#direct inward dialing

[a1routes]

How Can Global VoIP Services Expand Your Business Reach?

In today’s interconnected world, businesses need communication solutions that break geographical barriers and foster seamless connections across the globe. Traditional phone systems can be costly and limited in scope, especially when dealing with international clients or remote teams. This is where global VoIP services come into play.

For businesses in Hyderabad looking to grow their market presence and improve international communication, A1 Routes offers reliable and scalable global VoIP services designed to enhance connectivity and expand business reach.

What Are Global VoIP Services?

Global VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services allow businesses to make and receive voice calls over the internet, not just locally but worldwide. Unlike traditional telephony, VoIP converts voice signals into digital data packets that travel through the internet, significantly reducing call costs and improving flexibility.

By leveraging global VoIP services, Hyderabad-based businesses can easily connect with clients, partners, and employees anywhere in the world with crystal-clear voice quality.

Benefits of Using Global VoIP Services for Your Business

1. Cost Efficiency

One of the primary reasons businesses adopt global VoIP services is the cost savings. International calls made through traditional phone lines can be expensive. VoIP technology bypasses these charges by routing calls over the internet, allowing businesses in Hyderabad to save on telecom bills while maintaining high-quality communication.

2. Expand Market Reach

With global VoIP services, your business can establish a local presence in multiple countries by acquiring virtual phone numbers from different regions. This fosters trust and credibility with international clients, making it easier to enter new markets and build lasting relationships.

3. Enhanced Flexibility and Mobility

Global VoIP services empower your workforce by enabling them to make and receive calls from anywhere using internet-connected devices—be it smartphones, laptops, or IP phones. This flexibility supports remote work and global collaboration, crucial for Hyderabad’s dynamic business environment.

4. Scalability

As your business grows, your communication needs evolve. Global VoIP services scale effortlessly, allowing you to add more lines or numbers without the hassle of installing new physical infrastructure. This scalability is essential for Hyderabad businesses aiming to expand internationally.

5. Advanced Features

Beyond voice calls, global VoIP services often include features like call forwarding, voicemail to email, conference calling, and call analytics. These tools enhance productivity and provide deeper insights into customer interactions.

Why Choose A1 Routes for Global VoIP Services in Hyderabad?

At A1 Routes, we understand the unique challenges Hyderabad businesses face when expanding globally. Our global VoIP services combine cutting-edge technology with personalized support, ensuring your communication system is robust and efficient.

Here’s what sets A1 Routes apart:

Access to a wide range of international virtual numbers

High-definition voice quality with minimal latency

Seamless integration with existing telecom infrastructure

Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

24/7 customer support for uninterrupted service

Get Started with A1 Routes Today

If you want to expand your business reach beyond Hyderabad’s borders, leveraging global VoIP services is the smartest move you can make. Connect with more customers, improve collaboration, and reduce communication costs with A1 Routes.

Contact us today at 9246461828 for a free consultation and learn how our global VoIP services can transform your business communication.

[voipminutes]

The Future of Customer Support: Cloud Call Center Services

In the fast-evolving business landscape, customer support remains a critical component of success. Traditional call centers, with their extensive on-premises infrastructure, have long been the backbone of customer service. However, with advancements in technology, cloud call center services are revolutionizing the way businesses manage customer interactions. This shift is not only enhancing operational efficiency but also significantly improving the customer experience.

What Are Cloud Call Center Solutions?

Cloud call center solutions are advanced systems that leverage cloud computing technology to manage customer interactions. Unlike traditional call centers that rely on physical hardware and servers, cloud-based call centers operate entirely over the internet. This shift to the cloud offers numerous advantages, such as scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.

Key Benefits of Cloud Call Center Solutions

Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud call center solutions enable businesses to scale their operations up or down based on demand. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for companies with seasonal fluctuations in call volume. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, cloud solutions can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Cost Efficiency: By eliminating the need for on-premises hardware and maintenance, cloud call centers significantly reduce operational costs. Businesses can save on expenses related to infrastructure, energy, and IT staff. Moreover, cloud-based call center solutions operate on a pay-as-you-go model, ensuring that you only pay for the resources you use.

Enhanced Accessibility: Cloud call centers provide agents with the ability to work from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This remote capability not only improves work-life balance for employees but also ensures uninterrupted customer service, even in times of crisis or unexpected disruptions.

Advanced Features and Integration: Modern cloud call center solutions come equipped with a plethora of advanced features such as AI-powered analytics, real-time reporting, and integration with CRM systems. These features enable businesses to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, streamline workflows, and provide personalized support.

Cloud-Based Call Center Solutions in India

India, being a global hub for customer support services, has seen a rapid adoption of cloud-based call center solutions. The country’s vast pool of skilled professionals and the increasing demand for cost-effective solutions make it an ideal market for cloud call center services. Businesses in India are leveraging these solutions to enhance their customer support operations, achieve higher efficiency, and provide superior service to their clients.

One of the key advantages of adopting cloud-based call center solutions in India is the ability to cater to a diverse and widespread customer base. With cloud technology, businesses can establish virtual call centers across different regions without the need for physical infrastructure. This approach not only reduces costs but also ensures seamless service delivery across multiple geographies.

Choosing the Right Cloud Call Center Solution

When selecting a cloud call center solution, it's essential to consider factors such as reliability, security, and scalability. Look for providers that offer robust data protection measures, 24/7 support, and customizable features to meet your specific business needs. Additionally, ensure that the solution integrates seamlessly with your existing systems and workflows.

Conclusion

The transition to cloud call center solutions marks a significant step forward for businesses aiming to enhance their customer support services. By embracing cloud technology, companies can achieve greater flexibility, cost savings, and operational efficiency. In regions like India, where customer support is a critical industry, cloud-based call center solutions are paving the way for a more connected and responsive future.

Investing in a reliable and scalable cloud call center solution is not just a technological upgrade; it's a strategic move that can transform your customer service operations and set your business apart in a competitive market.

[voiptechsworld]

Choosing the Right Direct Inward Dialing Provider: Key Factors to Consider

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) is a powerful tool for businesses looking to streamline their communication systems and improve efficiency. However, selecting the right DID provider can be a daunting task with so many options available. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a DID provider to ensure you make the best decision for your business.

1. Reliability and Uptime

Why It Matters: Reliable communication is crucial for any business. Frequent downtime can lead to missed calls, frustrated customers, and lost revenue. What to Look For: Check the provider’s uptime guarantees and read reviews to understand their reliability track record. Look for a provider that offers at least 99.99% uptime.

2. Coverage Area

Why It Matters: Depending on your business needs, you might require local, national, or international DID numbers. What to Look For: Ensure the provider offers DIDs in the regions where you need them. Some providers specialize in certain areas, while others offer global coverage.

3. Scalability

Why It Matters: As your business grows, your communication needs will evolve. What to Look For: Choose a provider that can easily scale with your business. This includes the ability to add new numbers, increase call capacity, and integrate with other systems as needed.

4. Pricing Structure

Why It Matters: Cost-effectiveness is crucial for maintaining a healthy bottom line. What to Look For: Compare pricing models, which can vary widely among providers. Consider setup fees, monthly fees, and per-minute rates. Look for transparent pricing with no hidden charges.

5. Features and Functionality

Why It Matters: Additional features can enhance your communication system and improve efficiency. What to Look For: Evaluate the features offered by the provider. Key features might include call forwarding, voicemail, SMS capabilities, call recording, and integration with CRM systems.

6. Customer Support

Why It Matters: Reliable customer support ensures that any issues are resolved quickly, minimizing disruption to your business. What to Look For: Look for providers that offer 24/7 customer support. Check reviews for feedback on their response times and the quality of their support services.

7. Security

Why It Matters: Protecting your communication systems from breaches is vital for maintaining privacy and compliance. What to Look For: Ensure the provider implements robust security measures, including encryption, fraud detection, and compliance with relevant regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.

8. Ease of Integration

Why It Matters: Seamless integration with your existing systems can enhance efficiency and reduce the learning curve for your team. What to Look For: Verify that the DID provider supports integration with your current VoIP systems, CRM software, and other communication tools.

9. Quality of Service (QoS)

Why It Matters: High-quality voice and data transmission are essential for professional communication. What to Look For: Ask about the provider’s QoS protocols and how they ensure clear, uninterrupted calls. Look for features like bandwidth management and traffic prioritization.

10. Trial Period and Guarantees

Why It Matters: A trial period allows you to test the service before making a long-term commitment. What to Look For: Choose a provider that offers a free trial or a money-back guarantee. This gives you the opportunity to evaluate their service quality and suitability for your business needs.

Conclusion

Selecting the right Direct Inward Dialing provider involves careful consideration of various factors that impact reliability, cost, scalability, and overall functionality. By evaluating these key aspects, you can choose a provider that not only meets your current needs but also supports your business’s future growth and success.

[fonadain]

This infographic unveils the power of DID (Direct Inward Dialing) for businesses. It explains how DID bypasses menus, routes calls directly, and offers a professional image. Learn how DID improves customer experience, increases efficiency, and scales with your business.

[voiptech3245]

Integrating DID and TFN into Your VoIP System: A Comprehensive Guide

In today’s fast-paced business world, effective communication is crucial. Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and Toll-Free Numbers (TFN) can significantly enhance your VoIP system, making it easier for customers to reach you and for you to manage incoming calls. This guide will walk you through the basics of DID and TFN, their benefits, and how to integrate them into your VoIP system.

What is Direct Inward Dialing (DID)?direct inbound dialing

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) allows businesses to assign individual phone numbers to each employee or department without needing separate physical phone lines. This means customers can directly reach the person or department they need without going through a switchboard.

Benefits of DID:

Improved Customer Service: Customers can quickly connect with the right person or department.

Increased Efficiency: Calls are routed directly to the intended recipient, reducing wait times.

Enhanced Tracking: Monitor and analyze call patterns for better decision-making.

What are Toll-Free Numbers (TFN)?

Toll-Free Numbers are phone numbers that enable customers to contact a business at no cost to them.These numbers usually start with prefixes like 800, 888, or 877.

Benefits of TFN:

Expanded Reach: Customers across the country can call you for free.

Professional Image: Having a toll-free number enhances your business’s credibility.

Marketing Tool: Track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns by using different toll-free numbers for each campaign.

Integrating DID and TFN into Your VoIP System

Step 1: Choose a Reliable VoIP Provider

Your VoIP provider should offer robust support for both DID and TFN. Look for providers with a track record of reliable service and good customer support.

Step 2: Obtain Your DID and TFN Numbers

Contact your VoIP provider to obtain DID and TFN numbers. They will guide you through the selection process and help you choose numbers that fit your business needs.

Step 3: Configure Your VoIP System

Once you have your DID and TFN numbers, you’ll need to configure your VoIP system. Here’s how:

Assign DID Numbers: Allocate individual DID numbers to each employee or department. This can usually be done through your VoIP provider’s management portal.

Set Up Call Routing: Configure call routing rules to ensure calls to DID numbers reach the correct person or department. This can involve setting up call forwarding, automated attendants, or voicemail.

Integrate TFN: Link your toll-free numbers to your VoIP system. Set up call routing so that calls to these numbers are directed to the appropriate departments or individuals.

Step 4: Test Your System

Before going live, test your DID and TFN integrations to ensure they work correctly. Make test calls to verify that calls are being routed properly and that all features are functioning as expected.

Step 5: Monitor and Optimize

After integration, continuously monitor your system’s performance. Use analytics tools provided by your VoIP provider to track call volumes, durations, and other metrics. This data can help you optimize your call routing and improve customer service.

Conclusion

Integrating DID and TFN into your VoIP system can revolutionize your business communications. By providing direct access to employees and offering toll-free calling options, you enhance customer satisfaction and streamline your operations. Follow these steps to seamlessly integrate these features and take your business communication to the next level.

Ready to enhance your VoIP system with DID and TFN? Contact VoIPTech Solutions today and let us help you get started!

[mrsvante]

Stolen Orbit

pairing: jungkook x reader

genre: alien au, yandere jk, dark horror, enemies to lovers,

summary: you were meant for eradication with the rest of your planet—erased without a trace, just another speck in the galaxy's endless purge. but jeongguk saw you. fragile, insignificant... human. and something his kind had long forgotten stirred in him. Instead of erasing your existence, he took you, stole you from extinction and made you his.

now you live in a celestial cage, adored and possessed by something not quite capable of love, but desperate to keep you. he doesn't understand your fear, your resistance, but he craves your surrender all the more because of it. and if it takes breaking you to make you his completely... he will.

warnings: slow burn, mass extermination, alien jungkook forced captivity/proximity, psychological manipulation, stockholm syndrome, dubcon, smut, ritualistic copulation

word count: 5,857

The Beginning

The sky split open the night they came. You didn’t see it at first, no one did.

You brushed your teeth that night. Standing in your tiny bathroom beneath flickering fluorescent lights, humming faintly to music you can’t remember anymore. A song that cut out mid chorus when everything else did.

You paused, frowned, the mirror vibrated faintly, a shiver running across your reflection. Confused, you flicked the light switch. Nothing.

Reach for your phone. Dead.

Outside, the city dimmed as though someone had thrown a heavy blanket over the world. Buildings blinked out, window by window. Cars stalled silently in the streets.

Then came the sirens. Low and unearthly, vibrating deep in your chest rather than ringing in your ears.

You pressed your palms to the vanity, trying to pinpoint the source.

No alarms.

No helicopters.

No dogs barking or people yelling in the distance.

Just… stillness.

Until the sky broke.

You saw it from your window, face pale in the glass as blackness carved itself across the heavens like a wound tearing through flesh.

It didn’t glow or rage, it hummed.

And through that terrible void came beams of sterile white light.

You watched—paralyzed—as they swept through the streets, swallowing people whole. No fire, no blood, they simply ceased.

Your neighbor clutching her husband on the balcony. The delivery boy halfway up the stairs. A child pedaling frantically on his bicycle.

Gone.

Your mouth moved, but no sound came out. By the time your legs remembered how to function, chaos had bloomed outside.

Screams.

Desperate, useless prayers. People running without knowing where safety even existed.

It didn’t matter.

Your chest crushed inward as panic overtook you. You grabbed your phone, screaming into dead silence, dialing numbers that wouldn’t connect.

Your father’s voicemail.

Your sister’s disconnected line.

The beams moved without emotion, erasing everything they touched as easily as wiping chalk from a board. You don’t remember deciding to run. You don’t remember leaving your apartment. You only remember the maintenance tunnels.

You shoved yourself beneath concrete and metal, nails splitting and bleeding as you slammed the hatch shut above you.

And there you stayed.

For minutes.

Hours.

Days.

Time broke.

The silence that followed was not peaceful.

It was dead.

::::::::::::

When you woke, it was worse. Not because you survived. Not even because the world was gone.

But because you weren’t there anymore.

Your eyes opened to sterility. Smooth, seamless walls of faintly glowing white, like pearl carved from bone. No corners or seams. Just endless smoothness in every direction, as though the room itself were grown rather than built.

There were no windows.

No doors.

Only a faint humming, familiar and yet not. Not the gentle whir of an AC or the buzz of old light bulbs. This was deeper, vibrating at a frequency that scraped against the base of your skull. It sounded like something alive.

You sat up too fast, your breath catching painfully in your throat.

The bed beneath you was impossibly soft, molding to your shape like memory foam, but it didn’t feel right. It smelled faintly of something sweet and sterile, like a flower that had never known dirt.

You clutched the sheets tighter to your chest, your head spinning.

“Hello?” you rasped. No answer, just the never ending hum.

You tried again.

“HELLO?”

Your voice echoed strangely, rebounding without substance, as though the room itself were swallowing the sound.

A prickling sensation raced down your spine as you scrambled to your feet. Your legs were weak and shaky, like you hadn’t used them in days. You stumbled toward the nearest wall and pressed your palms flat against it.

It was warm.

Not cold like metal. Not smooth like glass.

Warm, as though the structure around you was some kind of living skin.

You recoiled instinctively.

“What the fuck,” you whispered.

Your chest heaved as you tried to remember.

Where were you?

Where was your family?

Had you died?

The last thing you remembered was hiding. Listening to the world end. And then— nothing. Your stomach twisted violently. Panic set in like lead poisoning, slow but lethal. You began slamming your fists against the wall.

“LET ME OUT!”

“WHERE AM I?!”

Nothing. No doors appeared, no voices responded. But the hum grew louder, though, it didn’t feel or sound angry. Not mechanical.

It sounded oddly interested.

You froze, pressing your back against the bed as a low chime resonated throughout the space. The wall directly across from you rippled, like the surface of a pond disturbed by a stone, and opened.

A doorway formed from nothing, and something stepped through.

At first, you thought he was wrong. Everything about him felt off in ways your mind couldn’t fully process.

Tall—towering—with limbs too graceful and too fluid to be comforting.

Skin pale and luminous, glowing softly from within, threaded with faint iridescence that shifted as he moved. Hair dark and weightless, littered with braids adorned with glimmering otherworldly metals, drifting as though underwater. Framing features too symmetrical, too perfect.

And his eyes.

They were unsettling, solid black at first glance.

But as he drew closer, they shifted—illuminated galaxies of silver, violet, and deep cosmic blues, swirling softly in patterns that hurt to stare at for too long.

You stumbled backward, your legs colliding with the bed as your pulse thundered.

He did not flinch, but instead stepped closer.

Graceful. Effortless.

You couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. Every primitive instinct screamed at you to run, but your body betrayed you. He tilted his head as he regarded you.

Not cruelly, not kindly. Curiously.

His voice slid across your mind rather than your ears.

“You are… fragile.”

You flinched, shaking your head as if a bug was caught in your hair. The words felt invasive, sliding into your consciousness without permission.

He stepped closer.

“I am Jeongguk.”

The name thrums with alien cadence, yet tastes almost familiar in your mind. His glowing eyes flicker faintly, as if pleased by your terror.

“You reside aboard Virexum,” he continues calmly. “This vessel collects and preserves what remains after eradication.”

“Eradication?” you whisper, voice hollow.

“Earth was terminated.”

A pause, as if considering how much you can process. “Your species had reached decay. Pollution. War. Rot. The Kaereth do not preserve weakness. We cleanse.”

The words hit harder than any weapon. You shake your head violently, sobbing openly now.

Your father, your sister. They’re…gone?

“No. No, you can’t— you didn’t—”

“It was mercy.”

His voice softens slightly, but not kindly. “Existence without evolution is entropy. The Kaereth do not allow suffering. We end it.”

You can’t breathe.

You drop to your knees, pressing your palms to your face as the horror swells and breaks inside you.

But he does not.

Tears flooded your vision, hot and blinding as your sobs shattered the sterile silence, ugly and helpless.

He watches you the way one might watch a dying star—quietly admiring, deeply fascinated.

When you finally stilled, he crouched before you, his claws retracting as he reached out. You recoiled instinctively, but he only touched your hair, brushing it back from your damp face with a tenderness that felt foreign.

“I did not erase you,” he murmurs.

You flinch, but his hand cradles your face delicately, tipping it up so you have no choice but to meet his gaze.

“You glowed,” he says, softer now. Almost enthralled.

“Amidst destruction, you clung to life. You burned brighter than the dying world around you. You will not suffer,” he said quietly. “You are mine now. You will be kept.”

Kept.

The word echoed as he stood again, gesturing to the room around you. “This is yours. Safe. Nourishing. You will adjust.”

You choked on disbelief.

“Why me?”

He paused.

And for the first time since he arrived, his expression shifted. His eyes darkened. His lips parted just slightly, almost pious.

“Because,” he murmured, as though speaking to himself, “you glowed brightest before death.”

With that, he turned and left, the wall sealing behind him in silence.

Leaving you alone with the hum, and the terrible, hollow truth that you were the last of your kind. And you were his now.

Whatever that meant.

Whatever that would become.

::::::::::::

You don’t remember sleeping, but when your eyes open again, raw and heavy from hours of silent sobbing, the room is dimmer. The walls, once glowing faintly like a moonlit sea, have softened to a deep, low shimmer, as though mimicking the concept of nighttime.

You’re still here.

Still locked in this dreamless nightmare of seamless walls and soundless air.

Still wearing the thin, pale shift you woke up in, neither warm nor cold, but irritating in its neutrality.

Still alone.

Except… you aren’t.

You feel him before you see him. The hum of the room changes. Deepens, sharpens as though the ship itself reacts to his presence.

You sit up slowly, wiping your face, throat dry from hours of ragged breathing.

When the wall ripples open again, it’s almost gentle. Less like a command, and more like the way curtains are drawn back to allow moonlight in.

And there he stands.

Jeongguk.

Alien. Impossibly elegant.

Unfathomably tall, framed in the soft glow as though carved from the bones of dying stars.

You freeze when his eyes meet yours, not because they’re cruel. But because they are intent.

Hungry.

Unblinking.

“You are awake.”

His voice slides across your mind again, as smooth as silk and as cold as space.

You swallow tightly, sitting rigid on the edge of the bed. Your legs are weak, but you fight to keep your spine straight.

“Please,” you whisper hoarsely, the word tasting hollow in your mouth. “Please just tell me what you want from me.”

He pauses.

“I have told you,” he says, moving forward, soundless as shadow. “You are mine. You will be kept. That is what I want.”

His words make your stomach twist violently. You push up from the bed, backing away until your shoulder blades press into the wall behind you.

“You can’t just— keep me!”

Your voice cracks, teetering between hysteria and disbelief.

“I’m not some… some thing you can collect!”

He stops mid step, considering.

His expression doesn’t change and yet, you can feel the weight of his scrutiny press down on you.

“Incorrect,” he says softly, as though correcting a child. “You are precious. Not a ‘thing’. Not to me.”

You open your mouth to argue, to scream, but your breath catches as something changes.

The bioluminescent lines across his body shift subtly. They pulse gently.

You don’t know why, but the sight makes your heart stutter.

Is that emotion?

Before you can question it, he raises one hand.

A low chime echoes through the room, and from the far wall, a smooth panel unfolds. It reveals a strange, device that emits fragrant steam.

Your stomach clenches painfully as your senses recognize what it is before your mind does.

Food.

Or, at least, something meant to replicate it. Soft, pale orbs float in an iridescent broth, giving off a smell not unlike fresh bread and honey.

It should be comforting.

But in this place, nothing feels comforting.

“You have not consumed nourishment in sixteen of your planet’s hours,” Jeongguk says calmly, gesturing toward the offering.

“Your body weakens. This is inefficient.”

You hesitate, eyeing the bowl warily.

“I’m not hungry,” you lie.

His head tilts, faintly reptilian in the gesture, and for the first time, a flicker of something sharper edges into his tone.

“You will eat.”

The words are not barked.

Not threatening.

But absolute.

You stare back at him, shaking slightly.

And when you make no move to comply, he steps forward and takes the bowl himself, walking closer until he is far too near. He crouches, folding gracefully in front of you like a predator settling in for the kill.

But instead of violence, he offers you the bowl directly.

Holding it out, waiting patiently.

“Eat,” he murmurs.

His eyes glow faintly as they fix on your face.

“For me.”

Your lips part helplessly. Something in the way he says it. Quiet, almost intimately, sends your skin crawling and burning at once.

You hate him.

You hate him.

You hate him.

And yet…

Your body obeys. Your fingers tremble as you accept the bowl, lifting one of the pale orbs to your lips.

It tastes… nothing like food.

But it dissolves softly on your tongue, leaving behind warmth that creeps slowly down your throat.

Not unpleasant, not pleasurable. Just… filling.

Sustaining.

You eat in silence, aware of his unwavering gaze as you do. When the bowl empties, he takes it back carefully, setting it aside.

“Better,” he says quietly.

You can’t meet his eyes.

The tears come again without permission, sliding hot and heavy down your face. You curl in on yourself, trying to muffle the broken sounds that escape your throat.

And then… a touch.

Featherlight at first, fingers ghosting against your temple, sliding into your hair.

You tense, but he does not press.

“You fear me.” His words are not questioning. “Good. It is natural. You are fragile.”

Your breath hitches painfully.

His hand slips lower, knuckles grazing your cheek with maddening delicacy.

“But fear will fade,” he continues softly. “In time, you will see. I am not cruel. I am constant. You will not be harmed. You will be… cherished.”

You turn your head away sharply and his fingers slip free, but you feel the weight of his focus intensify.

“You misunderstand your position,” he murmurs. “Earth is gone. You are alone in a universe that has no place for you. No one will come for you. No one can.”

You clench your fists tightly in your lap, the truth cutting deeper than his touch ever could.

“Why me?” you ask, voice breaking. “Why not let me die with the rest?”

He leans in slightly, his presence invading your every sense.

“Because when others knelt and wept… you raged,” he whispers. “You burned. You clung to life with ferocity. That is rare.”

His eyes soften, if such a thing is possible for something so alien.

“I collect what should not exist.” A faint smile, too serene, too knowing. “You are an anomaly. You are mine.”

You bite down hard on your lower lip, forcing back another sob.

“This isn’t cherishing,” you whisper bitterly.

“This is prison.”

He doesn’t flinch. Instead, he rises slowly, towering over you once more. His hands fold neatly behind his back. The perfect image of composed, regal authority.

“No,” he agrees softly. “This is preservation.”

He steps back toward the door, but his voice reaches you again as it ripples open to accept him.

“Rest. I will return when you are calmer.”

A pause.

“And eventually… you will thank me.”

Then he is gone.

And you’re eft in the silence once more—but not alone.

Not really.

Because his scent still lingers. His voice still hums faintly in your mind. And worse, you realize part of you is already listening for his return.

::::::::::::

You don’t see him again for three cycles. You don’t know how you know this. There’s no sun here, no night and day, no ticking clock on sterile walls—but your body remembers.

It remembers the ache of hunger.

The slow unraveling of sanity when left in isolation. The bone deep dread that blooms in the absence of any other voice but your own.

For seventy two hours, maybe more, maybe less, you are alone.

The ship hums softly at all hours, the walls glowing faintly like a slumbering beast. Your room, if you can even call it that, remains locked.

No doors.

No windows.

Just blank, seamless walls and a bed that conforms to your every restless shift.

Food appears twice, delivered silently through a hidden panel in the wall, but you ignore it. You sit curled on the bed, stomach clenching painfully, but you refuse to give in.

Not again, not after last time.

He’d fed you like a child.

Watched you with something sickly tender in his eyes while you cried and ate and fell apart in front of him.

No.

You will not make this easy for him. Your anger is all you have left. The only shield between you and the quiet, desperate terror that creeps in when you allow yourself to feel anything else.

So you don’t eat.

You don’t sleep.

You don’t talk to the empty room, no matter how loud the silence becomes.

You wait.

Because you know he’ll come back, of course he will.

Men like him, things like him, always come back.

And when he does, you are ready.

—

He appears on the fourth cycle.

Not like before, there’s no grand entrance. No rippling doors or ominous hums.

You wake to find him already there, standing at the foot of the bed like a phantom who has always belonged in your nightmares. He watches you in silence, arms folded behind his back, eyes glowing softly in the low light.

You glare at him, lips cracked from dehydration.

He says nothing.

“Fuck you.”

Your voice scrapes like gravel against your raw throat, but it feels good to say.

Good to bite, even if your teeth barely graze.

His head tilts slightly, that same alien gesture that makes your stomach turn.

“You are weakening,” he observes softly, almost clinically. “Your refusal to consume nourishment endangers your cellular structure. This is illogical.”

You laugh, sharp and brittle.

“Good. Let me die, then.”

For the first time, his expression shifts, not dramatically, but his brows knit slightly, his mouth drawing in the faintest sliver.

He doesn’t like that.

“Negative,” he says quietly, stepping closer. “I will not allow termination.”

You push yourself up on shaking arms, baring your teeth in something that feels more animal than human.

“I don’t belong to you. You can’t keep me like this. Feeding me, locking me in this—this cage! I’ll starve before I let you win.”

His eyes narrow faintly, glowing brighter. “You misunderstand,” he murmurs, his voice lowering dangerously.

“This is not a contest,” he moves closer, slow, deliberate steps that make your pulse spike and your limbs tremble. “This is inevitability.”

You scramble off the bed, stumbling backward until your spine hits the wall. His presence consumes the room, filling every atom of available space, as though the ship itself responds to his shifting mood.

He stands before you now, towering and still.

“You may resist,” he allows softly. “You may cry, scream, refuse… for a time.”

His hand rises, not threatening, but steady as his fingers gently, maddeningly, brush your jaw. The touch sends a bolt of revulsion and something more complicated spiraling through you.

“But you will acclimate.”

His voice vibrates softly in your bones, dangerous in its certainty.

You slap his hand away, the sound cracking through the air like gunfire.

For a moment, nothing happens.

He simply stares at you, the tips of his fingers still poised where they had been, motionless, as though stunned.

And then…he withdraws, silently. Without anger or words. Simply steps back, gaze unreadable, and turns for the door.

Panic flashes hot and instant through your chest. “No—” you gasp, confused by your own terror at his sudden departure.

He stops just before the wall seals behind him. For the first time, his voice emerges aloud, not through your mind, but spoken.

Low.

Flat.

Cold.

“You have chosen isolation.”

Then he’s gone, and so is everything else.

The hum of the ship fades, the lights dim to near darkness. The temperature drops, not enough to freeze, but enough to chill your skin, to make your breath puff faintly in the air.

The bed retracts into the wall.

The food panel vanishes.

You are left standing in nothing.

Cold.

Alone.

—

For hours—maybe days—you are abandoned to the hollow, oppressive silence.

Your tears dry.

Your voice fades from hoarseness to nothing. Your legs give out, and you curl on the hard floor, clutching yourself tightly as sleep eludes you in the endless dark.

You hate him.

You hate him.

You hate him.

But when the wall finally ripples open again, soft, warm light spilling through and his tall, silent figure appears in the doorway once more, you sob.

Relief.

Humiliation.

Rage.

You don’t understand which emotion is which anymore.

He crosses the threshold slowly, eyes glowing faintly in gentle shades of blue and pink. Soft, careful, like a predator soothing prey after the kill.

Without speaking, he kneels before you, gathering your shaking body into his arms. You don’t fight him this time.

You can’t.

You’re too cold.

Too broken.

His hand strokes your hair as he murmurs something low in his language, soft syllables that sound like lullabies from a galaxy you will never see.

“I will not harm you,” he whispers, pressing his lips against your temple. “Do not make me hurt you through absence again; I ache.”

Your fingers clutch his robe weakly, sobs muffled against his chest.

“I hate you,” you whisper, but it’s empty.

Weak.

He hums softly.

“I know.”

He pulls you closer, cradling you as though you are delicate and rare, because to him, you are.

“And yet you need me.”

You can’t argue.

Not right now.

Not when his warmth is the only thing that feels real in this endless void of stars and silence.

::::::::::::

You don’t sleep, even when your body begs you to.

Sleep would mean trusting the silence, surrendering.

So you lay awake on the strange, pliant surface that the ship has provided. Not quite a bed, but softer than the floor that left your bones aching and cold during your punishment.

You are still recovering from that.

The ache of isolation.

The terror of being truly, utterly alone.

But more than that… you are recovering from the humiliation.

Because when he returned, when he found you curled and trembling, teeth chattering and face raw from tears, you clung to him.

You didn’t mean to.

Your body simply reacted, desperate and starved for anything warm and familiar.

Your fingers twisted into the dark folds of his robes, your face pressed into the cool planes of his chest, and you wept like a creature broken open.

And Jeongguk did nothing but hold you.

No words.

No threats.

No cruel satisfaction.

Just stillness.

Just presence.

His hands stroked your back, slow and repetitive, the way you imagine one might soothe a terrified animal.

His head bent low, his breath ghosting against your temple as he whispered words in a language your mind couldn’t translate, soft and melodic, making you feel drunk with the weight of them.

Even now, hours later, his scent still lingers on your skin.

Warm and metallic.

Alien and oddly sweet.

Like lightning woven into silk.

You hate that you find comfort in it now. You hate yourself more than you hate him, but the truth is suffocating in its simplicity.

You needed him.

And he knew it.

—

The door ripples again, seamlessly and without warning. You stiffen instinctively, heart leaping to your throat.

But when Jeongguk steps through, he does not bring the same oppressive energy he had before.

There is no towering, silent menace, or sharp glint of irritation or frustration in his starlit eyes.

Instead…he looks calm, serene, even.

His robes have changed. Still dark, but lighter now. Softer. He wears no armor, or sharp adornments. His hair hangs loose, gleaming faintly in the ship’s low bioluminescence.

He looks… domestic.

If such a word could ever apply to him.

The ship itself seems to respond, the walls brightening subtly, soft, ambient pulses that make the air feel warmer somehow.

More intimate.

Less clinical.

It unnerves you more than his previous coldness.

“Good,” he says quietly, his voice sliding into your consciousness with practiced ease. “You remain.”

You glare at him, but your body betrays you again, relaxing minutely at the familiar cadence of his presence.

“I didn’t exactly have a choice, did I?” you mutter bitterly.

Jeongguk tilts his head slightly, considering.

“No,” he agrees softly. “But you remained nonetheless.”

The phrasing makes something twist painfully low in your stomach. Before you can respond, he approaches, slow, careful steps as though approaching something fragile.

Which, in his eyes, you suppose you are.

He lowers himself gracefully beside you on the bed like surface, close enough that you feel the subtle hum of his energy brushing against your skin.

“I have observed,” he begins, tone thoughtful. “Prolonged isolation causes distress beyond simple physical discomfort in your species.”

You scoff, wrapping your arms around your knees protectively.

“Yeah. That’s called being human.”

He hums softly, as though filing the information away like a precious resource.

“I have no desire to harm you, little star,” he murmurs, and his hand lifts, pausing in the air between you, as if seeking silent permission.

You don’t give it.

But you don’t pull away when his fingers brush lightly across your hair, tucking it back from your face.

His touch is careful.

Maddening.

“I desire only your peace.”

You choke on a bitter laugh.

“Peace? You abducted me, destroyed my planet, locked me in this ship and act like that’s kindness.”

His expression softens, strangely fond despite your venom.

“You misunderstand,” he says gently.

“I did not destroy your planet. I spared you from its fate.”

His fingers trail down, brushing against the curve of your cheek, the line of your jaw, and you shiver despite yourself.

“You were meant to end,” he continues softly, voice almost hypnotic. “But you burned. You raged. You survived.”

His thumb strokes softly against your lower lip, a touch so tender you forget, briefly, how much you despise him.

“You are rare,” he murmurs. “And rare things are not discarded. They are treasured.”

The words settle in your chest like poison wrapped in silk. You should recoil, should slap his hand away, curse him until your throat gives out.

But instead…you close your eyes.

Just for a moment.

Just long enough to feel the soft press of his palm against your cheek, anchoring you in this strange, terrible reality.

He takes your silence as permission.

Of course he does.

“Good,” he breathes, satisfaction humming softly in his voice. “You are learning.”

You force your eyes open, glaring weakly at him.

“Learning what?”

His lips curl faintly, not quite a smile, but something disturbingly close.

“To accept.”

You hate him.

You hate him.

But when he shifts closer, pressing his body flush to yours, wrapping an arm carefully around your shoulders, you don’t pull away.

You are cold.

You are tired.

You are alone.

And he is warm.

He is steady.

He is here.

You rest your head against his shoulder before you can think better of it, disgust warring with relief in your chest.

Jungkook says nothing, but the ship hums softly around you, glowing faintly in shades of rose and gold. Contentment radiating from every surface.

You don’t realize how tightly you’ve curled against him until his mouth brushes the crown of your head.

“You will see soon,” he murmurs, words sinking deep into your bones. “I am not your enemy. I am your only constant.”

You fall asleep before you can argue. And for the first time since Earth fell, you sleep through the cycle without waking to scream.

::::::::::::

You wake to warmth.

Not the clinical, neutral temperature of the ship. That engineered comfort that feels more like a lack of discomfort than real heat but true warmth.

Soft.

Heavy.

Alive.

For a moment, your mind refuses to grasp why.

You are tucked beneath something impossibly smooth and weighty , fabric like liquid silk draped over your body, cocooning you in decadent softness.

And behind you, against the curve of your spine, something solid.

Firm.

Breathing.

A heartbeat thrums, steady and deep, so close it vibrates through your back and into your bones.

Not the ship.

Him.

Jeongguk.

You go rigid before you can think. Your hands clench the sheets, alien and faintly iridescent m, as you strain to control your breathing.

You are being held, no, you are being kept.

His arm is heavy across your waist, claws retracted but still unsettling, his fingers resting just beneath your ribcage with terrifying intimacy. His face is pressed lightly to the crown of your head, long hair brushing against your temple like ghost silk.

For several agonizing seconds, you debate your options.

Pull away.

Wake him.

Escape—if that’s even possible anymore.

But as your heart hammers and your stomach twists, you realize something worse.

You don’t want to move.

Because for the first time in what feels like forever, you are not cold, you are not alone, or terrified of what silence might bring.

You are simply… held.

And that, somehow, feels more dangerous than anything he’s done so far.

He stirs before you can make a decision.

The shift is subtle, the faint tightening of his grip, the softening of his breath, the way the ship’s hum lifts faintly, mirroring the change in atmosphere.

Then his voice slides into your mind, quieter than usual.

Thicker.

“You are awake.”

You flinch slightly, but he does not move away. Instead, he exhales slowly, the sound almost… content.

“You slept well,” he murmurs aloud this time, his voice low and textured, as though speaking in words costs him more effort than using your mind.

“You did not cry.”

Shame burns through you instantly. You twist beneath his arm, trying to put space between your bodies, but his hold tightens slightly.

“No,” he says softly, head dipping lower so that his breath brushes the shell of your ear. “Stay.”

Your heart races painfully.

“Why?” you whisper, hating the smallness in your voice.

His answer is simple.

“Because you do not truly wish to leave.”

You freeze.

He doesn’t say it cruelly.

He doesn’t taunt or mock.

He speaks it as though it is a fact he has long since accepted and is merely waiting for you to do the same.

Before you can respond, he shifts, drawing back just enough to allow you to turn and face him. The sight steals the words from your throat.

Up close, he is devastating.

More than alien.

More than beautiful.

His features are carved from something you do not have words for, too elegant to be called soft, too precise to be human. His silver violet eyes glow faintly in the dimness, framed by dark lashes that cast delicate shadows across high cheekbones.

But it is the way he looks at you that truly leaves you breathless.

Not with desire.

Not with hunger.

With… possession. As though you are the first and only star in his universe.

You turn your face away, pulse hammering.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

He does not obey.

“Like what?”

“Like I’m—”

You falter, teeth sinking into your lower lip.

“Yours,” you finish bitterly.

His hand moves, fingers brushing your jaw, guiding you gently to meet his gaze again.

“You are mine,” he murmurs softly, as though stating something as mundane as the time of day. “You remain only because I desire it. You live because I allow it. You breathe because I have given you this sanctuary.”

The words are cruel in logic, yet his voice is gentle.

You tremble beneath the weight of them, but he only continues, thumb stroking softly against your cheekbone.

“But you do not need to fear that.” He leans closer, voice dropping lower, coaxing you like one would soothe a frightened animal.

“You do not need to fight so hard. You are cared for. Sheltered. Treasured.”

You want to scream. Want to tell him how wrong he is, how suffocating this is.

But your body remembers the days alone in the dark.

The cold.

The ache.

The crushing silence that left you frantic and desperate for any presence at all. And your body, traitorous and desperate, does not want to return to that.

So instead, you say nothing.

You simply let him hold you.

Let his touch stroke soothing patterns against your spine.

Let your eyes slip closed, not because you want him, but because for now… he feels safe.

—

The days that follow blur together.

Jeongguk becomes a near constant presence, no longer leaving for long stretches. He is always near. Quietly watching, quietly touching, quietly existing in every corner of your small world.

Meals are no longer delivered in silence.

Now, he brings them himself, sitting beside you as you eat, observing your reactions with soft fascination, as though memorizing every flicker of expression.

He asks questions, though never demands answers.

“Why do you frown when eating this?”

“Does this flavor please you more?”

“Do you enjoy these colors?”

It’s strange. Stranger still when you find yourself answering.

Not out of obligation or out of fear. But because the emptiness left by silence is worse.

You talk quietly, giving short answers at first, but over time, they grow longer. You explain foods you miss. You describe music, books, seasons. You speak of snow and rain and laughter, and though he listens with alien detachment, he seems oddly enchanted by your words.

“You will show me,” he says one cycle, after you describe autumn leaves falling in lazy spirals.

You blink at him in confusion.

“Earth is gone.”

His head tilts.

“Virexum can make what you desire.”

You do not know whether to be horrified or grateful. But when the next cycle arrives, your room transforms.The walls ripple and shift until soft amber light filters through projected trees.

Illusions of wind rustle leaves that glow faintly gold and crimson.

You laugh, startled and disbelieving.

And Jeongguk…

He smiles.

Not wide.

Not human.

But soft, and faintly victorious.

As though every small inch you offer him, every smile, every word, every sigh, is another chain wound tightly around your wrists.

—

It happens one night as you sit side by side on the bed, eating quietly. Your hands brush when reaching for the same dish and you both freeze.

The contact is brief.

Innocent.

But it lingers. His fingers slide softly over yours, slow and intentional as though mapping the shape of them.

You don’t pull away, pulse racing, your cheeks flush, but still, you let it happen.

Something shifts in his gaze.

It’s not hunger, not cruelty…longing.

The moment stretches and the ship grows impossibly quiet, as though the walls themselves are holding their breath. You’re the one who breaks it, pulling your hand away with a nervous laugh that sounds too loud in the stillness.

Jeongguk says nothing.

But his eyes follow you all the same, glowing softly in the dim amber light.

Watching.

Always watching.

—

That night, as you lay down and let him pull you close, his arms wrapping securely around your body as though sealing you in, you don’t resist.

You let him tuck your head beneath his chin, your hands curl lightly against his chest.

And when he whispers against your hair, voice low and factual, “you are becoming mine.”

You don’t argue.

Because deep down, beneath the remnants of your rage and sorrow, beneath the tangled mess of shame and longing—

You know he is right.

two | masterlist

[i-dared-myself]

Idiot and Weirdo

Minho x reader

In which the freak that is your bandmate helps you through your period.

Cw: Periods (which are a totally normal thing and nothing to be ashamed of), passing out, and vomiting.

Periods are unexpected sometimes. For you, they’re so bad that you get incapacitated. So you rely on prescription medication that manages your periods. Keeps the pain to a minimum so you can continue with your life.

But things get busy. Life is hectic, and you can’t find the time to refill your medication. Eventually you forget entirely. Your little container is sitting in your medicine cabinet, completely empty. 

But it’s fine. It’s not like you even need it.

Until you do.

Until you’re curled up in the entryway to the dance studio, letting out short whimpers. You had barely walked up the stairs to the studio before collapsing.

The lights are out and it’s silent. You’re the only one here.

Sweat beads along your forehead, and you piece together the thoughts to promise yourself a refill of your medicine when you can. Or a hysterectomy.

The lights flick on, and the other members wander in. You’re surrounded by them, worried expressions and creased foreheads all directed at you.

Except Minho. He’s scrolling on his phone, walking past you to further inside the room. 

“Are you okay?” Chan demands, kneeling at your side. He brushes some of your hair away from your face, studying your expression.

“No,” you manage to grunt out. “I- Can I go home?”

“Of course.” Chan stands up and motions to Changbin, who immediately picks you up. You’re taken to the company van and driven to the dorms. They offer to stay with you, but you force them to leave.

They have to learn the new dance, and you know you can catch up later. You’ll be fine, just like every other person born with a uterus.

Except why does it feel like you’re dying? Why is your entire body trembling with the pain?

You’re slumped next to the toilet, clutching your phone to your chest. Do you call someone? But they’re busy…

You give in and call Chan, but he doesn’t pick up. You don’t bother to leave a voicemail and dial Felix next. You go through each of the members, save for Minho, before facing the harsh reality.

You’ll have to go to Minho for help.

He’s never exactly been your biggest fan. He isn’t outwardly unkind to you, nor is he openly hostile, but he doesn’t like you. It’s in the way that he looks at you. It’s obvious when he avoids touching you.

You text him instead of calling, not wanting to cry to him.

You: Hi, are the others busy?

Lee Minho: Yes.

You curl inwards as another set of cramps take over. It’s intense and spots dance in the front of your eyes.

You: Ok thank you. When they’re not busy can you tell them I need them? Just whoever’s there

The dreaded three dots appear, disappear, and return before a message pops up.

Lee Minho: K

You put your phone on the ground next to you and focus on breathing and not throwing up. You grab it again when it buzzes.

Lee Minho: Is it something I can help with?

You: I think I’m going to pass out. Tell Chan if he’s not too busy. Don’t worry him tho

You roll onto your side, trying to find a position that eases the agony you’re in. But nothing works. You just want a heating pad, but you lent yours to a friend and it hasn’t been returned yet.

Lee Minho: Omw 

You stare at the message for a moment. Is he actually coming? Why? Is he going to put you out of your misery?

You groan and go back to fetal position. 

You’re not sure of how much time passes before Minho comes. You’re fading in and out of consciousness.

“Where are you?” he yells from somewhere else. You rely with a weak sound and it only takes a minute for the bathroom door to push open.

“You don’t look so good,” Minho comments. He cocks his head at you. “What’s wrong?”

“Period,” you respond before getting to your knees and vomiting into the toilet. Your hair is gathered away from your clammy skin, and Minho hums gently.

“Is it always this bad?” he asks as he ties your hair with an elastic. 

You slump backwards against him, paying no mind to the way he tenses. “I forgot to fill my meds.”

Minho sighs heavily and drags you to your feet, arms looped under your armpits. “Brush your teeth.”

You blink blearily at his reflection in the mirror. Your brain is foggy. “What?”

“Brush your teeth,” he repeats. “Then I’ll get you to bed.”

You shake your head. “Nuh-uh. Can’t. Won’t.”

Minho tilts his head down at you inquiringly as he reaches for your toothbrush. “Why?”

“Might bleed on the sheets,” you murmur. You’re close to passing out again.

He runs the water over the bristles of your brush and deposits toothpaste on it. “So? I’ll do the laundry. Don’t worry about it.”

You take the toothbrush from him and brush your teeth before spitting into the sink. You wipe your mouth clean and let Minho support you to your bed. 

“You can go.” Your head is raised to he can slip a pillow under it. “I’m fine. I know you don’t want to be here.” 

Minho pauses, hands fisting your sheets halfway to your chest. “What? No. I’m staying, you idiot. You look terrible.”

Your head lolls to the side and your eyes flutter shut. “M’kay.”

The bed dips as Minho sits on the edge, hand pressing up to your forehead. “You don’t feel warm. I don’t know if you get period fevers, though. I have a penis.”

You lean into his touch, eyes peeking open to gaze at his face. His bottom lip is being worried by his teeth and his eyes have… concern in them? 

“I know you have a penis,” you bluntly say. “I’ve seen it.”

“You’ve seen my dick?” Minho demands, expression tightening. “When? Oh my- Are you some kind of pervert that stares through my walls!”

“No!” you exclaim, sitting up in the bed. “It’s- Jisung showed me a picture!”

Minho frowns, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why does he have pictures of my dick?”

You shrug. “I dunno.” Another wave of cramps washes over you and you whimper, hiding your face from him. “He- He just had it.”

“Let me see your pussy,” Minho suddenly says. “To make us even.”

You stare at him, waiting for the pain to pass so that you can speak clearly. But even when it winds down, you still just gape at him. “What- I’m not- No. That’s a bad idea.”

Minho huffs. “It’s only fair. It doesn’t have to be now with all the blood at stuff. Later.”

“I’m not showing you my pussy!” You glare at him, wondering why Jisung has a picture of Mingi’s dick. “Just go home!”

Minho stands there for a moment. “No.”

“What? Go back to the studio and practise!” You grip a pillow and then throw it at him. It smacks him on the chest and he just narrows his eyes at you.

“You’re lucky you’re shedding your uterine lining right now,” Minho menacingly says. “Otherwise I would be suffocating you with that pillow.”

“Don’t discriminate!” you snap. “Come at me, bro!”

Then the pillow is being pressed over your face and you’re kicking and fighting for breath. This is your own fault, but you still blame him entirely. 

Minho lifts the weapon, scowling at you. “Get some rest. I’m going to go buy you some pads. And never call me bro again.”

“I don’t need pads.”

“I’m buying you pads.”

“Okay, well get the right size,” you relent. 

“Let me see your pussy so I know what size you are.” Minho crosses his arms, smiling smugly to himself. 

“Jeez, you’re a weirdo,” you murmur, shaking your head. Minho snorts before leaving your room, and you snuggle back into the bed. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You’re hungry. The cramps have faded enough that you’re left with the ravenous hunger that comes with periods. You force yourself out of bed with a grumble, kind of missing Minho as horrifying as that is.

You wander to the kitchen, open the fridge, and then your knees buckle beneath you. You collapse and barely avoid hitting your head on your counter. Everything goes black after that.

Then something is touching your face, and your eyes are fluttering open. Minho is glaring at you fiercely, muttering everything curse word you know, and then some.

“You idiot!” Minho grumbles when he notices you’re awake. He clasps your face with his hands, stroking your cheeks with his thumbs. “Are you okay? Why did you get out of bed? You fucking idiot!”

“I- I was hungry,” you quietly say. Minho adjusts you so that your head is cradled in his lap.

“I was buying you lunch, too!” Minho points to a grocery bag set on the counter. “You’re lucky I’m here, otherwise you’d be dead.”

“I’ve been fine the rest of my life, and I’ll still be fine by myself,” you argue, sitting up. Minho stretches his arms out around you in case you collapse again, but you shove him away as you stand. “Just go home.”

“No.” Minho scoops you up into his arms and marches back to your room. He drops you onto the bed, and you bounce ones before he pounces.

It’s a struggle for survival from there. You’re trying to get away, and Minho is attempting to swaddle you in the blankets tight enough that you can’t move. You get a couple good hits in on before he eventually overpowers you.

“I hate you,” you furiously mumble as he finishes tucking a corner of the sheets in. You look like a cocoon. 

“I’ll be back with lunch,” Minho tells you, patting you on the top of your head. When you try to bite his hand, he flicks your forehead before leaving.

You lay there, staring at the ceiling. The audacity of this man to just- To just…

To just take care of you. Is that what you’re so upset about?

Minho returns before you know it, carrying a plate. He’s made you a sandwich with chips on the side, along with fruits and vegetables.

“Eat your fucking vegetables,” he says as he puts the plate down on your nightstand.

“I would, if I could get out!” you spit. “You trapped me!”

Minho laughs. “Oh, right. I forgot about that.” Then he unravels you from your blanket prison. “Eat.”

You eat the meal he’s given you, ignoring his stare. As soon as you’re done, he whisks the empty plate away.

“Chan wants me back at the studio,” Minho tells you. “So are you ready?”

“Ready for you to leave? Yeah. Get out.” You motion to the door, already turning onto your side.

Minho throws you over his shoulder, but is gentle to avoid hurting you. You put up a fight as he basically kidnaps you from your own home, taking you to his car. Minho puts you in the backseat, using some kind of complex safety belt to keep you in place.

“What is this thing?” you demand as you try to get free. But the belt has some kind of magic or something, because you can’t loosen it or anything.

“That’s a childproof seatbelt,” Minho says from the driver’s seat, voice tinged with amusement. “I got it for… reasons.”

You stop moving and narrow your eyes at him suspiciously. “Are you kidnapping children?”

“No,” Minho answers. “Not children.”

You blink and then turn your head to look out the window. “I- I don’t even know what to say.”

You arrive at the studio before you know it, and Minho exits the vehicle. He walks around to the back, opening the car door. “Are you going to behave?”

“No,” you reply, trying to undo the seatbelt again. “I’m gonna tell Chan that you kidnapped me!”

“I’m taking care of you!” Minho crosses his arms, levelling you with a threatening look. “Either you behave, or I leave you in the car.”

You go limp, and he smirks with victory. He unbuckles you and carries you inside, even though you’re perfectly capable of walking. All of your protests are promptly ignored, and Minho brings you inside the building.

The staff give you concerned looks, but Minho just continued onward. You reach the dance studio and the group all waves.

“Are you feeling better?” Felix worriedly asks you.

“Yeah, but Minho-” You’re cut off by Minho’s hand over your mouth. 

“But Minho what?” Chan questions, raising an eyebrow.

“Minho took care of our sweet, menstruating member,” Minho firmly says. “That’s it.”

“Menstruating?” Jeongin repeats. “That’s why you went home? Aw, are you okay?”

“Yeah, it gets pretty bad,” Minho answers for you. “But I took care of her.”

Changbin and Seungmin exchange knowing looks. You wonder what that’s about before Minho places you back on the ground.

“Stay here,” Minho orders. “If I see you try to stand or anything, I’ll give everything in your house childproof features.”

“Fine,” you reluctantly agree. You lean against the wall, shutting your eyes.

Jisung sits next to you, grinning. “So do periods make you horny?”

“Jisung!” Hyunjin scolds. “You don’t just ask that!”

“Um, I’m kinda just in too much pain to want sex,” you tell Jisung. 

“Okay, but if you were to fuck one of us, who would it be?” Jisung asks. “Like, who’s the hottest?”

Minho hovers nearby, gaze surprisingly interested. He doesn’t say anything, though. He just watches.

You’ve never really thought about it, so you just shrug. “I don’t know. Haven’t considered it.”

“Come on!” Seungmin goads, eyes flicking to Minho. “Who is it?”

“Uh…” You say the first name that comes to mind, since you had been looking at him. “Chan.”

Everyone cheers and claps Chan on the back, who just grumbles and tells them to get back to practising. Minho approaches you, scowling.

Minho looks you in the eyes. “Stay away from Chan. He’s a whore.”

You blink in surprise. “Yeah, I’m not actually going to fuck him. I just saw him and said his name.”

“Okay.” Minho rolls his tongue against the inside of his cheek. “But Chan’s a slut. Stay away from him.”

You snort out a laugh, shaking your head. “Go practise.”

Minho joins the group and falls into place for the choreography. It goes well and they take a water break, in which Hyunjin sits next to you.

“So… Weird day?” Hyunjin inquires. 

“I guess.” You fiddle with your fingers, bored and uninterested. “Minho was fine. He’s pretty rude, though.”

Hyunjin hums, watching said rude man. “That’s his way of caring, you know. He doesn’t like to seem soft.”

“What? No, he’s just a weirdo.” You shake your head, looking to Minho. “A weird man who’s obsessed with his cats.”

“And you,” Hyunjin softly says. “He’s been totally obsessed with you. Haven’t you noticed how oddly he acts around you? He’s so whipped for you.”

“No, you’re lying- He’s not…” You shut your mouth, remembering all the times he’s cared for the members in his own way. And it’s true that as soon as he notices you’re in a room, his behaviour completely changes. “Oh, you’re right.”

Hyunjin gets to his feet, smiling at you. “We’re almost done, and then you should ask him out.”

And so when the practise finished and Minho walks over to take you home, you skirt out of his grasp.

“I was actually going to go with Chan,” you casually say. “I’m hungry and I think he was going out for food so I was-“

“I’m hungry,” Minho interrupts. “Don’t go with the whore, come with me.”

“Uh, I’m not sure. Chan-“ 

Minho takes you in his arms again, whisking you away from the studio before you can say anything else about chan. This time, however, you get to be in the passenger’s seat.

Minho buys you dinner to go and brings it to your place. You sit on your couch together and eat, watching some random anime.

“What time should I pick you up tomorrow?” Minho suddenly asks, standing up once he’s done eating.

“What? Why?” You chew carefully, studying him. 

“For our date.” Minho rolls his eyes. “Idiot.”

“Um, we have a date?” Your eyebrows shoot up. “I would’ve liked to know that.”

“So what time am I picking you up?” Minho impatiently asks. 

“Six,” you answer. “Bring me flowers.”

“Deal.” Minho leans down to kiss your forehead, a gesture so soft that it throws you off guard. “Now go get some sleep.”

Taglist:

@velvetmoonlght @jinnie-ret @hansmic @imeverycliche @iwuberic @lezleeferguson-120 @strawberryscentedd @mbioooo0000

[fkwatchtw]

The face of the model is merinal-colored,

The 40mm diameter of the Giant Series is matched with a smoke-free anthracite grey crocodile leather strap (but the buckle is handled in accordance with the chassis material), showing the elegant personality of the gentleman, while the details and aesthetics of the watch also exude the elegant and simple style of Longines watches, which are even more revealing through the layout and design of the faceplate.

The face of the model is merinal-colored, with a black Arabic numeral 24-hour scale printed on the outermost part, and a rail-type minute scale on the inside, and then a point into the center of the face is embedded with a three-dimensional gold Roman numeral hour mark (including the 12-o'clock wing hourglass mark is also a K gold three-dimensional design), of which there is a date window in the 6 o'clock direction, and the window has inward-recessed layers, usually using a similarly designed watch so that no additional time mark is added, but Longines watches are designed to take into account the accuracy of reading, The date window is still set higher so that there is room for a small rectangular time marker underneath to help the wearer know the time. The case is made of yellow or rose gold with a crocodile leather strap that exudes a gentleman's elegance.

There are three gold or rose gold indicators in the center of the face axis to indicate the time, minute, and second units of the local time, and the time of the two places depends on the fourth black thin indicator in the axis of the face wheel to cooperate with the 24-hour scale to complete the display function, because the GMT indicator goes around 24 hours a day, so the watch does not need to set up a separate day and night display to clearly distinguish the difference between day and night in the time of origin, and the visual reading is clear and clear, which makes the giant series of two-time zone watches get a good evaluation as soon as they are released. The layout of the canvas is simple, and the time between the two places can be read by the slender GMT indicator and the 24-hour Arabic numeral scale on the outside.High imitation watch.

The L844.5 automatic movement inside is displayed on the case back with a transparent caseback, and the first thing that catches the eye is the automatic disc in the same color as the shell, the Longines watch adopts the Geneva wave dot automatic disc on the dial, and the air design on the disk can be seen to show the wheel profile of the wing hourglass, while the core base plate has fish stripes, the middle layer jacket plate and the circular radiation polishing to highlight the brand's solid craftsmanship level. The anti-magnetic performance of the core is ten times higher than that of ISO 764, ensuring that the quality of the watch can be maintained at a high level without being affected by the magnetic field in life. In addition, the power of the movement is stored for 72 hours, and the quality of both the inside and outside reflects the precious metal case of the watch, and the relative rarity of the watch is engraved directly on the limited number in the direction of 6 o'clock on the bottom cover. Currently, Longines Master GMT is sold exclusively at designer stores in Taipei 101, and those interested in this watch should not miss this important information. The transparent case cover is engraved with the watch's limited edition information, and the internal mounted automatic movement contains silicon gaming wire for high magnetic resistance.

[a1routes]

Is Enterprise SIP Trunking the Future of Scalable Business Communication?

In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, businesses need more than just reliable communication—they need scalable, cost-effective, and flexible solutions that can keep pace with growth and innovation. As traditional phone systems become outdated, more companies in Hyderabad are turning to enterprise SIP trunking as the next step in modern business communication.

At A1 Routes, we believe that enterprise SIP trunking is not just a trend—it’s the future of scalable communication for forward-thinking businesses.

What Is Enterprise SIP Trunking?

Enterprise SIP trunking is a modern telephony solution that allows businesses to make and receive voice calls over the internet using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). It replaces the need for physical phone lines (such as ISDN or PSTN), giving your organization more flexibility, better call quality, and lower operational costs.

Instead of being tied to a fixed number of lines, SIP trunking allows you to scale up or down based on your company’s communication needs.

Why Is Enterprise SIP Trunking Gaining Popularity?

1. Scalability

One of the biggest advantages of enterprise SIP trunking is its ability to scale effortlessly. Whether you’re adding new departments or expanding your team, SIP trunks can be adjusted quickly without the need for physical infrastructure changes.

This is especially beneficial for fast-growing companies in Hyderabad, where scalability is key to staying competitive.

2. Cost Savings

SIP trunking significantly reduces costs by eliminating the need for expensive phone lines and reducing long-distance calling charges. With A1 Routes, Hyderabad businesses can enjoy transparent pricing and cost-effective packages tailored to their size and requirements.

3. High Call Quality and Reliability

Modern SIP trunking solutions offer HD voice quality and robust failover options to ensure uptime. As a leading provider, A1 Routes delivers reliable enterprise SIP trunking services backed by strong network infrastructure and 24/7 support.

4. Business Continuity

SIP trunking ensures seamless communication, even in the event of power outages or emergencies. Calls can be automatically rerouted to backup numbers or devices, ensuring your business stays operational under all circumstances.

5. Unified Communication

SIP trunking is a key component of unified communications. It allows businesses to integrate voice, video, messaging, and conferencing into a single platform—boosting productivity and collaboration across teams.

Why Choose A1 Routes for Enterprise SIP Trunking in Hyderabad?

A1 Routes is one of the most trusted telecom providers in Hyderabad, offering tailored enterprise SIP trunking solutions to meet the unique needs of businesses across industries. We provide:

Seamless integration with existing PBX and VoIP systems

Reliable HD voice and secure data transmission

Flexible plans that scale with your business

Round-the-clock technical support

Local expertise with a global reach

Future-Proof Your Business Communication Today

Is your current phone system holding you back? It’s time to modernize with enterprise SIP trunking from A1 Routes. Enjoy flexible, affordable, and high-performance communication designed for the future.

Call us today at 9246461828 to learn more about our SIP trunking services and how we can help your Hyderabad-based business thrive.

[voipminutes]

Maximizing Customer Satisfaction: Essential Call Center Solutions for Modern BusinessesIn today's competitive business environment, providing exceptional customer service is crucial. Call centers play a vital role in ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. To achieve this, businesses need to leverage the best call center solutions available. This blog explores the essential elements of call center solutions, including the best call center service providers, best call center software, and innovative approaches such as cloud call center solutions.The Importance of Call Center SolutionsEffective call center solutions streamline customer interactions, enhance operational efficiency, and provide valuable insights into customer behavior. By partnering with the right call center service provider, businesses can ensure that their customer service operations run smoothly and efficiently.Best Call Center Service ProvidersSelecting the best call center service providers is critical for businesses aiming to offer top-notch customer support. These providers offer a range of services, including inbound and outbound call handling, customer relationship management (CRM), and technical support. The best providers are known for their reliability, advanced technology, and skilled workforce.Call Center Solutions in IndiaIndia has emerged as a hub for call center solutions, offering a blend of cost efficiency and high-quality service. Call center solutions in India are renowned for their skilled workforce, advanced technology, and competitive pricing. Many global companies choose India as their preferred destination for outsourcing call center operations due to these advantages.Choosing the Right Call Center Solution ProviderWhen selecting a call center solution provider, businesses should consider factors such as technological capabilities, service offerings, and customer reviews. A provider that offers comprehensive solutions, including the best call center software and cloud call center solutions, can significantly enhance a business's customer service capabilities.ConclusionIn conclusion, the success of a call center depends on several factors, including the choice of service providers and software solutions. By partnering with the best call center service providers and investing in cutting-edge call center software, businesses can ensure exceptional customer service. Additionally, leveraging cloud call center solutions and exploring options in India can provide significant benefits. By making informed decisions in these areas, businesses can unlock the full potential of their call center operations and achieve lasting success.

[fonadain]

In a rapid and ever-evolving business communication environment, the need for effective direct communication channels is paramount.

[contactcenteranddialer]

A flowchart depicting how does a Direct inward dialing work in an organization setup.

[spookysphereswarm]

Direct Inward Dialling (DID) 2025: The Direct-Dial Number Guide

In the fast-evolving telecommunication industry, Direct Inward Dialling (DID) remains the pillar of efficient business communication. As we step into 2025, the need for DID is not only not lost—it's evolving to fit the hybrid offices, worldwide teams, and future-proof VoIP systems of today.

Whether you are a scaling startup expanding overseas or an enterprise simplifying its customer journey, knowing how DID works and what it can do in 2025 can unleash massive advantages.

🔍 What is Direct Inward Dialling (DID)? Direct Inward Dialling (DID) is a telephony feature that allows companies to assign dedicated phone numbers to every department or employee without the need to assign a dedicated physical phone line to each. It forwards incoming external calls directly to an internal PBX or VoIP system.

For example, a business can have a single master trunk line but provide hundreds of direct lines for each of the team members—no switchboard required.

📈 Why DID Still Matters in 2025

DID has changed, but the essence of it remains the same: efficient, scalable, and affordable communication. Here's why it's more important than ever in 2025:

Remote-Ready Communication: With teams from remote locations working wherever they are, DIDs give local presence in most countries without offices.

Cost Effectiveness: Eliminate multiple phone lines and reduce international call charges with VoIP DID solutions.

Scalability: Easily add or drop direct numbers as your business grows or restructures.

Personalisation: Customers can reach the right person or department directly, improving customer experience and response.

🌍 DID Number Types in 2025 Up to 2025, the availability of DID numbers has grown:

Local Numbers: Provide a local presence in cities across the globe.

Toll-Free DIDs: Perfect for customer support and promotions.

Mobile DIDs: Popular where mobile-first business communication is the norm.

Virtual/Digital DIDs: Assigned via cloud-based platforms, with dynamic monitoring and routing.

🔧 How DID Works Today

Modern DID layouts typically exist in this format:

Service Provider: Allocates a block of phone numbers (DIDs).

PBX or VoIP System: Routes the incoming calls to the respective user/device based on the dialed DID.

Call Handling Rules: These can be call forwarding, voicemail, IVR menus, or SMS routing.

With cloud PBX, DID is more available, more flexible, and more combined than ever.

📱 DID and VoIP: A Winning Combination

The unification of DID and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is revolutionizing how businesses deal with calls. Most firms will possess Hosted VoIP PBX systems that offer by 2025:

Unified Communications (UCaaS) with voice, SMS, video, and CRM integrations

Global DIDs from over 100 countries

Advanced Analytics and Call Monitoring

This VoIP-DID package supports remote work, improves scalability, and lowers legacy telecommunication costs dramatically.

🛡️ Security and Compliance in 2025 With increasing cybersecurity concerns, modern DID systems are built with:

End-to-end encryption

Number masking

Multi-factor authentication

GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulatory models

Selecting an approved provider with authentic compliance credentials is crucial, particularly in compliance-intensive sectors.

🤔 How to Choose a DID Provider in 2025

Some of the most important things to observe are:

Global coverage with availability of local numbers

Transparent pricing

Real-time monitoring and call routing

Integration with help desks and CRMs

Real uptime and support

Major 2025 vendors include Twilio, RingCentral, Dialpad, and CloudTalk, but several smaller niche vendors also offer tailored solutions.

📚 Final Thoughts

With emerging communication technology, Direct Inward Dialling continues to be a vital solution for fast, customer-focused businesses. Are you streamlining call routing, cutting telecom expenses, or establishing an international presence? DID is not an extension number—it's a strategic tool.

In 2025, adopting a new, secure, and scalable DID solution can elevate your business communications to a whole new level and fortify customer relationships.

[plainlyadamantglacier]

[voicesms]

Comprehensive Guide to Business Communication Solutions: VoIP, Call Centers, SMS, and More

In today’s fast-paced business environment, effective communication is the backbone of success. Whether you're running a small business, managing a call center, or planning a marketing campaign, the right communication tools can make all the difference. This blog explores the best business VoIP solutions, call center technologies, and bulk SMS providers that can elevate your operations.

1. Business VoIP Solutions: Revolutionizing Communication

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology has transformed how businesses communicate. It allows voice calls over the internet, reducing costs and enhancing flexibility.

Best VoIP for Small Business: Look for providers offering scalability, cost-efficiency, and advanced features like call forwarding, voicemail, and video conferencing.

Wholesale VoIP Services: Ideal for businesses with high call volumes, offering competitive rates for international and domestic calls.

VoIP Minutes for Call Centers: Essential for call centers needing a large volume of calls. Providers offer packages based on usage.

2. SIP Trunk Providers: Connecting Your Business Seamlessly

SIP Trunking connects your business phone system to the internet, enabling VoIP calls. It’s cost-effective and scalable.

Top SIP Trunk Providers: Choose providers with strong reliability, good support, and competitive pricing.

3. Call Center Solutions: Enhancing Customer Experience

Managing a call center requires robust software and infrastructure.

Dialer Software for Call Centers in India: Features like auto-dialing, predictive dialing, and CRM integration boost productivity.

VoIP Minutes Provider: Ensure your provider offers high-quality voice transmission with minimal latency.

4. TFN and DID Providers: Managing Inbound Calls Effectively

TFN (Toll-Free Number) Providers: Great for businesses that want a professional image and encourage customer calls without charges to the caller.

DID (Direct Inward Dialing) Providers: Allows customers to reach specific employees directly, improving customer service efficiency.

5. Bulk SMS Solutions: Powerful Marketing Tools

SMS marketing remains a potent tool for customer engagement.

Bulk SMS Solutions Provider: Choose providers offering high delivery rates, easy integration, and advanced analytics.

Bulk SMS Provider for Marketing Campaigns: Essential for promotions, offers, and customer notifications.

6. OTP Solutions: Securing Your Transactions

OTP (One-Time Password) Solutions Provider: Critical for businesses requiring secure user verification, especially in fintech and e-commerce sectors.

Why Choose the Right Providers?

Selecting the right service providers for VoIP, call centers, SMS, and OTP solutions ensures:

Cost Efficiency: Reduce communication costs with wholesale VoIP and bulk SMS services.

Scalability: Grow your business without worrying about communication bottlenecks.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Faster, clearer communication boosts customer satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating the right business VoIP solutions, call center technologies, and bulk SMS providers can significantly improve your business operations. Whether you need SIP trunks, VoIP minutes, or OTP solutions, choosing the right provider is key to staying competitive.

If you're looking for recommendations or more details on any of these services, feel free to reach out!