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dokries · 6 months ago

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all my love

pairing: choi seungcheol (s.coups) x gender neutral reader

genre: fluff, friends to lovers

word count: 2.2k

warnings: mentions of drinking (reader is not present), crying drunk hoshi (and seokmin), jeonghan is the devil personified /hj, allusions to the movie drawing closer (2024), love confessions, use of baby

author note: this was a birthday gift for my beloved @m00n1sms ‎♡ eishi, i love you!! thanks for giving me permission to post this :> this was also written shortly after i watched a movie that caused a headache because i cried too much (drawing closer) and i needed to incorporate it in here because i love it <3 lots of love and i hope you enjoy :D

masterlist

seungcheol swears he’s not in love with you.

actually, he’s insistent on it, even when his friends raise an eyebrow and laugh it off…which is what’s happening right now, at their monthly dinner—hey, it’s harder than it looks to gather all thirteen of them for a simple dinner and as the adopted father, he makes sure that there’s always one every single month.

“you’re in love, aren’t you?” soonyoung giggles, and half of the group joins in to laugh at seungcheol’s pouty face.

“hey!” seungcheol protests as he slams down the shot glass of what was once filled with soju down. “stop accusing me of things that aren’t true!”

jeonghan raises an eyebrow beside him and before seungcheol can question his best friend’s actions, soonyoung starts crying.

“how would you feel if you were them, and you didn’t get to see your crush anymore cause he was avoiding you and his feelings for you?” soonyoung sniffles and mingyu wraps an arm around his drunk friend to soothe him, bringing soonyoung into his chest.

seungcheol stares at the two of them before sighing because no matter how many glasses soonyoung had drunk already—which seemed to be way too many—he might have a point, one seungcheol isn't ready to admit.

jeonghan sips his beer quietly before stating bluntly, “you should hang out with them on thursday.”

“what?” seungcheol turns to face him before blinking.

“we were supposed to go to this little flower bouquet workshop on thursday and i really don’t think they would mind if you went instead of me.” jeonghan says casually as he puts down his glass.

he turns to look lazily at his hopelessly in love friend, and sighs. “besides, they think something is up with you…just don’t make it obvious, okay?”

“make what obvious?” seungcheol looks at jeonghan curiously.

“that you love them!” seokmin chimes in from the other end of the long table, getting up so seungcheol can hear him better (he’s drunk as well, just like soonyoung).

seungcheol slumps, pouring himself another drink, already knowing by jeonghan’s evil giggle and glance with joshua that it’s going to be a long night for him especially.

if one thing’s for sure, you weren’t expecting seungcheol to show up at your door with a bouquet of flowers after ghosting you for a week. well, he did say work had become busier but still (it’s easier to be petty than confront your feelings, especially when his hair is all fluffy and his smile is apologetic).

“here,” seungcheol gives you the white orchids with a nervous smile, scratching the back of his neck with the hand that didn’t just brush against yours.

“where’s jeonghan?” you stare down at the bouquet before up at him with a raised eyebrow, ignoring the way your heart beats at the small note that says “i’m sorry :(” tucked into the paper wrap.

confused, seungcheol takes his phone out and points to it. “did he not text you?”

you shake your head before letting seungcheol in so he doesn’t have to stand outside awkwardly any longer, grabbing your phone as you tell him to get comfortable on the couch in your living room.

you ❙

jeonghan where are you and why is s**ngch**l here instead ‎♡

wow that’s a lot of censoring

scum of the earth hellspawn <3 ❙

hehe

you ❙

is that your only response??

i know where you live. do not play with me yoon jeonghan.

scum of the earth hellspawn <3 ❙

fine fine

i’ll explain myself

he’s my replacement for today 😇

just thought you two losers needed to spend time together and you know…actually talk 💀

have fun! thank me later

okay, so basically jeonghan’s being a menace like usual. that’s okay, you’re used to it—but why does he have to involve poor helpless seungcheol in this? you turn to look at the man who’s mindlessly toying with the hem of his blue shirt as he waits for you.

ah, seungcheol. where do you start with him?

originally, you knew him through jeonghan, one of the few mutual friends you had until you got introduced to the whole group after sharing a university class. now out of that hellscape, you’ve stayed somewhat close with all of them, often being invited to the little get-togethers they do once every few months at jeonghan and seungkwan’s shared place, and that is where you met the man of your dreams (all while jeonghan was taking a heavy nap, actually; maybe jeonghan had a vision of bringing his two friends together).

as you sit beside him, seungcheol clears his throat, unsure of where to start. “so…”

you turn your body towards him, encouraging seungcheol to continue with a nod of your head. he blinks before clearing his throat again, though this time his tone is less apprehensive. “i’m sorry i didn’t reply to your texts. i just…”

“…couldn’t handle social contact unless you were forced into it by a certain devil?” you pick up where he pauses, and he cracks a smile at your joke. “yeah i thought so.”

seungcheol’s too scared he’ll accidentally confess if he reveals why he really didn’t say anything back to your numerous well wishes, so he nods with a bittersweet smile, scolding himself in his head for thinking today will be any different from a friend date.

you glance over at the flowers he’s just given you, now secure in a spare vase you had sitting around as you made sure to give them a home before messaging jeonghan, and chuckle, unknowingly lifting seungcheol’s spirits. “you do know we’re going to a flower bouquet making workshop, right?”

“oh. well…” he freezes before pursing his lips and hiding his head in his hands. of course, he completely forgot that you are literally going to the all my love flower shop jeonghan had suggested going to earlier for apology flowers…he did that on purpose, didn’t he?

you smile, shaking your head at his embarrassment. “it’s okay cheol, don’t worry. you can just make me another one to make up for all those days you ghosted me!”

seungcheol winces again but sighs in relief at how casually you mention it; maybe you aren’t that mad after all? he knows he couldn’t be frustrated with you anyway since he is to blame after all, and the little grin on your face as you hold out a hand to help lift him up being one he missed dearly is one he can’t be angry at.

“seungcheol, you’re clipping them all wrong! they’re never gonna last once you put them in water at that rate.”

seungcheol turns to you, his eye twitching at the nagging he’s had to endure once you started the small class. set in the exact same flower shop as the one he entered earlier—the workers gave him a curious glance before noticing you beside him and giving him a wink, making his ears red—the two of you had been led to a small section of the store where there were small pristine tables laid out with newspaper and scissors, as well as things he eventually learned how to use, like the book of flowers and their meanings, which is now serving as a barrier in the middle of the table.

he says your name impatiently before sighing to himself, wondering what jeonghan has gotten him into. “hey, i’m trying my best, okay! besides the instructor said it was fine since it’s my first bouquet anyway.”

“well, i wanna keep it forever since you made it for me, so i need it to be a bouquet that lasts!” you complain, frowning at seungcheol’s dismissive words before immediately turning to your own work in front of you, choosing to ignore your slight slip up.

seungcheol clears his throat before looking over at what you have so far and lets out an begrudgingly appreciative hum. “that’s pretty good actually.”

“aw thanks, cheol!” you smile at him and he suddenly feels like the already vibrant flowers in front of him became so much brighter in just an instant.

he grins to himself, humming softly as he organizes the gerberas in front of him into a small pile; there’s only three of them anyway, all warm colours that match you perfectly.

you had questioned the amount of flowers he had taken and he answered with “it’s easier to handle,” which you thought was a believable excuse. however, he’s taking a page from the book of the movie drunk seokmin had cried about at their gathering the other day, and plans to give you exactly three gerberas, a love confession and one of loyalty, which is something he’s always been to you.

of course, he seems to think you have no idea, and he’s dead wrong. you exhale a shaky breath as you finish up your own bouquet, a collection of the flowers you found pretty while looking at what the shop offers. however, though you’re unaware of it, you also have the same idea to seungcheol’s: using gerberas like in the movie drawing closer to confess your love shyly.

the six gerberas, all ranging from deep reds to cheerful yellows, are arranged in the middle with several other small filler flowers surrounding them, thanks to the help of the instructor who picked them out for you with a wink, knowing what the two of you are up to.

assuming seungcheol is oblivious about the meaning of his own arrangement, you give a content nod to him once he finishes, wrapping up the flowers in probably the prettiest newspaper you’ve ever seen—it’s decorated with flowers and small doodles that match the simplicity of the bouquet he’s created, and he can’t help but smile as you finish up your own with a small bow with twine.

the instructor waves you over to the counter at the front of the store to pay with a smile, and rings you up as seungcheol offers to pay with a sheepish smile, still trying to make up for not being with you for the last week.

“oh my god, these are so cute! i can’t believe you both love each other so much…” the employee points to your hard work and gushes over it as you watch in horror. “like using these to say ‘i’m crazy over you’? that’s genius, especially when you consider how your boyfriend’s bouquet is him confessing he loves you!”

“you two are so versed in the language of flowers, and i’m guessing you watched drawing closer as well! such a tragic love story but i’m guessing it makes you grateful for your own relationship, am i right?” she squeals before handing you your respective bouquets, ushering you out of the all my love flower shop with a “have a nice day, lovebirds!”

you turn to seungcheol and are surprised at how red his face is, his cheeks rivalling your own. maybe…it would be a good idea to just roll with what the nosy shopkeeper was saying, considering it’s true—at least, for you.

you thrust out the bouquet in your shaky hands towards him. “this…is for you, and it’s just like she said.” you clear your throat, since it dries at the sheer adoration in seungcheol’s eyes once you meet them. “i’m crazy in love with you and your short temper, your caring nature and well, just you.”

he takes your bouquet in the hand that’s not holding his own with a smile that’s growing bigger by the second, and you get the courage to continue. “i’ve been holding this off so long because i was scared you didn’t feel the same way, and i…i guess i really hope that lady was right about your flowers.”

seungcheol gulps, giving you the bouquet crafted specifically for you, and sighs, covering the hand you’re using to hold it. “she was totally right…i’m in love with you too, and i’ve already tried denying it.”

he shakes his head with a laugh. “the guys were all right; i was hurting you by not being direct, and i hope that you’ll forgive me for that. this,” he looks down at the three flowers in your now interlocked hands, “is my way of confessing that i want to be by your side, if you’ll let me.”

you grin with him and nod, bringing your heads closer to touch your foreheads together as seungcheol giggles. “i love you so much.”

“i love you too, baby.” he replies instantly, leaving no room for hesitation like he has so many times before, and you turn red at the pet name. just before seungcheol can comment on how cute you are, he’s interrupted by a voice from behind you, and the two of you freeze.

“um, so sorry to interrupt your moment but you’re blocking the entryway of the shop,” the employee says, peeking her head out of the building you had just exited with a sheepish smile.

you and seungcheol exchange a glance before apologizing furiously and walking off in search of a bench to rest, with one of your hands holding the other’s, and one holding your now blossomed love.

#dokries works #seventeen #seventeen x reader #seventeen fluff #seventeen imagines #seventeen scenarios #choi seungcheol scenarios #choi seungcheol x reader #choi seungcheol fluff #choi seungcheol imagines #seungcheol imagines #seungcheol fluff #seungcheol x reader #seungcheol scenarios #scoups fluff #scoups x reader #scoups scenarios #scoups imagines

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sailorsoons · 1 month ago

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Vengeance | Teaser (c.hs)

Pairing: Vernon x f. reader

Summary: You always knew you were different from a young age. The only person who has ever been able to understand you is Vernon. When things take a turn for the Choi Syndicate, your long-term relationship is put to the test.

Teaser Word Count: 858

Full Fic Word Count: 21,528

Genre: Mafiaverse, Cyberpunk, Childhood Friends/Exes to Lovers

Type: Smut, Heavy Angst

Rating: 18+ Minors are strictly prohibited from engaging in and reading this content. It contains explicit content and any minors discovered reading or engaging with this work will be blocked immediately.

Teaser Warnings: Mentions of death, reference to grief/anger after the passing of a love one, mention of murder/retribution, intense feelings of anger and a pinch of angst.

A/N: This fic is a part of my Syndicates Collection. This will the second installment under the Syndicate Universe, but you can always read this fic on its own. I hope everyone enjoys Vernon's story as much as they enjoyed Hoshi's!

READ FULL FIC NOW

Main Masterlist | The Syndicates Collection | Ask | Playlist

As if it can sense your moment of peace, Hansol’s phone starts to ring. You hiss and he groans. You want him to ignore it. He wants to ignore it. But you know that ringtone anywhere, and despite wanting to keep this moment for longer than five minutes, Hansol reaches into his pocket to answer Seungcheol’s phone call.

“Yes, Tower?”

You bury your face in Hansol’s chest, which vibrates when he speaks. “Got it. Yeah.” He sighs, running a hand down his face. “Alright.”

He hangs up the phone. “Tell him no.”

“You tell him no. He’s actually afraid of you.”

“Seungcheol isn’t afraid of anyone.”

Well. That isn’t explicitly true. You wouldn’t say that Seungcheol is afraid of you, but he’s certainly wary. Wary in the way someone might be a bomb that is under their roof. Wary in the way someone’s exotic pet has started to corrode under animal instinct. Wary in the way one might be when one of their prime killers recently lost the only person she ever really considered a mother, setting her on a warpath.

Your jaw works. Yoon Minji had been the last connection you’d had to your father. Somehow, losing her has felt worse.

It wasn’t like your father, who had finally withered away from cancer. Minji had been picture-perfect health, if not a little old and weary from running the Syndicate while Choi Moojin withered away to sickness after his wife’s passing. Minji was built of different stuff. Strong in the face of death. A force to be reckoned with as her friends aged out of life without her, leaving her to be the steadfast Wisdom manning the helm.

Then the Kim and Yong Syndicates had struck like snakes in the night, a move only cowards were capable of. The only reason the Choi Syndicate hadn’t fallen to the treachery of the Kim’s entirely was because of the Tower’s daughter. Her forced marriage to Kim Yujin had ultimately been the Choice Syndicate's saving grace, her call coming only two hours prior to the coordinated attack, a warning that an overthrow was in process.

It had been enough time for most people.

It hadn’t been enough time for you or Jeonghan to get to Minji. Not enough time to figure out why they knew where she was or how to get her. Now, you were both trying to stay adrift in the aftermath of losing your shared anchor - Jeonghan worse than you but you… worse than you expected.

“You okay?” Hansol’s voice brings you back to the present. Only Hansol is able to drag you out of those churning waters where your eldritch anger lurks, waiting. Watching. Hungry. “I gotta go soon but if you’re not good-”

“I’m good.” Lie. “I’m just sleepy.”

“Cheol is working us to death.”

Except it isn’t the Tower working you to death. The Tower isn’t putting you to work at all. He is actually staunchly avoiding you, letting the Wisdom of the Choi Syndicate wield you like a weapon of vengeance instead.

Yoon Jeonghan takes aim at his enemies often these days.

Vengeance. That is what your stepbrother had called it when he started gathering his list of soon-to-be-dead in his office. Vengeance for his mother’s murder, vengeance for trying to take out the Choi Syndicate, vengeance for anyone who had anything to do with any of it.

It isn’t traditionally the Wisdom’s job to dole out punishment and retribution, but Jeonghan is still actively looking for how the Kim family discovered the Yoon family safehouse, something that could have only come from inside.

Which means the Kim family have a Watcher inside the Choi Syndicate, someone with access to the inner circle. Someone you trust someone you know, someone who-

Anger begins to twist your insides again. Hansol sees the change in you, his eyebrows creasing as he looks down at where you lay on his chest. Instead of looking at him directly, you press your cheek to his chest and close your eyes, listening to his heartbeat, trying to let it ground you.

“You know you can talk to me, right?”

No. “Yes.”

You don’t dare look at him because you think Hansol sees right through you. You’ve never hidden anything from him, and you don’t quite know why you do now. Why you pretend that you’re not eroding inside, why you hide the ancient anger that becomes so raw that you can’t stand it.

Shame.

Shame that you cannot get rid of this feeling inside of you. Shame that you’ve never felt like this. Shame that you don’t know how to tell him what you’re feeling how to articulate that you feel wrath so intense that it makes you suffocate, makes you see red, makes you-

“I gotta go,” Hansol says softly. You cling to him a little tighter reflexively. His laugh vibrates through you, followed by a heavy sigh. “We’ll be okay, right?” That makes you look up at him sharply. His face is serious, eyes dark. “We’ve been through shit before. This stuff with the Syndicate war - we’ll be fine?”

“Of course we will.”

It feels like a lie.

#vernon smut #chwe vernon smut #hansol smut #chwe hansol smut #svt smut #vernon angst #hansol angst #svt fic #vernon fic #vernon x reader #vernon x you #hansol x reader #mafia svt #mafia vernon

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thedensworld · 1 year ago

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Found You | Choi Seungcheol

Pairing: Husband!Seungcheol x Wife!reader (ft. Jeonghan and Mingyu)

Genre: Angst, Mystery, Alter Ego, Established Relationship

Summary: His wife suddenly goes missing. There are only two options, she left him or his bestfriend has been hid her from him.

Author Note: This was a series i posted but i decided to revised them and post it as a oneshot. Enjoy!

Day 1

"Do you know where my wife is?"

Jeonghan was taken aback by Seungcheol's question. He had been immersed in preparing for an upcoming meeting with directors when Seungcheol stormed into his office, his face flushed and breath labored.

"Take a deep breath, Cheol," Jeonghan advised calmly, gesturing for Seungcheol to take a seat. "Now, tell me, what's wrong?" he inquired after they were both settled.

Choi Seungcheol's agitation contrasted sharply with his friend's composed demeanor. Suddenly hit by a wave of dizziness, he recounted how he woke up that morning to discover your absence. His priority had been his son, Dowon, as he juggled parenting and work. It was only then he realized that you, his wife, were nowhere to be found.

Yoon Jeonghan, a friend introduced to him through you, was someone he trusted unequivocally. Jeonghan had been his lifeline when he had been let go by his previous company, connecting him to his present job. Jeonghan was, in a sense, the reason he had become a manager today, a fact he himself had acknowledged. Yet, as of late, Seungcheol had noticed a series of peculiar incidents.

First, Jeonghan's coat was in your home. As far as he could remember, Jeonghan's last visit had been during Dowon's third birthday celebration, nearly half a year ago. You hadn't mentioned any recent visits by Jeonghan, so Seungcheol was taken aback when he spotted his familiar coat hanging in your closet.

Second, in an offhand comment, Jeonghan had let slip that he had helped you fix your car. While you had mentioned your car's recent troubles, you hadn't said anything about asking Jeonghan for assistance. This revelation came after a phone call you'd made to Seungcheol, asking him to pick up Dowon from daycare since your car had given out. In response, Seungcheol, being the attentive husband and father he was, had dropped everything to respond to your call for help. He had said, "I'll pick up Dowon and come to where you are." However, he distinctly recalled hearing Jeonghan mumble, "Good, she didn't ask me this time!"

Third, just two days prior, he had learned from Dowon that he had gone to the arcade with you and "Uncle Jeonghan" while Seungcheol had been on a business trip. That revelation had struck him deeply. He saw you and Jeonghan every day. Jeonghan had the habit of visiting his office, checking in on him, and then leaving daily. How could he have missed these visits?

So, when you, his wife, suddenly went missing, wasn't it natural for him to approach Jeonghan for answers? After all, he was your best friend, and surely he would know something.

"I'm not following, Cheol. What do you mean?" Jeonghan asked, confusion evident in his expression.

Seungcheol exhaled deeply, a sigh heavy with worry. He realized that his decision to confront Jeonghan had been hasty. His doubts regarding you had been rash. He stood up, preparing to leave Jeonghan's office, but Jeonghan caught his wrist.

"Is y/n somewhere else? Are you two fighting?" Jeonghan inquired.

Seungcheol shook his head. "She's missing, but we're not fighting."

Jeonghan's shock mirrored Seungcheol's distress. "When was the last time you saw her?" he inquired.

"Last night, after dinner," Seungcheol replied. The memory of your shared meal, playing with Dowon, and washing dishes together flooded his mind. It had been a rare moment of connection between the two of you, devoid of any arguments—just quality time and conversations accompanied by a bottle of wine.

"Is she at work?" Jeonghan ventured, attempting to inject a note of optimism. But Seungcheol had already contacted your workplace, learning that everyone was looking for you.

"Let me know if you hear anything about her."

Day 2

Seungcheol stirred awake, realizing he had gone to bed in his work suit. Glancing at the nightstand clock that read 7 in the morning, he hurriedly prepared himself and his son for the day. He couldn't recall when he had last moved so quickly through his own home. Rushing, almost running, he prepared breakfast for himself and Dowon.

"Where's Mom? She wasn't here yesterday," his three-year-old son inquired. Seungcheol met his son's gaze, searching for answers in his innocent curiosity.

"Is she on a business trip? Usually, it's you, Dad. Why is everyone going on business trips? Can I go on one too?" Dowon's questions were met with a weak smile and a nod from Seungcheol.

"You can when you're older. Finish up quickly," Seungcheol instructed before attending to his own breakfast. He heard his son muttering something about his food—possibly a critique of the taste. In comparison to you, he was nothing in the kitchen. You had effectively been the family chef during your dating days, impressing him and his friends with your culinary skills.

He was determined to find you.

Day 3

It had been 48 agonizing hours since your disappearance. Seungcheol had transformed into a possessive husband, frantically calling all your friends to inquire if you were with them. But his efforts yielded nothing. He even reached out to your parents, although he couched his questions with subtlety. Using phrases like, 'Is she already there? We're planning to leave Dowon with his grandparents while she and I go on a business trip,' he uncovered that you weren't with them either.

After dropping Dowon off at your parents' home, an act for which he profusely apologized, Seungcheol went to work and submitted a vacation leave. He knew he wouldn't be able to focus on locating you while juggling his professional responsibilities. This would be his first vacation since the one he took when Dowon was born—almost three and a half years ago.

"Need some company?" Jeonghan asked while Seungcheol was in his office, preparing to report your disappearance to the police. Seungcheol debated internally. He needed support; these past three days had been a living hell. Having someone to lean on was crucial for maintaining his sanity. Yet, Jeonghan's role in all this was still a lingering doubt.

A nagging voice in his mind whispered that Jeonghan might be concealing your whereabouts, that you might have reached out to him. Another voice planted the insidious idea that you could be having an affair with Jeonghan. Seungcheol despised entertaining that notion. He had faith in both you and Jeonghan. You had been friends long before you'd started dating and eventually got married. The thought of you and Jeonghan being involved romantically was preposterous. But the unsettling signs were hard to ignore. Lately, you'd been evasive around him, not confiding in him as you once had. You'd never mentioned your clandestine outings with Jeonghan.

If he were being honest with himself, he had sensed a shift in the way you looked at him. Previously, your gaze was warm and loving, but recently it had become tinged with fear, anxiety, and boredom. His insecurities surged, and even though he wanted to decline Jeonghan's offer, he knew he needed someone for his own sake. He eventually nodded at Jeonghan.

He had to keep himself together.

Day 4

Following his meeting with Officer Kim the day before, the official declaration of your disappearance was made. Seungcheol offered another round of apologies to your parents and entrusted Dowon to their care while he continued the search. He'd broken the news gently to them, knowing how his in-laws would react. Naturally, they were shocked, just as everyone was upon hearing the news. The outpouring of support he received was heartening.

Seungcheol had been engrossed in disassembling your possessions, hoping to uncover any clues. He knew you enjoyed writing and recalled seeing stacks of journals you refused to discard. Writing was your outlet, your way of expressing yourself without having to voice your emotions.

You'd even confessed your feelings to him through an email. It had happened when you were collaborating on an essay, exchanging emails. Two years into your friendship, you sent him a confession email before leaving for the US to pursue further studies. He still remembered the subject line, "It's always you."

He'd waited two years to ask you out in person. From the moment he'd read that email, he'd realized his fascination with you went beyond mere curiosity. You were intelligent, enigmatic, and adorable. What he once found cute had now taken on a different hue.

Questions about you swirled in his head. Where were you? Were you safe? Had you been hurt? Or worse, had he hurt you in some way that made you flee? The thought of being the cause of your disappearance weighed heavily on him. The idea that he might have inadvertently hurt you with his words, leading you to leave, felt like a punch to his gut. Others might consider it childish, but your feelings were vital to him.

"Any news from Officer Kim?" Jeonghan's voice echoed through the phone. Jeonghan had been a pillar of support, offering help since day one. On this day, work commitments prevented him from physically joining Seungcheol, but he still checked in regularly.

Shaking his head instinctively, as if Jeonghan could see him, Seungcheol replied, "No updates yet. Some of her friends have called me, but nothing substantial."

"How about her parents? Have you spoken to them?"

Seungcheol hummed in affirmation, his voice heavy. "They're as shocked as I am. But for now, all they can do is look after Dowon."

"Okay, I'll catch up with you later. I've got to run."

Before Jeonghan could end the call, Seungcheol's voice caught him. "I'm sorry. And thank you."

"She's my best friend, Cheol."

The call ended.

Day 5

Officer Kim's visit to your house was met with tense anticipation. He inspected the premises before sitting across from Seungcheol on the couch. He indicated that he needed some personal information about you.

"Is she involved in any criminal activities or gangs?" Officer Kim's query made Seungcheol shake his head weakly.

"Do you have a son?" Officer Kim continued, his questions probing. Seungcheol nodded. "Is there any condition your son has that could have led to her disappearance?" Officer Kim added, coughing slightly afterward.

Seungcheol offered Officer Kim a glass of water, which he accepted graciously. "No, our son is in good health, and they share a strong bond. I've never seen my wife express any negativity towards him, if that answers your question," Seungcheol responded.

"Thanks for your cooperation, Mr. Choi. But we need more of your belongings to gather additional evidence—such as your car's black box data, CCTV footage, and your wife's internet history," Officer Kim informed him, signaling a potential collaboration.

As they conversed, Officer Kim's phone suddenly rang. He swiftly excused himself to take the call. By an uncanny coincidence, Jeonghan's call came in at the same time.

"Have you seen the news?" Jeonghan's voice emanated from the other end. Before Seungcheol could fully comprehend the question, Officer Kim hurriedly returned to him with an urgent look on his face.

"We've found her" Officer Kim exclaimed, his words laced with excitement.

Surviving a week after your funeral felt like a miracle to Seungcheol. Your body had been found in a lake, in a distant location far removed from your town. The journey there took nearly three hours by car, making it improbable that you had traveled there alone without a vehicle.

Seungcheol's mind was plagued by questions, primarily centered around the question of "who." Who could have been with you? The idea of you taking your own life was too painful for him to accept. You were a radiant presence, an angelic figure in his life, and he refused to believe you would have ended your own life. The idea of someone else causing harm to you gnawed at him even more. The torment of these thoughts weighed heavily on him, but he staunchly resisted letting them take hold.

Jeonghan's constant suggestions of seeking psychiatric help had become more frequent. He understood that everyone was mourning, yet he couldn't deny that the magnitude of your absence weighed most heavily on your husband. Jeonghan recognized the profound role you had played in Seungcheol's life. From their university days onward, he had observed how you had transformed Seungcheol into a better version of himself.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Seungcheol. I miss her too. I know it's incredibly difficult for you to accept this reality. You've suffered losses with your parents in the past and now with y/n. But please, remember that Dowon needs you. He needs his father now more than ever."

After days of cajoling from Jeonghan and your parents, Seungcheol finally yielded, letting Dowon's innocent words and your memory melt his resistance. The dam of his emotions finally burst, and in front of his son, he released the pent-up anguish that had gripped him. Tears streamed down his face as he promised Dowon to get better and be strong for both of them. It marked a turning point, leading Seungcheol to take a seat in front of Dr. Boo, a psychiatrist and also a friend of Jeonghan's. With each passing session, the barriers to opening up grew less formidable.

"She held incredible importance in my life," Seungcheol admitted, his voice heavy with emotion, when Dr. Boo inquired, "Just how significant was she to you?"

"Unbelievably significant. She made me a better person."

"I lost my parents in a tragic accident, and I was the sole survivor."

"Life lost its color for me after that accident. But her presence brought back the vibrancy."

Dr. Boo arched an eyebrow. "Did you seek psychiatric help after the accident?"

Seungcheol nodded. "She encouraged me to. I was on medication for a while, but I stopped taking it about six months ago, around my son's birthday. I started feeling better."

A faint smile played across Dr. Boo's lips. "Your son must be an immense source of strength for you."

Seungcheol managed a small smile, Dr. Boo's words reminding him of the resilient force that was Dowon — a living testament to the love he shared with you.

He missed you more than words could express.

A month after your funeral, the official investigation commenced. The forensic analysis indicated signs of foul play. While Jeonghan was adamant about discontinuing the investigation to spare Seungcheol further pain, the urge to unearth the truth remained strong within Seungcheol. He met once again with Officer Kim, the man who had been assisting him since the beginning.

"I consider you my best friend now, Cheol. I'd rather not know more about her," Jeonghan stated as he prepared to leave Seungcheol's office.

"Why?" Seungcheol pressed, his curiosity piqued.

Jeonghan sighed, the weight of his words carrying a sense of vulnerability. "I can't bear the thought of hurting more. That's why. And you? Why are you allowing them to continue? Don't you think about Dowon? I doubt he'd ever want to know if his mother was murdered."

"Justice," Seungcheol replied firmly. "That's what I want to bring her."

Jeonghan took a deep breath, turning to walk away. Just as he reached the doorway, he uttered words that were barely audible, yet Seungcheol caught them.

"Justice won't bring her back, Seungcheol."

Peace, though elusive, seemed to be the elusive goal. For Seungcheol, Dowon, your parents — justice for your death offered the promise of a semblance of tranquility. Discovering the truth behind your demise, identifying the perpetrator, and bringing them to justice was a step toward peace for those left behind. As sleep continued to evade him, Seungcheol's nights were spent anxiously checking on Dowon, guarding him against any potential harm.

Jeonghan's lack of understanding frustrated Seungcheol. He failed to grasp the depth of his pain, having never experienced such loss himself. While everyone mourned, Seungcheol's sorrow was compounded by his previous losses. Losing his parents had imbued him with an overwhelming fear of losing those he loved.

The fear that your parents might take Dowon from him intensified his determination to fight for his son. This fear had been a driving force for him to seek psychiatric help, to prove his capability as a father. He recalled how he had been fearful of losing you to Jeonghan when you were alive. With his parents gone, the fear of loss became an ever-present companion, an unrelenting specter.

Yet, no one seemed to fully understand him.

"Oppa! Help me... Wake up! Wake up!"

For the first time since the accident, your presence found its way into Seungcheol's dream. While he could barely make out your form, your voice rang clear and strong, sending shivers down his spine. The experience must have been even more haunting for you. As the days progressed, Seungcheol found himself waking earlier and earlier. The tasks of preparing breakfast had become a routine mastered through time, and Dowon had also grown more self-reliant. Seungcheol felt a mixture of pride and heartache as he watched his son navigate his mornings, remembering the times you used to stand by his side, guiding him through his morning routine while Seungcheol crafted delicious breakfasts in the kitchen.

Over a month had passed, and the ache of your absence gnawed at him incessantly.

"Do you miss your mom?" Seungcheol inquired of Dowon.

Dowon nodded solemnly.

Jeonghan's words resonated in Seungcheol's ears. "But, Jeonghan uncle said mom is in a beautiful place now, where she won't feel any pain again." Dowon's innocent words held a depth that caught Seungcheol's attention.

"What do you mean, she won't feel pain? Was she in pain?" Seungcheol asked, his concern evident.

Dowon nodded in response, his voice low. He turned away from Seungcheol, placing a small hand over his back. "Mom had pain here," he whispered, indicating his arm, "and here. She used to cry at night because of it."

Dowon's revelation sent a torrent of thoughts swirling through Seungcheol's mind, thoughts that lingered even as he arrived at work. He recalled instances of seeing bruises on your arm, but he had never probed further.

Three months prior, he had noticed you wince when he playfully grabbed your left arm. His intention had been a joke, but your reaction had spurred his concern. He had motioned for you to leave Dowon to his own devices and had led you to the bedroom.

"What happened earlier?" Seungcheol inquired, his eyes intent on your face. He reached out to touch your arm, but you stepped back, evading his grasp.

Though you smiled, your gaze dropped to the ground, avoiding his eyes. "It's nothing, just a minor bruise."

Unsettled by your response, Seungcheol sighed. "Okay, let's call it a minor bruise. But can I see it?" A brief pause hung between you two before you shook your head, denying his request.

He sensed your discomfort and gathered you into his embrace. "You know I love you, right?" he whispered, his heart aching as he felt your sobs against his chest.

"It's okay, my love. I'm here," Seungcheol murmured, gently patting your back.

Finally, you had opened up, sharing the story of a challenging day at work and an elevator malfunction in the building. Forced to use the stairs, you had taken a tumble, leaving a painful bruise on your arm. Seungcheol had rolled up your sleeve to reveal a palm-sized, purplish mark on your skin.

"You fell down the stairs?" he inquired, seeking clarification.

You nodded, assuring him, "Yes, just a simple fall."

Seungcheol's eyes bore into you. "If anyone ever hurts you, promise me you'll tell me, alright?" His words held a note of protectiveness, a silent vow to shield you from harm's reach.

"I promise, oppa."

Seungcheol returned from his appointment with Dr. Boo, having been prescribed the same medication he had taken in the past for panic attacks. Since Dowon now lived with him, he recognized the importance of maintaining his emotional stability. After his son had fallen asleep, Seungcheol was preparing to wash up when a call from Officer Kim disrupted his routine.

"Good evening, Mr. Choi. I apologize for calling at this hour. But you had mentioned that your wife enjoyed writing in her diary, correct? Would it be possible for us to collect any of her written materials from you tomorrow?" Officer Kim's voice was apologetic yet determined.

Seungcheol replied, "Of course, I can drop them off at your office tomorrow morning if that works for you."

"That would be excellent. Thank you so much, Mr. Choi."

Ending the call, Seungcheol found himself appreciating Officer Kim's cheerful demeanor. He had been an invaluable source of assistance throughout the investigation, and Seungcheol made a mental note to express his gratitude at a later time. As he considered Officer Kim's character, Seungcheol recognized him as an outstanding police officer and an exceptional person.

Making his way to your shared office, Seungcheol confronted a collection of books containing your words, thoughts, and emotions spanning years. Sitting in front of them, he began to count. There were twenty journals in total, each labeled by month and year. Seungcheol chose the one marked "January-June," dated from three years earlier. In it, he found an entry that made him chuckle:

"Damn, I'm craving another PC Bang donkatsu." He continued reading, smiling at your candid thoughts.

"It's 2 a.m., and Cheol just took his medication, so he's fast asleep. I made him go get me donkatsu from the same PC Bang four hours ago. I bet if I asked him again, he'd do it. But how can I wake him up? He's so adorable when he's asleep. My pouty baby:("

Without realizing, two hours had flown by as Seungcheol immersed himself in your diary. He marveled at getting a glimpse into your thoughts and emotions from before you two were a couple. The diary entries revealed a side of you he had never fully understood. He yearned to ask you, to confront you: "Why is it so hard for you to share what you feel? To tell me what you think?"

Sighing, he admitted to himself that he never could.

Gathering your diaries, Seungcheol moved them to the kitchen counter, setting them down next to a box. As he arranged them, a small piece of photo card slipped from one of the journals. Turning it over, he saw the date "06/04" and the words "Happy birthday, my Aries Boy!" He flipped it to reveal a picture of a younger you with a familiar man. Examining the date once more, he realized it was from six years ago, before you two had met. He opened the diary to that year and discovered an array of photographs that had fallen from the pages.

"Anniversary of Two Aries!"

"Mingoo, my favorite boy<3"

"Taken by the amazing Mingyu:D"

"Y/n, Mingoo's favorite journalist."

"A silly picture of Kim Mingyu, Future Criminologist."

Seungcheol muttered, "It's Officer Kim." The pieces were falling into place; he was beginning to comprehend the connection you had with the police officer who was helping with the investigation. He knew you in ways he had never imagined.

"You knew that?" Seungcheol's disbelief was palpable.

Jeonghan simply nodded, his nonchalant demeanor contrasting with Seungcheol's shock. "Yes, I knew that."

The revelation felt like a sudden blow to Seungcheol's head. "How could you not tell me?"

Jeonghan rolled his eyes, offering an explanation. "What would be the point? Besides, it's all in the past, Seungcheol. Mingyu was y/n's ex, but that was nearly seven years ago, even before she met you."

The realization slowly sank in, though Seungcheol struggled to grasp how Jeonghan had concealed this information. Finally understanding why Officer Kim had been so invested in the case, Seungcheol couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Mingyu had once held a place in your heart, and Officer Kim had been driven by his past feelings for you. A curse word echoed in Seungcheol's mind as the pieces fell into place.

"He left her. He left her to chase his dreams, and you know y/n, she's selfless. She let him go. She had been hurt before she met you, and you healed her. You have nothing to worry about."

Seungcheol let out a sigh. "I'm not worried about anything."

Jeonghan looked at him, a pause hanging in the air before he calmly stated, "Yes, you are."

Their eyes locked for a moment before Jeonghan announced his intention to return to his office room. It had been five years since Seungcheol had met Jeonghan through you, yet there was still so much he didn't know about him. Beyond his name, Yoon Jeonghan, and the fact that he had graduated from the same university as you and Seungcheol, majoring in Agricultural Economics and Business, Seungcheol was clueless. Personality-wise, he was on par with you in terms of emotional expression, but he was more vocal about his thoughts. Jeonghan's claim that you were selfless mirrored his own kindness, though it often led Seungcheol to wonder if Jeonghan's feelings for you extended beyond friendship, perhaps romantically.

His mind echoed with the words, "It's always you, I promise!" Seungcheol impulsively picked up his phone and messaged Jeonghan, "Let's meet for a drink tonight."

Jeonghan's response came quickly, "Already miss me, huh?"

Seungcheol facepalmed at the playful reply. "You can't drink, dude. You're undergoing treatment. How about we grab beef?"

The sizzling sound of meat on the stone grill stirred Seungcheol's appetite. He hadn't experienced much hunger lately, eating more out of routine than true desire. However, the sight of the pork belly that Jeonghan was expertly grilling was irresistibly tempting.

"Is Dowon with y/n's parents?" Seungcheol confirmed Jeonghan's assumption.

He nodded, explaining, "Her sister is leaving town this week, so Dowon wants to spend this last week with her."

Jeonghan deftly transferred a freshly cut piece of pork belly onto Seungcheol's plate. "I'm guessing you want to talk to me, but you're trying to be casual about it. Is it alright if I mention her a lot?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Seungcheol chuckled, "You talk as if you've never mentioned her before." Both men acknowledged how their conversations had increasingly revolved around you in recent times.

Jeonghan chuckled in agreement, but then turned more serious. "I apologize if my words have ever hurt you. It's a defense mechanism. I can be insecure at times."

Seungcheol appreciated the honesty. He decided to share his own sentiments. "I also owe you an apology. I used to think you had feelings for her, that you liked her romantically. I trust my wife, and I trust you, bro. But sometimes, a guy's instincts get the best of him when it comes to his girl."

Jeonghan's gaze locked onto Seungcheol's. "Choi Seungcheol, do you realize how obsessed you are with her?"

Seungcheol stared back, taken aback by the bluntness of Jeonghan's statement. "I miss her like crazy," he admitted. "If that's what it means to be obsessed, then yes."

Just as the conversation deepened, Seungcheol's phone rang. The caller ID revealed it was your mother. He exchanged a look with Jeonghan before answering. Even amidst the chatter of the restaurant, Jeonghan could hear Dowon's voice whining through the phone—a trait he had inherited from you.

"Is everything okay?" Jeonghan asked.

Seungcheol chuckled. "Dowon doesn't want me to pick him up until his cousin leaves for Jeju. He wants to spend this last week with them."

Jeonghan handed Seungcheol a piece of pork belly he had just cut. "He's at the perfect age to have a sibling. Why did you guys hold off on having another child?"

Seungcheol explained, "It was me, actually. I didn't feel ready for another kid. I told her, and she understood."

As they savored the grilled meat, Jeonghan's tone shifted. "By the way, I'm going to be interviewed tomorrow. I wanted you to know my response before I share it with them."

Seungcheol's curiosity was piqued. "Go ahead."

"Y/n called me that night."

"And?"

Jeonghan's gaze bore into Seungcheol's. "She was drunk, and she was with someone."

"Are you ready for the interview?" Officer Kim, also known as Kim Mingyu, asked Jeonghan. Jeonghan nodded, and Mingyu signaled to the man seated next to him to begin recording and typing Jeonghan's testimony.

"Where were you when the accident happened?" Mingyu inquired, referring to the night you went missing.

"I was at home from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. You can verify my alibi through the CCTV footage in my apartment," Jeonghan answered.

Mingyu nodded, moving on to the next question. "Had she contacted you before she went missing?"

"Yes, she called me three times at 2 a.m. I was sleeping when I answered the call."

Mingyu probed further, "Could you tell us the nature of those calls?"

Jeonghan paused, his expression showing hints of discomfort before he responded. "She sounded drunk and was crying."

Mingyu tried to reassure him, "She was probably just an emotional drunk."

Jeonghan's unease was palpable as he continued. "She was more than that. She was crying for help. She called me asking for help, but she was with someone. I assumed it was her husband."

And then, in a rare moment, Jeonghan broke down.

'It's only you. I promise! It's only you.'

Seungcheol couldn't discern if he was truly hearing your voice or if it was merely his mind playing tricks on him. Since that dream, your voice had become a constant echo in his head, growing louder and clearer, enough to bring tears to his eyes. He yearned to halt these encounters, yet your presence lingered persistently.

He wanted to believe it was you reaching out to him, but he knew it could also be a side effect of his medication, a continuation of the hallucinations and delusions he had experienced before. Sometimes he saw distorted images of you from the last time he saw you. Other times, it was just your voice, varying from crying to screaming. Although unnerving, he cherished these moments as fragments of you that he could still hold on to. He didn't want these encounters to stop, regardless of their authenticity or healthiness.

As Seungcheol pulled out his desk drawer to retrieve another pill, he considered that he would soon reunite with you. Placing the pills back and locking the desk, he held onto the hope that he would see you again.

Three days after Jeonghan's interrogation, it was Seungcheol's turn. This marked his third round of questioning in relation to the case. Your family members and some of your work friends had also been interviewed. Seungcheol's prayer was that these collective efforts would eventually lead to uncovering the truth and delivering justice for you.

"Are you prepared for your third interview?" Mingyu inquired.

"Yes," Seungcheol replied, his voice steady.

Mingyu broached a sensitive topic. "We've encountered difficulty investigating your car's black box. Both your car and your wife's were repaired both before and after the incident, is that correct?"

Seungcheol confirmed, "Yes."

Mingyu then revealed an image of a car seen near the location where your body was discovered. Seungcheol's eyes widened at the sight of his company car in the photo.

"Are you familiar with this car?" Mingyu inquired.

"It's my company car," Seungcheol admitted, his mind racing as he struggled to understand.

"We cross-referenced this car and discovered that a company vehicle with the same license plate as shown in the picture was assigned to you six months ago."

Seungcheol felt confusion clouding his thoughts. He had been driving a company car for six months? Glancing at the form, he saw his signature confirming the car's assignment.

"I don't recall doing this," Seungcheol admitted.

Mingyu presented another file, containing records of parking slot rental submissions, all signed by Seungcheol. The slots were set to expire in the coming six months.

"You purchased a year-long parking slot for this vehicle, and we also retrieved the car's black box data. Would you like to see it?"

Seungcheol began to protest, but before he could finish, Mingyu played a video captured by the car's black box.

'I don't do anything, I swear, oppa!'

'Help me! Help me!'

'Wake up, oppa! This is me! Wake up!'

Mingyu closed his eyes, reacting as he had the first time he viewed the footage—with disgust. The image of you being brutally beaten on the hood of the car, by your own husband, was something he struggled to erase from his mind.

Seungcheol's voice erupted in the room, the word "liar" echoing with intensity. His voice quaked, unable to watch the video once he realized it depicted himself.

Mingyu's tone remained steady as he concluded, "You can watch the rest of the video in court, Mr. Choi. You are under arrest for the murder of Lim Y/n. You have the right to remain silent and the right to legal representation."

"Do you know why she stopped writing her journal?" Mingyu inquired of Jeonghan. Jeonghan met Mingyu's gaze and replied, "She never stopped."

Mingyu's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Really? Then why did she only send you entries up until last year?" He mumbled to himself.

Jeonghan heard his muttering and responded, "I have the rest. She gave them to me. She wanted to ensure her husband wouldn't discover what happened this year."

"What did happen this year?" Mingyu's tone was curious, yet serious.

Jeonghan sighed, his expression heavy. "I'm not sure how believable this will sound, but she shared something unsettling with me. Y/n's husband, mentally, he's been suffering. He used to take his medications consistently, but he stopped taking them of his own accord about six months ago."

Mingyu leaned in, his interest piqued. "Why did he stop?"

Jeonghan confessed, "I can't fully grasp the reason, but she mentioned that he began experiencing hallucinations related to a past accident that killed his parents. He started believing that he was the one responsible for the accident, having tampered with the car's brake cable, and that he falsified his testimony, pretending to be in the car to survive."

Mingyu exhaled audibly, dropping his pen onto the table. "Damn it! How did you let her marry this guy? You always resented me, yet you let her marry someone unhinged?" His frustration was palpable as he lashed out at Jeonghan.

Jeonghan's voice wavered as he responded, guilt consuming him since the day you went missing. "I only found out a month before she disappeared. She told me about the abuse she was enduring. She asked me to accompany her... to the ob-gyn."

Jeonghan realized that he had sensed the truth all along. It was Seungcheol on the other end of the phone call that night. And he was even more shocked that Seungcheol had confronted him in the morning, inquiring about your whereabouts. When you'd mentioned Seungcheol's Shield Personality, Jeonghan had already envisioned this scene, where he would ultimately end you. But he was powerless, knowing that you didn't care, you'd return home, subject yourself to his abuse, convinced that he couldn't remember his actions during his other personality phase. Blinded by the love he would offer you again once he returned to his normal self, the person you loved.

"Sh-she was p-pregnant?" Stuttering, Jeonghan nodded, "She considered an abortion, but I persuaded her to approach her husband about having another child. But it was too late. Maybe that's what they argued about, or something else that pushed her to her limit. She couldn't restrain him. She couldn't prevent him and, tragically, she couldn't save herself."

Mingyu's voice was thick with the weight of the situation. "This is a twisted mess. We're all ensnared in this, Jeonghan."

"Life sentences are handed down to Choi Seungcheol for attempted murder of Lim Y/n, and to Choi Daekbyeo and Kim Jehwa."

"Isn't this the justice you were seeking, Seungcheol?" Jeonghan mumbled as he walked away from the courtroom, a complex blend of emotions clouding his expression.

'What if we stop taking these?'

'You won't be able to control yourself.'

"You would never be like your parents, trust me."

"How do you know?!"

"Because I know you, and witnessing your love for our son is enough for me to realize that you're different from them, oppa. You're an amazing dad."

Seungcheol's breath came out in labored bursts, his emotions intense. "When Dowon was born, I was filled with anxiety. What if I ended up like my father? What if I repeated his pattern of abuse every time I made a mistake? What if I became like my mother, who always expressed regret for having me as a son? Y/n, I wasn't prepared to be a father. You pushed me into it, and I still don't feel ready!"

"I'm pregnant!"

"I'm pregnant, and I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that you've had to endure all this turmoil due to your parents. I'm sorry that your emotions have been suppressed by this baggage. But I'm here, working on this with you, oppa. You have me! You might want to hit me, punch me, or scream at me, but I know you wouldn't do that to our child."

Seungcheol stood there, frozen, as you took a step back, creating a small distance between you. "I'm doing everything for you, as long as you fight for us," you whispered.

"Taking these might cause distortions. People may think it's just their imagination when, in reality, they're beginning to remember things because of what they've seen and done without the medication—things that were previously considered imaginary."

"That's not my child."

You looked at him, bewildered. "What do you mean?" Your voice wavered, lodged in your throat due to his statement.

"You're cheating on me, with Jeonghan."

You found yourself laughing in disbelief. You were well aware that your own actions were questionable. Your husband's infidelity was growing apparent, and you had no grounds to laugh at his suspicious thoughts. Yet, you couldn't fathom how he could think you were having an affair with Jeonghan, a man who'd been your close friend for a decade.

"I found his coat in your closet."

Your eyes widened as you realized where he'd drawn his conclusions from. "It's not—"

"Dowon mentioned that you went to the arcade with him. You must have enjoyed yourselves while I was away."

"Oppa, listen..."

"I saw the two of you visiting the ob-gyn."

***

"What?! Is that all?!"

Seungcheol barged into your shared room, brandishing a tablet that displayed the last page you'd written. You gave him a feeble smile and shrugged. He sighed dramatically, pulling his glasses off and placing them on your nightstand. Carefully, he climbed onto the bed, mindful of his movements so as not to disturb the monster of discomfort lurking within you.

"That's it? He's sentenced, and all Jeonghan has to say is, 'Isn't this the justice you wanted?' Come on! I want a scene of him as a prisoner, at least. Maybe show him getting bullied by other inmates and—"

You burst into laughter at your husband's words.

Seungcheol stared at you in disbelief. "I'm being serious here, babe. He deserves to be roughed up a bit by other prisoners." Your amusement seemed lost on him.

Your laughter was starting to make your stomach ache, and you suspected you weren't the only one amused by your husband's antics. Struggling to sit up, your big tummy made the process slow and cumbersome. Sensing your efforts, Seungcheol gently assisted you, making sure not to jostle you too much. You whispered your gratitude, overwhelmed by his tenderness. Looking at him, you mused, "I thought you hated the story," and reached for the tablet he held.

Seungcheol rolled his eyes, his annoyance palpable. "I said I hated you using our names as characters, not that I hated the story." His irritation was evident in his tone.

Giggling, you pinched his cheek, saying, "What do you think, love? As the first reader." You kept the tablet within your reach, the other hand still resting on your husband's cheek. He smiled at your affection and leaned his head toward your hand, letting it support his head.

"I love it. But I think some readers might not like the ending. I still think he deserves a scene where he gets bullied." His dissatisfaction with the narrative conclusion was clear.

"Babe, I created this for parenting purposes. Why include a bullying scene?" you countered, pressing a gentle kiss to his temple.

"But I can add an extra chapter, exclusively for my husband, if he gets me some spicy chicken nuggets." Hee groaned, collapsing onto the bed in mock protest.

"Didn't you just devour two packs of apple pie?" you inquired.

You nodded, a mischievous grin playing on your lips. "But spicy chicken nuggets make a great dessert too. Pretty please?" you pleaded, your adorable pout melting his resolve.

"Fine, I'll get them for you. And, speaking of which, I'm thinking about talking to the shop owner about investing there."

"Just get me those spicy chicken nuggets!" you huffed, tossing a pillow at him as he quickly dashed out of the bedroom.

"I'll buy you the entire shop, love!" he shouted from the hallway.

"You're such a goof," you mumbled, returning to the task of creating an additional chapter for your husband.

The End.

#densworld🌼#seventeen imagines #seventeen fanfic #seventeen angst #scoups fluff #scoups imagines #scoups smut #scoups x reader #seungcheol fluff #seungcheol smut #seungcheol x reader #choi seungcheol #seungcheol imagines #scoups imagine

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fantasyescapes17 · 2 years ago

Text

Patience (Part 1)

An elaborate charade- that is what your life has been for these past few years, and it has taken the help of more than one person to balance your delicate lies and secrets. Now entering your final season as an eligible young lady seeking wedded bliss, will you be able to keep up the act in order to achieve your dreams?

Genre: Choi Seungcheol x female!reader. Regency!AU (It's sort of Bridgerton-esque in the sense that I give zero attention to historical accuracy and prioritize aesthetics lmao) You are Jeonghan's sister so your last name is Yoon, but the reader has no other specific characteristics, physical or otherwise.

Word Count: 4.1k+

Part 2

Series Masterlist

"I'm afraid the upcoming season will be Miss Yoon's final opportunity to secure herself a decent husband," the obnoxious woman remarked.

She did not seem embarrassed that the subject of her gossip (i.e, you) sat immediately across from her in the lavish parlour and well within earshot. She looked straight at you and silently dared you to respond to her callous comment.

You did not indulge her. You merely sipped your tea.

"Oh, surely not," her friend replied with a hint of embarrassment. "You mustn't say that, Mrs. Patty! Miss Yoon still has plenty of time before we can write her off as an old maid. She should be perfectly eligible for another two or three seasons, I dare say."

"She might have been, if not for that darling younger sister of hers. I believe little Miss Mina is eighteen now, and will be making her debut in society next season. Am I correct, Miss Yoon?" Mrs. Patty demanded of you.

You couldn't ignore a question addressed directly to you. You placed your teacup on the table and nodded reluctantly.

"Yes, Mother believes that my sister should be ready to debut next year," you replied softly.

Miss Patty looked triumphant. "Well! There you have it! Anyone who has laid eyes on Miss Mina knows that she is the loveliest little creature and I am sure her paltry dowry will not prevent an eligible man from proposing to her. Miss Mina will be snatched up instantly- and then what shall happen to our dear Miss Yoon? With her younger sister married before her, she won't have a chance!"

The other woman frowned. "Indeed, Miss Mina is uncommonly beautiful. She will have her pick of eligible men."

You rose from your seat abruptly. "Pardon me, ladies. I shall call for some more tea and cakes- we seem to be running short."

You exited the parlour before they had a chance to object, and cursed your mother for leaving you alone to handle the guests. Mother should have known that these infuriating women would show up the instant they heard that the Yoons had arrived in London for the season.

You turned towards the kitchens, hoping that the maids would not offer to help and make your journey redundant. Luckily, the servants were busy unpacking and carrying in your family's belongings. It had been a long journey from the countryside to your London abode- but a necessary one. The Yoon family could not absent themselves from the London season when they had two eligible members of marriageable age.

You turned the corner of the main hallway and came face to face with the other eligible Yoon. Your half-brother, Jeonghan.

"Jeonghan!" you called out to him hopefully. "Are you going out? Will you take me with you?"

Jeonghan was in the process of lacing up his riding gear and stood to greet you. As your father's only son from his first marriage, Jeonghan became the heir to the entire Yoon estate upon your father's passing.

"I'm afraid not, sister- I am going out riding with the Lees. You would be required to bring a chaperone," he replied slyly, reminding you, quite unnecessarily, that you could not be seen in public in the company of other single men without a female chaperone present.

You sighed. "All right- but could you stop by the parlour room before you leave?"

"Why? So that Mrs. Patty may set up a meeting for me with her third niece? There are many things I would do for you, dear sister, but subjecting myself to Mrs. Patty is not among them," Jeonghan replied calmly as he continued to tie the straps of his riding gear. "I am sacrificing plenty for you already. I shall have my hands full at the Grisham's ball tomorrow."

You blinked. "What will happen at the Grisham's ball?"

"I have heard that a certain Mr. Hessington has expressed an interest in you. We shall have to take precautions to ensure he does not find the opportunity to express this interest in front of your mother."

"Oh dear. What does Hessington want?" you despaired.

Jeonghan smirked. "He wants marriage. They all do. That is the purpose of this elaborate charade of having a season and attending all these social events, is it not? To find a suitable partner in marriage?"

"Jeonghan, there is only one season left," you reminded him miserably. You reached for your brother's arm. "You must make sure nobody proposes to me this season. From next year everyone will focus on Mina and I will be forgotten- and once she is married then my prospects will be entirely extinguished. You must ensure nothing comes in the way of this."

Jeonghan sighed. "You must be the only woman in London who is actively trying to make herself less eligible for marriage."

"And I have been doing a wonderful job so far. Mrs. Patty said herself that I'm as good as an old maid next season if Mina gets engaged before me. And she surely will be. After that, they'll throw me aside with the old maids and governesses and widows."

"Six months more?"

You nodded eagerly. "Six months more. I will be in your debt forever, Jeonghan."

He sighed. "You certainly shall be. I've become nothing short of a villain in my step-mother's eyes since you persuaded me to tell her that I had reduced your dowry. She has most of the ton convinced that I am an evil brother stealing his sisters' rightful inheritance."

"But we had to do that. A large dowry would make me attractive to men looking to marry for a fortune," you reminded him.

Jeonghan sighed. "I know. All the same, I've set aside your money. You and Mina will have your dowries once this charade is over. All of the dowry, I mean, not the paltry amount I told your mother you would receive."

You shook your head with a smile.

"I don't need it."

"Don't refuse money when it's offered to you, good god, woman, have you lost your senses?" Jeonghan said lightly. He placed his hands on his hips and smiled back at you. "You seem more cheerful than usual."

"We're almost at the end of this charade. Six more months," you replied excitedly.

"Well, do try to look less cheerful. For all the ton knows, you're a woman with little dowry, no prospects, a prettier younger sister, and getting on in age. People will begin to wonder what you have to be so happy about."

You smiled to yourself.

You had plenty to be happy about. And Mrs. Patty and the rest of the ton could choke on their tea and biscuits- they would never find out.

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

Your mother maintained a tight grip on your arm as she steered you around the corners of the large ballroom on the Grisham's summer estate.

Your arm was beginning to feel numb.

"Now," your mother said firmly. "Don't you be discouraged by what Mrs. Patty says. You're a young woman of good breeding and though you're not nearly as charming as Mina, there's nothing wrong with you. Lesser women than you have secured wealthy husbands, do you understand?'

You resisted the urge to sigh. "Yes, mother."

"But you mustn't become lax about this. You need to consider what might happen to us if … if that boy Jeonghan decides to cast us out. You and your sister must marry well before that happens."

You turned to your mother in surprise. "Mother! Jeonghan would never do such a thing!"

Your mother had very little love for her stepson and she was not shy about admitting it. "Well, he's already stolen half your dowries, there's no knowing what he'll do next. We may be on the streets soon. Even sooner, if he decides to marry and his new wife decides to be rid of us. Your marriage is important."

You sighed. "Yes, mother."

"Now put on a smile and look a little more graceful."

You took a deep breath and straightened your shoulders. It was a delicate line you walked in social events such as these. You had to look dignified and well-mannered enough to satisfy your mother, but not so captivating that you captured the attention of any potential suitors. It only got easier with time. You were older and consequently less attractive than the young girls in the room, and the ton would certainly have heard the news of your reduced dowry.

You tried not to make eye contact with any men as you quietly moved through the crowd like a wallflower. You were suddenly and abruptly met by a very tall man that appeared before you.

"Miss Yoon. May I have the pleasure of the next dance?"

You breathed a sigh of relief as you recognised the man. He had a mischievous smile on his face. "Mr. Kim! Oh thank heavens, I was worried that it was an actual suitor."

Mr. Kim Mingyu had the decency to look offended as he took your hand and swept you skillfully towards the dance floor for a lively waltz.

"Do you think that we would allow an actual suitor within ten feet of you? We've been doing this for three years now, Miss Yoon. We're professionals now, I dare say. There's one of us stationed in each section of the room and we are ready to intervene in case any man shows the slightest bit of interest towards you."

You laughed. "Well, don't I feel well-protected."

"You are."

"I'm very sorry that you all have to spend your social gatherings watching out for me in this manner. Hopefully, this is the last season that this will be required," you apologised honestly.

"Nonsense. I rather enjoy it," Mingyu chuckled.

You shook your head. "I don't believe you. Surely you would rather save your dances for a woman in whom you have a genuine interest? I notice that the young lady in cerulean blue over there cannot keep her eyes away from us."

Mingyu cleared his throat and took a quick peek in the direction you nodded your head. "Ah. Well, that can't be helped. She's better off without me in any case, I've garnered a reputation as a rake. Dancing with me would only tarnish her prospects."

You raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Yes," he replied simply.

"I suppose I cannot argue- being in the unique position of not caring about my own prospects makes me a poor judge. May I ask what you have done to have yourself labelled as a rake by the ton?" you enquired.

Mingyu smiled. "Other than being naturally charming, rich and handsome?"

"I'm afraid those qualities make for an eligible bachelor, Mr. Kim, not a rake."

Mingyu merely chuckled without offering further explanation as the dance came to an end. He gracefully led you off to the side, where you were drawn into a conversation with some other co-conspirators- namely Mr. Lee Seokmin and Mr. Kwon Soonyoung.

"Miss Yoon," was the cheerful greeting you received from a grinning Mr. Kwon. "I hope your quest to prevent all offers of matrimony fares well? I am pleased to report that the ton seems to be losing interest in you."

You smiled gratefully. "You bring glad tidings, Mr. Kwon. But I heard that Mr. Hessington…."

"Mr. Hessington is being informed of your reduced dowry and impending state of poverty at this very moment," Mr. Lee Seokmin reassured you. His eyes subtly darted towards the other end of the ballroom where your half-brother was in the middle of a conversation with Mr. Hessington himself. You could not hear what was being spoken, but there was no mistaking Mr. Hessington's alarmed expression at whatever Jeonghan said to him.

"Delightful," you replied.

"We have further pleasant tidings for you," Mr. Kwon continued. His hand slid into his waistcoat and he cast a furtive glance around before withdrawing something and slipping it surreptitiously into your hands. You tucked it away into the folds of your gown hastily- but not before ascertaining that it was a small envelope.

Your eyes brightened in anticipation. "Could it be…"

"Indeed," Mr. Kwon replied with a large smile. "I was able to stop by a certain estate that shall remain unnamed on my way to London, and catch up with a dear friend of ours. He bid me to deliver a letter by hand that he dared not risk sending by post, lest it be intercepted by unwelcome parties. It will be safe, I trust, in your possession?”

You couldn’t hold back your smile. “Very safe, indeed.”

“I certainly hope so, because your mother approaches us and she looks rather red in the face.”

Your plans to sneak away to a quiet corner and read your letter were thwarted instantly by the approach of your mother. She was flushed and huffing, although she attempted to calm herself when she noticed that you were in the company of Mr. Kwon and Mr. Lee- while they were not the most eligible bachelors in the room, they were eligible and rich enough for your mother to greet them with her politest smile.

“Mr. Kwon, Mr. Lee. What a pleasure to see you in London,” she tittered. “I do hope you will find the time to call on us for tea later this week."

They both greeted her politely and accepted her invitation with the usual graces, before your mother took hold of your arm and steered you away from them.

"Is everything all right, mother?" you asked, concerned.

"All right? I have just heard- the most terrible news- Mr. Hessington had expressed an interest in courting you but that odious brother of yours has gone and told him about your dowry! I have half a mind to expose that conniving little man for what he is- a thief, a monster-"

"Mother, you must calm down," you insisted gently. "There must be some misunderstanding-"

Your mother was distraught. "Oh, what shall we do? If you are not married this season- we shall be left on the streets unless Mina marries exceedingly well but if that boy Jeonghan continues to ruin her prospects as well-"

"Nobody could ruin Mina's prospects. She is the sweetest, prettiest creature and you know everyone will fall in love with her when she comes into society. Perhaps we should accept that my time is coming to an end, mother…."

"No! No, you cannot give up, my dear. We shall find you a husband this season!"

You sighed. "Yes, mother-"

"Go, go back to Mr. Kwon and Mr. Lee- perhaps one of them will ask you to dance, they seem like nice young gentlemen and the evening is not yet over…"

You extricated yourself from your mother- but instead of returning to company, you slid along the length of the ballroom until you succeeded in finding a remote and private corner behind a table of refreshments and some heavy curtains. You eagerly pulled out the small envelope Soonyoung had given you and unfolded its contents as your heart swelled in anticipation.

My love,

It has been too long since we last spoke. I hope you and your family are well. Although I have met your brother a few times this year and heard news of you from him, it saddens me that you must always be so far away from me.

I will be travelling to London on business next week- I may not be able to stay the entire season, as you know well, but may I be so bold as to ask for a glimpse of your beautiful smile while I am in the city? I would be honoured if you would grant me a dance at Almack's on Thursday night. But do not put yourself to trouble, my love- if the thought of meeting me in public makes you uneasy or if your feelings for me have changed during our separation, know that I would never resent you. I desire nothing more than your happiness and well-being.

Forever yours

Your heart danced wildly as you tucked the contents back into the folds of your dress. It had been too long since you had received a letter from Seungcheol- a few close calls with your nosy mother intercepting your mail had made it too dangerous for him to write to you by normal post.

But to finally see him again after so many months apart! And on Thursday, so soon! You had to turn your face to the wall to hide your giddy smile. Three years of a secret, clandestine courtship had not diminished your adoration of the man in the slightest. You still felt as strongly for Mr. Choi Seungcheol as you had the very first time he smiled at you with his bright smile and took your hand in his gentle grasp for your very first dance, so many years ago.

You took a moment to compose yourself (it would not be appropriate to be seen looking so giddy) and slipped out of your corner. Your brother had been poking around at the refreshment table and he approached you when he saw you- Jeonghan's expression was grim.

"I think I shall avoid dining at home for the time being," Jeonghan told you drily. "I fear my step-mother may really intend to poison me for what I have done tonight."

You sighed. You were not ignorant of how much Jeonghan had sacrificed for your sake. "I am sorry for the trouble I have put you through because of all this, Jeonghan. I will try to calm my mother."

His eyes softened. "I don't require an apology from you, sister."

"Gratitude, then?" you offered gently.

"If you could keep your mother away from any sharp objects or poisonous substances, that should be sufficient recompense for now," he replied with a chuckle. "So. I heard from Mr. Kwon that a certain Mr. Choi will be in London in a few days."

You bit back a smile. "Yes."

Jeonghan patted you on the arm gently. "I am glad you will have a chance to see him. Perhaps we can arrange to have your mother occupied elsewhere for the evening…"

You shook your head. "I will handle mother myself, Jeonghan," you reassured him. "You have done plenty. "

Jeonghan looked contemplative for a moment. "I sincerely hope you and Seungcheol can be happy together soon, sister. I would not have put my own reputation at stake if I did not hold his character- and yours- in the highest regard."

You smiled. A genuine compliment from Jeonghan was rare, and that made it all the more precious. You squeezed his hand on your arm.

"Thank you, brother."

"Now- let us walk away quickly. I see Mrs. Patty approaches and she has that idiotic niece of hers right behind her…"

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

The days trickled past slowly and painfully until Thursday evening finally arrived. Through your own clever manipulations, you had persuaded your mother to attend a card party being held by Mrs. Patty and to allow you to attend Almack's alone chaperoned by Viscountess Hong- one of the few married young women that your mother could be persuaded to entrust you with.

"I hope, Viscountess, that you will recommend my daughter to some of your acquaintances," your mother pressed. "You have done so well for yourself. I hope you can be a positive influence on her."

Viscountess Hong smiled. She had not been married long; her husband, Viscount Joshua Hong, had been renowned as one of the most eligible bachelors in London not long ago. It did not come as a surprise to anyone when their marriage was announced in the papers, however. The gossip-minded members of the ton had long known that Viscount Hong was smitten with a young lady of humble origins.

Your mother admired any woman who could achieve the difficult task of marrying above her station.

"I will be a responsible and careful chaperone, Mrs. Yoon. You may rest assured that I will take excellent care of your daughter for the evening," the Viscountess promised.

Your mother waved you off and you could not help the butterflies that erupted in your stomach as you climbed into the Hongs' carriage. Viscount Hong was waiting outside and greeted you in his usual kind and pleasant manner.

You thanked him nervously. "I'm very grateful for your invitation. I was worried that my mother would not be persuaded to let me visit Almack’s tonight without a female chaperone."

Viscountess Hong took your hand warmly. "Of course, we would never allow that! I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Seungcheol often this past year, and the man never smiles quite as brightly as when someone mentions your name. I'm afraid the man is quite devoted to you, Miss Yoon."

You felt shy, and bit your lip. "I-I do care for him a great deal."

Viscountess Hong beamed.

It was a pleasant carriage ride to Almack's- the Hongs kept you engaged in conversation and their friendly presence helped calm your nerves. As Viscountess Hong told you about the day she first met her husband, your mind drifted back to your own fateful introduction to Mr. Choi Seungcheol four years ago.

—------------------------------------

The estate was magnificent.

"Oh! A marble fountain! It is so beautiful!" your younger sister Mina cried out in delight at the sight of the immaculate gardens and the enormous white fountain that towered in the centre, gently spouting water.

Your mother (despite being notoriously difficult to impress) also looked at the enormous estate and manor appreciatively. "Indeed, this estate is quite lovely. Perhaps we should plant some flowers like those back home. You say this manor belongs to Mr. Choi?" she asked your brother.

Jeonghan nodded. "Yes- Mr. Choi Seungcheol was a close friend of mine at Oxford. His father passed away two years ago and he inherited the estate. He was more than happy to invite us all to stay at the manor while I take care of some business here in Derbyshire. The weather is lovely here this time of year."

"Very generous," your mother remarked thoughtfully as a servant unloaded the marriage behind you. "And… is there a Mrs. Choi?"

Jeonghan smiled tightly. "There was. she passed away in childbirth four years ago."

"He is a widower, then. And has a child," your mother remarked, displeased.

Jeonghan nodded. "Yes."

"Pity," your mother whispered to you, as she took your arm and walked towards the manor out of Jeonghan's earshot. "I was almost beginning to imagine you being mistress of this lovely estate. But you may find a way to have a marble fountain without having to marry a widower."

You blinked at your mother in surprise. It was no secret that she had not been your father's first wife.

"But you married a widower," you said, surprised.

Your mother shot you a sharp look.

"Exactly, my dear."

Before you could question her further on this hypocritical viewpoint, the entrance to the manor burst open. Servants emerged to unload your carriage and carry your things inside. They were followed by a tall, well-dressed man with a handsome smile that you barely managed to glimpse before your view was blocked by your brother stepping into your path.

“Seungcheol!”

The two men shook hands warmly, and you could see from Jeonghan’s unusually relaxed manner that he carried a great deal of affection and trust for Mr. Choi. They exchanged greetings for a moment, before Jeonghan finally stepped aside and allowed you to feast your eyes on Mr. Choi properly.

“Seungcheol- allow me to introduce you to my family. My father’s wife, Mrs. Yoon- and my two sisters, Miss Yoon and Miss Mina.”

You curtsied without taking your eyes off the startlingly handsome man. Seungcheol bowed politely in return. His manner was calm and suited a respectable and confident man- but there was something in his large eyes that sparkled with liveliness and joy. You had seen handsome men before- Jeonghan often had friends over for dinner and you had spent time in society.

But no man had ever made you feel quite so giddy.

“We are very grateful for your hospitality, Mr. Choi,” your mother said performatively. “Your estate is lovely. My daughters and I were just discussing how delightful that marble fountain is.”

Seungcheol smiled and glanced at the fountain. “Ah- yes, that was my own personal selection. I am rather fond of it myself. And allow me to say, madam, that it is a pleasure to be host to you and your lovely daughters. Your arrival has been long-awaited- not only by myself but by certain other members of my household.”

It was only then that you finally tore your eyes away from Mr. Choi’s smile and noticed that another person stood behind him. A small, dark-haired boy of no more than four years old with the same bright eyes as Mr. Choi was clinging shyly to his father’s legs.

“Allow me to introduce my son- Jiwoo.”

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

A/N: So this is my first time posting for Seventeen! I used to have a moderately successful fanfiction blog for a different kpop group on here a few years ago but I took a break and just wanted to start afresh since Seventeen is the only group I keep up with these days, and I miss writing.

I mostly plan to write some fantasy AUs over the next couple months (got some more regency, royal and other fantasy ideas brewing) so we'll see how it goes.

#seventeen fanfiction #seungcheol fluff #seventeen scenario #seungcheol angst #seventeen fluff #seventeen angst #svt #svt imagines #regency!au #historical!au #seungcheol x reader #seungcheol fanfiction #seventeen scenarios #s.coups #s.coups fluff #s.coups angst #s.coups fanfiction

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pasteidolons · 6 months ago

Text

𝖍𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖌 - 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖑𝖔𝖌𝖚𝖊

a seventeen inspired historical, route-based au.

pairing: route specific member x female!reader genre: historical au, fluff, angst, smut (later routes), supernatural members: choi seungcheol, yoon jeonghan (later), hong jisoo (later), wen junhui, kwon soonyoung, jeon wonwoo (later), lee jihoon, lee seokmin (later), kim mingyu, xu minghao (later), boo seungkwan, choi hansol (later), lee chan warnings: crass humor and language, blood, violence, mentions of suicide, alcohol, minor character death, 660's sexism, crossdressing word count: 11.2k

in 662 𝔰𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔞, you leave your hometown in search for your father, a physician whose work takes him far from home and oft to the battlefields of the kingdom. but with no word from him in months, you disguise yourself as a man and head to seorabeol, the kingdom’s capital, in search of him. it’s not until you become involved with a group that calls themselves the 𝔥𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔤 that things begin to unravel at the seams.

𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔱𝔢 𝔤𝔲𝔦𝔡𝔢 || 𝔰𝔳𝔱 𝔪𝔞𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔱

𝔍𝔞𝔫𝔲𝔞𝔯𝔶 3𝔯𝔡, 661 - 𝔖𝔢𝔬𝔯𝔞𝔟𝔢𝔬𝔩, 𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔡𝔬𝔪 𝔬𝔣 𝔖𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔞 It has been two months since your father left. And those two months felt like a lifetime. It isn't that you are so solely dependent on your caretaker that you’d let your home and his practice fall into ruin. It’s just that he said he’d be gone for at most two weeks while he attended to a patient in Seorabeol. He’d neglected to write, forgotten, maybe. But he isn't a careless man, you know that as much as he. Perhaps that’s why you find yourself so stricken with apprehension as you near the gates of Silla’s capital, the dirt under foot hard in the dead of winter.

The gates of the city stand menacingly in front of you, the grip you have on the knapsack slung over your shoulder tightens as you begin to notice the mass of people making their way in and out of the city. You have to dodge every nudging elbow prodding into your back to move you forward, duck or sway when a merchant’s wares almost topple from their carts and try not to make eye contact with the soldiers who line the entrance.

Eventually, you make it into the city with little to no fuss raised about you, everyone seems so deeply enthralled with their own business you are easily out of their minds. Yet now that you stand in the streets of Seorabeol, you don’t know which way to go. It isn't as if your father had left a directory for you to follow him up on, nor had any of his letters detailed his whereabouts in the capital in full. So, you sigh and continue forward, beginning to scan the crowds in search of a face you haven’t seen in months.

Despite the golden sun shining down onto the Kingdom’s capital, Seorabeol lies under a blanket of cold air. And despite the layers of cloth and fur adorning your shoulders the wintery chill sets into your bones as you continue along the streets.

Through the passing greetings of friends, the shouts of merchants and the bickering of their patrons, the voices collide together in a symphony of noise, you can’t seem to pull one apart from the other. No faces look at you with recognition, but why would they? This isn't your home, and you are surely just another visitor that they’d forget as soon as you leave their line of sight.

You had come to the capital when you were a child, your father had been called upon by some aristocratic family, but you could scarcely remember who it had been. After the patient had been treated the pair of you had retreated to your village some distance away from Seorabeol, the memory of this place and its people quickly leaving your subconscious.

Even now, after the partial loss of that memory, you can recall how cold the city had been compared to how cold it is now. It might be due to the winter chill that resides like a phantom over the streets, but this feels different, more ominous now that you’re old enough to realize it.

Had you been right to leave your home?

The question plagues you as you wander the winding streets, your legs tired from your trek and eyes even heavier from the lost sleep over the course of your father’s absence. You question, ask if anyone had heard your father’s name or had seen him before, but conclude that those who had seen or met him had done so weeks prior.

And then you ask of Namekawa Yasuo, an acquaintance of your father’s. He is another physician that might know where he resides. But that inquiry leaves you with a snickers and a turn of the other’s heels. It is most likely that your father and his friend had ventured on to another town from here. You are alone once again.

Before you realize it, dusk has fallen over the city, the gray clouds beginning to unleash a torrent of snowy flurries that make the streets become almost unnavigable. Your hands pull your overcoat together, trying to find warmth where you already know there won't be. If you don’t want to freeze to death, you’ll have to find somewhere to stay the night or die by freezing or by some wandering bandit.

“Excuse me,” you call out as you stop traversing the road, turning to the side and over to a small stall aligning the street. Eyes locking with those of a miserly sort of merchant, you poise the question, “Do you know where the nearest inn is?”

For a moment you've forgotten that you’re wearing your father’s clothes, so when the grizzled voice of the merchant asks if you’re looking for a pleasure house to get lost, you are somewhat puzzled. It's only with a moment of insistence that you’re just looking for a normal inn, do they comply.

“Past the butcher’s, it’s cheap enough.” He turns away from you with that final statement, continuing to close up his stall and lock his goods away until the next morning.

A quick nod and you’re off, the lanterns aligning the street only helping when the flurries die down a bit and you’re able to see several meters in front of you. You quicken your pace whenever you hear someone behind you, all too skittish to get out of this outbreak of snow. It isn't as if you fear the city’s inhabitants, but you’d heard warnings throughout your life that traveling alone at nighttime isn't ever a great idea. Maybe being dressed as a man should put you more at ease, but the message ingrained into your brain is even more overpowering.

The city grows even darker as you fail to find the inn that the merchant had mentioned, had you already passed it? Ahead of you looks to be one of the agate walls aligning the city, stopping you dead in your tracks as you think of where to go next.

“Hey, kid.” A voice calls out behind you, it sounds disjointed, slurred. Are they drunk?

You spin on your heels, your hand reaching for your bag, for the small blade you’d tucked away in case of an instance like this. But it isn't just one man, it is three men swaying on their feet. Even at some distance away you can smell the sickeningly sweet scent of their perfumes and notice the bright colors their robes are made of. They are of some standing in society, but with the way they are presenting themselves, you suspect they are of the aristocracy’s lower ranks.

“Can I help you?” Using a lower register of your voice as you speak, as if it’ll somehow cast some sort of intimidation onto the men, you nod at them. Your fingers gently undo the string on your bag, reaching around for your blade. When you were younger your father had encouraged lessons, somewhat breaking the mold as for what was appropriate for a girl to learn, but your father had always been the unconventional sort.

“That’s a pretty blade,” one notes as you slip the weapon from the bag, the sheen from the hilt catching in the light of the streetlamp above. It is then you realize that they are probably more interested in the family heirloom than they are in you. “Seems a little extravagant for a commoner like you to have.”

“Why don’t you hand it over? We’d put it to much better use,” another snickers, stumbling forward and reaching his hand out towards you. Their heavily jeweled wrist chimes as their hand outstretches towards you, the gold glimmering in the now open moonlight.

“But this is…” you hesitate, understanding that they wouldn’t comprehend its sentimentality. The handle of the blade is cool under your grip as your knees tense. It doesn’t look as if any of the men are going to stop harassing you until they get what they are after, your only choice now is to get away from them at any cost.

So, you run. Feet slapping atop the ground, the tops of your shoes becoming wetted by the puddles of melted snow you step into as you bolt down a side street.

“Son of a— get back here!” You hear one of them call out after you, the collective sounds of their footfalls chasing after you only seconds later.

It seems like you were running for hours, your heartbeat loud in your ears and the cold air tearing at your lungs with every breath you inhale. They are still chasing after you, they sound more distant now, but their curses and footfalls still echo the street behind you. You spot an alley and decide to duck into it for an attempt at eluding them.

There are several long sheets of wood leaning against the side of one of the houses, finding it an apt hiding place, you crawl under them, trying to calm your breathing as you hear the footsteps of the nobles approach.

“Are you sure it was this one?” You hear a voice after a few seconds at the opening of the alley, the labored breathing tells you it is one of your pursuers.

“It had to have been,” the voices and footfalls edging closer, the clinking of their belts signaling their proximity.

You hold your breath, expecting to be found out any second. But you’re not, instead the air goes quiet, the sound of the wind whistling through the alleyway all you can hear. It isn’t until a few seconds later that one of the men cries out in pain.

Before you can peek out from behind the board you stop yourself, not wanting to be caught by those men or whoever had caught them.

“What do you think you’re doing!” One of the men cries out, you hear a blade being unsheathed as they speak.

Another blade unsheathed, the sounds of iron on iron clanging through the air for a few seconds before one of the men speaks out again, “Why aren’t you dying?” A few bated breaths, “Jinyoung, we should get out of here—”

Something akin to primal fear takes over you at that moment, locking you in place, unable to move for a moment. What is out there? What are they fighting? With your mind flying with all sorts of gruesome imagery, you barely have time to comprehend what you are doing. Your head peeks out from your hiding spot and into the alleyway.

There’s another clangor of steel as you look, the light from the street reflecting off one of the blades as two people are interlocked in a fight. The only figure you can see fighting is donned in a light blue robe, had they saved you?

Something of a menacing laugh emits from them, their blade once again falling onto the other’s as one of your pursuers cries out for help. Your savior says nothing as he stops his attacks, only now moving to raise his blade over his head and bringing it down to fatally slash against the chest of his foe. The struck noble lets out an anguished yell as he falls to his knees, the sword in hand clattering to the ground as he reaches to try and staunch the blood flow from the gash in his chest.

A high-pitched laugh overtakes the man’s anguish, the man donned in blue still standing over his opponent and nearly snickering at his demise. You have to hold your hands to your mouth to stop you from gasping when the blue-clad man raises his sword once more. He begins hacking away at the now vanquished noble, his blows tearing into flesh more so like a butcher’s knife than a sword. There isn't skill, just a raw brutality behind every blow.

The screams grow quiet, just wet bellows that still after a moment more. Your breath heavy and your chest heaving after watching that, you’d just witnessed that man’s murder. Wanting to get away from this situation, you fall back under the cover of the wood, your back hitting the house’s exterior as you try and keep yourself together. The man keeps hacking away, the splatter of blood on the ground and onto the nearby walls almost causing you to be sick to your stomach.

This isn't human, it couldn’t be. Sure, it’s a man committing the act but the brutality of it is more akin to a beast. It is as if they’d forgone any sense and given way into a psychotic madness.

A coppery tinge to the air almost makes you gag; the scent of the deceased man’s blood has risen to greet you. How are you going to get out of this?

You pull your hands away from your face, the cold air meeting your skin all too unpleasantly. If you stay in place the killer would easily find you if he wants to, perhaps your best bet is to outrun him like you had the now deceased nobles. So, you brace yourself, pushing yourself up to your knees and prepare to make a dash down the alleyway and towards the opening on the other end. But as you do, you find that your joints have locked, sending you stumbling forward as you stand and knocking the sheets of wood over. With a dreadful fear encasing you, you turn to see that it hadn’t been just one man to kill the three that are after you, but two others had joined him as well, all wearing the light blue robes. All of them drenched in the blood of the fallen nobles.

Their eyes bore into yours, smiles etching their way onto their faces as if you’ve become the lamb brought to the slaughter. You have to run, have to get away. But you can’t, your legs are locked in place out of the sheer madness of this situation. They laugh as they turn towards you, wordless in any other manner as they begin to saunter over to you, their silvery hair and reddened eyes looking almost ghostly in the moonlight.

You are going to die. You can’t even muster a scream to call out to any city patrol, nor move your limbs with how wrought with fear you are.

Eyes closing as you begin to accept your fate, the sounds of their footsteps nearing, you can almost sense them lifting their blades to cut you down before— A whirring through the air and a grunt from one of the men in front of you has your eyes flying open. Someone had shot an arrow and hit one of the silver-haired men, causing them to stumble back a step or two. In theory, a blow like that should have downed a man, an arrow to the chest isn’t a superficial wound by any means, but it looks like the man is more angrier now rather than injured.

The trio raise their swords, their target now someone behind you, and before you're able to turn and see who or what it is, a glint of a silver blade flashes across your vision and cuts in front of you. You’re able to feel the warm blood splatter across your cheek before you register what just happened in front of you. Now the trio of men lay on the ground, dead by the looks of it, as a long gash seems to have torn across their bodies. The same queasiness from before begins to invade you as you wipe the gore from your cheek onto your sleeve, but before you’re able to do anything else about it, you hear a voice behind you.

“Is this really what we’re dealing with tonight?” It’s a sigh of disappointment, but somewhere in the tone there is almost a sound of amusement. “I wanted to take them out myself, couldn’t you have picked a different patrol group, Captain Choi?” You turn to see two men behind you, clad in the same blue as the murderers, but they look calmer, despite the one talking having a grin plastered onto his face.

“I did my job,” the one that must be Captain Choi sighs, watching the other slinging the bow he’d used to shoot one of the men around his shoulder before moving to withdraw the sword he’d used to slay the men that had been after you. “Unlike you, I’m not getting any gratification out of this.”

“That’s a little rude,” his partner laughs.

“You’re not even trying to hide it,” Captain Choi frowns, he carries the air as if he’s dealt with the other’s antics for quite some time. His gaze then flickers from the trio of fallen men to you.

“You know me well enough to know that I’m joking,” the other shakes his head and turns to look at you. “If you had just let them kill the kid you could’ve saved us some trouble, though.” Despite the lightness in his tone, the content of his speech made the same chill of fear creep down your spine. You’d escaped the nobles and the murderers, but now a different foe stands before you.

“Maybe,” Captain Choi notes, “but this isn’t our decision to make.”

Your brow furrows as they speak, by what they are saying it would leave you to believe that these men are a part of some sort of organization. Thinking more on it, you only knew of one group prominent enough to walk the streets of Seorabeol at night in place of any military patrol. Were these truly members of the Hwarang?

Before you’re able to part your lips to ask, a figure rounds the corner behind the two men and makes his way over to you. He wears the same blue as them, his hair styled the same way with a headband across his forehead and his long locks held in a topknot atop his head. The other two grow silent as he approaches, denoting some sort of superiority as he stands shoulder to shoulder with them.

His gaze travels behind you, looking at the splayed out remains, and then returns to you, a frown adorning his lips. “It doesn’t seem like luck was on your side tonight.” He speaks sharply, as if his words are whettened by the same stone that had sharpened his blade. The cold blue of the moonlight reflects off the blade in his grasp as he raises it towards your chest, sending another bolt of dread to your stomach. Although it isn't necessarily the steel pointed at your heart that makes you feel this way, it’s the way his gaze bores into you. It is cold and fierce, but there is another emotion stowed away that you aren’t fully comprehending. Mercy, maybe? The man fully seems capable of killing you instantly, but he looks somewhat troubled. “If you run, I will kill you. Do you understand?”

You nod immediately, knowing full well that he wouldn’t back down on that statement. He stares at you for a moment longer before sighing and sheathing his sword.

“W- What?” Too surprised to stop yourself, you blurt out the question as the man crosses his arms.

“Are you sure about this Lee?” The snarkier of the two others asks, his eyes narrowing at the one he’d called out to, “The kid saw everything, and didn't even say thanks for saving his sorry ass.”

Lee frowns, “Quiet. If you keep saying that then you know what we’ll have to do.”

With their apprehension to mention what had just occurred, it’s clear that you’d seen something you weren’t supposed to. The more they said the easier it is to figure out what they are trying to hide and no one wants that.

“Don’t you think it’ll come back to bite us in the ass if we let him go?” With the way the Hwarang speaks it sounds as if he can read your mind.

“And so the right thing to do would be killing him? No,” Lee shakes his head, “We’ll see what to do with the kid once we get back.”

“I agree with the Commander, the longer we stay here the more likely we’re to be seen… Again.” Choi adds, moving to sheath his own sword and look at the creatures they’d slain as though he hadn’t seen them before. “If this is their reaction to blood, I don’t think they’ll have a practical use.”

“Damn…” Lee looks down to the corpses, an emotionless expression on his face before he looks back to his companions. “As for you two, stop with the ‘Lee’ and ‘commander’, we’re trying to keep a low profile.”

“You can’t be serious, our robes are a big giveaway,” the nameless Hwarang snorts.

“What should we do with the bodies? There doesn’t seem to be any physical signs…” Choi notes, looking at Lee.

The commander thinks for a moment, “Just take their robes, Chan can deal with the rest.”

“Understood.”

“Another man killed in the streets of Seorabeol,” the other Hwarang sighs out before bellowing out a bark of laughter, “We’re doing a great job, aren’t we?”

“As long as we don’t talk about it, I don’t think anyone will know we were here,” Lee looks at you and you get the feeling that his words aren’t directed towards his companions. It isn't uncommon for people to be murdered in the capital, with rising tensions across the kingdoms as different factions had been popping up everywhere and leading anywhere from small to large fights. Seeing it happen is a different story.

“Hmm, we did save you, didn’t we?” The nameless Hwarang muses as he looks at you.

Eyes widening at his statement. Despite his earlier attempts of pursuing after your death, he and Choi had saved you from the murderers. “Thank you,” you bow, hesitantly as you don’t trust them entirely. “I’m sorry for not thanking you earlier, there was just so much going on…”

Looking back up at the three, they look almost as confused as you feel. You quickly break eye contact and look down to the ground, “It’s a little strange to say that… but he told me I should say thanks so—”

Gaze returning to the men, Lee and Choi are looking at anywhere but you while the third man is shaking with laughter.

“I guess I did tell you to, didn’t I?” He laughs again, doubling over to the point he has to wipe a few tears away from his eyes before straightening up. “You’re welcome, I’m Boo Seungkwan. Nice to meet someone who actually knows how to be polite.”

“Thanks for helping me…”

“The one you should be thanking is Captain Choi Hansol over here, and this bossy guy—” He begins again but is abruptly stopped by Lee.

“The hell do you think you’re doing, Boo?” He frowns as he turns towards Seungkwan.

“I understand your concerns, commander, but we have to move.” Whatever pervasive happiness that had penetrated the bloodied air dissipated with Hansol’s words.

Boo reaches out and grabs your wrist, gives you a small smirk and begins to lead you out of the alleyway and down the street. His grip is too rough and tight to be friendly, his fingers feel like stone wrapped around you. There isn't any question about the situation you now find yourself in; if you are to run you are to be killed. Your life is now in their hands and up to their discretion.

“It would be best if you prepared for the worst,” Hansol says as you traverse the streets of Seorabeol, wondering how the sight of their bloodstained robes isn’t catching anyone’s attention. “I doubt this will end well for you.” His words are sharper than the blades of cold that soar through the streets, tearing into your chest.

𝔍𝔞𝔫𝔲𝔞𝔯𝔶 4𝔱𝔥, 661 - 𝔖𝔢𝔬𝔯𝔞𝔟𝔢𝔬𝔩, 𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔡𝔬𝔪 𝔬𝔣 𝔖𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔞 The harshness of the sunlight beaming in through a nearby window pulls you from a dreamless slumber, the ground underneath you far too hard to allow you a peaceful enough rest for such frivolities. Head reeling at the events of the night prior, it isn’t until you try and rub the sleep from your eyes that you realize where you are exactly. The knot roping your hands together brushes against your wrists, the fibers of the cordage causing the skin to burn.

Looking around the room, you realize that there isn’t anyone else present. In a way that makes you feel a little more comfortable, but again, waking up in an unfamiliar place is sure to keep you on edge. You writhe on the floor for a moment, realizing that your feet had been bound too, the blankets that had been strewn atop you falling away and pooling on the floor beside you. A dull ache in your back tells you that you’d be feeling the consequence of sleeping on such a surface for the next day or so, the twisting already signaling a crick in your neck as well. For as dull as your own home had seemed to you as a child, you miss it now more than ever.

“This is a nightmare,” a sigh under your breath as you think to the men who you’d come across the night prior, and whatever situation they’d found you in.

Finding the scrambling on the ground unhelpful, you lay back down, your bound hands falling atop your stomach as you stare up at the dark ceiling.

It’s only a few moments later that you hear the gentle slide of the wooden door across from you, noting that someone is making an appearance. You try your best to sit up, looking at the face of the newcomer and realizing quickly that it isn't one of the men with whom you’d been acquainted with last night.

“Are you awake?” a small and awkward smile as they peek their head into the room, they pause for a moment as they notice the ropes binding you. Their brow furrows as they step fully into the room, “This isn’t normally how we treat guests… If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll untie you.”

A silent nod as they approach, loosening the ropes around your ankles as you can now sit up freely, unencumbered by the restrictive ties. You note that he’d left your hands bound, you can understand why but the chafing still hurts.

“Who are you?” You question as they step back, a small smile quirking on their face as they move to kneel by your side.

“Ah, my name’s Song Eunseok,” he says, a look overcoming him as if he’d forgotten himself for a moment.

“Thank you… Eunseok.” Muttering out as he stands, offering out his arm to you to help you rise from the floor.

“A few of the captains want to talk to you,” there’s something likened to a worry in his eyes, you hardly know the kid, but he reads like an open book. “If you’d just follow me…”

And you do, walking in silence through the compound for a moment or two before the younger speaks up again. “They’ve been discussing what to do with you since they woke up. I think they’re going to try and hear what you’ve got to say and see if they’ve got to report you or not…”

“Report me?”

“Mhm,” he nods as his feet slide over the smooth floorboards. “We’re not like the city guard or anything, so we don’t have that much jurisdiction over—” Eunseok pauses, a hand raising to his mouth as if he’s said too much. He lets out a nervous chuckle, “Well, you’ll see.”

Eunseok’s courtesy is nice, better than that of those men you’d seen last night. But it has an air to it that tells you to be cautious, you are the one impeding on their space and it is their judgment to dole out.

As if he can tell you are on edge, the younger one says, “They might seem scary at first but they’re really not that bad.”

The Hwarang themselves don’t have a tainted name, but you know that the ones located in the different towns and localities of Silla had varying degrees of severity. And with this being the unit of the capital, you don’t expect them to be anything less than vicious towards any perceived troublemaking.

“You’re actually probably around the same age as our commander, well, we’re all really around the same age,” his laugh resounds around the space for a moment, his hand trailing up to his ear to toy with a small, dangling earring attached to it. “Captain Kim and Captain Wen tend to sate any tension too so I wouldn’t worry all too much.”

Eunseok’s reassurances go partially on deaf ears as you approach what seems to be the main building. Through the hanji walls you can hear muffled chatter as the people inside are undeniably trying to decide your fate. With a steady hand, Eunseok slides open the door and motions you inside.

You don’t need to announce yourself, as the sound of you entering causes several heads to turn in your direction. A quick glance around the room tells you that these are probably the heads of the Hwarang. Their own gazes feel like daggers, picking you apart silently and without a care other than what the hell your presence means to them.

“I take it you slept well, then?” A voice to your right calling out to you. You turn your head to see Seungkwan, or at least that’s what he’d been referred to as last night, glaring at you with a smirk on his lips. His attire is different from last night, as were the robes of the several others you recognize standing around, more lavish than what their Hwarang uniforms had been yesterday. The red of his robes feels even more threatening to you in lieu of this situation.

“It wasn’t… great.” A small frown as you respond, noticing his brow contort into an irritated expression. You grit your teeth, maybe it would be better to kiss up to them?

“Is that right?” His shoulders shrug, “When I went to check on you earlier you didn’t move at all, no matter how many times I tried to wake you up.” Seungkwan sighs out, “You looked like you were dead to the world.”

You don’t say anything, feeling a rise of embarrassment in your stomach at his words.

“Don’t take what he says too seriously,” another face emerging from the mass, belonging to another man you’d met last night. You think it’s the one they’d called Choi Hansol. “Seungkwan didn’t go anywhere near your room.”

A devilish grin spreads over Seungkwan’s face as he sees how flustered his statement has gotten you, “You didn’t need to ruin the fun that quickly, Hansol.”

“Captain Choi didn’t do anything wrong though, you though—” a glare at Seungkwan, your fingers rubbing together as you try to find the will to butt heads with him.

“That’s enough.” A voice cuts through your conversation swiftly, drawing your attention to the figure standing at the head of the room. Their head hangs low, as if they were just listening to the chatter before calling out. “You sound like a bunch of kids.” It is the third man from last night, Commander Lee.

“This is your witness Commander?” A new voice with a deeper tone, calls out from your left. You turn to see three men sitting together, presumably having been conversing with one another prior to your arrival.

The notoriety of the Hwarang stems from the fact that they only chose youthful men to be a part of their organization, you can see that while glancing around to the other faces in the room. Maybe you’d expected them all to be a little older, but it seems as if the eldest is just in his late twenties or so.

“He’s just a stick,” the voice continues, you see that it looks like the younger of the trio’s talking. His hand rests lazily over his knee as he looks you over, a frown settled onto his lips.

“You’re calling him a kid, Kwon?” One of the other men sitting snickers, “That’s funny.”

So, that’s at least one of their names.

“Put them together and they’d look just like scared little kids,” the second speaker sighs out, head resting lazily in his hand.

“I can call them that because I’m a mature adult, obviously.” The two begin to have a bickering discourse, glaring at one another from their seated positions.

“Mature adult?” The other barks, his hand moving from his cheek in disbelief, “Wen, I knew you weren’t smart but that’s a reach even for you.”

Their tones aren’t angry, more so a taunting argument between two friends. It is lighthearted enough but if you’d just been passing by and not listened fully you might’ve just seen it as two people arguing. Were these the two people that Eunseok had mentioned, Kim and Wen?

“You’re just a pair of grumpy old men,” Kwon rolls his eyes, “I think you’re both going senile.”

“You think you can get away with talking to us like that?” the one you presumed to be Wen scoffs, “I’m hardly old enough to be called old… Kim here though…”

“I thought we were friends, you son of a bitch,” Kim looks to the other, an expression of faux hurt caked onto his brow. “And you both are older than I am.”

“Real adults, my ass,” Kwon shakes his head at the two. The back and forth between the three is certainly interesting to watch, it is almost as if they’d been going at it like this for years with one another.

Despite their light-hearted banter, it doesn’t downplay the tension you feel encroaching on this space. This is the home of the Hwarang, and you are an outsider, foreign to them in almost every way possible.

“I’ll apologize on their behalf,” a soft voice says, it comes from one of the men standing next to Lee. “Don’t let them unsettle you too much.” The warmth emanating from his tone is enough to make you relax even in the slightest bit, forgetting for a moment the peril you may be in.

“Don’t kid yourself,” the Commander speaks up, shooting a glance to the other, “You’re the scariest one out of all of us, Choi Seungcheol.” You’re almost too lost in looking at the one who’d spoken to notice the number of heads nodding in agreement with Lee.

“Really? I get that from the other men but from our own demon commander?” Choi muses, his hand toying with the long strands of hair falling over his shoulder before looking at his compatriot, “I feel a little flattered. I only try to hold the Hwarang to the highest standard I can.” His hand falls away from his hair, settling to rest on the hilt of his sword fastened around his waist in such a relaxed manner you hadn’t realized he’d had it on him in the first place, “Although I suppose it’s easy to get confused when our standards… or maybe our taboos, are at your mercy.”

“Maybe you’re right, but this isn’t the time to get into that,” Lee sighs out, a small smirk mirroring Choi’s, his gaze once again pinpointing on you after a moment.

“You’re lucky to have a friend like that, Jihoon,” a new voice comments. The dialogue between Choi and the Hwarang’s Commander hadn’t been exactly what you would call ‘friendly’. It is cold and lacks the warmth that had flowed between the prior conversation with the other three captains. Although from the way the new face had spoken it sounds as if he had perceived the pair as such.

“I haven’t introduced myself,” he says, turning from the pair and facing you. “Sorry, my name is Kwak Youngmin, the leader of the Hwarang. Or at least, this division,” he chuckles at himself.

“So, you’re the most important man in the Hwarang?” A tilt of your head as you look at him, his presence is far less intimidating than the handful of others that had come before him.

“Well,” another short laugh, “I wouldn’t go that far. I merely represent everyone in the Hwarang. Jihoon’s the commander and Seungcheol’s more or less the colonel.”

“Don’t you think that’s important information to be divulging, Youngmin?” Jihoon cuts the other off, arms crossing over his chest as he continues to glare at you.

“Ah,” Youngmin’s brow softens, a confusion taking over his demeanor, “Do you think it’s a bad idea?”

“Unless you want them to learn everything about us,” a grunt as Wen pushes himself up off of the floor and strides over, quickly followed by Kwon and Kim, “I think you’d better keep your mouth shut.”

“Exactly! We don’t owe him anything,” Kwon adds, glancing over to you.

“Those are good points…” Youngmin cedes for a moment, “But it’s rude to ignore your guests, isn’t it?”

A laugh from Kim as he shakes his head, “I guess you’re right.”

Youngmin perks up ever so slightly, he’d looked dejected at Jihoon’s words and it seems as if the affirmation helped his mood. His demeanor is much more cheerful than the others, seeming to radiate a positivity that hadn’t been shed amongst the others.

Another smile flashes on his lips as he looks at you, it's brief but there’s a coolness in his gaze that tells you the newly found lightened mood is due for a change.

“Now, let’s get back to why we’re here,” he glances at Hansol before speaking again, “Can you tell me what happened last night?”

“Last night we were on patrol when we encountered a band of thugs wandering the streets. They attacked first so we fought.” Hansol’s voice is calm as he recounts the events, calmer than you would ever be in his shoes. “A few of the men were able to subdue them,” His eyes look to you, prodding at your own take on the events that had transpired.

“I didn’t see what happened,” you insist, shaking your head as you lock eyes with the speaker.

Despite that, you can feel Jihoon’s glare boring into you. It is akin to the harshness of a parent severely scolding their child. Hansol’s expression doesn’t change, despite the pleading in your gaze, and in your peripheral vision, Seungkwan continues to smirk at you.

“Positive you didn’t see anything?” Kwon prompts, causation enough for you to turn your attention back to him and his other two compatriots.

“I didn’t,” you press, trying to muster as much authority in your voice as you can.

“Hmm,” his hand moves under his chin as your eyes dart from Wen to Kim before settling back onto Kwon. “If that's the case then I really don’t see what the problem is.”

“Didn’t Seungkwan say you helped out some of the guys?” Kim mumbles, his arms crossed as if he is deep in thought.

Your brow furrows before you begin to shake your head once again, this time a little more vehemently, “That isn’t true.” The plastered grin on Seungkwan’s face remains, despite the accusatory glance you throw to him. “I was trying to get away from those noble thugs, or whoever they were and then some men in Hwarang robes showed up, if anything, they helped me out.”

“So, then you saw them apprehend those men?” It is lightly put, the flashes of viscera still playing in your mind occasionally. Kim is testing the waters and you are beginning to sink your own ship.

“I…” You can’t deny it, something tells you that if they even get a whiff of inaccuracy, you’ll be in much deeper shit than you are in now.

“If you’re not going to say anything, we can only assume you saw everything, right?” Kim questions. The silence you emit must be answer enough for him as he sighs and continues, “I can tell you’ve got an honest heart, and that’s not a bad thing, really, but…” The eeriness of that sentence puts you on edge, will the next thing that falls from his mouth be the words that would damn you?

“I promise I won’t tell anyone what I saw!” The words fall from your lips, blithely and almost incoherent as your hands clench together.

“Hmm,” Seungcheol’s gentle hum resounds around the room after your outburst. “The attack doesn’t seem like it wasn’t deliberate. Yet, it also seems unlikely that you’re our enemy. Even if you have good intentions, we will still have to interrogate you... Can you handle torture?”

Images of bodies rolled in straw mats and being beaten with wooden sticks courses through you, of what they could possibly do to you. Seungcheol’s words, despite the warmness of his voice, are cold, calculating. The hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, unable to respond to such a question without an air of incredulity.

“Staying quiet is easy, but if you were captured, you’d have no loyalty to us regarding what you saw.” Hansol points out nonchalantly.

“Let’s just kill him,” Seungkwan shrugs, almost as if the thought doesn’t carry the weight of your life, “That’s the only surefire way to not have him talk.”

“Seungkwan, that isn’t our way.” Youngmin interjects, his brow furrowing at the other, before you can protest, “We don’t run around murdering civilians.”

The other laughs, “Don’t look at me, I was only kidding.” It sure hadn’t felt like it. Nor had it sounded like it either.

“You may need to work on your delivery, then.” Hansol shakes his head, as Seungkwan chuckles with that cheshire-like grin.

“If anything, he can’t be that much older than me,” Eunseok, who until up to this remained silent, speaks out from behind you. You hear his feet tread across the floorboards until he’s standing by your side, “That’d almost be killing a kid, wouldn’t it?”

“I don’t want to kill him but choosing to ignore the unlikelihood of his untrustworthiness is very irrational,” Seungcheol frowns, his fingers toying with the butt-end of his sword. “What’s your take, Commander Lee?”

Everyone’s attention turns to Jihoon, the Commander’s lips curving down into an ever sourer grimace as the gazes’ rest upon him. He sighs before looking up and around at the different faces.

“Last night we killed the wang-do that broke our code, this kid shouldn’t have been involved in the slightest.” It isn't an answer and it only heightens the anxiety coursing through you.

“Is that all you have to say on the matter?” Seungcheol prods.

“He probably saw something that he doesn’t understand…” Lee mutters as Wen rises to his feet.

“Even if that’s the case this is pretty serious,” Wen’s foot taps on the floor, the light from outside glinting off his deep green robes. “We have to sweep this under the rug. If the rumor spreads that the Hwarang have turned blood-thirsty it wouldn’t sit well with the people, or the crown for that matter.” It looks as if people are taking Wen’s words to heart, a grimace overcomes Jihoon’s face as the taller continues to speak.

“Watch it,” Jihoon fires back, “It’s our responsibility to regulate the wang-do that haven’t followed the code. We are going to do something about it.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that he saw something.” Seungkwan looks at you again, but you refuse to acknowledge it.

“He does have a point,” Kim muses, “I’ll do whatever Kwak, Lee and Choi tell me to do.”

“I think we should let him go,” Kwon notes, his hand moving to brush a few strands of hair out of his face. “It’s not like he knows everything.”

“...Everything?” You question aloud and the room once again turns cold at your words.

“I think it’d be best if you stop talking, Kwon.” Jihoon says solemnly, as the younger mutters out a brief apology.

“Now it’s going to be a little harder to just simply let you go,” Seungkwan says pointedly, crossing his arms as you look at him briefly.

“A man should always be ready to face death. You should make your peace with that,” Wen notes, nodding his head as if he were agreeing with his own statement.

A man…. The words resound around your head and it isn’t until you look down at your feet and the clothes you were wearing do you remember. Right, you’re not dressed in your typical attire, this was stolen from your father’s chest, his clothes that you had mended as you awaited his arrival. The clothes you had taken to undergo your journey to find him, the journey that had somehow led you here. It hits you that they think you’re a man. With the whirlwind of events that had led you here you’d completely forgotten about your attire and how they may have perceived you.

“That’s true, there’s nothing wrong with a brave death. When I was younger, I committed honorable suicide,” Kim shrugs his shoulders, a humor riding his tone as he spoke of the grave topic.

“Didn’t really stick though, did it, Mingyu?” Wen snorts, giving the other captain a nudge with his shoulder before they break out into a short burst of laughter.

“Commander, since we can’t figure out what to do, should I just send him back to his room for the time being?” Hansol asks Jihoon once the laughter has died down. “The more we leave him out here, the more likely he’s going to hear something he’s not meant to, and we’d have to kill him regardless.”

Even if Hansol hadn’t said it for your well being, a flush of relief floods through your muscles.

“Alright, let’s do that. Besides, there’s something I need to look into.” The commander acquiesces, before looking over to Seungcheol.

“I agree, there’s a few careless voices among us, you never know what could slip.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Kwon’s eyes widen as he realizes that the colonel is glaring in his direction.

“You’ve gotta admit we’re all pretty reckless with our words, especially you, Soonyoung.” Kim huffs, begrudgingly agreeing to Choi’s observation.

“It was just a mistake! No need to blame me for all of it,” Kwon’s voice rises as he tries to defend himself. He sighs out and glances at you, mumbling a quiet, “I’m sorry” under his breath.

Still apprehensive about their plans with you, you can’t find it within you to respond to him in any sort of affirmative way. It still seems like he understands the intention behind your curt nod.

“Alright then, Captain Choi, take care of the kid.” The commander says as he begins to turn on his heels, heading towards a side room branching off the main hall.

“Will do…” Hansol nods and turns to you, “Shall we go?”

After Hansol has walked you to your room in relative silence, you find yourself sitting on the floor, your hands still bound, after what seems like hours since the meeting.

The Hwarang were esteemed because of their loyalty to the crown and their way of life, you hadn’t realized how vicious it could be. But behind all of that there is a humanity behind the veneer of the aristocratic and diplomatic traits they were meant to have. Despite it not seeming like it as of your first meeting.

Their presence isn't that of cold-blooded killers or snotty aristocrats, the message garnered through that meeting had been along the lines of ‘We are not killers, but to protect our way of life we must bring death’. It didn’t make you feel great, but it could help you understand them a little more.

As you sit in the room, watching the sun flit in through nearly closed shades you ponder that the longer you stay here, the less chance you have of returning to your home in one piece. They have no real right to let you go, your loyalty to them is a contract by word, not by blood. And you are sure they would recognize that sooner or later.

If they still thought you to be a man would they still make you face that fate? Would exposing your true identity be worth mercy on your life? Even then you don’t know if the repercussions of that would be any better, it may backfire and lead to an even worse end for you.

If possible, you would like to forgo either of those scenarios. Perhaps escaping would be your best bet...

As your feet had been left unbound, it is easy to push yourself off the ground to unsteadily rise on your feet. With your feet free it shouldn’t be nearly as impossible a feat to escape if both your feet and hands were bound. You take a deep breath before walking towards the door, thinking of how they had brought you in last night and where Eunseok had guided you to the meeting and Hansol had taken you from. It is a rudimentary enough map in your head, but you can make it work, you have to make it work.

You approach the sliding door quietly, inching your foot towards it as to open it. Before you’re able to though, it slides open and a figure almost runs face-first into you.

“Ah-!” Youngmin stops himself so he doesn’t run into you, you take a cautionary step backwards to distance yourself from him.

A figure peers out from behind Youngmin, Seungcheol’s eyes wide as he realizes what is going on. “Oh, you weren’t trying to escape, were you?”

“I was just…” you search for a response, but your situation is already damning enough.

“Trying to escape isn’t really going to make your situation any less difficult,” he frowns, stepping out from behind Youngmin to stand in line with the leader. While his voice is soft, his eyes hold that same calculating glare that had scrutinized you earlier in the day.

You think for a moment before a realization dawns on you. They hadn’t tied you up because they’ve been watching you the entire time. Maybe you should’ve figured that out sooner, but your brain is too muddled with flight or flight instinct.

“I’ll only repeat this one more time,” a voice coming from the hall outside as two pairs of footsteps approach the room, “if you try to run, I’ll kill you.” Jihoon’s voice is stern as he rounds the corner with Seungkwan.

“Sorry, that means we’re forced to kill you,” Seungkwan sighs, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword, “We can’t let you go if you can’t keep a promise.” He doesn’t look sorry with the way a fresh smile danced along his lips as he spoke.

Teeth gritting together you plant your feet firmly on the ground and look at the men in front of you. They aren’t presenting any favorable options to you, and if they were going to kill you anyway, the best thing you could do is try and run for it.

By some miraculous means you’re able to push your feet from the floor, sliding around Youngmin and beginning to race down the corridor of the building. It’s not long until you feel a hand grab the back of your robes, pulling you back towards the room you’d been kept in.

“Did you really think you could escape?” Jihoon asks, sounding somewhat bewildered by the actions you’d taken.

“Let me go!” You writhe in his grasp, trying to free yourself from his grip, but it is holding firm to you with no sign of weakness.

“If I do that, you’ll just run off again,” he sounds annoyed now as he leads you back into the room with Seungkwan, Seungcheol, and Youngmin.

“I don’t want to die, though!” You say, still struggling under his hold. “There’s something I have to do!”

“And what’s that? What’s important enough for a girl to dress up as a boy and run around Seorabeol?”

You freeze at his words, eyes widening as his grip on you goes slack. It’s given you the opportunity to run for it again, but you find yourself too stunned to move. Did he know this whole time? You turn to look at him, your mouth parting as if to say something but you can’t think of what to utter.

“Did you just call me a girl?” You can tell by the steely glare he gives you that your feeble attempt at a lie won’t work on him.

A small ‘huh’ and you look over your shoulder to see Seungcheol looking at you, “So you really are a girl.”

“Did you really think putting on a pair of pants and a man’s robes would fool us?” Seungkwan questions as he crosses his arms, a teasing tinge to his voice.return

“You all knew from the start?” Eyes widening, you thought your disguise had been rather good. But perhaps not as much as you had thought.

“Kwak Youngmin you idiot,” the leader of the Hwarang mutters just loudly enough for you to hear, “How did you not realize this sooner?”

Youngmin’s reaction puts you more at ease, seeing that not everyone had seen right through your facade.

“You almost got killed for whatever you’re here for, maybe it’s time you enlighten us,” Jihoon doesn’t ask, rather demands the information out of you.

You nod at him and the trio silently takes you back to the hall where you’d been questioned only hours prior. The rest of the men filter in from whatever they’d been doing at the compound, none of them sparing you more than a second’s glance once they walk into the large room.

“I thought your features were a little more effeminate than most men but to think you were a lady this whole time…” Youngmin leads, his head nodding as if he’d come to the conclusion hours earlier and hadn’t only just learned your secret moments prior.

“Once you realize she’s a girl she really doesn’t look like a guy at all, right?” Kwon muses as he looks into your eyes.

Uncomfortable with this, you break away, looking to Eunseok who stands next to him.

“So, we really left her tied up all night to sleep on the floor?” The younger mumbles, looking down to his feet before looking up to you and giving a very heartfelt “Sorry,” before returning his gaze to the floor.

“Well she claims to be a girl, but it’s not like we have any real proof, right?” Wen muses as he looks at Mingyu.

“You want proof?” You fire back, eyebrows raising at the implied suggestion.

“Would you feel better if we stripped her down?” Kim scoffs, eyes rolling at the other.

“You will absolutely not!” Youngmin interrupts, seemingly not understanding the sarcasm of Kim’s statement. “To suggest that goes against everything we stand for.”

“It was a joke,” Kim shoots back, “But if we needed absolute proof…”

“If you are a girl though,” Wen muses, “Then I think it would feel kind of wrong just to kill you.”

“Why are all of you acting so naive? If we have to kill her, we have to kill her.” Jihoon frowns while looking over his men.

“Exactly,” Seungcheol nods, a small frown overcoming him, “Although it’s not her gender that’s the issue. Killing in general is wrong.” Even with those words, the way his hand rests on the hilt of his sword makes an uneasy feeling lurch in your stomach, “We were organized by the crown to protect Silla and her people, killing those people in cold-blood wouldn’t put us in a favorable light.”

“But if this girl, or boy, is a threat to the crown, that’s a whole other matter in itself.” Seungkwan notes, the sly grin on his face present once more. At this point you’re concluding this is what he normally looks like.

“I apologize,” Jihoon looks at you, “I took it upon myself to look through your things. It seems like you’ve come all the way from Toehwa-hyeon by yourself. You didn’t have much; some change, clothing, a few scraps of letters and a blade.” He pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts, “One of the fragments of letters was signed by Namemekawa Yasuo, I assume you saw him?” Another pause as he looks into your eyes as if he’s searching for something, “What exactly are you here for?”

When the doctor’s name is spoken, chatter begins among the men, did they know Namekawa? And it isn’t until Jihoon asks what your true purpose here, followed by your full name, does the entire room go silent.

“Commander… that name…” Wen’s eyes are wide as he addresses Jihoon.

“It’s not just some bizarre coincidence, is it?” Kim adds on, his face looking almost as equally as confused as Wen’s.

“Now, let’s hold on for a moment,” Youngmin tries to calm the room’s mounting tension. He looks to you, a weary expression on his brow as he continues, “We need to determine if you are a threat. Why did you come to Seorabeol?”

At Youngmin’s behest you move forward to speak, with a quiet voice you announce your name, and the chatter begins quietly once more for a moment. Once it settles down you speak again, “My father is a doctor in Toehwa-hyeon. I traveled from my home there in search of him as I haven’t heard from him in several months. The last time we spoke he said he was traveling here, the capital, for work.”

“You’re from Toehwa-hyeon as well?” A small smile dances along Youngmin’s lips, “And you came all of this way to find your father? Who is he?”

“I am the daughter of Physician Heo Jinsang.” You answer shortly, not fully expecting their reactions.

They don’t seem angry, rather sate in their realization of something.

“So, it’s all piecing together,” Jihoon sighs out.

“The handwriting does match Jinsang’s but… To think you were his daughter,” Seungcheol’s gaze furrows at you as he bites the inside of his cheek.

“Do you know my father?” You ask as you turn to look from Seungcheol to Jihoon.

“You’ve been withholding information from us?” Jihoon’s voice, now angered, calls out to you. It’s accusatory in nature and you can’t begin to fathom as to why.

“I… What?” A step backwards at the intensity of his words, your heart begins to pound in your chest as the next words flow from his lips like a torrent from an incensed river.

“There’s no point in lying now!” His gaze hardens, voice unrelenting in its authority, “What the hell are you doing in Seorabeol?!”

“I just came to look for my father.” You protest, your muscles tense as the commander takes a step towards you.

“No, you came into this city fully aware of what your father is doing, didn’t you?” Jihoon’s presence itself is harsh, unsettling as his heightening anger bores directly from his voice and to your ears, trying to dig up secrets that were unknown even to you.

“I was told that he was traveling here for medical work, I haven’t seen him in months!” Voice almost cracking under the stressful strain of trying to prove your innocence to them, your heart grows heavy at the thought of committing a crime just from being someone’s daughter.

“Jihoon, it may be better to leave her be. She may not know anything…” Seungcheol interjects, stepping forward to place a hand on Jihoon’s forearm.

A reprieve from the interrogation allows you to collect your breath and pose a question of your own, “So what do you know about my father? Do you know where he is?”

“The Hwarang are currently trying to find the location of Physician Heo Jinsang.” Hansol responds with a flat tone, as if he’s not trying to interject any emotion or his own opinion into the matter.

“You’re after my father?” A furrowed brow as you look at him. What exactly had your father done?

“It’s not like that… We’re not after him, per se.” Seungkwan interjects by shaking his head.

“I see…” A small exhale of air that you hadn’t realized you were holding escapes you, a slight weight lifted from your shoulders.

“He’s a supporter of the crown but he disappeared a little while ago.” Seungkwan explains.

“There’s a chance a few Baekje loyalists have identified him as a threat,” Hansol adds after Seungkwan has finished speaking.

“Really?” You frown, beginning to think the worst before Hansol begins to speak again.

“Of course, there’s a chance that he’s still alive, there are a few Tang-trained physicians in Silla at the moment.” He notes, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

“Youngmin, what do you think we should do? Would it be in our interest to help her because we’re both looking for her father?” Seungcheol questions as you feel your heart about to burst from the anxiety of this situation.

“What do you mean by ‘help her’?” Youngmin asks, one of his hands resting on his hip as he looks to the colonel.

“I think it would be in our best interest to cooperate with her until we find Heo,” Seungcheol’s lips purse, it looks like he’s already thinking of ways to find your father but you can’t be too sure. “With her help I’m sure our chances of finding him will increase drastically. It may prove fruitless to look for him if he’s in disguise. However, you are his daughter, you should be able to recognize him no matter how he’s disguised himself, right?” Seungcheol looks to you inquisitively, his head tilted to the side and his eyes wide in question.

You nod, “Of course.”

“What do you say Jihoon?” Youngmin turns to look at the commander, “Seungcheol is making some sense of this mess.”

“If she really doesn’t know anything…” Jihoon hums, looking at you warily.

“I really don’t, all I know is that he was headed here for work but I really don’t know anything else—” You huff, “And about last night, I didn’t see anything, I promise!”

Jihoon huffs out a sigh as his eyes narrow, “Well, if she really is his daughter, we can’t really kill her, can we?” He watches your reaction for a moment more before continuing, “If you promise to not talk about the events of last night, we’ll let you stay here until we find your father. Fair?”

“I can promise that the Hwarang will do whatever we can to find your father,” Youngmin adds with something of a reassuring smile.

“Thank you,” you say and bow as deeply as you can, thankful for their gratitude and, most of all, them deciding that your life hadn’t needed to be halted. You’d found your first lead in finding your father, and it seems they are actively looking for him as well.

“You must be glad we’re not killing you,” Seungkwan quips, “not yet anyway.” That same snide grin encapsulating his lips, as you frown at him. In no way is your position desirable, but you were alive and, on your way, to finding your father.

“More than glad,” you snip back at him.

“I’m happy we didn’t have to kill you,” Eunseok sighs out, “or turn you into the Crown. My brother’s a guard there and he says it’s awful.”

“Oh, really?” You ponder on that for a moment, thinking of what may have happened if the official patrol had found you instead of the Hwarang.

“Hm, Eunseok? With her being a lady, I’m not sure the compound is equipped for all her needs. It’s not as if we have Wonhwa anymore…” Youngmin frowns as if he’s just realized an all male domicile may not be the best suited for you.

“That’s a good point…” Eunseok mutters.

“If you need anything you only have to ask,” Hansol nods, “We will do what we can to accommodate you.”

“Thank you, Hansol.” You nod and turn to look at who’s just begun to speak.

“I guess if you are a girl, we’ll have to be nicer to you, huh?” Wen says, a nervous laugh escaping him.

“Hah,” Kwonsnorts at him, “didn’t take long for you to change your attitude, huh, Jun?”

“It’ll be a nice change of pace though, brighten things up a bit from all of your guys’ shit,” Kim scoffs at the two of them.

Your brow furrows, not fully believing that sentiment as the trio begin bickering with another once more.

“Everything may not be up to standards here for a lady,” Seungcheol sighs, almost sounding embarrassed at the state of the place, “You’re not a soldier so we can’t fully expect to treat you as such.”

“Then make her an assistant or something.” Jihoon suggests, “Do you need a page, Youngmin? Or you, Seungcheol?”

“It’s your idea, Lee,” Seungkwan pipes up once more, a teasing tinge to his voice, “you can’t just drop her onto someone else.”

“That’s perfect, we can entrust Jihoon with her,” Youngmin smiles, playing along with Seungkwan’s antics.

“That settles it, I think,” Seungcheol nods, trying to suppress a laugh as he looks at the increasingly flustered commander.

“You— You can’t just decide like that!” Jihoon barks angrily as those around him laugh. Their back and forth, while humorous to them, caused the relief you felt prior to chip away little by little with each of their jabs.

It is eventually decided that you are to be Lee Jihoon’s page, if only for the time being, until your father is found. Rather than immediately give you a task to accomplish, the commander sends you back to your room, assuming that you probably hadn’t had a restful night and that your pagely duties would start the next morning.

“I brought some clothes for you to change into,” a voice calls out from behind your closed door, it sounds like Eunseok. “The ones you’re wearing were a little bloodstained and I figured you might want to change,” he says as you allow him entry.

“Thank you, Eunseok,” you nod as he sets down the pile of cloth on a nearby tabletop. “Do you think I’ll be here for very long?”

“Hmm,” he thinks for a moment, “I’m not sure. I know we’ve been looking for your father for a while now, but with you joining us I’m sure it’ll help us out immensely.”

“I see…” you sigh as he begins to make his leave. “Thanks again, Eunseok.”

“It’s no problem,” he smiles, “I’ll see if I can get some food brought to your room if you don’t want to join us for dinner yet.”

“Alright,” you nod and Eunseok exits your room, closing the door behind him as you’re left alone once more. As you rise to your feet and move your now unbound hands to reach out for the clothes the younger had brought, you can’t help but notice the dirt and dried gore adorning your hands. Had all this happened within a day of arriving in the capital? It feels surreal, almost like a dream that you haven't woken up from yet.

But as the hours passed, it is more and more obvious that this is now your home for the time being. And all the men, and their strange characters, are your company.

You sigh as you begin to undress yourself, wondering when and how the mystery of your father’s disappearance will be solved.

curious to see what happens next? head on over to the route guide to see all available routes.

enjoy what you read? leave a comment! it helps with motivating us writers to keep producing content for our lovely readers ❤

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wooataes · 2 years ago

Text

Real Eyes, Fake Lies (Part One)

Pairing: soulmate!Lee Jihoon x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3.1k

Warnings: Angst, Hanahaki AU, mentions of death, mentions of infidelity, reader cries, Seungcheol and Jeonghan being the cutest couple

Summary: What do you do when you find out the one person that was created by the universe to be yours doesn’t want you back?

A/N: Just a little warm up post to ease myself to getting back into writing. I’ve had this idea in my head for a few years now, and finally decided to get it up and running. Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoy it! - Taelor ☺️✨💜

Ask to be added to my Taglist here!

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You believed in soulmates. It wasn’t something that could be debated on in your world - someone out there was literally chosen and designed to cohabitate in perfect harmony with you, and only you. To love and cherish for the rest of your lives. Once you come into physical contact with your soulmate, it’s said that all the dull black and whites you see explode into a beautiful display of more colours than you could ever think of, and everything you feel is intertwined with what your other half feels. You have spent all 21 years of your life dreaming about what that would feel and look like.

You’ve seen soulmates meet before your very eyes. You saw it when your older brother, Choi Seungcheol fell for Yoon Jeonghan, literally, in your first year of college. You saw it when Jeon Wonwoo, close friend of your brother, caught Kim Mingyu into his arms just weeks prior.

You saw how much your mother loved her soulmate, your father, before he decided to leave her for a woman half his age when you were only 11 years old, and your brother 13. You saw your mother’s true love for your father seal her fate, falling ill to the dreaded curse of your soulmate not loving you back - watching life leave her with every flower petal she coughed up until there was nothing left. You saw it in your best friend Kwon Soonyoung’s parents, who took both you and your brother in until you both were of age and left for college.

You definitely weren’t a stranger to the phenomenon of soulmates, but you sure as hell were a stranger to knowing the beauty of colours and feelings of another. It’s something you craved and wanted so desperately to feel, you never knew when you would get to experience it.

In a way, you wished your soulmate was your best friend. Soonyoung knew everything about you; how to push your buttons and how to make your worst days feel like the best. Why couldn’t he be the one made for you? You spent most of your days together, being in the same Theatre and Dance majors at your college as well as the Theatre Club. In a realistic way, you two made perfect sense. But alas, Soonyoung’s soulmate came in the form of Lee Seokmin, the third in your best friend trio. You know that most of the time you’re the third wheel in your group, but you’ve grown to accept that fate over the previous 2 years.

Not having a soulmate never stopped you from living your life as you had intended, though. Living with your brother and best friend, along with the additions of their soulmates in a large 4 bedroom house inherited to you and Seungcheol by your mother in the city of Seoul, conveniently only a short commute away from your university. It wasn’t bad, on the contrary, you loved the company of your closest people who you call your family. There were the days when you often missed your mother and longed for the love only a soulmate could give, but those days are rare to have for you. You were more than content in your little bubble of existence.

“Choi Y/N!” You groan at the excited tone of your older brother calling you from the kitchen.

“It’s 6am, Cheol.” You grumble, snuggling into your knitted hoodie wrapped around your body as you slump against the breakfast bar, taking a piece of fruit from the basket on the bar. “Why are you so chirpy?”

“Good morning to you too!” He chuckled, reaching over and fluffing your hair up as you whined. “Don’t you think this green shirt makes my eyes pop?”

Seungcheol and Jeonghan had devised the perfect plan; wear an obnoxiously bright coloured shirt with the goofiest patterns and shapes - and once you found your soulmate, they would easily know because you would be so horrified that you would have to tell them what your thoughts were on the colour clashes.

“Ah, yes,” You hum, waving your banana around in the air. “They make the grey’s in your eyes really stand out.” You huff in a monotone voice, resulting in a laugh from the top of the stairs.

“It’ll happen eventually, Bug.” Jeonghan smiles as he passes you, giving you a peck on the forehead. “And we’ll be the first to know.”

“Yeah, yeah.” You smile, waving the couple off. “I’ll see you guys when I get home tonight. Don’t worry about dinner, it’s Working Bee tonight. Our sets won’t paint themselves.” You pull your backpack over your shoulder, umbrella in hand as you walk to the front door. “I’ll be home at around 8?”

“Sounds good, Love Bug!” Seungcheol smiled - Love Bug being a loving nickname from your mother. “But call us if you’re going to be home any later. We’ll wait up.”

“Will do! Love you,” you sang as you closed the door behind you.

It’s late in the day when Lee Jihoon hums quietly to himself as he strolls through the hallway of the Music Building, tapping his fingers on his sides as he attempts to get the chord progression in his head correct. His eyes scan the bland black and white scenery in front of him, a blank expression matching the blank scenery.

“Hoonie!” A voice called, making Jihoon smile.

“Hey, you.” he hummed, pressing his lips to Kang Ji-ah’s temple, taking her into his arms.

He knows what you’re thinking. Why the hell would he be with a girl who wasn’t his soulmate? Well, why would he tell you? He doesn’t have to explain it to anyone, him and her are the only ones who know, anyway. It isn’t harming anyone. He didn’t even know if he believed in soulmates at this stage. And it’s not like anyone assumed any different. On the outside and to everyone else, Jihoon and Ji-ah were soulmates. They didn’t have to know it wasn’t real.

“I’ve got dinner with my parents tonight, Hoonie, but we can rain check our date until next week, right?” She smiled as Jihoon’s hands rested delicately around her waist.

“Of course, babe. I have to stay late for the Theatre Club anyway. Gotta get the orchestra prepared for rehearsals.” He lets her hands wrap around his shoulders as she pulls him in for a tight hug.

“Thank you, my love!” She cooed, giving him a final kiss on the cheek. “I’ll text you tonight, yeah?” She happily spun around and proceeded to go back from where she came, waving to Soonyoung and Seokmin coming towards Jihoon hand in hand.

“You two are sickeningly cute.” Soonyoung grimaces as Seokmin only grins.

“Oh stop it, Soonie. You know for a fact that Jihoon thinks the same about us.” He smiles as Jihoon only nods his head in agreement.

“Is there a reason you’re blessing me with your presence?” He raises his brow.

“Surprisingly, yes.” Soonyoung nodded quickly. “Jihoon-ah, you know you’re my best guy friend, right?”

“I am?”

“Don’t sound too shocked.” He pouted, making his soulmate giggle to himself. “I came to ask a favor of you.”

“Okay..?” Jihoon tilted his head.

“Are you able to walk Y/N back home tonight after the Bee? Min and I can’t make it and Cheol doesn’t want her walking home alone when the sun is just going down. I’ll shout some dinner for you next week to make up for it.”

“Oh, is that all?” He nods thoughtfully. Of course he knew you. You were Choi Y/N, top of your classes in Theatre. You were well known for your powerful vocals and bubbly personality. You were also a shoo-in for the lead role for Mamma Mia this year, and Soonyoung’s adopted sister. Your paths have crossed a few times, and Jihoon never had a problem with you; he even thought you were a cool girl. “Yeah that’s fine, it’s on the way home for me anyway.”

“Ah, you’re a lifesaver, Jihoon-ah! Thank you!” He grinned, clapping him on the back as he squeezed Seokmin’s hand. “Min and I have to go do a last rehearsal for my Hip-Hop final, but shoot me a text when you get home yeah?”

“Can do.” He nods, waving his hand as he makes his way to the campus band room to meet with the orchestra.

When Jihoon arrives at the auditorium two hours later, he’s surprised when he’s only met with you, covered in small splotches of paint, and a halfway finished set piece that is meant to look like the pavements of Greece. Your hair is disheveled and tied in a lopsided ponytail on top of your head and your glasses sitting on the tip of your nose with no one else in sight.

“What happened to the Bee?” Jihoon made his presence known to you, causing you to jump as his voice echoes across the empty stage, the only other sound being heard coming from your small Bluetooth speaker by your side.

“Ah, it’s just you, Oppa.” You smiled as you held your hand over your chest, calming down your wild heartbeat from the fright. “The guys all left about half an hour ago. They all had to study for auditions and all that.” You lean down as you speak, painting over the wooden set. “But it’s fine. I work better alone anyway.”

“Doesn’t mean you should.” He frowns, walking up onto the stage and setting himself down on the other side of the large set piece, a blank canvas on the other side. “Why didn’t you finish when the others did?”

“Cheol isn’t expecting me home until later, might as well fill in my time helping the team out.” You shrug, smiling to the confused man as he watches you paint. “I gotta say though, being only able to paint the black and white parts of the sets is boring as hell.”

You intrigued him. According to Soonyoung, you suffered through a fair bit as a child and yet you seem so content with your life as you hum and paint away. After a brief moment, he sighs and picks up a paintbrush, dipping it into the paint.

“Woah, woah, woah.” You try to stop him. “You don’t have to help, really. I know Soonie put you up to walking me home, you don’t have to do this too.” You smile softly to him, and he just looks back at you with an expression you can’t decipher.

“You said it yourself,” Jihoon mumbles, painting the wood in front of him. “Might as well help out.”

After thirty minutes of quiet but hard work of painting, you take a deep breath before lifting your head to the older boy who sat across from you, his long dark hair tucked delicately behind his ear as he worked.

“Oppa?” You ask quietly, only receiving a hum in return. “What’s seeing colour like?”

A beat of silence passes as Jihoon pauses his painting mid-stroke. “I wouldn’t know.”

“What?!” You drop the paintbrush on the newspaper covering the stage floor. “Ji-ah isn’t your soulmate?!”

“No?” He laughs incredulously, like it was the silliest question he had ever been asked. “I just like the girl, is all.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing!” You gasp. “Why are you even with her if she isn’t your soulmate?”

“It’s not like It’s a secret. No one ever asked, they just assumed. So I never told. Why does it bother you so much?” He frowns, feeling his cheeks grow warm.

“It doesn’t,” You counter, picking up the paintbrush again. “But.. like, aren’t you curious to meet the person literally made for you?”

“Made is a bit of a stretch.” He laughs, shrugging his shoulders. “I mean, it isn’t that big a deal. So we haven’t found our soulmates yet. We are just having fun with each other right now.”

“And what if you found your soulmate, what would you do then?” You ask cautiously, lifting your head and pushing your glasses up the bridge of your nose once more.

“I don’t know?” He laughs again - a nervous tick of his. “They’d just have to accept that I really like this girl? We have a really good thing going on and I wouldn’t want to jeopardize that because the ‘universe’ says so.” He lifts his fingers into a quotation mark. “At this point, I don’t even think soulmates are a real thing. I mean, sure, our friends are happy together with their fun, colourful lives but I’m quite content with Ji-ah. We just get each other.”

“Well, Mr Debby Downer,” you pout, putting your paintbrush into the bucket of water by your side. “I appreciate your thoughts on the situation, I’ll be sure to rub it in your face when you eventually meet your soulmate and fall in love and never want to leave their side.” You smirk to yourself.

“Yeah, like that’ll happen.” He huffs, putting his paintbrush down as well. “Soonyoung was right, you are a hopeless romantic.”

“Well of course I am,” you beam and if Jihoon didn’t know any better, your eyes almost seem like they’re sparkling. “I can’t wait to see colours and meet the person I’m destined to be with. There’s nothing wrong with having dreams, Lee Jihoon.” You smile, packing up the paints on the floor as you speak.

“Sure.” He hums again, standing up as you pack up the auditorium and collect your things. “Ready to go?” He asks as you nod, pulling your hood up over your head.

“You seriously didn’t know it was going to rain tonight?” You keep your hands stuffed in your pockets as your knitwear keeps you dry from the drizzling rain that falls from the sky.

“I don’t check the weather websites like an old woman.” Jihoon frowns, holding your umbrella over his head as he walks alongside you.

“You’re weird, Lee Jihoon.” You giggle quietly to yourself.

“Uh huh. I’ll be sure to let my soulmate know that when I meet them.” He remarks with a laugh as you walk together, letting the comfortable silence take over the both of you, the only sounds behind the rain pattering against your umbrella.

It takes the both of you 20 minutes to finally make it to your home and by the time you arrive, the rain has slowed to a light drizzle, the setting sun attempting to peak out behind the dark clouds.

“Well, thank you for walking me home, and the interesting take on soulmates, Oppa.” You smile as you step through the front gate, Jihoon still holding the umbrella over you so you don’t get wet. “I wish your soulmate the best of luck whenever you meet.”

“Likewise.” Jihoon laughs as you pull your hood off your head, getting ready to climb up the small staircase leading to the front door.

“I’ll see you for auditions, yeah?” You smiled as Jihoon nodded.

“Sure will.” He smiles, closing your umbrella as you turn to face the front door. “Oh, wait, your umbrella.”

“Oh, right.” You laugh, turning back and reaching out to take it from his hands, only for it to slip from his grasp at the last second.

“Crap, sorry-”

“Oops, sorry-”

You both reach for the umbrella on the pavement, fingertips brushing against each other gently. You let out a gasp as you look up to Jihoon’s face, his eyes changing colour right before yours, unexplainable colours starting to burst in all speckles of your vision. Your eyes widen as his face, clothing and the scenery around you lights up with multiple colours and shades, the now forgotten umbrella drops to the ground with a thud.

Jihoon is staring back at you with an unreadable expression, eyes mirroring yours as his hands shake. He feels dizzy as the sickeningly bright colours flood his vision. You’re staring at him in awe as the rain starts to grow heavier, coating the two of you with water.

“Oppa?” You ask quietly, so quietly that if Jihoon wasn’t looking at you when you said it, he would have missed it.

“…”

“Oppa, please say something..?” You ask shakily, and he shakes his head quickly. He can see it. You’re already imagining all the possibilities of your future. A future with him.

“… Don’t think this changes anything from what I told you at the Bee, Choi.” He grunts, not caring about the rain soaking his clothes. “I-I stand by it. You need to accept that I’m with Ji-ah, and nothing will change that.”

He pauses and waits for your response, growing more and more impatient as you just stare at him.

“W-well, if you don’t have anything more to say, then goodnight, Y/N.” Jihoon turns away, starting to head to the gate before feeling a sharp pain inside him. Wincing and reaching to hold the left side of his chest, he lets out a soft hiss. “Ah… what the hell?” He mutters to himself, turning back to look at you. He wishes he didn’t.

When you’re standing still, hand on your chest as the rain drenches your clothes, tears now falling freely down your cheeks is only then when Jihoon knows what he just felt; the only other side effect to having a soulmate.

He just felt your heart break.

“Y/N?” Jihoon asks cautiously.

As if snapping out of your trance, you blink a few times before whispering out “Don’t worry, Jihoon. No one will ever know. Just like you want.” You quickly turn and run up the stairs, opening the door to the house as Jihoon steps forward.

“Wait-” the door slams in his face as he reaches it, leaving him soaked, alone and feeling the pain of his soulmate’s broken heart.

“Hey, Bug! How was the Bee?” Seungcheol steps into the entryway from the kitchen, your eyes immediately falling to the multicoloured button up shirt he had on. “What do you think of my- Y/N?” Cheol stops as he sees the tears on your face, your chest heaving as you struggle to take a breath.

Without another word, you quickly run upstairs and into your bedroom, deep sobs leaving your chest as you curl up into a corner of the room and bury your face into your knees. Seungcheol followed you quickly, stepping into the room cautiously.

“Y/N? Love Bug, what has happened?” He asks quietly. “Are you hurt?” He sees you shake your head no, and he sighs with relief. “Let me turn the light on to check, just in case okay?”

“No.” You hiccup, your face staying buried in your knees, your stomach twisting in pain. “Please.. I d-don’t want to see it. I hate it. Don’t make me look at it!”

“Bug? Look at what?” Cheol asks worriedly, his hand resting on the top of your head.

“Colour.” You sob, your body slumping against your brother. “I hate colour, I hate soulmates, I hate it!” You cry harder, your tears soaking into his stupid colourful shirt.

#seventeen x reader #seventeen angst #seventeen #woozi #woozi x you #woozi x reader #lee jihoon x reader #lee jihoon #woozi angst #woozi fluff #seventeen fanfic #jihoon x reader

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leechanpremacy · 2 years ago

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Hi! Feel free to scroll around! I’m avi and I’m your resident fluff, crack, angst provider!

about me: im an au writer on twitter (leechanpremacy) so if you don’t see me here, i’m probably there! i write to destress and indulge my brainrots, but do expect to have slow updates! i write slow, but i do make it worth reading when i write! :D i don’t usually proofread, so please excuse grammatical errors and such.

MASTERLIST

on-going | finished // ☀️ crack ; ☁️ fluff ; 🥀 angst ; 🌸 romance

series

somewhere, in my wildest dreams - 🌸🥀

pairings: mingyu x reader

Sneaking in her father’s Science Lab to find his most prized treasure - the time machine. With one look at her reflection, she was brought back to the 1800s, where the country was ruled by the royals, and the societal hierarchy was evident. How will she return to the present world if all things were in medieval age?

people you know - ☁️🌸

pairings: jeonghan x reader

After the death of his wife, he starts a whole new life in a whole new city with his three year old twins only to meet someone from his past. What a way to start something new, right?

Choi Seungcheol

bandaids - 🥀

even bandaids are no good for heartaches.

Yoon Jeonghan

people you know - ☁️🌸 (series)

After the death of his wife, he starts a whole new life in a whole new city with his three year old twins only to meet someone from his past. What a way to start something new, right?

Kim Mingyu

somewhere, in my wildest dreams - 🌸🥀 (series)

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burningembers91 · 1 month ago

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Father Choi Yoon Masterlist

The Bus Stop - The life Choi Yoon chose is a lonely one. He spends his days atoning for other people’s sins. But at night he thinks of you, the beautiful girl who stands at the bus stop.

Rainstorm - When you’re caught in a rainstorm, Father Choi Yoon comes to your aid.

#the guest kdrama #the guest #kim jae wook #father choi #father choi yoon x reader #father choi yoon x you #choi yoon x reader #choi yoon #choi yoon x you

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curiousgworge · 9 months ago

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꒰‧⁺ p1h as good ol' cliches *ೃ༄

*ೃ pairings: p1h!ot6 (individual) x reader

word count: 2.6k (total)

warnings: very cliche and very tooth rooting

author's notes: Theo's one could very much become an individual longer fanfic, but let me know if you would even want that :p

⠀⠀⠀⠀꒰‧⁺ yoon keeho - older sister’s best friend *ೃ༄

When you first met Keeho, at the tender age of 9, it was love at first sight: he was a little older, super cute and had a cool skateboard, and when he became friends with your sister you would more often than not find him in your living room, copying your sister’s homework and blasting Ariana Grande’s latest album. And it didn’t matter how much your sister complained of you bothering her and Keeho, he always said that he loved the presence of his baby bestie (as he would call you) and saved you a space by his side on the couch for movie nights.

And as both of you grew older and closer, your crush for Keeho also did: from sweet sighing when he helped you with English, writing his name repeatedly in your notebook inside a heart and blushing in his presence to flirty smiles, deep conversations through late night calls and letting you choose the music playing when he would give you a ride to school.

And Keeho wasn’t stupid; he knew about your feelings, since you weren’t really trying to hide it, and he kind of enjoyed it: at first, just because it caressed his ego to be wanted. But then he caught himself looking at you more, smiling whenever he heard you laugh, paying more attention to you: he had your coffee order memorized, knew by heart all your favorite singers just because you liked them and when he closed his eyes it was your smile that came to mind.

Even with all that, he couldn’t make a move on you: after all, you were still his best friend’s little sister, so you he had to content himself with kissing you in the sleepovers he had in your house, after you made sure your sister was snoring loudly and wouldn’t wake up to be mad at both of you. But what neither one of you knew was that your sister was well aware of his feelings for you, and she actually approved it: she knew he was a very nice guy, but she pretended not no know ‘cause making fun of his despair when he blushed in your presence was too much fun for her to waste the opportunity.

⠀⠀⠀⠀꒰‧⁺ choi taeyang - fake dating *ೃ༄

You, at the peak of your twenties, had what most people would call daddy issues. Since day one- your birth date- you had a rocky relationship with your father: from his absence in every major milestone in your life to the fact that he was a very stubborn man, with strong opinions and the incapacity of respecting other people’s judgment. So when your parents divorced during your high school years, you chose to live with your mom and your time with him was restricted to every other weekend, your relationship got a bit better. That’s why he invites you, his beloved child, to be part of the bridal party at his wedding.

You barely knew his fiancee, your new stepmom apparently, but he told you that he really wanted your presence and help on his special day. So you reluctantly accepted and, to no surprise, regretted it, as she was such a bitch. She always had something to say, either about your body or how your skin tone didn’t match the color palette for the wedding; She even laughed with her bridesmaids about the fact that you, child of the groom, would come to the wedding unaccompanied.

-So that’s why you told her that you would bring me? Since apparently I’m now your boyfriend?

Theo just couldn’t believe how stupid you were, as he laughed upon the despair on your face, but he just didn’t get how desperate you were to shut that old witch’s mouth. And, as your best friend, it was his job to help you whenever you put yourself in trouble, so he gladly went shopping with you for a nice suit (after spending all of your money paying for his food in exchange for him saving your butt) and a tie that matches the witch’s color palette.

And, even with the odds, you and Theo had a blast at the wedding: making fun of the old-fashioned ceremony and enjoying the bar to the fullest. You drink, you laugh and by the end of the night, you and Theo are together in his apartment, all over each other as both yours and his clothes lay scattered on the floor. And, when you wake up in his arms the next morning, not feeling weird at all, you kiss him again and he corresponds smiling, just to then complain about your morning breath and receive a weak punch on the chest.

⠀⠀⠀⠀꒰‧⁺ choi jiung - roommates turned lovers *ೃ༄

You always thought that becoming an adult would be very easy and very nice: you would start your college major and live in a nice apartment, with lots of natural light for your plants and a big shelf for all your books and mug collection. But reality was way harder than you expected at the peak of adolescence, as college was a pain in your butt and living alone was too expensive for someone who just graduated high school.

So the only solution you could come with was moving in with another person. You spent your whole summer visiting apartments, but there was always something wrong: it was either too expensive, too far from your campus or the roommate was too much of a creep. So, when you found on the internet that some guy named Choi Jiung was looking for someone to share the rent of a nice place only ten minutes away from college, you immediately called him to show interest.

To say you fell in love with the place was an understatement, as it was exactly as you dreamed and you didn’t think much before signing the contract for the apartment. You excitedly packed your stuff and moved in, putting your plants on the balcony and a few of your favorite mugs on the kitchen rack. And it took a couple weeks to grow accustomed to Jiung’s presence and habits, but soon you found yourself falling into a routine with him.

After a while, you fell in love with Jiung too. It happened almost without you realizing it, from the morning coffee he would make to the game nights that became a tradition for both of you and what you thought was longing stares. The fact he was your roommate made things dreadful, because you found yourself loving him almost as much as your house, and you were postponing the decision between them both: until he confessed in the middle of your kitchen and kissed you, and you sighed in relief for not being homeless nor broken-hearted.

⠀⠀⠀⠀꒰‧⁺ hwang intak - you fall first, he falls harder *ೃ༄

Hwang Intak was the perfect stereotype of the lead male in every romantic movie: he was an A+ student and the setter of the Volleyball team of the PIWON college, so every boy wanted to be him and every girl wanted to date him (and a couple guys too). He was kind, as he accepted to tutor almost everyone who asked him for help, and that is actually how you first met him.

You and Intak were in the same class for Economy 101, and to say you were terrible in it was an understatement, as you could barely make multiplications in your calculator for exercises your colleagues made in their heads. Your honor didn’t allow you to ask him for help, as you were convinced it was humiliating to be as bad in Math as you were, but you didn’t have to, as the teacher did it for you. You couldn’t even deny the help, ‘cause he already knew how bad you were failing (the damn teacher just had to tell him).

And it’s kinda ridiculous- and expected- that you fall for him, ‘cause he explains things to you as if you were a toddler, which oddly worked very well. He had the patience of a buddha and never once he made you feel bad about your difficulties, and he always forced you to take breaks. Even when you insisted that it wasn’t necessary, that he shouldn’t have to spend his free time with you, he made sure that you understood that he wasn't feeling obliged at all: he actually liked your company very much.

Sure, you fell first, but Intak fell way harder: he giggled and blushed like a little girl when you confessed to him, a silly note with a hard math count that Google said was the love equation. As a gentleman, he wanted to take you on a date before anything, but when you kissed him he couldn’t help himself in reciprocating, hands on your waist and his face hot and red. He made sure you came to all of his games wearing one of his jerseys, just so he could give you a celebratory kiss for every point he made and skip the after party to take you home and celebrate (in private) with his favorite person in the world.

⠀⠀⠀⠀꒰‧⁺ haku shota (soul) - childhood best friends *ೃ༄

You and Shota had been in each other’s lives since diapers, when his family had just moved from Japan to the house next door. He barely had any teeth and you were just beginning to blabber things that only your mother could understand, but Shota was already a constant in your life: most of your milestones happened together, like when he walked for the first time just to get to you holding his favorite toy (or maybe he was just trying to take the toy). You went to school together, getting in class holding hands and sitting on the same table, and you were the only person he would share his favorite monster truck toy with.

And during all your childhood and adolescence, Shota was there to make you company just as you were there for him. When you broke your arm riding a bike? He was the first person to sign your cast. His first kiss? You were there, watching to make fun of him later. He was your company for every tutoring session, and you were his every performance of his dance studio. You knew everything about each other, and had no secrets kept from one another.

Except for one little exception: Soul never told you how he began to see you in a different way after your freshman year prom. You guys went together, as you invited him with a big ‘promposal’ in front of the whole school, just to embarrass him and leave him scarred for life. His mom bought him a tie to match the color of your clothes, and the picture that your mom took of you together that night was not only his wallpaper, but also framed by his nightstand. He was happy whenever he saw you smile, and became sad every time you cried- from failed exams to heartbreaks.

He planned to take this secret to the grave, as he was sure that you only saw his as a friend, but when you got approved to a college in another state, across from the country and from him, he knew he had to say something-,even if just so he could go to frat parties and forget about you. So he confessed to you late at night, in one of the many sleepovers you would have during summer. He sat in front of you, holding your favorite plushie and giggling at some terrible joke he made, and gave you a kiss so quick you couldn’t even process it at the time.

And he turned into a blushed mess, blabbering apologies and confessions of love, when you grabbed the collar of his Dino pajamas and kissed him again, shutting his mouth and making his brain freeze. It took a while, but he kissed you back, and became the happiest guy in the world when you told him you liked him too.

⠀⠀⠀⠀꒰‧⁺ kim jongseob - academic rivals *ೃ༄

From your very first day of kindergarten, at a very young age, your parents made clear that they expected nothing short of perfection coming from you when talking about school: they wanted perfect grades and perfect discipline, no exceptions. So there was you, an ‘A student’, loved by your teachers because of you remarkable behavior and for how much of a little genius you were, always being the one with the highest grade of the class.

And that was it: you were the teacher’s pet, class president almost every year, and- surprisingly- very popular. Of course, a lot of people talked to you most ‘cause they wanted your notes or help with homework, but you had a very considerable amount of close friends. But your place was threatened with the arrival of Kim Jongseob in Freshman year.

Your ‘job’, as you assigned to yourself, was to help any and every student, and the new boy seemed like he really needed it. So you introduced yourself, showed him around the school and sat by his side in every class you shared. And he was so damn cute that, for the first time in your life, you found yourself unfocused on class- you seemed too busy looking at him or thinking about him in his football uniform.

It did not take long for it to bite your ass though; to say your parents were disappointed with you when you got your grades was an understatement, and after hearing an earful from them, you got pissed- not at them, but at Jongseob. Not only since it was obviously his fault that you got distracted and ruined your perfect record, but also because he got a perfect score in the same damn test you failed (you didn’t really fail tho, but for someone with a reputation like yours, it sure felt like it).

So not only you hated his guts now, but you went all in on proving yourself, spending long hours in the library studying and avoiding him like the plague or a piece of gum stuck in your shoe. He did not get what happened, but decided to fight fire with fire- so from that day on, you and Jongseob always fought for the highest grades in school. That lasted until senior year, when the valedictorian would be chosen, and you and Jongseob seemed to be giving it all to be in your best behaviors.

Until one Friday evening, when he was leaving football practice and you left the library, it began raining and unfortunately, you didn’t have an umbrella on you. So, while you gathered courage to run in the rain to the bus stop, he showed up from thin air by your side, putting his umbrella on your hand and running before you could deny it- or even say thank you-. So, when he missed class on Monday and you heard that he got sick, you felt guilty.

That’s why you got a hot soup- since your mom always gave it to you when you had the flu- and went to his house, ringing the doorbell and introducing yourself to his mom. And to say he was surprised when you showed up in his room, returning his umbrella and with a peace offering- the damn soup. He smiled at you, the same smile he gave on the days he would catch you staring, and you blushed like a third grader in love. And, after spending the day with him, you left his house thinking that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to not be valedictorian- as long as Jongseob accepted to be your date for Senior Prom.

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