#as long as the student's description/argument shows they know what to look for

[amplexadversary]

Nor is foreshadowing, parallelism, character-building, or demonstrative worldbuilding.

And a disaster for the discussion of non-anime TV shows in fandom.

"Cool-down episodes" aren't filler.

[pandapetals]

Already Yours

You and Logan's students think you should date little do they know y'all are married.

professor logan howlett x professor fem!reader - established relationship (y'all married), cute, fluff, teasing, no y/n used, no reader description, your an english professor, logan is a history professor - imagine days of future past logan with the white streaks in his hair

read on ao3 or find more parts for the series: here

There was a loud knock on your classroom door, breaking the silence and immediately drawing the attention of your students. You looked up from the stack of essays you were grading and felt a small smirk tug at the corner of your lips when you saw Logan leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, with his signature scowl plastered across his face.

You weren’t the only one who noticed him. From the corner of the room, one of the students leaned toward his friend, stage-whispering, “Oooo. Professor Howlett looks pissed.”

You barely contained your eye roll. You’d heard the rumors—how the students thought Logan was some grumpy bear of a man, ready to tear into anyone who crossed him. But the truth? That was just his face and his attitude. Mostly his face, though. Still, the whole “gruff Wolverine” thing really worked for him, even if the students had no idea that beneath all that tough exterior was a man who had a soft spot for a certain English professor.

You crossed your arms, leaning back in your chair as you raised an eyebrow at him. “What can I do for you, Professor Howlett?”

Logan gave you a long, slow look, his jaw tightening for effect as he ignored the stifled giggles coming from your students. His eyes flicked to the clock on the wall and then back to you. “You realize it’s been twenty minutes since your class was supposed to end, right?”

You feigned surprise, glancing at the clock and then back to him. “Oh, has it? I hadn’t noticed.”

Behind you, one of the students snickered. “Bet they’re gonna fight,” a girl whispered to her friend.

“They should just kiss already.” The friend whispered back. 

Logan smirked, stepping into the classroom and making a deliberate show of walking over to your desk. “You know, some of us have important subjects to teach. You’re holding up my history class.” He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough for only you to hear. “I’m sure your students have heard enough about Pride and Prejudice for one day, darlin’.”

You couldn’t stop the amused smile from spreading across your face. “Oh, right. Because nothing says riveting education like listening to you lecture about... what was it again? The Battle of Saratoga?”

Logan gave you a deadpan look. “Better than listening to you talk about Mr. Darcy.”

The class was barely holding it together at this point, eyes darting between the two of you like they were watching the most interesting tennis match of their lives. They didn’t realize they were watching an argument between two professors who had been very happily married for years—and this was just your everyday banter.

You shrugged, standing from your desk and making a show of addressing the students. “Alright, everyone, class dismissed. And don’t forget your essays are due on Friday.” Your students groaned but began packing up their things.

Logan crossed his arms, watching them leave with a faint look of amusement on his face. He turned his attention back to you, his voice low enough that only you could hear. “Friday? Cruel, even for you.”

“Hey, they’ve had two weeks to work on those essays. Besides,” you shot him a wink, “maybe I’ll get lucky and they’ll start shipping Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth instead of... what was it again? Wolverine and the English Professor?”

Logan rolled his eyes, but there was a twitch at the corner of his mouth that told you he was amused. He leaned against your desk as the last of your students filed out of the room, throwing glances back at the two of you and whispering as they went. “You know they think we hate each other, right?”

You grinned, stepping closer to him once the classroom was empty. “Well, we do give them plenty of ammunition for that theory.”

Logan raised an eyebrow, looking down at you with that familiar, teasing glint in his eyes. “And yet, they still seem convinced we’re meant to be.”

You laughed softly, resting your hand on his chest. “I wonder what they’d think if they knew we were married.”

Logan smirked, his hand sliding to your waist. “Probably think I brainwashed you or somethin’.”

“Oh, definitely. I mean, who in their right mind would marry the ‘mean’ history professor with anger issues?”

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low rumble that always sent a shiver through you. “Guess you like a challenge.”

Your fingers trailed lightly over his chest, your heart warming at how easy and natural this was. “You’re not that much of a challenge.”

Logan chuckled, leaning down to brush a kiss against your temple, his voice softening. “Guess I’m lucky, then.”

The moment lingered, quiet and intimate, until the sound of hurried footsteps outside the door reminded you where you were. You quickly pulled back, even though no one was around, and gave him a playful push. “Go teach your class, Professor Howlett.”

Logan chuckled, adjusting his stance. “You’re gonna pay for makin’ me late,” he muttered, though his tone was far from serious.

“I’m terrified,” you deadpanned, smirking as you leaned against your desk.

As he turned to leave, one of your students poked their head back into the room, eyes wide with curiosity. “Hey, uh, Professor? Are you and Professor Howlett... like, a thing?”

You barely managed to keep a straight face. “No, no,” you said, shaking your head with a smile. “We’re just coworkers. He’s not my type.”

Logan paused in the doorway, casting a glance over his shoulder. “You’re really gonna lie to the poor kid like that?”

The student’s eyes widened as Logan threw you a wink before walking out of the classroom. “What does that mean?” the student asked, completely intrigued.

You just waved it off, chuckling to yourself as you grabbed your bag. “It means... you’ll just have to keep guessing.”

[tqmies]

In Disguise

Description. Desperate and broke, your trio of nerdy friends offer you a place to stay until you get back on your feet. Things are normal at first until you abruptly come across a camera tripod facing Doyoung's bed. Were your awkward friends really just camboy's in disguise?

Pairing. Kim Doyoung x Yuta Nakamoto x Kim Jungwoo x Fem Reader

Genre. SMUT, Camboy!AU, College!AU, Roomates! MDNI!

Warnings. Foursome (Do I even have to say it?), Unrealistic depictions of sex overall, A little MxM action, Fingering, Oral, Condoms taken off, Plan B mentioned, Voyeurism, Creampie, Degradation, Praise

Word count. 13K (oh...)

Note: This was supposed to be out ages ago but I'm proud (not rlly) to present this mess of a wet dream!

"You have no idea how grateful I really am." You state, placing down your last box into the vacant room. You sigh in relief as your back was literally killing you too much to drag another box up. And that was that the boys had helped you with a majority of it.

"You've said it a million times, I think we know." Yuta teases, opening the box on your bed as he shuffles through it. It was old books you had brought from your place, well a few of the tons you had. Most of them had to go into storage due to lack of room at your newest living arrangement.

Truthfully, you felt really bad about this whole thing, even though Yuta kept assuring you it was alright, all the boys did. But something felt terrible about rooming with your friends for free, and kicking Yuta out of his room at that.

The boys didn't want you to feel weird about sharing a room, so Yuta slept in the same room as Jungwoo for the time being, and that made you feel even worse.

"You can have your room back, I promise I can sleep on the couch."

"Then where would you put your stuff?"

And you had pretty much lost the argument then and there, but you were determined to make up for rent in other ways. You'd clean, do laundry, and cook a few of the meals you had mastered. You could buy groceries and maybe even pay the water bill every once in a while. Not that you planned to stay here for long, only until you found another job, seeing as the one you had rapidly started laying people off.

Which brought you back to square one, Yuta’s bed.

Not like that, get your mind out of the gutter!

"I'm home!" Jungwoo announces as you hear the front door shut, his loudness already alerting you. You heard the loud clank of his keys on the counter, and his footsteps making their way towards you.

"We just finished bringing all the boxes up." Doyoung comments, giving Jungwoo a much deserved side eye.

"Oh I made it just in time then."

Jungwoo came bearing gifts though, handing out bottles of water to you guys. "I got them from one of the tents on campus, here's a shirt too!"

And before you know it, you're being hit in the head with the shirt Jungwoo threw at your face. You throw it off as you jokingly threaten him. "I'm going to crack your glasses in half Kim Jungwoo."

The male cowers in fear as he scurries off to his room, shouting behind his shoulder. "Do you guys wanna see what I'm working on?"

Doyoung jumps up, always eager to divulge in Jungwoo's nerdy projects. "Sure."

"I'm designing a supersonic VTOL fighter jet!" The engineering major says, lugging his laptop towards you all, showing you some prints on his screen. They're blueprints and sketches, and random little notes on the side, but you really can barely tell what you're looking at.

It's not that you were dumb, you were actually a very decent student. But the men in the room with you? Jungwoo was a mechanical engineering major, which said enough. Yuta was pre-med studying to be a doctor, and Doyoung? He's here on a full ride scholarship studying computer science.

So, for lack of better words, you were the dumbest in the room.

Not that you cared anyways, the boys never made you feel less than or anything because of your simple major. You also took pride in it, sure you weren't designing future airplanes or developing software, but it was enough for you.

"Looks cool, but you should widen the wingspan, I see possible blockage through the-" Doyoung starts on with his commentary.

"Yuta! Do you want to help me start cooking?" You ask, the male seemingly uninterested in the plane, and you could relate. He nods and follows you to the kitchen, adjusting his frames.

After checking their fridge for ideas, you start filling a pot with water to boil some pasta in, directing Yuta to start chopping up some garlic. He follows directions well, as one would expect, and does as he's told.

"How did your mid-term go?" Yuta breaks the silence, referring to the grueling test he had helped you with.

"Fine, I got an 80." You reply, measuring out more pasta.

Yuta raises a brow as he places the knife down. "An 80? But we studied all week."

"Yeah but some of the questions were hard, I didn't remember." You say, and you were truly satisfied with your grade. Sure you had studied, but not everyone retained information as easily as your friends, and they were still having trouble learning that you weren't going to get a 100 points every time.

Yes the boys had extreme book smarts, but they lacked a little street smarts sometimes. They were less empathetic and more clear cut, but you knew they meant well. Though it didn't mean their lack of social cues hurt any less though.

Sometimes you wonder how you had even befriended them. Especially Doyoung, who was usually no nonsense and short worded on campus. But it could all be traced back to Jungwoo.

It was back in freshman year, and on your very first day of class. You had rushed in, confused to see that they had already started without you, which was weird seeing as your class wasn't supposed to be in session for another thirty minutes. You had just waved it off as an accident and sat down, right next to Jungwoo.

During a break, he had introduced himself and asked you if you were excited for Math 2414, and inquired about what your major was.

That was when you realized in horror that you were in Calculus, and not Pre-calculus. No wonder they had already begun, it was the wrong class! And you were not trying to take anything beyond what was required for your degree. "So this isn't pre-calculus?"

"No, I took that in high school! You didn't get that out of the way already?" He had asked, and just then did you realize what kind of person you were dealing with.

You had explained the situation to Jungwoo to which he was really understanding, offering to show you your actual classroom for your next class day. You had agreed, and then by some coincidence, you had run into Jungwoo a few days later. Catching up with him and mentioning you were having trouble with a certain concept already, to which he had offered his help.

You had started having sessions regularly, and Jungwoo had invited you to study with his group of friends, which is where you met the others.

Despite them being a little intimidated by you (And vice versa), you had all got along well, and you were thankful for that. Despite not having great social skills, they were actually a lot less complicated to deal with. They spent a majority of their time studying or doing school work, burying their noses in books. And if not? Then they're playing a computer game Doyoung designed, or testing if Jungwoo's rocket model could fly in the middle of a JCPenny parking lot.

They didn't have a lot of drama either, and you were sure they'd be simple enough to live with. Come to think of it, it's always been tidy whenever you've visited. Jungwoo's bed was always made and Doyoung's desk always clean. Yuta's was exceptionally organized too, even donning some expensive looking anime figures in displays on his shelf.

They were such nerds.

You snort to yourself as you pour the sauce onto the plates, food ready to be eaten. Funny enough, you hadn't even had to call the boys. Yuta had helped you but Doyoung and Jungwoo had hounded the kitchen counter and talked your ear off, both excited for a home cooked meal. Apparently, none of them could cook very well and they usually opted for take out, so this was a relief.

"You guys literally had all the ingredients already." You giggled as you sat down on the small table they had in their apartment.

Jungwoo shakes his head. "Doesn't matter if you don't know how to make anything out of them."

"Thank you by the way, this is really good." Doyoung nods, and by the way he scarfed down half of it already, you'd say he's telling the truth.

"Slow down, you'll choke." Yuta says concerned before his expression changes into a different one. "Wait, you should choke! I can finally practice my CPR on a real person!"

"Well if you haven't practiced on a human yet, I don't think I can trust you." Doyoung shoots him a glare.

"You're hindering my first-aid progression." Yuta narrows his eyes as he takes a bite of his food. The air grows quiet as you voice out what had been weighing on your mind.

"So, any plans for tonight?" You ask, wondering what you're going to get up to a Saturday night. You had a long week, especially since you had woken up on Monday to an eviction notice, so you'd say you could use some time out.

"Hm? Probably start looking over my lobotomy notes for my lecture next week." Yuta responds, earning a chorus of acknowledgment from the other males.

"O-okay, Doyoung?" You ask, but you think you can already guess too.

"I'm beta testing this program my friend just finished, probably'll take me all night." He speaks, attention on his food.

You deflate, looking towards Jungwoo. "Nice, and you?"

"Putting my blueprints into a 3D maker and drafting up a scale model of it." He says, and you take note of how he looks excited about it.

This was quite a turn from what you were used to, you had to remind yourself that these weren't your typical college guys. Yet, you could feel your left eye twitching slightly. "Guys! It's a Saturday night."

"Mhm?" Doyoung replies, his eyebrows furrowed, like the day didn't change anything.

You scoff, "So what, no frat parties? No bar hopping?"

You're met with blank looks, the men looking utterly confused as Jungwoo shakes his head, unfamiliar with both scenes. "No?"

You sigh, facing the fact that you're going out solo. You could probably text a few of your other classmates to meet up wherever you went.

"You guys do that, I'm gonna go get laid tonight." You shrug, getting up to put your dish in the sink. "Yuta you can sleep in your bed if you want."

"Wait- Where are you gonna go?" Jungwoo asks, following you to the kitchen with furrowed brows.

You shrug. "I don't know, maybe a club? Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. If I get home before morning then I'll just crash on the couch."

"If?!" Jungwoo's eyes widen at the prospect of you being out all night.

You place a hand on his shoulder. "I have a key, don't wait up."

And he stands there shocked, the other two watching as you head to your room to shower and change your outfit. You had a long night ahead of you.

Even afterwards, when you had stepped out in

You try your best to quietly open the front door, met with only pitch black darkness as you assume everyone was asleep. It was two in the morning, and in their defense, you did tell them not to wait up.

Slipping your heels off, you step quietly towards the couch. You peel your tight dress off and realize you have nothing to change into, and you weren't going to wake Yuta to just grab a shirt. Luckily for you, there was a blanket you could cover yourself with, so you discarded the bra as well, thankful that at least you had worn shorts under your dress tonight. You sigh as you lay down, head still spinning as you come down from earlier.

You had succeeded in your quest of getting laid, thoroughly being manhandled by a guy named Mingyu who went to a neighboring university. The sex was actually pretty decent, but it could've been better. You had wanted someone to bend you into a pretzel and fuck you until your legs were rendered useless for the next week. And he just couldn't provide that. Maybe you'd have to trust in your rainbow dildo from now on.

You brush the thoughts to the back of your mind as you finally find sleep, eyes fluttering shut.

You swear, it felt like you were asleep for all of two seconds when you hear the blaring alarm clock from one of the rooms. Followed by the sound of things being knocked over.

Rubbing your eyes as you sit up, hangover hitting you hard, but your eyes are drawn to frantic looking Yuta running around the apartment out of his room. He moves over a few things on the dining table quickly and you watching confusion.

"Where are they?" He mutters to himself, throwing some things in the kitchen around as well.

Sitting up, you rub your eyes as your vision adjusts. "What're you looking for?"

"Just my- Oh, where is your shirt? Why are you naked?" He rambles, covering his eyes as he turns around.

You hadn't even noticed that the blanket you used to cover yourself all night had slipped down, accidentally revealing at least part of your boobs to Yuta. "I slept like this because I didn't want to barge into your room to grab a shirt, sorry. I'll go do that now!"

You get up and scramble to the room, feeling so shitty at making Yuta uncomfortable. Opening the drawer, you slip on the first shirt that's there. You don't even look at it before you're rushing out and apologizing profusely to Yuta. "It's only my first morning here and I've already flashed you."

"Is that my shirt?" He asks, eyes wide and your look down to confirm that it was, in fact, Yuta's shirt.

"Oh! And I stole your shirt, I'll wash it and put it back! I really am sorry, I'm just so hungover right now." You hang your head in shame as the words slip out.

"No! No, really it's fine." Yuta dismisses as he waves his hands. "I found my keys so I have to go now, see you when I get back!"

And with that, he's out the door, face tinted red.

God, you were a fool! Sighing in defeat, you make your way to your room, slipping off the shirt and trading it out for one that was yours.

What you didn't know was that Yuta was still standing on the other side of the front door, mind reeling as he replays the mental image of your nipples peaking through the fabric of one of his shirts. He didn't think you'd be giving him this much trouble already! It was the first morning!

Back inside, you're gathering clothes to take a shower. Jungwoo opens the door to his room, unexpectedly rushing out as well, saying he had somewhere to be as he's unable to meet your eyes. You had no idea everyone would be so busy this morning. Was it usually like this? You shrug, too tired and ready to be met with steaming hot water as you bid him goodbye.

After your shower, you not surprised to see Doyoung up as well, sitting near the kitchen as he munches on a banana. You can see his computer in front of him displaying some kind of code, and he doesn't look like he got a wink of sleep. Did these boys ever take a break?

"Good morning Doyoung." You yawn, making a bee line for the coffee machine. You grab a K-Cup and try to figure your way around the machine as you fail to notice Doyoung's stare.

"Oh, Morning." Doyoung finally gives a greeting back, thankful that your back is facing him right now with the way the blood was rushing to his face. Now, Doyoung wouldn't say he was a pervert or anything, but he couldn't help the way his eyes were glued to your shorts.

You break him out of his spell when you turn around, coffee mug in hand. You're frowning, "Why's everyone so busy today?"

"It's like that everyday, we rarely see each other in the mornings." Doyoung explains, keeping his composure still as he tries not to let his eyes wander. He's not stupid, he knew it'd be a little difficult to live with someone as hot as you, but he figured he could handle himself.

"Oh that's too bad, I wanted to make everyone breakfast." You speak, turning around to open the cabinets, unaware how Doyoung's eyes shot straight back to your ass. "So, how was your night?"

"I-it was alright, and yours?" He asks while he clears his throat, already semi-aware of your ventures that you had announced.

"Can't say it was any better." And you leave it at that as you sigh. What could you mean by that? Did you not get laid? With an ass like that?

"Oh.. Well, I have a meeting with my professor in twenty so I have to get going soon." He nods, and you just about lose your mind.

"On a Sunday?"

"Computers work on Sunday's too."

God, what was he on about? "Okay Doyoung, see you later then."

Weirdly, you felt the least your friends could do was amuse you. But so far, you were beginning to realize that they're likely this busy all the time, between their schooling and internship jobs, they were packed.

Speaking of jobs, it was time to start looking.

..

Eight online job applications later and you're about ready to move to the woods and start living like a cave woman off the grid. No money, no bills, and no rent. Sadly, you were too accustomed to running water to let that happen though.

So you decide to drop off an application at a promising job near you, before hitting the inevitable brick wall. You don't have a printer.

Surely one of the boys had to have one, right?

Wrong, it seemed as you looked into Jungwoo's room. It felt weird to just peep in there, but you didn't want to bother him by texting since you knew he was busy. Unfortunately, you were already aware that Yuta didn't have one either.

Which left you with peeping into Doyoung's room. Maybe if you had just, I don't know, used the printer available at your college campus, you wouldn't have discovered such a life altering sight.

Yet, for some reason, that possibility didn't cross your mind as you swung the door open. And you felt like your jaw hit the floor as you stared ahead almost immediately.

Positioned right above Doyoung's bed, was a camera.

And not just any camera, an ultra HD expensive looking one, and that said a lot seeing you knew nothing about cameras. To make matters worse, it was held by a tri-pod. Could it be any more obvious?

You close the door as you stand, feet plastered to the floor in horror. What the hell was Kim Doyoung doing with a classic porn set up in his room? Kim Doyoung?! The nerdy TA who ran from woman that were just trying to ask him class-related questions? The male who grimaced at any sight of public of public affection? The one who rolled his eyes in annoyance when others made dirty jokes?

That Kim Doyoung was making porn?

Yeah right, you could almost laugh at that.

There had to be another reasonable explanation, right? You had known Doyoung for a while now, and he definitely didn't even seem like a man who was too keen on pre-marital sex, there was just no way he was filming it.

You doubt he even watched porn, that's how busy and wound up he seemed. There was no way on this green earth that he was doing that. But that doesn't explain what the camera was doing there.

You had to find a way to connect this to his nerdy computer job or you were going to go crazy.

You got home around five in the afternoon after dropping off the finally printed application, and picking up a few things, like toilet paper and laundry soap, that you had noticed missing around the apartment. Mostly just buying yourself time to get over the weird thoughts you were having now.

You doubt you'd be able to look Doyoung in the eye without crumbling, so you text your friend Mark if you can crash on his couch, he lives closer to campus anyways. He responds almost immediately with a sure dude, and you decide you'll stop by the house to pick up pajamas.

You don't expect anyone to be home as you unlock the door, but of course, everyone was home. All of them gathered in the living room with takeout boxes as Jungwoo spots you. He holds one up, "We didn't know when you'd be home, but we ordered for you."

You smile as you thank him, opening the box to reveal your favorite dish. You hadn't explicitly told them lately, but they had remembered? That makes your heart swell for your friends a bit as you spot Doyoung out of the corner of your eye. Oh, right.

"Actually, I have to go do this thing tonight." You lie. "So I just stopped by to get some clothes."

"Really? Is everything okay?" Yuta inquires as you nod. And it's as if there's no awkwardness from him after the incident this morning either, so you're grateful for that.

"I'm fine, I'll be home tomorrow." You explain.

"Well, could you spare a minute to eat with us?" Jungwoo pouts, and you find yourself nodding before you can stop yourself. You were always a little weak for him.

If Doyoung notices your odd behavior as you sit by him, he doesn't say a word about it. In fact, everyone seems to go about their business. Everyone filling you in on how busy their days were and asking about what you had been up to.

"Oh, I left the bags by the door, but I bought some stuff we needed."

"You're an angel." Jungwoo comments. "I was scared I was going to have to use napkins instead of toilet paper again."

"That's so gross Jungwoo." Yuta reconciles and you all laugh in agreement.

"So, you'll be gone all night then?" Doyoung asks, bringing your attention back to him. Your eyes dart to his hands, right as he twirls the noodles around his chopsticks. Sure you were still wondering a little about the camera situation, but it wasn’t like that right? Though you can’t help but notice how pretty his hands were. 

His fingers were long, and you couldn’t help but imagine how they wrapped around his own cock. If he filmed anything, would he jerk off and beg his viewers to let him cum? Or was he more dominant, shoving his thin fingers into a flashlight as he spoke nasty words, or maybe even in another girl. The visual alone is enough to get you hot and bothered. But you shake yourself out of it, this was the dorky comp-sci major you lived with, you should not be thinking about him like that.

"Yeah, I'm working on a project with Mark, figured I'd just spend the night since we have the class together in the morning." You put together, pretty impressed with how well the lie was coming out.

"Mark?" Yuta raises a brow, the name familiar to him. "Like the hockey player?"

You nod, curious. "You know him?"

"Not really, just know he's a jock."

You catch his implication. "Well, he's not like that. Plus, he's my friend so you guys shouldn't worry, not like I'm spending the night with a stranger."

Jungwoo grows uncharacteristically quiet. "Oh."

..

"So Jungwoo's being fucking weird, Doyoung might have an onlyfans, and Yuta's saw your boobs?" Mark parrots back as you two sit on his living room couch, he's shifting the lollipop in his mouth from one side to the other as he thinks. His brows furrow in concentration as he cooks up a response.

"Exactly."

Haechan, your friends roommate and fellow hockey teammate, laughs loudly as he enters the room. "And it's only your second day living with them?"

"Told you the losers would be a lot to handle." Mark shrugs, and you roll your eyes. These two didn't have the greatest impression of your other three friends, reducing them down to the nerds everyone thought they were.

"I didn't see you offering me a room," You defend. "Plus, they're super easy to live with so I don't have much else to complain about."

"You could always just share a bed with me." Haechan smirks, and you fake gag. "Your room smells like shit."

"Hey!"

"Anyways, I'd rather live with my beloved nerds than with you two sleazes." You state truthfully, scrunching your nose.

"Doyoung might be slinging his dick on camera, yet we're the sleazes?" Mark giggles, and you hit him in the arm.

"I don't think that's the case but, is there any other explanation?" You groan, stealing a chip from a bag hidden on Mark's side. He swats at your hand as you grab another one.

"He could just be into filming." Haechan offers, joining you two as he pops open a soda. And you ponder if Doyoung's ever been seen with a camera before.

You shake your head, doubting it. "He's never mentioned anything like that."

"Well running from him, and the rest of your roommates, is just going to make them think you're ungrateful. It'd be better to just confront them now and get over it." Mark advises, and the other male agrees.

Haechan places his soda down. "Why does it matter anyways? What Doyoung does in his apartment is no one else's business."

"Well-" You stop yourself as you look down. "I don't know."

"What's up?" Mark says at the shift in your attitude.

You hadn't confronted it yet, but the though of the things Doyoung did on his bed with his camera running? You hated that you wanted to see it. You hated that you ran with the implication of him having a scandalous hobby, and that you wanted a front row seat.

"I don't know, even with those wire-frame's and all, I think he's kind of cute." You admit begrudgingly, leaning back into the couch in embarrassment.

"Oh my God," Haechan sits up. "The thought of him doing that has you all hot and bothered! That's what it is, it's not even about him actually doing it, its about you thinking he is."

"And you're just having trouble grappling with your feelings." Mark shrugs as he pops a chip into his mouth, lollipop stick discarded.

You cover your face with your hands. "Stop.."

Mark sighs, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Don't hate the messenger."

"Okay sure, Doyoung's nice to look at but if anything, I'd be more into Jungwoo." You reveal, and it's true. If there's anyone in the house you'd like in that way, it'd be Jungwoo. You two just had a better connection, even if he'd be acting different lately.

"In a weird science-y kind of way?" Haechan tilts his head before groaning. "Why him when you could have the hottest frat boy on campus?"

"There you go again." You glare, knowing instantly that he was referring to Lee Jeno's crush on you. You know full well the two in front of you were rooting for their friend. They also thought you were too attractive to be hidden behind stuffy scholars all day. And sure, Jeno was sweet, and easy on the eyes, but you just weren't into him. "Stop trying to set me up."

"Worth a shot."

"Anyways, I think instead of just hiding here." Mark narrows his eyes. "You should go home and explain everything, that way you don't continue scuttling around out of nervousness."

"And admit that I thought about Doyoung in that way?" You exclaim, face palming. "Mark, that's a terrible plan."

"You don't have to say all that," Mark crosses his arms in retaliation. "Just talk about Jungwoo's behavior and clear the air with Yuta."

You hang your head in defeat. "Can I at least wait until tomorrow?"

"Nope. Now."

You plead as you caught off guard by his insistance. "But Mark-"

"He said now." Haechan repeats, grinning at your misery.

"Oh so now you two agree?" You scoff in disbelief. Those two loved to argue about everything, but of course they could team up against you.

Mark nods, pointing to the door. "Go before it's past their bedtime."

"Don't be ridiculous Mark." Haechan feigns seriousness before he chuckles. "They have to tuck each other in first."

"You two are so annoying." You mutter as you pack up your bag. Shooting the two endless glares as you slip your shoes on.

Thirty minutes later and you're at the front door of what is now considered your home. Even when it was just your friends, you had never felt this nervous entering it before. You take a deep breath in as you stick the key in the lock, ready for confrontation.

You're met with chatter in the living room, relieved that they were still up, at least you wouldn't be waking them. You close the door behind you quietly as you take your shoes off and make your way to the living room.

You take a deep breath as you round the corner. "Hey, I'm back-"

You freeze in your place at the sight before you. It seriously seemed liked your friends had been abducted by aliens. There was no way the image before you was real. Your eyes widen as your jaw slacks, "What. The. Fuck."

Your met with three pairs of eyes staring back at you, Yuta standing up from the couch first. "I-I thought you were going to be gone all night."

You stay still from shock, brain trying to come up for any reasonable explanation as to why your friends looked liked male strippers right now. "You...You're Yuta?!"

Yuta looks taken aback. "Just with a little makeup."

Just a little? Yuta looked completely transformed, his hair gelled back nicely instead of awkwardly parted down the middle. The black glasses and collard shirts traded out for thick rings and painted nails. He looked like a rock star, and was that a tattoo?

"We can explain." Doyoung awkwardly looks down. Your knocked out by the sigh of him as well. Gone is his usual stern put-together look, instead he's donning smoky eye shadow with layered gold necklaces as his dark hair messily frames his face. He's wearing a sleeveless shirt, and that catches you heavily off guard as he usually only wears loose fitting clothes. He had been hiding those toned arms the entire time?

You take a step back. "How do you plan on explaining why it looks like I just stepped onto the set of Magic Mike?"

Your eyes finally meet the quiet boy who had been on your mind recently, Jungwoo. And to say he looked stunning would be an understatement. He was wearing a cropped shirt that showcased his toned abs as he stood up, the red color of it contrasting to his skin perfectly. His eyes looked striking, and he's wearing dark makeup as well.

You'd hate to admit it, but the sight of the men had you suddenly rubbing your thighs together and trying to stop your head from spinning. What the hell was going on right now? What alternate timeline has you just entered?

"Why don't you sit?" Doyoung suggests, avoiding eye contact.

"Umm, alright." You comply, hesitating. When you look back up with expectant eyes, they start to get nervous.

Yuta sits as well, and you're trying not to drool. "Don't freak out."

You side eye him, this was an unusual reaction. "Right.."

"I'll just come out and say it," He pauses. "We're camboys."

He watches your face for a reaction but you provide none, instead choosing to have an explosion in your mind as you keep your composure outwardly. You turn to face him, calmly. "Oh."

Doyoung repeats. "Oh?"

"I don't know how I'm meant to react to this." You struggle truthfully. One, you were grappling with the explanation that you were right in your assumptions. Two, you were trying your best not to just gawk at them. "Plus, it's none of my business, I just came home to apologize."

Jungwoo furrows his brows. "To us?"

"I kind of already saw the tri-pod facing Doyoung's bed and jumped to conclusions. That's why I was acting distant, and I also flashed Yuta this morning-"

"You what?" Doyoung perks up.

"It wasn't on purpose." You wave your hands around before lowering your voice. "And I wanted to know why Jungwoo's been acting weird lately, and if I did anything wrong."

Jungwoo looks taken aback. "What? No, you didn't do anything wrong."

"Are you sure? You've been acting off since I've moved in." You respond, trying not to ogle your friends abs. It was proving to be harder than you thought as you forced yourself to look him in the eye.

Yuta and Doyoung exchange a knowing glance that you miss as Jungwoo stutters for an explanation. "I'm sorry, I've just been stressed."

And you just nod, the tense atmosphere in the room suffocating you. "Maybe I should go."

"Are you bothered?" Yuta asks, stopping you. The rest of the boys look genuinely worried, and you feel terrible. Your silence must've come off wrong.

"What? No, this is your house! You can all do whatever you want." You admit genuinely.

Doyoung shakes his head. "We could've at least let you know before hand-"

"No, really, it's fine." You reassure him as you make eye contact with the two other boys. "Also, your secrets safe with me, I won't say anything."

"We know you won't." Yuta nods. "We trust you, and we're sorry we didn't say anything sooner, we just didn't want things to change."

"Nothing has changed, alright?" You smile. "Everything's normal."

..

Everything was far from normal as the days progressed. Sure, the boys seemed a little more loose around you, knowing they didn't have to hide their nighttime activities from you anymore.

But you, on the other hand? Let's just say you were having a hard time not opening a incognito tab on your computer to search for your friends content. Though you knew their accounts wouldn't be easily traceable, likely not having their real name attached to it at all.

It still didn't stop you from wanting to look though.

"If you zone out one more time, I'm kicking you out of my apartment." Haechan voices in annoyance, noticing your lack of attention on some crazy story he was telling you today.

"Yeah, what has you so spacey?" Mark asks, returning to Haechan's bedroom with a water bottle in his hand.

They were unaware of the events, as you had kept your mouth shut, as promised. But it was beginning to grow harder to keep everything to yourself, especially with the way you'd been feeling lately. So with Mark's curious eyes on yours, the words spill out like a waterfall. You recalling everything that had happened to your closest friends, including how badly you wanted to know what the others were up to behind the camera.

Haechan looks gobsmacked, mouth agape as he takes in your words. "..Jungwoo has abs?"

"Is that all you got from that?" You voice frustratedly, they were insufferable.

"I'm never seen him in the gym a day in my life!"

"You don't go to the gym Haechan!"

"All three of them?" Mark repeats, in utter shock as well.

You nod back. "I don't know if they film together or what but-"

"You wanna see it." Haechan finishes for you. "You pervert!"

"I'm not a pervert!"

"You're a pervert. Pervert, pervert, pervert!" Haechan continues in a sing-song voice as you feel your eye twitch. You don't know why you told these two, not like they could offer any useful insight.

Before you can retaliate, Mark's shushing his friend. "I know how to fix this."

You listen because, really? How could Mark possibly know how to solve the inner turmoil brewing inside of you? What could make it all go away?

You admit. "I'm all ears."

"You need to get laid." He states, and your brows fuzz.

"Uh..." You trail, trying to figure out the nicest way to shoot him down.

"Not by us!" He responds, almost reading your mind, then turning around and pretending to puke in Haechans mini trash can. How mature. He comes back to his senses as he stands up again. "Come to a party with us and get fucked. It'll take your mind off of them, and anyways, I think this is just caused by sexual frustration."

Haechan pipes in. "He's right, you're just suffering from lack of dick."

"I slept with this dude named Mingyu like a week ago-"

Haechan stops you. "Shhh, Mark is always right! Right Mark?"

"Right!" And it's so strange how the two have been suddenly agreeing lately.

So you, almost unwillingly, find yourself attending a party with them that very night. Dressed in your tightest fitting dress and your nicest pair of lingerie. After about thirty more minutes of talking to you, they had you convinced your reeling horny thoughts were coming from sexual deprivation. You're sure they had brainwashed you, because seriously, you just had sex! This plan was dumb, but what else did you expect?

Though now, you're feeling stupid as your two friends subtly nudge Lee Jeno in your direction. God, you should've known those two were up to something.

You sip from your red solo cup as Jeno continues to shyly sell himself to you. He's telling you about his volunteer hours, his stellar sports stats, and his love for animals. If you didn't know any better, you'd say he's interviewing for a job, and not just attempting to grab a hookup.

Your heart somewhat aches for the boy, he definitely was trying to make you his girlfriend sooner or later, and it was almost sweet. But even if you weren't currently enthralled by the idea of your roommates, you still wouldn't have seen yourself giving Jeno a chance. He wasn't really your type anyways.

Jeno excuses himself to pour another drink as you shoot glares at your two friends from across the room. Not that Haechan sees it though, he's too busy trying to feel up some poor girl who fell for his pick up lines. Mark looks intimidated though!

You pull out your phone in an attempt to discourage any others from approaching you, and are met with a notification from Jungwoo. You open the message accompanied by his cute little contact photo and try not to smile.

It reads, Hey! Doyoung attempted dinner, you should come join us.

Granted, the boys had no idea where you were or that you were being forced into yet another mission, but you just stick your phone back in your purse and scan the room again.

While Lee Jeno may not have been your type, looking for something far too serious to even let you consider sleeping with him, Liu Yangyang seemed to be just what you were searching for. With your luck, he'd throw you off to the side the next morning. You're relieved by the fact that's he's not known to be one for committing.

You're about to approach him when Mark meets your eyes, sending you a silent don't, basically reading your mind. God, why did they have to play wingman? And curse Mark for reading your mind! So you stay rooted in your place as Jeno returns, handing you a drink that you won't even be drinking from.

Doyoung's dinner would probably be more entertaining that this right now. "Hey, sorry. I think I'm actually gonna head home, I'm pretty tired." You let out, interrupting whatever Jeno was saying.

There's a flash of disappointment in his eyes before he smiles. "I can drive you home."

Your eyes dart to the beer in his hand, passing him a fake smile. "I'll manage, but thank you for offering!"

You ignore the silent pleas and texts from your friends as you exit and get into your car, thankful that you hadn't taken a sip of anything at that party.

A few minutes later and you're back home, deciding to ring the door bell so you're not faced with another situation.

Yuta opens it, smiling as he welcomes you home. You grin back as you slip off your shoes, starving for whatever you could find. "Is dinner ready?"

But your question is answered as you walk into the kitchen to see instant ramen packets scattered across the counter top as Jungwoo holds a bowl, and Doyoung frantically scrubbing at a burnt pan.

Doyoung pushes up his glasses with his shoulder as he's still elbow deep in the sink. "Dinner didn't exactly go as planned."

You giggle. "I see that."

"Want some ramen?" Jungwoo perks up, gesturing his chopsticks towards you when you nod.

"Promise you'll cook for us tomorrow?" Yuta asks, watching as the charred food doesn't let up from the pan. You make a face as well as you shake your head.

"Promise," You say, swallowing your noodles as you sit next to Jungwoo. "Sorry I was out, Haechan and Mark are trying to set me up."

Doyoung somewhat stiffens at the names. "Yeah? Take it that didn't go well?"

You sigh. "Well, he's an athlete and he's nice enough,"

"But?" Jungwoo finishes, knowing you weren't done. Well, he was downright hoping something was wrong with this mystery athlete, truth be told.

Good thing he was right. "But, I don't think I'm into him."

"Why not?"

"No particular reason," You lie, managing to avoid eye contact with the men that were your roadblocks to anyone else right now. How were you supposed to manage a decent lay while thinking about the three hottest guys you've ever seen at home?

Even now, without their makeup and sultry clothing, you think they look attractive as ever. God, you had it bad. With those stupid collard shirts and wire frames, you think they've never looked better.

"I think I'm going to lay off the parties for a few days anyway, midterms are in a week." You continue, knowing the men in front of you had been preparing for them these past couple of weeks already.

"Right," Doyoung nods, sleeves still rolled up as he dries his hands. "Wanted to warn you by the way, we're going to be filming on Tuesday."

"Got it, I'll study at Mark's." You pass, already planning in your head how to get Haechan's loud mouth out of the room long enough to get work done.

Jungwoo looks bothered though. "Or you could stay?"

You look up from your bowl. "Hm?"

"I've been thinking," Jungwoo starts. "This is your place too, you should be able to go about your business while we film. It's not like I haven't done homework while Yuta recorded a fleshlight clip in the next room."

His boldness paired with his vulgar language — which you were definitely not used to — catches you off guard.

"I wouldn't want to bother-"

"No, he's right." Doyoung stops you. "We can't send you off everytime we have something to do, unless it makes you uncomfortable?"

You pause, you shouldn't even be considering this! Not just because of your lack of self control, but also, wouldn't this be dangerously pushing boundaries? "Oh but Yuta doesn't even have his own room right now-"

"Look, if Yuta ever needs to push something out, he can use my room. Or you could just come chill in mine while we wait." Jungwoo offers.

But goodness, being in the same vicinity as any of them when they're doing such sinful things? How were you supposed to hold back? You'd be expected to talk to Jungwoo while Yuta moaned up a storm in the other room?

"Oh, I don't know." You answer, wanting to drop the topic for now. It wasn't getting any easier to talk about it anyways.

"Why do you seem so nervous about it?" Yuta leans in, eyes meeting yours.

You subconsciously lean back, he was definitely onto you. Too bad it was a little hard to fake that you didn't fight the subconscious urge every past night to google their names. "Oh, uh-"

"We'll drop it," Jungwoo shoots a glare at Yuta. "Sorry."

"It's fine!" You smile, pretending to be preoccupied with your ramen. Though your mind is on anything but those stupid noodles right now.

“No we won’t.” Yuta smirks, ignoring Jungwoo entirely. “What has you so worked up, rubbing your thighs together below the table?”

You’re caught off guard at his openness. “W-what?”

“I bet it’s not that athlete, is it?” Yuta leans, tone seductive, and something you had never heard before. And you'd be lying if you said you didn't want him to bend you over the table in front of you.

You avert your eyes, wondering why everyone else had gotten quiet all of a sudden. You couldn't confront this right now, no you wouldn't! "I'll be in my room."

And with that you make a quick way for your temporary bedroom. Ignoring Jungwoo's call for your name as you close the door behind you. What the hell were you going to do now?

Yuta knows he messed up, bad. Things had been tense in the house for the past few days, and you were more skittish than he had ever seen you. He wondered if you were spending time at Mark's place again.

That was Jungwoo's biggest nightmare, in all honesty. He wasn't sure what the nature of you and Mark's friendship was — and he didn't even want to think about it. You were gorgeous, you could have anyone you wanted! He had no doubt that your friends would fuck you if given the chance, if they hadn't already. He knows it doesn't matter who you're sleeping with, but it does make him feel jealous.

Doyoung remains indifferent, at least on the outside. He goes about his day as Yuta and Jungwoo lose their minds over how to return to their normal selves again. It affects him as well though. You were really close to all of them at one point, how had that changed in less than a week?

Doyoung just knows he wish things had went differently.

The sound of the front door opening alerts everyone in the house. Jungwoo's quick to jump up, greeting you at the front door. You smile back as you remove your shoes. You try to keep your composure as you ignore the men in front of you being dressed up. Ah, you forgot it was a filming day. "Today was so stressful."

"Really? Do you maybe wanna watch something in my room with me?" Jungwoo suggests, hoping he can attempt to ease things. "It'll help you relax."

You shrug, though you don't if you could handle the close proximity. It's already taking everything in you right now not to jump his bones in this hallway. "Why not?"

He mentally celebrates in his head, "I'll grab some chips and meet you in my room."

You nod, walking to your temporary room to change. Today really had taken a toll on you, and on top of it, you forgot you were coming home to your roommates alter-egos. Not that you were complaining, because you definitely weren't, but it had slipped your mind. At least Jungwoo wasn't being awkward anymore. Things were going back to normal, right?

You change into shorts and a simple t-shirt and make your way across the hall. You push open the door and see Jungwoo settled already on his bed, the tv already on. You and him to have movie nights in his bed during sleepovers, so this wasn't unusual. Finally, something was normal again. Even if now you were sexually attracted to him. Geez, could you get your head out of the gutter?!

You two watch the movie for a few minutes as Jungwoo starts to shift in his spot. You begin to grow concerned. "Everything okay?"

Jungwoo brushes you off. "I'm fine."

You furrow your brows. "Alright.."

It only takes a few seconds for him to break as he shoots up. He couldn't ignore it's presence, especially not with you in the room. The insinuation of the little red light on in the corner, as the two of you sat on his bed? It was taking his mind to places it shouldn't go. "I left my camera on my desk, its facing this way. Let me just put it up."

And with that he scrambles to his desk, shutting off the camera and tossing it in one of his desk drawers. He's frantic, and his mind is racing with how little you must think of him right now. "Sorry."

You shake your head. "Stop apologizing, it's fine."

Jungwoo covers his face with his hands as he leans against his desk. He breaks, "I can't keep pretending this isn't weird."

You had no idea he was losing his composure as well, you had thought you had been the only one blowing it out of proportion. But you didn't want him to feel ashamed. So you assure him, "I don't mind."

He moves his hands. "You don't feel weird?"

"Can I be honest, Jungwoo?" You ask, it was now or never. One more second of this back-and-forth and you were going to explode.

He meets your eyes. "Please?"

“It turns me on.” You blurt out, admitting the truth. And you can't believe it had came out so easily.

Jungwoo’s shocked as he fumbles over what to say next. “What?” 

It was too late to go back now, you had to say it. “I think it’s hot, Jungwoo, I think you’re hot.” 

Were his ears deceiving him? He prayed you weren't messing with him. “Really?” 

You giggle as you stand to your feet and he starts to feel stupid. “Mhm."

You continue to walk up to him as you place your hands on the desk behind him, effectively caging him between you. You had no idea where this boldness came from, but its likely he was drawing it out from you.

And he can't believe his circumstances. The girl he's been utterly in love with is leaning over him, in those tiny little shorts, telling him that he was the hot one? “So if I kissed you right now, you would-” 

You stop him mid-sentence as you bring your lips to his. It's reliving almost, the way your mouths slide together in synch. You had waited far to long for this to let him think he would take the lead. You wanted it far too badly.

He kisses you back, head dizzy with how much he wants you. Though he's laced with a feeling of uncertainty that he just can't shake off because what was this? Was this just a hook-up, oh he was getting ahead of himself. This was a kiss, who knew if you even wanted to sleep with him!?

He debates telling you right there, not letting another second go by where you don't know about his feelings. But he's scared, terrified even, of your reaction. So he savors the kiss, putting his hands around your waist to grab your hips and pull you closer together, if that was even possible.

You can feel your heart rate increasing as you lose your breath. You pull away slightly for breath as you and Jungwoo meet eyes. He's showing no signs of stopping though. Pulling you back in to meet his lips as gentle as possible, before kissing you with the hunger of a starved man.

He's devouring you, and he's not sure if he intends to stop there. He doesn't want to stop there, but he's completely blank on what you want. He separates, "We should stop."

You're hazy, drunk on the kiss as you eyes don't leave his lips. "Don't wanna,"

He stops you before you can go in again, squeezing your hips. He couldn't get enough of you, his body was craving you. "I don't know if I'll be able to control myself."

You smirk, hunger in your voice. "Then don't."

He groans, you had no idea what you were doing to him. How long he had dreamed of this moment. "I need to know what you want."

The statement has a double meaning, almost daring you to spill out about feelings that he's not even sure you had. Was he ultimately just hurting himself? Likely.

Though you only catch one meaning, "I want you inside me."

And he'd be stupid to deny you that. He tries to formulate a response but you don't give him a chance. You lean closer, brushing your sex on his semi-hard on, "Need you inside me."

"Fuck," He rasped, as he moves his knee between your thigh. You moan out in ecstasy, feeling slightly embarrassed. He had barely even touched you and you're bitching like a dog in heat.

You lick your lips. "Jungwoo, I-"

The door swings open as Yuta and Doyoung peek in. Yuta shakes his head as he crosses his arms, Doyoung standing in complete surprise. The two of them stare as if they caught you doing something illegal.

"Well, what do we have here?" Yuta speaks as he takes in the scene before him. You and Jungwoo hadn't even bothered to separate, too caught off guard to even have time to think about hiding what you were doing.

You swallow hard. "We were just-"

"Just grinding on each other like horny teenagers?" Yuta finishes, smirking as he knows he couldn't have walked in at a better moment.

"Yeah, thanks for the invite Jungwoo." Doyoung comments sarcastically, and you're left confused.

Jungwoo immediately catches on. "No that's not what we were-"

Yuta doesn't buy it. "No use in lying about it."

"I'm sorry, what?" You ask, unmoving.

"Yuta thinks we're filming." Jungwoo elaborates, sighing.

"You're not?" Yuta asks, and Doyoung looks intrigued.

You shake your head, "We were just kissing anyways."

"Jungwoo's boner says otherwise." Doyoung snorts.

Yuta crosses his arms, "Were you really gonna fuck her without us?"

The words hit you, without us? Who was us? Yuta and Doyoung?

You stutter, flabberghasted. "Y-you guy's would've wanted to watch?!"

Yuta shrugs. "I'll be honest, that's more of Doyoung's thing. He likes to watch, he's into those cuck things. I, on the other hand, would've wanted to join."

Yet again, you're phased by the casual talk of this all. A few weeks ago you never would've thought your friends were so, nasty. The guys who avidly avoided woman, the guys who go all shy when you got too close, the guys who would rather be studying than anything else. You don't think you'll ever get used to how they talk now.

Blinking, you speak. "You want to fuck me?"

Yuta brushes hair out of his face. "Are you serious?"

"W-what? Why are you acting like it's a stupid question, you guys have never shown attraction to me." You state, moving off of Jungwoo, and he winces as the loss of contact.

Doyoung groans. "I don't think we could've been anymore obvious without downright saying it."

Was that true? Had you missed all the signs? "I had no idea."

Yuta scoffs, quirking his head to the side condescendedly. "Look at her face, she's telling the truth, she really had no idea what she was putting us through. And here I thought you were being a tease on purpose."

"A tease?"

"Oh come on, flashing me. Walking around the house in tiny shorts and no bra under your t-shirts." He names and you see how that could look.

You mutter. "Flashing you was an accident."

"Well it's no accident how bad I want to fuck you." Yuta replies boldly, walking closer. "So are you in?"

Doyoung pipes up. "If you don't want to, you can walk out now. I promise, thing's wont be weird, we'll be fine."

You think over Doyoungs words for a minute, before looking back at Jungwoo. "I-"

You turn back to the other two. "I want to."

Yuta smiles, and Doyoung speaks again. "Are you sure?"

Jungwoo grabs your hand in his. "We're not trying to pressure you-"

"Jungwoo, I've wanted this for longer than you'd think." You admit, pressure off of your shoulders.

Yuta breaks the moment, pure lust in his eyes. "Get on the bed."

You do as told, laying down on the bed in excitement at the thought of what the three men are going to do to you. You had no idea what to expect.

Jungwoo settles on one side of you, rubbing you through your bottoms. “Thought you were too good for me, honestly. I’m little loser Jungwoo, and here you are, a sopping wet mess under me.” 

“Told Jungwoo I wanted to fuck you the day we met.” Yuta reveals, seated on the opposite side. Yet, you're too caught up on his words. 

“Really?”

“Yeah, baby. Told him we should get you in a little video too, what would you have said then?” He responds, and you flutter at the nickname.

“I had already thought of the title.” Jungwoo smirks. “Slutty college girl gets her tiny hole stretched by nerdy math tutors.” 

“I’d pay to see that.” Doyoung comments, eyes locked on you. 

“Of course you would.” Yuta teases, gaze full of pure lust. 

You feel fuzzy already. “I-I would’ve said yes!” 

“Are you sure?” Jungwoo asks condescendingly. Just because he wanted this as bad as you didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun. “I was just the nerd, remember? The nerd who watched you leave to get fucked by another guy while I was right here.” 

You moan out at his vulgar words going straight to your core. 

Doyoung takes a seat in the chair by Jungwoo's desk, seemingly content with watching. “We were all right here.” 

Yuta grins, hands pulling at your shirt. “I would’ve pounded you into my mattress the minute you asked.” 

You whine, the feverish desire taking over. “Wa-want that so bad.” 

“Yeah? Want me to fuck you until you can’t walk tomorrow?” 

You nod, overtaken with sheer desire.

Jungwoo suddenly leans down to capture your mouth in his, distracting how Yuta takes over and tugs your bottoms completely off. You shakily grab run your hands through his hair and he shivers when you touch him and gets slightly more aggressive with the kiss. He wants to be as close to you as he can, even if just for now.

You feel the air hit your bare cunt as you moan into Jungwoo's mouth. He smirks a little as Yuta shakes his head. "So wet just from a little kissing, who knew our friend was such a slut for us?"

You buck your hips off the bed, to which Yuta forcefully pushes your thighs back down. You're barely able to let out a yelp of surprise as the other male continues to meld his mouth with yours.

He’s clearly trying to keep the kiss going for as long as he can, he seems to be enjoying himself way too much. But you can't say you're complaining.

Jungwoo pulls off, moving his plush lips down to your neck as Yuta teasingly runs his fingers numbingly slow through your slit. "P-please stop teasing- umph!"

You're cut off as Yuta pushes a finger into you, quickly followed by another. He's agonizingly slow once again and you can barely handle yourself, "'S too much- too-"

"Oh so you want to give orders but when I follow through, now you're taking it back?" He moves his fingers inside you. "If you can't take my fingers, how are you supposed to take my cock?"

You moan at the thought of it, not knowing what he looked like under the belt should be considered pure torture, every other part of him was so alluring.

Jungwoo brings your attention back to him as he pulls your shirt up just enough to unclasp your bra, sliding both off with ease as you were too distracted to do it yourself.

"Your nipples are already so hard." He teases, though he goes to pinch one and that has you writhing. "Oh, they're even prettier than I imagined."

He continues to fondle one before putting his mouth on the other, sucking as Yuta continue to piston his fingers in and out of you, going faster by the minute.

You felt so good already, so overwhelmed that you weren't sure it could get any better, but oh were you so wrong.

You feel the familiar coil beginning to form in your stomach, unable to hold in your whines. "Don't stop, please,"

He doesn't, in fact he goes even faster. The pace matched with Jungwoo's mouth still on your boob makes you go dizzy fast.

Before you know it, you're feeling the coil snap and your release dripping out. But you were a fool if you thought they were going to stop.

Yuta continues to finger you damn near to heaven, Jungwoo's tongue jutting out to graze your nipple as he talks you through your climax.

But you're already halfway gone, "Want- want you inside,"

Yuta pulls his fingers out of you, and you clench around nothing as you whine at the sudden emptiness. Yuta doesn't seem too intent on giving it to you so easily though, "You want me inside?.. And what if I don't think you deserve it? What if I make you beg for it?"

You can feel tears well up in your eyes. "Please, please I'll beg. Please Yuta, I can't go another minute without your dick in me!"

Yuta smirks, satisfied with your response. He stands from the bed and pulls his shirt off, following by unzipping his pants. You watch intently as he does so, finally able to see his abs and that tattoo in all of its glory. You could feel yourself throbbing at the view.

"Condom," You whisper, almost like an afterthought, looking at Jungwoo. "Do you have any in here?"

Jungwoo nods, gesturing to Doyoung who sits by the nightstand. "Top right drawer."

Doyoung follows, throwing a package towards Yuta as he catches it before ripping it open with his teeth. Fuckkk that was so hot.

He wastes no time in sliding it over his length, positioning it outside your entrance. You hope he's about to enter but instead, like the tease he is, rubs your clit with his tip gently. Your body already trembling and he wasn't even inside yet.

"Beg," He commands as he continues his previous actions.

"Please! Oh please Yuta-" You chant his name like a mantra as he smiles down at you.

"Don't worry, I'll give you want you want." He speaks, pushing the plush head of his dick past your walls. "Not gonna stop till you're sore."

He continues to push himself farther in as Jungwoo rubs his thumb over your clit, how were they so in synch? Had they done this before?

Yuta finally bottoms out inside you, hissing as you clench around him. "Pussy so fucking tight for such a whore."

You groan as he starts to move, thrusting into you as you babble. Jungwoo's eyes land straight on where your tits bounce, obsessed with the view. God, he was gonna bust in his pants.

You can hear the slight tap of the headboard creaking as it hits the wall behind you, Yuta reaching up to grip it as leverage while he slams into you, and you're trying your hardest not to drool on Jungwoo's pillow.

The younger male smirks before he pulls you into a kiss, silencing your moans for the minute as his tongue explores your mouth.

You whine into Jungwoo's mouth as he continues to sloppily kiss you. Yuta never falters as he watches from behind, he never knew he could enjoy watching you so much. He's borderline obsessed with seeing you two make out while he's inside, he can't get enough.

Doyoung can't see as well from where he sits, but the sounds make up for it. The room filled with the sounds of your muffled moans and skin meeting skin, accompanied by Yuta's heavy groans and pants.

He's doing everything he can to not take his dick out and start palming it, convincing himself to just wait for his turn.

Yuta moved in and out of you, each thrust sending shockwaves of pleasure throughout your body. You cried out as the pleasure became almost too much to bear, body quivering beneath him.

He doesn't let up though, too keen on seeing your pretty face all scrunched up. You were shaking as his movements started to go deeper and deeper into you, there was no way you were going to survive this.

"You feel that baby?" He groans. "Feel how hard you make me?"

You just nod, too focused on the task at hand.

He keeps going, "Look how hard Jungwoo is, he's leaking all over his bed."

You'd love to see, but you can't bring your eyes steady enough to look towards him. Jungwoo lets out a quiet whine at Yuta's words, clearly embarrassed.

"Don't get all shy Jungwoo." Doyoung interjects. "It's cute seeing you so worked up."

You moaned, despite the words not being directed towards you. Doyoung voice mixed with Yuta hitting your g spot brought you directly to another realm of heaven.

Yuta felt his body tremble as his release began to build, his mind spinning as his pleasure reached its peak. He couldn't believe he was really getting to have you like this, in all his wildest dreams come true. His fingers dug into your hips, anchoring him to you as the orgasm started to take over.

You separated from Jungwoo as you started to feel the falter in the others thrusts while feeling a similar build up, managing to sputter out a "Are you close?"

He nods, "Are -shit- you?"

You can barely respond before Jungwoo's bringing your lips back to his. He never wanted to stop kissing you, he couldn't.

You suddenly felt your orgasm rush through her body, your entire body trembling with pleasure. You clung to Jungwoo, fingers digging into his arms as the intensity of the moment hit you.

You gasped as you came, body shaking with the intensity of it, breathing heavily as the pleasure slowly ebbed away.

With a deep growl, Yuta followed as he gave one final thrust and released into the latex. Mind incredibly hazy as he collapsed beside you onto the bed. Breathing heavy as you will your eyes not to close.

He stares at your fucked out face, proud of the little number he did on you. He knows this was likely his first and last chance to see you like this, so he was going to relish in it.

Though, others didn't seem to agree with the slower paced approach, Doyoung moving the other male out of the way to climb onto the bed.

Surprisingly, you try to push yourself up. Though, you're still too unsure to ask for what you want. "Can I..."

"Can you what?" Doyoung mocks after you don't respond for a few seconds. "Closed mouths don't get fed."

Who knew he could be so mean?

"Can I ride you?" You blurt out.

He smirks. "Is that what you want?"

You nod, "Fuck, please Doyoung."

He laughs, leaning back on the head board as he slips his pants down. "Be my guest, if you think you can still hold yourself up."

You place your hands on his shoulders as you wobbly throw your legs over Doyoungs lap before pausing, "W-wait,"

The others immediately halt, awaiting your words.

"Jungwoo's still so hard, and he hasn't touched himself. I should help him." You let out, starting at the male who you started this all with.

"Yuta's got it." Doyoung speaks, while the other male composes himself. "Right?"

The oldest smirks, wordlessly reaching over as Jungwoo's face grows red. He wraps his hand around the base of the youngers shaft and starts moving, kitty licking the tip as Jungwoo moans out.

"D-don't stop, I want to see you and Doyoung." Jungwoo gasps, locking eyes with you before squirming at Yuta's actions. It's not like it was the first time they had done this, but it felt so different every time, especially now that he was taking him wholly in his mouth.

You grow wetter at the sight of your roommates getting each other off, now you see why they like to watch so badly. Yuta looked so pretty with his mouth full of cock while Jungwoo moaned like a bitch in heat and clawed at his bed sheets. Not to mention that Yuta had grown hard again, his own hand snaking down to touch himself.

Doyoung lines himself up, his tip pushing past your walls as you slowly sink down. The stretch burning slightly even though you had been fucked already. You couldn't help but hiss, he was just too big.

You bounce a few times as Doyoung digs his nails into your hips. He's more quiet than Yuta, but less composed. You weren't sure he'd have much to say if he could manage to talk. The most you catch from him are quiet groans and deep breaths.

His eyes don't leave your cunt, directed towards where your bodies meet. He's never felt anything so good, not even his state of the art toys his viewers brought him made him feel this way.

“Need it off.” You mutter, reaching below you towards Doyoung’s cock. He hisses as you pry at the tip, harshly pulling the rubber condom off. You throw the item across the room, bringing your hand back to sink down on him as the other boys watch in awe. 

Jungwoo's quick to intervene, “But-”

“We’ll get her a Plan B.” Yuta reassures him as he comes up for air, and you take notice of the way Jungwoo’s face falls for some reason.

You continue bouncing as Doyoung grabs one of your boobs in his hands. You bite your lip at the feeling, mind already halfway to mush as you continue to spear yourself on his cock. “Feels so good.”

He growls as he meets your hips at an animalistic pace. He finally gains the reserve to speak. Teeth gritting, “You feel better than I imagined, slutty pussy dragging me in.” 

Jungwoo pushes Yuta's head down farther as the other teases, while the other gags at the action. The sounds of slurping register in your ears as you look back that way. You almost cum at the sight.

Jungwoo's face twists as he releases into Yuta's mouth, the latter swallowing it without a qualm. Jungwoo can feel himself growing hard again though. The squelch of your body parts melding together has Jungwoo's head spinning even though he already came.

Yuta snarks as he gets onto his knees, pushing his dick into the youngers face. "Your turn, put those pretty lips to use."

Jungwoo's eyes never leave your body as he opens his mouth. Now, if you thought Yuta looked good like that, nothing compared to how Jungwoo looked. So pliant and content to be helping his friend out.

Doyoung brings your attention back to him as he grabs your jaw, "I'm giving it to you so good that you're shaking yet you're staring at them instead?"

You shake your head, grinding down harder on Doyoung's dick as you stop bouncing, knees growing sore. "I'm sorry-"

He scoffs, grip tightening on your jaw. "No you're not."

"I-" You huff, hearing Jungwoo's pretty noises echo in your head as you fight every bone in your body to turn and look.

"Shut up," He cuts you off. "Look at me when I'm fucking you."

You nod as he thrusts up into you. You whine as he holds you in place, using you like a flesh light of his own design. All you can do is take it, feeling his tip kiss your insides with every thrust. Felt like he was rearranging your guts.

He pounds into you with such vigor that you wonder how he has the strength for it all. You try your best to meet his thrusts but he hardly gives you time to.

You would've never guessed the unbothered Kim Doyoung would be into fucking this rough. The more you know, you guessed.

You shout out, "I'm cumming!"

His speed doesn't falter, and he continues fucking you through your second orgasm of the night. He continues as you whimper at your sensitivity, hoping he was close.

"P-pull out," You sputter out, suddenly reminded that you two were going at it raw.

"I will," He responds, before he's moaning out. "Fuck, lift up."

"O-okay." You say, pulling yourself up slightly as his cock springs back onto his abs, covering his stomach in his release.

"That was so hot." You admit, sitting on the bed.

He blinks, "Yeah?"

You barely manage to turn as Yuta shoots his load out onto Jungwoo's face. His face looking ethereal as licks some of it off of his lips.

Yuta's about to say something when Doyoung speaks, "Yuta, lets go take a bath."

Yuta looks confused, not catching the others hint. "Now?"

Doyoung rolls his eyes, "So we can clean up."

"You're hard again, aren't you?"

The other shoots him a glare, clenching his teeth. "Let's go."

He basically drags the other out of the room as you two watch in confusion. Yuta bids, "See you later."

You stay quiet, unable to move without your body aching. Though you feel sudden energy to keep going as you look beside you.

Jungwoo leans over you and brushes your hair out of your face, and it feels more apparent that its just the two of you in the room. “You okay?” 

“I’m a little sore, but I’m fine.” You admit, wincing a bit as you move your legs in an attempt to sit up. Jungwoo shakes his head as he stops you though. 

“If you're not feeling okay-" He starts but you quickly shut him down,

You tilt your head. "But I've waited so long for you."

However, you can barely focus on his words as you take in his disheveled appearance. God, you wanted to kiss him so badly. Again. 

He grabs your chin gently, lifting it up to kiss you more, and you can almost taste Yuta on him. He takes his time as you feel the urge to press up against him, ignoring the pain in your legs that the others left in their wake. 

“Baby, don’t tease me there.” He whines, stopping the kiss. 

Yet you don’t cease your actions, wanting to hear more of his needy voice. “I want you so bad, Jungwoo.” 

His eyes meet yours, hesitance behind them. “Really, are you sure?” 

“Unless you don’t to-” 

“No no, I want to.” He responds, meeting your lips again. He’s more sure of himself this time, hand snaking to touch your cunt.

You're one hundred percent sure you were in love with Jungwoo. But who was counting?

Before you knew what was happening, he was throbbing inside you. Your cunt spent from the other two, but so willing to take him in as well. He was much bigger than you imagined, but once he was inside you, it was like he lost all semblance of control.

You almost wanted to laugh, what happened to the Jungwoo that was being almost mean to you earlier? Was he so drained that he forgot?

He had you in missionary, long slow thrusts pressing into you as you whimper. He caged you under him, hand holding yours as he used the other for balance. He went in for another kiss again, soft like he was scared you were going to break.

Being with him felt different, of course the others felt good but there was a clear line drawn in the sand with them. Yuta was a performer, he got off to the others looking at him put on a show. Doyoung didn't seem like he was focused on you as much either, and was more about himself.

But Jungwoo? He seemed to be worried about you and only you.

"You're so pretty." He mutters, looking into your eyes.

"P-pretty?" You ask, his length still bullying into you.

"I think you're gorgeous." He confirms, wanting to go in for another kiss.

"Jungwoo..." You wrap your hands around his shoulders as you pull him closer. "I think I like you."

He looks shocked at this, pausing his strokes. "Really?"

You smile, "Yes, really."

"But I'm just me." He avoids eye contact. "You're out of my league and I'm just this dork who studies mechanics! And are you sure you like someone who films himself-"

You interrupt him with a kiss, slipping your tongue past his mouth as you only pull away when you need air. "I don't care about any of that, I like you."

He smiles, "If you hadn't noticed, I've had a thing for you since that day in class when you sat next to me. I was so bummed you weren't even in that class and was just hoping I saw you again."

"Well, I'm glad we found our way back to each other."

"Me too." He speaks before pressing his face into your neck, mumbling as he continues his actions.

You two continue in almost silence, basking in pure love for each other as only small whimpers echo throughout the room. Everything that needed to be said already had been. You two were definitely going to have a long talk after this.

Living with the boys was no longer temporary, it was now your permanent place of residence. Especially since you had packed up your things and moved into your boyfriends room, granting Yuta access back to his room.

Things had been going well. Midterms went smoothly, Jungwoo was great (The sex was too), and you had landed that job you applied for!

You had even made an appearance in your boyfriends job, with masks of course, but nonetheless his viewers ate it up. Now they even sent comments in begging you to start your own channel, but you think you're far from that.

Things weren't awkward with the boys either, in fact, it feels good to have everything open in the air. There weren't any secrets anymore and things just felt like they were almost back to normal.

Breaking the news to Mark and Haechan was definitely... a scene. Mark was heartbroken on Lee Jeno's behalf while Haechan was more worried about how he was the only friend who hadn't gotten to tap that. To which Mark corrected that he hadn't either, which just led to a mess of a conversation.

People were definitely caught off guard when the news of you together broke. Many thought the pairing was funny.

Those like Haechan and Mark thought you had gone mad. And Jungwoo's studious admirers shuddered at how he could be with someone as provocative as you. Ha! If only they knew.

Jungwoo placed an object in front of you, proud of his efforts. "Here it is, the finished scale model."

You pick up the small jet in your hands, giggling at its design. "I love it, it looks like a tiny plane."

"It's a fighter jet!" Doyoung corrects as he joins you both in the kitchen.

You roll your eyes, "I'm aware, I helped paint the stupid thing."

"Stupid?" Jungwoo gasps dramatically.

"That's not what I-"

"Nope." He stops you. "Too late, the damage has been done."

"Jungwoo, don't be dramatic." You plead, though his eyes are already bulging out of his head.

He places his hand on his chest as he pretends to be hurt. "I'm going to go cry and throw up in my room."

"Dear lord," You begin before he runs off to his room. You've grown used to his antics by now. "Guess I have to go reassure him now."

Doyoung snorts, "Gross."

"Not like that, you pervert!"

"Who said I even was talking about that! You made it all dirty!" He retorts back when Yuta enters the room.

"Contrary to popular belief, we don't just fuck every chance we get."

"Tell that to my ears! You guys keep me up most nights, it's so annoying." Yuta complains. "The walls are thin, you know!"

You giggle, walking out of the room to find your sulky boyfriend as you shrug. "Deal with it."

The two watch as you're out of sight, Doyoung pouring himself water for his tea. He notices the look on the others face as he pats him on the shoulder. "You ever regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Not telling her."

Yuta sighs, looking down before he shakes his head. "No. Jungwoo makes her happy, and that's good enough for me."

Doyoung chuckles, "We could switch rooms, if you want."

"It's all good, It's not that bad."

"You like listening don't you-"

"I'm going to slap you if you finish that sentence."

[polarisjisung]

LOVE ON THE COURT | 29 NOT AGAIN

SYNOPSIS | every college student has their struggles, but raising her younger brother has Y/N top of the list, struggling her way through college whilst balancing her academics and basketball captaincy is difficult no doubt and with Jaemin, her ex best friend and captain of the guys basketball team, and his growing one sided hatred towards her, it doesn't seem to be getting any easier

WARNINGS | sexual innuendos, swearing, mentions + pretty detailed description of a panic attack, lwk abandonment issues

NOTES | the girls are fighting... you didn't think I'd let them make up this fast did you?? a much shorter chapter today I'm sorry 😓

15:27pm , after the game

Y/n knew ningning inside out, they'd been friends for their whole life, best friends for a number of years, they'd spent longer together than apart.

Y/n and ningning were practically sisters. They'd fought over stupid things like if apple juice was better than orange juice, they'd stolen each others clothes, done each others nails as post breakup therapy— they'd experienced love and loss, and they'd always experienced it together.

It was and always had been them against the world.

Personal problems had always existed, but they'd face them head on and, most importantly, together.

So y/n knew what ningning was feeling, maybe not exactly, but she certainly knew why ningning felt the way she did.

And sure, Ningning's words had hurt y/n too, but that was the thing, they'd said the best and worst things to one another.

Being so close to someone can be a double-edged sword. Knowing their triggers and insecurities so well that in the heat of the moment, it’s almost too easy to throw those daggers. The intimacy shared can turn into a weapon of knowing exactly what to say to hit them where it hurts. In those moments, it’s like being caught in a toxic cycle, where love and pain intertwine.

Regret sets in as soon as the words leave the mouth, but the damage is done, leaving both people feeling raw and vulnerable. It's a harsh reminder that knowing someone deeply can sometimes mean knowing how to wound them just as easily. So y/n knew that Ningning was showing nothing but her concern.

But equally, she understood she deserved somewhat of an apology as well, even if Ningning's words had come from a good place, they'd hurt, and perhaps they hurt even more so coming from her.

It seemed a simple explanation why this argument of theirs had rested at the forefront of her mind for so long too, because Ningning was the only person in her life who Y/n couldn't imagine losing. And after everything that she'd been through, after the people she'd lost, and the relationships she'd seen go with them, she knew she wouldn't let herself be to blame. She wouldn't let herself lose a friend, least of all Ningning, just because she didn't communicate.

Or at least that was her plan, as she made her way down the hallway of the hotel, her hair still dripping from the shower she'd just taken, gripping way too many snacks for the two of them to share. Minjun followed after her, still gushing about having seen his older sister play for the first time, begging her to teach him how to dribble the ball like her, a grin plastered across his face. It was endearing, really.

And Y/n swore she only turned to smile at him for a second, but in the next, she felt her heart drop and her blood run cold. It felt like the ground shifted beneath her feet, and suddenly, she was trapped in a whirlwind of way too many thoughts, coming way too fast.

There, stood across the hallway, was a man she had made many desperate attempts to forget. To no avail, of course.

She blinked, rubbing her fists against her eyes hurriedly, as if he was nothing but a figment of her imagination, that when she looked up again he'd disappear and this would be nothing but a bad dream. But there he was, struggling to open the door to his room, angrily staring down at the key card with furrowed brows.

He seemed older. His hairs greying and wrinkles setting in across the feafures she recognised so well, his smile lines deeper than the last time she'd seen him.

The last time she'd seen him.

Her breaths quickened at the sight of him, becoming deeper yet each inhale felt shallower than the last, and her chest tightened like a vice. This wasn't happening, it couldn't, not here, not now.

She could hear the muffled voice beside her asking why they'd stopped walking, she could feel minjun's grip tighten around her, she could see the way the man turned his head at the realisation he was no longer alone in the haway, but it all felt distant, like she was underwater.  Unsure how to answer, she stood silently, gaze locked on the man, blinking rapidly, questioning if he was really, truly stood in front of her at all. As soon as he locked eyes with her, she felt the bile rush up her throat and a distant ringing in her ears, her hands beginning to shake against the smaller ones that held hers. Y/n felt like she was drowning. But she knew she couldn't. It was a luxury she couldn't afford, and the soft skin brushing against her hand was a reminder of that.

Panic surged through her, and y/n fought the urge to break down, feeling the walls closing in on her. The bright lights overhead felt too harsh, illuminating the doubts swirling in her head, making it hard to focus. Calm down. She thought, but she couldn't. She couldn't think she couldn't move, and worst of all, she couldn't calm down. She convinced herself this was nothing, voiced out lies in her mind that echoed with uncertainty. Breathe, she thought. But she couldn't. It was as if every unresolved feeling crashed over her like a tidal wave, leaving her gasping for air and desperate for an escape. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ground herself, but the memories flooded back faster, unrelenting and unforgiving.

Y/n found herself tugging harshly against the smaller wrist that was still loosely resting in her grip, making a sharp 180 and jetting off down the hallway, with shaky steps and ragged breaths.

She had to go, she had to leave, she had to do it now. Her phone vibrated in her hands only seconds later, a painfully familiar contact flashing across the screen, and all y/n could do was throw the device into the bottom of her bag, stuffing her belongings in on top, making no effort to answer the questions coming from the confused young boy who watched her. The blood rushed to her head so quickly, too quickly, in fact, and she swore the room in front of her begun to spin.

Her dad hadn't called her in years, not a single message, not a single word, so why now was he calling? Why was he reaching out now? Just because he'd seen her? Did some sort of shitty parental guilt kick in at the sight of his now grown children? Did he feel inadequate, maybe even jealous that they were doing just fine without him? Y/n didn't know, and she didn't care, but seeing him was still enough for her to take an unwanted trip down memory lane, reliving every moment since he'd left. Her chest tightened, the lump in her throat growing to the point that she couldn't breathe no matter how hard she tried. Still, she kept going, scanning the room to make sure she hadn't left anything behind.

Minjun had never seen his sister like this, so close to breaking down, and y/n didn't plan on letting that change today, sucking in deep breaths and wiping her teary eyes as she pulled his jacket around him. It was getting cold outside now, and she wouldn't let one careless mistake from her because of something so trivial, leading to him becoming sick.

Y/n could barely function, struggling to pull the zipper loop up and through the jacket, still she kept going. Her body ran on autopilot, muscle memory taking full control as she silently pulled the bags through the door and held a hand out for minjun to follow. Too occupied in her own thoughts she rushed out of the hotel with urgency, taking long strides towards the cabs that waited outside, only realising she was moving way too fast for Minjun to keep up when his small rushed breaths filled the air. She needed to calm down, she wasn't alone and she had to act like it. Minjun was her responsibility, and she needed to take care of him.

She muttered out an apology, quick, sincere, but short and found herself falling back into the  cycle of her own thoughts again. Comfort was a thought far away, but the surety of heading home, caused the racing of her heart to ease just slightly, a dull ache developing in her arm now that she'd finally set down all her bags inside the cab, a cramp settling in.

In that moment, y/n felt the overwhelming feeling of solitude press down in her, honing in from all sides, and the ache of abandonment crept into each corner of her heart. The pain was bitter and fuck, it ran deep.

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[pedgito]

MILLER'S GIRL ✎ SERIES MASTERLIST

Chapter One: Teacher’s Pet

Chapter Summary: First day woes and a difficult semester ahead, you find solace in your caring, attentive creative writing professor who shows you just a little more attention than everyone else, or so you think. [5k]

[student/teacher relationship, age gap, no outbreak, power dynamic]

Chapter Warnings: fem!reader, professor!joel miller (his teacher persona is v different from outside of the classroom, so if he seems slightly ooc....close your eyes), dom!joel, sub!reader, reader is a little obsessed with joel (and delusional), mentions of infidelity (not by joel), sarah doesn't exist here, background tess x joel, inappropriate relationships/actions, talks of literature and lots of random writing topics, dream smut, gratuitous descriptions of mr. miller's body and personality.

note: thanks to @planet-marz1 for the last minute beta.

— AO3 | PLAYLIST | PINTEREST

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There’s a deafening silence that surrounds you when you step into the lecture room, not nearly as big as your other main course classes, it’s intimate. Close. If you kicked a foot out from the chair you were sitting in you could touch the professor’s desk. 

Part of you wonders if you were the only person taking this class, sitting for a few minutes alone, not another person in sight—until one files in, then another, until there’s about ten of you seated sparsely in the small space. It’s mostly bare aside from the few books shoved away on a nearby shelf, antiquey books that, no doubt, had a thick layer of dust. 

The problem with the class was that you weren’t sure if it was ever going to be a real thing—applying you had the expectation of who your teacher would be, what you could expect from the coursework, and just how manageable it would be amongst the rest of your classes. But, there was little known now. 

All you did know was that they had to find a replacement quick, which they did, and you were sure that a sign of their lacking punctuality was a great start, tucking your chin over the bag placed on your desk as you waited in silence amongst simmered voices, feeling starchly out of place.

You didn’t know this place—it was new, Austin. You moved clear across the country on a whim, wanting a new start in a place you’ve never seen before. You’d plucked a community college out of the bunch, not worried with the semantics of applying to some big, ivy league school. You wanted something manageable, something attainable. This seemed like the easiest option, unsuspecting and unknown, you could slink by and go about your life peacefully. 

That is what you wanted, after all.

Until you meet Mr. Miller.

Joel could’ve pursued music, or carpentry, or about a billion other things he was skilled at—yet somehow, teaching seemed to be the easiest option. It gave him the familial feeling of caring and guiding that he did enjoy, molding young minds and helping them bloom. He worked at a local high school in Austin for years—fifteen good, long years. 

But, he too needed a change. His life was slowly crumbling in on himself.

He sees the job opening on the last weekend of summer, still teetering with the option of returning to his teaching job at the high school—it isn’t as manageable as it used to be, finding that in his older age that dealing with the behavior and arguments with ill-managed kids was more of a hassle than it needed to be for the pay he was receiving. 

So, fuck it. He applies.

He gets a call the following Monday and he’s officially added to the staff by the end of the week—and of course, he’s never stepped foot on the campus until his first day. So, he’s lost. Joel realizes how unprofessional it looks, scrambling with his bag as he throws it over his shoulder and haphazardly adjusts his tie, hoping that his hair wasn’t too askew and wild, despite the wind flying through his hair in the chilly bite of the autumn weather.

Things couldn’t have been off to a better start.

-

There’s the slightest trickling of a thought that you should leave, give up that this class might be an ultimate failure but then he’s walking through the door. You knew his name, but that was as far as your reach extended. Mr. Miller. J. Miller, to be specific.

James. Justin. Jonathan. It was all a mystery to you.

You find that his appearance is less than prepared, mostly disheveled and he seems breathless as he offers a subtle nod of awkward acknowledgement as he slings his bag onto the desk. Thankfully, he seems to understand that there was a tinge of urgency with him being late and he quickly reaches into his bag and pulls out a stack of papers.

Class syllabuses. He hands them off silently to the person on the farthest side of the room and hoping they would get the idea, pass them off until they reach the final person. It’s crisp, stark white paper covered in a boring black-inked text. Nothing seemed out of the norm—different methods of writing you would try over the course of the semester and specific assignments that would pop-up throughout. You enjoyed the predictability of it. Though, there is a significant surprise when your professor begins to speak, pulling your attention to the front of the room.

He’s gathered himself rather quickly, assuming he’s had his fair share of time in the field.

He writes his name out in clear, dignified letters on the board.

Mr. Miller, the screech of a solid drag as he underlines his name.

“I know I’m not who you all were suspecting.” He begins, placing the chalk down, hand wrapping around a balled fist as he cracked his knuckles, walking slowly until he can lean against the edge of his desk, soles of his shoes squeaking against the floor.

“And I’ll admit, I’m new to this,” He waves vaguely around the room, “I’m used to public school and the shittiness that comes with that—so I hope that if I can take this seriously, you all can extend that gesture too.”

You notice how comfortable he seems in group settings, relaxing his broad shoulders as he crosses his arm, glancing around the room casually, never lingering for too long.

“I won’t pester you too much today, given I already wasted some of your time,” Someone snickers softly toward the back of the room and Mr. Miller cracks a subtle smirk, seemingly embarrassed but not offering anything to pick at. “But, I’m willing to answer any questions you have while we have the time today.”

Questions flow in easily: what the semester would consist of, more elaboration outside of the syllabus, some of Mr. Miller’s favorite pieces of literature—part of you expects him to inject the usual ‘around the room introduction’ scheme, but he doesn’t. Instead, he leans into the more engaging questions asked, answering as freely and as interested as he can.

He loves Robert Frost, which makes sense. You’re not sure why, but it is predictable. 

He is predictable. Sipping on a large mug of what you can only assume is coffee, the smell permeating toward you with where he’s resting against his desk, only a foot or so away. You haven’t managed to catch his gaze yet, which you’re partly thankful for. It allows you to study him, examine his expressions—admire…No.

And while he can continue his talk about favorite authors for days—the class draws to a close sooner than you expect, and you move lazily as most of the class disperses at the first opportunity with it being their final class of the day.

You’re throwing your bag over your shoulder when you hear his voice, addressing the only other person in the room.

You.

“Intimidating?” Your face screws up in confusion, head tilting his way as your eyes connect for the first time. “Oh, uh—sorry, I’ve just been doin’ this a while. I can tell when someone is anxious in class.”

And, while it wasn’t necessarily anxiety—it was more the idea of adjusting. This was new, this place wasn’t familiar and you were just trying to settle in. Mr. Miller seemed like the guy to have deep roots planted into these grounds, familiar with this town like he’s been here his entire life.

He has, but that wasn’t the point.

“No,” You answer indifferently, shrugging your shoulders, “I think your radar might be a little off.”

Joel chuckles softly, tapping his fingers against the leather cover of his bag as he leaned the tops of his thighs against the edge of his desk, “You know—you didn’t partake much in class discussion just now.”

You weren’t sure where he was driving his point, gradually stepping toward his desk, fingers wrapped around the straps of your bag, pulling against the tight material of your shirt as it stretched over your breasts, “And you were about—fifteen minutes late, too.”

Touche. He nods, lips pursed together.

“Just, fair warning—class discussion is a good chunk of your grade, participation and all that. I want you to feel comfortable enough to join in so…however I can help with that.”

Your eyebrows knit together, thoroughly thrown off by his forwardness—or well, so you assumed. He quickly realizes his misstep.

“No—not like…I mean, if there’s anything that you like or are interested in that you want covered over the semester, let me know. I don’t want it to be so focused on stuff that only appeases a few people. Alright?”

You think on his words, chewing at your bottom lip quietly. 

He doesn’t know why he feels like he’s standing on the edge, waiting impatiently for your response—but when you do, it feels like he can breathe. Joel didn’t want to fuck this job up and he already felt like he’s stepped off on the wrong foot.

“Alright.” You confirm simply, nodding politely. “Thank you, Mr. Miller.”

He nods in response, the smallest twitch of a smile pulling at his lips.

“Have a good day.” He bids kindly, waving at you haphazardly as you left.

And now the day felt even weirder than when it started.

-

The first few weeks of class are actually…a delight. You find yourself looking forward to them as the weeks grow on and drag out, slowly making your way through the day and finding that Mr. Miller’s was the only class you could successfully relax in, not so pressure to participate because it was as equally engaging on both ends.

Mr. Miller liked to talk and argue just as animatedly as most students who had a point to prove—and you see why he must’ve been hired on a whim, the ability to charm and wit himself in and out of any scenario he wanted. It was…mesmerizing in a way that intoxicated you and infected your body and mind. He had you locked in every time he opened his mouth, finding your eyes dragging along the planes of his face and his well-kept appearance now that he arrived on time, sharp. Never early, never late. 

He was as punctual as they come, slowly littering his classroom with more and more personalization. More literature books, smaller books of poems, packets of some of his favorite script writings and a few non-fiction pieces he thought to be intriguing. 

But, the most interesting thing you notice is the small tan line around his ring finger. The advantage of the small classroom allowed for such details to be revealed, alongside knowing when he had taken a certain morning to do a fresh shave of his facial hair or spill a small spattering of coffee against his shirt, dull brown staining the white, crisp button-up he usually dawned alongside the occasional navy blue or black.

So, he was married—you assumed. He just didn’t wear his ring.

The more you indulged in him, the more complex he seemed. The ever mysterious J-something Miller, finding that no matter how hard you looked you couldn’t seem to find any information on him or an inkling of what his first name might be.

He must be a private person—no socials, no good deeds leading to news articles about him, or anything of tangible evidence to allow such information to seep out to the public. He was good at hiding, integrating himself in places he might not belong. He was a natural chameleon, much like yourself.

And you’d like to think you were good at writing considering you were attempting to pursue a career in it, mostly focusing on the aspect of screenwriting and film, not entirely sure what you were after but knowing that was where you wanted to go. You were great at convoluting things and empowering your far too creative imagination—often dangerous. You were never lacking in ideas, but your first assignment is a struggle.

It was something pertaining to non-fiction, a boring topic that Mr. Miller wanted to be intrigued by—he wanted something so mundane to be eye-catching and page-turning. Hanging on the edge of his seat, as he’d said so menacingly.

So, here you were, writing about the monogamous lives of certain breeds of penguins and they’re mates—whatever the fuck that was all about. It’s like he picked obscure topics for this very reason, the difficulty and the need for assistance. He wanted to help and you learned that quickly.

You could’ve been stuck with global warming, so it wasn’t all that bad. 

Mr. Miller is leaning against an empty desk as he’s talking to a student a few desks away—yeah, the unlucky one who snagged the global warming topic. His expression is sour, tapping his pencil against the desk rapidly as Mr. Miller talks quietly, nothing that you can make out. He travels around the room gradually, eventually landing on you with a raised eyebrow, seeing that you had some, if not very little outlined.

He looks amused, knowing how you were pulling an absolute fat nothing over this topic. You could sit there and lay out the facts, but that’s not what he wanted. He wanted it to be explained in a way that held you close and dragged you along. It all came down to wording, at the end of the day, and as much as you wanted to prove you were a decent writer, you still had a lot to learn.

“This is so stupid,” You gripe, looking up at him briefly before you continue to stare daggers into the notebook you were scribbling in, “—pardon my language, but what the fuck is this topic?”

Mr. Miller chuckles deeply at that, tongue poking at the inside of his cheek.

“I’ll let that slide but try not to make it a habit,” He comments, acknowledging your foul language and understanding the frustration, “—it’s meant to challenge you. The obscurity of it. It’s not complicated, but you don’t want to just write a research paper.”

“Isn’t that…exactly how non-fiction works?” You ask curiously.

“You’ve read biographies, right? Auto-biograhpies and all that?” 

You nod quietly.

“And I’m sure some of that caught your intention, right?” He asks and you respond with another nod, though meeker than before. “Non-fiction work is just as important as story-telling. Do some more research, explain why monogamy is sacred to them, explain their mating patterns, the behaviors—are you following?”

“Yeah—because some penguins mate for life, right?” You ask, feeling ridiculous asking him such an obscure question. “At least, I thought they did.”

“Most do.” Mr. Miller nods, “If you find yourself learning enough about the topic and actually finding some interest it won’t come out so…bland. Just look into it and write something you’d find intriguing to read, don’t stress over it that much. It’s just one assignment.”

It eases your worries slightly, but still, the frustration stuck.

“Okay,” You mumble, “Thank you.”

Mr. Miller offers a soft pat to your forearm as he nods silently in acknowledgment.

You were determined to make that assignment your bitch. Plain and simple.

-

Class discussion days are much easier. You switch between a certain selection of poems to snippets of scripts that Mr. Miller has pulled apart for the class to dissect and mince the words, learning how to write screenplays in a way that was both descriptive but directive and still managed to somehow keep the flow. Poems always seemed a little silly, but it was nice to debate the meanings and nuances of it all, always finding that you preferred to sit back and hear the thoughts of others until Mr. Miller decides he’s had enough one day—two months into the semester when he finally calls on you directly.

It was something he didn’t do often, but you find yourself going wide-eyed. He was always so polite to you, even when he’d catch you staring or lingering on his form for a moment too long, like he knew what you were thinking.

He was tall and—as was glaringly obvious, broad. His shoulders were immense and large as he extended his hands out and talked animatedly, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, slacks stretching over taut, tight muscle as he planted a foot in a nearby chair or stretched his stance out slightly as he stood—often finding it hard to stay still the longer class drew on.

You pull your attention to him, an innocent gaze glazing over your features.

“Why don’t you read the next poem?” He asks curiously.

“Oh—um,” Your eyes flick toward the poem book held tight in your grip, flitting to find the the place where the class last left off, so distracted you find yourself scrambling, but Mr. Miller is quick to lean over without much show or way of embarrassing you, pointing out the spot where the class last left of, blunt nail scratching against the paper as you follow the trail of his finger, you clear your throat and start:

“How should we like it were stars to burn

With a passion for us we could not return?

If equal affection cannot be,

Let the more loving one be me.”

The point was to interpret the words and form an explanation for why they were used, what they were trying to explain, but you lose any sense of thought when your eyes drag up to meet Mr. Miller and he’s staring right back, allowing you all the attention in the world.

Like no one else in the room existed. It was all a delusion in your own head, something you weren’t privy to then, but you believed whole-heartedly in the moment. He was just allowing you the floor and sharing you the same attention he had with everyone else. 

At least, that’s what he tried to do.

Mr. Miller clears his throat to subtly bring you back down to earth when he notices your mind fleeing from your body, asking an easy, “So, what do we think about this one?”

No one answered, staunchly disinterested as they stared at you, waiting for a response as you were the only one who had avoided participating all day.

“Uh, it—it sounds like the love isn’t being returned,” You start slow, dissecting the words in your brain as Mr. Miller nods, “but that person is willing to show up and offer more to make up for it, maybe even to their own…undoing, I guess.”

“There’s really no right or wrong,” He addresses the class as a whole but pointedly acknowledges your observation, “and that’s the best thing—you’re allowed to think as individuals and come up with your own conclusions. Good job.”

The final part is directed at you. It makes you feel warm, gooey—like you were being given a star for good behavior or gentle praise under the guise of friendly language.

You despise how hard it is to stay focused some days with how often Mr. Miller likes to pick on you and point you out—but he sees potential there. Real potential. Not to say that it isn’t within the rest of the class, he just sees…more. And it intrigues him in a way that feels dangerous, but he wants to ensure that you are given the proper support needed, even if that means a little extra attention.

It was harmless, after all.

-

Your first big assignment comes three months into the semester.

It’s a simple writing assignment but tactful and heavy, given a week to complete it before you were due to turn it in for a final grade. A collection of self-written poems, the outline for a possible script idea for a scene, and a small creative writing assignment that must include some kind of supernatural element. You appreciate the Mr. Miller never allowed things to lay stagnant with his work, always giving you something to think about.

And everyone loved him, that much was blatantly obvious. He was, easily, one of the hottest professors at the college for someone his age—you could only assume he was somewhere in his late 40s. But, there remained the unknown of if he was married, something people debated often, but you examined in the privacy of your own mind.

There was no indication of another—no pictures lingering on his desk as his classroom continued to collect belongings, no screensaver on his phone or laptop (because yes, you were observant) that gave you any idea of what his partner looked like. And he never mentioned anything outside of his own interest in literature. The curiosity with no discovery was only slightly disappointing, because despite that, Mr. Miller showed his attention toward you like you were the only person in the room.

And maybe it was like that for everyone, but it felt special to you. There was always a little extra to give to you that he didn’t offer to everyone else.

You turn in your assignment a few minutes before it is due, well into the late hours of the night.

-

Mr. Miller, unbeknownst to you, smiles when he sees the notification on his computer as he sits in his office at home, scrolling down the deep troves of porn in the darkened space, quickly clicking away to another browser as he hears the door creak, his wife poking her head through the crack with a smile.

“Hey, it’s late—you comin’ to bed soon?” Tess asks, eyes ringed with a deep exhaustion.

Joel nods, scratching at the side of his face, blinking tiredly. 

“Yeah. In a bit,” He excuses, “Just tryin’ to catch up on these assignments and then I’ll be done.”

It’s a lie, but she doesn’t need to know that.

Things had been rough since the affair—finding that Tess had been sleeping with her boss at her law firm for a few months, something she swore meant nothing, despite how long it dragged on in secret. Joel forgave her, mostly. They were managing, attempting the idea of marriage counseling, but he still couldn’t bring himself to put his wedding band back on, despite how proudly she wore hers still.

He had his own reservations on the matter and while he was trying to work things out, he wasn’t sure they could ever resume the same rhythm they had before, thinking that this was something he had for life, slowly crumbling and falling between his fingertips.

This was why he needed a change of pace, something different.

And maybe he was stupid for entertaining the obvious affection you showed toward him—he definitely was, but he does it anyways. It was playful, so meaningless and harmless that he didn’t even think twice about it. He could see you craved the attention and while he couldn’t be bothered to save that energy for Tess anymore, he could try to offer it to you.

Because you—you had so much potential. It was refreshing, seeing so much of his younger self in you, drive and dedication. The willingness to question stuff without fear.

He clicks on the email notification with your assignment, opening in a separate browser as he rises to lock his office door quietly, before returning to his other browser as he sat and unbuckled the thick leather belt around his waistband, a dignified zip that echoes throughout the confines of the office, reverberates and reminds him of his own loneliness.

And he shouldn’t picture your face as he finds himself aching and fucking deseprate into his fist, soft gunts muffled behind clenched teeth. But, he does. And he loves it.

He’s so fucked.

-

The comments on your assignment come a few days later, curled up in your bed in the small apartment you rented out, scrolling desperately to find out any further information on Mr. Miller but coming up with absolutely nothing. What a fucking ghost he was.

You’re curious, though—so you quickly switch to your emails to check his response and what your grade ended up being after how hard you worked to make sure it turned out perfect. Better than perfect actually. You hoped that with his obvious relationship woes he would appreciate the angst and underlying meanings in your poems, a bunch of bullshit you couldn’t relate to but hoped, on a whim, that he might.

‘Way to press on the idea of heartbreak, well done. Very expressive and real. Thank you for pouring those feelings into your work, though I hope no one has ever broken your heart that bad. Wonderful job.’

And he scores you a 90/100.

Which—whatever. You could accept it. Still, you wondered if those lingering ten points lied with him and his own bitter dealings. You’re fingers are curled around the laptop, ready to close when you get another notification blaring through your speakers.

You lift the laptop to stare at the screen, seeing an email come in from an unknown sender—though, the name grabs your attention immediately. First name, last name, followed by a series of number you can only assume is a birth year—not the school email Mr. Miller had previously sent you a response from.

You perk up, legs crossing over each other as you take a peek at the contents of the glaring email, seeing that it had links to a few books, followed by:

‘I hope you don’t mind my emailing you like this. But, I have a few pieces I think you may enjoy and would help with some of what you’re trying to convey in your writing. You have a beautiful way of expressing feeling and you should harness that. Let me know what you think. :)’

In hindsight, Joel should’ve never sent it. But, there was an urge there he couldn’t fight.

Maybe it was out of spite for his life and his wife betraying him, his urge to try and do some real good for someone, seeing that potential in you no matter how inappropriate it may be to go around school ruling and message you from his private email.

But, now you had a sliver of information. A peek into who Mr. Miller—Joel Miller, was.

It sends you down a spiral, searching and scouring for any information available online.

You find out that he’s 48…or 49, not entirely sure of his actual birthday. Only going off the year designated in his email. And that he’s a published author, but nothing of significance. He used to be a high school teacher and he was…or is, married. It’s all vague and unassuming, but it has your mind stirring. Wondering what was so interesting about him, what part of him had crawled into your mind and refused to get out.

And him messaging you on a private email—complimenting you with unnecessary eagerness, even when it wasn’t needed. You can’t be this delusional. There’s something there, even if neither of you have spoken on it explicitly.  

The faint touches and smiles traded, the hard-gazed looks and glances over his shoulder as he does a sweep of the room, always spending just a smidgen of extra time over your desk when you ask for help. 

It makes you feel special. And that’s exactly what you need.

-

You fall asleep that night with a wild idea in your head, wondering just how brave you could be in this situation. It burrows into your mind and seeps into your dreams:

You’re pressed against the edge of a desk in a dark office, the solid wood pressed flat against your cunt as you lean forward and capture the lips of the person in front of you, a shaky breath coming from their mouth.

“Want that pretty mouth ‘round my cock.” He says—your heart skips, nearly stops. 

You don’t know why you’re surprised to hear Joel’s voice, but it clears your mind and his hazy face finally comes into view in all of it’s intricate detail, right down to the soft crinkle of skin around his eyes, eyebrows furrowed as he pulls away to look at you, lips puffed from the kissing and seeming so innocent as he spoke in such a depraved manner.

Delicate fingers drag along the shape of your lips, stopping at your cupid’s bow before he’s pressing two fingers inside, grabbing the hand relaxed at your side and pressing it over the front of his slacks, the hard line of his cock pressing against the zipper.

There’s no other word to offer than intimidating, his size morphing any idea that you might’ve had–which, you did. His slacks are well-tailored, form fitting, and if he stretched just the right way in class you could see the head or outline of his cock press against the fabric for a split second….and you observed. A lot.

“Wanna stuff your mouth, huh?” He asks, eyes rolling back as his fingers press down on your tongue, quickly pulling out as he grips your face, spit spreading across your cheek, gasping at the suddenness of his movement. “Think it’ll fit?”

He sounds so condescending, eyeline over you but downcast on your figure from where your perched against his desk, idle hand exploring the soft, plush skin of your thighs as he drags his fingers along the full expanse of your cunt and it sets your whole body on fire, like you’re feeling everything dialed to an impossible level, every nerve in your body coming to life.

You shake your head meekly, gasping when he yanks you forward suddenly.

“Guess we’ll have to train that filthy mouth then, won’t we?” His eyebrow quirks up salaciously, earning a less than subtle grin as he presses his fingers into the wet spot of your underwear, not breaking the barrier but allowing you to feel the pressure.

And just as you feel yourself grabbing onto something tangible, hands gripped in the lapel of his suit jacket, pulling him impossibly closer, you’re startling awake with a gasp.

You could feel your imagination mixing with reality, falling lazily back against your bed as your chest heaved hurried breaths, palms pressed over your chest in an effort to calm down, covered in a thin sheen of sweat. The room was hot, too hot to feel comfortable anymore.

Your lip pulls between your teeth, chewing thoughtfully at a bad idea.

You reach blindly for your laptop laid out near the end of your bed, opening the device with a swiftness, squinting at the blinding screen that burned at this time of night.

Nearly two in the morning—this was pointless.

But, you hit reply on his email anyways and slowly type out a response.

‘Thank you for noticing, Mr. Miller. It’s greatly appreciated and I will definitely look into those sources and give you a full, detailed review. :) I appreciate you thinking of me as someone so esteemed. I would love to talk more about literature, if that feels appropriate.’

The lines were already blurred. He’d blurred them. You were just smudging them a little more.

You never said that starting fresh meant you had to stay on your best behavior. Because really, there was nothing innocent about what game was developing between you both.

It was a game of chess and you felt a million moves ahead, nearing a checkmate—and you would do anything to have Joel Miller in the way you craved. Anything.

[reverie-starlight]

crawling back to you- fushiguro megumi

just something silly I started a while back that I'm finally finishing up!! i'm very in love with megumi and since I was doing a season one rewatch with my dad, I have plenty of megumi-centered thoughts I can't talk abt with him. but I can write them!! and YES okay the title was a failed bug pun.

warnings: just fluff! death of a spider, though. megumi is a little annoyed, but it gets resolved super fast, so no angst at all.

gn! reader, no specified gender or physical description, but they do stay in the girl's dorms for this fic for the sole purpose of being nobara's next door neighbour!!

You opened your door and stopped in your tracks when you saw something scuttle across the ceiling from the corner of your eye.

A loud gasp was released and Nobara, already in her PJs, peeked out from her door to see what the fuss was. “Y/n? You okay?”

You frantically beckon her over, your eyes never leaving the beast that decided to infiltrate your room. She made it to your side and followed your eyes.

“Ew! Why’d you have to show me a spider right as I’m about to go to bed? Now I’m going to be paranoid all night, thanks a lot.” She crossed her arms and made a yuck face.

“Nobara,” you started, deadly serious, clutching her arm. “I need you to use your hammer and nails to get this thing. We don’t have to get close to it that way.”

She looked as though she was seriously considering it for a moment before reluctantly shaking her head. “Y/n, cursed energy is for jujutsu work, not creepy crawlies. Besides, it’d leave some nasty holes in your wall.”

You sighed and almost resigned yourself to having to find a long stick or something to get it with. But then she spoke again.

“What about Fushiguro? He brings out his demon dog for you to play with all the time, right? What’s one more non-curse related job for a frog who’d probably love a snack?”

This finally brought your attention away from the eight legged monster on your ceiling. You looked at her with so much admiration and thanks and hugged her tightly. “Oh, Nobara you’re a genius! Thank y-“

You visibly deflated when you realized that your boyfriend wasn’t exactly happy with you at that moment.

Nobara winced. “Ouch, is he still upset?”

You nodded and frowned. Of course this would happen at a time you didn’t have him as back up.

It was a petty argument that got you into this situation- in the shared kitchen for the students, you accidentally ate a snack of his that he had been saving, which you apologized for. Great! Should’ve been over with after that, right?

…Except you accidentally did it again the next day AND forgot to put his milk back in the fridge that he had just measured out for some recipe he was excited to try.

And even though you apologized and he reassured you that it wasn’t that big of a deal, mistakes happen, he still wasn't letting you hang out in his room after training as usual. He seemed to be annoyed with you at the very least.

With the long week he’s had from being sent on two missions back to back, you understood why. He really need the mental break that you accidentally took away.

So yeah, you really doubted that he’d be willing to kill a spider for you when he’d barely even talked to you in the past 24 hours (save for his usual good morning text and a peck on the cheek when he saw you in person).

Nobara patted your back and sighed. "I think you should go ask him anyway. He's probably suffering from Y/n withdrawals by now, you know? Yuuji said he was sure he caught Fushiguro pouting on their jog earlier. Could be a good sign."

You looked at her hopefully and smiled. "Thanks, Nobara, but I think I'll just wait until morning. I'm sure if I could just find a-" your attention was drawn back to the ceiling and a feeling of dread washed over you. "Nope, I'm going right now, the spider's fucking gone," you quickly shut your door and stepped away.

She made a blended noise of disgust and fear. "Alright, I'm out. Good luck and don't let that thing out. If I see it in my room tomorrow I'm putting my nails through your clothes." She waved and headed back to her room.

You waved back and headed the other direction, towards the boy's dorms. Since it was getting late, you had to be mindful of noise so you wouldn't get caught by any faculty member- especially Gojo.

If he were to catch you "sneaking" over to Megumi's room, you were pretty sure you'd never hear the end of it, and even more sure that it would just irritate your boyfriend further.

So you put your stealth to the test until you were finally at his door. You quietly knocked three times, hoping it was loud enough for him to hear it.

When he opened the door, he raised an eyebrow at you and checked out in the hall before dragging you inside so you could talk at a somewhat normal volume.

And of course you wanted to take the time to make everything up to him, to talk it out for real and not have him be annoyed at you anymore- if Nobara said he was starting to have Y/n Withdrawals, then you had already been feeling the effects of Megumi Withdrawals since his first mission earlier this week- but right now the most pressing matter on your mind was the spider currently lost in your room.

So you decided that sweet talking him was the way to achieve your goal of getting his help.

"Megumi, love and light of my life, my one and only, my beloved-"

"Please stop."

You got down on your knees and took hold of his hand. "I am so sorry that I have ailed you this week, I promise that I will be more mindful moving forward and use my eyes to look for your name on things in the fridge-"

"You don't have to beg for my forgiveness, get up." He was basically a tomato, his whole face red and slightly covered by his hair. If you weren't on such a time crunch, you might keep going just to tease him.

"And I come to enlist your help on a quest that only you have the required tools to complete!"

"Ah, there it is. So you just need my help, then?" He tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice, but you caught it and immediately stood up to explain yourself.

"Baby, no, I do genuinely want to apologize and fix things! But um... yes, I do actually have a problem that only you can help me with."

He sighed and regarded you for a moment before nodding. "Alright, what is it?"

You immediately lit up and shook his hand excitedly. "Really? Thank you so much!"

"So... what is it?"

"There's a spider in my room, and I lost it and I need your toad to eat it."

He gave you a deadpan look before throwing his head back with a long sigh, looking at the ceiling. "Alright, let's go."

On your way back to your room, you fell into silence. Mostly because you didn't want to get caught being out past curfew, but also because neither of you really knew what to say.

Once you were in front of your door, you opened it and let him in. He summoned his toad and helped you search for it (by helped, you really meant he did all the searching while you stood outside and quietly directed him to where you saw it last.

"Can you at least come and help me look?" He asked, currently looking around on the floor under a couple of bags.

You hesitantly walked in, surveying everything before standing next to him to double check.

He broke the silence first. "You know... I really wasn't mad at you for any of the kitchen stuff. I know I told you that already, but I feel like you don't believe it."

You sifted through some clothes. "No, I did. I guess I was just sad that you weren't letting me hang out with you as much. I totally understand it- you needed a break from everything and I respect that, but I wish I could have helped before you got to that point. And I'm serious, I'll keep a better eye out before I accidentally eat your stuff." you both kind of laughed at that.

It was silent again for a couple seconds. "I'm sorry I kind of pushed you away and isolated myself."

You smiled a bit. "I'm sorry I kinda tipped you over the edge."

You turned to face each other for a moment before he wrapped you up in his arms. "You didn't. I promise next time I feel overwhelmed I'll let you know so you don't think I'm upset with you," he mumbled.

"Thank you... I love you."

"I love you too."

You stayed like that for a moment before you pulled back a bit and smirked at him. "Nobara told me that Itadori said you were pouting on you jog together earlier."

He blushed. "I was not. He doesn't know what he's talking about."

You giggled a bit and cupped his face. "I would bet a million yen that you were!"

He groaned and tried to gently pry your hands away from his face. "Stop it... I was not pouting, I don't pout."

"You so do! You're doing it right- holy shit Megumi the spider is right there gET IT PLEASE-"

The sweet moment was ruined by the spider from earlier scuttling across the ceiling over your bed. You jumped onto your boyfriend for protection, even though he couldn't do much while supporting your entire bodyweight so you wouldn't fall. He managed to send the toad after it, and it happily chased it with its tongue.

The spider was no more.

You settled back on the ground and patted the toad on the head before Megumi released it back to the shadows.

You sighed in relief.

"Thank you, my love, I appreciate it."

He nodded at you. "No problem. I should head back to my dorm now before-"

"Want to stay with me?" You tentatively interrupted.

He paused and looked towards you. "We'll get in trouble if we're caught."

You tugged on his hand a little. "Please, Megumi? I've missed you this week..."

He sighed and let you pull him to your bed, hiding a small smile when you cheer. "Fine, but I'm leaving before the sun comes up. I'm not letting Gojo think he has anything over me."

You giggled. "That's fine," and then you both got settled under the covers.

He'd be lying if he said he hadn't missed you while he was isolating himself, but he pushed any thoughts of that away and fell into a peaceful sleep with you in his arms.

this took foreverrrrr but it's finally done since I have time to write today!! ty for reading, hope you all enjoyed <3

[justhere4kpop]

~Beautiful Stranger~

Pairing: Yunho x Reader. (The guys are involved at some point too but not romantically.) NonIdol! AU

Description: A lonely perpetually single grad student working at a museum is approached by a handsome man, he looks expensive. Maybe this is your chance to get swept off your feet. Maybe he wants something else.

Warnings: I don't censor myself so I don't censor the characters, so Language warning. Let me know if I missed anything.

taglist: @legohwa, @hwaightme

a/n: Okay! I was originally going to make this a one-shot but I think I have too much storyline in my head to make it that way so Surprise! Series time! I'm really excited about this one so please let me know what you guys think, I'm having so much fun writing it already.

Also yes the Teaser is included at the beginning of the chapter, I added some stuff to it so I just put it in.

w/c: 4258

Chapter One: Handsome Stranger

The blaring sound of my morning alarm disturbs the dreams of a man sweeping me off my feet, his voice no longer sweet as honey but now Kick It by NCT 127. I guess I’m getting introduced to some New Thangs today  So it was going to be that kind of day, no school but long hours at work as a gallery attendant but also archivist in training, the latter being an unpaid internship…of course. Yeah, long day. I got up, finally silencing my alarm and pulling myself out of my full sized bed, the only luxury I could afford on my own, to drag myself down the hallway to our shared bathroom and brush my teeth. Let’s hope I’m awake enough to remember not to drink Orange Juice again as I look for breakfast. Now how long until I have to catch my train? And if I miss it how long until the bus? It’s not a terrible walk but I need to eat. Maybe I can get to Uni from here. Why does London have to be so confusing!

I’m not originally from the UK but my parents moved back and forth for a variety of things while I was growing up so it’s like a second home. I came here for my graduate program in Art History and made a few friends…moved in with them and now there’s 5 people in an apartment made for 3. We all go to University College London and live off campus in the cheapest place we could find. I was fortunate enough to get a job and internship at The National Gallery here. I’m lucky and I can pay rent but that’s about it, I’m by no means well off and trust me I could use a few extra of any sort of money. 

“You’re up early y/n” William, my flatmate’s boyfriend said passing by the open door.

“Work.” was all I mumbled as I head back to my room to pick out my outfit for the day. I stayed up writing this stupid research paper all night and what do I have to show for it…the not so designer bags under my eyes. Most days are filled with a plethora of alarms going off around the same time, lucky for my flatmates, I’m the only one with work today I guess. Alright, which combination of suit pants, blouse, and jacket am I going to wear today…All Black? All Black. I finished setting everything out before heading downstairs to eat just in case I got something on my shirt again. Last time I decided to make this beautiful breakfast sandwich with a runny egg and it broke onto the bright pink blouse I had picked for the day on the tube going to work, my boss was not happy about the spill. Did I cry, yeah…hey the saying is crying over spilt milk not spilt eggs.

“Oh hi y/n!” my other flatmate's girlfriend Emma cheerily said. “I’m just making Becks some breakfast do you want any?”

“Sure Ems…thanks.” I nodded. If I didn’t have to cook I wasn’t going to complain. Oh that’s the other thing you should know, I’m the only one single in this apartment anymore…or flat. Whatever you want to call it. 

The two sleeping while their partners roam around are my best friends for 2 years, Becka (Rebecca) and Liz (Elizabeth), I only use their full names when I’m angry at them, there have been plenty of arguments in the small confinement of our apartment. There’s 2 bedrooms upstairs, one above the living room, one above the downstairs bedroom, the bathroom is in between the two and just up the set of stairs. Downstairs is the living room, and subsequent dining area. Kitchen is just through to the back and off to the right is bedroom number 3. Yes we all share one bathroom, no it’s not as fun as it sounds. I live in the room at the front of the place above the living room. I was going to take the downstairs room because I came home late and didn’t want to wake anyone until Liz and Will got together, when they started dating they went at it like rabbits. Becka offered to switch with me since she was barely home to begin with, she and Emma had just started dating so she was with her a lot, at school doing lengthy research papers, or at her internship at the hospital. Her internship slowed down so she had a lot of time to be home and spend time with the love of her life. They’re cute don’t get me wrong…just unfortunate to be the only one single here. 

“Thanks again Ems.” I said cleaning the plate I used as I got up to finally get dressed. “It was really good, Becka is lucky to have you.”

“I certainly am.” said woman came into the room perking up at her partner. “Thank you again love.”

“I’ll be going before that breakfast makes a fast journey back up.” I laughed receiving a towel to the face. I put on the outfit I had picked out, touched up my hair so I didn’t look like I was coming out of bed, and set off for the day. Thankfully I didn’t miss my train so it was only 45 minutes to get to work. I know that sounds like a lot but it’s not so bad when you’re used to it. I get to listen to music and relax a little more before starting a long long day.

The opening of a museum is never exciting, there’s probably 10 maybe 15 guests in the first 3 hours of opening, not much to do, luckily the museum lets me work on my internship first on these long days so I’m not bored out of my mind by the time I’m done. I usually clock in around lunch time finally and sit or stand around for the rest of the day depending on what they want me to do that day. 

“Y/n” you’re going to be in Room 43 today.” my boss Henry looked at me.

“Well at least I get to look at some of my favorites today.” I sighed, knowing I was going to be on my feet for the rest of the day was not something to invoke joy. Room 43 on Level 2 had our Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Seurat paintings, most notably Sunflowers by Van Gogh, Van Gogh’s Chair, and Motherhood by Picasso. One of my favorites was-

“A Vase of Flowers, Paul Gauguin,” said the smoothest voice I’ve ever heard. Like butter melting on bread.

“Yes, one of my favorites in the room.” I smiled before turning towards the man. My breath hitched, there before me stood a man about 6 foot 1, dressed in a suit that looks like I don’t know how to pronounce the designers name, oxford shoes, no tie,his nose had a slight point to it, a jawline that looked like it was sculpted by Michelangelo, full eyebrows, his eyes soft and warm, finally his black hair. He was perfect, absolutely stunning, I wanted to look at him more than the art around me.

“Can you tell me about it?” he smiled.

“Oh, yes absolutely.” Anything to talk to him. “Painted by Gauguin in 1896, painted with Oil Paints-”

“Ah so it needs something breathable to not ruin the paints?” he smiled. “When transported for cleaning?”

“Yes, since oils are very hard to fix if damaged and excess moisture can ruin them like the whole water and oil thing... So um anyways, Paul Gauguin painted 'A Vase of Flowers' when he arrived in Tahiti for his second stay in 1895. The vase is bursting with exotic flowers including hibiscus, white and yellow frangipani and white tiare. The flowers look as though they are past their best as some blossoms have fallen onto the table. This suggests that Gauguin was not interested in the horticultural detail but instead the decorative shapes and interweaving of colors of the display.”

“Very interesting.” his smile grew. “Sorry one of my friends is very interested in this piece but I never knew what it was painted with.”

“Excuse me ma’am.” an older woman called my attention. “I had a question about this piece.”

“Oh, well I’m glad I could help sir. I’m y/n.” I shook his hand. “Please let me know if you have more questions.I’ll um..be over there” I nodded, giving him time to look at the painting. A handsome stranger interested in learning about one of my favorite pieces…he’s probably married. I’m going to be alone forever.

“Thank you beautiful.” he flashed a smile my way. 

The beautiful stranger hung around for quite some time staring at the piece, he even had a notebook where he wrote some notes and made a sketch of the painting. No I wasn’t staring at him…okay maybe I totally was but it’s not everyday you see someone that attractive in here, he was practically an art piece himself. No I wasn’t fantasizing about him taking me away in some fancy car with the engine revving going way to fast down the street to a fancy restaurant where the prices aren’t even on the menu and he tells me not to worry about it and to order what I like, he’d probably call me something cheesy like baby, honey, sweetheart, dear, starlight, honey bun….darling…his. NO! Oh my god you can’t fantasize about that stuff he asked you a question. You really are deprived. 

Work was the same as ever after the man left, I was stuck making sure no one touched the art until the museum closed and then I got to go home after clocking out. Back to the happy couples…I put on my earbuds and walked to the station, after staring at someone all day I wasn’t really ready to be reminded I was single forever. Oh well, no choice…maybe I’ll stop and get food and just head up to my room so they won’t notice.

“Hey y/n!” a voice yelled in the tunnel. “Aww hey do you have your earbuds in?” he tapped my shoulder.

“I have mace!” I whipped around feeling someone tap me. Oh. “Wooyoung! Don’t scare me that way!” I hit him gently and took my earbuds out.

“Heading home?” he asked.

“Yeah, I just got off work.”

“I was hoping you were going to say a date,” he sighed.

“Can’t find one. I stare at paintings from the 1800s all day.” I chuckled and nudged him. “Let me know if you find Degas or Van Gogh walking around, I’m pretty sure I know more about them than myself at this point.”

“I’ll be sure to point them your way.” he smiled. “Not even one of your coworkers huh?”

“I went out for drinks a while ago with David but he was so boring, no spice you know. Plus he’s one of those water is too spicy guys.”

“Oh yeah, ew.”

“I don’t know, maybe I’m just always going to be single. I just want someone…who’s a little interesting you know?”

His eyes lit up, he had heard that sentence a few days ago from someone else, he knew what to do.

“Well maybe I have this friend?” he started.

“Oh god not matchmaker Woo again.” I rolled my eyes as we got on the train.

“Hey look I really thought you two would hit it off.”

“Woo he just wanted to make his ex jealous…and I ended up with a ruined dress and a large bill.”

“I apologized and paid you back for his meal. I’m sorry!”

“I know you did.”

“Okay but seriously, this guy is one of my best friends, he’s got some money, he’s actually single single, like hasn’t had a partner in years single, he likes art, he’s tall, he’s not a scumbag, and he’s interesting. I promise you’ll like him.” he pleaded.

“Woo I just-”

“Pleaseeee just one date and then if you don’t like him you can tell me to fuck off whenever you want, please please please!”

“Okay okay fine…one date. Just…one ok?” I sighed. I trust Wooyoung. I do. He's a good friend, great even…his matchmaking skills are just…hit or miss.

“You won’t regret it, and be sure to thank me at the wedding!” he got up at his stop.

“Woo there won’t-!” the doors closed… “be a wedding.” I groaned. Just what have I gotten myself into.

“Hey sour puss what’s with the face?” Liz asked as I came in.

“Ran into Wooyoung on the train.”

“Oh how’s he doing? Also what did he do, you’re not in a bad mood every time you see him” she smiled. “Will is in the bathroom.” I motioned to head up and stopped at her words

“He begged me to go on a blind date with someone he knows.”

“Oh god because that worked out so well last time.” she smiled.

“What did?” Becka came into the room.

“Woo set y/n up on a blind date…again.” Liz smiled.

“Oh god, you have my number I will come get you.” Becka chuckled.

“He promised it wouldn’t be as bad this time but I don’t know I’m still worried.” I rubbed my arm. “He did apologize for last time but still…that was so bad.”

“Do you know anything about this one?” Liz asked.

“Apparently he’s tall, very single, likes art, and has money?” I said remembering what Wooyoung told me on the train.

“Ooo tall handsome rich single man?” They both chuckled. “How does Wooyoung know someone like that?”

“Beats me honestly, but I said I would try…even though I regret it already.”

“And when is said date?” Becka asked.

“Dunno….he’ll probably text me about it later.” I sighed. “I mean I guess it couldn’t be too bad to try.”

“It’s probably worse to trust Woo than to go on the date.” Liz smiled and Will came down.

“Who’s got a date?” he asked.

“y/n” Liz said and made room on the couch for her boyfriend.

“Oh y/n has a date?” Emma sat next to Becka.

“I’m off to bed, it looks like a date night.” I waved. 

No need to be reminded I’m still…very much single.

~~~~~~~~~

“Hyung Hyung Hyungie Hyung-ah Hyunghyunghyung” Wooyoung began annoying the older man at his desk.

“Yes Wooyoung?” Yunho looked up from his computer, blueprints and notes scattered around the desk. “Do you need another reference photo or something?”

“No no that’s fine, it’s all coming together.” Wooyoung brushed the man off. “I found you the perfect date!”

“Woo we’ve talked about this, I don’t date.” he sighed.

“No no listen really, she's perfect for you, she’s single and lives with two other couples so she’s practically begging to get out, she doesn’t ask a lot of questions, she knows a bunch about art and everything.”

“Wouldn’t that make it easier for us to get caught Wooyoung? She could tell fakes from the real ones?”

“Nah her eyesight is too bad for that unless she’s up close and personal. She could help us out with transporting them properly, you know, how to keep them undamaged. Plus she’s really pretty, you’d like her…oh and she’s funny, sarcastic, looks good on your arm at a party.”

“Why don’t you date her then?”

“Oh hyung don’t be silly, you’re the one getting old, you need to settle down, don’t you want to spend time with someone, you know spend some of that money on them, have someone besides us…help relieve some stress?”

“We’re the same age Wooyoung.” he closed his laptop.

“Oh no, my birthday is in November, yours just passed.”

The room got quiet.

“You’re not letting this go until I say yes are you?”

“Oh come on just one date! You’ll like her, I bet you’ll even get married come on! Please please please please please please please please please please please please pleasepleasepleaseplease-”

“Okay!!...Okay fine, just one date, and we’re not-” Wooyoung left. “Getting married…”

Yunho couldn’t help but think of the beautiful stranger he met at the museum earlier, he caught her staring a few times but couldn’t bring himself to say more in case she got suspicious, but man did he want to, her smile was infectious, her clothing choices mimicked his own, she knew about the art he wanted…but he’s a criminal, no one would ever want to be with a criminal, it’s not that he can’t do the time he just wouldn’t want to drag someone else into it, although he certainly wouldn’t mind coming out to that beautiful face…if he ever got caught that is, he has no plans on making that a reality. 

“One date.” he sighed to himself.

~~~~~~~~~~

I smoothed over the dress I chose for tonight, Wooyoung couldn’t wait to text me and tell me his friend said yes. Why did I bother saying yes this is…no let’s..let’s be hopeful, maybe he’ll be nice, and funny, and hopefully a little good-looking….please Wooyoung…don’t do this to me.

“You look gorgeous y/n!” Emma and Liz squealed, their partners on the couch. 

“We definitely won’t be seeing you tonight.” Becka chuckled.

“Oh please I’m definitely not going to sleep with this guy, it’s the first date and it’s a Wooyoung blind date.” I rolled my eyes.

“I mean if he’s lucky we won’t see you tonight.” Liz laughed. “He’ll certainly only have his eyes on you this time.”

“One can hope” I groaned. “I better go, I don't want to show up late.” I grabbed my purse and a long black coat to keep warm. Of course there’s a hole in the pocket…I really need to get this fixed. 

“It’s going to be warm out, just forget the coat and get it fixed later.” Liz called out. “Go go! You’ll be late.”

It feels weird to walk around the city in just a dress and heels, I feel a little exposed but it’s not any different from the other people I’ve seen I guess…I made my way to the station to go to the restaurant Wooyoung had picked out, he told me to dress fancy so I got the fanciest dress I could. Black and white, a little lace, elegant but not over the top, stops at the knee, a cute little black heel and my hair pulled up into one of those fancy buns. Hopefully I remembered my glasses this time in my bag.

When Jung Wooyoung says fancy restaurant he wasn’t kidding, I’m pretty sure an appetizer here costs my entire rent, there’s not even prices on the menu how am I supposed to afford-

“Miss y/n?” A voice called. Sounds….familiar?

“Yes?” I turned around and it was the guy from the museum. “Oh hello.” I blushed

“It’s nice to see you again, are you waiting for someone?”

“My um..my friend set me up on this..silly blind date.” I chuckled lightly.

“How funny me too.” he smiled. “I wouldn’t be rude to assume you know a Jung, Wooyoung?”

“That would be the one.” I nodded gently.

“Well how funny would it be if I told you the very person sent me here on a silly blind date as well?”

“Well I suppose that would be…quite nice actually.” I sighed. “Last time I let him talk me into this…it didn’t go well.”

“Ah I know the feeling. She went after her ex after spending 30 minutes with me.” he chuckled.

“Ironic, mine used me to get back with his ex.”

“Now isn’t that just something.” he offered his hand to me. “Shall we go in?”

“How gentlemanly.” I let out a chuckle.

“Oh I’m Yunho by the way, Jeong Yunho.” 

“Oh a James Bond type I see. Last name first.” I chuckled. “Y/n L/n. Sorry I went the other way.”

“Oh god!” they both thought. “It’s you from the museum! What should I do?...stay calm, it’s just a date.”

I never thought I’d thank Wooyoung for setting me up on a date but, I might after this one…he’s so…he’s almost too perfect to be true, he’s interested in what I do, he’s charming, funny, he’s handsome…I..I almost feel like I’m dreaming. I’m pinching myself and not waking up so this has to be real, please be real. If this is a prank Wooyoung I’m never speaking to you again. 

“I should warn you beautiful, I’m quite dangerous.” he chuckled

“Oh are you now? Maybe I should’ve brought a bat.”

Time felt forgotten, it passed by so fast but so slow. Before we knew it the restaurant was closing and asking us to leave.

“Oh don’t worry about the bill.” he waved his hand at me reaching for my wallet. “It’s on me tonight.”

“I couldn’t possibly let you-”

“I insist beautiful.” he smiled and handed the waiter his card….A Black Credit Card!??!?! Oh my god.

“Next time is on me.” I said my cheeks were heating up. “A-As long as it’s pizza.” I joked…not really.

“Pizza sounds perfect if you’re there.” he winked. Oh man he is dangerous. “Can I walk you home? Or perhaps drive you?” he beeped his car…his very expensive silver car. A Rolls Royce?

“Oh my god.” I whispered. “What do you do?” I laughed.

“Oh I just inherited a lot of money from my uncle.”

“Oh sure, do you sell organs on the black market?” I nudged him gently.

“Oh no way, blood freaks me out.” he laughed. “I invest.”

“Sure.” I smiled and got in the car.

“Where to?” he asked.

“Oh right.” I gave him my address and we were off. It was bittersweet driving with him, I really didn’t want it to end yet. If this was going to be my only date with Yunho then…I just wanted to feel special for a little while longer. “Um, would you mind if we made a short stop first? It’s just…a really nice night out and I don’t want to…with my roommates and all.”

“Sure, I wouldn’t mind staying out myself.” he smiled.

“There’s a park just up ahead.” I said bashfully. “We could just…walk around?”

“I like that idea.” he pulled over to the park and before I could even think about opening my door he had sprinted around the car to open it.

“Ever the gentleman.” I stepped out and he offered his arm.

We walked around the park for a little just continuing our conversations from earlier, he shared about his childhood days, some of the stuff he and his brother used to do, his friends and how he met Wooyoung. It was all great until a breeze swept through.

“Here.” he shrugged off his coat and pulled it around me. “Better?” he smiled and his touch on me lingered slightly.

“Better.” I whispered and looked at him. “Thank you.”

“Sure.” he cleared his throat and pulled back slightly. 

It was close to 11pm when we finally decided we had been out long enough, I would hopefully not get hazed about the date and he would hopefully be able to go back to whatever he wanted. Even if it was just one date, it felt like a million and it just felt wonderful.

“Oh your coat.” I started taking it off as we pulled up to my little flat.

“Just give it to me next time Beautiful.” he smiled and put his hand up to stop me.

“Are you sure?”

He nodded.

I leaned over the center console and kissed his cheek leaving a slight pink imprint there.

“Goodnight Yunho, thank you for the…probably most perfect night of my life listening to me talk about work.” I smiled and got out of the car. I’ll miss him.

“Goodnight Beautiful.” he smiled more to himself as he drove off when she walked in her front door.

Did I receive the interrogation of a lifetime? Yes absolutely.

Could I stop smiling? No..Not at all. He listened to me ramble about work and school and how overwhelming it is, he listened to me talk about different paints and how to preserve them and take care of them like it was the most interesting thing he ever heard. I almost hate him for how perfect he is.

“Jung Wooyoung, I'm going to kill you.” I said as he picked up the phone.

“What?! Why!? What happened!?” he sat up on the other line.

“How could you literally give me that after all the shit dates you’ve set me up on!”

“Was it bad? You guys have been out for hours!”

“No! It was amazing! I can’t believe you!” I groaned and flopped onto my bed. “He was…kind and sweet and charming and caring and…everything and I hate you for it.”

“...BECAUSE I WAS RIGHT???”

“BECAUSE YOU WERE RIGHT!” I sat up. “Why did you have to be right!?”

“Because I’m amazing, excuse you. You liked him.”

“Yes.”

“You liked him a lot?”

“Wooyoung I literally would drop everything right now to just listen to his laugh.” I sighed. “It's pathetic.”

“I’ll let you know what he says, I just heard the front door.”

“No Wooyoung please, it's fine. I’ll see you in class tomorrow.” I sighed. “I’ll have to give you his coat too.”

“He gave you his coat? Oh my god. See marriage.”

“Goodnight Woo.”

“I’m the matchmaker god after all.”

“Goodnight! Woo.” I hung up. I hate this.

I hate men.

`Next

[moonlit-aura]

This is pretty long, I'm really sorry, but I felt the need to write this as an academic who capital-S Struggled with writing in that mode. Maybe it'll help someone else with similar struggles. If it makes it better, it's a bit of a story time. Would put in Subway Surfers somewhere here if I could.

After I wrote my BA thesis, I wasn't happy with it. Yes, mostly because I procrastinated way too much and had like three weeks to write an incredibly dense academic text at least 30 pages long on academic discourse, mass media, Hegelian dialectics, Marxism and the timeline of the OceanGate incident - here's a tip, guys, don't leave things crucial to your degree for the nebulous later.

But here's the thing. I also wasn't happy because the parts I understood well, I felt like I had to obfuscate, make the language describing them more dense to be acceptable. It is what our Writing class entailed - making sure your text has all the important beats, what it says in that many arguments with that many points in each, in this specific way.

As a person who's dipped more than not into academic writing but also writes regular old creative writing-adjacent prose, it was pretty devastating for me to not like this stupid thesis that ended up being 70 pages long. I love writing and express myself through it but I kind of hated what I put so much effort into. My thesis statement was long. My title - even longer. I wanted to sigh every time I told someone what it is and they reacted with a 'geez' or a 'god' - because yes, I'll be the first to admit that 'Linguistic Image of Class Conflict in the Context of Reactions in Contemporary Mass Media to the OceanGate Titan Submersible Incident' is not the handiest of titles, but c'mon, it's about something interesting that can say a lot about many fields of study and our society as a whole. And it's not like I had a choice, since my thesis supervisor basically sat with me and polished it into this form, one of the only few contributions he actually made to help me.

When I started my MA, during our first thesis seminar class, my professor told us to forget everything we were told about academic writing - the proper, ivory towers one. She told us that our writing is by no means supposed to be flowery and descriptive like creative writing but that it's not meant to be mind-boggling to anyone not in-the-know, either - and maybe the ones in-the-know, too.

"When you write," she told us. "think of why you're doing this. You're not trying to show you know things. The goal of writing, and specifically of academic writing, is to convey information. We all agree on that, you know this."

This was true. Most of us studied English at the same university beforehand to get our BAs, which means that unless we took a gap year, we most likely would've attended her General Linguistics lectures during our first year. It was the only exam I approached with no fear because she was that good of a professor that I just remembered all those different facts even though I went to university to study English translation, not straight up linguistics. (I wasn't aware how closely related the two were at the time.)

Eventually, we all came to the conclusion that if the brain categorizes a text as something to decipher, it will focus on that instead of taking in any new information within it. We then went slide by slide through paragraphs of awfully dense academic writing and, using the list she familiarized us with, pointed out ways to improve it not by making it more fancy or complex, but by simplifying it - technically subtracting, but not taking away from it. It felt freeing, in a way - like tearing through every sentence in my stupid BA thesis that I want to be proud of but know no one would ever read for fun, that not even my thesis supervisor felt like looking through and helping me fix; like throwing to the ground all the arbitrary rules you're not allowed to break because BA students are meant to follow, not innovate but that make most give up by the time they get their BA; like tearing to shreds the fact that we were told by so many professors of the subject that there are simply too many essays to check closely, especially when it comes to exams, so they're just skimmed for all the important elements and fitting words, and proper word count. It was, overall, extremely cathartic.

Then my professor summed up the whole thing this class was leading up to.

"You get the privilege of being humanities students - language students." She didn't say translation students but she didn't really have to. We were used to the idea of having to adapt things from one mode to another and adjusting its tone appropriately, enough to pass the entrance exam anyway. "So you learn about this. Most disciplines don't. Medical academic writing is awful to read and that approach is seen as something you're supposed to do. Almost no one tells STEM students all this."

(She'd probably know, now that i think about it - a few months after that we'd uncover insane lore about her husband who is apparently a quantum physicist or something. A published one too.)

We discussed this. Most of it could be boiled down to classism and ostracism. Of perpetuating the attempts to keep your circle of expertise small, an elite. Some other parts of it to the fact that some discourse connected to specific fields - medical, legal, scientific - is way easier to twist like that with all of the vocabulary that's all big and important, and how it feels fitting to change verbs like 'mutating' to respective nouns like 'mutation', or have sentences do loop-de-loops and say the same thing three times in different words. How big scary chemicals or small but equally scary particles, and vaguely regular-sized body parts and the illnesses connected to them in very, very scary Latin make it really easy to make your writing veer into the area of incomprehensibility. Every single 'now say that in English' joke has its source here.

So here's a rule I thought of, for myself - would what I'm currently writing, my MA thesis, be understandable to my self from a few years ago, from when I started university, from when I was convinced you can translate without getting all messy with linguistics? Would she get what I'm trying to convey? Would she want to read it? I think that things like explaining the meaning of the word 'hypoalgesic' that I have to leave in because it's a part of a citation from the nefarious Stephens et al. 2009: 1056 and not leaving it unexplained because I'm soooo smart and know what it means but you - the recipient - don't (it means 'pain-relieving', by the way), or that the still a bit chunky title is softened by adding on "Double whammy:" at the beginning of it would help a lot.

Write something you can be seriously proud of. Write something you don't sigh about whenever you think about it. Remember why exactly you're doing it, for whom and for what. Think about explaining it to your family, or friends, or someone you care about, and write it like that. Understandable, not scary. Approachable. Maybe with a curve of understanding but isn't explaining why the sky is blue to a child the same? When you write a paper, you are, first and foremost, a guide weaving a story.

Remember: humanity invented written language to tell stories, and that's still what we're doing.

[athanasius-symposium-of-writings]

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)

Chapter One

Rated: M

Warnings: Character near death, blood and bruises (not too descriptive but still), You get a few sweet moments as a treat

Summary: Every bat needs its robin, right? No different for a knight needs his squire.

Chapter two

The howling winter winds rush past him, the roaring of the engine on the racer motorcycle mixed with i; narrowed glowing white eyes as races through the snow covered roads.

Christmas Day, you have been missing since the day before Christmas Eve. Moon Knight has been running on no sleep as he kept searching for you. It was this evening he got a lead in the form of a small SD card chip in the mail. It had files of your music… And a video file.

A video of you in your handcrafted Moon Knight costume being beaten by Bushman and his men, you fought for as long as you could before they overwhelmed you. The sick fuck taking pleasure in beating you with a crowbar. Over and over and over until your silver costume is covered in red.

Marc told you not to go on your own missions! Steven had hoped you would call him before you did anything brash! And Jake, he only blames himself for pushing you this far.

The building he tracked your phone to likely where Bushman called him from.

Damn this motorcycle! He needs to go faster, get to you faster! He has to bob and weave, the snow and ice on the ground slowing him down. Driving as fast as he can, he jumps off the bike allowing him to glide in the air letting the harsh wind carry him the rest of the way forward up to the building. A grappling used once close enough to go to the roof.

Jake shouldn't have let you go after your argument! He foolishly believed he snuffed out your misguided desire to help him, to be like Moon Knight.

It was spring when you met each other. Rather Steven met you on the bus when he accidentally fell asleep on your shoulder.

"Nah, man, you're fine!" Bright and smiley, American accent, "You looked like you needed it. Hope you didn't miss your stop though." You talk while stretching in your, what looks like a notepad. "Oh here, thanks for being my muse for the ride."

Still half awake he takes the piece of paper you give him before getting up.

"This my stop, uh, cheers!" 

Nice kid, the art you gave him was amazing. A picture of him sleeping.

Steven didn't think he would see you again and if he did it would probably be on the bus.

"Yo! Hi, you're the sleepy bus guy, right?" You met at the library he got a job at. "I'm (Name)!"

Turns out you are an international student from America going for your art degree. Your father lives here and you figure to go to college abroad.

"Imagine wearing white in the dark." Apparently you are History major (that's it no elaboration) and you love drawing. "Moon Knight? Seriously sounds like a Sailor Moon character… His name was Moonlight Knight, pft." Big fan and a critic.

Steven is trapped in the storm called you each afternoon on a Wednesday, you said Wednesdays is your day off. He would be at lunch eating and you slide next to explaining how you are going to fist fight your art history professor. Or, showing him from sketches you got done while on the bus here. You are harmless and he found himself enjoying the company.

"So you're saying you can teach me Hieroglyphics, Mr. Grant?"

Then things shifted. You asked if he could teach you everything he knows about egyptology. Steven didn't mind, you always nudged him to be open about his interests.

As time went on, as you asked more questions, Steven found out far too late why you were suddenly interested in Egyptology.

Specifically about a man in white.

"Moonlight!" He calls out from the darkness.

Moon Knight made it to the storage facility where he found your phone dead on the entrance. He slipped in through the roof. "Come on," The place is empty of anyone, full of crates, and cold. "Please be alive." He stopped praying a long time ago during his mercenary days, but right now he is begging you to be alive.

Something falls over in the background.

Logic is completely out the window as he is quick to head towards the sound. He is the only thing standing out in the darkness.

"Moonlight…" Marc moves his gloved hands to touch your swollen, bloody, half masked face, "I'm going to get you out of here." It is going to be painful for you to move and Marc fears reopening any barely closed wounds.

A struggling weze comes from you, "B-bomb."

Right because it would be too easy and leaving a loose end if Bushman let Moon Knight get his partner back.

"Save… Self."

Because so long as Moon Knight is around, vengeance can be delivered. That is how you view the vigilante who inspired you to become something bigger than yourself.

No one likes a copycat, the saying goes. You felt differently. If a person copies a cat, copy the right cat. The momo you follow as you started being Moon Knight. No matter how much research you did on this mysterious person (if they even are a person), you couldn't get your costume to be accurate to the one witnesses reported seeing.

You got a cape and cowl. It sparkles…

You found an outfit. Silver bodysuit with black leotards. It is not as hopeful as it sounds…

You got shoes! Okay, so you found out heels suck in a fight and jumping from rooftops. Sneakers are great and you got black ones.

Weapons are fairly easy to get when you steal them from the thugs you beat the hell out of. Yay to that.

Mask is big oof but you are sticking to black with cut out eye slits. Use make up around your eyes, real edgy.

Now… To find the crime. The tricky part about fighting crime is sometimes there are too many places to be at once. So you have to be smart about where you hit and you have to leave a message.

Graffiti a giant moon crescent was not your best idea but hey! Your involvement was on the news… Which would be good if wasn't for the fact your outfit looks so not great on phone camera shown on the news.

"That's embarrassing."

"What was that?" Steven calls from the kitchen.

"Oh, uh, nothing." Watching news on the small television. Committing to memory the thugs who will be jailed, if they aren't important enough. Gang stuff and all that. You feel like rooke as you enter this line of work, you know you are.

"Need a better suit." Leaning against the couch stretching your body out.

"Yeah, it's a bit on the daft side." Coming over wiping his hands with a kitchen towel.

Your brain almost thought of Daft Punk, "Yeah, maybe."

"Maybe they were coming from a costume party and got stuck on the wrong side of London."

Totally yup on the wrong side by mistake and not on purpose. "At least they broke someone's nose!"

"Maybe." Steven doesn't sound impressed.

The trail of blood on the snow leads down the path Moon Knight swiftly took with you in his arms. The building has blown up which would have not only killed you both. You often say "magic ain't shit if you got a gun or hands" as a joke when speaking about all superpowered people out in the world. All those powers yet instead of helping they add more problems.

Unless you're Spiderman. Completely biased to the guy.

His cape is wrapped around you as he places you against a tree. The explosion and building collapsing on top of him has exhausted whatever strength he had left. Khonshu's power could only do so much.

"Idiot." You struggle to speak knowing you have to stay awake.

"I'm an idiot!?" Marc yells with clear unfiltered hurt, the sort of hurt you didn't he would feel towards you. "Running off on your own to get Bushman when I ordered you not to go after him." The rant is about to start and he doesn't hold back anything. Not the burning hot tears or the panic when you start to daze off. "Stay awake, we aren't finished yet, (Name)." Desperate as he taps the slightly least damaged part of your face.

"Heh… You…" Coughing blood, "I hate Moonlight. Sounds gimmicky." Trying to lighten the mood.

"(Name)."

"Let me Moon Knight but ha ha cooler."

Marc's lips form a smile as best as he can.

You reach out touching his cheek, smearing blood on his cheek.

"(Name)! (NAME)!"

In exchange for your life,

"Come on, come on!"

Do you swear to protect the travelers of the night,

"(Name), wake up, you gotta stay with me."

To embrace my will,

Marc's voice comes very distant.

To assist in delivering my vengeance. To keep them afraid of the night?

You whisper soundlessly mouthing a single word.

"Yes."

[moved2usagiiboo]

Love spell

MINORS DNI (I know I can not stop you but if I find out, you will be blocked.) This is my first time writing a fan fiction on Tumblr, let's see how this goes !

Warnings: Degrading, face fucking, explicit description, oral male receiving, sexual acts using toys. (Let me know if I missed any)

As a young girl, you believed in finding your prince charming, he'd swoop in on his mighty steed and steal your heart. You'd be enamored by his wits and courage, and he your beauty and intelligence. "The one".

At the age of 17, a high school student obsessed with the idea of traditional love. You found him. Your one and only, but he was far from prince charming, he didn't ride a mighty steed nor own a castle, but he was yours and you love him. Your highschool sweetheart, you both have cried together, laughed together, experienced many emotions together. You, in many ways, were each other's firsts.

First break down, first date, first hand holding, first kiss, first lover, and after a year of dating, you were each others' first time.

You could still remember the night, you have both been planning this for months. On your one year anniversary, you would get a room for the night at a local love hotel, there would be soft music playing, dimmed lights, candles burning, and that's where and how he take your virginity and you his. Perfect.

It didn't go that way to say the least, being very inexperienced. The first time he tried to penetrate you, you pushed him off and hide under the blanket saying, "that's not going to fit", during foreplay you accidentally hit his head with your own, not to mention almost setting the room on fire with the lit candles. But after many laughs and giggles, you successfully lost your virginity to him and you couldn't be happier.

It was far from movie perfect but for both you and him it was everything and more.

Present day you are almost two years into your relationship and you both couldn't be happier. Draken treated you with the utmost respect and care, he always takes care of you, there's barely any arguments between the two of you. Everything is perfect. Kind of.

That's how you found yourself in the streets of Shibuya's red light district, near the brothel where your lover grew up in, so you think. You looked down at your phone.

"Shit!" You hit the side of your phone as it read "connection lost, rerouting", this had been the third time it has done this, you zoned out while trying to fix your phone so you can actually make it to your destination before it gets too late. You didn't hear the woman calling your name.

"Y/N!" You felt a hand gripping your shoulder, spinning you around to face them.

"Oh! Akai!" You exclaimed happily as you locked eyes with the person in front of you, a younger woman in a red silk dress, short blonde hair with long lashes.

"What are you doing out here? It's late. Shouldn't you be home by now?" She asked in a concerned tone looking you up and down. You wore an all black hoodie with baby yellow accents, along with black joggers.

"Oh, well, I'm was looking for you." You said bashfully with a slight giggle in your tone.

"Oh?" Akai questioned.

"Well, not you specifically but the hotel! You see, I got lost trying to find it and my stupid phone keeps rerouting me!" You complained, while pushing your phone in her face to show her your problem. She simply laughs, she locks arms with yours.

"Dont worry, big sister Akai will take you there, then you can explain why you're looking for us in the first place." Akai said with a wink.

A few minutes passed and you've arrived at the brothel, she brought you a drink and sat you down in her room with a couple of other girls, you all on the floor together, after short introductions and small talk Akai 'cut to the chase' as she likes to say. Chugging her bottle of beer, she looked at you with her slightly flushed face, along with the rest of the girls there.

"Spill the beans, whats going on? Trouble in paradise?" Akai smirked crawling her way towards you. You lifted your knees to your chest wondering if you should even be here, was this a stupid idea? You must've sat with your thoughts for a while, Akai looked at you with a bit of sadness in her eyes.

You could feel your face heating up with embarrassment, your heart was beating out of your chest. You figured this would be the best place to go to learn how to do it but what if they would make fun of you? What if they tell Draken? You really didn't think this through as well as you should have.

"Hey, whatever is going on.. You can tell us, we see you like our little sister ya' know?" She says with a smile, wrapping her arm around your shoulder to comfort you. Shes always been like this, ever since she walked in on you and Draken kissing, she's been the biggest help and supporter of your relationship. You couldn't ask for a better friend.

With a deep breath you decide tell them your issues, you were here anyways.

"Okay, so, I want to learn how to give oral." You said looking down at the ground fiddling your fingers, quite embarrassed about what you just said.

"Draken has, well, done it to me a couple of times and I wanted to return the favor. The thing is, everytime I try he rejects me. Telling me, 'i don't have to do things like that'. He's so considerate sometimes it pisses me off." You ranges to the girls as they listened with opening ears.

"I mean, what type of guy rejects a blow job? It's not like he has erectile dysfunction or his dick is small. I just don't get it." You were practically fuming at the memory of him pushing him off of you as you tried to suck him off.

"Maybe he's just shy?" One of the girl's offered her opinion.

"Oh no, this man is not shy! At all" You explained remembering some of the down right filthiest things he's muttered in your ears during your time together. "He's anything but that."

"Maybe he's scared you'll bite it." Akai said causing herself and others to snicker at her comment. You could only sigh.

"Would I be that bad my first time?" You muttered to yourself.

"Everybody is, it's a practice thing." Akai explained, she got up to grab herself another bottle of beer. "What you need, is practice." She smirked handing you the bottle.

"Yeah, but how? He won't let me." You said tilting your head at her statement, taking the bottle out her hand.

"Alright girlies, get out." Akai said while looking at the other women in the room with the two of you.

"Ehhh? Whyy? We wanna help too!" One of the girl exclaimed, getting multiple replies of other girls who agree.

"We don't wanna make Y/n feel any more embarrassed than she already does." Also sighed at the childish responses of her coworkers.

You were hiding your face in your phone at this point, it was honestly one of your worst ideas, but if it helped you with Draken it was worth it.

Small "awh man", "I wanted to hear more", and other complaints came out their mouths as they left the room one by one. You waves goodbye to the girls muttering a small thank you to them for listening.

"Alright!" Akai exclaimed while squatting down to reach under her bed, pulling out a box full of,

"Toys! The best practice you can get in such a small amount of time." She smirked pushing the box towards you. You could feel the blood rush to your face as you stared at the box filled with sex toys, you're far from innocent but there's still things you've never used or seen before, toys being one of them. Akai dug in the box full of excitement.

"I'll be your first!" She smirked, she pulled out multiple many toys just throwing them out the box without a care as to where they'll land. Finally, she pulled out an unopened box, "private fun" read the lable, it was all black with dark purple letters on it, it was a sleek box, very fancy to say the least.

"I haven't used this one yet, considering I never feel the need to. This'll be my first gift to you." She said tossing the box to you while looking for something else in her closet.

"Just what exactly is this?" You asked picking up the box to further examine it.

"A dildo! Duh." She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world,

"Oh! And this!" She threw a small bottle towards you, "Love spell" a small pink bottle that could be mistaken for a 5-hour energy drink.

"Draken won't be back home for a while, which means, we have around" She looked at the clock hanging on her wall, "an hour and thirty minutes. Which is just enough time!"

"Wait wait wait!" You looked at her with complete confusion, "I have no idea what's going on! Why do I need all of this?" You looked at your hand and the items that are now in your possession, "Love spell", a dildo, and beer.

"Welllllll," Akai said drawing out the word, "You need practice, not like you can fuck a rando before Draken gets back, you also need liquid courage and a secret weapon!" She explained. "Now we don't have much time, chug both the beer and our secret weapon." She winked at you.

You're really starting to reject your decision, but there's no backing out now. You opened the bottle of whatever was in the pink container and chugged it down, quickly opening the beer to help with the bitter taste of the first liquid. It could show on your face the level of disgust you had for drinking this, you could never understand how Draken drank beer all the time, and whatever the hell this 'love spell' is taste disgusting. It was bitter and tangy, it even overpowered the beer.

Akai worked on opening the package to the dildo, while you were dealing with the taste of the liquids you just drank. She looked at you with menacing eyes and a devious smile that sent shivers down your spine.

She stood up and squatted in front of you holding that item in her hand as if it was nothing. Your eyes widened at the sight of it, it was big, yet flimsy. It was a pretty light blue color for such a naughty item.

"Take it." She handed you the dildo, "grip it with both hands." And so you did it. Following her every command.

"N-Now what?" You questioned feeling slight tipsy from the bottle of beer you just chugged, your face flushed from either holding a dildo or the beer, you couldn't tell, but it made this whole situation a lot worse for your lower region.

"Open." Akai tapped the bottom of your chin telling you to open your mouth, and so you did with the most innocent look in your eyes.

"Slowly bring it to your mouth, you want to tease him, lick the tip." You stuck your tongue out making small swirls onto the tip of the fake cock, "Alright, now slowly take it in, don't force anything." You opened your mouth wider to take in the inches of the cock, bringing it to the back of your throat causing you to choke and gag as it hit it. You quickly pulled the fake dick out and began to cough.

"I told you slowly. Let's try again." She squished your face with a hand pulling it up, the other held onto the dildo. "Open." She said again and you did. She guided the dildo into your mouth, slowly moving it in and out, barley reaching the back of your throat. "Breathe through your nose, don't panic." She said as she began to pick up the pace. Rapidly moving the dildo in and out. "Use your tongue at the bottom of it, stick it out." She commanded. Spit began to drip from the side of your mouth onto the floor, you felt as if you were losing yourself. Tears welled in your eyes as you swallowed down the dildo. It wasnt even real, it wasn't even Draken's but for some reason it made your head pound and your pussy twitch with excitement. If this feels as good as it does, you couldn't help but wonder how Draken's would feel, how it would feel against the back of your throat.

Akai picked up on the pace making the dildo hit the back of your throat causing you to convulse onto the dildo, you close an eye and winces as it attacked your throat.

"Try it yourself." She said letting go, letting you have full control. You started slow, pushing the dildo in and out your mouth as she did, trying to follow her lead. You tried to take more of it, you shoved the dildo deep into your throat, forcing all the inches into your mouth, you could feel it bulge through your throat as held it in place forcing you to choke on it. You felt your warm tears drip down your face, you weren't letting up. You wanted to feel it down your throat, the warm, the tightness, you wanted to feel Draken. You finally pulled it out, watching as the inches slipped out of your mouth.

"Guess what bottle really did wonders!" Akai giggled. "Deepthroating huh? You're basically a pro." You looked at her with a stained face, drool down the side of your mouth, and glassy eyes. You finally felt the embarrassment hit you, you covered your face dropping the dildo onto the ground making incoherent noises.

"I think you're ready." She smirked patting your head watching you in distress.

"I am?" You questioned, it was that easy?

"Yep! Actually, take this." She tossed you one last thing before telling you to go wait in his room. As you walked to his room you felt your head ring, the only thing you could hear was the needy throbbing of your inner walls. You couldn't wait for Draken to get back, just what did Akai give you? You had no time to be embarrassed about what you just did in the other room, you just wanted him. All of him.

You found yourself in his barley lit room, sitting on his bed. It was him, his scent, you could feel him around you even if he wasn't physically present. Your inner walls clenched at the thought of your boyfriend. You changed out of your clothes and into what Akai gave you, it was a sleek princess pink teddy with a deep V neck to perfectly show off your breasts. There were straps in the back that cupped your ass making it look juicier than before. There was a deep slit in the middle of the dress, a small move and not only would your stomach be revealed but your pussy would be as well. You made your way over to his bed to wait, you sat down and got engulfed in his smell. It was painful to just wait, the way your panties got wetter by the second, you decided to lay down but it only got worse. Minutes passed by but it felt like hours, you wanted to call him and tell him to hurry but you already showed up unannounced. You didn't want to pester him anymore, so you waited. You don't know when but you found your walls squeezing your fingers tightly as you moved them in and out. Moans and a wet sound filled the room as you toyed with yourself. Your face was in his pillow breathing him in as your other hand was toying with your breasts, pinching, squeezing, and pulling your nipples. It felt good but not good enough, it couldn't bring you to that high that Draken could. You found yourself calling him out, chanting his him like a mantra underneath your moans. You didn't even notice when he came in the room.

"Y/N?" Draken called out as he closed the door. The look on his face was priceless, his gaping mouth and widened eyes as he looked at the sight of you being so desperate for him calling out his name with fingers inside your cunt.

"D-Draken, m'sorry, couldnt wait. Need you." You whined. Pushing your fingers deeper making your back arch. At this point, he was stunned. The shy girl who never seeked anything sexual, the same girl who blushes when they held hands even after being together all the time. That girl was fingering herself on his bed begging for his cock. It was an instant turn on.

"S'all your fault!" You cried out with tears in your eyes, you got up and looked him in the eyes. "All cause you won't let me touch you..." You pouted.

"Ha? What are you talking about?" Draken questioned you. You weren't paying attention to him, you crawled from the bed stepping on the cold floor with your bare feet. You got on your hands and knees in front of Draken, looking at him with the utmost admiration, but behind those eyes was a look of neediness.

"W-What are you doing?" He watched as you played with his belt buckle, you locked eyes with him once more,

"Can't I?" You asked, kissing the bulge through his pants, "Want you, wanna feel you in my throat." You pulled his pants down revealing his boxers, you rubbed your hand feeling the hardness through the fabric, placing small kisses on it while you you waited for a go, a sign, anything.

"Shit Y/n, who knew you could be so slutty hm?" Draken smirked, "Go ahead." You beamed a smile at him as you pulled his boxers down revealing his harden cock. This is the first time you've seen it up close, it's pretty. It almost looks angry with how flushed it is on the top.

You began to kiss his freed cock, starting from the shaft up, remembering what Akai taught you. Tease him. Littering his cock with kisses, you reached the tip, you began to leave small kitten licks, swirling your tongue on around the tip, prodding the tip of your tongue into the small hole on his cock.

"Shit," Draken muttered under his breath, his voice sounds as if it's gotten deeper. You look up at him to see his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes completely focused on you. "Stop with the teasing." He demanded.

"Don't wanna." You continued to look at him, staring into his gorgeous orbs, "s'punishment for not letting me do this early" You smirked against his dick, bringing one of your hands up to slowly move your hand up and down his shaft. You watched as his breath started to break, his tough exterior was crumbling and it was all because of you, but it wasn't enough, you want to keep going. You have a show to put on.

You open your mouth sucking on just the tip of his cock, bobbing your head slowly with swirling his tip in your mouth.

"Y/N, fuck." He places his hand behind your head as his breath began to get more rapid and broken apart. "Come on, take some more." He was practically begging at this point. So slowly but surely, you widened your mouth, stuck your tongue out, and pushed your head further down to his cock. As much as you could take, the remainder you began to jerk with your hand. Bobbing your head on the inches you could take up and down with jerking him off. Listening to his soft grunts and groans. He was big, you knew this but it's different with it's in your throat, you can see it, your mouth felt full and you didn't even completely take it in. You kept going on this pace, proud of yourself for breaking Draken's tough exterior.

"Going to damn slow." He gripped the back of your head forcing his cock down your throat, you gag at this sudden action. He uses your mouth like a rag doll, forcing his cock in and out your mouth and a hellish pace without stopping, bobbing your head up and down. It hurts, taking all of him.

"Wanna be a dirty slut, gonna treat you like one." He said while gripping your hair harder as he pulled you off his cock, "spit on it." He said, and you did, you spat on the shaft of his cock and opened your mouth again for him to assault your throat.

"So eager to take this dick hm? Couldn't even wait for me to get home, had to play with yourself while I was gone? Who knew my pretty girl was such a dirty slut." He chuckled, under his breath as he continues to use you however he pleased. You placed your hands on either side of his thigh to try and control the pace but it was futile, he was much stronger than you, all you could do was hold yourself up and try not to vomit. Drool dripped down the side of your mouth as he thrusted his cock down your throat.

"Taking all this dick, good girl." He praised you as he held your head against his pelvis forcing his dick down your throat, he looked smug as he saw the outline of his cock through the flesh of your throat, you slapped his thigh to try and get him to let go of you, needing air. The feeling of you shaking on his cock trying to push away to get air was a sight to behold for him, he wanted to bury his cock in your throat forever, never taking it out. He watched as tears dripped down your face, your hair was mess, face stained with tears, drool dripping out the corners of your mouth. You gagging on his cock, digging your nails into his thigh.

Draken finally let go, you gasps for air you so desperately needed.

"Open up." He says pushing your head back, "Stick that slutty tongue of yours out. Gonna cum in your mouth."

You put your hands on your knees, sitting up higher to put the tip of his cock in your mouth as he jerked it. His eyes glared at you, you listened to his grunts like a melody. You never seen him like this, during sex he was very calm and collected, gentle. Never used harsh words, this was different though. For some reason, being used like his cocksleeve had you dripping.

"Gonna cum, Y/n, take it all, don't spill a single drop." His warm cum spurted onto your tongue, he wiped his tip clean on your tongue "that's it, good girl, now swallow it." You closed your mouth and with a single gulp you downed his cum without a second thought.

"Tastes weird..." Wiping the drool from your mouth with the back of your hand. Draken lifts you up by your arm and tosses you on the bed.

"Had to go and get me riled up..." He said while taking his shirt off, "gonna fill you up real nice." He pushed his lips against yours hungrily devouring your mouth, tasting a mixture of both liquor and his own cum, his mouth explored your own in a heated make out session, his hand traveled down past your panties and onto your bare cunt, a finger pushed pass your slit making it's way in. You moaned into the kiss, giving Draken more access to your mouth, swirling his tongue with your own.

You pulled away from the kiss to let out a soft moan as his finger toys with you, he puts another one in causing you to arch your back. His other hand rubs soft circles on your clit, he claims your mouth with another hungry kiss as if this will be the last time he felt your lips against his own.

"So needy, barely did anything to you." You moaned against his lips as he brought you to a high.

"D-Draken!" You moaned out.

"Fuck, trying to amputate my fingers? Loosen up. " He grumbles, his lips go down to your neck, sucking and biting against your fleshing leaving bruises everywhere his mouth touches. You wrap your arms around his neck pulling him in closer, as you begin to grind your hips against his fingers as they work their way in and out of you and the others against your clit.

"Gonna cum on my fingers?" He questions in your ear while biting your ear lobe.

"Gonna cum on em!" You reply, moving your hips faster, you begin to convulse as he brings you to your well deserved orgasm.

"You're gonna do that all on my cock." He muttered against your neck as he works his way down to your tits. He puts his fingers in your mouth muffling your moans as he begins to suck on your now perky nipples. He pushes his fingers in and out your mouth forcing you to taste your own juices, the same fingers that were just in you, that brought you to your orgasm.

After assaulting your mouth with his fingers he reaches over to the side his of bed to grab a condom.

"Put it on for me." Still high on your orgasm you slowly reach your hand up to take the condom out of his own, that's when he pushes your head own to his cock. He rips the packaging placing just the tip of his cock into the condom.

"Use that pretty mouth of yours." He smirks as he watches you take all of his dick into your mouth, pushing the condom down in the process. "Make sure to get it all the way on, wouldn't want any cum to spill out hm?" He says as he caresses your head.

"Such a good girl." He praises you as you bring your head up, "Gonna make you feel real good okay?" He kisses your forehead as he leans you down into the mattress. He slaps your pussy a couple of times with his cock, prodding the tip at the entrance, pushing his tip every so softly in and out, barley giving you anything to work with.

"Stop with the teasing Draken." You whined, locking your legs around his waist, trying to push his cock further into you. He clicks his tongue at your actions, pulling himself completely out before lifting one of your legs and putting it on his shoulder.

"I don't remember you being in control here." He guffed out. He rammed his cock into you without warning causing you to gasp, your eyes wide and mouth agape. "That's more like it." He smirks at your appearance.

He begins to thrust in and out of your tight pussy, watching you unravel on his cock. One hand holding your leg on his shoulder and the other turning your head to face him.

"This what you wanted right?" He honeyed out, this voice being quite sweet unlike his thrusts, the way his cock pulled out of you only to slam right back in. Sounds of skin against skin filled the room, along with your sweet mouths chanting his name like once before.

He pried your mouth open with his fingers bringing his face closer only to spit in your mouth, "Good little whore" he mutters against your ear. His thrusts never stopped, not once, he keeps going until he brings you to an orgasm.

He could feel your body going limp, but he wasn't done yet. He flipped lifted your body, he was now on his knees and you on his lap, your hands tangled in his hair while being wrapped around his neck, his mouth devouring your nipple, he slams his cock into you while being in this new position. His hands on either side of your waist slamming your body onto his own matching the rythm of his thrusts. He bites down on your nipple, you pull his hair as payback, you finally meet eyes. His hair all disheveled and out of his normal braid, his eyes slanted, full of hunger, he looked like a animal eyeing his prey, and you looked extremely delicious right now. He captures your lips in a heated kiss as his grip tightens on your waist, you grind against his cock as you moan into the kiss. You suck on his tongue and he does yours, you bite his lower lip slightly tugging on it.

"God Y/n, who knew you were so cock hungry. Wouldn't have been going so easy on you of I knew you could take it." He chuckles as he lays your body back down onto the mattress and begins pounding your body against his locking his lips with yours again.

"You're sucking me in like crazy." His voice is rough and out of breath. Your walls only tightening around him while hearing his voice, his hand goes back down to your clit rubbing it aggressively.

"Fuck, I'm close, fuck fuck fuck." He announces, muttering an array of curse words as he feels himself getting closer to his climax. "Cum with me, cum on my cock one last time." He picks up the pace with his thrust and the attack on your poor nub, you were nothing more than a moaning drooling mess at this point subject to Draken's aggressiveness, your body shakes and your back arches for the last time as you release your juices onto Draken's cock coming to your final high, he thrusts one last time before he releases in the condom.

He pulls out taking off the condom and throwing it in the nearby bin, he watches as you slowly drift to sleep but not before saying, "I love you."

"Mhm, I love you too, my little vixen." He kisses your forehead before he lays next to you and drifts to sleep.

Sorry if this wasn't the best, it was my first time writing for Draken. He's kind of a difficult character, I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless!

[sixeyesgojo]

Dad!Gojo with a teenage daughter

Summary: In which you've grown up a little too much for his liking. Using a female reader.

Characters: Gojo with a teenage daughter

Word count: -

Content warning: mentions of menstruation, blood, reader is injured but nothing descriptive, Gojo Satoru

A/N: requested on AO3.

Oh dear. Gojo knew that raising kids did not fall into the "easy" category, like exorcising special grade curses was to him. At first, it was extremely exhausting, brain-draining even, but as the time went by, he managed to do better, to just manage. Young children were a handful and he knew it from experience - not only was he a teacher of youngsters but he had also been younger once upon a time. Gojo remembered being put on a pedestal in his childhood years since he was the honored one and came from a renowned household. However, nothing ever prepared him for this.

Raising a teenage daughter was a challenge he had to take up on a daily basis. Puberty, the hormones, the fights, the worries about her going out late at night, the helplessness he felt. It wasn't rare for him to consult Shoko in "times of extreme crisis" (as he called them), asking for help and advice.

After hitting puberty, you became more and more distant to him bit by bit and as if that wasn't already enough for the two of you, your mood could change in an instant. Of course, you still loved him the same - he was your dad after all - but it is a known fact that teenagers may feel like their parents wouldn't be able to relate.

-

One day you had started bleeding from down below and frantically called out to your dad to explain your situation. He understood what was happening with your body and he knew this day would eventually come... but experiencing the situation itself and not really being prepared still sent him into panic mode. Yes, he went out to buy some pads, some tampons, whatever you needed at that moment but gosh, you should have seen him at the store: "What size should these be? Is this the right one? There are pads for NIGHTS ONLY?" It was a good thing he was super charming and just charmed his way out, so it was less embarrassing.

He hurried home to give you the necessary items. One thing he didn't expect in that moment was the tears that were streaming from your face, which was contorted in pain, as you opened the bathroom door to accept the items he had bought. Of course he knew cramps were a side effect of menstruation but he was just so perplexed to be able to think straight in that moment. Gojo patiently waited in front of the bathroom door until you came out, repeatedly asking if you needed anything else in the meantime. When you came out, dried tears on your face and just overall being a mess, he gave you a comforting hug and then scooped you up in his big arms and carried you to your bed. "For today, just rest, sweetheart. Your amazing dad will take care of the rest," he had said in a gentle tone. Later on, he even texted Shoko and Mei Mei to ask how to help as a dad, googled all about periods and how to ease the pain.

The very next day, you were wondering where he went when you didn't see him at home - turns out, he headed out early to buy an extra blanket and a hot water bottle just for you, some more pads and/or tampons (in different sizes since he wasn't certain about your flow yet and he was certain that you didn't know yet either), pain relievers and some snacks and sweets. Sweets could never be a wrong choice, could they? At least they always did the trick for him and he remembered that being the case for you too. He read that a lot of women eat chocolate as a sort of comfort food, so of course he also stocked up on chocolate. The look of gratefulness on your face when he finally came home and presented all the things he had gotten for you? He thought he should have taken a picture of your happy face in that moment but little, did he know he was going to be tackled into a hug by his daughter.

"Thank you so so so so so much, you are the best dad," you exclaimed and gave him a big smooch on the cheek. Gojo grinned and replied cheekily, "I mean, I know I am the best dad but it doesn't hurt to hear it once in a while from my little girl!" With him supporting you during times like menstruation, close to nothing could go wrong, even if your mood changed within the blink of an eye. He would spoil you with affection.

-

As human beings, there was no way for the both of you to avoid fights and misunderstandings, so naturally father and daughter ought to disagree sometimes. One time was particularly bad that you even ran away from home. Every ounce of stress was just piling up at that time. On top of that, you were on your period and the mood swings killed you. Ultimately, you couldn't handle it any longer and ran out of the house. Well, let's just say even the strongest jujutsu sorcerer could break out in panic. This state worsened when he got a call from Ijichi - an unregistered curse had manifested and was randomly attacking civilians. His gut gave him a pretty shitty feeling and the white-haired sorcerer just knew something was wrong. He had to hurry. When he arrived at the scene, he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw you lying weakly at the ground in front of a strong curse. This was enough to trigger his anger and he defeated the evil curse quickly. Hurrying to your side, he cradled your battered form in his arms and checked whether you had any life-threatening injuries - thank heavens, you didn't.

"This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't run away," you sobbed, the argument long forgotten, "I'm so sorry, Dad." "No, shh. Baby, I am sorry for letting it escalate like that. But what matters the most to me right now is your safety, so let's get away from here and we can talk it out when you feel better, yeah?"

Ever since that time, everything has gotten a little easier, especially since your dad helped you create a system you could rely on in order to manage stress and your mood swings.

-

When you hit age 16, oh boy, that was an age he feared. For multiple reasons:

He knew how he had been at 16. Gojo was definitely one of the more popular boys within the female community, despite attending a school with no more than twenty students overall. He had been invited to a lot of parties and who was he to not enjoy himself when he could? Going out almost every night and coming home early in the morning was a given. If he hadn't gone to Jujutsu Tech, his grades would have sucked. In theory, you could also end up like that or even less moderate - he prayed that was not the case. He was lucky enough that you went out moderately and not as often as he used to. The thing is, he was not exactly concerned about your safety. If anyone knew that you could handle grade 2 curses just well at this age, it was him... since he taught you how to defend yourself.

It was the boys he was worried about. Not everybody had good intentions. For sure, he would handle anyone in a heartbeat that tried to touch you with malice. Furthermore, he was overly worried about you getting to know some guy for a fling or even worse: you falling in love and only to get your heart broken. He wouldn't know how to act if the latter ever happened. Rest assured (or not), every guy you ever bring home will be thoroughly scanned by his Six Eyes and his soul. Gojo was sceptical (but wouldn't show it) until proven otherwise.

Once he had gotten comfortable with your guy friends though? Bring them over any day. Sometimes you question whether he didn't just adopt them all in his mind. Still, Gojo getting along with all your friends was something you were very grateful for.

Gojo knew that raising kids was not an easy task, like exorcising special grade curses was to him, but he still wouldn't trade his precious daughter for the world or anything else.

[totalbetty]

IN LOVE WITH YOU || Na Jaemin - PART 1

AU | college au pairing | OC x university!Jaemin genre | slow burn, best friends to lovers, pining, unrequited love; fluff & angst & humor word count | 17,6k trigger warning | 16+ strong language, adult situations (alcohol, partial nudity, suggestive content), petty catfights and arguments, one scene where someone tries to take advantage of OC (2. DATE GONE WRONG)

network | @kflixnet

description | Jaemin is in love with Cho, and she knows it. She took him for granted, but she's about to learn that nothing lasts forever. After all, you only know you love them when you let them go.

Masterlist! PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3

1. ONCE UPON A TIME

Welcome to Myongdok University! The skies are a mesmerizing teal, clouds decorating the air like floating cotton candy. The campus below gleams under the kind daylight, each building representing the bright and captivated young minds that bustle about.

It's your classic start to any story: the birds singing their usual melodic greeting, wind rustling against the auburn foliage. A magpie lands on the dusty ledge of the biology department's third floor window.

But what's that sound?

It's not the birds chirping...

The traffic? No, the streets are smooth and pristine...

Hm... Not the prosperity of the children either...?

Aha!

Through the murky windows, the spasmodic bops of the magpie's head are indiscernible, its gentle tapping barely noticeable.

The sound— the conversation— is coming from inside the building.

Why, of course. If there's one thing you can count on from this moment onwards, it'll be the one blaring clash against the serenity that is Myongdok University: chaos in the form of Kang Cho.

"Say that again?"

Cho's icy voice cut through the air, her lips pursed in disdain.

The girl in front of her, who stood a few centimeters shorter than Cho, rolled her eyes, hips rested lazily as she stared back. Her lips moved in vague gestures, her nonchalant gaze digested by Cho like milk that had sat in the back of the fridge for a whole month.

"Look—" the pink-haired monstrosity in front of her made circular chewing motions with her jaw, her lips pouted in exaggeration— "it's really none of your business, is it?"

None of her business? Ooh, get her Cho!

Cho took one step forward, her long brown hair barely covering the scowl forming on her face. "Oh, it is my f*cking business when you make it a habit to bail last minute and make him do all the work."

The students passing by the hallway were starting to stare, some lingering like they were waiting for a fight to break out. Cho didn't care; her patience was wearing thin, and looking at the bubble-gum chewing, duck-lipped idiot in front of her only made it worse.

Their eyes were locked on each other, unwavering. Her obnoxious chewing halted for a moment as her eyes glanced to the tall boy behind Cho. She then looked back at Cho, shrugging faintly. "I told him I had a family emergency."

"Three times? Each time conveniently before a project checkpoint?"

Cho felt a soft hand graze her shoulder, nudging her slightly. The boy behind her whispered, "Cho, come on, people are staring."

His comment was ignored; Cho scoffed, rolling her eyes— "yeah, 'cause your life's just full of coincidences... Get your head out of your ass."

Cho's passing comment seemed to have offended the girl, because her head tilted backwards, her mouth slightly open. "Excuse me? B*itch, you're not even in the group—"

"B*tch?" Cho interrupted, her lips now drawn to a thin line of fury. "You're gonna call me a b*tch? Oh, I'll show you who's the little b*tch—"

Cho launched forward, her arms in tight fists. She was going to rip that girl's head off, pull out all her hair, if it weren't for the strong pair of arms gripping her torso and pulling her back. "Cho—"

She wriggled in his embrace, desperate to escape from his clasp so that she could destroy the smug, godawful moron with the cheap pink hair dye— the dye job looked abysmal, she was sure she didn't have to pull that hard for it to just fall right off!

The girl took an apprehensive step back, visible irritation etched on her face. "Oh my god, who are you? You're not even in our department, what the hell?"

Cho growled, her hands outstretched towards the girl. "You piggy-back riding leech, I'll pull that abnormally large head out of your ass if it's so hard for you—"

"Oh-kay!" The dark-haired boy retreated with Cho in his slipping grip—

Alright! Pause here. This tall, dark-haired boy with the most charming smile you'll see for miles— he's Na Jaemin. Faithful best friend to Cho since childhood. Also known as the water to her fire, the cutting pliers to her badly-wired bomb, the Prozac to her IEDs. You know, typical.

Top student of Myongdok's second year biology major, loved by all. For those who couldn't tell, students like him tend to attract lazy, good-for-nothing bums like we are hereby witnessing firsthand.

I guess that's it for now— RESUME!

Cho ripped Jaemin's hands off of her, blowing a stray tuft of hair out of her eyesight and crossing her arms with a huff; her glare was boring holes into the girl's forehead.

The boy heaved a heavy sigh, looking over at the now slightly petrified girl. "Ina, I think you get the point. Please submit your part by tomorrow night?"

Ina stood silent, her eyes occasionally darting towards Cho's gloomy expression. She rolled her eyes— "yeah, whatever."

Eyes still flaring, Cho spun on her heels and tramped in the opposite direction of the hallway. Soon, the boy caught up with her, slowing down to her deep and accented pace. Her head was screwed on straight ahead, but she could feel his eyes lingering on her from her peripherals.

"I don't want a lecture," Cho grumbled.

The boy next to her flashed a charming smile. "I wasn't gonna."

Her nose was scrunched in vexation. "God, I just hope that b*tch chokes on her bubblegum... I don't know how the hell you stand her."

They had walked down a flight of stairs towards the main lobby of the biology department building. As they were exiting through the main glass doors, the boy beside her shrugged. "I don't think she's that bad."

Cho almost choked on air; she gave him a sharp stare, disbelief written all over her face. The boy beside her seemed to find it amusing, because he only chuckled in return.

The bright, morning air brushed against her skin, the sun-kissed hues splashing their faces as they walked across the grounds of the campus.

"Not that bad? Jaemin, she's just using you, you know? All those all-nighters were because she bailed on her work last minute. But guess what? She still gets an A because of you—" she pointed a finger at his chest— "You already have a coffee addiction, I don't need you overdosing on caffeine just because some wack b*tch wants to have a good time instead of fulfilling her responsibility."

Jaemin put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into an endearing hug. "Kang Cho," Jaemin fake-gasped, "is that concern I hear?"

She rolled her eyes, nudging him on the ribs; he let out a tiny 'oof', gripping his side as she pursed her lips. "Well, of course it is! Someone's gotta stand up for you— you're like this innocent little rabbit; you wouldn't survive a day out in the wild."

This time, Jaemin actually gasped— "Hey!"

"What?" Cho chuckled, snaking her arm under his jean jacket and around his slender waist. "It's true!"

He shook his head playfully, leaning closer to her so that their bodies touched. The warm breeze fanned her face; she watched as groups of young students walked all around them, bags slung on their shoulders, smiles on their faces.

She tried to brush off the idiot's image out of her head by scanning the crowd lazily... and it certainly worked: a certain young man sitting on a bench under the tree caught her attention.

Her stance shifted, her posture rigid and her eyes suddenly wide. Her eyes were tangled on his beautiful brown locks of hair, rested stylishly on his head, his relaxed jawline perfectly lined under the sunlight.

"Then what would that make you?" Jaemin suddenly inquired, his eyes casted on her.

With half a mind, she barely got the words out. "What?"

Jaemin raised his eyebrows at her, half a smile gracing his features. "If I'm a rabbit, what are you?"

"Um..." Her eyes darted between Jaemin and the boy just a few meters from them. "I'm a fox."

"A fox?"

Her eyes were steady on the boy— he still hadn't noticed her. The impact of the soles of her feet against the pavement strung louder; she was fully aware that with each step, they were strolling closer to his position. She studied the boy's eyes carefully, fighting the sudden rapid beating of her chest. In that instant, his eyes shifted— oh, sweet baby Jesus, is he looking her way?

The boy had his hands in his pocket. He stood up, a smile had formed on his face and he's walking her way.

"Yeah, yeah—" Cho dismissed— "a fox."

Holy sh*t, he's coming!

"But foxes hunt rabbits—"

"Shhh, shh—" she pushed herself away from Jaemin, slapping him rapidly in nervous agitation— "that's Jihoon, he's coming this way, act natural!"

She dusted off her skirt, clearing her throat as she straightened her posture. A baffled Jaemin stood next to her, rubbing circles on the shoulder Cho so-violently attacked. She flashed a pretty smile as the mysterious boy finally stopped in front of them.

"Hey, Cho," the boy greeted cheerfully, sparing Jaemin a quick glance.

Jaemin's relaxed demeanor had shifted in that instant. His stiff posture and icy glower went unnoticed by Cho, however, as she swayed her ponytail spiritedly.

"Hey, Jihoon," Cho greeted, slowing her speech into a low, raspy tone, "what's up?"

Jihoon tilted his head. "Are we still on for this Friday?"

Cho arched an eyebrow, giving him a coy smile. "Definitely."

"Alright—" he took a deep, soothing breath— "well, I'll pick you up at seven?"

"It's a date." She confirmed.

He nodded, leaning awkwardly on one side. "It's a date."

A moment passed in silence. Jihoon looked over at Jaemin, giving him a quick nod— "later, man."

He spun on his heel, walking away in the direction he came from as Cho watched him go in a dreamy haze; a smitten sigh escaped her lips.

Park Jihoon. Third year, engineering major. Could be found most days in his engineering department, five spaciously-designed buildings away from her business department. His dorm, an entire fifteen minutes (by foot) from her dorm, the women's dorm 2.

Yet, as faith would have it, the gods decided that it would be Cho spilling a freshly boiled ramen instant bowl all over his shirt on a wet, gloomy Tuesday. The remaining two weeks that led up to this day was, well... history.

"Cho, you're drooling."

She blinked away her tunnel vision, her head snapping in Jaemin's direction. His eyebrows were knitted, arms folded in mild distaste. She jogged a few steps ahead of him, turning around to stick out her tongue at him in mockery.

He caught up with her easily, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Wait, you're going on a date with him Friday night? We have volunteer work."

Damn! She totally forgot about that!

"Cover for me please?"

Jaemin placed his hands against his hips. "It's foreign food Friday, how could you miss that?"

"Pleeeease? This week's Denmark— you know I can't eat cheese, I'm lactose-intolerant." She pouted, her eyes blinking sadly in exaggeration as she pressed her hands together.

He stared at her, his nose scrunched in contemplation. Cho waited, her stance unwavering.

Wait, watch this...

Jaemin's eyes narrowed. The silence between them was at its pinnacle; her eyes were now aggressively doe-like, her pouty lips a fresh tint of pink.

Almost...

He heaved a defeated sigh. "Fine."

Aha! Works every time.

Cho broke into a winning grin, jumping into the air with a little squeal. "Thank you!"

She turned around in victory, taking light steps as Jaemin clicked his tongue. "I can't believe you're going on a date with him."

Cho furrowed her eyebrows. "What's wrong with him??"

"Nothing—" he shrugged— "I'm just way more handsome."

"Oh, yeah totally," Cho confirmed, nodding her head vigorously, "no doubt about that, lover boy."

His gentle laugh echoed the space around them; his stare lingered on her as she stopped in her tracks. Slowly, her legs trailed in his direction until she was before him; she craned her neck slightly upwards to face his innocent guise.

"Come here, let me just—" she leaned against him as her hands started to comb his unruly hair.

His hands hovered around her waist, unnoticeable by Cho as she flashed a satisfied grin. She pushed tufts of hair away from his face, exposing his bare forehead. His Adam's apple was faintly shifted upwards as he looked down at her, the space between them scarce.

With her fingers still tangled in his hair, her eyes paused on his mesmerized gaze. His eyes were sparkling under the kind sun, and they looked like they sparkled just for her; he watched a subtle smile play on her lips.

She tiptoed slowly, pushing his fluffy hair back as she closed the gap between her lips and his forehead; her lips were soft and his hands were steady against her hips, careful to keep her balanced.

She finally broke the contact, leaning back to give him a cheery smile. His eyes never left her features, his lips slightly parted. His voice came out in a low murmur, just enough for them both.

"Don't go kissing him like that."

His eyes held the depth of the night scape; the silence enveloped them in steady beats, until the moment faded with time.

She held her other hand up, flicking him playfully on his forehead as an outburst of giggles escaped her.

He shut his eyes in reflex, poking his tongue against his cheek incredulously. She shimmied herself out of his grip and ran away, leaving him standing under the faded shade of the tree behind him.

"But seriously," Jaemin yelled out, but then his voice dropped into a low mumble. "If he tries anything on you, he's dead."

She didn't hear him; she proceeded to run playfully, letting him chase her across the wide open fields of Myongdok University.

Ah... the innocence of a friendship, am I right?

_____________________________________________

2. DATE GONE WRONG

Today's an important day for Cho— so important that it seems she spent the entire afternoon digging a crater in her wardrobe bigger than the Seongsan Ilchulbong. It's crucial that she finds the perfect outfit. In her words, the outfit needs to be 'a brilliant orchestration between slutty and classy'.

How much do you want to bet she got that from a TV show? Search it up— must be a sitcom or something.

"How. Do. I. Have. No. CLOTHES?!" She buried her face into her pile of how-did-I-let-anyone-see-me-wearing-these?! outfits, her grumble muffled by the fabric that smothered her face.

Behind her, the girl with the blonde bob-cut sat idly on her bed, munching on a half-eaten box of pocky.

"Go with the black plaid skirt I saw..." the girl squinted her eyes at the messy pile, mumbling to herself, "...somewhere in there."

Cho whined, digging into her pile and fishing out the mentioned skirt and throwing it aggressively across the room. "I can't! I wore this last week and I'm positive he was in the cafeteria too."

The girl sighed, rolling her eyes as she took another bite of her chocolate-layered cookie stick.

Nam Bora. Second year, Communications department. Cho's trusty roommate, and friend...ish. Threatened to report Cho the first week they became roommates because of an argument about... what was it about? ...Damn, who gives a sh*t, right?

Point is, almost got Cho in big trouble until Jaemin offered to buy her anything in the convenience store around the corner for a solid week if she didn't submit a complaint.

Conclusion? The girl loves her pocky.

Cho tucked a stray tuft of long, brown hair behind her ear, emitting a low whistle as she stood up, turning around to face Bora.

"I forgot I owned this," she held up an alluring set of maroon-shaded bra and underwear. Her eyes flickered up to Bora with a playful glint. "Should I wear this?"

Bora narrowed her eyes. "...why? What are you gonna do on your first date?"

Cho's eyes widened and she quickly turned around, a tint of red painting her cheeks. "Nothing, Bora, damn... It's just super pretty, is all."

Yeah right— you're not fooling anyone, Cho...

She dropped the lingerie set back into its pile, giving it one last wistful look. "I'll wear you next time," she whispered to it. She continued rummaging through her underwear, now completely forgetting that she still has an outfit to decide on for her date in under an hour.

Why must you leave everything to the last minute, Cho?

She lifted an embarrassing pair of bra that she couldn't believe she owned. Not only did it have a blaring orange shade that would put all traffic cones to shame, but smack dab in the middle of each boob was a wildly troll-like drawing of Pikachu— these graphics could enter a third-grade drawing competition and even not receive a participation award. Cho's only kept it all these years because they're so... damn... comfortable.

She shuddered at the thought of wearing this on her first date with Jihoon; she stuffed the bra back into its pile.

She finally picked up a worn-out black bra and unappetizing Spanx, turning around to show Bora her decision. "I'm going to wear these like contraception."

"Contraception?"

"Yeah, if I wear these, it'll actively stop me from doing anything stupid or rash." A happy grin graced her face, met with confusion from Bora. "Smart, right?"

No, Cho. Not smart at all.

With only a few minutes left to spare, Cho finally finished getting ready; she gave in and decided on a two piece black mesh dress, topped with a skimpy cardigan and zip-up boots. She barely had a chance to second-guess her outfit when Jihoon texted her that he was waiting in front of the women's dorm.

Cho dropped everything, bidding Bora an exaggerated goodbye before she swung out the door.

* * *

To say the date went well was an understatement.

Jihoon took her to a sushi restaurant (she was over the moon that he remembered how she once mentioned sushi was her favorite food) where the foods were placed on tiny plates that rotated around the room in an adorable conveyor belt.

After many appetizing plates of sushi, a few under-the-table footsies and him feeding her a particularly large piece of salmon roll, they were out of the restaurant, giggling at jokes about Myongdok and their newfound life in university.

They stopped by a small ice-cream truck and got themselves ice cream cones with cartoon characters that complemented each other. Honestly, Cho had no idea what characters they were, but seeing Jihoon flash a thrilled grin as he pointed to the two oddly drawn cartoons, she suddenly didn't want any other pair.

Even though the air was brisk, Cho enjoyed the way the ice cream made her shiver. She especially didn't mind him noticing, then hurrying to slip off of his jacket and place it over her shoulders.

So, as the night drew to an end, it was natural that Cho wasn't quite ready to go home... alone.

"Well..." Cho spoke in a low, drawn out tone, "we're here."

The sky was a never-ending canvas of deep navy blue, the stars decorating the landscape like the finishing touch of an eight-year-old's arts-and-craft project. The oncoming traffic outside campus grounds were but a white noise, lulling the atmosphere of the porch into serenity.

Jihoon's lips curved into a meaningful smile as he took one step forward. "Yeah—" he took her hand, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. "I had a great time, Cho."

Cho let out a sweet chuckle. "I had an amazing time, Jihoon." She looked down to watch his bulky hand subtly holding onto her's. "I kinda don't want it to end."

The smile on Jihoon's face grew into a toothy grin. "You read my mind, babe."

'Babe'? This boy moves fast!

Cho's heart skipped a beat at the nickname. She normally hated pet names like these, but the way they rolled out of his tongue— she'd be content hearing him call her that for the rest of the night.

Her eyes trailed up past the subtle glimmer of the necklace tucked under his t-shirt. She cleared her throat nervously, lowering her voice as she glanced back up at him. "Do you wanna hang out at my place for a bit?"

Um... not a good idea, Cho.

A charming twinkle adorned his eyes, a gesture that Cho took as a yes. She took his hand, guiding him through the halls of her dorm with their heads ducked low. Boys weren't allowed in the women's dorm after hours, but the supervisors were nowhere to be seen (she suspected they were on their weekly night out clubbing— a not-so-secret tradition the girls of dorm 2 have proven to use to their advantage).

They crawled up the stairs in whispered giggles, flinching hysterically at every noise the halls produced until they finally found her room, three doors down from the second floor's dead end.

Does she really not remember what awaits her behind that door?

Cho typed in the password to her dorm and her fingers curled around the handle of the door; she prayed that Bora would be enjoying life as a university student, preferably outside of their shared dorm room.

Jihoon's presence behind her prompted her to swing the door open, revealing— to her relief— a dark and deserted room. "Welcome to my humble abode," Cho reached clumsily for the light switch as they both entered the pitch-black room.

Alright... suit yourself, Cho.

Flicking the switch, the quick flash flooded the room with bleached lights, illuminating one crucial thing she forgot to do before she left for her date: clean up after herself.

Cho gasped audibly— now she remembers.

Her cheeks were flushed a deep shade of scarlet.

Her room looked like the storage room of a Forever 21 exploded: almost every inch of the carpet-clad floor was covered in articles after articles of clothing, every color of the rainbow present in the form of her crimson red body con dress laying on the bed, a pair of blue sweatpants hanging from the edge of her opened wardrobe door and—

Behold— the icing on the cake! The neon cherry on top of the messiest cupcake you'll ever see...

Her Pikachu bra.

Jihoon blew a low whistle; Cho scrambled to collect all of her littered clothes in one (terrible) swipe. "I'm so sorry, I'm not usually this—" she hurled the messy pile into her closet desperately, spinning as she shut the closet door behind her— "messy."

Half expecting him to cringe in disgust and half expecting him to burst in jeering laughter, she definitely did not expect him to take a step towards her, chuckling.

"You're adorable."

She heaved a sigh of relief, taking his hand on her sides as she looked into his eyes. "You don't think I'm a slob?"

"Well..." he shrugged, raising his eyebrows in fake contemplation. "You're an adorable slob, how 'bout that?"

She snorted in response (I can't believe she snorted like that—), punching him playfully in response.

He gave her a quick smile, then asked if he could use her bathroom to freshen up. She nodded a little too enthusiastically, leading him to the toilet to the point of actually shutting the door for him.

As soon as he disappeared into the toilet, she took his bulky jacket from over her shoulders and laid it out on her desk chair, immediately switching into her aggressive-cleaning-mom mode. She strode across the room in a haste, taking every bit of 'unappetizing' piece of clothing or furniture before stuffing into every nook and hidden cranny she could fit them into.

She was about to stuff a hideous home-made pasta picture frame that rested on Bora's desk under their pile of laundry— something she had been daydreaming of— when the door swung upon.

She shot up, turning only to find that it was Bora entering their dorm room, wearing her comfortable pajamas and sucking on a popsicle stick. "Ey, you're back from the date—"

"Shh—" Cho widened her eyes as she shook her head vehemently, pointing at the closed bathroom as she mouthed 'he's in there'.

Bora furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "What are you—"

Cho didn't waste a second pulling Bora out of the room, closing the door behind her. "He's in the bathroom and I think we're gonna spend some time in my room."

Bora raised an eyebrow— "you mean our room?"

"Yeah, yeah, you know what I mean—" Cho dismissed, putting her hands together as she begged— "can you go somewhere else for now? I promise we won't take long."

The pajama-clad girl squinted her eyes, leaving a brief gap of silence before she sighed. "Fine..."

Cho hugged the girl in excitement, squealing as she thanked the girl profusely.

"But it better be quick, and no weird sh*t, okay?"

Cho nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She greeted one last time before slipping back into the room.

Jihoon was already sitting on her bed, waiting patiently. He flashed her another toothy grin, patting the space next to him. A cheeky smile spread across her face as she gladly took her seat facing him. For a moment, it was silent. She was almost too nervous to look up, her eyes fixed on the bishop chess piece wallpaper on his phone. She gulped— you got this, Cho!

"So..." Cho began, her eyes briefly flickering between his eyes and his lips, "my roommate's not gonna be back for a while, what should we do?"

She followed the direction of his eyes, the way they were trailing down to her lips as she spoke; she couldn't help but feel a smile tug at her lips. "We could watch a movie..." she suggested.

However, it seemed like Jihoon wasn't really paying attention to her words. Almost like slow-motion, he leaned closer and whispered, "what about something a little more... physical?"

His soft mutters sent shivers down her spine; a smirk grew on her face as she met him halfway. Before she could ever register it, she felt a pair of plump lips crash into hers. His pressure pushed her backwards, forcing her to prop her hands against the soft fabric of her bed.

His kisses were hungry, they were rough— but she could do with rough. The energy he poured washed over her in waves, their lips moving in sync to the animosity he exuded.

At first, she didn't even notice his hands start to sneak under her shirt. His rough fingers trailed against her bare skin, sending tingles down her spine. It was only when his hands slid over the clasp of her bra, that she remembered the contraception she devised for herself.

Her eyes widened— Oh no!

Spanx really do kill the mood— like, how do you even pull that thing down seductively?

Maybe it was a panicked instinct, but she pulled away from the kiss, muttering in between breaths, "I don't think we should do this now..."

He chuckled through uneven breathing. "You're so cute," he left quick pecks along her neck and jaw, slowly deepening them into longer, more ardent kisses.

His lips worked its magic on her, leaving marks down her collarbone that tempted her to forget everything— but it wasn't strong enough to stop her mind from straying back to the grossly unappealing Spanx that awaited the both of them underneath her thin layer of mesh skirt.

Curse you, a-few-hours-ago Cho!!

"No, really," she mumbled a nervous chuckle, "we should stop..."

Jihoon nodded slowly, but his lips disagreed. He worked his way back up, indulging on her lips again. His teeth tugged on her lower lips, his grip on her back now tightening. Out of breath, her heart began to drum faster; her eyebrows knitted in alarm as she felt something loosen around her chest.

Did he just unhook her—

Arm outstretched, she stuck her palm on his chest as she tried to push him away. "Seriously Jihoon, stop."

But he didn't; his lips pushed more against her, teeth digging deeper into her swollen, red lips. She had fallen back on the bed, both of her hands now trembling to fight against his hovering weight.

His fingers swiped underneath her shirt against her bare side, defiantly extending towards her chest. Her heart thrashed against the walls of her ribcage, a nauseating pit growing in her stomach. "Dude, STOP—"

She flailed her legs, kicking mercilessly until her legs crashed onto his shin. He bit her lip in shock, jerking away as he held onto his leg in pain. Cho sat up straight on her bed, a petrified look on her face as Jihoon glared at her.

"Dude, seriously?"

His crass tone definitely didn't sit well with her; the stunned expression quickly morphed into a fiery gaze as she stared him down— "yeah, seriously. I said no, are you f*cking deaf?"

The twinkle in his eyes were long gone now; his eyebrows drew together in a thick line. "What the f*ck is your problem??"

Her jaw dropped. "My problem?" Cho spat, "MY problem?"

She stood up, ignoring the strong, metallic taste in her mouth as she ripped his draped jacket off of her desk chair— "get out, get the F*CK out of my room!" She threw the jacket at his unsuspecting face.

He growled in anger, yanking the door open as he stormed out and trudged down the stairs. "whatever— you're crazy."

"You want crazy?" Her eyes twitched in fury as she followed the fleeing boy— "I'll show you crazy if you don't get your ass out of here NOW."

She raked her hair back in frustration; she began to trump back in the direction of her room, but the anger that boiled inside her threatened to explode.

She stomped back, leaning adamantly against the railing of the staircase as she screamed into the hollow space that stretched down— "AND IF I SEE YOU AROUND IN SCHOOL, YOU'RE F*CKING DEAD. GOT IT?!"

The door to the main entrance slammed shut.

"DEAD!"

She screamed into the night and pretended she didn't notice a few heads peer out into the hallway as she stomped back into her dorm room.

Her hands were sweaty, her body suddenly clammy and worn-out. The dress started to suffocate her— was the fabric shrinking? Her eyes searched the room desperately; she needed to change out of her dress, now.

She dug out her closet, fishing out the first thing she could find: track shorts and a tank top. Like an ant on fire, she stripped out of her dress and the god-awful Spanx, clasping back her unhooked bra before slipping into the comfortable outfit.

She took a long breath, forcing the air to fill her lung's capacity. But it still wasn't enough.

She scratched at her neck, the sore sensation imploring her to get out.

Mind blank, she slipped on a green oversized jacket that belonged to Jaemin, and was out the door. Her slippers plodded against the steps as she skipped down the steps until the frigid night welcomed her with its brisk air.

Her legs speeded ahead, and she didn't think— she walked where her legs begged to take her. She stuffed her icy hands into the deep holes of the jacket pocket, navigating the familiar path, past buildings and vast grass areas until she finally reached the men's dorm 3.

She clambered up the stairs, each step strangely light. Normally, she would always complain whenever she had to walk up four flights of stairs to meet Jaemin, but this time she was silent as she trudged up the many half-turn staircases.

Cho thanked the heavens that his door was situated right by the staircase, because she couldn't think of walking anymore. Her legs wobbled like jelly as she knocked on his door.

"Jaemin?" Her voice broke the silence.

She was well aware that girls were also not allowed in the men's dorm after hours, but she couldn't give a damn. She knocked again, feeling antsy being out in the hall by herself.

Is he not home yet?, she thought.

She raised her knuckles, ready to knock for the second time when her shoulders slumped. She dropped her hand on her side. He's not home.

If it was adrenaline that gave her the energy to walk all the way from her dorm to his under low temperature weather, it has surely faded now. She dropped one foot after the other down the flight of stairs, feeling weaker with each step; her eyes were drooped, her jaws oddly tense.

The whole building was silent, completely oblivious to the energy-draining frustration that she felt cooking up inside her. However, a sudden swing of the main entrance door broke the silence, then shuffling.

Curious, she peaked between the spaces of the staircase, all the way down to the first floor landing. She watched the familiar hand clasp onto the railings, footsteps dragging against the floor.

"Jaemin?"

There was a brief silence and then— "Cho?"

The boy peaked through the crack of the staircase, looking up. "Hey, you're here," he chuckled; his deep voice echoed up the stairs.

At the mention of her name, Cho felt her breath hitch; warmth spreading throughout her chest. She cleared her throat, looking down. "How was volunteer?"

"You know, same old," his voice reverberated, "Grandma Song almost choked on cheese, so there's that."

She laughed half-heartedly; a lump grew in her throat.

His footsteps sounded against the walls, and she could feel the low vibration as he made it past some flights of stairs, getting closer. "How did the uh, date... go?"

"It was fine—" she shook her head dismissively. Her hands gripped the railing for support, looking blankly ahead of her as she heaved a defeated sigh— "well, it sucked."

Jaemin's voice was close now; he let out an amused chuckle, "what, did he pronounce something wrong?"

He turned the corner just in time to see her slide down against the railing, a distraught look evident on her face. "No..."

The moment he laid eyes on her, his smile faded as a heavy look of concern painted his features. He rushed up the stairs, two steps at a time until he met her at the top.

"Hey-hey—" he kneeled down in front of her, a hand cupping her cold face—"are you okay?"

She avoided his worried gaze, afraid that if she looked into his eyes, everything would spill.

He slowly lifted her face and asked softly, "Cho... what happened?"

His other hand rested gently on her thigh; his eyes never stopped observing her sunken features, waiting patiently for her to speak.

"It was nothing," she glanced away from him, trying to hide a sniffle as she picked at her fingernail— "he was just pushy."

His face visibly tensed as the last word left her mouth. "Pushy?"

His hand was wrapped over her thigh, his warmth radiating like tangible consolation. She took his fingers in both her hands, stroking them mindlessly.

"I kept saying n-o," her voice came out raspy, "but he kept touching me and... I don't know."

She could only see his expression from the side of her eyes and could barely notice his jaw tense in suppressed anger. He stood up on the edge of the stairs, turning around; he blew a fuming breath as his fingers raked through tufts of his hair.

"I'm gonna f*cking kill him."

He faced her, rage burning behind his steely eyes.

However, his features immediately softened at the sight of her sullen gaze. He knelt down once again, a hint of alarm etched in his eyes as he took her hand, lifting them up towards him.

He searched her entire body, swiftly examining her pale legs before looking back up to hold her cheeks gently in his arms.

"Did he hurt you?"

She shook her head 'no', but she couldn't fool him. His gaze hardened at the hint of crimson lining the edge of her bottom lip. "You're bleeding..." His finger hovered over her swollen lips, scared to cause her more pain.

He searched her orbs dolorously; she was too tired to even look up.

"I'm fine—" she leaned back, removing his hands from her face— "that noodle ass wimp couldn't hurt me even if he tried."

The boy scoffed— "he does have noodle arms. And legs."

Her lips were pouted; she focused on his hands, the way they were wrapped around her's protectively. "...keep going."

"You know, he always smiles like he's trying to hide the fact that he farted."

Her lips tugged upwards slowly. He continued, "and I don't know if you notice, but he swings his hips when he walks, and it's... unsettling."

She finally looked into his eyes, his brown orbs twinkling as he gave her a subtle smile.

"Anyway, what are you doing wasting your time on someone like him when you have a perfectly sexy guy right here?" Jaemin wiggled his eyebrows in an attempt to cheer her up.

She broke into a little laugh, her eyes crinkled as a tear leaked down her face.

"Hey..." he wiped her tears with his thumb, leaning closer to comfort her. His soft voice broke her down, and more tears began to trail down her cheeks.

"This sucks... life sucks," she sniffled. "I just— I was really excited for this date, you know?"

He nodded solemnly. "I know."

Her shoulders slumped as she showed him a childish pout. "I just want ice cream."

The sudden craving for frozen dessert caused Jaemin to chuckle lightly.

"Neapolitan?"

She nodded childishly, her exaggerated pout being the only thing that stopped a gush of tears from falling down her face.

"Come here—" he pulled her into a tight hug, a whiff of his cologne loosening her tensed shoulders. She sunk deeper into his embrace, his hands wrapped delicately around her waist.

He slowly let go and flashed her the charming smile she loved so much. He squished her cheeks like he always did, leaning in to kiss her gently on the nose.

"Let's get you that ice cream."

_____________________________________________

3. SHE GAVE ME A LOOK

You can always tell the state of Cho's moods based on how much skin she shows.

Last summer when her step-dad surprised her and her friends to a paid beach trip, she showed up the next day in Dorito-sized bikinis that caused her a nip-slip— twice.

When she received a whopping 36 in a math test she pulled an all-nighter for, she showed up to church that Sunday wearing a full-coverage, all-black outfit with graphics that would make you think this church worshipped... something else.

And last Friday on her highly-anticipated date, she wore the skirt that showed off her thighs the best and put on the nicest little top to pair them.

Students gave Cho subtle glances as she strutted into her department building in black, oversized sweatpants, a long-sleeved shirt topped with a bulky (faux, calm down—) fur jacket that covered everything from her arms to her neck (thank god— you should see the size of that hickey!).

If it weren't for the fact that her fur jacket looked like she carved out two fully-grown wolves and climbed into them, it would be for the fact that she was wearing them out in the current hot and humid weather.

...guess what kind of mood she's in today, eh?

This morning when Bora had asked her about her 'hot' date, Cho almost threw her business binder at her, but the promise of free food (courtesy of Jaemin) after her 11am class held her back.

Instead, she threw on the antagonist-having-a-midlife-crisis outfit and braved the halls of the building, taking her usual seat at the back by the window.

In front of her, the blonde Alina turned around, her crystal blue eyes glimmering under the bright, golden hues of the sun.

Alina Petrovna. Second year, Business department; Dorm 2. Originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia. Fluent in Russian, English and— to Cho's great surprise— Korean. Caught Cho staring at her, first day of business administration class.

Cho blurted in the moment that Alina looked like the girls from the magazines, and they've been super friendly ever since.

"Hello, Cho! How was your weekend?" She chirped.

Terrible. "It was okay..."

Alina giggled, resting her hand on Cho's table, "don't worry, I didn't do much either."

But did you bury yourself under the covers, devouring a steady supply of Neapolitan ice creams, though?

"Mostly studying," Alina shrugged.

Yeah— thought so.

"So listen," Alina began, "my building's throwing this sort of dorm party, and it's an open invite! I'm pretty sure everyone in your dorm's gonna be there. And of course—" she smirked— "boys too."

A dorm party? Cho wondered what that would be like... It certainly didn't sound fun; what fun could you have at a dorm anyway?

Before Cho could respond, Alina interrupted her thoughts— "not that it matters to you, of course, you already have Jaemin."

Cho raised her eyebrows. "What?"

"Yeah, silly—" Alina rolled her eyes. "You guys are, like, basically together right?"

"Girl—" Cho shook her head vehemently— "we're just friends!"

"Whatever you say," the blonde giggled, shaking her head; she gave Cho one last look before turning around. "You'll come to the party?"

Feeling a little too unbothered to say anything, she raised her eyebrows and nodded compliantly.

After that, class was pretty uneventful; Cho was surprised she could focus at all. After her two-hour lecture, she rushed out of the door, walking ahead of other students in anticipation for her food.

The Biology department was quite a walk from her's, but it wouldn't have been noticeable if not for the hot weather and her terrible decision of wearing a black, long-sleeved top. Nonetheless, she persevered.

Past chirpy students she went and over the vibrant grass she crushed, until the air conditioning in the Biology department greeted her into dormancy.

Jaemin always told her to wait outside of the building and he would meet her there, but Cho never listened. She marched up the flights of stairs, beelining straight for the classroom she knew he would be in.

However, she almost halted her pace when two girls walked past her, throwing her a dirty look.

What the f*ck?

They conversed in barely intelligible whispers— but enough for Cho to overhear.

"That's the girl who blew up at you?"

"Yeah, the bimbo hangs around here every day, leeching off of that guy, Jaemin, from my genetics class."

"The one in the basketball team?"

"Yeah, I don't know what he sees in her, she's obviously so thirsty for him, it's pathetic—"

"—Excuse me?"

The girls jumped on their spots, turning to face a less-than-pleased Cho. She tapped her heel, crossing her arms. "You wanna say that again, to my face? "

The two girls stayed silent.

She stared at the girl with the abominable pink hair dye— a sight she thought she would've already forgotten. "Ina, right?"

Ina didn't answer, inching closer to her friend who had a bright purple bob cut, thick-rimmed spectacles and the unnecessarily contorted resting b*tch face.

"It's sweet that even when I'm not around, you still talk about me. But next time, maybe take it up with me instead of bitching about it to neon Edna over here—" she gestured at her equally offended friend.

Before the girls could fathom a response, Cho rolled her eyes and spun around; she was so ready for that free food.

If only she didn't hear bob-cut over at the back whisper, "psycho b*tch."

Oop— here we go...

Cho stomped back in their direction, their unsuspecting backs vulnerable to Cho's sudden rage. Before Cho herself could even process her rash actions, she had yanked the purple bob-cut, causing the student to jerk her head backwards in a painful twist.

Well what do you know? It does fall right off!

She glanced at her balled fist, unperturbed by the alarming amount of purple strands that were choked in her tight grip.

"Oh my god, you b*tch!"—

Aaand it was pretty much chaos after that.

She tackles Cho, Cho retaliates with a generous slap; papers fly as they roll around the floor, and people watch as Cho threatens to wipe her sh*t-eating grin with her foot. Shoes start getting thrown around (both theirs and, at one point, someone from the audience) and the claws come out, fully-manicured and all.

By the time a teacher had stumbled across the altercation, I could swear the poor girl developed a few bald spots. Eh— she was going to go bald with that horrid bleach job, anyway.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE??" A distinct— and furious— voice of authority boomed over the crowd.

The students that had been enjoying the free show began to scurry back into their normal, unexciting lives.

Both girls were frozen on the floor, staring at the professor like deers in headlights.

Quick! Blame her for starting the fight— it's her word against yours!

* * *

"According to the CCTV, you attacked first."

Damn!

Cho sat alone, her awkward expression reflecting the vibe of the professor's office. The teacher pursed his lips, sending her a scrutinizing look.

"I hope you know that physical altercations, especially one of such... caliber, will result in a disciplinary hearing. But considering the fact that you're not even from this department," he spoke in a low, exasperated tone, "conducting a disciplinary hearing will require far more coordination."

The man ran a hand over his balding head; the abundance of papers stacks on his desk caused him to sigh.

He looked at her with a tired expression. "Let's be honest, nobody wants this."

Cho nodded, displaying her most matured demeanor.

"So I would suggest that you two settle this between yourselves and let that be that."

Cho sighed a breath of relief. Maybe this isn't so bad!

"However..."

Oh no.

"...you did attack her unprovoked."

What? Cho spoke up immediately, "with all due respect, professor, I think she provoked me by voicing unsolicited comments and meddling in other people's business."

"But according to the CCTV—" he pointed on a boxy TV set behind him, where a still of her doubling back for the girl was obvious— "you approached her again after your verbal altercation, and you made it physical."

Seriously?!

"Did you not see her twist my arm like a pretzel?" Cho blurted, "she's far more unjust and rash!"

The teacher was devoid of emotion.

"You tripped her on the way to my office."

Cho slouched in her seat, internally regretting her sneaky attack.

"Anyway..." the professor continued, "since you attacked her unprovoked, the disciplinary board would most likely view her— and therefore I do— as the victim. So it's only fair to see whether she would like to settle this between you two, or if she would like to seek higher forms of justice."

She tried to hold in her groans of disappointment; it seemed that he noticed, but he ignored her.

"Alright, let's call Seoyeon in, then."

Huh. So the bitch's name is Seoyeon.

The professor pressed a button on his landline, mumbling into the phone before sitting back against his office chair. Not long after, a slightly disheveled Seoyeon walked in, shooting daggers at Cho with her thin eyes.

Cho rolled her eyes, huffing as she slid back down against her seat.

She didn't have to be an expert to know she was in deep trouble. Of course Seoyeon would demand a disciplinary hearing! She had everything she needed to make a strong case: CCTV footage, a witness (who's on her side), and maaaybe the fact that she didn't try to trip Cho on the way to the professor's office.

Seoyeon side-eyed her as she sat down comfortably on the sofa chair.

"Seoyeon," the professor addressed the newcomer, "because you're the victim here, you can choose to settle this between yourselves or you can request a disciplinary hearing, where we can review all the details of the altercation."

That's it. Cho felt the reality of her situation sink in. This can't be happening! She'd definitely look guilty in the hearing and she could get suspended— what if she got expelled?

Her heart started drumming against her chest, nausea gurgling in the deepest pit of her stomach. She watched Seoyeon's smug expression like a final nail in her coffin.

Ya know what? Since she's so screwed anyway, maybe she could get in one final hit. Yeah, maybe tackling her out of that chair wouldn't be so bad. Anything to get rid of that irritating smile—

"The disciplinary hearing isn't necessary."

Cho stopped picturing herself choking Seoyeon for a moment.

Huh?

Did she hear her right? She has the perfect chance to screw over the girl who pulled off a quarter of her hair, but she's not taking it?

Seoyeon threw her a crooked smile, eyes wide as she turned back to the professor. "I think this is just a... misunderstanding, and I would hate to make this bigger than it is."

Unlike Cho, the professor seemed to have no questions.

"Well, that settles it, then!" He chirped. "I do hope you guys could work this out between yourselves, and I could expect that nothing like this ever happens again, right?"

Both girls nodded stiffly.

"Alright, off you go then!"

Cho almost leapt off her chair; after politely bowing, the two girls scurried out of the office. The doors swung open, and before Seoyeon could go any further, Cho stopped her.

"Wait—"

"—what?" the purple-haired girl spun around, glaring.

Cho had to take a step back, nose scrunched in mild distaste at the girl's contorted features.

"Why didn't you request for the disciplinary hearing?" Cho blurted.

Damn Cho, do you want the disciplinary hearing?

The girl in front of her avoided eye contact, shrugging. "Maybe I realized... some of the things I said weren't so nice."

Cho raised her eyebrows in surprise— more like bafflement.

Seoyeon narrowed her eyes at her counterpart's bemusement. "Maybe I'll just go back and ask him for that disciplinary—"

"—No, no!" Cho shook her head vehemently. "I'm not complaining."

The girl folded her hands. "Are we done?"

"Yeah—" Cho raised her hands— "done."

With that, Seoyeon spun around, clicking her heels as she sashayed down the hall and into the crowd.

Eyes still furrowed in confusion, she turned around, only to find Jaemin leaning against the wall by the door, occupied on his phone. Her lips curved into a lopsided grin; he looked up just in time for her to walk over lazily towards him.

"Hey..." she greeted weakly.

Jaemin pushed himself off the wall. He shook his head and he approached her slowly.

"Kang Cho..."

She rolled her eyes— "don't start."

"Do I need to put a leash on you?" He chuckled, tilting his head as he reached to adjust her lapels.

The long-haired brunette scoffed. "No, she needs to be put in a cage."

The boy chuckled, before asking, "are you in big trouble? What did Seoyeon say?"

"Surprisingly, she decided to drop whatever—" Cho cut her words short, eyeing him suspiciously— "how do you know her name?"

"Well, she was waiting out here for a long time..." he watched a frown build on her face and laughed. "What? I'm a friendly guy!"

The two of them began to walk down the hallway side by side.

"Well, now I know why she didn't ask for the disciplinary hearing." She nudged him on the shoulder, giving him a lopsided grin.

He simply smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"You know, one of these days you're gonna piss someone off and I won't be able to talk them out of it— did you ever think about that?"

"What?!" Her eyes widened with feigned shock. "Now you're just being crazy."

Jaemin's hearty laugh echoed off the walls; he nudged her playfully— "I'm serious!"

Cho swung in her steps with a light-hearted giggle. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I won't do it again."

He raised his eyebrows. "You promise?"

She chuckled; lifting his hands and prying his pinky finger, she intertwined them with her own.

"I promise."

He flashed her a satisfied grin as they walked out for lunch.

Now now, Cho— the story's far from over. We never know all the crazy sh*t you might end up doing before we roll the curtains.

Actually— I do!

And I can assure you that before this ends, you would've seen her tackle someone to the ground, fall into a bush, throw hands with a bunch of middle schoolers, set something on fire, stab someone with a fork, almost get hit by a car in nothing but a towel and just, damn... a whole lot of blood before curtain call— you'll see.

But for now... all is peachy in the reputable Myongdok University.

_____________________________________________

4. HOME OF THE ELDER

Ask Cho how she pictures herself as a senior citizen, and she'll definitely point and say, "you see her? Yeah, I'm gonna be exactly like her when I'm old."

The old lady she's pointing to in the distance? That's Grandma Song.

When Cho was first dragged into doing volunteer work at the Happy Society elderly home, she didn't think she'd have much fun. She assumed all the elders would want to talk about things she couldn't relate to. But then she met Grandma Song: feisty, sarcastic and opinionated— exactly like her, to put it shortly.

Grandma Song was sitting comfortably on her sofa chair. "You’re involved in way too many arguments, darling," she said as she pushed a needle carefully through her embroidery fabric.

"It’s not like I want to argue," Cho responded, "but people just keep testing me—"

"I know how the world works, sweetheart, you don’t have to remind me." Grandma Song glanced up through her rectangle spectacle, giving her a knowing smile.

Cho poured a plastic of beads into its container. Every time Cho came over for volunteer work, she’d always spare some time working in the arts-and-crafts station so she could converse with Grandma Song, who loved to embroider in her free time.

Just like always, she began spilling the juicy details of her altercations that previous Monday to the somewhat gossip-loving Grandma. She told her all about the whispering, about the way she most definitely kicked that girl’s ass. By the time she finished her story, Grandma Song was chuckling whole-heartedly.

"Fine, that b*tch had it coming."

Cho gasped ironically— "language, ‘Ma!"

Grandma Song shook her head as she let out a little sigh, resuming on her embroidery. "Do you know what you need?"

Cho shut the lid on a filled jar of beads, looking across her at the old lady.

"You need a boyfriend."

"What? What does that have to do with anything?"

"I was just like you growing up— out of control. Then I met my husband and he calmed me down."

Cho scoffed, opening a new packet of beads. "Well, it’s not easy finding a boyfriend these days."

"You know—" Grandma Song cleared her throat— "my grandson is a very handsome young man. He’s very tall, athletic and he’s very popular from what I know. You let me know, and I’ll set you guys up on a date— if he ever comes visit, that is."

"Your grandson is in high school."

"Well, you’re only a year older than him."

"Two years."

Grandma Song bopped her head weakly, a subtle oh-well-at-least-I-tried expression lingering on her face. "God knows he needs a girlfriend, that boy’s wasting his good looks."

"I’m sure he’ll find someone, Grandma Song."

"Alright—" Grandma Song looked up from her embroidery— "if my grandson’s too young for you, why don’t you go for Mr. Handsome over there?"

Grandma seemed to be glancing at someone behind her. She turned around and of course, there he was, laughing along with two sweet, elderly men over a card game.

"Who, Jaemin?"

"Who else? I’m obviously not talking about Mr. Ahn." Grandma Song retorted, "his dentures fall out a little too often for my liking."

Oh, gross.

"That boy is head over heels, I tell you."

She looked over at him. It seemed they’d finished their round of cards. Just like telepathy, he looked her way and flashed her his charming smile. She stuck her tongue out, earning her a joking scowl from the boy.

"I’ve just never seen him that way,” Ru confessed. “And besides— we’re related."

—Alright, hold your horses. Before you scream incest, let me explain.

Cho’s stepdad was in one marriage before he married her mom. It was a short-lived marriage— mostly because the girl turned out to be gay— but they parted on good terms and her stepdad still keeps in touch with his ex-wife and the rest of her family, including her nephew, our sweetheart Jaemin.

"Point is, he’s just my best friend, ‘Ma."

"Well, you should tell him that. Don’t think I can’t see the way he looks at you. My husband used to give me the same look. It’s called the ‘she’s the only thing I see’ look— a tell-tale sign, I tell you."

Cho could only spare her a polite smile. "I know…"

What Cho means when she says ‘I know’ is… she knows.

She knows how he’s basically been in love with her ever since they were kids. They’ve been inseparable ever since Cho’s stepdad brought little Jaemin to his wedding where they shared a big, fat chocolate cake.

He confessed for the first time when they were both eight. He picked out a bunch of stray flowers from the park and asked that she accept his ‘magical bouquet of love’— yes, he used the word ‘love’. She told him that they were too young to get married and he agreed, although he promised her that he would only ever love her.

Then he did it again when they were both fourteen. It was the first time Jaemin drank alcohol, when Cho’s stepdad invited him for dinner and allowed them both to try, because ‘it’s better you do it at home with an adult than anywhere else’. Cho didn’t like the taste of soju, but Jaemin took a few too many sips and ended up drunk the rest of the night.

He stayed over at her place, and began rambling on for two hours straight about every memory they’ve ever shared together, detailing how beautiful she was in every single one of them. She was flattered because he even included the one where she got food poisoning and cried the entire weekend.

She cuddled him and watched him mumble ‘I love you, Cho’ about a hundred times before he passed out. He had no memory of it in the morning, and she kept it that way.

Now, in every other situation, this wouldn’t work. But this is our Jaemin and Cho we’re talking about— Jaemin never let her feel obligated to anything, and Cho cared about him too much to ever believe it was awkward.

"Pass me the rose applique, Cho."

She stood up, letting her hair fall over one shoulder as she rummaged for the applique. As she was looking, Grandma Song gasped lightly.

"Well well well, even though you don’t have a boyfriend, it’s good to know that you’re getting some action."

Uh oh.

Confused, Cho looked at Grandma Song and realized she was looking at her neck. Only then did she remember about the hickeys staining her neck from her horrible date. Panicked, she scrambled to cover them with her hair again— "Oh this? It’s nothing."

Grandma Song didn’t seem convinced. "Mhm, did he give it to you?"

Cho felt her heart beat an uncomfortable pace, her palms sweating. Grandma Song beckoned her over— "come here, let me see—"

"Hi, Grandma Song," a sudden deep voice startled the both of them. Cho looked beside her to find Jaemin standing beside her, his arm hovering over hers. "Can I borrow Cho for a second?"

"Why, of course darling—" Grandma Song nodded sweetly, waving a lenient hand— "we were just talking about how handsome you are, actually."

"Oh really?" Jaemin cocked his eyebrow at Cho.

"No, we weren’t."

"Well," Jaemin said with a little bit of a chuckle, "I think as long as Grandma Song thinks I’m handsome, I’m content."

"Oh, don’t be so humble! All the ladies here think you’re one fine boy—"

"Alriiight, then, we’ll be going now." She began to drag a more than satisfied Jaemin away from the prying elderly.

"Thanks Grandma Song." Jaemin waved.

Cho gave Grandma Song a sneaky look, to which the old lady responded with a sneaky wiggle of her eyebrows.

"You okay?"

She looked up at him, confused.

"I overheard her asking about—" he hesitated— "you know, and you sounded uncomfortable."

Oh. She subconsciously fiddled with her hair, letting frame her face and hide her neck. "Yeah, I’m fine."

There was a brief pause before he sighed.

"Come here." He took her hand, the sleeves of his sweater covering his knuckles as he pulled her out of the common room and down the hall. It wasn’t a long walk before they finally entered an empty kitchen.

"Aaand what are we doing here?" She plopped herself onto the kitchen counter while he opened the fridge.

He rummaged through the frozen compartment until he dug out an ice pack and walked towards her. "Alright—" he placed the ice pack on the counter beside her, gently grabbing her hair and tucking it behind her.

Her neck was exposed now, revealing three dark red marks under her jaw and around her collarbone. She tried to ignore the way his jaws tensed from the sight of the hickeys and focused on his eyes.

"Chin up," Jaemin commanded like a doctor doing a checkup on a child. Like the child that Cho was, she tilted her head slightly upwards.

He supported her neck with one hand and took the frozen pack, dabbing it softly against the marks below her jaw. She winced a little from the cold, earning her a soft chuckle from Jaemin— "sorry."

It was hard to see where he was dabbing, so she simply watched his furrowed eyebrows, trusting that he’d take care of her well.

"You know—" she cleared her throat— "there’s a party at the Women’s Dorm 1 this Friday."

"A dorm party?"

Jaemin started dabbing on her second hickey closer down to her collarbone. She dropped her chin and faced him. "You should come with me."

"Do I have to?"

"As my conscience, I think it’s best you do."

He let out a soft chuckle, not looking up. "Well, if it means stopping you from ripping someone’s hair out or verbally abusing them, then I’ll be there."

"Cool! We can go together," Cho exclaimed excitedly, ignoring his implications of her aggression.

Her eyes furrowed when she noticed his eyes were still, looking below her face with a slight blush tinted along his cheeks.

"Jaemin?"

He snapped out of his daze, looking up at her with a flustered look. His Adam’s apple bopped up and down as he swallowed.

"You, uh—" He cleared his throat as he looked at her neck area. "There’s one more..." His words lagged as his fingers slowly trailed down from her collarbone down to her shirt neckline.

She looked down at her chest. One last bruise sat comfortably on her upper chest, partially covered by her low neckline.

His fingers hovered over the fabric of her shirt. His eyes were already on hers as soon as she looked back up, waiting for permission. "Can I?"

She felt a tiny tug in her heart as she whispered, "yeah."

Slowly, she felt his fingers graze her skin, a brief shiver coursing through her as he tugged her neckline downwards to reveal the last red mark on her upper chest. Her breathing slowed as he pressed the cold ice pack against her, his warm hand softly holding onto her.

She stared at his thick eyelashes, mesmerized by the way they coated his eyelids so beautifully. She didn’t know why she was still surprised; he’s always had the prettiest eyelashes. She clearly remembered complaining how it was unfair that he, a guy who doesn’t necessarily need long lashes, has them while she was gifted with barely-existent lashes.

His kids are going to have the best eyelashes, and her kids would probably be stuck with eyelash extensions and fake lashes.

All of a sudden she could hear Grandma Song’s raspy voice in her head like an intrusive thought— you can have his kids; problem solved!

She blinked away the thoughts, eyes diverted in an attempt to shake off the weird voice in her head. Something in her lungs tightened. Was her heartbeat speeding up? The wild thumping in her chest was all she could hear now.

She gulped, suddenly very aware of his proximity, where his hands were, what he was looking at—

"I think that’s enough—" she reached for his hands, pushing them away before her heart could explode. She tugged on the wooly sleeves of his sweater, lowering his hands.

"Any longer and I’m going to get frostbite or something—"

He suddenly flinched at her touch, retracting his hand instinctively as his eyes squinted ever-so-slightly. He tried to tug at his sleeves, but it was too late because she got a glimpse of what he was trying to hide.

A light gasp escaped her lips— "Jaemin, what the hell!"

She immediately took his hand, lifting the sleeve so she could see his knuckles better. Dark purple colors adorned the back of his hand, a slight cut sitting on the height of his knuckle bones.

"What happened Jaemin, oh my god—" she gasped again, tracing the bruise lightly.

Jaemin sighed, although he didn’t pull away. "It’s nothing, I just hit it against something."

"Hit it against what?? A moving truck?"

Surprisingly, he let out a chuckle. "I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react this way."

She looked at him skeptically. "React in what way?"

"This weird combination of alarm and amusement. It weirds me out."

She slapped him in the arm— "ow," he groaned. Maybe she shouldn’t be slapping the already injured Jaemin. She took the ice pack that he had dropped beside her and this time, she took her turn pressing the cold plastic against his knuckles.

They were both silent for a moment, eyes averting each other. Cho was the first to break the ice, dabbing the ice pack against his veiny hand.

"You know what this reminds me of?"

"What?"

Her lips tugged into a nostalgic smile. "Sword-fighting by that demolished house."

"Holy shit!" He laughed— "it does."

"You know, the more our parents warned us not to play there, the more it made me want to go." Cho blew on his bare knuckles as if it would have any effect.

"Can you blame us, though? The place literally looked like the ruins of some ancient battleground."

Cho’s light laughter filled the kitchen air. She couldn’t quite remember the details of what the demolished house looked like. All she knew was that it looked like it came straight out of an adventure movie when they both passed it one day on their way home from school.

"We literally could’ve died." Ch stated bluntly.

Jaemin chuckled, finally meeting her eyes. "Do you know how terrified I was when you fell down that pile of rubble? I actually thought you were dead."

"Yeah—" she paused momentarily from dabbing his knuckles, giving him a frank look— "and when you ended up falling down right next to me, I actually thought you were stupid."

"I was trying to get to you!"

Cho rolled her eyes playfully. Of course he was— young Jaemin loved playing the hero.

"I remember panicking, thinking our parents could never know we were there."

"Yeah," Jaemin continued, "and so we stuck into your house from the backdoor and used that emergency first aid kit in the cabinet to try and clean up that gash on your leg."

"And that long ass scrape on your back."

Cho looked down and sighed, the wave of nostalgia hitting her bittersweet.

"I don’t think any of our parents ever found out," Jaemin recalled.

She chuckled. "My mom did, actually."

"Wait, what?" Jaemin sounded surprised. "You never told me that."

"Yeah, she found your horrible bandage job on my leg and gave me probably the longest lecture of my life." She paused before tilting her head up at him. "Remember when she took us to that outbound two weeks after?"

Jaemin nodded.

"It was because she felt bad about lecturing me too hard. She told me that if I ever wanted to play sword-fighting or whatever we did, she’d take us to the outbound instead."

"Damn..." he sighed at the recollection. "That was a fun day."

"Yeah…" She didn’t even realize that the smile had fallen from her face as she looked down.

"I miss her."

"I miss her, too." She felt his hand squeeze hers, a small gesture that caused her eyes to blur with tears. Before the tears could fall down her cheek, she let out a frustrated huff, looking up and forcing a smile.

"It was kinda fun, though, looking back." She chuckled— "cleaning each other up like we’ve just gone to battle or something."

"Yeah?" Jaemin challenged. "Well, nothing tops the lake house—"

"—shhh," she cringed. "We don’t talk about that here."

Jaemin laughed at her bratty expression, leaning closer to her with that million-dollar smile of his. Once again, they both looked down at the scene before them: cleaning each others’ wounds like when they were kids.

"Look at us now, we’ve gone full circle."

Cho never noticed his eyes, the way they longed for her.

"Yeah… full circle."

_____________________________________________

5. DRINK OR DARE

"I don’t wanna goooo," Cho whined. She threw a dress back into her closet, feeling defeated.

"To the party—" Bora applied lipstick in the bathroom— "or to the lake trip with your dad tomorrow morning?"

Cho groaned. "Both."

She sat on the floor, leaning against her desk chair. "I was excited to go to the party, but someone—" she spun around, squinting at the boy who was lounging on her single bed— "decided not to come last minute."

"I’d skip the party, but then I know I’ll just spend the entire night dreading my trip with my step-dad, so I have to go to the party," she huffed, watching the boy text away on his phone. "Who even does basketball practice on a Friday night? Your coach is mean."

"Well, he caught a bunch of us skipping practice to go to clubs and said, I quote—" Jaemin lowered his voice to mimic the coach—"‘since you spent practice time clubbing, then it’s fair that you spend clubbing time in practice’. It’s basically detention."

Cho raised her eyebrows in amusement. "You guys went clubbing?"

"No, not me—" he waved off— "a bunch of the older guys in the team. They suck too, I think that’s what made coach extra pissed."

Cho sighed, standing up as she dragged her feet toward her bed. She dropped herself on top of the boy, ignoring his groan of pain. He didn’t move, though, and let her stay as he extended his arms on top of her and went on his phone.

"This sucks," she mumbled into his chest almost incoherently. "We were supposed to go together."

Bora came out of the bathroom, scowling at the sight in front of her. "Ugh, get a room, you two."

Cho rolled her eyes and Bora went back into the bathroom with her dress, closing the door behind her. Cho looked up and watched his eyes fixate on the phone above them both. She looked up, seeing that he was on a chat.

She got up, going back to her closet for an outfit. "Who are you texting?" She asked nonchalantly.

"That Seoyeon girl."

"Who?"

"The one you so viciously attacked the other day?" His tone was lazy and undisturbed— unlike her, upon hearing this.

She threw him a disgusted look— "oh god, you have her number? I feel betrayed."

"It’s called being nice," he pointed out. "And you should know that she seemed so much more willing to give you a pass after I gave her my number."

She tsked, digging into her pile of clothes as she rolled her eyes. "Well, she obviously likes you." Of course that purple highlighter liked him. Too bad he doesn’t like her.

"What, are you jealous?"

She could hear the smirk in his tone and she scoffed. "No! I’m just saying, you’re stringing her along."

"Didn’t know you cared about her feelings."

"I don’t."

She picked up her maroon lingerie set, having totally forgotten about their existence. She had almost worn them to her date with Jihoon— her face contorted even just thinking about the guy. She was so glad she didn’t end up wearing these cute undergarments. Knowing him, she could’ve just worn her Pikachu bra and she wouldn’t have given a rat’s ass… Where was that damn thing, anyway?

Before she could begin searching for her god-forsaken bra, loud knocks on her door caused her to look up. She stood up, walking towards the door and swinging them open.

She was slightly shocked to see a guy standing in front of her, hands in his hoodie pockets.

"Oh, hey." She greeted apprehensively. "May I help you?"

The boy was barely paying her any focus; he tried to peek into the room but couldn’t because Cho only left it open slightly. "I’m here for Bora—" he finally looked at her— "I’m her boyfriend."

"Oh!" She exclaimed, slightly taken aback. "Boyfriend, huh? The girl never told me anything, hold on—"

She turned to call Bora, but found that her roommate was already staring at her, eyes wide as she shook her head vehemently.

Cho didn’t have to be told twice. She looked back up at the boy and gave him a honeyed smile. "You know, actually Bora’s not here right now, but I’ll let her know you stopped by."

The guy scoffed. "Dude, I know she’s in there. You were literally just looking at her."

Her eyebrows furrowed, annoyed by his sudden change in tone. "No, I wasn’t."

"Then who the f*ck were you looking at then?"

She gasped internally. "Excuse me?"

"I just need to talk to her for a bit—"

He started pushing against the door and she stumbled backwards— damn, this boy’s stronger than he looked. She struggled to hold her weight, determined not to let him through.

It wasn’t even a second before she felt big hands sweep across her stomach, pulling her back. Jaemin replaced her weight against the door with his, instantly steadying the door as he pulled her behind him and glared at the boy.

"Yo, get lost," Jaemin growled.

The boy took a heedful step back, obviously not expecting another guy in the room. "Who are you?"

"I’m her boyfriend."

Cho felt her heart skip a beat as the words slipped out of his mouth. So confident, not a hint of hesitation.

"Dude, come on, I’m just tryna talk to my girlfriend—"

"Well did you hear my girlfriend? She said she’s not here. So go look somewhere else—" his tone lowered threateningly— "and don’t come back here. I don’t like the fact that you think you could just barge into my girlfriend’s room whenever you want."

Cho peeked over Jaemin’s broad shoulder to see that the boy wanted to respond, but hesitated. Instead, he shook his head in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "Whatever, man." The boy turned around and made a beeline towards the flight of stairs with a puff.

With that, Jaemin closed the door, and Cho finally let go of her breath.

She directed her attention back to her tense roommate, raising a brow. "You have a boyfriend?"

Bora made a vomiting gesture, shaking her head— "He’s so not my boyfriend. We went on, like, two dates and he asked me to be his girlfriend, so I kinda panicked and said yes. But I broke up with him two weeks later and now he won’t leave me alone."

Cho chuckled. "Harsh."

Bora shivered in exaggeration, walking back to the bathroom to apply some finishing touches to her makeup. Cho looked at Jaemin, suddenly taking in how much taller he looked in the confined space. She walked over to him, giving him a slight pout. "You sure you can’t ditch practice?"

Jaemin gave her a teasing smile, pinching her cheeks— "Nope."

She frowned, although it was slightly difficult to do with his hands on her cheeks.

"Just don’t get into any trouble, please? I don’t want to have to come save your ass again."

She grabbed his hands, pulling them away from her face as she gave him a conspiring look. "You know, maybe I might just get in trouble so you’ll have to come to the party."

Jaemin rolled his eyes, leaning down to give her a peck on the nose before he muttered— "you ass."

Oh, he’ll be saving her ass tonight, alright.

* * *

Are you picturing some sort of frat house with crappy neon lights, stale chips and music loud enough to file a noise complaint with the police?

Well, don’t.

This dorm party is a little more tame. The music is drowned out by the constant chatter of people, and the white fluorescent lights don’t really give off college party vibes, but rather an office party you’re forced to attend because you want to impress your boss.

Cho and Bora entered the building of the Women’s Dorm 1. From outside, it would’ve been hard to guess that it was a college party. Even for a moment, Cho thought it was some sort of convention. Upon entering, she immediately noticed the cluster of students that gathered on the first floor of the building, and it seemed like they intended to keep it that way— the space beyond the staircase was dim and deserted.

She never realized just how many students actually attended this school. Looking around, she didn’t think she recognized a single person. That was until she spotted a familiar blonde hair bob her way, the caucasian’s pearly whites making Cho slightly jealous.

"Cho, you actually made it!"

Cho greeted her friend before gesturing at her roommate. "This is Bora, by the way—" she turned to Bora and pointed at Alina— "and this is Alina."

The two girls exchanged light smiles as they walked deeper into the party. She was glad Alina led her to the food first— she was starving. Cho quickly headed for the chips that were settled in the bowls, munching on them as she took a look around.

As time went on, she began to recognize more and more people— people from her dorm, some from her business department, others she’s seen around campus. She scowled internally when Seoyeon appeared in her vision for a brief moment. Luckily, the girl didn’t stay for long, being busy on her phone. Cho looked away, hoping to see some fresh— and preferably hot— new faces to waste her time.

Her eyes scanned across the room until they landed on a not-so-fresh face, someone she used to think was hot— Jihoon.

He was nodding along to someone else’s conversation, his oversized shirt hung loosely on his body. She only stole glances, afraid of actually giving him a good look. Even then, her stomach was queasy like she had eaten something spoiled.

During her final glance, like slow motion, he turned and looked in her direction. The moment was a divine exchange of disgust to pure bliss. Seeing his face, her mouth hung open in entertained shock.

The boy was sporting a massive black eye.

She stifled a laugh, but failed. Even though his body language conveyed he was having a relatively good time, his face said otherwise. She scrambled for the phone in her pocket, eager to capture the priceless moment. Unfortunately, he moved deeper into the crowd before she could snap a picture.

So instead, she settled for the next best option— telling her best friend all about it!

She pressed the keys on her digital keyboard, fingers shivering from pure excitement.

kang cho: Yo bugs bunny

kang cho: Guess what

kang cho: GueSS WHAT

She wanted to send the next words, but paused for a brief second— no, she needed to hear his real-time reaction. She tapped her fingers incessantly, lips pursed as she stared into her tiny screen. Would he even read this? Her eyes drifted to the time on the corner of her screen. He must be in practice right now, he’s not going to read this until later—

Ding!

She squealed internally.

na jaemin: Oh god if you actually beat up another kid

She would’ve typed back a sarcastic remark, but the flashing image of poor Jihoon in her head made her too giddy to be snappy.

kang cho: No ffs guess who’s at the party

na jaemin: ? Who

kang cho: Jihoon :)

na jaemin: ...Did I miss something

na jaemin: Why tf are you smiling

kang cho: Here’s the best part

kang cho: HIS EYE LOOKS LIKE A SWOLLEN GRAPE LOL

na jaemin: Wtf lol

kang cho: Someone beat him tf up probably

kang cho: Not surprised

kang cho: Seriously tho I’d send you a pic but he disappeared

na jaemin: Just stay away from him

kang cho: Chill

kang cho: I gotta tell Bora about this lmao

na jaemin: Alright foxy

na jaemin: Gtg break’s over

na jaemin: But seriously don’t wander alone pls

kang cho: ;)

She locked her phone, stuffing it into her pocket. Her eyes danced around the crowd, simultaneously looking for Jihoon and Bora. When she couldn’t spot any familiar faces, she began fitting herself through crowds of people in hopes of running into someone she knew.

She had tough luck finding her roommate, but when it came to finding Jihoon, it seemed Christmas came early.

There he was, sipping on a plastic cup. Better yet, he was alone.

Cho didn’t really know why it made her so smug, but all she knew was that she walked straight up to him without another thought, her lips curved into an already-victorious smile.

"Is there a story behind it?" She started, slightly yelling so that he could hear her.

The boy spun around, his eyes looking extra swollen as he widened his eyes at her presence.

"Cho—"

"Or did someone just take a look at your face and decide ‘this face is so punchable’? Because honestly, kudos to whoever they are, they’re right."

She watched in satisfaction as his features contorted into an ugly shape.

"Are you done?"

Cho raised her eyebrows. "You want me to say more? Because I can go on forever if you want me to—"

"Just shut the f*ck up and leave, Cho," he growled. "I don’t have time for your b*tchy whining."

"B*tchy whining?" Cho scoffed. "You seemed to have a lot of time when you were following me up to my room like a lost puppy on meth."

His jaws tensed and he let out a frustrated sigh. "I never should’ve wasted my time on you. Any other girl would be better than you."

"There is no other girl, not with that shit attitude," Cho retorted sassily. "The only action you get is from your mom’s sloppy cheek kisses."

It was like she could actually see the smoke rising out of his ears. "You’ll be surprised the amount of action I get—"

"Oh please, jerking off to anime doesn’t count."

She was more than pleased when he opened his mouth but could not form any words of retaliation. She tutted, suddenly so over this boy. She flicked her brown locks from one side to the other, giving him a final look before saying, "just remember now, when the bottom bunk shakes, the top bunk shakes too. Think about your poor roommate next time you wanna play with yourself."

With that, she spun on her heels, sashaying away from him before he could muster up a response. It felt exhilarating, having the last word. Now she never had to think about that douche anymore.

"Hey Cho, there you are—" Alina’s thin voice shocked her out of the moment— "we’re playing drink or dare, you should come join us, everyone’s there!"

The blonde didn’t give Cho a moment to respond before she was dragged through the crowd past spilled chips and turned cups, down the hallway and finally into an opening to another room she didn’t even know existed.

Upon entering, she immediately felt a weight off of her shoulders. The area was small, with a little window in the corner cranked up a little for the night breeze to enter. Significantly less people occupied the space and she found herself being able to breathe with ease, something she could barely do before.

A group of girls were huddled in a big circle, chatting amongst themselves. Bora was in the circle too, hand under her chin. She looked up and spotted Cho, jutting her chin casually and gesturing for Cho to sit next to her. Cho walked over and as soon as she took her place next to Bora, she spotted Seoyeon. Eesh, what’s she doing here? She rolled her eyes instinctively. The purple-haired girl looked up as well and as they made eye contact, they both squirmed uncomfortably before looking away.

Alina sat across from her in the circle, clasping her hands together with a bright smile. "Alright, let’s start then! The rules are simple: when it’s your turn, you either do a dare assigned by everyone else or—" she picked up the big bottle of alcohol in front of her���" take a shot!"

The group waited in anticipation as Alina poured the clear liquid into a line of small shot glasses. At this point, Cho wondered what she was even doing here. She was well aware of her early morning activity with her step-dad, yet here she was, about to play ‘drink or dare’.

Well, as long as she stuck with the dares, all will be fine, right?

Wrong! So wrong!

Cho thinks she’s so tough, but when her turn comes, she’ll realize that she’d do anything not to have to go outside and dump cold water on herself. Or lick the feet of every person in the room. Or send the first five people on her contacts list a nude. Definitely not make out with that boy with pit stains so big that if you squeeze it enough it could fill her solo cup.

So before the game even hit its 30-minute mark, Cho’s already chugged four shots of heavy alcohol. I should warn you that this girl’s a lightweight.

Cho’s body was light. She looked around the room, feeling a string of hiccups coming along. She tried to focus on the dare being passed on, but the words just flowed right out of her ears. Instead, she panned her fleeting attention to the purple-haired bitch sitting just a few girls away from her.

The girl was occupied between watching the dares go down and texting into her phone. It was just a cycle, and Cho watched it in scrutiny. Who’d be texting a boring, judgmental brat like her anyway?

Then just like that, she guessed one person who could probably make her giggle into her phone like that: Jaemin.

Was she texting Jaemin? She felt her blood boil as she watched the scene before her. Jaemin’s not even that funny, why was Seoyeon smiling like someone just told her the funniest joke in the world? Cho’s lips were now pursed. He couldn’t be texting her right now, though, he’s in practice.

But maybe he’s having a break— she gasped— he’s texting her during his break?! She’s one sneaky little b*tch, this one. Oh, if she could just strangle her right now—

"Your turn, Cho."

She snapped out of her rampaging thoughts and followed the direction of the voice. A girl with light brown hair smiled at her, handing her a shot. She recognized this girl from around her dorm, but didn’t know her name. She looked down at the alcoholic beverage and back up at the other girls. "Why are you giving me the shot? I haven’t even heard the dare yet."

"Well, at this point I think you’d take a shot over being dared to drink water," Bora pointed out from beside her.

"Uuuum—" Cho slurred— "that is so not true."

"Alright, then someone give her a dare."

The room was silent for a moment, until a smaller girl with dark hair from the other side of the circle spoke up. "I dare you to sneak into the basketball court locker room and steal one of the player’s boxers."

The others ‘ooh’ed in response to the dare.

Now, to the average girl, this might seem like a daunting task. But Cho was actually relieved to hear this. Why? Well, she knows someone on the basketball team, and he’s one hell of a sucker for her.

A smirk formed on her face as she stared down every other girl in the circle. Her eyes finally landed on the violet head of hair. The look of disgust on Seoyeon’s face was enough to show that she knew exactly whose boxers Cho would be stealing.

"Deal."

Excited whispers erupted in the air as Cho stood up. She swayed in her spot, feeling a lot less balanced than she anticipated, but it didn’t matter— she was about to shove it in Seoyeon’s face that she knew Jaemin better than this girl ever could.

"Wait, wait, one more thing," the same dark-haired girl from before interrupted. She looked down at the beady-eyed girl.

"You have to do it in your underwear."

Her chest was warm, her ears slightly muffled from the ‘ooh’ sounds the other girls made. Tsk, how hard could that be?

"Deal."

_____________________________________________

6. NAKED IN THE BOYS' LOCKER ROOM

In the following years, Cho would come to make a list of the top three most embarrassing moments in her life. Coming in first place would be the Lake House incident (she doesn’t like to talk about this one). Second place would be the Student Conference incident— otherwise known as the aftermath or domino effect of tonight’s main event, the Locker Room incident, which takes third place.

…this girl, am I right?

Cho brushed her brown locks over her head, feeling all eyes on her as she stripped away the outer layers of her outfit. She slipped out of her clothing, one by one, until she was left in nothing but her underwear.

Oh look— it’s her maroon lingerie set!

The girls around her let out whooping cheers, egging her on as a giggly hiccup escaped her lips. Are they doing this, or what? She held her phone tightly around her fingers, her brain tricking her into thinking that holding it tight would actually help her keep balance.

Her eyes danced around the room, and they finally landed on one girl, amusement written on the student’s face as one hand held a shot glass and the other held a phone, pointed eagerly at Cho. She approached the girl with a slight crook to her steps.

"Thank you—" she snatched the drink out of the girl’s hand, downing the fiery drink in one gulp.

You should’ve grabbed the phone instead, sweetie— God knows it would've saved you from a lot of trouble.

By then, she could barely feel her legs, but it’s not like she needed it, anyway. With each step, it felt like she was floating. Her eyes were trained on the big window overlooking the grassy campus grounds. She skipped forward, until someone called out from behind her— "yo, the door’s this way!"

Her head swung lazily in the direction of the noise… and she waved it off. She could go through the window— it’s faster! She felt for the window, pushing it upwards with all her strength. As soon as the window slid upwards, her bare skin was enveloped by the frigid, night air.

"Well," she sighed, "let’s get this over with."

She climbed over the window, ignoring the enthusiastic ‘woohoo’s behind her. One leg over the other, it was all she needed to do—

Suddenly, her legs lost balance; "Cho!"— she toppled over, rolling into the big bush underneath the window.

"You okay?" A voice called out from somewhere inside the window.

She pried herself out of the bush, leaping out with an unexplained vigor.

"I’m good!" She reaffirmed, looking back at a stunned— and amused— crowd of students staring at her through the tiny dorm window.

The tiny cuts on her bare skin were ignored as she staggered onwards. It was a surprise that she knew her way at all; she moved at an offbeat rhythm, her eyes set on the cement path below her. She’d pass the occasional pedestrian and they would glance uncomfortably— one even came up to ask her if she was alright— but she skipped ahead, bowing at them to tell her she was a-okay.

As her legs were starting to feel sore from the rough outdoor flooring and her skin was starting to shiver from the harsh winds, she finally rounded that fateful corner— the basketball court building.

She squealed through excited jumps, prancing up the steps and into the building like she owned the place. The doors opened with a loud bang, and her legs made contact with the squeaky-clean tiles. She inhaled a victorious breath, taking in the fluorescent lights that lined the high ceilings.

Jaemin’s in here somewhere, she thought to herself.

Her brain was in a fritz; all she could comprehend was the fact that Jaemin wasn’t far away. Even though she could barely remember, she knew why she was in this facility in the first place— in only her underwear, mind you. She unlocked the phone in her hands and began texting her best friend.

kang cho: Jaemmin

kang cho: Hi!!!!!!!!!!

kang cho: Guess whad

kang cho: Im at ur building

She tutted at her phone, waiting for the boy to answer. In fact, she stared at it like it had done something wrong. With every passing second, she grew increasingly frustrated by the lack of response. Fine, be like this!, she huffed in her heart.

She sighed and began sauntering down past the lobby and through the main hallway, observing rows of trophies stacked neatly into bright, glass displays. Her lanky hands swung beside her, legs both jittery and jelly-like at the same time.

Hm… where should she go now?

It was hard to keep her goal in mind— actually, it was hard to keep anything in her mind at all, so she found herself wandering aimlessly in the vast, empty space. The pin-drop silence was just about to drive her crazy, but as if on cue, she spotted the large, open gymnasium doors just a little further down. Her ears perked in delight at the sound of echoes of dribbling balls and squeaking shoes.

All previous disoriented mannerisms she displayed flew out the window as she inhaled excitedly.

Jaemin!, she giggled in her head.

She skipped with jubilance, allowing her feet to bounce on the white floors until she found herself right in front of the opening towards the big dome of the basketball court. For a moment, she froze at the sight before her.

About a dozen college boys were running through the court, chasing after a tiny, orange ball. Well, maybe it wasn’t so tiny, but to Cho, it looked like an eeny-weeny little ball. She sighed dreamily, watching the sweaty, muscular boys run laps with such determination.

Honestly, though, her eyes were searching for one boy in particular; she scanned the court quickly until her eyes finally landed on the most handsome boy there, dribbling the ball skillfully as he swerved past another player.

Suddenly filled with new adrenaline— as if she wasn’t already intoxicated with other things— she began tapping her feet in excitement. She waved at the boy’s general direction, waiting for him to notice her.

And notice her, he did.

She watched as Jaemin attempted a crossover dribble in the exact moment his eyes met hers; instead of executing what could’ve been an ankle breaker, he slipped over his own feet, falling flat on his chest.

"Oooh," she gasped, a hand over her mouth as the rest of the court erupted in laughter, quite unaware of what made one of their best players trip on his own foot like that.

Maaaybe she shouldn’t be disturbing the poor boy during practice. She waved him a nonchalant goodbye, blowing an exaggerated kiss at the stunned boy who stared at her with bulging eyes. With that, she giggled and continued on her steps.​​

"Don’t forget Cho," she whispered to herself, "find the locker— find the boxers."

She hummed to the tune of Mary Had A Little Lamb as rows of doors passed her by. It wasn’t like she knew where she was going, but the confidence in her strides would have you thinking she plays basketball here on a regular basis.

By now, her body was feeling all sorts of things: tingly stomach, light limbs, maybe like someone just spun her around an office chair a little too long. For the most part, though, she hadn’t caught on. What she did notice was the faint buzzing sensation between her fingers.

She took a quick peek at her vibrating phone in her hand. On her screen, flashing like an AMBER alert (at least to Cho) was Jaemin’s name. She chuckled, declining his call before she continued skipping forward. It wasn’t even a minute later when her phone buzzed again.

This time, it was a bunch of text message notifications. She slowed, opening the text that read:

na jaemin: Cho wtf

na jaemin: Where are you

na jaemin: Cho

na jaemin: What are you doing??

na jaemin: Are you drunk

na jaemin: Ofc you’re drunk why else would you be doing this

Her eyes were starting to blur and she could barely register his words. Nonetheless, she tutted at the words like she understood it perfectly.

Why so serious?, she thought to herself in between giggles.

She huffed, stumbling down a small flight of stairs. She found herself walking down a slightly darker corridor which was some level lower than the hallway she was previously in. When was this going to end? The corridor seemed to stretch on forever.

This time, there were only two doors lined along the wall. She passed the first one, labeled ‘Janitor’. Her steps were heavy and each movement gave her limbs a subtle shiver. Her phone must’ve buzzed over a dozen times now and it was getting hard to ignore. So when her phone buzzed again, she swung lazily on the spot, picking up the call with squinted eyes.

"Jaeminnn," she slurred, leaning against the wall.

"Cho— where are you?" His voice sounded frantic, slightly rushed.

She could hear his rough breathing through the phone, and she rolled her eyes. "The real question is—" she pointed at nothing— "where are you?"

"God, I should’ve gone to the party," he mumbled incoherently from the other line. "Are you still in the building? F*ck, do not go outside, do you understand—"

"Relax!" She exclaimed, swinging her arms until it almost made her lose balance. "I’m in here waiting for you, Looney Tune."

"Where, Cho? Tell me what you see."

"I don’t know man." She looked around cluelessly as she wandered to another door further down the dark hallway— "sh*t’s pretty dark around here— oh!"

She pushed against the heavy door and— "this door opens right up!"

"Don’t move, Cho— stay where you are, okay?" More shuffling sounded from the phone. "Just let me find you—"

She hung up on him before he could finish; she shrugged, strolling into the unfamiliar room.

Dim lights revealed rows of lockers that lined the walls, and low benches placed throughout the space, some by the walls and some in the middle. She breathed in the stale air, and even in her drunken state, she noticed the little hint of sweat that stung her nostrils.

She would’ve gagged in disgust, but another thought prevailed above all else: "The locker room!"

"Tch—" she smirked lazily, walking towards the closest locker— "wait ‘till that stupid Violet Beauregarde b*tch sees..."

Her sentence faded into the background, nausea creeping in. The lockers were bigger than she anticipated. She held onto the cold, metal locker as the floor swayed beneath her. What was she doing here again? She blinked rapidly, eyes darting around the room.

Boxers, she remembered.

"Find Jaemin’s boxers!" She scolded herself, shaking herself steady. Her legs buckled, forcing her to slide down against the tall locker behind her. The frown on her face grew as she began thinking about the boy.

Where is he?, she thought.

Her eyes brimmed with tears. Before she knew it, she was bawling her eyes out, wondering where her best friend could possibly be. He said he was going to find her, but where was he? Did he forget about her? She blubbered at the thought, falling down further until her head met the cold tiles of the locker room.

"He probably forgot about me, texting that stupid, stupid, stupid..."

All she wanted to do was go to sleep— why was it so cold here? What, were they in Antarctica or something?

With all the strength she could muster, she crawled under a bench closest to herself and hugged herself into a fetal position. She kept her eyes peeled, waiting for the boxers to show itself, but even then her vision was blurring. Her eyelids were getting heavy… really heavy…

The darkness began to envelope her senses. But a sudden, loud noise shook it away.

Her eyes shot open and she watched as an abundance of feet began stampeding into the room. For some reason, her brain chose this moment to sober up a little bit; her eyes blinked back tears of confusion as more and more people began filtering into the room.

Loud, boisterous chatter echoed the small space; Cho’s heart was thrashing erratically, her breaths short.

Jaemin?

"Dude, who the f*ck is that?"

Nope. Not Jaemin.

A voice yelled over the other seemingly blended baritone noise. Suddenly the chatter died, now replaced with amused snickers—

"Holy sh*t, this chick’s naked!"

"Brooo, which one of y’all—"

"Yo, is she dead?"

Cho wanted to look up and find his face in the crowd, but her eyes had other plans— she struggled for a moment of steady breathing, feeling her eyelids pull into a forced slumber as her body shivered. The voices got louder, the footsteps moved closer, but she was helpless. Her chocolate locks covered her face, beads of sweat pasting strands of it on her forehead.

A brush of skin contact on her leg forced her eyes to flutter open with all its strength. Before she could respond, the hand on her thigh was gone; a dark voice thundered throughout the room—

"Out. Now."

The ground seemed to vibrate against her bare skin as rushed footsteps slowly receded into the hallway, groans and mumbles slowly fading into the background.

"Hey," a low voice whispered above her.

She felt a gentle arm wrap around her, pulling her out from under the bench. Her limbs were sore, for some reason, and she stirred uncomfortably. Her eyes were barely open, but it was enough to see the boy hovering over her slip out of his thick hoodie.

"Jaemin, you’re here." Cho’s voice came out in tiny cracks, a lazy smile glazed on her face.

His warm hands grazed her back. "Can you sit up?"

The words were barely discernible, but she sat up anyway with his help. Slowly, he slipped on the sleeves of his hoodie over her hands, letting the fabric wrap her comfortably. The sudden warmth surged through her like electricity— brief, but still strong enough to let her wrap her arms around his neck.

"You’re an idiot, you know?" She could feel the vibrations of his words through his chest.

She giggled unconsciously, looking up at the concerned boy. "But you still came anyway."

He rolled his eyes, standing up and lifting her up with him— "slowly, slowly." He steadied her against him, and she pushed her weight against him which he took easily.

"Jaemin, I’m jealous." She pouted into the crook of his neck.

He tried to look down at her. "Why?"

"Because someday you’re gonna take care of someone just like this."

He chuckled dryly. "I’m taking care of you right now, aren’t I?"

Cho leaned back just enough for their eyes to meet, his arms tight around her to make sure she didn't fall. "Just promise me not to go anywhere before I find someone just like you?"

If Cho wasn’t so drunk, maybe she would’ve noticed the way his eyes fell a little, or the way his jaw tensed. He let go of one hand to tuck a piece of stubborn hair behind her ear. "Let’s get you back."

She whined, prompting him to look at her again. "Promise?"

The boy forced a reassuring smile, pinching her cheeks before he planted a feather-light kiss on the tip of her nose. It was enough for Cho— she flashed him a childish smile before burying her head weakly on his shoulders again.

Her thoughts clouded, leaving her with barely enough consciousness to feel an arm slide behind her knees. The weight on her feet soon disappeared and she was lifted off her feet, warmth radiating through her as her eyelids fluttered shut.

You’re gonna wish you never said that, Cho.

_____________________________________________

Next

Taglist | @marijmin

[virghogh]

NCT Dream Birth Charts x Hexaco Results Analysis pt. 1

recently NCT Dream were on a new reality show called Mental Training Camp where they are doing a variety of activities and all of their behavior and interactions are being analyzed by professional psychologists.

ofc my virgo sun mercury ass was thrilled and I had their birth charts pulled up the whole time to cross reference.

I wanted to share some of my personal thoughts on how the 2 might connect!

part 1 // part 2 // part 3

**key: in the hexaco charts the blue represents the Dreamies, the orange is an average result of 300 college students who took the same test**

Mark - “Workaholic Leader”

✨leo sun // aries moon // cancer mercury // virgo venus // scorpio mars✨

they described him as a workaholic leader but quickly added that if he’s not now, he has potential to be in the future, although it seemed they all agreed he has workaholic spirit now 

this immediately made sense to me when you look at his chart i mean he’s being driven by a fire sun and moon and a scorpio mars (used to be ruled by mars) and virgo venus both of which are signs that have strong work ethics

the reason I like that they mentioned he could grow into it is because he’s still young and I agree that his placements could become more serious about work and life as he gets older, I think his leo sun/aries moon combo gives him very youthful energy but they’re still very driven signs

mark agreed that even throughout his trainee years when he was still very young, he was always practicing and was always called a workaholic. I see this in the intense drive, work ethic and perfectionism of virgo and scorpio but shining through with the warmth of his sun and moon

lets talk about this hexaco chart, what sticks out the most is Mark’s level of conscientiousness! (its so high like what even-) Conscientious people are careful, precise, detail oriented and in general care about doing their tasks well. I think this is directly connected to his scorpio mars! I always say that no matter what is in a chart, having a scorpio in big 6 will always have a strong influence and with a virgo venus, even though venus is considered a love planet it is also our value system, how we discern what is worthy and unworthy for us, and having virgo there makes him very practical. (as I mentioned though I think all of his placements together reflect a very driven person) (I also think mark is lucky to have a fire moon because if he had a water or earth I think his obsession and perfectionism of scorpio and virgo would make him d*pressed or too hard on himself) 

his virgo venus could even be why when they did the bag check they saw he’s quite “frugal” or practical and minimalist in the things he carries around. When you think about Venus, I mentioned it’s our values it’s also our aesthetics and it rules Taurus a materialistic sign, having virgo there gives me the impression of someone who is practical with their belongings, as we saw. 

We’ll see later in the post that there are a few Hexaco charts that I felt were a little unexpected but Marks imo was sooo spot on with his placements. With a fire sun and moon he’s very warm and open and has firey emotions. he’s not afraid to show them or be reactive and responsive (emotionality)! I think his honesty-humility reflects this too, he’s not too overly or underly honest, he’s just straightforward what you see is what you get and he answers in such a way too. His emotionality reflects the cancer mercury, the rashness of aries moon, and sensitivity of scorpio mars. 

tdlr; the human embodiment of driven, focused and hard working when it comes to his craft, but he loves to have fun in his outside life, and is practical in his inside life <3 his hexaco and birth chart align nicely

Jeno - “A scholar who gets hurt easily”

✨taurus sun // sagittarius moon // aries mercury // aries venus // taurus mars✨

so right off the bat I’m very curious where the scholar part comes in ?? They didn’t really reference it again in that way but I’m assuming they mean he’s very diplomatic? Defcon rephrased it as “you get miffed but well-mannered” 

a recurring comment was that he gets annoyed easily but doesn’t show it, I thought that was really funny because I feel like it reflects his aries influence well; being a little hot-headed but he has the patience of his taurus sun and mars to filter it :’) 

they talked a lot about how he gets hurt easily and mark even shared a cute lil story that practically had me on the floor because i just think it shows his taurus sooooo much I’d really love to have his house placements one day I’m really curious where his taurus is

if you didn’t see the episode basically mark said one time Jeno was passing some seniors in a building and said hi but they didn’t say hi back ): and just ignored him. Mark said Jeno was really hurt by that and went on about it for a long time saying stuff like “I’m sure they saw me” )): but he never expressed/acted on that hurt. taurus is represented by the bull so they do have a fierce side to them but imo i think taurus can be a really gentle/relaxed sign too; taurus mars is a slow to be angry slow to react placement, and one of the things taurus is well-known for is being fixed, stubborn, holding grudges which explains why that moment hurt and he held on to it. Jeno even agreed he tends to hold in a lot of his feelings and remembers little things that hurt him for a long time!

speaking of his taurus... they had a whole baseball analogy for the group saying that Jeno is a strong catcher, you can have a good pitcher but without a strong catcher the team would fall apart. They also mentioned a lot about Jeno not being in the spotlight, he doesn’t stand out, but he silently strengthens the team. And if that isn’t the most taurus description you’ve ever heard.,,,

I’ve been talking about his taurus a lot but at one point they said Jeno has a strong perfectionist side but he’s also very flexible and it’s difficult to have both. I personally see this a lot in his Sag moon (mutable) in contrast to his taurus placements (fixed). Sag moon to me always seem happy go lucky, if emotions come they go quickly too, mutable gives him that flexibility because they just like when things can change freely. It’s ruled by jupiter and I feel a common theme with sag in big 6 is it’s easy for people to be drawn to their jupiter qualities. They give the same freedom they crave, they can be very easy going and positive. Similar to mark, I also think it helps Jeno to have this moon sign over another! 

as for the hexaco, I’ll be honest the level of introvertness/shyness was a little surprising from an astrology stand point. When we see Jeno in all the NCT content I feel like it’s obvious he is on the shy side but if I was looking at only his chart, I don’t think I was expect it to be to the extent of the hexaco chart! (plss i need his birth time) in the same thread, his emotionality is really low and I can’t say I’m surprised from an astrology view😅 it’s not that he’s not compassionate or anything because he does care a lot about not upsetting people, but as we saw he is not very reactive and receptive emotionally ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  his openness is low too which fits what we’ve talked about above about his lack of reaction/expression of emotions, I feel like sag moons also don’t dwell especially with no water placements. 

The honesty and humility makes a lot of sense to me because i feel like taurus, aries and sag(!) are very righteous signs too! They care about integrity, they certainly might have their own idea of what is truth,.. but whatever it is, they believe in it! 

last note I want to make is on the whole “jeno isn’t funny” bit since they mentioned it. He said it hurt his ego when they first started the joke but it’s been going on for so long that I think he adapted to being able to take it as just that, a joke! It’s also funny to me that it started in the first place because earth signs are often called boring (it’s okay I’m an earth sign too lol) and I also have sag influence and I know people find me quite funny but I never try to be funny and it usually comes after my earth walls are down with close friends. 

tdlr; doesn’t ask or need spot light, gets annoyed easily but it doesn’t last, when something does hurt he remembers, slow or unlikely to be reactive and responsive, positive, comfort creature, loyal🥺

Chenle - “Friendly Guardian”

✨Sagittarius sun // Aquarius moon // scorpio mercury // scorpio venus // aquarius mars✨

there is something about chenle’s personality that I’ve always loved, he comes off as very warm, care-free, curious, friendly, caring. I like the personality title they gave him because I think it sums him up well. The members had all laughed when they saw it and enthusiastically agreed.  I also love his hexaco chart and think it reflects him really well, with most of it being just outside of the average :’) as far as how it reflects his birth chart, let’s get into it

I do want to disclaim that Chenle was born on the sag/scorpio cusp and to be a sag he would have had to be born after 3pm (!) but I think we would all agree he’s definitely a sagittarius sun anyways

Before this show when I watch nct dream content it always fascinated me how easy going chenle was in chaotic situations, he never seems too demanding or controlling, and sometimes i wondered if he was holding back for the cameras and was actually really frustrated but based off the hexaco it seems like he is actually just that agreeable, from looking at just his chart I don’t know if I would have guessed his agreeableness was that far. I know sag suns can be very easy going and aquarius is a more chilled sign but he has 2 aquarius and 2 scorpio placements they’re both fixed signs and quite like to be in control😅 (can we get a birth time pls) 

One argument could be the combination of sag sun with aquarius moon, since we have to look at all of it together. it does give me the impression of someone more easy-going possibly because there is the comfort of confidence! I feel like sag sun/aqua moon + mars would give someone a high opinion of themself (go chenle). this combination could create someone who is easy going because they don’t dwell and aren’t emotionally fueled nor do they fret over people that are. I’d say easy-going or maybe even just cool headed? He’s always laughing things off too, showing he doesn’t take himself too seriously! 

Speaking of taking things seriously, I think we can see this in the conscientious part of the hexaco, it was the lowest and I think it can be explained by what I mentioned above. It’s not that he isn’t driven or doesn’t work hard, he’s a full time idol they all work hard but I think it represents that work isn’t the focus of his life but rather people, connection, community, and just being happy is? 

they talked about how Chenle is the type of person that you meet and already feel like you’re friends. He could be the youngest in the room and talk down to you and you wouldn’t even think twice. This is huuuuge aquarius energy! I remember one of the first things I learned about aquarius was that they make friends everywhere. They talk to a stranger on the street for directions and next thing you know they’re “friends”

I also want to add that they mention he’s friendly but he gives off “big brother vibes” i feel like we’ve all seen that in other nct content too and would agree. This is interesting to me because sag and aquarius is not the same kind of friendliness as we see with marks leo sun aries moon. Leo and aries are “younger” signs, whereas aquas and sagittarius are towards the end of the signs, they’re considered “mature” signs which I feel contributes to chenle’s “big brother” energy. He has that aqua/sag energy where he seems really sure of himself, and wise and people look up to that.

I want to talk about his scorpio placements real quick because even though I just made a case for how open and easy-going he is, I’m still confused about how the scorpio fits into all of this. scorpio isn’t known to be one to be super open, agreeable or extroverted. I personally see his scorpio come out a lot in his realtionships. you can tell he cares deeply for his members and yes his aqua makes him get along with everyone but I feel like with the dream members we see that scorpio possessiveness and jealousy come out more. Lastly, I do want to add a little mystery to this, although his openness is high and it’s clear he is a very authentic person,,.. I definitely would not call him an open book👀

Chenle wasn’t able to be in the recording of this show unfortunately so all we got was a brief description of his hexaco chart and we won’t get any further analyses ): 

although I do agree that his hexaco chart reflects how he comes off in shows, I don’t think it completely reflects his chart so I’m going to say the house placements would help create a better picture! 

tdlr; fun and realtionships are a priority, he’s comfortable and confident in himself and people are drawn to that, v friendly😌but he has secrets👀

feedback, thoughts and clarifying questions are always welcome!

[sapphirelass]

Deal? - Remus LupinxDaughter!Reader

Hi! :)

Deal? (Part 1) | Oh, darling... (Part 2) | I’ll be by your side (Part 3) 

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

Please note:

1: I don’t own any of the gifs used, nor any already established characters, so credit to the authors and original creators - You have done a phenomenal job :)

2: English is not my native language, as I was born and raised in Sweden. I have, however, studied English for almost a decade, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem, I just thought I’d let you know ;)

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

You probably already knew this, but still XD

(Y/N) - Your name

(Y/N/N) - Your nickname

(Y/H/L) - Your hair length

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

I swear, my next story won’t be about Umbridge XD

Word count: ≈ 2300

Warnings: Umbridge, angst, slight swearing

Enjoy!

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

“I do not wish to criticise the ways of the school, however you have been exposed to some rather irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed - not to mention” the toadlike professor threw a dark glance at a sandy haired student and smirked evilly, “extremely dangerous half breeds”.

The student in question raised her hand angrily, and glared at Professor Umbridge. “Yes?” the teacher smiled sweetly, “miss… Lupin, am I correct?”

“Yes, (Y/N)!” she began, “but that’s besides the point. Look, I know what you’re doing, but Professor Lupin was the best DADA teacher we’ve ever had, and I’d be more than happy to bet everything I own on that being quite a common opinion in this classroom!”

Most of her fellow classmates nodded furiously, and the young girl turned her head towards her professor, who immediately cleared her throat and declared: “Well, I’m afraid simply being a beloved teacher doesn’t really matter, dear.  Werewolves are still extremely dangerous creatures. They are beasts that are undeserving of respect and that should not be allowed to be part of our fine wizard community. They are uncontrollable, and highly likely to injure or possibly kill young witches and wizards, including their own children.”

She flashed a cruel, yet pleased, smirk as (Y/N) furiously stood up, despite Hermione desperately trying to force her down.

“You have NO IDEA what you’re talking about!?” she whispered angrily, her nails digging into her palms as her fists clenched. “You have probably never even met one of these so called ‘half breeds’, have you? No, you were most likely just told some bizarre stories containing more lies and made up facts than truths, and decided to put that worthless ‘knowledge’ - if you can even call it that - to use by spreading rumors and destroying the lives of innocent people.”

Umbridge looked frantic, and was about to speak up, but (Y/N) got there first. “I despise people who look down on others. People who claim to be better than everyone else. People like you. You certainly don’t deserve respect!”

She took a deep breath, and was about to continue when Umbridge’s shrill voice forced her to stay quiet. “That’s quite enough! Detention, miss Lupin. The rest of the week, five fifteen, don’t be late”.

***

A few hours later, (Y/N) made her way back to Umbridge’s office. She knew her friends had wanted to talk to her, but she had done her absolute best to avoid them all afternoon. She simply didn’t feel like explaining to them why she had done what she did. She’d gladly do it again though. Her father was the kindest, wisest, most incredible person she had ever met. He had done everything in his power to give her a good childhood, and no one had the right to insult him. She’d defend him to her last breath if that’s what it would come down to.

She knocked on the door carefully, and pushed it open when she heard a shrill, terrifying voice sing a sweet “come in”.

“Oh, miss Lupin, almost late I see!” she said arrogantly. (Y/N) didn’t have time to answer before her teacher continued. “Sit down.”

***

The detentions went on for another four days before Umbridge told her she didn’t have to come back the following evening, but that she better hold her tongue unless she longed for more. (Y/N) tried to keep that in mind, but still lost her cool a few more times before the end of the semester. However, the Christmas holidays were approaching, and though her red, swollen hand caused her to worry slightly, the idea of seeing her dad and godfather caused her enough joy to tip her mood over to “mainly happy”.

She stepped off the train with her friends, and immediately spotted her father on the platform.

“Dad!!” she shouted, and threw her scratched arms around his constantly scarred torso. “Merlin, I’ve missed you so much”. She buried her head in his shoulder, simply enjoying the feeling of love and safety that he somehow instantly gave off.

“Hello, darling!” he said gently, returning the bone-crushing hug. “I missed you too, believe me…”

(Y/N) wanted to stay like that forever, but eventually let go as she intended to at least try to keep her… problems… hidden. She had never really been able to keep secrets from her dad, and therefore didn’t want to do anything he would consider “out of the ordinary”. If she did, he’d figure it out, or persuade her to tell him everything within minutes, and she knew he’d feel guilty if he realized what she had done for him. She understood perfectly well that the scars on her hand were deep enough to be visible for the rest of her life, and that nothing she would say could convince Remus Lupin that it was not his fault. She was left with one option: He could not, under any circumstances, know. Ever.

They carried her trunk together, and walked a few feet behind the rest of the gang.

“So?”, her father inquired, “How are things? You all doing okay?”

“I suppose”, she answered, “Our new DADA teacher is quite a daft prick though.”

“(Y/N/N)!”, he muttered sternly, casually trying to hide a smile, “Are you sure that’s the right word? Sounds rather rough, doesn’t it?”

The witch shrugged. “No, I think it fits rather nicely. It’s almost as if she’s trying her very best to prevent us from learning anything helpful…”

“That’s… well, that doesn’t sound very promising, does it?”

“No, hence the slightly offensive description… But enough about her, how are you? Had any company while I was gone?”

The older wizard smiled, easily noticing the tone of his daughter’s voice switch into a far more joyful, energetic one - One he knew and loved!

“Oh yes, I’ve spent quite a bit of time at headquarters, and Sirius essentially isn’t allowed anywhere else, so we’ve done a lot of catching up. There is, believe it or not, a lot to talk about after 12 years without seeing each other, so it’s been very nice.” He turned to her, smiled even broader and added a quick “But I’ve still missed you.”, before quickening his pace to catch up with the others.

***

Later that night, (Y/N), Remus, Harry and Sirius were sat in the living room of number 12 Grimmauld Place. Harry and Sirius were playing catch with an old snitch they had found in the house, lazily throwing it back and forth. (Y/N) lay on a sofa, a thick leather bound book tightly clutched in her hands and her head resting on her fathers lap. He was deeply invested in A Guide to Medieval Sorcery, and father and daughter were simply enjoying a nice, calm evening.

All of a sudden, Sirius grabbed the snitch, sat up straight and reached out towards his godson.

“Harry, what’s that on your hand?”

The dark haired boy pulled the sleeves of his jumper further down and mumbled a quiet “nothing”.

“Sure, let me see then”

“No, it’s fine, don’t worry abo…”

Harry didn’t get the chance to finish his sentence, as Sirius had risen from his seat and forcefully grabbed his left hand. The slightly faded “I must not tell lies” was still readable, and Harry winced as the look on his godfather’s face went from composed to furious in a matter of seconds.

“Who?”

“Sirius, I…”

“WHO?!”

By this time, both Remus and (Y/N) had put their books down, and were carefully observing the “argument”.

“It’s our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Umbridge. She’s quite generous when it comes to giving detentions. But mine’s really not that bad now. It barely hurts anymore…”

“That’s totally barbaric!? Moony, we have to…”

“Harry”, Remus interrupted his old friend with a worried look on his face, “What do you mean by ‘quite generous’?”

His heart practically skipped a beat when he felt his daughter shift uncomfortably, however it was Harry who answered.

“‘m quite sure half the Gryffindors have been to her office at least once by now. Even when you’re not really doing anything wrong, she’ll make up a ‘reasonable’ excuse…”

As Harry spoke, (Y/N) had unconsciously been pulling the sleeves of her jumper closer to her fingertips. Remus obviously noticed and made eye contact with Harry, nodding discreetly towards his daughter as if to ask if she too had… well… yeah? Harry closed his eyes, knowing full well how his friend wanted to hide her scars from her dad. It had taken hours of convincing before she had even let him, Ron and Hermione see, and he understood why she didn’t want Lupin to know. He did, however, not like the idea of lying to his former professor, and nodded slightly.

Remus closed his eyes looking simultaneously sad and angered, sat up straight and muttered “(Y/N/N)?”

The young witch took a deep breath and was about to move away from her dad, but he was faster and quickly grabbed her hand. He was very gentle, but she flinched anyways, as her last detention had taken place only a week prior.

“(Y/N/N)”, he repeated, “show me”

“Dad”, she mumbled quietly, “‘tis fine, don’t worry”

“(Y/N)!” His voice sounded far sterner now, “I’m serious. C’mere”

“No, I don’t want…”

“It’s not a question of whether or not you want to, Love”, Sirius explained before his friend could think of a response. “Show your dad.”

“But…”

“(Y/N/N)”, Harry mumbled, “Just… just do it”

“No! I can handle it! Stop making it sound like I’m too weak to do so!”

She felt a tear escape her eye, and stood up to leave the room when Remus waved his wand and locked the door.

Taking yet another deep breath, his daughter turned around, made her way across the room, pulled her left sleeve up and slammed her scarred hand down on the table for the other three to see.

“There! You happy now?!”

A flood of tears were streaming down her face, as her dad, godfather and best friend leant closer and read seven deep-red, awful, heart wrenching words:

***

I must not defend filthy half breeds

***

Remus put his head in his hands and stood up, while Sirius moved closer to his goddaughter and pulled her into a tight hug. Harry joined the embrace and comfortingly rubbed her back.

“why? Why (Y/N/N)?”, her father whispered quietly, his voice barely audible.

“I… I couldn’t…She… sorry…”

The usually calm, collected girl was completely lost for words. Shaking. She had no clue what to say, all she knew was that she had to let her dad know that she was sorry. Sorry for making him feel guilty. Sorry for causing him so much pain. Sorry for not being strong enough.

She walked over to him and noticed heavy, wet tears on his face too. Carefully she wrapped her arms around him, and together they sank down onto the cold floor. They sat there for what felt like hours before Remus finally spoke up, repeating his previous question.

“Why, darling?”

She met his sad gaze and collected her thoughts before quietly whispering “She keeps saying horrible things - pure lies - and she’s enjoying it. She’s throwing insults my way every chance she gets. If I don’t stand up and fight, everyone will think she’s right, and she’s not. Nothing will ever change unless someone works for it, and as soon as that someone backs down, they’ve lost. I’m not having that.”

He looks back at her, his eyes full of pride. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“You mean besides being the most phenomenal dad imaginable?”

He chuckled softly, ruffled her (Y/H/L) hair and held his hand out. (Y/N) slowly placed her hand on her father’s and shifted her gaze towards the floor as he examined the neatly written letters. With a worried expression on his face, he grabbed his wand and moved it back and forth over the scars while quietly muttering a few carefully chosen words. The pain immediately became more endurable, and after putting his wand away the older wizard grabbed his daughter’s shoulders gently, and looked at her in a sad, yet determined way.

“(Y/N/N), as honourable as your intentions are, please don’t do this for me. I’m not going to tell you to back down, but if you’re going to keep it up, don’t let it…” He paused, trying to find the right words. “I can’t stand the thought of you getting injured because of me. I’m not wo…”

“Yes, you are! Stop saying that! I’ll be a bit more selective, if that’s what you want, but don’t you dare tell me not to fight for you. You are my dad, my only family, and there is not a single person on this planet less deserving of disrespect, insults and hate. Dad, you’re amazing, and I’m not letting her fool people into thinking you’re not.”

After a moment of silence, a quiet, “I still don’t like it…”, escaped his lips.

“I know.” She sighed, “That’s why I originally didn’t plan on telling you.”

(Y/N) was fiddling with her fingers, not quite meeting her fathers warm gaze, when she suddenly sat up and said, “Let’s make a deal? I promise to choose my fights more wisely, and in return, you won’t blame yourself for the consequences of said choices? Sounds fair, doesn’t it?”

Her father sighed, but reluctantly answered, “Fine, as long as you promise me one more thing.”

“Hmm?”

“You won’t hide scars or pain from me ever again, no matter whether it’s physical or mental, okay? You’ll let me know, and let me help, always!”

She held her right hand out, her dad shook it and they shared a smile. This time, a true, pure one that actually reached their identically green eyes.

“Deal!”

~ L

Part 2 Oh, darling...

Masterlist

[coconut-cluster]

the alcove fic :) im sorry for the weird intro, but i promise (i hope) it’s worth it - if you want a small intro to what exactly led to the alcove scene here, here’s a lil description!! i will go in and add a better beginning to this when i have time, probably this weekend, but for now, enjoy ;)

“Frankly, Oliveira, I don’t want to be this close to you on a good day.”

Logan raised his eyebrows, unimpressed. “Are you kidding?” he said, his mouth quirking up into the smallest of crooked smiles, and Janus’ haughty air faltered. “We get closer than this when we argue, Peters - and judging by the way you love to start arguments, I’d hardly call that a bad day for you.” 

His gaze flickered down to the small space between them, less than a foot, and when he looked back up to Janus, there was something far too knowing in his eyes, and far too smug at that. “Unless it’s not the arguing you’re worried about.” 

And before Janus could retort - and retort he would, even as the comment took him aback - another door fell shut somewhere, and immediately, they both went completely silent, holding their breath as footsteps rang out down the hall. 

Slowly, carefully, Logan turned around and leaned forward, just enough to see past the corner and down the long hall. 

“Is that them?” Janus whispered, craning his neck before quickly ducking back into the alcove. 

“I think so.” Logan leaned a little farther around the corner, squinting into the darkness; he could just make out the shape of a person, trudging down the hall with a cage at their side, glinting dimly under the slivers of moonlight that broke through the windows. “Oh- oh, they’re coming this way.” 

“What?” 

“They’re coming this way,” he repeated. “Like, down this hall.”

“Oh, fantastic- what, are we near a lab or something?” 

“I don’t know, I didn’t exactly have time to check every room we passed, Peters-”

“Okay, okay, that’s fine. We’re fine- we’ll be fine, as long as they don’t pass by us.” 

Logan stared down the hall, frowning as the figure showed no signs of stopping, and asked, slowly, “And if they do?” 

“Depends,” Janus raised an eyebrow. “How unhinged would you say herpetology students are?” 

Logan turned back to him to give him a weird look. “I mean... fairly,” he said uncertainly. “I would assume, anyway. Most STEM majors are sleep deprived and carrying a pretty large workload-”  

“In that case, I’d suggest you think of a plan quickly if we don’t want to be jumped by a kid who studies lizards in their spare time.” Logan shot him a reproachful glance. “What? You can’t tell me you wouldn’t be a little embarrassed by that.” 

“I don’t think that would be our biggest issue-” 

“Plan, Oliveira,” Janus hissed. “Before I think of one you won’t like.” 

Logan’s mouth snapped shut, indignant but obedient, and he peeked around the corner again, drumming his fingers against his leg faster as the footsteps got closer by the second. This kid walked fast.  

“I don’t know,” he said at last, hesitating more than he would care to admit. (Janus was right, in a way - it felt ridiculous, to cower in an alcove against a kid with a newt, but the nagging threat of being caught, of being accused of God knows what, trespassing or breaking and entering or- or whatever else this kid could think up - it made him nervous. It made him nervous, to be at a loss. Damn this newt.) “I don’t know. They’ll definitely see us if we stay here, but they’re too close for us to run without being caught - in layman’s terms,” he winced as the clattering of the cage rang out far too close to their spot, “we’re screwed.”  

Janus stared at him, jaw set. “So my turn for a plan?” 

“It would seem so.” 

“Alright, Oliveira,” he said slowly, deliberately, and he took a step up, a step closer in the tight space between them - Logan glanced at him and found his gaze linger, because Janus’ eyes, just inches away from his, glinted something unreadable under the dim moonlight that found them in the alcove. Those eyes darted to the figure down the hall, then back to Logan’s, and Logan felt his breath hitch. “Care for an argument?”  

And for a brief second, they were silent. For a brief, suspended moment in the alcove, only inches and the question between them, they just stared at each other, holding their breath as still as the air around them. Logan wondered, for a split second, if Janus could hear his heart start racing. If he would hear Janus’ doing the same if he listened. For just a second, the world stopped. 

And then Janus’ gaze flitted to his lips, and Logan threw stillness to the wind. 

In an instant, he took Janus’ face in his hands and closed the distance between them - Janus made a startled noise in the back of his throat that died as soon as their lips met, melting into a sigh instead, and Logan didn’t take the time to analyze his relief as Janus’ hands found his waist and pulled him closer. 

The clatter of the cage and clicking of footsteps disappeared beyond them; it was just the feeling of Janus’ flushed skin beneath his fingers, the brush of his hair as Logan’s hand shifted to the nape of his neck to kiss him deeper. Janus reached up and tugged him closer by the collar in response, smiling against Logan’s lips when Logan pushed him a step back, flush to the wall of the alcove, and it was maddening and addicting and exhilarating all at once, a feverish mix that made his thoughts halt and heart race.

Logan knew, deep down, that by all means, he shouldn’t be enjoying this. He harped day and night about how much Janus annoyed him, how often they were at odds, how infuriating his smirk and touches and teasing always were; shoved into the alcove with him now, Logan should be indignant at the course of action they’d taken - and maybe it was just Logan’s frenzied mind filling in details for him here, supplementing the little details he’d picked up over time in the absence of clear thought - but Janus tasted like clementines and honey and something intoxicating that flooded his senses and pushed Logan to kiss him deeper still, and he found indignance was the furthest thing from his mind. 

For second - a quick moment to catch their breath - they broke apart, still close enough to hear each other’s breaths; Janus hooked an arm around Logan’s neck, his other hand on Logan’s chest, and Logan took his waist, oddly itching to lean forward and kiss him again. As if he could read his mind, Janus gave him that wicked smile. He went to say something, and just as Logan went to cut him off by bringing their lips together once more-

“What are you two doing here?” 

Logan leapt back like the voice was an electric shock, hard enough to knock his head painfully against the opposite wall of the alcove. The herpetology student - a scrawny kid with flat hair and a coat that looked about a size too small - stood before the opening in the hallway, glaring at them with one hand on their hip, the other barely holding on to the cage where Remus’ newt sat calmly. 

Janus stared at Logan for a brief second, as if composing himself, and slowly turned to face the student - Logan noticed him curl his hands into fists even as he forced an all-too-polite smile on his face - and gave them a deliberate onceover. “Can we help you?” 

“Yes,” the student snapped. “You can leave. You’re not supposed to be here after ten o’clock unless you have explicit permission from a faculty member-” 

“Oh, is it past ten?” Janus glanced to Logan with raised eyebrows, and Logan raised his back, playing along on instinct as the student nodded indignantly. “Our mistake. We were a little preoccupied,” he gave Logan a wink that made Logan’s face heat up, “so I suppose we didn’t notice how much time had passed. We’ll just be on our way now.” 

He breezed past the student with a small brush to their shoulder, a breath of a touch that left them straightening their spine and clearing their throat, and they shot Logan a dirty look as he clumsily elbowed his way out of the alcove right afterwards. 

“Thank you,” the student said, somewhere between annoyed and relieved. “Please be more attentive next time you, uh...” they glanced between Logan and Janus, eyebrows furrowing at the way Janus took Logan’s wrist a second later, “stay after.” 

“Of course.” Logan sent Janus a brief look - what about the newt? Do we just take it now? - but Janus shook his head, just barely, so Logan just cleared his throat and gave the student a terse nod. “Have a nice night.” 

“Nice newt,” Janus commented, and promptly dragged Logan down the hallway. 

The student’s footsteps resumed behind them as they practically fled the opposite way, heading straight for the bathroom Roman and Virgil had hidden in. Logan’s heart still raced - he couldn’t tell from what, really, running or panic or... 

“That was a good plan back there,” he said suddenly. 

Janus didn’t spare him a glance, focused on squinting for the restroom sign in the dark. “Eh,” he dismissed with a shrug. “Herpetology students are apparently very easy to lie to-” 

“I don’t mean the lying.” 

And Janus did glance back at that. He raised an eyebrow at Logan over his shoulder, his quick steps slowing for just a second, his grip on Logan’s wrist slacking, then tightening again ever so slightly. “I know,” he said matter-of-factly, nose in the air. “You’re welcome, by the way.” 

“...For what?” 

“For what? Kissing me is an honor, Oliveira, and not one many get to experience.” 

“Oh,” he said stupidly. A second later, he processed it, and the tension in his shoulders released at last, purely out of exasperation. “Oh my- right,” he scoffed, rolling his eyes as Janus gave him a smug little smile. “Right, thank you, your Majesty, I feel oh-so-honored to be one of the few.”

“You should - you’re not getting the chance again.” 

If he noticed the way Logan’s expression faltered at that, just for a moment, he didn’t show it; he just turned back to navigating the hall, finally letting go of Logan’s wrist to readjust his shirt (Logan’s mind jumped to the fact that he was the one who had messed it up in the first place, though he banished the thought a second later). 

And it was stupid, the way something in his chest dropped at the comment. At the way Janus said it so certainly. Foolish, even - it’s not like Logan wanted to kiss him again, of course, but... 

...Oh, God. Logan wanted to kiss him again.

Logan stopped in his tracks, let Janus walk on for a minute, because he wanted to kiss Janus Peters again, to grab his face or his hair or his waist and pull him close and taste clementine and honey and feel him smile against it again, and that was absolutely not how rivals were supposed to feel about each other, and oh, shit-

“Oliveira?” Janus called down the hall when he finally realized Logan had stopped a few paces back. “Scared of the dark or something? Hurry up, the others are probably waiting to regroup.” 

“Sorry,” Logan called back hoarsely. “Sorry, I’m coming.” 

Janus sent him a weird look, but he turned back around and continued down the hall, leaving Logan to force a deep breath. To compose himself. To carefully consider - and reject, mind you - any thoughts of Janus Peters pressed against the wall of an alcove. To fail miserably at all three. 

...He was completely, utterly screwed. 

[sidespart]

For the fake fic title, if you're still doing it: Why do you hate me? (I honestly don't know where I came up with this lol)

X-Men AU!!! Found Family + Anxceit friendship. TW: child soldiers, child endangerment, abuse etc

(So typical X-men universe set up: some people are born with the X gene, which typically triggers during puberty, giving that person a mutation which normally results in cool powers. Many people hate mutants for their differences (/ bad press of people using their mutant powers for the evilz) and so most mutants live in hiding. The Xavier Institute is a school set up by an extremely powerful mutant which seeks to provide a safe space for young mutants to learn to manage their powers, get a regular education and hopes to see peace between humanity and mutant kind. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is a group of mutants who believe humans will never let mutant live in peace and do various anti-human, pro-mutant vaguely terrorist-y actions (there’s like a billion version of the x-men and these details may not be correct for all the versions all of the time because comics but this is the vague idea))

ANYWAY PLOT - Containment breach at the Super Secret Child Soldier Lab (SSCSL) - Subject VII has escaped. Subject VII is only 6-7 years old but his mutations were artificially triggered much younger than is normal. He can warp reality and create very sophisticated illusions, but has very limited control over his powers.

Cut too - Virgil and Dee, a couple of teenage mutants living on the street. They find a little boy with a buzzcut wandering around The Bad Part Of Town and Virgil immediately decides they need to adopt/help him (Dee makes more of a fuss about how this is not their responsibility and the kids barely even talking and do you know how hard I work just to keep you and now you wanna add another mouth to feed?? Huhh?? but obviously does not actually say no) (Dee is like. Barely any older than Virgil he’s just dramatic). 

Naturally, just as the three of them have had time to bond, the SSCSL and other assorted bad guys show up to try and take VII back. There’s a big fight, Virgil and Dee have a lot more experience with flight and would probably have ended up dead if the X-men (Patton and Logan) hadn't shown up to save them. 

But they lose VII.

Patton and Logan take them back to the Xavier institute to recuperate and offer to let them stay. They can go to school there, get some training and help the X-men track down VII and the whole SSCSL. Virgil says yes, Dee says no.

(So, reasoning - Virgil's mutation developed when he was 12. It was not pleasant. Various students at his school were injured and the media set up a which hunt for the mutant that caused the chaos. Virgil ran away from home because he was worried about the backlash on his family and about hurting anyone else again. So to him, this school full of mutants who can help him control his power, can offer him stability and a return to normal structures and routines, who are promising to help him get in contact with his parents if and when he’s ready?? This is like every fantasy he’s ever had come true

Unlike the other characters, Dee’s primary mutation is physical. He was born with it, its very obvious and its resulted in him being rejected for most of his life. He bounced around increasingly disturbing foster homes before running away when he was very young, so most of his memories are of living on the streets and surviving on his own. So, to him, number one: all adults are inherently untrustworthy idiots and number two: stay at a school? where they expect him to have a curfew? and, what - write essays? follow all their random arbitrary rules? rely on them for food and heat and all that shit? Completely ludicrous.)

It doesn't occur to either of them that the other one isn't going to agree with them. The resulting argument is epic and cruel, both hurling accusations at the other (Ungrateful /controlling are two of the big ones..) and both basically feeling hateful and 100% betrayed. Dee leaves and although they look for him, he’s got a lifetime experience of hiding and they cant find him.

CUT TO - 5 years later. Virgil is a (semi) well adjusted 19 year old junior X-men. He’s still a bit withdrawn, but is very close with Patton and Logan. He’s still holding out hope of finding VII one day and still firmly pretending he’s not listing out for any possible news of Dee (there were rumours some years ago of him joining the brother hood of evil mutants but then it all went quiet) who he, of course, hates for his betrayal. 

BUT THEN - mysterious knocking at the door in the night. Dee, now wearing a hat and cape and calling himself Janus, has returned. And he’s brought with him a little boy with a buzzcut and a tattoo of XXII on his foot.

Janus and Virgil need to put aside their resentment and work together to help XXII, who really does not seem interested in helping them, and hopefully use any clues he can give them about the SSCSL to track down VII. But that's difficult when they’re both still struggling with their own trauma and have no idea how to reconnect - both of them want to ask why do you hate me but are a bit too scared of the answer. ...

This already got way to long so mutant power/ extra back story descriptions under cut!

Patton - 22/27 years old. An extremely powerful telepath/empath. It takes him serious concentration and focus to not hear peoples thoughts and its almost impossible to not feel their feelings. Some people dislike him because of this as they feel he's spying on them. Grew up in the Xavier institute and 100% believes in and is committed to the future where humans and mutants live in harmony. Has pretty limited life experience in the real world. Sometimes floats. (inspired by professor X)

Logan - 21/26 years old. Fires destructive laser beams from his eyes. Was in a car accident when he was younger leaving him with permanent but apparently harmless brain damage - until his mutation developed and he slowly realised that no matter how much he trained he just couldn't control his power. Has to wear specialised eye guards at all times to keep himself from accidentally destroying everything around him. Had big plans to go to university and was angry at his mutation for a long time for getting in the way of that. Eventually enrolled online and is now a very dedicated teacher at the Institute. (inspired by cyclops) 

Janus - 15(?) / 20(?) His primary mutation is  lizard/snake like scales over most of his body, but especially the left side. Has oversized fangs, and yellow eye and a short lizard tail. His secondary mutation makes him immune to almost any sort of mental based mutation (so Logan could still knock him on his ass with his lasers, but Patton cant sense anything form him and Virgil cant whammy him). Spent a lot of his life on his own and got by being sneaky, cunning and charming. Initially took Virgil in because he saw that his powers could be useful for keeping them both safe, but eventually Virgil became his first real friend.

Virgil - 14/19. Shadow manipulation and ‘draining’. Virgil can make himself (and with practice, people he touches) literally disappear into the shadows. He can also direct shadows as powerful energy ‘blasts’, but in order to do so he has to drain any surrounding living things of their energy. When his mutation first developed  he took out half of the school hall where his exam was being held, leaving 15 students in a coma. (inspired by rouge/shadow cat)

VII - 6? / 11? Reality warping/illusion powers. One of the institutes first successful subjects. He was able to escape by changing the wall of his cell into a door. He finds it hard to talk but can project his ideas as lifelike illusions who can talk for him. One of his best is the image a handsome grown up Prince and he will often use this Illusion as an avatar to communicate. When he was 6 he did have some hazy memories of outside the SSCSL and expressed a desire to go home. Current status is unknown. 

XXI - 7.  Illusion powers  (reality warping has been removed from the program by his time as subjects proved too difficult to control). Has no memories of outside the institute and is extremely uncooperative with his new captors/guardians. He does not understand the affection they’re trying to show him and lashes out a lot, often by creating a lot of extremely disturbing and graphic illusions. Bites.