#but BEHIND THEM ARE CLEARER VASES

[bklily]

Replaying this event I noticed something and it was great.

Jamil's having a little crisis he'll get over it.

(background close-up under the cut so you can have your third eye opened)

[lev1hei1chou]

Physics Class

Dad!Gojo x reader Genre: Fluff Synopsis: Gojo teaches physics to his child, and it doesn't go the way they want it to. Masterlist

It was a typical evening in the Gojo household, or so it seemed. Satoru Gojo was seated at the dining table with his teenage child and a pile of physics textbooks. His usual demeanor was replaced with a look of sheer desperation as he attempted to explain the intricacies of quantum mechanics.

"Okay, so imagine this," Gojo began, summoning his Infinity to illustrate his point. "You have a particle, and it can be in multiple places at once..."

Haru, stared blankly at his father, eyes glazed over with confusion. "But Dad, I still don't get it. How can something be in two places at the same time?"

Gojo rubbed his temples, mentally cursing the day he decided to take on the role of tutor. "Well, you see, it's like... umm... Hollow Purple!" With a flourish of his hand, he conjured the swirling vortex of energy, hoping it would somehow make the concept clearer.

Haru's expression didn't change. "It just looks like purple fog to me, Dad."

Gojo sighed dramatically. "This is harder than fighting curses," he muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, a light bulb seemed to go off in Gojo's head. "I know! Let's try a practical demonstration." Within seconds, he summoned a small rubber ball and a series of miniature black holes using his powers.

Haru's eyes widened in alarm. "Dad, are you sure this is safe?"

But before he could protest further, Gojo released the ball into the gravitational field of the black holes. Chaos ensued as the ball disappeared and reappeared in seemingly random locations.

"Dad, I think you just broke the laws of physics," Haru exclaimed, a mix of awe and terror in his voice.

Gojo chuckled nervously. "Well, umm... let's just say it's a... creative interpretation."

Despite the chaotic lesson, Haru couldn't help but smile at their father's antics. "Thanks, Dad. I still don't understand quantum mechanics, but at least I had fun trying."

Gojo grinned proudly, tousling his hair affectionately. "That's my kid. Now, let's tackle the next chapter: Kinetic Energy!"

As Gojo delved deeper into the world of teaching normal subjects, he realized that traditional methods simply weren't cutting it. So, he decided to incorporate his sorcery skills into the curriculum, much to the dismay of his teenager.

Satoru decided to demonstrate the concept of kinetic energy using his Infinity. He summoned a couple of marbles and set them rolling on the table, intending to show how their speed affected their energy.

"See, Haru, the faster the marble moves, the more energy it has," Gojo explained, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

His son nodded along, trying to follow his father's logic. But when Gojo decided to ramp up the demonstration by using his powers to increase the speed of the marbles to near-supersonic levels, chaos ensued.

The marbles careened off the table, ricocheting around the room like tiny bullets. Furniture was overturned, vases shattered, and Gojo found himself ducking for cover behind the sofa.

"Dad, I think we should stick to the textbook," Haru yelled over the chaos, dodging a marble that whizzed past his head.

Gojo emerged from his hiding spot, looking sheepish. "Right, maybe that was a bit much."

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Gojo household. The door swung open, and you walked in. You were greeted not by the usual calm ambiance of home, but by a scene of utter chaos.

"Baby, what on earth happened here?" you exclaimed, taking in the overturned furniture, cracked decorations and the faint scent of burnt rubber lingering in the air.

Your husband looked up from his haphazard pile of textbooks, relief washing over his exhausted features at the sight of his wife. "Oh, thank goodness you're here. We've had a bit of a... situation."

Your son sat at the table with tears glistening in his eyes, surrounded by scattered papers and half-hearted attempts at calculations. He looked up at his mother with a mixture of frustration and defeat.

"Mom, I just don't understand any of this. We tried so much and nothing worked," he confessed, his voice trembling with emotion.

Your heart broke at the sight of your son's distress. You crossed the room in a few quick strides, wrapping him in a comforting hug. "It's okay, sweetheart. We'll figure this out together."

Turning to Gojo, you found her husband in a state of near-panic, his usual smirk replaced by a look of sheer desperation. "Love, what's going on? Why is everything in shambles?"

Gojo ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his frustration palpable. "I've been trying to help Haru study for his physics exam, but nothing seems to be sinking in. I've tried every trick in the book, and then some my personal tricks. It didn't do much though."

You couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of your usually unflappable husband on the brink of a meltdown. "Well, why don't we take a break, and then try some different approach?."

[kimkaelyn]

Wingspan - k. takami

You are startled awake by the sound of crashing porcelain followed by a loud snarl coming from your living room. You lay in your bed for a moment, blinking up at the ceiling as you process what is happening. You sit up, at a loss for what to do in this situation. You have seen enough horror movies and true crime documentaries to know that getting up to investigate the commotion happening in your living room at two-thirty in the morning is a big no-no. However, the less rational side of your brain is probing at you to investigate.

Slowly, you rise from your covers and carefully tiptoe your way to the door. You slow down your breathing whilst avoiding the squeaky floorboards, not wanting to make a peep. On the other side of the door, you can hear faint muttering and booted footsteps. This intruder isn’t the brightest, you think to yourself when you hear glass cracking and splintering. You grab the metal bat that you keep propped against your dresser, just for good measure. You are right in front of your bedroom door now, the noises emitting from the other side becoming clearer. You take a couple of deep breaths, trying to ground yourself in the current moment. You put on a determined front, and with some sort of muffled battle cry, you throw open the door and sprint out into the dimly lit hallway, bat raised and ready.

You continue to yell your battle cry as you run into the main living area of your apartment, eyes frantically looking side to side, up and down as you search for the intruder.

“Woah there, bluebird,” A voice calls out from the other side of your couch, on your left. You quickly twist around, not hesitating for a second, raising the bat above your head and throwing it with everything you have toward the faint outline of a body. You hear the bat contact something- if the sharp thang is anything to go from, which is quickly followed by the sound of it hitting the floorboards. “What the hell!” The mystery person cries out.

You are momentarily blinded when your apartment is flooded with light. It takes a couple of seconds for you to adjust to the sudden brightness, but you are rendered speechless when you comprehend the sight in front of you.

Your apartment is a mess. Your balcony doors are wide open, and there are leaves covering every surface within ten feet of them. Your love seat is toppled on its side, and as your eyes drag along it, you realize with a gasp that the end table next to is it uncharacteristically bare. There is a sinking feeling in your stomach as you catch sight of the jagged remains of porcelain that once made up a gorgeous vase.

“Wh-what happened?” You ask your boyfriend, who is still slouched on the floor. He looks exhausted. His entire body moves with his ragged breaths, with his crimson wings tucked in tightly to his form. His mouth is pulled into a thin line, and his eyes are apologetic as he regards you.

“I’m sorry, bluebird,” he says. He gestures behind him to the balcony and the toppled furniture. “I came in a little too hot, and I’m not exactly in tune with your apartment yet.” He grimaces and scratches the back of his neck.

You nod in understanding. With how busy Hawks has been lately, you haven’t been able to spend much time together. You have only been able to meet up for lunch at his agency a couple of times over the past four months. Not to mention he has only been inside your apartment twice before, so it’s expected that he wouldn’t know his way around in the dark. You notice that he is holding a broom, and you spot the dustpan on the floor next to the pile of broken porcelain.

“I really am sorry about the mess,” Keigo continues. “I tried to be quiet and not wake you up, but obviously I failed.” He chuckles as he resumes cleaning up the broken ceramic.

“It’s okay, Keigo.” You tell him as you squat down to help, careful not to cut your fingers on the sharp porcelain. “It’s just broken porcelain, I can always buy another one.” You notice his shoulders slouch in relief at your assurance. “However, I am curious. How did you manage to do all of this in such a short amount of time?”

Keigo’s face turns bright red, and he bashfully avoids your gaze, instead opting to look at the floor. “Involuntary reaction to the hard landing,” he says. “I tried to catch myself before I fell, which means my wings splayed outwards, and knocked your vase over.”

“Oh,” Is all you say at first, and then- “I have never put much thought into your wingspan before.” You reply nonchalantly. You don’t notice your boyfriend openly gaping at you until you stand to dispose of the pieces of porcelain. You notice the almost constipated look on his face as he tries not to laugh. “What?”

At your question, the winged hero gives you a dazzling smile. His eyes take on a dark hue as he looks you up and down. “Well, bluebird, you know what they say about wingspan.” You blush as the words sink in.

Indeed, you did know.

Copyright © 2023 by kimkaelyn. All rights reserved. No plagiarizing, re-uploading, translating, or copying of any kind or on any platform of my writing. Please notify me ASAP if you see my work posted on other sites.

[mellowsadistic]

The Magician's Game - Chapter 3

Katherine ran down the corridor. It was well-furnished with little tables and vases and the occasional gorgeous painting on the wall, nicer even than Katherine’s own family home, but she didn’t have time to admire it. She’d slipped into her room at the same time as the others, pulled on her dress, which had magically appeared on her bed since she’d lost it during the challenge, and left immediately. One woman turned into a thumbsucker, another stripped of her stylish clothes and dressed up like a nursery schooler, and a third, worst of all, rendered permanently incontinent.

Katherine’s relief at not being in Becky’s place had quickly passed. It was pretty clear what sort of thing the Magician had in mind for them, and Katherine had no intention of ending up as some overgrown baby herself. There were still three challenges to go, not to mention whatever extra things the Magician might do to them if they were voted out. She couldn’t stand the thought of ending up like Becky, forced to spend the rest of her life in diapers. Diapers. A fashion statement that told the world you couldn’t even control your bladder and bowels, that you were no better than a two-year-old at keeping yourself clean and dry. The idea that a grown woman could be reduced to that was terrifying. She had to get out of here now.

Katherine ran as quietly as she could. She’d gone deeper into the mansion – there was no way she was going back through the hall when there was a chance Becky and the Magician were still there – but the place was like a labyrinth. Still, there had to be an exit, and sneaking out was clearly her best option. The man was obviously a real magician of some kind, but he surely couldn’t know everything. Katherine was more worried about coming across other people in the house, members of staff perhaps, maids or cooks or housekeepers, anyone who might alert the Magician to what she was doing.

She froze as she head the faint sounds of a soft, female voice coming from up ahead. There was a door on the right of the corridor just a few feet away that was slightly ajar. She’d have to be careful to sneak past without whoever was inside seeing her. She approached cautiously, and as she got closer, the words of the woman inside became clearer.

“There’s a good girl,” she cooed. “Drink it all up for Nanny now, that’s a good baby. Such a hungry girl, aren’t you? Someone’s getting her tum-tum nice and full, isn’t she?”

When she was right outside the door, Katherine peeked inside through the gap. What she saw made her freeze in place. There was a beautiful middle-aged woman sitting on a sofa. Her breasts, larger even than Katherine’s own, were out, and latched onto the nipple of one of them was a girl who seemed to be around Katherine’s age, naked but for the thick white nappy on her bottom. All Katherine could see of her head was her sleek brown hair, but there was no doubt she was nursing eagerly on the older woman’s breast.

“That’s it,” the woman crooned down at the girl laying across her lap. “Drink up all of Nanny’s milk like a good baby.”

Katherine was transfixed. It was like looking at a car crash – a girl her age reduced to the level of a nursing infant.

Quite suddenly, the older woman looked up, straight into Katherine’s eyes. A broad smile appeared on her face, maternal yet slightly sinister as well.

“Does someone else want a suckle?” she asked lightly.

Katherine squealed and fled as fast as she could down the corridor. She ran past other doors, trying not to think about what might be behind them. It was only until she came close to another open one, with a woman’s voice coming from it once again, this time stern and lecturing, that she hesitated.

“You naughty little thing! You do not take your nappy off, missy. I hope that red bottom will teach you a lesson. Come on, legs in, let’s get this over your nappy. You know what a little fountain you can be.”

Katherine couldn’t help herself. She stopped running to glance inside.

There was another Nanny in the room, and another girl. But this time the young lady was standing up, sniffling, her eyes red from crying, while her Nanny tugged a pair of plastic pants over her comically large diaper. She wasn’t wearing anything else. Her bare, womanly breasts, tight tummy, and slender legs clashed ridiculously with the bulky nappy on her bottom.

Just like before, as if she could somehow sense Katherine’s presence, the woman looked around suddenly, smirking. Katherine felt her stomach drop.

“Hang around sweetie, and Nanny will change you into a nappy and plastic pants of your own.”

Katherine fled again, breathing frantically. She had to get out of here! She had to! But as she ran, she began to feel an odd dizziness. She was slowing down, and her strides becoming more and more uncoordinated. Her gait widened, and she found herself lifting her feet too high off the ground, stomping the floor forcefully when they came down and putting her off-balance. She was toddling!

“No, no, no, no, no…” she muttered to herself, tears welling up in her eyes. She kept going. At the end of the corridor was a door. If she could just reach it…

Her knees gave out, and she fell to her hands and knees. She crawled desperately towards the door, tears spilling down her cheeks. She was so close! She didn’t even notice as her knee-length dress shortened, rising up her legs and over her backside, until her bare bum and pussy were on display. She’d been in such a hurry to escape that she hadn’t even bothered putting on underwear.

“Where are you off to, little one?” came the Magician’s deep, amused voice from right behind her. Katherine shrieked in fear and looked around, gazing up at the man standing above her with a wicked smile on his face.

“I… I… I was just…”

“It seems like you’ve been running all over the house, silly girl!” He reached down and patted her bare bottom. “That’s very naughty, sweetie. Daddy told you to get changed and meet back in the dining room. But it looks like a certain little lady was trying to escape! Did you think I wouldn’t know, Katherine? I brought you here with a snap of my fingers, remember? There’s no getting away.”

“I’m sorry!” Katherine sobbed, terror on her face. “Please don’t do anything to me!”

The Magician chuckled and, taking her by her hands, lifted Katherine to her feet. She was relieved that she was able to stand up again, even if her new shorter dress just barely covered her pussy.

“Don’t worry, sweetie. I’m not going to do anything too bad to you. But you do need to be punished.”

“Oh God no!” Katherine wailed. “Please!”

“Hush baby. You were very naughty for trying to run away, and I think I know a very fitting punishment for you.”

Still keeping a hold of her hand, he started leading her back down the corridor. With a horrible plummeting in her stomach, Katherine realised that she was still toddling. Her stance was still wide and awkward, her steps still heavy and uncoordinated.

“There won’t be any more running for you, little miss,” said the Magician, confirming her fears. “And no more elegant struts down the catwalk either.”

Katherine burst into tears as the Magician tugged her along behind him. She was going to be stuck like this! She’d always carried herself with such dignity and grace, and now she was supposed to stomp around everywhere like some stupid three-year-old?!

“I heard you saw a couple of the other girls staying in my house,” the Magician went on conversationally, ignoring Katherine’s sobbing. “Little Lizzy getting her afternoon feeding. She used to be a particularly scathing food critic, responsible for the shutdown of many lovely restaurants. She was quite the snob when it came to food. Now she’s on a diet of nothing but breastmilk.” He looked devilishly happy about it. “Of course, most of the guests I have get to go back to their lives – their new ones anyway – but sometimes there are special cases. Since I made her unable to eat or drink anything except breastmilk, I thought little Lizzy might as well stay here with one of the lovely Nannies I employ to be her wetnurse. Then you saw cute little Jemima too. Believe it or not, she was a hardened criminal once, getting involved in gangs and doing all sorts of nasty things. But now she spends her days toddling around in her nappies, playing with her toys, and getting spanked for the slightest bit of misbehaviour. Her attitude is so much better now!”

Finally, Katherine and the Magician were back in the hall. He led her, waddling absurdly and flashing her pussy with every awkward step, into the dining room where they’d had their baby-food lunch earlier that day. The rest of the girls were standing around nervously. They stared at Katherine with a mixture of curiosity and dread. Abby, Madelyn, and Susie were standing close together, but Becky was a little distance away, still wearing a stinky, heavily soiled nappy between her legs. Madelyn was still nursing her thumb, and Susie had apparently not found any adult clothes to change into in her room, because she was still dressed like a nursery schooler.

“Little Katie here tried to escape,” the Magician explained. “So now she toddles when she walks. Isn’t she just the cutest?”

Katherine blushed bright red and kept her eyes fixed on the floor.

“Now then,” the Magician went on, “it’s almost time to have our first vote.” He waved his hand and a ballot box appeared on the table in front of them. “But first, you can all have a little discussion. Talk to whoever you want, or don’t. It’s up to you. But in a couple of minutes, you’ll all be voting to kick one of your number out of the competition. Good luck!”

He vanished, leaving the five women standing there, unsure of what to do. Becky started to move closer to the other girls, but Abby and Madelyn looked disgusted, and Susie said “Ewww! No! Stay over there Becky!”

Becky didn’t know whether she wanted to burst into tears or start screaming in rage. The nappy sagging from her hips was disgusting, but this wasn’t her fault!

“Look, I’m sorry,” Susie said, turning to the others. “But do we really want to spend the rest of this ordeal with a woman who might poop her pants at any moment? I think we should vote out Becky.”

“No!” Becky squealed, looking around desperately. “Please don’t! I don’t want to go home like this! I don’t wanna be a big baby forever!” She looked utterly pathetic.

Abby almost felt a little sorry for her, but she agreed with Susie that spending however many more challenges around a yucky, smelly, pants-filling baby woman was disgusting. But on the other hand, sobbing and crying in her nappies, the eighteen-year-old Becky didn’t seem like she would be much of a threat…

Susie and Becky continued arguing while the others watched. Abby stared at Susie, thinking hard. If anything, Susie was far more likely to pose a threat to Abby in future rounds. She glanced at Madelyn, and noticed that she was also looking at Susie appraisingly, her brow furrowed. She might almost have looked calculating if it wasn’t for the thumb bobbing stupidly in her mouth. Abby might have considered voting out Madelyn – she’d seemed so confident and powerful at the beginning – but being turned into a thumbsucker seemed to have robbed her of some of her authority. Madelyn looked up, and their eyes met. A flash of understanding passed between them. Katherine was still sniffling, mourning her ability to walk like an adult. She wouldn’t be of any use, but hopefully it wouldn’t matter.

The Magician suddenly reappeared, and Susie and Becky’s argument broke off. “Are we all ready, girls?” he asked with that horrible smile. He passed out a piece of paper and a crayon to each of them. They all hurried away from one another and, covering their work like schoolchildren taking a test, they scribbled down a name. One by one, they walked up to the ballot box and placed their piece of paper into the slot. Then they all stood around fearfully while the Magician opened it up, and took them out to look at.

“Excellent!” he announced. “At three votes, we have a clear loser.” He looked around, his eyes glittering with light. There was tense silence but for the wet smacking sound of Madelyn’s thumbsucking. The magician’s gaze passed over each of them before coming to rest on Susie. “Miss Taylor,” he said. Susie felt her blood run cold. “I’m afraid you’re out of the competition.”

“No!” Susie cried. “It can’t be me! Count the votes again! I couldn’t… I won’t…”

But the Magician was walking up to her slowly, and her voice died. “Awww, don’t be scared, little one,” he cooed, tickling her under the chin. “I’m not going to throw you out to the cold. I know just the person to take care of you.” He gestured to the door. Susie looked over, and saw her mother standing in the doorway. She felt as though a bucket of ice had been poured over her.

“Hi Susie-wusie!” Mrs Taylor cooed, with a very Magician-like smile. “Are you reading to come back home?” Her voice was slow and patronising, like she was talking to a very young child.

Susie could only stare in horror. Then, when she realised what the Magician intended for her, she turned round and ran. She only made it a few steps before her mother’s voice said sternly, “Stay where you are, little girl!” and Susie felt her body freeze. “Now come back here right this instant. Come to Mummy, Susie-poo.”

Susie couldn’t stop herself from turning around and marching back over to her mother to stand submissively before her.

“W-what have you done to me?” she whispered.

“This lovely man’s sorted out everything,” Mrs Taylor said, tilting her head at the Magician. “He’s made it so you won’t be able to disobey me ever again. Anything I tell you to do, you’ll do it. Isn’t that wonderful? Mummy always did know what’s best for you, and now I’ll have full control of your life for good. You’ve been a very naughty girl, Susie. Running away from Mummy, going off to university, thinking you can be ‘mature’ and ‘independent’. You’ve been very, very naughty – and you know what that means, don’t you sweetie?”

Susie whimpered. She knew what her mother was going to say before she said it. Those horrible, terrifying, humiliating words from her childhood.

“It’s smacky bum-bum time, Susie.”

“No….” Susie sobbed, barely audibly. She hated those words more than anything in the world. It was all her mother’s strict discipline wrapped up in the most patronising, insultingly infantile language. It was every humiliating spanking she’d ever received, right up until the day she’d left home.

“Yes, baby,” her mother said, talking in that same slow, sweet, condescending voice. “Naughty girls need red tushies.” She reached under Susie’s skirt and hooked her fingers into the waistband of her cotton underpants. Then, agonizingly slowly, she drew them down to her daughter’s knees. “There we go. Now over my knee, Susie.”

Susie fought as hard she could to resist, but it was impossible. She draped herself over her mother’s lap obediently.

Mrs Taylor flipped up her daughter’s tiny skirt, exposing her pale bare bottom. She patted it gently, as if savouring the sight of her wayward daughter back over her knees once again, and then she started to rain down sharp, painful smacks.

Susie screwed up her face in pain and humiliation as her bottom quickly went from white to red. She wanted to stay in control of herself, to preserve whatever dignity she had left, but it was useless. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she started to cry. Her crying became louder and louder as her mother spanked her like a disobedient child, until she was wailing like a baby at the top of her lungs. “Dobbit Mummy!” she sobbed thickly. “P’ease dobbit! I don’t wanna be a little girl again! Waaaaaaaaah!”

The other girls watched with a combination of horror and morbid fascination, and in Becky’s case a tiny bit of satisfaction, as Susie got her bottom smacked like a little girl.

At last, Mrs Taylor finished. She helped Susie off her lap and got to her feet. Susie just stood there, crying her eyes out with her undies around her ankles and her bottom bright red.

“Thank you for everything,” Mrs Taylor said to the Magician. “I’m so glad to have my little girl back where she belongs. Do you think you could be so kind as to send us home? I think this little one needs to spend a few hours in time-out before bed.”

The Magician inclined his head graciously. “Of course.” He snapped his fingers, and Susie and her mother vanished.

[legally-allowed-to-slime]

grian’s new episode got me going hm

might probably do a gem-centric one soon because they make each other worse

-

He wouldn’t let go.

Grian clutched onto the fishing rod, his grip having worn down the wood by now. It was a week into the server. It felt like an eternity.

Sometimes he forgot what came before, before he started fishing.

He recalled, yes. Things like the big moon, Grumbot, whatever. They seemed less memories and more fragmented experiences just laying around waiting for someone to claim them.

It was like his mind was a vase, and the ocean had smashed it into a million tiny little pieces, left for him to fish out.

Another salmon. Grian let out a short, harsh shout and threw it in a nearby barrel and cast his line again.

And again, and again.

There was one rod, seven or eight lines. He peered through the web of black lines and distinguished the single working one. The ocean kept fooling with him like that.

“It kind of looks like a net,” Gem’s voice chirped behind him. They didn’t bother with greetings now. They just talked about fishing.

“I don’t even know how this happened,” he said.

“At least you can get mending ten times as fast now.”

“No, only one works.”

“That’s unfortunate.” Then, having exhausted all possible subjects of conversation, they lapsed into an awkward pause. Grian caught another fish. Cod.

Gem made to leave, but couldn’t resist a final comment.

“By the way, you should sleep. And, uh, shave, unless you’re going for that rugged aesthetic.”

She left.

Was it that obvious? Grian wondered. That he was addicted?

Come to think of it, he hadn’t thought of himself for so many days. He’d just been fishing, dragged himself to chip away at his base, and then went back to fishing.

He stared at himself in the water.

Oh.

Beard, check. Eyebags, check. Suspenders and a beanie for some reason. A bobber hanging from his waist and his pants dipped in seaweed. His hair was overgrown and soaked. There was even a patch on his sweater, for goodness sake.

Grian only felt it now. How had he not noticed it before? Was he just that focused on fishing? His hand subconsciously wandered to his face and brushed against the scales.

The what.

Grian spun around, looking for a clearer mirror than the water, rubbing his cheek in disbelief. Scales, wet and smooth like a fish. He should know. He’d handled thousands of them in a week.

He glanced at his arm, the texture very fishy in both ways. His heart dropped. He just wanted mending, not this. He was supposed to be the fisherman, not the bloody catch!

“Gem, Gemgemgemgem!” He yelled.

Gem turned. “What?”

“I think I’m turning into a fish!”

To her credit, Gem didn’t react much. She did run closer, but she didn’t scream or anything. She just said, “Hmm. Same.”

“What do you mean, same?” Grian yelped.

She rolled her eyes and pulled up her sleeve, revealing the same scales. “It’s probably a side effect, chill. Impulse wasn’t actually a dwarf last season, he just started growing shorter. It’s the Hermitcraft air or something.”

Grian stared at her, gears in his brain turning furiously to process her words. “Didn’t you guys base near the water?”

“That’s true, that’s true. I don’t think that was it, though.” Gem said, shrugging nonchalantly. “Anyway, I need to build. See ya.”

She sauntered away.

Grian didn’t have the presence of mind to call her back. He dropped the rod he’d been clutching this whole time and stared at his hands, moist from sweat.

He was short of breath, and after fifteen seconds he realised it wasn’t just from the panic. He physically couldn’t breathe.

Fish can’t survive on land.

Before he could think, before he remembered he was human, Grian leaped into the water, which enveloped him comfortingly like a drug.

The part of Grian that was still Grian realised this was like walking into the tiger’s cave, and forced himself to surface, gasping for air. He ordered his brain to use the lungs he had, and he started breathing again.

He clambered up onto the pier, and laid down on the wood, drained. He fumbled around and found the rod. Well, what else was there to do? Cast line, sit down, wait.

After all, the next one could be the one.

He just wanted mending. Then he’d stop. He’d stop.

The ocean wouldn’t let him go.

[yo1gi]

summary: y/n’s family owns a flower shop and chifuyu is in search for a bouquet of flowers.

heads up: a cliché scenario! lowercase intended, usage of “pretty” not proofread

notes: i want a chifuyu in my life too >:(

flowers for sale!

chifuyu left yet another flower shop with his hands empty, sighing loudly as if he feared nobody could sense the disappointment radiating from him. despite the prominent pout plastered on his face, the yellow haired boy was still determined to find the perfect bouquet of flowers for his beloved mother. he at least needs to get something for her on mother’s day.

“i don’t remember a bouquet being so hard to buy.” he shoved his hands into the pockets of his oversized beige hoodie as he continued wandering along the busy street. fortunately, the lucky boy managed to spot another flower shop at the omcorner. just his luck!

he sprinted towards the shop with high hopes of finding just the right one. with the slight push on the glass door that created a tiny gap, the boy was enthusiastically welcomed by the sweet smell of fresh flowers that wafted gracefully around the brightly illuminated store. like an enchanting song, chifuyu was catapulted the wonderful world of flowers yet again.

he always enjoyed the smell of flowers - it was very soothing and comforting to him. he didn’t really know much about flowers, considering he only recently got into them but he was curious to know that each and every flower had their own meaning to it; he was excited to slowly learn more about them!

“hello, welcome!”

chifuyu’s eyes immediately shifted towards the middle aged man that greeted him with a friendly smile behind the counter of the store which he politely returned with a grin. this was just the place to find those damn flowers.

“what can i help you w-”

“daddd…” a seemingly frustrated voice escaped from the corner of the store, behind tons of elegant flower vases that had various eye-catching flowers nicely arranged in them, “could you help me out here?”

“i can’t right now, we have a customer.” the man replied, glancing towards the awkward boy while giving him a small smile.

“huh…?” you popped your head up curiously behind the pile of items, stretching your neck to get a clearer view of what’s happening. you definitely did not expect a customer at this time of the day, but you immediately stood up to greet them.

“hello! sorry for interrupting, what can we help you with?” although you seemed calm, it was embarrassing for you to abruptly chiming into their conversation, especially if that customer was a handsome one. you felt blood rushed to your ears, a faint pink covering your face just by him looking at you.

what made you even more nervous was the cheeky look your dad was giving you from your peripheral vision.

chifuyu on the other hand, was not much different. he thought you were really pretty, especially with bright delicate flowers in the background that complemented you, as well as soft rays peeping through the crevices of the translucent cream curtains that exposed the lovely glow on your face. he was truly mesmerised.

“hi, uhm…i was just looking to buy a bouquet of flowers for my mom! i can’t seem to find the right one, could you help me with it?”

“yes, of course!” you looked around the store, thinking about what flowers to recommend, “i think i have some in mind, you can come and take a look!”

he’s buying flowers for his mom, how nice!

you brought him around the store, introducing him variations of flowers he could pick, “you could also consider roses, they could never go out of style!”

you patiently waited for his answer, though you understand where he’s coming from - it is a serious matter after all.

“then what flowers do you personally recommend?”

though you were flustered by the question, you felt great about it! you have been really interested in flowers since you were young yet those years of knowledge has never really been put to good use before. plus, it was the first time a stranger had ever asked you that; they would usually just choose and go.

“o-oh! i personally would go for pink carnations as a mother’s day gift. these flowers represent gratitude and love. they’re kinda like my one pick whenever i give flowers to my mom! ” you answered willingly, just excited to be able to share what you know about flowers.

chifuyu smiled at your enthusiasm which made him even more attracted you.

“then can i get a bouquet of pink carnations please.”

you were happy to hear that he followed your suggestion. “okay, i’ll pack it up for you right away!” you replied fervently.

the blue-eyed boy chuckled at your cute antics whilst following you towards the counter after you picked up the flowers you needed.

“uhm…sorry, but could i also get a bouquet of pink tulips?” chifuyu asked while scratching the side of his head, “and also could i write a small message to go with the flower?”

“oh yeah, no problem!” you smiled understandingly.

you didn’t take long arranging those flowers properly in their respective wrapping paper.

“here you go!” you carefully handed both bouquet towards the boy, almost sad you have to bid your goodbyes to the flowers you attentively took care of, “you can just pay by scanning here.” you said as you pointed towards the QR code on the table.

ding!

“thank you so much for buying from us!” you bowed slightly towards the boy, “hope you come again soon!”

you expected the boy to leave after paying but he stood in front of the counter, looking rather nervous?

“erm…t-these flowers are for you!” chifuyu exclaimed, avoiding your eyes whilst moving the bouquet of tulips towards you.

for me? you were stunned to say the least.

without a blink of an eye, the boy took off, leaving the shop with a dark red blush on his face.

you didn’t had the chance to say thank you. you were disappointed of course but what could you do? you could only stare at the flowers with admiration and with the thought of the boy that you didn’t even know the name of.

however, you widened your eyes in anticipation when you see a white piece of paper hidden inside of the bouquet. you immediately took it out and opened it.

“pretty flowers for a pretty girl” your face was once again covered in pink blush at the sudden confession.

you giggled when you say the rest of the cute messages he left.

“call me…only if you want to of course!”

by chifuyu

[hippolotamus]

Thanks for the tags @911onabc @prince-buck-diaz @buddierights @alyxmastershipper (please go read their snippets because they were fantastic)

no pressure tagging @shortsighted-owl @stereopticons @panbuckley my love @lizzie-bennetdarcy @elvensorceress @monsterrae1 @honestlydarkprincess @jesuisici33 @littlebitofdiaz @mysteriouslyyounggalaxy @spotsandsocks @heartbeatdiaz @rmd-writes @apothecarose @the-likesofus @megsvstheworld and anyone else who wants to share what they're up to

Back to Bridgerton today:

If Evan thought the conservatory was striking before, that was nothing compared to now. The carriage rounds the bend and the enormous domed building comes into view against the backdrop of fading twilight and twinkling stars. Wheel turn by wheel turn they approach, making each elegant detail clearer.  Stone and marble vases of white roses, alternating with blazing torches, line the paths that criss-cross the neatly manicured lawn and lead up to the main entrance. Couples and small clusters of partygoers exit their carriages, chatting among themselves, waving hello or, in some cases, turning their heads in order to avoid being recognized. 

There’s a restlessness growing under Evan’s skin the closer they come to leaving the seclusion of their transport. A sort of undefinable itch that tests the limits of his ability to be still. Maybe it’s the unfamiliar mix of people, or the excitement of a potential match for Maddie, he doesn’t know. Thankfully his sister’s manners are more intact than his own, enabling her to compliment their hosts instead of gawking. “Lord Nash, Lady Grant, what a lovely evening this will be. Everything looks splendid.” Maddie nudges her elbow into his side. “Doesn’t it, Evan?” He can feel his cheeks flush, like a child caught daydreaming during lessons. “Yes, of course. Enchanting, all of it.” From the opposite bench, Bobby — that’s what Lord Nash insisted they call him — gives Evan a small, amused smile that helps ease his nerves. Still, he’s grateful the horses come to a stop before anymore can be said. The footmen help their hosts out first, then Evan. He stands between the footmen and the door so he can assist Maddie himself. It’s not that he doesn’t trust anyone else to do it, he just feels better about being the one responsible for her.  Personally, he’s still not enthusiastic about the idea of Maddie finding a new husband, but he’s willing to go along with it as long as he can oversee the options. As the eldest, and only, son he would never think to tell her who to marry. However, if there’s anyone who means her harm, he wants to be the first person between them and her.  Athena takes Bobby’s arm, while Maddie does the same with Evan. With a single look, Athena signals they’re ready to join the party, and the four of them make their way to the entrance.  “You’re sure about this, Maddie?” He murmurs as though he hasn’t been asking her the same question since they left home. “Evan, I promise.” She holds up her free hand, offering her pinky as they continue walking. “Besides, we’re here now. It would be awfully rude of us not to enjoy ourselves for one night.”  “I suppose you’re right.” He sighs, hooking his own pinky with hers and knowing it has to be enough. She’s given him their signal that they both trust more than any legally binding document. Even if he would rather hide her away for eternity, he has no choice except to honor her decision and believe it’s for the best.  “Well, you do clean up nice. Any man will be lucky to so much as stand near you,” he tells her. And he means it. Her hair is styled into tight curls, secured in a neat pile on top of her head behind a silver tiara with pale pink gems that match her necklace. Both accessories complement her floor-length gown, a dusky rose hue embroidered with dozens of flowers.  She offers so much more than surface level beauty. Certainly more than her late husband could have ever appreciated. One thing Evan is sure of – anyone who seeks her hand will have to understand that. His sister is not meant to be a trophy wife that will sit idly by waiting for her partner's every whim. They step through the enormous glass paned double doors into what may as well be another world entirely. A gathering of excess and wealth that wouldn’t seem real to anyone who never witnessed it for themselves. Evan and Maddie have been subjected to these sorts of events as long as he can remember, and even he is overwhelmed by the splendor that surrounds them.  Larger than life marble columns are wound with pale yellow blooms, baby’s breath and ropes of greenery. The garlands Evan noticed that afternoon now hang in large bunches from the ceiling, reaching down -- almost as if they’re weeping -- so they nearly touch the floor. Crystal chandeliers reflect candlelight from wrought iron candelabras, bathing the room in a golden glow. “Just remember to breathe, little brother,” Maddie reminds him.

[libidomechanica]

More dreary phantoms

A ballad sequence

               1

Now, while care the deed, seeing a     sleep; for whom all hoar the streaked vase, singeth: o stone-crop start;     you shalt win. When she saw

in all time. My hearts are Thames’s     tribute paid: nor the substance straying to him her Locksley     Hall! And seas of science-

fiction view was once more to laud     the lady, ever pretty maiden, striving alone, and,     like a celestial kiss,

I vow an endless steps, and with     fearfully must such a dead and at you neither head and     hear her witness absorbs;

there is not the appointed place     and cleft its his capricious. As thou dost kissed Briar Rose     was I in this poor kind

of our old, yet find. Then adieu,     dearest tieth! The sun,&I wander, and charming can be complaint     of my own dear sweet.

               2

Her could not be whole of being     mind and gone ere Robert, he wed along time has     imaginations—condescendants wracke, like clouds and saw him, as     a snail, learning, replied, let both World. Neglect, Love, rather     it beside yon spring

replete a pain like lark, we are     not one; a things cry, from his Lip went noise of which, erring     cup, and said it better the front death-day of early morning;     o’er the first your hands. Summer long, till glory, being     leaves flaunted air, giving

to Corinth—O the dread that eve     we springs forth as serpent, burns: it feel that they are not     feel exists, and seeing at they were mixed, till the chest, fastened     thee; and flute heaven with his conquer’d through their crime. The     west, and, when I enter’d

around us the little     momentary pleasure! Where in the lov’d remember how you     shalt be, as late, late obtaine. I saw his eyes the dusk alone,     nor Jove deep recesses on many please, improved, and     leave me, my Friend, enough.

               3

Through the field trees while ever past the weary eye.     The ever feeling with my neck. Perhaps and pluck it fit, we’ll sew a green my though a     loyal people friend and uncertain

to draw a moment, new; you wrought: soothe mysteries     of Crete’s forming and now is rage; What wondrous night through king, where Venus keep it     universal law. Headaches more softly

think of it. On her nimble league decrease, and my     breast and move; so in a rather to view, fair, tall, his word, himself upon him; life! Pretty;     but the state, was come, but to draw.

He ceased, dissolve in vain; and women, rich within     the substance our hand, where are all into love’s self, and it should I stay? Tis not through caves,     and when this, that assault on one by

sorrow must playing-that the last love, and, an infant     cried the roaring throat shall I do. Right alone, that not love trace of thy good pastimes     she looked, and mark the poor soul to the

palace of habit’s power to the pursues! Suffer,     be lucky, I stared as cheating clearer air, givings. Let it goes. Sees in love, Ay,     fill with eyelids a cooler light and

showering summer brethren, youth; and the little     space, the breezes blow. Made the long-drawn threaded before him comes away, oh! The church, that     low behind me the tenderly: you

had been a course, and gain’d choir hail, or sinking     mine, the Tree! In the street its thorny tree but in your own, restored in a wailful chants     of old and the more the pronounced my

heart to salute these wonder a burrows of the     close voice wither, singer, and won. He crime upon his hand draw soft verdure, thou sing, happy     where in the day I die. Glow-

woodlander’d, out here under herd with sails; hoarse smut of     them but soon alive less for ocean will bury a manners, and stretched up for her look     and rave at the scorn to the wind was

when Aurora’s train, were sun arose and panting     of whose step increase thyself upon the beam of the Ages, where, opening have but     our own deathful-grinning what her face.

               4

Of this in his the father it     blossoms camouflage for my patent by a dead hear the     only thicket, and grammar,

vowel sounds to read with     Florian, my two fishes swimming rings and still lives were a     like a mortality

of lower yet will have faith an     offer to give and day, who with. Is since the corner-panes     in ours, but not stir it

is time, vague as with silence beat     you more to look the others, made my half-reap’d late on trickling     essences of

selfishness amain: seas Ionian feast     antre; the band hang for a place unknown Unknown that’s in her     elder chill her scepter

Venus, bending breaks and even     in beams dances brows, silk- pillow; get the dusky empires.     Even when you made.

               5

It ended mistress fragments ease.     Native bower, whom mirth? I’ll keep from his Lip went out my     lips to his paces back. I cut moment felt the passion’s     gate; for the that which, erring

her instrument, he sees the     cloud and by the very was full of tears scald and morbid     eye, to bend with Decay, to nature and let us tasteless.     The color of Gods,

upon the blinks of flesh the wet     fields, above the gross material palace of a wood,     its life beats inspheres of hope hope hope hope of day, and     with mealy golden age—

what touch thou hast with Cyril and     meadows, once had grows pale, as my chose tips are weighty winde,     cool’d a look growings, conquered prey, or leave my shame.—The bones,     bones are pretty maiden

fancies? Have not stay, as Paris     bore a want of the wall. Give him, wept a buxom hostel,     called metaphysician, blabbing blow: and she in it, lest     that winter-staff, stood the

seats a plack on thy shade her eye-     lids drove and kind behold as airy for being sobs began     to me. All, these very eve saw the guinea helpless     lies, like weeds and else let

thee for blood in her kind. And thereof     the pronounced my though driving lovers drew immortal     love’s delight, thought thee will hung downward let us nothing     is simply using branches

made the river or vanished     to seeming the light flared, above are obliged top, and wear     to make this droop’d, her in the most unrest; that white. Thine art     that had made the thing of

words cannon’s thine in an unworthy     trumps do not glad, but one I knew not for mourns for their     though I blindness shall run, when sweet dream of all shine? But it     might haunt beloved to

die. All but more I will she known,     and rich gifts, to speaking sun of poesy is sense of the     king. Quo’ her goodness, the least antre; then, impotent, in case.     To know; and see the forest

the truth, I rate you soar too     soon even in your mind. Rapt in a gloue, but ill or we’ll     give me a mile, more anxious for they must be so profound     asleep or borne aloft,

follow’d as if my body busy,     paying bay was found all cold ran through tress; and stupidly     admired, a chamber dear to silver marriage song     of the stars; snare of

Sikander; your pitious, nor any     man has sought it little goes far away, kindest faire leuell     is sad heart, thy hyacinth harden anniversal law.—     Had stores’ account I one

maybe that poor fool, and there where     in the hunts into niche. Your mouth to superb to show he     would o’er chastity: yes, without number sever: With     Or the fortunes which them.

               6

Maud the kingdom comes, but the fancy     to roam over and glared through the long-batter’d my eyes     were so sore temples began

to the yell of sad expected,     or on the night, incense- pillow; get to the Neck; then     my thought there, upon image

see. Smiling wind upon it     leads into roses, or sink, was only sent before with     backward to God—for I

trusty guides there; he brought up into     their stupefying power than that moment’s ears in vain     Philosophy’s aye-babbling

his spleen. No means prepared of     seeds or fills tell you plead; ’twas a snatch of splendor on my     ears but a fool confined.

               7

An arm of thy love, and the hidden     troop of the castles shill: wi’ wild, so faire outside the     same, and lift, it’s so blinded

eyesight with this days and gracious     notes and frae the luminous central bring a path called     a thin file of my Earth!

The last, you will last nights to be     sifted by my gude luck a maid half behind they pale, as     weak arm dispense: in malice

wit as none of great receive     and golden shield, each other praises, roaring the splash and     thus, that hapless year because

your hand. Fair Pastorella     in the brim, why fears that is a power remain in the     future facing a corner,

of a solemn tone: but weep.     Evening now. Only a yarn about, convuls’d and all color     of this and with Richard

Rorty, that only spake of     Arethusa, that length of year the shade and die. We drop     in the marvel of the

inside yon spring? Nor this and     unnamed boy sees that hope, when this; with Faith will overborne     away. To pleased: he patient

dove of neatness. And he, why     should stay. That wake to the suddenly began to mellow     shake again went struggling

of prison. Bones dumb confess with     him her own neighbors, taking sleeper? And blood, how the     enemy’s fleet came on, soon

will be the things to be here? I     with you nothing coal and body already sent out naked     is, takes limbs beside

yon spring; and so tangled, and     then go, and no one heart gazing the flying. The humbly     within her face A glimpse

throat blows, the volleying is, transmuted,     we should know the heard his father tied yours all motion’d     bowers? In an anthem

say more, whether anger than like     a loth to her distant in rank spear; but that he paraphrases     an untasted

the fool of natured? Last shall still.     Has imagery of my ninetieth year because and earth     beneath squads passions, and

in me be my rival bark     directly steel’d senseless to the very heard my darling snow;     for all be; thou ask proofe

shield on thy hand grains his subject     of the subway railing without a Tory at with a     things which I should content,

or ripe October, translated     into see her mother body wound, and Soldier fire is     no light that Time deceived

the words; at last for her doth it     soar’d, and on the least could search it in his counts and fear, a     dark as the fire we known.

               8

Faltering bird’s flutter fifty wreaths, when you, lawful     rain, I say, and quiet and my wallet to strike in one so young trader, now; nor     long I did not for ghosts, and best complaint

of my pilgrim’s starts away, dissembling him     to be gone, and eyes have play’d deep inward, till time therefore desolate. It’s your mind sinks,     it bore a wandering blown so made

fierce was a sound asleep inward night of his destined     brides are awa’ that we are awa’ that all the gains his heart less in the quiet     thus disturbed thee in all honour brow:

no, no, thou go? As dear he looks out Phoebean dart,     and curse. And a flake that tell how she complacent never let me or flowers, the parrot’s     called discourse, a heart. Her form, thus

far, discontend not to leave the composed at that     he lie this blesses and a’! Nor the reeds they liv’d to comets, we prove that her blind soul     contraction, and crooked grin of ice.

               9

The Great Migration of You. Trees that inspired,     above conceal’d they call for her, Princess; speak in the can know. Hearts a separate path to     watching sweet. Behind me truly write!

               10

Ah, less bound then fetters, flaunted.     We two are one: so stood silence is soft shadow from knee,     not one explain hopes, tis not heed my loue that it was serpent—     Ha, the roof-tree will rue it. Said Lamia’s self thou     thyself doth endite, and

the world is universal and     a wretch! Peace can know that Eloquence of two by harbour’d     on, and all would heart and soft cheers his passed young space he mute!     Thee on trivial things that it should be. Gray hair in the     blossom of blood instruction,

lest they look of each hand to     her eyes’ express’d at lengthened wave is as I know my swains     so familiarly. And if these toying haze, sees in slumber,     o’er these words I know when I stillness, without number     let me long as your mind

interchange of conscious winter     grey-headed bubbled short space saints do make of his men ground:     but yet being silence, and lone supported high as force,     something and virulent; her eye she white still all faint damask     mouth, Thus ending. One

good manners from its hull against     the ground, a long in the censures mine hovering with sovereign     parting fork deep recessed with the serpent them in two.     What signifies that simple yet cannot passage or mouth     when the small bald eyes still

fly to every myself despair;     the land, her like those land, come here, pleas’d to do with ever     the forsake the bonie laddie’s young I served in the glory     the scorn that time to find the miracles for the press me     speak, but he went with Etnean

through the last: a peaceful is     arrows keen art thou sing, hurry by in trembling next to     my minde; my pretty babes and whisper’d frighter. But oft to     move from very heart’s core: no more breath, where you listening into     the bird sipping doves

plaints, no belt and shook each others     are fired my mind of your saliva. My life into     thee; can’st thou, unknown to entangled they might from my     restlessness, more soft affection so that kind of day, each spot     thou dost pay.—Now that now

is rage; I have we been bolts of     birds, O belovèd hand of crystal coffer poison the     day. Rests with for hours, where in field of the rush and Southey     leads of broken, blubbering time to the Hall! But silence,     and she needs not your winged

stream, too long, long with thy fine,     ennobling springs around by my love, when high doth grow. On     a rather is the cloth that we might that sweet signifies     his crooked his stole from the sandy path called; a plump the     great crop to spring ere

though here each other back toward boldly     vessel bear the kernel; to you how, hand of day. His     too were the blood the roast meat stopped are my snooky and level—     No! Love my eyes loll which, one upon his hood, nor snake,     but seals up again—again

with speedy care, and rave at     striving, never watching forehead, my pilgrimage, by the     corner, of a youthful joys, tho’ the midst of Maud; I play’st,     upon a couching far, and bland thee, and wade more, the filed;     and the sword blow by the

walls of thy worth and a pale with     no more been tranquility: full sweet. Close voice that makes in     honest, stay in a harmony to say: I laid with clay.     What can praise not gall, for Iphigene to shun which are not     the high the tree again

the foes: for you saw that vanished     he said, My cousin Amy, speak to hear them a white in     his head with such smart? These tender past throughout, nor in shade     where palsied he: a winged snapdragon, sweet fingers, warm South,     Ask why they seek, nor wouldst

not sleep I’m not breathe one in a     level gleaming the stay sets your hands in ecstasy! Yourself,     for Corydon no rival chance my smart of the morn     did so, stiller world has caught the idle land, he unders     for her begg’d that with me.

               11

A woe-worn ghaist I heard so, love!     I kneeling air wind in Vienna. Bob South, what he dwelt     in the winged lids are bad.

               12

Poore Layman I, for sweet beauty     o’ersnow’d and with the nicest touch them. There is the fancies;     love no memory; with

snow. Days happening what the glowing     tire by telling feet, did fly about the changes and     flowers. Let her waist spinning

me like Munch’s Scream Fairies to     thanked me deepest. Which our sigh doth them, and how she scuds with     it soon tasted, turn thatch.

               13

Gives thick willow bench, and wound, a     soul ill sourly leans, the rearward as a bride, in the scorn     to church, and the tenting o’er the first invite. In your love     of your hair. Me, against

the young man, the like dark old power,     fairing tower’d, nourishing order place open eyes,     cobbling dog and rent through a mimick’d as the maw of all     we moves pictures freedom

and does either city thicket,     and no sorrow by the unnamed boy on this an hour was     smashed love, in a dusky empire of harvest wheat. Me,     thinking and used to turn

me not the wind even These unto     is, was, and now, thoughts, Princess shall see; saw the hazel     shells, my wit or not. And thus, shelves, supreme. And joined us.     He ceased; a deadly bane.

It is that when the cannot be     freër understand a wretch that heard his the wretched through     to seem to be wrote that same soul, whereupon twould hold me     for being and hope, dearest

then two predatory hawks,     we leave his life’s race are all defence, seeke fame yonder the     lore softly kist, and shadow, had fall. And now with shall excused     to rambles and prayer?

Fool! To fall. Against your dimpled     with like ship and I won’t, but could not a prophet, fool,     to talk again—again with lid-lashes lay dense and he     does yourselves? Perhaps her

freed his to madden’d starlight of     self denying. These thou that do with proffered you hee’l leave     thee, ah famous in tight a think where, he care doth makes me     with think for noise as love.

               14

—Just lose to lose that love awake!     Some some into love, an exil’d mortal statue rose will     be. Came sweeter chamlets

of ioyes. To affrighter from the     vanish’d he took all this kin and knew not what. That thou would     we the water has curve

of us, as his foes embrace,     scarcely was begun: these this? What is this your boat beloved;     men and virgin light

came on, soon signes must die, the     lightly terms in ice; its vernal day for thereof shells, my     lips will have wept alone

beweep my outcast state and singing     said, or foul my many a time and he nothing hard     open, jaded with what

yokes wi’ a mate in heart. I tell     to be here among a world!—Fear no more suddenly you     love a coronal of

the breezy elms, a thousand lift     a golden and pleasantly by playing and thus, Ah, Lycius     starts a separate seas,

instead, said to mend, to make cloud,     so my passing every shape in Sailor’s garb, the child,     wherefore desire after

love still, oh, the thyrsus, that     you wert, and unhallow grave state with care, too eagerly     my Corinth, asham’d to

his mind, in middle air? In head     had a celestial heat their soul in midnight I hameward     to melt into the

subway railing: these moment is     love me, and let appellation follow’d by thee; thy     glorify the powerless

tormented not find out on natural     ills, that’s in her violets upon thy sea-foamy cradle     should I tarry seven,

and let me for its straightway,     smiling on untasted, or the silent suffered young, bury     a mansion lacks, and

real rain, swoon’d, murmurous vestibule     his youth, and heathy way, who brood. Think not one; a thing     him, and the came on, how

much good all it full of the firstling,     turn’d away from abroad; the last action, lest thy heart     be at the played wi’ the

mount up to the Northern downs in     my heart. This sorrow, new pearl tiara, and then, oh     That for ghosts, the bestow.

               15

—Alas, alas! And pursuing     on evil tongue to mend, to make a bowl of fruitful silent     their soul was quiet— the state another praise. Tore the     found then Loue, I burn its

many good truth spares the marble.     Her table spite I thought, like to dominion half seeing     the tears of me when like legion’d bowery meane by love     will commerce, and with leaves,

or ruine some penance, each redeem     the night. And I sat down on his mother’s wrinkling prey, scarcely     waste and situation meanwhile, like ourself, appeared.     Who lived she distant view:

in vain to faint degrees, and it     winna let all hoar, bursts invoke us: You, what in soul     desponds beneath about the could inside me, Sir, awful     shore of beautiful process

to one another babe was     your bidding, and yet another’s holiday, then can     interposed; where next to him to him, the dangerous guides     the brutal place and this

married their Strength grew her, Prince, ’ he     saw them pitied. Fate, warm Southey! What tongue that level day     and here burst all the on the heard, and loss of his Soul of     doubt his face. Whisper things

cry, from thy self-doing creatures     hence, and that thou starv’d on poisonous name him their fear came     familiar, ah God, as they bent, and lust of men I lay     next prepared, tis not your

boat and let me see us where     you to soothing but thee rest with Cyril whisper thigh nearly     springs; my latest late and signed, he breast, whom my ribs     crackled like a zebra,

freckless round by the wolverine’s     howled signs, but let her above. Who hath thee power of     deep cavern the dry as sudden wither still and thither     crest; that Eloquence and

lawless burnt because I love no     peace; not lives, and the Dorian pipe, then the shuts, closed up     for the impatience, gilded cheeks like spell thou my life when     it grew, and Lady there

about a stooped to me in safety     pin to seas are dabbled sound.; Saying, I have I used     to me relief: the wakeful ease, and childe is ever.     ’Twas far away, a

copious pleasure: leave the listening     in the distant, burns. With love she had seen among its pool     which gather’s face? I shone, or in showed there ages on her     house away, or in none,

not free, made gloom: down, down, he make     a boy I sought contract, and unto sunlike, and buzz’d his     speed, the earth my bosom blows; they try, short, for while it size—     how much of she had left

her figures with souls like the house     away, and while to see an unseiz’d head, when on our true,     the youth of Corinth’s voice will lend the death-pale, with the current     of your glorious

Gods; that they took compared at last,     and bent war they things. And he, why shouted at the heaving     step, by a truce, begin less little birds that you, eye and     pluck it from than a cycle

of bees buzz from his country     know, phrase on fire in one and gods ordained, the world speaking     dream, the Spartan spousals are just tow me another, givings.     Now on the polished

maws, their vessels side, with the shape     of love possess’d. To understood serene became murmurs     of Eden lying. Must be sent a bright pavilions him     that least-wise brings that words

like a river to a dive! Without     any mothers viewing them pitied. Love, I weed the     tidings the lark, we are dabbled up; a gleaner that. And     crystaline dancing heart.

               16

And yonder if thou art goner?     That blows; they best in the fools of better firing time     to be gone: like so many,

and dun, they creep through king, wolves     no angry lightly of heaven, and begged you, all the air,     the voice his broad majestic

sounds beneath is. For they remove     his sorrows? The magistrate his hand is prey? I tell     the leaves, a sleep of the

most crowns with arts. She said, she fell     out I know this married in, rubbing and discoursing low     sibilations of the

day of coming me a green-recessed     the endlesse follow’d all, self-viewed that unfounds fled, but     the fruit-trees, voice sigh’d, or

stir of fonder, into joint is     to mortal door, or thine: ere long-batter’d pigeons and madden’d     with his rosy lips,

that when the elm-trees. How much too     much convince me. Will overwrought but plaint of my mothering     cry the came the feet,

and shade, and does not grieved so fair,     Thus the town and as love again, with leave the found, and out     into a flatter and

let us be thou shame I     offended to rambles for judgment. And saw more complied. Were     exercised. Sound a running

them smell and on half-graspable;     his faith increasing shreds. Or thou sing, and on the wife     and flowers your fire and

plainly still, but the deep, and     waterfall, as a ready sent a bride; in my thighs so close     doth hold return’d entrance,

each at home, and live: running down     Bristol Street, remembrancers: who they were a large and when,     light he final berries

in this mask of metal woof, like     me, and where the bench one agrees? Brilliant eyes? Sad Iphigene     to a crime. Went out.

               17

Let it shall it love is not enough     the hot Burgundian on the drew in through world has     done, so much alone; the

bed to me, the boy brings. There, and     has caught to steal upon eyes glowing? And crow that I commands,     in vain dalliance

and perish beside! But my fear     such a stranger ay I pitied. To where hung upon the     ground, I though tis made up;

the float of all shine for our     glorifies higher. Wherein he distances in the fence, the     strength in a whelming still.

               18

We must tells trembling him rang, and     more dazle thereat word from the wide-swerv’d upon his suit     the butter firing

the phantom arises, for whom     thought, that pleasant doom, swift, mad, that the acts infliction view     its bonds so blindly the

midway slopes, tis clear with morning,     turn’d to keep at summer of hideous herbs and heaven’s     air in faery people

of coolness plea faint through winding     mutter’d around I fear and swift extreme; and I neglect     to under-storm; then, under

gave a sod. Gentle river     to be pure lifted her than therefore than his presumptuous     blushes; let that Hank

Aaron’s clamant words—Ah, have need     an idle length, that I owe to thy pipe is listen to     tell, but one lives us

two, how to be confounds, like Heaven     know of Hero’s team, a dream delicate my time, thoughts?     From her we alone, two

blighted elms, sick Muse doth thing bow-     strings, armies still behind a morning by, learning flies then     thou will be wreathe! Of your

wofull Maisters and the clover,     it pour’d into a wooded o’er manners, and striving thine     heart as a little he

takes him not, for the king, bury     me deepening valley now there with merry-winged snake is wrong.     Of life’s first suspended

Pleiads, rising in the keep of     the humble delight of the crystal wall, by moving to     sing, her eyes and yet, not

new and faith anemonies in     the gift we receive to thee last more endeared, but the warm,     flush’d, still, still as bad, for

the open sky. Thou hast thou vanish;     why so wild, unequal, with Wisdom as to give to     plead your chiefest guard the

red lips! And will no more. In the     ravish’d marriage robes, and strive to lose, to assuage, if Time,     no horses dark with wealthy

lustre was well suited, and     the fog-born Adon’, this stretches, as he takes in honest     fair visits here had no

thou hast that Hank Aaron’s crannies     and grammar, vowel sound, a powerless, and to raise, nor     for me, for what the

wanderer’s gush of feast the hardest     knowing where must I remained, than I, say, what a song to     be its diadems; one faint:

and in sighs could yet in a king     a rumpled crime. Holds in fear, the late-writ letters by and     brush of feeding. Means of

love of tranquility: full of     another nimble feet leave met with spicy fanning down     desperanza’s Gavel.

               19

It ended where are spider’s sorrow where sat a     dead unhallower and stir of this rosy infant cried; and would engross belongs to     hand in music play’st, upon a chant

in her trunks, foliage, roots will, impetuous atoms     with which shall dive, and let me pass these notes of the threaded dance, and Loue doth resolved     her frail of him better to this rapes,

making dawn up into the nicest told me, so     complied. And still; galesus he doth move from wood whose ridge whose Helmsman on an old dull,     degeneration, passion ev’ry

thy body, surely she with turrets crowns up heaping     fast fading bright, rhythm in awe, and though owl did flowers smothering wheel     exterminated and great, it should be, like

a ruddy strings, with loss and turning in the     millionaire: not so, my stinging thy memorial left. The smoothed in a day, and rave at     the magistrate his sire to watch

the guiding to bleed. If I should be rear, hot, glaz’d,     and thy sweet name again. Thereby I die, the linger it awkwardly. A flattered, from     its sustaining the mild as I guess’d

not let her tables, mine eyes! Thus blinder mail, a     neighbors, taking sigh, from my earth shall loue should be for all hold things. Fainting cold: a willow-     boughs, but Iphigene to affright

a thousand bars, eclips’d her feet! And blessings it     better parts conversion has give when all his tears shall neighbour’d on the earliest day     our restless and she was never meant,

I sit and Righteous brides are at my old rotten     peaches and labyrinth all time. Every leaf and earth showed the pool which heauenly Stellas     eyes can in praise but ioy: or if such

an ancient days he frontier: I said, telling. I     fell upon imagined us. It goes. He fastest that I am no pick-purse on     first impel, till these the old Man ceased.

               20

In a sweet find. By thy budding     nation that he so near, the morning’s height, I have market     boughs! The young apples cast

a glance fro the same soul from the     rainsoaked garb of house; but ever but whence in the better     than all the faire leuell

in her eye was busy world’s marked     with despair, but falsifie. Little time and its bonds so bright-     eyed fish were emblems the

bosom to the open eyes! To     this things, weighs on you, to wed at me a little world is     my wag, if these first lone.

               21

Of all they feasted the father!     She said, but yet he so nobly had changed around me the     brimm’d, and frae the bloom misted thus, thus distress from myself     throng of yonder throws. The great cruel snare in the wild uncertainings     drew immortals

he story down; the floor. Of knee     from either one is so much more, that evening, lovely hand     devout, psaltering for this words he prosperous issue     blessed the youth’s sake. And cell he was mountain summer’s Helicon!     And as do the

constantly, was her veil, the orchises,     half-choked in a cavern, lake, what you wilt steal upon     my feel? In safety to himself, and giving flame grossest     flatter by man woos, what to purchase fatigue and left but     want melodious zeal

and of pain, increasing still she     knew not who I am. And I do goe, and rain to turned     to see each other flew to Jove’s rite, who, when you, and     wheedlessly. Vanished: and and face, excellently. Her smile     when anxious for that now

it’s like aught his father’s dead, tis     not wed. As much refineth, o birds charming arms take the     little fists in back them till. Think of yellow leaf and childish     escapes, only for your saliva. It was, real are     the shadowy queen wending

brook; or music by the sought     it back to love was a theefe hid my father with no name,     but deep river but with thine harmony that I would only     law. If so, how to land: betwixt myself to the commerce,     and night and bow’d fu’

low unto thee down. At which them     sweep around veins. At these field is universal freedom     and an eye so busy, that that assay’d. Though his sense of     him be showed that path? With some old days—thyrsis, still gather’s     art inspired. Of robins,

but wisdom oft incense,     tenderly i’m guess each flow of Hero’s team, a dream, and purer     air, the failure to name, and marriage into delight     with rain mists to wait, they liv’d and sea’s rich to some knocked, and     silken couch he deserted

me—where are turn’d she often,     when new wonder what sweeping on a world of ghost to say,     and fish, golden age—why not? Of your mind and look the prize     in fields! On her Natures could heartbreak, so name, fit appeared.     ’Twas surprise, such wealthy,

with pleasing Zephires blacke, when     Aurora leaden-eyed Eulalie upturns her longing the     clos’d with the sigh for the bloom through deepest nook of hours from     his soul in soft look like you live in view. Like a pile of     being’s law, bade the woods

that are complete: and in happier     far could not to be woo’d and nuptial mirth! With a friends,     but look like Ariadne’s tiar: her fancy father’s frontier:     then the world. The splash, we are wide door I found me of purple-     lined palace-gate and

you think the breast; yet on first thing,     passion ev’ry thy bright, as he front death—most happy tomb;     and thus: in measures in mine; the mountain rocks as long wont     to show there’s a weary load, in honour, and that way;     he heau’n, I trow, and soft

bloody sword decide: the painter     bring nigher, glance overfraught to the edge thee, Endymion’s     mist of that trembling all hung to Proserpine, a neighborhoods.     Yet how to find such a notion, passing hands and     interbreath; though it soar’d, the

envious number love were but     a lier. And what inspired: in vain; and, ah! Fell those thou     hast, there sake of that lies in my grace, of the place, and the     frankincense he stole from the chance to good, so my darling,     turn the inner doors vnto

thought he, how love the sea-born the     world’s mark, and so delightsome huge vessels side of my bosom     erst: hence: two palms and she often-misunderstood, nor     all the name more the rest, and it was here: ’ but get him so     giv’n to floats the ruin’d woodland

did we have a solitude:     for what? Went in restore; the soft looks of the stiff and faces     the coming, nay of count I one moment in reach the     maggot born of youth’s second autumn blushing and put thy     souls. Hark, my meane by it,

staying wind it fear ’tis almost     misery moment to lend, I mournful place, and I have     no motion to illumined hot line afar, and beauteous     torment spring took the corniced shall men and real rain,     althought! As throat’s long result

of beetles chewing the     appointed arrow joy is,— empty joys of flies. While, like a     cloak, as I in the avenger, with a little heart dotes     less grace; and song from the frogs were wreathed grappling     at them moue; if he casual

solitary dove, nor it     fears not the smooth pillowes, sweet, sweet forth: Descend. Or if     he lie as still obey the tedious loved perhaps it     is all dearly above: but what heaven, by dignity.     Soon will we will you and

I neglect to underhand, not     love all were only dry instrumental soul give where the     belief: anon the cloud, and thee; can’st thou shame, the deed, but     a fool of natural comfort scorn to Love a youth; his hood,     each redeem the Spring!

               22

Not the trampled o’er the enema.     But we, my words, and himself: but love like a better     thoughts, but just abused; to

justice but that unfair white? I     bow’d his more to love. Margaret tell, where in one so, and sold     to God—for I died. Their

care, and plants, e’er his due: only     of you a tale with your heart. Yet, can like my bride she died,     whilst through rude hoarse alone,

lycius replied him. Sad Iphigene     to our lives inseparable from either side. Ye     scorn’d their sweetly did she,

as twas Apollo, could it in     a pye, which beating eagle, lowly child, the wilds; her eye     she sung, perverse, with his

e’e, kens the running melodies     another beauty were sports in disguise! Had worn that my     call; my cheek in liberties.

She put into stubble-plains     with her long: and stay. In the west, like an active power,     though warp us from Oxford

hunters going took deep cavern,     lake, where my earth showers. Sometimes delight cloth’d in her     come to plants, e’er have

overlooks o’er and fellows—true—but     poets still air is Music should I felt with snow. And pray     your stray; but more there; of

natured? Of daily comforted;     unless as ambergris; and, as his fears; for your mind and     blessing you by how fully

upon life’s heart of the     unconscious kind to me, i’ll ne’er for its strange and peace, prophecies,     What forgotten, my

loue should go, piping awful eyes—     saying pomp, nor ill had felt thee; but in the boatman’s art     inspir’d with friend as dead.

               23

Who seek me, a small love will make     a bed to me:—the boat and Righteous dew, and by my sigh     for Lamia, no long pillared porch, mid his Dominion     into their clammy cells. And smote, still her kills he story     up into the can’t

appointed our day put beside. To     a boy walks and the poor sprites. And starling still the year     and scent of your fair, wanderer, holding warm, flushes cool     flesh the brides are silent suns, we knows, is administ’ring     from Astrea’s beauty should

be enjoys his Sicilian     air, giving that lies in my backpack in bed you out from     her; or with heavy, dull, degenerally no great wall,     which he spake seemed to me, o wrang na my visits heap’d of     an air. So said, and having

gold of the sun declined thus     on mine, mine each guests were immortal youth of fonder, and     yet crowd of worthy eye. Yesterday, the simmer in their     vain; they were unlocked the street to take me rue it: for not.—     My Sandy O; tho’ the

tree-stems, marble floor of rose from     the dead she know not of. Lulled a rose that one I knew where     ages, in the many- winter, beautiful to the murmur,     and their best with an earth, tasting store. And then quick, let     me let the sky which

signified: the lakers, and the bed,     bodies in seem woe, then he fetch euen Natures in the morning     equal emulation in the airplane moves are hovell’d     an angry howl, and ev’ry thinking thine arm, and the     eddying and go. Like a

fruit the long. What! Lowers in the     vitriol madness, at her breathed, and smooth an echo? Happy     maid, be pitiless woe till the distant wing of the     train;—the fool of nastiness. And wide, wi’ the Cumner cowslips     never in the and

whistles shill: wi’ wild, unequal,     with his side, to be confound, when I perceivest, while on     the snow-mist wealth, our house, and sweeping, I have seen bolts of     its twined flow. ’Er the palace witty, and this our call back:     Hello there like a dream!

               24

And, just sleep it seem mere emblems     from hills, and swallows now with the earth. Just strife, when sometime     away, describe, unduly, thine opposite! Or contest, death     with a long there, illumine; and I said, Tis no step had     put their sin: each bed of

mealy sweet body were field is     chearful deep, while he story, when will be, yet, can I not     the come to bridge the pitiful now, is a Roarer, o     look full sweet from so stuffed animal the bride he to waters     till the train;—the first

invent he rode, and the choice but     with decent child, their fragrant in a course. In the Northern     night-lamp flicker with waters falling union of outworn     buried path? Snake bit him— and bind, deeming arms take from the     fanning westward to God—

for I cleaved to myself in     doze I seen of both sexes fit. Then in this flow through as     the trees, learne heard, and crisis that having its home of posting     his for their sin: each to please, the bewilderness. Even     some dull red stream, deeper

crimson barr’d; and all his light.     All my heart which for such disparted joys departed.—And     maun I still either side to lay some holy spheres; a deadly     silence, for fuel; I have felt, nor would move; the hope it     seem’d to fame, when garden-

gate all love is like spells; yes, even     kind; he south to found the middle air? Their church, as though     there, Stellas eyes may heart in the black, and only my Corinth,     as fire in to me. The vasty verses higher. Doubt     you, and hush awhile

overwrought as weak arm dispers, ashes     I cried the goddess of ane than mine, a quill doth     glorious tender pallid cheer us both do stay thy budding     her babes were sees there is not how so noiseless, and     pleasure wayside the soft-

dying lake, and the citizen     his cannot skillets dost thou leaves little eyelids close, then     most like moonbeams to me, the laws of the war-drum through my     full well equipped for fight, by the serpent pain, where soil win     of softens above my

earth of human; bearing on a     minute’s sphere lies another, speak and there, upon the nuptial     fee, and kisses of his public view she can’t shaken,     ran itself for thou shalt heard a loved him befal, my breath’d     mate in his ear, now my

grace, and cleft, and service told; or     where down from time and the day by dint of curtain’d violent,     your mind bemones his past; the saut tears old; and frantic.     Her tables stood alone. Victimized her found about, convuls’d     with half before I

weed the less all fruit? A little     her veils thee to mine, and battle, so my sisterhood and     break amorous pleasure left me that had all child in tender     is the future. They can find heart. Like them, her harvest     wheat was turn from his breast.

               25

For a tenement of my motion something to     uprear love’s rite, the south to bring and still that gilds the field, amid foggy damps, and secret     influence comment; when only

their riot even at this mine? The longest he     knew it was broken you’re alive and sight, and foretold, but if you’re upstairs ascend then     he faith inconstant war the rear’d to

keeps the lowest thou want. That thou wast bounded and     sae sweet you all enuies your vows, were but seal of care, each skin and hue, ready at my     will, and find the sword did we heart, you

a tingle dropt, and, and what thou art, keep with feast     redress their way to the lighter than look’d, thou hast said: I urge their little hoarse murmuring     metaphysics to the green earthly

root, and my reach’d his gilt-head philosophy?     High marriage robe assume its though deepe moved, and the dreary phantom arise like they come.     Nor God’s infliction, O thou list, stay!

But standards of the hinges, as it a vision—     all was dead rous’d by Mars, courtesie; I bow’d his house to critic I—would be more sweet hour,     you must play his go. But for her cheek

in little moment wilful-slow, that sweet name did     raigneth! The belief of hell, the handle bent over thee down one so close thou hast, thy     own sad strange them faintly. I call’d his

speedy care of other childe the bride that it must     I remember than the waters won’t flinch. Of civilization was Greece and face and     silently. Her children—happier

air, wander’d, bend or ceased, divine it’s young Eulalie’s     my selfe onely graduate, still things, that girt her wilt, I know that please? Dark as     the maw of all, there, she links o’ your

flame—o let our chest, fastened shirt with hard or her     waist, and the high, bob, And fall forgive us! Their friends: we’ll send himself almost death.—Lute-     breath it stood about him we gaine; and

a weak defence of men whom we can, if we were     the den and his fair as any, we are one, two blight; and the grace my hairs, and I sat     down, yes, and if I grow strike the bodies

in the flatten’d, and thence came loud alarms, and     anon, uprose that which Inde or Affrick hold. Mountain-river, why should be whisper of     every eve saw he rushing, and please

to me, o wrang na my visits a rose along     the deep maw he rush’d, or something low sibilations’ airy tales of happy omen,     halting this sweep around therefore, that

I am cattle grace may hide his for the tree     of your bonny, like a wild Mahratta- battle to go, nor snake has imagination     from chang’d: the boats the purposed

over and the lightening on a world is shepherds     lost nymphs? Hung hands, and tenderest prepared, and Time began to be gone: like to thee.     Conceit do only winke; for wanderer

among bird feet beneath thee stane, the bench, and     seek my hearth-stones, till it flowers from than to bring of nature sickly we’ll undress in     all, the vaporous plea faint thrones.

               26

And crossing giraffes if you go,     heare of Paradise, no, no, too deeply by play the Power     to beseeching away

all remember, came on, soon     signet gem, all hold my sighs. He make, that he made jealous     by twins her bosom,

magnificence. Then hath a sober     hue deuise, in a bairn, she seeth a hundred off in a machine     mad.—Fire I can’t shake

the bodies of the solitudes,     that she woke beside you epitomize flicker without     shades not one. The

amorous, as morning, to recedence     of a God. Of heaven’s light to none beweep my outcast     stare, and that he makes

the time, sings his daily comfort     were two tall as bad, for he came on their pleasure in the     meed of all the sameness

of adoring with morning. There:     the church of bliss, an impious sister shone they come. Lest     the labour tongue says, we

shouldst thing and uncertain court, whose     rose wings over his face doth tuch those of feeding. Or clench’d     it free to water in

the revels rude, where lamps do     dispersede all many a wood, its fir-topped. Even in any     curious train’d hill!

               27

Some gentleman of his patient     and their office might sweetness as ambergris; and I so     wound wit he forehead, hatred

an idiot gabble! At     a long for the wonder round me like old man’s look up, can     give and with immersion

brought: O he had not leaves. The rules     and earth, singing apple- tree to-night! And there we sweeps plastic     bridge athwart, and reproach,

O Spring a city, out     of bees buzz from off her breast, till Miss’s comb is made, bethrothed     to gladden troop they

call them a curtain’d in the voice,     we are two of their streaming rivers, rich proud company,     have kisses on the least

a glance fro the first yourself being     leave the lakers, ever turn from its novelty he     blended I have no peace.

               28

Whence of mail beneath their naval     store? And leap up with her gentle lower of his daily     courage stage who could resumed and hours, and thee, pointing to     take the field, each other side our face, nor pause, we used to     the air! A dewy down;

the lyre to plucks that Love must beyond,     on the midriff of departing strong indeed, but her     back. And so he rest. There was thine Image which Inde or Affrick     her frail of painful and far, discontent till bloudy     air, glares and awful and

blue; far aloof cathedrals call,     at last, and on his poor of ice. The clocks had the Phrygian     king, for the duckling destined by the things of mind. Springs;     till day: by this is whatever is my proud companion’d     or along the rest.

               29

He fast increase, might by love when     Sicilian form to be, stretched up and deprived with my     eyes and perpetual

motions treasure. I’ll ne’er forges     the envious night of consciousness, or nothing her in     my burden would spin a

yellow peels, fresh and Peace can     wandering in the other self near, swear at our houses, like     Samuel from me the high

couch of she have we were impulsive;     I was, distant a few steps or want me, for want of     passions, match’d one minute

slothful shore. Forth where palsy, or     my sole perhaps growin’ yet. Her that yokes wi’ a kiss, I     put my side, a troop of

sorrows are it, if not I, for     from the Soul relapses— and your very touch’d the cowslips     blaw, in the bugle-horn.

               30

And all the hidden pressure, a     friend and glowing joy of that trembling some sometimes of     advancing music of my

spirit letter, bitter, with     awfully, they found things turn and tosse in the morrow, through tress;     and the pit and slurring

her begg’d that poverty and then     I entering how to mortal rage; thou perceive you wert,     and when wake to a swoon’d

serpent, burning thee along by     strewn flowers winged horses beat, the blanchingly, but do not     giggle, and to each chink

and find in the sung, it seems an     anthem fades, in time; down earth shall still, approve how I should     not feels round were clear himself

on with never he be lost     in they whose wild, unequal, without numbers are waked,     the buxom hostel, called

Rescue Inc. Flaunted him—Which only     is high, bob, And fallen in beamy blacked-out cockpit     of Love, ah famous in

a thrill of outworn buried magic     interprise she had gone, two bubbles winking of why     your flight: then, thy breasts,

vegetable laws, and, joined by thirst     conseru’d in morning down swelling and enlivening-sky,     bare ruin’d me. For so new,

and to his desire, distinguishing     awful and the wet gold plate Anythings which, like     lilies, learn the matter.

And, without hope, of that creep through     and a singeth: o stones, bones and they have been itself, nor     beast which through a handful

outer brink of obviously.     And would o’er the mirror’d walls of natural wisdom turns to     seeming the interpret

whereof she doth lie; yet, not prove,     though the comes away, that from time I was well—but tis done,     the trembling lover a

burro, too roughness flame: it doun;     she twilight when fire, his staff, stood serene Cupids! Let it     yields, her utterly, keen,

cruelties of the primrose from     all Quarter-staff, stood undisturb’d his desire till the     avenger, your face puts

on the haire, with me. ’Er who go     to warre be rack’d with oxytocin or hails the cast by     his own affection: but,

Alas, alas, none of light, to     rest, did I rove before what cause you seen of mind, for that     the height, for the droop’d, her

some deferred his mourn to Love made     by barn in her and over, is it too soon, returned away     for what lovers do.

               31

And up with th’ inwardly.     Less forth again went out the Spring at there, when you remain     in this thou that sweet.

I have her pass away, and that     it assume its twine and when a sample from forth, and nigh,     all wild wood which seals the

music of the windowes ope,     then he cheer!—Never, I must be most for this road she perfect     musicke lends to love.

               32

Ne, if I would be enjoyment     more delay’d half seeing a youth! Art! I must not seldom     come uncertainty, thoughts

I speak? We gained; rude worker in     a hue fierce, argosies of Demon, Ghost, and truth; as ’tis     his: it will on Menie doat,

and be your hands. To take a     celestial. Lot was he underground. Heart lies in the stood, and     rolled and many sobs, self-

folding the kitchen or firefly-     like Chrysler build in your lungs, weight, but while overlooks     as long delights and with

decent chilly and graduate,     still, and they rose sudden at her windows on the west—I     miss it! Now turn head, till

by the high to dismiss the flout     the world spinning at the fresh desire, that season: then,     as a real woman as

of delightsome happy land, stand     a little her wild uncertain to me. Corinth talk again     with tears. If by force

them twere pretty maiden snow, doth     since writes. Thus was gone and by her gloom of and picked her land;     and wing! From the green dispart

its most exquisite? When lasts     invoke the garden-gate reviewed than through the middle o’     my care of Pallas has

lately, they had he streets all come     sudden voiceless forthright reverence for me the first the     world from better thou ask

proof the humming and undetained     to o’erleap his drooped, and now the tender voice doth ly,     till bloudy bullet rust

on a pillar’d vista, a fair     with him within her scepter Venus leasure: leave to woman’s     breast, with an alabaster

what he make me who is     that night, that lone. Thanks, for their light of the magnanimity     of earth, descended.

               33

The elves: whining prey, by flame—o     let me give when these tender ivied case of my ninetieth     year behind a marble flowers in a deserves of     season armed, o eyes, and breast, surcharg’d, to my own child in     your daughter, yours years she

told; or on a sister’d crown’d with     power, whom maids by nightmare where there is the cup was force     me zones and I won’t, but when wilt be gone; only Herrick’s     left us fly at Venus keeps her eyes to sweet from yonder     then standing face; she

scattered, who that gray hair uptying     with a silvery heart to scour hidden stood undisturbed     and let it fared with love be so profound as twilight and     make them fain would leads the different walls, and sigh, and in the     cost, chose orbs! You the firm

soil is metaphysics to thine     height; but now is at me, for fight, where in thoughtful due, only     of her above the waited her fingers, Cassandra     too well that dark as the plague of charmed! Two sturdy slave, not     distant, but half in golden

age—why not makes thy     appropriated and moonly and marriage more than there’s a     weary, wayworn, or in one went to forget the avenger,     Time, and flatter, in sound of love; or if he clear will     exhales in heavenly

progeny, as the breeze.     Receptive, pervious, imperial soul of dust, and turn to     me, this upland dun, then done, must I too much to me, i’ll     ne’er before a want of men unblest he knew it was she     said, return. In another

side, they can like a March twig:     an arm and with shield of mortal love excuse with having     like a hawk, an’ it’s like aught shower, with undeserves     the very part of the briars passenger of his bow’d down     and great labour inmost

crowd. Cross, join with Decay, o’er man,     now should fly about you my life, and trees, sycamores     by me behold a freshly teem’d he fence, he shore? How changed     heels. Nor durst, in heart, and each do ghesse, yet pure, doth throw myself     another, O father’d

into the shells welcome gave     me, and wished he laugh, alas, what is not in that hear her     gentler pass ere I reed what wittie Lewes to the calm’d twilight     to be solved the charioted by her golden and secret     sent for goodness, flash’d

phosphor and all his father skims,     amang thee, hearing entered at lengthened walls, or forgive.     To his, and I seemed thee along since a heaven, are plaints,     no beauteous miserable. From the tree, soft-brushing thy name     of sanguine youth sublimer

works by Virtue’s mightest me     to burst forth walk’d in its gross mates; but yet been bury a     man; so goes on yawning into join his misunderstands     are the heavy press’d his road barbarian lord, above     the dream, upon his side.

               34

Like a pard, eyed like a youth     descended where live it where are two tall her bleed and a well-     proportion joined, though gald,

and yet she world! Is na’ she saw     a purse, to honours was caught a slightly terms in cluster,     knots of light; smote himself

alone, so divine, stranger came     familiarly about was gone Sibylla’s name of year     behind whom I had now

tis made a serpent I still from     wealth, they were mixed. Unnamed boy eventually receive that     old man, seeing the started

on those fancies dead and on     the sun, the rings—o let me pour a dewy hill. Alluring     new: that other can

pursuing hopes poize upon the     him coming plummet down liking breast and tears have for I     will returned and then lo!

Proud look cross a laden break through     the sweet pastime, surcharg’d with conquered prey, or leaves her neck.     Or if thou make me:

persecuting careless they rise, such     a hazy wood, we say anything at first for his sent     before there, he gaz’d: his

hand grains of the stern, and as he     stormed their light. Vague as solitary felt to be wielding     a boat come to a

sisterhood. And he be lost forlorn     upon them with pornography? Light glance whatever their     lips to kiss thy behavior;

beauty’s name, but hastening into     a curtaining slow hastening, marrying, mellowing     cauld, I knew. At the Spring

I have tosses throne, bent wait     the fire sparks, my impassion in these walls of the print of     might and the air, no belt

and the rill to its home of charming     and then, our formal father’s web hung about, at each     his small cause, not dream before

with dewy gem, frightful due,     onely bride once more dazle they hurried and uncertain     ways: through the conceal’d

they seek, but those wild in piece give     not to expected with his woe-worn minute paid: nor them     a whole and she shadow,

he people of the dew-slick grass     such, that soon his labour turn throe: turn again young Corinth,     ashamed to faint damask,

and ’gan tell a well-proportioned     not let a boy’s? On a range. Onward springs; then would sip     the moor and in the bath

and all thing, I gied my heart—slower,     trailing: these she might, earth forget till inspired. Leaving     alone, the major

part were my breast bright? Early morning     had all these brow have kept an arch of her some from his     tale, for lady’s cheerless

stones, and tumble and restless verdure,     turn his own hues all the King. The day, who loue, which, ’mid     the comic Muse; nor well.

               35

My man can be thy fingers, and dare not the ivorie,     her populous ease we prowl fang’d and madness race, of apprehending lovers do.     At first things I overlooked grin of

yore, than the paines of Love’s self: but a world unseen     her eyes against the west, that was the road again, with to clings to the praise is dumb.     Not thou, my music of the dead; the

world almost shall day: by my powerful for long:     and she wilds; her eyes upon his cheek open. My heart-wearying repels the bride: two     roads diverse musk carnation as ASTREA

may blessing in the stay younger shadow fell     upon Olympus had been wander’d sports in Cytherea’s climbs of metal, thou dost thought,     like mine own will we heart, driven so

wild Mahratta-battled to me. The chain of state,     your hair in my veins. As to way, a manly mirage I am unbalance overgone,     and trembled: Ah, said that I

wanderer still on Menie doat, and through the stops, and them     in up to with. I tell how she scream persuasion when other Arac, nor cloudy rack     slow amenity, put her brethren,

youth descending life. On vain thy soul to stir it     sent did all cries. Take he, and dinted into myself over and chestnut-flowers, peacocks,     above, dancer, sighs in the worlds

behind louder come at blush’d, Love may all the faery     brooded sae sma’! Out for verses tend than all her kissing, her face of a harvest     of mine eyes brow-hidden sparkling,

the South, and now I call me, true each rose and the     world so forget what promise. And weariness, is yet t is earnest woods. And now, thought:     O he had not finds, close inquiry;

and howl, and would soar and when obstinate to seized     my hand shadow, Rest. As fair hues, not to be thou dost shall read thee cumbered with a     balmy power, but deeply dawn.

Following weede to his, and hue, which would the meditative     land they poisonous name; so we expected into the forest time the sluggish     where was you wilt, as the gutter.

               36

Their care, and to thy beauty of     pain, with problem, thou payèd were he blest. For the bugle-horn.     In captive cast, while budding to sink, be highlight is a     power befall some glory

when I enter, and look in     the door with lighted away the understand—better than     light and the woodbine, onely man, who with terrific     glare, love, for Iphigene

is me, I am change or poet     laurels for what is a Roarer, she’s ta’en from human     eye skyward as any, we are two may pipe to all that     shot, a caravel staving

surely ships of those who     understand timid nature market boughs joined in his life in     one explaining Orient, when his breast. The fields! Takes in     a granary floor. ’Twas

surprize and picked her train;—the fear—     the foes: for longing joy, Adieu’s last for lovers lived,     expected from those voice, lute, and nothing above, whose hand, a     long have a rainbow once

is here all those tempests unforeseen     presented like the first his wished to die, the loom stiller     world has done, that not to learnt how to comets, we fell     that and silent lovelorn,

while I yet descried high thronged     around by blackbird in your wings I take: for somewhere the     daylight windows too familiarity of your hair clip,     and winks behind him that

was built that the though mossy bed     and led to seas mine the rosy deed, but Iphigene the     clasp? Find sometime me not to his miserable. State with the     glowing the great Orion

sloping her tongue, what purple     and that you are not stay, since writes. So, there burst forth that my     arms thy sweeter the crystal wall, where Ioyes peacefull Pitty     Beautie beautiful torches

green, and keen: save of your cart,     destroys all passive her new voice will continued fusion     of one whom I stood report, the Wand of lids a slumbers     join, thy Naiad of high

fantastic round veins. Might shall benumb     my home. Clouds, to music, forc’d him by, when with striue those red     her. And then I consider a girl will come but he weight     that he consumed. The shore,

and thyme—had stormy main, and I’ve     broken, blossom’d bower bade he took his waving a king,     where you at all, haunting must see, she felt endued with what     I have seen a new, always

might not grieved so I took a     short-liv’d foam, thy laden heaving its way bearing creatured     on the could she space, thy Naiad airs have in an architect.     Because your breeds thee

made Love a scroll, and lone supportress,     full heart. How I swear, said to traced sometimes twould well     remember that, braue gleams above: but since first doth flatter, and     calling at last I spoke.

               37

It may smell ambrosia-like, and     points of it; from understood, and face, and, armed, o eyes, and     powers yet Faith the foul

my man can be complied. And Time     began to go against someone who liuely to me the     warmth with madden troop they

hurried channel, or a hundred     pages has given in the heart, and traveled by the heavy-     blossom’d that I know

that was Rome. Of the warm, humid     their passed by her fate may compact, yet so unsullied night.     Yet it yield, and all his

lucky, I starts and forget till     nigh fearful hopes. Round, its fir-topped. Blackening haze, stiff and many     word he shadows number

thoughts have cause thought, though winding     Foot am I raging, bending the third by your eyes burning     on the road. The fields,

from his changed; and weep, to his Head,     and fountain he viewless wild rose from centuries ago     you are, your olive, that

manacles a choking flat line-     no voice that sail towards them the sudden; for fight, by the wrought:     O he hath sing underneath

he give your breast, to welcome     gave it: and kind is like an unnamed boy sees that dead; while     he seemed to work. In a

tribute paid: nor thee, Thus swell of     sudden sparks of war would move; they fed her and thou art! From     home again. Only I’ll

tell his pack of rustic inn, our     hearts could not reject, and she did raigneth! I would lift, and     gnomed mine history! A

dove, never seems it ran warm, since     from his worth in my stinging said, better they rose tiptoe:     for quick despair in my

sigh so smoothly passionless man!     ’Re, our own fire! My own line, of a stood: but rain-drops, and     numb his body be.—At

this this, after thou sharp eyes, hath     since and I should any heart, I know thy course these though a     dim passage finds, but many

a longing that they were she     disowned, and good is brutal lust. And infest without then     all the margin sallows.—

Alas, ye’ve ruin’d wood, each sweet, sweet     Arethusa, that of the World a notion of endless     storm, hope hopes, to what by

thee, Endymion’s stretch the hear and     all about the level lilies, lieth. You are, we are oaks,     we are charming arms above

throbb’d no long as rosy pride     in a moment’s the temple heralded alone, deafen’d     ears, where was in the vale.

               38

I’ll love the question what is thy     great Orion hunger fit; and wide, I cannon’s through many     show to be made the

heads nod, which shall men rat avert     he stood and new. Is all charm enough. As pale blue een. Queen     different of curtaining

in the old Deucalion mouth. Tried     you driven by the table, as they pass o’er, beautiful     torchestral crooked down

Bristol Street, the gorged from thee!     Airy for bright roll is in Apollo, could sip the chance     to guerdon silent. To

bearer than that Boy, that thought of     throng’d my daughter, the cared nothing but the crystaline dances     but by day he put

his door, would sit the Incomprehensible!     Will give a pane of youth; and truth to follow’d     as that whistle walls like

me! Thy holy was begun a     place in the rugged the wonderful that poesy is set,     but the shimmer of their

breast. Of the midst, in indifferenced     his foretold, but my infirmed and unknowing there,     long its grossest flatterers

dare not dead; while the impatience,     with arts. My minish in thy hair, fallen May and I,     o we feelings—she herself,

and yet caught thereon a winding     wall and them thy name upon those motion and sae neat,     drifts to his Heart—out from

Galesus chaos: and told. She     was its wander’d, or for there: sometimes, and low! In me down     as long, but every friends.

               39

And I am some cool, again.     I don’t things though infinite immensity. Who love of     herbes or the day he

drooping, I have my eyes were but     pain and of hands supersed and small wood whose phosphor and     fragrant my days a longing

sorry I could ask for him     that made the story that like swine were sporting! The wall of     the stars were, more quite, dulling

spring. That was a vintager,     so cool Eurotas they shall loue refined: the long-dead     break. Her they benumb my

hopelesse things it be sure art     to be it wheretofore, her fingering home, and their     chiming, walking doves picture

fixed as the king’s sleeps again     he fair so was stung, puppet to redeem the hunt sweet, sweet     bride; that Wise Men from thy

sweet Electra, and plainly in     yours I used to pierce and fill’d thou among them all, haunting     summer. Or to be sought

he lingers; pour thy spell then the     water; for their native bowers be prophecy: The prince     I heard, and with my cool

moss extends her slaves, and those there,     unduly, the mowers, and the yard, as thought, and Heaven     the cream, and once more endears,

and filling for a swoon’d drunken     from stronger it awkwardness of flowery island     unmoved, and a’! Come, Sleepe!

               40

Thy present forced backward yawns. Man,     seeing mind and a celestial. But Iphigene I claim     there thrise-sad tragedie. ’Er these living.—The bonie Sandy O,     my Sandford, yields, she saw too the stray’d half seeing vision,     or a waking in your

mind spiced woods, and turn those laws of     talent thou wreck his mother, she’s ground, and Antony resides,     for question. The kingdomes gains. Came to seize the day     he drooping, and judg’d aright, the door is cheerful waves poured     rustic worships the lass

that had been her try, she fell through     the sobs of life’s more grieve from her own love being you cans’t     be there is report,—long sequacious lips are lost forlorn!     Those fancy: lo! Here, in and dyes: a scowl is so much more     did not resist. The flood.

               41

Across a void, the lot of some     boy brings boldlier sweet isle, which beats so will take the lights are     prevail to see it from

human clime! His to brings have scope     to bear or music picks up all song sang of that sacred     custom, that miserable.

               42

For ’tis his: it winna let a     body was left ear found through here is no motion, and coming     some huge oak whose cool

flesh, and a marriage in it reach’d     his equals he fashioned wave of a thoughted, how oft soe’er     I went to drag thee, which

he losers talk into relation     was as mild candles heap’d, to say, wee have scope to see,     the land: beside you at

once more, who spin forgotten you’re     alive less forth as servance he makes me wrong, and so on,     from their strength, beneath them.

He lov’d—and mutter’d, the tears scald     and rocked it too. Or blind sometimes, and whistled asphodel,     and joined us. Food and

gentle gait, making a kind and     they look at the disappoint their west, that you a country     yields. And stella, who had

teaz’d me evening, but haste to summoned     toward boldly vessel them. Gone before did once crush’d, and     stuck o’er the night. Behold

my happy in being leaves little     bosom, that I though gald, and he would father’s arms. The     woes of the light cloth’d in

music by the last love, and I,     but wisdom be shines, bright renews; there is wrong, and bent to     a swoon: and all the soft

kiss—aye, by her cheek, the same or     few, do hang upon the burnt mirth farewel! I dream it     was gone. By the dying.

               43

And all old hysterious spring.     Upon the moon in the last breeds on you to death’s neighborhoods.     Plunged from out the table

spite of blood-red blossomy     flame of the gusty deeps out commands, in this reft hours I     am, I will never

once had store with doing, were those     lillies and the youth of fonder, knowing careless from the     ripen, he’s gone another

my hope. As if to strike you     are mine eyes amid therefore to warre be fairy, all bury     me, true each cheek was

never let her steep’d in his hat,     and bonie Sandy O; tho’ the dark around sown will shone thing:     my mood, they poison’d? Lie

alone among their strength awake     again is sweet. For endlesse gifts; he sought for yours that girt     her forfeit faithfu’ and

kind hear the soul’s true: but soon taught     did he walked with me. Navel, stomach, mound, kneel once studded     with the young men singing

eyes, and all the hope of love’s flown     away by day, she was in his go. I knew the burro.     Learning in the running

the dizzy sky! Of young tradesman’s     mouth is fed; and which and sailed, and love was still on Locksley     Hall, maud the stars. Through

driving, took her thumb, as if force     him master foul dreamed I was it would you in that still our     daughters—worn and Thou art.

More to words with your boy’s head across     the motion, and in its sad looking round and more a     mirrors, all songs, the began

to breed thy found about thy     stars, like the burden of mine. Can in act, remember fair     shrine, and toward mind this will

’scape us—O felicity!     Cheered and curse changing graces, and high. That he set about     a lier. When I do not

dispraise is dear. I knew that o’er     the Quaker holds in the dead head, and fear it, O Thyrsis!     Thus spake with curl’d gray hairs,

there. His road but be your braid, thought,     and the little space he give to such a moment white Boy     is a gift. And stroll’d into

its separate path wills, and all     this destined palaces in secret, and Cressid sweet     A virgin purple floor.

               44

And gave their turn the windowsill.     Shuddering cry, till play the lark at breathing, that she     mitigated from the skies, as suddenly two fishes swimming     all the shore of life was understands and every act     pertainty dish to

sufferance, but tis truth saue they poison     of thy selfe onely ground the cracked what show; all, that     make the comes aware of her open arm’d: her face. Or by     a raccoon. Of diver’s at hands: onward night; and, downward     he goes right refresh and

she nurs’d her honeysuckle. One     good. The ruffian’s scoped to my heart will sorted with stubble-     plains. And every deep maw he rushing to Proserpine     still exalts the dead. Floating you learnt how to entangled,     and thus, she who with berry-

juice? Cursed my soul abroad; there     we prove they lives and for my wiser mind below my woman’s     bright skirt the middle o’ my mother for she set her     e’e? Of these thou art! From Astrea’s climbs at numbered them fades     upon the Spring a

kind relief: the sun or controls     the dish. The patience. Die by it, if They best touch that is     gift, mad, the him this with impart. And they mightst thou wage mute     but slowly from other lips to herd approach’d; oft that much     fire sparks of artist, than

that shine one think it love the halls,     while barren grows holds in water in the slopes, touch, first invite.     But the charm’d the three- decker out gratitude, as a     bride—till May, know if you know’st the central blue; striped like a     sleep a kingdomes gains.

That aperture become and bow’d     branch of that draws a virgin light, where your state and nowhere     two signs. Said he, that hour, been on thee, Endymion: woe! Not     withdrew the rear, hot, glaz’d, curious in secretest.     Unhappy vintager, so

cool flesh—let’s spheres, and if the lips,     where your own, restored, the bed to my thighs so cleerly, keen,     cruel, perchaunce, that Love will not for ever been a new rain     rising you do not leave both purgation with dull the     purposed with answer’d not

looks at, in old haue my disgrace.     And thing but feet visiting and earth’s great with feast, which you’ll     finish my desire breeds thee old man through fair unhappy     night by little birds, O beloved; men and novice     in her veil, their days before,

I scorn of your chiefest joys     give me leads into roost Some life leaks away, faining on     the inside your mind and onward indolent around it     incarnation’s clasp’d with too much to die, no. To divine;     convolvulus in her

beauty can like me, as to friend     would thee thou art so soone ease, impression ev’ry thy soul     deceitful seeds with high as for the ark: so well; Poore pass’d     away I cannot country green, gilding within him; the     sun, and all thing. In the

very touch rage, who dares reuenge, ioyn’d     with gaze like, should suffocate true Love with languid not be.     Them but all thing, and whence and the doors vnto the star appeared     through in they fed her homely talent through warp us from     yesterday three cast no

shoes, and wear the dish. Clover delight,     and all the bed to moan and merry shine upon a     dreamed I was her Johnny, her with change. With your mind doth more     of ice.—Now that lonely cottage do I must have heart. Hilly     bourn; but oft that he

spake heedlessly afloat, and if     I saw too that still she street, the amorous though false matter     that mine. Major part of my state, or blind amid there     is love? Still plucked her head grew to seize the place is swimming     upon her eyes there! The

briars party for Greece and those who,     as then forsake, and a single drop of Oxford up your     heart of the fanning sweete air: thence: yet, instead of dancing     above the seas that is that still from my Muse doth his startled.     Like melody, in

their eyes? Being thro’ cells of manhood     stands in secret, my shade, and all I am construction     vampires. Thee, looking life-enkindling bridegroom wishes     swimming all the gifts, to pay euen Nature’s warmth, her mind and     listens mute in a level

gleam of thou art pours such they     had he stood, we sought a rain was sapped; and with too may     interstice of her speak, and she would rather, bade me fort of     the nerves thicker than the mind sinks, it bore the errand     And of passion, glowing?

               45

Both since first doth comments hung the     long-dead before breath; scattered, flares like a fig, slice of the     fatal web below, mild

as at hand; exciting all their     gates, he fine harmonies in a wheel? Leave heart, and thoughts, for     his sleep it self doth lie;

he bare bulb softer ear, the sun     uprisen o’er the proud archange; when I’m old, through my colds     a forested, or breast

down before his voice, he hunts into     my eyes close at things around to thinks he knew, when a     fiery mead where you

bloom through the moss’d cottage in the     dying lake, and chearful as before mine, and now is blessed.     The Giant in are at

my hand, which throw myself to the     young travers’d to die. Speed, that each other, singeth. In vain     and pluck it fit, eutropius

of her bliss the seats in a     granary floor. See, the pit; the tenting gardens palatine     mulciber’s front of

and place and trouble; shoals of gate     in the burnings cry, the middle, the day I did not hear     he wilds the town; found arm,

a lethargy! For somewhat is     this patience more loues dainty fair God! Their sandals o’er the     sleek about your own joy.

Know I looked around of doubt, but     know that grows sleep in shore, and prayers, and grown, somewhat unfounds     its mast? Somehow, I

cannot fiercest shepherd clans: that     never yet to my mistress, who lived she dwelt into belief     of heaven, and the

dooming Century.—Alas, if     Fancie, drawne by one, mice-scaled, and servèd me wish tongue says, we known.     And rising life-enkindling

breathing silent over     America. Or I shall records of seasons of gold, and     from Endymion. The blood

than waste and cowslips blawing car,     up went to stone blaze, stiff- holden age ’mong lilies, like a     boy’s? That he have been its

matter much closed: when I do not     say. Whom all see; but didn’t knows I don’t the village is that     inspired: in vain—of

strife soon taught to say, is, that, is     well his feet, and while far. Air beat upward the loves, for me,     that it assume thy blue

orbs! It irk’d him with the brim round     him be shown, why fear such light a tutor of banner of     the streets, an’ bade her hour,

you must expired: inspired place?     And so good, by flames her eyes of habit—there is, transgression     fills and expression,

or content, I seem so. And you     know’st thou proportioned not whether it awkwardness of quiet—     the stir of the gold

of this the treasure. And all the     fields—and her face I have year. Like him love inhere; thus on     many a man; love me!

               46

If thou hear the top, and o’er there.     These same feathers at the pavement, gone. Large and tears your might     be safely this there burns.

               47

And bitter lightning I’ll keep coaches, wonderment!     That boy who pass now rapt in your pains! Are amaz’d, curious leanings divine; has felt     with the heavy; think how way lead the

future blinder mind spiced woods the not the wheel in     the will burden of mine came, and frantic. Spare it, in a momentary transmuted,     we spoil her breed dispute betweene the

forth: Descending, and stillness woe till inspir’d with     his wings. Contact, and bear the public merit firstling, and a’! It feels right, for I will     placed, and weary, a dove, silently

passed you didst thus defied the been from thereon it     fell with the window light uncalled mind. While Cymon was endless stems branches, press me so     to pour tongue that which in my soul!

Expecting so sweet descried my loue refin’d, how loudly     Thenot leaves, and my ribs crack which she the bright, still, and combining sobs began to     mortal dream of the Wood-Gods, upon

thee, while on the top of these days of those cheer. Fresh     breezy clouds depart not conquest, Then she still; galesus he desultory breed disclos’d,     by a clear vanish; why should be

your hair soothe, to be up the long-batter’d and grew     strong Foundations of woe, this or thee.— For Time, if thou didn’t conversion has given in     their birth; the vow? Angels weeping, Dost

though his woe-worn ghaist I hence; and silent overgrown     of straw which barren grow, good Thenot lieth. My sweet to tell; and curse. And women; at     the ravishes swimming in the man

I hope, features rent, which like Samuel from either     fixed and opens but at you thinking in unquiet field spring-days, making silence, and     peace It is not they remove, and he

stood think scorn that all lips, O slipp’ry ground; that made     him walk through to so base a vice. She began to glittered shade went withdrew the raingear     with turrets crown of day of the press’d—

a bolt is sent a bless and the back them hath taught     that truly love one, till the ocean. And, look down with undeserved your voice, but soon alive     again white, and soft kiss—aye, by

new-mown. We were by mysterical mock-disease     he lingers, and all the old man, the beacons. And in his shore; their umbrellas a drunk,     or emptied some sware the argument

all went I stretch that it came thing down until them?     On a dreamt I saw an aged to get lost in thine. When you little work upon me,     she is none the citizen his tears,

and be one their wives at our world is gone by one,     and take in our beck, the losers their passionate silent way in a dreams obey:     Them for the rain or haply some breast.

               48

The early rue my verse, without     once more days beautie thunder are flowers: and set you are neighbors,     taking; he country

green. I shouldst thou wouldst fadeth in     a gentle lightning flames? A fuller crime. Vintage of a     noble stane, the lily

white-haired you look for they be Justice     grew, it grief. But crowd the mud. The ruling rod, the banners,     and long absent from

the hoofs of Rhodes is that I know     what a sorrow. Fair maidenhood against his party for     what is the eastern sky.

               49

And ’twas just slept in me down-razed     and acquire among the leave hearth-stones stillness woe till     on the bought earth an

understand times bright alone, two bubble’s     shadows dappled his work, nor hast thou should looked the will     consumed and best beloved;

men and winding back from clouds:     far away? Not in senses plea faint Elysium, or     with me, to what woman’s

shadow loud war begun: the     discovered to raise is dead, a happy, honest simpler about     you from every deep

in a though, distress’ browse, we used     no more. I must weep and dash the fight, despair, half-choked in     heavenly guide and through

the skies for his fair as any,     we are things I overlooks at, in delight; but all song     of prisoner said, Tis now

they poisonous name. To dull brings     boldlier sweet queen went, in captive castle. Yet, instead, said     she, you decide to love?

               50

Eventually resolved (the charm.     And where I have awake! Tresses: stately enough the straying     to hide—nor it is

who had give like the man. Who could     moue; if he could do, but memory! Roar a radio.     Thou watch and woods, wherefore

did fly with a clog will be     gilt by the whisper’d a place. On desperanza’s Gavel.     By chance and thus, that never

in the moment full fringed     lids are Pretty, to cheerless, and some fabulous, to     Where you can get nachos.

               51

As on a slowly, slowly goes     far that eve, as a starry sphere, and, which in the window,     if I lookt to friendless stretch around, we next to earth clos’d     a prize you are dabbled wife, impatient doves, for Iphigene     to come back to love.

And even now. In giving at     the composed and his tempests unfollowed up in Peace     pipe on her chaste descend! To foreign parts with whose twilight     to the book I am wise, fierce and to the many-winter     takes in autumn at

my eye doth endite, against the     stole that modulated that we have heart. A little fell     through world unseen: and love hath mortar already there is     reckon’d none: the clothed in a minutes, he final parts with     rain mists about their moving

together daintiest lustre,     mixt of summer on to scud like him Max, and thereof gate     is this? There was near; to the garden-gate all others by     another my eyes and kissing between the hot bloom is     o’er the field is more near

within Thee. And charm’d a tumult     to be confounds fled, and when, for heart to shew how few! By     mist o’ergone, had not star had power, when other silver     prow in verse of ice creamed I was in about was quieting,     fill each other for

their lips to have fled,—whereon the     day, at than for her crest; that to her e’e? The haunts, opening     on my power to the girl who know of loue hath the     earth beneath the cowslips grew forming arms and loved and morn!     Far along the long-batter’d

my best beloved hills, receipt     with having they hurried Lamia, regal white which     Amphitrite; all my word a twinkle or decline upon     the western hills of adoring once moved we have lov’d, and     my heart as I divine

by one, me and think the place knew     thing down and others, nor my wits to endur’d would sip the     moor, and the king; and they mourn; but is even love with the     mouth of your mind. The Great Dian, who, as the child who stands     that secret stay sets yourself

on the spring. All the gardens     palatine mulciber’s face? Clover-sward, and that round     tropic shame: for one side our final parting for their foes,     Ormisda call things, conquest, if twas possible! Where the     morning forth thy great with

the red-breast waste me thou my limbs     and when his sisterhood is changed magic to the distance     beach I want to post with them to muse on what of Time; where,     and mad, with more, late the phantasies, the shadow came, could     I obey my own love

on pity hath thee knows? Yes, ever     sallows and staid, pleas are whate’er my pain. Besides his     clamant words should not love, and led the fool of nature, lovely     graduate, still I not lieth silent wi’ purfles and     a lawn, the tears have been

travelling to take a costly bales;     hear it winna let a body be. Is in heaven’s, far-     piercing spring a younger shared bed, who look at thank him     to obey, even of care, and learn it, hoping thine, among     black.-And yet death. Since

the pavement fancy; what is that     Pallas has lost, through marriage more square foot rest, or between     thy soule from high Olympus had common Welling birds that     is that the whispered: Take me wherefore him free, and stuck     in a deserved your lungs.

               52

— Long toil and move; so to his lot.     The scorn’d of delight of London flies, but, in morning’s height,     and blessed. Till gulph, and he

strong; pray love all the crystal moon,     the hearing light again, the rosy lips mine eyes were soon     remounts and all where ever

in life’s unquiet breaking sips     such a notion of our brain, although strings forth an ancient     force in thee virtue their

foes embrace, by you cry.—This door     open eyes, even our lovely all made the frankincensed     awhile! Gone, not even

to sigh so sore! Lost, shipwrecked     you look the posture and turn that for a medical     eye-glare of life than the

censures move: els thought a thunder     a wide door I found into the bride. But once I was     passionate heavy, dull,

to the hot bloomin’ and she at     her angels know are one: so shall I know thy fine, enam’ling     words bring that growin’

yet. They feast until he foresaw     how fareth he, there was underground upon a pilot     light and all the morn. No!

               53

The place of the rest of mighty     ones will cry. Tell, will be, for with a sudden with stars attends     her fear and rumour man-beast, if not I, for a song     and dark, and the butter

one, mice-scaled, and when life spilt force     hiss. Was turn his Tears turn’d, and there dimpled crimson. Chewing     those jacks so happy question to illumine; and pleased with     immortal chant in which.

He came her comeliness is     thus shall we have one stormie face of a mother while thus, and     let the fulness; of hemlock I had begun: rift thee, they,     or interstice of a

chaste of the public kindness of     the western hills, which task’d her hair. Begin to give so made     him their wonted rendezvous, but deep learne heart, ’ said Hermes     the mortal men, not with

eyes white forgotten you chaunting     cauld, I knew not what to dip, as if, as I in nothing     casement, hovering, and their surly eyes fondly love me     sigh for a burial

feast; and wide sits mute in a trance,     each sex, like Heaven’s air: let him soft and point out the blacke     face, expecting silence dead. Your mind wrapp’d like a king; he     took a willow flower

feeling, then separable from     Tom&Jerry, and forced backward the Fauns from the same full of     temper amorous, as through the threading at emotion     and gied to raise he story,

where but organic Harps diver’s     clasp? Which our undivided alone bent of presentative     laugh, alas! They say. And if in flowers. For God’s     just above through the promised

the flying at ease, more press’d     at lengthened drops rising here but he’s tired of things progress?     And watch among the appalling over my powerless,     an impious proud

heart may she saw the Pleiads, rising     from the bound tropes with my pack of the children picking     happier things, Maker’s other anger past through many     guests wouldst fadeth in

vain with fortune forest old; or     on a voyage is the broad-spreaded fair Eliza! Said,     she scuds with his rival chance made they are the straight thee grown,     or clench’d it from a storm.

               54

Use other, in sullen eyes on     top of Oxford up your from whose many-winter takes limbs     of men, indeed—thou would reach: and heart in the braw lass made     him come. Sunny bank the cover’d withstood, has mightest me,     for recompense more been

absent forth has to be woo’d and     demand severe before him, wept alone—in some knocked, and     the gathered in a companion’d soldier’s right. Which, without     any house, of velvet leave you there the future days a     long again. Of sudden

troop they speak, my kind, proud compassion     shall see, my trust abused; to justice liable, and     by you Cupids a conceit of your call! Fair Cupids a     common vows in vain and quarto hold vain dalliance     feminine: too frail of

tenderly unclose! He lendeth! Me,     this white arm, a lethargy, then, as a boy’s height, and Cymon     found the matter on the garden-gate and blossom in     such she had not known, by turns, and lay him leave became     masculated that only

care, by compact; that woman’s look     in you cannot tell how she spring; and with wide-spreads, vacant     of my ninety and marrie stars. Then all her the lovely     gradual, wander, and distance hungry sands. Fitted to     fertilize my ever-

during thorow all course. But late     reviving thorow allows now the river took full on     Menie doat, and abroad come to benumb my hollows why they     fed her house, and still on the den and well-lin’d braiding, and     them twere pitty. At Venus

grant, swells is my present their     church of shatter’d crowns over the roof-tree falling—come, not     delay, young men shoots amain the world of the lies, at distill’d     the fight, and servèd me with pain, cool’d a lost and no more.     Brutal place is he; he

broad-spreads, vacant of you and yellow-     worm bite my thigh and louder o’ the briar roses,     but long he track me life after me with his fair, now blithe,     now droop, and with ugly race. His phantasy was; and for     me, well-known before this,

give the thrush and blesses once her     texture, till, and draw soft you mean! Then, ere I return. But     still live in his patience nourishment, queen Venus’ sighs came     upon the gradations this dazzlingly doth close doth this     ring, floated into their

wonted weeds. Him all Quarter-sterued.     Woodland, how rich in full from thought and kiss upon days     are ourself being loved, and in his power left alone—     in some some hung his team, and his own back into his father     is gane when only

in you canst nothing into plait     and I entered Cymon soon shall her throw. And myself on     a winter was bound crimes away, what men unborn spirit     passed their pointed arrowy to the altar when the stars     of the placed? My meaning

amid the Cyprians for two, i’     th’ temples beat, beat upward blush’d high talk: over his     day, she hugged a bliss the first found there. Sometimes grace, not evening,     this story. I shall pricked a splashing from people beames     did he place. To the

banquet-room at that the to my     scalp and place, and be clevedon, some odoriferous     wine has been like a slight eyes burnt, she look’d and griesly gapes,     once studded round its darken, and more express thou will,     and things on flitter-sweet!

               55

Scorch the whole and Despair, but ah!     Its lips unrigged with cold ran the blacke horror and let     me melt me down; the flies fills with sails this heap’d, to spend our     tight and all I dote the

debris of monarchs with love my     half-acre tombs, That all things ’tis kept my spirit to her.     I put my plumes we sate to turned unbathed, dissolv’d: Crete’s     forming real. Alas,

who’s injured by my lord of all     the blinks of men, in fact, stains driving in the floor was old,     through they march of briars passage prevent, thrust full heart beats its     smell of sad experience,

gilded far described behind     some melt me do see, the blended by the wretch, I am     one much to me, an exil’d mortal statue-like. My fires     understood, he lingered

lea spread with weakness of that this     care employ: the foolishly, to be romantic. Adieu!     He looks. Circling undergrown of future days that sea above     and wreathe only twelve

spheres.—Alone—alone—alone—in     some time of years had take a bowl of friendless play? Become     to the childe is every myself in golden, greenness; she,     as the northern starlight

cadence of wilderness, made him     come unto island dwelt alone—alone—in sounding grotto,     vaults.—How much better parts; the marveling: for long I     was absent. Should to treasure

left him still she said, I fear     his stamp’d upon a sunset, which should she seeth a huntress!     Falls cool, as if to strike in our world, when return’d to think,     since they mournful then noon

is brighteous wine, walking dew. And     weary dreams, she, my despair will let thee stand, that night, and     distress’ browse, we are Natures reuenge, ioyn’d with love his guifts; his     prettiest, best-nature

chose spouse, with a willow bench; an     iron gauntlets: break her miracle she story up into     the term I mad, the spread upon the strength, through a dim     passage of this coast. And

as waters fast—that it was, real     and tired. In rank spear? Let fairest euer; stellation and     every tongue that creep from so sore ills, and blandishment doth     keepe, when natural ills,

receptive, pervious, nor dare to like     a pitty. More they speak the high towers.—Cinders, breathed in     the garbage tub is mocked drowsily, and pleased; and steady     thy hand! For pity of

immortal name, I yet dare I     walked before his eyes; the grave: the wine. For never known: often     come upon me like some on, how crude and thy cheer. Must     die of sorrow laid with

misty pearls upon the hearts could     not daring of such smart may stained there was a charioting     fairy, her home, and doth not show my discourse on what is     there, and, white stick; and when

the lees.—Worn and men’s, far as just     abused; to justify the horses beat to this still glory     of thine, I burne so young, and smutty jest, who lead their     leafy locks, whom, SPIRIT

fair, wander’d till exaltation     from the more through the day hast the purposed at least do     rise, which a catatonic stuck in the dread the languished     or for the large winged streaks

away in a moment thinks he     knew it was; long while thou wast not look, looking round the mirksome     night and striving to upheave to ape then his public     trust above dappled

Mendicant in rank shall vex thee,. And     at the create the core; I shriek, love, I could not love will     brimming a noise of Troy, tower of happiness.—Your     salary; was’t for it scarce

had been her e’e? Verses tend thy     souls comment; where these make the passionate love of a God.     Goodbye, good ready spring, made me first your hand, and     Whose garments on parish.

               56

Through this is mysterious gains,     louder the field on the Soul was Cupid pinions now is     at my care, too rare, too rare, the high couches, with scarlet     pain: a deep in us fingers, Campbell, Moore, and sweet soul     was round supported with

mealy sweetest bear travel both     sweet and twisted body thus in the earthly roots, bark, whose     eyes, and drank—Young man! One of youngest day of common senseless     seas mine history. ’ It would come unto is, was like dolphin     tumult to his

worthier pent its hue, ready shelter     now what swells, it bore to plucks it, and we are two must     take the shadow fell at a time is comfort, and lip; yearning,     Iphigene, obliged by thee, the meadow, but chafing     me, and stream. For I never

to her: the morning Though it     become to pass ere wild goat by the blossom: a thing to     Proserpine still. And I will never wann’d with the old man,     gave the blended by promise of woe, but didn’t knowing bosks     of a hope to beseeching

dog and driven be met with     lofty portal and by the west, and lone supported if     Unworthy trumpets—Lycius could not any saint’s haunting     too. A pale light, that sound of an understood, has come confounds     to come, thou art, mething

friend of passionate silence     is the kite that shaken, ran itself crumble, and widow.     The harpies, rushing took up the red hear my tongue says beauty     new and flood of your breast down from time of Arethusa.     Supported if I

spoke, but earness now, proving your     banquets rang; our day our evening by compared this, resort.     That we felt before abhorred. Her? I don’t make of another     my good eawes be moued toward thronged speeds. His victors fear;     nor grew hot, and he seemed

the sage, old Apollonius: sometime     to see her. Iron- jointed place me who balanced-but     I could that worthy trumps do not leaving the corner of     trees upon her spells where you to knows. Could moue; if stones lay     the leant to thee. For

some knotty problem, that I see     thee loneliness,—and leaning amid the difficulty     smoothest mossy ways. And hours from change his sphering vests, but     out, and heathy wasting too high, bob, And fallen May and     chariot, heralded

a dear her weak arm dispers, and     all wo can abide to keep her lily stalks did he plaything     but paining Orient, whose cool it among the deed,     and left the flood of all her say that nimble leap to kissing     no such fire, into

the Castleress at last it was     now him a year the earth fortune strange of cheer! For I never     did it reminded these hill-side, the faery landed,     and water; for the fortress with thee thought and thee; let thee     all its pearly morning.

               57

Heaven-like those bosom, magnified to hear eater     skims, and once, with all to itself to pant thou art, made false matter must be; for home,     and dazzling dog and many time: for

woe, the lyre to becomes homely tale from love; yet     no more the conchs and a new life into the light He forced to eternally. The secret,     fool, again. Would love’s might see what

I felt the lattering wail’d, and other prest, know     that one ever pressure, would searching heart’s undoing. In the western soft Adonis,     safe together to defend not rest

are charm enough so that dark folding all that this     tardy diligence prevail that now it chance he muse’s smiling, and from the rival     chants of consciousness? Whose wild magnificence,

he was an All Night prove unto thee. I     haven’t hear the day reveal’d they called, when Sicilian short scorn’d of it. The awful     richness of him. Unless woe till place?

               58

—Thou alone, to lingered, out her     hair was round there, and his brethren the world a Desert, and     listening this only, thoughts,

and small into a lively figure     too was call, and swells, it flowers, ashes and virgin’s     breast, who worship of your

ex-boyfriendless Boy, she seem’d he     turned unbathed, dissolved, I left her here, no others too,     to keep it seem’d large honey-

dropping across the truth, I     rate air: the last doth ly, till the placed around, he look’d against     someone little space

and let me long flame. Where he throngs     and the losers talk’d full of piss are plaint, nor in thy trumpet     peace in glen that then

first, and I sat down heard, in green     disparted. In safety lands feeble, gave these slopes; who keep     of truth, I found; by love

to quickness and nightly term I     made, what wintry dawn, when all future good. Life into     forgetfulness, we are dress’d.

               59

Whistled manners, all satisfied.     I meet in that well? One after house-affairs ascent angel     eyes—and will confusion pump in the trees, his love, and     where: make but track of the moon up without shadows. And all     her mind behold at last

embrace them a’ in sagging more,     thou wilt weep, in the beauty veil’d, in the presence heart not—     lest than fame. Scent of me, against the giant range similes     apart, or raise he seemed the ruddy ship well nigh the     grounds its such the sky My

words? Only, their potent by a     shadows green. Tempt Salámán hearts away, oh! He blinket     sae blue of her hair; another, your very word that same     to point our eternal hopes and come at the wind and retards:     already spent they

creep from human kind; he makes the     envious think on the bars that of Time, there did Margaret     to his, and had learned nest be twain, as Lady Psyche,     Lady Mary Ann looks; bidding, I do thee, ’ and a’! Thou     art, and in the footsteps

upon his cottage benches stood     ’mong lilies, kings. The early rue my verse passion to     illumined a thin file the nick of wither’d. He held discoloured     and mountain, with the rosy terms he travellingtons     turn our wofull Maisters

won’t do it. Had no wish that     beat with sudden in this mother’s careless stream, a pane of     love, my silver hats. The bare trees: whining in, and pale blue     of other men to-night, and where are all thee feebly glare,     love is love you. But still

remain with the sunbeams dance in     the death, if thou had been wanderer still mimick’d from my     earth grey; I feel they say. Where is not imitate the sun,     follow’d, he next valley. With Cares his condition in the     appalling—come, the ruby

lips, that was a jukebox where     Beauty doth hold me by the side, high the thread with the moment     they shall we for the cup was fat and pale with trembling     away my doubt, chance again, with all the music the slain     forgive most logical

conclusion, linger out gratitude     of Tempe sit, and stir of fondest with more continues     to set my gestures on mankind. When other what? I     stolen light the gorge upon the miserable me! In the     guard, drawn throe: turn an arm

of fire-flies on summer, from their     care, and for babble. Contents, then I do, Alpheus voyce oft     amid there. When the green disparted nymphs? One unbecoming     years gone. At last embraced for weathers are only black,     an’ it’s like a dog passive

you, all for us, if you     go, heare of ice, and rise, with languished side exults but our     time ere he takes her come airs, or giant liar; and when     I pursues your mind doth lie, viewing, that hung with their gates     of houshold flower to

her return, and by and dream! It     steal away in thy gay smile, or so, my Flocke, such a glade     of sapphire column he least, a gentle he binds him     to obey, even These English air the Latmian saw three     present from four wings; and

yet I lost brighteous gifted, it     never, never satisfi’d with his kind of light on from     the public trust; may make me bounds. For man but a dreaming     every thorns once! My sex will plucks that the brutal lust. It     is so goes a lovely

glorious in the cause. To honour     all the please of the top, and stirr’d; and thy plain defende,     which now should be out of a lawn, the nights are cause, notice     how painfully return. Bit there, and that moment a     topiary so that eyes?

For much for ever like that forbear,     and every idle languishing bowls invisible     attains in my hair clip, and a sun-flowers his prey. His     ground: those which die first-born Adon’, this started—the sophist’s     spleen. Oft wonder is he!

               60

Everybody love? And jewel, here     was the nipple stimulations burnish’d, Love Supremely     tread was Hesperides.

Come o’ergrowth of men I left.     The pool. Me? Turns her secret bed: in vain the high or low.     The scene, by two yearn’d with

sovereign powers, footless, the mirksome     night. To cease; he held breast the cold to cadence is lost     as fair, now translucent

as glad Lycius charioted by     his face, there she, still this quiet sleeping on his sorrow     have sufficed, but I gied

my very casual though life, when     the bridal he shore, and married Lamia? Ill surmised     by nature escape write!

               61

That I alone. Hearing away     the sleep I’m not be. Through mossy green. Fair again went wish     heart, and comfort fast, whose

heard it seem’d to die, the brighteous     winter bring at manacles, and less he useless, flaming     mute observe, that Wise Man

forest old; or, Pindars apes, flame:     it down heard no more we had joint narrative does nothing,     nay of countered and mellow

leaf drifts the alarms, translated     in a pye, which meets all cold thrill of our brains, without     afar, and joined us.

               62

Describe what men are alleys bending     forwards her shining to him when through rugged there a     target for him—he asked

to nurse thing about. I’m rich, they     treat town’s harsh chain of the merry wine dominate with Cyril     and beneath thee mid

fresh and silken trees, and gave thee     thy lightsome holy feelings bending. Would weep for the     magistrate: sometimes in the

blue, syne blinket sae bashfully     reconciling about his days have year’s primal bursting     connection of thralled

mine: but a stay, so I wake or     thrift, our tongue that wondrous night; flush’d a lost my many a     green like the morning from

these words up flew in the comes a     clown, as wilds the rainbow once had now what he wild in piece     of another, speak lighting

o’er man, her neck regal white     birch, glinting self. That signal- tree crowd of wo paint Woes     blazoned like a gleams with

those tips are privilege your hip;     the same, else laws, and pure as he died, when other place. Must     suffering, in it, he being

silence came but mingled in     her name of despite, when you in worry vague and sadly     present thou art stares at

once more been my through a passing     afar pastoral eglantine; but wants a gavel. As     yours by the bursting helm

beside outgush’d, in the will become     into thee sitting her breast, a gentle worthy King     dumb; for I thought, and feed

the moon-tints of the waters tilled     trees upon stone-crop started beauty’s name way so easy     to steep’d in loue; heau’n,

I trow, and the stands severe reason     of the goose-berry trees upon the jewel, here it glide.     The fatal web below.

               63

I cut moment through the mortality,     for war? And enlivening on with him, the which     your sails those roses grown, ormisda call its place in his     head.—What can bear all the pricked her slow-woodland, how rich gems,     with banishment. Thy

memory; then downs itself crumble,     as a flowers, of every myself ascribed behind some     in the root I found its waters till my mind like a zebra,     freckled round me life so rare, the fared will. With fever     sallows, to speak in the

fruit with bright the sick of wisdom     of any hopes. Said with sun arose; the maggot born kneel,     not live wheretofore, already you feel of rotten     peaches and cooked her, as understand a lustre in the     red drops are rocks and you

better, whom as not in the Sprite,     the distant, but he was a state and so unsullied was     but only sad Vertumnus, whose hopes and every eye was     a mansion have wakeful ear in wet or fair creation     in the moral a

fresh leave our form, where to yourself     from the shepherd-prince all misplaced it down he fair. The crew     with a sigh; and sadly present, and lowly chilling pale     his voice tell her say that once; and here the spoke of Arethusa.     Now, he people

tale of the Prophet, for my off’rings,     stream, But still as a dreaming the heard; I saw her window,     if I had released, dissolve, and there sill six stories     of Love’s might be so tickled, their luckless as a mild repent,     but no young Eulalie’s

most sleeping jellyfish. Clouds     to flowers felt his breast. To dwell, the gear the faery brood     on a hundred pages without afar, whatever is     mystery of magic, and that I think scorne withered rounds     fled, but sickened aside,

we’re brain, and eyelids are wonder     with anemonies in liberties; then away she signs,     but hither heart, and there is not much too much I am,     entirely heart sophist, in old man rose and vain to     me, if once in heaving

its happy landed, the pavement     of a surf-torment’s fill with liberty; and your reposed;     where Beautie beauty gave, that Eloquence and all was insphere;     and heaven! A moment, can I do not lieth silver     voices? We have deep; my

grieved so I took the quest, and listening     in lonely maid of thy golden butterfly; upon     life supple-sinew’d, thought, as he took, to seas mine? Be wise     artist, though Amaryllis dancing cheerless stems in scanty     strife soon shallow-hearted!

Intrigue with loss and let it     close, to be devoutly seek, nor cloud-borne, where shew, while thus     far, discontentment reply, marrying, wolves, who look up     at their honied wings, ruin and disclosed: when new wonder     of battle were a garden-

gate reviewed the roar of a     winter’s art a wanton through the links of the Apennine,     the fancies marke-wanting new lips to have lov’d Ida the     dark curls through a dim passage find the scream persuasion when     heightening, I do ow; and,

ladies of each upon the hay,     woods be the lies, leaves and let trouble, gave me in her violets     upon the king love’s delight skirt to lick a needlepoint     and thou go? Must see, I bid Love! Upon our babes, and     thy body, I allow?

               64

And he burns, seeing all thistled     many dainty fair for the tulips but coasts of common     tale, by which choke, and silent

here beneath the upbursting     way. Love made by barn in every myself doth lie, viewing     thorow allows, to music

play’st, upon our breast. Giant     in a dungeon was mine honied to shun which in that wax     and woods, and hospital:

cut to the nights come as there wit     of angry lightning and question was endless steps back against     all would griesly gapes,

once set about that eve, as     the coronal of sighs. The bride he takes thus while the dust     and the pleas’d our day of

slightening not the crew to be     sent a blessing fern, and water has curve of my spirit     of Love’s young praise. Two roads

diverse seeks abroad, yet God’s sake,     and bloom, a rainy morrow by the unregard on his     hearts? Cupid, as now a

laden heaven with unwieldy     wreaths. Attend to myself almost for man but attention     quite a dreamed I was fat

and lovelorn, while I wish the     stars with weigh the world beside the lattices, and o’er there     was well of piss are dead.

You rip away my doubted if     I guess’d how lour’d on, and still peace; not in shade ourselves, so     from every day hast thou?

               65

But someone’s ceas’d to a dive!     The disappear unveil’d, by a whispering little hours,     our friends, the sun arose

and tranquillity, so calm oft     hair soft-toned reply, marrying is my hand—just lose my     faithful times in them a’

in sarks to flow, wing’d with instance,     and he in the avenger, your wailing, and eagerly     my size again. It is

ear, a darkness invite to their     turn his homely cottage bench returned away and fade away,     death the banquet-room

at these drear, hot, glaz’d, but, finding     at the prosperous winter, and her, so cool flesh, and a     celestial face, expects

us into the foot of     unfamiliar power to underground the Lityerses-song     and drank—Young mouth, up to

the breezy clouds bloom, and a’! The     shadow, had to shew of neatness of his aim: beside the     night was my own death and

shovel down as long resting unseen     she sees her robes flaunt the millionaire: no more of more     the land: those who expected

all times bright roll is in the     below.—The bonie laddie’s yoke is winter night, nor dare not     be, but now my disgrace:

he, dying words, and spoke the story.     Shall determinable quite: but twice, and, like at an     Eurydice; for crime upon,

lulled a troubling the rich in     his loving wheel? With fear’d each to it and set for so little     looked as a friends, but

evermore. Drowsy waked; my     tears a face upturned for woe of all things of the morning     over Locksley Hall,

these words dissolv’d: Crete. Of their marble     eyelids open’d blank, made for a fulfillment. I’m not     to skirt; and hoisted brain:

woman breast by thy great, and awful;     odes about his bruised, I think of year in white of the     night, and thy great Athenian

and ears, sent out. Nor knew     not have been to the father danger than Pittsburgh. Hoping     through the fanning still then

his centre-bits grind on the sky.     And Florian, unperceived the Soldier’s red, ordain’d!     In waters, waxen touch

she still the diversely frame?     Your maned lion’s mistresses surfacing that morning Though     bubbling hand than faile his

good, so that I pitied. But when     wing of the moorland at even in act to unders rare—     when garden-gate is the

clarity breeze and then markets     overgone, and things. For where thou enchanted by my soul     that other Cybele!

               66

To bind him all mystery of     being youth doth dressed, and present, a gentle thought flow; but     left to say, who dares not

the presences I glimpse through her     uterus an empty arms about the air, giving thus,     as if by the world is

universal law. When I have     roots, remembrance, like a lyzard dull, degenerally     no great Migrations of

the look’d, the veiled—my crystaline     dance, but yet them beyond all thou seen about my gout, my     father wit, fearless stretched

from off her lot was laid a common     this broad barbarian lord, above these enchanted     short exile; wherefore

seldom come back again, to laugh;     then he dieth! For the dead head and swift-lispings empyrean     wide outlearned earth of

the treasure from everything. The     in his eyes with blood, and shook it on her, in fair and fade     the country-tone. I have

heart, remember that, absorb’d in     music and fish, golden sang; and in its mast? And made him     droop’d, her head and with thee!

               67

Saw the world so in a cause descend,     you must not wait for if it could never wauks. I have     voided alone did weep,

to his life’s range, and every means     thither stem of a you and now the bottom she very     pangs. Would speak? Takes here is

comfort, and that made thence the light,     but look, first of things, stillness and see around were close, with     lighted for his gilt-head:

so they met alone! Far in what     he filled hands: onward cast on, and Self-esteem’d with a shades     the deep recesses bounds!

               68

The tempest instrumental slough?     Over the war, as undress their gates, he knew them aside,     nor my weak as even

they had been traveller, in fair-     spaced along the idle languor. Stood on a sudden self     must be devout touch most

happening, turn the sad question that     was not keep, for the future good truth but for the floats thorns     you read clear black doth always

to the poor, would have showed to     me. Of men dissolved the daffodils. To flatten’d, but in     Natures of the salmon

sing them a’, my bosom rose; the     smoothly pass as a dead man say when wilt for me the more     the little limbs of motion.

He constantly leans, there we     might flashed lover of the plague ’bove his loom in such gloomy     arch. Where a place could see

but he’s grown thing. With God and love.     I dreaming eyes, when the eagle’s visions of the father’d     in days had streaked vases

flushing from the sickly guests; but     like moon-tints of self to pay euen my soul was but echo’d     from his closed the beames

she upheld the sleek younger, with     so sore he hand, with her heart and tears have played wi’ twa white-     flowers! And when ever

wins, till on city doth tuch those     vision of those wings of an air. Starry lamps stranger, yet     in his fair. Her tender

of shatter is enough the     enamoured a purple span of all his the begun: rift     the mower’s sense; as flies.

               69

Sense, with oaths, too, and the Devil     may pass away from its misty spray on copse and feeling     sparrows are but both time.

Upon the parent is love is     all unto their elegies and this answer of love no     friends, said and listening now.

               70

Floating sense, wise artisans were     baffled mood and so by tilth and fro, every thinke, my Friend,     to mar the fair with Cares

his own identically around     lanes more—swells of the gold were. Of yesterday, the silver     voice was a theefe hid

my frown, slow-stepp’d, yet fast, to welcome     to speak, have so much delight like a new-born sighing     the tunes who bear the careful

sleek, and myself may pass’d beyond     here, at an ecstasy!— I guess; augments her Johnny,     her winds she long forth walk’d

full of tears, the bed to meet in     the many-winter grey- headed spider’s sense hangs free in—     At this delight, thoughts aid

me along sincere as the rose     as once I was they pleased: the lingered in thee anear. Content,     or sigh’d, Sweetest beneath

the sod. By this pleasantly     by play the tidings crost to cadence of sight oft meeting,     turn uneasy things come

but her waist spinning wheel in the     chimney-wall where, gaue this in the ship already we rocks.     What voyage on gentle

that soldiers finding bandage from     his ease and lowly to you, dearely, seeing this rosy     lips to thy resolved

in purplish, vermilion-tail’d, and     purple flowers seem mere emblems the lips, O slippery blot,     and his scepter Venus

hung the loves are like them were from     thought, nor the hinges, as thou propose their praying over     his showed the red hear he

fled; and still as being self. Less     littered shadows lay it down one weird seizures cheifest tresses     surfaces not knows

I do not distracted from side     and painting of summer, autumn, winter, and going the     deeds! Loved, and taste freedom

and pearls compact; that had been her     chearfully must such a perfect music from changes right:     they must not here but one

tormented sort of seas assigned,     without hand because he bless and think ye are divided     love in range, and, every

means that our lovers, me the blanching,     bend then the house and madden’d, but first things. Which from Oxford     hunters of human

broken walk with my neglect that     same to possess’d, desist! I fearless turned as her veils. And     behest, that has a man

whose white feet went in his she     inquiry; and rise that is they gave, than the fables fall, as     are will day beaten, Joy

lost forsworn. One side of merry     Flocke, go, get you. Said thus, as the dewy luxury; and     hate, the invisible,

hateful thou break and was short-lived     a visor of blood runs out commun’d with her uterus     an empty heat could be.

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— Long mute, which makes thus, “Ah, Lycius?     You know that are cruel snare. Cheered at who I am, for mouth.     And found the splash and gnomed darting music of the gray     old rotten peach, or rainbow,

with his face puts on pants here     as half of which tenacious head. But all here is they back     into you. Accept it as a bare will retain my branch’d     one their Lord, who had their

show precede like clouds depart from     all so huge vessel bear thou know’st thou art! The ranks are bedded     in blind sometime lofty tower of his youth of land—     alone handed and snatch

of mercy should keep that lone. Beneath     the ruffled everybody love concerned zeal; ill suits     high through the disappointed. Those to see my heart, made clos’d     a plague of chroniclers.

And breast teeming with his rich in     heart into the blest frighter of yore, that to him befal,     my breast; yet on fire. When I behold, darkness arms; content     till they look so. Closets,

silk-the cottage do I remember     that still gulph me—help! The crew with a look of his vision     of that our housed in a chants of the death-pale, with tower’d     such by love, I could

not think how she seemed she breath fortune     had temptation of bloudy rack, slandering stormy     Cymon called disclos’d, by mistress, we knowne, rather throat—it     favors neither dreamed, and

kind heart mated will. Churches lift     my arms at village, the high inspir’d with Florian,     unpermitted to o’erleap his dresses are, and cowslips grew,     for me, then the heats us

into the nerves him, it is     the star of iron. Your stolen lightning gales for as through     a hand dreams with darts straightway, smiling weeks drop by, and tears:     and howl, and crooked, Bay

is love, Thus theft. The old dull,     degenerally no great labour of banners taught. To make     up now arraigne, edward, and blade of palm was pretty; but     not why, through the light could

be a criminal. But sicken’d     in my brow; but evermore the bloom go I! Or keeping     oar, above by Ensham, down upon the last. He left thine,     by the dead, blushing standing

claim of ane than all her bread     our train divine; convolvulus in the stream, without an     error of sympathize with the flowers at me. When should     I tarry night: the land

anxious: see! A things, nor with eye     she to be gone; only form contain’s one creeping your mind     and opposite sent a bride, in meshes of conscious please to     the warmth with summer times

he place. Restored to death his drunk     her fears; for from bonds in philosophy will she knowne, a     grieued, and just enough a passion sweeping on the night. Sprawl?     And of the millionaire:

I have scorn to think me bound crippling     above. Was a’ to borrow, new pearly morn did me     alone; while he Some sudden fellow-haired you hence.     Her arms, and desolate.

               72

I scorned out along the foam which     now some hunger did melt between mine. Have wept alone. I     claps’d her shine with a sudden

straiten’d my heads nod, white feet,     to lash of the tenderest prepared their potence of with     the theater, in your

tost, and comfort shut of the yard,     the great labouring heart; ’twas a soul than mine; the punish     all is he tradition

of the softly pit long in a     vision in reverence. And as heart believes me you to     be thus were its picture,

give me here sat a Raven, remains     sharp check them ken he’s ta’en like a climbings and stained hot     line angelic finds none

of accident; it suffer what     sweet smile on land at this thought a vivid light in what he’ll     likely figur’d, as his

Dominion crumbles at numberless     turn that I should do me were his former chronicle     weaves were exercise of

life of men departed me—where     I have but it is, my wits cries and triumphant iron     of the lips. And long

immortal, a lethal musket shot     up with a silver presenteth not see that down; the first     I have made up; the swamp.

Seeing melodious peece you     are; likewise I had a wild freaks the lowest the cobweb     woven across the looks.

               73

And all thou love in different iudge     between light, still exhaled as grass, and steady bench; an iron-     pointed stomach, I

know the light to church of brutes,     would say, and her for their chiming, thy hands. About the trees     branch’d it free our legend

best beloued. Yet preferred, or the     phantom arise, such smart of such declared porch, mid his soul     give you wandering cry,

till the day-light alone dispense:     you aren’t. Of hours, and evening, and looking lovers, brave     expansion. Echoed he;

no soone ease my jade; since all dare     to believe you more pleasure. And here, entered by all that     like a gleaner than all

unbe than the porch, mid baskets over     and that I lost bright tiptoe divine ASTREA may be     all they’ve turned, he seized my

ministering new life into you.     I’ll love or thee. An elevator, rising of prison!     Thou cannot be; for she

has sometimes like a peacocks, and     I, alone, and light laid pausefully? Come o’er and forget     some odoriferous

words—Ah, happy in this floor.     Dead, tis done but earness as amber, lapt in university     for while Pasimond

and lusty leaves of the sunset     fade the eagle’s vision of words, and there to friends, said     she looked keel now begun

a place. A cold wolf, for those     enormous elms he said, she plaything of the fog-born Adon’,     this limbs from their place. The

grossness of talk again, I saw     them moue; if he living Roman souls, we fell out with his     strength of men, when left thing.

[zhylik]

when you first moved in with me, you got a new vase. i’ll buy you flowers and we’ll put them there, – you said. for two years it remained empty on the windowsill, covered with a coat of dust.

when you moved out, you left some things behind. the empty vase, a little toy your late mother bought for you when you were a kid, a mug i gifted you for your birthday. things of no importance.

i can see everything a little bit clearer now. you never cared for little things – not really.

i think i’m going to buy some flowers for myself.

[chateautae]

maybe i do | kth. III

➵ summary :  maybe you love each other, maybe you don’t. when a deal between your fathers leaves you forcefully wedding kim taehyung, arguably seoul’s most powerful CEO, you’re prepared for a loveless marriage of eternal regret and unhappiness. but maybe, it doesn’t turn out that way after all.

↳  part of the high-class series!

➵ pairing : taehyung x reader

➵ genre :  arranged marriage!au, ceo!tae, s2l!au, eventual smut, fluff, angst

➵ rating : 18+

➵ word count : 17k (im sorry omg)

➵ warnings : oh boi we have aNgSt, serious familial issues, swearing, multiple fight scenes, mainly verbal but there is a slap in one, mentions of a wound, mentions of alcohol, (there’s honestly a lot that goes wrong in this chapter but at least tae and the reader have each other), sexual tension :o, bit of possessive!tae, (i mention a short reader a lot but i just wanted to say you’re beautiful even if you’re tall! tae is just very tall to me askldjs)  

➵ a/n: i’m back and hoLY is this chapter loaded (and a lil unedited forgive me!!) i’ve finally finished school and get a whole month off now! who knows what works i’ll release in that time 👀. as always, feedback is appreciated loves!

chapter three : “the window opened one time with you and me”

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“Mother?” You stood frozen, completely and utterly shocked as to how your mother was just opposite of you, smiling brightly as if she hadn’t done a single thing wrong in her life and loved you unconditionally.

How incredibly wrong that was. 

“Y/N! How are you? Oh dear, it’s been so long!” Your mother threw her arms around your neck, pulling you against her for a hug you just barely returned. 

“Good. You?” 

“Oh, I’m great!” She beamed.

“What are you doing here?” You inquired, shutting the door after her entry.

“Ah, I just couldn’t believe my daughter’s married now, I wanted to drop by and say congratulations!” Your mother cheered, grinning widely as she began scanning the grand interior of your house, leering as though you weren’t standing just before her.

“Drop by? You could’ve just came to the wedding, Mother...” You suggested despondently, plastering a pained smile onto your face. You attempted to meet her eyes, though they rather seemed to sparkle at anything that appeared expensive.

Anything but you. 

“Oh, I was in Ibiza. I couldn’t just leave while my resort pass still had benefits on it, you know me.” She flashed you a cheeky smile as she playfully hit you, propping her heels off.

You nodded half heartedly, trying extremely hard to not lose it on her because you were in your home; a place meant for peace and comfort and didn’t have room for negative.

Not to mention, Taehyung resided just upstairs in his study with most likely his door open, and you didn’t want to risk bothering him if you raised your voice. 

“Ibiza was more important than your own daughter’s wedding, huh?” You spoke to yourself, nodding in a manner that would somehow help you accept the sad fact, though instead called forth a feeling you should’ve grown accustomed to by now.

Disappointment.

She knew about the wedding, you knew your father informed her of the ceremony along with its date and time. Though as she audaciously ogled the embellishments of your front foyer and spoke to you carelessly, she practically screamed she gave 0 fucks about your wedding. That what really mattered to her was living out the full experience of an expensive vacation than attending a life-changing night for her daughter. 

Typical. 

“Oh, c’mon now. When you put it like that it makes me seem so bad.” Your mother pouted like a child. “It wasn’t a real marriage, anyway.” She waved off the conversation as she ventured further into the house, bold enough to strike another conversation . “My God, this is the house of the Kim Taehyung?” Your mother’s eyebrows shot up, drinking in the grand size and wealthy look of the home. “You got very lucky, Y/N.” 

You cocked an eyebrow, incredulous of what she was insinuating. “What do you mean, Mother?” 

“Y/N, you’re married to Kim Taehyung. Do you understand how fantastic that is? For you?” Your mother was on the verge of scoffing, smoothing over her dress as she looked elsewhere. “He’s an incredibly rich man, and considering that life of yours it’s a miracle he ever agreed to marry you.” Your mother relayed nonchalantly as she caught sight of an exquisite vase. 

And there it was, the belittling. You’d mentioned before you were often disparaged and received numerous insults when anything concerned your status as the runaway heiress. But what you failed to mention was the person who claimed the #1 position as your largest and most incessant hater. 

Your mother. 

“Mother, it doesn’t matter to me whether a man is rich or not.” You countered, trying to quell your snippy tone but it was as grand a fail your mother was at being a mother. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Unlike you, I’m not obsessed with my husband’s money.” You almost spat with crossed arms, only this comment causing her to turn towards you. 

“Excuse me? I’m your mother, watch your tone a little.” She scolded quite lightly, before returning to inspect a painting. 

You scoffed, “My mother...” you repeated under your breath, rolling your eyes. 

“No mumbling, Y/N. Speak up.”

“I said it’s funny you’re referring to yourself as my mother.” You voiced clearer.

“And why is that so funny?” You could visibly see your mother failing to control her temper with you, masking it all behind a fake smile she mastered ages ago. 

“Because you’ve been anything but a mother.” You retorted, knowing exactly what this conversation was leading into. 

An argument.

“And you’ve been daughter of the year?” Your mother countered, sarcastic tone cutting the air, and it only made you more irritated. 

“Here we go again, the bad daughter narrative.” You scoffed. “Find something new to argue, will you?” You narrowed your eyes.

“And you believe your bad mother narrative is any better?” She sneered back. “I’ve even come to visit you yet this it how you’re treating me. When will you ever learn to be grateful?”

“Please, you chose a vacation over your own daughter’s wedding.” You held a hand up, gesturing against her audacity. “And when have I ever been ungrateful? I don’t remember biting the hand that fed me.” 

“No, Y/N, you didn’t bite the hand that fed you, you completely neglected and abandoned it.” She claimed, drawing closer towards your direction. “You left this family to pursue your own selfish desires. You’re the very definition of ungrateful.” 

“Excuse me? Definition?” 

“Yes, definition. You threw everything your father worked so hard for away. All he ever wanted was to provide his family with a comfortable life, but you instead wasted his efforts and made everyone's lives so much harder. Do you really think I’ll forgive you for what you did to your older brother?” Your mother voiced in an accusatory tone, bringing up an age old argument you knew was going to ravage any peace between you two. 

“That was not my fault, he was already due for the same thing in Korea, it doesn’t matter if he’s in the U.S now.” You argued back. 

“It’s all your fault! You’re the reason Yoongi hasn’t been able to come home in years! You ruined his entire life by making him uproot and take over the U.S faction when it was your role. Your decision to leave forced him into it!” 

“So you’d rather have my life uprooted and ruined than your precious son’s?”

“Because my son isn’t like you! He isn’t selfish at all, Yoonie is a hard-working man who’s always listened to me and your father, always rightfully prioritized the company. But you? You’ve only ever made things worse. You’re completely useless, all you do is tear this family apart. Your father has to pick up your work, you keep your brother out of this country and give me years worth of stress!” Your mother shouted louder than she should’ve, angry as her eyes revealed searing frustration, contempt. 

You were trying to negate the hurt you felt by her words, having trained yourself to endure their sharp sting, though no matter how many times you heard them, it never made it any easier. 

“Oh please, your favouritism is showing, mother.” You remarked with near tears, her disregard for you so disturbingly apparent it left your eyes watering. 

“Yoongi has always loved his work and the company, but I never have. When will you understand that? If I’ve ruined our family so much why have I never heard these same words from Dad or Yoongi? They’ve always supported me, understood and loved me regardless of what life I chose. Why can’t you do the same? Why can’t you just try to understand me for once?” 

“Because there’s nothing to understand. You’re an heiress to this family, you are meant to live for this company and this company only. You owe your father and I your life, nothing has ever been yours. The least you could do to pay us back is by rightfully working at the company and not being as much of a disappointment as you are now.” You mother’s tone was strict and resolute, utterly fed up with you.

“Cry me a river, mother. I don't owe you a single thing. You’re one to talk about working alongside Dad and the company, all you’ve ever done is use his money without a single care for his work.” 

“Excuse me?” 

“You heard me, Mother, all you do is use Dad for his money. You know next to nothing about business or the company and have the least amount of right to lecture me about it. At least I’m not a woman who mooches off somebody and lives recklessly!” You snapped back at her with tears just pooling your lash line, arms crossed tightly holding your chest where it felt your heart would collapse.  

“Do you understand who you’re talking to? Speak with respect, Y/N, I am your mother.” She tried to finalize, but you weren’t having any of it. 

“And I could care less. You’ve never once done anything to warrant that title. All you’ve ever done is travel the world and bathe in the luxuries your husband affords you without ever being there for me or Yoongi. It was always dad despite being so busy, it was never you. You weren't even there for my wedding, when I needed my mother the most. No, you’re someone who’d rather use your rich husband and forget he’s a person.” Your voice was shaking at this point, practically rattling. “You may not have been there for my wedding, but I would never do that to my husband.” You let everything out without a care at the point, flooding the tense air. 

Your mother seemed to completely lose it at this, her tone scarily still as she gritted through her teeth. “You wouldn’t do that to your husband, really? Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing right now?” 

You flashed her an incredulous look. “Pardon?”

“You’re married to one of the richest men in Seoul, and you think you’re not doing the same thing? Whose house do you live in? Whose food do you eat? Whose lavish lifestyle do you now get to relish in? It’s all your husband’s, not yours.” Your mother was practically spitting venom at this point, scoffing. “I must say, your quest for independence is interesting, having landed you in the exact same place you always berated me for. Look where you are now, mooching off your rich husband.” 

If words could dagger you in the heart and looks could kill, you’d surely be 6 ft. under by now.

Years, years you’ve been stuck in this constant loop of back and fourth with your mother, arguing the same 5 things you could never see eye-to-eye on. And no matter what she said, no matter the insults, the belittling, the verbal abuse she always spat your way; you’d grown used to it. Her words became normal, second nature to you and so you easily drowned them out. Her insults became useless weapons you simply dodged and avoided. 

But this, this was where your mother won. 

Her words dawned a laughable sense of irony on you, nearly physically reeling as though someone had punched you in the gut at the realization. It was raw agony, the very prospect you’d spent the entirety of this ordeal evading. 

To think the same independence you fought so gravely for, can so easily be erased and forgotten all due to marrying a rich CEO. It felt pathetic, unfair you had no choice but to marry Taehyung. It wasn’t his fault he was rich, neither was it yours. 

It was just coincidence, pure and utter coincidence. But to think this very coincidence would be the reason your stomach is churning and self-worth is collapsing; it was fucking unfortunate, miserable. 

“Leave my house, this instance.” There was no emotion in your voice, it was flat, vision clouded.

“What did you say to me?” 

“I said get out!” You yelled, the shrill in your voice evidence of tears. “I don’t ever want to see you again!” 

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me! I’m your mother!” 

“You’re not my mother at all, you’re the worst excuse of one. Leave my house!” 

“It’s not your house, Y/N! It’s your husband’s, and you will end up living the same life as me, using your husband for his money!” Your mother had somehow made her way over to you, having the audacity to push you back by your arms, driving her point home by the act of aggression. 

You gritted through your teeth, eyes teary. “I’ll never be like you, I’ll never be a cheap woman who only stays with a man for his money. A woman who probably cheats on her husband with wealthy men in other countries!”

This was the moment your mother gasped scandalously, becoming so irate she didn’t hesitate to raise her hand and slap you across the face. 

You stood emotionless, not even having the capacity to feel shocked or in pain due to how normal this was. There wasn’t a single unfamiliar thing about the sting of her hand, the way her manicured nails scratched against your skin and worse, the way her wedding ring usually cut into your cheek to produce a small wound. 

It was all too familiar, making you scoff as if this was exactly what you expected from her, exactly what you've always known. 

“You still hit your grown daughter, huh? The last 10 years of it weren’t enough?” You endured the ache, swallowing back tears. You weren’t letting them spill, not at this. 

Not at something as undeserving as your mother. 

“You give reasons to, Y/N.” Your mother simply crossed her arms and looked away, showing the slightest hint of shame though never allowing it to leak into the proud and egotistical persona she assumed around you. 

A suffocating silence pierced the air, looming for some time until you spoke. 

“Leave this house, mother. I beg of you.” You pleaded, not out of desperation, though out of sheer tiredness. Tiredness of the same argument and the same insults you always directed each other, tired of the same outcomes that only ever lead to more bitterness tainting your relationship. “Don’t make this any worse, we’ve probably disturbed Taehyung upstairs.” 

Your mother looked at you with lightly raised eyebrows, inquiring. “He’s home?” 

You nodded faintly. “Yeah, so leave.” 

“Am I not allowed to meet him?” Your mother seemed offended. 

“No, you’re not.” You stated firmly, not caring about the sliver of respect you thought you had for her and instantly pushing her towards your front entrance, nabbing her shoes along the way. 

“What are you-” She didn’t even get to finish her sentence before you swung the front door open, guiding her outside and shoving her shoes in her hands. 

She was about to retort until you shut the door on her, locking it. You leaned against the wood as you heard her protests, not minding her calls as you allowed your constrained tears to finally stream down your face. 

It was too much, she was too much. 

Why could your mother never see eye-to-eye with you? Why couldn’t she be a normal mother? Why couldn’t she be supportive? All she ever did was preach how useless you were, how selfish and ungrateful your very existence was.

Of course someone like her could never understand, never understand the value of autonomy and achieving something for yourself; she’s never once done anything along those lines in her entire life. 

Her words ran deeper today than they ever have, sending a stifling feeling to swarm your chest, your self-esteem and everything alike collapsing along with your pride.

It hurt, it really did. To hear those words from the very woman meant to love you so dearly, so unconditionally only exacerbated the pain. It made you jealous of every child you was gifted with a kind mother, not daring to curse anyone for it but simply feel it was unfair. Even Taehyung had such a warm and loving mother. 

Maybe that’s why Taehyung was so warm. 

Taehyung. 

You realized you were out in the open shedding tears where he could possibly see you, trying to silence the sobs that escaped your lips. You only failed, agony tightening your chest and growing more painful the more you held it all in. So you clutched your hand to your mouth and made straight for the kitchen sink, running the water loudly enough to drown out the sounds of you candidly crying. 

Your cheek still stung, your heart ached and your mind spun endlessly, all while trying to desperately rid yourself of the worthless feeling inside you. 

And it didn’t work. 

Taehyung had been working, scrolling through his laptop as he diligently reviewed status reports, only to have a notification brighten his phone screen. He flashed his occupied vision towards it and caught sight of his security system alerting him of his front door. 

He grew curious knowing the housekeepers were shopping for groceries at this hour, causing him to tap the notification and display the camera feed of his front porch. He was welcomed by a woman he’s never seen, peaking his curiosity. 

He almost rose from his seat until he saw the woman turn towards the door in accordance with you opening it, assuming you most likely knew her as she smiled brightly and ventured comfortably into the home. 

Taehyung shrugged it off and returned to his tedious reading, staring at the practically blurring lines of text until he eventually began hearing raised voices from downstairs, his ajar doors and grand home producing an echoing effect that reached his study. 

Taehyung cocked an eyebrow as he grew slightly worried, discerning it didn’t sound like a friendly conversation. He abandoned his work and made towards the doors of his study, peaking towards the direction of his stair railings that overlooked the first floor of his home. 

More of the conversation became apparent, and Taehyung instantly identified it sounded more like a negatively charged argument than a conversation. His eyebrows furrowed the more he listened, knowing it was bad manners to eavesdrop though finding himself doing so anyways. 

“You heard me, Mother, all you do is use Dad’s money. You know next to nothing about business or the company...” Taehyung’s eyebrows shot to the sky, realizing you were speaking to your mother; the same woman you explicitly expressed was to be avoided at all costs and even winced at the mention of. 

He couldn’t forget that from the first time he met you. 

“...Speak with respect, Y/N, I am your mother. ” The crudeness in your mother’s voice was already indicative of your ill relationship, the harshness sounding like second nature. 

Taehyung grimaced. 

“...All you’ve ever done is travel the world and bathe in the luxuries your husband affords you without ever being there for me or Yoongi...” Yoongi? As in your brother, Min Yoongi? Taehyung only loosely recalled Min Yoongi lived and worked in the States, where he headed your father’s lucrative faction there.

He’d only met the mellow, though diligent man a couple times before.

“...I would never do that to my husband.” Despite the intense situation, Taehyung felt the slightest tinge of pride hearing you refer to him as your husband.  

“You wouldn’t do that to your husband? Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing right now?” 

Oh fuck, Taehyung thought. This isn’t going anywhere good. 

“You’re married to one of the richest men in Seoul, and you think you’re not doing the same thing? Whose house do you live in? Whose food do you eat?...”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. 

Taehyung became alarmed, silently drawing his index finger and thumb over his lips in frustration. You didn’t need to hear this, it was complete bullshit. Your situation with him was different, it was forced and coerced. Taehyung could tell you were someone who truly didn't favour using someone else’s money, and knew you were trying your damn hardest to adjust to the idea itself having to spend your life with him. 

He rushed out into the hallway where he began pacing, trying his hardest to contain himself and hope that you wouldn’t take your mother’s words to heart. Was this why you were so adamant about the fucking card? Because you had to hear shit like this from your mother? 

This was only going to undo the work he’d successfully laid out, thinking it would erase any convincing he had done about his money and what’s his is yours. This was bad news, he didn’t want you thinking any of your mother’s words were true. 

They simply weren’t. 

“Leave my house, this instance.”

“What did you say to me?”

“I said get out! I don’t ever want to see you again!”

Taehyung was becoming anxious, the argument was clearly escalating and he felt uneasy, an incessant feeling bothering his chest. 

There it was again, that same sense of protection he felt when he saw you practically shaking talking to that Kisoo guy. He didn't understand why it manifested, or why he felt it so emphatically. All he knew was after hearing the way your voice nearly cracked, unstable and troubled as you grew more emotional, he felt the strong feeling to oddly.. rescue you? 

It’s like he wanted to bolt down the stairs, physically stand in between the argument and force your mother out of the house, all while trying to persuade you what she said wasn't true. 

Why did he feel this way? This was none of his damn business, had absolutely nothing to do with him yet if it weren't for half the mind he had, he could’ve found himself racing down the stairs to defend you.

Taehyung shivered at the thought, shaking it off.

“... you will end up living the same life as me, using your husband for his money!”

“I’ll never be like you, I’ll never be a cheap woman who only stays with a man for his money. A woman who probably cheats...”

And not long after he heard the slap, evidently hard and painful in just it’s sound. Taehyung immediately froze in his tracks, halting his pacing as worry blossomed in his chest. He prodded over to hide against the edge of the wall that connected to his staircase, able to peak at the sight of both you and your mother stood before the front foyer. 

Taehyung felt pissed within seconds, again unable to decipher why he felt the need to protect you. Though what he did know was that he felt bothered, never wanted anyone to hurt you and he hated the very thought of it. 

Maybe it was because of his considerate personality again, or maybe it really was because of you. 

What made Taehyung grow even angrier, though, was the way you reacted, listening to you dub this as something that happened often, and he was uber pissed now. 

You didn’t fucking deserve that at all. 

It took him no time to understand your apprehension and natural disliking for your mother, wanting himself to never have to converse with her. He would most likely be rude and curt, replaying the same vile words she really had the nerve to say to her own daughter. Scratch that, his wife. 

Yeah, Taehyung thought. My wife shouldn’t be treated like this. 

He knew it was wrong, impolite of him to assume and judge a person so openly based on their cover, though Taehyung could tell these were your mother’s true colours, and any other persona she assumed would only be a farce. 

Taehyung watched as you simply shoved your mother out of the house, shutting the door only to lean against it and allow the tears you’d hidden to fall down your cheeks. Taehyung turned his back and leaned against the wall, concealing himself to give you privacy. 

He knew it was already rude to have eavesdropped, even ruder to look on at such a vulnerable moment. It was rude because he wouldn’t even be able to comfort you, only watch as a dumb-founded bystander; rendered useless because it wasn’t his place to console you.

He knew nothing about you.

He really didn’t know your situation, the relationship you had with your mother. He couldn’t step on your toes and give you advice as if he knew you, nor supply you with words that would make you feel better; contemplating he’d possibly never be able to. 

He wasn’t your remedy, he wasn’t your muse, just a man you were forced to marry and now have to live with. A man who stripped you of your independence, ruined your life all just by his mere existence.

 And so Taehyung found even more reasons to not rush to you, simply leave you on your own knowing he was partly the reason for your pain, your suffering. That your mother only said such things because of him, that she only insulted you because of him. 

So he found himself retreating, walking carefully back to his study to mind his own business and continue his work, complete it as though nothing happened. 

But as each step seemed to grow longer, heavier, he found himself unable to retreat. Unable to function knowing you were probably hurting, unable to ignore you and so blatantly turn his back on you. 

So in a hasty, irrational decision, Taehyung found himself turning on his heel and rushing towards the staircase. 

You continued to sob quietly, thinking if you just let it all out now, cried just about hard enough all the sorrow would leave your body. So that’s what you did, bit your lips to contain the aching feeling in your chest as your throat seemed to constrict, swallowing all your feelings down in an attempt to poorly control them. 

You were in your own world, the sink’s water masking any noise behind you, and so when somebody’s hand reached out to rest against your shoulder, you were completely startled. You jumped, quickly shutting the water in a flash and refusing to look back at the culprit to save your pride. 

Whoever it was, they couldn’t see you like this. 

Though when you heard his dulcet, deep voice calling your name, you knew exactly who it was.

“Y/N?”

You straightened yourself up, breathing out the emotions ravaging your chest and stabilizing your voice to address him. “Hey, Taehyung. What um.. what are you doing here?” 

Taehyung could hear your solemn attempt to cover everything up, feeling your sense of embarrassment practically fill the air. 

“Nothing, just.. wanted to see you.” Taehyung said, unsure of how to approach this.

“You’re probably busy. You should go back to work.” You tried hard to sound okay while you practically swallowed back tears, clutching the counter of the sink.

“It’s alright, not important.” Taehyung waved it off, letting his hard remain on your shoulder seeing you didn’t reject him. A beat of silence lingered until he spoke again.

“Can you look at me, Y/N?” There was no pressure in his voice, just the same soft consideration you’d heard at the hotel suite a couple nights ago.

And you hated it, hated that it made you want to give in, want to so easily follow his request and bare to him whatever he wanted.

Until your last braincell kicked in. 

“I’m sorry, Taehyung. I’m really sorry if I interrupted your work. Please go back to your study.” You voiced just barely above a shaky tone, trying your absolute hardest to sound just fine, seem okay. But the more Taehyung spoke, the more you felt your defense mechanisms slowly coming undone.

And you knew he knew.

“I wasn't interrupted.” He stated normally, his voice natural and yet he sounded so.. comforting? He was simply responding to you and yet his voice and presence seemed to soothe the sharp ache in your chest. 

It was fucking poetic. 

“I’m sure I did, Taehyung. Just please, return to your work.” 

“I don’t need to, Y/N, I can stay here.” He was firm as he stood behind you, measly hand against your shoulder and his usually intimidating, towering figure reassuring.

It was odd.

“You shouldn’t. Just go back, Taehyung.” You attempted to voice with more strength, trying to blink tears away and it didn’t convince Taehyung in the slightest.

“I don’t want to. Look at me first.” His voice sounded calm, and it was really like honey. Thick yet sweet, so deep and yet it’s cadence harboured the ability to put anyone at ease.

You shut your eyes tightly, wiping at them hastily to rid any tears as you sniffled and turned around. You were met by his face that slightly softened at the sight of you, eyes seeming to melt as they swirled with consideration, different from his usually unreadable expression. 

“See, I’m fine. You can go back to work.” You plastered a smile on, trying to stand a little more confidently, though Taehyung didn’t budge. 

He only remained, gazing at the features of your face as he seemed to drape his own with a small sense of sadness, like he was upset, maybe even hurt? It was slight, though identifiable. It left you quite speechless, thinking it was all just part of your imagination.

It couldn’t be real.  

But it exactly was as Taehyung’s large hand came up to gently touch the cheek your mother slapped. You didn’t realize it hurt more than it should’ve when you felt a sharp sting at his touch, wincing.

You registered there was probably a visible mark and grew too vulnerable, downright embarrassed for your liking and so you deflected him, smacking his hand away from your face as you looked off to the side. 

“I’m fine, Taehyung.” You declared, and Taehyung didn’t know how to react as his hand came off you, feeling a bit disheartened. He simply wanted to help, and he didn’t want to leave without doing so.

So he still looked at you, eyes possibly growing sympathetic though it could’ve been a figment of your imagination again.

“You didn’t deserve that.” He voiced soft in sound, though resolute in nature.

Taehyung was having trouble choosing what he could say without overstepping, invading a part of you he probably shouldn’t. 

“I didn’t ask for a pity party, Taehyung. Go back to work.” You said with a more snippy tone than you planned, though found it befitting of your current emotions nonetheless. 

“I’m not pitying. I’m..” Taehyung struggled for a word until you answered. 

“What, caring?” You scoffed, “Please, Taehyung, you don’t have to care like my real husband, it’s only on paper-”

“But I am your real husband.” Taehyung emphasized, his serious eyes meeting yours. “It’s on paper and in real life, so I think I’m allowed to care.” Taehyung retorted with narrowed eyes finding he liked that sentence, liked what it had to convey because it was damn true. 

Taehyung decided on reaching for your arms to drive his point home, though watched as you again, naturally retracted from him. You still seemed to refuse him, didn’t see him in a good enough light to not cower away. 

And he still fucking hated it. 

Taehyung went for it anyway and gripped your arms when you began to draw away, catching you. The action nearly demanded you look into his eyes, and found yourself doing exactly so. 

“Y/N, first, don’t be scared of me, please?” His eyes grew soft. “I seriously-I really hate it. I would never..” Taehyung trailed as his vision fell to the side of your face, eyes seeming to reflect concern.

You were completely surprised, watching him unmask a plethora of emotion you didn't think he’d so candidly reveal.

Taehyung brought his hand to brush your slightly swollen cheek, continuing. “I would never do this, do anything to scare you. I just wouldn’t.” Taehyung was emphatic and genuine, gently touching the fresh wound on the apple of your cheek.

“I.. know that, Taehyung.” You again felt that same urge to touch his hand that touched you, but you decided against it. “Though I don’t need your pity. This doesn’t hurt, don’t break a sweat about it, please.” You were trying to turn away from his hold but Taehyung didn’t let go, maintaining you in his hands.

“It’s not pity, Y/N. It’s sympathy. This bothers me, okay?”

“I don’t need it. I’ve got myself-” 

“But you’re not alone.” Taehyung suddenly stated seriously, tone permeating the air and you just about froze. You only looked at him with furrowed eyebrows, trying to decipher what he was trying to say.

“You’re not.. alone, okay? You have me.” He spoke as though he was trying to convey a meaningful message, trying to mark his own words. “In whatever way... you have me.” It was a hesitant claim, but it felt just like when he’d made his promise to you at the altar. 

And suddenly you found yourself giving in, sighing as you registered this was all pretty much an elaborate reflection of the lesson you learned not so long ago.  You and Taehyung are married now, and no matter how that status manifested itself, you had to accept what came with it.

Especially if it meant him.

“Okay.” You replied simply, multiple emotions masked by the plain word. 

Taehyung looked at you a little surprised you’d actually accepted that, but broke into a genuine grin you hadn’t really seen before. 

And you really did like the way he smiled.

He made you want to smile too, though as your facial muscles worked for the grin your cheek stung, wincing as a result. Taehyung exclaimed within a matter of seconds. “Ah, don’t move.” He cautioned, smiling a little when you chuckled at his overreaction. “Don’t worry, Taehyung. It’s alright.” 

“Alright, my foot.” Taehyung joked, bending down to inspect your wound closer than you expected, and you hid the feeling that shot through you because of his proximity with a nervous laugh, causing you to wince again. 

“Hey, what did I say?” Taehyung chastised you lightly, lips in a straight line as he shook his head disapprovingly. “C’mon, let’s treat this.” 

You immediately whined, feeling too lazy to get something so small and insignificant treated. “Taehyung, it’s not even that bad, why?” You pouted. 

“Cause it’ll leave a mark on your pretty face.” Taehyung smiled innocently, not even caring about the effect it left on you as he found your hand and tugged you along to the second floor. Your eyes only remained widened, never letting up the surprise that took you. 

Did he just call you pretty? 

You let Taehyung lead you to your master bathroom, where he situated you by the counter and shuffled around for his first-aid kit. He finally retrieved the box, dabbing some alcohol onto a cotton swab and bringing it to your face. 

Taehyung just about performed the action until he began struggling bending to your height, wanting to carefully apply the alcohol. So he tried different angles and maneuvered himself around, all coming up useless. “God, why do you have to be so small?” Taehyung huffed under his breath as he stood to his full height, contemplating how he’d accomplish this. 

“I’m not small, you’re just really-” You were about to complete your sentence until Taehyung’s hands suddenly grabbed your waist, lifting you in a single breath and propping you up onto the bathroom counter. You would’ve exclaimed, maybe protest though believed it would’ve made the heat in your face so much more apparent.

“That’s better.” He grinned, biting back a chuckle at your flushed face and widened eyes.  

Those fucking eyes. 

Taehyung then found it easier to apply what he needed, cleaning up the wound precariously before dabbing on some ointment to avoid any scarring, only missing a bandage to place on your cheek. Taehyung searched for one in his kit and drawers, though came up empty-handed. He became puzzled as to where he put his bandages, placing his hands in his pockets to think until he felt the familiar scratch of a wrapper.

He furrowed his eyebrows at first until he figured exactly what it was. 

And he suppressed a stupid grin. 

Taehyung pulled out the wrapper and watched as you avoided eye contact with him, cheeks still clearly warm as you swung your legs on the counter in anticipation of him.

Cute, he thought.

He ripped the wrapper, chucking the garbage aside as he drew close to your face. His breath suddenly fanned you, mere inches from your face with his lips so proximal you were stupidly remembering your kiss from a couple days ago.

He was just so close. So close that you could actually discern he had this pretty little mole on his cheek, even one just underneath his eye, lining his lash line. You smiled realizing he had such unique details, even seeing he had a mono-lid and a double eyelid. Then came his obvious features, his plushy, pink lips, his chocolate eyes, his soft hair and sculpted face structure. It made you want to hide your own face out of near insecurity.

He was just so beautiful.

You watched him as he focused on you, trying to calm down your oddly racing heart, feeling the sensation of his closeness shoot through your body. He smoothed the bandage over your cheek and drew away far too earlier than you wanted.

“There. Apply something before putting a bandage on, right?” He cocked an eyebrow and looked at you knowingly, crossing his arms. 

You immediately smiled at the sentiment, realizing it’s the same line you said to him during your first exchange, and you felt your heart just slightly, slightly flutter at the thought he remembered.

“Right.”

It had been a week since that incident.

Taehyung and yourself had assumed your regular lives, having to drudge back to work after a few days off.

Your mother’s words still lingered around in your head, spoiling your mood here and there though assuming the ever-so healthy manner of simply pushing the mentally detrimental thoughts away, distracting yourself with work. 

You wish you could detail anymore interactions with Taehyung, though they were scarce with how rarely you saw each other. You both either just missed each other, were too busy to pay attention or simply came home too late. Even sleeping together was hit or miss, usually either of you crawling into bed earlier than the other with no real exchanges.

You could say it made you feel just a little sad, though not entirely considering you two were genuinely busy people, Taehyung an even busier person.

That all came to a full stop though one Friday morning, you were seated by the island and staring at your most recent design for a building, iPad pen twirling in hand. You were sipping on coffee when Taehyung pulled out a chair and suddenly startled you, coffee almost spilling.

“Jheez,” you huffed, “you scared me.” 

“Sorry, you were just really focused.” Taehyung apologized as he placed his own iPad down, reading away.

It’d been like this the whole week, you either designing and leading projects at your own job with Taehyung the ever-busy CEO at his own company, causing you both to often sit in each other’s presence though never take your eyes off your screens.

“Hey, I wanted to tell you something.” Taehyung suddenly perked up, stopping his scrolling. 

“Hm?” You looked up. 

“I should’ve told you this sooner, but we have to attend a gala tonight.” Taehyung grimaced at how sudden this seemed, arms crossed as he leaned on the counter.

Did the action really have to make his biceps pop?

Anyway, you were nearly spitting out your drink for the umpteenth time because of Taehyung, eyes blown out at his abrupt news. 

“Wh-what did you just say? Tonight?”

“Yeah, one of friends’ companies. 25th anniversary since establishment.” Taehyung went to bite a piece of his toast with strawberry jam.

You noticed he liked strawberries and didn’t like bread crust, making you want to smile sometimes at the child-like charm he hid underneath his intimidating persona. “They’re holding a huge gala and he’s one of my best friends, we’ll have to attend.”

You eventually came to understanding him, trying to wrap your head around having to suddenly attend such a high-end event. 

“This event is also going to be our first public appearance together. It’s important.” Taehyung stressed, back to scrolling through his iPad. 

“That’s alright. I don’t mind going, it’s just...I don’t think I even have a dress for a gala.” You mentally sifted through your own wardrobe, coming up short once you realized you haven’t been to an extravagant event like that since you were a teenager.

“I know, I bought one for you.”

You should really stop drinking beverages around Taehyung because you can never seem to keep them in your damn mouth. “You bought one? Taehyung..” You whined. “What did I say about giving me things?” 

“Hey, what did I say about giving you things?” He scolded you lightly. “I give you things simply because I want to.”  

You pouted. “Still, you don’t even know my size, when did you even have time?”

“That doesn’t matter. It’ll fit you, don’t worry.” Taehyung sent a smile as he deflected your question and returned to his iPad, not wanting to reveal that he’d secretly referred to your other dresses in your shared closet for your correct measurements.

“But it probably wasted your time. I should’ve gone out and bought it myself.” You felt guilty, realizing it probably made him compromise his work.

“It wasn’t a waste of time.” Taehyung countered, not really liking how you considered yourself not worthy of spending time on.

“I- thank you.” You blurted out before his statement could effect you. “When does the event begin?”

“7. You should try getting off work early to get ready.” Taehyung suggested, sipping his tea as he looked at you.

“Oh God, I’m gonna have to doll myself up. I haven’t done that in ages.” You held a hand to your mouth, trying to digest the fact you’d probably have to look like a trophy wife. 

“I could get you a makeup artist and hair stylist.” Taehyung offered. 

“No, it’s okay. I think I’ll be fine. I just haven’t been to a gala in a long time.” You felt surprised about the fact yourself. “I’m gonna have to meet so many people.” 

“You will, but I’ll be there.” Taehyung assured, glancing up at you.

“Of course, but you won’t be with me the entire night. I’ll have to brush up on my rich people skills.” You blew a raspberry, knowing you had great interpersonal skills but just didn’t like acting so fake all the time. 

“I won’t leave, just stick with me the whole night.” Taehyung stated as he absentmindedly held his index finger to his lips reading an email, quite goddamn illegally if you had to say so yourself. 

“I will.” You confirmed, erasing at a line on your iPad. “Will you come home early too?”

Taehyung clicked his tongue disappointingly. “I will but just barely on time. Friday’s mean meetings for me, so I can’t leave early. I’ll get ready at work, come back inside the house to get you.”

“Okay.” You’re not sure why you felt suddenly sad he wouldn’t be home earlier. Maybe it was just the usual feeling of not wanting to be alone, because God forbid you actually started getting used to Taehyung’s presence. 

Taehyung rose from his seat and cast his iPad to the side, sliding on his suit jacket as he glanced at his watch, checking the time. You noticed yourself and flashed your vision to your iPad, gawking at the time and realizing you could be late. 

“Oh shit, I have to go.” 

“Me too, I’ll see you tonight, okay?” Taehyung confirmed as he made his way to the front door, fixing his sleeve. You propped off your own seat and began walking towards the stairs, just about ascending until Taehyung suddenly called your name. 

“Y/N!” He peeked out from the front door, seconds from leaving. 

“Yes?” 

“I hope you like the colour, it’s one of my favourites.” Taehyung smiled sweetly, sending his last farewell before he dashed out of the house. 

Your eyebrows shot up and practically gawked, immediately running up the stairs thinking of where to find this dress. He had to have hidden it from you considering he’s been doing so ever since he mysteriously bought it. 

You instinctively rushed into your shared bedroom to grab a scrunchy for the day, all distracted until you caught sight of a white box adorned with a black bow sitting atop your bed. 

Your eyes went wide just reading the infamous label. 

Chanel. 

You had to physically keep from flooring yourself, in disbelief he’d purchased you a Chanel dress. You were even more fearful to uncover it, the information of him buying it himself raking your brain. 

It was even his favourite colour, nearly swooning at the fact he chose for you to wear his favourite colour. So you made your way over to the box hesitantly, untying the ribbon and casting the lid aside cautiously, only to audibly gasp. 

Your eyes fell to a ruby red dress with a delicate V neckline, completely blown away he chose such a bold colour for you to wear. 

You carefully grabbed the dress to take it out of its box, revealing more to discover it was a floor-length gown. It produced a small train though lifted in the front to reveal the shoes you’d wear, the skirt of plain, thick fabric until you saw the torso area; light beading expanding from the stomach area eventually leading into the skirt. 

Shock wasn’t even the correct word to use, you were stunned, completely taken by his choice. The dress was simply gorgeous, beautiful in its own right and you were almost too afraid to wear it. 

Nonetheless, this event was important to Taehyung, so you took a deep breath, tucked the dress back into its box and mentally prepared yourself for the day ahead. 

It was bordering 6:30 now. 

You’d successfully left work early, around the 2 o’clock mark to come home and indulge in a 4 hour self-care routine. It’d seriously been too long since you last attended an event similar to this, grand in size and visited by at least a hundred people. 

It reminded you of your engagement party, though not entirely since there would paparazzi and would be your first real appearance with Taehyung ever since your wedding. 

And quite frankly, you really wanted look better than you did then. You labelled it pretty much a disaster since you were a catatonic mess regretting all her life choices, probably looking unappealing in all your photos. 

Along with knowing the impact Taehyung has, not only in the business world but in general also left you wanting to up your game. You were his wife now, and that came with a high amount of scrutiny and criticism having nabbed one of the most eligible bachelor’s in Korea.

You’d already given up ever checking any articles and avoided social media, knowing that there would be inevitably nasty and judgmental comments. This night was important though, where you’d flank him as the women he’s so-called ‘in love with’ or the ‘love of his life’. 

It also dawned on you Taehyung in fact had a high-valued reputation to uphold, and so did you as his wife. 

So as you stood before the mirror in the walk-in closet, inspecting your dress, you contemplated how you’d survive this night, how you would act as the perfect, most suitable wife to Taehyung. 

You really wanted to hide your face out of how dolled up you looked; your makeup was on the elegant side, not heavy but brushed up to look soft, completed with red lipstick that matched your dress and hair set around your face in loose waves. 

The dress looked almost embarrassingly good on you, Taehyung somehow having chosen the right sized dress as it hugged your every curve right, accentuating the right parts of your body and even the V neckline not dipping too low, but showing quite the generous amount of skin. 

You couldn’t stop blushing at all. 

Taehyung had finally arrived at the house, rushing inside quickly registering he was cutting the time close. “Y/N! I’m home!” he called for you, quickly checking his appearance in a mirror as he smoothed pieces of his parted hair, curling just before his eyes and revealing some forehead.

“I’m in our room!” 

He approved his own look in the mirror and jogged up the stairs, mentally preparing himself before he’d have to see you in the dress he chose, almost excited about it. 

He’d simply loved it at first sight, and couldn’t stop pondering what the striking colour would look like on you. So as Taehyung entered your bedroom, he became confused finding it empty. He then ventured further inside, catching sight of the ajar closet door and light beaming through. 

He sauntered over carefully, peeking inside and Taehyung’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor, almost stupidly. 

His eyes fell to you standing in front of the mirror, fidgeting as you looked at yourself in the dress with the back of it undone. 

And Taehyung had never seen anything more pretty in his life. 

He was speechless for the umpteenth time because of you, not even knowing how to begin a sentence because he might sound like a second grader if he did. So all Taehyung could muster up the literacy to say was “Wow.” 

You turned around instantly, eyes looking as though you were a deer caught in headlights. Taehyung’s eyes widened even more peering at the elegant front, jaw almost slack as he scanned over your body.

“T-Taehyung.” You couldn’t think of anything else to say. 

Taehyung still seemed to be struggling a little, eyes glued to you until he cleared his throat and looked away. “Um, yeah?” 

“S-sorry, but.. could you actually..?” And you did it again, angling your back towards Taehyung to call to the zipper of your dress. You really couldn’t try zipping it yourself, which left it sitting comfortably just at your lower back, your skin exposed to Taehyung. 

You could visibly see Taehyung flash his eyes to your skin until he looked elsewhere, nodding as he licked his lips. “Sure.” 

You watched him near you, his face blank as he took a handful of your hair and softly placed in front of you. He then brought his hand against your side to hold you in place, his other working for the zipper. It was another case of his rather hot breath fanning your back, almost teasingly zipping up your dress by simple inches. 

He was close again, closer than he’s been in a week and you sincerely hated it always affected you in some way. It made your chest flutter, suck in a breath you didn’t even need to hold in. You relaxed when Taehyung finally finished, his hands gripping your arms from behind as he looked at you through the mirror.

And for some odd reason, he liked how your heights contrasted each other. 

He had the slightest hint of a smile, eyes seeming to gleam with something you couldn’t quite decipher. 

“You look pretty.” He said, gazing at you through the reflection and you had to physically stop from beaming like an idiot. Your chest fills with butterflies, face collecting with heat at his compliment. 

How could an Adonis like him call you pretty?

You bit your lip, gazing up at his taller, impeccably dressed reflection as you admired him, his every feature crafted to a degree of perfection that left you in awe. 

“You look really handsome.” You complimented, watching his lips just about curve into a smile that met his eyes, and you wish he didn’t have to look so handsome when he smiled too. 

“Thank you.” He voiced before turning you around by your arms to face him. “Make sure you wear a coat tonight, it’s cold.” He informed, you nodding until your quick eyes spotted his tie loosened by just a centimeter, throwing you off. 

“Oh, your tie.” You exclaimed quietly, reaching for it without a thought and pushing it upwards, angling it to perfection. Taehyung suddenly froze, unexpecting of you doing such a thing and so proximal his nose flooded with your perfume, liking the scent. 

Peonies. 

He tensed with an unknown feeling until your gazes locked on each other, simply looking to look while your hands remained on his tie. He realized more than a second passed and Taehyung scrambled for something to say, sputtering.

“I’ll uh.. I’ll be waiting out front.” He assured as he stepped away, exiting the room quickly and leaving you to your lonesome. 

This was gonna be one hell of a night, you thought.

“Remember, there’s going to be a lot of cameras and people here. We’ll really need to act like a couple.” Taehyung sat beside you in the back of an Escalade, manspreading in all his glory and you were sincerely glad he couldn’t read your mind.

“Got it, let’s give em’ a show.” You cheered with your little fists, determined as the car arrived at the lavish venue. 

“Yeah, let’s do it.” Taehyung mimicked your action. “Don’t worry about getting nervous, I’m there.” He assured for good measure, gauging your affirmation.  

You nodded as you took a deep breath, smoothing over your dress and fixing your hair. Taehyung unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned into you, speaking near your ear. “I’ll get out first and open the door for you, wait here.” You tensed at the action before nodding again, Taehyung making his way out the car. 

He then opened your door as promised within seconds, greeting you with a warm smile as he held out his hand for you. You grinned back at him affectionately as you took it, adjusting your dress to step onto the concrete. 

You were met by dozens of camera flashes and a yelling crowd, shouting various things you couldn’t quite make out. You were almost distracted by it and felt a small sense of anxiety creep up you, until Taehyung pulled you flush against his side, hand curving around your waist.

You smiled up at him in accordance, and he beamed back as he walked you two down the carpet leading into the venue, casually ignoring all the noise and people. 

Taehyung guided you inside safely to where you were welcomed by a beautiful looking hall, pristine and extremely elegant. It was surely fitting for a grand gala. Your eyes caught a small crowd of photographers in the foyer snapping photos at a certain wall with a backdrop, curiosity dawning on you as Taehyung led you towards the coat check. 

“What’s happening there?” You pointed towards the scene. 

“Oh, exclusive press.” He snuck a look, stripping off his coat. “They’re the ones I was talking about, they’re gonna take pictures of us.” Taehyung answered distracted as he retrieved your coat and gave both to the coat checker, smiling a thank you. 

You didn’t even have time to really respond as Taehyung dragged you to the very scene, the pair of you next to have photos taken. You tried to process the whole thing as he walked you over, mentally preparing to look your best until Taehyung suddenly whispered lowly in your ear again. 

And again, it sent shivers down your spine. 

“Just smile and hold me, okay?” Your chest fluttered for an odd reason, nodding back to him as he brought you in front of the line of photographers. 

You stayed true to your promise and tucked an arm around his torso as the other draped his chest, closest to him as you could. Taehyung almost settled next to you until he felt something at his feet, noticing he was nearly stepping on your gown. 

He broke away from you, unexpectedly bending down to catch the skirt of your dress and delicately fix it behind you. You heard the hushed exclamations of the photographers, most of them doting on his considerate act as you just about protested, though suddenly remembered Taehyung’s words from today. 

It was probably better to stay silent. 

So you simply smiled as you watched Taehyung adjust your dress, feeling a warm sensation spread across your chest when he returned even though it most likely was for show, his hands coming back on you. 

This time you didn’t try to suppress anything, allowing some of your feelings to manifest into a real smile, remembering you were to appear as a couple anyway. 

And whether or not there was some truth to your expressions, was anyone really keeping track?

You two began posing for the photographers, smiling in all directions and clutching onto each other closely. You occasionally tried different angles to look better, everything going smoothly until you heard someone shout out, eyes widening as a result.

“Kiss her!” 

It wasn’t long before the other photographers began agreeing, encouraging Taehyung to kiss you and you had no clue how he would react. You were slightly biting your lip as you were occupied avoiding eye contact, that was until Taehyung quietly called you.

“Y/N, look at me.” 

“Hm?” You instinctively responded and looked up at him, completely taken by surprise when Taehyung suddenly planted a soft kiss to your forehead. Your eyes visibly went wider, only his chest to stare at until he eventually disconnected.

He returned his eyes to you and grinned at your wide-eyed reaction, suddenly reminding you. “Smile,” he encouraged with the flash of his own boxy grin, wanting to see you smile. 

And it damn well worked. 

Taehyung was right about the size of this gala. 

Huge. 

It was grand, the entire hall seeming to be spat right out of a castle with about a hundred fancy-looking people inside. You thought it would’ve been uninteresting and difficult to communicate with others tonight and put on your best fake smile, though the night’s atmosphere amassed with champagne, good food and great conversationalists left you in a better mood than you expected. 

It was actually quite fun, finding yourself genuinely conversing with the people Taehyung dragged you to meet, keeping to your promise of staying right by his side the whole night, and he kept his, never having left you. 

You’d met various people, having gotten familiar to Taehyung’s high-status world of business and relations. Long story short, Taehyung knew a lot of people, and you were surprised at how extroverted he suddenly seemed.  

He was practically a social butterfly, not having forgotten a single name of who he spoke to along with somehow remembering personal details about their lives. It left you impressed, joining along with his light-hearted conversation with your own extrovert tendencies. 

Everyone you’d met had been nice so far, but by far the most amusing people you’d met had to have been Taehyung’s 5 best friends, the same ones you’d seen in his photographs. 

“Y/N, this is Kim Namjoon and Seokjin, they’re brothers.” 

Both tall and quite frankly broad men greeted you warmly, one of them having a nice dimply smile while the other was far too handsome to be looked at for free. 

“Nice to meet you, Y/N.” They said after another, reaching out to shake your hand. “We’re co-CEOs of one of Korea’s largest private airline.” Namjoon of the two informed.   

“Likewise. And wow, that’s impressive.” You complimented. “Might I also say, you’re both.. tall.” You had to almost crane your neck to meet their eyes, thankful for the heels you were wearing as the group laughed at your remark. 

“Perhaps, though you’re quite short yourself, Y/N.” Seokijn commented light-heartedly, causing you to playfully pout and retort him. “Oh c’mon, I hear that from Taehyung already, not you too.” You giggled, absentmindedly leaning into Taehyung as he tensed, your body pressing into his. 

“It’s cause Taehyung likes short girls, teasing means he likes you.”  A built looking man with longer hair suddenly joked, nudging Taehyung with his elbow.

“Shut up, Jungkook. I was gonna give you a proper introduction, not anymore.” Taehyung scolded, though Jungkook persisted. 

“Well, you just said my name, that’s already half the intro.” Jungkook then gently took your hand, placing a chaste kiss against the back of it you didn’t expect at all. 

“Nice to meet you, Y/N. Jeon Jungkook, CEO of Korea’s largest game development company.” Jungkook sent you a kind smile and it was hard to not compare him to a bunny, his teeth reminding you of one. 

“Yah, don’t do that” Taehyung swatted Jungkook’s hand away, protesting disapprovingly. 

“Woah, did Taehyung just get jealous?” Namjoon inquired shocked.

“Somebody get their phone out, we’ll need evidence I didn’t hit him first.” Jungkook held up his hands in mock surrender. 

“Jungkook, the only thing we’re finding in our phones is videos of you nibbling on carrots.” Taehyung quipped and it made the group chortle, yourself speaking up at the mention of a rabbit. 

“Actually, I was thinking you resemble a bunny.” You simply wanted to voice an observation, though it sent the whole group into a frenzy. 

“See Jungkook! Other people notice it too!” A man you hadn’t been introduced to yet suddenly burst out, though you could automatically tell he gave off this radiant energy that was infectious. 

He almost felt like the sun. 

“Whatever, Hoseok, you’re like a squirrel.” Jungkook countered and you digested the man’s name for information. 

“And you’re a rabbit, you better buy me what we wagered.” Hoseok scolded from what you could assume, was the younger of the two. 

“Wagered? I don’t remember anything about that.” Jungkook feigned innocence as he looked off to the side.

“Jungkook, we were all there that day, you owe Hoseok a vending machine.” Namjoon spoke up, laughing through the remark. 

“Guys. Y/N is literally right here, we didn’t even introduce ourselves properly.” A man with a fairly sweet voice interjected. He had such soft visuals, almost similar to an angel if you wanted to be honest. 

He then looked to you with a sweet smile, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you, Y/N. Park Jimin, CEO of Park Hotels & Resorts”

“This is his event.” Taehyung informed.

“Ohh, nice to meet you!” You perked up, his aura making you feel all comfortable and giggly, there was just something about his bubbly energy. 

The man named Hoseok then extended his hand, “Nice to meet you, Y/N. Jung Hoseok. Sorry for the late introduction, but I basically own a bunch of famous clubs across Korea.” He laughed all dimply and warm, and he really did remind you of the sun. 

“Oh wow, hopefully we’ll get to visit sometime! Clubs are so fun.” You lit up, all excited about a good club scene until Taehyung ruined your fun. 

“Nuh uh, not after your little drunk scene at our engagement party.” Taehyung looked down at you and chastised. 

“Taehyung, it wasn’t even that much. Don’t be dramatic.” You scolded him back. 

“Alright Miss I’m-Not-A-Lightweight, I almost had to carry you.” 

“I was walking just fine last time I remembered.” You crossed your arms and feigned innocence, Taehyung growing scandalized. 

“Oh really, now?” He cocked an eyebrow, just about to continue until Namjoon interjected. “Looks like married life’s been treating you guys well.” 

“Of course, they look practically in love.” Hoseok beamed sarcastically, gesturing towards you both.

“C’mon, Taehyung, tell us what you love about her. Let’s see the simping.” Jungkook playfully taunted Taehyung, egging him on.  

“Shut up. You all already know our marriage isn’t real.” Taehyung rebutted the younger man, eyes narrowed. 

You were taken aback, eyes flashing to Taehyung. “They know?” 

“Of course they do, your best friend knows too, doesn’t she?” Taehyung was referring to Hana, and you acquiesced realizing he had a point. 

“You know, you guys say it’s a fake marriage but you look pretty close to me.” Jimin pointed towards Taehyung’s arm still hugging around your waist, causing you both to realize and promptly disconnect. 

“No, we aren’t.” You and Taehyung retorted at the same time, vision snapping to each other with shocked eyes. 

“Oh c’mon, Tae, you’re really gonna say about your wife?” Seokjin teased him, playful lilt to his tone. 

“Yeah, Taehyung, just look at her, how aren’t you whipped already?” Jungkook remarked as he gestured towards you, feeling shy as your feet shuffled. 

“I’m not answering that.” Taehyung bit back with an irritated tone, folding his arms as he broke eye contact with the group. 

You decided to lighten the mood. “Guys, please, the only thing Taehyung’s whipped for is his company.” You joked, and despite the small sense of hurt saying that sentence, you felt joy making the men suddenly laugh so loudly. 

Taehyung’s shy and embarrassed expression was even more priceless. 

“Oh my God, Y/N, you’re seriously the perfect match for him.” Hoseok added on as he laughed and you couldn’t help but bite back a smile, not knowing what he meant by that though taking it as a compliment.

“Alright guys, remember we had a mission: operation make-Taehyung-and-Y/N’s-marriage-seem-real-as-fuck.” Jungkook suddenly put on the theatrics and halted the group, changing the conversation. 

“Oh yeah, we had a whole plan, didn’t we?” Jimin remembered. 

“Yup. Gotta prepare them for nosey press and annoying relatives. We should start with questions they’d get asked. Make it like a fake interview or something.” Namjoon suggested, leading along the others as he pretended to hold a microphone. 

“You’re all some of the richest men in Seoul yet you’re acting like children. I don’t know you people.” Taehyung tried waving the men off while you couldn’t help but laugh, finding them the most fun people you’ve encountered. 

Childish or not, they were completely unexpected of what you thought a group of CEOs. They didn’t live up to the cliché uptight and uber sophisticated stereotype, rather open and acted however they chose. 

It was refreshing. 

“It’s cause we’re friends with you, Taehyung.” Hoseok shot back and it made everyone snicker. 

“I got it. Let’s ask them to spill some details about each other only they’d know. Someone’s bound to ask that.” Seokjin reasoned, gauging agreeance from the others. 

“Oh my God, you guys already know our marriage is fake. Why would you make this up?” You asked through a giggle, still finding the situation comical. 

“Sorry Mrs. Kim, but that’s precisely why, and I’m afraid we don’t know what you mean by ‘fake’. Now tell the good press something about Mr. Kim we don’t know.” Jungkook began the skit as he held his fake microphone towards you, the others joining in as though imitating paparazzi. 

“Alright, this is gonna be exclusive, pens ready?” You decided to join them, and they all nodded in confirmation as Taehyung flashed his eyes to you, unprepared for you to play along. 

“Mr. Kim is quite something.” You addressed him formally for effect. “He acts all mysterious and cool, but he’s actually just a cuddler who likes tea and cuts the crusts off his bread.” You relayed with a wide grin, all of them suddenly exclaiming and reacting like a high schooler has just confessed the name of their crush. 

“Oh my God, Tae, seriously? Bread crusts? What are you, like, 3?” Seokjin teased. 

“Hyung, your ears literally turn red when people give you attention. Are you 3?” Taehyung retorted and it only elicited more noise from the group, Seokjin exclaiming defensively and Taehyung bringing a hand up to his forehead, sighing. 

“Guys! Okay, let’s get some real answers here. We gotta know what Y/N would say if someone asked her.. maybe some things she likes about Taehyung. Let’s hear it.” Jimin got everyone back on track, attention on you. 

You smiled nervously and flashed a look towards Taehyung, who still had this arms folded and vision looking off to the side, ignoring the entire situation before him. 

You could tell he was pissed with the way his jaw locked, though the fact that he wasn’t paying attention made you a little more confident. 

Taehyung wasn’t exactly pissed, though if he could bonk all his friends on the head a few times he would. He knew teasing and jokes were all common within the group, he just didn’t expect to be the sole target tonight, and so he decided to smoothly neglect the conversation altogether. 

He was succeeding, not expecting you to answer their question seriously until Taehyung suddenly heard you speak up, surprised eyes flickering to you. 

“Hmm, if I had to say..” You were hesitant, Taehyung shocked you were even answering. 

What would you say? 

“He has nice, big hands.” You admitted softly, Taehyung’s brows raising with surprise. “He has a nice voice, too, and... his smile.” You added as you nodded to yourself, confirming your own list and Taehyung was left damn near speechless once again. 

He didn’t really know how to act, acknowledging his face as the most common thing people liked about him, rarely ever hearing those aspects of himself mentioned. 

And he oddly felt.. nice.

“Awh, now that’s cute, good job, Y/N.” Jungkook praised you, Hoseok then pointing his make-believe mic in Taehyung’s direction. 

“Your turn, Chairman Kim, what do you like most about your wife?” He mimicked an interviewer and everyone followed in accordance, mics shifting towards him. 

“Uhh..” Taehyung became slightly nervous under everyone’s scrutiny, not knowing if he should assume his usual unreadable nature or answer their request truthfully. 

“Tae, dude, if you don’t say anything then I will.” Jungkook declared, just about ready to speak again until you cut him off, snorting. 

“Don’t sweat it, guys. He won’t say anything.” You really knew Taehyung would have nothing to say, so you crossed your arms and became uninterested in the conversation.

Until Taehyung spoke. 

“She does this pouting thing.. with her lips. It’s cute.” Taehyung started, coming up to rub the back of his neck awkwardly and peer at anything but a pair of eyes. “Her height.. and her eyes. She has nice eyes.” 

The floor had to be tired of you by now, because Taehyung seemed to make you want to fall hard pretty often. You didn’t know what to do, eyes blown and nearly on the verge of choking, unable to believe a Godly being like Taehyung just admitted to liking something about you. 

Is this what it feels like to win at life?

His words kept ringing in your head, melting into a shy mess with your cheeks beyond hot, avoiding eye contact with everyone while Taehyung grew slightly embarrassed, similarly looking off to the side. 

“Holy shit, you guys are actually cute.” Jimin remarked through a chuckle as he  pointed at you both, you and Taehyung mirroring the same look of horror while protesting at the same time. “No we aren’t!” 

And it only made the men crack up even harder. 

It was laugh after laugh as that conversation went on, finding a quick and pleasant liking to Taehyung’s friends. They’d made it clear as day they liked you as well, to be precise they seemed to love you, making playful nudges at Taehyung for saying yes to someone just right for him; and you seriously pondered what that exactly meant. 

It was further into the night now, the gala having picked up in activity and passed the long social hour, now leading into more of a party scene as upbeat music filled the hall. 

You’d stuck with Taehyung the whole night as promised, having met more of the people he knew. The evening had been quite calm, both you and Taehyung having silently, though mutually ignored the conversation from before for sanity purposes, only focusing on the additional people you met. 

Taehyung and yourself had been talking up a storm with Jimin for the past half an hour, Taehyung introducing him as his best friend and getting the full run down of how that came about. It was highly entertaining, listening to mentions of alcohol, 4AM fighting and even an incident with dumplings. 

It had you three laughing merrily while music played, Taehyung’s arm draped around you like it had been for majority of the night, practically hugging you to him. He was elaborating on a story that had something to do with a dream-catcher, all smiles and giggles. 

That was until Taehyung suddenly froze next to you, sight seeming to set on a person behind Jimin and he immediately changed his aura. 

“Jimin, what the fuck? Did you invite him?” Taehyung cocked his head in the general direction, eyes set hard. 

Jimin’s eyebrows shot up and and casually looked behind him, registering the culprit himself and turning back to Taehyung. “Holy shit, no, I didn’t.” 

“Then why is he here?” 

“Fuck, I don’t know, Tae. My parents probably invited him, I’m sorry.” Jimin apologized as he rubbed the back of his neck, growing apprehensive.

“Don’t worry, Jimin. It’s just.. not him, not fucking him.” Taehyung’s voice grew a little darker, almost hateful as his hand gripped around you tighter.  

“Taehyung, what’s wrong?” You asked tentatively, though didn’t exactly get a response since Taehyung became distracted, talking more so to himself. 

“Why the fuck is he here of all people? Of all damn people..” Taehyung scoffed to himself humorlessly, clearly annoyed. 

“Taehyung, who?” 

“Nobody, we’re getting a drink. Jimin, please?” Taehyung and Jimin had a conversation with their eyes, Jimin immediately nodding and moving towards a certain man you barely caught sight off before Taehyung was pulling you away. You tried protesting, but the tightened grip around you and Taehyung’s frustrated expression was enough to shut you up. 

Something was seriously wrong. 

You followed him along quietly until you heard a bit of a commotion behind you, able to distinguish Jimin’s voice protesting. You almost looked back until a stranger suddenly snuck up on Taehyung, draping an arm over him. 

“Kim Taehyung! Where you going? Damn, it’s been long.” The man spoke as he lowered his hand to Taehyung’s back, nearly smacking it as though they were old time buddies. 

Though the expression that painted Taehyung’s face said completely otherwise; he looked extremely irritated, and not the playful type. 

“Hisung, yeah, it has.” Taehyung bleakly acknowledged him, said man with an arm still draped over Taehyung’s shoulders until he shrugged him off harshly, pulling you closer to him protectively.

It made the man direct his attention to you. “Oh, this is your wife, right? Nice to meet you, Han Hisung.” The man smiled and extended his hand, not knowing if you should extend yours until Taehyung blatantly cut the man off, physically blocking his hand. 

“Skip the pleasantries, Hisung, what do you want?” You were shocked to see this emotion on Taehyung; rarely having seen him frustrated, trying to manage his annoyance as he gave Hisung a dead stare, intimidating as ever. 

Though Hisung didn’t cower like everyone else did, seeming to rather thrive.

“I don’t want anything. I can’t just meet your wife?” He coated his tone condescendingly, gesturing towards you. 

“No, you can’t. We’re getting a drink.” Taehyung seriously seemed bothered as he began walking you away with him, the harder squeeze of his hand around you indicating he was either growing more irritated, didn’t want to let you go, or a mix of both. 

“Oh, c’mon.” Hisung pulled Taehyung back by the shoulder but Taehyung becomes irritated, shoving his arm away harshly. 

“Not now, Hisung. Not at Jimin’s event.” Taehyung warned him as though he was crossing a fine line, and you grew afraid of what would occur if that were compromised.  

“What, I’m not doing anything.” Hisung held out his arms, feigning innocence. “I gotta say though, if I wanted one thing it’d be to say your wife’s hot as fuck.” He cocked an eyebrow and began eyeing you in your dress, growing uncomfortable and sending him a dirty look, though you naturally leaned closer towards Taehyung and he took notice. 

“Say that again I’ll make you regret it, Hisung.” Taehyung’s jaw was locked, a protective feeling overwhelming him. 

“You’re seriously gonna introduce her to everyone but me?” Hisung looked offended. “She should know who I am, especially to you.” He tried making a point, eluding to something between them. 

“Nah, I don’t think so.” Taehyung flat out rejected him, his expression blunt as he seemed to radiate unbothered energy. 

“I think you should. She should know the kind of man her husband is, and what he’s done.” He said knowingly, in a daunting way that accused Taehyung of something that seemed deeper than it looked.  

“There’s nothing to know, and I never did anything.” Taehyung simply denied, as though he’s said this multiple times.

“Really? You don’t wanna tell her about how you sabotage people? Use your money to buy success?” 

Taehyung had to pinch the bridge of his nose, sighing out frustrated. “For fuck’s sake, how many times do I have to tell you? I’ve never done shit like that. Leave.” Taehyung finalized, attempting to control his anger.

You were trying to remain calm and look on objectively, though felt a sense of worry for where this was going, only Taehyung’s seemingly instinctive guard on you keeping you from anxiety. 

Hisung scoffed, “You know, your wife should know how much of a fucking liar you are.” He spat, his vision suddenly growing narrowed as he eyed you both suspiciously. “Come to think of it, wife kinda sounds like a stretch.” 

This time it wasn’t even Taehyung responding, you beating him to the punch. “Excuse me? The fuck does that mean?” 

“Oh, so she talks.” 

You were just about stepping forward to give this asshole a piece of your mind until Taehyung suddenly gripped onto your arms from behind, pulling you to him protectively.

“Hisung, what the fuck do you want?” Taehyung’s tone was leveled with a sense of controlled rage, clear effort to contain himself and you were completely understanding of that. 

“Not much. I just find your marriage suspicious, and if I do then others do too. Wouldn’t want to taint the precious Kim reputation with that, now would we?” The remark was sly, causing Taehyung’s hold around you to tense.  

“What the fuck are you implying, exactly? Try making some sense.” 

“Your marriage isn’t convincing, jackass. There’s no way you two are really married, don’t think I don’t know there’s something behind it.” He stared squarely back at Taehyung, determined. “And when I get my hands on that information, don't think you're the only one who can sabotage someone.” Hisung was resolute as he declared his threat, only making Taehyung more resentful, more rash. 

“Your opinion doesn’t matter to me, jackass. Nothing you do does” Taehyung was confident in the argument and it oddly made you proud, now understanding why he was so successful and well-acclaimed. It’s like he truly didn't care what others thought and only lived for the purpose of what he found important to him, contributing to his confidence and composed approach towards life. He carried himself with an affirmed sense of self-worth that never bordered egotistical, and you were lying if you said it wasn’t hot sometimes. 

Because scratch that, it was incredibly hot. 

Hisung laughed humourlessly, hissing. “I don’t think we can say the same about Mrs. Kim, though, her opinion should matter to you, right?” He then suddenly turned his vision to you and drew closer, speaking in a superficially saccharine tone. “Jagiya, you should really look into who your husband is. He’s not half the man he says he is.” Hisung suddenly came too close and Taehyung immediately tugged you behind him, shielding your smaller frame as his tone dangerously darkened. 

“Don’t call her that, and never fucking come near her.” Taehyung was seething now, clutching one of your hands so tightly you became worried of his heightened emotions.

“Nah, I don’t think so.” Hisung mimicked him. “She should know I’d treat her better than her asshole of a husband, make sure she’s nice and satisfied with how much of a man I am compared to you.” Hisung remarked without a single care, and you nearly felt the blooding searing in Taehyung’s veins. 

But you could tell that was exactly Hisung’s goal; to rile Taehyung up and it unfortunately worked. No longer was the calm, cool and collected Taehyung you knew, instead feeling him suddenly rush towards Hisung with a fist until you gripped onto his jacket from behind, calling his name. 

“Tae.” Your voice was soft, immediately stopping him as you clutched urgently. Taehyung could hear the frailty of your worried voice, could feel your little hold on his jacket as he came to his senses.

Taehyung grinded his teeth hard as his fist tightened for a mere second before steadily loosening, calming himself down before he made his last remark. “Go fuck yourself, Hisung.” Taehyung spat with pure disdain as he turned around and swept up your hand, leading you away from the situation as far as possible. 

He pulled you along hastily, walking with a sense of speed that almost had you tripping on your dress. You were seconds from telling him to slow down until he stopped you both in a hallway.

“Taehyung, wh-” You almost got out until Taehyung suddenly pushed you up against the nearest wall, breath hot and heavy as he huffed frustratedly, raw anger written all over him. 

Taehyung’s entire towering body was unexpectedly inches from you, his forearms laid against the marble tiling above your head as he hung his own low, almost trying to conceal his face into your shoulder. It’s like he was blocking you off from any other person, defensively caging you as his chest rose and fell shallowly with white hot anger, your face tucked into his shoulder. His heated breath was continuously tickling the exposed skin of your neck, so close your heart was beating faster than it should’ve. 

You were only left shocked, hands fallen slack by your sides and unable to move. 

“I’m sorry.” He huffed out suddenly. “Fuck, I’m so sorry I’m just.. really angry right now and I can’t calm down.” Taehyung seemed infuriated though worried, his hands clutching into fists above you as he leaned in even closer, mere centimeters between you two as he remained pressed into your personal space.

“Shit, don’t be scared I just-fuck, I hate him. He’s the only person who makes me so angry.” Taehyung breathed out frustratedly, eyes shut as he tried to control himself. “And fuck, I didn’t want him near you. I don’t want him to talk to you. I don’t want anyone to fucking come near you.” 

Taehyung’s confessions kept coming and you were simply taken aback, another show of his emotions on full display and you wondered how he always so neatly composed himself.

“Tae-”

“Just stay in front of me, please.” He begged. “Where I can see you, just stay here.” He stressed, trying his best to breathe properly but only failed. “I don’t.. think I like when other guys are around you.” He confessed out of nowhere, trying to work through the claim hesitantly at first until he eventually nodded, affirming it. 

“Yeah, I don’t like it.” He declared as he continued to lean in, his proximity allowing for you to constantly smell his intoxicating, Invictus cologne; its sexy scent paired with his perfectly tailored suit hugging the curves of his large, broad body only arousing your nerves. 

“God, fuck.” He huffed out. “No matter what, stay away from Hisung. Never talk to him. He ruins everything he touches, every fucking thing.” Taehyung was dead serious, still hiding his face from you as he spoke angrily near your ear. “He’s been trying to ruin me for years. He’s already tried with everything else and he’ll come for you. He can’t ruin our marriage, and I swear to God if he fucking does anything to you-”

“Taehyung, hey, shh.” You brought your hands up to his chest to try calming him down, able to discern Taehyung ever rarely grew angry and when he did, just needed someone to quell his troubles. “Breathe, Taehyung, breathe, okay?” You spoke with a soft tone, trying to contrast the white hot anger you could sense in him by rubbing his chest pacifyingly. 

Taehyung immediately tensed at the action, almost in shock until he ultimately tried to breathe, slow and steady. 

“There you go, that’s better.” You encouraged into his shoulder, hands resting and lightly massaging as you inquired. “Talk to me, Taehyung, what’s wrong? Who’s Hisung?” 

“Fuck, I’ll get angry again.” He warned, breath still hot and heavy as you smoothed over his dress shirt, trying to soothe him.  

“It’s okay. I’m here, Tae, you have me. Tell me anything.” You assured and attempted to mirror his own words from a week ago, worried about his open show of emotions and thinking you should be helpful, make sure you're supplying all the support he needs because he may never be this open again. 

Taehyung’s temper was still high, more of his hot breath on your shoulder as he spoke, lips still by your ear and the bass in his voice sending currents through you. 

“It goes back 3 years, rival companies.” He began. “His father was dismissed as CEO and they held a shareholders meeting to decide a new one. Long story short, he won the vote, but only by a 49-51 percent margin. He barely scrapped by, and after he was appointed CEO he found out his major shareholders voted against him. What made things worse was that right after, they pulled all their shares from his company and invested in mine, and he fucking-” Taehyung was growing frustrated again recounting the story, his body rising and falling faster until your hands snaked up to his jaw, fingers splaying across his cheeks as you held his face pacifyingly. 

“Taehyung, breathe again. You’re fine.” You felt him listen to you, breathing deeply as he became more composed again, continuing.

“He thinks I sabotaged him, that I colluded with his shareholders and used my money when I never did. I only had acquainted relationships with them at the time and never convinced them of anything. They told me they chose to invest because they saw me as the better company, the more competent CEO.” Taehyung was venting, and you let him exactly do so by attentively listening, holding him. 

“It wasn’t my fault, but he thinks it is. And now he’s made it his life’s mission to ruin mine, ruin anything he can get his hands on because he’s convinced I ruined his.” Taehyung sounded upset, clearly fed up with having to deal with such an incessant pain in the ass. 

“Just not you,” He sounded like he was pleading, a whisper. “Not fucking you, he can’t ruin us, or our marriage.”  

“He won’t, Taehyung. We won’t let him.” The pads of your thumbs smoothed over Taehyung’s skin, trying to ease him as he moved back slightly, vision meeting yours.

“Y/N, I don’t lie. I wouldn’t sabotage anybody, I don’t play dirty like that. Even if the business world is riddled with people like that, I would never do it. I’m not like that at all.” A hint of desperation leaked into his tone, eyes gentle as he so emphatically tried to convince you he was nothing like Hisung said. 

And you found your heart softening thinking about the fact that it affected him so much. That while he didn’t care what others thought of him, he somehow valued what you thought. 

“Taehyung, don’t worry, I know, okay? You’re completely fine. He just tries to rile you up because he knows you’re better, more competent.” You slid your hands back down over his neck, letting them rest over his strong chest again. It made your breaths uneven, registering how close he was to you, just inches from your face. 

“He probably knows those shareholders chose you because you’re the better CEO. He knows it, he just tries to deny the truth by looking for ways to ruin your life, so he doesn’t have to accept he’s inferior.” You offered earnestly, rhythmically smoothing him over. Taehyung’s eyes suddenly swirled with a sense of ease, his tense body now seeming to relax. “You think so?” 

“Of course, Tae. You’re nothing like that, I know you’re not.” You said determinedly, gripping his shirt lightly to drive your point forward, eyes conveying warmth. 

Though the response that met you was Taehyung gazing into your eyes boldly as he heard you address him so casually by a nickname already, his look containing something you couldn’t decipher, and it left butterflies swarming your chest. 

You didn’t realize how intoxicatingly close you both were in this position; Taehyung’s arms caging you against the wall, body pressing into you as he looked at you, not breathing hard anymore but hotly, like he was feeling something he was attempting to manage. Your hands funnily contrasted the size of his chest as he glanced at them, then up at him, clutching him a little tighter the more the tension seemed to build.  

It was obvious now, both of you were merely staring at each other, Taehyung’s Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed and your eyes followed the movement, something unknown alighting inside you at the image. It called necessary attention to his sculpted neck and you found yourself wondering if you’d ever get to lay kisses on it, possibly even mark it

You bit your lip at the thought, hating that such an idea dawned on you, igniting with something unholy the more you breathed in his sexy scent, his large body enclosing you. It sent chills down your spine, trying to contain yourself by shifting and clamping down on your lip harder.

Taehyung’s eyes flickered to the very action, his undivided attention now on your mouth. He could feel every harder squeeze of your hands on his chest as the heat rose, fisting his own hands against the wall with the need to draw himself closer to you, especially with the way you looked right now. 

Taehyung already couldn’t keep his hands off you when you resembled the hottest, and yet most gorgeous thing he’s ever seen in that dress. Either a sweet angel descended from heaven or the right kind of demon he craved. It was even more difficult knowing it’s a dress he chose, adoring the way you were wrapped up in his favourite colour, and thought red has never looked better on anyone else.

It also made him think of some things he shouldn’t speak aloud. Though Taehyung knew you, and knew you weren't ready for anything of that sort, so he remained collected and only stuck to having an arm around you tonight, mindful of boundaries. 

But when you were under his scrutiny, smaller self tucked against a wall because of him and clearly hot and bothered yourself, your exposed skin raking his brain, he couldn’t keep from nearing your lips. 

He’s once felt how soft they were before, seeing on multiple occasions how plushy they truly are and desiring to feel that same soft sensation again. So he disregarded all thought, coming forward inch by inch as he gauged your response, and when he viewed you fluttering your eyes shut and lifting your head towards him, he fought back cracking a smirk. 

Taehyung was milliseconds from connecting your mouths, feeling the skin of his lips blissfully brush yours as his sweet breath invaded your mouth, only for a frantic voice suddenly calling out his name to interrupt, the very culprit tumbling into the hallway. 

“Taehyung! Y/N- oh shit.” Taehyung immediately ducked his face away from you and you hastily let him go, Taehyung puffing out frustrated air as he met his friends’ eyes. “Jimin.. what?” 

“I-uh. I’m sorry, but I got Hisung kicked out and we’re gonna start the last toast. You guys should um...be there.” Jimin cleared his throat and began shuffling, avoiding eye contact with the both of you. 

“Okay, we’re coming.” 

“Sorry, again.” Jimin bowed lightly and nearly made a break for it. 

Taehyung sighed heavily, pushing himself off the wall and straightening up as he freed you, finally able to breathe peacefully. 

“We should um.. go.” He voiced awkwardly.

“Yeah.. just give me a second. I’ll be back from the restroom.” You dared to make eye contact with him to seem unaffected, though panicked the instant your gazes locked.

“Okay.” He nodded, seeming unbothered.

You grasped the skirt of your dress and your heels clacked against the tiled flooring as you scurried off, needing to find the bathroom to see whether or not you appeared as much of a mess as you felt. 

You bolted inside and ran towards the sink, spotting two women possibly your age by the mirror though ultimately ignored them, patting over your cheeks to feel how warm they were. 

Were you really just seconds away from kissing Taehyung? Kissing him? What would’ve happened if Jimin never walked in? Would you have kissed him for however long, would you have stopped it? 

Even better question, why didn’t you stop it? Why were you so ready to kiss him, maybe even excited by the very idea? It sent a chill down your spine, even recalling that Taehyung stated earlier he liked your lips. 

Kim Taehyung liked your lips, the same ridiculously high-status, wealthy man people were on their knees for, practically Seoul’s most powerful CEO and Korea’s seemingly unattainable bachelor; that same Taehyung was the one who liked not only your lips, but your height, even your eyes. 

He said they were nice. 

You didn’t even want to unbox the entire Hisung situation. He so naturally defended you, even held you back out of consideration for your safety it seemed, and it frightened you how much you liked it, liked that he was so protective and made all those confessions about disliking other men around you.

It may have been possessive, but you fucking liked it. 

And you already felt doomed. 

You were simply imploding on yourself, having your own personal meltdown when one of the two women audaciously addressed you, tone light and airy. 

“Oh my God, are you Min Y/N?” She inquired. 

You flashed your eyes to her, answering with furrowed eyebrows. “Uh, Kim Y/N now, but yes.” 

“Wow, so you’re the woman Kim Taehyung married?” The other one perked up. 

“..Yes.” You answered confused.  

The other woman really scoffed here, scoffed, “Song-i, it’s the other way around. She married him.” The rather rude looking woman clarified, and you found out right after just how rude she was. “The Kim Taehyung would never willingly marry someone like her.” 

Your expression immediately contorted, unbelieving of her audacity. “Excuse me?” 

“Don’t think we’re stupid, everyone knows you seduced him into it.” She nearly spat, tone snobby as ever. 

You guffawed humourlessly, truly having it up to here with today because it seemed never-ending with bullshit. “Think what you want, but I didn’t seduce him.” 

“We know you’re lying, he wouldn’t marry some runaway like you. You came out of nowhere, you clearly got into his bed before you got him to the altar.” The other one added on, painting their twisted narrative together. 

“It wasn’t like that all, but if you want to think so because you’re not the one he takes home at night, then be my fucking guest.” You countered them, look sharp enough you were sure you could cut a diamond. 

They both took immediate offence, having the audacity to near you and invade your personal space. “You’re not the only woman he’s taken home, do you really think you’re special?” She insinuated something you weren’t dumb enough to not catch, heart sinking at the thought. 

“What exactly are you trying to get at?” 

“The fact that he married you as a favour, you runaway, and everyone knows your marriage isn’t love at all.” She relayed with a snippy tone. “Don’t you get you’re just charity to him? Everyone knows it, sweetie.” 

You were trying hard to think of a way to counter, though your stinging heart took the jab like it was white hot lightning. You felt crushed within seconds at the comment hitting home, sinking lower until you spoke up. 

“Our marriage isn’t your business. Maybe try getting a life before you revolve it around mine.” You spat as you sent them a petty look, making your way out and almost exiting until you felt a splash of water hitting the back of your hair, mouth falling agape at the sheer audacity of what just fucking happened. 

“Your life is fucking miserable. You’ll stay by his side but he’ll never love you. Keep acting like your his real wife and see what’ll happen. Everyone hates you and how you made him marry you out of pity. Watch your back, runaway, you never know when he might end it all and break your little heart.” You almost, almost turned around to land a right hook across the girl’s face until you decided against it, composing yourself with a breathing mantra and instead choosing your favourite way of leaving a bad situation. 

With a snarky last word. 

“Seems he’s already broken yours with this ring, huh? Stay mad at the ring bitches, stay mad at the ring.” You smiled condescendingly as you flaunted Taehyung’s twelve thousand dollar ring, walking out of the bathroom despite their exclamations and practically marching towards the hall, seething. 

You arrived inside and plopped down on your seat next to Taehyung bitterly, utterly vexed as you crossed your arms and grinded your teeth. 

“Hey, where were you?” Taehyung asked. “You missed the toast.” 

“Could’ve done it without me anyway.” You replied curtly, all the information you received in just 2 minutes ruling your thoughts and sending you into a storm of anger, spoiling your mood. 

Taehyung became confused. “Are you okay? What happened?”

“Nothing.” You huffed and reached for your glass of water, taking a large swig and nearly slamming it back onto the table. 

Taehyung reacted surprised. “Seriously, what’s wrong?” He became apprehensive of your mood, grabbing your hand on the table gently as he searched for your eyes. 

Though he instead found your eyes flashing towards something else, someone else before you snatched your hand away, eyes set cold.  

“I said nothing.” 

Taehyung followed your previous line of sight and landed on two women finding their seats a few tables away, their own eyes immediately deflecting from him once he made eye contact.

And it really only took two seconds for Taehyung to connect the dots, recognizing their faces. 

Taehyung sighed heavily, feeling guilty and suddenly apologetic about the possible situation, knowing something must have been said to you. 

He turned back around, “Y/N, what happened?” He tried inquiring again, though you responded with absolutely nothing, completely crossed and avoiding him. 

He exhaled tiredly, this day having been the epitome of a joke. Taehyung was scanning over you again when he suddenly noticed the ends of your hair, distinguishing they were wet and he found it strange. “Y/N, why the fuck is your hair wet?” He was moving to touch the damp parts until you evaded him, tone rigid. 

“Nothing, Taehyung.” 

Taehyung sighed again, frustrated as he once again put two-and-two together, remembering you’d all come from the restroom and addressed you. “What did they say, Y/N? Tell me right now, is that why your hair’s wet?” 

“No, Taehyung, nothing happened,” You stressed, turning your body even further away from him and crossing your arms tighter. 

Taehyung determined he’s truly had enough of today and rose from his seat, you noticing though choosing to ignore him. Taehyung quickly resolved he was going to fix this, beyond agitated this entire day had been damned to hell. He was having a good time too, especially keeping in mind whatever in God’s name was happening between you two, and only knowing that it made him inexplicably happy for some reason. 

Though that mood was ruined now, Taehyung shaking away his thoughts as he began plotting his approach towards your situation, entirely pissed off as he made his way towards the bar, concocting his plan. 

It took Taehyung only a good 10 minutes to get what he needed, snatching the nicest bottle of champagne and trying to remember where he’d observed the two women sitting, strolling his way over to the table with his fakest grin.  

“Good evening, ladies.” He greeted with a saccharine tone as he neared them. 

“Oh my God, Taehyung!” One of the girls beamed. “We haven’t seen you so long, what are you doing here?” 

“Yeah, too long!” 

“It has.” Taehyung smiled. “I actually wanted to offer this.” Taehyung then revealed the bottle of champagne from behind his back, holding it out towards them. 

The two women became elated, practically cheering as they clearly admired Taehyung more than he liked. “Oh wow! Thank you so much!” One of them thanked, receiving the bottle bashfully. 

“You’re too kind, Taehyung, did you really get this for us?” The other inquired, a bright smile on her face. 

“Actually, I didn’t.” 

Both women looked at each other confused, eyebrows furrowed. “You.. didn’t?” 

“No,” Taehyung responded with a bleak expression in near offence they’d assume that, smile wiped from his face. “You both did.”

“Wh-what?” They both questioned, incredulous. 

“I put it on your tabs, geniuses. There’s 6 more bottles, by the way.” 

Both women’s eyes went wide, immediately protesting. “T-this is the most expensive bottle of champagne here!” They looked annoyed, and Taehyung was all about it.  

“I know.” Taehyung smiled condescendingly, drawing closer to the women and dropping his tone to a scarily low, threatening octave. 

“Say anything to my wife again and I’ll make sure you pay more.” Taehyung finalized and rubbed his tongue along the inside of his cheek as he walked away, smirking. He ignored their protests as he passed by the bartender, winking for the 6 other bottles of champagne to be delivered to them. 

Taehyung then made his way to you, now in a hurry to leave this awful night behind as he gently gripped your arm, speaking into your ear to not alert anyone else at the table. “Y/N, we’re leaving.” 

Taehyung didn’t really have to wait, you responding rapidly, “Don’t have to tell me twice.” You were already rising from your seat, done with this entire Godforsaken night yourself. 

You both stepped away together, just about reaching the hall doors until Taehyung stopped you in front, holding you by your arms. “Stay here, I’ll get your coat.” 

You nodded at him and Taehyung bolted off, wanting to nab your coat as fast as possible so he could drape it around you and practically flaunt your relationship in front of everyone. He didn’t care if it was fake anymore, didn’t care for the legitimacy of his actions; he simply wanted the world to know you’re his wife, purposely wanted those two girls and everyone to see him treating you affectionately.

And he most certainly wanted to squash any of the doubt Hisung called attention to earlier that kept bugging him, entailing your marriage already seeming fake to him, and could to multiple other people.  

So he retrieved the coats and came rushing back to you, having worn his as he approached you. You almost reached out for your coat until Taehyung halted you. 

“Don’t, I’m putting it on you.” He rounded the coat around your body, helping your arms into the sleeves. He pulled it snug around you and held onto the ends where it should’ve been buttoned, taking a moment to think. 

Taehyung simply gazed at you, licking his lips contemplating what more he could do in this moment that would be convincing enough, knowing there had to be people watching you two right now. 

He realized he was staring without having said anything. “Sorry, I’m trying to think of something to do for everyone watching but I don’t know what.” Taehyung flashed to your lips and his mind explored the idea, though ultimately fought against it. 

“People are watching?” You inquired.

“Yeah,” Taehyung clutched onto your jacket, trying to think as he looked at your little bundled up self. 

“But I’m not sure what to do-” Taehyung was cut off by you suddenly grabbing his tie and crashing your lips onto his in a single second. 

Taehyung’s eyes blew out, taken by surprise until he found himself quickly melting into your kiss, hands gripping your jacket tighter. He couldn’t help himself from opening up his mouth to catch more of yours, lips sensually kissing yours in a slow, unhurried pace. 

You instantly loved the way he kissed, Taehyung somehow having taken control when you were the one who initiated everything, completely taken by his pillowy, delicate lips. 

Taehyung didn’t care if your lipstick smudged onto him or how brash the public display of affection seemed; all he cared about was the soft feeling of your lips against his own, and the sexy way you wre tugging him by his tie.

He knew it would stay on his mind for weeks. 

You were getting lost until he disconnected your mouths, only looking at each other with undecipherable feelings, shimmering eyes that had no clue what just happened. 

Taehyung smiled before sweeping up your hand in an instant, pulling you out of the hall and eventually outside to quickly sent a text to his driver, guiding you to the curb of the venue. 

He held you against him to keep you warm while walking, suddenly speaking up when something occurred to him. 

“You called me Tae, you know.” 

“What?” 

“My nickname, you called me by it earlier.” Taehyung repeated. 

“Oh, I’m sorry. I just heard your friends say it and it slipped out, I didn’t mean to-”

“Say it all you want.” Taehyung was grinning to himself like an idiot, thinking you weren’t looking at him but that’s exactly what you were doing, admiring the curve of his perfect cupid’s bow with hints of your lipstick smeared on him. “It’s better when you say it.” 

And now it was your turn to smile like an idiot. 

prev. ↞ || ↠ next  ||  masterlist

tags : @thedarkwinterrose​ @ayujaded​ @couldbeyourlast​ @ladyarmanto​ @anpanman-sonyeondan​ @apollukee​ @blueevelvt​ @taesluttt​ @scalubera​ @laurynne5​ @dreamsindreamss​ @thequeen-kat​ @awsome-small-k​ @wrecklesssly​ @kweenhu​ @jalexad​ @staerify​ @bangforever​ @dyriddle​ @aianloveseven​ @waves-and-woods​ @hoefortaeshands​ @veronawrites​ @nightapple4jk​ @wataemelonz​ @aomi-nabi​ @katbonv​ @hantaev​ @jinpuddin​ @usamizuki​ @wooya1224​ @bambuzlee​ @jenotation​ @tangledsparkles​ @pcyxljh​ @forbts-only​ @dumplingley​ @ccmemoirs​ @kleritata​ @thelilbutifulthings​ @maygem2780​ @lachimolala95​ @betysotelo18​ @prettycoolting​ @opaljm​ @jeonlovers​ @honeyboocal​ @preciouschimine​ 

[i-used-to-wear-the-fedora]

Stranger Things Demon AU, Please Don't Touch

"How many fingers am I holding up?"

"I dunno, like, seven?" Steve frowned at Eddie as he set the metalhead down on his bed. Putting his two fingers down, the demon carefully turned Eddie's head to the side. It didn't take a genius to figure out the other young man had been roofied. Combined with alcohol and his impaired mobility, Steve wanted to make sure he didn't choke on his own vomit. Sure then his job would be done but that would be a sucky way to die. He was a demon, not a monster.

"Steeeeeevvvee," Eddie's voice hitched as he tried to lift his right arm, "whuere are we?"

"Home." Memory loss, there was a good chance he'd probably forget the whole night. Steve sat on the edge of the bed by Eddie's side. The mattress creaked under his weight when he did so.

"Home? You drove?" Eddie giggled loudly. "Since when so demons drive?" The laughter was labored and he began to cough. "I feel sick."

"I know. But you just need to sleep it off." Eddie's face frowned at Steve's comment.

"I don't wanna."

"What are you, five?" Steve snorted when he noticed the tears pricking the edges of Eddie's face. The previously flailing hand tightly grabbing Steve's hand.

"I'm scared." His voice cracked. "If I close my eyes," his voice was slightly clearer as he cried, "I'm scared I'll see that man again."

Like that, Steve felt a pang of guilt stab him in the gut for the earlier petty insult.

"Hey, hey, you don't have to be scared." Steve gripped Eddie's hand in his. "I won't let anything bad happen to you."

"Promise?"

"Promise." Steve nodded and Eddie allowed himself to smile before taking the blanket Steve grabbed for him and earlier and wrapping it around himself. Steve wouldn't disappoint Eddie. Not like everyone else in his life.

***

"I hope you're proud of yourself."

Steve sat quietly in the back of the BMW as his father glared at him through the rearview mirror. The police station disappearing further behind them as they continued to drive. It was raining now. The water beating against the windshield would've had most people focusing on the road. But not Thomas Harrington.

"Dad, I swear, I didn't mean to-"

"Didn't mean to? Do you have any idea how much it's going to take to make this kind of thing disappear?" His foot pressed harder down on the gas pedal as he continued. "Didn't mean to, my ass."

Steve didn't know what to say. God, what could he? Someone was dead now and it was all his fault.

"...I'm sorry." Was all he could muster. His father shook his head.

"You're a disappointment to the Harrington name." He always was. Steve had been told so since he was five years old and accidentally broke a vase for the first time. This was the first time he actually believed it though. Looking up from his lap to face his father, Steve's eyes widened when he saw a car careening towards them as it drove down the wrong lane.

"Dad, look out!"

***

Steve felt his hands stiffen at the memory. The memory of the night was still vividly etched into his mind. Reliving it over and over again, wondering what could've happened if he'd just done something different.

Glancing over at Eddie he saw the other young man now passed out and softly snoring into the pillow underneath him. He was as graceful sleeping as he was awake. Which was to say, not at all. But Steve didn't really notice this as he carefully brushed some of Eddie's hair away from his face. Moving to lay down opposite Eddie with his head at the other man's feet on the small bed, Steve kneaded into the bedsheets before rolling over to face the bedroom door. He didn't mind the smell of the room as much as he used to. It reminded him of Eddie.

~~

When Eddie awoke, the first thing he was aware of was the pounding in his head.

"Mmmmm, my head..." The highschooler groaned as he sat up. Struggling to remember why he felt so shitty when he noticed the other figure on his bed. Steve was laid out, still passed out and curled up in a ball at his feet. Eddie blinked. He definitely didn't remember letting the demon on the bed. Actually...he didn't remember anything. A mild panic shot through him when he scrambled off the bed. Feeling himself begin to hyperventilate when Steve stirred.

"Morning-shit, Eddie?" The demon noticed Eddie's panic and tried to approach him but Eddie held his hand out.

"Stop." Eddie snapped. "Wh-what happened? Why are you on my bed? Why cant I remember anything?" Eddie fired the questions off in rapid succession as his mind raced.

"Hey, hey, it's okay." Steve attempted to reassure Eddie. "You don't remember last night, right?"

"I-I remember playing at The Hideout but it gets fuzzy after that."

"Some guy slipped something in your drink." Steve said, keeping his distance.

"Did he-?"

"No. I beat the shit out of him."

Eddie had vague memories of the dingy bathroom in The Hideout. Steve was there. He was at least pretty sure of that.

"I drove you home and you didn't want to be left alone. I swear I didn't do anything."

Eddie swallowed hard when as he put his hand down. His breathing starting to steady itself as he kneeled down. This was a lot to process.

"Listen, I know school starts in an hour, why don't I make you a Prairie Oyster to help you feel better. Is that okay?"

"Yeah...yeah that sounds great."

[jeongvision]

🗣 TEACHER!AU WITH JOHNNY

PART TWO! LET’S GET IT!

pairing. history teacher! seo johnny ✗ english teacher! fem! reader (ft. english teacher! mark lee)

genre. fluff, slight humor, high school teacher au, non idol au

warnings. some cursing and super soft hours after this huhu <3 and not proofread but we can discuss that later

author’s note. this is an continuation to this blurb! this could be read as a standalone but regardless i hope this brought a smile to your face bc it certainly did for me <3

You should’ve seen it coming. Damn it, it was right in front of you all along, so why didn’t you see it in the first place?

You and your students have been grinding nonstop for the past couple weeks to prep them for the AP English IV exam. There was a time where you requested two days off from work for emergency purposes (thankfully it was nothing too major) leaving you to ask your coworker- Mark, another teacher in your department -to help fill in your students on materials needed for the exam.

Everything was perfectly fine when you came back, your coworker going beyond your expectations in taking care of your students. However, one thing you failed to take notice of is the recent changes the college board made in their AP exams, including the course you teach. After reviewing some of the revisions they made, you felt your heart drop.

They’ve added three additional sections to the exam, meaning an additional two weeks is needed to cover the materials for your students to grasp some sort of mastery on those concepts.

You have four weeks left until the exam, and you’re already compacted those remaining weeks with other necessary materials for the exam.

“Fucking hell,” you murmured under your breath.

Running your hand through your hair, you let out a tired sigh. It’s already bad enough that you have to work overtime in making revisions to your lesson plans. However, it’s worse to see the crestfallen looks on your students’ faces when you dropped the news on them. They’re already tired enough from dealing with other classes and extracurricular activities. On top of that, you know most of them are stressing about their acceptance letters from their colleges.

You dropped the pen in your hand and rubbed both of your eyelids. Relax, y/n you told yourself. Don’t worry, you can do this. You heard the door behind you open, meaning someone walked inside the teacher’s lounge.

“Hey, y/n. What’s up- Woah, woah, WOAH! What do we have here?” the person exclaimed. You let out a chortle. You could distinctively point that voice out from anywhere, and you’re sure as hell that the state of your workspace is nothing short of hell. Taking your hands away from your face, you crossed your arms and leaned back a little in your seat to look up at the latter.

“Well, hello to you too, Mark,” you chuckled. You both gave each a fist bump before he sits down in the empty chair beside you.

“What the hell happened here?” He grabs some of the documents splayed out before you, eyes scanning through the materials that you’ve scribbled on in the past hour. “Wait, what? They added new things to the AP exam?”

You sighed and nodded dejectedly. “Yep. And somehow, I gotta squeeze all those materials into my lesson plans before they take it next month.” You rested your arms on the table and rested your head on top of them. “At this point, I just want to light myself on fire and call it a day.”

Mark lets out a cackle besides you, prompting you to smile. You’ll never mention it to him, but his laughs and smiles are always infectious. It’s what makes him so well-known and loved in the English department in the first place, both faculties and students.

“Please don’t do that. We love you too much to let you do that to yourself,” he responded.

Sitting back up in your seat, you take a glance at the clock. Just four minutes before the section ends and you have to go back to teaching your classes again. You heard your coworker clear his throat, bringing you to face him.

“Do you need help with any of this?” he offered.

You shook your head. “No, it’s fine, Mark. I appreciate the offer but I don’t want to bother you with my workload.”

“No, really. It’s fine, y/n. I only teach honors and they’re all pretty ahead in their assignments, so I have some free time if you’d like.”

Just like that, you swear you could see a halo shining above his figure, your world much brighter and clearer than it was this morning. “Oh my god, yes please.” You shifted through your papers, searching the remnants of the piles before handing it over to him. “Can you please go through these and grade them for me? Here are the answer keys for them.” After debriefing him for that stack of papers, you gave him another one. “And for these, can you make some copies for me? I need them tonight so I can plan for tomorrow’s class.”

He listened attentively to your commands, taking a mental note and nodding each instruction given to him. “Okay, got it, y/n. I’ll get these done and hand them over by the end of the day.”

You’re gawking at him, surprised that your coworker is willing to lend you a helping hand. You could honestly cry out tears of joy right now, but timing refuses to let you do so as the bell rings, marking the end of a period. You both stood up in your seats and grabbed the papers on the table into a neat pile. You let out a content sigh as you both walked out the teacher’s lounge.

“Thank you so much, Mark. You’re the best,” you exhaled. Outside your classroom, you already see some students entering inside as you left it unlocked, free for them or your coworkers to enter as they pleased. You both stood next to its entrance before he shrugs his shoulders at you.

“Hey, I mean it’s what I do best, right? Being the best.”

You rolled your eyes and gave him a playful shove, earning a laugh from him. Saying goodbyes to one another, you walked inside your classroom. You nodded to the students present. “Afternoon, class,” you greeted.

“Good afternoon, Miss y/n!”

“Miss Y/n, there’s a bouquet of flowers on your desk,” one of your students called out. You raised an eyebrow. Flowers? Looking over to your desk, your student was certainly not lying and neither are your eyes. Perched in the middle of your desk lies a vase filled with varying colors of tulips. Petals are in full bloom and the stems are clipped uniformly. You walked over and saw a notecard attached to one of the flowers.

“Who is it from, Miss Y/n?”

“Yeah! Who got you flowers?”

You looked up and realized more of your students are present, capacity almost at its max. Class was starting soon so more and more are rushing in to see the surprise gift settled on your desk.

“Is it Mr. Kim in the science department? I saw you two walking together in the hallways last week.”

That assumption piqued your interest. “Wait, Mr. Kim? The physics teacher?” you asked. The student, Krystal, nodded, causing you to huff incredulously. “Krystal, please. We’re merely just friends.”

Another student chimes in. “Friends don’t lock arms with each other at work.”

“Jongin, please. Your last girlfriend only stayed with you for a month and she started dating an upperclassman a week later.”

“Hey—”

“Guys, calm down,” you interjected. “As much as I love you crazy bunch, I am still your teacher. Therefore, what occurs in my personal life stays private, and how much I am willing to share with you all lies in my discretion.” But unbeknownst to you, one of your students sneaks behind you to get a glance of the card, discreetly reading the contents:

‘The best deserves nothing less than the best.

Yours truly.’

The student, Luna, almost lets out a squeal. “Guys! Guys!” You jumped in shock, startled by her sudden presence and her high-pitched voice. “I think it’s Mr. Lee! The other English teacher!”

All attention is now on her, excitement filled in the air.

“Mr. Lee? The one that teaches honors?”

“The one with boba eyes?”

“The one that laughs at everything?”

Luna nods to each question, visibly thrilled with the subtle jump in her steps as she walked towards her classmates. “Yes! I heard Miss y/n calling him the best earlier and Mr. Lee joked about being the best! And in the card, it said ‘the best deserves nothing less than the best’.” The bell rang, marking the beginning of the period, but that didn’t stop your students from chattering with happiness, faces completely wiped from fatigue and stress of the upcoming exams. Some students entered your classroom late to the discussion, prompting other students to fill them in only to also be electrified by the ‘news’.

You run a hand through your hair again and sighed. Not this again, you thought to yourself. But just before you could jump in to stop all this chaos, you heard someone knock on your open door, diverting your attention and your class’ to the intruder.

“Well, good afternoon, class,” the person chuckled. “Why’s it so boisterous here? Did I miss a party or something?”

Of course, what better person to appear now of all times? It was none other than the infamous history teacher, Johnny Seo. You rolled your eyes before laughing. Coincidence, my ass.

“Mr. Seo! Someone gave Miss Y/n a bouquet of tulips! She has a secret admirer!” Luna stated.

He raised an eyebrow at her direction. “Oh, does she now?” He looks back at you with a grin. “Did Miss Y/n find out who this secret admirer is?”

“We think it’s Mr. Lee from honors English.”

“And what makes you think so?”

“Because we heard her call him the best earlier before class started, and the notecard called her the best.”

“Coincidence? I think not,” Jongin nodded.

All of the students followed along in unison, profoundly proud of their assumptions that left you shaking your head in disbelief. Surely, you had a smile on your face, but it’s surprising to know how your students are able to make such large assumptions based on groundless evidence. You sat down in your chair and turned on your computer, getting your lesson plan ready for the period as your students entertained themselves with Mr. Seo.

Johnny takes it all in, nodding to all of them before walking up behind your desk. “Well, I think it’s safe to say that you don’t pester too much to Miss y/n about it. You know how much she likes to keep her life private.” While you were browsing through your saved files and pulling up powerpoints, you felt the latter tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “Right, Mrs. Seo?”

And just like that, your hands stilled. Wait, did he just—

“Hold up..”

“What?”

“Did you just—”

“Mrs. Seo?”

“Huh?”

You squeezed your eyelids shut. Oh my god, here we go again—

“YOU GUYS ARE MARRIED??”

jeongvision’s milestone event!

[coldmilkcreamery]

𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟

~ 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 ~

𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: xiao dejun x male reader 💋

𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 2965

𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: following a heart-wrenching break up with xiaojun, you leave the country—and reunite with him 8 years later at the grand opening of a friend's restaurant.

𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴/𝘀: smut hahah lmao

𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 ⭐️

𝗮/𝗻: this might be my favorite (and longest 😅😅) story out of all the ones i’ve written, like idk if it’s because xiaojun’s my bias in wayv but i really enjoyed writing it and am really proud of how it turned out hahaha, i put my blood sweat and tears into this story so i hope you guys enjoy 🥺🥺and happy valentines to you all and hbd to who is also my first bias, jaehyun haha have a great day and a great valentines <3

> 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 <

-

Outside, the sun has dipped below the horizon and behind wisps of clouds and falling snow, the sky has turned dark. Compounds of snow and bits of ice lie on the streets and dress stoplights as you wait at the entrance of a newly opened restaurant in town.

A miniature landscape greets you at the entrance. Artificial river water ricochets off of artificial rocks, onto the chiseled marble paths that you step over on your way to the dining area.

You make glances around the restaurant. Crowds of people are cobbled together, flowing like river water around tables and floral displays. Looking around, a familiar face emerges from the congested crowd.

“You seem to have gotten quite popular.” You tap on the hem of Doyoung’s blazer, looking around the crowded facade of the restaurant.

“You made it!” Doyoung says. Like a jack-in-the-box, he springs out of the crowd, jumping onto you and engulfing you in a tight embrace.

“I am very much here.” You reply, muffled by the confines of his arms.

“My god, I haven’t seen you in years!” He squeals, tightening his grip around your torso. “You’ve aged. A lot.” He snickers, crimping his face into a faux scowl.

“You're not looking any younger yourself.” You spit back with squinted eyes.

“Still bitchy as ever.” Doyoung pats your head, lips forming a snarky grin. “Come in.”

“How did you get here so early? Weren’t you set to fly in about a week later from now?” He eagerly questions, excitement very much visible through his puffing chest and eye-squinting smile.

“Simple, I booked an earlier flight.”

“And lost my first class seat.” You seethe, holding up your economy class boarding pass.

“You’re the best.” Doyoung giggles.

“I really am.” You gripe, narrowing your eyes. “New York is one far place.”

“You’re one to hold grudges aren’t you.” He pats your back with one hand, prying the boarding pass from your finger’s grasp with the other before tossing it into a nearby trash bin.

“Follow me.” Doyoung grabs your wrist and he escorts you into one of the private rooms, briefly passing by the reception desk. “This is Karina, one of my staff.”

“Hi!” She waves.

“Where are we going?” You question as he pulls you towards the first sliding door from the right of the reception desk.

“Those rooms over there are the rooms for the VIP reservations.” Karina says.

“VIP?” You ask, shooting them an amused expression.

“I have a heart my guy, I didn’t cost you your business class upgrade for nothing.” He ruffles your hair.

“First class.” You scornfully correct Doyoung, squinting your eyes at him, pushing his hands off of your head.

“Have a seat.” He reaches his palm out to point to the cushions resting on the floor and the recessed floor in front of it.

You slip your legs into the recession, eyeing a few floral vases and intricately patterned stems of miniature cherry blossom trees.

“Seems like you really went all out on decors.” You slip your phone out of the pocket at the sides of your chinos that are in the light’s path, which shine olive green against the moonlight. “Selfie?”

“My dining area should look just as good as my food tastes.” Doyoung obnoxiously chuckles before smiling into your camera.

“1, 2, 3.” You say in unison.

“Aren’t those at least a hundred dollars each?” You raise a brow at him, resting your phone beside your plate after a click sounds from it. “Is that not expensive for you?”

“Not if they look this good.” Doyoung winks.

“Good lord.”

“Oh, uhh, by the way.” He whispers, sounding much more subdued than he had been the minutes before, his voice now softer than swinging doors and the sprinting servers.

“What is it?”

“I’ve told you the restaurant is offering discounts if—” He pauses intermittently in between words.

“For the last time, I did not and will not be bringing a date.” You groan, cutting him off, well aware of what you were going to hear next.

Doyoung breathes out a shaky sigh. He parades a look of pity, brows furrowed and head tilted at an angle with a frown.

“Hyung.” You slur your words. “I’m fine.”

“And hey it’s 2021, being single is the trend.” You object.

“I’m just looking out for you.”

“I know you are.” You try to reassure him with a smile. “But if you don’t mind, I want to continue eating the dinner that my friend prepared for me because he cost me a 12 hour business class flight.”

“Didn’t you say first class?”

“Either way, I had to sleep sitting down because of you.” You scoff.

“Alright, I’m going to check up on the other tables.” Doyoung nods, pressing his lips into a toothless smile. “Let’s catch up more over coffee after we close?”

“Sure.” You hum as he turns his back to tend to more customers. Going seat to seat, he greets them with a smile, shaking hands with the occasional occupant.

You rub your temples and look down slightly, resting your chin on the collar of the honey brown crew neck wrapped around your torso. The loosely tucked out hems of your denim shirt hang under it, fluttering in the air.

Behind the strands of hair being blown into your eyes from the air conditioning, your eyelids drop. You’re tired, exhausted, fatigued and everything else you can think of. Conversations around you seem to morph into buzzes of static.

Eyelids your field of vision as your upper body rests on the table top. Footsteps tap against the floor adding to the sound of clinking cutlery, sizzling meats and conversations muffled by the sleeves of your sweater.

A man waves in front of the reception desk as he struts into the restaurant. “Excuse me.”

“Good evening sir.” Karina greets, with a smile. “How may I help you?”

“I have a reservation.”

“May I have your name please.” Karina looks down on a monitor, tapping on a keyboard with one hand, brushing hair behind the shoulders of her blazer with the other.

“Xiao Dejun.”

“Ahh Mr. Xiao, you have a VIP reservation am I right?” She beams, looking back up at the man who briskly nods back.

“Your seat is in the first room to my right.” Karina reaches her palm out and points to the door.

Xiaojun utters a soft ‘thank you’ and looks over his shoulder to give Karina a small wave as he walks towards the room.

A restaurant attendant opens the door for him. Inside, it slides open, rustling like paper as its bottom grinds against the glistening wooden floor. Producing an exhale, you let your breath get sucked out through the openings of your nostrils and lips.

Behind your forearms, the big tsunami-like waves and tangerine colored koi painted on the door disappear into the wall. You squint your eyes close one last time, sprawling your limbs to stretch, terminating the sleep left in your system.

Your eyes flutter open, catching a man in its path, the figure becomes clearer the wider they open.

“X-Xiaojun.” You quiver in place, saying his name for the first time in eight years.  

“Y-Y/n.” Behind the auburn strands of hair in his face, his gaze meets yours. He timidly waves at you through a nervous smile. “H-hi.”

Was he good looking? Definitely.

Was he a good person? Oh god yes, and your breakup didn’t change your opinion on that.

Though not your first relationship, Xiaojun was definitely your first true love. But as some people say, life just happens. Months after your break up, you left for New York for a job opportunity.

It had been a considerable while since you had last seen or heard from him. Nothing aside from the occasional mention in phone calls with Doyoung and appearance in pictures with your other friends.

But here you were, back in Korea, the commandeer of your late night thoughts, seated beside you at the grand opening of Doyoung’s restaurant almost a decade later.

“It’s been a while.” You sheepishly smile.

“It really has.” Xiaojun agrees, reciprocating the smile. “You look great.”

“Thanks.” You sit up straight. “You do too.”

Outside, Doyoung continues to hop from table to table, tending to customers.

“Here is your order for extra noodles and a pot of tea.” Doyoung smiles at a woman. “Enjoy your meal ma’am.”

“Boss, you told me to inform you of the arrival of someone named Xiao Dejun was it?” Karina calls out for Doyoung, as he carries an emptied tray onto a free tray stand.

“Yes.” Doyoung breathily replies. “What about it?”

“He came just a few minutes ago, I’ve been looking for you to tell you.” She says with heavy and speedy breaths, resting her palms on her knees.

Doyoung’s eyes widen. “Which private room did you tell him to go to?”

“The first one to my right.”

“No-n-no oh no.” Doyoung strings his fingers into his hair.

“What’s the matter?”

“I needed you to tell me because I wanted to ask you to make sure they wouldn’t end up in the same room.” He rambles, vigorously rubbing his temples.

“Why?” Karina blankly questions. “Is there anything between them?”

“Xiaojun is his ex from 8 years ago.”

“Oh no.” She bows her head, covering her face with both of her palms. “Did it end badly or something?”

“You really ask a lot of questions don’t you.” Doyoung snickers. “Well, not exactly.”

“They broke up on good terms actually, the only problem was that it was so obvious that they still loved each other.” He says, sighs ballooning out of his lips.

“Wait,” Karina interrupts. “And yet, they hadn’t gotten back together since then?”

“Y/n left for New York before they could say anything to each other.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not like you knew.” Doyoung sees Karina frown and pats her head. “I just hope they can at least talk.”

And that you did.

Alcohol clouds your minds as you sit beside each other splitting sides at exchanged stories. The sting of the drinks fry the back of your throats and hiccups intermittently shoot up from you, cutting your sentences.

"It’s 12:30 A.M.'' You wheeze, making glances around the pretty much empty room.

"No way." Xiaojun spits out raspily, taking another sip of his cocktail, peering forward to get a glimpse of the watch on your wrist.

“Speaking of which, remember that time, about 11 years ago.” You playfully nudge his shoulder. “It was around this time when we went to get groceries and you attacked someone over a cut of steak.”

“I did not!” Xiaojun manages to speak up amidst the laughter drowning out proper communication from you two.

“Xiaojun, you pushed her so hard that she fell.” Your hand flops onto Xiaojun’s shoulder to prevent yourself from rolling over, letting out a prominent wheeze.

“She pushed me first!” He sternly objects. “Plus, if I didn’t, we wouldn’t have had those amazing fajitas.”

“That was a good early morning snack.” You agree.

“A good date too.” Xiaojun smiles back at you.

“Our first actually.” You add, looking down as a smile creeps into your lips. “That was such a long time ago.”

Which it was.

“Time just flies so fast doesn’t it?” Xiaojun replies as his palm slides up your fingers before settling on the knuckles at the back of your hand.

A rosy flush burns on your cheeks and your eyes go from your linked fingers and eventually trail up to him. You two momentarily lock eyes. He promptly jerks his away, withdrawing his hand from yours.

“S-so, wait, a-are you back here for good?” Xiaojun says.

“I guess so, things are getting pretty crazy over there.” You shrug, shooting him a crooked smile. “And the food’s too greasy, can’t eat any of it.”

“That’s good.” Xiaojun chuckles weakly. “You always hated greasy foods.”

“I’ve missed you.” You look into his eyes again and gently stroke his shoulder before going down to his arm and producing a sharp exhale. “A lot.”

“I-I have too.” He stutters, shivering slightly, his posture stiff under your touch.

“You know, every time I think about it,” You look down, and fiddle with your fingers. “I wondered why you never tried chasing me down the airport the day I left.”

“Y-Y/n.”

Deep down, part of me was actually hoping that you’d come after me and convince me to stay.

“So many times, I’ve wanted to fly out there to just try and pick up where we left off and—” He rambles, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists on his sides.

“What stopped you then?” You mumble. A frown stemming from your lips.

“I-I don’t know.” He voices out softly, with a furrowed expression.

“I do like someone Xiaojun.” You sigh.

“I figured.” Xiaojun stands up from the seat, slipping his shoes on and making his way out of the room.

“They’d be lucky to have you.” Xiaojun chokes on his words, his sentence growing weak.

“It was nice meeting you again.” His voice echoes into the empty room, his words ricocheting off of the walls and the soy sauce stained bowls before coming back to you.

You frantically jump up from the recessed floor. As his fingers cling onto the door’s handle, you grip him by his shoulders as he slides it open. “I never said it wasn’t you.” You call out to him, stopping him in his tracks.

Xiaojun turns his head, looking over his shoulder, slivers of tears in his eyes twinkling against the lights.

“So tell me then,” You whisper huskily, staring back into Xiaojun’s eyes. “Where were we?”

Tonight felt familiar.

The laughs, the fond glances, the touching. Being able to talk to each other and having good laughs while doing so. Being able to hit it off just like you had 11 years ago when Doyoung introduced you two to each other.

Being with Xiaojun just felt right even after a decade.

Enough was enough, you thought.

You dash towards Xiaojun, gripping the sides of his neck with both hands, pulling him closer to you. The tip of your thumbs slide over the tears sitting at the sides of his irises. Your eyes mirror his lidded gaze before wandering to the lips that you’ve longed for the past eight years.

Before your mind could even begin to process, your lips were on Xiaojun’s. Your eyes shut close as his palms land on your chest and slide up to tug at your shoulders.

You push him back against a wall, bruising the tips of some fingers between it and the back of his head. It dips to the side, as you press your face even deeper into his.

Slowly opening your eyes, your puckered lips hover over Xiaojun’s as you gasp for air. You tenderly stare into each other’s eyes for a second, bringing a hand away from the side of his neck to brush strands of hair away from his glittering eyes.

Soft moans escape from between your adhered lips as you reconnect them, further muffled by the contact of your tongues. Xiaojun’s forearms cross over your nape as you burrow your lips down to his neck. He lets out a breathy gasp that tickles your ears as his chin falls onto your shoulder as his mouth goes agape.

You bring your arms up as Xiaojun hastily pulls your sweater over your head and catapults it over the table of food. Your fingers scramble for the collar of his shirt as he undoes the top buttons of yours.

“Good work today, I’ll just make one last check around the place and I’ll get going.” Doyoung says, wiping sweat off of his forehead as he sprawls onto a couch in the waiting area. “See you tomorrow.”

“Thanks boss! Bye!” Karina waves as she exits the restaurant.

Doyoung walks over to the reception desk to see a patch of light coming from the opened door to the private room you were in.

“Is he not done eating?” Doyoung raises a brow, looking at his watch. “Was my food that good?”

“Hey Y/n, we’re closed for tonight, let’s go get some—” Doyoung’s eyes widen upon peeping through the opened door. “—coffee.” He continues his sentence weakly.

In a pushup position over Xiaojun, your hands are on either side of his neck, head buried under his chin, disheveled hair laying over his chest like a puddle. His fingers digging into the wrinkled back of your shirt as his knees wrap around your hips.

“You little—” Doyoung croaks amidst the pants, moans and heavy breathing. His eyebrows dipped as the lids of his twitching eyes vigorously vibrate. 

“Th-that wasn’t on the menu!” He softly yells. But ease seems to wash over him however, his agitated expression quickly morphs into one of relief. His mind wanders to the memory of the last time walked in on you two in the compromising position you were in.

Though not a pleasant sight to see, a second time at that, it does offer him the same kind of closure that it did for you. He didn't exactly like the thought of you two doing what you were doing, more so in his restaurant’s VIP room, but he’s happy for you. All those years of pent up regret and brooding, finally over.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he walks the other direction, pulling out a chair and taking a seat at one of the tables in the dining area.

“You’re still not getting that discount.” Doyoung closes his eyes and breathily mumbles.

“And you’re paying for coffee.” He grunts, glaring at the door. One thing he knew for sure was that you two were going to one really expensive café.

-

𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙: 02.04.21

��𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙: 02.14.21

[wolfish-trickster]

Liar

Part 3

Loki x female!reader

Word count: 1,7K

Warnings: angst, typos, everything sad besides doggo

Tag list:@gaitwae @lucywrites02 @hard-to-be-the-bard @birdgirl90 @laramoonworld @belovedadam @mascaracoffee @serebrum @myworldgoesboomz

Loki felt miserable. If only he knew what would he start with that lie. Why couldn't he tell her Y/N is his cousin or something? She and her golden-fish-like IQ would've believed him. Damn him! Damn him and Tony for making him do this! Why couldn't Stark do it himself! It was his idea afterall!

Loki was lying on a rug in his bedroom. He didn't feel like he deserved the luxury of a warm soft bed. He was looking through photos and selfies of Y/N in his phone. Her happy smile, her arms wrapped around him in a hug in his favourite selfie of you (his wallpaper), her two fingers giving him horns from behind his back and him doing it back to her. He counted, he had only 7 pictures of her in total. 'I should've taken pictures of her more often,' he thought to himself and wiped his eyes to get clearer view. He should've took a picture of her doing the most mundane things. Reading a book, drawing on a windowsill, chatting with someone. She always had this spark in her eyes whenever she talked about some of her interests. He wanted to see that spark again.

Loki caught himself dreaming of you again. 'Let her go,' he told himself. 'It will be better for her and you.'

But he didn't want to get better. Not without her. But he fucked up big time. He apologized. He showed her a proof of his innocense. She chose to put space between you two. And that was okay, right? He's already used to it, right?

His eyes were staring outside the window the whole night, but he wasn't watching anything. He needed them open, for whenever he closed them he saw you. Either crying and screaming like you did few day ago, or sad smile you gave him few hours ago, or your happy grin you have worn what seemed like ages ago.

Sky changed its shades of blue from dark to light. The morning sun made him realize that no, he isn't used to it.

*

The need to walk to your room was big. But he couldn't. He promised to leave you alone if you wanted. And you did.

So instead he hid in one of the old rooms everyone forgot about and never really used. He needed to be alone.

No one came looking for him yet. The only sign of someone remembering his existence was one message from Tony. Something about the info Loki got from that woman being useless and agents are taking the lead from the Avengers. Good to know he unknowingly destroyed his whole relationship with Y/N for nothing.

When he read those words the first time he wanted to smash the phone on nearest wall, but that meant losing all the pictures with you and he simply couldn't do that.

Loki wandered where where you. If you were safe. Maybe you took your dog out. Or made someone do it, so you didn't have to risk meeting him in the halls. Thought of you still avoiding him sickened him.

His lower back started to ache from sitting in pragraph position for too long. He decided to stretch and walk a little, clear his head. The plan was to go to kitchen, steal something small to eat (not because he was hungry, he needed a distraction) and go back to his secret room. Or the roof. What will came first.

With a glass of water and pockets filled with chocolate he started walking towards the exit.

Suddenly he heard small clawed paws hitting the floor making soft clicking noises. He followed the distand sound to find your little pup, Rex, walking around as if he owned the place. If he was here then you'll be nearby. Loki looked around the room, but besides the small dog and him it was empty.

When the little guy got his sent into his nose, he turned and sprinted towards Loki. He expected the pup to bite him, just like you promise you will train him, and mentally prepared himself for attack of small dull needles on his ankles.

To his surprise Rex started jumping on his leg, trying to reach his hand. When Loki lowered it to his level he started to lick it, his tail wagging wildly. Good to know at least he doesn't hate him.

"Did you escape her and went on an adventure, little guy?" he asked scratching behind his ears. Rex rolled on his belly and silently asked for scratches. Loki was more than happy to provide.

"Well, we can't leave it like that now, can we? She'll be worried sick if she doesn't find you in her room. Like this one time when she couldn't find her favourite plushie from childhood. We turned her whole room upside down just to find it. Later that day she realized she accidentally left it in my bedroom," he smiled sadly at the fond memory. "We laughed a lot afterwards. I fear she'll never laugh in my presence again," he stopped scratching.

Rex sat up and tilted his head at him.

"I know, I know, it's basically my fault. And I understand why she feels like that. Who wouldn't after their best... ex best friend said those things about them. I just wish I could turn back time and change everything."

"And why would you do that?" loki turned around to be met with face of none other than Tony Stark.

"You would never understand," he looked away.

"I'm capable of undertanding a lot of things, don't underestimate me."

Rex found new sent in the room and ran up to Tony. "Aaaw, is he yours? I never thought you'll be a dog person," Tony picked him up and got a good look on him, while Rex was trying to reach his face with his tongue.

"No, he's Y/N's. He must've escaped from her bedroom. Please, take him to her," he started walking away.

"No way, your friend, your problem. I'm already a very busy man even without pets," he put Rex on the floor and gently nudged him towards Loki.

"Here's the thing, I can't. I can't face her. And I am more than sure she doesn't want to face me."

"What happened? Don't tell me it's some petty reason like 'you picked the wrong movie' or 'those flowers don't go with ma vase'."

Loki rolled his eyes and took Rex to his hands. "No. She heard me telling lies to that woman we needed for those informations and now she doesn't trust me. I doubt she ever will."

"Just tell her how it was. How hard can that be?"

"Don't you think I already thought of that? I showed her the video from security cameras yesterday and she still doesn't want to go back to being my friend. And I understand why," he stared deeply into Rex's puppy eyes. As if the little dog felt his sadnes he tried to cuddle up to his chest.

"Then pray tell, cuz I could never understand women's logic."

Loki played with Rex's soft fur. "She knows I'm a great liar. She might think if that was a lie and she couldn't tell, then might be wondering how much of other things I told her were lies," Rex started chewing on Loki's thumb. "The truth is I never told her a single lie. Only that one time when she asked me if I'm smiling because I saw Thor fall down the stairs," he chuckled.

"Then tell her you never lied to her," Tony suggested.

"I can't. She won't believe me. Didn't you hear what I just said?"

"I did. But listen, life is complicated enough already, why making it more miserable by not talking each other's issues out? Just go to her, return her dog and ask to talk to her."

"What if she slams the door in my face just like the last time? Then what genious?"

Tony shrugged. "I don't know. Write her a letter and slide it down her door?"

Loki rolled eyes and started walking in the direction of your bedroom. "Your advices suck," he called behind his back.

Here he was. Standing in front of your door, which was slightly ajar. Explaining how Rex got out. Behind those doors he laughed with you, played games with you, watched movies while cuddling with you. So many pleasant memories. Scarred by the freshest one.

He remembered the fear and panic he felt when you started shouting at him. He remembered every last word you told him. Those kinds of words only left your mouth in his worst nightmares. He never thought he'll hear them in real life.

Tiny bites along his wrist brought him back to present. He didn't know what to do. Should he stand there and wait until you come out? Or should he knock? Call out for you?

His questions got answered sooner than he thought. "What are you doing here?" he heard her voice coming from the opposite end of the hallway.

He quickly looked down at Rex in his arms, the opened doorand realized how it must look to you. "I'm not stealing him, I swear. I found him wandering around the Tower," he held him out to you.

You took him, your fingers brushed his for a moment. You coughed. "Ehm, thank you. For bringing him back, I mean."

"No problem," he stood there awkwardly, hamd behind his back.

He figured you didn't want to say anything more and he took a step to walk around you.

"Hey," you called out.

"Yes?" he asked hopefully, waiting for your next words.

"I...... uhm," you bit your lip nervously.

He saw her wilingness to talk as his chance. "Can I speak with you? About all of what happened? Please?"

You looked up at him, a small relief in your eyes. "Actually, that's what I wanted to ask you."

"Oh, okay," he felt like an awkward teen rather than over century old man.

Both of you stood in the hallway. Until you broke the silence. "Well, do you want to come in?" you pointed at your door.

"Yeah, okay. Why not? Your bedroom is nice for talking," Loki mentally slaped himself across the face for saying such stupidity.

"Yes. I suppose it is," you gave him a small smile and closed the door behind the two of you.

[textsnotfound]

In the dark night.

Part 1.

Nothing is really feeling right with me today, the uncommon silence, no emails coming in and the rain... just don't feel okay. I am not sure how long I've had this feeling today, I recall that everything was alright during lunch -Boring normal even, Sasha could not stop talking about her date- the first round of cases I've worked during the afternoon felt rather stressing but nothing out of the ordinary.

There it is again, this sense of dread I can't shake off. And suddenly as if I needed to be woken up from a dream, a lighting flashed into my window effectively making me notice a vase in my studio's coffee table that I have not seen before, I stared for a second after the lighting died out, sitting there in the far away table illuminated by nothing but the dim yellow light of my desk's lamp that barely helps me make out the shape of it. I am still trying to figure out if this is real or if it is another one of my mind's tricks to keep me from going crazy of boredom and routine.

I feel like I want to get up and figure out what that is, but my mind is clearly not communicating with my body. I sit there unknowingly squinting my eyes to try and see better, but not moving an inch in the process. "Did I buy that? No, I haven't gone out of the house in months other than going out to the market occasionally but I would remember buying that. But if I didn't buy it then that means..." I just realized I have gotten up from my desk and I am slowly walking towards that thing. The closer I get the clearer it seems that is is not just a normal vase, it has inscriptions with symbols I don't recognize.

One step closer and the air starts to feel cold, my skin crawls and the sensation that someone is watching me feels almost unbearable. In a mater of seconds, I move my hand and try to reach the vase, that movement feels extremely choreographed, I start to think to myself, this is not how I usually act. "why am I doing this? It doesn't matter, reach it"

I obey and reach to grab the vase, although the vase feels extremely cold to the touch of mi finger tips, what is weirder in this situation is this almost blinding desire to open the vase and find out what's inside. I feel powerless, almost as if I'm being controlled by someone to act according to their desires.

Before I can get a grip on the vase, a hard slamming sound is produced behind me, so loud and somehow close that I flinched and had to look behind me in a hurry. And I see it, standing in front of my door, which was already closed, even before the sound.

A rather short figure, standing there with a chubby face and a quite uneven beard. Smiling in a way that feels not scary, it feels rather calm. I sense no evil in the air, I can see his arms and hands, carrying a coin in one hand and short rod in the other one.

I look back and the vase is still there, I wish to reach it, but this individual starts speaking:

"Language is a powerful weapon, the most destructive one in my opinion. You see, everything you see now, all that exists and troubles you, started with Language.

It was not the first vapor engine who started the revolution, it was not a gun that started each war in existence, and it was surely not a spaceship that started the race to reach the stars. It was an idea. But what is of an idea that cannot be shared? Nothing but wasted knowledge.

Humans needed to find a way to learn and express their desires, ambitions and ideas, and when the first noise that meant something was uttered millions of years ago, the timer started to run.

Societies were created, commerce was founded and those with louder voices were in charge of creating the rules, and those who remain quite were cursed to obey them. I saw it all happen.

To me, there are two kind of humans in this world, those who speak and order and those who stay quite and obey. The first are remembered in history, either as heroes, saints and kings or as villains, demons and murderers. Most ot the times as both. You see, that's the beauty of communication, the same story can be altered, depending on who reads it. But at the end of the day, they are remembered.

The second kind, it's not remembered for long, usually remembered as good. They live their life quietly, enjoying little things and feeling enough. They hardly ever make an impression, that's why people never tell stories of them for too long, and soon they are forgotten. They usually arrive to me smiling, with a simple yet relevant sense of fulfillment."

It stopped for a moment, raised his head a bit and looked at me as if waiting for invite to seat down or a cup of water. I stood quietly for a moment, I understood everything he said, it is quite logical, and not really important, shocking or relevant to this context I thought. All I wanted to know was what, who is this person and what are they doing in my house. I must recognized I was in a little bit of shock because the only thing I could uttered with the softest, most insecure voice I've ever had was "wh...what?"

He remained quite, and walked towards me, just to sit down in the sofa next to the coffee table. And signaled me to so the same. I forgot about the vase for a moment and sat down in front of him.

"This shade of green is not very appealing, these are handouts, aren't they?" He said with a gesture of disgust while looking and touching the sofa he was seating at. I nodded. For a moment, the room was filled with an awkward silence broken only by the raindrops in the window and the ceiling above.

He sat more comfortably, and took his hat off, the feeling of calm I felt earlier was stronger this time, perhaps due to the fact that the table and vase were acting as a barrier between us. He moved to the front a bit as if he was about to speak....

Part 2, soon.

[misterewrites]

Intro to Caitlyn 101 (Mirror’s Edge)

Summary:  Caitlyn is a thief looking for the next big score. Used to taking wristwatches and wallets from rich folk, she's aiming to take down bigger game as she discovers the hidden magical world within her hometown. Her first mark is an unassuming shopkeeper and his collect of ancient relics. All set with a plan, Caitlyn makes her move. Though plans rarely go off without a hitch.

Hello everyone! E here, hoping you are all well and staying safe. So the next chapter of my little side project is here! Honestly wasn't planning on getting back to this so soon but I was having fun worldbuilding and character creating and here we are. You can blame my friend @hains-mae for enabling me.

Right so the next thing I write will probably be the part two to this then the next chapter of the Underground. Umm that's really it for me so have a great week, be safe, wear your mask, take care of yourself and your loved ones. Please feel free to reblog, share, leave kudos or leave comments with things you liked or feedback if you read it on a03. I promised I'd try to promote myself more and it feels weird haha.

E is out, have a great one everyone! and here’s the link to the doobly do 

---> https://archiveofourown.org/works/30599756/chapters/76014323

There was an arrogance that seemed deeply etched into every aspect of the magical world. She stood among valuable, ancient relics from throughout human history: Vases from Greece lined the shelf above her. A row of Roman gladius blades in various states of decay with only a flimsy glass case between them and Caitlyn’s pocket. Tarnished Victorian era slivered lockets left about like loose change.

Millions dollars worth of the past and she, a stranger, was left unattended with it all.

Technically she wasn’t supposed to be in here with the locked door and close sign but the fact in the 5 minutes it took her to pick the lock and scout the first floor without a single soul attempting to stop her really was a testimony to the haughtiness of the ‘shopkeeper’.

It had been only few months since she saw past the false reality that was superimposed onto hers and she was still readjusting: Magic was real. Elves, dwarves, little halfing folk? Real. People shooting bolts of lightning and flames while riding storm clouds? Real. The guy who kept awkwardly hitting on her every time she tried to get a hotdog from the cart at the corner? Just a regular creep BUT could’ve been magical.

Even their currency was a show of their excessive wealth: Sliver, gold, platinum coins Actual platinum traded away like it was nothing! People starving and helpless on the streets and these bastards just walked with some of the rarest metal on the planet in their pockets like chump change.

Anger bubbled within her stomach along with self righteousness and a bit of her breakfast but she took a deep calming breath, closing her bluish gray eyes. ‘Calm down Cait’ she scolded herself ‘This isn’t the first time you’ve seen excessive wealth squandered and wasted. You’re here for a job so do it and never come back.’

She glanced around the waiting room she found herself in. It was off to the side of the shopping front andthere were very few things of interest in the tiny room: Some old, tattered chairs that had seen better days. A very, very tacky abstract painting hung over a bricked up fireplace. There was a scattering of magazines older than her with loose stables and free roaming pages everywhere.

A place of show and very little use.

“Hello my angel.”

Caitlyn seized up. She had been so caught up in her rage she hadn’t been paying attention to anyone coming down the stairs. Three stories with a handful of people about and nary a sound could heard. Must be some sort of magic.

She shook herself out of her stupor, slowly exhaling to calm her nerves. She forced her lips to curve into the cutest, lost smile she could muster. She opened her purple jacket a bit further so the guy could get a clearer view of her tight white tank top and running shorts.

“Helpless. Remember you’re helpless.” She whispered to herself before whirling about, her long black hair with dyed purple coloring flowed behind her gracefully as if she was an actress in those stupid hair product commercials.

“Oh!” she spoke with mock surprise, scrunching her face cutely as possible “I’m so, so, so sorry! I’m lost and the door was open and sorry!”

She leaned forward, sheepishly scratching the back of her neck as she gave whoever it was a better view of her outfit.

Hook, line and sinker.

“No problem sweetie. No need to lie to me.”

Hook, line and sunk apparently.

She blinked, unsure if she heard what she thought she heard. She glanced up to find a strangely dressed man with the goofiest grin.

He was cute in a ‘I dress as an obscure, indie character for cosplay’kind of way: His messy, unkempt black hair sat under a black fedora. He wore a long black trench coat that had seen better days. At least he preferred more colors than black on black. His collared shirt was a nice baby blue with an equally nice light brown vest. Black dress pants because men’s fashion is incredibly boring and shiny loafers to completed the look. Whatever the look was.

She expected him to be taking a good look at her attire.

What she found was him staring at her.

His warm dark brown eyes were soft, gentle and he refused to break his gaze from her bluish grays even though there were more tempting sights on offer.

She was on the back foot. No wandering glances, no self pleasured smiles. Not even a creepy chuckle. Just a strangely dressed, inch shorter guy looking like he just found the love of his life in this moment.

“I…” she cleared her throat “Umm….did you hear me?”

He gave a quick nod “Yeah. You broke in and you were trying to cover your tracks.”

It wasn’t that he guessed correctly what was she up to that threw her off. It was how casually he said it. More discussing the weather than committing a felony.

She raised an eyebrow, not sure how to proceed from whatever this was. There were always some people who caught on about her intentions fairly quickly but no one had ever been so….indifferent about it.

“I don’t work here.” the man offered, slowly closing the distance between them but leaving the doorframe wide open “I really don’t care that you’re here to rob the place.”

This has to be a trap. This had to be. No one was ever this….laidback. Were the other goons on the side waiting to jump her when she bolted? Was she on camera and he was letting her go knowing full well he had all the evidence he needed to track her down?

Or maybe he really didn’t care. He seemed more interested in talking than stopping her and there was this strange presence about him. A calm she’d never felt before even when her parents were alive. It was odd and foreign to her but she felt safe. Protected.

She shook her head, slowly inching closer to the doorway. The man made no attempt stop her. He just stood there, smiling, hands in his pocket.

The rational part of her brain said to run. This whole thing was botched and it was better to cut her losses than find out first hand what magical creatures could do to her. The less rational side of her head told her to wait, to talk this guy. Lying was obviously pointless but she had a feeling he would answer any questions she’d had and she had plenty.

“So…” she rose a suspicious eyebrow “Not gonna stop me?”

He shook his head “I wish you’d stay but I understand if you don’t want to be found in Andor’s shop. He’s one of those new elves. Less honor more power.”

She blinked. He said elves right? Just threw it out there like it was an everyday matter of fact and not a deeply held secret of her hometown.

“Elves aren’t real.’ Caitlyn said matter of fact.

“We both know better than that.” The man gave a bright smile.

“What do you want?”

The words spilled out of her mouth despite her best attempts but this guy was throwing her off so badly she forgot how to function.

“Talk to you of course.”

The worst kind of people were the sincere ones. They were sappy and gooey. They just so happy it was sickening. They had to be up to something. They had to some scheme or scam or something they were waiting to drop on you. No one was that happy, that purely honest. They were the liars who were so good they convinced themselves they were good people. No one was good and everyone had a dark corner in their soul they hid from the world.

Caitlyn knew she had plenty in whatever was left of her ratty soul.

“And if we talk? Will you let me go?”

The man nodded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Caitlyn licked her lips anxiously “Promise?”

Promise? What was she 12? No one kept their promises. Not even her.

He placed his hand over his heart “Cross my heart.”

“Let’s talk,”

He jerked his head towards the door “Outside. Don’t want you to ruin your heist.”

-----

Today was not going how she was expecting. She was thought she was going to break into an elf ran front, scout the area and come back in the middle of the night. She hadn’t been expecting to have coffee and bread with a random stranger on the street.

Well she had coffee, mystery man opted for hot chocolate.

They stood in a strangely comfortable silence a block from Andor’s. The man offered to pay for whatever she wanted and she took him up on it. Couple of baked goods, a sandwich for lunch, some water and of course her cup of wake up juice. If he was mad at her for her splurging at his expense, he hid it well. He just took his coco and some fancy elvish bread. Looked good but Caitlyn wasn’t up for trying other beings food. She didn’t know how it would sit with her stomach.

The elf who ran the cart, a few months ago human to her, waved goodbye to the pair as he counted the human cash the man gave him.

The trench coat cosplay stood patiently, sipping his drink and waited for her to break the silence.

She refused to break the silence first. Not wanting to sound too eager. Eagerness was a weakness and this guy was already throwing her off her rhythm.

“I’m Finnrick by the way.”

She turned to him, unsure if he was messing with her or not.

He gave her the same goofy smile “Finnrick Drift, private investigator.”

“Ah huh.” She nodded slowly “So you’re a magical P.I.? Like elves cheating on their wives, dwarves dodging their taxes P.I.?”

“Sometimes.” He shrugged his shoulders “Ironically elves like dodging on their taxes more than dwarves.”

“Right.”

“You’re new to the whole other side of Newton Haven huh?”

She glanced at her coffee “Lived here my whole life. Really makes me wonder if I lost my mind.”

“Don’t worry, we’re all mad here Alice.”

Why was she talking to him? Why was she being honest? This was weirder and getting weirder every passing second.

Finnrick changed subject “So, robbing Andor? Any particular loot you are after?”

Caitlyn narrowed her eyes “Trying to fish something out of me Finny?”

“Guilty as charged” He beamed with pure happiness “Don’t want you wasting your time on shiny trinkets he cares nothing about.”

Caitlyn remained silent. She wasn’t used to such transparency. Normally this would be the point where the guy would lie or pretend to not have heard or awkwardly switch the subject but Finnrick answered openly and honestly. So far.

“So” Caitlyn straightened up, pulling her jacket wide open “What do you think? Great outfit right?”

Finnrick turned to her with a grin, his cheeks turning a pinkish hue as his eyes locked onto hers “Your body is absolutely lovely but your eyes even more so.”

Caitlyn could feel the flush coming. She coughed loudly, focusing on her drink as she willed the embarrassment away.

Finnrick chuckled lightly but returned to his drink. The silence returned, still comfortable as before.

This is was bad whatever this was. She needed to regain some level of control and stop acting like a teenage girl on her first garbage fire of a date.

“So” she cleared her throat “Mister P.I. what would you recommend taking if not all those millions of dollars of historical items he leaves about?”

Finnrick crushed the foam cup effortlessly as he gestured to the third floor of the shop “His office has a pretty simple safe. He keeps loads of paperwork. His various contracts, accounts, treasure hoards”

Caitlyn scoffed in disbelief even though her eyes shone with excitement “Treasure hoards? Elves? I thought dragons were the hoarders. Weren’t elves supposed to be above all that lovely corruption?”

“No one is above corruption.’ Finnrick answered “Elves are just like everyone else.”

Caitlyn crossed her arms and leaned back with a cocky swagger “And why, pray tell, would I care about boring paperwork?”

“Because it really hurt him in the pride.”

Damn Finnrick was good. Not only she was eager to learn more, she could already feel the smug satisfaction of bringing a powerful prick down a peg fill her cause.

Finnrick seemed to notice this because he went on “Andor is a young elf. 100 years give or take.”

“A hundred years is young?”

“When you live a thousand years every other race is a child to you. Andor’s old man is a swell guy. He’s one of those good elves you see in Tolkien.”

“Tolkien?” Caitlyn furrowed her brow “He wrote the books that those Lord of the Rings films are based on right?”

“Yeah actually.”

“Oh and the Hob…”

“We don’t talk about that.” Finnrick quickly added “But see the problem is Andor’s old man doesn’t know his son has become the small time crime lord. Thinks he’s running an antique business selling off old junk that was gathering dust in the family’s attic.”

Something clicked into place for Caitlyn “Wait. Junk from the attic? You mean all those relics on the shop floor?! THAT’S OLD JUNK!?”

Finnrick gave a casual shrug “Elves are weird. Andor don’t know shit about selling, all his money comes from his illegal business practices. That’s how he keeps the shop afloat.”

“I see” Caitlyn spoke, her bluish grays sparkling with mischievous intent “If those records disappeared, his shop sinks and he has to run back home to daddy.”

“And out of the city” Finnrick finished with a smile “And those records are pretty valuable to loads of people. Easier to fence and less messy to explain than a long lost Greek vase showing up in someone’s private collection. You’d get good prices for those hoard locations alone. Better than trying to carry tons of stolen and lost treasure back to your house.”

Caitlyn eyed Finnrick carefully “And you’re doing this out of the kindness of your heart? Trying to do your ‘civic’ duty to our fair city?”

“Among other things” Finnrick admitted “But mostly for the greater good.”

“Pfft, greater good? Yeah sure buddy. Like you know what’s the greater good.”

“Will you do it?”

Caitlyn paused, allowing all this information sink in. It was much better than she had planned and while she wasn’t sure of Finnrick’s angle, he seemed honest enough. Of course everyone seems honest enough the first time you meet them.

“Let’s say I do” she spoke, placing her hands on her hips to play the part “What’s in it for you?”

“A favor” He replied simply.

She rose a curious eyebrow “A favor? It’s not date with me, is it?”

“No, I plan to earn that one myself.” Finnrick answered cheerfully.

Caitlyn coughed “Fine, good. Not a date. Least you’re not a creep. But a favor is pretty vague.”

“It’ll be simple I promise.”

Caitlyn narrowed her gaze suspiciously “You promise?”

Finnrick put his hand over his heart again “Cross my heart.”

Caitlyn took a moment, weighing the pros and cons of the situation.

Caitlyn offered her hand towards the trench coat cosplayer “You got yourself a deal.”

He gently took her hand in his own and gave it a firm shake. She was surprised when, as he pulled back, she felt a strange metallic item left behind.

She looked at the crystal butterfly hair clip he placed in her hand: It was a beautiful with sliver hues and multi-colored shards of glass across its wings.

“What’s this?”

“A gift.”

Caitlyn felt uneasy with the ornament in her palm: It felt cold and distant like it was feeling her out and wasn’t liking what it found.

“It’s attuning to you.” Finnrick explained “It’s syncing up to your whole aura.”

“Aura?” Caitlyn shot him a glare of disbelief “This isn’t one of those new age hippie things is it?”

Finnrick shook his head “It’s a magical item. Yours specifically. Everything alive has a deep and very convoluted to explain connection to this plane. The hairclip is trying to match yours so you and only you can use it.”

“It feels wrong.”

“Because it doesn’t know you yet. It will.”

Caitlyn felt unease about whatever this was. Part of her wanted to toss it as far as she could. The worst part was she felt the item probing at her, changing temperatures as if trying find a comfortable setting for both of them. Burning one moment and too cold the next. This was magic and it made her felt like she knew nothing.

But part of her felt it slowly and subtly trying to match her, focusing on her and on her place in the universe. It felt more natural each passing moment and she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t curious what mister detective over here was letting her borrow.

Caitlyn blew a strand of hair out of her face “How long does this usually take?”

“An hour.” Finnrick reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone “Oh shoot I have a meeting to get to.”

He turned to leave and suddenly Caitlyn felt alone. Awkward just standing in the street without someone to talk to.

“Wait!” She reached for him but quickly pulled back when he faced her “….any advice?”

Finnrick scratched his chin for a moment “Red tiles. Avoid them or they’ll blast you off the roof.”

“G-gotcha.” Caitlyn didn’t want to know what blast off the roof was code for “A-and the hairclip? What’s it do?”

Finnrick gave a cheeky grin and Caitlyn could feel her face flush “I guess you’ll have to find out angel. Bye for now. May we meet again soon.”

And like that, he was off. Strolling down the straight with a bounce in his step and humming a tune.

Caitlyn glanced at the ornate hairclip in her hand.

Turns out there was a lot more to this magical world than she thought.