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smoothlikealikeasnake · 12 days ago

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Strong Coffee and Sweet Cakes

Chapter Three ‘The Price of Doing What You Love’

Genre - BTS FF, a/b/o dynamics, a/b/o BTS and MC, Ot7 x fem MC/reader, so fluffy, little angst, eventual smut

Warning - mentions of exhuastion, stress, tension, small injury mentions (accidental burns, muscle strains), lmk if theres any more to add!

Summary - A new cafe near the Hybe building will change the 7 members of Bangtan’s lives forever, 7 alphas in a pack? A recipe for disaster. Until a sweet omega starts to stir up their world with a little bit more sugar and slowly their loneliness dissolves

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Author Notes - I’m sorry for how long this took! Issues with saving on my laptop meant I lost the entire second half of this chapter and had no time to rewrite, it’s finally here though and chapter 4 is already in the making!

It can begin to pick up from here, finally met the first milestones I’d say. Yes they are all drawn to eachother but I don’t intend for them instantly to just realise and jump right in so this is maybe a slow burn, although I’ll be incorporating a lot of brief mentioned scenes like the scene with Hoseok asking about Y/n’s friends and a lot of spaces in the timeline (short ones) like the beginning where I show they progressed over a few weeks.

This just makes their relationship more realistic and it’s not going to be an instant change, I’d like to build a lot more on their individual characters too!

Aside from all the problems getting this chapter out, I’m happy with it (I think) please excuse any spelling or punctuation errors 😭

The following few weeks are busy but... Progressive. Your cafe continues to be as busy as ever but you have the special addition of three new customers. Namjoon tries to come in most days, he quickly learnt you work behind the scenes some days and he began to think his whole trying to come in every day was a little forward or pushy - even if you didnt see it that way - internally he knew he wasnt visiting just for the coffee and bakes so he came when he could, naturally rather than making it a part of his schedule. If he felt particularly peckish or really needed a break, hed come to get a coffee, but - only - on the days where you were working Upfront not that hed verbally admit that.

Hed argue that you just made his coffee better but the truth is that he visits for you - even if the coffee and food is amazing. Somehow you just brighten his day, make it a little easier with your expressive care and sweet gestures. The girls had began to tease you, finding a pattern when they were working of Namjoon coming in and then standing frozen like a lost puppy when one of them was behind the counter rather than you - of course he never asked for you - but Soojin did witness him making a small comment about you being back the following day when he returned and so they prodded, teased, pryed but you simply brushed them off. He just enjoys your coffee, right?

Its not like Namjoon ever made a bad impression on one of the others, he was as polite as ever, the only time they ever saw even a little bit of disappointment on his face that stuck was the day he couldnt see any of his new favourite pretzels behind the display and had even asked if there was any and he was just passing over them. Much to his dismay, you hadnt prepared any that day but when you found out, it felt like the end of the world, your heart pounded a little and you made sure there was his favourite pretzels every single day. Even if they werent on display, sometimes Namjoon would come in and whilst hed ordering his coffee, one of the girls will slide over a plate from behind the counter, labelled in your handwriting 'Reserved!' and they'd explain youd set it aside for him.

His brain chemistry felt like it changed when you did that, he froze, his heart began to beat faster, something swelling within him - pride? Joy? pure and utter admiration? An intense desire to give you the world for your incredibly sweet gesture?

Confronting- or rather- gently questioning you about it on his next visit rewarded him with the sight of your cheeks flushing red, a light stutter taking over your usually confident speech and a rather hasty explanation that only brought a wide smile onto his face and a blush of his own, sincerely thanking you and praising you for it only to watch you practically skip away when youd finished talking. This was also the day you exchanged names, your name then passed on to your other two new customers.

These two are less- lets put it straight- adamant. Although they can feel the pull to be around you, they decide to be a lot more subtle than Namjoon, really only visiting when they are craving a - good - coffee/drink of any kind or a sweet pastry. Honestly, your relationship with them progresses at the same rate.

Hoseok finds himself ordering your banoffee pie every visit along with a medium roast americano or- if hes visiting in the early morning you prepare him a fresh fruit juice alongside his coffee, claiming he should have something properly hydrating before his day. Ultimately, its because along with learning eachothers names, youd also worked out a kind of dynamic where youd slowly learn more and more about them and their lives, sometimes theyd tell you what theyd done or are going to do that day, sometimes theyd tell you a story about one of the other members, you love it all, are interested in it all. You happily listen and give input to their every sentence, laughing sometimes, symapthising and borderline lecturing at others. On this journey, you'd discovered that the alpha that originally would appear smiley but felt slightly intimidating and definitely confident, was a dancer, an amazing one at that and he often spent most days doing atleast some form of dance so yiu began to stress the importance of him beginning his day hydrated.

He'd watched in surprise the first day you did it, eyebrows raised and lips parted befre tilting his head in curiosity at your actions. Then he found a little fun in it, the way you breathed in a little more before speaking thinking it would help you get your words out but ultimately finding it didnt since his scent invaded your body and slowed your mind a little, that was... amusing.

Especially intriguing when Hoseok leant forward, resting his head on his hand, in the way you do getting slightly closer to show your listening, only making your eyes widen more and brain falter a little, practically shaking yourself out of your daze to explain. Hoseok wasnt cruel though- he dropped it and got back to his gentle smile when youd finished talking and thanked and praised you for your thoughtfulness but maybe that was just as bad because you went even redder, teetering on the spot and fiddling with your fingers because good lord it felt amazing to hear it from him.

You'd scurried off, if thats the right way to put it, afterwards, his intimidating - and too attractive for anyones good - aura just making it hard to focus for the rest of the day, your mind a little scrambled even when Yoongi came in for his iced americano - having briefly heard about your interaction that morning - and acted all nonchalant and lazy about it until suddenly blurting out that you should sit down, your a little shakey, take a little break before you begin again and then went on about his merry day but it had only driven you further into your madness. What were they doing to you?!

Safe to say you crashed especially hard into your nest that night and - maybe - slept a little better than usual, their words playing in your mind on repeat, transforming into blissful dreams that you scold yourself for in the morning. Seeing Namjoon first thing that morning - when you were just making sure everything was in check before retreating back into the kitchen - had seemed to settle your body, putting you back into calm, focused routine, his clumsy but cute mannerisms and intrigue in your every small word feeling natural, so natural that you slowly left your frenzy during the day and were ready to face either of the two offending alphas that following day if they chose to come in.

They might occasionally be driving you a little crazy but your doing it back to them tenfold. Truthfully, you dont leave their minds, they stay longer than they plan to everytime they visit your cafe, just watching, observing, admiring you. Even if you arent there, sometimes theyll stay just to catch a trail of your sweet, doughy scent, it just sets their day off right you know? Or makes a not so great day into one slightly more bearable.

Sometimes they’d come in and you already knew something was wrong before they’d even walked up to the counter or sat down but before you got there, you’d decipher wether to ask them about it, or to pretend it didn’t happen, and god they appreciate that. You just know, and it’s strange how fast that had all happened and become routine.

Sometimes you’d listen whilst making their coffees, sometimes when it’s less a lot less busy you’ll sit down with them for a short while and you don’t even have to answer, just listening makes it better, the way they can tell your actually listening and in return, not that you expect anything in return, there’s been days where they’ve absolutely done the same, looked at you in pure worry, ushering you to sit down and just say it all

Your unapologetically yourself, scolding them for their habits on some days and on others merely being a light in a gloomy sky for them, like when Hoseok’s running his hand through his hair repeatedly you know he’s stressed and don’t say a single thing about him ordering a double espresso at 5pm

Or when Namjoon clumsily lets a tiny hint of his strong, assertive scent out when his eyebrows are furrowed and he’s deep in thoughts, although it often makes you stumble a little you try not to show it, and if you can’t hide it you make a little joke, something that will make him apologise a little - even if you didn’t want any apology - but equally smile and lighten up even a little

Yoongi tends to just be a bit more silent, more than usual, a slight tension in his face and on those days, you make your way over and just silently accompany him if your given the chance, if not you just linger a little, top up his coffee without him asking, send him a short, telling smile and that’s more than enough for him. If he wants to talk about it, he knows you’ll listen, if not, you’ll silently be there.

Even when they are alone they find themselves smiling like idiots, thinking back about your conversations together, even the shortest ones, the way you scold them without a care anymore if their unhealthy habits show a bit too much, trying to guide them back onto a healthier path. Your every word replays in their heads, your every move, practically documenting your reactions to certain things like praise, their actions, their tone and their scents and you become a fascination theyve never felt before. The sweetest treat they could imagine, even without you trying to be.

Safe to say they do a poor job of hiding it too, jealously lingers from the remaining 4 members of the pack when the three rappers just show up a little less stressed, a little more energetic for practice, a tad happier than the others. Curiosity follows the jealousy and they pry, the three just brushing it off a little, not for the sake of hiding it, more so trying to deny the fact that you are having sucha big impact on them.

Everyone's been acting a big strange recently though. Jungkooks soft things frenzy was shortly brushed off, only to be followed by Jimin suddenly becoming very, very concerned with his clothes. Not how they look- nothing like that, specifically, how they feel. Hed put on a shirt only to cringe and practically banish it if it wasnt soft enough, if it didnt feel right, as right as he could explain. There soon was a pile accumulated of clothes he didnt deem soft and gentle enough, even if his skin was never bothered by it, his mind was, it just wasnt soft enough and thats all there is too it. Right?

They arent the only ones feeling and acting strange, alongside your clearly conflicting and growing feelings towards the three pretty alphas that youd grown to like so much, your instincts seemed to multiply. Their scents? Overwhelming, in the best way, more and more everyday, you just wanted to bottle it up and found yourself searching for any reminents of it on your clothes when you got home even if youd made no contact with them. Then your nest, which has always been your pride and joy, began to feel a little small, its big enough for you but somethings telling you it simply isnt big enough and when youd confided on your six amazing friends over your weekly dinner, theyd shared knowing glances with eachother and gently encouraged you to follow what felt right.

So there you are, gathering even more blankets, duvets and pillows, pushing and pulling to expand your nest a bit but there is something missing and you just cant put your finger on it, something thats making it even harder to sleep properly than usual. It has you huffing through your monday, sighing every second you get alone even if you of course put on a smile for the customers. Something;s missing, but what?

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"We are done! Everything's ready'" - Exclaims of happiness and relief start to flood through the practice room as their choreographer declares everyones learnt the dances and theyd only need refreshers from here on out, so for a little bit, they can take it easier than usual. No recording, no learning, no producing, just refreshing their memories every now and then.

That calls for a well earned celebration, the group plans to go out for dinner and some drinks later that night but in the mean time, everyones hungry, thirsty and exhausted, whats a better time to visit your cafe than now?

The seven are spread out across the practice room, some sitting, some laying down, some downing their water but they sit in a mutual silence, the comfortable kind. A little bit of a break - as far as breaks go for them - ready to begin. Yoongi's the one who suggests it, finally letting on to where the three rappers suddenly disappear to every now and then and the singers only grew curious, heavily intrigued and oh so eager to go.

"Lets go get some coffee" - Its a sudden statement, everyone looking up from their various positions in the room, thinking- right now? when we are all sweaty? More coffee when we dont need it Now and we''ve consumed more than our bodies should be able to handle in the last 2 months?!

"Where hyung?" - Taehyung enquires because clearly its not in this building, Yoongi announced it to make it a sort of trip/ small occasion for them, a group thing - which they hadnt truly had in a very long time.

The idea is appealing, something that brings them nostalgia since they hardly spend time properly together anymore. Its hard too, not just because of schedules but because of the conflict that has accumulated so easily as a result of their off-balanced hormones.

Their concerns about being all sweaty and not exactly the best example of presentable are brushed away as a little light seems to gleem in Yoongi's eyes when they agree. They take a slow walk, relaxed and appreciating the fresh air they are getting after being in the practice room for hours.

"Is it the cafe all of the other groups keep mentioning?" - Jimin enquires, always mingling here and there around the building

"Yeah that one with the fresh bakery display" - Taehyung also adds, humming in interest and delight

"Yeah, the coffee's really good" - Namjoon gives away the fact that he already knows where they are going and that this is the reason theyve been acting the way they have recently

"So the coffee is what has gotten you three all giddy recently?" - Jin pushes, eyebrows raised from curioisty

" theres clearly something else to it unless the coffee is made with actual magic"

"Well, you can be the judge of that yourself cant you?"

"Don't hide it hyung, whats the real reason"

"You'll see wont you'"

"Oh- i see her now" - Jungkook blurts out when he sees the three rappers brighten up the moment you come into view and turn to them, only noticing those three at first.

They all watch as your nose twitches and your steps falter, taking in a breath and immedietly being overwhelmed by the combination of their scents and the pure strength of them, laced wit something that screams 'alpha' even more than usual - their sweat. It only strengthens their initial scents and adds this layer that cant be described, its alluring, something you naturally react to a little and when you get a little closer to greet them they can see your pupils blowing out and breath catching in your throat, having to gulp before speaking.

"Your back! Together this time and- oh!" - You gush happily over the rappers at first and then the pure strength of the scents set in and nearly knock you over when you notice the addition of four new faces. These men are all too attractive for their own good- you gulp at the amount of eyes on you and slightly stutter in your next words, suddenly feeling like you could nest right here, next to the 7 and just surround them and yourself in hundreds of soft things over and over- Or maybe you should Tilt your head to the side and bare your neck or- or- what are you even thinking?! You shake yourself out of it visibly, resetting your smile

"How lovely to meet you all finally! Ive heard so much!" - You gush brightly

"Aish Y/n your revealing our gossiping tendencies" - Hoseok laughs out, teasing and finding it amusing when you falter for a second before catching on

"Dont be silly its hardly gossip just- information" - You throw right back, your tone playful and the vocal line instantly liked how you matched Hoseoks energy so easily.

"Well now i understand why they keep coming back" - Without even thinking, it slips from Taehyungs lips, his deep voice caushing you to shudder and your lips part, his intense, admittedly intimidating, stare only making your brain stop, not quite knowing how to respond when it was so clear he was talking about you.

"Oh- well-" - Your mind hardly co-operates, pupils blown out and cheeks tinted red, looking anywhere but into Taehyungs eyes as they follow you, intense, overwhelming. Sometimes, those kinds of comments would make you nervously laugh and subtely back away but coming from him, there wasnt any underlying negativity, no prying intentions beneath and instead you almost wanted to shuffle closer but you couldnt, nervous and clumsy from it all.

"Taehyung dont fluster the sweet girl" - Jin scolds, nudging him with his shoulder as he observed you struggling to reply but that didnt exactly help calm you, infact it just made your eyes widen even more, beginning to find an out to try and hide the cheesy grin that was forcing itself onto your lips but it was too late and they wanted to coo, the rappers wanting to tease and prod for your reaction but refraining for now.

"Ah- ill just- go to the counter" - You practically run behind the counter to hide your grin and escape the hot air that suddenly enveloped you around them, breathing in the fresh bake scent deeply to try and clear your mind of the haze the 7 alphas scents had started to settle over you.

Namjoon, always attentive and honestly very sensitive to whats going on around him, takes the opportunity to unnecessarily apologise for the addition in their scents/their appearances

"Ah im sorry for us coming here like this" - He Clumsily gestures to himself, rubbing the back of his neck and you understand what he means, looking up at him from behind the counter but you instantly wave him off

"Dont be silly, theres nothing to apologIse for, infact-" - You catch your own words in horror with yourself because why were you just about to blurt out that you liked their scents like this too, your about to slap your hand over your mouth but quickly try to divert from ayone catching on by asking the typical question, even if a few did catch and guess what you were going to say by the few sneaky giggles from amongst the 7.

"What can i get you all?'' - You take their orders one by one, explaining to each of them what the sweets behind the glass display were when their eyes caught onto them, drinks first and then treats.

"A mint tea for me please and- amazing thank you" - Namjoon's practically beaming when you gently shift his reserved pretzel you routinely make sure is available towards the front in question before he can even get the words out, the newer members look over his shoulder in wonder at what has their leader pretty much like a lovesick puppy with his expression and the breathy tone of his voice.

J-hope has a similar interaction, ordering his usual but having grown more confident around you recently, he threw in a wink and positively had your cheeks roasting, quickly diverting your eyes and moving on to Yoongi

"Iced Americano and- whats that dessert?" - He never usually orders anything to eat but your pleasently surprised when he points to the Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake

"Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake, its not too sweet, slightly tart from the raspberry mix in but its balanced by the cream of the cheesecake- i think youd like it, would go nicely with your drink too" - Its clear your passionate abou your bakes in the way your well versed in getting the perfect balance in each treat and when you finish off your sentance with a proud nod. The addition of 'too' as you finished completely changed the meaning of your evaluation some of the members noticed, had you not said it, your conclusion could be completely generic based on his drink choice, with it, the drink choice was merely an addition to your initial conclusion tnat Yoongi himself would like it- a minor detail, but one that leaked your increasing interest even if you hadnt noticed it as much yourself. Yoongi happily agrees to try it and yo move on to the 4 new faces, some strange nerves or tingles in your body, the ones you got meeting the other three but more intense this time, probably from there being more of them.

"Ill have a vanilla latte and a slice of that strawberry cake there- its cute" - Jin points to the pristinely decorated strawberry and cream cake, fluffy sweet sponge, ripe strawberries and sugary fresh whipped cream. His overall choice makes you smile because its equally contradicting and perfectly fitting to your first impressions of him- hes intimidatingly handsome, as if sculpted by a god but theres a gentleness and elegance to him naturally

"Sweet tooth?" - You brightly smile, tilting your head in question at him and he could agree but theres something else about Jin,

"Just like sweet things" - He can be a flirt, and he does it well, the wink he gives you is suggestive as if you are another sweet thing to him but the smile he gives is calming, unthreatening to show his comment is merely playful, without ill intent. Doesn't fail to make your eyes widen and have you stuttering onto the next person though

Somewhere under Jimin's words to you, Taehyung quietly protests to Jin's flirting since he got scolded for it but Jin begs to differ, pushing that Taehyung was blatantly forward and intimidating'

"Ill Have aN iced americano too and oh- a slice of that chocolate cake please" - Jimin's sweet voice practically serenades you, along with how he brushes his hair out of his face, sweet, welcoming but devestatingly beautiful. His smile is just as drawing, a full grin with his eyes closing when he catches you stare a moment too long and you really scold yourself in your head because of all things to do you dont want to make any of them uncomfortable.

"A mint tea with hm... One of those croissants please" - Taehyungs voice is shcokingly deep, but its not a cold kind of deep, infact its rather warm, the rasp seductive but effortless and its suiting to his looks. You smile happily at his choice of a tea rather than the coffee you so despise your regulars ordering so often, ahem, the three rappers.

"Uh an iced americano and what are these cakes?" - Despite his bold appearance - the tattoos peaking from his slevve you notice when he points and the piercings adorning his face and ears - Jungkook appears the most timid, shifting on his feet, only briefly meets your eyes and seeming to try and focus anywhere but on you, its strage, curious.

"Coffee, blueberry, lemon drizzle and banana walnut" - For some reason you speak gentler, barely noticeable but Jungkook isn't as bold as the others have been so far, until you see his eyes light up At the last flavour voice perking along with the volume he speaks at

"Ill have a slice of banana walnut cake too then" - You nd and take a final look over incase they want to make any changes, they dont

"Will you be sitting in or taking to go today?"

"We will sit in today" - You nod and insist they get comfortable while you prepare their drinks and food, but then as they look around you realise there isnt a singular space set up for 7 people at once, youd have to move a chair or two and rushed over to where you found them on some couches in a corner of the cafe, cramped and right next to them there was two larger chairs which, added to their space, would accommodate them all comfortably

"Ah! One second ill just bring these two chairs over" - You gesture to the two next to their seating area but you are stopped by multiple protests when you go to push one of them, two people coming behind you to take over

"Dont- we Can do that if your okay with us moving them" - Namjoon quickly calls out, closer than you expected, you could almost feel his body heat behind you and although you wanted to protest and insist you could do it yourself, both the men- Namjoon and Jungkook were faster and had picked up the heavy chairs with ease-

How they managed to do it like its nothing astounds you, in a split moment they were both looking at you in waiting for your instruction of exactly where youd like the chairs placed, lifting the furniture that you would have struggled and broken a sweat to even push.

Ugh, alphas.

Well if they are going to have insane strength then might as well put it to use. After your momentary jaw dropping, you quickly instruct them to put them where you wanted them and it definitely wouldnt seem like you were only moving them to accommodate the seven of them- more looked like you were just having them help redecorate a small part of the cafe with the way they keep looking back to see if you want it just slightly forward, or maybe to the left a little. You arent that picky.

"Aish now sit, you should of let me do it" - You scold, gesturing for them to sit now with a playful scowl, not that you were really complaining that they made it easier but they are customers after all- it just feels like you should be the one to do it obviously. And you dont want to dwell on just how effortlessly they lifted the chairs, pushing away that thought to usher the two alphas to sit and then rushing away shaking your head and setting off to do their orders.

Theres a more lyrical type of music playing today, heavy on the instrumental but equally balanced by the singing and backing vocals, its slightly upbeat but gentle enough to be just right. Your familiar with the tune, a favourite on your own playlist and you find yourself gently humming as you subconciously put together all of the orders, body fueled with energy.

Meanwhile, in a particular corner of the cafe, theres a group finally allowing their body to stop falsifying energy, sinking into their seats and embracing the need to just be tired and lazy sometimes. They dont speak, they dont have too, Yoongi, Namjoon and Hoseok are comfortable just dwelling on nothing, sometimes glancing at you behind the counter and other than that, accepting the comfort of soft chairs and background noise.

The vocal line on the other hand, taking in every little detail around them, the comfortability the three rappers have, slowly creeping into their bodies.

Jin likes the intimacy of the cafe, perfect for an introvert like him, the kind of environment you can seamlessly blend in should you want too and not draw attention to yourself, a luxury for them nowadays.

Jimin’s feeling over all of the pillows and blankets scattered around, after his recent frenzy of texture obsession, its safe to say he approves, each and every one of the fabrics - you - picked out to decorate is just soft enough, hes less frantic, humming curiously.

Taehyung is infatuated with the designs and aesthetics youve chosen, visuals satisfying and intriguing, he isnt as studious of art as Namjoon is but the vintage feel to some of the furnitures deeply intrigues and inspires him. He feels like this is hwt he wants from his own home, decorated just like this.

Jungkook’s taking comedically deep breaths of the air, in his apartment there is a ridiculous amount of diffusors, air filters or all kinds just sattered around- not in any kind of organised fashion just to keep the air clearer. Here? Barely any in sight, yet the air is even fresher, its so refreshing he looks like a puppy trailing a scent.

You come over with the drinks first, too much to do both drinks and treats in a singular round, walking to the table in the middle of all of the sofas and chairs and placing each drink down according to where each of the seven were and what they ordered. Mumbling the order as you place them down but as you move around the table and therefore move around in the middle of the seven, its like your putting some sort of spell on them, your hardly doing anything out of the ordinary, merely serving their drinks but to them, for some reason its like your dancing, twirling around the table for them.

“Honey for the teas, sweetened cream for the coffees, hm… sugar cubes there…” - You watch intently over the drinks you placed down, Yoongi having had taken his from your hands rather than it being placed on the table, checking you have brought out all of the extras, water filled jug just in case too, nothing seems to be missing so far.

“Ah! Spoons.” - You shoot upright, your outburst surprising the men and you bashfully smile, saying youll be one moment, their eyes follow as one moment you spinning around placing their drinks down and the next your off again. Somethings telling them to just reach out and slow you down, tell you that you’ll fall if you keep going around like that, that youll get dizzy moving so quickly but its not their place to do that.

A few moments later your back again, your hairs slightly fallen and pulled from the bun its in, a few strands over your face, probably from how fast you move, in your hand is another tray, the cakes they wanted, and a few small spoons for the additives on the table. You wear a different apron today, its black, like usual, but has a very mild pink hint to all of the stitching, just below your ear is a small patch, the same on both sides, a scent blocker, the effects of such last 24 hours usually, non harmful as they are non-invasive but they work to prevent your scent from being so evident. The boys wear them at award shows and- most places actually. What confuses them is how your scent seems to be just as strong as others are when they havent got a scent blocker on, if not stronger.

“I forgot the spoons” - You say with a little laugh, it must be hard, they think. To adapt your body beyond what its originally capable of handling - your schedule is what they mean. You wake early, go home late, probably ignore how much sleep your body requires as an omega because there arent enough hours in the day for you to keep up with it.

No one would guess that it is the case, with how energetic you appear all the time but from where Jin is sitting, he can see the back of your neck, below the wispy hairs theres small patches of red skin, a rash. He guesses what its from, overexertion as an omega will have your body protesting and showing visible symptoms, rashes being a possibility. They arent harmful, they are simply meant to be a warning, although they can be slightly painful.

From Taehyung’s seat, your hands are right in his view, little scars are on various areas of them and spread over to your arms, healed burns- not the kind that seem continuous or large of any sorts. They are very small, not extreme, healed over and some clearly very old as they are barely visible, from baking. A slip of your hand on a hot tray for a singular second and such, its a regular occurrence, nothing alarming of course, still makes Taehyung frown though.

Yoongi has been noticing for a while the strain on your body as well, when you lean down, sometimes your lips pull as if in slight pain and at times, your movements are delayed, looking unnatural as you your body physically tries to stop you from moving in such ways, stopping for a split second before continuing. Its happened to all of them before, a sign of continuous strain and muscle aches, hes thrown small comments about it your way multiple times now, never going as far to physically stop you from moving in such ways that strain you because its simply not in his right even if he has to push away his instincts to do so.

“Take it easy” “Go sit down for a few minutes at least.”

“Shouldn’t strain yourself like that.” You always wave him off; it’s nothing, you’ll say; you just slept on it funny, you’ll say. He’s since noticed how no matter what, you’ll deny any evidence of your body protesting what you put it through, and he understands, because he does the same. That doesn’t mean that he simply can accept it though, he puts it down to the natural dynamic, but that’s not all there is to it.

He's grown a habit of preventing you from making unnecessary movement when it comes to him; no matter how much you protest, he doesnt let you get a chance to bend down to place his coffee down, always taking it from your hands before you get a chance. It's one interaction in your busy and long day, and he knows it wont make all the difference, but it's one second less of strain, and that's a tiny difference enough to ease his mind, and the flurry of your scent in appreciation is telling too; every time he does it, that's enough of a thank you to nearly have him dozing off in his favourite chair in the cafe.

All your spinning has sort of created a whirlpool of your scent around them by the time you’ve handed out the cakes, a dizzying scent sending their muscles into relaxation mode, slumping in their chairs and that alone causes your smile to widen, standing before them after, clapping your hands together and double checking everything is out.

“Right! That should be it all, can i get you anything else?” - Your answered with polite denial and appreciation for what you have done, countless smiles and a couple sleepy sort of blinks.

You always think it, they work too hard, push too far, while they may yearn for the results and love their lifestyle at most times, their exhaustion is clear, you can practically feel the knots in their muscles with the way they move and sit, some of them still have veins prominent in their necks from the practice earlier, their body not yet calmed down although their scents have settled, still tainted with the remnants of sweat and standing there honestly makes you a little dizzy, mind a little soft but you put it down to the quick movements rather than their scents. Denial is a river in egypt.

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“So she owns this cafe?” - Taehyung questions, getting nods from the three rappers, everyones talking between sweet bites of their chosen cakes

“Works and bakes here everyday?” - A frown pulls at Jimin’s lips, concerned for a stranger, his caring nature evident

“It must be tiring, i dont want to make assumptions based on this but- wouldnt it be harder for her too? Since shes an omega.” - All of them perk up at Taehyung’s question because yeah, it biologically would be harder for you, the vocal lines eyes fell on the rappers for answer

“Yeah, it is, you can see it sometimes, how it takes a toll but im pretty sure she loves what she does” - Hoseok gets humms in reply, not blind to the signs of your exhaustion either.

“I like her scent” - 6 heads whip towards Jungkook at his words, teasing smiles and laughs because he has been breathing abnormally deeper than usual since you’ve been here to put their food and drinks down. Hes picky, its a known fact, incredibly sensitive to smells and he can hardly stand most peoples, can hardly stand his own unless he takes incredible care of his routine.

“Wowww, whats got you all appealed, huh Kookie?”

“An omega catching your interest the first time you meet her- thats new” - Namjoon is hardly surprised, truthfully. Jungkook has had his fair share of short-term relationships and a good amount of one or two night-stands. Amongst it all, hes never taken any interest in omegas, tending to be too headstrong or their scents making him sneeze in close proximity or just internally he hasnt taken a liking to them. This is different, most of them are immune to omega-charm, not that youve ever tried to put that on them anyway, you just act as your nature wants you too but theyve taken an incredible liking to you so far.

Like is the wrong word. Jungkook could take heaps more of your scent, breathing so deep you’d think hes running out of air, his pupils slightly dilated. It’s unusual to him, unfamiliar and he doesnt quite know what to do about it but for now, he just enjoys whats around him.

“You cant deny that you three have taken a liking to her too” - Jin comes to Jungkook’s rescue and lets him dwell in his own thoughts about the matter without all the attention. In return, the rappers all get a little embarrassed and defensive.

“Well-” “Yeah maybe but-”

“You can see why, cant you?-”

“Shes not- in a pack?” - Taehyung suddenly speaks up and steals all of their attentions, he says it quietly so no one overhears their conversation but all of them slightly breath in more to evaluate what hes said.

“I dont think so, ive never smelt anyone but her” - Yoongi says, knowing its a question hes had himself. Omegas are partial to scenting, genetically drawn to it when in packs. It’s something they naturally crave but you have never had another’s scent on you, nor any of your friends had yours on them. Alongside that, even if you are clearly close with your friends, they arent your pack, he knows that for a fact from a conversation Hoseok had with you

“Enough about me, is there anything you’re doing tonight?” - Hoseok had ended his usual talk about his day as you were sat across from him, a late friday evening.

“Ah, im going out for dinner with my friends” - You gestured towards Soyeon, currently working as she’d seem you get a little jittery and told you to take a minute to sit down, conveniently just as Hoseok came in. He’d hummed, then answering.

“Your pack?” - You’d shook your head as a no, not said anything further on the matter , kept your smile on and there wasn’t a hint of withdrawal at his question or sadness in your answer so he assumed you didn’t have a pack. Which is true.

“Thats, uncommon…” - The seven arent ones to judge, it is true what Jin says though, it certainly is uncommon.

“Pushing herself the way she does and without a pack for support? Surely thats unhealthy” - Jin continues, knowing that the omegas in his family surely wouldn’t be able to do this, he admires you, but also worries, glancing over at you and when he looks back

“I think her friends are great support, they arent a pack though” - Namjoon adds, pursing his lips and sighing out, he doesnt believe you have any romantic relationship currently either from how you find yourself mildly reacting to their occasional - light - flirting. He’d catch you with flushed cheeks for tens of minutes after, a small smile stuck on your lips even as you try to suppress it.

They end the conversation there, each in their own thoughts, maybe stepping over a few boundaries internally because it just simply didnt sit right, there were small pouts and frowns all around. The possible repercussions of not having a pack in tie with what your body endures everyday makes them cringe. They’d be whining like puppies if they were to take that form, eyes wide and sad but they dont speak on it, because they are currently in no position too.

Its best to just thoroughly enjoy their time there, maybe sneak a few glances at you and overly praise and thank you as they leave, even more so when you get so flushed its comical, from your neck to your ears, red all over. Its safe to say everyone will be back, very soon at that.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many nights you find yourself trailing down the streets away from your apartment, following the same memorised path to the convenience store. There are many reasons, one being that it at least forces you to stay awake that little bit extra rather than crashing the moment you arrive back home and gives you something to subconsciously focus on and aim towards to give you that little bit more time in the day. Another is that after a long day, of course you don't have the energy to be cooking yourself a good meal. You might scold your regulars for their unhealthy habits occasionally, but no one's perfect; everyone has their weaknesses.

Yours just happens to be a particular love for instant ramen and gimbap—quick, delicious, and easy. So what if it's probably not the best to be eating it nearly every day, and you've been scolded multiple times by your friends? Some things are a necessity, or atleast feel like it.

That's how you are now: wired headphones playing your more upbeat playlist to give you some false sense of energy and suppressing your yawns while you drag your feet, hoodie pulled over your body alongside the fluffy pyjama bottoms you're wearing to aid your warmth, a scarf to top it off, and your hair in a messy high ponytail. It's a short walk after all, and you are a regular-—showing up in your comfy clothes is hardly abnormal now.

The bell chimes as you enter, easily navigating towards your favourite aisles but never giving up a chance to mooch around the snacks and absolutely pick up a few; your headphones suppress the few people also around the store—never many here or at this time of night.

“Taehyung likes these ones- i swear all of these are too spicy for him.” - Jimin is lightly giggling and picking up one of the instant noodle bowls for the man hes definitely teasing

“Aish, how does he even live?” - Browsing the options besides Jimin is Jungkook, immediately going for the spicier options and struggling to pick just one.

“I’ll never understand it, and without coffee too!” - Jimin has always been passionate about expanding Taehyung’s palette to the things they enjoy too, such as coffee, and trying to help him build a tolerance to spice, but honestly, he’s long since given up and accepted his quirks, just as Taehyung has done for him.

Jungkook's nose twitches and eyebrows furrow, and he swings his head to the side at the sweet, desserty scent floods his nose again for the second time today, the invisible scent trail hes following leading to you, making your way down the aisle slowly, browsing just as they are.

“Jimin is that?-”

“Ah the pretty cafe owner!” - Gushing already, Jimin averts his attention from the ramen to you, bundled up in your comfy clothes, white fluffy trousers with light pink hearts catching his attention and the effortless pull of your hair in the hair tie- cute. Almost domestic-

You dont hear their little conversation or internal dilemma about you being here but you do smell it after a moment or rather, just as Jungkook noticed yours, you pick up on their scents, unique and distinguishable from those youve smelt before. It has your head turning in their direction and being surprised to find them already looking at you, startled at being caught and breaking out into awkward smiles and gentle waves.

Easily reciprocating their wave, you dont quite know whether to just go back to your browsing for a lovely savoury dinner or to engage with them but Jimin easily answers that when his lips move in your direction, instantly taking your headphones out to listen.

“Ah Y/n! What are you doing here?” - Simple, light, friendly conversation. Easy on your tired state even if their presence alone is equally lulling you to sleep and waking you up; that's not so simple, far from it, infact.

“I'm just grabbing a quick meal; I don't live far. What about you guys?” - You try to hide the tiredness in your voice, avoid seeming like you dont want to speak to them because thats far from the truth your body just struggles to keep up with the schedules you put it through. They catch on to your exhaustion quickly, noting how you subtly rub your cheeks on your scarf in a self-soothing sort of way, nesting when you can't truly nest. Eyes drooping and hands trembling—just one of those regular symptoms of your body's protest against your schedules.

“Us too; i cant pick what to get though.” - Jimin Gesturing to the vast selection rather dramatically draws an amused giggle out of you and before you go back to your own selection, you point towards a small selection of ramens from the same brand

“These go great with a gimbap, especially the spicy ones” - Both the men light up at your suggestion, looking over the different flavours and picking some for themselves. That solves both of their issues with picking a brand.

Its initially just a short interaction, you three go and find your separate foods and you are at the counter paying when they cant help but overhear the lady ringing you up, prodding and scolding in a motherly way to you.

“Look your trembling! Aish ive told you to be careful of overworking yourself, its not good for your body and especially not with these meals!” - The woman, Mrs. Han, who youve grown a nice friendship with since you have moved here, holds your hands so gently youd think they were glass, but to her, you are. She always voices her concerns, never afraid to scold you.

The two boys overhear and frown as they assume this is regular because the older lady is correct, it cant be good for your body. Unfortunately, at that moment there is very little they can really do since they only just met you today.

That doesnt stop their instincts from nagging though, especially Jungkooks, hes younger, truthfully has no experience with omegas closely unlike his hyungs, even if theirs is limited too.

“It was nice to see you Y/n, your recommendations are gonna be great!” - Jimin exclaims brightly as you all stand outside the convenience store, ready to part ways.

“Ah it was nice to see you too, i hope you enjoy the choice aha- Get home safe!” - Just as you give them a final smile and are about to turn to beeline home and burrow into your nest ,fight sleep until you've eaten, you're unexpectedly interrupted.

“Can we walk you home-” - Jungkooks biting and pulling at his lip as he blurts it out, the words seeming to surprise even him, hes avoiding your eyes and you can see how hes fighting his own instinct, its curious. Maybe its out of courtesy, that he doesnt really want to so you train your usual smile onto your lips to reply.

“Oh! Thats alright its not far dont worry-” - Your enthusiastic to help him understand it really is okay for you to go home alone- you do it most days anyway. What surprises you is the furrow of Jungkook’s brows, cheeks pulled in as if hes biting back the words but a singular one escapes and has you pausing.

“Please…” - He doesnt really know why he does it, he just cant not do it, he has to ask, has to try.

“Jungkook-” - Jimin scolds, quietly as if to reel him back in, shocked at his behaviour, its out of the ordinary.

“But- Mmfg- im sorry for being so persistent” - Jungkook tries to carry on but a sharp kick to his foot from Jimin’s cuts him off, shakes him a bit more to the present and he apologises but he doesnt need too, not to you, he hasnt done any harm.

“Its really okay Jungkook” - You smile both confidently and gently, nodding towards him to show its really not a problem, hes not even looking at you, just sort of struggling internally but you can see it, so clearly. Soemthings clawing at your own mind, begging, telling you to accept his request, but you fight it with your own feelings that it would burden them.

“We can, of course walk you Y/n but please dont feel pressured to accept-” - Jimin’s eyebrows are downturned as he speaks, feeling bad about the interaction and Jungkook jumps in as if hes come to his senses too.

“Yeah! Im sure you really dont need us to walk you but-” - Nodding furiously as he speaks, Jungkook tries to save the situation because he realises so clearly you could of even taken offence to his offer- an alpha being persistent about walking an omega home can come off so many different ways: possessive, insisting, dangerous, degrading or even threatening. His mind is spiralling when you cut it all off, look directly at him as if you understand, as if you can see beneath his eyes and directly into his brain, at the turmoil thats so unfamiliar to him.

“Would it make you feel a little better to walk me?” - What possesses you to ask and accept is beyond you- maybe it's your way of giving in to your instinct too.

The way Jungkook avoids your eyes as to not lie to your face is telling enough, and you're quick to understand; it's instinctual. He isn't being possessive or forceful of any kind, but he's concerned, and that's okay; you don't mind easing that.

“Okay, come on, its not too far but i dont want you guys to get back too late; you work hard” - You spin around and usher them to follow your lead, both of them staring at you in shock, Jimin’s mouth agape and standing there a second too long whilst Jungkook actually perks up, quickly catching up to your side because he was the one to insist after all.

“Do you go there often?” - Another round of light conversation, something to cut the silence and maybe distract from the conversation that led up to this walk. Youd been walking for a solid minute now and for some reason, as someone random had walked past youd noticed them tensing a little, you figured it was because they didnt want to be recognised and felt bad about it but then you were swarmed with their scents, booming from them and it had you realising they werent tensing out of being uncomfortable- they were squaring up. Flooding out your own scent with theirs to mask it, subconsciously saying ‘not yours’ to the stranger even if they didnt even look your way

“The convenience store? Most nights” - You firmly nod, surprise evident in both of the boy’s faces- since your job entails you cooking- rather, baking, so often, it makes sense that they are surpised, refocusing on you and their scents mellowing again.

“For dinner?” - Jungkook questions, brows raised

“Mhm, what about you guys?” - Throwing it right back to keep the conversation going, noting how the two boys seem to be walking slower than they naturally would on purpose to meet your own pace and picking it up a little bit despite your tiredness.

“Ah yeah, we go probably more often than we should” - Jimin awkwardly rubs the back of his neck and laughs a little. Jungkook on the other hand, cant get the fact that you get this dinner over cooking out of his head when its what you must enjoy for it to be your job

“Do you primarily bake Y/n?” - Jungkook’s staring at you a little intense, you subconsciously grow a little awkward under his gaze and laugh as you answer.

“Yeah, its not that i cant cook; i can but its tiring after work and well- ironic, i know but i dont like the cleanup of anything savory” - Its an odd preference, liking cooking less just for that simple detail, but its just something you accept for yourself

“Wahh- That makes sense, but don't you mind cleaning up after baking?” - Jimin asks but their joint curiosity is amusing, both looking at you in wonder, wide eyes and transfixed on your words, “Not at all” - Shaking your head with a soft smile, slightly shivering and tightening your scarf around yourself as a gust of wind washes over you three, subconsciously, Jimin and Jungkook stand a little closer on either side of you, their warmth invading your own and suddenly you want to purr- your nest seeming more inviting than ever except, theres visions of their hoodies in your nest and you have to shake yourself out of it, clearing your throat and its as if it doesnt just shake you out of it, shakes them too, noting how close they are standing and taking small steps to the side giving you a little more space- that isnt what you were intending for though.

“I think most of us are the opposite, not for cleanup preference but we can cook, cant really bake” - Your replying to Jimin’s words in your head before you even know it- ‘Well that fits just perfect, i can bake’ But what is making you think this way- its abnormal, ridiculous. Instead, you reply out loud with something more suitable.

“Well everyone has their specialities; cooking is an amazing skill to have”

“Lucky you to have both” - Jimin’s playfully adding in, a hint flirtatious but you look at him in shock and laugh,

“Arent you both blessed with like a multitude of talents alongside cooking? Singing, dancing—should i keep going?” - raising your eyebrows in question and looking at them both only to be amused as they grow a bit shy and avoid your eyes, a kind of warmth on their cheeks and ears that definitely isnt from the cold air, moreso from the praise you give, its different from the compliments they get truthfully on the daily but why?-

“Well maybe but im sure you also have a multitude of talents- tell us” - Pushing back is all Jimin can do to pretend he didnt just react like a middle school boy when their crush looks at them.

“Im a professional waffler” - You say matter of factly, noticing your building coming into view and maybe- just maybe, slowing down a tiny bit to prolong the walk for even a few more seconds.

“Huh?-”

“I Swear thats not even a real thing-”

“Well, i guess youll have to find out another time wont you both” - Their confusion is amusing and puts a far more vibrant smile on your face, giggling for a moment until it fades out when your feet stop.

Looking around the alphas notice theyve come to a stop infront of a building, glass doors only accessible by a passcode leading to a corridor and some lifts, your apartment building and a feeling of disappointment sets within, it had hardly felt like 2 minutes of walking whilst they are sure its been 10.

“This is me, thank you both for walking me” - You dont know why your holding your breath- as if it will give you a few more seconds together

“Ah its no problem at all- infact, thank you for letting us walk you” - Jungkooks sheepishly smiling, this time looking at you with big boba eyes that surely couldnt belong to an alpha-

“Take care of yourselves; less convenience store food!” - Pointing a finger at them accusingly and giving them one final smile before turning to put in the passcode, hearing Jimin’s voice over your shoulder

“The same goes for you, sugar” - You stop dead in your tracks, not used to your nagging being reciprocated nor for the nickname, it feels like warm caramel is melting in your body, slow, sweet and trickling over all of your senses. The burst of your scent around the three of you gives it away and your scurrying into your building and up to your nest faster than you can comprehend, the bag of food you dropped on the counter on the way in, distant in your mind compared to the beating of your heart in your ears-—what is this? It was just a nickname, right?

Its safe to say the two alphas went home with lighter minds and big smiles, searching up what a ‘waffler’ was only to be slightly amused. Along with that, the nickname sticks.

—---------------------------------------------------------—

“What was all that about, huh?” - Jimin asks once theyve gotten far away enough from your building, confronting Jungkooks abnormal behaviour

“Hm?-”

“Pushing to walk her home Kook-”

“I didnt mean too, i swear.” - The guilt that sits on Jungkook’s face proves his words, has Jimin softening and patting his back as they walk

“I know, but why?”

“I dont know; it just didnt sit right to let her walk home alone and i know shes perfectly capable of caring for herself, but-” - Jungkook rushes it out, the words defensive but his confusion with himself is so clear in the uncertainty behind his tone

“I get it; I understand, Kookie, and it made me feel reassured to walk her home too but, a little less pushy next time, hm?” - Admitting Jimin’s own instinctual feelings made Jungkook settle a little, his shoulders falling despite not realising they had been so high to begin with. Neither of them tries to deny the reassurance behind the image of you safe and warm in your apartment- in your nest.

“Yeah…’ll apologise when i next see her.”

Thank you so much for Reading! I really hope your enjoying it so far, like it said in the notes, things start to pick up from here, I’m really enjoying their dynamic and the ideas I have for this story, they are definitely spiralling way further than I have properly planned yet hahah

Let me know what you think! As always, my asks are open! Characters asks, author asks, all of it!

Just lmk if you’d like to be added to the Taglist x

Mwah 💖

ཐི♡ཋྀ

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Taglist: @annasixx22 @canarystwin @borahaetelevision @stay-tiny-things @chasinghxran @bangtan4lifetypeshit @bubblyyz @steddie-steddie @7milkbread7 @welcometomyworld13 @chroniclesofbts @sidnaazsworld @roryy95 @danielle143 @angel121 @imeverycliche @m00njinnie @kiki-zb @meowforluv @jiminsfavpillow @dachshunddame @corgilover20

190 notes · View notes

dorabellingham · 4 months ago

Text

Épouse-moi?

warning: none

characters: jude x fem!reader

summary: when during a casual afternoon making dinner, he decides to ask you to marry him

may contain spelling and translation errors!

The night was cool in Madrid, with a gentle wind blowing the open curtains in the kitchen. You were wearing an apron, focused on preparing something simple but special for dinner. The move to Spain was still recent, and you were both trying to get used to the new routine, with a life closer than ever. Jude walked into the kitchen barefoot, watching the scene with a smile on his face. It was in these quiet moments, without the hustle and bustle of games or the media, that he felt how lucky he was to have you by his side.

—What’s going on here?

He asked, approaching the counter and spying on what you were doing.

—Just something basic, a quiche lorraine.

You answered, without taking your eyes off the dough you were stretching.

Jude blinked a few times, confused.

—A what?

You laughed, realizing he had no idea what it was.

—It’s like a savory pie. My mom always made it when we wanted something quick but delicious. There's ham, cheese, cream, eggs... Trust me, you'll love it.

He rested his elbows on the counter, watching her work skillfully.

—You have this way of turning everything into something special. Even a savory pie becomes art with you.

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn't hide your smile.

—Stop being silly, honey.

But he wasn't joking. While you assembled the quiche and put it in the oven, Jude remained silent, reflecting. Ever since they had arrived in the new city, you had been a safe haven for him. The move, the pressure of playing for Real Madrid, the constant attention from the media... Everything was intense, but you were the balance.

He knew, at that moment, that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

You were washing your hands in the sink when he approached you from behind, wrapping you in a hug.

—What's wrong, Jude?

You asked, laughing softly as you tried to dry your hands.

—Just... I'm thinking.

—About?

He turned you to face him, holding your still damp hands. You looked at him curiously, his brown eyes full of tenderness. Jude took a deep breath, his heart racing, but determined.

—Y/n... I know we're still young, but...

You narrowed your eyes, suspicious.

—What are you up to, Jude Victor?

He smiled nervously and let out a low laugh.

—Calm down, sweetie. It's just... I know what I want for my life. And it's you.

You fell silent, surprised. Bellingham took another deep breath, trying to put the words together in his head. He wanted to do something special, something meaningful, so he decided to improvise....

—I... want... to ask... you... to marry me.

You widened your eyes, holding back a laugh.

—What?

He ran his hand over the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed, but continued.

—Marry me, Y/n. You are the love of my life.

That's when you understood. Jude was, completely wrongly and adorably, asking you to marry him.

—Jude!

You exclaimed, covering your mouth with your hands, your eyes welling up.

He smiled shyly, holding your hands again.

—I know I don’t have a ring right now, and this proposal sucked, but I don’t need any of that to know that I want you forever. From the first day I saw you, my heart knew I had found my place in the world. With every smile of yours, with every hug, my love for you only grows. I want you to know that you are the reason for my smile, my strength, my inspiration. And so, with my heart overflowing with love and gratitude, I ask you this question: do you want to spend the rest of your life with me, building a family full of love and happiness? Will you marry me, babe?

You couldn’t hold back the tears, letting out an emotional laugh.

—You’re crazy, you know that?

—Maybe. But I’m a crazy guy who loves you.

You shook your head, laughing through your tears, and threw yourself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

—Of course I want to marry you, Jude.

He spun you around in the air, laughing, while you were still crying. It was a simple moment, in a random kitchen in Madrid, with a quiche in the oven and a soccer player who didn’t know how to express his feelings properly. But for you, it was perfect.

312 notes · View notes

jscrawls · 2 months ago

Text

Grave mistakes

Gotham City is full of a lot of characters, criminals, creepy clowns, man eating plants, eccentric billionaires. But all that rolled into one household?

Warning: contains mentions of kidnapping, threats, torture, general spooky stuff, it's an Addams reader they're gonna be freaky,

Part 4: gardening errors

🔹🔹🔹

You're not quite sure what circumstances lead to this, but here you are regardless.

It started as any normal morning for you in your new home, your routine caffeine fix and then you spent an hour in the play room wallowing in despair and shrieking in torment as the spirits watched on. Then you made yourself waffles.

As you were out tending to your garden and ripping up the colorful lilies hidden in one of the hedges something strange happened, a noise behind you, and then darkness.

You were disappointed to wake up, though finding yourself tied up and hanging upside down raised your mood a bit. Hyenas growl hungrily underneath your form as drool slowly drips from their chops, a strange green miasma is in the air around you. You slowly realize you're in some kind of greenhouse judging by the clear roof and the plants everywhere.

“I see you're awake.” A feminine voice purrs from somewhere behind you, you can't turn your head enough to see them but you don't have to, they slowly stroll into view and stand under you next to the hyenas. Her hair is long and blood red, her skin green and she seems to be wearing a green body suit covered in vines, this is an interesting turn of events!

“Hello there ma'am! Nice to meet you, Is this a torture thing?” It's a struggle to keep your voice even, not wanting to give away how excited you are when one of the hyenas jumps and tries to snap at you. A good torture session should have some build up after all.

The woman chuckles, taking the tremble in your voice as horror as she smirks. “right to the point are we? No my sweet, it's not torture….. Yet. Not if I get My way here.” with a slight flick of her wrist some of the plants around her shift and twist, vines crawling up from the ground to gently wrap around your throat, A threat. You can't suppress the shiver going down or up? your spine. The woman chuckles again.

“Not yet? What's the wait my friend, are we expecting more company first?” It's a bit hard to keep your eyes on her when she starts stalking around the room, you frown when the vines release you and sink back down into the ground.

“Oh I almost forgot myself, please forgive my lack of manners miss, my name is-” “I know who you are, I know everything I need to know about you. How you come here and start throwing money around, paying that filthy company to keep producing their chemicals regardless of how many plants choke and die on their disgusting fumes. How you bought that land no doubt to drain the swamp on it, how you-are you giggling?”

She cuts off her monologue to stomp towards you, standing just under your head as she scowls up at you, rage burning in her pretty green eyes.

“Are you serious right now?” She hisses, hands clenching into fists while the plants around you twist and curl towards you, some starting to wrap around you once again.

“Oh no, please continue! I love a good monologue my dear friend. It's just that hanging like this has a fun little dizzying effect, blood drowning the brain and all.” You say with a smile as you look down at her, the vines starting to cut off your air supply.

She frowns at you and crosses her arms, blood colored lip curling into a sneer. “Why you-” “red! Finish the demands before ya start popping heads! You're putting us at stake here!” An exasperated voice yells, another woman joining the first.

This one's in red and black, short split dyed hair and skin so pale as if it's been bleached, she could almost rival Morticia’s sickly tone.

The woman apparently named Red rolls her eyes a bit, but wraps an arm around the others waist, they both look up at you as the vines again release you and drop into the dirt.

“Right…. Here's the deal Richie, we want money. Lots of it in fact, your people are gonna get it to us if they want you alive and well. You understand?” They both look up at you expectantly, the hyenas circle around Underneath you.

“I understand perfectly, how much do you want to torture me?”

They give each other confused like while you smile down at them, sweat starting to gather on your forehead from hanging upside down by your feet for so long.

After a few seconds the red head speaks again, tone aggravated. “What?”

“How much money do you want? I'd like this to continue and I understand your time is very valuable.”

“…. Did you not hear me?” The red head huffs, the other woman leans over to whisper loudly in the others ear. “Maybe I hit em in the head too hard?”

“i heard you just fine! you need money yes? i can pay you myself after the torture, or do you intend to kill me? you can get ahold of my dear relative morticia should i pass. wait have you seen my phone? i want to tell her or gomez the good news!” the split dyed hair one stares up at you with a look of concern, she pulls a familiar phone out of her pocket and looks down at it before glancing back up at you. “….i don’t think this is goin to plan, red.”

the redhead snatches the phone from the other, rolling her eyes while turning it on. “you’re not psyching us out, masochist. what’s the passcode for this? if you don’t tell me i’ll watch as my little babies grow from your eyesockets.”

“it’s 666.” “oh, of fucking course-alright i’m calling your emergency contact, i’m getting our damn money.” she huffs, pacing in circles as she dials and holds the phone up to her ear.

“come on…come on…finally, ahem, are you mx addamses emergency contact?…..this is their kidnapper. i’m calling to tell you that they’re going to be brutally tortured within the hour if you don’t gather a small sum of one million dollars and send proof of bank statements to this phone or else-huh?……”

after a moment she lowers the phone and stares at the other woman.

“….a little girl just told me ‘good for them’ and hung up on me.”

“a little girl is your emergency contact?” the split dyed hair one looks up at you questioningly as she starts to pet one of the hyenas.

you nod your head with a smile on your face. “Wednesday is actually my second emergency contact, grandmama is the first but she doesn’t have a phone.” the redhead tilts her head in confusion, dropping your phone carelessly on the moss covered ground. “then how do you contact them?” she mutters skeptically, crossing her arms over her chest. “depends where she is, usually via smoke signal or seance depending on her living status.”

“….so your emergency people is your living or dead grandmother and a little girl that doesn’t care if you’re being tortured?”

“there’s also cousin it, but essentially yes.”

the redhead sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose, muttering something unintelligible under her breath as she turns away from you and goes to sit on a vine covered bench.

the split dye one looks back and forth between you and the other woman, after a moment she shoos the hyenas away. “…..so, how’s about we talk about torture thing, eh? you seem ta be into that sorta thing, i won’t yuck ya yum if you’re actually gonna pay coinage for it.”

the redhead whips around to glare at the other one. “we are not doing bdsm for money! we’re not that desperate harl.” the plants around her slowly curl towards her, leaves and flowers brushing against her as if in comfort.

“well we might as well get sumthin outta this! we need the doe and pronto.”

you watch them bicker back and forth for a few moments in polite silence, your head aching more and more as the blood rushes to your head. after a bit you speak up loud enough for them to hear you over their arguement.

“excuse me my friends, can i ask what prompted this kidnapping and attempted ransom? it sounds like you’re both out of sorts here.”

the one apparently named harl quickly speaks up. “we got booted out of our apartment.” the other woman stands up angrily. “harley!”

harley glances over her shoulder, her lips pressing together in a pout. “what?”

the redhead pinches the bridge of her nose, clearly agitated as she approaches the harley lady. “you can’t tell them anything you idiot! they’re our victim not our therapist.”

“well they asked!”

you speak up again, one of the wriggling vines bumping into you and causing you to spin in a circle like some kind of torturous carnival ride. “kidnapping victim or not, i can have sympathy for someone going through a bad time. how’d you get removed from your home?” your voice sounds odd as you Spin back and forth, you're starting to get really dizzy.

Harley whips towards you, hair smacking her in the face as she righteously gestures. “they were homophobic!”

The redhead rolls her eyes and walks over to push on Harley’s face as she corrects her. “that’s not what happened, apparently the landlord found someone’s record.” she gives Harley a pointed look.

Harley pushes the hand off her face and points at your still spinning form as if to convince you of her side of things. Giving you an overly emotional look as she fends off the redheads attempts to shut her up. “well it sure seemed like he was homophobic when we's both broke into his place, you shoulda heard im when he realized who was under the ski masks!”

Your brows furrow as sweat drips off your forehead, your vision getting blurry as you finally stop spinning and you try to look at the two women below you.

“that’s very sad, a little devious activity shouldn’t lead to you losing your place, i can relate to that quite intimately actually.”

“really?” you hear both ask with differing tones, one sounding unenthusiastic in comparison to the other. You nod as best you can. “yes, that’s the whole reason i moved to this beautiful city!….we’re still in the city right?”

“maybe…..”Harley looks away from you and whistles innocently as she casually reaches over to pet a carnivorous plant.

That's good enough for you, you wriggle a hand free to pull a handkerchief out of your pocket so you can wipe your forehead clean, when you're done you tuck your hand back under your binds. “are you still looking for a place to stay?”

the redhead tilts her head in confusion while Harley replies. “why’d you think we want your money?” she looks away from the plant and walks under you, swatting at your jacket when it smacks her in the face.

“harley can you not?” the other woman is clearly exasperated as she all but hisses her words out, stomping over to try to drag Harley away from you. “May I remind you that we're threatening to kill them?”

You're unperturbed as you press on, watching them whisper loudly to each other right under your upside down figure. “do you want a place?”

Harley immediately perks up, a big grin on her face as she whips around to loom up at you. “are you offering?-” the redhead groans loudly and grabs the other woman by the upper arm and pulls her away while trying to cover her mouth. “absolutely not! we’re not going near the bdsm weirdos house after we kidnapped them, it’s never happening harl. i’m putting my foot down.”

“…”

Harley starts to tear up in silence, staring at the other woman with big glassy eyes as she works up some tears.

🔹🔹🔹

“i hate the manipulative tears.” the redhead, whom you’ve learned is named pamela, growls at harley as she roughly drops down on your couch with crossed arms.

“free room and board, red. keyword free, my lovely little murderous plant.” harley flops over beside her, wincing when a spring digs into her back, she still makes herself comfortable on pamela’s lap though.

🔹🔹🔹

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A/n: I apologize if the flow is off in this one, I wrote it while feverish y'all bear with me 🤷‍♀️

Taglist: @lunarapple @ladykamos

#dc x y/n #dc x reader #batfamily x reader #batfam x reader #batman fanfiction #batman x reader #bruce wayne x reader #dick grayson x reader #jason todd x reader #barbara gordon x reader #cassandra cain x reader #addams! reader #addams reader

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wardenparker · 2 months ago

Text

The Unbearable Weight of Perfection, ch 2

Javi Gutierrez x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst

When an accident of fate throws Javi G into the path of his soulmate, his instinct is to dive in head first. Adjusting to life as the fated partner of someone you barely know is going to be harder than either of you suspect, but anything worth having is worth working for. Isn't it?

(This story is heavily inspired by the lovely house museums that I work in every day and the fantastic few months that HBO was using our houses to film a TV show in fall! I spent each day on that set in wonder and I can't wait to share the experience with all of you through this story.)

Rating: M for Mature but this blog is always 18+ Word Count: 14.9k Warnings: *Blanket warnings for this story include: Cursing, alcohol, food, references to abusive family members -- i.e. Lucas.* More fluff and sweetness. Adorable and awkward flirting. Workplace romance, technically? Clothing/trying on clothing. Summary: The first day of the movie crew's work is here, and no one is prepared for the whirlwind that this day will bring -- not even you and Javi. Notes: We started off strong with a big ol' error last week guys! Sorry about that. But thank you to those folx who brought it to my attention, you're simply the best readers out there. The start date of ch1 is now fixed and dates are fixed across the board. 🧡 This week enjoy a photo of the music room at The Breakers -- the house that inspired or fictional Hazelwood House.

Friday, April 4, 2025

“Javi, you don’t want to meet with the cast?”

He pauses, looking out of the front window of the little cottage at the wooden stakes marked off in the barren ground. Cleared and ready to be built and now lying abandoned. There didn’t seem to be much need to continue building a house when the woman who he was building it for had left. “They don’t need me at the read through.” He tells his agent, knowing that she had pushed for him to be on set and involved in every aspect of the filming, giving him more creative control. He appreciated it, but he was more excited about where the movie was being filmed than who was in it.

The thing is, Sherry knows him. She knows that there has to be a reason he pushed for the specific shooting location that inspired the script. She knows there's some girl there that he won't talk about – he'd showed up moon eyed to a meeting one day after working on the script and there had been something about it that screamed infatuation. Which is why she has no problem at all pulling the ace out from her proverbial sleeve.

"I would have thought you would want to see the house again." She hums. "Oh well. I'll let them know you're not coming and I'll cancel the car from the studio."

“The meeting is at the house?” He had assumed it was the studio read through. Not at the house. She hums and he starts to panic. “No! No, um, on second thought, I should see who is going to be playing my characters.”

Ever the professional, Sherry keeps her smile polite and betrays no hint of victory, despite the fact that she barely had to fight at all. "The director wanted the cast to be able to look around the house and grounds before the furniture gets swapped out for set pieces." She explains easily.

“Is the staff going to be there?” He asks eagerly. “To answer any questions for the cast? I don’t know a lot about the history, I mean. It would be good, you know, to have them there.” The idea of seeing you again has him already walking into his bathroom to get ready, needing a shower.

"As I understand it, a few of the docents will be there today." So that's what it is. One of the girls from the museum staff. "You have half an hour until the car gets here, Javi," she calls after him, grinning as he immediately hops into high gear.

Javi grins as he starts to rush through his shower. It’s ridiculous how excited he is by the idea of just seeing you again. Especially since he can’t recall ever seeing or hearing your name. He just knows that his entire mood brightens when he thinks about the few times that he’s interacted with you.

She hums again, pleased this time, and sits down in the living room of Javi's little house to wait. She has work she can do on her laptop in the meantime and sends a text off to the production assistant in charge of corralling the creative team for the movie, confirming that Javi will be there. Now she just needs to find out who this girl is.

Towel wrapped around his waist; he hurries into the bedroom closet to pick out an outfit. Wanting to strike the right chord and look good when he arrives.

Sherry only has to hurry him along once, and he's tucked into the studio car right on time and sent off to Santa Barbara. She doesn't have to babysit him there, she knows he'll do his work, but it's good that she stayed long enough to get him in the car. A day of work and whatever girl is in that house will do Javi a world of good.

In the car, Javi fiddles with his phone, triple checking the time and discreetly turning on the camera to check his appearance. He had made sure not to put on too much cologne, but he had completely forgot to check his hair. Even if it is shorter than he had worn it before.

He fidgets all the way to the museum, and the anticipation settles over him like the buzz of electricity threatening to shock him at any moment. The first thing he does when he walks in the front door is look to the front desk, but it isn't who he's looking for. He vaguely recognizes the young woman though, and flounders for a moment to remember her name. It's the girl who had been with you that night just before Christmas. The one who suggested you take your break with him.

“Hi.” He flashes smile at the woman. “I’m—”

“I’m so sorry sir.” Moira hates that the mystery man who managed to make you float on air arrived today of all days. “The house is closed for a private event.” She tilts her head sympathetically and walks around the desk to usher him outside.

“No, I just wished to see—”

“We will we be closed for the next four months.” She has dealt with difficult people all day. Insisting their little tour wouldn’t interrupt anything and she doesn’t want to have to tell you this guy ended up being a jackass.

“No, you don’t understand—”

“Javi!” He spins around when his name is called from deeper inside the house, turning to see the producer of the film, smiling broadly as he rushes forward.

“Scott.” He’s grateful that the other man had shown up when he did, about to be booted out on his ass by the girl.

"Javi?" Moira quickly moves back to the desk to look at the clipboard that she was given by the producer now striding into the foyer. Glancing down and down it, her jaw drops open a little before she lights up with glee. "Javier Gutierrez?" She asks, looking up at the producer.

"Our writer." Scott affirms. "We almost started without you, Jav. C'mon in. We're all in the ballroom."

“Sorry.” He ducks his head in apology and his eyes shift over to Moira. He nods quickly, not wanting her to think he was upset with her before he follows Scott. “The traffic was heavier than the driver anticipated.” He explains as they walk down the hall.

"Not to worry. But it's good you're here. You know how changes go." Scott hustles them along a hallway and through the open pocket doors into a ballroom that would fit an entire Olympic swimming pool. There are tables set up on one end so the cast can all face each other during the read, with extra seats for key members of the production team. On the other end of the ballroom, two production assistants are setting up a makeshift catering table with someone sitting in a chair at the far end.

He doesn’t feel nervous when he sees the famous faces that will be bringing the script to life. He smiles and waves to each one of them, happy that such a talented group has been chosen by the production team and the director. It’s going to be amazing, he can feel it. No, he gets nervous when he sees you sitting in a chair away from the tables, looking just as shocked to see him. Freezing for a second before he gives the most awkward wave of his life and wants to kick himself for being so ridiculous.

OhmygodOhmygodOhmygodOhmygod—

You almost short circuit, sitting there in that chair with your legs crossed and a book in your lap. Your jaw drops open in surprise while the rest of you lights up, returning his sweet, shy wave with a little one of your own.

Somehow you hadn’t even considered the possibility that a writer would be on set for the filming of their movie, although in retrospect of course they would. You’re just so stunned that it’s him that you can barely think.

She’s here. That’s the thought that flutters through his mind until Scott touches his arm and breaks the spell that seems to have possessed him. Pointing him to a chair and he sits down, twisting his head to look back at you one more time to confirm that it’s you and not his overactive imagination playing tricks on him.

He catches you looking and you don’t even have the presence of mind to do anything but be mildly embarrassed and giddy that he’s actually here. That for the next four months, the chances of seeing him aren’t just increased but high. Is it a silly crush? Absolutely. But there’s nothing wrong with that in the least.

Javi tries to focus, but he catches himself wondering if you are listening. If you are happy that he will be here for the next four months.

He barely manages to mark comments during the read. His mind is forty feet in back of him sitting next to that folding table. It’s wrapped up in the navy blue dress and brown leather riding-style boots you have on today. He is utterly distracted beyond repair.

When the reading is finished with there is chatter at the table, a speech from the director, another from a different producer, and then one from the museum’s head curator.

You manage to hear most of what your boss says, straining a little only at times because of the size of the room, but the acoustics are good enough. She’s telling the cast and production crew that they’re going to be split into three groups to be led around the house by herself and the two docents here today. And then she excuses herself to bring Moira in while the whole cast breaks for something to eat before their tours.

Immediately Javi turns towards you and makes a beeline towards the chair where you are sitting. Or were sitting, now standing up and brushing down the front of your dress in an adorably nervous way. “Hi.” He rushes out when he gets within three feet of you.

“Hi.” The answering chirp is just as bright and excited as his is. You can’t help it. “I—I had no idea you’d be here.”

“I- I wrote the movie.” He’s not bragging, not really. He’s just stumbling for something to say without sounding like an idiot. “My agent, she insists that I be involved with the production. So that I can keep creative influence over the final product.” The success of the three movies he’s written so far has all but guaranteed that he gets what he asks for and she makes sure he does.

“You wrote a movie that takes place here?” Obviously he did, but you’re still stunned enough to be fumbled to connect all of the dots necessary to sound like an intelligent person. “Is that…I mean…it has to be, doesn’t it? Why you came back to visit the house? It really spoke to you.”

“That’s part of it.” Not all of it of course. The house is beautiful and did spark his interests, but that’s not the entire reason he kept coming back.

“Only part?” You can’t help feel yourself hoping. That dangerous, seductive, riotous feeling that takes wing in the hollow of your chest. That part of you dreams he’s thought about you a mere fraction as much as you’ve thought about him.

“I came back several other times.” He admits bashfully. “You were not here, I must assume you were off.”

“You…looked for me?” And just like that, hope’s wings unfurl into something so bold and beautiful that you almost erupt into disbelieving, giddy giggles.

“I liked our conversations.” He’s worried that it might have been improper until you start beaming at him. Making him smile in response.

“I did too.” It’s a terrible understatement, but it’s true.

“You did?” He brightens slightly, licking his bottom lip nervously. “I was worried that I was bothering you.” He admits with a laugh.

“Not at all.” In fact, the warmth in your cheeks at that simple confession runs all the way down your neck and blossoms in your chest. “I was afraid that I was bothering you.”

“Not at all.” He shakes his head vigorously. “I was disappointed to learn I couldn’t have a one-on-one tour.” He admits. “I asked once, when you were off, hoping to get you and you weren’t there anyway.” He can’t help but laugh at himself for that and shrugs.

“I’m certain we could manage one during filming, though things will be moved around. Our furniture and collections items are going into storage starting tomorrow.” It will be a very busy work day for your conservation and collections staff along with the moving company that has been hired, but the docents have the weekend off. You’ve planned a very busy weekend of sitting around and doing nothing at all.

He moves towards the tables that are ladened down with food and picks up a plate to hand to you. “I know, but the furniture will be replicas of the original furniture.” He had been specific about certain pieces in the script. “The set designer loved the originals.”

“Really?” Surely that must have cost a fortune, and it shocks you that he would have gone through so much work. “Is that why they want the cast and crew to see the set up of the house today?”

“Yes.” He nods. “I gave a specific tone for this movie.” He admits, smiling as he reaches for a mini croissant chicken salad. “Do you like these?” He offers, holding it out to you. “Craft services is really good.”

“I love chicken salad. Thank you.” Not to mention you’ll try just about anything once, but he’s hit on a favorite immediately. He sets two of the small sandwiches on your plate beside the scone you had already selected. “So you…write the film after visiting? Or did the house happen to fit the story that you wanted to tell?”

“I was starting the script.” He admits. “I was stuck on how I wanted it to be set and the house was mentioned. So I decided to come see it.” He chooses a little egg tart and hums. “That first visit is where you talked about the mosaic tiles. I knew then I wanted the movie set here.”

“Because of the tiles?” You ask, amused at the thought. He had been so entranced by the detail that you almost aren’t surprised.

“It’s is so specific.” He defends. “That had to be a decision that was made by the owners, the designers. I can’t imagine the builder caring if the tiles were the same marble.”

“You’re preaching to the choir,” you remind him with a gentle laugh. “I wish the family had kept more records about the design choices, but how could Mrs. Hollingsworth have known her house would become a museum?”

“It would be interesting to see.” He agrees, scooping some of the seafood salad onto his plate.

“The great-grandchildren, the ones that are still living, are notoriously hands off.” You explain as you go down the line together, filling your plates with all of the delicious looking offerings that catering has provided. “And their children have no connection to the house whatsoever. So whatever information we’re ever going to have…we pretty much already have it.”

“That’s sad.” He frowns slightly, remember his own big beautiful house that would be forgotten. It had been seized by the police when Lucas has been arrested.

“Perhaps we’ll do some digging in the archives one day or find something new in a trap door of the attic.” You hope you will, anyway. The more information the better. “Who knows?”

The two of you make your way through the line to the drinks and he picks up a strawberry lime soda. “Do you want to talk while we eat?” He asks. “Or do you have to meet with your boss?”

“No, I—I’d rather stay and talk to you.” It seems like a very forward thing to say, but you pick out a can of sparkling lemonade from the cooler and practically beam. “My boss will let me know who is in my tour group after lunch.”

“Then we should sit down.” He guides you over to table to sit, finding the leads of the film already sitting.

Sitting down to a casual lunch with movie stars was not something you had on your Bingo card for your life. Not really. Living in Southern California didn’t guarantee a damn thing and you certainly haven’t done any kind of acting since high school drama club. The best you can do is a polite if awkward smile as you sit down in the chair that is being held out for you and hope that small talk trends toward the house. That you can talk about.

“Javi, I am sooooo thrilled to work on this.” The lead actress, Tamara Wilson, has an impressive range from what he has seen in the audition clips. “The script is amazing.”

He sits down and ducks his head slightly. “Thank you.”

“It’s such character-focused story telling.” The younger of the two male leads, Jason Grant, is a relative newcomer but fought to get this role and he’s excited for it. “The research you did is incredible.”

He chuckles. “It was interesting.” He shoots you a glance. “The house is part of the focus of the film.” He explains since you haven’t read the script. “A character on her own.”

“She’s a very worthy to house to include.” A glowing part of you warms from the toes up at the idea that any of this might be because you talked to him about the house, and you don’t mind admitting that to yourself at all. “I’ll do my very best, we all will, to answer any question you all have about the house and the family here. I know the family in your movie will be different, but we’ll do so glad to answer any questions we possibly can.”

“Are there any secret passages?” Tamara asks, leaning in with the gleam of excitement in her eyes.

“Several.” You assure her with a grin. “I’ll show you when we walk around. The staff made their way through the house invisibly to make it like the place operated by magic alone.”

“That is amazing.” She gushes, looking around to try to figure out where an opening would be in this room. “Imagine the secrets they must have overheard.”

"Any time someone in a costume drama jokes that 'the maids know everything', it's not really a joke." Eating as you chat makes it feel slightly less daunting, especially with Javier sitting beside you looking like he's hanging on your every word. "Domestic staff knew everything about the people they worked for. And were usually privy to secrets that the family were keeping from each other, on top of it all."

“So you would want to make sure your staff was loyal to you.” She nods seriously and looks over past Jason to Alexander as he joins the four of you at the table. “Or in this case - you.” She snorts and rolls her eyes playfully.

"Me?" Alex points to himself, eyebrows raised, and sets his plate down beside the binder holding his script. "What did I do?"

Alex is objectively beautiful, even Javier can admit that as he glances over at the man that magazines call a ‘heartthrob’. It is rumored that he will be the next year’s Sexiest Man Alive and better yet, he’s a beautiful soul. Jason chuckles. “You have to make sure all the staff are loyal to you.” He explains and points at you. “Starting with her.”

"Oh," you fluster, clearing your throat gently and looking unintentionally bashful. "I'm afraid my loyalties are already spoken for. No hard feelings, gentlemen." It's a ludicrous thing to say to one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood and a tv actor you've swooned over with Moira, but...it's true. And there's just no way to deny it.

“Well, damn.” Even though he’s just now getting involved with the conversation, Alex is nothing if not willing to tease and joke around with his casemates. “Way to break a man’s heart before introductions.” He reaches out his hand. “Alex Powell.” He introduces himself, giving that characteristic smile that has ladies normally swooning. “Sure I can’t change your mind?”

"As much as I appreciate the offer, Mr. Powell -- and it's very nice to meet you by the way -- I'm afraid not." You can think of at least a half dozen friends off the top of your head who would be screaming to shake Alexander Powell's hand right now, but you find yourself oddly impartial to him in this moment. Obviously he's handsome, but the man sitting to your right, with his gorgeous curls and bright brown eyes, has already laid every possible claim over your affections.

“Damn.” His eyes slide to your side and he notices the way Javi Gutierrez, the entire reason he signed on to the project, looks downright relieved at your answer. “Then you and I are going to be friends.” He decides, sending you a wink.

******

When the lunch break finishes, everyone clears away their dishes into the bins provided by the catering staff, and the museum's head curator steps up to the front of the group. "We'll split into three tour groups," she announces pleasantly, her characteristic smile broad across her face. "Group A will be the technical crew and production assistants. Group B will be the costumers, hair and make-up department, and Second Team actors. Group C will be First Team actors and production crew."

She looks out on the sea of assembled people, as the crew that were not on site for the read through all arrived during lunch time. "Group A will be with me, Group B with our docent Moira," she points to the north side of the ballroom and Moira waves. And then Leslie points in your direction, telling Group C that they will be taking their tour with you.

Javi lights up, hoping that he would be put with you, although he never would have protested. Whatever is happening between you both is fragile and this is your job. Calling attention to your boss is never a good thing, at least he would never willingly admit anything to Lucas before. Protecting that glowing feeling in his chest as he steps towards you.

"We keep getting lucky," you murmur, barely loud enough for him to hear as you smother a smile.

“I wonder if your boss decided to do that on purpose.” Biting his lip, he glances over at the older woman. “She is the one I spoke to about a private tour.”

“Maybe.” But you can’t say you mind. Not even a little bit. “Leslie is incredibly sweet. I can see her doing that. She’ll always do what she can to make people happy.”

“It won’t make you uncomfortable for me to be on the tour?” He doesn’t think that it will make you feel that way, but he wants to be sure. He knows he can be a little….intense at times.

“Why would I be uncomfortable with that?” If you’re being honest with yourself, you’d be a little jealous if he went on someone else’s tour. It’s just the crush talking, surely, but you feel connected to him. Like he would just wander away carrying a piece of you if he went with anyone else.

“I don’t know.” He shrugs and grins as he shoves his hands in his pockets. “Maybe I am being too bold?” He offers. “I can be over eager sometimes.”

"To be fair..." Having him talk of being bold makes you feel the same way. "You haven't actually said anything forward at all."

He realizes that you are right, but the way you say it makes his smile widen, reaching his eyes. “Perhaps you would like me to?” He asks, only to have Scott come up and clap him on the back.

“Tour time!” He grunts happily. “Javi, make sure to point out to Alex and Tamara where their clandestine scenes will be.”

You don't know the man from a hole in the wall but you are instantly frustrated with this producer. His timing was perfectly horrible and you nearly deflate at not being able to answer Javier right away. The best you can do right now is catch his eye as the group starts to assemble around you and mouth, 'Yes' with a nod of your head. Yes, you absolutely do want him to be bold. To make a move. To actually like you as much as you like him.

Javi tucks his hands deeper into his pockets and hangs back slightly so he can have a moment to celebrate. He hurries to catch up and is eager to hear everything you have to say.

All three tours start in different areas of the house. You walk the cast and main production crew through each room, talking to them about the architecture of the house, the use of each room, and the family that lived here. You show them the servant’s passages and answer as many questions as they have about the everyday workings of big houses and upper class families and large domestic staffs of the Gilded Age.

At one point, Tamara laughs in disbelief at the sheer breadth of the knowledge you have accumulated. “How did you get to be such an expert?” She asks, genuinely interested as she pokes around the dressing room attached to Mrs. Hollingworth’s bedroom on the second floor.

“They say it takes ten thousand hours to be an expert in something,” you shrug your shoulders. “I ended up studying history in college, put my focus on domestic history and the culture of families in the Victorian and Gilded eras, and then I’ve worked in house museums. So…maybe five years ago? Would be when those ten thousand hours were fulfilled?”

“Wow.” Javi is suitably impressed. “That is amazing. I think that I have only become an expert in movies.” He snorts. “Watching them, not making them. Not yet.”

“Do we have an on set historical consultant?” Alex asks Scott, turning to the producer with a flourish of his hands in your direction. “I mean we have one, but can we make her official?”

Javi nods in agreement when Scott glances towards him. “It would be good to have her on set. Help them with any needed facts and I could use her for potential re-writes.”

“Oh, I couldn’t— I—”

“Done.” Scott nods. “Save me having to hunt down resources for you, so I’m all for it.” He gives you the same too-pleased smirk and insincere wink that you’ve seen him give nearly everyone else. “Welcome to Hollywood, kid.”

Alex chuckles, moving over to you and slinging his arm around your shoulder. "Buckle up." He warns, jostling you playfully. "We will pick your brain clean. I want to make sure we get this on the radar for awards."

“Oh, but that…that’s down to all of you. Not to me.” Your mind is spinning but not at all in a bad way. It all feels like the most fantastic dream. “You’re going to help.” Tamara promises, confident and bubbling over with excitement. “And when we get those red carpet invitations, one of us will bring you as our date. You’ll have a blast.”

Javi's eyes widen, surprised by the idea coming from the lead actress but he doesn't deny that. Hoping that he wouldn't have to watch you walk the carpet with someone else. That would be his luck.

“That’s a very generous offer.” One that flusters you immeasurably, and you shuffle your booted feet in place. “I’m very excited to help, just nervous. That’s all.”

“Don’t be nervous.” Jason huffs, smiling at you and tugging Tamara close to his side. They have previous worked together on a small project and are happy to be reunited again. “We are just as normal as you are. We just have a job that is….public.” He chuckles.

“Let’s take a little break before we talk about Monday’s scenes.” Always working, Scott wipes his hands on each other and looks around. “Coffee.” He decides, heading off toward the catering table.

"Javier, I have a few questions about the script." Tamara poses, tilting her head as she looks towards Javi. "Would you mind chatting about it for a few minutes?"

His eyes float to you hesitantly, but you just smile. “I need to check in with my boss and let her know about the…the very generous consultant offer. Come and find me when you’re done?”

"I will." He nods, not even noticing the raised brows and shared smiles the actors share. Both of you are laying claim to each other and it's honestly interesting to watch.

Your heart is pounding as you make your way back over to Leslie and Moira, feeling like you're about to deliver terrible news when it probably won't change much of anything. Several of the other docents had taken the spring off rather than work on the movie set, and the ones who did want to be there for the film had had to fight for shifts.

"So how did your tour go?" Leslie asks, a small smirking smacks of smugness on her face. She had wondered if the writer of the script had a little crush on you when she finally put two and two together today. He was the same man who had been obviously looking for you when he asked about a personalized tour, describing you to a T.

"It was good." If you were glowing any more, you would be a lamppost. You're sure of that. But you can't help it in the least. "It was really great. Everyone is super nice."

"Especially your writer?" Moira asks with the biggest shit-eating grin on her face.

"What is his name?" Leslie asks, wondering if the two of you had actually had a conversation that is more than just longing glances and flirtatious banter. Both of you seem smitten, almost like you are soulmates.

"Javier." Even saying his name lights you up a little more, but you correct yourself a moment later. "Javi."

"Javi." She hums, nodding. "He looks like a Javi." She admits with a grin. "I didn't know if you had a stalker when he came in a few months ago and asked for you. Didn't know your name, but described you."

"We hadn't gone so far as to exchange names until today," you admit, practically biting your lip to keep your grin from growing even wider. "We had met twice before. He came in several times when he was writing the film, apparently."

"I knew that he had come in several times. I remember seeing him. Honestly? I was hoping he wasn't creepy, especially when I thought he kept coming back to look for you. I didn't let you know in case. I didn't let him know your schedule." In hindsight, she should have told you, but she is kind of a momma bear towards her docents. Protective.

"We appreciate that you take care of us, believe me." From time to time there are creepy guests who make the docents and other staff uncomfortable, so it's good that Leslie always keeps an eye out. The well-dressed Midwestern blonde looks unassuming but packs a wallop when she's displeased. "But Javi is very sweet. He's..." A dreamy sigh settles in your chest and you break out laughing. "I'm horribly smitten, guys. I'm sorry. I can't even pretend otherwise."

Moira's brows shoot up. "I knew you had a crush, but this— giirrrrrrl." She tilts her head. "You're acting like that man is your soulmate."

"Oh no." Another laugh escapes you, but this one isn't as big or full. "I don't think I could get that lucky."

“You don’t?” She scoffs doubtfully but she doesn’t press. Even if you don’t have shared scars with this man, it’s the most interested you’ve been with anyone in a long time. “Although I’m really fucking jealous that you got to breathe the same air as Alex Powell.”

"Actually, um...come to that." Looking apologetically between Moira and Leslie, you face your boss with the bravest and most simultaneously plaintive expression you can muster. "The production team has...invited me to fill a position." One which you can't understand why Leslie herself isn't filling, but maybe they asked her and she had to say no to...you know...run the museum. "They've asked me to be their on set historical consultant."

Leslie bites her lip, honestly amused that you are looking surprised by that offer. You are one of the most knowledgeable docents she has, probably that she’s ever had. “What do you think about that?” She asks seriously. “That could mean wildly different working hours.” She reminds you. “There’s going to be a lot of night filming.”

"I don't mind a change of hours. I mean...when am I ever going to get another chance to be on a movie set?" Still, you're twisting your fingers around each other nervously and wringing your hands. "I'd like to accept, if it's alright with you? I mean, you're my boss and in no way do I want to leave the museum. Tours are on hiatus until filming is finished anyhow, and if I take a leave of absence then you could give more docents hours being set supervisors." It was the job of the docents on set to watch over the house and protect it during filming. To basically be bodyguards for the house and always keep a watchful eye on things.

“I think that you would still be able to keep your hours here.” She says after a moment. “But it wouldn’t include overtime. Just your normal work week.” She shrugs. “Have they discussed pay?”

"Not yet. I assume I'll have to meet with someone from the studio and sign whatever contract they use for consultants." Not that you have any idea what any of that will mean, but you're eager to find out.

Moira, for her part, grins and hugs you to her side. "Fancy job and a fancy guy. Look at you!"

“That means that I will need you to step up as head docent.” Leslie reminds Moira with a smile. “Do you have any problem with that?”

“I will do my best to live up to it.” Moira agrees, though she knows she doesn’t have as much experience as you. Though she has worked at Hazelwood longer, you’ve been in museum work in general for more time and have a stronger academic background than she does. But she also knows that if Leslie thinks she can do it, then she shouldn’t be second guessing her own abilities.

"You will do wonderfully." She has faith in that, although she knows that she will also be around. She's protective of the house and interested in the movie that is being filmed here.

“It sounds like we’re all going to have a hell of a spring and summer on our hands.” You observe, eliciting laughs from the other two women.

Javi is discussing the script with Tamara and Scott when you walk back over. Listening to the actress seriously and contemplating her ideas. “Why don’t I write the pages, and you can see if it fits the character?” He asks, willing to take the changes and see. “Run through both and see which one you like better?” That is directed towards Scott, who knows what the director is looking for.

“If we can get it done over the weekend, we’ll test it.” Scott agrees. “Sally will be in tomorrow, she had one more producers she was meeting with today.” He checks his watch, checks his phone, and in the process of moving around spots you. “Do I need to talk to your boss for you?” He asks, seeing that you look nervous.

“Oh! No. It’s all set. Whatever contract you need me to sign, I’ll look over when it’s ready. But Leslie has no problem with the arrangement.”

“Good.” Javi knows the production will be fair. One of the reasons he was excited to work with this studio is because they have a good reputation.

“Good.” Scott agrees, clapping you in the shoulder and going off in the opposite direction.

Javi sees the confusion on your face and laughs. "Don't worry." He assures you. "There will be a contract brought around to you. It will be fair."

Javi is sitting beside Tamara, one leg crossed over the other and looking like the most relaxed and picturesque god of a man you’ve ever seen in your life. It’s not the contract that has you confused in this moment, it’s wondering how you got so lucky that he could actually be interested in you.

“I’ll let you two talk.” Tamara offers, flashing you a wink and a grin as she gets up to scoot away.

Javi smiles happily as you slide into the seat that Tamara vacates. Happy that you are going to be on set for the duration. He knows that he will be here too, already asking if he could have a space to set up his equipment instead of working from home like he had originally anticipated. "Are you happy to be asked to work on the movie?" He asks curiously. "You will be listed in the credits."

“It’s all a little surreal,” you admit, perched on the edge of the chair like you’re afraid it might get swept out from under you at any second. “I always dreamed about working in Hollywood. I mean who doesn’t at some point? But I never thought it would actually happen.”

“Honestly? Same.” He laughs quietly. “I had dreams, but with my family….” He frowns slightly and shrugs it off. “It was not possible until a few years ago. I was just obsessed with film. Movies. The magic and wonder of it all.”

“I’m sorry your family wasn’t supportive.” You shift in your seat to face him better and feel your heart leap up into your throat almost instantly. You could have sworn you saw the flicker of something above the line of his loafer but it can’t be.

He’s always uncomfortable when talking about his family. Shifting slightly in his seat and moving his ankle to rest on his knee. “That is the past.” He offers with a small smile. “I look towards the future.”

“I—I’m—I’m really sorry, but…” With your pulse pounding blood so loudly in your ears that it has drowned out your thoughts. “Your ankle—?” Clear as day now, the vertical scar on the inside of his ankle that curves ever so slightly at the top like a Shepard’s crook is exposed for anyone to see.

It can’t be. Can it?

He frowns for a second before he follows your eyes to his leg and he nods. “Oh.” It’s an old scar, not red or angry. Just a silvery distortion of his skin. “Old injury.” He explains. “I fell out of an olive tree when I was younger.” He was pushed out, by Lucas, but he doesn’t talk about that. “The old iron fencing around the base wasn’t kind.” He adds, lifting his pant leg so you can see it properly.

The strangled sort of hiccupping sound you make is barely smothered by your hand flying to your lips, but the water rising up in your eyes can't be disguised. "A-and...and...how long ago was that?" It's impossible, and yet here it is right in front of you. A mark you know as well as you know any other shape in the world.

Javi told his head curiously, surprised by your reaction to his scar. “About twenty years ago.” He murmurs cautiously. “I was old enough to know better. Why?”

"I—" You could explain. You could. But words have utterly failed you in this moment. This moment that has you reaching to unzip your right boot and pull your sock away from your ankle to expose the very same shepherd’s crook scar on your own skin.

Javi’s confused smile quickly slides into a frown. Tugging his lips down as his eyes widen. Shock making his mouth hang open and he slides out of his seat to his knees in front of your leg. Looking up at you for a moment to confirm you aren’t playing a prank on him. Then looking down and slowly reaching for your ankle to rub his thumb over the scar that matches his. He doesn’t care about the short, stubbly leg hair where you obviously haven’t shaved in a few days. Too entranced by the rippled skin that is smoother than his own since your skin wasn’t ripped open but matches his in every way. “You-“ His eyes light up and he exhales roughly. “You are my soulmate.”

"Do you..." Dry sobs stick in your throat, but the ecstatic warmth of his touch to your skin is its own answer. "Do you...have a tattoo of a blue morpho butterfly on your ribcage?"

He lets go of your ankle and starts to pull his button up shirt out of the waistband of his pants. Pulling it up to expose his right side. The perfect little butterfly at the top of his ribcage showing against his skin.

The whole rest of the room has gone silent around you, but neither you or Javi has noticed in the least. The whole rest of the world might have ceased to exist and you would never have known the difference. "This is unbelievable..." you breathe, reaching out to touch his skin with the same reverence and gentle care than he caressed your ankle.

“You- you - when did you get this?” He asks seriously, voice barely above a whisper.

"Eight years ago." Please let it be true, please let it be true...

He nods, his smile starting to stretch his face. “May, right?”

"Right." All at once the water spills over, two tears streaking down your cheeks. "Oh my god..."

“I cannot believe it.” He gasps, reaching for your cheek and wiping away your tears before he frowns. “Unless….you don’t like that?” He asks, wondering why you are crying.

"Like it?" A disbelieving laugh blows the entire thought away and you take his hand in yours. "I'm overjoyed."

“Fantastic.” He allows himself to be happy. To show it on his face and he beams. “That’s fantastic.”

“Can I…” It all sort of washes over you in a wave of too many things to parcel them all out from each other. “Can I…Give you a hug or something? I don’t even know what comes next. I just…I can’t believe it.”

“I want to kiss you.” He confesses. Now understanding why he was so drawn to you. You were like the flame to his moth. He couldn’t resist your pull.

"Thank god," you almost burst out laughing, barely containing the sound. "I wasn't sure if that was too much to ask for."

It’s like a scene in a movie, you are still laughing as he cups your head in his hands and lunges forward. Kissing you with joy and elation, groaning immediately when your lips touch his.

It isn't as though you've never been kissed. Kissed well, even. But this leaves every other good kiss so far behind that the trail of dust would stretch for miles. The warmth and welcome of him is all consuming, to the point that you nearly slide out of your seat just to get closer to him and sink farther into the kiss.

He loses all concept of time, of space, as he kisses you. Everything has faded into the background or completely disappears. Wondering at how right this feels.

It’s only when you come out of it — breaking the kiss for air and barely open your eyes to be able to look your soulmate in the face again — that you realize that everyone else in the room has erupted into whistles, cheers, and applause.

Javi starts to blush, looking around the room sheepishly and then back at you. Starting to giggle and he leans in to kiss you again. “My soulmate.”

"My soulmate." The word sounds so incredible breathed against his lips.

“Let’s get married.” Javi blurts out impulsively, grinning at you.

The rush of your heartbeat rockets through the roof, but you cling to him and some sort of ecstatic, nearly crazed laugh crosses your lips. "Yes." No hesitation. No worries. No second guessing. Just the absolute certainty that this is meant to be.

“Yes?” He is almost in disbelief and then you nod, cupping his face and kissing him back. “Yes!” He shouts and leaps up to drag you up and spin you around the room. “We are getting married!”

Gasps and more applause are the least of it, as it seems that everyone in the ballroom crushes in around the both of you in a flurry of excitement. Questions come from all angles, but you can barely hear them. can barely process any of it. It's a whole world just swirling around you when all that matters is him.

It’s only the sound of others cheering that brings him back down to reality. Making him turn and look at the cast, crew and production team clapping and grinning. He gives an embarrassed chuckle and turns back to you, his forehead pressed against yours. “We have made a scene.” He hums, smiling.

“I don’t mind,” you tell him, still giggling softly in his arms. “Not at all.”

“You don’t?” That makes him chuckle happily. “That’s good.”

Moira and Leslie are practically in giggling tears to your left, ready to swoop in and hug you into oblivion and Tamara looks like she’s ready to cry too.

“What?” She huffs when Jason prods her. “It’s so romantic!”

“Romantic, yes.” He rolls his eyes, “but what are we going to doooooo about it?” He’s secretly a big softie. “That means the walk through is done for the day. They are going to go get married.”

“So? I don’t mind ending early so soulmates can go get married.” In fact she’s positively gooey over the idea for about three seconds until she remembers herself. “Oh! Oh!! I can marry you!” Tamara crows, all but clapping with joy. “If you want me to, I mean! I got certified last year for my cousin.”

“Now that is an idea.” Leslie agrees with a growing smile. “We have almost everything we need right here.”

Javi knows that he would give you anything when you turn those wide, hopeful eyes on him. “Do you want to get married here?” He asks. “I don’t mind.”

“Is that okay with you?” If you’re being honest, you’ve dreamt of having your wedding here for just as long as you’ve worked at Hazelwood, but you would understand if he had something else in mind. “It’s fitting, really, isn’t it? Since we met here.”

"It is perfect." He would do anything to keep that look of absolute happiness on your face. "It will be part of our story, woven into the fabric of our lives."

“Do you really want to do it now?” The idea is so wonderfully romantic that you almost sigh. “Like tonight?”

His eyes shift back towards Leslie. "Can we make it happen?" He asks her. "Small, beautiful. Involving anyone and everyone who wants to participate?" He knows he doesn't have family and you've not mentioned any, so it is almost fitting that your friends and work family be involved. The cast and crew almost look giddy at the idea of contributing.

“Absolutely.” She kinds around at all the eager faces. “We have plenty of hands to help. You two go and get yourselves ready. Whatever you two need personally. We’ll take care of food, music, decorations, and everything else.” Your boss glances at her watch and flashes you a smile. It’s just the middle of the afternoon now, giving everyone plenty of time. “How does a seven o’clock wedding sound?”

“Does that work?” He asks you, not sure what you would want to happen before this wedding. “I will need to get you rings.”

“You need a ring too,” you remind him, with that glowing smile still in tact on your face. “We would need to find a boutique, I guess? It’s not like I have a wedding dress hanging around in my closet.” Some girls do. Dresses passed down from generation to generation. You’re not that lucky, unfortunately, and even if you were in better terms with your family…they’re all on the east coast anyway.

“A dress, yes, yes.” He nods enthusiastically and then he frowns. “I- the studio car brought me.” He looks over at Scott, who grins. “I think we can make some arrangements.” He offers, walking over with the director. “What do you think about filming some of this? Obviously we wouldn’t announce it now, but think of the press when the film is being released!” He practically has hearts in his eyes over the prospect.

The thought almost stuns you, but within seconds you’re shrugging your shoulders and looking up at Javi. “I don’t mind, if you don’t. It would be nice to have footage of the wedding.” Of marrying your soulmate.

“Javi?” His brows raise as he looks over at him. “Imagine the press junket. The curiosity ticket sales. People will flock to watch a movie that brought soulmates together.” Javi chuckles and nods. “Fine, but we get a copy of all of the film and we approve when it’s released and what is shown.”

“Deal.” Scott offers his hand to seal it, and is practically giddy when Javi shakes it.

“Do you have anyone you want to call?” You ask him quietly. “A friend you would want to stand up for you? Or family nearby?”

“I do have some friends.” He admits with a grin. “What about you?”

“She’s already here.” And standing maybe four feet away, at that. You look over to Moira with a grin. “You’re up for being a whirlwind maid of honor, right?”

“Of course!” Moira squeals and Alex grins as he slides up beside you.

“Why don’t you let me walk you down the aisle?” His eyes are serious, even when his tone and grin are silly. “It would be an honor to serve.”

Matching his playfully nonchalant expression, you shrug your shoulders as if you’re not sure. “I dunno, my man. That’s a big ask. I’m gonna expect you to have my back and be ready to step up when shit hits the fan. That sound doable?” The fact is, you don’t really know how your Mom would feel if she were here, or your brother, and your father died when you were just a teenager. So an offer from a new friend is as good as any other you’re going to get.

His brows pull together and he purses his lips seriously. “Absolutely.” He huffs, nodding. “I’m here for at the fan hitting shit.”

“Then I guess we’re gonna go for a walk together tonight.” It’s just about the most casual way you could ever decide such an important thing, but there is something almost brotherly about the way he’s warmed up to you. Once he knew you weren’t going to fall at his feet, he seemed to instantly decide you are his friend.

“Awesome.” He perks up and throws his arm around you. “I’ve got a suit in my car.” He winks at Javi playfully. “Never know when I’m going to meet my soulmate.” He jokes, knowing full well it’s just that he had picked up his dry cleaning and his agent always wants him to have dress clothes on hand in case. Just in case.

“For your sake, I hope they turn out to be a very energetic person,” you tease, but being your attention back to Javi quickly. “We have a lot to do in just as couple of hours.”

“You two go, get all the stuff you need and we will be waiting.” Alex unwraps his arm from around you as Jason comes up and shrugs. “While I can’t do much – what’s your favorite flowers?” He asks.

Flowers sounds like a hell of a lot to you, and you look to Javi for confirmation. "I don't mind what they are, but I think they should be white. Right?"

“Whatever color you want.” Javi tells you indulgently. “It doesn’t have to be white.”

"Really?" That surprises you, and you feel like you have to check with him before you actually give a real answer.

“Do you want the flowers to be white?” He asks, frowning slightly as he wonders if he has misspoken. “It is beautiful. But colors are beautiful as well if you want a bright arrangement.”

"I actually really like Gerber Daisies..." A flower you were always told was childish and unserious. How can a flower have a maturity level? "The big, colorful ones? I think they're beautiful."

“Then you should have Gerber Daisies.” He can’t call them to mind right away, but he is sure they are stunning. “Jason?” He looks over to him. “Can you find her the most beautiful Gerber daisies?”

"On it." He promises. It's not a well-known fact, since little about him is well known at all, but he grew up in and around his parents' florist business. He can definitely do a daisy wedding bouquet. "It'll be beautiful."

“Does that work for you?” Javi asks as he looks back at you in complete adoration.

"Absolutely." Honestly, the fact that everyone is pitching in so quickly and willingly is magical on its own. Everything else is a beautiful bonus.

“Good.” He grasps your hands and brings them up to his lips to kiss the back of them. “Shall we go? Get what we need?”

You and Javi head out of the museum – thanking Scott for the offer of a ride, but you have your car. This is something that you want to be able to do in private, and for you that means time that is only spent between you and your soulmate.

It might not be a flashy car, but she's gotten you through thick and thin, so when you climb in beside him you let out a contented little hum. "There's a soulmate boutique in downtown. They say they have everything a couple needs but...maybe you have someplace in mind that you would rather go? It's your call." Though it calls itself a boutique, the place is more like an emporium. Couples who want to get married quickly aren't looking to run all over the place to get what they need, so it's more or less a one-stop shop for wedding wear.

“Call.” His eyes widen and he pulls out his phone. “Yes, that’s fine. I need to make a call. See if they are in L.A.” He looks over at you and grins. “My good friend. I want him to come.”

"You do that, I'll drive," you laugh, turning the key in the ignition and heading out of the museum parking lot.

“Thank you.” He quickly pulls up his contacts and selects Nick’s number. “Hopefully he isn’t filming somewhere.”

The line rings three times before it connects, and Olivia Cage's smooth, musical voice comes over the line. "Hello Javi!"

“Olivia!” He lights up when he hears her voice and he shifts in the passenger seat. “Please tell me you and Nick are in L.A.?” He begs, immediately launching into the reason for his call.

"Javi! Javi! Slow down, sweetheart." She laughs when he immediately starts talking to quickly for her to keep up with. "Nick and Addy are just watching a movie in the living room, let me hand the phone over."

There is a little commotion on the other end of the line, but after a few seconds, Nick's voice comes over loud and clear. "Javi! We're at home tonight. Did you want to get together?"

“Could you be at Hazelwood Park in Santa Barbara by seven tonight?” Javi asks Nick, beaming through the phone. “I’m getting married.”

"You're get—you're getting married?!" Nick practically shouts on the other end of the line, and you laugh beside him with equal joy. "How?" Nick breathes. "Who? And of course we'll be there!"

“Well, I think the normal way.” He huffs out a laugh and almost looks like he will tear up for a second when he looks over at you as you drive. “My soulmate, Nick. I met my soulmate today. Not today. I’ve actually met her several times before but we— she has my scar. And I have her tattoo.” He rambles, knowing Nick will follow easily, they had spent far too much time together for him not to.

"The girl with the butterfly tattoo!" Nick howls with glee. He's seen that butterfly a hundred times -- whenever they go swimming – and knows how badly Javi has wanted to meet his soulmate. The instinct to love without restriction is at the heart of who Javi is. "Absolutely. Absolutely we'll be there. How can we help?"

“Just be there!” He laughs. “We are getting our rings and a dress for her now. The house should be set by the time we get back. They are filming my movie there.” He explains. “The cast and crew are going to be there too.”

"Do you need me to swing by your place and bring you a suit?" Nick offers, knowing Javi has a few particular pieces left in his wardrobe that he dearly loves.

Javi bites his lip and looks over at you. “Do you mind?” He asks you. “I have a suit that would be perfect.”

"Just tell me which one, buddy." Nick already has a key to Javi's house and knows his alarm code, so it's just a matter of swinging by. The place may technically be unfinished, but he's spent more time there than anyone besides Javi himself.

He looks over at you. “The royal blue Armani.” He decides. “Ferragamo loafers and the Givenchy cufflinks.”

It sounds extremely fancy and extremely expensive, and you hope that this boutique has something even half as spectacular for you so you can match him. Headed down the backroads into downtown, you reach for Javi's hand as you drive and give it a squeeze.

Nick assures him that he will get everything Javi needs and he’s quickly hanging up the phone. “That’s alright, right? Royal blue?” He asks, hoping he didn’t mess up.

"It sounds beautiful," you promise him.

“Shit.” He frowns. “I forgot to tell him to get a belt.”

"Don't worry," you urge him. "If that's the only thing we forget tonight, I think we'll be in excellent shape. But if it bothers you, I'm sure we can get one at the boutique. It won't be half as nice as the rest of your suit, but it will do the trick."

“You must pick out any dress you want.” His eyes light up happily. “So they have rings there? At this boutique?”

"Supposedly there is a jewelry department, a dress one, one for suits, all of it." You glance over at him while you drive, heart fluttering when you get a look at his perfect curls and sharp jaw. "One of the other docents went there when she met her soulmate last year."

“That is good.” Javi agrees easily, reaching for your hand and wishing it was your left. That one is firmly on the steering wheel. “If you do not like the rings there, we will find one you do like.” He promises. “I want you to love your rings.”

“I’m not picky,” you assure him, steering the car through the winding streets. “It’s more important to me that they come from you than what they are. So I’m sure we’ll be able to find something we both like.”

“You should be picky.” He frowns. “I hope you are wearing them for years. Until they are upgraded.”

“The only way I’m taking one of those rings off for more than a cleaning is if it’s getting passed on to our grandchild,” you tell him with absolute certainty. Your eyes flick back to the road as you move over a lane, the enormous boutique building is coming up on the right. “But I don’t think it will be hard to find something I love.”

“Grandchild.” He whispers the word, eyes bright at the mere mention of something so fantastical that he hadn’t been able to imagine it before now.

“Too soon?” You cringe slightly, wondering if talking about a family is the line that shouldn’t be crossed yet despite the fact that this is your soulmate and you’re on your way to buy things for your wedding.

“No.” He practically yelps the word and twists in his seat to vigorously shake his head. “I want kids.” He promises. “Lots of kids. I mean- as many as you want to have.” He amends and looks nervous, like you might shut down the idea completely if he doesn’t say what you want.

Carefully turning the car into the building’s lot and putting it in park, you take both of Javi’s hands and offer him the absolute softest smile you are capable of conjuring in this moment. Who hurt this poor, sweet puppy dog of a man that he looks so afraid to talk to you?

“I want a big family too,” you promise him. “But if we ever disagree on what we want, or I get too excited and jump ahead on something that you’re not comfortable with, I need you to tell me, okay handsome? And I’ll tell you, too.”

“Yes.” He agrees quickly, relaxing because of your soft touch. It’s already soothing to him. “I have to confess…” he bites his lip. “I have had relationships before.” He confesses, hoping that you will not judge him too harshly for that.

“I have too.” A lot of people don’t. Preferring to wait for their soulmate. But you had been worried on that point. “I…didn’t want to meet you one day and know nothing.”

Something dark flashes in Javi’s eyes. Desire and want, twisted with the kind of possessiveness that springs out of love. “That’s good.” He rasps out, his tongue wetting his bottom lip.

The change in his expression is fast enough that you miss it when you glance away for just a half a second to undo your seatbelt, but you lean back over again to kiss his cheek right after. “Let’s go inside?”

“Of course.” He smiles as he nods, squeezing your hand and hating to let it go when he has to unclip his own seatbelt and get out of the car. He will have to get you a new one, right away. Missing the garage that had been full of sporty, flashy cars for a moment, he waits for you to walk around to him since he is closer to the shop door.

Your hand slips into his again with ease, and the beat that your heart skips is made up for when you both hurry inside the building, eager to start getting ready for the night.

“I have never been in a soulmate boutique.” Javi confesses as he reaches forward to open the door for you. “You will have to show me where to go.”

“I can help with that.” A friendly woman with a blonde bob at the reception desk in the front of the store waves you both over. “My name is Cindy. How can I help you today?”

“Hello, Cindy.” Javi holds your hand proudly and guides you over to the desk. “This gorgeous creature is my soulmate and we are getting married today.”

"Well, congratulations." She smiles broadly, as though that isn't a sentence she hears once at day at bare minimum. "We can help with as much or as little as you need. Everything from rings to the dress to a suit, flowers, we can even book you in at the soulmate chapel in the Arts District."

"We have a venue and flowers," you tell her, feeling like you're vibrating beside Javi as you hold his hand. "And he has a suit. We'll both need rings and I need a dress."

"We can absolutely do that for you." Emerging from behind the desk, Cindy beckons for the two of you to follow her around a corner into the belly of the boutique. "Come right this way and we'll start with rings."

“Wait.” Javi pulls short, tugging on your arm. “When you pick your dress, should I see it?” He asks seriously. “I thought Americans believe it’s bad luck?”

"Some do." Though you shrug one shoulder. "I don't mind, though. If you don't."

He blinks in surprise and then smiles, lunging forwards to kiss your lips. “Yes. I want to see.” He admits with a grin. “I want to see all the dresses you could choose and see why you pick the one you do.”

"And I want your opinion," you tell him honestly. Every time he kisses you, you feel like you're melting, so the gooey smile on your face is pretty appropriate right now. "I want to know which one you like best, too."

“I would probably say buy them all.” He chuckles. “Wear one every year on our anniversary. Which will be today.” He beams again as he realizes that.

"Valentine's Day is the day we met." The reminder is sweet, soothing the ache of every lonely Valentine's past with the thought, and the two of you walk on together easily. The jewelry section of the store is immense, with a half dozen display cases full of beautifully glinting rings in all sizes, shapes, and styles.

“There are so many.” Javi chokes out, looking around the large, very brilliantly lit display cases. Every diamond sparkles and he knows you will find something you love. “We have a variety of options and price points.” She tells you both discreetly.

"My taste is fairly simple," you promise. He did offer to pay for everything, but you have no intention of going crazy. "And it doesn't have to be a diamond. There are plenty of beautiful stones."

He looks positively offended over that. “Did you know that diamonds are only the fifth most expensive gemstone per carat?” He asks you. “What is your favorite color?”

"It sounds silly." Another shrug, but at least you don't feel silly about this saleswoman seeing the two of you getting to know each other. She must certainly see couples getting married who have known each other far less. "But I like silver a lot."

“Silver.” He frowns slightly and tilts his head. “Would you like your setting to be silver?” He asks seriously.

"It doesn't have to be so serious, Javi," you assure him, smiling softly because this man just does that to you. You feel soft around him every second. "If you like yellow gold better, your ring doesn't have to match mine."

“I just want you to have exactly what you want.” Too often he had been accused of being too cheery and now you are telling him that he’s too serious. “I want to match your ring.”

"Is white gold, or silver, or what have you...is that okay with you?"

“Any of it.” He shrugs. His pinky ring is gold, but he will be fine with that. It’s on his right hand anyway.

"Then let's take a look." There are no shortage of choices, so who knows what you'll find. But you gravitate toward the nearest case with ease.

The two of you debate size, shape, gemstones. Laughing together as Javi points out one ring that is particularly hideous and at least you can both agree on that one to be marked off the list. Javi wishes for you to have something large and flashy and you want something more subdued.

It takes quite a bit of back and forth before you at least nail down a design. Three stone rings seem to be both of your favorite, and after a little more debating back and forth, Cindy disappears to another case on the other side of the jewelry section and comes back with a few options that have impressive center stones with dainty accents. It's the style of the design that you favor with slightly larger stones like Javi prefers. "They're not the biggest stones we have," she cautions, not wanting you to feel overwhelmed. "But they are stand out in terms of cut and quality. Very eye-catching."

“What do you think?” Javi wants you to love your rings, but he also wants to make sure that no one thinks that he is a pauper. It’s egotistical, but it’s the truth.

"They're still quite big." That isn't up for debate, but Javi seems to be quite certain that the cost is not an issue, and has barely looked at price tags so far. A conversation about his net worth is going to have to happen at some point because he's very clearly in a different tax bracket than you are, but that's for later. "The pear-shaped and the princess cut are the prettiest, I think...which do you like?"

“Whichever you want.” He would have chosen the emerald cut, but he would rather you have the choice. “I promise, I will not be upset.”

"Can I try on the pear?" Trying it on makes it seem to much more real, and Cindy hands you the ring carefully from its velvet stand.

"This will work with any band that you like, the setting is nicely elevated to compliment almost any choice." She tells you, but you barely hear it. it's like magic happens as that ring slides onto your finger, and you gasp quietly under your breath.

It’s perfect. Javi stares at the ring on your finger. The shape of the ring making your hand look even more elegant. The stone is not so overpowering that it looks like you are a child playing dress up with your mother’s rings. “Sweetheart?”

"I love it..." you breathe, hardly able to believe it's so perfect, and you look up at him with watery eyes. "The same way I love hearing you call me sweetheart."

He melts. His face softening into something akin to pure wonder as he looks down at the ring on your finger and he kneels down to one knee in front of you. “This is the one?” He asks softly, holding your hand and looking up at you. “Just like you are my one?”

“It’s perfect. Like you’re perfect.” Having a deeply romantic soulmate was always something you had wished for, but the way Javi seems to wear his heart of his sleeve is so much more than you ever could have hoped for.

He surges back to his feet to press his lips to yours. Ecstatic that this is happening. His soulmate.

Cindy only smiles, waiting for the moment to be enjoyed, before she begins to bring out bands for both of you. They rang from elaborate to simple, but she has a feeling this gentleman will prefer the elaborate.

“You should have this one.” Javi points to a band that is a solid circle of Princess cut diamonds to make up the surface. “Since you liked the princess cut solitaire too.”

"It's stunning." His flare for showy rings is very apparent, but in the moment you're so swept up that you forget to care. The gorgeous rings will be well loved and well cared for and that is what matters to you. "Do you want something ornate as well? Carved, or even with a diamond of your own?"

“What about this one?” He asks, pointing to a matching men’s ring. The circle of Princess cut diamonds is surrounded by the thick white gold band on either side.

The channel-set stones wink and shimmer in the bright store lighting, as if to say that completely agree with his choice. "A matching set," you agree with a nod.

It is a beautiful ring, but anything you choose he would be happy to wear. “Then I think that we have found our rings.” He picks it up and slides it on his finger to see how it fits and practically giggles with excitement when he sees a wedding band on his hand.

"I'll box these pieces up for you." Cindy offers, but pauses before gathering up the three-stone ring. "Unless you'd prefer to present your soulmate with her engagement ring now?" She offers, looking to Javi. She can easily just remove the tag and add it to the growing total. "I can retrieve the ring in her size from the case for you."

“Yes.” Javi decides instantly, beaming at you. “I want her to wear it out of the boutique.”

"Just one moment." She thought he might feel that way, and she disappears just only long enough to polish the ring and clip off the tag before bringing it back to him in its velvet box to be presented to you however he chooses. "I'll go and let the dress department know to expect you. Just move into the next room when you're ready," she tells you both with a sunny smile.

“I wish that there was something more romantic about this.” Javi confesses. “Imagine you are at your bench, sweetheart.” He decides, grinning at you. “Waves crashing all around you and the smell of the ocean hovering.”

"It's our bench now." It had been, to you, since that day before Christmas. You had spent too much time sitting there and thinking of him. Thinking of that day. Wondering if you would ever see him again.

“Our bench.” He agrees, beaming at you again as he guides you over to a bench that is not your bench, but it will substitute just fine. “Close your eyes.” He begs when he has you sat down.

You comply without hesitation, sitting up straight on the small bench with your hands on your knees. Life with Javi seems like it will have a certain flair for the dramatic – or at least special occasions will.

He’s sinking down to a knee again. This time with tears starting to form in his own eyes. This isn’t a movie. This is real life and it seems like he is finally getting his happily ever after. Murmuring your name softly, he smiles. “You are my soulmate.” He whispers. “The other half of my very existence. I have waited and wondered and dreamed about you my entire life and now you are here.” He swallows harshly as your eyes twitch. He opens the ring box and takes your hand. “I can’t live another day without you being my wife. Marry me. Marry me and make me complete.”

His voice is slightly choked, filled with emotion, and the tears that press against the back of your own eyes just from hearing it would surely be spilling over if your eyes were opening now. But since you've been instructed to keep them shut, you lean forward with your hands out and find his broad shoulders -- the pathway that bring your hands up to cup his cheeks. "The sooner the better," you promise him, with such a broad smile that even your soft promise comes out on a giddy giggle. "Now can I open my eyes to kiss you or are you going to come to me?"

“Oh, uh, yeah.” He had halfway expected you to open them when he asked the question, not expecting you to wait for his cue. “Open your eyes sweetheart.”

They are only open for a half second. Just long enough to lean all the way over to kiss him. But it's enough. It's all you need. It's all you need to be able to embrace this moment fully (and tearfully) with your soulmate as he slides your new engagement ring onto your finger just hours before you plan on marrying.

Javi sinks into the kiss, gathering you close and sighing against your lips happily until a discreet cough breaks through the fuzzy haze of love. “Pardon me.” Cindy smiles when he looks over at him. “The girls are pulling a number of dresses for you to try on.” She tells you.

“Thank you.” You’re not going to be embarrassed at all about the kiss. Not when you feel like you’ve waited three lifetimes to find this kind of joy and anticipation for the future.

Javi rubs his thumb over the ring happily and stands, pulling you up gently. “Time to pick out your dress.”

The girls as Cindy calls them, are two very sweet young women just a touch younger than you that run the dress department in this store. One blonde and one redhead, they are surrounded by a seeming sea of plush fabrics when you and Javi walk over together.

Javi’s eyes widen and he looks around in shock at all the styles, materials, laces. It’s so much that he wouldn’t have a clue where to begin.

"I think we're both a little spoiled for choice," you tell them, feeling very much like you agree with the awestruck and overwhelmed look on Javi's face. "Where would you recommend that we start?"

The girls are quick to start bringing out dresses to get a a sense of your style and preferences so they can match you up with the perfect dress.

Several are too revealing for you taste, and some are far too complicated in their designs. You're not looking to wear architecture on your wedding night, you want to be able to move. "Is there a such thing as a traditional dress without a train?" You ask, instantly feeling like you must be the pickiest person in the world for even asking. "I—I like to dance, that's all. And trains always look silly to me when they're bustled."

“No train.” Javi can agree with that and when you give him a questioning look, he nods in agreement. “I want you to have exactly what you want.”

"Does 'traditional' mean you're looking for a larger dress?" The chipper blonde asks, looking between both you and Javi. It's clear you're making the decision together. "Like a ballgown? Something with that princess feel?"

“She is a princess.” Javi immediately jumps into the idea feet first. “Better than any Disney character mister Walt Disney could think of himself.”

He loves it so much that you don't even consider not trying one on. "Let's see what a ballgown looks like." You agree, indicating one with a sweetheart neckline and lots of intricate lace that is hanging on the back of a dressing room door.

“You don’t have to pick something you think I will like.” He promises as they start to take dresses away and rush off to pull more. “This is your dress. I want you to feel as beautiful as you are.”

"I've never worn a ballgown." You bend down to lay a kiss on his lips before getting up to go into the dressing room. "It can't hurt to find out."

“You might hate it.” He snorts in amusement. “But it does fit the theme of the house.”

"I guess we're about to find out." Flashing him a broad smile, you disappear into the dressing room to tackle that great big, beautiful dress and see how it feels. It takes several minutes of finesse and manuevering with the help of one of the girls, but when you emerge you carefully school your reaction so you can see what Javi thinks first. The big bell of the gown's skirt is lighter than you expected but it has a seriously satisfying swish and you really do feel like fairy tale royalty.

“Magnificent.” Javi murmurs in awe, freezing mid turn as he stares at you. “You look- like a princess.”

“It’s huge.” Barely able to contain a giggle as your eyes widen, the mirror in front of you contains an image you barely recognize…but in the best way possible. It’s the version of you that you used to dream about. Fairy tales and all. So when you turn to look at Javi again, you’re almost as awestruck as he is. “It’s almost perfect.”

“Almost?” He tilts his head to the side and frowns as he looks over the dress again. “What is it missing?”

“It’s…a bit large.” You laugh, swinging your hips a little so the skirt imitates a large bell. “I feel a bit like I ought to be hung in a church in this thing.”

“So a smaller version of the skirt?” He asks. “Or do you want a form fitting dress?”

“Just a small ballgown, I think?” The question really goes to the two women helping you, but they are already moving to sort through what they have brought out. One has a halter and too-low neckline. One is encrusted with beading and jewels. One has large, poofy, sheer sleeves. None of them are quite right, but you try on a simple taffeta version of the silhouette. Just plain and simple. And that is nearly perfect.

Simple is generally how you like things, and this excursion into wedding dresses seems to prove it to you, but when you go out to show Javi, you can tell right away that he feels the same way you do. There is something missing.

“What about ivory?” The dresses have been separated by color and none of the ivory dresses have been chosen. “Or do you want pure white?” He wonders if it is a faux pas or if it’s just preference.

“Ivory could be good.” For that matter, it doesn’t have to be white for you to love it. But that is the easiest option.

“I have just the one.” The round-faced redhead promises, ushering you back into the dressing room. “Not too poofy, no train, fit for a queen.”

Javi stares at the display of accessories, biting his lip as he sees a tiara and he knows he wants you to wear one. It would be perfect. His princess.

There is a great deal of rustling and laughter and excited chatter coming from the dressing room, and when you emerge you’re wearing possibly the single most beautiful dress you’ve ever seen in real life — let alone most beautiful thing you have ever worn.

The silk jacquard fabric is luxurious and detailed without being extravagant or ostentatious. The simple corset bodice and Basque waist make you look as elegant as royalty. It has a full skirt for that princess affect but it isn’t so big that it makes it difficult to move, and best of all it feels right.

“What do you think?” You ask Javi, but frankly you’re dabbing away tears and it’s obvious how much you love the dress. This is your wedding dress.

The moment he sees the softness in your eyes, he knows you’ve fallen in love with it. You look like a scene from a movie. The big reveal of the princess at the top of the stairs where everyone turns and gaps in amazement and the prince at the bottom thanks his lucky stars that you are his. Which is what Javi is doing right now. The tiara in his hand, carefully removed from the display case, seems to perfectly match and he smiles. “It’s only missing this, princesa.”

The headpiece is made up of stars like something out of a painting you once saw in a history book, and it feels like such a silly thing to bend your head so he can set it in your hair (thank goodness you’re having a good hair day!) but it feels perfect. It feels extraordinary. And standing next to him is the first time you’ve truly felt extraordinary in your entire life.

You steal his breath when he steps back and looks at you. Tears instantly forming in his eyes and his chin trembles because he is so overwhelmed that this beautiful creature is his soulmate. It’s such a pure moment that not even his anxiety or self doubt could break through the euphoria.

“I hope those are good tears,” you half-chuckle through your own.

“The best.” He manages to choke out before reaching for your hands. “This is it, no? This is the one?” He turns you so you can look in the mirror at your reflection with the tiara on.

“I think this is it.” It’s so much more than you would have thought you wanted. It’s eye-catching and irrevocably meant to be the center of attention. But with him, you somehow don’t mind so much. As if having Javi there at your side was the piece you needed to keep you grounded and safe all along

"It is perfect." He promises, honestly believing that he will look underdressed beside you. "You are perfect." He amends with an indulgent smile before he nods. "We will take it." He announces to the sales girls. "But you need shoes underneath." His eyes light up mischievously. "What about those wedding sneakers I always see in movies?"

“Sneakers?” After all the bling and excess he’s picked out, your eyebrows raise in surprise. “Like…tennis shoes?”

He laughs at your surprise. "High heels hurt, no?" He asks. "Tiaras and tennis shoes, you could start a trend!"

The easy, joyous laugh you share is so sweet and so unrestrained that it has to be punctuated with another kiss. “Would you find it odd if I said I like high heels?” You ask after. “I’ve been wearing them for work and things for a long time and I don’t mind them too much anymore. And they always look so beautiful.”

"Then you must find the most beautiful high heels to go with your dress." He insists indulgently. "Do you have a favorite brand? Louboutin? Manolo Blahnik? Bottega Veneta?"

Ahha. There it is. You think, as he starts listing off designers you could never afford in your wildest dreams. “I just…get the most comfortable heels off the clearance rack at DSW.”

"Comfortable." He understands that but he huffs slightly. "Get whatever shoes you love best." He urges you. "The price doesn't matter."

“I wouldn’t even know where to start.” The best you can do is appeal to the two girls, and to Cindy, who has walked up to check on you in the meantime. “The only thing is…I always thought…you know how some brides wear blue shoes as their something blue? I always liked that idea.”

“Then I have the perfect pair.” Cindy gushes. “They are a pair I have lusted after forever.”

You give her your shoe size and she disappears into the shoe department to dig up her dream heel. In just a few minutes she returns to the pair of you with two boxes in hand. “They’re a little bit iconic,” she says sheepishly, opening up the top box. “These are the Carrie Bradshaw heels. Gorgeous even without the Sex and the City reference, but that sort of makes it fun in my opinion. They come in a royal blue and a light shade of sky.”

Javi recognizes the brand and he tilts his head as she opens them up. They are both gorgeous and he wonders if you will go for the bolder blue or keep it subtle under your dress. You might not even like the shoes at all.

"They're...gorgeous." The awestruck look on your face doesn't quite match your reaction to your dress, but it certainly is one that is both impressed and surprised. "Is this sort of what you had in mind?" You ask him, looking between the two shades of blue and the soft, wide brown eyes of your soulmate.

"This is deep blue, like the ocean when you look out over the cliffs." He muses as he touches on of the edge of one of the shoes. "This one..." he moves over to the light blue one. "It looks like a – a – I don't know..." He admits with a smile, looking back at you. "Which one do you like?"

"Well, when you put it like that." You touch the edge of the box holding the deeper blue shoes with your fingertips. "It has to be the ocean, doesn't it?"

“I think so, but….” He shrugs. “I don’t want you to just choose what you think I want.”

In the end, you try both pairs and decide on the lighter blue as a compliment to the inviting ivory of the dress. Star earrings are found that compliment the tiara Javi picked out, and it is all carefully packed up to be piled up in the trunk of you car and driven back to Hazelwood.

"Is there anything else you need?" You ask him when you climb back into the car together. There cant possibly be a single thing left you need, but you don't know what he could be missing aside from the suit that his friend is bringing for him.

“I think that we have everything.” He chews his lip and smiles at you. “Since it’s last minute, I asked if craft services could cater again.” He tells you, having looped the production team in on the text messages and Scott had talked to them and reported back that they had happily agreed. “It’s going to be mostly finger foods? Is that okay?”

"It could be nothing at all in a little soulmate chapel in the middle of nowhere and it would still be perfect," you promise him. "I only care that it's you."

“Then let’s go get married, sweetheart.” Javi beams as you start the car, ready to do just that.

------ Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @haylzcyon �� @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger @xocalliexo @pedr0swh0r3 @avaleineandafryingpan @charlyrmv @avidreader73 @iceclaw101 @loveslide @elegantduckturtle @becsworld @julesonrecord @its-nebuleuse @itsrubberbisquit @mikeyswifie @guelyury @lizzie-cakes @for-a-longlongtime @vabeachazn @purplerain04 @weho2kcmo @madnessofadaydreamer

TUWOP: @inept-the-magnificent @missladym1981 @sunnytuliptime @iamladyp @spishsstuff @famouslyanonymous

#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal character fanfiction #Pedro Pascal fanfic #Javi Gutierrez #Javi Gutierrez x you #Javi Gutierrez x reader #Javi Gutierrez x female reader #Javi Gutierrez x f!reader #Javi G #TUWOMT #the unbearable weight of massive talent #soulmate au

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maldaptivedreamer · 7 months ago

Text

A NEW SIDE

You discover a new side to Tyler.

content: Errors and mistakes, not entirely accurate to alien universe, maybe ooc, guns (idk anything about them), military (idk anything about it), and fighting (only ever fought my brother)

wc: ~2.6

a/n: This may be the only thing I write for Tyler. With that being said, there are theories about Tyler having been in the military or Weyand-Yutani security. That theory inspired me to write this story so… petitioning for more fics about Tyler in military or something.

The room is stark and sterile, lacking any trace of warmth or life. The blinding white walls seem to amplify the harsh glare of the fluorescent lights, creating an almost unbearable brightness. The lack of color or character only adds to the feeling of emptiness and isolation.

Outside, the dreary browns and dark oranges of Jackson’s star and its’ crumbling buildings are a stark contrast to this clinical environment. The air here is heavy with the scent of cleaning chemicals, masking any natural scents that might have existed before. It's suffocating, as if all living organisms have been wiped clean from this space.

The weight of the gun in your hands is a constant reminder of your purpose here. The cold metal seems to bite into your skin, grounding you in this sterile reality.

Despite the assistance of modern technology, there's a certain satisfaction in manually aiming at a target. You anchor the gun to your shoulder, feeling the weight and balance of it as you line up your sights with the distant bullseye. With steady focus, you release a few rounds, feeling the satisfying kickback of the powerful weapon.

The recoil of the gun jolts through your body, causing it to dig into your shoulder. As you release a breath and lower the gun, you hear the gruff voice of the old general calling out for everyone to return their firearms and check them in. After that, he instructs everyone to meet in Room A-5 for sparring with their assigned partners.

Letting out a sigh, you glance to your side and spot your partner, Tyler.

He fits the cliché description of tall, dark, and handsome perfectly. Standing at least six feet tall, his broad shoulders and lean muscles are evident even beneath the layers of Weyland-Yutani uniform.

Your eyes linger on Tyler for a moment, taking in his imposing figure as he stands a few lanes from you. His gaze is focused and alert, scanning the area with practiced precision.

As if sensing your attention, Tyler's eyes flick to meet yours. He nods slightly, acknowledging your presence before returning his gaze to scan the others as they move to check in their firearms.

Rolling your shoulder to ease the ache from the recoil, you follow the others and can sense Tyler falling into step behind you.

His deep accented voice breaks through the sound of shuffling feet and hushed conversations, "You're a good shot."

You scoff lightly and raise an eyebrow at him in amusement, “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself. But I s’pose that doesn’t mean much when aiming is automatic.”

Tyler chuckles softly at your response.

A comfortable silence falls between you as you both continue progressing in line.

As the silence stretches on, Tyler finally breaks it with a playful tone. "Looking at each of their targets, seems like they paired together the best of the class."

The comment catches you off guard. Tyler is not known for being talkative, to you at least, instead preferring to stay professional and quiet. Any attempts at humor or conversation from you are usually met with a few polite chuckles.

Biting your lip, you steal a glance at him and quietly reply, "Ah yes, because we are the best of the best. The rest of ‘em don’t stand a chance."

Tyler's lips quirk up in a rare smile at your response. "Modest."

You shrug, a mischievous glint in your eye. "Just stating facts. Though I suppose we'll see who's really the best once we get to sparring."

"Is that a challenge?" Tyler asks, his voice low and teasing.

You quickly shoot back, "Only if you're up for it."

He chuckles, the sound deep and rich. "Oh, I'm always up for a challenge."

As you reach the front of the line, you hand over your firearm to be checked in. Tyler does the same, his movements efficient and practiced. Tyler's fingers brush against yours for a brief moment, sending a jolt of electricity through your arm. You quickly pull your hand away, hoping he didn't notice your reaction.

The two of you make your way towards Room A-5, your footsteps echoing in the empty corridor.

Carefully unzipping your bulky coat, you remove it and your shoes before stepping onto the mat. Tyler does the same, his movements smooth and practiced.

Both of you settle into fighting stances, playfully swiping at each other as you warm up on the mat. A sense of friendly competition fills the air between you.

Circling each other with fluid movements, Tyler lets out a playful click of his tongue before speaking with teasing undertones, “Y’know, heard someone say the general’s got a hard-on for you."

You can't help but scoff in amusement, firing back with a smile, "Really? Well, I've always been a sucker for mean old men. Guess that explains why he feels the need to torture me so often… What about you? Anyone caught your eye?"

A grin creeps into his voice as he answers, "I don't know, I've had my eye on that sandwich in the lunchroom."

Your stomach rumbles at the mention of food, and you can't help but let out a quiet groan. Absentmindedly shuffling your feet, you comment, "I am starving. Maybe I'll have to actually fight you for that sandwich."

Tyler chuckles in a low voice. "I'd like to see you try."

Rolling your eyes with a smirk, you speak, "Don't underestimate me. I'm scrappy when I'm hungry."

"Is that so?" There's a hint of challenge in his voice now. "Maybe we should test that. Or I could be persuaded to share."

You raise an eyebrow, intrigued by this playful side of Tyler you've never seen. "Oh? And what exactly would that persuasion entail?"

Your eyes lock with Tyler's, a charged moment of tension hanging between you. His gaze is intense, a mix of challenge and something else you can't quite place. He’s about to respond when the general's gruff voice cuts through the air.

"Alright, lovebirds. Less talking, more sparring."

You feel heat rise to your cheeks at the general's words, but quickly push the embarrassment aside. Refocusing on Tyler, you see a flicker of amusement in his eyes. Grinning, he raises his eyebrows and silently mouths the word jealous.

Releasing a giggle, you watch as his expression turns serious.

Without warning, Tyler lunges forward, aiming a swift jab at your stomach. You dodge just in time, pivoting on your heel to avoid the blow. Your training kicks in as you counter with a quick strike of your own, which Tyler easily deflects.

The two of you fall into a fierce rhythm, trading powerful hits back and forth. The sound of fists connecting with flesh echoes off the bare walls, creating a cacophony of grunts and thuds.

Drawing back with raised arms, you gasp for air as sweat rolls down your face. Tyler takes this opportunity to catch his own breath, but he recovers much quicker than you do. He advances towards you, his movements fluid and calculated.

In one swift motion, he lunges at you and twists your body around. With your back pressed against his chest, he wraps an arm tightly around your neck while attempting to wrap the other around your head. You struggle against him, trying to break free from his hold.

You throw your head back, stunning him, and swing your legs up. Using every ounce of strength in your body, you plant them firmly into the ground and shove him over your shoulder. His body slams into the ground with a loud thud that reverberates through the room.

Everyone turns to watch as Tyler groans on the ground, clearly winded from the impact. You wince at the sight, feeling slightly guilty for using such force. With a hint of amusement in your voice, you apologize to Tyler, "Sorry, didn't mean to hit you that hard."

Your intense training session comes to a brief pause as Tyler struggles. He forces himself to sit up, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. You extend a hand to help him up, and he gratefully accepts it. You both groan with effort as he gets to his feet.

As he wipes a finger across his lip, you notice a few drops of blood staining his skin. His face contorts in pain, and you speak in a hushed voice, “You okay?”

Tyler nods, grimacing as he licks his split lip. His voice is strained as he responds with a small groan, “Remind me to never get in the way of your food.”

You release a light laugh before taking your positions on opposite sides of the mat once again. With renewed energy, you resume sparring with each other.

The spar continues without any more incidents until the general calls for a break and dismisses everyone.

As you make your way to the cafeteria, you sneak a few glances at Tyler, silently admiring him. His muscular frame radiates heat, and a thin sheen of sweat glistens on his tanned skin.

The cafeteria is just as uninviting as the rest of the facility. The stark white walls and fluorescent lights mimicking the rest of the sterile facility. The smell of strong disinfectant lingers in the air, mixing with the low hum of chatter from other trainees. You grab your trays and fall into line behind Tyler, feeling the warmth of his body next to yours as you shuffle forward.

"So," Tyler says, his voice pitched low so only you can hear, "about that sandwich..."

You pause briefly to meet his gaze, noticing how his brown eyes seem to dance with mischief. Smirking, you reply in an equally hushed tone. "If you think that those puppy eyes of yours are gonna work, you’re wrong."

A low, rumbling chuckle escapes his lips. You can't help but shiver as he clicks his tongue and speaks in a sarcastic tone. "Damn. Figured you could throw me a bone after kicking my ass."

As you approach the front of the line, your eyes catch sight of the last sandwich sitting on the counter.

With a groan, you roll your head back and curse under your breath. From the corner of your eye, you can see Tyler's brown eyes twinkling with amusement.

Silently, you grab the sandwich and wait for him to join you, balancing the tray in your hands.

Tyler motions towards an empty table tucked away in the corner, a playful smile tugging at his lips. You nod and follow him through the bustling crowd.

As you take your seats, you lean in close to him with a playful scowl adorning your face. Raising one finger for emphasis, you speak sternly. "Once. I'm only going to do this once. So don't expect any more favors from me. I don't like sharing… Being an only child, I never had to."

Squinting playfully at him as he grins back at you, you add, “Also… I stand by what I said. Those puppy eyes of yours… useless.”

Tyler's eyes light up with amusement as you slide half the sandwich across the table to him. "I'll take it," he says, his voice warm with gratitude.

As he takes a bite, his lips curve into a small smile. "And for the record," he continues, "I wasn't trying to use puppy eyes. That's just my face."

You snort, taking a bite of your half. "Sure, it is. I bet that face gets you out of a lot of trouble."

He shrugs casually, but there's a hint of playfulness in his gesture. "Maybe. But it clearly doesn't work on you." His tone is very obviously sarcastic.

Taking another mouthful, you give him a small glare. You roll your eyes, but can't help the smile tugging at your lips. "Don't let it go to your head. This is a one-time deal, remember?"

"Of course," he nods solemnly, but there's a glint in his eye that suggests he doesn't believe you for a second. "I'll treasure this moment forever."

You snort, taking a bite of your half. The sandwich isn't anything special - standard cafeteria fare - but after the intense sparring session, it tastes like heaven. You both eat in companionable silence for a few moments, the buzz of conversation from the other tables washing over you.

He breaks the silence after swallowing a mouthful. "Only child, huh? That explains a lot," he teases.

Humming past a mouthful, you ignore his teasing and curiously ask, “What about you? You give off the vibe of protective brother. In a healthy and very not weird, incesty, misogynistic way… If that makes sense.”

Letting out a confused and shocked laugh, he runs a hand through his hair and nods. His voice is soft, “Yeah, got ‘a kid sister. Her name’s Kay.”

As he talks about her, you can see the fondness and love in his expression. A small grin forms on his face at the thought of her. Tilting your head, you speak past a cheekful of food, “What’s she like? What’s having a sister like?”

Tyler's eyes soften as he thinks about his sister. "Kay's... she's something else. She’s kind. Smarter than me, stubborn as hell. Accidently finding trouble, and somehow fumbling her way out of it." He chuckles, shaking his head fondly. "Having a sister is... it's complicated. One minute you're fighting, the next you're schemin' together. We always watch out for each other, whether we’re fightin' or not."

You nod as he finishes. Part of you can't help but feel envious of the bond they share. It's clear that having a sister has been a source of joy and strength for him. "Sounds nice," you muse. "Though I can't imagine sharing my stuff all the time."

"Oh, sharing isn't optional," Tyler laughs. "It's more like... strategic borrowing without permission."

You raise an eyebrow. "You mean stealing?"

"I prefer liberating," he grins.

Giggling, you lightly tap his foot under the table with your own, “I’m so fucking glad I didn’t have to deal with that. That sounds annoying.”

He shrugs and takes a final bite of his sandwich, finishing it off quickly. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he rubs his hands together. Without saying a word, he points silently to it, and you realize you don’t have much time left. Time isn’t exactly something that Weyland-Yutani is generous with.

Standing up quickly, you shove the rest of your sandwich into your mouth in a rush. Ignoring his surprised and slightly amused expression, you brush crumbs off of your clothes.

As you both stand to leave, Tyler's eyes linger on you for a moment. There's a softness in his gaze that wasn't there before, a warmth that makes your heart skip a beat.

"Thanks for the sandwich," he says, his voice low. "And for not completely destroying me during sparring."

You grin, playfully bumping his shoulder with yours. "Don't get used to it. Next time, kiddie gloves are off."

He chuckles, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. "I look forward to it."

As you walk back to the training area, a sense of unease settles in your stomach. There's a subtle shift between you and Tyler - the usual professional distance has dissolved into something more personal. The easy banter and shared meal have created a new dynamic, one that both excites and unnerves you.

Despite the physically demanding drills and exercises, your mind feels light and carefree. The glances and looks exchanged between you and Tyler throughout the day make your heart race with anticipation.

When you lay down in your bed, exhaustion finally catching up to you, your mind buzzes with thoughts of him. The fluttering sensation in your gut is a mix of nervousness and excitement.

#tyler harrison #tyler harrison x reader #tyler alien romulus x reader #tyler alien romulus #archie renaux #alien romulus #alien: romulus #alien franchise #only child propaganda #im not british

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thegirlwholovesficcharacters · 7 months ago

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𝐀 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐇𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐍 The Marvel cast x Org teen femreader!

Part 1: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Summary: ❝Rhiannon Hart's life as she used to know it was about to change. She was a young actress in progress from a small town in Minnesota playing small roles from a very young age, After months of her latest project, Rhiannon thought she would continue with her daily routine, concentrating on her studies and resting. Until her representative gets her an audition with Marvel Studios, for a new character. After her audition, Rhiannon didn't believe she could be selected to play the new character, until Kevin Faige contacts her to give her the good news...❞

Part 1 of a series. Words: 1.661 Warnings: Angs, fluffy, silly things. Bad parents. A lovely and supporting grandma. She is just a girl wanting to be something in her life. This fics is was created for fun, nothing serious, also this fics is set in 2015, before the filming of Captain America: Civil War.

Autor's note: Hi! English is not my first language, and I apologize if there are any grammatical errors, you may find translation errors since I have little knowledge of English and mostly use Google Translate. I was also planning to move the fanfic to A03, but maybe I'll do it later. It's a little short ,but i'm gonna try to do the next chapter a little longer.

Hope you like it!

Rihannon knew the process of every audition she had ever had in her life, each audition had led her to have a small role as an extra character who only appeared for a few minutes, or a secondary character who only appeared for a short period of time in several series or films, whether they are films on the small screen or recognized TV series.

But no audition compared to the one she was going to have right now.

It's not every day that your agent gets you an audition to play a new character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Not much was known about the new character, apart from confirming that it was going to be a female character, the mysterious announcement about the casting for that new character had been announced the same day that Marvel confirmed that they had opened casting for a new Spider-Man interpreter, and that excited all the fans including rhiannon.

It had been confirmed that the new mysterious character and Spider-Man would have to be close to adolescence and that they would be something like a duo, a friendship that would form unexpectedly and not at all romantic, just platonic.

And that drove the fans crazy, forming theories about whether he was Black Cat or some villain or antihero from the Spider-Man universe.

But many fans corrected them by saying that the mysterious character could be a friend of Spider-Man and Peter Parker, based on what Marvel Studios announced.

Everyone had their suspicions and theories, and yet weeks after its announcement, Marvel still did not reveal anything.

Wiping the sweat from her hands on her flannel shirt, Rihannon stood in front of the door of the large building in front of her, her head unable to question herself and create scenarios of what could go wrong at her audition.

She loved his job, she loved the world of art and acting, but she never imagined auditioning for one of the largest film companies in the world. There was a second when she thought about leaving and not attending the audition.

But she couldn't.

Not after how hard her representative fought to get her an audition, knowing how much Rihannon loved the Marvel universe and her dream of being part of the Marvel family one day.

She couldn't disappoint her representative, neither her grandmother, and much less herself, she had worked very hard to get to where she was, it would just be one more audition, just like the other auditions she had had in the past.

Right?

Ignoring the small mess of nerves building up in her stomach, she took courage and opened the door to enter the large building, she stopped for a second to admire her surroundings, noticing the walls decorated with giant paintings from Marvel movies, several statues of the more iconic characters, she continued admiring until her bluish eyes found the silhouette of a woman sitting behind a desk.

Knowing that it was the receptionist, she grabbed the strap of her backpack and walked quickly towards the woman, feeling her nerves eating away at her for a moment.

Upon being in front of her, the receptionist, sensing a presence, looked away from her computer screen, and looked curiously at the young woman with blonde, curly hair, almost impressed by the deep blue color of her eyes, noticing her shy aura smiled kindly at the young teenager, rihannon returned the smile shyly.

━━Hello sweetie, how can I help you?━━She asked softly, Rihannon opened her mouth and closed it instantly when she felt nervous.

━━I-I, uh… I came for an audition, with Mr. and Mrs. Russo. My name is Rihannon Hart━━She spoke quickly, feeling her cheeks heat at her stutter. But that didn't seem to bother the woman, who just smiled sweetly and nodded.

━━Of course, you're on time. If you allow me, I'll make a call to notify the auditioners━━━At her words, the girl quickly nodded, letting the brown-haired woman do her job.

She stepped back from the desk a little while watching the receptionist pick up the phone and dial a number.

━━Hello, sir? Miss Rihannon Hart has arrived for her audition, should I tell her to wait in the room or…? Great, I'll tell her. See you later sir━━When she hung up, the receptionist smiled at her as she got up from her seat━━Mr. Russo said that you can come and audition now. I'll guide her to the audition room━━She speaks, Rihannon nodded following the woman from behind.

On her short walk to the elevator, Rihannon began to play with the rings that surrounded her fingers in an attempt to distract her nerves. On the one hand she was nervous at the idea of giving a bad impression to the directors and on the other hand she was relieved to Having memorized the entire dialogue of her script, she had been day and night reviewing each word and practicing her lines with her grandmother that she was sure she would do well.

Well, her grandmother and representative were in charge of letting her know that she would do it well.

She was so deep in thought that if it weren't for the kind woman at the reception, she wouldn't realize that they had already reached the door of the audition room.

As soon as she opened the door, Rihannon followed her, from her place she could see the Russo brothers and Kevin Faige himself talking to each other, and she felt the tingling in her stomach reappear.

━━━Gentlemen, Miss Hart has arrived for her audition━━━The receptionist's voice caught the attention of the three men, as Rihannon saw them approach, a small smile formed on her lips.

━━Hello, a pleasure to meet you━━She said with a small smile and stretched out his hand towards them.

Both directors and the executive director smiled instantly, from her place Rihannon could see a small shine in the eyes of the three men in front of them, she avoided furrowing her eyebrows at the emotion in their eyes.

Anthony Russo was the first to shake his hand with hers, sporting a smiling smile.

━━━The pleasure is ours, miss hart. Your agent has told us a lot about you━━He commented almost excitedly when he had her in front of them, Joe and Kevin Feige nodded at his words.

━━I hope for good things━━She spoke in an attempt to joke, which made the three men laugh. Kevin Faige nodded without removing his smile.

“I promise you it was, Miss Hart,” he assured, earning a genuine smile from the girl.

━━Is it okay if we start with the audition? You can take a few minutes if you want━━Rihannon quickly denied before speaking.

━━No, I think I'm fine. But you can call me rihannon, of course if you don't mind━━She said.

━━Of course. I guess, Rihannon, you've already read the script━━Seeing her nod, Anthony Russo smiled with his brother━━Great, we'll guide you to where the test will be done.━━Obeying the directors, Rihannon said goodbye to the receptionist and smiled at the Seeing her murmurs a soft "good luck" with her two thumbs up.

━━So miss hart, your agent, alice. You told us about your latest work in Teen Wolf, right?━━In response to Feige's question, Rihannon smiled and nodded, remembering with adoration her participation in her favorite series.

━━Yes, my participation was short, but I enjoyed the experience━━She responded softly with a smile. Feige and the brothers looked at each other and smiled.

━━One of my daughters loves that series, and I must admit that they adore her character in the series━━Joe commented, making a small shine appear in the young actress's blue eyes.

━━Really? I'm glad that your daughter liked it━━A smile took over her when she knew that one of the director's daughters liked her performance in the series

She did not often hear adulation about her participation in Teen Wolf, given that her character only appeared for three episodes and then did not appear again. She had played a girl who was the daughter of a retired werewolf hunter, who saved Derek Hale of an enemy shooting him with a shotgun and joining the pack for a short time, her colleagues and director of the series had congratulated her for her work, and her skills in the few stunts she had performed at the time.

Her grandmother was the most excited to see her granddaughter in the series, as was her friend Lucy, but no one other than the two of them congratulated her except for a few classmates from her school.

Upon arriving at the testing area, Rihannon allowed herself to admire the place, observing in detail the black walls, the lights that hung from the ceiling and the lamps that surrounded the small recording set, in front of the set there was a camera and three seats , in which she assumed the brothers russo and kevin feige would be sitting.

Seeing the young woman admiring the set, the CEO approached her.

━━You can leave your backpack there, if you want. We'll start in a few minutes━━He pointed to one of the empty chairs not far from where they were, with a small nod, Rihannon thanked him with a small smile and walked away to rest his backpack on the chair.

After a few minutes, Rihannon was in front of the camera - still off - while the makeup artist finished her work before she could perform her audition.

━━Forgive me for saying this, but you look like a badass Barbie━━At the comment of the makeup artist, named Ruth, Rihannon let out a small laugh as she felt the corner of her lips rise upward.

━━Thank you?━━She dubiously acknowledged his compliment with a small smile on her face. When she finished, Ruth said goodbye to her with a small smile and wished her good luck.

━━Are you ready, Rihannon?━━Listening to one of the Russo brothers, Rihannon took a deep breath and then nodded.━━Great, the camera is already on and will start recording in 3…2…1━ ━━Seeing the red light of the camera, the teenager looked forward, feeling her facial expression become serious.

The first dialogue was heard through the voice of Kevin Faige.

And that dialogue would only be the beginning of everything.

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jessequinones · 1 year ago

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Writing Advice: Chapters

A lot of my advice comes down to, having beta readers, and “it’s up to you” which doesn’t sound like good advice but when it comes to writing, everyone writes differently so there are different ways of doing the same thing. So, what’s my advice when I talk about chapters?

To me, a chapter is a section of the book which talks about a certain event. There’s no right or wrong way for how long the event should be, and there’s no right or wrong way of how the event can start or end. Here’s how I write my chapters and what I’ve learned along the way.

Starting the chapter:

Before I start the chapter, I need to figure out what the main event is gonna be. Will this event be informational? Action pact? Suspenseful? It can also be a combination of a few events as well, such as having my characters find information, but something goes wrong and now they have to escape.

After I figure out what the main event is gonna be, I start writing and once I complete that event I end it and move on. I try not to carry on too much after the main event has finished because I feel like my chapters might drag if I do.

Writing the chapter:

When it comes to a chapter, I try to have a beginning, middle, and end section. (Keep in mind this doesn’t work for every chapter.) Let me explain what I meant about those sections. The event in this example is Nix and Dante are tryna get information, but something goes wrong after they get said information. So the chapter starts at the beginning where Nix and Dante enter a secured location. The middle is where they get passed all of the alarms and hacked into the network. The ending is they got the information but an alarm gets triggered anyway.

Expanding the chapter:

So, I wrote the beginning, middle, and end, the event is done, but it was kind of boring. Let’s expand it to them escaping. This is where I think chapters start to become long. Some people combine two events into one chapter and some events are longer than others. Escaping a secured facility sounds more difficult than sneaking in. So, adding an escape attempt can spice up the chapter, but you need to be careful with how you do it.

I think when people complain about long chapters, one of their reasoning is “This feels like it could’ve been split into two chapters”. It might be the fact there are two separate events, both with their beginning, middle, and ends. If you want to expand upon your chapter, I would change how the beginning, middle, and end originally played out so it feels more natural when you go from one event to the next. This will take practice and beta readers can help if a chapter sounds too long or just right.

So instead of sneaking into a place, getting the information and having to escape. I would get rid of the middle part where Nix and Dante were sneaking and just show them entering the building, maybe talk for a few paragraphs before they reach their end goal because I already know escaping is gonna add several more pages. It’s a trial and error, and some readers might prefer the sneaking portion, while others might enjoy the fast pace. The end result is what do you like?

Continuing chapters:

What about chapters that don’t need a beginning, middle and end? Those chapters are what I call, continuing chapters. The most obvious examples of continuing chapters are the final climax of a story, like a big battle. The big battle might take multiple chapters to get through, and starting at the beginning, middle, and end of each chapter where the main event is the final fight, might get a bit tiresome. A simplified way of taking a large event, like a big fight, and breaking it over several continuing chapters is having each chapter be its own thing. Let’s say it takes three chapters to finish the final confrontation. The first chapter is the beginning, so there’s lots of build-up, but nothing too bad. The second chapter is the middle and is normally the longest out of the three. It’s the one with the most fighting and maybe a character dies at the end as a cliffhanger. The third chapter is where the villain is defeated and the fight is over thrust concluding the three sections.

That was a very simplified way of explaining continuing chapters, but yeah, not every event can be told in a single chapter, sometimes you have to space them out a bit. I would recommend letting the readers know that said event will most likely take a long time to complete so they'll be aware it's gonna be a long read.

Length of a chapter:

People often ask, how long should a chapter be, and there’s no real answer to that. Some can be a page, and I’ve seen others that are thirty. (Looking at you DragonFire). I personally don’t try to go for a word count or page limit. Often times when I try to make my chapters reach a certain goal, I find there’s a lot of filler that could’ve been cut. This is why I like to write my chapters as if I were writing an event and just focus on the event itself. If I need to expand or get rid of something, I can do that later.

My chapters are normally three pages in length, whenever I go over that, I try to tell my readers the next upcoming chapters will be long. This kind of tactic will depend on your story of course, but let’s go back to Nix and Dante.

In the example, Nix and Dante went into a secured location, took some information and got caught, now they needed to escape. If I want to add the escape portion in the same chapter because breaking in was kind of short, I might tell the reader before said chapter even began that “This mission won't be an easy one”, or “You’ll need to be real careful stealing the information because if you get caught, guards will come.” So, by the time Nix and Dante do get caught, the reader should be aware, the chapter will continue for a few more pages.

Oh yeah, if you’re gonna write a long chapter, make sure to have at least one smaller chapter to break it up. (DragonFire) Having long chapters, after long chapters, is, at least for me, very tiring. I don’t like to stop reading midway through a chapter, but reading thirty pages in a day is very difficult. So if you know you have some long chapters, throw in a few short ones.

Readers might also hate long chapters because they feel like there’s a bit too much filler in them. (Filler-in chapters aren’t the same thing as filler chapters).

Filler-in chapters might appear in one of two ways, either there’s too much filler to get to the main event, or there’s too much filler and the chapter should’ve ended already. Beta readers are a good way of telling you if there’s filler in a chapter or not. Keep in mind, that you, as the writer know what’s best for your story. Readers can only tell you how they feel. If you feel the “filler” part isn’t filler, but a lot of people say it is. Finding a workaround can be difficult. Unfortunately, I don’t have any advice on this kind of topic because this kind of writing problem is unique for every writer. Writing groups might be able to help as they’ll have your text and can help figure out what's going on.

Filler chapters:

There’s nothing wrong with filler chapters. Not every chapter needs to focus on the main story. I personally like filler chapters. They’re fun chapters which explore the characters and the world. A bit of a refresher after an intense fight is fine. When people complain about filler chapters, it’s often because there’s a bit too much of them. Or they came out of nowhere and killed the pacing. For example, if everything has been dark and gritty, having a chapter that’s more on the upbeat side is strange. Also if the chapter ends with a character's death and the next one ignores it, readers might not like that. This is one of the reasons why I don’t like POV swapping between every chapter. If someone dies in character (A) POV, and the next chapter switches to character (B) POV where they’re on the beach…I might get a bit annoyed. Even if Character (B) POV isn’t filler, I just witnessed someone die, I wanna know what’s going on and not swap to another POV.

Also filler chapters tend to be on the shorter side as well. If a filler chapter goes on a bit too long, then it might feel like the story is losing its focus a bit.

Beta readers can help point out which chapters are filler and where to add in filler if that's something you want to do.

Chapter Endings:

Ending a chapter is always interesting, do you want to end it with a cliffhanger or not? Does your chapter flow smoothly from one to the other? I don’t mind cliffhanger endings but try not to make every chapter a cliffhanger. At some point it becomes a bit much for some readers such as myself, I prefer to stop reading at a good stopping point. Cliffhangers aren’t a stopping point, I need to see what’s gonna happen next. Creating a cliffhanger after a long chapter, for me is a bit much. Long chapters already drain me, and forcing me to continue to get to an actual stopping point will make me enjoy your book less. (I understand no one is forcing me to read a book, but I just really, really hate stopping at cliffhangers). Not to mention if there are multiple cliffhangers in a row, I might put the book down and not pick it up for a long time because I’ll have no idea how many cliffhangers I’ll have to deal with before getting to an actual pause in the story. Personally, as a reader, I feel like there needs to be good stopping points. Places where it’s safe to stop reading and the reader can pick it back up later.

If you end a chapter in a city and the next one starts in a jungle, that kind of scene change might be a bit confusing so again, just send it through a couple of beta readers and see how you did with the transition portion of going from one chapter to the next. The same thing goes for tone as well. If the last chapter ends with a death, and the next one is in a circus, the tone shift might be a bit much. Just pass it along with a beta reader.

That’s about it for chapters. If you want some more detailed advice on certain chapters then let me know, but chapters are one of those things where it comes with practice. The length, the event, the ending, all of this stuff will be determined by your ability to write. Beta readers are a great way of pointing out how they felt while reading a chapter and you can go from there.

#writing #writeblr #writers on tumblr #writers of tumblr #writer #writers #writerscommunity #creative writing #writing advice #write

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wordsnstuff · 9 months ago

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Hello! I just had the realization my original plot just isn't going to work but I'm almost done with my first draft and I'm too married to a lot of my scenes I've already written to feel like i can fully start over. Do you have any advice? Just thinking about starting over is making me want to put the pen down for a while...

Starting over near the finish line

By first draft, I'm assuming you mean that this is the first attempt at putting the your story to paper. What I'm about to say is not to devalue the incredible amount of work that you must have invested up to this point. It is an accomplishment on its own to sit down and put words on that page, let alone reach a point anywhere near a finish line.

The first time you do something (anything) is rarely the time you do it well, let alone perfectly.

If I sat a beginner down with some printouts of blogposts about knitting and a spool of yarn, I doubt they'd make me a sweater without having to undo at least 50% of the moves they make. That wouldn't be because they're stupid or genetically predisposed to suck at knitting. Regardless of how seasoned you are as a writer, each work you approach is like starting a brand new hobby from scratch. You have to mentally allow for space to make errors and to let go of good ideas. This doesn't mean you throw the good and essential core of your story out.

Take significant time to review what you have, identify the bits and characteristics that you find most emotionally and mentally compelling. Write them down, examine the commonalities and congruencies between them, and work out exactly you like about your story as it stands. There is always good amongst the bad. You seem to already have identified certain parts that you cannot bring yourself to let go, so once you figure why that is, you'll be able to trim away what doesn't serve you and move forward.

You aren't starting over. This is not the beginning, and you will never be back at the beginning again. This is process, and process is imperative to making anything. If you continue to visualize writing as an act that starts at point A and ends at point B you will never be done. Nor will you do justice to your ideas. If you don't allow them to waddle around and fall on their face like the newborn babies that they are, they won't develop as they're meant to.

This is not failure. This is writing. It's a necessary part of what you're doing. It's normal. It's good for you. It's good for your story. In fact, it speaks well to your character development and world building and even your plot development that you can recognize there is so much worth salvaging in this first attempt to bring to the next. You're already emotionally connected to so much of what you've made, and plot is only part of that. If you're able and willing to acknowledge what doesn't work, you will be able to trust yourself when you determine what does. A story is a sum of its parts, and this is just one part that you're going to put down, regroup, and reconfigure.

There are several resources that I've created over the many years to assist in plot development and all the problems encountered within, and those are available on my masterlist for your perusal.

I wish you the best of luck and look forward to your triumphant follow up once you finish that second draft.

x Kate

#writing #writeblr #writing advice #plot development #writing tips #writespo #drafting #qna

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morallysuperiorlips · 6 months ago

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Struggling With Your Worldbuilding? Here's Some Help!

Alright, so. Worldbuilding. It's either your favorite thing in the world, or the bane of your existence. Either way, I'm here to help.

Worldbuilding, for me is a very long, tedious, and never ending process. Like everything I output, I base a lot of my things on vibes and aesthetic and personal feeling. It's all innate. However, I can't teach innate so let me tell you about the "routes" I go on when I'm mapping a world.

When it comes to worldbuilding, whether you're writing fanfic or something original, I found there are two roads you can go down when building up your lore:

Character-Based Worldbuilding and Fact-of-Life Worldbuilding.

Character-based worldbuilding is exactly how it sounds--it's a matter of feeling out the character and seeing what it is they like to do and how they function. From there, you might find "oh they like to do X, I want them to do X in the plot." From there, you can determine how X would work its way into your world, and from there you continue to ask yourself questions to further build your blocks upward.

I find it's really helpful to start with a character and find things you want to see them doing, then spark the road of block-building questions by kicking off with a "okay, how can I get this to work?" And this can go for a major plot point, or something as trivial as a side scene. And prepare to KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS because things will continuously pop up as you think about it and consider different angles, etc. etc. etc.

Fact-of-life worldbuilding can come from little puzzle pieces and inklings of things you want to see built into any given world and basically doing the same as above and crafting upward. This can go for a major plot point or some background lore that doesn't see much of the light of day but is there to help build a more lived-in world.

Still unsure of where to begin? There's also room to look at a story and think "what am I writing? What aesthetic/vibe do I want out of this?" and once you can answer that, do some visual intake to jump start your brain.

Look up things that are in line with the vibe you want. Watch shows that follow an aesthetic you crave. Read books in a similar bracket. Take notes of the things you've seen and push and mold them together in a way that reflects what you're going for.

FOR EXAMPLE, my WIP is heavily noir-esque, gothic, dark, so I took in a lot of content that catered to my desired vibes. While doing that, it helped me build into the "routes" I have.

I watched certain scenes of Attack on Titan, and as I witnessed the titans obliterate everything, I decided "Okay, I want the eldritch beasts in my world to get big enough to obliterate everything, what do I need to do within my world, that fits the setting and isn't directly copying AoT that can make that happen?"

When I watched Bridgerton and saw these women in flowing dresses in a regency aesthetic, I said "I want to put my protagonist in that aesthetic in this story, with a modern, darker, twist, so what needs to happen in the universe to get there, why would that aesthetic exist in a modern society?"

When I watched Hunger Games and saw all the capital people mingling around one another at the Victor's Ball in Catching Fire, I said "I want a scene like that in my fic, what needs to happen in universe for that to make sense?"

Likewise, I witness a lot of dumb shit irl, or am apart of certain things, or hear certain things and just think "I want that in my story, how do I need to build my world to get these things to fit?"

It's a lot of trial and error and cutting and reshaping. The world for my current WIP took me 10 years to build up and to this day I am still chipping away at it and changing things about it.

Side note, but I also always encourage working both major plot worldbuilding and trivial worldbuilding, because oftentimes major plot worldbuilding can lead to trivial worldbuilding and vice versa, and you should never knock the background shit. It gives readers stuff to theorize and speculate about aside from the plot, which I think is always fun. And again, that helps provides a very lived in world, which should always be the goal.

As always, have fun and go fucking write something today <3

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jccatstudios · 1 year ago

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OOO! This little slits in his gloves!! That Inej realizes later! I love the little details you add that's so amazing!

Yeah!!! Love adding the slits whenever there's a close-up. I posted the design notes for the gloves forever ago, but here's a detail I like:

The layered design on the back of the hand is actually some pockets! He could hide away some kruge, lock picks, or maybe even a pardon letter that seems to disappear...

Interesting thing about making a comic adaptation is keeping track of all the information that is revealed. When you're reading a book, the idea of what someone or something looks like builds gradually. No author is going to just describe every aspect of a major character once they're introduced (I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule, but this doesn't happen to be the case with SoC). With visual media like comics, all that information that's sprinkled throughout the book has to be consolidated. There isn't a gradual reveal of detail. Everything has to be there immediately. Otherwise, there'd be a continuity error. For stuff like the slits in Kaz's gloves, which isn't mentioned until Inej notices them like you said, a detail that could only be introduced by a specific character in their POV becomes a detail that the audience knows about from the get-go. While we don't get to discover this detail along with Inej, it does build up a mystery that, once seen through Inej's eyes, is explained after many chapters of buildup.

#comics talk #soc comic adaptation #asks

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wombywoo · 5 months ago

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Hi!! I love your characters,art, and your style ^3^ 💞 A little question– How do you make these rooms/houses on floorplanner? I'm a bit confused by it 😅

I can't express how much I like your art ❤️ continue the work! 🥹🫶

Thanks for the compliments <3

I've been enjoying floorplanner so much, so I hope you can get some fun out of it as well~ Haha, I'm not an expert or anything, I've just been slowly gathering knowledge and skill through trial and error (and believe me--there are a looot of quirks) 😅

I'd suggest checking out a tutorial if you're keen on playing around with it 👍

Other than that, I can give you a brief example of my current project:

This is in 2D mode where you do all of the architectural building and furniture selection.

All the stuff you need is on the sidebar here:

To really get in depth and being arranging all your features, you need to go to the 3D mode like so:

This is where you can fine-tune all your little bitty items, like this:

For example-- this is a book on a table; simple enough. But you can use all the arrow keys to move it around however you want (up+down is in the center, and the ones around correspond to each direction, etc) I've found that you can also alter the size of a lot of objects as well if you click on their settings...

I'm not sure what you're having trouble with, but again--I'd suggest looking into a video tutorial or something~

Hope this helps <3

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sweetwolfcupcake · 1 year ago

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The Taste of Deceit(Hyungline Part Two-Finale)

Masterlist

The Taste of Deceit Masterlist

Hyungline- Part 1, Part 2: Hoseok, Namjoon

Warnings: Violence, Dark Characters with Darker Intentions. Disturbing imagery, allusions, blood, and slight gore. And the most important- DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT(Dub-con, Non-con).

This took me so long...It has been a long year.

Word Count: 13k-ish

Happy New Year Everyone.

Kindly excuse typos and errors. No advanced editing done.

(GIF credits to the owner)

"Where are the rest of them?"

The man leading the team asked as he inspected the bloodied bodies of his colleagues, keeping an eye on the cold corpses, while the rest of the team spread out in the house, in search of Officer (L/N)(Y/N).

They were not very hopeful regarding her survival.

The backup force in the adjacent house, who were allotted to keep a watchful eye, were all found on the floor--cold and mangled. It was a direct dent in the department. A declaration of war.

His eyes scanned through the bed, trying to figure out any oddity in the darkness. Switching on the lights would alert the lurking enemies. And he could not afford to lose more of his team members. Tentatively, his gloved hands ran through the bloodied sheet, the room stunk of it.

Finally!

He found something, a square–no, rectangular device. Fishing it out from below the covers, he inspected the device. It seemed akin to a voice recorder. Marred with blood, the man had every reason to consider if (Y/N) deliberately left it there for them to find her, or maybe a clue...they were too late.

Wiping away the blood, he switched it on.

There were a few muffled sounds and some glitches initially before he could clearly hear–

There was a continuous huffing before he heard a gasp and a moan.

"Who do you belong to? Huh–?"

"You-Oh my–ah!"

"Why–I thought y-you fucking worked for the authorities."

"I—Jin-hah! That's notyou, Please!"

It was somewhere between a beg, a cry and a moan. The captain stood still, blood beginning to boil. But he continued to listen.

Officer (L/N)'s gasps and the sound of skin slapping were clear to him as much as what was transpiring in the recording.

"Please Jin—just surr–surrender, this was—"

Smack!

"Tch! Shut it already—You– and I both know that they are never seeing us again!"

"Oh–my—"

"Right Baby, just let g–go–shit! Too much of this fuc-fuking game–yeah? It'sokay..."

The sounds that followed felt like a slap on his face. No, it was a slap on the whole fucking department's face.

"I forgive you, love."

That was the final straw, the officer rose his hands to smash the bloody thing on the ground. Kim Seokjin messed with the wrong person, he fucking spit on the Department. He was going to hunt—

He paused midway.

Kim Seokjin left the tape deliberately. It was an open challenge to the department, he even did not bother to clean up after the murdering two of the officers himself, not the rest too. The recording, the murder scene, the whole house— all these were powerful pieces of evidence.

So why would he just...Leave them behind?

That sly rat obviously did not want to get caught.

But the evidence...

Unless...

"Officers! Officers wherever you are get out of the building I said evacuate the buildings. Over."

He held the tape close as he rushed out of the room and into the hallway."

"Sir, what is wrong?" One of the officers asked through the device.

"It's a trap! I REPEAT IT'S A TRAP! EVACUATE THE—-"

BOOM!

The deafening boom was swift, followed by another within a millisecond, but the amber and the sparks were quicker.

And within a moment, the two buildings burst into flames. Fire and fireproof helmets flying out, some parts of burning cloths, burnt uniforms and perhaps some skin attached to them.

—---

Jin smiled at her sleeping form through the mirror before he felt his burner phone vibrating.

"Sir, it's done." A voice from the other side spoke as soon as he picked up the call.

"Good, now get out of there." Jin instructed before hanging up the call.

He could finally lean back. His eyes remained on the road ahead, along with a smile that he did not wish to wipe anytime soon.

—--------

Waking up was a slow process. But (Y/N) had not felt more blissful before. She felt like she was surrounded by soft clouds. She felt pampered, and it was not a feeling foreign to her but she was relaxed and—-

She woke up with a start, shaking the remaining sleep off her, though her mind was still a bit muddled. Flashes of the night before occupied her mind as she blinked to clear up her vision. He...What had she done?

Did she give in?

She just...She just laid there, under him, taking whatever he gave her

She put her whole department to shame and yet—

The gentle fingers brushing through her hair, detangling the tresses were all too familiar to even guess– she knew it was Jin. Laying behind her.

"How did you sleep?" It was the morning voice that she was used to, but this time, she was alert for a whole new reason.

Did he wish to play with her a bit before slaughtering her?

There was one thing that Kim Seokjin would never forgive, she had learnt in her two years with him– betrayal.

Expecting forgiveness from him after stabbing him in the back was like trying to dig up a well in a desert.

"You need to relax, Love. As I said yesterday, I forgive you."

She frowned but did not dare to turn.

"I forgive you..."

Was that what she heard before she fell into a tired, hopeless, dreamless slumber?

Even if she were to die, she knew that she was no coward. And she would not die like one. So (Y/N) turned around, facing the man who shaped her nightmares and dreams.

Turning around, she realised she was naked, while he was in his usual night pyjamas. And while she had been naked with him several times before, this made her feel vulnerable, exposed even.

"You did not give away the other pen drive, Jagi. Of course, I forgive you. How can I not?"

He looked soft, hair ruffled, eyes slightly swollen, and overall deceptively harmless.

"You killed them."

As long as she could remember, there were two bodies. Two of her seniors lay bloodied and dead on the bed.

"Yes, Jagi, I killed them all." Jin's smile was sweet, the one she had grown used to.

And so was it unhinged.

"You can't hide forever, you know?"

"We, Love. It's us against them. You proved your loyalty to me last night. The remaining doubts shall be dealt with effectively." He rose slightly with the support of his elbow and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. "I will be back, yeah?"

He left after that. Left her with her thoughts as she spiralled further and further down. All the things that had gone wrong and that she had done wrong. Two of the senior-most officers were dead. The department would hunt her down, hunt them down.

She had no clue how long it had been until Jin returned with a tray that she assumed contained breakfast.

"I had the maids prepare a light breakfast, did not want you to get your stomach upset again."

She frowned. Why did she not remember any of that?

"I–I threw up last night?"

"Yes, you did, even had a fever. Perhaps things were too much for you. Had me worried there for a while. Now, rise up, you must eat something."

"Why are you doing this?" She refused to believe that she was 'forgiven', she was not even apologising in the first place. "If this is your way of prolonging—"

"I could have killed you the day I found out who you were."

She stilled at his words. They were obvious but that did not stop the chill that descended into her spine. It was a strange cocktail of sadness and affirmation.

"But I didn't..."

I couldn't

The words lingered with uncertainty in the air.

"I wanted to see how far this little game goes. And then I saw it..." He tilted his head as his lips curved into a condescending smirk "...How naïve you were. It's pathetic actually. Thinking what you do is the 'right thing'."

"You run an underworld business of drugs and weapons Jin. No matter what you do, how you are, you cannot separate that from yourself...You have blood on your hands Jin and the only way to wash it—"

He interrupted her with a loud scoff that broke into a cackle.

"Honey, you don't wash it all off, it took my blood sweat and money to build this empire. And then I watch some puppet idealists coming to topple it...It's amusing."

He gently laid the breakfast tray on the foldable table placed over her lap.

"It's a game (Y/N). A big game where people like you are only disposable pawns...Why do you think the department is bothered about me now? Why not years back? I was easier to crush then."

When she only frowned, he continued.

"Because they are not hunting for sweeping the city, or the nation clean. They are hunting for those who cannot be loyal to them. Once you are ready to spend billions on election campaigns, domestic and international deals, give money to their pretty puppets and invest in their projects– be their loyal dogs, do the dirty work for them...You are free to do whatever the fuck you want."

He gently cupped her cheeks, leaning in to level with her gaze. "One Government topples, so does their favours upon their underworld allies, the next one would only want to uproot them all. It's not about just tice, or charity, or protecting the city. It never was. It has and always been about power...Once they find out that you have not handed over the other pen drive, you are going to end up with a 'criminal' bullet lodged into your head."

"What about the bullets in those officers' bodies?"

Jin only smiled "If my soul were made of what has shaped yours, Jagi...I would not have been where I am."

He placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Get something into your system. I will prepare a bath for you."

Standing up, he towered over her.

"For now, you are not allowed to step out of the room without my explicit permission. Not until my trust in you is restored completely. You still went to meet them, and I cannot risk another slip-up."

"So I am your prisoner."

"Of course not, Jagi. I have a special place for my 'prisoners'. You are the woman I love and refuse to lose. You are the one for me. But fortunately, love cannot blind me to the realities of your position. It is just a bump in the road, we will pass through this."

She could not even begin to decipher what odd amalgamation of emotions she was feeling at the moment. It was all too much. But she knew one thing...She was trapped. A trap she had willingly walked into.

"I will let you have the bath to yourself. Finish up, okay?"

With that, Jin walked into the bathroom. The little muffled sounds here and there let her know that he was doing what he said he would do. Exactly that.

—--

The water felt perfect against her skin, washing away the aches and clammy sensation. But nothing could wash away him. He was imprinted on her mind, and even if he had thoughtfully left her alone in the bathroom, (Y/N) felt him everywhere, in everything. It was like the whole place, not just the bathroom or the room, but each brick was breathing Kim Seokjin.

It was an odd situation. After everything she had seen and experienced, she knew that there was something going on in Jin's mind– he was concocting a plan and if he was not, then he had already emerged as victorious.

She would not be surprised though. He had himself revealed that he had known her true occupation for a while now. It was all a bait. Her two seniors were dead, and perhaps even her colleagues who were in the other house and—

The realisation hit her like a truck. Before she knew it, she was scrambling out of the tub, splashing water everywhere, slipping here and there. But she did make it back to the room, albeit with only a bath robe on, she rushed out of the bathroom, only to begin searching for a TV remote.

She finally found it on the nightstand.

"There are only speculations we can make as no confirmation has been provided by the Police Department or the intelligence. The intensity of the blast was moderate but enough to kill each and every officer present in the two buildings...."

The words of the reporter sank later than the pictures being displayed on the screen. There were all twenty of them.

Five of whom she had personally worked with on her previous missions. Out of the five, two were the ones she recognised as friends, close friends.

The rest of the six were acquaintances and the others, she could barely remember their names.

But all of them were her colleagues.

Her colleagues with families to look after, one of them was expecting his first child in the world, and another was the only hope for her aged and ailing parents.

And now, they all were reduced to nothing but burnt flesh and ashes.

"Jagi, I thought you were in for a nice, relaxing bath, why are you crying?"

She had not taken notice of his presence first, it was only after he gently wiped her tears did she realise her predicament.

It was like she had blood in her hands.

"Why?"

When she looked at him with the question, his unreadable eyes expressed the unexpressed. There was no other thought in her mind.

"They were innocent—"

Jin cackled– one that sounded everything that she had heard before when it concerned an expression of glee. But felt like nothing she had felt before. One that could inspire unadulterated fear. It was sinister– mockingly sinister at its best.

She had fallen in love with a cruel, cold and evil man.

"You have known me for years now, have you not...(Y/N). Have I ever been forgiving to obstacles? They were the wall between us, our love."

And yet he claimed to love her.

"It was a small warning, Jagi. You know that I could do worse."

He was right. She knew him, after all.

"Now, we would not have to worry about some petty people in uniform trying to come after us. Don't think too much about this and tire yourself out."

He took the remote from her grasp with ease and switch the television off before gently leading her back to the bathroom.

(Y/N) was in a daze, letting him take her out of the bathrobe with ease before he put her back in the bathtub after moderating the temperature again. But when he joined her, the feeling of his warm skin rubbing against hers broke her daze, but the faces of her colleagues never vanished from her mind.

She heard him sigh as he pulled her over his lap, relaxing in the perfectly warm water, basking in the soothing fragrance of lavender and pines. It felt like once she closed her eyes, she would be somewhere else, somewhere beautiful.

But she did not dare to close them.

(Y/N) knew that the moment she closed her eyes, the faces of her friends and colleagues would flash in front of her.

She felt his body against hers, roaming hands, fingers drawing circles over her shoulder to comfort her. But none of them worked.

"I know that there is a lot of questions in your mind, so may dilemmas. But you will see Jagi. You will see how much far we have come. You chose me. You made the right choice."

His voice was that of a siren– hypnotic, melodious, but one that would lead its follower to their ultimate demise.

That was Kim Seokjin.

He told her once that she was the one for him, and they would grow old together.

She knew that he would have it no other way.

He was not afraid to spark a bloody battle for that. But there was no line to it. He did not care who or what the price was-- he would have what he wanted, where he wanted.

She realised when he turned her head to land a soft but promising kiss on her lips.

He wanted a battle?

His lips were soft but firm, his hand on the side of her neck left no room for backing away.

She would give him war.

She kissed him back, cautious, but not empty of thoughts.

***

The days were humid, and the nights invited light to moderate rainfall. Life in the relatively remote town was peaceful, in a nutshell.

To live in innocuous obscurity, to work for nothing but to run her and her family was what (Y/N) needed after everything she and her sister had been through—her sister Chae, her only surviving family. The same family she had smashed someone’s heart for and perhaps ruined his life forever.

She might as well be a monster in his eyes. But with her experience through all this, she had learned that not all monsters were evil. And that just made everything much more complicated.

She never knew Min Yoongi.

Of course, she had heard of him, maybe even seen his pictures a handful of times, but never paid much attention.

Not until Chae, her sweet little sister, and her only family, was diagnosed with an illness that was slowly swallowing her up. And (Y/N)’s regular office job could not pay the bills for too long. Their savings were running out, and the treatment and medicines were weighing heavy.

She was desperate.

Truly desperate

And truly desperate people never weigh morals, risks, or possibilities.

They take any chance given to them.

So did she, when a decorated officer offered her a chance to save her sister and find a better life for both of them.

She took the chance; it only took her a day to think through everything. They were paying for her sister’s treatment and the medical bills; they were to overlook Chae and her security, and the net money to be transferred into her bank account after the work was done was good enough.

That one offer had everything she desperately needed. Not desired. Needed.

She was never worried about herself– walking under the shadow of a man like Min Yoongi, she had to have courage. And she was courageous because she was desperate. Whatever she had heard of the man was foul deeds and evil temperament; she had never let that diminish her courage.

To the officers, Min Yoongi was a monster. A clever monster who needed to be pulled out of the sea.

It was for the betterment of society– she was not doing anything morally wrong if perceived through those lenses.

But that was the catch.

People, morality and justice were not read through a single lens, they needed prisms to look at, to analyse.

She had learned that with her time spent with Min Yoongi. Her experience defied every other fact she had learned from her temporary employers. He was no monster. But as she dug deeper into his life and his personality, she discovered that the officers were no liars either.

Min Yoongi was a monster after all. But he was not evil. Not every monster was evil, not every evil looked like a monster.

Min Yoongi was an intimidating man. True to the officers’ words, he was a dangerous man too. Before she knew it, she was already praying that the assumptions about him would be proven false and that she would never have to hear his deeds from his lips.

The same lips that had kissed her so softly, the eyes that looked at her with such a distinct tenderness, closed when her fingers traced his scar. Her touch was soft, but his hold on her would be delicate. It always had been.

Until the doomed night.

She was frozen with shock when she looked into his eyes– the same eyes that once held tenderness seemed to belong to a true predator. For the first time, she truly felt the danger that she was in.

She was in a lion’s den. Unarmed. Unprepared. But desperate.

She saw the shadow fall over his face, she truly saw why even a decorated officer would not like to mess with Min Yoongi without an intricate strategy and heavy backup.

And yet, she had mouthed ‘Run’ to him.

As if she wanted him to get away. To be saved.

Perhaps he did need a second chance— to be saved from the chilling darkness she had seen merging with him.

But she was no saint, and definitely not his saviour.

She was his doom.

It was an opportunity too good, too bright a chance. And she took it.

Yes, she had grown to care for him, even sympathise with him, more than she would like to admit. But she loved her sister. And she did whatever she needed to do to save her only family.

She had religiously avoided watching the news for months. Three months since she had settled into town with her little sister. She did not want to burden herself anymore.

I did what I needed to. We needed to survive.

She told herself again as she prepared warm milk for Chae along with her medicine. It had become kind of a ritual ever since that night.

“Chae, get off the tablet now. Time for bed.” She called out from the kitchen before making her way to their room from the kitchen with the tray with her.

“Just a few more minutes!”

(Y/N) could not help but feel uplifted by the sound of her sister’s chirpy voice, it had withered so pitifully once. But now, as she was recovering, their trips to the hospital had reduced from every three days to twice a month.

“No. Screentime’s over. Give that to me.”

Despite her sister’s whining, she took the gadget from her tiny hands and replaced it with the cup of milk.

“Say ‘Aaa’”

Chae opened her mouth wide as (Y/N) put a circular tablet into it before helping her gulp it down.

She let out a soft sigh after she finished the cup– soft pink in shade with the partially protruding face of a smiling panda.

“Let’s get you to bed. Why don’t you show me how you make your bed before going to sleep?”

“Yes!” Chase jumped up, ready to show (Y/N) her newfound field of expertise.

“Look, you first, take off the pillows, clear off your bed…” She spoke as if there were cameras around, like the lifestyle shows and YouTube videos on ‘How to Do Household Chores Right’.

She had been watching such stuff lately. And while (Y/N) felt that her Chae might be a little too young to learn how to make pancakes, if her sister enjoyed the sense of independence and thrived in it, (Y/N) did not mind.

She watched her little sister work with a fond smile until she was done and was beaming with a smile that (Y/N) held the most precious to herself.

“And look, it's all done!”

(Y/N) clapped in appreciation and played along, before tucking her into bed and switching off the lights, keeping the nightlights that made the ‘Glow-in-the-dark’ wall stickers illuminate better before placing a goodnight kiss on the top of her and leaving the room.

—---

Laying on the bed after a long day felt good. She doubted that anything could even compare to the comfort and sense of safety a familiar, comfortable bed would provide after a long day of toil and trials.

Sighing, she let herself sink into a relaxed state of mind, welcoming the sleep that was rapidly filling her eyes– rapid but soft and—

Buzz! Buzz!

The vibration from her phone jerked her out of the sweet lull with a low gasp. Her senses stood alert as she blinked away the rest of the sleep. In the dark room, her phone’s screen illuminated in a way that there was no other way but to look at it. As if, it had a sense of urgency to it. as if it demanded for her to look into the text.

She knew, of course, that it was all but her imagination– the phone would not buzz a different way for different situations, and neither would it illuminate any brighter to alert her.

With a tired sigh and heavy eyes, she unlocked her phone and opened the message from an unknown number.

Indeed, it was a very important message.

—------

It was a nice place– at least nice in the sense that it served good food and had a warm and cosy atmosphere– something one would expect from a cafe in a fairly isolated town.

Not many people visited the town, neither tourists knew about it. A perfect hiding corner in the country indeed. They had considered sending her out of the country, and they had assured her that once things settled down, they would.

But here was the thing– she depended on one of the officers to inform her if the ‘things had settled down’. (Y/N) had consciously avoided any news or updates regarding Min Yoongi.

She was indeed afraid of coming across something upsetting. She already was miserable with guilt.

Sure, she never loved Min Yoongi, but she had grown to care for him, to understand him and truly see him for what he was– a love-starved, broken soul.

“So…”

She began, eyeing the door and the road outside for any sign of a vehicle with red and blue sirens.

“Is there something to be worried about?”

In her time with Min Yoongi, she had mastered the art of poise, to some extent. However, she never had the chance to master her fear– she never felt the need to. It was an odd sense of safety in his company, she knew that nothing could touch her when she was with him.

But he was an exception.

The man in front of him was an officer in disguise. She remembered him for he had been closely associated with Mission Raven.

“I have not been keeping track of any news regarding—”

“There’s nothing on the news Ms (L/N). Nothing at all. That night, the police station blew off.”

She stilled, slowly processing his words.

“There was no record of his arrest because he was to be shifted to a bigger, more secure station overnight but…”

“So…So everyone there…”

The officer sighed and nodded.

“Min Yoongi was never found. What a coincidence.” He shook his head with a bitter chuckle “When I joined the police force, I thought that I was going to be a hero– help the people in need, bring justice…That night, when my eyes met Min Yoongi’s, I felt my resolve faltering for the second time in my life.”

He shook his head with a sardonic tilt of his lips.

“The first time was while I shot a criminal dead.” He added before taking a sip of the coffee that no longer had steam rising from its surface. “Overall, I am glad that I and two of my teammates had gone out for a cigarette break…So we survived.”

He gulped and eyed his surroundings with a subtle nervousness that made her heart thrum with warnings.

“Though I have been transferred to some other city, I thought that I must warn you. I waited, did not want him to track you down. Miss (L/N), I suggest that you leave with your sister tonight, and leave the country as soon as you can. Min Yoongi’s men killed every person in the building. We hid, but we saw him walk out, saw them walk out…Oh–look, please don’t panic.”

It was when his flow broke did she realised that her cheeks were damp with tears.

“(Y/N), are you alright?” The young officer frowned in concern.

“I…I need to lea-ve.”She cracked up, as her voice crumbled.

With quivering legs and hands, she rose from her chair, uncaring of the loud scraping.

“I can drop you.” He offered.

“No…No, you…you should leave. We are no longer safe. Are we?”

The officer pursed his lips before shaking his head.

Picking up his card from the desk, along with her handbag, she rushed out of the place, gasping for breaths. She thought she might feel better with some fresh air in her lungs. But she had no time to think. She simply rushed to her car and drove away.

(Y/N) felt like she was in a daze.

It felt like a bad dream. An ominous one.

But it was no omen, it was no dream.

It was real.

During her two years with Min Yoongi, she came to understand him to some extent. Nothing slipped past his mind, ever.

A favour or a betrayal, he paid his debts. With interest.

And she had gifted him, on that night, one of the worst betrayals a man could endure. She had seen love in his eyes before that doomed night.

But that night, he had the misfortune to witness the flicker of madness– simmering, still tame, in control. There was an odd gleam in his eyes– one that reminded her why Min Yoongi was so feared after all.

Hastily parking her car, she rushed out of the vehicle and into her house. The setting sun cast an amber glow into the sky that was gradually descending into deep blue and lavender. It might rain heavily– not ideal for travelling, but she had no other option.

They had no other—

As soon as she entered the apartment, her thoughts turned silent.

Everything felt tense.

For once, her heart skipped a beat. But she was reassured by reminding herself that Chae would be usually taking a nap by this time.

For once, she thought that she finally had the peace she had always craved. But now as she moved towards Chae’s room to wake her up, she realised how wrong she had been.

With a plan still under construction in her spiralling mind, she opened the door to Chae’s room. The blinds were pulled down, plunging the room into an unusual darkness.

“Chae?” She called out tentatively before switching on the night light.

She noticed her sister’s face first, eyes closed and limbs hanging– and then the body–no, the man who had her in his arms.

Her mind, her thoughts, and her senses plunged into a heavy silence. A silence so profound that (Y/N) could hear a low but unending beep in her ears.

She could see the outline of a back, along with the hair just teasing his shoulders. She would recognise the profile anywhere, at any time. But when the man finally turned, she could not help but take a step back, gluing herself to the wall, under the shadows as her breathing hitched.

There was nothing significantly different, at least whatever view the limited light provided her with showed that. But somehow, his form seemed to swallow every corner of the room. The scar that ran through his eyes till his upper cheek was almost faded out by the shades of blue the nightlight provided.

But she could see his smirk– a crooked, twisted smirk that made her whimper. A sudden gleam had her eyes dropping to his hand that held her sister with a silver gun flat on her back, his forefinger already on the trigger.

“You never told me about your sister…(Y/N).” He drawled, and she thought his truest, rawest nature stood before her.

A predator that loved to chase but also took its time.

“No…No!” Her voice came out as strangled as her brittle knees gave out

“Shhh, you’ll wake her up. I read out a story to her before tucking her in.”

His voice was calm, hushed and steady– a sinister melody attached to it, following his movements as he looked above her. She had not even noticed the two men standing behind her. It was only after they walked past her and took her sleeping sister in their arms that the wheels began to turn in her head.

“W-where are you taking her? No!” With skidding legs and blurred vision, she rushed to them, trying to pry her sister away from them, only to be pulled back by the man whose presence overpowered everyone and everything in the house.

“Yoongi, please! She’s innocent, punish me but—”

Her words were caught in her throat when his gaze held hers. She was looking into the eyes of a creature of the night. The blue light only enhanced the sinister shade his face carried. He was perhaps paler, broader yet his face seemed sharper. No trace of softness.

“You know how many times I dreamt of that night over and over again?” He pushed her closer, so close that she could feel his quivering breath– as if he was barely restraining himself.

“My sister needed—”

“They were simply fishing for the right victim and you just took the bait. What do you think, they would come to ‘save’ you? They don’t fucking care!” He spat.

Under the nightlight, he looked rogue, savage, unfearing.

“You are a criminal Yoongi.” She had no idea where she had found the strength to speak those words, but she did.

He smiled coldly “Of course I am, Love. The one they fear and now won’t dare challenge. You see, there is nothing between us now.”

Her wall of protection had disappeared. (Y/N) knew that she could never depend on them for long, but everything toppling overnight? She had not seen this coming.

“You betrayed me, but also saved me.” He concluded and she felt his hold tightening on her arms like a python.

“No, Yoongi…I didn’t save you. I am not your saviour Yoongi.”

“Oh, Love…I cannot be saved anyway, I don’t want to be…All that is left for you is to accept me as I am. No ifs and buts.”

But how? She never wanted this…She never loved him!

“Y-Yoongi…I don’t–I don’t love you…”,

The silence made her stomach flip. But her proximity to him made her fear for her life.

“They really had filled your mind with filth…” He drawled before she felt the iron grip of his fingers on her jaws. It was not instantly painful, but with each passing moment, the ache rose.

“Look at me, look into my eyes and tell me.”

The simmering ambre flared into an all-engulfing fire in his eyes. Some strands of his hair fell forward, exposing the deranged lover that hid behind the poised man.

She peered into the rage and chaos simmering in his feline eyes- dark but raging with emotions, yet hollowed with loneliness.

“I cared Yoongi, I always did. That is why I wanted you to survive. I wanted you to run, despite knowing who you were, I wanted you to run. But I could never love you.”

It was an odd amalgamation– she feared him, yet pitied him. He, to her, resembled a lost predator. Surviving, hunting, doing what he was born to do…but lost, alone.

“Please Yoongi…Let Chae go…She’s a child. Let us go.” She begged again, her hopes flaring when his hold on her loosened, hands falling to his side as he took a step back.

He only chuckled and looked away.

“I guess our past actions do have consequences…”

In the silence, his lowly voice sounded ominous

“And I must reap them…” He paused before turning back to her “But so would you.”.

She watched the simmering ambre erupting into an all-consuming volcano before he tapped on the earpiece attached to his left ear.

“Is the child with you? Okay, take out your gun and shoot her when I command.”

“NO! NO! Yoongi, please! No”

She was already on her knees, she did not care as long as her only family was safe. His cold eyes peered down at her with a chilling poise before he bent down a bit and cupped her cheek, breaking the neverending stream of tears.

“Wipe off the tears and come with me. If anyone suspects something, you sweet little sister will pay.”

(Y/N) sat frozen, not even registering the thrumming on her knees.

Maybe she was wrong–

Min Yoongi was a monster after all.

And monsters were unforgiving creatures.

—------

Min Yoongi knew that he was not a saint.

He was not a kind man.

But he was also not evil. Not to the people he loved, truly loved and cared for. And definitely not to the love of his life.

He had no shame in admitting– he was a monster- the worst of them all. A walking, talking, repulsive nightmare.

But he loved her. He had forgiven her the very night he was ‘arrested’.

How could he not, when she looked at him with more kindness than he had ever known in this world?

But when she outrightly refused to have ever loved him, the illusion began to crack.

“They were right about you…I never believed them until now but now I do. You truly are an evil monster.”

She had whispered those words to him as soon as they were in his estate. Even with tears in them, her eyes were cold and raging.

“I could never love a monster like you!” She finally spat out when he refused to let her see her sister.

And he snapped. Something deep, dark, territorial and unhinged gnawed its way out.

But he only smirked. Even though he could feel the dull ache behind his eyes, a strange pit in his stomach, he smirked and let it grow into a chuckle.

He must have had his true face out as she took a step back with fear blooming in her teary eyes– he was a deranged, diabolic bastard. With each step he took to close the distance between them, she took several away, until the back of her knees bumped with the bed.

Pulling her flush against himself, he leaned near her ear.

“The officers who aided you are already six feet under the ground– half burnt, half crushed, but dead anyway. All you can do is believe in every word they told you about me…I am indeed a monster, honey. He worst one you will ever know. And you will have to live with this monster. No government, no decorated officer would dare to save you.”

He felt her stiffen and shiver like frightened prey. Indeed, she had fallen prey to his love. He made peace with their reality. She would too.

Humans were adaptive creatures after all.

—--------

The hanging lights on the ceiling were pretty– the crystals shining under the moonlight, but they seemed to swing slightly.

It was only an illusion, of course. It was she, who moved, and the bed while the man above her remained still, revelling at the sight of her rocking hips, spread legs and parted mouth with the dazed bliss in her eyes.

She could only watch the chandelier instead of looking into his eyes with the victorious gleam in them and the sadistic twinkle on watching her fall apart.

“Look into my eyes, Jagi.”

And she did before hot white pleasure surged through her.

“There there, aren’t you the most beautiful of all brides out there?”

“Why can’t I meet my own sister?” (Y/N) was only a thread away from screaming her lungs out all the awful things she could think of at the moment.

Yoongi simply sat, nursing his scotch on rocks, idly watching the part of the vast garden visible from his home office. The place that only a few had access to, the place she had barged in, his guards chasing after her, pleading for her to stop lest they would bear Mr Min’s wrath.

But she could not have it in herself to care. She had not seen or even heard of her Chae for two days in the gigantic estate.

When Yoongi finally looked at her, his stoic stare made something unpleasant steer within her. His eyes assessed her with a flick before it turned steely.

“Why are you in your bed clothes?” It was akin to a sneer. Or maybe it was.

The fact was, she did not give a fuck.

“What have you done to my sis–”

“Have you walked all the way here in this?”

She was wearing a thin camisole under a nightgown reaching beyond her knee. It was of satin material that was tightly knotted but had a plunging neckline she had never cared about.

She did not understand why this bothered him so much. She knew that he was twisted but this was madness.

“I want to see Chae! I have not even heard of her since I–you brought us here.”

Only she knew the anxiety clawing her from within

“She needs to take her medicines regularly Yoongi. She’s just eight, she is a child, an innocent child who needs me.”

Even when she would ask the guards, servants, or maids, they would not respond to her question– that was the only question they refrained from speaking about her sister, or even taking her name.

If Yoongi had the intention to break her down in a slow, painful way, he was on the right track.

He rose from the chair and walked to her “I assure you that she is safe and sound– she will take all her medicines on time, they will take good care of her.”

“Th-they?”

She did not even notice his other hand reaching for her until he wiped the single tear that had slipped from her eyes.

“The school staff. I have sent Chae to Rosenberg.”

“Indeed, you are.”

She felt his fingers slipping away before hearing the embarrassing squelching. Her eyes had closed without her notice, ready to fall into a blissful slumber. It was the second time he had pushed her over the edge of white pleasure.

But she was wrong to think that he was anywhere near done.

Feeling the tight knot snap, she withered under him, eyes still closed, mind still hazy.

Before the swing of the pleasurable high could slow down, she vaguely felt him putting her boneless legs over his shoulder before the ticking sensation between her thighs alerted her.

(Y/N)’s eyes snapped open, just in time when she felt something wet glide over her opening. The protest bubbling up to her tongue fizzled out like a burning matchstick against a storm and the only thing left for her was to moan instead– no matter how much she wished to resist it, she could not help the signs of pleasure tearing out of her mouth.

At first, she felt the odd but pleasurable sensation, almost flinching and jumping away. But under him, with his hands tight on her thighs, almost spilling the flesh between his fingers, it was difficult to even move. All she could do was to let her hands grip his hair. He did not seem to mind much.

His tongue focused on flicking her clit for a while, making her jolt each time with quivering gasps and moistening womanhood. This man surely knew how to overwhelm her own emotions.

“Ro-Rosember?”

“Rosenberg– Institut auf dem Rosenberg. It tops the list for a refined and elite schools, your sister will flourish there.”

He held an air of nonchalance around him as he refilled his glass. Yet Yoongi’s eyes never left her form.

(Y/N) licked her lips. Was it possible to get randomly admitted to any prestigious school so soon in the country?

“So, she will be going to a new school? I can meet her then, right?”

“I think you don’t understand Jagi. It is an elite boarding school, the best of the best. It’s in Switzerland. I sent her there yesterday.”

“You…You sent my Chae to…Switzerland?”

She had to repeat the words herself in order to fully grasp the situation. Yoongi sent her baby sister, who needed constant supervision and regular check-ups to another country-- to a boarding school she had never heard of.

“I have sent them the details and the list of precautions and medications. Besides that, I have connections, Jagi, she will be safe there.”

By the time he finished speaking, her legs turned lifeless and she found the floor. The warmth of the carpet could not subdue the sudden waves of chills and goosebumps enveloping her form.

“You sent her away from me…”

“I gave her a good life. Imagine if it were someone else in my place, Jagi…He would have gifted you your sister’s head first before taking yours.”

He bent down in smooth, silent motion before whispering to her with his arms holding her in faux reassurance.

Her eyes rolled back before the rawness of her throat was registered only after the rocking of her hips had slowed down. Her ears still echoed the short but sharp scream that had forced its way out of her throat like he had been forcing the pleasure out of her.

Her vision was blurry with the mix of tears and haze, but she could see him smirking– smug but somewhat unhinged.

Maybe he was indeed unhinged and cruel. He had punished her– not for her apparent betrayal. But for not loving him the way he had believed she would.

Min Yoongi had closed all doors for her, leaving her with no option but to hold on to the diamond wedding ring that now had its fangs buried on her ring finger– just as Min Yoongi had his claws buried in her life.

“Look at you~”

She heard him coo as her head fell back on the pillow, her movement growing slow and her eyes heavy.

“What has the child done to you? She needs me!” (Y/N) cried out in anguish.

Yet it did nothing to deter his cold gaze or falter the ghost of a smirk he sported with pride.

“Nothing Love, the child has done nothing. I am not her foe. I am giving her the life millions would die for– the best of the best. I would see to it all. But when would you see her again is in your hands Jagi.”

She frowned and blinked through her tears. Up close, his scar did manage to make him appear more sinister than anyone she had ever met before.

“What are you saying?”

“I love you Jagi, there is no limit, no boundary that I would not cross for you. You can meet her after we are married and you give birth to our first child. So it depends on you how soon you can do that.”

He sealed her fate with the offer. But she wondered, how could a confession of love make one’s heart quiver with fear?

“I love you, Jagi, you have no idea how much I do.”

She could smell the sweat and musk as he leaned down to kiss her forehead before guiding his manhood to enter her. Slow, but sure, a contrast of stiffness and tenderness that both frightened and baffled her.

“Oh—” (Y/N)’s voice quivered as she held onto Yoongi’s shoulders in order to keep herself grounded. It was devastating; it was delicious, it was almost divine.

But she knew that this was no more than a nefarious act of him sinking his sharp teeth into her– held down under his thumb forever. He had the advantage, the power and the last word. He was the lion, she was a helpless, powerless prey his claws dug into.

Min Yoongi was a man of his word.

He had told her once that he would marry her and live in his newly bought estate; they were indeed married, fucking on the bed that was flown all the way from a different country.

—---

The headlines flashed on the screen while wheels turned in her head. She sat stiffly without any movements as she watched the news.

“What are you watching?”

As if he were conjured, he walked into their room, some sandwiches on a plate, wearing the most innocuous-looking clothes. He had taken two months off from ‘work’, wishing to spend some quality time with his wife.

One week into the marriage, she was already wearing down. Both emotionally and physically. She doubted if there was any room in the mansion left where he had not taken her, or was there any corner of her mind where he had not wiggled his way into.

“Your company is taking responsibility for constructing new police quaters and renovating the old ones?”

“Yes, why are you so surprised?”

“There are others, older candidates. Why would they give the project to you?”

Yoongi smiled and sat down beside her.

“You are so smart, Jagi. It would be a sin to hide anything from my wife, would that not? Let's just say me and the Internal Affairs Ministry are friends now.”

He leaned in and kissed her cheek before handing her the sandwich he had put his time making.

“So, no one disrupts me now. For a long time.”

“You did this to make sure that no one comes searching for me, right?”

He grinned.

“I love you (Y/N). There is no limit that I would not cross for you. Eat up, I have a really good movie for us. You will love it. After that, we can have lunch, all your favourites.

He went on, while she spiralled further. Any hope of getting out of there was crushed then and there.

He had not taken his time to track her down. He had taken his time to plan. And execute the plan thoroughly. Tracking her down was child’s play for him.

Min Yoongi was indeed a monster—a clever, stubborn and dangerous monster.

And she was in his realm, and she was there to stay. He would make sure of that.

***

The rest of the parts will be published shortly. I am facing problems in saving the draft.

A very Happy New Year to all of you!

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