#but i did it and still finished the piece
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felixbit · 2 days ago
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chestnut
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pairing: hyunjin x gn!reader w. 0.8k genre: comedic fluff summary: your boyfriend, hyunjin, comes home on christmas day from sbs gayo daejeon after surprising you with a new look. he's shaved his hair and gone blonde. warnings: reader mourns the long hair but is very supportive. playful teasing a/n: this is literally just how i'm coping rn
New year and comeback season always meant new looks and fresh things. However, this was not expected.
You were at home, as always. Christmas was a busy day for Hyunjin, away at SBS Gayo Daejeon performing and looking pretty for the cameras. It was routine, but you always enjoyed tuning in and seeing the talent from him and his group as they performed.
There was a red carpet to unveil looks, but you were preparing some food for dinner that night. Things were getting hectic in the kitchen and time passed you by.
But your phone started to buzz. And buzz. And buzz.
Unable to ignore the repeating notification noises, you stopped what you were doing to figure out what had your phone blowing up. Notifications from posts and texts from friends... what was happening?
Everyone was talking about Hyunjin. As normal as it was for him to get the world's attention, the sheer amount of notifications was concerning. Something was obviously going on.
So, you opened your feed. It didn't take more than a single scroll for the picture to hit your timeline. On the red carpet, looking sharp and stunning, was Hyunjin. Beautiful outfit, many piercings, eyebrow slit fresh.
Oh, and his head was completely shaved and dyed blonde.
You stared at your phone in shock for what felt like forever. The two second clip of him looking stunning for the cameras replayed over and over as your brain tried to pick up the pieces.
You knew he wouldn't have his phone on him and able to look at it for a bit, but that did not stop you from blowing up his texts. Nothing outrageous or upset, but a lot of spammed questions and confusion got the message across pretty well. It was the least you could do.
Reeling from the overwhelming knowledge of your boyfriend's look, you decided to put your phone down and get back to cooking. You had to take your mind off of it or you might go insane.
The whole time, all you could think about was him. How drastic it was, how hot he looked, the whole bit. Hwang Hyunjin was taking up your entire mind.
Any task that you tried to do seemed impossible to entirely focus on. Every moment had you wanting to grab your phone and scroll, finding every possible photo of him. Hyunjin being a world-famous idol did not make this any easier.
Giving in, you resigned to doom scrolling. If you weren't able to focus, you wouldn't get anything done. Might as well just drool over how good he looks, you thought.
When he finally got done with the show, he was able to text you back briefly. He returned your texts with spam of his own, a bunch of apologies and letting you know when he'd be back.
Waiting for him to come home seemed impossible. The performance that the group gave was phenomenal as always. However, nothing could prepare you for seeing the look in person. Time passed dreadfully slow.
As you had finished up dinner, you heard the door swing open. You turned around to see Hyunjin out of breath. He waved to you, a shy smile on his face as he hung up his coat and took off his shoes. He approached slowly, looking uncertain.
"Do you... like it?" He finally asked, his voice shaky and small.
Staring at him for a few seconds, you smiled and nodded. "Of course I do, but why didn't you tell me?"
"It was supposed to be a surprise! A Christmas gift, you know?" Hyunjin tried to explain, breathing still heavy from running, "I thought it was a really big change, and I was worried you'd say no."
You looked at him incredulously. "Why would I say no to you wanting to try something new?"
"I... don't know." Hyunjin climbed into a chair, tilting his head back and closing his eyes as he fully caught his breath.
You watched him for a few moments, quietly observing his new look for yourself. He looked stunning, his sharp features accentuated by the new hair and the piercings grabbing your eye.
Although, you had something on your mind. "Oh, your poor hair," You lamented jokingly, "If you had warned me, I would've cherished it more if I knew it was the last time I'd see it."
"Aish, you'll see it again," Hyunjin groaned, standing up and looking at you, "Just not for a while."
"You better grow it back out," You retorted, walking over and running your fingers through his soft, short hair.
Hyunjin grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "We'll see."
"Hwang Hyunjin."
"Okay, okay, sorry."
As you plated your dinner with him, you looked over and snickered. "God, you really do look like a chestnut. Changbin was right."
"What did he call me?" Hyunjin scoffed, "I'm not a chestnut."
"Chestnut, dumpling, flour boy. You're becoming the real grocery list."
"I am not!"
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stardustandash · 4 hours ago
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How many fics have you worked on since January?
Worked on about 55? I think? Its hard to calculate as I posted whumptober and febuwhump as individual stories but they exist in one doc each on my computer. I've worked on 6 fics that are either as of yet unposted, unprinted in a zine, or just lost unfinished limbo (I need to work on my merrin-focused post nur fic omg)
2. What’s something new that you tried in a fic this year?
I guess I've tried to play more with present vs past tense, and finishing multichapter fics before posting. Did try out a time loop for the first time during whumptober and had fun with that!
3. What piece of media inspired you the most? (This can be the fandom you wrote the most for, the one that spawned the most ideas, the one you thought about the most, etc.)
I feel like Star Wars is the pretty obvious answer, though right at the end of the year here comes Dragon Age with a steel chair after 4 years of not really being involved in the fandom
4. How many fandoms did you write for this year?
Seven, I think! Jedi Fallen Order & Survivor, The Bad Batch, Dragon Age Inquisition & Veilguard, FFXV, FFXVI, Horizon Zero Dawn & Forbidden West, and Twisted Wonderland
5. What ships captured your heart?
As a gen writer its rare for ships to catch me, but thank you Veilguard for giving me Rook x Harding, and M!Rook x Emmrich. (Not a fan of F!Rook x Emmrich sorry yall)
7. What characters captured your heart?
As always Cal remains number 1 in my heart. I love him so much, along with the whole Mantis crew <3 For new this year, I am bewitched body and soul by the Veilguard crew. The writers were cooking with all of them, they're all amazing!!
8. Did you write for any new fandoms or ships this year?
...Does Veilguard count lol? For new fandoms I wrote one FFXVI fic early in the year.
I've got two fics for Rook x Harding and one wip for Rook x Emmrich as new ships!
9. What fic meant the most to you to write?
That's a hard question!! I think I poured a lot of my own personal emotional anguish into a lot of the fics I wrote this year. It's been a rough year for many reasons, and writing out all that angsty hurt/comfort helped a lot
10. What fic made you feel the happiest to work on?
I think finishing 'what makes a family' was honestly one of the best feelings ever! And the fact that I still get comments on it from time to time about people binge-reading it.
11. What fic was the most satisfying to finish writing?
I guess I could go with the above, but actually completing whumptober was pretty satisfying.
12. What fic was the most difficult to write?
'i do not love the bright sword for its sharpness' is at the top of this pile. i think about it constantly but actually writing it is proving super difficult, and it remains unfinished...
13. What fic was the easiest to write?
The one for the Pabu Days zine!! I wrote the first draft in just over an hour, and it was about 1k too many words lol
14. What were your shortest and longest fics posted this year?
of the ones written entirely in this year, 'take a breath before the plunge' wins with its 11k words. If we count just completed this year, 'what makes a family' wins at just shy of 70k
The shortest was one of the whumptober fics, 'where flesh and metal meet'
15. What were your go-to writing songs?
The Horizon games' soundtracks! Less of a song list, but there's too many to put in here.
What was the hardest fic to title?
...all of them. Titling things is the hardest part of writing fics
16. What's your favorite title of the year?
Love and Blood Both Run Red, or maybe Cold But For Your Company
17. Share your favorite opening line
In some way, Tech thinks, it is poetic to die for his family.
From here, at the bottom
18. Share your favorite ending line
He turned, and came face to face with a skull staring back at him. There were holes through the skull, and though everything had been decayed by time, Cal could still see that the skeleton wore Jedi robes.
From then there was nothing
19. Share your favorite piece of dialogue
ooh i don't know! If its humorous then assume its one of my favourites
20. Share your funniest line
see above
21. What's something that surprised you while you were working on a fic? Did it change the story?
I think being able to slip back into old fandoms and characters for whumptober was a surprise. it didn't change the story but it was surprisingly quick to get back into things i hadn't touched in years
22. What writing programs did you use? Did you write by hand?
I use microsoft word for all my fics. which isn't great for longform fic and probably why i don't write too much of it
23. If you had to choose one, what was THE most satisfying writing moment of your year?
Again, actually managing to complete whumptober felt really good!! I've never managed to finish a writing challenge like that so it was a really proud moment
24. Did you do anything special to celebrate finishing a fic?
I don't think I've ever done anything?? Though I am thinking about starting a lil scrapbook of comments or smth like that
25. How did you recharge between fics?
what is this recharge you speak of? I am either possessed by ideas that demand attention or left in a drought of creativity
26. Did you create fanworks other than fic?
I do playlists for myself sometimes. I have ones for Cal, Crosshair, and Omega right now. I constantly wish i had the patience to improve my art skills to do fanart
27. How many events did you take part in? (bangs, exchanges, ship weeks, zines, prompt memes, they all count!)
4 if you count febuwhump and whumptober. I'm in a Bad Batch zine that's in preorders right now - Pabu Days, and participating in a fic/art exchange for new years for Twisted Wonderland
28. If this were an awards show, who would you thank?
firstly I'd like to thank my cat for being the one to hear me talk out plot points and details. I'd also like to thank @pennflinn and @breakfastteatime for being both supportive of all my j:fo fics as well as being inspirations themselves in that fandom! And the whole j:fo fandom at large for being awesome and supportive of each other's works. And I need to mention @fanfoolishness for joining me in not one, not two, but THREE! fandoms here!! As well, shoutout to @shadowcrow for yelling on my rook x harding fics! it's a small corner of the fandom but at least it's got you there!
29. What's left on your to-do list for 2024?
Finish this fic for the new years exchange, and get another chapter of Blood and Love Both Run Red up! Though it may only be one of those that happens...
30. What would you like to write next year?
I wanna finish bright sword and get that post nur Merrin fic postable! And since I'm currently consumed by Veilguard I wanna write more of that next year too!
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A slightly revised version of last year's questions! Two ways to play: Reblog and have your followers send you numbers, or answer the whole list!
How many fics have you worked on since January?
What’s something new that you tried in a fic this year?
What piece of media inspired you the most? (This can be the fandom you wrote the most for, the one that spawned the most ideas, the one you thought about the most, etc.)
How many fandoms did you write for this year?
What ships captured your heart?
What characters captured your heart?
Did you write for any new fandoms or ships this year?
What fic meant the most to you to write?
What fic made you feel the happiest to work on?
What fic was the most satisfying to finish writing?
What fic was the most difficult to write?
What fic was the easiest to write?
What were your shortest and longest fics posted this year?
What were your go-to writing songs?
What was the hardest fic to title?
What's your favorite title of the year?
Share your favorite opening line
Share your favorite ending line
Share your favorite piece of dialogue
Share your funniest line
What's something that surprised you while you were working on a fic? Did it change the story?
What writing programs did you use? Did you write by hand?
If you had to choose one, what was THE most satisfying writing moment of your year?
Did you do anything special to celebrate finishing a fic?
How did you recharge between fics?
Did you create fanworks other than fic?
How many events did you take part in? (bangs, exchanges, ship weeks, zines, prompt memes, they all count!)
If this were an awards show, who would you thank?
What's left on your to-do list for 2024?
What would you like to write next year?
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sp0o0kylights · 1 day ago
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Part One
A large part of the Steve Harrington lore was that he left his throne, his popularity, childhood best friends behind--for Nancy Wheeler. 
This was a lie. 
It wasn’t even one he encouraged--and Steve had done some damage control in the aftermath of that whole thing with the tunnels. 
He volunteered, dropped hints to the right crowd. 
It took time, but eventually, his insistence that he’d changed, left his old crew behind to become a better version of himself, began to stick.
Or at least it did with the people who mattered.  
It took Starcourt for him to realize that wasn’t really the truth either. 
Steve did want to be a better person. He was working actively on being a better person. 
But…
(But he still heard screams from a bus in the junkyard when he slept. Felt fear lick down his spine as he charged in, knowing he was the only thing standing between three dumb kids and a painful, shitty death. 
But he still heard Dustin, full of conviction, tell his friends that Steve was the only person he could find. 
But now he had a “bad” shoulder, a “twinge” in his ribs, and a head that was plagued by migraines, all of which made him look in the mirror and ask himself “What if I hadn’t gone with them?) 
…you couldn’t be there for someone, couldn’t protect someone, if you were too busy playing high school bullies with your friends. 
Robin would likely argue these were simply the reasons he wanted to be a better person, but Robin now ranked as one of Steve’s top 10 personal regrets--even if he was pretty sure they’d become best friends.
Because Steve was the oldest. He’d graduated high school for fucks sake, he should have shut Dustin down the second he realized what was happening was legitimate. 
He absolutely should not have let Robin get involved and Erica--
He can’t even really think about Erica, no matter how much Erica herself argues elsewise. 
At the very least, Steve can admit to himself he protected them in the end. 
Got beat to shit and had to fake his death alongside Hopper to do it, but they all got out. 
Alive.
Unscathed.
Hopefully to put this whole fucking thing past them once Owens finished cleaning house in the government. 
Unfortunately life--and Eddie fucking Munson--was not ready to put anything to rest. 
Munson in fact, seemed hellbent on disturbing what he could--and Steve, wholly haunted by the fact the kids always came to him, couldn’t let him do it alone.
At least, he thought with grim distaste, as he followed Munson’s weaving path to the ruins of Starcout,  he was getting his car out of it. 
xXx
Uncanny valley doesn’t do Steve’s feelings justice. 
Starcourt was laid out in a giant L, and coming at it from the outer edges like he and Munson did means everything looks disturbingly normal. 
Off putting, if only because it’s 10 in the morning and not a soul is in the mall, but otherwise? 
Like nothing ever went wrong.
As they move closer to the center, things begin to unravel. 
It’s not noticeable at first. Not unless you’re looking. The litter on the floor, the little piles of weird looking debris. 
The stains.
Nothing that outwardly screams “something horrible happened here” but it's coming--and though Munson is creeping along just as quietly as Steve is, he knows the guy isn’t on edge in the same way. 
Why would he be? Nothing Steve said had managed to deter him, and given Steve can’t exactly explain what happened or why he’s playing possum, Munson was plenty confident about going forward with his little B&E. 
At least not until they finally turn the corner, and the destruction hits them full force. 
Glass and chunks of plaster cover the ground like confetti. Lights hang sideways or lay smashed on the floor, as do pieces of doors (and railings and half of the entire upper floor.) 
The place looks like something out of a disaster film--which Steve supposes, is exactly what it is. 
If the disaster was supernatural in nature, and also caused by a giant monster made out of the melted flesh. 
(God, his life was weird.)
“What the hell happened here?” Eddie said, eyes wide as he took in the damage. 
Steve tried to imagine what it must look like for him. Looked at the scene and tried to pretend he was someone who wasn’t in the know, who thought the mall had been destroyed by a fire and subsequent structural collapse.
Could almost convince himself one could buy it--if it weren’t for the smears of blood that still stained the floor. 
He stared at said smears, trying to match up which puddle was the one Billy died in, in comparison to all the other stains that the feds hadn’t bothered to remove. 
Recalled the way Max screamed, fighting her way towards her step-brother when he finally fell.
The yell Billy himself had let out, when he’d managed to shake off the Mindflayer, long enough to give El the time she needed. 
Steve hadn’t really thought about it until now. 
Billy’s death.
 Hadn’t really had time too, given Owens had pulled him and a handful of others out of the ambulance and forced them into hiding.
(From the fucking Russians still hanging around, apparently, though that had been Owens flimsy excuse. Murray and Hopper and long guessed it was something far closer to home. 
“You ever think about how weird that was? That Russians made it to Hawkins and no one ever noticed?” Hopper had asked, a beer in the same hand that had an IV sticking out of the back of it. “Given the lab was right across town you think they’d be watching for that kinda thing.” 
“Please Jim, I am begging you, for once, to use your head. They didn’t get here without assistance and they certainly didn’t do it without help from our own government.” Murray had scoffed in return. 
He held two lit cigarettes in his hand, and was reaching for a third.
“Why the hell would the US military let in Russians?"
“An excellent question, and I’ll return it with one of my own. If we assume we are being lied too, and all the Russians are actually gone, why would Owens still need to hide us?"
“...Fuck.”
“Fuck indeed.”)
Now, Steve found he had all the time in the world to contemplate Billy Hargrove and his mostly unnoticed possession. His supposed sacrifice. 
 Had it redeemed him, the way movies and TV shows always said that kind of death, did? 
Steve imagined the sneered grin on Billy’s face that night at the Byers. Felt phantom knuckles brush across his face, the fury that had ignited within him when Billy hadn’t gone for him, but for Lucas.
Compared it to his own fight with Jonathan in ‘82. 
The words he’d allowed Tommy to spray upon the theater sign regarding his own girlfriend. The camera he’d destroyed. 
The demogorgon in the Byers house, lights flashing as it tore through the wall. 
If things had been different, if Steve hadn’t survived back then--would people wonder the same things about him? Would they ask themselves if his sacrifice was worth it--if it proved he was a good person, under it all? 
“Harrington?” 
Steve jumped, startling when Munson nudged him. 
“You good, man?” He asked, and Steve almost laughed at him because no, he definitely was not good. 
He can’t say that though, and so he does what he always does. Shoves the thoughts down, puts the feelings back inside a box in his mind. 
Lies. 
“Yeah--fine.” He said, brushing off his staring. “Come on, Scoops is that way.” 
He gestures, ignoring the concerned look that’s overtaken Munson’s face. 
Panicking he knows, will not get his keys back, and neither will it help him learn what idiot is poking around the Upside Down this time. 
Because for all of Murray's conspiracies, he doesn’t actually think the feds are Munson’s benefactor. Owens had been inclined to agree, when Steve first reported this entire situation back. 
It’s definitely not his parents, who are conveniently overseas in London. 
That leaves very little options, including a disturbing possibility of a new player to the game, and given all the green goo Steve had seen, the way they all know it does--something, to help power the gate... 
It’d be nice to get ahead of things for once, instead of scrambling to catch up. 
(Screw Hopper and Owens and everyone who told Steve to stay out of it.
He knew damn well Munson wouldn’t listen to his warnings. 
Wouldn’t back off and definitely wouldn’t leave it alone.
Hopper’s half-delirious (and morphine fueled) rants about this finally being a wakeup call for Munson if he didn’t listen wasn’t going to make up for the blood on Steve's hands if the guy went in there without him and died. ) 
Walking through Scoop's is almost more unnerving than walking through the mall itself. Likely because Steve spent time here, and seeing it in it's destroyed state--lights off, ice cream melted and fouling the air with the a rancid stench do him no favors.
The You Suck board is laying haphazardly on the floor.
Steve forces himself to walk by it, and breathes only through his mouth.
“Your locker, my liege!” Munson crows as they enter the back part of Scoop’s, throwing out an arm at it like he’s presenting a game show prize. “Shall we see if the treasure we seek is behind door number one?” 
Steve rolls his eyes, but remains quiet as he steps up and enters his combination. 
It swings open as easily as it ever had, and there, hanging from the crooked hook, is the car keys Steve is so desperately after. 
Munson throws his hands in the air, like Steve’s just shot the winning basket of a game. 
“Score!” He yells, and Steve grins reflexively even as he shushes him. 
“Now," Munson says dramatically, "the hunt begins for our second prize.”
Steve rolls his eyes.
“I told you I don’t have a class ring.” 
“And yet they have me searching for one anyway.” Like a hound zeroing in on a trail, he immediately orients to the back of Scoop’s, waltzing through to the backrooms like this was everyday for him.
Given his confusing and handwaved excuse of how he got involved in this, Steve suppose it could be. 
(He had decided, sometime between the first and fifth time he’d tried to get Eddie to explain how, exactly he’d been roped into this little mission, that the man could never meet Dustin.
Henderson was already too good at steamrolling over Steve, explaining nothing other than the facts that would force them all to do what the little shit wanted, all the while leading them further into trouble.
He didn’t need to befriend someone like Munson, whose mastery of the same bullshit had him doing, well.
This.) 
To the end of the hall Eddie skipped, and Steve kept his eyes on his jacket. Some sort of demon thing was posed on the back, a shirt that had been ripped up and resewn to be a backpatch. 
It was better than looking at anything else back here.
It took them no time at all to reach their destination. 
The door down had a shiny new lock on it. A big thing, with chains so thick Steve briefly wondered if they were worried about containment. 
Had they pulled something through the gate, before it had exploded?
The base was large--larger than Steve had seen, and he'd passed room after room when running around down there.
No one had the time to explore, and one would assume any and all monsters had been removed from the premise but there was always that little tickling feeling.
The one that chanted 'What if...'
Unfortunately, the lock did nothing to detour this little jaunt. 
Munson dropped to his knees in front of a door, hair pin in hand. He fiddled with the lock for a moment and Steve took it to visualize how different things might have been if the older teen had been there with them. 
How much easier some of it would have been. 
(Not that Steve wanted to involve anyone else in this mess.
He'd carry the guilt of dragging Erica and Robin both into it for the rest of his life, not matter what either had to say about the matter. Dustin he knew he couldn't stop, but then, Steve doubted they'd have even made it that far without the girls.)
A click sounded, and Eddie looked up, eyes bright with a wild grin on his face. 
“Open sesame.” He purred as he stood, the door opening under his hands. He pushed on it, revealing the dark gaping maw of a stairwell.
Dread hit Steve like a wave.
“We shouldn’t go down there.” He said.
They had already had this conversation, but Steve felt the overwhelming urge to revisit it on grounds that he still isn’t sure how exactly, Munson got him to agree to come in the first place, and also, now that he was thinking of it, because the guy reminded him of Dustin.
“We shouldn’t be here at all.” Munson countered, springing back to his feet. “But some of us need this little thing called money.”
He rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, as if Steve needed the extra visual.
“If you’re giving me the car--and the car keys--what's the point of going after the ring?” Steve tried, staring down the stairwell before him. “Aren’t they gonna like, not pay you for not finding anything?”
Munson made a dismissive noise, waving his hands in the air like he was dispersing smoke. 
“Eddie.” Steve said, and knew by the way Munson looked at him that the use of his first name hit as intended. “I mean it, man.” 
There was no point in going through with the rest of it. No point at all.
“And I told you I was given a side mission to my main mission, and a little industry secret for ya here Harrington,"
Steve watched as cheshire-cat like grin lit up Munson’s face, in a way eerie similar to Dustin’s gummy smile. "the side missions always pay more.” 
“What's under there isn’t--this isn’t--it’s not safe.” Steve fired back, hating how he fumbled the words, like a ball slipping through his hands. 
Munson scoffed.
“Life ain’t safe.”  
“This is different.” He tried to argue and hated how stubborn Munson was being about this.
It almost made him feel bad about all the time’s Robin had protested. 
(Idly Steve wondered if this was how she felt. Like she was getting dragged along--like she had to go. 
Did her insides feel scooped out? Stomach hollow and head hurting?
Or had the excitement blinded her too much to feel the way the walls seemed to press in?)
Steve’s gut clenched with worry, and he shook his head to clear the anxiety.
Met Munson's gaze and desperately thought of something to say to convince him to walk away.
Some of that must have bled onto his face, because Munson was giving him an odd, searching look.
“I’ll make you a deal, Steve-O." He said. "You give me two good reasons why we shouldn’t go down there, and if they’re really convincing, I might agree to skip it.” 
“I signed NDAs.” Steve sighed, because this was an argument they’d also already had. 
Twice in fact--once, when Eddie first found him, alive and very much not dead as reported, and the second time when he approached Steve with his “retrieval project.” 
(Both times at the goddamn gas station, which Steve would now be avoiding for life.) 
On eyebrow raised. “Over a mallfire?” 
“I think,” Steve said dryly, gesturing around to the destruction that surrounded them, “that you’ve figured out it wasn’t a mallfire.” 
Technically he wasn't even supposed to say that, but then, Steve had long stopped caring if he actually broke the stupid thing.
The real issue was that the story sounded like something out of a bad horror film--fake and ridiculous. If he tried to explain it, Munson would assume Steve had finally cracked.
Or, more likely, decide he was being made fun of, and react accordingly.
(They couldn't afford to fight here, and neither did Steve want Munson storming off.)
“Well duh. But then, you’re the one who won’t say what really happened here.” Munson waggled his eyebrows in a way that was so cartoony Steve was mildly impressed a person could pull it off. 
He sighed a second time. 
“You wouldn’t believe me.”
“You keep saying that and you keep not trying me.” Eddie leaned against the door frame. “Come on Harrington. Two reasons.”
Steve tried.
Ran through what might convince Munson to leave it all alone. 
Figured the guy was kind of like Dustin, in that he couldn’t be too vague (because it would just intrigue him) and he couldn’t be too honest (because any idiot could see Munson would be all over some kind of government conspiracy.) 
“The fact the building might pancake on us at any moment isn't enough?" He asked, unsure if sounding desperate was the right move here (an equally unsure if he could hide it if it was.)
He’d hadn’t tried this route before--hadn’t thought Munson would go for it. 
Not when he'd waived off every other attempt Steve could think of, to stop this.
“Nah, I trust my source, this place will hold.” Munson leaned forward, deep into Steve’s space and though Steve waivered back, he let the older teen get close. “You’ve been off ever since we came in here, Harrington. I want to know why.” 
“I was in the fire. Munson. I did almost die."
He still had a bruise left to prove it.
"That ain't it and you know it."
"I don't know what else to tell you then." Steve said, angry. why was the guy making this so hard? Why couldn't he just fucking listen!?
“Not even two reasons?”
“There’s not--” Steve closed his eyes, frustrated. “I’ve given you far more than two reasons!” 
“Not any good ones.” 
“I don’t know what you want from me. "Steve admitted finally. "because I told you, you wouldn’t believe the rest of it--” 
Munson didn't let his rant pick up steam. instead he pulled himself back, interrupting Steve.
“Then down the rabbit hole we go, Alice!”
Quick as a flash he was  down the stairs and Steve bit back a curse as he rushed to follow.
“Munson--come on, wait!” He yelled back.
Eddie, of course, did no such thing. 
It took everything he had in him to rush after, but Steve did it anyway.
What else was he good for?
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glowing-doodles · 1 day ago
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Trust me, bro. This portal is a great idea and will have NO consequences EVER!!!!!
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star-suh · 3 days ago
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Movie Night and We’re Not Watching the Movie but is Still a Movie Night
Seok Matthew x Male Reader
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cw: dom top matthew, degradation, sweat, spit, bareback, hole slapping, fingering, rimjob, facesitting, breeding, feminization, chest play, musk kink, impregnation kink.
an: if i took a shot every time i wrote matthew/matt in this fic i would’ve already died of an ethylic coma or wtv that’s called.
matthew is hosting a movie night with all his friends, they were planning to watch a horror movie, after all halloween is just weeks away. due to some inconveniences only yn showed up at the front door of matthew’s apartment. “did i come too early?” an oblivious yn asks, “not really, the others have to stay in their jobs or do some other important things.. so it’s just you and me tonight”. “ok” yn step inside the other’s house and plop himself down on the coach in front of the big tv waiting for matthew to arrive with food and drinks.
“no no no no don’t go there!!” yelled yn grabbing matthew’s arm as if it was some mystic shield to protect him from the evil spirits of the movie. this action drew a smile from matthew who kept on eating the popcorn. “you are a scaredy cat, why did you even accept a horror movie if you don’t like them?” matthew blurted out, receiving a punch from the aforementioned, “horror movies are best if you watch them in company” and as he finishes his phrase a loud bang was heard on the house causing both men to jump in surprise and hug each other in fear, “what was that?” yn questions, “i don’t know” matthew answers, “let’s find it out” he adds.
after walking around the living room in tippy toes they find out what the sound was, the ac just broke and stopped working, “oh my god. not now please” matthew hit the device multiple times hoping that it could go back to work again, “matthew it's no use in doing that. you have to wait tomorrow so the technician could come and fix it” yn says grabbing matt’s shoulder.
they decided to watch the movie till the end but the heat was getting uncomfortable, “is night now but it's still hot, what the hell” yn spoke, fanning himself with his hand. “yeah” matthew did the same but with his tank top, “is so annoying” immediately afterwards he gets rid of the piece of clothing, remaining shirtless on the sofa besides yn while using the clothing to cool himself down a bit. this took yn by surprise who couldn't help to glance at certain occasions at the other’s sculpted body. his big sweaty arms touching his, his sweaty tits sitting pretty there and his toned abs with beads of sweat rolling down to his crotch area. “fuck” matthew says out of nowhere, clearly annoyed, “this fucking hot is getting on my fucking nerves”. “woah buddy what was that, angry much?” yn says. “shut up, i don't like being all sweaty and sticky” matthew wipes the sweat off of his forehead and slicks back his hair so it won't stick on the already wiped out surface. “you look sexy tho” seconds later yn realized what he just said when matthew looked directly into his eyes, “did i say that out loud?” he asks, embarrassment present in his tone. matthew just nods, “oh” is the only thing that comes out of his mouth.
“well, who would've thought you were a slut yn” matthew says, breaking eye contact and looking towards the screen, “what?” something inside yn lits up, why did he like being called a slut? is it because such a hot man said it?. “we're here watching a movie and enduring this heat and the only thing that crosses your mind is my body. you're a slut” he remarks. “well damn, sorry for speaking my mind” he replied turning his head to the side to not look at matthew, “you know what's the worst?” the other guy asks, grabbing yn by the chin and turning his head so they can make eye contact again, “you liked it. i saw your blushed cheeks. you can deny it but your body is betraying you” matthew gently pats yn’s bulge with his index finger “didn't know you were into that. slut” he whispered that last word near yn’s ear. god, yn swear he could've cum right at the spot by just that word, seeing this side of matthew lit a fire inside yn, something that till now only matthew has been capable of doing.
“what the” yn mutters embarrassed, “ma-matthew wait it’s not what it looks like”. “cut it. i know what you are” matthew sexily cups one of his tits with his hands “and i know what you deserve”.
matthew was the first one to attack, latching his lips on yn’s, kissing him passionately, with hunger, his tongue dominating the other’s, saliva spilling out of their mouths. the messiest kiss they probably had in their lives. “matt-” yn tried to stop him but he couldn’t, his cheeks painted in a bright pink hue. “what happened to the whore of before? too much to handle?” matt questions, “typical sluts, they go out whoring themselves out but when they finally get some dick they back out like pussies” . after that matthew puts his middle and index finger on the other’s mouth, “be a good bitchboy and lick them good” meanwhile he starts to undress him by ripping his shirt and pulling out his shorts and underwear, “slutty body” he murmurs. yn gagged on matthew’s fingers, tears pooling on his eyes. he then pulls them out and yn coughs, the top lifts up the underwear barely so the bottom’s hole is uncovered, “let’s make this pussy slick”.
he firstly caresses around the ring of muscles covering in yn’s saliva, then puts the middle finger right on the hole, slapping it lightly and gently, “mmm warm pussy” he licks and smacks his lips. the first digit entered yn’s back entrance, “hngh ahhh” yn moaned, matthew brushed his lips against yn’s, the latter opened his mouth to kiss the other but matthew didn’t comply, he only teased and then put the second digit inside. “matthew too much” yn drooled, “pfft” the top replied “weak whore”, he grabbed yn by the back of his neck and pushed him against his tits, “suck them, and lick all the sweat off of them”. while yn licked those pretty manly tits matthew keeps fingering him with now 4 fingers inside. both moaned in unison, the pleasure being immeasurable already. next, matthew leaned on the coach while yn lowered himself slowly, sitting on his face. his already fingered hole clenching right away when it feels the top’s tongue barely touching it, “sensitive already?” matt laughs.
with his strong sweaty arms around yn’s hips, matthew guided him to ride his tongue, pushing him up and down with threads of saliva connecting his mouth to the other’s hole. tasting that warm sweaty pussy, “mhn i love this”,the room echoing with sloppy, gushy sounds. when yn goes up, matthew rubs his dilated hole and slap it harshly and when he goes down, the top’s tongue enters completely past the rim and wriggles inside, sending waves of pleasure throughout yn’s whole body.
yn has now completely given into pleasure and matthew’s domination, “who’s a bitchboy?” matt asks slapping the pink tip of his dick on yn’s puckered hole, “me, i’m a bitchboy” the bottom replies and is rewarded with matthew putting his dick inside all at once, “yeahh” they both say in unison, yn rolled his eyes back. “you like this, don’t you, needy cockwhore?”, the other nodded. matthew rams himself inside yn, not an ounce of pity nor concern on his thrusts. “how’s my sex toy doing, want more?” matt asks, “yes please” at this point yn looks like a gooner “look at you, all dumb over my cock”.
yn loved how verbal matthew was, degrading him left and right, calling him all types of names like pathetic slut, manwhore, cockslut, sex toy, human cumdump, all of them sounding like pretty words to yn, ringing in his ears like a beautiful melody. “i wonder if they all had made it to the movie night you would be acting like a manwhore too”, he pants, “because that’s what you would like right. being passed around by everyone, you wanna be their personal fleshlight?” each word was laced with venom, even a bit of jealousy deriving into hard thrusts that made yn’s ass recoil, his legs trembling and wiggling as if they were made of jelly, making him almost incapable of maintaining his position in all fours. their passionate encounter was the only thing in their minds that they forgot about the heat, the sofa was soaked in sweat, their bodies dripping on it. each thrust splashing some of the salty beads everywhere. yn turned around to face matthew and leaned on the coach, matthew spits in between his dick and yn’s hole resuming his thrust right away, “give me some of it” yn begs, “sure” a thick thread of spit falls down matthew’s mouth right on yn’s mouth, he swallows it and sticks his tongue out, asking for more. therefore they began to spit and swallow, matthew collects saliva inside his mouth then yn opens his mouth to receive it, matthew spats and yn swallows savoring it. sometimes matthew just spits on yn’s closed mouth and they shared a sloppy kiss, when their mouths separate strings of saliva falls down their chins and onto their bodies.
yn appreciates the top’s hot body drenched in sweat that consequently drips onto the bottom’s ass and his musky scent being spreaded in the air. it’s so manly, it feels intoxicating for yn, like a drug he’s not going to be able to forget anytime soon. matthew plunges his thumb alongside his shaft on yn’s ass, “i want to break this pussy yn, make you beg for my dick, beg me to put my loads inside you”, his hands snaking around yn’s neck “tell me you wanna be my cumdump” he presses lightly around it, cutting yn’s breath support making him feel lightheaded, “yeshh pleasseee” he slurred, cockdrunked. “fill me upp.. fill your whore up with all your cum.. make me pregnant”. that was matthew’s last straw, he couldn't contain himself anymore and with an almost beastly grunt he came inside, his ass contracting while he made sure to leave the last drop secured on the other’s abused walls, “i fed your pussy with my milk” he pants, “you better not waste it, i’ll be sure to pump more inside until you are fully knocked up” he touches his lower tummy. yn happily nods ”that’s the only purpose of your whore matt, to always carry your loads” yn stands up and massage his friend’s balls, “we should buy a plug so not a single drop escapes that loose pussy” matthew proposes “and we should finish the movie too” he adds, somehow embarrassed realizing how he acted. “i’m looking forward the next movie night” yn stands up and goes to the bathroom to clean himself a little, leaving a flustered matthew sitting on the couch with his dick getting hard again after seeing his cum sliding down yn’s legs.
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enigmalea · 8 hours ago
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I absolutely do not think it's impossible for Lucanis to be a virgin, but I do understand some of the skepticism around the announcement that he's suddenly demisexual and an inexperienced virgin.
Let me preface this by saying that I am bi/pan (I don't fuss over labels) and demisexual myself. And of course, no matter what labels people share, everyone's experience is different.
I find Lucanis' writing to be pretty true to a demisexual experience (whether virgin or not) in retrospect. He doesn't seem to realize his desire until it smacks him full-force in the face and then it's overwhelming and he's not sure what to do.
None of that is part of my skepticism. My skepticism is from three things.
The Wigmaker's Job There is a passage in the Wigmaker's Job which hints, admittedly extremely vaguely that Lucanis has taken part in an orgy. (I'm using color here to separate the quote, italics are original to the piece.) Tevinter parties—especially thrown by the altus—were known for their excess. Lucanis still remembered the first gala he had attended in Minrathous. Rows and rows of tables had been overladen with jugs of wine and platters of food from all over Thedas. Retching vases were placed in corners for guests to relieve themselves if they overindulged. Prized slaves were brought out to perform. Acrobats tumbled overhead. Musicians played until their fingers blistered. While hunting his mark, Lucanis had opened the wrong door and walked into an orgy. Getting out of that had been interesting. Now, obviously, this could mean that he was getting out of the orgy without participating. But it could also be interpreted that getting away to finish his contract had required him to participate and the orgy itself was interesting.
Mary Kirby's Posts During the original promotion of Veilguard, Mary Kirby described Lucanis as a "disaster bisexual". Now, obviously, I'm aware that demisexual people can be bi/pan or hetero or gay. But the "demisexual" part typically doesn't fall within the "disaster" part of the description. And most people would assume that a "disaster bisexual" in his thirties is NOT a virgin. Very, very generously, I can see the argument that she maybe meant "disaster biromantic", because Lucanis is certainly that. But I don't think so. I think she meant "disaster bisexual."
The Timing So, where did the "Lucanis is demisexual and a virgin" come from? After the game's release, Lucanis' romance was met with a lot of criticism. It's no secret that Mary Kirby dislikes writing romances, and I think it shows in his romance. It's not necessarily bad, but it wasn't quite what people were expecting from a "disaster bisexual". So when questioned and provided an opportunity to have an explanation, "oh he's demisexual and a virgin!" She went with it.
I mean, maybe I'm wrong and it was intended all along. I kind of hope I am, because like I said, I don't necessarily dislike his romance as a demisexual one. But I absolutely 100% understand the skepticism that it was an intended representation and that Lucanis was intended to be a demisexual virgin all along. And I don't think everyone who's skeptical is acephobic or weird about an adult being a virgin.
A portion of people within this fandom are really letting their discomfort with asexual people and virginity show.
I hate to break it to you, but there are people who make it to adulthood as virgins (and it isn't inherently tied to being religious.).
I need you guys to breathe and be realistic for 5 minutes, and also realize the implications of your exclamation about how impossible you find Lucanis being a virgin is. Maybe it's not within your scope of focus, but yes, it happens.
No, I don't care that he's a Crow. He specifically tells you that seduction is Illario's thing.
Yes, you can read romance and be in love with the idea (and even long for it for yourself!) and still not take that jump.
Sex is not casual for everyone. Casual sex is not for everyone.
Please sit with that before you guffaw and call it impossible.
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daengtokki · 2 days ago
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part eight // serial killer!Kim Seungmin/afab reader
WC: 13k
RATING: mature/explicit/mdni—contains: self harm, hallucinations, monsters(?), medication mention, pregnancy, fluff...and a new OC
SYNOPSIS: Seungmin floats through life alone, haunted by his memories—keeping himself under control, and quieting his mind the only way he knows how…killing and watching the life leave his victims eyes. When you cross his path on a morning hunt, something new (something forgotten) starts to move inside of him, leading both of you on a path to confront the unspeakable past.
COMMENTS: Hi guys, I'm kinda back. I hope you all enjoy part eight! We still have a long way to go. Please reblog and help support me and my work! I love and appreciate you all very much ♡ ˎˊ˗
[ ML — DEITY MASTERLIST AND TAGLIST ]
TAGLIST: @kkamismom12 / @r0tt1n / @heluvschibi / @feckinbecky / @missystay / @seungluvr / @babrieeee / @curiouscocoabean / @feelikecinderella / @carpioassists / @soulsbbg / @san-axa0 / @vixensss / @keiizzx / @xyliskz / @reignessance / @velvetmoonlght / @ghostedgameplays
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It’s not as bad as you thought it would be. It doesn’t look quite like how it sounded when it hit the floor, but each side of the music box separated from itself on impact, and now it’s a sad shell of its former self. You can fix it, though—you have to fix it.
You lower yourself for a closer look, making sure to avoid the sparkling glass covering so much of the floor. The glimmer of something else catches your eye, so you move carefully, pinch the silver chain between your fingers, and pull it from its tiny pool of water. “Can I wear this until it’s in one piece again?”
An odd request, maybe, but Seungmin doesn’t bat an eye at it. “You wanna wear St. Michael? Are you feeling guilty again, or…” he pulls his shirt over his head, sweat soaked from his workout—disposing of the body. “Feeling the snares of the devil?”
“Should I be feeling him?” That wasn’t a yes, but you clasp it around your neck anyway.
He smiles at you and shrugs.
“You’re no devil”
“No? You’re just blinded by me. Biased.”
“True. What did you do to me?”
His face falls in confusion. “Nothing. I mean…I always wondered if—“
“Minnie, I’m joking.” But he still has that worried look in his eyes. It’s been a while since you’ve seen it. “What have you always wondered?”
Now he seems reluctant to finish. Seungmin grabs his clean towel and shorts and looks toward the door, but he turns to you again. “…if I did do something to you that night. It’s silly.”
“When I passed out?”
“When you died,” he corrects you. “You were dead, no pulse. One minute and…forty seconds.”
“You never told me that”
“I never told you how long you were gone?”
“And that I had no pulse”
He takes a few steps toward you. “No, I guess I didn’t. I thought you knew.”
Seungmin touches the medallion on your chest, examines it, avoids looking directly at you. He’s thinking, you assume, about whatever it is he believes happened when you died for one minute and forty seconds. His hands are warm on your skin, and you’re already craving his touch again, but his mind seems to be somewhere else entirely.
“I was wearing it that night. Usually, I take it off when I go to bed, but I fell asleep reading.”
“What night?” You take his hand in yours, but he slips away and starts toward the door. “Seungmin, what night?” The air starts to feel thick with tension. Seungmin’s mind still turns so quickly sometimes, but not this quickly.
“Can we talk after I shower?”
/ / /
The living room fills with the scent of almond blossom tea and Seungmin’s steamy, citrusy shower. He spent a long time in there—washing away his kill, thinking of a way to tell you his story, wondering if it’s time. It has to be. Seungmin knows you’ve earned every truth he has to give. It’s the least he can do. He stares absently at the floor with his mug cupped in both hands. “The night my mom and stepdad died.”
Your mind goes every which way, wondering what direction his story is going to go in. “They both died the same night?”
“Yes. I should have told you this when you opened up to me months ago.”
“No, not if you weren’t ready”
It feels so complicated in his head, but telling you everything takes no more than ten minutes, even through the tears that eventually start falling. And in that ten minutes, you end up on the couch, Seungmin curled up in your arms for comfort. Still, he left out a few details, like her voice starting right there in the greenhouse; his trip into the woods hoping to be taken by the thing that lived there—still lives there.
He melts into you even more. “That’s worse than I could have ever imagined, my poor sweet Minnie.”
The ground in Uljin is sour, except for where his mother rests, and everything about your visit there starts to make sense. The shed is the rotting corpse of his stepfather, and its arms still reach far enough to hurt Seungmin. The garden he and his mother created; the greenhouse, and every single everlasting flower that it holds seems to keep him here, reaching a little further and giving you who you have in your arms.
“I’m so glad you made it through.”
“Did I? Sometimes it feels like I died back there…” he stops and sniffles, wipes his cheeks, “in the woods.”
“You didn’t. You’re here with me, like you’re supposed to be.”
Seungmin is exhausted, physically and mentally. His eyes close, and his body relaxes as he puts his arms around you again.
“The woods where he left you. The same ones from your dream last night?”
He mumbles a yes.
“The ones we drove through…I didn’t like those woods”
“There’s nothing to like about them”
“They felt haunted”
“That’s one way of describing it. They were like that long before I put him the ground, and now it’s worse. The dirt he’s decaying in hates me just as much as he did.”
“He’s still there? Is she?”
A long blank stare, followed by a slow nod. “Yes.” Seungmin looks at you, still so full of secrets, but he’s running out of energy to keep going.
“What did the rest of your family think happened?”
“That he killed her, and disappeared”
Now it’s your turn to close your eyes and relax in his embrace. Just learning about his past is tiring, and overwhelming. How could a nine year old come out of that? Seungmin did, but it damaged him so severely he can no longer live a normal life.
“I was sick before any of that happened, though,” he starts again. “Umma knew I was seeing and hearings, but she didn’t know what to do, except give me this…” He touches the necklace again, presses his lips to your chest, “and pray, read to me, surround me with flowers. But I was so much worse after he left me in the woods. And he didn't believe I needed a doctor."
For the first time in a long time, you’re lost for words. There’s not much you can say right now to bring him the comfort he needs, but your touch might help. You kiss his forehead, and rub his back until he lifts his head to look at you. He just stares, searching your face for something; waiting for more, maybe. Does he still think the things he tells you will scare you off?
“It’s genetic, isn’t it?” He asks.
“Yeah, I think so”
“So…the chances of one of them being sick—”
You knead your fingers into his neck and squeeze before he finishes. If only you could make this one worry go away. “They’ll be okay. We’ll worry about that when…if…the time comes.”
“Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“You’ve been seeing things, too. Has that ever happened before?”
“No”
/ / /
Why are you seeing things? The thought hadn’t occurred to you until now, because everything from the last several months has been some level of strange. The dreams felt like dreams, even after you discovered they were echoes of Seungmin’s nightmares, and even how easy and beautiful it felt to fall for him didn’t seem unusual. The truth is, that’s never happened to you...nobody has ever been as close to you as he is. The connection is preternatural. If there were ever time to use that word, this is it. “No, I’ve never even seen a ghost. Seeing that dog under the bed is the first time something like that has happened.”
“So, maybe it was really there”
You shake your head. “If so, it had to have slipped into a tear in the fabric of space…a wormhole. Or it’s just magic.”
“Like Bulgae”
“Bulgae?”
“Mm, they’re just mythical creatures, a fairytale I guess. The fire dogs that chase…oh,” he rubs his chin with his knuckles, and his eyes wonder around the room. They land on the window, where the quarter moon stares in. “They chase the sun and the moon. Do you think there’s a tear in space under my bed?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised, Minnie”
“Are you up for a long drive tomorrow?”
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Seungmin doesn’t like going home—you assume, and he doesn’t pretend it’s easy. He does it as if it’s a necessary pilgrimage to a partially sacred place. He has to fight through the oppressive evil to get to the little bit of warmth still existing there, and he’s succeeded every time so far. But this is only your second time accompanying him.
“You can sleep if you’re comfortable,” his fingers run down your arm and wrap around your wrist. “I can see how tired you are.”
Yesterday was exhausting, and your dreams kept you up most of the night. The dog returned, just the white one, but it didn’t try to hurt you. It didn’t even look at you. You watched it from the balcony as it struggled to reach what you assume was some representation of the moon; a glowing blue sphere in the middle of the city, far too low to be any celestial body. Upon waking up, you decided it had been the weirdest dream you’ve had in a long list of weird dreams.
“Okay.” You don’t fight him, or the overwhelming urge to close your burning eyes. “I’ll try.”
When you wake, the car is parked, and you’re alone. Seungmin kept the engine running, the music low, and the doors locked, and when he returns several minutes later, you’re already sound asleep again. He gets in as quietly and gently as possible with the bag full of snacks he’s hoping you’ll like, but for now, he’s happy to see you sleeping so soundly. And that’s what he does for a little while longer—he watches you, listens to you breathing, and wonders if you’re in the middle of a dream. He hopes not. Or if you are, it’s a good one. Neither of you seem to have much luck with that.
You groan and shift, and Seungmin can’t help but reach out for you. He swipes his fingertips across your forehead, tucks some hair behind your ear.
“Where are we?”
“Almost there”
“Did you get me something?” Seungmin digs around in the bag and holds it out for you. “Oh a triangle, thank you!”
“Mhm, if you eat two you can have your cookies”
“Did you get yourself something besides coffee?”
“I’m not very hungry”
When he eats, he eats well, but sometimes he goes far too long without. “You didn’t eat before we left.” You don’t push it, though. The trip might be the reason for his lack of appetite, so the sooner you start heading home, the better. “Do you wanna bite? Just a little one.” Seungmin watches you unwrap it, and when you hold it up to his lips, he opens up and takes a much bigger bite than you expect. “Good boy."
He stops chewing, and a slow smile starts to appear. “Hm?”
“Oh…uhm”
He covers his mouth as he finishes chewing and swallowing, but as soon as it’s down, he laughs softly behind his hand. “Say it again.” Seungmin leans forward and takes another bite.
“Good…” you kiss the top of his head, and he laughs despite his mouthful of tuna and rice, “good boy.”
“Thank you,” he washes it down with his coffee and points to the remaining piece, “your turn, both of them.“
“Can I have a sip of your coffee?”
Seungmin smiles again, pretends to think…he never actually says no to you. “Yeah, one little sip.”
The road you’re on isn’t one you recognize, but the trees and hills are very much what you remember from your December trip. It’s so much different now—it’s brighter, and more colorful. The blue sky makes everything look bigger, and much less claustrophobic, and you hope seeing it like this is a little easier on him. Flowers are blooming all over the sides of the roads, and at the edge of the woods you pass; in gardens and open fields. His backyard will at least be dry and warm this time around. The forest is no different. It’s oppressive and dark. Eerily quiet, except for a few bugs chirping in the darkest corners. You roll down the window and smell the air, and you decide it might be the only nice thing about it.
“What was that?” You turn the volume down on the radio and listen again.
“I didn’t hear anything”
You wonder if he did, and he’s just pretending he didn’t. “That…” An unmistakable rumble, like the echo of a car engine in the distance, but not quite. It cuts out abruptly, and that’s the last time you hear it. When you look at him again, his face is blank, and maybe a little bit pale, so you drop it.
When you finally, truly arrive, you’re not sure if the car will actually make it up the slight incline to park next to the house. It’s not dry at all. The surrounding area is still covered in a wet muddy mess, almost as bad as it was in December…but somehow, Seungmin makes it.
“You okay?”
“Huh…oh yeah, I’m good. Just not wearing the right shoes for this.”
“Most of the area stays pretty nasty until the snowmelt dries, and then it gets muddy again as soon as the rainy season starts.”
His door pops open, “stay there.” He rounds the car and opens yours, “okay,” and kneels down.
“Minnie, I can get a little muddy”
“I know, but you don’t have to. C’mon.”
All you can picture in your head is him slipping, falling, and you going down with him, but then you remember how easily he managed this ground last time. Seungmin isn’t clumsy on his feet, only in his head, and only sometimes. He reaches back for you and wiggles his fingers. “Okay, okay. Brace yourself.”
“For what?” He grunts when you put all of your weight on his back, but he still stands without a problem. “You should be heavier than this by now, right?”
“I’ve gained eight pounds since I moved in with you”
“Do you gain less with girls, and more with boys?”
“I’m not sure, remind me to google it”
“That seems like a silly question when I say it out loud”
“It’s not. Is that what we’re having?”
“Hm?”
Maybe it was a slip-up, or maybe he’s dying to finally tell you. “Girls? Is that what we’re having?”
“I thought you didn’t wanna know”
Part of you does, especially now that you’ve started working on the nursery—just another step toward it becoming your new reality. “Do you think the tech was right about it?”
“She seemed confident, and she’s been looking at ultrasound babies for a long time.” Seungmin kneels again, and you put your feet down on the concrete walkway outside the greenhouse.
“Have you been thinking about names?”
His little smile answers for you, even though he shakes his head. “Not much…not really.”
Warm air and the heady scent of a dozen different flowers hits you when the door swings open. Your eyes water from it, but you blink it away as he grabs your hand and pulls you in with him.
“Tell me one you like”
“A name I like…hm, there is one, but it might be too…me”
“That doesn’t sound like a bad thing”
“Ha-neul”
“Haneul…it sounds nice when you say it. What does it mean?”
“Sky”
“Oh, that’s perfect. I like it, too.”
He stares at the flowers, and his grip on your fingers tightens. “I can’t think of another name to compliment it, though. So I’m not sure.”
“Maybe it’s too early for this part”
Seungmin pulls you with him toward the purple flowers, and when you’re close enough to be filled with their scent and only their scent, he lowers himself and kneels in the much dryer soil. When you don’t immediately follow, he squeezes and tugs a little harder. It still feels like an intrusion into his most personal moments, but he wants you here, so you lower yourself next to him and hold tight to his arm.
Being here now is different—she’s there, right below you, beneath the purple bushes whose roots certainly reach as deeply as she’s buried. Seungmin’s mother exists in the flowers in a way you never thought possible, and that’s why he keeps them close. This is you finally meeting her, you think.
“Umma?”
He waits, and you’re perfectly still and quiet as the moments pass. And then a few more moments. It’s getting late, so you begin to hear the growing sound of insects crying in their hiding spots, but nothing else. Eventually, too much time and silence passes, so you squeeze his hand and look at him. “Seungmin?” You can see the stain of a tear on his cheek. He’s biting down hard on his lip to keep some composure, but it isn’t working very well. “What is it?”
“She’s not answering”
“Try again…say something else”
He nods and takes a deep breath. “Umma, nae mal deullyeoyo? Please say something.” The sound of his shaking voice hurts. You know there’s still no reply, even before he releases you and spreads his palms out over the ground—what you don’t know is if this is the first time she’s been silent, and it’s not a good time to ask. If it is, you can only assume it’s because of his Haldol. Seungmin hasn’t missed a dose in over a month. It’s taken hold, and the sound of his mother’s voice is no longer there. This might not be the best side effect. “Where did you go?” He leans forward until his forehead touches the cold ground, and your hand slides beneath his shirt at the same time. It’s warm, and it’s soft, and as much as he wants to scream, your touch helps keep him calm. A slow, deep breath, and his lungs fill with the scent of earth and heliotrope. She’s still here, he thinks. “I know you’re still here.”
Your hand slides across his back until he rises again, but he’s dizzy, and a sour, nauseous feeling starts to rise in his stomach and throat. He turns and crawls away just in time. Seungmin vomits, coughs, vomits again…or tries to. Nothing comes up, but his body keeps telling him to try.
“She is, Min. Just like last time, and the time before that.”
He isn’t sure what you’re saying, but he hears your voice despite the muffled ringing in his ears. It helps. Seungmin isn’t sure he could handle the silence alone. “I’m sorry.” A fistful of dirt comes with him as he stands, and he tosses it aimlessly towards the mess. “You heard it in the woods, right? That sound.”
“The rumble?”
“Yeah…the rumble”
“What was it?”
“Something umma told me was just in my head”
If it’s in yours, too, that still doesn’t mean it’s real. Seungmin is giving you more than just his dreams.
“Maybe she’ll talk to you”
“Me? No. Why would she talk to me?”
Seungmin shrugs, but he has his reasons. “Just hoping, I guess.” He wonders if your strange connection exists in this way, even if he can no longer hear her. You’re seeing things, and you’re dreaming like him…so maybe he hasn’t completely lost his connection to his mother.
You turn away and carefully lower yourself to the ground, but you’re not prepared for this—you have enough trouble talking to tangible people in front of you. Nothing happens right away. Just the sound of the bugs, and the wind picking up and pushing against the glass panels. The sun is finally setting behind the trees, and the orange glow coming in looks like fire. “Susie, are you there? Your son wants to speak to you.” All you can hear is the sound of Seungmin sniffling and pacing behind you. “I would like to talk to you, too” The wind pushes harder against the greenhouse, and the lonely wind chime catches it and starts to sing. It slows down, and you look away for a moment to watch the tops of the trees stop swaying in the distance. “Is that you?”
“Did she…?” Seungmin asks, but a moment later, another gust hits, and a glass panel cracks from the pressure. “Oh no.” He heads for it to inspect the damage, leaving you alone with the flowers as you try with everything you have to hear something. “It might be okay,” he says, mostly to himself as his finger runs over the superficial crack. The greenhouse has survived the elements for a very long time, and one little crack is not going to bring it down.
“She loves you very much”
His arm slides around your waist, and his hand spreads out across your stomach. There’s nothing there to see yet, even with twins—but you’re much softer where his fingers knead and squeeze. “You heard her?”
Did you? You don’t remember hearing anything except the wind—no voice in your ear, or in your head, just the overwhelming desire to tell him. “I’m not sure, but…she does, Minnie. She loves you, all of you, the good and the bad.”
“I was excited to tell her about the twins”
It hadn’t occurred to you that part of this trip was to tell her the big news…that he’s going to be a father. During the first trip here, he was quietly joyous about simply not being alone, and that also just occurred to you—he was still brand new to you. His happiness is still so lost in him sometimes, buried under too much grief and damage. “Tell her...” You grab and pull him so he’s kneeling next to you, but you’re not sure if he’ll actually try to speak again. If he thinks it, that’ll be good enough.
Umma? I’m sorry I can’t hear you.
He waits again, just in case there’s an answer this time.
I’m going to be a father. Well, I guess I already am, but…they might be born in September, just like me. We’re having—oh, I can’t say it out loud. It’s still a secret.
“No, you can tell us. I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?” Seungmin whispers, and he smiles when you nod at him. You weren’t sure you’d get another one out of him for a while.
We’re having boys…identical boys, umma. I’ll be the father dad didn’t get the chance to be. I’ll make you both proud.
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The hanok, for as long as it’s been sitting here uninhabited (“fifteen years,” Seungmin tells you, “it was like everyone but me just forgot it existed.”), is still in surprisingly good shape. The outside is somewhat neglected, but it’s solid, and the inside…you weren’t expecting to see the inside, but Seungmin had the key in his never-ending collection of keys...the inside is nice, but dusty and a little damp, and it almost looks like someone still lives here. There are clean dishes sitting on the counter, like they were almost put away in the cupboard above them. The faded curtain is pulled open just enough to see down the pathway that leads to the greenhouse, and…two pairs of shoes sit neatly by the door you walked through. A pair of sneakers, and next to them, a pair of rain boots.
“Seungmin, are those…were those yours?”
He looks to the spot you’re staring at, and nods. “Yes, they were mine.”
“Can I see your bedroom?”
The afternoon sun is pouring in through his window, and even with the curtains closed, it filters in and casts a warm glow over everything. His yo, rolled up and covered; a desk still holding a stack of books; the bookshelf, and a chest you can only imagine is full of whatever this little boy liked to play with. Now you’re hit with another realization, even though you knew…he really was just a baby when this nightmare happened to him. Seungmin sat at this desk and practiced his spelling and multiplying, and in the same breath, he had to kill his stepfather to save his own life.
“I saw this in one of my dreams”
“What did you see?”
“In the park, when I first told you I was dreaming about you…one of them was this, I think. Your window, the bedroom.” Seungmin passes by and pulls at the curtains, and the light is almost too bright as your eyes adjust. “We were laying in your bed, and the sun was bright just like this, but it must have been summer. There were flowers outside, yellow and purple flowers. That was a nice dream. You kissed me before I woke up.”
“I did?” He leans in quickly and places a kiss on your lips, “like that?” He tries again when you shake your head, this time right between your eyes. “There?”
“Nope, try again”
“Hm, how about…” a soft one against your temple, but he huffs when you shake your head again. “Where does dream you want a kiss?” His eyes scan every part of you as he thinks, and eventually, he grins and goes for your neck.
“Up a little…perfect.” In your head, you’re doing your best to remember every detail of that dream, but you can’t. It’s long gone. “What was that? Thunder?”
The sun is still shining, but on closer inspection he can see the dark clouds in the distance, slowly moving above the trees. “I think so.” Seungmin forgot how oppressive the view is from here…the darkness of the forest in front of him, even in the daylight, makes him uncomfortable. “I’ll check the heat, and the water. We can spend the night if…” the rain starts almost immediately. “If that’s okay.”
“Here? I don’t mind, but only if you’re comfortable staying.”
“Yeah, it’s fine. Actually, since I met you, up until now has been the longest I’ve gone without visiting, or cleaning up. It’s hard, and as many bad memories as this place holds…it’s still all I have of her.”
“Then yeah, let’s make ourselves comfortable here and get a good nights sleep.”
Once the heat is on and moving through the floors, the house comes back to life in a whole new way—it’s warm, and it’s cozy. This, plus the few good memories…it’s easy to see why he hasn’t completely abandoned the house. Seungmin begins to hum as he walks around lighting candles, and once he’s satisfied with his placement, he turns the lights low and joins you on the doubled up mattress in the middle of the floor. “Did you have enough to eat?”
“Mhm”
“Do you need more water?”
“No, I’m good. I’m comfortable.”
He touches your neck and pulls you close for a kiss. “Warm enough?”
More of the dream comes rushing back to you. “Perfect. I’m with you, I couldn’t be better.”
“Yeah…so you still like me?”
The face you make sends him into a fit of quiet laughter, and it might be the biggest smile you’ve seen him crack since he saw the twins two weeks ago. Seungmin’s never given you a good full-body laugh. It’s a beautiful sound, and an unusual one, because it’s so new to you. You can help but laugh with him. “Yeah, I think I still like you.”
“Good. If I think too much about us only knowing each other for four months, I start to wonder—“
“Don’t wonder”
“Don’t?”
“Trust me when I say I’ve found the one. So…boys?”
He smiles just as wide again, and the sparkle in his eyes tells you everything he wants to say. “Boys.” He nods and whispers. “I hope it makes it more real for you, and you’ll be happy with so many boys running around.”
“It does, and I am. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”
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It’s too warm eventually, and when you start to kick off the fluffy blanket, you know something is missing. Your leg slides across the mattress, and your blurry eyes pop open to his empty pillow. “Minnie?” You sit up and realize just how warm the house is—you rub a hand across your chest and wipe away the sweat starting to gather there. Maybe he got up to turn the heat down, or crack a window. “Seungmin?” You know you’ll have to get up at some point, so you just get it over with now. Maybe he’s in the bathroom. Why is your heart starting to race? Nothing is happening, nothing is wrong, so stop panicking. Your feet hit the floor, and the panic gets a little bit worse. Nausea works its way through you.
The bathroom is empty, and his bedroom is, too. The only other bedroom, his mother’s, is also empty, but you weren’t expecting him to be in there. There’s nowhere else except outside, and it’s still raining. The car is there, you can see it from the kitchen window, and when you finally head for the door, you can see it hasn’t been pulled shut far enough to lock. He is outside. You open the door and look out into the dark fog. Why would he come out at this hour?
“Seungmin! Dammit, you better answer me!”
Just the patter of rain on the roof and the windows. Nothing else. You almost go for your shoes, but putting them on seems pointless. All you’ll do is ruin them, and walking around in wet, muddy shoes as you search for him sounds much less appealing than doing it in your bare feet. The first step onto the grass is unpleasant, but after a few more, it’s fine, and you walk as quickly as you can toward the greenhouse.
hey
“Minnie…Min, was that you?”
You heard it, even through the rain, but he’s not in there. Seungmin is definitely not in there, and you don’t want to get any closer than absolutely necessary. The shed looks even worse than it did last time, and just opening the door feels like it could be disastrous. A few loose nails and pieces of rotting wood in the right spots; the whole thing comes crashing down around you. But maybe that would bring Seungmin out from wherever he’s hiding. “You in there, Min?” You whisper and close the gap, reach for the chain, and pull. “Why would you be?” It creaks so painfully loud, and the inside is dark and empty, just like you expected. “Greenhouse…greenhouse.” The door slams shut as you try not to break out into a run, and every hair on your body stands up.
The greenhouse is a welcome reprieve. It’s warm inside, but just like the shed, it appears to be empty. “Fuck…Seungmin! Where are you?” You’re wet, and starting to shiver, and the mud has covered you up to your ankles already. “You’re gonna be mad at me for coming out here…but, but…”
Sweetie
You spin around, looking for whoever is clearly speaking to you. “Who’s there? Seungmin why are you doing this?”
my little boy isn’t here
“Susie?”
he doesn’t know what he does when he comes here, and he’s doing it again…my poor sweet puppy
“Where is he? Where did he go?”
the forest
“He went into the woods?” The nausea worsens when you think about him lying in a clearing somewhere, lost in the dark. “Why would he do that?”
There’s no more voice. Susie goes quiet. “Okay, I have to find him.”
How, you have no idea, but before you even attempt to walk further than the greenhouse, you run back to the house and throw open every closet. Most of them are still full of their things, so finding a raincoat is easy, and finding his mother’s rain boots is a relief after the mess you made all the way up to your knees. You clean up before slipping into them, and they fit well enough. The raincoat is a little small, but not enough to keep you from wearing it. The only light you can find is an oil lamp under the kitchen sink, not a single flashlight in any drawer…and your phone certainly won’t do any good. But it works—the oil is good, and there’s plenty of wick soaking in it, so it lights easily. “This might be my only luck tonight." The rain slows a little, and half of the sky clears up enough to see the moon and stars. It’s enough to orient yourself before they disappear again behind the trees, and a quick look at the compass on your phone is the last thing you do before silence falls around you. The trees hold up the rain, and the dense fog seems to take in everything else.
“Minnie!” Your voice falls flat—no echo. A twist of the knob raises the wick just a little, and the light intensifies.
For a while, you count your steps. Walking in a straight line is impossible, but you follow what looks like a trail the best you can, because you don’t want to think about getting lost in here without him. At one hundred steps, you stop and call for him again.
Fifty more, you call again. Everything is still eerily quiet, and if anything was walking around near you (“fuck, don’t think about that…don’t”), you’d know it. Twigs would snap, and the muddy forest floor would give almost anything away.
Fifty more steps. You set the lamp down and cup your hands around your mouth, and this time an echo moves through the trees. The rumble answers back. “No…not you.” What the hell was that? “Seungmin…please.” You force yourself further in; twenty…thirty…forty steps, and then you stop and rest on a stump. These woods are so much like the ones you walked through when you were a kid—thick, and dark, and quiet. But Mothman never got you, and whatever is living in this forest won’t get you, either. You hope. A sudden fear moves through you, though, and calling for Seungmin again seems like an invitation for something else.
I’ll just look for a while…no calling
Whatever lives here would be much deeper anyway…right? I’ve barely walked a quarter of a mile in
but I’ve been screaming for the last fifteen minutes, and if Seungmin’s in here…why IS he in here? Is he looking for something? Is he sleepwalking? No, he’s never done that before
What if this place is more than haunted, and you’re slowly slipping into some other place? What if there’s no going back after this? You’re pushed back in time again, to the dirty living room carpet and your bare feet sinking in. Dad is right behind you in his armchair, sound asleep, so you managed to swipe the tv remote from him.
You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas…
“There’s a signpost up a head…” you whisper to yourself in a strange attempt to self-soothe. "Your next stop—" You had a nightmare after watching that episode, and you remember it well. “God, maybe I've been dead this whole time.” The warmth of the medallion on your neck is suddenly very apparent, and you rub St. Michael between your fingers.
who are you?
“No, I’m not hearing anything else. Shut the fuck up.”
we don’t recognize you
“Seungmin!” You’re up and walking as fast as you can on the uneven ground, but the mud and heavy lamp are weighing you down. And then you see him. Or you see something. It moves across the trees in the shadow of your light. If it is him, he would have heard you and answered. “Hello?” Your voice shakes.
hello?
“Who’s there?”
He appears from behind a tree, and stares at you, silent.
“Seungmin…oh my god.” He doesn’t move when you run to him, and when you drop the lamp and throw your arms around him, he’s warm and still. “Minnie, baby, are you okay?” No answer, but his arms wrap around your shoulders and pull you close. “What are you doing out here? I was so scared.”
“Don’t be scared”
“Can we please go back?”
“Back?”
It takes some effort to free yourself, but you pull away and look at him. The lamplight is casting a strange shadow on his face, and now you’re back in your nightmare at the Jasmine Hotel. “Am I dreaming. Are we having a nightmare?”
“No, I’m awake”
“Can we go back?”
He takes your hand when you hold it out for him, and then he leads the way.
Seungmin is covered in mud. He’s drenched, and pale from the cold rain, but he doesn’t seem to be shivering the way that you are. His hand is warm, like he just woke up from a good sleep, and when he turns his head to look at you, he smiles.
“Why did you—“
“You must be cold, Tokki. I’ll run you a warm bath when we get back, and make you some tea.”
The walk back is quick, and he finds his way out easily. The rain passed while you searched for him, and now the sky is clear, so the light of the moon guides you the rest of the way.
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Seungmin is quiet in the kitchen, but you can hear him filling the kettle and lighting the stove, the clink of mugs, and his soft voice as he starts to sing. You wash up quickly, drain the muddy bath water and start to refill it as his voice gets closer and closer.
“You’re supposed to be relaxing in there,” he says it with a lighthearted sternness.
“I feel better. It’s your turn.”
He doesn’t fight you. Seungmin hands you your tea and starts to pull off his damp clothes. You want to question him again, but you’re not sure when to do it—after he gets comfortable in the tub, or when you get him back into bed? He might fall right to sleep once his head hits the pillow.
“What kind of tea?”
His shirt is tossed and hits the floor with a wet thud, followed by his sweatpants, and then his boxers. “Raspberry leaf, with a little bit of sugar. I know it can be a ittle bitter."
So he's in there; he remembered the tea he brought, and he remembered that you coudn't stomach it without some sugar. “Did you do that to yourself?” Two long scratches along his collarbone stick out against his pale skin. Another three run across his shoulder blades.
“You don’t have to stay with me. Get back into bed and get warm.” He lowers himself into the hot water, and lets himself sink in up to his chin.
“No…we need to talk, Seungmin”
“What do we need to talk about?”
He looks at you, and there’s nothing about him that seems defiant. The memory of what just happened might already be fading away. “Min, do you remember waking up and leaving the house? I woke up and you were gone, and I couldn’t find you anywhere. I was scared.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Sweetie. It was his mother that told you where he went. “What were you doing?”
He shakes his head, “I’m not sure.”
“You’ve done it before.”
“I have? How do you know?”
Pushing him for answers won’t help, because now you’re remembering the whispers in the greenhouse. He doesn’t know what he does when he comes here, and he’s doing it again…my poor sweet puppy. His mother spoke to you very clearly. Seungmin wanders into the woods every time he spends the night here, and he doesn’t remember doing it. He enters a dissociative fugue, and it’s continuing even with the medication. “Have you been taking your Haldol?”
“I have, I promise”
You know he has, because you’re usually with him when he does. And because her voice are gone. “I don’t know why I asked that, I know you are.”
“You shouldn’t have been out there in the rain. You could’ve gotten hurt, or lost. It’s my job to take care of you, and I failed.” Tears start to well in his eyes, and you don’t think you can stand to see him cry right now.
“But I’m okay, and you’re okay. We’re gonna get back into bed and sleep all morning, and then we’re going home.”
“Home?”
“Home”
/ / /
Another heavy storm passes through, and it keeps you up for a little while longer, but when you wake around noon, Seungmin is fast asleep next to you. Whatever he did when he disappeared into the woods exhausted him, because he never sleeps in this late. Maybe it’s this place, though, and not just his strange wandering. You need to know what happened in there, and what was going on in his head, but you don’t expect him to remember much.
“Mmm…morning,” he mumbles when you pull the blanket over his bare shoulder. The heat turned itself off while you slept, but you’re too cold to get up and fix it. Seungmin shivers a little, and you know it’s because he was too tired to find something to wear after his bath. “Cold.”
“I know, it’s cold in here…c’mere. "He moves closer and lets you wrap yourself around him. “How are you feeling?”
Seungmin groans and sighs.
“You can sleep more if you need to, or I’ll make some coffee”
“No, I’m up”
“Okay…do you remember last night, Min?”
Seungmin nods, but you have your doubts. Before the two of you even got into bed the first time, you talked. As a matter of fact, you and Seungmin talked more than usual. Not hearing his mother’s voice bothered him more than he lead you to believe at the time, and you think he may have been considering stopping his medication. He didn’t say that, but you could feel it.
“I remember, yeah. We had dinner, and we talked…we talked about names more.”
That part of the baby name conversation actually slipped your mind, but you remember now.
“Ha-neul,” he says again, because it’s still on his list. “And…”
“And something with Hwa or Hae, yeah?”
“Hae? Ha-neul and Hae…sung?”
The unexpected third part of the conversation might be the last one concerning names, at least for a while, because the way he’s looking at you is a very loud please, say yes to these. It almost makes you want to drop the questioning and return to it later.
“We’ll put those in the yes column”
But you can’t.
“Good. We can still think about it, but they do sound nice together.”
Seungmin seems happy; genuinely happy, despite how strange yesterday really was, and you hate having to ruin it. “You woke up last night…early this morning, I guess. Very early.”
“I did?”
“Yes. I woke up around two and you weren’t in bed. You weren’t anywhere in the house, or the greenhouse. Seungmin, I couldn’t find you…anywhere.”
He looks at you like you’re joking, but his face falls when he realizes you’re being very serious. “I don’t understand.” He sits up and looks down at himself, seems to realize he’s naked under the blankets, and wraps them tight around himself. “Was I sleepwalking?”
“I’m not sure, but I guess it’s possible”
“I don’t think I’ve ever done that before”
He doesn’t know what he does when he comes here, and he’s doing it again…my poor sweet puppy
“How often did you spend the night here? Before me.”
“Maybe… maybe once every month or two. Where was I?”
There is no memory of anything behind his eyes. They soften as they search yours for the answer you’re trying to give to him, and you can see the puppy coming out. “In the woods. I found you about a quarter of a mile in, soaking wet, covered in mud.”
“No, why would I do that? I don’t like going in there when it’s daytime, and last night was…”
"I know"
“Why would I do that?” He says it again, more to himself this time. “Why?” Seungmin rocks a little and takes a deep breath. “Are you sure it wasn’t a dream?”
Without another word, you rise from the bed and head for the bathroom.
“Where are you going?”
You understand his hesitancy in believing you, or believing it wasn’t just another strange dream. The whole thing being a nightmare isn’t far fetched at all, for either of you, but his muddy clothes are still on the bathroom floor. You hear him following closely behind.
“You took a bath, and we talked a little.” You show him in the clothes, and he examines them silently. “You didn’t remember anything last night, either. But you seemed fine…you made me tea, and…take that off, look at your neck.”
He pulls it down and examines himself in the mirror. “Did I do that in my sleep?”
“And your back”
The blanket drops to the floor. His scratches aren’t as red and angry as they were a few hours ago, but they broke open and bled a little in his sleep. “Looks like claw marks”
“Claw marks, from what?” From whatever made him go there in the first place. “I think you backed into a tree, Minnie…that’s all you were wearing out there.” You nod to his pile of clothes, and then occurs to you to check his t-shirt. The back of it is dirty, but that’s all—no rips, no blood. “Maybe.”
/ / /
The rain clouds are returning again, and the overcast sky is making your bad mood so much worse. You weren’t expecting the trip to go well, but this was beyond anything you could have imagined. Now you can’t help but stare off into the woods as Seungmin starts the ritual of collecting his heliotrope.
“Are you still here?” You whisper. Part of you is wondering if some of last night was a dream, or a hallucination, because the voices you heard are beginning to come back to you. All of them. “Please say something to him.” When you turn, he’s holding his arms tight against his chest, head down, as if he’s protecting himself from something. “What’s the matter, Min?”
“Nothing”
At any moment, he could break—that’s what he looks like standing there…like the last leaf preparing to fall off the tree, or a glass of water halfway off the edge of a table. One little gust of wind could topple him. So why are you hesitating to go to him? “Do you need help with anything?” You take a few slow steps toward him, but he turns away ever so slightly.
“N-no, no. I’m fine.” He bends and picks up the shears at his feet. “I’m okay.”
You catch his gaze for just a moment. His face is pale and tired, and you wish he would have slept longer. You almost want to stay another night, just not here, so he doesn’t have to drive. “Seungmin, talk to—“ You grab his elbow and make him look at you. “…me.”
“I’m sorry”
All you see is red, and you can smell it on him. “What did you do? Let me see.” The blood is coming from somewhere on his arm, but you can’t tell where. All you know is that it’s all over him, soaking the front of his shirt, starting to drip from his elbow.
“I cut too deep”
That explains his lifeless face. Everything around you is covered in dirt, so you reach into his back pocket. The embroidered handkerchief is there, like it always is. “Why’d you hurt yourself, love?” He’s had enough trauma for one trip.
“I didn’t mean to…make such a mess...ah," he winces when you push it down against the cut.
The thought of him running those shears along his skin makes you tense up. Whether he meant to cut or not, something in him wanted to put the blade on his arm in the first place. “It’s okay, baby, I’ll take care of it.” You hold as tightly as you can. "But we need to get back to the house.”
It’s start to rain again, of course, and some of the blood washes away with it, but it hasn’t stopped by the time you get to the kitchen and examine it again. Blood pools in the cleanly cut skin and slowly drips down his forearm. Seungmin watches intently, and very calmly. “I think it slowed down,” he whispers.
“Not enough. You need stitched up.”
“I’m sorry I did that in front of you.”
“In this case, I’m glad you did it in front of me so I can’t at least take care of it. Is there a first aid kit somewhere in the house?”
“Uhm, yes, I think it’s still in that top drawer,” he nods toward the kitchen sink. “But it’s old.”
Better than nothing. You wrap him back up with a clean towel, rifle through a drawer you remember from last night, and you find it all the way in the back. It’s full of the most basic things, but it’ll do for now. You clean it…Seungmin holds in a cry and stomps his feet for that, and tears run freely down his cheeks after the burning finally stops. Two rolls of gauze later, and you wonder how long the blood will take to soak through completely. “I should take you to an emergency room before we go home.”
“I don’t want to do that”
“So we’ll go after we get home. It’s one or the other, Seungmin, because you need stitches.”
“Fine, we’ll get it over with here”
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Seungmin’s mood starts to match yours, but his injury pulled you up a little—concern quickly replaced the confusion and anger, but now he’s confused and angry. You know it was intentional, but you decide to believe he didn’t mean to cut as deeply as he did, and by the time you get to a hospital, the gauze is already turning pink.
“Thank you for driving”
“Thank you for navigating”
“You did very well. I remember being here once, when I was…five or six.” He looks around the waiting room, and everything is so old, you assume it looked the same twenty years ago. “I broke a finger.” Seungmin holds up the ring finger on his right hand.
“Yeah, it looks a little crooked. Never noticed that before.”
“Kim...Kim Seungmin?”
A tall man holding a clipboard stands in the open doorway, and he looks directly at him in the crowded room. “You can follow me…both of you, if you’d like.”
Seungmin stands, hand still gripping yours. “Oh, he said you can come.”
The hallway leading to the partitioned rooms is just as aged. The colors are drab and depressing, and the smell of disinfectant almost chokes you.
“Have a seat, and I’ll take a look at this”
“Are you the doctor?” Seungmin asks, and he looks around nervously, but the man shakes his head. “Do you speak English?”
“No, I’m a nurse. And yes, I can speak English…why? Oh…” he looks at you and smiles awkwardly. And he switches easily from Korean to English. “I’m sorry, you don’t speak Korean?”
You shake your head and try not to feel like a burden.
Seungmin stretches his arm out as the nurse pulls his gloves on and slowly unwraps the bandage. “I just like her to know what’s going on.”
“Of course. Does this hurt?” He sees Seungmin wince as he gets closer to the wound. “I guess so. May I ask what happened?”
“Gardening accident. Very sharp tools.”
One last loop, and the bloody bandage is finally off of him. “Working in the greenhouse?” The cut still oozes blood, but much slower than before.
“Huh?”
“You don’t recognize me, do you?”
Seungmin looks at you, as if you have the answer for him, and then back to the nurse. “I thought you looked liked him, but it seemed impossible. You came back, Heecheol?”
The nurse nods, and his smile grows because his friend recognizes him. “You haven’t changed at all, Seungmin. Same face, same sad puppy eyes.”
You have to smile at that. Seungmin was a puppy to the people around him—at least the ones he cared about, and who cared for him in return. Before speaking again, Heecheol examines the cut with gentle hands, and then excuses himself for a moment to get a suture kit.
“You’re stitching it?”
“Yes. Unless you prefer a doctor, but they usually ask me to do them anyway.”
“When did you move back to Uljin?”
He re-gloves and opens the package before cleaning from Seungmin’s elbow to the middle of his forearm. “About a year ago. Living in the states was fine, but I think I needed a change.”
“Where did you live?” You chime in, and he gives you the same warm smile.
“Greensboro, and then Charlotte for a while”
“I can hear some accent in your English”
“I can hear yours, too…I’m guessing you weren’t far from there”
You nod and smile.
“Do you two live here in Uljin? Are you married? Oh, uhm, I’m just assuming you’re a couple. Sorry.” He focuses again, grabs the syringe full of lidocaine, and holds tight to Seungmin’s forearm. “This will pinch for a moment, but…after that it’ll feel much better.”
Seungmin nods and watches the needle slide in and out at each corner of his cut. The pinch doesn’t seem to bother him. “It’s fine. Not married, and we were just visiting. We live in Seoul.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Min. Is…Heecheol,” you have trouble with this pronunciation, but he doesn’t seem to mind, “is he the friend you told me about? The color one?”
“Yes, this is him”
“The color one?”
“What’s your favorite color?” Seungmin says, and he actually smiles. He’s smiling at him the way he does for you when he’s feeling good. “Is yours still green?”
“You remember that?”
“I remember everything. Good and bad.”
“Right, I’m so sorry about your mother, Seungmin. I didn’t even know you lost her until my mom told me last year. She moved back here after my dad died, and now I’m taking care of her. She doesn’t have much time left…”
“She's sick?”
Heecheol nods solemnly as he checks the feeling of Seungmin’s arm. “Yes, end stage heart failure.”
“I’m sorry, Cheoli”
“I’ve had time to prepare and come to terms with it, which a lot of people don’t get. I am grateful for that.”
“Do you think she would still remember me?”
“My mom loved you, and she hated pulling us apart. She would, and she would love seeing you again—I’m sorry, I’ll be right back. I need different sutures.”
Seungmin turns to you when he disappears behind the curtain, and he looks like he’s ready to burst. His eyes are wide and watery, and his cheeks are starting to turn pink.
“What are the odds we’d run into him?” You run your thumb over the scar beneath his eye and wait for a tear to fall, but nothing comes. "Even in a small town?"
“It’s strange. Today has been very strange.”
After a few moments of silence, he returns, and he looks at both of you as if he’s figuring out how the two of you found each other. And how the two of you found him. “All ready, sorry.”
“It’s okay, we’re in no rush”
His mood has changed significantly, and now he has a very big reason to stick around a little longer. This place is not good for him, but you think his friend might be enough to outweigh the bad. The three of you are silent as he very carefully closes the wound, and he’s good at it. Heecheol is focused on his task, but every few seconds, his eyes move up to look at Seungmin—they look him over as if he could disappear at any moment and he doesn’t want to forget a single detail. Just as he’s finishing up, he does it again, and this time, Seungmin looks as well.
“I know you’re numb, but does it feel okay? Any pulling?”
“No, it’s good. It’s perfect.”
“I’m going to put a second skin bandage on it, over some gauze, and you won’t even have to think about it. Just go easy for a few days…no sliders…no fastballs.”
“I haven’t thrown a baseball in ten years”
It feels like you’re intruding. You don’t need to be here listening to them remember the past, even though you want to know more about the good parts of his childhood.
“How long will you be in town?”
“Well, we planned on heading home after I got stitched up”
There’s some hesitancy in his voice, and you know Seungmin is changing his mind about going home so quickly. You have no intention of pulling them apart again because the string between them is already reconnecting. It's obvious that the same force that ties you to him ties the two of them together as well.
“Maybe I’ll catch you next time,” he says, and as much as he tries to sound like he’s fine with it, he doesn’t.
“We can stay a little longer…if that’s okay with you”
Seungmin looks at you with his big wet eyes, as if you would ever say no to him. “Of course we can."
“Shift change is in…” Heecheol looks at his watch, “an hour. If you don’t mind waiting for me.”
/ / /
The weather finally changes. The rain stops, and the sun comes out, so Seungmin paces just outside the entrance to the hospital as you wait for him to speak. There’s a smile twitching on his lips, and you assume he’s thinking about his friend, and their past.
“How old were you when he moved?”
He stops and takes a seat next to you on the bench, and you’re relieved when he grabs your hand and squeezes. This was the first time since being with him that something truly got his attention more than you, and you have to admit that you’re a little jealous.
“I was eight…it was the summer before everything happened. We never even had the chance to say goodbye to each other.”
“I’m glad you found him again”
The doors slide open, and Heecheol walks out, freshly showered and out of his scrubs. He’s handsome; a sharp, fox-like face, and a sweet smile. The bounce in his step might not have been there a few hours ago, but it's there now, and it adds to his natural charm.
“Thank you for being so patient with me”
He makes sure to look at both of you as he speaks, but his eyes return to Seungmin and stay there. Had this one stopped and talked to you on the street, he would have caught you, too.
“Of course. Should we pay your mother a visit? Is she expecting us?”
“I called her and let her know. You’ve already made her day.”
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Seungmin is nervous, and his legs are heavy as he walks up to the second floor. Memories are flooding back to him—racing up the four flights of stairs, and always losing because Heecheol’s longer legs carried him further. He has the stamina, but was never very fast. Luckily his arm was made for pitching. Was. Now, for the first time since he was fourteen, he’s wondering if he can still do it.
“She doesn’t get out much since the building has no elevator…just on good days.”
Good days that are few and far between, Seungmin guesses. Her heart won’t pump her blood the way it should anymore, and she’s slowly suffocating because of it.
“But we have a nice view of the water, and spring is coming early”
The front door clicks and creaks as he pushes it open, and the inside looks almost the same as he remembers it. After fifteen years and a move across the world, Seungmin expected some change, but he’s relieved that there’s so little.
“Umma, we’re here,” he calls out softly, and then looks to Seungmin. “Do you want some tea, or coffee?”
“No, I’m okay”
He heads for the kitchen anyway, and whatever he’s doing seems like routine. Electric kettle filled and on, mug from the cupboard, loose leaf tea scooped into a silk bag.
“Look at you, you’ve gotten so tall”
Her weak voice floats to him, and more memories unlock. “Eomoni!” It feels like no time has passed—he feels like a kid again, and he feels safe. Everything was good when he was here with Cheoli and his parents. There was no stepfather around, watching every movement, and judging every word.
“Seungmin-ah, you’ve grown into such a handsome young man.” She takes a few more steps toward the kitchen, but decides to take a seat on the couch instead. Seungmin can hear her labored breathing.
“Umma, where is your oxygen?”
“It’s giving me a headache”
Heecheol disappears into the bedroom, and he returns with a small pack slung over his shoulder, and a nasal cannula in hand. “You should have told me this was almost empty.”
“I have plenty, now you…come over here so I can see you better.” Everything about her, from her voice, to her face, to her informal mannerisms, is the same. She’s older than Seungmin’s mother would be now, but not by much. It’s the illness that’s aged her. “Yes, come sit with me.” His hand is squeezed between hers, and they’re cold against his warm skin. “Cheoli missed you so much, did he tell you that?”
“Umma…”
“What?” She turns, and Heecheol adjusts the cannula to her nose. “He tried finding you when he moved back last year, but he had no luck. And here you are!”
“I wasn’t sure if you had moved or not, but when I found out about…what happened, I figured you moved away.” Heecheol says.
“I live in Seoul, eomeonim. I’ve been there for five years”
“In Seoul? All by yourself?”
“With his girlfriend, umma”
“A girlfriend?” She says it as if it’s a shock, and her hands squeeze even tighter.
“Umma! Please…”
“Hush. How long have you two been together?”
Saying it is going to sound silly, especially considering the seriousness of everything between you. “Four months.”
“Four months?” Heecheol stops what he’s doing to look at Seungmin.
“Yes. It feels like we’ve known each other much longer, though.”
He nods, “that’s good…I’m glad you found someone, Min.
“Do you…?” He shakes his head before Seungmin finishes asking the question. His friend is handsome, but Heecheol has always been very particular about things, and even more introverted than him. He probably hasn’t changed much. “It’s a strange feeling to have someone when you’ve been alone for so long.”
“Yeah, I’m sure”
“What do you do in Seoul?” His mother interrupts, changes the subject. “For work?”
“I own the apartment building my father…my real father, left to me. So I guess…not much.”
“But you do well for yourself”
“I do, I’m very lucky in that sense”
Heecheol heads back to the kitchen to finish the tea he started, and Seungmin sits quietly, his hand still squeezed between hers.
“Soo-ji would be proud to see what a kind young man you’ve grown into”
“I’m not sure about that. I haven’t done—“
“You had to grow up without her. You made it through difficult times and you’re here, and you’re making someone else very happy, I assume. She would be very proud.”
Seungmin thinks about you sitting outside in the car, probably sound asleep, and he smiles. You weren’t very happy with his actions today, but he knows you are happy.
“You’re making us happy right now, Seungmin—Cheoli and I…Seungmin?”
“Yes, are you okay?”
Her voice falls to a whisper. “He needs you. As much as he tries to smile, and work hard, and care for his dying mother…he’s struggling. He’s alone, and I can only do so much for him. There has to be a bigger reason for you walking into that hospital and finding him there.”
No part of Seungmin wants to abandon his friend, but he has a hard time envisioning himself as someone else’s divine providence. Even with you.
“He wasn’t even supposed to be at work today. Cheoli was just covering for another nurse.”
“Here, umma…be careful, it’s hot.” Heecheol places it on the table in front of her, and then his eyes turn to Seungmin. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?”
“I’m sure”
“Oh, I guess we should get going. We’re going for dinner, and I’ll bring you something good back, okay?”
“Yes, good…don’t rush. You two have a lot of catching up to do.”
Heecheol is quiet on the way back to the car, but Seungmin can’t help but see the loneliness in his face now, and in his posture. “How have you been? He stops. They both do, and they face one another at the bottom of the staircase. “Are you alright?”
“Am I alright? Yeah, yeah I’m okay. I can’t really complain.”
“You can if you want, you can complain to me”
“No complaints right now,” he smiles.
/ / /
Seungmin is surprisingly calm in the busy restaurant, but it’s obvious that Heecheol is distracted by something in his own head.
“I didn’t expect so many tourists this early,” Seungmin says, and he starts to scratch at the bandage on his arm.
You take his hand in yours and pull it closer to you. “Don’t scratch at it, you’ll make it sore.”
“I’d rather it be sore then itchy”
Heecheol doesn’t chime in. He’s staring at your clasped hands, eyes wide and glazed over until you loosen your grip and let go. Maybe he’s not a fan of PDA, which you don’t blame him for. You’re not a fan, either. “Are you and Seungmin the same age?”
“I’m actually a year older, so we didn’t get to have classes together”
A tiny smile tugs at Seungmin’s lips. “That’s why we spent almost all of our free time with each other.”
“So how did you meet?”
“Little league, we got put on the same team”
“Seungmin smiles even bigger now. “The Bears, I think I still have the team photo somewhere at home…” He turns to you, “probably in one of those boxes.”
“I’ll find it”
“Please find it. I lost so many little things moving around. So how did you two meet?”
You decide to let Seungmin take this question, and you hope he can simplify it and somehow make it sound normal.
“Uhm, she walked by me outside of the convenience store by my building, and pretended to be lost…so I helped her home.”
“That’s very cute”
“There was a little bit of chasing, but we figured it out eventually. You said you’re single, right?”
“I am, yeah…I never really dated much. I’ve tried, but it’s hard.”
“You can visit us in Seoul. Maybe you’d feel more comfortable there, being yourself. It’s easier.”
“Easier? How do you know?”
“I’ve spent a lot of time getting a feel for people all over the city. And I’ve taken plenty of them home.” Seungmin cocks his head to the side, and Heecheol’s eyes move between the two of you. “Men, and women…yes. And you would probably do better than I ever have.”
This is the most carefree and comfortable you’ve ever seen Seungmin in someone else’s company. It took what felt like a very long time for him to soften up for you, but this was almost immediate. The moment he realized who he was taking to in that hospital, he started to become lighter; a completely different person—one that didn’t wander into the woods in the dark, or feel the unbearable need to slice his arm open from the turmoil rolling around inside of him.
“Is it that obvious? I guess it is." Heecheol laughs.
“What, that you prefer men? I've known that since I was eight, and we went to that birthday party at the ice rink. Do you remember?”
“Oh my god…uhm, Junsoo, our catcher who couldn’t catch very well. He was turning nine.”
“Right, his older brother was there, and you stared at him the whole time”
“Mhm. Jinhwan. He was twelve, and he was already the best hitter for the senior league. And the best forward on the hockey team. And—”
Seungmin‘s hand jumps up to cover his mouth, and he laughs with his whole body. A sweet laugh, though, the kind that Heecheol can laugh along with and not feel embarrassed. “Yeah, I knew…I knew you like I knew myself.”
“And you were always a mystery to everyone else, but I understood why. We made a good pair.”
“You still do. I don’t hear him laugh like that very often.”
Heecheol turns to you and smiles. “I’m sorry, I hope you don’t feel left out of the conversation.”
“Not at all. I like listening to the two of you talk, and it’s nice to hear him laugh.”
“Still a little mysterious, Mo?”
He rubs at his bandage again. “Not on purpose.”
/ / /
As hard as you try, staying awake on the drive home is nearly impossible, but you shake yourself awake every time you feel yourself slipping. Seungmin has to make this drive, and you know he’s even more exhausted. Finding his friend did perk him up, though, and the music playing on the radio is more upbeat and louder than you’re used to.
“Don’t stay up for me, relax”
“I’m alright. We have a while to go still, so promise me you’ll pull over if you get sleepy.”
“I promise”
He gives you a sweet, sleepy smile, and you’re almost positive you’ll end up in a hotel somewhere tonight. “I like him.”
“Do you? Seeing him again…it felt like no time passed at all, and like nothing bad ever happened.”
“Finding each other again is something special. He loves you, Minnie.”
“We were kind of isolated to each other, aside from the team…but even then, it was just us all the time.”
He didn’t see the way Heecheol looked at him, and maybe it was just disbelief...maybe he couldn’t believe his own eyes—his best friend, back, right in front of him. But you don’t really believe that. Heecheol loves Seungmin the way that you love him; in a way you can’t really describe in words. You can feel it.
His mind goes back to eomeonim and her concern for her son; his loneliness, and believing there’s a reason why they found each other again. But love is a strong word for someone who was there for three years, and then left for the next fifteen. As soon as that thought crosses his mind, he looks at you, nodding off again, and remembers your four months together. Things couldn’t get much more serious than they are now. But he needs you…he loves you? Seungmin isn’t sure he has much more to give after you and two children.
“How are you feeling?”
“My arm feels fine, it’s just a little sore”
“Not that…everything else”
“You mean last night?”
“Yes, last night”
Seungmin thinks. He doesn’t know how to answer this, because he still doesn’t remember a single thing between going to bed around midnight, and then waking up at noon. The scratches on his back are itchy now that he’s thinking of them, but otherwise, there’s nothing. Just what you witnessed. “I don’t remember any of it, so…it’s like it didn’t happen.”
“I’m glad you don’t remember, but I wish I knew why you did it”
“Did you see anything else while you were looking for me?”
See? No. Heard? His mother’s voice, whatever is in the woods, and maybe even his stepfather’s voice outside the shed. That hadn’t occurred to you until right this moment. The hey that you thought was Seungmin, it definitely wasn’t. “I didn’t see anything.”
He looks at you, waiting for more.
“I heard things, but…I was tired, and scared”
“I’m sorry. I’m grateful you cared enough to look for me, but I’m sorry you had to do that.”
“Of course I cared enough, I’d do it again if I had to”
“That’s the last time we spend the night there”
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The alarm keeps ringing. Why is there an alarm on in the first place? You somehow form that thought and that question in your sleepy, foggy head. The room is still so dark, though, so it can’t be morning yet. Where is he?
“Where are you?” You’re not even sure it comes out of your mouth. “Seungmin!”
“Hey…I’m right here. I’m sorry.”
The bed moves as he crawls up and grabs his phone, turns off the sound, and the room is finally silent. You turn onto your back and pull yourself up against the pillows, but your head throbs. Opening your eyes feels like it might be a mistake.
“I’m sorry, I forgot to shut off the alarm from last week. Do you need anything? Does your head feel any better?”
“A little…I didn’t mean to yell, I’m sorry. I think I was dreaming.”
“It’s okay”
“My head is better than it was.” His half smile is what you see when you open your eyes, and then his dark hair sweeping across his eyebrows. “Your hair is getting so long.” You reach out and brush some of it away from his forehead, and then your eyes fall to your stomach.
"What time is it?” You set your hand on it and breathe deep, and Seungmin sets his hand on top of yours. Then you switch.
“It’s almost ten, you slept for a while. Oh, I felt something!”
“Did you?”
“Yes, a little kick I think”
“Good, I’m sure they know you’re here”
His smile grows until you see all of his teeth “yeah?” The other hand finds a new spot and waits, but he pouts a little when nothing happens. You don’t feel any kicks or flutters, and he doesn’t either. “It’ll be nice to see them again.”
“What day is it, Min?”
“Wow, you must have slept very well, that’s good. It’s Monday.”
“Monday?”
“Monday the 19th.” He waits as you think. “Your fancy ultrasound is tomorrow. We get to see them in more detail, right?”
“How did I forget?”
Seungmin moves his hand again and waits, and when nothing happens, he’s back up and digging through his dresser for a change of clothes. “They’re wearing you out, but…that’s why I’m here.”
Thanks to him and his attentiveness, getting to week twenty-two was easier than you thought it would be, despite your exhaustion. You’re not sure if this nurturing side of him was always there waiting to come out, or if he’s just been working overtime to be the dad he desperately needed as a child. Whatever it is, he’s doing well.
Seungmin has been okay for the last two months—no hallucinations, no urges, and no truly bad days. He still gets quiet and sulks, but not lately. A new tenant moved in a week ago, and it’s kept him busy until today. The distraction has been good for him, and watching him focus on work was a nice change.
“What are you smirking at?”
“Hm?” His phone is lighting up a smile on his face. It falls a little, but comes back along with a blush on his cheeks as he gets himself under the blankets. “Just talking.”
“Talking?”
“Heecheol sent a message earlier, and I forgot to reply until now”
“Good, I wasn’t sure if you were keeping in touch. How is he?”
“Tired, he said, but he has to work all night so he can’t get any sleep. I was thinking of asking him if he wanted to visit, but only if you feel okay.”
“He can visit whenever he likes, and you two can do whatever you want. Baseball game…night club? Maybe both. You deserve a nice night out.”
“I’ll ask him. Do you think he’d want to stay for a while?”
The idea is nice. “A while…like a weekend? Or a week?” But the more time spent with Seungmin, the more likely it is that Heecheol will see the other side of him, or be around for one of his bad days. “If he wants to. Maybe we can start with a day or two, so we don’t scare him off.”
Seungmin studies you for a moment, and then nods. “Yeah, I guess so."
"I think he would love to spend as much time as possible with you, though"
"I’ve been alright since the whole disappearing into the woods thing, right?”
“You have. You’ve been present, and happy.”
“I’m trying really hard”
There’s a choke in his voice as he says it, and you go back over everything you just said to him in your mind. “You are, I know…and you’re the reason why I’m doing so well right now.” He moves closer until your arms open for him. “You’ve been there for me every single day and night.”
“Have I? Have I been good enough?”
Seungmin still has a hard time believing it, you know that, even as you hold onto him and squeeze him tight.
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cinnablu3 · 13 hours ago
Text
RECKLESS - We listen and do just judge
Masterlist
Officially we have 5 more chapters to go! As Reckless is reaching its end. There might be more if I can't finish within the five chapters.
In your apartment early peaceful silence, Utahime and you are quietly eating cereal.
"Name, I wasn't going to bring it up but it's bothering me..Well with how everything went down." Utahime speaks up
"What exactly is bothering you Hime?" You responded calmly, maybe too calm. She raises a brow at you.
"How did Satoru reach you or even kiss you? Did he force himself ?" She sounded upset.
"NO! Never! Satoru isn't one to do something without consent." You sigh. "But I need to get something off my chest."
"Which is?"
"I agreed to the kiss." You blurt out, immediately Utahime stands up and hands are slammed on the table.
"EXCUSE ME!" She yells scaring you, she blinks before sinking down back to her seat. "Sorry.." She mumbles looking off to the side. "You need to tell me everything." She looks up at you.
"One moment I'm waiting for Choso and the next Satoru pops up next to me begging me back and he kisses me, well to sum up everything in a nutshell." You look ashamed, "But if I told you the whole story, you can't judge." You look at Utahime, who's already making a face.
"Do you know who you're talking to?"
You sighed in response knowing she's going to regardless and you don't really blame her.
The party is in full swing, everyone dancing, drinking and music. Choso and you were standing talking and drinking before he excused himself to grab water for the both of you.
Maybe 2 minutes, maybe 3 minutes went by, a familiar pair of arm wraps around your shoulders. Immediately tensing up, it couldn't be him right? Knowing who these pairs of arms belong to. You turned around and see him. "Satoru." Immediately leaving your lips.
He gives a small painful smile. "I'm happy you can even say my name still." He gives you a tight hug, a familiar grip you deeply miss. "Please let go of me Satoru."
"Name please, I can change."
"I left her."
"She meant nothing."
"Please I'll be more supportive and be loyal to you once more."
Hearing his excuse after another just trying process why are you still letting him hold you immediately pulling away.
He noticed you pull away trying to find a way to keep you close once more. "Can I kiss you? He begged.
"Yes." Like an instinct response to you. He pulls you close cupping your face before pressing his lips against yours. Yet it didn't feel right, this kiss just proved it. The realization hits you just a bit too late. Unaware someone had snapped a picture.
The kiss breaks forcibly as Choso pushes Satoru away, separating him from you. "ARE YOU INSANE FORCING YOURSELF ON NAME!" He barked, Satoru shaking his head. "It's not like that, we were just talking."
"Name did you like the kiss? Was it the same?" Ignoring Choso as he tries to get closer. "You still feel the same spark right? Name tell him, you did please?" He sounded desperate as Choso looks disgusted, pushing Satoru away the more he tried get closer.
He eventually got fed up with the pushing as he closed his fist and swung a punch at Choso's face. The crowd is starting to get drawn, as people start reaching their phones to record. Choso was stunned immediately punching back. Everything was a blur from that moment.
You try to piece your memory, how both were on the ground as Choso got the upper hand as he repeatedly bruised Satoru's face. Geto and other guys stepped in separating the two, Sirens are closing in the background. Everything had become white noise, realizing this is all your fault.
"Name you're crying again." Utahime spoke, You look up at her in tears.
"Hime this is really my fault." You whimpered hiding your face in your hands immediately she reaches over to you and hugs you.
"Yeah it is." She hums, You look at her. "Well did you want me to lie? Name, you put two people in jail."
"No but--"There's no excuse." She injects, "Name, are you serious about Choso?"
"I want forget about Satoru and be serious with him hime."
"Then tell Choso about everything and officially cut ties with Satoru. Completely." She sounded serious.
"I will, I want to be a better person especially for Choso. Gosh I'm actually stupid.." You wipe your tears.
"Just a little. Though I know he'll understand, he just seems like that type of person." She kisses your forehead. "Everything will be fine in some twisted way I know, I promise."
Taglist is now closed and full 💞 @miiiturix @superdonkeypatroleggs @inthedarkshadows000 @kumori-suwan @chilichopsticks @prized-jules 1ndee @lov3vivian @yuuuumii @chiiinglebells @sakurayashiro @ghostlyfanenemy @cisseadven @totallygyomeiswife bemebiu @chckn-pi @for-hearthand-home @sh0ot1ngst4r @muthic @lukaerith-morningstar meowforluv @uniquenicefangirl @4rmins @corvid007 @beautifulwitchcandy @iluv-ace @tartartagliaboo @genxnarumi lafrone @coffee-addicted-demigod @cupidsblonde depressedemosantaclaus @drownedbytears @s777athv @linaaeatsfamilies @lun4rchive @moonlitwitchdaisy @kooksbunnnn @shoma-nom @reagan707 @kaged-kitty b0nez9 btsinthesoop @shokosbunny @sleepykittyenergy @sad-darksoul @ghostswhoretbh @raquel12 @missthatgirl @explosivelywuisa @bunviixo @rifran @therealanxiety @harryzcherry
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tinybeetiny · 3 days ago
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I Can Show You Just How Deep: S.M
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SMUT | 18+ | MDNI
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->Starring: Rockstar!MingiXafab!Reader
->Genre: Smut,
->Cw: Explicit language, unprotected sex, smoking, lots of self wallowing.. sore loser, consensual recording, car sex
Masterlist | Ateez Masterlist | Rock Never Dies Masterlist
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There was nothing more important than battle of the bands and this was the year that you were sure your band would win. For 3 years in a row you guys lost to Ateez, each time was a harsh slap to the face but you had a secret weapon this time. "Okay. Is everyone ready? Gaon, are you ready?" You ask the newest addition "Absolutely. I'm ready to help you guys win this year” The atmosphere backstage was hectic but all so exciting "Okay guys" you gather everyone around "This is the year, I feel it. We chose a kick-ass song and we practiced til our fingers bled. But remember no matter what happens I'm proud of all of you" They all "aw" and envelope you into a hug "Okay okay. Get off and let's go blow the shit out of everyone"
You all felt so pumped walking onto the stage and the screams from the crowd only seemed to fuel you guys more. You look through the blinding lights out to the crowd then over to Gaon giving him a nod. As soon as he started it's like everyone else disappeared. You've never played like this before. Everyone was in the zone and you could feel your heart swell with pride. The addition of Gaon seemed to really benefit the band. You had spent countless sleepless nights composing and rearranging parts, the bags under your eyes for the days to follow really proved that. But it seemed to pay off and nothing could be more rewarding than hearing all of your hard work pay off, other than winning of course. The screams of the crowd were roaring and your bandmates were filled with optimism.
"Wow wasn't that amazing" The MC shouts "Next up is our champs for 3 years in a row... ATEEZ" The crowd erupts into loud cheers and you watch the 8 men strut onto the stage, their aura screaming "Look at me!" You hated how smug they were, another year another patronizing smile as they walked past your band to accept their trophy and check they most certainly did not need. But not this year, no, this year you guys had it in the bag "Wait. Hold on... is that Wooyoung on drums? What happened to Mingi?" "He's on bass!" The 6 of you stare at the group on stage. They made some changes and you didn't know whether to feel nervous or hopeful but as soon as they started playing all of it flew out of the window. It seemed their new arrangement made them sound better than they've ever sounded. It's like the changes seemed to be some secret missing puzzle piece and with every passing second every fiber of hope was ripped out. When they finished you could barely hear yourself think with how loud everyone was and to make matters worse they had the audacity to send yet more cocky smiles your way as they descended the stage.
Tensions were high as you awaited the dreaded results. You were so confident walking in but as soon as they got up on stage it seemed to all fly out of the window but your bandmates still had a little left in them “And the winner of this year's Battle of The Bands is… drum roll please” The air was so thick and you could hear your heartbeat in your ears. “Ateez!” You feel your heart drop and the disappointment sets in. You hear the cheers around you but they all fade away when you hear the defeated sighs of your bandmates “Man I really thought we had it this year” “Me too, especially since we had Gaon” “I’m sorry guys” “(Y/n)?” They all turned to look at you but you were nowhere to be found.
You stand outside of the venue with a cigarette in hand trying to cope with the fact that you lost again. You inwardly groan when you hear the door open and the voice of the person you absolutely love despise “You know those things will kill you” his deep raspy voice fills your ears “I think I deserve this after what just happened” you shoot back and he just holds his hand up in surrender “Hey it’s not my fault the judges liked us better… again” he holds back a chuckle when he sees your glare “Whatever. Just go back inside and let me wallow in my failure alone." You wave him off taking another drag "Come on, Don't be like that. It's freezing out here.” He urges trying to get you to go back inside but all you do is shrug “Well I can’t just leave you out here alone. Someone might kidnap you or something” He insists motioning towards the door "Can't be the worst thing that's happened tonight." He lets out a sigh "Can we at least sit in my car? It's warmer" he offers. You weigh your options, you could go back inside and get bombarded by your band mates or you can sit in a car with Mingi “Lead the way”
You walk over to his car and scoff, of course. You stand in front of his pretty, shiny black M4 “Ain’t she pretty” he has a wide goofy smile on his face “She?” You ask looking over at him “What? You jealous?” He teases, chuckling at your expression “Jealous? Of a car?" he nods, opening the passenger door for you. You climb in and he closes the door, jogging to the other side. When he gets in his cologne fills the car. The tension was thick and maybe it was the buzz from the cigarette but the dull light of the streetlamp illuminated him in a way that caused so many unspeakable thoughts to run through your head. Your mind drifts back to how his fingers moved so gracefully on the neck of his bass. His long slender fingers moving so expertly and wonder how they’d feel on you- “you okay?” Mingi’s voice pulls you out of your thoughts “Um yeah” you clear your throat before speaking again “Guess I’m still wallowing” you turn to look at him and gasp when you realize just how close he was “I can help you feel better” his eyes flicker to your lips then back to your eyes “How? You gonna give me that trophy?” You ask cocking your head to the side. He scoffs out a laugh “I was thinking in a different way. A way that we both know should’ve happened a long time ago. You feel the tension, I know you do” he leans in closer “So what if I do?” You challenge “Then maybe we should do something about it. I can help it so many ways” “Show me”
“Oh my god Mingi you’re so deep” you gasp out and he can’t help but push on the little bulge in your tummy “Look at that. That’s so fucking hot” he reaches over grabbing his phone and opens the camera app “You don’t mind do you? Been dreaming of this for 3 years” you shake your head “Just send it to me later” he sits up as much as he could and the bright flash illuminates the inside of the car giving him a clear view of the scene in front of him. The sight of his cock disappearing into your tight walls almost had him spilling into you too early “Look at how well you’re taking me” his pace increases and he zooms in on the white ring that forms on the base of his cock “Look at this pretty little pussy" His thumb rubs circles on your clit "Fuck Mingi that feels so good" "Yeah? That feel good baby?"
The windows were foggy and anyone who walked by would be able to figure out just what was going on, especially with how much his car was moving. He rests his forehead against yours, his hips rut against yours "Shit Min you're gonna make me cum" The way your sticky sweaty bodies press together as he somehow buries himself deeper into you has you seeing stars and the tension in your stomach is begging to be released. “Cum for me. Just for me” Your fingernails dig into his bicep and your eyes roll back. Your moans fill the car as your contract around him “That’s it baby. Just like that” his thumb rubs against your clit, riding you through your orgasm. His cock glides faster as he nears his release, deeps groans and growls leave his lips and with one finally thrust he spills hot ropes of cum into you. You both lay there out of breath. He presses little kisses all over your face "So? Still wallowing?" he asks quietly "If I say yes can we do this again?"
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benispunk · 3 days ago
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Who's That Girl?
Chapter 12: All I Want For Christmas
Y/N spends Christmas with Logan and Wade, and Logan's wondering what he really wants to find underneath the Christmas tree.🎄
logan howlett x reader
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TW: language, angst & fluff, D&W.
word count: 5K+
A/N: Merry Christmas everyone!!! before saying anything about this special chapter, I just wanted to thank you all for all the support on this series!! I love you guys so so much!!! and although this chapter made me giggle and kick my feet in the air, then I got a little carried away and...turns out Christmas isn't the happiest time of the year.....so sorry....enjoy? (don't worry, I will NOT let you down)
→ this fic is inspired by the TV Show New Girl, Wade and Logan aren't Deadpool and Wolverine (no powers/mutant gene etc) but I did take most of their character traits and storyline!!
Masterlist /Previous Part
The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the apartment as Y/N shuffled into the kitchen, her steps quiet against the floor. Her pajamas hung loose, her hair a tousled mess from sleep, but she didn’t care— not yet, anyway.
And then, she saw him.
Logan stood by the counter, leaning casually as he sipped from his mug. His hair was still damp from a recent shower, the dark strands curling slightly at the ends. His shirt clung just enough to his frame to hint at the muscles underneath, and for a moment—just a fleeting, traitorous moment—her eyes lingered a little too long.
When he reached for something on the top shelf, the hem of his shirt lifted, revealing a strip of skin and a flash of muscle along his waist. She swallowed hard, shaking her head. What is wrong with me? It was just Logan. Her roommate. Her very grumpy, very private, very…
“Morning,” he greeted, his voice rough but warm, breaking her train of thought.
Y/N blinked, her cheeks heating. “Morning,” she replied, forcing herself to look away as she reached for a mug.
The cup was warm in her hands, grounding her as she poured herself some coffee. She took a sip, savoring the bitter edge of it. This is fine. Everything is fine.
“So,” Logan started, watching her over the rim of his mug. “What’s your plan for Christmas?”
Y/N hesitated, swirling her coffee. “Nothing, really. My dad and brother are in Europe, and flights to California to see my mom… well, not exactly in the cards right now.” She offered a small shrug, though there was a hint of sadness in her voice.
Logan frowned, his grip tightening on the handle of his mug. After a beat, he said, “Wade and I usually celebrate here. Althea, his old roommate, comes over. It’s nothin’ fancy, but it’s good. You should join us.”
Y/N blinked, surprised. “Logan, I don’t want to intrude—”
“You’re not intruding,” Logan interrupted. “You’re family, Y/N. ‘Course you’re welcome.”
Her heart warmed at his words, and a smile spread across her face. “Thank you, Logan. That… means a lot.”
Just then, Wade barreled into the kitchen, already half-dressed for work. “What’s up, my favorite morning people?”
Logan smirked. “Y/N’s joining us for Christmas.”
Wade froze mid-bite of a piece of toast. “Yes!” he exclaimed, his face lighting up. “Y/N, you and Blind Al are gonna hit it off. She’s got this whole ‘beautiful disaster’ vibe going on, but you’ll love her.”
Y/N chuckled, feeling genuinely touched by their enthusiasm. “Thanks, Wade. I’m looking forward to it.”
“You better be!” Wade called as he rushed out the door. “Oh, and save me some cookies or I’ll never forgive you!”
The apartment settled into quiet again. Logan finished his coffee, setting the mug in the sink. “What about you? What are you doing today?”
Y/N tilted her head. “I need to run some errands, maybe pick up a few Christmas gifts. You?”
Logan shrugged. “Not much planned.”
She paused for a second, wondering if her next question was a good idea, then she smiled. Why wouldn’t it be? “Wanna come with me?”
Logan would be a liar if he said his heart didn’t skip a beat. “Yeah, sure. Why not?”
———
Logan had never liked shopping. Too many people, too much noise, and too many choices. It was the kind of thing he avoided at all costs—until today.
He trailed behind Y/N as she navigated the aisles, her attention flitting from one shelf to the next with a focus that he found oddly endearing. She examined items carefully, turning them over in her hands before either placing them back or tossing them into her cart.
Every now and then, she’d turn to him, asking his opinion. Like now.
“What do you think Wade would like?” she asked, holding up a pair of novelty socks with comic book characters on them.
“Probably those,” Logan said with a smirk. “The more ridiculous, the better.”
Her laughter was soft but genuine, and it tugged at something deep in his chest. She smiled easily, even when he barely gave her much to work with. She always had a way of drawing him out, making him feel… less guarded.
“Noted,” she said, tossing the socks into the cart.
As they continued, Y/N brought up another name. “What about Althea? I want to get her something too.”
“You don’t have to get everyone somethin’,” Logan said gruffly.
“I want to,” Y/N insisted. “Christmas is about giving, right?”
Logan shook his head but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips.
“Oh, and don’t think I forgot about you,” Y/N teased, nudging him lightly.
He stopped in his tracks. “Wait—you got me somethin’?”
“Of course,” she said, smiling sweetly.
“You didn’t have to—”
“Logan,” she interrupted. “It’s Christmas.”
Before he could respond, she turned and headed down the next aisle, her focus already shifting to whatever caught her eye. Logan stayed rooted to the spot, watching her go.
For a moment, everything else faded—the noise, the people, the chaos of the store. All he could focus on was her, the way she seemed to light up even the dullest places.
His chest tightened, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through him. He didn’t know what to call it, didn’t want to call it anything, but it was there all the same.
“You’re somethin’ else, Y/N,” he muttered under his breath, the words barely audible over the chatter of the store.
After a moment, he shook his head, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets as he trailed after her.
———
The coffee shop buzzed with a quiet energy, the hum of conversation blending with the clatter of plates and the hiss of the espresso machine. Logan sat across from Y/N, the table between them littered with sandwiches, pastries, and steaming mugs. She was talking, her voice animated as she recounted a story about one of her students.
“...and then he looks me dead in the eye and says, Miss, I’m not late. Time is just a concept.’” Y/N laughed, the sound warm and unguarded, and Logan couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips.
“Smart kid,” he said, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Too smart,” she replied with a shake of her head, still smiling.
But then something shifted. The lightness in her expression dimmed, her smile faltering as her gaze fixed on something—or someone—behind him.
Logan’s brow furrowed. He turned slightly in his seat, his eyes landing on a man approaching their table. The guy was average-looking, nothing particularly striking, but there was something about the way he walked—like he knew he belonged in her world, or at least used to.
“Y/N,” the man said, his smile tentative. “Wow, it’s been a while.”
“Hi, Mark,” Y/N replied, her voice polite but strained.
Logan glanced at her, catching the subtle tension in her posture, the way her fingers gripped the edge of her mug just a little too tightly. So, that was Mark.
The man’s gaze flicked to Logan, his smile faltering slightly. “And… you are?”
“Logan,” Y/N said quickly, before Logan could respond. “My roommate.”
Mark’s eyebrows lifted, and his smile thinned. “Oh. Roommate.”
Logan said nothing, his face impassive, but he could feel the weight of Mark’s scrutiny, the unspoken question hanging in the air. Is that all you are?
Mark turned his attention back to Y/N. “So… how’s everything?” he asked, his tone forced, as though he felt obligated to make small talk.
“Good,” Y/N replied, her voice clipped. “Good. You?”
He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, uh… I’ve been going to therapy,” he said, his words tumbling out awkwardly.
“Oh,” Y/N said, her lips pressing into a tight smile. “That’s… good.”
An awkward silence settled over the table, heavy and suffocating. Logan’s jaw tightened as he watched Y/N’s discomfort. He wanted to say something, to cut through the tension, but he knew this wasn’t his moment to step in.
“Well,” Mark said finally, his smile brittle. “It was good to see you.”
“Yeah,” Y/N replied softly, not quite meeting his eyes.
Mark gave a small wave and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Y/N stared down at her coffee, her shoulders slumping slightly.
“You alright?” Logan asked.
She exhaled slowly, lifting her gaze to meet his. “Yeah,” she said, though the tightness in her voice betrayed her. “I just wasn’t expecting to see my ex today. Sorry, that was really weird.”
Logan nodded, his chest tightening inexplicably. “No need to apologize, he was the weird one.”
That made her chuckle and he smiled again. Y/N’s eyes lingered on him, her expression softening. “Have you ever had that happen?”
“Not really,” he admitted, his gaze dropping to his coffee. “Can’t say I’ve had many good relationships to begin with.”
She tilted her head slightly, curiosity flickering across her face. “Really?”
“Yeah,” he said, a small shrug accompanying his words. “I mean, nothing real or long-lasting. Guess I’m not exactly easy to be with.”
“I don’t believe that,” Y/N said, softly. “You just haven’t found the right person yet.”
Logan looked up, his eyes meeting hers. For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade, the noise of the coffee shop a distant hum. There was something in her gaze, something that made his chest ache and his thoughts scatter.
He cleared his throat, breaking the spell. “Maybe,” he said, his voice quieter now.
Y/N smiled faintly, her attention drifting back to her coffee, but Logan could still feel the weight of the moment lingering between them, unspoken and unresolved.
———
By the time they returned to the apartment, the festive glow of the city lights outside had faded into a softer, quieter hum. Inside, the atmosphere felt almost intimate as they each set about putting away the day’s purchases.
Y/N carried the neatly wrapped gifts she’d picked out for Wade and a few others to her room, her mind still replaying snippets of the day. She placed the bags on her bed, pausing for a moment as her fingers brushed over the ribbon on one of the packages.
Meanwhile, Logan busied himself in the kitchen, unpacking a few groceries he had bought for dinner. His movements were slow and deliberate, but his focus wavered as the sound of Y/N’s light footsteps from the other room reached him.
It was the kind of silence that wasn’t quite empty.
When Y/N came back out to the living room, Logan glanced up briefly, his eyes catching hers.
“Got everything sorted?” he asked.
She nodded, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You?”
“Yeah,” he said, placing a carton of eggs in the fridge. “All set.”
It was an ordinary exchange, but it lingered, hanging in the air between them like the faint scent of pine from the tiny tree Wade had set up in the corner.
Neither of them said much else as they gathered their things to head out, but the quiet wasn’t awkward. It was... charged.
———
The bar was alive with energy, the hum of conversation and bursts of laughter filling the space. Wade was on stage, commanding the room with a confidence that seemed almost effortless.
Y/N and Logan sat together near the bar and when Wade finished his set, he bounded over to them, his grin practically splitting his face.
“Well, well,” he said, plopping down in the seat next to Logan. “Look at you two. What’d you lovebirds get up to today?”
Logan tensed, his jaw tightening as he shot Wade a warning glance.
“Ran errands,” he said curtly, taking a sip from his drink.
“Bought gifts,” Y/N added with a smile, her tone light and unbothered.
Wade’s eyes flicked between the two of them, his smirk growing. “Oh, gifts, huh? For each other, maybe?”
Y/N laughed, shaking her head. “For everyone but each other, actually.”
Wade leaned closer to Logan, lowering his voice but making no effort to hide his teasing grin. “You’re gonna spill every detail later,” he said conspiratorially. “Or else.”
Logan sighed, his gaze flickering toward Y/N, who seemed blissfully unaware of Wade’s antics. “You’re relentless,” he muttered.
“And you love me for it,” Wade shot back, raising his glass in mock salute.
For Y/N, the day had been... strange. Comfortable in some ways, yet unsettling in others. Being around Logan had a way of grounding her and throwing her off balance all at once, a mix of feelings she couldn’t quite name.
For Logan, it had been much the same. A day that lingered, heavy with a tension he couldn’t ignore and wasn’t ready to face.
As they left the bar and stepped into the cold night air, neither of them said much, but the weight of the unspoken hung between them, unacknowledged yet undeniable.
———
*Christmas Eve*
The apartment was aglow with the warm light of fairy lights strung across the walls and a small Christmas tree standing proudly in the corner. The scent of roasted vegetables and spiced desserts filled the air, mixing with the soft hum of holiday music playing from the speakers.
Y/N stood on a chair near the window, carefully hanging the last of the ornaments, a delicate glass star. She adjusted it until it caught the light just right, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. Her long red dress shimmered faintly in the glow of the lights, hugging her figure in all the right ways while remaining elegant and festive.
Logan walked in from the kitchen, a dish towel slung over his shoulder. He stopped mid-step, his breath catching as his eyes fell on her.
She was radiant.
He couldn’t look away, and for a moment, everything else faded: the chatter from the kitchen, the music, even the sound of Wade's muffled laughter from somewhere down the hall.
For a moment, he forgot where he was.
“Logan?”
Her voice pulled him back, startling him. He blinked, feeling caught, and quickly masked his reaction.
“Yeah?” he replied, his voice gruff.
Her brow furrowed slightly, as though she wanted to ask something, but before she could, the front door swung open with a burst of energy.
“We’re here!” Wade’s booming voice broke the moment.
Logan exhaled quietly in relief, stepping aside as Wade entered, grinning from ear to ear. Behind him followed a petite older woman with cropped gray hair and a sharp yet welcoming presence. Her dark glasses hinted at her blindness, but her confident stride suggested it had never slowed her down.
“Y/N, this is Althea,” Wade announced with dramatic flair. “Al, meet the famous new roommate. Be warned—she’s deceptively charming.”
Y/N laughed, stepping forward with an outstretched hand. “It’s great to finally meet you. Wade talks about you all the time.”
“Does he?” Althea’s tone was dry, but the faint curve of her lips showed her amusement. Ignoring Y/N’s hand, she reached out instead, her fingers brushing Y/N’s arm. “Forgive me, I don’t do handshakes. May I...?”
Y/N quickly caught on, her voice warm. “Of course.”
Althea’s hands moved gently to Y/N’s face, tracing her features with practiced care. Y/N held still, feeling a blend of curiosity and vulnerability.
“You’ve got a kind face,” Althea remarked, a smile softening her sharp features. “And I’d bet beautiful too.”
Y/N’s cheeks flushed. She laughed lightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s very sweet of you to say.”
Wade, observing the scene from the kitchen, raised a brow. “Look at you, Al, playing all sweet. Y/N, don’t let her fool you. She’s got a mouth that could make a sailor blush.”
“Shut the fuck up, Wade,” Althea shot back without missing a beat, her tone deadpan.
Y/N burst into laughter, startled by the abruptness of the retort. The sound of her laugh made Logan glance over from his spot near the counter. His lips twitched, caught between a smirk and something softer.
Wade caught the look and snorted. He leaned in closer to Logan, dropping his voice. “Oh, man, you’re hopeless.”
Logan scowled, draining his drink in one go. “Shut up, Wade.”
Unfazed, Wade grinned. “Hey, just saying— there’s mistletoe. Clock’s ticking.”
Logan’s ears burned red, but he turned away, pretending to busy himself with setting the table.
“Alright, ladies!” Wade called, clapping his hands. “Dinner’s ready. Let’s feast!”
———
The four of them gathered around the small dining table, the dishes carefully arranged in the center. Wade had gone all out, as usual, and the spread was both impressive and slightly chaotic.
Y/N found herself seated next to Logan, their chairs close enough that their elbows occasionally brushed as they passed plates back and forth.
“This looks amazing,” Y/N said, her eyes wide as she surveyed the food.
“Don’t give Wade too much credit,” Logan grumbled. “Half of this was my doing.”
“Hey!” Wade protested, pointing his fork at Logan. “Without me, this meal would’ve been functional but boring. Like you.”
Althea snorted, cutting in with a smirk. “Oh, please, the two of you are basically a mismatched couple from some sitcom. You just need a laugh track.”
The meal carried on, Wade cracking jokes like it was his job (it is) and Logan sighing like he couldn’t care less. Still, there was a rhythm to their back-and-forth, one that made Y/N smile even when Wade was pushing the boundaries.
At one point, Wade casually leaned back and tossed out a comment about how Logan’s “festive cheer” seemed to skyrocket whenever Y/N was around. Logan didn’t hesitate— his foot shot out under the table, hitting Wade’s leg.
Wade yelped, clutching his leg. “Rude! I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking!”
“Keep it up, and I’ll aim higher,” Logan muttered.
Y/N chuckled, her shoulders shaking slightly, but she didn’t say anything. Wade, sensing he was close to crossing a line, dialed it back just enough. The jokes stayed, but the comments about Logan and Y/N turned more playful, less obvious.
By the time the food was gone and the playlist had shifted to quieter, slower songs, the atmosphere felt easy, comfortable. Logan leaned back in his chair, his arm casually draped over the back of Y/N’s chair. He didn’t think much of it—it just felt like a natural place for it to be.
Y/N leaned back slightly, her shoulder brushing against his arm every so often. If she noticed, she didn’t say anything, and neither did he. Wade noticed, of course. He always noticed. But for once, he kept his mouth shut, letting the moment pass without a single jab or smirk.
Logan found himself watching Y/N as she laughed at something Althea said, her whole face lighting up. He didn’t realize he was staring, not really. Everything about the evening felt oddly normal, like this was just how things were meant to be.
———
Y/N and Althea sat side by side on the couch, the room warm and quiet now that dinner had ended. Logan leaned against the kitchen counter, nursing a glass of whiskey, while Wade sprawled in an armchair, pretending to be invested in their conversation. In reality, his focus shifted between the two women and Logan, who seemed utterly captivated by every word Y/N spoke, though he still didn’t seem to realize it.
Wade smirked faintly to himself, but again, said nothing.
“You know,” Althea was saying, “it’s rare to find people who make you feel at home so quickly. You’ve got a good heart, Y/N. I can see why these two keep you around.”
Y/N laughed. “Well, thank you, though I’m still figuring out how to deal with them sometimes.” She glanced playfully toward Logan and Wade.
“Hey!” Wade interjected, feigning offense. “We’re delightful.”
“That’s debatable,” Althea quipped.
They all laughed, and Y/N reached for a small bag she had tucked away under the coffee table. “Speaking of feeling at home, I actually got you a little something. Just a small gift.”
Althea’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “For me?”
Y/N handed her the bag, and inside was a plush, incredibly soft sweater in a deep burgundy color.
“For winter,” Y/N explained, smiling. “I thought it might be cozy for the colder days.”
Althea ran her hands over the fabric, her expression softening. “Alright, you’re officially my favorite now.”
Wade gasped dramatically. “What about us?”
Logan smirked into his glass, shaking his head.
“You two?” Althea said, turning her face toward the men with mock exasperation. “I don’t even know how Y/N puts up with you.”
The group laughed, the easy warmth of the evening wrapping around them like a blanket.
Once the laughter subsided, Wade and Logan presented their shared gift to Althea— a huge weighted blanket in a beautiful forest green color.
“For when you’re not here to roast us,” Wade said with a wink.
Althea ran her hands over the blanket, her lips curving into a genuine smile. “Alright, fine, maybe you two aren’t so bad. Thank you.”
———
When it was time for Althea to leave, Wade grabbed his coat and keys, patting Althea’s shoulder as they headed for the door. “I’ll drive her back. Don’t burn the place down while I’m gone,” he teased, looking between Logan and Y/N.
“We’ll try to behave,” Y/N replied with a grin, earning a chuckle from Wade and a low, amused hum from Logan.
As the door closed behind them, the apartment was blanketed in a peaceful quiet. The soft glow of the Christmas lights cast warm patterns on the walls, and the faint scent of cinnamon and pine lingered in the air.
Logan moved to the table, stacking plates. “We should probably clean this up,” he said, glancing over at Y/N.
“Good idea,” she agreed, grabbing a tray of glasses. They worked side by side in silence, their movements synchronized without effort.
“You didn’t have to get Althea anything,” Logan said after a moment, his voice low. “She’s not really the sentimental type.”
Y/N shrugged, glancing over her shoulder. “It wasn’t about that. She’s important to you and Wade, and I wanted to show I appreciate her too.”
Logan paused, his hands stilling for a moment. “She seemed to like you.”
“She’s easy to like,” Y/N replied with a smile, turning back to the sink. “I think she keeps you grounded.”
Logan let out a small huff of amusement. “Yeah, she does. She’s one of the few people who knows how to call me out without pissing me off.”
Y/N chuckled, her fingers brushing against his as she handed him a glass to dry. “That’s a skill worth respecting.”
The quiet between them was comfortable, almost tangible, but it was broken when Logan cleared his throat. “Speaking of gifts…”
Y/N turned, curious. Logan reached behind a stack of plates and pulled out a small box, wrapped neatly in dark green paper. “I, uh… I got you something.”
Her brows lifted in surprise. “Logan, you didn’t have to—”
“Just open it,” he interrupted, his tone gruff but soft.
Taking the box, Y/N unwrapped it carefully, revealing a delicate necklace with a shimmering emerald pendant. The stone caught the light beautifully, its hues shifting like the ocean.
“Logan,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s stunning.”
He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought it might suit you.”
Her fingers brushed over the pendant, her heart swelling at the thoughtfulness of the gesture. But then, realization dawned, and her eyes widened. “Wait… is this an emerald? Logan, this is way too much!”
“It’s a gift,” he said simply, his tone brooking no argument.
She looked at him, torn between awe and disbelief. “I can’t believe you—”
“Let me help,” he murmured, taking the necklace from her hands.
Y/N turned around, holding her breath as he fastened it around her neck. His fingers brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. When she turned back to face him, their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Logan’s gaze lingered, his expression unreadable. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words eluded him. Instead, he gave a small nod, stepping back just enough to give her space.
“I should get your gift,” Y/N said, breaking the spell as she hurried to her room.
She returned with a neatly wrapped package. Logan opened it carefully, revealing a sleek black leather jacket. His brows lifted, his fingers brushing over the material.
“You mentioned your old one was wearing out,” Y/N said quickly. “And I thought—”
“It’s perfect,” Logan interrupted, his voice steady but warm.
She relaxed, her smile widening as she watched him try it on. It fit perfectly, the jacket molding to his broad frame like it had been made for him.
Relief washed over her, and she returned his smile. “I’m glad.”
Logan raised an eyebrow as he looked at the jacket again. "So, let me get this straight... you can get me a jacket as fancy as this, but I can’t even get you a beautiful necklace for Christmas?" he teased, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm.
Y/N smirked and shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It’s Christmas, Logan. Don’t overthink it," she replied, brushing him off with a quick wave of her hand.
Logan chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, right, of course. Christmas," he muttered, half to himself. He glanced at the jacket again, his fingers brushing the smooth material. “You didn’t have to go to all that trouble,” he said quietly.
“You’re worth it,” Y/N said before she could stop herself.
Logan looked up, his eyes locking onto hers. The weight of her words hung in the air, unspoken but deeply felt.
The moment stretched between them, the only sound being the Christmas playlist in the background, playing on low volume. Logan’s hand brushed hers as he set the jacket down, and Y/N felt her heart skip a beat.
Before either of them could say more, the front door swung open.
“I’m back!” Wade announced as he burst through the door. “I hope you two didn’t burn the place down without me.”
Y/N and Logan stepped apart almost instinctively, their brief closeness retreating into the unspoken space between them.
“Place is still standing,” Logan said, his tone calm as he leaned against the counter, arms crossed.
Wade gave him a pointed look, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly before they flicked over to the small box on the table. He didn’t comment immediately, though a knowing smirk tugged at his lips. “Good. Hate to think I’d miss out on the drama. So,” he added, as casually as Wade could manage, “what’ve you two been up to?”
“Just cleaning up,” Y/N said with a warm smile, the necklace still hanging delicately around her neck.
Wade’s eyes landed on the necklace, his smirk widening briefly before he shook it off and clapped his hands together. “Right, cleaning. Sure. Well, hope you saved me some holiday cheer. Now, let’s finish this properly and…give me my gifts.”
As Y/N moved toward the living room to join him by the tree, Wade paused briefly near Logan. He leaned in, speaking just low enough to avoid Y/N overhearing.
“Nice gift, Peanut,” he murmured, a sly grin on his face. “Now, try to take the next step.”
Logan shot him a warning glare but said nothing, shaking his head as Wade walked off with a chuckle.
By the tree, Y/N had already settled herself cross-legged on the floor, her fingers absentmindedly brushing against the pendant. Logan hesitated, standing back for a moment as Wade grabbed a gift and rattled it loudly.
“Come on, Grinch, get over here,” Wade said, louder this time.
Logan sighed and made his way over, sitting a bit stiffly on the couch behind Y/N. His gaze lingered on her as she leaned toward the tree, her movements soft and unassuming. She turned slightly, catching his eye with a brief smile that made something stir in his chest.
As the night carried on, the living room buzzed softly with warmth, the twinkle of Christmas lights casting a gentle glow. Wade lounged near the tree, holding court with one of his exaggerated stories about a gift exchange gone horribly wrong. Y/N laughed, her face lighting up as she added her own tale— a hilarious recount of a miscommunication during her first Secret Santa at work.
Logan sat on the couch, watching them. He leaned back, silent, his gaze flickering between Wade’s theatrical gestures and the way Y/N’s smile reached her eyes. The sound of her laugh stirred something warm and sharp in him, though he kept his face impassive.
The way she wore that necklace—his gift to her—like it had always belonged there. And maybe it did. But that didn’t mean he did.
The leather jacket sat on the coffee table. He still wasn’t sure what to make of it. It wasn’t just the thoughtfulness— it was the way it seemed to fit him so perfectly, like she had known something about him that even he didn’t.
“You’re quiet, Peanut,” Wade teased, nudging him with his foot. “Plotting your next great escape?”
Logan huffed, shaking his head. “Just listening.”
Y/N smiled at him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Alright, Logan,” she said, leaning slightly toward him, “what’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?”
He blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, the question cut through the haze of his thoughts, and he scrambled to push the weight of his emotions aside.
“Worst gift?” he repeated.
“Yeah,” Y/N prompted, tilting her head with that easy, genuine interest she always carried.
“Probably a pair of socks with reindeer on them,” Logan said with a wry smirk. “Ugliest thing I ever saw.”
Wade snorted. “Bet you still wore them, though.”
Logan shrugged, his lips twitching. “They were warm.”
“I know I love mine.” Wade said as he put his feet in the air, showing off the socks Y/N had got him.
The conversation flowed on, but Logan felt himself retreating into his thoughts again.
Y/N’s fingers brushed the pendant around her neck, and Logan’s heart stuttered in his chest. She wore his gift like it was a part of her, and somehow that made the ache in his chest sharper.
The truth clawed at him, relentless. He wanted something to happen— something more than these stolen moments of warmth. But he couldn’t let himself have it. Not with her.
Not someone like her.
Someone so kind, so brilliant, so effortlessly beautiful. Someone who deserved all the light and laughter she brought into the world. Someone who didn’t deserve the shadow of his past— the darkness he never spoke about, the weight of nightmares that dragged him down night after night.
The necklace had been a mistake. A moment of weakness. When he’d chosen it, he hadn’t thought about what it meant, only that it was perfect for her. 
Oh, who was he kidding? Of course he knew what it meant.
But the moment he held it in his hands, the contrast had been too evident. It felt almost cruel to give her something so precious, as if he were trying to convince her he was something he wasn’t.
Wade’s voice cut through his thoughts, dragging his focus back to the room. Logan could feel his friend’s eyes on him. Wade always saw too much.
And Wade knew. Of course, he did. The way Logan’s gaze lingered just a second too long, the way his words faltered whenever Y/N was near. Wade saw it all, he knew it wasn’t just a simple little crush. It was probably the reason why he wouldn’t stop commenting on it.
But Logan didn’t need any of it. He didn’t need Wade pointing out how far he’d already fallen.
His heart ached with the weight of it. The selfishness of wanting to reach out, to take a chance, to risk everything for the possibility of more. But it was her. And he couldn’t. Wouldn’t.
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet Wade’s eyes briefly. He saw the smirk, the unspoken challenge, and ignored it.
He’d make it through this. He’d hide what he felt. He had to.
Because Y/N deserved better than him.
Logan leaned back on the couch, his face as still as stone as he forced his thoughts into submission.
“Alright,” Wade said, clapping his hands. “Time for another story— this one’s a real masterpiece.”
Logan let out a low hum, feigning interest as Wade began, but his focus was elsewhere.
Y/N’s laugh rang out again, soft and clear, and Logan clenched his jaw against the warmth it stirred.
He’d pretend. He’d hide.
And maybe, if he was lucky, it would be enough.
XXX
59 notes · View notes
laddelulu30 · 22 hours ago
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This is my first ever post. Be kind but be honest
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Synopsis: Christmas themed, soft Sylus smut
Tags: small plot, female reader x Sylus (dragon daddy), poc reader implied, cunnilingus, vaginal creampie, foul language, soft(ish) smut
Word Count: 2.8K
A/N: This original piece is for @hesprisms I tried to keep this as romantic as possible as my understand for soft smut. I hope you like it, pookie. I also have to formally apologize since I went way passed the closing date. Holidays got a little hectic for me. I did my best despite my... preferences. I hope I did you proud. This work for the Secret Santa Fic Exchange event by @nanamiscocksleeve
Dividers by:@jiyascepter; @adornedwithlight ; @cafekitsune
Sylus image by: IG: @botsandmod.ig
Twinkling Lights
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It’s been 2 years since you moved in with Sylus in the N109 Zone. His place was massive, too much room for just two people, well four if you counted Keiran and Luke. But they often came and went. So they didn’t really count. An entire apartment complex bought out because Sylus liked his space and wanted to keep his treasure secure. Whatever that meant.
With a sigh and a shiver, the elevator dinged open. Your arms full groceries, I walk into the penthouse. Sylus comes walking down the steps.
“You know I could’ve just called to have them delivered” his deep voice smooths over my skin like silk. I shiver as I put the bags on the counter. And it’s not because of the cold weather outside. I’ll never get used to the way my body reacts to his voice.
“Baby, it’s fine. I Like going out and moving about,” you defend, taking everything out of the bags. Beginning to put them away. You’re so locked in to putting everything away that when you finish, his arms wrap around you. And it causes you to jump. “Oh!”
“Sweetie” his lips skitter along your neck as he inhales your scent, his voice almost drawing the word out, “Do you miss being a Hunter that much? If you need something to keep you occupied, you can pick up boxing or simply do physical training with me?”
You shiver again, and this time, he notices. He pulls away slightly to get a look at your face, concern itching his beautiful face.
“ Are you cold? You’re shivering,” he says.
“ No no I’m fine,” you defend, doing a double take at his appearance, “Baby, your hair. Your horns are out. What happened?”
He chuckles, “ I know my hair is longer than what you’re used to. I can cut--“
“ No!” you say quickly, swallowing before talking again, “It looks great. I like it”
He smirks, probably picking up how your heart sped up every time you looked at his ashen white hair that was now long enough to stop in the middle of his back. But he doesn’t say anything.
“Your horns. Did something happen?”
“No. it’s nothing to worry about. I promise,” he says, waving dismissively.
Your gaze Narrows but you don’t press.
“Are we putting up a Christmas tree?” you ask, hopeful.
“is that what you want to do?” he says, chuckling.
“ yes, I’d really like that. Even if we don’t have presents to put under the tree, I still want to put one up. You know with the whole tree topper and decoration and everything.”
He wraps his arms around your waist again, resting his face in the crevice of your neck. You do your best to keep your heart from galloping in your throat.
He chuckles, “ Alright, I’ll grab the decorations and we can decorate together, sound fun? ”
You nod, your stomach knotting.
He places a quick kiss on your forehead before disappearing back upstairs. You try to calm down your galloping heart, hoping he hadn’t noticed.
You lay your coat and scarf on the sofa, bending down to take off your shoes and place them by the front door.
You walked back to the bare Christmas tree. A peculiar white tree with red frosted tips.
Leave it up to Sylus to get something almost no one else has in their home.
Moments later, he comes walking down the stairs with two packing boxes.
You jump up to help.
“I’ve got it sweetie just stay by the tree” he says, softly his voice warm like milk and honey, gentle.
You stand by the unique tree, awkwardly. Patient. Waiting.
Anxious energy coils in your stomach again.
“Are you sure you’re okay, sweetie?” he frowns” setting the boxes down in front of the tree.
Hastily, you grab for one of the flaps of the boxes, opening it to start decorating the tree. Trying to find something else for your mind to focus on.
Several minutes, maybe hours of silence pass. As you and Silas decorate the tree you pick up a velvet red box.
One you hadn’t seen before.
“Um....Sylus”
“Open it,” he says gently, abandoning decorating the tree as you become his sole focus.
You open the box and a light, small, eliminates the most breathtaking ring you’ve ever seen, nestled in the foam. A black ring with three big rubies encrusted in the band, surrounded by many small emerald green gems.
You look up, eyes snapping to his face. Your heart sinks into your gut as he looks at you, hopeful.
But he’s observant and picks up the shift in your mood quickly.
“You.. don’t look happy,” he says quietly.
“N-no I am. It’s just..” you start trying to find the words as your stomach knots, and your throat feels like it’s closing up.
“What’s wrong?” he says gently.
“I don’t know.. how to tell you, if you’ll be excited... or if you’ll”
“Sweetie, just tell me” he urges gently.
“Well,” you swallow thickly “While I was out, I went to the clinic to do a quick test because I hadn’t been menstruated in 2 months. I was worried something was wrong. But they told me.... I’m pregnant”
Silas doesn’t move. Doesn’t even blink. The silence is deafening except for the crackling of fire in the fireplace.
He finally breathes “You’re pre-- we’re gonna have a baby?”
You nod.
“Do you want to have a baby? Because you don’t have to, if you don’t want to. I’ll be sad, but it’s your decision to make. Ultimately it will be your body that has the bare the consequences.. ”
You swallow “I want to have this baby with you. Do you want to..?”
“Sweetie, nothing would make me happier than you becoming my wife and the mother of my children,” his gaze darkens
“Children,”you squeak.
“Only if you’re open to the idea,” he takes the box out of your hand, taking out the ring and placing the box on the sofa.
“Let’s cross that bridge when we get there,”you laugh nervously as he slides the ring on your ring finger.
He nips that finger with his sharpened teeth, causing you to let out a low hiss.
“Kitten, you didn’t answer my question?”
“What was the question?” you blink, momentarily stunned as a persistent fire licks at you from the inside.
“Will you marry me?” he chuckles, his voice deep and husky.
“Yes,” you replied, your voice breathy from your arousal.
“Well wife,” he says endearingly, pulling you into his arms bridal style “As much as I want to ravage you under the Christmas tree, that wouldn’t be good for your back. Nor for the baby. So let’s go upstairs and we can finish the decorations tomorrow.”
“Okay,” you whisper breathless.
“My lovely wife,” he grinned his Ruby eyes bright with happiness “I will savor you tonight, so try not to pass out on me.”
“What?” you squeak.
“My dragon could smell that you were with child. I simply wanted to wait until you were willing to tell me yourself.”
“So, I was nervous for no reason?”
“Not quite. Children are a big responsibility. I wouldn’t have faulted you, had you chosen to wait a little longer. I wanted you to tell me when you felt ready. I wasn’t expecting you to say it right after my proposal though,” he laughs, walking up the stairs to your shared bedroom with you carried in his arms like something precious.
“But I’m happy you told me. Your pheromones were driving me mad,” his voice deepened.
“You could smell that?”
“Darling, I could smell you getting aroused as soon as you saw my long hair and horns. I just didn’t say anything.”
“You jerk,” you laugh, mock hitting his shoulder.
He gets to your shared bedroom and lays you gently on the bed leaving the door open.
“The door. What if the twins--”
“They know better,” he says, his voice rough with desire.
Sylus peels off his shirt, kicking off his shoes and socks. He reaches or your oversized sweater and your hand clenches tightly down on it.
His eyes look to your face, brightening with understanding his gaze and voice soften, “Show me.”
Still hesitant, you hold on to the hem of the sweater, his grin widened and he removes your pants flinging them away without looking
“Kitten, you’ve gone weeks without letting me touch you. Smelling your arousal without letting me help. Driving me mad with desire. Please don’t deny me this. I want to see you. To taste you. Claim you,” he runs his nose against your inner thigh, nipping at the sensitive skin, making you whimper softly. He begs in a soft voice “Please.”
Relenting, your fingers let go of the sweater and he pulls the sweater over your head, your breasts bounce free. They’re in a larger size bra than they were before and a small baby bump is seen.
“Is this why you wouldn’t shower with me? Wouldn’t share the bed with me?” he plants fervent kisses along the underside of your belly, rubbing the pads of his thumbs softly along your pebbling nipples.
“Yes, “ you whisper, your breath hitching.
“You are beautiful, kitten. There’s no reason for you to be nervous to show me your body. Our baby is growing inside your body, understand?” he says gently, licking and nibbling back down to your inner thigh.
He lifts your legs by the underside of your knees, hooking them over his shoulders. He dives his face between your thighs, rubbing his nose along the damp material of your panties.
“Wait, Sylus--” you pant in protest, but his lips close over your panty-clad core.
You yelp in surprise, your hands flying to his hair as the other hand braces against the bed.
“Fuck. You smell divine, “ he growls, humming after coming up for air, “You taste even better. ”
“Sylus!” you gasp, fire spreading in your veins.
“Sorry, kitten, you deprived me. Starved me of eating this pussy. I’m hungry, and nothing is going to stop me from feasting on you,” a growl rumbles in his chest as he hooks his teeth on your panties and slides them down your legs before diving back to your weeping core.
Lapping at you hungrily like a starved man savoring his last meal.
A string of cusswords rip from your throat as he feasts. Teeth and tongue alternate between which one skates across your folds and your electrified bundle of nerves.
“Sylus, please,” you beg, a climax cresting quickly.
“No need to beg, kitten. I’ve got you,” he pants, doubling his efforts.
“I’m sorry!”
“Don’t be. I’m simply reminding you how much you mean to me and how much I’ll always adore you no matter how much your body changes.”
You explode on his tongue, and he doesn’t change his nor his tempo, dragging you roughly through your climax.
You’re not sure how much time has passed, but you’ve climaxed three more times since the first one.
“Sylus...” your voice is hoarse from screaming your release, but it doesn’t seem like he plans to stop anytime soon.
“I’ve got you, kitten. One more,” he says, sucking on your swollen and oversensitive nub as he slowly sinks one finger into your pulsing heat.
“I can’t,” you weep, your thighs shaking from the strain.
“Yes, you can,” he coos encouragingly.
Pulling his fiendishly talented tongue away, he curls that one digit over the spot that makes you squeal. Your world shatters, stars dying behind your eyes, blinding.
“See? You did so good,” he says, slowly pulling his finger from your quivering heat.
You pant, trying to catch your breath. He grasps one of your ankles, kissing and nipping at it adoringly.
He stands, grinning wickedly, whispering, “We’re done yet.”
He carefully, gently, changes your body’s position. On your hands and knees. He rubs your skin, spreading you open.
“Such a pretty pussy,” he groans low, appreciatively, rubbing his hot and hard length through your soaking wet folds.
“Sylus, please..... I’m tired,” you beg weakly.
“I know, sweetie,” he croons, “One more, then I’ll make sure you’re pampered in the bath like the queen you are, okay?” he says.
He doesn’t give you a chance to voice your opinion before he pushes fully into you, seated deeply to the hilt. You scream.
“Already? Wait for me, kitten, ” he smirks, then starts moving.
A determined and purposeful pace. He thrusts deep, desparately chasing his own release through pounding through your squishy walls.
More string of curses from you.
“Just a little longer, kitten,” he encourages, his voice strained, “Ahh, fuck, you feel so good for me, so soft and hot.”
With one more deep and determined plunge, he cums with a groan string of curses and prayers, his hips jerking weakly as he shoots rope after rope of it, his cum coating your walls. His muscles twitch and flinch.
After catching his breath, he slowly pulls out, your body releasing him with a wet and sloppy pop.
“You did so well, kitten,” he says, kissing the back of your head before going to the bathroom to run you a bubble bath.
When the water is done, he comes back to retrieve you. He picks you up and gently places you into the water.
“Is the temp okay?” he says sweetly, his gaze watching for any twitch or frown you may make.
“Yeah,” you whisper, hoarsely.
“Did I hurt you?” he says softly.
“No, you did go a bit overboard but I can’t really complain because it felt really good. I know I’ll be a little sore afterwards though,” you blink, smiling sleepily.
“I’ll make you some hot cocoa, sound good?” he offers.
You nod.
Wrapping a towel around his waist, he disappears downstairs to make your drink. He returns a short time later with your hot cocoa in a ceramic mug of a snow man wearing a scarf and mittens with two giant marshmallows floating in the chocolate goodness.
“Here ya go, sweetie,” he hands you the mug.
“Thanks, baby,” you say, taking the mug and taking a sip, “You always make the best hot cocoa.”
He smiles and waits for you to take a few more sips before he takes the mug and then leave the bathroom to sit the mug on the nightstand next to the bed.
You start to protest.
“You’ll get more after I pamper you,” he says, and starts to bathe you with all your favorite smell goods like body wash, body scrub and water safe body oils that you use.
After letting you soak for a while, he let’s the water out and rubs oils and lotions into your skin, pat drying your skin before helping you get into your lavender satin pajamas.
He picks you up and puts you against the pillows, pulling the cover back and tucking you in.
He hands the cocoa back to you, “I’ll take a shower and when I come back, we can snuggle and watch a movie, okay?”
He kisses your forehead and you nod, smiling dreamily.
You drink your cocoa, waiting for him to return, but you fall asleep. The empty mug resting on the small baby bump.
Sylus returns from his shower and smiles at the sight of you.
“Rest well... my wife,” he says, whispering warmly before taking the mug into the kitchen and starting the dishwasher.
He quickly returns to the bedroom, getting into bed with you, nuzzling between your legs so his face rests against your belly. Rubbing circles on the small bump, lovingly.
“I can’t wait to meet you, little one. Try not to stress your mom out too much. She’s a sweat heart and will be a very important person to us both,” he whispers into your skin before gently moving so that he cocoons behind your sleeping body, wrapping his arm firmly around you and pulling you up against him.
His chest presses against your back as he rests his chin in the crook of your neck as you both sleep, relaxed and spent, deep in bliss.
~The End~
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copyright: original written by @laddelulu30 this is my only account. If you see my work anywhere else, please let me know. Otherwise, if you made it to the end, leave a like and a comment.
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perseephoneee · 3 days ago
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scarf [ficmas day 15] [isaac lahey x f!reader]
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↳ masterlist ↳ ship exchange ↳ taglist ↳ ficmas 2024
anon: Hiya! Can you write something for your Ficmas 2024 with Isaac and a scarf? (I know it's so obviously choice 😆) I will be very grateful. @mayfieldss : For ficmas you KNOW I have to ask for scarf with isaac lahey! I love you, you're the best. 💓
author's note: merry christmas you guys <3 i can't believe we finished this challenge (by we I mean me i was burned out at the end). every fic i wrote i was excited to share with you guys, and truly i am so thankful for every single person who reads these. i love writing, and i love writing knowing i'm improving someones day.
i'd love to hear what everyone is excited for this holiday season, feel free to drop an ask in my inbox or message me personally <3 love y'all
playlist:
buy me presents -- sabrina carpenter
cold december night -- michael buble
christmas song -- phoebe bridgers
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Isaac always wore a scarf because despite it being in the seventies constantly in Beacon Hills, CA, it was his Mom’s and he liked to remember her. This sentimental fact did nothing to stop theo ther boys from relentlessly teasing him. Because men are idiots. 
You witnessed it firsthand very often. 
“I can’t take you seriously when you wear that,” Stiles shook his head, stabbing his fork into the cafeteria’s excuse for a salad. Isaac just flipped him off. Lunch was often like this. 
“It’s in style,” Lydia defended Isaac. 
“But with the leather jacket?” Stiles waved at Isaac’s outfit. “It’s like if a grandmother joined a biker gang.”
“This isn’t very Christmas spirit of us,” you chided. You had brought lunch from home and were not sad about missing out on today’s lunch specials. Stiles stole a carrot from you in protest. 
“How much do you want to bet that Christmas will be ruined by something supernatural-related?” Stiles asked. You hit him with the back of your hand. 
“Why must you be like this?”
“I didn’t get enough attention growing up,” Stiles smiled at you before swiping more food from your plate. 
“I also didn’t get attention,” Isaac added. “Because I was–”
“Locked in a freezer, yes, we know,” Stiles sighed. “Still milking that?”
“Yeah, still milking that.”
“Very cute; your sadness goes with your scarf.”
You were about to yell at Stiles again when the bell rang. You gave Isaac an apologetic glance but he just smiled. He was a good sport, and could handle Stiles teasing. You don’t know how he managed to keep such a cool head with everything in his life. 
You both shared the next class together, U.S. History and debated asking him. You sat together near the back of the classroom. As it was the last day before winter break, your teacher was playing a movie. A teacher’s cop-out to an actual lesson plan. You couldn’t disagree with your logic. 
You ended up at the table first, like you always did. You were pulling out your journal and pens when Isaac finally came in, sitting next to you. You felt your heart skip a beat as he smiled at you. Neither of you got to say anything as your teacher started class, droning on about the ‘importance’ of the movie and whatever. You were a good student, but you did not care enough to listen to this spiel. Isaac agreed. 
“I just want to go home already,” Isaac rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat. 
“Me too,” you sighed, scribbling in your notebook. You doodled when you were bored. “Although I need to stop by the archives first.”
“Archives? Why?” Isaac asked, sitting back up. His knee bumped yours, but he didn’t pull away. You didn’t want him to. 
“Just doing some research on whoever is committing human sacrifices,” you whispered. Your pack’s latest problem. You wondered if you would ever get a break from the supernatural. You also wondered if you even wanted to. 
“It’s the holidays, take a break.”
“This thing won’t take a break.”
“You’re too good,” Isaac muttered. He said it the way someone comments on an art piece, with reverence and understanding. “I’m going with you then.”
“Isaac, it’s going to be boring.”
“So’s sitting at home,” Isaac took one of your pens, flipping it between his fingers. His fingers were nice and long, and you looked away before any unwanted thoughts came into your head. “Besides, I like hanging out with you.”
Sometimes Isaac said things like that, and you wondered if maybe he liked you the way you liked him. How could you not like him? You liked him before he was a werewolf and was just the quiet, lanky boy in your class. You liked him after he turned and started hanging out with your friends. He was always kind to you and always remembered the things you said when no one else did. You hoped that maybe one day he might feel the same. You weren’t always so sure. 
“Okay,” you whispered back, a small smile on your lips. He grinned. He took your journal from you and put it in the middle of the desk so you could both doodle. You drew a whale. He drew an elephant. You drew a gecko. He drew Stiles being electrocuted. You took the pen out of his hand. He wrapped his own around yours to take it back. Sometimes, you really hated him. 
The end of class came sooner than you imagined. You and Isaac decided that the rest of the school day was stupid (you both had two periods left, and both were filler classes), so you decided to skip out. You had driven to school in your parent’s hand-me-down Honda and decided to head out to the Beacon Hills library where the archives were. You weren’t sure if you were going to find anything, but you thought maybe you’d try. Sometimes, the best answers lay in the past. 
You regretted bringing Isaac to the library about twenty minutes into being there. He was all anxious energy, as you researched. He asked you a ton of questions, moved around, and overall was a distraction. It didn’t help that he took off his scarf and jacket, so he was just in a t-shirt. A t-shirt that had shrunk in the wash and, therefore, hugged his body a little too well. The urge to climb in his lap and make out with him right then was overwhelming. You started thinking about things like the Vietnam War and statistics to quell your lust. 
While you didn’t find anything in the archives, you did find some books on the history of human sacrifices and another on pack dynamics that you thought might be interesting. You checked both out and ignored the look of the librarian as she read the titles. Isaac stifled his laughter. 
You were about to ask Isaac if he wanted to grab some coffee before going home (any chance to prolong your time with him), but the question caught in your throat as you regaled who was leaning against your car. 
Ethan and Aiden were waiting for you both, or maybe just Isaac. You were never sure how much of a priority you were to your enemies. You assumed you were low on the totem pole. 
“Lahey,” Ethan called out, stepping out of your car. Isaac gently pushed you behind him. 
“Ladies,” Isaac grinned. “What can we do for you today?”
The twins bristled. “In the spirit of Christmas, we wanted to give back to the people who got us where we are today,” Aiden drawled. Your blood chilled at the connotations. “You destroyed our ride; we destroy yours.”
You very much did not like this idea. 
“This isn’t my car, sorry,” Isaac shrugged. 
“It’s hers,” Ethan pointed to you. You wanted to yell at him, but Isaac refused to let you come out of behind him. “And she’s important to you, so we thought it would be the same thing.”
You would’ve spent more time pondering that comment if Aidan hadn’t proceeded to smash in your windows. You yelled at them, your voice carrying across the parking lot. Isaac growled, rushing forward and pushing Aidan away. Both twins laughed like this was a joke to them. You were in disbelief and anger over the state of your car and knew you couldn’t afford to fix it, especially with extra expenses around the holiday season. You also were angry that these three idiots were having a fight out in the library parking lot. 
“Hey!” you yelled, attempting to get them to break it up. Shockingly, Isaac was holding his own against the alpha twins. Unfortunately, he was still losing. Ethan grabbed the scarf from his neck, dangling it in front of him. You cried out as Ethan ripped it in half. This was only going to end badly, you knew that. Especially as Isaac turned right after, with the twins following. 
You were no match for three werewolves; you were barely a match for a full-grown human man. But you needed to get Isaac out of here before people started noticing and before he got himself killed. You rushed to your car, avoiding the glass and looking in your center console. You found what you were looking for. You gathered up your courage and rushed back to the twins. You sprayed the pepper spray at Aidan and blew your air horn at the same time. All three covered their ears in pain while Aidan cried out about his eyes. You felt smug satisfaction. That was for my car, you asshole, you thought. 
“You three need to knock it the fuck off,” you growled out. They all turned to look at you, resembling wounded puppies. “You’re acting like children and, in the process, damaging Isaac’s property and my property.”
Ethan had the audacity to look slightly ashamed. 
“No wonder you guys were omegas,” you seethed. “You act like bitches.”
You grabbed Isaac’s arm, pulling him away from them. You had no idea where you were going; you just wanted to get away from the parking lot until they were gone. You decided to drag him behind the library. You leaned against the back wall while he paced around. 
“I’m sorry about your car,” Isaac cursed. He still hadn’t turned back, his voice raspy. You shook your head. 
“Not your fault,” you picked at the threads on your sweater. “I’ll figure it out.”
“It’s bullshit,” Isaac growled, kicking at the sidewalk. You let him work through it. 
“I’m sorry about your scarf,” you said earnestly. He was still breathing heavily. 
“If I wasn’t a fuck up, if I hadn’t harassed them, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Your heart broke at his harsh language. You walked over to him, blocking his pacing. He was forced to look at you, golden eyes and all. 
“You are not a fuck up, okay?” He tried to look away, but you grabbed his hand, pulling him back. “You are wonderful, and knowing you have been a gift. You are not responsible for their behavior. You are responsible for your own.” You reached a hand up to smooth the space between his brows, his wolf side subsiding. “You are worth it.”
You watched the gold fade from his eyes, the blue returning. It looked like the sun hiding behind the ocean. You didn’t break eye contact; even if it made you feel uncomfortable, you held on. You needed him to see you were serious. Isaac brought his hand to your face, thumb tracing over the apples of your cheeks. You shuddered at his touch. 
“You’re beautiful when you’re angry,” he murmured. You choked on your words. He cradled his face with both of his hands, kissing your forehead. Your breath was shallow as he kissed your eyelids, the tip of your nose, and finally, your lips. You opened your mouth to his, already desperate to have him in every way. He was gentle with his kisses as if you were a treasure he didn’t want to break. He licked your teeth, and you felt your breath hitch. You sighed when he applied more pressure. Your lips followed after his when he pulled away. You couldn’t even find it in yourself to be embarrassed as he chuckled. 
“I really enjoyed that,” you hiccuped. Isaac brushed your hair back, hands drifting down your arms to your waist. 
“Me too,” Isaac grinned, kissing your cheek. “We should do it more often.”
“I don’t usually put out on the first date.”
“Hey, I’m not that easy,” Isaac raised a brow, and you laughed. “But I think we can arrange something like that.”
You managed to get a vacuum from the library, citing ‘vandals’ as your reason for needing it. They were very polite as you and Isaac cleaned up the stray glass and taped trash bags over the windows so you could drive home. You told your parents the same reason, and they fortunately didn’t blame you. You couldn’t find it in yourself to be upset because all you could think about was your kiss with Isaac. You called Lydia to tell her the news and to tattle on her boyfriend. She was elated that you guys finally did it (“Allison and I had a pool on who would make the first move”) and aggravated with Aidan. You hoped that she yelled at him. 
Isaac texted you at the end of the night that he was going to take you out the next day. You agonized over what to wear (you settled for something nice but still casual). He ended up taking you to a double screening of “Die Hard” and “Scrooged.” You ended up making out in the back of the theater. 
You had dates throughout the rest of the week. You had no idea how to define your relationship (there had been nothing official yet), and you were too afraid to ask. You wanted to be his; you felt like his. You knew there would be no one else for you. 
Isaac invited you over for Christmas dinner. Your parents were heading out to a dinner party and were fine with it. You knew Stiles and Sheriff Stilinski would also be in attendance. You felt welcome into a family you weren’t 100% sure was yours. 
You arrived at 6pm on the dot, wearing a maroon red dress with tights. Isaac answered the door in a dark button-up you haven’t seen on him before. 
“Merry Christmas,” you smiled. He leaned down, kissing you. You had to pull away before you made out on the McCall’s porch. “Can’t keep your hands to yourself, huh?”
“Not when you’re dressed like that,” Isaac looked you up and down. You scoffed, but your heated cheeks betrayed you. Isaac let you in the front door and to the living room where everyone was. Melissa and Noah were preparing dinner while Scott and Stiles drank Martinelli in the main room. They greeted you upon entering. You handed them both their gifts. 
“I can’t believe you and Isaac are dating,” Stiles scoffed, unwrapping your gift by tearing through the paper. “He doesn’t have enough class to keep a girl like you.”
You waited with bated breath to see if Isaac denied the dating claim, but he just wrapped his arm around you instead. 
“Pot calling the kettle black,” Isaac coughed. Stiles glared at him. 
“That analogy would require me to have Lydia, which I don’t.”
“Shocker,” Isaac raised his brows. You elbowed him. Stiles laughed when he saw the collectors editions of Sherlock Holmes you got him. You sat down on the ground next to him so he could give you a hug. 
“You’re so good with gifts,” Scott whistled as he beheld the jacket you thrifted for him. 
“It’s my superpower. You guys are werewolves, I’m actually Santa,” you grinned. Isaac sat down next to you. 
“I didn’t know Santa was hot.”
“I have to keep my identity a secret, or I’ll never get any work done,” you responded. Isaac smiled, leaning in and kissing your cheek. Stiles made gagging noises. 
“I hate seeing you happy.” You and Scott both hit Stiles at the same time. “I was kidding.” 
You pulled out your gift for Isaac, handing it to him. Instead of unwrapping it, he grabbed your hand pulling you up. 
“We’re going to exchange gifts elsewhere,” Isaac announced. “My Christmas gift to you is not kissing her in front of you guys.”
“You’re so gracious,” Stiles mumbled. 
“Happy for you, man,” Scott was too busy trying on his jacket to look at you guys. You hid your face in your hands as Isaac dragged you towards his room. You hadn’t been in it before and already had butterflies in your stomach when he closed the door behind you. 
“Did you have to say that?”
“I speak only truth,” Isaac said. “Plus, I do really want to kiss you.”
He didn’t give you time to explore his space before his lips were on yours. You grabbed his waist as he cupped your cheeks, backing you up slowly. Your knees hit the bed as his lips trailed from yours to your neck. You moaned as he nipped your pulse point. 
“Isaac,” you breathed, attempting to push him away. You would let him divest you of your clothing if it was any other day, but today, you were cognisant of his family downstairs. 
“I just like kissing my girlfriend,” he sighed, pulling back to look at you. “Is that a crime?”
“I’m your girlfriend?” you asked, voice small. His gaze softened. 
“Yeah, if that’s okay…”
“It’s perfect,” you beamed, kissing his cheek. “Now, open your gift before we get too distracted.”
Isaac grumbled as he pulled away from you but grabbed the gift that had been discarded when he started kissing you. You hid your smile as he unwrapped it. Unlike Stiles, he spent a little more time being delicate with it. His breath caught as he saw what it was. He sat down on the edge of the bed, putting the box in his lap as he unfurled a darker blue cashmere scarf. You sat next to him as he caressed the material. 
“I know it’s not your Mom’s,” you murmured. “But I thought it would look nice on you.”
“It’s perfect,” Isaac sighed, folding it nicely and setting it aside. “You’re perfect.”
He kissed you again, this time gentler but no less passionate. He imbued every word that wasn’t created into that kiss until you felt your head spinning, and you thought you might fall over into the abyss with him. He pulled away with difficulty. 
“I do have a gift for you,” Isaac said, hesitation in his voice. He pulled something out of his pocket, putting it in your hands. You opened them to see the car keys. You looked up in disbelief. 
“Before you ask, no, I did not buy you a car,” Isaac held up his hands in defense. “I can’t afford that. However, I found out that Derek was attempting to get rid of one of his older cars because he had a ton for some reason, and I offered to do maintenance around the apartment complex for three months in exchange for the vehicle. Plus, after I told him it was Aidan who destroyed it, he was pretty amicable.”
Tears pricked your eyes as you beheld your kind boyfriend, who had gone out of his way to replace something and, in exchange, became beholden to someone else again. You didn’t have words for the love fueling you right now. You just pulled him close, clutching him in a hug that almost knocked him over. You breathed in his sweet scent, holding him close. 
“You are amazing,” you grinned, pulling away. “Thank you, Isaac.”
His cheeks turned a cute shade of pink as if he had no idea how to process your love. He looked down at your entwined hands, hiding a smile. You bit your lip.
“I could think of one more Christmas gift I could give you,” you whispered, hand trailing up his thigh. “If you’re up for it.”
Isaac looked up at you immediately, his breath catching as you traced over his jawline to his collarbone. 
“Yes, I think I’d like that gift,” he grinned, pushing you farther back on the bed and kissing you. 
He was the best Christmas gift you had ever received, and you wouldn’t trade him for the world. 
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taglist: @alice3612 @rafecameronswhore @evasmlp
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thesquid06 · 3 days ago
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I love the idea of Biana Vacker being a bad match and what it could mean for the Vacker family.
Of course her parents would still love her and respect her decision. However they would encourage her to still apply for matchmaking and receive her first packet, just in case. Even if Biana’s partner’s name isn’t on the packet they would still encourage her to hold her first winnowing gala, just in case.
I imagine them helping her pick out a gorgeous purple dress, with long lacy sleeves and an elegant neck piece. Most excitingly, it’s surrounded by the brightest purple gems. She almost loves it, until she notices that all of her scars are covered. All the dresses her mom recommended had long sleeves.
In a fit of rage she cuts the sleeves and collar from the dress. It’s a terrible job and makes something beautiful hideous. Just like the glass did to her.
She has to fix it herself. She takes a few other dresses from her closet and cuts them apart too. It takes all night but eventually she makes it gorgeous again. It’s a patchwork of all her favorite clothing. It’s sleeveless and displays all her scars. It feels a bit like taking control of the situation.
It’s also the first dress she’s ever made by herself.
She goes to the gala and dances with all the eligible individuals, making nice conversation and being the perfect Vacker child. Obviously, she doesn’t meet the love of her life. She already knows them.
She’ll tell her parents after. They understand.
Fitz yelled at her the first time she told him. They got in a huge fight about it. It’s the first time Biana truly understands that he faces more pressure being a Vacker than she does. He is the golden child, he will always be the golden child.
They both cry after the fight. Biana because she feels alone. Fitz because he once faced the same decision as Biana and chose his legacy. He really loved Sophie. He cries, pretending there is a universe where he was as strong as his sister.
He’ll find her the next day and apologize. He’s proud of Biana. He’ll do everything he can to support her.
Biana will become known as the sibling who destroyed the Vacker legacy. Even though Alvar was the one who committed atrocities. He might have started the destruction of their name but she finished it.
She becomes the change Alvar wishes he was. She often reflects on their similarities, wondering at what point does the love in her heart turns into hate.
It was probably a Vacker that started the matchmaking system, only fitting that a Vacker ends it.
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scumashling · 2 days ago
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Caretaker and Whumpee's First Meal Together
Past non con drugging, former Whumpee Caretaker
Caretaker has gone to painstaking lengths to make sure every aspect of the dinner is perfect, from the meat to the crispy potatoes to the dinner cocktail. It is, after all, Whumpee's first real dinner since they got away from Whumper, and after everything they'd been put through, and how skittish Whumpee still is, Caretaker wants more then anything for it to be a good one. The dinner is going well. Whumpee talks with their hands a lot, bright eyed and friendly, if a little nervous, a tight smile across their face. All seems well, except as Caretaker digs in they notice Whumpee isn't. They seem distracted, less interested in eating the meal and more into cutting it up into bite sized pieces and shuffling them around the plate. Whumpee is also spending an unusual amount of time observing the glass that holds their drink, holding the beverage up to the light, only taking scant, small sips, as if trying to taste for something.
"Is there something wrong with the food?" Caretaker asks, crestfallen at the idea that the first meal they prepared had failed to impress. Whumpee's eyes dart up, the forced grin they'd been wearing all night stretching further.
"Oh no! You did such a good job, Caretaker! I'm very grateful." They reassure caretaker. Their voice does not sound genuine, words coming out in rapid fire as if they'd rehearsed them in their head. God damnit.
"If you don't like it, I can make-" Caretaker sighed. Whumpee's left hand slams downs on the table before Caretaker can finish, the right still clutching the glass in their hand tight. The way they slightly tremble shakes the table and sloshes their drink, voice quickening to a high pitch. Caretaker detects a strained note of panic, despite Whumpee's efforts to mask it.
"No, no no no, please don't bother yourself with that, you must've worked so hard and I'm so thankful for everything you've done-its just-I just-" Whumpee's eyes zip back to the glass in their right hand, studying the liquid inside.
It has been a long time since Caretaker had been with Whumper. Sometimes, the memories seem so far away that Caretaker wondered if the whole ordeal had happened to someone else, or if Caretaker had simply made the whole thing up. It didn't help that Caretaker had spent most of that horrible time drugged out of their mind, courtesy of Whumper, unable to move, barely conscious yet all to aware of what was happening at the same time as Whumper hurt them.
It suddenly dawns on Caretaker that Whumpee fascination with the glass might not be out of politeness in the face of an inedible meal. They were looking for signs, strange taste, a strange fizz, if the liquid was cloudy, searching for bits of pills or oil floating on the surface. Caretaker remembers doing the same.
Caretaker knows what they have to do. They stand up, striding to the other side of the table.
"Can I see your drink?"
Caretaker doesn't wait for Whumpee's permission before taking the glass from their hand, downing about half of the glass of the dark red liquid, and promptly plucking a bite sized piece of meat off their plate and eating it up. When Caretaker sat back down, they could see Whumpee's eyes had gone wide, their shoulders bunched in anticipation as if they expected Caretaker to explode. They both waited in silence for a minute, until Caretaker offered them a small smile.
"You should try some. It's really good. And you're so skinny."
When Caretaker failed to explode or collapse on the floor and Whumpee was sure it was safe, they exhaled, their shoulders relaxing, and they tentatively took piece of meat from the plate and began to chew. Their eyes immediately lit up in delight and they had another, and another, and another, washing each bite down with the drink until the whole meal was gone.
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the-tmnt-ficfinder · 2 days ago
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Christmas Kindness submission
To Qoldenskies,
I’ll straight up say it. You write my favourite Donnie angst out there. There’s the obvious masterpiece that is the Canary Continuity, and the horrifically underrated Coming Undone. Both are such visceral, heartbreaking experiences that I have enjoyed from start to finish. And Caged Lungs broke me down. Miner’s Eulogy was what shattered me, though, and Clipped Wings? What a RIDE. With each chapter you post, I can’t believe we’re getting closer to the END. Not the END. I don’t want it to end, but it’s gotta. We do need that promised happy ending.
Honestly, your interpretations of the characters? Especially Donnie? They’re so well thought-out and clever. There’s so many important layers to them and what drives them, and it all comes together SO WELL. You’ve definitely done your homework and put a lot of care into your stories. It shows.
What I also have to praise is how beautifully crafted the writing ITSELF is. The metaphors and parallels are so clever. You use them masterfully to paint a better picture of the characters and their struggles. It’s like you have two narratives running at once, sometimes, the obvious one, and the supporting one that explains so much. I don’t always catch that, since I’m not that smart, but I know it’s there. Commenters help me out by bringing attention to it. 
Emotions? Spot on. I feel so much, and the experiences are painted so viscerally that it’s hard not to feel along with the characters.
And I wanted to also bring up one more thing. I really like how you ‘distort’ and break up the dialogue when the characters are in distress. The stammering, the added words, (for examples, “I’m— I’m too muh-ch,” “something’s wro-wrohng, Raph and Leo are ouh-out—“ (cu) “I’ll d-do– I’ll do any-hhh-thing,” “I’ll– I’ll clean it up, I promi- hhh -se!” (cl)) really helps me HEAR how they’re talking. I’ve never seen stuttering or dragged-out words articulated so ‘as-said’— meaning, that is exactly the noises they’d be making if you heard them (particularly the shuddering of breath that accompanies then ‘hhh’, if that makes sense). This is probably my favourite little detail exclusive to your work. I absolutely love it. It’s such a small thing but it definitely enhances the reading experience.
Because I don’t want to leave out your ‘smaller’ fics, I wanted to say that I have read Circomvating Death, too. It definitely is a nice little refresher to all the angst (but I LOVE angst), and I’ve enjoyed the humorously chaotic adventures of Donnie and Casey Jr. Whenever you get back around to writing for that, I’ll look forward to seeing where they go next!
And Enhancements? Short but sweet pain. The idea of NO existing painkillers working on them makes a lot of of sense. The super-soldier piece is such a fun little concept to play around with, whether for badass purposes or whump. I also love seeing the concept referenced in your other stories. It works great as a little headcanon establishment. It doesn’t need to be a massive masterpiece to still be great.
I know you’re also planning Where We Went Wrong as a B-team sep AU, and I’m definitely looking forward to that and your bad things happen bingo prompts! I know all that’s in the right hands, and 
You have a lot of talent, and you deserve all the positive feedback, fan art, and fanfics you’ve gotten so far.
And I did read the post where you said that your family is too poor to celebrate Christmas, but I hope you can cherish the time you all have together regardless (and beat that Christmas Curse that’s plagued you for the past couple years). <3 Have a great one! Wishing you all the best.
@qoldenskies
Christmas Kindness Event Post
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lightlycareless · 2 days ago
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Merry Christmas y'all!! I hope you had a wonderful time with your loved ones ❤️
I didn't get to enjoy this holiday that much because of... women issues. iykyk But still, I got to finish this and play some games so it wasn't all that bad :)
There's another piece that I also intend to upload soon, probably tomorrow lol but the bottom line is we getting two Christmas specials :> which I hope you enjoy!!
warnings: none. fluff. you and naoya are married and naomi already exists, however, it's not entirely centric on them. Mai and Maki's mom is the protagonist here :')
Happy reading!
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“If you go through with that change, you’ll be over the budget.”
Junko doesn’t know why she even bothers warning you so when it always ends up the same way: you go over your pre-approved spending limit, the elders question you about it, Naoya covers for it—or more like demands them to back off and pays for the difference.
In fact, he seemed to encourage it too, given how he never reproached you about it and even admired your ill choices—certainly unbefitting of your responsibilities as the future Lady of the House.
More so since there’s a new motivator behind your actions this time around.
“But it’s going to look so pretty, right?”
If she already thought the enthusiasm you had for your first Christmas at the Zen’in estate was too much, preparing everything for your daughter’s first celebration was beyond her expectations.
“It’s Naomi’s first Christmas, surely you must understand why I need to make this extra special for her.”
No. she doesn’t. She didn’t even do it for her own daughters, did you really expect her to suddenly grow empathetic to your cause?
The best thing you could do for everyone was stop, at least then she wouldn’t have to deal with complaints about the bad job she’s supposedly doing by guiding you through your new responsibilities.
But you’d become stubborn, just like your husband, marking this as the newest bane of her existence for all eternity to come.
“Hurry, Naoya! We’re just waiting for you! I already have everything set up so let’s go!” you urged whilst holding Naomi with one arm, pulling Naoya onto the main garden with the other—and he laughs alongside you while doing so, after days of endless teases, how could he not be thrilled by your surprise too?
“Careful, my love. I’m not confident our dumpling enjoys being jolted like that.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” You lament, immediately glancing down at your precious baby —just short of a year old— dressed up in a cozy polar bear fleece onesie that made her look even cuter. Alongside her big, round, golden eyes that told you there was nothing to worry about, for she was equally excited to see what you had in store for her. “My adorable princess, are you ready for your first Christmas?”
The baby gurgles, giving the two the most adorable sound capable of curing all ailments in the world, if possible.
“It’s our first Christmas as a family too.” Naoya notes, and your heart flutters at the thought.
“It is.” You respond, looking up to him with pure adoration—unconditional love. As well as partial disbelief, like you were still trying to wrap your head around the fact that one of your biggest dreams had come true.
A family.
Composed of a baby girl who couldn’t be any more perfect, a beautiful, sweet little thing that wholly compasses your love for Naoya.
And a husband, loyal, dedicated, protective—who wants nothing but your well-being, and of course, your love. Which he has more than enough to return.
You didn’t care for what Naoya had gotten you this year, not even dared to wonder, because the best gift you could’ve obtained was already in your arms.
“You’re making me cry, Naoya, that’s not fair!” You pout, he chuckles.
“Then don’t, just think about how happy Naomi is going to be when you reveal her surprise.”
Alongside the gathering crowd composed of Mai and Maki, whom you promptly invited the moment this idea crossed your mind, eagerly tugging at their mother’s sleeve as they wished to keep up with you.
“Come on, mom! We’re going to miss it!” Maki insisted. “I want to be there when it happens!”
“You two should be in bed by now!” Junko scolds, gently fighting back against their daughters, but ultimately failing against their unparalleled enthusiasm.
“We’ll go to bed as soon as we see it, we promise!” Mai quickly arranges. “Please, mom? I’ve never seen anything like this before!”
At her unwanted impotency, Junko naturally stretches to find a culprit behind their erratic behavior and make them responsible!
Or more like she wants to directly confront you for being their obvious prime instigator and demand you to stop filling their minds with senseless ideas, less you desired to suffer the consequences!
But of course, it all takes her back to the initial point. There is no use in her frustrations if by the end of the day she’ll just get the same result: you’ll promise to be more careful with your actions, ask the twins to be more obedient towards her… and let your enthusiasm get the best of you once more, completely disregarding the Zen’in’s inner workings.
So instead of wasting her time, she simply makes them promise to go to bed soon after you do whatever it is that you have planned and move on; arriving just a few seconds after you and taking their respective positions, the best seats as you’d put it.
And once ready yourself, you’d look over to your staff, signaling them to begin.
A wide smile on your face as the results of all your careful planning comes to life, bright colored lights decorating the garden, from the flowers to the trees, in all its festive glory—in such hypnotizing manner that those present could only gasp in awe at its beauty.
But if that wasn’t enough, you also made sure to pace everything correctly; a combination of dazzling entertainment that proved to be a complete success given the way your enthralled daughter bubbled whenever her favorite color appeared, or when encouraging her to do so.
“I think our little princess likes it.” Naoya declares, wrapping his arm around your waist and pulling you close.
“I knew she would.” You murmur proudly while resting your head over his shoulder. “And you? Do you like it?”
“I love it, just like everything you do.”
Junko looks away the moment two lean in for a kiss, just in time to avoid any further embarrassments—as if she wasn’t struggling enough with her unruly daughters and your senseless spending.
But even amongst all these inner conflicts, a part of Junko cannot keep her away from looking at your work. The one she previously disregarded as unnecessary, but now, before it’s intricacy… she can’t help but feel calm. Nostalgic even, though this sentiment wasn’t uncommon during these festivities.
Yet, to her it was. Almost intriguing that someone like her, that has never taken interest in commemorating such things in the past, less so after getting married, could feel such a way.
Though one quick glance at her daughters, the beaming, wide-eyed children that were equally enthralled as Naomi in the face of your celebration, would provide the answer. Because just like your child, they too were essentially celebrating their first Christmas together. As a family.
After brief consideration, perhaps finding it unnecessary to cut short this harmless moment, Junko decides to let her guard down and enjoy the rest of the evening. Soon captivated by the following fireworks, courtesy of the nearby village, which she was never aware could be seen from there.
Not that it mattered to ponder about such a possibility now, not when she allowed her mind to diverge instead into a universe where enjoyable moments like these were an everyday norm—and not an example of defiance.
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ugh I needed to give them the spotlight :') idk why it just came to me; but omg hahaha I'm sorry if y'all were expecting something a bit lighthearted but I promise the other oneshot I'm working on is 🙈 just needed to get this one out of my system.
Now, without anything else to add, I hope you have happy holidays!! Thank you so much for your support 🥺❤️ really, I could not be here without you guys.
Take care and hope to see you soon!!!
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