#and they love when their art gets attention

[anticipatedexhale]

Could you do a drabble of Arcane x rockstar reader? Classic prompt that's been overused 😞

I believe this prompt will never get old darling I absolutely love this idea!!

I'm a Rockstar~~!

⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ ⋅˚₊‧୨୧

♡ ◞ includes: caitlyn, sevika, jayce, jinx, mel, viktor, vi,

☆ ◞ summary: them absolutely being smitten by their Rockstar partner

△ ◞ warnings: gn! reader, the tension is crazy , suggestive like really, I must say Viktors and sevikas parts made me feel smth..

Jayce Talis.

Jayce had never been the type to feel starstruck. He was the golden boy of Piltover, a man who walked into any room and commanded attention without even trying.

And yet, here he was, sitting front row at your concert, absolutely wrecked by the sight of you on stage.

The lights flashed behind you, turning your silhouette into something almost otherworldly. Your voice—strong, sultry, powerful—cut through the air like a drug, and Jayce swore he could feel every word vibrate through his chest.

You weren’t just performing. You were owning the stage, strutting across it with a confidence that made his blood run hot. Your fingers danced along the microphone stand, your outfit hugging every inch of you just right, your movements sharp and fluid all at once. The way you tilted your head, the teasing way your lips curled into a smirk every time you met his gaze—it was all too much.

Jayce sat there, legs spread, arms resting on his thighs, pretending to be composed when, in reality, he was anything but. His fingers twitched against his knee, gripping the fabric of his pants as his jaw clenched.

You knew exactly what you were doing to him.

And you loved it.

Your gaze flickered to him mid-song, and instead of looking away, you leaned into the mic, voice dropping lower, sultrier. “This one goes out to a very special someone tonight…”

Jayce swallowed hard.

His fingers twitched again, his body instinctively shifting in his seat. Fuck.

It wasn’t fair. He was used to being the one people looked at like this. The one who had admirers swooning over him, not the other way around. But you? You had him wrapped around your damn finger, and you knew it.

The concert ended in a blur. He barely registered the cheers, the way the entire crowd was completely enamored with you. The only thing on his mind was you—how fast he could get backstage, how soon he could have you all to himself.

When he finally pushed through the crowd, security recognizing him instantly and letting him through, he found you in your dressing room, still glowing with post-show energy.

“You,” Jayce started, voice thick, heated, as he leaned against the doorframe. “You enjoy torturing me, don’t you?”

You turned, feigning innocence. “Me? Torture you?” You took a step closer, tilting your head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jayce.”

His hands were on you before you could say another word, fingers curling around your waist as he pulled you close. His breath was warm against your skin, his lips brushing against your jaw before he murmured, “You know exactly what you do to me.”

Your grin was devastating, a slow, lazy thing that sent a shiver down his spine. “Maybe I do,” you mused, fingers tracing up his chest. “And maybe I like seeing you like this.”

Jayce let out a low, almost pathetic groan, his forehead dropping to your shoulder. “You’re gonna kill me one day, you know that?”

You laughed, hands threading through his hair. “But what a way to go, huh?”

And yeah. Jayce couldn’t even argue with that.

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

Mel Medarda

Mel Medarda was not the type to lose her composure.

She had spent her entire life mastering the art of control—her words, her expressions, even the subtle tilt of her head that could make men beg for her attention. She played the political game better than anyone, moving through high society like a queen among pawns.

But then she met you.

And you—the reckless, magnetic, wildly talented rockstar who seemed to command the attention of an entire city without even trying—had the audacity to be hers.

Tonight, she sat in a private VIP booth, legs crossed, wine glass in hand, watching as you performed under the blazing stage lights. The world saw you as untouchable, a star burning too brightly to hold. But Mel? She saw the way your gaze kept flickering to her. How, even with thousands of people screaming your name, you sang for her.

The song slowed, the bass humming low through the speakers as you stepped toward the mic, voice dropping into something sultry, teasing.

“This next one,” you said, letting the words roll lazily off your tongue, “is dedicated to someone very special in the audience tonight.”

Mel raised a brow, lips curving into a knowing smirk as you lifted your hand and pointed directly at her.

A murmur ran through the crowd, people turning to try and spot who had caught your attention. Some guessed, some whispered, but Mel? She simply sipped her wine and held your gaze, unfazed.

You lived for the way her expression never wavered—cool, controlled, elegant. Unshaken. But you also knew better.

You knew how to crack that perfect, composed shell of hers.

So you turned away from the mic, running a hand through your hair, letting the sweat from the performance cling to your skin in a way you knew would drive her insane. Then, as the guitar hummed in the background, you let your fingers drag down your chest, slow and teasing, as if tracing where her hands would be if she weren’t across the room.

Mel exhaled through her nose, slow and measured, shifting in her seat.

Oh, she was seething.

Not in anger—no, Mel Medarda didn’t get angry over things like this. But she did get possessive.

She let you play your little game. Let you soak in the crowd’s adoration, let you tease and smirk and act like the stage belonged to you (which, to be fair, it did). But the second the show ended?

She was waiting for you.

You barely made it three steps backstage before her hand caught your wrist, tugging you aside into the privacy of an empty dressing room. The door clicked shut behind you, the hum of the concert still ringing in your ears as you turned, grinning.

“Enjoy the show?” you asked, feigning innocence.

Mel tilted her head, gaze sharp as she stepped closer. “You enjoy making a spectacle of yourself, don’t you?”

Your grin widened. “Only for you.”

She studied you for a moment, eyes trailing over the way your chest still heaved from the adrenaline, the way your hair was slightly damp from the stage lights. Then, without a word, she reached up and dragged her thumb across your lower lip, slow and deliberate.

A shiver ran down your spine.

“You drive me to madness,” she murmured, her voice impossibly smooth, like velvet and steel wrapped into one. "And you know it."

The air between you thickened, the tension sharp enough to cut. You swallowed, throat suddenly dry, but you refused to back down. “Maybe I do.”

Her fingers traced lower, featherlight, trailing over your pulse, her touch both gentle and possessive. “And what should I do with you now?”

The question sent a delicious shiver down your spine, but before you could answer, her lips brushed against yours—not quite a kiss, just a ghost of contact, enough to send heat pooling low in your stomach.

Then she pulled away.

“Come home with me,” she murmured, voice softer now, quieter. “I’d rather have your voice just for myself tonight.”

Your breath hitched.

You could handle teasing, the playful power struggles, the tension, but this? This was something deeper.

This was Mel Medarda wanting you—not just to chase, not just to possess, but to be with you.

And for the first time tonight, you were the one caught off guard.

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

Viktor.

Viktor wasn’t one for loud crowds.

He wasn’t the type to thrive in the flashing lights, the deafening cheers, or the overwhelming press of bodies all moving as one. He spent his days buried in blueprints and research, lost in the quiet hum of his own thoughts.

But for you?

He would endure the storm.

Because even though concerts weren’t his scene, you were.

So now, he found himself standing at the edge of the stage, tucked away from the madness of the crowd, cane resting against his leg as he watched you move under the lights.

And damn—you were breathtaking.

Not just because of how you looked up there, all fire and confidence, a force commanding the attention of an entire stadium. But because this—this—was your element. The way your body moved with the music, the way your voice carried through the speakers, raw and unfiltered, sent something sharp curling in his chest.

Viktor had spent his life chasing brilliance, seeking genius in numbers and theories. But tonight, you were the most brilliant thing he’d ever seen.

The song shifted into something slower, the guitars easing into a sultry rhythm, and you turned just slightly—just enough that your eyes found him through the haze of stage lights.

Viktor barely had time to react before you did something utterly, devastatingly reckless.

You jumped down.

Right off the damn stage.

The crowd roared, and Viktor’s heart nearly stopped as security scrambled, but you just laughed, weaving through the fans like you belonged among them. The sea of people parted for you, hands reaching, voices calling, but you weren’t stopping for them.

You were walking straight to him.

Viktor’s grip on his cane tightened. His brain short-circuited as you strode through the VIP section with that effortless, infuriating confidence—grinning, sweat still clinging to your skin from the stage lights, a live wire of energy.

Then you were there, standing in front of him, so close he could see every rapid rise and fall of your chest.

“Thought you weren’t coming,” you murmured, voice teasing, but your eyes—your eyes were something else.

Viktor swallowed thickly, forcing himself to breathe. “Somehow, I think you would’ve found me anyway.”

Your grin widened. “Of course I would.”

And before he could get another word in, before he could even process what was happening, you grabbed the front of his vest and kissed him.

The crowd screamed.

The music surged.

And Viktor? Viktor forgot how to think.

Your lips were warm, demanding, still buzzing with the adrenaline of the performance. He knew he should pull away, should say something, do something, but all he could do was brace himself against his cane and fall into you.

You broke away just enough to whisper, “You look good in the spotlight.”

Viktor let out something between a laugh and a groan, shaking his head as heat curled at the tips of his ears. “I think you might be trying to kill me.”

You pressed another kiss to the corner of his mouth, softer this time. “Not yet.”

Then, just as quickly as you came, you stepped back, flashing him one last wicked grin before turning and jogging right back onto the damn stage.

Viktor exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair, his mind struggling to catch up.

The scientist in him despised the lack of logic in how you made him feel.

But the man in him?

He was completely, utterly ruined for you.

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

Caitlyn kiramman

Caitlyn had been raised in a world of refinement—strict etiquette, hushed conversations over expensive wine, and appearances that had to be meticulously maintained.

Which is why she had no idea what the hell she was doing here.

The room throbbed with bass, the crowd a sea of energy, bodies pressed together as the lights cast dazzling colors across the venue. The air smelled like sweat, spilled drinks, and electricity.

And yet, despite the overwhelming chaos of it all, Caitlyn couldn’t focus on anything but you.

You, standing on that stage, confidence oozing from every motion, every note you sang, every teasing smirk you shot toward the audience.

You weren’t just performing—you were owning the damn room.

Caitlyn knew she was staring, but she didn’t care.

She had been raised to maintain her composure, to keep her emotions in check. But watching you up there, commanding thousands of people’s attention, only to flick your gaze right at her between verses? It did something dangerous to her.

She should have been used to it by now. You flirted with everyone—the audience, the cameras, your bandmates. It was just part of your stage persona.

But damn it, when you locked eyes with her and winked before hitting the next note, Caitlyn felt her heart stutter.

She needed a drink.

---

The concert ended in a blur of flashing lights and roaring applause, but Caitlyn didn’t move from her spot near the back.

She waited.

Security was already guiding you off the stage, fans still chanting your name as you disappeared behind the curtains.

A moment later, her earpiece crackled.

"Your VIP pass still gets you back here, Kiramman."

She rolled her eyes at the teasing lilt in your voice but didn’t hesitate to slip past the barriers, her polished boots clicking against the concrete floor as she strode toward your dressing room.

She found you exactly how she expected—leaning against the vanity, still glowing from the performance, towel draped over your shoulders, hair damp with sweat.

And grinning at her.

“You should really sit further up next time,” you mused, tilting your head as she stepped inside. “I could barely see you from back there.”

Caitlyn scoffed, crossing her arms. “I was trying not to be a distraction.”

Your smirk widened. “Oh, love, you think you’re the distraction?”

She arched a brow. “Considering you nearly tripped over a speaker when you saw me in the audience last time?”

You let out a groan, dragging a hand down your face. “That was one time—”

“—And the crew hasn’t let you live it down since.”

You narrowed your eyes at her, but the corners of your lips twitched. “Okay, detective. You win this round.”

She took a step closer, tilting her head. “There are rounds now?”

“Always.” You leaned in, lowering your voice. “And I fully intend to even the score.”

Caitlyn felt her pulse quicken, but she kept her expression unreadable. “And how do you plan to do that?”

Without missing a beat, you reached for the towel on your shoulders and, with an utterly shameless grin, tossed it at her.

Caitlyn let out a startled noise as the damp fabric smacked against her, the heat from your skin still clinging to it.

You laughed—really laughed, the sound warm and utterly carefree—before stepping closer, plucking the towel from her hands before she could react. “Don’t look so scandalized, officer. I thought you’d be used to a little sweat.”

Caitlyn narrowed her eyes, but her lips betrayed her, curving into something dangerously close to a smirk. “Oh, I don’t mind a little sweat.”

Your eyebrows lifted in interest, but before you could throw out another flirty remark, she turned the tables on you.

She reached forward, grabbing the front of your shirt, and yanked you in.

Your breath hitched as she leaned in, voice dropping to a murmur against your ear.

“You’re still a bit breathless,” she noted, feigning concern. “Hope I wasn’t too much of a distraction.”

You swallowed hard. “You’re always a distraction.”

Her smirk widened. “Good.”

Then, before you could regain control of the situation, she pressed a kiss to the edge of your jaw—just enough to leave you completely off balance—before stepping back with an infuriating amount of poise.

You blinked. “You little shit—”

“See you at the next show,” she said smoothly, already walking toward the door.

And just as she reached for the handle, she threw one last glance over her shoulder, smirking.

“Score: Kiramman—one.”

Then she was gone, leaving you standing in the middle of the dressing room, utterly wrecked.

“...Oh, it is so on.”

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

Vi.

Vi wasn’t exactly used to this kind of scene.

Sure, she’d been to her fair share of rowdy clubs and underground fights—places where the air buzzed with adrenaline and the energy made your bones vibrate.

But this?

This was a whole different kind of chaos.

She stood at the very edge of the packed venue, arms crossed, boots planted firmly on the ground as she watched you command the stage like you were born for it.

And damn—maybe you were.

Vi wasn’t the type to get all poetic, but shit, you were a sight.

Sweat clung to your skin under the flashing lights, your voice carried through the speakers with that raw edge that made people feel something. Every movement, every glance, every grin sent the crowd into a frenzy.

And the way you owned it?

It made her chest tighten in the best and worst ways.

Because while everyone else in the room was watching you like you were some untouchable star, she knew the version of you that crawled into bed at ridiculous hours, the one who bitched about setlists and late-night rehearsals, the one who stole her shirts and stretched them out just to mess with her.

And yet, every time she saw you up there, looking like you belonged in this chaos, she found herself falling all over again.

Which was why she wasn’t even surprised when you did something completely reckless.

Because, of course, you did.

---

You should have known better.

Vi was already giving you that look from the sidelines—the one that screamed, “Don’t do anything stupid.”

Naturally, you did something stupid.

“Let’s make this interesting,” you called into the mic, and the crowd roared as you hopped off the stage without warning, security scrambling to keep up.

Vi groaned, running a hand down her face. You are going to be the death of me.

You waded through the crowd effortlessly, high-fiving fans, grinning as people reached out, soaking in the energy. And then—just to push your luck—you made your way straight toward her.

Vi could feel the heat of a thousand eyes on her the moment you grinned and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her forward.

“C’mon, Vi,” you purred into the mic, the teasing lilt in your voice making her stomach drop. “You’re not scared of a little fun, are you?”

Vi arched a brow. “Oh, you’re a menace.”

But she let you pull her in anyway.

The band picked up a steady rhythm, and before she could even process what was happening, you slid an arm around her waist and—

Oh.

You were dancing with her.

Not just moving—dancing. Slow, teasing movements, your body pressed against hers, the heat of your skin seeping through the thin material of her shirt. The crowd screamed, people losing their minds as you twirled her once, keeping your grip firm.

Vi could handle fights, she could handle explosions, she could handle damn near anything—

But this?

This was just unfair.

She should be annoyed. She should be cussing you out for pulling this stunt in front of thousands of people.

Instead, she found herself smirking.

“You’re playing with fire, babe,” she murmured, her voice low enough that only you could hear.

You grinned. “Lucky for me, you’re fireproof.”

Oh, you were gonna pay for that.

With a wicked glint in her eye, Vi suddenly flipped the script—yanking you flush against her, dipping you low enough that you gasped into the mic.

The crowd lost their minds.

And then—just because she could—Vi dipped her head and kissed you, deep and slow, right there in front of everyone.

You barely had time to recover before she pulled back with a smirk, letting go just as fast as she’d grabbed you.

“Better get back up there, rockstar,” she teased, stepping back as you blinked up at her, dazed. “You’ve got a show to finish.”

You swallowed hard, eyes flickering between her and the screaming crowd.

“…Holy shit,” you muttered under your breath.

Vi just winked.

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

Jinx.

"Beautiful, Beautiful Chaos" (Jinx x Rockstar!GN!Reader | Reckless Love, Wild Nights, and Kissing in the Mayhem)

---

Jinx wasn’t the type to sit still.

Not in a fight, not during a job, and definitely not in a crowd of sweaty, screaming people losing their minds over you.

She thrived in chaos, lived for it, breathed it in like air.

And tonight?

Tonight was the kind of chaos she loved.

Neon lights flashed across the stage, strobes flickering as you jumped onto an amp, mic gripped tight in your hand, voice cutting through the thick, electric air of the underground venue. The bass thundered through the floor, shaking the ground beneath her feet.

Jinx wasn’t watching the crowd.

She was watching you.

Because—fuck—you looked so good when you lost yourself in the music. When you screamed into the mic, when your body moved like you didn’t care if the world fell apart around you.

You had that wild look in your eyes.

The same kind of reckless, untamed spark that made her chest tighten and her pulse race.

God, you were so—

“YO, YOU LITTLE SHITS WANNA HAVE SOME FUN?”

Your voice rang out over the speakers, wild and breathless.

The crowd roared.

Jinx grinned.

Oh, she knew that tone. That devious, impulsive tone that meant things were about to get stupid.

And Jinx loved stupid.

She pushed herself up on her toes, trying to get a better view as you suddenly jumped off the damn stage—barreling straight into the crowd, no hesitation, no security, just pure adrenaline-fueled insanity.

"OH, FOR FUCK’S SAKE—"

Jinx shoved her way forward as you disappeared into the chaos, people screaming, hands grabbing for you, the whole place erupting into something unhinged.

A bottle smashed somewhere. Someone tripped over a speaker. A guy with a mohawk straight-up passed out from excitement.

And in the middle of it?

You.

Grinning like a maniac, letting the crowd carry you, singing the last chorus like you didn’t have a single fucking care in the world.

Jinx didn’t even realize she was moving until she was right there in front of you—arms crossed, head tilted, looking so unimpressed despite the fact that she was definitely impressed.

You grinned, still breathless. “What’s wrong, trouble? Didn’t think I’d come to you instead?”

Jinx rolled her eyes. “You’re insane.”

“Yeah?” You leaned in,“You like it.”

Jinx didn’t like it.

Jinx loved it.

But she’d rather die than say it out loud.

So instead, she did what she did best.

She grabbed your face and kissed you stupid.

Right there.

In the middle of the chaos, with neon lights flashing and people screaming and beer spilling onto the floor.

You gasped into her mouth before melting into it, arms sliding around her waist, your body pressing flush against hers like you wanted to burn the moment into your skin.

And Jinx?

Jinx just smirked against your lips.

Because, yeah.

Maybe she did like this.

Maybe she loved it.

And maybe—just maybe—she was never gonna let you go.

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

Sevika.

The venue was packed, the air thick with anticipation. You had the crowd eating out of the palm of your hand, your voice cutting through the bass, a raw, magnetic presence on stage. The lights flickered in sync with the beat, flashing as your body moved effortlessly with the rhythm, the mic gripped in your hand like you were born to hold it.

And Sevika? Well, she was front and center, standing just off to the side, watching you with an intensity that almost felt suffocating. Her posture was rigid, her arms crossed, her gaze never once leaving you.

Her heavy, leather-clad frame was nearly a stark contrast to your energy—wild, chaotic, and untamed as you commanded the stage. But you knew what she was thinking. Knew that under all that tough exterior, there was a fire. A fire that you had kindled long ago.

And tonight? That fire was burning brighter than ever.

---

The song ended, and the crowd erupted into a roaring applause. You took a breath, your chest heaving with exertion, sweat dripping down your neck. But you weren’t done yet.

With a wicked grin, you grabbed the mic, looking straight at Sevika.

“You think you can keep up, big girl?” you teased, voice dripping with playful arrogance.

Sevika’s lips curled into a smirk, but there was a cold, almost predatory glint in her eyes. “I could do this all day,” she muttered, her voice low, the words meant just for you.

The crowd was still cheering, but all you cared about in that moment was the tension that was crackling between you and Sevika. You’d both been dancing around it for so long—the chemistry, the constant pull, the teasing glances, the silent challenges that never seemed to break. But tonight? Tonight you were done playing games.

You took a few steps toward the edge of the stage, reaching out for her, pulling her closer. The crowd was still lost in the music, the band riffing off to the side, but all that mattered now was her—her and the way she looked at you like she wanted to devour you whole.

Sevika’s large hand gripped your wrist with a firm, almost possessive force, pulling you into her space. She towered over you, but her breath was steady, controlled, as if she was trying to hold back a flood of desire.

“You think you can just waltz in here and—”

Before she could finish, you closed the distance, your lips crashing into hers. The kiss was fierce, hungry—no longer playful, but desperate. Your body pressed against hers, and you could feel the tension in her muscles, the way she resisted just enough to drive you crazy. But you weren’t having it. You needed her. And you weren’t going to stop until you had her.

Sevika’s hand slid down your back, gripping your waist with a force that left your breath stolen. She pulled you closer, her lips moving against yours with urgency, heat building between you both. Her other hand threaded into your hair, tugging you even closer, pulling you deeper into the kiss like she couldn’t get enough.

You gasped when she bit your lip, just enough to make you shiver. “You’re playing with fire,” Sevika growled, her voice raw, breath hot against your skin.

And all you could do was smirk up at her, feeling the thrill of the chase. “I’ve never been afraid of fire,” you whispered back.

Without warning, Sevika spun you around, pushing you against the nearest wall backstage, her body pressing against yours, heat radiating off of her. She leaned in close, her lips brushing your ear as her breath ghosted over your skin. “If you think this is just a game,” she murmured, “you’re wrong.”

Your hands found their way to her chest, tracing the muscles hidden beneath her leather jacket. “Then stop playing and show me,” you dared her, your voice low, taunting.

The air between you crackled with electric tension, both of you pushing, pulling, testing the boundaries until it felt like something was going to break. Sevika’s lips hovered dangerously close to yours, her breathing ragged, as if she was barely holding herself together.

And then she leaned in, capturing your lips again, deeper this time—no more teasing, no more games. It was as if the kiss itself was a release, a breaking point of every silent moment between you, every want you both kept locked away.

When she finally pulled away, she smirked down at you, her voice a dangerous whisper, “This is just the beginning, sweetheart.” Her hands were already trailing down your sides, her lips just inches from yours, leaving you breathless and wanting more.

---

Back on stage, you finished the set with a wicked grin. You knew you’d both be facing the aftermath of that moment soon. But for now, the music carried on, and you knew Sevika was right where she belonged—on the edge of control.

And you? You were done being patient. Tonight, there would be no more running from this intensity.

The chaos had only just begun.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

all the fanarts of yuu and grim supporting ace through his um awakening as well as ace casting his UM as of late has been making me go crazy 🥹 theyre all so tender and all so beautiful we're getting fed.

And them finally giving us a clearer picture of ace's insecurities is just so?? The build up and the pressure and then the internal monologue where everything comes crashing down when hes forced to face just how weak he is. I really liked that this part of him has finally been explored by the devs waaah.

I also really love how he parallels yuu in a way, the both of them being this "ordinary" person, the both of them lacking the power to protect those whom they care for. Usually yuu takes a step back and the story focuses more on the dynamic of the boys with each other and letting the yuu kinda be like this player self insert but as if late the story seems to be putting a lot of emphasis on yuu's importance and impact on ace which feels like something twst or games in general wouldnt normally do? Because it feels like it makes a chara particularly close to a neutral character and potentially being unfair for other charas duo that others may like idk how to explain it

Im kinda curious as to your thoughts on this, or more specifically ace and yuu's dynamic over the course of the story from their first meeting up to now. Cuz yuu feels like a person or place where ace turns to for reassurance and protection/comfort in a way, like their very existence gives him courage to push forward

[More about Ace’s UM here!]

d hi issgusJkaja I-I haven’t been scrolling on socials the last few weeks so I had the chance to see much fan art (other than what friends have shown me) 😭 but I’m sure it’s very tasty content!!

Yeeeah, I was waiting on the devs to finally get around to addressing Ace’s insecurities. in book 5, we had a brief mention of being being shocked Deuce got his UM before he did, then he was out of commission in book 6, and finally early in book 7 he deflected from the idea of Yuu going back to their original world. Suffice it to say, they addressed both the UM and the Yuu issues so well; it was really heart wrenching to see Ace in denial in his own dream and then struggling with his self confidence in Riddle’s dream. No more cocky attitude and brazenness, ahahah… only vulnerability 😈

Yuu is the one to calm him down when he’s panicking. The one giving him encouragement, the one holding his hand/shoulders (you get an option for this), the one talking him through this overwhelming feeling. That’s so powerful… It says a lot about their bond with their friend.

I love that Ace gets his moment. The first NRC student we met is the final one to get his unique magic—a magic he is able to take hold of, despite his doubts, thanks to Yuu’s reassurance and coaching. The first encounter was the domino that led up to this. First enemies, then friends. Through thick and thin, trials and tribulations, together until the bitter end. And when you think about it, they’re similar in their insecurities too. Worried that they’re not enough, that they’re ordinary, that they don’t contribute as much as they should, that they can’t protect the people they care about. It’s a great parallel, and that really slots in nicely with Twst’s recurring themes and imagery of characters mirroring each other.

Mmm… I think I understand what you’re getting at? Because Yuu is a self-insert type of character, you’re saying it is odd that Ace specifically has been getting a lot of screen time and bonding with Yuu compared to what the other characters get with Yuu. And that it’s giving Ace stans (and yumes) more fanservice than stans of other characters, so it may feel a little unfair? If I’m understanding you correctly 😅

I think that’s kind of hard to judge, honestly. Ace got like zero involvement in book 6 and was not that important for the latter half of book 5. One could argue all this attention in book 7 is just making up for what he didn’t have in prior books. You could also say that it makes sense for Ace to get more of the spotlight given his importance in the prologue, how “the guy that begins it all also ends it all”, and his well-established relationship with Yuu. To go even further, some might point out that other characters like Malleus get this “special treatment” too. Yuu barely gets any time to bond with the OB boys one-on-one, but they get to be Malleus’s secret buddy for most of the main story (even if they technically only physically meet around 5 times total). I don’t take issue with how Ace was handled; this was a long time coming and he deserved it. It’s not like other characters didn’t also get their moments in other parts of the game or events or what have you 🤷‍♀️

While I definitely think Yuu’s friendship is very precious to Ace, I wouldn’t go so far as to say “Yuu feels like a person or place where Ace turns to for reassurance and protection/comfort in a way, like [Yuu’s] very existence gives [Ace] courage to push forward.” I think that’s stretching it a bit. Maybe it’s somewhat true for book 7, since Ace centers his happiness around Yuu’s presence and seizes the courage to charge in with his newly acquired UM after Yuu cheers him on. However, I never got the sense that Ace thought of them as a source of comfort and courage prior to book 7. For a large part of the main story I just got the sense he was a misbehaved idiot with a heart of gold.

Ace bullies Yuu at first and then becomes a reluctant ally when their interests align (ie not getting expelled) in the prologue. Yuu grants him temporary housing in book 1 and supports him as he tries to earn his way back into the dorm and then even as he resists Riddle’s rule. Ace goes pretty far to defend his own stance, but arguably also Yuu’s honor, as I believe he rushes in to punch his dorm leader when he insults Yuu’s lack of education. He joins the investigation but doesn’t really help much in book 2. The he assists in fulfilling Azul’s deal to save Ramshackle and the anemone’d students in book 3. There’s also the infamous scene where he jokes about sleeping in the same room together. He is gone for most of book 4, but makes a long and tedious trip back (with Deuce) to address Yuu’s SOS message. Ace is a VDC/SDC participant and has that whole dilemma with Deuce getting bis UM before he does. In book 6, he is knocked out fighting Ferrymen and tearfully reunites with his friends at the end of the book. Early in 7, he is quick to dismiss the idea of Yuu going back to their world—and then this culminates in his own dream and his actions in Riddle’s, which I already discussed earlier. A lot of other small moments occur as well, showing Ace eating with Yuu, going to class with Yuu, etc.

A majority of the behaviors I recall are either Ace and Yuu casually hanging out or Ace rushing to protect them from something, be it insults or physical/magical blows. It’s not a ton of Ace overtly depending on Yuu. I don’t even think I could find any implications of him depending on Yuu in his dialogue or through more subtle cues. He certainly gets emotional when Yuu is involved, but this by itself doesn’t necessarily mean he looks to them for reassurance. Ace has always been pretty guarded, even expositing that no one at NRC would offer you a helping hand as late as Lilia’s farewell party. It’s only when we get to late book 7 that Ace starts changing his tune.

[fancyfeathers]

Imagine Daughter!Reader having a phone that is constantly going off and the batfamily is just like "Who is that?" then one day they look and it's just one of her friends but they literally talk all the time. Nothing wrong with that! Then they find out it's a boy. Batfamily is probably thinking, "Friend that's a boy? Oh hell nah she already has a boyfriend but two boys that aren't family in her life need to GO" Cut to Damian stalking Daughter!Reader at school(it's normal at this point) only to find her arguing with said friend that's a boy and acting like competitive siblings. No seriously, Damian walked into lunch and saw the two arguing over the school brownie that they had found still wrapped up in it's plastic on the lunch table. So the batfamily continues their regular stalking and with how they've been so far I can only assume the siblings will be super jealous of this random boy that's suddenly stolen their "Sister's" attention from them and treating the rando like a sibling more. Side note: I love your writing and I love your page! I hope you have a lovely day/night<3

Yandere Batfam w/ Wife/Mother!Darling & Daughter/Sister!Darling

To be honest they would block his number the second they felt even slightly threatened by someone else, they probably did the same with her boyfriend but they can’t get him out of her life because their families are in the same social circle and they go to the same school.

But honestly I am imagining her friend as like the most unthreatening person imaginable, like a scrawny art kid that she met in her AP psych class. But since they go to the same school the only person who would know what he looks like is Damian, all the rest of her siblings have not the slightest clue. They probably meet him when he is dropping off a hers and Damian’s schoolwork when they both got sick with something, and they honestly did not picture a teenager who probably has more interest in painting butterflies than socializing.

But then when they talk to each other it’s like all walls completely come down, like one day Damian came home and showed them all of a video of Daughter!Darling and her friend getting into a paint fight at school, which is also supported when Daughter!Darling comes into the room ten seconds later with dried paint all over her.

Now Damian will make comments at the boy that are slightly threatening and telling him to back off and mind his business, especially when Daughter!Darling confides in her friend about her home life a tiny bit.

Dick will try to ask her if she wants to do things that she has done with her friends and obviously gets upset when she says no because if she does it with them then why does she not want to do it with him?

Tim may or may not hack his grades to get him moved out of some of her classes, but he won’t if he if a scholarship student because that could end up with him being kicked out of school and Tim has enough of a conscious to not ruin someone’s life just because they piss you off.

Now once graduation comes along and he goes off to college then that is when they completely cut her off from him and any of her other friends, because most of them are leaving Gotham for school and they are already blocked on her phone so if she has no contact with any of them then their relationships are going to begin to break apart until they don’t exist anymore.

Honestly those few months after high school and before she runs away are the worst because she is not allowed to leave the house, she is hardly allowed out of her room without someone else out of fear she’ll try to run away because she is eighteen now and there for no longer has a legal guardian, so that fear of loosing her just becomes more real.

[loveandwhorespace]

Rough Day with the LaDS

These are head canons that I have. They are 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!!!

Caleb

Caleb is used to dealing with stress. But recently things have been getting out of hand including him not getting laid. So when you offer your body to him he’s quick to take you up on the offer. Hard and fast against a wall, the sofa, the kitchen counter, he doesn’t care. He uses your body until his is exhausted, Taking all his frustrations out on your cunt, leaving hickeys and fingerprint shaped bruises behind. Once his is satisfied and no longer walking on a wires edge he kisses every hickey and bruise, thanking you and reminding you how much he loves you.

Rafayel

Rafayel is frustrated and can’t concentrate on his art. He’s gone for walks. He’s gone to the sea. He’s even listened to music, but nothing has helped him. So now he turns to you. He wants you so bad but he’s terrified he’ll hurt you and he couldn’t live with himself if he did. But he needs some kind of relief. So he takes you to his studio and undresses you slowly reverently, Before having you kneel before him. He taps his hard cock on your lips before sliding past thrusting gently. But those gentle thrusts between your lips turn take on a frustrated edge as he lets go fucking your mouth while you moan around him. The sound spurs him on faster reaching his end with a low growl and sending his send into your mouth with the excess dribbling down your chin. Once he’s finished he wipes your face with a clean cloth before carrying you to his sofa so he can tell you about the rest of his day.

Sylus

The leader of Onychinus doesn’t usually have rough days. But today nothing is working. He’s gone to the range and to the gym, but he’s still in rough shape. But then he sees you his kitten. And it makes his day just a little better but he needs more. I need to feel you he whispers against your hair when you hug him. It’s not long after before you’re in his office with his cock nestled in your warm pussy. You whine needing the friction, needing him to fuck you. But he doesn’t. He holds you still while he works lazy circles against your clit. The touch is devastating and you feel like he torturing you. Only when he gets a phone call does he let you roll your hips fucking him slowly while the timbre of his voice drops. He’s not paying attention to the call anymore so much as using you to reach his release. Once the call ends you find yourself bent over his desk while he fucks you telling you what a naughty kitten you are for not behaving yourself during his work call. He fucks to orgasm first one then a second before finding his release. His lips rest at your ear telling me you how much he loves you and how he can’t live without you as he cums. His orgasm leaves him spent and he rests on the desk with you for a few moments before sliding his cock free and carrying you to his bed. We’re just getting started kitten, he murmurs as he walks. He isn’t quite done with you yet.

Xavier

Xavier is a sweetheart but even he has bad days. He’s usually too tired to care but today, he cared more than he wants to admit. He’s frustrated jittery and unable to rest. Just when he decides to leave his bed for the day you climb in with a brilliant smile ready to tease him. But the solemn look on his face stops you in an instant. You ask him what he needs, and in a voice so soft he answers you. Before you can grasp what he means he’s thrown the blankets of and shimmied between your legs. He doesn’t even bother pulling your panties off, just pushes them to the side. He presses kisses to your bare pussy before lapping at your clit. Your arch your back under the seemingly gentle gestures not realising this is just the beginning. He slides two fingers into your cunt making your cry out in please while he sucks and laps at your clit ringing orgasm after orgasm from you leaving you a stuttering mess. You can’t tell how much time has passed as he rings pleasure from your body while he breathes praises against your thighs. Soon your moans of pleasure turn to sobs of can’t as he pushes you far past over stimulation. He grins against your thigh one more for me sunshine he asks and you give him a frantic nod. He makes you cum once more before pulling his finger free of your cunt and licking them clean before flopping next to you. I feel better now he tells you as he pulls you tight to him to cuddle. You give him a tired smile feeling like you’ve gone ten round with an over charged vibrator.

Zayne

Zayne has had a day. He’s been swamped by paperwork with no break. It’s his own fault that he’s behind but it doesn’t frustrate him any less. So when he gets him angrily throwing his keys into the bowl beside the door he tries to calm down not wanting to take his anger out on you. But there you are his precious snowflake, open and eager for whatever he wants. He decides to teach you a lesson, to make you feel some of the frustration that he’s felt today. He gestures you to sit in his lap before reaching under your skirt. He presses his fingers to your clit, leaving you whining from the pleasure. Just as your about to cum he stops leaving you feeling frustrated. But it doesn’t last as he starts up again this time pushing your panties to the side to slip tow fingers into your needy hole. He hums as he works you toward an orgasm faster than before stopping just short of letting you cum. Another sound of frustration falls from your lips and you look up to see him smiling softly. You’re tempted to call him an asshole but his fingers start working again. The cycle repeats over and over until you sob, and a small please slips from your lips. Your pleas fall on deaf ears as he keeps going. It’s only when a tear slides down your cheek does he stop his torment. He works his fingers faster, thumb brushing your clit, making you cum with a ragged moan and sinking into his chest. I hate you, you murmur tiredly. I love you too snowflake, he whispers against the top of your head.

Thanks for reading lovelies. I hope you enjoyed it ❤️

[freyjas-musings]

@amandapearls and I are so excited to share this commission for Valentines Day 💝 💖 ...

For Every Gwynriel Stan out there ....

Hope all of you find the one that makes your heart spark and soul feel more settled and calm.

@jacqueillustrates is the artist and what can I say Amanda and I are fans ... her art , attention to detail , the creative niche she holds .... we are in awe 💕. Thank you for this gorgeous artwork Jacqueline and I can't wait to work with you on our other commissions .

Kindly Do Not Repost !!!!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Swetha Mahesh (@smahesh.bookish)

For today is the day we celebrate love ❤️ and the potential these two have , I just know their story will be one of love and healing ... one of finding their way to each other ... one of finding that peace and acceptance , that unburdened love. I can't wait for their story and get frustrated sometimes but then when I sit back and think I know it will be worth the wait ....

[m4rv3l-girl]

Bucky x reader in a relationship but noone knows👀

After Bucky Caught up with this year's technology thanks to you and Tony, he mastered the selfie and taking random photos of alpine, whether it's with you or him sending you updates throughout the day! After a few months of keeping your relationship hidden, bucky uploads a photo of him getting ready for one of Tony's parties, and in the bed behind him there's a pair of women's legs(reader) and everyone is trying to figure out who it is! And when you&bucky turn up to tonys party fashionably late, they slowly start to figure it out and everyone starts asking questions about you both but bucky just says that he wants to spend the night dancing away with his doll! And spends the night with you in his arms dancing and when he isn't dancing wirh you he always has his eyes on you, admiring you🥹

Based on this photo: https://www.instagram.com/share/p/_qa-csZfu

Evidence

Bucky x Y/N

Warnings: None, just fluff!

Bucky Barnes had long mastered the art of keeping secrets. A lifetime of espionage, coded messages and covert operations had trained him well.

But nothing at all compared to the delicate art of keeping you a secret.

It had started off as a mutual agreement. With the team’s habit of meddling, Tony’s ever-pressing need for gossip, and Sam’s endless teasing, you and Bucky had decided to keep your relationship under wraps - for a little while, at least. It was a game at first, slipping past the team unnoticed, brushing hands under the table, and sharing stolen kisses behind closed doors. But then, as the months passed, the secret became something precious, something just for the two of you.

The relationship had formed in the quiet moments, the ones no one else was around to witness. Late nights in the kitchen, when you’d both found yourselves restless and unable to sleep, standing side by side as you made tea and whispered about everything and nothing at all. Afternoons in the training room, where teasing jabs turned into full-blown sparring matches, and Bucky - though more than capable of winning - let you pin him down, just to see the victorious look in your eye.

Then there were the mornings. The ones where Bucky woke before the sun, only to stay in bed a little longer, watching the steady rise and fall of your chest. He still had nightmares, but waking up with you beside him made them feel less suffocating. The warmth of your body against his was enough to ground him, to remind him that he was here, now, and not lost in a past he couldn’t change.

You had a way of making things feel lighter, easier. You made him laugh - really laugh, the kind of deep, rumbling sound that felt foreign to him for so long. You made him feel human, whole, wanted.

And in return, Bucky adored you in ways he didn’t know he was capable of. He was careful with you, always aware of how much strength he held, but he also indulged you in the little things - the way you liked your coffee, the books you loved to reread, the songs you hummed absentmindedly while cooking. He paid attention, memorized it all, stored it away in the part of his mind he refused to let Hydra steal from him.

Maybe that’s why the secret lasted as long as it did - because it wasn’t just a secret, it was your secret.

Bucky had come a long way since stepping into this new world. Thanks to Tony’s tech lessons and your patient guidance, he had fully embraced modern-day conveniences. His biggest triumph? The front-facing camera. Selfies had become his thing. Not the social-media-influencer kind, but the ‘random snapshots of Alpine’ kind. Photos of her curled up beside him, stretching in the sun, or the occasional picture of you next to him when you weren’t looking, often followed by a cheeky text: stunning, doll.

But tonight, completely by accident, he blew your cover.

The selfie wasn’t supposed to be evidence. It was just Bucky being Bucky. He had suited up for one of Tony’s extravagant parties, wearing one of those sleek, dark suits that made him look like he belonged in a black-and-white film

He’d snapped a quick photo in the mirror of his bedroom, looking sharp and effortless, hair neatly tucked back, the metal of his vibranium arm catching the light just right. It was a rare moment of vanity, and he thought ‘why not?’

So he uploaded it.

Within minutes, the Stark Tower group chat was in chaos.

Bucky stared at his phone, his face frozen in something between amusement and horror.

He had been so focused on checking the lighting, the angle, and the damn tie that he hadn’t noticed the very obvious evidence of you in his bed. The blanket had slipped just enough to reveal a pair of very recognizable bare legs—the unmistakable confirmation that Bucky Barnes was, indeed, not sleeping alone.

He glanced over his shoulder where you were still stretched out on the bed, scrolling through your phone. “Uh… we might have a problem.”

You looked up and frowned. “What kind of problem?”

Wordlessly, he turned the screen to you.

You blinked. Then, you gasped. Then, you laughed - a full, delighted, eyes-sparkling kind of laugh that made his chest ache in the best way.

“Oh, Hun,” you grinned, taking his phone to read the messages, “you really did it this time.”

A flurry of frantic thoughts raced through Bucky’s mind as he raked his fingers through his hair. He wasn’t ashamed of your relationship, not in the slightest. If anything, he was proud of the way you made him feel human again, proud that you had chosen him of all people. But after months of keeping things low-key, this wasn’t how he had planned for the world - or rather, the most nosy people in the world - to find out.

“What do we do?” he muttered, pacing the room as you continued laughing, sprawled lazily on the bed.

“Well,” you mused, tapping your chin in mock thoughtfulness, “we could deny, deny, deny.”

Bucky gave you a look. “Doll.”

“Or,” you continued, grinning at his exasperation, “we could own it. Show up to the party like we planned, act completely unbothered, and let them squirm.”

He stopped pacing, considering. The idea of watching Tony and Sam try to pry information out of him while he coolly deflected every attempt? That was tempting.

“I like the way you think,” he admitted, sitting on the edge of the bed beside you.

You sat up, curling your legs underneath you. “Besides, it’s not like we’re doing anything wrong.”

Bucky smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “Nope. Just keeping what’s ours, ours.”

You leaned into his touch, your voice softer now. “Exactly.”

With that, you stood, stretching before grabbing his tie and fixing it properly. Bucky watched you, admiring the way you fit so seamlessly into his life. Maybe the secret had been fun while it lasted, but deep down, a part of him was relieved. The world would know now. And that was okay because you weren’t just anyone.

You were his.

He pressed a kiss to your forehead, murmuring, “Let’s go give ‘em something to talk about.”

By the time you both arrived at the party, fashionably late, as planned. The curiosity in the air was palpable. Conversations hushed the second Bucky stepped into the grand Stark Tower ballroom, all eyes scanning him for clues. But it was when you followed him inside, your hand effortlessly slipping into his, that everything clicked.

Sam, holding a drink, nearly choked on it. Steve, ever the gentleman, tried to hide his smirk. Natasha only raised an eyebrow in amusement, while Tony clapped his hands together with a ‘Finally!’ that made half the room turn.

“Oh, this is rich,” Sam announced, pointing at you both. “Barnes, you sneaky bastard.”

Bucky, completely unfazed, only pulled you closer. “Took you long enough to figure it out.”

“Not my fault you decided to upload evidence.”

Tony was already pouring champagne, grinning from ear to ear. “This calls for a toast. To Bucky and his very, very poorly hidden romance!”

You rolled your eyes, leaning into Bucky’s side. “Well, we hid it for long enough, didn’t we?”

He kissed your temple, whispering, “You okay, doll?”

You smiled up at him, squeezing his hand. “More than okay.”

And then, Bucky made a decision. He could entertain the team’s interrogation, let them pry into the little details of how this all started or he could do what he truly wanted to do tonight.

With a smirk, he turned to the crowd. “I’d love to stay and chat,” he announced smoothly, “but I have plans.”

Tony raised an eyebrow. “And what plans might those be, Tin Man?”

Bucky pulled you toward the dance floor, his grip firm yet gentle. “Spending the night dancing with my girl.”

And just like that, the world faded away.

The music swelled around you both, a slow, romantic tune that set the perfect rhythm for the way Bucky held you in his arms. His hand rested at the small of your back, his vibranium fingers tracing delicate patterns against the fabric of your dress. You melted into him, your head resting against his shoulder as he swayed you across the dance floor.

“You really don’t care that they know now?” you asked softly, looking up at him.

Bucky shook his head, a rare, carefree smile gracing his lips. “Nah. Kinda nice, actually. No more sneaking around. Just you and me, doll.”

Warmth bloomed in your chest, an undeniable swell of love for this man who had once hidden in the shadows, and now stood in the light - completely, unapologetically yours.

For the rest of the night, Bucky barely let you go. When you weren’t dancing, he had an arm around you, his fingers playing with the ends of your hair, his gaze never drifting far from you. And when the party eventually calmed down and Tony, drunk on champagne, grumbled about needing more drama in his life. Bucky only pulled you in for one last dance, his lips ghosting over your ear as he murmured,

“Best night ever.”

——————————————————————————————————

Hope you enjoyed the fluff, My Dear! 🫶

[orchidyoonkook]

there's a alot to unpack this chapter but can i just scream because of how adorable these two are can they just kiss already damn, so i loves this chapter because it truly showed the dynamic between these two, like how oc respect ls jungkook's passion and craft and is willing to help her friend (wink wink) out and he respects her opinion as well (completely different to ady ughhh can i just say i am so glad oc got this win on this one not jk trying to figure out the beef his lowkey caught in hahaha i can't wait till he hears the tea)

okay but doesnt the whole ady vs. OC thing when it comes to pictures just TRACK tho.

Like OC is an artist, she knows artists, she knows to trust the artist and their vision and that you're just the subject for their work. Like how a model in a figure drawing will be drawn 50 different ways, it isnt up to the model to decide the best one, they're all just different interpretations, they're not all meant to be pretty or flattering, they're meant to evoke emotions and feelings. That's how OC views JKs photography. In an art way. Which is why she makes a great subject, because she understands his point of view.

Whereas Ady views it like a famous person, she knows that angles and looks and image are important if they were to ever be released to the public. So she has to do damage control on them in case one is released because she has to think of her image and her familys image and such. I loved the dynamic of this, even if it paints ady in a not so great light, that doesnt mean her reasons aren't valid, they are. But that also means she wont be a good person to model for JKs shoots.

back in track yes the way they just have each others backs such a good foundation and omg this whole chapter was adorable from jungkook doing her make up,

cried when he did that, that was a writer moment when the characters took over and did their thing, I just wrote it and i had the exact same AWWWW he wants to do her make up reaction.

uhmmmmm cooking for her bet she was shocked the silver spoon even knew where the stove was,

THE SILVER SPOON AHAHAHAHAAHAHA. And there is mentions of this in future chapters I believe! Like why he knows how too, but yes, OC was definitely shocked for a second there.

him freaking getting the tarts,

food is the sixth love language and on this hill i will die.

the baking date they have which i must say i am so glad jk has oc to talk to about like his home life i love that she pays such close attention to what his saying and the significance behind what he says because his this celebrity who can't trust many people (that ady girl included sorry just had to throw a jab her way oc would be proud)

OC is someone who loves to care for those she cares for. She wants to make sure those few people who she has, know they are loved and cherished, it's a big love language for her, so I'm glad he's opening up to her too because you just KNOW she isnt taking it for granted and she's writing down every damn word he says in the notebook of her mind, punctuating and spelling everything perfectly so that she remembers every detail.

Trust and friendship are such special bonds, and they need to be treated as such in OCs mind, they are not things she takes lightly.

(OC would be proud, yes)

and then the moment oh the moment the nel moment (shocked he didn't say cornelius 😉🤭) that wow that left me mind blow got flash backs to jungkook's little fantasy what sparked that????

JK is very concious of when he uses Nel or Cornelius, that's all i say about that.

The nel moment was and is supposed to be hinting at something. I cant say what or why or when, but i will say it is a big moment.

(yoon give me the details how did you come up with that, was is something you had planned out, what's the significance behind in basically what i am fishing for is what does it mean 😩😩😩)

To trust another person enough to be comfortable not being mentally present and in a different mental state is rare. Again it's an intentional scene. It's an important one, it's the first time she's ever experienced something like that. And the scary part for her is how easy it was to slip into it. With the right company.

I will say that JK knew exactly what happened tho. Which is why he was so concerned and got her out of the situtation so quickly.

If you wanna dm me i can say more, but i also dont wanna spoil things on my dash.

oh and the freaking sleep over and jk's contemplation is so adorable man and the infamous stumble oh that's gonna stick no way we forget that am i...

What stumble 😇😇😇😇 there was no stumble. We dont stumble.

* there is no war in ba sing se *

* there was no stumble *

😇😇😇😇😈

yoon what do you have planned for this couple you beautiful genius of the be a fly in the wall when you do your planning... this is was such an epic chapter i don't think either of them are going to be able to avoid the thoughts that's going to come after this...

I have so much planned oh my god I HAVE SO MUCH PLANNED. as for that other comment

no comment. :)

i am honestly curious about when the shift will take place I am dying to know but I shall wait patiently because this is a slowwww asssssss burn after all 😩😉

I know exactly when, how, why, and where the shift happens. It's one of the very first things I ever had planned.

but yes, it is indeed, a slow. ass. burn.

love ya yoon i hope i am not annoying you with the reviews 🥺🖤

NEVER EVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER. NOT EVER. NEVER.

I L O V E them

and I am politely begging for you to never stop (no actual pressure of course)

p.s yoon i love it when you speak photography 🤭 especially when you give all the details like for real the way you describe and set out the scenes when oc talks about her art and when jungkook talks about his photograph it's those details that makes a story and i Iove it you seriously have a talent for writing!!!

Film school, 15 years of being a painter/artist and highschool photography classes come in handy sometimes! It makes speaking in jargin take up way less research time, and also allows me to minorly laymans terms it so it can be easily digested by the average reader while still sounding like i know what I'm talking about XD

I'm so glad you like it!! It's fun to sort of bring you guys into my real life world in that aspect, maybe even teach you a thing or two, which is wild and amazing and so cool. And i absolutely agree on the fatc that details like it bring stories to life. It's easy to glaze over stuff like that, but i LOVE when you can tell an author KNOWS the niche they are talking about. Like in medical fics or science one or anything. Arts, sports, business. anything. It totally helps cement the worlds in which they are written!

As always, and forever, my dear Kiki, thank you so so so so so so so much for this incredible review. I will absolutely once again remind and declare that people like you are the reason fanfiction communities survive. We couldn't do it without you <3

To What We Were Before, And All The Things After | JJK | Ch. 8

Title: Photo Shoots and Blasphemous Discoveries

Pairing: Prince!College Student!JK x Fine Arts Major!(F)!Reader

Series Rating//Genre: (M) | College AU, Mild Royalty AU, Smut, Angst, Fluff, S2F2L, Indiffernce to lovers, sloooowwww ass burn

Summary: You're just there to help JK with his final project, so why are you being doused in water, facepaint and smoke? Art. Art is why.

Warnings: T, language, fluff, angst, honestly this one's kinda wholesome and fun, some photogrpahy jargin in there, but nothing a quick google search can't fix if you really need to <3, it's mostly surface level jargin. Also the smoke machine works cuz JK has great ventilation due to the massive windows being open, so don't worry bout that XD, some light and fun name calling, some world building. Ask if you need clarification on anything. That's all I think!

Word Count: 11,684

Release Date: September 1, 2024. 4:30PM

A/N 1: Surprise! Happy JK Day.

Series: Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six | Chapter Seven

PJK [7:36pm]: Saturday afternoon. my place. 11am.  PJK [7:36pm]: bring an extra set of clothes, something warm. Sweats if you have them. PJK [7:37pm]: also, Im gunna need your shirt size

The first three weeks of November have flown by and dragged on at the same time.

The weather’s getting colder. You need a thick jacket if you want to be anywhere outside, and all leaves have fallen from the trees, leaving pines the only ones left with their winter coats on. Hot chocolate from greenhouse cafe has become part of your life’s blood so you don’t freeze, and gloves with pocket warmers inside them are once again a part of your everyday. 

But November skies have returned. And you frequently set up camp on the drying grass beside the greenhouse, dressing your canvas with oil paint to their likeness as it’s the only paint that doesn’t dry the second it’s out of the tube in the cold, static air.

Jungkook told you earlier in the week the shoot would most likely be this weekend, and that he just had a few final strings to pull together before being able to confirm. So with that in mind, you intentionally tried to finish all your work before this weekend, knowing the shoot will take a while to complete.

He mentioned it may leak over into Sunday depending on how much you get done on the first day, which is fine with you considering you usually spend Sunday evenings at his place anyway. You’d consider it an extended edition of your regularly scheduled broadcast.

And speaking of regularly scheduled, you haven’t missed a single movie night since Nel left. Granted, it’s only been three weeks, but even missing the two you did because of Nel had made an impact. 

You’d gotten so used to them, having that time to destress and unwind before the week starts. A nice little routine that helps reset you both mentally and physically.

Suddenly not having that was…a weird feeling you try not to remember. 

And you are more than happy to never miss another one ever again.

You aren’t sure what Jungkook tells Adaline he’s doing during movie night, but she’s never interrupted you, not even once. And it’s something you are increasingly grateful for, because she is one of the things you destress from as your unspoken rivalry always amps up the closer to exam season you get.

It’s Thursday evening, and you’re in your room finishing up a Microeconomics 3 assignment while piano music plays on a speaker in the corner. You use it to help you focus, and it’s working its magic as you’re finishing your work in record time. 

Music has always helped you work better, and you credit it largely with how you’ve been able to keep up with everything in your schooling.

Yuri’s in her room, doing homework as well you assume. Or maybe texting Tai—the dreamy, big dicked Ilcalos island Count—you swear she’s only put her phone down for sleep and showering, as she’s constantly checking to see if he’s messaged her. And you hope it turns out well for them, Yuri deserves someone who treats her well. Especially after the whole Jungkook debacle—which you’re not allowed to bring up—and then the poor rebound you aren’t allowed to talk about either. You’re just happy she’s finally found someone worth her time.

Picking up your phone, you shoot Jungkook a text back.

You [7:40pm]: okay! saturday at 11 sounds good. I’ll bring sweats and warm socks

You message him your shirt size too, curious as to what he’ll use it for, but you’re sure you’ll find out in due time. You always do.

Subject to many of his homework assignments, you’ve been posed and lit and adjusted every which way. 

Jungkook is incredibly professional when you’re with him as a model. Light touches to correct posing, always with a ‘may I’ before he does, and he fills the room with kind words, good vibes, and fun music so you never feel awkward. 

At first you were really iffy on the whole idea when he first asked in September, because it would be the prince of your nation photographing little ol’ you. You weren’t anything special—yet—and you’re still never one for being in the spotlight, or for being on camera. At all. But if it was just for homework, and you were helping out a friend…you figured why not? 

It helped that all of your worries immediately faded when you saw the results of that first shoot.

An email from a very non-princely email address found its way into your inbox. The subject was the date of the shoot, and the only message inside being:

 thanks. Hope you like them. 

Let’s do it again sometime.

-J

When you opened the attachments you made a quick dive to catch the phone that fell from your hands in shock. 

You looked…beautiful. Like you never had in pictures before. Not in school, or at graduation, not even in the ones you took of yourself. 

You didn’t know you were capable of looking like that. 

Like how he saw you. Captured you. 

And you’ll never admit you’ve held your chin a little higher with every shoot since.

They make you feel powerful, attractive. More confident, and sure of yourself, as if you were always meant to be in front of a camera. Like you’d been in front of one since before you could walk.

They do that for you.

He…does that for you—with his pictures, of course.

Jungkook is very talented. Very skilled with his camera, and you find yourself looking forward to the concepts he comes up with every time. Trusting him and whatever his vision is wholeheartedly. 

Though a small, immature piece of you is also pleased he still wants you to model, and not Adaline. That he finds you easier to work with over her.

Your competitive streak never fails to come out, even with the smallest, secretive things.

Take that Adaline.

You gladly help him out with his homework, and he does the same for you. 

If you ever need a male reference or a profile study. Anatomy practice, features practice, likeness practice. Anything and almost everything, all you have to do is ask, and he sits still or places whatever you need in front of you while you sketch.

Hands, however, have always been a personal favourite of yours.

They’re one of those things that can be drawn a hundred different ways and never look the same. Always a new position you can put them in. Consistently able to shake things up. And one set is never like the others—like eyes. There’s little differences in all of them and that’s where their magic lies.

You do these studies at the greenhouse, it has the best light to shadow ratio. When you ask him for one, he’ll switch to working with one hand, while the other does whatever you tell it. Normally either placed on your table or if there isn’t enough room, which nine times out of ten there isn’t because of all your supplies, you stick your foot on the lower metal frame of his table and he rests his arm, wrist or palm on your up bent knee. 

Due to this, you’ve unintentionally come to find out that his hands are very strong, very calloused, and very, very warm…

Also! Aside from hand studies, you love loose figure studies because they’re great warm up sketches. And what Jungkook doesn't know is that you have dozens of warm up sketches of him. Doesn’t know you sneak pictures here and there when you can, hiding them in a hidden album on your phone entitled ‘hmwk screenshots.’ And he definitely doesn’t know that when he’s sitting at the cafe, nose deep in assignments, you doodle his features or his outfit in real time.

A nose here, a jacket there. A muscular forearm covered in tattoos also tends to find its way onto your page every so often.

He’s got a good physique. And the ridges make for excellent anatomy practice. So does the intricate line work of tattoos, and fabric rippling. Especially in drastic lighting. Consistency is key in maintaining and improving your work and it’s not like any of these sketches will ever see the light of day anyways. 

They’re just, well…practice. 

A sigh escapes you, and you refocus on finishing your microecon work. You still have two more assignments to get done before Saturday at eleven.

“And why are you working with some random girl when I’m available, again?” Adaline asks. She’s currently sitting on Jungkook's couch in your spot. He’s setting up tomorrow's materials against the big white wall by the floor length windows that showcase his balcony.

It’s why he chose to live here instead of in the dorms or on campus. His place isn’t enormous, like most people would think, it has enough room for everything a regular student needs: bedroom, kitchen, workspace, living room, bathroom, even a guest room. But the one thing he keeps different is the big white wall where a dining room would normally be. 

Jungkook’s place has high ceilings, 10 feet tall, which is higher than the average but not excessive. And the wall that connects his kitchen to the balcony is a perfect mock studio. He can even keep all his equipment there; lights, gels, backgrounds, tubs full of props, camera cases, lenses, and more all stored in neat shelving against another wall. 

“Because students volunteered for extra credit, and she’s who was assigned to me,” a small lie, one he was sure that Adaline wouldn’t dig into too deeply. 

“Why didn’t you tell me I could volunteer?”

“Because you didn’t need the extra credit?”

She pouts, and goes back to her phone.

Adaline also doesn’t know it’s you he’s photographing and that is one hundred percent intentionally planned by him. 

He could sense something between you two after you made that one comment after fall break. He notices now how you stiffen slightly every time he mentions Adaline, and the one time he mentioned you in passing to test the waters, Adaline changed the conversion topic almost immediately. A look of annoyance, or maybe even insecurity in her eyes.

So he’s been lucky that Adaline has never wanted to see any of his schoolwork prior to or after the singular shoot he did with her. 

Lucky she hasn’t seen your face fill up his screen constantly. 

And extremely lucky that she doesn’t know about the hidden folder buried deep in his desktop labeled ‘eqpmt rcpts’ filled with dozens of candid shots of you.

To be fair, you don’t know about them either. They’re random, shots taken every now and then where he thought you looked happy, focused, or just existing. True candids of the most candid person he knew.

It started that day with his first assignment from Professor Hirmer. He’d taken those quick pictures of you painting, and then simply never stopped. 

He has pictures of you in the courtyard, walking and talking to Yuri, you smiling. He has some he took on his phone when you’re over for movie night, invested in the film or talking to him. And a bunch of you painting at the greenhouse. It’s hard to take secret candids when he’s right beside you, but he manages seeing as you haven't caught him yet.

He even has a few of you and Nel, love clearly written on your face in every single one of them.

Whenever he spots you before you spot him, and he has his camera on him, he takes a couple. 

They’ve amassed into a healthy sum, but he thinks of it as a harmless habit as no one will ever know. And it’s not like he’s following you around to take them or using them for anything nefarious. 

He just likes taking your picture. Capturing your spirit, your candor. 

Your realness. 

You are wholly yourself, always, no holding back, all of the time. 

And to him, it feels like coming up for a breath of fresh air.

“Hey!” you say as you let yourself into Jungkook’s apartment. You’d knocked but no one answered and it was currently 10:56am on Saturday, so you knew he was here. Plus, his door was unlocked.

“Jungkook?” you call. 

No answer.

You take your shoes off after closing the door and locking it. He should really keep his door locked. 

Very quickly become best friends with the couch, you toss your backpack of warm clothes on the floor while you wait for him to make an appearance. 

There’s shoot equipment everywhere; lights in the corner, some with soft boxes on them, gels laid out on the coffee table, and what you’ve come to learn is a lens case sits on the couch beside you in Jungkook's usual spot. 

Jungkook has also somehow managed to find some small trees in blue ceramic pots and what you’re pretty sure is a smoke machine. 

But the most peculiar thing is what looks to be a kiddie pool up against the wall with a folded tarp at its base. 

Well that's…interesting…

You hear a door open somewhere in the apartment and running water. 

“Jungkook? That you?”

“Hey! Yep. Just give me a sec, I’m almost done.”

The water sounds cease and Jungkook makes his grand entrance as he turns the corner holding a large watering can. Your eyebrow raises.

“For the trees?” you ask.

“What?” 

You point to the watering can currently making his veins pop. 

He laughs, “Oh! No. This is for later. You’ll see,” and walks to the other side of the room by the pool. 

“Aren’t we mysterious today,” you say, following him with your eyes. He’s in ripped black jeans that accentuate the muscle definition of his thighs, and a matching baggy shirt. When his back is turned you snap a quick picture. The fabric folds on his baggy shirts are some of your favourite mindless things to cool down sketch.

“Nah, just focused. We have a lot to get through today.”  He sets down the watering can and you can see the moment the switch flips from friend to photographer. “The guest room is ready for you. There’s a clothing rack inside with each look labeled. There’s also makeup and face paint, if you could bring out the make up after you're done changing, that would be great. We’re gonna start with ‘Bright and Bold’, okay?” 

You usually use the spare room as a change room when you have to switch clothes for a shoot. But they were always from your own closet. He’d tell you the concept he was going for and you’d bring a few options to choose from.

Makeup you were used to, though. Jungkook loves abusing your artistic abilities for his shoots in the way you decorate your face or body, saying they make his works a level up from the rest of his classmates. 

They also usually make for some of the coolest pictures you have of yourself.

This is the first time he’s ever bought clothing, though.

You shouldn’t be as surprised as you are, this being his final assignment for an important class, and him being as serious as he is about his work and the final product. But you can't help it, you’re excited to see everything he’s chosen for the shoot. 

For you.

For the shoot.

“Yep, sounds good. Be out in a few,” you reply. He nods in acknowledgement before moving to set something up and you don’t stick around to find out, grabbing your bag and heading towards the door lined hall. 

The guest room is modest and clean. White sheets and gray comforter with, surprisingly, two throw pillows to spruce it up. The walls are white too, but you’re pretty sure that’s because Jungkook’s not allowed to paint the apartment per his landlord's wishes—a thought that still makes you laugh.

He could buy any place he wanted, but chose to rent. ‘To get the real university experience,’ he explained when you asked him the first time you went over.

Black furniture accents the room. A comfortable looking leather chair sits in the corner by a glass door that leads to the balcony. It has a small table beside it. There’s a dresser with a mirror in the other corner and of course, in the center of the room, is the bed. It’s a nice room. However, the newest edition is what’s keeping your eye.

Four shirts hang from the rack at the foot of the bed. The first is vibrant and colourful, the second a light neutral short sleeved V neck, third is strapless and skin coloured, and the last is made from thin black fabric you assume will be skin tight by the looks of it. 

As promised, they’re all labeled with a sticker. 

You throw your bag on the bed and grab the colourful one first. Its sticker says ‘bright and bold,’ and you put it on after removing the shirt you came in, then zip it up. The material feels heavy, durable and expensive. You check the tag on the inside seam and see it’s from Ilkaya, one of the biggest and most expensive fashion designers on this side of the realm. 

Your eyes bug out of your head, and you try not to breathe too hard for fear of ruining it. Your routine of thrifting all your clothes makes you pretty damn sure you can’t even imagine how much this cost. 

It feels good though, comfortable, not itchy. Really freaking expensive.

You look at yourself in the mirror, and you have to admit you look amazing. It fits perfectly in all the right places, compliments your skin tone, and even brings out your eyes. Begrudgingly, you admit to yourself that maybe there’s some sense in what the price tag could be. But it would still be a ridiculous sum for a jacket.

With one last look in the mirror, you grab the palettes, brushes and other tools off the dresser, and leave your designated dressing room for the day in favour of returning to the living room. 

Jungkook’s got music going from your shared playlist. Insisting on making one after your second shoot together, when he decided you both agreed to the arrangement becoming a regular thing. It’s a good mix of both of your musical tastes, even though you guys figured out quickly that you liked pretty similar stuff anyway. 

“What do you think? Does it work?” You ask as you turn the corner. 

Jungkook fiddles with this camera before looking and pausing for a moment to take you in. You hope you look okay, but the weird look he has on his face makes you backtrack a bit. 

“Is this not the one you wanted? It had the label on it. But I can go back and double che- ”

“You look amazing,” is all he says, and your worry slides off you instantly. He smiles wide, the one you’ve come to recognize as genuine. 

“Thanks. But the colour’s doing most of the work for me,” you say, smiling back shyly.

He has a white background set up, and two differently coloured gel’d lights sit on opposite one another, a third, smaller floor light faces the background. A backlight, he’d call it. 

Bright and Bold indeed, though there is the matter of-

“What do you want me to do for my make up?”

“Actually,” he sets down his camera gently on a table, “Is it okay if I do it? I want it to be a little more on the amateur side and I don’t think your years of refined talent would let you get the exact look I want.” 

That’s new. But you're here to stand and look however he wants you too, so you allow him with a nod. 

“Sure, where do you want me to sit?”

“Here’s fine,” he says as he pulls a stool that was off to one side close to one of the windows. “As long as you don’t mind holding the make up. I don’t have a table to set them down on.  Should’ve thought of that, sorry.” 

You can tell he’s mentally scolding himself for forgetting something.

“No no, it’s fine,” you say, taking your seat, “I don’t mind, really.” 

Placing the balls of your feet on the bar that holds the chair legs together, you make your lap even enough to set the palettes out, and use a hand to hold all the brushes. 

Jungkook laughs, noticing your feet as you sit, “Cute socks.”

They’re light blue with a fox face on them, and little ears stick up from the elastic around the ankle. 

“Thanks,” you laugh too, they’re your favourite pair. “I call them my fox socks. They’re lucky.”

“Let’s hope so. Wish me luck fox socks,” he calls to your toes, and you wiggle them in response.

He picks a brush and chooses a colour. “Close your eyes and let me know if I’m pressing too hard. If it isn’t obvious, I’ve never done this before.”

You close your eyes and whisper, “Will do.”

It's a uniquely intimate experience having your makeup done. Willingly letting someone get up close and personal with you, allowing them to see every potential scar, blemish and pore in the name of beauty and for the sake of creativity. 

In this case, it’s also a little questionable considering where you feel the brush putting down colour: cheeks, lids, temple, nose. However, you’re simply a pawn in a well thought out plan, so you sit and wait for him to finish.

“Annnd done,” he says, making a final swipe with the brush on your cheek. “You look great! I didn’t hurt you, right?” he asks, showing you the makeup in a palettes mirror. Your face looks like it’s been attacked by a rainbow in the best way. You smile, taking the mirror from him and looking at all the little details. 

For a first timer, Jungkook did a really good job. 

“Nope, I’m good. How do you want me?”

Jungkook leads you to the backdrop, placing you in front. 

“One second,” he says, grabbing a remote and clicking a button to lower the black out curtains on the windows, and then another that turns off the apartment lights. He also clicks on all the lights he’s set up and you’re quickly illuminated by a bright red and purple as well as the back light.

“I’m good to pose?” he asks. 

“Yep.” 

You love that he always asks first. It makes you feel safe and considered, consenting to every touch prior to its occurrence. 

Jungkook instructs the first pose to have your hands on the sides of your face, making slight adjustments so that you don’t cover any of the makeup. And for the first time, his touches leave little sparks where they land. 

You’re sure it’s just because of the lights or that the shirt is thick and makes you warm. 

Or maybe you’re just nervous and need to get the first photo jitters out of your system.

Soon enough, the camera’s pointing at you and you smile the brightest you can. He’s given you the prompt of ‘you’re so excited and happy you can’t hold it in,’ and you work with it the best you can, taking the first few with the pose he gave before being given full reign. 

It’s a decent way into the first shoot when Jungkook says, “Hmm…we’re not quite there yet, I need a bit more,” and follows up with, “How about ‘you’ve just been commissioned by the Modern Art Museum to have the leading showcase for next year’.” 

You smile the biggest you think you ever have at the thought. Because that’s the dream, that is the biggest goal you could achieve. An entire gallery of your work as the primary exhibition in the Western Shores Modern Art Museum? You couldn’t go any higher. It’s every artist's dream.

“There you go! That’s it!” The camera’s capturing quickly as you imagine what it would be like to have your own showcase at the WS-MAM. Incredible is the first word that comes to mind, your work in the biggest museum on the continent? You can’t even imagine, but you want to. 

One day, you promise yourself. You’ll do it one day.

“Okay,” Jungkook says, breaking your daydream, “Let me switch out the gels for new colours and go again. These are great so far though, you're doing amazing.” 

You hold your hand out for a high five and he smacks it. “Go team!” you say, and he laughs.

An hour and a half, a makeup fix and three lighting changes later, the first shoot finishes. You collapse on the couch and rub the muscles on your thighs. 

Jungkook plops down beside you, nose deep in the pictures he’s just taken, double checking everythings good.

“This is a fantastic start, I hope we can keep it up all day and finish before tomorrow.”

“Me too,” you say, and you mean it. Shoots with him are always fun, but inevitably tiring. “I’m gonna to grab a water, want one?” 

“Yes please,” he replies without looking up.

In the kitchen, you open the fridge to grab the two bottles and notice a box, stamped with a coffee mug that has a greenhouse inside of it, on top. The greenhouse cafe’s logo. 

“Can I ask what’s inside the cafe box?” you ask as you sit back on the couch and pass him a bottle.

“Ah, caught red handed,” he says, setting his camera on the table and taking a swig. “I may have asked Vivan earlier this week to make sure there was an overstock of tarts so I could grab them for you as a thank you for today.”

...Oh

That’s so sweet. He’s never gotten you a thank you gift before, especially not in the form of the most delicious pastry to ever exist. Maybe you should get him something for all the times he’s helped you with homework? A solstice gift maybe?

There’s heat forming in your chest and you really hope it’s not the beginning stages of heartburn. Maybe Jungkook has antacids. 

“You didn’t have to do that, I’m happy to help.”

“So you don’t want them then?” his shit eating grin making a glorious comeback because he knows what your answer’s going to be.

“No! I want them. I most definitely want them.”

He chuckles and puts his water down.

“Okay Donatello, glad you accept. Let's move on to the next set up. There’s makeup remover and cotton pads in the room, and some moisturizer too if you need it.”

The next shoot is called ‘Regality,’ and it has you in the strapless shirt. You find out it’s quite a low cut when you put it on. There’s enough to cover you, but there’s definitely a lot of your chest showing. However, under the shirt on the hanger is a scarf to cover yourself with, which you think is very considerate.

“Makeup?” you ask as you come out again, scarf covering you.

“Neutral, but strong. Kind of like how my mother does,” the background is still white, but you have a hunch that it will remain white in this picture, unlike the last one. “This one is going to be black and white, so try to emphasize your natural beauty.”

You ignore that he essentially just said you're beautiful, surely he’s just being kind and professional. Making sure his model feels good about herself. 

Right?

Right.

You put on a coat of mascara and go light on the shadow so it won't be too dramatic on film. You also use a shade of lipstick that adds just a tint to your lips and a blush that makes your eyes pop.

Jungkook has you sit on the stool from earlier and faces your body three quarters of the way towards the camera, but keeps your head turned in profile. 

“Oh! Almost forgot, one second,” Jungkook jogs to his room, coming back with a palm sized velvet box. “I had my mother send these over for this shoot. She has better taste than me, so I let her pick them out.”

Your stomach plummets to the floor when he opens the box. 

Inside are two dangling diamond earrings, and quite possibly the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen.

And now you’re terrified. 

“Jungkook, I can't wear those. They look like they’re worth more than my house, my car and my tuition combined.”

He takes one out and places it in your hand for you to put in, it’s the length of your index finger. And all you can think about is the potential houses you’re holding as you look at it. 

It’s a semi-rectangular earring, encrusted with four columns of diamonds that cascade down, each column longer than the previous. Like a sparkling waterfall you can attach to your ear.

“Don’t worry about it, mum said she never wears them anyway because they’re part of a set that the necklace was lost to years ago. Please,” his face is nothing but reassurance and small smiles, “You’re giving them a chance to live again.”

You couldn't say no to those eyes even if you wanted to.

So you reply, almost breathless and still against your better judgment, “Okay.”

Placing them in one after the other, they have a significant, understandable weight to them. You take a couple deep breaths so you don't freak out, and then you return to your previously designated pose, profile set, body facing the camera.

“Can I adjust?” Jungkook asks, after taking a step back and getting a wider view. 

You nod gently, still terrified of the earrings.

He makes sure the earring is visible and untangled first, before a finger gently comes beneath your chin, and lifts it a bit higher. 

The feeling they leave behind is all you can think about as you stare at your place on the wall, Jungkook snapping away. Not even the soft light illuminating your profile is enough to make you blink.

This shoot goes by quickly, and you’re relieved to get the earrings back safely inside their box.

“It’s like 2:45, wanna break for a late lunch?” Jungkook asks. 

“Please, I’m starved,” you say, returning from the guest room after tossing on the sweater you brought. “What's on the menu?”

“Well, we have two options,” he says, looking very faux serious, “1. We order out from wherever you want and awkwardly wait for it to arrive because the next shoot is not one we can’t prep for, then eat, then shoot.  Or 2. I make use of the ingredients I bought to make Bulgogi Kimchi Fried Rice and you get lunch and a show.”

You're shocked. 

Jungkook…cooks? Oh this you absolutely must see.

“Hmm….” you say, pretending to really mull it over in the same ‘serious’ tone, “I’m thinking I’ll have to go with option two, Chef. But I’ll lend a hand where I can, no use in standing around doing nothing.”

“Every chef needs a sous.”

With both of you on task, lunch is getting made quickly. Jungkook has all the ingredients to make ‘my buddy’s famous family recipe,’ a man who you assume is a chef back at the palace. The island countertop is currently covered in them; onion, kimchi, marinated bulgogi, gochujang, cooked rice, eggs and more. 

You’re surprised at how skilled Jungkook is in the kitchen. He’s cutting the ingredients like he’s been doing it his whole life and working the pan over the stove like the proper technique has been drilled into him since birth. 

Thirty minutes pass, and after both of you shed a tear at the cut onions and evenly split the remaining tasks, you’re sitting on the couch about to take your first bite. It smells delicious. Your mouth is watering and you can’t wait to dig in, stomach painfully empty by this point.

Finally taking that first bite, you nearly die of euphoria.

“Ouhmahgaud,” you say, mouth half full. Jungkooks on the other side of the couch, trying not to cough out his own food from laughing at your reaction. His eyes are nearly shut with how wide he’s smiling.

“Good?” he asks after swallowing his food first, like a civilized person.

You’re vigorously nodding as you swallow your own helping in hopes you’re understood.

“You’re giving me this recipe. I need it. I don’t think I will survive if this is the only time I ever get to eat it.” Your bowl is almost half gone already. Thank god there’s leftovers, you will be having more.

Plus, you want to make it for your mom when you go home, she’ll love it. 

“I’ll text it to you later, don’t worry.”

You’re very sure the look on your face conveys the gratitude you feel and the rest of the meal passes in a very comfortable and satisfied silence. 

Twenty-ish minutes later, after letting your seconds settle for a couple minutes, Jungkook gets back to business. 

“Next look is the most adventurous, it uses the facepaint. Are you okay with contacts?”

“I think so, never tried them before though. Just give me a few before we start so I don’t explode when I stand up.”

“All good,” he says, before quirking a lip and adding, “I really don’t feel like explaining why there’s kimchi and bits of you all over my walls to either of our parents, so take all the time you need.”

You laugh, firstly at the visual, then at the idea of Jungkook meeting your mother. That would be something you needed on record, paper and film.

After a minute, you get up, the guest room making your acquaintance once more. 

“This one is called Enigmatic,” Jungkook calls.

“Got it!”

You take longer than normal to change, maybe eating before putting on the skin tight shirt wasn’t a great idea. But at least it was stretchy. 

It has long sleeves, a high neck, and is a very dark midnight black. There’s a matching black scarf for this one too, and a safety pin attached to the corner.

“Okay, what's the plan for this one? I hear facepaint is involved,” you say, back for round three, scarf in hand.

The background of the set is black now, a close match to your shirt. Jungkook is by the smoke machine, currently set up on the stool and plugged into a nearby outlet. 

You hold up the scarf, questioningly.

“That’s to go over your head after the paint, but let’s see if you can do contacts first, they’re in the washroom. Need help?”

“No, I'm good.”

You don’t succeed at first, but after a couple attempts you look in the mirror and see purple eyes staring back at you. You love them.

“I look like a badass,” you say, returning. The smoke machine’s been turned on and it’s created a completely different atmosphere. At your reemergence, Jungkook shuts it off and comes close to give you a look. You freeze a little at the eye contact, his browns meeting your currently violets for a prolonged moment.

“They look better than I’d hoped, this is going to be great.” 

He reaches under the gels on the table for a piece of paper. It’s a makeup model face with the look he wants drawn on. “Are you able to do something like this?”

The diagram shows the cheeks, bottom half of the nose and down all the way to the neck as black, and the eyes and up as white, bleeding down into the black like smoke. You’re going to need eyeshadow for that part. If you did that with the face paint it would just become a gray mess.

“Yep, but it’s going to take some time to get it right.”

“That’s okay, I’ll use it to get the smoke machine properly set up.”

You use one of the palette mirrors and start with the white, covering the top of your face and making a good base layer for the eyeshadow. Then fill the bottom of your face and neck with the black. Carefully, so as to not make gray, you use a large brush to cover both sides with their respective eyeshadow shades, before blending them together like the reference. Your skin starts to feel like it’s on fire by the time you're satisfied and you check your phone for the time when you finally finish. 

4:37pm. 

Not bad. You put the scarf over your head and cover your ears with it, using the safety pin to hold it in place. 

“Done.”

Jungkook takes one look at you and lights up. 

“Have I ever mentioned how talented you are, and that you make my schoolwork so much more fun? Because I feel like I should again even if I already have.” Your cheeks heat, glad he’s excited you’re able to help. “How did you manage to make it look even better?”

“I do vaguely remember mentioning something about a deal with a semi-suspicious genie,” you joke. And both of you break out in giggle fits after a second, recalling the conversation from forever ago. 

Running through the same steps of lighting, posing, and adjustments, Jungkook then flips on the smoke machine and lets it fill the room heavily before starting to take pictures. 

You’re sitting on a small box this time, so that you’re slightly lower than the camera. Jungkook tells you to keep your hands at your sides and look up, just above the rim of the camera lens. It creates a very interesting look, and you're excited to see the results. 

He has you do a couple more poses before allowing you to do your own thing once more, trying to think of what would look mysterious and enigmatic.

You try to let the music inspire you. This is a look you’ve never done before, so you’re finding it a bit difficult to get into it despite Jungkook's helpful prompts and suggestions. But you flow a bit better with it as time goes on and you become more comfortable.

An idea pops up out of nowhere and you have him do a close up from the middle of your chin to the middle of your forehead. You stare straight into the lens to really showcase the purple contacts and makeup.

“This’s the one for sure,” he says, taking a few more. “Great idea, why didn’t I think of a close up in the first place?” You know he's talking to himself at this point. 

It’s close to 6:15pm when Jungkook decides he has enough pictures for this look. You don’t mind the longer shoot seeing as you set aside the day for this, and you can’t wait to see how these ones turn out in particular.  

You’re halfway through getting the face paint off, a mountain of gray stained cotton pads beside you, when Jungkook turns the music down.

“Let’s do a light, early dinner and then shoot the last one?” he asks. “I kept this one at the end because it’s going to create the most mess and it’ll be nice to have dinner out of the way for when I have to clean up.”

“More mess than this?” you point to the cotton pad mountain.

“Much more.”

“Light, early dinner it is,” you confirm, not wanting to have to wait till late to eat. “But can we order out so I have time to get the rest of this off?”

“Sure, what’ll it be?”

Clean faced, moisturized and ramyeon filled, you and Jungkook are preparing for the last shoot. Or well, lightly arguing.

“Water?”

“Mhm.”

“On me?”

“Yep.”

“From that thing,” you point to the contraption he calls a c-stand that will be holding the very full, very large watering can over your head for an extended amount of time, “And into there?” you point again to the kitty pool on top of the tarp that’s underneath the watering can c-stand. 

“That is the plan,” he looks amused at your slight distress.

“Are you nuts? What if it falls on me? How do I know it won’t unhinge and I’ll have a nicely cracked open skull to explain to my mother on Solstice break?”

“It won’t fall and you know it won't because you trust me and trust I wouldn’t put you in unnecessary danger. But if it does, tell your mom I say hi and sorry.”

You scoff at him, unbelievable. “So you admit there’s a bit of danger!”

Jungkook sighs, and looks to the ceiling. “Yes, YN. There is a touch of danger. But that’s only if, somehow, the c-stand I have triple safety checked, duct taped twice, and quadruple secured with four fifteen pound sandbags, decides that you deserve a watering can to the head.”

You side eye his tone. This wasn’t an unrealistic worry. But you do trust him. And trust he would never intentionally put you in any danger.

The trees are set up near the backdrop that looks like a row of brick houses. The shot is supposed to be ‘The Calm after Before the Storm,’ where you look relieved and happy in an ‘outside’ setting while ‘rain’ falls over you, also in black and white.

“Fine, but if I hear one peep from that thing,” c-stand staring down the tip of your finger once more, “I’m tuck and rolling and taking you out while I do it.”

“Very fair!” he says relieved, and goes to set up the stand with the watering can. 

You’d changed into the neutral V neck after dinner, and he’s asked for no makeup. So all you have to do now is stand and pose while trying not to die from foreign objects falling from the sky while you get wet.

Easy, right?

Wrong.

It is incredibly difficult, and you’re glad he made this one last because you’re at best; slightly miserable. Only the promise of a hot shower, hot chocolate with whip cream and marshmallows and your pick of whatever you watch afterward is keeping you going.

You started this one just shy of 8pm after waiting 45 minutes for the food. And it’s nearing 9:30 now. Jungkook has had to refill the watering can four times, dump the kiddie pool twice,  and you swear if you don’t finish within the next twenty minutes, you’re going to collapse from shivering.

To be fair, he does fill the watering can with warm water, but it only stays warm for so long before freezing water is pouring on you for the millionth time tonight. 

“I have one last idea, and by the way, I’m never doing this concept again so don’t worry about that, but also… don’t shut down the idea immediately okay?” Jungkook says. 

The watering can is almost empty again and you’re relieved that your time is almost up. That in itself should make for a good picture. He snaps it.

But his tone makes you a little wary, “Okay… what is it?”

“Pretend I’m Nel and you’re seeing me for the first time in six months, like you do at the end of April.”

Well, you didn’t have that down on your photo shoot prompt bingo card. 

Are you okay with the idea? You aren’t sure, but aren’t not sure either.

“I mean, I’ll try. Maybe you could give vocal cues to try and help? But don’t make it weird.”

“I won’t, promise,” Jungkook pauses for a second before adding, “Does he call you baby?”

You nod, and you distantly hear and ‘okay’ as you slowly allow yourself to get into that headspace.

You start, and the camera starts going.

You’re in the airport, waiting for Nel, ‘smoosh’ paper in hand. The gate opens, and through all the other passengers you see him, see that he’s in one piece, see that he’s safe. 

Your face illuminates with relief at that so much so that you don’t even notice the water that starts running down your face. 

You hear a ‘hi baby’ and in your head, it’s coming from Nel’s mouth as he nears you. You smile impossibly wider at the thought of seeing him, feeling him. Having him here with you. 

You look happy to see me, ‘Nel’ says.

“I am,” you reply. 

There’s repetitive clicking in the distance, but you ignore it. It’s probably just a flight attendant's heels on the floor.

“I missed you.”

There’s a long moment of silence before Nel speaks again.

I missed you too, baby.

You’re shivering hard now, lost in thought, unaware of reality. 

YN, Nel calls.

“Yes, love?”

“YN.”

“Babe, what is it?”

“YN, hey,” you're being shaken gently.

“Hmm? What?” you slowly arrive back to the present. Strong hands grip your shoulders. They feel nice. Solid. Deliciously warm. 

A very concerned looking Jungkook comes into focus, camera dangling around his neck and reaching for you.

Oh.

He’s the one holding your shoulders, trying to get you to come back to reality.

“There she is, welcome back,” he lets go and grabs a blanket from somewhere and wraps it around you. “We got the shot, go take a shower and warm up okay?”

“Okay,” you say, still a little dazed, but present enough to function.

You step out of the pool, holding on to the hand Jungkook offers to balance—Warm. Solid. Strong—and head straight for the bathroom, making a pit stop in the guest room to grab your bag with fresh clothes. 

The hot water cements your place back in reality, letting it warm you up and cleanse you of the day. 

You have no idea what just happened with that whole Nel thing, but it was a new feeling and a new headspace and you really aren’t in the mood to analyze or acknowledge, so it’s shoved onto a top shelf in the back of your mind for a later date.  

Once you're able to return to the directory of your mind, you don’t know how long you’ve been in the shower. But you know you’re clean, no longer cold, and in the mood for hot chocolate, so you step out and dry yourself with the towels Jungkook laid out for you on the toilet seat.

They’re soft. So soft in fact you consider only for a second shoving one in your now less full bag to take home with you. However, you do rather enjoy your friendship with the prince, so you think better of it upon second thought. 

Dressing in your sweats, you exit, tossing the towels in the hamper and your bag of the clothes you arrived in back into the spare room.

“Better?” Jungkook asks as you sit down in your spot on the couch for the last time tonight, wrapping up in the blanket he left for you. He’s in the kitchen but heard you coming.

“Much, thanks,” you sniff, “Is that hot chocolate I smell?”

Jungkook returns from the kitchen, two mugs in hand. “With extra whip cream and marshmallows, as ordered.”

You carefully take it from him, giving your thanks and happily slurping away the second it’s in your grasp. 

“Alright Caravaggio, what are we watching?” he asks, sitting down on his side, sipping away on his own. 

Sometime between you leaving for the shower and coming back out Jungkook changed into his own comfy attire, and tidied up the studio space as the pool and tarp are nowhere to be seen.

“I’ve thought really hard about this, all of however long I was in the shower,” Jungkook mutters something about 35 minutes; you ignore him, “And have settled on ‘A Miser Brothers Solstice’.”

He whines just a little when he says, “But it’s November.”

“So?”

“So, Solstice isn’t until the third week of December,” he’s saying this like his point is the most obvious thing in the world. 

It’s not.

“Your point?”

“That it’s November, and you want to watch a Solstice movie.”

You’re mockingly outraged.

“Who made you town grinch? I didn’t realize we had a holiday hater in our midst.” 

You loved the holidays, all the big ones, and the small ones, but Solstice was special. 

“I’m not a grinch, I’m just not there yet, mentally.”

“Then get ready to dive in head first, because you said I could pick the movie for risking my life for you and I pick ‘A Miser Brothers Solstice’.”

Jungkook doesn’t argue further, but he does roll his eyes as he puts on your movie with a small smile hidden behind his drink.

It’s sometime during the first act, you’re lying back against your corner of the couch, feet up and under the blanket when you ask, “What are your solstice break plans?” 

Jungkook takes a moment to part from the TV, very invested for someone who was so against it half an hour ago. “I have a lot of ‘princely duties’ to do for Solstice, like standing and looking thoughtful while my dad gives his annual Solstice speech,” you snort. “Then there’s the palace dinner, the parade through the capital, and the live televised event,” he says in a tv announcer's voice, “Where my family and I light the Solstice Star. And then there’s the new year and that in itself has another long list of things I have to do. Besides things like that though? Not much, and then it’s back here.”

Right.

You often forget who he is. 

That behind those kind eyes, and small smiles, behind the greenhouse study dates, and movie nights, and photoshoots, Jungkook has an enormous responsibility constantly looming over his head, counting down the days until he finishes his schooling. One that’s just waiting to drop onto his shoulders forever. 

You often forget that Jungkook is the Prince, first in line to the biggest throne in the realm. That you spend your time with not only Jeon Jungkook, friend and photography student, but also, His Royal Highness, Prince Jeon Jungkook, Heir Apparent and Future King of The Western Shores.

He just makes it so damn easy to forget.

You only asked because you thought maybe he had plans with friends or family, completely forgetting about all of the things the royal family does during the holiday season to celebrate with the nation, their people, and now you feel like an ass for even bringing it up.

But there’s something in his answer, or lack thereof, that snags your attention. 

“What about celebrating with your family and friends in private?”

“No time,” Jungkook’s stare goes distant as he brings his knees up and puts his arms around them, resting his chin. “Friends are always busy with palace preparations and dad’s not really the sentimental type. We celebrated when I was younger; big family breakfast, presents, tree decorating, whole thing. But after I turned about 13 or so, it started dwindling pretty quickly. Now it’s just me and my mom exchanging a gift with each other at midnight under the palace tree.” 

You don’t think you’ve ever heard something so heartbreaking yet beautiful in your life. 

“Your mum sounds wonderful, I’m really happy you two get that time together.” 

He looks at you, and you can tell by the look in his eyes he loves that time with her more than anything else. 

Solstice is supposed to be the time you spend with your family, blood or chosen. The time where you all gather to cook and bake, and exchange thoughtful gifts with the ones you love. The time where you truly cherish one another and count yourself lucky for all that you have. 

Solstice is your favourite time of the year.

To not spend it like that just seems…wrong. Horribly, painfully, awfully wrong.

“What about you?” he asks.

You don’t want to make him feel bad, so you tone down your answer, taking away the meat and giving the bones.

“My mum and I cut down our own tree and decorate it with the ornaments we’ve collected over the years,” you have them from every place you’ve ever visited, and your mum kept all the ones you ever made as a kid. You even get a new one every solstice to take a picture for and label with the year.  

“Then we bake solstice cookies until our hands cramp and survive off only them until solstice dinner; a turkey, honey glazed carrots, mashed potatoes with gravy, essentially if it waters your mouth, it’s there,” he chuckles at that. “We do gifts for each other too, opening them on solstice morning before making hot drinks and reading in the breakfast nook until the sun sets or till we get hungry, whichever comes first.”

Jungkook's eyes glow, radiating warmth, a lazy smile on his face as he listens to you. 

“That sounds really nice, YN.”

“It is,” you reply, looking him in those radiant eyes as you do. He looks… happy. Happy for you, that you get to have something like this that’s so special. It breaks your heart a little…maybe you can help.

“You wanna make some solstice cookies with me before break?”

His look of happy shifts to one of slight panic.

“What?” you question, and comically ask, “Have you never made solstice cookies before?”

He hesitates before answering a very quiet, “Uh…N-no.”

Your shock must be incredibly evident in the way he almost flinches at your reaction.

So you try your best to keep your voice level when you ask, “What do you mean, no?”

“I mean no. I’ve never made solstice cookies.”

That’s it. You can’t hold back any more, you’ve never heard anything so blasphemous in all your life.

“You’ve never what?  How is that even possible?”

He shrinks into himself a little more.

“The palace pastry chef always makes them because that’s kind of his job,” you stare at him in disbelief. “Is this really that big a deal?”

You swear there’s cog’s and smoke flying out of your ears. Solstice cookies are a religion in your household. You know dozens of recipes by heart, always finding a new one each year to try and up your game. You cannot imagine a solstice without making them. Wait no, actually you can, but it would be because you’re dead.

You held back in your answer earlier, for his sake, but you and your mom’s hands cramp up because you make enough cookies to give a box to everyone in the neighborhood. It’s one of your favourite traditions, and your neighbours even look forward to it every year, going so far as sending you both recipes to try out.

“Big dea—you’ve never fucking mad—not even when you were little? No one brought you to the kitchen and let you help? Aren't all your friends back home the pastry chefs' kids or something?” You don’t mean to sound harsh, but your tone is a little more passionate than you were intending. 

But Jungkook knows you, knows you occasionally get that passionate about things, and takes your outburst in stride. 

“Yeah, one of them is, but we don't sit around the oven and make cookies all break long. And his dad is always too busy to teach us even if we wanted to.”

You decide something. Right then and there.

“This year you are.”

“What?”

“Mark your last Saturday off because I'm going to show up here, ingredients-a-plenty and teach you how to make solstice cookies. I have a million recipes up here,” you tap your head with a finger, “But I'll choose the easiest ones. And I’ll come over early so we can spend the day making all of them. I can’t in good conscience leave for the break knowing you’ve never made them.”

He sighs. “Do I have any say in the matter?”

“Absolutely not.”

Jungkook stares at you and you can’t figure out what he’s thinking. You’re worried he’s going to say no anyway. To say you’re crazy and that they’re just cookies and that he has more important things he has to do on his Saturday before leaving for home.

But he doesn’t. And you should’ve known he wouldn’t, not after all the time you’ve spent together. 

You know better. Know him better.

“Alright Picasso. Sounds like a plan. I’m looking forward to it,” he decides, and goes back to watching the movie. 

It’s the first time he’s ever repeated a nickname.

“Wait! The wind guy wants to replace who?!” Jungkook shouts. 

You laugh at his confusion, and rewind the movie.

Jungkook wakes up sore.

His back is killing him, which makes sense since he’s half lying on the couch, half on the ground. 

The TV’s silently playing some slideshow of movie recommendations based on recent watches. 

He checks his phone, reaching for it on the coffee tale. 

14% battery. 

4:07am. 

Shit, he fell asleep. 

After the solstice movie he wanted to watch its predecessor. You had no qualms and so on it went, but he doesn’t remember much after the brothers started fighting.

Hearing soft, even breathing next to him he turns to see you, hunched over in your spot asleep, no doubt in the process of ruining your own back.

He should go to bed.

You should go to bed. 

But you’ve never stayed the night.

What should he do? Should he wake you? 

But you look so peaceful. And it’s nearing exams. You barely sleep when it’s exams season. 

Instead, Jungkook goes to check the guest room, but it’s a mess with yesterday's comings and goings. Make-up and clothes and hangers strewn everywhere.

Quietly, making a decision he hopes you won’t kill him for in the morning, he pads back to your sleeping form. 

It’s for your back, he tells himself. No other reason.

Deja vu sets in as he scoops you up from the couch, blanket and all. Just like last time, you gain enough consciousness to know to wrap your arms around his neck, but not enough to wake up. Your head rests on his shoulder and he selfishly savours the feeling as he walks down the short hallway to his room.  

Jungkook sets you down gently on one side of the bed, and your arms release, slumber undisturbed as he tucks you in.

He goes back to the living room to retrieve your phones. Yours is still at 56%, and he places it on the table beside you when he returns.

Climbing into his side of the bed, he’s careful not to touch you.

Though he wants to. 

Desperately. 

His sleep deprived brain is too slow to block out the thoughts that start to race. Thoughts of how he wants to turn around and pull you into his chest, slide an arm around your waist, and kiss you goodnight. How he wants to wake up in the same position, you still in his arms. 

But he’s also awake enough to know that will never happen. That you’re with Nel, and happy with him. That he’s drawn that nice, big line.

He’s awake enough to know you being in his bed is a fluke, unintentional.

A one time thing.

Plugging his phone into its charger, he sets it down on his own bedside table and pulls the covers up, falling back asleep.

His back facing you. 

An exhale wakes you.

Warm and cozy, you take a deep breath and roll to your left side, stretching on the way over. The scents of clean linen and something familiar find you. It’s comforting, that smell, but you can’t place it.

Another exhale, but this time you feel it as well as hear it.

You open your eyes to see a sleeping Jungkook face not a foot from your own and you jolt in shock, falling off the bed in the process. 

You look up from your new seat on the floor, ignoring the pain in your side from landing, and peer over the covers to check on Jungkook, who, miraculously, hasn’t woken up from your tumble. 

Relieved, your mind focuses on more pressing questions like ‘how did you get here?’ And ‘why were you in his bed?’ 

The last thing you remember was being halfway through the prequel to A Miser Brothers Solstice on the couch, watching Jungkook more than the movie because of how invested he’d become in the story. 

But you aren’t on the couch now. You were in his bed. 

The bed of the Prince of the Western Shores. 

The Prince who has a girlfriend, and you, who has a very long term, very serious boyfriend.

You hear a vibration, and following the sound, you find your phone on the bedside table. 

You quickly grab it quickly and go to the living room as quietly as you can manage. 

There’s a large number of unread texts. 

SlurryYuri [11:08pm]: hey, just checking in. You didn’t get home when you said you’d try for SlurryYuri [11:31pm]: Helloooooooo? YN? You there? SlurryYuri [12:14am]: it’s getting late YN, when are you coming home? Are you on your way?

Missed Calls: (3)

SlurryYuri [2:43am]: it’s been hours, so you better be dead or have crashed in the school somewhere. Either way I’m kicking your ass when you get home

Missed Calls: (2)

(Recent)

SlurryYuri [9:36am]: you’re still not home?? YN seriously, where are you SlurryYuri [10:23am]: If you don’t message me back in an hour I’m calling the police and filing a missing persons

Shit. 

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. You crashed hard, the shoot must have taken more out of you than you thought, so you never texted Yuri you were going to crash in a sleep pod at school like you’d planned too. 

You make quick work of messaging her back, glad she unintentionally gave you just the excuse you needed. 

YN [10:25am]: ohmygod I’m soooooo sorry, it was the school one. I fell asleep in the school. I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ll be home soon, promise. I’m just going to grab breakfast first. Again im sorry

SlurryYuri [10:27am]: thank the gods youre okay!! Don’t ever do that to me again YN! I don’t wanna be the one who has to break news to your mom!! She’s too nice.  SlurryYuri [10:27am]: and take your time getting back if your rushing for me, I’m not at the dorm SlurryYuri [10:27am]: Tai showed up yesterday out of the blue and took me dancing. We’re out getting brunch right now, and he has plans for the rest of the day SlurryYuri [10:28am]: Im just glad you’re not dead in a ditch somewhere

YN [10:29am]: me too, and okay I will. Thanks for checking up on me and making sure im safe, youre my favourite

SlurryYuri [10:30am]: damn right I am, see you tn <3

YN [10:30am]: see you <3

You exhale deeply, that was fucking close. 

Your stomach rumbles and it reminds you that you actually need to get breakfast. 

What could you have? You could order in again, but that means a wait time and you are hungry now. You could raid Jungkook's pantry, or see if he has any fruit, but then you think that’s a gross invasion of privacy when it’s not movie night and you haven’t asked if it’s okay. 

Wait.

The egg tarts!

You dash to the fridge, the marvellous sight of a greenhouse inside a coffee mug comes into view. Stuffing one down before you even get the box from the fridge, you exit the kitchen, sit down on the couch, setting the box on the coffee table. Once opened in front of you, you realize there is a healthy amount of tarts inside. 

How many did Jungkook ask for?

Speaking of, a bed-headed, yawning Jungkook makes his morning debut, still in last night's clothes.

“Hey,” he says groggily, walking over and stealing a tart.

“Hey!” you say back, not nearly as friendly. 

“Overnight tax, Picasso. Room isn’t free.” He chuckles at your faux outrage, popping half the tart in his mouth as he walks to the kitchen and grabs something from the fridge. Returning, you see it’s a morning protein shake. 

Gross. 

“So is that name the one you’re sticking to now?” you ask, picking up another tart. At this rate they won’t last until lunch.

“Yeah, that okay with you? It’s your name in my phone after all.”

“It is?” You didn’t know that.

“Yeah, has been since the start.” 

You’re quickly learning that sleepy morning Jungkook is very different from morning post work-out Jungkook, friend Jungkook and photographer Jungkook. His voice is deeper, he’s a lot more relaxed, and maybe even harmlessly borderline flirty, like he’s not all there yet. Softer. 

“Picasso’s just fine. A compliment really.”

“Oh? And what am I in your’s then? Hopefully something just as nice?”

You tell him like it is.

“PJK.”

“PJK?” he asks, incredulous.

“Yeah? It’s obscure enough to not be recognizable if someone were to see it, but enough for me to know who it is.”

“Nah, you need something better, PJK is boring.”

“It’s your initials.”

“And boring,” he’s really not letting up on this. 

“Well...what would you save yourself as?”

He mulls it over for a minute before deflating. “Okay, fair point, but I seriously want a new one. Something that can rival Picasso.”

“Do you have any nicknames? Something not completely obvious?”

For a morning person, Jungkook sure is taking his time. Maybe he was only a morning person before 8am, and then if he got up anytime after that he became a normal person who despised mornings like everyone else.

“Uhh…Vivian calls me JK, but that’s essentially the same thing as PJK. My buddies back home sometimes call me Kook, but I don’t think that works either. My mum has one for me that I will not disclose to anyone so long as I am breathing. So I guess not.”

A lightbulb dings over your head. “What about your security? Don’t they have special code names for you when they detail you? Like bear or eagle?” 

“Yeah, but it’s not nearly as badass as either of those.”

“Fess up,” you say. Now you have to know.

“Hare.”

“Hare?” Now it’s your turn to be incredulous. “Like a rabbit?”

“Yep.”

An idea pops into your head and an evil grin spreads across your face, one you know is already setting worry into Jungkook’s still awakening brain as you change his name.

“I don’t like that look,” he confirms. “What’d you change it to?”

You flip your phone around and hold it up to him.

“Bunny?” he says incredulously once again.

“Yes.”

“I give you Picasso, one of the greatest painters of all time, and you think giving me bunny is anywhere near on par with that?”

Teasing him is far too fun, especially when he makes it this easy for you.

“Oh absolutely. In fact, I think it’s the best name I could possibly set it as.”

Jungkook disagrees, vehemently. “No, change it back. PJK is fine.”

“Too late. You dug your grave, now lie in it.”

Jungkook brings a hand to his face, pinching the crease between his brows and takes a very long, deep breath, exhaling just as dramatically. 

You take that as your victory. But you’re sorely mistaken.

He launches at you, reaching for your phone and you scream, reaching your arm to keep it away from him. You have a fox socked foot on his chest to try and keep him back. His right arm is holding him up near your hip on the couches edge and he’s reaching with his left as far as he can without breaking his sternum on your heel. 

“Give it!”

“Never!”

You try to bring up your other foot to push him away, but Jungkook is strong, and forces both it and the one on his chest down with the arm that was supporting him, temporarily keeping himself up with his left hand on the back of the couch. 

With your legs out of the way he can almost reach his phone. But in his distracted state, misses the couch when he goes to put his supporting arm down again, and flips onto the ground, taking you with him. You scream, but his arms wrap around you as he makes sure to take the brunt of the impact, landing on his back, you safely secured to his chest. 

There’s a moment of pure stunned silence, you resting your forhead on his chest while you process, him not letting go of your waist as he gets a breath into his winded self, before you’re both laughing as you take in what happened.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, you?”

He takes a second to respond. “I’m great.” 

You push to sit up, and he releases you from his hold, but that was a mistake. Because now you’re sitting on his lap. 

It takes an entire three seconds of you staring at him and him staring right back before you jump and scramble off him as fast as you can. 

“Sorry.” you say in unison, you standing and him from the ground. It’s a painfully awkward 8 seconds before you break, cackling at the whole situation, and he joins in with you again. 

Jungkook brushes off his pants as he gets up too. “Got any plans before tonight,” he asks, business as usual.

“Nope, cleared my schedule in case this went long, I’ve got the whole day.”

You swear his smile grows two sizes.

“Well in that case,” he looks to the TV, then back to you, “Wanna start movie night early?”

An entire day to relax and chill out before the hell that is exams season takes your every free second? 

Yes please.

“Solstice movie marathon?” you propose slyly, near devious.

“I’ll get the popcorn,” he confirms, already halfway to the kitchen.

You spend the day like that, on the couch watching movie after movie, both pretending the little incident never even happened. 

But you make sure to go home after movie night this time. 

Chapter Nine: Sugar Cookies and Devious Confessions

A/N 2: This chapter kicked my ass but it's here and I couldn't be more thrilled. I really like how it's ended so I hope you guys do too.

A/N 3: As always, Thank you for reading, loves. Xoxo - Yoon <3

<- Back

[redamoureux]

Can i request some tf2 headcanons of some of the mercenary boys (it can be anyone i dont mind and i honestly have a hard time pick also i dont know if you have a character limit)developing a crush on someone from the enemy team(reader), who found the respective merc injured in a corner, and instead of finishing them off they hand the merc a nearby health kit and just tell them to be safe before running away. Hopefully that's something you'll do and thanks for letting me request! I really like your writing style and your little art doodles are always a pleasure to see!! Thanks again byebye hope you have a good day!

╰﹒ARE YOU FALLING IN LOVE?

General Red/Blu Engineer, Sniper, Spy headcanons/short

• genre: romantic

• a/n: Hey! Sorry for the super late answer- this was just kinda stuck in my draft so sorry for that! ( >_<) Also, glad to hear you enjoy my doodles :) also i like your idea, it actually reminds me alot of how i potray my verison of reader so that may have made me a little carried away while writing this- And yeah, i apologize if my rules aren't very clear, the character limits are around 3-4!

Engineer

Dang nabbit!

That stupid snake spy was up to it again. Sapping his buildings and hiding like a coward. A few fragments of the broken sentry manage to crash on his leg when he tried to fix it but it suddenly exploded likely due to misconception in the system.

Engineer groaned as he try to remove the metal off him which only resulted more pain to his crushed leg. Earlier on, the spy was able to land a few shots which he was able to barely survive from by pretending to be dead.

He was seriously going to get back at him at the next round. He vowed and began forming some sinistrous plans mentally as he still tried getting back up again.

As he looked around the surroundings, his eyes snapped to the health kit nearby. He knew it's hopeless at this point, but he tried just once again to reach it.

Suddenly, the sounds of distant shouting caught his attention. He looked at the corner where the noise was coming from and froze, hearing footsteps and a shadow coming closer to where he is.

Engineer could only stare, taking out his pistol and ready to give his best.

He was about to shoot when he sees your head peeking out the corner and the two of you lock eyes.

You gasped faintly, retreating back your head again, making engineer drop his gun down a little. For a while he only observes, expecting you to pop out again and this time with a weapon.

To his surprise however, you only slowly came closer with your medi-gun and stood infront of him, this made him distracted and you looked to the side seeing the health kit. He also look at the direction you were looking and then you two look back at each other.

You walked towards the kit and picked it up and came close to him as he watches closely, loosely letting the pistol down. You kneel down beside him and handed him the health kit, to which he can only gawk at for a moment before accepting it. You then peer at the metal scrap crushing his leg and motion to him to push it off while you try to lift it up.

At last, with some struggle, you succesfully were able to remove the scrap off.

He thanked you, feeling certainly grateful for your aid. You only smiled and nodded making engineer blush. Then you stood back up, picking your medi gun and gave him a final glance and a wave on your way back to outside.

He can only gaze at your frame leaving, still blushing and thinking about what just happened even while fixing himself up.

Sniper

Ah, piss.

Sniper was so close on pulling the trigger on a enemy's head when he just had to be shot a few times near his chest and shoulder by another sniper.

Now he's currently sitting on the floor, unable to really move due to his wounds. The medic is obviously too busy and far from his spot so all he could do for now is keeping his guards up while trying to ease the pain with some bandages he had.

As he's paying close attention to the ongoing battle, His eyes landed on you emerging from behind a rock, healing your team's scout with your medigun while charging forward.

Now his interest shifted from the enemy's fighting to just paying attention to you instead. He'd seen you time to time through the scope but usually you'd stay behind as extra help. He wasn't sure why sometimes when he aims for you, he'd hesitated. It's almost somewhat wrong.

His thoughts were interrupted by the stinging pain in his shoulder as he groan and lean closer to the wooden window. Suddenly your team soldier's shout rang aloud alerting about his presence.

Sniper panicked as he push himself far away from the wooden window, hearing fast footsteps rapidly approaching his spot. He took his kukri and prepare himself to fight.

Shortly to his surprise though, only you were the one who came. He was really close to attacking─ yet there it is again. The odd hesitating feeling. While being confused with his own choices, you took the medkit you found just outside and offered it to him. While you only smile, sniper is left dumbfound. By the fact that you're not trying to kill him here and there, but also because he did not notice there was even a health kit literally sitting feets away from him.

As he took the kit from you to heal himself, you also proceed to use your medigun to slightly fasten his healing process before you hear your name being called. You call back to them, confirming that you're okay. You gave him a wave and a warm smile before you quickly ran out to your team.

Sniper only sat down there at one of the crate boxes as he proceed the aimless thoughts in his mind about this encounter with you. Well, atleast now it seems like he knows the reason why he's so hesitant to hurt you.

Spy

Oh it's just perfect.

Spy sighs deeply in annoyance as he sat down in a corner with his burnt leg, arm and wounded stomach. His broken Invisibility watch in his hand as his attempts on turning it back on didn't work as it only let out a few sharp electric sparkings.

Great. His invis watch is broken and he is still in the enemy's section with the high possibility that anyone could easily figure out where he is. He feels oddly dreadful about this whole situation as he imagined the worst scenario that could happen in his mind.

It was all oddly quiet at first before he heard a few distinct voices and footsteps passing by. He tries to focus more on where the steps are heading to so he could escape before they caught him first.

He feels rather confused and irritated by the random noises and constant back and forth steps, combined with the pain he's feeling makes him want to just scream but he holds back. He takes deep breath and stood up and accidently hitting his wounded arm which he let out a yelp before he shuts himself up.

It was too late though. He heard some yelling and a brief talk before he hears footsteps once again. He tries to get away but it seems like he was not fast enough as by then, you appeared by the entrance.

You two stared at each other for a moment before he took out his revolver and aim it at you, but you quickly shot it away with your syringe gun.

Spy only looked at his hand then at you in shock. And he realizes that he's basically helpless at the hands of the enemy now.

So close to accepting this defeat, he stumble back and sat down with a tired and dejected look, closing his eyes.

Instead of a quick shot in the head, he felt something being dropped on his lap and a sudden soothing sensation enveloping his body. Confused, spy opens his eyes to see you standing infront of him, using your medigun on him and a healthkit on his lap. He's left baffled by this and was about to ask just what you were doing but you only shush him by nodding softly.

So the two of you only settled in silent as your medigun continue to help speeding up the process. He decided to take out another cigarette, placing it in his mouth and was about to light it up, but he wasn't able to find his lighter anywhere. Just then a lighter reached near his face and lighten the cigarette up for him. Your face was close to his, with the flame illuminating the small details on your face as he stares at you with wide eyes.

Even when you pulled away, spy was still stuck in daze for a moment before he blushes in embarrassment at the gesture. Thankfully you weren't able to see his face with that mask.

He cleared his throat and thanked you in an almost sheepish manner and you smiled in return, giving him a thumbs up. Then you used your syringe gun and shoot at one of the empty bottle laying around before you wink and walked out hurridly.

REBLOGS/ FEEDBACK/ COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED!

@redamoureux

[rainbow-neko-artblog]

Do you have any tips for when you feel like your art is not getting enough love?

Was cleaning out my inbox and found this- i guess i never posted it because it was corny but it really is the truth.

If you let the attention your art gets affect you, the best thing to do is to take a step back and say out loud what you love about it. Colors, anatomy, facial expressions, poses, anything! saying it outloud on calls is how I grew more confident in my own works.

"I'm really proud of how this piece turned out because...." ectect.

Self love of your work is always #1, you don't want to end up in a position where you only make things for others.

[lilianne-tarot]

PICK-A-CARD: What's your lowkey powerful move? ˚୨୧⋆.˚

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　

I. II. III.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　

Hey there! Welcome to another PAC reading on my blog page—I hope you all enjoy it! Comment down what you felt about the reading and if it resonated with you and show some love, Your support means everything to me!<3 How to Pick Your Pile: Take a deep breath, clear your mind, and look at the images below. Which one pulls you in the most? Trust your gut! Once you choose the image, The number below your chosen image is your pile. If more than one catches your eye, that just means there’s extra tea for you—go ahead and read both!

Liked the reading? get your own personalized paid reading here!

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　

⋆˙⟡Pile I

Ohhh, bestie, this spread is JUICY. I can already feel the energy radiating off these cards. So, the Ace of Pentacles is giving “I walk in, and the room shifts” vibes, maybe some of yall even feel that thing. people see you as someone who knows how to manifest real, concrete results. You give off that effortless “I make things happen” energy, and the wild part? Half the time, you don’t even have to announce it. You just move in silence, and suddenly, things start aligning in your favor. It’s like you have a golden touch, and people feel that. Now, here’s where it gets interesting—because the Magician reversed is shaking things up. Normally, the Magician is that “I have all the tools, I can do anything” card, but reversed? This is the art of the illusion. You have this insane ability to make things look effortless when, in reality, there’s a whole strategy behind it. nobody ever fully understands how you do it. Are you lucky? Are you secretly a mastermind? Do you have some divine favor that keeps you ahead? (👀 Spoiler alert: it’s all of the above.) this spread overall screams natural-born leader—you don’t even have to try to command attention, you just do, some of yall have held some major leader position in their lives, maybe in school or in now in your work space. What keeps people thinking about you? It’s the way you exude confidence in a way that’s not cocky, but magnetic. You have presence. You don’t need to brag, you don’t need to prove yourself, and you definitely don’t need outside validation. yall seem to be really secure in yourselves. but I would def say, Some people may even wonder if you’re manipulative, or if you’ve got some sort of secret advantage. People admire you, but they also lowkey fear you—because not everyone can handle someone who just moves differently.

This is the kind of energy that leaves ex-friends and past situationships wondering if they fumbled the bag . So keep doing what you’re doing, because this is powerful energy. Now tell me, does this reading not scream “you”? Because I feel like I just exposed your entire aura rn. 😂🔥

Liked the reading? get your own personalized paid reading here!

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　

⋆˙⟡Pile II

first of all i was so shocked when I saw all cards of this deck was cups. we’re not just talking about leaving a cute impression on people. This is some straight-up, ‘I met them once, and now they live rent-free in my head’ type of impact. Let’s break it down. Your Vibe? Ethereal, Emotionally Addictive, Unforgettable. Look, not everyone has the ability to make people feel something so intensely that they’re out here journaling about it six months later, you're that airport crush of people 😭.You are that person. The Knight of Cups, Queen of Cups, and Six of Cups together? Ohhh, this is emotional witchcraft. You have this almost cinematic energy—people don’t just remember you, they replay you like their favourite movie scene. It’s like you’re the embodiment of a nostalgic song that makes them stare out of the window like they’re in a music video. You’re not trying to be unforgettable—you just are. People feel safe with you, seen by you, and understood by you. And that?? That’s rare as hell in a world full of surface-level interactions(cmon we all what a pile 2 person in our life) . This also tells me your impact isn’t just strong—it’s lasting. People don’t move on from you quickly. Even if they don’t see you for years, something will trigger a memory of you (a song, a scent, a random moment), and suddenly, boom—there you are, sitting pretty in their mind like you never left.

people always remember you anyway. It’s not about being the loudest in the room—it’s about how deeply you made them feel something. And let’s be real: people forget words, but they never forget emotions. You might not even realize the weight of your presence until years later, when someone confesses, “You changed my life and didn’t even know it.”

So yeah, your power move? You leave emotional fingerprints on people’s souls. And the gag is? You don’t even have to try. 🤷‍♀️

Liked the reading? get your own personalized paid reading here!

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　

⋆˙⟡Pile III

They’re screaming depth, and an almost frustratingly intriguing energy. Like, people think they know you, but then you do or say something that makes them go, “Wait… who are you, actually?” And that question? That is why people cannot get you out of their heads.

Let’s talk about The Hanged Man sitting right in the middle—because that’s the core of your vibe. You don’t operate on the same wavelength as everyone else. Your energy is like when you’re watching a thriller, and the main character does something weird, and you just know there's a deeper reason, but you won’t find out until the end. You have this eerie, compelling stillness that makes people want to decode you. Then we have The Moon along with the hanged man, which? Chef’s kiss—because now we’re getting into that dreamy, slightly chaotic, almost unreal quality about you. You give people just enough to feel like they’re getting closer to understanding you… only for them to realize they have no idea what’s real and what’s projection. People get lost in their own assumptions about you. They see what they want to see, not necessarily who you actually are. (💀 Tell me why this feels like exactly the kind of energy that makes exes spiral at 3 AM, trying to figure out why they still don’t understand you.)You don’t need to flex your growth because by the time people catch on, you’re already five steps ahead. There’s something almost intimidating about how quietly powerful you are. Like, you might not even realize how often people compare themselves to you. You make people feel like they need to level up—but they’ll never admit you were their motivation.

Listen, you’re not just memorable—you’re the unresolved mystery in someone’s story. The “what if,” the “I never quite figured them out,” the “damn, I wish I could talk to them one more time.” People replay their interactions with you because they feel like they missed something. You don’t just linger in their mind—you haunt it. And the best part? You don’t even try. You don’t have to force an impact, you don’t need attention—you just exist in a way that makes people feel like they almost got close to understanding you… but never fully did. And that? That’s the kind of unforgettable energy that lives rent-free in people's minds forever.

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─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Thank you so much for reading all the way through! I hope my reading resonated with you and that you had a lovely time going through it. If you enjoyed it, please like and reblog—it really means a lot! Let me know which pile you chose; I absolutely love hearing your thoughts and feedback on my readings! ♡

Note: tarot cards provide guidance and possible insights into what could happen based on current energies, thoughts, and actions. the cards can highlight potential paths or outcomes, but they do not predict the future in a fixed way. this is a general reading so take what resonates!

[starcharmed]

୨ৎ .ᐟ.ᐟ - unnecessary feedback

summary : sukuna might be an asshole but at least he's nice (sometimes) ◞ cw : modern au, some playfully mean comments, cursing, 1 (one) suggestive comment (it's sukuna c'mon), abuse of commas, word rot no.3 ◞ wc : 0.5k+

“The fuck are you doing?” Your boyfriend’s sweet and kind and caring tone reached your ears as you squared your shoulders up and tilted back the notebook to block out a view he could still see at his height. 

“Nothin’.” Sliding from his gaze, you rubbed your fingertips across the abnormally unmessy sketch across the page, “You wouldn’t even be interested in this anyways.” Okay, you deserved that eyebrow raise but it wasn’t completely false. Sukuna hardly looked at your art whenever you were working, maybe it’s because he figured you didn’t like to be perceived while working. 

“If you sat there for ten fucking minutes staring at me like I grew four arms or something, then it’s not nothin’”, pitching his voice to mock your tone, Sukuna tried swiping at your notebook, “Let me see.”

“No, you freak.” Raising your notebook up in the air was a pointless move. Overestimating your physical prowess against Sukuna all of people, you let go once his hand grasped the notebook. You’d rather have him see than tear the entire thing in half trying to squabble with him. 

“Sukuna, please, they look horrible and I didn’t even draw your nose right and it’s bad-”

He was going to kill you (ignore you for about ten minutes until he wanted attention), then hide your body in the basement (you don’t even have a basement), and tell the police that it was your weird neighbour Satoru (he looks like a guy that would hide bodies, to be honest). 

“They’re not bad.” Oh my god you were living with a döppelganger. 

You winced at the uneasy tapping of the notebook upon the top of your head, “I mean it, dumbass. They look fine. You’d know if I was lying, anyways.” You would. Sukuna sugarcoating anything was as possible as diamond rain on Earth. 

Sukuna let you grab your notebook again, making a face when your lead-smudged fingers left an ant sized stian on his hand. You muttered a half-hearted thanks for the returnal of your lifeline, watching him rub his hands against his charcoal black hoodie. Did he even know that he was just smearing the lead against his hand further? He probably didn’t care.

“You were right about my nose, though.” Here we go.

“It’s the angle”, poor defense but not a lie. It was not that easy to capture the full structure of his nose at a sideways downwards tilted type of angle. 

Sukuna snorted, the displeasing noise earning a scrunched up nose from yourself, “You’ve seen my nose from plenty of angles. Especially at a downwards view.”

“That’s why it’s a sketch!” Practically screeching out the words fastly you hoped to save yourself some face, “Get out of my room you hoe.” Discarding your notebook someone amongst the mountains of throw blankets upon your bed, pushing Sukuna out of your shared bedroom was harder than moving, well, a mountain.

“You’re so weird”, grabbing your hands, Sukuna stopped your movements flawlessly, “Very weird. Why am I dating you again?”

“Because you love me?” You wished you could verbally add more question marks without seemingly speaking oddly. 

“No, I hate you.”

“What the fuck? Die.” Cringing away from the kiss on top of your head, you felt the urge to draw him as ugly as possible.

Wait…maybe you should draw him with four arms next.

[ghostinthelibrarywrites]

An Acquired Taste

A fluffy coffee shop AU for Day 4 of @paynelandpromptfest. You can either read it below or here on AO3.

Prompt: handmade

Pairing: Edwin/Charles

Rating: T

Warnings: none

Word count: 3k

Summary: When Edwin ducks into a coffee shop to avoid an awkward run in with his ex-boyfriend, he meets Charles, a charming barista with a penchant for terrible latte art. Edwin can’t stand coffee, but that doesn’t stop him from returning again and again.

***

It’s the laugh that draws Edwin’s attention on a busy London sidewalk, the sound cutting through the rush of passing traffic, the tube rumbling beneath their feet, and the chatter of voices around him. It’s loud and braying, with an edge of meanness, and Edwin is sixteen years old again, listening to that laugh as he stammers his way through a presentation. On instinct, he clutches his messenger bag more tightly, as if preparing to have it knocked out of his hands.

Simon Mould is crossing the street about ten meters ahead of him, talking on his phone and smiling the smile that Edwin once found charming before he realized it usually meant Simon was about to say something cruel. He’s wearing a poorly tailored, but undoubtedly expensive suit, with a gaudy watch glinting on his wrist. Most likely, he spends his days doing very little work in a cushy corner office in his father’s company. For his colleagues’ sake, Edwin hopes he’s grown up in the decade since St. Hilarion’s.

But Edwin isn’t in the mood to find out today, not when he stayed up too late preparing for this morning’s lecture and woke up to yet another passive aggressive email from his mother. The last thing he needs is a run-in with his ex-boyfriend.

He should go straight to continue his walk to the university, but that will take him right by Simon. Simon hasn’t noticed him yet, but he will soon enough. His feet moving before his mind can catch up, Edwin heads right at the intersection, keeping his head down as he walks. When he glances over his shoulder, he sees to his dismay that Simon is behind him, still oblivious to Edwin’s presence as he continues his phone call. Simon always did love the sound of his own voice.

The door in front of Edwin flies open and a young woman in impossibly high heels shuffles out, balancing two trays of coffee precariously. Without thinking, Edwin slips through the door before it can close and is hit with the scent of brewing coffee. He’s found his way into a small, cluttered coffee shop packed with mismatched furniture and walls covered in an eclectic mix of artwork. The nearest painting is a downright unsettling one of a young woman whose face and torso are covered in eyeballs of all sizes and colors.

“What can I get you, mate?”

Edwin turns and blinks. Standing in front of him is quite possibly the best-looking man Edwin has ever clapped eyes on. He’s never been one to get starry-eyed over a pretty face, as he learned years ago that pretty faces are often more trouble than they’re worth. But there’s something about the barista’s bright, beaming smile and his warm brown eyes that leaves Edwin unable to look away.

The barista tilts his head questioningly and Edwin blinks, realizing that he’s been staring too long. Frantically, he looks at the menu, his eyes falling on the first thing he sees. “A latte, please?”

“What size?” Charles, the name tag pinned to the front of the barista’s uniform reads. It’s surrounded by a variety of colorful badges. 

Edwin’s frazzled mind takes the opportunity to remind himself that he doesn’t actually like coffee, but there’s no turning back now. “Small.”

“Whole milk okay?”

“Yes.”

“Any flavor shots?”

Dear lord, who knew ordering a cup of coffee that he doesn’t want would be so complicated? “No, thank you.”

“That’ll be four pounds.”

As Edwin fumbles for his wallet, he chances a glance over his shoulder in time to see Simon strolling past the coffee shop, still laughing into the phone and oblivious to Edwin’s presence. He passes by without sparing the shop a glance.

“Been here before, mate?” Charles asks as Edwin hands over his credit card.

“No.” Edwin still feels a little dazed under the force of that smile.

“Thought so,” Charles says. “Figured I’d remember you, wouldn’t I?”

“Are small, plain lattes an unusual order here?” Edwin’s voice comes out more acerbic than he intends.

But instead of bristling or snapping back, Charles laughs.

“I took a detour on my way to work today.” Edwin isn’t sure why he feels compelled to offer information about himself. Surely, Charles is just being friendly to a customer. He doesn’t actually care if Edwin has been here before.

“Well, I’m glad you stopped in. Coming right up, mate.” Charles grins at Edwin and turns away. With heroic effort, Edwin manages to not ogle his backside.

“What do you do?” It takes Edwin a moment to realize that Charles is still speaking to him while preparing his latte.

“I’m a linguistics professor.” Edwin expects that to be the end of the conversation, as very few people want to know what being a professor of linguistics entails.

But Charles’s expression brightens. “That’s awesome.”

Edwin’s cheeks feel warm. “I think so. My students would disagree.”

“What’s your favorite language?”

In his years of studying linguistics, no one has ever asked Edwin that question, but he doesn’t have to think hard about his answer. “Aramaic.”

Charles arches an eyebrow. “Aramaic?”

“It’s a Semitic language that originated in Syria. It’s something of an endangered language in modern times, but it’s fascinating…” Edwin trails off. “But if I get started, I’ll be here all day and I’ll miss the opportunity to give this lecture to a group of bored university students.”

“Save it for next time, yeah?” Charles slides the latte across the counter.

Edwin picks up the cardboard cup and gazes down at the foamy surface. There’s some kind of shape there.

“It’s a bow tie.” Charles points to his own neck. “Like yours!”

“Ah.” Edwin reaches up to tug at the bow tie around his neck.

Charles shrugs, looking rueful. “Doesn’t really look like a bow tie, does it?”

“It definitely doesn’t,” the other barista says without looking up from the drink she’s making.

“Oi!” Charles scowls at her, the expression belied by the twinkle in his eye. “Not all of us are famous artists.”

“If I was famous, do you think I’d be up at 8 AM, making fucking flat whites?”

Charles turns back to Edwin, leaning his elbows on the counter. “Crystal over there is a latte art magician. I’ve been trying to learn.”

Edwin looks down at his drink. “It doesn’t look entirely dissimilar to a bow tie.”

“Cheers.” Charles says with a laugh. “Hear that, Crystal? Not entirely dissimilar. Just for that, mate, you get a discount next time you’re in.”

Edwin is smiling as he leaves the coffee shop. A glance at the sign tells him it’s called Live A Latte, which is an absurd name for a business. He shouldn’t even remotely be tempted to return. Especially because when he takes a sip of his drink, he finds it just as bitter and unpleasant as coffee always is. Certainly not worth four pounds. His modest salary doesn’t give him much room to be wasteful.

But when he glances through the window, he sees Charles laughing with Crystal, and he feels a pleasant little swoop in his belly.

For the first time in his career, he’s late to his lecture. He can’t bring himself to care.

***

Edwin does not intend to go back to Live A Latte, because it’s absurd to go out of his way to get a coffee that he won’t drink, just because the handsome barista was kind to him. But he finds himself thinking about turning every time his morning walk to work takes him past the street the shop is on. Perhaps he could develop a liking for coffee if he drinks enough of it. Many people seem to like it, or at least find the caffeine worth the bitterness. His friend, Niko, who developed a coffee habit while completing her thesis, calls it an acquired taste.

He lasts just over a week before he gives in and returns to the coffee shop.

“Welcome back,” Charles says as soon as Edwin steps in the door, smiling past the three people in line in front of him. “Small latte, yeah?”

And Edwin was going to peruse the menu to try and find a drink more to his liking, but he nods, feeling his face flush. Because it’s been over a week since he was in here and Charles has undoubtedly made countless lattes since then, but he remembers Edwin’s order.

Charles does indeed only charge Edwin two pounds—the “proving Crystal wrong discount”—and when he goes to make Edwin’s latte, he says, “So, tell me about Aramaic, mate.”

No one except Edwin’s colleagues in the linguistic department have ever asked Edwin to talk about Aramaic to them, and then usually only under duress. But Charles nods along and asks questions as Edwin talks, seeming genuinely interested.

“Of course, if you ask Dr. Dolls, only the Latin languages are worth studying,” he says as Charles hands him his latte. “He has a shameful disregard for the Semitic and Germanic languages, never mind the thousands of other languages spoken worldwide.”

“Sounds like a wanker,” Charles says.

“Indeed. He was my thesis advisor. It was hell.” Edwin glances down at his latte and sees a smiley face grinning up at him. “Well done with the latte art, Charles.”

“Thanks, mate.” Charles beams at him, just as lovely as he was the first time Edwin walked in. Edwin has been hoping his memory exaggerated. “I’ve been practicing.”

“Was the third eyeball intentional?”

“Oh, bollocks.”

***

It keeps happening. Edwin keeps taking detours to Live A Latte on his way to the university. He eventually upgrades his small latte to having a caramel flavor shot, which makes it no more palatable, but does cost him an extra fifty pence. He also adds a blueberry scone to his order, which is at least very good and gives him something to snack on in between sips of coffee.

Quickly, he learns that Charles works Tuesday through Friday mornings. If any of the other baristas notice that Edwin never stops in on Mondays, they say nothing. In the few minutes it takes Charles to make Edwin’s latte, they talk about a variety of things. Edwin learns that Charles is something of a jack of all trades, moonlighting as a bartender, a boxing instructor, and a youth cricket coach when he’s not working as a barista.

“If you like cricket, you should come see my team play sometime,” Charles tells Edwin. “We always need more people cheering in the stands.”

Edwin, who has never understood cricket and gave up trying years ago, asks, “Are they any good?”

“Nah, bloody awful. But most of them are eight, so who can blame them?”

That day, the latte art is a cricket bat, which just looks like a square with a line, but Edwin still praises it.

They talk about cricket and linguistics and Charles’s attempts to learn Hindi so he can converse with his mother’s relatives back in India. 

“I’m pretty shit at it. Afraid I’m going to tell one of my mum’s aunties to fuck off accidentally.”

“I’m sure that’s not true. Learning a new language just takes practice and patience.”

“How many languages do you know?”

“I’m only fluent in six.”

“ Only six. Bloody slacker, you.”

They talk about St. Hilarion’s and the state school where Charles went and Edwin’s tabby cat, Thomas. They talk about the flat Charles shares with Crystal and Niko’s continued attempts to set Edwin up with every eligible bachelor at the university.

“The last one was a professor of economics,” Edwin says. “And he told me five minutes into the date that he doesn’t see the point of linguistics when Google Translate exists.”

Charles guffaws. “What’d you say to that?”

“I told him I didn’t see the point in economics when I could just Google stock prices. There was not a second date.”

“Shame, that.” Charles’s eyes sparkle. “Good-looking bloke like you probably doesn’t need to be set up.”

“Try telling Niko that,” Edwin says dryly. “She’s worried that I’ll die alone.”

“Nah, that’s not going to happen,” Charles says with perfect confidence that Edwin feels is entirely unearned, but still leaves him with a spring in his step all day.

Every time Edwin stops in, Charles adds some kind of art to his latte. Sometimes, it’s nearly recognizable, like the leaf, and sometimes, it’s a mishmash of incomprehensible shapes, like his attempt at a giraffe.

“You can tell it’s a giraffe! Because of the neck, see?”

“I thought it was a snake.”

“Snakes don’t have legs, mate.”

“Neither does this.”

It’s not really a friendship, Edwin keeps reminding himself firmly, nor anything else. Charles is being friendly to him because he’s at work. But for Edwin, whose only real friend is Niko, those few minutes of being smiled at every morning are as addictive as the blueberry scones. He’s aware that, much like coffee, he’s an acquired taste: always a little too awkward and snappish for most of his family, colleagues, and students. And given his continued failure to develop a taste for coffee, that’s not an encouraging thought.

But he cannot help but want, just a little, watching the way that Charles’s hands move deftly as he makes Edwin’s latte and drinking in the sound of his laugh. Every time he tells himself that he needs to stop wasting his money on a hopeless infatuation, he walks into Live A Latte, is greeted by Charles’s beaming smile, and knows he’s doomed.

***

He’s been a regular at Live A Latte for about three months when he stops in one day and finds Charles behind the counter, his smile edged with nervousness.

“Already got yours made, mate,” Charles says. “It’s on the house today.”

“Ah.” Edwin doesn’t know whether to be flattered or disappointed. A free latte and scone is a nice gesture—his wallet is feeling the effects of all these barely touched lattes—but this means he has no excuse to linger for a few minutes of conversation. “Thank you, that’s very kind.”

“Anything for my favorite customer.” Charles slides the latte across the counter with a wink.

Flushing, Edwin picks up the latte and glances at the shapes in the foam, frowning. “Is that… a three? And an eight?”

“Bloody hell, no, that’s supposed to be a six.” Charles grimaces and scrubs a hand through his curls. “It’s supposed to be my phone number.”

Edwin stares at him, because he cannot have gotten that right. He must be missing something.

“In case you want to call me sometime,” Charles, who now looks like he wants to sink through the floor, says. “But like, no pressure, mate. You’ll still be my favorite customer, even if you don’t.”

Edwin blinks. “I…”

“Oh my God.” Crystal leans around Charles. “He’s finally asking you out so I don’t have to keep listening to you two flirt about fucking Aramaic.”

“Enough of that, thanks.” Charles steps in between Edwin and Crystal, shielding her from view. “But, uh, yeah, I am.”

His eyes are warm and hopeful and Edwin realizes that this is actually happening. Charles, who is kind and charming and lovely and can make Edwin’s entire day with only a short conversation and a smile, wants Edwin to call him.

“You’ll need to just give me your number,” Edwin says. “Because this is gibberish.”

Charles laughs, bright and happy, and something in Edwin’s chest goes warm. “Yeah, fair enough.”

***

Edwin wakes to the smell of coffee. He stretches luxuriously, finding himself pleasantly sore in several places where he hasn’t been sore in a long time. Glancing around Charles’s bedroom, he takes in the sheets that needed to be changed at 2 AM and are now discarded in the corner and his own clothes strewn about with no regard for wrinkles. Under the mess, the room is very much Charles, with a shelf full of old records, an overflowing closet, and a cricket bat propped against the wall.

Since Charles is already up, Edwin slides out of bed only a bit reluctantly. Since his own clothes from the night before are a wreck, he finds a t-shirt with Live a Latte’s logo on the front that looks like it should fit and heads into the kitchen, where he finds Charles puttering around in nothing but a pair of pajama pants and a white undershirt. His eyes linger on the trail of bruises he kissed into the side of Charles’s neck.

“Morning.” Charles turns to him with a sleepy smile. “Sleep okay?”

“Very well, thank you.” Edwin crosses the room to him, smiling as Charles pulls him into his arms.

“I made coffee. Want some?”

Edwin is still half-asleep and drunk on a night of excellent sex and the feeling of Charles’s warm arms around him, so he’s not thinking when he says, “No thank you. I don’t care for coffee.”

Charles pulls back, eyebrows shooting up. “What?”

Too late, Edwin realizes his mistake. “It’s too bitter for me. I’ve been told it’s an acquired taste, but I’m afraid I never acquired it.”

“What about all those lattes I’ve been making you for months?”

Edwin desperately searches for a change of subject. “Is that the time? I really should be—”

“Oh, no you don’t.” Charles’s grip around Edwin’s waist tightens. “It’s Sunday. You already told me you have no plans today.”

“Well.” Edwin tries to adopt a look of haughty dignity that’s surely belied by the fact that he can feel his face turning beet red. “You wanted to hear more about Aramaic.”

“So you just kept coming back?” Charles’s smile widens, the corners of his eyes crinkling with mirth.

“The scones are quite good.”

“Admit it, it was for the latte art.”

“Your latte art is terrible, Charles.”

“Oi. You liked that kangaroo I did last week.”

“I thought it was a bloated mouse.” At Charles’s giggle, Edwin’s lips tug into a smile. “I will admit, you may have been something of a draw.”

“Was I, now?”

“Don’t let it get to your head.”

“Already has. You’re bloody adorable, you know that?” Charles pulls him into a kiss. His mouth tastes like coffee, which isn’t exactly pleasant, but Edwin thinks he’ll get used to it. “But, mate?”

“Yes?” Edwin nuzzles into the soft spot under Charles’s ear.

“You know we serve tea, yeah?”

***

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed, please consider leaving kudos or comments on AO3.

[deadbeatbirdmom]

Happy Valentine's Day my fellow RWBY fans. This should be a day focused on love. Which is why I'm going to talk about something that's been troubling me for a while. This isn't about any single post, and I'm not singling anyone out. I'd put this under a read more cut but I think it's important enough not to do that. Scroll down for TLDR and a poll.

One of the common courtesies of tumblr etiquette is: don't tag hate with things like a ship tag or character tag. Or should be common, but let's face it, it's more like uncommon.

A good chunk of tumblr users who I end up blocking are those who post hate in tags like the 'Bumbleby' tag, or 'Yang Xiao Long' tag (it'd be the 'RWBY' tag too, but I don't often go there and rarely post in it). No, it's not toxic to block people, it's how you control your tumblr experience. It's how I avoid seeing hate, or try to.

But there are some tumblr users who I don't want to block but also end up putting hate in the tags: some of my fellow fans. It's not intended the same way as those who do it out of spite, but the end result is the same: your fellow fans end up seeing stuff they might prefer not to.

There's another rule, an old one that predates tumblr: don't feed the trolls. Don't give them attention. Please delete anon hate rather than answer it, although I definitely understand how trolling trolls can be fun. Just please don't tag it with the main tags or you'll do the anon's work for them if it's hate about a ship or character.

I see all too much fan art around that gets far less engagement than posts trying to fight back against hate (and unfortunately share the hate at the same time, especially when it's something from elsewhere like reddit or twitter). If you like the art, don't only hit that heart button, reblog it too!

RWBY fandom isn't dead, but we do need to do our part to encourage artists to make and share more art. Likes alone don't help the art get in front of more fans. I don't think everyone looks in the tags to find art, some will rely on those they follow reblogging art. This goes for sharing fic too! And giving fic writers comments (and kudos on AO3).

This is an appeal to keep negativity out of the main tags. I'm not saying you can't post whatever you want, just when it comes to tagging: please spare a thought for your fellow fans who are incredibly tired of negativity. If all else fails, maybe include a tag that can be added to filters? 'Wasps' for posts about Bumbleby hate, maybe?

I don't know about anyone else, but if I wanted to see hate and get angry, I'd be on twitter or reddit. I check tags here on tumblr to find fan art, and to see fellow fans talking about how much they love RWBY and its characters and ships, and find interesting theories and analysis.

I'm also not entirely sure how tumblr works with followed tags and words mentioned in posts. Do untagged posts still show up if the word appears in the post? Does that mean breaking the word with a backslash or something to avoid it showing up? I don't know, perhaps something to consider.

TLDR: please don't feed the trolls and don't tag hate with main tags. Show RWBY fan artists and fic writers some love and reblog their posts, and comment on fics!

One last thing: a poll to find out if I'm an outlier and posting hate is actually normal in this post-twitter world.

[ghostgirl-22]

Art says to Tashi that he and Patrick usually have different types… what do you think their types are? Like what traits they are attracted to that are kind of opposites by also part of Tashi personality

This is such a good question!

Now I’m trying to think what they each like about her. They both clearly admire her tennis skills.

Hmm… I think about how they both idolize her at first. Patrick as this hot tennis prodigy he really wants to fuck. And Art thinks she’s a deity.

I think Patrick very quickly starts to perceive her less than perfect self and mistakenly believes they’re on the same level, I think he loves the challenge of her but doesn’t like confronting the reality that she’s even better than him. It attracts him and makes him insecure at the same time and triggers his self destructive side.

I don’t think Art ever stops worshipping her. Even when they’re married with a child and he’s undermining her and self sabotaging because he doesn’t feel like he’s good enough or like she could ever want someone like him (even though they’re married).

But different types…

Art wants a good girl he can bring home to family, a beautiful girl who he perceives as flawless. Someone he can project onto. A Disney princess type known for being the most beautiful like Snow White, or sleeping beauty. I see the take that he pretends to be humble but secretly loves the attention and I agree. He has to thrive in that attention if he’s succeeding at tennis at that level. So I think he likes the trophy girl to show her off too so everyone says “wow look who he’s with!” Even better if she’s popular, confident and smart. If she has a strong personality like Tashi or Patrick he will be attracted to that as well but in the sense that he’d like to be molded into something similar.

Patrick would be all over the place. Good girls/boys and bad girls/boys. He’s interested in looks of course but he seems like the kinda guy to whisper something inappropriate in your ear in front of people just to see you squirm. He wants the good girl but only to push her buttons and corrupt her. He would appreciate someone who matches his freak too. Someone daring. Disney Princesses like Mulan or Jasmine. He would bring a bad girl home (or a boy), just for the entertainment of it. He likes to get a rise out of people… sometimes to his and everyone’s detriment. I think he might feel threatened if they’re better than he is at something he cares about but other than that he’d love a smart, funny confident girl who challenges him.

Finally I think Art would want Patrick to find the person he’s dating attractive. Not to date her but Patrick would have to be impressed that Art is with her, envious even. Like even if Art thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world if Patrick wasn’t impressed it would fall apart. And if Patrick started to go after a girl Art didn’t find attractive he might start thinking about her as attractive.

Idk these are just my ramblings 🤷🏿‍♀️ what do yall think?

[dailynnt]

FRIENDS WITHIN TUCHING DISTANCE

⊹ Summary: Jungkook and you, his childhood friend, live together in an apartment, sharing space as roommates. Your relationship, built on years of friendship, is gradually becoming strained by growing sexual tension. You decide to become friends with benefits, trying not to complicate your feelings. But Jungkook's world is not so simple. When you begin to realize that he is hiding something, you open the veil of his double life - a world of mafia, criminal activity, and risk that could ruin not only your deal, but everything you valued in each other.

⊹ Couple: Jeon Jungkook/ Fem!Reader

⊹ Characters: The Reader, Jeon Jungkook, Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, Min Yoongi, Kim Seokjin, Kim Namjoon, Jeon Hoseok.

⊹ 🔞 Age restrictions: 18+

⊹ 👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏻 Relationships: ⚤

⊹ 📘 Number of part: 27/?

⊹ 🖇️ Tags: best friends, friends with benefits, slow longing, sexual tension, protected sex, unprotected sex, alcohol, drunken sex, inexperienced main character, mafia au, illegal trade, deaths of minor characters, weapons, swear words.

⊹ 👩🏼‍💻 From the author: Guys I did it, I wrote this chapter and this just phew, because it's so big 😅 I hope as always that you will love it 🥹👉🏻👈🏻 How do you like Y/N's confession and Jungkook's reaction? I don't know how to right and I haven't had the opportunity to write such things yet, but it turned out the way it did 😆 Enjoy reading my darlings 💗💘💜

⊹ 🫂 Dedication: For you, my love @myjungkookthighs. You are my favorite person 😘🥰 You know that I appreciate you so much and LOVE you🥰💜

⊹ ⚠️ Warning: English is not my native language, so there may be mistakes in the text. Please don't get mad at me too much! Those under 18, please don't read this story!

⊹ 📋Tag list: @myjungkookthighs, @notsevenwithyou, @nikkinikj, @lovelyyylunaa222, @jiminiemanura, @jalexad, @kelsyx33, @bhonbhon, @unholyforjk, @ambiee3, @mianhae-baozi, @someoneelse0109, @medstudentlifestyle, @mskookie, @kooccult , @smokinghotstargirl, @curse-of-art @wintaemoonjen (If anyone wants to be in my tag list let me know)

≣ Chapter Index ↓

Part 27. Under her heart is his future, behind their back is his past. 

Doohoon leaned back, looking thoughtfully at the espresso in his cup. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the aroma of expensive tobacco coming from Sehun, who was sitting across from him, slowly releasing thin streams of smoke. They were sitting in the office of the OBSESSION Group. The tall panoramic windows offered a view of Seoul covered in twilight, lit by thousands of lights. The two men sat across from each other. Tension was palpable between them. 

"Doohoon, this will take time to work." - Sehun spoke calmly, despite his companion's irritation. "Yes, I promised that everything would be ready in a week, but you see, sometimes things don't go as planned." 

Doohoon didn't answer, just lifted the cup to his lips and took a small sip. The bitterness of the coffee drowned out his dissatisfaction, but did not facilitated his impatient. It had been over a week since Jungkook and Lee Gyuwon had been photographed together in Suwon. They did their best to create the illusion that Jungkook was working behind Namjoon's back. But the fake document that imitated the money transfer "for the deal" was not yet ready.

"But we're almost at the end of the line!" - Sehun continued. "There are only a few days left to finalize the documents."

"Two days..." - Doohoon scoffed. He didn't want to wait even a minute.

He set the cup down on the table without saying a word. Sehun stubbed out his cigarette, and a light haze of smoke dissipated into the air.

"What about the man who sold the information about Uranium? Did you take him out?" - Doohoon asks, changing the subject. Sehun turns his attention to his friend. 

"You know?" - Sehun asks with a raised eyebrow. Doohoon expression is unchanged. 

"I know." - Doohoon replies shortly. He took another sip of coffee and continued. "I wonder if Namjoon knows yet? You know it won't cost him anything to find out who did this. Especially since that person was responsible for the delivery." - Sehun laughs lazily. He throws his leg over his leg and throws his arms over the back of the couch. 

"No, he won't know. First of all, it looks like an accident. And secondly, this man was a former customs officer who worked for the Kazakh mafia. He was one of the organizers, but definitely not the main one. We are not so stupid as to bribe a person who directly cooperates with Namjoon. That's why no one will know it was us." - Sehun explains. Silence falls, and everyone in the room thinks about their own things. Doohoon has a few more things to do, and if there's nothing else to do here, he'll leave. 

He unlocked his phone and opened a chat with you. His last message was from a week ago. There was no response. This irritated him even more than the expectation Sehun had imposed on him. He looked up at his friend, who was still sitting in a relaxed position, as if nothing was bothering him.

"How long do we have to wait for that Ji Sung guy?" - Doohoon asked. His voice was clearly irritated. Sehun turned his lips into a smile. 

"Are you in a hurry?" - He asked lazily. Doohoon remained silent for a moment to contain his frustration. 

"Yes. I have a lot of things to do." - Doohoon replied. 

"Just wait. He said he'd be arriving in ten minutes." - Said Sehun looking off to the side. "What are you nervous about? Do you think she won't agree to spied, because she loves Jungkook?" - There was a hint of mockery in Sehun's voice. Doohoon's mood became even worse. 

"She'll agree." - He said shortly. Sehun chuckled softly but mockingly. 

"Why do I think Ji Sung will come empty-handed? Your girl won't give up Jungkook." - Sehun says and watches Doohoon's reaction closely. He's quietly seething with anger. Sehun is amused by Doohoon's behavior. Although Sehun sincerely hopes that you'll have a reason to tell them what they want to know. Because as Ji Sung said, you're the only one who can know this information, except for those close to Namjoon. He's not happy with the fact that he's dependent on some girl. But for him, the main thing is to get the information so that Jungmyeon will be satisfied by him, and the idea of surpassing Ran Noir is like a balm to his soul. 

"She will have her doubts. But in the end, she will cooperate. I know her." - Doohoon says coldly. You've already doubted Jungkook once, and you let Doohoon get close to you then. So he thinks that if you find out that Jungkook has gotten into something so dangerous again and your peaceful existence might be disrupted again, you might turn against Jungkook. It would be very good if that happened. And then Doohoon could make you his forever. 

Sehun took another drag on his cigarette, exhaling the smoke in Doohoon's direction as if to test his patience.

"You sound so confident." - He drawled, squinting. "What if she decides that Jungkook is more important than her own peace of mind?" - Sehun asked. Doohoon clenched his jaw and gave Sehun a cold look.

"She won't!" - Doohoon said. 

"Really?" - Sehun ran his tongue over his lips like he was enjoying this game. "You think if she trusted you once, she'll do it again?" - Doohoon looked at him calmly, but there was something dangerous smoldering in his eyes.

"I know what she's capable of when she's cornered." - He replied. Sehun laughed softly.

"You know..." - Sehun said quietly, shaking the ashes from his cigarette. "How well do you know her?" - Sehun asks. Doohoon turns his eyes to his friend and takes a long look at him. 

"Quite well. That's why you didn't even doubt in my words." - Doohoon assures him. Sehun studies Doohoon's gaze. 

"You like her." - Sehun says. From being he didn't know why Doohoon had asked him to help clean up Jungkook in the first place. He just said that he was getting under his feet, but now the reason is obvious. It's you. 

"Yes." - Doohoon answered meekly and confidently, seeing no point in hiding it. 

"So she's the real reason why Jungkook is bothering you. You can't have his toy?" - Sehun asked, ironically. Doohoon clenched his jaw. The muscles in his jaw played with anger. 

"She was supposed to be mine until that asshole found out I liked her. He's taking everything that's mine and it's fucking annoying, don't you agree?" - Doohoon asks in an icy voice. 

Sehun leaned back, not in a hurry to answer. His gaze slid across Doohoon's face, as if gauging how far he was willing to go. Then he slowly took a drag on his cigarette, exhaling the smoke aside.

"Oh, I understand you perfectly." - He finally said, smiling with a hint of mockery. "But the problem is that Jungkook doesn't seem to have just taken her away. He made her want to be with him." - Doohoon clenched his fists sharply.

"He's no better than me." - His voice was low, full of pent-up rage.

"Maybe." - Sehun shrugged, tossing his cigarette away and crushing it in the ashtray. "But you seem to be missing the point, Doohoon." 

"Missing which point?" - He tried to keep his tone calm, but his irritation still came through. Sehun tilted his head, as if looking at his interlocutor with interest.

"It's not Jungkook you've been trying to fight all this time, it's her choice." - Doohoon felt a cold wave hit him inside.

"Choices can be changed." - He said in a low voice.

"So why isn't she with you yet?" - Sehun smiled wryly. Doohoon didn't say anything. He just stared in front of him, clenching his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. 

"She will be." - Doohoon says with such confidence, as if he knows you will in any case. But before Sehun can say anything, the door to the office opens.

A young girl of about 25 walks in, a personal assistant, secretary of Sehun, whatever. She straightened her hair nervously and made her voice steady. 

"Sehun-sajanim, Kim Ji Sung is here to see you." - She says. Doohoon turns his gaze to Sehun and notices his lustful gaze, which can only mean one thing: he is either thinking or remembering how he fucked her. Doohoon looks away, almost rolling his eyes. 

"Yes, darling, invite him." - Sehun says gently. The girl bows and walks away faster than she should. 

A moment later, Ji Sung appears at the door of the office. He bows discreetly to the two people present and walks in their direction. 

"So, what's there?" - Sehun asked, well concealing his curiosity. He gestured for Ji Sung to sit down next to him. Ji Sung sat down and hurried to tell him about the meeting. 

"I talked to her, but she turned me down. She said she wouldn't rat on Jungkook." - Ji Sung said. Sehun hummed, holding back a louder laugh. The words "I already knew that" were on the tip of his tongue, but he waited for Ji Sung to finish. "I reminded her that she owed me debt, but she refused. I gave her until the end of the week. She has to tell us what we need to know or I'll make sure she gets in trouble." - Ji Sung finished his report. He was visibly tense. 

Doohoon and Ji Sung were the ones who organized the whole thing. Doohoon assured that that you could know this information, and Ji Sung happened to be your sunbae to whom you owed a debt. You got it when you asked your sunbae to find information on the Namjoon clan. It was not difficult for your sunbae to find such information because he had long worked as an informant for the Black Pearl Clan. Ji Sung had the information you needed long ago, and asking you about Uranium was a great excuse to make Jungkook look bad for you, once again. Once again, Doohoon is trying to open your eyes to Jungkook's true nature.

He's a narcissist, manipulator, greedy, and cynical. He's only with you because Doohoon likes you. He seduced you because he knew you liked him for a long time. He's a bastard. 

Sehun didn't answer, just looked at the two men in front of him. Doohoon was tense, though he tried not to show it, and Ji Sung looked more confident, as if he thought he had done everything he could.

"Do you think she'll break before the end of the week?" - Sehun finally broke the silence, his voice a bit mocking.

"If you push it right." - Ji Sung replied. "She doesn't have much of a choice. She's known me for years, so she knows I don't waste words." 

"What are the chances that she has the information we need?" - Sehun asked, and it sounded like he was asking both of them. Ji Sung answered confidently. 

"Almost a hundred percent. Jungkook is a childhood friend. They've been close since they were young, and now they're dating, so I'm sure she knows these things about him." - Ji Sung stopped talking and there was silence. Doohoon also wondered what you might know. After you reconciled with Jungkook and accepted his lifestyle and activities, you could know anything about him. This made Doohoon almost animalistic angry. You've always been so righteous, and now you're dating Jungkook, who's up to his eyeballs in the mud. 

Sehun tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table. 

"So you say she'll share the data we need. But the question is: what's the point to her, telling us this information?" - Sehun asked. Ji Sung frowns a little.

"The thing is, she doesn't have a choice. She has a debt. She's not the kind of person who doesn't pay. Besides, I threatened her a bit." - Ji Sung replied. Sehun hummed, leaning his elbow on the arm of his chair.

"You threatened her a little?" - He looked at Ji Sung with an ironic smile. "And what did you tell her?"

"That if she didn't help, she'd be in trouble." - Ji Sung shrugged his shoulders. "She has nowhere to go, she's not stupid, she knows that debt is unforgivable." 

Sehun tilted his head slightly, as if he was thinking.

"Are you sure it will work?" 

"Why are you doubting all this time?" - Doohoon, who had been sitting in silence, interjected. His voice sounded dry.

"I'm just wondering what we'll do if she still says no?" - Asked Sehun. Everyone was tensely silent. "My thought: She won't say anything." - Sehun finally said confidently, standing up from his chair.  

"That's unlikely, but if that's the case, we'll have to convince her with more forceful methods." - Ji Sung suggested. 

Doohoon stared silently in front of him. He knew you wouldn't give up that easily. But that wasn't what made him angry. What made him angry was that you were so desperate to protect Jungkook. What did he have that Doohoon didn't? Why did you hold on to him so stubbornly, even though you knew who he was? Sehun glanced over, scrutinizing Doohoon.

"It seems like this situation is really bothering you." - He stated. Doohoon remained silent. Sehun smiled slightly and looked back at Ji Sung. "Okay. You gave her until the end of the week. If she doesn't talk, we'll figure out what to do about it."  

Ji Sung nodded, but there was a hidden danger in his eyes.

"She will talk, Sehun-shi. I promise you." - Ji Sung said with hope in his voice. 

"We'll see..." - Sehun went to the window. Doohoon was still sitting in silence, deep down he knew you were in the corner. And the question was not whether you would break. It was how long you'd suffer for Jungkook.

The sound of the water stops when you turn off the tap. You take off your clothes and touch the phone on the shelf not far from the bath. It's almost eight o'clock in the evening. According to Jungkook, he should be here soon. But the thought of him tickles your nerves. You climb into the bathtub and lie down straight. The water instantly relaxes you and you exhale blissfully. You wanted to take a bath to get rid of the feeling of tiredness and stress.

Warm steam fills the room, enveloping you in moist warmth. The lavender-scented water absorbs your body, relaxes your tense muscles, as if trying to wash away the fatigue that has settled somewhere deep inside. 

You pull your knees up to your chest, hugging your arms to you, and stare at the shimmering reflections of light on the water surface. The soft splash of the slightest movement creates the illusion of calm, but inside you is a storm.

Your fingers involuntarily slide over your stomach, which is still completely flat, without any changes. And yet... there is already life inside you.

You are pregnant.

This word does not leave your head, it sounds in it like a continuous echo. You still can't realize that the doctor really said it.

"By all indications, you are in early pregnancy..."

You didn't believe her right away, so you bought two pregnancy tests and took them. Both confirmed that you are indeed pregnant. 

You close your eyes as you inhale the hot, moist steam. How did this happen? You were taking those fucking birth control pills. But there was a time when you stopped taking them, right after you broke up with Jungkook. You stopped taking them because you thought you didn't need to because you weren't going to make up. But you underestimated your feelings for him, as well as his for you. The day he came to make up. Maybe it happened then? He cum inside you, and the next morning, too. But you took the emergency contraception pill. 

You reach for your phone and turn on the calendar app you used to determine your cycle. After calculating the day Jungkook coming to you and you made up by having sex, you are horrified to realize that it was the day you ovulated. God... that's why you got pregnant, because he cumed inside you on your ovulation day. You locked the phone and put it back. You immersed yourself in the bathtub with just your head above the surface of the water. Right now, you wanted to plunge into the water with your head, that not to think about what had happened and what would happen. 

Now you have a child, Jungkook child, that growing inside you. You imagined how you would hand in your diploma thesis with a stomach. You laughed hysterically. It was Jungkook's fault because he was joking about your pregnancy. 

Suddenly you were scared. Not because of the pregnancy itself-you don't know how to tell Jungkook. How will he react? Will he be happy? Judging by what he said before, he will be. It's also scary because of the world you live in. You tried not to be a part of the mafia life, but no matter how much you try to avoid it, you are slowly getting involved in this world. Even today's situation with sunbae. Threats, blackmail, spying. It's all this shit to worry about again. 

And then there's Jungkook and Uranium. Namjoon entrusted Jungkook with the uranium supply. You think this is the case he told you about when you were at parents' house. He was upset that day, obviously because he realized how dangerous and complicated it was. Oh Jungkook, why is this happening to you? 

You are absorbed in your own thoughts, not noticing the apartment door opening. You don't hear the familiar footsteps approaching the bathroom. It's only when the door opens and you feel a slight movement of air that your shoulders tense.

Jungkook looks into the bathroom to find you lying in the water. Your heart starts to race as if it were telling you to. You look at his face for only a few seconds, but you already feel like crying. Because he is so dear, so loved, so beautiful. Your feelings for him overwhelm you with an uncontrollable wave. After you find out that you are pregnant with his child, you seem to see him from a completely different perspective. Somehow deeper, more reverent. 

Jungkook enters the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He stops at the threshold, tilting his head to the side, looking at you carefully. His gaze slides over your face, lingering on your eyes, which shine with emotions that you don't have time to hide.

"Hi, baby. Are you okay?" - He moves toward you. You make an effort to hold back the emotions that overwhelm you. 

"Hi. I'm fine." - You say, smiling gently. You lift yourself up a little in the tub, but so that your chest is covered with water and foam.

Jungkook smiles out of one corner of his lips as he sits on the edge of the tub and folds his hands in front of him. 

"Is something wrong? You look lost..." - Jungkook is worried. He reaches out to touch your face. His palm touches your cheek, and you reflexively close your eyes against his warm. How pleasant, how desirable, how gentle. 

Jungkook admires your appearance. Your hair is gathered in a high, lush bun, obviously to keep it from getting wet. The skin on your face is shiny with moisture. Your eyelashes flutter slightly when you close your eyes. "How beautiful my beloved girl is," he thinks. But he is worried about your condition. 

You open your eyes, your hand warm from the water, touching his palm, covering it with your own. You cannot speak. Everything in your chest is tight, and it seems that if you open your mouth, you will just cry. From happiness, from fear, from love. From the realization that his child is growing inside you. Your child.

"It's okay." - You finally say, your voice breaking. Jungkook hums.

"It's not okay if you use that voice." - He says, stroking your cheek with his thumb. You inhale, trying to hold back the storm of emotions inside you, and hide your gaze in the water.

"Everything is really great... it's just..." - Your voice is quiet, almost indistinct. "A lot has happened today." - You say without elaborating. 

"And you decided to hide in the bathroom?" - Jungkook says playfully. You smile. 

"I thought it would work..." - You joke. Jungkook laughs softly. You think you have to change the subject quickly before he asks what happened. "I missed you." - You take his palm in your hands and kiss the inside of it. Jungkook looks at you with the tenderness and love of the world. He smiles as you kiss his hand. Jungkook takes his palm away and leans down to your face. 

"I missed you too . Like crazy." - He whispers, causing butterflies to flutter in your stomach. You smile seductively at his lips. 

"I couldn't wait for you to get here." - You whisper back. Jungkook is the first to respond. He's just a second ahead of you. He covers your lips in a greedy kiss that makes you throb between your legs. 

Jungkook holds onto the edge of the bathroom as he kisses you. He touches your face with his hand, as if to capture you. You want to take his face too, but your hands are wet, you don't want to get him wet. 

His lips already press gently but insistently against yours, causing a wave of trembling throughout your body. The water envelops you in warmth, but it's not enough, because the flame that Jungkook ignites with a single touch burns you from the inside out.  

His hand, still resting on your chin, moves lower, slowly running his fingers along your neck, over your collarbone, until he finds your breasts. Jungkook squeezes them lightly, almost gently, tracing a hardened nipple with his thumb. His lips leave yours, and he looks at you in a way that makes your heart pound even harder.

"So hot..." - His voice is husky, full of desire, and his eyes are hungry. He dips his hand into the water, touching your stomach. You instinctively hold your breath. His palm is wide, warm, and it seems to envelop you, enveloping you with a sense of security. You want to close your eyes and just surrender to this feeling, forget about everything that bothers you.

"How was your day?" - You ask, trying to escape from his captivity, although you don't really want to. Jungkook leans back a little, raising his eyebrows in surprise, and then laughs - low, hoarse, so that a pleasant chill runs down your spine.

"Are you serious?" - He squeezes your thigh underwater, getting your attention. You nod, swallowing the heavy lump in your throat. Jungkook leans closer again. "I've been waiting all day to come home. To see you. To touch you..." - He runs his lips down your cheek, to your ear, making you hold your breath. "And now you're asking me how my day was?" - His another hand moves down, pressing against your stomach. You grab his wrist, stopping him.

"Kook..." - Your voice is barely audible, a little confused. He freezes, staring at your face, his eyes full of tenderness.

"What?" - He asks, studying your gaze. You have a thousand reasons to stop this moment. But right now, you want nothing more than him.

"Do you want to join me?" - You ask, almost whispering. Jungkook stretches his lips into a satisfied smile. He can't refuse you. He doesn't immediately accept your offer, though. Without answering, he straightens up and looks between your legs. Your knees are not submerged in water, so he can easily determine where he wants to go first. 

You feel his hand slide over your stomach and approach your most desired spot. You spread your legs slightly to give him more than free access to your pussy. 

"You didn't text me when you left the doctor." - Jungkook leans in closer, his elbow resting on the edge of the tub. His voice is quiet, almost a whisper, but you can hear the dissatisfaction in it. His fingers find your clit in the water. You close your eyes, feeling it in a whole new way. Jungkook massages your clit, with light movements that seem weightless in the water, but no less pleasurable.

"I forgot." - He force you to look up at him. He is so dear, so yours. His warm gaze makes your heart clench. Jungkook smiles, but it's more of a sly, playful smile. 

"You forgot?" - He asks again, leaning closer. His lips stop a moment from yours. He dips his fingers into your passage. Your legs clench reflexively as you feel his fingers move inside, stretching your velvet walls. 

The water envelopes your body in warm tenderness, but his presence makes it even more hot. Jungkook slowly touches his lips to your neck, leaving barely perceptible kisses. His breath is hot, and his touch makes you feel sweetly immersed in the moment.

"I've been waiting all day to finally come home..." - His voice sounds deeper, making you melt. He increases the pace with his hand to make you feel a pleasant pleasure. The water splashes with his movements, and a moan escapes your lips. Jungkook uses his thumb to reach your clit and the pleasure created by his movements intensifies. "I'm here to..." - He whispers, forcing you to look him straight in the eye. "To not let you forget about me." 

Jungkook kisses you. His tongue enters your mouth and you accept it as if it were something you needed. Your tongues intertwine in a hot dance that ignites passion and need. You moan into his mouth as his fingers fuck you mercilessly. He feels you come on his fingers. Your clit twitches, and your muffled moan vibrates on his lips. He smiles into your mouth.  

He pulls away, leaving you breathing heavily. He gets to his feet and your gaze falls on his bulge, which you can see immediately. Jungkook is undressing. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, never taking his eyes off you. His eyes are dark, heavy with desire, and it makes your heart pound even harder. He drops his shirt, and you hold your breath as you watch the familiar, yet always captivating curve of his body.

"You're so beautiful." - He compliments you. "I could stare at you forever." - His words take you to heaven. You should have complimented him, but the emotions that overwhelm you do not allow you to speak. 

You smile and watch in silence as he reaches for the waistband of his pants, freeing himself from his excess clothing. His every movement seems to be in slow motion, as if he wants you to remember this moment to the smallest detail. When Jungkook takes off his boxers, you literally devour him with your eyes. His hard cock is attractive and you can't look away. Jungkook walks to the bath and you are mesmerized, tilting your head back to see his face.

"Make place for me, my sweet." - He says, and you involuntarily move over, letting him sink into the warm water next to you. The water rises higher, hugging your bodies. You sit down on his lap, feeling his hard cock on your buttocks. Jungkook hugs your stomach, and then his hands lifted to your breasts. 

He squeezes them, playing with your nipples. You lean your head back on his shoulder and breathe heavily. 

"They feel like they've gotten bigger." - Jungkook says, referring to your breasts. He massages them, and you run your foot along his leg to ease the anticipation of more. 

"No." - You say. "They shouldn't." - But they are because you're pregnant. You're suddenly tense about this fact. But when Jungkook kisses your shoulder, you calm down. He is your panacea, he is the one who always knows how to relax you. 

"But it's true. They used to fit in my palm, but now they don't." - He says, squeezing them together. "Look." - Jungkook asks. You lift your head with difficulty and look at his hands on your chest. They do indeed not fit slightly in his palms. And his palms are big. 

"Jungkook..." - You say his name almost unconsciously, as if it's rolling off your lips. You want to tell him. 

"Mmmm" - He purrs in your ear. "What is it, my baby?" - He asks when you don't answer. You won't tell him now. Not yet.

"Uh... I was going to say that my breasts must have gotten bigger because I'm going to have my period soon." - You're lying. You don't understand why it's so hard for you to confess that you're pregnant with his child. His fingers caress your skin, and you can feel his impatience building. He lets go of your breasts and drops his hands to your clit and caresses it. 

"What did the doctor say? Is everything okay in there?" - Jungkook asks. 

"Yes, everything is very good." - You say with a blissful sigh. Jungkook's cock twitches and you feel it. 

"And how do you feel now?" - He asks, referring to the state you were in a week ago and this morning. You can barely hold back a bitter laugh. How are you feeling? Overwhelmed with emotions you can't explain. Lost between fear and joy. In love with this man to the point of madness.

"Right now…I'm fine." - You say quietly, referring to this very moment. In fact, Jungkook's fingers almost bring you to a second orgasm, but he takes his fingers out of your pussy. He puts his hands on your hips and touches his lips to your cheek, sitting up straighter. 

"Then let me make it even better." - He suggests. He motions for you to turn around and sit on his cock. You do so. You turn around and sit down, resting your knees on the sides of Jungkook's thighs. You know that tomorrow your knees will definitely be bruised. But it doesn't really matter right now. You lower yourself onto his cock with amazing ease and no pain at all.

When he plunges into you as far as he can, you can't help but hold back soft moans, because it's blissful. You squeeze his cock, feeling it so good. You haven't had sex in a little over a week, so you must be so sensitive. 

"Baby, I'm mighty to cum if you don't get up." - He says and lifts you up, supporting your hips with his hands, but he doesn't hold you for long, and in a moment he's already back down. It feels so fucking good. Jungkook's breathing is ragged. He smiles at you as you watch him. "You missed my cock so much that you decided to strangle me right away?" - He says defiantly. You move closer to his lips, wrapping your arms around his neck. 

"Now do you realize how much I missed you?" - You ask, and then kiss him. Jungkook squeezes your hips with some force, and his lips are greedy against yours. He was aroused by your words, and he wants to show you how much he missed his favorite pussy. 

Jungkook makes push his hips so you can feel his cock, but it's not deep or sharp, it's gentle. 

You pull away from his sweet lips and start moving slowly. The water is splashing around, but it doesn't interfere with the process. Jungkook looks at your face, admiring you. He helps you as you move on his lap. The sex is not rushed but slow and gentle. It's probably the first time you're not having passionate, hard sex, but rather slow, light, and loving. 

"Did I tell you today that I love you?" - Jungkook asks as if you were sitting at a table, but not in a bathroom and fucking. Even though he says it, he feels your every move. The friction inside is just amazing. 

You smile when you hear it. The butterflies in your stomach make themselves felt again. 

"Yes, you said." - You say, between heavy breaths and exhalations. 

"Okay, but I'll say it again." - Jungkook chants and pulls you in for a kiss. He stops a centimeter from your lips and whispers. "I love you." 

"I love you too." - You answer. 

The water gently embraces you, creating the illusion of weightlessness as you move in a harmonious rhythm. His hands gently slide down your back, supporting you. Breaths mingle in the air, warm and deep, intertwined with soft sighs that echo through the semi-darkness of the bathroom.

Jungkook looks at you, not believing it's you. You're his best friend, the one he's always wanted. The one he's always loved and wanted only you. Now you are his love and he will never let you go. 

The movements are slow, smooth, like waves touching the shore, leaving behind only sweet bliss. You merge in a kiss-slow, deep, full of feelings. Jungkook presses you against him, letting you feel the depth of his devotion.

You move your hips and feel the same orgasm full of the purest pleasure. It turns out that slow movements can also make you cum. Your orgasm spreads down your lower body and you go crazy with pleasure. Jungkook makes you move on, speeding up the pace so that he can come too. It doesn't take him long.

A few minutes after you do, he spews his semen inside you, but you don't worry about it anymore because you already have a baby.You breathe heavily against each other. You smile when you meet Jungkook's eyes. He is in no hurry to let go of you, holding you gently. The water around you slowly calms down, leaving only light circles spreading across the surface. The water has long since cooled down, but the heavy hot bodies have not noticed. 

You feel his fingers slide gently along your back, leaving you with pleasant tingling sensations. He puts his chin on your shoulder, breathing evenly, calmly, as if he wants to enjoy this moment as long as possible.

"I've been waiting for this day." - Suddenly he says, his voice a little hoarse, full of some deep, but incomprehensible feeling. You turn your head slightly to look at him. 

"This day?" - You ask, not understanding. He runs his hand down your back again, hugging you tighter.

"The day when I can just come home and find you like this - relaxed, calm, mine." - These words make your heart skip a beat. If only he knew how much this moment means to you. If only he knew what secret warmth spreads through you when you hear his voice and feel his touch. But you're not ready to tell him what's important.

So you just smile, running your fingertips along his neck.

"How this day to you?" - Your voice is seductive, playful. Jungkook laughs slightly, pressing his lips to your shoulder.

"Perfect. But you know what?" - He asks you. You raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. He bites your skin lightly and then whispers. "It would be even better if you didn't hide from me in the bathroom."

"I wasn't hiding from you, I was hiding from fatigue." - You laugh, pushing him in the shoulder, but he catches your hand and, pressing it to his lips, leaves a long, gentle kiss on your wrist.

At that moment, you realize that no matter how your future turns out, there will always be room for your love.

On the low table in front of the couch were boxes of food that had been delivered - still warm rice, chicken in sauce, fried mandu, ramen, and a few bok choy, which you ordered on purpose because you knew Jungkook loved them.

He was sitting next to you, wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, a little relaxed but focused, his fingers touching his phone over and over again. Because of an incoming call or a message.

"You said you were to be free early today." - You remarked softly, opening the box with the chicken.

"I did it." - He nodded, looking away from the screen. "Just not finished something."

"Then what's the point of arriving early?" - You arched a skeptical eyebrow. Jungkook sighed guiltily, putting his phone away.

"Sorry, I'm with you." - He smiled, reached for you, and gave you an apologetically kiss. You smiled back in satisfaction. You took a couple of chopsticks and put some rice on your plate. Jungkook took some chopsticks too and finally focused on dinner.

"Are you busy because of that case you told me about?" - You asked cautiously. Jungkook took a bite of chicken, and you looked at his lips, which were glistening with sauce. 

"Uh-huh…" - He muttered, mixing the sauce in the ramen. The smell of the food seemed pungent to you, and the only thing that didn't make you nauseous was the rice. So you ate only that. To avoid Jungkook noticing that you weren't eating anything else, you took some chicken and put it in the rice, but didn't eat it. 

"By the way, did you talk to Namjoon about the debt? If you're doing something so illegal, shouldn't he forgive the whole debt?" - You ask seriously. 

"What makes you think it's something too illegal?" - He asked, tilting his head to the side.

His voice sounded somehow slightly irritated, and you were worried that this dialog would not end well. The intense gaze of his dark eyes made you feel as if he was looking right into your thoughts, trying to find out what you knew. 

"Because I see that this case takes up all your time. You're in the company almost around the clock. You come in late, and when you're home, you're always on the phone. Obviously, this requires careful preparation, which means it's something too illegal, knowing what you do." - You explain. Jungkook's eyebrows are knitted together tightly. He's annoyed that you're paying attention to such things and trying to find out something. 

"It doesn’t matters, baby." - He says, not taking his eyes off you. You forced yourself to hold his piercing gaze calmly. 

"Just tell me if Namjoon will let you go." - You repeated, trying to find out. 

"I don't think you need to worry about that." - He replied dryly, going back to eating. His movements became sharp and tense. 

"But I am worried!" - You said abruptly and put your chopsticks down on the table. "You said yourself you wanted this. If the agreement between you two is going to help you, then I want to know how soon he can let you go." - Jungkook ate in silence. His phone vibrated, and he glanced over but didn't pick it up. You saw that it was Jimin texting. "Are you going to talk to me?" - You asked. 

"Y/N, I don't want you to know anything about what I do. I tell you about it all the time. But you somehow find yourself involved in everything you won’t need to be. Namjoon won't let me go as easily as you or I would like. Even the fact that I'm doing something so important to him doesn't give me any special privileges. He's my boss, I have to do what he says." - Jungkook replied. You raised your eyebrows, feeling irritated by his words. 

"You sound like you're happy with everything. I thought you wanted to get out of the mafia as soon as possible..." - You say, looking away. You put a small portion of rice in your mouth and eat it. "Has it ever occurred to you that the more you get involved in darker things, the deeper you get sucked in...?" 

Jungkook throws his chopsticks on the table and you jump slightly. 

"Y/N! How many times have we talked about this? It's more complicated than you make it sound. You don't know Namjoon and my relationship with him. I'm not happy with everything, I just do what I have to do because it's the smart thing to do." - He says, raising his voice slightly. You don't turn to him, but stubbornly eat the rice, which doesn't taste good to you. Jungkook looks at you for a long few seconds and then turns away. There is a silence between you that weighs on both of you, only the sound of chopsticks against plates. Jungkook eats without much appetite. 

"What if I had information that was really important to Namjoon, would he let you go?" - You ask, thinking about asking the sunbae why he wanted to know the time of the uranium delivery from you. Jungkook turns his attention to you and you catch his fierce gaze. 

"What the hell information?" - He is angry. You're angry too, but you try to be sure. 

"Important information, something that means a lot to him." - You repeat. 

"What are you up to? There is doesn't exist that kind of information. He's very careful about what people know about him. I know everything about him and there is no such information like that." - Jungkook says sharply. 

You lightly bite the inside of your cheek, wondering if you should go any further. Jungkook looks on edge, and you can see that his patience is almost bursting. But you've already started this conversation.

"He's not a saint, and even if he's cleaned up all the information about himself, it's impossible to erase everything completely." - You argue. "I'm a journalist, and if I wanted to, I could..." - Jungkook cuts you off in mid-sentence, unable to listen to what you are saying. 

"Y/N!" - He shouts. You jumped up again, staring at Jungkook in shock. You didn't even remember the last time he yelled at you. "Stay out of this shit. Don't even try to dig up anything on Namjoon. Do you have any idea who you're talking about? Besides, you're not a journalist yet, you're a student, you won't be able to find anything on him." - Jungkook exhales nervously and gets up from the couch, and you follow him. You didn't expect him to react so sharply. Jungkook runs his hand through his hair, ruffling it. He turns to you, and his look is more desperate than angry. 

"Fuck." - He curses, regretting that he got so angry. He didn't mean to yell at you or anything. Jungkook walks over to you and kneels down at your feet. He takes you by the knees and looks you in the eyes. "Baby, please don't do anything. Don't look for any information. Just go about your business. Leave everything to me. I'll take care of everything, you don't have to worry about anything. Namjoon will let me go when the time comes." 

You look at him, feeling a wave of conflicting emotions rise in your chest. His voice sounds softer, but his eyes are full of anxiety. Jungkook rarely shows his fear, but now you see it, and it makes you question your decision.

"What if the time doesn't come?" - You ask, your voice soft but firm. You put your hands on his shoulders, trying to ignore the warmth of his skin through the thin fabric of his shirt. "You said it yourself, Namjoon won't let you go that easily. So you're just going to wait?" - You look into his eyes intently. Jungkook squeezes your knees a little harder with his fingers, as if he's afraid you're about to slip away. 

"I'm not just waiting, baby. I'm playing a game you shouldn't be playing. I know the rules. You don't." - He explains.

"What if I learn?" - You decide that if you can't stay out of the mafia world, maybe you should be prepared for anything that might happen. Your question elicits a husky laugh from him, but it quickly disappears when he notices the determination in your eyes.

"No. I won't let you. This is not your life." - He says seriously, wiping the sad smile from his lips. You feel the irritation flare up even more.

"And what is mine, Jungkook? The one where I just keep quiet and pretend I don't care that my boyfriend is mired in shit? I can't just sit here and wait for you to..." - You swallow the rest of the words, because it's too scary to even think about. Jungkook sighs, leans over, and rests his forehead on your knee.

"I don't know what to say to make you not do anything." - He sounds desperate.

"You don't have to say anything." - You say softly. He looks up, his dark eyes drilling into you.

"If you really have something... information that's important to Namjoon..." - He takes your wrist, his fingers hot and strong. "Tell me." - You don't answer, because you don't really know anything. You have some ideas about how to pull it off, but you don't know what to do yet. You can trick the sonbe and try to get information from him about for who he is looking for. And then pass this information on to Namjoon in exchange for Jungkook's freedom. But you need to plan everything well. You have to do something for Jungkook, so that he is not alone on this battlefield.

"I don't know anything. I wanted to find something, but if you insist that I do nothing..." - You say to calm Jungkook down. He squints, not quite believing what you're saying. 

"Y/N..." - He calls your name, emphasizing the seriousness.

"I won't do anything silly." - You promise, leaning down to his lips. You kiss him gently and carefully. He responds, unable to resist his favorite lips. It is a half-truth that you promise. He doesn't believe you. But for now, he doesn't say anything. 

"That's not how he prepares." - You argued. Jungkook looked at you in surprise. "I know because my mom makes it perfectly. Seafood sundubu-jjigae is an authentic recipe." - Jungkook laughs at the way you prove your point. He also likes to tease you. 

"Baby, no one makes sundubu-jjigae with seafood. Only beef." - He would say with a sly smile, propping his face up with his hand. You were sitting on the floor in the living room arguing over the sundubu-jjigae, you started talking about authentic dishes and when it came to this soup, your opinions were divided. You wanted to prove that the original sundubu-jjigae is a broth with seafood. You left your phone charging in the room on purpose. 

"Give me your phone and I'll prove that the original recipe doesn't contain beef." - You said, reaching out to get the phone. Jungkook glanced at his phone lying nearby, but didn't give it to you. In case if someone texted he about work, that you won’t to see it. 

You waited impatiently, because you had also early planned to turn off his phone’s Face ID so that you could get into his phone at night. 

You knew that sunbae was looking for information about the date of the uranium delivery. You also knew that whoever was behind it wanted to use it against Namjoon. You couldn't let that happen-not when it put Jungkook in danger. So you planned to deceive your sunbae. Give him false information.

All you needed was a screenshot with date and place. And you knew where to get it. So you tried to get Jungkook's phone for the second time this evening, but he stubbornly refused to give it to you. 

Jungkook grabbed your hand and pulled you to him. You found yourself leaning over him, and in a moment you were pulled into a kiss. You responded with great desire. You comfortably settled on top of him, and you kissed. Jungkook's hands roamed over your body. His palm went under your pajama shorts and squeezed the skin on your buttocks. 

You kissed Jungkook while your mind raced. It's been a few days since you found out you were pregnant, but you still haven't told him. Maybe tonight is the time? 

You started moving your hips, feeling Jungkook's semi-hard cock. He was aroused by your kiss, and your movements made him even more excited. You also felt your underwear getting wet. 

In a moment, you were on your back, pinned down by Jungkook. He pulled away from your lips and spoke in a voice full of desire. 

"Are you doing this on purpose? I didn't plan to fuck you tonight." - You laugh, you hadn't planned it either. You have something else to do. Jungkook was hovering over you, his hot breath tickling your skin. His hands were everywhere-warm, confident, greedy. You could feel your heart pounding furiously in your chest, and you couldn't figure out what was making you tremble more: his touch or the realization that you were hiding the truth from him.

You smile seductively. He sees how you want to continue what you started. You wanted to answer, but instead you just closed your eyes, dissolving into the sensations. Jungkook knew how to take your mind away, make you forget everything in the world. But not today. Today, you had a plan.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pretending to be completely absorbed in the moment, but your mind was working clearly. Somewhere nearby, on the floor, was his phone. He didn't realize that you were counting on this moment.

As he leaned closer, you reached out, your fingers touching the cold glass. You slid the phone closer to you before picking it up and pressing it to your lips, as if involuntarily.

"I want to prove you wrong first." - Your voice was shaking, but Jungkook didn't suspect anything. He let out a heavy exhale and leaned back to let you catch your breath. 

"You better have something else to prove to me." - He smiled, barely hiding the desire that still burned in his eyes. 

"It will take a few minutes." - You said. "Just unlock your phone." - You point the phone at his face, so that the Face ID works. But it didn't work, so Jungkook enter a password. You followed his fingers but couldn't keep in mind the password. He unlocked his iPhone and handed it to you. 

Jungkook leaned down to your neck and started kissing it, while running his hands over your figure. While he was busy with you, you had a good opportunity to turn off your Face ID to get into your phone at night and find a screenshot with some date and delivery of the goods.

You opened to the browser, pretending to search for something, and meanwhile quickly went to the settings. Your heart was pounding, but you had to be confident. Jungkook kissed you without moving away. When he went down to your chest, lifting up your pajama top, you barely knew what you were doing. His tongue was playing with your nipple. He sucked on the nipple, pulling the skin in with a slight pain. Your breasts are sensitive and you really hurt, but this one was more intertwined with arousal. 

"Here, look, it says..." - You slipped the phone to him, distracting him from what he was doing, you had already managed to turn off Face ID. Jungkook muttered something as he looked at the screen, and then took the phone away and moved closer to your lips. 

"Are you serious? I thought we were doing more important things..." - His lips found yours, making you forget about everything but him. You were kissing when Jungkook's phone rang. He growled right into your lips, and you couldn't help but laugh. 

"Who's calling so late?" - You asked with mock jealousy. Jungkook turned his head to the phone. 

"It's Jimin..." - He was about to get up, but you stopped him. 

"Do you really want to answer it? Because I don't want to continue if you get distracted now." - You were giving Jungkook a choice. An incoming call from Jimin and a time like this — might be important, but you're lying there under Jungkook, sexy and so damn tempting that he can't take his eyes off you. 

"Are you setting conditions for me?" - He asks, a danger in his voice that excites you. 

"Yes, love. You're always working, so can I be first to you tonight?" - Your voice is soft, and you slip your hand into his soft hair and stroke it. He glances at his phone, then back at you. 

"You always first for me. But this could be an important call." - Jungkook says hopefully, but don't pick up the phone. You tilt your head and squeeze your shoulders slightly. 

"It's up to you. I will not continue, if anything." - You blackmail. Jungkook hums and leans closer. Heavy breathing escapes his chest, and his hands, still on your hips, squeeze your skin boldly.

"You're sneaky, you know that?" - He murmured, his lips almost touching yours.

"Mmm..." - You ran your fingers through his hair, enjoying the softness of it. "I just want you to be here with me, not off doing your own thing."

Jungkook sighed. The phone finally went silent, stopping vibrating, and the room fell silent, filled only with your rapid breathing. He turned his gaze to you. 

"Good... You win." - His voice sounded hoarse, tinged with irritated satisfaction.

"Did we play a game, love?" - You whispered gently, running your fingers along his cheekbone.

"Yeah, tell me you weren't manipulating me a minute ago." - He protested, returning his lips to your attractive neck. He kisses it, sucking lightly. And when he bites himself, you just flow. 

"Manipulation is such a rude word. I'd call it... persuasion." - You say, breathing heavily. Jungkook pulls away from your neck. He smiled at you, but his gaze remained heavy, dark, and filled with desire. He lowered himself sharply to your lips, biting deeply into the kiss. His hand slid down to your stomach and then lower into your underwear, forcing you to arch against him.

"Happy?" - He asked between kisses, finding your clit and massaging it.

You moaned into his mouth. He could hear how satisfied you were. But you also wanted to admit that you were pregnant. Should you wait until you two finish or should you tell him now? You've been silent for so long, you decide now is the time. 

You part your lips. Jungkook is about to reach down to your chest to continue what he've started, but you call out to him. 

"Kook..." - You try to withstand the sensations of his fingers on your clit and his tongue on your nipple. He plunges his fingers into your passage and returns to your face. 

"Yes, my love. Do you want to say something?" - He asks quietly.

"Yes... I have... mmgghh." - You want to speak but you can't, Jungkook just won't let you. His fingers inside you create friction that isn't enough, and it force want more. 

"What? Is it something important?" - He asks again, continuing to fuck you. You squeeze his biceps with your fingers to ease the sweet languor. 

"Yes, it's important." - You affirm forcibly. Jungkook stops and you open your eyes. You see his handsome face very close. 

"Can it wait? Or do you want say right now?" - Jungkook asks, not entirely happy that you're interrupting such a process. You bite your lip, feeling very nervous. If is the right time to say it? 

"Jungkook... I'm pregnant." - The words come out of your mouth faster than you'd like. Jungkook freezes. His dark eyes, which had just been clouded with desire, clear. He stares at you, as if trying to figure out if he heard you correctly. He pulls his hand out of your shorts and sits up. You follow, looking at him. 

You gulp for air, your heart pounding in your chest. This is not how you imagined this moment. You wanted to tell him this in a different setting-not now, not like this... But the words are already out, and you can't take them back.

"What?" - His voice is quiet, he doesn't even blink, he just stares at your face, as if looking for confirmation in every feature.

You exhale softly, your hand finding his cheek, warm and familiar. 

"I'm pregnant." - You repeat more confidently. The moment of silence seems like an eternity. He does not look away. His hand involuntarily goes down to your stomach, as if he wants to feel something that can't even be felt yet.

"Are you... sure?" - He finally asks, his voice trembling more than you're used to hearing. You get up and go to get the test. You take it in the room and return to Jungkook, who is sitting on the couch, completely dazed. You give him the two ribbons that indicate pregnancy. 

"You should know what the two strips mean." - You say with a smile on your lips. Jungkook picks up the pregnancy test and looks at it. His lips part slightly, as if he wants to say something, but can't find the words. He finally looks at you, his eyes darting between yours. You're flustered. "Maybe... you say something..." - Your voice is quiet, almost pleading. You cannot understand his reaction. And then, suddenly, he hugs you tightly, burying his face in your neck. His breathing is ragged, and you can feel his fingers trembling on your back.

"God..." - He whispers. You don't know what it means. Joy? Fear? Shock? He doesn't let go of you, holds you as if he's afraid to let go even for a second. "You really are pregnant." - He finally says, leaning back a little to look into your eyes again. You smile through your excitement.

"Yes." - You confirm. Jungkook inhales, bites his lip, and you can see him trying to deal with the storm of emotions inside. And then he leans down and kisses you - gently, slowly, not at all like a few minutes ago. There is no passion in this kiss, but there is something deeper - indescribable feelings that he himself does not seem to fully understand.

His lips tremble as he kisses you, as if he wants to remember this moment forever. His fingers gently trace your cheek and then move down to your stomach. He touches it so carefully, as if he's afraid he might hurt you.

"You..." - He stutters, searching for the right words. "Are you feeling okay? Have you been sick? Did anything hurt?" - You smile at his concern.

"I'm fine, Jungkook. I felt a little nauseous this morning, but it's nothing serious." - You say to reassure him. He nods and then runs his fingers over your stomach again.

"This... this is real." - He whispers. "I'm going to be a father... damn it, I'm really going to be a father." 

"Yes you are. I warned you not to joke about it." - You say with a slight protest. Jungkook laughs and hugs you tighter. 

"It wasn't my jokes that got you pregnant, so don't blame them." - Jungkook says and you laugh out loud. Yeah, it's not the jokes' fault. "Baby, I love you. I love you so much." - Jungkook says as he turns to you. You look into his eyes and can't figure out if this moment is real or if you're dreaming. When he touches your lips again, you can't help but feel the reality of this moment. You are relieved that he knows. 

Jungkook fell into a deep sleep, as he always does after a busy day and he also a lot of emotions. You didn't have sex because Jungkook couldn't process the emotions of the news for a long time. You told him that you couldn't tell him for a long time because you were so depressed. Jungkook a little scold you, he saw how you were and you should have told him right away. You defended yourself by saying that you don't get pregnant every day and don't know how to behave. 

Jungkook's breathing is steady, his arm is heavy on your waist. You need to find the right screenshot. You waited. You waited until the rhythm of his breathing became deep and his body relaxed completely.Then slowly, carefully, you pulled your hand out from under the blanket and felt for his phone.

You unlocked it. You went into the messaging. You didn't know where exactly Jungkook kept important information, but logic told you that it was in the chats where he was communicating with some of Namjoon's people. And you were right.

Correspondence with someone from Run Noir. Dates, numbers, places. You found what she needed. You took a screenshot. You sent it to herself, quickly saved and deleted the text message on your and his phone. You wiped all the tabs and put the phone down, turning the face ID back on. 

You laid down and turned on your back. Jungkook stirred next to you. He snuggled up to you, burying his head in the crook of your neck, and resting his hand on your stomach. You exhaled a quiet, relieved breath. 

Now all you had to do was fake a screenshot and meet with sunbae. 

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[partyanimal167]

Hello~ I absolutely loved your Cowboy Crocodile headcannon! I desperately need more if you would be willing 🖤😭

Yes!!! Anything for a fellow Crocodile lover! I really do enjoy writing for my nice man. I need to see more of him in the manga/anime~

Thinking more about Cowboy!Crocodile....

Cowboy!Crocodile who didn't think he'd stick to life on the ranch at all. He'd get dropped off at his grandfather's as a youngster and hated it!

Cowboy!Crocodile who was shocked when the horses paid him no mind as a kid and wanted to make those large creatures submit!

Cowboy!Crocodile learned patience from working with the animals over the years. It took different strategies and communication styles. People still irked him though.

Cowboy!Crocodile was never bothered by you though. Oh never you. He just wanted to lurk by whenever someone was too close and it didn't seem related to business.

Cowboy!Crocodile noticed when you'd pop by his office though it was floors above yours. You're always welcomed, but you didn't want anyone getting the wrong idea. (The secretary knew)

Cowboy!Crocodile was mostly attentive when you'd present him with new information about different ranches and studies on cattle raising. His mind did wander to you wearing his hat, and he plotted with the other percentage of his mind.

Cowboy!Crocodile who's shocked when you invite him to a lounge after work. It was not his usual scene or music, but he'd try his best for you.

Cowboy!Crocodile kept an eye out for creeps under the brim of his hat after you insisted on getting the next round of drinks. He didn't mind. He'd slip it into your next paycheck any way.

Cowboy!Crocodile who nearly blushed when you pulled him onto the dance floor and he didn't know what to do because again, not his crowd.

Cowboy!Crocodile who easily maneuvered you closer when someone was getting a bit too close for his comfort even though you weren't against dancing with others.

Cowboy!Crocodile who huffed his cigar smoke when you both were back in your seats. He shot daggers at those who looked in your direction while you were ever clueless.

Cowboy!Crocodile nearly choked on that cigar when you suddenly popped up with the bright idea of riding the mechanical bull. He wanted to stop you, but you dashed away. He might have miscounted the amount of drinks you both had.

Cowboy!Crocodile whose face got hot as he watched you lift yourself up and down trying to keep balance on the bull. His eyes definitely did not peek at your jeans or the bit of skin that teased him.

Cowboy!Crocodile was the first one to help you up after you fell off. You were all giggles though.

Cowboy!Crocodile got you home later that night as you laughed a little tispy recounting the moments he was by your side for.

Cowboy!Crocodile tried to play the gentleman act at your door, but you were quicker.

Cowboy!Crocodile's brain paused when you gripped his bolo tie and pecked him on the cheek.

Cowboy!Crocodile thought about that moment as he stared at his boots once home. He'd give you a proper kiss next time.

~~~

Aaah thank you for requesting! I hope this wasn't rushed. I don't normally get requests, so I didn't want you waiting. Crocodile come spoil me please~~~

I want to find all the Cowboy!Crocodile art I can. I'm obsessed!