother's depression, I thought he would fall into despair.

MC: But he was able to diligently record the beautiful moments in life and ultimately salvaged himself...

MC: I just tried to put myself in his shoes, and it's really hard to be as optimistic as the protagonist, so I couldn't stop my tears.

Under Lucien's gentle gaze, I rambled on and on, completing my "review" of the play. He patiently wiped the corners of my eyes and offered a comforting smile.

Lucien: I actually think the lady by my side also has a pair of eyes that can discover the beauty of life everywhere.

His sincere praise caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a little buoyed by it. My heart, which had been saddened by the protagonist's struggles, also eased a bit.

MC: If I had a "Book of Beautiful Moments," the first thing I would record is how Professor Lucien always generously praises me~

Lucien chuckled softly, and the strands of hair hanging over his forehead swayed gently in front of his thick lashes.

Lucien: [chuckles] I'm just stating facts. She shares the beauty of the sky with me and finds satisfaction in good weather...

Lucien: —Isn't that kind of you very much like the protagonist?

MC: Then next time I discover something beautiful, I'll make sure to record it promptly.

MC: Let's see if I can fill several volumes of "Wonderful Moments" just like the protagonist!

—[Flashback Ends]—

I casually remarked and thought it was nothing but a joke, yet Lucien silently remembered it in his heart. I come to my senses and blink.

MC: So, the reason you suddenly decided to take me out to play is to create more wonderful moments in my life?

Lucien: I wonder if it's because I'm not "competent" enough that you don't have much to record, so I deliberately created this opportunity.

Lucien: Of course, it's also to show myself off a bit.

He adopts a tone of pretended grievance that stirs a feeling of itchiness in my heart, I suppress the curve of my lips, nodding in mock annoyance.

MC: Well, in light of your "timely remedy," I'll reluctantly start recording officially!

✂———————–

MC: ...Lucien takes me camping;

MC: Before we set off, Lucien made me a cup of hot chocolate.

MC: While playing the idiom chain game, Lucien deliberately went easy on me...

As I speak, I open the Notes app on my phone and mutter to myself, recording a dozen or so entries. But as I continue to write, I suddenly feel something is amiss.

MC: Wait a minute, why do all these "wonderful moments" have Professor Lucien's shadow? I'm starting to suspect that I have a “love-brain”*...

[T/N: "恋爱脑" (love brain) is a Chinese internet buzzword that refers to a mindset that puts love first above everything. It refers to individuals who are deeply in love and often become consumed by their emotions, making it difficult for them to think about anything else. This phenomenon is characterized by extreme devotion to their lover, often leading to uncontrollable emotional dependence and intense desires to be with the other person... If anything, from the way Lucien takes her casual remarks seriously and uses them as a reason to hang out with her, this word describes Lucien more LOL]

Lucien: [with a pretending-don’t-to-know-anything tone] Oh, really?

Lucien is amused by my muttering, and a hint of sly self-satisfaction shines in his long and narrow eyes.

Lucien: [chuckles] It seems the Great Producer has already fallen into my sweet trap.

Lucien: Because my goal is to dominate your today's "wonderful moments" list through this trip.

MC: Hmph, then I won't let you succeed. Right now, I'm going to come up with something completely unrelated to you.

As I speak, I catch a glimpse of a white shadow flashing in front of the car. But before I can react, Lucien has already hit the brakes.

[Sounds of the car suddenly braking]

Almost simultaneously, a strong arm instinctively protects me in front of my chest.

Lucien: ...Are you okay?

He removes his sunglasses and swiftly scans me with his gaze as if confirming whether I'm injured.

I stare blankly ahead. After a moment of daze, there's no movement in front of the car, and my heart leaps into my throat.

MC: I, I'm okay...

MC: Lu, Lucien... Did something just rush onto the road?

Lucien: I'll go down and take a look first. Stay in the car and don't move.

He smooths out my disheveled bangs and then gets out of the car after turning on the hazard lights.

Through the windshield, I see him quickly walk to the front of the car. His gaze instantly shifts downward, as if he's spotted something, and he crouches down.

Did we really hit something?

Just as I nervously stretch my neck and am about to get out of the car to take a look, Lucien suddenly stands up, cradling a bundle of white fluff in his arms.

MC: Eh?

I take a closer look and can't help but exclaim in delight—

It's an adorable little Pomeranian!

Under my expectant gaze, Lucien quickly gets back into the car with the little Pomeranian in his arms, then raises the pup's paw and waves it at me.

MC: Hello there, cutie! How did you end up on the road?

Lucien: This little fellow must have gotten lost. I didn't see anyone else outside the car.

I follow Lucien's gaze out the window. The road is very quiet, there's no sign of anyone around.

MC: Is it injured?

Lucien: It wasn't hit just now. When I got out to check, it was still some distance from the front of the car. It's probably just a little startled.

As if understanding, the Pomeranian snuggles its face into Lucien's palm coquettishly. Its dewy eyes shift between Lucien and me, softening my heart.

I tentatively reach out my hand towards its nose, intending to let it get accustomed to my scent before attempting to pet its little head.

However, as soon as I reach out my hand, the little fellow enthusiastically licks my fingers. In the next moment, it leaps over the center console and goes straight into my arms.

MC: Wow, what a good little doggy!

MC: And it looks very clean, not like a stray dog... Could it be lost?

Lucien leans in and turns the collar of the small Pomeranian, discovering a small round tag. On it, it reads "Snowball*" and a string of numbers.

[T/N: the pet name, "雪糕" (xuě gāo), actually means "ice cream bar/popsicle"  LOL. I take some liberty in translating the pup name because “雪” (xuě) word alone means “snow” (while “糕” (gao) means cake). Imagine that this fluffy white bundle looks like a snowball so I give the pup that name :D]

MC: "Snowball"? Is that its name?

Lucien: Mm, below should be the owner's phone number. Let me try contacting them. Maybe the owner hasn't gone far.

Lucien takes out his phone as he speaks and quickly gets connected. After briefly explaining the situation, a wave of gratitude comes from the other end of the line.

??: Thank you so much! I stopped at the service area for a break and took the pup out of the car for a walk. I forgot to bring it back into the car.

??: I've already turned back onto the highway. I'll be there in about forty minutes!

??: Will it delay you?

Lucien doesn't respond, he just looks up at me and gestures with his eyes, as if asking for my opinion. I quickly nod in agreement.

[asking for opinion from the family leader.jpg]

Lucien: No, it won't. Then let's meet at the nearest gas station to the toll booth on the highway.

After a brief conversation, he hangs up the phone and shakes his head at me helplessly.

Lucien: [smiles helplessly] Looks like our journey might be delayed for a bit.

MC: What a careless owner! How could they forget such an adorable little dog?

I affectionately rub Snowball's head. It seems to whimper aggrievedly, then it straightens up, leans against me, and licks my cheek.

The adorable and silly look melts my heart once again. I exaggerate by placing my hand over my heart, then I scoop Snowball into my arms and give it a tight cuddle.

MC: Lucien, it's just too cute.

Upon seeing this, Lucien boops Snowball's nose, his tone hinting at jealousy.

Lucien: You've been praising this little guy since earlier until now for so many times.

MC: Pfft, is Professor Lucien feeling jealous?

Lucien: After all, I was the one who wanted to make a good impression today, but I didn’t expect to be outshone by this "little attention-seeker".

MC: I think, it's actually quite timely that Snowball showed up.

I mischievously wink at him and raise Snowball triumphantly.

MC: Just when I couldn't think of any beautiful moments unrelated to you.

MC: The appearance of this cute little fellow right now just fills that gap perfectly~

Lucien: Is that so?

Lucien presses his lips together thoughtfully, his clean fingertips lightly tapping on the steering wheel. He puts his sunglasses back on and, as if on a whim, starts the car again.

Lucien: Buckle up your seatbelt, let's go.

MC: Huh? Where are we going? Aren't we supposed to wait for Snowball's owner?

Lucien: MC's words just aroused my desire to win.

Lucien: In order not to lose to this little fellow, I have to put in some extra effort during these forty minutes of waiting.

Lucien: Before that, let's go find some more unexpected wonderful moments.

✂———————–

Ten minutes later, Lucien drives us to a countryside field.

The golden sunlight blankets the emerald green grass, while wisps of light mist hover amidst the sea of green.

Excitedly, I hop out of the car while holding Snowball, and find myself unable to tear my eyes away from the beautiful scenery for a moment.

MC: It's so beautiful! Lucien, how did you know there's a place like this nearby?

Lucien: We passed by here when Miss Producer was fully focused on playing the idiom chain game just now.

Lucien: The meeting point I arranged with Snowball's owner is very close to here, so it was convenient to stop by on the way.

MC: [sweats] What? During that intense idiom chain game just now, you still managed to notice the scenery on the sides of the road?

Upon hearing this, Lucien seriously crosses his arms, one hand supporting his chin as if deep in thought.

Lucien: Hmm, after all, even in such a tense moment, Miss Producer didn't forget to use "sweet words" to bribe her opponent.

MC: Pfft-

I can't help but laugh, but Snowball in my arms suddenly wriggles restlessly, as if trying to break free from my embrace.

MC: Do you want to go down and play?

I carefully place Snowball on the ground. It sniffs around with its tiny nose and then happily starts running around us.

MC: [laughs cheerfully] Hahaha, Snowball, you're so fearless, don't you?

MC: Even after such a day full of twists and turns, you can still play so happily!

Lucien: A puppy's mind is very simple.

Lucien: Perhaps in its eyes, it simply unexpectedly took a risk to venture into an unfamiliar place and met with a beautiful and empathetic Jiejie (big sister) who understands it well.

Lucien: And now, this Jiejie has brought it to a playground where it can run freely, so why can't it be happy?

MC: Oh, come on, it's definitely the credit of this reasonable and understanding handsome Gege (big brother).

I jokingly gesture with my hand, but as I watch Snowball's carefree figure, I can't help but ponder Lucien's words with a thoughtful expression.

MC: That being said, it seems like any simple thing can easily make a puppy happy.

MC: Whether it's the company of its owner, a friendly pat from a stranger, a passing butterfly, or even just a small treat...

MC: I often see videos of dogs being scolded by their owners. One moment, they're scared out of their wits…

MC: Then, the next moment, as soon as their owners call their names with a smile, they instantly become happy again.

MC: So, is life filled with beautiful moments everywhere in the eyes of a puppy?

As we talk, Snowball runs around a nearby grassy area and then returns to Lucien's feet, panting. It looks like it's tired from playing and eagerly starts pawing at his pants.

Lucien cooperatively lifts it, and it comfortably stretches lazily in his arms, then leans against his arm and rests.

Lucien pats its head, his expression somewhat resigned.

Lucien: I originally wanted to create a "wonderful moment" for MC, but it seems like Snowball is the one enjoying it more.

MC: Indeed, we should learn from puppies and embrace the spirit of enjoying every moment. I can't let Snowball beat me~

As I say this, I take a deep breath, and the fresh air instantly fills my heart.

MC: So pleasant... If it weren't for the tight schedule and better scenery waiting for us, I'd want to camp right here.

Lucien looks at me upon hearing this, seeming to contemplate something. After a moment, he gently places Snowball into my arms and gives me a mysterious wink.

Lucien: I've received the classmate's wish, please wait a moment.

He walks around to the back of the car, opens the trunk, and folds down all the rear seats, creating a spacious area.

[Lucien’s car being an SUV is really useful in times like this huh-]

Then, he hangs the small decorative lanterns that were initially used for the tent on the roof of the car. Finally, he shakes out a small thin blanket and spreads it on top.

After finishing all this, he bends slightly and makes a gentlemanly invitation gesture.

Lucien: Please, have a seat.

MC: This is...

Lucien: Our time is indeed limited, not enough to set up a proper tent.

Lucien: So we'll have to use this "temporary camping spot" instead, I hope you two* don’t disdain it.

[T/N: He actually uses 小朋友 (literally means: child) as the term of endearment to refer both of them (so the more literal translation should be “I hope the two children don’t disdain it”). I change it for an obvious reason here, but I swear it’s not as bad as the english language makes it to be-]

I stand still for a moment as his intention dawns on me. Pink bubbles seem to bubble up in my chest, making my heart move up and down in the ripples it causes.

I compliantly put on airs, playing along with his gesture as I cradle Snowball and settle into the car.

MC: Can you see a look of "disdain" on our faces?

I raise Snowball, showing a coy and obedient look at Lucien. Snowball, oblivious to the situation, cooperatively wags its tail and barks cheerfully at Lucien twice.

Lucien chuckles softly, then takes off his sunglasses with one hand, his gaze shifting between Snowball and me.

The vast expanse of clouds above his head begins to slowly drift away, revealing the warm and radiant sunshine.

His deep gaze is imbued by the golden sky, revealing a hint of childlike innocence and simple contentment.

Lucien: Indeed, I can't see it, because I can only see two adorable faces.

His doting tone is unreserved, and I satisfactorily squint my eyes, my heart full of joy.

MC: This one-of-a-kind camping area, with Professor Lucien's intention behind it, is priceless and worth more than any amount of money.

MC: I cherish it so much; how could I possibly disdain it?

Snowball seems to understand my words. With a "woof", he jumps down and happily rolls around on the blanket.

Both Lucien and I are amused by its adorable appearance. A gentle breeze blows by, and my entire heart feels light as if it's strolling in the clouds.

Our gazes lock into each other, and this tranquil moment is so beautiful that I truly want to record it in some way.

But I don't take out my phone to make a note. Instead, I instinctively reach out and gently pull Lucien to sit beside me.

The warmth beside me makes me unconsciously lean closer. I nuzzle his shoulder clingily, my heart filled with softness.

MC: Professor Lucien, you've succeeded.

MC: Now my mind is filled with countless wonderful moments, and each of these moments is related to you-

MC: Me leaning on your shoulder, your scent filling my senses, and us sharing this unexpected encounter of scenery together...

MC: And even if these moments aren't intentionally recorded by me, it's okay.

MC: Because every little thing that has been happening with you has already integrated into my world since a long time ago.

The breath above my head becomes even more gentle and elongated. Lucien enfolds me in his arms, his warm breath almost as if it's seeping into the depths of my heart.

Lucien: I am honored to be part of all the “wonderful moments” of Miss MC.

Lucien: As the sole recipient of this “award”, I will remain humble and continue to work hard, bringing her even more happiness.

I smile in his arms, but suddenly, I think of something and pull myself away from him a bit.

MC: But it's not fair, I've listed so many 'wonderful moments' of my own. How come you haven't shared a single one with me?

Lucien seems taken aback by my sudden mention of this. He is struck silent for a moment, then a flicker of wounded expression crosses his face.

Lucien: Perhaps because I thought even if I didn't say anything, MC would know what I’m thinking—

Lucien: My "list of wonderful moments" is very simple, so simple that it has only one item.

Lucien: Now, do you still need me to tell you this one and only item?

He stares steadily into my eyes, with an irreplaceable radiance that ebbs and flows in the depths of his gaze.

I softly laugh, and my entire heart feels as transparent and bright as if it has been meticulously polished.

MC: No need.

I shook my head, the stray hair on my forehead bringing a slightly unbearable itch, gently brushing against my heart along with the gentle spring breeze.

I gently cup his cheek in the palm of my hand, and the world becomes unusually quiet, only the sound of two hearts beating can be heard.

MC: You don't need to say anything.

Because in those beautiful eyes, I only see myself.

————Fin———–

[Bonus Phone Call - Want it Now]

Lucien: Hello? Are you busy?

MC: So, I was about to take a lunch break—I was just thinking about you, and then your call came.

Lucien: It seems like there's always some kind of wonderful little tacit understanding between us.

Lucien: Then tell me about it.

MC: Haha, here's the thing. The company's pet club is planning a charity event.

MC: They plan to sell some handmade items and donate the proceeds to animal shelters. But I don't have any inspiration for what to make at the moment...

Lucien: Mm... I just received a delivery that might be helpful to you.

Lucien: The owner of Snowball sent us some things as a thank you. There are small felt keychains shaped like Snowball, as well as cartoon-style standees and cross-stitch fridge magnets.

Lucien: Looking at the note in the delivery box, it seems that the owner of Snowball designed them personally and also has the same ones at home.

Lucien: Perhaps we can also make some similar small items.

MC: Wow! They actually make these for their pet? The owner of Snowball is so thoughtful.

Lucien: You can tell that Snowball is truly cherished, so its owner makes these everyday little things, wanting its presence to fill every corner of their home.

MC: Hmm... Just like how my phone screensaver is you, and all the photos hanging around the home are of you?

Lucien: If what you're saying is that feeling of 'even when you're not around, I still want to see you first thing’...

Lucien: Then we're the same.

MC: I have another idea, I wonder if Professor Lucien shares the same idea as me.

Lucien: Hm?

MC: Even though my screensaver and chat background are pictures of you... I still want to see you right now.

Lucien: What a coincidence, I was thinking the same thing. So I've already brought your favorite milk tea and the Snowball keychain, and I'm on my way to see you.

Lucien: I checked the navigation, and the route from the research institute to your company is very smooth.

Lucien: In twenty minutes, both of our wishes will come true.

[heytherecentaurs]

NADDPOD C3 Musings

There's a lot under the cut.

Most of these could have been their own posts, but I'm going to just touch on a lot of them here.

Murph's encounter design is at it's best throughout. There are multiple battles that could've been the finale battle in most campaigns. High King Durretar, The Crick, Ultrus, Alexandrite in Tsunare, Ice Knife and the Jovyre battles are all spectacular.

Murph does a great job at giving us new NPCs to love like Albin and Kenna, and his returning NPCs don't overshadow or steal spotlight from the new story. Meeting Big Bev 200 years later was really incredible. The expansion of Cooter's story and the tragedy of it is a highlight for me. He's such a sympathetic character.

The players continue to become more and more skilled as D&D players. Their chemistry is always great, but they built really strong characters mechanically (especially Callie, because it's Emily, duh) and really strong characterization. I really feel like I understand their characters and it took less time in C3 for me to get a grasp on everyone's deal.

C3 is my least favourite of the main campaigns. It has some of the highest peeks of the podcast. But I was less invested overall. That could very well be down to the release schedule. Or it just not hitting for me as hard. But I still love it. Least favourite is still a favourite.

Mothership/Alexandrite made for a better BBEG than Jovyre. The ubiquitous tech corporation being the de facto multinational government superpower, the ultra-capitalist oligarchical oppressor led by a resource consuming A.I. resulting in the rise and spread of authoritarian fascism feels relevant. It would have even made more sense for Glen, a wannabe fascist dictator, to align with Mothership.

Thematically, I understand Jovyre's role. She is a younger sibling who never learned to grow from feeling trapped in her sister's shadow and who let those feelings fester for centuries. It's a thematic parallel to Callie but Jovyre should have been the reflection of how broken Callie could become if she didn't reconcile with Cyra. It's the wrong thematic thread to follow all the way to the endgame.

I'm not against Jovyre as a villain. But she feels more like a personal villain for Callie in a similar way as Marabelle was to Moonshine. Structurally, it's not as satisfying because Jovyre is less scary than fascism sweeping through Bahumia.

I could've used more time with the characters. I love them all but the pacing really limited the downtime. Downtime is important for characterization. I like "filler" episodes. Give me an hour and a half of the characters hanging out. Give me slower beats in which characters are just roleplaying dramatic moments.

I really hoped there would be a romance. We get silly bits but this is a point I've reiterated. I'd love for Naddpod to explore a serious romantic relationship.

The locations of this campaign are wonderful. I loved revisiting places and Murph's description of them and how 200 years reshaped them. The living wood changed so much it was wild. Getting to see Irondeep rebuilt was great given that we mostly saw it as rubble in C1. The new places like Tsunare and the Ice Knife were among my favourites.

Emily's music has only gotten better. Every campaign it's better produced. Her vocals have gotten stronger. I'm so enamoured of her music that I will push it on people even if they aren't into D&D. You don't need to know D&D to listen to "Home Is Where the Hearth Is" or "Riverboat Shanty". I return to her tunes again and again.

Jake returning as Hardwon was unexpected. I really can't stop thinking about how manic Hardwon got the second he heard Moonshine in trouble. That was such a magical moment. And his acting rocked.

Caldwell's lil frog guy had such potential for hijinks, but gives us a special character study in how childhood hardship shapes one's adulthood. I would've loved more exploration of this and how his entire character is about building a family he never had and taking care of them.

Listening to Emily take Callie on a journey of growth, acceptance of herself and gaining self-confidence was really lovely. I would love 10 more episodes in the campaign to explore that.

The theme of siblings, especially YOUNGER siblings throughout the campaign is really good. I also think it's relevant that C3 is the younger sibling of C1 and how the themes of younger siblings striving to live up to their older siblings plays out.

Overall, I loved the campaign. I have my criticisms but I do appreciate that no amount of planning can prepare Murph for what the characters will do and how the collaborative and improvisational aspects of D&D don't lend themselves to cohesion. So while I say these things, I have way more understanding and give way more leeway for messiness in the stories.

[voxmortuus]

Can i request a roman godfrey x plus!size reader. Maybe she is the new girl or Peter's sister or cousin that moved there because of her Father’s job or something and roman becomes obsessed with her or something and he dose all this because he is in love with her and just a really fluffy ending pls

I just want to say I am SO sorry for this taking as long as it did to produce! I have been feeling so out of sorts with my writing and I had taken a super long hiatus. I found this half written in my drafts and felt I NEEDED to finish this! So, Here it is! The finished piece!!! I hope it finds you well.

PAIRING: Roman Godfrey x Fem!Plus Sized!Reader - Reader is 18+

UNIVERSE: Hemlock Grove

WORDS: 1.1K

SUMMARY/PROMPT: See above

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Obsessive Roman | Stalking Insinuated | Fluff | PLEASE TELL ME IF I FORGOT ANYTHING!!! I want to make sure readers are fully aware of what they are getting themselves into when they read this…

NOTE: Sorry if this isn't what you expected, or had envisioned yourself, I apologize. But I hope you enjoyed my vision.

IMAGE CREDIT: Google I DO NOT CLAIM OWNERSHIP OF THESE IMAGES. If these are yours or you know who the creator(s) is please INBOX me and let me know. Thank you.

DIVIDER CREDIT: @firefly-graphics

My Master Masterlist | Taglist

Welcome to Hemlock Grove - That's what the sign read as you entered the town. Remote, and almost nothing here. Rubbing your face you look around and take in the bare land from the death of winter. Your father had gotten a job working at The Godfrey Institute. Unknowing what was in store for you you take this as a new opportunity to reinvent yourself, to start fresh in the way of hoping for a new beginning.

Making your way inside your new home with the last box for your room, you place it down on your bed and look out the window that looks over the street that leads to Godfrey Manor. Making a small face in slight disgust, you let off a small sigh and start putting things away.

It wasn't long before you hear a knock at your bedroom door, and it was your father asking you if you'd like to go with him to see where he works. Shrugging you had agreed to go. The way you saw it was it got you out of the house and around civilization. Grabbing your coat you throw your hair up into a loose bun and follow him to the car.

Your father didn't work far from your new home, so it was less than a few moments before you found yourself in the elevator on your way to the top floor to look around your father's new place of work. Looking around for a moment you look up at your father and tell him you're going to look around.

As you wander off you find yourself in the rather large conference room. Little to your knowledge you are being watched, by Mr. Godfrey himself. Watching you as your fingers graze against the solid wood table, across the leather backing of the chairs. Watching you as you look so unamused and so done with today that you're ready to go home.

You weren't like the others that had come in and out of here, you were shaped differently, you were a snack, in a matter of ways. While you questioned yourself sometimes, you were truly a beautiful person. Even when you didn't see yourself that way. Looking at your reflection off the surface of the table, he let out a breath, push the loose stray hairs back into place, and look around once more before wandering out.

He follows you and watches you. It was that moment he knew that you, you were it. That something different in his life, that spark he felt he's been missing. That itch he's been needing to scratch and could never find the right tool to scratch it. Roman knew that you were going to change his way of thinking when it all boiled down to it.

Spring is here, it's been five months since the move, and you've become settled, relatively. But something's been going on. You've been getting flowers and other little gifts off and on for the past three or so months. It's regular, on queue, and it never changes, once, every two weeks, a fresh bouquet of something different, and either a card, or a little trinket, be it a charm, a piece of something to wear, or a small stuffed animal accompanies this bouquet. Today, was no different.

Lurking in the distance, as he always had from the moment you met, you let out a soft yet slightly heavy breath and you look down at the flowers that sat on your doorstep. "What the heck…" you say softly. Pushing your lips to one side you look around and you pick up the sunflower and rose bouquet and pull it to your face and take in a deep inhale and smiled with a slightly somber look on your face. "THANK YOU!" You call out before you walk in and close the door.

The flowers become a regular thing, and you start visiting the office a little more, the light anonymous things putting you in a mood of happiness and genuine love. You feel this love and you don't know how to channel it, so you start bringing your father lunch at work, and you start talking to his co-workers. But it's when you meet his boss that your own heart begins to beat a little funny. You give a slightly goofy giggle, clear your throat, put your head down, and walk away.

It was his scent, you knew that scent. It was on the stuffed bear you had received with a bouquet of peonies not long ago. You excuse yourself and make your way out of the building. Running your hands down your thick thighs you lean against your little beat-up volkswagon bug and you feel your heart beating miles a minute. Shaking your head you look up at the building and burst into laughter. Why? No? Really? Was it him?

You look back down, and you lean against your car a little more, and before you had a moment to really recall everything you see him approaching from your peripheral vision. Licking your plump lips you look over at him and draw in a deep breath.

"Has it been you?" you ask. "Since the beginning." He stated "But why?" you ask him. "Why couldn't you tell me? I come in to bring him lunch every day and you couldn't tell me?" "I didn't know how. I was in awe of you." Roman admitted. "Mr. Godfrey--" "Roman, please, call me Roman." He stated. "Roman." you pause a moment. "I am nothing to be in awe about, my curves have curves, I'm far too out of your realm of normal woman, I'm just--" "Perfect. You're perfect and you don't see it Y/N. You won't see it, but I want to help you see it… if you'll let me." He smiled. "Let me take you out tonight. There's this cute little coffee shop in town, join me?" He asked.

Charming, he was charming, and he was sweet. Nodding your head you had agreed to his proposal of coffee. He holds out his hand and you place yours in his. Your hand feels so small in his, you feel like you're about the size of a damn munchkin from The Wizard of Oz. But it feels good. You feel good.

Sitting in the coffee shop after you two walk a little ways from the building you find yourself enthralled in each other, in the conversation, the mindless nothing of conversation that has led to laughter, and genuine raw emotions between you. Nothing but calm, cherished moments. Sure, people stared, but he never took his eyes off you, his attention was on you. You were important to him.

What really made you feel on top of the world, was when he reached forward and tucked some hair behind your ear, helped you up, and walked back to the building with you. From that day on, you realized that you are perfectly imperfect and that no matter what, you are beautiful, and because of Roman, seeing yourself as anything less, that's just not possible anymore.

[inuhalfdemon]

No One Can Know...(8/?)

Word Count: 4,299 Words

Rating: Explicit (SMUT)

Chapter 8

"I'm on the very top floor, room 1334

There's a king size bed but we can do it on the floor

Turn your cellphone off, leave a sign on the door

That says 'Do not disturb'."

- Halestorm

Lucifer stepped out from the portal; the swirling golden ring closing behind with a soft pop.

Materializing into Alastor’s room within the Hazbin Hotel, Lucifer found the demon – hands clasped behind his back – nodding to his shadow. The shadow flitted to a nearby wall, silhouetting itself sharply to give Lucifer a large gaping and toothy grin before skidding off underneath the door and out of sight.

“Where is he headed off to?” Lucifer asked, walking to where Alastor stood waiting. He saw that Alastor’s typical delicate rack of little antlers was branched into several largely curved and jutting points – a pristine buck, if there ever was one. 

“To keep watch, guarding the hotel.” Alastor told him.

“I assume you’ve taken…protective measures?” Lucifer asked, glancing back at the door.

“Yes, of course. All proper warding has been done. I’ve also taken the initiative of suggesting to Charlie that a trip to the cinema may be beneficial to everyone’s frayed nerves. The hotel is essentially ours, for the evening.”

Alastor turned; going to the small dining table that he had placed and set for them just beyond the room and within his own personal bayou.

Lucifer briefly noted that Alastor was without his suit jacket and staff – wearing just his long-sleeved red shirt adorned with the black cross and dress pants instead. His sleeves were rolled up to the elbows and his tail poked out from behind. Lucifer saw that it was in its normal small and delicate state, but that there also was a very subtle ridge of standing hairs that ran up the fluffy midline – tip to base.

Looking around; Lucifer took in Alastor’s rather….odd, aesthetic. He had anticipated Alastor’s quarters to be very much like any Overlord’s manner of living: something reflecting a visual demonstration to their status and power. Lucifer didn’t make the connection of: soft jazz playing from a radio, the various skeletons and bones of animals, the style of furniture or the general ambiance that he was appreciating, being something directly from what one might have found in early 1900s New Orleans. Not right away, anyway.

“So…what’s the plans for this evening, anyway? We doing doggy-style? Prone boning? 69? What?” Lucifer followed him in.

“Actually, I thought I might treat you to dinner and wine tonight.” Alastor told him, ignoring his lewdness.

“You, uh…what?” Lucifer asked, caught off guard. “Whoa, wait. Is that a pocket dimension?” Fully noticing the bayou now. “These take an incredible amount of power and an incredible amount of skill to manifest…how did you do it?” He poked his head past the seam between realms; assessing the depth of the dimension on both sides – it seemed infinite in both directions, seamless and well placed. 

“Why, of course, I did it by: using an incredible amount of power and an incredible amount of skill.” Alastor answered him; taking a seat at the table.

“Oh, fuck you.”

“Must I reveal all of my secrets to you, your grace?” Alastor asked him. “Now, please join me.”

Lucifer came to the table. Alastor had their meal served and ready for them; a bottle of wine chilling in some ice.

“Oh, crumpets.” Lucifer blurted. “I nearly forgot.” Doing an exaggerated whirl of the hand; he produced a large bottle into his hand. “I’ve had a case of this in my possession for quite some time. I have never tried it myself; but knowing you have a taste for Cajun...” Lucifer offered it to Alastor. “I’m told it is rather rare.”

Alastor took the bottle and his eyebrows shot up. “Rare, indeed. I’d have had trouble finding this even while I was alive.”

Snapping his fingers; Alastor sent the wine and ice away, producing two whiskery glasses in its place. “This will pair much better with our meal tonight. A Sazerac rye always goes nicely with a good Jambalaya.”  

Lucifer sat down. “The very same Jambalaya that Charlie has gone on and on about?”

“Yes. My mother’s recipe, bless her soul.” Alastor opened the Sazerac, pouring them each three fingers worth into the glasses. “It does…have a bit of a kick to it.”

Lucifer took his glass; offering a small toast to Alastor before taking a sip. “Well, I should hope so.”

Alastor gestured to their plates; nodding his head – a clear indication that they should dig in. Lucifer nearly dropped his fork after the first bite; the explosion of flavor across his tongue was…indescribable.

“Well, if that look doesn’t stroke my ego.” Alastor chuckled into his glass, sipping at his Sazerac.

“It’s…it’s…” Lucifer was having trouble forming thoughts.

Alastor laughed. “I believe I’ve rendered my King speechless. There is no higher compliment to be given to a chef, truly.” He smirked, lifting his own fork to his lips.

“You may call me, ‘Lucifer’, Al. Or even ‘Luci’.” Lucifer told him. “However…I do dislike the name ‘Luc’…”

“A most unpleasant name, to be sure.” Alastor allowed him. “So, tell me…Lucifer…how are things? You seem less rested since I last saw you.” It was days ago that Alastor had departed the King’s residence. Seven weeks before the next extermination, three weeks before Charlie’s arranged and upcoming meeting with Heaven.

Lucifer shrugged, finishing a bite of the food. “I don’t sleep well. I never have but, with Lilith gone…I hardly get any sleep at all.”

“What…methods have you utilized?” Alastor asked him.

“Everything.” Lucifer sighed. “Honestly…the one thing that always helped was Lili’s songs. You know that she sung? What it did?”

“Doesn’t everyone in Hell know that?” Alastor asked him. “Even if they haven’t had the pleasure of hearing it?”

“I’d like to think so.” Lucifer admitted.

“You know, I always found our Queen’s talents very inspirational. I am sorry that we have had to go so long without such moving music.”

“Me too.” Lucifer said softly, staring at his whiskey glass.

“How is Charlie feeling about the upcoming meeting with Heaven?” Alastor asked him.

“You would know better than I.” Lucifer told him. “I don’t…I don’t really hear from her.”

“Oh?” Alastor knew that to be the case before…but he found it rather odd that Lucifer and Charlie were not currently talking now.  “Have you reached out to her?”

“I…can’t. Not properly, anyway.” Lucifer took a large swallow from his glass. “I can’t discuss anything regarding her plans involving the hotel. It makes conversations that we have seem very…one-sided. Understandably, she becomes frustrated and I’m sure she thinks that I’m being distant or that I just become bored with what she really wants to discuss with me. I’ve tried. I really have but I end up floundering for the words and it all becomes awkward and misunderstood.”

“Why is that exactly?” Alastor asked him. “My deal with you shouldn’t have given you that much grief. The stipulation that I required was that you don’t interfere with my work here. Surely you should be able to carry out a conversation with your daughter.”

“It’s not our deal that causes it.” Lucifer told him. “It’s the deal I made with Lilith.”

“Come again?”

“Lilith essentially invoked a…similar…stipulation. I’m sworn to secrecy – the exception, of course, being you – I can’t interfere with any matters that could detriment Lilith’s plans. That’s why I sent Charlie to the meeting with Adam and it’s why I cannot discuss the hotel or any of Charlie’s plans relating to it specifically. She also required that I do not…interfere…in things.”

“Damn….ok.”

“The last thing I said to Charlie…the last conversation that we had in regard to the hotel, this dream she has, the redemption of sinners…all before I agreed to stand by Lilith; it wasn’t good. I said things to her that I didn’t really mean, tried to steer her away from Heaven’s gaze. Lilith assured me that Charlie is ready for this, that this is the time for her to come into her own – become the Princess of Hell that she was always meant to be… I trust Lilith, I really do but I…I just wish that I could tell Charlie that what I said…it wasn’t true.”

“Yes, well…” Alastor swirled his glass; having very nearly cleared his plate. “You’ve shown your support to her cause now, regardless. At least, as much as you are able. I’m sure Charlie recognizes the value in that.”

“But, I should have been there for her since day one.” Lucifer tells him, narrowing his gaze on Alastor.

“Perhaps.” Alastor merely shrugged, ignoring the venom in Lucifer’s look. “But, how much would it have changed anyway? We’re here now. Charlie is fulfilling her dream; she has the hotel, she has sinners – however few – willing to give this whole redemption idea of hers a shot, she has the meeting with heaven, she has you and Lilith both fighting together for her cause – what more could possibly be done?”

Lucifer had no answer to this, not at present.

“Would it…help,” Alastor set his glass down now, looking directly at Lucifer. “If I were to…suggest to Charlie that she reach out to you? Not to discuss the hotel, the meeting with Heaven or anything of that like but…maybe, to discuss how to carry oneself in the face of intimidation, turmoil, and….upheaval? The girl lacks something in her use of confidence, particularly in establishing some level of authority. Her meeting with Adam did not lend her many favors.”

“I appreciate the suggestion but I’m hardly the one she should turn to. She gets that from me.”

“Lucifer…if I may be so bold: You are the King of Hell. You are the very embodiment of Pride. This wallowing, this…self-loathing is unbecoming to one who should invoke nothing but fear to those who dare to so much as utter your name. What’s more, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

“Ok…you really want to talk about Pride?” Lucifer leveled his gaze on Alastor. “Tell me, have you managed to cycle out of your rut yet?”

Alastor tilted his head back, tweaking one ear. “You know very well that I haven’t.” He gestured to his intricate crown of antlers. “What the hell does that have to do w –?“

“You never called on me. After leaving. You’re still in rut; we have an agreement in place for such things.”

“It is easily managed now.” Alastor lifted his glass to his lips.

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed how pleasant you’ve been tonight, how…relaxed. You see, I find that very interesting. When it was you who told me yourself that avoidance would not be the solution to your…problem.”

Alastor’s ears pulled back.

“So, your plan now is what….to just wait things out? I mean, I’d love to keep playing this little game of ‘fuck buddies’ with you forever, but -”

“Don’t call it that…” Alastor hissed, bristling.

“You are so set upon holding onto this illusion of control that you have created for yourself that you’ve made yourself become incredibly short-sighted.”

“Please….do enlighten me.” Alastor’s eyes glowed softly red.

 “Gladly.” Lucifer stood up; leaning over the table now. “You are denying your body and yourself something that is a biological need; something that you – in fact – require…just for the simple fact that…you’d rather not!?”

“I told you…sex holds no interest to me.”

“When you’re not in rut.” Lucifer emphasized. “That’s been established. I can’t say that I’ll be here in the next seven years when you decide to stop playing at abstinence.”

“I never said-“

“You didn’t have to! I already knew!” Lucifer’s voice was rising. “You knew I’m much more experienced than you and you knew that I was familiar with Cervidae demons – was it really so hard to assume that I might know that a rut happens far more frequently than what you were leading me to believe!?”

 “The point, you are trying so hard to convey to me is…?” Alastor asked him, clearly not pleased.

“You think that by denying yourself something this important, putting yourself through this much grief and discomfort; it gives you control.”

Alastor waited; offering no comments.

“But, it makes you weak.”

Alastor tilted his head; eyes glinting. “You want to say that again?” Alastor stood up from the table himself now; glaring down at Lucifer.

“Prove me wrong.” Lucifer challenged him. “Void our deal.”

Alastor’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

“You’ve got fucking big ears, you heard me.” Lucifer told him, standing up and walking around the table now. “Void our deal. If you don’t need me anymore, why waste my time? You have so much control over the situation; I’m sure you’ll have no problems in fulfilling your end of things with Lilith so that she can give you whatever the fuck it is you are wanting from all of this.” 

Lucifer stopped and Alastor turned to face him. 

“I’ll even agree to your…stipulation.” Lucifer said, holding out his hand. “No interference from me…whatsoever.”

Alastor hesitated; considering the offer that was being made to him.

“You really want to know what control….true power…is, Alastor?” Lucifer asked him; looking up at him with a steady gaze. “It’s knowing your limits.”

Alastor smirked, looking skeptical.

“I’m being deadly serious about that.” Lucifer told him. “If you know your limits…you know to make the accommodations – to do the things that are required to ensure your success. Be clever. Be calculative. Do what’s required to see this rut finished and be done with it, Al, or…let it consume you.”

Lucifer was still holding out his hand; eyes on Alastor.

Alastor’s eyes were on Lucifer’s hand and then his gaze shifted to the King’s.

“Your choice.” Lucifer told him, waiting.

“I….decline.” Alastor told him; eyes shifting sideways. His ears leant back.

There was a moment between them; neither of them saying anything…then:

“You know…” Lucifer was taking a risk here, knowing that Alastor’s pride may have sustained too much damage tonight already.  “It was very clever of you…” Lucifer pressed in, bringing himself very close to Alastor now, but not quite touching him. “…to use some lovely bit of forethought in ensuring that you and I would be left all alone tonight.”

Alastor’s head tilted, ears standing straight. Lucifer couldn’t see it, but his tail had started moving; quickly swishing back and forth in a betraying wag.

 “It makes one wonder…” Lucifer pressed in even closer now and Alastor felt a light heat flooding into his face. Alastor leant back slightly, feeling the edge of the dining table pressing into his lower back.. “…if it was only dinner you were planning, why bother? Perhaps, you wanted to leave our evening together open to more…possibilities?”

Alastor swallowed.

Gotcha…thought Lucifer.

A tense moment passed. Lucifer was waiting for Alastor to offer up his response.

Then, “I won’t ask you to touch me, if that’s what you are waiting for…and I don’t do begging.” Alastor told him.

“No one ever said that you must – at least – not with me.” Lucifer told him. “There are other ways that for you to tell me exactly what you want, Alastor. For example…”

Lucifer stepped into Alastor now; their bodies making contact with each other’s. Placing a hand on Alastor’s lower abdomen, he slid it low so that just the tips of his fingers were pressed beneath the waistband to Alastor’s dress pants.

Alastor gasped, his body tensing – in a rather lovely way. His face properly reddened at the touch.

“You see, I’m a master of many languages, my friend.” Lucifer was telling him. “One of which being…” Lucifer slid his hand lower and Alastor leant himself further back at the feeling of his arousal. “…the oh-so-honest tongue of body language…”

 Lucifer found Alastor’s member; brushing it with just the tips of his fingers. The appendage was twitching…moving….lifting …

“You always have the option of telling me ‘no’...or that this is not what you want…” Lucifer continued; feeling Alastor shudder against him. “Or, you may command me. Imagine that…the actual King of Hell…fully and completely at your disposal – ready to fulfill whatever dark and twisted fantasy you could ever…envisage.”

Lucifer’s fingers wrapped around Alastor’s twitching penis; taking him fully within hand. Alastor bent back further; his pelvis tilting forward.

“You’re looking at me with such a lovely expression, Alastor…” Lucifer leaned into him; head tilting so that he was starring up at the sinner with glinting eyes.

Lucifer gripped Alastor. Using his free hand; he slid the waistband down and pulled Alastor out. His fingers kneading and stroking into the firming muscle.

Alastor’s lower jaw popped open and his breathing hitched; his face growing redder…

“Tell me to stop…” Lucifer breathed; resting his head against Alastor’s chest and looking up at him.

“Ahhhhhh….” Alastor pelvis jerked; he groaned and Lucifer began slowly pumping.

“Tell me that this is not what you want…” Lucifer hissed; smiling now.

Alastor’s ears fell back, his antlers stretched themselves high overhead. He was gripping the edge to the dining table with such force, he thought that he might actually break it.

Thrusting; he threw back his head – gasping…panting.

Lucifer’s grip tightened; feeling Alastor’s climb about to end. One final thrust and Alastor’s seed was in his hand.

Shivers of pleasure jolting through him; Alastor slumped against the table; he had left gouges in the surface of it where his claws had been. He was breathing heavily; watching Lucifer as the angel stepped away – looking at Alastor with a dark gaze - licking the cum from between his fingers.   

With a growl, Alastor pushed himself off from the table – going for Lucifer.

Lucifer tilted his head up and Alastor embraced him; his mouth pressing hard against his as cool shadows fully engulfed them.

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Alastor had moved them to the bedroom. Skillfully; he had landed them into the bed…Lucifer pressed beneath him – facing him - into the mattress. He had also done them the honors of disrobing them both.

Well, Al…who knew you could be such a smooth operator…Lucifer thought, as they kissed with uncharacteristic fervor.

Alastor slid his tongue between parted lips and Lucifer groaned at the suggestive movements it made inside his mouth. When it retreated; Lucifer bit down sharply on Alastor’s lower lip – pulling it.

Alastor pulled his face back. Eyes sharpening into a bright red and glowing predatory gaze, he snarled loudly. His body went rigid; ears perfectly straight with standing hair.

But, just as quickly – the ferality was gone.

The glowing crazed look left Alastor’s eyes and his ears dropped. Alastor shifted; going to pull himself away.

“Alastor, it’s fine.” Lucifer gripped him by the arms; keeping him there.

Alastor made to pull himself away from the King’s hold but found that he couldn’t…

 “Really, Al….it’s ok.” Lucifer told him; looking at him. “Do you need to shift form? We could go somewhere else…”

“No, I…” Alastor wasn’t looking at him. “I should be more manageable but, I can’t guarantee that I’ll be….myself.”

Lucifer let go of him then, releasing his arms. He took Alastor’s face between both hands; forcing the demon’s eyes to meet his.

“Whatever you need…I’m here.” His thumb stroked Alastor’s cheek and the sinner melted into his hands – into the touch.

Sighing; Alastor let the tension leave his body – a ripple running up his spine.

Lucifer shifted with him; his long black devil’s tail and horns coming out to play.

Alastor’s change wasn’t dramatic; his antlers were heavier; his teeth were sharper and he was both larger and lankier than what would be considered normal for him…but, he certainly was no eldritch demon this time.

Alastor’s long limbs set him over Lucifer; his frame leaning and wavering over the angel lying beneath him. His face was all teeth as he bore down on Lucifer; a gaping and twisted grin.

Lucifer laughed; sliding to sit himself up so that he might get a better look at this new deer demon form of Alastor’s.

“Well, you’re just full of surprises, aren’t you big boy?” Lucifer told him appreciatively and he saw that Alastor’s tail was quickly flicking back and forth at this. “Just look at those teeth.” Lucifer stuck both thumbs into the corners of Alastor’s mouth; the demon dropped his jaw, exposing his rows of incredibly sharp fangs.

“I suppose you’ll want to use those on me…” Lucifer said softly, his devil’s tail lifting; snaking itself up and across Alastor’s chest.

Alastor’s eyes gleamed, drool seeping from between teeth.

“I might just let you too…after some fun.” Lucifer’s eyes glowed a soft yellow. “Can’t have that cute little lightweight ass of yours ruining our good time, can we?”

Alastor huffed, flicking his head and dislodging Lucifer’s thumbs from his mouth.

Lucifer leant himself back; eyes on Alastor.

“So…what are you going to do to me?”

Placing a large clawed hand across the angel’s chest, Alastor pressed down – pushing him firmly into the mattress. Lucifer smirked at Alastor’s claws – digging into his skin – not quite piercing through the flesh.

Holding him there; Alastor leant in – long tongue lolling from his mouth.

Glowing red eyes on Lucifer; he pressed his smiling face with sharpened teeth close and began to lick him – his tongue taking long and steady strokes all across his chest and abdomen – tasting the angel. In between strokes; Alastor was huffing – moving puffs of warm air across heated and wet skin – causing a very carnal and pleasant sort of sensation. Alastor’s musk drifted off of him; filling the room with his amorous odor.

Lucifer’s face reddened at this; tension building and sending him arching backward.

Fuck…

Alastor’s huffing and licking continued – his face pressing into Lucifer’s neck and nuzzling him. Prickles of pleasure ran through Lucifer; he was fully erect now and he could see that Alastor had plainly recovered himself as well.

Lucifer groaned; lifting a hand to find the base to one of Alastor’s antlers. Alastor was licking, huffing, nuzzling and sucking at the base of his neck now. Lucifer felt an incredibly building heat…his face and chest flushing in a brilliant red.

“What-what are you doing to me?” He arched further backward and Alastor’s low growl was one of approval.  

Alastor’s musk was driving him crazy. Lucifer’s heart was slamming in his chest; his eyes were so dilated that his vision was blurring – he felt like his blood was absolutely boiling and rushing all throughout his body.

“Mmphg…” Lucifer squirmed; pleasure overpowering his senses.

This….this is….

He was losing his train of thought.

Alastor was moving; his clawed hand lifting from Lucifer’s chest. He was lifting and turning Lucifer’s hips; trying to coax him to turn over.

Lucifer obliged and Alastor’s clawed hands carefully guided him into the desired position. Face down, ass up – Lucifer felt confident in knowing where this was headed. Alastor grasped Lucifer’s long, black tail – pulling it softly outward; the flesh of it sliding through his fingers, and then he lifted it upward so that it was limply raised. Lucifer – thoroughly flushed now – pressed his reddened face into the covers of the bed – winding his tail through the branches of Alastor’s antlers.

Doing something unexpected - to Lucifer - Alastor leaned in. Lucifer’s tail stiffened in surprise as Alastor’s face pressed close to his entrance, warm air puffing against him as Alastor continued his huffing breaths. Before Lucifer could fully register the implication of this; Alastor’s tongue – long and twisting - entered him. Lucifer’s back bent at a sharp angle and he garbled out some incoherent noise of surprise and pleasure at feeling Alastor’s gift of sliding and wet warmth moving through him.

Oh, this isn’t just fun we’re having…Lucifer was thinking. This…this is good.

Alastor gave him another growl of approval; the vibrations of it sending ripples of stimulation through and against Lucifer’s heat. Lucifer choked out a gasp; feeling Alastor’s wriggling tongue touching and pressing against sensitive tissue; his claws dug into the bedcovers, and he began to moan with a neediness he couldn’t have guessed that he was capable of. Alastor’s face was pressed tightly to him; growling and grunting as he continued on, performing his dirty work.

Alastor’s musk had become sharper; more concentrated and Lucifer felt incredibly but wonderfully dizzy from the effects it had on him. Pressed how he was, in this position – he could feel his own member – erect and throbbing; absolutely seeping against his own abdomen and threatening to release.

Pulling his tongue back; Alastor was ready to mount.

He shifted position. Clawed fingers dragging softly across Lucifer’s tail; he gently moved it aside. Lucifer coiled it firmly around Alastor’s thigh; bracing himself to be penetrated.  But, when Alastor slid himself in – it was done with such sweet and gentle slowness that Lucifer felt nothing, but a milk-and-honey type of pleasure consume him.   

Alastor moved slowly….purposefully; clawed hands steadying Lucifer’s hips as he bent himself forward. Taking his hands away from the angel’s waist; Alastor laid himself fully over Lucifer’s frame; his hands finding the bed so that his arms could give him a better leverage in his thrusts and support his weight to give them room.

Lucifer anticipated Alastor’s movements to become rougher….faster but, they didn’t. Instead, Alastor moved inside Lucifer with slow and even strokes; his long and curved penis entering and pressing into him in just the perfect way.

Lost in pleasure…Lucifer felt Alastor’s growls turn into purring grunts as the deer demon worked at nuzzling and nipping at Lucifer’s back and his shoulders, crooning to him his immense gratification.

He’s not just fucking me…he’s….breeding me.  Like I’m his little doe…

There was a sharp jut to Alastor’s movement and Lucifer felt him strike gold. Lucifer cried out at the flood of sensual pleasure and Alastor jutted himself into him again. Lucifer was the first to be pushed over the edge; his cum spraying onto himself and into the sheets. Feeling Lucifer growing limp beneath him; Alastor bent himself further forward; thrusting two more times before releasing his own load fully into the King.

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If anyone catches my little reference that I made here to my previous fanfic : "Dirty Dealings": You deserve the gold-est of stars!!!

Chapter 9

[valeriianz]

Retired!Dream with facial hair, inspired by @watercubebee's art here!

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Dream stared at the reflection of himself in the foggy mirror, his fingers pressing into the warm skin that was now his very human face. The pads of his fingers were soft along the strange texture of his jaw, prickly dark hairs that had begun to grow.

Dream knew what this was– facial hair, Hob had it. Dream had enjoyed the burn it left along his skin when they kissed, had curiously observed Hob when he would trim or shave it, usually with a device that buzzed so it was never too short. The human experience of maintaining and grooming had been fascinating, back then. Dream loved to observe and learn and judge, of course, why humans did the things that they did. 

Hob was always so patient with Dream, explaining why he chose to maintain his scruff, and how “... I don’t see you complaining about it,” said with a smirk and a wink. Of course Dream was a naturally curious entity, he gathered pleasure from Hob’s experiences and stories. Dream of the Endless knew everything, was well aware of the knowledge of men through their dreams alone, their fantasies and nightmares. He had been very content to observe from afar– human beings and what brought them happiness or hardship always seemed so trivial and banal. Something about Hob Gadling, his persistence, his eternal optimism, was different. It made Dream stick around when otherwise he’d grown impatient.

Hob was a fighter, an enigma, something to study under a microscope. And after hundreds and hundreds of years, Dream began to admire and wonder at the mystery that was Hob Gadling. Began to relate to his experiences, growing something substantial in the meantime, something grounding.

Hence why Dream had made the decision to become like Hob Gadling; human. 

There had been trials and tribulations (forced to make small talk with strangers, using the bathroom, brushing one’s teeth, the dreaded ordeal of going to the grocery store and searching for food). But Dream hadn’t anticipated the hair.

He did not care what he looked like, in the waking world. The discovery that his body produced testosterone and therefore, hair, was startling. Dream was a being of absolute control. He couldn’t control this.

But it was… interesting.

The stubble, as Hob liked to call it, on Dream’s face had gotten quite long in the past few days. Dream dug his fingernails (another nuisance, trimming fingernails. A waste of time) into the black bristles and scratched, tilting his chin to look down his throat, grumbling softly at the realization that the hair descended downwards as well.

A knock on the door gave Dream pause, gaze stuck on the mirror as Hob spoke, his voice muffled behind the door.

“Dream? You alright in there?”

With his eyes still roving over his face, Dream spoke up.

“Come in.”

Hob opened the door and Dream watched, out of his peripheral, as he approached.

“Looking at something nice?” Hob teased, pressing his front against Dream’s naked back and winding his arms over his waist, the towel there shifting but otherwise remaining tight around Dream’s hips.

“This is unsightly.”

Hob notched his chin over Dream’s shoulder to see what Dream saw in the reflection. He chuckled as his eyes followed the movement of Dream’s fingers on his jaw, down to his chin.

“You’re just not used to it, is all.” Hob pressed a kiss to the end of Dream’s bony shoulder. “And I happen to think it looks very fetching on you.”

Dream huffed, unconsciously leaning back in Hob’s hold, discreetly delighting in the feeling of Hob’s broad chest, covered in a thin cotton shirt, warm against his damp skin. 

“You think everything looks ‘fetching’ on me,” Dream stated matter-of-factly, causing Hob to chuckle softly, his lips traveling across Dream’s shoulder and up the side of his neck, playfully nibbling along the way.

“And I am always right.” His fingers pinched Dream’s hip bones before descending lower, forcing Dream to bite back a jolt of surprise at the tickling sensation. Especially as Hob’s hands, stark in color against Dream’s milk-white flesh, began to caress the line of hairs that had begun to grow under his belly button as well.

Dream’s breath, another anomaly that he was fascinated by, hitched audibly as Hob’s fingers dipped just a fraction below the towel wrapped around him.

“I also quite enjoy this.” Hob murmured against his skin, watching Dream in the mirror’s reflection. “I love seeing your human qualities come out. How your body responds to it.” 

Dream drops his hand to wrap around Hob’s wrist, meeting his chocolate brown eyes in the mirror as Hob takes a step to crowd Dream further against the counter, his hips slotting along Dream’s ass as he gets his clever fingers deeper, wrapping them around Dream and causing his jaw to drop in a silent cry.

Hob’s eyes flutter shut as he nuzzles his way up to Dream’s ear, bumping his nose against the coarse hairs at his jaw, biting it gently.

“Let me show you how much I love it.”

In response, Dream turns his head and captures Hob’s mouth in a burning kiss.

—----------------------------------

A few days go by and in that time, the scruff on Dream’s face only becomes longer, individual hairs popping up as far up as his cheek bones, and Dream scowls as they even begin to curl.

“I want it off.”

Hob looks sideways at Dream in the doorway to the bathroom. “What?”

Dream stands, that attractive frown only making Hob– who’d been trimming his own beard before the interruption– slowly begin to smile.

Dream points to his face. 

Hob raises his brows as he gives Dream a once over. 

“Your scruff?” Hob clicks his tongue as Dream huffs impatiently, affirmatively. “But it really does become you.”

“I do not care for it. Remove it.”

Hob chuckles lightly, turning back to the mirror to finish up his grooming.

“Always polite,” he quips lowly, tilting his chin as he works. “Give me a mo’ and in the meantime, take a shower.”

After Dream is clean and his skin is warm to the touch, Hob has him seated in a stool he pulled from the kitchen, keeping a warm towel around his face while Hob gathers his equipment.

Dream watches silently, his eyes tracking Hob’s movement before finally meeting his gaze as Hob drapes another small towel over Dream’s shoulder.

He removes the towel from Dream’s face and stares at him, causing Dream to raise a brow.

“What?”

Hob sighs, bringing both of his hands, cool from a fresh wash, around Dream’s face, thumbs stroking his cheeks.

“Just saying goodbye.”

Dream is unable to stop himself from rolling his eyes, another human trait that he’d been having a hard time tamping down.

“Perhaps once I am ‘used to it,’ as you say, I may consider growing it out again.”

Hob’s eyes seem to sparkle with excitement.

“Yeah?” At Dream’s nod, Hob gives his cheeks a brief squish, making the skin bunch up around Dream’s mouth and his frown deepen.

Hob laughs softly, the crinkles around his eyes deepening, striking Dream down and reminding him why he loved Hob so much. The laugh lines on his face, centuries of smiles and laughter etched onto his skin forever. A trait that made Dream himself smile more, enamored by the history there, in not just Hob’s laugh lines, but the wrinkles of his brow too. Years of hurt and frustration carved deep enough to leave memories that Dream could trace with his fingers, his lips. The stories Hob’s skin alone could tell made Dream want to trace constellations upon it.

Hob leaned forward and kissed the tip of Dream’s nose, breaking him out of his stupor. “I look forward to it.”

Dream had to admit, as Hob prepared him for his shave, that he quite enjoyed being pampered. 

Hob had lathered a thick cream upon Dream’s cheeks, mouth, and neck with a horse hair brush, his eyes gone serious, gaze studious as he worked and Dream once again, could do nothing but watch, sitting still as Hob took up a blade and began carefully stroking it down the side of Dream’s face.

“A straight razor,” Hob spoke eventually, his voice quiet, hot breath puffing against Dream’s ear. “Is my favorite for a close shave.” He swipes the blade on the towel resting on Dream’s shoulder, cleaning it before going back in with short, sharp strokes.

“Never goes out of style…” Hob murmurs, his free hand pulling slightly on Dream’s skin to keep it taut. “Also doubles as a weapon, eh?”

He gives Dream a cheeky grin.

“Have you slit many throats using a straight razor, Hob Gading?” Dream makes sure to speak once the blade is safely away from his skin.

Hob hums, going back to Dream’s jaw, going with the grain of Dream’s hair.

“Sweeney Todd style?” Hob pulls back to give Dream a look. “Can’t say I have. Though, in other instances…” he trails off, not finishing his sentence, leaving Dream to guess the answer.

They are silent for a long while after that, the only sounds filling the air being the grazing of the blade against coarse hairs and Dream’s own breathing. It tickles Dream’s ears, the gentle vibrations of the blade, and he continues to study Hob to distract himself from the sensation.

There is an intimacy here that isn’t lost on Dream. The trust he places in Hob’s very capable hands. Hands that have seen violence, committed crimes most egregious. Hands that were calloused over from physical labor and then softened by wielding a pen. Dream was fascinated, watching how Hob’s fingers held the blade, sure and confident, bringing it down swiftly, a tame version of a sword. 

All while performing something so… domestic. These hands had also healed and loved, touched Dream with such reverence, held him with gentle astonishment, as Hob admitted freely how lucky he was to have Dream in his life. Making love to him slow and deep, but also hard and brutal, fingers interlocked with Dream’s and holding him in place, keeping that connection. 

And in this moment, with Hob’s hands touching him fastidiously, attention focused solely on him, Dream felt relaxed and safe, enjoying the experience more than he’d ever admit.

It was over far too soon, Hob taking up the towel to wipe off any remaining shave cream and instructing Dream to rinse his face with cold water.

Once dry, Hob massaged an after shave balm into Dream’s skin, catching his eyes and smiling almost shyly.

“You were very distracting, you know.” Hob says, pulling Dream to standing. “Watching me the whole blessed time.”

Dream’s head tilted a fraction as he brought a hand up to feel his smooth skin.

“I like watching you work.”

Hob huffed, his smile widening as he playfully tugged Dream’s hair.

“Go on, take a look,” he gestured behind Dream to the mirror.

Dream obliged, sweeping his gaze over the smooth skin he had been used to wearing his entire existence and hummed in approval.

“Next time,” Hob said, tossing the towel in the hamper. “I’ll properly show you how to shave, so you can do it yourself whenever you’d like.”

Dream hummed, contemplating.

“Or you could always do it.”

“Oh?” Hob chuckled, turning Dream around and getting his arms around his hips. “Figures a king would overindulge in my humble services.”

“And you indulge me so well,” Dream crooned in a low voice, feeling his lips curl in an unconscious smirk that always caught Hob off guard. It was his favorite thing to do, if Dream was being honest, causing Hob to hesitate and laugh.

“I think I’m just whipped.”

Dream nodded with a considerate hum, leaning forward to brush his lips against Hob’s.

“Good.”

[starythewriter]

Jack Harlow X you- VMAS

TW: CREAMPIE. Breeding.

You step out of a black bently. Feeling the shiny exterior as you stepped out with Jack Harlow trailing closely behind you. He had a big bright flashy smile and so did you. The both of you decided to hold hands. Quickly you saw fans and paparazzi swirling all around you but you both kept walking to enter the VMAs. Today was a giant night one where you and Jack would see your dreams come into fruition, this night would mark a moment in history so life changing.

You and Jack made 2 different hit songs once was named “astronomy” this was a soft hiphop song mixed with some heavy rap. The cover had the both of you in it. This was the story of 2 lovers who loved eachother very much but who were spilt apart and trying to find eachother in almost you could say another life.

The 2nd song. Was called “Triángulo amoroso” which was somewhat reflective of what was happening to you as you were close with Jack at the same time you were near Maluma. You remember when Maluma took you out to date and you were both at a giant restaurant with an amazing rose garden.

You kept walking entering the vmas quickly rushing over and sitting next to Maluma. You and Jack held hands under the table smiling. “I’m excited I already feel like tonight will be just a great night especially because I’m spending it with you Jack”

“I know and by the way you look fabulous you went all out with your look.” Said Jack with a flashy smile he grinned from ear to ear feeling a little spicy already he wanted you all for him. “Thank you” you smiled slowly doing the triangle method with your eyes.

“Y- you… your so fucking… se- sexy” he stuttered loosing his composure. He smiled nervously quickly recentering himself tightening his grasp on your hand as you both watched the announcements.

“Next up is Triángulo amoroso best rap song of the year” they announced he got up you followed him as the both of you cheered and laughed.

You walked up with him holding hands “thank you so much. To my parents mom and dad I love you, to our DJs and producers to Jack Harlow… for just being amazing my people and being so welcoming. Thank you to all of the wonderful people on my team.”

You said with a bright smile “thank you Y/N and my mom, my dad. Thank you so much to the recording academy. Thank you to my friends and my entire family. Thank you to everyone who supported me and kept me safe.

This night has been a true honor and I wanted to give props to Y/N for the amount of support and hard work Y/N put into this record our producers and just everybody. I hope you all continue to enjoy our music and just know we have something special coming soon”

You both finished your speeches smiling and laughing heading off of the stage onto the afternoon party.

You walked toward a table, but Jack grabbed your arm “we’ve waited long enough darling” he whispered he pulled you closer to a stall and the both of you hid in there locking the door so no one could get into your secret stall.

“Ah-“ you heard Jack groan as you kissed him. You both made out you felt his smooth pale skin.

You slowly raised his shirt touching his bare V line making him gasp.

You kissed him moaning. He sat down on a chair you slowly grinded against him taking off your shirt, he slowly did the same kissing your stomach.

You moaned feeling hotter and hotter by the second. You both were exploring eachothers minds through your eyes.

You kissed him, he kissed you. You slowly took off your clothing along with him.

“Relax” he whispered slowly placing his cock inside of you. Making you moan loudly.

You started to kiss his neck, slowly leaving a HICKY he groaned making you moan,

“I love your groans” you said. Slowly riding him faster causing him to groan again. He stared into your soul as you both felt amazing…

You both felt almost as if you were in a whole new world among the stars in just pure pleasure.

You kept riding him you couldn’t stop… not that you wanted to. He once again groaned your name bucking his hips along with yours.

“You’re so tight” he said with a growl fucking you harder. You grabbed onto him the hardest you’ve ever done so, mentally claiming him as yours.

Almost as if he read your mind he whispered “I’m all yours” you moaned feeling horny… “I know…. You’re all fucking mine…. But act like it don’t just say it”

You said teasing him still piercing his back with your nails drawing out blood. He bucked his hips into yours even harder groaning endlessly into your ear.

“How about it? Someone can’t take this.” He said smirking as he fucked you ruthlessly you both moaned and groaned with no intend to stop,

You looked into his eyes feeling magic, you both went as fast as possible as you hit your peak… you both moaned eachothers names.

He grabbed your hand intertwining your fingers and kissing you “I’m yours forever”

“I know missionary Jack”

“Oh you haven’t seen missionary yet. Just wait” he whispered.

You both started into eachothers eyes feeling so much love.

“We almost created a whole new universe” you giggled teasing him. “I know…”

He said giggling.

The end

[callmearcturus]

my mother just flung her tablet at me like "READ THIS" and are you joking

It turns out that Cruise has been saving cinema in one way or another for more than two decades. Long before Hollywood was on the brink of collapse in the aftermath of the pandemic, there was a small British film that was struggling to get funding. Guy Ritchie’s directorial debut, Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels had been independently produced for less than £1million in 1998, but no one wanted to distribute it. Following a card sharp who gathers his friends together to pull off a dangerous heist to make good on a debt to a notorious crime lord, it’s a fast-paced, fast-talking comedy full of the kind of stylistic flourishes that became the director’s trademark. 

For potential distributors, however, it was unsellable. Reflecting on the post-production period, producer Matthew Vaughan told Mark Kermode that the best deal he could get was for the film to go straight to VHS. After some pleading, he got a deal that would have put the movie in only two theatres in the UK. In a last-ditch effort to save the movie, he called up one of his producing friends in the US.

“I rang up Trudie Styler and I said, ‘Trudie, do me a favour,’” He remembered. “‘Can you get Tom Cruise to come to this buyers’ screening in America?’ And she went, ‘Are you mad? You use stars for the premieres.’ And I said, ‘No. There’s never going to be a premiere of this.’ And Cruise, to his credit, turned up in this tiny little screening room on the Sony lot, and it was hysterical because you had all these mid-level executives sitting there, and Cruise walked in. He saw them all sit up and pay attention, all getting on their phones, and suddenly, all these senior executives joined the screening. At the end, Tom got up in front of everyone and said, ‘This is the best movie I’ve seen in years, you guys would be fools not to buy it.’”

I am thoroughly Meh on Lock, Stock, but I will drop everything to watch Rock N Rolla which is an all-time favorite and would not exist if not for Lock, Stock doing well.

jfc thanks TC I guess?????????

[missfrieden]

This is a gift, precisely a birthday gift. It will not be shown in my Masterlist, or anywhere else. No tags besides one. If you see it, sorry there is a spesific name used.

Because I saw @clonethirstingisreal gets birthday wishes. So this is my gift for Carol. Who became one of my favorite names to pop up in my notifications.

This is not adequat as a gift in my opinion to return what you manage to do. Oh now comes the slelfish train. Because the way you make me grin and believe what I post is worth it. I can't ever produce something worthy of a thanks! But I will be damned if I don't try.

Sadly I have no Idea for a title, only that it is a present.

So I hope you like it. It is timed on Pabu.

Happy Birthday Carol ♡

Carol stood in front of the mirror in the refresher, her fingers nervously tugging at the lace of the new underwear set she’d bought. It was delicate, sexy, with sheer panels and lace details that clung to her curves in a way she knew Hunter would appreciate. But as she gazed at her reflection, all she could see were the things she didn’t like about herself.

Her eyes drifted down to her stomach, the way it hung slightly, not as flat or toned as she wished it could be. She traced the fading stretch marks along her hips and stomach, reminders of growth and change, though to her they felt like imperfections. And then there were the scars, faint but still visible, from fights and missions. They were a reminder of a darker time, and while she had come a long way since then, the sight of them still stirred old feelings of insecurity. She frowned at her reflection, feeling her confidence start to crumble. Maybe this was a mistake. She had bought the lingerie set thinking it might surprise Hunter, but now, standing here, she wasn’t sure she could follow through with it. All the blemishes, all the marks, seemed so much more glaring under the soft light of the refresher.

Maybe she’d just return it. Hunter didn’t need to see this. He’d never said anything about her body, never made her feel anything but loved, but she couldn’t help the self-consciousness that washed over her. Just as she was about to start changing back into her clothes, she heard a soft click behind her. The door to the refresher unlocked, and before she could react, Hunter stepped in.

This wasn’t the first time he’d unlocked the door when she was taking too long in the refresher. It had become a bit of a habit between them. Hunter, with his heightened senses, liked using the refresher to isolate himself from the chaos of the ship, and if Carol spent too long in there, he wouldn’t hesitate to come in, shower or not. But this time was different. Carol’s heart jumped as she turned, eyes wide, realizing she was still standing there in the new lingerie, her insecurities on full display. “Hunter—” she started, but her voice caught in her throat, unsure of what to say.

Hunter paused mid-step, his eyes immediately locking onto her. For a moment, there was silence between them, and Carol felt her face heat up with embarrassment. She instinctively wrapped her arms around her stomach, trying to cover herself, already feeling the familiar pull of self-doubt. But before she could say anything else, Hunter’s expression softened. He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving hers, and in that moment, the usual intensity in his eyes was replaced by something else entirely, admiration, affection, and a deep sense of love that made Carol’s breath catch.

“Carol,” he said softly, his voice low and full of warmth, “you look incredible.” She blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in his tone. “I… I don’t know,” she mumbled, her hands still gripping her stomach, trying to shield herself. “I was just… maybe I’ll return it.”

Hunter’s brow furrowed slightly as he closed the distance between them. He gently reached out, his fingers brushing over her arms, urging her to lower them. “Why would you do that?” he asked softly, his hands moving to rest on her waist, pulling her closer. Carol bit her lip, her eyes dropping to the floor. “I just… I don’t feel right in it. My stomach, the scars… I don’t know if it’s something you’d want to see.”

Hunter’s heart clenched at her words. He knew Carol had her insecurities, but hearing them spoken aloud like this hit him hard. Gently, he lifted her chin with his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Carol, there’s nothing, nothing, about you that I don’t want to see.” His words were firm, but filled with so much tenderness that it almost made her tear up. He let his hand move slowly over her skin, brushing over the stretch marks, the scars, as though they were sacred, reminders of everything she had been through and overcome. Besides he saw her in a bikini a dozen times here on the beaches.

“These marks, these scars,” he continued softly, his fingers tracing the faint lines on her skin, “they’re part of you. They’re part of your story. And I love all of you, every single part.” Carol’s eyes welled up as she looked at him, feeling overwhelmed by the depth of his words. “But… they’re not perfect.”

Hunter shook his head gently, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Who says they’re not perfect? They’re yours. That makes them perfect to me.” Carol’s breath hitched, her insecurities slowly melting under the warmth of his touch and the sincerity in his eyes. Hunter didn’t see her the way she saw herself, he saw beyond the marks and the scars, beyond the things she thought were imperfections. He saw her strength, her beauty, and everything that made her who she was. How did she deserve someone like him?

Hunter’s hand slid around to the small of her back, pulling her even closer until their bodies were pressed together. “You don’t need to hide from me, Carol,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her forehead. “I love you exactly as you are.” Carol rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. His words sank in, soothing the doubts and insecurities that had been swirling in her mind. Slowly, she let her arms fall to her sides, no longer trying to hide herself from him.

Hunter, sensing her shift, gently tilted her face up to his, his lips hovering just above hers as he whispered, “You’re beautiful, Carol. Always.” With those words, he kissed her softly, his lips moving tenderly against hers, as though he was trying to remind her with every touch that she was perfect in his eyes.

Carol melted into him, the warmth of his embrace and the softness of his kiss washing away her self-doubt. In that moment, she realized that all the things she had been so worried about, her stomach, her stretch marks, her sscas, meant nothing to Hunter. He loved her not despite those things, but because they were part of her, part of the woman he adored.

As they stood together in the soft light of the refresher, Hunter’s hands resting on her waist and Carol’s heart full of love, she knew that this man, her man, saw her for who she truly was. And that made all the difference. "And besides, I am sure whenever you wear it, it will not be for long." Hunter says with a grin. "You. Are. Impossible!" Carol laughs, smacking his chest with every word. But she lets out a surprised laugh as Hunter moves her towards the small shower. "Yeah, maybe, but I am your impossible." Hunter conters with a lopsided grin.

[minisugakoobies]

Paradise Chapter 14 - Teaser | JJK

Pairing: Jungkook x Reader

Genre: smut, neighbors to lovers (not quite friends but not quite strangers), love triangle, Stripper!AU

Rating: M (18+)

Teaser Warnings: reference to blow jobs

Teaser Word Count: 859 (actual chapter TBD)

Disclaimers: None, other than obviously I don’t own BTS - they simply inspire me

A/N: Helloooooo… sorry it's taking so long for the next update. Here's a little peek at how the chapter begins. Can you believe we're coming up on 2 YEARS since this started?? 😳 Wild. Thank you for hanging on! 💕

(This chapter is still in progress, so this is subject to change!)

Paradise Main Masterlist 💜 Masterlist 💜 Find me on AO3 💜 

Turns out that impulsiveness looks pretty good on you. 

Or so you think to yourself, catching your reflection in the mirror of the men’s room as you leave Jungkook to collect himself after giving him the best blow job of his life (your words - although, based on the look on his face as you’d swallowed, you might not be far off). 

You hadn’t planned on dragging him into the bathroom like that, but upon seeing him walk out onto the terrace in that grey belted suit, looking like an absolute dream, well, you simply could not help yourself.

You also hadn’t meant to tell him you missed him last night. But you had, because you did. God, when had you turned into this - this massive simp? It was only yesterday morning that you’d woken up in Jungkook’s embrace. You’d barely spent 24 hours apart - so why were you so desperate to get back into his arms?

Of course, none of this matters right now. There are only minutes to go before the ceremony begins, and you need to pull your head out of the clouds and get back to Jennie and the others. Starting by escaping the men’s room sight unseen.

“YN!” 

Or not.

As soon as you close the door, you hear Jin’s voice calling to you. He’s standing at the other end of the little hallway, near the entrance to the reception room.

“Hey,” you reply, trying to be the most nonchalant you’ve ever been in your life, as if you weren’t just gagging on Jungkook’s dick in a public bathroom. 

Jin smiles as you approach, but there’s a gleam in his eye that makes you nervous, and you’re so busy trying to come up with a valid excuse for why he saw you emerging from the men’s room that you apparently forget how to walk, trip over the hem of your gown, and crash directly against his chest. 

“Easy, tiger!” he laughs, arms locking around your back as he helps you stand back upright. “I’m used to ladies throwing themselves at me, but only you’ve taken it literally.” 

You roll your eyes, but you’re pretty sure he’s not lying about fighting off admirers, given that he looks like a supermodel in his crisply tailored tuxedo. His bowtie is a little crooked thanks to being squashed by your face during your ungainly landing, so you gently fix it, and Jin thanks you with a soft grin. 

“I left my glasses at home, so tell me - did I just see you leav-” Jin suddenly stops in the middle of his sentence, his gaze drifting over your shoulder. “Oh. Nevermind, I see.” He takes a step back, arms falling from your waist.

Another hand slips into yours. 

Jungkook didn’t wait very long before following you out of the restroom. He squeezes your hand as you glance at him, but he stares directly at Jin, nostrils flaring slightly, eyes narrowed, lips pursed tightly as if - as if -

Oh, shit. 

“You left this behind, jagiya.” Jungkook turns to you, his face shifting into a softer expression as he produces your clutch like some sort of trophy. You must’ve left it on the counter. “Did you want me to hold it during the ceremony?” 

Your brain is lagging severely at the moment, trying to process two major facts at once. Fact one: Jin obviously realized that you were with Jungkook in the bathroom. Fact two: you completely forgot to tell Jungkook that Jin would be at the wedding. Which, given the events of the last 24 hours, it’s understandable that it slipped your mind, but this isn’t how you’d expected to officially introduce them. 

On top of that, Jungkook has asked you a question. And is now waiting for an answer, while Jin watches in polite silence. 

“Um. Yes. Sorry, yes, can you keep an eye on it for me?” 

Jungkook nods, tucking the clutch into his jacket and patting it lightly. “Of course,” he says, nodding solemnly, as if you’d just asked him to protect precious goods and not a cheap bag full of tissues and mints. 

Jin clears his throat lightly. 

“Oh! I’m sorry, Jin, this is Jungkook, Jungkook, Jin.” 

Of all the ways for these two to meet, this might not be the most embarrassing, but it’s definitely up there. There’s still a bit of Jungkook’s taste lingering on your tongue as the two men shake hands, Jin wincing slightly. 

You try to quickly fill Jungkook in. “Jin’s the best man.” 

“Sure am.” Jin grins. 

“He and Yoongi grew up together,” you add, ignoring Jin’s little interjection, knowing that Jungkook didn’t miss it based on the way his jaw flexes violently, as if he’s gnashing his teeth. 

“Nice to meet you, Jungkook. That’s quite a grip you have there.” Jin slides his hands into his pockets. “YN’s told me a little about you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Jungkook replies, inclining his head slightly. His hand returns to yours, fingers locking firmly. “Wish I could say the same, but YN never mentions you.” 

You try to control your face as you look at Jungkook. What did he just say?

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