#don't be mean to him Bri

[kingspuppet]

I have absolute brainrot in regards to Goro and his mother right now. Like it’s so damn high and I just wanna talk about it but I have no idea where to begin!! I also just kinda get a bit scared to talk about that kind of stuff though? So it makes it hard to solidify what I really would like for his mother, but I do have a good few ideas that I have been sitting on for awhile!! I might write them up in a little bit (if I can grasp the courage to do so). Because Goro’s mother is so important to his story and the reason for his journey!! Not only that but it’s completely disrespectful of me to not establish her more after writing Goro for a few years. So I think it’s time to give Ayame the attention she so desperately deserves!!

[roosterforme]

This blurb is based on an anonymous request for a birthday treat for @phoenix-rising-starbird-one Happy birthday, Vonny!

Designated Driver (Bob Floyd x Reader)

contains fluff, mentions of drinking, and Bob shooting his shot

The best thing about the Hard Deck was that Bob could walk there from his place. It gave him a few minutes to himself on the way there and on the way home to clear his head. He loved his friends, he really did, but they could be a handful when they had too much to drink. They liked to get a little rowdy, while he rarely drank alcohol at all. At least they never assumed he would drive them home, and they usually just called for an Uber instead while he walked back along the peaceful streets alone.

But the Hard Deck was closed for an extended refurbishment, and everyone insisted on trying a new bar on the other side of Coronado on Friday night. Bob knew what that meant. One look at his new SUV with the extra row of seats, and they would all be bugging him to drive them home. In fact, it started while he was still at work on Friday afternoon.

"Hey, Baby on Board," Jake called when Bob tried to sneak out of the locker room unnoticed. "You mind giving me a ride to and from the bar tonight?"

"Oh!" Javy chimed in. "Me too."

"I'm like two streets away from Javy," Bradley interjected. "Mind getting me on the way?"

Bob sighed but ultimately shook his head. "No, I don't mind. I'll pick you all up."

Three hours later, he was pulling away from the curb in front of Mickey's apartment with all of his friends in tow. Nat was in the front seat navigating for him while Reuben selected which song he wanted for the ten minute drive, and Bob was already looking forward to dropping them all back off and going home later.

The bar left a lot to be desired, especially compared to the Hard Deck, and he immediately felt out of place. He was about to go sit outside when Nat rubbed his arm and said, "Why don't you go grab that empty bar stool? Next to the cute girl?"

He turned to look where his friend was pointing, and a second later, his mouth was hanging open. "She's beautiful," he whispered, and soon his friend was guiding him in your direction where you were perched on a bar stool, reading a book.

"She looks exactly like your type," Nat mused. "She's drinking a bottle of Coke and reading a novel at a bar."

Bob was busy taking in every inch of your pretty face, and the closer he got, the faster his heart pounded. Without another word, Nat shoved him so he bumped into the empty stool next to yours, and you looked up in surprise.

"Sorry," he muttered as his friend vanished. "I didn't mean to startle you."

He was sure his face was bright red, flushed with embarrassment as you saved your spot with your bookmark and smiled at him. "It's okay."

Bob cleared his throat. "Would you mind if I sit here?"

Your smile grew as you shook your head. "Not at all. Maybe if my friends see me talking to you, they'll get off my back about being antisocial. It's not my fault I prefer books over playing darts."

As he slid into the seat next to yours, he said, "Books are way better than darts. I read that one last month."

"Really?" you asked with excitement as he pointed to the spine. "I love this author."

"Me too," he replied, still in awe over you. Then he decided he really had nothing to lose. "If I would have known the most beautiful woman at the bar was bringing a book with her tonight, I'd have brought one, too."

You made a cute little noise ducked your head away from him, and he hoped he hadn't embarrassed you too much. A few seconds later, you looked up at him with a grin and said, "Well, since you didn't, maybe we can just talk instead?"

"I would love that," Bob promised. "Will you let me buy you another drink?"

"Okay, but just a Coke. I'm the designated driver tonight, and I'm not much of a drinker anyway."

Bob laughed as he waved down the bartender and said, "Two Cokes for the designated drivers, please."

"You, too?" you asked him, your smile bright again.

When he nodded in response, he held out his right hand. "I'm Bob, by the way."

Your fingers glided along his, and you told him your name as you shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Bob. I must admit, the last thing I anticipated was meeting a man with good taste in books tonight."

He laughed softly as the bartender dropped off two cold bottles of Coke. "I would have never guessed that the coolest woman here would let me buy her a drink."

You looked very pleased with yourself, and a beat later, you held your hand out again. "Why don't you just go ahead and give me your phone so I can save my number for you?" Bob scrambled to pull it out of his pocket as you added, "Maybe next time we can ditch our friends and the bar and talk about books somewhere quieter?"

"Absolutely," he said with a smile as you saved the number he already couldn't wait to text later.

----------------

Happy birthday, Vonny! I hope you enjoyed the actual story of how my parents met lol

[edelgarfield]

the soft tender way essek talks abt caleb like.

campaign 2 episode 90

when jester asks him about himself he takes a pause, seems to contemplate what to say, before shaking his head and answering:

There's a waver to his voice before he seems to harden and his facial expressions are very dismissive and a bit sarcastic.

The episode ends shortly after this, and at the start of the next one is when Essek comes over for dinner. So IMO this moment Essek is debating whether to open up to M9, initially brushes them off, then thinks about it & changes his mind.

episode 91 we have this exchange:

he doesn't elaborate. he's completely flat & unemotional. he changes the subject by asking to sit as soon as he can.

yasha asks abt him and he does the same thing

noteably there's a long pause after ashley's question, at which point sam & travis chime in where essek's eyes are literally darting around and he's clearly uncomfortable, and that's when caduceus interrupts.

deep breath, nervous chuckle, crosses his arms and looks down before answering

jester asks why he changed his mind

he's making eye contact during this part, casual, & expressing mild frustration but still calm

there's a pause between this line & the next where he looks down and does this:

at this part he doesn't make eye contact until halfway through and only maintains it for a few seconds as a time

deep breath, does this again:

then looks up and says as quickly as possible:

head bowed, speaks into his lap

another pause, a look of clear confusion on his face before shaking his head

after caleb gives him a dunamancy potion in repayment for his help:

same hands folded head bowed posture as before

the whole conversation, he DOES NOT offer up information without being asked directly, usually multiple times. he deflects by talking abt his position, and whenever he decides to be vulnerable or reference the actual reasons for his visit (his loneliness & feelings of kinship) he looks away & braces himself. imo any time he admits to his loneliness his posture reads "ashamed." particularly when jester asks if he lives alone; i don't see a reason for him to look down & hunch his shoulders if he didn't feel like he was admitting to some personal failure (either bc he lives alone, or bc it shouldn't bother him as much as it does). there's also, of course, his newfound guilt at having betrayed m9 and being unable to walk it back.

compare that with cr3; while in the smut shop he deflects BH's attempts to learn about him, but that night he not only answers their questions without resistance but actively offers up more information.

he tells them abt his connections to ludinus, he tells them he's partially responsible for the current state of the world despite having every reason not to, he tells them abt his friends & his partner. he admits to his past faults openly & with little hesitation. he breaks eye contact briefly when talking abt ludinus etc. but never for long, and never in the same way, shoulders hunched, head down, hiding behind his hands.

the only time he seems to experience anything resembling shame or embarrassment is when he gets flustered admitting to wanting to message his partner before he sleeps.

i didn't mean to go through every single part of cr2ep91 where m9 ask about essek's personal life, but i did bc it was fascinating. when essek spoke to m9, he very much does not want to talk abt himself. the few things he does share say that he's very solitary & the few relationships he mentions are not close. any time he feels pressed to admit his true feelings, he feels ashamed and struggles to do so.

i imagine to essek in cr2ep91, he couldn't even imagine having a partner that he'd want to speak abt the way he speaks abt caleb. the idea of a version of him who has a life he wants to talk abt and share is absurd. but in cr3, for all his faults & mistakes he's made, he does, he wants to talk abt his partner & friends & the things he's learned. he has a life he wants to share bc it brings him joy.

[blackelysian]

Situationship.

Duke Dennis x Black! Fem! Reader as Makena

Word Count: 1,449

Warnings: 18+ smut, fluff, toxic relationship

Summary: Tired of this situationship between you and Duke you decide its just better to end things. Duke wants to make it right.

Makena POV

A sigh escaped my lips as I aimlessly scroll through my phone. It was now 3 am and Duke still wasn’t here yet. I sent a text to his phone for the one hundredth time.

                                                                       It's late, don't even worry about coming anymore… Sent.

No reply. Once again.

I watched his story and saw that he posted something 30 minutes ago. He was out with his friends at some party or function with some bitch grabbing his face. At that point I was fed up, annoyed and kinda hurt. I throw my phone to the side and sit up. He’s been blowing me off all night after he told me he was coming over so we could spend some time together. One stop and I'm on my way, I Love you”  was the last response I got from him. Tears streamed down my face. Not only was I mad at him I was mad at myself for even allowing my feelings to get wrapped up in whatever you wanna call this. Duke and I have been messing around for almost a year now but he never officially asked me to be his girlfriend. He helps me with my bills, buys me whatever I want, fucks me good, but there was no actual commitment. He uses the excuse of he doesn’t want to hurt me, but this hurts way worse. My thoughts were interrupted by my phone dinging, indicating I had just got a text. I hover my face over my phone revealing the message from him. 

Im outside

I layed back down on the bed ignoring his text. Next thing I know I hear my front door unlocking.

I groaned annoyingly. I need to get my key back from this nigga. I can hear his feet making their way to my bedroom before he slides my door open, stumbling in. He casually makes his way over to me leaning down to peck me on the lips but he was met with the palm of my hand.

“So you just goin walk in here late as a motherfucka and act like nothing's wrong??” She raised her voice at him.

“Come on boo don’t start that, i'm here now right? That's all that should matter'' He asks nonchalantly, going back in for another attempted kiss. I quickly jumped up and moved around him.

“You know, I don’t think I wanna do this anymore Duke..”I say looking away from him.

“Do what Makena?”

“THIS” I raise my voice again, pointing between the two of us. “This is getting old and I'm tired of sitting around waiting on you to see how good of a woman I am..tired of waiting on you to respect me! I’m done.” I snapped. 

“What do you mean you're done?”

“I'm done, We are done! And you need to give me back my key!” He chuckles at me.

“You trippin’ im not going any fucking where” He simply says, slideing his shoes off.

“Why don’t you just let me go Duke?” I questioned. “Why continue to string me along huh? You don’t want to be with me at this point so what's the point of keeping this going?”

“Makena,You know I love you. I just don't want to hurt you” He states, pulling me in front of him.

“You don’t think this hurts already?” I hold my hand up. “You know what, I just want you to go, i'll give you a minute to get whatever stuff you have here and leave my fuckin key” I turn my back to him not even giving him a chance to respond, heading for the bathroom to take a long, hot shower. I needed to clear my mind and hopefully by the time I got out that asshole would be gone for good.

Omniscient POV

After about 20 minutes, Duke enters the bathroom. He sees Makena’s naked silhouette through the foggy glass shower. He looks over to see her music softly playing from her bluetooth speaker. He quickly strips out of his clothes and slides in the steaming hot shower. The breeze runs a chill down Makena’s spine as he slides the door back closed. 

She quickly turns around. “I thought I told you to go?” She asks, rolling her eyes.

“We not done talking yet” He wraps his arms around her, bringing her body close to his.

“Duke, please don’t do this to me right now. Just let me go and leave” she says, trying to unwrap his arms from around her. He holds her tight.

“What do you want? Whatever you want I’ll give it to you. Just don’t leave me baby” 

“He can’t be serious..” She thought. But with the look on his face she knew this was far from a joke. But she couldn’t give in. What would he think of her if she just took him back so easily? Why now did he want to do the right thing? 

“It's a little too late fo-”

“Be my girlfriend?” He cuts her off, looking in her eyes with adoration.

“Wow really?” She asks sarcastically. “ Now you want to ask me? It's only because I'm telling you I'm done with you that you want to act right now” She says disgustingly, rolling my eyes and pushing him away from her. 

“Baby I'm serious!” He exclaims, grabbing her again. “I can’t lose you, whatever you want me to do I'll do it. I want to make it right, I have to make it right. Give me just one more chance and I promise we won’t have to have this conversation no more”

“I don’t know what to say Duke…” She says lowly, looking down and away from him. He drops to his knees in the oversized walk in shower, grabbing onto her waist. He places gentle kisses along her stomach trailing down to her womanhood. 

“Say yes” He says softly, placing a kiss right on top of her clit. Her breath hitches in her throat. 

“Say yes baby..” He throws her left leg over his shoulder and places a few more kisses on her wet center before completely devouring her. He made sure to take his time pleasing her. He wanted to show her that he meant what he said.

“Duke..no” She trails off, throwing her head back as he lapped her up like a thirsty dog. His thumb finds her clit drawing small circles on it. 

“Be my girlfriend baby” He says again, looking up to watch her love faces. She begins to feel her orgasm build in her stomach as she grinds down on his face. “Shit i'm almost there” She gasps. He stops immediately, getting up and turning off the shower before picking her up and walking her out the shower. 

“You don’t get to cum until you say yes.” He wraps a towel around her wet body, bending her over the sink, the two making eye contact in the mirror. She could see the lust and longing in his face. He rubs his member up and down her slick womanhood before roughly sliding into her in one swift motion. 

“Fuck” she groaned out as he starting to deliver rough,delicious strokes. 

“You goin be my girlfriend baby?” He asks yet again, brushing some of her curls out her face. Her mouth falls open but nothing comes out. He delivers a smack to her ass. “Answer me baby” He groans, going deeper bottoming out. 

“Oh shitt, Yess” She moans out blissfully.

“Say it” He says, pulling out and sitting on the side of the tub, pulling her back on him and sliding in again. He starts to work her up and down his member.

“Say it Makena” He states firmly.

“Ima be your girlfriend babyy” She blurts out.

“Yea?” He says with a smile, kissing you along the side of your face and neck as he still bounces you on him. Makena starts to throw it back on him, pulling out her best moves to show him that it doesn’t get any better than this. 

“Oh fuckk mama” He grunts, grabbing the back of her neck turning her to face him. 

“Gimme kiss” They lean into each other and give each other the sloppiest kiss ever. 

“Hmmm baby im cumming” She cries out, picking up her speed.

“Cum on your dick” His words were like a catalyst for her orgasm, which rips through her like a tornado. He finishes right behind her, pulling out and releasing on the rug. She turns to kiss him once again.

“Mm we not finished yet. I still have a lot of making up to do.” He says with a lustful grin on his face.

A/N: Makena definitely DID NOT stand on business 😭😭

[urfavsimpingfanficwriter]

Kinktober Prompt Day 2- Humiliation/Exhibitionism

Masterlist (Kinktober)

Masterlist (Total)

Humiliation/Exhibitionism- Brian Quinn x Fem!Reader

18+

While you're out for dinner with Brian and the guys, you get an idea on how to pay him back for the meal.

Warnings: Humiliation Kink; Exhibitionism; Fem!Reader; Male Ejaculation; Slight Cum-Eating; Getting Caught in Public; Use of Y/N; Pet Names; Whimpering; Slight Sub/Dom Dynamics (If you squint)

I think that's it!

Smut Under the Cut<3

Brian's arm was wrapped around your waist as you walked with the guys to your table. Another season filmed, and the guys wanted to celebrate. You insisted that Brian could go without you, even if you already had plans for a "date night", but he wouldn't budge. He insisted that the guys would love to hang out with you just as much as they would him. You didn't believe him, but decided to go anyways, putting on your favorite dress and doing your hair and makeup. You always tried to impress the guys, no matter how many times Brian insisted that you were practically one of the guys yourself.

Now, you were seated in Ruddy and Dean, one of the best steakhouses in Staten Island, ordering a filet mignon, silently panicking about the astronomical prices (I mean 60 bucks for a 10 oz steak holy shit), and sipping on your drink.

Joe and Sal laugh about something Murr said, and Brian placed a hand on your thigh in a loving way, smiling at you. His face twists slightly in worry and he leans in, whispering in your ear.

"You alright hon? You look worried about something."

"This is too expensive Bri, I really shouldn't have come," You whisper back, anxiety lacing your words.

Brian squeezes your thigh, smiling into your ear, "Y/N, I can afford it. You know I don't mind spending money on you. Anything you want, you know that, so don't worry."

You nod. Then an idea comes to you.

"I think I would be more comfortable if I could... make it up to you?" You say, a small smirk on your lips.

"Wha-"

Before Brian can question what you mean, your hand goes to his clothed crotch, squeezing slightly.

He breathed in, clutching your thigh, surely leaving bruises for you to find tomorrow. You could feel his thigh clench under your arm.

He was about to say something to you when you look to Joe, "Thank you guys so much for letting me tag along!"

He smiles at you, "No problem Y/N, we love having you!"

You squeeze the quickly hardening length beneath your hand, rubbing your thumb up and down the length, "Really? I hope I'm not intruding. I mean, this is your guy's night, ya know?"

Sal chimes in, "Please, if I had to sit here listening to Murray talk about his new 'gadget' all night without you to shut him up I'd go insane!"

You laugh and Murr playfully shoves Sal.

"Well, as long as you guys are sure..." You say, beginning to unbutton Brian's dress pants with one hand.

Murr leans across the table so you can hear him better, "We love you being here. Honestly, we should probably replace Q with you, don't you guys think?"

The rest of the guys laugh and nod their heads, agreeing, as you subtly, slowly move your hand into Brian's pants, palming his cock over his boxers. You can feel how precum is already making a small wet patch.

"Why so silent, Bri?" You say, putting on a small, innocent smile.

He looks at you, his eyes widening, "I-I'm not. Just t-tired I guess."

You lean your head on his shoulder, pushing your hand underneath his boxers, "Long day? I guess so, finishing everything up with the show and all."

All Brian could do was nod a bit and mutter a small, "Mhm," with you pumping his thick cock.

Precum was already soaking your hand, and you could feel his hard, veiny length twitching in your palm. You squeezed lightly, forcing a whimper out of his mouth.

"Brian, you feelin' okay? You don't look good," Joe said, worried about his friend and his...sweaty...complexion.

"Y-yeah man. All good. Think I just need to eat somethin', ya know?" Brian all but moaned.

You pumped his dick faster, rubbing your thumb over the tip, forcing his legs to slightly shake.

You lean in, pretending to pick a piece of fuzz out of his hair, "You know the safeword, right?"

He nodded slightly, causing you to smile. You knew he'd enjoy this, being used in front of his friends without them even knowing. Being humiliated in front of his closest friends, in the middle of a restaurant.

You could see the waiter from where you were sitting. He was gathering all the meals on his tray.

So, not much longer then.

You move your hand faster, causing him to rock his head back, mouth agape, panting. Sweat was beading his forehead. If you didn't think it would be too obvious, you would get under the table right now and suck him off.

God, would that be so fucking hot.

For now, however, you had to play the concerned girlfriend secretly jacking off her boyfriend. Thankfully, the guys were, for the most part, distracted by some picture or video on Joe's phone.

You continued to pump Brian's cock, his hand now leaving your thigh, clutching your forearm for dear life. His dick was twitching heavily now, hips slightly thrusting up into your hand.

"Come on now Bri, come for me baby. Come on, my good boy," You quietly moaned into his ear.

He groaned, causing a couple from the table next to you to glance over. His thick, heavy load shot up all over your hand and onto his still-clothed stomach and pants.

You pull your hand away after a few more thrusts, bringing your hand up to your mouth, licking the cum off and swallowing while looking into Brian's droopy, glazed over eyes. Little did Brian know, Murray was staring right at you, and probably had been since Brian practically moaned in the middle of a busy restaurant.

You looked over at Murr and the rest of the guys, licking the last of the cum off of your fingers and leaning your head on Brian's shoulder, "Like the show? I know Bri sure did."

Murr's face burned bright red, as did Brian's. You knew he liked it though. Let's be real, they both did. Brian was your good boy, and at the end of the day, you owed him for this 60 buck steak you were about to eat. Maybe one day Murr could even join you guys. Maybe. If he promised to be a good boy, of course.

[tired-biscuit]

18+ / fem!reader

ok but bakugou with a bimbo!reader as a girlfriend?

honestly, he might seem mean, stoic and perhaps even humourless to others, however he simply adores you and turns all sorts of soft and gooey underneath all that hard exterior whenever he lays his eyes on you: his sweet little girlfriend.

you're just too precious not to love. all dolled up and smelling sweet like sugar and ripe summer fruit no matter the time of day or activity, you make him want to eat you right up just because of how simply adorable you are without even trying; outright make him want to lick his fingers clean right after. one after the other.

constantly getting lost and being so clearly ditzy, he insists on protecting you at all costs so that he can keep you close and, even more importantly, safe. he does that on the regular, of course - being a pro hero and all - however the skirts you wear despite the cold weather outside are so short that he feels the need to stand behind you in public even when he's not on the job; making sure that nobody can ever steal a peek of your cutesy underwear that you wear underneath.

those are for his eyes only, after all. only for his hands to touch and for his teeth to jokingly tug at until it's not all that funny anymore and thick tension rises between you.

and sure, bakugou knows that you're able to protect yourself from the perverts and the odd, borderline obsessed fans of his - to some degree. he's taught you some basic self-defence moves over the months, and made sure to beat it into your pretty little head that you are to keep the pepper spray - the one he got you as a "present" a little while after he'd reluctantly made your relationship official on live television - nice and secure in your comically small handbag, however the need to keep you from harm's way is simply too strong to ignore.

because clearly, you're just too naive to notice danger in a way he is able to. too nice to say a definite 'no' to a sleazy creep before it's a little too late. i mean, what if someone were to take advantage of you? hurt you? he couldn't possibly bear the consequences. not a man like him. no, no.

but it's okay, that's why you've got him - the big, strong pro hero, right at your side like a scary guard dog of sorts that will roll onto its back only for you. you've got his mean stare that he aims, oh, so expertly at the people that wish to bother you, but that he never, never points at you. his low hiss of warning that's accompanied with an even quieter threat of broken bones, which he always makes extra sure you can't hear him say, much less execute. his big, protective hand on the small of your back; thick fingers stroking, reassuring. his lips touching your temple whenever no one is looking, a mere ghost of a kiss placed on your skin as a silent reminder of his love for you. of his male pride and naturally embedded possessiveness.

and he actually does love you, he truly does. he loves how simple things with you are, how you just let him take care of you and spoil you rotten because you know it makes him feel needed; that it gives him purpose. how you run up to him, all eager and excited, and nearly throw yourself at him to squeeze him into a hug, not caring if anyone sees. how you bat your eyelashes up at him so sweetly as you touch his biceps and tell him how strong he is after he returns from the gym.

he loves how you always wait for him to come back after work even if he's told you a million times that you don't have to stay up, giving the big house a sense of home as you wash his hair for him after brushing him off with a giggle. loves how you scrub away the dirt and grime afterwards, and kiss every single one of his scars that dot his arms and chest inside the candle-lit bathroom, whose ambiance he can't help but find sort of corny even though he secretly enjoys it nonetheless.

and he also loves how much you blatantly love him in return, too. he loves your little good morning texts that are filled to the brim with sparkly heart emojis, as well as all of the surprise visits to his agency. he loves your lousy sugar cookies and your seemingly never-ending affection. how you never seem to even think about giving up on him, even if he's, let's be honest, an absolute pain in the ass.

and that's not all. he also loves how good you respond to him; to his touches. how you stare up at him with wide heart eyes whenever he's in the mood and his warm hands begin to stroke your body in a way that means something more. loves how you whimper so softly and mewl like a little kitten whenever he turns you around and mounts you like the big beast he is compared to you; red eyes watching as your pretty nails start clawing at the expensive bed sheet because of his slow, tired rhythm that reaches deep into your heart, soul, womb, but never your brain.

he loves how eager you are to please him. how you have absolutely no problem stroking his ego in the same way you also stroke his cock whenever he asks for it. how you open up for him any place, any time, with no trouble whatsoever; your body so pliant and soft just for him to devour.

he loves how his name sounds broken as you try to moan it out whilst you're bouncing on top of him and he spanks your ass and calls you a dumb slut. how your eyes roll into the back of your head as he pushes forward and puts you in a mating press a moment later. how tears roll down your cheeks as you choke on his length when he asks you to suck him off at the end, and how you accept a hefty amount of inches down your throat even if the mascara and glitter of your pretty make up makes your eyes burn.

and god, he adores how silly you look afterwards; completely fucked out of your ditzy mind as he cradles you to sleep, subtly ignoring how sticky you both are because of all the cum between your legs. you'll shower and change the bedding in the morning. he can't even be bothered to wipe away the sweat from his face, much less move you - that's how tight of a hold you've got on him.

and as he stares down at you, looking at your satisfied smile that's adorning your lips, katsuki thinks you're just so dumb. constantly giggly and almost painfully girlish, you're nothing but an airhead, really. much to everyone's surprise, however, he finds it sort of endearing.

you're his little airhead. and he loves you so much.

reblogs are appreciated <3

[the-curious-butterfly]

Merry UnBirthday to You.

My Dearest Daughter,

I am sending you this letter for it has been too long since I saw you last. Yes, I know you'll groan out how it's only been two months, but time moves rather quickly for an old Queen. Literally, I had to run just to keep up with him, perhaps I should stop going to his castle and have him come to mine if it's really so important. He has been going on and on about something rather odd concerning cupcakes and paradoxes lately, but I digress. The matters of Time are not for the concerns of youth.

What is of concern however is your birthday coming up next week. Oh, I've just been so excited I already had the frog and fish butlers start planning it despite not knowing if you'll even be able to attend. I do hope you can and will, you can even bring that little friend with you, the one you fancy so much. Chloe Charming. You know, Ella really knew what she was doing when she raised that girl, lives up to her name in every way. Unlike Charming himself, no matter what Ella claims he was all face, personality speaking he was a mess. I was definitely the better choice.

Ahem, I probably shouldn't have said that. Wait, oh quill, please don't write that either. Drat, I really should get into the habit of writing my own letters instead of dictating them out to stationary. You know how feathers are, no mind for things that really should be omitted. As straightforward and as honest as an ostrich. Please do not show this letter to Chloe, I would hate for her to know what I think of her father. He really was good to Ella.

Anyway, I'd love to hear back from you soon, with confirmation that you and the young Charming will indeed be capable of attending. Oh, it's going to be so much fun, and don't worry. I'll have something special planned for the two of you. You can always count on your mum.

With warm regards,

Bridget of Hearts

The proudest mum in the world to have you as a daught-

Wait, no no no you don't have to write that last par

Long after they finished reading it Red and Chloe, whose head was on her shoulder, could only stare at the letter in Red's hands. It was certainly a letter to say the least. Though what had both of them glued to its contents were vastly different things. For Chloe, it was the confirmation of seeing that Bridget did indeed once have a crush on her mother (perhaps still did) and harbored a mini grudge on her father for being the one she chose instead. Couldn't blame the Queen of Hearts for that though, her mother was a catch and deserved only the best. Even if her younger self was a little difficult to be around sometimes.

For Red it was learning the fact that she has a birthday now. Something she never had before since her mother from her original timeline outlawed them long before she was born. Though the letter didn't specify the day apparently it's in October, and also she's getting a party.

A party just to celebrate her existence. Something other children in other places got but she could only ever dream to have.

...

"Wow, I didn't know your birthday was so soon."

"I didn't either." There wasn't really much else to say but the truth, though if Chloe understood the nuance she didn't bring attention to it. "Should we ask Principal Uma for permission to leave?"

Red nods then shakes her head, finally folding up the letter but still holding onto it. "I don't know."

Which is fair so Chloe gives an understanding hum in response. "We'll have to find some way to figure out what day it is first, so you can think about it in the meantime. Just so that you know it's whatever you decide, Red, no one is going to make you."

Red wants to say she knows but "She's already planning it, Chloe, how am I supposed to say no."

"Of course she is, she's excited and she's missing you. But, I also know that the Bridget I remember would never hold it against you if you decided you couldn't show. She loves you too much."

Red wants that sentiment to mean something she really does, but the Bridget she remembers also managed to turn into the one they left behind.

"I'll give it some thought."

"Great, oh and Red."

"Yes, Chloe?"

Chloe takes one of Red's hands and brings to back of it up to her lips. "Happy Birthday, my princess."

This did indeed manage to bring a hint of a smile back to Red's face, just as Chloe had hoped for.

"In Wonderland it's Happy UnBirthday if it's not the right day. I really do have to find out what the right day is, so that you can do this again on the correct one."

"I'll do it every day for the rest of our lives if that's what it takes."

Clocks, that was so cheesy how was Red not supposed to shove her away.

[burntsaltsblog]

tw: 🔫 violence, reader is *pew pewed* and receives stitches along with other medical care, mdni

Chapter Two

"I don't get it. Why are you guys letting him waltz back in like he never abandoned us for almost three fucking months? Am I the only one still pissed that he left us high and dry?"

"No," Hughie articulated with his nose in a comic book. "But what other choice do we have? Whether or not we want to admit it, we need Butcher. You've seen how discombobulated we've been without him."

"Well, I blame the discombobulation on the fact that we were panicking over his missing ass. Now that we know he's safe and sound, he can fuck off."

Hughie looked up at me knowingly from Adventures of Spider-Man: Radioactive. "Is that really how you feel?"

"Yeah," I mumbled, scratching the side of my neck. "We're better off without Butcher, in my opinion."

"I hate to break it to you, but I think you're outnumbered. MM, Frenchie, and Kimiko want him here, so for the time being, we're stuck with him."

I scowled, falling beside Hughie on his meager twin-sized bed. I'd been hiding out in his room all morning to avoid a certain 6'2" beared Brit.

"You're going to have to face him eventually, you know," Hughie said quietly, his comic book long forgotten.

"I already did. Last night."

"You mean when you refused to look at him, much less acknowledge his presence?"

"Yup. That's all Butcher's getting from me. I'm going to ignore him until Homelander is dead, and then I can move to Antarctica and forget I ever met the asshole."

"But I thought you hated the cold?" Hughie pointed out.

"Yes, but I'm trying to get as far away from Butcher as geographically possible, so I can't be picky. Besides, I heard they don't have Cockney accents there, so that's a huge plus for me."

"Fair enough. Can I come to visit your igloo?"

"Of course," I beamed at my friend. "You're welcome anytime. In fact, I'm going to build you a guest igloo, so-"

The door to Hughie's bedroom creaked open, disrupting our conversation.

"Monsieur Charcuter would like a word with all of us," Frenchie said, popping his head in.

"Great," I mumbled, agitated at having to face Butcher. I looked at Hughie, and he could see my displeasure.

He patted my shoulder as we walked out the door. "It'll be ok, Jo. Just keep your cool like you did last night."

"What, you think I'm going to blow up at him?" I asked, now whispering as we both took a seat on the couch. Frenchie was squeezed in the armchair with Kimiko while Butcher and MM stood around the coffee table, murmuring to each other lowly.

"I think it's plausible, yes."

I scowled at Hughie before crossing my arms and gluing my eyes to the floor as Butcher cleared his throat, garnering everyone's attention.

"Good news. I just got off the phone with Raynor, and we have a meetin' scheduled today at four-thirty."

"Location?" MM questioned.

"The parkin' lot of an old car factory. She wanted to meet someplace off the grid to avoid being spotted."

"That's awesome," Hughie said. "Maybe before we hand over the Compound V, we can use it to leverage our freedom, so we don't have to hide here anymore."

"One thing at a time, lad," Butcher instructed. "And speakin' of the Compound V, which one of ya' cunts has it?"

Wordlessly, I pulled the small vile out of my pocket and placed it on the coffee table for everyone to see.

"Seriously, Hughie?" MM chided. "You gave it the junkie?"

I glared at him, insulted, as Hughie quickly defended his actions. "What? She's the lightest sleeper, so I figured she'd be the hardest to steal it from."

"And I'm not a junkie," I cut in. "I'm perfectly sober."

"Yes, but will you still be in roughly six hours? We all know where you go every night."

Anger flared in my belly, and I rose to my feet, ready to fight, before Hughie pulled me back down. "Ignore him," he advised in a hushed tone.

Butcher raised his hands, deciding to intervene. "Oi, twats, knock it off. We have more important things to discuss than Jo's love of a good bump." He paused briefly before continuing. "And while I have you lot here, there's a few things I'd like to get off me chest."

The room was quiet, giving Butcher the floor.

"I've been a proper cunt these past few months with me runnin' off and all. And I know I owe ya' an explanation, but I can't give one. I just need ya' to trust me that it was for a good fuckin' reason, and I wasn't off having a good wank somewhere."

I huffed out a breath, earning an elbow in the ribs from Hughie.

"What I'm tryin' to say," Butcher's voice grew softer, gentler even. "Is that m'sorry. I left without so much as a word, and you deserve better than that."

Without meaning to, I looked up and was taken aback by Butcher's contrite expression that was aimed only at me. His dark eyes roamed my face, and I squirmed in my seat, having gotten out of the habit of being under his intense gaze.

"Good girl," Butcher praised as he eased two of his thick fingers into my slick pussy.

"Please," I whimpered as my eyes glistened with need.

"S'ok, love. I've gotcha. After I've stretched out your pretty cunt for my cock, I'm gonna fuck ya' like the needy pup you are."

I audibly swallowed as I refocused my eyes on the scene in front of me. My pulse raced, and my clothes scratched against my feverish skin as I forced myself to ignore the explicit images replaying in my head.

It was clear that Butcher was expecting a verbal acceptance of his apology. But, I merely shifted my gaze to study my damaged cuticles instead, as if nothing had ever happened.

I heard Butcher sigh before MM cleared the awkward air by saying, "Look, man, we're glad you're back, and it'd be great if you could restrain yourself from being a dick and leaving again until we have Homlander in a grave along with the other son of a bitch supes."

Butcher agreed before he dismissed us, stating that we had to meet upstairs in the pawn shop at four o'clock sharp to leave for the meeting with Raynor.

༺༻

"Are you sure this is the right place?" MM asked, unconvinced, as he drove our broken-down van into the neglected parking lot. The cement had deep cracks, allowing weeds and dandelions to pop through. Up ahead, an old car factory could be seen, decorated in distasteful graphite and broken widows.

"Positive," Butcher confirmed from the passenger seat. "Found the place myself and knew it was a perfect area to meet Raynor."

MM parked the van between two barely visible yellow lines. "You couldn't have found a less sketchy spot?"

"Well, I was gonna suggest your mum's cunt, but I figured you'd prefer someplace more private."

A string of curses could be heard from MM, but we were all distracted by the sleek, back SUV that pulled up directly beside us.

"Right, show time," Butcher announced before quickly slapping a hand over MM's shoulder, holding him back from exiting the vehicle. "You let me do all the talkin', yeah? I know how to handle Raynor."

MM was silent as he deliberated Butcher's command before pointing a finger in his boss's face. "You better not fuck this up."

"You’ve got no faith in me," Butcher exclaimed as a faux look of hurt crossed over his face.

"For good reason," MM muttered, finally having permission from Butcher to get out.

The rest of us followed suit as we piled out of the back of the van. I rounded the side of it just in time to see Butcher greet Raynor with his arms wide open. "Susan, how lovely to see you."

"Yeah, yeah," Raynor rolled her eyes, getting down to business. "Do you have a sample of the unconfirmed drug?"

"You look more beautiful than that last time I saw ya'," Butcher continued as if he didn't hear a word she'd said, cockily tilting his head from side to side.

"Billy, I don't have all day," Raynor pressed, unamused.

Butcher waited a beat before sighing, lowering his head in defeat. "Alright, fine. You're much nicer when you're sloshed."

Raynor's glare was heated, but Butcher didn't seem to notice as he fished through the pockets of his trench coat. "It's here in me, uh, pocket somewhere," he murmured more to himself than anyone else. "Aha! Here we go," Butcher finally announced, proudly handing over the clear vial. "One order of Compound V, just like I promised."

Raynor held the sample of blue liquid up to the light, studying it. "If I come to find out that this is fucking Koolaid, or some other concoction mixed up to deceive me, I will hand you over to the government before you even have the chance to piss for the last time. Do you understand?"

Butcher pressed a hand against his heart as he stared at Raynor with wide eyes. "Do you not trust me, Susan? I thought we was past all that, love."

"Billy, tell me that you understand," Raynor said, not breaking her eye contact with Butcher.

I watched as Butcher clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth together. To this day, Butcher was dreadful at heeding anyone's warnings. It was a personality trait embedded deep within his soul.

"Oh, I understand," he whispered darkly. I understand perfectly." It sounded something way too close to a threat, but Raynor seemed satisfied.

"Wonderful," she said. "I'll take this sample down to the labs and have my guys run some tests."

Butcher nodded before folding his hands together. "In the meantime, Susan, I believe we deserve some compensation for being so heroic as to nick the Compound V from Vought's lab and place it into your competent hands."

I hid my chuckle as I shook my head. It was Annie who had been so brave as to grab the sample. But, of course, Butcher had no problem with taking credit.

"What do you want?" Raynor asked, crossing her arms, already suspecting the worst.

"Just a little immunity so we can walk down the bleedin' street without our heads gettin' fuckin' blown off," Butcher answered casually before pulling MM forward. "And Marvin here would like to see his daughter. But I know that shouldn't be too difficult for a woman as powerful as yourself."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Susan admonished him. "If I were at all influential, Homelander would be dead, or at least detained, and we wouldn't be faced with this fucking dumpster fire-"

In reality, it all happened in the blink of an eye, but in my head, it stretched for an eternity, never ceasing.

Susan Raynor's head exploded, leaving her neck bared and bloodied as the remaining parts of her body crumpled to the ground. Shock wracked my system before I leaped into action, grabbing my gun from where it was tucked in my boot.

Bullets flew around our heads as Billy billowed, "Get in the bloody van!"

Our bodies clashed with each other as we hastily dashed to the van while Hughie screamed at an impressive volume. I turned my head frantically, looking for the shooters and source of violence, but much to my confusion, I saw nothing but an empty parking lot.

Just as I jumped into the back of the van, hot on MM's heels, a searing, hot pain erupted in my stomach. "Fuck," I hissed, immediately placing my hands on my abdomen where it burned. I peered down and watched in horror as blood seeped between my fingers.

Butcher bounded in behind me and slammed the double doors shut, all while angrily shouting at Frenchie, who was sitting in the driver's seat with Kimiko next to him. "Drive! Fuckin' drive!"

Frenchie swore sharply in his native tongue, throwing the dilapidated automobile into drive before slamming his foot on the gas, throwing us all around as he sped out of the parking lot and away from the invisible enemy.

As my body lurched forward, my knees gave out, and they slammed into the dirty floor. Blood now covered both my hands, trailing down my wrists as I curled in on myself.

"You good?" MM asked, placing a hand on my shoulder as he assessed my weakened form. "Oh, shit," he exclaimed when his eyes landed on the blood.  

I was vaguely aware of Butcher as he joined MM and hovered over me, wanting to see what the issue was. But I didn't hear his yell of alarm as the world around me began to spin.

"I think I'm going to pass out," I mumbled.

"No, no. Whatever you do, Jo, do not pass out," MM warned as he began rifling through the makeshift first aid kit stored in the back of the van. "Keep her awake," he called over his shoulder to Butcher.

"Ok, love, c'mere." Butcher instructed, settling beside me on the ground and pulling me towards him so my back rested against his chest, holding me steady.

I whined at the sudden movement, and he instantly apologized, "M'sorry, doll. Didn't mean to hurt ya'."

"It burns," I whimpered as Butcher replaced my hands with his, putting pressure where the bullet was buried in my skin.

"I know, I know," he whispered, grazing his lips against the side of my temple. "But, dontcha worry. MM is gonna get the little bugger outta ya', and then you'll be right as rain."

"How much longer till we get back to base?" MM yelled up to Frenchie, who was ignoring every speed limit as he drove us home.

"At least an hour," he replied.

"Fuck, we don't have time," MM said, looking at Butcher. "I have to take the bullet out now and sew her up, or she's going to bleed out before we get back to the safe house."

Blood now caked Butcher's hands, the entirety of my shirt, and most of my pants. My vision blurred as my head fell back against Butcher's shoulder, lacking the energy I once had.

"Do what ya' have to do," he said.

MM nodded before turning back to his first aid kit, determined as he pulled a lighter, forceps, and a needle out.

"No," I cried, squirming in Butcher's hold when I saw the needle. "Please, I don't want it."

"Shh, s'ok," Butcher said, attempting to soothe me.

"No, I don't want it," I said again, with more emphasis in my hazy state as I struggled in his lap.

MM brought his supplies over and held up a hand to calm me. "I've done this a million times on the field. I can assure you that I know what I'm doing."

I shook my head relentlessly, increasing my dizziness. MM looked at Butcher helplessly, and Butcher replied to his unasked question.

"She doesn't like needles or any sort of sharp object. S'like a phobia or something," Butcher said gruffly.

"Look," MM offered, trying to reason with me. "If I could stitch you up with a butterfly or a fucking golden retriever puppy, I would. But a needle is our only option, kid. I'm sorry."

My eyes welled, and fat tears rolled down my cheeks. MM regarded me with genuine sympathy. "I'll make it as painless as I can. I promise."

MM looked back at Butcher for the signal to start, and I felt Butcher's chin brush against the top of my head as he nodded, granting MM his approval to begin the procedure.

MM made quick work of running a pair of scissors up my shirt before the sodden fabric fell away from my body, leaving my torso and chest in nothing but my black bra. He examined the wound before turning back to his supplies and retrieving a scalpel.

"The wound is too small, so I can't visually locate the bullet. That means I have to make an incision to increase the width so I can dig it out."

I let out a horse cry when I realized there was something else I was going to have to endure. I looked at Hughie, silently pleading for help. But he just peered back at me, concerned and full of compassion, as he crouched behind MM, assisting him.

MM flicked the lighter to life and held the scalpel directly in the flame, waiting for an allotted amount of time before he deemed the small knife sterile.

Carefully, he hovered over me, aiming the scalpel at the small hole in my belly. As I watched the sharp object come closer, I flailed in Butcher's arms, desperate to flee from his stronghold.

"Hold her still," MM instructed as the scalpel pierced my skin. I shrieked loudly as my tears came quicker. Butcher's hands tightened around me, but my much smaller ones reached forward as I tried to bat the scalpel away as it sank deeper into my flesh, cutting me open.

"Damn it, Butcher. Hold her fucking hands. She's going to cause me to slice her fucking liver, and I won't be able to fix that," MM vexed, pushing my hands away and their meager attempt to stop his assault on my stomach.

Butcher took hold of my wrists and pinned them to my chest. But all that did was make me sob louder as I continued to move about in his lap.

MM withdrew the scalpel as he sank back on his heels and looked up at Butcher. "You're going to have to calm her down. Or this will never work."

"I don't want it," I cried, but it fell on deaf ears as both men gazed at each other like I wasn't even there.

Butcher sighed before he turned his head, and I felt his lips brush against the shell of my ear. "C'mon, love. You've gotta be brave."

"No." I shook my head as I agonizingly eyed MM as he brought the scalpel back to rest against my bloodied flesh.

"Oi, none of that now," Butcher rebuked me gently. "You can do it. I know ya' can."

His fingers traced my wrists, still pinned to my chest, as he tried to distract me from MM, who was dipping the scalpel back into my mauled abdomen.

Blubbered pleas fell from my lips as Butcher bowed his head to whisper, "You're safe," he said, swiping a finger under my eyes to collect my tears. "MM isn't trying to hurt you, doll; he's helping ya'."

I turned my head to look up at Butcher, and his brows creased as he saw my face screwed up in anguish. "It's gonna be over before you know it, sweetheart. And then I'm gonna to take care of ya'."

I whined, bucking up into his hand that cupped my bare, sopping cunt.

"Such a needy little thing you are. Already drippin’ down your luscious thighs," Butcher smirked. "But, dontcha worry, sweetheart. I'm gonna take care of ya"."

Lost in the memory of Butcher and our heated night, I barely heard the clink of the bullet as MM dropped it in a small tin dish.

I hiccuped as I slumped against Butcher's broad chest, exhausted from fighting and blood loss. My eyelids drooped close, so I didn't even see MM retrieve the needle, mirroring his earlier actions and holding it in the flames of the lighter.

Butcher ran a hand over my forehead, carefully pulling back my hair that had stuck to my sweaty skin. "That's it, pretty girl," he praised, planting a kiss at the base of my neck. "You're doing so good for me. Just a little bit longer."

Butcher eased his girthy length into my wet entrance. I hissed at the sheer size of him as I felt my walls trying to accommodate his fat cock.

"You're doing so good for me, pretty girl. Just a little bit more."

He placed a hand across my lower stomach, gently massaging the tense muscles as he bottomed out. His heavy balls lay against my splayed cheeks, and I sighed at the feeling of being so full.

"All done," MM declared, placing a simple bandage over my stitches before promising me that he'd wrap me up properly once we got back to base.

"You did it," Butcher praised as his grip on my wrists slackened, and he gently placed my hands in my lap. "S'all over, love."

My eyes remained closed as I mumbled, "I'm tired." The fatigue was too much to ignore this time.

I felt the soft material of Butcher's trench coat slide over my upper body, covering me. The gesture made the wing of a butterfly flap to life somewhere deep in my stomach.  

"S'ok, darling. You just sleep," Butcher softly insisted as he eased a hand under my knees, cradling me against his body. He slowly stood to his feet when the van stopped in front of the pawn shop and murmured to me that we were home.

I heard him quietly thank Hughie for holding one of the double doors open as he stepped out and began carrying me into our safe house. My head rested in the crook of Butcher's neck, and I inhaled his familiar scent of whiskey, mint, and soap. It comforted me as the sway of his strides rocked me to sleep.

₊ . ⋆ ⁺ ݃ ⁺ ⋆ . ₊ ₊ . ⋆ ⁺ ݃ ⁺ ⋆ . ₊ ₊ . ⋆ ⁺ ݃ ⁺ ⋆ . ₊ ₊ . ⋆ ⁺ ݃ ⁺ ⋆ . ₊ ₊ . ⋆ ⁺ ݃ ⁺ ⋆ . ₊

tag list: @weallhaveadestiny

@im-nowhere-but-also-somewhere

@mandossillyriduur

comment to be added to the list!🖤

abandoned masterlist

[elliesmainhoe]

need need need headcannons about ellie and southern!reader

Ellie Williams Headcanons: Southern!Reader

(I'm bri-ish 🇬🇧💂🏼‍♀️, so this will probably be very stereotypical, but I'm entering my yeehaw era in spirit so &lt;33) and because i know its going to be laughanly stereotypical, this is a CRACKFIC, and is overdramatised,

I'm not going to sugar coat it, she bullies you a bit.

loves to imitate ur accent and thinks she's so funny (she's not but don't tell her that)

"Ellie darlin', have you seen my face cream?" you yell from the ensuite bathroom to your girlfriend still laying idly in bed.

"i dONt KnOw DARliN'." she laughs to herself, imitating a bad southern accent. she shuts up when you throw a pillow at her tho so 🤷🏼‍♀️.

finds visiting your home state SO fun.

I feel like if there was no outbreak she would be such a city girl idc

absolutely loves your home, it's in the middle of nowhere, a secluded little town with all locally sourced shops and bars, no commercialisation in sight.

and when she finds out about the horses?!

she's packing her bags immediately.

even if you don't own a horse, she's making it her life's mission to find one and ride it around town like she's in an old school cowboy action movie.

it's embarrassing as fuck.

loves your mamas cooking.

it's so generic but her favorite dish is her fried chicken.

you could tell your mama loved Ellie. how? you may be asking. easy answer, the portion sizes. as soon as she entered the dining room with the usual blue patterned china plates but an extremely unusual heap of fried chicken, mash potatoes, greens and barbeque sauce.

"thank you ma'am"

"you're welcome sugar, eat up, I've got some sweet pastries in the oven as we speak."

your dad on the other hand? she's terrified of meeting him, already envisioning this tough broad man with a shotgun and a stupid fucking cowboy hat.

but when a sweet older gentleman who was a bit chubby after a few too many homemade sweet pastries that doubts and worries instantly fade.

does absolutley NOT stand for classic country homophobia.

her inner chihuaha ankle biter instincts kick in and before you know it some guy is being knocked off a stool ,in a bar you and ellie decided to visit ,by a mean right hook.

[luna-memoria]

Hey *drags chair over to the table*

I offer the concept of Felix and Bridgette having some kind of informal language lessons sometimes! I like to think that Felix had proper language lessons before, and that he's the type to not speak it unless it sounds absolutely perfect. Bridgette often finds herself forgetting how to say a certain word in french and then she says it in chinese instead, and then one time Felix just happens to hear and tells her the word she's looking for.

Bridgette's eyes widen in excitement, not knowing that he knew chinese before this. After that, she'd ask him about similar stuff and he'd ask her about the proper pronunciation of certain words, and he can't help but think that they do have something they could bond over, after all (if this is pre-reveal)

Please talk to me about the Quantics

Or Felix/Bridgette

Or just anything, you know

[kingspuppet]

Sometimes I really wanna make a blog for Joker to write my own take on him. But then I remember there’s so many blogs and takes of him that I just hnnnngh So many good takes and I feel like me adding mine is rather unnecessary.

[bitterkarella]

JK Rowling: hello children Rowling: i want you to sssay hello to Rowling: graham lineham Lineham: [wearing foil hat] free masons run the country Rowling: he'sss got sssome great ideasss you should hear

Poe: joanne you don't need to bring him here Poe: like, you really don't Rowling: he hass thingsss to sssay and you're ALL going to hear them Poe: this is really kind of off topic for us here Rowling: EVERYONE will hear them

Rowling: ssssee, yearsss ago i disssmisssed graham lineham'ssss babble as the bad opticsss ravingsss of a lunatic Rowling: but now that the overton window hass sshifted Rowling: i'm proud to sssay thessse bad opticsss ravingsss are quite good actually!

Rowling: go ahead, graham, tell them what you told me Lineham: trans people produce no great films, no music, no art Lineham: they're incapable of doing this basic human thing because they're subhuman Lineham: untermensch, if you will Rowling: isssn't he great?

Lineham: trans books are always universally panned because of their incoherence Billy Martin: Hailey Piper: Eve Harms: Gretchen Felker-Martin: Joe Koch: M. Lopes da Silva: Arden Powell: Lor Gislason: Julya Oui: LC von Hessen: GE Woods: Michelle Belanger: Rain Corbyn: SA Chant:

FT Catulla: Viktor Athelstan: Meagan Hotz: Ziggy Schutz: Rose Sable: WN Derring-Judith: Charles Maria Tor: Devaki Devay: Dayna Ingram: Ori Jay: Ai Burton: Gabriel Valentine: Cosmin-Mihai Birsan: Jei D Marcade: Rhiannon Rasmussen: Max Turner: Taylor J Pitts: Vincent Endwell:

Bri Crozier: Theo Hendrie: Derek des Anges: Briar Ripley Page: Winter Holmes: gaast: Maya Deane: Charles-Elizabeth Boyles: Layne van Rensburg: Amanda M Blake: May Leitz: Alison Rumfitt: Rivers Solomon: Lillian Boyd: Torrey Peters: Taliesin Neith: Daniel M. Lavery: Joss Lake: Aubrey Wood: Jonah Wu:

Daphne du Maurier: Patricia Highsmith: Franz Kafka: Kafka: wait Kafka: why did the camera pan to me

Barker: oh you know why haha Poe: clive Kafka: why Kafka: [hugging blåhaj] i don't know what you mean

[melrosing]

Opinions on Nimble Dick 🫵

my heart breaks for nimble dick !!! i feel like knowing ASOIAF, we share Brienne's scepticism re. nimble dick, supposing he's a somewhat benign villain but a villain nonetheless, and though we see that he's a friendly and funny sort of guy in his own way, we can't trust him any more than Bri can. we're trapped in Bri's fears and concerns, and can't see Nimble Dick for them. and then he's wiped out in the same moment that we realise he was telling the truth, and we see that he was a well-meaning guy who had already suffered plenty himself, and neither he nor Brienne have been able to enjoy the friendship they might have had if they'd not met under such circumstances. he's a guy Brienne is only able to trust in hindsight and it's so fucking sad he never got to know that trust!! and yeah idk i think there's a kind of innocence about nimble dick and Brienne both, they each feel like they're lost in a story a lot darker than the fairytale they might more naturally belong to, they both live with such fear in a world where they don't mean any harm

[k-dokja]

Oh, no! You had a fight! Anyway...

— Jonggun: Oh, word? You had a fight? He didn't even notice. He was so calm through all of it, you probably got annoyed with him and left. He lets it sit for a few days so your anger has time to simmer down before he approaches you again.

If he was in the wrong, which he rarely believes he is, he will try to goad you into physical intimacy again to make it up for you. If not and he finds your distance too annoying, he'll try to buy your good grace back with materialistic means. Smh. Do it again Jonggun.

— Joongoo: Genuinely refuses to be wrong even when he knows he's wrong. Somewhere in the middle of the fight, Joongoo realizes you actually make sense but he's committed to it so he will argue to the end even if it means pissing you off for good.

Will try to give you the cold shoulder back but it lasts for like three days until he comes over to pester you again. When you continue to ignore him, he tries to throw that treatment right back but fails and then doubles down on pestering you until you give.

— Vasco: Let's be real, it's not an actual fight. You just got exasperated because he's too dense to be helped and no matter how you try to explain, he won't get it.

Jace has to intervene at some point to explain that Vasco is just slow, not ill-meaning. Once it clicks for him what's actually bothering you, Vasco is pretty quick to apologize even if it isn't his fault. He doesn't like to see you upset, after all.

— Daniel: It's eating him alive. He got a flight-or-flight instinct to your disappointed tone. You don't even have to raise your voice at him, he's already fawning over you. Unless he thinks it's crucial that he's in the right, Daniel is pretty fast to diffuse the tension.

Never want to reach the point of fighting with you ever. But in the days after the fight, his people-pleasing mode is dialled up to the thousands with you. Will do anything just to see you give him one of your smiles.

— Jake: Most of your arguments don't escalate to fights. Honestly, he's pretty good at containing the situation. He'd rather you calm and articulate your point better than trying to argue with you. Hell, even if you said the most illogical thing ever, he'll probably agree with you.

Typical "happy wife, happy life" guy in a relationship. He'll try to make it up for you whether he was in the wrong or not. However, you can see when he's really in the wrong, he's extremely sincere. Probably be softer with you for the rest of the month.

— Samuel: It's annoying to fight with him because you know he won't ever be the one to lose his temper... visibly first. Has the habit of getting demeaning and nasty once he's truly irritated. Will probably say something insulting that he totally means.

Go on ahead, hit him with a bri—okay, maybe don't choose violence. Genuinely speaking, the best method to deal with him during an argument is to stay as calm as he is. Don't even expect an apology if he was in the wrong, that's just asking for too much.

— Eli: Another prime example of letting you with about 98% of the argument. He will sometimes bicker back with you if he knows it's not a serious thing. Jokingly teases you if you get worked up about small matters, but ultimately tries to pacify you.

Think it's pretty cute when you lose your composure? Won't tell you that though, he knows he'll sleep on the couch if he did. Super quick on trying to apologize and calm you down if he thinks it's not worth it. However, he's super serious if the argument is about heavy matters.

— Johan: This one is going to argue right back if you get annoying enough for him. It's so not worth getting into an argument with him because he'll be a sore loser if he lost. He'll be pouty and irritable for days afterwards, even if he knew he was in the right.

You probably have to be the one who went to soothe him because of that. It's so easy for you to win back his good grace, just make his favourite food and wait for him to come out... doesn't that just sound like—

[ipostwhatiwant1202]

I love prompts and headcanons a lot, I love seeing both equally. If it's okay to ask, I'd love to see some "What do they do when your sick" (and if you already did, I'd love some links! Your content always makes me smile)

hello anon! i have not done one yet, thank you for the request! the next one after this will also be a request. i hope you're enjoying your day and remembering to drink water! 🫶

Leo:

If there's one thing about Leo, his bedside manner isn't the greatest but it's also not the worst either. It's not because he won't tend to your needs while you're sick, no problem doing that, but he'll do it in his own way.

He'll bring you medicine and make sure you're staying hydrated and eating. He'll keep an eye on you and make sure you're cool enough or warm enough. Now if you're puking, don't expect him to not get grossed out. He hates vomit but will fight through it and hold your hair/rub your back for you.

The one thing Leo will do for you is clean your entire apartment. He'll make sure the floor is shining, counters are spotless, and every spot in the place is so clean you could eat off it.

The reason why his bedside manner isn't the greatest is because he'll let you rest but after a day or two, he'll expect you to be powering through it. Not that he wants to undermine how sick you are, but he believes you need to suck it up in the *nicest* way possible.

Raph:

Like his older brother, Raph's bedside manner is somewhere in the middle. That being said, it takes a lot to gross him out, so he's more likely out of the two of them to be more soft when it comes to it.

He has no problem bringing you medicine and making you soup, and making sure you're getting enough rest. He'll keep a close eye on you but will also give you space because he doesn't want to get sick. He always finds himself rubbing your back or your tummy though, even if he's told you he's gonna keep his distance...it doesn't last long.

Raph will mostly leave you be unless you're really sick. He'll stay over at your place until you feel better and will keep things how you left them while he's there. He just likes to know you're okay.

The downfall of him taking care of you is that he'll overreact to how sick you are. If you're vomiting, he'll think you're dying and freak out, or he'll bother you until you get checked. He means well, but sometimes he oversteps his bounds.

Donnie:

Out of all the brothers, Donnie's bedside manner is immaculate. Since he's the most patient and levelheaded of all the brothers, just let him care for you instead of them. It's in your best interest.

He knows just the right concoctions for stomachaches and headaches, all the aches. He keeps you hydrated and fed with things that should help you settle and get some rest. He also knows just what to do to break a fever or to get rid of chills. He definitely puts all his knowledge to use when he's taking care of you.

Donnie checks on you frequently, but he keeps quiet. He'll just gently touch your forehead or just peek in to make sure you're still breathing. He lets you rest as much as you need to and doesn't verbally bug you.

Of course, a downfall would be that he gets a little too persistent with trying to give you things to feel better. He doesn't like seeing you sick but he sometimes doesn't know when to stop asking you to try things. He means well, but he can be a bit much.

Mikey:

Mikey's bedside manner falls somewhere inbetween Raph's and Donnie's. He doesn't get grossed out easily so he has no problem taking care of you, and he keeps his head on straight.

Medicine, drinks, you name it and he's running to get it. He'll hold you and cuddle you, rub your back if you get sick/hold your hair back. He'll also run you baths to help break your fever and if you let him, he'll even help you shower if you're that sick. He keeps his chaos to an extreme minimum but tries to keep your spirits up at the same time.

Mikey's way of taking care of someone is spending time with them. He'll bring you all your favorite movies and watch them with you until you fall asleep. Or he'll sit with you while you nap, he just wants you to know he's there for you.

Now, that all being said, he gets too clingy. He sometimes takes up too much of your personal space. Not that he means to but he just does. You need to verbalize you want to be left alone or he won't leave you alone.

[kwanisms]

Did You See That? — l.jihoon

«« part one | seventeen masterlist | end.

➮ producer!Jihoon × f!Reader wc: 18.1k (I have no words but I'm not sorry lol) summary: After discovering that Y/N isn’t dead but actually in a coma, Jihoon is determined to get her spirit back into her body. What neither he nor Y/N are prepared for is what happens when she finally does wake up. genres/themes/au: angst, fluff; supernatural themes, ghostly themes; non idol au, ghost au warnings: adult dialogue, mentions of death, alcohol consumption (there’s a lot of wine and I’m not sorry. I’m just that bitch), a lot of angst

special tags: @peachescherryheart @steamingramyun @studiogiblhi @bunnyjaycheoluwu @bri-brithebumblebeee @helloitsai @shez-kindathat-hot1995 @mvltimoon @justasoftstan @wonugyu @vernongyu @babytaes @mysafehaneul @jisooxxi @seodami @burningupp @rubyreduji @sea-gyu @hittwon @seokgyuu @baby-chocolat @my-bias-list-is-ruined @3sriracha @justapotatonow @han-hoshi @johfaam @donotmindmeiamembarrassing @bbsmxlming @stilesbff @lunaryoongi permanent tags: @yoonguurt @wonderfulshinee @candidupped @dejavernon @violagoth @tigermoonbiss @katsukis1wife @luvsooby @thesolarplanetarysystem @salty-for-suga @devilsmatches @dmnspiit @simeonswhore @yangracha @atinypurr @aikyubi @labyrinthonmymind @bintificreads @toxic-babexe @plutoneu @mistlightmoonlight @pristineaugustine @imwhoever join my taglists! Strikethrough means I cannot tag you. MINORS WILL BE BLACKLISTED & BLOCKED. AGELESS BLOGS WILL ALSO BE BLOCKED.

a/n: I am so sorry it took so long to get this done and that y’all have been waiting literal years for this but it’s finally here. The long awaited sequel to Did You Hear That? I hope it lives up to your expectations and that you all enjoy the finale! Thank you so much for reading as always, this is a work of fiction and all characters are not reflective of their respective irl counterparts. for entertainment purposes only.

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“That makes no sense,” you whispered. “If I’m not dead, why am I a ghost?”

Jihoon shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t answer that either. I have no idea how any of this works but Jihyo said you aren’t dead. You’re in a coma.” 

You stared at Jihoon for a few moments before looking away, your mind spinning with this revelation. If your old roommate said it was the truth, who were you to deny it?

Clearing your throat, you turned to look at Jihoon. "If I'm in a coma," you started, your voice soft. "Can you… I don't know, go see my body?" You cringed after asking the question. It sounded completely ridiculous.

Jihoon nodded silently. "I think I can do that," he answered, his voice equally as soft as yours. Your eyes widened, lips parting in a small O. "I'll go tomorrow," he added. You felt a rush surge through your body, almost like electricity. To say you were excited would be an understatement.

The next morning, Jihoon got up and headed into the kitchen to make his morning coffee. You had been sitting outside on the balcony, watching the sunrise. If Jihoon and Jihyo were right and you weren't dead, then that changed everything. 

It meant your body was out there somewhere and you needed to find your way back to it.

The sound of the sliding door caught your attention and you turned to see Jihoon peering out onto the balcony. "Y/N?" he asked softly. You shifted into his view and felt the same feeling of electricity surge through your body when he smiled.

"Hey," he said softly as he stepped onto the balcony, sliding the door shut behind him. "Hey," you repeated as he took a seat. You watched as he took a sip of his coffee. "I miss that," you admitted as he lowered his cup. Jihoon glanced down at the black liquid in his mug and smiled sheepishly. "I'm sure there's a lot you miss," he replied, eyes shifting back to you.

A small chuckle escaped you as you looked out into the sun rising over the city. "Yeah," you replied, holding back tears. "So," you said, inhaling deeply and turning to face Jihoon. "When are you going to the hospital?" you asked, hoping to change the subject and turn the focus away from the fact you almost started crying.

"In a few hours. Jihyo said she'll meet me there and take me up there. She has a class this morning," he said before taking another sip of coffee. You nodded silently, unsure of how to respond. "Since we're up," Jihoon added. "You wanna just hang out?" he asked. "Just… talk?" he added. You smiled shyly before nodding.

"Yeah," you replied. "I'd like that."

The two of you sat on the balcony, the sun rising in the distance, bathing your little sanctuary in sunlight. You missed the warmth from the sun and looked up sadly at it. Jihoon noticed and wanted desperately to reach out and take your hand, to comfort you.

"You miss it, don't you?" he asked.

You nodded. "I miss a lot of things," you repeated his words from earlier. Jihoon nodded, taking a final gulp of his cooled down coffee. "What else do you miss?" he asked as he set the mug aside, pulling the blanket from the living room further around his body.

"Truthfully?" you asked before looking at him. "I miss a lot. I miss sleeping, I miss petting dogs and cats, I miss cooking and eating, I miss taking baths," you admitted, not looking at Jihoon as you listed off the things you missed about being in your body. "Anything else?" Jihoon asked, tilting his head. You nodded silently.

"I miss being held," you answered quietly. "I miss… being kissed," you added in an even quieter voice. You saw Jihoon’s ears turn pink but chose to ignore it. "I can't imagine spending so much time without being touched," he replied. "That sounds awful," he added.

You nodded. "It's been tough," you admitted. "Especially now," you started before trailing off. Jihoon’s eyes flickered up to meet yours and you knew that he knew what you were going to say. You could see in his eyes that he wanted the same thing. A few silent moments passed before your unspoken bond was broken by the ringing of Jihoon's phone. He pulled the device out and glanced down at it. "Oh, it's Jihyo," he said and answered.

"Hello?" 

You watched with curious eyes as he listened to what your roommate had to say. "Alright," he replied. 

"Sounds good. I'll be there soon." 

Jihoon sat upright, saying goodbye and hung up, placing his phone back into his pocket. "She's out of class," he explained. "I'm going to go meet her at the hospital."

You sighed as he stood up, grabbing the blanket and moving towards the door. "I wish I could go with you," you said, looking out at the city. Jihoon grimaced, uncertain of what to say. "I'll be back soon," he finally replied. When you didn't respond, he decided to let you be and stepped into the apartment, sliding the door shut behind him. 

In the kitchen, Seungcheol was sipping on some coffee while he made some eggs, Soonyoung sat at the island, scrolling through his phone. Both men looked up at him as he entered. "Is Y/N outside?" Soonyoung asked. Jihoon nodded. "But it's best to leave her alone right now," he added as he set the blanket on the couch.

"Where are you going?" Seungcheol asked as Jihoon set his mug in the sink and turned to grab his keys and walked over to the front door. "I'm going to meet Jihyo, (Y/N)'s old roommate," he said as he opened the closet and grabbed his coat. "Are you going to the hospital?" Soonyoung asked. Jihoon nodded. "Yeah," he replied. "Where her…” he trailed off, glancing out the window to the balcony. “…body is?" Seungcheol asked softly. Jihoon nodded again. 

"I'll keep you guys updated," he added.

Neither one said anything as they watched Jihoon slip on his shoes and exit the apartment. Once the door shut behind him, Soonyoung and Seungcheol exchanged glances before they both looked out the sliding glass door at your silhouette sitting out there.

Jihoon pressed the elevator button, zoning out as he waited for the lift to arrive. His thoughts swirled in his mind as he wondered how, if at all, he could get you to wake up. He thought if he could get you to wake up, maybe you could slowly get back to your life and if you could get back to some semblance of normalcy, then perhaps there was a chance for the two of you.

He stepped onto the lift when it arrived and pressed the button for the lobby. The ride down was quick as he followed autopilot, walking into the parking garage and to his car. He wasn't sure how he functioned on autopilot but it seemed to take no time to get from his apartment to the hospital. Almost as soon as he left the apartment, it felt like he was pulling into a parking space at the hospital.

He parked and turned off the car before pulling out his phone and sending a text to Jihyo that he was at the hospital. He sat for a moment, waiting for a response. He was glancing at his reflection in the rear view mirror when he felt his phone vibrate.

Seo Jihyo: I'm in the lobby in a long tan coat

Jihoon got out of his car and made his way towards the main entrance of the hospital. Following the automatic spinning door in, he saw a tall slender woman with shoulder length black hair, soft features, and wide, doe-like eyes. She was wearing black ankle length pants, a cream turtleneck sweater and… a long tan coat. 

Jihoon walked over slowly. The woman made eye contact and watched as he approached. 

"Jihyo?" he asked. She nodded, looking him up and down. "Jihoon, I presume?" she replied to which he nodded. She bowed politely, a gesture Jihoon returned. "It's so nice to meet you, " he said. Jihyo smiled at him, flashing a set of brilliant white teeth. “Likewise,” she said, before motioning for him to follow her.

They walked through the lobby, greeting the receptionist behind the front desk as they headed for the elevators. Jihyo pressed the button, returning her hands to her pockets and watching the floor indicator countdown. “She’s up in the coma ward,” Jihyo started to explain.

“She’s been there since the… accident.”

Judging by the look on her face, Jihoon could assume she didn’t like to talk about the accident or what happened to her friend. He didn’t blame her one bit. If something traumatic happened to Seungcheol or Soonyoung, he wasn’t sure he’d want to speak about it either. Glancing up at Jihyo’s face, Jihoon tried not to stare at Jihyo but he couldn't help but notice how pretty she was.

But he still thought you were prettier. 

The doors opened, allowing the two to step inside. The doors shut behind them and the lift began moving immediately. "So,” Jihoon started, clearing his throat. “Do you come here often?" Jihoon asked. Jihyo nodded. "As often as I can,” she answered. “It’s difficult sometimes as I'm working on my master's degree but I like to come here and read to her," she admitted. Jihoon smiled. 

"What do you normally read to her?" he asked. Jihyo returned the smile. "Usually poems,” Jihyo replied, a dreamy tone in her voice. “She really likes romantic poems.” Jihoon tried not to chuckle as Jihyo talked. It sounded just like you. At least the you that he had come to know. “Has she always been a romantic?” he asked suddenly, catching Jihyo by surprise.

“Uhm,” Jihyo hummed, nibbling on her bottom lip. “She’s never mentioned it before but she’s always been a huge fan of romantic stories. Books, movies, poems. She loves all of it,” she continued. “So I guess you could say she is a bit of a romantic.”

Jihoon nodded, glancing up at the number indicator inside the lift as it counted up.

“What else do you read to her?” he asked softly.

Jihyo paused, looking deep in thought but answered him nonetheless. “Mostly just the poems,” she replied. “But sometimes I'll read the news. She doesn't seem to like that as much," she said with a chuckle. Jihoon joined in as the elevator reached the tenth floor. The doors opened and the two of them stepped out, Jihoon following Jihyo out of the lift and through the hallways. She stopped at a desk where a nurse sat behind.

The nurse looked up and smiled at Jihyo, seeming to recognize her. She then looked at Jihoon. "This is my cousin," Jihyo said, gesturing at Jihoon. "He's been out of town but wanted to come see Y/N. They used to go to school together," she explained. 

The nurse nodded and asked for Jihoon's ID. He handed it over and waited while she made a copy. She then printed a visitor pass for him and gave that to him along with his ID. Jihoon thanked her and put on the pass, following Jihyo through the door after it buzzed open.

Jihoon followed Jihyo down the corridor, keeping on her heels. “You don’t get a visitor’s pass?” he asked softly as they strolled down the hallway passing nurses and doctors as they went. Jihyo shook her head, showing him a different kind of pass. It was laminated and on a lanyard. “I have a permanent pass,” she explained. “Y/N’s parents asked since they don’t live in the city and I’m almost like a daughter to them,” she continued. 

“They made a special exception based on the circumstances. Here we are,” she said suddenly as they approached a room in the corner. Jihoon felt his chest tighten. He wasn’t sure how he would feel on his way here but now that he was here, it felt surreal. He wasn’t sure if he was ready.

Whether he was ready or not didn’t matter as Jihyo opened the door and peered in. “Come on,” she whispered, leading the way in, allowing Jihoon to catch the door before it shut behind her. He followed her in, noticing two nurses. One was checking the monitors while the other was writing notes.

The two smiled as Jihyo and Jihoon entered the room. "We were just finishing up," one of the nurses said, scribbling hastily on his clipboard. "I already read the news to her," he added. "She definitely did not like it," he said as he moved to walk past them, offering Jihyo a wink.

Jihyo chuckled and moved around to sit beside the bed. Jihoon watched as Jihyo took your hand gentle, holding it between hers as she looked at you. The second nurse excused herself and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Jihoon stared in awe at the body lying in the bed. There was no doubt about it. It was definitely you.

He took note of how peaceful you looked. Like you were in a deep sleep. 

There were all kinds of wires connected to you and it shocked him how similar it seemed to any of the doctor shows he’d seen on TV. An IV was attached to your arm, running across the linens and up to a bag with clear fluid, hanging from a stand by the head of your bed. 

There was also a tube down your throat and a smaller breathing tube taped under your nose. He felt his heart clench at the sight. Despite how jarring it looked, you still looked so beautiful. The slow rise and fall of your chest as the machine helped you breathe.

Jihoon moved slowly and stared down at you. He was tempted to reach out and take your hand or stroke your cheek but he refrained from doing so. Instead, he sat down across from Jihyo. She watched him as he watched you. She could see the recognition pass over his features. He knew you somehow, there was no denying it. Jihyo glanced at your form, blinking back tears.

"How long has she been asleep?" Jihoon asked suddenly. Jihyo blinked more tears away as she composed herself. "Almost a year," she said, her voice wavering. Jihoon glanced over at her. He couldn't imagine seeing your best friend like this. He didn't even want to imagine something like this happening to Seungcheol or Soonyoung.

He cleared his throat, the sound louder in the empty room.

"And has there been any improvement?" he asked. Jihyo nodded. "They’ve noticed that in the last couple months, her brain activity has spiked on several occasions. The doctors said it could be her trying to wake up but they said not to get our hopes up," Jihyo answered. Jihoon frowned. "Why?" he asked. Jihyo sighed heavily.

"Basically, they said as quickly as she's been improving, she could decline just as fast," Jihyo replied, sniffling slightly. Jihoon glanced from your face to Jihyo. He felt for her, he really did. He looked back at you. "I hope that's not the case," he said softly. Jihyo nodded. "I hope so too," she stated.

Silence fell over the two as they watched your sleeping form.

You sat on the balcony, peering over the railing at the busy streets below. You sighed heavily and strained your ears, hearing voices in the distance. You blinked slowly, still staring at the lively city streets.

The voices in the distance started to grow louder. You lifted your head and tried to focus on the voices. You couldn't tell where they were coming from at first. They weren't drifting from the street below nor were they coming from another apartment. You glanced behind you to see if the boys were watching TV but they weren't.

You then realized the voices were coming from inside your head.

"How long has she been asleep?" you heard a familiar voice ask. 'Jihoon?' you wondered. "Almost a year," another familiar voice replied. You sat up, looking around quickly. "Jihyo?" you whispered. You got to your feet and walked back into the apartment, sliding through the door. "And has there been any improvement?" you heard Jihoon's voice ask.

'He must be in my hospital room!' you thought to yourself. "They’ve noticed that in the last couple months, her brain activity has spiked on several occasions. The doctors said it could be her trying to wake up but they said not to get our hopes up," Jihyo answered, her voice echoing in your head. "Why?" Jihoon asked. 'Yeah, why?' you thought as you listened to the conversation, starting to feel dizzy.

"Basically, they said as quickly as she's been improving, she could decline just as fast," Jihyo replied. You could hear her sniffling slightly. It was a moment before Jihoon responded. "I hope that's not the case," he said softly. Your vision started to grow dark as you stood still in the front room. You saw at the edge of your vision, Soonyoung walking toward you. He was speaking but you couldn't hear him. He stopped just before you. You saw his lips moving, repeating your name, trying to get your attention.

Jihyo's voice in your head spoke. "I hope so too," she said. Your vision went black with your head swimming.

Soonyoung had just walked into the room, seeing you standing in the living room. He watched as your head moved as if looking around but your eyes were unfocused, blinking rapidly. He walked over slowly. "(Y/N)?" he asked softly. You didn't respond, but your eyes started rolling around in your head. You continued to look around as if trying to find something. "(Y/N), are you alright?" Soonyoung asked.

He repeated your name a few more times, Seungcheol walking into the room behind him. "Is she okay?" he asked. Soonyoung glanced over his shoulder and shrugged. "I don't know," he admitted. He turned back to you. "Y/N, are you okay?!" Soonyoung asked again but you didn't respond. Instead, your eyes rolled back into your head and your image shook visibly until you just vanished.

Soonyoung and Seungcheol both shouted in shock, looking around frantically. "What the fuck was that?" Seungcheol asked. Soonyoung shook his head, turning to look at his roommate. "I have no idea!" he answered. "I'm gonna call Jihoon," he said, pulling his phone out, and dialing his friend's number.

Jihoon felt his phone vibrate and quickly pulled it out of his pocket, checking the screen.  Soonyoung was calling him. Jihoon glanced up at Jihyo who gave him a curious look. "I-I’m sorry,” he stammered, looking up from the device. “I need to take this. I'll be right back," he said, getting to his feet. Jihyo nodded, gesturing for him to do as he needed. Jihoon thanked her and stepped out of the room, answering the call. 

"What is it, Soonyoung?"

Soonyoung started talking immediately, his voice loud in the receiver but Jihoon couldn't discern what his friend was saying. "Soonyoung, you need to calm down," Jihoon said softly. He plugged his free ear, trying to hear his friend better. "Explain that to me again," he added. 

He heard Soonyoung shush Seungcheol in the background.

"Something’s happened to (Y/N)," Soonyoung started again. 

Jihoon felt his heart drop into his stomach. 

"What?" he asked. "What do you mean?" 

He heard Soonyoung shush Seungcheol again. "I don't know but I walked into the living room and she was standing there, her eyes were going all crazy. It looked like she was having a seizure but I know that's not possible," he explained.

Jihoon could feel his heart start to race and his breathing quicken. "Alright," he finally said. "I'll be there as soon as I can," he answered. He said goodbye and hung up before returning to your room where Jihyo was waiting patiently. Jihoon walked over to your bed and grabbed his coat. "There's an emergency at home," he explained. Jihyo nodded understandingly.

"Would it be alright if I came back tomorrow?" Jihoon asked. "I have another day off and maybe I could try to wake her up?" he added. Jihyo gave him a small smile. "I have classes all day but it should be fine," she said with a nod. Jihoon gave her a thankful smile.

"Thank you," he answered. "I'll come back tomorrow morning," he stated. Jihoon exited the room and made his way to the waiting room, giving his pass back to the nurse behind the desk and headed for the elevator, pressing the down button.

Once on the lift, Jihoon pulled on his coat and waited for the elevator to reach the lobby. He headed out of the hospital once the doors opened and headed out to his waiting car. He got into the driver's seat, buckling his seat belt and starting the engine.

He wondered what could have happened to make you disappear like that. Was it your body pulling you back? Trying to wake you up?

Once he pulled out of the space, he pulled onto the street and made the drive back to the apartment. 

In record time, Jihoon was pulling into his parking space and headed into the building. He nodded a silent greeting to the concierge desk, heading to the elevator and pressing the call button. The doors opened quickly and Jihoon stepped inside and pressed the button for his floor.

The ride up was quick and uneventful and soon he was walking up to the front door of his shared apartment. He unlocked the door with the keycode and pulled the door open, stepping inside. Soonyoung and Seungcheol were searching the apartment frantically as he slipped off his shoes and coat. "Okay," Jihoon said as he walked further into the apartment. "Tell me what happened again."

Ten minutes later, he sat on the couch blinking as he tried to process the story Soonyoung told him. He glanced from Soonyoung to Seungcheol. "And you haven't seen her since?" he asked. The both of them nodded quickly. Jihoon sighed and leaned back against the couch, thinking deeply. 

“What do we do?” Soonyoung asked, glancing from Seungcheol to Jihoon.

"Let’s give her some time and let her come back to us on her own," Jihoon said after giving it some thought. “Maybe she was feeling overwhelmed? It might have something to do with her brain activity spiking at the hospital,” Jihoon explained. “We can’t know for sure until she reappears.”

‘If she reappears.’

Soonyoung nodded slowly. “Okay,” he replied, leaning back in his seat while Seungcheol looked deep in thought. “She will come back, right?” Soonyoung asked suddenly. Jihoon shrugged lightly, shaking his head as he pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. “I don’t know,” he answered.

“I don’t know.”

A few hours had gone by and Jihoon was sitting at his desk, working on a new project. One he’d started last week. His head bobbed slightly as he listened to the beat he was working on when he heard another sound over the music. He turned and looked behind him, nearly jumping out of his chair when he saw you standing behind him.

Pressing pause and pulling his headphones off, Jihoon stood quickly as you looked up at him. "Are you okay?" he asked. You looked around, confused as to how you ended up in his room. The last thing you remembered was standing in the living room before blacking out. Jihoon sat on the edge of his bed and patted the spot beside him. You sat down next to him.

"What happened?" he asked. You shook your head. "I-I don't know," you stammered. "Explain what you experienced. What do you remember?" he added. After collecting your thoughts, you started to explain about hearing his and Jihyo's voices and how you were standing in the living room and blacked out and then came to and was standing in his room. 

Jihoon listened intently until you finished. When you were done, he explained what Soonyoung had told him. You listened in horror as he told you Soonyoung and Seungcheol's side of the story. "Oh my god," you whispered, mortified. "That must have been terrifying for them," you admitted. Jihoon shrugged but you remembered what he had gone to do that morning.

"Wait,” you said, perking up. “How did it go at the hospital?" you asked. 

Jihoon sat up a little straighter. "It, uh.. It went well. I'm actually going back tomorrow," he replied. 

"Tomorrow?" you asked, tilting your head. "Why?" 

Jihoon reached up, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, I'm gonna try to wake you up," he admitted nonchalantly. You felt a smile spread across your face. 

"Really?" you asked excitedly. Jihoon nodded, returning the smile. "I'm not really sure what I could do, but I'm gonna try," he said with a shrug. You smiled wider. "I hope it works," you said softly. "Me too," Jihoon replied. You sat on the edge of Jihoon's bed as he slept. You smiled, watching his peaceful expression, wishing desperately to be able to reach out and touch him. You let out a soft sigh.

'Soon.'

The next morning, Jihoon got up and downed his coffee and a quick breakfast. You sat with him, talking about what happened the previous day. When he finished, he rinsed his plate and put it in the dishwasher. He turned to clean the counter before walking over to the door, pulling on his coat and slipping his shoes on. 

You walked over, leaning against the wall and crossing your arms over your chest. Jihoon glanced back at you, giving you a warm smile, one which you returned. “Hey,” he said softly, glancing down. “If I succeed in waking you up," Jihoon said softly. "I just want you to know that," he added, trailing off softly. You stared at him curiously.

Jihoon looked up from the floor, taking a deep breath. 

"I just want you to know that I love you," he admitted, his cheeks turning pink. 

You bit your bottom lip, trying to fight a huge grin threatening to spread across your face. "Really?" you asked breathlessly. Jihoon nodded quickly. You couldn't stop the smile from spreading this time. "I love you, too," you whispered. It was Jihoon's turn to smile.

"If I could touch you, I'd kiss you right now," he said softly. You giggled and waved your hand at him, shooing him away. "Well then, go, wake me up and you'll be able to kiss me a lot sooner!" you squeaked. Jihoon laughed and pushed open the door, stepping out into the hall and making his way down to the lobby as quickly as the lift would allow.

The drive to the hospital seemed to fly by and soon he was stepping off the elevator and greeting the nurse behind the desk. She handed him a visitor pass after checking his ID and buzzed him through the door. Jihoon made his way down the hall towards your room.

He entered, shutting the door behind him and peered at your still form, smiling as he took a seat beside your bed. He shrugged his coat off and leaned forward, resting his forearms on your bed.

"Hey, Y/N," he said softly. I hope you can hear me."

You had just stepped out onto the balcony when you heard a whisper in your head. "Jihoon must be there," you whispered to yourself as you took a seat. You stared out, watching the sun rise.

"You've been asleep for so long, it's time to wake up," Jihoon whispered, moving his hand to place it softly over yours. Feeling your hand under his was unreal, something he never expected to feel. He glanced up at your face, watching for any sign.

You felt your hand tingle and glanced down at it. "What the hell?" you whispered. 'Is he… holding my hand?' you wondered.

Jihoon gently stroked the back of your hand with his thumb, speaking softly as he tried to bring you back. "Please wake up, baby," he whispered. "Wake up so you can leave this place." 

You enjoyed the feeling in your hand, knowing Jihoon was holding your hand. You heard his voice again, your eyes fluttering shut as you focused on his voice. "Please wake up, baby." You smiled when he called you baby, feeling a warm sensation throughout your body.

"I want to come back," you whispered. You felt a whooshing feeling, a rush surge through you, the sounds of the city fading away, replaced with a soft beeping. "Y/N?" you heard Jihoon's voice clearly and your eyes snapped open. You were sitting across from him, his eyes were wide open. 

You looked down and saw your body lying between you. Your eyes widened and your lips parted in shock. You were seeing your body for the first time in what felt like years. Looking back up at Jihoon, his look of shock morphed into delight. "You're so close!" he whispered. You looked back down at your body.

He was right. Your body was right here. All you had to do was figure out how to get your soul back inside your body and wake up. But you had no idea where to begin.

You looked back up at Jihoon. "I have no idea what to do," you said softly. "Try touching your body?" Jihoon asked. You nodded and looked back at your body, reaching out slowly, you touched your hand, shutting your eyes but nothing happened.

Opening your eyes, you were still standing beside your bed, your hand passing through your body, Jihoon watching you closely. You let out a sigh, disappointed. Jihoon visibly slumped. 

"Wh-what am I supposed to do?"  you whined. Jihoon shook his head. "I'm not sure," he whispered. The two of you stayed silent as you mulled over what you could try to reunite with your comatose body.

Minutes ticked by while you watched Jihoon as he held your hand, still watching your sleeping expression. The only sounds that could be heard were the beeping of your monitor and the breathing machine. He let out a sigh, his breath fanning over your comatose arm, causing a tingle to run up your arm. "This is so frustrating," you whined, taking a seat. Jihoon glanced at you, a grimace on his face.

"I wish I could help," he said softly. "Maybe try touching my face or something?" you asked. Jihoon nodded and leaned forward. His fingers brushed against your face as he cupped your cheek, his thumb stroking the skin lovingly. "Anything?" he asked, glancing up at you. You shook your head in response.

Jihoon let out a sigh and stared at your sleeping face. It was a moment before he spoke again. 

"I'm gonna try something, but I need you to look away. I can't do it with you watching." You gave him a curious look. "Please just trust me," he said. You stood up and turned away slowly, moving behind the curtain.

Jihoon stood up, taking a deep breath and letting out before leaning over slowly. He placed his hand on your cheek, checking your eyes before leaning in closer. He hesitated for a moment before pressing his lips to your forehead.

You stood behind the curtain, waiting for something to happen, anything at this point. You suddenly felt a tingle in your cheek and wondered what Jihoon was doing when you felt your forehead tingle. Your eyes widened when you realized what he was doing.

Was… was he kissing you.

A surge of emotion and electricity flowed through you. The monitor in the room started beeping faster. Your heart was starting to race. The tingling spread throughout your body. You tried to move but you couldn't. Your head was growing more and more dizzy until your vision grew dark.

Jihoon pulled back as your heart monitor started to beep faster and faster. He stood up and glanced at it. After a moment, he glanced down and saw your eyes start to flutter open. “Oh my god,” he breathed.

Scrambling past the chair he’d been sitting on, he rushed to the door, yanking it open, and looked into the hallway. 

"Nurse!" he called out. “She’s waking up!”

A nurse hurried over and followed him into the room. She came in to check your vitals. "Oh my god," she whispered as you were slowly starting to rouse. She hurried to the door and called for a doctor as a couple more nurses came in. 

You started to gag against the tube in your throat. “Y/N,” the doctor said as he came in quickly. “I need you to stay still for me,” he continued, walking over to your side as the nurses tried to hold you still as you fought against the tube. “You’ve been in a coma for ten months. You have a tube down your throat.”

Jihoon could see your eyes widening, tears filling the bottom of your lash line.

“We’re going to remove the tube, but you need to calm down and be still for me.”

You started to stop moving. “Very good,” the doctor said calmly. 

One of the nurses noticed Jihoon still standing there and walked over, gently taking his arm. "You'll need to leave," she said. “We’ll call you back in when we’ve had a chance to look over her,” she added with a gentle smile. Jihoon nodded. "Can I just stand outside?" he asked. The nurse nodded and Jihoon thanked her, stepping out into the hallway.

He paced slowly while the doctor and nurses worked. He pulled his phone out to text Soonyoung and Seungcheol, telling them you were waking up.

Soon: oh my god! Tell me this isn’t a joke!

Cheol: when was the last time Hoon told a joke?

Cheol: and why would he joke about this of all things?

Cheol: come on Soon, use your brain, I know it’s there

Soon: 😤

Jihoon: they’re gonna call me back in when they’re done

As he was typing another message, his phone started ringing. The screen displayed Jihyo’s name. He answered it with a quick "hello?"

Jihyo spoke quickly. She sounded out of breath. 

"What’s going on?! I just got a call that Y/N is waking up?!" she asked. 

Jihoon let out a huff. "Yeah. I uh… I don’t know what happened or how but she just woke up. The nurses and doctors are in there right now. They're taking the tube out of her throat," he said. He heard Jihyo sob softly. "Okay, uhm," she said in a wavering voice. "I-I'm on my way now."

Jihoon nodded.”Okay,” he answered. “See you soon,” he added before hanging up. 

The wait was excruciating while the nurses and doctor worked on you. All he could think about was how you were now awake. After ten months. Almost a year after your accident. You were finally awake. He let out an incredulous scoff, covering his mouth with his hand as he tried not to break down right then.

He couldn’t wrap his head around it. You were awake.

About 20 minutes later, Jihoon heard footsteps rushing down the hall and looked up to see Jihyo had arrived and was walking briskly down the hall towards him. 

"How is she?" she asked as soon as she was in earshot. Jihoon was about to answer when the door opened and the doctor followed the nurses out. Jihyo rushed forward. "What's going on? How is she?" she asked. The doctor gave her a faint smile.

"Your friend is awake. We took her off the breathing machine and her vitals look good. We’re going to do some more blood work but you can go in for now," he answered. Jihyo thanked him and hurried into the room, Jihoon following closely behind her. Jihyo took a seat beside you while Jihoon stood near the door, smiling as he watched you give your friend a weary smile. 

Jihyo who had tears streaming down her cheeks, smiled back.

"I thought you'd never wake up again," Jihyo sobbed, taking your hand tightly in hers. You reached up and placed your hand over hers. "Well,” you whispered, your voice extremely hoarse. “I'm here now."

Jihyo let out a sound that seemed to be a mix between a laugh and a sob, tears still streaming down her face. “You’re not allowed to use the stairs ever again,” Jihyo said sternly, making you laugh which turned into a cough. As if on cue, a nurse appeared with a cup of ice water, a bendable straw poking out the lid.

“Thought you might be thirsty,” the nurse said as he moved to place the water on the table but instead handed it to Jihyo when she held out her hand for it. “I’ll make sure she drinks it,” she said, voice wavering. “I’m not going anywhere.” The nurse smiled and exited the room, nodding once at Jihoon who returned the gesture before turning his attention back to you and Jihyo.

You took several long sips of water, swallowing thickly as you got the liquid into you. “God that tastes amazing,” you said weakly as Jihyo set the cup on the bedside table. You suddenly glanced over at Jihoon, eyes wide before looking back at Jihyo. 

"Do you recognize this man?" Jihyo asked. You looked back at Jihoon, brow furrowed as you looked over him. You turned to look at Jihyo, silently shaking your head. Jihoon felt his stomach sink as he watched the exchange. ‘Oh no,’ he thought. ‘Please no.’

"No," you finally whispered. "Who is he?"

Jihoon felt like he'd been stabbed in the heart but did his best not to show it. Jihyo glanced at him, her eyes apologetic. "I'll uh… give you two some privacy," Jihoon whispered, backing towards the door. Jihyo noticed and  stood quickly, telling you she'd be right back. She hurried after Jihoon as he left the room.

"Hey,” she said, grabbing his arm and turning him towards her. “I’ll take care of it,” she added.

“Take… care of it? How?” he said with a scoff. The woman he’d fallen in love with didn’t recognize him. She had no idea who he was. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. She was supposed to wake up and then everything would be just fine.

“I'll explain everything to her when she's fully conscious," Jihyo explained, pulling him from his thoughts. 

Jihoon forced a smile. “You don’t have to,” he said softly. “If she doesn’t know who I am, it’s fine. At least she’s awake now, right?” Jihoon turned to leave but Jihyo grabbed his wrist gently. “I’ll keep you updated,” she said softly before letting go.

Jihoon nodded wordlessly and made his way down the corridor, returning his pass and heading for the elevator to head down to the lobby. He was silent the entire time, keeping his eyes forward and trying not to think, not to break down. The doors opened with a ding and he stepped onto the thankfully empty elevator.

When the doors shut behind him is when he lost his composure, slowly sliding down the wall and ducking his head as a soft sob ripped through his chest. 

He hadn't expected you to not recognize him and now he didn't know if you would ever recognize him.

---------------------

The drive home was silent. Jihoon hadn't bothered with the radio, preferring the silence. He pulled into his usual parking space, cutting the engine and sitting in the now completely silent car. He stared at the steering wheel, his mind blank before he sighed and leaned forward, resting his forehead against the leather.

His thoughts and emotions came rushing back to him, the corners of his eyes burning, tears threatening to spill. He figured he’d better let it all out now before he went back inside to tell Seungcheol and Soonyoung the news.

He opened his eyes, staring blankly at his jeans, hot tears flowing freely as he let himself be vulnerable in the comfort and privacy of his car. If he had done this in the apartment, he’d never hear the end of it. At least in the car, no one knew.

He allowed the gravity of the situation to finally wash over him. You didn’t know him. You didn’t recognize him. Like the last several months hadn’t happened. Jihyo had promised to handle it. To take on the task of explaining everything to you but Jihoon didn’t feel the least bit hopeful.

How could he? When he knew it was useless. Whatever had happened while your soul was outside your body hadn’t transferred over. The late night talks, the jokes, the accidental summoning, the morning conversations on the balcony, the notes back and forth on post-its, all of it. It seemed he would be the only one to remember it all.

His eyes widened as another revelation hit him, fresh tears spilling down his face, staining his cheeks.

Your voice, soft and almost distant in his memory. “I love you, too.”

You’d never remember the confession this morning. How you reciprocate his feelings. Then another voice, his own, spoke in his mind. “No matter what happens, I just want you to know I love you.”

A soft smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. He needed to keep that promise alive. He’d love you no matter what. No matter the outcome. He had to hold onto that. Even if he felt hopeless you’d never remember. He could remember for the both of you.

He would remember.

Dragging his feet, Jihoon found himself outside the apartment door, not remembering the walk here nor getting on the elevator. He’d blocked it all out. Taking a deep breath he resolved himself to opening the door and let himself in rather than turning around and running away, never to be seen again.

Inside the apartment felt different. It felt… empty. Your presence was gone entirely. The warm feeling Jihoon felt upon entering in the past was gone, replaced with a cold, uninviting space. The way a home felt when there was no longer any life or joy in it. And it was true.

With you gone, there was no longer any life or joy in the home. Not for Jihoon.

He silently made his way through the apartment, trudging down the hall like the weight of a million worries and thoughts had all piled on top of him. He reached his room and looked inside. It too felt cold and empty. He sighed heavily, stepping into the room and shutting his door to the hall.

Cutting himself off from the rest of the apartment. He needed to be alone. He couldn’t cope with it all at the moment. He needed solitude. He let his bag drop to the floor with a heavy thud, dropping into his chair at his desk and staring blankly at the wooden surface. He didn’t know what to do with himself. Usually he’d throw himself into his work to avoid these situations.

To take his mind off it all but now… he feared not even work would be enough to distract him.

What was he going to do now?

When Soonyoung finally arrived home, it was dark and seemingly empty. It had felt the same since that morning when your soul had disappeared from the balcony, taking all the warmth with it. He’d decided to leave, spending the day at the park and out running errands to distract himself from the weird feeling of the apartment. Seungcheol had left shortly after Jihoon but hadn’t returned home either.

Turning on the kitchen lights over the island, Soonyoung shrugged off his coat and set it on the back of the nearest stool, setting a black plastic bag on the counter. He’d stopped to grab some chicken and beer, hoping the familiarity of the food would bring back some of that warm homey feel.

He wandered through the apartment in search of someone to share his meal with, not wanting to eat alone. He continued down the hall, noticing Jihoon’s door was shut. ‘I’m sure he left that open when he left this morning,’ Soonyoung told himself as he walked towards the door.

He raised his fist, knocking softly three times.

There was no answer. He tried again, straining his ears for any sound on the other side of the wood.

“Go away,” said a muffled voice. Soonyoung perked up, having found someone else home.

“I brought chicken and beer,” Soonyoung said through the door. “I don’t want to eat alone,” he added.

“Please don’t make me eat alone.”

He heard a shuffle on the other side and the door opened, revealing Jihoon. He had dark circles under his eyes which were red and his hair was tousled, no doubt having been in bed. Soonyoung had half a mind to ask what happened, his mind jumping to conclusions at the state of Jihoon’s appearance.

“She’s not…” he whispered, causing Jihoon to look up at him. He shook his head. “She’s fine,” he answered, voice hoarse. “She’s awake.” Soonyoung’s eyes widened. “What?” he whispered. Jihoon shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it right now,” he added. “Where’s the beer?”

Soonyoung nodded down the hall towards the living area. Jihoon ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame the locks before stepping out of his room, shutting the door behind him. Soonyoung followed as Jihoon trekked down the hall sluggishly.

He walked around the kitchen island to open the plastic bag and produced the beer. Jihoon grabbed one and popped it open, taking a drink immediately as Soonyoung unpackaged the chicken. “Will you tell me what happened tomorrow?” Soonyoung asked as Jihoon took another sip.

He nodded silently. “But not tonight,” he replied in a soft voice. Soonyoung knew better than to pry but he also knew Jihoon really well. Well enough to know that the younger man had been crying for probably most of the day. Soonyoung reached across the kitchen island, grabbing the can of beer from Jihoon and pulled it away. He then grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and set it in front of his friend.

“Drink the water first,” Soonyoung said, nodding towards the bottle. “Then you can have your beer.”

Jihoon unscrewed the cap of the bottle, glaring at Soonyoung as he did so. Satisfied when his friend downed half the bottle, Soonyoung returned the can and started opening the chicken containers.

The front door opened and both men looked up as Seungcheol arrived, struggling to keep the door open as he stumbled in, flecks of white littering his coat and hair. “It’s snowing!” he exclaimed as he looked up and saw both staring at him. In one hand he carried a 6 pack of beer and in the other, a togo bag with no doubt more chicken. Seungcheol looked at the food on the counter and laughed.

“I guess it's a beer and chicken kind of night!”

“No, no, no!” Soonyoung said, shaking his head, forcing down a smile as Jihoon and Seungcheol stared at him incredulously. “It’s not the Lion King!” Soonyoung added angrily as he lifted the small note in his hand. Seungcheol glared at him angrily. “There’s no way it’s not the Lion King! I’ve seen that movie hundreds of times, I’m telling you it’s the Lion King!” he roared, hand slapping the counter as Jihoon cackled loudly, lifting his third can of beer to down the rest.

“It’s not!” Soonyoung yelled. Jihoon waved his hand at the two. “You’re-” he was cut off by a burp. “Ugh,” Jihoon groaned before returning to the conversation. “You’re gonna get us in trouble. Stop. Yelling.” Soonyoung narrowed his eyes at Jihoon. “Are you drunk?” he asked. Jihoon rolled his eyes. Or attempted to. His head moved in the same motion, almost as if he was exaggerating the motion.

Only he didn’t realize he was doing it.

Seungcheol watched the spectacle before letting out a laugh. “He’s so drunk right now,” he laughed. Soonyoung clicked his tongue, taking the now empty can from Jihoon. Upon realizing it was empty, he tossed it and immediately his hands shot out to stop Jihoon from grabbing another.

“You’ve had enough!” Soonyoung growled, wrestling the can from his friend who whined loudly.

“Come on!” Jihoon protested. Soonyoung shook his head, pulling the case away. “No,” he answered.

“You’re cut off!”

Jihoon picked up a napkin, wadded it up and threw it at Soonyoung. “My ghost girlfriend doesn’t recognize me now that she’s not a ghost!” he blurted out. “I think I’m allowed another beer!”

Both Soonyoung and Seungcheol hesitated mid action to look up as Jihoon grumbled to himself, crossing his arms over his chest and pouting like a child. Soonyoung glanced over to meet Seungcheol’s gaze before turning back to look at Jihoon. Soonyoung cleared his throat, leaning against the counter as Seungcheol sat up a little straighter.

“What’s this about Y/N not recognizing you?” Soonyoung asked, drawing Jihoon’s attention. “She doesn’t recognize me. Which means she probably doesn’t recognize either of you,” he said, blinking slowly. Soonyoung looked at Seungcheol who looked back before speaking.

“Are you sure she didn’t recognize you?” the older man asked. Jihoon turned his head to study Seungcheol. “I’m sure. Jihyo asked her ‘do you recognize him?’ And she shook her head! The nerve! I confessed my feelings to her this morning and she now doesn’t recognize me!” Jihoon scoffed, he leaned forward and grabbed another can in Soonyoung’s momentary lapse in attention. Just as quickly, Soonyoungwas on him, trying to wrestle the can away.

Seungcheol was about to join in when Jihoon’s phone started buzzing on the counter. He grabbed it while the two were distracted and answered it, not bothering to read the name on the ID.

“Hello?”

There was a brief pause before the caller answered. “Is this Jihoon?”

It was a woman’s voice. Seungcheol frowned and pulled the phone back to look at the screen. The name read Jihyo. His eyes widened as he brought the phone back to his ear. “Oh sorry!” Seungcheol said softly, getting up from his seat as Jihoon and Soonyoung’s wrestling match moved to the floor. “This is his roommate. I’m Seungcheol.”

“Well, where is Jihoon?”

Seungcheol glanced down at the floor where Soonyoung had managed to pull the can from Jihoon’s hands but now Jihoon was biting Soonyoung’s arm. “Uh.. he can’t come to the phone right now. He’s… wrestling.”

There was a brief pause before Jihyo spoke.

“Wrestling?” she deadpanned. “Yeah,” Seungcheol answered. “It’s a long story. Is there a message I can pass on for you?” Jihyo was silent for a bit more as Soonyoung screamed in pain and tried to fight Jihoon off him. “Uh… can you just tell him I’m working on what I told him earlier? Tell him Y/N is more lucid and I’m going to keep my promise.”

Without another word, Jihyo hung up and Seungcheol pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it in confusion. Jihoon looked up and noticed his phone in Seungcheol’s hand. “What are you doing?” he asked suddenly and scrambled to get up but not before lightly kicking Soonyoung and taking the can of beer for the win.

“Your phone was ringing so I answered it,” Seungcheol answered, holding the device out when Jihoon silently asked for it. “Who was it?”

“It was…” Seungcheol trailed off, contemplating if he should tell Jihoon. “Jihyo,” he finally answered, deciding lying wouldn’t look good. Jihoon perked up visibly. “What? Jihyo? Are you sure? What did she say?”

Seungcheol held up his hand. “She said to tell you that Y/N is more lucid, that she’s going to keep her promise, and that she’s working on what she told you earlier,” he answered, repeating what Jihyo had said to him. Jihoon frowned, not looking exactly at Seungcheol before glancing down at his phone.

“What’s she talking about?” Soonyoung asked breathlessly and getting up. Jihoon said nothing, instead handing the unopened can to Soonyoung and then turning around and wordlessly leaving the room. Seungcheol and Soonyoung watched him until he disappeared into his room, the door shutting with a soft click. Soonyoung glanced at Seungcheol. “What just happened?” the younger man asked.

Seungcheol shook his head, staring at the end of the hall where Jihoon had disappeared.

“I have no idea,” he answered. “But we’ll find out tomorrow.”

The next morning, Jihoon woke up with a raging headache. He was tangled up in his bedding, hair sticking up in all directions as he opened one eye. Sunlight filtered into his room from the window and he lifted his head, squinting as he looked around for his phone which he found plugged in on his bedside table. He grabbed the device and checked the screen.

It was just past eleven in the morning. He’d slept in later than he intended. Getting up, Jihoon managed to untangle his legs as he pulled himself from his bed. He rushed into his bathroom to do his business. Once he was done, he headed out into the hallway where the smell of breakfast and coffee greeted him.

Following his nose, he ambled into the kitchen where Soonyoung sat at the island already dressed for the day and sipping on his coffee. Seungcheol was standing at the range, chopsticks in hand as he made an omelet. “Morning,” Seungcheol said softly as Jihoon walked over to the coffee maker to fix himself a cup. “You sure slept late,” Seungcheol addressed him.

“Rough night?”

Jihoon turned to glare at Soonyoung over his shoulder. “Shut up,” he snapped before turning to the coffee pot. Soonyoung didn’t take it personally. Jihoon was often grumpy in the mornings but add in a hangover and whatever happened at the hospital last night to the mix and he was bound to snap.

“Look,” Seungcheol said as he plated the omelet and set the plate in front of Soonyoung who thanked him with a “yum,” before digging in. “Obviously something happened yesterday and we don’t know because we weren’t there. You aren’t the only person here who cares about Y/N so start talking,” the older man said, turning to Jihoon and pointing at him with the chopsticks.

Jihoon glared at him as well prompting Seungcheol to come up with a threat.

“Talk or make your own omelet.”

Jihoon grumbled as he moved to sit at the kitchen island, leaving a seat between him and Soonyoung.

“Fine,” Jihoon said as the pair stared at him. “Fine, I’ll talk.”

Half an hour later, Jihoon was finishing his omelet as Seungcheol plated his own.

“Honestly, I don’t know how the rules work,” Seungcheol said as he picked up his chopsticks and started to eat. “None of us knows how any of this works. So let’s just trust that Jihyo will handle it. And who knows,” he added, taking another bite of omelet. “Maybe Y/N’s memories of living here will come back to her!”

Jihoon said nothing but nodded nonetheless. It was normal for Seungcheol to be the optimistic one out of the three of them although Soonyoung was generally optimistic as well. Soonyoung, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke. “What if we visited her?”

Jihoon rolled his eyes. “You think her memories will come back just cause she sees us?” Jihoon snapped angrily. “If that was the case, don’t you think her memories would have come back when she saw me standing in her hospital room?”

Seungcheol swallowed his food before interjecting. “Don’t be nasty,” he said sternly. “She was just waking up,” Soonyoung reasoned. “She wasn’t fully there.” Seungcheol nodded towards Soonyoung.

“He’s got a point. And Jihyo said she was more lucid last night. Maybe before she was still fuzzy because her soul had just jumped back into her body. Maybe now, she’ll be more receptive.”

Jihoon said nothing, processing their words instead. It was a valid point to make. He was just mad that he didn’t make it yesterday when he was sobbing in his car. “It’s worth trying,” Seungcheol added while Soonyoung nodded persistently. Jihoon again said nothing. Maybe they were wrong. Maybe you’d never remember the things that happened when you weren’t in your body.

But maybe… just maybe they were right.

You sighed heavily as you watched Jihyo get ready, pouring her coffee into a travel mug. 

“I miss having a job,” you said softly as you watched her bustle about. Jihyo snorted as she grabbed her toast. “If it were me, I’d love not having to get up every morning and go to work,” she said. She no longer glanced at you as if your coma was some sensitive subject and you were both able to make light of the situation. Once you were deemed fit to leave the hospital, Jihyo insisted you move in with her. She had a nice apartment downtown close to the hospital where you’d have to go for your check ups on your road to recovery.

She had converted the den into your room, apologizing that there was no closet. You assured her it was okay. All of your things had either been donated or taken to your parents place in the country. All your clothes were there and your parents had sent you some of your money they’d put in a savings account for if you woke up again. 

It was all prepared carefully. 

You were able to use that money to buy some essentials and some clothes as well. Jihyo had also taken you to get a new phone and number as your parents had canceled your previous plan. You were fully set up minus your things from home within the week from being discharged.

Since you’d lost your job after the accident, you were now unemployed again and had taken to doing the household chores to earn your keep, despite Jihyo telling you not to worry about it. It had been two weeks since you left and you were starting to get bored. You needed a job.

So after Jihyo left, you got dressed and ready to go out and hunt for a job. Even if it was a part time job, you needed something to get you out of the house and keep you from going insane.

After trying several ads in the paper you’d seen, you found yourself stopping outside a cute cafe and glanced up beside it at the highrise building it was nestled into the base of. It was clearly some kind of office building and you decided to go in and see what businesses were there. Hopefully find a place you might be able to snag a job.

With your little notebook and pen in hand, you started to scribble down the names of the various firms and corporations as workers moved around you, not noticing you as they arrived for work. You were halfway down the list when the security guard approached you.

“Can I help you find something, miss?” he asked. You turned to look at him, noticing he was a kind looking older man. You smiled at him. “Sorry,” you said softly. “I probably look really suspicious,” you added, prompting him to tilt his head at you. “I just got discharged from the hospital a couple weeks ago and I’m looking for work,” you explained.

“What were you doing in the hospital?” the guard asked. “I was in a coma for ten months,” you answered, chuckling at the shocked expression on his face. “I fell down the stairs at my old apartment building,” you continued. “Fell into a coma at the hospital and just finally woke up.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your accident but glad you’re still with us,” the guard said with a kind smile. “If I may,” he added, stepping forward to point to a name on the directory. “I know this place is looking for some assistants. Mainly to help with filing and other clerical work,” he explained.

You jotted down the name before smiling up at the directory and then turning to beam at him. “Thank you very much!” you replied happily. “I can let you up to see the receptionist. They can direct you where to go to fill out an application and you could turn in a resume if you have one on you.” 

You nodded quickly. “That would be so helpful, thank you!”

The security guard walked you to the elevators and once you were on, he pressed the button for the eleventh floor and told you where to turn and which suite to go to. You thanked him and were on your way up. The small crowd in the elevator thinned out as the lift rose up further until you were the last on the elevator when it arrived at the eleventh floor, doors opening with a ding.

You stepped out of the lift and looked around for the suite number the guard had told you. ‘Eleven-eighty-two.’ Your eyes were met with texture glass windows framed with black steel and a matching door with black painted letters at the top that read one one eight two. At eye level were the words “MM&C Management Firm.” You pulled open the door and stepped inside where you were greeted by a small white desk and a very pretty young woman who sat behind it.

“Hi,” she said as you approached, giving you a warm and friendly smile. “How can I help you?”

“So, I just got out of the hospital a couple weeks ago and I’m looking for work. The security guard downstairs told me this firm might be looking for help with clerical work?”

The woman smiled at you and turned to pull open a desk. “Here,” she said softly as she pulled out a small paper packet and set it on the top of the desk. “Fill that out and bring it back. I will make sure it gets to the right person,” she added with a wink. You smiled and looked around. “Any chance I could fill it out here?” you asked softly. “I’m not in any hurry,” you added.

The receptionist pulled out a pen and handed it to you. “Take your time,” she said and gestured for you to pull up a chair next to her desk and fill out the application.

You were impressed by the volume of questions and how thorough the application was. It took you several minutes to fill out and when you were finished, you handed it back to the receptionist with a copy of your resume. She promised to get it to the read of human resources as soon as possible and that most likely she’d hear back within the week. You thanked her one last time and headed out of the office feeling more confident than before as you pushed the elevator call button.

Back out on the street, you decided to stop by the cafe and grab a coffee and maybe a muffin as you hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. You made your way through the busy sidewalk as you headed for the door before bumping into someone. The motion caused you to spin 180 degrees as you collided with the man.

Looking up, your eyes met his and you noticed how they widened. His lips parted and he stared at you in what you could only assume was shock. “I’m so sorry,” you said, bowing politely. He stood unmoving, staring at you. “I should have been watching where I was going,” you added. Still he did not move.

You were starting to get worried when a familiar face strode up beside the shocked man.

“Soonyoung,” he said, grabbing the man’s shoulder and giving him a slight shake. “You’re staring,” the man whispered. It was the same man from your hospital room. The one Jihyo had asked if you recognized. He managed to pull his friend, Soonyoung out of his trance. He whispered something to Soonyoung before turning to give you an apologetic look.

“I’m so sorry,” he said softly. “He’s…” he trailed off. “Uh. Yeah. Sorry again.”

Before you could say anything else, the two left, the man pulling his friend along and out of sight.

You weren’t sure what it was but something was familiar about Soonyoung. You couldn’t tell what. You knew you’d never seen him before but the feeling you got when you saw him felt oddly… comforting.

After getting your coffee and muffin you continued about your day, applying at various firms and dropping off your resume until you returned home to shower before Jihyo got home.

As you were starting dinner, Jihyo arrived. She changed out of her work clothes and joined you in the kitchen as you were putting dinner in the oven. She moved over to the fridge to grab a bottle of wine and two glasses before asking how your day was. You told her about your job hunt, thanking her for the glass before setting it down and looking up at her.

“I saw him again,” you said suddenly. Jihyo looked at you. “Saw who?”

“That man from my hospital room. I saw him today while I was looking for jobs.”

Jihyo’s eyebrows raised. “Really?” she asked before taking another sip of wine. “Where at?”

You explained about the highrise building you’d visited and went up to fill out an application. How the security guard had been very nice and told you where to look. You minced on the details of the place in favor of explaining what happened after you left the building.

“I bumped into this guy,” you continued, staring at your glass of wine. Jihyo had already almost finished her glass and was watching you intently. “Oh?” she asked. “Was he cute?” You didn’t miss the way she wiggled her eyebrows at you, prompting you to roll your eyes. “Not the point, Ji,” you answered.

Jihyo’s eyebrows shot up. “So he was cute!”

You waved your hand, trying to dismiss this part of the conversation. “Again, not the point! What is the point is that he was friends with the man from the hospital,” you added. Jihyo nodded, downing the rest of her wine. “Jihoon,” she said suddenly, pulling you from your thoughts just as you were sinking.

You looked up quickly. “What?” you whispered as she moved around the island to the fridge, grabbing the wine to refill her glass. “His name is Jihoon,” Jihyo explained. “The man from the hospital. Lee Jihoon.” You turned away from her as the name rolled around in your head like clothes in the dryer.

‘Jihoon? Why does that seem so familiar?’ you asked yourself. ‘And his friend. Soonyoung, he was familiar, too.’ You looked up as Jihyo returned to her seat, picking up her wine. “Tell me about the accident again,” you said suddenly.

Jihyo coughed, setting her wine back down and placing her hand over her mouth as she tried to cough up the wine she accidentally inhaled. “We’ve been over this, Y/N,” she explained.

“You fell at the old apartment. The elevator was out of service and you must have been late for work. One of the tenants on the bottom floor heard your scream and came out to find you at the base of the stairs. He called the paramedics.” You listened intently as Jihyo went over the events again.

It sounded the exact same as the first few times she explained it. “I don’t remember falling,” you whispered. Jihyo grimaced and reached across the countertop to take your hand in hers. “I wouldn’t want to remember falling down an entire flight of stairs, would you?” she asked softly.

Looking up, you met her gaze and finally shook your head. “No, I guess not,” you replied.

Your conversation was interrupted by the timer going off. “Dinner!” Jihyo exclaimed excitedly, getting up and rushing around to grab the oven mitts.

You stepped out of the way as she pulled open the oven door and carefully pulled out the dish, setting it on the counter. “Can we go see it?” you asked as Jihyo pulled off the oven mitts, shutting the door and giving you a perplexed look. “See what?”

“The apartment,” you answered. “I want to see it again. It’s been what? Almost a year since I last saw it.”

Jihyo looked nervous as she turned to face you. “I don’t think that’s possible,” she answered. Your smile fell. “And why not?” Jihyo sighed, turning to open a drawer and produce a spoon for the casserole. “Because!” she retorted. “Someone else lives there now.”

You shrugged as Jihyo started plating the food. “We can tell them what happened!” you pressed. “Tell them we used to live there. Maybe they’ll let us in!”

Jihyo slammed the end of the spoon on the counter top. “Y/N! Just… stop it,” she said, her tone exasperated. “It’s just not possible. Someone else lives there now. Would you want some stranger showing up and wanting to come in here to look around?”

When she put it like that, you saw her point. You hung your head dejectedly. “You’re right,” you whispered. Jihyo set the spoon down and sighed, taking your hand in hers. “I’m sorry I yelled,” she started. “That wasn’t very Cash Money of me.”

You snorted at her comment, a smile spreading across her face as well. “It’s in the past though. There’s nothing left for you there. All your things are gone or at your parents house.”

You nodded again, taking in a deep breath before exhaling. “You’re right,” you said with a firm nod. “No point dwelling in the past,” you continued. “I just feel a pull to go back. I’m sure it’ll pass though,” you said as you picked up your fork and took a bite of the casserole you’d prepared.

Jihyo took a bite as well. The two of you looked at one another before each spitting your food out.

“Pizza?” Jihyo asked to which you nodded, picking up your phone and pulling up the website of the closest pizza place. “Yeah,” you replied softly. “I’m never cooking again.”

---------------------

The following week, you were surprised to receive a call about a position at the MM&C firm you’d applied to. They wanted to schedule an interview and have you come in to meet with HR and that the head of the department would actually be conducting your interview.

You looked up at the same high rise from the other day and smiled nervously. ‘You’ve got this!’ you told yourself before taking your first confident step towards the front door. Once inside you met the gaze of the security guard who smiled at you as you approached his desk. 

“Well, hello again,” he said brightly. “What brings you back?”

“I actually have an interview with someone at MM&C Management,” you explained. He gave you a high five and wished you luck. “You’re gonna knock ‘em dead!” he called as you walked towards the elevator, prompting you to wave at him before stepping onto the elevator.

As the doors were shutting, a hand shot out, stopping the doors and a man entered the elevator, pressing the button for the tenth floor. He gave you a polite smile as the doors shut and the elevator started to climb. You could sense he was glancing at you out of the corner of his eye but you tried to pay him no mind, instead staring at yourself in the reflective surface of the elevator interior.

You’d chosen this dress specifically for this interview, having gone out the day you’d gotten the call to shop for more appropriate attire. Jihyo had to work so she couldn’t be there in person but you sent her pictures of each ensemble and she helped you narrow down your options.

You left with three outfits with shoes and accessories to match. Once Jihyo returned home, she looked over the outfits with you and helped you settle on a cream and black colorblock dress. It was form fitting and the hem stopped just above the knee. With it you’d paired simple black heels that were nice but still comfortable. You’d worn one of Jihyo’s long coats and borrowed a hat and scarf to protect against the cold weather.

The elevator doors dinged and opened, allowing the man off who gave you a smile and a wave. The doors shut before you could return either, not that you particularly wanted to. The ride from the tenth to the eleventh floor lasted all of ten seconds and soon you were stepping off the lift and making your way to suite 1180. You pulled open the doors and were greeted by the same receptionist who beamed as you approached the desk.

“Told you I’d get those papers to the right hands,” she said with a wink. You smiled shyly as she glanced down at her papers. “Miss Y/N, I presume?” she asked, glancing up. You nodded and watched as she pulled out a visitor pass and handed it over. Just have a seat and someone will be here to escort you shortly,” the receptionist said, gesturing to the seats against the wall.

Thanking her, you moved to sit down and now had the chance to actually look around the office. It looked like any other office. Plain walls, plain floors, fluorescent lights, office cubicles. What separated it from most other offices was the openness that came with the large windows and all the natural light.

To your left seemed to be the main office space although it was on the smaller side. You looked to your right and saw a long hallway that led to a black door with three horizontal rectangular windows. As you stared down the hall, a door opened and another woman appeared. She was tall and slim, sporting a plain white blouse with a high neck, cap sleeves that showed off her toned arms. Her shirt was tucked into a khaki pencil skirt with shiny gold button details.

She approached the reception area, her black stilettos silent against the carpet as she walked. Her long black hair was styled into a half updo, soft curls flowing down her back. She stopped as she approached you, prompting you to stand up quickly. “Y/N?” she asked with a smile, a set of dazzling white teeth appearing from behind her soft pink lips.

You nodded wordlessly, bowing when she bowed to you. “Mr. Choi is ready for you,” she said softly. “If you’ll just follow me.” You shot a glance at the receptionist who mouthed a quick ‘good luck’ offering a thumbs up as you followed this well put together woman down the long corridor.

About halfway down, she stopped and opened a door with the words ‘Human Resources’ etched onto textured glass. As she opened the door, she stepped in, gesturing for you to follow. Inside was a smaller office space, much like the one you’d seen before at reception. She led you through the office which, while being on the smaller side, was much different from the office cubicles you’d seen before.

Instead of cubicles, there were walled off spaces with glass. Somewhat private but still not entirely closed off from the rest of the department. At the end of the room was no doubt the head of HR’s office, where you were heading. Counter height windows dominated the wall except for the door which also had a large window. The blinds were half raised but closed completely to give off a private but not isolated vibe.

The woman leading you paused at the door, knocking lightly. A voice rang out, asking the two of you to enter. The door was opened and you peered from closely behind the woman.

“Y/N is here for her interview,” she announced to the man who sat behind the desk. He was ducked behind his PC, typing away. “Perfect,” he said. “Please take her to the conference room and I’ll be with her in just a moment,” he instructed. The woman nodded, pulling the door shut and smiling at you, guiding your way to one of the longer office spaces which was currently empty.

A long black wooden table stood in the middle of the room with enough chairs to seat ten people which seemed to be all that worked in this department from what you saw. “Mr. Choi will be right with you,” the secretary said. “You’re welcome to have any of the refreshments from the fridge,” she added, gesturing to a fridge in the corner.

You thanked her and just like that, you were alone.

Seungcheol finished the email he’d been working on before sending it and stretching. ‘Thank god that’s over,’ he mused as he shut down his computer and got up, grabbing his phone and checking the time. He slipped the device into his pocket afterwards and headed out of his office, stopping by his secretary’s desk as he exited his office. “Do you have that file for me?” he asked softly.

His secretary smiled, pulling open the top drawer of her desk and handed it to him. “Perfect,” he said with a grin. “Thank you, Hana.” 

Taking the file, Seungcheol headed for the meeting room, looking over the file. He stopped in his tracks as he read the name on the application. “Y/N?” he breathed. ‘It couldn’t be, right?’

He looked up from the papers and into the meeting room, his eyes widening and heart skipping into his throat at the same time his stomach dropped into his shoes.

It was you.

He froze in place, unable to move or speak as he watched you sitting behind the glass. You obviously looked quite different from what he was accustomed to but there was no mistake. It was you.

Your hair was a little different and you weren’t wearing the same outfit he saw you in day in and day out.

You were corporeal. Living, breathing. There was color to your complexion. A natural glow to your skin. And makeup. There was makeup. It was almost surreal seeing you in this state when he’d been used to seeing you the other way for so long. He managed to regain his composure and started walking towards the door, pulling it open carefully.

He’d have to make a mental note of this to tell Jihoon and Soonyoung later.

“Hi,” Seungcheol said as he shut the door. You stood quickly, bowing respectfully as he did the same before moving to sit adjacent to you. “I hope you don’t mind me sitting here,” he said as he set a folder, no doubt your file, on the table. “I find sitting so far down at the head of the table informal and really awkward. I almost have to yell all my questions,” he added.

You smiled back at him, nodding silently. “Okay, so,” Seungcheol started. “I’ve gone over your application and your resume so I’m not going to waste your time with the information on that. Tell me a little about yourself,” he said, hoping to use this opportunity to get to know you a little more.

You looked taken aback but got right into it.

“Well, I’m returning to work. I’ve been unemployed for ten months,” you explained. Seungcheol leaned in as you explained about the accident, your fall down the stairs that landed you in a coma for ten months. He’d heard this story from Jihoon already but didn’t interrupt.

“I figured it’s time to return to work. I moved in with my best friend after the hospital discharged me but I’m starting to feel like a burden. I want to help out.” Seungcheol nodded as he listened.

“And what about your family? Do they live in the city?”

You shook your head. “No, they live in the country. I would have moved back home with them except that my doctor is here and it’s better for my check ups to stay close to the city center. I haven’t been approved to drive yet so I actually live very close,” you explained.

Seungcheol nodded, looking down at the paper, eyes scanning the sheet.

“Well, you’re more than qualified for the job and you have excellent references,” he stated before looking up. “I’m not one of those people who asks why you want to work for us. I can guess that the location is convenient for you and that you need a job. Otherwise you wouldn’t apply, am I correct?”

You nodded silently. “Is this line of work similar to your previous job?” he asked, not looking away as you nodded. “Well,” you cut yourself off. “Sort of. I was a paralegal before,” you added.”Which is fancy for ‘lawyer secretary and assistant,’” you continued with a chuckle.

“But I have a lot of clerical experience.”

Seungcheol smiled and nodded. “Your resume and application definitely tells that tale. It also tells me that you’re a loyal employee with several years of clerical work under her belt at the same firm.”

He glanced down and shut the folder, looking back up. “There shouldn’t be any reason why we wouldn’t hire you,” he added. “I’m supposed to tell you to expect a call back within a week but don’t be surprised if you hear back tomorrow or the day after,” he added, standing up.

You followed suit as he grabbed the folder and gestured to the door. “I’ll walk you out,” he added, pulling open the meeting room door and allowing you to leave first. He followed you to the office door that led into the hallway and walked you down to reception. 

“Did you have any questions for me?” he asked, looking up as you walked.

“Uh,” you hesitated. “I don’t think so, actually.”

“Well, if you happen to come across any questions you’d like to ask me,” he started as the two of you stopped. “Don’t hesitate to reach out.”

He handed you a card with his name and number on it. “That number is my office number but under it is my personal cell. You can also always reach me by email.”  You took the card, thanking him for his time with a bow. He returned the gesture. “Thank you for coming by and I hope to see you again soon,” he added. You thanked him again and he watched as you headed towards the door and out of sight.

‘What are the odds?’

Soonyoung reiterated his sentiment later that night as Seungcheol recounted the interview and his interaction with Y/N. Jihoon was surprisingly silent as Seungcheol and Soonyoung chatted.

“Is she qualified for the position?” he asked, lifting his glass to his lips. Seungcheol nodded, chewing his food thoughtfully. “More than qualified. It’s simple clerical work. She used to be a paralegal,” he answered, drawing both Soonyoung and Jihoon’s attention.

“She did?” Soonyoung asked. Seungcheol nodded. “She’s perfect for the position.”

Jihoon said nothing, taking another sip of his drink. Soonyoung noticed Seungcheol’s gaze shift ever so slightly to look at the youngest of the group. “It feels weird though,” Seungcheol continued. Jihoon looked up from his food.

“What does?”

Seungcheol didn’t meet his gaze. “Being in control of her career like this. It feels… I don’t know…” Seungcheol trailed off as he tried to find the right words. “Wrong. It feels wrong.” Jihoon snorted, returning his attention to his food. “If she’s qualified for the position, or overqualified as you’ve indicated, then it can’t be helped. It’s not like she knows who you are,” he added.

“We don’t control where she applies. It’s not like we told her where to go nor are you pulling any strings to get her in.” Seungcheol watched as Jihoon continued to eat.

The younger man looked up, finally meeting his gaze. Jihoon merely shrugged at him.

“It’s a coincidence.”

You flopped down onto your bed, letting out a sigh. Your shower felt nice. Like you were washing away your worries for the day. It had been a couple days since your interview at MM&C Management and you’d had a couple other interviews but none of those had made you feel as at ease as Mr. Choi at MM&C. You couldn’t shake the feeling that you knew him though you knew you didn’t.

He wasn’t familiar. At least not his face. But the way you felt around him was comforting. He was comforting. It was almost the same kind of feeling you got around Soonyoung the other day outside the high rise. How could two strangers’ presences feel so… comforting?

It made no sense to you.

You were pulled from your thoughts by the ringing of your phone. Without sitting up, you reached for the device and checked the screen. It was an unknown number. You answered it hesitantly.

“Hello?”

“Hello, is this Y/N?” asked a voice. ‘Wait, that voice sounds familiar!’

“It is,” you answered.

“This is Hana from MM&C Management. We met just before your interview the other day.”

The woman with the long black hair came into your mind’s eye. ‘Of course!’

You sat up quickly. “Y-yes! Hello!” you said, attempting and failing to keep your voice calm. Excitement was written all over your face.

“I have Mr. Choi on the line, he would like to speak with you,” Hana explained. “O-of course!” you replied, waiting for the line to switch.

“Hello? Y/N?” His voice brought with it a soothing comfort and you were able to relax a bit. “Hello, Mr. Choi,” you replied. You heard him chuckle over the line. “Seungcheol is fine,” he retorted. “Mr. Choi is my father.” You let out a nervous chuckle. “Of course, sorry. Seungcheol. How can I help you?”

“Well, for starters, you can accept this offer of employment. That would really make my superiors happy,” he said, that same amused tone in his voice. “So, what do you say, Y/N? Feel like joining MM&c Management?” Your heart pounded in your chest as he spoke.

Before you had time to process or think your lips parted.

“Count me in.”

The call ended after Seungcheol had gone over as many of the details he was authorized over the phone to do so. For the rest, you would have to come in for orientation and finalize everything by signing some paperwork which was scheduled for the following Monday.

You heard the front door open and got up quickly, scrambling out of the den door to meet Jihyo as she entered the apartment. She looked at you with a peculiar expression as she set some takeout on the counter. “What on earth has gotten into you?” she asked, trying to suppress her laughter.

“Please tell me you have another bottle of wine,” you started as she untied the black plastic bags and started to pull out the food. “I do,” she said hesitantly. “Why?”

You beamed at her as you moved to sit at the kitchen counter.

“Break out the wine,” you announced. “This bitch just got herself a job!”

Filling out paperwork and signing proved to be just as taxing as you remembered but Seungcheol made the process as smooth as possible, explaining everything in the simplest terms he could.

After what felt like two hours of paperwork and signing, your picture was taken for your new work badge, and next came the tour. Not only did Seungcheol take you through the suite, showing you each department, but he also took you to a couple other floors where the firm worked closely with the others.

You learned of the twenty floors in the building, five of them were associated with MM&C. He also showed you where the employee cafeteria was located and promised that the food was well worth it. You were then shown to your workstation. You were not going to be working on the eleventh floor with him but instead you were on the nineteenth. You’d be doing clerical work and errands for the secretarial staff on that floor. 

It didn’t take you long to fit into the staff and get into the swing of things and even though you weren’t working on the same floor as Seungcheol, you surprisingly made a lot of trips down to human resources for your clerical work. It was nice to see his comforting face occasionally when you came to drop off files and got to chat for a bit.

Lunch was another time you got to visit with him, eating in the cafeteria and talking about more than just work. Seungcheol was easy to talk to and you really enjoyed talking to him.

So when he didn’t show up for lunch one day, you wondered if he was okay. You hadn’t seen him all day, your tasks keeping you moving from floor to floor except for the eleventh. You were picking up some files that needed to be scanned and digitized on the fifth floor when you ran into him.

Lee Jihoon. The elevator opened and the two of you made eye contact. He visibly tensed as his eyes met yours. You offered him a polite smile and stepped onto the elevator. The atmosphere between the two of you was tense. Something unspoken between the two of you but you couldn’t discern what.

Jihoon on the other hand knew exactly what it was.

Sexual tension. He’d never experienced it with you. It had never been very tense between the two of you before you woke up, so he didn’t have much to go off but he’d felt sexual tension plenty of times in his life. And elevators had a way of bringing it out in people.

“How have you been?”

Your voice was so soft that if this was the sort of building to play elevator music, Jihoon is certain he would have missed your question. Instead, he heard it crystal clear. It dawned on him that this was the first time he was hearing your voice since you woke up.

He turned to glance at you. ‘How have you been?’ It was such a simple question but he couldn’t answer it right away. Not the way he wanted to. ‘How have I been?’

Truthfully, he’s been better but rather than telling you that, he came up with a bullshit answer. Hopefully you couldn’t read him as well as you could before. “I’m alright,” he answered, surprised by the softness of his own voice. “I remember you,” you said suddenly, making his heart skip a beat.

“From the hospital,” you added. His heart slowly sank back into its usual position. ‘Of course.’

“Ah,” he said simply. A beat of silence fell over the two of you before you spoke again.

“Why were you there?” Jihoon hadn’t been prepared for this question. In all honesty, he hadn’t been prepared to see or speak to you ever again so he wasn’t sure how to answer it. Deciding vagueness had always been his strong suit, he tapped into that.

“It’s… complicated.” You tilted your head, like a puppy does upon hearing its own name.

“Complicated how?” god you sounded so child-like and innocent. How could he possibly begin to even explain it? There was no easy way to do it, not without sounding like a total nutcase.

“I… can’t really explain it,” he finally settled on. Was it a lame answer? Of course. Did you deserve a better answer? Absolutely. So why couldn’t he give you one? Perhaps because he was a coward.

The elevator dinged, pulling both of you from your thoughts and the unaddressed tension as the doors opened. Jihoon stepped forward without another word. “It was nice seeing you- oh! Seungcheol!” you said as the man in question appeared.

Seungcheol turned to find both you and Jihoon. “You didn’t come to lunch today,” you noted, a hint of sadness to your voice. Jihoon felt his stomach sink and his blood start to boil as he turned his head slowly to look at Seungcheol who offered a sheepish smile. “Sorry, Y/N,” he said.

“I made plans with a friend for lunch,” he said, clapping Jihoon on the shoulder.

The shock on your face was evident in the way your brows rose and your lips parted.

It looked as if you hadn’t known Jihoon and Seungcheol were friends and Jihoon would have to give the older man a piece of his mind about eating lunch with you.

Seungcheol gestured for Jihoon to go ahead of him. “Sorry again, Y/N,” he said with a smile. “Maybe tomorrow?” You nodded, the smile returning to your face. “It was nice seeing you again, Jihoon!” you called, noticing how Jihoon visibly stiffened before turning to look back at you. “You, too,” he replied softly.

You watched as they disappeared past the suite door and stepped back to allow the elevator doors to shut. ‘So they’re friends, too?’ you wondered as the elevator started to ascend to the nineteenth floor. You crossed your arms over your chest, holding the folders of papers to be scanned close to you, almost hugging it. Just how many people in your life were he friends with?

As soon as the door to his office shut, Seungcheol expected Jihoon to pounce but instead the younger man sat down and glared at him. He glared but said nothing until Seungcheol couldn’t take it anymore.

“Will you at least yell at me or something?” he asked. Jihoon shook his head silently.

“Are you seeing her or something?” he finally asked. Seungcheol was so shocked by his question that his jaw actually dropped. “You honestly think I’d do that to you?” Seungcheol asked incredulously. “I know how you feel about her. You really think I would just swoop in and steal her from you?”

Jihoon sighed heavily, leaning forward to hide his face in his hands. “No,” he groaned before sitting back. “No I don’t.” Seungcheol nodded slowly. “Well good. Cause I wouldn’t. You’re one of my best friends, Ji. I wouldn’t dream of hurting you like that.”

“Why are you eating lunch with her? How often have you been doing that?”

Seungcheol hesitated for a moment. “For a while. Since she started. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable and she had a familiar face around,” he answered. “It might make it a lot easier.”

Jihoon narrowed his eyes. “Might make what a lot easier?” he asked. Seungcheol sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “I thought that if she and I spent some time together, even in a work setting, we’d become friends and then through me, she could meet you again. Maybe it might trigger some memories or something!” Seungcheol explained as Jihoon groaned and got up, beginning to pace.

“Did you hire her specifically to do this?” Jihoon asked angrily. “What?” Seungcheol asked, looking indignant. “No? I didn’t hire her! I just do the interviews!”

Jihoon groaned and turned to face the office door. He pressed his fingers against his temple on either side of his head. “This has to stop,” Jihoon said softly before turning to look at his friend. “We can’t interfere with her life. We have to move on.” Seungcheol’s expression morphed into one of sadness.

He knew where Jihoon was coming from and he understood it but he also felt there was something more to this. Like you were meant to be in their lives still. If Jihoon was willing to give up that was fine, but he wasn’t. Not yet.

“I’m sorry,” Seungcheol said softly. “I should have told you from the start.” Jihoon shook his head. “It’s okay. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions and accusing you of being a bad friend.” Seungcheol smiled at him. “So,” he said, leaning forward.

“You wanna get sushi?”

The entire rest of your day at work was hell. You were distracted and couldn’t focus on anything. All you could think about was why Jihoon was there. Had he and Seungcheol been friends all along? Was he following you? Just who was he? As you gathered your things at the end of your shift and headed to the elevator, you knew just who to ask to get your answers.

Jihyo was already home when you got there, dinner in the oven as she poured two glasses of wine. She wanted to celebrate your first week of work at your new job. As you entered, she welcomed you home cheerfully, smile fading as she watched you hastily tear off your hat and coat, tossing them on the bench by the front door before slipping your shoes off. 

“You have a lot to answer for, Seo Jihyo,” you said angrily as you stormed over. Jihyo shrank against the kitchen counter. “Wh-what are you-”

“Who the fuck is Jihoon and why does he know the guy who hired me? Why is he everywhere? Why was he in my hospital room when I woke up?”

Jihyo stared at you, eyes wide. “I-I…” she stammered, trailing off. “Tell me now or I swear to god-”

Jihyo held out her hands. “Okay, okay!” she said quickly. “I’ll tell you but you have to listen to everything I say and wait until I’m done before you speak.”

You narrowed your eyes at her before moving to sit at the kitchen island, grabbing your glass of wine and downing half of it in one go. “Talk.”

Jihyo sighed before launching into explanation. She explained how she met Jihoon. How he contacted her to ask about your accident. He was under the impression you had died. Before you could interrupt, Jihyo explained that Jihoon, Seungcheol, and Soonyoung were the new tenants of your old apartment.

Jihoon wanted to know details about your death because he and the others were experiencing… supernatural activity. They were convinced it was your ghost. Upon hearing this, you had a sudden flash, a memory, of you standing in the apartment, surrounded by furniture that did not belong to you.

You snapped out of it as Jihyo continued. “So when he called me and asked for details about your death I told him you weren’t dead. You were in a coma. He asked if he could meet me and at first, I was hesitant but I agreed. He was adamant he’d seen your spirit. Spoken to it. Had full conversations with you. I thought he was crazy,” Jihyo laughed, downing the rest of her wine before pouring another glass.

“But then he started to tell me things about you. Things he couldn’t have known. That was when I started to believe him.” She continued on, telling how Jihoon came to the hospital to see you. The day you woke up and that he somehow managed to wake you up. “He had said he wanted to try,” she said with a far off look in her eyes.

“And they live in our old building?” you asked. She nodded, closing her eyes. You sat silently as you made up your mind. It sounded ridiculous but then again, you couldn’t shake the unmistakable feeling you got around Soonyoung or the comfort of Seungcheol. Even the unaddressed tension between you and Jihoon in the elevator.

And there was only one way to know for sure.

You got up from the island, walking to the door. Jihyo sat up. “Where are you going?” she asked as you slid on your shoes and pulled on your coat. “To our old apartment,” you said simply, pulling on your hat and gloves, wrapping your scarf around your neck. “You can’t!” Jihyo protested.

You turned to her. “Don’t try to stop me, Jihyo,” you warned. “I have to do this. I need answers.”

Jihyo stared at you blankly. “I just gave them to you,” she replied. “No,” you started, turning to face her.

“I know but I need more answers. Ones you can’t give me. I need answers from…” you trailed off.

“From Jihoon.” Jihyo finished your sentence for you. “Yeah,” you nodded. “From Jihoon.”

You pulled open the door and stepped out into the hall.

You barely knew how to get to your old apartment from where you were but you knew you’d manage. You had your phone after all. You could just look up the directions. 

Once you were gone, Jihyo ran to the kitchen, snatching her phone off the counter and started scrolling until she found what she was looking for. She pressed the little green button and waited for an answer while it rang. After a couple rings, someone picked up.

Jihoon had just arrived home and was the first one there. Seungcheol had gone out for drinks with coworkers and Soonyoung had left for the weekend to stay with his parents. He’d finished dinner early and was cleaning up when his phone vibrated on the counter. He dried his hands and picked up the device, reading the name Jihyo flash across the screen.

He answered it, confusion rampant on his face and in his voice.

“Jihyo?” he asked. “Why are you-”

“I told her.” Those three simple words were enough to send Jihoon’s heart into a panic. ‘Told her? Told her what?’ He cleared his throat. “Wh-what did you tell her?” he asked, deciding context was important. “Everything,” Jihyo whispered on the other end. “I told her everything. She’s on her way there now. She needs more answers. Answers I can’t give her.”

Jihoon’s heart pounded in his chest. ‘She’s on her way? She’s coming here?’ He licked his lips and looked around quickly. “Uh… okay. I’ll uh… I’ll take care of it.” Jihyo thanked him before hanging up. Jihoon finished cleaning up at record speed.

He wasn’t sure how much time had passed between Jihyo’s call and the knock at his door. He walked over to the door, checking his reflection in the mirror before peering through the peephole. You stood on the other side of the door, bundled to the max with tiny flecks of white dusting your clothing.

Jihoon unlocked the door and pulled it open, eyes meeting yours as you turned to look at him. Neither one of you said anything at first until Jihoon finally broke the silence. “You want to come in?” he asked, his voice soft as he stood aside. You thanked him quietly and stepped over the threshold.

Jihoon stood back as you removed your shoes and pulled your hat off your head, stuffing it and your gloves into your coat pockets. Jihoon moved to the kitchen, watching as you started to look around. Your eyes were full of both sadness and curiosity as you scanned your surroundings.

You said nothing as you looked around and took it all in. It was your old apartment but it also wasn’t at the same time. The furniture wasn’t yours but it was familiar all the same. A nagging and pulling at the back of your mind telling you this was home. This was your home. Yet it wasn’t, you told yourself. It was Jihoon’s. It was Seungcheol’s. It was Soonyoung’s. It wasn’t yours anymore.

Without asking, you walked over to the windows looking onto the balcony where you and Jihyo had kept your plants. There were still plants but they weren’t yours. And the chairs weren’t yours either.

As you started to turn away from the balcony, you had a sudden memory. Sitting on the balcony and laughing as the sun came up but it was with Jihyo. It was with…

You turned around to look at Jihoon who was watching you with a guarded expression.

You said nothing, too stunned to speak as you walked through the living room, stopping to look at the living room set. The coffee table brought another memory.

Seungcheol and Soonyoung kneeling around the table with a Ouija board and a dark foreboding presence. You snapped out of it and continued on, passing the main bathroom. The first room you reached was Nari’s. You peered in and saw the furniture was definitely not Nari’s. It was completely different from how you remembered it.

Another memory manifested itself as you peered into the dark room. Sitting in the desk chair and talking to someone who wasn’t Nari. It was Soonyoung. You blinked, the scene fading from in front of you, almost like you were observing it instead of experiencing it.

You continued down the hall, peering into Jihyo’s old room. ‘This must be Seungcheol’s room.’ You decided not to enter as you worked with him and it felt wrong to enter his space like that. Although this whole situation felt wrong, it also felt right. Like you were meant to be here.

You saved your old room for last, pushing the cracked door open and looking into the room. It wasn’t yours anymore but for some reason, it still felt familiar. Like you’d spent enough time here to know that the placement of everything was where it should be. The bed, the desk, all the desk supplies. Everything was in its rightful place.

You walked into the room slowly, looking around, eyes landing on the bed. Walking over cautiously, you sat on the edge, running your palm over the sheets as another memory flashed before your eyes. Late nights lying on this bed, talking to… him. Sitting on it against the wall, watching him work at his desk.

Getting up, you walked over to the desk and looked around the details, everything was where it should be. Finally, you noticed the notepad and reached for it hesitantly. You grabbed it carefully, bringing it up to flip through the pages, your breath catching in your throat as you noticed something.

Your own handwriting.

Little notes to the owner of the desk saying things like “don’t give up!” and “you can do it!” You didn’t realize tears were spilling from your eyes, staining your cheeks until a drop fell onto the notepad page you were looking at.

Setting the pad back down, you exited the room and headed back into the living area where Jihoon was still standing behind the kitchen island. He glanced up as you walked in. Noticing your tear stained cheek, he started to move but hesitated, ultimately deciding against it.

As you looked at Jihoon, another memory made itself known. You were looking at Jihoon, standing in the exact same spot as he sipped on a cup of coffee. He glanced up, smiling at you. You couldn’t remember exactly why but it was a very important day that day.

You remembered very clearly what he said to you. And more importantly, what you said to him.

You cleared your throat, drawing Jihoon’s attention, the memory fading and allowing you to see him standing before you. “I…” your voice trailed off as your words failed you. How could you even begin to explain what you’d just experienced? Lucky for you, Jihoon needed no explanation.

“You remember, don’t you?” he asked softly. You nodded, a soft sob escaping your lips as your knees buckled. Jihoon was quick, rushing to your side as you started forward and caught you, the two of you falling to the wooden floor, kneeling as he pulled you into his arms.

You remembered wanting this more than anything. Wanting him to be able to hold you. To feel you.

The reality of it was surreal. He was holding you. He was holding you. He was holding you.

“Do you remember that last morning?” he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper. You nodded, fresh tears flowing as you looked into his eyes. “Do you remember what I told you?” he asked. Again, you nodded, the words clearer in your mind than anything else.

“And do you remember what you said to me?”

You nodded once more, the tears flowing freely.

“What did I say to you?” Jihoon asked, his eyes looking into yours, brimming with unshed tears.

You took a deep breath.

Instead of answering him, you leaned in, your lips pressing against his. It was as if everything fell into place at that moment. Your life suddenly made sense. All your feelings since waking up made perfect sense; why Jihoon was in your hospital room; why Soonyoung seemed familiar; why you found comfort in Seungcheol’s presence. This is where you belonged. This was your home. Jihoon was your home. 

And it was time to return.

fin.

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