#but anyway I think you’re missing the point

[mikkomacko]

pls pls pls pls pls reader getting her devils pendant and ring

Reader gets her a ring at a later point in the timeline but that moment should make it in the Holtz blurb so for now, here’s how she got her pendant :)

~~~~

November 2022

“Ow, it’s fine Nico. Stop touching it.”

You kick at his hip, shoving his hands away from your thigh with a new roughness that seems to have followed you back from Philadelphia.

Nico clenches his jaw, pulling his hands back and even as you notice him forcing himself to take calming breathes, you don’t care. You don’t care that he’s frustrated with you, that he’s tired,that he’s just trying to help.

You don’t need help. You’re fine.

“It needs to be cleaned.” He grits, adjusting the cotton pad of disinfectant in his fingers. His other hand grips your knee, holding it steady but he makes no move to keep dabbing at the healing stitches.

“It’s fine,” you argue anyway, attempting to scoot back into the couch but you’re met only with fluffy cushions. Attempting to wiggle out of his hold and over the back of the couch, you try to slip your knee from his hold but he’s got a solid grip on it.

It’s a low blow, you know that. Preying on the one thing he’s insecure about, worried about but you want him to stop touching the healing wound. “You’re hurting me,” you murmur weakly, and immediately his head is snapping up to look at you, eyes widened with worry. It doesn’t take a lot these days for you to let tears fill your eyes, pouting at him and he lets out a pained noise, slumping down until his forehead rests by your leg.

And yet he doesn’t let you go.

“I know it hurts,” he grumbles into the couch, “but it’s going to hurt a lot more if you let it get infected.”

He’s right, you know that. You can’t ignore the raw wound forever and hope it gets better, hope it never hurts again. But you don’t want to right now.

“I want Johnny to do it,” you say just to be difficult, to maybe buy time. Johnny is hours away, back in Pittsburgh with his stupidly hot boss who’s way too old to be that hot. He can’t be here to take care of you, which is exactly why you asked for him.

“If you just let me do it we’d already be done,” Nico encourages, tilting his head to press a kiss to your knee. The same way he always does when you pick this fight.

“It’s not infected,” you try “so it doesn’t need that. It just needs to be left alone.”

Humorlessly, he laughs, picking his head up to give you an unimpressed look. “It’s not infected because I have this fight with you every three days,” he says. “You know we have to baby. Fleury and Johnny told you that you have to let me disinfect it.”

You grimace. “Can’t you just cut it off instead?”

“Cut what off? Your leg?”

“Yes.”

He has to purse his lips to keep from laughing at you. “I think missing a leg would be a little harder than just let me dab at your stitches.”

You shake your head. “I don’t think so,” he gives you an unconvinced look. “You can just carry me around right? Who needs a leg then?”

Squeezing his fingers around your knee, Nico sits up straighter, readying himself to try again. “You,” he argues “you need your leg. Just take a deep breath and I’ll count, ok?”

Your heart jumps, tongue feeling dry. “No I’m not ready,” you say frantically but he ignores you, starting his count. “Wait Nico! Please-“

He’s reached three by now and without thinking about it you kick at him again, shoving away his hand. Nico groans in frustration, shifting closer to you and you attempt to wiggle away again, desperately trying to yank out of his hold even when it pulls uncomfortably on your stitches.

Tired and fed up with you once again, Nico somehow manages to get you pinned to the couch, straddling your knees with his thighs, wrists locked in one of his hands and shoved above your head. No matter how many times he does it (which is usually every 3 days when he goes to clean your injury) you can never manage to beat him.

It’s scary, being held under him like this. Deep down you know that if you really begged he’d let you go, that he’s not doing this to hurt you but it still makes your veins turn to ice, being held helplessly under him.

Nico’s quick to dab at your thigh now that he’s got you still, eyebrows pinched in concentration and even as big, fat tears roll down your cheeks he doesn’t let up. Even when you cry, whining for him to stop he doesn’t let up.

The stupid cream burns at the still healing flesh, makes your toes curl and leg twitch in protest and you turn your head, burying your face in your bicep.

It’s over after a moment, Nico easing up his hold on your wrists and then he’s leaning down, pressing an apologetic kiss to your wet cheek. Slowly, he climbs off you and you can feel him pausing, waiting for you to move too but you don’t. Frozen with your wrists still above your head and eyes squeezed shut, you hiccup around choked back cries.

He sighs, disappearing into the kitchen to put away the med kit. And you still just lay there until the stinging fades a bit, until it only aches deep in the wound, painfully pricking at the bone even though you know the cut still isn’t that deep.

It feels like it though.

You force yourself to sit up, not bothering to wipe at your wet cheeks as you look down your thigh. It looks worse like this, the cream making it look fresh and raw again, even with the thread holding it together. It makes your fingers tremble, breath seizing as you remember first looking down at the cut, when you yanked the glass out and it looked just like this. Bright red and wet, burning in the stale air of the warehouse.

“Hey,” Nico calls gently, like he already knows what you’re thinking. “It’s doing better.”

You don’t answer him, swinging your legs over the edge of the couch, wincing at the bite that runs up your thigh. He looks almost guilty when you finally get up, cheeks still stained with dried tear tracks and you don’t want to blame him but he’s the only one standing in front of you that you can.

He’s got the roll of bandages in his hand, leaning against the counter and waiting for you. You don’t want him to do it though so you limp by him, grabbing the various gauze from his hand and then heading down the hall to the bedroom. He doesn’t follow when you close the bedroom door, and then cross into the bathroom and close that door too. Sitting on the edge of the tub, you bite your lip and wrap the bandage around your thigh, blinking back more tears and trying not to look too closely at the wound or at the fading purple and yellow bruises on your wrist.

~~~~

“Come run an errand with me.”

Wrapped in a blanket on the couch, you frown, not bothering to look away from the tv, even when Nico lays his palm on top of your head and shakes.

“Where?”

“Just downtown real quick.”

You make a face. “I’ll have to get dressed.”

He sounds almost amused. “No you won’t. Can go like that if you want.”

“I’m in shorts,” you deadpan, but that does nothing to deter him, Nico coming around the side of the couch to stand between you and the tv.

Annoyed, you glare up at him. “You gonna be mad at me all day?”

You don’t know why he bothers asking. The answer is always yes. You’re always mad, but especially after he’s held you down and hurt you, ignored you when you begged him to stop.

When you don’t say anything, he sighs, rubbing at that spot on his eyebrow that you know he can always feel his headaches in. A part of your resolve breaks.

“Can we drive around after?”

Relieved, a smile lifts at his lips. “Yeah baby we can.”

Twenty minutes later you’re in the passenger seat of his car, a pair of baggy jeans warming against the seat warmer and the heater blasting your cheeks.

Nico reaches for your thigh, hands careful but you tuck them into the door, away from his outstretched fingers and his hand drops lazily onto the center console. The disappointed sigh that come out of him makes your stomach turn, but the lingering ache in your leg from this morning overpowers it.

So the two of you ride in silence until he’s backing into a parallel parking spot, shutting off the engine. And you’re still silent when he opens the door for you moments later, taking your hand in his and guiding you down the sidewalk.

He doesn’t stop at any shops, doesn’t give any indication of where this errand is at. After a few blocks you’re annoyed, thinking he’s lied to just force you into getting some fresh air, into getting out of the apartment.

Especially when he tugs you through a small iron gate, the sidewalk turning into a stone path as grass and trees replace cement. You’ve never been to this little park, hidden somewhere here in the city. The trees are still bleeding into fall, ringing red and orange and you can admit it’s beautiful.

“This doesn’t look like an errand to me,” you say anyway, huffing when Nico stops and makes you sit on a bench with him. Curled in on yourself, you glare at the stupidly endearing look in his eyes.

Those dark and safe eyes, almost begging as he swipes your hair behind your ear. Nico digs his hand into his coat pocket, fishing out a little box and holding it in his palm.

“I know you’re upset,” he says quietly, “I know you hate doing these things, hate that I have to force you to do them. And I’m sorry that I have to make you that angry, but if it keeps you healthy and safe then I’m going to keep doing it.

“Because everything I do now is to protect you, baby. You have to know that”

You don’t know where he’s going with this, why he’s brought you out here to say this. Every other time he’s pissed you off, ruined your day by forcing you to clean your injuries, he just lets you mope on the couch, only bugging you more when he needs you to eat something.

“This still isn’t an errand.” You murmur and he huffs out a laugh, shaking his head as he holds out the box to you. Slipping your hands out of your pockets you accept it, pulling the lid off carefully.

Inside sits a red velvet cushion, dainty gold letters stitched into it that reads New Jersey Devils in cursive letters. And right above it hangs an all too familiar pendant, the devil horns shiny and new compared to the ones Nico’s been wearing around his neck for years.

“What?” You ask, glancing up at him and he reaches forward to take it from you, thick fingers carefully removing it from the box.

“You should’ve gotten this a long time ago,” he murmurs, “I dropped the ball on it because I was scared that giving this to you would actually hurt you.”

The symbol of protection, what all devils members and their partners wear. Because it’s supposed to mean that you’re untouchable. That if anyone hurt you, they’d be dealing with the Devs. Except in your case, because you’re not with just any Devil. You’re with the Devil himself.

“I think I hurt you more by withholding this,” he admits quietly, fingering open the latch. You let him place it around your neck, lifting your hair so he can secure it.

“You didn’t hurt me,” you promise, even when he gives a sad smile.

“That’s not what you said earlier.”

“I didn’t mean it Nico,” you shake your head, leaning into him to throw in your arms around his neck. “I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry.”

Tenderly, he rubs his hand over your back, tucking you into his neck. “I know baby, it’s ok. You’re ok.”

“And I’m sorry that I’ll probably do it again in 3 days.”

He laughs. “I know you will. It’s ok.”

Everything goes silent again, Nico holding you, the cool metal of your pendant now warming against the skin of your neck. You blink, tuck your chin into his shoulder.

“This still isn’t an errand.”

“There’s hot cocoa on the other end of the park. Was hoping to get you over there before giving you the necklace but…”

But you were too difficult.

“I love you Schao.”

He hums, kissing the side of your head. “I love you too, little miss devil.”

[heeikeuu]

Veiled Within The Walls - P. SH

Main Plot:  Vampire! Sunghoon x OC Human! Liliana

Synopsis:  Her friends dared her to enter an abandoned castle alone, one that no soul has dared to step foot in and came back alive to tell the tale. Liliana, being stubborn, decided to do so anyway— refusing to believe their crazy stories, yet what awaits her there leaves a shiver down her spine.

Warnings: 5k wc, mentions of death/war, profanity, blood, suggestive, slow burn, ANGST, crack, fluff (sorry if I missed anything!)

A/N: Hello lovelies! Hope you enjoy this and I apologize in advance for the angst jhfdguedflsef. My inspiration for this was Sylus and Zayne myths from Lads.

⋆.˚♱ Recommended Playlist ♱˚

Chapter 1: Stop Bluffing!

The night was quiet outside, contrasting the sounds heard from Liliana and her best friend as they argued on the phone.

“You’ve been cooped up in that jail- sorry, room for 2 weeks now.” Sunoo reasoned, “you should come with me and the guys, we are planning to get brunch together on Saturday.”

Liliana let out a sigh, “I know but I HAVE to finish this before the deadline, noo.” Her tone defeated as she slumped into her seat, pouting.

“Lily, come on! Your deadline isn’t until next month, one day won’t hurt.” He whined. After thinking about it for a little longer, she hesitantly agreed. She cursed him for giving her the puppy eyes.

Saturday finally came after another uneventful week. 

Looking at the clock, it read 3:25am, hunched over her desk, Liliana decided to call it a night after finishing her book. She had a long day ahead of her in a few hours as she promised her friends to be there and not ditch them this time. 

“You look like a zombie,” Riki said as he opened the car door for her. 

“You look wonderful too!” The sarcasm dripped down her voice like venom as she got in. 

“Who pissed in her cereal?” Jungwon whispered to Sunoo who told him to shut up before she heard them. 

“Look who decided to grace us all with her presence!” Riki abruptly announced as he started the car engine once she got done buckling the belt. 

“Lilyyy, we missed you,” Sunoo dramatically fell on Jungwon who sat next to him.

“I missed you guys too, except for him,” she playfully pointed at Riki who was driving, “oh wow..” he let out making the others giggle. “Just so you know, you’re paying now.” 

Looking at him with a deadpan look before answering, “Bitch I’m always the one paying anyway.”

“Sugar mommy era!” The other two cheered. 

“This mommy will be out of sugar soon enough,” she retorted. 

Sunoo and Jungwon look at each other, “Ewww you made it weird now.” 

“Agreed,” the younger joined. 

“Why are we friends again?” She sighed in defeat.

“Because you love us very much,” Riki quipped with a grin.

Arriving at the cafe they used to frequent at. “ So did you guys hear?” Sunoo leaned in after they got done ordering, making the other 3 look at each other and lean in curiously. 

“What?”

“Did Jungwon finally grow the balls to ask his crush out,” Lily whispered back, making the younger hit her shoulder with no real strength behind it to not hurt her. 

“Ouch” It was her turn to be dramatic now. 

“Focus!” Sunoo whispered back urgently,

“SPILL IT DAMMIT,” Riki impatiently yelled making the other customers in the cafe eye their table. Getting embarrassed he bowed his head apologetically before turning to his friends. “SHHHH” he heard them hiss at him. 

“Anyways..” Sunoo continued, “have you guys heard of the abandoned castle that’s a few hours away from here?” they shook their heads, making him sigh, “okay so there is a story I read last week about how there is apparently a mysterious person living there. Soooo, we should check it out!” He finishes. 

“I don’t kno-” Jungwon is interrupted by Riki who is suddenly very interested. 

“We should check it out!” He grinned at his friends.

“Absolutely not! Lily reason with them!” He nudged her shoulder.

Waiting for her answer, “I agree with Won. Plus I have work to do, remember?” 

Riki and Sunoo let out groans of annoyance.

“Come onnn, I bet this will be fun! What’s the worst that can happen?”

“But-” this time she was interrupted by Sunoo who gave her the puppy eyes again.

“That trick won’t work twice on me, Noo.” She sighed. 

“Don’t be a wuss!” She heard the other boy shoot back. “I bet you’re just scared.” He smirked, folding his arms, he knew how to get her to agree. 

“Oh really? Fine then.” 

“LILY” Jungwon said before defeatedly agreeing too, not wanting to be the odd one out. 

“This is such a Horrible idea” Sunoo suddenly interrupted,

“Sunoo, it was literally YOUR idea,” she told him with a blank expression.

The rest of the morning was spent with the group chuckling and talking about things they had missed while they (mostly Liliana) were busy. Eventually, the group called it a day and all went to their respective homes. 

_______________________________________

Liliana's POV:

It's been 3 days since I went out with the guys. I can't help but think back to what Sunoo said at the café. l re-open the reddit link he sent to the group chat. Looking over the thread, a few people swore on their graves that they saw someone or something lurking in the castle. Though I had my doubts, I also had the urge of a white chick in a horror film to chase after danger. 

So, here I am, packing some snacks and water for the road trip with my unwanted children friends. 

Ding.

“I'm here.” The notification read from Riki who lived the closest to me. As much as we banter, he is like a brother to me whom I love dearly.

Making sure to turn off all the lights and lock the doors. I make my way out. 

“Sunoo stayed at Jungwons’ yesterday so we can pick them up and head out.”

I hummed in response, looking out the window. It was almost sunrise, the clouds scattered making the orange and blue hues of the sun ever so prominent. The crisp morning air only adds to the breathtaking scenery. 

“It's a beautiful day,” I hadn't realized I spoke out loud until Riki agreed.

“Yeah, we rarely get to see each other lately from work and uni, so it's nice to plan something spontaneous together like this.” His sudden sincerity made me feel guilty for not prioritizing my friends more. He must’ve noticed the guilt written in my face, “hey, it's okay Lily. We All got caught up with our own things.”

"I know but I ditched out on our plans too many times. I'm sorry.” My gaze fell to my lap as I spoke. He simply patted my head gently without saying anything more. A mutual understanding between us. 

After 2 minutes we arrived to pick up the other two. The drive was about 2 hours and a half. We didn't talk much, it was just peaceful silence where we enjoyed each other's presence and the sky outside. 

“Lily,” Jungwon broke the silence.

“Yeah?”

“Check this out,” he handed me his phone. Curiously I took it, reading the post out loud. 

“Long ago there was a lively big kingdom where vampires and humans coexisted peacefully until a war broke out. Humans started attacking, detaining, and killing many innocent vampires due to rising conflicts in the royal world. Though many were accepting of coexistence, there were still hostile humans and vampires alike. A young prince was said to be the next in line to become the king but the war came with a cost. His lover was a human– and the couple was promised peace once more to the land if they got married but the night of; she was murdered in cold blood by her own kind, to them she was a traitor. In a fit of pure rage, the prince retaliated by burning the kingdom down. Centuries had passed and it is said the prince lives alone in the castle still awaiting and yearning for his lover.” 

“What do you think?” He asked me.

“I mean, it sounds like a local tale made up to keep normal people away from the castle but I can't say I'm not intrigued.” I smirk.

“So they think some lonely and hot vampire is just randomly living there?” Riki snorted.

“Maybe, who knows,” I playfully responded. “I bet 20 bucks it's nothing though.”

“You have arrived at your destination.” The GPS spoke as Riki parked the car. 

Waking our sleeping prince, we get out of the car. 

“Damn, is it just me or is it freezing,” I pull my cardigan closer to my chest and cross my arms.

“Yeah, I could see my breath, look,” Jungwon said while demonstrating to us. 

“Okay,” Riki clapped his hands, “Liliana is going in first.” He announced. 

“Are you sure about this, Lily?” Jungwon asked with worry in his eyes. 

“Hell yeah! A bet is a bet, plus I will be fineee.” I smiled at the three. 

“Don't come back screaming if you see roaches!” Riki called out as I made my way there. I turn momentarily to flip him out and stick out my tongue. “You wish!” I shouted back.

In my peripheral vision, I notice Jungwon and Sunoo shaking their heads like disappointed parents. 

I continued walking, the building looked fairly worn out but still breathtaking. It was huge with black details stretching all over the walls. It was hard to miss the clear gothic elements which only further intrigued me. Though everyone called it a castle due to the visuals, the size was more like a big modern mansion. 

Finally reaching the main gates, I looked back to my friends who were a few feet away. 

_______________________________________

Chapter 2: Shadow 

Opening the gates with great strength, she lets out a huff.

The bailey was stretched with green grass and wildflowers that decorated it throughout, catching her by surprise. “If this place is really abandoned, how come it's so lively?” She thought to herself out loud.

Caw caw caw,

She heard the deep but piercing sounds of a raven. Looking up, she could've sworn to herself that she saw the shadow of a man too. 

“I must be imagining things..” Liliana reassured herself. The cold air made her skin cringe but she weirdly felt at peace here, an unknown sense of familiarity and nostalgia made her throat swell and heart ache but she couldn’t explain it. It smelled and felt like a distant home.

Lost in her own little world, she almost didn't notice the raven approaching her in curiosity. It tilted its head innocently at her. Finally making eye contact with the bird, she crouched down. Gently reaching her hands to pet it before the moment was interrupted by her friends worriedly calling her name from behind.

“LILYYY,” 

“THERE YOU ARE,” 

Their shouting intimidated the raven, making it flee. 

“NOO, wait!” She called out to the bird, pouting.

“Who were you talking to?” Jungwon asked first

“She officially lost it chat,”

“I don't even think she had a mind to lose in the first place, to be honest,” Sunoo agreed with Riki, making her hit both of them in the back of their heads. 

“Ouch!” They said in sync.

“What took you so long?” Jungwon, ever the more responsible and worried one asked again. 

“I just got lost in my own thoughts,” reassuring her friends with a smile. “And I was talking to a raven, FYI.”

“What raven? We didn't see anyone?” 

“What?”

“Told you she's getting too old,” Riki replied, shaking his head. Liliana raised her hand, making the younger quickly apologize. 

“Hey guys have you noticed how the flowers here are still-” turning to show them. “Dead..?” She finishes her sentence in utter confusion. 

“Lily, sweetheart, are you feeling well?” Sunoo asked, distressed.

“Maybe, it's time to leave this creepy place,” Jungwon announced. As they left, the unknown shadow stood watching them, her.

_______________________________________

Liliana's POV:

It's been 2 weeks since me and the gang visited that weird castle. I can't help but think back to what happened. I tried my best to ignore it but a gut feeling kept telling me to go again. 

His lover was a human– and the couple was promised peace once more to the land if they got married but the night of; she was murdered in cold blood by her own kind, to them she was a traitor. In a fit of pure rage, the prince retaliated by burning the kingdom down. Centuries had passed and it is said the prince lives alone in the castle still awaiting and yearning for his lover.

“Could it possibly be true?” I mumble to myself as I sit in the mostly empty library. 

“What could be true, darling?” The sweet old lady who owned this small library suddenly appeared, startling me.

“Oh goodness, me! Did I scare you? I apologise.” She said in a worried tone.

“Oh no, it's okay Ms. Charlotte, I was just thinking out loud again.” I assured her while making space for her to sit beside me.

“Sweetie, you have been sitting here for hours, have some tea, would you?” She offered me a cup, and I took it, thanking her. “Is something bothering you?”

“Oh, it's nothing..” I avoid her gaze. She gently grabbed my hands, “you can tell me no matter how mundane or silly it is.”

Ms. Charlotte was always so kind to everyone. She didn't have kids of her own but she treated us all like her own. She is a true gem.

I slowly tell her all my worries and the events that occurred. The old castle, flowers, the raven, and mysterious shadow.

Looking at her unreadable expression, “I probably sound crazy,” her eyes softened before she spoke again.

“I don't think you sound crazy.” She leaned in, “want to know a secret?” l nod. “That tale you read and all the others about vampires are not just tales,” noticing my puzzled face, she chuckled. “Our town has held- or rather buried many secrets of its past in fear and shame. Though we do not know what happened to the vampires afterwards. We did once live in harmony despite our flaws.” 

There's a somber look in her eyes as she continues. “Many lives were lost due to human greed. This town was built on the blood of the innocent, as the guilty ran the other way. It has been centuries since we last heard of vampires. Many believed they went extinct by ending their lives to join their loved ones once more, but it is till this day believed that the prince stayed waiting for his lover to come back and remember him.”

Shocked, I stayed silent for a few seconds. 

“I do not know how or why but I believe you are connected to that place.” 

After our long chat, bid her goodbye with a hug. Waking back to my place, I find myself lost in thought before finally deciding,

I should go back.

_______________________________________

A week later, Liliana finds herself back at the castle. This time all alone. Taking a deep breath, this moment would either confirm or deny all her suspicions.

she opened the main gates with force, the beautiful and quiet scenery welcoming her as the air blew at her face, the grass covered in wildflowers was present again instead of the dead land it turned to in a blink last time.

Caw caw caw,

The raven had returned once again making her speechless. 

“But.. How..?”

The raven approached her carefully now. She reached out, slowly and gently petting it. It was very friendly, making her wonder where it learned to socialize so well with humans. 

Beneath the shadows, he stood. Watching over her in silence. Too afraid to scare her off.

Since the day she stepped foot in here, he couldn't stop thinking of her.

Liliana didn't tell a soul about her whereabouts, she kept this place to herself.

_______________________________________

**Before The War**

“Hey Hoon!” She cheerfully called out to him in the flower field, holding a clover with four leaves, making him chuckle softly at her.

“I must indeed be the luckiest man alive- or dead.” He corrected sheepishly.

They laid there in each other's arms for hours enjoying the crisp air and clouds. 

—

“Hey Hoon!” She called out to him after not seeing each other for weeks. Running into his arms as he embraced her like it would be the last time.

—

“Hey Hoon!” Her tone was ever so cheerful yet there was something underlying in her voice this time. He hummed, his head resting on her chest, the sounds of her heartbeat bringing him peace. The night was quiet as they laid in bed, tangled in the sheets together. 

“What would you do if I left this world?” She asked, playing with his soft locks absentmindedly.

Lifting his head gently to gaze into her eyes before answering with absolute certainty. “I would wait for you in every lifetime. And if someone took you away from me, I would take away everything and everyone they cherish.”

Cupping his face gently, “I love you.” She responded with a kiss that he reciprocated with twice as much passion. Getting lost in each other. 

—

“Hey Hoon!” 

He looked at her curiously.

“Why do you hate the idea of me turning into a vampire?”

Shocked at her bold question, he stayed quiet for a few moments, gathering his thoughts. 

“I would never want to curse you with the same fate as me no matter how selfish I can be.” He gulped, “I would never forgive myself if you turned into a monster like me..” 

“But you're not a monster-” He interrupts her, 

“To you, I am just Hoon but.. To others I am no less of a monster.” The pain in his voice was evident as he avoided her gaze.

She gently held his big cold hands into her warmer ones. No other words were needed to be exchanged, her presence alone offered him more comfort than he thought he deserved.

**After The War**

It all seemed to happen overnight. The screams, the slaughter, the blood spilt, the lives lost. The place was in ruins as Sunghoon ran searching for his lover in the chaos.

“LILIANA!”

“MY LOVE CAN YOU HEAR ME!”

“LILIANA!”

He kept calling till his throat hurt.

There she was, with an open wound in her stomach as humans tied her on the burning stake. Her screams pierced the air as he ran to her pulling her away from the fire but he was too late.

“Hey.. Hoon.. wait for.. me.. please..” She coughed blood before peacefully closing her eyes forever. Even in her last moments, she smiled at him.

He cried loudly begging her to open her eyes again, to not leave him yet.

With his heart burning for his lover, blood covered his vision and arms as his heart ached for her.

She left and he no longer was just her Hoon but a monster seeking revenge.

_______________________________________

Sunghoon’s POV:

Waking up hastily from my nightmare. I stared at the ceiling blankly. Only it wasn't a nightmare but my reality. It was too early to contemplate the difference. Since that unknown girl entered the castle, I felt uneasy. 

Could it really be her? 

But if it was her, she would've remembered me…right?

My own thoughts turned into just her, and they haunted me every night.

After the day I watched her leave with her friends, I couldn't shake the thought of wanting to see her again. I wanted to confirm my suspicions, I told myself.

Then, she appeared again, and again, and again. 

Yet, I still couldn't find the courage to step closer to her. Every week, without fail she visited alone. She just sat there mostly in silence with a book and pen in her hands. Carefree of her surroundings. She would sometimes talk to herself out loud or to the raven, who seemed to grow a liking to her being around.

I watched her leave every time, in the dark shadows. Unable to find the right words to convey.

_______________________________________

Chapter 3: Names & Secrets

The weather was sunny and warm, it stopped raining for the first time that week. Driving to the castle, Liliana hummed along to the music playing on the radio. Whenever she was overwhelmed by the noise and world around her, she loved visiting the castle to sit there despite the pretty long road.

It was all worth it in the end, the fresh scent of flowers and the air just felt different.

The unknown presence around her didn't go unnoticed, it didn't seem to be a sign of any danger though so she didn't worry too much about it. But today, she wanted to explore the place more. 

Walking around the long hallways and just appreciating the architecture. Following behind her from afar, he stood. 

The raven sat on the top of her head as she spoke to it like it could respond.

“Hey, I just realized I never gave you a name,” she said casually.

“Caw!” The bird said.

Suddenly, she stopped walking to turn around, “why don't we ask our little stalker friend here for advice.” 

He paused. 

“How did she notice..?” Sunghoon thought to himself

“You're not exactly that subtle you know.” She smiled amused as if she could read his thoughts.

“She smiled.. Is she not afraid of me?”

Slowly coming on out, he revealed himself to her.

She walked closer to him, “So, does it have a name,” she pointed at the bird who flew to his shoulder. 

“No.” His deep cold voice made a shiver run down her spine.

“Why not?” She tilted her head, confused. It was a habit she never let go off. One that made his cold heart melt every time. 

“You ask too many questions.” His voice remained cold and dry. 

Liliana pouted, her big eyes shimmering in the sun making his cold heart swell more but his expression was still stoic.

The two fell into a pattern from then on. 2 months passed quicker than anticipated.

“Hey, ice prince,” that's what she called him since they met.

“Sunghoon.” He corrected her softly.

Not hearing him the first time, she tilted her head.

“It's Sunghoon.” He said more firmly this time, looking deeply into her eyes.

“That name.. Sounds so familiar.” Her thoughts were interrupted by him suddenly walking away. 

“Hey Hoon! Wait!” The nickname flew out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

His entire body stopped. 

“Did she just..” His mind turned blank but his face stayed neutral.

“What?” He blurted out loud, accidentally. Voice a little higher than normal. 

She smiled at him bashfully, “sorry, it just felt right.”

He tried to contain himself, “It's okay.. I don't mind.” His gaze softened before going back to that mysterious glint that captivated her.

“Okay, Hoon.” Her smile was just as bright as the day he lost her. 

This all felt like a sick joke from the universe to him. “Why can't she remember? And why did she have to find this cursed place again. Why does she keep coming back..” His thoughts in disarray.

_______________________________________

Liliana's POV: 

The next day, I sat on my bed ideally, and decided to call Jungwon for advice.

“What's up, Lily?” He picked up.

“Wonie, can you keep a secret?” I nervously asked. 

“Of course, is something the matter?” His tone is noticeably softer now. 

I confessed to him what I have been doing lately and about Sunghoon. Maybe it was part of my imagination but he suddenly went quiet after hearing that name.

“Won?” I speak, cutting the tension in the air.

“Liliana, did.. you.. say Sunghoon?”

“Yeah why-” He interrupts me, “isn't that the name of the vampire prince from the local tale?” He carefully asked and suddenly my world stopped as I remembered what Ms. Charlotte told me before.

“Liliana, are you somehow connected to him? If he wanted to kill you, he wouldn't have waited this long.” My eyes widened as we both tried to connect the dots.

Before we cut the call he told me. “I don't think he wants to hurt you but please be careful, if anything happens call me immediately, okay?”

Opening my laptop, I start to deep dive more and reread what I might have missed. I noticed no one has mentioned his lover's name. Packing my bag, I sprint to the library. 

I pushed the library doors open, the familiar bell ringing. The tension was thick, and it seemed like my unexpected visit wasn't all that unexpected.

Ms. Charlotte stood there with a warm smile, “took you long enough, sweetheart.”

Not knowing what to say, I felt tears cloud my vision. I had this strong feeling that I was supposed to remember something, or rather, someone but I just couldn't no matter what I tried. 

I kept going back to the castle as if somewhere in my heart I was expecting Sunghoon but something was blocking that from my memories.

“Oh, honey,” she embraced me warmly in her arms as I helplessly cried.

“It's not your fault.” She repeated gently, patting my head until I calmed down enough to talk.

“Why do I feel like a piece of me is missing?” I asked anxiously, looking at my feet that were shaking.

“Because it was taken away from you.” She held my hands as I looked at her with an expression mixed with both surprise and confusion. 

“400 years ago, you were the princess that was supposed to marry Park Sunghoon. After your own people killed you, he went borderline hysterical. Killing everything and everyone who stood in his way, because of his sins, the gods had cursed him with a fate to where you wouldn't remember him until the day he atoned to all his past sins.”

Trying to process her words, my body felt heavy making me faint when I tried standing up on my own two feet.

_______________________________________

Somewhere in her dreams, memories of her and Sunghoon appeared.

“Hey, Hoon!” She shouted cheerfully running to his side as he chuckled softly at her. Opening her hands, a ladybug appeared, “did you know that ladybugs symbolize good luck!”

—

Images of them holding hands, kissing passionately under the lit moon, embracing one another on the grass, and being tangled in the sheets all become distant and distorted as one memory plays vividly.

“LILIANA”

“MY LOVE CAN YOU HEAR ME”

“LILIANA!”

He kept calling till his throat hurt.

There she was, with an open wound in her stomach as humans tied her on the burning stake. Her screams pierced the air as he ran to her pulling her away from the fire but he was too late.

“Hey.. Hoon.. wait for.. me.. please..” She coughed blood before closing her eyes forever. Even in her last moments, she smiled at him.

— 

Waking up while gasping for air, she finds herself in a strange room. Recalling the dream she had, she felt her whole being and soul shake. She wanted- no needed to see him.

“You're finally awake?” Sunoo spoke, he had eye bags and looked worried sick.

“Lily!” Jungwon called out almost in disbelief.

The door swung open revealing Riki who ran into her arms. “You dumbass, had us all worried sick for days.” Feeling her throat bubble up, she apologized while sobbing uncontrollably. 

“It’s okay, Lily. We aren’t mad.” Sunoo reassured her, his hand rubbing her back.

“Yeah, but you do owe me 20 bucks now,” Riki tried to lighten the mood. Making the others chuckle at the silly bet they made months ago. 

“I need to see him, please.” She weakly called out, still shaking.

“Ms. Charlotte caught us up with everything.” Jungwon shared. 

“We will take you there but first, please drink some water and eat.” 

“But-” Sunoo cuts her off, agreeing with Riki, “no buts, you need energy to see him.” His gaze was soft but his tone was firm, leaving no room for debate.

_______________________________________

Final Chapter: Fate 

Sunghoon waited for her to visit again. Days passed and she never came. He began to feel his whole being scream, unable to leave the castle to go see her. The curse tied him down to this place. Away from her. 

She was his salvation and damnation.

“Is she okay?”

“Did she get hurt?”

“What if she remembered?” 

“Does she hate me?”

His thoughts spiraled as he paced back and forth for hours chewing on his nails until they bled. The metallic taste only made him more numb. 

In his disheveled state, it was all filled with her voice, scent, warmth, her. She consumed his soul whole. 

Stopping all his thoughts, in the chaos of his mind, her voice rang and echoed through the walls, calling for him. 

His body froze. 

“Liliana..?”

There she was, this time, she remembers. This time she won't leave. 

Liliana ran, but of breath, calling to him.

“Hoon!” 

“I remember now!” 

“I'm back!”

Not wasting a second longer, he ran towards the sound of her voice. This time, knowing it wasn't a dream.

Finally, they stood a few feet away from one another in the same garden they once always laid in. Breathless and eyes red from crying. She whispered as stray tears fell down her face, “I missed you.” But she still smiled. The wind blew, making her look ever more beautiful in his eyes as the sun set.

The next few moments are almost a blur as they embrace one another tightly on the grass, surrounded by wildflowers. Scared of letting go, of losing each other. But no longer feeling like they were missing pieces of themselves. 

“What took you so long?” He whispered softly against her hair.

The question was more rhetorical, yet she still answered him with one of her own.

“Did you always know?” Unable to hide the hurt in her voice.

“Yes,” he whispered, not wanting to hide or lie to her or himself any longer.

Lifting her head, she looks into his eyes. his hands reach out hesitant at first before she grabs them, covering him in her warm skin. Oh how much he missed her touch. He cradled her face, fingers tracing her skin in a familiar tune.

Lightly tracing her bottom lip with his thumb, his gaze moved towards her lips then eyes again, silently asking for permission. Without saying a word, she leaned in first, closing the gap between them.

The kiss started off so sweet but soon became more desperate. His hand moved with more urgency, wanting to feel her as close as possible. While his other hand held the back of her head, guiding her. Hating any distance between them. 

Gently biting her bottom lip, drawing some blood, making her breath hitch. His tongue carefully soothed the pain. Liliana blushed at his silent vow. “Mine.” it said with certainty.

Minds dizzy. Her body laid on top of him, pulling away to catch their breaths. Her hands stayed tangled in soft hair. His eyes shined a beautiful ruby red, his look alone claiming her soul.

Separated by the same cruel fate that bounds them. So close yet distant, their souls intertwine in an eternal rhythm that bled red of their love that no century or distance could break. 

_______________________________________

EPILOGUE  

Sunghoon slowly got accustomed to the human world after being sealed away for centuries.

“Hoon?” She called out to him half asleep, standing in nothing but his t-shirt in the kitchen, making him chuckle.

“Yes, my love?” He answered sweetly while fixing them breakfast.

Instead of saying anything, she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.

“Come on, angel, I have to finish making breakfast,” he smiled, still not pushing her away.

She stood on her tippy toes, placing a feathery kiss on his neck, leaving a shiver down his spine.

“What was that?” He giggled, turning around to hold her waist, pulling her closer.

“Just wanted to say thank you. Is that so wrong?” Resting her hands on his chest. Her eyes glimmered with mischief.

Their mornings and days were now filled with each other. No longer aiming wordlessly and waking up alone, they found home.

_______________________________________

© heeikeuu | likes and reblogs are appreciated ♡

TAGLIST: @yeonmuse @deluluscenarios @strawberryenha @coldkeycat

[klarolinexluv]

No matter who you ship her with, the other is always down bad for Lily Evans because they don’t take lightly to someone messing with her.

James Potter? Well that’s self explanatory. He’d do anything she asked, anything. Nothing is too big or small. You wrong Lily and James is looking over her shoulder with the biggest grin, the kind of grin that is terrifying to see because rage is burning in his eyes. You’ll know he is planning something but you will never know what until it’s too late.

Regulus Black? Would kill for her, without question, without hesitation. He would go to any lengths, any means necessary to protect and love her. You say something remotely negative against her, (like whispering she has weird hair or something) and you will find yourself in a world of trouble. The rumours that come out about you will be unstoppable and so believable. You wouldn’t even know who started them but Lily knows.

Barty Crouch Jr? Would also kill for her but would deny he ever did it to everyone including her. Barty is so unhinged in how he looks after what he perceives to be his and Lily is no different. Think Regulus but without any restrictions/restraint (because Reg never goes too far, Barty crosses that line gleefully).

Evan Rosier? You said something he didn’t like about Lily? Damn, I hope your aunt recovers from that horrible poison she’s suffering from. Your best friend is ill? How worrisome, here give them this cookie. Nothing bad will happen, promise. Oh, you’re struggling in a class? That’s too bad, here have this potion, it helps with focus… no there aren’t any side effects, don’t worry about it.

Pandora Lovegood? You don’t see her coming until it’s too late. She will tear anyone a new one simply for looking at Lily wrong. You don’t even think that she will do anything, she’s so nice and sweet and suddenly you are hanging from your ankles outside the great hall with no way down, you’ve been there all night.

Mary MacDonald? You will never escape her glare. EVER. You slight Lily once and Mary will hold a grudge for all eternity. She will constantly bring up things that embarrass you casually into conversation and act like that was a normal topic to talk about. She’ll basically make your life an uncomfortable mess until she grows bored of playing with you. She will never forget what you did and she will randomly start up again later just because she can.

Narcissa Black? You will never step foot outside your house ever again. Your reputation would never recover. You’d be the laughing stock of society. People will stop talking when you approach them. You’re social life would be so awkward to nonexistant. And Narcissa will catch your eye and smirk so cruelly, you’ll quickly leave without second thought.

Marlene McKinnon? She is constantly around you for some reason. Constantly lurking. She offers to be your partner in class and has a glare so strong that nobody argues. She is constantly making snide remarks to your face about you. Little things that will get on your nerves. Marlene makes your life unbearable and then when it gets to a point where you are going to break, she’s suddenly gone. You are left on the edge of your seat waiting for the other shoe to drop. She’ll pop up every so often just to keep you on edge.

Dorcas Meadows? She isn’t afraid to use her beaters bat. It’s not that she carries it around her all the time but it definitely feels like it. She never makes the threat, not verbally anyway. But she’ll stare you down with her bat in her hands, swinging it or just playing with it to make the unsaid obvious. Once on Dorcas’ shit list, it is very hard to leave it.

Remus Lupin? He is the type to sit back and wait. Let you make the mistake of insulting Lily and then he will watch as your life falls apart. You worked for hours on an essay but now it’s missing? Oh and it’s due tomorrow and it’s like the biggest paper for your grade? How awful. He’ll make you think you are losing your mind, constantly moving or taking your things without you noticing and putting them somewhere else. He’s pulling Lily to his chest and glaring so coldly over her shoulder, most if not everyone will be scared off.

Sirius Black? He will prank you. Without mercy. And you will know he is pranking you because he is always there when it happens. Itching powder in your clothes. Dungbombs in your bag. Hexing your shoe laces together. Sticking charm on your seat. Everything. He will hold a grudge for the rest of his life, you wrong the people he calls his own, especially Lily and you will never know peace again. Sirius would also go to extreme lengths to make Lily feel protected and loved.

[youngwonhui]

✦ picture of a perfect rose | ch. 3 (FINAL)

*•. member: Seokmin x afab readers

*•. genre: arranged marriage, royalty au, strangers to lovers, slowburn, slight mystery

*•. wc: 21k

*•. warnings: graphic depictions of violence, attacks, decription of blood and slight injury,

*•. crossposted on AO3

*•. masterlist

chapter 1 | chapter 2 | chapter 3

“Seokmin?”

You found him hunching over his table, some document in hand and a casual look on him. In contrast, you’re clad in a very neat shirt and dressed up for the event you just went to earlier. Seokmin looks at you curiously before taking off his reading glasses.

You pushed aside how some simple act looks extremely attractive to you.

“Is there a special occasion i missed today?”

You shook your head, stopping before Seokmin who still looks at you endearingly. You fished out your phone to show something to him.

“You know i was visiting a school today.” You paused, taking quick glance at Seokmin’s relaxed state. His usual crisp shirt, fittingly oversized, with the sleeves nonchalantly rolled to his elbow. The beautiful shade of his arms almost distracts you but you return to scroll through photos in your phone. “The headmaster was in the middle of showing me the new annexing campus that they just built, when i discover this, hung on the wall. I must say, kind of hidden between the pillars, but it caught my eyes.”

It was a painting. Not embellished with vibrant colours, nor illustrating a much exquisite object. It was an old armchair, situated beside a giant window, letting sunlight stream through and illuminating half of the chair. But the other half, with details you might missed in the shadows is the thing that caught your eyes. In the darker setting, strewn a much familiar knitted-like fabric with colours resembling a starry night. And truly, when you look closer, there’s a small familiar sign by the darker corner. With a less saturated color, written ‘To DK’.

Almost invisible to the naked eyes. But you were curious.

Seokmin eyes you and your phone back and forth. Blinking slowly as if it’ll clear his blanked mind.

“You took this picture?” Seokmin stood before silently asking your permission to take your phone. You gave it to him willingly.

“Yeah i had to sneak out from the headmaster to take another look at this.” You paused, thinking back. “Well actually i don’t know why i am sneaking out. But anyway, It’s your mother’s painting. Also, i think i also recognize the quilt in the painting. It was in your estate’s library.” You pointed to the one of the corner of the painting in your phone. An unknowing glee in your smile.

“Y/n…” Seokmin, seemingly too taken while also mildly amazed at your discovery.

“It’s interesting. Now that you told me how to differentiate her panting, it’s kind of exciting if i ever came across her painting.” Seokmin returned your phone, now his hands rested on your hips. He pulls you closer, needing to have you close as he learn more and more new facts about his own mother.

In the proximity, Seokmin scans your face. It amuses him of how you had turned his world upside down. Realizing that his feelings are valid while also strengthen his belief of his own confidence and power. Sometimes he returned to the day when his mother’s will read to him. Confusion are one of the word he’ll use to describe when your name is mention in the passage. His mother wanting you as her predecessor. Remembering the snickers and incredulous looks shared around the room when the passage eventually conclude that Seokmin must marry this unknown person.

Just another one of the crazy Queen’s idea.

And then it was anger. If it was proper, Seokmin would exile anyone who speaks ill of his mother. Alas Seokmin could only banged his fist on the mahogany table.

Hours later he met you.

“What would you do if we ever meet on a different occasion?” Seokmin muses, his hand brush against your reddened cheek. The air has gotten colder at night.

“You mean when i don’t beg for you to like me back?” Your candor always feels like a breath of fresh air to Seokmin. He laughs lightly.

“No, if we’re just another university student. Not even in the royal academy, because then i’ll be a jerk.”

“Ooh, we love a self aware jerk.”

“Hey, amuse me please.”

You straighten in Seokmin’s grip, resting your palm on his shoulder then casting a look to Seokmin. He could only interpret it as flirty. One word he had to get accustomed to, now that he’s self aware of his own feelings for you. It’s hard to keep his thought mindful when you naturally emanating such gentle power every time you’re in a room of attention. Only that he also recognize your caring side even when no attention was given to you.

“I’d say—” you begin, a growing smile on your face. “We’d be meeting at a house party after your small broadway gig. Maybe as a second understudy. It’d be on somebody’s house we barely know and i’d be in the corner, criticizing every single food on the table. Truthfully, you had nothing to celebrate and i’d hate every food. But we’re both student and miserable enough to do anything to fill the time and avoid to actually study our majors.”

“Interesting.” Seokmin laughs heartily, his shoulder shook lightly under your palm. “I guess it’d be Seungkwan’s house. He’s also rooming with Chan so food choice is—well, a choice. That’s why i avoided it and run into you in the empty kitchen, because i lost the game and got bullied by Wonwoo and Mingyu to do the beer run.”

“And there i be.” You muses.

“There you are.” Seokmin follows.

You keep your composure when Seokmin lets go of his grip around you and assumed his position a few feet away. He mimes an act of entering the kitchen, with you, now leaning against Seokmin’s own work desk.

“Hey,” Seokmin smiled, nodding to your acknowledgement.

“Hi there. Looking for something?” You inquire, fighting down a laugh. But quickly reprimanded by Seokmin’s serious face.

“Yeah actually, Seungkwan keep his beer hidden. And i lost a game.” Seokmin exaggerated his dismay and frustration, making beeline to approach you. Still leaning on his desk.

“Tsk, too bad you lost—” you offer a curious look before Seokmin grin and realize your question. He offers his hand.

“Seokmin. Yeah it’s too bad that i lost.” You took Seokmin’s hand before he shakes it strongly. “And you are?”

“Y/n.”

Seokmin repeats your name under his breath. His grip around your hand never loosen, only lowers. It warmed significantly. Both your hand and your gaze to Seokmin.

“Say, do you want to get out of here?” Seokmin questions before tugging your hand to pulls you much closer. You unknowingly held your breath and cast your eyes around the beauty marks scattered around Seokmin’s face.

“I don’t know,” you faux your hesitation. A teasing lilt on your tone. “Any idea where we should go? And what ever should we do?”

Seokmin was silent for a moment, visibly fighting the urge to kiss you as you prolonged your script. A yelp of surprise as you swept off the floor with Seokmin begins to carry you in his arms. You’re quick to circled your arms around Seokmin’s neck to steady yourself. A giggle escapes your lips, unknown of Seokmin’s self-restraint that’s being tested by your mere existence.

A resounding thud echoes around the room. Seokmin couldn’t care less that you still left the door to his study opens. He also doesn’t make the effort to recall whether the residence are empty or not. Seokmin has placed you on the couch near the fireplace. His body flush against you as you lay atop the quilt that’s covering the sofa.

Yet no softness could match Seokmin’s gaze to you and vice versa.

“Is this what you have in mind, Seokmin?” Your breath brushing close against Seokmin’s face. He kept his gaze to you, his smile doesn’t falter but his grip tighten.

“I have another thought,” one hand had snaked to the skin under your shirt. Warm touch earns him your shuddering breath. “Scratch that, i have so many thoughts. And none of it decent.”

You lick your lips in anticipation.

Seokmin craned his neck, grazing his lips from your temple, the warm puff of breath travels to your nose, he deviously avoids your lips before continuing his path to eventually he planted his lips to your neck.

Your grip flies to Seokmin’s hair. Buried deep in the tuft of his brown hair as Seokmin busied his lips to toy with the expanse of your neck. It rip a sigh from your lungs, the delicious pain as Seokmin nib the skin. Turning patches of it darker hue of red.

Warm touches spread all along your back and navel, Seokmin has desperately wrinkled the once pristine shirt you worn throughout the day. You thank yourself you aren’t wearing any borrowed clothing.

That you’re possibly—eventually ruining your own shirt.

Seokmin pulls away, ridding of his own shirt before he cupped your face and kiss your lips with fervor.

Just like that day on the hill, Seokmin still kisses you with a sense of urgency. He never do things halfway. Determined, and dedicated. And that’s the trait you learn from other people around him.

Personally. Intimately. You learn that Seokmin is a blind chaser. He seeks his goal to drive you insane with his every might.

A lick on your lip as he slightly fumbled with the buttons of your shirt. He eventually gets it done, you lend a hand to quickly discard it in abandon. Hopefully not to the burning fire. You quite like that shirt.

Determined hand sneaks its way inside your pants, strong hand held your face close to his own. Whispers of sweet nothings to your heated skin. His fingers easily slide your panties aside, then found its destination.

“Seokmin— ah.” Your gasp fills the room, hurried hands tries to pry your pants off to give Seokmin all the access to your wet pussy.

“Such good girl. Go on, strip for me.” You shudder at the praise. Whispered to the heated skin of your exposed shoulder.

After a mighty effort to slid your pants off, Seokmin waste no time to continues where he left off. One hand skillfully tracing the warm skin of your inner thigh until he reaches the even warmer center of your cunt.

If you were feeling cold earlier, it clearly doesn’t show as thin layer of sweat has covered your skin. There seems to be an invisible fire from deep inside your belly. Seokmin’s fingers are playing fast and loose as he drove your sanity through the roof.

You gasped into Seokmin’s lips. His fingers continued to skillfully drill into you. Occasionally paying attention to your clit as you pawed to Seokmin’s shoulder through the sensation. Whine and all.

A hand has found its way to slid up your bra and then played with your breast. Seokmin purposefully avoids your nipple. But you almost scream at the delightful pressure. Wanting more and more just to have your release.

“I love seeing you like this, darling.” Seokmin drive his fingers deeper after he found the perfect angle and depth that took you to see stars. Your hand flies to rake along the expanse of Seokmin’s back.

“Baby—” you swallowed down the sound in your throat. Could not care less that the rest of the word are just incoherent babble of wanting and begging for Seokmin to give you more.

The delicious pressure in your navel almost makes you combust. Rush of pleasure through your vein, shaking the tip of your legs slowly as Seokmin doesn’t let up on his fingers plowing through you. The shortened breath and your hold on to Seokmin’s reddening arm, he could feel your high is close.

The crescendo of your silent plea mixed with Seokmin’s equally rough breath, and the lewd squelching noise of his own ministration, Seokmin feels a sense of weird accomplishment as he looks down to your beautiful face. Brows furrowed and slightly contorted in pleasure.

Your body almost shake, the pleasure felt too much but you couldn’t let it go. Seokmin has curled his finger slightly to coaxed a good effect on you. It successfully rip a broken sob through your lung, clinging harder to Seokmin’s arm just to have an anchor to hold your shaking frame.

“Good girl, cum for me darling.” Seokmin whispers as you held your bated breath.

It truly amaze you that Seokmin manage to continuously snatch your breath, even through your soul-ripping orgasm. It doesn’t shame you that at night you often think about his hands—fingers. How it flexes, mostly on much unremarkable times. And his arms, when he rolled up his sleeve after a long day. The mere sight of exposed skin from Seokmin truly drove you mad.

Madly indecent.

You couldn’t care less of your tightening grip around Seokmin’s arm. He grunts in pleasure at the sensation, even. You tries to calm your breath as Seokmin coax you much more closer to your release. It felt like hours, but you couldn’t deny the pleasure Seokmin is giving you.

Maybe you’re just into edging.

That’s some thought to ravel much later when you’re not fucked out of your marbles.

As an added blow, Seokmin lowers his lips to toy with your exposed nipple. His fingers doesn’t relent, piston-like motion driven into your sopping wet core until eventually you reach the peak of such delicious high. Seokmin continues nibbling on your nipple, stopping a beat when he feels the flowing wetness from your core.

Like a satisfied prey, Seokmin feels a sense of accomplishment at your state on his couch. Shuddered breath, glistening with sweat, hair sticking about in places, bra riding up just enough for Seokmin to add more pleasure as he took your nipple between his teeth in his utmost delicate. You squirting on his fingers just jumped up to Seokmin’s most treasured memories. Though not many mindful thoughts has filled the list.

“You’re so amazing Y/n. My Y/n, so beautiful.” You tries to squirm, melding deeper into the sofa in hope to encapsulate the feeling to lasts longer. Seokmin rises, held himself level to your eyes. The sparks of his smile familiar to your memory.

A few inaudible whispers from Seokmin as his breath dances around your face. Sending a smile through your lips, unknowingly awoken a somewhat hidden energy inside you. The bright eyed devil in shape of your husband recognize this and slots himself between your legs as if it’s his rightful throne.

“Seokmin,” you giggled.

“I’ll stop if you want to.” You almost laugh at his exclaim. Feeling his lips smiling as it hovers just above your breast.

“We both know we’re horny enough for more.” You glance down to Seokmin tilted head as he looks at you.

“That’s music to my ears.” Was all Seokmin said before whisking you off of any clothing on your body. Giggling as he fumbles a little in excitement while he tries to take off your bra. He brush it off with a giggle of his own.

Seokmin returns to kiss your lips once he’s done undressing you. Both knees nudging your thighs to open wider as he slots close to your awaiting core.

The warmth of proximity itself is enough to render Seokmin a rush of pleasure beyond compare.

Your hands flew to cradles his face. Chasing his lips like it’s your life support. It reflects as you whine when Seokmin pulls away just a smidge. Hovering over you as he shifts himself to tease the tip of his cock to your still sensitive core.

You let out a shuddering breath as an answer.

You tries to shot him a look, but Seokmin continues to tease you with a few swipe of his cock—covered in his precum. And when Seokmin lips hover over your temple, he slowly slid in his cock into your awaiting core. A feeling he much liked to describe as his favorite, deadliest, vice.

You didn’t hold back your moan. Adding harmony to Seokmin’s ear, but he was kinda distracted as he tries to control himself to not chase the pleasure too much that it will bring you discomfort.

Slow stroke of his cock in and out only left you craving more of it.

“Baby, ugh—” Seokmin angled himself to drove straight to your special spot. “Please, Seokmin just fuck me harder. I can take it.”

As if a switch has been turned, Seokmin hoisted your body up as you’r e quick to find some grip around his broad shoulder. With his one hand around your waist and another under one of your thigh, the position lets you became Seokmin’s instant glorious dream. Free for him to meld as he thrust hard with the momentum of your own gravity against Seokmin’s kneeling figure.

You thought being on top of Seokmin would give you immense feeling of power. But on the contrary, letting Seokmin guide your momentum as he keep his thrust steady to chase his orgasm is giving you a much bigger sense of pride.

“Ohh my god— Seokmin.” You know words will fail you, but you have to say it anyway. What’s more fitting occasion than when you’re helplessly bouncing on your husband’s girth. “Fuck- so good. You always feel so good to me baby.”

The pet name from you just spark some guttural moan from Seokmin. His hand work harder to match the faster pace from his thrust. You recognize that he’s close as Seokmin slowly losing the ability to mutters how incredible you feel. How he branded it into every inch of your exposed skin.

“I know you’re close Seokmin.” His head lolled forward to found it’s space cradled into the valley of your breast. “I’m close too, fuck me harder.”

You don’t know what truly came over you. Other that Seokmin’s constant maddening thrusts of his cock deliciously hitting the utmost essential spot inside you. But the way pleasure continuously tingling by the end of your every nerve lets you swept deeper into the state of constant euphoria.

And you love every second of it. The way power, pride, and pleasure meld into your vein and your heart pumped it throughout your body.

You sobbed a moan as the most spine tingling shudder swept over you. Another wave of orgasm hitting you hard while Seokmin didn’t stop letting you fall rhythmically ass first into his strong thighs.

The surge of pleasure accompanied by Seokmin’s continuous thrusts lets you revel longer through your orgasms, a tired smile slowly tugging on your lips as you try to coax Seokmin into his release.

“Fuck baby, you feels so good.” Seokmin is close. You buried your fingers into the sweaty mess of Seokmin’s hair, tries to coax him closer. Faster. “Y/n i’m so close.”

“Cum, baby. Cum inside me.”

Seokmin hips not only stutter, sloppily driving into your warm inside while still maintaining strength to held you securely in place. Painting your walls white as the surge of pleasure came over him. Groans and pants follows his every breath while your still sensitive cunt takes in another sensation of pleasure.

After catching his breath, Seokmin carefully lowers you into the couch and he reach across to carefully cleans you up with tissues. Peppering kisses to your exposed skin in between. While you can only looks at him with a smile you felt as silly.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Seokmin, now fitting back to his underwear then slot into your arms and melted into your touch.

“I don’t know, i feel silly.”

“I- is that a good thing or bad thing?” He looks up from where Seokmin lays his head on your shoulder.

“A good thing. Somehow, i feel happy and content. And remembering where i am a few months ago, this happiness feels silly.” You admitted shyly. Seokmin squeeze the skin available on his grip. In a way trying to reassure you. “I hope you feel somewhat the same.”

“I know things are not smooth sailing ever since we got married. I always feel worried if i drag you into some trouble you never deserve just because i want some power around me. I’ll keep you happy and safe, and it’ll be enough for me.”

“Seokmin,” your eyes searched his, glimmering against the burning firewood nearby. “Your own happiness should be one of your priorities too. Especially in a times like this.”

“I know, this whole case of my mother has just been draining and distracting me from enacting the law to keep the corrupt in line and punish them. Almost like this is their plan all along.”

You hums in reply. Seokmin avert his gaze to the fireplace. Trying to lost his frustration into the burning embers. Shifting your head, you rub circles around Seokmin’s shoulder. Hoping to chase the bad thought away and praying only happiness come bounding.

Moments passed as the two of you rests calmly. Filling the study with only the sound of crackling fire and slow steady breath.

Until a random thought came over you.

“Do you think your mother’s painting is in any way documented in the Royal’s inventory or something?”

“I don’t know. Not many knows about my mother’s art. Some that she donated to big museums i often found without her signature. So i truly don’t know.”

“To. DK?”

“Yeah,” shimmying yourself to raise your head to take a look into Seokmin, observing his face. All while his gaze still fixated towards the burning wood. “The big painting in the main stairway of the castle, i remember mom painting it. Yet i couldn’t see the signature, ‘To. DK’ anywhere.”

You reside to your thought, Seokmin turns to you and inhales the bare scents of your skin. Nuzzling closer to rest his thought.

“Seokmin,” he hums in reply. “Do you think that, maybe your mother’s paintings with the special signature are some sort of—i don’t know, a clue? To you?”

Seokmin lifts his head, looking at you. Puzzled. For a moment he held his gaze, if you could look a milisecond longer you might see the thousand questions running through his head.

Then, he surprises you as he hurriedly scramble off of the couch runs towards his desk. You called for him, in the same haste but quickly remembers your state and make a grab of Seokmin’s shirt. The same urgency in your fingers as you tries to button some to grant you a little coverage.

“Seokmin, what are you doing?” You calls, padding the long carpet and eventually arrives to Seokmin who already climbs a drawer to take off his mother’s painting on the wall. “Careful, you’ll hurt yourself.”

With still in a clueless state of Seokmin’s act, you still help him to carefully placed the framed painting on the floor. Seokmin dusted his hand lightly before scanning the painting laid on the floor.

“I might have gone mad, but just let me have this answer.” Seokmin mutters under his breath. He kneels in hope to observe the painting in a new angle and eventually reach epiphany. “Do you think i’m crazy?”

Across the length of the painting, you kneel all the same. Mirroring Seokmin’s position. He’s as crazily dressed as you, just in his underwear. You almost chuckle but remembers the situation at hand.

If it were true. That Seokmin’s mother has scattered some clue, with the key directed specially to ‘DK’, then maybe there’s explanation of her choice of appointing you as Seokmin’s wife on her will. There is a plan and purpose of you. There is answer.

“Hey, I basically plant this idea to you. Maybe i’m the crazy one.” You retort as you carefully lift one end of the frame to inspect it of any other significant signs.

Seokmin should not be turned on because he has bigger fish to fry at the moment. But at least he can burn this image of you to his memory. Knowing no man could see you like this, brought another sense of pride in his chest.

Not close to his prideful accomplishment of your personal pleasure a few hours ago.

“Let’s take off this frame, i don’t see anything inscription or some sort.”

“Yeah, maybe there’s something in the canvas?”

Seokmin tries to carefully separate the painting and the old dusty frame. You begins to examine the back side of the painting. The canvas stretched and nailed into the wood, you almost missed it but a nondescript side has the canvas rolled up thicker than any other side.

You run the tip of your fingers to the suspected part. Feeling the slight bump on the thick canvas, nailed to the wood. Almost in disbelief of your own idea, now it might be unto something.

Taking a deep breath, you calls out for Seokmin.

“Yeah?”

“I— there’s something rolled inside this canvas right here. I think?” Still unsure of your own discovery. Seokmin padded to your side, kneeling and hunched over the white piece of stretched fabric nailed to the wooden frame. “Here,” you pointed to the somewhat suspicious part.

Seokmin examine the place where you pointed. Squinting under the dim light of his study.

“Should we open this?” You questions whether Seokmin would like to have the canvas detached from its wooden frame. Eventually slightly ruining it for the moment. Seokmin could always have it fixed, yet with the full eyes on the nations locked to him it could raise some questions he didn’t need.

Seokmin, stil rubbing carefully around the folded canvas almost hissed in frustration. Wordlessly left your side to somewhere behind his work desk. You stare at him questionably, listens to the loud noise of Seokmin rummaging through the drawer behind his desk. Before you could stand up to look for him, Seokmin already makes his way returning to your side. A torch and pliers on his grip.

Seokmin looks at you, visibly questioning what he’s about to do despite the idea that you state earlier. But you’ve seen the look in Seokmin’s eyes, one that you recognize as his fiery determination. Often you sees when Seokmin is arguing with Chan or any minister that prompt up a ridiculous law.

You’re in no position to stop the fire, the spectacle you had somehow sparked to life.

Your nod of approval light a permission for Seokmin. He carefully took off the nails pinning the canvas to the wood. By the look of it, the somewhat thicker piece of canvas spanning less than ten centimetres. As an act of precaution, Seokmin pried the nails on the near proximity of the suspicious part.

“If there’s actually something in here, it’ll open so many floodgate about my mother.” Seokmin whispers. Mostly to himself, but you squeeze his arm as your voice of support.

Wordlessly, Seokmin unfolds the canvas and you can see the slight tremble in his fingers as it delas with the delicate materials of the canvas. Fearing to ruin his mother’s legacy. In a breathless wait, the canvas unfold to nondescript piece of small folded canvas. Almost camouflaging to the canvas as it sticks by the borders. Seokmin shines it with the torch and manages to find the edge of the smaller piece of canvas and with a small effort it peels off and sits between Seokmin’s palm.

The tense palpable in your vein as you look at Seokmin who’s transfixed at the discovery of your random notion in the random afternoon.

“Seokmin,” you calls, he eventually responds by looking back to you and then nodded to himself.

Focused hands as he open the folded piece of paper. In the midst of the movement you can register flash of red color and scribble along the canvas that turns out to be writings.

“So you began your journey.”

“What?” You said, in confusion.

“It’s what written here. And ended in a small stamp of rose.” Seokmin handed the small discovery to your palms. Done reading the message but his brain hasn’t got the capacity to discern said discovery to his reality.

The piece of paper felt unremarkable. It weight nothing and looks as if it would swept away if it fell to the floor. Carefully adjusting the paper in your fingers, blinking lets your eyes to focus on the words written on said paper.

So you began your journey.

The delicate outlines in red make out the shape of a blooming bud of a rose. You stare blankly at the revelation in your palm. So forlorn on your hand, yet it held power so grand it might shook both your world and Seokmin’s.

More questions run through your mind as the knowledge of your existence once again proven to the late queen.

You brush over the request of Seokmin’s mother to marry him. Granted, you were having prejudice of said Queen’s unusual mental state. But now, having new perspective from Seokmin, and having living under the pressure of the royal community. You understand her actions a bit more. Not all is erratic, and most are done in good thoughts. The same trait she has passed down to Seokmin.

What you still can’t comprehend was the reason of choosing you. In the will specifically. And now hidden in a secret message only Seokmin might uncover.

“This painting—” Seokmin steals your attention. His eyes empty and face as rigid as your first saw him in the library. “Mom’s painting, there could be another message such as this spread around the kingdom.” In blink of a moment, the look in his eyes changes. The dark void filled orb quickly burning in his own determination to uncover whatever it is his mother is trying to leave.

“I’ll help you find it.” You carefully returned the piece of paper to Seokmin’s welcoming palm.

“Y/n.” Seokmin grab your retracting hand. The warmth enveloped you in a familiar grip. “I know i haven’t said it to you enough. But i don’t want to drag you deeper into this mess. I will still love you if you decide to get away from this crazy mystery. Or even this life.” Seokmin’s pain emanated from the sigh as he look around the place in disdain.

You respect his decision to keep you away from this, but in return, you have love Seokmin deep enough to uncover it all together.

The big unknown where it will lead the two of you seems important enough to divulge, although as well as treacherous. Giving the tense nature between Seokmin’s side and the power hungry people around the kingdom. You love him enough to face it all with him.

“You know well enough that i will never leave your side.”

You conclude the discussion. Seokmin smile before kissing your palm and nuzzling it to his cheek. Savoring your scent to his memory as if it gives him much needed comfort. You chuckled at his action. Then remembered the state that you both in. Just a few hours ago, you were getting pounded on the sofa by the fireplace, and now, sitting on the floor, barely dresses—uncovering mysterious message from a deceased queen that somehow involves you far beyond what you might expect.

\\

It was not easy to procure information regarding anything related to the late Queen. But with the ongoing case being built around her, it gave the two of you leeway to easily research anything about Seokmin’s mother while gathering no suspicion from anyone important.

But still, you both kept the knowledge to yourself while scouring every painting the late Queen had made.

The royal librarian has kindly gave you their data of every Queen’s donation of art all throughout her life. You both had eliminate any painting that had been donated to a big establishment such as the national museum and ones that had garnered massive attention. You assume if the late Queen is going to pass on any secret message it should be quite hidden and fly under the many radar of news. One as example are the painting Seokmin had in his study, and eventually the one in his estate.

Clearly marked with the secret signature she had with Seokmin.

So far all the painting had been close to Seokmin, it makes you think that the message might lies on some painting she had hung around the castle. So you begin your list with that and managed to find one panel painting as you make your way along the diamond hallway on your way to the tower.

It’s almost obscure to its surrounding. Not much of a striking colours used so you almost missed it despite having known the fact that there is a painting there.

You’re thankful of having no one posted around the deserted hallway. It helps that most security are focused on keeping eyes on the banquet happening near. You could not care less about what the nobles are trying to celebrate but for now you’re thankful that it keeps your movement under any radar.

Carefully lifting the panel from the wall, you flip over the small wooden thing. You almost worry because this one painting is the only one which isn’t painted on canvas. But the smallest signature of ‘To DK’ is a great enough assurance for you to investigate. Knowing that you wouldn’t find any small folded canvas message like the other paintings you found doesn’t cease you disappointment.

You inspect every corners of the old wooden panel and it’s fissures. You almost missed it. Just like the painting itself, but there’s a small thing lodged between the fissures by the corner where the signature is situated.

A quick look around, you pull up your phone to shine on the small dark slit. Hoping to show you that there’s something lodged inside. Knowing the loud commotion still going on in the hall, you kneels on the floor to shine the fissure and focus on the unknown thing. It has to be something so you determined to take it out. Fishing into your bag for anything thin enough to lodge it out of the panel.

You can kiss Yeri as a thanks, knowing well that she put in a bunch of floss in your clutch. You were laughing at her when you watch her put it in. Little to you both knowledge that it will be useful in your ‘mission’. Certainly will be an interesting story you will tell Seokmin later.

He’s making a secret trip back to his estate to search to the back of the painting you had suspected to have his mother’s special signature.

You almost cheer in elation when your effort eventually paid off when the lodged object stumbled out of the panel and into the carpeted floor. Quickly rising from the floor and grabbing the rolled paper off of the floor. Returning the panel back to the wall, with steadied hand you try to pry open the message. Cheering in silence when you spot the same rose marker by the edge of the almost crumpled up paper.

To places i drew and run to.

Hurriedly you smoothen your dress and make your way back to the crowd.

Far from your focus. Deep in the dark. In the midst of your gleeful steps, you completely missed the hidden figure keeping you in their watchful sight.

\\

Seokmin stood, guarded by Wonwoo and Chan. You know that Jeonghan is somewhere lurking in the shadow because you saw a glimpse of him even before your husband’s arrival. He catches your eyes and makes his beeline straight to you.

“Are you okay?” Seokmin whispered as he hugs you close. You smiled to his shoulder. A grateful feeling to have this side of Seokmin privately to yourself.

“I’m good, i found something. I hope you do too.” You said in a hush. Pulling away to see his face. Somewhat clouded with fatigue, but still beautiful. He has his hair down more lately. You don’t know whether it’s because he’s couldn’t care less to style his hair, but either way he looks dashing in his natural curls.

Seokmin nodded with a small smile.

Before Seokmin could utter another word, loud commotion follows with spotlight shining to the two of you. In somewhat confusion, you could discern that the emcee wanted the two of you to take to the dance floor. The erupted cheer almost startled you, but Seokmin keep you close.

This is no silly waltz you’ve both done in the kitchen. Seokmin lead you confidently to the centre, hand in hand. You almost tries to back out, yet the determination in Seokmin’s face urges you to show the same.

So you put on a smile and follows Seokmin’s lead. Circling the empty dance floor in a strangely enough rhythmical prowess that’s looks like you both are showing off. Almost half of it is true.

In a way, the room is filled with the same enemy that drove Seokmin’s mother to her own madness. And so much more innocent civilian on their wake.

You might be an option that Seokmin decided to take, but you’ve put your mind to play ball and took care of the responsibilities falls to your lap. Along the way you happened to fall in love with Seokmin, all the flaw and his kindness. The way he cares and fights for the people that put their trusts to him.

\\

“This stumped me so bad.” An exasperated sigh fills the room. Seokmin slumped into his seat by the kitchen island.

You shot the man a sympathetic look. Muttering that you too are in the same deep mud regarding the messages his mother has been leaving.

Along the week, fortunately you have a trip to the Royal Academie. How they hailed you as one of the best output of said institution, yet the irony doesn’t pass by you. Seeing that you didn’t event finish your course before Seokmin swept you off of your old life in the library.

The same library where apparently his mother has donated a small painting.

It was not adorned by spotlight, or placate explaining the painting. It stood silently on one of the corner where the astrophysics aisle meet the fiction fantasy. You can guarantee the traffic on said corner is less than your fingers can count. Monthly.

It gets easier for you to slid off the security and the Dean’s eyes. Muttering vague reasoning of picking up your favourite book back when you were a student. Surely enough you found the painting in the quiet corner. The special signature much more visible to you. Then you begins your work. Thankful that this one painting that depicts the starry night sky bode easier than the other’s you’ve met. Bagging the rolled message after confirming the small stamp of rose by one edge. You make a quick look around before returning the painting to it’s respectful place.

“I couldn’t found anything co-relating from one to another. I fear i failed her if we can’t found the meaning to any of these.” Seokmin exasperatedly points out to the papers on the kitchen countertop.

“So you began your journey. In roads many people dwell but fear to thread. To places i drew and run to.” Seokmin recites the pieces of paper strewn. “And add from the school where you show me is ‘Follow the line that connects us.’.” Seokmin blows more exasperated sigh.

“And then add from the one i found in the academie’s library is ‘You should be well, until then. Treat Y/n well.’.” You add quietly. Placing your newfound evidence to the other’s on the cold surface of the counter.

“I don’t know how long has she been preparing for this. She mention you in her will, and then here on the very clandestine— much cryptid messages.”

“We’ll soon know more.” You assures, mindlessly rubbing circles into Seokmin’s arm. “Since we’ll be having the hearing in the cabinet office soon.” You added.

Seokmin sigh even deeper. The fatigue washed over his feature like an unwanted storm.

The corrupted cabinet of ministers has put up the hearing to spread out any existing evidences and person of interests. Although Seokmin’s part has requested the occasion to be held privately, yet he didn’t doubt that the ministers under the payroll of any corrupted nobles has managed to slip in any reporter to leak every details of the hearing.

Or worse, twisting everything.

Because what else could shake a nation than misinformation?

“I just hope she left us something more credible. Like any comprehensible document or some unambiguous message even.” You cast a look of commiseration to your husband.

Hiding your own worry as he doesn’t need more added to his already heavy shoulder.

Like Seokmin all the same, you had hoped for a clearer message from his mother.

No matter how much you tries to ignore the coincidence, you couldn’t anymore. Seokmin’s mother appointing you as his wife might just be a dot in a much bigger schemes than what you could imagine.

You desperately want to confide in someone. Knowing that the Royal business is truthfully out of your depth of knowledge. But the fear of comprising something. Anything regarding Seokmin, his reign, and anything about the late Queen are a much bigger risk than you could take.

You even avoid to discuss it with your mother. Which somehow made Sokmin apologize profusely to you almost every night. The only reply he would hear was when you console him with a kiss.

\\

“You think they will let us wander this place?” You whispered as the two of you traversed an empty hallway. Quite unknown to you but you trusted Seokmin’s lead. Hand in hand trying to get into some room where one of Seokmin’s mother painting is being kept.

“You would think this place would be guarded well, but i know they couldn’t care less about some storage room where they kept no valuable things.”

“It’s kept in a storage room?” Seokmin nodded back to you, confirming the incredulous idea that the cabinet only care about their own wellbeing and none of history.

As it turns out, sneaking around the cabinet house while avoiding guards is far much easier that slipping away Wonwoo and Seungkwan’s guard. The latter is on his toes about keeping appearance since the cabinet invited the two of you not in their good graces, but for a probable scheme you both hasn’t known. Yet little did they know that you both also has your own little agenda.

Regarding an unassuming painting that has been put aside in a storage room.

“We have approximately fifteen minutes left before making it back to our waiting room.” Seokmin whispers as you both make a turn and you follows. Making it to a corner where sunlight doesn’t look like it hits most of the days.

A nondescript room enough to house a forgotten painting by a Queen mother who’s judged by society and most people around her.

Without looking around, Seokmin pushed the door open easily and a dark room welcome you both.

“Now, do you know what we’re looking?” You question Seokmin, who already making way to dust most of the stacks of painting by the wall.

Unknowingly, you begin your own search. For an elusive signature of a forgotten painting.

“The exact size wasn’t stated, because in document it just says medium. So that rules out any humongous or extremely small paintings.” Seokmin huffs as he turn over covers to inspect a painting.

“That’s somewhere to start actually.” You muttered. Quickly moving past the covered artwork standing tall past your head and almost touching the ceiling.

Few minutes past filled with puffs and dust smokes, you're kneeling by a dusty painting of an old general with their chest glaringly decorated with medal beyond your knowledge and imagination. Until Seokmin’s voice calls from a few metres behind you. Urging you over his new discovery. You never bolted so quickly.

When you found Seokmin on his own ministration to pry a small folded message hidden at the back of the found painting.

“Honey, do you think we got enough time?” You rush to his side, struggling to opened the stapled canvas with his blunt nails. The bigger size of the painting is not helping.

“I don’t know, but we got no more chance other than now.” A mix of worry and haste clouded Seokmin’s feature. The damp and dusty storage room isn’t helping to keep both of your appearance looking tidy enough to face the scrutinizing eyes later.

After Seokmin manages to pry open the stapler, you rushed to pull it to try to unravel the paper message. But you know the frustration of time rushing to the two of you.

“Seokmin, you should go first. Seungkwan and Wonwoo might be looking around for us. If you’re there at least you could buy more time for me.”

“And what would i say where you’ll be Y/n? I am not leaving you alone.” Despite his worry, you can recognize the same thought running through his mind.

“Seokmin, we need more time. Everyone got their eyes to you, so i need you to let me help you. Go out there and get up to speed. I promise i’ll be there by the time the hearing start.”

Seokmin glance at your determined eyes. Rapidly scanning your face up and down to your lips. And when his eyes returned to yours, Seokmin closes the gap to kiss you.

Wordlessly accepting your promise.

A gesture Seokmin did firmly in rush, yet enough to almost let your knees tremble.

Almost.

You watch as Seokmin look back at you one last time before closing the door behind him. The cloud of dust he left behind quickly snap you into the reality.

Oh yeah you still have a painting to dismantle.

In haste you successfully pull off the canvas from it’s frame. Obtaining the seemingly fragile piece of paper that you quickly shove to your clutch pocket.

Brushing off any sign of dirt and dust from your dress, you also tried to clean up as much as you can and makes it as if the room was untouched.

Relieved that you had sent Seokmin earlier because time has passed quite awhile.

You might have to put on some act of foolish commoner Queen who lost her way.

With a huff, you left the room behind with sure steps yet trembling breath.

This sneaking around business is going to burst your blood vessel someday. You just hoped after finding all messages, Seokmin managed to make peace of his mother’s name.

The thought rolled you back to the messages. Especially the one you just retrieved. Curiosity win you over as you walk through the fairly empty hallway while absentmindedly rummaging through your bag.

With your attention divided, you unknowingly make a turn and bumped into somebody.

But before your body could hit the ground, a hand steadies your bearing.

Realizing the situation, you whipped your head and ready to apologize and relay your gratitude both.

“I am truly sorry, i didn’t where i’m going and i was just all turned in this place.” You take a look properly. The apparent man still has his hold on you. Stood tall and hold his gaze at you with such questionable intent.

It brought a weird feeling in your stomach.

“Careful your majesty.” Slowly you try to pry your hand away. Although initially met with a force of resistance, the man eventually lets you go.

Upon first look, you don’t remember the man in front of you. No feature rings a bell apart from the way he stood and short buzzcut he’s sporting indicates how he’s trained in military somehow. His eyes remained focus on you and each second passed, only grew an uneasy feeling in your stomach.

“I- uh,” you stammer as you take step aside. His eyes still trained to you. “I must go.”

Thankfully he does not follows you. But as you look over your shoulder, the dark and empty eyes that still focuses on you only add more weight to your anxiety.

After taking hurried steps, you begin to recognize the hallway and a figure far at the end conversing in hushed urgency.

“Yeri.”

“Oh my god, i almost call the national guards on you but The King convince me otherwise. You both better have a good explanation. Not just to me, but also Seungkwan and Wonwoo.”

You follows Yeri’s lead, noticing Jeonghan in your trail. The look he gave you was a silent assurance.

Yeri was not messing around on your safety. It might be a reminder of how thankful you should be for your security.

When you arrive in the court room, you notice that it was a semi-private hearing and the room isn’t fully packed by unnecessary people or even worse, reporter.

Although being seated far away, you could spot Seokmin from a few rows behind. While you now occupy the last row, Seokmin is being sat front and centre and flanked with his team of lawyers.

You sighed in your seat. The nervousness and the anxiety slowly creeping while you take in the actual situation in the room. You can’t imagine how Seokmin is feeling right now.

\\

“Your time and mine, although it stopped far before it began.”

“What does that mean?”

“Forget about what it meant, he’s hiding information from us.”

“Chan, calm yourself-”

“You should be more careful man, i couldn’t protect you if you’re hiding something from me.”

“GUYS.” Seokmin steals the attention in the room. All eyes easily turn to his voice, silence in the wake.

“Although i do appreciate the concern from all of you, please do understand the delicate matter of such this messages are.”

“All the more reason you could’ve confide in us first Seokmin.” Jeonghan voiced out his concerns. “The timing with the case against your mother? You have many eyes on you.” The mixed of disappointment and concern apparent from his words.

After the hearing earlier in the day, you and Seokmin gathers his close entourage. Chan arrived late to the crowd of Jeonghan and Wonwoo circling around Seokmin and you. Yeri and Seungkwan included in the room awaiting explanation.

Eventually you explained what you both have found to the crowd forming in Seokmin’s study, and all the questions came shooting towards you both like arrows.

“What matters now is we have to work together.”

Chan voiced over the prolonged silence. By your side, Seokmin agrees with a hum. A rare display of his exhaustion as he exchanges looks towards his friends around the room.

“So, any other hidden clue we need to know?” Wonwoo’s voice was calm, but you recognize the tight muscle of his jaw. He tried to keep himself calm, after knowing that Seokmin has been sneaking under his radar even at a public visits.

You took a deep breath, looking at Seungkwan for confirmation. The next painting from the late Queen you knew you had to uncover.

“Actually there should be a schedule in a few days where Seokmin will be visiting the museum of natural studies.” Seungkwan perked up at the mentioned of Seokmin’s schedule. You can feel the rest of the room with their focuses on you, but you continues despite the nervousness. “But it has been cancelled a few weeks ago upon the notification of the renovation of the place.”

“No wonder, the place is a derelict as far as i remembered. The minister only had approved the renovation when one part of the roof falls down and hurting a few workers.” Jeonghan provided an explanation. An apparent look of frustration on his feature. You can sense the same one displayed on Seokmin’s face.

“And you both believed there is a painting in there containing some messages?” Chan’s question rang around the room almost unanswered. Uncertainty hits like a wave.

“At this point, it’s a lead worth exploring. As the legal adviser has met a roadblock with a few documentation regarding the goodwill foundation she built. Some names of founders are not found on data and some financial books are not match. If we can found something from this, i hope it helped or some of those organization will be frozen for a longer time than needed. It will hurt the people.” Seokmin doesn’t bury the lede on his words.

The day does not end to all of them, the awareness of impact the case has brought into the kingdom breathing down their neck as if it’s their own fault when the fact is neither.

The forest fire has became the bleak reminder of the impact of corruption, now Seokmin face a big challenge of keeping the people who had put their trusts onto him to keep the kingdom alive.

At times like this, Seokmin ponder of your words that night. Will he plummet into the pitfalls of failed King and proving that no justice can keep the kingdom proper? or he can fight tooth and nail for the rightful prosperity of people that needed him? Namely the people in his kingdom.

“So i was thinking that we’ll still make that trip to the museum.”

“But will it be suspicious? If you came to visit unannounced? Because we can’t have people being nosy and there are many eyes to Seokmin.” Wonwoo’s concerned met with nods around the room. You understand it well for his care.

“That’s why maybe they’ll have me visiting.” You shrug, the idea that popped up during your discussion with Seokmin one night. Yeri almost opened her mouth but you put up a hand in assurance. “I might have to move some schedules around, but we can have visit quick in some guise that i’m on my way to my house. Because my parents lived pretty close there. If you can call an hour drive close. But it’s a pretty believable excuse.”

Yeri and Seungkwan exchange glances, muttering to their own as each tries to remembered any schedule and possibilities to make everything looks as unassuming as it could be.

“I mean, yeah technically you could go there but we still have to flesh out some excuse to visit a renovated museum. People will talk and we don’t want to raise any suspicion right?” Yeri’s words met with nods of acknowledgement around the room.

The mere thought of suspicion brings an ache of fear in your guts.

You pushed back the memory of the man who you bumped into. Thinking that the royal court is filled with dodgy people who you barely known. You could just be bumping into a commoner for all you know.

“We can work on that. We have time.” You’re optimistic, despite the look Seokmin gave to you. To which you had opted to ignore. His exhaustion shouldn’t affect your bravery.

He’s been brave all along. You might need to do it for him this time.

“In the meantime as some organization are still unable to operate, we can opted to divide the remaining resource of food and clothing to the area that needed it the most.” Chan’s word strangely sounds like it’s the last resort. You fear that it is.

Once peoples are completely devoid of their rights, they will turn to each others. And there will be many things that Seokmin can no longer control. He hated to see the Kingdom turn to a lawless piece of land where only suffering can be found.

“Thank you Chan.”

Seokmin smiles. The younger only nodded solemnly as he straightened his jacket and left the room. His footsteps left a resounding loudness that serves as a wake-up call.

One by one people leave the study in Seokmin’s residence.

Only you and him remained.

\\

“Your Majesty, such a pleasant surprise.” The man in charge of the museum follows your footsteps. There’s clinking of keys with every movement he made as you try to pay him no attention and walk through the empty hallway. “We truly welcome your visit to the Museum of Natural Study. But as you can see, we are closed due to the ongoing renovation.”

You feel the few eyes staring at you. The workers, clad in their protective gears as they perched on the scaffolding under the mezzanine, scattering the big hall that’s been cleared and floor covered in plastic.

“As the initial timeline planned, the renovation is scheduled to finish in six months. The Queen is conduction survey to have the place as a candidate for her Gala Dinner.”

You flash the man a smile, Yeri’s mixture of confident and nervous energy emanating from your side. The words is a practice script between you and Yeri. To which were delivered marvellously. Yet the tablet held closely as if trying to have it as life-support.

“Your Majesty, Gala Dinner?” The man almost stumbled upon his own words. It pained you that he’s in distress with first your visit, and then the Gala Dinner.

To be fair, the intention was not a hundred percent lie. You had considered the place once. Knowing that the location somewhat near to your childhood home, and when you saw the building in the library textbook? it just steals your attention.

Sadly the reality is far from the picture you saw a couple years ago.

Far remove now that there is barely anything to display and the floor is mostly occupied by materials. The cherry on top is the big gaping hole on the ceiling.

You exchange glance with Yeri. Ignoring the pointed look from most of the construction worker that now begin to whispers among themselves.

Earlier today, Seokmin has offered an additional group of bodyguard to accompany you to the museum and you wholeheartedly giggle after you sips your coffee and then realizing that your husband is being serious upon the recognizable glint in his eyes.

So you only took Yeri inside with you, and the usual two person of bodyguard are post outside. Diligently reporting anything unusual as they’re connected straight to Wonwoo who probably being badgered by Seokmin.

“The Queen has a few inquiry regarding the specification and capacity of the place, and Her Majesty needs a thorough in-depth on-site tour of the Museum.”

You can always count on Yeri to cast authority into the room.

In this case, the whole wide hall of a museum.

Even though you see it often whether it’s in the middle of meetings or just a simple fitting, it always amaze you. And the one thing that you would love to learn. You never failed to mentioned it to Yeri too.

It’s easy to confess such things when she became the sole close aid you have and mostly trust. The nature of being an only child quickly diminishing as you found a sense of sisterhood in her.

After quiet moments passed, and quick worried glances to you then to Yeri, the museum clerk sighed before answering that he didn’t have enough staff currently to do both simultaneously.

“That’s quite alright, you can assist Yeri on the details and documentation. I can wait around in the hallway.”

The clerk gave a questioning look towards Yeri, but she kept her stance and assured self. So eventually led you both towards the office.

Not before traveling many hallways and storage where many things and artefacts that supposed to be put up in the museum are now kept.

You now faced with the mountain of possibilities where the late Queen’s painting is located.

“Many artworks are still kept on the floor i see?” You inquire, making a turn to a more quieter hallway but there’s still a few construction worker scattered as they’re fixing and cleaning some work in the mezzanine.

“Yes, Your Majesty. There’s a few that has its own glass enclosure that’s proven enough protection. They’re remained on the floor. But a few paintings were relocated into the storage facility. Some are deemed in a safe enough area from the construction so it stays on its area and covered to avoid building dust.”

Yeri shares a look at you. Knowing that you both have studied the basic layout of the museum. It pays off as you two hunched over the book displaying each floors layout and Yeri noting that there’s a reserved area for Royal’s history and art.

Knowing that not all arts are hidden in the storage, maybe that area is a good start to look. If ladyluck is with you, the painting might be there and you can easily look for the message.

As far as your history of doing secret mission and being under the radar, to which is none, this has been smooth sailing.

Yeri has skilfully distract the clerk with thousands of question regarding unnecessary documents which stumped the poor man into rummaging old files and raking his memories. Meanwhile you had excused yourself to the toilet and with it, making a straight beeline to the area you had studied last night.

Carefully avoiding other workers, and making sure you’re not sticking up like a sore thumb, you had snatched a hard hat laying around and putting it on.

You followed the hallway, now void of any things to exhibit and walls empty. The pure white paint looks way too sterile for your liking. The metallic scents added with mixture of dryness and paint itself sets an uneasy feeling in your guts. You thank god you’re nearing the area where the painting is supposed to be hung and you slightly pray that you wouldn’t met with blank white wall.

The room welcomes you in its cool glory. You let out an exhale of relief when you see the room is not empty and all arts are covered in muslin. Beige as it stands out against the dark textured wall of the area. In the middle, there’s a mezzanine overlooking the lower level of said special area.

Your steps instilled with giddiness, foregoes every notion of awareness as you arrive at the first painting near the entrance. Uncovering the muslin fabric to inspect the painting to search for ‘DK’.

You take note of the silence around you, glancing at your watch and thinking maybe some left to take lunch outside. You continues to the next painting in hope to uncover ‘DK’ before the area became too crowded.

The few paintings in the initial room do not give you any signs of ‘DK’ so you moved on to the mezzanine. Over the banister you look at the construction work done on the lower floor of the area and met with a few scaffolding built up to where you stood.

Thankfully no one around.

Only the quietness you thought would be rarely find in a renovated museum. Rustles of plastic covering occasionally fills the surrounding as wind often picks up from the windows opened.

Fearing to be found, you hurriedly opened every painting from it’s cover. After a quick scan you mentally pat yourself that none of the painting hung and covered is ginormous. A scan is enough and you wouldn’t need to exert much strength to pick the canvas off of its frame.

“Oh my god.”

You gasp and quickly cover your mouth. Picking up the dropped muslin fabric you gaze upon the painting. The clear orange of sunset upon the horizon of blue sea. Written in white and almost obscured by the sea foam is the very signature you have been looking for the past thirty minutes.

Carefully taking the painting off of the wall and turning it over on the wall, you quickly works took off the stapler off of the wooden frame. Thankfully it took you lesser time as you know how to work to open the painting and dismantle the canvas off.

It helped that you’re now carrying small hand tools in your clutch. Your choice of the day is pliers.

After retrieving the message in the same form of rolled up paper, you quickly put it away and return the painting as it was, with the other tool you had prepared in advance.

Hastily you stood and never minded your surrounding.

Out of your awareness you’re quickly yanked away from where you stood. The air knocked out of your lungs as your mind tries to register what happened to your body. You mind quickly snap when the grip in your neck grew stronger. You couldn’t see who it was, the figure had hid himself behind you and exert more and more strength.

Oh no, Seokmin…

The thought of the possibility that Seokmin could also be in danger let you gather every bits of strength you had. You took out the pliers in your clutch and stab the hand connected on your neck.

Gasping for air as the perpetrator stumbled back in pain, your eyes snap up and gaze into the face of an unknown man. Before you could mutter anything, the fear and minimum of oxygen in your vein doesn’t let you do much when you eventually realize the man is charging at you. Hand bloody of your plier’s doing.

You have tried to be grateful all your life. No matter how you always feel small compares to others. The new chapter of life, begins after Seokmin’s proposal in that library, from then on you wonder if you had taken everything for granted.

Funny how regret alway came too late.

As the man charge, you scream one last plea for help. No matter how dry and empty your lungs has been. You hoped anyone listens and helped you. You have to stay alive so that Seokmin would be safe. He’ll know the danger the two of you have been dancing around.

Your voice cut short, as the impact of the man trying to get hold of you knocked you over the railing. A resounding thud echoes around the hall and in the midst of it all you could even hear the sound of dust speckles falling all around you.

Ache and soreness filled your body, you can feel your hands under you. Touching the rugged surface of dusty plank of woods. You opens your eyes as you realized you had fallen over to the scaffolding. The result of the impact only shaking the structure. Your hard hat was nowhere to be found.

It might have served its purpose.

With careful movement, fearing that the steel rods and wooden plank would gave up and brings you down with it. With quick scan, you found the perpetrator that had hunted you laid a few meters away. Face down and the striking colour of red pooling from his head.

You couldn’t take any risk of shouting for help and gaining attention. For all you know he would wake up and finish what he started.

So you carefully scooch and grab ahold of the rusting steel. Hoisting yourself up on your shaking legs. As you tries to found way to run.

“Y/N!!”

You heard the voice before the commotion. Blizzard of footsteps against the floor nearing you. You couldn’t realize how depleted your energy has been. Jaw shaking as you tries to formed a reply but none came out.

Yeri’s worried face came into view. Her cries went muffled in your ears as you could hear people talking over one another. Your bodyguards, some construction workers, and the clerk.

It dawned to you that you had quite successfully gained all the attention.

They helped you down after finding the closest ladder, and you welcomed by Yeri’s open arms

“Your Majesty, what happened?” She smooth over the hair covering your eyes. As well as inspecting any place where you could be hurt.

But you can’t seem to found your voice. With weak arms, as if it weighs a ton, you pointed to the top of the scaffolding. Your bodyguards who had surrounded you makes a quick signal to Yeri. They climb and found the bloody man.

There was hushed silence, the violent creaking and shouts as the man probably gains consciousness. Your bodyguards has apprehended the man. Looking down over to your still unfocused and shaky eyes, she nods and then you instantly fell to the floor.

Cries breaks over your spent throat as the ache all over your body eventually felt real. Yeri only holds you close as she tries to hold back her own tears.

\\

“No hospital.”

“Y/n.”

“Let’s just go to my parent’s house.”

Finally finding your voice, you’re quick to warn Yeri to not get you to the hospital.

Now, paranoia filled your thought. Clutching the blanket you had been given by the clerk, you ordered him to keep every construction workers inside to avoid any spread of misinformation. Then you asked to see any cctv footage.

Which thankfully still on despite the ongoing works around the building.

Replacing the fear and fatigue in your body, adrenaline quickly surge as you scan over the monitors overlooking the main entrance, back door, and the parking lot.

“Your Majesty, i still think you need to be checked at the hospital. Nobody knows that you would be concussed or anything.” Yeri couldn’t care to keep a formal tone in front of the clerk. You only ordered him to speed up the footage.

“We have to make sure he’s working alone, if he didn’t, then let’s hope we could found anyone worth taking notice. The King could be in danger.” You paused, wetting your throat that feels like sandpaper everytime you talk. “No offense if they could get me here, i think there’s virtually nowhere else i could trust than my parent’s house.”

Eyes still glued to the screen, Yeri’s sigh of frustration can be heard by your side as she pulled up a chair to help you look over the cctv footage. You had only arrived to the time where you enter the museum through the main entrance.

Your eyes scans for anything out of the ordinary, until minutes later when you see most workers walks out for their lunch break, is one figure going against the current and enters the building through the back door. Slipping through your bodyguard who just passed for patrol.

The man make sure that no ones sees him.

“That’s him.” You pointed out the figure hovering over the back door. He looks around before stopping and stares ahead in a complicated look. Then he looks down for a moment before entering the Museum.

You had stopped the footage. Confused on the perpetrator’s action. Weirdly you felt remorse from him before he decidedly enters the Museum and does his deed. You would thought that any paid mercenaries would be swift and coldhearted. Not taking an unsure pause before even stepping foot in the same space as you.

When you rewind the footage and pause it, you look over the footage where the parking lot was shown. Overlooking the mostly empty yard, hidden amongst the trees, you see the familiar built of a man you recently bumped into. Tall and build like a tank, you couldn’t miss it even with the camouflage jacket he was wearing.

“I’ve seen that man.” You exclaimed, Yeri follows where your fingers pointed at the screen. The clerk peering over your shoulder also tries to take a look. “I bumped into him in the cabinet office. That day of the hearing.”

“Y/N!”

With the adrenaline rush, your attention snapped and whipped to the door that sounds like its been kicked open with force.

“Seokmin, i-” His hand flew to your neck, cradling it as if it would be damaged even further. “I don’t need you to worry, i am fine. And no, i don’t want hospital.” You tried your best to muster up a smile, despite the lingering pain in your throat and around your shoulder.

Seokmin’s eyes move rigidly. Unfocused and crazed with rush you couldn’t recognize. It instantly melts when you met his gaze. Then dissipating into the pain you recognize. You only smiles as Seokmin tries to reel in his emotion.

“I shouldn’t have let you came here alone.” Seokmin whispers, his fingers hovers over your neck. You could no longer feel the pain, but you’re pretty sure there’s a remnants of mark there.

“Seokmin, have you seen this man?” Your words stumped Seokmin for a moment, his eyes searched your face but you already turned to the monitor, blurry pictures and all.

“W-what?”

“This man, i bumped into him in the cabinet office. That day of the hearing, he was looking at me weird. And he’s here today with the man-” you paused, suddenly conscious of all the eyes and their attention to you. “The man that, well, he fell with me.”

“Y/n he attacked you.” Yeri said matter-of-factly.

“True but we have to look into him,” You extended your hand once more, trying to bring the attention back to the blurry figure in the monitor. “He could be a key to some organizations that might be a link to the corrupt people in the cabinet. More importantly we could prevent whoever linked to him from hurting you.”

Seokmin stared at you incredulously. The same look Yeri has been giving you but you've been too distracted to notice.

“Alright so we can ask Chan to run his profile, a bolo and then we can work from there.” Yeri conclude over the uneasy tension and silence in the room.

Agreeing nods filled the enclosed space. The clerk included. You give him a sorry look.

The door opened to a flustered Seungkwan, he catch his breath before looking to you and Seokmin.

“Uh, Y/n, your parents are here.”

\\

“Y/n!”

“Oh my baby!”

You were bombarded with more hugs than you can imagine. The worried look painted on your parents face will give heartbreak enough of a lifetime.

“Mom, dad I'm alright. The man is taken to the authorities now. My bodyguards took care of him.” Your mom kept her hand on you. Soft caress and making sure you’re tangible within her reach. Your father stood hovering close, a mixture of anger and worried clouded his feature.

When you’ve assured them enough, the room quietens. Yeri and the clerk has stepped away to give you some privacy. Your father eventually compose himself and bows deeply.

“Your Majesty,” You and your mother exchange glances. Knowing the look in your father’s face as he tries to organize words in his head on how to greet his son-in-law.

“Sir, i’m terribly sorry.” Instead Seokmin interjected.

Walking over the short distance of the room to straightened your father’s posture and then he himself fold 90 degrees so fast you had your eyes widens in shock.

“I should have protected Y/n. Instead i let her out of my sight and she got in danger. This is all my fault, please forgive me.”

“Seokmin,” Your voice quieten, Seokmin remained showing his back as he bow lower than you might ever seen him.

Your parents exchange glances before your mother leave your side to makes her way to Seokmin.

Her hand landed on Seokmin’s shoulder. Not before hovering as she’s unsure of what’s the regulation of having a King as your son-in-law. Eventually, Seokmin straightened. He himself unsure as your mother gave him a much assured smile.

Her palms gestures Seokmin to come closer. Stuttered in his moves, Seokmin took a step towards her and eventually she pulls him for a hug.

“I’m sure you’re trying your best, we’re glad none of you is hurt.” Your mother pulls away first from the hug, Seokmin remained statued as he kept his eyes to the look your mother often gave you as a child.

Your father makes a noise of agreement. Recognizing how he hold back his initial words upon Seokmin’s action.

“What actually happened anyway Y/n. The news are floating around but i don’t want to make an assumption. So we need to to hear it from you.”

Upon your father’s demand, hesitancy filled your thought. The long months dilemma to confide in your family culminate to this moment as your father asks you point blank of what have you been doing. Uncovering the secret of the late Queen inevitably became a notion that put you through this.

Seokmin has made his way to you. He took your hand to his before giving you a look that speaks ‘It’s gonna be alright’.

“She was trying to retrieve a message for me. As you might know the late Queen has been embroiled in a deeply wrong accusation. For the past months we have been uncovering a secret messages from her, scattered around the kingdom. Hidden within her arts that has been donated to many places.”

The room is silence once more.

Your eyes ricochet from the floor, both your parents, and then Seokmin.

It almost suffocate you, if not for Seokmin’s hand holding you steady, you might fell to the floor once more. But the silence stretch on too long as you half anticipated your parents to lecture you long and harsh about your recklesness.

Yet it never came. So you only look at your parents. Puzzled.

Your mother clutch the fabric of her skirt, looking at your father in a look so distressed it only piqued your interest. Strangely, your father was the same. He nervously kept his composure, but you know he also kept his attention to your mother in case she crashes out.

“Your Majesty—”

“Please just call me Seokmin.”

Your father nod. Still not breaking the nervous tension your parents has created.

“Y/n, Seokmin, may i invite you to our home? We have some explaining to do.”

\\

Your time and mine, although it stopped far before it even began.

\\

The drive was nothing short of agonizing.

Now you and Seokmin both only gotten more confuse regarding of the situation.

You arrive at your childhood home. Seemingly frozen in time.

The same shed at the backyard, fence that had been painted over and over again, with it’s few broken hole strategically placed so that the neighborhood cats can roam freely.

Wonwoo assures you both that his team has been posted all around the block. Discreetly, as per Seokmin’s request.

Seungkwan and Yeri made their trip back to the palace for their PR work as well as some damage control over the media. The news circulating around your incident has somehow risen the alert along the countryside and the capital is eating the fake news as they paint their own view above the fact.

Undoubtedly in bleak colours.

“Mom, dad, please what is happening?”

Sitting in your old dining room, untouched glasses of water in front of you and Seokmin. And sat across is your parents with their hands clasps together.

“Y/n as you noticed the place hasn’t change ever since you left.” Your mother began. Gesturing around the small area of the dining room that opens straight to the living room. “Do you see anything significant?”

“Mom-”

“Y/n, look around.”

Your father command, so you look around after shooting a sighed and taking a glance to Seokmin.

The same beaten couch, now with new upholstery. Your mother has gotten rid of the carpet that makes her sneeze every night. The coffee table remained the same old wood that has water mark all over the surface. The fireplace, the same. The painting as well.

The painting…

A rose shrub with a background of a blue sky.

Your frown grow deeper as you jog your memory. It is the same painting. The same one that you see as you open your eyes when you nap at the couch near the fireplace. A touch of vibrant colours inside the otherwise dark living room.

The painting was small. Framed by a cheap wood and had dust piling all over the carving. You even remembered each time your mother has told you to dust it clean when she will have guest over.

“DK.” Your mother’s word snap both you and Seokmin’s attention to her. “Dokyeom means to excel in many path you should choose.”

—

“Mom what did you do at the palace again?”

“I was a staff there. I helped deliver the crown prince himself.”

“So you met the Queen?”

“Yeah Y/n, in fact she was the one who gifted the Royal Academie scholarship to most of the palace staff during her reign. That is including one for you.”

—

“Mom? Why do you know that? And is that painting from Seokmin’s mother?”

The tension broke, with your slightly hoarse voice you demand your parents to explain how they have managed to have a painting from the late Queen herself.

Reality felt like it was crashing down on both you and Seokmin once more.

“You know my mom? You know the nickname she gave me?”

Seokmin managed to asks without sounding the tremble in his body. You can only observe, trying to understand the shocking truth from your mother.

“Your mother was the midwife in the palace. She helped delivers Seokmin when he was born.” Your father helped to explained, as your mother visibly trying to think about her words to clearly articulate her thought.

“She was so happy when you were born. She told me that initially she wanted to name you Dokyeom because, well because the meaning that she found in one of the book she read during her pregnancy.” Your mother begins, her words knocking Seokmin off of his whole reality. “I was with her most of the time, also helping her recover postpartum. Helping her cope when she’s denied to even see you at the first months even for feeding. Not only your name was pre-determined. Seems like your whole life schedule was determined as your father paraded you around like a prized cow.

Unfortunately i have to left palace when i was pregnant with Y/n. And for my last day, she gifted me the painting. I asked her about the signature she scribed in the painting. It says ‘DK’. And she says it’s an alias. For how she hoped the future would hold for both Seokmin and my unborn child.”

The atmosphere was thick before you discover the painting. A kettle about to whistle as it burst from the heat.

You couldn’t pick up your jaw from the floor. The complicated way of life did not found you when Seokmin proposed to you at the library.

When you whispers Seokmin name, he remains silent. His hands rest on his lap, clasp together with no strength left to even let the shudders wraps around his spine. Cold sweat on his palm as he organize his thoughts.

Complicated, branched, unsettled and bizarre. That is only the tip of the iceberg of emotion you’re feeling riht now. Something that even anger towards your parent would serve no closure from the chain of events that has begin even before you were born.

The sound of chair scraping against the wooden floor breaks the silence. Seokmin stood from his seat beside you.

He makes a round alongside the table and arrive by your mother side. With a deep breath, Seokmin find himself resolute. He knows what he wanted to do now. That’s all that mattered.

“Can i hug you, again?” Seokmin prompted, to which your mother replies with a teary nods and the circles her arm around Seokmin.

The hushed sniffles that filled the room is enough excuse to wrap up the night.

\\

Upon the sun which has set, you decided to stay at your childhood home, to which Seokmin follows upon your mother’s request. And after long discussion with Wonwoo, Seokmin gets the yes and you both ended up standing face to face in your childhood bedroom.

“Apparently my mom didn’t think through when she asks you to stay too.”

She had waved your request off to let Seokmin stay in the guest room. With an excuse that it’s been renovated as your father’s work room.

It was a different kind of awkwardness, she winked at you with the guise that you’re married now, so you wouldn’t have a problem spending one room together. It doesn’t help when your father had sternly warn you to keep the bedroom door open, and to have decorum whilst you both still under his roof.

“You have spare clothes in the car Seokmin, why are you accepting clothes from my mom?”

“Your mom was very convincing.”

As a result, Seokmin is clad in a sleeveless tank and a grey sweatpants. You had long take off the navy blue robe your mom also gave him. Because it reminds you too much of your father. The mischievous look from your mother is a stark difference from your father.

You both had conclude the long day with a dinner which passed not without awkwardness but also with lively atmosphere as you and your mother flit around the kitchen, dinner ended up in a somewhat warm feelings.

Cuddled in your minuscule sized bed—compared to what’s in the residence, you snuggled up to Seokmin’s side. Leaving no space as the fabric of your old T-shirt and Seokmin’s grazes upon another.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.” You prompted. Stealing Seokmin’s attention from an old poster of a band plastered across your wall.

“That i might be too lucky. For meeting you.” Seokmin softly plant his lips to the top of your head. His fingers tangled in the tresses of your hair.

“We can’t lose hope yet.” You noted his resigned tone, so you feel the need to encourage hope to Seokmin. “We still can analyze the messages again with my parents tomorrow, and we can go from there. The people are holding on, so we can’t lose hope.”

Gentle fingers tuck its way under your chin, softly bringing your lips to Seokmin. You smiled as you circle your hands along his back. The unassuming fabric of an old and worn out cotton makes you feel a different kind of affection towards Seokmin.

Seokmin pulls away after making a follow up peck to your cheek. Pulling out a giggle from you as you squirm against his hold.

His eyes glinting a light of mischief. A rare one you picked up when Seokmin tries to annoy you at times. He glances one time at the posters, his finger planted and drawing puzzles against your skin. Seokmin jerked his chin to said wall.

“I don’t know you’re into boyband.”

“Oh my god Seokmin it’s Radiohead.” You rolled your eyes, but a smile is apparent on your face. His chosen word of ‘boyband’ to describe Thom Yorke is certainly a way to ruffle your feathers.

“If i’m not who i am, would you even date me?” An incredulous laugh escapes your lips, softly pouring into the hallway through the barely opened door.

“Let’s see, can you play drum?”

“I can try.”

“Not very convincing. Then i guess i would date you if you’re going to a Radiohead concert with me.”

“Would i want to watch my girlfriend fangirl over another man? I’m easily jealous you know?”

Seokmin follows the laughter you burst once more. Imagination is never short as your way of amusement. Seokmin puzzled you sometimes with his questions, but how you always manage to give the answer that tickles his laugh button is a moment you cherish at all times.

And you’re sure, in a few months time you would forget the attack you went through today.

Cuddling on the bed you spent most of your pre-teen time. Cramped as you both clad not in some expensive silk pyjamas that felt too sterile to touch. You and Seokmin fell asleep in each other’s arm picturing ways to found each other in many made up timeline.

The laughter from your room sounded distant but clear in the night.

Your father was never prudish to intimacy, but the realization of how you had spent time with Seokmin under his roof had sent your father to another conclusion he had to made.

There are many secret the Kingdom has kept. Pressure barge through each sliver of crack anyone would show. So not many can adapt to the politic and intrigue one brought in every choice they made in the palace.

Your mother has her choice.

Your father will decide on his tonight.

\\

“We have to tell him. It’s now a matter of my daughter safety.” Your father paused, tries to let the static sound of reply pass through the satellite phone. He’s decided, “They truly love each other, this matter now would hurt them both.”

The satellite phone was silent for a minute, a sense of respect as your father give the other time to reflect and react.

“Let them follow the roses.”

Then the call ended.

\\

You wake up alone.

The sound of your mother whipping up food in the kitchen raises your consciousness.

Being in your old bed must’ve set your body clock to decade ago.

You don’t question where Seokmin is until you arrive in the kitchen. Your mother breaking the eggs for an omelette. Instinctively you open the fridge to reach for cream cheese and chive.

Looking around for Seokmin and your father, your eyes eventually landed to the patio. Beyond the sliding glass door near the dining room. The backyard has seen better days. But the green grass remain although the old rose shrub has withered away with the season.

“It’s not been long. They will finish soon, let’s finish the breakfast so you’ll be ready.”

You don’t question your mom’s words. Your mind had wandered enough as the sight of your father and Seokmin sat on the patio as they inaudibly discussing something of importance.

You nods, missing the look your mother gave to you and then Seokmin.

Strangely filled with guilt.

It’s stifling when Seokmin and your father enters the house and took their seat. Much like yesterday. Only now, arrays of breakfast filled the table and only your confusion remain.

“Let’s eat.”

Your father was never the authoritative man. He lets you decide and always considerate towards your choice. So it came as a surprise for you. Moreover when he exchange a look with Seokmin strangely implying of agreement.

You only took a bite of your omelette. Your mother has urged you so. Letting the warmth and softness melt on your tongue. Around you, everyone eats as if they’re preparing for separation.

The strangeness doesn’t stop you to fill your belly until it’s time to make decision.

Once everyone seeming to finished with their plate, Seokmin stood. He took one look around the table before taking your wrist and tug you up. You followed. Loose your footing once or twice but you kept your hold as Seokmin lead you to your room.

When Seokmin hastily close the door behind him, only then you’re brave enough to speak. But Seokmin cut you through it.

“Y/n do you trust me?”

“Of course, what happened?”

“We have to be quick, your parents are trying to distract Wonwoo and the bodyguards. We have to leave the house to go somewhere.”

You glance to your clothes rack, wordlessly grabbing clothes to change into and without a beat you get into it. As if preparing yourself for what’s to come.

“Where? And how would we go?”

Seokmin only smiles before taking your hand into his hold. He lead you back to the hallway and into the door by the corner where the guest room is supposed to be. Now it’s your father’s work room.

“Grab the car key on your father’s desk, i’ll get the map.”

You begin to rummage through your father’s desk. Among the books and strewn away paperworks. Under the reading light the slight divots on the table isn't visible, but you turn it on and easily find the sets of keys you had recognized belong exclusively to your father. And not the station wagon your mom has drove you around.

Pocketing the keys you walk over to Seokmin who has take the picture frame off of the wall and carefully opening the glass to reach the paper displayed inside the frame.

Seokmin quickly retrieved the piece of paper and rolled it in his fists. You caught a glimpse of it as you hastily enters room a moment ago. But now as Seokmin rolled the fairly big paper, you had notice that it is a map.

Secured on one hand, Seokmin’s other hand reach out to you. To which you took in gladly.

Sprinting along the second floor hallway. Past the master bedroom and then yours. Once descended the stairs, you’re met with empty house.

You truly don’t know how your parents can distract Wonwoo. Or why should you both shake him off, but you assumed this is the time for you to go.

Sliding off the door to the patio and making beeline to the shed. Still hand in hand, you’re mildly amazed how Seokmin manage to know all this.

Having no doubt that your father has taught him all while having him sat on the patio for the discussion earlier. The thought only piqued your interest towards what is it that’s both Seokmin and your father had planned in such a short time.

Seokmin starts the car effortlessly. After you hand over the key to him.

Strange how you actually never saw him drove. You guess that there’s so much more that you need to discover regarding your husband. Not that the discovery of truth yesterday has yet catch up to your reality.

All of the things happened from the moment you were attacked yesterday felt like a slow rush that you can discern with all of your senses. None of it all felt real. Except the danger.

Amidst your slightly wandering thought, Seokmin has pulled off of your driveway and sped off the suburban road. His knuckles whiten as he grips the steering wheel. Manouvering the car to take both of you into a much secluded road.

“Y/n, can you help to look at the map for me?”

You snap out of your thoughts and immediately reach to the back because Seokmin has thrown the rolled paper as he tries to get himself into the driver’s seat.

The sizeable piece of paper unravel by your fingers.

It was an unassuming map of the kingdom. Drawn in old illumination style with many decoration and vines adorning the perimeter of it.

“Your father said follow the roses.”

You stammer out of confusion. Then your gaze return to the map in your hand. Surely enough there’s marking of the similar roses to the ones you found in the messages from Seokmin’s mother. The barely visible buds are not easily discernible but when you look close enough, it will be clear above the crossing lines.

“Are we going to the roses?”

“There’s one spot your father points out. I hope we have time before somebody catches up to us.” Without dividing his attention to the road, Seokmin points out the rose by the outskirts of the Kingdom.

Calculating the distance within your hometown, you hoped the two hours ride there would be rewarded with something that will help Seokmin with the case against his mother. Or just anything to stop the two of you from the blind chase.

“I’ve shown all the messages we found to your father earlier. He was not at all surprised. He wrote me an address and then tell me to take his keys and the map.” Seokmin paused, switching land to exit the highway and possibly avoiding cameras. “He told me to follow the roses. The address he gave located exactly on one of the rose Y/n.”

“My parents. They know something more than they let on. And they never mention anything to me. Not even on our wedding day.” You tried to push the annoyance in your voice, but being on the shorter end of a stick on top of being attacked yesterday is just testing your faith.

“They must have their reason Y/n. We’ll know after we arrive to the rose.”

\\

The faint smell of the sea greets you.

The car, already parked a few blocks away to confuse anyone who came looking. You and Seokmin walk hand in hand in the village as silent as the passing winds.

The fishing village you both had came to be looks like it stopped in time. Most people you see are old and calmly resting under the shade. Possibly drained from their morning activities and taking a break after lunch. Then back to their mundane routine.

It baffles you that such sight of the kingdom looks like it’s never touched by the government. But the place looks like the aftermath of it all.

Closed down school. Barely no groceries store, all gas station running empty and old houses looks derelict off of its owner.

What truly you and Seokmin can find in this place?

“This is the place.”

Stopping on your track, you look over where Seokmin has all of his attention. The blue and white house.

It looks like a normal house you found so far. Dried fishes hanged by the front yard. Laundry swaying on the clothesline. Colouring the pathway to the door are shrubs and bushes of flowers blooming.

It almost reminded you of one of the garden in the palace. Only now it’s in a smaller scale.

As the two of you walk towards the door, Seokmin stop on his track. Gazes up into the now opened door and revealing the master of the house.

“Seokmin,”

You held back a gasp at the sight that welcomes you. The elusive figure who is the mastermind of your marriage with Seokmin. The same figure who is currently in the eye of every storm brewing along the kingdom.

The late Queen herself.

She held herself alive and well. Her arms beckoning the two of you to rush into the house. And with stuttered start, you both comply.

Once the door closed behind the two of you. Seokmin rushed to his mother’s arms. Almost knocking her off of her balance but upon the initial surpise, she quickly hugs him back tightly.

“Mom, you’re alive!” Seokmin doesn’t let himself stammer. His wholehearted longing didn’t let unsureness shadows even his words, “your hair— you cut it short, you look healthy!”

The sight pulls your heartstrings, holding back your own tears as Seokmin pulls back to take one look at his mother and then back into his arms. The initial shudder of surprised has passed through your spine and an unknown wave of emotion washed over you.

“Oof, hello my son. I am here.” Her eyes eventually landed to you. Standing awkwardly. The heat from the sun outside the door ever so slightly licking your back. “And you must be Y/n.”

“Y- your Majesty.” You paused for a moment, debating yourself whether to curtsy, or bow , or whatever is appropriate when you met your supposedly dead mother-in-law. But before you could decide between any of those action, Seokmin’s mother has pulled you into her arms.

Strange.

You smiled as you realize that both Seokmin and his mother give almost the same hug. Arms wounded tightly around your frame as their shoulder sometimes shakes because the laugh they’re having.

She pulls away first. As she stood between you and Seokmin, hovering around the small living room while the initial happiness and surprise of the atmosphere slowly dissipate away.

Seokmin’s mom begins glancing from the floor, to Seokmin and then to you. Her hands fidgets by her side, the floral dress she’s wearing sway side to side. The nervousness palpable.

Seokmin face had drastically changes shadow to the darker. Gone was the crow’s feet you adored each time he smiles so hard.

“I-i could make some tea. The kitchen?” You quipped, quickly met with agreement from Seokmin’s mother as she jolted from her nervous spiel and her hands pointed to the vicinity of the kitchen.

You nod to thank her and calmly make a beeline towards the aforementioned kitchen.

You only exhale when you passed the arched doorway, then you rushed to leaned into the opened window above the kitchen counter. Regulating your own heartbeat and breath from the fresh air.

Gripping the wooden top, you glance at the direction of where you left Seokmin and his mother. Now blocked by the kitchen wall.

Once calmed, you do a quick scan of the fairly small kitchen and found a kettle. Your hand still shakes when you try to fill the kettle with water. Then you let it boil.

Your jumbled thoughts pushed aside when you take a clear look to your surrounding. Nothing too out of ordinary. Wooden countertop lined the wall, fridge sat unassumingly by the corner. Appliances look impossibly mundane. No framed photos whatsoever.

She must have lived such a low-key life. You understood that.

Although you may never know what and how a Queen who faked her death will live on the ‘afterlife’, during your brief months in the palace and under such scrutiny of every eyes in the Kingdom, you too would do such things if opportunity presents itself.

Your only problem was you could never leave Seokmin by himself. You would miss him too much and the pain would be too great for you to handle. Let alone enjoy an ‘afterlife’.

The kettle let out puffs of steam before it turns itself off. You had found a box of tea by the fridge, but then you’re left to rummage the cabinets and drawer for,

“Some cups?”

A hand extended to offer you the solution.

You might be too distracted to even notice Seokmin’s mother has stepped into the kitchen herself.

Taking over the task of making tea as she put the teabag into each cups and then pours the hot boiling water in.

“I’m sorry.” You don’t know why you’re apologizing. It just blurt out of your mouth as Seokmin’s mother give you a confused look.

“You shouldn’t be sorry Y/n, it is me who should apologize for putting you through this.” Her gaze run downwards from your face to your neck before she avoided your gaze altogether and out into the window.

The picture of such serene vista.

“I do am quite alright. Yesterday was such a shock, i thought i would lose Seokmin. Thinking that he too might be in danger.”

“Oh darling.” Seokmin’s mother sound choked up which let your confusion grew. “I wanted you because i knew you would do good on the foundations i build up. Be a good Queen so that i essentially can escape. I shouldn’t have let your parents agreed to this. I may have put both you and Seokmin in danger, i’m quite surprised your parents haven’t come looking for me just to curse me out.” Seokmin’s mother chuckled her words.

“Knowing my parents, they would never hold a grudge. They’re too kind for their own good. I worry about them sometimes. Feared that they became prey of a scammer.” Your words met an agreeing laugh from Seokmin’s mother.

“Your mother, she’s one of the kindest people that helped me in the palace. She treated me like i’m a human being. Then she became a mother herself, with the kind man who i used to go to school with.

They’re too kind, for letting me essentially use their child to take care of my own son as i faked my death to be free of the husk of a person i was inside that palace.” Seokmin’s mother muttered quietly.

Her eyes fixed to the swirling of loose tea laf inside the cup.

The memories of time you spent with Seokmin passed through your mind. Flashes of anger, sadness, and laughter flittering into the nerve in your brain.

“We take care of each other,” you paused as Seokmin’s mother looks at you. “You might have choose me just to take care of him, but i fell in love with Seokmin because i know how much of a good person he is every time he’s trying his best to be a good leader like you. I’d let you use me time and time again. Gladly.”

Seokmin’s mother looks at you with her eyes glittering with tears.

Not knowing what to do, she urges you to bring the warm tea to Seokmin on the patio. To warm the two of you against the sea breeze.

You smiled before taking a cup each in your hands. Then leaving the kitchen to see about Seokmin.

There’s no third cup.

\\

The way the salty air kissed Seokmin’s curled hair is nothing short of breath taking.

You offered the cup of tea to him, which he received with a smile.

“She’s been moving all across the kingdom quietly. Targeting a small town with barely enough people to even fill the town hall. I have to give it to her, the plan was smart.” Seokmin chuckled before placing down the cup of tea by his side on the bench. There’s a faint sound of waves lapping up the sand. “She lives counting on the benefits of the foundation she helped build up. Food coupons, donations and welfare help, all the sorts. She struggles, yet she looks much healthier and happier too, even.”

“She does, yeah. She’s alive and well.”

Seokmin nods in agreement. He looks along to the vast horizon of such picturesque fishing village.

The patio sits higher on a hill, overlooking where most of the boats that float about far into the ocean. Possibly harvesting oyster or anything such.

You sense that Seokmin was overwhelmed by his conversation with his mother. But you see the same face Sokmin wear whenever he tries to hide the sadness in his eyes.

“What’s funny is that not only she knew your mother, she knew your father first, when they were in the Royal Academie. She’s off to her pre-destined life, and your father became a clerk in the village where he met your mother.”

You cant deny the laughter as you heard the words from Seokmin.

The fact that tickles you whether maybe marrying Seokmin was not a random choice of a supposedly ‘mad’ Queen.

“Speaking of my father. You know what’s funnier?” Seokmin gaze at you curiously. “T-that you’re still wearing my father’s clothes. And i’m no better, because i’m still wearing my decade old T-shirt that smells like the corner of a damp cabinet.” You almost topple over as you hold back your laughter.

You pinched at the hem of your clothes, letting out the laughter you held back. To which, Seokmin follows after he had a long look at the clothes he went to sleep last night, now added with a too big of a flannel shirt that undoubtedly belong to your father.

“I look ridiculous.”

“We look ridiculous.”

You corrected Seokmin’s word, the two of you remained wrapped in laughter. Finding an absurd little thing to lift up the mood and help you both cope.

You sighed before pulling Seokmin into a hug.

He remained seated on the bench, circling his hands around your waist and resting it just above your ass. Seokmin rearrange his thought with the blowing breeze sweeping against the creaking wooden wall.

“She said she chose you because she knows you’re kind, just like your parents.” You hummed to Seokmin’s words. He continues, “but she didn’t know that you and i would eventually fall in love. She might have so little faith in me.” Seokmin chuckles to his own words, but you’ll have nine of it.

“I think, she has so much faith in you to the point that she’s wanting the best for her son. Having me be Queen meant putting a stop to any old influence inside the palace, letting you shine as the person she knows you could be. A kind person who destined to be King.”

Two cups of tea getting cold.

\\

The warm sun has went past its apex. The wind picked up resulting to the two of you retreating back into the house.

“Mom?”

There’s a sound of rustling faint inside the house, until Seokmin’s mom answered with a shout. You both followed her voice and it led you to a bedroom.

Seokmin’s mother sat on the floor right beside the opened drawer of her cabinet. Many pages scattered around her, and a few more in her hand.

When you and Seokmin look at her, she smiles. Waving the papers like it’s the clearest thing she says.

“I don’t know what’s the cabinet and court has spun off their story to stop the foundations i built, but i guess i could help you with something.” She pat the empty spot beside her and the bed which she leaned on.

You and Seokmin exchange glances before occupying the spots. Seokmin by her side and you sat on the bed overlooking all the document.

“Seokmin this is the data of the foundation.” You muttered as you take a brief glance at the paper near you.

“Yes, i have to jump through hoops to set up the welfare foundation. And i wonder why most of the data and document is not surfacing as evidence. I know they just want the public to be confused and eventually lead to be agitated. It’s easier that way so that they could do their dirty bidding while everyone was looking away.”

Seokmin’s mother handed the two of you the few papers she’s holding. To which Seokmin has stared wide eyed, flipping through the document as you can see the glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes.

“Y/n we can use this.” Seokmin only muttered softly. “This will stop their case altogether.”

In your mirth, you leaned down to hug Seokmin. The elation grew as you skimmed through every words.

“I would have helped with the documents if i know what they are planning to accuse me of. The media only reported slew of accusation that makes no sense. i didn’t know any way to help you.” Seokmin’s mother endearingly gaze over to the two of you. Embroiled in happiness.

It dawned to her that her selfishness bear fruit to his son’s happiness. But what the late Queen should face now is the heaviness of what she must do.

She thought being selfish for once would let the next chance became easier.

It surely wont after seeing how determined Seokmin and you are in their search for the clues. The one she had scattered around the country to enact the crazy plan she has even years before Seokmin was born.

Upon his mother silence, Seokmin glance to her. An apparent sign of distress in her face.

“Mom?” Seokmin reach out his hand.

In an instant Seokmin’s mother turn to her son. Glancing downwards before she held his hand.

“I appreciate you and Y/n. Thankful that you’re willing to search for me even after i’m gone. But i’m afraid i need to move away again, my loves.” She gathered her thought with a breath. “There is no hope for me to return to the palace. You are doing a good work. Both of you. But you’ve been gone almost half of the day, and i’m afraid if they found you, and if do, they will find me too.”

Seokmin never thought the day would end like this. It never dawned on him how the future will hold a few hours ago when he found out his mother has been alive and well. How he should move forward with the apparent truth of his mother’s existence.

The King gaze at the face he’s been missing for possibly years. The times where she smiles so hard the two of them looks like two peas in a pod. The happiness he had hope to give when she was gone.

He had thought he was too late. But universe gave him another opportunity.

\\

The sound of waves grew stronger that evening. The house where it usually end its day in silence was filled with a joyous laughter. You used any ingredients you found to whip up food to fill up the empty bellies.

Seokmin’s mother has let the door to patio opened to let the air in. Breeze kissing the thin curtain gracefully as the three of you eat the food you had prepared. Seokmin, like the good husband he is praise all the words he could muster towards your cooking.

The initial nervousness you felt when you have to cook meals for your mother-in-law instantly vanish the moment praises left Seokmin’s mother’s lips. A mixture of surprise and amazement on her face.

Such picture you could never imagined as the three of you huddled over the small dining table. Not even Seokmin’s wildest imagination can take you here. Only reality does.

Until time arrive where there is no way to avoid the separation.

The King’s mother left so quickly after hugging you both in a tearful embrace. She left all her documents to the two of you in her unrattled faith that you both will do well.

The house fell into deeper silence.

Letting Seokmin’s mother get her early start to another rose in the map. Which one, you might never know

After the sun has set, only then you and Seokmin walk back to where your father’s car has parked.

You offered to drive instead of your husband. He agrees with a smile. A sluggish ones, but it still reach his eyes. You fear that his mind has caught up with the rollercoaster of emotion he went through today.

You can only try your best to be there for him.

Just like how you have been ever since you beg the King to love you.

Maybe even before.

Maybe ever since you saw the young crown prince stumble over his own feet and then cries to his mother’s embrace.

That afternoon, when you’re hiding under the rose bushes from your mom, you told the blooming buds of roses about the Prince who chases butterfly.

Your mom later found you almost half asleep out of exhaustion. The streetlight above blinding behind her head.

Things aren’t always set in stone. You and Seokmin both understand that.

But when you look to your side. The streetlight glows ricocheting against tears that had sets its tracks on Seokmin‘s cheek, you can’t help to fear that this is how things would be.

Seokmin mourn his mother with guilt a few months ago. Now, he mourn for the sacrifice he and his mother had to do for each other’s happiness.

Always find me in the roses my loves.

No matter how you understood the late Queen now. All the reasons of why she does what she did. How all the perfect mixture of the stressful life she has and all of its circumstances then stirred with your parents kindness. You could never blame her for what she did.

You admire her staggering faith and strength to leave Seokmin to became better.

Although you could never done that. Leave Seokmin.

It’s your own selfishness.

Seeping through your vein and every nerve ending as you enters the highway and drove to any direction you see fit.

You reach over to Seokmin. His cries grew more audible as your hand rest against his nape and occasionally rubs his shoulder. The sound of his sorrow broken every piece of your heart.

You held back your own.

The sorrow unravels further like the road ahead.

And soon it will stop when you found yourself far enough from the fishing village.

On a nondescript parking lot, huddled together in the backseat of your father’s car. Fighting the cold that’s biting your fingers.

Leaning your back into the warmth of Seokmin’s chest. Legs tangled to accommodate the limited space. You had let your mind wander, gazing to one of the flickering lights outside as you absentmindedly drew pattern to Seokmin’s arms.

“Do you think Wonwoo will find us?” You don’t know why you whisper, but Seokmin doesn’t mind. His hums as a reply vibrate all along your back.

“If he didn’t manage to found us after all the speeding that you did on the highway, then he might need to be relegated from his position. Might have to give Jaehyun a chance as head security.”

In a sounds as best described as scandalous gasp, you abruptly straightened up to look back at your husband.

“Don’t you ever do that. Wonwoo do not deserve it.” You paused to gaze at Seokmin’s softening feature. “Besides technically, we run away from him. And speaking of driving, i could say you look kinda hot when you’re stealing my father’s car this morning.”

“Are we? Speaking about driving— hey you find me hot doing that?” Seokmin amusely inches closer to you. Shortening the distance as the look in his eyes shifted to some kind of warmth that burns to your desire.

“Yeah, you were kinda good at speeding too, Seokmin.”

The dissipating distance raise the anticipation. Hearts pumping faster to give you more focus to every feature Seokmin has.

Not that you’re unfamiliar. You admire each in your own time. Every corners and sharp curve of his face that endearingly moves every time he smiles or even frown in frustration.

Especially his lips.

He meets yours halfway. Capturing them in what feels like a soft peck, until he pulls away just for a moment. Then Seokmin dives in deeper. His lips search yours as if it’s mapping the curve of it and burning it in his memories.

Seokmin groaned before his hands swiftly maneouvred you to sit on top of him. The hand traveled along your back in an act of possession. Carving heat into his touch as you search for anchor deep into Seokmin’s nape.

You moans desperately, half gasping for air when Seokmin’s kiss traveled down to your neck. At the same time your hips jerked in response. Eliciting a guttural groan from Seokmin underneath you.

“Darling don’t tease me when we’re in a cramped backseat of your father’s car.”

Seokmin has took off his flannel, leaving him in a tank top. You, he had stripped and leave bare in your bra, with an incredulous look in your face as a response of his words.

“Seokmin please don’t mention my dad when you just kiss me like you need some air.”

Seokmin flashes a look of hunger to you, then grin as he return his lips to yours. The same hunger he can’t satiated with any meals in the Kingdom. The one thing he crave that only you can give. The heat and delirium that mixed into the same vein that pumped the blood into his cock.

Seokmin was silent, skillful hand to unclasp your bra and pulls down your pants low enough. His lips chase as he licks your awaiting one, you tried to open your mouth to welcome his tongue but Seokmin only pulls away.

You watch in a crazed state. The lack of oxygen and heat generated inside the car has turn you into the animal you only let out once in a full moon. Seokmin’s grin as he admires the sight in front of him.

He dives once more when all of the clothings are either thrown off to the front seat or pulled down just adequately.

With your pants hanging down one leg, you sighs as you slid down easily into Seokmin’s cock. The groan from your husband sets a reply. Briefly letting his lips off of the exposed skin of your breast.

You moans in euphoric pleasure. One hand holding onto the headrest and the other gripping to the short strands at Seokmin’s nape. You carefully move yourself to sets the pace. And Seokmin let you. Revel upon the heat of your tight cunt drove him into another level of pleasure.

Knowing that you both didn’t spent time for foreplay. As much as Seokmin wants to thrust himself senseless into your enveloping heat, your utmost comfort is always his number one priority.

You can sense Seokmin holding back. As soon as you adjust to his cock penetrating deep inside you, as well as the strength that leave your legs, you tug Seokmin’s hair which resulted in a low growl from the man under you.

“Fuck me, Seokmin.”

Your words almost didn’t bounce against the interior of your father’s car. Seokmin replaced it with pleasured moan as his strong arms steadily lift you and letting gravity do its course.

Seokmin doesn’t let his lips idle. Kisses and bites in places you know will be visible to the public. Unless you’re dressing up in turtleneck. While summer is barely kisses spring goodbye.

You groan in pleasure otherwise, Seokmin hitting your favourite spot as he adjusts your position on his lap. Your mind instantly dazed in pleasure as his cock fills you up to the brim.

The limited space letting Seokmin use his creativity to get his cock hit that one spot that makes your legs shake when you cum. He had burnished the sight to his memories and swear to replicate it every time opportunity presents itself.

The mixture of a cold night and being in a desolated car park is a dessert presented on a golden plate. Seokmin pushed aside the fact that they’re in his father-in-law’s car and let his carnal desire takes his mobility course.

“You’re always so hot when you’re on top of me.” Seokmin’s voice burns as his breath hits your bouncing tits. Seokmin catch one between his teeth and gave it an initial bite before enveloping it whole to his mouth. You can only groan at the pain that comes first, until pleasure rolling like a wave downwards through your spine. He pushed your chest closer to his mouth as your back arched in pain and pleasure.

Seokmin keeps his pace steady, feeding more and more as the sloppy sounds of your cunt meeting the base of his cock met his satisfaction. The squelch of his precum leang through your hole always sounds like a perfect harmony in Seokmin’s ears.

Your fingers dig into Seokmin’s hair, feeling the pleasure gradually fills up and you know Seokmin is close when he hurriedly bringing your hips down to meet his cock. Hurried actions to chase the height of such euphoria.

The sight of Seokmin’s tanned and strong arm only letting your pleasure burst as your orgasm reach its peak. You gasp sharply, muffled against Seokmin’s temple. Your hips and legs shake although it kept its course of movements as Seokmin’s hands digging into your hips.

“Yes baby, cum on my cock.” Seokmin’s voice laced with desperation. Sweat running down his chest as his arms exert his strength to lift you with such ease just to chase down his own orgasm.

You let the pleasure of your orgasm be prolonged as Seokmin chases his down. You can’t imagine how lewd it will look outside as the car shakes and windows fogging from all the heat generated between you two.

Seokmin’s voice strained as he’s closing on his release. You let him do as he please until the force of his orgasm hits the two of you. Seokmin groaned into your shoulder. Guttural and rather animalistic.

Ropes and ropes of cum painted your inside warm. You can feel it filling you up deliciously. Some even leaking out of your cunt and runs downto Seokmin’s thigh.

“Fuck baby,” Seokmin eventually speaks. “Imagine all the car sex we have if we’re always alone in a car.” You fight a smile to his words. His hands tries to smoothen your messy hair with such a sweet smile.

Unbelievable.

“Darling that kind of opportunity is almost inexistent.” You softly laughs, Seokmin hums with a tint of mischief lacing through his next words.

“What if we run away like this often? Stealing your father’s car and drove away to an empty parking lot.”

“Seokmin don’t make me think about my father when you’re still inside me and we’re all sticky like this.”

Seokmin only reply with shortening the distance and whispers against your lips. His eyes taunting. The same fire of desire that has gotten you into this position.

Literally.

“Why? Does it make you realize what a dirty girl you are?” Your small laughter mixed with a shudder. Of fear, and excitement. “Does it excite you that you’re letting me fuck you like you’re desperate for it?”

You don’t let Seokmin let out another words. Planting your lips to silence him as your hips worked his cock inside you. Seokmin only grin deviously, holding you close to coax out another orgasm from you.

Hours later, Wonwoo found the two of you conversing tied at the hips by the side of the car.

He almost lash out but Seokmin beats him to it by marching over for a hug. All anger instantly vanished from Wonwoo’s eyes when Seokmin almost breaks his ribs. He glances at you for an explanation, to which you only answer with a nod of assurance.

Wonwoo then hug Seokmin back. When the two of friend pulls away, Wonwoo playfully landing a hit to the King’s shoulder. Playfully.

Only then you had realized, how Seokmin’s mother has her conviction when she left Seokmin.

How she truly believe he would be surrounded by the people that love and protect him. She trust him to be a good King, hence keeping the Kingdom safe.

Now you became one of the person that surrounds Seokmin.

And you believe you love him so to protect him with all your might.

You walk over to where Seokmin and Wonwoo conversing quietly. Few metres back, Seokmin’s and your security team are keeping eyes around while still giving you space.

“Be prepared to be punished and scolded by Yeri and Seungkwan when we came back to the palace.” Wonwoo remarked as he looks up from the document Seokmin has handed over to him.

You only shrugged, linking your arms to Seokmin’s. The cold air outside still biting despite the time almost nearing sunrise. You snuggles close as Seokmin glance at you in an endearing look. A sense of pride in his eyes.

Wonwoo has a quick look towards the two of you and gave his friend a disapproving look.

“What?” Seokmin retort curiously.

“You both thought you’re slick. Thank god there’s no cctv in the parking lot because Y/n’s father’s car window is not tinted dark enough.”

You and Seokmin shared a look. Lightbulb visibly glow as you both realize what you have done. Seokmin only scratch his head bashfully. And you’re no better as you tries to hide your reddening face to Seokmin’s arm.

“And i will NOT drive you both in that car.”

\\

“You should thank me for not putting you in stiletto.” You shot Yeri a look. Silently thanking her as you sit on a chair hidden behind a potted plant.

“I could always thank you a million times. And you know i’m grateful each and every time.” Your words almost swayed Yeri’s stone cold face as she tries to keep eyes to any guests that might disturb you.

As time passed, the winter Gala eventually rolled down. Every corners of the palace decorated and furnished with glittering decoration to prepare for the festivities. Which you had turn to be a charity event to fund the welfare organization.

You and Seokmin has fought tooth and nail to clear his mother’s name. With the complete evidence and documents, the case is quickly dropped and the organization thankfully return to its due course. Letting the public away from unrest.

Not long months later, Seokmin has enact the new regulation nationwide. Implementing transparency and catching every corrupt minister that sucks out funding from any area that needs it.

The stricter law was met with vehement appeal at first, but when questioned back the opposition couldn’t find a solid ground and retreated to their shells.

Many people stayed silent at the start, but agreeing groups of people starts to help voicing the long standing corruption that has hurt them in some ways. Many now help to keep on a lookout and Seokmin has declared he’ll accept every helping hand.

Now in the Winter Gala, many aristocrats and royals are forced to buy tables as entryto show their good side to people. Fear that one wrong move would launch an impromptu audit to their hidden funds.

Which is in you and Seokmin’s next plan to crack.

Seokmin was nowhere to be found as he was swept away on a serious discussion with one of his firefighter friend you met one time. You won’t worry and wouldn’t want to impose as you know he’ll confide in you if there’s any problem.

For now, your only problem was standing on your heels and attending to many people that hoped to connect to you just to avoid looking bad on the press. Yeri had to save you from the same girls that talked nasty behind your back the at the spring event earlier this year.

“Those girls does not give up huh?”

Your head snap up, you abandoned massaging your sore calf and shot Yeri a helpless look.

“Well what do you want me to do?”

“Distract them? Get them away from me? Please?” You put on your best smile and met with Yeri’s groan of annoyance.

Regardless, Yeri stormed off after muttering how you should be grateful that you’re a good Queen. You tried to peek behind the big foliage you couldn’t quite recognize. Yeri’s back slowly disappears as she tries to avert the girls attention somewhere else than the slightly dark hallway with the opened balcony.

You smiled in victory, a small pump of your fist as you can see the group disappearing back into the crowds of the party. Yeri on their tow as she scolded them t

“What are we cheering for?”

“OH MY GOD.”

You almost toppled over on your chair, but a familiar strong hands pulls you flush into the strong broad chest of a man you called your husband.

“Who are you hiding from darling?” You gave him a playful smack across the beautiful lapels of his dinner jacket. Seokmin only grins wider.

“Some girls wouldn’t leave me alone. I think they want to kiss up my ass or something.” Seokmin eyes the heels you had abandoned by your chair. He pulls you up and stood steady as your anchor. Arms wrapped around your waist.

“Ooh they have to stay in line. I need to kiss your ass too Y/n.”

“Lee Seokmin!” You gasp at his scandalous remarks. Eyes darting around as if there’s anybody else that could be listening. Maybe the flowing curtain.

“You know i love when you call me like that.” Seokmin whispers lowly, he enjoys the trace of growing heat slowly appears around your ears and cheeks. “When we’re alone, and this close.” Seokmin’s eyes darts over the feature of your face as he drags his sentence word by word.

He knows it elicit the memories spent tangled as you both explored each other’s body in many occasion. Slow desperate kisses poured over each other’s skin while he tries to coaxed the sound of your moan in abandon.

You recognize fatigue in his face, yet the lines of happiness shows it’s path so clearly. As cliché as it sounds, you feel happy when Seokmin is happy.

So you stood on your tippy toes and give a peck to his lips. He looks at you in mild confusion but a curious smile grazes his lips.

There’s a faint sound of music from the ongoing dinner and the show. The opened door to the balcony letting the rustling sounds of trees pours under the bright winter moonlight.

You circles your arms around Seokmin’s neck. His hands circled around your hips moves to the side. Gripping you into his hold and slightly swaying you as if how the wind moves the leaves.

“I love you.” You whispers, gazing to Seokmin’s eyes. He was silent for a moment. Glancing sideways to the ongoing party in slight disdain. He then smiles at you, the hint of mischief that sent you half into excitement and half into concern.

“Do you want to go to the roses?”

prev chapter

[wannabanauthor]

The more I think about a jealousy arc for BuckTommy, the more I crave it in fanfiction form.

Post breakup, post hookup and morning after, post Bobby going off to WitSec (still not acknowledging that death), and Buck happens to come across Tommy and another guy.

They don’t see him, but he hides anyway so he can spy on them.

They’re laughing, smiling at each other, “lingering touches” (in Buck’s mind, IRL it’s just two guys showing platonic physical affection like brothers or best friends would do), they’re carrying some shopping bags, and they just look so happy and fond of each other.

Buck doesn’t reveal himself because he thinks he’s missed his chance and that Tommy has moved on.

And true to form, Buck doesn’t reach out to Tommy, and instead pouts and mourns what he thinks is the permanent end of their relationship.

He talks himself out of contacting Tommy. But this time, he doesn’t talk to anyone else about it. He’s internalizing it, which is not good, especially since he’s still grieving Bobby’s retirement (still in denial).

It’s not until someone at the 118, maybe Ravi, notices that something’s up with Buck and asks him about it.

And Buck being Buck says, “Nothing, I just miss Bobby.”

Chimney and Hen look at each other then back at Buck.

“Fine!” Buck says. “The other day I saw Tommy on a date with someone.”

Chimney and Hen look slightly uncomfortable, and Buck picks up on that.

“What? Do you know something?” Buck asks.

Hen speaks first. “Are you sure it was a date?”

“What else could it be?” Bucks says.

“You do realize he has friends outside of work, right?” Chimney says.

Buck looks confused. “So?”

“So, what if he was out with a friend?” Chimney points out.

Buck shakes his head. “No, I would know if the guy was his friend.”

“How?”

“Because I met his friends!”

“A long time ago. It’s been months since you two broke up. He could have made a new friend,” Hen says.

“Please, friends don’t laugh like that or jokingly punch each other. The dude even checked out Tommy’s ass,” Buck counters.

(No, the guy did not. Tommy’s FRIEND is jealous that Tommy has a better ass than him. He’s not interested in Tommy at all. He glared briefly at Tommy’s ass).

Hen and Chimney look at each other like they want to give up. They pass. Various looks between each other, having a huge silent conversation right in front of Buck.

Chimney smiles at Hen, mouths “good luck” and walks away while scrolling through his phone.

Hen sits down next to Buck. “Maybe it’s time for you to reach out to Tommy. Regardless if he’s dating or not. You obviously want something from him, and maybe that’s closure.”

“I don’t want closure. I want to get back together with him,” Buck says.

“Then tell him that,” Hen says

Buck scoffs at that. “I can’t just tell him that. It’d be random, out of place, and he wouldn’t care because he’s already moved on.”

“What if Tommy thought the same about you? That you’re no longer interested in him, that it’d be random and weird if he told you he still had feelings for you.” Hen points out.

Buck scoffs again. “No, he knows I still have feelings for him.”

“How would he know that?” Hen asks, very pointedly.

“Well, because I’ve told—oh.” It finally dawns on Buck.

Hen just nods. “Yeah, didn’t think that one all the way through, did you?”

Bucks puts his head down on the table and sighs. “Fuck, fuck, fuck. I fucked up.”

���No,” Chimney says as he walks back to them. “You Bucked up.”

Buck frowns. “I know! I know! Wait, why did you step away and come back?”

“Listen, kid, as much as we wanted you to figure this shit out on your own, I’m tired of you talking yourself out of potential happiness. Bobby’s gone. We’re all doing the best we can to adjust to this new normal, and you’re potentially isolating yourself from people who care about you,” Chimney says.

“If you want Tommy back, tell him,” Hen adds.

Buck gives them an eye roll. “How am I supposed to do that? Would he even take my call?”

Then they hear a helicopter landing outside.

Buck looks at Chimney. “You never answered my question. What did you do?”

Chimney gives him a big smile. “Now’s your chance to tell him.”

“What?!”

“Buck, if you don’t tell him, I’m playing him the recording of this entire conversation,” Hen says.

“That’s against HIPAA!”

Nobody even dignifies that with a response. He’s panicking.

Buck can’t bring himself to lift his head as Tommy walked over to them.

“Hey Tommy, you got here quick,” Chimney says and gives Tommy half a hug.

“I was already in the air and headed back when you called,” Tommy says and looks over at Buck.

“Got anything you want to say to Tommy?” Hen prompts.

“I saw you on a date with another guy,” Buck says, way too quickly.

He finally looks at Tommy and notices his puzzled expression.

Both Hen and Chimney sigh.

“I’m not dating anyone,” Tommy says.

“But were you on a date?” Buck asks.

Tommy crosses his arms. “Is this really what I’m here for?”

Chimney pulls up a chair for him. “Tommy came all this way for you and him to talk,” he says to Buck. “So talk to him.”

Chimney and Hen turn to leave.

“What? No help?” Buck asks.

“I got him here, and the rest is up to you. We can’t do this for you. You need to tell him yourself,” Chimney says and walks away with Hen.

“So…what’s going on?” Tommy asks.

“Was it a date?”

“No, Evan.”

“Then who was he?”

Tommy looks like he’s about to answer then doesn’t.

Buck notices Tommy’s walls are up again, and he blames himself for that. Why would Tommy come back to him when there are other guys who could easily give Tommy the reassurance he wants/needs.

“I’m sorry,” Buck says. “I’m so sorry.”

Tommy looks a little confused. “About what?”

“What I said. The morning after.”

“Oh.”

“Oh? That’s it?!” Buck feels his anger and pain from the breakup surge back to life.

“What do you want me to say, Evan?”

Buck bristles at that. “Why won’t you tell me who he is if he wasn’t a date?”

“Because it’s none of your business,” Tommy snaps.

Buck is about to argue before he realizes that Tommy was right. Technically, it’s not Buck’s business. He can’t shake the feeling that there is something more to it.

“If you want to be my boyfriend again, then it is my business!” Buck snaps back.

“Wait, you want to get back together?”

“Of course! I didn’t even want to break up! You did!” Buck shouts. “Then when we had a chance to get back together, you accused me of having feelings for my best friend!”

The silence in the station is deafening.

Buck looks horrified at himself. “Shit, that’s not how I wanted to do this, and-“

Tommy surges forward and kisses Buck.

Buck’s eyes instantly close, and he kisses back. It’s practically muscle memory for him. He pulls back when he tastes tears.

“I missed you so much,” Buck whispers, a sob coming from his throat. He realizes that he’s the one with tears. But this time, he doesn’t let his fear stop him.

“I love you,” Buck says. “I’m in love with you. I never stopped having feelings for you. I know I’ve fucked up so many times, but I want another chance.”

Tommy cups Buck’s jaw and kisses him lightly on the nose. “I love you too. Technically, it should be me asking you for another chance. I was the one who broke up with you, and I’m so sorry. I got scared and ran because I knew I couldn’t survive you breaking my heart, so I broke it for you.”

“Tommy,” Buck whispers as he sees tears pour from Tommy’s eyes. He pulls Tommy closer to him, and Tommy lets him. “Will you be my boyfriend again?”

Tommy has the audacity to snort. “Of course, I will.”

Buck smiles so big that Tommy can’t help but kiss him again and again.

“I love you so much,” Tommy mutters against Buck’s lips. “I thought I’d never have the chance to fix things.”

“Hey,” Buck says softly. “I’m here. We’re back together. We’ll figure shit out.”

Tommy chuckles. “I hope so.”

“Maybe let’s take things slower this time,” Buck suggests.

“Yeah, that’s probably the best idea,” Tommy murmurs. He’s staring at Buck’s lips mostly, so Buck gives him another tender kiss.

Then he remember something. “Tommy?”

“Yeah?” Tommy hums as he places kisses along Buck’s jaw. Yeah, they’re still at the station, but they’re in their own world.

“So who was that guy?”

“Oh, that was my ex, Sal. He and I had a thing way back when we worked here. We broke up after he got fired, and he moved to Texas. He came in town to pay his respects to Bobby. We squashed our past several years ago and became friends. We hung out while we were catching up. He says there’s this cute guy in Texas that he’s been eyeing. His crush rents a house right next to him. He’s an Uber driver, I think.”

Buck watches a Tommy closely. “Sal or his crush?”

“Uber driver? His crush.”

“Oh, no,” Buck says. “Eddie is an Uber driver.”

“No, please no,” Tommy says and grabs his phone and hurriedly texts Sal. “Wait, are you sure Eddie’s straight?”

“Yes! For the last time, yes. He’s only interested in women. Wait, does that mean you were trying to get with him when you first met because a helicopter ride to Vegas is very suspect?”

Tommy starts laughing. “No, I was not interested in him like that. He was just a friend.”

“How do I know that you never had feelings for him?”

Tommy rolls his eyes. “Har har, very funny.”

Buck smiles. “I couldn’t resist.”

“Funny enough, I heard from Eddie after Bobby’s funeral, and he was thinking of moving back to LA.”

“No, he’s not. He would have told me.”

“He didn’t want to since you are subletting his former house. But I wouldn’t worry. If he ever comes back, you can just move in with me.”

Buck almost does a double take and notices Tommy fidgeting. Oh, he’s serious.

Buck gives him a huge smile and leans in to kiss him. “You’re lucky that I love you.”

[goldfishinaplasticbag]

Me: can't wait for identity shenanigans! The bats are gonna freak out about Angel being missing, and Tim is gonna be too out of it to maintain a secret identity but also not rational enough to reveal his identity so he's just gonna confuse them more! 

You and other askers: That's lovely! Did you consider that Dick and Jason are going to blame themselves. Every bat is going to think that they failed and got Jax killed.

Me: 

Anyway I love your writing and ideas. But also why would you do this. 

...Do you think they're also gonna decide something horrible happened for Angel and blame themselves for not knowing enough to be able to protect him, or find and rescue him. 

(New personality test for 1-800-Gotham enjoyers just dropped: Are you more excited for chapter 16 or chapter 17?)

HAHAHAH both can coexist at the same time!!! yes i love the fun identity stunts tim pulls but i ALSO love the devastating angst that comes with being a bat. wonderful stuff from all my askers and i throughly enjoy both.

also because i just love torturing everyone. i excel in flowery, near poetic angst writing with metaphors and similes and repetition.

humour is like a personal 5/10 for my writing standards but i am always cheesed to hear people find me (my writing) funny

for your question about angel and whether or not the bats will also spiral…. guess you’ll just have to see in the next chapter! 😇

(LOL wait you’re so right. are you team 16: angst fest and self blame and crushing connections or team 17: funny haha tim doped up on pain meds. personally, hard to choose. love angst, but LOVE comedy especially when nobody knows what’s going on.)

(there MAY be a little bit of fluff in the later half of chapter 16, fyi. maybe there is hope for you chapter 16 truthers! i’m at the halfway point finally, and i see possibility to slip in some funny moments, especially since the bats have to actually talk now that tim is out of commission. no promises but i can envision it in my current draft)

[elwenyere]

Whatever Happens Now (Andor, Bix & Melshi, 762w)

Tags: Missing Scene, Implied Bix/Cassian and Melshi/Cassian

Author's Note: I stayed up until 2:00 AM writing this and then had to wait until the morning to make sure it was actually coherent. Hot take on a missing scene from 2.09, "Welcome to the Rebellion," with spoilers for that episode.

.....

“Are you Melshi?”

Melshi looked up from the rations he’d been pushing around his tray – rehydrated vegmeat and mashed tatties and a sticky red paste too rich for his gut – to see a woman standing in the door to the mess. She was beautiful: dark-browed, freckled, and sad. 

“Aye,” he said. He started to rise – he’d lost the thread of the base protocols when the officer had started with “on the table” – but the woman waved him off.

“Vel told me,” she said, slipping into the seat across from him, “about your weapon.”

Melshi felt his hand flex toward the blaster now reholstered at his hip, and he shifted to cover the movement, smoothing his palm over the leg of his pants. 

“I heard Cassian gave it to you,” the woman pressed. “After the prison.”

Melshi let out a slow breath, reminding himself he’d already decided to trust this lot when he’d turned off the intercepted Ghorman Radio broadcast and put himself on the next transport to Yavin 4. He’d spent so long training himself out of looking up to meet Keef’s eyes, of listening for his breathing during the night – of even thinking his name, in case he’d gotten picked up by the wrong people – and trying to open his mouth now to acknowledge the connection felt like putting his hand between a power coupling.

“Didn’t know him as Cassian until today,” he said finally.

The woman nodded, a furrow Melshi had barely noticed clearing from her brow, as if he’d done something to put her at ease.

“You care about him,” she said.

Melshi nearly flinched: after three years, was he still as obvious as he’d been to the rolled eyes around table five? He hadn’t even seen Captain Andor yet. He’d been too afraid it would turn out to be a mistake, and that the real Keef – his Keef – would be revealed to have died after all, in one of the many ways Melshi had imagined, as a punishment for Melshi’s presumptuous hope.

“We looked out for each other on the run,” he allowed.

“You kept the blaster,” she pointed out. “Even after you had the chance to swap it for something less likely to be flagged.”

It was the first time we’d had any belongings to give each other, Melshi didn’t say. The woman nodded again anyway.

“I need to ask you a favor,” she said. “I need you to take care of him for me.”

Melshi felt his eyebrows rise. 

“I know it isn’t an easy job,” she continued, “but I have to leave in the morning. There’s something I have to do that I can’t do from here. And I’ll fight harder if I know someone’s watching his back.”

Melshi considered this. He wanted to tell her he was a lousy person to trust with something so rare: that it had always been Keef – always Cassian – who’d steadied Melshi’s grip; that he’d seen the look on Cassian’s face after the call on Niamos, and he’d known it meant Cassian had been gutted alive, right there while Melshi watched, and he’d still turned and walked away.

“I don’t know your name,” he said instead.

“It’s Bix,” she replied, and though he was fairly certain Cassian had never mentioned it – or those of any friends or family back home – Melshi had the uncanny feeling he could have come up with it himself if he’d taken a moment more to search. 

“Bix,” he repeated. “You’re sure you can’t stay?”

She smiled: somehow it made her look sadder.

“The Rebellion is everywhere,” she said. “I can’t keep waiting around to be ready.” She rose from the table, tucking her hair behind her ears. “The place you met: from what he told me, no one should be there. But I’m glad he had someone kind with him. Someone to go back for and get free.”

Melshi swallowed. It took him until she was halfway to the door to find his own voice again.

“Bix,” he called out, and when she turned to face him, he wondered, suddenly, if two people could come to know each other by observing the same object very closely. “I never dreamed our paths would cross a second time, but now that they have: well. I’ll be with him til the end if I get to make the choice again. And I’ll fight like a bastard to put his end after mine.”

“I know,” Bix said – and then, handling the words like something familiar made strange by long disuse: “May the Force be with you, Ruescott Melshi.”

[theartofwoompwoomps]

As long as we’re together 

Sonic, Shadow, and Silver x reader (separate)

Summary: Hello! Me again! Ok, I saw this on a post however I can’t remember who originally asked for this prompt that got denied but I’m gonna write what I remember.

So the request was Human’s have been gone for a very long time, i think it was like hundreds of years or something

Anyway apparently one day Sonic, Shadow, Silver are in a unexplored area and get caught in a trap and out pops a female human child. The last of her kind, how do the boys react?

Cuz this is kinda a HUGE deal.

———————————————————————

Sonic

Now this wasn’t something he had expected when he went on his daily run. 

This part of town was usually isolated, just nature from that point on forward. Which is why this place was unnatural.

He hadn’t noticed at first, but someone’s doohickeys were definitely out to get him. 

Having to dodge and swerve many close calls. He was surprised it was making him break a sweat. But ofc, it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle.

Quickly disarming many traps and setting them off for good, they were many of these things.. but, they had no logo.

Definitely not eggman’s then. Then who’s could it be?

Looking around, trying to find anything, there was nothing more than the usual. Oh, and the traps of course.

In fact he was considering that whoever left these had indeed left them for good.

Just when he was about to run off again he heard a creak. Tilting his head towards the source, he could feel his ears twitch.

someone was there.

They took small breaths and clearly made barely any movements. Taking slow steps forwards, creeping toward them he hears their breath fasten before abruptly stopping.

Speeding behind them, leaving dirt the air, he saw a tiny creature. They tripped forward from the impact.

Tbh he couldn’t see them to good thanks to all the dust he lifted. But that didn’t stop him from reaching out his hand towards them.

Finally having a hold of them, the saw face to face… those big eyes, facial structure,… and small body.

It was a human….a.human.child.

They didn’t blink once, breath halted in fear with tears threatening to spill. They were scared.

Quickly pulling a smile, trying to make them feel safe as positive he whispered to not startle you. “hey little one.”

You’re breath still a bit fast paced, but you were no longer cowering. That’s good. It means you’re warming up.

After finding out you were on your own out here he had already decided to take you. 

Though it seemed you had different plans. Clearly escaping every time you were almost in his grasp. He had to give you credit, you clearly knew how to use the forest to your advantage.

It’d take time to get your trust so he had to leave eventually, but he’d visit you every time he could. Bringing food, some games, and from time to time his friends like tails.

For a fast lived guy, he didn’t mind taking his time with you. Knowing you might be the last he was going to make sure you’d continue on.

———————————————————————

Shadow

One of the sad things about being an immortal was the immortality itself. 

Times were a lot different from back then. 

After everyone had officially slept in the forever slumber he decided it was worthless to make any connections again.

But, maybe.. he should’ve made more time for the humans. He never thought he’d see the day when they were no longer around.

It broke him to even think about it.

Was he truly alone on this planet now? The thoughts have eaten him up various times by now.

That’s why when he first encountered you he thought he was hallucinating. Especially since you were a child. He must have really missed Maria if his own brain was this cruel.

Only until he feels a small hand holding his own does he realize you’re not made up. You’re real. And he’s crying. 

Pulling you into a hug. Craving physical affection, company, and comfort. He hold you close, taking in all your warmth, and you do the same, your small arms wrapping around him.

Almost as if you understood the exact pain he was feeling.

He doesn’t know where you came from, or why you’re here, but he’ll be damned to let you go on your own.

He was going to make sure your tiny life was the best with him around now.

———————————————————————

Silver

The future was strange to say the least. Thanks to traveling back in time it was much better than what it used to be.

But one thing he noticed different from the the now to the past was the fact humans were no more.

He was indeed surprised, glad to have been able to meet some the few times he’s been in the past.

Which os why from the moment he met you he bombarded you with questions. Your small brain couldn’t keep up. 

Regardless, he was determined to be a good guardian for you when he found out you were completely alone.

In fact, he’s so serious about it. He even went back to the past to know how to take better care for you and bring you some stuff like food and toys.

He was prepared to do anything if it meant you’d live a long healthy life, as it should have been.

———————————————————————

masterlist

[cywscross]

You just don't think antis are a problem because they're not in your fandoms. Once they start making posts with thousands of likes accusing you of being a pedophile and threatening to find out where you live and work so they can report your pedophilic tendencies because you ship teenagers (shounen characters), you'll start caring very quickly. Not in favour of that happening to you? Cool, you're a proshipper.

The fuck

[makotonaegiunderstander]

something I’ve been thinking abt is how many people think Makoto is immune to despair. I don’t think he is. I think becoming the ultimate Hope was BECAUSE he felt despair. He wouldn’t have fully reached that point without Junko. Makoto becoming such a beacon was his last attempt to avoid completely falling and it wasn’t because he didn’t feel despair, it was because he was too damn stubborn to allow everything to go to waste and he refused to sacrifice his beliefs for someone else’s. His inner monologue tells me he DID experience the same new low the other suvivors did in the final trial, but at the point where he had the choice to give up and die, he looked at the others and he looked at Junko and he couldn’t allow it to happen, not out of self preservation, but because the idea that Junko would have control over their lives made him FURIOUS. and that utter refusal to die kicked in, wether luck or otherwise, and he made the concious effort for one last push while something in him was breaking. He had to be broken in order for the Ultimate Hope to come through so aggressively, bc it could only exist in the face of the Ultimate Despair. He snapped the same way she did, but in the other direction. In what could have been his final moments he chose to embody everything Junko wasn’t, and every single optimistic and luck fueled ideal in him suddenly charged forward and pushed him. It was a combination of the final straw and a choice. Makoto isn’t immune to feeling despair, he’s just too stubborn to fall into it of his own volition. I think that’s why I like that scene in DR3 so much. People were SO SHOCKED Makoto actually fell for the tape, that he actually became despair for a moment. I saw people getting mad or disappointed, saying it was pathetic and Makoto seemed to fall from some sort of pedestal for them. Honestly part of me wonders if that sort of mentality, which clearly people had in universe, affected Makoto a bit. Like he started to see himself as less of a person, subconsciously. Prompting him to take more risks, less self preservation, act way more bold. It seems he has to be reminded a lot not to put himself in danger by his friends, to not do something too reckless. All over the place I would see in regards to that scene either this frivolous ‘oh this was just angst drama with no meaning behind it’ or ‘he can do better than that. he’s so weak’ or ‘come on, there’s no way he’d fall into despair, he’s the Ultimate Hope!’ This kind of mentality, which was kind of ironic considering Ryota was there the entire time saying the same thing and treating Makoto the same way. Like Makoto was superhuman. Like Makoto didn’t feel despair the same way ‘normal people’ did. In a way that was also how Munakata saw Makoto. Makoto stopped being a PERSON to the world when he became Ultimate Hope, he became a concept, a belief system, much the same way Junko ascended beyond herself. But the difference is that treating Makoto that way is the opposite of the reason Makoto became such a representative for hope. He wasn’t doing something no one else could. He was doing something everyone had the chance to, he just… was a little more optimistic, a little more stubborn, a little more ‘gung-ho’ about things. He just took the lead where no one else did, where no one else knew they even COULD in the face of Junko’s unstoppable force. She had overcome the biggest threats and obstacles in the world, what could one person do? And the answer Makoto found was, anything. Everything. It doesn’t all rest on Makoto, he’s just the one that was inspired to try to do what seemed like the impossible. But as evidenced by the change in his friends after that trial, it’s clearly not something only Makoto is capable of. The others pulled out of despair thanks to Makoto, but it was their choice to do so.

“But… this world is so huge, and we’re so small. What can we do…? No, we can probably do anything. Yeah! We can do anything!”

[thevioletcaptain]

.

[ep1thymy]

Nearly nearly nearly it will be a year

And then I can pretend that because it’s been long enough I don’t care anymore

[normalgirlatron]

i love complaining so here’s my complaint of the day! people who watch horror movies and their only takeaway, when prompted by somebody analyzing/understanding part of the film, is “well it didn’t have to result in murder/they didn’t have to do that/that scary thing was unnecessary” are SO fucking annoying. you watched the horrifying movie full of dramatized realities and thought the horrifying things were unnecessary? why even bother with horror at all. go home and turn on gilmore girls and titanic you’ll be alright. those will be easy for you to digest since clearly you can’t think deeply about anything that isn’t completely down to earth and rational

[m0thlegs]

y’all learned the term “media literacy” and have not shut the fuck up since

[becauseplot]

what if i wrote wildly ooc cell/roommates au comfort fic. what then.

[mymelodyisme]

Back in university I tried to get into makeup because I wanted to feel pretty and feel as if I were trying, ya know!!! Boost the self esteem!! But mostly because everyone around me wore makeup and I felt like I wasn’t progressing enough?? I has a HUGE aversion to makeup being put on my face by family and I didn’t like the way it felt. But I wanted to try cause I was getting older and again ✨insecure.✨ And my cousin tried to help me buy stuff but she only took me into the store and told me to pick stuff out. The issue she didn’t seem to understand was I didn’t know how to start.

I’d seen a few videos of beauty gurus doing very beautiful makeup but the first step always confused me and I didn’t WANT a super fun unique style I just wanted to be done up a little so I wouldn’t be lost when I had to do it in the future. I left with maybe a lipstick or two and gold eyeshadow. 🥹 she seemed so irritated with me and I felt so bad.

So the first time I wore the eyeshadow I didn’t know how to apply it and I just smeared it on my eyelids because who was going to show me. 😭 and i felt like I was being stared at the whole day. Eventually I wiped it off out of embarrassment and also because I didn’t want my mom to know. I felt like she’d tease me for NOW wanting to try makeup when I claimed to hate it so much before. I snuck it into a drawer in the bathroom. It was eventually found by my sister who asked where it came from but when she never received an answer she kept it 🥹

And similarly, the two lipsticks I bought. I carried them in my backpack because I didn’t know where else to keep them. I fell in love with this dull pinkishy shade. I always applied it at school and took it off before going home. Sometimes I’d reapply it in the bathrooms in the science (math) building and honestly!!! I felt beautiful!!!!! Except I still didn’t like how it felt too much when I applied it bleh, and I felt like people were judging me for not applying it well. 🥺 eventually those too got tucked into the drawer and were found by my sister who was still confused by this lost makeup and decided to keep them.