#finding our way back series

[03jyh23]

🌷⌇the weight of fatherhood finding our way back part 6; a choi jongho mini-series

ex-boyfriend! idol! jongho x ex-girlfriend! single-mom! reader

│ series masterlist│ next │

│synopsis: five years have passed since jongho last saw you. your lives have taken drastically different paths, with jongho achieving fame and you focusing on raising your daughter, nari, in quiet anonymity. when jongho discovers he has a daughter, he's determined to be a part of her life.

│genre: a slice of life, romance, fluff, some angst

│trigger warnings: unplanned pregnancy, illegitimate child, single parenthood

│words: 6.5 k

│reminder: what you’re about to read is purely fiction, so let’s keep it separate from reality.

!minors do not interact!

— hi there my lovely people! we are finally back! thank you guys for being patient with me, and waiting for this update! as always do let me know if you enjoyed it!

love, mon ♡

│taglist: │ @seventeenthingsblr │@DALSUWAHA │

│ @ateez-atiny380 │ @yoonshiiu │ @sndeoki │ @bomi-ja │

│ @vixensss │ @all-fandoms-rise │ @finnydraws │

│ @jonghosbrainrot │ @ateezswonderland │ @stayatinykatsy

│@chickenscoups │ @ana-stasssiaaa │ @starryunho │

│ @originalcupcakenacho │ @ultrapinkvoidbouquet │

│ @sweetinsaniiity│ @jennifermakmur│ @mitchii │

│ @hannah-97 │ @hyuckiesgf │ @treehouse-mouse │

│ if you wish to be tagged let me know here! ♡

"Uncle Wooyoung!" Nari's joyful scream reverberated through the KQ building, filling the air with childlike excitement. Wooyoung, who had been in the middle of his stretching routine, instantly perked up at the sound of her voice. A wide, infectious grin spread across his face as he caught sight of Nari running towards him, her tiny legs pumping as fast as they could carry her. Her hair bounced with each step, and her eyes shone with happiness. Without hesitation, Wooyoung crouched down, arms spread wide, ready to envelop her in a warm, welcoming embrace.

"There's my favorite girl in the whole wide world!" Wooyoung exclaimed exuberantly, scooping her up into his arms and spinning her around, eliciting a delighted squeal from Nari. As he settled her on his hip, he gave her an affectionate squeeze and asked, "How's my little princess doing today?"

Nari's giggles filled the air, her eyes sparkling with joy and mischief. She wriggled excitedly in Wooyoung's arms, barely able to contain herself. "Uncle Wooyoung, guess what? Uncle Jongho gave me a new toy! Look!" With that, she proudly held up a remote-controlled car, her little hands gripping it tightly as if it were the most precious treasure in the world. Nari's face beamed with pride as she presented her new toy, eagerly awaiting Wooyoung's reaction to this marvelous gift.

Wooyoung's eyes widened dramatically, his expression a perfect mix of surprise and amazement. "Wow, Nari! That's the coolest toy I've ever seen!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. He examined the car closely, turning it over in his hand as Nari watched eagerly. "This is absolutely amazing! I can't wait to see it in action," he said, giving her another affectionate squeeze. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he added, "But first, how about a super special high-five for being such an awesome girl and bringing this incredible toy to show me?" Nari's face lit up at the suggestion, and she enthusiastically raised her tiny hand, meeting Wooyoung's palm with a resounding smack. Her smile grew even wider, if that was possible, pride radiating from her entire being.

The practice room door swung open as Wooyoung and Nari continued their playful interaction. Jongho entered, with Hongjoong right beside him. The leader's gestures and hushed tones suggested he was catching Jongho up on some important details - perhaps about an upcoming performance or a change in their schedule. Jongho nodded attentively, his brows furrowed slightly in concentration. However, his eyes kept darting to where Nari was playing with Wooyoung, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth every time he glanced their way.

San followed shortly after, stepping into the practice room with a knowing smile playing on his lips. As he caught Jongho's eye, he gave a subtle nod, a silent acknowledgment of their successful maneuver outside.

As Hongjoong continued to fill Jongho in on the details, his voice a low murmur in the background, San's attention was drawn to Nari and Wooyoung. He approached them slowly, his heart swelling with a complex mixture of emotions as he observed his best friend holding the little girl so close. The bond between Wooyoung and Nari was palpable, filled with genuine affection and joy. San couldn't help but think that Wooyoung was simply made to be a father - it was evident in every interaction he had with kids. Looking at him now, holding Nari close, San saw it in the way Wooyoung's eyes softened, in his patience and enthusiasm for her every word and action. Watching them together filled San with a warmth that spread through his chest, but it was tinged with a hint of something else - perhaps a touch of envy, or a longing for something he couldn't quite name. He stood there, taking in the scene before him: Nari's tiny arms wrapped around Wooyoung's neck, her infectious giggles filling the air, and her eyes sparkling with pure, joy. Wooyoung was responding to her excitement with equal fervor, his face animated as he listened to her chatter about her new toy.

As San approached, Wooyoung couldn't resist the opportunity for some playful banter. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned in close to Nari, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that was still loud enough for San to hear. "Hey Nari," he said, his lips curving into a teasing smile, "I think Uncle San is getting a little jealous. Look at that pout on his face!" He exaggerated a sad expression, causing Nari to giggle uncontrollably. Wooyoung then winked at his friend, his smile widening into a full-fledged grin that radiated warmth and affection.

San, catching on to Wooyoung's playful mood, dramatically clutched his chest and feigned a hurt expression. "Oh, the betrayal!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with mock indignation. "And here I thought I was your favorite uncle, Nari!" He then chuckled, shaking his head as he reached them. "Come on, Wooyoung," he said, playfully rolling his eyes. "You know there's more than enough of Nari's love to go around. Besides, who could resist this charming face?" He struck a comical pose, causing both Wooyoung and Nari to burst into laughter. San then extended his arms towards Nari, who immediately reached out to him with unbridled excitement, her tiny hands grasping at the air.

With a theatrical sigh of resignation, Wooyoung gently transferred Nari into San's waiting arms. Nari nestled comfortably against his chest, her tiny hands instinctively clutching the fabric of his shirt. The sight of the little girl so at ease in his arms brought a soft, tender expression to San's face. "Well, hello there, my little princess," he greeted her, his voice warm and filled with genuine affection. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled down at her. "Did you miss your Uncle San? Because I certainly missed you!"

Nari's response was immediate and enthusiastic. She nodded vigorously, her eyes, wide and shining with unbridled happiness, locked onto San's face. "Yes, Uncle San!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with childlike excitement. "I missed you so, so much! This much!" She stretched her arms out as wide as they could go, nearly losing her balance in San's arms in her eagerness to demonstrate the extent of her affection.

San's heart melted at her words and actions, a wave of warmth washing over him. He tightened his hold on her ever so slightly, giving her a gentle, protective squeeze. "Aww, I missed you too, Nari," he replied softly, his voice thick with emotion. "More than you can imagine." He paused for a moment, savoring the feeling of holding her close before his eyes lit up with an idea. "Hey, I've got a great idea! How about we all play with your new car together? I bet we can come up with some really cool tricks."

Wooyoung, who had been watching the interaction with a fond smile, perked up at the suggestion. His eyes twinkled with excitement, matching Nari's enthusiasm. "Oh, yes!" he chimed in, clapping his hands together. "Let's see what this amazing car of yours can do, Nari! I bet it can do some pretty impressive stunts. Maybe we can set up an obstacle course for it!" He gave Nari an encouraging nod, his smile wide and infectious.

With Nari still securely in his arms, San led the way to a clear space in the practice room. The anticipation was palpable as he gently set her down on her feet. Both he and Wooyoung watched with rapt attention as Nari, barely able to contain her excitement, eagerly began to demonstrate how to operate the remote-controlled car. Her tiny fingers moved deftly over the controls, and her face was a picture of concentration mixed with pure joy.

From the sidelines, Jongho observed the heartwarming scene unfolding before him. A warm, content smile spread across his face as he watched Nari's joyful interactions with his bandmates. It was in moments like these that Jongho truly appreciated the strong bond they all shared. They were more than just colleagues or bandmates; they were a family.

As if on cue, the door to the practice room swung open. In walked Mingi, Yeosang, and Yunho, their curious gazes immediately drawn to the lively scene before them. Yunho's face, in particular, broke into a wide, mischievous grin as he saw San and Wooyoung playing with Nari. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he nudged Mingi and Yeosang, gesturing towards the trio with a tilt of his head.

"Well, well, well," Yunho called out, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. "What do we have here? Hey, lovebirds!" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively at San and Wooyoung. "You two look good like that, you know. All domestic and cozy. Practicing for the future, are we?" His grin widened as he watched for their reactions, clearly enjoying the opportunity to poke fun at his friends.

Wooyoung's head snapped up at Yunho's words, a mix of surprise and amusement crossing his features. His cheeks flushed slightly, though whether from embarrassment or exertion from playing was hard to tell. "Yah! Yunho!" he exclaimed, trying his best to sound indignant but failing miserably as a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "We're just playing with Nari. Instead of standing there making jokes, why don't you come and join us? I bet Nari would love to show you her awesome car skills!"

San handled the teasing well. He laughed and shook his head at Yunho's jokes. "You know," he said with a smile, gently patting Nari's hair, "if we look good, it's because of this little princess. She makes us seem cooler than we really are. Isn't that right, Nari?" He gave the little girl a playful wink, and she smiled brightly back at him.

Mingi and Yeosang, standing slightly behind Yunho, exchanged amused glances at the banter. They couldn't help but smile, without a word, they shared a look of understanding before making their way over to join the group. The practice room, usually filled with the sounds of music and choreography, now echoed with the joyous laughter of friends enjoying a moment of pure, unadulterated fun.

Yeosang crouched down next to Nari, his usually composed demeanor softening into a warm, inviting smile. His eyes sparkled with genuine interest as he regarded the little girl and her new toy. "Well, hello there, Nari," he said, his voice gentle and filled with affection. "That's quite an impressive car you've got there. I bet it can do all sorts of cool tricks, can't it? Would you mind if we joined in on the fun?’’

Nari's face lit up, she nodded enthusiastically, a giggle escaping her lips as she thrust the remote control towards Yeosang with both hands. "Yes, yes, please play with us, Uncle Yeosang!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy. As Yeosang carefully accepted the controls from Nari's tiny hands, Mingi's towering figure appeared beside them. With a dramatic flourish, he folded his long limbs, attempting to squeeze into the small circle formed by the others. The sight was comical - his knees nearly touching his chin as he tried to make himself compact enough to join the play session.

"Alright, folks," he announced, his deep voice tinged with childlike wonder, "let's see what it’s capable of."

Yunho joined the group, sitting down next to Wooyoung, nudging him playfully with his elbow. Leaning in conspiratorially, he spoke in an exaggerated whisper that was clearly meant for everyone to hear. "So, tell me," he began, his voice dripping with playful teasing, "in this little family scenario we've got going on here, which one of you two lovebirds is playing the role of mom, and who's the dad? I really want to know!"

Wooyoung reacted quickly with a mock gasp of indignation, he gave Yunho a light push, making him fall back dramatically. "Oh, keep talking like that," Wooyoung said, laughing even though he tried to sound serious. He stuck out his tongue childishly before continuing, "and you'll find yourself playing the part of the weird uncle that nobody ever invites to family events. How do you like that?"

As the laughter from Wooyoung's joke faded, San's mood changed. The smile left his eyes, replaced by a thoughtful look. He gazed at Wooyoung, who was still joking with Yunho. San felt something in his chest - a mix of familiar and new feelings. It was warm but also a bit unsettling. He couldn't quite name this feeling, but it made him both excited and nervous. Without meaning to, San cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention. "You know," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, a stark contrast to the atmosphere of moments ago. He paused, weighing his words carefully before continuing, "I've been thinking... and I wouldn't mind it, actually. The idea of raising a child with Wooyoung, I mean." He let the words hang in the air for a moment, acutely aware of the surprised looks being exchanged around him. Gathering his courage, he pressed on, his voice gaining a hint of conviction. "We've always worked well together, haven't we? In everything we do. I can't help but think we'd make a pretty great team as parents too. Don't you think?" The playful atmosphere in the room evaporated in an instant, replaced by a tension that seemed to thicken the air. The other members exchanged uncertain glances, clearly caught off guard by San's unexpected revelation. Wooyoung's eyes widened, his gaze locked on San with an intensity that spoke volumes. A myriad of emotions flashed across his face - surprise, confusion, and something deeper, more complex, that he wasn't quite ready to acknowledge or name. San, acutely aware of the sudden shift in mood and the weight of his words, felt a wave of nervousness wash over him. With a slightly forced chuckle, he quickly attempted to lighten the mood. "I mean, hypothetically speaking, of course," he added hastily, his hand moving to ruffle Nari's hair in a gesture that seemed more for his own comfort than hers. "We're already doing a pretty great job with Nari, aren't we? It's not that big of a leap, right?" San's attempt to lighten the mood didn't work. His words hung in the air, and the tense atmosphere remained. No one seemed to know how to respond, and the silence felt uncomfortable.

Wooyoung, still visibly stunned by San's words, managed to compose himself enough to offer a small, albeit slightly shaky, smile. "Yeah," he said softly, his voice barely audible. "We are." The look he gave San was a complex tapestry of emotions - a mix of confusion and hope, intertwined with something deeper, more profound. It was a feeling that Wooyoung wasn't quite ready to name or fully acknowledge, but it was there, unmistakable in the depths of his eyes.

Yunho noticed the group's mood had changed. He wanted to make things less tense. So, he cleared his throat and spoke in a kind voice, even though he had been joking around earlier. "You know what? I think you two would make fantastic parents," he said, his words carrying a weight of genuine belief. "You both have so much love to give, and you're already amazing with kids." He paused, a warm smile spreading across his face as he continued, "But hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves, alright? For now, why don't we focus on being the best uncles we can be for our little Nari here?" With that, he turned to the little girl, his smile brightening even further. "What do you say, princess? How about we have a little competition to see who can make that awesome car of yours do the coolest trick? I bet Uncle Yeosang has some moves up his sleeve!"

Just as the group was about to dive back into their playtime with renewed enthusiasm, Hongjoong's voice cut through the air, gently but firmly bringing everyone's attention back to the reason they were all gathered in the practice room. "Alright, everyone," he said, his tone carrying the subtle authority of a leader, "I hate to be the one to break up the fun, but how about we carry on with our practice? We've got a lot to cover today." His words, while apologetic, served as a clear reminder of their responsibilities and the work that lay ahead of them.

"Hold on," Yeosang interjected, his brow furrowing slightly with concern as he glanced around the room. "Seonghwa still hasn't returned. Should we wait for him?"

Hongjoong shook his head, "He's still with one of the producers," he explained, his tone reassuring. "They needed him to re-record some parts. We'll have to continue without him today."

The members exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from the playful mood of moments ago to a more focused, professional demeanor. Wooyoung turned his attention back to Nari, giving her one last affectionate pat on the head before rising to his feet. "Alright, princess," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth and a hint of regret at having to end their playtime. "It's time for your uncles to do some work now. But don't worry, okay? We'll definitely play more later. I promise."

Nari's lower lip jutted out in a slight pout, but she nodded bravely. She understood, in her own way, that her beloved uncles had important things to do. San quickly scanned the room and found a comfortable spot where Nari could sit and watch their practice. With gentle hands, he guided her to the spot, making sure she was settled comfortably. "Here you go, sweetheart," he said, his voice soft and caring. "You've got the best seat in the house to watch us practice."

As the members began to take their positions for practice, Jongho couldn't help but cast one last glance in Nari's direction. His eyes softened as he saw her sitting there, her eyes wide with excitement, ready to watch her uncles in action. The little girl caught his gaze and gave him a reassuring smile, as if to say she was perfectly content. Jongho felt a warmth spread through his chest at the sight. With a subtle nod to Hongjoong, signaling he was ready, Jongho took a deep breath. He was prepared to focus on the task at hand, but a part of his attention remained attuned to their precious little spectator, ready to ensure her comfort and safety throughout their practice session.

The practice session was intense, with each member pouring their heart and soul into perfecting their intricate moves and harmonizing their voices. As they ran through their routines, the air in the room crackled with energy and determination. Nari, seated comfortably in her designated spot, watched with wide-eyed wonder, her gaze never leaving the synchronized movements of her uncles. Occasionally, she would break into spontaneous applause or let out an excited cheer, her enthusiasm infectious. The members, feeling Nari's eyes on them, seemed to draw strength from her presence, pushing themselves even harder to deliver flawless performances.

As the grueling practice session began to wind down, the members, their shirts damp with sweat and chests heaving from exertion, gathered around Nari. Jongho, despite his fatigue, managed to crouch down beside her, a warm smile spreading across his face. His eyes, filled with affection, met Nari's as he gently ruffled her hair. "So, little one," he said, his voice slightly breathless but filled with warmth, "what did you think of our performance?"

Nari's response was immediate and enthusiastic. She nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with excitement and admiration. "You were all so amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe as she bounced in her seat, unable to contain her excitement. Her next words tumbled out in a rush of eagerness, "Can I learn to dance like that too? Please? I want to move like you all do!"

The members exchanged amused glances, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they chuckled at Nari's unbridled enthusiasm. Yunho, his face breaking into a wide grin, stepped forward. He crouched down to Nari's eye level, his voice warm and encouraging. "Of course you can, princess!" he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief and affection. "In fact, why wait? How about we teach you a few moves right now? What do you say, guys?"

With that suggestion, the atmosphere in the practice room shifted dramatically. The space that had moments ago been filled with intense concentration now buzzed with playful energy. Each member took turns showing Nari simple steps, their movements exaggerated and slow to make it easier for her to follow. They watched with fond smiles and encouraging words as the little girl attempted to mimic their moves, her face scrunched up in concentration.

The room soon filled with a symphony of laughter and cheers as Nari twirled, hopped, and swayed, her small body moving with the uncoordinated enthusiasm of a child. Her face beamed with pure joy, lighting up the room and warming the hearts of everyone present. The members, despite their exhaustion, found themselves reinvigorated by Nari's infectious happiness, their own movements becoming more animated as they joined in her dance party.

As their dance lesson began to wind down, Hongjoong clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone," he said, a mix of pride and amusement in his tone, "great work today - both the practice and the dance lesson. But it's time we call it a day and get some rest. We've got a busy week ahead of us, after all."

The members nodded in agreement, their faces a mix of satisfaction from a productive practice and lingering amusement from their dance session with Nari. They began to gather their things, moving with the slow, careful movements of those whose muscles were just beginning to feel the strain of a hard day's work. Jongho made his way to Nari, who was now showing signs of tiredness after all the excitement. He scooped her up gently, his strong arms cradling her small form. "Ready to go home, sweetheart?" he asked softly, his voice tender.

Nari nodded sleepily, her earlier boundless energy now giving way to drowsiness. She rested her head on Jongho's shoulder, her voice a soft murmur. "Can we come back tomorrow?" she asked, her words slightly slurred with impending sleep. "I want to dance with everyone again."

Jongho couldn't help but chuckle, his chest rumbling with the sound. He exchanged fond glances with his bandmates, all of whom wore similar expressions of affection and amusement. "We'll see, Nari," he said gently, rubbing her back soothingly. "We'll see. For now, let's get you home and into bed, okay?"

As they made their way out of the practice room, Jongho felt a profound sense of warmth and contentment wash over him. The day had been filled with unexpected moments of joy and precious memories with Nari. He knew that balancing his responsibilities as an idol with caring for Nari will be challenging, but today - seeing her joy, feeling the support of his members, experiencing the unique blend of his two worlds - made it all worthwhile.

As they prepared to leave the building, Wooyoung and San approached Jongho and the now sleepy Nari. Wooyoung reached out, gently stroking Nari's hair, his touch feather-light to avoid disturbing her. His voice was soft, barely above a whisper, "Goodbye, little one. We had so much fun today, didn't we? You're going to be a great dancer someday, just like your uncles."

Nari managed a sleepy nod, a small smile gracing her face even as her eyes struggled to stay open. San leaned in, placing a light kiss on her forehead, his actions filled with tenderness. "Sweet dreams, princess," he murmured, his voice warm with affection. "We'll see you again soon. Maybe next time, you can teach us some of your dance moves."

The three men made their way to the parking lot, Jongho carrying the now-dozing Nari. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the stuffy practice room, and they breathed deeply, savoring the freshness. As they reached Jongho's car, Wooyoung stepped forward, opening the back door with careful quietness. Jongho maneuvered carefully, gently placing Nari in her car seat without waking her. His movements were practiced and tender, speaking of the care and love he held for the little girl.

Once Nari was securely fastened, San placed a hand on Jongho's shoulder, giving it a supportive squeeze. His voice was low but filled with sincerity, "You did great today, Jongho. Not just with the practice, but with Nari too. It's not easy balancing all of this, but you're handling it wonderfully. We're all proud of you."

Wooyoung nodded in agreement, his expression serious but warm. "And remember," he added, his voice equally low to avoid disturbing Nari, "we're always here if you need anything. For you and for Nari. Whether it's babysitting, or just someone to talk to, or even dance lessons," he finished with a small chuckle, referencing their earlier antics.

Jongho felt a lump form in his throat, touched by his friend's words and support. He smiled gratefully at them, his eyes shining with emotion. "Thanks, guys," he managed, his voice slightly husky. "It means more than you know." He glanced at the sleeping Nari in the backseat, his expression softening further. "She loves you all so much. You're making this transition easier for both of us. I don't know what we'd do without you all."

With final waves and whispered goodbyes, Wooyoung and San stepped back, allowing Jongho to climb into the driver's seat. As he started the engine, Jongho took a moment to look at his sleeping charge in the rearview mirror, then at his friends standing in the parking lot, illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlights. With a final wave, he pulled out of the parking space and drove off into the night, his heart full of warmth from the day's events and gratitude for the family he had found in his members.

As Jongho carefully maneuvered his car into a parking spot near your apartment building, the events of the day played through his mind like a gentle melody. With delicate movements, he unbuckled Nari from her car seat. The little girl, exhausted from her day barely stirred as Jongho lifted her into his arms. Her small form nestled against his chest, her head finding its perfect resting place on his shoulder as if it were made just for her.

Jongho's steps were slow and measured as he made his way towards the building entrance only not to wake the little girl up. As he approached the elevator, a wave of contentment washed over him, the day had been long, filled with the rigorous demands of practice and the unexpected delight of Nari's presence, but it left Jongho feeling fulfilled in a way he hadn't experienced before. His heart quickened slightly at the thought of seeing you again, however, as the elevator doors parted on your floor, Jongho's peaceful thoughts suddenly changed. Standing at the door to your apartment was a man Jongho didn't recognize. Almost unconsciously, he tightened his hold on Nari, drawing her closer to his chest as if to shield her. Jongho moved forward, his eyes never straying from the unknown man. As Jongho got closer, he noticed the man acting nervous. The stranger kept fidgeting and looking at his watch. Jongho's heart pounded in his chest, he positioned himself strategically between the stranger and the door, his body language a clear statement of protection. With a soft clearing of his throat, careful not to disturb Nari's peaceful slumber but loud enough to catch the man's attention, Jongho prepared to address the unexpected visitor. His voice, when he spoke, was low but firm, "Excuse me," Jongho said, his words cutting through the tense silence, "Can I help you?"

"She was with you the entire time?" The man's sudden exclamation startled Jongho, causing him to take a few steps back instinctively. His eyebrows shot up in shock, his expression a mix of confusion and wariness. "Nari was with you the entire time?" the stranger repeated, his eyes fixed on the sleeping Nari in Jongho's arms.

Jongho's protective instincts kicked into overdrive. He shifted his stance, angling his body to further shield Nari from the man's intense gaze. His voice, when he spoke, was cautious and measured. "Yes, she was. May I ask who you are and why you're asking about my daughter?" The tension in the hallway was palpable as Jongho waited for the man's response, his mind racing with possibilities and concerns. He tightened his hold on Nari ever so slightly, ready to act if necessary to ensure her safety.

The man's eyes narrowed, a scoff escaping his lips. His earlier nervousness had completely evaporated, replaced by a confrontational demeanor that sent a chill down Jongho's spine. "Oh, so now she's suddenly yours?" he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm and barely contained anger. The words hung in the air, heavy with accusation and resentment. "That's rich, coming from someone who's been absent all this time."

Jongho's confusion deepened, his protective instincts flaring even more intensely. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. He was about to respond, to defend himself and his relationship with Nari, when suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, recognition struck him. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place, and with a jolt that felt almost physical, Jongho realized who he was facing. "Hyunwoo?" The name left his lips in a whisper, part question, part dawning comprehension. He adjusted his hold on Nari, preparing himself for what was sure to be a difficult and emotionally charged conversation. The tension in the air thickened as recognition dawned on both men, the atmosphere electric with unspoken words and barely suppressed emotions. Hyunwoo's eyes darted between Jongho and sleeping Nari, a tumultuous mix of emotions flashing across his face - anger, hurt, confusion, and something that looked almost like longing. The silence stretched between them, fraught with unspoken accusations and years of complicated history. Jongho took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation that was sure to follow. He knew he had to tread carefully, for Nari's sake if nothing else. "Look, man," Jongho said, his voice low but firm, every word measured and deliberate. "I'm not sure what you're doing here, and I understand you probably have a lot to say. But this isn't the time or place for this conversation. It's late, and I need to put my daughter to bed. We can talk another time if we need to."

"What gives you the right to call her that?" Hyunwoo scoffed, his face contorting into a mixture of disbelief and indignation. A wry, almost bitter smile played on his lips as his eyes narrowed, challenging Jongho's claim with an intensity that seemed to crackle in the air between them. The tension in the hallway escalated palpably, the atmosphere thick with unspoken accusations and emotions barely held in check.

Jongho's jaw clenched, the muscles in his face tightening as he fought to maintain his composure. His patience was wearing thin, but he was acutely aware of the sleeping girl in his arms. "I'm her father, Hyunwoo," he said, his voice low but carrying a firmness that brooked no argument. "That gives me every right." As he spoke, he could feel Nari stirring slightly against his chest, a gentle reminder of the need to keep his emotions in check.

Hyunwoo's face twisted further, a kaleidoscope of emotions flashing across his features - anger, disbelief, and something that looked almost like pain. "Father?" he spat out, the word laced with venom. "Where were you all these years, huh? While you were off chasing your dreams, living the high life of an idol, I was here. I was the one who was there for Nari, for Y/N. I've been the one taking care of them, supporting them, being there for every milestone, every tear, every laugh. Where were you then?"

The accusation hit Jongho like a physical blow, the words cutting deep. For a moment, doubt flickered in his eyes, but he steeled himself, holding his ground. "Look, Hyunwoo," he began, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside, "I understand you care about them. I get that you've been there. But things have changed now. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. This isn't the time or place for this conversation. We're in a hallway, and Nari is sleeping."

Hyunwoo took a step closer, his body tense with barely contained anger. His voice rose slightly, the words tumbling out in a rush of pent-up emotion. "You can't just waltz back into their lives and expect everything to be okay, Jongho. You have no idea what they've been through, what I've-"

Jongho cut him off abruptly, his voice low but carrying an edge of steel. "I'm not going to listen to any of that," he said, his eyes flashing with a determination that seemed to catch Hyunwoo off guard. "And if it was my choice, I don't want you anywhere near my daughter." Hyunwoo recoiled, visibly taken aback by Jongho's sudden assertiveness. The air between them crackled with tension as Jongho continued, his voice barely above a whisper to avoid disturbing Nari. "Look, I appreciate what you might have done in the past. I truly do. But things are different now. I'm here, I'm her father, and I'm not going anywhere. Please, leave."

Hyunwoo's face darkened, a storm of emotions playing across his features. His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. For a long, tense moment, it seemed like he might argue further, might escalate the confrontation. But then, as suddenly as it had come, the fight seemed to drain out of him. His shoulders sagged, the anger giving way to a bone-deep weariness. He cast one last, longing look at the sleeping Nari, his eyes softening for just a moment before he turned away. His footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway as he left, each one seeming to carry the weight of unspoken words and unfulfilled promises.

As Hyunwoo disappeared around the corner, Jongho let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. A wave of relief washed over him mingled with a mix of other emotions - guilt, sadness, determination. He looked down at Nari, still peacefully asleep in his arms, oblivious to the storm that had just passed.

Suddenly, Nari stirred, her small body shifting against Jongho's chest. Her eyes fluttered open, confusion evident in her sleepy gaze as she took in her surroundings. "Uncle Jongho?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep. Jongho's heart melted at the sound, his earlier tension dissipating in an instant.

"Shh, it's okay, sweetheart," he whispered, gently rubbing her back. "We're home now. Let's get you to bed." With a gentle sigh, he turned to unlock the apartment door, his mind still racing with thoughts of the challenges that lay ahead. But for now, all that mattered was comforting Nari and finding a moment of peace in the quiet of the night.

♡│if you enjoy my writing please consider supporting me by tagging and reblogging│♡

[03jyh23]

i'm so sorry, my dear! replying to this tag completely slipped my mind. i'm working on the next chapters for finding our way back series and it's not exactly the last verses i've written, as that would reveal too much of what's to come, but nonetheless, here you go:

Hyunwoo's expression hardened at Jongho's words, but Jongho stood his ground. He had laid his cards on the table and now remained resolute, the intensity of his feelings for you evident in his eyes. His gaze locked on Hyunwoo as he continued, "You can't change my feelings for her or erase our history. I won't force my way into their lives, but I refuse to be shut out."

tagging: @freyaphoria 🩷

Last Word Game

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew!) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you like). Thank you so much for the tag: @ohmypawsandwhiskers !! <3

I'm so glad I can join in with sharing my work now that I've been writing again!

“I knew from the moment I first saw you, Shepard. Cliché, I know, but come on, who else would be crazy enough to run across a manufactured death trap, not to mention towards the sniper hellbent on killing everyone around them?”

A small snippet of dialogue from my first time experimenting with a mass effect fic! It's making me feel like the little girl who first fell in love with the games all over again, just this time, I have the skills to put the scenarios I once imagined into actual words!

Tagging: @humanitys-strongest-bamf, @lucysarah-c, @jayteacups + anyone else who would like to share some of their work! <3 (i'll skip the tagging as many people as there are words section)

[kennyomegasweave]

Minase sat there while Hirukawa's mom said he's like his father and thought "the fuck he is" and instantly asked him to move in with him to get him away from that flop ass man.

This week's episode is going to break me, I just know it.

[waitmyturtles]

Emotionally, 23.5 (episode 10) is like a cheaply made puzzle, where like, the edges are cut roughly, so like, you THINK that you have the right pieces next to each other, but when you smush them in, and they don't fit QUITE smoothly enough, you're like, oh maybe there's another piece, but like, you CAN'T find another piece that works, because like, the piece you have in your hand IS the piece that is the right one for the picture you're making, or like, you THINK it is, so like, you keep smushing the pieces together, and you THINK the puzzle makes sense, but you kinda feel like you have the wrong piece, or worse, you're MISSING A BETTER PIECE, because everything's NOT QUITE JIVING.

I hope this post made as much sense as the emotional journey we attempted to take with the script in this last episode. What the FUCK is this script doing to Ongsa? A little more context, some smoother edges, would be really helpful here!

[tiredgeekgirl]

fellas it has been three months since the beach episode and thinking about neil and eva in any capacity still makes me ILL

[fisheito]

"makotolookinass"

the intersection of nu: carnival and free! fans that are all here because of our favorite green haired hunks (himbos?) is so funny

but it kinda makes sense given that both nu: carnival and free! are both at their core about caring about the people closest to you and prevailing internal struggles

dang , anonn, you really cut thru all the glamours of distraction

in brief contrast, i feel like a simple creature. one who was dragged into the intersection simply because i saw some dudes with Unlikely Physiques

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

Ngl it's weird finishing the Knuckles tv show and going to tumblr about it only for people (even who I consider bigger name fans) who also watched the entire show to claim that it "confirmed Knuckles Wachowski"

Like

I'm sorry

Did you somehow miss the part in the last episode where Knuckles had a whole montage of hanging with the Whipple family and Wade and saying "home" or something?

[galedekarios]

"i thought you dead… but ilmater protected you, returned you to me."

[byanyan]

the amount I've been hoarding away some of the memes I've seen on the dash over the last week or so is so not okay for someone with as many drafts as me ashfjdh

[jooniez]

plssss 😭😭😭

[03jyh23]

🌷⌇seeds of uncertainty finding our way back part 7; a choi jongho mini-series

ex-boyfriend! idol! jongho x ex-girlfriend! single-mom! reader

│ series masterlist│ next │

│synopsis: five years have passed since jongho last saw you. your lives have taken drastically different paths, with jongho achieving fame and you focusing on raising your daughter, nari, in quiet anonymity. when jongho discovers he has a daughter, he's determined to be a part of her life.

│genre: a slice of life, romance, fluff, some angst

│trigger warnings: unplanned pregnancy, illegitimate child, single parenthood, physical violence, blood mentioned, mature language, emotional manipulation

│words: 8.4 k

│reminder: what you’re about to read is purely fiction, so let’s keep it separate from reality.

!minors do not interact!

— hi there my lovely people! i hope you all had a lovely weekend! till now the story was somewhat a slow-burn when it came to certain aspects but it's going to change now! as always let me know your thoughts!

love, mon ♡

│taglist: │ @seventeenthingsblr │@DALSUWAHA │

│ @ateez-atiny380 │ @yoonshiiu │ @sndeoki │ @bomi-ja │

│ @vixensss │ @all-fandoms-rise │ @finnydraws │

│ @jonghosbrainrot │ @ateezswonderland │ @stayatinykatsy

│@chickenscoups │ @ana-stasssiaaa │ @starryunho │

│ @originalcupcakenacho │ @ultrapinkvoidbouquet │

│ @sweetinsaniiity│ @jennifermakmur│ @mitchii │

│ @hannah-97 │ @hyuckiesgf │ @treehouse-mouse │

│ @eternoange1│@ultrapinkvoidbouquet │ @jycas │

│ @velvetskize │

│ if you wish to be tagged let me know here! ♡

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤJongho entered the apartment, moving slowly and deliberately to avoid disturbing the sleeping child in his arms. With utmost care, he gently placed Nari's belongings on the corridor drawer, each item set down with a whisper-soft touch. He then removed his shoes, the familiar ritual feeling different tonight, weighted with the responsibility of the precious cargo he carried.

Nari stirred slightly in his arms, her small form shifting against his chest. "Are we home?" she asked, her voice a sleepy murmur that tugged at Jongho's heartstrings.

"Yes, sweetheart, we're home," Jongho whispered back, his voice a gentle caress in the quiet of the night. He infused his words with all the tenderness he felt. As he walked, he rubbed soothing circles on Nari's back, a rhythmic motion designed to lull her back into sleep. The door to Nari's room creaked softly as Jongho pushed it open with his elbow, careful not to jostle his daughter. He fumbled for a moment before finding the switch for her night light. A warm, comforting glow suffused the room as it flickered to life. Jongho carefully lowered Nari onto her bed, supporting her head and body to ensure a smooth transition from his arms to the mattress. As he laid her down, he couldn't help but marvel at how small and fragile she looked amidst the sea of pillows and plushies. He took a moment to tuck her in, pulling the comforter up to her chin with gentle, loving motions. As he did so, he found himself memorizing every detail of her peaceful face, from the soft curve of her cheek to the flutter of her eyelashes against her skin.

"Mommy?" Nari's voice, thick with sleep, broke the silence. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, a hint of confusion in their depths as she struggled against the pull of slumber.

Jongho's heart clenched at the sound. He leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper as he sought to reassure her. "Shh, it's okay. Mommy will be here soon," he murmured, his fingers gently carding through Nari's hair in a soothing rhythm. The repetitive motion seemed to calm her, and he added softly, "For now, Uncle is here. Go back to sleep, angel." Nari's eyes drifted closed once more, succumbing to the irresistible call of sleep. Jongho settled himself on the edge of her bed. As Nari's breathing became calm and steady, Jongho took out his phone. Worried that you still weren't back, he sent a quick message: "Hey, is everything okay? Nari's asleep. Let me know when you're on your way home." He tucked the phone back into his pocket, then leaned down to place a gentle kiss on Nari's forehead. Satisfied that she was sleeping soundly, Jongho quietly left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. He made his way to the kitchenette, his movements careful and deliberate in the quiet apartment. Pouring himself a glass of water, he leaned against the counter, his mind still reeling from the earlier encounter with Hyunwoo. The cool liquid did little to calm the storm of emotions swirling within him. The confrontation in the hallway played on repeat in his mind, each word, each accusation etching itself deeper into his consciousness. Jongho closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he tried to process everything that had happened. The weight of fatherhood, which had felt so light and joyous earlier in the day, now seemed to press down on him with renewed intensity. Questions and doubts began to creep in, fueled by Hyunwoo's words. Had he truly been absent for too long? Could he make up for lost time? And most pressingly, how would he navigate this complex situation with Hyunwoo's apparent involvement in Nari's life? Jongho shook his head, trying to dispel the negative thoughts. He reminded himself of the progress he'd made, of the bond he was forming with Nari. He set the glass down before making his way to the sofa, his body heavy with exhaustion. He sank into the plush cushions, letting out a deep sigh as the tension slowly ebbed from his muscles. For a moment, he contemplated turning on the TV to distract himself from the thoughts in his mind. However, he quickly decided against it, worried that the noise might disturb Nari's sleep. Instead, he allowed himself to relax further into the comfortable embrace of the sofa. Before he knew it, his eyelids grew heavy, and he drifted off into an unintended slumber.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤJongho wasn't sure how long he had been asleep when a sudden cry pierced through the veil of his unconsciousness. His eyes snapped open, instantly alert despite the fog of sleep still clinging to his mind. It took him a moment to register where he was and what was happening. Then, as the cry sounded again, louder this time, he bolted upright, his heart racing.

"Mommy!" Nari's cry echoed through the apartment, jolting Jongho fully awake. He was on his feet in an instant, his fatigue forgotten as adrenaline coursed through his veins. Without hesitation, he rushed towards Nari's room, his heart pounding with concern for his daughter.

As he approached her door, he could hear her distressed whimpers growing louder. Jongho pushed the door open gently, not wanting to startle her further. "Nari, sweetheart," he called softly, stepping into the dimly lit room. "It's okay, I'm here."

Nari was sitting up in her bed, tears streaming down her face, her small hands clutching her favorite stuffed animal. As Jongho approached, she looked up at him, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. "Where's Mommy?" she whimpered, her voice trembling.

Jongho's heart ached at the sight of his daughter's distress. He quickly moved to her bedside, sitting down gently and opening his arms. "Mommy's not here right now, sweetheart," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth and reassurance. "But I'm here for you. Can I give you a hug?" Nari nodded softly before throwing herself into Jongho's arms, her tiny hands clutching at his shoulders, her small body still trembling. "Shh, angel," Jongho whispered, gently cradling her against his chest. He began to rock her slowly, his hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. "It's okay, I'm here," he murmured, his voice soft and comforting. "You're safe, sweetheart. Uncle’s got you." He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, feeling her gradually relax in his embrace.

As Nari's sobs gradually subsided into quiet sniffles, Jongho continued to hold her, his heart swelling with an overwhelming mixture of love, protectiveness, and a newfound sense of purpose. In that moment, he realized just how profoundly he had come to care for this little girl. Being a father, which used to seem scary and overwhelming to Jongho, now felt natural and rewarding. His earlier worries faded away. Instead, he felt a strong desire to be the best father he could be for Nari. He was determined to give her all the love and support she needed.

"Would you like to lay down again, sweetheart?" he asked softly, his voice a gentle whisper as he continued to cradle Nari in his arms. He could feel her small body still trembling slightly against his chest, a reminder of the vulnerability he now held in his embrace.

Nari shook her head, her voice muffled against his shirt as she replied, "No, I wanna sleep in Mommy's room." There was a brief pause, filled with the sound of her quiet sniffles, before she added hesitantly, "Wanna bathe."

Jongho found himself at a crossroads, carefully considering Nari's requests. The rational part of his mind reminded him that it was late, and a bath at this hour wasn't exactly ideal. However, as he gazed down at Nari's tear-stained face and felt her small body still quivering from her earlier distress, his heart made the decision for him. Perhaps the warm, soothing water would help calm her frayed nerves and wash away the remnants of her nightmare.

"Okay, sweetheart," he said gently, his hand moving to stroke her hair in a comforting rhythm. "How about we have a quick, warm bath to help you feel better, and then you can sleep in Mommy's room? Does that sound good to you?" His voice was soft and reassuring, filled with a tenderness he didn't even know he possessed until this moment. Nari nodded against his chest, her sobs now quieting to small, intermittent hiccups. Jongho could feel her body relaxing slightly in his arms, the tension slowly ebbing away. With careful movements, he stood up slowly, still holding her close to his heart. "Alright, let's get you that bath," with Nari still clinging to him, Jongho navigated through her room, his movements gentle yet purposeful. He rummaged through her drawers with one hand, the other securely holding his daughter close. His fingers sifted through the neatly folded clothes, searching for a pair of soft, comfortable pajamas and clean underwear. Once he had gathered everything they needed, he made his way to the bathroom, his steps slow and steady to avoid jostling Nari.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIn the bathroom, Jongho carefully sat Nari down on the closed toilet lid, making sure she was stable before reluctantly letting go. He turned his attention to the bathtub, twisting the faucet to release a stream of warm water. As the tub began to fill, he reached for the bottle of bubble bath, adding a generous squeeze to the running water. Almost immediately bubbles began to form, filling the air with a soft, comforting scent. The change in Nari's demeanor was almost instantaneous.

As she caught sight of the rising bubbles, a small smile began to tug at the corners of her mouth, chasing away the last vestiges of her earlier distress. "Bubbles!" she exclaimed softly. Jongho couldn't help but mirror her smile, feeling relieved at the sight of her brightening mood.

"That's right, sweetheart," he said, "Lots and lots of bubbles, just for you." He dipped his hand into the water, swirling it around to test the temperature. Satisfied that it was comfortably warm but not too hot, he turned back to Nari. "Okay, little one, let's get you in the tub. The bubbles are waiting for you." With gentle, careful movements, Jongho helped Nari out of her day clothes, then he lifted her with tender hands and slowly lowered her into the warm, bubbly water. As Nari settled into the tub, surrounded by shimmering foam, her eyes lit up with pure, childish delight. The earlier tears were now replaced by a look of wonder as she reached out to scoop up a handful of bubbles, giggling as they slipped through her fingers. Watching her, Jongho felt a warmth spread through his chest, a feeling so profound it almost took his breath away. At that moment, as he knelt beside the bathtub, watching his daughter play in the bubbles, all the doubts and fears that had plagued him earlier seemed to dissolve. This, he realized, was what fatherhood was truly about - these small, precious moments of joy and comfort. With a gentle smile, he reached for the shampoo, ready to help his daughter finish her bath and prepare for a peaceful night's sleep.

"Alright, angel, time to towel off and put on some pajamas," Jongho said, reaching for a fluffy towel. He helped Nari stand up in the tub, carefully wrapping the towel around her small frame. With gentle movements, he lifted her out of the bath and set her down on the bathmat. As he began to dry her off, Jongho couldn't help but marvel at how natural this all felt now. The initial awkwardness and uncertainty had given way to a sense of purpose and love that filled his entire being. He carefully patted Nari dry, making sure to be extra gentle with her hair "There we go, all dry," he smiled, reaching for the clean pajamas he had brought. "Let's get you dressed and ready for bed, sweetheart." Jongho helped Nari into her pajamas, carefully buttoning up the soft fabric.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThey made their way back to the living room. Jongho intended to lay Nari down on the sofa. However, she clung tightly to him, her small arms wrapped around his neck. Sensing her need for comfort, Jongho decided to sit down with her still in his arms. "It's okay, sweetheart," he murmured softly, reaching for a nearby blanket. He draped it over both of them, cocooning them in its warmth. Nari snuggled closer, her head resting against his chest. Jongho began to gently rock her, his voice low and soothing as he started to hum a lullaby. The melody, soft and comforting, filled the quiet room. He felt Nari's body gradually relax against him, her breathing becoming slower and more even. As he continued to sing, Jongho marveled at the moment. The weight of his daughter in his arms, the trust she placed in him, filled his heart with an indescribable warmth. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, his voice never faltering in the lullaby. In the quiet of the night, father and daughter sat together, enveloped in a blanket of warmth and love, the gentle lullaby a testament to their growing bond.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤYou walked into the quiet apartment, your head pounding from an exhausting day at work. Closing the door silently behind you, you moved through the space. Your gaze immediately went to Nari's room, but you found her bed empty. A momentary panic gripped your heart before you quickly looked to the living room. There, you noticed a disheveled tuft of fluffy brown hair on a pillow, soft snores filling the room. Relief washed over you as you approached quietly. The sight before you made your heart swell with affection. Nari was curled up in Jongho's arms, her small form rising and falling with each peaceful breath. Careful not to wake them, you gently adjusted the blanket, ensuring it covered both sleeping figures. You placed a soft kiss on Nari's forehead, yet your eyes lingered on Jongho. Smiling, you ran your hand gently on his cheek, your thumb brushing against his lower lip. The man you loved—or perhaps still loved—the father of your daughter, looked angelic. His arms were wrapped loosely around Nari, her head resting against his chest. You couldn't count how many times you had dreamed of a moment like this, to walk into not a house, but a home—a home that you dreamed of creating with Jongho. Tears welled up in your eyes, your heart bursting with emotion. You smiled, a bittersweet ache settling in your chest. God, you would do anything to get to see this each day. The scene before you was everything you had ever wanted, yet it felt just out of reach. Jongho and Nari, were peacefully asleep, looking like the perfect family you had always imagined.

As you stood there, watching them sleep, a mix of joy and longing washed over you. Joy for the growing bond between Jongho and Nari, and longing for what could have been—what still might be, if you dared to hope. You wondered if there was a way to bridge the gap, to turn this fleeting moment into a lasting reality. But as quickly as those thoughts came, you pushed them aside. It was too soon, you reminded yourself. Jongho had only just returned to your life days ago. The wounds still lingered, the history between you unresolved. You couldn't let yourself get carried away by one tender moment, no matter how it tugged at your heartstrings. Taking a deep breath, you steadied yourself. This was a time for caution, for careful steps forward. You needed to focus on what was best for Nari, on building a stable co-parenting relationship with Jongho. Romance and reconciliation were thoughts for another time, if ever. For now, you had to keep your feet firmly on the ground, even as your heart yearned to soar.

You shook your head, chiding your own thoughts. Maybe you could allow yourself to be selfish, just for the next couple of hours. Settling down next to Jongho, you rested your head on his shoulder and placed a soft kiss on his neck. Closing your eyes, you let yourself sink into the warmth of his presence. The steady rhythm of his breathing and Nari's soft snores filled the quiet room. In this moment, wrapped in the cocoon of familial warmth, a sense of peace washed over you. It was a fleeting indulgence, you knew, but one your heart desperately needed. As you drifted off to sleep, a small part of you wondered what the morning would bring. But for now, in this perfect slice of time, you allowed yourself to simply be—a mother, a woman, part of this little family unit that felt so right, even if it was just for tonight.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThe soft morning light filtered through the curtains, gently illuminating the living room. Nari stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she slowly became aware of her surroundings. She lifted her head from Jongho's chest, her gaze wandering until it landed on you, nestled against Jongho's side. For a moment, confusion clouded her sleepy eyes. Then, as recognition dawned, her face lit up with a mixture of surprise and delight. "Mommy?! Uncle?!" she exclaimed, her voice a blend of excitement and bewilderment. Her sudden outburst broke the peaceful silence of the morning, causing both you and Jongho to stir. You blinked awake, momentarily disoriented as you realized the position you were in - snuggled close to Jongho, his arm around you, his head resting atop yours. Jongho, too, began to wake, his arm instinctively tightening around you before his eyes snapped open, suddenly alert. The realization of your proximity dawned on him, and you could feel the sudden tension in his body.

Nari, oblivious to the adults' awkwardness, giggled with delight. "Mommy and Uncle were sleeping together!" she announced, her innocent observation hanging in the air between you and Jongho. Her eyes widened with excitement as a new thought struck her. "Will I have a baby brother now?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with innocent hope and curiosity. You felt your cheeks flush crimson, your eyes darting to meet Jongho's equally startled gaze. The awkwardness in the room intensified tenfold as you both struggled to find an appropriate response to Nari's unexpected question.

Jongho cleared his throat, his voice slightly strained as he attempted to address Nari's innocent question. "Angel, that's not... I mean, it doesn't quite work like that," he stumbled over his words, shooting a desperate glance your way. The situation had caught him completely off guard, and he found himself struggling to find an appropriate explanation for a child's curious mind.

You stepped in, "Nari, honey, Mommy, and Uncle were just sleeping. That doesn't mean we're going to have a baby." You could feel the heat radiating from your cheeks, acutely aware of Jongho's presence beside you. You silently hoped that your explanation would satisfy Nari's curiosity.

Your daughter's brows furrowed in confusion, her gaze darting between you and Jongho. "But you were sleeping together, like in the movies!" she insisted, her child-like logic unshakeable. Her innocent observation hung in the air, making the atmosphere even more uncomfortable. Nari's eyes lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, "When big mommies and daddies sleep together in movies, they have babies!" Jongho let out a nervous chuckle, running his hand through his hair. The two of you exchanged a panicked glance, desperately trying to figure out how to handle this unexpected turn in the conversation.

"Sweetie," Jongho began gently, his voice soft and patient, "sometimes adults sleep close to each other because they care about each other, but that doesn't always mean a baby is coming. Mommy and I were just resting together because we were tired." He looked at you, silently hoping his explanation was adequate and wouldn't prompt more difficult questions from your inquisitive daughter.

Nari's lower lip trembled as she crossed her arms, a pout forming on her face. Her eyes, wide with disappointment, looked up at both of you imploringly. "But I want a baby brother," she insisted, her voice taking on a whiny tone that tugged at your heartstrings. "Mommy's big and Uncle's big so can you make me one now?" Her innocent request, born out of a child's simple desire for a playmate, only served to heighten the awkwardness of the situation.

You felt your face grow even hotter if that was possible. Glancing at Jongho, you saw his eyes widen in panic, mirroring your own feelings of discomfort and uncertainty. "Having a baby is a very big decision that grown-ups make after a lot of thought and planning. It's not something we can just do right now because you want it." Jongho spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully to ensure Nari could understand without opening the door to more complicated questions.

You nodded in agreement, adding, "That's right, little one. And remember, Uncle and I aren't... we don't..." you trailed off, clearly struggling to find the right words to explain the complexities of adult relationships to a child. The situation felt like navigating a minefield, each word potentially leading to more confusion or misunderstanding.

Jongho jumped in to help, sensing your difficulty. "Mommy and I care about each other very much, but we're not together in the way that people are when they decide to have a baby. Do you understand?" His voice was gentle but firm, trying to convey the message in a way that would make sense to Nari's young mind.

Nari's pout deepened, her eyes filling with tears that threatened to spill over. The disappointment was evident on her face as she processed the information. "But I want a brother," she sniffled, her voice small and filled with sadness. The sight of her distress tugged at both your hearts, making the situation even more challenging to navigate.

You pulled her into a hug, stroking her hair gently, you spoke in a soothing tone, "I know, angel. I understand you want someone to play with. But for now, how about we focus on all the fun things we can do together? Just the three of us?" You hoped that redirecting her attention might help ease her disappointment and change the subject to something more positive.

Jongho reached out, gently patting Nari's back in a show of support. "That's right," he added, "How about we start with a special breakfast? Would you like that?" He glanced at you, silently communicating his hope that this suggestion might successfully divert Nari's attention from the sensitive topic at hand.

The little girl's face brightened slightly at the mention of food, her earlier disappointment momentarily forgotten. She looked up, her eyes still a bit watery but now sparkling with a hint of excitement. "Can we have pancakes again?" she asked, her voice hopeful and eager. The simple question was a welcome reprieve from the previous conversation, offering a way out of the awkward situation.

You and Jongho shared a relieved look over Nari's head, both grateful for the change of subject. "Pancakes sound perfect," you said, your voice filled with enthusiasm to match Nari's renewed excitement.

You looked at Jongho as he took Nari in his arms and rose from the sofa. "Ready to make some delicious pancakes again with me, princess?" he asked, his voice warm and playful. Nari's face lit up with excitement, her earlier disappointment completely forgotten. The sight of Jongho with Nari in his arms, heading to the kitchen with such ease and familiarity, stirred something in your heart. It was a bittersweet feeling - joy at seeing their bond grow stronger, coupled with a lingering sense of what could have been.

You were pulled from your thoughts by Jongho's gentle voice. "Y/N? If you want to, you can go and take a shower. We'll prepare breakfast for you. Right, princess?" he said, looking down at Nari with a warm smile.

Nari nodded enthusiastically, "Yes! We'll make the best pancakes ever for Mommy!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

You couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. "That sounds wonderful," you replied, feeling a rush of gratitude for this moment of normalcy amidst the complex emotions swirling within you. "I'll go freshen up then. Thank you."

As you headed towards the bathroom, you could hear Nari's excited chatter and Jongho's patient responses fading into the kitchen. The domesticity of the scene both warmed your heart and made it ache, a reminder of the delicate balance you were all trying to maintain. In the shower, you let the warm water wash over you, trying to clear your mind of the conflicting emotions. The morning's events played on repeat in your head - Nari's innocent questions, the awkward explanations, and the undeniable comfort you felt waking up next to Jongho. You stepped out and wrapped yourself in a towel. right before walking out of the bathroom, you took a deep breath, steeling yourself for the day ahead.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤThe smell of pancakes wafted through the air as you opened the door, "The breakfast smells delicious," you said as you walked back to the living room, drying your hair with a small towel. "I can take it from here," you smiled at Jongho. "Maybe you'd like to freshen up a bit too?" you asked.

Jongho looked up from the pancake he was flipping, "I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome."

You hesitated for a moment, torn between wanting him to stay and knowing it might complicate things further. "You're not overstaying," you assured him softly. "Besides, Nari would love to have you here a bit longer." You paused, then added with a small smile, "And so would I."

Jongho's eyes widened in surprise at your words, and he quickly looked down, feeling heat creeping up his neck. The spatula in his hand trembled slightly as he tried to regain his composure. He cleared his throat, attempting to find the right words to respond. "I... I appreciate that," he managed to say, his voice slightly husky. He risked a glance back at you, his eyes meeting yours for a brief moment before darting away again. The air between you seemed to crackle with unspoken emotions.

Nari's voice suddenly piped up from the kitchen, breaking the tension. "Uncle, is the pancake ready yet?" Her question brought both of you back to reality, Jongho cleared his throat again, this time more decisively. "I think I'll take you up on that offer to freshen up," he said, his voice steadier now. "Could you watch the pancakes for a moment?"

"Yes, just give me a second," you said, taking a few steps toward your closet. You weren't entirely sure how Jongho would react, but you felt compelled to retrieve something that had been tucked away for years. With slightly trembling hands, you rummaged through the lower drawers, searching for a box that had been left forgotten, yet one that you couldn't bring yourself to discard. It was a big, unassuming container, but it held within it a treasure of memories. You opened it carefully, as if handling a delicate artifact, and gently took out a few items of clothing, each one carrying the weight of shared history. Standing back up, you felt Jongho's eyes on you. You turned to face him, holding up a pair of grey sweatpant shorts and a dark green hoodie with a shy, tentative smile. These weren't just any clothes; they were remnants of a time when your lives were intertwined in the most intimate of ways. Jongho used to have his own drawer in your room when you were still together, a small but significant symbol of your shared life. You remembered with a pang of nostalgia how you'd wear his clothes while pregnant, finding comfort in his scent and the way the fabric draped over your changing body. These particular items were the clothes he had left behind five years ago, you had kept them all this time, unable to part with this tangible connection to your past. "I thought... maybe these might fit you," you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper and tinged with a complex mixture of nostalgia, uncertainty, and a hint of hope. The words hung in the air between you, laden with unspoken emotions and shared memories. "They're yours from... before," you continued, your voice catching slightly on the word 'before', as if it encompassed an entire world of experiences and feelings. "I hope you don't mind that I kept them," you added, your eyes searching his face for any sign of how he might be feeling. The simple act of offering these clothes felt monumental, as if you were extending not just fabric, but a piece of your shared history, a tentative bridge across the years that had separated you.

Jongho's eyes widened as he recognized the clothes, a flicker of emotion passing across his face. He reached out slowly, his fingers brushing against the fabric as if touching a cherished memory. "You... you kept these?" he asked softly, his voice thick with emotion. The air between you seemed to hum with unspoken words and shared history as he gently took the clothes from your hands. For a moment, Jongho stood there, holding the clothes close to his chest, his eyes distant as if lost in memories. Then, with a soft smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, he looked back at you. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I appreciate this more than you know." Jongho's fingers lingered on the fabric as if trying to absorb the memories it held. With a deep breath, he looked up, his eyes meeting yours with gratitude "I'll go shower then," he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that seemed to wrap around you both.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAs Jongho emerged from the bathroom, freshly showered and dressed in the clothes you had given him, the enticing aroma of freshly made pancakes wafted through the air, filling the apartment with a comforting warmth. You and Nari had already set the table, a towering stack of golden, fluffy pancakes sitting invitingly in the center, accompanied by an array of toppings and syrups.

"Perfect timing," you said with a welcoming smile, gesturing for him to join you at the table. The sight of Jongho in his old clothes, now slightly snug on his more muscular frame, stirred a mix of nostalgia and something else you couldn't quite name.

As you all settled in to eat, Nari dominated the conversation with her animated chatter, regaling you both with a seemingly endless stream of stories from her preschool adventures. Her infectious enthusiasm filled the room, punctuated by giggles and dramatic gestures as she recounted tales of finger-painting mishaps and playground conquests. You and Jongho exchanged amused glances over her head, your shared laughter creating a bubble of warmth around the table. The atmosphere was cozy and comfortable, yet tinged with the bittersweet awareness of its temporary nature.

The meal drew to a close, with plates nearly empty and bellies satisfyingly full. Jongho glanced at his watch, a hint of reluctance clouding his eyes. "I should probably get going," he said softly, his gaze flicking between you and Nari as if torn between duty and desire.

Nari's face immediately fell, her earlier joy evaporating like morning mist. Her lower lip jutted out in a heart-wrenching pout, her eyes widening to impossibly large proportions. "But Uncle," she pleaded, her voice small and trembling, "can't you stay longer? Please?" Her imploring gaze darted between Jongho and you, silently begging for intervention, her little hands clasping together as if in prayer.

Jongho's expression softened at Nari's plea, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "I promise I'll be back soon, sweetheart," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. "And you know what? I have an even better idea. How about we plan a special day with all the uncles? We could go to the park, and have a picnic. What do you think about that?"

"Really? All the uncles?" she asked, her voice rising with each word, filled with a mixture of hope and barely contained enthusiasm.

Jongho nodded, "Absolutely," he affirmed, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. "We'll make it a day to remember. But for now, I need to head out. Can you be my brave little princess and give me a big hug goodbye?" Without hesitation, Nari launched herself into Jongho's arms, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck with all the strength her little body could muster.

As Jongho gently disentangled himself from Nari's embrace, you cleared your throat, trying to keep your voice steady despite the sudden flutter of nervousness in your chest. "Nari, sweetheart," you said softly, "why don't you go play in your room for a little while? Mommy needs to talk to Uncle for a moment before he leaves." Nari nodded obediently, her earlier excitement still evident in her bright eyes. She gave Jongho one last quick squeeze before scampering off to her room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Once Nari disappeared into her room, you turned to Jongho, a mix of emotions swirling in your chest. "Let me walk you to the door," you said softly, gesturing towards the entryway. Jongho nodded, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he followed your lead.

The short walk to the front door felt charged with unspoken words and lingering glances. As you reached the threshold, you both paused, Jongho turned to face you, his eyes searching yours as if trying to memorize every detail of this moment. Just as he was about to say goodbye, you reached out impulsively, your fingers gently encircling his wrist. He looked at you, surprise evident in his eyes, a question forming on his lips. You quickly pulled him outside, closing the door slightly to ensure Nari wouldn't hear.

Jongho looked at you questioningly, his brow furrowed slightly in confusion. "Is everything alright?"

You took a deep breath, steeling yourself for the words you were about to say, words that had the power to change everything. "Jongho," you began, your voice barely above a whisper, trembling with the weight of your decision. "There's something important I need to tell you." You paused, gathering your courage, your hands shaking slightly as you met his gaze. "I... I've made a decision. I want Nari to know the truth. I want her to know that you're her dad." The words hung in the air between you, heavy with implications and unspoken emotions. You searched Jongho's face intently, your heart pounding against your ribcage as you waited for his reaction. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity as you stood on the precipice of change, the future of your little family balanced precariously on the edge of this moment.

Jongho's eyes widened, a myriad of emotions flashing across his face in rapid succession - surprise, disbelief, hope. For a moment, he stood perfectly still, as if frozen in time, processing your words. Then, slowly, he spoke, "Are you absolutely sure about this? I don't want to rush into anything if you're not completely ready. This is... this is a big step."

"No," you interjected quickly, not allowing him to finish his thought. Your voice grew stronger, more resolute with each word. "I'm certain about this. I want her to know the truth. You deserve to be recognized as her dad, to hear her call you 'Daddy.' I want this for her, for you... for us." Your eyes darted across his face, drinking in every nuance of his expression, your voice softening as you added, "That is... if it's what you want too?" The silence that followed was electric, you could hear your heart thundering in your ears, and feel the rush of blood in your veins as you waited for Jongho's response.

In this moment, the future of your unconventional family hung in the balance, poised on the edge of transformation.

Suddenly, Jongho's face broke into a radiant smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners and lighting up with unbridled joy. A soft, melodious laugh escaped his lips, dispelling the tension that had built between you. "God, of course, I want this," he exclaimed, his voice brimming with emotion and barely contained excitement. "You have no idea how much I want it." His hands reached out, gently grasping yours, his touch sending a familiar tingle through your body, awakening memories and feelings long buried. Without warning, Jongho pulled you closer, enveloping you in a warm embrace. The scent of him surrounded you, bringing with it a rush of nostalgia and comfort. Without giving it a second thought, your lips found Jongho's in a tender, hesitant kiss. Your arms wound around his neck of their own, pulling him closer as his hands settled on your waist, holding you as if you might disappear if he loosened his grip even slightly. It started soft, a gentle exploration of forgotten territory. But quickly, the kiss deepened, years of pent-up emotions and unspoken feelings surging to the surface.

Lost in the rush of feelings, you didn't hear someone walking up until you heard slow clapping. The sound, at first barely noticeable, got louder, breaking the moment you were sharing. Your bodies separated as if shocked. As you turned towards the source of the interruption, your eyes fell upon Hyunwoo standing in the hallway, his expression shifted rapidly - shock, hurt, betrayal, and finally settling on a mixture of disbelief and resignation. His eyes, wide with surprise, darted between you and Jongho as if trying to piece together a puzzle he never wanted to solve. The slow clapping, which had initially seemed almost comical, now took on a bitter, almost sarcastic tone. Each clap echoed in the hallway, punctuating the heavy silence that had fallen over the three of you. As the reality of the situation sank in, Hyunwoo's posture changed. His shoulders, usually held high with confidence, seemed to slump under the weight of what he had witnessed. His hands fell limply to his sides, fingers curling into tight fists. The muscles in his jaw worked silently as if he were physically chewing on the words he wanted to say but couldn't quite bring himself to voice.

When Hyunwoo finally spoke, his voice was strained, barely concealing the turbulent emotions bubbling beneath the surface. Each word seemed to cost him great effort as if he were forcing them past a lump in his throat. "Well," he began, his tone a brittle attempt at nonchalance, "isn't this a touching scene." The sarcasm in his voice was palpable, a thin veneer barely masking the hurt that lay beneath. His gaze held a coldness that sent a shiver down your spine. Hyunwoo's voice dropped to a low, bitter whisper, his eyes clouding with a mixture of pain and resignation. "Lovers reunited after years," he said, the words dripping with sarcasm and hurt. "How could I even stand a chance?" A humorless chuckle escaped his lips, the sound hollow "How foolish of me to think that I stood a chance at all."

The hallway suddenly felt too small, too confining.

Hyunwoo's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with venom. "Have fun with your idol boyfriend," he spat, his words laced with bitterness. "But let me know once he leaves you again." He paused, a cruel smirk twisting his features. "Hopefully without a second baby on the way this time."

The words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. Jongho's body tensed, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. In an instant, the warmth in his eyes was replaced by a fiery rage. He took a step forward, his voice low and dangerous. "You fucking piece of shit," he snarled, his usually gentle demeanor completely gone. "You don't know shit about our situation. How fucking dare you speak to her like that? Who the fuck do you think you are?" His chest heaved with barely contained fury as he continued, spittle flying from his mouth, "I may have fucked up in the past, but I'm here now, I'm fighting for my goddamn family. And I won't let anyone, especially not a pathetic loser like you, disrespect Y/N or my daughter."

"Jongho, please..." you pleaded, placing your hand on his chest in an attempt to stop him from lunging at Hyunwoo. But your efforts were in vain; he was too strong, too enraged. In a flash, Jongho flew across the hallway, his hands reaching out to grab Hyunwoo.

Hyunwoo's expression shifted from anger to a cold, calculated smirk. "I wouldn't recommend that... at least not if you don't want me to give a call to one of those gossip websites," he threatened, his voice dripping with malice.

"You wouldn't!" you exclaimed, feeling your own nerves fraying at the edges. The situation was spiraling out of control, and you felt powerless to stop it. Desperately, you turned to Hyunwoo, your voice pleading. "Hyunwoo, please calm down." The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. You stood there, caught between the two men, your heart racing as you desperately tried to think of a way to defuse the situation before it escalated any further.

Hyunwoo's face contorted with rage, his eyes blazing with a mixture of hurt and fury. "You think you can just waltz back into their lives and play happy families?" he snarled, "Where the fuck were you all these years, huh? Living it up while Y/N struggled to raise your kid alone?"

Jongho's jaw clenched, his muscles visibly tightening beneath his hoodie as he shifted his stance, getting ready for a possible fight. His eyes, usually warm and gentle, now blazed with an intensity that could melt steel. "You don't know anything about our situation," he growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous low, each word dripping with barely contained fury. The air around him seemed to crackle with tension, his entire being radiating a palpable anger that threatened to explode at any moment.

Hyunwoo let out a bitter laugh that echoed harshly. His face contorted into a mask of disgust and resentment as he spat out his next words. "I know more than enough, you piece of shit. You're nothing but a selfish, spineless coward who abandoned a girl who loved you beyond reason. She was young, terrified, and completely alone, yet she chose to keep your baby. And where were you? Living it up as an idol, basking in the spotlight while she struggled through sleepless nights and endless worries. You don't deserve them, you pathetic excuse for a man. You don't deserve an ounce of their love or forgiveness!"

Both men stood their ground, bodies coiled like springs ready to unleash at the slightest provocation. Their heated exchange hung in the air like a powder keg, threatening to ignite into a full-blown physical confrontation at any moment.

"Y/N, please step back," Jongho whispered urgently, his eyes locked on Hyunwoo's face.

"Absolutely not!" you exclaimed. With swift, purposeful strides, you positioned yourself between the two men, your heart thundering in your chest. Adrenaline surged through your body as you extended your arms, palms facing outward towards each of them, creating a physical barrier. "Both of you, stop this immediately!" you demanded, your voice quavering but resolute. "This is pointless! We need to approach this situation rationally and discuss it like adults." Your eyes darted between them, silently pleading for reason to prevail. Turning to Hyunwoo, your gaze softened with empathy. "Hyunwoo, please," you implored, "This isn't you. I know you're hurting, but this isn't the way."

Shifting your attention to Jongho, your expression became more stern. "And Jongho," you said, your tone leaving no room for argument, "remember who you are and what's at stake here. Think about Nari, think about your career. Is this really how you want to handle this situation?"

The hallway fell silent, both men stood frozen, their chests rising and falling rapidly as they struggled to contain their anger. You remained steadfast between them, your posture unwavering, a living shield determined to prevent any further escalation. The weight of the moment pressed down on all three of you, each second stretching into eternity as you waited to see if reason would finally prevail over raw emotion.

Jongho took a step back, his fists still clenched. Under his breath, he muttered a string of profanities, his voice low and seething with anger. "Fucking asshole... piece of shit... who does he think he is..."

Suddenly, without warning, Hyunwoo lunged forward. His fist connected with Jongho's jaw with a sickening crack, the impact echoing through the hallway. Jongho stumbled backward, caught off guard by the sudden assault, his eyes wide with shock and pain.

You gasped, horrified by the sudden turn of events. "Stop it!" you screamed, your voice shrill with panic. Adrenaline coursed through your veins as you watched Jongho recover from the initial shock. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in them as he wiped a trickle of blood from his split lip.

"I won't disrespect Y/N like that, I won't fight with you for her to see, and..." Jongho paused, his voice low and controlled despite the anger still simmering beneath the surface. "Funny how you supposedly wanted to take my place in Nari's life but you don't have any respect for her mother." The hallway fell silent as the weight of his statement settled over you all. Hyunwoo's face contorted, a mix of emotions flashing across his features - anger, shame, and finally, a flicker of realization. The fight seemed to drain out of him, his shoulders slumping as the weight of Jongho's words sank in. He took a step back, his eyes darting between you and Jongho, as if seeing the situation clearly for the first time. "You are not a man, Hyunwoo," Jongho continued, his voice low and controlled. "And let me repeat this again, as I did yesterday: I don't want you near my daughter." With that, Jongho turned away from Hyunwoo and walked towards the elevators.

"Jongho, wait!" you called out, your voice cracking with desperation.

Jongho paused, his hand hovering over the elevator button. He took a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling with the effort. "Y/N, I'm sorry," he began, his voice low and strained. "But... I really need to go. This... it's too much right now." His eyes, usually warm and inviting, now held a storm of conflicting emotions. "Please understand." You watched helplessly as Jongho stepped into the elevator, his gaze never leaving yours until the doors slowly closed between you. The soft ding of the elevator's descent echoed in the now-silent hallway, leaving you alone with Hyunwoo and the heavy aftermath of the confrontation. Turning to face him, you felt a surge of conflicting emotions. His earlier words still stung, sharp, and painful in your memory. But the sight of him now, deflated and ashamed, stirred a complex mix of pity, frustration, and lingering hurt in your chest. His usual confident demeanor had crumbled, replaced by a man who looked lost and regretful. You took a deep breath, trying to gather your scattered thoughts and decide how to address the mess that had unfolded before you.

"Y/N, I—" Hyunwoo began, too soon for your liking, his voice faltering. His eyes darted around, unable to meet your gaze. He opened his mouth again as if to continue, but no words came out. The silence stretched between you, filled with all the things left unsaid.

"I need you to leave," you said firmly, your voice surprisingly steady despite the turmoil inside you. You turned your back to him, unable to bear the sight of his remorse any longer. Without waiting for a response, you walked back into your apartment, each step feeling heavier than the last. The door closed behind you with a soft click, finally separating you from the chaos in the hallway.

As you leaned against the closed door, you let out a shaky breath that seemed to come from the very depths of your being. The events of the past few minutes replayed in your mind like a relentless film reel, each scene more draining than the last. You felt anger at Hyunwoo's words, worry for Jongho, concern for how this would affect Nari, and an overwhelming sense of exhaustion that seemed to seep into your very bones. You knew you'd have to deal with the aftermath of this confrontation eventually - there were conversations to be had, explanations to be given, and decisions to be made. But for now, all you wanted was a moment of peace to collect your scattered thoughts and tumultuous emotions.

♡│if you enjoy my writing please consider supporting me by tagging and reblogging│♡

[star-anise]

Disclaimer: I like Anita Sarkeesian.

But also, I just saw a writeup of a Youtuber whose content has come a long way from his Gamergate days, and to explain that, the wiki says, "Anita Sarkeesian is a radical feminist who created a webseries about sexist tropes in video games"

AHAHAHAHAHA ANITA SARKEESIAN, RADICAL FEMINIST

HOO HEE EXCUSE ME THAT'S A GOOD ONE

Radical feminist. Feminist extremist. Anita Sarkeesian.

Anita Sarkeesian did her Master's Thesis in Social and Political Thought in 2010 on the trope of the "Strong Woman" in fantasy and science fiction TV shows, and produced Tropes vs Women, a series of online videos breaking down her work in a way that was accessible to a lay audience. She found a ready audience in geek feminist circles, since this was exactly the kind of thing we wanted and needed right then.

Tropes vs Women was extremely bog-standard cultural critique, what you'd find expressed in discussion between scholars of literary theory or media analysis anywhere, and exactly what 99% of feminists were saying at the time. It certainly talked about patriarchy as the complex system of sexism fused into our cultural matrix, so it's not like it wasn't radical feminism from that viewpoint, but it wasn't "radical" by way of being especially militant. Sarkeesian frequently pointed out how individual occurrences of a trope weren't harmful in themselves, but that a media landscape completely saturated with only that trope and nothing but that trope is, in the aggregate, a big feminist issue.

And the internet

HAAAAAAAATED

her for it.

Like, geek feminists got flak a lot anyway, especially when we wanted things like properly enforced policies against sexual harassment at science fiction conventions. And yeah, there totally were toxic keyboard warriors who said stuff about all men being scum - but Sarkeesian wasn't one of them.

It's probably because of her succinct, matter-of-fact, "this is not a debated issue, feminists have decades of theory and research to back this point up, sources abound if you google for thirty seconds so I won't stop to baby you through all the fundamental concepts" approach that she got such a big reach. She was calm, concise, coherent, and rational, everything feminists are told we need to be.

Unfortunately that just made her seem... attackable, I think. A good target, not actually scary or impassioned, unlikely to respond to violence with violence. The perfect kind of person to play five seconds of, and then spend the next five minutes yelling into your mic because IF ANITA IS RIGHT ABOUT VIDEO GAME SEXIST YOU MIGHT AS WELL SAY THAT EVERYTHING IS SEXIST AND SEXISM IS SYSTEMIC AND ENDEMIC TO ALL OF WESTERN CULTURE AND OTHER CULTURES TOO, WHICH IS CLEARLY RIDICULOUS, ANITA LADY BAD.

She literally spent five solid years as Enemy #1 in online geek spaces. It was completely insane. I am so sorry she had to take the brunt of it, and yet grateful that she did. She held the line and took the shit and kept doing good decent feminist work for years after, though she did admit to burnout and closed up shop on her nonprofit org Feminist Frequency in 2023. I hope to hell she's having a good day.

But even now, more than a decade later, dudes talk about her as though she were Geek Feminist Godzilla, the biggest baddest woman in the universe, off to lay waste to downtown Video Games and cut everybody's balls off.

When people (mostly dudes, but not all) talk like this, it's just very funny and unintentionally revealing because of the absolute averageness of her third-wave, trans-inclusive, western-centric, intersectional feminism. It makes them look absolutely pathetic.

Because it just makes it clear that she is probably the first and last self-described feminist the speaker has ever paid attention to.

[pomegranatesarchive]

two people that matched each others freak | max verstappen

pairing: max verstappen x teammate!reader

summary: max verstappen and y/n l/n love to match each others freak.

liked by, carlossainz, maxverstappen1, redbullracing and 692,028 others!

yourusername: what an unfortunate series of events. first crash kinda nervous 🥰🥰@/carlossainz kill yourself for what you did to me.

view comments below!

user1: LMAO THE CASUAL SELFIE AFTER THAT BIG ASS CRASH ??

user2: carlos deserves way more then a 5 place penalty after that…

user3: no literally ??? y/n is literally BLEEDING !!

maxverstappen1: yeah @/carlossainz. KILL YOURSELF.

user4: you tell ‘em max 🗣️🗣️

user5: queens first crash and it’s not even her fault 😞😞

user6: queens first crash and she almost DIES

user7: carlos hate club reunite !!!

user8: oh let’s not…

user9: to quote y/n: “accidents happen. i know carlos didn’t get into his car with the intention of hurting me. there’s no hard feelings whatsoever.”

carlossainz: IM SO SORRY Y/N.

yourusername: i only take apologies in cash and gift cards xx.

maxverstappen: i only take apologies in cash.

carlossainz: why would i apologize to you?

maxverstappen1: because you almost killed my bestfriend.

carlossainz: do you accept venmo?

user8: max still calling y/n his bestfriend even tho they’ve been dating for two years now is so ??

user9: they were bestfriends for 6 years before that so..

charles_leclerc: give us a big scare there l/n 😬 happy you’re okay!

yourusername: thank you charles ❤️ but because you are carlos teammate, i feel like i am also owed compensation from you as well.

maxverstappen1: yeah leclerc! pay up!!

charles_leclerc: text me the amount 😞

user10: i love how max just goes along with everything y/n says???

user11: we love a man who matches his gfs freak ❤️❤️

liked by charles_leclerc, carlossainz, redbullracing, and 720,629 others!

maxverstappen1: thank you to @/charles_leclerc and @/carlossainz for funding our date night 💙

view comments below!

user12: NO WAY

user13: CARLOS AND CHARLES ACTUALLY SENT THEM THE MONEY ???

user14: this is so cute 🥹

user15: yns so pretty 🙁

maxverstappen1: the prettiest 💙💙

user16: i just looked at my bf and sighed

charles_leclerc: ofc!! cute couple 🥰🥰

user17: charles definitely has a favorite couple

user18: y/n, my favorite nerd

user19: max, my favorite nerd lover

user20: perfect couple

user21: i have a theory that y/n and max are so happy together because they genuinely compliment each other so well

user21: they literally clicked as soon as they met, and they have said that “they feel at home” with each other, they can be their true selves when they’re together

user21: conclusion; i’m lonely and i wish i had a relationship like this

carlossainz: you’re welcome ig. am i forgiven now?

yourusername: we’ll see!

liked by 284,029 others!

f1gossip: throwback thursday!!! throwback to when max and y/n broke the internet, by announcing they were both no longer virgins..through cake.

view comments below!

user22: oh yes the good old days

user23: been matching each others freak since DAY ONE

user24: back when ynstappen was still not OFFICIALLY confirmed

user25: you should throwback to when max refused to resign with red bull until they gave y/n a multi-year contract ☺️☺️

user26: this was a CRAZY day for f1

user27: this connected the dots for all the ynstappen shippers because they basically confirmed they lost their virginity to EACHOTHER!!

user28: did we ever find out who’s idea this was?

user29: a couple months ago it was brought up and max spoke: “i know lots of people think it was yns idea..but it was actually mine. i guess i was just tired to hiding our relationship, so i brought it up, and y/n thought it was hilarious.”

user30: my parents ☝️☝️

user31: from teammates, to friends, to bestfriends, to lovers. living my dream.

user32: them.

user33: if they breakup i will genuinely never believe in love ever again.

user34: them becoming bestfriends was so unexpected, but made so much sense.

user35: if it weren’t for the ice cream shop they never would have happened ☹️

user36: pls explain?

user35: this is when y/n and max had just started the season as teammates, max hadnt performed his best at one of the races, coming in at 6th with y/n behind in 7th

user35: after the race, y/n had unexpectedly asked max to go get ice cream with her at a ice cream shop nearby

user35: max, feeling like he didn’t deserve to celebrate in anyway, declined. but y/n persisted, basically pulling him into that ice cream shop

user35: that’s when max said he truly had the time of his life, he felt happy, even though his race went horrible, he said that he has so much fun with yn and that he has never laughed so hard; the start of ynstappen ☹️

liked by maxverstappen1, redbullracing, landonorris, and 729,624 others!

yourusername: siri, play nasty by tinahe.

view comments below!

maxverstappen1: listening to it right now!

maxverstappen1: oh wow

maxverstappen1: i like this liefde!! 💙💙

maxverstappen1: come to the room so we can listen together!!

yourusername: coming!! 💙💙

landonorris: you are aware you can text privately right?

user36: THE ICE CREAM SHOP PICTURE

user37: he looks so happy 😭😭😭😭

user38: sobs

user39: y/n healing maxs inner child is something i KNEW i needed.

user40: power couple !!!

danielricciardo: i been a nasty girl, i been a nasty girl

user41: i need someone to love me like max loves y/n

landonorris: whos gonna match my freak 😣

user58: ME I WILL PLS LANDO I WILL

user42: the first picture?? 😭😭

user43: omg the second picture. i’m going to throw up with joy. i love you guys.

user44: ynstappen ships used to PRAY for days like these.

liked by, yourusername, redbullracing, danielricciardo, and 829,924 others!

maxverstappen1: i’ll match her freak!!! i will !!!

view comments below!

user45: yes max, we know

user46: i just looked at my boyfriend and sighed

user47: the shirt???

maxverstappen1: @/danielricciardo thank you for the shirt :D i love it 💙

user48: i’m totally ready for max to wear that shirt on race day…

yourusername: the perfect photographer 🥰

maxverstappen1: it’s easy when my muse is perfect ☺️☺️

user49: that SHOULD BE ME.

user50: con🥹gra🥹tula🥹tions

user51: no one will ever understand how much i love this couple

user52: we love a man who matches his gfs energy ❗️❗️❗️

user53: so happy for you guys! haha. ha. ha. so happy.

charles_leclerc: beautiful shirt mate!

user54: the way charles and max still don’t follow each other but this is charles every time max post:

user55: oh! such a cute shirt! haha, ha, i’m so lonely.

user56: max could do better

maxverstappen1: kill yourself you worthless piece of garbage

user57: y’all saying you miss mad max but he makes an appearance every time someone says something negative about y/n 😭

. . .

notes: took a small break to enjoy my summer break start!! but i’m back, request are open !!

[saeun]

he's married ?! nanami kento.

sum. he's easily the top most handsome guy within his job. his relationship status is unknown, so what happens when his co-workers ship him with a female worker?

nanami is well known within his company. tall, insanely fit, and an attractive voice. it's not uncommon for men and women alike to find themselves thinking about him often. what's not common is knowing about his love life. no one knows anything and he would've kept it that way. but when push comes to shove, and you're shipped with someone who's not your beloved, nanami will make it known that he's not only taken but married.

in the coffee-break room there are three guys. now, there's nothing unusual about this — no, no. they're just three guys that are co-workers... except there's a twist. they aren't your regular co-workers, they're your uncommon trio of male gossipers and nanami just so happened to be their newest victim.

"shh, shh! he's here," guy one, tichi, whispers to the others, raising his eyebrows and pointing his chin to nanami's position.

the other two take a quick glance, nodding their heads when they've seen nanami's back faced towards them. it's a perfect moment to strike up a conversation, especially since it's just four men here.

guy two, tacho, shuffles his feet to the empty space near nanami. he pretends to open a sugar packet, fiddling with it as his eyes peep over nanami's shoulder. his heart skips multiple beats when the man himself turns around.

"morning to you, tacho," nanami greets, nodding his head before he turns his attention back to his cup of coffee.

"y-yeah, morning!" he stutters, awkwardly smiling in return. he turns his head to the other two in the background, mouthing the word 'help' to them. unfortunately, they do not give the aid to their friend. instead, tichi fakes a series of coughs and guy three, toeny, gives him a confident double thumbs up. there's no hope, tacho sighs.

it's a silent moment between the men — only the sounds of coffee brewing and a spoon coming into contact with the mug can be heard. tacho's mouth itches him, he happened to remember his group's recent conversation about nanami. he must ask — even if it costs him a mutual co-worker.

"so, nanami," he begins, waiting for nanami to give him the undivided attention.

nanami doesn't face him, but he hums in response. tacho doesn't mind this as an answer, so he continues, "i was wondering if the rumors of you being with the new worker, yeri, are true?"

there is one big lie in that question: there are no such rumors. it's just a theory the trio has been gossiping about every night. nanami's been helping out yeri for quite some time, one can only think that they have a special connection going on.

"that is bullshit," nanami gives a firm answer. nothing more, nothing less.

tacho's stunned, he blinks a few times to recollect himself. "oh — so you're not with her?"

nanami doesn't answer yet, but the two in the back give their unwanted reactions. tichi clicks his tongue three times, shaking his head in disappointment at tacho's second question. it's obvious dumbass, he thinks. toeny, on the other hand, presses his lips in a thin line, pretending to read a magazine that's been on the counter.

nanami reaches into his pocket, whipping out his phone. the trio's confused until nanami speaks.

"i am married man. this is my wife," he educates, pressing the power button to show you as his lockscreen.

he collects three gasps, internally nodding at their shock. that's right, i'm gladly taken.

"all this time you've been... MARRIED?!" tacho's voice heightens, he drops his spoon in shock. it's unbelievable yet somewhat believable.

nanami breathes out a 'yes', raising his arm to show the wristwatch. "she bought this for our five-years anniversary recently. it's quite expensive, going over four-thousand," he brags, emphasizing on key words.

he's been waiting for the precious day where someone indirectly asks for his relationship status. the day has come and he will spend it bragging about his beloved.

nanami doesn't give them a chance to speak, he carries on with his bragging, "she's a very lovely woman. all my bentos are made by her and she writes little notes for each. some may think it's childish but that's bullshit! they just haven't experienced the love of a woman. matter of fact, her most beautiful moments are when she's freshly awake. the smile she gives me is nothing but angelic."

his speech doesn't stop there, but it did for the trio. his words went in one ear and out the next. nanami's blabbering about his wife immediately set a blank face upon tichi, tacho, and toeny. they're jealous and also surprised.

"the way a woman can change a man will never not be amazing," toeny whispers, blankly gazing at nanami's ongoing speech.

[gloomwitchwrites]

You introduce your husband as your "boyfriend" to annoy them.

Anon! This prompt has me screaming! I really enjoyed writing for this one because it's such a fun idea. Sure, our 141 boys might be a little mad that they aren't being called by their proper title, but you know they'll just love punishing you for it.

I went a little different with this one. Instead of introductions, I made it so that reader is constantly referring to them as "boyfriend" in public settings. Depending on the situation, introductions wouldn't make sense if it was with friends, family, or coworkers because they would likely already know that they're "husband" and not "boyfriend." So i changed it up a bit in that way!

Some of these fall into spicy territory without being descriptive.

For the masterlist and how to submit your own request, click HERE

Content & Warnings (per the warnings MDNI): canon-typical swearing, suggestive themes, non-descriptive mentions of sex, fade to black, brief dirty talk

ao3 // taglist // main masterlist // imagines & what if series masterlist

Simon "Ghost" Riley

Simon shakes his head and you roll your eyes.

“We can ask someone for help,” you suggest, scanning the massive wall of televisions.

Simon grunts and crosses his arms. “No.”

Sometimes Simon’s stubbornness is cute—even sexy—but right now you’re just annoyed with him. It makes you want to stir up trouble, to cause a little chaos just for the fun of it. Pouting, you turn, eyes narrowing to find an associate of the electronics store. When you spot one near the HDMI cables, you take off, not caring if Simon follows.

“Excuse me.”

The man’s head perks up. “How can I help you?”

You gesture behind you, your hand smacking into Simon’s chest. “My boyfriend—”

“Boyfriend?” growls Simon, but you ignore him.

“—can’t decide on a television.”

Simon is not your boyfriend. He’s your husband. But he’s being stubborn, not making a decision, and you want out of this store.

Shifting, you place one hand on Simon’s large bicep, grinning like you haven’t done anything at all. Simon’s hand immediately grabs your ass, squeezing hard. A warning. One that you ignore.

“I can help with that,” replies the associate. You glance at the man’s nametag. Jim.

“Thank you so much, Jim.” You lean against Simon, giving Jim your best smile. “Getting this guy to commit to anything is so hard sometimes, ya know?”

Jim makes a noncommittal noise as he walks toward the wall of televisions. You start to follow but Simon’s hold on your ass tightens, keeping you pressed against him. Simon leans down, his lips brushing against your ear.

“What are you doing?” he whispers.

You elbow Simon in the side but it’s not hard. He lets go, keeping close to you as the two of you follow Jim over to the televisions. Standing back, you watch with glee as Simon is forced to talk to Jim. You stay out of it, but notice Simon’s gaze switching to you every so often.

You already know what he’s thinking. He’ll likely want to punish you, and sometimes those punishments are so sweet.

Once Simon selects something and the two of you are at the car, there is no safety net. Simon shuts the trunk and then you’re pressed against the car, your body trapped between it and Simon’s massive form.

“Boyfriend?” he accuses.

You shrug. “What do you mean?”

The growl in Simon’s throat comes out a groan. “Get in the car.” He lightly slaps your ass as you open the passenger door.

As you start to slide in, Simon’s hand returns, this time slipping under your skirt to find your thin, lace underwear. He tugs sharply, ripping the fabric.

“Simon!”

He stuffs the underwear into his pocket. “You don’t need these.” You feel your face growing hot.

Simon shuts your car door and walks around the driver’s side, hopping in. He reaches out, placing one large hand on your bare thigh. It roams upward, squeezing, sending a shiver of lust up your body to make your head spin. “When we get home, I’m fucking that boyfriend nonsense right out of you.”

Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

“I’m so sorry, but this isn’t what my boyfriend ordered.”

Kyle frowns and glances up from his phone’s screen. That’s your voice he hears, but the term of address isn’t right.

Boyfriend. Not husband, as it fucking should be.

Kyle glances in your direction but you’re not looking at him. You’re smiling sweetly at the barista behind the counter.

“It should be hot. Not iced. I might have messed up. I’m so sorry. I can pay for another.” You raise your hands in a placating gesture but the barista doesn’t appear fazed at all.

“No biggie. Keep that one. Won’t take me more than a minute or two.”

“Thank you so much.” You glance at Kyle, and your smirk tells him all he needs to know.

You’re being a tease. You’re doing this on purpose. The drink order is wrong, and you’re using this as an excuse to poke at him.

Kyle locks his phone and casually slides it into his pocket. Do you think you’re going to annoy him by doing this? Maybe. The little smirk on your face tells him that’s entirely what you have in mind.

But the joke is on you. Doesn’t matter if you refer to him as “boyfriend,” because all it’ll earn you is a punishment.

As the barista slides the new drink across the counter to you, you thank them profusely. “Thank you so much. My boyfriend will really appreciate it.”

The barista only nods and turns back to the espresso machine.

As you approach with the coffee, Kyle gentle removes the drink from your grasp.

“Boyfriend?” he asks, amused.

You shake your head like you have no idea what he’s on about. “What?”

Kyle laughs and snags the other drink from your hand. With shock on your face, he strides up to the counter. “Can you set these aside for us? Be right back.”

They only nod and continue working. Kyle snags your wrist and drags you to the little hallway that curves out around. There are a few private corners in there, and the hallway itself opens up into the nearby bookstore.

Kyle checks the handle on the unisex bathroom. Finding it unlocked, he draws you inside.

“Kyle,” you hiss, but he’s not having any of it.

Kyle engages the lock and presses you up against the door.

“You owe me an apology,” he says.

“For what?” Kyle tuts, his hand sliding to the back of your neck. “Get on your knees,” he murmurs, undoing his belt buckle with the other hand. “Apologize with that gorgeous mouth of yours.”

John Price

John leans back in his chair, agitation irritating his spine.

House hunting isn’t something he’s particularly excited about. He is happy that it’s with you, his wife, but the tediousness of it all is exhausting to him. John would rather have you select a few places to tour and then be done with it all. Money isn’t the issue. He just wants you to find a place you like and the two of you can go from there.

He’d live in a tent if that’s what you want.

“My boyfriend isn’t all that picky.”

Boyfriend? John is tugged from his inner musings by your voice and that term of address. Boyfriend. Why the fuck would you call him that? John isn’t your boyfriend. He’s your goddamn husband.

You reach out, planting a hand on his thigh. You squeeze softly as you always do when you’re trying to reassure him, but John frowns down at it, and then looks up at you. You’re not looking at him. You’re staring at the realtor, completely ignoring him.

John licks his lips, considering whether to correct you or not, or leaving it up to a simple mistake, but you do it again.

This time, John didn’t mishear you.

Your hand squeezes his thigh again and Price rests his hand over yours. His fingers enclose your palm and he holds firm. You glance at him and John shoots you his best warning look. You don’t even react. Don’t event blink.

No. He’s going to correct you. He is absolutely fucking correcting you.

The realtor pivots the computer monitor. “I think any boyfriend would agree that these are excellent selections.”

That’s fucking it.

Price shoots up from his seat, keeping a tight grip on your hand. “I need to speak with my—” John pauses, swallowing down his annoyance. “Girlfriend. Privately.”

The realtor shrugs, smiling, but John is already turning around, dragging you out the door. Outside, the stuffy, summer air does nothing to soothe his annoyance.

“Boyfriend? Fucking boyfriend?” John crosses his arms over his chest, looming over you.

You shrug. “What’s the problem?”

“Behave yourself,” he says, lowering his voice.

“Or what?” you ask in mock innocence.

So, this is what you want. John understands the moment the words leave your mouth. You’re fucking teasing him. Fine. He’ll make you learn.

“We are gonna go back in, thank the kind woman for her time, and then we’re leaving.”

“No. I want to stay.”

John leans in but he notices the way you glance away from him and back, clearly flustered. “Good girls don’t play games.”

“Funny,” you reply, head tilting slightly. “That as my boyfriend you have any authority over me.”

John pivots, blocking the view of the front door from you. “I will bend you over that bench so fast, wife.”

“You won’t,” you stammer.

John arches an eyebrow and you visibly swallow. “Want to test me?”

You pout, and then playfully shove him in the chest. “You’re terrible.”

As you turn for the door, John grabs your waist pulling you close. “You started it.”

John "Soap" MacTavish

“My boyfriend and I are redesigning our bathroom.”

Johnny’s attention splits. The associate showing him floor tiles is a distant thing. He might be talking about the newest ones on the market, but Johnny is no longer interested.

Did he just hear you right? Did you just call him boyfriend?

“That’s wonderful,” comes a reply, and Johnny notes an older woman talking to you near the laminate flooring that mimics wood. “Where is he?”

“Over there,” you wave at him, a smug smile on your face.

Boyfriend? Johnny is your fucking husband.

“Sir?” prompts the hardware store associate. “What do you think of these?”

Johnny grunts. “Fine. We’ll come back.” He waves the man off and starts for you even as you continuously refer to him as your boyfriend.

You’re doing it on purpose. You’re doing it to annoy him.

And it’s fucking working.

Johnny saddles up beside you, snaking his arm around your waist, pulling you taut against him.

“This is the boyfriend,” you begin, smiling.

“Husband,” corrects Johnny, flashing the same devious grin. He holds up his left hand, showing off the simple gold band. “Happily married to this one.”

The older woman’s eyes round.

“She likes to joke,” continues Johnny. “Come on, love. Better get home.”

Johnny easily guides you away. He leans down, whispering. “You little terror.”

“Bite me,” you reply.

“Oh. I will. Everywhere. When we get home.”

taglist:

@km-ffluv @glitterypirateduck @tiredmetalenthusiast @spicyspicyliving @miaraei

@coffeecaketornado @aykxz98 @kayden666 @unhinged-reader-36 @enarien

@miss-mistinguett @keiva1000 @cherryofdeath @sapphichotmess @enfppuff

@berarenado @saoirse06 @haven-1307 @ninman82 @no-oneelsebutnsu

@thewulf @lxblm @ferns-fics @ooldcardigan @beebeechaos

@sw33tsnow @kessi-21 @makayla-666 @lifes-project @burn1ngw00d

@heeheehoohoohahahihi @lulurubberduckie @ravenpoe67 @contractedcriteria @lovely-ateez

@gingergirl06 @kidd3ath @leed-bbg @blackhawkfanatic @suhmie

@tulipsun-flower @ghosts-hoe @jaggersinclair @nomercyforthewarrior @dakotakazansky

@talooolaaloolla @hantheconqueror @littlemisscriesherselftosleep @umno-yeah

[tamahoshio]

ive been fucking with an au of a slice of my main/fave OC's life (bcause he must bear the most torture i guess lmao) and like i'm so tempted to make it canon bc it explains so well the time right after it, as well as a few things in general, but i also absolutely don't because it's like sensitive material and i dont wanna have to tell people besides myself about it bc despite research personal experiences and all i know it's a kind of thing where i'm probably just not the person anyone would want to even mention some of it? complicated feels in tags?